Consolidated Communications (CNSL) 10-Q 1 Aug 14 2014 Q2 Quarterly report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014	Jul. 23, 2014
Document and Entity Information	'	'
Entity Registrant Name	'Consolidated Communications Holdings, Inc.	'
Entity Central Index Key	'0001304421	'
Document Type	'10-Q	'
Document Period End Date	30-Jun-14	'
Amendment Flag	'false	'
Current Fiscal Year End Date	'--12-31	'
Entity Current Reporting Status	'Yes	'
Entity Filer Category	'Accelerated Filer	'
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	'	40,289,154
Document Fiscal Year Focus	'2014	'
Document Fiscal Period Focus	'Q2	'

CONDENSED_CONSOLIDATED_STATEME

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME	'	'	'	'
Net revenues	$151,036	$151,320	$300,684	$302,848
Operating expense:	'	'	'	'
Cost of services and products (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)	55,918	55,942	111,218	110,994
Selling, general and administrative expenses	32,711	33,544	65,286	66,670
Financing and other transaction costs	977	178	1,266	357
Depreciation and amortization	36,005	34,709	71,547	69,550
Income from operations	25,425	26,947	51,367	55,277
Other income (expense):	'	'	'	'
Interest expense, net of interest income	-19,728	-20,697	-39,559	-45,297
Investment income	9,313	8,693	17,649	17,477
Other, net	-252	82	-1,155	-25
Income from continuing operations before income taxes	14,758	15,025	28,302	27,432
Income tax expense	4,871	5,465	9,993	11,014
Income from continuing operations	9,887	9,560	18,309	16,418
Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax	'	-272	'	-248
Net income	9,887	9,288	18,309	16,170
Less: net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	80	94	178	193
Net income attributable to common shareholders	$9,807	$9,194	$18,131	$15,977
Net income per common share - basic and diluted	'	'	'	'
Income from continuing operations (in dollars per share)	$0.24	$0.23	$0.45	$0.40
Income (loss) from discontinued operations (in dollars per share)	'	($0.01)	'	($0.01)
Net income per basic and diluted common share attributable to common shareholders (in dollars per share)	$0.24	$0.22	$0.45	$0.39
Dividends declared per common share (in dollars per share)	$0.38	$0.38	$0.77	$0.77

CONDENSED_CONSOLIDATED_STATEME1

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME	'	'	'	'
Net income	$9,887	$9,288	$18,309	$16,170
Pension and post-retirement obligations:	'	'	'	'
Amortization of actuarial (gains) losses and prior service credit to earnings, net of tax	-136	474	-272	948
Derivative instruments designated as cash flow hedges:	'	'	'	'
Change in fair value of derivatives, net of tax	'	163	'	131
Reclassification of realized loss to earnings, net of tax	303	556	711	2,846
Comprehensive income	10,054	10,481	18,748	20,095
Less: comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interest	80	94	178	193
Total comprehensive income attributable to common shareholders	$9,974	$10,387	$18,570	$19,902

CONDENSED_CONSOLIDATED_BALANCE

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (USD $)	Jun. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Current assets:	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	$4,882	$5,551
Accounts receivable, net	51,079	52,033
Income tax receivable	2,968	9,796
Deferred income taxes	7,960	7,960
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	14,413	12,380
Total current assets	81,302	87,720
Property, plant and equipment, net	866,982	885,362
Investments	112,852	113,099
Goodwill	603,446	603,446
Other intangible assets	35,248	40,084
Deferred debt issuance costs, net and other assets	20,687	17,667
Total assets	1,720,517	1,747,378
Current liabilities:	'	'
Accounts payable	9,644	4,885
Advance billings and customer deposits	23,153	25,934
Dividends payable	15,607	15,520
Accrued compensation	19,016	22,252
Accrued expense	36,189	38,697
Current portion of long-term debt and capital lease obligations	9,796	9,751
Current portion of derivative liability	1,299	660
Total current liabilities	114,704	117,699
Long-term debt and capital lease obligations	1,207,609	1,212,134
Deferred income taxes	179,589	179,859
Pension and other postretirement obligations	65,885	75,754
Other long-term liabilities	11,133	9,593
Total liabilities	1,578,920	1,595,039
Commitments and contingencies	'	'
Shareholders' equity:	'	'
Common stock, par value $0.01 per share; 100,000,000 shares authorized, 40,289,154 and 40,065,246 shares outstanding as of June 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively	403	401
Additional paid-in capital	137,072	148,433
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net	-561	-1,000
Noncontrolling interest	4,683	4,505
Total shareholders' equity	141,597	152,339
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	$1,720,517	$1,747,378

CONDENSED_CONSOLIDATED_BALANCE1

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Jun. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS	'	'
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$0.01	$0.01
Common stock, shares authorized	100,000,000	100,000,000
Common stock, shares outstanding	40,289,154	40,065,246

CONDENSED_CONSOLIDATED_STATEME2

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (USD $)	6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Cash flows from operating activities:	'	'
Net cash provided by continuing operations	$87,045	$67,346
Net cash used in discontinued operations	'	-3,097
Net cash provided by operating activities	87,045	64,249
Cash flows from investing activities:	'	'
Purchases of property, plant and equipment, net	-50,446	-52,623
Proceeds from sale of assets	1,250	50
Other	'	-131
Net cash used in continuing operations	-49,196	-52,704
Net cash used in discontinued operations	'	-48
Net cash used in investing activities	-49,196	-52,752
Cash flows from financing activities:	'	'
Proceeds from the issuance of long-term debt	26,000	49,000
Payment of capital lease obligation	-317	-224
Payment on long-term debt	-30,550	-43,620
Payment of financing costs	-2,524	'
Dividends on common stock	-31,127	-30,987
Net cash used in financing activities	-38,518	-25,831
Decrease in cash and cash equivalents	-669	-14,334
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	5,551	17,854
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$4,882	$3,520

SUMMARY_OF_SIGNIFICANT_ACCOUNT

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES	'
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES	'
	1.              SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
	Business and Basis of Accounting
	Consolidated Communications Holdings, Inc. (the “Company”, “we” or “our”) is a holding company with operating subsidiaries (collectively “Consolidated”) that provide communications services to residential and business customers in Illinois, Texas, Pennsylvania, California, Kansas and Missouri.
	We offer a wide range of telecommunications services to residential and business customers in the areas we serve. Our telecommunications services include local and long-distance service, high-speed broadband Internet access, video services, digital telephone service (“VOIP”), custom calling features, private line services, carrier grade access services, network capacity services over our regional fiber optic networks, directory publishing, Competitive Local Exchange Carrier (“CLEC”) services and equipment sales.  As of June 30, 2014, we had approximately 250 thousand access lines, 121 thousand voice connections, 259 thousand data and Internet connections and 111 thousand video connections.
	We historically operated our business as two separate reportable segments: Telephone Operations and Other Operations.  During the quarter ended June 30, 2013 we concluded that we operate our business as one reportable segment based on changes in our business structure.  See the “Recent Business Developments” section below for a more detailed discussion regarding the circumstances that resulted in the change to our segment reporting.
	In the opinion of management, the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets and related condensed consolidated statements of income, comprehensive income and cash flows include all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring items, necessary for their fair presentation in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“U.S. GAAP” or “GAAP”) for interim financial information and pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in annual financial statements prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such SEC rules and regulations and accounting principles applicable for interim periods. Events subsequent to the balance sheet date have been evaluated for inclusion in the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements through the date of issuance.  Management believes that the disclosures made are adequate to make the information presented not misleading. Interim results are not necessarily indicative of results for a full year.  The information presented in this Form 10-Q should be read in conjunction with Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations and the consolidated financial statements and the accompanying notes to the financial statements (“Notes”) thereto included in our 2013 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC.
	Recent Business Developments
	Agreement and Plan of Merger with Enventis
	On June 29, 2014, we entered into an agreement and plan of merger (the “Merger Agreement”) with Sky Merger Sub Inc., a newly formed Minnesota corporation and wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, and Enventis Corporation, a Minnesota corporation (“Enventis”), to acquire all the issued and outstanding shares of Enventis in exchange for shares of our common stock.  Each share of common stock, no par value, of Enventis owned immediately prior to the transaction will be converted into and become the right to receive 0.7402 shares of common stock, par value of $0.01 per share, of our common stock and cash in lieu of fractional shares, as set forth in the Merger Agreement.  Based on the closing price of our common stock as of the date of the Merger Agreement, the total value of the consideration to be exchanged is approximately $229.0 million, exclusive of debt.  Following the close of the transaction, Enventis will be a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company.
	The merger is subject to approval by our stockholders and Enventis’ shareholders, approval of the listing of additional shares of Consolidated common stock to be issued to Enventis’ shareholders, required regulatory approvals and other customary closing conditions.  We expect the transaction to be completed during the fourth quarter of 2014.
	Segment Reporting
	Historically, we classified our operations into two separate reportable business segments: Telephone Operations and Other Operations.  Our Telephone Operations consisted of a wide range of telecommunications services to residential and business customers, including local and long-distance service, high-speed broadband Internet access, video services, VOIP services, custom calling features, private line services, carrier access services, network capacity services over a regional fiber optic network, mobile services and directory publishing.  Our Other Operations segment operated two complementary non-core businesses including telephone services to state and county correctional facilities (“Prison Services”) and equipment sales.  As discussed below, our contract to provide telephone services to correctional facilities operated by the Illinois Department of Corrections was not renewed and the process of transitioning those services to another service provider was completed during the quarter ended March 31, 2013.  The remaining Prison Services assets and operations were classified as discontinued operations during the quarter ended June 30, 2013 and subsequently sold during the quarter ended September 30, 2013.  Prison Services comprised nearly all of the Other Operations segment revenue and results of operations.  Consequently, with the cessation of our Prison Services business and based on the segment accounting guidance, we concluded that we operate as one segment as of the quarter ended June 30, 2013. As required by the authoritative guidance for segment presentation, segment results of operations have been retrospectively adjusted to reflect this change for all periods presented.
	Prison Services Contract
	We previously provided telephone service to inmates incarcerated at facilities operated by the Illinois Department of Corrections and to certain county jails.  On June 27, 2012, the Illinois Department of Central Management Services announced its intent to replace us as the provider of those services with a competitor.  Although we challenged our competitor’s bid and the State’s decision to accept that bid in a variety of different forums, during the quarter ended March 31, 2013, the process of transitioning these services to another service provider was completed.  All related assets have been assessed for recoverability in light of this change and we determined that no impairment was necessary.
	Discontinued Operations
	On September 13, 2013, we completed the sale of the assets and contractual rights used to provide communications services to inmates in thirteen county jails located in Illinois for a total purchase price of $2.5 million.  In accordance with the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 205-20, “Discontinued Operations”, the financial results of the Prison Services business have been reported as a discontinued operation in our condensed consolidated financial statements for all periods presented.  For a more complete discussion of the transaction, refer to Note 2.
	Recent Accounting Pronouncements
	In June 2014, FASB issued the Accounting Standards Update No. 2014-12 (“ASU 2014-12”), Accounting for Share-Based Payments When the Terms of an Award Provide That a Performance Target Could Be Achieved after the Requisite Service Period. ASU 2014-12 provides guidance requiring a performance target that could be achieved after the requisite service period has ended to be treated as a performance condition affecting vesting of the award and therefore not reflected in estimating the fair value of the award at the date of grant. The amended guidance is effective for annual and interim periods beginning on or after December 15, 2015, with early adoption permitted. We are currently evaluating the impact this update will have on our condensed consolidated financial statements.
	In May 2014, FASB issued the Accounting Standards Update No. 2014-09 (“ASU 2014-09”), Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606). ASU 2014-09 provides new, globally applicable converged guidance concerning recognition and measurement of revenue. As a result, significant additional disclosures are required about nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from contracts with customers. The new guidance is effective for annual and interim periods beginning on or after December 15, 2016. Companies are allowed to transition using either the modified retrospective or full retrospective adoption method. If full retrospective adoption is chosen, three years of financial information must be presented in accordance with the new standard as well as summarized financial data for five years.   We are currently evaluating the impact this update will have on our condensed consolidated financial statements.
	In April 2014, FASB issued the Accounting Standards Update No. 2014-08 (“ASU 2014-08”), Reporting Discontinued Operations and Disclosures of Disposals of Components of an Entity. ASU 2014-08 revises the definition of a discontinued operation to limit the circumstances under which a disposal or classification as held for sale qualifies for presentation as a discontinued operation. Amendments in this ASU require expanded disclosures concerning a discontinued operation and the disposal of an individually-material component of an entity not qualifying as a discontinued operation. ASU 2014-08 is effective for annual and interim periods beginning on or after December 15, 2014 and should be applied prospectively, with early adoption permitted.
	Effective January 1, 2014, we adopted Accounting Standards Update No. 2013-11 (“ASU 2013-11”), Presentation of an Unrecognized Tax Benefit When a Net Operating Loss Carryforward, a Similar Tax Loss, or a Tax Credit Carryforward Exists. ASU 2013-11 provides guidance concerning the balance sheet presentation of an unrecognized tax benefit when a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss or a tax credit carryforward is present. The adoption of this standard did not have a material impact on our condensed consolidated financial statements.

DISCONTINUED_OPERATIONS

DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS	'
DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS	'
	2. DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS
	In September 2013, we completed the sale of the assets and contractual rights of our Prison Services business for a total cash purchase price of $2.5 million, which included the settlement of any pending legal matters.  The financial results of the operations for Prison Services, which were previously reported in the Other Operations segment, have been reported as a discontinued operation in our condensed consolidated financial statements for all periods presented.
	The following table summarizes the financial information for the Prison Services operations for the quarter and six months ended June 30, 2013:
		Quarter Ended			Six Months Ended
	(In thousands)	June 30, 2013			June 30, 2013
	Operating revenues	$	482		$	5,249
	Operating expenses including depreciation and amortization	878			5,577
	Loss from operations	(396		)	(328		)
	Income tax benefit	(124		)	(80		)
	Loss from discontinued operations	$	(272	)	$	(248	)

EARNINGS_PER_SHARE

EARNINGS PER SHARE	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
EARNINGS PER SHARE	'
EARNINGS PER SHARE	'
	3. EARNINGS PER SHARE
	The computation of basic and diluted earnings per share attributable to common shareholders computed using the two-class method is as follows:
		Quarter Ended					Six Months Ended
		June 30,					June 30,
	(In thousands, except per share amounts)	2014		2013			2014		2013
	Income from continuing operations	$	9,887	$	9,560		$	18,309	$	16,418
	Less: net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	80		94			178		193
	Income attributable to common shareholders before allocation of earnings to participating securities	9,807		9,466			18,131		16,225
	Less: earnings allocated to participating securities	153		131			306		263
	Income from continuing operations attributable to common shareholders	9,654		9,335			17,825		15,962
	Loss from discontinued operations	-		(272		)	-		(248		)
	Net income attributable to common shareholders	$	9,654	$	9,063		$	17,825	$	15,714
	Weighted-average number of common shares outstanding	39,877		39,755			39,877		39,755
	Basic and diluted earnings per common share:
	Income from continuing operations	$	0.24	$	0.23		$	0.45	$	0.4
	Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax	-		(0.01		)	-		(0.01		)
	Net income per common share attributable to common shareholders	$	0.24	$	0.22		$	0.45	$	0.39
	Diluted earnings per common share attributable to common shareholders for the quarter and six months ended June 30, 2014, excludes 0.4 million shares and 0.3 million shares, respectively, of potential common shares that could be issued under our share-based compensation plan, because the inclusion of the potential common shares would have had an antidilutive effect.  For the quarter and six months ended June 30, 2013, diluted earnings per share excluded 0.4 million and 0.2 million potential common shares, respectively.

INVESTMENTS

INVESTMENTS	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
INVESTMENTS	'
INVESTMENTS	'
	4. INVESTMENTS
	Our investments are as follows:
		June 30,		December 31,
	(In thousands)	2014		2013
	Cash surrender value of life insurance policies	$	1,965	$	2,183
	Cost method investments:
	GTE Mobilnet of South Texas Limited Partnership (2.34% interest)	21,450		21,450
	Pittsburgh SMSA Limited Partnership (3.60% interest)	22,950		22,950
	CoBank, ACB Stock	5,107		5,112
	Other	200		200
	Equity method investments:
	GTE Mobilnet of Texas RSA #17 Limited Partnership (20.51% interest)	27,409		27,467
	Pennsylvania RSA 6(I) Limited Partnership (16.6725% interest)	7,548		7,696
	Pennsylvania RSA 6(II) Limited Partnership (23.67% interest)	24,287		24,105
	CVIN, LLC (12.089% interest)	1,936		1,936
	Totals	$	112,852	$	113,099
	Cost Method
	We own 2.34% of GTE Mobilnet of South Texas Limited Partnership (the “Mobilnet South Partnership”).  The principal activity of the Mobilnet South Partnership is providing cellular service in the Houston, Galveston, and Beaumont, Texas metropolitan areas.  We also own 3.60% of Pittsburgh SMSA Limited Partnership (“Pittsburgh SMSA”), which provides cellular service in and around the Pittsburgh metropolitan area.  Because of our limited influence over these partnerships, we use the cost method to account for both of these investments.  It is not practicable to estimate fair value of these investments.  We did not evaluate any of the investments for impairment during the quarters or six months ended June 30, 2014 or 2013 as no factors indicating impairment existed.  For each of the quarter ended June 30, 2014 and 2013, we received cash distributions from these partnerships totaling $3.8 million.  For the six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013, we received cash distributions from these partnerships totaling $7.3 million and $7.8 million, respectively.
	CoBank, ACB (“CoBank”) is a cooperative bank owned by its customers.  On an annual basis, CoBank distributes patronage in the form of cash and stock in the cooperative based on the Company’s outstanding loan balance with CoBank, which has traditionally been a significant lender in the Company’s credit facility.  The investment in CoBank represents the accumulation of the equity patronage paid by CoBank to the Company.
	Equity Method
	We own 20.51% of GTE Mobilnet of Texas RSA #17 Limited Partnership (“RSA #17”), 16.6725% of Pennsylvania RSA 6(I) Limited Partnership (“RSA 6(I)”) and 23.67% of Pennsylvania RSA 6(II) Limited Partnership (“RSA 6(II)”).  RSA #17 provides cellular service to a limited rural area in Texas.  RSA 6 (I) and RSA 6 (II) provide cellular service in and around our Pennsylvania service territory.  Because we have significant influence over the operating and financial policies of these three entities, we account for the investments using the equity method.  For the quarter ended June 30, 2014 and 2013, we received cash distributions from these partnerships totaling $4.9 million and $3.9 million, respectively.  For the six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013, we received cash distributions from these partnerships totaling $10.5 million and $8.0 million, respectively.
	We have a 12.089% interest in Central Valley Independent Network, LLC (“CVIN”), a joint enterprise comprised of affiliates of several independent telephone companies located in central and northern California. CVIN provides network services and oversees a broadband infrastructure project designed to expand and improve the availability of network services to counties in central California.  Because we have significant influence over the operating and financial policies of this entity, we account for this investment using the equity method.  During the six months ended June 30, 2013, we made an additional capital investment of $0.1 million in this partnership.  We did not receive any distributions from this partnership during the quarters or six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013.
	The combined unaudited results of operations and financial position of our three equity investments in the cellular limited partnerships are summarized below:
		Quarter Ended				Six Months
		June 30,				Ended June 30,
	(In thousands)	2014		2013		2014		2013
	Total revenues	$	83,228	$	79,342	$	164,044	$	156,061
	Income from operations	23,426		24,914		49,306		48,888
	Net income before taxes	23,459		24,926		49,362		48,911
	Net income	23,459		24,926		49,362		48,911
		June 30,		December 31,
	(In thousands)	2014		2013
	Current assets	$	48,715	$	54,837
	Non-current assets	93,528		87,968
	Current liabilities	14,624		15,221
	Non-current liabilities	2,611		1,786
	Partnership equity	125,008		125,799

