Alaska Communications Systems 10-Q 8 Nov 19 2019 Q3 Quarterly report Financial data

Document And Entity Information

Document And Entity Information - shares	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019	Oct. 31, 2019
Document Information [Line Items]
Entity Registrant Name	ALASKA COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEMS GROUP INC
Entity Central Index Key	0001089511
Trading Symbol	alsk
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Accelerated Filer
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Small Business	true
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding (in shares)		53,011,579
Entity Shell Company	false
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	Sep. 30, 2019
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2019
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Amendment Flag	false
Title of 12(b) Security	Common Stock, par value $.01 per share

Condensed Consolidated Balance

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Current Period Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 25,046	$ 13,351
Restricted cash	1,631	1,634
Short-term investments	134	134
Accounts receivable, net of allowance of $4,807 and $3,936	25,438	31,472
Materials and supplies	9,185	6,737
Prepayments and other current assets	13,191	12,169
Total current assets	74,625	65,497
Property, plant and equipment	1,414,940	1,390,622
Less: accumulated depreciation and amortization	(1,036,422)	(1,017,442)
Property, plant and equipment, net	378,518	373,180
Deferred income taxes		498
Operating lease right of use assets	80,748
Other assets	12,354	16,010
Total assets	546,245	455,185
Current liabilities:
Current portion of long-term obligations	5,674	2,289
Accounts payable, accrued and other current liabilities	40,317	40,957
Advance billings and customer deposits	3,791	4,024
Operating lease liabilities - current	2,626
Total current liabilities	52,408	47,270
Long-term obligations, net of current portion	171,541	168,023
Deferred income taxes	2,823	2,315
Operating lease liabilities - noncurrent	78,362
Other long-term liabilities, net of current portion	71,250	67,827
Total liabilities	376,384	285,435
Commitments and contingencies
Common stock, $.01 par value; 145,000 authorized; 54,012 issued and 53,012 outstanding at September 30, 2019; 53,268 issued and outstanding at December 31, 2018	540	533
Treasury stock, 1,000 shares at cost	(1,812)
Additional paid in capital	160,931	160,514
Retained earnings	12,723	10,439
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(3,384)	(2,675)
Total Alaska Communications stockholders' equity	168,998	168,811
Noncontrolling interest	863	939
Total stockholders' equity	169,861	169,750
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$ 546,245	$ 455,185

Condensed Consolidated Balanc_2

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Current Period Unaudited) (Parentheticals) - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Allowance for doubtful accounts	$ 4,807	$ 3,936
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Common stock, shares authorized (in shares)	145,000	145,000
Common stock, shares issued (in shares)	54,012	53,268
Common stock, shares outstanding (in shares)	53,012	53,268
Treasury stock, shares (in shares)	1,000

Condensed Consolidated Statemen

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive (Loss) Income (Unaudited) - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018
Operating revenues	$ 59,128	$ 58,229	$ 173,432	$ 173,779
Operating expenses:
Cost of services and sales (excluding depreciation and amortization)	26,785	27,220	78,768	79,595
Selling, general and administrative	16,832	16,879	52,206	49,398
Depreciation and amortization	9,546	8,352	27,425	25,336
Loss on disposal of assets, net	198	15	101	56
Total operating expenses	53,361	52,466	158,500	154,385
Operating income	5,767	5,763	14,932	19,394
Other income and (expense):
Interest expense	(2,997)	(3,286)	(9,149)	(10,191)
Loss on extinguishment of debt			(2,830)
Interest income	121	36	291	74
Other income, net	192	66	192	79
Total other income and (expense)	(2,684)	(3,184)	(11,496)	(10,038)
Income before income tax expense	3,083	2,579	3,436	9,356
Income tax expense	(1,084)	(774)	(1,228)	(2,080)
Net income	1,999	1,805	2,208	7,276
Less net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest	(23)	(12)	(76)	(84)
Net income attributable to Alaska Communications	2,022	1,817	2,284	7,360
Other comprehensive (loss) income:
Minimum pension liability adjustment	(69)	55	(30)	169
Income tax effect	19	(16)	8	(48)
Amortization of defined benefit plan loss	(192)	(13)	51	169
Income tax effect	55	4	(14)	(48)
Interest rate swap marked to fair value	(396)	17	(362)	429
Income tax effect	112	(5)	102	(123)
Reclassification to interest expense	(197)	(136)	(648)	(258)
Income tax effect	56	39	184	74
Total other comprehensive (loss) income	(612)	(55)	(709)	364
Total comprehensive income attributable to Alaska Communications	1,410	1,762	1,575	7,724
Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest	(23)	(12)	(76)	(84)
Total other comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interest	0	0
Total comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interest	(23)	(12)	(76)	(84)
Total comprehensive income	$ 1,387	$ 1,750	$ 1,499	$ 7,640
Net income per share attributable to Alaska Communications:
Basic (in dollars per share)	$ 0.04	$ 0.03	$ 0.04	$ 0.14
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 0.04	$ 0.03	$ 0.04	$ 0.14
Weighted average shares outstanding:
Basic shares (in shares)	53,328	53,184	53,503	52,994
Diluted (in shares)	53,991	54,116	54,405	53,887

Condensed Consolidated Statem_2

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity (Unaudited) - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	Common Stock Outstanding [Member]	Treasury Stock [Member]	Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]	Retained Earnings [Member]	AOCI Attributable to Parent [Member]	Noncontrolling Interest [Member]	Total
Balance at beginning of period (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2017	52,526
Issuance of common stock pursuant to stock plans, $.01 par (in shares)	658
Purchases of common stock, $.01 par (in shares)
Balance at end of period (in shares) at Sep. 30, 2018	53,184
Balance, beginning at Dec. 31, 2017	$ 525		$ 158,969	$ (3,579)	$ (2,396)	$ 991	$ 154,510
Issuance of common stock pursuant to stock plans, $.01 par	7		104
Balance, ending at Sep. 30, 2018	$ 532		159,872	8,719	(2,032)	947	168,038
Purchases of 1,000 shares of common stock, $.01 par
Stock-based compensation			1,209
Surrender of shares to cover minimum withholding taxes on stock-based compensation			(410)
Net income attributable to Alaska Communications				7,360			7,360
Cumulative effect of new accounting principles adopted				4,938
Total comprehensive income					364		7,640
Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest						(84)	(84)
Contributions from noncontrolling interest						40
Balance at beginning of period (in shares) at Jun. 30, 2018	53,184
Issuance of common stock pursuant to stock plans, $.01 par (in shares)
Purchases of common stock, $.01 par (in shares)
Balance at end of period (in shares) at Sep. 30, 2018	53,184
Balance, beginning at Jun. 30, 2018	$ 532		159,230	6,902	(1,977)	959	165,646
Issuance of common stock pursuant to stock plans, $.01 par
Balance, ending at Sep. 30, 2018	$ 532		159,872	8,719	(2,032)	947	168,038
Purchases of 1,000 shares of common stock, $.01 par
Stock-based compensation			642
Surrender of shares to cover minimum withholding taxes on stock-based compensation
Net income attributable to Alaska Communications				1,817			1,817
Total comprehensive income					(55)		1,750
Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest						(12)	(12)
Balance at beginning of period (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2018	53,268
Issuance of common stock pursuant to stock plans, $.01 par (in shares)	744
Purchases of common stock, $.01 par (in shares)	(1,000)	(1,000)
Balance at end of period (in shares) at Sep. 30, 2019	53,012
Balance, beginning at Dec. 31, 2018	$ 533		160,514	10,439	(2,675)	939	169,750
Issuance of common stock pursuant to stock plans, $.01 par	7		99
Balance, ending at Sep. 30, 2019	$ 540	(1,812)	160,931	12,723	(3,384)	863	169,861
Purchases of 1,000 shares of common stock, $.01 par		$ (1,812)
Stock-based compensation			766
Surrender of shares to cover minimum withholding taxes on stock-based compensation			(448)
Net income attributable to Alaska Communications				2,284			2,284
Cumulative effect of new accounting principles adopted
Total comprehensive income					(709)		1,499
Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest						(76)	(76)
Balance at beginning of period (in shares) at Jun. 30, 2019	53,774
Issuance of common stock pursuant to stock plans, $.01 par (in shares)	119
Purchases of common stock, $.01 par (in shares)	(881)	(1,000)
Balance at end of period (in shares) at Sep. 30, 2019	53,012
Balance, beginning at Jun. 30, 2019	$ 540	$ (205)	160,654	10,701	(2,772)	886	169,804
Issuance of common stock pursuant to stock plans, $.01 par
Balance, ending at Sep. 30, 2019	$ 540	(1,812)	160,931	12,723	(3,384)	863	169,861
Purchases of 1,000 shares of common stock, $.01 par		$ (1,607)
Stock-based compensation			277
Surrender of shares to cover minimum withholding taxes on stock-based compensation
Net income attributable to Alaska Communications				2,022			2,022
Cumulative effect of new accounting principles adopted
Total comprehensive income					$ (612)		1,387
Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest						(23)	$ (23)
Contributions from noncontrolling interest

Condensed Consolidated Statem_3

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity (Unaudited) (Parentheticals) - $ / shares shares in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018	Dec. 31, 2018
Common Stock Outstanding [Member]
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 0.01	$ 0.01	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Purchases of shares of common stock, shares (in shares)	881		1,000
Treasury Stock [Member]
Purchases of shares of common stock, shares (in shares)	1,000		1,000
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 0.01		$ 0.01		$ 0.01

Condensed Consolidated Statem_4

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:
Net income	$ 2,208	$ 7,276
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	27,425	25,336
Loss on disposal of assets, net	101	56
Amortization of debt issuance costs and debt discount	911	1,022
Loss on extinguishment of debt	2,830
Amortization of deferred capacity revenue	(3,400)	(2,997)
Stock-based compensation	766	1,209
Income tax expense	1,228	2,080
Charge for uncollectible accounts	275	2,371
Amortization of right-of-use assets	1,716
Other non-cash expense, net	52	168
Income taxes receivable	(65)	(37)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities	8,573	10,395
Net cash provided by operating activities	42,620	46,879
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
Capital expenditures	(31,556)	(25,432)
Capitalized interest	(983)	(1,456)
Change in unsettled capital expenditures	583	(1,811)
Proceeds on sale of assets	20	1
Net cash used by investing activities	(31,936)	(28,698)
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
Repayments of long-term debt	(172,903)	(29,164)
Proceeds from the issuance of long-term debt	180,000	14,000
Debt issuance costs and discounts	(2,683)
Cash paid for debt extinguishment	(1,252)
Cash proceeds from noncontrolling interest		40
Payment of withholding taxes on stock-based compensation	(448)	(410)
Purchases of treasury stock	(1,812)
Proceeds from the issuance of common stock	106	111
Net cash provided (used) by financing activities	1,008	(15,423)
Change in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash	11,692	2,758
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash, beginning of period	14,985	16,168
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash, end of period	26,677	18,926
Supplemental Cash Flow Data:
Interest paid	9,236	10,723
Income taxes paid, net	$ 10	$ 4

