Alaska Communications Systems 10-Q 8 May 15 2015 Q1 Quarterly report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Apr. 20, 2015
Document And Entity Information [Abstract]
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	FALSE
Document Period End Date	31-Mar-15
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2015
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1
Trading Symbol	ALSK
Entity Registrant Name	ALASKA COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEMS GROUP INC
Entity Central Index Key	1089511
Current Fiscal Year End Date	-19
Entity Filer Category	Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		50,238,893

Condensed_Consolidated_Balance

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$57,827,000	$31,709,000
Restricted cash	9,467,000	467,000
Accounts receivable, net	28,552,000	30,900,000
Materials and supplies	4,687,000	4,321,000
Prepayments and other current assets	7,939,000	6,575,000
Deferred income taxes	13,071,000	104,245,000
Current assets held-for-sale		9,565,000
Total current assets	121,543,000	187,782,000
Property, plant and equipment	1,321,745,000	1,333,134,000
Less: accumulated depreciation and amortization	969,549,000	976,401,000
Property, plant and equipment, net	352,196,000	356,733,000
Debt issuance costs	2,212,000	4,469,000
Deferred income taxes	12,157,000
Equity method investments	0	252,067,000
Non-current assets held-for-sale	2,523,000	14,664,000
Other assets	253,000	301,000
Total assets	490,884,000	816,016,000
Current liabilities:
Current portion of long-term obligations	4,384,000	15,521,000
Accounts payable, accrued and other current liabilities, non-affiliates	75,873,000	54,373,000
Accounts payable, accrued and other current liabilities, affiliates, net		4,853,000
Advance billings and customer deposits	4,672,000	4,490,000
Current liabilities held-for-sale	299,000	18,728,000
Total current liabilities	85,228,000	97,965,000
Long-term obligations, net of current portion	188,358,000	418,447,000
Deferred income taxes		81,267,000
Other long-term liabilities	22,739,000	24,370,000
Non-current liabilities held-for-sale	2,050,000	2,107,000
Deferred GCI/AWN capacity revenue, net of current portion	38,893,000	56,734,000
Total liabilities	337,268,000	680,890,000
Commitments and contingencies
Stockholders' equity (deficit):
Common stock, $.01 par value; 145,000 authorized; 50,236 issued and outstanding at March 31, 2015; 49,660 issued and outstanding at December 31, 2014	503,000	497,000
Additional paid in capital	155,190,000	154,368,000
Accumulated earnings (deficit)	1,629,000	-14,588,000
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	-3,706,000	-5,151,000
Total stockholders' equity	153,616,000	135,126,000
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$490,884,000	$816,016,000

Condensed_Consolidated_Balance1

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
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	50,236	49,660
Common stock, shares outstanding	50,236	49,660

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Operating revenues:
Operating revenues, non-affiliates	$65,211	$76,545
Operating revenues, affiliates	575	1,786
Total operating revenues	65,786	78,331
Operating expenses:
Cost of services and sales, non-affiliates	26,305	30,058
Cost of services and sales, affiliates	4,961	14,760
Selling, general and administrative	27,984	24,595
Depreciation and amortization	8,941	8,790
(Gain) loss on disposal of assets, net	-38,662	401
Earnings from equity method investments	-3,056	-8,523
Total operating expenses	26,473	70,081
Operating income	39,313	8,250
Other income and expense:
Interest expense	-10,047	-8,857
Interest income	25	8
Total other income and expense	-10,022	-8,849
Income (loss) before income tax (expense) benefit	29,291	-599
Income tax (expense) benefit	-13,074	214
Net income (loss)	16,217	-385
Other comprehensive income:
Minimum pension liability adjustment	21	20
Income tax effect	-9	-9
Amortization of defined benefit plan loss	273	184
Income tax effect	-112	-76
Interest rate swap marked to fair value	199	485
Income tax effect	-81	-199
Reclassification of loss on ineffective hedge	1,960	607
Income tax effect	-806	-249
Total other comprehensive income	1,445	763
Total comprehensive income	$17,662	$378
Net income (loss) per share:
Basic and diluted	$0.32	($0.01)
Weighted average shares outstanding:
Basic	49,916	48,913
Diluted	50,695	48,913

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme1

Condensed Consolidated Statement of Stockholders' Equity (Deficit) (USD $)	Total	Common Stock [Member]	Additional Paid in Capital [Member]	Accumulated Earnings (Deficit) [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss [Member]
In Thousands
Beginning Balance at Dec. 31, 2014	$135,126	$497	$154,368	($14,588)	($5,151)
Beginning Balance, Shares at Dec. 31, 2014		49,660
Total comprehensive income	17,662			16,217	1,445
Stock compensation	484		484
Excess tax benefit from share-based payments	743		743
Surrender of shares to cover withholding taxes on stock-based compensation	-399		-399
Issuance of common stock, pursuant to stock plans, $.01 par		6	-6
Issuance of common stock, pursuant to stock plans, $.01 par, Shares		576
Ending Balance at Mar. 31, 2015	$153,616	$503	$155,190	$1,629	($3,706)
Ending Balance, Shares at Mar. 31, 2015		50,236

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme2

Condensed Consolidated Statement of Stockholders' Equity (Deficit) (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Statement of Stockholders' Equity [Abstract]
Common stock, par value	$0.01	$0.01

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme3

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:
Net income (loss)	$16,217	($385)
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	8,941	8,790
Loss on disposal of assets, net	1,057	401
Gain on wireless sale	-39,719
Unrealized gain on ineffective hedge	-267
Amortization of debt issuance costs and debt discount	3,681	1,398
Amortization of ineffective hedge	1,960	607
Amortization of GCI/AWN deferred capacity revenue	-615	-841
Stock-based compensation	484	653
Deferred income tax benefit	-2,515	-227
Provision for uncollectible accounts	1,523	565
Cash distribution from equity method investments	3,056	8,523
Earnings from equity method investments	-3,056	-8,523
Other non-cash expense (income), net	270	-3
Income taxes payable	13,612
Changes in operating assets and liabilities	-2,505	2,868
Net cash provided by operating activities	2,124	13,826
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
Capital expenditures	-5,900	-7,164
Capitalized interest	-491	-738
Change in unsettled capital expenditures	-4,443	-7,186
Cash received in acquisition of business		68
Proceeds on wireless sale	276,388
Return of capital from equity investment	1,875	4,010
Net cash provided (used) by investing activities	267,429	-11,010
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
Repayments of long-term debt	-241,718	-13,354
Debt issuance costs	-1,027
Cash paid in acquisition of business	-291
Payment of withholding taxes on stock-based compensation	-399	-581
Net cash used by financing activities	-243,435	-13,935
Change in cash and cash equivalents	26,118	-11,119
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	31,709	43,039
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	57,827	31,920
Supplemental Cash Flow Data:
Interest paid	3,384	6,562
Income taxes paid	1,977	13
Supplemental Non-cash Transactions:
Property acquired under capital leases	20	44
Additions to ARO asset	3	214
Accrued acquisition purchase price	-291	1,086
Contingent sale proceeds held in escrow	9,000
Net change in restricted cash	($9,000)

