Alaska Communications Systems 10-Q 10 Nov 14 2014 Q3 Quarterly report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Oct. 20, 2014
Document And Entity Information [Abstract]	'	'
Document Type	'10-Q	'
Amendment Flag	'false	'
Document Period End Date	30-Sep-14	'
Document Fiscal Year Focus	'2014	'
Document Fiscal Period Focus	'Q3	'
Trading Symbol	'ALSK	'
Entity Registrant Name	'ALASKA COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEMS GROUP INC	'
Entity Central Index Key	'0001089511	'
Current Fiscal Year End Date	'--12-31	'
Entity Filer Category	'Accelerated Filer	'
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	'	49,539,785

Condensed_Consolidated_Balance

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Current assets:	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	$28,851	$43,039
Restricted cash	467	467
Accounts receivable-trade, net of allowance of $7,450 and $6,193	38,116	34,066
Materials and supplies	9,591	10,131
Prepayments and other current assets	8,003	7,300
Deferred income taxes	6,694	7,144
Total current assets	91,722	102,147
Property, plant and equipment	1,357,660	1,344,949
Less: accumulated depreciation and amortization	-994,358	-992,936
Property, plant and equipment, net	363,302	352,013
Goodwill	5,986	4,650
Debt issuance costs	5,017	6,929
Deferred income taxes	11,606	14,107
Equity method investments	257,853	266,972
Other assets	349	502
Total assets	735,835	747,320
Current liabilities:	'	'
Current portion of long-term obligations	11,846	14,256
Accounts payable, accrued and other current liabilities, non-affiliates	53,457	55,475
Accounts payable, accrued and other current liabilities, affiliates, net	22,905	14,309
Advance billings and customer deposits	8,501	9,104
Total current liabilities	96,709	93,144
Long-term obligations, net of current portion	422,796	442,001
Other long-term liabilities	17,736	16,947
Deferred AWN capacity revenue, net of current portion	57,548	59,965
Total liabilities	594,789	612,057
Commitments and contingencies	'	'
Stockholders' equity (deficit):	'	'
Common stock, $.01 par value; 145,000 authorized; 49,536 issued and outstanding at September 30, 2014; 48,680 issued and outstanding at December 31, 2013	495	487
Additional paid in capital	153,608	152,193
Accumulated deficit	-9,230	-11,808
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	-3,827	-5,609
Total stockholders' equity	141,046	135,263
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$735,835	$747,320

Condensed_Consolidated_Balance1

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified
Statement of Financial Position [Abstract]	'	'
Allowance for doubtful accounts	$7,450	$6,193
Common stock, par value	$0.01	$0.01
Common stock, shares authorized	145,000	145,000
Common stock, shares issued	49,536	48,680
Common stock, shares outstanding	49,536	48,680

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Operating revenues:	'	'	'	'
Operating revenues, non-affiliates	$76,683	$82,427	$232,031	$271,122
Operating revenues, affiliates	1,782	1,414	5,323	1,535
Total operating revenues	78,465	83,841	237,354	272,657
Operating expenses:	'	'	'	'
Cost of services and sales, non-affiliates	31,416	33,078	91,274	105,412
Cost of services and sales, affiliates	13,534	11,642	43,295	11,959
Selling, general and administrative	25,017	29,274	74,926	83,717
Depreciation and amortization	8,585	9,209	25,850	33,291
(Gain) loss on disposal of assets, net	-199	-210,558	612	-209,932
Earnings from equity method investments	-11,556	-8,082	-29,247	-8,061
Total operating expenses	66,797	-135,437	206,710	16,386
Operating income	11,668	219,278	30,644	256,271
Other income and expense:	'	'	'	'
Interest expense	-8,615	-9,785	-26,144	-29,970
Loss on extinguishment of debt	'	-2,094	'	-2,370
Interest income	28	19	42	37
Other	'	'	'	-13
Total other income and expense	-8,587	-11,860	-26,102	-32,316
Income before income tax expense	3,081	207,418	4,542	223,955
Income tax expense	-1,203	-85,421	-1,964	-60,796
Net income	1,878	121,997	2,578	163,159
Other comprehensive income:	'	'	'	'
Minimum pension liability adjustment	21	20	64	61
Income tax effect	-8	-7	-26	-25
Amortization of defined benefit plan loss	113	185	338	551
Income tax effect	-46	-77	-139	-227
Interest rate swap marked to fair value	471	266	1,347	1,342
Income tax effect	-194	-109	-554	-552
Reclassification of loss on ineffective hedge	362	1,082	1,276	1,948
Income tax effect	-149	-445	-524	-801
Total other comprehensive income	570	915	1,782	2,297
Total comprehensive income	$2,448	$122,912	$4,360	$165,456
Net income per share:	'	'	'	'
Basic	$0.04	$2.59	$0.05	$3.50
Diluted	$0.04	$2.08	$0.05	$2.85
Weighted average shares outstanding:	'	'	'	'
Basic	49,498	47,159	49,265	46,592
Diluted	50,155	59,359	49,730	58,816

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme1

Condensed Consolidated Statement of Stockholders' Equity (Deficit) (USD $)	Total	Common Stock [Member]	Additional Paid in Capital [Member]	Accumulated Deficit [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss [Member]
In Thousands
Beginning Balance at Dec. 31, 2013	$135,263	$487	$152,193	($11,808)	($5,609)
Beginning Balance, Shares at Dec. 31, 2013	'	48,680	'	'	'
Total comprehensive income	4,360	'	'	2,578	1,782
Stock compensation	1,877	'	1,877	'	'
Surrender of shares to cover withholding taxes on stock-based compensation	-586	'	-586	'	'
Issuance of common stock, pursuant to stock plans, $.01 par	132	8	124	'	'
Issuance of common stock, pursuant to stock plans, $.01 par, Shares	'	856	'	'	'
Ending Balance at Sep. 30, 2014	$141,046	$495	$153,608	($9,230)	($3,827)
Ending Balance, Shares at Sep. 30, 2014	'	49,536	'	'	'

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme2

Condensed Consolidated Statement of Stockholders' Equity (Deficit) (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Statement of Stockholders' Equity [Abstract]	'	'
Common stock, par value	$0.01	$0.01

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme3

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:	'	'
Net income	$2,578	$163,159
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:	'	'
Depreciation and amortization	25,850	33,291
Gain on sale/contribution of asset to AWN	'	-210,873
Loss on disposal of assets	612	941
Unrealized gain on ineffective hedge	'	-785
Amortization of debt issuance costs and debt discount	3,926	5,754
Amortization of ineffective hedge	1,276	1,948
Amortization of deferred AWN capacity revenue	-2,337	-738
Stock-based compensation	1,877	2,268
Deferred income tax expense (benefit)	1,708	60,198
Provision for uncollectible accounts	2,942	805
(Earnings) loss from equity method investments	-29,247	-8,061
Cash distribution from equity method investments	29,247	5,389
Other non-cash (income) expense, net	-384	216
Materials and supplies	105	-2,703
Changes in operating assets and liabilities	1,837	8,799
Net cash provided by operating activities	39,990	59,608
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:	'	'
Capital expenditures	-33,916	-27,314
Capitalized interest	-2,082	-1,291
Change in unsettled capital expenditures	-1,300	-3,276
TekMate acquisition, net of cash received	-826	'
Proceeds on sale of assets	136	4,747
Proceeds on sale/contribution of asset to AWN	'	100,000
Return of capital from equity investment	8,286	'
Net change in short-term investments	'	2,037
Change in unsettled acquisition costs	'	-3,345
Net change in restricted cash	'	3,393
Net cash (used) provided by investing activities	-29,702	74,951
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:	'	'
Repayments of long-term debt	-24,022	-97,382
Debt issuance costs	'	-206
Payment of withholding taxes on stock-based compensation	-586	-632
Proceeds from the issuance of common stock	132	117
Net cash used by financing activities	-24,476	-98,103
Change in cash and cash equivalents	-14,188	36,456
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	43,039	16,839
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	28,851	53,295
Supplemental Cash Flow Data:	'	'
Interest paid	22,036	25,201
Cash paid on extinguishment of hedging instruments	'	4,073
Income tax paid	220	'
Supplemental Non-cash Transactions:	'	'
Property acquired under capital leases	390	-17
Additions to ARO asset	306	180
Exchange of debt with common stock	'	6,000
TekMate acquisition purchase price, net of cash received	$1,850	'