Note 1 - Summary of Significant

Note 1 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019
Notes to Financial Statements
Significant Accounting Policies [Text Block]	1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES Alaska Communications Systems Group, Inc. (“we”, “our”, “us”, the “Company” and “Alaska Communications”), a Delaware corporation, through its operating subsidiaries, provides broadband telecommunication and managed information technology (“IT”) 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, stockholders’ equity and cash flows of Alaska Communications Systems Group, Inc. and the following wholly-owned subsidiaries: • Alaska Communications Systems Holdings, Inc. ("ACS Holdings") • Crest Communications Corporation • ACS of Alaska, LLC (“ACSAK”) • WCI Cable, Inc. • ACS of the Northland, LLC (“ACSN”) • WCIC Hillsboro, LLC • ACS of Fairbanks, LLC (“ACSF”) • Alaska Northstar Communications, LLC • ACS of Anchorage, LLC (“ACSA”) • WCI LightPoint, LLC • ACS Wireless, Inc. ("ACSW") • WorldNet Communications, Inc. • ACS Long Distance, LLC • Alaska Fiber Star, LLC • Alaska Communications Internet, LLC (“ACSI”) • TekMate, LLC • ACS Messaging, Inc. • ACS Cable Systems, LLC (“ACSC”) In addition to the wholly-owned subsidiaries, the Company has a fifty 3 Joint Venture Basis of Presentation The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and notes included in this Quarterly Report on Form 10 10 December 31, 2018. not See Note 10 Leases The Company consolidates the financial results of the AQ-JV based on its determination that, for accounting purposes, it holds a controlling financial interest in the joint venture and is the primary beneficiary of this variable interest entity. The Company has accounted for and reported QHL’s fifty 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, stockholders’ equity and cash flows for all periods presented. Comprehensive income for the three nine September 30, 2019, not December 31, 2018 not Employee Termination Benefits In the second 2019, $1,595 June 30, 2019. 712, Compensation – Nonretirement Postemployment Benefits December 31, 2019, $1,193 third 2019 fourth 2019 2020 2021. 718, Compensation – Stock Compensation 12 Stock Incentive Plans Share Repurchase Prog r am In the second 2017, may $10,000 March 13, 2017 December 31, 2019. may 10b5 1 As of September 30, 2019, 1,000,000 $1.81 $1,812. 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 operating revenues, probable losses and expenses. Actual results could differ materially from those estimates. Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements Effective January 1, 2019, 842, Leases 842” 2019 not 842 $82,020 not 842 not 10 Leases 842. Effective January 1, 2019, No. 2017 12, Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815 , Targeted Improvements to Accounting for Hedging Activities 2017 12” 2017 12 not 4 2017 12. Effective January 1, 2019, No. 2018 16, Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815 2018 16” 2018 16 2017 12. 2018 16 not Accounting Pronouncements Issued Not In June 2016, No. 2016 13, “Financial Instruments – Credit Losses (Topic 326 , Meas urement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments” 2016 13” 2016 13, 2016 13 2023 2016 13 In August 2018, No. 2018 13, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820 2018 13” 2018 13 1 2 3 3 3 2018 13 December 15, 2019 2018 13 not In August 2018, No. 2018 14, Compensation – Retirement Benefits – Defined Benefit Plans – General (Subtopic 715 20 2018 14” 2018 14 2018 14 2018 14 December 15, 2020 2018 14 In August 2018, No. 2018 15, Intangibles – Goodwill and Other – Internal-Use Software (Subtopic 350 40 2018 15” 2018 15 2018 15 December 15, 2019 2018 15

Note 2 - Revenue Recognition

Note 2 - Revenue Recognition	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019
Notes to Financial Statements
Revenue from Contract with Customer [Text Block]	2. REVENUE RECOGNITION Revenue Recognition Policies Revenue Accounted for in Accordance with ASC 606 , “Revenue from Contracts with Customers” (“ASC 606” At contract inception, the Company assesses the goods and services promised to the customer and identifies the performance obligation for each promise to transfer a good or service that is distinct. The Company considers all obligations whether they are explicitly stated in the contract or are implied by customary business practices. The Company’s broadband and voice revenue includes service, installation and equipment charges. Managed IT revenues include the sale, configuration and installation of equipment and the subsequent provision of ongoing IT services. The Company enters into contracts with its rural health care customers and is subject to various regulatory requirements associated with the provision of these services. Revenues associated with rural health care customers are recognized based on the amount the Company expects to collect as evidenced in its contract with the customer and the Company’s and customer’s agreement with the Federal Communications Commission (“FCC”) as the relevant service is provided. Regulatory access revenue includes (i) special access, which is primarily access to dedicated circuits sold to wholesale customers, substantially all of which is generated from interstate services; and (ii) cellular access, which is the transport of tariffed local network services between switches for cellular companies based on individually negotiated contracts. Regulatory access revenue is recognized as the service is provided to the customer. Revenue Accounted for in Accordance with Other Guidance Deferred revenue capacity liabilities are established for indefeasible rights of use (“IRUs”) on the Company’s network provided to third Disaggregation of Revenue The following tables provide the Company’s revenue disaggregated on the basis of its primary markets, customers, products and services for the three nine September 30, 2019 2018: Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended September 30, 2019 September 30, 2019 Accounted for Under ASC 606 Accounted for Under Other Guidance Total Revenue Accounted for Under ASC 606 Accounted for Under Other Guidance Total Revenue Business and Wholesale Revenue Business broadband $ 15,595 $ - $ 15,595 $ 46,181 $ - $ 46,181 Business voice and other 6,889 - 6,889 20,546 - 20,546 Managed IT services 1,789 - 1,789 4,965 - 4,965 Equipment sales and installations 942 - 942 2,830 - 2,830 Wholesale broadband 9,550 - 9,550 26,821 - 26,821 Wholesale voice and other 1,870 - 1,870 4,688 - 4,688 Operating leases and other deferred revenue - 2,104 2,104 - 6,241 6,241 Total Business and Wholesale Revenue 36,635 2,104 38,739 106,031 6,241 112,272 Consumer Revenue Broadband 6,718 - 6,718 19,880 - 19,880 Voice and other 2,567 - 2,567 7,947 - 7,947 Total Consumer Revenue 9,285 - 9,285 27,827 - 27,827 Regulatory Revenue Access (1) 5,005 - 5,005 15,040 - 15,040 Access (2) - 1,176 1,176 - 3,523 3,523 High-cost support - 4,923 4,923 - 14,770 14,770 Total Regulatory Revenue 5,005 6,099 11,104 15,040 18,293 33,333 Total Revenue $ 50,925 $ 8,203 $ 59,128 $ 148,898 $ 24,534 $ 173,432 Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018 September 30, 2018 Accounted for Under ASC 606 Accounted for Under Other Guidance Total Revenue Accounted for Under ASC 606 Accounted for Under Other Guidance Total Revenue Business and Wholesale Revenue Business broadband $ 15,309 $ - $ 15,309 $ 45,859 $ - $ 45,859 Business voice and other 7,199 - 7,199 21,088 - 21,088 Managed IT services 1,480 - 1,480 3,936 - 3,936 Equipment sales and installations 1,488 - 1,488 3,870 - 3,870 Wholesale broadband 7,624 - 7,624 23,475 - 23,475 Wholesale voice and other 1,525 - 1,525 4,455 - 4,455 Operating leases and other deferred revenue - 1,740 1,740 - 4,923 4,923 Total Business and Wholesale Revenue 34,625 1,740 36,365 102,683 4,923 107,606 Consumer Revenue Broadband 6,539 - 6,539 19,726 - 19,726 Voice and other 2,719 - 2,719 8,355 - 8,355 Total Consumer Revenue 9,258 - 9,258 28,081 - 28,081 Regulatory Revenue Access (1) 5,944 - 5,944 18,203 - 18,203 Access (2) - 1,738 1,738 - 5,118 5,118 High-cost support - 4,924 4,924 - 14,771 14,771 Total Regulatory Revenue 5,944 6,662 12,606 18,203 19,889 38,092 Total Revenue $ 49,827 $ 8,402 $ 58,229 $ 148,967 $ 24,812 $ 173,779 ( 1 ( 2 Business broadband revenue includes revenue associated with rural health care customers. Consumer voice and other revenue includes revenue associated with the FCC’s Lifeline program. Timing of Revenue Recognition Revenue accounted for in accordance with ASC 606 three nine September 30, 2019 2018: Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended September 30, September 30, 2019 2018 2019 2018 Services transferred over time $ 44,978 $ 42,395 $ 131,028 $ 126,894 Goods transferred at a point in time 942 1,488 2,830 3,870 Regulatory access revenue (1) 5,005 5,944 15,040 18,203 Total revenue $ 50,925 $ 49,827 $ 148,898 $ 148,967 ( 1 Includes customer ordered service and special access. Transaction Price Allocated to Remaining Performance Obligations The aggregate amount of the transaction price allocated to the remaining performance obligations for contracts with customers that are unsatisfied, or partially unsatisfied, accounted for in accordance with ASC 606 $85,212 September 30, 2019. $1,425 twelve $83,787 one ten not Contract Assets and Liabilities The Company incurs certain incremental costs to obtain contracts that it expects to recover. These costs consist primarily of sales commissions and other directly related incentive compensation payments (reported as contract additions in the table below) which are dependent upon, and paid upon, successfully entering into individual customer contracts. The table below provides a reconciliation of the contract assets associated with contracts with customers accounted for in accordance with ASC 606 nine September 30, 2019. not nine September 30, 2019. Balance at January 1 $ 8,052 Contract additions 2,192 Amortization (2,864 ) Impairments (83 ) Balance at September 30 $ 7,297 The Company recorded a charge for uncollectible accounts receivable of $275 nine September 30, 2019 5 Accounts Receivable The table below provides a reconciliation of the contract liabilities associated with contracts with customers accounted for in accordance with ASC 606 nine September 30, 2019. Balance at January 1 $ 2,766 Contract additions 1,535 Revenue recognized (1,045 ) Balance at September 30 $ 3,256

Note 3 - Joint Venture

Note 3 - Joint Venture	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019
Notes to Financial Statements
Variable Interest Entity Disclosure [Text Block]	3 . JOINT VENTURE The table below provides certain financial information about the AQ-JV included on the Company’s consolidated balance sheet at September 30, 2019 December 31, 2018. may not not 2019 2018 Cash $ 270 $ 270 Property, plant and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $383 and $309 $ 1,758 $ 1,832 The operating results and cash flows of the joint venture in the three nine 2019 2018 not

Note 4 - Fair Value Measurement

Note 4 - Fair Value Measurements and Derivative Financial Instruments	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019
Notes to Financial Statements
Derivatives and Fair Value [Text Block]	4 . FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS AND DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS 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 ● Level 1 ● Level 2 not ● Level 3 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 The fair values of cash equivalents, restricted cash, other short-term monetary assets and liabilities and financing leases approximate carrying values due to their nature. The carrying values of the Company’s senior credit facilities and other long-term obligations of $179,207 $172,494 September 30, 2019 December 31, 2018, 2019 2 The following table presents the Company’s financial assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of September 30, 2019 December 31, 2018, no 1 2 first nine 2019: September 30, 2019 December 31, 2018 Total Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Other assets: Interest rate swaps $ - $ - $ - $ - $ 458 $ - $ 458 $ - Other long-term liabilities: Interest rate swaps $ 552 $ - $ 552 $ - $ - $ - $ - $ - Derivative Financial Instruments The Company currently uses interest rate swaps to manage variable interest rate risk. At low LIBOR rates, payments under the swaps increase the Company’s cash interest expense, and at high LIBOR rates, they have the opposite effect. 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 Under the terms of the 2019 $90,000 two 2017, 2017 $90,000, 6.49425%, 5.0% June 28, 2019. 2017 January 15, 2019, 2019 June 28, 2019. June 28, 2019, two $67,500, 6.1735% 4.5% June 30, 2022. 8 Long-Term Obligations 11 Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss . The following table presents the notional amount, fair value and balance sheet classification of the Company’s derivative financial instruments designated as cash flow hedges as of September 30, 2019 December, 31, 2018. September 30, 2019 Notional Fair Balance Sheet Location Amount Value At September 30, 2019: Interest rate swaps Other long-term liabilities $ 135,000 $ 552 At December 31, 2018: Interest rate swaps Other assets $ 90,000 $ 458 The following table presents gains and losses before income taxes on the Company’s interest rate swaps designated as a cash flow hedge for the three nine September 30, 2019 2018. Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended September 30, September 30, 2019 2018 2019 2018 (Loss) gain recognized in accumulated other comprehensive loss $ (396 ) $ 17 $ (362 ) $ 429 Gain reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss to income 197 136 648 258 The following table presents the effect of cash flow hedge accounting on the Company’s Statements of Comprehensive Income for the three nine September 30, 2019 2018: Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended September 30, September 30, 2019 2018 2019 2018 Recorded as Interest Expense: Hedged interest payments $ (2,327 ) $ (1,628 ) $ (5,524 ) $ (4,690 ) Gain on interest rate swap 197 136 648 258

Note 5 - Accounts Receivable

Note 5 - Accounts Receivable	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019
Notes to Financial Statements
Loans, Notes, Trade and Other Receivables Disclosure [Text Block]	5. Accounts receivable, net, consists of the following at September 30, 2019 December 31, 2018: 2019 2018 Retail customers $ 19,340 $ 21,732 Wholesale carriers 6,615 9,315 Other 4,290 4,361 30,245 35,408 Less: allowance for doubtful accounts (4,807 ) (3,936 ) Accounts receivable, net $ 25,438 $ 31,472 The following table presents the activity in the allowance for doubtful accounts for the nine September 30, 2019, 2019 Balance at January 1 $ 3,936 Provision for uncollectible accounts 275 Charged to other accounts 1,252 Deductions (656 ) Asset at September 30 $ 4,807 USAC has issued funding commitment letters for all of the Company’s rural health care customer applications for Funding Year 2018 July 1, 2018 June 30, 2019). $4,012 $8,122 September 30, 2019 December 31, 2018,

