Shenandoah Telecommunications (SHEN) 10-Q 4 May 17 2017 Q1 Quarterly report Financial data

Document and Entity Information

Document and Entity Information - shares	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	Apr. 26, 2017
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	SHENANDOAH TELECOMMUNICATIONS CO/VA/
Entity Central Index Key	354,963
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	Mar. 31, 2017
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2,017
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1
Amendment Flag	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		49,109,626

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATE

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Current Assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 39,927	$ 36,193
Accounts receivable, net	68,709	69,789
Inventory, net	24,855	39,043
Prepaid expenses and other	16,989	16,440
Total current assets	150,480	161,465
Investments, including $3,058 and $2,907 carried at fair value	10,607	10,276
Property, plant and equipment, net	689,948	698,122
Other Assets
Intangible assets, net	443,308	454,532
Goodwill	144,001	145,256
Deferred charges and other assets, net	14,645	14,756
Total assets	1,452,989	1,484,407
Current Liabilities
Current maturities of long-term debt, net of unamortized loan fees	38,124	32,041
Accounts payable	25,390	72,810
Advanced billings and customer deposits	21,029	20,427
Accrued compensation	3,678	9,465
Income taxes payable	3,958	435
Accrued liabilities and other	18,174	29,085
Total current liabilities	110,353	164,263
Long-term debt, less current maturities, net of unamortized loan fees	810,873	797,224
Other Long-Term Liabilities
Deferred income taxes	149,763	151,837
Deferred lease payable	19,230	18,042
Asset retirement obligations	19,386	15,666
Retirement plan obligations	17,892	17,738
Other liabilities	26,057	23,743
Total other long-term liabilities	232,328	227,026
Commitments and Contingencies
Shareholders’ Equity
Common stock	46,083	45,482
Retained earnings	245,965	243,624
Accumulated other comprehensive income, net of taxes	7,387	6,788
Total shareholders’ equity	299,435	295,894
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity	$ 1,452,989	$ 1,484,407

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDAT3

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Current Assets
Investments carried at fair value	$ 3,058	$ 2,907

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDAT4

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016
Income Statement [Abstract]
Operating revenues	$ 153,880	$ 92,571
Operating expenses:
Cost of goods and services, exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown separately below	53,761	31,762
Selling, general and administrative, exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown separately below	40,153	21,426
Integration and acquisition expenses	4,489	332
Depreciation and amortization	44,804	17,739
Total operating expenses	143,207	71,259
Operating income	10,673	21,312
Other income (expense):
Interest expense	(9,100)	(1,619)
Gain on investments, net	120	88
Non-operating income, net	1,255	468
Income before income taxes	2,948	20,249
Income tax expense	607	6,368
Net income	2,341	13,881
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Unrealized gain (loss) on interest rate hedge, net of tax	599	(1,048)
Comprehensive income	$ 2,940	$ 12,833
Earnings per share:
Basic (in dollars per share)	$ 0.05	$ 0.29
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 0.05	$ 0.28
Weighted average shares outstanding, basic (in shares)	49,050	48,563
Weighted average shares outstanding, diluted (in shares)	49,834	49,249

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDAT5

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	Total	Common Stock	Retained Earnings	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, net of tax
Beginning balance at Dec. 31, 2015	$ 289,938	$ 32,776	$ 256,747	$ 415
Beginning balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2015		48,475
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income (loss)	(895)		(895)
Other comprehensive gain, net of tax	6,373			6,373
Dividends declared ($0.25 per share)	(12,228)		(12,228)
Dividends reinvested in common stock	524	$ 524
Dividends reinvested in common stock (in shares)		19
Stock based compensation	3,506	$ 3,506
Stock options exercised (in shares)		371
Stock options exercised	3,359	$ 3,359
Common stock issued for share awards	0
Common stock issued for share awards (in shares)		190
Common stock issued	14	$ 14
Common stock issued (in shares)		2
Common stock issued to acquire non-controlling interests of nTelos	10,400	$ 10,400
Common stock issued to acquire non-controlling interests of nTelos (in shares)		76
Common stock repurchased	(5,097)	$ (5,097)
Common stock repurchased (in shares)		(198)
Ending balance at Dec. 31, 2016	295,894	$ 45,482	243,624	6,788
Ending balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2016		48,935
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income (loss)	2,341		2,341
Other comprehensive gain, net of tax	599			599
Stock based compensation	1,822	$ 1,822
Common stock issued for share awards (in shares)		129
Common stock issued	5	$ 5
Common stock issued (in shares)		1
Common stock issued to acquire non-controlling interests of nTelos	0	$ 0
Common stock issued to acquire non-controlling interests of nTelos (in shares)		76
Common stock repurchased	(1,226)	$ (1,226)
Common stock repurchased (in shares)		(43)
Ending balance at Mar. 31, 2017	$ 299,435	$ 46,083	$ 245,965	$ 7,387
Ending balance (in shares) at Mar. 31, 2017		49,098

