Commitments and Contingencies (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended				6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011
Capital expenditures anticipated [Abstract]
Anticipated capital expenditures for legacy and acquired properties, minimum					$ 725,000,000
Anticipated capital expenditures for legacy and acquired properties, maximum					775,000,000
Transactions related to commitments and contingencies [Abstract]
Number of states of acquired business converted onto legacy financial and human resources systems			13
Number of states with operating systems converted to legacy systems		9	4
Number of platforms resulting from network and systems integration		1
Operating expenses for integration costs	28,602,000			20,264,000	63,746,000	33,487,000
Capital expenditures related to integration activities					27,940,000	18,986,000
Anticipated operating expenses related to completion of integration and cost savings initiatives					80,000,000
Anticipated capital expenditures related to completion of integration and cost savings initiatives	40,000,000				40,000,000
Percentage of households in markets served to have broadband availability (in hundredths)	85.00%				85.00%
Targeted Mbps in markets to be acquired by end of year 2013, minimum (in Mbps)	3				3
Targeted Mbps in markets to be acquired by end of year 2015, minimum (in Mbps)	4				4
Percentage of households throughout acquired territories with broadband availability in excess of 1 Mbps (in hundredths)	83.00%				83.00%
Percentage of households throughout acquired Territories with broadband availability in excess of 3 Mbps (in hundredths)	79.00%				79.00%
Percentage of households throughout acquired Territories with broadband availability in excess of 4 Mbps (in hundredths)	69.00%				69.00%
Number of state regulatory commissions requiring capital investment commitments	3				3
Aggregate amount placed into a cash escrow account	115,000,000				115,000,000
Amount of letter of credit	100,000,000		190,000,000		100,000,000
Aggregate amount of cash in escrow accounts for service quality initiatives in the state of West Virginia	72,400,000				72,400,000
Associated liability related to the cash in escrow account	47,600,000				47,600,000
Liability associated with cash in escrow accounts for service quality initiatives in the state of West Virginia	3,300,000				3,300,000
Restricted cash balance held in escrow accounts	105,591,000		144,680,000		105,591,000
Release of funds from the West Virginia escrow account	82,100,000				82,100,000
Vermont Joint Owners consortium related commitments and contingencies [Abstract]
Number of utilities forming the Vermont Joint Owners consortium	14				14
Purchase power obligation (in hundredths)	10.00%				10.00%
Number of years assumed if members of the consortium remained in default for the duration of the contract (in years)	4				4
Undiscounted purchase obligation in connection with default for the duration of the contract	$ 316,100,000				$ 316,100,000