EarthLink (ELNK) Inactive 10-Q6 Nov 132013 Q3 Quarterly reportFinancial data

Company Profile

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information	9 Months Ended
Document and Entity Information	Sep. 30, 2013	Oct. 31, 2013
Document And Entity Information [Abstract]	'	'
Entity Registrant Name	'EARTHLINK INC	'
Entity Central Index Key	'0001102541	'
Current Fiscal Year End Date	'--12-31	'
Entity Filer Category	'Large Accelerated Filer	'
Document Type	'10-Q	'
Document Period End Date	30-Sep-13	'
Document Fiscal Year Focus	'2013	'
Document Fiscal Period Focus	'Q3	'
Amendment Flag	'false	'
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	'	101,948,342

CONDENSED_CONSOLIDATED_BALANCE

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Current assets:	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	$115,903	$157,621
Marketable securities	0	42,073
Restricted cash	0	1,013
Accounts receivable, net of allowance of $7,872 and $8,311 as of December 31, 2012 and September 30, 2013, respectively	107,433	112,765
Prepaid expenses	20,569	17,171
Deferred income taxes, net	10,482	15,954
Other current assets	10,270	20,303
Total current assets	264,657	366,900
Long-term marketable securities	0	4,778
Property and equipment, net	438,474	418,966
Long-term deferred income taxes, net	246,957	195,012
Goodwill	139,056	379,415
Other intangible assets, net	172,111	214,685
Other long-term assets	27,393	19,654
Total assets	1,288,648	1,599,410
Current liabilities:	'	'
Accounts payable	10,286	18,792
Accrued payroll and related expenses	29,035	31,003
Other accrued liabilities	116,045	129,572
Deferred revenue	50,424	51,690
Current portion of long-term debt and capital lease obligations	1,392	1,375
Total current liabilities	207,182	232,432
Long-term debt and capital lease obligations	606,601	614,890
Other long-term liabilities	30,791	33,284
Total liabilities	844,574	880,606
Stockholders' equity:	'	'
Convertible preferred stock, $0.01 par value, 100,000 shares authorized, 0 shares issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2012 and September 30, 2013	0	0
Common stock, $0.01 par value, 300,000 shares authorized, 196,919 and 197,439 shares issued as of December 31, 2012 and September 30, 2013, respectively, and 102,739 and 101,915 shares outstanding as of December 31, 2012 and September 30, 2013, respectively	1,975	1,969
Additional paid-in capital	2,049,132	2,057,974
Accumulated deficit	-865,102	-606,148
Treasury stock, at cost, 94,180 and 95,524 shares as of December 31, 2012 and September 30, 2013	-741,927	-735,003
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	-4	12
Total stockholders' equity	444,074	718,804
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$1,288,648	$1,599,410

CONDENSED_CONSOLIDATED_BALANCE1

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts Receivable, Current	$8,311	$7,872
Convertible preferred stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$0.01	$0.01
Convertible preferred stock, shares authorized	100,000	100,000
Convertible preferred stock, shares issued	0	0
Convertible preferred stock, shares outstanding	0	0
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$0.01	$0.01
Common stock, shares authorized	300,000	300,000
Common stock, shares issued	197,439	196,919
Common stock, shares outstanding	101,915	102,739
Treasury stock, shares	95,524	94,180

CONDENSED_CONSOLIDATED_STATEME

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Revenues	$308,578	$330,839	$938,767	$1,006,409
Operating costs and expenses:	'	'	'	'
Cost of revenues (exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown separately below)	144,760	155,342	450,564	477,944
Selling, general and administrative (exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown separately below)	108,911	107,626	320,469	319,961
Depreciation and amortization	46,689	45,630	134,314	136,803
Impairment of goodwill, continuing operations	0	0	255,599	0
Restructuring, acquisition and integration-related costs	9,928	6,379	28,468	13,736
Total operating costs and expenses	310,288	314,977	1,189,414	948,444
Income (loss) from operations	-1,710	15,862	-250,647	57,965
Interest expense and other, net	-13,985	-16,792	-46,714	-48,259
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes	-15,695	-930	-297,361	9,706
Income tax benefit (provision)	4,582	2,793	-40,029	478
Income (loss) from continuing operations	-11,113	1,863	-257,332	9,228
Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax	-225	-491	-1,622	-1,699
Net income (loss)	-11,338	1,372	-258,954	7,529
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:	'	'	'	'
Unrealized holding (losses) gains on investments, net of tax	-1	19	-12	29
Foreign Currency Transaction and Translation Adjustment, Net of Tax	-4	0	-4	0
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax	-5	19	-16	29
Comprehensive Income (Loss)	($11,343)	$1,391	($258,970)	$7,558
Earnings Per Share, Basic [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Continuing operations, basic	($0.11)	$0.02	($2.50)	$0.09
Discontinued operations, basic	$0	$0	($0.02)	($0.02)
Basic net income (loss) per share	($0.11)	$0.01	($2.52)	$0.07
Basic weighted average common shares outstanding	102,580	105,001	102,835	105,833
Earnings Per Share, Diluted [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Continuing operations, diluted	($0.11)	$0.02	($2.50)	$0.09
Discontinued operations, diluted	$0	$0	($0.02)	($0.02)
Diluted net income (loss) per share	($0.11)	$0.01	($2.52)	$0.07
Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding	102,580	105,712	102,835	106,592
Dividends declared per share	$0.05	$0.05	$0.15	$0.15

CONDENSED_CONSOLIDATED_STATEME1

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Cash flows from operating activities:	'	'
Net income (loss)	($258,954)	$7,529
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities:	'	'
Depreciation and amortization	134,314	136,803
Impairment of goodwill, continuing operations	255,599	0
Loss on disposals and sales of fixed assets	217	1,044
Non-cash income taxes	-40,206	-1,018
Stock-based compensation	9,218	8,203
Amortization of debt discount, premium and issuance costs	1,044	-1,470
Loss on repayment of debt	2,080	0
Other operating activities	-608	-693
(Increase) decrease in accounts receivable, net	5,438	-6,999
Decrease (increase) in prepaid expenses and other assets	-420	1,055
Increase (decrease) in accounts payable and accrued and other liabilities	-23,117	34,130
Decrease in deferred revenue	-1,175	-56
Net cash provided by operating activities	83,430	178,528
Cash flows from investing activities:	'	'
Purchases of property and equipment	-109,647	-80,729
Purchases of marketable securities	-41,209	-57,528
Sales and maturities of marketable securities	88,060	38,763
Purchase of business	-16,806	0
Purchase of customer relationships	-1,195	0
Change in restricted cash	1,013	768
Other investing activities	1,251	0
Net cash used in investing activities	-78,533	-98,726
Cash flows from financing activities:	'	'
Proceeds from issuance of debt, net of issuance costs	290,692	0
Repayment of debt and capital lease obligations	-316,046	-1,243
Repurchases of common stock	-5,604	-12,967
Payment of dividends	-15,693	-15,917
Proceeds from exercises of stock options	0	236
Other financing activities	36	99
Net cash used in financing activities	-46,615	-29,792
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	-41,718	50,010
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	157,621	211,783
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	$115,903	$261,793

Organization

Organization	9 Months Ended
Organization	Sep. 30, 2013
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]	'
Organization	'
	Organization

	EarthLink, Inc. (“EarthLink” or the “Company”), together with its consolidated subsidiaries, is a leading network, communications and IT services provider to business and residential customers in the United States. The Company operates two reportable segments, Business Services and Consumer Services. The Company’s Business Services segment provides a broad range of data, voice and IT services to retail and wholesale business customers. The Company’s Consumer Services segment provides nationwide Internet access and related value-added services to residential customers. The Company operates an extensive network including approximately 29,521 route fiber miles, 90 metro fiber rings and eight enterprise-class data centers that provide IP coverage across more than 90 percent of the United States. For further information concerning the Company’s reportable segments, see Note 15, “Segment Information.”

Summary_of_Significant_Account

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	9 Months Ended
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	Sep. 30, 2013
Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	'
	Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

	Basis of Presentation

	The condensed consolidated financial statements of EarthLink for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2013 and the related footnote information are unaudited and have been prepared on a basis consistent with the audited consolidated financial statements included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) (the “Annual Report”).

	These financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and the related notes thereto contained in the Annual Report. In the opinion of management, the accompanying unaudited financial statements contain all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring adjustments) which management considers necessary to present fairly the Company’s financial position, results of operations and cash flows for the interim periods presented. The results of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 are not necessarily indicative of the results anticipated for the entire year ending December 31, 2013.

	Basis of Consolidation

	The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements of EarthLink include the accounts of its wholly-owned subsidiaries. All significant intercompany transactions have been eliminated.

	Discontinued Operations

	The operating results of the Company's telecom systems business acquired as part of ITC^DeltaCom, Inc. ("ITC^DeltaCom") have been separately presented as discontinued operations for all periods presented. See Note 6, "Discontinued Operations," for further discussion.

	Use of Estimates

	The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements. Actual results may differ from those estimates.

	Reclassifications

	Certain amounts in the prior period financial statements have been reclassified to conform to the current period presentation.

	Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncement

	In July 2013, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued authoritative guidance on the presentation of unrecognized tax benefits. This guidance requires an entity to present an unrecognized tax benefit, or a portion of an unrecognized tax benefit, as a reduction to a deferred tax asset for a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward, except as follows: to the extent a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward is not available at the reporting date under the tax law of the applicable jurisdiction to settle any additional income taxes that would result from the disallowance of a tax position or the tax law of the applicable jurisdiction does not require the entity to use, and the entity does not intend to use, the deferred tax asset for such purpose, the unrecognized tax benefit should be presented in the financial statements as a liability and should not be combined with deferred tax assets. This guidance is effective prospectively for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2013. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of the adoption of this new guidance on its consolidated financial statements.

Earnings_per_Share

Earnings per Share	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'
Earnings per Share	'
	Earnings per Share

	Basic earnings per share represents net income (loss) divided by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the reported period. Diluted earnings per share reflects the potential dilution that could occur if securities or other contracts to issue common stock, including stock options and restricted stock units (collectively “Common Stock Equivalents”), were exercised, vested or converted into common stock. The dilutive effect, if any, of outstanding stock options and restricted stock units is reflected in diluted earnings per share by application of the treasury stock method. In applying the treasury stock method for stock-based compensation arrangements, the assumed proceeds are computed as the sum of the amount the employee must pay upon exercise, the amount of compensation cost attributed to future services and not yet recognized and the amount of excess tax benefits, if any, that would be credited to additional paid-in capital assuming exercise of the awards.

	The following table sets forth the computation for basic and diluted net income (loss) per share for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2013:


		Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
		September 30,						September 30,
		2012			2013			2012			2013
		(in thousands, except per share data)
	Numerator

	Income (loss) from continuing operations	$	1,863		$	(11,113	)	$	9,228		$	(257,332	)

	Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax	(491		)	(225		)	(1,699		)	(1,622		)
	Net income (loss)	$	1,372		$	(11,338	)	$	7,529		$	(258,954	)


	Denominator

	Basic weighted average common shares outstanding	105,001			102,580			105,833			102,835

	Dilutive effect of Common Stock Equivalents	711			—			759			—

	Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding	105,712			102,580			106,592			102,835


	Basic net income (loss) per share
	Continuing operations	$	0.02		$	(0.11	)	$	0.09		$	(2.50	)

	Discontinued operations	—			—			(0.02		)	(0.02		)

	Basic net income (loss) per share	$	0.01		$	(0.11	)	$	0.07		$	(2.52	)


	Diluted net income (loss) per share
	Continuing operations	$	0.02		$	(0.11	)	$	0.09		$	(2.50	)

	Discontinued operations	—			—			(0.02		)	(0.02		)

	Diluted net income (loss) per share	$	0.01		$	(0.11	)	$	0.07		$	(2.52	)


	During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012, approximately 3.9 million and 3.3 million, respectively, stock options and restricted stock units were excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings per share because their effect would have been anti-dilutive. The Company has not included the effect of Common Stock Equivalents in the calculation of diluted earnings per share for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 because such inclusion would have an anti-dilutive effect due to the Company's net loss. Anti-dilutive securities could be dilutive in future periods.

Acquisitions_Acquisitions

Acquisitions Acquisitions	9 Months Ended
Acquisitions Acquisitions	Sep. 30, 2013
Acquisitions [Abstract]	'
Acquisitions	'
	Acquisitions

	One Communications

	On April 1, 2011, EarthLink completed its acquisition of One Communications Corp. (“One Communications”), a privately-held integrated telecommunications solutions provider serving customers in the northeast, mid-Atlantic and upper midwest sections of the United States. The fair value of consideration transferred was $39.9 million which consisted of $20.0 million in cash and $19.9 million for the issuance of EarthLink common stock. The assets acquired and liabilities assumed of One Communications were recognized at their acquisition date fair values, which included $87.4 million of goodwill. Approximately 59% of the goodwill is deductible for income tax purposes.
	Pursuant to the terms of the merger agreement, the aggregate merger consideration included $13.5 million (combination of cash and approximately 0.8 million shares of common stock) deposited into an escrow account to secure potential post-closing adjustments to the aggregate consideration relating to working capital and other similar adjustments. As of December 31, 2012, approximately $1.4 million of cash and 0.2 million shares of common stock valued at $1.4 million had been returned to EarthLink. During the nine months ended September 30, 2013, an arbitrator made a final decision with respect to the post-closing working capital adjustments. Pursuant to the arbitrator's decision, the Company received an additional $1.9 million of cash and 0.2 million shares of common stock valued at $1.3 million from the escrow account during the nine months ended September 30, 2013, which was recorded in the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income (Loss). As of September 30, 2013, the Company still had certain claims outstanding related to other non-working capital adjustments.

	CenterBeam

	On July 1, 2013, EarthLink acquired substantially all of the assets of CenterBeam, Inc. ("CenterBeam"), a privately-held information technology managed service provider delivering cloud computing and hosted IT services to mid-sized businesses. With this acquisition, EarthLink intends to further grow its IT services portfolio by adding IT services customer scale, expanded IT support center resources and complementary products and capabilities.

	The preliminary fair value of consideration transferred was $23.5 million, which included $16.8 million of cash and $6.7 million for the assumption and repayment of debt and other obligations. The acquisition was accounted for as a business combination. The assets acquired and liabilities assumed of CenterBeam were recognized at their acquisition date fair values. In allocating the purchase price based on estimated fair values, EarthLink recorded approximately $16.5 million of goodwill, $6.4 million of identifiable intangible assets, $0.8 million of property and equipment and $0.2 million of net other liabilities. The allocation of the consideration transferred was based upon a preliminary valuation and the Company’s estimates and assumptions are subject to change. The primary areas of the preliminary purchase price allocation that are not yet finalized relate to working capital adjustments, the fair value of intangible assets, income and non-income based taxes and residual goodwill. EarthLink has included the financial results of CenterBeam in its consolidated financial statements from the date of acquisition. Pro forma financial information for CenterBeam has not been presented, as the effects were not material to the Company's consolidated financial statements.

Restructuring_Acquisition_and_

Restructuring, Acquisition and Integration-Related Costs	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Restructuring and Related Activities [Abstract]	'
Restructuring, Acquisition and Integration-Related Costs	'
	Restructuring, Acquisition and Integration-Related Costs

	Restructuring, acquisition and integration-related costs consist of costs related to EarthLink’s restructuring, acquisition and integration-related activities. Such costs include: 1) integration-related costs, such as system conversion, rebranding costs and integration-related consulting and employee costs; 2) severance and retention costs; 3) transaction-related costs, which are direct costs incurred to effect a business combination, such as advisory, legal, accounting, valuation and other professional fees; and 4) facility-related costs, such as lease termination and asset impairments. Restructuring, acquisition and integration-related costs are expensed in the period in which the costs are incurred and the services are received and are included in restructuring, acquisition and integration-related costs in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss). Restructuring, acquisition and integration-related costs consisted of the following during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2013:


		Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
		September 30,				September 30,
		2012		2013		2012			2013
		(in thousands)
	Integration-related costs	$	3,614	$	5,192	$	6,944		$	15,678

	Severance and retention costs	2,051		4,029		5,111			9,718

	Transaction-related costs	373		670		1,366			985

	Facility-related costs	336		37		491			1,872

	Legacy plan restructuring costs	5		—		(176		)	215

	Restructuring, acquisition and integration-related costs	$	6,379	$	9,928	$	13,736		$	28,468


	Restructuring, acquisition and integration-related costs recorded during the nine months ended September 30, 2013 primarily includes integration costs incurred in connection with integrating operating support systems, networks and certain billing systems and costs incurred in connection with the Company's acquisition of CenterBeam. Restructuring, acquisition and integration-related costs recorded during the nine months ended September 30, 2013 also includes costs incurred to restructure the Company's sales organization in order to better meet the needs of the IT services market, which resulted in a reduction in the Company's sales workforce and some office closings. The Company recorded $2.2 million of severance costs and $0.6 million of facility-related costs in connection with this restructuring, which is included in restructuring, acquisition and integration-related costs in the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income (Loss).

Discontinued_Operations_Discon

Discontinued Operations Discontinued Operations	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Discontinued Operations [Abstract]	'
Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations, Disclosure [Text Block]	'
	Discontinued Operations

	The operating results of the Company's telecom systems business acquired as part of ITC^DeltaCom have been separately presented as discontinued operations for all periods presented. On August 2, 2013, the Company sold its ITC^DeltaCom telecom systems business. The Company received $0.6 million of cash and recorded an $0.8 million receivable for contingent consideration expected to be received over the next four years. No gain or loss was recognized on the sale. The Company has no significant continuing involvement in the operations or significant continuing direct cash flows. The telecom systems results of operations were previously included in the Company's Business Services segment.

	The following table presents summarized results of operations related to discontinued operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2013:


		Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
		September 30,						September 30,
		2012			2013			2012			2013
		(in thousands)
	Revenues	$	3,947		$	774		$	10,931		$	5,922

	Operating costs and expenses	(5,015		)	(1,036		)	(14,197		)	(7,777		)
	Income tax benefit	577			37			1,567			233

	Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax	$	(491	)	$	(225	)	$	(1,699	)	$	(1,622	)

Investments_in_Marketable_Secu

Investments in Marketable Securities	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Investments, Debt and Equity Securities [Abstract]	'
Investments in Marketable Securities	'
	Investments in Marketable Securities

	The Company’s marketable securities consisted of the following as of December 31, 2012 and September 30, 2013:



		As of December 31, 2012			As of September 30, 2013
		(in thousands)
	Corporate debt securities	$	30,181		$	—

	Government and agency securities	5,314			—

	Commercial paper	9,293			—

	Certificates of deposit	1,552			—

	Municipal bonds	511			—

	Total marketable securities	46,851			—

	Less: classified as current	(42,073		)	—

	Total long-term marketable securities	$	4,778		$	—


	Marketable securities consist of investments with original maturities greater than three months at the date of acquisition. Marketable securities with maturities less than one year from the balance sheet date are classified as short-term marketable securities. Marketable securities with maturities greater than one year from the balance sheet date are classified as long-term marketable securities. These investments primarily consisted of corporate debt securities, government and agency notes (which include U.S. treasury securities and government-sponsored debt securities), commercial paper, certificates of deposit and municipal bonds. These securities are classified as available for sale. Available-for-sale securities are carried at fair value, with any unrealized gains and losses, net of tax, included in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) as a separate component of stockholders’ equity and in total comprehensive income (loss). Amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income into earnings are determined on a specific identification basis. Realized gains and losses on marketable securities are determined on a specific identification basis and included in interest expense and other, net, in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss).

