Supplemental Guarantor Information (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Condensed Consolidating Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Abstract]
Revenue	$ 308.4	$ 310.8	$ 312.0	$ 325.7	$ 374.7	$ 368.2	$ 368.2	$ 362.8	$ 1,256.9	$ 1,473.9	$ 1,462.4
Operating costs and expenses									1,093.1	1,203.8	1,202.9
Operating income (loss)	40.1	57.7	46.8	19.2	57.9	66.0	65.2	81.0	163.8	270.1	259.5
Interest expense (income), net									182.0	218.9	215.0
Other expense (income), net									(1.3)	1.7	0.9
(Loss) income before equity in earnings of subsidiaries and income taxes									(57.2)	35.9	43.6
Income tax (benefit) expense									(2.5)	24.7	25.0
Net (loss) income	(28.1)	9.3	0.8	(36.7)	(9.8)	3.9	4.5	12.6	(54.7)	11.2	18.6
Other comprehensive income (loss)									76.4	(0.8)	(48.9)
Total comprehensive income (loss)									21.7	10.4	(30.3)
Preferred stock dividends									10.4	10.4	10.4
Net (loss) income applicable to common shareowners									(65.1)	0.8	8.2
Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheets [Abstract]
Cash and cash equivalents	4.6				23.6				4.6	23.6	73.7
Other current assets	1.6				11.6				1.6	11.6
Total current assets	251.1				303.5				251.1	303.5
Property, plant and equipment, net	902.8				1,587.4				902.8	1,587.4
Investment in CyrusOne	471.0				0				471.0	0
Other noncurrent assets	36.6				86.3				36.6	86.3
Total assets	2,107.3				2,872.4				2,107.3	2,872.4
Current portion of long-term debt	12.6				13.4				12.6	13.4
Accounts payable	89.4				135.6				89.4	135.6
Other current liabilities	36.8				40.2				36.8	40.2
Total current liabilities	254.3				355.4				254.3	355.4
Long-term debt, less current portion	2,252.6				2,676.0				2,252.6	2,676.0
Other noncurrent liabilities	74.4				176.5				74.4	176.5
Total liabilities	2,784.0				3,570.6				2,784.0	3,570.6
Shareowners' (deficit) equity	(676.7)				(698.2)				(676.7)	(698.2)	(715.2)	(667.8)
Total liabilities and shareowners' equity (deficit)	2,107.3				2,872.4				2,107.3	2,872.4
Condensed Consolidating Statements of Cash Flows [Abstract]
Cash flows (used in) provided by operating activities									78.8	212.7	289.9
Capital expenditures									(196.9)	(367.2)	(255.5)
Dividends received from CyrusOne									21.3	0	0
Proceeds from sale of assets									2.0	1.6	11.5
Cash divested from deconsolidation of CyrusOne									(12.2)	0	0
Other investing activities									0	0	(0.7)
Cash flows provided by (used in) investing activities									(185.4)	(371.8)	(244.7)
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt									536.0	525.0	0
Debt issuance costs									(6.7)	(20.9)	(0.8)
Net increase in corporate credit and receivables facilities with initial maturities less than 90 days									94.2	52.0	0.4
Repayment of debt									(530.8)	(442.4)	(11.5)
Common stock issuance costs									0	(5.7)	0
Common stock repurchase									0	(0.3)	(10.4)
Proceeds from exercise of options and warrants									7.1	12.1	0.4
Other financing activities									(2.3)	(2.8)	(16.5)
Cash flows provided by (used in) financing activities									87.6	109.0	(48.8)
(Decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents									(19.0)	(50.1)	(3.6)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year				23.6				73.7	23.6	73.7	77.3
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	4.6				23.6				4.6	23.6	73.7
Notes guaranteed by parent [Member]
Condensed Consolidating Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Abstract]
Revenue									1,256.9	1,473.9	1,462.4
Operating costs and expenses									1,093.1	1,203.8	1,202.9
Operating income (loss)									163.8	270.1	259.5
Interest expense (income), net									182.0	218.9	215.0
Other expense (income), net									39.0	15.3	0.9
(Loss) income before equity in earnings of subsidiaries and income taxes									(57.2)	35.9	43.6
Income tax (benefit) expense									(2.5)	24.7	25.0
Equity in earnings of subsidiaries, net of tax									0	0	0
Net (loss) income									(54.7)	11.2	18.6
Other comprehensive income (loss)									76.4	(0.8)	(48.9)
