NTELOS 10-Q 1 May 15 2015 Q1 Quarterly report Financial data

Document_And_Entity_Informatio

Document And Entity Information	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Apr. 23, 2015
Document And Entity Information [Abstract]
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	FALSE
Document Period End Date	31-Mar-15
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2015
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1
Entity Registrant Name	NTELOS HOLDINGS CORP.
Entity Central Index Key	1328571
Trading Symbol	ntls
Current Fiscal Year End Date	-19
Entity Filer Category	Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		22,196,422
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes

Condensed_Consolidated_Balance

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Current Assets
Cash	$103,418	$73,546
Restricted cash	2,167	2,167
Accounts receivable, net	50,247	43,668
Inventories and supplies	20,377	18,297
Deferred income taxes	24,923	24,770
Prepaid expenses	13,003	13,543
Other Assets, Current	625	4,626
Total current assets	214,760	180,617
Long-lived Assets, Held for Sale	59,398	64,271
Securities and Investments	1,522	1,522
Property, Plant and Equipment, net	299,456	289,947
Intangible Assets
Goodwill	63,700	63,700
Radio spectrum licenses	44,933	44,933
Customer relationships and trademarks, net	4,885	5,084
Deferred charges and other assets	19,835	18,474
TOTAL ASSETS	708,489	668,548
Current Liabilities
Current portion of long-term debt	5,772	5,816
Accounts payable	21,137	24,541
Advance billings and customer deposits	13,191	14,553
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities	30,408	27,153
Total current liabilities	70,508	72,063
Long-term Liabilities
Long-Term Debt	518,392	519,592
Retirement Benefits	25,115	25,209
Deferred Income Taxes	47,196	39,620
Other Long-Term Liabilities	63,905	45,016
Liabilities, Noncurrent, Total	654,608	629,437
Commitments and Contingencies
Equity
Preferred stock, par value $.01 per share, authorized 100 shares, none issued	0	0
Common stock, par value $.01 per share, authorized 55,000 shares; 22,223 shares issued and 22,196 shares outstanding (21,634 shares issued and 21,616 shares outstanding at December 31, 2014)	214	214
Additional paid in capital	29,623	28,663
Treasury stock, at cost, 27 shares (18 shares at December 31, 2014)	-324	-285
Accumulated deficit	-38,838	-53,634
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	-8,973	-9,090
Total NTELOS Holdings Corp. Stockholders’ Equity (Deficit)	-18,298	-34,132
Noncontrolling interests	1,671	1,180
Total Stockholders' Equity, including portion attributable to noncontrolling interest	-16,627	-32,952
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (DEFICIT)	$708,489	$668,548

Condensed_Consolidated_Balance1

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Statement of Financial Position [Abstract]
Preferred stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$0.01	$0.01
Preferred stock, shares authorized (in shares)	100,000	100,000
Preferred stock, shares issued (in shares)	0	0
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$0.01	$0.01
Common stock, shares authorized (in shares)	55,000,000	55,000,000
Common stock, shares issued (in shares)	22,223,000	21,634,000
Common stock, shares outstanding (in shares)	22,196,000	21,616,000
Treasury stock, shares (in shares)	27,000	18,000

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme

Condensed Consolidated Statements Of Operations (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Income Statement [Abstract]
Operating Revenues	$120,206	$122,082
Operating Expenses
Cost of sales and services	53,293	51,758
Customer operations	24,349	27,623
Corporate operations	9,412	11,771
Restructuring Charges	2,008	0
Depreciation and amortization	13,874	19,067
Gain (Loss) on Disposition of Assets	-15,947	0
Operating expenses, total	86,989	110,219
Operating income	33,217	11,863
Other Expense
Interest expense	-7,917	-7,959
Other expense, net	-4	-1,072
Nonoperating Income (Expense), Total	-7,921	-9,031
Income before Income Taxes	25,296	2,832
Income Taxes	10,009	1,110
Net Income	15,287	1,722
Net Income Attributable to Noncontrolling Interests	-491	-436
Net Income Attributable to NTELOS Holdings Corp.	$14,796	$1,286
Earnings per Share Attributable to NTELOS Holdings Corp.
Basic (in dollars per share)	$0.68	$0.06
Weighted average shares outstanding - basic (in shares)	21,193	21,080
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$0.65	$0.06
Weighted average shares outstanding - diluted (in shares)	22,161	22,023
Cash Dividends Declared per Share - Common Stock (in dollars per share)	$0	$0.42

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme1

Condensed Consolidated Statements Of Comprehensive Income (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net Income Attributable to NTELOS Holdings Corp.	$14,796	$1,286
Amortization of unrealized (gain) loss from defined benefit plans, net of $75 of deferred income taxes in 2015 ($172 in 2014)	117	-271
Comprehensive Income Attributable to NTELOS Holdings Corp.	14,913	1,015
Comprehensive Income Attributable to Noncontrolling Interests	491	436
Comprehensive Income	$15,404	$1,451

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme2

Condensed Consolidated Statements Of Comprehensive Income (Parenthetical) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Amortization of unrealized loss from defined benefit plans taxes	$75	$172

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme3

Condensed Consolidated Statements Of Cash Flows (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Cash flows from operating activities
Net income	$15,287	$1,722
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities
Depreciation and amortization	13,874	19,067
Gain (Loss) on Disposition of Assets	-15,947	0
Deferred income taxes	7,348	86
Equity-based compensation	859	1,311
Amortization of loan origination costs and debt discount	590	801
Write off of unamortized debt issuance costs	0	895
Retirement benefits and other	784	700
Changes in operating assets and liabilities
Accounts receivable	-6,579	1,195
Inventories and supplies	-2,080	8,299
Other current assets	2,733	-3,609
Income taxes	2,661	313
Accounts payable	-2,874	-11,229
Other current liabilities	-1,422	-1,230
Retirement benefit distributions	204	173
Net cash provided by operating activities	15,438	18,494
Cash flows from investing activities
Purchases of property, plant and equipment	-22,941	-13,961
Proceeds from Sale of Intangible Assets	38,796	0
Other, net	0	2,547
Net cash provided by/(used in) investing activities	15,855	-11,414
Cash flows from financing activities
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt, net of original issue discount	0	187,655
Debt issuance and refinancing costs	0	-3,551
Repayments on senior secured term loans	-1,351	-149,476
Cash dividends paid on common stock	0	-9,034
Other, net	-70	-77
Net cash provided by/(used in) financing activities	-1,421	25,517
Increase in cash	29,872	32,597
Cash, beginning of period	73,546	88,441
Cash, end of period	103,418	121,038
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Tax, Portion Attributable to Parent	($14,913)	($1,015)

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme4

Condensed Consolidated Statement of Changes in Stockholders' Equity (USD $)		Total	Common Stock [Member]	Treasury Stock [Member]	Additional Paid In Capital [Member]	Retained Earnings [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss [Member]	Total NTELOS Holdings Corp. Stockholders’ Equity [Member]	Noncontrolling Interests [Member]
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Beginning balance at Dec. 31, 2014		($32,952)	$214	($285)	$28,663	($53,634)	($9,090)	($34,132)	$1,180
Beginning balance, shares at Dec. 31, 2014			21,616	18
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Equity-based compensation	[1]	921		-39	960			921
Equity-based compensation, shares	[1]		580	9
Net income attributable to NTELOS Holdings Corp.		14,796				14,796		14,796
Other Comprehensive (Income) Loss, Amortization Adjustment from AOCI, Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, for Net Prior Service Cost (Credit), Net of Tax		117
Amortization of unrealized loss from defined benefit plans, net of $75 of deferred income taxes		117						117
Comprehensive income attributable to Noncontrolling Interests		491						0	491
Ending balance at Mar. 31, 2015		($16,627)	$214	($324)	$29,623	($38,838)	($8,973)	($18,298)	$1,671
Ending balance, shares at Mar. 31, 2015			22,196	27
[1]	*Includes restricted shares issued, employee stock purchase plan issuances, shares issued through 401(k) matching contributions, stock options exercised and other activity.

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme5

Condensed Consolidated Statement of Changes in Stockholders' Equity (Parenthetical) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Amortization of unrealized loss from defined benefit plans taxes	$75	$172

Organization

Organization	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Organization	Organization
	NTELOS Holdings Corp. (hereafter referred to as “Holdings Corp.” or the “Company”), through NTELOS Inc., its wholly-owned subsidiary (“NTELOS Inc.”) and its subsidiaries, is a regional provider of digital wireless communications services to consumers and businesses primarily in Virginia, West Virginia and certain portions of surrounding states. The Company’s primary services are wireless voice and data digital personal communications services (“PCS”) provided through NTELOS-branded retail operations and on a wholesale basis to other PCS providers, most notably through an arrangement with Sprint Spectrum L.P. (“Sprint Spectrum”), and Sprint Spectrum on behalf of and as an agent for SprintCom, Inc. (“SprintCom”) (Sprint Spectrum and SprintCom collectively, “Sprint”), which arrangement is referred to herein as the “Strategic Network Alliance” or "SNA." See Note 13 for additional information regarding this arrangement. The Company does not have any independent operations.
	On December 1, 2014, we entered into an agreement to sell our wireless spectrum licenses in our eastern Virginia and Outer Banks of North Carolina markets (“Eastern Markets”) valued at approximately $56.0 million. The transaction closed on April 15, 2015. We plan to operate in our Eastern Markets until the later of November 15, 2015 or 90 days after the transfer of the spectrum. In conjunction with the agreement to sell, the Company has taken an impairment charge for wireless spectrum and fixed assets, and has incurred restructuring charges.