	The following tables summarize gross unrealized gains and losses as of December 31, 2012 on the Company’s marketable securities designated as available-for-sale:


		As of December 31, 2012
		Amortized			Gross		Gross		Estimated
		Cost			Unrealized		Unrealized		Fair
					Losses		Gains		Value
		(in thousands)
	Corporate debt securities	$	30,173		$	—	$	8	$	30,181

	Government and agency securities	5,311			—		3		5,314

	Commercial paper	9,292			—		1		9,293

	Certificates of deposit	1,552			—		—		1,552

	Municipal bonds	511			—		—		511

		$	46,839		$	—	$	12	$	46,851

Goodwill_and_Other_Intangible_

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets	'
	Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

	Goodwill

	The changes in the carrying amount of goodwill by operating segment during the nine months ended September 30, 2013 were as follows:


		Consumer			Business				Total
		Services			Services
		Segment			Segment
		(in thousands)
	Balance as of December 31, 2012

	Goodwill	$	88,920		$	378,373			$	467,293

	Accumulated impairment loss	—			(87,878		)		(87,878		)

		88,920			290,495				379,415


	Goodwill impairment	—			(256,700		)		(256,700		)

	Goodwill acquired	—			16,510				16,510

	Discontinued operations	—			(169		)		(169		)


	Balance as of September 30, 2013

	Goodwill	88,920			394,714				483,634

	Accumulated impairment loss	—			(344,578		)		(344,578		)

		$	88,920		$	50,136			$	139,056


	Other Intangible Assets

	The following table presents the components of the Company’s acquired identifiable intangible assets included in the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2012 and September 30, 2013:


		As of December 31, 2012											As of September 30, 2013
		Gross			Accumulated				Net				Gross		Accumulated			Net
		Carrying			Amortization				Carrying				Carrying		Amortization			Carrying
		Value							Value				Value					Value
		(in thousands)
	Customer relationships	$	361,961		$	(160,513	)		$	201,448			$	366,805	$	(204,336	)	$	162,469

	Developed technology and software	24,311			(14,801		)		9,510				26,261		(18,014		)	8,247

	Trade names	9,121			(6,345		)		2,776				9,121		(8,245		)	876

	Other	1,800			(849		)		951				1,800		(1,281		)	519

		$	397,193		$	(182,508	)		$	214,685			$	403,987	$	(231,876	)	$	172,111


	Definite-lived intangible assets are amortized over their estimated useful lives. The Company amortizes its customer relationships using the straight-line method to match the estimated cash flow generated by such assets, and amortizes its developed technology and trade names using the straight-line method because a pattern to which the expected benefits will be consumed or otherwise used up could not be reliably determined. As of September 30, 2013, the weighted average amortization periods were 5.3 years for customer relationships, 3.8 years for developed technology and software, 3.3 years for trade names and 4.4 years for other identifiable intangible assets.

	Amortization of intangible assets, which is included in depreciation and amortization in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss), for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2013 was as follows:



	Three Months Ended							Nine Months Ended
	September 30,							September 30,
	2012			2013				2012				2013
	(in thousands)
Amortization expense	$	17,709		$	16,795			$	53,146			$	49,687


Based on the current amount of definite-lived intangible assets, the Company expects to record amortization expense of approximately $16.7 million during the remaining three months in the year ending December 31, 2013 and $62.7 million, $60.7 million, $29.6 million, $1.9 million and $0.5 million during the years ending December 31, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 and thereafter, respectively. Actual amortization expense to be reported in future periods could differ materially from these estimates as a result of acquisitions, changes in useful lives and other relevant factors.

Impairment of Goodwill
During the first quarter of 2013, the Company recognized a $256.7 million non-cash impairment charge to goodwill related to its Business Services reporting unit, of which $255.6 million is included in continuing operations and $1.1 million is reflected in discontinued operations. The impairment was based on an analysis of a number of factors after a decline in the Company's market capitalization following the announcement of its fourth quarter 2012 earnings and 2013 financial guidance. The primary factor contributing to the impairment was a change in the discount rate and market multiples as a result of the change in these market conditions, both key assumptions used in the determination of fair value.
The Company tests its goodwill annually during the fourth quarter of each fiscal year or when events or changes in circumstances indicate that goodwill might be impaired. The Company's stock price and market capitalization declined during the three months ended March 31, 2013 following the announcement in mid-February 2013 of the Company's fourth quarter 2012 earnings and 2013 financial guidance. As a result of the sustained decrease in stock price and market capitalization, the Company performed an interim goodwill test in conjunction with the preparation of its financial statements for the three months ended March 31, 2013.
Impairment testing of goodwill is required at the reporting unit level and involves a two-step process. The Company identified two reporting units, Business Services and Consumer Services, for evaluating goodwill. Each of these reporting units constitutes a business for which discrete financial information is available and segment management regularly reviews the operating results. The first step of the impairment test involves comparing the estimated fair values of the Company's reporting units with the reporting units' carrying amounts, including goodwill. The Company estimated the fair values of its reporting units based on weighting of the income and market approaches. These models use significant unobservable inputs, or Level 3 inputs, as defined by the fair value hierarchy. Under the income approach, the fair value of the reporting unit was estimated based on the present value of estimated cash flows using a discounted cash flow method. The significant assumptions used in the discounted cash flow method included internal forecasts and projections developed by management for planning purposes, available industry/market data, strategic plans, discount rates and the growth rate to calculate the terminal value. Under the market approach, the fair value was estimated using the guideline company method. The Company selected guideline companies in the industry where each reporting unit operates.

Upon completion of the first step, the Company determined that the carrying value of its Business Services reporting unit exceeded its estimated fair value, so a second step was performed to compare the carrying amount of goodwill to the implied fair value of that goodwill. The implied fair value of goodwill for the Business Services reporting unit was determined in the same manner as utilized to recognize goodwill in a business combination. To determine the implied value of goodwill, estimated fair values were allocated to the identifiable assets and liabilities of the Business Services reporting unit as of March 31, 2013. The implied fair value of goodwill was measured as the excess of the fair value of the Business Services reporting unit over the amounts assigned to its identifiable assets and liabilities. The impairment loss of $256.7 million during the first quarter 2013 was measured as the amount the carrying value of goodwill exceeded the implied fair value of the goodwill. Of this amount, $49.3 million was deductible for tax purposes. Approximately $50.1 million of goodwill attributable to the Business Services reporting unit remains as of September 30, 2013.

Other_Accrued_Liabilities

Other Accrued Liabilities	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Other Accrued Liabilities [Abstract]	'
Other Accrued Liabilities Disclosure	'
	Other Accrued Liabilities

	Other accrued liabilities consisted of the following as of December 31, 2012 and September 30, 2013:


		As of December 31, 2012		As of September 30, 2013
		(in thousands)
	Accrued taxes and surcharges	$	33,016	$	27,697

	Accrued communications costs	39,174		28,100

	Accrued interest	11,066		17,565

	Amounts due to customers	15,913		12,393

	Facility exit and restructuring liabilities	3,211		2,919

	Other	27,192		27,371

	Total other accrued liabilities	$	129,572	$	116,045

LongTerm_Debt_and_Capital_Leas

Long-Term Debt and Capital Lease Obligations	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Long-Term Debt and Capital Lease Obligations	'
	Long-Term Debt and Capital Lease Obligations

	The Company’s long-term debt and capital lease obligations consisted of the following as of December 31, 2012 and September 30, 2013:


		As of December 31, 2012			As of September 30, 2013
		(in thousands)
	EarthLink senior secured notes due June 2020	$	—		$	300,000

	EarthLink senior notes due May 2019	300,000			300,000

	Unamortized discount on EarthLink senior notes due May 2019	(8,818		)	(8,035		)
	ITC^DeltaCom senior secured notes due April 2016	292,300			—

	Unamortized premium on ITC^DeltaCom senior secured notes due April 2016	15,694			—

	Capital lease obligations	17,089			16,028

	Carrying value of debt and capital lease obligations	616,265			607,993

	Less current portion of debt and capital lease obligations	(1,375		)	(1,392		)
	Long-term debt and capital lease obligations	$	614,890		$	606,601


	EarthLink Senior Secured Notes due June 2020
	General. In May 2013, the Company completed a private placement of $300.0 million aggregate principal amount of 7.375% Senior Secured Notes due 2020 (the “Senior Secured Notes”). The Senior Secured Notes were issued at 100% of their principal amount, resulting in gross proceeds of approximately $300.0 million and net proceeds of $292.6 million after deducting transaction fees and expenses of $7.4 million. The transaction fees and expenses were recorded in other long-term assets in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet and are being amortized to interest expense on a straight-line basis over the life of the Senior Secured Notes. In connection with the issuance of the Senior Secured Notes, the Company entered into a registration rights agreement with the original purchasers pursuant to which the Company was required to complete an exchange offer of the privately placed Senior Secured Notes for new 7.375% Senior Secured Notes due 2020 registered with the SEC with substantially identical terms to the original Senior Secured Notes. In August 2013, in accordance with the registration rights granted to the original purchasers of the Senior Secured Notes, the Company completed an exchange offer of the privately placed Senior Secured Notes for new 7.375% Senior Secured Notes due 2020 registered with the SEC with substantially identical terms to the original Senior Secured Notes.
	The Senior Secured Notes accrue interest at a rate of 7.375% per year, payable on June 1 and December 1 of each year, commencing on December 1, 2013. The Senior Secured Notes will mature on June 1, 2020.
	Redemption. The Company may redeem the Senior Secured Notes, in whole or in part, (i) from June 1, 2016 until May 31, 2017 at a price equal to 105.531% of the principal amount of the Senior Secured Notes redeemed; (ii) from June 1, 2017 until May 31, 2018 at a price equal to 103.688% of the principal amount of the Senior Secured Notes redeemed; (iii) from June 1, 2018 until May 31, 2019 at a price equal to 101.844% of the principal amount of the Senior Secured Notes redeemed; and (iv) from June 1, 2019 and thereafter at a price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the Senior Secured Notes redeemed, in each case plus accrued and unpaid interest. Prior to June 1, 2016, the Company may also redeem the Senior Secured Notes, in whole or in part, at a price equal to 100% of the aggregate principal amount of the Senior Secured Notes to be redeemed plus a make-whole premium and accrued and unpaid interest. In addition, prior to June 1, 2016, the Company may redeem up to 35% of the aggregate principal amount of the Senior Secured Notes with the net cash proceeds of certain equity offerings at a price equal to 107.375% of the principal amount of the Senior Secured Notes redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest.
	Ranking and guaranty. The Senior Secured Notes and the related guarantees are the Company's and the Guarantors' senior secured obligations and rank equally with all of the Company's and the Guarantors' other senior secured indebtedness. The Senior Secured Notes and the guarantees are secured by a first-priority lien on substantially all of EarthLink's assets and the assets of the Guarantors (subject to certain exceptions and permitted liens).
	Covenants. The indenture governing the Senior Secured Notes includes covenants which, subject to certain exceptions, limit the ability of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries (as defined in the indenture) to, among other things, incur additional indebtedness, make certain types of restricted payments, create liens, transfer and sell assets, enter into certain transactions with affiliates, issue or sell stock of subsidiaries, engage in sale-leaseback transactions and create restrictions on dividends or other payments by restricted subsidiaries. Upon a change of control (as defined in the indenture), the Company may be required to make an offer to repurchase the Senior Secured Notes at 101% of their principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest. The indenture governing the Senior Secured Notes also contains customary events of default. As of September 30, 2013, the Company was in compliance with these covenants.

	The indenture governing the Senior Secured Notes contains covenants regarding the Company's ability to make Restricted Payments (as defined in the indenture), including certain dividends, stock purchases, debt repayments and investments. The indenture governing the Company's Senior Secured Notes currently permits approximately $41.6 million in Restricted Payments. The Company's ability to make Restricted Payments varies over time, and is determined, in part, by the extent that the Company's cumulative EBITDA exceeds 300% of its cumulative interest expense.

	EarthLink Senior Notes due May 2019

	General. In May 2011, the Company completed a private placement of $300.0 million aggregate principal amount of 8.875% Senior Notes due 2019 (the “Senior Notes”). The Senior Notes were issued at 96.555% of their principal amount, resulting in gross proceeds of approximately $289.7 million and net proceeds of $280.2 million after deducting transaction fees of $9.5 million. In September 2011, in accordance with the registration rights granted to the original purchasers of the Senior Notes, the Company completed an exchange offer of the privately placed Senior Notes for new 8.875% Senior Notes due 2019 registered with the SEC with substantially identical terms to the original Senior Notes.

	The Senior Notes accrue interest at a rate of 8.875% per year, payable on May 15 and November 15 of each year, commencing on November 15, 2011. The Senior Notes will mature on May 15, 2019.

	Redemption. The Company may redeem the Senior Notes, in whole or in part, (i) from May 15, 2015 until May 15, 2016 at a price equal to 104.438% of the principal amount of the Senior Notes redeemed; (ii) from May 15, 2016 until May 15, 2017 at a price equal to 102.219% of the principal amount of the Senior Notes redeemed; and (iii) from May 15, 2017 at a price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the Senior Notes redeemed, in each case plus accrued and unpaid interest. Prior to May 15, 2015, the Company may also redeem the Senior Notes, in whole or in part, at a price equal to 100% of the aggregate principal amount of the Senior Notes to be redeemed plus a make-whole premium and accrued and unpaid interest. In addition, prior to May 15, 2014, the Company may redeem up to 35% of the aggregate principal amount of the Senior Notes with the net cash proceeds of certain equity offerings at a price equal to 108.875% of the principal amount of the Senior Notes redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest.

	Ranking and guaranty. The Senior Notes and the related guarantees of certain of the Company’s wholly-owned subsidiaries (the “Guarantors”) are the Company’s and the Guarantors’ unsecured senior obligations and rank equally with all of the Company’s and the Guarantors’ other senior indebtedness.

	Covenants. The indenture governing the Senior Notes includes covenants which, subject to certain exceptions, limit the ability of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries (as defined in the indenture) to, among other things, incur additional indebtedness, make certain types of restricted payments, incur liens on assets of the Company or the Restricted Subsidiaries, engage in asset sales and enter into transactions with affiliates. Upon a change of control (as defined in the indenture), the Company may be required to make an offer to repurchase the Notes at 101% of their principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest. The indenture governing the Senior Notes also contains customary events of default. As of September 30, 2013, the Company was in compliance with these covenants.

	The indenture governing the Senior Notes contains covenants regarding the Company's ability to make Restricted Payments (as defined in the indenture), including certain dividends, stock purchases, dept repayments and investments. The indenture governing the Company's Senior Notes currently permits approximately $166.7 million in Restricted Payments. The Company's ability to make Restricted Payments varies over time, and is determined, in part, by the extent that the Company's cumulative EBITDA exceeds 300% of its cumulative interest expense.

	ITC^DeltaCom Senior Secured Notes due April 2016

	General. In connection with the EarthLink’s acquisition of ITC^DeltaCom in December 2010, EarthLink assumed ITC^DeltaCom’s outstanding $325.0 million aggregate principal amount of 10.5% senior secured notes due on April 1, 2016 (the “ITC^DeltaCom Notes”). The ITC^DeltaCom Notes were recorded at acquisition date fair value, which was based on publicly-quoted market prices.

	The ITC^DeltaCom Notes accrued interest at a rate of 10.5% per year. Interest on the ITC^DeltaCom Notes was payable semi-annually in cash in arrears on April 1 and October 1 of each year. The maturity date of the ITC^DeltaCom Notes was April 1, 2016.

	Repurchases and Redemptions. Under the indenture for the ITC^DeltaCom Notes, following the consummation of EarthLink's acquisition, ITC^DeltaCom was required to offer to repurchase any or all of the ITC^DeltaCom Notes at 101% of their principal amount. As a result, approximately $0.2 million outstanding principal amount of the ITC^DeltaCom Notes was repurchased in January 2011.

	In December 2012, the Company exercised its right to call for the redemption of 10% of the aggregate principal amount of its outstanding ITC^DeltaCom Notes. The Company redeemed $32.5 million aggregate principal amount of the ITC^DeltaCom Notes on December 6, 2012. The redemption price was equal to 103% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest. Upon completion of the redemption, $292.3 million aggregate principal amount of the ITC^DeltaCom Notes remained outstanding. The Company recognized an $0.8 million gain on redemption.

	In May 2013, the Company commenced a cash tender offer (the “Tender Offer”) for any and all of the $292.3 million outstanding principal amount of the ITC^DeltaCom Notes. Approximately $129.6 million aggregate principal amount (or 44.36%) of the ITC^DeltaCom Notes were validly tendered in May 2013 at a price equal to 105.875%of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest. In June 2013, the Company redeemed the remaining $162.7 million aggregate principal amount of the ITC^DeltaCom Notes at a redemption price equal to 105.250% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest. As a result, all of the remaining obligations under the indenture for the ITC^DeltaCom Notes have been terminated and no principal amount remains outstanding. The Company paid an aggregate of $314.8 million in the Tender Offer and redemption, which consisted of $292.3 million of outstanding principal amount, $16.2 million of premiums and $6.3 million of accrued and unpaid interest. The Company recognized a $2.0 million net loss on the Tender Offer and redemption, consisting of the $16.2 million of premiums paid, net of $14.2 million for the write-off of unamortized premium on debt. This loss is included in interest expense and other, net, in the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income (Loss).
	Revolving Credit Facility

	General. In May 2013, the Company entered into an amended and restated credit agreement (the “Credit Agreement”) providing for a senior secured revolving credit facility with aggregate revolving commitments of $135.0 million. This senior secured revolving credit facility replaced the Company's existing $150.0 million senior secured credit facility. The senior secured revolving credit facility terminates on May 29, 2017, and all amounts outstanding thereunder shall be due and payable in full. The Company paid $1.9 million of transaction fees and expenses related to the amended senior secured revolving credit facility, which are being amortized to interest expense over the life of the credit facility using the straight-line method. Commitment fees and borrowing costs under this facility vary and are based the Company’s most recent Consolidated Leverage Ratio (as defined in the Credit Agreement). As of September 30, 2013, the Company’s Commitment Fee was 0.5% and the Company’s borrowing cost would be LIBOR plus 3.25% for LIBOR Rate Loans and the Base Rate plus 2.25% for Base Rate Loans. No loans were outstanding under the senior secured revolving credit facility as of September 30, 2013. However, $2.2 million of letters of credit were outstanding under the facility’s Letter of Credit Sublimit as of September 30, 2013.

	The Company is the borrower under the Credit Agreement. All obligations of the borrower under the Credit Agreement are guaranteed by substantially all of the Company's existing direct and indirect domestic subsidiaries and will be guaranteed by certain of the Company's future direct and indirect domestic subsidiaries. The obligations of the Company and the subsidiary guarantors under the Credit Agreement, as well as obligations under certain treasury management, interest protection or other hedging arrangements entered into with a lender, are secured by (subject to certain liens permitted by the Credit Agreement) liens, which rank equally with the Company's other senior secured indebtedness, on or security interests in substantially all of the Company's and the subsidiary guarantors' present and future assets (subject to certain exclusions set forth in the Credit Agreement).

Prepayment. The Company may prepay the senior secured revolving credit facility in whole or in part at any time without premium or penalty, subject to reimbursement of the lenders’ breakage and redeployment costs in the case of prepayment of LIBOR borrowings. The Company may irrevocably reduce or terminate the unutilized portion of the senior secured revolving credit facility at any time without penalty.

Covenants. The Credit Agreement contains representations and warranties, covenants, and events of default with respect to the Company and its subsidiaries that are customarily applicable to senior secured credit facilities. The negative covenants in the Credit Agreement include restrictions on the ability of the Company and its subsidiaries to, among other things, incur additional indebtedness, make capital expenditures, incur liens on assets, engage in certain mergers, acquisitions or divestitures, pay dividends or make other distributions, voluntarily prepay certain other indebtedness (including certain prepayments of the Company’s existing notes), enter into transactions with affiliates, make investments, and change the nature of their businesses, and amend the terms of certain other indebtedness (including the Company’s existing notes), in each case subject to certain exceptions set forth in the Credit Agreement.

Additionally, the Credit Agreement requires the Company to maintain a consolidated net leverage ratio of not greater than 3.5 to 1.0 (with restrictions on cash netting) and a consolidated interest coverage ratio of not less than 3.0 to 1.0. As of September 30, 2013, the Company was in compliance with these covenants.

