| **Goodwill and Other Intangibles (Details) (USD $)**                                                                       | 3 Months Ended  |              |
|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-----------------|--------------|
||
| **Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]**                                                                   |            |         |   |
| Goodwill                                                                                                                   | $ 6,337,719,000 |         | $ 6,337,719,000 |
| **Other Intangibles:**                                                                                                     |            |         |   |
| Other intangibles                                                                                                          | 2,938,067,000   |         | 2,937,717,000 |
| Less: Accumulated amortization                                                                                             | (1,120,166,000) |         | (973,212,000) |
| Total other intangibles, net                                                                                               | 1,817,901,000   |         | 1,964,505,000 |
| Amortization expense                                                                                                       | 147,000,000     | 132,200,000  |   |
| Acquisition of defined assets and liabilities of Verizon Communications Inc. [Member]                                      |            |         |   |
| **Other Intangibles:**                                                                                                     |            |         |   |
| Estimated fair value of intangible assets acquired in the Transaction                                                      | 2,500,000,000   |         |   |
| Acquisition of defined assets and liabilities of Verizon Communications Inc. [Member] | Residential customer list [Member] |            |         |   |
| **Other Intangibles:**                                                                                                     |            |         |   |
| Estimated useful life (in years)                                                                                           | 9               |         |   |
| Acquisition of defined assets and liabilities of Verizon Communications Inc. [Member] | Business customer list [Member]    |            |         |   |
| **Other Intangibles:**                                                                                                     |            |         |   |
| Estimated useful life (in years)                                                                                           | 12              |         |   |
| Customer base [Member]                                                                                                     |            |         |   |
| **Other Intangibles:**                                                                                                     |            |         |   |
| Other intangibles                                                                                                          | 2,697,763,000   |         | 2,697,413,000 |
| Customer base [Member] | Acquisition of defined assets and liabilities of Verizon Communications Inc. [Member]             |            |         |   |
| **Other Intangibles:**                                                                                                     |            |         |   |
| Amortization expense                                                                                                       | 136,500,000     | 118,100,000  |   |
| Software licenses [Member]                                                                                                 |            |         |   |
| **Other Intangibles:**                                                                                                     |            |         |   |
| Other intangibles                                                                                                          | 105,019,000     |         | 105,019,000 |
| Trade name and license [Member]                                                                                            |            |         |   |
| **Other Intangibles:**                                                                                                     |            |         |   |
| Other intangibles                                                                                                          | 135,285,000     |         | 135,285,000 |
| Customer base and trade name [Member] | Commonwealth Telephone Enterprises, INC (Commonwealth) [Member]                    |            |         |   |
| **Other Intangibles:**                                                                                                     |            |         |   |
| Amortization expense                                                                                                       | $ 10,500,000    | $ 14,100,000 |   |

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| - Definition
The calculated weighted-average amortization period of a major class of finite-lived intangible assets acquired during the current period either individually or as part of a group of assets (in either an asset acquisition or business combination). A major class is composed of intangible assets that can be grouped together because they are similar, either by their nature or by their use in the operations of a company.
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|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| - Definition
The amount of acquisition cost of a business combination allocated to an identifiable intangible asset that will be amortized.
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| - Definition
The accumulated amount of amortization of a major finite-lived intangible asset class. A major class is composed of intangible assets that can be grouped together because they are similar, either by their nature or by their use in the operations of a company.
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| - Definition
Aggregate amount of intangible asset amortization recognized as expense during the period.
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| - Definition
Sum of the gross carrying amounts before accumulated amortization as of the balance sheet date of all intangible assets having statutory or estimated useful lives. The aggregate gross carrying amount (including any previously recognized impairment charges) of a major finite-lived intangible asset class. A major class is composed of intangible assets that can be grouped together because they are similar, either by their nature or by their use in the operations of a company.
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| - Definition
The aggregate sum of gross carrying value of a major finite-lived intangible asset class, less accumulated amortization and any impairment charges. A major class is composed of intangible assets that can be grouped together because they are similar, either by their nature or by their use in the operations of a company.
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| - Definition
Carrying amount as of the balance sheet date, which is the cumulative amount paid and (if applicable) the fair value of any noncontrolling interest in the acquiree, adjusted for any amortization recognized prior to the adoption of any changes in generally accepted accounting principles (as applicable) and for any impairment charges, in excess of the fair value of net assets acquired in one or more business combination transactions.
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