Note 6 - Other Current Assets

Note 6 - Other Current Assets	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019
Notes to Financial Statements
Other Current Assets [Text Block]	6. Prepayments and other current assets consist of the following at September 30, 2019 December 31, 2018: 2019 2018 Income tax receivable $ 7,559 $ 5,087 Prepaid expense 3,003 3,878 Other 2,629 3,204 Total prepayments and other current assets $ 13,191 $ 12,169

Note 7 - Current Liabilities

Note 7 - Current Liabilities	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019
Notes to Financial Statements
Accounts Payable, Accrued Liabilities, and Other Liabilities Disclosure, Current [Text Block]	7 . CURRENT LIABILITIES Accounts payable, accrued and other current liabilities consist of the following at September 30, 2019 December 31, 2018: 2019 2018 Accounts payable - trade $ 15,392 $ 14,627 Accrued payroll, benefits, and related liabilities 13,018 13,473 Deferred capacity and other revenue 6,588 6,095 Other 5,319 6,762 Total accounts payable, accrued and other current liabilities $ 40,317 $ 40,957 Advance billings and customer deposits consist of the following at September 30, 2019 December 31, 2018: 2019 2018 Advance billings $ 3,760 $ 3,992 Customer deposits 31 32 Total advance billings and customer deposits $ 3,791 $ 4,024

Note 8 - Long-term Obligations

Note 8 - Long-term Obligations	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019
Notes to Financial Statements
Long-term Debt [Text Block]	8 . LONG-TERM OBLIGATIONS Long-term obligations consist of the following at September 30, 2019 December 31, 2018: 2019 2018 2019 senior secured credit facility due 2024 $ 178,875 $ - Debt discount (2,408 ) - Debt issuance costs (1,992 ) - 2017 senior secured credit facility due 2023 - 171,750 Debt discount - (2,024 ) Debt issuance costs - (2,182 ) Capital leases and other long-term obligations 2,740 2,768 Total long-term obligations 177,215 170,312 Less current portion (5,674 ) (2,289 ) Long-term obligations, net of current portion $ 171,541 $ 168,023 As of September 30, 2019, 2019 (October 1 - December 31) $ 1,136 2020 (January 1 - December 31) 6,802 2021 (January 1 - December 31) 9,067 2022 (January 1 - December 31) 11,333 2023 (January 1 - December 31) 15,851 2024 (January 1 - December 31) 135,122 Thereafter 2,304 Total maturities of long-term obligations $ 181,615 2019 Senior Credit Facility On January 15, 2019, $180,000, not $20,000 not $25,000 “2019 $60,000 twelve January 15, 2019, $178,335, $1,665, 1 2 2017 $112,500 $59,250, $590, $2,216. 2017 January 15, 2019. 2019 $2,683 Amounts outstanding under the Initial Term A Facility, Revolving Facility, Delayed-Draw Facility and Incremental Term A Loans bear interest at LIBOR plus 4.5% may, 1.0% Principal payments on the Initial Term A Facility, Delayed-Draw A Facility and any amounts outstanding under the Incremental Term A Loans are due commencing in the third 2019 third 2019 second 2020 0.625% third 2020 second 2022 1.25% third 2022 second 2023 1.875% third 2023 fourth 2023 2.5% January 15, 2024. There were no September 30, 2019. The obligations under the 2019 The 2019 The 2019 Under the terms of the 2019 $90,000 two 2017 January 15, 2019, $90,000, 6.49425%, 5.0% June 28, 2019 2019 June 28, 2019, two $67,500, 6.1735% 4.5% June 30, 2022. 2017 On January 15, 2019, 2019 2017 $171,750. $2,830 third 6.25% 2018 On May 1, 2018, 6.25% $10,358, $10,044 $314. $10,044 $314. no

Note 9 - Other Long-term Liabil

Note 9 - Other Long-term Liabilities	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019
Notes to Financial Statements
Accounts Payable, Accrued Liabilities, and Other Liabilities Disclosure, Noncurrent [Text Block]	9 . OTHER LONG-TERM LIABILITIES Other long-term liabilities, consisting primarily of deferred capacity and other revenue, was as follows at September 30, 2019 December 31, 2018: 2019 2018 Deferred GCI capacity revenue, net of current portion $ 29,558 $ 31,113 Other deferred IRU capacity revenue, net of current portion 27,083 25,732 Other deferred revenue, net of current portion 4,605 2,113 Other 10,004 8,869 Total other long-term liabilities $ 71,250 $ 67,827

Note 10 - Leases

Note 10 - Leases	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019
Notes to Financial Statements
Operating and Finance Leases [Text Block]	10. The Company adopted the provisions of ASC 842 first 2019 1 Summary of Significant Accounting Policies The Company applied the following practical expedients as provided for under ASC 842: (i) The determination of whether expired or existing contracts contain leases at the date of adoption was not (ii) The classification of existing or expired leases at the date of adoption was not (iii) The provisions of ASC 842 not 12 (iv) Non-lease components, which are not not two (v) Existing lease agreements were not (vi) Hindsight was applied to determine changes in lease terms and assess for the impairment of ROU assets. Lease Agreements Under Which the Company is the Lessee The Company enters into agreements for land, land easements, access rights, IRUs, co-located data centers, buildings, equipment, pole attachments and personal property. These assets are utilized in the provision of broadband and telecommunications services to the Company’s customers. An agreement is determined to be a lease if it conveys to the Company the right to control the use of an identified asset for a period of time in exchange for consideration. Control is defined as the Company having both the right to obtain substantially all of the economic benefits from the use of the asset and the right to direct the use of the asset. This determination is made at contract inception. Operating leases are included in operating lease ROU assets and current and noncurrent operating lease liabilities on the consolidated balance sheet. Finance leases are included in property, plant and equipment and current portion of long-term obligations and long-term obligations on the consolidated balance sheet. ROU assets represent the Company’s right to use the underlying asset for the term of the operating lease and operating lease liabilities represent the Company’s obligation to make lease payments over the term of the lease. ROU assets and operating lease liabilities are recognized at the lease commencement date based on the estimated present value of the lease payments over the term of the lease. The terms of the Company’s leases are primarily fixed. A limited number of leases include a variable payment component based on a pre-determined percentage or index. Most of the Company’s lease agreements include extension options which vary between leases but are generally consistent with industry practice. Extension options are exercised as required to meet the Company’s service obligations and other business requirements. Extension options are included in the determination of the ROU asset if, at lease inception, it is reasonably certain that the option will be exercised. Certain leases include a provision for early termination, typically in return for an agreed amount of consideration. The terms of these provisions vary by contract. Upon the exercise of an early termination option, the ROU asset and associated liability are remeasured to reflect the present value of the revised cash flows. Early terminations recorded in the nine September 30, 2019 not The Company’s operating and financing lease agreements do not no not The Company entered into additional operating lease commitments that had not September 30, 2019 $922. 2019 2020, 7 25 The discount rate applied to determine the present value of the future lease payments is based on the Company’s incremental borrowing rate which is derived from recent secured borrowing arrangements entered into by the Company and publicly available information for instruments with similar terms. Short-term and variable lease cost recorded during the three nine September 30, 2019 not The Company did not nine September 30, 2019. The following tables provide certain quantitative information about the Company’s lease agreements under which it is the lessee as of and for the three nine September 30, 2019. twelve October 1, 2019. Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended September 30, 2019 September 30, 2019 Lease Cost Finance lease cost: Amortization of right-of-use assets $ 20 $ 59 Interest on lease liabilities 67 203 Operating lease costs 1,972 5,882 Total lease cost $ 2,059 $ 6,144 At September 30, 2019 Balance Sheet Information Operating leases: ROU assets $ 80,748 Liabilities - current $ 2,626 Liabilities - noncurrent 78,362 Total liabilities $ 80,988 Finance leases: Property, plant and equipment $ 2,519 Accumulated depreciation and amortization (1,430 ) Property, plant and equipment, net $ 1,089 Current portion of long-term obligations $ 49 Long-term obligations, net of current portion 2,691 Total finance lease liabilities $ 2,740 At September 30, 2019 Operating Financing Leases Leases Maturities of Lease Liabilities Year 1 $ 7,236 $ 316 Year 2 7,464 325 Year 3 7,364 334 Year 4 7,140 343 Year 5 6,884 352 Thereafter 159,470 3,562 Total lease payments 195,558 5,232 Less imputed interest (115,317 ) (2,492 ) Total present value of lease obligations 80,241 2,740 Present value of current obligations (1,879 ) (49 ) Present value of long-term obligations $ 78,362 $ 2,691 Other Information Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities: Operating cash flows from finance leases $ 203 Operating cash flows from operating leases 5,645 Financing cash flows from finance leases 28 Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for new operating lease liabilities 592 Weighted-average remaining lease term (in years): Finance leases 14 Operating leases 30 Weighted-average discount rate: Finance leases 9.8 % Operating leases 6.9 % Lease Agreements Under Which the Company is the Lessor The Company’s agreements under which it is the lessor are primarily associated with the use of its network assets, including IRUs for fiber optic cable, colocation and buildings. An agreement is determined to be a lease if it coveys to the lessee the right to control the use of an identified asset for a period of time in exchange for consideration. Control is defined as the lessee having both the right to obtain substantially all of the economic benefits from the use of the asset and the right to direct the use of the asset. This determination is made at contract inception. Exchanges of IRUs with other carriers are accounted for as leases if the arrangement has commercial substance. All of the Company’s agreements under which it is the lessor have been determined to be operating leases. Lease payments are recognized as income on a straight-line basis over the term of the agreement, including scheduled changes in payments not Initial direct costs associated with the lease incurred by the Company are deferred and expensed over the term of the lease. Certain of the Company’s operating lease agreements include extension options which vary between leases but are generally consistent with industry practice. Extension options are not The Company’s operating leases do not Certain leases include a provision for early termination, typically in return for an agreed amount of consideration. The terms of these provisions vary by contract. Upon the exercise of an early termination option, any deferred rent receivable, deferred income and unamortized initial direct costs are written off. The underlying asset is assessed for impairment giving consideration to the Company’s ability to utilize the asset in its business. There were no nine September 30, 2019. The Company does not The Company did not September 30, 2019. The underlying assets associated with the Company’s operating leases are accounted for under ASC 360, Property, Plant and Equipment. The Company’s operating lease agreements may The following tables provide certain quantitative information about the Company’s operating lease agreements under which it is the lessor as of and for the three nine September 30, 2019. not Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended September 30, 2019 September 30, 2019 Lease Income Total lease income $ 879 $ 2,595 At September 30, 2019 Maturities of Future Undiscounted Lease Payments Year 1 $ 1,228 Year 2 1,154 Year 3 544 Year 4 385 Year 5 383 Thereafter 2,933 Total future undiscounted lease payments $ 6,627

Note 11 - Accumulated Other Com

Note 11 - Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019
Notes to Financial Statements
Comprehensive Income (Loss) Note [Text Block]	11 . ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPR E HENSIVE LOSS The following table summarizes the activity in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) for the nine September 30, 2019: Defined Benefit Pension Interest Plan Rate Swaps Total Balance at December 31, 2018 $ (3,003 ) $ 328 $ (2,675 ) Other comprehensive income before reclassifications (22 ) (260 ) (282 ) Reclassifications from accumulated comprehensive income (loss) to net income 37 (464 ) (427 ) Net other comprehensive income (loss) 15 (724 ) (709 ) Balance at September 30, 2019 $ (2,988 ) $ (396 ) $ (3,384 ) The following table summarizes the reclassifications from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) to net income for the three nine September 30, 2019 2018: Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended September 30, September 30, 2019 2018 2019 2018 Amortization of defined benefit plan pension items: Amortization of loss $ (192 ) $ (13 ) $ 51 $ 169 Income tax effect 55 4 (14 ) (48 ) After tax (137 ) (9 ) 37 121 Amortization of gain on interest rate swap: Reclassification to interest expense (197 ) (136 ) (648 ) (258 ) Income tax effect 56 39 184 74 After tax (141 ) (97 ) (464 ) (184 ) Total reclassifications, net of income tax $ (278 ) $ (106 ) $ (427 ) $ (63 ) Amounts reclassified to net income from our defined benefit pension plan and interest rate swaps have been presented within “Other income (expense), net” and “Interest expense,” twelve $19. 4 Fair Value Measurements and Derivative Financial Instruments