Supplemental_Financial_Informa

Supplemental Financial Information	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Supplemental Financial Information [Abstract]
Supplemental Financial Information	Basis of Presentation and Other Information
	Basis of Presentation
	The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) for interim financial information and Rule 10-01 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by GAAP for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of only normal recurring adjustments) considered necessary to present fairly the financial position have been included.
	The results of operations for the periods presented are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2015. The accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2014 has been derived from the audited financial statements included in Part II, Item 8 of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014 (the “2014 Form 10-K”). These financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Company’s 2014 Form 10-K.
	Reclassifications
	Certain amounts in prior periods have been reclassified to conform to the current period presentation. Effective September 30, 2014, the Company changed the classification of certain costs related to equipment incentives to retain existing customers from customer operations to cost of sales and services to better align our presentation with other wireless carriers. The reclassification resulted in an increase of $9.0 million in cost of sales and services and a corresponding decrease in customer operations expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2014. Additionally, certain information technology (“IT”) costs attributable to supporting billing and internal network and communication services were changed from cost of sales and services to customer operations and corporate operations also to align our presentation with other wireless carriers. The reclassification resulted in a decrease of $3.3 million in cost of sales and services for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and an increase in customer operations expenses of $0.7 million and an increase in corporate operations expenses of $2.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2014. Net income has not been affected by these reclassifications.
	Revenue Recognition
	The Company recognizes revenue when services are rendered or when products are delivered and functional, as applicable. Certain services of the Company require payment in advance of service performance. In such cases, the Company records a service liability at the time of billing and subsequently recognizes revenue ratably over the service period. The Company bills customers certain transactional taxes on service revenues. These transactional taxes are not included in reported revenues as they are recognized as liabilities at the time customers are billed.
	The Company earns retail and wholesale revenues by providing access to and usage of its networks. Retail and certain wholesale revenues are recognized as services are provided. In long term contracts certain fixed elements are required to be recognized on a straight-line basis over the term of the agreement. Revenues for equipment sales are recognized at the point of sale. Wireless handsets and other devices sold with service contracts are generally sold at prices below cost, based on the terms of the service contracts. The Company recognizes the entire cost of the handsets at the time of sale.
	On August 15, 2014, the Company launched its Equipment Installment Plan (“EIP”), which offers customers the option to pay for their devices over 24 months with no service contract. Additionally, after a specified period of time, customers have the right to trade in the original device for a new device and have the remaining unpaid balance satisfied. For customers that elect the EIP option, the Company recognizes revenue at the point of sale for the full retail price of the device, net of the estimated fair value of imputed interest and the estimated loss on trade-in.
	The Company evaluates related transactions to determine whether they should be viewed as multiple deliverable arrangements, which impact revenue recognition. Multiple deliverable arrangements are presumed to be bundled transactions and the total consideration is measured and allocated to the separate units based on their relative selling price with certain limitations. The Company has determined that sales of handsets with service contracts related to these sales generated from Company-operated retail stores are multiple deliverable arrangements. Accordingly, substantially all of the nonrefundable activation fee revenues (as well as the associated direct costs) are allocated to the wireless handset and are recognized at the time of the sale, based on the fact that the handsets are generally sold well below cost and thus appropriately allocated to the point of sale based on the relative selling price evaluation. However, revenue and certain associated direct costs for activations sold at third-party retail locations are deferred and amortized over the estimated life of the customer relationship as the Company is not a principal in the transaction to sell the handset and therefore any activation fees charged are fully attributable to the service revenues.
	The Company recognizes revenue in the period that persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, delivery of the product has occurred or services have been rendered, it is able to determine the amount and when the collection of such amount is considered probable.
	Cash
	The Company’s cash was held in market rate savings accounts and non-interest bearing deposit accounts. The total held in market rate savings accounts at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 was $54.5 million and $28.5 million, respectively. The remaining $48.9 million and $45.0 million of cash at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively, was held in non-interest bearing deposit accounts.
	Restricted Cash
	The Company is eligible to receive up to $5.0 million in connection with its winning bid in the Connect America Fund's Mobility Fund Phase I Auction ("Auction 901"). Pursuant to the terms of Auction 901, the Company was required to obtain a Letter of Credit (“LOC”) for the benefit of the Universal Service Administrative Company (“USAC”) to cover each disbursement plus the amount of the performance default penalty (10% of the total eligible award). USAC may draw upon the LOC in the event the Company fails to demonstrate the required coverage by the applicable deadline in 2016. The Company obtained the LOC in the amount of $2.2 million, representing the first disbursement of $1.7 million received in September 2013, plus the performance default penalty of $0.5 million. In accordance with the terms of the LOC, the Company deposited $2.2 million into a separate account at the issuing bank to serve as cash collateral. Such funds will be released when the LOC is terminated without being drawn upon by USAC.
	Allowance for Doubtful Accounts
	The Company includes bad debt expense in customer operations expense in the unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations. Bad debt expense for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 was $5.5 million and $4.0 million, respectively. The Company’s allowance for doubtful accounts was $11.6 million and $8.7 million at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively. At March 31, 2015, the allowance for doubtful accounts included $5.0 million related to unbilled equipment receivables.
	Pension Benefits and Retirement Benefits Other Than Pensions
	The total expense recognized for the Company’s defined benefit and nonqualified pension plans was $0.1 million for both the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, a portion of which related to the amortization of unrealized loss.
	The total amount reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income related to actuarial (gains)/losses from the defined benefit plans was $0.1 million and $(0.3) million for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively, all of which has been reclassified to cost of sales and services, customer operations, and corporate operations on the unaudited condensed consolidated statement of income for the respective periods.
	Defined benefit pension plan assets were valued at $23.7 million at March 31, 2015.
	The Company also sponsors a contributory defined contribution plan under Internal Revenue Code (“IRC”) Section 401(k) for substantially all employees. The Company’s current policy is to make matching contributions in shares of the Company’s common stock.
	Equity-Based Compensation
	The Company accounts for equity-based compensation plans under FASB Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 718, Stock Compensation. Equity-based compensation expense from stock-based awards is recorded with an offsetting increase to additional paid in capital on the unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheet. The Company recognizes compensation cost on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period for the entire award and credits compensation for any forfeitures in the reporting period in which the forfeiture occurs.
	Total equity-based compensation expense related to all of the Company’s stock-based equity awards for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 and the Company’s 401(k) matching contributions was allocated as follows:
		Three Months Ended March 31,
	(In thousands)	2015		2014
	Cost of sales and services	$	161	$	151
	Customer operations	178		250
	Corporate operations	520		910
	Equity-based compensation expense	$	859	$	1,311
	Future charges for equity-based compensation related to securities outstanding at March 31, 2015 for the remainder of 2015 and for the years 2016 through 2019 are estimated to be $2.2 million, $1.6 million, $1.0 million, $0.9 million and less than $0.1 million, respectively.
	Recent Accounting Pronouncements
	In April 2014, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2014-08, Reporting of Discontinued Operations and Disclosures of Disposals of Components of an Entity, which changes the criteria for determining which disposals can be presented as discontinued operations and modifies related disclosure requirements. The updated guidance defines discontinued operations as a disposal of a component or group of components that is disposed of or is classified as held for sale and represents a strategic shift that has, or will have, a major effect on an entity’s operations and financial results. Additionally, the disclosure requirements for discontinued operations were expanded and new disclosures for individually significant dispositions that do not qualify as discontinued operations are required. The guidance is effective prospectively for fiscal years and interim reporting periods within those years beginning after December 15, 2014, with early adoption permitted for transactions that have not been reported in financial statements previously issued or available for issuance. The standard is effective for the Company's fiscal year beginning January 1, 2015 and will be applied to relevant transactions.
	In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606). This ASU provides a framework that replaces the existing revenue recognition guidance and is intended to improve the financial reporting requirements. The guidance is effective for public business entities for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016, and interim periods within those years, with early adoption being prohibited. The impact of application of this ASU on the Company's financial statements has not been determined.
	In April 2015, FASB issued ASU 2015-03, Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs, which changes the presentation of debt issuance costs in the financial statements. ASU 2015-03 requires an entity to present such costs in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the related debt liability rather than as an asset. Amortization of the costs will continue to be reported as interest expense. The guidance is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016, with early adoption permitted. The guidance will be applied retrospectively to each period presented. The Company is currently in the process of evaluating the impact of adoption of the ASU on its financial statements.

Supplemental_Cash_Flow_Informa

Supplemental Cash Flow Information	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Supplemental Cash Flow Elements [Abstract]
Supplemental Cash Flow Information	Supplemental Cash Flow Information
	The following information is presented as supplementary disclosures for the unaudited condensed consolidated statements of cash flows for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014:
		Three Months Ended March 31,
	(In thousands)	2015		2014
	Cash payments for:
	Interest (net of amounts capitalized)	$	7,494	$	6,771
	Income taxes	—		11
	Cash received from income tax refunds	3,883		—
	Supplemental investing and financing activities:
	Additions to property, plant and equipment included in accounts payable	7,979		16,244
	Borrowings under capital leases	35		—
	Dividends declared not paid	—		9,142
	The amount of interest capitalized was immaterial for each of the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014.