FAIR_VALUE_MEASUREMENTS

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS	'
FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS	'
	5.              FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS
	Our derivative instruments related to interest rate swap agreements are required to be measured at fair value on a recurring basis.  The fair values of the interest rate swaps are determined using valuation models which rely on the expected London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) based yield curve and estimates of counterparty and Consolidated’s non-performance risk as the most significant inputs.  Because each of these inputs are directly observable or can be corroborated by observable market data, we have categorized these interest rate swaps as Level 2 within the fair value hierarchy. See Note 7 for further discussion regarding our interest rate swap agreements.
	Our interest rate swap liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis and subject to disclosure requirements at June 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013 were as follows:
				As of June 30, 2014
				Quoted Prices In		Significant		Significant
				Active Markets		Other		Unobservable
				for Identical		Observable		Inputs
				Assets		Inputs
	(In thousands)	Total		(Level 1)		(Level 2)		(Level 3)
	Current interest rate swap liabilities	$	-1,299	$	–	$	-1,299	$	–
	Long-term interest rate swap liabilities	-826		$	–	-826		$	–
	Total	$	-2,125	$	–	$	-2,125	$	–
				As of December 31, 2013
				Quoted Prices In		Significant		Significant
				Active Markets		Other		Unobservable
				for Identical		Observable		Inputs
				Assets		Inputs
	(In thousands)	Total		(Level 1)		(Level 2)		(Level 3)
	Current interest rate swap liabilities	$	-660	$	–	$	-660	$	–
	Long-term interest rate swap liabilities	-1,959		–		-1,959		–
	Total	$	-2,619	$	–	$	-2,619	$	–
	We have not elected the fair value option for any of our financial assets or liabilities.  The carrying value of other financial instruments, including cash, accounts receivable, accounts payable and accrued liabilities approximate fair value due to their short maturities or variable-rate nature of the respective balances.  The following table presents the other financial instruments that are not carried at fair value but which require fair value disclosure as of June 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013.
		As of June 30, 2014				As of December 31, 2013
	(In thousands)	Carrying Value		Fair Value		Carrying Value		Fair Value
	Investments, equity basis	$	61,180	n/a		$	61,204	n/a
	Investments, at cost	$	49,707	n/a		$	49,712	n/a
	Long-term debt	$	1,212,600	$	1,264,849	$	1,216,764	$	1,261,508
	Cost & Equity Method Investments
	Our investments at June 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013 accounted for under both the equity and cost methods consisted primarily of minority positions in various cellular telephone limited partnerships and our investment in CoBank.  These investments are recorded using either the equity or cost methods. It is impracticable to determine fair value of these investments.
	Long-term Debt
	The fair value of our long-term debt was estimated using a discounted cash flow analyses based on incremental borrowing rates for similar types of borrowing arrangements.  We have categorized the long-term debt as Level 2 within the fair value hierarchy.

LONGTERM_DEBT

LONG-TERM DEBT	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
LONG-TERM DEBT	'
LONG-TERM DEBT	'
	6.     LONG-TERM DEBT
	Long-term debt, presented net of unamortized discounts, consisted of the following:
		June 30,			December 31,
	(In thousands)	2014			2013
	Senior secured credit facility:
	Term Loan 4, net of discount of $4,244 and $4,537 at June 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively	$	901,206		$	905,463
	Revolving loan	13,000			13,000
	Senior notes, net of discount of $1,606 and $1,699 at June 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively	298,394			298,301
	Capital leases	4,805			5,121
		1,217,405			1,221,885
	Less: current portion of long-term debt and capital leases	(9,796		)	(9,751		)
	Total long-term debt	$	1,207,609		$	1,212,134
	Credit Agreement
	In December 2013, the Company, through certain of its wholly owned subsidiaries, entered into a Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement with various financial institutions (the “Credit Agreement”) to replace the Company’s previously amended credit agreement.  The Credit Agreement consists of a $75.0 million revolving credit facility and initial term loans in the aggregate amount of $910.0 million (“Term 4”).  The proceeds from the Credit Agreement were used to repay the outstanding term loans from the previous agreement in its entirety.  The Credit Agreement also includes an incremental term loan facility which provides the ability to borrow up to $300.0 million of incremental term loans subject to certain terms and conditions.  Borrowings under the senior secured credit facility are secured by substantially all of the assets of the Company and its subsidiaries, with the exception of Illinois Consolidated Telephone Company and our majority-owned subsidiary, East Texas Fiber Line Incorporated.
	The Term 4 loan was issued in an original aggregate principal amount of $910.0 million with a maturity date of December 23, 2020, but is subject to earlier maturity on December 31, 2019 if the Company’s unsecured Senior Notes due in 2020 (“Senior Notes”) are not repaid or redeemed in full by December 31, 2019.  The Term 4 loan contains an original issuance discount of $4.6 million, which is being amortized over the term of the loan.  The Term 4 loan requires quarterly principal payments of $2.3 million, which commenced March 31, 2014, and has an interest rate of LIBOR plus 3.25% subject to a 1.00% LIBOR floor.
	Our revolving credit facility has a maturity date of December 23, 2018 and an applicable margin (at our election) of between 2.50% and 3.25% for LIBOR-based borrowings or between 1.50% and 2.25% for alternate base rate borrowings, depending on our leverage ratio.  Based on our leverage ratio at June 30, 2014, the borrowing margin for the next three month period ending September 30, 2014 will be at a weighted-average margin of 3.00% for a LIBOR-based loan or 2.00% for an alternate base rate loan.  The applicable borrowing margin for the revolving credit facility is adjusted quarterly to reflect the leverage ratio from the prior quarter-end.  As of June 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, borrowings of $13.0 million were outstanding under the revolving credit facility.  A stand-by letter of credit of $0.9 million, issued in connection with the Company’s insurance coverage, was outstanding under our revolving credit facility as of June 30, 2014.  The stand-by letter of credit is renewable annually and reduces the borrowing availability under the revolving credit facility.
	The weighted-average interest rate on outstanding borrowings under our credit facility was 4.23% at June 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013.  Interest is payable at least quarterly.
	Net proceeds from asset sales exceeding certain thresholds, to the extent not reinvested, are required to be used to repay loans outstanding under the Credit Agreement.
	Credit Agreement Covenant Compliance
	The Credit Agreement contains various provisions and covenants, including, among other items, restrictions on the ability to pay dividends, incur additional indebtedness, and issue capital stock.  We have agreed to maintain certain financial ratios, including interest coverage and total net leverage ratios, all as defined in the Credit Agreement.  As of June 30, 2014, we were in compliance with the Credit Agreement covenants.
	In general, our Credit Agreement restricts our ability to pay dividends to the amount of our Available Cash as defined in our Credit Agreement.  As of June 30, 2014, we had $231.3 million in dividend availability under the credit facility covenant.
	Under our Credit Agreement, if our total net leverage ratio (as defined in the Credit Agreement), as of the end of any fiscal quarter, is greater than 5.10:1.00, we will be required to suspend dividends on our common stock unless otherwise permitted by an exception for dividends that may be paid from the portion of proceeds of any sale of equity not used to fund acquisitions, or make other investments.  During any dividend suspension period, we will be required to repay debt in an amount equal to 50.0% of any increase in Available Cash, among other things.  In addition, we will not be permitted to pay dividends if an event of default under the Credit Agreement has occurred and is continuing.  Among other things, it will be an event of default if our total net leverage ratio and interest coverage ratio as of the end of any fiscal quarter is greater than 5.25:1.00 and less than 2.25:1.00, respectively.  As of June 30, 2014, our total net leverage ratio under the Credit Agreement was 4.29:1.00, and our interest coverage ratio was 3.56:1.00.
	Senior Notes
	On May 30, 2012, we completed an offering of $300.0 million aggregate principal amount of 10.875% unsecured Senior Notes, due 2020 through our wholly-owned subsidiary, Consolidated Communications Finance Co. (“Finance Co.”) for the acquisition of SureWest Communications (“SureWest”).  The Senior Notes will mature on June 1, 2020 and earn interest at a rate of 10.875% per year, payable semi-annually in arrears on June 1 and December 1 of each year, commencing on December 1, 2012.  The Senior Notes were sold in the United States to qualified institutional buyers pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933 (the “Securities Act”) and outside the United States in compliance with Regulation S under the Securities Act.  In addition, some of the Senior Notes were sold to certain “accredited investors” (as defined in Rule 501 under the Securities Act).  The Senior Notes were sold to investors at a price equal to 99.345% of the principal amount thereof, for a yield to maturity of 11.00%.  This discount is being amortized over the term of the Senior Notes.  Upon closing of the SureWest acquisition on July 2, 2012, Finance Co. merged with and into our wholly-owned subsidiary Consolidated Communications, Inc., (“CCI”) which assumed the Senior Notes, and we and certain of our subsidiaries fully and unconditionally guaranteed the Senior Notes.  On August 3, 2012, SureWest and its subsidiaries guaranteed the Senior Notes.
	In 2013, we completed an exchange offer to issue registered notes (“Exchange Notes”) for $287.3 million of the original Senior Notes.  The terms of the Exchange Notes are substantially identical to the Senior Notes, except that the Exchange Notes are registered under the Securities Act and the transfer restrictions and registration rights applicable to the Senior Notes do not apply to the Exchange Notes.  The exchange offer did not impact the aggregate principal amount or the remaining terms of the Senior Notes outstanding.
	Senior Notes Covenant Compliance
	The indenture governing the Senior Notes contains customary covenants for high yield notes, which limits CCI’s and its restricted subsidiaries’ ability to: incur debt or issue certain preferred stock; pay dividends or make other distributions on capital stock or prepay subordinated indebtedness; purchase or redeem any equity interests; make investments; create liens; sell assets; enter into agreements that restrict dividends or other payments by restricted subsidiaries; consolidate, merge or transfer all or substantially all of its assets; engage in transactions with its affiliates; or enter into any sale and leaseback transactions.
	Among other matters, the Senior Notes indenture provides that CCI may not pay dividends or make other “restricted payments” to the Company if its total net leverage ratio is 4.50:1.00 or greater.  This ratio is calculated differently than the comparable ratio under the Credit Agreement; among other differences, it takes into account on a pro forma basis synergies expected to be achieved as a result of the SureWest acquisition but not yet reflected in historical results.  At June 30, 2014, this ratio was 4.28:1.00.  If this ratio is met, dividends and other restricted payments may be made from cumulative consolidated cash flow since the date the Senior Notes were issued, less 1.75 times fixed charges, less dividends and other restricted payments made since the date the Senior Notes were issued.  Dividends may be paid and other restricted payments may also be made from a “basket” of $50.0 million, none of which has been used to date, and pursuant to other exceptions identified in the Senior Notes indenture.  Since dividends of $124.1 million have been paid since May 30, 2012, at June 30, 2014 there was $215.8 million of the $339.9 million of cumulative consolidated cash flow since May 30, 2012 available to pay dividends, exclusive of the quarterly dividend declared in April 2014 and payable on August 1, 2014.
	On March 19, 2014, CCI commenced a solicitation of consents from the eligible holders of the Senior Notes in order to amend the indenture governing the Senior Notes to (i) modify CCI’s Consolidated Leverage Ratio (as defined in the indenture governing the Senior Notes) level required before CCI (subject to certain other conditions specified in the indenture) can make Restricted Payments (as defined in the indenture) otherwise available under the consolidated cash flow builder basket from 4.25:1.00 to 4.50:1.00 and (ii) modify the size of a permitted lien basket for liens securing Indebtedness (as defined in the indenture) by amending the multiplier for CCI’s Consolidated Cash Flow (as defined in the indenture) in the calculation of such permitted lien basket from 2.50 to 2.75.  On April 1, 2014, the required consent of the holders of the Senior Notes was obtained and the consent solicitation expired, and we entered into a supplemental indenture effecting the proposed amendments as provided in the consent solicitation.  The amendment to the indenture with respect to modifying the size of a permitted lien basket for liens securing Indebtedness modified such provision in the indenture so that it would be the same as the equivalent provision in our Credit Agreement.  In connection with entering into the supplemental indenture, consent fees of $2.5 million paid to the holders of the Senior Notes who validly consented to the proposed amendment were capitalized during the quarter ended June 30, 2014 as deferred debt issuance costs and amortized over the remaining term of the Senior Notes.  Solicitation fees of $0.5 million were recognized as other expense in the condensed consolidated statements of income during the quarter ended June 30, 2014.
	Bridge Loan Facility
	In connection with the anticipated acquisition of Enventis, the Company entered into a $140.0 million senior unsecured bridge loan facility (“Bridge Facility”) on June 29, 2014 in order to fund the anticipated acquisition including the related fees and expenses and to repay the existing indebtedness of Enventis of approximately $135.0 million.  The Bridge Facility will be available in a single borrowing on the closing date of the acquisition and bears interest at a rate of 10.875%.  No amount has been drawn or funded under the Bridge Facility as of June 30, 2014.  The Bridge Facility matures one year from the closing date of the acquisition or may be extended to June 1, 2020 if not repaid in full by the initial maturity date.  In connection with entering into the Bridge Facility, commitment fees of $1.4 million were capitalized during the quarter ended June 30, 2014 as deferred debt issuance costs and are being amortized over the expected life of the Bridge Facility of less than one year.
	Capital Leases
	As of June 30, 2014, we had seven capital leases which expire between 2015 and 2021.  As of June 30, 2014, the present value of the minimum remaining lease commitments was approximately $4.8 million, of which $0.7 million was due and payable within the next twelve months.  The leases require total remaining rental payments of $7.0 million as of June 30, 2014, of which $6.3 million will be paid to LATEL LLC, a related party entity.

DERIVATIVE_FINANCIAL_INSTRUMEN

DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS	'
DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS	'
	7.     DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
	We use derivative financial instruments to manage our exposure to the risks associated with fluctuations in interest rates. Our interest rate swap agreements effectively convert a portion of our floating-rate debt to a fixed-rate basis, thereby reducing the impact of interest rate changes on future cash interest payments.  Derivative financial instruments are recorded at fair value in our condensed consolidated balance sheet.  We may designate certain of our interest rate swaps as cash flow hedges of our expected future interest payments.  For derivative instruments designated as a cash flow hedge, the effective portion of the change in the fair value is recognized as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (“AOCI”) and is recognized as an adjustment to earnings over the period in which the hedged item impacts earnings. When an interest rate swap agreement terminates, any resulting gain or loss is recognized over the shorter of the remaining original term of the hedging instrument or the remaining life of the underlying debt obligation.  If a derivative instrument is de-designated, the remaining gain or loss in AOCI on the date of de-designation is amortized to earnings over the remaining term of the hedging instrument. For derivative financial instruments that are not designated as a hedge, including those that have been de-designated, changes in fair value are recognized on a current basis in earnings.  The ineffective portion of the change in fair value of any hedging derivative is recognized immediately in earnings.  Cash flows from hedging activities are classified under the same category as the cash flows from the hedged items in our condensed consolidated statement of cash flows.
	The following interest rate swaps were outstanding at June 30, 2014:
	(In thousands)	Notional		2014 Balance Sheet Location		Fair Value
		Amount
	De-designated Hedges:
	Fixed to 1-month floating LIBOR	$	50,000	Other long-term liabilities		$	(613	)
	Fixed to 1-month floating LIBOR	225,000		Current portion of derivative liability		(1,299		)
	Fixed to 1-month floating LIBOR (with floor)	50,000		Other long-term liabilities		(213		)
	Total Fair Values					$	(2,125	)
	The following interest rate swaps were outstanding at December 31, 2013:
	(In thousands)	Notional		2013 Balance Sheet Location		Fair Value
		Amount
	De-designated Hedges:
	Fixed to 1-month floating LIBOR	$	175,000	Other long-term liabilities		$	(1,897	)
	Fixed to 1-month floating LIBOR	100,000		Current portion of derivative liability		(660		)
	Fixed to 1-month floating LIBOR (with floor)	50,000		Other long-term liabilities		(62		)
	Total Fair Values					$	(2,619	)
	As of June 30, 2014, the counterparties to our various swaps are four major U.S. and European banks.  None of the swap agreements provide for either us or the counterparties to post collateral nor do the agreements include any covenants related to the financial condition of Consolidated or the counterparties.  The swaps of any counterparty that is a “Lender” as defined in our credit facility are secured along with the other creditors under the credit facility.  Each of the swap agreements provides that in the event of a bankruptcy filing by either Consolidated or the counterparty, any amounts owed between the two parties would be offset in order to determine the net amount due between parties.  This provision allows us to partially mitigate the risk of non-performance by a counterparty.
	In December 2013, $325.0 million notional interest rate swaps previously designated as cash flow hedges were de-designated as a result of the amendment to our Credit Agreement on December 23, 2013 as discussed in Note 6.  The interest rate swap agreements mature on various dates through September 2016.    Prior to de-designation, the effective portion of the change in fair value of the interest rate swaps were recognized in AOCI.  The balance of the unrealized loss included in AOCI as of the date the swaps were de-designated is amortized to earnings over the remaining term of the swap agreements.  Changes in fair value of the de-designated swaps are immediately recognized in earnings as interest expense.  During the quarter and six months ended June 30, 2014, a gain of $0.3 million and $0.5 million, respectively, was recognized as a reduction to interest expense for the change in fair value of the de-designated swaps.
	In December 2012, interest rate swaps with an aggregate notional value of $660.0 million were de-designated as cash flow hedges in connection with the amendment to our previous credit agreement on December 4, 2012.  Of these agreements, $200.0 million notional interest rate swap agreements expired on December 31, 2012 and the remainder expired on March 31, 2013.  During the six months ended June 30, 2013, a gain of $2.1 million was recognized as a reduction to interest expense for the change in fair value of the de-designated swaps.
	At June 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, the pre-tax deferred losses related to our interest rate swap agreements included in AOCI were $1.5 million and $2.6 million, respectively.  The estimated amount of losses included in AOCI as of June 30, 2014 that will be recognized in earnings in the next twelve months is approximately $1.4 million.
	Information regarding our cash flow hedge transactions is as follows:
		Quarter Ended					Six Months Ended
		June 30,					June 30,
	(In thousands)	2014		2013			2014		2013
	Gain recognized in AOCI, pretax	$	-	$	264		$	-	$	212
	Deferred losses reclassed from AOCI to interest expense	$	-489	$	-897		$	-1,148	$	-4,538