Total comprehensive income (loss)									21.7	10.4	(30.3)
Preferred stock dividends									10.4	10.4	10.4
Net (loss) income applicable to common shareowners									(65.1)	0.8	8.2
Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheets [Abstract]
Cash and cash equivalents	4.6				23.6				4.6	23.6	73.7
Receivables, net	154.8				199.0				154.8	199.0
Other current assets	91.7				80.9				91.7	80.9
Total current assets	251.1				303.5				251.1	303.5
Property, plant and equipment, net	902.8				1,587.4				902.8	1,587.4
Investment in CyrusOne	471.0								471.0
Goodwill and intangibles, net	106.1				487.4				106.1	487.4
Investments in and advances to subsidiaries	0				0				0	0
Other noncurrent assets	376.3				494.1				376.3	494.1
Total assets	2,107.3				2,872.4				2,107.3	2,872.4
Current portion of long-term debt	12.6				13.4				12.6	13.4
Accounts payable	89.9				135.6				89.9	135.6
Other current liabilities	151.8				206.4				151.8	206.4
Total current liabilities	254.3				355.4				254.3	355.4
Long-term debt, less current portion	2,252.6				2,676.0				2,252.6	2,676.0
Other noncurrent liabilities	277.1				539.2				277.1	539.2
Intercompany payables	0				0				0	0
Total liabilities	2,784.0				3,570.6				2,784.0	3,570.6
Shareowners' (deficit) equity	(676.7)				(698.2)				(676.7)	(698.2)
Total liabilities and shareowners' equity (deficit)	2,107.3				2,872.4				2,107.3	2,872.4
Condensed Consolidating Statements of Cash Flows [Abstract]
Cash flows (used in) provided by operating activities									78.8	212.7	289.9
Capital expenditures									(196.9)	(367.2)	(255.5)
Dividends received from CyrusOne									21.3
Proceeds from sale of assets									2.0	1.6	11.5
Cash divested from deconsolidation of CyrusOne									(12.2)
Other investing activities									0.4	(6.2)	(0.7)
Cash flows provided by (used in) investing activities									(185.4)	(371.8)	(244.7)
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt									536.0	525.0
Funding between Parent and subsidiaries, net									0	0	0
Debt issuance costs									(6.7)	(20.9)
Net increase in corporate credit and receivables facilities with initial maturities less than 90 days									94.2	52.0	0.4
Repayment of debt									(530.8)	(442.4)	(11.5)
Common stock issuance costs										(5.7)
Common stock repurchase										(0.3)	(10.4)
Proceeds from exercise of options and warrants									7.1	12.1
Other financing activities									(12.2)	(10.8)	(27.3)
Cash flows provided by (used in) financing activities									87.6	109.0	(48.8)
(Decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents									(19.0)	(50.1)	(3.6)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year				23.6				73.7	23.6	73.7	77.3
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	4.6				23.6				4.6	23.6	73.7
Parent Company [Member] | Notes guaranteed by parent [Member]
Condensed Consolidating Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Abstract]
Revenue									0	0	3.4
Operating costs and expenses									55.4	33.9	23.6
Operating income (loss)									(55.4)	(33.9)	(20.2)
Interest expense (income), net									164.3	164.8	161.8
Other expense (income), net									28.2	11.5	(0.9)
(Loss) income before equity in earnings of subsidiaries and income taxes									(247.9)	(210.2)	(181.1)
Income tax (benefit) expense									(79.8)	(68.3)	(56.4)
Equity in earnings of subsidiaries, net of tax									113.4	153.1	143.3
Net (loss) income									(54.7)	11.2	18.6
Other comprehensive income (loss)									76.5	(0.8)	(48.8)
Total comprehensive income (loss)									21.8	10.4	(30.2)
Preferred stock dividends									10.4	10.4	10.4
Net (loss) income applicable to common shareowners									(65.1)	0.8	8.2
Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheets [Abstract]
Cash and cash equivalents	2.1				3.8				2.1	3.8	69.6
Receivables, net	2.6				1.0				2.6	1.0
Other current assets	4.4				3.1				4.4	3.1
Total current assets	9.1				7.9				9.1	7.9
Property, plant and equipment, net	0.1				0.1				0.1	0.1
Investment in CyrusOne	0								0
Goodwill and intangibles, net	0				0				0	0