Description_of_Company_and_Sum

Description of Company and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'
Description of Company and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	'
	1	DESCRIPTION OF COMPANY AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
	Alaska Communications Systems Group, Inc. (“we”, “our”, “us”, the “Company” and “ACS”), a Delaware corporation, through its operating subsidiaries, provides integrated telecommunication and information technology (“IT”) services to business, wholesale and consumer customers in the State of Alaska and beyond using its broadband telecommunications network.
	The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements represent the consolidated financial position, comprehensive income and cash flows of Alaska Communications Systems Group, Inc. and the following wholly owned subsidiaries:
	•      Alaska Communications Systems Holdings, Inc. (“ACS Holdings”)		•      Crest Communications Corporation (“Crest”)
			•      WCI Cable, Inc.
	•      ACS of Alaska, LLC (“ACSAK”)		•      WCIC Hillsboro, LLC
	•      ACS of the Northland, LLC (“ACSN”)		•      Alaska Northstar Communications, LLC
	•      ACS of Fairbanks, LLC (“ACSF”)		•      WCI Lightpoint, LLC
	•      ACS of Anchorage, LLC (“ACSA”)		•      Worldnet Communications, Inc.
	•      ACS Wireless, Inc. (“ACSW”)		•      Alaska Fiber Star, LLC
	•      ACS Long Distance, LLC (“ACSLD”)		•      TekMate, LLC
	•      ACS Internet, LLC (“ACSI”)
	•      ACS Messaging, Inc. (“ACSM”)
	•      ACS Cable Systems, LLC (“ACSC”)
	In addition to these wholly owned subsidiaries, the Company has a one-third interest in The Alaska Wireless Network, LLC (“AWN”) which is represented in the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements as an equity method investment. On August 31, 2010, the Company acquired a 49% interest in TekMate, LLC (“TekMate”), a leading managed information technology services firm in Alaska. On January 31, 2014, the Company purchased the remaining 51% interest in TekMate. Prior to that date TekMate was represented in the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements as an equity method investment. Subsequent to that date, TekMate has been recorded as a wholly owned subsidiary.
	Basis of Presentation
	The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and footnotes included in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“GAAP”) in the United States of America have been condensed or omitted pursuant to rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). The Company believes the disclosures made are adequate to make the information presented not misleading.
	In the opinion of management, the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements contain all normal, recurring adjustments necessary to present fairly the consolidated financial position, comprehensive income and cash flows for all periods presented. The comprehensive income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, are not necessarily indicative of comprehensive income which might be expected for the entire year or any other interim periods. The balance sheet at December 31, 2013 has been derived from the audited financial statements as of that date but does not include all of the information and notes required by GAAP for complete financial statements. Certain reclassifications have been made to the prior years’ financial statements to conform to the current year presentation. These reclassifications had no effect on previously reported results of operations, balance sheet amounts, or cash flows.
	Use of Estimates
	The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the Company’s consolidated financial statements and the accompanying notes, including estimates of probable losses and expenses. Actual results could differ materially from those estimates.
	Wireless Handset Financing
	In the second quarter of 2014, the Company began providing the option for customers to finance the purchase of their wireless handsets under the “Buy it. Bring it. Finance it.™” program. This program allows customers to finance wireless handsets over a 24 month period. The Company records revenue equal to the present value of the payments at the time of sale and imputes interest each month of the financing term. The discount rate used to impute interest approximates the Company’s weighted average cost of debt. If a customer disconnects service they are billed the full remaining balance owed on the contract term.
	Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements
	On May 28, 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued its new revenue recognition guidance in Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2014-09 “Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606)” which is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016. This ASU will supersede the revenue recognition requirements in Topic 605, Revenue Recognition, and most industry-specific guidance, and creates a Topic 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers. The core principle of the new guidance is that an entity should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. Early application is not permitted. The standard permits the use of either the retrospective or cumulative effect transition method. The Company is evaluating the effect that ASU 2014-09 will have on its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures. The Company has not yet selected a transition method nor has it determined the effect of the standard on its on-going financial reporting.

Acquisition_of_TekMate

Acquisition of TekMate	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Business Combinations [Abstract]	'
Acquisition of TekMate	'
	2	ACQUISITION OF TEKMATE
	On August 31, 2010, the Company acquired a 49% interest in TekMate for $2,060, and reported this 49% interest as an equity method investment on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheet.
	On January 31, 2014, the Company purchased the remaining 51% interest in TekMate for the following consideration:
		•		$800, payable in cash or the Company’s common stock at the Company’s option subject to certain adjustments, on or about May 15, 2014. On July 15, 2014, the Company paid $894 in cash to settle this liability.
		•		Zero to $700, payable in cash on or about March 31, 2015, subject to the attainment of certain revenue projections in 2014 and certain other terms regarding the founders of TekMate remaining employed with ACS for a specified period of time. The carrying value of this liability at September 30, 2014 was $595 and is included in the caption “Accounts payable, accrued and other current liabilities, non-affiliates.”
	The Company accounted for the purchase of the remaining 51% interest in TekMate at fair value using the acquisition method. On January 31, 2014, the Company ceased to report TekMate as an equity method investment and consolidated its operations into Alaska Communications Systems Group, Inc. The fair value of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed are reported in the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet and the equity method investment of $831 at January 31, 2014 was eliminated.
	The following table represents the fair value of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed on January 31, 2014:
	Current assets		$	1,020
	Non-current assets		$	370
	Current liabilities		$	467
	Non-current liabilities		$	247
	Net assets acquired and liabilities assumed		$	676
	Goodwill on the acquisition is as follows:
	Consideration provided (including fair value of contingent consideration)		$	1,181
	Fair value of equity method investment			831
	Total consideration			2,012
	Fair value of assets acquired			1,390
	Fair value of liabilities assumed			(714	)
	Total net assets			676
	Goodwill		$	1,336
	In the period January 1, 2014 to January 31, 2014 TekMate’s earnings were $12 and they made $33 in cash distributions to the Company. At January 31, 2014, undistributed earnings of TekMate were $0. Pro forma financial information has been omitted from this filing as the impact of the acquisition would not be material to our historical results.

