Supplemental Guarantor Information (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2011
Condensed Consolidating Statements of Operations [Abstract]
Revenue	$ 362.8	$ 360.8
Operating costs and expenses	281.8	274.4
Operating income	81.0	86.4
Interest expense, net	54.4	54.5
Other expense (income), net	1.5	0
Income before income taxes	25.1	31.9
Income tax expense (benefit)	12.5	14.0
Net income	12.6	17.9
Other comprehensive income	1.4	1.2
Total comprehensive income	14.0	19.1
Preferred stock dividends	2.6	2.6
Net income applicable to common shareowners	10.0	15.3
Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheets [Abstract]
Cash and cash equivalents	6.9	84.0
Other current assets	4.8		2.7
Total current assets	257.4		321.0
Property, plant and equipment, net	1,426.3		1,400.5
Other noncurrent assets	60.9		62.2
Total assets	2,657.9		2,714.7
Current portion of long-term debt	12.9		13.0
Accounts payable	88.9		133.4
Other current liabilities	35.8		48.1
Total current liabilities	300.0		356.4
Long-term debt, less current portion	2,518.3		2,520.6
Other noncurrent liabilities	161.4		163.0
Total liabilities	3,359.2		3,429.9
Shareowners' equity (deficit)	(701.3)		(715.2)
Total liabilities and shareowners' deficit	2,657.9		2,714.7
Condensed Consolidating Statements of Cash Flows [Abstract]
Cash flows provided by (used in) operating activities	23.6	65.0
Capital expenditures	(84.6)	(52.4)
Other investing activities	0	0.1
Net cash used in investing activities	(84.6)	(52.3)
Repayment of debt	(4.0)	(3.0)
Common stock repurchase	(0.3)	0
Other financing activities	1.1	(0.4)
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities	(5.8)	(6.0)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	(66.8)	6.7
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	73.7	77.3
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	6.9	84.0
Notes guaranteed by parent [Member]
Condensed Consolidating Statements of Operations [Abstract]
Revenue	362.8	360.8
Operating costs and expenses	281.8	274.4
Operating income	81.0	86.4
Interest expense, net	54.4	54.5
Other expense (income), net	1.5	0
Income before income taxes	25.1	31.9
Income tax expense (benefit)	12.5	14.0
Equity in earnings of subsidiaries net of tax	0	0
Net income	12.6	17.9
Other comprehensive income	1.4	1.2
Total comprehensive income	14.0	19.1
Preferred stock dividends	2.6	2.6
Net income applicable to common shareowners	10.0	15.3
Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheets [Abstract]
Cash and cash equivalents	6.9	84.0
Receivables, net	176.0		179.4
Other current assets	74.5		67.9
Total current assets	257.4		321.0
Property, plant and equipment, net	1,426.3		1,400.5
Goodwill and intangibles net	503.1		507.5
Investments in and advances to subsidiaries	0		0
Other noncurrent assets	471.1		485.7
Total assets	2,657.9		2,714.7
Current portion of long-term debt	12.9		13.0
Accounts payable	88.9		133.4
Other current liabilities	198.2		210.0
Total current liabilities	300.0		356.4
Long-term debt, less current portion	2,518.3		2,520.6
Other noncurrent liabilities	540.9		552.9
Intercompany payables	0		0
Total liabilities	3,359.2		3,429.9
Shareowners' equity (deficit)	(701.3)		(715.2)
Total liabilities and shareowners' deficit	2,657.9		2,714.7
Condensed Consolidating Statements of Cash Flows [Abstract]
Cash flows provided by (used in) operating activities	23.6	65.0
Capital expenditures	(84.6)	(52.4)
Other investing activities		0.1
Net cash used in investing activities	(84.6)	(52.3)
Funding between Parent and subsidiaries net	0	0
Repayment of debt	(4.0)	(3.0)
Common stock repurchase	(0.3)
Other financing activities	(1.5)	(3.0)
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities	(5.8)	(6.0)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	(66.8)	6.7
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	73.7	77.3
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	6.9	84.0
Notes guaranteed by subsidiaries [Member]
Condensed Consolidating Statements of Operations [Abstract]
Revenue	362.8	360.8
Operating costs and expenses	281.8	274.4
Operating income	81.0	86.4
Interest expense, net	54.4	54.5
Other expense (income), net	1.5	0
Income before income taxes	25.1	31.9
Income tax expense (benefit)	12.5	14.0
Equity in earnings of subsidiaries net of tax	0	0
Net income	12.6	17.9
Other comprehensive income	1.4	1.2
Total comprehensive income	14.0	19.1
Preferred stock dividends	2.6	2.6
Net income applicable to common shareowners	10.0	15.3
Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheets [Abstract]
Cash and cash equivalents	6.9	84.0
Receivables, net	176.0		179.4
Other current assets	74.5		67.9
Total current assets	257.4		321.0
Property, plant and equipment, net	1,426.3		1,400.5
Goodwill and intangibles net	503.1		507.5
Investments in and advances to subsidiaries	0		0
Other noncurrent assets	471.1		485.7
Total assets	2,657.9		2,714.7
Current portion of long-term debt	12.9		13.0
Accounts payable	88.9		133.4
Other current liabilities	198.2		210.0
Total current liabilities	300.0		356.4
Long-term debt, less current portion	2,518.3		2,520.6
Other noncurrent liabilities	540.9		552.9
Intercompany payables	0		0
Total liabilities	3,359.2		3,429.9
Shareowners' equity (deficit)	(701.3)		(715.2)
Total liabilities and shareowners' deficit	2,657.9		2,714.7
Condensed Consolidating Statements of Cash Flows [Abstract]
Cash flows provided by (used in) operating activities	23.6	65.0
Capital expenditures	(84.6)	(52.4)
Other investing activities		0.1
Net cash used in investing activities	(84.6)	(52.3)
Funding between Parent and subsidiaries net	0	0
Repayment of debt	(4.0)	(3.0)
Common stock repurchase	(0.3)
Other financing activities	(1.5)	(3.0)
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities	(5.8)	(6.0)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	(66.8)	6.7
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	73.7	77.3
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	6.9	84.0
Parent Company [Member] | Notes guaranteed by parent [Member]
Condensed Consolidating Statements of Operations [Abstract]
Revenue	0	1.5
Operating costs and expenses	7.1	7.1
Operating income	(7.1)	(5.6)
Interest expense, net	40.6	37.0
Other expense (income), net	(0.4)	(0.4)
Income before income taxes	(47.3)	(42.2)
Income tax expense (benefit)	(14.1)	(13.2)
Equity in earnings of subsidiaries net of tax	45.8	46.9
Net income	12.6	17.9
Other comprehensive income	1.4	1.2
Total comprehensive income	14.0	19.1
Preferred stock dividends	2.6	2.6
Net income applicable to common shareowners	10.0	15.3
Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheets [Abstract]
Cash and cash equivalents	1.8	78.3
Receivables, net	1.2		2.0
Other current assets	5.7		5.8
Total current assets	8.7		77.4
Property, plant and equipment, net	0.1		0.1
Goodwill and intangibles net	0		0
Investments in and advances to subsidiaries	1,833.9		1,731.4
Other noncurrent assets	389.7		387.9
Total assets	2,232.4		2,196.8
Current portion of long-term debt	0		0
Accounts payable	0.4		1.0
Other current liabilities	98.0		93.2
Total current liabilities	98.4		94.2
Long-term debt, less current portion	2,182.2		2,182.0
Other noncurrent liabilities	394.8		404.3
Intercompany payables	258.3		231.5
Total liabilities	2,933.7		2,912.0
Shareowners' equity (deficit)	(701.3)		(715.2)
Total liabilities and shareowners' deficit	2,232.4		2,196.8
Condensed Consolidating Statements of Cash Flows [Abstract]
Cash flows provided by (used in) operating activities	(36.5)	(34.2)
Capital expenditures	0	0
Other investing activities		0
Net cash used in investing activities	0	0
Funding between Parent and subsidiaries net	(29.6)	45.7
Repayment of debt	0	0
Common stock repurchase	(0.3)
Other financing activities	(1.4)	(3.0)
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities	(31.3)	42.7
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	(67.8)	8.5
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	69.6	69.8
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	1.8	78.3
Parent Company [Member] | Notes guaranteed by subsidiaries [Member]
Condensed Consolidating Statements of Operations [Abstract]
Revenue	0	1.5
Operating costs and expenses	7.1	7.1
Operating income	(7.1)	(5.6)
Interest expense, net	40.6	37.0
Other expense (income), net	(0.4)	(0.4)
Income before income taxes	(47.3)	(42.2)
Income tax expense (benefit)	(14.1)	(13.2)
Equity in earnings of subsidiaries net of tax	45.8	46.9
Net income	12.6	17.9
Other comprehensive income	1.4	1.2
Total comprehensive income	14.0	19.1
Preferred stock dividends	2.6	2.6
Net income applicable to common shareowners	10.0	15.3
Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheets [Abstract]
Cash and cash equivalents	1.8	78.3
Receivables, net	1.2		2.0
Other current assets	5.7		5.8
Total current assets	8.7		77.4
Property, plant and equipment, net	0.1		0.1
Goodwill and intangibles net	0		0
Investments in and advances to subsidiaries	1,833.9		1,731.4
Other noncurrent assets	389.7		387.9