Note 12 - Stock Incentive Plans

Note 12 - Stock Incentive Plans	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019
Notes to Financial Statements
Share-based Payment Arrangement [Text Block]	12 . 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 2010. 2011 On June 10, 2011, 2011 June 30, 2014 June 25, 2018, 2021. 2011 2011 2017, 2018 2019. Restricted Stock Units The Company measures the fair value of RSUs based on the number of shares granted and the quoted closing market price of the Company’s common stock on the date of grant. RSUs granted in 2019 three March 1, 2022. In the second 2019, 2017 2018 2020 2021 June 2019, $112 second The following table summarizes the RSU, LTIP and non-employee director stock compensation activity for the nine September 30, 2019. Weighted Average Grant Date Number Fair of Units Value Nonvested at December 31, 2018 1,185 $ 1.88 Granted 443 1.69 Vested (768 ) 1.86 Canceled or expired (208 ) 1.96 Nonvested at September 30, 2019 652 $ 1.76 Performance Stock Units PSUs granted in the third 2019 three March 2022 In the second 2019, 2017 2018 2019, 2020 2021 June 2019, $165 second The following table summarizes the PSU activity for the nine September 30, 2019. Weighted Average Grant Date Number Fair of Units Value Nonvested at December 31, 2018 2,070 $ 0.85 Granted 1,188 0.77 Vested - - Canceled or expired (1,722 ) 0.78 Nonvested at September 30, 2019 1,536 $ 0.87 The following table provides selected information about the Company’s share-based compensation as of and for the three nine September 30, 2019 2018: Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended September 30, September 30, 2019 2018 2019 2018 Total compensation cost for share-based payments $ 277 $ 642 $ 766 $ 1,209 Weighted average grant-date fair value of equity instruments granted (per share) $ 1.71 $ 0.80 $ 1.02 $ 0.97 Total fair value of shares vested during the period $ - $ - $ 1,427 $ 1,524 At September 30: Unamortized share-based payments $ 971 $ 2,039 Weighted average period (in years) to be recognized as expense 1.8 1.2

Note 13 - Earnings Per Share

Note 13 - Earnings Per Share	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019
Notes to Financial Statements
Earnings Per Share [Text Block]	1 3 . 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 Effective in 2015, zero 429 6.25% three nine September 30, 2018. May 1, 2018, 6.25% 8 Long-Term Obligations The calculation of basic and diluted earnings per share for the three nine September 30, 2019 2018 Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended September 30, September 30, 2019 2018 2019 2018 Net income attributable to Alaska Communications $ 2,022 $ 1,817 $ 2,284 $ 7,360 Weighted average common shares outstanding: Basic shares 53,328 53,184 53,503 52,994 Effect of stock-based compensation 663 932 902 893 Diluted shares 53,991 54,116 54,405 53,887 Net income per share attributable to Alaska Communications: Basic $ 0.04 $ 0.03 $ 0.04 $ 0.14 Diluted $ 0.04 $ 0.03 $ 0.04 $ 0.14

Note 14 - Retirement Plans

Note 14 - Retirement Plans	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019
Notes to Financial Statements
Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits Disclosure [Text Block]	1 4 . 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 not 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 (the “Plan”) on September 1, 1999. third 2019, 715, Compensation – Retirement Benefits January 1, 2019. $352 third 2019 September 30, 2019, not 1974, The following table presents the net periodic pension expense for the ACS Retirement Plan for the three nine September 30, 2019 2018: Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended September 30, September 30, 2019 2018 2019 2018 Interest cost $ 153 $ 143 $ 453 $ 425 Expected return on plan assets (169 ) (198 ) (508 ) (594 ) Amortization of loss (176 ) 42 106 338 Net periodic pension expense $ (192 ) $ (13 ) $ 51 $ 169 Net periodic pension expense is included in the line item “Other income, net” in the Statements of Comprehensive Income.

Note 15 - Supplemental Cash Flo

Note 15 - Supplemental Cash Flow Information	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019
Notes to Financial Statements
Cash Flow, Supplemental Disclosures [Text Block]	1 5 . SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION Restricted cash of $1,631 September 30, 2019 $1,600 $31. $1,634 December 31, 2018 $1,600 $34. The following table provides a reconciliation of cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash reported within the statement of financial position at September 30, 2019 2018 September 30, 2019 2018 Cash and cash equivalents $ 25,046 $ 17,292 Restricted cash 1,631 1,634 Total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash $ 26,677 $ 18,926 The following table presents supplemental non-cash transaction information for the nine September 30, 2019 2018: 2019 2018 Supplemental Non-cash Transactions: Capital expenditures incurred but not paid at September 30 $ 5,823 $ 3,350 Additions to ARO asset $ 58 $ 752

Note 16 - Business Segments

Note 16 - Business Segments	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019
Notes to Financial Statements
Segment Reporting Disclosure [Text Block]	1 6 . BUSINESS SEGMENTS The Company operates its business under a single

Note 17 - Commitments and Conti

Note 17 - Commitments and Contingencies	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019
Notes to Financial Statements
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Text Block]	1 7 . COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES The Company enters into purchase commitments with vendors in the ordinary course of business, including minimum purchase agreements. 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 The Company is involved in various claims, legal actions and regulatory proceedings arising in the ordinary course of business. The Company establishes an accrual when a particular contingency is probable and estimable, and has recorded litigation accruals totaling $1,365 September 30, 2019 not

Significant Accounting Policies

Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Basis of Accounting, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Basis of Presentation The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and notes included in this Quarterly Report on Form 10 10 December 31, 2018. not See Note 10 Leases The Company consolidates the financial results of the AQ-JV based on its determination that, for accounting purposes, it holds a controlling financial interest in the joint venture and is the primary beneficiary of this variable interest entity. The Company has accounted for and reported QHL’s fifty 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, stockholders’ equity and cash flows for all periods presented. Comprehensive income for the three nine September 30, 2019, not December 31, 2018 not
Postemployment Benefit Plans, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Employee Termination Benefits In the second 2019, $1,595 June 30, 2019. 712, Compensation – Nonretirement Postemployment Benefits December 31, 2019, $1,193 third 2019 fourth 2019 2020 2021. 718, Compensation – Stock Compensation 12 Stock Incentive Plans
Share Repurchase Program [Policy Text Block]	Share Repurchase Prog r am In the second 2017, may $10,000 March 13, 2017 December 31, 2019. may 10b5 1 As of September 30, 2019, 1,000,000 $1.81 $1,812.
Use of Estimates, Policy [Policy Text Block]	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 operating revenues, probable losses and expenses. Actual results could differ materially from those estimates.
New Accounting Pronouncements, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements Effective January 1, 2019, 842, Leases 842” 2019 not 842 $82,020 not 842 not 10 Leases 842. Effective January 1, 2019, No. 2017 12, Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815 , Targeted Improvements to Accounting for Hedging Activities 2017 12” 2017 12 not 4 2017 12. Effective January 1, 2019, No. 2018 16, Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815 2018 16” 2018 16 2017 12. 2018 16 not Accounting Pronouncements Issued Not In June 2016, No. 2016 13, “Financial Instruments – Credit Losses (Topic 326 , Meas urement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments” 2016 13” 2016 13, 2016 13 2023 2016 13 In August 2018, No. 2018 13, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820 2018 13” 2018 13 1 2 3 3 3 2018 13 December 15, 2019 2018 13 not In August 2018, No. 2018 14, Compensation – Retirement Benefits – Defined Benefit Plans – General (Subtopic 715 20 2018 14” 2018 14 2018 14 2018 14 December 15, 2020 2018 14 In August 2018, No. 2018 15, Intangibles – Goodwill and Other – Internal-Use Software (Subtopic 350 40 2018 15” 2018 15 2018 15 December 15, 2019 2018 15

Note 2 - Revenue Recognition (T

Note 2 - Revenue Recognition (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019
Notes Tables
Disaggregation of Revenue [Table Text Block]	Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended September 30, 2019 September 30, 2019 Accounted for Under ASC 606 Accounted for Under Other Guidance Total Revenue Accounted for Under ASC 606 Accounted for Under Other Guidance Total Revenue Business and Wholesale Revenue Business broadband $ 15,595 $ - $ 15,595 $ 46,181 $ - $ 46,181 Business voice and other 6,889 - 6,889 20,546 - 20,546 Managed IT services 1,789 - 1,789 4,965 - 4,965 Equipment sales and installations 942 - 942 2,830 - 2,830 Wholesale broadband 9,550 - 9,550 26,821 - 26,821 Wholesale voice and other 1,870 - 1,870 4,688 - 4,688 Operating leases and other deferred revenue - 2,104 2,104 - 6,241 6,241 Total Business and Wholesale Revenue 36,635 2,104 38,739 106,031 6,241 112,272 Consumer Revenue Broadband 6,718 - 6,718 19,880 - 19,880 Voice and other 2,567 - 2,567 7,947 - 7,947 Total Consumer Revenue 9,285 - 9,285 27,827 - 27,827 Regulatory Revenue Access (1) 5,005 - 5,005 15,040 - 15,040 Access (2) - 1,176 1,176 - 3,523 3,523 High-cost support - 4,923 4,923 - 14,770 14,770 Total Regulatory Revenue 5,005 6,099 11,104 15,040 18,293 33,333 Total Revenue $ 50,925 $ 8,203 $ 59,128 $ 148,898 $ 24,534 $ 173,432 Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018 September 30, 2018 Accounted for Under ASC 606 Accounted for Under Other Guidance Total Revenue Accounted for Under ASC 606 Accounted for Under Other Guidance Total Revenue Business and Wholesale Revenue Business broadband $ 15,309 $ - $ 15,309 $ 45,859 $ - $ 45,859 Business voice and other 7,199 - 7,199 21,088 - 21,088 Managed IT services 1,480 - 1,480 3,936 - 3,936 Equipment sales and installations 1,488 - 1,488 3,870 - 3,870 Wholesale broadband 7,624 - 7,624 23,475 - 23,475 Wholesale voice and other 1,525 - 1,525 4,455 - 4,455 Operating leases and other deferred revenue - 1,740 1,740 - 4,923 4,923 Total Business and Wholesale Revenue 34,625 1,740 36,365 102,683 4,923 107,606 Consumer Revenue Broadband 6,539 - 6,539 19,726 - 19,726 Voice and other 2,719 - 2,719 8,355 - 8,355 Total Consumer Revenue 9,258 - 9,258 28,081 - 28,081 Regulatory Revenue Access (1) 5,944 - 5,944 18,203 - 18,203 Access (2) - 1,738 1,738 - 5,118 5,118 High-cost support - 4,924 4,924 - 14,771 14,771 Total Regulatory Revenue 5,944 6,662 12,606 18,203 19,889 38,092 Total Revenue $ 49,827 $ 8,402 $ 58,229 $ 148,967 $ 24,812 $ 173,779
Revenue Accounted for In Accordance with ASC 606, By Timing of Revenue Recognition [Table Text Block]	Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended September 30, September 30, 2019 2018 2019 2018 Services transferred over time $ 44,978 $ 42,395 $ 131,028 $ 126,894 Goods transferred at a point in time 942 1,488 2,830 3,870 Regulatory access revenue (1) 5,005 5,944 15,040 18,203 Total revenue $ 50,925 $ 49,827 $ 148,898 $ 148,967
Contract with Customer, Asset and Liability [Table Text Block]	Balance at January 1 $ 8,052 Contract additions 2,192 Amortization (2,864 ) Impairments (83 ) Balance at September 30 $ 7,297 Balance at January 1 $ 2,766 Contract additions 1,535 Revenue recognized (1,045 ) Balance at September 30 $ 3,256

Note 3 - Joint Venture (Tables)

Note 3 - Joint Venture (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019
Notes Tables
Schedule of Variable Interest Entities [Table Text Block]	2019 2018 Cash $ 270 $ 270 Property, plant and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $383 and $309 $ 1,758 $ 1,832

