Alaska Communications Systems 10-K 16 Mar 15 2014 FY Annual report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Feb. 13, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014
Document And Entity Information [Abstract]
Document Type	10-K
Amendment Flag	FALSE
Document Period End Date	31-Dec-14
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2014
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Trading Symbol	ALSK
Entity Registrant Name	ALASKA COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEMS GROUP INC
Entity Central Index Key	1089511
Current Fiscal Year End Date	-19
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Filer Category	Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		49,847,110
Entity Public Float			$87

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets

Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$31,709	$43,039
Restricted cash	467	467
Accounts receivable, non-affiliates, net	30,900	34,066
Materials and supplies	4,321	10,131
Prepayments and other current assets	6,575	7,300
Deferred income taxes	104,245	7,144
Current assets held-for-sale	9,565
Total current assets	187,782	102,147
Property, plant and equipment	1,333,134	1,344,949
Less: accumulated depreciation and amortization	976,401	992,936
Property, plant and equipment, net	356,733	352,013
Goodwill		4,650
Debt issuance costs	4,469	6,929
Deferred income taxes		14,107
Equity method investments	252,067	266,972
Non-current assets held-for-sale	14,664
Other assets	301	502
Total assets	816,016	747,320
Current liabilities:
Current portion of long-term obligations	15,521	14,256
Accounts payable, accrued and other current liabilities, non-affiliates	54,373	55,475
Accounts payable, accrued and other current liabilities, affiliates	4,853	14,309
Advance billings and customer deposits	4,490	9,104
Current liabilities held-for-sale	18,728
Total current liabilities	97,965	93,144
Long-term obligations, net of current portion	418,447	442,001
Deferred income taxes	81,267
Other long-term liabilities	24,370	16,947
Non-current liabilities held-for-sale	2,107
Deferred AWN capacity revenue	56,734	59,965
Total liabilities	680,890	612,057
Commitments and contingencies
Stockholders' equity (deficit):
Common stock, $0.01 par value; 145,000 authorized; 49,660 and 48,680 issued and outstanding at December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively	497	487
Additional paid in capital	154,368	152,193
Accumulated deficit	-14,588	-11,808
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	-5,151	-5,609
Total stockholders' equity	135,126	135,263
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$816,016	$747,320

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets_Pa

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified
Statement of Financial Position [Abstract]
Common stock, par value	$0.01	$0.01
Common stock, shares authorized	145,000	145,000
Common stock, shares issued	49,660	48,680
Common stock, shares outstanding	49,660	48,680

Consolidated_Statements_of_Com

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive (Loss) Income (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Operating revenues
Operating revenues, non-affiliates	$307,917	$345,611	$367,574
Operating revenues, affiliates	6,946	3,313	140
Total operating revenues	314,863	348,924	367,714
Operating expenses:
Cost of services and sales, non-affiliates	123,854	138,124	148,125
Cost of services and sales, affiliates	57,116	25,158	275
Selling, general and administrative	101,398	111,034	107,316
Depreciation and amortization	32,583	42,191	51,487
Loss (gain) on disposal of assets, net	126	-207,755	-2,668
Loss on impairment of goodwill	5,986
Loss on impairment of equity investment		1,267
Earnings from equity method investments	-35,960	-18,056	-115
Total operating expenses	285,103	91,963	304,420
Operating income	29,760	256,961	63,294
Other income and (expense):
Interest expense	-34,410	-39,790	-39,570
Loss on extinguishment of debt		-2,370	-575
Interest income	83	53	43
Other		-13
Total other income and (expense)	-34,327	-42,120	-40,102
(Loss) income before income tax benefit (expense)	-4,567	214,841	23,192
Income tax benefit (expense)	1,787	-56,370	-5,783
Net (loss) income	-2,780	158,471	17,409
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Minimum pension liability adjustment	-2,829	1,412	-1,101
Income tax effect	1,162	-580	453
Amortization of defined benefit plan loss	451	717	818
Income tax effect	-185	-296	-336
Interest rate swap marked to fair value	1,543	1,728	-1,572
Income tax effect	-634	-709	646
Reclassification of loss on ineffective hedge	1,613	2,307	292
Income tax effect	-663	-949	-120
Total other comprehensive income (loss)	458	3,630	-920
Total comprehensive (loss) income	($2,322)	$162,101	$16,489
Net (loss) income per share:
Basic	($0.06)	$3.37	$0.38
Diluted	($0.06)	$2.78	$0.38
Weighted average shares outstanding:
Basic	49,334	47,092	45,553
Diluted	49,334	59,107	45,878
Cash dividends declared per common share			$0.15

Consolidated_Statements_of_Sto

Consolidated Statements of Stockholders Equity (Deficit) (USD $)	Total	Common Stock [Member]	Additional Paid in Capital [Member]	Accumulated Deficit [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]
In Thousands
Beginning Balance at Dec. 31, 2011	($50,923)	$453	$144,631	($187,688)	($8,319)
Beginning Balance, Shares at Dec. 31, 2011		45,300
Total comprehensive (loss) income	16,489			17,409	-920
Dividends declared	-6,849		-6,849
Stock compensation	3,550		3,550
Equity component of convertible note issuance net of tax benefit	2,534		2,534
Tax benefit of convertible note call options	503		503
Extinguishment of convertible note options	-45		-45
Surrender of shares to cover withholding taxes on stock-based compensation	-249		-249
Issuance of common stock, pursuant to stock plans, $.01 par	307	5	302
Issuance of common stock, pursuant to stock plans, $.01 par, Shares		465
Ending Balance at Dec. 31, 2012	-34,683	458	144,377	-170,279	-9,239
Ending Balance, Shares at Dec. 31, 2012		45,765
Total comprehensive (loss) income	162,101			158,471	3,630
Stock compensation	2,860		2,860
Tax benefit of convertible note call options	16		16
Surrender of shares to cover withholding taxes on stock-based compensation	-638		-638
Issuance of common stock, pursuant to stock plans, $.01 par	5,607	29	5,578
Issuance of common stock, pursuant to stock plans, $.01 par, Shares		2,915
Ending Balance at Dec. 31, 2013	135,263	487	152,193	-11,808	-5,609
Ending Balance, Shares at Dec. 31, 2013		48,680
Total comprehensive (loss) income	-2,322			-2,780	458
Stock compensation	2,511		2,511
Surrender of shares to cover withholding taxes on stock-based compensation	-593		-593
Issuance of common stock, pursuant to stock plans, $.01 par	267	10	257
Issuance of common stock, pursuant to stock plans, $.01 par, Shares		980
Ending Balance at Dec. 31, 2014	$135,126	$497	$154,368	($14,588)	($5,151)
Ending Balance, Shares at Dec. 31, 2014		49,660

Consolidated_Statements_of_Sto1

Consolidated Statements of Stockholders Equity (Deficit) (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Statement of Stockholders' Equity [Abstract]
Common stock, par value	$0.01	$0.01	$0.01

Consolidated_Statements_of_Cas

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:
Net (loss) income	($2,780)	$158,471	$17,409
Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	32,583	42,191	51,487
Gain on sale/contribution of asset to AWN	-210,873	-210,873
(Gain) loss on the disposal of assets	126	3,118	-2,668
Loss on impairment of goodwill	5,986
Loss on the impairment of equity investment		1,267
Gain on ineffective hedge adjustment	-273	-785	-231
Amortization of debt issuance costs and debt discount	5,104	6,932	5,975
Amortization of ineffective hedge	1,613	2,307	292
Amortization of deferred AWN capacity revenue	-3,151	-1,512
Stock-based compensation	2,511	2,860	3,550
Deferred income tax (benefit) expense	-2,047	56,370	5,771
Provision for uncollectible accounts	3,329	1,847	2,588
Cash distribution from equity method investments	35,960	17,844	115
Earnings from equity method investments	-35,960	-18,056	-115
Other non-cash income, net	-466	283	293
Changes in operating assets and liabilities	8,733	5,443	-110
Net cash provided by operating activities	51,268	67,707	84,356
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
Capital expenditures	-46,423	-47,738	-54,206
Capitalized interest	-2,810	-1,926	-1,961
Change in unsettled capital expenditures	-2,003	1,492	-2,726
TekMate acquisition, net of cash received	-826
Proceeds on sale of assets	136	4,747	3,616
Proceeds on sale/contribution of asset to AWN	100,000	100,000
Return of capital from equity investment	14,073		32
Change in unsettled acquisition costs		-3,345	-90
Net change in short-term investments		2,037	-2,050
Net change in restricted accounts		3,408	1,081
Net cash (used) provided by investing activities	-37,853	58,675	-56,304
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
Repayments of long-term debt	-24,419	-99,565	-19,477
Debt issuance costs		-206	-3,167
Payment of cash dividend on common stock			-9,117
Payment of withholding taxes on stock-based compensation	-593	-638	-249
Proceeds from the issuance of common stock	267	227	307
Net cash used by financing activities	-24,745	-100,182	-31,703
Change in cash and cash equivalents	-11,330	26,200	-3,651
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	43,039	16,839	20,490
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	31,709	43,039	16,839
Supplemental Cash Flow Data:
Interest paid	31,562	35,187	36,155
Cash paid on extinguishment of hedging instrument		4,073
Income taxes paid, net	260	6	12
Supplemental Non-cash Transactions:
Property acquired under capital leases	1,877	171	1,435
Additions to ARO asset	369	229	132
Exchange of debt with common stock		6,000
Non-cash acquisition, net of cash received	$956

Description_of_Company_and_Sum

Description of Company and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 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”, or “ACS” ), a Delaware corporation, through its operating subsidiaries, provides integrated communication services to business, wholesale and consumer customers in the state of Alaska and beyond using its statewide and interstate telecommunications network.
	The accompanying consolidated financial statements are as of December 31, 2014 and 2013 and for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012. They represent the consolidated financial position, results of operations and cash flows of ACS and the following wholly owned subsidiaries:
		•	Alaska Communications Systems Holdings, Inc. (“ACS Holdings”)
		•	ACS of Alaska, LLC (“ACSAK”)
		•	ACS of the Northland, LLC (“ACSN”)
		•	ACS of Fairbanks, LLC (“ACSF”)
		•	ACS of Anchorage, LLC (“ACSA”)
		•	ACS Wireless, Inc. (“ACSW”)
		•	ACS Long Distance, LLC (“ACSLD”)
		•	ACS Internet, LLC (“ACSI”)
		•	ACS Messaging, Inc. (“ACSM”)
		•	ACS Cable Systems, LLC (“ACSC”)
		•	Crest Communications Corporation (“Crest”)
		•	WCI Cable, Inc.
		•	WCIC Hillsboro, LLC
		•	Alaska Northstar Communications, LLC
		•	WCI Lightpoint, LLC
		•	Worldnet Communications, Inc.
		•	Alaska Fiber Star, LLC
		•	TekMate, LLC
	In addition to the wholly-owned subsidiaries, the Company owned a one-third interest in the Alaska Wireless Network, LLC (“AWN”) which is represented in the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements as equity method investments. On February 2, 2015, the Company sold this one-third interest in connection with its sale of its wireless operations. See Note 2 “Sale of Wireless Operations” for additional information. 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.
	A summary of significant accounting policies followed by the Company is set forth below.
	Basis of Presentation
	The consolidated financial statements and footnotes include all accounts and subsidiaries of the Company in which it maintains a controlling financial interest. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated. Investments in entities where the Company is able to exercise significant influence, but not control, are accounted for by the equity method. For transactions with entities accounted for under the equity method, any intercompany profits on amounts still remaining are eliminated. Amounts originating from any deferral of intercompany profits are recorded within either the Company’s investment account or the account balance to which the transaction specifically relates (e.g., construction of fixed assets). Only upon settlement of the intercompany transaction with a third party is the deferral of the intercompany profit recognized by the Company. In the opinion of management, the financial statements contain all normal, recurring adjustments necessary to present fairly the consolidated financial position, comprehensive income and cash flows for all periods presented. Certain reclassifications have been made to the prior years’ financial statements to conform to the current year presentation.
	Use of Estimates
	The preparation of financial statements in conformity with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles in the United States (“GAAP”) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Among the significant estimates affecting the financial statements are those related to the realizable value of accounts receivable, inventory held-for-sale, and long-lived assets, the value of derivative instruments, the investment in
	AWN and the related deferred AWN capacity revenue, legal contingencies, stock-based compensation and income taxes. These estimates and assumptions are based on management’s best estimates and judgment. Management evaluates its estimates and assumptions on an ongoing basis using historical experience and other factors, including the current economic environment, which management believes is reasonable under the circumstances. Assumptions are adjusted as facts and circumstances dictate. More volatile capital markets, uncertainty on interest rates, and declines in crude oil pricing have combined to increase the uncertainty in such estimates and assumptions. As future events and their effects cannot be determined with precision, actual results may differ significantly from those estimates. Changes in those estimates will be reflected in the financial statements of future periods.
	Cash and Cash Equivalents
	For purposes of the “Consolidated Balance Sheets” and “Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows”, the Company generally considers all highly liquid investments with a maturity at acquisition of three months or less to be cash equivalents.
	Restricted Cash
	Restricted cash as of December 31, 2014 consists of $467 held in certificates of deposits as required under the terms of certain contracts to which the Company is a party. When the restrictions are lifted, the Company will transfer these funds into its operating accounts.
	Short-term Investments
	For purposes of the “Consolidated Balance Sheets” and “Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows”, the Company considers highly liquid investments with a maturity at acquisition of more than three months but less than one year to be short-term investments. These investments are classified as available for sale and are stated at their estimated fair market value. Income earned on these investments while held is classified as interest income.
	Trade Accounts Receivable and Bad Debt Reserves
	Trade accounts receivable are recorded at the invoiced amount and do not bear interest. Amounts collected on trade accounts receivable are included in net cash provided by operating activities in the “Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows”. The Company does not have any off-balance sheet credit exposure related to its customers. The Company evaluates its bad debt as a single portfolio since all of our companies primarily operate within Alaska and are subject to the same economic and risk conditions across industry segments and geographic locations. Bad debt reserves against uncollectible receivables are established and incurred during the period. These estimates are derived through an analysis of account aging profiles and a review of historical recovery experience. Receivables are charged off against the allowance when management believes the uncollectability of the receivable is confirmed. Subsequent recoveries, if any, are credited to the allowance. The Company records bad debt expense as a component of “Selling, general and administrative expense” in the “Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income”.
	Materials and Supplies
	Materials and supplies are carried in inventory at the lower of weighted average cost or market. Cash flows related to the sale of inventory, primarily wireless devices and accessories, are included in operating activities in the Company’s “Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows”.
	Assets and Liabilities Held-for-Sale
	Assets and liabilities held-for-sale represents the assets and liabilities that will be sold in connection with the Company’s decision to sell its wireless operations. They are recorded at the lower of carrying value or net realizable value which approximates the consideration expected to be received from the sale of those assets and liabilities. Impairment, if applicable, on property, plant and equipment classified as held-for-sale is recorded to reduce the carrying value to its fair value less costs to sell. Property, plant and equipment and capital leases are not depreciated while classified as held-for-sale.
	Exit Obligations
	In connection with the decision to sell its wireless operations, the Company will incur certain costs that are associated with the wind down of its retail wireless operations that meet the criteria for reporting as exit obligations. These costs began in the fourth quarter of 2014 and are anticipated to be incurred throughout 2015. The accounting policies for these costs are as follows:
		•	Employee termination costs associated with reductions in retail stores, contact center, and other support organizations are accrued equal to the payout amount, undiscounted due to the short duration, and amortized over the remaining service period.
		•	Contract termination costs will be accrued for retail store leases and a software contract where we incur a charge to terminate the contract prior to their stated maturity. These costs are measured equal to the actual cost to terminate the contract and will be recognized at the date the contract is terminated.
		•	For retail store leases that are vacated, the costs are measured equal to the fair value of the remaining lease payments and recognized when the Company has ceased to use the property.
		•	Costs associated with marking wireless handset and accessory inventory held for sale to fair value have been expensed in the fourth quarter of 2014 and are included in Cost of service and sales, non-affiliate in the Company’s “Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive (Loss) Income”.
		•	Other associated costs that meet the criteria of an exit activity will be accrued when incurred.
	Property, Plant and Equipment
	Telephone property, plant and equipment are stated at historical cost of construction including certain capitalized overhead and interest charges. Renewals and betterments of telephone plant are capitalized, while repairs, as well as renewals of minor items, are charged to cost of sales and services as incurred. The Company uses a group composite depreciation method in accordance with industry practice. Under this method, telephone plant, with the exception of land and capital leases, retired in the ordinary course of business, less salvage, is charged to accumulated depreciation with no gain or loss recognized. Non-telephone plant is stated at historical cost including certain capitalized overhead and interest charges, and when sold or retired a gain or loss is recognized. Depreciation of property is provided on the straight-line method over estimated service lives ranging from 2 to 50 years.
	The Company is the lessee of equipment and buildings under capital leases expiring in various years through 2043. The assets and liabilities under capital leases are initially recorded at the lower of the present value of the minimum lease payments or the fair value of the assets at the inception of the lease. The assets are amortized over the lower of their related lease terms or the estimated productive lives. Amortization of assets under capital leases is included in depreciation and amortization expense.
	The Company is also the lessee of various land, building and personal property under operating lease agreements for which expense is recognized on a monthly basis. Increases in rental rates are recorded as incurred which approximates the straight-line method.
	The Company capitalizes interest charges associated with construction in progress based on a weighted average interest cost calculated on the Company’s outstanding debt.
	Asset Retirement Obligations
	The Company records liabilities for obligations related to the retirement and removal of long-lived assets. The Company records, as liabilities, the fair value of asset retirement obligations on a discounted basis when they are incurred, which is typically at the time the asset is installed or acquired. The obligations are conditional on the occurrence of future events. Uncertainty about the timing or settlement of the obligation is factored into the measurement of the liability. Amounts recorded for the related assets are increased by the amount of these obligations. Over time, the liabilities increase due to the change in their present value, the potential changes in assumptions or inputs, and the initial capitalized assets decline as they are depreciated over the useful life of the related assets. The liabilities are eventually extinguished when the asset is taken out of service.
	Non-operating Assets
	The Company periodically evaluates the fair value of its non-current investments and other non-operating assets against their carrying value whenever market conditions indicate a change in that fair value. Any changes relating to declines in the fair value of non-operating assets are charged to non-operating expense under the caption “Other” in the “Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive (Loss) Income”.
	Equity Method of Accounting
	Investments in entities where the Company is able to exercise significant influence, but not control, are accounted for by the equity method. Under this method, our equity investments are carried at acquisition cost, increased by the Company’s proportionate share of the investee’s net income, and decreased by the investee’s net losses up to our proportional ownership interest and cash distributions. The Company evaluates its investments in equity method investments for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable. The Company evaluates whether or not each equity method investment is able to generate and sustain sufficient earnings and cash flows to justify its carrying value.
	Deferred AWN Capacity Revenue
	As part of the AWN transaction, the Company contributed certain network usage rights necessary for AWN to operate the Alaska network. These rights have been fair valued and the resulting liability was recorded in “Deferred AWN capacity revenue” in the “Consolidated Balance Sheets”. This balance is being amortized on a straight-line basis to revenue in the “Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive (Loss) Income”, over the 20 year contract period for which the Company has contracted to provide service.
	Goodwill
	Goodwill is assessed for impairment annually or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate potential impairment. The Company may first assess qualitative factors to determine whether it is more-likely-than-not that the carrying value of its single reporting unit exceeds its fair value. If this assessment indicates that it is more-likely-than-not that the carrying value of the reporting unit exceeds its fair value, a two-step quantitative assessment will be completed. The first step consists of comparing the carrying value of the reporting unit with its estimated fair value. The Company determines the estimated fair value of its reporting unit utilizing a discounted cash flow valuation technique. Significant estimates used in the valuation include estimates of future cash flows, both future short-term and long-term growth rates and the estimated cost of capital for purposes of determining a discount factor. If the carrying value of the reporting unit exceeds its estimated fair value, the Company will determine the implied fair value of its goodwill and an impairment loss will be recognized to the extent the carrying value of goodwill exceeds the implied fair value.
	Long-lived Asset Impairment
	Long-lived assets, such as property, plant, and equipment, and purchased intangible assets subject to amortization, are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. If circumstances require a long-lived asset or asset group be tested for possible impairment, the Company first compares undiscounted cash flows expected to be generated by that asset to its carrying amount. If the carrying amount of the long-lived asset is not recoverable on an undiscounted cash flow basis, impairment is recognized to the extent that the carrying amount exceeds its fair value. Fair value is determined through various valuation techniques including discounted cash flow models, quoted market values and third-party independent appraisals. Impairment is displayed in the caption operating expenses on the Company’s “Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive (Loss) Income.”
Debt Issuance Costs and Discounts
Debt issuance costs, including underwriter’s fees and other associated costs, are capitalized and amortized to interest expense using the straight-line method, which approximates the effective interest method over the term of the related instruments. Debt discounts are accreted to interest expense using the effective interest method.
Preferred Stock
The Company has 5,000 shares of $0.01 par value preferred stock authorized, none of which were issued or outstanding at December 31, 2014 and 2013.
Revenue Recognition
Substantially all recurring non-usage sensitive service revenues are billed one month in advance and are deferred until earned. Non-recurring and usage sensitive revenues are billed in arrears and are recognized when earned. Certain of the Company’s bundled products and services, primarily in wireless, have been determined to be revenue arrangements with multiple deliverables. Total consideration received in these arrangements is allocated and measured using units of accounting within the arrangement based on relative fair values. Wireless offerings include wireless devices and service contracts sold together in the Company’s stores and agent locations. The device and accessories associated with these direct and indirect sales channels are recognized at the time the related wireless device is sold and is classified as equipment sales. Monthly service revenue from the majority of the Company’s customer base is recognized as services are rendered. Revenue earned from the Company’s Lifeline customer base is less certain and is therefore recognized on the cash basis as payments are received.
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.
Concentrations of Risk
Cash is maintained with several financial institutions. Deposits held with banks may exceed the amount of insurance provided on such deposits and the Company enters into arrangements to collateralize these amounts with securities of the underlying financial institutions. Generally, these deposits may be redeemed upon demand. The Company has not experienced any losses on such deposits.
The Company also depends on a limited number of suppliers and vendors for equipment and services for its network, and in the case of systems, one of the Company’s billing platforms is provided on a hosted basis. The Company’s subscriber base and operating results could be adversely affected if these suppliers experience financial or credit difficulties, service interruptions, or other problems.
As of December 31, 2014, approximately 60% of the Company’s employees are represented by the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, Local 1547 (“IBEW”). The Master Collective Bargaining Agreement (“CBA”) between the Company and the IBEW expires on December 31, 2016. The CBA provides the terms and conditions of employment for all IBEW represented employees working for the Company in the state of Alaska and have significant economic impacts on the Company as it relates to wage and benefit costs and work rules that affect our ability to provide superior service to our customers. The Company considers relations with the IBEW to be stable in 2014, resulting in completion of important company initiatives; however any deterioration in the relationship with the IBEW would have a negative impact on the Company’s operations.
The Company provides voice, broadband and managed telecommunication services to its customers throughout Alaska. Accordingly, the Company’s financial performance is directly influenced by the competitive environment in Alaska, and by economic factors specifically in Alaska. The most significant economic factor is the level of Alaskan oil production and the per barrel price of relevant crude oil since a significant majority of the state’s revenue is taxes assessed upon the production of this resource, and the price of crude oil impacts the level of investment by resource development companies. The recent drop in crude oil prices is resulting in the State of Alaska reducing its spending, which is expected to have a dampening impact on the overall economy. Other important factors influencing the Alaskan economy include the level of tourism, government spending, and the movement of United States military personnel. Any deterioration in these factors, particularly over a sustained period of time, would likely have a negative impact on the Company’s performance.
The Company is targeting significant cost savings (“synergies”) associated with its exit activities. A programmatic plan is in place to achieve these synergies, however, should the Company be delayed or not be able to realize the targeted synergies, the Company’s future financial performance would be impacted.
As an entity that relies on the FCC and state regulatory agencies to provide stable funding sources to provide services in high cost areas, the Company is also impacted by any changes in regulations or future funding mechanisms that are being established by these regulatory agencies. In 2014, 10.6% of the Company’s total service and other revenues were derived from high cost support. Funding mechanisms for high cost loop support are undergoing substantial changes with the FCC that will impact our level of funding as well as future obligations we must meet as a condition to that funding.
The Company, like most other businesses, is increasingly vulnerable to cyber threats. While the Company has several mitigating policies and technologies in place, including some insurance coverage, it is not possible to prevent every possible threat to our network and IT systems.
Advertising Costs
The Company expenses advertising costs as incurred. Advertising expense totaled $4,741, $5,918 and $6,204 in 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively and is included in “Selling, general and administrative expense” in the Company’s “Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income”.
Income Taxes
The Company utilizes the asset-liability method of accounting for income taxes. Under the asset-liability method, deferred taxes reflect the temporary differences between the financial and tax basis of assets and liabilities using the enacted tax rates in effect in the years in which the differences are expected to reverse. Deferred tax assets are reduced by a valuation allowance to the extent that management believes it is more-likely-than-not that such deferred tax assets will not be realized. The Company evaluates tax positions taken or expected to be taken in the course of preparing its financial statements to determine whether the tax positions are “more-likely-than-not” of being sustained by the applicable tax authority. The Company records interest and penalties for underpayment of income taxes as income tax expense.
Taxes Collected from Customers and Remitted to Government Authorities
The Company excludes taxes collected from customers and payable to government authorities from revenue. Taxes payable to government authorities are presented as a liability on the “Consolidated Balance Sheets”.
Regulatory Accounting and Regulation
Certain activities of the Company are subject to rate regulation by the FCC for interstate telecommunication service and the Regulatory Commission of Alaska (“RCA”) for intrastate and local exchange telecommunication service. The Company, as required by the FCC, accounts for such activity separately. Long distance services of the Company are subject to regulation as a non-dominant interexchange carrier by the FCC for interstate telecommunication services and the RCA for intrastate telecommunication services. Wireless, Internet and other non-common carrier services are not subject to rate regulation.
Derivative Financial Instruments
The Company does not enter into derivative contracts for speculative purposes. The Company recognizes all asset or liability derivatives at fair value. The accounting for changes in fair value is contingent on the intended use of the derivative and its designation as a hedge. Derivatives that are not hedges are adjusted to fair value through earnings. If a derivative is a hedge, depending on the nature of the hedge, changes in fair value either offset the change in fair value of the hedged assets, liabilities or firm commitments through earnings, or are recognized in “Other comprehensive income (loss)” until the hedged transaction is recognized in earnings. On the date a derivative contract is entered into, the Company designates the derivative as either a fair value or cash flow hedge. The Company formally assesses, both at the hedge’s inception and on an on-going basis, whether the derivatives that are used in hedging transactions are highly effective in offsetting changes in the fair values or cash flows of hedged items. If the Company determines that a derivative is not highly effective as a hedge or that it has ceased to be highly effective, the Company discontinues hedge accounting prospectively. The change in a derivative’s fair value related to the ineffective portion of a hedge is immediately recognized in earnings. Amounts recorded to accumulated other comprehensive loss from the date of the derivative’s inception to the date of ineffectiveness are amortized to earnings over the remaining term of the hedged item. If the hedged item is settled prior to its originally scheduled date, any remaining accumulated comprehensive loss associated with the derivative instrument is reclassified to earnings. Termination of a derivative instrument prior to its scheduled settlement date may result in charges for termination fees.
Dividend Policy
The Company’s dividend policy is set by the Company’s Board of Directors and is subject to the terms of its Senior Credit Facility, as amended, and the continued current and future performance and liquidity needs of the Company. Dividends on the Company’s common stock are not cumulative to the extent they are declared. The Board has not authorized the payment of a dividend since 2012, and has not updated its dividend policy.
Share-based Payments
Restricted Stock
The Company determines the fair value of restricted stock based on the number of shares granted and the quoted market price of the Company’s common stock on the date of grant, discounted for estimated dividend payments that do not accrue to the employee during the vesting period.
Performance Share Units (“PSUs”)
The Company measures the fair value of each new PSU at each reporting period and records adjusted expense attributable to such period based on changes to the expected performance period or fair value of the Company’s common stock, or if the PSUs otherwise vest, expire, or are determined by the Compensation Committee to be unlikely to vest prior to expiration. Compensation expense is recorded over the expected performance period.
Employee Stock Purchase Plan (“ESPP”)
The Company makes payroll deduction from 1% to 15% of compensation from employees who elect to participate in ESPP. A liability accretes during the 6-month offering period and at the end of the offering period (June 30th and December 31st), the Company issues the shares from the 2012 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (“2012 ESPP”). Compensation expense is recorded based upon the estimated number of shares to be purchased multiplied by the discount rate per share.
Tax Treatment
Stock-based compensation is treated as a temporary difference for income tax purposes and increases deferred tax assets until the compensation is realized for income tax purposes. To the extent that realized tax benefits exceed the book based compensation, the excess tax benefit is credited to additional paid in capital.
Pension Benefits
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. The Company pays a contractual hourly amount based on employee classification or base compensation. The accumulated benefits and plan assets are not determined for, or allocated separately to, the individual employer.
Defined Benefit Plan
The ACS Retirement Plan, which is the Company’s sole single-employer defined benefit plan, covers a limited number of employees previously employed by a predecessor to one of our subsidiaries, and is frozen. The Company recognizes the under-funded status of this plan as a liability on its balance sheet and recognizes changes in that funded status in the year in which the changes occur. The ACS Retirement Plan’s accumulated benefit obligation is the actuarial present value, as of the Company’s December 31, measurement date, of all benefits attributed by the pension benefit formula. The amount of benefit to be paid depends on a number of future events incorporated into the pension benefit formula, including estimates of the average life of employees or survivors and average years of service rendered. It is measured based on assumptions concerning future interest rates and future employee compensation levels. Unrecognized prior service credits and costs and net actuarial gains and losses are recognized as a component of other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax.
Defined Contribution Plan
The Company provides a 401(k) retirement savings plan covering substantially all of it employees. Discretionary company-matching contributions are determined by the Board of Directors.
Earnings per Share
The Company computes earnings per share based on the weighted number of shares of common stock and dilutive potential common share equivalents outstanding. This includes all issued and outstanding share-based payments.
Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements
On August 27, 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-15 “Presentation of Financial Statements—Going Concern (Subtopic 205-40): Disclosure of Uncertainties about an Entity’s Ability to Continue as a Going Concern.” The ASU defines management’s responsibility to evaluate whether there is substantial doubt about an organization’s ability to continue as a going concern and to provide related footnote disclosures. The new pronouncement will be effective for annual periods ending after December 15, 2016, and interim periods within annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016. Early application is permitted for annual or interim reporting periods for which the financial statements have not previously been issued. The Company has chosen to early adopt. The Company has determined that there is no substantial doubt related to whether the Company can meet its current obligations over the next twelve month period following the date of this report.
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.