Capital Lease Obligations

The Company maintains capital leases relating to indefeasible right-to-use agreements, vehicles and equipment. Depreciation expense related to assets under capital leases is included in depreciation and amortization expense in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss).

Stockholders_Equity

Stockholders' Equity	9 Months Ended
Stockholders' Equity	Sep. 30, 2013
Stockholders' Equity Note [Abstract]	'
Stockholders' Equity	'
	Stockholders’ Equity

	Share Repurchases

	Since the inception of the Company’s share repurchase program, the Board of Directors has authorized a total of $750.0 million for the repurchase of EarthLink’s common stock. As of September 30, 2013, the Company had $67.9 million available under the current authorizations. The Company may repurchase its common stock from time to time in compliance with the Securities and Exchange Commission’s regulations and other legal requirements, including through the use of derivative transactions, and subject to market conditions and other factors. The share repurchase program does not require the Company to acquire any specific number of shares and may be terminated by the Board of Directors at any time.

	The Company repurchased 1.9 million shares of its common stock pursuant to its share repurchase program for $13.0 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2012. The Company repurchased 1.1 million shares of its common stock pursuant to its share repurchase program for $5.6 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2013.

	Dividends

	During the nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2013, cash dividends declared were $0.15 and $0.15 per common share, respectively. The Company also pays cash dividend amounts on each outstanding restricted stock unit to be paid at the time the restricted stock unit vests. Cash dividend amounts are forfeited if the restricted stock units do not vest. Total dividend payments were $15.9 million and $15.7 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2013, respectively. The Company currently intends to pay regular quarterly dividends on its common stock. Any decision to declare future dividends will be made at the discretion of the Board of Directors and will depend on, among other things, the Company’s results of operations, financial condition, cash requirements, investment opportunities and other factors the Board of Directors may deem relevant. In addition, the agreements governing the Company’s Senior Secured Notes, Senior Notes and senior secured revolving credit facility contain restrictions on the amount of dividends the Company can pay.

StockBased_Compensation

Stock-Based Compensation	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]	'
Stock-Based Compensation	'
	Stock-Based Compensation

	The Company measures compensation cost for all stock awards at fair value on the date of grant and recognizes compensation expense over the requisite service period for awards expected to vest. The Company estimates the fair value of stock options using the Black-Scholes valuation model, and determines the fair value of restricted stock units based on the quoted price of EarthLink’s common stock on the date of grant. Such value is recognized as expense over the requisite service period, net of estimated forfeitures, using the straight-line attribution method. For performance-based awards, the Company recognizes expense over the requisite service period, net of estimated forfeitures, using the accelerated attribution method when it is probable that the performance measure will be achieved. The estimate of awards that will ultimately vest requires significant judgment, and to the extent actual results or updated estimates differ from the Company’s current estimates, such amounts will be recorded as a cumulative adjustment in the period estimates are revised. The Company considers many factors when estimating expected forfeitures, including types of awards, employee class and historical employee attrition rates. Actual results, and future changes in estimates, may differ substantially from the Company’s current estimates.

	Stock-based compensation expense was $2.7 million and $1.2 million during the three months ended September 30, 2012 and 2013, respectively, and $8.2 million and $9.2 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2013, respectively. The Company has classified stock-based compensation expense within selling, general and administrative expense, the same operating expense line item as cash compensation paid to employees.

	Stock Incentive Plans

	The Company has granted to employees and non-employee directors options to purchase the Company’s common stock and restricted stock units under various stock incentive plans. Under the plans, employees and non-employee directors are eligible to receive awards of various forms of equity-based incentive compensation, including stock options, restricted stock, restricted stock units, phantom share units and performance awards, among others. The plans are administered by the Board of Directors or the Leadership and Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors, which determine the terms of the awards granted. Stock options are generally granted with an exercise price equal to the closing market value of EarthLink, Inc. common stock on the date of grant, have a term of ten years or less, and vest over terms of four years from the date of grant. Restricted stock units are granted with various vesting terms that range from one to three years from the date of grant.

	Options Outstanding

	The following table summarizes stock option activity as of and for the nine months ended September 30, 2013:


		Stock Options			Weighted				Weighted		Aggregate
					Average				Average		Intrinsic
					Exercise				Remaining		Value
					Price				Contractual
									Term (Years)
		(shares and dollars in thousands)
	Outstanding as of December 31, 2012	3,723			$	8.12

	Granted	2,301			6.08

	Forfeited and expired	(431	)		7.36

	Outstanding as of September 30, 2013	5,593			7.34				7.2		$	—

	Vested and expected to vest as of September 30, 2013	5,415			$	7.36			7.2		$	—

	Exercisable as of September 30, 2013	2,036			$	8.54			4.2		$	—


	The aggregate intrinsic value amounts in the table above represent the closing price of the Company’s common stock on September 30, 2013 in excess of the exercise price, multiplied by the number of stock options outstanding, exercisable or vested and expected to vest, when the closing price is greater than the exercise price. This represents the amount that would have been received by the stock option holders if they had all exercised their stock options on September 30, 2013. The total intrinsic value of options exercised during the nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2013 was $56,000 and $0, respectively. The intrinsic value of stock options exercised represents the difference between the market value of Company’s common stock at the time of exercise and the exercise price, multiplied by the number of stock options exercised. As of September 30, 2013, there was $4.0 million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to stock options. That cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 2.9 years.

	The following table summarizes the status of the Company’s stock options as of September 30, 2013:


																			Stock Options
	Stock Options Outstanding																		Exercisable
														Weighted
														Average		Weighted					Weighted
														Remaining		Average					Average
	Range of										Number			Contractual		Exercise			Number		Exercise
	Exercise Prices										Outstanding			Life		Price			Exercisable		Price
											(in thousands)								(in thousands)
	$	6.08			to		$	6.08			2,183			9.4		$	6.08		—		$	—

	6.86				to		6.98				103			3.6		6.89			103		6.89

	7.02				to		7.32				322			3.7		7.28			322		7.28

	7.51				to		7.51				1,884			8.4		7.51			587		7.51

	7.64				to		8.96				185			6		8.36			108		8.29

	9.01				to		9.24				241			1.1		9.03			241		9.03

	9.48				to		9.89				277			2.1		9.51			277		9.51

	10.36				to		11.82				398			1.8		10.6			398		10.6

$	6.08			to		$	11.82			5,593			7.2		$	7.34		2,036		$	8.54


The fair value of stock options granted during the nine months ended September 30, 2013 was estimated using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model with the following assumptions:



	Nine Months Ended
	September 30, 2013
Dividend yield	3.29%
Expected volatility	31.20%
Risk-free interest rate	0.88%
Expected life	5 years

The weighted average grant date fair value of options granted during the nine months ended September 30, 2013 was $1.19 per share. The dividend yield assumption was based on the Company's history of dividend payouts at the time of grant. The expected volatility was based on a combination of the Company's historical stock price and implied volatility. The selection of implied volatility data to estimate expected volatility was based upon the availability of prices for actively traded options on the Company's stock. The risk-free interest rate assumption was based upon the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of grant for periods corresponding with the expected life of the option. The expected life of employee stock options represents the weighted-average period the stock options are expected to remain outstanding.

Restricted Stock Units

The following table summarizes restricted stock unit activity as of and for the nine months ended September 30, 2013:


	Restricted			Weighted
	Stock Units			Average
				Grant Date
				Fair Value
	(in thousands)
Outstanding as of December 31, 2012	2,981			$	7.9

Granted	2,449			6.07

Vested	(797	)		8.13

Forfeited	(677	)		7.05

Outstanding as of September 30, 2013	3,956			$	6.86


The fair value of restricted stock units is determined based on the closing price of EarthLink’s common stock on the grant date. The weighted-average grant date fair value of restricted stock units granted during the nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2013 was $7.54 and $6.07, respectively. As of September 30, 2013, there was $14.8 million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to nonvested restricted stock units. That cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 1.9 years. The total fair value of shares vested during the nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2013 was $6.5 million and $5.3 million, respectively, which represents the closing price of the Company’s common stock on the vesting date multiplied by the number of restricted stock units that vested.

Income_Taxes

Income Taxes	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Income Taxes	'
	Income Taxes

	The following table presents the components of the income tax benefit (provision) from continuing operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2013:


		Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
		September 30,						September 30,
		2012			2013			2012			2013
		(in thousands)
	Current benefit (provision)	$	1,912		$	(21	)	$	(1,496	)	$	(177	)

	Deferred benefit	881			4,603			1,018			40,206

	Total income tax benefit (provision)	$	2,793		$	4,582		$	(478	)	$	40,029


	The income tax provision for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 represents an effective rate of 13%, including tax expense of $0.4 million for discrete items, which represents (0.13)% of the effective tax rate. The effective rate differs from the federal statutory rate of 35% primarily because of the impairment of non-deductible goodwill, as well as state taxes. The discrete expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 relates to stock-based compensation, return to accrual adjustments, prior year state tax items and additional penalties and interest related to uncertain tax positions. The current tax provision for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 was due to the prior year state tax items and penalties and interest related to uncertain tax positions. The non-cash deferred tax benefit was due primarily to net operating loss carryforwards and the impairment of tax deductible goodwill.

	Valuation allowance. The Company has a valuation allowance of $39.1 million against certain deferred tax assets. Of this amount, approximately $31.6 million relates to net operating losses generated by the tax benefits of stock-based compensation. The valuation allowance will be removed upon utilization of these net operating losses by the Company as an adjustment to additional paid-in-capital. Approximately $7.1 million relates to net operating losses in certain jurisdictions where the Company believes it is not “more likely than not” to be realized in future periods. In addition, a valuation allowance of $0.4 million was established in 2010 relating to stock-based compensation deferred tax assets.

	To the extent the Company reports income in future periods, the Company intends to use its net operating loss carryforwards to the extent available to offset taxable income and reduce cash outflows for income taxes. The Company’s ability to use its federal and state net operating loss carryforwards and federal and state tax credit carryforwards may be subject to restrictions attributable to equity transactions in the future resulting from changes in ownership as defined under the Internal Revenue Code.

	The Company recognizes deferred tax assets and liabilities using tax rates in effect for the years in which temporary differences are expected to reverse, including net operating loss carryforwards. Management assesses the realizability of deferred tax assets and records a valuation allowance if it is "more-likely-than-not" that all or a portion of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. The Company considers the probability of future taxable income and historical profitability, among other factors, in assessing the amount of the valuation allowance. Significant judgment is involved in this determination, including projections of future taxable income. Changes in these estimates and assumptions could materially affect the amount of the valuation allowance. Adjustments could be required in the future if it is estimated that the amount of deferred tax assets that are "more-likely-than-not" able to be realized is more or less than the net amount recorded. It is reasonably possible that if estimates of future taxable income are reduced, the amount of the Company’s deferred tax assets considered realizable could be reduced in the near term. Any change in the valuation allowance could have the effect of increasing and/or decreasing stockholders' equity or the income tax provision in the statement of comprehensive income (loss).

	Uncertain tax positions. The Company has identified its federal tax return and its state tax returns in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Massachusetts, New York and North Carolina as material tax jurisdictions for purposes of calculating its uncertain tax positions. The Company believes that its income tax filing positions and deductions through the period ended September 30, 2013 will not result in a material adverse effect on the Company's financial condition, results of operations or cash flow. The Company's policy for recording interest and penalties associated with audits is to record such items as a component of income tax expense. As of September 30, 2013, $0.9 million of interest and $0.8 million of penalties had been accrued.

	A reconciliation of changes in the amount of unrecognized tax benefits for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 is as follows:


		Nine Months Ended
		September 30,
		2013
		(in thousands)
	Balance as of January 1, 2013	$	23,400

	Decreases for tax positions related to prior years	(101		)
	Balance as of September 30, 2013	$	23,299


	Within the next twelve months, it is reasonably possible that approximately $5.3 million of the total uncertain tax positions recorded will reverse, primarily due to the expiration of statutes of limitation in various jurisdictions.

Fair_Value_Measurements

Fair Value Measurements	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]	'
Fair Value Measurements	'
	Fair Value Measurements

	Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date (an exit price). A three-tier fair value hierarchy is used to prioritize the inputs used in measuring fair value. These tiers include: Level 1, defined as observable inputs such as quoted prices in active markets; Level 2, defined as observable inputs other than quoted prices in active markets that are either directly or indirectly observable; and Level 3, defined as unobservable inputs for which little or no market data exists, therefore requiring an entity to develop its own assumptions.

	Assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis

	As of December 31, 2012, the Company held certain assets that are required to be measured at fair value on a recurring basis. These included the Company’s cash equivalents and marketable securities. The following tables present the Company’s assets that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2012:



						Fair Value Measurements as of December 31, 2012 Using
	Description	Carrying		Fair		Quoted Prices		Significant		Significant
		Value		Value		in Active		Other		Unobservable
						Markets for		Observable		Inputs
						Identical Assets		Inputs		(Level 3)
						(Level 1)		(Level 2)
		(in thousands)
	Cash equivalents	$	27,854	$	27,854	$	27,854	$	—	$	—

	Corporate debt securities	30,181		30,181		—		30,181		—

	Government and agency securities	5,314		5,314		—		5,314		—

	Commercial paper	9,293		9,293		—		9,293		—

	Certificates of deposit	1,552		1,552		—		1,552		—

	Municipal bonds	511		511		—		511		—

	Total	$	74,705	$	74,705	$	27,854	$	46,851	$	—





	As of December 31, 2012, the Company classified its cash equivalents within Level 1 because these securities were valued based on quoted market prices in active markets. The Company classified its government and agency securities, corporate debt securities, commercial paper and certificates of deposit within Level 2 because these securities were valued based on quoted prices in markets that are less active, broker or dealer quotations or alternative pricing sources with reasonable levels of price transparency. The Company utilized an independent pricing service to assist in obtaining fair-value pricing for its Level 2 securities. Where observable market data was available, the pricing service used a weighted average price from a variety of data providers. Where observable market data was not readily available, the pricing service used a pricing model appropriate to the type and structure of the security. The Company periodically evaluated the reasonableness of these models.

	Fair value of debt

	The estimated fair values of the Company’s debt was determined based on Level 2 input using observable market prices in less active markets. The following table presents the fair value of the Company’s debt, excluding capital leases, as of December 31, 2012 and September 30, 2013:


		As of December 31, 2012				As of September 30, 2013
		Carrying				Carrying
		Amount		Fair Value		Amount		Fair Value
		(in thousands)
	EarthLink Senior Secured Notes	$	—	$	—	$	300,000	$	300,000

	EarthLink Senior Notes	291,182		315,000		291,965		290,925

	ITC^DeltaCom Notes	307,994		306,915		—		—

	Total debt, excluding capital leases	$	599,176	$	621,915	$	591,965	$	590,925

Segment_Information

Segment Information	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Segment Reporting [Abstract]	'
Segment Information	'
	Segment Information

	The Company reports segment information along the same lines that its chief executive officer reviews its operating results in assessing performance and allocating resources. The Company operates two reportable segments, Business Services and Consumer Services. The Company’s Business Services segment provides a broad range of data, voice and IT services to retail and wholesale business customers. The Company’s Consumer Services segment provides nationwide Internet access and related value-added services to residential customers.

	The Company evaluates performance of its segments based on segment operating income. Segment operating income includes revenues from external customers, related cost of revenues and operating expenses directly attributable to the segment, which include costs over which segment managers have direct discretionary control, such as advertising and marketing programs, customer support expenses, product development expenses, certain technology and facilities expenses, billing operations and provisions for doubtful accounts. Segment operating income excludes other income and expense items and certain expenses over which segment managers do not have discretionary control. Costs excluded from segment operating income include various corporate expenses (consisting of certain costs such as corporate management, human resources, finance and legal), depreciation and amortization, impairment of goodwill and intangible assets, restructuring, acquisition and integration-related costs, and stock-based compensation expense, as they are not considered in the measurement of segment performance. Certain amounts in the prior period segment operating income information have been reclassified to conform to the current period presentation, including segment operating expenses and segment revenues.

	Information on reportable segments and a reconciliation to consolidated income (loss) from operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2013 is as follows:


		Three Months Ended							Nine Months Ended
		September 30,							September 30,
		2012			2013				2012			2013
		(in thousands)
	Business Services

	Revenues	$	253,114		$	240,626			$	763,876		$	728,497

	Cost of revenues (excluding depreciation and amortization)	129,567			121,429				397,990			378,946

	Gross margin	123,547			119,197				365,886			349,551

	Direct segment operating expenses	83,158			86,856				247,930			254,650

	Segment operating income	$	40,389		$	32,341			$	117,956		$	94,901

	Consumer Services

	Revenues	$	77,725		$	67,952			$	242,533		$	210,270

	Cost of revenues (excluding depreciation and amortization)	25,775			23,331				79,954			71,618

	Gross margin	51,950			44,621				162,579			138,652

	Direct segment operating expenses	16,939			12,739				50,349			38,618

	Segment operating income	$	35,011		$	31,882			$	112,230		$	100,034

	Consolidated

	Revenues	$	330,839		$	308,578			$	1,006,409		$	938,767

	Cost of revenues	155,342			144,760				477,944			450,564

	Gross margin	175,497			163,818				528,465			488,203

	Direct segment operating expenses	100,097			99,595				298,279			293,268

	Segment operating income	75,400			64,223				230,186			194,935

	Depreciation and amortization	45,630			46,689				136,803			134,314

	Impairment of goodwill	—			—				—			255,599

	Restructuring, acquisition and integration-related costs	6,379			9,928				13,736			28,468

	Corporate operating expenses	7,529			9,316				21,682			27,201

	Income (loss) from operations	$	15,862		$	(1,710	)		$	57,965		$	(250,647	)


	The Company manages its working capital on a consolidated basis and does not allocate long-lived assets to segments. In addition, segment assets are not reported to, or used by, the chief operating decision maker and therefore, total segment assets have not been disclosed.

	The Company has not provided information about geographic segments because substantially all of the Company’s revenues, results of operations and identifiable assets are in the United States.


Information on revenues by groups of similar services and by segment for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2013 is as follows:


	Three Months Ended							Nine Months Ended
	September 30,							September 30,
	2012			2013				2012			2013
	(in thousands)
Business Services

Retail services	$	210,066		$	199,389			$	635,840		$	599,901

Wholesale services	38,164			36,338				112,923			114,280

Other services	4,884			4,899				15,113			14,316

Total revenues	253,114			240,626				763,876			728,497

Consumer Services

Access services	65,940			56,999				206,442			176,735

Value-added services	11,785			10,953				36,091			33,535

Total revenues	77,725			67,952				242,533			210,270

Total Revenues	$	330,839		$	308,578			$	1,006,409		$	938,767


The Company’s Business Services segment earns revenue by providing a broad range of data, voice and IT services to retail and wholesale business customers. The Company presents its Business Services revenue in the following three categories: (1) retail services, which includes data, voice and IT services provided to business customers; (2) wholesale services, which includes the sale of transmission capacity to other telecommunications carriers and businesses; and (3) other services, which primarily consists of web hosting. The Company's IT services, which are included within its retail services, include data centers, virtualization, security, applications, premises-based solutions, managed solutions and support services. Revenues generally consist of recurring monthly charges for such services; usage fees; installation fees; termination fees; and administrative fees.

The Company’s Consumer Services segment earns revenue by providing nationwide Internet access and related value-added services to residential customers. The Company presents its Consumer Services revenue in the following two categories: (1) access services, which includes narrowband and broadband Internet access services; and (2) value-added services, which includes revenues from ancillary services sold as add-on features to EarthLink’s Internet access services, such as security products, premium email only, home networking and email storage; search revenues; and advertising revenues. Revenues generally consist of recurring monthly charges for such services; usage fees; installation fees; termination fees; and fees for equipment.

