Debt - Schedule of Debt (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Current portion of long-term debt	$ 13.4	$ 13.0
Receivables facility amount outstanding	52.0	0
Long-term debt, less current portion	2,683.5	2,529.3
Net unamortized discount	(7.5)	(8.7)
Long-term debt, less current portion	2,676.0	2,520.6
Long-term debt	2,689.4	2,533.6
Capital lease Obligations and Other Debt [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Current portion of long-term debt	13.4	13.0
Long-term debt, less current portion	123.1	131.4
Senior Notes due 2015 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt, less current portion	0	250.4
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	7.00%
Senior Notes due 2017 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt, less current portion	500.0	500.0
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	8.25%
Senior Subordinated Notes due 2018 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt, less current portion	625.0	625.0
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	8.75%
Senior Notes due 2020 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt, less current portion	683.9	775.0
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	8.375%
Senior Notes due 2022 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt, less current portion	525.0	0
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	6.375%
Senior Notes due 2023 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt, less current portion	40.0	40.0
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	7.25%
Various Cincinnati Bell Telephone Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt, less current portion	$ 134.5	$ 207.5

Receivables facility amount outstanding

No definition available.

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- Definition

Interest rate stated in the contractual debt agreement.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 02

-Paragraph 22

-Article 5

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 210

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.22(a)(1))

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+ Details

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- Details

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- Definition

The amount of debt discount that was originally recognized at the issuance of the instrument that has yet to be amortized.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher AICPA

-Name Accounting Principles Board Opinion (APB)

-Number 21

-Paragraph 16, 20

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

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-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

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-SubTopic 30

-Section 45

-Paragraph 1A

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-Name FASB Staff Position (FSP)

-Number APB14-1

-Paragraph 31

-Subparagraph b

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 835

-SubTopic 30

-Section 55

-Paragraph 8

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- Definition

Carrying amount of long-term debt, net of unamortized discount or premium, including current and noncurrent amounts. Includes, but not limited to, notes payable, bonds payable, debentures, mortgage loans and commercial paper. Excludes capital lease obligations.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 942

-SubTopic 210

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.9-03.16)

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-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 03

-Paragraph 16

-Article 9

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

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-Paragraph 16

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-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 02

-Paragraph 20, 22

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Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 210

-SubTopic 10

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-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

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-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 944

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-Section S99

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- Definition

Sum of the carrying values as of the balance sheet date of all long-term debt, which is debt initially having maturities due after one year from the balance sheet date or beyond the operating cycle, if longer, but excluding the portions thereof scheduled to be repaid within one year or the normal operating cycle, if longer plus capital lease obligations due to be paid more than one year after the balance sheet date.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 210

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.22)

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-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 02

-Paragraph 22

-Article 5

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Staff Accounting Bulletin (SAB)

-Number Topic 6

-Section H

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- Definition

Obligation related to long-term debt (excluding convertible debt) and capital leases, the portion which is due in one year or less in the future.

+ References

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- Definition

Carrying amount of long-term debt, net of unamortized discount or premium, excluding amounts to be repaid within one year or the normal operating cycle, if longer (current maturities). Includes, but not limited to, notes payable, bonds payable, debentures, mortgage loans and commercial paper. Excludes capital lease obligations.

+ References

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