Equity_Method_Investments

Equity Method Investments	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Equity Method Investments and Joint Ventures [Abstract]	'
Equity Method Investments	'
	3	EQUITY METHOD INVESTMENTS
	The Company’s equity method investment at September 30, 2014 consists of a one-third interest in AWN. See Note 2 Acquisition of TekMate for information regarding the purchase of the remaining membership interests of TekMate, LLC.
	The following table provides the Company’s ownership interest and investment in at the dates indicated:
			September 30,			December 31,			September 30,			December 31,
			2014			2013			2014			2013
			Ownership			Ownership
			Interest			Interest
	TekMate, LLC			100	%		49	%	$	—		$	853
	Alaska Wireless Network, LLC			33.33	%		33.33	%	$	257,853		$	266,119
	Summarized financial information on AWN is as follows:
			September 30,			December 31,
			2014			2013
	Current assets		$	130,162		$	119,681
	Non-current assets		$	545,846		$	549,913
	Current liabilities		$	84,928		$	72,242
	Non-current liabilities		$	18,162		$	20,570
	Equity		$	572,918		$	576,782
			Three Months			Nine Months
			Ended			Ended
			September 30,			September 30,
			2014			2014
	Operating revenues		$	70,424		$	198,126
	Gross profit		$	52,375		$	142,078
	Operating income		$	35,941		$	92,153
	Net income		$	35,847		$	91,879
	Adjusted Free Cash Flow (1)		$	26,134		$	93,583
	(1)	Adjusted Free Cash Flow as defined in the Operating Agreement.
	The following table provides a reconciliation of AWN’s reported total equity and ACS’ equity method investment as of September 30, 2014:
			Amount
	AWN total equity as reported		$	572,918
	Less amount attributed to GCI			307,309
	Amount attributed to ACS			265,609
	Adjusted by:
	Difference in income allocation method			(12,411	)
	Difference in timing of recognition of distribution			4,167
	Other			488
	ACS investment in AWN		$	257,853
	As previously reported in our 2013 Form 10-K Note 3 “Equity Method Investments,” the ACS Investment in AWN and related accounts were based on a preliminary valuation. A national valuation firm was engaged by ACS and GCI to assist in the determination of the fair value of AWN including the preferred distribution and the allocation of the purchase price to the assets and liabilities. This valuation was finalized in the second quarter of 2014 and the effects of the final valuation were applied retrospectively. Accordingly, the previously reported September 30, 2013 amounts were revised to reflect the amounts that would have been reported if the final valuation had been completed at the July 23, 2013 acquisition date.
	Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income Revisions
	The following is a summary of the revisions to our previously issued consolidated statements of comprehensive income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013:
			Three Months Ended									Nine Months Ended
			September 30, 2013									September 30, 2013
			As Reported			Revisions			As Revised			As Reported			Revisions			As Revised
	Gain on disposal of assets, net		$	(207,003	)	$	(3,555	)	$	(210,558	)	$	(206,377	)	$	(3,555	)	$	(209,932	)
	Earnings from equity method investments			(8,082	)		—			(8,082	)		(8,061	)		—			(8,061	)
	Total operating expenses			(131,882	)		(3,555	)		(135,437	)		19,941			(3,555	)		16,386
	Operating income			215,723			3,555			219,278			252,716			3,555			256,271
	Income before income tax expense			203,863			3,555			207,418			220,400			3,555			223,955
	Income tax expense			(83,956	)		(1,465	)		(85,421	)		(59,331	)		(1,465	)		(60,796	)
	Net income			119,907			2,090			121,997			161,069			2,090			163,159
	Total comprehensive income			120,822			2,090			122,912			163,366			2,090			165,456
	Net income per share:
	Basic		$	2.54		$	0.04		$	2.59		$	3.46		$	0.04		$	3.5
	Diluted		$	2.05		$	0.04		$	2.08		$	2.81		$	0.04		$	2.85
	Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows Revisions
	The following is a summary of the revisions to our previously issued consolidated statements of cash flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2013.
			Nine Months Ended
			September 30, 2013
			As Reported			Revisions			As Revised
	Cash Flows from Operating Activities:
	Net income		$	161,069		$	2,090		$	163,159
	Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
	Gain on sale/contribution of asset to AWN			(207,318	)		(3,555	)		(210,873	)
Deferred income tax expense			58,733			1,465			60,198

Fair_Value_Measurements

Fair Value Measurements	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]	'
Fair Value Measurements	'
	4	FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS
	The fair values of cash equivalents, restricted cash, other short-term monetary assets and liabilities and capital leases approximate carrying values due to their nature. The fair value of the Company’s 2010 Senior Secured Credit Facility (“Senior Credit Facility”), convertible notes and other long-term obligations of $412,039 at September 30, 2014, were estimated based primarily on quoted market prices (Level 1). The carrying values of these liabilities totaled $434,642 at September 30, 2014.
	The Company has developed valuation techniques based upon observable and unobservable input to calculate the fair value of non-current monetary assets and liabilities. Observable input reflects market data obtained from independent sources while unobservable input reflects internal market assumptions. These two types of inputs create the following fair value hierarchy:
		•		Level 1- Quoted prices for identical instruments in active markets;
		•		Level 2- Quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active, and model-derived valuations whose inputs are observable or whose significant value drivers are observable; and
		•		Level 3- Significant inputs to the valuation model are unobservable.
	Financial assets and liabilities are classified within the fair value hierarchy in their entirety based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurements. The Company’s assessment of the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurements requires judgment and may affect the valuation of the assets and liabilities being measured, as well as their level within the fair value hierarchy.
	The following table presents the balances of liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, at each hierarchical level:
			September 30, 2014											December 31, 2013
			Total			Level 1			Level 2			Level 3		Total			Level 1		Level 2			Level 3
	Other long-term liabilities:
	Interest rate swaps		$	(1,887	)	$	—		$	(1,887	)	$	—	$	(3,234	)	$	—	$	(3,234	)	$	—
	Derivative Financial Instruments
	The Company uses floating-to-fixed interest rate swaps to manage variable interest rate risk. The notional amounts of these swaps are $115,500 and $77,000 with interest rates of 7.220% and 7.225%, respectively, inclusive of a 4.75% LIBOR spread. The swaps began on June 30, 2012 and expire on September 30, 2015.
	The outstanding amount of the swaps as of a period end are reported on the balance sheet at fair value, represented by the estimated amount the Company would receive or pay to terminate the swap. They are valued using models based on readily observable market parameters for all substantial terms of the contracts and are classified within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.
	The following table presents information about the floating-to-fixed interest rate swaps in the notional amounts of $192,500 as of and for the nine month period ending September 30, 2014 and notional amounts of $385,000 as of and for the nine months ending September 30, 2013:
			2014			2013
	Beginning Balance at January 1,		$	3,234		$	9,819
	Reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss to other long-term liabilities			(1,347	)		(1,342	)
	Change in fair value credited to interest expense			—			(785	)
	Cash paid on extinguishment of hedging instrument			—			(4,073	)
	Ending Balance at September 30,		$	1,887		$	3,619
	Fair value of AWN
	As previously reported in Note 3 “Equity Method Investments,” the valuation of our investment in AWN, including the allocation of the purchase price to the assets and liabilities was finalized in the second quarter of 2014. The final valuation resulted in a reduction in the fair value of Deferred AWN Capacity Revenue liability. The change was driven by a refinement in the composition of the underlying assets and the estimated usage by AWN. The valuation methodology remained unchanged. As a result, the fair value of the liability was adjusted to be $64,627 from $68,182. The Deferred AWN Capacity Revenue liability has a carrying value of $60,778 as of September 30, 2014.

LongTerm_Obligations

Long-Term Obligations	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Long-Term Obligations	'
	5	LONG-TERM OBLIGATIONS
	Long-term obligations consist of the following at September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively:
			2014			2013
	2010 senior credit facility term loan due 2016		$	322,700		$	345,900
	Debt discount - 2010 senior credit facility term loan due 2016			(1,155	)		(1,687	)
	6.25% convertible notes due 2018			114,000			114,000
	Debt discount - 6.25% convertible notes due 2018			(7,731	)		(9,213	)
	Capital leases and other long-term obligations			6,828			7,257
				434,642			456,257
	Less current portion			(11,846	)		(14,256	)
	Long-term obligations, net of current portion		$	422,796		$	442,001
	As of September 30, 2014, the aggregate maturities of long-term obligations for each of the five years and thereafter subsequent to September 30, 2014, were as follows:
	2014 (October 1 - December 31)		$	286
	2015 (January 1 - December 31)			15,422
	2016 (January 1 - December 31)			308,792
	2017 (January 1 - December 31)			510
	2018 (January 1 - December 31)			114,292
	2019 (January 1 - December 31)			283
	Thereafter			3,943
			$	443,528

Accumulated_Other_Comprehensiv

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Equity [Abstract]	'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss	'
	6	ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE LOSS
	The following table summarizes the activity in accumulated other comprehensive loss for the nine month period ended September 30, 2014:
			Defined			Interest			Total
			Benefit			Rate Swaps
			Pension
			Plan
	Balance, December 31, 2013		$	(2,238	)	$	(3,371	)	$	(5,609	)
	Other comprehensive income before reclassifications			38			793			831
	Reclassifications from accumulated comprehensive loss to net income			199			752			951
	Net other comprehensive income			237			1,545			1,782
	Balance, September 30, 2014		$	(2,001	)	$	(1,826	)	$	(3,827	)
	Amounts reclassified to net income from our defined benefit pension plan and interest rate swaps have been presented within “Cost of services and sales, non-affiliate” and “Interest expense,” respectively, in our “Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations.” The estimated amount of accumulated other comprehensive loss to be reclassified to interest expense within the next twelve months is $1,214.