EIP_Receivable_Notes

EIP Receivable (Notes)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Financing Receivables [Text Block]	Equipment Installment Plan Receivables
	Certain subscribers have the option to pay for their devices in installments over a 24-month period. The carrying value of installment receivables approximates sales price, net of the deferred interest and estimated losses at time of trade-in. At the time of sale, we impute the interest on the installment receivable and calculate the allowance for trade-in losses, then record them as a reduction to equipment revenue and as a reduction to the face amount of the related receivable. Interest income is recognized over the term of the installment contract as operating revenue. Short-term installment receivables are recorded in "Accounts receivable, net" and long-term installment receivables are recorded in "Deferred charges and other assets" in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.
	The following table summarizes the EIP receivables at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014:
	(In thousands)	March 31, 2015			December 31, 2014
	EIP receivables, gross	$	27,487		$	16,109
	Deferred interest	(1,370		)	(807		)
	EIP receivables, net of deferred interest	26,117			15,302
	Allowance for credit and trade-in losses	(4,969		)	(2,450		)
	EIP receivables, net	$	21,148		$	12,852
	Classified on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet as:
	Accounts receivable, net	$	12,500		$	5,551
	Deferred charges and other assets	10,018			8,108
	Advance billings and customer deposits	(788		)	(807		)
	Other Long-Term Liabilities	(582		)	—
	EIP receivables, net	$	21,148		$	12,852

Property_Plan_And_Equipment

Property, Plan And Equipment	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]
Property, Plant and Equipment	Property, Plant and Equipment
	The components of property, plant and equipment, and the related accumulated depreciation, were as follows:
	(In thousands)	Estimated Useful	31-Mar-15		31-Dec-14
		Life
	Land and buildings *	39 to 50 years	$	30,788	$	30,772
	Network plant and equipment	5 to 17 years	452,441		445,940
	Furniture, fixtures and other equipment	2 to 18 years	93,746		91,512
			576,975		568,224
	Under construction		31,856		18,213
			608,831		586,437
	Less: accumulated depreciation		309,375		296,490
	Property, plant and equipment, net		$	299,456	$	289,947
	* Leasehold improvements, which are categorized in land and buildings, are depreciated over the shorter of the estimated useful lives or the remaining lease terms.
	Depreciation expense for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 was $13.8 million and $18.3 million, respectively.

Intangible_Assets

Intangible Assets	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Intangible Assets	Intangible Assets
	Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets
	Goodwill and radio spectrum licenses are considered indefinite-lived intangible assets. Indefinite-lived intangible assets are not subject to amortization but instead are tested for impairment annually, on October 1, or more frequently if an event indicates that the asset might be impaired. The Company believes that no impairment indicators existed as of March 31, 2015 that would require it to perform impairment testing.
	In conjunction with the agreement to sell the Company's wireless spectrum licenses in the Eastern Markets, the Company calculated the fair value to be $57.9 million, which includes the sales price plus the implied value of the non-cash spectrum leaseback. Accordingly, an impairment charge of $29.0 million was recorded during the fourth quarter of 2014. In addition, the Company transferred these intangible assets to assets held for sale in the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet.
	At March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, goodwill and radio spectrum licenses were comprised of the following:
			March 31, 2015							December 31, 2014
	(In thousands)		Goodwill			Radio Spectrum Licenses				Goodwill			Radio Spectrum Licenses
	Balance at beginning of the period		$	63,700		$	44,933			$	63,700		$	131,834
	Impairment loss in the period		—			—				—			(28,990		)
	Transferred to assets held for sale		—			—				—			(57,911		)
	Total		$	63,700		$	44,933			$	63,700		$	44,933
	Intangible Assets Subject to Amortization
	Customer relationships and trademarks are considered amortizable intangible assets. At March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, customer relationships and trademarks were comprised of the following:
				March 31, 2015										31-Dec-14
	(In thousands)	Estimated		Gross Amount			Accumulated				Net			Gross Amount		Accumulated			Net
		Useful Life					Amortization									Amortization
	Customer relationships	17.5 years		$	36,900		$	(34,387	)		$	2,513		$	36,900	$	(34,305	)	$	2,595
	Trademarks	15 years		7,000			(4,628		)		2,372			7,000		(4,511		)	2,489
	Total			$	43,900		$	(39,015	)		$	4,885		$	43,900	$	(38,816	)	$	5,084
	The Company amortizes its amortizable intangible assets using the straight-line method. Amortization expense for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 was $0.2 million and $0.8 million, respectively.

LongTerm_Debt

Long-Term Debt	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Long-Term Debt	Long-Term Debt
	At March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, the Company’s outstanding long-term debt consisted of the following:
	(In thousands)	31-Mar-15		31-Dec-14
	Senior secured term loans, net of unamortized debt discount	$	523,330	$	524,504
	Capital lease obligations	834		904
		524,164		525,408
	Less: current portion of long-term debt	5,772		5,816
	Long-term debt	$	518,392	$	519,592
	Long-Term Debt, Excluding Capital Lease Obligations
	On November 9, 2012, NTELOS Inc. entered into an Amended and Restated Credit Agreement (the “Amended and Restated Credit Agreement”), which amended and restated, in its entirety, that certain Credit Agreement dated August 7, 2009 (the “Original Credit Agreement”). The Amended and Restated Credit Agreement provided for (1) a term loan A in the aggregate amount of $150.0 million (the “Term Loan A”); and (2) a term loan B in the aggregate amount of $350.0 million (the “Term Loan B” and, together with the Term Loan A, the “Term Loans”).
	On January 31, 2014, the Company completed the refinancing of Term Loan A, which converted the outstanding principal balance of $148.1 million of Term Loan A into Term Loan B, and borrowed an additional $40.0 million under Term Loan B. The additional Term Loan B borrowings bear the same interest rate, maturity and other terms as the Company’s existing Term Loan B borrowings. In connection with the refinancing, the Company incurred approximately $3.8 million in creditor and third party fees, of which $3.7 million was deferred and is being amortized to interest expense over the life of the debt using the effective interest method. The Company also deferred $0.5 million in debt discounts related to the new Term Loan B borrowings, which are being accreted to the Term Loan B using the effective interest method over the life of the debt and are reflected in interest expense. Additionally, the Company wrote off a proportionate amount of the unamortized deferred fees and debt discount from the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement totaling $0.5 million and $0.2 million, respectively, which are reflected in other expenses in the condensed consolidated statements of income.
	The aggregate maturities of long-term debt outstanding at March 31, 2015, excluding capital lease obligations, based on the contractual terms of the instruments were as follows:
	(In thousands)	Term Loan
	Remainder of 2015	$	4,054
	2016	5,405
	2017	5,405
	2018	5,405
	2019	506,725
	Total	$	526,994
	The Company’s blended average effective interest rate on its long-term debt was approximately 6.3% for both the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.
	The Amended and Restated Credit Agreement has a Restricted Payments basket, which can be used to make Restricted Payments (as defined in the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement), including the ability to pay dividends, repurchase stock or advance funds to the Company. NTELOS Inc. may not make Restricted Payments if its Leverage Ratio (calculated on a pro forma basis) is greater than 4.25:1.00. This Restricted Payments basket increases by $6.5 million per quarter and decreases by any actual Restricted Payments and by certain investments and any mandatory prepayments on the Term Loans, to the extent the lenders decline to receive such prepayment. In addition, on a quarterly basis the Restricted Payments basket increases by the positive amount, if any, of the Excess Cash Flow (as defined in the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement). For the three months ended March 31, 2015 there was no Excess Cash Flow. The balance of the Restricted Payments basket as of March 31, 2015 was $66.6 million and the Leverage Ratio for the Company was 4.32:1.00.
	Capital Lease Obligations
	In addition to the long-term debt discussed above, the Company has entered into capital leases on vehicles with original lease terms of four to five years. At March 31, 2015, the carrying value and accumulated depreciation of these assets was $2.5 million and $1.1 million, respectively. The total net present value of the Company’s future minimum lease payments is $0.8 million. At March 31, 2015, the principal portion of these capital lease obligations was payable as follows: $0.3 million for the remainder of 2015, $0.3 million in 2016, $0.1 million in 2017, $0.1 million in 2018 and less than $0.1 million in 2019 and 2020.

