Restructuring Charges (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	$ 20.3	$ 18.8	$ 13.1
Reclassification		0.9
Charges	12.2	13.7	10.5
Utilizations	(8.5)	(13.1)	(4.8)
Ending balance	24.0	20.3	18.8
Restructuring charges	12.2	13.7	12.6
Special termination benefits			2.1
Restructuring liabilities included in other noncurrent liabilities	11.4	11.0
Restructuring liabilities included in other current liabilities	12.6	9.3
Employee Severance [Member]
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	11.7	14.4
Reclassification		0
Charges	8.0	8.7
Utilizations	(5.5)	(11.4)
Ending balance	14.2	11.7
Lease Abandonment [Member]
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	7.2	4.4
Reclassification		0.9
Charges	2.5	3.5
Utilizations	(1.6)	(1.6)
Ending balance	8.1	7.2
Other Restructuring [Member]
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	1.4	0
Reclassification		0
Charges	1.7	1.5
Utilizations	(1.4)	(0.1)
Ending balance	1.7	1.4
Restructuring charges		1.4
Wireline [Member]
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	12.8	14.4	8.0
Reclassification		0.9
Charges	7.7	8.2	10.5
Utilizations	(5.4)	(10.7)	(4.1)
Ending balance	15.1	12.8	14.4
Restructuring charges	7.7	8.2	12.6
Wireless [Member]
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	1.0	0	0
Reclassification		0
Charges	0	1.0	0
Utilizations	(0.3)	0	0
Ending balance	0.7	1.0	0
Restructuring charges		1.0
IT Services and Hardware [Member]
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	1.3	0	0
Reclassification		0
Charges	1.9	2.8	0
Utilizations	(0.7)	(1.5)	0
Ending balance	2.5	1.3	0
Restructuring charges	1.9	2.8
Corporate [Member]
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	3.8	4.4	5.1
Reclassification		0
Charges	2.6	0.3	0
Utilizations	(0.7)	(0.9)	(0.7)
Ending balance	5.7	3.8	4.4
Restructuring charges	2.6	0.3	0
Data Center Colocation [Member]
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	1.4	0	0
Reclassification		0
Charges	0	1.4	0
Utilizations	(1.4)	0	0
Ending balance	0	1.4	0
Restructuring charges		$ 1.4

The amount of increase related to special termination benefits offered to and accepted by employees in connection with their termination of employment that are only offered for a short period of time. A situation involving termination benefits may also involve a curtailment.

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Amount charged against earnings in the period for incurred and estimated costs associated with exit from or disposal of business activities or restructurings pursuant to a duly authorized plan, excluding asset retirement obligations.

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- Definition

Amount of any reversal and other adjustment made during the period to the amount of a previously accrued liability for a specified type of restructuring cost, excluding adjustments for costs incurred during the period, costs settled during the period, and foreign currency translation adjustments.

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- Definition

Carrying amount as of the balance sheet date of known and estimated obligations associated with exit from or disposal of business activities or restructurings pursuant to a duly authorized plan, which are expected to be paid in the next twelve months or in the normal operating cycle if longer. Costs of such activities include those for one-time termination benefits, termination of an operating lease or other contract, consolidating or closing facilities, relocating employees, and costs associated with an ongoing benefit arrangement, but excludes costs associated with the retirement of a long-lived asset.

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- Definition

Carrying amount as of the balance sheet date of known and estimated costs associated with exit from or disposal of business activities or restructurings pursuant to a duly authorized plan, which are expected to be paid after one year or beyond the next operating cycle, if longer. Costs of such activities include those for one-time termination benefits, termination of an operating lease or other contract, consolidating or closing facilities, and relocating employees, and costs associated with an ongoing benefit arrangement, but excludes costs associated with the retirement of a long-lived asset.

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- Definition

Amount of cash paid in the period to fully or partially settle a specified, previously accrued type of restructuring cost.

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