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDAT6

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY (Parenthetical)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016$ / shares
Statement of Stockholders' Equity [Abstract]
Dividends declared per share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.25

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDAT7

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016
Cash Flows From Operating Activities
Net income	$ 2,341	$ 13,881
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation	37,878	17,454
Amortization reflected as operating expense	6,926	285
Amortization reflected as contra revenue	4,978	0
Amortization reflected as rent expense	258	0
Provision for bad debt	420	345
Straight line adjustment to management fee revenue	4,206	0
Stock based compensation expense	1,566	1,048
Deferred income taxes	(2,910)	(1,489)
Net gain on disposal of equipment	(28)	(15)
Unrealized gain on investments	(120)	(16)
Net gains from patronage and equity investments	(200)	(210)
Amortization of long term debt issuance costs	1,202	132
Other	0	3,039
(Increase) decrease in:
Accounts receivable	1,629	2,470
Inventory, net	14,188	(267)
Other assets	(190)	988
Increase (decrease) in:
Accounts payable	(39,399)	1,895
Income taxes payable	3,523	6,981
Deferred lease payable	1,331	208
Other deferrals and accruals	(13,101)	(3,559)
Net cash provided by operating activities	24,498	43,170
Cash Flows From Investing Activities
Acquisition of property, plant and equipment	(38,587)	(20,537)
Proceeds from sale of equipment	117	145
Cash distributions from investments	3	45
Additional contributions to investments	(14)	0
Cash disbursed for acquisition	0	(2,480)
Net cash used in investing activities	(38,481)	(22,827)
Cash Flows From Financing Activities
Principal payments on long-term debt	(6,062)	(5,750)
Amounts borrowed under debt agreements	25,000	0
Cash paid for debt issuance costs	0	(1,528)
Repurchases of common stock	(1,226)	(3,526)
Proceeds from issuances of common stock	5	2,809
Net cash provided by/(used in) financing activities	17,717	(7,995)
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents	3,734	12,348
Cash and cash equivalents:
Beginning	36,193	76,812
Ending	39,927	89,160
Cash payments for:
Interest, net of capitalized interest of $577 and $146, respectively	8,380	1,632
Income taxes paid, net of refunds received	$ 0	$ 876

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDAT8

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016
Other cash flow information:
Capital expenditures	$ 6,400	$ 1,200
Increase in interest rate swaps	972
Increase in deferred tax liability	373
Increase in accumulated other comprehensive income	599	(1,048)
Interest paid, capitalized	$ 577	$ 146

Basis of Presentation

Basis of Presentation	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Basis of Presentation	Basis of Presentation The interim condensed consolidated financial statements of Shenandoah Telecommunications Company and Subsidiaries (collectively, the “Company”) are unaudited. In the opinion of management, all adjustments necessary for a fair presentation of the interim results have been reflected therein. All such adjustments were of a normal and recurring nature. Prior year amounts have been reclassified in some cases to conform to the current year presentation. These financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and related notes in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016 . The accompanying balance sheet information at December 31, 2016 was derived from the audited December 31, 2016 consolidated balance sheet. Operating revenues and income (loss) from operations for any interim period are not necessarily indicative of results that may be expected for the entire year.

Acquisition of NTELOS Holdings

Acquisition of NTELOS Holdings Corp. and Exchange with Sprint	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017
Business Combinations [Abstract]
Acquisition of NTELOS Holdings Corp. and Exchange with Sprint	Acquisition of NTELOS Holdings Corp. and Exchange with Sprint On May 6, 2016, the Company completed its previously announced acquisition of NTELOS Holdings Corp. (“nTelos”) for $667.8 million , net of cash acquired. The acquisition was entered into to improve shareholder value through the expansion of the Company's Wireless service area and customer base while strengthening our relationship with Sprint Corporation ("Sprint"). The purchase price was financed by a credit facility arranged by CoBank, ACB, Royal Bank of Canada, Fifth Third Bank, Bank of America, N.A., Capital One, National Association, Citizens Bank N.A., and Toronto Dominion (Texas) LLC. The Company has accounted for the acquisition of nTelos under the acquisition method of accounting, in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 805, “Business Combinations”, and has accounted for measurement period adjustments under Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2015-16, “Simplifying the Accounting for Measurement Period Adjustments”. Under the acquisition method of accounting, the total purchase price is allocated to the tangible and intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed in connection with the acquisition based on their estimated fair values. The preliminary allocation of the purchase price was based upon management’s preliminary valuation of the fair value of tangible and intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed of nTelos, with the excess recorded as goodwill. During the first quarter of 2017, the Company made adjustments to the preliminary estimates of fair value resulting in immaterial changes to previously estimated fair values of fixed assets, asset retirement obligation liabilities, accounts receivable and deferred taxes. These adjustments resulted in a $1.3 million reduction to goodwill as shown in the table below. The Company continues to review certain tax positions acquired in the nTelos acquisition. Changes in the carrying amount of goodwill during the three months ended March 31, 2017 are shown below (in thousands): December 31, Purchase Accounting Adjustments March 31, Goodwill - Wireline segment $ 10 $ — $ 10 Goodwill - Cable segment 104 — 104 Goodwill - Wireless segment 145,142 (1,255 ) 143,887 Goodwill as of March 31, 2017 $ 145,256 $ (1,255 ) $ 144,001 Following are the unaudited pro forma results of the Company for the period ended March 31, 2016, as if the acquisition of nTelos had occurred at the beginning of the period. (in thousands) March 31, Operating revenues $ 173,248 Income before income taxes $ 16,905 In connection with these transactions, the Company incurs costs which include the nTelos back office staff and support functions until the nTelos legacy customers are migrated to the Sprint billing platform; costs of the handsets to be provided to nTelos legacy customers as they migrate to the Sprint billing platform; severance costs for back office and other former nTelos employees who will not be retained permanently; and costs to shut down certain cell sites and related backhaul contracts. We have incurred $7.1 million of these costs in the three months ended March 31, 2017, including $0.1 million reflected in cost of goods and services and $2.5 million reflected in selling, general and administrative costs in the three months ended March 31, 2017.