Stock_Incentive_Plans

Stock Incentive Plans	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]	'
Stock Incentive Plans	'
	7	STOCK INCENTIVE PLANS
	Under the Company’s stock incentive plan, stock options, restricted stock, stock-settled stock appreciation rights (“SSARs”), performance share units and other awards may be granted to officers, employees, consultants, and non-employee directors.
	The following table summarizes the stock option activity for the nine month period ended September 30, 2014:
			Number			Weighted		Weighted		Aggregate
			of Shares			Average		Average		Intrinsic
						Exercise		Remaining		Value
						Price		Life
	Outstanding at December 31, 2013			24		$	5.36
	Granted			—			—
	Exercised			—			—
	Canceled or expired			(24	)		—
	Outstanding at September 30, 2014			—		$	—		—	$	—
	Exercisable at September 30, 2014			—		$	—		—	$	—
	The following table summarizes the restricted stock unit, long-term incentive award and non-employee director stock compensation activity for the nine month period ended September 30, 2014:
			Number			Weighted
			of Shares			Average
						Grant-Date
						Fair
						Value
	Nonvested at December 31, 2013			946		$	3.58
	Granted			992			1.87
	Vested			(628	)		3.46
	Canceled or expired			(3	)		7.42
	Nonvested at September 30, 2014			1,307		$	2.32
	The following table summarizes the performance share unit activity for the nine month period ended September 30, 2014:
			Number			Weighted
			of Shares			Average
						Grant-Date
						Fair
						Value
	Nonvested at December 31, 2013			1,184		$	2.94
	Granted			201			1.89
	Vested			(498	)		2.14
	Canceled or expired			(97	)		1.77
	Nonvested at September 30, 2014			790		$	3.32
	The following table summarizes the assumptions used for valuation of equity instruments granted during the nine month periods ended September 30, 2014 and 2013:
			2014		2013
	Restricted stock:
	Risk free rate		0.03% - 0.23%		0.03% - 0.18%
	Expected annual forfeiture rate		9%		0% - 9%
	The following table provides selected information about the Company’s share-based compensation for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2014 and 2013:
			Three Months Ended					Nine Months Ended
			September 30,					September 30,
			2014			2013		2014		2013
	Total compensation cost for share-based payments		$	684		$	550	$	1,877	$	2,268
	Weighted average grant-date fair value of equity instruments granted (per share)		$	1.57		$	2.57	$	1.54	$	1.76
	Total grant-date fair value of shares vested during the period		$	129		$	111	$	2,958	$	4,823
	Unamortized share-based payments		$	1,810		$	2,132	$	1,810	$	2,132
	Weighted average period (in years) to be recognized as expense			1.5			1.9		1.5		1.9

Earnings_Per_Share

Earnings Per Share	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'
Earnings Per Share	'
	8	EARNINGS PER SHARE
	Earnings per share are based on the weighted average number of shares of common stock and dilutive potential common share equivalents outstanding. Basic earnings per share includes no dilution and is computed by dividing net income (loss) available to common shareholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the period. Diluted earnings per share reflect the potential dilution of securities that could share in the earnings of the Company. Potential common share equivalents include options, and restricted stock granted to employees and deferred shares granted to directors. The Company includes dilutive stock options based on the “treasury stock method.”
	In connection with the Company’s acquisition of the remaining 51% interest in TekMate, $800 was payable at the Company’s option either in cash or issuance of common stock. The Company determined in the second quarter of 2014 to settle this liability in cash, which was then paid on July 15, 2014, and accordingly are not included in EPS as potential common stock equivalents for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2014.
	In the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2013, 24 and 275 options and SSARs, respectively, were out-of-the-money and therefore anti-dilutive and excluded from the calculation. Additionally, 11,088 shares related to the Company’s convertible notes were anti-dilutive for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2014.
	The calculation of basic and diluted earnings per share for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 are as follows:
			Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
			September 30,				September 30,
			2014		2013		2014		2013
	Net income applicable to common shares		$	1,878	$	121,997	$	2,578	$	163,159
	Tax effected interest expense attributable to convertible notes			—		1,485		—		4,409
	Net income assuming dilution		$	1,878	$	123,482	$	2,578	$	167,568
	Weighted average common shares outstanding:
	Basic shares			49,498		47,159		49,265		46,592
	Effect of stock-based compensation			657		687		465		605
	Effect of 6.25% convertible notes			—		11,513		—		11,619
	Diluted shares			50,155		59,359		49,730		58,816
	Earnings per share:
	Basic		$	0.04	$	2.59	$	0.05	$	3.5
	Diluted		$	0.04	$	2.08	$	0.05	$	2.85

Retirement_Plans

Retirement Plans	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Retirement Plans	'
	9	RETIREMENT PLANS
	Multi-employer Defined Benefit Plan
	Pension benefits for substantially all of the Company’s Alaska-based employees are provided through the Alaska Electrical Pension Fund (“AEPF”). The Company pays a contractual hourly amount based on employee classification or base compensation to the AEPF. As a multi-employer defined benefit plan, the accumulated benefits and plan assets are not determined for, or allocated separately to, the individual employer. This plan was not in endangered or critical status during the plan year; however, it is not fully funded under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (“ERISA”) as of September 30, 2014.
	Defined Benefit Plan
	The Company has a separate defined benefit plan that covers certain employees previously employed by Century Telephone Enterprise, Inc. (“CenturyTel Plan”). This plan was transferred to the Company in connection with the acquisition of CenturyTel, Inc.’s Alaska properties, whereby assets and liabilities of the CenturyTel Plan were transferred to the ACS Retirement Plan on September 1, 1999. This plan is not fully funded under ERISA as of December 31, 2013.
	The following table presents the net periodic pension expense for the ACS Retirement Plan for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2014 and 2013:
			Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
			September 30,						September 30,
			2014			2013			2014			2013
	Interest cost		$	166		$	160		$	498		$	480
	Expected return on plan assets			(187	)		(180	)		(562	)		(541	)
	Amortization of loss			134			205			402			612
	Net periodic pension expense		$	113		$	185		$	338		$	551

Business_Segments

Business Segments	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Segment Reporting [Abstract]	'
Business Segments	'
	10	BUSINESS SEGMENTS
	The Company operates its business under a single reportable segment. The Company’s chief operating decision maker assesses the financial performance of the business as follows: (i) revenues are managed on the basis of specific customers and customer groups; (ii) costs are managed and assessed by function and generally support the organization across all customer groups or revenue streams; (iii) profitability is assessed at the consolidated level; and (iv) investment decisions and the assessment of existing assets are based on the support they provide to all revenue streams.

Commitments_and_Contingencies

Commitments and Contingencies	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Commitments and Contingencies	'
	11	COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
	The Company enters into purchase commitments with vendors in the ordinary course of business, including minimum purchase agreements with certain suppliers of handsets. The Company also has long-term purchase contracts with vendors to support the on-going needs of its business. These purchase commitments and contracts have varying terms and in certain cases may require the Company to buy goods and services in the future at predetermined volumes and at fixed prices. The Company also has numerous obligations associated with its ownership in AWN, including: (i) spending up to $4,562 in capital expenditures to allow AWN to access certain components of the capacity contributed by the Company to AWN and (ii) to purchase its wholesale wireless services exclusively from AWN.
	The Company is involved in various claims, legal actions and regulatory proceedings arising in the ordinary course of business and has recorded litigation reserves of $523 at September 30, 2014 against certain current claims and legal actions. We have also been involved in arbitration proceedings with AWN primarily around the proper setting of AWN’s wholesale rates, and have other on-going disputes with AWN. The Company believes that the disposition of these matters will not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s consolidated financial position, comprehensive income or cash flows beyond the amounts already recorded. It is the Company’s policy to expense costs associated with loss contingencies, including any related legal fees, as they are incurred.