EQUITY

EQUITY	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
EQUITY	'
EQUITY	'
	8.     EQUITY
	Share-Based Compensation
	The following table summarizes total compensation costs recognized for share-based payments during the quarters and six-month periods ended June 30, 2014 and 2013:
		Quarter Ended						Six Months
		June 30,						Ended June 30,
	(In thousands)	2014			2013			2014			2013
	Restricted stock	$	527		$	461		$	1,044		$	917
	Performance shares	413			323			680			523
	Total	$	940		$	784		$	1,724		$	1,440
	Stock-based compensation expense is included in “selling, general and administrative expenses” in the accompanying statements of income.
	As of June 30, 2014, total unrecognized compensation costs related to nonvested Restricted Stock Awards (“RSAs”) and Performance Share Awards (“PSAs”) was $6.2 million and will be recognized over a weighted-average period of approximately 1.4 years.
	The following table summarizes the RSA and PSA activity for the six-month period ended June 30, 2014:
		RSAs					PSAs
		Shares		Weighted			Shares		Weighted
				Average Grant					Average Grant
				Date Fair Value					Date Fair Value
	Non-vested shares outstanding - January 1, 2014	123,501		$	17.32		64,266		$	17.96
	Shares granted	132,781		$	19.74		91,127		$	17.13
	Non-vested shares outstanding - June 30, 2014	256,282					155,393
	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
	The following table summarizes the changes in accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax, by component for the six-month period ended June 30, 2014:
		Pension and
		Post-Retirement			Derivative
	(In thousands)	Obligations			Instruments			Total
	Balance at December 31, 2013	$	643		$	(1,643)		$	(1,000)
	Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income	(272)			711			439
	Net current period other comprehensive income	(272)			711			439
	Balance at June 30, 2014	$	371		$	(932)		$	(561)
	The following table summarizes reclassifications from accumulated other comprehensive loss during the quarters and six-month periods ended June 30, 2014 and 2013:
		Amount Reclassified from AOCI
		Quarter Ended June 30,						Six Months Ended June 30,					Affected Line Item in the
	(In thousands)	2014			2013			2014			2013		Statement of Income
	Amortization of pension and post-retirement items:
	Prior service credit	$	79		$	115		$	159		$	231	(a)
	Actuarial gain (loss)	142			-891			284			-1,782		(a)
		221			-776			443			-1,551		Total before tax
		-85			302			-171			603		Tax (expense) benefit
		$	136		$	-474		$	272		$	-948	Net of tax
	Loss on cash flow hedges:
	Interest rate derivatives	$	-489		$	-897		$	-1,148		$	-4,538	Interest expense
		186			341			437			1,692		Tax benefit
		$	-303		$	-556		$	-711		$	-2,846	Net of tax
	(a)     These items are included in the components of net periodic benefit cost for our pension and post-retirement benefit plans.  See Note 9 for additional details.

PENSION_PLAN_AND_OTHER_POSTRET

PENSION PLAN AND OTHER POST-RETIREMENT BENEFITS	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
PENSION PLAN AND OTHER POST-RETIREMENT BENEFITS	'
PENSION PLAN AND OTHER POST-RETIREMENT BENEFITS	'
	9.              PENSION PLAN AND OTHER POST-RETIREMENT BENEFITS
	Defined Benefit Plans
	We sponsor a qualified defined benefit pension plan (“Retirement Plan”) that is non-contributory covering certain of our hourly employees who fulfill minimum age and service requirements.  Certain salaried employees are also covered by the Retirement Plan, although these benefits have previously been frozen.  In April 2013, the Retirement Plan was amended for certain employees under collective bargaining agreements to among other things: (i) change the benefit formula to a cash balance account as of May 1, 2013 and (ii) freeze entrance into the Retirement Plan so that no person is eligible to become a participant on or following May 1, 2013.  As of May 2013, all employees under collective bargaining agreements that include a defined benefit plan are on a cash balance plan.
	In connection with our acquisition of SureWest, we assumed sponsorship in 2012 of a frozen non-contributory defined benefit pension plan (the “SureWest Plan”).  The SureWest Plan covers certain eligible employees and benefits are based on years of service and the employee’s average compensation during the five highest consecutive years of the last ten years of credited service.  This plan has previously been frozen so that no person is eligible to become a new participant and all future benefit accruals for existing participants have ceased.   As of January 1, 2014, the SureWest Plan was merged into and consolidated with the Retirement Plan.
	We also have two non-qualified supplemental retirement plans (“Supplemental Plans”): the Restoration Plan, which we acquired as part of our North Pittsburgh Systems, Inc. (“North Pittsburgh”) and TXU Communications Venture Company (“TXUCV”) acquisitions, and a Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan (“SERP”), which we acquired as part of our acquisition of SureWest.  The Supplemental Plans provide supplemental retirement benefits to certain former employees by providing for incremental pension payments to partially offset the reduction that would have been payable under the qualified defined benefit pension plans if it were not for limitations imposed by federal income tax regulations. Both plans have previously been frozen so that no person is eligible to become a new participant in the Supplemental Plans.  These plans are unfunded and have no assets.  The benefits paid under the Supplemental Plans are paid from the general operating funds of the Company.
	The following table summarizes the components of net periodic pension cost for our defined benefit plans for the quarters and six-month periods ended June 30, 2014 and 2013:
		Quarter Ended						Six Months
		June 30,						Ended June 30,
	(In thousands)	2014			2013			2014			2013
	Service cost	$	140		$	304		$	280		$	608
	Interest cost	4,074			3,860			8,147			7,722
	Expected return on plan assets	(5,776		)	(5,151		)	(11,553		)	(10,302		)
	Net amortization loss	5			891			10			1,782
	Prior service credit amortization	(114		)	(70		)	(229		)	(141		)
	Net periodic pension benefit	$	(1,671	)	$	(166	)	$	(3,345	)	$	(331	)
	Other Non-qualified Deferred Compensation Agreements
	We also are liable for deferred compensation agreements with former members of the board of directors and certain other former employees of a subsidiary of TXUCV, which was acquired in 2004.  The benefits are payable for up to the life of the participant or to the beneficiary upon the death of the participant and may begin as early as age 55.  Participants accrue no new benefits as these plans had previously been frozen by TXUCV’s predecessor company prior to our acquisition of TXUCV.  Payments related to the deferred compensation agreements totaled approximately $0.1 million for each of the quarters ended June 30, 2014 and 2013 and $0.2 million and $0.3 million for the six-month periods ended June 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively.  The net present value of the remaining obligations was approximately $1.6 million and $1.8 million at June 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively, and is included in pension and post-retirement benefit obligations in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets.
	We also maintain 30 life insurance policies on certain of the participating former directors and employees.  We recognized $0.3 million in life insurance proceeds as other non-operating income in the quarter and six-month period ended June 30, 2014.  The excess of the cash surrender value of the remaining life insurance policies over the notes payable balances related to these policies is determined by an independent consultant, and totaled $2.0 million at June 30, 2014 and $2.2 million at December 31, 2013.  These amounts are included in investments in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets.  Cash principal payments for the policies and any proceeds from the policies are classified as operating activities in the condensed consolidated statements of cash flows.
	Post-retirement Benefit Obligations
	We sponsor a healthcare and life insurance plan (“Post-retirement Plan”) that provides post-retirement medical benefits and life insurance to certain groups of retired employees.  Retirees share in the cost of healthcare benefits, making contributions that are adjusted periodically—either based upon collective bargaining agreements or because total costs of the program have changed.  Covered expenses for retiree health benefits are paid as they are incurred.  Post-retirement life insurance benefits are fully insured.  The Post-retirement Plan is unfunded and has no assets, and benefits are paid from the general operating funds of the Company.
	In connection with the acquisition of SureWest in 2012, we acquired its post-retirement benefit plan which provides life insurance benefits and a stated reimbursement for Medicare supplemental insurance to certain eligible retired participants.  This plan has previously been frozen so that no person is eligible to become a new participant.  Employer contributions for retiree medical benefits are separately designated within the SureWest Plan pension trust for the sole purpose of providing payments of retiree medical benefits.  The nature of the assets used to provide payment of retiree medical benefits is the same as that of the SureWest Plan.
	The following table summarizes the components of net periodic pension cost for our post-retirement plans for the quarters and six-month periods ended June 30, 2014 and 2013:
		Quarter Ended						Six Months
		June 30,						Ended June 30,
	(In thousands)	2014			2013			2014			2013
	Service cost	$	90		$	231		$	180		$	463
	Interest cost	355			392			710			783
	Expected return on plan assets	(55		)	(58		)	(110		)	-116
	Net amortization gain	(147		)	-			(294		)	-
	Net prior service cost (credit) amortization	35			(45		)	70			-90
	Net periodic postretirement benefit cost	$	278		$	520		$	556		$	1,040
	Contributions
	We expect to contribute approximately $15.5 million to our pension plans and $2.5 million to our other post-retirement plans in 2014.  As of June 30, 2014, we have contributed $5.9 million and $1.4 million of the annual contribution to the pension plans and other post-retirement plans, respectively.

INCOME_TAXES

INCOME TAXES	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
INCOME TAXES	'
INCOME TAXES	'
	10.          INCOME TAXES
	We did not have any unrecognized tax benefits as of June 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013.
	Our practice is to recognize interest and penalties related to income tax matters in interest expense and general and administrative expense, respectively.  At June 30, 2014, we did not have a material liability for interest or penalties and had no material interest or penalty expense.
	The periods subject to examination for our federal return are years 2010 through 2012.  The periods subject to examination for our state returns are years 2009 through 2012.  We are currently under examination by federal taxing authorities.  We have received proposed assessments in connection with our federal examination for tax years ended December 31, 2010 and 2011.  We are in the process of responding to the IRS and providing support for our tax position.  We believe that our tax position will more likely than not be upheld based on the technical merits of our position.  Accordingly, we have not made any adjustments to our unrecognized tax benefits for the proposed assessments.  We do not expect any settlement or payment that may result from the audits to have a material effect on our results of operations or cash flows.
	Our effective tax rate was 33.0% and 36.4% for the quarters ended June 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively and 35.3% and 40.2% for the six-month periods ended June 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively.  For the quarter and six month periods ended June 30, 2014, the effective tax rate differed from the federal and state statutory rates primarily due to the release of a valuation allowance set up on Federal NOL carryforwards subject to separate return limitation year restrictions.  Exclusive of this adjustment, our effective tax rate for the quarter and six months ended June 30, 2014 would have been approximately 36.6% and 37.2%, respectively.  For the six-month period ended June 30, 2013, the effective tax rate differed from the federal and state statutory rates primarily due to non-deductible compensation in relation to the acquisition of SureWest.  Exclusive of this adjustment, our effective tax rate for the six months ended June 30, 2013 would have been approximately 36.7%.
	On September 13, 2013, Treasury and the Internal Revenue Service issued final regulations regarding the deduction and capitalization of expenditures related to tangible property. The final regulations under Internal Revenue Code Sections 162, 167 and 263(a) apply to amounts paid to acquire, produce, or improve tangible property as well as dispositions of such property and are generally effective for tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2014.  We have evaluated these regulations and we do not expect they will have a material adverse impact on our consolidated results of operations, cash flows or financial position.

COMMITMENTS_AND_CONTINGENCIES

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES	'
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES	'
	11.          COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
	On April 15, 2008, Salsgiver Inc., a Pennsylvania-based telecommunications company, and certain of its affiliates (“Salsgiver”) filed a lawsuit against us and our subsidiaries North Pittsburgh Telephone Company and North Pittsburgh Systems Inc. in the Court of Common Pleas of Allegheny County, Pennsylvania alleging that we have prevented Salsgiver from connecting their fiber optic cables to our utility poles.  Salsgiver seeks compensatory and punitive damages as the result of alleged lost projected profits, damage to its business reputation, and other costs.  Salsgiver originally claimed to have sustained losses of approximately $125 million.  We believe that these claims are without merit and that the alleged damages are completely unfounded.  Discovery concluded and Consolidated filed a motion for summary judgment on June 18, 2012 and the court heard oral arguments on August 30, 2012.  On February 12, 2013, the court, in part, granted our motion.  The court ruled that Salsgiver could not recover prejudgment interest and could not use as a basis of liability any actions prior to April 14, 2006. In September 2013, in order to avoid the distraction and uncertainty of further litigation, we reached an agreement in principle (the “Agreement”) with Salsgiver, Inc.  In accordance with the terms of the Agreement, we will pay Salsgiver approximately $0.9 million in cash and grant approximately $0.3 million in credits that may be used for make-ready charges (the “Credits”).  The Credits will be available for services performed in connection with the pole attachment applications within five years of the execution of the agreement. We had previously recorded approximately $0.4 million in 2011 in anticipation of the settlement of this case.  During the quarter ended September 30, 2013, per the terms of the agreement we recorded an additional $0.9 million, which included estimated legal fees.  The agreement is contingent on appropriate documentation and there is no assurance that the agreement will be finalized.
	Two of our subsidiaries, Consolidated Communications of Pennsylvania Company LLC (“CCPA”) and Consolidated Communications Enterprise Services Inc. (“CCES”), have, at various times, received assessment notices from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Department of Revenue (“DOR”) increasing the amounts owed for Pennsylvania Gross Receipt Taxes, and/or have had audits performed for the tax years of 2008, 2009, and 2010.  For the calendar years for which we received both additional assessment notices and audit actions, those issues have been combined by the DOR into a single Docket for each year.  For the CCES subsidiary, the total additional tax liability calculated by the auditors for calendar years 2008, 2009, and 2010 is approximately $1.9 million.  As of March 2013, all three of these cases have been appealed, and have received continuance pending the outcome of present litigation in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania (Verizon Pennsylvania, Inc. v. Commonwealth, Docket No. 266 F.R. 2008).  For the CCPA subsidiary, the total additional tax liability calculated by the auditors for calendar years 2008, 2009, and 2010 is approximately $2.0 million.  As of December 2013, the cases for calendar years 2009 and 2010 have been appealed, and have received continuance pending the outcome of present litigation in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania (Verizon Pennsylvania, Inc. v. Commonwealth, Docket No. 266 F.R. 2008).  The calendar year 2008 audit result was appealed to the Board of Finance and Revenue on March 19, 2014.  We anticipate that the 2008 case will be continued pending the outcome of the Verizon litigation as well.    The Company has not received any audit findings from that audit as of this time. The Gross Receipts Tax issues in the Verizon Pennsylvania case are substantially the same as those presently facing CCPA and CCES.  In addition, there are numerous telecommunications carriers with Gross Receipts Tax matters dealing with the same issues that are in various stages of appeal before the Board of Finance and Revenue and the Commonwealth Court.  Those appeals by other similarly situated telecommunications carriers have been continued until resolution of the Verizon Pennsylvania case.  We believe that these assessments and the positions taken by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania are without substantial merit.  We do not believe that the outcome of these claims will have a material adverse impact on our financial results or cash flows. Additionally, in May 2014, the DOR conducted an audit of calendar years 2011, 2012 and 2013 for both CCPA and CCES.  The Company has not received any audit findings from that audit as of this time.
	On January 18, 2012, we filed a petition with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit to review the Federal Communications Commission’s (“FCC”) Order issued November 18, 2011 that reformed intercarrier compensation (“ICC”) and core parts of the Universal Service Fund (“USF”).  We appealed five core issues in the November 18, 2011 FCC Order. This matter was heard by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit on November 19, 2013.  In May 2014, the Court ruled in favor of the FCC on all issues.
	In order for eligible telecommunications carriers (“ETCs”) to receive high-cost support, the USF/ICC Transformation Order requires states to certify on an annual basis that federal universal service high-cost support is used “only for the provision, maintenance, and upgrading of facilities and services for which the support is intended”.  States, in turn, require that ETCs file certifications with them as the basis for the state filings with the FCC. Failure to meet the annual data and certification deadlines can result in reduced support to the ETC based on the length of the delay in certification.  For the calendar year 2013, the California state certification was due to be filed with the FCC on or before October 1, 2012. We were notified in January 2013 that SureWest did not submit the required certification to the California Public Utilities Commission (“CPUC”) in time to be included in its October 1, 2012, submission to the FCC.  On January 24, 2013, we filed a certification with the CPUC and filed a petition with the FCC for a waiver of the filing deadline for the annual state certification. On February 19, 2013, the CPUC filed a certification with the FCC with respect to SureWest. On October 29, 2013, the Wireline Competition Bureau of the FCC denied our petition for a waiver of the annual certification deadline.  On
	November 26, 2013, we applied for a review of the decision made by the FCC staff by the full Commission.  Management believes, based on  the change in SureWest Telephone’s USF filing status caused by the change in the ownership of SureWest Telephone, the lack of formal notice by the FCC regarding this change in filing status, the fact that SureWest Telephone had a previously-filed certification of compliance in effect with the FCC for the two quarters for which USF was withheld, and the FCC’s past practice of granting waivers to accept late filings in similar situations, that the Company should prevail in its application to the Commission and receive USF funding for the period January 1, 2013, through June 30, 2013. However, due to the denial of our petition by the Wireline Competition Bureau and the uncertainty of the collectability of the previously recognized revenues, in December 2013, we reversed the $3.0 million of previously recognized revenues, of which $1.9 million and $3.0 million was recognized in the quarter and six months ended June 30, 2013, respectively, until such time that the Commission has the opportunity to reach a decision on our application for review.
	We are from time to time involved in various other legal proceedings and regulatory actions arising out of our operations.  We do not believe that any of these, individually or in the aggregate, will have a material adverse effect upon our business, operating results or financial condition.