Description_of_Company_and_Sum

Description of Company and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Description of Company and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	1	DESCRIPTION OF COMPANY AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
	Alaska Communications Systems Group, Inc. (“we”, “our”, “us”, the “Company” and “ACS”), a Delaware corporation, through its operating subsidiaries, provides broadband telecommunication and Managed information technology (“IT Managed”) services to customers in the State of Alaska and beyond using its telecommunications network.
	The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements represent the consolidated financial position, comprehensive income and cash flows of Alaska Communications Systems Group, Inc. and the following wholly owned subsidiaries:
	•    Alaska Communications Systems		•    Crest Communications Corporation (“Crest”)
	•    Holdings, Inc. (“ACS Holdings”)		•    WCI Cable, Inc.
	•    ACS of Alaska, LLC (“ACSAK”)		•    WCIC Hillsboro, LLC
	•    ACS of the Northland, LLC (“ACSN”)		•    Alaska Northstar Communications, LLC
	•    ACS of Fairbanks, LLC (“ACSF”)		•    WCI Lightpoint, LLC
	•    ACS of Anchorage, LLC (“ACSA”)		•    Worldnet Communications, Inc.
	•    ACS Wireless, Inc. (“ACSW”)		•    Alaska Fiber Star, LLC
	•    ACS Long Distance, LLC (“ACSLD”)		•    TekMate, LLC
	•    ACS Internet, LLC (“ACSI”)
	•    ACS Messaging, Inc. (“ACSM”)
	•    ACS Cable Systems, LLC (“ACSC”)
	In addition to 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 an equity method investment through February 1, 2015. On February 2, 2015, the Company sold this one-third interest in connection with the sale of its wireless operations. See Note 2 “Sale of Wireless Operations” for additional information.
	Basis of Presentation
	The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and footnotes included in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“GAAP”) in the United States of America have been condensed or omitted pursuant to rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). The Company believes the disclosures made are adequate to make the information presented not misleading.
	In the opinion of management, the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements contain all normal, recurring adjustments necessary to present fairly the consolidated financial position, comprehensive income and cash flows for all periods presented. Comprehensive income for the three months ended March 31, 2015, is not necessarily indicative of comprehensive income which might be expected for the entire year or any other interim periods. The balance sheet at December 31, 2014 has been derived from the audited financial statements as of that date but does not include all of the information and notes required by GAAP for complete financial statements.
	Use of Estimates
	The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the Company’s consolidated financial statements and the accompanying notes, including estimates of probable losses and expenses. Actual results could differ materially from those estimates.
	Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements
	In February 2015, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued ASU 2015-02, “Consolidation (Topic 810), Amendments to the Consolidation Analysis (“ASU 2015-02”). This update amends the analysis that a reporting entity must perform to determine whether it should consolidate certain types of legal entities.
	Specifically, the amendments: (i) modify the evaluation of whether limited partnerships and similar legal entities are variable interest entities or voting interest entities; (ii) eliminates the presumption that a general partner should consolidate a limited partnership; (iii) affects the consolidation analysis of reporting entities that are involved with variable interest entities, particularly those that have fee arrangements and related party relationships; and (iv) provides a scope exception from the consolidation guidance for reporting entities with interests in legal entities that are required to comply with or operate in accordance with requirements that are similar to those in Rule 2a-7 of the Investment Company Act of 1940 for registered money market funds. The provisions of ASU 2015-02 are effective for quarterly and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2015. The Company is evaluating the effect that ASU 2015-02 will have on its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.
	In April 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-03, “Interest – Imputation of Interest (Subtopic 835-30), Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs (“ASU 2015-03”). The amendments in ASU 2015-03 require that debt issuance costs related to a recognized debt liability be presented on the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of that debt liability, consistent with debt discounts. The recognition and measurement guidance for debt issuance costs are not affected by this update. The provisions of ASU 2015-03 are effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2015, and interim periods within those fiscal years. The guidance in this ASU is to be applied on a retrospective basis. Early adoption is permitted. The Company is evaluating the effect that ASU 2015-03 will have on its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

Sale_of_Wireless_Operations

Sale of Wireless Operations	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Discontinued Operations and Disposal Groups [Abstract]
Sale of Wireless Operations	2	SALE OF WIRELESS OPERATIONS
	On December 4, 2014, the Company entered into a Purchase and Sale Agreement (the “Agreement”) to sell to General Communication, Inc (“GCI”), ACSW’s interest in AWN and substantially all the assets and subscribers related to the wireless business of ACS and its affiliates, as described below (the “Wireless Sale”).
	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 was subject to adjustment for certain working capital assets and liabilities as well as minimum subscriber levels and preferred distributions.
	The transaction was completed on February 2, 2015. After adjustments for certain working capital assets and liabilities, minimum subscriber levels and preferred distributions totaling $14,612, and $9,000 of cash held in escrow pending resolution of potential additional purchase price adjustments (not reflected in the recognized gain), cash proceeds on the sale were $276,388, of which $240,472 was utilized to pay down our 2010 Senior Secured Credit Facility (“Senior Credit Facility”). This adjustment process is subject to a review and approval process and may ultimately be trued up within 90 days of the sale. GCI is disputing certain of the adjustments discussed above. Resolution of these potential adjustments is not expected to have a material effect on our financial statements. The Company recorded a gain before income tax of $39,719 in the three month period ended March 31, 2015.
	The following table provides the calculation of the gain:
	Consideration received:
	Cash		$	35,916
	Cash held in escrow			9,000
	Principal payment on Senior Credit Facility			240,472
	Total consideration received			285,388
	Carrying value of assets and liabilities sold:
	Equity investment in AWN			250,192
	Assets and liabilities, net			13,862
	Net change in deferred capacity revenue			(18,385	)
	Total carrying value of assets and liabilities sold			245,669
	Gain on disposal of assets		$	39,719
	The Acquired Assets included, without limitation, all the equity interests of AWN owned or held by ACSW, substantially all of ACS’s wireless subscriber assets, including subscriber contracts, and certain network assets at predetermined demarcation points to the cell site locations, 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, whereby ACS provides certain capacity from the predetermined demarcation points to a central switch location and, if required, to points outside of Alaska. GCI did not acquire certain “Excluded Assets”, which included, 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 assumed from ACS post-closing liabilities of ACS and its affiliates under contracts assumed by GCI and liabilities with respect to the ownership by ACSW of its equity interest in AWN to the extent accruing and related to the period after closing. All other liabilities were retained by ACS and its affiliates.
	The two companies agreed upon a service transition plan in which ACS continued to provide certain retail and back office services to its previous wireless customers for an interim period, which was completed on April 17, 2015. This arrangement did not cover the costs of providing the service. As of March 31, 2015, the fair value of these services was $4,050, which exceeded the consideration received for this service by approximately $710. This estimated loss was reflected in the calculation of our 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 associated with realigning operations to focus on its wireline broadband business going forward. These assets include certain handset inventory, which was sold, and retail store leases which are actively being marketed for sale to third parties. Upon completion of the service transition plan, the Company is accelerating its wireless retail wind-down activities, which include exiting all retail store locations, reducing workforce directly or indirectly associated with the retail wireless business, and taking other steps to align its cost structure as a smaller, more focused company.
	The Company considered the sale of assets to GCI under the guidance of Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 205-20 Discontinued Operations and ultimately concluded that the assets 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 its 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,” “Current liabilities held-for-sale” and “Non-current liabilities held-for-sale” at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014:
			March 31,			December 31,
			2015			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 $2,045 and $8,835			2,523			14,664
	Total non-current assets held-for-sale		$	2,523		$	14,664
	Current liabilities:
	Current portion of long-term obligations		$	299		$	287
	Accounts payable, accrued and other current liabilities, non-affiliates			—			301
	Accounts payable, accrued and other current liabilities, affiliates, net			—			14,411
	Advance billings and customer deposits			—			3,729
	Total current liabilities held-for-sale		$	299		$	18,728
	Long-term obligations, net of current portion			2,050			2,107
	Total non-current liabilities held-for-sale		$	2,050		$	2,107
	Although they did 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 $250,192, 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, was removed. This capacity had a carrying value of $59,672 on February 2, 2015. It was replaced with a new service obligation in the amount of $41,287 which was 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.
		•		On February 2, 2015, the Company’s Senior Credit Facility was amended resulting in $240,472 in principal payments and the write-off of associated debt discount and debt issuance costs of $721 and $1,907, respectively in the three month period ended March 31, 2015. For additional information on this amendment, see Note 6 “Long-term Obligations.”
		•		Current deferred tax assets of $92,836 representing Federal and state net operating loss carryforwards and state alternative minimum tax credit carryforwards, and non-current deferred tax liabilities of $70,577 related to the Company’s investment in AWN reversed in the first quarter of 2015 as a result of the Wireless Sale.
	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 throughout 2015. The wind-down costs include those associated with 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 be significant in the first half of 2015, and then begin to decline in the second half of the year. 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 in the second quarter, and to continue throughout 2015. These obligations include costs associated with the disposal of $2,523 in capital lease assets and $2,349 in capital lease liabilities that were classified as assets and liabilities held-for-sale at March 31, 2015, as well as costs to vacate operating leases which have a remaining term of approximately 11 years and a remaining contract value of $6,306. The leased space is currently occupied and negotiation of the release from the liabilities is underway. The settlement terms are currently uncertain. Transaction costs include legal, debt amendment, accounting and other costs necessary to consummate the transaction. The Company has incurred $4,346 in transaction and wind-down costs in 2015.
	The following table summarizes the Company’s current obligations for exit activities as of and for the three month period ended March 31, 2015:
			Labor			Contract		Other		Total
			Obligations			Terminations		Associated
								Obligations
	Balance, December 31, 2014		$	490		$	—	$	—	$	490
	Charged to expense			2,485			—		—		2,485
	Paid and/or settled			(749	)		—		—		(749	)
	Balance, March 31, 2015		$	2,226		$	—	$	—	$	2,226
	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 Income”. The exit liability is included in “Accounts payable and other accrued liabilities – non affiliates” on the Company’s “Consolidated Balance Sheets”.