Description_of_Company_and_Sum1

Description of Company and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'
Basis of Presentation	'
	Basis of Presentation
	The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and footnotes included in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“GAAP”) in the United States of America have been condensed or omitted pursuant to rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). The Company believes the disclosures made are adequate to make the information presented not misleading.
	In the opinion of management, the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements contain all normal, recurring adjustments necessary to present fairly the consolidated financial position, comprehensive income and cash flows for all periods presented. The comprehensive income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, are not necessarily indicative of comprehensive income which might be expected for the entire year or any other interim periods. The balance sheet at December 31, 2013 has been derived from the audited financial statements as of that date but does not include all of the information and notes required by GAAP for complete financial statements. Certain reclassifications have been made to the prior years’ financial statements to conform to the current year presentation. These reclassifications had no effect on previously reported results of operations, balance sheet amounts, or cash flows.
Use of Estimates	'
	Use of Estimates
	The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the Company’s consolidated financial statements and the accompanying notes, including estimates of probable losses and expenses. Actual results could differ materially from those estimates.
Wireless Handset Financing	'
	Wireless Handset Financing
	In the second quarter of 2014, the Company began providing the option for customers to finance the purchase of their wireless handsets under the “Buy it. Bring it. Finance it.™” program. This program allows customers to finance wireless handsets over a 24 month period. The Company records revenue equal to the present value of the payments at the time of sale and imputes interest each month of the financing term. The discount rate used to impute interest approximates the Company’s weighted average cost of debt. If a customer disconnects service they are billed the full remaining balance owed on the contract term.
Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements	'
	Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements
	On May 28, 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued its new revenue recognition guidance in Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2014-09 “Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606)” which is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016. This ASU will supersede the revenue recognition requirements in Topic 605, Revenue Recognition, and most industry-specific guidance, and creates a Topic 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers. The core principle of the new guidance is that an entity should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. Early application is not permitted. The standard permits the use of either the retrospective or cumulative effect transition method. The Company is evaluating the effect that ASU 2014-09 will have on its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures. The Company has not yet selected a transition method nor has it determined the effect of the standard on its on-going financial reporting.
Fair Value Measurements	'
	The Company has developed valuation techniques based upon observable and unobservable input to calculate the fair value of non-current monetary assets and liabilities. Observable input reflects market data obtained from independent sources while unobservable input reflects internal market assumptions. These two types of inputs create the following fair value hierarchy:
		•	Level 1- Quoted prices for identical instruments in active markets;
		•	Level 2- Quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active, and model-derived valuations whose inputs are observable or whose significant value drivers are observable; and
		•	Level 3- Significant inputs to the valuation model are unobservable.

Acquisition_of_TekMate_Tables

Acquisition of TekMate (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Business Combinations [Abstract]	'
Fair Value of the Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed	'
	The following table represents the fair value of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed on January 31, 2014:
	Current assets	$	1,020
	Non-current assets	$	370
	Current liabilities	$	467
	Non-current liabilities	$	247
	Net assets acquired and liabilities assumed	$	676
Goodwill on the Acquisition	'
	Goodwill on the acquisition is as follows:
	Consideration provided (including fair value of contingent consideration)	$	1,181
	Fair value of equity method investment		831
	Total consideration		2,012
	Fair value of assets acquired		1,390
	Fair value of liabilities assumed		(714	)
	Total net assets		676
	Goodwill	$	1,336

Equity_Method_Investments_Tabl

Equity Method Investments (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Equity Method Investments and Joint Ventures [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Company's Ownership Interest and Investment	'
	The following table provides the Company’s ownership interest and investment in at the dates indicated:
			September 30,			December 31,			September 30,			December 31,
			2014			2013			2014			2013
			Ownership			Ownership
			Interest			Interest
	TekMate, LLC			100	%		49	%	$	—		$	853
	Alaska Wireless Network, LLC			33.33	%		33.33	%	$	257,853		$	266,119
Summarized Financial Information	'
	Summarized financial information on AWN is as follows:
			September 30,			December 31,
			2014			2013
	Current assets		$	130,162		$	119,681
	Non-current assets		$	545,846		$	549,913
	Current liabilities		$	84,928		$	72,242
	Non-current liabilities		$	18,162		$	20,570
	Equity		$	572,918		$	576,782
			Three Months			Nine Months
			Ended			Ended
			September 30,			September 30,
			2014			2014
	Operating revenues		$	70,424		$	198,126
	Gross profit		$	52,375		$	142,078
	Operating income		$	35,941		$	92,153
	Net income		$	35,847		$	91,879
	Adjusted Free Cash Flow (1)		$	26,134		$	93,583
	(1)	Adjusted Free Cash Flow as defined in the Operating Agreement.
Schedule of Reconciliation of Total Equity to Equity Method Investment	'
	The following table provides a reconciliation of AWN’s reported total equity and ACS’ equity method investment as of September 30, 2014:
			Amount
	AWN total equity as reported		$	572,918
	Less amount attributed to GCI			307,309
	Amount attributed to ACS			265,609
	Adjusted by:
	Difference in income allocation method			(12,411	)
	Difference in timing of recognition of distribution			4,167
	Other			488
	ACS investment in AWN		$	257,853
Summary of Revisions to Previously Issued Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income	'
	The following is a summary of the revisions to our previously issued consolidated statements of comprehensive income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013:
			Three Months Ended									Nine Months Ended
			September 30, 2013									September 30, 2013
			As Reported			Revisions			As Revised			As Reported			Revisions			As Revised
	Gain on disposal of assets, net		$	(207,003	)	$	(3,555	)	$	(210,558	)	$	(206,377	)	$	(3,555	)	$	(209,932	)
	Earnings from equity method investments			(8,082	)		—			(8,082	)		(8,061	)		—			(8,061	)
	Total operating expenses			(131,882	)		(3,555	)		(135,437	)		19,941			(3,555	)		16,386
	Operating income			215,723			3,555			219,278			252,716			3,555			256,271
	Income before income tax expense			203,863			3,555			207,418			220,400			3,555			223,955
	Income tax expense			(83,956	)		(1,465	)		(85,421	)		(59,331	)		(1,465	)		(60,796	)
	Net income			119,907			2,090			121,997			161,069			2,090			163,159
	Total comprehensive income			120,822			2,090			122,912			163,366			2,090			165,456
	Net income per share:
	Basic		$	2.54		$	0.04		$	2.59		$	3.46		$	0.04		$	3.5
	Diluted		$	2.05		$	0.04		$	2.08		$	2.81		$	0.04		$	2.85
Summary of Revisions to Previously Issued Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows	'
	The following is a summary of the revisions to our previously issued consolidated statements of cash flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2013.
			Nine Months Ended
			September 30, 2013
			As Reported			Revisions			As Revised
	Cash Flows from Operating Activities:
	Net income		$	161,069		$	2,090		$	163,159
	Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
	Gain on sale/contribution of asset to AWN			(207,318	)		(3,555	)		(210,873	)
	Deferred income tax expense			58,733			1,465			60,198

Fair_Value_Measurements_Tables

Fair Value Measurements (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]	'
Balances of Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on Recurring Basis	'
	The following table presents the balances of liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, at each hierarchical level:
		September 30, 2014											December 31, 2013
		Total			Level 1			Level 2			Level 3		Total			Level 1		Level 2			Level 3
	Other long-term liabilities:
	Interest rate swaps	$	(1,887	)	$	—		$	(1,887	)	$	—	$	(3,234	)	$	—	$	(3,234	)	$	—
Schedule of Floating-to-Fixed Interest Rate Swaps	'
	The following table presents information about the floating-to-fixed interest rate swaps in the notional amounts of $192,500 as of and for the nine month period ending September 30, 2014 and notional amounts of $385,000 as of and for the nine months ending September 30, 2013:
		2014			2013
	Beginning Balance at January 1,	$	3,234		$	9,819
	Reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss to other long-term liabilities		(1,347	)		(1,342	)
	Change in fair value credited to interest expense		—			(785	)
	Cash paid on extinguishment of hedging instrument		—			(4,073	)
	Ending Balance at September 30,	$	1,887		$	3,619

LongTerm_Obligations_Tables

Long-Term Obligations (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Long-Term Obligations	'
	Long-term obligations consist of the following at September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively:
		2014			2013
	2010 senior credit facility term loan due 2016	$	322,700		$	345,900
	Debt discount - 2010 senior credit facility term loan due 2016		(1,155	)		(1,687	)
	6.25% convertible notes due 2018		114,000			114,000
	Debt discount - 6.25% convertible notes due 2018		(7,731	)		(9,213	)
	Capital leases and other long-term obligations		6,828			7,257
			434,642			456,257
	Less current portion		(11,846	)		(14,256	)
	Long-term obligations, net of current portion	$	422,796		$	442,001
Schedule of Aggregate Maturities of Long-Term Obligations	'
	As of September 30, 2014, the aggregate maturities of long-term obligations for each of the five years and thereafter subsequent to September 30, 2014, were as follows:
	2014 (October 1 - December 31)	$	286
	2015 (January 1 - December 31)		15,422
	2016 (January 1 - December 31)		308,792
	2017 (January 1 - December 31)		510
	2018 (January 1 - December 31)		114,292
	2019 (January 1 - December 31)		283
	Thereafter		3,943
		$	443,528