Sale_of_Wireless_Operations

Sale of Wireless Operations	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Discontinued Operations and Disposal Groups [Abstract]
Sale of Wireless Operations	2	SALE OF WIRELESS OPERATIONS
	On December 04, 2014, the Company entered into a Purchase and Sale Agreement (the “Agreement”) to sell to General Communication, Inc (“GCI”), ACS Wirelesses’ interest in AWN and substantially all the assets and subscribers related to the wireless business of ACS and its affiliates, as described below.
	Pursuant to the Agreement, ACS agreed to sell to GCI its interest in AWN and substantially all the assets and subscriber contracts of ACS and its affiliates related to ACS’s wireless business (the “Acquired Assets”) for a cash payment of $300,000, which amount is subject to adjustment for certain working capital assets and liabilities as well as minimum subscriber levels and preferred distributions. The initial estimate of these adjustments is a decrease of approximately $12,000 with an additional $9,000 held in escrow pending the completion of certain milestones over the next twelve months. This settlement process is subject to a review and approval process and may ultimately be trued up within 90 days of the sale. The amount of the gain on the sale is currently estimated to be approximately $30,000, pre-tax. The most significant outstanding item in the calculation of the gain is the valuation currently being performed on the capacity agreement included in the transaction.
	The Acquired Assets include, without limitation, all the equity interests of AWN owned or held by ACS Wireless, substantially all of ACS’s wireless subscriber assets, including subscriber contracts, and substantially all of ACS’s CDMA network assets, including certain fiber strands and associated cell site electronics and microwave facilities and associated electronics. This transaction also includes a capacity agreement with GCI that is similar to the capacity agreement provided in the July 23, 2013 transaction with AWN. As noted above, the valuation of that service arrangement is currently being performed and will ultimately affect the gain on the transaction. GCI will not acquire certain “Excluded Assets”, which include, without limitation, cash, certain inventory, all rights and assets (other than drop circuits) primarily used to provide wireline services and any right or asset used by ACS or any of its affiliates to provide local exchange services under the Communications Act of 1934, as amended. GCI will assume from ACS post-closing liabilities of ACS and its affiliates under contracts assumed by GCI and liabilities with respect to the ownership by ACS Wireless of its equity interest in AWN to the extent accruing and related to the period after closing. All other liabilities will be retained by ACS and its affiliates.
	On February 2, 2015 the Company and GCI announced they have completed the transaction. The two companies have agreed upon a service transition plan in which ACS will continue to provide certain retail and back office services to its previous wireless customers for an interim period which is not to exceed six months. This arrangement is not expected to cover the costs of providing the service. We currently estimate the fair value of these services to be approximately $5,600 which exceeds the consideration received for this service by approximately $1,200 which is included in the calculation of our estimated gain on the sale.
	In addition to the major elements discussed above, ACS and its controlled affiliates are restricted from operating a wireless network or providing wireless products or services in Alaska for a period of four years after closing, except for: (a) fixed wireless replacement, (b) WiFi, (c) wireless backhaul and transport, (d) cell site leases and (e) acting as a wireless internet service provider.
	As part of the transaction, the Company initiated a plan to sell certain assets and liabilities to GCI as well as other assets associated with realigning operations to focus on its core wireline business going forward. Although not specifically included in the asset sale to GCI, certain handset inventory and retail stores lease are also actively being marketed for sale to third parties.
	The Company considered the sale of assets to GCI under the guidance of ASC 205-20 Discontinued Operations and ultimately concluded that the assets being sold did not meet the definition of a component of an entity. The conclusion was based on the determination that the assets did not comprise operations that can be clearly distinguished, either operationally or for financial reporting. The Company has one operating segment and one reporting unit and although there are revenue streams that are clearly identifiable the majority of the operating costs are comingled across the operations of our business and cannot be reasonably separated.
	The following table provides a reconciliation of the major classes of assets and liabilities included in the Consolidated Balance Sheet under the captions “Current assets held-for-sale”, “Non-current assets held-for-sale” and “Current liabilities held-for-sale” at December 31, 2014:
			2014
	Current assets:
	Accounts receivable, non-affiliates, net		$	7,607
	Materials and supplies			1,958
	Total current assets held-for-sale		$	9,565
	Property, plant and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $8,835			14,664
	Total non-current assets held-for-sale		$	14,664
	Current liabilities:
	Current portion of long-term obligations		$	287
	Accounts payable, accrued and other current liabilities, non-affiliates			301
	Accounts payable, accrued and other current liabilities, affiliates			14,411
	Advance billings and customer deposits			3,729
	Total current liabilities held-for-sale		$	18,728
	Long-term obligations, net of current portion			2,107
	Total non-current liabilities held-for-sale		$	2,107
	Although they do not meet the criteria for being classified as assets held-for-sale certain other assets and liabilities were impacted by the transaction as follows:
		•		The equity method investment in AWN, valued at $252,067, on December 31, 2014, was sold to GCI on February 2, 2015.
		•		The remaining Deferred AWN capacity revenue, which was created during the AWN transaction in 2013, and was being amortized over the 20 year contract life, will be removed. It will be replaced with a new service obligation which will be recorded at the estimated fair value of the services to be provided to GCI in the future and will be amortized over the new contract life of up to 30 years. This capacity had a carrying value of $59,964 on December 31, 2014.
		•		The Company’s Senior Credit Facility was amended resulting in approximately $240,472 in principal payments and the write-off of associated debt discount and debt issuance costs of $721 and $1,935, respectively. For additional information on this amendment, see Note 10 “Long-term Obligations.”
	In connection with the Company’s decision to sell its wireless operations the Company has, and will continue to incur, a number of transaction and related wind-down costs. Included in those costs are certain workforce reductions, termination of contracts and other associated obligations that meet the criteria for being reported as exit obligations under ASC 420 Exit or Disposal Cost Obligations. In the fourth quarter of 2014, the Company adjusted its inventory held for sale, less cost to sell, to fair value and began to incur labor obligations. The labor obligations are expected to continue through the first half of 2015. The Company also expects certain contract termination costs associated with retail store leases and the discontinuance of the wireless billing system software contract to begin to occur when the transition services agreement with GCI is complete which is anticipated to be in the second quarter of 2015. These obligations will include costs associated with the disposal of $2,509 in capital lease assets and $2,394 in capital lease liabilities that have been classified as assets and liabilities held-for-sale at December 31, 2014, as well as costs to vacate operating leases which have a remaining term of 11 years and a remaining contract value of $6,516. The negotiation of the release from those liabilities is underway and the settlement terms are currently uncertain. As of December 31, 2014 the Company has incurred $3,622 in transaction related costs, inclusive of the exit obligations shown below.
	The following table summarizes the Company’s current obligations for exit activities during 2014:
			Labor		Contract		Other			Total
			Obligations		Terminations		Associated
							Obligations
	Beginning Balance Jan 31, 2014		$	—	$	—	$	—		$	—
	Charged to Expense			490		—		634			1,124
	Paid and/or Settled			—		—		(634	)		(634	)
	Balance as of Dec 31, 2014		$	490	$	—	$	—		$	490
	The exit activities as noted above that have been incurred to date are included in the captions “Selling, general and administrative”, and “Cost of service and sales, non-affiliate” on the Company’s “Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive (Loss) Income”. The exit liability is included in “Accounts payable and other accrued liabilities – non affiliates” on the Company’s “Consolidated Balance Sheets”.

Accounts_Receivable

Accounts Receivable	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Receivables [Abstract]
Accounts Receivable	3	ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE
	Accounts receivable - trade consists of the following at December 31, 2014 and 2013:
			2014			2013
	Retail customers		$	20,070		$	28,318
	Wholesale carriers			3,867			3,748
	Other			9,301			8,193
				33,238			40,259
	Less: allowance for doubtful accounts			(2,338	)		(6,193	)
	Accounts receivable - trade, net		$	30,900		$	34,066
	Allowance for doubtful accounts consists of the following at December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012.
			2014			2013			2012
	Balance, as of December 31,		$	6,193		$	6,231		$	5,788
	Provision for uncollectible accounts			3,329			1,847			2,588
	Charged to other accounts			(2	)		(2	)		(1	)
	Deductions			(7,182	)		(1,883	)		(2,144	)
	Balance, as of December 31,		$	2,338		$	6,193		$	6,231

Current_Liabilities

Current Liabilities	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Payables and Accruals [Abstract]
Current Liabilities	4	CURRENT LIABILITIES
	Accounts payable, accrued and other current liabilities, non-affiliates consist of the following at December 31, 2014 and 2013:
			2014		2013
	Accounts payable - trade		$	25,672	$	20,841
	Accrued payroll, benefits, and related liabilities			18,086		18,017
	Other			10,615		16,617
			$	54,373	$	55,475
	Advance billings and customer deposits consist of the following at December 31, 2014 and 2013:
			2014		2013
	Advance billings		$	4,449	$	8,385
	Customer deposits			41		719
			$	4,490	$	9,104

Equity_Method_Investments

Equity Method Investments	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Equity Method Investments and Joint Ventures [Abstract]
Equity Method Investments	5	EQUITY METHOD INVESTMENTS
	The following table provides the Company’s ownership interest and investment in TekMate and AWN at December 31, 2014 and 2013:
			December 31,			December 31,			December 31,		December 31,
			2014			2013			2014		2013
			Ownership			Ownership
			Interest			Interest
	TekMate, LLC			100	%		49	%	$	—	$	853
	Alaska Wireless Network, LLC			33.33	%		33.33	%	$	252,067	$	266,119
	TekMate
	On August 31, 2010, the Company acquired a 49% interest in TekMate for $2,060. 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 December 31, 2014 was $667 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, which is 100% deductable for tax purposes, 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.
	AWN FORMATION
	On July 22, 2013, the Company and GCI completed the transactions contemplated by the June 4, 2012 Asset Purchase and Contribution Agreement for the purpose of combining their wireless networks into AWN.
	Pursuant to the Contribution Agreement, ACS sold certain wireless assets to GCI for a cash payment of $100,000. GCI then contributed these assets, together with GCI’s wireless assets, to AWN in exchange for a two-thirds membership interest in AWN. The ACS Member contributed the Company’s wireless assets that were not sold to GCI to AWN in exchange for a one-third membership interest in AWN.
	At the closing, the parties entered into the First Amended and Restated Operating Agreement of The Alaska Wireless Network, LLC (the “Operating Agreement”) and other related agreements which govern the ongoing relationship among the parties. Under the terms of the Operating Agreement, AWN will be managed by its majority owner, GCI, subject to certain protective rights retained by the Company and representation of one of three seats on AWN’s Board. Accordingly, ACS has the ability to exercise significant influence over AWN and accounts for its investment under the equity method in accordance with ASC 323 Investments - Equity Method and Joint Ventures.
	The Operating Agreement provides that ACS is entitled to a cumulative preferred cash distribution of up to $12,500 of Adjusted Free Cash Flow, as defined in the agreement, in each of the first eight quarters after closing and $11,250 in each of the eight quarters thereafter (ACS’ preference period). The Company has received cash distributions from AWN of $50,000 and $17,844 for the periods ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 respectively.
	A national valuation firm was engaged by the parties 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 completed in the second quarter of 2014 and assigned a valuation to the AWN Equity Investment of $266,000 and to the Deferred AWN Capacity Revenue of $64,627. The effects of the final valuation were applied retrospectively and, accordingly, the previously reported December 31, 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. See the Company’s 2014 second quarter filing on Form 10-Q for a summary of these revised amounts. The carrying value of the AWN Equity Investment and Deferred AWN Capacity Revenue at December 31, 2014 are $252,067 and $59,964, respectively.
	The “Deferred AWN capacity revenue” is being amortized on a straight-line basis to revenue in the “Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive (Loss) Income”, over the 20 year contract period for which the Company has contracted to provide service. The Company amortized to revenue $1,512 from July 23, 2013 to December 31, 2013 and $3,151 for the twelve months ended December 31, 2014.
	As noted earlier, in the second quarter of 2014, the Company received the final valuation report and as a result trued up the value of its capacity contribution to AWN and its pre-tax gain of $210,873.
	The following table represents the calculation of the gain:
	Consideration received:
	Investment		$	266,000
	Cash			100,000
	Total consideration received			366,000
	Consideration provided:
	Net intangible and tangible assets			90,500
	Deferred AWN capacity revenue			64,627
	Total consideration provided			155,127
	Gain on disposal of assets		$	210,873
	In the twelve-month period ended December 31, 2013, specifically July 23, 2013 through December 31, 2013, the Company’s share of AWN’s adjusted free cash flow was $22,011, of which $17,844 was received during the period and $4,167 was paid within the subsequent 12-day contractual period. In the twelve-month period ended December 31, 2014, the Company’s share of AWN’s adjusted free cash flow was $50,000, of which $45,833 was received during the period and $4,167 was paid within the subsequent 12-day contractual period. The Company’s equity in earnings of AWN from July 23, 2013 to December 31, 2013 and for the twelve months ended December 31, 2014 was $17,963 and $35,948, respectively.
	Summarized financial information on AWN is as follows:
			December 31,			December 31,
			2014			2013
	Current assets		$	139,237		$	119,681
	Non-current assets		$	554,608		$	549,913
	Current liabilities		$	91,247		$	72,242
	Non-current liabilities		$	21,505		$	20,570
	Equity		$	581,093		$	576,782
			Twelve Months			Inception to
			Ended			December 31,
			December 31,			2013
			2014
	Operating revenues		$	252,864		$	118,918
	Gross profit		$	179,243		$	86,201
	Operating income		$	113,772		$	56,543
	Net income		$	113,404		$	56,342
Adjusted free cash flow (1)		$	106,937		$	53,978
(1)	Adjusted free cash flow is defined in the Operating Agreement.
The excess of ACS’ investment in AWN over the Company’s share of net assets in AWN is estimated to be $13,810 at December 31, 2014. This difference represents the increase in basis of the GCI Member’s contribution to AWN, as AWN is accounting for the GCI member’s contribution at carryover basis and ACS is accounting for it at estimated fair value. The investment in AWN is analyzed periodically for impairment. No impairment has been recorded on ACS’ investment of AWN to-date.
AWN is organized as a limited liability corporation and is a flow-through entity for income tax purposes.
The following table provides a reconciliation AWN’s total equity and ACS’ equity method investment as of December 31, 2014:
		Amount
AWN total equity as reported		$	581,093
Less amount attributed to GCI			(342,836	)
Amount attributed to ACS			238,257
Plus:
Step-up in basis of GCI contribution, net			30,702
Cumulative differences in distributions			4,167
Less:
Cumulative differences in income allocation method			(21,059	)
ACS investment in AWN		$	252,067
On February 2, 2015, the Company sold its one-third interest in AWN to GCI. See Note 2 “Sale of Wireless Operations” for additional information.

Fair_Value_Measurements

Fair Value Measurements	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Fair Value Measurements	6	FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS
	The Company has developed valuation techniques based upon observable and unobservable inputs to calculate the fair value of non-current monetary assets and liabilities. Observable inputs reflect market data obtained from independent sources and unobservable inputs reflect 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.
		•		Level 3 - Significant inputs to the valuation model are unobservable.
	The fair values of cash equivalents, restricted cash, short-term investments, net accounts receivable and payable, other short-term monetary assets and liabilities and capital leases approximate their carrying values due to their nature. The non-monetary consideration exchanged in the Company’s deconsolidation, related to the AWN transaction, has been valued using multiple valuation methods using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3). The fair value of the Company’s 2010 Senior Credit Facility, convertible notes and other long-term obligations of $430,729 at December 31, 2014, were estimated based on dealer quoted prices (Level 1). The carrying values of these liabilities were $436,362 at December 31, 2014.
	Fair Value Measurements on a Recurring Basis
	Financial assets and liabilities are classified in 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 liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2014 and 2013 at each hierarchical level. There were no transfers into or out of Levels 1 and 2 during 2014.
			December 31, 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		$	(1,416	)	$	—		$	(1,416	)	$	—	$	(3,234	)	$	—	$	(3,234	)	$	—
	Derivative Financial Instruments
	The Company uses floating-to-fixed interest rate swaps to manage variable interest rate risk. The notional amount of the swaps at December 31, 2014, was $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. At low LIBOR rates, payments under the swaps increased the Company’s cash interest expense.
	The outstanding amount of these swaps as of 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 swaps. 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.
	On December 4, 2014, with the announcement of the sale of its wireless operations, approximately $240,000 of the Company’s Senior Credit Facility was expected to be repaid. Hedge accounting was discontinued because it became “possible” that the interest payments on which the swaps were intended to hedge would not occur. This possible trigger resulted in $109,800 of the $115,500 swap to be ineffective. The Company has reclassed $31 of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss to interest expense. Additionally, the Company will recognize future changes in fair value directly to interest expense.
	The following table presents information about the floating-to-fixed interest rate swaps, which are included in “Other long-term liabilities” on the balance sheet, for the twelve-month periods ending December 31, 2014 and 2013:
			2014			2013
	Beginning balance at January 1		$	3,234		$	9,819
	Reclassified from other long-term liabilities to accumulated other comprehensive loss			(1,545	)		(1,727	)
	Change in fair value credited to interest expense			(273	)		(785	)
	Cash paid on extinguishment of hedging instrument			—			(4,073	)
	Ending balance at December 31		$	1,416		$	3,234
	Fair Value Measurements on a Non-recurring Basis
	No impairment of long-lived assets was recognized during 2014, 2013 or 2012. The Company did record an adjustment to fair value on its inventory held-for-sale at December 31, 2014 using level 1 inputs.
	TekMate Impairment
	The Company recorded impairment of its equity method investment in TekMate in the fourth quarter of 2013 for $1,267 and is included in the caption “Loss on impairment of equity investment” on the “Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive (Loss) Income”.