Property, Plant and Equipment

Property, Plant and Equipment	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]
Property, Plant and Equipment	Property, Plant and Equipment Property, plant and equipment consisted of the following (in thousands): March 31, December 31, Plant in service $ 1,124,446 $ 1,085,318 Plant under construction 61,980 73,759 1,186,426 1,159,077 Less accumulated amortization and depreciation 496,478 460,955 Net property, plant and equipment $ 689,948 $ 698,122

Earnings per share

Earnings per share	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Earnings per share	Earnings per share Basic net income per share was computed on the weighted average number of shares outstanding. Diluted net income per share was computed under the treasury stock method, assuming the conversion as of the beginning of the period, for all dilutive stock options. Of 913 thousand and 991 thousand shares and options outstanding at March 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively, 125 thousand and 136 thousand were anti-dilutive, respectively. These shares and options have been excluded from the computations of diluted earnings per share for their respective period. There were no adjustments to net income for either period.

Investments

Investments	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Investments	Investments Investments include $3.1 million and $2.9 million of investments carried at fair value as of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 , respectively, consisting of equity, bond and money market mutual funds. Investments carried at fair value were acquired under a rabbi trust arrangement related to the Company’s nonqualified Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan (the “SERP”). The Company purchases investments in the trust to mirror the investment elections of participants in the SERP; gains and losses on the investments in the trust are reflected as increases or decreases in the liability owed to the participants. During the three months ended March 31, 2017 , the Company recognized $32 thousand in dividend and interest income from investments, and recorded net unrealized gains of $120 thousand on these investments. Fair values for these investments held under the rabbi trust were determined by Level 1 quoted market prices for the underlying mutual funds. At March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 , other investments, comprised of equity securities which do not have readily determinable fair values, consist of the following: 3/31/2017 12/31/2016 Cost method: (in thousands) CoBank $ 6,296 $ 6,177 Other – Equity in other telecommunications partners 740 742 7,036 6,919 Equity method: Other 513 450 Total other investments $ 7,549 $ 7,369

Financial Instruments

Financial Instruments	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017
Investments, All Other Investments [Abstract]
Financial Instruments	Financial Instruments Financial instruments on the condensed consolidated balance sheets that approximate fair value include: cash and cash equivalents, receivables, investments carried at fair value, payables, accrued liabilities, interest rate swaps and variable rate long-term debt.