Accumulated_Other_Comprehensiv1

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Equity [Abstract]	'
Summary of Activity in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss	'
	The following table summarizes the activity in accumulated other comprehensive loss for the nine month period ended September 30, 2014:
		Defined			Interest			Total
		Benefit			Rate Swaps
		Pension
		Plan
	Balance, December 31, 2013	$	(2,238	)	$	(3,371	)	$	(5,609	)
	Other comprehensive income before reclassifications		38			793			831
	Reclassifications from accumulated comprehensive loss to net income		199			752			951
	Net other comprehensive income		237			1,545			1,782
	Balance, September 30, 2014	$	(2,001	)	$	(1,826	)	$	(3,827	)

Stock_Incentive_Plans_Tables

Stock Incentive Plans (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]	'
Summary of Activity for Stock Options	'
	The following table summarizes the stock option activity for the nine month period ended September 30, 2014:
		Number			Weighted		Weighted		Aggregate
		of Shares			Average		Average		Intrinsic
					Exercise		Remaining		Value
					Price		Life
	Outstanding at December 31, 2013		24		$	5.36
	Granted		—			—
	Exercised		—			—
	Canceled or expired		(24	)		—
	Outstanding at September 30, 2014		—		$	—		—	$	—
	Exercisable at September 30, 2014		—		$	—		—	$	—
Summary of Activity for Restricted Stock Units, Long-Term Incentive Awards and Non-Employee Director Stock Compensation	'
	The following table summarizes the restricted stock unit, long-term incentive award and non-employee director stock compensation activity for the nine month period ended September 30, 2014:
		Number			Weighted
		of Shares			Average
					Grant-Date
					Fair
					Value
	Nonvested at December 31, 2013		946		$	3.58
	Granted		992			1.87
	Vested		(628	)		3.46
	Canceled or expired		(3	)		7.42
	Nonvested at September 30, 2014		1,307		$	2.32
Summary of Activity for Performance Share Units	'
	The following table summarizes the performance share unit activity for the nine month period ended September 30, 2014:
		Number			Weighted
		of Shares			Average
					Grant-Date
					Fair
					Value
	Nonvested at December 31, 2013		1,184		$	2.94
	Granted		201			1.89
	Vested		(498	)		2.14
	Canceled or expired		(97	)		1.77
	Nonvested at September 30, 2014		790		$	3.32
Summary of Assumptions Used for Valuation of Equity Instruments Granted	'
	The following table summarizes the assumptions used for valuation of equity instruments granted during the nine month periods ended September 30, 2014 and 2013:
		2014		2013
	Restricted stock:
	Risk free rate	0.03% - 0.23%		0.03% - 0.18%
	Expected annual forfeiture rate	9%		0% - 9%
Share-Based Compensation	'
	The following table provides selected information about the Company’s share-based compensation for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2014 and 2013:
		Three Months Ended					Nine Months Ended
		September 30,					September 30,
		2014			2013		2014		2013
	Total compensation cost for share-based payments	$	684		$	550	$	1,877	$	2,268
	Weighted average grant-date fair value of equity instruments granted (per share)	$	1.57		$	2.57	$	1.54	$	1.76
	Total grant-date fair value of shares vested during the period	$	129		$	111	$	2,958	$	4,823
	Unamortized share-based payments	$	1,810		$	2,132	$	1,810	$	2,132
	Weighted average period (in years) to be recognized as expense		1.5			1.9		1.5		1.9

Earnings_Per_Share_Tables

Earnings Per Share (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'
Calculation of Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Share	'
	The calculation of basic and diluted earnings per share for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 are as follows:
		Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
		September 30,				September 30,
		2014		2013		2014		2013
	Net income applicable to common shares	$	1,878	$	121,997	$	2,578	$	163,159
	Tax effected interest expense attributable to convertible notes		—		1,485		—		4,409
	Net income assuming dilution	$	1,878	$	123,482	$	2,578	$	167,568
	Weighted average common shares outstanding:
	Basic shares		49,498		47,159		49,265		46,592
	Effect of stock-based compensation		657		687		465		605
	Effect of 6.25% convertible notes		—		11,513		—		11,619
	Diluted shares		50,155		59,359		49,730		58,816
	Earnings per share:
	Basic	$	0.04	$	2.59	$	0.05	$	3.5
	Diluted	$	0.04	$	2.08	$	0.05	$	2.85

Retirement_Plans_Tables

Retirement Plans (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Summary of Net Periodic Pension Expense for ACS Retirement Plan	'
	The following table presents the net periodic pension expense for the ACS Retirement Plan for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2014 and 2013:
		Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
		September 30,						September 30,
		2014			2013			2014			2013
	Interest cost	$	166		$	160		$	498		$	480
	Expected return on plan assets		(187	)		(180	)		(562	)		(541	)
	Amortization of loss		134			205			402			612
	Net periodic pension expense	$	113		$	185		$	338		$	551

Description_of_Company_and_Sum2

Description of Company and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Additional Information (Detail)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Jan. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Aug. 31, 2010
TekMate, LLC [Member]	'	'	'	'
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Percentage of ownership interest in equity method investments	'	'	'	49.00%
Percentage of remaining ownership interest	'	51.00%	'	'
Business purchase date	31-Aug-10	'	'	'
Remaining business purchase date	31-Jan-14	'	'	'
Percentage ownership interest in equity method investments	100.00%	'	49.00%	'
Alaska Wireless Network, LLC [Member]	'	'	'	'
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Percentage ownership interest in equity method investments	33.33%	'	33.33%	'

Acquisition_of_TekMate_Additio

Acquisition of TekMate - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

In Thousands, unless otherwise specified

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

15-May-14

Jan. 31, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Jul. 15, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Aug. 31, 2010

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

TekMate, LLC [Member]

TekMate, LLC [Member]

TekMate, LLC [Member]

TekMate, LLC [Member]

TekMate, LLC [Member]

TekMate, LLC [Member]

TekMate, LLC [Member]

TekMate, LLC [Member]

Minimum [Member]

Maximum [Member]

Business Acquisition [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Percentage of ownership interest in equity method investments

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

49.00%

'

'

Business purchase date

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

31-Aug-10

'

'

'

'

'

Purchase of equity investment

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$2,060

'

'

Percentage of remaining ownership interest

'

'

'

'

'

'

51.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

Remaining business purchase date

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

31-Jan-14

'

'

'

'

'

Consideration payable in cash or stock

'

'

'

'

'

800

'

800

'

'

'

'

'

Consideration paid in cash

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

894

'

'

'

'

Consideration payable in cash

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0

700

Carrying value of the liability

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

595

'

'

'

'

'

Equity Method Investment

257,853

'

257,853

'

266,972

'

831

'

'

853

'

'

'

Earnings of equity method investment

11,556

8,082

29,247

8,061

'

'

12

'

'

'

'

'

'

Cash distributions

'

'

'

'

'

'

33

'

'

'

'

'

'

Undistributed earnings

'

'

'

'

'

'

$0

'

'

'

'

'

'

Acquisition_of_TekMate_Fair_Va

Acquisition of TekMate - Fair Value of the Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed (Detail) (USD $)	Jan. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Business Combination, Description [Abstract]	'
Current assets	$1,020
Non-current assets	370
Current liabilities	467
Non-current liabilities	247
Net assets acquired and liabilities assumed	$676

Acquisition_of_TekMate_Goodwil

Acquisition of TekMate - Goodwill on the Acquisition (Detail) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Jan. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'	'	'
Fair value of equity method investment	$257,853	'	$266,972
Total net assets	'	676	'
Goodwill	5,986	'	4,650
TekMate, LLC [Member]	'	'	'
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'	'	'
Consideration provided (including fair value of contingent consideration)	1,181	'	'
Fair value of equity method investment	831	'	'
Total consideration	2,012	'	'
Fair value of assets acquired	1,390	'	'
Fair value of liabilities assumed	-714	'	'
Total net assets	676	'	'
Goodwill	$1,336	'	'

Equity_Method_Investments_Addi

Equity Method Investments - Additional Information (Detail) (Alaska Wireless Network, LLC [Member])	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Alaska Wireless Network, LLC [Member]	'	'
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]	'	'
Percentage ownership interest in equity method investments	33.33%	33.33%

Equity_Method_Investments_Sche

Equity Method Investments - Schedule of Company's Ownership Interest and Investment (Detail) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Jan. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]	'	'	'
Equity Method Investment	257,853	'	$266,972
TekMate, LLC [Member]	'	'	'
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]	'	'	'
Percentage Ownership Interest in equity method investment	100.00%	'	49.00%
Equity Method Investment	'	831	853
Alaska Wireless Network, LLC [Member]	'	'	'
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]	'	'	'
Percentage Ownership Interest in equity method investment	33.33%	'	33.33%
Equity Method Investment	257,853	'	$266,119