Commitments_and_Contingencies

Commitments and Contingencies	9 Months Ended
Commitments and Contingencies	Sep. 30, 2013
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Commitments and Contingencies	'
	Commitments and Contingencies

	Legal proceedings and other disputes

	General. The Company is party to various legal proceedings and other disputes arising in the normal course of business, including, but not limited to, regulatory audits, trademark and patent infringement, billing disputes, rights of access, tax, consumer protection, employment and tort. The Company accrues for such matters when it is both probable that a liability has been incurred and the amount of the loss can be reasonably estimated. Where it is probable that a liability has been incurred and there is a range of expected loss for which no amount in the range is more likely than any other amount, the Company accrues at the low end of the range. The Company reviews its accruals each reporting period.
	The Company's management believes that there are no disputes, litigation or other legal proceedings, audits or disputes asserted or pending against the Company that could have, individually or in the aggregate, a material adverse effect on its financial position, results of operations or cash flows, and believes that adequate provision for any probable and estimable losses has been made in the Company's condensed consolidated financial statements. However, the ultimate result of any current or future litigation or other legal proceedings, audits or disputes is inherently unpredictable and could result in liabilities that are higher than currently predicted.

	Regulatory audits. The Company is subject to regulatory audits in the ordinary course of business with respect to various matters, including audits by the Universal Service Administrative Company on universal service fund assessments and payments. These audits can cover periods for several years prior to the date the audit is undertaken and could result in the imposition of liabilities, interest and penalties if the Company's positions are not accepted by the auditing entity. The Company's financial statements contain reserves for certain of such potential liabilities. During the three months ended September 30, 2013, the Company recorded a $7.2 million, or $0.07 per share, favorable adjustment to its reserves for regulatory audits due to final interpretation and resolution of certain regulatory audits, which is included in cost of revenues in the Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income (Loss).
	Patents. From time to time, the Company receives notices of infringement of patent rights from parties claiming to own patents related to certain of the Company's services and products. Certain of these claims are made by patent holding companies that are not operating companies. The alleging parties generally seek royalty payments for prior use as well as future royalty streams. Most of these matters are in preliminary stages. The Company intends to vigorously defend its position with respect to these matters.
	Billing disputes. The Company is periodically involved in disputes related to its billings to other carriers for access to its network. The Company does not recognize revenue related to such matters until the period that it is reasonably assured of the collection of these claims. In the event that a claim is made related to revenues previously recognized, the Company assesses the validity of the claim and adjusts the amount of revenue being recognized to the extent that the claim adjustment is considered probable and estimable.
	The Company periodically disputes network access charges that it is assessed by other companies with which the Company interconnects. The Company maintains adequate reserves for anticipated exposure associated with these billing disputes. The reserves are subject to changes in estimates and management judgment as new information becomes available. In view of the length of time historically required to resolve these disputes, they may be resolved or require adjustment in future periods and relate to costs invoiced, accrued or paid in prior periods. While the Company believes its reserves for billing disputes are adequate, it is reasonably possible that the Company could record additional expense of up to $5.6 million for unrecorded disputed amounts.
	Regulation
	The Company's services are subject to varying degrees of federal, state and local regulation. These regulations are subject to ongoing proceedings at federal and state administrative agencies or within state and federal judicial systems. Results of these proceedings could change, in varying degrees, the manner in which the Company operates. The Company cannot predict the outcome of these proceedings or their effect on the Company's industry generally or upon the Company specifically.

Condensed_Consolidating_Financ

Condensed Consolidating Financial Information	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Condensed Consolidating Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Condensed Consolidating Financial Information	'
	Condensed Consolidating Financial Information

	The Company’s Senior Notes due 2019 and Senior Secured Notes due 2020 are fully and unconditionally guaranteed, jointly and severally, on a senior unsecured basis by each of the Company’s existing and future domestic subsidiaries, other than certain subsidiaries that are minor (the “Guarantor Subsidiaries”). All of the Guarantor Subsidiaries are 100% owned by the Company. As a result of these guarantees, the Company is required to provide the financial information set forth under Rule 3-10 of Regulation S-X, “Financial Statements of Guarantors and Issuers of Guaranteed Securities Registered or Being Registered” (“Rule 3-10”).

	The accompanying condensed consolidating financial information has been prepared and presented pursuant to Rule 3-10. The Parent column represents EarthLink's stand-alone results and its investment in all of its subsidiaries presented using the equity method of accounting. The Guarantor Subsidiaries are presented in a separate column and represent all the Guarantor Subsidiaries on a combined basis. Intercompany eliminations and consolidations, including adjustments required to present the Guarantor Subsidiaries' deferred tax balances on a stand-alone basis, as well as goodwill impairment charges that are not pushed-down to the Guarantor Subsidiaries, are shown in a separate column. Included in this column are: 1) amounts for impairment of goodwill recognized at a consolidated level that are not required or permitted in the separate stand-alone financial statements of the subsidiaries; 2) amounts for income taxes recognized at a consolidated level that are not required or permitted in the separate stand-alone financial statements of the subsidiaries, including the determination of the need for a valuation allowance; and 3) intercompany revenue and cost of revenue eliminations. Certain amounts in the prior period condensed consolidating financial information have been revised to conform with the current period presentation. The condensed consolidating financial information is presented in the following tables (in thousands):
	Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet
	As of September 30, 2013


		Parent			Guarantor			Consolidations & Eliminations				Consolidated
					Subsidiaries
	ASSETS

	Current assets:

	Cash and cash equivalents	$	64,754		$	51,149		$	—			$	115,903

	Accounts receivable, net	8,325			99,108			—				107,433

	Prepaid expenses	8,147			12,422			—				20,569

	Deferred income taxes, net	—			4,516			5,966				10,482

	Due from affiliates	129,379			17,977			(147,356		)		—

	Other current assets	3,516			6,754			—				10,270

	Total current assets	214,121			191,926			(141,390		)		264,657

	Property and equipment, net	25,246			413,228			—				438,474

	Long-term deferred income taxes, net	33,861			91,573			121,523				246,957

	Goodwill	88,920			211,031			(160,895		)		139,056

	Purchased intangible assets, net	—			172,111			—				172,111

	Investment in subsidiaries	829,603			—			(829,603		)		—

	Other long-term assets	16,466			10,927			—				27,393

	Total assets	$	1,208,217		$	1,090,796		$	(1,010,365	)		$	1,288,648

	LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

	Current liabilities:

	Accounts payable	$	4,017		$	6,269		$	—			$	10,286

	Accrued payroll and related expenses	3,402			25,633							29,035

	Other accrued liabilities	48,244			68,456			(655		)		116,045

	Deferred revenue	12,485			37,939			—				50,424

	Due to affiliates	—			147,356			(147,356		)		—

	Current portion of debt and capital lease obligations	80			1,312			—				1,392

	Total current liabilities	68,228			286,965			(148,011		)		207,182

	Long-term debt and capital lease obligations	592,249			14,352			—				606,601

Other long-term liabilities	1,644			29,665			(518		)		30,791

Total liabilities	662,121			330,982			(148,529		)		844,574

Stockholders’ equity:

Common stock	1,975			—			—				1,975

Additional paid-in capital	2,072,250			1,235,800			(1,258,918		)		2,049,132

Accumulated deficit	(786,202		)	(475,982		)	397,082				(865,102		)

Treasury stock, at cost	(741,927		)	—			—				(741,927		)

Accumulated other comprehensive loss	—			(4		)	—				(4		)

Total stockholders’ equity	546,096			759,814			(861,836		)		444,074

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$	1,208,217		$	1,090,796		$	(1,010,365	)		$	1,288,648

Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet
As of December 31, 2012


	Parent			Guarantor			Consolidations & Eliminations				Consolidated
				Subsidiaries
ASSETS

Current assets:

Cash and cash equivalents	$	70,312		$	87,309		$	—			$	157,621

Marketable securities	42,073			—			—				42,073

Restricted cash	—			1,013			—				1,013

Accounts receivable, net	9,490			103,275			—				112,765

Prepaid expenses	6,352			10,819			—				17,171

Deferred income taxes, net	1,234			5,948			8,772				15,954

Due from affiliates	90,778			30,429			(121,207		)		—

Other current assets	7,862			12,441			—				20,303

Total current assets	228,101			251,234			(112,435		)		366,900

Long-term marketable securities	4,778			—			—				4,778

Property and equipment, net	24,427			394,539			—				418,966

Long-term deferred income taxes, net	12,421			74,013			108,578				195,012

Goodwill	88,920			290,495			—				379,415

Purchased intangible assets, net	—			214,685			—				214,685

Investment in subsidiaries	650,405			—			(650,405		)		—

Other long-term assets	8,842			10,812			—				19,654

Total assets	$	1,017,894		$	1,235,778		$	(654,262	)		$	1,599,410

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

Current liabilities:

Accounts payable	$	2,654		$	16,138		$	—			$	18,792

Accrued payroll and related expenses	9,493			21,510			—				31,003

Other accrued liabilities	23,064			106,524			(16		)		129,572

Deferred revenue	13,883			37,807			—				51,690

Due to affiliates	—			121,207			(121,207		)		—

Current portion of debt and capital lease obligations	93			1,282			—				1,375

Total current liabilities	49,187			304,468			(121,223		)		232,432

Long-term debt and capital lease obligations	291,534			323,356			—				614,890

Other long-term liabilities	3,139			32,502			(2,357		)		33,284

Total liabilities	343,860			660,326			(123,580		)		880,606

Stockholders’ equity:

Common stock	1,969			—			—				1,969

Additional paid-in capital	2,057,974			894,223			(894,223		)		2,057,974

Accumulated deficit	(650,918		)	(318,771		)	363,541				(606,148		)

Treasury stock, at cost	(735,003		)	—			—				(735,003		)

Accumulated other comprehensive income	12			—			—				12

Total stockholders’ equity	674,034			575,452			(530,682		)		718,804

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$	1,017,894		$	1,235,778		$	(654,262	)		$	1,599,410

Condensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Loss
Three Months Ended September 30, 2013


	Parent			Guarantor			Consolidations & Eliminations				Consolidated
				Subsidiaries
Revenues	$	72,443		$	238,371		$	(2,236	)		$	308,578

Operating costs and expenses:

Cost of revenues (exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown separately below)	24,373			122,623			(2,236		)		144,760

Selling, general and administrative (exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown separately below)	22,055			86,856			—				108,911

Depreciation and amortization	2,308			44,381			—				46,689

Restructuring, acquisition and integration-related costs	4,414			5,514			—				9,928

Total operating costs and expenses	53,150			259,374			(2,236		)		310,288

Income (loss) from operations	19,293			(21,003		)	—				(1,710		)

Interest expense and other, net	(12,999		)	(986		)	—				(13,985		)

Equity in losses of subsidiaries	(13,828		)	—			13,828				—

Loss before income taxes	(7,534		)	(21,989		)	13,828				(15,695		)

Income tax (provision) benefit	(178		)	8,423			(3,663		)		4,582

Loss from continuing operations	(7,712		)	(13,566		)	10,165				(11,113		)

Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax	—			(262		)	37				(225		)

Net loss	$	(7,712	)	$	(13,828	)	$	10,202			$	(11,338	)


Comprehensive loss	$	(7,713	)	$	(13,832	)	$	10,202			$	(11,343	)


Condensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Three Months Ended September 30, 2012


	Parent			Guarantor			Consolidations & Eliminations				Consolidated
				Subsidiaries
Revenues	$	83,022		$	249,669		$	(1,852	)		$	330,839

Operating costs and expenses:

Cost of revenues (exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown separately below)	27,187			130,007			(1,852		)		155,342

Selling, general and administrative (exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown separately below)	24,468			83,158			—				107,626

Depreciation and amortization	2,272			43,358			—				45,630

Restructuring, acquisition and integration-related costs	3,683			2,696			—				6,379

Total operating costs and expenses	57,610			259,219			(1,852		)		314,977

Income (loss) from operations	25,412			(9,550		)	—				15,862

Interest expense and other, net	(7,385		)	(9,407		)	—				(16,792		)

Equity in losses of subsidiaries	(17,248		)	—			17,248				—

Income (loss) before income taxes	779			(18,957		)	17,248				(930		)

Income tax (provision) benefit	(4,672		)	2,777			4,688				2,793

Income (loss) from continuing operations	(3,893		)	(16,180		)	21,936				1,863

Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax	—			(1,068		)	577				(491		)

Net income (loss)	$	(3,893	)	$	(17,248	)	$	22,513			$	1,372


Comprehensive income (loss)	$	(3,874	)	$	(17,248	)	$	22,513			$	1,391

Condensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Loss
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2013


	Parent			Guarantor			Consolidations & Eliminations				Consolidated
				Subsidiaries
Revenues	$	224,313		$	721,100		$	(6,646	)		$	938,767

Operating costs and expenses:

Cost of revenues (exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown separately below)	75,156			382,054			(6,646		)		450,564

Selling, general and administrative (exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown separately below)	65,819			254,650			—				320,469

Depreciation and amortization	6,380			127,934			—				134,314

Impairment of goodwill	—			95,805			159,794				255,599

Restructuring, acquisition and integration-related costs	10,752			17,716			—				28,468

Total operating costs and expenses	158,107			878,159			153,148				1,189,414

Income (loss) from operations	66,206			(157,059		)	(159,794		)		(250,647		)

Interest expense and other, net	(28,992		)	(17,722		)	—				(46,714		)

Equity in losses of subsidiaries	(157,211		)	—			157,211				—

Loss before income taxes	(119,997		)	(174,781		)	(2,583		)		(297,361		)
Income tax (provision) benefit	(15,287		)	18,324			36,992				40,029

Loss from continuing operations	(135,284		)	(156,457		)	34,409				(257,332		)

Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax	—			(754		)	(868		)		(1,622		)

Net loss	$	(135,284	)	$	(157,211	)	$	33,541			$	(258,954	)


Comprehensive loss	$	(135,296	)	$	(157,215	)	$	33,541			$	(258,970	)


Condensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2012


	Parent			Guarantor			Consolidations & Eliminations				Consolidated
				Subsidiaries
Revenues	$	259,113		$	752,650		$	(5,354	)		$	1,006,409

Operating costs and expenses:

Cost of revenues (exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown separately below)	84,233			399,065			(5,354		)		477,944

Selling, general and administrative (exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown separately below)	72,032			247,929			—				319,961

Depreciation and amortization	6,293			130,510			—				136,803

Restructuring, acquisition and integration-related costs	7,344			6,392			—				13,736

Total operating costs and expenses	169,902			783,896			(5,354		)		948,444

Income (loss) from operations	89,211			(31,246		)	—				57,965

Interest expense and other, net	(20,308		)	(27,951		)	—				(48,259		)

Equity in losses of subsidiaries	(52,108		)	—			52,108				—

Income (loss) before income taxes	16,795			(59,197		)	52,108				9,706

Income tax (provision) benefit	(23,746		)	10,355			12,913				(478		)

Income (loss) from continuing operations	(6,951		)	(48,842		)	65,021				9,228

Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax	—			(3,266		)	1,567				(1,699		)

Net income (loss)	$	(6,951	)	$	(52,108	)	$	66,588			$	7,529


Comprehensive income (loss)	$	(6,922	)	$	(52,108	)	$	66,588			$	7,558

Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2013


	Parent			Guarantor			Consolidations & Eliminations				Consolidated
				Subsidiaries
Cash flows from operating activities	$	(9,117	)	$	92,547		$	—			$	83,430

Cash flows from investing activities:

Purchases of property and equipment	(4,840		)	(104,807		)	—				(109,647		)

Purchases of marketable securities	(41,209		)	—			—				(41,209		)

Sales and maturities of marketable securities	88,060			—			—				88,060

Purchase of business	—			(16,806		)	—				(16,806		)

Purchase of customer relationships	—			(1,195		)	—				(1,195		)

Payment for investment in subsidiary stock	(308,460		)	—			308,460				—

Change in restricted cash	—			1,013			—				1,013

Other investing activities	690			561			—				1,251

Net cash used in investing activities	(265,759		)	(121,234		)	308,460				(78,533		)

Cash flows from financing activities:

Proceeds from issuance of debt, net of issuance costs	290,692			—			—				290,692

Principal payments under capital lease obligations	(81		)	(315,965		)	—				(316,046		)

Repurchases of common stock	(5,604		)	—			—				(5,604		)

Payment of dividends	(15,693		)	—			—				(15,693		)

Proceeds from parent	—			308,460			(308,460		)		—

Other financing activities	4			32			—				36

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	269,318			(7,473		)	(308,460		)		(46,615		)

Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents	(5,558		)	(36,160		)	—				(41,718		)

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	70,312			87,309			—				157,621

Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	$	64,754		$	51,149		$	—			$	115,903

Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2012


	Parent			Guarantor			Consolidations & Eliminations				Consolidated
				Subsidiaries
Cash flows from operating activities	$	91,098		$	87,430		$	—			$	178,528

Cash flows from investing activities:

Purchases of property and equipment	(15,962		)	(64,767		)	—				(80,729		)

Purchases of marketable securities	(57,528		)	—			—				(57,528		)

Sales and maturities of marketable securities	38,763			—			—				38,763

Change in restricted cash	—			768			—				768

Net cash used in investing activities	(34,727		)	(63,999		)	—				(98,726		)

Cash flows from financing activities:

Repayment of debt and capital lease obligations	7			(1,250		)	—				(1,243		)

Repurchases of common stock	(12,967		)	—			—				(12,967		)

Payment of dividends	(15,917		)	—			—				(15,917		)

Proceeds from exercises of stock options	236			—			—				236

Change in due to/from affiliates, net	—						—				—

Other	30			69			—				99

Net cash used in financing activities	(28,611		)	(1,181		)	—				(29,792		)

Net increase in cash and cash equivalents	27,760			22,250			—				50,010

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	148,363			63,420			—				211,783

Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	$	176,123		$	85,670		$	—			$	261,793

Summary_of_Significant_Account1

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	9 Months Ended
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	Sep. 30, 2013
Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'
Basis of Presentation	'
	Basis of Presentation

	The condensed consolidated financial statements of EarthLink for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2013 and the related footnote information are unaudited and have been prepared on a basis consistent with the audited consolidated financial statements included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) (the “Annual Report”).

	These financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and the related notes thereto contained in the Annual Report. In the opinion of management, the accompanying unaudited financial statements contain all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring adjustments) which management considers necessary to present fairly the Company’s financial position, results of operations and cash flows for the interim periods presented. The results of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 are not necessarily indicative of the results anticipated for the entire year ending December 31, 2013.
Basis of Consolidation	'
	Basis of Consolidation

	The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements of EarthLink include the accounts of its wholly-owned subsidiaries. All significant intercompany transactions have been eliminated.
Discontinued operations	'
	Discontinued Operations

	The operating results of the Company's telecom systems business acquired as part of ITC^DeltaCom, Inc. ("ITC^DeltaCom") have been separately presented as discontinued operations for all periods presented. See Note 6, "Discontinued Operations," for further discussion.
Use of Estimates	'
	Use of Estimates

	The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements. Actual results may differ from those estimates.
Reclassifications	'
	Reclassifications

	Certain amounts in the prior period financial statements have been reclassified to conform to the current period presentation.
Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncement	'
	Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncement

	In July 2013, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued authoritative guidance on the presentation of unrecognized tax benefits. This guidance requires an entity to present an unrecognized tax benefit, or a portion of an unrecognized tax benefit, as a reduction to a deferred tax asset for a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward, except as follows: to the extent a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward is not available at the reporting date under the tax law of the applicable jurisdiction to settle any additional income taxes that would result from the disallowance of a tax position or the tax law of the applicable jurisdiction does not require the entity to use, and the entity does not intend to use, the deferred tax asset for such purpose, the unrecognized tax benefit should be presented in the financial statements as a liability and should not be combined with deferred tax assets. This guidance is effective prospectively for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2013. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of the adoption of this new guidance on its consolidated financial statements.