Property_Plant_and_Equipment

Property, Plant and Equipment	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]
Property, Plant and Equipment	7	PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT
	Property, plant and equipment consist of the following at December 31, 2014 and 2013:
			2014			2013			Useful Lives
	Land, buildings and support assets*		$	209,349		$	222,215		Mar-42
	Central office switching and transmission			385,016			374,505		12-Feb
	Outside plant cable and wire facilities			674,914			699,716		10 - 50
	Other			3,606			3,147		5-Feb
	Construction work in progress			60,249			45,366
				1,333,134			1,344,949
	Less: accumulated depreciation and amortization			(976,401	)		(992,936	)
	Property, plant and equipment, net		$	356,733		$	352,013
	*	No depreciation charges are recorded for land.
	Capitalized interest associated with construction in progress for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012 was $2,810, $1,926, and $1,961, respectively. The capitalization rate used was based on a weighted average of the Company’s long term debt outstanding and for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012 was 8.28%, 8.07%, and 7.27%, respectively.
	The following is a summary of property held under capital leases included in the above property, plant and equipment at December 31, 2014 and 2013:
			2014			2013
	Land, buildings and support assets		$	15,426		$	19,893
	Less: accumulated depreciation and amortization			(6,698	)		(8,196	)
	Property held under capital leases, net		$	8,728		$	11,697
	Amortization of assets under capital leases included in depreciation expense for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012 was $1,832, $1,827 and $1,934, respectively. Future minimum payments, including interest, under these leases for the next five years and thereafter are as follows:
	2015		$	1,792
	2016			1,687
	2017			1,334
	2018			1,072
	2019			791
	Thereafter			6,976
				13,652
	Interest			(5,734	)
			$	7,918
	Included in the future payments above, is $3,744 associated with the capital leases being marketed for sale in conjunction with the sale of our wireless operations. These assets are no longer being depreciated and have been moved to assets held-for-sale.
	The Company leases various land, buildings, right-of-ways and personal property under operating lease agreements. Rental expense under operating leases for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 was $8,782, $9,785 and $9,997, respectively.
	Future minimum payments under these leases for the next five years and thereafter are as follows:
	2015		$	8,677
	2016			7,943
	2017			6,914
	2018			5,612
	2019			5,176
	Thereafter			38,200
			$	72,522
	Included in these minimum payments is $6,516 associated with the operating leases being marketed for sale in conjunction with the sale of our wireless operations.

Goodwill_and_Other_Intangible_

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets	8	GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS
	Goodwill is assessed for impairment annually or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate potential impairment. In the fourth quarter of 2014 the Company conducted two assessments of goodwill. The first being its annually scheduled assessment on October 1, 2014, and the second on December 5, 2014 with the announcement of our intent to sell our wireless operations, at which time management determined the Company had a triggering event.
	The Company utilized reports from third party valuation experts to determine the estimated fair value of its reporting unit. These reports utilized many methodologies, but primarily relied on a discounted cash flow (“DCF”) valuation technique. Significant estimates used in the valuation include estimates of future cash flows, both future short-term and long-term growth rates and the estimated cost of capital for purposes of determining a discount factor. The Company compared the results of the estimated fair value to other market approaches and comparable public and private company analysis and found the estimated fair value to be reasonable.
	However, the Company also performed a reconciliation of its estimated fair value to its market capitalization, based on its recently publically traded stock price. This analysis indicated a possible impairment may exist because the value was less than the book value. For accounting purposes the Company utilized the fair value indicated by market capitalization, thereby resulting in the conclusion that the carrying value of its single reporting unit exceeded its fair value. Accordingly, the Company performed step two of the goodwill impairment analysis. After measuring the fair value of the reporting unit’s assets and liabilities, the implied fair value of goodwill was determined to be zero. Consequently, the Company determined that the goodwill was fully impaired resulting in an impairment charge of $5,986 for the year ended December 31, 2014.
	In the first quarter of 2014, the Company had purchased the remaining 51% interest in TekMate and had recorded $1,336 of goodwill.
	As part of the AWN transaction in 2013, all of the Company’s other intangible assets were sold/contributed to AWN during 2013 and the Company no longer holds any indefinite-lived intangible assets. The Company’s wireless spectrum licenses had contract terms of ten years, but were renewable indefinitely through a routine process involving a nominal fee. These fees were expensed as incurred.
	In the third quarter of 2013 as part of the AWN transaction the Company performed an assessment of its goodwill and bifurcated the balance between the business being sold to AWN and the business being retained resulting in the retirement of $4,200 in goodwill.
	The original carrying value and accumulated impairment of the Company’s goodwill and other indefinite-lived intangible assets at December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 was as follows:
			2014			2013			2012
	Goodwill:
	Original carrying value		$	38,403		$	38,403		$	38,403
	Accumulated impairment			(29,553	)		(29,553	)		(29,553	)
	Retirement due to AWN transaction			(4,200	)		(4,200	)		—
	TekMate acquisition			1,336			—			—
	Current year impairment			(5,986	)		—			—
	Balance		$	—		$	4,650		$	8,850

Asset_Retirement_Obligations

Asset Retirement Obligations	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Asset Retirement Obligation Disclosure [Abstract]
Asset Retirement Obligations	9	ASSET RETIREMENT OBLIGATIONS
	The Company’s asset retirement obligation is included in “Other long-term liabilities” on the “Consolidated Balance Sheets” and represents the estimated obligation related to the removal and disposal of certain property and equipment (including batteries) in both leased and owned properties. As part of the AWN transaction in July of 2013 the Company settled $3,048 in ARO obligations related to removal costs of certain cell sites.
	The following table outlines the changes in the accumulated retirement obligation liability:
			2014			2013
	Balance, December 31		$	3,657		$	6,942
	Asset retirement obligation			369			229
	Accretion expense			328			310
	Settlement of obligations			(299	)		(776	)
	Transfer of obligation to AWN			—			(3,048	)
	Balance, December 31		$	4,055		$	3,657

LongTerm_Obligations

Long-Term Obligations	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Long-Term Obligations	10	LONG-TERM OBLIGATIONS
	Long-term obligations consist of the following at December 31, 2014 and 2013:
			2014			2013
	2010 senior credit facility term loan due 2016		$	322,700		$	345,900
	Debt discount - 2010 senior credit facility term loan due 2016			(1,014	)		(1,687	)
	6.25% convertible notes due 2018			114,000			114,000
	Debt discount - 6.25% convertible notes due 2018			(7,242	)		(9,213	)
	Capital leases and other long-term obligations			5,524			7,257
				433,968			456,257
	Less current portion			(15,521	)		(14,256	)
	Long-term obligations, net of current portion		$	418,447		$	442,001
	The aggregate maturities of long-term obligations for each of the next five years and thereafter, at December 31, 2014, are as follows:
	2015		$	15,808
	2016			309,078
	2017			815
	2018			114,618
	2019			392
	Thereafter			3,907
			$	444,618
	Included in these maturities is $2,394 associated with the capital leases being marketed for sale in conjunction with the sale of our wireless operations.
	2010 Senior Secured Credit Facility
	In the fourth quarter of 2010, the Company completed a transaction whereby it entered into its $470,000, 2010 Senior Credit Facility
	The 2010 Senior Credit Facility was amended effective November 1, 2012. As discussed below, certain terms of the amendment were effective immediately and certain terms are effective upon consummation of the AWN Transaction.
	The $440,000 term loan outstanding under the Senior Credit Facility was recorded net of a 1.0% discount, or $4,400, of the debt issuance. Quarterly principal payments equal to 0.25% of the original principal balance, or $1,100, were due beginning in the first quarter of 2011. Quarterly principal payments increase to $1,825, $3,300 and $3,675 in the quarters beginning January 1, 2013, 2014 and 2015, respectively, and decrease to $3,300 in the quarter beginning January 1, 2016.
	The Senior Credit Facility also includes a $30,000 revolving credit agreement, which was undrawn as of December 31, 2014. Outstanding letters of credit totaling $2,212 were committed against this amount as of December 31, 2014.
	Prior to consummation of the AWN Transaction, the term loan and revolving credit agreement, to the extent drawn, bore interest at a rate of LIBOR plus 4.0% with a LIBOR floor of 1.5%. In accordance with the November 1, 2012 amendment, the existing interest rates of LIBOR plus 4.0% increased 25 basis points every other month during the period March 31, 2013 through July 22, 2013. Upon consummation of the AWN Transaction, the Company made a $65,000 principal payment and the interest rate of the term loan and revolving credit agreement increase to LIBOR plus 4.75% with a LIBOR floor of 1.5%. The term loan matures on October 21, 2016 and the revolving credit agreement matures on October 21, 2015 unless accelerated pursuant to an event of default or as described below.
	The Senior Credit Facility contains a number of restrictive covenants and events of default, including financial covenants limiting capital expenditures, incurrence of debt and payment of cash dividends. Payment of cash dividends is not permitted until such time that the Company’s Total Leverage Ratio as defined is not more than 3.50 to 1.00. As of December 31, 2014, the Company’s Total Leverage Ratio was higher than 3.50 to 1.00. The Senior Credit Facility also requires that the Company achieve certain financial ratios quarterly. The Senior Credit Facility and the revolver also provide for events of default customary for facilities of this type, including non-payment, defaults on other debt, misrepresentation, breach of covenants, representations and warranties, and insolvency and bankruptcy. After the occurrence of an event of default and for so long as it continues, the Administrative Agent or the Requisite Lenders, as defined in the Credit Agreement, may increase the interest rate then in effect on all outstanding obligations by 2.0%. Upon an event of default relating to insolvency, bankruptcy or receivership, the amounts outstanding under the credit facilities will become immediately due and payable and the lender commitments will be automatically terminated. Upon the occurrence and continuation of any other event of default, the Administrative Agent and/or the Requisite Lenders may accelerate payment of all obligations and terminate the Lenders’ commitments under the credit facilities.
	In connection with the Senior Credit Facility, the Company entered into forward floating-to-fixed interest rate swaps and a buy back of the 1.5% LIBOR floor, as a component of its cash flow hedging strategy. The notional amounts of the swaps were $192,500, $115,500 and $77,000 with interest rates of 6.463%, 6.470% and 6.475%, respectively, inclusive of a 4.0% LIBOR spread. The swaps began on June 30, 2012 and were expected to continue through September 30, 2015. To protect against movements in LIBOR prior to the start of the swaps, the Company acquired an interest rate cap at a cost of $119 for the period between December 31, 2010 and June 30, 2012, capping LIBOR at 3.0% on a notional principal amount of $385,000. On November 1, 2012, the effective date of the amendment to the Company’s Senior Credit Facility, and as a result of the incremental $65,000 AWN transaction principal payment on the term loan required by this amendment, it was determined that the swap in the notional amount of $192,500 no longer met the hedge effectiveness criteria. The $192,500 swap was extinguished and settled on August 1, 2013 for $4,073 in cash. The portion of unrealized losses on this swap was recorded to accumulated other comprehensive loss, from the swap’s inception through the date hedge accounting treatment was discontinued (November 1, 2012), and amounts associated with the variable rate interest payments underlying the accelerated $65,000 principal payment, were reclassified to loss on extinguishment of debt. The amount of this reclassification was $707. The remaining balance of amounts recorded to accumulated other comprehensive loss associated with this hedge will be amortized to interest expense over the period of the remaining originally designated hedged variable rate interest payments. The notional amount of the two remaining swaps are $115,500 and $77,000 with interest rates of 7.220% and 7.225%, respectively, inclusive of a 4.75% LIBOR spread.
	On December 4, 2014, the Company announced the sale of its wireless operations and, upon consummation of the sale on February 2, 2015, the planned significant pay down of debt. At that time hedge accounting was discontinued because it became “possible” that the interest payments on which the swaps were intended to hedge would not occur. This possible trigger resulted in $109,800 of the $115,500 swap to become ineffective. The Company has reclassed $31 in Other Comprehensive Income (loss) to interest expense. Additionally, the Company will recognize future changes in fair value directly to interest expense. Subsequent to year end, on February 2, 2015 the sale closed and the Senior Credit Facility was amended. The Senior Credit Facility was amended in conjunction with the sale, which resulted in the release of certain collateral and a principal repayment of $240,472. Debt discount and debt issuance costs related to the repayment of the $240,472 were $721 and $1,935, respectively. In addition to the principal payment, key financial covenants were amended to incorporate the pro-forma impact from the sale of the wireless operations and associated exit activities.
	Substantially all of the Company’s assets, including those of its subsidiaries, have been pledged as collateral for the Senior Credit Facility.
	6.25% Convertible Notes due 2018
	On May 10, 2011, the Company closed the sale of $120,000 aggregate principal amount of its 6.25% Convertible Notes due 2018 (“6.25% Notes”) to certain initial purchasers in a private placement. The 6.25% Notes are fully and unconditionally guaranteed (“Note Guarantees”), on a joint and several unsecured basis, by all of the Company’s existing subsidiaries, other than its license subsidiaries, and certain of the Company’s future domestic subsidiaries (“Guarantors”). The 6.25% Notes will pay interest semi-annually on May 1 and November 1 at a rate of 6.25% per year and will mature on May 1, 2018.
	The 6.25% Notes will be convertible at an initial conversion rate of 97.2668 shares of common stock per $1,000 principal amount of the 6.25% Notes, which is equivalent to an initial conversion price of approximately $10.28 per share of common stock. The Company may not redeem the 6.25% Notes prior to maturity.
	Beginning on February 1, 2018, the 6.25% Notes will be convertible by the holder at any time until 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the second scheduled trading-day immediately preceding the stated maturity date. Given that the Company’s current share price is well below $10.28, we do not anticipate that there will be a conversion into equity.
	Prior to February 1, 2018, the holder may convert the 6.25% Notes:
		•		During any fiscal quarter beginning after June 30, 2011 following any previous fiscal quarter in which the trading price of the Company’s common stock equals or exceeds 130% of the conversion price of the 6.25% Notes for at least 20 trading-days during the last 30 trading-days of the previous fiscal quarter;
		•		During any five business day period following any five trading-day period in which the trading price of the 6.25% Notes is less than 98% of parity value on each day of that five trading-day period; and
		•		Upon the occurrence of certain significant corporate transactions, holders who convert their 6.25% Notes, in connection with a change of control, may be entitled to a make-whole premium in the form of an increase in the conversion rate. In addition, upon a change in control, liquidation, dissolution or delisting, the holders of the 6.25% Notes may require the Company to repurchase for cash all or any portion of their 6.25% Notes for 100% of the principal amount plus accrued and unpaid interest.
	As of December 31, 2014, none of the conditions allowing holders of the 6.25% Notes to convert, or requiring the Company to repurchase the 6.25% Notes, had been met.
	Additionally, the 6.25% Notes contain events of default which, if they occur, entitle the holders of the 6.25% Notes to declare them to be immediately due and payable. Those events of default include: (i) payment defaults on either the notes themselves or other large obligations; (ii) failure to comply with the terms of the notes; and (iii) most bankruptcy proceedings.
	The 6.25% Notes are unsecured obligations, subordinated in right of payment to the Company’s obligations under its 2010 Senior Credit Facility as well as certain hedging agreements within the meaning of the Company’s 2010 Senior Credit Facility. The 6.25% Notes also rank equally in right of payment with all of the Company’s other existing and future senior indebtedness and are senior in right of payment to all of the Company’s future subordinated obligations. The Note Guarantees are subordinated in right of payment to the Guarantors’ obligations under the Company’s 2010 Senior Credit Facility as well as certain hedging agreements within the meaning of the Company’s 2010 Senior Credit Facility.
	Convertible debt instruments that may be settled in cash upon conversion at the Company’s option, including partial cash settlement, must be accounted for by bifurcating the liability and equity components of the instruments in a manner that reflects the entity’s non-convertible debt borrowing rate when interest cost is recognized in subsequent periods. The Company applied this rate to the $120,000 6.25% Notes, bifurcating the notes into the liability portion and the equity portion attributable to the conversion feature of the notes. In doing so, the Company used the discounted cash flow approach to value the debt portion of the notes. The cash flow stream from the coupon interest payments and the final principal payment were discounted at 8.61% to arrive at the valuations. The Company used 8.61% as the appropriate discount rate after examining the interest rates for similar instruments issued in the same time frame for similar companies without the conversion feature. The equity component of the 6.25% Notes was $8,500, net of a tax benefit of $5,931.
	Further, while it is the Company’s intent to settle the principal portion of this debt in cash, the Company uses the “if converted” method in calculating the diluted earnings per share effect of the assumed conversion of the contingently convertible debt. Under the “if converted” method, the after tax effect of interest expense related to the convertible securities is added back to net income and the convertible debt is assumed to have been converted into common stock at the earlier of the debt issuance date or the beginning of the period. The Company’s convertible debt was anti-dilutive for the twelve month periods ended December 31, 2012 and 2014 but is included in the computation of dilutive EPS for the twelve months ended December 31, 2013.
	The Company’s Board of Directors has authorized the issuance of up to 4,700 common shares for the repurchase of its convertible notes. In the third quarter of 2013, the Company delivered and issued 698 and 1,203 common shares in exchange for the retirement of $2,500 and $3,500, respectively, aggregate principal amount of 6.25% convertible notes due 2018. This Board of Directors’ authorization expired December 31, 2013.
	The following table includes selected data regarding the 6.25% Notes as of December 31, 2014 and 2013:
			2014			2013
	Net carrying amount of the equity component		$	7,782		$	7,782
	Principal amount of the convertible notes		$	114,000		$	114,000
	Unamortized debt discount		$	7,242		$	9,213
	Amortization period remaining			40 months			52 months
	Net carrying amount of the convertible notes		$	106,758		$	104,787
	The following table details the interest components of the 6.25% Notes contained in the Company’s “Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive (Loss) Income” for the year ended December 31, 2014 and 2013:
			2014			2013
	Coupon interest expense		$	7,125		$	7,378
	Amortization of the debt discount			1,971			1,874
	Total included in interest expense		$	9,096		$	9,252
	5.75% Convertible Notes Paid/Extinguished 2013
	On April 8, 2008 the Company closed the sale of $125,000 aggregate principal 5.75% Notes due March 1, 2013. The 5.75% Notes were sold in a private placement pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933. The Company received net proceeds from the offering of $110,053 after underwriter fees, the convertible note hedge, proceeds from the warrant and other associated costs. As discussed above, in May 2011, the Company utilized proceeds from the sale of its 6.25% Notes to repurchase $98,340 principal amount of the 5.75% Notes. The outstanding balance of the 5.75% Notes was paid in cash in the first quarter of 2013.
	The following table details the interest components of the 5.75% Notes contained in the Company’s “Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive (Loss) Income” for the year ended December 31, 2013:
			2013
	Coupon interest expense		$	122
	Amortization of the debt discount			114
	Total included in interest expense		$	236
	Capital Leases and Other Long-term Obligations
The Company is a lessee under various capital leases and other financing agreements totaling $7,918 and $7,257 with a weighted average interest rate of 8.57% and 8.92% at December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively and have maturities through 2043. In the fourth quarter of 2014 the Company entered into a plan to sell capital leases of $2,394, which were moved to assets held-for-sale.
Debt Issuance Costs
The Company capitalized $0 in debt issuance costs incurred in connection with the November 1, 2012 amendment to its Senior Credit Facility in 2014. Amortization of debt issuance costs, included in “Interest expense” in the “Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive (Loss) Income” and reported in the “Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows” for 2014, 2013 and 2012, was $2,460, $3,836 and $2,164, respectively.
Debt Discounts
Accretion of debt discounts in the “Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows” for 2014, 2013 and 2012, were $2,644, $3,096 and $3,811, respectively.

Accumulated_Other_Comprehensiv

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Equity [Abstract]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss	11	ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE LOSS
	The following table summarizes the activity in accumulated other comprehensive loss for the twelve months ended December 31, 2013 and 2014:
			Defined			Interest			Total
			Benefit			Rate Swaps
			Pension
			Plans
	Balance, December 31, 2012		$	(3,491	)	$	(5,748	)	$	(9,239	)
	Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications			832			1,019			1,851
	Reclassifications from accumulated comprehensive loss to net income			421			1,358			1,779
	Net other comprehensive loss			1,253			2,377			3,630
	Balance, December 31, 2013		$	(2,238	)	$	(3,371	)	$	(5,609	)
	Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications			(1,667	)		909			(758	)
	Reclassifications from accumulated comprehensive loss to net income			266			950			1,216
	Net other comprehensive loss			(1,401	)		1,859			458
	Balance, December 31, 2014		$	(3,639	)	$	(1,512	)	$	(5,151	)
	The following table summarizes the reclassifications from accumulated other comprehensive loss to net (loss) income for the twelve months ended December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012, respectively:
	For the twelve months ended December 31,		2014			2013			2012
	Amortization of defined benefit plan pension items: (1)
	Amortization of loss (3)		$	451		$	717		$	818
	Income tax effect			(185	)		(296	)		(336	)
	After tax			266			421			482
	Amortization of loss on ineffective interest rate swap: (2)
	Reclassification to interest expense			1,613			2,307			292
	Income tax effect			(663	)		(949	)		(120	)
	After tax			950			1,358			172
	Total reclassifications net of income tax		$	1,216		$	1,779		$	654
	(1)	See Note 12 “Retirement Plans” for additional information regarding the Company’s pension plans.
	(2)	See Note 6 “Fair Value Measurements” for additional information regarding the plan to terminate this swap.
	(3)	Included in selling, general and administrative expense.
	The estimated amount of accumulated other comprehensive loss to be reclassified to interest expense within the next twelve months is $2,357.

