Consolidated Statements Of Operations (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Consolidated Statements Of Operations [Abstract]
Revenue	$ 1,140,874	$ 1,185,278	$ 3,442,185	$ 3,581,207
Operating expenses:
Network access expenses	107,866	103,955	321,182	320,467
Other operating expenses	533,469	549,141	1,585,780	1,624,655
Depreciation and amortization	260,897	285,701	815,767	887,225
Pension settlement costs		40,309		40,309
Acquisition and integration costs	41,611		72,058
Total operating expenses	943,843	979,106	2,794,787	2,872,656
Gain on sale of Mohave partnership interest				14,601
Operating income	197,031	206,172	647,398	723,152
Investment and other income, net	25,106	1,524	26,484	9,134
Losses on early extinguishment of debt				159,780
Interest expense	170,371	163,835	508,939	501,802
Income before income taxes	51,766	43,861	164,943	70,704
Income tax expense	9,773	8,461	45,996	22,981
Net income	41,993	35,400	118,947	47,723
Less: Income attributable to the noncontrolling interest in a partnership				2,643
Net income attributable to common shareholders of Frontier	$ 41,993	$ 35,400	$ 118,947	$ 45,080
Basic and diluted net income per common share attributable to common shareholders of Frontier (in dollars per share)	$ 0.04	$ 0.04	$ 0.12	$ 0.04