CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (Unaudited) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (Unaudited) [Abstract]
Revenue	$ 1,205,396	$ 1,268,054
Operating expenses:
Network access expenses	109,398	115,569
Other operating expenses	541,499	551,583
Depreciation and amortization	303,675	357,300
Integration costs	0	35,144
Total operating expenses	954,572	1,059,596
Operating income	250,824	208,458
Investment income	3,062	2,103
Other income, net	1,592	3,485
Interest expense	171,420	164,862
Income before income taxes	84,058	49,184
Income tax expense	33,275	18,694
Net income	50,783	30,490
Less: Income attributable to the noncontrolling interest in a partnership	2,643	3,722
Net income attributable to common shareholders of Frontier	$ 48,140	$ 26,768
Basic and diluted net income per common share attributable to common shareholders of Frontier (in dollars per share)	$ 0.05	$ 0.03