Restructuring_Charges_Notes

Restructuring Charges (Notes)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Restructuring and Related Activities [Abstract]
Restructuring and Related Activities Disclosure [Text Block]	Restructuring Charges
	In December 2014, the Company announced its intention to sell its wireless spectrum and wind down its operations in the Eastern Markets, and to reduce related corporate operating expenses during fiscal year 2015. In conjunction, restructuring liabilities have been established for employee separations, lease abandonments, operating lease terminations, and other related costs, which are recorded in current liabilities in the Consolidated Balance Sheet. A summary of the restructuring liabilities is presented below:
	(In thousands)	Employee Separation			Contract Terminations			Other			Total
	Expected period of Recognition	2014-2015			2014-2015			2014-2015
	Projected Range at Completion	$2,000 - $4,000			$40,000 - $45,000			$8,000 - $11,000			$50,000 - $60,000
	Cumulative charges incurred as of March 31, 2015	$	3,234		$	1,312		$	1,125		$	5,671
	Balance as of December 31, 2014	$	1,496		$	879		$	1,025		$	3,400
	Charges	1,654			322			32			2,008
	Utilization	(1,480		)	(634		)	(83		)	(2,197		)
	Balance as of March 31, 2015	$	1,670		$	567		$	974		$	3,211
	Employee separation costs for certain Eastern Market and corporate employees of $1.7 million consist of severance to be paid in accordance with the Company’s written severance plan and certain management contracts. Severance payments are expected to be paid through 2015. Contract termination costs of $0.6 million include lease abandonment costs for retail stores in our Eastern Markets and other termination costs for contractual network services obligations. Lease abandonment costs represent future minimum lease obligations, net of estimated sublease income. Contract termination costs are expected to be paid through 2019 absent any settlements with vendors. Other costs of $1.0 million include legal and advisory fees expected to be paid during 2015.
	Restructuring Charges
	In December 2014, the Company announced its intention to sell its wireless spectrum and wind down its operations in the Eastern Markets, and to reduce related corporate operating expenses during fiscal year 2015. In conjunction, restructuring liabilities have been established for employee separations, lease abandonments, operating lease terminations, and other related costs, which are recorded in current liabilities in the Consolidated Balance Sheet. A summary of the restructuring liabilities is presented below:
	(In thousands)	Employee Separation			Contract Terminations			Other			Total
	Expected period of Recognition	2014-2015			2014-2015			2014-2015
	Projected Range at Completion	$2,000 - $4,000			$40,000 - $45,000			$8,000 - $11,000			$50,000 - $60,000
	Cumulative charges incurred as of March 31, 2015	$	3,234		$	1,312		$	1,125		$	5,671
	Balance as of December 31, 2014	$	1,496		$	879		$	1,025		$	3,400
	Charges	1,654			322			32			2,008
	Utilization	(1,480		)	(634		)	(83		)	(2,197		)
	Balance as of March 31, 2015	$	1,670		$	567		$	974		$	3,211
	Employee separation costs for certain Eastern Market and corporate employees of $1.7 million consist of severance to be paid in accordance with the Company’s written severance plan and certain management contracts. Severance payments are expected to be paid through 2015. Contract termination costs of $0.6 million include lease abandonment costs for retail stores in our Eastern Markets and other termination costs for contractual network services obligations. Lease abandonment costs represent future minimum lease obligations, net of estimated sublease income. Contract termination costs are expected to be paid through 2019 absent any settlements with vendors. Other costs of $1.0 million include legal and advisory fees expected to be paid during 2015.

Financial_Instruments

Financial Instruments	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Financial Instruments	Financial Instruments
	The Company is exposed to market risks with respect to certain of the financial instruments that it holds. Cash, accounts receivable, accounts payable and accrued liabilities are reflected in the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements at cost, which approximates fair value because of the short-term nature of these instruments. The fair values of other financial instruments are determined using observable market prices or using a valuation model, which is based on a conventional discounted cash flow methodology and utilizes assumptions of current market conditions. The following is a summary by balance sheet category:
	Long-Term Investments
	At March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, the Company had an investment in CoBank, ACB (“CoBank”) of $1.5 million. This investment is primarily related to a required investment under the Original Credit Agreement and declared and unpaid patronage distributions of restricted equity related to the portion of the term loans previously held by CoBank. This investment is carried under the cost method as it is not practicable to estimate fair value. This investment is subject to redemption in accordance with CoBank’s capital recovery plans.
	Interest Rate Derivatives
	In February 2013, the Company purchased an interest rate cap for $0.9 million with a notional amount of $350.0 million, which caps the three month Eurodollar rate at 1.0% and expires in August 2015. The Company did not designate the interest rate cap agreement as a cash flow hedge for accounting purposes. Therefore, the change in market value of the agreement is recorded as a gain or loss in other expense. The Company recorded an immaterial loss for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and a loss of $0.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2014.
	The following table indicates the difference between face amount, carrying amount and fair value of the Company’s financial instruments at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014.
		Face			Carrying		Fair
	(In thousands)	Amount			Amount		Value
	31-Mar-15
	Nonderivatives:
	Financial assets:
	Cash	$	103,418		$	103,418	$	103,418
	Restricted cash	2,167			2,167		2,167
	Accounts receivable, net	50,247			50,247		50,247
	Long-term investments for which it is not practicable to estimate fair value	N/A			1,522		N/A
	Financial liabilities:
	Term Loans	526,994			523,330		450,580
	Capital lease obligations	834			834		834
	Derivative related to debt:
	Interest rate cap asset	350,000		*	—		—
	31-Dec-14
	Nonderivatives:
	Financial assets:
	Cash	$	73,546		$	73,546	$	73,546
	Restricted cash	2,167			2,167		2,167
	Accounts receivable, net	43,668			43,668		43,668
	Long-term investments for which it is not practicable to estimate fair value	N/A			1,522		N/A
	Financial liabilities:
	Term Loans	528,345			525,504		459,660
	Capital lease obligations	904			904		904
	Derivative related to debt:
	Interest rate cap asset	350,000		*	—		—
	* Notional amount
	The fair value of the Term Loans under the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement were derived based on bid prices at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively. The fair value of the derivative instrument was based on a quoted market price at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively. These instruments are classified within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy described in FASB ASC 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures.

Equity_and_Earnings_Per_Share

Equity and Earnings Per Share	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Stockholders' Equity Note [Abstract]
Equity and Earnings Per Share	Equity and Earnings Per Share
	The computations of basic and diluted earnings per share for the three and three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 were as follows:
		Three Months Ended March 31,
	(In thousands)	2015			2014
	Numerator:
	Net income	$	14,796		$	1,286
	Net income applicable to participating securities	459			—
	Net income applicable to common shares	$	14,337		$	1,286
	Denominator:
	Total shares outstanding	22,196			21,657
	Less: unvested shares	(965		)	(570		)
	Less: effect of calculating weighted average shares	(38		)	(7		)
	Denominator for basic earnings per common share - weighted average shares outstanding	21,193			21,080
	Plus: weighted average unvested shares	781			628
	Plus: common stock equivalents of stock options	187			315
	Denominator for diluted earnings per common share - weighted average shares outstanding	22,161			22,023
	In accordance with FASB ASC 260, Earnings Per Share, unvested share-based payment awards that contain rights to receive non-forfeitable dividends or dividend equivalents, whether paid or unpaid, are considered a “participating security” for purposes of computing earnings or loss per common share pursuant to the two-class method. The Company's unvested restricted stock awards have rights to receive non-forfeitable dividends. For the three months ended March 31, 2014, the Company has calculated basic earnings per share using weighted average shares outstanding and the two-class method and determined there was no significant difference in the per share amounts calculated under the two methods.
	For the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, the denominator for diluted earnings per common share excludes approximately 1.6 million and 1.8 million shares, respectively which were related to stock options that were antidilutive for the respective periods presented. In addition, the performance-based portion of the performance stock units ("PSUs") is excluded from diluted earnings per share until the performance criteria are satisfied.