Derivative Instruments, Hedging

Derivative Instruments, Hedging Activities and Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]
Derivative Instruments, Hedging Activities and Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	Derivative Instruments, Hedging Activities and Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income The Company’s objectives in using interest rate derivatives are to add stability to cash flows and to manage its exposure to interest rate movements. To accomplish these objectives, the Company primarily uses interest rate swaps as part of its interest rate risk management strategy. Interest rate swaps (both those designated as cash flow hedges as well as those not designated as cash flow hedges) involve the receipt of variable-rate amounts from a counterparty in exchange for the Company making fixed-rate payments over the life of the agreements without exchange of the underlying notional amount. The Company entered into a pay-fixed, receive-variable interest rate swap of $174.6 million of notional principal in September 2012. This interest rate swap was designated as a cash flow hedge. The outstanding notional amount of this cash flow hedge was $131.0 million as of March 31, 2017 . The outstanding notional amount decreases based upon scheduled principal payments on the 2012 debt. In May 2016, the Company entered into a pay-fixed, receive-variable interest rate swap of $256.6 million of notional principal with three counterparties. This interest rate swap was designated as a cash flow hedge. The outstanding notional amount of this cash flow hedge was $302.4 million as of March 31, 2017 . The outstanding notional amount increases based upon draws expected to be made under a portion of the Company's Term Loan A-2 debt and as the 2012 interest rate swap's notional principal decreases, and will decrease as the Company makes scheduled principal payments on the 2016 debt. In combination with the swap entered into in 2012 described above, the Company is hedging approximately 50% of the expected outstanding debt. The effective portion of changes in the fair value of interest rate swaps designated and that qualify as cash flow hedges is recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income and is subsequently reclassified into earnings in the period that the hedged forecasted transaction affects earnings. The Company uses its derivatives to hedge the variable cash flows associated with existing variable-rate debt. The ineffective portion of the change in fair value of the derivative is recognized directly in earnings through interest expense. No hedge ineffectiveness was recognized during any of the periods presented. Amounts reported in accumulated other comprehensive income related to the interest rate swaps designated and qualified as a cash flow hedge, are reclassified to interest expense as interest payments are made on the Company’s variable-rate debt. As of March 31, 2017 , the Company estimates that $237 thousand will be reclassified as a reduction of interest expense during the next twelve months. The table below presents the fair value of the Company’s derivative financial instrument as well as its classification on the condensed consolidated balance sheet as of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 (in thousands): Derivatives Fair Value as of Balance Sheet Location March 31, December 31, Derivatives designated as hedging instruments: Interest rate swap Prepaid expenses and other $ 237 $ — Deferred charges and other assets, net 11,958 12,118 Accrued liabilities and other — (895 ) Total derivatives designated as hedging instruments $ 12,195 $ 11,223 The fair value of interest rate swaps is determined using a pricing model with inputs that are observable in the market (level 2 fair value inputs). The table below presents change in accumulated other comprehensive income by component for the three months ended March 31, 2017 (in thousands): Gains on Cash Flow Hedges Income Tax Expense Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Balance as of December 31, 2016 $ 11,223 $ (4,435 ) $ 6,788 Other comprehensive income before reclassifications 541 (208 ) 333 Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (to interest expense) 431 (165 ) 266 Net current period other comprehensive income 972 (373 ) 599 Balance as of March 31, 2017 $ 12,195 $ (4,808 ) $ 7,387

Intangible Assets, Net

Intangible Assets, Net	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Intangible Assets, Net	Intangible Assets, Net Intangible assets consist of the following at March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016: March 31, 2017 December 31, 2016 Gross Carrying Amount Accumulated Amortization Net Gross Carrying Amount Accumulated Amortization Net Non-amortizing intangibles: Cable franchise rights $ 64,334 $ — $ 64,334 $ 64,334 $ — $ 64,334 Railroad crossing rights 97 — 97 97 — 97 64,431 — 64,431 64,431 — 64,431 Finite-lived intangibles: Affiliate contract expansion 284,102 (19,008 ) 265,094 284,102 (14,030 ) 270,072 Acquired subscribers – wireless 120,855 (25,387 ) 95,468 120,855 (18,738 ) 102,117 Favorable leases - wireless 16,950 (1,531 ) 15,419 16,950 (1,130 ) 15,820 Acquired subscribers – cable 25,265 (24,802 ) 463 25,265 (24,631 ) 634 Other intangibles 3,230 (797 ) 2,433 2,212 (754 ) 1,458 Total finite-lived intangibles 450,402 (71,525 ) 378,877 449,384 (59,283 ) 390,101 Total intangible assets $ 514,833 $ (71,525 ) $ 443,308 $ 513,815 $ (59,283 ) $ 454,532

Accrued and Other Liabilities

Accrued and Other Liabilities	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017
Other Liabilities Disclosure [Abstract]
Accrued and Other Liabilities	Accrued and Other liabilities Accrued liabilities and other includes the following (in thousands): March 31, 2017 December 31, 2016 Sales and property taxes payable $ 4,742 $ 6,628 Severance accrual, current portion 3,553 4,267 Asset retirement obligations, current portion 884 5,841 Other current liabilities 8,995 12,349 Accrued liabilities and other $ 18,174 $ 29,085 Other liabilities include the following (in thousands): March 31, December 31, Non-current portion of deferred revenues $ 7,735 $ 8,933 Straight-line management fee waiver 16,180 11,974 Other 2,142 2,836 Other liabilities $ 26,057 $ 23,743