Retirement_Plans

Retirement Plans	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]
Retirement Plans	12	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. As a multi-employer defined benefit plan, the accumulated benefits and plan assets are not determined for, or allocated separately to, the individual employer.
	The following table provides additional information about the AEPF multi-employer pension plan.
	Plan name			Alaska Electrical Pension Plan
	Employer Identification Number			92-6005171
	Pension plan number			1
	Pension Protection Act zone status at the plan’s year-end:
	December 31, 2014			Green
	December 31, 2013			Green
	Plan subject to funding improvement plan			No
	Plan subject to rehabilitation plan			No
	Employer subject to contribution surcharge			No
						Greater than 5%
						of Total
						Contributions
						to the Plan
	Company contributions to the plan for the year ended:
	December 31, 2014		$	8,626		Yes
	December 31, 2013		$	9,174		Yes
	December 31, 2012		$	9,568		Yes
	Name and expiration date of collective bargaining agreements requiring contributions to the plan:
	Collective Bargaining Agreement Between Alaska Communications Systems and Local Union 1547 IBEW			31-Dec-16
	Outside Agreement Alaska Electrical Construction between Local Union 1547 IBEW and Alaska Chapter National Electrical Contractors Association Inc.			30-Sep-16
	Inside Agreement Alaska Electrical Construction between Local Union 1547 IBEW and Alaska Chapter National Electrical Contractors Association Inc.			31-Oct-16
	Special Agreement Providing for the Coverage of Certain Non-bargaining Unit Employees			31-Dec-15
	The Company can not accurately project any change in the plan status in future years given the uncertainty of economic conditions or the effect of actuarial valuations versus actual performance in the market. Minimum required future contributions to the AEPF are subject to the number of employees in each classification and/or base compensation of employees in future years.
	Defined Contribution Plan
	The Company provides a 401(k) retirement savings plan covering substantially all of its employees. The plan allows for discretionary contributions as determined by the Board of Directors, subject to Internal Revenue Code limitations. The Company made a $213, $174 and $123 matching contribution for 2014, 2013 and 2012 respectively.
	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’s Alaska properties, whereby assets and liabilities of the CenturyTel Plan were transferred to the ACS Retirement Plan (“Plan”) on September 1, 1999. Accrued benefits under the Plan were determined in accordance with the provisions of the CenturyTel Plan and upon completion of the transfer, covered employees ceased to accrue benefits under the CenturyTel Plan. On November 1, 2000, the Plan was amended to conform early retirement reduction factors and various other terms to those provided by the AEPF. As a result of this amendment, prior service cost of $1,992 was recorded and has been amortized over the expected service life of the plan participants at the date of the amendment. The Company uses the traditional unit credit method for the determination of pension cost for financial reporting and funding purposes and complies with the funding requirements under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (“ERISA”). The Company uses a December 31 measurement date for the Plan. The Plan is not adequately funded under ERISA at December 31, 2014. The Company contributed $898 to the Plan in 2014, $360 in 2013 and $469 in 2012. The Company plans to contribute approximately $802 to the Plan in 2015 and management is also estimating what additional contributions the Company may be required to make in subsequent years in the event the value of the Plan’s assets remain volatile or decline.
	The following is a calculation of the funded status of the ACS Retirement Plan using beginning and ending balances for 2014 and 2013 for the projected benefit obligation and the plan assets:
			2014			2013
	Change in benefit obligation:
	Benefit obligation at beginning of year		$	15,284		$	16,609
	Interest cost			674			635
	Actuarial (gain) loss			2,283			(954	)
	Benefits paid			(1,007	)		(1,006	)
	Benefit obligation at end of year			17,234			15,284
	Change in plan assets:
	Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year			11,548			11,101
	Actual return on plan assets			131			1,093
	Employer contribution			898			360
	Benefits paid			(1,007	)		(1,006	)
	Fair value of plan assets at end of year			11,570			11,548
	Funded status		$	(5,664	)	$	(3,736	)
	The Plan’s projected benefit obligation equals its accumulated benefit obligation. The 2014 and 2013 liability balance of $5,664 and $3,736 respectively, is recorded on the “Consolidated Balance Sheets” in “Other long-term liabilities.”
	The following table presents the net periodic pension expense for the Plan for 2014, 2013 and 2012:
			2014			2013			2012
	Interest cost		$	664		$	635		$	715
	Expected return on plan assets			(749	)		(706	)		(694	)
	Amortization of loss			536			788			797
	Net periodic pension expense		$	451		$	717		$	818
	In 2015, the Company expects amortization of net gains and losses of $1,175.
			2014			2013
	Loss recognized as a component of accumulated other comprehensive loss:		$	6,178		$	3,799
	The assumptions used to account for the Plan as of December 31, 2014 and 2013 are as follows:
			2014			2013
	Discount rate for benefit obligation			3.97	%		4.49	%
	Discount rate for pension expense			4.49	%		3.97	%
	Expected long-term rate of return on assets			6.53	%		6.53	%
	Rate of compensation increase			0	%		0	%
	The discount rate for December 31, 2014 and 2013 was calculated using a proprietary yield curve based on above median AA rated corporate bonds. The expected long-term rate-of-return on assets rate is the best estimate of future expected return for the asset pool, given the expected returns and allocation targets for the various classes of assets.
	Based on risk and return history for capital markets along with asset allocation risk and return projections, the following asset allocation guidelines were developed for the Plan:
		Minimum			Maximum
Asset Category
Equity securities			0	%		80	%
Fixed income			0	%		50	%
Cash equivalents			0	%		100	%
The Plan’s asset allocations at December 31, 2014 and 2013 by asset category are as follows:
		2014			2013
Asset Category
Equity securities*			65	%		62	%
Debt securities*			34	%		37	%
Other/Cash			1	%		1	%
*	May include mutual funds comprised of both stocks and bonds.
The fundamental investment objective of the Plan is to generate a consistent total investment return sufficient to pay Plan benefits to retired employees while minimizing the long-term cost to the Company. The long-term (10 years and beyond) Plan asset growth objective is to achieve a rate of return that exceeds the actuarial interest assumption after fees and expenses.
Because of the Company’s long-term investment objectives, the Plan administrator is directed to resist being reactive to short-term capital market developments and to maintain an asset mix that is continuously rebalanced to adhere to the plan investment mix guidelines. The Plan’s investment goal is to protect the assets’ long-term purchasing power. The Plan’s assets are managed in a manner that emphasizes a higher exposure to equity markets versus other asset classes. It is expected that such a strategy will provide a higher probability of meeting the plan’s actuarial rate of return assumption over time.
The following table presents major categories of plan assets as of December 31, 2014, and inputs and valuation techniques used to measure the fair value of plan assets regarding the ACS Retirement Plan:
		Fair Value Measurement at Reporting Date Using
		Total			Quoted Prices			Significant			Significant
					in Active			Other			Unobservable
					Markets for			Observable			Inputs
					Identical			Inputs			Level 3
					Assets			Level 2
					Level 1
Asset Category
Money market/cash		$	106		$	106		$	—		$	—
Equity securities (Investment Funds)*
International growth			2,242			2,242			—			—
U.S. small cap			1,538			1,538			—			—
U.S. medium cap			1,149			1,149			—			—
U.S. large cap			2,651			2,651			—			—
Debt Securities (Investment Funds)*
Certificate of deposits			1,802			1,802			—			—
Fixed income			2,082			2,082			—			—
		$	11,570		$	11,570		$	—		$	—
*	May include mutual funds comprised of both stocks and bonds.
The benefits expected to be paid in each of the next five years and in the aggregate for the five fiscal years thereafter are as follows:
2014		$1,101
2015		1,038
2016		1,085
2017		1,102
2018		1,073
2019-2023		5,393
Post-retirement Health Benefit Plan
The Company has a separate executive post-retirement health benefit plan. On December 31, 2014, the plan was underfunded by $150 with plan assets of $158. The net periodic post-retirement cost for 2014 and 2013 was $7 and $5, respectively.

Earnings_Per_Share

Earnings Per Share	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Earnings Per Share	13	EARNINGS PER SHARE
	Earnings per share are based on weighted average number of shares of common stock and dilutive potential common shares equivalents outstanding. Basic earnings per share includes no dilution and is computed by dividing net income or 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. The Company includes dilutive stock options based on the “treasury stock method.” Due to the Company’s reported net loss for the year ended December 31, 2014, 2,506 potential common share equivalents outstanding, which consisted of restricted stock and deferred shares granted to directors, were anti dilutive. Excluded from the calculations for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012 were options and SSARs totaling 24 and 311 which were out-of-the-money and therefore anti-dilutive. Also excluded from the calculations were shares related to the Company’s 5.75% Notes which were anti-dilutive for the twelve month periods ended December 31, 2013 and 2012 and shares related to the Company’s 6.25% Notes which were anti-dilutive for the twelve month periods ended December 31, 2014 and 2012. However, for the twelve months ended December 31, 2013, the 6.25% Notes are included in diluted earnings per share. The Company uses the “if converted” method in calculating the diluted earnings per share effect of the assumed conversion of the contingently convertible debt. Under the “if converted” method, the after tax effect of interest expense related to the convertible securities is added back to net income and the convertible debt is assumed to have been converted into common stock at the earlier of the debt issuance date or the beginning of the period.
	The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012:
			2014			2013		2012
	Net (loss) income applicable to common shares		$	(2,780	)	$	158,471	$	17,409
	Tax-effected interest expense attributable to convertible notes			—			5,813		—
	Net (loss) income assuming dilution		$	(2,780	)	$	164,284	$	17,409
	Weighted average common shares outstanding:
	Basic shares			49,334			47,092		45,553
	Effect of stock-based compensation			—			530		325
	Effect of 6.25% convertible notes			—			11,485		—
	Diluted shares			49,334			59,107		45,878
	(Loss) earnings per share:
	Basic		$	(0.06	)	$	3.37	$	0.38
	Diluted		$	(0.06	)	$	2.78	$	0.38

Income_Taxes

Income Taxes	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Income Taxes	14	INCOME TAXES
	The income tax provision for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 was comprised of the following charges:
			2014			2013			2012
	Current:
	Federal income tax		$	(217	)	$	—		$	—
	State income tax			(43	)		—			(12	)
	Total current expense			(260	)		—			(12	)
	Deferred:
	Federal income tax			1,620			(43,301	)		(7,222	)
	State income tax			427			(14,969	)		(2,149	)
	Change in valuation allowance			—			1,900			3,600
	Total deferred benefit (expense)			2,047			(56,370	)		(5,771	)
	Total income tax benefit (expense)		$	1,787		$	(56,370	)	$	(5,783	)
	The following table provides a reconciliation of the federal statutory tax at 35% to the recorded tax (expense) benefit for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively:
			2014			2013			2012
	Computed federal income taxes at the statutory rate		$	1,598		$	(75,194	)	$	(8,117	)
	Benefit (expense) in tax resulting from:
	State income taxes (net of federal benefit)			278			(13,104	)		(864	)
	Other			(58	)		178			167
	Stock-based compensation			(31	)		(44	)		(35	)
	Valuation allowance			—			1,900			3,066
	Crest examination settlement			—			29,894			—
	Total income tax benefit (expense)		$	1,787		$	(56,370	)	$	(5,783	)
	The Company accounts for income taxes under the asset-liability method. Deferred income taxes reflect the net tax effects of temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the amounts used for income tax purposes. Valuation allowances are provided when it is “more likely than not” that the benefits of existing deferred tax assets will not be realized in a future period. It is more likely than not that the results of future operations will generate sufficient taxable income to realize the deferred tax assets.
	Significant components of the Company’s deferred tax assets and liabilities as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively, are as follows:
			2014			2013
	Deferred tax assets:
	Net operating loss carry forwards		$	94,435		$	88,963
	Reserves and accruals			8,158			11,190
	Intangibles and goodwill			6,694			6,623
	Fair value on interest rate swaps			1,055			2,353
	Pension liability			2,304			1,738
	Allowance for doubtful accounts			1,164			2,545
	Alternative minimum tax carry forward			5,308			5,069
	Other			1,032			1,255
	Total deferred tax assets			120,150			119,736
	Valuation allowance			—			—
	Deferred tax assets after valuation allowance			120,150			119,736
	Deferred tax liabilities:
	Debt issuance costs			(2,596	)		(3,376	)
	Property, plant and equipment			(23,999	)		(21,631	)
	AWN Investment			(70,577	)		(73,478	)
	Total deferred tax liabilities			(97,172	)		(98,485	)
	Net deferred tax assets		$	22,978		$	21,251
	Deferred assets and liabilities are recorded as follows:
			2014			2013
	Current deferred tax assets		$	104,245		$	7,144
	Non-current deferred tax assets			—			14,107
	Non-current deferred tax liabilities			(81,267	)		—
	Net deferred tax assets		$	22,978		$	21,251
	As of December 31, 2014, current deferred tax assets include $94,733 which represent federal and state net operating loss carryforwards and state alternative minimum tax credit carryforwards which are expected to reverse during the year ended December 31, 2015 as a result of the sale of the Company’s wireless business operations. In addition, non-current deferred tax liabilities related to the Company’s AWN Investment are expected to reverse during the year ended December 31, 2015.
	As of December 31, 2014, the Company has available federal and state alternative minimum tax credits of $5,013 and $454, respectively, which have no expiration dates. As of December 31, 2014, the Company has unused acquired and generated federal and state net operating loss carry forwards of $233,496 and $208,481, respectively, which have various expiration dates beginning in 2019 through 2033.
	Acquired unused operating loss carry forwards associated with the Company’s acquisition of Internet Alaska, Inc. in June 2000 and Crest in October of 2008 are limited by Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code.
	Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code imposes an annual limit on the ability of loss corporations that undergo an “ownership change”. This limitation restricts the amount of operating losses that can be used to reduce its future taxable income. On December 7, 2005, the Company underwent an ownership change thereby subjecting it to the Section 382 loss limitation rules.
	In 2008, the Company acquired Crest. In June 2009, the IRS commenced an audit of Crest’s tax returns for the years ended December 31, 2006, December 31, 2007 and October 30, 2008. In April and November of 2010, the IRS issued Notices of Proposed Adjustment (“NOPAs”) with respect to the 2006, 2007 and 2008 taxable years of Crest. The NOPAs assess the Company for additional taxable income on cancellation of debt and related attribute reduction, for accuracy related penalties and for adjustments to the tax treatment of optical cables, fibers and related conduit. In accordance with the guidance in ASC 740 in the second quarter of 2010, the Company recorded $29,678 in additional income tax expense and $2,781 receivable pending resolution of the matter. The Company did not recognize any interest or penalties on the deferred tax liability. During June 2013, the Company received a “no change” letter from the IRS covering all of the issues and tax years of Crest. As a result, the Company reversed the prior recorded items and recognized a tax benefit of $29,894 during the quarter ending June 30, 2013.
	The Company files either consolidated income tax returns or tax returns of certain subsidiaries in many state jurisdictions. As of December 31, 2014, the Company is not under examination by any income tax jurisdiction. The Company is no longer subject to examination for years prior to 2011.
	The Company accounts for income tax uncertainties using a threshold of “more-likely-than-not” in accordance with the provisions of ASC Topic 740, Income Taxes (“ASC 740”). As of December 31, 2014, the Company has reviewed all of its tax filings and positions taken on its returns and has not identified any material current or future effect on its consolidated results of operations, cash flows or financial position. As such, the Company has not recorded any tax, penalties or interest on tax uncertainties. It is Company policy to record any interest on tax uncertainties as a component of income tax expense.

Stock_Incentive_Plans

Stock Incentive Plans	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]
Stock Incentive Plans	15	STOCK INCENTIVE PLANS
	Under the Company’s stock incentive plan, ACS, through the Compensation and Personnel Committee of its Board of Directors, may grant stock options, restricted stock, stock appreciation rights and other awards to officers, employees, consultants, and non-employee directors. Upon the effective date of the Alaska Communications Systems Group, Inc. 2011 Incentive Award Plan (“2011 Incentive Award Plan”), the Alaska Communications Systems Group, Inc. 1999 Stock Incentive Plan and the ACS Group, Inc. 1999 Non-Employee Director Stock Compensation Plan, (together the “Prior Plans”) were retired. All future awards will be granted from the 2011 Incentive Award Plan. The Alaska Communications Systems Group, Inc. 2012 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (“2012 ESPP”) was approved by the Company’s shareholders in June 2012 and the ACS 1999 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (“1999 ESPP”) was retired on June 30, 2012. References to “stock incentive plans” include, as applicable, the 2011 Incentive Award Plan, the 2012 ESPP, the 1999 ESPP and the Prior Plans. An aggregate of 19,210 shares of the Company’s common stock have been authorized for issuance under its stock incentive plans.
	2011 Incentive Award Plan
	On June 10, 2011, ACS shareholders approved the 2011 Incentive Award Plan which terminates in 2021. Following termination, all shares granted under this plan, prior to termination, will continue to vest under the terms of the grant when awarded. All remaining unencumbered shares of common stock previously allocated to the Prior Plans were transferred to the 2011 Incentive Award Plan. In addition, to the extent that any outstanding awards under the Prior Plans are forfeited or expire or such awards are settled in cash, such shares will again be available for future grants under the 2011 Incentive Award Plan. The Company grants Restricted Stock Units and Performance Stock Units as the primary equity based incentive for executive and certain non-union represented employees.
	Stock-Settled Stock Appreciation Rights and Stock Options (SSARs)
	SSARs were issued to certain former named executive officers in 2008 and 2009. The SSARs vested ratably through April 2011 and had a term of five years. All SSARs have fully vested and have been exercised or expired as of December 2013. No SSARs have been issued since 2009 and no stock options have been granted to employees since 2005. There were no proceeds from the exercise of stock options for the year ended December 31, 2014. All of the existing SSARs at December 31, 2013 expired in 2014 and the Company has no remaining SSARs outstanding as of December 31, 2014.
	Restricted Stock Units, Long-term Incentive Awards and Non-employee Director Stock Compensation
	Restricted Stock Units (“RSU”) issued prior to December 31, 2010 vest ratably over three, four or five years, RSUs issued in 2011 vest ratably over three years, and RSUs granted in 2012 vest in one year or ratably over three years. Long-term incentive awards (“LTIP”) were granted to executive management annually through 2010. The LTIP awards cliff vest in five years with accelerated vesting in three years if cumulative three year profitability criteria are met. Since January 2008, the Company has maintained a policy which requires that non-employee directors receive a portion of their annual retainer in the form of ACS stock. Non-employee director stock compensation vests when granted. The directors make an annual election on whether to have the stock issued or to have it deferred.
	The following table summarizes the RSU, LTIP and non-employee director stock compensation activity for the year ended December 31, 2014:
			Number of			Weighted
			Shares			Average
						Grant-Date
						Fair
						Value
	Nonvested at December 31, 2013			946		$	3.58
	Granted			1,045			1.86
	Vested			(689	)		3.36
	Canceled or expired			(3	)		7.42
	Nonvested at December 31, 2014			1,299		$	2.3
	Performance Based Units
	PSUs vest ratably over three years beginning at the grant date, subject to certain Company financial targets being met and approval of the Compensation and Personnel Committee of the Board of Directors.
	The following table summarizes PSU activity for the year ended December 31, 2014:
			Number of			Weighted
			Shares			Average
						Grant-Date
						Fair
						Value
	Nonvested at December 31, 2013			1,184		$	2.94
	Granted			202			1.89
	Vested			(498	)		2.14
	Canceled or expired			(98	)		1.77
	Nonvested at December 31, 2014			790		$	3.32
	Valuation Assumptions
	Assumptions used for valuation of equity instruments awarded during the twelve months ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012:
			2014		2013	2012
	Restricted stock:
	Risk free rate		0.0% - 0.23%		0.03% - 0.18%	0.18% - 0.42%
	Quarterly dividend		$—		$—	$0.00 - 0.05
	Expected, per annum, forfeiture rate		9%		0% - 9%	9%
	Selected Information on Equity Instruments and Share-Based Compensation
	Selected information on equity instruments and share-based compensation under the plan for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 follows:
			Years Ended
			December 31,
			2014			2013		2012
	Total compensation cost for share-based payments		$	2,511		$	2,860	$	3,550
	Weighted average grant-date fair value of equity instruments granted		$	1.87		$	1.77	$	2.65
	Total fair value of shares vested during the period		$	2,935		$	5,011	$	2,608
	Total intrinsic value of options exercised		$	—		$	—	$	—
	Unamortized share-based payments		$	1,392		$	1,748	$	1,958
	Weighted average period in years to be recognized as expense			1.45			1.75		1.23
	The Company purchases from shares authorized under the 2011 Incentive Award Plan, sufficient vested shares to cover employee payroll tax withholding requirements upon the vesting of restricted stock. From time to time the Company also purchases sufficient vested shares to cover employee payroll tax withholding requirements at the aggregate exercise price upon exercise of options. The Company expects to repurchase approximately 247 shares in 2015. This amount is based upon an estimation of the number of shares of restricted stock awards expected to vest and options expected to be exercised during 2015.
	Alaska Communications Systems Group, Inc. 2012 Employee Stock Purchase Plan
	The Alaska Communications Systems Group, Inc. 2012 Employee Stock Purchase Plan was approved by the Company’s shareholders in June 2012 and replaced the Alaska Communications Systems Group, Inc. 1999 Employee Stock Purchase Plan, as amended. The 2012 ESPP will terminate upon the earlier of (i) the last exercise date prior to the tenth anniversary of the adoption date, unless sooner terminated in accordance with the 2012 ESPP; or (ii) the date on which all purchase rights are exercised in connection with a change in ownership of the Company. The terms of the 2012 ESPP are similar to those of the 1999 ESPP. Under the terms of the 2012 ESPP, all ACS employees and all employees of designated subsidiaries generally will be eligible to participate in the 2012 ESPP, other than employees whose customary employment is not more than 20 hours per week and five months in a calendar year, or who are ineligible to participate due to restrictions under the Internal Revenue Code. A participant in the 2012 ESPP will be granted a purchase right to acquire shares of common stock at six-month intervals on an ongoing basis, subject to the continuing availability of shares under the 2012 ESPP. Each participant may authorize periodic payroll deductions in any multiple of 1% (up to a maximum of 15%) of eligible compensation to be applied to the acquisition of common stock at semiannual intervals. The 2012 ESPP imposes certain limitations upon a participant’s rights to acquire common stock, including (i) purchase rights granted to a participant may not permit the individual to purchase more than $25 worth of common stock for each calendar year in which those purchase rights are outstanding at any time; (ii) purchase rights may not be granted to any individual if the individual would, immediately after the grant, own or hold outstanding options or other rights to purchase, stock possessing 5% or more of the total combined voting power or value of all classes of stock of the Company or any of its subsidiaries; and (iii) no participant may purchase more than 10 shares of common stock during any six month offering period. The offering dates are January 1 and July 1 and the purchase dates are June 30 and December 31. The initial purchase date under the 2012 ESPP was December 31, 2012. Shares are purchased on the open market or issued from authorized but unissued shares on behalf of the participant on the purchase date. No participant will have any shareholder rights with respect to the shares covered by their purchase rights until the shares are actually purchased on the participant’s behalf. No adjustments will be made for dividends, distributions or other rights for which the record date is prior to the date of the actual purchase.
	The Company reserved 1,500 shares of its common stock for issuance under the 2012 ESPP, which were also available for issuance for the January 1, 2012 through June 30, 2012 offering period under the 1999 ESPP. Any shares issued to employees in respect to the January 1, 2012 through June 30, 2012 offering period under the 1999 ESPP reduced (on a one for one basis) the aggregate number of shares available for issuance thereafter under the 2012 ESPP. Since adoption of the 1999 ESPP, an aggregate of 1,050 shares of common stock were reserved for issuance under the 1999 ESPP, and 1,117 shares were issued. The 67 shares issued in excess of the 1,050 shares reserved under the 1999 ESPP will reduce the aggregate number of shares available under the 2012 ESPP by 67. The fair value of each purchase right under the 2012 ESPP and 1999 ESPP is charged to compensation expense over the offering period to which the right pertains, and is reflected in total compensation cost for share-based payments in the above table.

Business_Segments

Business Segments	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Business Segments	16	BUSINESS SEGMENTS
	The Company operates its business under a single reportable segment. Effective in the first quarter of 2012, the Company changed its operational focus from a products-based business to a customer-focused business. The Company reassessed and reorganized its management and internal reporting structures and realigned its external financial reporting to support this change. 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.
	The following table presents service and product revenues from external customers for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012:
			2014			2013			2012
	Service Revenue:
	Business and wholesale customers
	Voice		$	22,499		$	22,947		$	23,842
	Broadband			43,783			40,027			33,972
	IT Services			3,492			—			—
	Other			7,104			7,659			7,385
	Wholesale			33,043			30,047			33,393
	Business and wholesale service revenue			109,921			100,680			98,592
	Consumer customers
	Voice			14,932			16,818			18,968
	Broadband			24,841			22,108			18,398
	Other			1,563			1,739			1,386
	Consumer service revenue			41,336			40,665			38,752
	Total Service Revenue			151,257			141,345			137,344
	Growth in Service Revenue			7	%		2.9	%
	Growth in Broadband Service Revenue			10.4	%		18.6	%
	Other Revenue:
	Equipment sales			5,321			2,083			3,021
	Access			35,323			37,033			40,250
	High cost support			23,192			18,776			20,223
	Total Service and Other Revenue			215,093			199,237			200,838
	Growth in Service and Other Revenue			8	%		-0.8	%
	Growth excluding Equipment sales			6.4	%		-0.3	%
	Wireless Revenue:
	Business and consumer retail service revenue			65,504			71,197			73,845
	Equipment sales			6,178			4,847			6,015
	Other			5,302			5,049			4,281
	AWN Related:
	Foreign roaming			—			40,029			55,105
	Wireless backhaul			70			6,035			6,897
	CETC			19,565			21,019			20,733
	Amortization of deferred AWN capacity revenue			3,151			1,511			—
	Total AWN Related			22,786			68,594			82,735
	Total Wireless and AWN Related Revenue			99,770			149,687			166,876
	Total Revenue		$	314,863		$	348,924		$	367,714
	The Company’s revenues are derived entirely from external customers in the United States and its long-lived assets are held entirely in the United States.