Stock_Plans

Stock Plans	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]
Stock Plans	Stock Plans
	The Company has employee equity incentive plans (referred to as the “Employee Equity Incentive Plans”) administered by the Compensation Committee of the Company’s board of directors (the “Committee”), which permits the grant of long-term incentives to employees, including stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock awards, restricted stock units, incentive awards, other stock-based awards and dividend equivalents. The Company also has a non-employee director equity plan (the “Non-Employee Director Equity Plan”). The Non-Employee Director Equity Plan together with the Employee Equity Incentive Plans are referred to as the “Equity Incentive Plans.” Awards under these plans are issuable to employees or non-employee directors as applicable.
	During the three months ended March 31, 2015, the Company issued 261,503 stock options under the Employee Equity Incentive Plans. The options issued under the Employee Equity Incentive Plans vest one-fourth annually beginning one year after the grant date.
	During the three months ended March 31, 2015, the Company issued 415,401 shares of restricted stock under the Employee Equity Incentive Plans and 87,525 shares of restricted stock under the Non-Employee Director Equity Plan. The restricted shares granted under the Employee Equity Incentive Plans cliff vest on the third anniversary of the grant date. The restricted shares granted under the Non-Employee Director Equity Plan cliff vest on the first anniversary of the grant date. Dividend and voting rights applicable to restricted stock are equivalent to the Company’s common stock.
	During the three months ended March 31, 2015, the Company granted 28,031 PSUs under the Employee Equity Incentive Plans to certain key employees. These PSUs vest on December 31, 2016 and are subject to certain performance and market conditions. Each PSU represents the contingent right to receive one share (or more based on maximum achievement) of the Company’s common stock if vesting is satisfied. The PSUs have no voting rights. Dividends, if any, that would have been paid on the underlying shares will be paid as dividend equivalent units on PSUs that vest, on or after the vesting date. At March 31, 2015, the Company had accrued approximately $0.2 million in dividend equivalent units.
	The summary of the activity and status of the Company’s stock option awards for the three months ended March 31, 2015 is as follows:
	(In thousands, except per share amounts)	Options		Weighted		Weighted	Aggregate
				Average		Average	Intrinsic
				Exercise		Remaining	Value
				Price per		Contractual
				Share		Term
	Stock options outstanding at January 1, 2015	1,583		$	19.09
	Granted during the period	261		6
	Exercised during the period	(1	)	0.58
	Forfeited during the period	(245	)	20.76
	Stock options outstanding at March 31, 2015	1,598		$	16.71	7.1 years	$	—
	Exercisable at March 31, 2015	937		$	20.23	6.0 years	$	—
	Total expected to vest after March 31, 2015	595		$	13.01
	The fair value of each common stock option award granted during the three months ended March 31, 2015 was estimated on the respective grant date using a generally accepted valuation model with assumptions related to risk-free interest rate, expected volatility, expected dividend yield and expected terms. The weighted average grant date fair value per share of stock options granted during the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 was $1.72 and $1.02, respectively. The total intrinsic value of options exercised during the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 was less than $0.1 million. The total fair value of options that vested during the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 was $0.5 million and $1.1 million, respectively. As of March 31, 2015, there was $0.9 million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested stock options, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 2.7 years.
	The summary of the activity and status of the Company’s restricted stock awards for the three months ended March 31, 2015 is as follows:
	(In thousands, except per share amounts)	Shares		Weighted Average  Grant
				Date Fair Value per
				Share
	Restricted stock awards outstanding at January 1, 2015	245		$	14.93
	Granted during the period	503		5.37
	Vested during the period	(75	)	19.01
	Forfeited during the period	(5	)	18.03
	Restricted stock awards outstanding at March 31, 2015	668		$	7.25
	At March 31, 2015, there was $3.5 million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested restricted stock awards, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 2.3 years. The fair value of the restricted stock award is equal to the market value of common stock on the date of grant.
	The summary of the activity and status of the Company’s performance stock unit awards for the three months ended March 31, 2015 is as follows:
	(In thousands, except per share amounts)	Units		Weighted Average  Grant
				Date Fair Value per
				PSU
	Performance stock units outstanding at January 1, 2015	99		$	11.24
	Granted during the period	28		7.33
	Vested during the period	—		—
	Forfeited during the period	(11	)	11.22
	Performance stock units outstanding at March 31, 2015	116		$	10.29
	At March 31, 2015, there was $0.6 million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested PSUs, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 1.8 years. The fair value of the PSU is estimated at the grant date using a Monte Carlo simulation model.
	In addition to the Equity Incentive Plans discussed above, the Company has an employee stock purchase plan, which commenced in July 2006 with 100,000 shares available. Shares are priced at 85% of the closing price on the last trading day of the month and generally settle on the second business day of the following month. During the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, 3,785 shares and 2,108 shares, respectively, were issued under the employee stock purchase plan. Compensation expense associated with the employee stock purchase plan for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 was immaterial.

Income_Taxes

Income Taxes	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Income Taxes	Income Taxes
	Income tax expense for the three months ended March 31, 2015 was $10.0 million, representing the statutory tax rate applied to pre-tax income and the effects of certain non-deductible compensation, non-controlling interest, and state minimum taxes. The Company expects its recurring non-deductible expenses to relate primarily to certain non-cash equity-based compensation and other non-deductible compensation. The Company has provided for income taxes using a year to date calculation as it is unable to reliably estimate the annual effective income tax rate.

Strategic_Network_Alliance

Strategic Network Alliance	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Stategic Network Alliance [Abstract]
Strategic Network Alliance	Strategic Network Alliance
	The Company provides PCS services and has contracted to provide LTE Services on a wholesale basis to other wireless communication providers, most notably through the Strategic Network Alliance ("SNA") with Sprint in which the Company is the exclusive PCS/LTE service provider in the Company’s western Virginia and West Virginia service area (“SNA service area”) for all Sprint Code Division Multiple Access (“CDMA”) and LTE wireless customers. In May 2014 the parties entered into an amended agreement to extend the SNA. Pursuant to the terms of the SNA, the Company is required to upgrade its network in the SNA service area to provide LTE Services. As part of the amendment, the Company leases spectrum, on a non-cash basis, from Sprint in order to enhance the PCS/LTE services. The non-cash consideration attributable to the leased spectrum is approximately $4.9 million per year. The lease expense is recognized over the term of the lease and recorded within cost of sales and services, with the offsetting consideration recorded within wholesale and other revenue. Additionally, the amended SNA provides the Company access to Sprint’s nationwide 3G and 4G LTE network at rates that are reciprocal to rates paid by Sprint under the amended SNA. The amended SNA provides that a portion of the amount paid by Sprint thereunder is fixed. The fixed fee element of the amended SNA is subject to contractual reductions on August 1, 2015 and annually thereafter starting on January 1, 2016 that will result in a decrease of payments for the fixed fee element. The Company accounts for this fixed fee portion of the revenue earned from the SNA revenue on a straight line basis over the term of the agreement. In addition, these reductions are subject to further upward or downward resets in the fixed fee element. These resets, if any, will be recognized in the period in which it occurs.
	The Company generated 28.9% and 32.2% of its revenue from the SNA for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

Tower_Sale_and_Leaseback_Notes

Tower Sale and Leaseback (Notes)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Leases [Abstract]
Tower Sale and Leaseback	Tower Sale and Leaseback
	During the three months ended March 31, 2015, the Company completed its sale leaseback transaction for 91 of 103 towers committed to be sold. The Company intends to sell and leaseback the remaining towers during 2015. For the towers sold during the three months ended March 31, 2015, the Company received net proceeds of $38.8 million. The Company applied the guidance under FASB ASC 840, Leases, to the sale and leaseback and recorded a gain on the sale of assets of $15.9 million and deferred gain of $17.6 million. The current gain is included in the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Income as "Gain on sale of assets." The leasebacks are generally for a term of 10 years with options to renew and are accounted for as operating leases. The deferred gain is amortized on a straight-line basis over the remaining life of the lease of approximately 10 years as of March 31, 2015 and will be included as a reduction in the "Cost of sales and services" in the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Income. At March 31, 2015, the Company recorded on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet $2.2 million of deferred gain under "Accrued expenses and other current liabilities" and $15.4 million in "Other Long-Term Liabilities."

Commitments_And_Contingencies

Commitments And Contingencies	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Commitments And Contingencies	Commitments and Contingencies
	On occasion, the Company makes claims or receives disputes related to its billings to other carriers, including billings under the SNA agreement, for access to the Company’s network. These disputes may involve amounts which, if resolved unfavorably to the Company, could have a material effect on the Company’s financial statements. The Company does not recognize revenue related to such matters until the period that it is reasonably assured of the collection of these claims. In the event that a claim is made related to revenues previously recognized, the Company assesses the validity of the claim and adjusts the amount of revenue recognized to the extent that the claim adjustment is considered probable and reasonably estimable.
	In accordance with the tower sale and leaseback transaction discussed in Note 14, the Company entered into operating leases, generally for a term of 10 years, with future minimum lease payments totaling approximately $21.0 million.
	The Company is involved in disputes, claims, either asserted or unasserted, and legal and tax proceedings and filings arising from normal business activities. While the outcome of such matters is currently not determinable, and it is reasonably possible that the cost to resolve such matters could be material, management believes that adequate provision for any probable and reasonably estimable losses has been made in the Company’s unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

Supplemental_Financial_Informa1

Supplemental Financial Information (Policy)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Supplemental Financial Information [Abstract]
Reclassifications [Text Block]	Reclassifications
	Certain amounts in prior periods have been reclassified to conform to the current period presentation. Effective September 30, 2014, the Company changed the classification of certain costs related to equipment incentives to retain existing customers from customer operations to cost of sales and services to better align our presentation with other wireless carriers. The reclassification resulted in an increase of $9.0 million in cost of sales and services and a corresponding decrease in customer operations expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2014. Additionally, certain information technology (“IT”) costs attributable to supporting billing and internal network and communication services were changed from cost of sales and services to customer operations and corporate operations also to align our presentation with other wireless carriers. The reclassification resulted in a decrease of $3.3 million in cost of sales and services for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and an increase in customer operations expenses of $0.7 million and an increase in corporate operations expenses of $2.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2014. Net income has not been affected by these reclassifications.
Cash	Cash
	The Company’s cash was held in market rate savings accounts and non-interest bearing deposit accounts. The total held in market rate savings accounts at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 was $54.5 million and $28.5 million, respectively. The remaining $48.9 million and $45.0 million of cash at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively, was held in non-interest bearing deposit accounts.
Trade Accounts Receivable	Allowance for Doubtful Accounts
	The Company includes bad debt expense in customer operations expense in the unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations. Bad debt expense for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 was $5.5 million and $4.0 million, respectively. The Company’s allowance for doubtful accounts was $11.6 million and $8.7 million at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014
Pension Benefits And Retirement Benefits Other Than Pensions	Pension Benefits and Retirement Benefits Other Than Pensions
	The total expense recognized for the Company’s defined benefit and nonqualified pension plans was $0.1 million for both the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, a portion of which related to the amortization of unrealized loss.