Long-Term Debt and Revolving Li

Long-Term Debt and Revolving Lines of Credit	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Long-Term Debt and Revolving Lines of Credit	Long-Term Debt and Revolving Lines of Credit Total debt at March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 consists of the following: (In thousands) March 31, 2017 December 31, 2016 Term loan A-1 $ 466,813 $ 472,875 Term loan A-2 400,000 375,000 866,813 847,875 Less: unamortized loan fees 17,816 18,610 Total debt, net of unamortized loan fees $ 848,997 $ 829,265 Current maturities of long term debt, net of unamortized loan fees $ 38,124 $ 32,041 Long-term debt, less current maturities, net of unamortized loan fees $ 810,873 $ 797,224 As of March 31, 2017, our indebtedness totaled $866.8 million in term loans with an annualized effective interest rate of approximately 3.91% after considering the impact of the interest rate swap contract and unamortized loan costs. The balance consists of the $466.8 million Term Loan A-1 at a variable rate ( 3.73% as of March 31, 2017) that resets monthly based on one month LIBOR plus a margin of 2.75% , and the $400 million Term Loan A-2 at a variable rate ( 3.98% as of March 31, 2017) that resets monthly based on one month LIBOR plus a margin of 3.00% . The Term Loan A-1 requires quarterly principal repayments of $6.1 million through June 30, 2017, then increasing to $12.1 million quarterly through June 30, 2020, with further increases at that time through maturity in June 30, 2021. The Term Loan A-2 requires quarterly principal repayments of $10.0 million beginning on September 30, 2018 through March 31, 2023, with the remaining balance due June 30, 2023. The Company is subject to certain financial covenants to be measured on a trailing twelve month basis each calendar quarter unless otherwise specified. These covenants include: • a limitation on the Company’s total leverage ratio, defined as indebtedness divided by earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, or EBITDA, of less than or equal to 3.75 to 1.00 from the closing date through December 30, 2018, then 3.25 to 1.00 through December 30, 2019, and 3.00 to 1.00 thereafter; • a minimum debt service coverage ratio, defined as EBITDA minus certain cash taxes divided by the sum of all scheduled principal payments on the Term Loans and scheduled principal payments on other indebtedness plus cash interest expense, greater than 2.00 to 1.00; • the Company must maintain a minimum liquidity balance, defined as availability under the revolver facility plus unrestricted cash and cash equivalents on deposit in a deposit account for which a control agreement has been delivered to the administrative agent under the 2016 credit agreement, of greater than $25 million at all times. These ratios are generally less restrictive than the covenant ratios the Company had been required to comply with under its previously existing debt arrangements. As shown below, as of March 31, 2017, the Company was in compliance with the financial covenants in its credit agreements. Actual Covenant Requirement Total Leverage Ratio 2.88 3.75 or Lower Debt Service Coverage Ratio 4.56 2.00 or Higher Minimum Liquidity Balance $113 million $25 million or Higher

Segment Information

Segment Information	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Segment Information	Segment Information Operating segments are defined as components of an enterprise about which separate financial information is available that is evaluated regularly by the chief operating decision maker. The Company has three reportable segments, which the Company operates and manages as strategic business units organized by lines of business: (1) Wireless, (2) Cable, and (3) Wireline. A fourth segment, Other, primarily includes Shenandoah Telecommunications Company, the parent holding company. Prior to the recent acquisition of nTelos, the Wireless segment had provided digital wireless service to a portion of a four -state area covering the region from Harrisburg, York and Altoona, Pennsylvania, to Harrisonburg, Virginia, as a Sprint PCS Affiliate. With the recent acquisition, the Company's wireless service has expanded to include south-central and western Virginia, West Virginia, and small portions of Kentucky and Ohio. This segment also owns cell site towers built on leased land, and leases space on these towers to both affiliates and non-affiliated service providers. The Cable segment provides video, internet and voice services in Virginia, West Virginia and Maryland, and leases fiber optic facilities throughout southern Virginia and West Virginia. It does not include video, internet and voice services provided to customers in Shenandoah County, Virginia. The Wireline segment provides regulated and unregulated voice services, DSL internet access, and long distance access services throughout Shenandoah County and portions of Rockingham, Frederick, Warren and Augusta counties, Virginia. The segment also provides video and cable modem services in portions of Shenandoah County, and leases fiber optic facilities throughout the northern Shenandoah Valley of Virginia, northern Virginia and adjacent areas along the Interstate 81 corridor through West Virginia, Maryland and portions of central and southern Pennsylvania. Three months ended March 31, 2017 (in thousands) Wireless Cable Wireline Other Eliminations Consolidated Totals External revenues Service revenues $ 108,186 $ 26,411 $ 5,048 $ — $ — $ 139,645 Other 6,042 2,035 6,158 — — 14,235 Total external revenues 114,228 28,446 11,206 — — 153,880 Internal revenues 1,235 567 7,948 — (9,750 ) — Total operating revenues 115,463 29,013 19,154 — (9,750 ) 153,880 Operating expenses Costs of goods and services, exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown separately below 38,318 15,228 9,273 — (9,058 ) 53,761 Selling, general and administrative, exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown separately below 28,464 4,858 1,676 5,847 (692 ) 40,153 Integration and acquisition expenses 3,792 — — 697 — 4,489 Depreciation and amortization 35,752 5,788 3,132 132 — 44,804 Total operating expenses 106,326 25,874 14,081 6,676 (9,750 ) 143,207 Operating income (loss) $ 9,137 $ 3,139 $ 5,073 $ (6,676 ) $ — $ 10,673 Three months ended March 31, 2016 (in thousands) Wireless Cable Wireline Other Eliminations Consolidated Totals External revenues Service revenues $ 52,179 $ 24,340 $ 4,960 $ — $ — $ 81,479 Other 3,203 1,846 6,043 — 11,092 Total external revenues 55,382 26,186 11,003 — — 92,571 Internal revenues 1,136 260 7,376 (8,772 ) — Total operating revenues 56,518 26,446 18,379 — (8,772 ) 92,571 Operating expenses Costs of goods and services, exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown separately below 16,578 14,647 8,643 — (8,106 ) 31,762 Selling, general and administrative, exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown separately below 11,514 5,108 1,605 3,865 (666 ) 21,426 Integration and acquisition expenses — — — 332 — 332 Depreciation and amortization 8,494 6,095 3,033 117 — 17,739 Total operating expenses 36,586 25,850 13,281 4,314 (8,772 ) 71,259 Operating income (loss) $ 19,932 $ 596 $ 5,098 $ (4,314 ) $ — $ 21,312 A reconciliation of the total of the reportable segments’ operating income (loss) to consolidated income (loss) before taxes is as follows: Three Months Ended (in thousands) 2017 2016 Total consolidated operating income $ 10,673 $ 21,312 Interest expense (9,100 ) (1,619 ) Non-operating income, net 1,375 556 Income before income taxes $ 2,948 $ 20,249 The Company’s assets by segment are as follows: (in thousands) March 31, December 31, Wireless $ 1,039,211 $ 1,101,716 Cable 220,519 218,471 Wireline 116,390 115,282 Other 1,070,204 1,059,898 Combined totals 2,446,324 2,495,367 Inter-segment eliminations (993,335 ) (1,010,960 ) Consolidated totals $ 1,452,989 $ 1,484,407