CONDENSED_CONSOLIDATING_FINANC

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING FINANCIAL INFORMATION	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING FINANCIAL INFORMATION	'
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING FINANCIAL INFORMATION	'
	12.  CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING FINANCIAL INFORMATION
	Consolidated Communications, Inc. is the primary obligor under the unsecured Senior Notes it issued on May 30, 2012. We and the following of our subsidiaries: Consolidated Communications Enterprise Services, Inc., Consolidated Communications Services Company, Consolidated Communications of Fort Bend Company, Consolidated Communications of Texas Company, Consolidated Communications of Pennsylvania Company, LLC, SureWest Communications, SureWest Long Distance, SureWest Telephone, SureWest TeleVideo, SureWest Kansas, Inc., SureWest Fiber Ventures, LLC, have jointly and severally guaranteed the Senior Notes.  All of the subsidiary guarantors are our 100% direct or indirect wholly owned subsidiaries, and all guarantees are full, unconditional and joint and several with respect to principal, interest and liquidated damages, if any.  As such, we present condensed consolidating balance sheets as of June 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, condensed consolidating statements of operations for the quarters and six-month periods ended June 30, 2014 and 2013 and condensed consolidating statements of cash flows for the six-month periods ended June 30, 2014 and 2013 for each of the Company (Parent), Consolidated Communications, Inc. (Subsidiary Issuer), guarantor subsidiaries and other non-guarantor subsidiaries with any consolidating adjustments.  See Note 6 for more information regarding our Senior Notes.
	Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet
	(amounts in thousands)
		June 30, 2014
		Parent			Subsidiary			Guarantors			Non-Guarantors			Eliminations			Consolidated
					Issuer
	ASSETS
	Current assets:
	Cash and cash equivalents	$	-		$	971		$	2,244		$	1,667		$	-		$	4,882
	Accounts receivable, net	-			-			43,279			7,800			-			51,079
	Income taxes receivable	33,201			-			-			-			(30,233		)	2,968
	Deferred income taxes	(61		)	(7		)	7,533			495			-			7,960
	Prepaid expenses and other current assets	-			-			14,009			404			-			14,413
	Total current assets	33,140			964			67,065			10,366			(30,233		)	81,302
	Property, plant and equipment, net	-			-			817,048			49,934			-			866,982
	Intangibles and other assets:
	Investments	-			3,724			109,128			-			-			112,852
	Investments in subsidiaries	1,155,347			374,756			12,611			-			(1,542,714		)	-
	Goodwill	-			-			537,265			66,181			-			603,446
	Other intangible assets	-			-			26,161			9,087			-			35,248
	Deferred debt issuance costs, net and other assets	-			16,589			4,098			-			-			20,687
	Total assets	$	1,188,487		$	396,033		$	1,573,376		$	135,568		$	(1,572,947	)	$	1,720,517
	LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
	Current liabilities:
	Accounts payable	$	-		$	-		$	9,644		$	-		$	-		$	9,644
	Advance billings and customer deposits	-			-			21,022			2,131			-			23,153
	Dividends payable	15,607			-			-			-			-			15,607
	Accrued compensation	-			-			17,214			1,802			-			19,016
	Accrued expense	957			5,064			29,050			1,118			-			36,189
	Income tax payable	-			8,223			16,881			5,129			(30,233		)	-
	Current portion of long term debt and capital lease obligations	-			9,100			625			71			-			9,796
	Current portion of derivative liability	-			1,299			-			-			-			1,299
	Total current liabilities	16,564			23,686			94,436			10,251			(30,233		)	114,704
	Long-term debt and capital lease obligations	-			1,203,500			3,334			775			-			1,207,609
	Advances due to/from affiliates, net	1,056,579			(1,986,734		)	976,382			(46,227		)	-			-
	Deferred income taxes	(21,598		)	(592		)	183,545			18,234			-			179,589
	Pension and postretirement benefit obligations	-			-			57,063			8,822			-			65,885
	Other long-term liabilities	28			826			10,004			275			-			11,133
	Total liabilities	1,051,573			(759,314		)	1,324,764			(7,870		)	(30,233		)	1,578,920
	Shareholders’ equity:
	Common Stock	403			-			17,411			30,000			(47,411		)	403
	Other shareholders’ equity	136,511			1,155,347			226,518			113,438			(1,495,303		)	136,511
	Total Consolidated Communications Holdings, Inc. shareholders’ equity	136,914			1,155,347			243,929			143,438			(1,542,714		)	136,914
	Noncontrolling interest	-			-			4,683			-			-			4,683
	Total shareholders’ equity	136,914			1,155,347			248,612			143,438			(1,542,714		)	141,597
	Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity	$	1,188,487		$	396,033		$	1,573,376		$	135,568		$	(1,572,947	)	$	1,720,517
	Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet
	(amounts in thousands)
		December 31, 2013
		Parent			Subsidiary			Guarantors			Non-Guarantors			Eliminations			Consolidated
					Issuer
	ASSETS
	Current assets:
	Cash and cash equivalents	$	-		$	86		$	2,366		$	3,099		$	-		$	5,551
	Accounts receivable, net	-			502			44,521			7,010			-			52,033
	Income taxes receivable	9,346			-			370			80			-			9,796
	Deferred income taxes	(61		)	(7		)	7,533			495			-			7,960
	Prepaid expenses and other current assets	-			-			11,862			518			-			12,380
	Total current assets	9,285			581			66,652			11,202			-			87,720
	Property, plant and equipment, net	-			-			834,199			51,163			-			885,362
	Intangibles and other assets:
	Investments	-			3,729			109,370			-			-			113,099
Investments in subsidiaries	1,101,039			335,659			12,130			-			(1,448,828		)	-
Goodwill	-			-			537,265			66,181			-			603,446
Other intangible assets	-			-			30,997			9,087			-			40,084
Deferred debt issuance costs, net and other assets	-			13,620			4,047			-			-			17,667
Total assets	$	1,110,324		$	353,589		$	1,594,660		$	137,633		$	(1,448,828	)	$	1,747,378
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	$	-		$	-		$	4,885		$	-		$	-		$	4,885
Advance billings and customer deposits	-			-			23,699			2,235			-			25,934
Dividends payable	15,520			-			-			-			-			15,520
Accrued compensation	-			-			20,447			1,805			-			22,252
Accrued expense	224			4,389			32,709			1,375			-			38,697
Current portion of long term debt and capital lease obligations	-			9,100			586			65			-			9,751
Current portion of derivative liability	-			660			-			-			-			660
Total current liabilities	15,744			14,149			82,326			5,480			-			117,699
Long-term debt and capital lease obligations	-			1,207,663			3,659			812			-			1,212,134
Advances due to/from affiliates, net	968,319			(1,970,192		)	1,037,969			(36,096		)	-			-
Deferred income taxes	(21,598		)	(1,029		)	184,209			18,277			-			179,859
Pension and postretirement benefit obligations	-			-			61,053			14,701			-			75,754
Other long-term liabilities	25			1,960			7,328			280			-			9,593
Total liabilities	962,490			(747,449		)	1,376,544			3,454			-			1,595,039
Shareholders’ equity:
Common Stock	401			-			17,411			30,000			(47,411		)	401
Other shareholders’ equity	147,433			1,101,038			196,200			104,179			(1,401,417		)	147,433
Total Consolidated Communications Holdings, Inc. shareholders’ equity	147,834			1,101,038			213,611			134,179			(1,448,828		)	147,834
Noncontrolling interest	-			-			4,505			-			-			4,505
Total shareholders’ equity	147,834			1,101,038			218,116			134,179			(1,448,828		)	152,339
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity	$	1,110,324		$	353,589		$	1,594,660		$	137,633		$	(1,448,828	)	$	1,747,378
Condensed Consolidating Statements of Operations
(amounts in thousands)
	Quarter Ended June 30, 2014
	Parent			Subsidiary			Guarantors			Non-Guarantors			Eliminations			Consolidated
				Issuer
Net revenues	$	-		$	5		$	138,192		$	16,295		$	(3,456	)	$	151,036
Operating expenses:
Cost of services and products (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)	-			-			55,755			3,441			(3,278		)	55,918
Selling, general and administrative expenses	1,021			39			27,548			4,281			(178		)	32,711
Financing and other transaction costs	943			-			34			-			-			977
Depreciation and amortization	-			-			34,084			1,921			-			36,005
Operating income (loss)	(1,964		)	(34		)	20,771			6,652			-			25,425
Other income (expense):
Interest expense, net of interest income	(2		)	(19,781		)	58			(3		)	-			(19,728		)
Intercompany interest income (expense)	(26,783		)	31,407			(5,112		)	488			-			-
Investment income	-			(41		)	9,354			-			-			9,313
Equity in earnings of subsidiaries, net	28,248			21,155			218			-			(49,621		)	-
Other, net	-			(500		)	250			(2		)	-			(252		)
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes	(501		)	32,206			25,539			7,135			(49,621		)	14,758
Income tax expense (benefit)	(10,308		)	3,958			8,665			2,556			-			4,871
Net income (loss)	9,807			28,248			16,874			4,579			(49,621		)	9,887
Less: net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	-			-			80			-			-			80
Net income (loss) attributable to Consolidated Communications Holdings, Inc.	$	9,807		$	28,248		$	16,794		$	4,579		$	(49,621	)	$	9,807
Total comprehensive income (loss) attributable to common shareholders	$	9,807		$	28,551		$	16,720		$	4,517		$	(49,621	)	$	9,974
	Quarter Ended June 30, 2013
	Parent			Subsidiary			Guarantors			Non-Guarantors			Eliminations			Consolidated
				Issuer
Net revenues	$	-		$	(19	)	$	137,547		$	17,360		$	(3,568	)	$	151,320
Operating expenses:
Cost of services and products (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)	-			-			55,481			3,733			(3,272		)	55,942
Selling, general and administrative expenses	741			62			28,371			4,666			(296		)	33,544
Financing and other transaction costs	178			-			-			-			-			178
Depreciation and amortization	-			-			32,487			2,222			-			34,709
Operating income (loss)	(919		)	(81		)	21,208			6,739			-			26,947
Other income (expense):
Interest expense, net of interest income	(13		)	(20,672		)	(19		)	7			-			(20,697		)
Intercompany interest income (expense)	(28,334		)	34,262			(6,250		)	322			-			-
Investment income	-			42			8,651			-			-			8,693
Equity in earnings of subsidiaries, net	27,859			19,266			245			-			(47,370		)	-
Other, net	(18		)	-			100			-			-			82
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes	(1,425		)	32,817			23,935			7,068			(47,370		)	15,025
Income tax expense (benefit)	(10,619		)	4,958			8,572			2,554			-			5,465
Income (loss) from continuing operations	9,194			27,859			15,363			4,514			(47,370		)	9,560
Discontinued operations, net of tax	-			-			(272		)	-			-			(272		)
Net income (loss)	9,194			27,859			15,091			4,514			(47,370		)	9,288
Less: net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	-			-			94			-			-			94
Net income (loss) attributable to Consolidated Communications Holdings, Inc.	$	9,194		$	27,859		$	14,997		$	4,514		$	(47,370	)	$	9,194
Total comprehensive income (loss) attributable to common shareholders	$	9,194		$	28,578		$	15,315		$	4,670		$	(47,370	)	$	10,387
Condensed Consolidating Statements of Operations
(amounts in thousands)
	Six Months Ended June 30, 2014
	Parent			Subsidiary			Guarantors			Non-Guarantors			Eliminations			Consolidated
				Issuer
Net revenues	$	-		$	74		$	274,447		$	33,053		$	(6,890	)	$	300,684
Operating expenses:
Cost of services and products (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)	-			-			111,007			6,745			(6,534		)	111,218
Selling, general and administrative expenses	1,884			78			54,904			8,776			(356		)	65,286
Financing and other transaction costs	957			-			309			-			-			1,266
Depreciation and amortization	-			-			67,731			3,816			-			71,547
Operating income (loss)	(2,841		)	(4		)	40,496			13,716			-			51,367
Other income (expense):
Interest expense, net of interest income	(4		)	(39,601		)	56			(10		)	-			(39,559		)
Intercompany interest income (expense)	(53,163		)	62,832			(10,608		)	939			-			-
Investment income	-			(5		)	17,654			-			-			17,649
Equity in earnings of subsidiaries, net	53,869			39,370			481			-			(93,720		)	-
Other, net	-			(500		)	(649		)	(6		)	-			(1,155		)
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes	(2,139		)	62,092			47,430			14,639			(93,720		)	28,302
Income tax expense (benefit)	(20,270		)	8,223			16,731			5,309			-			9,993
Net income (loss)	18,131			53,869			30,699			9,330			(93,720		)	18,309
Less: net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	-			-			178			-			-			178
Net income (loss) attributable to Consolidated Communications Holdings, Inc.	$	18,131		$	53,869		$	30,521		$	9,330		$	(93,720	)	$	18,131
Total comprehensive income (loss) attributable to common shareholders	$	18,131		$	54,580		$	30,373		$	9,206		$	(93,720	)	$	18,570
	Six Months Ended June 30, 2013
	Parent			Subsidiary			Guarantors			Non-Guarantors			Eliminations			Consolidated
				Issuer
Net revenues	$	-		$	(26	)	$	275,602		$	34,388		$	(7,116	)	$	302,848
Operating expenses:
Cost of services and products (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)	-			-			110,342			7,177			(6,525		)	110,994
Selling, general and administrative expenses	1,689			93			56,084			9,395			(591		)	66,670
Financing and other transaction costs	357			-			-			-			-			357
Depreciation and amortization	-			-			65,069			4,481			-			69,550
Operating income (loss)	(2,046		)	(119		)	44,107			13,335			-			55,277
Other income (expense):
Interest expense, net of interest income	(7		)	(45,169		)	(129		)	8			-			(45,297		)
Intercompany interest income (expense)	(48,767		)	61,870			(13,579		)	476			-			-
Investment income	-			5			17,472			-			-			17,477
Equity in earnings of subsidiaries, net	48,159			37,659			521			-			(86,339		)	-
Other, net	(18		)	-			2			(9		)	-			(25		)
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes	(2,679		)	54,246			48,394			13,810			(86,339		)	27,432
Income tax expense (benefit)	(18,656		)	6,087			18,515			5,068			-			11,014
Income (loss) from continuing operations	15,977			48,159			29,879			8,742			(86,339		)	16,418
Discontinued operations, net of tax	-			-			(248		)	-			-			(248		)
Net income (loss)	15,977			48,159			29,631			8,742			(86,339		)	16,170
Less: net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	-			-			193			-			-			193
Net income (loss) attributable to Consolidated Communications Holdings, Inc.	$	15,977		$	48,159		$	29,438		$	8,742		$	(86,339	)	$	15,977
Total comprehensive income (loss) attributable to common shareholders	$	15,977		$	51,136		$	30,074		$	9,054		$	(86,339	)	$	19,902
Condensed Consolidating Statements of Cash Flows
(amounts in thousands)
	Six Months Ended June 30, 2014
	Parent			Subsidiary			Guarantors			Non-Guarantors			Consolidated
				Issuer
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities	$	(57,133	)	$	24,501		$	108,672		$	11,005		$	87,045
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchases of property, plant and equipment	-			-			(48,130		)	(2,316		)	(50,446		)
Proceeds from sale of assets	-			-			1,209			41			1,250
Net cash used in investing activities	-			-			(46,921		)	(2,275		)	(49,196		)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt	-			26,000			-			-			26,000
Payment of capital lease obligation	-			-			(286		)	(31		)	(317		)
Payment on long-term debt	-			(30,550		)	-			-			(30,550		)
Payment of financing costs	-			(2,524		)	-			-			(2,524		)
Dividends on common stock	(31,127		)	-			-			-			(31,127		)
Transactions with affiliates, net	88,260			(16,542		)	(61,587		)	(10,131		)	-
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	57,133			(23,616		)	(61,873		)	(10,162		)	(38,518		)
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	-			885			(122		)	(1,432		)	(669		)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	-			86			2,366			3,099			5,551
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$	-		$	971		$	2,244		$	1,667		$	4,882
	Six Months Ended June 30, 2013
	Parent			Subsidiary			Guarantors			Non-Guarantors			Consolidated
				Issuer
Net cash (used in) provided by continuing operations	$	(50,234	)	$	19,842		$	84,919		$	12,819		$	67,346
Net cash provided by discontinued operations	-			-			(3,097		)	-			(3,097		)
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities	(50,234		)	19,842			81,822			12,819			64,249
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchases of property, plant and equipment	-			-			(48,856		)	(3,767		)	(52,623		)
Proceeds from sale of assets	-			-			33			17			50
Other	-			-			(131		)	-			(131		)
Net cash used in continuing operations	-			-			(48,954		)	(3,750		)	(52,704		)
Net cash used in discontinued operations	-			-			(48		)	-			(48		)
Net cash used in investing activities	-			-			(49,002		)	(3,750		)	(52,752		)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt	-			49,000			-			-			49,000
Payment of capital lease obligation	-			-			(198		)	(26		)	(224		)
Payment on long-term debt	-			(43,620		)	-			-			(43,620		)
Dividends on common stock	(30,987		)	-			-			-			(30,987		)
Transactions with affiliates, net	81,221			(31,799		)	(38,986		)	(10,436		)	-
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	50,234			(26,419		)	(39,184		)	(10,462		)	(25,831		)
(Decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents	-			(6,577		)	(6,364		)	(1,393		)	(14,334		)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	-			6,577			8,530			2,747			17,854
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$	-		$	-		$	2,166		$	1,354		$	3,520