Note 4 - Fair Value Measureme_2

Note 4 - Fair Value Measurements and Derivative Financial Instruments (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019
Notes Tables
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring [Table Text Block]	September 30, 2019 December 31, 2018 Total Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Other assets: Interest rate swaps $ - $ - $ - $ - $ 458 $ - $ 458 $ - Other long-term liabilities: Interest rate swaps $ 552 $ - $ 552 $ - $ - $ - $ - $ -
Schedule of Cash Flow Hedging Instruments, Statements of Financial Performance and Financial Position, Location [Table Text Block]	Notional Fair Balance Sheet Location Amount Value At September 30, 2019: Interest rate swaps Other long-term liabilities $ 135,000 $ 552 At December 31, 2018: Interest rate swaps Other assets $ 90,000 $ 458
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Table Text Block]	Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended September 30, September 30, 2019 2018 2019 2018 (Loss) gain recognized in accumulated other comprehensive loss $ (396 ) $ 17 $ (362 ) $ 429 Gain reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss to income 197 136 648 258
Effect of Cash Flow Hedge Accounting on the Statement of Operations [Table Text Block]	Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended September 30, September 30, 2019 2018 2019 2018 Recorded as Interest Expense: Hedged interest payments $ (2,327 ) $ (1,628 ) $ (5,524 ) $ (4,690 ) Gain on interest rate swap 197 136 648 258

Note 5 - Accounts Receivable (T

Note 5 - Accounts Receivable (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019
Notes Tables
Schedule of Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Table Text Block]	2019 2018 Retail customers $ 19,340 $ 21,732 Wholesale carriers 6,615 9,315 Other 4,290 4,361 30,245 35,408 Less: allowance for doubtful accounts (4,807 ) (3,936 ) Accounts receivable, net $ 25,438 $ 31,472
Changes in the Allowance for Doubtful Accounts [Table Text Block]	<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="margin-right: 10%; margin-left: 10%; font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Times New Roman", Times, serif; text-indent: 0px; min-; min-width: 700px;"> <tr style="vertical-align: bottom;"> <td style="font-family: "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 10pt;"> </td> <td style="font-family: "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 10pt;"> </td> <td colspan="2" style="text-align: center; font-family: "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-left: 0pt; border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(0, 0, 0);"> <div style=" font-family:'Times New Roman', Times, serif;font-size:10pt;margin:0pt;text-align:center;"><div style="display: inline; font-weight: bold;"><div style="display: inline; font-weight: bold;">2019 </div></div></div> </td> <td style="font-family: "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 10pt; padding-bottom: 1px;"> </td> </tr> <tr style="vertical-align: bottom; background-color: rgb(204, 238, 255);"> <td style="font-family: "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 10pt; width: 81%;"> <div style=" font-family: "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;">Balance at January 1</div> </td> <td style="width: 1%; font-family: "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 10pt;"> </td> <td style="width: 1%; font-family: "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-left: 0pt;">$</td> <td style="width: 16%; text-align: right; font-family: "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-left: 0pt;"><div style="display: inline; font-style: italic; font-weight: inherit; font-style: normal;">3,936</div></td> <td nowrap="nowrap" style="width: 1%; font-family: "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-left: 0pt;"> </td> </tr> <tr style="vertical-align: bottom; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"> <td style="font-family: "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 10pt;"> <div style=" font-family: "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;">Provision for uncollectible accounts</div> </td> <td style="width: 1%; font-family: "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 10pt;"> </td> <td style="width: 1%; font-family: "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 10pt;"> </td> <td style="width: 16%; text-align: right; font-family: "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-left: 0pt;"><div style="display: inline; font-style: italic; font-weight: inherit; font-style: normal;">275</div></td> <td nowrap="nowrap" style="width: 1%; font-family: "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-left: 0pt;"> </td> </tr> <tr style="vertical-align: bottom; background-color: rgb(204, 238, 255);"> <td style="font-family: "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 10pt;"> <div style=" font-family: "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;">Charged to other accounts</div> </td> <td style="width: 1%; font-family: "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 10pt;"> </td> <td style="width: 1%; font-family: "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 10pt;"> </td> <td style="width: 16%; text-align: right; font-family: "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-left: 0pt;"><div style="display: inline; font-style: italic; font-weight: inherit; font-style: normal;">1,252</div></td> <td nowrap="nowrap" style="width: 1%; font-family: "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-left: 0pt;"> </td> </tr> <tr style="vertical-align: bottom; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"> <td style="font-family: "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 10pt;"> <div style=" font-family: "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;">Deductions</div> </td> <td style="width: 1%; font-family: "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 10pt;"> </td> <td style="width: 1%; font-family: "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 10pt; border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(0, 0, 0);"> </td> <td style="width: 16%; text-align: right; font-family: "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-left: 0pt; border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(0, 0, 0);"><div style="display: inline; font-style: italic; font-weight: inherit; font-style: normal;">(656</div></td> <td nowrap="nowrap" style="width: 1%; font-family: "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-left: 0pt; padding-bottom: 1px;">)</td> </tr> <tr style="vertical-align: bottom; background-color: rgb(204, 238, 255);"> <td style="font-family: "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 10pt;"> <div style=" font-family: "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;">Asset at September 30</div> </td> <td style="width: 1%; font-family: "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 10pt;"> </td> <td style="width: 1%; font-family: "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-left: 0pt; border-bottom: 3px double rgb(0, 0, 0);">$</td> <td style="width: 16%; text-align: right; font-family: "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-left: 0pt; border-bottom: 3px double rgb(0, 0, 0);"><div style="display: inline; font-style: italic; font-weight: inherit; font-style: normal;">4,807</div></td> <td nowrap="nowrap" style="width: 1%; font-family: "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 10pt; padding-bottom: 3px; margin-left: 0pt;"> </td> </tr> </table></div>" id="sjs-B5">&lt;div style="display: inline; font-family: times new roman; font-size: 10pt">&lt;table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="margin-right: 10%; margin-left: 10%; font-size: 10pt; font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, Times, serif; text-indent: 0px; min-; min-width: 700px;"> &lt;tr style="vertical-align: bottom;"> &lt;td style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, Times, serif; font-size: 10pt;">&nbsp;&lt;/td> &lt;td style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, Times, serif; font-size: 10pt;">&nbsp;&lt;/td> &lt;td colspan="2" style="text-align: center; font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, Times, serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-left: 0pt; border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(0, 0, 0);"> &lt;div style=" font-family:'Times New Roman', Times, serif;font-size:10pt;margin:0pt;text-align:center;">&lt;div style="display: inline; font-weight: bold;">&lt;div style="display: inline; font-weight: bold;">2019 &lt;/div>&lt;/div>&lt;/div> &lt;/td> &lt;td style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, Times, serif; font-size: 10pt; padding-bottom: 1px;">&nbsp;&lt;/td> &lt;/tr> &lt;tr style="vertical-align: bottom; background-color: rgb(204, 238, 255);"> &lt;td style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, Times, serif; font-size: 10pt; width: 81%;"> &lt;div style=" font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, Times, serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;">Balance at January 1&lt;/div> &lt;/td> &lt;td style="width: 1%; font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, Times, serif; font-size: 10pt;">&nbsp;&lt;/td> &lt;td style="width: 1%; font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, Times, serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-left: 0pt;">$&lt;/td> &lt;td style="width: 16%; text-align: right; font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, Times, serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-left: 0pt;">&lt;div style="display: inline; font-style: italic; font-weight: inherit; font-style: normal;">3,936&lt;/div>&lt;/td> &lt;td nowrap="nowrap" style="width: 1%; font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, Times, serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-left: 0pt;">&nbsp;&lt;/td> &lt;/tr> &lt;tr style="vertical-align: bottom; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"> &lt;td style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, Times, serif; font-size: 10pt;"> &lt;div style=" font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, Times, serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;">Provision for uncollectible accounts&lt;/div> &lt;/td> &lt;td style="width: 1%; font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, Times, serif; font-size: 10pt;">&nbsp;&lt;/td> &lt;td style="width: 1%; font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, Times, serif; font-size: 10pt;">&nbsp;&lt;/td> &lt;td style="width: 16%; text-align: right; font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, Times, serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-left: 0pt;">&lt;div style="display: inline; font-style: italic; font-weight: inherit; font-style: normal;">275&lt;/div>&lt;/td> &lt;td nowrap="nowrap" style="width: 1%; font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, Times, serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-left: 0pt;">&nbsp;&lt;/td> &lt;/tr> &lt;tr style="vertical-align: bottom; background-color: rgb(204, 238, 255);"> &lt;td style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, Times, serif; font-size: 10pt;"> &lt;div style=" font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, Times, serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;">Charged to other accounts&lt;/div> &lt;/td> &lt;td style="width: 1%; font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, Times, serif; font-size: 10pt;">&nbsp;&lt;/td> &lt;td style="width: 1%; font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, Times, serif; font-size: 10pt;">&nbsp;&lt;/td> &lt;td style="width: 16%; text-align: right; font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, Times, serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-left: 0pt;">&lt;div style="display: inline; font-style: italic; font-weight: inherit; font-style: normal;">1,252&lt;/div>&lt;/td> &lt;td nowrap="nowrap" style="width: 1%; font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, Times, serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-left: 0pt;">&nbsp;&lt;/td> &lt;/tr> &lt;tr style="vertical-align: bottom; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"> &lt;td style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, Times, serif; font-size: 10pt;"> &lt;div style=" font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, Times, serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;">Deductions&lt;/div> &lt;/td> &lt;td style="width: 1%; font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, Times, serif; font-size: 10pt;">&nbsp;&lt;/td> &lt;td style="width: 1%; font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, Times, serif; font-size: 10pt; border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(0, 0, 0);">&nbsp;&lt;/td> &lt;td style="width: 16%; text-align: right; font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, Times, serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-left: 0pt; border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(0, 0, 0);">&lt;div style="display: inline; font-style: italic; font-weight: inherit; font-style: normal;">(656&lt;/div>&lt;/td> &lt;td nowrap="nowrap" style="width: 1%; font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, Times, serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-left: 0pt; padding-bottom: 1px;">)&lt;/td> &lt;/tr> &lt;tr style="vertical-align: bottom; background-color: rgb(204, 238, 255);"> &lt;td style="font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, Times, serif; font-size: 10pt;"> &lt;div style=" font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, Times, serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;">Asset at September 30&lt;/div> &lt;/td> &lt;td style="width: 1%; font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, Times, serif; font-size: 10pt;">&nbsp;&lt;/td> &lt;td style="width: 1%; font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, Times, serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-left: 0pt; border-bottom: 3px double rgb(0, 0, 0);">$&lt;/td> &lt;td style="width: 16%; text-align: right; font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, Times, serif; font-size: 10pt; margin-left: 0pt; border-bottom: 3px double rgb(0, 0, 0);">&lt;div style="display: inline; font-style: italic; font-weight: inherit; font-style: normal;">4,807&lt;/div>&lt;/td> &lt;td nowrap="nowrap" style="width: 1%; font-family: &quot;Times New Roman&quot;, Times, serif; font-size: 10pt; padding-bottom: 3px; margin-left: 0pt;">&nbsp;&lt;/td> &lt;/tr> &lt;/table>&lt;/div>

Note 6 - Other Current Assets (

Note 6 - Other Current Assets (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019
Notes Tables
Schedule of Other Current Assets [Table Text Block]	2019 2018 Income tax receivable $ 7,559 $ 5,087 Prepaid expense 3,003 3,878 Other 2,629 3,204 Total prepayments and other current assets $ 13,191 $ 12,169

Note 7 - Current Liabilities (T

Note 7 - Current Liabilities (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019
Notes Tables
Schedule of Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities [Table Text Block]	2019 2018 Accounts payable - trade $ 15,392 $ 14,627 Accrued payroll, benefits, and related liabilities 13,018 13,473 Deferred capacity and other revenue 6,588 6,095 Other 5,319 6,762 Total accounts payable, accrued and other current liabilities $ 40,317 $ 40,957
Schedule of Advance Billing and Customer Deposits [Table Text Block]	2019 2018 Advance billings $ 3,760 $ 3,992 Customer deposits 31 32 Total advance billings and customer deposits $ 3,791 $ 4,024

Note 8 - Long-term Obligations

Note 8 - Long-term Obligations (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019
Notes Tables
Schedule of Debt [Table Text Block]	2019 2018 2019 senior secured credit facility due 2024 $ 178,875 $ - Debt discount (2,408 ) - Debt issuance costs (1,992 ) - 2017 senior secured credit facility due 2023 - 171,750 Debt discount - (2,024 ) Debt issuance costs - (2,182 ) Capital leases and other long-term obligations 2,740 2,768 Total long-term obligations 177,215 170,312 Less current portion (5,674 ) (2,289 ) Long-term obligations, net of current portion $ 171,541 $ 168,023
Schedule of Maturities of Long-term Debt [Table Text Block]	2019 (October 1 - December 31) $ 1,136 2020 (January 1 - December 31) 6,802 2021 (January 1 - December 31) 9,067 2022 (January 1 - December 31) 11,333 2023 (January 1 - December 31) 15,851 2024 (January 1 - December 31) 135,122 Thereafter 2,304 Total maturities of long-term obligations $ 181,615

