Employee Benefit Benefits and Stock-Based Compensation - Defined Contribution (Details)	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2015 USD ($) year	Dec. 31, 2014 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2013 USD ($)
Schedule of Defined Contribution Plans Disclosures
Defined Contribution Plan, Maximum Annual Contribution Per Employee		$ 18,000
Defined Contribution Plan, Vesting Period (in years) | year		3
Defined Contribution Plan, Vesting Percentage After Vesting Period		100.00%
Defined Contribution Plan, Cost Recognized		$ 36,000,000	$ 23,000,000	$ 24,000,000
After January 1, 2012
Schedule of Defined Contribution Plans Disclosures
Defined Contribution Plan, Maximum Annual Contribution Per Employee, Percentage		100.00%
Defined Contribution Plan, Employer Matching Contribution, Percentage		4.00%
tw telecom 401(K) Plan [Member]
Schedule of Defined Contribution Plans Disclosures
Defined Contribution Plan, Maximum Annual Contribution Per Employee, Percentage		100.00%
Defined Contribution Plan, Employer Matching Contribution, Percentage		5.00%
Defined Contribution Plan, Cost Recognized	$ 2,000,000
All Other Defined Contribution
Schedule of Defined Contribution Plans Disclosures
Defined Contribution Plan, Cost Recognized		$ 6,000,000	6,000,000	5,000,000
Network Related Expenses [Member]
Schedule of Defined Contribution Plans Disclosures
Defined Contribution Plan, Cost Recognized		5,000,000	4,000,000	4,000,000
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses [Member]
Schedule of Defined Contribution Plans Disclosures
Defined Contribution Plan, Cost Recognized		$ 31,000,000	$ 19,000,000	$ 20,000,000