Earnings_per_Share_Tables

Earnings per Share (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'
Schedule of computation for basic and diluted net income per share	'
	The following table sets forth the computation for basic and diluted net income (loss) per share for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2013:


		Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
		September 30,						September 30,
		2012			2013			2012			2013
		(in thousands, except per share data)
	Numerator

	Income (loss) from continuing operations	$	1,863		$	(11,113	)	$	9,228		$	(257,332	)

	Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax	(491		)	(225		)	(1,699		)	(1,622		)
	Net income (loss)	$	1,372		$	(11,338	)	$	7,529		$	(258,954	)


	Denominator

	Basic weighted average common shares outstanding	105,001			102,580			105,833			102,835

	Dilutive effect of Common Stock Equivalents	711			—			759			—

	Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding	105,712			102,580			106,592			102,835


	Basic net income (loss) per share
	Continuing operations	$	0.02		$	(0.11	)	$	0.09		$	(2.50	)

	Discontinued operations	—			—			(0.02		)	(0.02		)

	Basic net income (loss) per share	$	0.01		$	(0.11	)	$	0.07		$	(2.52	)


	Diluted net income (loss) per share
	Continuing operations	$	0.02		$	(0.11	)	$	0.09		$	(2.50	)

	Discontinued operations	—			—			(0.02		)	(0.02		)

	Diluted net income (loss) per share	$	0.01		$	(0.11	)	$	0.07		$	(2.52	)

Restructuring_Acquisition_and_1

Restructuring, Acquisition and Integration-Related Costs (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Restructuring and Related Activities [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Restructuring, Acquisition and Integration-Related Costs	'
	Restructuring, acquisition and integration-related costs consisted of the following during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2013:


		Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
		September 30,				September 30,
		2012		2013		2012			2013
		(in thousands)
	Integration-related costs	$	3,614	$	5,192	$	6,944		$	15,678

	Severance and retention costs	2,051		4,029		5,111			9,718

	Transaction-related costs	373		670		1,366			985

	Facility-related costs	336		37		491			1,872

	Legacy plan restructuring costs	5		—		(176		)	215

	Restructuring, acquisition and integration-related costs	$	6,379	$	9,928	$	13,736		$	28,468

Discontinued_Operations_Discon1

Discontinued Operations Discontinued Operations (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Schedule of Results of Operations of Discontinued Operations [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations, Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures	'
	The following table presents summarized results of operations related to discontinued operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2013:


		Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
		September 30,						September 30,
		2012			2013			2012			2013
		(in thousands)
	Revenues	$	3,947		$	774		$	10,931		$	5,922

	Operating costs and expenses	(5,015		)	(1,036		)	(14,197		)	(7,777		)
	Income tax benefit	577			37			1,567			233

	Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax	$	(491	)	$	(225	)	$	(1,699	)	$	(1,622	)

Investments_in_Marketable_Secu1

Investments in Marketable Securities (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Investments, Debt and Equity Securities [Abstract]	'
Schedule of available-for-sale securities	'
	The Company’s marketable securities consisted of the following as of December 31, 2012 and September 30, 2013:



		As of December 31, 2012			As of September 30, 2013
		(in thousands)
	Corporate debt securities	$	30,181		$	—

	Government and agency securities	5,314			—

	Commercial paper	9,293			—

	Certificates of deposit	1,552			—

	Municipal bonds	511			—

	Total marketable securities	46,851			—

	Less: classified as current	(42,073		)	—

	Total long-term marketable securities	$	4,778		$	—

Schedule of gross unrealized gains and losses on marketable securities designated as available-for-sale	'
	The following tables summarize gross unrealized gains and losses as of December 31, 2012 on the Company’s marketable securities designated as available-for-sale:


		As of December 31, 2012
		Amortized			Gross		Gross		Estimated
		Cost			Unrealized		Unrealized		Fair
					Losses		Gains		Value
		(in thousands)
	Corporate debt securities	$	30,173		$	—	$	8	$	30,181

	Government and agency securities	5,311			—		3		5,314

	Commercial paper	9,292			—		1		9,293

	Certificates of deposit	1,552			—		—		1,552

	Municipal bonds	511			—		—		511

		$	46,839		$	—	$	12	$	46,851

Goodwill_and_Other_Intangible_1

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Schedule of changes in the carrying amount of goodwill by operating segment	'
	The changes in the carrying amount of goodwill by operating segment during the nine months ended September 30, 2013 were as follows:


		Consumer		Business			Total
		Services		Services
		Segment		Segment
		(in thousands)
	Balance as of December 31, 2012

	Goodwill	$	88,920	$	378,373		$	467,293

	Accumulated impairment loss	—		(87,878		)	(87,878		)

		88,920		290,495			379,415


	Goodwill impairment	—		(256,700		)	(256,700		)

	Goodwill acquired	—		16,510			16,510

	Discontinued operations	—		(169		)	(169		)


	Balance as of September 30, 2013

	Goodwill	88,920		394,714			483,634

	Accumulated impairment loss	—		(344,578		)	(344,578		)

		$	88,920	$	50,136		$	139,056

Schedule of gross carrying value and accumulated amortization by major intangible asset	'
	The following table presents the components of the Company’s acquired identifiable intangible assets included in the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2012 and September 30, 2013:


		As of December 31, 2012								As of September 30, 2013
		Gross		Accumulated			Net			Gross		Accumulated			Net
		Carrying		Amortization			Carrying			Carrying		Amortization			Carrying
		Value					Value			Value					Value
		(in thousands)
	Customer relationships	$	361,961	$	(160,513	)	$	201,448		$	366,805	$	(204,336	)	$	162,469

	Developed technology and software	24,311		(14,801		)	9,510			26,261		(18,014		)	8,247

	Trade names	9,121		(6,345		)	2,776			9,121		(8,245		)	876

	Other	1,800		(849		)	951			1,800		(1,281		)	519

		$	397,193	$	(182,508	)	$	214,685		$	403,987	$	(231,876	)	$	172,111

Schedule of amortization of intangible assets included in depreciation and amortization	'
	Amortization of intangible assets, which is included in depreciation and amortization in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss), for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2013 was as follows:



		Three Months Ended					Nine Months Ended
		September 30,					September 30,
		2012		2013			2012			2013
		(in thousands)
	Amortization expense	$	17,709	$	16,795		$	53,146		$	49,687

Other_Accrued_Liabilities_Othe

Other Accrued Liabilities Other Accrued Liabilities (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Other Accrued Liabilities [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Other Accrued Liabilities	'
	Other accrued liabilities consisted of the following as of December 31, 2012 and September 30, 2013:


		As of December 31, 2012		As of September 30, 2013
		(in thousands)
	Accrued taxes and surcharges	$	33,016	$	27,697

	Accrued communications costs	39,174		28,100

	Accrued interest	11,066		17,565

	Amounts due to customers	15,913		12,393

	Facility exit and restructuring liabilities	3,211		2,919

	Other	27,192		27,371

	Total other accrued liabilities	$	129,572	$	116,045

LongTerm_Debt_and_Capital_Leas1

Long-Term Debt and Capital Lease Obligations Long-Term Debt and Capital Lease Obligations (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'
Schedule of Debt	'
	The Company’s long-term debt and capital lease obligations consisted of the following as of December 31, 2012 and September 30, 2013:


		As of December 31, 2012			As of September 30, 2013
		(in thousands)
	EarthLink senior secured notes due June 2020	$	—		$	300,000

	EarthLink senior notes due May 2019	300,000			300,000

	Unamortized discount on EarthLink senior notes due May 2019	(8,818		)	(8,035		)
	ITC^DeltaCom senior secured notes due April 2016	292,300			—

	Unamortized premium on ITC^DeltaCom senior secured notes due April 2016	15,694			—

	Capital lease obligations	17,089			16,028

	Carrying value of debt and capital lease obligations	616,265			607,993

	Less current portion of debt and capital lease obligations	(1,375		)	(1,392		)
	Long-term debt and capital lease obligations	$	614,890		$	606,601

StockBased_Compensation_Tables

Stock-Based Compensation (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]	'
Stock option activity	'
	The following table summarizes stock option activity as of and for the nine months ended September 30, 2013:


		Stock Options		Weighted				Weighted	Aggregate
				Average				Average	Intrinsic
				Exercise				Remaining	Value
				Price				Contractual
								Term (Years)
		(shares and dollars in thousands)
	Outstanding as of December 31, 2012	3,723		$	8.12

	Granted	2,301		6.08

	Forfeited and expired	(431	)	7.36

	Outstanding as of September 30, 2013	5,593		7.34				7.2	$	—

	Vested and expected to vest as of September 30, 2013	5,415		$	7.36			7.2	$	—

	Exercisable as of September 30, 2013	2,036		$	8.54			4.2	$	—

Summary of the status of stock options by exercise price range	'
	The following table summarizes the status of the Company’s stock options as of September 30, 2013:


														Stock Options
	Stock Options Outstanding													Exercisable
											Weighted
											Average	Weighted			Weighted
											Remaining	Average			Average
	Range of								Number		Contractual	Exercise		Number	Exercise
	Exercise Prices								Outstanding		Life	Price		Exercisable	Price
									(in thousands)					(in thousands)
	$	6.08		to		$	6.08		2,183		9.4	$	6.08	—	$	—

	6.86			to		6.98			103		3.6	6.89		103	6.89

	7.02			to		7.32			322		3.7	7.28		322	7.28

	7.51			to		7.51			1,884		8.4	7.51		587	7.51

	7.64			to		8.96			185		6	8.36		108	8.29

	9.01			to		9.24			241		1.1	9.03		241	9.03

	9.48			to		9.89			277		2.1	9.51		277	9.51

	10.36			to		11.82			398		1.8	10.6		398	10.6

	$	6.08		to		$	11.82		5,593		7.2	$	7.34	2,036	$	8.54

Schedule of Share-based Payment Award, Stock Options, Valuation Assumptions [Table Text Block]	'
	The fair value of stock options granted during the nine months ended September 30, 2013 was estimated using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model with the following assumptions:



		Nine Months Ended
		September 30, 2013
	Dividend yield	3.29%
	Expected volatility	31.20%
	Risk-free interest rate	0.88%
	Expected life	5 years
Restricted stock unit activity	'
	The following table summarizes restricted stock unit activity as of and for the nine months ended September 30, 2013:


		Restricted		Weighted
		Stock Units		Average
				Grant Date
				Fair Value
		(in thousands)
	Outstanding as of December 31, 2012	2,981		$	7.9

	Granted	2,449		6.07

	Vested	(797	)	8.13

	Forfeited	(677	)	7.05

	Outstanding as of September 30, 2013	3,956		$	6.86

Income_Taxes_Tables

Income Taxes (Tables)	9 Months Ended
Income Taxes (Tables)	Sep. 30, 2013
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Schedule of components of the income tax provision	'
	The following table presents the components of the income tax benefit (provision) from continuing operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2013:


		Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
		September 30,						September 30,
		2012			2013			2012			2013
		(in thousands)
	Current benefit (provision)	$	1,912		$	(21	)	$	(1,496	)	$	(177	)
	Current benefit (provision)	$	1,912		$	(21	)	$	(1,496	)	$	(177	)
	Deferred benefit	881			4,603			1,018			40,206
	Deferred benefit	881			4,603			1,018			40,206
	Total income tax benefit (provision)	$	2,793		$	4,582		$	(478	)	$	40,029
	Total income tax benefit (provision)	$	2,793		$	4,582		$	(478	)	$	40,029
Schedule of Unrecognized Tax Benefits Roll Forward	'
	A reconciliation of changes in the amount of unrecognized tax benefits for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 is as follows:


		Nine Months Ended
		September 30,
		2013
		(in thousands)
	Balance as of January 1, 2013	$	23,400
	Balance as of January 1, 2013	$	23,400
	Decreases for tax positions related to prior years	(101		)
	Balance as of September 30, 2013	$	23,299
	Balance as of September 30, 2013	$	23,299

Fair_Value_Measurements_Tables

Fair Value Measurements (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]	'
Schedule of assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis	'
	The following tables present the Company’s assets that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2012:



						Fair Value Measurements as of December 31, 2012 Using
	Description	Carrying		Fair		Quoted Prices		Significant		Significant
		Value		Value		in Active		Other		Unobservable
						Markets for		Observable		Inputs
						Identical Assets		Inputs		(Level 3)
						(Level 1)		(Level 2)
		(in thousands)
	Cash equivalents	$	27,854	$	27,854	$	27,854	$	—	$	—

	Corporate debt securities	30,181		30,181		—		30,181		—

	Government and agency securities	5,314		5,314		—		5,314		—

	Commercial paper	9,293		9,293		—		9,293		—

	Certificates of deposit	1,552		1,552		—		1,552		—

	Municipal bonds	511		511		—		511		—

	Total	$	74,705	$	74,705	$	27,854	$	46,851	$	—





Schedule of fair value of debt excluding capital leases	'
	The following table presents the fair value of the Company’s debt, excluding capital leases, as of December 31, 2012 and September 30, 2013:


		As of December 31, 2012				As of September 30, 2013
		Carrying				Carrying
		Amount		Fair Value		Amount		Fair Value
		(in thousands)
	EarthLink Senior Secured Notes	$	—	$	—	$	300,000	$	300,000

	EarthLink Senior Notes	291,182		315,000		291,965		290,925

	ITC^DeltaCom Notes	307,994		306,915		—		—

	Total debt, excluding capital leases	$	599,176	$	621,915	$	591,965	$	590,925

Segment_Information_Tables

Segment Information (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Segment Reporting [Abstract]	'
Schedule of information on reportable segments and a reconciliation to consolidated income from operations	'
	Information on reportable segments and a reconciliation to consolidated income (loss) from operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2013 is as follows:


		Three Months Ended					Nine Months Ended
		September 30,					September 30,
		2012		2013			2012		2013
		(in thousands)
	Business Services

	Revenues	$	253,114	$	240,626		$	763,876	$	728,497

	Cost of revenues (excluding depreciation and amortization)	129,567		121,429			397,990		378,946

	Gross margin	123,547		119,197			365,886		349,551

	Direct segment operating expenses	83,158		86,856			247,930		254,650

	Segment operating income	$	40,389	$	32,341		$	117,956	$	94,901

	Consumer Services

	Revenues	$	77,725	$	67,952		$	242,533	$	210,270

	Cost of revenues (excluding depreciation and amortization)	25,775		23,331			79,954		71,618

	Gross margin	51,950		44,621			162,579		138,652

	Direct segment operating expenses	16,939		12,739			50,349		38,618

	Segment operating income	$	35,011	$	31,882		$	112,230	$	100,034

	Consolidated

	Revenues	$	330,839	$	308,578		$	1,006,409	$	938,767

	Cost of revenues	155,342		144,760			477,944		450,564

	Gross margin	175,497		163,818			528,465		488,203

	Direct segment operating expenses	100,097		99,595			298,279		293,268

	Segment operating income	75,400		64,223			230,186		194,935

	Depreciation and amortization	45,630		46,689			136,803		134,314

	Impairment of goodwill	—		—			—		255,599

	Restructuring, acquisition and integration-related costs	6,379		9,928			13,736		28,468

	Corporate operating expenses	7,529		9,316			21,682		27,201

	Income (loss) from operations	$	15,862	$	(1,710	)	$	57,965	$	(250,647	)

Schedule of information on revenues by groups of similar services and by segment	'
	Information on revenues by groups of similar services and by segment for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2013 is as follows:


		Three Months Ended					Nine Months Ended
		September 30,					September 30,
		2012		2013			2012		2013
		(in thousands)
	Business Services

	Retail services	$	210,066	$	199,389		$	635,840	$	599,901

	Wholesale services	38,164		36,338			112,923		114,280

	Other services	4,884		4,899			15,113		14,316

	Total revenues	253,114		240,626			763,876		728,497

	Consumer Services

	Access services	65,940		56,999			206,442		176,735

	Value-added services	11,785		10,953			36,091		33,535

	Total revenues	77,725		67,952			242,533		210,270

	Total Revenues	$	330,839	$	308,578		$	1,006,409	$	938,767

Condensed_Consolidating_Financ1

Condensed Consolidating Financial Information (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Condensed Consolidating Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheets	'
	Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet
	As of September 30, 2013


		Parent				Guarantor				Consolidations & Eliminations				Consolidated
						Subsidiaries
	ASSETS

	Current assets:

	Cash and cash equivalents	$	64,754			$	51,149			$	—			$	115,903

	Accounts receivable, net	8,325				99,108				—				107,433

	Prepaid expenses	8,147				12,422				—				20,569

	Deferred income taxes, net	—				4,516				5,966				10,482

	Due from affiliates	129,379				17,977				(147,356		)		—

	Other current assets	3,516				6,754				—				10,270

	Total current assets	214,121				191,926				(141,390		)		264,657

	Property and equipment, net	25,246				413,228				—				438,474

	Long-term deferred income taxes, net	33,861				91,573				121,523				246,957

	Goodwill	88,920				211,031				(160,895		)		139,056

	Purchased intangible assets, net	—				172,111				—				172,111

	Investment in subsidiaries	829,603				—				(829,603		)		—

	Other long-term assets	16,466				10,927				—				27,393

	Total assets	$	1,208,217			$	1,090,796			$	(1,010,365	)		$	1,288,648

	LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

	Current liabilities:

	Accounts payable	$	4,017			$	6,269			$	—			$	10,286

	Accrued payroll and related expenses	3,402				25,633								29,035

	Other accrued liabilities	48,244				68,456				(655		)		116,045

	Deferred revenue	12,485				37,939				—				50,424

	Due to affiliates	—				147,356				(147,356		)		—

	Current portion of debt and capital lease obligations	80				1,312				—				1,392

	Total current liabilities	68,228				286,965				(148,011		)		207,182

	Long-term debt and capital lease obligations	592,249				14,352				—				606,601

	Other long-term liabilities	1,644				29,665				(518		)		30,791

	Total liabilities	662,121				330,982				(148,529		)		844,574

	Stockholders’ equity:

Common stock	1,975				—				—				1,975

Additional paid-in capital	2,072,250				1,235,800				(1,258,918		)		2,049,132

Accumulated deficit	(786,202		)		(475,982		)		397,082				(865,102		)

Treasury stock, at cost	(741,927		)		—				—				(741,927		)

Accumulated other comprehensive loss	—				(4		)		—				(4		)

Total stockholders’ equity	546,096				759,814				(861,836		)		444,074

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$	1,208,217			$	1,090,796			$	(1,010,365	)		$	1,288,648

Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet
As of December 31, 2012


	Parent				Guarantor				Consolidations & Eliminations				Consolidated
					Subsidiaries
ASSETS

Current assets:

Cash and cash equivalents	$	70,312			$	87,309			$	—			$	157,621

Marketable securities	42,073				—				—				42,073

Restricted cash	—				1,013				—				1,013

Accounts receivable, net	9,490				103,275				—				112,765

Prepaid expenses	6,352				10,819				—				17,171

Deferred income taxes, net	1,234				5,948				8,772				15,954

Due from affiliates	90,778				30,429				(121,207		)		—

Other current assets	7,862				12,441				—				20,303

Total current assets	228,101				251,234				(112,435		)		366,900

Long-term marketable securities	4,778				—				—				4,778

Property and equipment, net	24,427				394,539				—				418,966

Long-term deferred income taxes, net	12,421				74,013				108,578				195,012

Goodwill	88,920				290,495				—				379,415

Purchased intangible assets, net	—				214,685				—				214,685

Investment in subsidiaries	650,405				—				(650,405		)		—

Other long-term assets	8,842				10,812				—				19,654

Total assets	$	1,017,894			$	1,235,778			$	(654,262	)		$	1,599,410

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

Current liabilities:

Accounts payable	$	2,654			$	16,138			$	—			$	18,792

Accrued payroll and related expenses	9,493				21,510				—				31,003

Other accrued liabilities	23,064				106,524				(16		)		129,572

Deferred revenue	13,883				37,807				—				51,690

Due to affiliates	—				121,207				(121,207		)		—

Current portion of debt and capital lease obligations	93				1,282				—				1,375

Total current liabilities	49,187				304,468				(121,223		)		232,432

Long-term debt and capital lease obligations	291,534				323,356				—				614,890

Other long-term liabilities	3,139				32,502				(2,357		)		33,284

Total liabilities	343,860				660,326				(123,580		)		880,606

Stockholders’ equity:

Common stock	1,969				—				—				1,969

Additional paid-in capital	2,057,974				894,223				(894,223		)		2,057,974

Accumulated deficit	(650,918		)		(318,771		)		363,541				(606,148		)

Treasury stock, at cost	(735,003		)		—				—				(735,003		)

Accumulated other comprehensive income	12				—				—				12

Total stockholders’ equity	674,034				575,452				(530,682		)		718,804

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$	1,017,894			$	1,235,778			$	(654,262	)		$	1,599,410

Schedule of Condensed Consolidating Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss)	'
	Condensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income (Loss)
	Three Months Ended September 30, 2012


		Parent				Guarantor				Consolidations & Eliminations				Consolidated
						Subsidiaries
	Revenues	$	83,022			$	249,669			$	(1,852	)		$	330,839

	Operating costs and expenses:

	Cost of revenues (exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown separately below)	27,187				130,007				(1,852		)		155,342

	Selling, general and administrative (exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown separately below)	24,468				83,158				—				107,626

	Depreciation and amortization	2,272				43,358				—				45,630

	Restructuring, acquisition and integration-related costs	3,683				2,696				—				6,379

	Total operating costs and expenses	57,610				259,219				(1,852		)		314,977

	Income (loss) from operations	25,412				(9,550		)		—				15,862

	Interest expense and other, net	(7,385		)		(9,407		)		—				(16,792		)

	Equity in losses of subsidiaries	(17,248		)		—				17,248				—

	Income (loss) before income taxes	779				(18,957		)		17,248				(930		)

	Income tax (provision) benefit	(4,672		)		2,777				4,688				2,793

	Income (loss) from continuing operations	(3,893		)		(16,180		)		21,936				1,863

	Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax	—				(1,068		)		577				(491		)

	Net income (loss)	$	(3,893	)		$	(17,248	)		$	22,513			$	1,372


	Comprehensive income (loss)	$	(3,874	)		$	(17,248	)		$	22,513			$	1,391

	Condensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Loss
	Three Months Ended September 30, 2013


		Parent				Guarantor				Consolidations & Eliminations				Consolidated
						Subsidiaries
	Revenues	$	72,443			$	238,371			$	(2,236	)		$	308,578

	Operating costs and expenses:

	Cost of revenues (exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown separately below)	24,373				122,623				(2,236		)		144,760

	Selling, general and administrative (exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown separately below)	22,055				86,856				—				108,911

	Depreciation and amortization	2,308				44,381				—				46,689

	Restructuring, acquisition and integration-related costs	4,414				5,514				—				9,928

	Total operating costs and expenses	53,150				259,374				(2,236		)		310,288

	Income (loss) from operations	19,293				(21,003		)		—				(1,710		)

	Interest expense and other, net	(12,999		)		(986		)		—				(13,985		)

Equity in losses of subsidiaries	(13,828		)		—				13,828				—

Loss before income taxes	(7,534		)		(21,989		)		13,828				(15,695		)

Income tax (provision) benefit	(178		)		8,423				(3,663		)		4,582

Loss from continuing operations	(7,712		)		(13,566		)		10,165				(11,113		)

Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax	—				(262		)		37				(225		)

Net loss	$	(7,712	)		$	(13,828	)		$	10,202			$	(11,338	)


Comprehensive loss	$	(7,713	)		$	(13,832	)		$	10,202			$	(11,343	)

Condensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2012


	Parent				Guarantor				Consolidations & Eliminations				Consolidated
					Subsidiaries
Revenues	$	259,113			$	752,650			$	(5,354	)		$	1,006,409

Operating costs and expenses:

Cost of revenues (exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown separately below)	84,233				399,065				(5,354		)		477,944

Selling, general and administrative (exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown separately below)	72,032				247,929				—				319,961

Depreciation and amortization	6,293				130,510				—				136,803

Restructuring, acquisition and integration-related costs	7,344				6,392				—				13,736

Total operating costs and expenses	169,902				783,896				(5,354		)		948,444

Income (loss) from operations	89,211				(31,246		)		—				57,965

Interest expense and other, net	(20,308		)		(27,951		)		—				(48,259		)

Equity in losses of subsidiaries	(52,108		)		—				52,108				—

Income (loss) before income taxes	16,795				(59,197		)		52,108				9,706

Income tax (provision) benefit	(23,746		)		10,355				12,913				(478		)

Income (loss) from continuing operations	(6,951		)		(48,842		)		65,021				9,228

Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax	—				(3,266		)		1,567				(1,699		)

Net income (loss)	$	(6,951	)		$	(52,108	)		$	66,588			$	7,529


Comprehensive income (loss)	$	(6,922	)		$	(52,108	)		$	66,588			$	7,558

Condensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Loss
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2013


	Parent				Guarantor				Consolidations & Eliminations				Consolidated
					Subsidiaries
Revenues	$	224,313			$	721,100			$	(6,646	)		$	938,767

Operating costs and expenses:

Cost of revenues (exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown separately below)	75,156				382,054				(6,646		)		450,564

Selling, general and administrative (exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown separately below)	65,819				254,650				—				320,469

Depreciation and amortization	6,380				127,934				—				134,314

Impairment of goodwill	—				95,805				159,794				255,599

Restructuring, acquisition and integration-related costs	10,752				17,716				—				28,468

Total operating costs and expenses	158,107				878,159				153,148				1,189,414

Income (loss) from operations	66,206				(157,059		)		(159,794		)		(250,647		)

Interest expense and other, net	(28,992		)		(17,722		)		—				(46,714		)

Equity in losses of subsidiaries	(157,211		)		—				157,211				—

Loss before income taxes	(119,997		)		(174,781		)		(2,583		)		(297,361		)
Income tax (provision) benefit	(15,287		)		18,324				36,992				40,029

Loss from continuing operations	(135,284		)		(156,457		)		34,409				(257,332		)

Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax	—				(754		)		(868		)		(1,622		)

Net loss	$	(135,284	)		$	(157,211	)		$	33,541			$	(258,954	)


Comprehensive loss	$	(135,296	)		$	(157,215	)		$	33,541			$	(258,970	)

Schedule of Condensed Consolidating Statements of Cash Flows	'
	Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows
	Nine Months Ended September 30, 2013


		Parent				Guarantor				Consolidations & Eliminations				Consolidated
						Subsidiaries
	Cash flows from operating activities	$	(9,117	)		$	92,547			$	—			$	83,430

	Cash flows from investing activities:

	Purchases of property and equipment	(4,840		)		(104,807		)		—				(109,647		)

	Purchases of marketable securities	(41,209		)		—				—				(41,209		)

	Sales and maturities of marketable securities	88,060				—				—				88,060

	Purchase of business	—				(16,806		)		—				(16,806		)

	Purchase of customer relationships	—				(1,195		)		—				(1,195		)

	Payment for investment in subsidiary stock	(308,460		)		—				308,460				—

	Change in restricted cash	—				1,013				—				1,013

	Other investing activities	690				561				—				1,251

	Net cash used in investing activities	(265,759		)		(121,234		)		308,460				(78,533		)

	Cash flows from financing activities:

	Proceeds from issuance of debt, net of issuance costs	290,692				—				—				290,692

	Principal payments under capital lease obligations	(81		)		(315,965		)		—				(316,046		)

	Repurchases of common stock	(5,604		)		—				—				(5,604		)

	Payment of dividends	(15,693		)		—				—				(15,693		)

	Proceeds from parent	—				308,460				(308,460		)		—

	Other financing activities	4				32				—				36

	Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	269,318				(7,473		)		(308,460		)		(46,615		)

	Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents	(5,558		)		(36,160		)		—				(41,718		)

	Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	70,312				87,309				—				157,621

	Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	$	64,754			$	51,149			$	—			$	115,903

	Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows
	Nine Months Ended September 30, 2012


		Parent				Guarantor				Consolidations & Eliminations				Consolidated
						Subsidiaries
	Cash flows from operating activities	$	91,098			$	87,430			$	—			$	178,528

	Cash flows from investing activities:

	Purchases of property and equipment	(15,962		)		(64,767		)		—				(80,729		)

	Purchases of marketable securities	(57,528		)		—				—				(57,528		)

Sales and maturities of marketable securities	38,763				—				—				38,763

Change in restricted cash	—				768				—				768

Net cash used in investing activities	(34,727		)		(63,999		)		—				(98,726		)

Cash flows from financing activities:

Repayment of debt and capital lease obligations	7				(1,250		)		—				(1,243		)

Repurchases of common stock	(12,967		)		—				—				(12,967		)

Payment of dividends	(15,917		)		—				—				(15,917		)

Proceeds from exercises of stock options	236				—				—				236

Change in due to/from affiliates, net	—								—				—

Other	30				69				—				99

Net cash used in financing activities	(28,611		)		(1,181		)		—				(29,792		)

Net increase in cash and cash equivalents	27,760				22,250				—				50,010

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	148,363				63,420				—				211,783

Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	$	176,123			$	85,670			$	—			$	261,793

Organization_Details

Organization (Details)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
	route_fiber_mile
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]	'
Number of reportable segments	2
Number of route fiber miles	29,521
Number of metro fiber rings	90
Number of enterprise-class data centers	8
Minimum percentage of IP coverage in United States	90.00%

Earnings_per_Share_Details

Earnings per Share (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Numerator	'	'	'	'
Income (loss) from continuing operations	($11,113)	$1,863	($257,332)	$9,228
Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax	-225	-491	-1,622	-1,699
Net income (loss)	($11,338)	$1,372	($258,954)	$7,529
Denominator	'	'	'	'
Basic weighted average common shares outstanding	102,580,000	105,001,000	102,835,000	105,833,000
Dilutive effect of Common Stock Equivalents	0	711,000	0	759,000
Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding	102,580,000	105,712,000	102,835,000	106,592,000
Net income (loss) per share	'	'	'	'
Continuing operations, basic	($0.11)	$0.02	($2.50)	$0.09
Discontinued operations, basic	$0	$0	($0.02)	($0.02)
Basic net income (loss) per share	($0.11)	$0.01	($2.52)	$0.07
Continuing operations, diluted	($0.11)	$0.02	($2.50)	$0.09
Discontinued operations, diluted	$0	$0	($0.02)	($0.02)
Diluted net income (loss) per share	($0.11)	$0.01	($2.52)	$0.07
Antidilutive securities	'	'	'	'
Stock options and restricted stock units excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings per share	'	3,900,000	'	3,300,000

Acquisitions_Acquisitions_Deta

Acquisitions Acquisitions (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended		1 Months Ended				9 Months Ended
Share data in Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Apr. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Apr. 02, 2011	Sep. 30, 2013
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	One Communications Corp [Member]	One Communications Corp [Member]	One Communications Corp [Member]	One Communications Corp [Member]	CenterBeam [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Business Acquisition, Cost of Acquired Entity, Cash Paid	'	'	'	'	'	$20,000,000	'
Business Acquisition, Cost of Acquired Entity, Equity Interests Issued and Issuable	'	'	'	'	'	19,900,000	'
Business Acquisition, Purchase Price Allocation, Goodwill Amount	'	'	'	'	'	87,400,000	16,500,000
Business Acquisition, Purchase Price Allocation, Goodwill Expected Tax Deductible Percent	'	'	'	'	'	59.00%	'
Business Acquisition Cost of Acquired Entity Escrow Deposit Used to Fund Post Closing Working Capital and Other Obligations	'	'	13,500,000	'	'	'	'
Business Acquisition Cost of Acquired Entity Escrow Deposit Used to Fund Post Closing Employment Related Obligations Shares	'	'	0.8	'	'	'	'
BusinessAcquisitionCashEscrowReturned	'	'	'	1,900,000	1,400,000	'	'
BusinessAcquisitionShareEscrowReturnedValue	'	'	'	1,300,000	1,400,000	'	'
BusinessAcquisitionShareEscrowReturnedShares	'	'	'	200,000	200,000	'	'
Business Acquisition, Cost of Acquired Entity, Purchase Price	'	'	'	'	'	39,900,000	23,500,000
Purchase of business	-16,806,000	0	'	'	'	'	17,000,000
Repayments of Debt	'	'	'	'	'	'	6,700,000
Business Acquisition, Purchase Price Allocation, Amortizable Intangible Assets	'	'	'	'	'	'	6,400,000
Business Acquisition, Purchase Price Allocation, Property, Plant and Equipment	'	'	'	'	'	'	800,000
Business Acquisition, Purchase Price Allocation, Assets Acquired (Liabilities Assumed), Net	'	'	'	'	'	'	($200,000)

Restructuring_Acquisition_and_2

Restructuring, Acquisition and Integration-Related Costs Restructuring, Acquisition and Integration-Related Costs (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Integration-related costs	$5,192	$3,614	$15,678	$6,944
Severance and retention costs	4,029	2,051	9,718	5,111
Transaction-related costs	670	373	985	1,366
Facility-related Costs	37	336	1,872	491
Legacy plan restructuring costs	0	5	215	-176
Restructuring, acquisition and integration-related costs	$9,928	$6,379	$28,468	$13,736

Restructuring_Acquisition_and_3

Restructuring, Acquisition and Integration-Related Costs Restructuring, Acquisition and Integration-Related Costs (Details2) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'
Severance Costs	$2.20
Other Restructuring Costs	$0.60

Discontinued_Operations_Discon2

Discontinued Operations Discontinued Operations (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Revenue	$774,000	$3,947,000	$5,922,000	$10,931,000
Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Operating Expense	-1,036,000	-5,015,000	-7,777,000	-14,197,000
Discontinued Operation, Tax Effect of Discontinued Operation	37,000	577,000	233,000	1,567,000
Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax	-225,000	-491,000	-1,622,000	-1,699,000
Discontinued Operation Cash Received Disposal Of Discontinued Operation	'	'	600,000	'
Discontinued Operation Receivable for Contingent Consideration	'	'	$800,000	'

Investments_in_Marketable_Secu2

Investments in Marketable Securities (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities	$0	$46,851
Available-for-sale Securities, Current	0	-42,073
Available-for-sale Securities, Noncurrent	0	4,778
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	'	46,839
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	'	0
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	'	12
Marketable securities	'	46,851
Marketable Securities Classification Minimum Maturity	'3 months	'
Marketable Securities Classification, Maximum Maturity	'1 year	'
Marketable Securities Classification Noncurrent Minimum Maturity	'1 year	'
Corporate Debt Securities [Member]	'	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities	0	30,181
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	'	30,173
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	'	0
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	'	8
Marketable securities	'	30,181
US Treasury and Government [Member]	'	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities	0	5,314
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	'	5,311
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	'	0
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	'	3
Marketable securities	'	5,314
Commercial Paper [Member]	'	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities	0	9,293
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	'	9,292
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	'	0
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	'	1
Marketable securities	'	9,293
Certificates of Deposit [Member]	'	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities	0	1,552
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	'	1,552
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	'	0
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	'	0
Marketable securities	'	1,552
Municipal bonds	'	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities	0	511
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	'	511
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	'	0
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	'	0
Marketable securities	'	$511

Goodwill_and_Other_Intangible_2

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013
Changes in the carrying amount of goodwill	'
Balance of goodwill, gross at the beginning of the period	$467,293
Balance of accumulated impairment loss at the beginning of the period	-87,878
Balance of goodwill at the beginning of the period	379,415
Impairment of goodwill	-256,700
Goodwill, Acquired During Period	16,510
Goodwill, Written off Related to Sale of Business Unit	-169
Balance of goodwill, gross at the end of the period	483,634
Balance of accumulated impairment loss at the end of the period	-344,578
Balance of goodwill at the end of the period	139,056
Consumer Services Segment	'
Changes in the carrying amount of goodwill	'
Balance of goodwill, gross at the beginning of the period	88,920
Balance of accumulated impairment loss at the beginning of the period	0
Balance of goodwill at the beginning of the period	88,920
Impairment of goodwill	0
Goodwill, Acquired During Period	0
Goodwill, Written off Related to Sale of Business Unit	0
Balance of goodwill, gross at the end of the period	88,920
Balance of accumulated impairment loss at the end of the period	0
Balance of goodwill at the end of the period	88,920
Business Services Segment	'
Changes in the carrying amount of goodwill	'
Balance of goodwill, gross at the beginning of the period	378,373
Balance of accumulated impairment loss at the beginning of the period	-87,878
Balance of goodwill at the beginning of the period	290,495
Impairment of goodwill	256,700
Goodwill, Acquired During Period	16,510
Goodwill, Written off Related to Sale of Business Unit	-169
Balance of goodwill, gross at the end of the period	394,714
Balance of accumulated impairment loss at the end of the period	-344,578
Balance of goodwill at the end of the period	$50,136

Goodwill_and_Other_Intangible_3

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Details 2) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Details 2) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012
Intangible assets subject to amortization:	'	'	'	'	'
Gross Carrying Value	$403,987,000	'	$403,987,000	'	$397,193,000
Accumulated Amortization	-231,876,000	'	-231,876,000	'	-182,508,000
Net Carrying Value	172,111,000	'	172,111,000	'	214,685,000
Amortization of intangible assets	16,795,000	17,709,000	49,687,000	53,146,000	'
Future amortization expense of definite-lived intangible assets	'	'	'	'	'
Remainder of 2013	16,700,000	'	16,700,000	'	'
2014	62,700,000	'	62,700,000	'	'
2015	60,700,000	'	60,700,000	'	'
2016	29,600,000	'	29,600,000	'	'
2017	1,900,000	'	1,900,000	'	'
Impairment of goodwill	'	'	256,700,000	'	'
Impairment of goodwill, continuing operations	0	0	255,599,000	0	'
Goodwill Impairment Loss, Discontinued Operations	'	'	1,100,000	'	'
Business Acquisition, Purchase Price Allocation, Goodwill, Expected Tax Deductible Amount	49,300,000	'	49,300,000	'	'
Goodwill	139,056,000	'	139,056,000	'	379,415,000
Customer relationships	'	'	'	'	'
Intangible assets subject to amortization:	'	'	'	'	'
Gross Carrying Value	366,805,000	'	366,805,000	'	361,961,000
Accumulated Amortization	204,336,000	'	204,336,000	'	-160,513,000
Net Carrying Value	162,469,000	'	162,469,000	'	201,448,000
Weighted average amortization period (in years)	'	'	'5 years 3 months 18 days	'	'
Developed Technology and Software	'	'	'	'	'
Intangible assets subject to amortization:	'	'	'	'	'
Gross Carrying Value	26,261,000	'	26,261,000	'	24,311,000
Accumulated Amortization	18,014,000	'	18,014,000	'	-14,801,000
Net Carrying Value	8,247,000	'	8,247,000	'	9,510,000
Weighted average amortization period (in years)	'	'	'3 years 9 months	'	'
Trade names	'	'	'	'	'
Intangible assets subject to amortization:	'	'	'	'	'
Gross Carrying Value	9,121,000	'	9,121,000	'	9,121,000
Accumulated Amortization	8,245,000	'	8,245,000	'	-6,345,000
Net Carrying Value	876,000	'	876,000	'	2,776,000
Weighted average amortization period (in years)	'	'	'3 years 3 months 18 days	'	'
Other	'	'	'	'	'
Intangible assets subject to amortization:	'	'	'	'	'
Gross Carrying Value	1,800,000	'	1,800,000	'	1,800,000
Accumulated Amortization	1,281,000	'	1,281,000	'	-849,000
Net Carrying Value	$519,000	'	$519,000	'	$951,000
Weighted average amortization period (in years)	'	'	'4 years 4 months 24 days	'	'