Equity_Method_Investments

Equity Method Investments	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Equity Method Investments and Joint Ventures [Abstract]
Equity Method Investments	3. EQUITY METHOD INVESTMENTS
	The Company had no equity method investments at March 31, 2015. The Company’s equity method investment at December 31, 2014 consisted of a one-third interest in AWN. See Note 2 “Sale of Wireless Operations” for information regarding the Company’s sale of its ownership interest in AWN on February 2, 2015. The following table provides the Company’s ownership interest and investment in at the dates indicated:
			March 31,			December 31,			March 31,		December 31,
			2015			2014			2015		2014
			Ownership			Ownership
			Interest			Interest
	Alaska Wireless Network, LLC			0	%		33	%	$	—	$	252,067
	Summarized financial information for AWN is as follows:
			March 31,			December 31,
			2015			2014
	Current assets		$	—		$	139,237
	Non-current assets		$	—		$	554,608
	Current liabilities		$	—		$	91,247
	Non-current liabilities		$	—		$	21,505
	Equity		$	—		$	581,093
			March 31,			March 31,
			2015			2014
	Operating revenues		$	21,457		$	63,037
	Gross profit		$	15,745		$	43,918
	Operating income		$	9,757		$	26,969
	Net income		$	9,722		$	26,877
	Adjusted Free Cash Flow (1)		$	10,805		$	34,501
	(1)	Adjusted Free Cash Flow as defined in the Operating Agreement.

Fair_Value_Measurements

Fair Value Measurements	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Fair Value Measurements	4	FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS
	The fair values of cash equivalents, restricted cash, other short-term monetary assets and liabilities and capital leases approximate carrying values due to their nature. The fair value of the Company’s Senior Credit Facility, convertible notes and other long-term obligations of $192,209 at March 31, 2015, were estimated based primarily on quoted market prices (Level 1). The carrying values of these liabilities, including $2,349 of capital leases in liabilities held-for-sale, totaled $195,091 at March 31, 2015.
	The Company has developed valuation techniques based upon observable and unobservable input to calculate the fair value of non-current monetary assets and liabilities. Observable input reflects market data obtained from independent sources while unobservable input reflects internal market assumptions. These two types of inputs create the following fair value hierarchy:
		•		Level 1- Quoted prices for identical instruments in active markets.
		•		Level 2- Quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active, and model-derived valuations whose inputs are observable or whose significant value drivers are observable.
		•		Level 3- Significant inputs to the valuation model are unobservable.
	Financial assets and liabilities are classified within the fair value hierarchy in their entirety based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurements. The Company’s assessment of the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurements requires judgment and may affect the valuation of the assets and liabilities being measured, as well as their level within the fair value hierarchy.
	The following table presents the balances of assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, at each hierarchical level:
			March 31, 2015											December 31, 2014
			Total			Level 1			Level 2			Level 3		Total			Level 1		Level 2			Level 3
	Other long-term liabilities:
	Interest rate swaps		$	(950	)	$	—		$	(950	)	$	—	$	(1,416	)	$	—	$	(1,416	)	$	—
	Derivative Financial Instruments
	The Company uses floating-to-fixed interest rate swaps to manage variable interest rate risk. The notional amounts of these swaps are $115,500 and $77,000 with interest rates of 7.220% and 7.225%, respectively, inclusive of a 4.75% LIBOR spread. The swaps began on June 30, 2012 and expire on September 30, 2015. At low LIBOR rates, payments under the swaps increased the Company’s cash interest expense.
	The outstanding amount of the swaps as of a period end are reported on the balance sheet at fair value, represented by the estimated amount the Company would receive or pay to terminate the 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, upon the announcement of the sale of its wireless operations, $240,472 of the Company’s Senior Credit Facility was expected to be repaid. Hedge accounting treatment on the interest rate swap in the notional amount of $115,500 was discontinued because it became “possible” that the interest payments on which the swap were intended to hedge would not occur. At February 2, 2015, 95.5% or $110,268 of the $115,500 swap was deemed ineffective and, therefore, future changes in fair value will be recorded to interest expense. As of March 31, 2015, $267 was credited to interest expense for the ineffective portion.
	The following table presents information about the floating-to-fixed interest rate swaps in the total notional amount of $192,500 as of and for the three month periods ending March 31, 2015 and 2014:
			2015			2014
	Balance, January 1		$	1,416		$	3,234
	Reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss to other long-term liabilities			(199	)		(484	)
	Change in fair value credited to interest expense			(267	)		—
	Balance, March 31		$	950		$	2,750
	Deferred Capacity Revenue
	As discussed in Note 2 “Sale of Wireless Operations,” the Company entered into an agreement to provide wholesale services to GCI on February 2, 2015. A national valuation firm was engaged to assist in the determination of the fair value of the obligation of $41,287 at February 2, 2015, which will be amortized to revenue over the contract life of 10 to 30 years. The service obligation had a carrying value of $40,964 at March 31, 2015, and is reported as “Deferred GCI/AWN capacity revenue, net of current portion” and “Accounts payable, accrued and other current liabilities, non-affiliates” on our Consolidated Balance Sheet.
	The following table describes the valuation techniques used to measure the fair value of the service obligation and the significant unobservable inputs and values for those inputs:
	Description		Estimated			Valuation Technique		Level 3 Unobservable Inputs	Significant
			Fair Value						Input Values
	Deferred Capacity Revenue		$	41,287		Cost/Replacement Value and Discounted Cash Flow		Weighted Average Cost of Capital	11.00%
								Cost trend factor	1% - 4%
								Estimated % used by GCI	1% - 100%
								Historical cost of underlying assets	Actual cost

Current_Liabilities

Current Liabilities	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Payables and Accruals [Abstract]
Current Liabilities	5	CURRENT LIABILITIES
	Accounts payable, accrued and other current liabilities, non-affiliates consist of the following at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014:
			2015		2014
	Accrued payroll, benefits, and related liabilities		$	22,275	$	18,086
	Accounts payable - trade			17,284		25,672
	Income taxes payable			13,613		—
	Contingent sale proceeds held in escrow			9,000		—
	Other			13,701		10,615
			$	75,873	$	54,373
	Advance billings and customer deposits consist of the following at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014:
			2015		2014
	Advance billings		$	4,641	$	4,449
	Customer deposits			31		41
			$	4,672	$	4,490