Equity_Method_Investments_Summ

Equity Method Investments - Summarized Financial Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Current assets	$91,722	'	$91,722	'	$102,147
Current liabilities	96,709	'	96,709	'	93,144
Equity	141,046	'	141,046	'	135,263
Operating revenues	78,465	83,841	237,354	272,657	'
Net income	1,878	121,997	2,578	163,159	'
Alaska Wireless Network, LLC [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Current assets	130,162	'	130,162	'	119,681
Non-current assets	545,846	'	545,846	'	549,913
Current liabilities	84,928	'	84,928	'	72,242
Non-current liabilities	18,162	'	18,162	'	20,570
Equity	572,918	'	572,918	'	576,782
Operating revenues	70,424	'	198,126	'	'
Gross profit	52,375	'	142,078	'	'
Operating income	35,941	'	92,153	'	'
Net income	35,847	'	91,879	'	'
Adjusted Free Cash Flow	$26,134	'	$93,583	'	'

Equity_Method_Investments_Sche1

Equity Method Investments - Schedule of Reconciliation of Total Equity to Equity Method Investment (Detail) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]	'	'
Equity	$141,046	$135,263
ACS investment in AWN	257,853	266,972
Alaska Wireless Network, LLC [Member]	'	'
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]	'	'
Equity	572,918	576,782
Difference in income allocation method	-12,411	'
Difference in timing of recognition of distribution	4,167	'
Other	488	'
ACS investment in AWN	257,853	266,119
ACS [Member]	'	'
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]	'	'
Equity	265,609	'
GCI [Member] | Affiliates [Member]	'	'
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]	'	'
Equity	$307,309	'

Equity_Method_Investments_Summ1

Equity Method Investments - Summary of Revisions to Previously Issued Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Condensed Statement of Income Captions [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Gain on disposal of assets, net	'	'	($612)	($941)
Earnings from equity method investments	11,556	8,082	29,247	8,061
Total operating expenses	66,797	-135,437	206,710	16,386
Operating income	11,668	219,278	30,644	256,271
Income before income tax expense	3,081	207,418	4,542	223,955
Income tax expense	-1,203	-85,421	-1,964	-60,796
Net income	1,878	121,997	2,578	163,159
Total comprehensive income	2,448	122,912	4,360	165,456
Net income per share:	'	'	'	'
Basic	$0.04	$2.59	$0.05	$3.50
Diluted	$0.04	$2.08	$0.05	$2.85
As Reported [Member]	'	'	'	'
Condensed Statement of Income Captions [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Gain on disposal of assets, net	'	-207,003	'	-206,377
Earnings from equity method investments	'	-8,082	'	-8,061
Total operating expenses	'	-131,882	'	19,941
Operating income	'	215,723	'	252,716
Income before income tax expense	'	203,863	'	220,400
Income tax expense	'	-83,956	'	-59,331
Net income	'	119,907	'	161,069
Total comprehensive income	'	120,822	'	163,366
Net income per share:	'	'	'	'
Basic	'	$2.54	'	$3.46
Diluted	'	$2.05	'	$2.81
Revisions [Member]	'	'	'	'
Condensed Statement of Income Captions [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Gain on disposal of assets, net	'	-3,555	'	-3,555
Total operating expenses	'	-3,555	'	-3,555
Operating income	'	3,555	'	3,555
Income before income tax expense	'	3,555	'	3,555
Income tax expense	'	-1,465	'	-1,465
Net income	'	2,090	'	2,090
Total comprehensive income	'	2,090	'	2,090
Net income per share:	'	'	'	'
Basic	'	$0.04	'	$0.04
Diluted	'	$0.04	'	$0.04
As Revised [Member]	'	'	'	'
Condensed Statement of Income Captions [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Gain on disposal of assets, net	'	-210,558	'	-209,932
Earnings from equity method investments	'	-8,082	'	-8,061
Total operating expenses	'	-135,437	'	16,386
Operating income	'	219,278	'	256,271
Income before income tax expense	'	207,418	'	223,955
Income tax expense	'	-85,421	'	-60,796
Net income	'	121,997	'	163,159
Total comprehensive income	'	$122,912	'	$165,456
Net income per share:	'	'	'	'
Basic	'	$2.59	'	$3.50
Diluted	'	$2.08	'	$2.85

Equity_Method_Investments_Summ2

Equity Method Investments - Summary of Revisions to Previously Issued Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:	'	'	'
Net income	$121,997	$2,578	$163,159
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:	'	'	'
Gain on sale/contribution of asset to AWN	'	'	210,873
Deferred income tax expense	'	1,708	60,198
As Reported [Member]	'	'	'
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:	'	'	'
Net income	119,907	'	161,069
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:	'	'	'
Gain on sale/contribution of asset to AWN	'	'	-207,318
Deferred income tax expense	'	'	58,733
Revisions [Member]	'	'	'
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:	'	'	'
Net income	2,090	'	2,090
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:	'	'	'
Gain on sale/contribution of asset to AWN	'	'	-3,555
Deferred income tax expense	'	'	1,465
As Revised [Member]	'	'	'
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:	'	'	'
Net income	121,997	'	163,159
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:	'	'	'
Gain on sale/contribution of asset to AWN	'	'	-210,873
Deferred income tax expense	'	'	$60,198

Fair_Value_Measurements_Additi

Fair Value Measurements - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'	'
Long-term obligations	$434,642	'	$456,257
Notional amounts of floating-to-fixed interest rate swaps, one	115,500	'	'
Notional amounts of floating-to-fixed interest rate swaps, two	77,000	'	'
Interest rate of floating-to-fixed interest rate swaps, one	7.22%	'	'
Interest rate of floating-to-fixed interest rate swaps, two	7.23%	'	'
LIBOR spread	4.75%	'	'
Commencing swaps date	30-Jun-12	'	'
Expiry date	30-Sep-15	'	'
Notional amounts of floating-to-fixed interest rate swaps	192,500	385,000	'
Liabilities, fair value before adjustments	68,182	'	'
Liabilities, fair value after adjustments	64,627	'	'
Deferred AWN Capacity Revenue liability	60,778	'	'
Estimated Value [Member]	'	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'	'
Fair value of long-term obligations	412,039	'	'
Carrying Values [Member]	'	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'	'
Long-term obligations	$434,642	'	'

Fair_Value_Measurements_Balanc

Fair Value Measurements - Balances of Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on Recurring Basis (Detail) (Interest Rate Swaps [Member], USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Other long-term liabilities	($1,887)	($3,234)	($3,619)	($9,819)
Level 1 [Member]	'	'	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Other long-term liabilities	0	'	'	'
Level 2 [Member]	'	'	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Other long-term liabilities	-1,887	-3,234	'	'
Level 3 [Member]	'	'	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Other long-term liabilities	$0	'	'	'

Fair_Value_Measurements_Schedu

Fair Value Measurements - Schedule of Floating-to-Fixed Interest Rate Swaps (Detail) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosures [Line Items]	'	'
Cash paid on extinguishment of hedging instrument	'	$4,073
Interest Rate Swaps [Member]	'	'
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosures [Line Items]	'	'
Beginning Balance	3,234	9,819
Reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss to other long-term liabilities	-1,347	-1,342
Change in fair value credited to interest expense	'	-785
Cash paid on extinguishment of hedging instrument	'	-4,073
Ending Balance	$1,887	$3,619

LongTerm_Obligations_Schedule_

Long-Term Obligations - Schedule of Long-Term Obligations (Detail) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Capital leases and other long-term obligations	$6,828	$7,257
Long-term obligations	434,642	456,257
Long-term obligations	434,642	456,257
Less current portion	-11,846	-14,256
Long-term obligations, net of current portion	422,796	442,001
2010 Senior Credit Facility Term Loan Due 2016 [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Long-term obligations	322,700	345,900
Long-term obligations	322,700	345,900
Debt instrument unamortized discount	-1,155	-1,687
6.25% Convertible Notes Due 2018 [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Long-term obligations	114,000	114,000
Long-term obligations	114,000	114,000
Debt instrument unamortized discount	($7,731)	($9,213)