Note 9 - Other Long-term Liab_2

Note 9 - Other Long-term Liabilities (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019
Notes Tables
Other Noncurrent Liabilities [Table Text Block]	2019 2018 Deferred GCI capacity revenue, net of current portion $ 29,558 $ 31,113 Other deferred IRU capacity revenue, net of current portion 27,083 25,732 Other deferred revenue, net of current portion 4,605 2,113 Other 10,004 8,869 Total other long-term liabilities $ 71,250 $ 67,827

Note 10 - Leases (Tables)

Note 10 - Leases (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019
Notes Tables
Lease, Cost [Table Text Block]	Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended September 30, 2019 September 30, 2019 Lease Cost Finance lease cost: Amortization of right-of-use assets $ 20 $ 59 Interest on lease liabilities 67 203 Operating lease costs 1,972 5,882 Total lease cost $ 2,059 $ 6,144
Lessee, Operating and Finance Leases, Balance Sheet Information [Table Text Block]	At September 30, 2019 Balance Sheet Information Operating leases: ROU assets $ 80,748 Liabilities - current $ 2,626 Liabilities - noncurrent 78,362 Total liabilities $ 80,988 Finance leases: Property, plant and equipment $ 2,519 Accumulated depreciation and amortization (1,430 ) Property, plant and equipment, net $ 1,089 Current portion of long-term obligations $ 49 Long-term obligations, net of current portion 2,691 Total finance lease liabilities $ 2,740
Lessee, Operating and Finance Leases, Liabilities, Maturity [Table Text Block]	At September 30, 2019 Operating Financing Leases Leases Maturities of Lease Liabilities Year 1 $ 7,236 $ 316 Year 2 7,464 325 Year 3 7,364 334 Year 4 7,140 343 Year 5 6,884 352 Thereafter 159,470 3,562 Total lease payments 195,558 5,232 Less imputed interest (115,317 ) (2,492 ) Total present value of lease obligations 80,241 2,740 Present value of current obligations (1,879 ) (49 ) Present value of long-term obligations $ 78,362 $ 2,691
Lessee, Operating and Finance Leases, Other Information [Table Text Block]	Other Information Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities: Operating cash flows from finance leases $ 203 Operating cash flows from operating leases 5,645 Financing cash flows from finance leases 28 Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for new operating lease liabilities 592 Weighted-average remaining lease term (in years): Finance leases 14 Operating leases 30 Weighted-average discount rate: Finance leases 9.8 % Operating leases 6.9 %
Operating Lease, Lease Income [Table Text Block]	Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended September 30, 2019 September 30, 2019 Lease Income Total lease income $ 879 $ 2,595
Lessor, Operating Lease, Payments to be Received, Maturity [Table Text Block]	At September 30, 2019 Maturities of Future Undiscounted Lease Payments Year 1 $ 1,228 Year 2 1,154 Year 3 544 Year 4 385 Year 5 383 Thereafter 2,933 Total future undiscounted lease payments $ 6,627

Note 11 - Accumulated Other C_2

Note 11 - Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019
Notes Tables
Schedule of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Table Text Block]	Defined Benefit Pension Interest Plan Rate Swaps Total Balance at December 31, 2018 $ (3,003 ) $ 328 $ (2,675 ) Other comprehensive income before reclassifications (22 ) (260 ) (282 ) Reclassifications from accumulated comprehensive income (loss) to net income 37 (464 ) (427 ) Net other comprehensive income (loss) 15 (724 ) (709 ) Balance at September 30, 2019 $ (2,988 ) $ (396 ) $ (3,384 )
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Table Text Block]	Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended September 30, September 30, 2019 2018 2019 2018 Amortization of defined benefit plan pension items: Amortization of loss $ (192 ) $ (13 ) $ 51 $ 169 Income tax effect 55 4 (14 ) (48 ) After tax (137 ) (9 ) 37 121 Amortization of gain on interest rate swap: Reclassification to interest expense (197 ) (136 ) (648 ) (258 ) Income tax effect 56 39 184 74 After tax (141 ) (97 ) (464 ) (184 ) Total reclassifications, net of income tax $ (278 ) $ (106 ) $ (427 ) $ (63 )

Note 12 - Stock Incentive Pla_2

Note 12 - Stock Incentive Plans (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019
Notes Tables
Share-based Payment Arrangement, Restricted Stock Unit, Activity [Table Text Block]	Weighted Average Grant Date Number Fair of Units Value Nonvested at December 31, 2018 1,185 $ 1.88 Granted 443 1.69 Vested (768 ) 1.86 Canceled or expired (208 ) 1.96 Nonvested at September 30, 2019 652 $ 1.76
Schedule of Nonvested Performance-based Units Activity [Table Text Block]	Weighted Average Grant Date Number Fair of Units Value Nonvested at December 31, 2018 2,070 $ 0.85 Granted 1,188 0.77 Vested - - Canceled or expired (1,722 ) 0.78 Nonvested at September 30, 2019 1,536 $ 0.87
Share-based Payment Arrangement, Activity [Table Text Block]	Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended September 30, September 30, 2019 2018 2019 2018 Total compensation cost for share-based payments $ 277 $ 642 $ 766 $ 1,209 Weighted average grant-date fair value of equity instruments granted (per share) $ 1.71 $ 0.80 $ 1.02 $ 0.97 Total fair value of shares vested during the period $ - $ - $ 1,427 $ 1,524 At September 30: Unamortized share-based payments $ 971 $ 2,039 Weighted average period (in years) to be recognized as expense 1.8 1.2

Note 13 - Earnings Per Share (T

Note 13 - Earnings Per Share (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019
Notes Tables
Schedule of Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted [Table Text Block]	Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended September 30, September 30, 2019 2018 2019 2018 Net income attributable to Alaska Communications $ 2,022 $ 1,817 $ 2,284 $ 7,360 Weighted average common shares outstanding: Basic shares 53,328 53,184 53,503 52,994 Effect of stock-based compensation 663 932 902 893 Diluted shares 53,991 54,116 54,405 53,887 Net income per share attributable to Alaska Communications: Basic $ 0.04 $ 0.03 $ 0.04 $ 0.14 Diluted $ 0.04 $ 0.03 $ 0.04 $ 0.14

Note 14 - Retirement Plans (Tab

Note 14 - Retirement Plans (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019
Notes Tables
Schedule of Net Benefit Costs [Table Text Block]	Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended September 30, September 30, 2019 2018 2019 2018 Interest cost $ 153 $ 143 $ 453 $ 425 Expected return on plan assets (169 ) (198 ) (508 ) (594 ) Amortization of loss (176 ) 42 106 338 Net periodic pension expense $ (192 ) $ (13 ) $ 51 $ 169

Note 15 - Supplemental Cash F_2

Note 15 - Supplemental Cash Flow Information (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019
Notes Tables
Reconciliation of Cash, Cash Equivalents, and Restricted Cash [Table Text Block]	September 30, 2019 2018 Cash and cash equivalents $ 25,046 $ 17,292 Restricted cash 1,631 1,634 Total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash $ 26,677 $ 18,926
Schedule of Cash Flow, Supplemental Disclosures [Table Text Block]	2019 2018 Supplemental Non-cash Transactions: Capital expenditures incurred but not paid at September 30 $ 5,823 $ 3,350 Additions to ARO asset $ 58 $ 752

Note 1 - Summary of Significa_2

Note 1 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details Textual) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2019	Jan. 01, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Mar. 13, 2017
Preferred Stock, Shares Issued, Total					0
Operating Lease, Liability, Total	$ 80,241		$ 80,241
Accounting Standards Update 2016-02 [Member]
Operating Lease, Liability, Total				$ 82,020
The 2017 Share Repurchase Program [Member]
Stock Repurchase Program, Authorized Amount						$ 10,000
Treasury Stock, Shares, Acquired			1,000,000
Treasury Stock Acquired, Average Cost Per Share			$ 1.81
Treasury Stock, Value, Acquired, Cost Method			$ 1,812
Chief Executive Officer [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan, Cost of Providing Special and Contractual Termination Benefits		$ 1,595
Payments for Postemployment Benefits	$ 1,193
ACS Cable Systems LLC and Quintillion Holdings, LLC Joint Venture [Member]
Variable Interest Entity, Qualitative or Quantitative Information, Ownership Percentage			50.00%

Note 2 - Revenue Recognition 1

Note 2 - Revenue Recognition 1 (Details Textual) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019USD ($)
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Amount	$ 85,212
Contract with Customer, Provision for Uncollectible Accounts Receivable	$ 275

Note 2 - Revenue Recognition 2

Note 2 - Revenue Recognition 2 (Details Textual) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2019USD ($)
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Amount	$ 85,212
Equipment Delivery, Installation and Configuration [Member] | Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction, Start Date [Axis]: 2019-10-01
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Amount	$ 1,425
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction, Period	1 year
Business Broad Band, Voice and Managed IT Services [Member] | Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction, Start Date [Axis]: 2019-10-01
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Amount	$ 83,787
Business Broad Band, Voice and Managed IT Services [Member] | Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction, Start Date [Axis]: 2019-10-01 | Minimum [Member]
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction, Period	1 year
Business Broad Band, Voice and Managed IT Services [Member] | Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction, Start Date [Axis]: 2019-10-01 | Maximum [Member]
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction, Period	10 years

Note 2 - Revenue Recognition -

Note 2 - Revenue Recognition - Disaggregation of Revenue (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
		Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018
Revenue Accounted for Under ASC 606		$ 50,925	$ 49,827	$ 148,898	$ 148,967
Revenue Accounted for Under Other Guidance		8,203	8,402	24,534	24,812
Total Revenue		59,128	58,229	173,432	173,779
Business and Wholesale Revenue, Business Broadband [Member]
Revenue Accounted for Under ASC 606		15,595	15,309	46,181	45,859
Revenue Accounted for Under Other Guidance
Total Revenue		15,595	15,309	46,181	45,859
Business and Wholesale Revenue, Business Voice and Other [Member]
Revenue Accounted for Under ASC 606		6,889	7,199	20,546	21,088
Revenue Accounted for Under Other Guidance
Total Revenue		6,889	7,199	20,546	21,088
Business and Wholesale Revenue, Managed IT Services [Member]
Revenue Accounted for Under ASC 606		1,789	1,480	4,965	3,936
Revenue Accounted for Under Other Guidance
Total Revenue		1,789	1,480	4,965	3,936
Business and Wholesale Revenue, Equipment Sales and Installations [Member]
Revenue Accounted for Under ASC 606		942	1,488	2,830	3,870
Revenue Accounted for Under Other Guidance
Total Revenue		942	1,488	2,830	3,870
Business and Wholesale Revenue, Wholesale Broadband [Member]
Revenue Accounted for Under ASC 606		9,550	7,624	26,821	23,475
Revenue Accounted for Under Other Guidance
Total Revenue		9,550	7,624	26,821	23,475
Business and Wholesale Revenue, Wholesale Voice and Other [Member]
Revenue Accounted for Under ASC 606		1,870	1,525	4,688	4,455
Revenue Accounted for Under Other Guidance
Total Revenue		1,870	1,525	4,688	4,455
Business and Wholesale Revenue, Operating Leases and Other Deferred Revenue [Member]
Revenue Accounted for Under ASC 606
Revenue Accounted for Under Other Guidance		2,104	1,740	6,241	4,923
Total Revenue		2,104	1,740	6,241	4,923
Business and Wholesale Revenue [Member]
Revenue Accounted for Under ASC 606		36,635	34,625	106,031	102,683
Revenue Accounted for Under Other Guidance		2,104	1,740	6,241	4,923
Total Revenue		38,739	36,365	112,272	107,606
Consumer Revenue, Broadband [Member]
Revenue Accounted for Under ASC 606		6,718	6,539	19,880	19,726
Revenue Accounted for Under Other Guidance
Total Revenue		6,718	6,539	19,880	19,726
Consumer Revenue, Voice and Other [Member]
Revenue Accounted for Under ASC 606		2,567	2,719	7,947	8,355
Revenue Accounted for Under Other Guidance
Total Revenue		2,567	2,719	7,947	8,355
Consumer Revenue [Member]
Revenue Accounted for Under ASC 606		9,285	9,258	27,827	28,081
Revenue Accounted for Under Other Guidance
Total Revenue		9,285	9,258	27,827	28,081
Regulatory Revenue, Access, Including Customer Ordered Service and Special Access [Member]
Revenue Accounted for Under ASC 606	[1]	5,005	5,944	15,040	18,203
Revenue Accounted for Under Other Guidance	[1]
Total Revenue	[1]	5,005	5,944	15,040	18,203
Regulatory Revenue, Access, Including Carrier of Last Resort and Carrier Common Line [Member]
Revenue Accounted for Under ASC 606	[2]
Revenue Accounted for Under Other Guidance	[2]	1,176	1,738	3,523	5,118
Total Revenue	[2]	1,176	1,738	3,523	5,118
Regulatory, High-cost Support [Member]
Revenue Accounted for Under ASC 606
Revenue Accounted for Under Other Guidance		4,923	4,924	14,770	14,771
Total Revenue		4,923	4,924	14,770	14,771
Regulatory Revenue [Member]
Revenue Accounted for Under ASC 606		5,005	5,944	15,040	18,203
Revenue Accounted for Under Other Guidance		6,099	6,662	18,293	19,889
Total Revenue		$ 11,104	$ 12,606	$ 33,333	$ 38,092
[1]	Includes customer ordered service and special access.
[2]	Includes carrier of last resort and carrier common line.