SUMMARY_OF_SIGNIFICANT_ACCOUNT1

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Policies)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES	'
Business and Basis of Accounting	'
	Business and Basis of Accounting
	Consolidated Communications Holdings, Inc. (the “Company”, “we” or “our”) is a holding company with operating subsidiaries (collectively “Consolidated”) that provide communications services to residential and business customers in Illinois, Texas, Pennsylvania, California, Kansas and Missouri.
	We offer a wide range of telecommunications services to residential and business customers in the areas we serve. Our telecommunications services include local and long-distance service, high-speed broadband Internet access, video services, digital telephone service (“VOIP”), custom calling features, private line services, carrier grade access services, network capacity services over our regional fiber optic networks, directory publishing, Competitive Local Exchange Carrier (“CLEC”) services and equipment sales.  As of June 30, 2014, we had approximately 250 thousand access lines, 121 thousand voice connections, 259 thousand data and Internet connections and 111 thousand video connections.
	We historically operated our business as two separate reportable segments: Telephone Operations and Other Operations.  During the quarter ended June 30, 2013 we concluded that we operate our business as one reportable segment based on changes in our business structure.  See the “Recent Business Developments” section below for a more detailed discussion regarding the circumstances that resulted in the change to our segment reporting.
	In the opinion of management, the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets and related condensed consolidated statements of income, comprehensive income and cash flows include all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring items, necessary for their fair presentation in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“U.S. GAAP” or “GAAP”) for interim financial information and pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in annual financial statements prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such SEC rules and regulations and accounting principles applicable for interim periods. Events subsequent to the balance sheet date have been evaluated for inclusion in the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements through the date of issuance.  Management believes that the disclosures made are adequate to make the information presented not misleading. Interim results are not necessarily indicative of results for a full year.  The information presented in this Form 10-Q should be read in conjunction with Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations and the consolidated financial statements and the accompanying notes to the financial statements (“Notes”) thereto included in our 2013 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC.
Recent Business Developments	'
	Recent Business Developments
	Agreement and Plan of Merger with Enventis
	On June 29, 2014, we entered into an agreement and plan of merger (the “Merger Agreement”) with Sky Merger Sub Inc., a newly formed Minnesota corporation and wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, and Enventis Corporation, a Minnesota corporation (“Enventis”), to acquire all the issued and outstanding shares of Enventis in exchange for shares of our common stock.  Each share of common stock, no par value, of Enventis owned immediately prior to the transaction will be converted into and become the right to receive 0.7402 shares of common stock, par value of $0.01 per share, of our common stock and cash in lieu of fractional shares, as set forth in the Merger Agreement.  Based on the closing price of our common stock as of the date of the Merger Agreement, the total value of the consideration to be exchanged is approximately $229.0 million, exclusive of debt.  Following the close of the transaction, Enventis will be a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company.
	The merger is subject to approval by our stockholders and Enventis’ shareholders, approval of the listing of additional shares of Consolidated common stock to be issued to Enventis’ shareholders, required regulatory approvals and other customary closing conditions.  We expect the transaction to be completed during the fourth quarter of 2014.
Segment Reporting	'
	Segment Reporting
	Historically, we classified our operations into two separate reportable business segments: Telephone Operations and Other Operations.  Our Telephone Operations consisted of a wide range of telecommunications services to residential and business customers, including local and long-distance service, high-speed broadband Internet access, video services, VOIP services, custom calling features, private line services, carrier access services, network capacity services over a regional fiber optic network, mobile services and directory publishing.  Our Other Operations segment operated two complementary non-core businesses including telephone services to state and county correctional facilities (“Prison Services”) and equipment sales.  As discussed below, our contract to provide telephone services to correctional facilities operated by the Illinois Department of Corrections was not renewed and the process of transitioning those services to another service provider was completed during the quarter ended March 31, 2013.  The remaining Prison Services assets and operations were classified as discontinued operations during the quarter ended June 30, 2013 and subsequently sold during the quarter ended September 30, 2013.  Prison Services comprised nearly all of the Other Operations segment revenue and results of operations.  Consequently, with the cessation of our Prison Services business and based on the segment accounting guidance, we concluded that we operate as one segment as of the quarter ended June 30, 2013. As required by the authoritative guidance for segment presentation, segment results of operations have been retrospectively adjusted to reflect this change for all periods presented.
Prison Services Contract	'
	Prison Services Contract
	We previously provided telephone service to inmates incarcerated at facilities operated by the Illinois Department of Corrections and to certain county jails.  On June 27, 2012, the Illinois Department of Central Management Services announced its intent to replace us as the provider of those services with a competitor.  Although we challenged our competitor’s bid and the State’s decision to accept that bid in a variety of different forums, during the quarter ended March 31, 2013, the process of transitioning these services to another service provider was completed.  All related assets have been assessed for recoverability in light of this change and we determined that no impairment was necessary.
Discontinued Operations	'
	Discontinued Operations
	On September 13, 2013, we completed the sale of the assets and contractual rights used to provide communications services to inmates in thirteen county jails located in Illinois for a total purchase price of $2.5 million.  In accordance with the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 205-20, “Discontinued Operations”, the financial results of the Prison Services business have been reported as a discontinued operation in our condensed consolidated financial statements for all periods presented.  For a more complete discussion of the transaction, refer to Note 2.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements	'
	Recent Accounting Pronouncements
	In June 2014, FASB issued the Accounting Standards Update No. 2014-12 (“ASU 2014-12”), Accounting for Share-Based Payments When the Terms of an Award Provide That a Performance Target Could Be Achieved after the Requisite Service Period. ASU 2014-12 provides guidance requiring a performance target that could be achieved after the requisite service period has ended to be treated as a performance condition affecting vesting of the award and therefore not reflected in estimating the fair value of the award at the date of grant. The amended guidance is effective for annual and interim periods beginning on or after December 15, 2015, with early adoption permitted. We are currently evaluating the impact this update will have on our condensed consolidated financial statements.
	In May 2014, FASB issued the Accounting Standards Update No. 2014-09 (“ASU 2014-09”), Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606). ASU 2014-09 provides new, globally applicable converged guidance concerning recognition and measurement of revenue. As a result, significant additional disclosures are required about nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from contracts with customers. The new guidance is effective for annual and interim periods beginning on or after December 15, 2016. Companies are allowed to transition using either the modified retrospective or full retrospective adoption method. If full retrospective adoption is chosen, three years of financial information must be presented in accordance with the new standard as well as summarized financial data for five years.   We are currently evaluating the impact this update will have on our condensed consolidated financial statements.
	In April 2014, FASB issued the Accounting Standards Update No. 2014-08 (“ASU 2014-08”), Reporting Discontinued Operations and Disclosures of Disposals of Components of an Entity. ASU 2014-08 revises the definition of a discontinued operation to limit the circumstances under which a disposal or classification as held for sale qualifies for presentation as a discontinued operation. Amendments in this ASU require expanded disclosures concerning a discontinued operation and the disposal of an individually-material component of an entity not qualifying as a discontinued operation. ASU 2014-08 is effective for annual and interim periods beginning on or after December 15, 2014 and should be applied prospectively, with early adoption permitted.
	Effective January 1, 2014, we adopted Accounting Standards Update No. 2013-11 (“ASU 2013-11”), Presentation of an Unrecognized Tax Benefit When a Net Operating Loss Carryforward, a Similar Tax Loss, or a Tax Credit Carryforward Exists. ASU 2013-11 provides guidance concerning the balance sheet presentation of an unrecognized tax benefit when a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss or a tax credit carryforward is present. The adoption of this standard did not have a material impact on our condensed consolidated financial statements.

DISCONTINUED_OPERATIONS_Tables

DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS	'
Summary of the financial information for the prison services operations	'
		Quarter Ended			Six Months Ended
	(In thousands)	June 30, 2013			June 30, 2013
	Operating revenues	$	482		$	5,249
	Operating expenses including depreciation and amortization	878			5,577
	Loss from operations	(396		)	(328		)
	Income tax benefit	(124		)	(80		)
	Loss from discontinued operations	$	(272	)	$	(248	)

EARNINGS_PER_SHARE_Tables

EARNINGS PER SHARE (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
EARNINGS PER SHARE	'
Schedule of basic and diluted earnings per share	'
		Quarter Ended					Six Months Ended
		June 30,					June 30,
	(In thousands, except per share amounts)	2014		2013			2014		2013
	Income from continuing operations	$	9,887	$	9,560		$	18,309	$	16,418
	Less: net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	80		94			178		193
	Income attributable to common shareholders before allocation of earnings to participating securities	9,807		9,466			18,131		16,225
	Less: earnings allocated to participating securities	153		131			306		263
	Income from continuing operations attributable to common shareholders	9,654		9,335			17,825		15,962
	Loss from discontinued operations	-		(272		)	-		(248		)
	Net income attributable to common shareholders	$	9,654	$	9,063		$	17,825	$	15,714
	Weighted-average number of common shares outstanding	39,877		39,755			39,877		39,755
	Basic and diluted earnings per common share:
	Income from continuing operations	$	0.24	$	0.23		$	0.45	$	0.4
	Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax	-		(0.01		)	-		(0.01		)
	Net income per common share attributable to common shareholders	$	0.24	$	0.22		$	0.45	$	0.39

INVESTMENTS_Tables

INVESTMENTS (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
INVESTMENTS	'
Schedule of investments	'
		June 30,		December 31,
	(In thousands)	2014		2013
	Cash surrender value of life insurance policies	$	1,965	$	2,183
	Cost method investments:
	GTE Mobilnet of South Texas Limited Partnership (2.34% interest)	21,450		21,450
	Pittsburgh SMSA Limited Partnership (3.60% interest)	22,950		22,950
	CoBank, ACB Stock	5,107		5,112
	Other	200		200
	Equity method investments:
	GTE Mobilnet of Texas RSA #17 Limited Partnership (20.51% interest)	27,409		27,467
	Pennsylvania RSA 6(I) Limited Partnership (16.6725% interest)	7,548		7,696
	Pennsylvania RSA 6(II) Limited Partnership (23.67% interest)	24,287		24,105
	CVIN, LLC (12.089% interest)	1,936		1,936
	Totals	$	112,852	$	113,099
Summary of combined unaudited results of operations and financial position of our three equity investments in the cellular limited partnerships	'
		Quarter Ended				Six Months
		June 30,				Ended June 30,
	(In thousands)	2014		2013		2014		2013
	Total revenues	$	83,228	$	79,342	$	164,044	$	156,061
	Income from operations	23,426		24,914		49,306		48,888
	Net income before taxes	23,459		24,926		49,362		48,911
	Net income	23,459		24,926		49,362		48,911
		June 30,		December 31,
	(In thousands)	2014		2013
	Current assets	$	48,715	$	54,837
	Non-current assets	93,528		87,968
	Current liabilities	14,624		15,221
	Non-current liabilities	2,611		1,786
	Partnership equity	125,008		125,799

FAIR_VALUE_MEASUREMENTS_Tables

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS	'
Schedule of interest rate swap liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis	'
				As of June 30, 2014
				Quoted Prices In		Significant		Significant
				Active Markets		Other		Unobservable
				for Identical		Observable		Inputs
				Assets		Inputs
	(In thousands)	Total		(Level 1)		(Level 2)		(Level 3)
	Current interest rate swap liabilities	$	-1,299	$	–	$	-1,299	$	–
	Long-term interest rate swap liabilities	-826		$	–	-826		$	–
	Total	$	-2,125	$	–	$	-2,125	$	–
				As of December 31, 2013
				Quoted Prices In		Significant		Significant
				Active Markets		Other		Unobservable
				for Identical		Observable		Inputs
				Assets		Inputs
	(In thousands)	Total		(Level 1)		(Level 2)		(Level 3)
	Current interest rate swap liabilities	$	-660	$	–	$	-660	$	–
	Long-term interest rate swap liabilities	-1,959		–		-1,959		–
	Total	$	-2,619	$	–	$	-2,619	$	–
Schedule of other financial instruments that are not carried at fair value but which require fair value disclosure	'
		As of June 30, 2014				As of December 31, 2013
	(In thousands)	Carrying Value		Fair Value		Carrying Value		Fair Value
	Investments, equity basis	$	61,180	n/a		$	61,204	n/a
	Investments, at cost	$	49,707	n/a		$	49,712	n/a
	Long-term debt	$	1,212,600	$	1,264,849	$	1,216,764	$	1,261,508

LONGTERM_DEBT_Tables

LONG-TERM DEBT (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
LONG-TERM DEBT	'
Schedule of components of long-term debt outstanding, presented net of unamortized discounts	'
		June 30,			December 31,
	(In thousands)	2014			2013
	Senior secured credit facility:
	Term Loan 4, net of discount of $4,244 and $4,537 at June 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively	$	901,206		$	905,463
	Revolving loan	13,000			13,000
	Senior notes, net of discount of $1,606 and $1,699 at June 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively	298,394			298,301
	Capital leases	4,805			5,121
		1,217,405			1,221,885
	Less: current portion of long-term debt and capital leases	(9,796		)	(9,751		)
	Total long-term debt	$	1,207,609		$	1,212,134

DERIVATIVE_FINANCIAL_INSTRUMEN1

DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS	'
Schedule of outstanding interest rate swaps	'
	The following interest rate swaps were outstanding at June 30, 2014:
	(In thousands)	Notional		2014 Balance Sheet Location		Fair Value
		Amount
	De-designated Hedges:
	Fixed to 1-month floating LIBOR	$	50,000	Other long-term liabilities		$	(613	)
	Fixed to 1-month floating LIBOR	225,000		Current portion of derivative liability		(1,299		)
	Fixed to 1-month floating LIBOR (with floor)	50,000		Other long-term liabilities		(213		)
	Total Fair Values					$	(2,125	)
	The following interest rate swaps were outstanding at December 31, 2013:
	(In thousands)	Notional		2013 Balance Sheet Location		Fair Value
		Amount
	De-designated Hedges:
	Fixed to 1-month floating LIBOR	$	175,000	Other long-term liabilities		$	(1,897	)
	Fixed to 1-month floating LIBOR	100,000		Current portion of derivative liability		(660		)
	Fixed to 1-month floating LIBOR (with floor)	50,000		Other long-term liabilities		(62		)
	Total Fair Values					$	(2,619	)
Schedule of gains and losses on cash flow hedge transactions	'
		Quarter Ended					Six Months Ended
		June 30,					June 30,
	(In thousands)	2014		2013			2014		2013
	Gain recognized in AOCI, pretax	$	-	$	264		$	-	$	212
	Deferred losses reclassed from AOCI to interest expense	$	-489	$	-897		$	-1,148	$	-4,538

EQUITY_Tables

EQUITY (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
EQUITY	'
Summary of total compensation costs recognized for share-based payments	'
		Quarter Ended						Six Months
		June 30,						Ended June 30,
	(In thousands)	2014			2013			2014			2013
	Restricted stock	$	527		$	461		$	1,044		$	917
	Performance shares	413			323			680			523
	Total	$	940		$	784		$	1,724		$	1,440
Summary of RSA and PSA activity	'
		RSAs					PSAs
		Shares		Weighted			Shares		Weighted
				Average Grant					Average Grant
				Date Fair Value					Date Fair Value
	Non-vested shares outstanding - January 1, 2014	123,501		$	17.32		64,266		$	17.96
	Shares granted	132,781		$	19.74		91,127		$	17.13
	Non-vested shares outstanding - June 30, 2014	256,282					155,393
Schedule of changes in accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax, by component	'
		Pension and
		Post-Retirement			Derivative
	(In thousands)	Obligations			Instruments			Total
	Balance at December 31, 2013	$	643		$	(1,643)		$	(1,000)
	Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income	(272)			711			439
	Net current period other comprehensive income	(272)			711			439
	Balance at June 30, 2014	$	371		$	(932)		$	(561)
Summary of reclassifications from accumulated other comprehensive loss	'
		Amount Reclassified from AOCI
		Quarter Ended June 30,						Six Months Ended June 30,					Affected Line Item in the
	(In thousands)	2014			2013			2014			2013		Statement of Income
	Amortization of pension and post-retirement items:
	Prior service credit	$	79		$	115		$	159		$	231	(a)
	Actuarial gain (loss)	142			-891			284			-1,782		(a)
		221			-776			443			-1,551		Total before tax
		-85			302			-171			603		Tax (expense) benefit
		$	136		$	-474		$	272		$	-948	Net of tax
	Loss on cash flow hedges:
	Interest rate derivatives	$	-489		$	-897		$	-1,148		$	-4,538	Interest expense
		186			341			437			1,692		Tax benefit
		$	-303		$	-556		$	-711		$	-2,846	Net of tax
	(a)     These items are included in the components of net periodic benefit cost for our pension and post-retirement benefit plans.  See Note 9 for additional details.

PENSION_PLAN_AND_OTHER_POSTRET1

PENSION PLAN AND OTHER POST-RETIREMENT BENEFITS (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Defined Benefit Plans	'
Defined benefit plans	'
Schedule of the components of net periodic pension cost recognized in the consolidated statements of income	'
		Quarter Ended						Six Months
		June 30,						Ended June 30,
	(In thousands)	2014			2013			2014			2013
	Service cost	$	140		$	304		$	280		$	608
	Interest cost	4,074			3,860			8,147			7,722
	Expected return on plan assets	(5,776		)	(5,151		)	(11,553		)	(10,302		)
	Net amortization loss	5			891			10			1,782
	Prior service credit amortization	(114		)	(70		)	(229		)	(141		)
	Net periodic pension benefit	$	(1,671	)	$	(166	)	$	(3,345	)	$	(331	)
Post-retirement Benefit Obligations	'
Defined benefit plans	'
Schedule of the components of net periodic pension cost recognized in the consolidated statements of income	'
		Quarter Ended						Six Months
		June 30,						Ended June 30,
	(In thousands)	2014			2013			2014			2013
	Service cost	$	90		$	231		$	180		$	463
	Interest cost	355			392			710			783
	Expected return on plan assets	(55		)	(58		)	(110		)	-116
	Net amortization gain	(147		)	-			(294		)	-
	Net prior service cost (credit) amortization	35			(45		)	70			-90
	Net periodic postretirement benefit cost	$	278		$	520		$	556		$	1,040