Total assets	2,232.4		2,196.8
Current portion of long-term debt	0		0
Accounts payable	0.4		1.0
Other current liabilities	98.0		93.2
Total current liabilities	98.4		94.2
Long-term debt, less current portion	2,182.2		2,182.0
Other noncurrent liabilities	394.8		404.3
Intercompany payables	258.3		231.5
Total liabilities	2,933.7		2,912.0
Shareowners' equity (deficit)	(701.3)		(715.2)
Total liabilities and shareowners' deficit	2,232.4		2,196.8
Condensed Consolidating Statements of Cash Flows [Abstract]
Cash flows provided by (used in) operating activities	(36.5)	(34.2)
Capital expenditures	0	0
Other investing activities		0
Net cash used in investing activities	0	0
Funding between Parent and subsidiaries net	(29.6)	45.7
Repayment of debt	0	0
Common stock repurchase	(0.3)
Other financing activities	(1.4)	(3.0)
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities	(31.3)	42.7
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	(67.8)	8.5
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	69.6	69.8
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	1.8	78.3
Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member] | Notes guaranteed by subsidiaries [Member]
Condensed Consolidating Statements of Operations [Abstract]
Revenue	228.0	224.4
Operating costs and expenses	194.5	188.6
Operating income	33.5	35.8
Interest expense, net	10.7	13.6
Other expense (income), net	5.3	2.5
Income before income taxes	17.5	19.7
Income tax expense (benefit)	5.9	6.9
Equity in earnings of subsidiaries net of tax	0	0
Net income	11.6	12.8
Other comprehensive income	0	0
Total comprehensive income	11.6	12.8
Preferred stock dividends	0	0
Net income applicable to common shareowners	11.6	12.8
Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheets [Abstract]
Cash and cash equivalents	1.1	4.4
Receivables, net	2.0		1.9
Other current assets	29.0		27.6
Total current assets	32.1		30.6
Property, plant and equipment, net	772.6		731.4
Goodwill and intangibles net	500.7		505.1
Investments in and advances to subsidiaries	4.6		1.2
Other noncurrent assets	235.7		235.2
Total assets	1,545.7		1,503.5
Current portion of long-term debt	9.4		9.9
Accounts payable	54.1		109.6
Other current liabilities	51.6		63.7
Total current liabilities	115.1		183.2
Long-term debt, less current portion	112.1		113.7
Other noncurrent liabilities	159.7		155.1
Intercompany payables	553.3		457.4
Total liabilities	940.2		909.4
Shareowners' equity (deficit)	605.5		594.1
Total liabilities and shareowners' deficit	1,545.7		1,503.5
Condensed Consolidating Statements of Cash Flows [Abstract]
Cash flows provided by (used in) operating activities	(14.4)	19.7
Capital expenditures	(62.3)	(28.7)
Other investing activities		0
Net cash used in investing activities	(62.3)	(28.7)
Funding between Parent and subsidiaries net	80.0	10.2
Repayment of debt	(3.2)	(2.5)
Common stock repurchase	0
Other financing activities	(0.1)	0
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities	76.7	7.7
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	0	(1.3)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	1.1	5.7
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	1.1	4.4
Cincinnati Bell Telephone Company [Member] | Notes guaranteed by parent [Member]
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Guarantor Obligations, Current Carrying Value	207.5
Condensed Consolidating Statements of Operations [Abstract]
Revenue	159.9	163.8
Operating costs and expenses	104.4	104.7
Operating income	55.5	59.1
Interest expense, net	(0.1)	1.7
Other expense (income), net	1.1	2.1
Income before income taxes	54.5	55.3
Income tax expense (benefit)	19.8	20.9
Equity in earnings of subsidiaries net of tax	0	0
Net income	34.7	34.4
Other comprehensive income	0	0
Total comprehensive income	34.7	34.4
Preferred stock dividends	0	0
Net income applicable to common shareowners	34.7	34.4
Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheets [Abstract]
Cash and cash equivalents	1.2	1.3
Receivables, net	0		0
Other current assets	35.5		31.8
Total current assets	36.7		33.2
Property, plant and equipment, net	627.6		642.5
Goodwill and intangibles net	2.4		2.4
Investments in and advances to subsidiaries	274.3		237.3
Other noncurrent assets	7.4		7.6
Total assets	948.4		923.0
Current portion of long-term debt	3.0		3.1
Accounts payable	41.6		53.7
Other current liabilities	50.1		55.3
Total current liabilities	94.7		112.1
Long-term debt, less current portion	215.6		216.3
Other noncurrent liabilities	131.6		122.8