Subsequent_Event

Subsequent Event	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Subsequent Events [Abstract]
Subsequent Event	17	SUBSEQUENT EVENT
	On February 2, 2015, the Company completed the sale of its one-third interest in AWN and substantially all the assets related to the wireless operations of ACS, including its retail subscribers to GCI for total consideration of $300,000, subject to certain adjustments, pursuant to the Purchase and Sale Agreement dated December 4, 2014. See Note 2 – “Sale of Wireless Operations” for a summary of the transaction.
	Simultaneously with the transaction above, on February 2, 2015, the Company amended its 2010 Senior Secured Credit Facility resulting in a principal repayment of $240,472. See Note 2 – “Sale of Wireless Operations” and Note 10 – “Long-term Obligations” for further information on the amendment.

Commitments_and_Contingencies

Commitments and Contingencies	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Commitments and Contingencies	18	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 devices. 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 is involved in various claims, legal actions and regulatory proceedings arising in the ordinary course of business and has recorded an estimated liability for litigation costs of $586 at December 31, 2014 against certain current claims and legal actions. 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. It is the Company’s policy to expense costs associated with loss contingencies, including any related legal fees, as they are incurred.

Selected_Quarterly_Financial_I

Selected Quarterly Financial Information	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]
Selected Quarterly Financial Information	19	SELECTED QUARTERLY FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Unaudited)
			Quarterly Financial Data
			First			Second		Third		Fourth
			Quarter			Quarter		Quarter		Quarter			Total
	2014
	Operating revenues		$	78,331		$	80,558	$	78,465	$	77,509		$	314,863
	Gross profit			33,513			35,757		33,515		31,108		$	133,893
	Operating income (loss)			8,250			10,726		11,668		(884	)		29,760
	Net (loss) income			(385	)		1,085		1,878		(5,358	)		(2,780	)
	Net (loss) income per share:
	Basic			(0.01	)		0.02		0.04		(0.11	)		(0.06	)
	Diluted			(0.01	)		0.02		0.04		(0.11	)		(0.06	)
	2013
	Operating revenues		$	91,059		$	97,757	$	83,841	$	76,267		$	348,924
	Gross profit			55,612			60,553		39,121		30,356			185,642
	Operating income			16,142			20,851		219,278		690			256,961
	Net income (loss)			3,468			37,694		121,997		(4,688	)		158,471
	Net income (loss) per share:
	Basic			0.08			0.81		2.59		(0.10	)		3.37
	Diluted			0.07			0.67		2.08		(0.10	)		2.78

Description_of_Company_and_Sum1

Description of Company and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Basis of Presentation	Basis of Presentation
	The consolidated financial statements and footnotes include all accounts and subsidiaries of the Company in which it maintains a controlling financial interest. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated. Investments in entities where the Company is able to exercise significant influence, but not control, are accounted for by the equity method. For transactions with entities accounted for under the equity method, any intercompany profits on amounts still remaining are eliminated. Amounts originating from any deferral of intercompany profits are recorded within either the Company’s investment account or the account balance to which the transaction specifically relates (e.g., construction of fixed assets). Only upon settlement of the intercompany transaction with a third party is the deferral of the intercompany profit recognized by the Company. In the opinion of management, the financial statements contain all normal, recurring adjustments necessary to present fairly the consolidated financial position, comprehensive income and cash flows for all periods presented. Certain reclassifications have been made to the prior years’ financial statements to conform to the current year presentation.
Use of Estimates	Use of Estimates
	The preparation of financial statements in conformity with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles in the United States (“GAAP”) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Among the significant estimates affecting the financial statements are those related to the realizable value of accounts receivable, inventory held-for-sale, and long-lived assets, the value of derivative instruments, the investment in
	AWN and the related deferred AWN capacity revenue, legal contingencies, stock-based compensation and income taxes. These estimates and assumptions are based on management’s best estimates and judgment. Management evaluates its estimates and assumptions on an ongoing basis using historical experience and other factors, including the current economic environment, which management believes is reasonable under the circumstances. Assumptions are adjusted as facts and circumstances dictate. More volatile capital markets, uncertainty on interest rates, and declines in crude oil pricing have combined to increase the uncertainty in such estimates and assumptions. As future events and their effects cannot be determined with precision, actual results may differ significantly from those estimates. Changes in those estimates will be reflected in the financial statements of future periods.
Cash and Cash Equivalents	Cash and Cash Equivalents
	For purposes of the “Consolidated Balance Sheets” and “Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows”, the Company generally considers all highly liquid investments with a maturity at acquisition of three months or less to be cash equivalents.
Restricted Cash	Restricted Cash
	Restricted cash as of December 31, 2014 consists of $467 held in certificates of deposits as required under the terms of certain contracts to which the Company is a party. When the restrictions are lifted, the Company will transfer these funds into its operating accounts.
Short-term Investments	Short-term Investments
	For purposes of the “Consolidated Balance Sheets” and “Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows”, the Company considers highly liquid investments with a maturity at acquisition of more than three months but less than one year to be short-term investments. These investments are classified as available for sale and are stated at their estimated fair market value. Income earned on these investments while held is classified as interest income.
Trade Accounts Receivable and Bad Debt Reserves	Trade Accounts Receivable and Bad Debt Reserves
	Trade accounts receivable are recorded at the invoiced amount and do not bear interest. Amounts collected on trade accounts receivable are included in net cash provided by operating activities in the “Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows”. The Company does not have any off-balance sheet credit exposure related to its customers. The Company evaluates its bad debt as a single portfolio since all of our companies primarily operate within Alaska and are subject to the same economic and risk conditions across industry segments and geographic locations. Bad debt reserves against uncollectible receivables are established and incurred during the period. These estimates are derived through an analysis of account aging profiles and a review of historical recovery experience. Receivables are charged off against the allowance when management believes the uncollectability of the receivable is confirmed. Subsequent recoveries, if any, are credited to the allowance. The Company records bad debt expense as a component of “Selling, general and administrative expense” in the “Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income”.
Materials and Supplies	Materials and Supplies
	Materials and supplies are carried in inventory at the lower of weighted average cost or market. Cash flows related to the sale of inventory, primarily wireless devices and accessories, are included in operating activities in the Company’s “Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows”.
Assets and Liabilities Held-for-Sale	Assets and Liabilities Held-for-Sale
	Assets and liabilities held-for-sale represents the assets and liabilities that will be sold in connection with the Company’s decision to sell its wireless operations. They are recorded at the lower of carrying value or net realizable value which approximates the consideration expected to be received from the sale of those assets and liabilities. Impairment, if applicable, on property, plant and equipment classified as held-for-sale is recorded to reduce the carrying value to its fair value less costs to sell. Property, plant and equipment and capital leases are not depreciated while classified as held-for-sale.
Exit Obligations	Exit Obligations
	In connection with the decision to sell its wireless operations, the Company will incur certain costs that are associated with the wind down of its retail wireless operations that meet the criteria for reporting as exit obligations. These costs began in the fourth quarter of 2014 and are anticipated to be incurred throughout 2015. The accounting policies for these costs are as follows:
		•	Employee termination costs associated with reductions in retail stores, contact center, and other support organizations are accrued equal to the payout amount, undiscounted due to the short duration, and amortized over the remaining service period.
		•	Contract termination costs will be accrued for retail store leases and a software contract where we incur a charge to terminate the contract prior to their stated maturity. These costs are measured equal to the actual cost to terminate the contract and will be recognized at the date the contract is terminated.
		•	For retail store leases that are vacated, the costs are measured equal to the fair value of the remaining lease payments and recognized when the Company has ceased to use the property.
		•	Costs associated with marking wireless handset and accessory inventory held for sale to fair value have been expensed in the fourth quarter of 2014 and are included in Cost of service and sales, non-affiliate in the Company’s “Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive (Loss) Income”.
		•	Other associated costs that meet the criteria of an exit activity will be accrued when incurred.
Property, Plant and Equipment	Property, Plant and Equipment
	Telephone property, plant and equipment are stated at historical cost of construction including certain capitalized overhead and interest charges. Renewals and betterments of telephone plant are capitalized, while repairs, as well as renewals of minor items, are charged to cost of sales and services as incurred. The Company uses a group composite depreciation method in accordance with industry practice. Under this method, telephone plant, with the exception of land and capital leases, retired in the ordinary course of business, less salvage, is charged to accumulated depreciation with no gain or loss recognized. Non-telephone plant is stated at historical cost including certain capitalized overhead and interest charges, and when sold or retired a gain or loss is recognized. Depreciation of property is provided on the straight-line method over estimated service lives ranging from 2 to 50 years.
	The Company is the lessee of equipment and buildings under capital leases expiring in various years through 2043. The assets and liabilities under capital leases are initially recorded at the lower of the present value of the minimum lease payments or the fair value of the assets at the inception of the lease. The assets are amortized over the lower of their related lease terms or the estimated productive lives. Amortization of assets under capital leases is included in depreciation and amortization expense.
	The Company is also the lessee of various land, building and personal property under operating lease agreements for which expense is recognized on a monthly basis. Increases in rental rates are recorded as incurred which approximates the straight-line method.
	The Company capitalizes interest charges associated with construction in progress based on a weighted average interest cost calculated on the Company’s outstanding debt.
Asset Retirement Obligations	Asset Retirement Obligations
	The Company records liabilities for obligations related to the retirement and removal of long-lived assets. The Company records, as liabilities, the fair value of asset retirement obligations on a discounted basis when they are incurred, which is typically at the time the asset is installed or acquired. The obligations are conditional on the occurrence of future events. Uncertainty about the timing or settlement of the obligation is factored into the measurement of the liability. Amounts recorded for the related assets are increased by the amount of these obligations. Over time, the liabilities increase due to the change in their present value, the potential changes in assumptions or inputs, and the initial capitalized assets decline as they are depreciated over the useful life of the related assets. The liabilities are eventually extinguished when the asset is taken out of service.
Non-operating Assets	Non-operating Assets
	The Company periodically evaluates the fair value of its non-current investments and other non-operating assets against their carrying value whenever market conditions indicate a change in that fair value. Any changes relating to declines in the fair value of non-operating assets are charged to non-operating expense under the caption “Other” in the “Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive (Loss) Income”.
Equity Method of Accounting	Equity Method of Accounting
	Investments in entities where the Company is able to exercise significant influence, but not control, are accounted for by the equity method. Under this method, our equity investments are carried at acquisition cost, increased by the Company’s proportionate share of the investee’s net income, and decreased by the investee’s net losses up to our proportional ownership interest and cash distributions. The Company evaluates its investments in equity method investments for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable. The Company evaluates whether or not each equity method investment is able to generate and sustain sufficient earnings and cash flows to justify its carrying value.
Deferred AWN Capacity Revenue	Deferred AWN Capacity Revenue
	As part of the AWN transaction, the Company contributed certain network usage rights necessary for AWN to operate the Alaska network. These rights have been fair valued and the resulting liability was recorded in “Deferred AWN capacity revenue” in the “Consolidated Balance Sheets”. This balance is being amortized on a straight-line basis to revenue in the “Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive (Loss) Income”, over the 20 year contract period for which the Company has contracted to provide service.
Goodwill	Goodwill
	Goodwill is assessed for impairment annually or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate potential impairment. The Company may first assess qualitative factors to determine whether it is more-likely-than-not that the carrying value of its single reporting unit exceeds its fair value. If this assessment indicates that it is more-likely-than-not that the carrying value of the reporting unit exceeds its fair value, a two-step quantitative assessment will be completed. The first step consists of comparing the carrying value of the reporting unit with its estimated fair value. The Company determines the estimated fair value of its reporting unit utilizing a discounted cash flow valuation technique. Significant estimates used in the valuation include estimates of future cash flows, both future short-term and long-term growth rates and the estimated cost of capital for purposes of determining a discount factor. If the carrying value of the reporting unit exceeds its estimated fair value, the Company will determine the implied fair value of its goodwill and an impairment loss will be recognized to the extent the carrying value of goodwill exceeds the implied fair value.
Long-lived Asset Impairment	Long-lived Asset Impairment
	Long-lived assets, such as property, plant, and equipment, and purchased intangible assets subject to amortization, are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. If circumstances require a long-lived asset or asset group be tested for possible impairment, the Company first compares undiscounted cash flows expected to be generated by that asset to its carrying amount. If the carrying amount of the long-lived asset is not recoverable on an undiscounted cash flow basis, impairment is recognized to the extent that the carrying amount exceeds its fair value. Fair value is determined through various valuation techniques including discounted cash flow models, quoted market values and third-party independent appraisals. Impairment is displayed in the caption operating expenses on the Company’s “Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive (Loss) Income.”
Debt Issuance Costs and Discounts	Debt Issuance Costs and Discounts
	Debt issuance costs, including underwriter’s fees and other associated costs, are capitalized and amortized to interest expense using the straight-line method, which approximates the effective interest method over the term of the related instruments. Debt discounts are accreted to interest expense using the effective interest method.
Preferred Stock	Preferred Stock
	The Company has 5,000 shares of $0.01 par value preferred stock authorized, none of which were issued or outstanding at December 31, 2014 and 2013.
Revenue Recognition	Revenue Recognition
	Substantially all recurring non-usage sensitive service revenues are billed one month in advance and are deferred until earned. Non-recurring and usage sensitive revenues are billed in arrears and are recognized when earned. Certain of the Company’s bundled products and services, primarily in wireless, have been determined to be revenue arrangements with multiple deliverables. Total consideration received in these arrangements is allocated and measured using units of accounting within the arrangement based on relative fair values. Wireless offerings include wireless devices and service contracts sold together in the Company’s stores and agent locations. The device and accessories associated with these direct and indirect sales channels are recognized at the time the related wireless device is sold and is classified as equipment sales. Monthly service revenue from the majority of the Company’s customer base is recognized as services are rendered. Revenue earned from the Company’s Lifeline customer base is less certain and is therefore recognized on the cash basis as payments are received.
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.
Concentrations of Risk	Concentrations of Risk
	Cash is maintained with several financial institutions. Deposits held with banks may exceed the amount of insurance provided on such deposits and the Company enters into arrangements to collateralize these amounts with securities of the underlying financial institutions. Generally, these deposits may be redeemed upon demand. The Company has not experienced any losses on such deposits.
	The Company also depends on a limited number of suppliers and vendors for equipment and services for its network, and in the case of systems, one of the Company’s billing platforms is provided on a hosted basis. The Company’s subscriber base and operating results could be adversely affected if these suppliers experience financial or credit difficulties, service interruptions, or other problems.
	As of December 31, 2014, approximately 60% of the Company’s employees are represented by the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, Local 1547 (“IBEW”). The Master Collective Bargaining Agreement (“CBA”) between the Company and the IBEW expires on December 31, 2016. The CBA provides the terms and conditions of employment for all IBEW represented employees working for the Company in the state of Alaska and have significant economic impacts on the Company as it relates to wage and benefit costs and work rules that affect our ability to provide superior service to our customers. The Company considers relations with the IBEW to be stable in 2014, resulting in completion of important company initiatives; however any deterioration in the relationship with the IBEW would have a negative impact on the Company’s operations.
	The Company provides voice, broadband and managed telecommunication services to its customers throughout Alaska. Accordingly, the Company’s financial performance is directly influenced by the competitive environment in Alaska, and by economic factors specifically in Alaska. The most significant economic factor is the level of Alaskan oil production and the per barrel price of relevant crude oil since a significant majority of the state’s revenue is taxes assessed upon the production of this resource, and the price of crude oil impacts the level of investment by resource development companies. The recent drop in crude oil prices is resulting in the State of Alaska reducing its spending, which is expected to have a dampening impact on the overall economy. Other important factors influencing the Alaskan economy include the level of tourism, government spending, and the movement of United States military personnel. Any deterioration in these factors, particularly over a sustained period of time, would likely have a negative impact on the Company’s performance.
	The Company is targeting significant cost savings (“synergies”) associated with its exit activities. A programmatic plan is in place to achieve these synergies, however, should the Company be delayed or not be able to realize the targeted synergies, the Company’s future financial performance would be impacted.
	As an entity that relies on the FCC and state regulatory agencies to provide stable funding sources to provide services in high cost areas, the Company is also impacted by any changes in regulations or future funding mechanisms that are being established by these regulatory agencies. In 2014, 10.6% of the Company’s total service and other revenues were derived from high cost support. Funding mechanisms for high cost loop support are undergoing substantial changes with the FCC that will impact our level of funding as well as future obligations we must meet as a condition to that funding.
	The Company, like most other businesses, is increasingly vulnerable to cyber threats. While the Company has several mitigating policies and technologies in place, including some insurance coverage, it is not possible to prevent every possible threat to our network and IT systems.
Advertising Costs	Advertising Costs
	The Company expenses advertising costs as incurred. Advertising expense totaled $4,741, $5,918 and $6,204 in 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively and is included in “Selling, general and administrative expense” in the Company’s “Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income”.
Income Taxes	Income Taxes
	The Company utilizes the asset-liability method of accounting for income taxes. Under the asset-liability method, deferred taxes reflect the temporary differences between the financial and tax basis of assets and liabilities using the enacted tax rates in effect in the years in which the differences are expected to reverse. Deferred tax assets are reduced by a valuation allowance to the extent that management believes it is more-likely-than-not that such deferred tax assets will not be realized. The Company evaluates tax positions taken or expected to be taken in the course of preparing its financial statements to determine whether the tax positions are “more-likely-than-not” of being sustained by the applicable tax authority. The Company records interest and penalties for underpayment of income taxes as income tax expense.
Taxes Collected from Customers and Remitted to Government Authorities	Taxes Collected from Customers and Remitted to Government Authorities
	The Company excludes taxes collected from customers and payable to government authorities from revenue. Taxes payable to government authorities are presented as a liability on the “Consolidated Balance Sheets”.
Regulatory Accounting and Regulation	Regulatory Accounting and Regulation
	Certain activities of the Company are subject to rate regulation by the FCC for interstate telecommunication service and the Regulatory Commission of Alaska (“RCA”) for intrastate and local exchange telecommunication service. The Company, as required by the FCC, accounts for such activity separately. Long distance services of the Company are subject to regulation as a non-dominant interexchange carrier by the FCC for interstate telecommunication services and the RCA for intrastate telecommunication services. Wireless, Internet and other non-common carrier services are not subject to rate regulation.
Derivative Financial Instruments	Derivative Financial Instruments
	The Company does not enter into derivative contracts for speculative purposes. The Company recognizes all asset or liability derivatives at fair value. The accounting for changes in fair value is contingent on the intended use of the derivative and its designation as a hedge. Derivatives that are not hedges are adjusted to fair value through earnings. If a derivative is a hedge, depending on the nature of the hedge, changes in fair value either offset the change in fair value of the hedged assets, liabilities or firm commitments through earnings, or are recognized in “Other comprehensive income (loss)” until the hedged transaction is recognized in earnings. On the date a derivative contract is entered into, the Company designates the derivative as either a fair value or cash flow hedge. The Company formally assesses, both at the hedge’s inception and on an on-going basis, whether the derivatives that are used in hedging transactions are highly effective in offsetting changes in the fair values or cash flows of hedged items. If the Company determines that a derivative is not highly effective as a hedge or that it has ceased to be highly effective, the Company discontinues hedge accounting prospectively. The change in a derivative’s fair value related to the ineffective portion of a hedge is immediately recognized in earnings. Amounts recorded to accumulated other comprehensive loss from the date of the derivative’s inception to the date of ineffectiveness are amortized to earnings over the remaining term of the hedged item. If the hedged item is settled prior to its originally scheduled date, any remaining accumulated comprehensive loss associated with the derivative instrument is reclassified to earnings. Termination of a derivative instrument prior to its scheduled settlement date may result in charges for termination fees.
Dividend Policy	Dividend Policy
	The Company’s dividend policy is set by the Company’s Board of Directors and is subject to the terms of its Senior Credit Facility, as amended, and the continued current and future performance and liquidity needs of the Company. Dividends on the Company’s common stock are not cumulative to the extent they are declared. The Board has not authorized the payment of a dividend since 2012, and has not updated its dividend policy.
Share-based Payments	Share-based Payments
	Restricted Stock
	The Company determines the fair value of restricted stock based on the number of shares granted and the quoted market price of the Company’s common stock on the date of grant, discounted for estimated dividend payments that do not accrue to the employee during the vesting period.
	Performance Share Units (“PSUs”)
	The Company measures the fair value of each new PSU at each reporting period and records adjusted expense attributable to such period based on changes to the expected performance period or fair value of the Company’s common stock, or if the PSUs otherwise vest, expire, or are determined by the Compensation Committee to be unlikely to vest prior to expiration. Compensation expense is recorded over the expected performance period.
	Employee Stock Purchase Plan (“ESPP”)
	The Company makes payroll deduction from 1% to 15% of compensation from employees who elect to participate in ESPP. A liability accretes during the 6-month offering period and at the end of the offering period (June 30th and December 31st), the Company issues the shares from the 2012 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (“2012 ESPP”). Compensation expense is recorded based upon the estimated number of shares to be purchased multiplied by the discount rate per share.
	Tax Treatment
	Stock-based compensation is treated as a temporary difference for income tax purposes and increases deferred tax assets until the compensation is realized for income tax purposes. To the extent that realized tax benefits exceed the book based compensation, the excess tax benefit is credited to additional paid in capital.
Pension Benefits	Pension Benefits
	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. The Company pays a contractual hourly amount based on employee classification or base compensation. The accumulated benefits and plan assets are not determined for, or allocated separately to, the individual employer.
	Defined Benefit Plan
	The ACS Retirement Plan, which is the Company’s sole single-employer defined benefit plan, covers a limited number of employees previously employed by a predecessor to one of our subsidiaries, and is frozen. The Company recognizes the under-funded status of this plan as a liability on its balance sheet and recognizes changes in that funded status in the year in which the changes occur. The ACS Retirement Plan’s accumulated benefit obligation is the actuarial present value, as of the Company’s December 31, measurement date, of all benefits attributed by the pension benefit formula. The amount of benefit to be paid depends on a number of future events incorporated into the pension benefit formula, including estimates of the average life of employees or survivors and average years of service rendered. It is measured based on assumptions concerning future interest rates and future employee compensation levels. Unrecognized prior service credits and costs and net actuarial gains and losses are recognized as a component of other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax.
	Defined Contribution Plan
	The Company provides a 401(k) retirement savings plan covering substantially all of it employees. Discretionary company-matching contributions are determined by the Board of Directors.
Earnings per Share	Earnings per Share
	The Company computes earnings per share based on the weighted number of shares of common stock and dilutive potential common share equivalents outstanding. This includes all issued and outstanding share-based payments.
Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements	Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements
	On August 27, 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-15 “Presentation of Financial Statements—Going Concern (Subtopic 205-40): Disclosure of Uncertainties about an Entity’s Ability to Continue as a Going Concern.” The ASU defines management’s responsibility to evaluate whether there is substantial doubt about an organization’s ability to continue as a going concern and to provide related footnote disclosures. The new pronouncement will be effective for annual periods ending after December 15, 2016, and interim periods within annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016. Early application is permitted for annual or interim reporting periods for which the financial statements have not previously been issued. The Company has chosen to early adopt. The Company has determined that there is no substantial doubt related to whether the Company can meet its current obligations over the next twelve month period following the date of this report.
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 inputs to calculate the fair value of non-current monetary assets and liabilities. Observable inputs reflect market data obtained from independent sources and unobservable inputs reflect 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.
		•	Level 3 - Significant inputs to the valuation model are unobservable.