CONDENSED_CONSOLIDATING_FINANC1

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING FINANCIAL INFORMATION	'
Schedule of condensed consolidating balance sheets	'
	Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet
	(amounts in thousands)
		June 30, 2014
		Parent			Subsidiary			Guarantors			Non-Guarantors			Eliminations			Consolidated
					Issuer
	ASSETS
	Current assets:
	Cash and cash equivalents	$	-		$	971		$	2,244		$	1,667		$	-		$	4,882
	Accounts receivable, net	-			-			43,279			7,800			-			51,079
	Income taxes receivable	33,201			-			-			-			(30,233		)	2,968
	Deferred income taxes	(61		)	(7		)	7,533			495			-			7,960
	Prepaid expenses and other current assets	-			-			14,009			404			-			14,413
	Total current assets	33,140			964			67,065			10,366			(30,233		)	81,302
	Property, plant and equipment, net	-			-			817,048			49,934			-			866,982
	Intangibles and other assets:
	Investments	-			3,724			109,128			-			-			112,852
	Investments in subsidiaries	1,155,347			374,756			12,611			-			(1,542,714		)	-
	Goodwill	-			-			537,265			66,181			-			603,446
	Other intangible assets	-			-			26,161			9,087			-			35,248
	Deferred debt issuance costs, net and other assets	-			16,589			4,098			-			-			20,687
	Total assets	$	1,188,487		$	396,033		$	1,573,376		$	135,568		$	(1,572,947	)	$	1,720,517
	LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
	Current liabilities:
	Accounts payable	$	-		$	-		$	9,644		$	-		$	-		$	9,644
	Advance billings and customer deposits	-			-			21,022			2,131			-			23,153
	Dividends payable	15,607			-			-			-			-			15,607
	Accrued compensation	-			-			17,214			1,802			-			19,016
	Accrued expense	957			5,064			29,050			1,118			-			36,189
	Income tax payable	-			8,223			16,881			5,129			(30,233		)	-
	Current portion of long term debt and capital lease obligations	-			9,100			625			71			-			9,796
	Current portion of derivative liability	-			1,299			-			-			-			1,299
	Total current liabilities	16,564			23,686			94,436			10,251			(30,233		)	114,704
	Long-term debt and capital lease obligations	-			1,203,500			3,334			775			-			1,207,609
	Advances due to/from affiliates, net	1,056,579			(1,986,734		)	976,382			(46,227		)	-			-
	Deferred income taxes	(21,598		)	(592		)	183,545			18,234			-			179,589
	Pension and postretirement benefit obligations	-			-			57,063			8,822			-			65,885
	Other long-term liabilities	28			826			10,004			275			-			11,133
	Total liabilities	1,051,573			(759,314		)	1,324,764			(7,870		)	(30,233		)	1,578,920
	Shareholders’ equity:
	Common Stock	403			-			17,411			30,000			(47,411		)	403
	Other shareholders’ equity	136,511			1,155,347			226,518			113,438			(1,495,303		)	136,511
	Total Consolidated Communications Holdings, Inc. shareholders’ equity	136,914			1,155,347			243,929			143,438			(1,542,714		)	136,914
	Noncontrolling interest	-			-			4,683			-			-			4,683
	Total shareholders’ equity	136,914			1,155,347			248,612			143,438			(1,542,714		)	141,597
	Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity	$	1,188,487		$	396,033		$	1,573,376		$	135,568		$	(1,572,947	)	$	1,720,517
	Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet
	(amounts in thousands)
		December 31, 2013
		Parent			Subsidiary			Guarantors			Non-Guarantors			Eliminations			Consolidated
					Issuer
	ASSETS
	Current assets:
	Cash and cash equivalents	$	-		$	86		$	2,366		$	3,099		$	-		$	5,551
	Accounts receivable, net	-			502			44,521			7,010			-			52,033
	Income taxes receivable	9,346			-			370			80			-			9,796
	Deferred income taxes	(61		)	(7		)	7,533			495			-			7,960
	Prepaid expenses and other current assets	-			-			11,862			518			-			12,380
	Total current assets	9,285			581			66,652			11,202			-			87,720
	Property, plant and equipment, net	-			-			834,199			51,163			-			885,362
	Intangibles and other assets:
	Investments	-			3,729			109,370			-			-			113,099
	Investments in subsidiaries	1,101,039			335,659			12,130			-			(1,448,828		)	-
	Goodwill	-			-			537,265			66,181			-			603,446
Other intangible assets	-			-			30,997			9,087			-			40,084
Deferred debt issuance costs, net and other assets	-			13,620			4,047			-			-			17,667
Total assets	$	1,110,324		$	353,589		$	1,594,660		$	137,633		$	(1,448,828	)	$	1,747,378
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	$	-		$	-		$	4,885		$	-		$	-		$	4,885
Advance billings and customer deposits	-			-			23,699			2,235			-			25,934
Dividends payable	15,520			-			-			-			-			15,520
Accrued compensation	-			-			20,447			1,805			-			22,252
Accrued expense	224			4,389			32,709			1,375			-			38,697
Current portion of long term debt and capital lease obligations	-			9,100			586			65			-			9,751
Current portion of derivative liability	-			660			-			-			-			660
Total current liabilities	15,744			14,149			82,326			5,480			-			117,699
Long-term debt and capital lease obligations	-			1,207,663			3,659			812			-			1,212,134
Advances due to/from affiliates, net	968,319			(1,970,192		)	1,037,969			(36,096		)	-			-
Deferred income taxes	(21,598		)	(1,029		)	184,209			18,277			-			179,859
Pension and postretirement benefit obligations	-			-			61,053			14,701			-			75,754
Other long-term liabilities	25			1,960			7,328			280			-			9,593
Total liabilities	962,490			(747,449		)	1,376,544			3,454			-			1,595,039
Shareholders’ equity:
Common Stock	401			-			17,411			30,000			(47,411		)	401
Other shareholders’ equity	147,433			1,101,038			196,200			104,179			(1,401,417		)	147,433
Total Consolidated Communications Holdings, Inc. shareholders’ equity	147,834			1,101,038			213,611			134,179			(1,448,828		)	147,834
Noncontrolling interest	-			-			4,505			-			-			4,505
Total shareholders’ equity	147,834			1,101,038			218,116			134,179			(1,448,828		)	152,339
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity	$	1,110,324		$	353,589		$	1,594,660		$	137,633		$	(1,448,828	)	$	1,747,378
Schedule of condensed consolidating statements of operations	'
	Condensed Consolidating Statements of Operations
	(amounts in thousands)
		Quarter Ended June 30, 2014
		Parent			Subsidiary			Guarantors			Non-Guarantors			Eliminations			Consolidated
					Issuer
	Net revenues	$	-		$	5		$	138,192		$	16,295		$	(3,456	)	$	151,036
	Operating expenses:
	Cost of services and products (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)	-			-			55,755			3,441			(3,278		)	55,918
	Selling, general and administrative expenses	1,021			39			27,548			4,281			(178		)	32,711
	Financing and other transaction costs	943			-			34			-			-			977
	Depreciation and amortization	-			-			34,084			1,921			-			36,005
	Operating income (loss)	(1,964		)	(34		)	20,771			6,652			-			25,425
	Other income (expense):
	Interest expense, net of interest income	(2		)	(19,781		)	58			(3		)	-			(19,728		)
	Intercompany interest income (expense)	(26,783		)	31,407			(5,112		)	488			-			-
	Investment income	-			(41		)	9,354			-			-			9,313
	Equity in earnings of subsidiaries, net	28,248			21,155			218			-			(49,621		)	-
	Other, net	-			(500		)	250			(2		)	-			(252		)
	Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes	(501		)	32,206			25,539			7,135			(49,621		)	14,758
	Income tax expense (benefit)	(10,308		)	3,958			8,665			2,556			-			4,871
	Net income (loss)	9,807			28,248			16,874			4,579			(49,621		)	9,887
	Less: net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	-			-			80			-			-			80
	Net income (loss) attributable to Consolidated Communications Holdings, Inc.	$	9,807		$	28,248		$	16,794		$	4,579		$	(49,621	)	$	9,807
	Total comprehensive income (loss) attributable to common shareholders	$	9,807		$	28,551		$	16,720		$	4,517		$	(49,621	)	$	9,974
		Quarter Ended June 30, 2013
		Parent			Subsidiary			Guarantors			Non-Guarantors			Eliminations			Consolidated
					Issuer
	Net revenues	$	-		$	(19	)	$	137,547		$	17,360		$	(3,568	)	$	151,320
	Operating expenses:
	Cost of services and products (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)	-			-			55,481			3,733			(3,272		)	55,942
	Selling, general and administrative expenses	741			62			28,371			4,666			(296		)	33,544
	Financing and other transaction costs	178			-			-			-			-			178
	Depreciation and amortization	-			-			32,487			2,222			-			34,709
	Operating income (loss)	(919		)	(81		)	21,208			6,739			-			26,947
	Other income (expense):
	Interest expense, net of interest income	(13		)	(20,672		)	(19		)	7			-			(20,697		)
	Intercompany interest income (expense)	(28,334		)	34,262			(6,250		)	322			-			-
	Investment income	-			42			8,651			-			-			8,693
	Equity in earnings of subsidiaries, net	27,859			19,266			245			-			(47,370		)	-
	Other, net	(18		)	-			100			-			-			82
	Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes	(1,425		)	32,817			23,935			7,068			(47,370		)	15,025
	Income tax expense (benefit)	(10,619		)	4,958			8,572			2,554			-			5,465
	Income (loss) from continuing operations	9,194			27,859			15,363			4,514			(47,370		)	9,560
	Discontinued operations, net of tax	-			-			(272		)	-			-			(272		)
	Net income (loss)	9,194			27,859			15,091			4,514			(47,370		)	9,288
	Less: net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	-			-			94			-			-			94
	Net income (loss) attributable to Consolidated Communications Holdings, Inc.	$	9,194		$	27,859		$	14,997		$	4,514		$	(47,370	)	$	9,194
	Total comprehensive income (loss) attributable to common shareholders	$	9,194		$	28,578		$	15,315		$	4,670		$	(47,370	)	$	10,387
	Condensed Consolidating Statements of Operations
	(amounts in thousands)
		Six Months Ended June 30, 2014
		Parent			Subsidiary			Guarantors			Non-Guarantors			Eliminations			Consolidated
					Issuer
	Net revenues	$	-		$	74		$	274,447		$	33,053		$	(6,890	)	$	300,684
	Operating expenses:
	Cost of services and products (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)	-			-			111,007			6,745			(6,534		)	111,218
	Selling, general and administrative expenses	1,884			78			54,904			8,776			(356		)	65,286
	Financing and other transaction costs	957			-			309			-			-			1,266
	Depreciation and amortization	-			-			67,731			3,816			-			71,547
	Operating income (loss)	(2,841		)	(4		)	40,496			13,716			-			51,367
	Other income (expense):
	Interest expense, net of interest income	(4		)	(39,601		)	56			(10		)	-			(39,559		)
	Intercompany interest income (expense)	(53,163		)	62,832			(10,608		)	939			-			-
Investment income	-			(5		)	17,654			-			-			17,649
Equity in earnings of subsidiaries, net	53,869			39,370			481			-			(93,720		)	-
Other, net	-			(500		)	(649		)	(6		)	-			(1,155		)
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes	(2,139		)	62,092			47,430			14,639			(93,720		)	28,302
Income tax expense (benefit)	(20,270		)	8,223			16,731			5,309			-			9,993
Net income (loss)	18,131			53,869			30,699			9,330			(93,720		)	18,309
Less: net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	-			-			178			-			-			178
Net income (loss) attributable to Consolidated Communications Holdings, Inc.	$	18,131		$	53,869		$	30,521		$	9,330		$	(93,720	)	$	18,131
Total comprehensive income (loss) attributable to common shareholders	$	18,131		$	54,580		$	30,373		$	9,206		$	(93,720	)	$	18,570
	Six Months Ended June 30, 2013
	Parent			Subsidiary			Guarantors			Non-Guarantors			Eliminations			Consolidated
				Issuer
Net revenues	$	-		$	(26	)	$	275,602		$	34,388		$	(7,116	)	$	302,848
Operating expenses:
Cost of services and products (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)	-			-			110,342			7,177			(6,525		)	110,994
Selling, general and administrative expenses	1,689			93			56,084			9,395			(591		)	66,670
Financing and other transaction costs	357			-			-			-			-			357
Depreciation and amortization	-			-			65,069			4,481			-			69,550
Operating income (loss)	(2,046		)	(119		)	44,107			13,335			-			55,277
Other income (expense):
Interest expense, net of interest income	(7		)	(45,169		)	(129		)	8			-			(45,297		)
Intercompany interest income (expense)	(48,767		)	61,870			(13,579		)	476			-			-
Investment income	-			5			17,472			-			-			17,477
Equity in earnings of subsidiaries, net	48,159			37,659			521			-			(86,339		)	-
Other, net	(18		)	-			2			(9		)	-			(25		)
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes	(2,679		)	54,246			48,394			13,810			(86,339		)	27,432
Income tax expense (benefit)	(18,656		)	6,087			18,515			5,068			-			11,014
Income (loss) from continuing operations	15,977			48,159			29,879			8,742			(86,339		)	16,418
Discontinued operations, net of tax	-			-			(248		)	-			-			(248		)
Net income (loss)	15,977			48,159			29,631			8,742			(86,339		)	16,170
Less: net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	-			-			193			-			-			193
Net income (loss) attributable to Consolidated Communications Holdings, Inc.	$	15,977		$	48,159		$	29,438		$	8,742		$	(86,339	)	$	15,977
Total comprehensive income (loss) attributable to common shareholders	$	15,977		$	51,136		$	30,074		$	9,054		$	(86,339	)	$	19,902
Schedule of condensed consolidating statements of cash flows	'
	Condensed Consolidating Statements of Cash Flows
	(amounts in thousands)
		Six Months Ended June 30, 2014
		Parent			Subsidiary			Guarantors			Non-Guarantors			Consolidated
					Issuer
	Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities	$	(57,133	)	$	24,501		$	108,672		$	11,005		$	87,045
	Cash flows from investing activities:
	Purchases of property, plant and equipment	-			-			(48,130		)	(2,316		)	(50,446		)
	Proceeds from sale of assets	-			-			1,209			41			1,250
	Net cash used in investing activities	-			-			(46,921		)	(2,275		)	(49,196		)
	Cash flows from financing activities:
	Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt	-			26,000			-			-			26,000
	Payment of capital lease obligation	-			-			(286		)	(31		)	(317		)
	Payment on long-term debt	-			(30,550		)	-			-			(30,550		)
	Payment of financing costs	-			(2,524		)	-			-			(2,524		)
	Dividends on common stock	(31,127		)	-			-			-			(31,127		)
	Transactions with affiliates, net	88,260			(16,542		)	(61,587		)	(10,131		)	-
	Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	57,133			(23,616		)	(61,873		)	(10,162		)	(38,518		)
	Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	-			885			(122		)	(1,432		)	(669		)
	Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	-			86			2,366			3,099			5,551
	Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$	-		$	971		$	2,244		$	1,667		$	4,882
		Six Months Ended June 30, 2013
		Parent			Subsidiary			Guarantors			Non-Guarantors			Consolidated
					Issuer
	Net cash (used in) provided by continuing operations	$	(50,234	)	$	19,842		$	84,919		$	12,819		$	67,346
	Net cash provided by discontinued operations	-			-			(3,097		)	-			(3,097		)
	Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities	(50,234		)	19,842			81,822			12,819			64,249
	Cash flows from investing activities:
	Purchases of property, plant and equipment	-			-			(48,856		)	(3,767		)	(52,623		)
	Proceeds from sale of assets	-			-			33			17			50
	Other	-			-			(131		)	-			(131		)
	Net cash used in continuing operations	-			-			(48,954		)	(3,750		)	(52,704		)
	Net cash used in discontinued operations	-			-			(48		)	-			(48		)
	Net cash used in investing activities	-			-			(49,002		)	(3,750		)	(52,752		)
	Cash flows from financing activities:
	Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt	-			49,000			-			-			49,000
	Payment of capital lease obligation	-			-			(198		)	(26		)	(224		)
	Payment on long-term debt	-			(43,620		)	-			-			(43,620		)
	Dividends on common stock	(30,987		)	-			-			-			(30,987		)
	Transactions with affiliates, net	81,221			(31,799		)	(38,986		)	(10,436		)	-
	Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	50,234			(26,419		)	(39,184		)	(10,462		)	(25,831		)
	(Decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents	-			(6,577		)	(6,364		)	(1,393		)	(14,334		)
	Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	-			6,577			8,530			2,747			17,854
	Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$	-		$	-		$	2,166		$	1,354		$	3,520

SUMMARY_OF_SIGNIFICANT_ACCOUNT2

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended					0 Months Ended
In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 29, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 13, 2013	Jun. 29, 2014
	segment	segment	item				item	Enventis
Business and Basis of Accounting	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Number of access lines	'	'	250,000	'	'	'	'	'
Number of voice connections	'	'	121,000	'	'	'	'	'
Number of data and internet connections	'	'	259,000	'	'	'	'	'
Number of video connections	'	'	111,000	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Number of reportable business segments	1	2	'	'	'	'	'	'
Number of non-core businesses	'	'	2	'	'	'	'	'
Discontinued Operations	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Number of county jails where communication services for inmates were provided	'	'	'	'	'	'	13	'
Total purchase price for the sale of the assets and contractual rights related to prison services	'	'	'	'	'	$2.50	$2.50	'
Recent Business Developments	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Exchange ratio	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	0.7402
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)	'	'	$0.01	$0.01	$0.01	'	'	$0
Aggregate price of acquisition	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	$229

DISCONTINUED_OPERATIONS_Detail

DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 13, 2013
DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS	'	'	'	'
Total purchase price for the sale of the assets and contractual rights related to prison services	'	'	$2,500,000	$2,500,000
Summary of the financial information for the prison services operations	'	'	'	'
Operating revenues	482,000	5,249,000	'	'
Operating expenses including depreciation and amortization	878,000	5,577,000	'	'
Loss from operations	-396,000	-328,000	'	'
Income tax benefit	-124,000	-80,000	'	'
Loss from discontinued operations	($272,000)	($248,000)	'	'

EARNINGS_PER_SHARE_Details

EARNINGS PER SHARE (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Share Using Two-class Method:	'	'	'	'
Income from continuing operations	$9,887	$9,560	$18,309	$16,418
Less: net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	80	94	178	193
Income attributable to common shareholders before allocation of earnings to participating securities	9,807	9,466	18,131	16,225
Less: earnings allocated to participating securities	153	131	306	263
Income from continuing operations attributable to common shareholders	9,654	9,335	17,825	15,962
Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax	'	-272	'	-248
Net income attributable to common shareholders	$9,654	$9,063	$17,825	$15,714
Weighted-average number of common shares outstanding	39,877,000	39,755,000	39,877,000	39,755,000
Basic and diluted earnings per common share:	'	'	'	'
Income from continuing operations (in dollars per share)	$0.24	$0.23	$0.45	$0.40
Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax (in dollars per share)	'	($0.01)	'	($0.01)
Net income per basic and diluted common share attributable to common shareholders (in dollars per share)	$0.24	$0.22	$0.45	$0.39
Common shares excluded from computation of potentially dilutive shares because of anti-dilutive effect	400,000	400,000	300,000	200,000