Income Taxes

Income Taxes	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Income Taxes	Income Taxes The Company files U.S. federal income tax returns and various state and local income tax returns. With few exceptions, years prior to 2013 are no longer subject to examination; net operating losses acquired in the nTelos acquisition are open to examination from 2002 forward. The Company is not subject to any state or federal income tax audits as of March 31, 2017 .

Adoption of New Accounting Prin

Adoption of New Accounting Principles	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017
New Accounting Pronouncements and Changes in Accounting Principles [Abstract]
Adoption of New Accounting Principles	Adoption of New Accounting Principles During the first quarter of 2017, the Company adopted one new accounting principle: Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") No. 2015-11, "Inventory: Simplifying the Measurement of Inventory". This ASU changes the measurement principle for inventory from the lower of cost or market to lower of cost and net realizable value. The ASU also eliminates the requirement for entities to consider replacement cost or net realizable value less an approximately normal profit margin when measuring inventory. The adoption of this ASU did not have a significant impact on our financial statements.

Subsequent Events

Subsequent Events	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017
Subsequent Events [Abstract]
Subsequent Events	Subsequent Events On March 9, 2017, the Company and Sprint entered into Addendum XX to the Sprint PCS Management Agreement. Addendum XX provides for (i) an expansion of the Company’s “Service Area” (as defined in the Sprint PCS Management Agreement) to include certain areas in Kentucky, Maryland, Ohio and West Virginia (the “ Expansion Area ”), (ii) certain network build out requirements in the Expansion Area over the next three years, (iii) the Company’s provision of prepaid field sales support to Sprint and its affiliates in the Service Area, (iv) Sprint’s provision of spectrum use to the Company in the Expansion Area, (v) the addition of Horizon Personal Communications, LLC, as a party to the Sprint PCS Management Agreement and the Sprint PCS Services Agreement (collectively, the “ Affiliate Agreements ”) and (vi) certain other amendments to the Affiliate Agreements. In connection with the execution of Addendum XX, on March 9, 2017, the Company and certain affiliates of Sprint entered into an agreement to, among other things, transfer to Sprint certain customers in the Expansion Area and the underlying customer agreements, and to transition the provision of network coverage in the Expansion Area from Sprint to the Company. The expanded territory includes approximately 500 thousand market POPs and approximately 21 thousand Sprint customers. The Company and Sprint closed on this transaction on April 6, 2017.