Supplemental_Financial_Informa2

Supplemental Financial Information (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Supplemental Financial Information [Abstract]
Schedule Of Equity-Based Compensation Expense	Total equity-based compensation expense related to all of the Company’s stock-based equity awards for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 and the Company’s 401(k) matching contributions was allocated as follows:
		Three Months Ended March 31,
	(In thousands)	2015		2014
	Cost of sales and services	$	161	$	151
	Customer operations	178		250
	Corporate operations	520		910
	Equity-based compensation expense	$	859	$	1,311

Supplemental_Cash_Flow_Informa1

Supplemental Cash Flow Information - (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Supplemental Cash Flow Elements [Abstract]
Schedule Of Supplementary Cash Flow Information [Table Text Block]	The following information is presented as supplementary disclosures for the unaudited condensed consolidated statements of cash flows for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014:
		Three Months Ended March 31,
	(In thousands)	2015		2014
	Cash payments for:
	Interest (net of amounts capitalized)	$	7,494	$	6,771
	Income taxes	—		11
	Cash received from income tax refunds	3,883		—
	Supplemental investing and financing activities:
	Additions to property, plant and equipment included in accounts payable	7,979		16,244
	Borrowings under capital leases	35		—
	Dividends declared not paid	—		9,142

EIP_Receivable_Schedule_of_Fin

EIP Receivable Schedule of Financing Receivables (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Schedule of Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Table Text Block]	The following table summarizes the EIP receivables at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014:
	(In thousands)	March 31, 2015			December 31, 2014
	EIP receivables, gross	$	27,487		$	16,109
	Deferred interest	(1,370		)	(807		)
	EIP receivables, net of deferred interest	26,117			15,302
	Allowance for credit and trade-in losses	(4,969		)	(2,450		)
	EIP receivables, net	$	21,148		$	12,852
	Classified on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet as:
	Accounts receivable, net	$	12,500		$	5,551
	Deferred charges and other assets	10,018			8,108
	Advance billings and customer deposits	(788		)	(807		)
	Other Long-Term Liabilities	(582		)	—
	EIP receivables, net	$	21,148		$	12,852

Property_Plan_And_Equipment_Ta

Property, Plan And Equipment (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]
Schedule of Property, Plant and Equipment	The components of property, plant and equipment, and the related accumulated depreciation, were as follows:
	(In thousands)	Estimated Useful	31-Mar-15		31-Dec-14
		Life
	Land and buildings *	39 to 50 years	$	30,788	$	30,772
	Network plant and equipment	5 to 17 years	452,441		445,940
	Furniture, fixtures and other equipment	2 to 18 years	93,746		91,512
			576,975		568,224
	Under construction		31,856		18,213
			608,831		586,437
	Less: accumulated depreciation		309,375		296,490
	Property, plant and equipment, net		$	299,456	$	289,947

Intangible_Assets_Tables

Intangible Assets (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Acquired Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Schedule of Acquired Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets by Major Class [Table Text Block]	At March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, goodwill and radio spectrum licenses were comprised of the following:
			March 31, 2015							December 31, 2014
	(In thousands)		Goodwill			Radio Spectrum Licenses				Goodwill			Radio Spectrum Licenses
	Balance at beginning of the period		$	63,700		$	44,933			$	63,700		$	131,834
	Impairment loss in the period		—			—				—			(28,990		)
	Transferred to assets held for sale		—			—				—			(57,911		)
	Total		$	63,700		$	44,933			$	63,700		$	44,933
Schedule of Intangible Assets Subject to Amortization	Customer relationships and trademarks are considered amortizable intangible assets. At March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, customer relationships and trademarks were comprised of the following:
				March 31, 2015										31-Dec-14
	(In thousands)	Estimated		Gross Amount			Accumulated				Net			Gross Amount		Accumulated			Net
		Useful Life					Amortization									Amortization
	Customer relationships	17.5 years		$	36,900		$	(34,387	)		$	2,513		$	36,900	$	(34,305	)	$	2,595
	Trademarks	15 years		7,000			(4,628		)		2,372			7,000		(4,511		)	2,489
	Total			$	43,900		$	(39,015	)		$	4,885		$	43,900	$	(38,816	)	$	5,084

LongTerm_Debt_Tables

Long-Term Debt (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule Of Long-Term Debt	At March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, the Company’s outstanding long-term debt consisted of the following:
	(In thousands)	31-Mar-15		31-Dec-14
	Senior secured term loans, net of unamortized debt discount	$	523,330	$	524,504
	Capital lease obligations	834		904
		524,164		525,408
	Less: current portion of long-term debt	5,772		5,816
	Long-term debt	$	518,392	$	519,592
Schedule of Maturities of Long-Term Debt	The aggregate maturities of long-term debt outstanding at March 31, 2015, excluding capital lease obligations, based on the contractual terms of the instruments were as follows:
	(In thousands)	Term Loan
	Remainder of 2015	$	4,054
	2016	5,405
	2017	5,405
	2018	5,405
	2019	506,725
	Total	$	526,994

Restructuring_Charges_Restruct

Restructuring Charges Restructuring and Related Activities (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and Related Costs [Table Text Block]	Restructuring Charges
	In December 2014, the Company announced its intention to sell its wireless spectrum and wind down its operations in the Eastern Markets, and to reduce related corporate operating expenses during fiscal year 2015. In conjunction, restructuring liabilities have been established for employee separations, lease abandonments, operating lease terminations, and other related costs, which are recorded in current liabilities in the Consolidated Balance Sheet. A summary of the restructuring liabilities is presented below:
	(In thousands)	Employee Separation			Contract Terminations			Other			Total
	Expected period of Recognition	2014-2015			2014-2015			2014-2015
	Projected Range at Completion	$2,000 - $4,000			$40,000 - $45,000			$8,000 - $11,000			$50,000 - $60,000
	Cumulative charges incurred as of March 31, 2015	$	3,234		$	1,312		$	1,125		$	5,671
	Balance as of December 31, 2014	$	1,496		$	879		$	1,025		$	3,400
	Charges	1,654			322			32			2,008
	Utilization	(1,480		)	(634		)	(83		)	(2,197		)
	Balance as of March 31, 2015	$	1,670		$	567		$	974		$	3,211
	Employee separation costs for certain Eastern Market and corporate employees of $1.7 million consist of severance to be paid in accordance with the Company’s written severance plan and certain management contracts. Severance payments are expected to be paid through 2015. Contract termination costs of $0.6 million include lease abandonment costs for retail stores in our Eastern Markets and other termination costs for contractual network services obligations. Lease abandonment costs represent future minimum lease obligations, net of estimated sublease income. Contract termination costs are expected to be paid through 2019 absent any settlements with vendors. Other costs of $1.0 million include legal and advisory fees expected to be paid during 2015.

Financial_Instruments_Tables

Financial Instruments (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Schedule Of Difference Between Face Amount, Carrying Amount And Fair Value Of Financial Instruments	In February 2013, the Company purchased an interest rate cap for $0.9 million with a notional amount of $350.0 million, which caps the three month Eurodollar rate at 1.0% and expires in August 201

Equity_and_Earnings_Per_Share_

Equity and Earnings Per Share (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Stockholders' Equity Note [Abstract]
Schedule Of Computation Of Basic And Diluted Earnings Per Share	The computations of basic and diluted earnings per share for the three and three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 were as follows:
		Three Months Ended March 31,
	(In thousands)	2015			2014
	Numerator:
	Net income	$	14,796		$	1,286
	Net income applicable to participating securities	459			—
	Net income applicable to common shares	$	14,337		$	1,286
	Denominator:
	Total shares outstanding	22,196			21,657
	Less: unvested shares	(965		)	(570		)
	Less: effect of calculating weighted average shares	(38		)	(7		)
	Denominator for basic earnings per common share - weighted average shares outstanding	21,193			21,080
	Plus: weighted average unvested shares	781			628
	Plus: common stock equivalents of stock options	187			315
	Denominator for diluted earnings per common share - weighted average shares outstanding	22,161			22,023

Stock_Plans_Tables

Stock Plans (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]
Summary Of Stock Options Activity	The summary of the activity and status of the Company’s stock option awards for the three months ended March 31, 2015 is as follows:
	(In thousands, except per share amounts)	Options		Weighted		Weighted	Aggregate
				Average		Average	Intrinsic
				Exercise		Remaining	Value
				Price per		Contractual
				Share		Term
	Stock options outstanding at January 1, 2015	1,583		$	19.09
	Granted during the period	261		6
	Exercised during the period	(1	)	0.58
	Forfeited during the period	(245	)	20.76
	Stock options outstanding at March 31, 2015	1,598		$	16.71	7.1 years	$	—
	Exercisable at March 31, 2015	937		$	20.23	6.0 years	$	—
	Total expected to vest after March 31, 2015	595		$	13.01
Summary Of Restricted Stock Awards Activity	The summary of the activity and status of the Company’s restricted stock awards for the three months ended March 31, 2015 is as follows:
	(In thousands, except per share amounts)	Shares		Weighted Average  Grant
				Date Fair Value per
				Share
	Restricted stock awards outstanding at January 1, 2015	245		$	14.93
	Granted during the period	503		5.37
	Vested during the period	(75	)	19.01
	Forfeited during the period	(5	)	18.03
	Restricted stock awards outstanding at March 31, 2015	668		$	7.25
Summary of Performance Stock Units Activity	The summary of the activity and status of the Company’s performance stock unit awards for the three months ended March 31, 2015 is as follows:
	(In thousands, except per share amounts)	Units		Weighted Average  Grant
				Date Fair Value per
				PSU
	Performance stock units outstanding at January 1, 2015	99		$	11.24
	Granted during the period	28		7.33
	Vested during the period	—		—
	Forfeited during the period	(11	)	11.22
	Performance stock units outstanding at March 31, 2015	116		$	10.29