INVESTMENTS_Details

INVESTMENTS (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013
	item		item
Investments	'	'	'	'	'
Cash distributions received from partnerships treated as cost method investees	$3,800,000	$3,800,000	$7,300,000	$7,800,000	'
Cash distributions received from partnerships treated as equity method investees	4,900,000	3,900,000	10,500,000	8,000,000	'
Number of entity's investments which is accounted for using equity method	3	'	3	'	'
Investments	'	'	'	'	'
Cash surrender value of life insurance policies	1,965,000	'	1,965,000	'	2,183,000
Total	112,852,000	'	112,852,000	'	113,099,000
Summary of unaudited summarized income statement information	'	'	'	'	'
Total revenues	83,228,000	79,342,000	164,044,000	156,061,000	'
Income from operations	23,426,000	24,914,000	49,306,000	48,888,000	'
Net income before taxes	23,459,000	24,926,000	49,362,000	48,911,000	'
Net income	23,459,000	24,926,000	49,362,000	48,911,000	'
Summary of unaudited summarized balance sheet information	'	'	'	'	'
Current assets	48,715,000	'	48,715,000	'	54,837,000
Non-current assets	93,528,000	'	93,528,000	'	87,968,000
Current liabilities	14,624,000	'	14,624,000	'	15,221,000
Non-current liabilities	2,611,000	'	2,611,000	'	1,786,000
Partnership equity	125,008,000	'	125,008,000	'	125,799,000
GTE Mobilnet of South Texas Limited Partnership	'	'	'	'	'
Investments	'	'	'	'	'
Ownership percentage of cost method investee	2.34%	'	2.34%	'	'
Investments	'	'	'	'	'
Cost method investments:	21,450,000	'	21,450,000	'	21,450,000
Pittsburgh SMSA Limited Partnership	'	'	'	'	'
Investments	'	'	'	'	'
Ownership percentage of cost method investee	3.60%	'	3.60%	'	'
Investments	'	'	'	'	'
Cost method investments:	22,950,000	'	22,950,000	'	22,950,000
CoBank, ACB Stock	'	'	'	'	'
Investments	'	'	'	'	'
Cost method investments:	5,107,000	'	5,107,000	'	5,112,000
Other	'	'	'	'	'
Investments	'	'	'	'	'
Cost method investments:	200,000	'	200,000	'	200,000
GTE Mobilnet of Texas RSA #17 Limited Partnership	'	'	'	'	'
Investments	'	'	'	'	'
Ownership percentage of equity method investee	20.51%	'	20.51%	'	'
Investments	'	'	'	'	'
Equity method investments:	27,409,000	'	27,409,000	'	27,467,000
Pennsylvania RSA 6(I) Limited Partnership	'	'	'	'	'
Investments	'	'	'	'	'
Ownership percentage of equity method investee	16.67%	'	16.67%	'	'
Investments	'	'	'	'	'
Equity method investments:	7,548,000	'	7,548,000	'	7,696,000
Pennsylvania RSA 6(II) Limited Partnership	'	'	'	'	'
Investments	'	'	'	'	'
Ownership percentage of equity method investee	23.67%	'	23.67%	'	'
Investments	'	'	'	'	'
Equity method investments:	24,287,000	'	24,287,000	'	24,105,000
CVIN, LLC	'	'	'	'	'
Investments	'	'	'	'	'
Ownership percentage of equity method investee	12.09%	'	12.09%	'	'
Purchase of additional ownership interest	'	'	'	100,000	'
Investments	'	'	'	'	'
Equity method investments:	$1,936,000	'	$1,936,000	'	$1,936,000

FAIR_VALUE_MEASUREMENTS_Detail

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS (Details) (USD $)	Jun. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Fair Value Measurements	'	'
Current interest rate swap liabilities	($1,299)	($660)
Recurring | Fair Value	'	'
Fair Value Measurements	'	'
Current interest rate swap liabilities	-1,299	-660
Long-term interest rate swap liabilities	-826	-1,959
Total	-2,125	-2,619
Recurring | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)	'	'
Fair Value Measurements	'	'
Current interest rate swap liabilities	-1,299	-660
Long-term interest rate swap liabilities	-826	-1,959
Total	($2,125)	($2,619)

FAIR_VALUE_MEASUREMENTS_Detail1

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS (Details 2) (USD $)	Jun. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Carrying Value	'	'
Fair Value Measurements	'	'
Investments, equity basis	$61,180	$61,204
Investments, at cost	49,707	49,712
Long-term debt	1,212,600	1,216,764
Fair Value	'	'
Fair Value Measurements	'	'
Long-term debt	$1,264,849	$1,261,508

LONGTERM_DEBT_Details

LONG-TERM DEBT (Details) (USD $)

6 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

6 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

6 Months Ended

6 Months Ended

6 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

6 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

25 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Jun. 29, 2014

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 29, 2014

Jun. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Jun. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 23, 2013

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2014

Apr. 02, 2014

30-May-12

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2014

Apr. 02, 2014

Jun. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Enventis

Minimum

Maximum

Maximum

Senior Secured Credit Facility

Senior Secured Credit Facility

Term loan 4

Term loan 4

Term loan 4

Term loan 4

Senior secured credit facility - revolving loan

Senior secured credit facility - revolving loan

Senior secured credit facility - revolving loan

Senior secured credit facility - revolving loan

Senior secured credit facility - revolving loan

Senior secured credit facility - revolving loan

Senior secured credit facility - revolving loan

Senior secured credit facility - revolving loan

Senior Notes due 2020

Senior Notes due 2020

Senior Notes due 2020

Senior Notes due 2020

Senior Notes due 2020

Senior Notes due 2020

Senior Notes due 2020

Senior Notes due 2020

Capital leases

Capital leases

Bridge financing

Enventis

Weighted average

Weighted average

LIBOR

LIBOR

LIBOR

LIBOR

Alternate base rate

Alternate base rate

Alternate base rate

Maximum

Maximum

Bridge financing

Minimum

Maximum

Weighted average

Minimum

Maximum

Weighted average

Debt

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Total long-term debt and capital leases

$1,217,405,000

$1,221,885,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

$901,206,000

$905,463,000

'

'

$13,000,000

$13,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$298,394,000

$298,394,000

$298,301,000

$298,394,000

'

'

$4,805,000

$5,121,000

Less: current portion of long-term debt and capital leases

-9,796,000

-9,751,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Total long-term debt

1,207,609,000

1,212,134,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Maximum borrowing capacity of credit facility

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

75,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Aggregate principal amount

'

'

140,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

910,000,000

'

910,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

300,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Existing indebtedness of Enventis

'

'

135,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Amounts outstanding

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

13,000,000

13,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Stand-by letter of credit outstanding

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

900,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Margin (as a percent)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

3.25%

'

'

2.50%

3.25%

3.00%

1.50%

2.25%

2.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Reference rate

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'LIBOR

'

'

'LIBOR

'LIBOR

'LIBOR

'Alternative base rate

'Alternative base rate

'Alternative base rate

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Variable rate basis, floor (as a percent)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Quarterly principal payments required

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

2,300,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Weighted average interest rate (as a percent)

'

'

'

'

'

'

4.23%

4.23%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Term of debt

'

'

'1 year

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Dividend paid

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

124,100,000

'

'

'

'

Remaining consolidated cash available for dividends and other restricted payments

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

215,800,000

215,800,000

'

215,800,000

'

'

'

'

Dividends available for distribution

231,300,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Net leverage ratio

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

4.28

4.28

'

4.28

'

'

'

'

Leverage ratio

4.29

'

'

'

5.1

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Leverage ratio for an event of default

'

'

'

'

5.25

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Interest coverage ratio

3.56

'

'

2.25

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Percentage of increase in available cash used in repayment of debt during dividend suspension period

50.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Interest rate (as a percent)

'

'

10.88%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

10.88%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Issue price as a percentage of principal amount

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

99.35%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Yield to maturity (as a percent)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

11.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Debt issued

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

287,300,000

'

'

'

'

'

Leverage ratio covenant for dividend and other restricted payments

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

4.5

4.5

'

'

Multiplier used in the calculation of permitted lien basket for liens securing indebtedness

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

2.75

'

'

2.5

'

'

'

'

'

'

Consent fees

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

500,000

2,500,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

Number of times to be applied to fixed charges for calculating the deduction from cumulative consolidated net cash

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1.75

1.75

'

1.75

'

'

'

'

Cumulative consolidated cash available to pay dividends and other restricted payments

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

339,900,000

339,900,000

'

339,900,000

'

'

'

'

Dividends and other restricted payments available for distribution

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

50,000,000

50,000,000

'

50,000,000

'

'

'

'

Unamortized discount

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

-4,244,000

-4,537,000

-4,600,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

-1,606,000

-1,606,000

-1,699,000

-1,606,000

'

'

'

'

Commitment fees

'

'

1,400,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Amount drawn

'

'

$0

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Amortization period

'

'

'

'

'

'1 year

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

LONGTERM_DEBT_Details_2

LONG-TERM DEBT (Details 2) (USD $)	6 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014
	item
Capital leases	'
Number of capital leases which expire between 2015 and 2021	7
Present value of the minimum remaining lease commitments	$4.80
Capital lease commitments due and payable within the next 12 months	0.7
Total remaining rental payments	7
LATEL LLC	'
Capital leases	'
Total remaining rental payments	$6.30

DERIVATIVE_FINANCIAL_INSTRUMEN2

DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS (Details) (USD $)

Jun. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Jun. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Jun. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Jun. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 23, 2013

Dec. 04, 2012

Jun. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

item

De-designated Hedges

De-designated Hedges

De-designated Hedges

De-designated Hedges

De-designated Hedges

De-designated Hedges

De-designated Hedges

De-designated Hedges

De-designated Hedges

De-designated Hedges

De-designated Hedges

De-designated Hedges

Cash flow hedges

Cash flow hedges

bank

Fixed to 1-month floating LIBOR, one

Fixed to 1-month floating LIBOR, one

Fixed to 1-month floating LIBOR, two

Fixed to 1-month floating LIBOR, two

Fixed to 1-month floating LIBOR (with floor)

Fixed to 1-month floating LIBOR (with floor)

Interest rate swaps

Interest rate swaps

Interest rate swaps

Interest rate swaps

Interest rate swaps

Interest rate swaps

Interest rate swaps

Interest rate swaps

Derivatives

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Reference rate for receiving interest

'

'

'1-month floating LIBOR

'1-month floating LIBOR

'1-month floating LIBOR

'1-month floating LIBOR

'1-month floating LIBOR

'1-month floating LIBOR

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Notional amount

'

'

$50,000,000

$175,000,000

$225,000,000

$100,000,000

$50,000,000

$50,000,000

'

'

'

'

$325,000,000

$660,000,000

'

'

Fair Value, Current portion of long-term liabilities

-1,299,000

-660,000

'

'

-1,299,000

-660,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Fair Value, Other long-term liabilities

'

'

-613,000

-1,897,000

'

'

-213,000

-62,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Total Fair Value

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

-2,125,000

-2,619,000

Number of U.S. and European banks which are counterparties

4

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Number of swap agreements that provide for the entity or the counterparties to post collateral

0

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Notional amount of derivatives expired

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

200,000,000

'

'

'

'

Gain recognized as a reduction to interest expense

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$300,000

$500,000

$2,100,000

'

'

'

'

'

DERIVATIVE_FINANCIAL_INSTRUMEN3

DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS (Details 2) (Interest rate swaps, USD $)	6 Months Ended		3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
	Loss on cash flow hedges	Loss on cash flow hedges	Cash flow hedges	Cash flow hedges	Cash flow hedges	Cash flow hedges
Derivatives	'	'	'	'	'	'
Deferred losses included in AOCI (pretax)	$1,500,000	$2,600,000	'	'	'	'
Losses included in AOCI to be recognized in the next 12 months	1,400,000	'	'	'	'	'
Gain recognized in AOCI, pretax	'	'	'	264,000	'	212,000
Deferred losses reclassified from AOCI to interest expense	'	'	($489,000)	($897,000)	($1,148,000)	($4,538,000)

EQUITY_Details

EQUITY (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Stock-based compensation plans	'	'	'	'
Pretax stock-based compensation expense	$940,000	$784,000	$1,724,000	$1,440,000
Unrecognized share-based compensation	'	'	'	'
Unrecognized compensation costs	6,200,000	'	6,200,000	'
Weighted-average period of recognition	'	'	'1 year 4 months 24 days	'
Restricted stock	'	'	'	'
Stock-based compensation plans	'	'	'	'
Pretax stock-based compensation expense	527,000	461,000	1,044,000	917,000
Number of shares	'	'	'	'
Non-vested shares outstanding at the beginning of the period	'	'	123,501	'
Shares granted	'	'	132,781	'
Non-vested shares outstanding at the end of the period	256,282	'	256,282	'
Price	'	'	'	'
Non-vested shares outstanding at the beginning of the period (in dollars per share)	'	'	$17.32	'
Shares granted (in dollars per share)	'	'	$19.74	'
Performance shares	'	'	'	'
Stock-based compensation plans	'	'	'	'
Pretax stock-based compensation expense	$413,000	$323,000	$680,000	$523,000
Number of shares	'	'	'	'
Non-vested shares outstanding at the beginning of the period	'	'	64,266	'
Shares granted	'	'	91,127	'
Non-vested shares outstanding at the end of the period	155,393	'	155,393	'
Price	'	'	'	'
Non-vested shares outstanding at the beginning of the period (in dollars per share)	'	'	$17.96	'
Shares granted (in dollars per share)	'	'	$17.13	'

EQUITY_Details_2

EQUITY (Details 2) (USD $)	6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014
Changes in accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax, by component	'
Balance at the beginning of the period	($1,000)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income	439
Net current period other comprehensive income	439
Balance at the end of the period	-561
Pension and Post-Retirement Obligations	'
Changes in accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax, by component	'
Balance at the beginning of the period	643
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income	-272
Net current period other comprehensive income	-272
Balance at the end of the period	371
Derivative Instruments	'
Changes in accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax, by component	'
Balance at the beginning of the period	-1,643
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income	711
Net current period other comprehensive income	711
Balance at the end of the period	($932)

EQUITY_Details_3

EQUITY (Details 3) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
EQUITY	'	'	'	'
Income from continuing operations before income taxes	$14,758	$15,025	$28,302	$27,432
Interest expense	-19,728	-20,697	-39,559	-45,297
Tax (expense) benefit	-4,871	-5,465	-9,993	-11,014
Net income	9,887	9,288	18,309	16,170
Amortization of pension and post-retirement items | Amount Reclassified from AOCI	'	'	'	'
EQUITY	'	'	'	'
Prior service credit	79	115	159	231
Actuarial gain (loss)	142	-891	284	-1,782
Income from continuing operations before income taxes	221	-776	443	-1,551
Tax (expense) benefit	-85	302	-171	603
Net income	136	-474	272	-948
Loss on cash flow hedges | Amount Reclassified from AOCI	'	'	'	'
EQUITY	'	'	'	'
Interest expense	-489	-897	-1,148	-4,538
Tax (expense) benefit	186	341	437	1,692
Net income	($303)	($556)	($711)	($2,846)

PENSION_PLAN_AND_OTHER_POSTRET2

PENSION PLAN AND OTHER POST-RETIREMENT BENEFITS (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
	item		item
Defined Benefit Plans	'	'	'	'
Defined benefit plans	'	'	'	'
Number of persons eligible to become a new participant	0	'	0	'
Components of net periodic pension costs	'	'	'	'
Service costs	$140,000	$304,000	$280,000	$608,000
Interest costs	4,074,000	3,860,000	8,147,000	7,722,000
Expected return on plan assets	-5,776,000	-5,151,000	-11,553,000	-10,302,000
Net amortization gain	5,000	891,000	10,000	1,782,000
Net prior service cost (credit) amortization	-114,000	-70,000	-229,000	-141,000
Net periodic pension benefit	-1,671,000	-166,000	-3,345,000	-331,000
Expected contribution to pension plan	'	'	15,500,000	'
Contribution to the plans	'	'	5,900,000	'
Supplemental Plans	'	'	'	'
Defined benefit plans	'	'	'	'
Number of persons eligible to become a new participant	0	'	0	'
Number of non-qualified plans	'	'	2	'
SureWest Plan	'	'	'	'
Defined benefit plans	'	'	'	'
Number of highest consecutive years for computing employee's average compensation	'	'	'5 years	'
Number of persons eligible to become a new participant	0	'	0	'
Period of credit service for computing employee's average compensation	'	'	'10 years	'
Post-retirement Benefit Obligations	'	'	'	'
Defined benefit plans	'	'	'	'
Number of persons eligible to become a new participant	0	'	0	'
Post-retirement Plan unfunded assets	0	'	0	'
Components of net periodic pension costs	'	'	'	'
Service costs	90,000	231,000	180,000	463,000
Interest costs	355,000	392,000	710,000	783,000
Expected return on plan assets	-55,000	-58,000	-110,000	-116,000
Net amortization gain	-147,000	'	-294,000	'
Net prior service cost (credit) amortization	35,000	-45,000	70,000	-90,000
Net periodic pension benefit	278,000	520,000	556,000	1,040,000
Expected contribution to pension plan	'	'	2,500,000	'
Contribution to the plans	'	'	1,400,000	'
Pension and SERP Plans	'	'	'	'
Defined benefit plans	'	'	'	'
Post-retirement Plan unfunded assets	$0	'	$0	'

PENSION_PLAN_AND_OTHER_POSTRET3

PENSION PLAN AND OTHER POST-RETIREMENT BENEFITS (Details 2) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013
			item
Other Non-qualified Deferred Compensation Agreements	'	'	'	'	'
Minimum age at which payments under deferred compensation agreements may begin	'	'	'55 years	'	'
Payment related to deferred compensation agreements	$0.10	$0.10	$0.20	$0.30	'
Net present value of the remaining obligations	1.6	'	1.6	'	1.8
Number of life insurance policies	'	'	30	'	'
Proceeds from life insurance policies	0.3	'	0.3	'	'
Excess of cash surrender value of remaining life insurance policies over notes payable	$2	'	$2	'	$2.20

INCOME_TAXES_Details

INCOME TAXES (Details)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Reconciliation of the provision for income taxes computed at federal statutory rates to the effective rates	'	'	'	'
Effective tax rate (as a percent)	33.00%	36.40%	35.30%	40.20%
Effective tax rate exclusive of valuation allowance adjustment (as a percent)	36.60%	'	37.20%	'
Effective tax rate exclusive of non-deductible compensation adjustment (as a percent)	'	'	'	36.70%

COMMITMENTS_AND_CONTINGENCIES_

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (Details) (USD $)	1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended		0 Months Ended	3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended		12 Months Ended	6 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Jan. 18, 2012	Apr. 15, 2008	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2009	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014
				item	Salsgiver Inc.	Salsgiver Inc.	Salsgiver Inc.	Salsgiver Inc.	Assessment by Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Department of Revenue	Assessment by Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Department of Revenue	Assessment by Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Department of Revenue
									item	Consolidated Communications Enterprise Services Inc. (CCES)	Consolidated Communications of Pennsylvania Company LLC (CCPA)
Litigation and Contingencies	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Original amount of sustained losses claimed by plaintiff	'	'	'	'	$125	'	'	'	'	'	'
Amount agreed to be paid in cash as per agreement	'	'	'	'	'	'	0.9	'	'	'	'
Credits granted as per agreement	'	'	'	'	'	'	0.3	'	'	'	'
Term of credits utilization for make ready work performed	'	'	'	'	'	'	'5 years	'	'	'	'
Settlement amount previously accrued	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	0.4	'	'	'
Additional accrual per agreement	'	'	'	'	'	0.9	'	'	'	'	'
Number of subsidiaries that received assessment notice	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	2	'	'
Total additional tax liability calculated by the auditors for calendar years 2008, 2009, and 2010	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	1.9	2
Number of core issues appealed	'	'	'	5	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Reversal of previously recognized revenues	3	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Revenue recognized that was later reversed	'	$1.90	$3	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'