Investments in and advances to subsidiaries	1,406.6				1,449.9				1,406.6	1,449.9
Other noncurrent assets	359.1				384.6				359.1	384.6
Total assets	1,774.9				1,842.5				1,774.9	1,842.5
Current portion of long-term debt	5.4				0				5.4	0
Accounts payable	1.5				1.2				1.5	1.2
Other current liabilities	67.7				85.6				67.7	85.6
Total current liabilities	74.6				86.8				74.6	86.8
Long-term debt, less current portion	1,916.1				1,841.7				1,916.1	1,841.7
Other noncurrent liabilities	214.5				383.3				214.5	383.3
Intercompany payables	246.4				228.9				246.4	228.9
Total liabilities	2,451.6				2,540.7				2,451.6	2,540.7
Shareowners' (deficit) equity	(676.7)				(698.2)				(676.7)	(698.2)
Total liabilities and shareowners' equity (deficit)	1,774.9				1,842.5				1,774.9	1,842.5
Condensed Consolidating Statements of Cash Flows [Abstract]
Cash flows (used in) provided by operating activities									(218.1)	(144.8)	(139.6)
Capital expenditures									0	0	0
Dividends received from CyrusOne									0
Proceeds from sale of assets									0	0	11.5
Cash divested from deconsolidation of CyrusOne									0
Other investing activities									0	0	(0.7)
Cash flows provided by (used in) investing activities									0	0	10.8
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt									536.0	0
Funding between Parent and subsidiaries, net									174.2	433.6	150.3
Debt issuance costs									(6.7)	(3.6)
Net increase in corporate credit and receivables facilities with initial maturities less than 90 days									40.0	0	0
Repayment of debt									(522.0)	(352.0)	0
Common stock issuance costs										0
Common stock repurchase										(0.3)	(10.4)
Proceeds from exercise of options and warrants									7.1	12.1
Other financing activities									(12.2)	(10.8)	(11.3)
Cash flows provided by (used in) financing activities									216.4	79.0	128.6
(Decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents									(1.7)	(65.8)	(0.2)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year				3.8				69.6	3.8	69.6	69.8
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	2.1				3.8				2.1	3.8	69.6
Cincinnati Bell Telephone Company [Member] | Notes guaranteed by parent [Member]
Condensed Consolidating Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Abstract]
Revenue									644.2	642.8	655.8
Operating costs and expenses									459.1	436.3	435.6
Operating income (loss)									185.1	206.5	220.2
Interest expense (income), net									(2.7)	(1.5)	3.4
Other expense (income), net									6.5	5.9	7.5
(Loss) income before equity in earnings of subsidiaries and income taxes									181.3	202.1	209.3
Income tax (benefit) expense									66.1	73.8	76.0
Equity in earnings of subsidiaries, net of tax									0	0	0
Net (loss) income									115.2	128.3	133.3
Other comprehensive income (loss)									0	0	0
Total comprehensive income (loss)									115.2	128.3	133.3
Preferred stock dividends									0	0	0
Net (loss) income applicable to common shareowners									115.2	128.3	133.3
Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheets [Abstract]
Cash and cash equivalents	1.8				1.9				1.8	1.9	1.4
Receivables, net	0				0				0	0
Other current assets	24.1				34.4				24.1	34.4
Total current assets	25.9				36.3				25.9	36.3
Property, plant and equipment, net	706.5				646.7				706.5	646.7
Investment in CyrusOne	0								0
Goodwill and intangibles, net	2.3				2.3				2.3	2.3
Investments in and advances to subsidiaries	247.7				228.2				247.7	228.2
Other noncurrent assets	6.1				6.3				6.1	6.3
Total assets	988.5				919.8				988.5	919.8
Current portion of long-term debt	3.9				3.0				3.9	3.0
Accounts payable	45.9				61.7				45.9	61.7
Other current liabilities	49.4				50.2				49.4	50.2
Total current liabilities	99.2				114.9				99.2	114.9
Long-term debt, less current portion	141.8				141.3				141.8	141.3
Other noncurrent liabilities	172.2				138.6				172.2	138.6
Intercompany payables	0				0				0	0
Total liabilities	413.2				394.8				413.2	394.8
Shareowners' (deficit) equity	575.3				525.0				575.3	525.0
Total liabilities and shareowners' equity (deficit)	988.5				919.8				988.5	919.8
