Organization and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details) (USD $) In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	0 Months Ended	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Nov. 14, 2011 jointventures	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
Description of Business
New Accounting Pronouncement or Change in Accounting Principle, Effect of Change on Net Income												$ 74
Number of joint-venture surface mines	2
Period company may receive up front payments for services to be provided in the future (in years)										25
USF contributions										194	191	107
Advertising expense										16	20	15
Bad debt expense										17	15	6
Net Loss		14	(21)	(24)	(78)	(56)	(166)	(62)	(138)	(109)	(422)	(756)
Net Loss per Share, Basic and Diluted		$ 0.06	$ (0.09)	$ (0.11)	$ (0.36)	$ (0.26)	$ (0.76)	$ (0.29)	$ (0.66)	$ (0.49)	$ (1.96)	$ (5.51)
Capitalized labor and related costs associated with employee and contract labor working on capital projects										164	146	87
Impairment of Intangible Assets (Excluding Goodwill)												20
Deferred taxes on certain indefinite-lived intangible assets										$ 38	$ 48	$ 41
New Accounting Pronouncement or Change in Accounting Principle, Effect of Change on Basic Earnings Per Share												$ 0.54
Sales Revenue | Customer Concentration Risk
Description of Business
Percentage of communications revenue from top ten customers										17.00%	17.00%	24.00%
Montana
Description of Business
Number of joint-venture surface mines	1
Investments in Joint Venture, Percentage	50.00%
Wyoming
Description of Business
Number of joint-venture surface mines	1
Investments in Joint Venture, Percentage	50.00%
Minimum [Member]
Description of Business
Finite-lived intangible assets, useful life, minimum (in years)										4 years
Minimum [Member] | Facility and Leasehold Improvements
Description of Business
Property, plant and equipment, useful life, minimum (in years)										10 years
Minimum [Member] | Network infrastructure (including fiber and conduit)
Description of Business
Property, plant and equipment, useful life, minimum (in years)										25 years
Minimum [Member] | Operating Equipment
Description of Business
Property, plant and equipment, useful life, minimum (in years)										4 years
Minimum [Member] | Office Equipment [Member]
Description of Business
Property, plant and equipment, useful life, minimum (in years)										2 years
Minimum [Member] | Expansion and improvements of communications network and customer installations
Description of Business
Property, plant and equipment, useful life, minimum (in years)										3 years
Maximum
Description of Business
Finite-lived intangible assets, useful life, minimum (in years)										12 years
Maximum | Facility and Leasehold Improvements
Description of Business
Property, plant and equipment, useful life, minimum (in years)										40 years
Maximum | Network infrastructure (including fiber and conduit)
Description of Business
Property, plant and equipment, useful life, minimum (in years)										50 years
Maximum | Operating Equipment
Description of Business
Property, plant and equipment, useful life, minimum (in years)										15 years
Maximum | Office Equipment [Member]
Description of Business
Property, plant and equipment, useful life, minimum (in years)										7 years
Maximum | Expansion and improvements of communications network and customer installations
Description of Business
Property, plant and equipment, useful life, minimum (in years)										7 years
Maximum | Software development
Description of Business
Property, plant and equipment, useful life, minimum (in years)										3 years