Supplemental_Financial_Informa3

Supplemental Financial Information (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		1 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014
Supplemental Financial Information [Line Items]
Cost of sales and services	$53,293,000	$51,758,000
Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Contributions	100,000
Market rate savings account	54,500,000			28,500,000
Non-interest bearing deposit accounts insured by FDIC	48,900,000			45,000,000
Bad debt expense	5,500,000	4,000,000
Allowance for doubtful accounts	11,600,000			8,700,000
Pension plan assets value	23,700,000
Future charges for equity-based compensation, remainder of 2014	2,200,000
Future charges for equity-based compensation, 2015	1,600,000
Future charges for equity-based compensation, 2016	1,000,000
Future charges for equity-based compensation, 2017	900,000
Future charges for equity-based compensation, 2018	100,000
Proceeds from Sale of Intangible Assets	38,796,000	0
Customer operations	-24,349,000	-27,623,000
Corporate operations	9,412,000	11,771,000
Connect America Fund's Mobility Fund Phase I Auction (Auction 90) [Member]
Supplemental Financial Information [Line Items]
Performance default penalty under Government funding auction, as a percentage of total funding				10.00%
Line of credit obtained pursuant to the terms of the Government funding auction, current borrowing capacity				2,200,000
First scheduled disbursement under Government funding auction			1,700,000
Performance default penalty under Government funding auction, amount				500,000
Cash collateral under the terms of the line of credit				2,200,000
Accumulated Defined Benefit Plans [Member]
Supplemental Financial Information [Line Items]
Total amount reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income related to actuarial losses	100,000	-300,000
Maximum [Member] | Connect America Fund's Mobility Fund Phase I Auction (Auction 90) [Member]
Supplemental Financial Information [Line Items]
Amount Company is eligible to receive under Government funding auction				5,000,000
Equipment Incentive [Member] | Scenario, Adjustment [Member]
Supplemental Financial Information [Line Items]
Cost of sales and services		9,000,000
Customer operations		9,000,000
IT Cost [Member] | Scenario, Adjustment [Member]
Supplemental Financial Information [Line Items]
Cost of sales and services		-3,300,000
Customer operations		-700,000
Corporate operations		$2,600,000

Supplemental_Financial_Informa4

Supplemental Financial Information (Schedule Of Accrued Expenses And Other Current Liabilities) (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Supplemental Financial Information [Abstract]
Total	$30,408	$27,153

Supplemental_Financial_Informa5

Supplemental Financial Information (Schedule Of Equity-Based Compensation Expense) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]
Equity-based compensation expense	$859	$1,311
Cost Of Sales and Services [Member]
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]
Equity-based compensation expense	161	151
Customer Operations [Member]
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]
Equity-based compensation expense	178	250
Corporate Operations [Member]
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]
Equity-based compensation expense	$520	$910

Supplemental_Cash_Flow_Informa2

Supplemental Cash Flow Information (Supplementary Disclosures Of Condensed Consolidated statements of Cash Flows) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Additional Cash Flow Elements [Abstract]
Interest (net of amounts capitalized)	$7,494	$6,771
Income taxes	0	11
Cash received from income tax refunds	3,883	0
Supplemental investing and financing activities:
Additions to property, plant and equipment included in accounts payable	7,979	16,244
Borrowings under capital leases	35	0
Dividends declared not paid	$0	$9,142

EIP_Receivable_Schedule_of_Fin1

EIP Receivable Schedule of Financing Receivable (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Accounts receivable, net	$50,247	$43,668
Deferred charges and other assets	19,835	18,474
Customer Advances and Deposits, Current	-13,191	-14,553
Other Liabilities, Noncurrent	-63,905	-45,016
Equipment Installment Plan Receivable [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Financing Receivable, Gross	27,487	16,109
Financing Receivable, net of deferred interest	26,117	15,302
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses	-4,969	-2,450
Financing Receivable, Net	21,148	12,852
Accounts receivable, net	12,500	5,551
Deferred charges and other assets	10,018	8,108
Customer Advances and Deposits, Current	-788	-807
Other Liabilities, Noncurrent	-582	0
Financing Receivable, Deferred Interest	($1,370)	($807)

Property_Plan_And_Equipment_Na

Property, Plan And Equipment (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]
Depreciation	$13.80	$18.30

Property_Plan_And_Equipment_De

Property, Plan And Equipment (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015		Dec. 31, 2014
Property, Plant and Equipment
Land and buildings	30,788		$30,772
Network plant and equipment	452,441		445,940
Furniture, fixtures and other equipment	93,746		91,512
Total in service	576,975		568,224
Under construction	31,856		18,213
Property, plant and equipment, gross	608,831		586,437
Less: accumulated depreciation	309,375		296,490
Property, plant and equipment, net	299,456		$289,947
Land and Building [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment
Estimated Useful Life	39 years	[1]
Network Plant and Equipment [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment
Estimated Useful Life	17 years
Network Plant and Equipment [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment
Estimated Useful Life	5 years
Furniture and Fixtures [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment
Estimated Useful Life	18 years
Furniture and Fixtures [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment
Estimated Useful Life	2 years
[1]	* Leasehold improvements, which are categorized in land and buildings, are depreciated over the shorter of the estimated useful lives or the remaining lease terms.

Intangible_Assets_Narrative_De

Intangible Assets (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended			12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014
Acquired Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Amortization expense	$200,000	$800,000
Radio Spectrum License [Member]
Acquired Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets to be Disposed of	0		28,990,000	29,000,000
Assets Transferred to Assets Held for Sale	$0		$57,911,000	$57,900,000

Intangible_Assets_FiniteLived_

Intangible Assets (Finite-Lived Intangible Assets) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross Amount	$43,900,000		$43,900,000
Accumulated Amortization	-39,015,000		-38,816,000
Customer relationships and trademarks, net	4,885,000		5,084,000
Amortization of Intangible Assets	200,000	800,000
Customer Relationships [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Estimated Useful Life	17 years 6 months
Gross Amount	36,900,000		36,900,000
Accumulated Amortization	-34,387,000		-34,305,000
Customer relationships and trademarks, net	2,513,000		2,595,000
Trademarks [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Estimated Useful Life	15 years
Gross Amount	7,000,000		7,000,000
Accumulated Amortization	-4,628,000		-4,511,000
Customer relationships and trademarks, net	$2,372,000		$2,489,000

Intangible_Assets_Schedule_of_

Intangible Assets Schedule of indefinite-lived intangible assets (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014
Acquired Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Goodwill	$63,700	$63,700	$63,700
Radio spectrum licenses	44,933	44,933	44,933
Radio Spectrum License [Member]
Acquired Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Radio spectrum licenses	44,933	44,933	44,933	131,834
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets to be Disposed of	0	-28,990	-29,000
Assets Transferred to Assets Held for Sale	$0	($57,911)	($57,900)

LongTerm_Debt_Narrative_Detail

Long-Term Debt (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	0 Months Ended	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Nov. 09, 2012	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Jan. 31, 2014
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Blended average interest rate		6.30%	6.30%
Restricted Payments Leverage Ratio, maximum		4.25
Restricted payments leverage ratio, current		4.32
Addition to restricted payment basket	$6.50
Balance of restricted payment basket		66.6
Vehicles [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Carrying value of capital leases		2.5
Accumulated depreciation		1.1
Capital Leases, Future Minimum Payments Due, Fiscal Year Maturity [Abstract]
2018		0.1
2015		0.3
Capital Leases Future Minimum Payments Due Remainder of Year		0.3
Total future minimum lease payments		0.8
2016		0.1
2017		0.1
Term Loan A [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Term A Loan, Unamortized Discount Written Off				0.2
Term A Loan, Unamortized Deferred Fees Written Off				0.5
New term loan amount	150
Term Loan A Balance Outstanding Transferred to Term Loan B				148.1
Term Loan B [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Unamortized Discount				0.5
Deferred Finance Costs, Noncurrent, Net				3.7
Debt Instrument, Fee Amount				3.8
New term loan amount	350
Additional Term Loan Borrowings				$40

LongTerm_Debt_Schedule_Of_Long

Long-Term Debt (Schedule Of Long-Term Debt) (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Senior secured term loans, net of unamortized debt discount	$523,330	$524,504
Capital lease obligations	834	904
Debt and capital lease obligations, Total	524,164	525,408
Less: current portion of long-term debt	5,772	5,816
Long-term debt	$518,392	$519,592

LongTerm_Debt_Schedule_Of_Futu

Long-Term Debt (Schedule Of Future Amortization Expense) (Details) (Term Loan B [Member], USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Term Loan B [Member]
Long-term Debt, Fiscal Year Maturity [Abstract]
Remainder of 2015	$4,054
2016	5,405
Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayments of Principal in Next Twelve Months	5,405
2017	5,405
2018	506,725
Total	$526,994

Restructuring_Charges_Restruct1

Restructuring Charges Restructuring and Related Activities (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and Related Cost, Cost Incurred to Date	$5,671
Restructuring Reserve	3,211	3,400
Business Exit Costs	2,008
Payments for Restructuring	-2,197
Employee Severance [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and Related Cost, Cost Incurred to Date	3,234
Restructuring Reserve	1,670	1,496
Severance Costs	1,654
Payments for Restructuring	-1,480
Contract Termination [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and Related Cost, Cost Incurred to Date	1,312
Restructuring Reserve	567	879
Business Exit Costs	322
Payments for Restructuring	-634
Other Restructuring [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and Related Cost, Cost Incurred to Date	1,125
Restructuring Reserve	974	1,025
Business Exit Costs	32
Payments for Restructuring	-83
Minimum [Member] | Employee Severance [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring Reserve	2,000
Minimum [Member] | Contract Termination [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring Reserve	40,000
Minimum [Member] | Other Restructuring [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring Reserve	8,000
Maximum [Member] | Employee Severance [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring Reserve	4,000
Maximum [Member] | Contract Termination [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring Reserve	45,000
Maximum [Member] | Other Restructuring [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring Reserve	$11,000