Other_Accrued_Liabilities_Othe1

Other Accrued Liabilities Other Accrued Liabilities (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Other Accrued Liabilities [Abstract]	'	'
Accrued taxes and surcharges	$27,697	$33,016
Accrued communications costs	28,100	39,174
Accrued interest	17,565	11,066
Amounts due to customers	12,393	15,913
Facility exit and restructuring liabilities	2,919	3,211
Other	27,371	27,192
Other accrued liabilities	$116,045	$129,572

LongTerm_Debt_and_Capital_Leas2

Long-Term Debt and Capital Lease Obligations Long-Term Debt and Capital Lease Obligations (Details) (USD $)

9 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

6 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Dec. 31, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Jun. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Jun. 30, 2012

Jun. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

16-May-11

Jan. 31, 2011

Sep. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Jun. 30, 2013

Dec. 06, 2012

Dec. 31, 2011

Dec. 08, 2010

Sep. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Jun. 30, 2013

16-May-11

Sep. 30, 2013

Senior Secured Notes Due 2020

Senior Notes Due 2019

ITC DeltaCom Notes

Capital Lease Obligations

Revolving Credit Facility

Debt Instrument Variable Rate Base LIBOR [Member]

Debt Instrument Variable Rate Base [Member]

Revolving Credit Facility

Debt Instrument [Line Items]

Long-term Debt

$607,993,000

$616,265,000

$300,000,000

$292,300,000

$16,028,000

$17,089,000

Debt Instrument, Unamortized Discount

-8,035,000

-8,818,000

Debt Instrument, Unamortized Premium

15,694,000

Current portion of long-term debt and capital lease obligations

-1,392,000

-1,375,000

Long-term debt and capital lease obligations

606,601,000

614,890,000

Debt Instrument, Face Amount

300,000,000

292,300,000

32,500,000

200,000

325,000,000

Long-term Debt Issue Price as Percentage of Principal Amount

100.00%

96.56%

Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage

7.38%

8.88%

10.50%

3.25%

2.25%

Proceeds from Issuance of Debt

300,000,000

289,700,000

Proceeds from issuance of debt, net of issuance costs

290,692,000

292,600,000

280,200,000

Payments of Debt Issuance Costs

7,400,000

9,500,000

1,900,000

Long Term Debt Redemption Price As Percentage Of Principal Amount From June 2016 To May 2017

105.53%

Long Term Debt Redemption Price As Percentage Of Principal Amount From June 2017 To May 2018

103.69%

Long Term Debt Redemption Price As Percentage Of Principal Amount From June 2017 To May 2019

101.84%

Long Term Debt Redemption Price As Percentage Of Principal Amount After June 2019

100.00%

Long Term Debt Redemption Price As Percentage Of Principal Amount Before June 2016

100.00%

Long-term Debt Redemption with Net Proceeds from Equity Offerings as Percentage of Principal Amount

35.00%

Debt Instrument Covenant Redemption Price as Percentage of Principal

107.38%

108.88%

Long-term Debt Redemption Price Due to Change of Control as Percentage of Principal Amount

101.00%

Amount permitted in debt covenants for Restricted Payments

41,600,000

166,700,000

Percent used in determining ability to make Restricted Payments

300.00%

Long-term Debt, Redemption Price as Percentage of Principal Amount from May 2015 to May 2016

104.44%

Long-term Debt, Redemption Price as Percentage of Principal Amount from May 2016 to May 2017

102.22%

Long-term Debt, Redemption Price as Percentage of Principal Amount after May 2017

100.00%

Long-term Debt, Redemption Price as Percentage of Principal Amount before May 2015

100.00%

Long-term Debt Redemption Price as Percentage of Principal Amount Following Consummation

101.00%

Long-term Debt Redemption Price During any Twelve Month Period Prior to April 2013 as Percentage of Principal Amount

103.00%

Amount of aggregate principal amount validly tendered in May 2013

129,600,000

Percent of aggregate principal amount validly tendered in May 2013

44.36%

Price of aggregate principal amount validly tendered in May 2013

105.88%

Amount of aggregate principal amount redeemed in May 2013

162,700,000

Long-term Debt Maximum Redemption Price as Percentage of Principal Amount on or after April 2013

105.25%

Long-term Debt Redemption Price as Percentage of Principal Amount

10.00%

Total amount paid for tender and redemption

314,800,000

Total premiums paid for tender and redemption of debt

16,200,000

Write-off of unamortized premium

14,200,000

Loss on repayment of debt

2,080,000

2,000,000

800,000

Interest Payable

6,300,000

Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity

135,000,000

150,000,000

Line of Credit Facility, Commitment Fee Percentage

0.50%

Letters of Credit Outstanding, Amount

$2,200,000

Stockholders_Equity_Details

Stockholders' Equity (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
Share data in Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Share Repurchases	'	'	'	'
Repurchase of common stock, authorized amount	'	'	$750,000,000	'
Repurchase of common stock, remaining authorization	'	'	67,900,000	'
Stock Repurchased During Period, Shares	'	'	1.1	1.9
Repurchases of common stock	'	'	5,604,000	12,967,000
Dividends	'	'	'	'
Dividends declared per share	$0.05	$0.05	$0.15	$0.15
Payment of dividends	'	'	$15,693,000	$15,917,000

StockBased_Compensation_Detail

Stock-Based Compensation (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
Share data in Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Stock-based compensation	$1,200,000	$2,700,000	$9,218,000	$8,203,000
Share-based compensation arrangements by share-based payment award	'	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value	'	'	$1.19	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Grants in Period, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value	'	'	'	$7.54
Weighted Average Exercise Price	'	'	'	'
Outstanding at the beginning of the period (in dollars per share)	'	'	$8.12	'
Granted (in dollars per share)	'	'	$6.08	'
Forfeited and expired (in dollars per share)	'	'	$7.36	'
Outstanding at the end of the period (in dollars per share)	$7.34	'	$7.34	'
Vested and expected to vest at the end of the period (in dollars per share)	$7.36	'	$7.36	'
Exercisable at the end of the period (in dollars per share)	$8.54	'	$8.54	'
Aggregate Intrinsic Value	'	'	'	'
Aggregate intrinsic value of options exercised	'	'	0	56,000
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Fair Value Assumptions, Expected Dividend Rate	'	'	3.29%	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Fair Value Assumptions, Expected Volatility Rate	'	'	31.20%	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Fair Value Assumptions, Risk Free Interest Rate	'	'	0.88%	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Fair Value Assumptions, Expected Term	'	'	'5 years	'
Stock Options	'	'	'	'
Stock option activity	'	'	'	'
Outstanding at the beginning of the period (in shares)	'	'	3,723	'
Granted (in shares)	'	'	2,301	'
Forfeited and expired (in shares)	'	'	-431	'
Outstanding at the end of the period (in shares)	5,593	'	5,593	'
Vested and expected to vest at the end of the period (in shares)	5,415	'	5,415	'
Exercisable at the end of the period (in shares)	2,036	'	2,036	'
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term	'	'	'	'
Options outstanding at the end of the period (in years)	'	'	'7 years 2 months	'
Vested and expected to vest at the end of the period (in years)	'	'	'7 years 2 months	'
Exercisable at the end of the period (in years)	'	'	'4 years 2 months	'
Aggregate Intrinsic Value	'	'	'	'
Outstanding at the end of the period	0	'	0	'
Vested and expected to vest at the end of the period	0	'	0	'
Exercisable at the end of the period	0	'	0	'
Unrecognized compensation costs	4,000,000	'	4,000,000	'
Weighted-average period for recognition of unrecognized compensation cost (in years)	'	'	'2 years 11 months	'
Restricted Stock Units	'	'	'	'
Share-based compensation arrangements by share-based payment award	'	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Grants in Period, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value	'	'	$6.07	'
Aggregate Intrinsic Value	'	'	'	'
Unrecognized compensation costs	$14,800,000	'	$14,800,000	'
Weighted-average period for recognition of unrecognized compensation cost (in years)	'	'	'1 year 11 months	'

StockBased_Compensation_Detail1

Stock-Based Compensation (Details 2) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013
Range of exercise price per share from $6.08 to $6.08	'
Stock options outstanding and exercisable by exercise price range	'
Exercise price, low end of the range	$6.08
Exercise price, high end of the range	$6.08
Stock Options Outstanding - Number Outstanding (in shares)	2,183
Stock Options Outstanding - Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life (in years)	'9 years 5 months
Stock Options Outstanding - Weighted Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share)	$6.08
Stock Options Exercisable - Number Exercisable (in shares)	0
Stock Options Exercisable - Weighted Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share)	$0
Range of exercise price per share from $6.31 to $6.98	'
Stock options outstanding and exercisable by exercise price range	'
Exercise price, low end of the range	$6.86
Exercise price, high end of the range	$6.98
Stock Options Outstanding - Number Outstanding (in shares)	103
Stock Options Outstanding - Weighted Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share)	$6.89
Stock Options Exercisable - Number Exercisable (in shares)	103
Stock Options Exercisable - Weighted Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share)	$6.89
Range of exercise price per share from $7.02 to $7.32	'
Stock options outstanding and exercisable by exercise price range	'
Exercise price, low end of the range	$7.02
Exercise price, high end of the range	$7.32
Stock Options Outstanding - Number Outstanding (in shares)	322
Stock Options Outstanding - Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life (in years)	'3 years 8 months
Stock Options Outstanding - Weighted Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share)	$7.28
Stock Options Exercisable - Number Exercisable (in shares)	322
Stock Options Exercisable - Weighted Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share)	$7.28
Range of exercise price per share from $7.51 to $7.51	'
Stock options outstanding and exercisable by exercise price range	'
Exercise price, low end of the range	$7.51
Exercise price, high end of the range	$7.51
Stock Options Outstanding - Number Outstanding (in shares)	1,884
Stock Options Outstanding - Weighted Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share)	$7.51
Stock Options Exercisable - Number Exercisable (in shares)	587
Stock Options Exercisable - Weighted Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share)	$7.51
Range of exercise price per share from $7.64 to $8.96	'
Stock options outstanding and exercisable by exercise price range	'
Exercise price, low end of the range	$7.64
Exercise price, high end of the range	$8.96
Stock Options Outstanding - Number Outstanding (in shares)	185
Stock Options Outstanding - Weighted Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share)	$8.36
Stock Options Exercisable - Number Exercisable (in shares)	108
Stock Options Exercisable - Weighted Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share)	$8.29
Range of exercise price per share from $9.01 to $9.24	'
Stock options outstanding and exercisable by exercise price range	'
Exercise price, low end of the range	$9.01
Exercise price, high end of the range	$9.24
Stock Options Outstanding - Number Outstanding (in shares)	241
Stock Options Outstanding - Weighted Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share)	$9.03
Stock Options Exercisable - Number Exercisable (in shares)	241
Stock Options Exercisable - Weighted Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share)	$9.03
Range of exercise price per share from $9.48 to $9.89	'
Stock options outstanding and exercisable by exercise price range	'
Exercise price, low end of the range	$9.48
Exercise price, high end of the range	$9.89
Stock Options Outstanding - Number Outstanding (in shares)	277
Stock Options Outstanding - Weighted Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share)	$9.51
Stock Options Exercisable - Number Exercisable (in shares)	277
Stock Options Exercisable - Weighted Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share)	$9.51
Range of exercise price per share from $10.36 to $11.82	'
Stock options outstanding and exercisable by exercise price range	'
Exercise price, low end of the range	$10.36
Exercise price, high end of the range	$11.82
Stock Options Outstanding - Number Outstanding (in shares)	398
Stock Options Outstanding - Weighted Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share)	$10.60
Stock Options Exercisable - Number Exercisable (in shares)	398
Stock Options Exercisable - Weighted Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share)	$10.60
Range of exercise price per share from $6.08 to $11.82	'
Stock options outstanding and exercisable by exercise price range	'
Exercise price, low end of the range	$6.08
Exercise price, high end of the range	$11.82
Stock Options Outstanding - Number Outstanding (in shares)	5,593
Stock Options Outstanding - Weighted Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share)	$7.34
Stock Options Exercisable - Number Exercisable (in shares)	2,036
Stock Options Exercisable - Weighted Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share)	$8.54
Employee Stock Option [Member] \| Range of exercise price per share from $6.31 to $6.98	'
Stock options outstanding and exercisable by exercise price range	'
Stock Options Outstanding - Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life (in years)	'3 years 7 months
Employee Stock Option [Member] \| Range of exercise price per share from $7.51 to $7.51	'
Stock options outstanding and exercisable by exercise price range	'
Stock Options Outstanding - Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life (in years)	'8 years 5 months
Employee Stock Option [Member] \| Range of exercise price per share from $7.64 to $8.96	'
Stock options outstanding and exercisable by exercise price range	'
Stock Options Outstanding - Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life (in years)	'6 years 0 months
Employee Stock Option [Member] \| Range of exercise price per share from $9.01 to $9.24	'
Stock options outstanding and exercisable by exercise price range	'
Stock Options Outstanding - Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life (in years)	'1 year 1 month
Employee Stock Option [Member] \| Range of exercise price per share from $9.48 to $9.89	'
Stock options outstanding and exercisable by exercise price range	'
Stock Options Outstanding - Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life (in years)	'2 years 1 month
Employee Stock Option [Member] \| Range of exercise price per share from $10.36 to $11.82	'
Stock options outstanding and exercisable by exercise price range	'
Stock Options Outstanding - Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life (in years)	'1 year 9 months
Employee Stock Option [Member] \| Range of exercise price per share from $6.08 to $11.82	'
Stock options outstanding and exercisable by exercise price range	'
Stock Options Outstanding - Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life (in years)	'7 years 2 months

StockBased_Compensation_Detail2

Stock-Based Compensation (Details 3) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Millions, except Share data in Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value	'	'
Granted (in dollars per share)	'	$7.54
Forfeited (in dollars per share)	$6.07	'
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]	'	'
Restricted Stock Units	'	'
Nonvested, at the beginning of the period (in shares)	2,981	'
Granted (in shares)	2,449	'
Vested (in shares)	-797	'
Forfeited (in shares)	-677	'
Nonvested, at the end of the period (in shares)	3,956	'
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value	'	'
Nonvested, at the beginning of the period (in dollars per share)	$7.90	'
Granted (in dollars per share)	$6.07	'
Vested (in dollars per share)	$8.13	'
Forfeited (in dollars per share)	$7.05	'
Nonvested, at the end of the period (in dollars per share)	$6.86	'
Restricted stock units, other information	'	'
Unrecognized compensation costs	$14.80	'
Weighted-average period for recognition of unrecognized compensation cost (in years)	'1 year 11 months	'
Aggregate fair value of shares, vested	$5.30	$6.50

Income_Taxes_Details

Income Taxes (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
Income Taxes (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2010
Components of income tax provision	'	'	'	'	'
Current provision	($21,000)	$1,912,000	($177,000)	($1,496,000)	'
Deferred (provision) benefit	4,603,000	881,000	40,206,000	1,018,000	'
Income tax benefit (provision)	-4,582,000	-2,793,000	40,029,000	-478,000	'
Effective income tax rate (as a percent)	'	'	13.00%	'	'
Income Tax Reconciliation, Other Adjustments	'	'	400,000	'	'
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Other Adjustments	'	'	-0.13%	'	'
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, at Federal Statutory Income Tax Rate	'	'	35.00%	'	'
Valuation allowance against deferred tax assets	39,100,000	'	39,100,000	'	'
Portion of valuation allowance that relates to net operating losses generated by the tax benefits of stock-based compensation.	31,600,000	'	31,600,000	'	400,000
Portion of the valuation allowance related to net operating losses in certain jurisdictions	$7,100,000	'	$7,100,000	'	'

Income_Taxes_Details_2

Income Taxes (Details 2) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
Income Taxes (Details 2) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'
Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Income Tax Penalties and Interest Accrued	$900,000	'
Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Income Tax Penalties Accrued	800,000	'
Unrecognized tax benefits	23,299,000	23,400,000
Decreases for tax positions related to prior years	-101,000	'
Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Maximum Period to Reverse	'12 months	'
Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Reductions Resulting from Lapse of Applicable Statute of Limitations	$5,300,000	'

Fair_Value_Measurements_Detail

Fair Value Measurements (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2012
Fair value disclosure	'
Marketable securities	$46,851
Corporate debt securities	'
Fair value disclosure	'
Marketable securities	30,181
Government and agency securities	'
Fair value disclosure	'
Marketable securities	5,314
Commercial paper	'
Fair value disclosure	'
Marketable securities	9,293
Certificates of deposit	'
Fair value disclosure	'
Marketable securities	1,552
Municipal bonds	'
Fair value disclosure	'
Marketable securities	511
Carrying Value	'
Fair value disclosure	'
Cash equivalents	27,854
Total	74,705
Carrying Value \| Corporate debt securities	'
Fair value disclosure	'
Marketable securities	5,314
Carrying Value \| Government and agency securities	'
Fair value disclosure	'
Marketable securities	30,181
Carrying Value \| Commercial paper	'
Fair value disclosure	'
Marketable securities	9,293
Carrying Value \| Certificates of deposit	'
Fair value disclosure	'
Marketable securities	1,552
Carrying Value \| Municipal bonds	'
Fair value disclosure	'
Marketable securities	511
Fair Value	'
Fair value disclosure	'
Cash equivalents	27,854
Total	74,705
Fair Value \| Corporate debt securities	'
Fair value disclosure	'
Marketable securities	5,314
Fair Value \| Government and agency securities	'
Fair value disclosure	'
Marketable securities	30,181
Fair Value \| Commercial paper	'
Fair value disclosure	'
Marketable securities	9,293
Fair Value \| Certificates of deposit	'
Fair value disclosure	'
Marketable securities	1,552
Fair Value \| Municipal bonds	'
Fair value disclosure	'
Marketable securities	511
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)	'
Fair value disclosure	'
Cash equivalents	27,854
Total	27,854
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) \| Corporate debt securities	'
Fair value disclosure	'
Marketable securities	0
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) \| Government and agency securities	'
Fair value disclosure	'
Marketable securities	0
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) \| Commercial paper	'
Fair value disclosure	'
Marketable securities	0
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) \| Certificates of deposit	'
Fair value disclosure	'
Marketable securities	0
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) \| Municipal bonds	'
Fair value disclosure	'
Marketable securities	0
Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)	'
Fair value disclosure	'
Cash equivalents	0
Total	46,851
Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) \| Corporate debt securities	'
Fair value disclosure	'
Marketable securities	5,314
Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) \| Government and agency securities	'
Fair value disclosure	'
Marketable securities	30,181
Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) \| Commercial paper	'
Fair value disclosure	'
Marketable securities	9,293
Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) \| Certificates of deposit	'
Fair value disclosure	'
Marketable securities	1,552
Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) \| Municipal bonds	'
Fair value disclosure	'
Marketable securities	511
Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)	'
Fair value disclosure	'
Cash equivalents	0
Total	0
Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) \| Corporate debt securities	'
Fair value disclosure	'
Marketable securities	0
Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) \| Government and agency securities	'
Fair value disclosure	'
Marketable securities	0
Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) \| Commercial paper	'
Fair value disclosure	'
Marketable securities	0
Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) \| Certificates of deposit	'
Fair value disclosure	'
Marketable securities	0
Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) \| Municipal bonds	'
Fair value disclosure	'
Marketable securities	$0

Fair_Value_Measurements_Detail1

Fair Value Measurements (Details 2) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Long-term Debt	$607,993	$616,265
ITC DeltaCom Notes	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Long-term Debt	0	292,300
Senior Notes Due 2019	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Long-term Debt	300,000	300,000
Senior Secured Notes Due 2020	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Long-term Debt	300,000	0
Estimate of Fair Value, Fair Value Disclosure [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Long-term Debt	590,925	621,915
Estimate of Fair Value, Fair Value Disclosure [Member] \| Senior Notes Due 2019	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Long-term Debt	290,925	315,000
Estimate of Fair Value, Fair Value Disclosure [Member] \| Senior Secured Notes Due 2020	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Long-term Debt	0	'
Carrying (Reported) Amount, Fair Value Disclosure [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Long-term Debt	591,965	599,176
Carrying (Reported) Amount, Fair Value Disclosure [Member] \| Senior Notes Due 2019	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Long-term Debt	291,965	'
Carrying (Reported) Amount, Fair Value Disclosure [Member] \| Senior Secured Notes Due 2020	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Long-term Debt	$0	'