Condensed Consolidating Statements of Cash Flows [Abstract]
Cash flows (used in) provided by operating activities									239.0	250.4	264.7
Capital expenditures									(153.1)	(108.8)	(106.3)
Dividends received from CyrusOne									0
Proceeds from sale of assets									2.0	1.4	0
Cash divested from deconsolidation of CyrusOne									0
Other investing activities									0	0	0
Cash flows provided by (used in) investing activities									(151.1)	(107.4)	(106.3)
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt									0	0
Funding between Parent and subsidiaries, net									(84.3)	(66.0)	(156.5)
Debt issuance costs									0	0
Net increase in corporate credit and receivables facilities with initial maturities less than 90 days									0	0	0
Repayment of debt									(3.7)	(76.5)	(2.3)
Common stock issuance costs										0
Common stock repurchase										0	0
Proceeds from exercise of options and warrants									0	0
Other financing activities									0	0	0
Cash flows provided by (used in) financing activities									(88.0)	(142.5)	(158.8)
(Decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents									(0.1)	0.5	(0.4)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year				1.9				1.4	1.9	1.4	1.8
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	1.8				1.9				1.8	1.9	1.4
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member] | Notes guaranteed by parent [Member]
Condensed Consolidating Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Abstract]
Revenue									669.0	893.3	860.6
Operating costs and expenses									634.9	795.8	801.1
Operating income (loss)									34.1	97.5	59.5
Interest expense (income), net									20.4	55.6	49.8
Other expense (income), net									4.3	(2.1)	(5.7)
(Loss) income before equity in earnings of subsidiaries and income taxes									9.4	44.0	15.4
Income tax (benefit) expense									11.2	19.2	5.4
Equity in earnings of subsidiaries, net of tax									0	0	0
Net (loss) income									(1.8)	24.8	10.0
Other comprehensive income (loss)									(0.1)	0	(0.1)
Total comprehensive income (loss)									(1.9)	24.8	9.9
Preferred stock dividends									0	0	0
Net (loss) income applicable to common shareowners									(1.8)	24.8	10.0
Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheets [Abstract]
Cash and cash equivalents	0.7				17.9				0.7	17.9	2.7
Receivables, net	152.2				198.0				152.2	198.0
Other current assets	63.9				43.8				63.9	43.8
Total current assets	216.8				259.7				216.8	259.7
Property, plant and equipment, net	196.2				940.6				196.2	940.6
Investment in CyrusOne	471.0								471.0
Goodwill and intangibles, net	103.8				485.1				103.8	485.1
Investments in and advances to subsidiaries	0				0				0	0
Other noncurrent assets	178.9				266.3				178.9	266.3
Total assets	1,166.7				1,951.7				1,166.7	1,951.7
Current portion of long-term debt	3.3				10.4				3.3	10.4
Accounts payable	42.5				72.7				42.5	72.7
Other current liabilities	34.6				69.7				34.6	69.7
Total current liabilities	80.4				152.8				80.4	152.8
Long-term debt, less current portion	194.7				693.0				194.7	693.0
Other noncurrent liabilities	59.0				181.7				59.0	181.7
Intercompany payables	199.7				276.4				199.7	276.4
Total liabilities	533.8				1,303.9				533.8	1,303.9
Shareowners' (deficit) equity	632.9				647.8				632.9	647.8
Total liabilities and shareowners' equity (deficit)	1,166.7				1,951.7				1,166.7	1,951.7
Condensed Consolidating Statements of Cash Flows [Abstract]
Cash flows (used in) provided by operating activities									57.9	107.1	164.8
Capital expenditures									(43.8)	(258.4)	(149.2)
Dividends received from CyrusOne									21.3
Proceeds from sale of assets									0	0.2	0
Cash divested from deconsolidation of CyrusOne									(12.2)
Other investing activities									0.4	(6.2)	0
Cash flows provided by (used in) investing activities									(34.3)	(264.4)	(149.2)
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt									0	525.0
Funding between Parent and subsidiaries, net									(89.9)	(367.6)	6.2
Debt issuance costs									0	(17.3)