LongTerm_Obligations

Long-Term Obligations	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Long-Term Obligations	6	LONG-TERM OBLIGATIONS
	Long-term obligations consist of the following at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014:
			2015			2014
	2010 senior credit facility term loan due 2016		$	81,292		$	322,700
	Debt discount - 2010 senior credit facility term loan due 2016			(1,156	)		(1,014	)
	6.25% convertible notes due 2018			114,000			114,000
	Debt discount - 6.25% convertible notes due 2018			(6,712	)		(7,242	)
	Capital leases and other long-term obligations			5,318			5,524
				192,742			433,968
	Less current portion			(4,384	)		(15,521	)
	Long-term obligations, net of current portion		$	188,358		$	418,447
	As of March 31, 2015, the aggregate maturities of long-term obligations for each of the five years and thereafter subsequent to March 31, 2015, were as follows:
	2015 (April 1 - December 31)		$	3,622
	2016 (January 1 - December 31)			79,589
	2017 (January 1 - December 31)			829
	2018 (January 1 - December 31)			114,621
	2019 (January 1 - December 31)			392
	2020 (January 1 - December 31)			166
	Thereafter			3,740
			$	202,959
	Included in the above maturity schedule is $2,349 associated with capital leases marketed for sale in conjuction with the sale of our wireless operations.
	The Senior Credit Facility was amended effective February 2, 2015 in connection with the Wireless Sale, including the sale of the Company’s interest in AWN (“Second Amendment”). Proceeds on the Wireless Sale were utilized to reduce the outstanding balance of the Senior Credit Facility by $240,472.
	Certain of the terms in the Second Amendment as compared with those terms as amended effective November 1, 2012 are as follows:
			First			Second
			Amendment			Amendment
	Interest rate:
	Margin over LIBOR			4.75	%		4.75	%
	LIBOR floor			1.5	%		1.5	%
	Total Leverage to Adjusted EBITDA Ratio Limit:
	March 31, 2015 and thereafter			5.25			5.25
	Senior Secured Leverage to Adjusted EBITDA Ratio Limit:
	March 31, 2015 and thereafter			4.25			3
	Adjusted EBITDA to Fixed Charges Coverage Ratio Minimum:
	March 31, 2015 through September 15, 2015			2.5			2
	December 31, 2015 and thereafter			2.75			2
	See the Company’s Report on Form 8-K dated December 4, 2014 and filed on March 5, 2015 for additional information about the Second Amendment, including definitions of Adjusted EBITDA and the above ratios.
	In connection with the $240,472 principal payment made with proceeds from the Wireless Sale, expected future quarterly principal payments on the Senior Credit Facility were reduced proportionately from $3,675 to $936, effective January 1, 2015, and from $3,300 to $841, effective January 1, 2016.

Accumulated_Other_Comprehensiv

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Equity [Abstract]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss	7	ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE LOSS
	The following table summarizes the activity in accumulated other comprehensive loss for the three month period ended March 31, 2015:
			Defined			Interest			Total
			Benefit			Rate Swaps
			Pension
			Plan
	Balance, December 31, 2014		$	(3,639	)	$	(1,512	)	$	(5,151	)
	Other comprehensive income before reclassifications			12			118			130
	Reclassifications from accumulated comprehensive loss to net income			161			1,154			1,315
	Net other comprehensive income			173			1,272			1,445
	Balance, March 31, 2015		$	(3,466	)	$	(240	)	$	(3,706	)
	Amounts reclassified to net income from our defined benefit pension plan and interest rate swaps have been presented within “Cost of services and sales, non-affiliate” and “Interest expense,” respectively, in our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income. The estimated amount of accumulated other comprehensive loss to be reclassified to interest expense within the next twelve months is zero.

Stock_Incentive_Plans

Stock Incentive Plans	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]
Stock Incentive Plans	8	STOCK INCENTIVE PLANS
	Under the Company’s stock incentive plan, stock options, restricted stock, stock-settled stock appreciation rights, performance share units and other awards may be granted to officers, employees, consultants, and non-employee directors.
	The following table summarizes the restricted stock unit, long-term incentive award and non-employee director stock compensation activity for the three month period ended March 31, 2015:
			Number			Weighted
			of Shares			Average
						Grant Date
						Fair
						Value
	Nonvested at December 31, 2014			1,299		$	2.3
	Granted			902			1.69
	Vested			(585	)		2.71
	Canceled or expired			(75	)		1.92
	Nonvested at March 31, 2015			1,541		$	1.81
	The following table summarizes the performance share unit activity for the three month period ended March 31, 2015:
			Number			Weighted
			of Shares			Average
						Grant Date
						Fair
						Value
	Nonvested at December 31, 2014			790		$	3.32
	Granted			846			1.69
	Vested			(257	)		1.7
	Canceled or expired			(191	)		1.96
	Nonvested at March 31, 2015			1,188		$	2.73
	The following table summarizes the assumptions used for valuation of equity instruments granted during the three month periods ended March 31, 2015 and 2014:
			2015			2014
	Restricted stock:
	Risk free rate			0.00%			0.03% - 0.19%
	Expected annual forfeiture rate			9%			9%
	The following table provides selected information about the Company’s share-based compensation for the three month periods ended March 31, 2015 and 2014:
			2015			2014
	Total compensation cost for share-based payments		$	484		$	653
	Weighted average grant-date fair value of equity instruments granted (per share)		$	1.69		$	1.89
	Total grant date fair value of shares vested during the period		$	2,252		$	2,716
	Unamortized share-based payments		$	3,109		$	2,587
	Weighted average period (in years) to be recognized as expense			1.8			1.7

Earnings_Per_Share

Earnings Per Share	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Earnings Per Share	9	EARNINGS PER SHARE
	Earnings per share are based on the weighted average number of shares of common stock and dilutive potential common share equivalents outstanding. Basic earnings per share assumes no dilution and is computed by dividing net income (loss) available to common shareholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the period. Diluted earnings per share reflect the potential dilution of securities that could share in the earnings of the Company. Potential common share equivalents include options, restricted stock granted to employees and deferred shares granted to directors. The Company includes dilutive stock options based on the “treasury stock method.”
	The Company’s 6.25% Convertible Notes due 2018 (“6.25% Notes”) are convertible by the holder beginning February 1, 2018 at an initial conversion rate of 97.2668 shares of common stock per one thousand dollars principal amount of the 6.25% Notes. This is equivalent to an initial conversion price of approximately $10.28 per share of common stock. Given that the Company’s current share price is well below $10.28, the Company does not anticipate that there will be a conversion of the 6.25% Notes into equity. Effective in the first quarter of 2015, the Company determined that it has the intent and ability to settle the principal and interest payments on its 6.25% Notes in cash over time. This determination was based on (i) the Company’s improved liquidity position subsequent to the Wireless Sale, including its performance against the financial ratios defined under the terms of its Senior Credit Facility, reduced levels of debt and increased availability under its revolving credit facility; (ii) its intention to refinance its term loan facility to provide additional borrowing flexibility; and (iii) its expectations of future operating performance. Accordingly, 11,088 shares related to the 6.25% Notes have been excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings per share for the three month period ended March 31, 2015.
	Due to the Company’s net loss in the three month period ended March 31, 2014, 2,296 potential common share equivalents outstanding, which consisted of options, restricted stock and deferred shares granted to directors, were anti-dilutive and excluded from the calculation. In connection with the Company’s acquisition of the remaining 51% interest in TekMate, LLC (“TekMate”), at March 31, 2014, $800 was payable at the Company’s option either in cash or issuance of common stock in 2014. These shares, if converted, would have been anti-dilutive and were also excluded from the calculation. The Company determined in the second quarter of 2014 to settle this liability in cash, which was then paid on July 15, 2014. Additionally, 11,088 shares related to the Company’s convertible notes were anti-dilutive for the three month period ended March 31, 2014.
	The calculation of basic and diluted earnings per share for the three month periods ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 are as follows:
			2015		2014
	Net income (loss) applicable to common shares		$	16,217	$	(385	)
	Weighted average common shares outstanding:
	Basic shares			49,916		48,913
	Effect of stock-based compensation			779		—
	Diluted shares			50,695		48,913
	Earnings per share:
	Basic		$	0.32	$	(0.01	)
	Diluted		$	0.32	$	(0.01	)