CONDENSED_CONSOLIDATING_FINANC2

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Details) (USD $)	6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Current assets:	'	'	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	$4,882	$5,551	$3,520	$17,854
Accounts receivable, net	51,079	52,033	'	'
Income taxes receivable	2,968	9,796	'	'
Deferred income taxes	7,960	7,960	'	'
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	14,413	12,380	'	'
Total current assets	81,302	87,720	'	'
Property, plant and equipment, net	866,982	885,362	'	'
Intangibles and other assets:	'	'	'	'
Investments	112,852	113,099	'	'
Goodwill	603,446	603,446	'	'
Other intangible assets	35,248	40,084	'	'
Deferred debt issuance costs, net and other assets	20,687	17,667	'	'
Total assets	1,720,517	1,747,378	'	'
Current liabilities:	'	'	'	'
Accounts payable	9,644	4,885	'	'
Advance billings and customer deposits	23,153	25,934	'	'
Dividends payable	15,607	15,520	'	'
Accrued compensation	19,016	22,252	'	'
Accrued expense	36,189	38,697	'	'
Current portion of long term debt and capital lease obligations	9,796	9,751	'	'
Current portion of derivative liability	1,299	660	'	'
Total current liabilities	114,704	117,699	'	'
Long-term debt and capital lease obligations	1,207,609	1,212,134	'	'
Deferred income taxes	179,589	179,859	'	'
Pension and postretirement benefit obligations	65,885	75,754	'	'
Other long-term liabilities	11,133	9,593	'	'
Total liabilities	1,578,920	1,595,039	'	'
Shareholders' equity:	'	'	'	'
Common Stock	403	401	'	'
Other shareholders' equity	136,511	147,433	'	'
Total Consolidated Communications Holdings, Inc. shareholders' equity	136,914	147,834	'	'
Noncontrolling interest	4,683	4,505	'	'
Total shareholders' equity	141,597	152,339	'	'
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	1,720,517	1,747,378	'	'
Eliminations	'	'	'	'
Current assets:	'	'	'	'
Income taxes receivable	-30,233	'	'	'
Total current assets	-30,233	'	'	'
Intangibles and other assets:	'	'	'	'
Investments in subsidiaries	-1,542,714	-1,448,828	'	'
Total assets	-1,572,947	-1,448,828	'	'
Current liabilities:	'	'	'	'
Income tax payable	-30,233	'	'	'
Total current liabilities	-30,233	'	'	'
Total liabilities	-30,233	'	'	'
Shareholders' equity:	'	'	'	'
Common Stock	-47,411	-47,411	'	'
Other shareholders' equity	-1,495,303	-1,401,417	'	'
Total Consolidated Communications Holdings, Inc. shareholders' equity	-1,542,714	-1,448,828	'	'
Total shareholders' equity	-1,542,714	-1,448,828	'	'
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	-1,572,947	-1,448,828	'	'
Parent | Reportable legal entity	'	'	'	'
Current assets:	'	'	'	'
Income taxes receivable	33,201	9,346	'	'
Deferred income taxes	-61	-61	'	'
Total current assets	33,140	9,285	'	'
Intangibles and other assets:	'	'	'	'
Investments in subsidiaries	1,155,347	1,101,039	'	'
Total assets	1,188,487	1,110,324	'	'
Current liabilities:	'	'	'	'
Dividends payable	15,607	15,520	'	'
Accrued expense	957	224	'	'
Total current liabilities	16,564	15,744	'	'
Advances due to/from affiliates, net	1,056,579	968,319	'	'
Deferred income taxes	-21,598	-21,598	'	'
Other long-term liabilities	28	25	'	'
Total liabilities	1,051,573	962,490	'	'
Shareholders' equity:	'	'	'	'
Common Stock	403	401	'	'
Other shareholders' equity	136,511	147,433	'	'
Total Consolidated Communications Holdings, Inc. shareholders' equity	136,914	147,834	'	'
Total shareholders' equity	136,914	147,834	'	'
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	1,188,487	1,110,324	'	'
Subsidiary Issuer	'	'	'	'
Current assets:	'	'	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	971	86	'	6,577
Subsidiary Issuer | Reportable legal entity	'	'	'	'
Current assets:	'	'	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	971	86	'	'
Accounts receivable, net	'	502	'	'
Deferred income taxes	-7	-7	'	'
Total current assets	964	581	'	'
Intangibles and other assets:	'	'	'	'
Investments	3,724	3,729	'	'
Investments in subsidiaries	374,756	335,659	'	'
Deferred debt issuance costs, net and other assets	16,589	13,620	'	'
Total assets	396,033	353,589	'	'
Current liabilities:	'	'	'	'
Accrued expense	5,064	4,389	'	'
Income tax payable	8,223	'	'	'
Current portion of long term debt and capital lease obligations	9,100	9,100	'	'
Current portion of derivative liability	1,299	660	'	'
Total current liabilities	23,686	14,149	'	'
Long-term debt and capital lease obligations	1,203,500	1,207,663	'	'
Advances due to/from affiliates, net	-1,986,734	-1,970,192	'	'
Deferred income taxes	-592	-1,029	'	'
Other long-term liabilities	826	1,960	'	'
Total liabilities	-759,314	-747,449	'	'
Shareholders' equity:	'	'	'	'
Other shareholders' equity	1,155,347	1,101,038	'	'
Total Consolidated Communications Holdings, Inc. shareholders' equity	1,155,347	1,101,038	'	'
Total shareholders' equity	1,155,347	1,101,038	'	'
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	396,033	353,589	'	'
Guarantors	'	'	'	'
Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet	'	'	'	'
Ownership interest (as a percent)	100.00%	'	'	'
Current assets:	'	'	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	2,244	2,366	2,166	8,530
Guarantors | Reportable legal entity	'	'	'	'
Current assets:	'	'	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	2,244	2,366	'	'
Accounts receivable, net	43,279	44,521	'	'
Income taxes receivable	'	370	'	'
Deferred income taxes	7,533	7,533	'	'
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	14,009	11,862	'	'
Total current assets	67,065	66,652	'	'
Property, plant and equipment, net	817,048	834,199	'	'
Intangibles and other assets:	'	'	'	'
Investments	109,128	109,370	'	'
Investments in subsidiaries	12,611	12,130	'	'
Goodwill	537,265	537,265	'	'
Other intangible assets	26,161	30,997	'	'
Deferred debt issuance costs, net and other assets	4,098	4,047	'	'
Total assets	1,573,376	1,594,660	'	'
Current liabilities:	'	'	'	'
Accounts payable	9,644	4,885	'	'
Advance billings and customer deposits	21,022	23,699	'	'
Accrued compensation	17,214	20,447	'	'
Accrued expense	29,050	32,709	'	'
Income tax payable	16,881	'	'	'
Current portion of long term debt and capital lease obligations	625	586	'	'
Total current liabilities	94,436	82,326	'	'
Long-term debt and capital lease obligations	3,334	3,659	'	'
Advances due to/from affiliates, net	976,382	1,037,969	'	'
Deferred income taxes	183,545	184,209	'	'
Pension and postretirement benefit obligations	57,063	61,053	'	'
Other long-term liabilities	10,004	7,328	'	'
Total liabilities	1,324,764	1,376,544	'	'
Shareholders' equity:	'	'	'	'
Common Stock	17,411	17,411	'	'
Other shareholders' equity	226,518	196,200	'	'
Total Consolidated Communications Holdings, Inc. shareholders' equity	243,929	213,611	'	'
Noncontrolling interest	4,683	4,505	'	'
Total shareholders' equity	248,612	218,116	'	'
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	1,573,376	1,594,660	'	'
Non-Guarantors	'	'	'	'
Current assets:	'	'	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	1,667	3,099	1,354	2,747
Non-Guarantors | Reportable legal entity	'	'	'	'
Current assets:	'	'	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	1,667	3,099	'	'
Accounts receivable, net	7,800	7,010	'	'
Income taxes receivable	'	80	'	'
Deferred income taxes	495	495	'	'
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	404	518	'	'
Total current assets	10,366	11,202	'	'
Property, plant and equipment, net	49,934	51,163	'	'
Intangibles and other assets:	'	'	'	'
Goodwill	66,181	66,181	'	'
Other intangible assets	9,087	9,087	'	'
Total assets	135,568	137,633	'	'
Current liabilities:	'	'	'	'
Advance billings and customer deposits	2,131	2,235	'	'
Accrued compensation	1,802	1,805	'	'
Accrued expense	1,118	1,375	'	'
Income tax payable	5,129	'	'	'
Current portion of long term debt and capital lease obligations	71	65	'	'
Total current liabilities	10,251	5,480	'	'
Long-term debt and capital lease obligations	775	812	'	'
Advances due to/from affiliates, net	-46,227	-36,096	'	'
Deferred income taxes	18,234	18,277	'	'
Pension and postretirement benefit obligations	8,822	14,701	'	'
Other long-term liabilities	275	280	'	'
Total liabilities	-7,870	3,454	'	'
Shareholders' equity:	'	'	'	'
Common Stock	30,000	30,000	'	'
Other shareholders' equity	113,438	104,179	'	'
Total Consolidated Communications Holdings, Inc. shareholders' equity	143,438	134,179	'	'
Total shareholders' equity	143,438	134,179	'	'
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	$135,568	$137,633	'	'

CONDENSED_CONSOLIDATING_FINANC3

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Details 2) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING FINANCIAL INFORMATION	'	'	'	'
Net revenues	$151,036	$151,320	$300,684	$302,848
Operating expenses:	'	'	'	'
Cost of services and products (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)	55,918	55,942	111,218	110,994
Selling, general and administrative expenses	32,711	33,544	65,286	66,670
Financing and other transaction costs	977	178	1,266	357
Depreciation and amortization	36,005	34,709	71,547	69,550
Income from operations	25,425	26,947	51,367	55,277
Other income (expense):	'	'	'	'
Interest expense, net of interest income	-19,728	-20,697	-39,559	-45,297
Investment income	9,313	8,693	17,649	17,477
Other, net	-252	82	-1,155	-25
Income from continuing operations before income taxes	14,758	15,025	28,302	27,432
Income tax expense (benefit)	4,871	5,465	9,993	11,014
Income from continuing operations	9,887	9,560	18,309	16,418
Discontinued operations, net of tax	'	-272	'	-248
Net income	9,887	9,288	18,309	16,170
Less: net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	80	94	178	193
Net income attributable to common shareholders	9,807	9,194	18,131	15,977
Total comprehensive income attributable to common shareholders	9,974	10,387	18,570	19,902
Eliminations	'	'	'	'
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING FINANCIAL INFORMATION	'	'	'	'
Net revenues	-3,456	-3,568	-6,890	-7,116
Operating expenses:	'	'	'	'
Cost of services and products (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)	-3,278	-3,272	-6,534	-6,525
Selling, general and administrative expenses	-178	-296	-356	-591
Other income (expense):	'	'	'	'
Equity in earnings of subsidiaries, net	-49,621	-47,370	-93,720	-86,339
Income from continuing operations before income taxes	-49,621	-47,370	-93,720	-86,339
Income from continuing operations	'	-47,370	'	-86,339
Net income	-49,621	-47,370	-93,720	-86,339
Net income attributable to common shareholders	-49,621	-47,370	-93,720	-86,339
Total comprehensive income attributable to common shareholders	-49,621	-47,370	-93,720	-86,339
Parent | Reportable legal entity	'	'	'	'
Operating expenses:	'	'	'	'
Selling, general and administrative expenses	1,021	741	1,884	1,689
Financing and other transaction costs	'	178	957	357
Depreciation and amortization	943	'	'	'
Income from operations	-1,964	-919	-2,841	-2,046
Other income (expense):	'	'	'	'
Interest expense, net of interest income	-2	-13	-4	-7
Intercompany interest income (expense)	-26,783	-28,334	-53,163	-48,767
Equity in earnings of subsidiaries, net	28,248	27,859	53,869	48,159
Other, net	'	-18	'	-18
Income from continuing operations before income taxes	-501	-1,425	-2,139	-2,679
Income tax expense (benefit)	-10,308	-10,619	-20,270	-18,656
Income from continuing operations	'	9,194	'	15,977
Net income	9,807	9,194	18,131	15,977
Net income attributable to common shareholders	9,807	9,194	18,131	15,977
Total comprehensive income attributable to common shareholders	9,807	9,194	18,131	15,977
Subsidiary Issuer | Reportable legal entity	'	'	'	'
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING FINANCIAL INFORMATION	'	'	'	'
Net revenues	5	-19	74	-26
Operating expenses:	'	'	'	'
Selling, general and administrative expenses	39	62	78	93
Income from operations	-34	-81	-4	-119
Other income (expense):	'	'	'	'
Interest expense, net of interest income	-19,781	-20,672	-39,601	-45,169
Intercompany interest income (expense)	31,407	34,262	62,832	61,870
Investment income	-41	42	-5	5
Equity in earnings of subsidiaries, net	21,155	19,266	39,370	37,659
Other, net	-500	'	-500	'
Income from continuing operations before income taxes	32,206	32,817	62,092	54,246
Income tax expense (benefit)	3,958	4,958	8,223	6,087
Income from continuing operations	'	27,859	'	48,159
Net income	28,248	27,859	53,869	48,159
Net income attributable to common shareholders	28,248	27,859	53,869	48,159
Total comprehensive income attributable to common shareholders	28,551	28,578	54,580	51,136
Guarantors | Reportable legal entity	'	'	'	'
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING FINANCIAL INFORMATION	'	'	'	'
Net revenues	138,192	137,547	274,447	275,602
Operating expenses:	'	'	'	'
Cost of services and products (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)	55,755	55,481	111,007	110,342
Selling, general and administrative expenses	27,548	28,371	54,904	56,084
Financing and other transaction costs	34	'	309	'
Depreciation and amortization	34,084	32,487	67,731	65,069
Income from operations	20,771	21,208	40,496	44,107
Other income (expense):	'	'	'	'
Interest expense, net of interest income	58	-19	56	-129
Intercompany interest income (expense)	-5,112	-6,250	-10,608	-13,579
Investment income	9,354	8,651	17,654	17,472
Equity in earnings of subsidiaries, net	218	245	481	521
Other, net	250	100	-649	2
Income from continuing operations before income taxes	25,539	23,935	47,430	48,394
Income tax expense (benefit)	8,665	8,572	16,731	18,515
Income from continuing operations	'	15,363	'	29,879
Discontinued operations, net of tax	'	-272	'	-248
Net income	16,874	15,091	30,699	29,631
Less: net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	80	94	178	193
Net income attributable to common shareholders	16,794	14,997	30,521	29,438
Total comprehensive income attributable to common shareholders	16,720	15,315	30,373	30,074
Non-Guarantors | Reportable legal entity	'	'	'	'
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING FINANCIAL INFORMATION	'	'	'	'
Net revenues	16,295	17,360	33,053	34,388
Operating expenses:	'	'	'	'
Cost of services and products (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)	3,441	3,733	6,745	7,177
Selling, general and administrative expenses	4,281	4,666	8,776	9,395
Depreciation and amortization	1,921	2,222	3,816	4,481
Income from operations	6,652	6,739	13,716	13,335
Other income (expense):	'	'	'	'
Interest expense, net of interest income	-3	7	-10	8
Intercompany interest income (expense)	488	322	939	476
Other, net	-2	'	-6	-9
Income from continuing operations before income taxes	7,135	7,068	14,639	13,810
Income tax expense (benefit)	2,556	2,554	5,309	5,068
Income from continuing operations	'	4,514	'	8,742
Net income	4,579	4,514	9,330	8,742
Net income attributable to common shareholders	4,579	4,514	9,330	8,742
Total comprehensive income attributable to common shareholders	$4,517	$4,670	$9,206	$9,054

CONDENSED_CONSOLIDATING_FINANC4

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Details 3) (USD $)	6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Cash flows from operating activities:	'	'
Net cash (used in) provided by continuing operations	$87,045	$67,346
Net cash used in discontinued operations	'	-3,097
Net cash provided by operating activities	87,045	64,249
Cash flows from investing activities:	'	'
Purchases of property, plant and equipment	-50,446	-52,623
Proceeds from sale of assets	1,250	50
Other	'	-131
Net cash used in continuing operations	-49,196	-52,704
Net cash provided by discontinued operations	'	-48
Net cash used in investing activities	-49,196	-52,752
Cash flows from financing activities:	'	'
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt	26,000	49,000
Payment of capital lease obligation	-317	-224
Payment on long-term debt	-30,550	-43,620
Payment of financing costs	-2,524	'
Dividends on common stock	-31,127	-30,987
Net cash used in financing activities	-38,518	-25,831
Decrease in cash and cash equivalents	-669	-14,334
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	5,551	17,854
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	4,882	3,520
Parent	'	'
Cash flows from operating activities:	'	'
Net cash (used in) provided by continuing operations	'	-50,234
Net cash provided by operating activities	-57,133	-50,234
Cash flows from financing activities:	'	'
Dividends on common stock	-31,127	-30,987
Transactions with affiliates, net	88,260	81,221
Net cash used in financing activities	57,133	50,234
Subsidiary Issuer	'	'
Cash flows from operating activities:	'	'
Net cash (used in) provided by continuing operations	'	19,842
Net cash provided by operating activities	24,501	19,842
Cash flows from financing activities:	'	'
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt	26,000	49,000
Payment on long-term debt	-30,550	-43,620
Payment of financing costs	-2,524	'
Transactions with affiliates, net	-16,542	-31,799
Net cash used in financing activities	-23,616	-26,419
Decrease in cash and cash equivalents	885	-6,577
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	86	6,577
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	971	'
Guarantor Subsidiaries	'	'
Cash flows from operating activities:	'	'
Net cash (used in) provided by continuing operations	'	84,919
Net cash used in discontinued operations	'	-3,097
Net cash provided by operating activities	108,672	81,822
Cash flows from investing activities:	'	'
Purchases of property, plant and equipment	-48,130	-48,856
Proceeds from sale of assets	1,209	33
Other	'	-131
Net cash used in continuing operations	'	-48,954
Net cash provided by discontinued operations	'	-48
Net cash used in investing activities	-46,921	-49,002
Cash flows from financing activities:	'	'
Payment of capital lease obligation	-286	-198
Transactions with affiliates, net	-61,587	-38,986
Net cash used in financing activities	-61,873	-39,184
Decrease in cash and cash equivalents	-122	-6,364
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	2,366	8,530
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	2,244	2,166
Non-Guarantors	'	'
Cash flows from operating activities:	'	'
Net cash (used in) provided by continuing operations	'	12,819
Net cash provided by operating activities	11,005	12,819
Cash flows from investing activities:	'	'
Purchases of property, plant and equipment	-2,316	-3,767
Proceeds from sale of assets	41	17
Net cash used in continuing operations	'	-3,750
Net cash used in investing activities	-2,275	-3,750
Cash flows from financing activities:	'	'
Payment of capital lease obligation	-31	-26
Transactions with affiliates, net	-10,131	-10,436
Net cash used in financing activities	-10,162	-10,462
Decrease in cash and cash equivalents	-1,432	-1,393
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	3,099	2,747
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$1,667	$1,354