Segment Information - Calculation of EBITDA (Details) (USD $) In Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010
Segment information
Net income (loss)	$ (207)	$ (163)	$ (593)	$ (570)
Income tax expense	6	1	36	2
Depreciation and amortization expense	204	215	615	663
Non-cash compensation expense	26	20	68	50
Reportable segments
Segment information
Net income (loss)	(202)	(162)	(583)	(567)
Communications Segment
Segment information
Net income (loss)	(203)	(163)	(582)	(565)
Income tax expense	6	1	36	2
Total other (income) expense	204	144	553	480
Depreciation and amortization expense	203	214	612	660
Non-cash compensation expense	26	20	68	50
Adjusted EBITDA	236	216	687	627
Coal Mining Segment
Segment information
Net income (loss)	1	1	(1)	(2)
Income tax expense	0	0	0	0
Total other (income) expense	0	0	0	(1)
Depreciation and amortization expense	1	1	3	3
Non-cash compensation expense	0	0	0	0
Adjusted EBITDA	2	2	2	0
Unallocated corporate expense
Segment information
Net income (loss)	$ (5)	$ (1)	$ (10)	$ (3)