Retirement_Plans

Retirement Plans	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]
Retirement Plans	10	RETIREMENT PLANS
	Multi-employer Defined Benefit Plan
	Pension benefits for substantially all of the Company’s Alaska-based employees are provided through the Alaska Electrical Pension Fund (“AEPF”). The Company pays a contractual hourly amount based on employee
	classification or base compensation to the AEPF. As a multi-employer defined benefit plan, the accumulated benefits and plan assets are not determined for, or allocated separately to, the individual employer. This plan was not in endangered or critical status during the plan year.
	Defined Benefit Plan
	The Company has a separate defined benefit plan that covers certain employees previously employed by Century Telephone Enterprise, Inc. (“CenturyTel Plan”). This plan was transferred to the Company in connection with the acquisition of CenturyTel, Inc.’s Alaska properties, whereby assets and liabilities of the CenturyTel Plan were transferred to the ACS Retirement Plan on September 1, 1999. As of March 31, 2015, this plan is not fully funded under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended.
	The following table presents the net periodic pension expense for the ACS Retirement Plan for the three month periods ended March 31, 2015 and 2014:
			2015			2014
	Interest cost		$	166		$	160
	Expected return on plan assets			(187	)		(180	)
	Amortization of loss			294			204
	Net periodic pension expense		$	273		$	184

Business_Segments

Business Segments	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Business Segments	11	BUSINESS SEGMENTS
	The Company operates its business under a single reportable segment. The Company’s chief operating decision maker assesses the financial performance of the business as follows: (i) revenues are managed on the basis of specific customers and customer groups; (ii) costs are managed and assessed by function and generally support the organization across all customer groups or revenue streams; (iii) profitability is assessed at the consolidated level; and (iv) investment decisions and the assessment of existing assets are based on the support they provide to all revenue streams.

Commitments_and_Contingencies

Commitments and Contingencies	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Commitments and Contingencies	12	COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
	The Company enters into purchase commitments with vendors in the ordinary course of business. 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 litigation accruals of $547 at March 31, 2015 against certain current claims and legal actions. The Company also has $9,000 of restricted cash held in escrow pending the resolution of potential disputes in connection with the Wireless Sale. 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.

Description_of_Company_and_Sum1

Description of Company and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Basis of Presentation	Basis of Presentation
	The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and footnotes included in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“GAAP”) in the United States of America have been condensed or omitted pursuant to rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). The Company believes the disclosures made are adequate to make the information presented not misleading.
	In the opinion of management, the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements contain all normal, recurring adjustments necessary to present fairly the consolidated financial position, comprehensive income and cash flows for all periods presented. Comprehensive income for the three months ended March 31, 2015, is not necessarily indicative of comprehensive income which might be expected for the entire year or any other interim periods. The balance sheet at December 31, 2014 has been derived from the audited financial statements as of that date but does not include all of the information and notes required by GAAP for complete financial statements.
Use of Estimates	Use of Estimates
	The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the Company’s consolidated financial statements and the accompanying notes, including estimates of probable losses and expenses. Actual results could differ materially from those estimates.
Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements	Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements
	In February 2015, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued ASU 2015-02, “Consolidation (Topic 810), Amendments to the Consolidation Analysis (“ASU 2015-02”). This update amends the analysis that a reporting entity must perform to determine whether it should consolidate certain types of legal entities.
	Specifically, the amendments: (i) modify the evaluation of whether limited partnerships and similar legal entities are variable interest entities or voting interest entities; (ii) eliminates the presumption that a general partner should consolidate a limited partnership; (iii) affects the consolidation analysis of reporting entities that are involved with variable interest entities, particularly those that have fee arrangements and related party relationships; and (iv) provides a scope exception from the consolidation guidance for reporting entities with interests in legal entities that are required to comply with or operate in accordance with requirements that are similar to those in Rule 2a-7 of the Investment Company Act of 1940 for registered money market funds. The provisions of ASU 2015-02 are effective for quarterly and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2015. The Company is evaluating the effect that ASU 2015-02 will have on its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.
	In April 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-03, “Interest – Imputation of Interest (Subtopic 835-30), Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs (“ASU 2015-03”). The amendments in ASU 2015-03 require that debt issuance costs related to a recognized debt liability be presented on the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of that debt liability, consistent with debt discounts. The recognition and measurement guidance for debt issuance costs are not affected by this update. The provisions of ASU 2015-03 are effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2015, and interim periods within those fiscal years. The guidance in this ASU is to be applied on a retrospective basis. Early adoption is permitted. The Company is evaluating the effect that ASU 2015-03 will have on its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.
Fair Value Measurements	The Company has developed valuation techniques based upon observable and unobservable input to calculate the fair value of non-current monetary assets and liabilities. Observable input reflects market data obtained from independent sources while unobservable input reflects internal market assumptions. These two types of inputs create the following fair value hierarchy:
		•	Level 1- Quoted prices for identical instruments in active markets.
		•	Level 2- Quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active, and model-derived valuations whose inputs are observable or whose significant value drivers are observable.
		•	Level 3- Significant inputs to the valuation model are unobservable.

Sale_of_Wireless_Operations_Ta

Sale of Wireless Operations (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Discontinued Operations and Disposal Groups [Abstract]
Components of Gain on Sale of Assets	The following table provides the calculation of the gain:
	Consideration received:
	Cash	$	35,916
	Cash held in escrow		9,000
	Principal payment on Senior Credit Facility		240,472
	Total consideration received		285,388
	Carrying value of assets and liabilities sold:
	Equity investment in AWN		250,192
	Assets and liabilities, net		13,862
	Net change in deferred capacity revenue		(18,385	)
	Total carrying value of assets and liabilities sold		245,669
	Gain on disposal of assets	$	39,719
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,” “Current liabilities held-for-sale” and “Non-current liabilities held-for-sale” at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014:
		March 31,			December 31,
		2015			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 $2,045 and $8,835		2,523			14,664
	Total non-current assets held-for-sale	$	2,523		$	14,664
	Current liabilities:
	Current portion of long-term obligations	$	299		$	287
	Accounts payable, accrued and other current liabilities, non-affiliates		—			301
	Accounts payable, accrued and other current liabilities, affiliates, net		—			14,411
	Advance billings and customer deposits		—			3,729
	Total current liabilities held-for-sale	$	299		$	18,728
	Long-term obligations, net of current portion		2,050			2,107
	Total non-current liabilities held-for-sale	$	2,050		$	2,107
Schedule of Company's Current Obligations for Exit Activities	The following table summarizes the Company’s current obligations for exit activities as of and for the three month period ended March 31, 2015:
		Labor			Contract		Other		Total
		Obligations			Terminations		Associated
							Obligations
	Balance, December 31, 2014	$	490		$	—	$	—	$	490
	Charged to expense		2,485			—		—		2,485
	Paid and/or settled		(749	)		—		—		(749	)
	Balance, March 31, 2015	$	2,226		$	—	$	—	$	2,226

Equity_Method_Investments_Tabl

Equity Method Investments (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Equity Method Investments and Joint Ventures [Abstract]
Schedule of Company's Ownership Interest and Investment	The following table provides the Company’s ownership interest and investment in at the dates indicated:
			March 31,			December 31,			March 31,		December 31,
			2015			2014			2015		2014
			Ownership			Ownership
			Interest			Interest
	Alaska Wireless Network, LLC			0	%		33	%	$	—	$	252,067
Summarized Financial Information	Summarized financial information for AWN is as follows:
			March 31,			December 31,
			2015			2014
	Current assets		$	—		$	139,237
	Non-current assets		$	—		$	554,608
	Current liabilities		$	—		$	91,247
	Non-current liabilities		$	—		$	21,505
	Equity		$	—		$	581,093
			March 31,			March 31,
			2015			2014
	Operating revenues		$	21,457		$	63,037
	Gross profit		$	15,745		$	43,918
	Operating income		$	9,757		$	26,969
	Net income		$	9,722		$	26,877
	Adjusted Free Cash Flow (1)		$	10,805		$	34,501
	(1)	Adjusted Free Cash Flow as defined in the Operating Agreement.

