CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS [Abstract]
Revenue	$ 5,243,043	$ 3,797,675	$ 2,117,894
Operating expenses:
Network access expenses	518,682	383,679	225,907
Other operating expenses	2,278,419	1,611,137	781,097
Depreciation and amortization	1,403,175	893,719	476,391
Acquisition and integration related costs	143,146	137,142	28,334
Total operating expenses	4,343,422	3,025,677	1,511,729
Operating income	899,621	771,998	606,165
Investment income	2,391	6,848	6,285
Other income (loss), net	9,135	13,690	(41,127)
Interest expense	665,196	521,820	378,214
Income before income taxes	245,951	270,716	193,109
Income tax expense	88,343	114,999	69,928
Net income	157,608	155,717	123,181
Less: Income attributable to the noncontrolling interest in a partnership	7,994	3,044	2,398
Net income attributable to common shareholders of Frontier	$ 149,614	$ 152,673	$ 120,783
Basic and diluted net income per common share attributable to common shareholders of Frontier (in dollars per share)	$ 0.15	$ 0.23	$ 0.38