Note 2 - Revenue Recognition _2

Note 2 - Revenue Recognition - Revenue Accounted for In Accordance With ASC 606, By Timing of Revenue Recognition (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
		Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018
Total revenue		$ 50,925	$ 49,827	$ 148,898	$ 148,967
Transferred over Time [Member]
Total revenue		44,978	42,395	131,028	126,894
Transferred at Point in Time [Member]
Total revenue		942	1,488	2,830	3,870
Regulatory Revenue, Access [Member]
Total revenue	[1]	$ 5,005	$ 5,944	$ 15,040	$ 18,203
[1]	Includes customer ordered service and special access.

Note 2 - Revenue Recognition _3

Note 2 - Revenue Recognition - Reconciliation of Contract Assets and Liabilities Associated With Contracts With Customers In Accordance With ASC 606 (Details) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019USD ($)
Balance	$ 8,052
Contract additions, contract assets	2,192
Amortization, contract assets	(2,864)
Impairments	(83)
Balance	7,297
Balance	2,766
Contract additions, contract liabilities	1,535
Revenue recognized, contract liabilities	(1,045)
Balance	$ 3,256

Note 3 - Joint Venture - Certai

Note 3 - Joint Venture - Certain Financial Information About the Joint Venture Included On the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheet (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Property, plant and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $383 and $309	$ 378,518	$ 373,180
ACS Cable Systems LLC and Quintillion Holdings, LLC Joint Venture [Member]
Cash	270	270
Property, plant and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $383 and $309	$ 1,758	$ 1,832

Note 3 - Joint Venture - Cert_2

Note 3 - Joint Venture - Certain Financial Information About the Joint Venture Included On the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheet (Details) (Parentheticals) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Property, plant and equipment, accumulated depreciation	$ 1,036,422	$ 1,017,442
ACS Cable Systems LLC and Quintillion Holdings, LLC Joint Venture [Member]
Property, plant and equipment, accumulated depreciation	$ 383	$ 309

Note 4 - Fair Value Measureme_3

Note 4 - Fair Value Measurements and Derivative Financial Instruments (Details Textual) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jun. 28, 2019	Jun. 24, 2017	Sep. 30, 2019	Jan. 15, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Jun. 14, 2017
Fair Value, Assets, Level 1 to Level 2 Transfers, Amount			$ 0
Interest Rate Swap [Member]
Derivative, Final Notional Amount	$ 67,500			$ 90,000		$ 90,000
Derivative, Fixed Interest Rate	6.1735%			6.49425%		6.49425%
Derivative, Maturity Date	Jun. 30, 2022	Jun. 28, 2019
Interest Rate Swap [Member] | London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member]
Derivative, Basis Spread on Variable Rate	4.50%			5.00%		5.00%
Senior Credit Facilities and Other Long-Term Obligations [Member]
Debt and Lease Obligation, Total			179,207		$ 172,494
The 2019 Senior Credit Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument Covenants, Minimum Borrowing			$ 90,000
Weighted Average Life of Senior Credit Facility			2 years

Note 4 - Fair Value Measureme_4

Note 4 - Fair Value Measurements and Derivative Financial Instruments - Financial Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on Recurring Basis (Details) - Interest Rate Swap [Member] - Fair Value, Recurring [Member] - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Other assets		$ 458
Other long-term liabilities	552
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Other assets
Other long-term liabilities
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Other assets		458
Other long-term liabilities	552
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Other assets
Other long-term liabilities

Note 4 - Fair Value Measureme_5

Note 4 - Fair Value Measurements and Derivative Financial Instruments - Summary of Financial Instruments Designated as Cash Flow Hedges (Details) - Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] - Interest Rate Swap [Member] - Other Assets [Member] - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Notional Amount	$ 135,000	$ 90,000
Fair Value	$ 552	$ 458

Note 4 - Fair Value Measureme_6

Note 4 - Fair Value Measurements and Derivative Financial Instruments - Summary of Gains and Losses Before Income Taxes on Interest Rate Swap Cash Flow Hedges (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018
(Loss) gain recognized in accumulated other comprehensive loss	$ (396)	$ 17	$ (362)	$ 429
Interest Rate Swap [Member] | Cash Flow Hedging [Member]
(Loss) gain recognized in accumulated other comprehensive loss	(396)	17	(362)	429
Gain reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss to income	$ 197	$ 136	$ 648	$ 258

Note 4 - Fair Value Measureme_7

Note 4 - Fair Value Measurements and Derivative Financial Instruments - Effect of Cash Flow Hedge Accounting on the Company's Statement of Operations (Details) - Interest Expense [Member] - Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] - Cash Flow Hedging [Member] - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018
Hedged interest payments	$ (2,327)	$ (1,628)	$ (5,524)	$ (4,690)
Interest Rate Swap [Member]
Gain on interest rate swap	$ 197	$ 136	$ 648	$ 258

Note 5 - Accounts Receivable (D

Note 5 - Accounts Receivable (Details Textual) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Accounts Receivable, after Allowance for Credit Loss, Current, Total	$ 25,438	$ 31,472
Rural Health Care Customers [Member]
Accounts Receivable, after Allowance for Credit Loss, Current, Total	$ 4,012	$ 8,122

Note 5 - Accounts Receivable -

Note 5 - Accounts Receivable - Summary of Accounts Receivable, Net (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Accounts receivable, gross	$ 30,245	$ 35,408
Less: allowance for doubtful accounts	(4,807)	(3,936)
Accounts receivable, net	25,438	31,472
Retail Customers [Member]
Accounts receivable, gross	19,340	21,732
Wholesale Carriers [Member]
Accounts receivable, gross	6,615	9,315
Other [Member]
Accounts receivable, gross	$ 4,290	$ 4,361

Note 5 - Accounts Receivable _2

Note 5 - Accounts Receivable - Summary of Allowance for Doubtful Accounts (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018
Balance	$ 3,936
Provision for uncollectible accounts	275	$ 2,371
Charged to other accounts	1,252
Deductions	(656)
Balance	$ 4,807

Note 6 - Other Current Assets -

Note 6 - Other Current Assets - Prepayments and Other Current Assets (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Income tax receivable	$ 7,559	$ 5,087
Prepaid expense	3,003	3,878
Other	2,629	3,204
Total prepayments and other current assets	$ 13,191	$ 12,169

Note 7 - Current Liabilities -

Note 7 - Current Liabilities - Summary of Accounts Receivable, Net (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Accounts payable - trade	$ 15,392	$ 14,627
Accrued payroll, benefits, and related liabilities	13,018	13,473
Deferred capacity and other revenue	6,588	6,095
Other	5,319	6,762
Total accounts payable, accrued and other current liabilities	$ 40,317	$ 40,957

Note 7 - Current Liabilities _2

Note 7 - Current Liabilities - Summary of Advance Billings and Customer Deposits (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Advance billings	$ 3,760	$ 3,992
Customer deposits	31	32
Total advance billings and customer deposits	$ 3,791	$ 4,024

Note 8 - Long-term Obligation_2

Note 8 - Long-term Obligations (Details Textual) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jun. 28, 2019	Jan. 15, 2019	May 01, 2018	Jun. 24, 2017	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018	Dec. 31, 2023	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2023	Jun. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2022	Dec. 31, 2018	Jun. 14, 2017
Repayments of Long-term Debt, Total								$ 172,903	$ 29,164
Gain (Loss) on Extinguishment of Debt, Total								(2,830)
Interest Rate Swap [Member]
Derivative, Final Notional Amount	$ 67,500	$ 90,000												$ 90,000
Derivative, Fixed Interest Rate	6.1735%	6.49425%												6.49425%
Derivative, Maturity Date	Jun. 30, 2022			Jun. 28, 2019
London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member] | Interest Rate Swap [Member]
Derivative, Basis Spread on Variable Rate	4.50%	5.00%												5.00%
The 2019 Senior Credit Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument, Unamortized Discount, Total					2,408			2,408
Debt Issuance Costs, Gross		$ 2,683
Debt Agreement, Alternate Base Rate, Percentage Lower Than LIBOR Margin		1.00%
Debt Instrument Covenants, Minimum Borrowing					90,000			$ 90,000
Weighted Average Life of Senior Credit Facility								2 years
The 2019 Senior Credit Facility [Member] | Forecast [Member]
Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayments of Principal, Percentage Per Quarter							2.50%			1.875%	0.625%	1.25%
The 2019 Senior Credit Facility [Member] | London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member]
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate		4.50%
The 2019 Senior Credit Facility [Member] | Initial Term A Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument, Face Amount		$ 180,000
The 2019 Senior Credit Facility [Member] | Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity		20,000
Long-term Line of Credit, Total					0			$ 0
The 2019 Senior Credit Facility [Member] | Delayed-Draw Term A Facility [Member]
Long-term Line of Credit, Total					0			0
Debt Agreement, Maximum Borrowing Capacity		25,000
The 2019 Senior Credit Facility [Member] | Incremental Term A Loans [Member]
Debt Agreement, Minimum Incremental Borrowing Capacity		60,000
Proceeds from Issuance of Long-term Debt, Net of Discounts		178,335
Debt Instrument, Unamortized Discount, Total		1,665
Long-term Debt, Gross					0			0
The 2017 Senior Credit Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument, Unamortized Discount, Total													2,024
Interest Paid, Including Capitalized Interest, Operating and Investing Activities, Total		590
Payments of Debt Issuance Costs		2,216
Repayments of Senior Debt, Total		171,750
Gain (Loss) on Extinguishment of Debt, Total		2,830
The 2017 Senior Credit Facility [Member] | Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
Long-term Line of Credit, Total													$ 0
The 2017 Senior Credit Facility [Member] | Term A-1 Facility [Member]
Repayments of Long-term Debt, Total		112,500
The 2017 Senior Credit Facility [Member] | Term A-2 Facility [Member]
Repayments of Long-term Debt, Total		$ 59,250
6.25% Convertible Notes Due 2018 [Member]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage			6.25%
Debt Instrument, Repurchase Amount			$ 10,358
Debt Instrument, Repurchased Face Amount			10,044
Debt Instrument, Repurchase Amount, Accrued Interest			314
Gain (Loss) on Repurchase of Debt Instrument			0
6.25% Convertible Notes Due 2018 Repurchased Utilizing Restricted Cash [Member]
Debt Instrument, Repurchase Amount			10,044
6.25% Convertible Notes Due 2018 Repurchased Utilizing Cash On Hand [Member]
Debt Instrument, Repurchase Amount			$ 314

Note 8 - Long-term Obligation_3

Note 8 - Long-term Obligations - Summary of Long-term Obligations (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Capital leases and other long-term obligations	$ 2,740	$ 2,768
Total long-term obligations	177,215	170,312
Less current portion	(5,674)	(2,289)
Long-term obligations, net of current portion	171,541	168,023
The 2019 Senior Credit Facility [Member]
Long-term obligations	178,875
Debt discount	(2,408)
Debt issuance costs	(1,992)
The 2017 Senior Credit Facility [Member]
Long-term obligations		171,750
Debt discount		(2,024)
Debt issuance costs		$ (2,182)