LongTerm_Obligations_Schedule_1

Long-Term Obligations - Schedule of Long-Term Obligations (Parenthetical) (Detail)	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014
			2010 Senior Credit Facility Term Loan Due 2016 [Member]	6.25% Convertible Notes Due 2018 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Maturity year of senior credit facility term loan - start	'	'	21-Oct-10	'
Interest rate of convertible notes	6.25%	6.25%	'	6.25%
Maturity year of convertible notes	'	'	21-Oct-16	1-May-18

LongTerm_Obligations_Schedule_2

Long-Term Obligations - Schedule of Aggregate Maturities of Long-Term Obligations (Detail) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]	'
2014 (October 1-December 31)	$286
2015 (January 1-December 31)	15,422
2016 (January 1-December 31)	308,792
2017 (January 1-December 31)	510
2018 (January 1-December 31)	114,292
2019 (January 1-December 31)	283
Thereafter	3,943
Total	$443,528

Accumulated_Other_Comprehensiv2

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss - Summary of Activity in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Balance, December 31, 2013	'	'	($5,609)	'
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications	'	'	831	'
Reclassifications from accumulated comprehensive loss to net income	'	'	951	'
Total other comprehensive income	570	915	1,782	2,297
Balance, September 30, 2014	-3,827	'	-3,827	'
Interest Rate Swaps [Member]	'	'	'	'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Balance, December 31, 2013	'	'	-3,371	'
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications	'	'	793	'
Reclassifications from accumulated comprehensive loss to net income	'	'	752	'
Total other comprehensive income	'	'	1,545	'
Balance, September 30, 2014	-1,826	'	-1,826	'
Defined Benefit Pension Plans [Member]	'	'	'	'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Balance, December 31, 2013	'	'	-2,238	'
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications	'	'	38	'
Reclassifications from accumulated comprehensive loss to net income	'	'	199	'
Total other comprehensive income	'	'	237	'
Balance, September 30, 2014	($2,001)	'	($2,001)	'

Accumulated_Other_Comprehensiv3

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss - Additional Information (Detail) (Interest Expense [Member], Next Twelve Months [Member], USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014
Interest Expense [Member] | Next Twelve Months [Member]	'
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]	'
Accumulated other comprehensive loss to be reclassified to interest expense	$1,214

Stock_Incentive_Plans_Summary_

Stock Incentive Plans - Summary of Activity for Stock Options (Detail) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]	'
Number of Shares - Outstanding at December 31, 2013	24
Number of Shares - Granted	0
Number of Shares - Exercised	0
Number of Shares - Canceled or expired	-24
Number of Shares - Outstanding at September 30, 2014	0
Number of Shares - Exercisable at September 30, 2014	0
Weighted Average Exercise Price - Outstanding at December 31, 2013	$5.36
Weighted Average Exercise Price - Granted	$0
Weighted Average Exercise Price - Exercised	$0
Weighted Average Exercise Price - Canceled or expired	$0
Weighted Average Exercise Price - Outstanding at September 30, 2014	$0
Weighted Average Exercise Price - Exercisable at September 30, 2014	$0
Weighted Average Remaining Life - Outstanding at September 30, 2014	'0 years
Weighted Average Remaining Life - Exercisable at September 30, 2014	'0 years
Aggregate Intrinsic Value - Outstanding at September 30, 2014	$0
Aggregate Intrinsic Value - Exercisable at September 30, 2014	$0

Stock_Incentive_Plans_Summary_1

Stock Incentive Plans - Summary of Activity for Restricted Stock Units, Long-Term Incentive Awards and Non-Employee Director Stock Compensation (Detail) (Restricted Stock Unit [Member], USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014
Restricted Stock Unit [Member]	'
Summary of activity for restricted stock units, long-term incentive awards and non-employee director stock compensation	'
Number of Shares - Nonvested at December 31, 2013	946
Number of Shares - Granted	992
Number of Shares - Vested	-628
Number of Shares - Canceled or expired	-3
Number of Shares - Nonvested at September 30, 2014	1,307
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value - Nonvested at December 31, 2013	$3.58
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value - Granted	$1.87
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value - Vested	$3.46
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value - Canceled or expired	$7.42
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value - Nonvested at September 30, 2014	$2.32

Stock_Incentive_Plans_Summary_2

Stock Incentive Plans - Summary of Activity for Performance Share Units (Detail) (Performance Share Unit [Member], USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014
Performance Share Unit [Member]	'
Summary of activity for performance share units	'
Number of Shares - Nonvested at December 31, 2013	1,184
Number of Shares - Granted	201
Number of Shares - Vested	-498
Number of Shares - Canceled or expired	-97
Number of Shares - Nonvested at September 30, 2014	790
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value - Nonvested at December 31, 2013	$2.94
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value - Granted	$1.89
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value - Vested	$2.14
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value - Canceled or expired	$1.77
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value - Nonvested at September 30, 2014	$3.32

Stock_Incentive_Plans_Summary_3

Stock Incentive Plans - Summary of Assumptions Used for Valuation of Equity Instruments Granted (Detail) (Restricted Stock [Member])	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Restricted stock:	'	'
Risk free rate, Minimum	0.03%	0.03%
Risk free rate, Maximum	0.23%	0.18%
Expected annual forfeiture rate	9.00%	'
Minimum [Member]	'	'
Restricted stock:	'	'
Expected annual forfeiture rate	'	0.00%
Maximum [Member]	'	'
Restricted stock:	'	'
Expected annual forfeiture rate	'	9.00%

Stock_Incentive_Plans_ShareBas

Stock Incentive Plans - Share-Based Compensation (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Total compensation cost for share-based payments	$684	$550	$1,877	$2,268
Weighted average grant-date fair value of equity instruments granted (per share)	$1.57	$2.57	$1.54	$1.76
Total grant-date fair value of shares vested during the period	129	111	2,958	4,823
Unamortized share-based payments	$1,810	$2,132	$1,810	$2,132
Weighted average period (in years) to be recognized as expense	'1 year 6 months	'1 year 10 months 24 days	'1 year 6 months	'1 year 10 months 24 days

Earnings_Per_Share_Additional_

Earnings Per Share - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended	0 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	15-May-14	Sep. 30, 2014	Jan. 31, 2014
	Options [Member]	Stock Appreciation Rights (SARs) [Member]	Convertible Notes [Member]	Convertible Notes [Member]	TekMate, LLC [Member]	TekMate, LLC [Member]	TekMate, LLC [Member]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Percentage of ownership interest in equity method investments	'	'	'	'	'	'	51.00%
Consideration payable in cash or stock	'	'	'	'	$800	$800	'
Anti-dilutive shares excluded from calculation	24	275	11,088	11,088	'	'	'

Earnings_Per_Share_Calculation

Earnings Per Share - Calculation of Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Share (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Net income applicable to common shares	$1,878	$121,997	$2,578	$163,159
Tax effected interest expense attributable to convertible notes	'	1,485	'	4,409
Net income assuming dilution	$1,878	$123,482	$2,578	$167,568
Weighted average common shares outstanding:	'	'	'	'
Basic shares	49,498	47,159	49,265	46,592
Effect of stock-based compensation	657	687	465	605
Effect of 6.25% convertible notes	'	11,513	'	11,619
Diluted shares	50,155	59,359	49,730	58,816
Earnings per share:	'	'	'	'
Basic	$0.04	$2.59	$0.05	$3.50
Diluted	$0.04	$2.08	$0.05	$2.85

Earnings_Per_Share_Calculation1

Earnings Per Share - Calculation of Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Share (Parenthetical) (Detail)	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted [Abstract]	'	'
Percentage of convertible notes, anti-dilutive	6.25%	6.25%

Retirement_Plans_Summary_of_Ne

Retirement Plans - Summary of Net Periodic Pension Expense for ACS Retirement Plan (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Interest cost	$166	$160	$498	$480
Expected return on plan assets	-187	-180	-562	-541
Amortization of loss	134	205	402	612
Net periodic pension expense	$113	$185	$338	$551

Business_Segments_Additional_I

Business Segments - Additional Information (Detail)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
	Segment
Segment Reporting [Abstract]	'
Number of reportable segments in which business operates	1

Commitments_and_Contingencies_

Commitments and Contingencies - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Capital expenditures obligation	$4,562
Litigation reserves	$523