Sale_of_Wireless_Operations_Ta

Sale of Wireless Operations (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Discontinued Operations and Disposal Groups [Abstract]
Schedule of Reconciliation of Major Classes of Assets and Liabilities Held for Sale	The following table provides a reconciliation of the major classes of assets and liabilities included in the Consolidated Balance Sheet under the captions “Current assets held-for-sale”, “Non-current assets held-for-sale” and “Current liabilities held-for-sale” at December 31, 2014:
		2014
	Current assets:
	Accounts receivable, non-affiliates, net	$	7,607
	Materials and supplies		1,958
	Total current assets held-for-sale	$	9,565
	Property, plant and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $8,835		14,664
	Total non-current assets held-for-sale	$	14,664
	Current liabilities:
	Current portion of long-term obligations	$	287
	Accounts payable, accrued and other current liabilities, non-affiliates		301
	Accounts payable, accrued and other current liabilities, affiliates		14,411
	Advance billings and customer deposits		3,729
	Total current liabilities held-for-sale	$	18,728
	Long-term obligations, net of current portion		2,107
	Total non-current liabilities held-for-sale	$	2,107
Schedule of Company's Current Obligations for Exit Activities	The following table summarizes the Company’s current obligations for exit activities during 2014:
		Labor		Contract		Other			Total
		Obligations		Terminations		Associated
						Obligations
	Beginning Balance Jan 31, 2014	$	—	$	—	$	—		$	—
	Charged to Expense		490		—		634			1,124
	Paid and/or Settled		—		—		(634	)		(634	)
	Balance as of Dec 31, 2014	$	490	$	—	$	—		$	490

Accounts_Receivable_Tables

Accounts Receivable (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts [Member]
Schedule of Accounts Receivable and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts	Allowance for doubtful accounts consists of the following at December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012.
		2014			2013			2012
	Balance, as of December 31,	$	6,193		$	6,231		$	5,788
	Provision for uncollectible accounts		3,329			1,847			2,588
	Charged to other accounts		(2	)		(2	)		(1	)
	Deductions		(7,182	)		(1,883	)		(2,144	)
	Balance, as of December 31,	$	2,338		$	6,193		$	6,231
Trade Accounts Receivable [Member]
Schedule of Accounts Receivable and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts	Accounts receivable - trade consists of the following at December 31, 2014 and 2013:
		2014			2013
	Retail customers	$	20,070		$	28,318
	Wholesale carriers		3,867			3,748
	Other		9,301			8,193
			33,238			40,259
	Less: allowance for doubtful accounts		(2,338	)		(6,193	)
	Accounts receivable - trade, net	$	30,900		$	34,066

Current_Liabilities_Tables

Current Liabilities (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Payables and Accruals [Abstract]
Schedule of Accounts Payable, Accrued and Other Current Liabilities, Non-Affiliates	Accounts payable, accrued and other current liabilities, non-affiliates consist of the following at December 31, 2014 and 2013:
		2014		2013
	Accounts payable - trade	$	25,672	$	20,841
	Accrued payroll, benefits, and related liabilities		18,086		18,017
	Other		10,615		16,617
		$	54,373	$	55,475
Schedule of Advance Billings and Customer Deposits	Advance billings and customer deposits consist of the following at December 31, 2014 and 2013:
		2014		2013
	Advance billings	$	4,449	$	8,385
	Customer deposits		41		719
		$	4,490	$	9,104

Equity_Method_Investments_Tabl

Equity Method Investments (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Equity Method Investments and Joint Ventures [Abstract]
Schedule of Company's Ownership Interest and Investment in TekMate and AWN	The following table provides the Company’s ownership interest and investment in TekMate and AWN at December 31, 2014 and 2013:
			December 31,			December 31,			December 31,		December 31,
			2014			2013			2014		2013
			Ownership			Ownership
			Interest			Interest
	TekMate, LLC			100	%		49	%	$	—	$	853
	Alaska Wireless Network, LLC			33.33	%		33.33	%	$	252,067	$	266,119
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, which is 100% deductable for tax purposes, 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
Components of Gain on Sale of Assets	The following table represents the calculation of the gain:
	Consideration received:
	Investment		$	266,000
	Cash			100,000
	Total consideration received			366,000
	Consideration provided:
	Net intangible and tangible assets			90,500
	Deferred AWN capacity revenue			64,627
	Total consideration provided			155,127
	Gain on disposal of assets		$	210,873
Summarized Financial Information	Summarized financial information on AWN is as follows:
			December 31,			December 31,
			2014			2013
	Current assets		$	139,237		$	119,681
	Non-current assets		$	554,608		$	549,913
	Current liabilities		$	91,247		$	72,242
	Non-current liabilities		$	21,505		$	20,570
	Equity		$	581,093		$	576,782
			Twelve Months			Inception to
			Ended			December 31,
			December 31,			2013
			2014
	Operating revenues		$	252,864		$	118,918
	Gross profit		$	179,243		$	86,201
	Operating income		$	113,772		$	56,543
	Net income		$	113,404		$	56,342
	Adjusted free cash flow (1)		$	106,937		$	53,978
	(1)	Adjusted free cash flow is defined in the Operating Agreement.
Schedule of Reconciliation of Total Equity to Equity Method Investment	The following table provides a reconciliation AWN’s total equity and ACS’ equity method investment as of December 31, 2014:
			Amount
	AWN total equity as reported		$	581,093
	Less amount attributed to GCI			(342,836	)
	Amount attributed to ACS			238,257
	Plus:
	Step-up in basis of GCI contribution, net			30,702
	Cumulative differences in distributions			4,167
	Less:
	Cumulative differences in income allocation method			(21,059	)
	ACS investment in AWN		$	252,067

Fair_Value_Measurements_Tables

Fair Value Measurements (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Balances of Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on Recurring Basis	The following table presents the liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2014 and 2013 at each hierarchical level. There were no transfers into or out of Levels 1 and 2 during 2014.
		December 31, 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	$	(1,416	)	$	—		$	(1,416	)	$	—	$	(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, which are included in “Other long-term liabilities” on the balance sheet, for the twelve-month periods ending December 31, 2014 and 2013:
		2014			2013
	Beginning balance at January 1	$	3,234		$	9,819
	Reclassified from other long-term liabilities to accumulated other comprehensive loss		(1,545	)		(1,727	)
	Change in fair value credited to interest expense		(273	)		(785	)
	Cash paid on extinguishment of hedging instrument		—			(4,073	)
	Ending balance at December 31	$	1,416		$	3,234

Property_Plant_and_Equipment_T

Property, Plant and Equipment (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]
Schedule of Property, Plant and Equipment	Property, plant and equipment consist of the following at December 31, 2014 and 2013:
			2014			2013			Useful Lives
	Land, buildings and support assets*		$	209,349		$	222,215		Mar-42
	Central office switching and transmission			385,016			374,505		12-Feb
	Outside plant cable and wire facilities			674,914			699,716		10 - 50
	Other			3,606			3,147		5-Feb
	Construction work in progress			60,249			45,366
				1,333,134			1,344,949
	Less: accumulated depreciation and amortization			(976,401	)		(992,936	)
	Property, plant and equipment, net		$	356,733		$	352,013
	*	No depreciation charges are recorded for land.
Summary of Property Held under Capital Leases	The following is a summary of property held under capital leases included in the above property, plant and equipment at December 31, 2014 and 2013:
			2014			2013
	Land, buildings and support assets		$	15,426		$	19,893
	Less: accumulated depreciation and amortization			(6,698	)		(8,196	)
	Property held under capital leases, net		$	8,728		$	11,697
Future Minimum Payments, Including Interest for Next Five Years	Future minimum payments, including interest, under these leases for the next five years and thereafter are as follows:
	2015		$	1,792
	2016			1,687
	2017			1,334
	2018			1,072
	2019			791
	Thereafter			6,976
				13,652
	Interest			(5,734	)
			$	7,918
Summary of Future Minimum Payments Under Leases	Future minimum payments under these leases for the next five years and thereafter are as follows:
	2015		$	8,677
	2016			7,943
	2017			6,914
	2018			5,612
	2019			5,176
	Thereafter			38,200
			$	72,522

Goodwill_and_Other_Intangible_1

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets	The original carrying value and accumulated impairment of the Company’s goodwill and other indefinite-lived intangible assets at December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 was as follows:
		2014			2013			2012
	Goodwill:
	Original carrying value	$	38,403		$	38,403		$	38,403
	Accumulated impairment		(29,553	)		(29,553	)		(29,553	)
	Retirement due to AWN transaction		(4,200	)		(4,200	)		—
	TekMate acquisition		1,336			—			—
	Current year impairment		(5,986	)		—			—
	Balance	$	—		$	4,650		$	8,850

Asset_Retirement_Obligations_T

Asset Retirement Obligations (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Asset Retirement Obligation Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Changes in Accumulated Retirement Obligation Liability	The following table outlines the changes in the accumulated retirement obligation liability:
		2014			2013
	Balance, December 31	$	3,657		$	6,942
	Asset retirement obligation		369			229
	Accretion expense		328			310
	Settlement of obligations		(299	)		(776	)
	Transfer of obligation to AWN		—			(3,048	)
	Balance, December 31	$	4,055		$	3,657

LongTerm_Obligations_Tables

Long-Term Obligations (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Schedule of Long-term Obligations	Long-term obligations consist of the following at December 31, 2014 and 2013:
		2014			2013
	2010 senior credit facility term loan due 2016	$	322,700		$	345,900
	Debt discount - 2010 senior credit facility term loan due 2016		(1,014	)		(1,687	)
	6.25% convertible notes due 2018		114,000			114,000
	Debt discount - 6.25% convertible notes due 2018		(7,242	)		(9,213	)
	Capital leases and other long-term obligations		5,524			7,257
			433,968			456,257
	Less current portion		(15,521	)		(14,256	)
	Long-term obligations, net of current portion	$	418,447		$	442,001
Schedule of Aggregate Maturities of Long-term Obligations	The aggregate maturities of long-term obligations for each of the next five years and thereafter, at December 31, 2014, are as follows:
	2015	$	15,808
	2016		309,078
	2017		815
	2018		114,618
	2019		392
	Thereafter		3,907
		$	444,618
6.25% Convertible Notes [Member]
Schedule of Long-term Obligations	The following table includes selected data regarding the 6.25% Notes as of December 31, 2014 and 2013:
		2014			2013
	Net carrying amount of the equity component	$	7,782		$	7,782
	Principal amount of the convertible notes	$	114,000		$	114,000
	Unamortized debt discount	$	7,242		$	9,213
	Amortization period remaining		40 months			52 months
	Net carrying amount of the convertible notes	$	106,758		$	104,787
Schedule of Interest Components of 6.25% and 5.75% Notes Contained in Company's "Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive (Loss) Income"	The following table details the interest components of the 6.25% Notes contained in the Company’s “Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive (Loss) Income” for the year ended December 31, 2014 and 2013:
		2014			2013
	Coupon interest expense	$	7,125		$	7,378
	Amortization of the debt discount		1,971			1,874
	Total included in interest expense	$	9,096		$	9,252
5.75% Convertible Notes [Member]
Schedule of Interest Components of 6.25% and 5.75% Notes Contained in Company's "Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive (Loss) Income"	The following table details the interest components of the 5.75% Notes contained in the Company’s “Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive (Loss) Income” for the year ended December 31, 2013:
		2013
	Coupon interest expense	$	122
	Amortization of the debt discount		114
	Total included in interest expense	$	236

Accumulated_Other_Comprehensiv1

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Equity [Abstract]
Summary of Activity in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss	The following table summarizes the activity in accumulated other comprehensive loss for the twelve months ended December 31, 2013 and 2014:
			Defined			Interest			Total
			Benefit			Rate Swaps
			Pension
			Plans
	Balance, December 31, 2012		$	(3,491	)	$	(5,748	)	$	(9,239	)
	Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications			832			1,019			1,851
	Reclassifications from accumulated comprehensive loss to net income			421			1,358			1,779
	Net other comprehensive loss			1,253			2,377			3,630
	Balance, December 31, 2013		$	(2,238	)	$	(3,371	)	$	(5,609	)
	Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications			(1,667	)		909			(758	)
	Reclassifications from accumulated comprehensive loss to net income			266			950			1,216
	Net other comprehensive loss			(1,401	)		1,859			458
	Balance, December 31, 2014		$	(3,639	)	$	(1,512	)	$	(5,151	)
Summary of Reclassifications from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss to Net (Loss) Income	The following table summarizes the reclassifications from accumulated other comprehensive loss to net (loss) income for the twelve months ended December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012, respectively:
	For the twelve months ended December 31,		2014			2013			2012
	Amortization of defined benefit plan pension items: (1)
	Amortization of loss (3)		$	451		$	717		$	818
	Income tax effect			(185	)		(296	)		(336	)
	After tax			266			421			482
	Amortization of loss on ineffective interest rate swap: (2)
	Reclassification to interest expense			1,613			2,307			292
	Income tax effect			(663	)		(949	)		(120	)
	After tax			950			1,358			172
	Total reclassifications net of income tax		$	1,216		$	1,779		$	654
	(1)	See Note 12 “Retirement Plans” for additional information regarding the Company’s pension plans.
	(2)	See Note 6 “Fair Value Measurements” for additional information regarding the plan to terminate this swap.
	(3)	Included in selling, general and administrative expense.

Retirement_Plans_Tables

Retirement Plans (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]
Additional Information about AEPF Multi-Employer Pension Plan	The following table provides additional information about the AEPF multi-employer pension plan.
	Plan name			Alaska Electrical Pension Plan
	Employer Identification Number			92-6005171
	Pension plan number			1
	Pension Protection Act zone status at the plan’s year-end:
	December 31, 2014			Green
	December 31, 2013			Green
	Plan subject to funding improvement plan			No
	Plan subject to rehabilitation plan			No
	Employer subject to contribution surcharge			No
						Greater than 5%
						of Total
						Contributions
						to the Plan
	Company contributions to the plan for the year ended:
	December 31, 2014		$	8,626		Yes
	December 31, 2013		$	9,174		Yes
	December 31, 2012		$	9,568		Yes
	Name and expiration date of collective bargaining agreements requiring contributions to the plan:
	Collective Bargaining Agreement Between Alaska Communications Systems and Local Union 1547 IBEW			31-Dec-16
	Outside Agreement Alaska Electrical Construction between Local Union 1547 IBEW and Alaska Chapter National Electrical Contractors Association Inc.			30-Sep-16
	Inside Agreement Alaska Electrical Construction between Local Union 1547 IBEW and Alaska Chapter National Electrical Contractors Association Inc.			31-Oct-16
	Special Agreement Providing for the Coverage of Certain Non-bargaining Unit Employees			31-Dec-15
Funded Status of ACS Retirement Plan Using Beginning and Ending Balances for Projected Benefit Obligation and Plan Assets	The following is a calculation of the funded status of the ACS Retirement Plan using beginning and ending balances for 2014 and 2013 for the projected benefit obligation and the plan assets:
			2014			2013
	Change in benefit obligation:
	Benefit obligation at beginning of year		$	15,284		$	16,609
	Interest cost			674			635
	Actuarial (gain) loss			2,283			(954	)
	Benefits paid			(1,007	)		(1,006	)
	Benefit obligation at end of year			17,234			15,284
	Change in plan assets:
	Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year			11,548			11,101
	Actual return on plan assets			131			1,093
	Employer contribution			898			360
	Benefits paid			(1,007	)		(1,006	)
	Fair value of plan assets at end of year			11,570			11,548
	Funded status		$	(5,664	)	$	(3,736	)
Summary of Net Periodic Pension Expense for ACS Retirement Plan	The following table presents the net periodic pension expense for the Plan for 2014, 2013 and 2012:
			2014			2013			2012
	Interest cost		$	664		$	635		$	715
	Expected return on plan assets			(749	)		(706	)		(694	)
	Amortization of loss			536			788			797
	Net periodic pension expense		$	451		$	717		$	818
Loss Recognized As Component of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
			2014			2013
	Loss recognized as a component of accumulated other comprehensive loss:		$	6,178		$	3,799
Assumptions Used to Account for Plan	The assumptions used to account for the Plan as of December 31, 2014 and 2013 are as follows:
			2014			2013
	Discount rate for benefit obligation			3.97	%		4.49	%
	Discount rate for pension expense			4.49	%		3.97	%
	Expected long-term rate of return on assets			6.53	%		6.53	%
	Rate of compensation increase			0	%		0	%
Asset Allocation Guidelines for Plan	Based on risk and return history for capital markets along with asset allocation risk and return projections, the following asset allocation guidelines were developed for the Plan:
			Minimum			Maximum
	Asset Category
	Equity securities			0	%		80	%
	Fixed income			0	%		50	%
	Cash equivalents			0	%		100	%
Plan's Asset Allocations by Asset Category	The Plan’s asset allocations at December 31, 2014 and 2013 by asset category are as follows:
			2014			2013
	Asset Category
	Equity securities*			65	%		62	%
	Debt securities*			34	%		37	%
	Other/Cash			1	%		1	%
	*	May include mutual funds comprised of both stocks and bonds.
Schedule of Measuring Fair Value of Plan Assets Regarding ACS Retirement Plan	The following table presents major categories of plan assets as of December 31, 2014, and inputs and valuation techniques used to measure the fair value of plan assets regarding the ACS Retirement Plan:
			Fair Value Measurement at Reporting Date Using
			Total			Quoted Prices			Significant			Significant
						in Active			Other			Unobservable
						Markets for			Observable			Inputs
						Identical			Inputs			Level 3
						Assets			Level 2
						Level 1
	Asset Category
	Money market/cash		$	106		$	106		$	—		$	—
	Equity securities (Investment Funds)*
	International growth			2,242			2,242			—			—
	U.S. small cap			1,538			1,538			—			—
	U.S. medium cap			1,149			1,149			—			—
	U.S. large cap			2,651			2,651			—			—
	Debt Securities (Investment Funds)*
	Certificate of deposits			1,802			1,802			—			—
	Fixed income			2,082			2,082			—			—
			$	11,570		$	11,570		$	—		$	—
	*	May include mutual funds comprised of both stocks and bonds.
Summary of Benefits Expected to be Paid for Plan	The benefits expected to be paid in each of the next five years and in the aggregate for the five fiscal years thereafter are as follows:
	2014		$1,101
	2015		1,038
	2016		1,085
	2017		1,102
	2018		1,073
	2019-2023		5,393

Earnings_Per_Share_Tables

Earnings Per Share (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Calculation of Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Share	The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012:
		2014			2013		2012
	Net (loss) income applicable to common shares	$	(2,780	)	$	158,471	$	17,409
	Tax-effected interest expense attributable to convertible notes		—			5,813		—
	Net (loss) income assuming dilution	$	(2,780	)	$	164,284	$	17,409
	Weighted average common shares outstanding:
	Basic shares		49,334			47,092		45,553
	Effect of stock-based compensation		—			530		325
	Effect of 6.25% convertible notes		—			11,485		—
	Diluted shares		49,334			59,107		45,878
	(Loss) earnings per share:
	Basic	$	(0.06	)	$	3.37	$	0.38
	Diluted	$	(0.06	)	$	2.78	$	0.38

Income_Taxes_Tables

Income Taxes (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Income Tax Provision	The income tax provision for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 was comprised of the following charges:
		2014			2013			2012
	Current:
	Federal income tax	$	(217	)	$	—		$	—
	State income tax		(43	)		—			(12	)
	Total current expense		(260	)		—			(12	)
	Deferred:
	Federal income tax		1,620			(43,301	)		(7,222	)
	State income tax		427			(14,969	)		(2,149	)
	Change in valuation allowance		—			1,900			3,600
	Total deferred benefit (expense)		2,047			(56,370	)		(5,771	)
	Total income tax benefit (expense)	$	1,787		$	(56,370	)	$	(5,783	)
Summary of Reconciliation of Federal Statutory Tax to Recorded Tax (Expense) Benefit	The following table provides a reconciliation of the federal statutory tax at 35% to the recorded tax (expense) benefit for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively:
		2014			2013			2012
	Computed federal income taxes at the statutory rate	$	1,598		$	(75,194	)	$	(8,117	)
	Benefit (expense) in tax resulting from:
	State income taxes (net of federal benefit)		278			(13,104	)		(864	)
	Other		(58	)		178			167
	Stock-based compensation		(31	)		(44	)		(35	)
	Valuation allowance		—			1,900			3,066
	Crest examination settlement		—			29,894			—
	Total income tax benefit (expense)	$	1,787		$	(56,370	)	$	(5,783	)
Significant Components of Company's Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities	Significant components of the Company’s deferred tax assets and liabilities as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively, are as follows:
		2014			2013
	Deferred tax assets:
	Net operating loss carry forwards	$	94,435		$	88,963
	Reserves and accruals		8,158			11,190
	Intangibles and goodwill		6,694			6,623
	Fair value on interest rate swaps		1,055			2,353
	Pension liability		2,304			1,738
	Allowance for doubtful accounts		1,164			2,545
	Alternative minimum tax carry forward		5,308			5,069
	Other		1,032			1,255
	Total deferred tax assets		120,150			119,736
	Valuation allowance		—			—
	Deferred tax assets after valuation allowance		120,150			119,736
	Deferred tax liabilities:
	Debt issuance costs		(2,596	)		(3,376	)
	Property, plant and equipment		(23,999	)		(21,631	)
	AWN Investment		(70,577	)		(73,478	)
	Total deferred tax liabilities		(97,172	)		(98,485	)
	Net deferred tax assets	$	22,978		$	21,251
	Deferred assets and liabilities are recorded as follows:
		2014			2013
	Current deferred tax assets	$	104,245		$	7,144
	Non-current deferred tax assets		—			14,107
	Non-current deferred tax liabilities		(81,267	)		—
	Net deferred tax assets	$	22,978		$	21,251

Stock_Incentive_Plans_Tables

Stock Incentive Plans (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]
Summary of Activity for Restricted Stock Units, Long-Term Incentive Awards and Non-Employee Director Stock Compensation	The following table summarizes the RSU, LTIP and non-employee director stock compensation activity for the year ended December 31, 2014:
		Number of			Weighted
		Shares			Average
					Grant-Date
					Fair
					Value
	Nonvested at December 31, 2013		946		$	3.58
	Granted		1,045			1.86
	Vested		(689	)		3.36
	Canceled or expired		(3	)		7.42
	Nonvested at December 31, 2014		1,299		$	2.3
Summary of Activity for Performance Share Units	The following table summarizes PSU activity for the year ended December 31, 2014:
		Number of			Weighted
		Shares			Average
					Grant-Date
					Fair
					Value
	Nonvested at December 31, 2013		1,184		$	2.94
	Granted		202			1.89
	Vested		(498	)		2.14
	Canceled or expired		(98	)		1.77
	Nonvested at December 31, 2014		790		$	3.32
Summary of Assumptions Used for Valuation of Equity Instruments Granted	Assumptions used for valuation of equity instruments awarded during the twelve months ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012:
		2014		2013	2012
	Restricted stock:
	Risk free rate	0.0% - 0.23%		0.03% - 0.18%	0.18% - 0.42%
	Quarterly dividend	$—		$—	$0.00 - 0.05
	Expected, per annum, forfeiture rate	9%		0% - 9%	9%
Share-Based Compensation	Selected information on equity instruments and share-based compensation under the plan for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 follows:
		Years Ended
		December 31,
		2014			2013		2012
	Total compensation cost for share-based payments	$	2,511		$	2,860	$	3,550
	Weighted average grant-date fair value of equity instruments granted	$	1.87		$	1.77	$	2.65
	Total fair value of shares vested during the period	$	2,935		$	5,011	$	2,608
	Total intrinsic value of options exercised	$	—		$	—	$	—
	Unamortized share-based payments	$	1,392		$	1,748	$	1,958
	Weighted average period in years to be recognized as expense		1.45			1.75		1.23

Business_Segments_Tables

Business Segments (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Service and Product Revenues from External Customers	The following table presents service and product revenues from external customers for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012:
		2014			2013			2012
	Service Revenue:
	Business and wholesale customers
	Voice	$	22,499		$	22,947		$	23,842
	Broadband		43,783			40,027			33,972
	IT Services		3,492			—			—
	Other		7,104			7,659			7,385
	Wholesale		33,043			30,047			33,393
	Business and wholesale service revenue		109,921			100,680			98,592
	Consumer customers
	Voice		14,932			16,818			18,968
	Broadband		24,841			22,108			18,398
	Other		1,563			1,739			1,386
	Consumer service revenue		41,336			40,665			38,752
	Total Service Revenue		151,257			141,345			137,344
	Growth in Service Revenue		7	%		2.9	%
	Growth in Broadband Service Revenue		10.4	%		18.6	%
	Other Revenue:
	Equipment sales		5,321			2,083			3,021
	Access		35,323			37,033			40,250
	High cost support		23,192			18,776			20,223
	Total Service and Other Revenue		215,093			199,237			200,838
	Growth in Service and Other Revenue		8	%		-0.8	%
	Growth excluding Equipment sales		6.4	%		-0.3	%
	Wireless Revenue:
	Business and consumer retail service revenue		65,504			71,197			73,845
	Equipment sales		6,178			4,847			6,015
	Other		5,302			5,049			4,281
	AWN Related:
	Foreign roaming		—			40,029			55,105
	Wireless backhaul		70			6,035			6,897
	CETC		19,565			21,019			20,733
	Amortization of deferred AWN capacity revenue		3,151			1,511			—
	Total AWN Related		22,786			68,594			82,735
	Total Wireless and AWN Related Revenue		99,770			149,687			166,876
	Total Revenue	$	314,863		$	348,924		$	367,714