Acquisition of NTELOS Holding23

Acquisition of NTELOS Holdings Corp. and Exchange with Sprint (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017
Business Combinations [Abstract]
Changes in the Carrying Amount of Goodwill	Changes in the carrying amount of goodwill during the three months ended March 31, 2017 are shown below (in thousands): December 31, Purchase Accounting Adjustments March 31, Goodwill - Wireline segment $ 10 $ — $ 10 Goodwill - Cable segment 104 — 104 Goodwill - Wireless segment 145,142 (1,255 ) 143,887 Goodwill as of March 31, 2017 $ 145,256 $ (1,255 ) $ 144,001
Business Acquisition, Pro Forma Information	Following are the unaudited pro forma results of the Company for the period ended March 31, 2016, as if the acquisition of nTelos had occurred at the beginning of the period. (in thousands) March 31, Operating revenues $ 173,248 Income before income taxes $ 16,905

Property, Plant and Equipment (

Property, Plant and Equipment (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]
Property, Plant and Equipment	Property, plant and equipment consisted of the following (in thousands): March 31, December 31, Plant in service $ 1,124,446 $ 1,085,318 Plant under construction 61,980 73,759 1,186,426 1,159,077 Less accumulated amortization and depreciation 496,478 460,955 Net property, plant and equipment $ 689,948 $ 698,122

Investments Investments (Tables

Investments Investments (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Schedule of other investments which do not have readily determinable fair values	At March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 , other investments, comprised of equity securities which do not have readily determinable fair values, consist of the following: 3/31/2017 12/31/2016 Cost method: (in thousands) CoBank $ 6,296 $ 6,177 Other – Equity in other telecommunications partners 740 742 7,036 6,919 Equity method: Other 513 450 Total other investments $ 7,549 $ 7,369

Derivative Instruments, Hedgi26

Derivative Instruments, Hedging Activities and Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Derivative Financial Instrument as Well as its Classification on the Consolidated Balance Sheet	The table below presents the fair value of the Company’s derivative financial instrument as well as its classification on the condensed consolidated balance sheet as of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 (in thousands): Derivatives Fair Value as of Balance Sheet Location March 31, December 31, Derivatives designated as hedging instruments: Interest rate swap Prepaid expenses and other $ 237 $ — Deferred charges and other assets, net 11,958 12,118 Accrued liabilities and other — (895 ) Total derivatives designated as hedging instruments $ 12,195 $ 11,223
Schedule of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	The table below presents change in accumulated other comprehensive income by component for the three months ended March 31, 2017 (in thousands): Gains on Cash Flow Hedges Income Tax Expense Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Balance as of December 31, 2016 $ 11,223 $ (4,435 ) $ 6,788 Other comprehensive income before reclassifications 541 (208 ) 333 Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (to interest expense) 431 (165 ) 266 Net current period other comprehensive income 972 (373 ) 599 Balance as of March 31, 2017 $ 12,195 $ (4,808 ) $ 7,387

Intangible Assets, Net (Tables)

Intangible Assets, Net (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Intangible Assets	Intangible assets consist of the following at March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016: March 31, 2017 December 31, 2016 Gross Carrying Amount Accumulated Amortization Net Gross Carrying Amount Accumulated Amortization Net Non-amortizing intangibles: Cable franchise rights $ 64,334 $ — $ 64,334 $ 64,334 $ — $ 64,334 Railroad crossing rights 97 — 97 97 — 97 64,431 — 64,431 64,431 — 64,431 Finite-lived intangibles: Affiliate contract expansion 284,102 (19,008 ) 265,094 284,102 (14,030 ) 270,072 Acquired subscribers – wireless 120,855 (25,387 ) 95,468 120,855 (18,738 ) 102,117 Favorable leases - wireless 16,950 (1,531 ) 15,419 16,950 (1,130 ) 15,820 Acquired subscribers – cable 25,265 (24,802 ) 463 25,265 (24,631 ) 634 Other intangibles 3,230 (797 ) 2,433 2,212 (754 ) 1,458 Total finite-lived intangibles 450,402 (71,525 ) 378,877 449,384 (59,283 ) 390,101 Total intangible assets $ 514,833 $ (71,525 ) $ 443,308 $ 513,815 $ (59,283 ) $ 454,532

Accrued and Other Liabilities (

Accrued and Other Liabilities (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017
Other Liabilities Disclosure [Abstract]
Summary of Accrued Liabilities and Other	Accrued liabilities and other includes the following (in thousands): March 31, 2017 December 31, 2016 Sales and property taxes payable $ 4,742 $ 6,628 Severance accrual, current portion 3,553 4,267 Asset retirement obligations, current portion 884 5,841 Other current liabilities 8,995 12,349 Accrued liabilities and other $ 18,174 $ 29,085
Summary of Other Liabilities	Other liabilities include the following (in thousands): March 31, December 31, Non-current portion of deferred revenues $ 7,735 $ 8,933 Straight-line management fee waiver 16,180 11,974 Other 2,142 2,836 Other liabilities $ 26,057 $ 23,743