Financial_Instruments_Narrativ

Financial Instruments (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Feb. 28, 2013	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Summary of Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Interest rate cap purchased, cost	$0.90
Notional amount of interest rate cap	350
Interest rate cap rate	1.00%
Gain (loss) on interest rate swap derivatives		-0.1
CoBank [Member]
Summary of Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Equity method investments			$1.50	$1.50

Financial_Instruments_Schedule

Financial Instruments (Schedule Of Difference Between Face Amount, Carrying Amount And Fair Value Of Financial Instruments) (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015		Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Financial assets:
Accounts receivable, net	$50,247		$43,668
Face Amount [Member]
Financial assets:
Cash	103,418		73,546
Restricted cash	2,167		2,167
Accounts receivable, net	50,247		43,668
Financial liabilities:
Term Loans	526,994		528,345
Capital lease obligations	834		904
Interest rate cap asset	350,000	[1]	350,000	[1]
Carrying Amount [Member]
Financial assets:
Cash	103,418		73,546
Restricted cash	2,167		2,167
Accounts receivable, net	50,247		43,668
Long-term investments for which it is not practicable to estimate fair value	1,522		1,522
Financial liabilities:
Term Loans	523,330		525,504
Capital lease obligations	834		904
Interest rate cap asset	0		0
Fair Value [Member]
Financial assets:
Cash	103,418		73,546
Restricted cash	2,167		2,167
Accounts receivable, net	50,247		44
Financial liabilities:
Term Loans	450,580		459,660
Capital lease obligations	834		904
Interest rate cap asset	$0		$0
[1]	* Notional amount

Equity_and_Earnings_Per_Share_1

Equity and Earnings Per Share (Narrative) (Details)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Earnings Per Share, Basic, by Common Class, Including Two Class Method [Line Items]
Excluded from computation of diluted earnings per common share	1.6	1.8

Equity_and_Earnings_Per_Share_2

Equity and Earnings Per Share (Schedule Of Computation Of Basic And Diluted Earnings Per Share) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014
Denominator:
Total shares outstanding	22,196	21,657	21,616
Less: unvested shares	-965	-570
Less: effect of calculating weighted average shares	-38	-7
Denominator for basic earnings per common share - weighted average shares outstanding	21,193	21,080
Plus: weighted average unvested shares	781	628
Plus: common stock equivalents of stock options	187	315
Denominator for diluted earnings per common share - weighted average shares outstanding	22,161	22,023
Net income applicable to common shares for earnings per share computation	$14,796	$1,286
Restricted Stock [Member]
Denominator:
Net income applicable to common shares for earnings per share computation	459	0
Common Stock [Member]
Denominator:
Net income applicable to common shares for earnings per share computation	$14,337	$1,286

Stock_Plans_Narrative_Details

Stock Plans (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Beginning of vesting period after grant date for Employee Equity Incentive Plan, in years	1 year
Weighted-average grant date fair value per share of stock options granted	$1.72	$1.02
Total intrinsic value of options exercised (less than $0.1 million)	$0.10	$0.10
Total fair value of options vested	0.5	1.1
Shares available for employee stock purchase plan	100,000
Shares price percentage	85.00%
Shares issued under the employee stock purchase plan	3,785	2,108
Stock Options [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested stock options	0.9
Unrecognized compensation cost recognition period, in years	2 years 8 months 23 days
Restricted Stock [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of shares issued during the period	503,000
Unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested stock options	3.5
Unrecognized compensation cost recognition period, in years	2 years 3 months 4 days
Performance Shares [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of shares issued during the period	28,000
Unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested stock options			0.6
Unrecognized compensation cost recognition period, in years			1 year 9 months 29 days
Employee Equity Incentive Plan [Member] | Stock Options [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of stock options issued	261,503
Employee Equity Incentive Plan [Member] | Restricted Stock [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of shares issued during the period	415,401
Employee Equity Incentive Plan [Member] | Performance Shares [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of shares issued during the period	28,031
Dividends Payable, Share Based Compensation	$0.20
Non-Employee Director Equity Plan [Member] | Stock Options [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Options issued under Employee Equity Incentive Plan vest fractionally annually	25.00%
Non-Employee Director Equity Plan [Member] | Restricted Stock [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of shares issued during the period	87,525

Stock_Plans_Summary_Of_Stock_O

Stock Plans (Summary Of Stock Options Activity) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015
Options
Stock options outstanding at January 1, 2013 (in shares)	1,583
Granted during the period (in shares)	261
Exercised during the period (in shares)	-1
Forfeited during the period (in shares)	-245
Stock options outstanding at June 30, 2013(in shares)	1,598
Exercisable at June 30, 2013 (in shares)	937
Total expected to vest after June 30, 2013 (in shares)	595
Weighted Average Exercise Price per Share
Stock options outstanding at January 1, 2013 (in dollars per share)	$19.09
Granted during the period (in dollars per share)	$6
Exercised during the period (in dollars per share)	$0.58
Forfeited during the period (in dollars per share)	$20.76
Stock options outstanding at June 30, 2013 (in dollars per share)	$16.71
Exercisable at June 30, 2013 (in dollars per share)	$20.23
Total expected to vest after June 30, 2013 (in dollars per share)	$13.01
Additional Stock Options Disclosures [Abstract]
Stock options outstanding at June 30, 2013, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term	7 years 1 month 17 days
Exercisable at June 30, 2013, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term	6 years
Stock options outstanding at June 30, 2013, Aggregate Intrinsic Value	$0
Exercisable at June 30, 2013, Aggregate Intrinsic Value	$0

Stock_Plans_Summary_Of_Restric

Stock Plans (Summary Of Restricted Stock Awards Activity) (Details) (Restricted Stock [Member], USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Restricted Stock [Member]
Units
Number of shares outstanding at January 1, 2013 (in shares)	245,000
Granted during the period (in shares)	503,000
Vested during the period (in shares)	-75,000
Forfeited during the period (in shares)	-5,000
Number of shares outstanding at June 30, 2013 (in shares)	668,000
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value per PSU
Shares outstanding at January 1, 2013 (in dollars per share)	$14.93
Granted during the period (in dollars per share)	$5.37
Vested during the period (in dollars per share)	$19.01
Forfeited during the period (in dollars per share)	$18.03
Shares outstanding at June 30, 2013 (in dollars per share)	$7.25

Stock_Plans_Summary_of_Perform

Stock Plans (Summary of Performance Stock Awards Activity) (Details) (Performance Shares [Member], USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Performance Shares [Member]
Units
Number of shares outstanding at January 1, 2013 (in shares)	99,000
Granted during the period (in shares)	28,000
Vested during the period (in shares)	0
Forfeited during the period (in shares)	-11,000
Number of shares outstanding at June 30, 2013 (in shares)	116,000
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value per PSU
Shares outstanding at January 1, 2013 (in dollars per share)	$11.24
Granted during the period (in dollars per share)	$7.33
Vested during the period (in dollars per share)	$0
Forfeited during the period (in dollars per share)	$11.22
Shares outstanding at June 30, 2013 (in dollars per share)	$10.29

Income_Taxes_Details

Income Taxes (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Income tax reconciliation of statutory tax rate	$10

Strategic_Network_Alliance_Det

Strategic Network Alliance (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Stategic Network Alliance [Abstract]
Attributable Annual Non-Cash Spectrum Lease Expense	$4.90
Percentage of revenue	28.90%	32.20%

Tower_Sale_and_Leaseback_Detai

Tower Sale and Leaseback (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
	tower
Sale Leaseback Transaction [Line Items]
Sale Leaseback Transaction, Description	the Company completed its sale leaseback transaction for 91 of 103 towers
Sale Leaseback Transaction, Properties Sold	91
Sale Leaseback Transaction, Properties Committed to be Sold	103
Sale Leaseback Transaction, Net Proceeds, Investing Activities	$38,800
Gain (Loss) on Disposition of Assets	15,947	0
Sale Leaseback Transaction, Leaseback Term	10 years
Sale Leaseback Transaction, Description of Accounting for Leaseback	The deferred gain is amortized on a straight-line basis over the remaining life of the lease of approximately 10 years
Sale Leaseback Transaction, Deferred Gain, Gross	17,600
Other Noncurrent Liabilities [Member]
Sale Leaseback Transaction [Line Items]
Sale Leaseback Transaction, Deferred Gain, Gross	15,400
Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities [Member]
Sale Leaseback Transaction [Line Items]
Sale Leaseback Transaction, Deferred Gain, Gross	2,200
Gain on Sale of Assets [Member]
Sale Leaseback Transaction [Line Items]
Gain (Loss) on Disposition of Assets	$15,947

Commitments_And_Contingencies_

Commitments And Contingencies Other Commitments (Details) (Tower Leases [Member], USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Tower Leases [Member]
Other Commitments [Line Items]
Future Rental Payments, Potential Liability	$21