Segment_Information_Details

Segment Information (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Segment Reporting [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Number of reportable segments	'	'	2	'
Segment Reporting Information	'	'	'	'
Revenues	$308,578	$330,839	$938,767	$1,006,409
Cost of revenues (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)	144,760	155,342	450,564	477,944
Gross margin	163,818	175,497	488,203	528,465
Direct segment operating expenses	99,595	100,097	293,268	298,279
Segment operating income	64,223	75,400	194,935	230,186
Depreciation and amortization	46,689	45,630	134,314	136,803
Impairment of goodwill, continuing operations	0	0	255,599	0
Restructuring, acquisition and integration-related costs	9,928	6,379	28,468	13,736
Corporate operating expenses	9,316	7,529	27,201	21,682
Income (loss) from operations	-1,710	15,862	-250,647	57,965
Business Services Segment	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information	'	'	'	'
Revenues	240,626	253,114	728,497	763,876
Cost of revenues (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)	121,429	129,567	378,946	397,990
Gross margin	119,197	123,547	349,551	365,886
Direct segment operating expenses	86,856	83,158	254,650	247,930
Segment operating income	32,341	40,389	94,901	117,956
Consumer Services Segment	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information	'	'	'	'
Revenues	67,952	77,725	210,270	242,533
Cost of revenues (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)	23,331	25,775	71,618	79,954
Gross margin	44,621	51,950	138,652	162,579
Direct segment operating expenses	12,739	16,939	38,618	50,349
Segment operating income	$31,882	$35,011	$100,034	$112,230

Segment_Information_Segment_In

Segment Information Segment Information (Details 2) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Revenue, Net	$308,578	$330,839	$938,767	$1,006,409
Business Services Segment [Member]	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Revenue, Net	240,626	253,114	728,497	763,876
Consumer Services Segment [Member]	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Revenue, Net	67,952	77,725	210,270	242,533
Retail Services [Member]	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Revenue, Net	199,389	210,066	599,901	635,840
Wholesale Services [Member]	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Revenue, Net	36,338	38,164	114,280	112,923
Other Services [Member]	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Revenue, Net	4,899	4,884	14,316	15,113
Access and Service [Member]	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Revenue, Net	56,999	65,940	176,735	206,442
Value Added Services [Member]	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Revenue, Net	$10,953	$11,785	$33,535	$36,091

Commitments_and_Contingencies_

Commitments and Contingencies Commitments and Contingencies (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Change In Accounting Estimate, Amount	$7,200,000
Change In Accounting Estimate, Per Share Amount	$0.07
Loss Contingency, Unrecorded	$5,600,000

Condensed_Consolidating_Financ2

Condensed Consolidating Financial Information (Details)	Sep. 30, 2013
Condensed Consolidating Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Percentage Ownership in all guarantor subsidiaries	100.00%

Condensed_Consolidating_Financ3

Condensed Consolidating Financial Information (Details 2) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Current assets:	'	'	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	$115,903	$157,621	$261,793	$211,783
Marketable securities	0	42,073	'	'
Restricted cash	0	1,013	'	'
Accounts receivable, net	107,433	112,765	'	'
Prepaid expenses	20,569	17,171	'	'
Deferred income taxes, net	10,482	15,954	'	'
Due from affiliates	0	0	'	'
Other current assets	10,270	20,303	'	'
Total current assets	264,657	366,900	'	'
Long-term marketable securities	0	4,778	'	'
Property and equipment, net	438,474	418,966	'	'
Long-term deferred income taxes, net	246,957	195,012	'	'
Goodwill	139,056	379,415	'	'
Other intangible assets, net	172,111	214,685	'	'
Investment in subsidiaries	0	0	'	'
Other long-term assets	27,393	19,654	'	'
Total assets	1,288,648	1,599,410	'	'
Current liabilities:	'	'	'	'
Accounts payable	10,286	18,792	'	'
Accrued payroll and related expenses	29,035	31,003	'	'
Other accrued liabilities	116,045	129,572	'	'
Deferred revenue	50,424	51,690	'	'
Due to affiliates	0	0	'	'
Current portion of long-term debt and capital lease obligations	1,392	1,375	'	'
Total current liabilities	207,182	232,432	'	'
Long-term debt and capital lease obligations	606,601	614,890	'	'
Other long-term liabilities	30,791	33,284	'	'
Total liabilities	844,574	880,606	'	'
Stockholders' equity:	'	'	'	'
Common stock	1,975	1,969	'	'
Additional paid-in capital	2,049,132	2,057,974	'	'
Accumulated deficit	-865,102	-606,148	'	'
Treasury stock, at cost	-741,927	-735,003	'	'
Accumulated other comprehensive income	4	-12	'	'
Total stockholders' equity	444,074	718,804	'	'
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	1,288,648	1,599,410	'	'
Parent	'	'	'	'
Current assets:	'	'	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	64,754	70,312	176,123	148,363
Marketable securities	'	42,073	'	'
Restricted cash	'	0	'	'
Accounts receivable, net	8,325	9,490	'	'
Prepaid expenses	8,147	6,352	'	'
Deferred income taxes, net	0	1,234	'	'
Due from affiliates	129,379	90,778	'	'
Other current assets	3,516	7,862	'	'
Total current assets	214,121	228,101	'	'
Long-term marketable securities	'	4,778	'	'
Property and equipment, net	25,246	24,427	'	'
Long-term deferred income taxes, net	33,861	12,421	'	'
Goodwill	88,920	88,920	'	'
Other intangible assets, net	0	0	'	'
Investment in subsidiaries	829,603	650,405	'	'
Other long-term assets	16,466	8,842	'	'
Total assets	1,208,217	1,017,894	'	'
Current liabilities:	'	'	'	'
Accounts payable	4,017	2,654	'	'
Accrued payroll and related expenses	3,402	9,493	'	'
Other accrued liabilities	48,244	23,064	'	'
Deferred revenue	12,485	13,883	'	'
Due to affiliates	0	0	'	'
Current portion of long-term debt and capital lease obligations	80	93	'	'
Total current liabilities	68,228	49,187	'	'
Long-term debt and capital lease obligations	592,249	291,534	'	'
Other long-term liabilities	1,644	3,139	'	'
Total liabilities	662,121	343,860	'	'
Stockholders' equity:	'	'	'	'
Common stock	1,975	1,969	'	'
Additional paid-in capital	2,072,250	2,057,974	'	'
Accumulated deficit	-786,202	-650,918	'	'
Treasury stock, at cost	-741,927	-735,003	'	'
Accumulated other comprehensive income	0	-12	'	'
Total stockholders' equity	546,096	674,034	'	'
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	1,208,217	1,017,894	'	'
Guarantor Subsidiaries	'	'	'	'
Current assets:	'	'	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	51,149	87,309	85,670	63,420
Marketable securities	'	0	'	'
Restricted cash	'	1,013	'	'
Accounts receivable, net	99,108	103,275	'	'
Prepaid expenses	12,422	10,819	'	'
Deferred income taxes, net	4,516	5,948	'	'
Due from affiliates	17,977	30,429	'	'
Other current assets	6,754	12,441	'	'
Total current assets	191,926	251,234	'	'
Long-term marketable securities	'	0	'	'
Property and equipment, net	413,228	394,539	'	'
Long-term deferred income taxes, net	91,573	74,013	'	'
Goodwill	211,031	290,495	'	'
Other intangible assets, net	172,111	214,685	'	'
Investment in subsidiaries	0	0	'	'
Other long-term assets	10,927	10,812	'	'
Total assets	1,090,796	1,235,778	'	'
Current liabilities:	'	'	'	'
Accounts payable	6,269	16,138	'	'
Accrued payroll and related expenses	25,633	21,510	'	'
Other accrued liabilities	68,456	106,524	'	'
Deferred revenue	37,939	37,807	'	'
Due to affiliates	147,356	121,207	'	'
Current portion of long-term debt and capital lease obligations	1,312	1,282	'	'
Total current liabilities	286,965	304,468	'	'
Long-term debt and capital lease obligations	14,352	323,356	'	'
Other long-term liabilities	29,665	32,502	'	'
Total liabilities	330,982	660,326	'	'
Stockholders' equity:	'	'	'	'
Common stock	0	0	'	'
Additional paid-in capital	1,235,800	894,223	'	'
Accumulated deficit	-475,982	-318,771	'	'
Treasury stock, at cost	0	0	'	'
Accumulated other comprehensive income	4	0	'	'
Total stockholders' equity	759,814	575,452	'	'
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	1,090,796	1,235,778	'	'
Consolidations and Eliminations	'	'	'	'
Current assets:	'	'	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	0	0	0	0
Marketable securities	'	0	'	'
Restricted cash	'	0	'	'
Accounts receivable, net	0	0	'	'
Prepaid expenses	0	0	'	'
Deferred income taxes, net	5,966	8,772	'	'
Due from affiliates	-147,356	-121,207	'	'
Other current assets	0	0	'	'
Total current assets	-141,390	-112,435	'	'
Long-term marketable securities	'	0	'	'
Property and equipment, net	0	0	'	'
Long-term deferred income taxes, net	121,523	108,578	'	'
Goodwill	-160,895	0	'	'
Other intangible assets, net	0	0	'	'
Investment in subsidiaries	-829,603	-650,405	'	'
Other long-term assets	0	0	'	'
Total assets	-1,010,365	-654,262	'	'
Current liabilities:	'	'	'	'
Accounts payable	0	0	'	'
Accrued payroll and related expenses	'	0	'	'
Other accrued liabilities	-655	-16	'	'
Deferred revenue	0	0	'	'
Due to affiliates	-147,356	-121,207	'	'
Current portion of long-term debt and capital lease obligations	0	0	'	'
Total current liabilities	-148,011	-121,223	'	'
Long-term debt and capital lease obligations	0	0	'	'
Other long-term liabilities	-518	-2,357	'	'
Total liabilities	-148,529	-123,580	'	'
Stockholders' equity:	'	'	'	'
Common stock	0	0	'	'
Additional paid-in capital	-1,258,918	-894,223	'	'
Accumulated deficit	397,082	363,541	'	'
Treasury stock, at cost	0	0	'	'
Accumulated other comprehensive income	0	0	'	'
Total stockholders' equity	-861,836	-530,682	'	'
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	($1,010,365)	($654,262)	'	'

Condensed_Consolidating_Financ4

Condensed Consolidating Financial Information (Details 3) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Condensed Consolidating Financial Information	'	'	'	'
Revenues	$308,578	$330,839	$938,767	$1,006,409
Operating costs and expenses:	'	'	'	'
Cost of revenues (exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown separately below)	144,760	155,342	450,564	477,944
Selling, general and administrative (exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown separately below)	108,911	107,626	320,469	319,961
Depreciation and amortization	46,689	45,630	134,314	136,803
Impairment of goodwill, continuing operations	0	0	255,599	0
Restructuring, acquisition and integration-related costs	9,928	6,379	28,468	13,736
Total operating costs and expenses	310,288	314,977	1,189,414	948,444
Income (loss) from operations	-1,710	15,862	-250,647	57,965
Interest expense and other, net	-13,985	-16,792	-46,714	-48,259
Equity in losses of subsidiaries	0	0	0	0
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes	-15,695	-930	-297,361	9,706
Income tax benefit (provision)	4,582	2,793	-40,029	478
Income (loss) from continuing operations	-11,113	1,863	-257,332	9,228
Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax	-225	-491	-1,622	-1,699
Net income (loss)	-11,338	1,372	-258,954	7,529
Comprehensive income (loss)	-11,343	1,391	-258,970	7,558
Parent	'	'	'	'
Condensed Consolidating Financial Information	'	'	'	'
Revenues	72,443	83,022	224,313	259,113
Operating costs and expenses:	'	'	'	'
Cost of revenues (exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown separately below)	24,373	27,187	75,156	84,233
Selling, general and administrative (exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown separately below)	22,055	24,468	65,819	72,032
Depreciation and amortization	2,308	2,272	6,380	6,293
Impairment of goodwill, continuing operations	'	'	0	'
Restructuring, acquisition and integration-related costs	4,414	3,683	10,752	7,344
Total operating costs and expenses	53,150	57,610	158,107	169,902
Income (loss) from operations	19,293	25,412	66,206	89,211
Interest expense and other, net	-12,999	-7,385	-28,992	-20,308
Equity in losses of subsidiaries	-13,828	-17,248	-157,211	-52,108
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes	-7,534	779	-119,997	16,795
Income tax benefit (provision)	-178	-4,672	15,287	23,746
Income (loss) from continuing operations	-7,712	-3,893	-135,284	-6,951
Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax	0	0	0	0
Net income (loss)	-7,712	-3,893	-135,284	-6,951
Comprehensive income (loss)	-7,713	-3,874	-135,296	-6,922
Guarantor Subsidiaries	'	'	'	'
Condensed Consolidating Financial Information	'	'	'	'
Revenues	238,371	249,669	721,100	752,650
Operating costs and expenses:	'	'	'	'
Cost of revenues (exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown separately below)	122,623	130,007	382,054	399,065
Selling, general and administrative (exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown separately below)	86,856	83,158	254,650	247,929
Depreciation and amortization	44,381	43,358	127,934	130,510
Impairment of goodwill, continuing operations	'	'	95,805	'
Restructuring, acquisition and integration-related costs	5,514	2,696	17,716	6,392
Total operating costs and expenses	259,374	259,219	878,159	783,896
Income (loss) from operations	-21,003	-9,550	-157,059	-31,246
Interest expense and other, net	-986	-9,407	-17,722	-27,951
Equity in losses of subsidiaries	0	0	0	0
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes	-21,989	-18,957	-174,781	-59,197
Income tax benefit (provision)	8,423	2,777	-18,324	-10,355
Income (loss) from continuing operations	-13,566	-16,180	-156,457	-48,842
Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax	-262	-1,068	-754	-3,266
Net income (loss)	-13,828	-17,248	-157,211	-52,108
Comprehensive income (loss)	-13,832	-17,248	-157,215	-52,108
Consolidations and Eliminations	'	'	'	'
Condensed Consolidating Financial Information	'	'	'	'
Revenues	-2,236	-1,852	-6,646	-5,354
Operating costs and expenses:	'	'	'	'
Cost of revenues (exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown separately below)	-2,236	-1,852	-6,646	-5,354
Selling, general and administrative (exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown separately below)	0	0	0	0
Depreciation and amortization	0	0	0	0
Impairment of goodwill, continuing operations	'	'	159,794	'
Restructuring, acquisition and integration-related costs	0	0	0	0
Total operating costs and expenses	-2,236	-1,852	153,148	-5,354
Income (loss) from operations	0	0	-159,794	0
Interest expense and other, net	0	0	0	0
Equity in losses of subsidiaries	13,828	17,248	157,211	52,108
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes	13,828	17,248	-2,583	52,108
Income tax benefit (provision)	-3,663	4,688	-36,992	-12,913
Income (loss) from continuing operations	10,165	21,936	34,409	65,021
Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax	37	577	-868	1,567
Net income (loss)	10,202	22,513	33,541	66,588
Comprehensive income (loss)	$10,202	$22,513	$33,541	$66,588

Condensed_Consolidating_Financ5

Condensed Consolidating Financial Information (Details 4) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Condensed Consolidating Financial Information	'	'
Net cash provided by operating activities	$83,430,000	$178,528,000
Cash flows from investing activities:	'	'
Purchases of property and equipment	-109,647,000	-80,729,000
Purchases of marketable securities	-41,209,000	-57,528,000
Sales and maturities of investments in marketable securities	88,060,000	38,763,000
Purchase of business	-16,806,000	0
Purchase of customer relationships	-1,195,000	0
Payments to Acquire Investments	0	'
Change in restricted cash	1,013,000	768,000
Net cash used in investing activities	-78,533,000	-98,726,000
Cash flows from financing activities:	'	'
Proceeds from issuance of debt, net of issuance costs	290,692,000	0
Principal payments under capital lease obligations	-316,046,000	-1,243,000
Repurchases of common stock	-5,604,000	-12,967,000
Payment of dividends	-15,693,000	-15,917,000
Proceeds from exercises of stock options	0	236,000
Proceeds from Contributions from Parent	0	'
Change in due to/from affiliates, net	'	0
Other	-36,000	-99,000
Net cash used in financing activities	-46,615,000	-29,792,000
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	-41,718,000	50,010,000
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	157,621,000	211,783,000
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	115,903,000	261,793,000
Parent	'	'
Condensed Consolidating Financial Information	'	'
Net cash provided by operating activities	-9,117,000	91,098,000
Cash flows from investing activities:	'	'
Purchases of property and equipment	-4,840,000	-15,962,000
Purchases of marketable securities	-41,209,000	-57,528,000
Sales and maturities of investments in marketable securities	88,060,000	38,763,000
Purchase of business	0	'
Purchase of customer relationships	0	'
Payments to Acquire Investments	-308,460,000	'
Change in restricted cash	0	0
Net cash used in investing activities	-265,759,000	-34,727,000
Cash flows from financing activities:	'	'
Proceeds from issuance of debt, net of issuance costs	290,692,000	'
Principal payments under capital lease obligations	-81,000	-7,000
Repurchases of common stock	-5,604,000	-12,967,000
Payment of dividends	-15,693,000	-15,917,000
Proceeds from exercises of stock options	'	-236,000
Proceeds from Contributions from Parent	0	'
Change in due to/from affiliates, net	'	0
Other	-4,000	-30,000
Net cash used in financing activities	269,318,000	-28,611,000
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	-5,558,000	27,760,000
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	70,312,000	148,363,000
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	64,754,000	176,123,000
Guarantor Subsidiaries	'	'
Condensed Consolidating Financial Information	'	'
Net cash provided by operating activities	92,547,000	87,430,000
Cash flows from investing activities:	'	'
Purchases of property and equipment	-104,807,000	-64,767,000
Purchases of marketable securities	0	0
Sales and maturities of investments in marketable securities	0	0
Purchase of business	-16,806,000	'
Purchase of customer relationships	-1,195,000	'
Payments to Acquire Investments	0	'
Change in restricted cash	1,013,000	768,000
Net cash used in investing activities	-121,234,000	-63,999,000
Cash flows from financing activities:	'	'
Proceeds from issuance of debt, net of issuance costs	0	'
Principal payments under capital lease obligations	-315,965,000	1,250,000
Repurchases of common stock	0	0
Payment of dividends	0	0
Proceeds from exercises of stock options	'	0
Proceeds from Contributions from Parent	308,460,000	'
Change in due to/from affiliates, net	'	'
Other	-32,000	-69,000
Net cash used in financing activities	-7,473,000	-1,181,000
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	-36,160,000	22,250,000
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	87,309,000	63,420,000
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	51,149,000	85,670,000
Consolidations and Eliminations	'	'
Condensed Consolidating Financial Information	'	'
Net cash provided by operating activities	0	0
Cash flows from investing activities:	'	'
Purchases of property and equipment	0	0
Purchases of marketable securities	0	0
Sales and maturities of investments in marketable securities	0	0
Purchase of business	0	'
Purchase of customer relationships	0	'
Payments to Acquire Investments	308,460,000	'
Change in restricted cash	0	0
Net cash used in investing activities	308,460,000	0
Cash flows from financing activities:	'	'
Proceeds from issuance of debt, net of issuance costs	0	'
Principal payments under capital lease obligations	0	0
Repurchases of common stock	0	0
Payment of dividends	0	0
Proceeds from exercises of stock options	'	0
Proceeds from Contributions from Parent	-308,460,000	'
Change in due to/from affiliates, net	'	0
Other	0	0
Net cash used in financing activities	-308,460,000	0
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	0	0
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	0	0
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	$0	$0