Employee Benefits and Stock-Based Compensation - Defined Contribution (Details) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($) year	Dec. 31, 2015 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2014 USD ($)
Schedule of Defined Contribution Plans Disclosures
Defined Contribution Plan, Maximum Annual Contribution Per Employee		$ 18	$ 18
Defined Contribution Plan, Vesting Period (in years) | year		3
Defined Contribution Plan, Vesting Percentage After Vesting Period		100.00%
Defined Contribution Plan, Cost Recognized		$ 37,000	36,000	$ 23,000
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
All Other Defined Contribution
Schedule of Defined Contribution Plans Disclosures
Defined Contribution Plan, Cost Recognized		$ 6,000	6,000	6,000
Network Related Expenses [Member]
Schedule of Defined Contribution Plans Disclosures
Defined Contribution Plan, Cost Recognized		5,000	5,000	4,000
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses [Member]
Schedule of Defined Contribution Plans Disclosures
Defined Contribution Plan, Cost Recognized		$ 32,000	$ 31,000	$ 19,000