Fair_Value_Measurements_Tables

Fair Value Measurements (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Balances of Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on Recurring Basis	The following table presents the balances of assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, at each hierarchical level:
		March 31, 2015											December 31, 2014
		Total			Level 1			Level 2			Level 3		Total			Level 1		Level 2			Level 3
	Other long-term liabilities:
	Interest rate swaps	$	(950	)	$	—		$	(950	)	$	—	$	(1,416	)	$	—	$	(1,416	)	$	—
Schedule of Floating-to-Fixed Interest Rate Swaps	The following table presents information about the floating-to-fixed interest rate swaps in the total notional amount of $192,500 as of and for the three month periods ending March 31, 2015 and 2014:
		2015			2014
	Balance, January 1	$	1,416		$	3,234
	Reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss to other long-term liabilities		(199	)		(484	)
	Change in fair value credited to interest expense		(267	)		—
	Balance, March 31	$	950		$	2,750
Schedule of Valuation Techniques to Measure Fair Value of Service Obligation and Significant Unobservable Inputs and Values	The following table describes the valuation techniques used to measure the fair value of the service obligation and the significant unobservable inputs and values for those inputs:
	Description	Estimated			Valuation Technique		Level 3 Unobservable Inputs	Significant
		Fair Value						Input Values
	Deferred Capacity Revenue	$	41,287		Cost/Replacement Value and Discounted Cash Flow		Weighted Average Cost of Capital	11.00%
							Cost trend factor	1% - 4%
							Estimated % used by GCI	1% - 100%
							Historical cost of underlying assets	Actual cost

Current_Liabilities_Tables

Current Liabilities (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
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 March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014:
		2015		2014
	Accrued payroll, benefits, and related liabilities	$	22,275	$	18,086
	Accounts payable - trade		17,284		25,672
	Income taxes payable		13,613		—
	Contingent sale proceeds held in escrow		9,000		—
	Other		13,701		10,615
		$	75,873	$	54,373
Schedule of Advance Billings and Customer Deposits	Advance billings and customer deposits consist of the following at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014:
		2015		2014
	Advance billings	$	4,641	$	4,449
	Customer deposits		31		41
		$	4,672	$	4,490

LongTerm_Obligations_Tables

Long-Term Obligations (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Long-term Obligations	Long-term obligations consist of the following at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014:
		2015			2014
	2010 senior credit facility term loan due 2016	$	81,292		$	322,700
	Debt discount - 2010 senior credit facility term loan due 2016		(1,156	)		(1,014	)
	6.25% convertible notes due 2018		114,000			114,000
	Debt discount - 6.25% convertible notes due 2018		(6,712	)		(7,242	)
	Capital leases and other long-term obligations		5,318			5,524
			192,742			433,968
	Less current portion		(4,384	)		(15,521	)
	Long-term obligations, net of current portion	$	188,358		$	418,447
Schedule of Aggregate Maturities of Long-term Obligations	As of March 31, 2015, the aggregate maturities of long-term obligations for each of the five years and thereafter subsequent to March 31, 2015, were as follows:
	2015 (April 1 - December 31)	$	3,622
	2016 (January 1 - December 31)		79,589
	2017 (January 1 - December 31)		829
	2018 (January 1 - December 31)		114,621
	2019 (January 1 - December 31)		392
	2020 (January 1 - December 31)		166
	Thereafter		3,740
		$	202,959
Schedule of Senior Credit Facility Terms Second Amendment Comparison with First Amendment	Certain of the terms in the Second Amendment as compared with those terms as amended effective November 1, 2012 are as follows:
		First			Second
		Amendment			Amendment
	Interest rate:
	Margin over LIBOR		4.75	%		4.75	%
	LIBOR floor		1.5	%		1.5	%
	Total Leverage to Adjusted EBITDA Ratio Limit:
	March 31, 2015 and thereafter		5.25			5.25
	Senior Secured Leverage to Adjusted EBITDA Ratio Limit:
	March 31, 2015 and thereafter		4.25			3
	Adjusted EBITDA to Fixed Charges Coverage Ratio Minimum:
	March 31, 2015 through September 15, 2015		2.5			2
	December 31, 2015 and thereafter		2.75			2

Accumulated_Other_Comprehensiv1

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Equity [Abstract]
Summary of Activity in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss	The following table summarizes the activity in accumulated other comprehensive loss for the three month period ended March 31, 2015:
		Defined			Interest			Total
		Benefit			Rate Swaps
		Pension
		Plan
	Balance, December 31, 2014	$	(3,639	)	$	(1,512	)	$	(5,151	)
	Other comprehensive income before reclassifications		12			118			130
	Reclassifications from accumulated comprehensive loss to net income		161			1,154			1,315
	Net other comprehensive income		173			1,272			1,445
	Balance, March 31, 2015	$	(3,466	)	$	(240	)	$	(3,706	)

Stock_Incentive_Plans_Tables

Stock Incentive Plans (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
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 restricted stock unit, long-term incentive award and non-employee director stock compensation activity for the three month period ended March 31, 2015:
		Number			Weighted
		of Shares			Average
					Grant Date
					Fair
					Value
	Nonvested at December 31, 2014		1,299		$	2.3
	Granted		902			1.69
	Vested		(585	)		2.71
	Canceled or expired		(75	)		1.92
	Nonvested at March 31, 2015		1,541		$	1.81
Summary of Activity for Performance Share Units	The following table summarizes the performance share unit activity for the three month period ended March 31, 2015:
		Number			Weighted
		of Shares			Average
					Grant Date
					Fair
					Value
	Nonvested at December 31, 2014		790		$	3.32
	Granted		846			1.69
	Vested		(257	)		1.7
	Canceled or expired		(191	)		1.96
	Nonvested at March 31, 2015		1,188		$	2.73
Summary of Assumptions Used for Valuation of Equity Instruments Granted	The following table summarizes the assumptions used for valuation of equity instruments granted during the three month periods ended March 31, 2015 and 2014:
		2015			2014
	Restricted stock:
	Risk free rate		0.00%			0.03% - 0.19%
	Expected annual forfeiture rate		9%			9%
Share-Based Compensation	The following table provides selected information about the Company’s share-based compensation for the three month periods ended March 31, 2015 and 2014:
		2015			2014
	Total compensation cost for share-based payments	$	484		$	653
	Weighted average grant-date fair value of equity instruments granted (per share)	$	1.69		$	1.89
	Total grant date fair value of shares vested during the period	$	2,252		$	2,716
	Unamortized share-based payments	$	3,109		$	2,587
	Weighted average period (in years) to be recognized as expense		1.8			1.7

Earnings_Per_Share_Tables

Earnings Per Share (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Calculation of Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Share	The calculation of basic and diluted earnings per share for the three month periods ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 are as follows:
		2015		2014
	Net income (loss) applicable to common shares	$	16,217	$	(385	)
	Weighted average common shares outstanding:
	Basic shares		49,916		48,913
	Effect of stock-based compensation		779		—
	Diluted shares		50,695		48,913
	Earnings per share:
	Basic	$	0.32	$	(0.01	)
	Diluted	$	0.32	$	(0.01	)

Retirement_Plans_Tables

Retirement Plans (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]
Summary of Net Periodic Pension Expense for ACS Retirement Plan	The following table presents the net periodic pension expense for the ACS Retirement Plan for the three month periods ended March 31, 2015 and 2014:
		2015			2014
	Interest cost	$	166		$	160
	Expected return on plan assets		(187	)		(180	)
	Amortization of loss		294			204
	Net periodic pension expense	$	273		$	184

Description_of_Company_and_Sum2

Description of Company and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Additional Information (Detail)	0 Months Ended
	Feb. 02, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Feb. 01, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Percentage of ownership interest sold in wireless operations	33.33%
Alaska Wireless Network, LLC [Member]
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Percentage ownership interest in equity method investments		0.00%	33.33%	33.00%