Intercompany payables	0		0
Total liabilities	441.9		451.2
Shareowners' equity (deficit)	506.5		471.8
Total liabilities and shareowners' deficit	948.4		923.0
Condensed Consolidating Statements of Cash Flows [Abstract]
Cash flows provided by (used in) operating activities	47.4	56.4
Capital expenditures	(22.3)	(23.7)
Other investing activities		0.1
Net cash used in investing activities	(22.3)	(23.6)
Funding between Parent and subsidiaries net	(24.5)	(32.8)
Repayment of debt	(0.8)	(0.5)
Common stock repurchase	0
Other financing activities	0	0
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities	(25.3)	(33.3)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	(0.2)	(0.5)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	1.4	1.8
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	1.2	1.3
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member] | Notes guaranteed by parent [Member]
Condensed Consolidating Statements of Operations [Abstract]
Revenue	218.5	209.5
Operating costs and expenses	185.9	176.6
Operating income	32.6	32.9
Interest expense, net	13.9	15.8
Other expense (income), net	0.8	(1.7)
Income before income taxes	17.9	18.8
Income tax expense (benefit)	6.8	6.3
Equity in earnings of subsidiaries net of tax	0	0
Net income	11.1	12.5
Other comprehensive income	0	0
Total comprehensive income	11.1	12.5
Preferred stock dividends	0	0
Net income applicable to common shareowners	11.1	12.5
Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheets [Abstract]
Cash and cash equivalents	3.9	4.4
Receivables, net	174.8		177.4
Other current assets	33.7		31.7
Total current assets	212.4		211.8
Property, plant and equipment, net	798.6		757.9
Goodwill and intangibles net	500.7		505.1
Investments in and advances to subsidiaries	0		0
Other noncurrent assets	234.5		234.0
Total assets	1,746.2		1,708.8
Current portion of long-term debt	9.9		9.9
Accounts payable	46.9		78.7
Other current liabilities	49.6		61.5
Total current liabilities	106.4		150.1
Long-term debt, less current portion	120.5		122.3
Other noncurrent liabilities	175.9		171.0
Intercompany payables	662.5		595.8
Total liabilities	1,065.3		1,039.2
Shareowners' equity (deficit)	680.9		669.6
Total liabilities and shareowners' deficit	1,746.2		1,708.8
Condensed Consolidating Statements of Cash Flows [Abstract]
Cash flows provided by (used in) operating activities	12.7	42.8
Capital expenditures	(62.3)	(28.7)
Other investing activities		0
Net cash used in investing activities	(62.3)	(28.7)
Funding between Parent and subsidiaries net	54.1	(12.9)
Repayment of debt	(3.2)	(2.5)
Common stock repurchase	0
Other financing activities	(0.1)	0
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities	50.8	(15.4)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	1.2	(1.3)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	2.7	5.7
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	3.9	4.4
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member] | Notes guaranteed by subsidiaries [Member]
Condensed Consolidating Statements of Operations [Abstract]
Revenue	150.4	148.9
Operating costs and expenses	95.8	92.7
Operating income	54.6	56.2
Interest expense, net	3.1	3.9
Other expense (income), net	(3.4)	(2.1)
Income before income taxes	54.9	54.4
Income tax expense (benefit)	20.7	20.3
Equity in earnings of subsidiaries net of tax	0	0
Net income	34.2	34.1
Other comprehensive income	0	0
Total comprehensive income	34.2	34.1
Preferred stock dividends	0	0
Net income applicable to common shareowners	34.2	34.1
Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheets [Abstract]
Cash and cash equivalents	4.0	1.3
Receivables, net	172.8		175.5
Other current assets	40.2		35.9
Total current assets	217.0		214.4
Property, plant and equipment, net	653.6		669.0
Goodwill and intangibles net	2.4		2.4
Investments in and advances to subsidiaries	266.5		202.5
Other noncurrent assets	6.2		6.4
Total assets	1,145.7		1,094.7
Current portion of long-term debt	3.5		3.1
Accounts payable	34.4		22.8
Other current liabilities	48.1		53.1
Total current liabilities	86.0		79.0
Long-term debt, less current portion	224.0		224.9
Other noncurrent liabilities	147.8		138.7
Intercompany payables	120.7		123.0
Total liabilities	578.5		565.6
Shareowners' equity (deficit)	567.2		529.1
Total liabilities and shareowners' deficit	1,145.7		1,094.7
Condensed Consolidating Statements of Cash Flows [Abstract]
Cash flows provided by (used in) operating activities	74.5	79.5