Selected_Quarterly_Financial_I1

Selected Quarterly Financial Information (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]
Summary of Quarterly Financial Data
		Quarterly Financial Data
		First			Second		Third		Fourth
		Quarter			Quarter		Quarter		Quarter			Total
	2014
	Operating revenues	$	78,331		$	80,558	$	78,465	$	77,509		$	314,863
	Gross profit		33,513			35,757		33,515		31,108		$	133,893
	Operating income (loss)		8,250			10,726		11,668		(884	)		29,760
	Net (loss) income		(385	)		1,085		1,878		(5,358	)		(2,780	)
	Net (loss) income per share:
	Basic		(0.01	)		0.02		0.04		(0.11	)		(0.06	)
	Diluted		(0.01	)		0.02		0.04		(0.11	)		(0.06	)
	2013
	Operating revenues	$	91,059		$	97,757	$	83,841	$	76,267		$	348,924
	Gross profit		55,612			60,553		39,121		30,356			185,642
	Operating income		16,142			20,851		219,278		690			256,961
	Net income (loss)		3,468			37,694		121,997		(4,688	)		158,471
	Net income (loss) per share:
	Basic		0.08			0.81		2.59		(0.10	)		3.37
	Diluted		0.07			0.67		2.08		(0.10	)		2.78

Description_of_Company_and_Sum2

Description of Company and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended			0 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Feb. 02, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Jan. 31, 2014	Aug. 31, 2010
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Percentage of remaining ownership interest					51.00%	51.00%
Restricted cash	$467	$467
Short-term investments maturity period	More than three months but less than one year
Equipment and buildings under capital leases expiration period	2043
Period of amortization of deferred revenue on straight-line basis	20 years
Preferred stock, shares authorized	5,000	5,000
Preferred stock, par value	$0.01	$0.01
Preferred stock, shares issued	0	0
Preferred stock, shares outstanding	0	0
Company total expense for advertisement	4,741	5,918	6,204
Periodic payroll deduction minimum for acquisition of common stock	1.00%
Periodic payroll deduction maximum for acquisition of common stock	15.00%
Unionized Employees IBEW [Member]
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Percentage of concentration	60.00%
Revenue [Member] | High Cost Support [Member]
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Percentage of concentration	10.60%
Minimum [Member]
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Depreciation of property	2 years
Maximum [Member]
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Depreciation of property	50 years
Alaska Wireless Network, LLC [Member]
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Percentage ownership interest in equity method investments	33.33%	33.33%
TekMate, LLC [Member]
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Percentage ownership interest in equity method investments	100.00%	49.00%					49.00%
Percentage of remaining ownership interest						51.00%
Business purchase date	31-Aug-10
Subsequent Event [Member]
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Percentage of ownership interest sold in wireless operations				33.33%
Certificate of Deposits [Member]
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Restricted cash	$467

Sale_of_Wireless_Operations_Ad

Sale of Wireless Operations - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	0 Months Ended	12 Months Ended			0 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 04, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Feb. 02, 2015
		Segments
		Reporting_Unit
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Sale of one or more of its affiliates		$300,000
Initial estimate of decrease in working capital assets and liabilities	12,000
Additional amount held in escrow	9,000
Estimated amount of gain on sale, pre-tax	30,000
Number of operating segment		1
Number of reporting unit		1
Equity method investments		252,067	266,972
Deferred AWN capacity revenue		59,964
Long term debt repayment of principal amount		24,419	99,565	19,477
Operating leases remaining terms		11 years
Operating lease remaining contract value		72,522
Transaction related costs		3,622
GCI [Member]
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Remaining contract life		30 years
Capital Leases and Other Long-term Obligations [Member]
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Capital lease obligation asset cost		2509
Capital lease obligation liabilities		2,394
Wireless Operations [Member]
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Operating lease remaining contract value		6,516
2010 Senior Credit Facility Term Loan Due 2016 [Member]
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Debt discount		1,014	1,687
Alaska Wireless Network, LLC [Member]
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Equity method investments		252,067	266,119
Remaining contract life		20 years
Subsequent Event [Member]
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Estimated amount of fair value of services					5,600
Estimated amount of gain on sale					1,200
Subsequent Event [Member] | 2010 Senior Credit Facility Term Loan Due 2016 [Member]
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Long term debt repayment of principal amount					240,472
Debt discount					721
Debt issuance costs					$1,935

Sale_of_Wireless_Operations_Sc

Sale of Wireless Operations - Schedule of Reconciliation of Major Classes of Assets and Liabilities Held for Sale (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Current assets:
Accounts receivable, non-affiliates, net	$7,607
Materials and supplies	1,958
Total current assets held-for-sale	9,565
Property, plant and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $8,835	14,664
Total non-current assets held-for-sale	14,664
Current liabilities:
Current portion of long-term obligations	287
Advance billings and customer deposits	3,729
Total current liabilities held-for-sale	18,728
Total non-current liabilities held-for-sale	2,107
Total non-current liabilities held-for-sale	2,107
Non-affiliates [Member]
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable, accrued and other current liabilities	301
Affiliates [Member]
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable, accrued and other current liabilities	$14,411

Sale_of_Wireless_Operations_Sc1

Sale of Wireless Operations - Schedule of Reconciliation of Major Classes of Assets and Liabilities Held for Sale (Parenthetical) (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Discontinued Operations and Disposal Groups [Abstract]
Accumulated depreciation of property, plant and equipment, net	$8,835

Sale_of_Wireless_Operations_Sc2

Sale of Wireless Operations - Schedule of Company's Current Obligations for Exit Activities (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Charged to Expense	$1,124
Paid and/or Settled	-634
Balance as of Dec 31, 2014	490
Labor Obligations [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Charged to Expense	490
Balance as of Dec 31, 2014	490
Other Associated Obligations [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Charged to Expense	634
Paid and/or Settled	($634)

Accounts_Receivable_Schedule_o

Accounts Receivable - Schedule of Accounts Receivable - Trade (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Accounts receivable - trade, net	$30,900	$34,066
Accounts Receivable [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Accounts receivable - trade, gross	33,238	40,259
Less: allowance for doubtful accounts	-2,338	-6,193
Accounts receivable - trade, net	30,900	34,066
Accounts Receivable [Member] | Retail Customers [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Accounts receivable - trade, gross	20,070	28,318
Accounts Receivable [Member] | Wholesale Carriers [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Accounts receivable - trade, gross	3,867	3,748
Accounts Receivable [Member] | Other [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Accounts receivable - trade, gross	$9,301	$8,193

Accounts_Receivable_Schedule_o1

Accounts Receivable - Schedule of Allowance for Doubtful Accounts (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Provision for uncollectible accounts	$3,329	$1,847	$2,588
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Beginning Balance	6,193	6,231	5,788
Provision for uncollectible accounts	3,329	1,847	2,588
Charged to other accounts	-2	-2	-1
Deductions	-7,182	-1,883	-2,144
Ending Balance	$2,338	$6,193	$6,231

Current_Liabilities_Schedule_o

Current Liabilities - Schedule of Accounts Payable, Accrued and Other Current Liabilities, Non-Affiliates (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Payables and Accruals [Abstract]
Accounts payable - trade	$25,672	$20,841
Accrued payroll, benefits, and related liabilities	18,086	18,017
Other	10,615	16,617
Total accounts payable, accrued and other current liabilities	$54,373	$55,475

Current_Liabilities_Schedule_o1

Current Liabilities - Schedule of Advance Billings and Customer Deposits (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Statement of Financial Position [Abstract]
Advance billings	$4,449	$8,385
Customer deposits	41	719
Customer advances and deposits, current, total	$4,490	$9,104

Equity_Method_Investments_Sche

Equity Method Investments - Schedule of Company's Ownership Interest and Investment in TekMate and AWN (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Jan. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Aug. 31, 2010
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Equity method investment	252,067		$266,972
TekMate, LLC [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Percentage Ownership Interest in equity method investment	100.00%		49.00%	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	252,067		$266,119

Equity_Method_Investments_Addi

Equity Method Investments - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended			0 Months Ended	1 Months Ended	0 Months Ended		3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	15-May-14	Jan. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2014	Jul. 15, 2014
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Percentage of remaining ownership interest					51.00%						51.00%
Equity method investment	$252,067,000	$266,972,000				$252,067,000	$266,972,000		$252,067,000	$266,972,000
Percentage of goodwill on acquisition, deductible for tax purposes	100.00%					100.00%			100.00%
Earnings of equity method investment	35,960,000	18,056,000	115,000
Estimated fair value	266,000,000					266,000,000			266,000,000
Deferred AWN capacity revenue	64,627,000					64,627,000			64,627,000
Deferred AWN capacity revenue	59,964,000					59,964,000			59,964,000
Deferred revenue expected recognition period	20 years
Amortization of deferred AWN capacity revenue	3,151,000	1,512,000
Gain on sale of assets	210,873,000	210,873,000
Impairment charges of AWN	0
TekMate, LLC [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Percentage ownership interest in equity method investment in TekMate, LLC	49.00%					49.00%			49.00%
Business purchase date	31-Aug-10
Purchase of equity investment	2,060,000					2,060,000			2,060,000
Percentage of remaining ownership interest					51.00%
Consideration payable in cash or stock				800,000
Consideration paid in cash												894,000
Carrying value of the liability	667,000					667,000			667,000
Equity method investment		853,000			831,000		853,000			853,000
Earnings of equity method investment					12,000
Cash distributions					33,000
Undistributed earnings					0
TekMate, LLC [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Consideration payable in cash	0
TekMate, LLC [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Consideration payable in cash	700,000
Alaska Wireless Network, LLC [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Equity method investment	252,067,000	266,119,000				252,067,000	266,119,000		252,067,000	266,119,000
Percentage ownership owned by subsidiaries in AWN	66.67%					66.67%			66.67%
Cash payments to purchased assets	100,000,000
Representation of GCI on AWN's Board	Representation of one of three seats on AWN's Board
Operating Agreement, cumulative annual distribution in each of first eight quarters	12,500,000					12,500,000			12,500,000
Operating Agreement, cumulative annual distribution in second eight quarters	11,250,000					11,250,000			11,250,000
Cash distributions received	50,000,000	17,844,000
Amortization of deferred AWN capacity revenue	3,151,000									1,512,000
Gain on sale of assets								210,873,000
Interest in equity method investee's adjusted free cash flow	50,000,000	22,011,000				4,167,000	4,167,000		45,833,000	17,844,000
Equity earnings	35,948,000									17,963,000
Excess of ACS' investment over the Company's share of net assets	$13,810,000					$13,810,000			$13,810,000
Alaska Wireless Network, LLC [Member] | ACS Member [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Percentage ownership owned by subsidiaries in AWN	33.33%					33.33%			33.33%

Equity_Method_Investments_Fair

Equity Method Investments - 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

Equity_Method_Investments_Good

Equity Method Investments - Goodwill on the Acquisition (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Jan. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Fair value of equity method investment	$252,067		$266,972
Total net assets		676
Goodwill			4,650	8,850
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_Comp

Equity Method Investments - Components of Gain on Sale of Assets (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Consideration received:
Investment	$266,000
Cash	100,000	100,000
Total consideration received	366,000
Consideration provided:
Net intangible and tangible assets	90,500
Deferred AWN capacity revenue	64,627
Total consideration provided	155,127
Gain on disposal of assets	$210,873	$210,873

Equity_Method_Investments_Summ

Equity Method Investments - Summarized Financial Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Current assets	$187,782				$102,147				$187,782	$102,147
Current liabilities	97,965				93,144				97,965	93,144
Equity	135,126				135,263				135,126	135,263	-34,683	-50,923
Operating revenues	77,509	78,465	80,558	78,331	76,267	83,841	97,757	91,059	314,863	348,924	367,714
Gross profit	31,108	33,515	35,757	33,513	30,356	39,121	60,553	55,612	133,893	185,642
Operating income	-884	11,668	10,726	8,250	690	219,278	20,851	16,142	29,760	256,961	63,294
Net income	-5,358	1,878	1,085	-385	-4,688	121,997	37,694	3,468	-2,780	158,471	17,409
Alaska Wireless Network, LLC [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Current assets	139,237				119,681				139,237	119,681
Non-current assets	554,608				549,913				554,608	549,913
Current liabilities	91,247				72,242				91,247	72,242
Non-current liabilities	21,505				20,570				21,505	20,570
Equity	581,093				576,782				581,093	576,782
Operating revenues									252,864	118,918
Gross profit									179,243	86,201
Operating income									113,772	56,543
Net income									113,404	56,342
Adjusted free cash flow									$106,937	$53,978

Equity_Method_Investments_Sche1

Equity Method Investments - Schedule of Reconciliation of Total Equity to Equity Method Investment (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Equity	$135,126	$135,263	($34,683)	($50,923)
ACS investment in AWN	252,067	266,972
Alaska Wireless Network, LLC [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Equity	581,093	576,782
Step-up in basis of GCI contribution, net	30,702
Cumulative differences in distributions	4,167
Cumulative differences in income allocation method	-21,059
ACS investment in AWN	252,067	266,119
ACS [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Equity	238,257
GCI [Member] | Affiliates [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Equity	($342,836)

Fair_Value_Measurements_Additi

Fair Value Measurements - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	0 Months Ended		12 Months Ended			0 Months Ended
	Dec. 04, 2014	Dec. 01, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Long-term obligations			$433,968,000	$456,257,000
Notional amounts of floating-to-fixed interest rate swaps, one			115,500,000
Notional amounts of floating-to-fixed interest rate swaps, two			77,000,000
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 swap date			30-Jun-12
Expiry date			30-Sep-15
Amount of Senior Credit Facility to be paid related to sale			24,419,000	99,565,000	19,477,000
Notional amounts of floating-to-fixed interest rate swaps, over-hedged	109,800,000	109,800,000
Interest expense			-1,613,000	-2,307,000	-292,000
Impairment charge of long-lived assets recognized			0	0	0
Impairment of equity method investment				1,267,000
TekMate, LLC [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Impairment of equity method investment			1,267,000
2010 Senior Credit Facility Term Loan Due 2016 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Long-term obligations			322,700,000	345,900,000
Notional amounts of floating-to-fixed interest rate swaps, one			115,500,000			115,500,000
Notional amounts of floating-to-fixed interest rate swaps, two			77,000,000			77,000,000
Interest rate of floating-to-fixed interest rate swaps, one			7.23%			6.47%
Interest rate of floating-to-fixed interest rate swaps, two						6.48%
LIBOR spread			4.75%
Interest expense	-31,000	-31,000
2010 Senior Credit Facility Term Loan Due 2016 [Member] | February 2, 2015 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Amount of Senior Credit Facility to be paid related to sale	240,000,000
Estimated Value [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair value of long-term obligations			430,729,000
Carrying Values [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Long-term obligations			$436,362,000

Fair_Value_Measurements_Balanc

Fair Value Measurements - Balances of Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on Recurring Basis (Detail) (Interest Rate Swaps [Member], USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 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	($1,416)	($3,234)	($9,819)
Significant Other Observable Inputs Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Other long-term liabilities	($1,416)	($3,234)

Fair_Value_Measurements_Schedu

Fair Value Measurements - Schedule of Floating-to-Fixed Interest Rate Swaps (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 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 other long-term liabilities to accumulated other comprehensive loss	-1,545	-1,727
Change in fair value credited to interest expense	-273	-785
Cash paid on extinguishment of hedging instrument		-4,073
Ending balance	$1,416	$3,234

Property_Plant_and_Equipment_S

Property, Plant and Equipment - Schedule of Property, Plant and Equipment (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, gross	1,333,134	$1,344,949
Less: accumulated depreciation and amortization	-976,401	-992,936
Property, plant and equipment, net	356,733	352,013
Minimum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, Useful Lives	2 years
Maximum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, Useful Lives	50 years
Land, Buildings and Support Assets [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, gross	209,349	222,215
Less: accumulated depreciation and amortization	0	0
Land, Buildings and Support Assets [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, Useful Lives	3 years
Land, Buildings and Support Assets [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, Useful Lives	42 years
Central Office Switching and Transmission [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, gross	385,016	374,505
Central Office Switching and Transmission [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, Useful Lives	2 years
Central Office Switching and Transmission [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, Useful Lives	12 years
Outside Plant Cable and Wire Facilities [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, gross	674,914	699,716
Outside Plant Cable and Wire Facilities [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, Useful Lives	10 years
Outside Plant Cable and Wire Facilities [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, Useful Lives	50 years
Other [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, gross	3,606	3,147
Other [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, Useful Lives	2 years
Other [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, Useful Lives	5 years
Construction Work in Progress [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, gross	60,249	$45,366

Property_Plant_and_Equipment_S1

Property, Plant and Equipment - Schedule of Property, Plant and Equipment (Parenthetical) (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Depreciation charges	$976,401	$992,936
Land, Buildings and Support Assets [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Depreciation charges	$0	$0

Property_Plant_and_Equipment_A

Property, Plant and Equipment - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Amortization of assets under capital leases included in depreciation expense	$1,832	$1,827	$1,934
Land, buildings and support assets	15,426	19,893
Rental expense under operating leases	8,782	9,785	9,997
Operating leases being marketed for sale	6,516
Capital Lease Held-for-Sale [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Land, buildings and support assets	3,744
Construction Work in Progress [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Capitalized interest	$2,810	$1,926	$1,961
Capitalized interest, rate	8.28%	8.07%	7.27%

Property_Plant_and_Equipment_S2

Property, Plant and Equipment - Summary of Property Held Under Capital Leases (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]
Land, buildings and support assets	$15,426	$19,893
Less: accumulated depreciation and amortization	-6,698	-8,196
Property held under capital leases, net	$8,728	$11,697

Property_Plant_and_Equipment_F

Property, Plant and Equipment - Future Minimum Payments, Including Interest for Next Five Years (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Capital Leases, Future Minimum Payments Receivable, Fiscal Year Maturity [Abstract]
2015	$1,792
2016	1,687
2017	1,334
2018	1,072
2019	791
Thereafter	6,976
Future minimum payments, including interest	13,652
Interest	-5,734
Total minimum capital lease payments	$7,918

Property_Plant_and_Equipment_S3

Property, Plant and Equipment - Summary of Future Minimum Payments under Leases (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments Due, Fiscal Year Maturity [Abstract]
2015	$8,677
2016	7,943
2017	6,914
2018	5,612
2019	5,176
Thereafter	38,200
Future minimum payments due	$72,522

Goodwill_and_Other_Intangible_2

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Jan. 31, 2014
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Percentage of remaining ownership interest	51.00%				51.00%
Amount of additional goodwill acquired from TekMate	$1,336,000		$1,336,000
Implied fair value of goodwill			0
Goodwill impairment charge			5,986,000
License renewable period			10 years
Retirement due to AWN transaction		($4,200,000)	($4,200,000)	($4,200,000)

Goodwill_and_Other_Intangible_3

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets - Schedule of Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Goodwill:
Original carrying value			$38,403	$38,403	$38,403
Accumulated impairment			-29,553	-29,553	-29,553
Retirement due to AWN transaction		-4,200	-4,200	-4,200
TekMate acquisition	1,336		1,336
Current year impairment			-5,986
Balance				$4,650	$8,850

Asset_Retirement_Obligations_A

Asset Retirement Obligations - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	1 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jul. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Asset Retirement Obligation Disclosure [Abstract]
Settlement of ARO obligations	$3,048	$299	$776

Asset_Retirement_Obligations_S

Asset Retirement Obligations - Schedule of Changes in Accumulated Retirement Obligation Liability (Detail) (USD $)	1 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jul. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Asset Retirement Obligations [Line Items]
Beginning Balance		$3,657	$6,942
Asset retirement obligation		369	229	132
Accretion expense		328	310
Settlement of obligations	-3,048	-299	-776
Ending Balance		4,055	3,657	6,942
Alaska Wireless Network, LLC [Member]
Asset Retirement Obligations [Line Items]
Transfer of obligation to AWN			($3,048)

LongTerm_Obligations_Schedule_

Long-Term Obligations - Schedule of Long-Term Obligations (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Capital leases and other long-term obligations	$5,524	$7,257
Long-term obligations	433,968	456,257
Long-term obligations	433,968	456,257
Less current portion	-15,521	-14,256
Long-term obligations, net of current portion	418,447	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	-1,014	-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	($7,242)	($9,213)

LongTerm_Obligations_Schedule_1

Long-Term Obligations - Schedule of Long-Term Obligations (Parenthetical) (Detail)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
2010 Senior Credit Facility Term Loan Due 2016 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Maturity year of senior credit facility term loan - start	21-Oct-10
Maturity year of convertible notes	21-Oct-16
6.25% Convertible Notes Due 2018 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate of convertible notes	6.25%
Maturity year of convertible notes	1-May-18

LongTerm_Obligations_Schedule_2

Long-Term Obligations - Schedule of Aggregate Maturities of Long-term Obligations (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
2015	$15,808
2016	309,078
2017	815
2018	114,618
2019	392
Thereafter	3,907
Total	$444,618

LongTerm_Obligations_Additiona

Long-Term Obligations - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	0 Months Ended		12 Months Ended			0 Months Ended				1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended	18 Months Ended	0 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 04, 2014	Dec. 01, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 10, 2013	Nov. 01, 2012	Jul. 31, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Jul. 23, 2013	Mar. 31, 2011	Jun. 30, 2012	Feb. 02, 2015	Aug. 29, 2013	10-May-11	Dec. 31, 2010	Apr. 08, 2008
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total Leverage Ratio defined			3.5
Company's Total Leverage Ratio			3.5
Notional amounts of forward floating-to-fixed interest rate swaps, one			$115,500
Notional amounts of forward floating-to-fixed interest rate swaps, two			77,000
Interest rate of forward floating-to-fixed interest rate swaps, one			7.22%
Interest rate of forward floating-to-fixed interest rate swaps, two			7.23%
Credit Facility, as a result of potential increment							65,000
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, amount of reclassification			-950	-1,358	-172
LIBOR spread			4.75%
Notional amounts of floating-to-fixed interest rate swaps, over-hedged	109,800	109,800
Other Comprehensive Income (loss) to interest expense			-1,613	-2,307	-292
Principal payment on the term loan			24,419	99,565	19,477
Debt issuance costs related to repayment				206	3,167
Common stock, shares authorized			145,000,000	145,000,000
Common shares issued			49,660,000	48,680,000
Long-term obligations			433,968	456,257
Amortization of debt issuance costs			2,460	3,836	2,164
Accretion of debt discounts			2,644	3,096	3,811
Revolving Credit Facility Loan [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long term obligations, maturity date			21-Oct-15
Capital Leases and Other Long-term Obligations [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Maturity amount associated with capital leases			2,394
Discounted percentage of interest payments			8.57%	8.92%
Agreement maturity period			2043	2043
Long-term obligations			7,918	7,257
6.25% Convertible Notes Due 2018 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long term obligations, maturity date			1-May-18
Principal payment on the term loan						3,500
Debt instrument unamortized discount			7,242	9,213
Principal amount of convertible notes															120,000
Interest rate of convertible notes			6.25%
Shares received upon conversion			97.2668
Principal amount for initial conversion			1,000
Initial conversion price			$10.28
Common stock, conversion features			Company's common stock equals or exceeds 130% of the conversion price of the 6.25% Notes for at least 20 trading-days during the last 30 trading-days of the previous fiscal quarter
Conversion price percentage of company's common stock			130.00%
Debt instrument conversion condition trading days minimum			20 days
Debt instrument conversion condition trading days			30 days
Trading-day period			5 days
Parity value of trading-day period			98.00%
Debt instrument repurchase condition principal percentage			100.00%
Discounted percentage of interest payments			8.61%
Net carrying amount of equity component			8,500
Net of tax benefit			5,931
Common shares issued						1,203,000								698,000
Principal payment on the term loan														2,500
Long-term obligations			114,000	114,000
6.25% Convertible Notes Due 2018 [Member] | Maximum [Member] | Board of Directors [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Common stock, shares authorized				4,700,000
2010 Senior Credit Facility Term Loan Due 2016 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Transaction to enter into senior credit facility																470,000
Term loan borrowings																440,000
Term loan discount																4,400
Term loan discount percentage																1.00%
Percentage of quarterly principal payments			0.25%
Quarterly principal payments			1,825								1,100
Quarter principal payments 2014			3,300
Quarterly principal payments 2015			3,675
Quarterly principal payments 2016			3,300
Revolving credit agreement			30,000
Letters of credit outstanding, amount			2,212
Interest rate over LIBOR			4.00%
LIBOR floor rate			1.50%
Debt instrument interest rate increase			0.25%
Increased interest rate over LIBOR			4.75%
Principal payment on the term loan										65,000
Long term obligations, maturity date			21-Oct-16
Rate of increase the interest rate outstanding obligations			2.00%
Notional amounts of forward floating-to-fixed interest rate swaps									192,500
Notional amounts of forward floating-to-fixed interest rate swaps, one			115,500						115,500
Notional amounts of forward floating-to-fixed interest rate swaps, two			77,000						77,000
Interest rate of forward floating-to-fixed interest rate swaps			7.22%						6.46%			6.46%
Interest rate of forward floating-to-fixed interest rate swaps, one			7.23%						6.47%			6.47%
Interest rate of forward floating-to-fixed interest rate swaps, two									6.48%			6.48%
Cost of interest rate cap												119
LIBOR rate of interest rate cap												3.00%
Notional principal amount of interest rate cap									385,000			385,000
Termination charges								4,073
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, amount of reclassification							707
LIBOR spread			4.75%
Other Comprehensive Income (loss) to interest expense	-31	-31
Debt instrument unamortized discount			1,014	1,687
Long-term obligations			322,700	345,900
2010 Senior Credit Facility Term Loan Due 2016 [Member] | Subsequent Event [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principal payment on the term loan													240,472
Debt instrument unamortized discount													721
Debt issuance costs related to repayment													1,935
Debt issuance costs													1,935
5.75% Convertible Notes Paid/Extinguished 2013 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principal amount of convertible notes																	125,000
Interest rate of convertible notes				5.75%	5.75%
Net proceeds from offering			110,053
Repurchase of convertible notes			98,340
Senior Credit Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt issuance costs			$0