Sale_of_Wireless_Operations_Ad

Sale of Wireless Operations - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	0 Months Ended	3 Months Ended		0 Months Ended
	Feb. 02, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 04, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014
		Segments
		Reporting_Unit
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Cash proceeds from sale of one or more of its affiliates	$276,388,000	$300,000,000
Adjustments on working capital assets and liabilities, minimum subscriber levels and preferred distributions	14,612,000
Additional amount held in escrow	9,000,000	9,000,000
Amount of gain on sale, pre-tax		39,719,000
Estimated amount of fair value of services	4,050,000
Estimated amount of gain on sale	710,000
Number of operating segment		1
Number of reporting unit		1
Equity method investments		0			252,067,000
Deferred AWN capacity revenue	59,672,000
Long term debt repayment of principal amount		241,718,000	13,354,000
Federal and state net operating loss and state alternative minimum tax credits carryforwards		92,836,000
Non current deferred tax liabilities related to investment in AWN		70,577,000
Operating leases remaining terms		11 years
Transaction related costs		4,346,000
GCI [Member]
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Remaining contract life		30 years
Estimated fair value services		41,287,000
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		2,523,000
Capital lease obligation liabilities		2,349,000
Wireless Operations [Member]
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Operating lease remaining contract value		6,306,000
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	240,472,000			240,472,000
Debt discount		721,000
Debt issuance costs		1,907,000
Alaska Wireless Network, LLC [Member]
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Equity method investments		$250,192,000			$252,067,000
Remaining contract life		20 years

Sale_of_Wireless_Operations_Co

Sale of Wireless Operations - Components of Gain on Sale of Assets (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Feb. 02, 2015
Consideration received:
Cash	$35,916
Cash held in escrow	9,000	9,000
Principal payment on Senior Credit Facility	240,472
Total consideration received	285,388
Carrying value of assets and liabilities sold:
Equity investment in AWN	250,192
Assets and liabilities, net	13,862
Net change in deferred capacity revenue	-18,385
Total carrying value of assets and liabilities sold	245,669
Gain on disposal of assets	$39,719

Sale_of_Wireless_Operations_Sc

Sale of Wireless Operations - Schedule of Reconciliation of Major Classes of Assets and Liabilities Held for Sale (Detail) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	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 $2,045 and $8,835	2,523	14,664
Total non-current assets held-for-sale	2,523	14,664
Current liabilities:
Current portion of long-term obligations	299	287
Advance billings and customer deposits		3,729
Total current liabilities held-for-sale	299	18,728
Total non-current liabilities held-for-sale	2,050	2,107
Total non-current liabilities held-for-sale	2,050	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 $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Discontinued Operations and Disposal Groups [Abstract]
Accumulated depreciation of property, plant and equipment, net	$2,045	$8,835

Sale_of_Wireless_Operations_Sc2

Sale of Wireless Operations - Schedule of Company's Current Obligations for Exit Activities (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Balance, December 31, 2014	$490
Charged to expense	2,485
Paid and/or settled	-749
Balance, March 31, 2015	2,226
Labor Obligations [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Balance, December 31, 2014	490
Charged to expense	2,485
Paid and/or settled	-749
Balance, March 31, 2015	$2,226

Equity_Method_Investments_Addi

Equity Method Investments - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Feb. 01, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Equity method investments	$0		$252,067,000
Alaska Wireless Network, LLC [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Percentage ownership interest in equity method investment	0.00%	33.33%	33.00%
Equity method investments	$250,192,000		$252,067,000

Equity_Method_Investments_Sche

Equity Method Investments - Schedule of Company's Ownership Interest and Investment (Detail) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Feb. 01, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Equity method investments	$0		$252,067,000
Alaska Wireless Network, LLC [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Percentage ownership interest in equity method investment	0.00%	33.33%	33.00%
Equity method investments	$250,192,000		$252,067,000

Equity_Method_Investments_Summ

Equity Method Investments - Summarized Financial Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Current assets	$121,543		$187,782
Current liabilities	85,228		97,965
Equity	153,616		135,126
Operating revenues	65,786	78,331
Operating income	39,313	8,250
Net income	16,217	-385
Alaska Wireless Network, LLC [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Current assets			139,237
Non-current assets			554,608
Current liabilities			91,247
Non-current liabilities			21,505
Equity			581,093
Operating revenues	21,457	63,037
Gross profit	15,745	43,918
Operating income	9,757	26,969
Net income	9,722	26,877
Adjusted free cash flow	$10,805	$34,501

Fair_Value_Measurements_Additi

Fair Value Measurements - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	0 Months Ended		3 Months Ended		0 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 04, 2014	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Feb. 02, 2015
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Long-term obligations	$192,742		$192,742	$433,968
Capital leases	2,349		2,349
Notional amounts of floating-to-fixed interest rate swaps, one			115,500
Notional amounts of floating-to-fixed interest rate swaps, two			77,000
Interest rate of floating-to-fixed interest rate swaps, one	7.22%		7.22%
Interest rate of floating-to-fixed interest rate swaps, two	7.23%		7.23%
LIBOR spread	4.75%		4.75%
Commencing swap date			30-Jun-12
Expiry date			30-Sep-15
Amount of Senior Credit Facility to be paid related to sale			241,718	13,354
Notional amounts of floating-to-fixed interest rate swaps, over-hedged		110,268
Notional amounts of floating-to-fixed interest rate swaps, over-hedged percentage		95.50%
Change in fair value credited to interest expense	267
Notional amounts of floating-to-fixed interest rate swaps			192,500	192,500
Estimated fair value					41,287
Service obligation	40,964		40,964
Minimum [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Amortized to revenue contract life					10 years
Maximum [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Amortized to revenue contract life					30 years
Estimated Value [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair value of long-term obligations	192,209		192,209
Carrying Values [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Long-term obligations	195,091		195,091
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	81,292		81,292	322,700
Amount of Senior Credit Facility to be paid related to sale		$240,472			240,472

Fair_Value_Measurements_Balanc

Fair Value Measurements - Balances of Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on Recurring Basis (Detail) (Interest Rate Swaps [Member], USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Other long-term liabilities	($950)	($1,416)	($2,750)	($3,234)
Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Other long-term liabilities	($950)	($1,416)

Fair_Value_Measurements_Schedu

Fair Value Measurements - Schedule of Floating-to-Fixed Interest Rate Swaps (Detail) (USD $)	0 Months Ended	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosures [Line Items]
Change in fair value credited to interest expense	$267
Interest Rate Swaps [Member]
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosures [Line Items]
Beginning Balance		1,416	3,234
Reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss to other long-term liabilities		-199	-484
Change in fair value credited to interest expense		-267
Ending Balance	$950	$950	$2,750

Fair_Value_Measurements_Schedu1

Fair Value Measurements - Schedule of Valuation Techniques to Measure Fair Value of Service Obligation and Significant Unobservable Inputs and Values (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Feb. 02, 2015
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Estimated fair value		$41,287
Level 3 [Member] | Deferred Capacity Revenue [Member] | Cost/Replacement Value and Discounted Cash Flow [Member] | Weighted Average Cost of Capital [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Estimated fair value	$41,287
Valuation Technique	Cost/Replacement Value and Discounted Cash Flow
Significant Input Values, rate	11.00%
Level 3 [Member] | Deferred Capacity Revenue [Member] | Cost/Replacement Value and Discounted Cash Flow [Member] | Cost trend factor [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Significant Input Values, rate	1.00%
Level 3 [Member] | Deferred Capacity Revenue [Member] | Cost/Replacement Value and Discounted Cash Flow [Member] | Cost trend factor [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Significant Input Values, rate	4.00%
Level 3 [Member] | Deferred Capacity Revenue [Member] | Cost/Replacement Value and Discounted Cash Flow [Member] | Estimated % used by GCI [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Significant Input Values, rate	1.00%
Level 3 [Member] | Deferred Capacity Revenue [Member] | Cost/Replacement Value and Discounted Cash Flow [Member] | Estimated % used by GCI [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Significant Input Values, rate	100.00%
Level 3 [Member] | Deferred Capacity Revenue [Member] | Cost/Replacement Value and Discounted Cash Flow [Member] | Historical cost of underlying assets [Member]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring, Valuation Techniques [Line Items]
Significant Input Values, description	ActualB cost

Current_Liabilities_Schedule_o

Current Liabilities - Schedule of Accounts Payable, Accrued and Other Current Liabilities, Non-Affiliates (Detail) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Payables and Accruals [Abstract]
Accrued payroll, benefits, and related liabilities	$22,275	$18,086
Accounts payable - trade	17,284	25,672
Income taxes payable	13,613
Contingent sale proceeds held in escrow	9,000
Other	13,701	10,615
Total accounts payable, accrued and other current liabilities	$75,873	$54,373