Capital expenditures	(22.3)	(23.7)
Other investing activities		0.1
Net cash used in investing activities	(22.3)	(23.6)
Funding between Parent and subsidiaries net	(50.4)	(55.9)
Repayment of debt	(0.8)	(0.5)
Common stock repurchase	0
Other financing activities	0	0
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities	(51.2)	(56.4)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	1.0	(0.5)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	3.0	1.8
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	4.0	1.3
Consolidation, Eliminations [Member] | Notes guaranteed by parent [Member]
Condensed Consolidating Statements of Operations [Abstract]
Revenue	(15.6)	(14.0)
Operating costs and expenses	(15.6)	(14.0)
Operating income	0	0
Interest expense, net	0	0
Other expense (income), net	0	0
Income before income taxes	0	0
Income tax expense (benefit)	0	0
Equity in earnings of subsidiaries net of tax	(45.8)	(46.9)
Net income	(45.8)	(46.9)
Other comprehensive income	0	0
Total comprehensive income	(45.8)	(46.9)
Preferred stock dividends	0	0
Net income applicable to common shareowners	(45.8)	(46.9)
Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheets [Abstract]
Cash and cash equivalents	0	0
Receivables, net	0		0
Other current assets	(0.4)		(1.4)
Total current assets	(0.4)		(1.4)
Property, plant and equipment, net	0		0
Goodwill and intangibles net	0		0
Investments in and advances to subsidiaries	(2,108.2)		(1,968.7)
Other noncurrent assets	(160.5)		(143.8)
Total assets	(2,269.1)		(2,113.9)
Current portion of long-term debt	0		0
Accounts payable	0		0
Other current liabilities	0.5		0
Total current liabilities	0.5		0
Long-term debt, less current portion	0		0
Other noncurrent liabilities	(161.4)		(145.2)
Intercompany payables	(920.8)		(827.3)
Total liabilities	(1,081.7)		(972.5)
Shareowners' equity (deficit)	(1,187.4)		(1,141.4)
Total liabilities and shareowners' deficit	(2,269.1)		(2,113.9)
Condensed Consolidating Statements of Cash Flows [Abstract]
Cash flows provided by (used in) operating activities	0	0
Capital expenditures	0	0
Other investing activities		0
Net cash used in investing activities	0	0
Funding between Parent and subsidiaries net	0	0
Repayment of debt	0	0
Common stock repurchase	0
Other financing activities	0	0
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities	0	0
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	0	0
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	0	0
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	0	0
Consolidation, Eliminations [Member] | Notes guaranteed by subsidiaries [Member]
Condensed Consolidating Statements of Operations [Abstract]
Revenue	(15.6)	(14.0)
Operating costs and expenses	(15.6)	(14.0)
Operating income	0	0
Interest expense, net	0	0
Other expense (income), net	0	0
Income before income taxes	0	0
Income tax expense (benefit)	0	0
Equity in earnings of subsidiaries net of tax	(45.8)	(46.9)
Net income	(45.8)	(46.9)
Other comprehensive income	0	0
Total comprehensive income	(45.8)	(46.9)
Preferred stock dividends	0	0
Net income applicable to common shareowners	(45.8)	(46.9)
Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheets [Abstract]
Cash and cash equivalents	0	0
Receivables, net	0		0
Other current assets	(0.4)		(1.4)
Total current assets	(0.4)		(1.4)
Property, plant and equipment, net	0		0
Goodwill and intangibles net	0		0
Investments in and advances to subsidiaries	(2,105.0)		(1,935.1)
Other noncurrent assets	(160.5)		(143.8)
Total assets	(2,265.9)		(2,080.3)
Current portion of long-term debt	0		0
Accounts payable	0		0
Other current liabilities	0.5		0
Total current liabilities	0.5		0
Long-term debt, less current portion	0		0
Other noncurrent liabilities	(161.4)		(145.2)
Intercompany payables	(932.3)		(811.9)
Total liabilities	(1,093.2)		(957.1)
Shareowners' equity (deficit)	(1,172.7)		(1,123.2)
Total liabilities and shareowners' deficit	(2,265.9)		(2,080.3)
Condensed Consolidating Statements of Cash Flows [Abstract]
Cash flows provided by (used in) operating activities	0	0
Capital expenditures	0	0
Other investing activities		0
Net cash used in investing activities	0	0
Funding between Parent and subsidiaries net	0	0
Repayment of debt	0	0
Common stock repurchase	0
Other financing activities	0	0
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities	0	0
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	0	0
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	0	0
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$ 0	$ 0