Note 8 - Long-term Obligation_4

Note 8 - Long-term Obligations - Summary of Aggregate Maturities of Long-term Obligations (Details) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2019USD ($)
2019 (October 1 - December 31)	$ 1,136
2020 (January 1 - December 31)	6,802
2021 (January 1 - December 31)	9,067
2022 (January 1 - December 31)	11,333
2023 (January 1 - December 31)	15,851
2024 (January 1 - December 31)	135,122
Thereafter	2,304
Total maturities of long-term obligations	$ 181,615

Note 9 - Other Long-term Liab_3

Note 9 - Other Long-term Liabilities - Summary of Other Long-term Liabilities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Other	$ 10,004	$ 8,869
Total other long-term liabilities	71,250	67,827
GCI [Member]
Deferred revenue, noncurrent	29,558	31,113
IRU [Member]
Deferred revenue, noncurrent	27,083	25,732
Service, Other [Member]
Deferred revenue, noncurrent	$ 4,605	$ 2,113

Note 10 - Leases (Details Textu

Note 10 - Leases (Details Textual) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2019USD ($)
Lessee, Operating Lease, Lease Not yet Commenced, Present Value	$ 922
Minimum [Member]
Lessee, Operating Lease, Lease Not yet Commenced, Term of Contract	7 years
Maximum [Member]
Lessee, Operating Lease, Lease Not yet Commenced, Term of Contract	25 years

Note 10 - Leases - Lease Cost (

Note 10 - Leases - Lease Cost (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2019
Amortization of right-of-use assets	$ 20	$ 59
Interest on lease liabilities	67	203
Operating lease costs	1,972	5,882
Total lease cost	$ 2,059	$ 6,144

Note 10 - Leases - Balance Shee

Note 10 - Leases - Balance Sheet Information (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Operating lease right of use assets	$ 80,748
Operating lease liabilities - current	2,626
Operating lease liabilities - noncurrent	78,362
Total liabilities	80,988
Finance leases, liability, current	49
Finance leases, liability, noncurrent	2,691
Total finance lease liabilities	2,740
Property, Plant and Equipment [Member]
Finance leases, assets	2,519
Accumulated Depreciation and Amortization [Member]
Finance leases, assets, depreciation and amortization	(1,430)
Property, Plant and Equipment, Net [Member]
Finance leases, assets	1,089
Current Portion of Long-term Obligations [Member]
Finance leases, liability, current	49
Long-term Obligations, Net of Current Portion [Member]
Finance leases, liability, noncurrent	$ 2,691

Note 10 - Leases - Maturities o

Note 10 - Leases - Maturities of Lease Liabilities (Details) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2019USD ($)
Year 1, operating leases	$ 7,236
Year 1, financing leases	316
Year 2, operating leases	7,464
Year 2, financing leases	325
Year 3, operating leases	7,364
Year 3, financing leases	334
Year 4, operating leases	7,140
Year 4, financing leases	343
Year 5, operating leases	6,884
Year 5, financing leases	352
2024 and thereafter, operating leases	159,470
2024 and thereafter, financing leases	3,562
Total lease payments, operating leases	195,558
Total lease payments, financing leases	5,232
Less imputed interest, operating leases	(115,317)
Less imputed interest, financing leases	(2,492)
Total present value of lease obligations, operating leases	80,241
Total present value of lease obligations, financing leases	2,740
Present value of current obligations, operating leases	(1,879)
Present value of current obligations, financing leases	(49)
Present value of long-term obligations, operating leases	78,362
Present value of long-term obligations, financing leases	$ 2,691

Note 10 - Leases - Other Inform

Note 10 - Leases - Other Information (Details) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019USD ($)
Operating cash flows from finance leases	$ 203
Operating cash flows from operating leases	5,645
Financing cash flows from finance leases	28
Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for new operating lease liabilities	$ 592
Finance leases (Year)	14 years
Operating leases (Year)	30 years
Finance leases	9.80%
Operating leases	6.90%

Note 10 - Leases - Lease Income

Note 10 - Leases - Lease Income (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2019
Total lease income	$ 879	$ 2,595

Note 10 - Leases - Maturities_2

Note 10 - Leases - Maturities of Future Undiscounted Lease Payments (Details) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2019USD ($)
Year 1	$ 1,228
Year 2	1,154
Year 3	544
Year 4	385
Year 5	383
Thereafter	2,933
Total future undiscounted lease payments	$ 6,627

Note 11 - Accumulated Other C_3

Note 11 - Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (Details Textual) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019USD ($)
Estimated Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Within Next Twelve Months	$ 19

Note 11 - Accumulated Other C_4

Note 11 - Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss - Summary of Activity in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Details) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019USD ($)
Balance, beginning	$ 169,750
Balance, ending	169,861
Accumulated Defined Benefit Plans Adjustment Attributable to Parent [Member]
Balance, beginning	(3,003)
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications	(22)
Reclassifications from accumulated comprehensive income (loss) to net income	37
Net other comprehensive income (loss)	15
Balance, ending	(2,988)
Accumulated Net Gain (Loss) from Cash Flow Hedges Attributable to Parent [Member] | Interest Rate Swap [Member]
Balance, beginning	328
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications	(260)
Reclassifications from accumulated comprehensive income (loss) to net income	(464)
Net other comprehensive income (loss)	(724)
Balance, ending	(396)
AOCI Attributable to Parent [Member]
Balance, beginning	(2,675)
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications	(282)
Reclassifications from accumulated comprehensive income (loss) to net income	(427)
Net other comprehensive income (loss)	(709)
Balance, ending	$ (3,384)

Note 11 - Accumulated Other C_5

Note 11 - Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss - Summary of Reclassifications from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss to Net Income (Loss) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018
After tax	$ (278)	$ (106)	$ (427)	$ (63)
Reclassification to interest expense	2,684	3,184	11,496	10,038
Income tax effect	1,084	774	1,228	2,080
After tax	(2,022)	(1,817)	(2,284)	(7,360)
Accumulated Defined Benefit Plans Adjustment Attributable to Parent [Member]
Amortization of loss	(192)	(13)	51	169
Income tax effect	55	4	(14)	(48)
After tax	(137)	(9)	37	121
Accumulated Gain (Loss), Net, Cash Flow Hedge, Parent [Member] | Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]
Reclassification to interest expense	(197)	(136)	(648)	(258)
Income tax effect	56	39	184	74
After tax	$ (141)	$ (97)	$ (464)	$ (184)

Note 12 - Stock Incentive Pla_3

Note 12 - Stock Incentive Plans (Details Textual) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2019USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2019
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member] | Share-based Compensation Awards Issued in 2019, Vesting Period [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Period			3 years
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member] | Share-based Compensation Awards Issued in 2018, Vesting Period [Member]
Share-based Payment Arrangement, Accelerated Cost		$ 112
Performance Share Units [Member] | Awards Granted in 2018 [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Number of Equal Installments			3
Share Based Payment Arrangement, Modification Expense		$ 165
Performance Share Units [Member] | Share-based Compensation Awards Issued in 2019, Vesting Period [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Period	3 years

Note 12 - Stock Incentive Pla_4

Note 12 - Stock Incentive Plans - Summary of Activity for Restricted Stock Units, Long-term Incentive Awards and Non-employee Director Stock Compensation (Details) - Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member] shares in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019$ / sharesshares
Number of shares - Nonvested, beginning balance (in shares) | shares	1,185
Weighted average grant date fair value - Nonvested, beginning balance (in dollars per share) | $ / shares	$ 1.88
Number of shares - Granted (in shares) | shares	443
Weighted average grant date fair value - Granted (in dollars per share) | $ / shares	$ 1.69
Number of shares - Vested (in shares) | shares	(768)
Weighted average grant date fair value - Vested (in dollars per share) | $ / shares	$ 1.86
Number of shares - Canceled or expired (in shares) | shares	(208)
Weighted average grant date fair value - Canceled or expired (in dollars per share) | $ / shares	$ 1.96
Number of shares - Nonvested, ending balance (in shares) | shares	652
Weighted average grant date fair value - Nonvested, ending balance (in dollars per share) | $ / shares	$ 1.76

Note 12 - Stock Incentive Pla_5

Note 12 - Stock Incentive Plans - Summary of Activity for Performance Share Units (Details) - Performance Share Units [Member] shares in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019$ / sharesshares
Number of shares - Nonvested, beginning balance (in shares) | shares	2,070
Weighted average grant date fair value - Nonvested, beginning balance (in dollars per share) | $ / shares	$ 0.85
Number of shares - Granted (in shares) | shares	1,188
Weighted average grant date fair value - Granted (in dollars per share) | $ / shares	$ 0.77
Number of shares - Vested (in shares) | shares
Weighted average grant date fair value - Vested (in dollars per share) | $ / shares
Number of shares - Canceled or expired (in shares) | shares	(1,722)
Weighted average grant date fair value - Canceled or expired (in dollars per share) | $ / shares	$ 0.78
Number of shares - Nonvested, ending balance (in shares) | shares	1,536
Weighted average grant date fair value - Nonvested, ending balance (in dollars per share) | $ / shares	$ 0.87

Note 12 - Stock Incentive Pla_6

Note 12 - Stock Incentive Plans - Share-based Compensation (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018
Total compensation cost for share-based payments	$ 277	$ 642	$ 766	$ 1,209
Weighted average grant-date fair value of equity instruments granted (per share) (in dollars per share)	$ 1.71	$ 0.80	$ 1.02	$ 0.97
Total fair value of shares vested during the period			$ 1,427	$ 1,524
Unamortized share-based payments			$ 971	$ 2,039
Weighted average period to be recognized as expense (Year)			1 year 292 days	1 year 73 days

Note 13 - Earnings Per Share (D

Note 13 - Earnings Per Share (Details Textual) - 6.25% Convertible Notes Due 2018 [Member] - shares	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2018	May 01, 2018
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage			6.25%
Convertible Notes Payable [Member]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share, Amount	0	429
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	6.25%	6.25%

Note 13 - Earnings Per Share -

Note 13 - Earnings Per Share - Calculation of Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Share (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018
Net income attributable to Alaska Communications	$ 2,022	$ 1,817	$ 2,284	$ 7,360
Basic shares (in shares)	53,328	53,184	53,503	52,994
Effect of stock-based compensation (in shares)	663	932	902	893
Diluted shares (in shares)	53,991	54,116	54,405	53,887
Basic (in dollars per share)	$ 0.04	$ 0.03	$ 0.04	$ 0.14
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 0.04	$ 0.03	$ 0.04	$ 0.14

Note 14 - Retirement Plans (Det

Note 14 - Retirement Plans (Details Textual) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2019USD ($)
Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Amortization, Next Fiscal Year, Total	$ 352

Note 14 - Retirement Plans - Su

Note 14 - Retirement Plans - Summary of Net Periodic Pension Expense for ACS Retirement Plan (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018
Interest cost	$ 153	$ 143	$ 453	$ 425
Expected return on plan assets	(169)	(198)	(508)	(594)
Amortization of loss	(176)	42	106	338
Net periodic pension expense	$ (192)	$ (13)	$ 51	$ 169

Note 15 - Supplemental Cash F_3

Note 15 - Supplemental Cash Flow Information (Details Textual) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents, Current, Total	$ 1,631	$ 1,634
Certificates of Deposit [Member]
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents, Current, Total	1,600	1,600
Other Restricted Cash [Member]
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents, Current, Total	$ 31	$ 34

Note 15 - Supplemental Cash F_4

Note 15 - Supplemental Cash Flow Information - Reconciliation of Cash and Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash Reported Within the Statement of Financial Position (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Sep. 30, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 25,046	$ 13,351	$ 17,292
Restricted cash	1,631		1,634
Total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash	$ 26,677	$ 14,985	$ 18,926	$ 16,168

Note 15 - Supplemental Cash F_5

Note 15 - Supplemental Cash Flow Information - Summary of Supplemental Non-cash Transaction and Nonmonetary Exchange Information (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018
Capital expenditures incurred but not paid at September 30	$ 5,823	$ 3,350
Additions to ARO asset	$ 58	$ 752

Note 16 - Business Segments (De

Note 16 - Business Segments (Details Textual)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019
Number of Reportable Segments	1

Note 17 - Commitments and Con_2

Note 17 - Commitments and Contingencies (Details Textual) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2019USD ($)
Estimated Litigation Liability	$ 1,365