Current_Liabilities_Schedule_o1

Current Liabilities - Schedule of Advance Billings and Customer Deposits (Detail) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Statement of Financial Position [Abstract]
Advance billings	$4,641	$4,449
Customer deposits	31	41
Customer advances and deposits, current, total	$4,672	$4,490

LongTerm_Obligations_Schedule_

Long-Term Obligations - Schedule of Long-Term Obligations (Detail) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Capital leases and other long-term obligations	$5,318		$5,524
Long-term obligations	192,742		433,968
Long-term obligations	192,742		433,968
Less current portion	-4,384		-15,521
Long-term obligations, net of current portion	188,358	418,447	418,447
2010 Senior Credit Facility Term Loan Due 2016 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term obligations	81,292		322,700
Long-term obligations	81,292		322,700
Debt instrument unamortized discount	-1,156		-1,014
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	($6,712)		($7,242)

LongTerm_Obligations_Schedule_1

Long-Term Obligations - Schedule of Long-Term Obligations (Parenthetical) (Detail)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
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 $)	Mar. 31, 2015
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
2015 (April 1 - December 31)	$3,622
2016 (January 1 - December 31)	79,589
2017 (January 1 - December 31)	829
2018 (January 1 - December 31)	114,621
2019 (January 1 - December 31)	392
2020 (January 1 - December 31)	166
Thereafter	3,740
Total	$202,959

LongTerm_Obligations_Additiona

Long-Term Obligations - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		0 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Feb. 02, 2015
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principal payment	$241,718	$13,354
January One Two Thousand Fifteen [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Reduced principal payment	3,675
January One Two Thousand Fifteen [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Reduced principal payment	936
January One Two Thousand Sixteen [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Reduced principal payment	3,300
January One Two Thousand Sixteen [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Reduced principal payment	841
Senior Secured Credit Facilities [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principal payment			240,472
Capital Leases and Other Long-term Obligations [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Maturity amount associated with capital leases	$2,349

Long_Term_Obligations_Schedule

Long -Term Obligations - Schedule of Senior Credit Facility Terms Second Amendment Comparison with First Amendment (Detail)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
First Amendment [Member] | LIBOR [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate, Margin over LIBOR	4.75%
Interest rate, LIBOR floor	1.50%
First Amendment [Member] | March 31, 2015 and thereafter [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total Leverage to Adjusted EBITDA Ratio Limit	5.25%
Senior Secured Leverage to Adjusted EBITDA Ratio Limit	4.25%
First Amendment [Member] | March 31, 2015 through September 15, 2015 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Adjusted EBITDA to Fixed Charges Coverage Ratio Minimum	2.50%
First Amendment [Member] | December 31, 2015 and thereafter [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Adjusted EBITDA to Fixed Charges Coverage Ratio Minimum	2.75%
Second Amendment [Member] | LIBOR [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate, Margin over LIBOR	4.75%
Interest rate, LIBOR floor	1.50%
Second Amendment [Member] | March 31, 2015 and thereafter [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total Leverage to Adjusted EBITDA Ratio Limit	5.25%
Senior Secured Leverage to Adjusted EBITDA Ratio Limit	3.00%
Second Amendment [Member] | March 31, 2015 through September 15, 2015 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Adjusted EBITDA to Fixed Charges Coverage Ratio Minimum	2.00%
Second Amendment [Member] | December 31, 2015 and thereafter [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Adjusted EBITDA to Fixed Charges Coverage Ratio Minimum	2.00%

Accumulated_Other_Comprehensiv2

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss - Summary of Activity in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Beginning Balance	($5,151)
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications	130
Reclassifications from accumulated comprehensive loss to net income	1,315
Total other comprehensive income	1,445	763
Ending Balance	-3,706
Interest Rate Swaps [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Beginning Balance	-1,512
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications	118
Reclassifications from accumulated comprehensive loss to net income	1,154
Total other comprehensive income	1,272
Ending Balance	-240
Defined Benefit Pension Plans [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Beginning Balance	-3,639
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications	12
Reclassifications from accumulated comprehensive loss to net income	161
Total other comprehensive income	173
Ending Balance	($3,466)

Accumulated_Other_Comprehensiv3

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss - Additional Information (Detail) (Interest Expense [Member], Next Twelve Months [Member], USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015
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	$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 $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015
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, 2014	1,299
Number of Shares - Granted	902
Number of Shares - Vested	-585
Number of Shares - Canceled or expired	-75
Number of Shares - Nonvested at March 31, 2015	1,541
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value - Nonvested at December 31, 2014	$2.30
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value - Granted	$1.69
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value - Vested	$2.71
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value - Canceled or expired	$1.92
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value - Nonvested at March 31, 2015	$1.81

Stock_Incentive_Plans_Summary_1

Stock Incentive Plans - Summary of Activity for Performance Share Units (Detail) (Performance Share Units [Member], USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015
Performance Share Units [Member]
Summary of activity for performance share units
Number of Shares - Nonvested at December 31, 2014	790
Number of Shares - Granted	846
Number of Shares - Vested	-257
Number of Shares - Canceled or expired	-191
Number of Shares - Nonvested at March 31, 2015	1,188
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value - Nonvested at December 31, 2014	$3.32
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value - Granted	$1.69
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value - Vested	$1.70
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value - Canceled or expired	$1.96
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value - Nonvested at March 31, 2015	$2.73

Stock_Incentive_Plans_Summary_2

Stock Incentive Plans - Summary of Assumptions Used for Valuation of Equity Instruments Granted (Detail) (Restricted Stock [Member])	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Restricted Stock [Member]
Restricted stock:
Risk free rate	0.00%
Risk free rate, minimum		0.03%
Risk free rate, maximum		0.19%
Expected annual forfeiture rate	9.00%	9.00%

Stock_Incentive_Plans_ShareBas

Stock Incentive Plans - Share-Based Compensation (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]
Total compensation cost for share-based payments	$484	$653
Weighted average grant-date fair value of equity instruments granted (per share)	$1.69	$1.89
Total grant date fair value of shares vested during the period	2,252	2,716
Unamortized share-based payments	$3,109	$2,587
Weighted average period (in years) to be recognized as expense	1 year 9 months 18 days	1 year 8 months 12 days

Earnings_Per_Share_Additional_

Earnings Per Share - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014
6.25% Convertible Notes Due 2018 [Member]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Interest rate of convertible notes	6.25%
Maturity year of convertible notes	1-May-18
Shares received upon conversion	97.2668
Principal amount for initial conversion	$1,000
Initial conversion price	$10.28
Convertible note, convertible beginning date	1-Feb-18
Convertible Notes Payable [Member]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Anti-dilutive shares excluded from calculation	11,088,000	11,088,000
TekMate, LLC [Member]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Percentage of ownership interest in equity method investments		51.00%
Consideration payable in cash or stock			$800
Options, Restricted Stock and Deferred Shares [Member]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Anti-dilutive shares excluded from calculation		2,296,000

Earnings_Per_Share_Calculation

Earnings Per Share - Calculation of Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Share (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted [Abstract]
Net income (loss) applicable to common shares	$16,217	($385)
Weighted average common shares outstanding:
Basic shares	49,916	48,913
Effect of stock-based compensation	779
Diluted shares	50,695	48,913
Earnings per share:
Basic	$0.32	($0.01)
Diluted	$0.32	($0.01)

Retirement_Plans_Summary_of_Ne

Retirement Plans - Summary of Net Periodic Pension Expense for ACS Retirement Plan (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]
Interest cost	$166	$160
Expected return on plan assets	-187	-180
Amortization of loss	294	204
Net periodic pension expense	$273	$184

Business_Segments_Additional_I

Business Segments - Additional Information (Detail)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
	Segment
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Number of reportable segments in which business operates	1

Commitments_and_Contingencies_

Commitments and Contingencies - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Litigation costs	$547
Restricted cash held in escrow	$9,000