LongTerm_Obligations_Schedule_3

Long-Term Obligations - Schedule of Data Regarding 6.25% and 5.75% Notes (Detail) (6.25% Convertible Notes [Member], USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
6.25% Convertible Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Net carrying amount of the equity component	$7,782	$7,782
Principal amount of the convertible notes	114,000	114,000
Unamortized debt discount	7,242	9,213
Amortization period remaining	40 months	52 months
Net carrying amount of the convertible notes	$106,758	$104,787

LongTerm_Obligations_Schedule_4

Long-Term Obligations - Schedule of Interest Components of 6.25% and 5.75% Notes Contained in Company's "Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive (Loss) Income" (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
6.25% Convertible Notes Due 2018 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Coupon interest expense	$7,125	$7,378
Amortization of the debt discount	1,971	1,874
Total included in interest expense	9,096	9,252
5.75% Convertible Notes Paid/Extinguished 2013 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Coupon interest expense	122
Amortization of the debt discount	114
Total included in interest expense	$236

Accumulated_Other_Comprehensiv2

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss - Summary of Activity in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Beginning Balance	($5,609)	($9,239)
Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications	-758	1,851
Reclassifications from accumulated comprehensive loss to net income	1,216	1,779	654
Total other comprehensive income (loss)	458	3,630	-920
Ending Balance	-5,151	-5,609	-9,239
Interest Rate Swaps [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Beginning Balance	-3,371	-5,748
Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications	909	1,019
Reclassifications from accumulated comprehensive loss to net income		1,358
Total other comprehensive income (loss)	1,859	2,377
Ending Balance	-1,512	-3,371
Defined Benefit Pension Plans [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Beginning Balance	-2,238	-3,491
Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications	-1,667	832
Reclassifications from accumulated comprehensive loss to net income		421
Total other comprehensive income (loss)	-1,401	1,253
Ending Balance	($3,639)	($2,238)

Accumulated_Other_Comprehensiv3

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss - Summary of Reclassifications from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss to Net (Loss) Income (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Amortization of defined benefit plan pension items:
Amortization of loss	$451	$717	$818
Income tax effect	-185	-296	-336
After tax	266	421	482
Amortization of loss on ineffective interest rate swap:
Reclassification to interest expense	1,613	2,307	292
Income tax effect	-663	-949	-120
After tax	950	1,358	172
Total reclassifications net of income tax	$1,216	$1,779	$654

Accumulated_Other_Comprehensiv4

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss - Additional Information (Detail) (Interest Expense [Member], Next Twelve Months [Member], USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 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	$2,357

Retirement_Plans_Additional_In

Retirement Plans - Additional Information about AEPF Multi-Employer Pension Plan (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Multiemployer Plans [Line Items]
Plan name	Alaska Electrical Pension Plan
Employer Identification Number	926005171
Pension plan number	1
Pension Protection Act zone status at the plan's year-end:	Green	Green
Plan subject to funding improvement plan	No
Plan subject to rehabilitation plan	No
Employer subject to contribution surcharge	No
Greater than 5% of Total Contributions to the Plan	Yes	Yes	Yes
Collective Bargaining Agreement [Member]
Multiemployer Plans [Line Items]
Expiration date of collective bargaining agreements	31-Dec-16
Outside Agreement [Member]
Multiemployer Plans [Line Items]
Expiration date of collective bargaining agreements	30-Sep-16
Inside Agreement [Member]
Multiemployer Plans [Line Items]
Expiration date of collective bargaining agreements	31-Oct-16
Special Agreement [Member]
Multiemployer Plans [Line Items]
Expiration date of collective bargaining agreements	31-Dec-15
AEPF Multi-Employer Pension Plan [Member]
Multiemployer Plans [Line Items]
Multiemployer Plan, Period Contributions	8,626	9,174	9,568

Retirement_Plans_Additional_In1

Retirement Plans - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Prior service cost amortized	$1,992
Company's contribution to the plan	898	360
Defined Benefit ACS Retirement Plan [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Company's contribution to the plan	898	360	469
Liability balance recorded on balance sheets in "other long term liabilities"	5,664	3,736
ACS Health Plan [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Amount by which plan was underfunded	150
Plan overfunded with plan assets	158
Net periodic post-retirement cost	7	5
2015 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Expectation of amortization of net gains and losses	1,175
2015 [Member] | Defined Benefit ACS Retirement Plan [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Company's contribution to the plan	802
Defined Contribution Plan 401K [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Discretionary contribution to retirement savings plan	$213	$174	$123

Retirement_Plans_Funded_Status

Retirement Plans - Funded Status of ACS Retirement Plan Using Beginning and Ending Balances for Projected Benefit Obligation and Plan Assets (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Change in benefit obligation:
Benefit obligation at beginning of year	$15,284	$16,609
Interest cost	674	635	715
Actuarial (gain) loss	2,283	-954
Benefits paid	-1,007	-1,006
Benefit obligation at end of year	17,234	15,284	16,609
Change in plan assets:
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year	11,548	11,101
Actual return on plan assets	131	1,093
Employer contribution	898	360
Benefits paid	-1,007	-1,006
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	11,570	11,548	11,101
Funded status	($5,664)	($3,736)

Retirement_Plans_Summary_of_Ne

Retirement Plans - Summary of Net Periodic Pension Expense for ACS Retirement Plan (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]
Interest cost	$674	$635	$715
Expected return on plan assets	-749	-706	-694
Amortization of loss	536	788	797
Net periodic pension expense	$451	$717	$818

Retirement_Plans_Loss_Recogniz

Retirement Plans - Loss Recognized As Component of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Expense [Abstract]
Loss recognized as a component of accumulated other comprehensive loss	$6,178	$3,799

Retirement_Plans_Assumptions_U

Retirement Plans - Assumptions Used to Account for Plan (Detail)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Defined Benefit Plan, Assumptions Used in Calculations [Abstract]
Discount rate for benefit obligation	3.97%	4.49%
Discount rate for pension expense	4.49%	3.97%
Expected long-term rate of return on assets	6.53%	6.53%
Rate of compensation increase	0.00%	0.00%

Retirement_Plans_Asset_Allocat

Retirement Plans - Asset Allocation Guidelines for Plan (Detail)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Equity Securities [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Asset Category, Minimum	0.00%
Asset Category, Maximum	80.00%
Fixed Income [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Asset Category, Minimum	0.00%
Asset Category, Maximum	50.00%
Cash Equivalents [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Asset Category, Minimum	0.00%
Asset Category, Maximum	100.00%

Retirement_Plans_Plans_Asset_A

Retirement Plans - Plan's Asset Allocations by Asset Category (Detail)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Equity Securities [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Asset Category, Plan asset allocations	65.00%	62.00%
Debt Securities [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Asset Category, Plan asset allocations	34.00%	37.00%
Other/Cash [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Asset Category, Plan asset allocations	1.00%	1.00%

Retirement_Plans_Schedule_of_M

Retirement Plans - Schedule of Measuring Fair Value of Plan Assets Regarding ACS Retirement Plan (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets regarding ACS Retirement Plan	$11,570	$11,548	$11,101
Money Market [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets regarding ACS Retirement Plan	106
International Growth [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets regarding ACS Retirement Plan	2,242
U.S small cap [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets regarding ACS Retirement Plan	1,538
U.S. medium cap [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets regarding ACS Retirement Plan	1,149
U.S. large cap [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets regarding ACS Retirement Plan	2,651
Certificate of Deposits [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets regarding ACS Retirement Plan	1,802
Fixed Income [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets regarding ACS Retirement Plan	2,082
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets Level 1 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets regarding ACS Retirement Plan	11,570
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets Level 1 [Member] | Money Market [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets regarding ACS Retirement Plan	106
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets Level 1 [Member] | International Growth [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets regarding ACS Retirement Plan	2,242
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets Level 1 [Member] | U.S small cap [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets regarding ACS Retirement Plan	1,538
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets Level 1 [Member] | U.S. medium cap [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets regarding ACS Retirement Plan	1,149
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets Level 1 [Member] | U.S. large cap [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets regarding ACS Retirement Plan	2,651
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets Level 1 [Member] | Certificate of Deposits [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets regarding ACS Retirement Plan	1,802
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets Level 1 [Member] | Fixed Income [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair value of plan assets regarding ACS Retirement Plan	$2,082

Retirement_Plans_Summary_of_Be

Retirement Plans - Summary of Benefits Expected to be Paid for Plan (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Benefit Payments, Fiscal Year Maturity [Abstract]
2014	$1,101
2015	1,038
2016	1,085
2017	1,102
2018	1,073
2019-2023	$5,393

Earnings_Per_Share_Additional_

Earnings Per Share - Additional Information (Detail)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
5.75% Convertible Notes Paid/Extinguished 2013 [Member]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Percentage of Convertible Notes, Anti-dilutive		5.75%	5.75%
6.25% Convertible Notes [Member]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Percentage of Convertible Notes, Anti-dilutive	6.25%		6.25%
Restricted Stock And Deferred Shares Member
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Anti-dilutive shares excluded from calculation	2,506
Options [Member]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Anti-dilutive shares excluded from calculation		24	24
Stock Appreciation Rights (SARs) [Member]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Anti-dilutive shares excluded from calculation		311	311

Earnings_Per_Share_Calculation

Earnings Per Share - Calculation of Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Share (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted [Abstract]
Net(loss)income applicable to common shares									($2,780)	$158,471	$17,409
Tax-effected interest expense attributable to convertible notes										5,813
Net(loss)income assuming dilution									($2,780)	$164,284	$17,409
Weighted average common shares outstanding:
Basic shares									49,334	47,092	45,553
Effect of stock-based compensation										530	325
Effect of 6.25% convertible notes										11,485
Diluted shares									49,334	59,107	45,878
(Loss) earnings per share:
Basic	($0.11)	$0.04	$0.02	($0.01)	($0.10)	$2.59	$0.81	$0.08	($0.06)	$3.37	$0.38
Diluted	($0.11)	$0.04	$0.02	($0.01)	($0.10)	$2.08	$0.67	$0.07	($0.06)	$2.78	$0.38

Earnings_Per_Share_Calculation1

Earnings Per Share - Calculation of Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Share (Parenthetical) (Detail) (6.25% Convertible Notes [Member])	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2012
6.25% Convertible Notes [Member]
Earnings Per Share Basic And Diluted [Line Items]
Percentage of Convertible Notes, Anti-dilutive	6.25%	6.25%

Income_Taxes_Schedule_of_Incom

Income Taxes - Schedule of Income Tax Provision (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Current:
Federal income tax		($217)
State income tax		-43		-12
Total current expense		-260		-12
Deferred:
Federal income tax		1,620	-43,301	-7,222
State income tax		427	-14,969	-2,149
Change in valuation allowance			1,900	3,600
Total deferred benefit (expense)		2,047	-56,370	-5,771
Total income tax benefit (expense)	($29,894)	$1,787	($56,370)	($5,783)

Income_Taxes_Additional_Inform

Income Taxes - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	0 Months Ended	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended			3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Jun. 30, 2010
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]
Reconciliation of the federal statutory tax rate			35.00%	35.00%	35.00%
Alternative minimum tax credits	$5,308		$5,308	$5,069
Net operating loss carry forwards, expiration dates	Expiration dates beginning in 2019 through 2033
Federal and state net operating loss and state alternative minimum tax credits carryforwards	94,733		94,733
Recognized tax benefit		29,894	-1,787	56,370	5,783
Crest [Member]
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]
Additional income tax expense						29,678
Additional income tax receivable						2,781
Federal [Member]
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]
Alternative minimum tax credits	5,013		5,013
Net operating loss carry forwards	233,496		233,496
State [Member]
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]
Alternative minimum tax credits	454		454
Net operating loss carry forwards	$208,481		$208,481

Income_Taxes_Summary_of_Reconc

Income Taxes - Summary of Reconciliation of Federal Statutory Tax to Recorded Tax (Expense) Benefit (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Amount [Abstract]
Computed federal income taxes at the statutory rate		$1,598	($75,194)	($8,117)
Benefit (expense) in tax resulting from:
State income taxes (net of federal benefit)		278	-13,104	-864
Other		-58	178	167
Stock-based compensation		-31	-44	-35
Valuation allowance			1,900	3,066
Crest examination settlement			29,894
Total income tax benefit (expense)	($29,894)	$1,787	($56,370)	($5,783)

Income_Taxes_Significant_Compo

Income Taxes - Significant Components of Company's Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Deferred tax assets:
Net operating loss carry forwards	$94,435	$88,963
Reserves and accruals	8,158	11,190
Intangibles and goodwill	6,694	6,623
Fair value on interest rate swaps	1,055	2,353
Pension liability	2,304	1,738
Allowance for doubtful accounts	1,164	2,545
Alternative minimum tax carry forward	5,308	5,069
Other	1,032	1,255
Total deferred tax assets	120,150	119,736
Valuation allowance	0	0
Deferred tax assets after valuation allowance	120,150	119,736
Deferred tax liabilities:
Debt issuance costs	-2,596	-3,376
Property, plant and equipment	-23,999	-21,631
Total deferred tax liabilities	-97,172	-98,485
Net deferred tax assets	22,978	21,251
Alaska Wireless Network, LLC [Member]
Deferred tax liabilities:
AWN Investment	($70,577)	($73,478)

Income_Taxes_Summary_of_Deferr

Income Taxes - Summary of Deferred Assets and Liabilities (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Current deferred tax assets	$104,245	$7,144
Non-current deferred tax assets		14,107
Non-current deferred tax liabilities	-81,267
Net deferred tax assets	$22,978	$21,251

Stock_Incentive_Plans_Addition

Stock Incentive Plans - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) Disclosures [Line Items]
2011 Incentive Award Plan termination year	2021
Number of stock option granted	0
Proceeds from exercise of stock options	$0
Number of shares expected to be repurchased in 2015	247,000
Periodic payroll deduction maximum for acquisition of common stock	15.00%
Periodic payroll deduction minimum for acquisition of common stock	1.00%
2012 ESPP [Member]
Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) Disclosures [Line Items]
Eligible working hours for ESPP per week	20 hours
Eligible working months for ESPP	5 months
Maximum purchase amount of common stock per individual per calendar year	$25,000
Maximum common stock ownership for participation in ESSP	5.00%
Maximum number of shares that an individual employee can purchase during six month offering	10
Company reserved common stock for issuance	1,500,000
Decrease in aggregate number of shares	67,000
1999 ESPP [Member]
Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) Disclosures [Line Items]
Company reserved common stock for issuance	1,050,000
Common stock issued, shares	1,117,000
Remaining common stock shares	67,000
Share Based Incentive Plans All [Member]
Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) Disclosures [Line Items]
Company authorized common stock for issuance	19,210,000
Restricted Stock Unit [Member]
Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) Disclosures [Line Items]
Options vesting period	3 years
Restricted Stock Unit [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) Disclosures [Line Items]
Options vesting period	1 year
Restricted Stock Unit [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) Disclosures [Line Items]
Options vesting period	5 years
LTIP [Member]
Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) Disclosures [Line Items]
Options vesting period		5 years
Performance Share Units [Member]
Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) Disclosures [Line Items]
Options vesting period	3 years
Stock Appreciation Rights (SARs) [Member]
Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) Disclosures [Line Items]
Options vesting period	5 years
Number of stock options issued			0
SSARs outstanding	0

Stock_Incentive_Plans_Summary_

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 $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 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	1,045
Number of Shares - Vested	-689
Number of Shares - Canceled or expired	-3
Number of Shares - Nonvested at December 31, 2014	1,299
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value - Nonvested at December 31, 2013	$3.58
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value - Granted	$1.86
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value - Vested	$3.36
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value - Canceled or expired	$7.42
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value - Nonvested at December 31, 2014	$2.30

Stock_Incentive_Plans_Summary_1

Stock Incentive Plans - Summary of Activity for Performance Share Units (Detail) (Performance Share Units [Member], USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014
Performance Share Units [Member]
Summary of activity for performance share units
Number of Shares - Nonvested at December 31, 2013	1,184
Number of Shares - Granted	202
Number of Shares - Vested	-498
Number of Shares - Canceled or expired	-98
Number of Shares - Nonvested at December 31, 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 December 31, 2014	$3.32

Stock_Incentive_Plans_Summary_2

Stock Incentive Plans - Summary of Assumptions Used for Valuation of Equity Instruments Granted (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Restricted stock:
Quarterly dividend			0.15
Restricted Stock [Member]
Restricted stock:
Risk free rate, minimum	0.00%	0.03%	0.18%
Risk free rate, maximum	0.23%	0.18%	0.42%
Expected, per annum, forfeiture rate	9.00%		9.00%
Restricted Stock [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Restricted stock:
Quarterly dividend			0
Expected, per annum, forfeiture rate		0.00%
Restricted Stock [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Restricted stock:
Quarterly dividend			0.05
Expected, per annum, forfeiture rate		9.00%

Stock_Incentive_Plans_ShareBas

Stock Incentive Plans - Share-Based Compensation (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]
Total compensation cost for share-based payments	$2,511	$2,860	$3,550
Weighted average grant-date fair value of equity instruments granted	$1.87	$1.77	$2.65
Total fair value of shares vested during the period	2,935	5,011	2,608
Total intrinsic value of options exercised	0	0	0
Unamortized share-based payments	$1,392	$1,748	$1,958
Weighted average period in years to be recognized as expense	1 year 5 months 12 days	1 year 9 months	1 year 2 months 23 days

Business_Segments_Additional_I

Business Segments - Additional Information (Detail)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
	Segment
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Number of reportable segments in which business operates	1

Business_Segments_Service_and_

Business Segments - Service and Product Revenues from External Customers (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Growth in Service Revenue									7.00%	2.90%
Growth in Broadband Service Revenue									10.40%	18.60%
Growth in Service and Other Revenue									8.00%	-0.80%
Growth excluding Equipment sales									6.40%	-0.30%
Revenues	$77,509	$78,465	$80,558	$78,331	$76,267	$83,841	$97,757	$91,059	$314,863	$348,924	$367,714
Other Revenue [Member] | Equipment Sales [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues									5,321	2,083	3,021
Other Revenue [Member] | Access [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues									35,323	37,033	40,250
Other Revenue [Member] | High Cost Support [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues									23,192	18,776	20,223
Wireless Revenue [Member] | Other [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues									5,302	5,049	4,281
Wireless Revenue [Member] | Equipment Sales [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues									6,178	4,847	6,015
Wireless Revenue [Member] | Business And Consumer Retail Service Revenue [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues									65,504	71,197	73,845
AWN Related [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues									22,786	68,594	82,735
AWN Related [Member] | Foreign Roaming [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues										40,029	55,105
AWN Related [Member] | Wireless Backhaul [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues									70	6,035	6,897
AWN Related [Member] | CETC [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues									19,565	21,019	20,733
AWN Related [Member] | Amortization of Deferred AWN Capacity Revenue [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues									3,151	1,511
Total Wireless and AWN Related Revenue [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues									99,770	149,687	166,876
Services Revenues [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues									151,257	141,345	137,344
Services Revenues [Member] | Business and Wholesale Service Revenue [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues									109,921	100,680	98,592
Services Revenues [Member] | Business and Wholesale Service Revenue [Member] | Voice [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues									22,499	22,947	23,842
Services Revenues [Member] | Business and Wholesale Service Revenue [Member] | Broadband [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues									43,783	40,027	33,972
Services Revenues [Member] | Business and Wholesale Service Revenue [Member] | IT Services [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues									3,492
Services Revenues [Member] | Business and Wholesale Service Revenue [Member] | Other [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues									7,104	7,659	7,385
Services Revenues [Member] | Business and Wholesale Service Revenue [Member] | Wholesale [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues									33,043	30,047	33,393
Services Revenues [Member] | Consumer Service Revenue [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues									41,336	40,665	38,752
Services Revenues [Member] | Consumer Service Revenue [Member] | Voice [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues									14,932	16,818	18,968
Services Revenues [Member] | Consumer Service Revenue [Member] | Broadband [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues									24,841	22,108	18,398
Services Revenues [Member] | Consumer Service Revenue [Member] | Other [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues									1,563	1,739	1,386
Service and Other Revenues [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues									$215,093	$199,237	$200,838

Subsequent_Event_Additional_In

Subsequent Event - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended			0 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Feb. 02, 2015
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Principal repayment	$24,419	$99,565	$19,477
Subsequent Event [Member]
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Sale of its one-third interest in AWN and substantially all the assets of wireless operations				300,000
Subsequent Event [Member] | 2010 Senior Credit Facility Term Loan Due 2016 [Member]
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Principal repayment				$240,472

Commitments_and_Contingencies_

Commitments and Contingencies - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Litigation costs	$586

Selected_Quarterly_Financial_I2

Selected Quarterly Financial Information - Summary of Quarterly Financial Data (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]
Operating revenues	$77,509	$78,465	$80,558	$78,331	$76,267	$83,841	$97,757	$91,059	$314,863	$348,924	$367,714
Gross profit	31,108	33,515	35,757	33,513	30,356	39,121	60,553	55,612	133,893	185,642
Operating income (loss)	-884	11,668	10,726	8,250	690	219,278	20,851	16,142	29,760	256,961	63,294
Net (loss) income	($5,358)	$1,878	$1,085	($385)	($4,688)	$121,997	$37,694	$3,468	($2,780)	$158,471	$17,409
Net (loss) income per share:
Basic	($0.11)	$0.04	$0.02	($0.01)	($0.10)	$2.59	$0.81	$0.08	($0.06)	$3.37	$0.38
Diluted	($0.11)	$0.04	$0.02	($0.01)	($0.10)	$2.08	$0.67	$0.07	($0.06)	$2.78	$0.38