Net increase in corporate credit and receivables facilities with initial maturities less than 90 days									54.2	52.0	0.4
Repayment of debt									(5.1)	(13.9)	(9.2)
Common stock issuance costs										(5.7)
Common stock repurchase										0	0
Proceeds from exercise of options and warrants									0	0
Other financing activities									0	0	(16.0)
Cash flows provided by (used in) financing activities									(40.8)	172.5	(18.6)
(Decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents									(17.2)	15.2	(3.0)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year				17.9				2.7	17.9	2.7	5.7
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	0.7				17.9				0.7	17.9	2.7
Consolidation, Eliminations [Member] | Notes guaranteed by parent [Member]
Condensed Consolidating Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Abstract]
Revenue									(56.3)	(62.2)	(57.4)
Operating costs and expenses									(56.3)	(62.2)	(57.4)
Operating income (loss)									0	0	0
Interest expense (income), net									0	0	0
Other expense (income), net									0	0	0
(Loss) income before equity in earnings of subsidiaries and income taxes									0	0	0
Income tax (benefit) expense									0	0	0
Equity in earnings of subsidiaries, net of tax									(113.4)	(153.1)	(143.3)
Net (loss) income									(113.4)	(153.1)	(143.3)
Other comprehensive income (loss)									0	0	0
Total comprehensive income (loss)									(113.4)	(153.1)	(143.3)
Preferred stock dividends									0	0	0
Net (loss) income applicable to common shareowners									(113.4)	(153.1)	(143.3)
Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheets [Abstract]
Cash and cash equivalents	0				0				0	0	0
Receivables, net	0				0				0	0
Other current assets	(0.7)				(0.4)				(0.7)	(0.4)
Total current assets	(0.7)				(0.4)				(0.7)	(0.4)
Property, plant and equipment, net	0				0				0	0
Investment in CyrusOne	0								0
Goodwill and intangibles, net	0				0				0	0
Investments in and advances to subsidiaries	(1,654.3)				(1,678.1)				(1,654.3)	(1,678.1)
Other noncurrent assets	(167.8)				(163.1)				(167.8)	(163.1)
Total assets	(1,822.8)				(1,841.6)				(1,822.8)	(1,841.6)
Current portion of long-term debt	0				0				0	0
Accounts payable	0				0				0	0
Other current liabilities	0.1				0.9				0.1	0.9
Total current liabilities	0.1				0.9				0.1	0.9
Long-term debt, less current portion	0				0				0	0
Other noncurrent liabilities	(168.6)				(164.4)				(168.6)	(164.4)
Intercompany payables	(446.1)				(505.3)				(446.1)	(505.3)
Total liabilities	(614.6)				(668.8)				(614.6)	(668.8)
Shareowners' (deficit) equity	(1,208.2)				(1,172.8)				(1,208.2)	(1,172.8)
Total liabilities and shareowners' equity (deficit)	(1,822.8)				(1,841.6)				(1,822.8)	(1,841.6)
Condensed Consolidating Statements of Cash Flows [Abstract]
Cash flows (used in) provided by operating activities									0	0	0
Capital expenditures									0	0	0
Dividends received from CyrusOne									0
Proceeds from sale of assets									0	0	0
Cash divested from deconsolidation of CyrusOne									0
Other investing activities									0	0	0
Cash flows provided by (used in) investing activities									0	0	0
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt									0	0
Funding between Parent and subsidiaries, net									0	0	0
Debt issuance costs									0	0
Net increase in corporate credit and receivables facilities with initial maturities less than 90 days									0	0	0
Repayment of debt									0	0	0
Common stock issuance costs										0
Common stock repurchase										0	0
Proceeds from exercise of options and warrants									0	0
Other financing activities									0	0	0
Cash flows provided by (used in) financing activities									0	0	0
(Decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents									0	0	0
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year				0				0	0	0	0
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	0				0				0	0	0
Various Cincinnati Bell Telephone Notes [Member]
Debt Instruments [Abstract]
Cincinnati Bell Telephone Notes Outstanding	$ 134.5				$ 134.5				$ 134.5	$ 134.5