Long-Term Debt and Revolving 29

Long-Term Debt and Revolving Lines of Credit (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of long term debt	Total debt at March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 consists of the following: (In thousands) March 31, 2017 December 31, 2016 Term loan A-1 $ 466,813 $ 472,875 Term loan A-2 400,000 375,000 866,813 847,875 Less: unamortized loan fees 17,816 18,610 Total debt, net of unamortized loan fees $ 848,997 $ 829,265 Current maturities of long term debt, net of unamortized loan fees $ 38,124 $ 32,041 Long-term debt, less current maturities, net of unamortized loan fees $ 810,873 $ 797,224
Financial covenants in credit agreements	As shown below, as of March 31, 2017, the Company was in compliance with the financial covenants in its credit agreements. Actual Covenant Requirement Total Leverage Ratio 2.88 3.75 or Lower Debt Service Coverage Ratio 4.56 2.00 or Higher Minimum Liquidity Balance $113 million $25 million or Higher As shown below, as of March 31, 2017, the Company was in compliance with the financial covenants in its credit agreements. Actual Covenant Requirement Total Leverage Ratio 2.88 3.75 or Lower Debt Service Coverage Ratio 4.56 2.00 or Higher Minimum Liquidity Balance $113 million $25 million or Higher

Segment Information (Tables)

Segment Information (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Selected Financial Data for Segments	Three months ended March 31, 2017 (in thousands) Wireless Cable Wireline Other Eliminations Consolidated Totals External revenues Service revenues $ 108,186 $ 26,411 $ 5,048 $ — $ — $ 139,645 Other 6,042 2,035 6,158 — — 14,235 Total external revenues 114,228 28,446 11,206 — — 153,880 Internal revenues 1,235 567 7,948 — (9,750 ) — Total operating revenues 115,463 29,013 19,154 — (9,750 ) 153,880 Operating expenses Costs of goods and services, exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown separately below 38,318 15,228 9,273 — (9,058 ) 53,761 Selling, general and administrative, exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown separately below 28,464 4,858 1,676 5,847 (692 ) 40,153 Integration and acquisition expenses 3,792 — — 697 — 4,489 Depreciation and amortization 35,752 5,788 3,132 132 — 44,804 Total operating expenses 106,326 25,874 14,081 6,676 (9,750 ) 143,207 Operating income (loss) $ 9,137 $ 3,139 $ 5,073 $ (6,676 ) $ — $ 10,673 Three months ended March 31, 2016 (in thousands) Wireless Cable Wireline Other Eliminations Consolidated Totals External revenues Service revenues $ 52,179 $ 24,340 $ 4,960 $ — $ — $ 81,479 Other 3,203 1,846 6,043 — 11,092 Total external revenues 55,382 26,186 11,003 — — 92,571 Internal revenues 1,136 260 7,376 (8,772 ) — Total operating revenues 56,518 26,446 18,379 — (8,772 ) 92,571 Operating expenses Costs of goods and services, exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown separately below 16,578 14,647 8,643 — (8,106 ) 31,762 Selling, general and administrative, exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown separately below 11,514 5,108 1,605 3,865 (666 ) 21,426 Integration and acquisition expenses — — — 332 — 332 Depreciation and amortization 8,494 6,095 3,033 117 — 17,739 Total operating expenses 36,586 25,850 13,281 4,314 (8,772 ) 71,259 Operating income (loss) $ 19,932 $ 596 $ 5,098 $ (4,314 ) $ — $ 21,312
Reconciliation of Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations from Segments to Consolidated	A reconciliation of the total of the reportable segments’ operating income (loss) to consolidated income (loss) before taxes is as follows: Three Months Ended (in thousands) 2017 2016 Total consolidated operating income $ 10,673 $ 21,312 Interest expense (9,100 ) (1,619 ) Non-operating income, net 1,375 556 Income before income taxes $ 2,948 $ 20,249
Assets by Segment	The Company’s assets by segment are as follows: (in thousands) March 31, December 31, Wireless $ 1,039,211 $ 1,101,716 Cable 220,519 218,471 Wireline 116,390 115,282 Other 1,070,204 1,059,898 Combined totals 2,446,324 2,495,367 Inter-segment eliminations (993,335 ) (1,010,960 ) Consolidated totals $ 1,452,989 $ 1,484,407

Acquisition of NTELOS Holding31

Acquisition of NTELOS Holdings Corp. and Exchange with Sprint - Narrative (Details) - Ntelos Holding, Corp - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	May 06, 2016
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Consideration transferred, net of cash		$ 667,800
Purchase Accounting Adjustments	$ (1,255)
Integration related costs	7,100
Cost of Sales
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Integration related costs	100
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Integration related costs	$ 2,500

Acquisition of NTELOS Holding32

Acquisition of NTELOS Holdings Corp. and Exchange with Sprint - Schedule of Goodwill Activity (Details) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017USD ($)
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	$ 144,001
Ending balance	145,256
Ntelos Holding, Corp
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	144,001
Purchase Accounting Adjustments	(1,255)
Ending balance	145,256
Wireline | Ntelos Holding, Corp
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	10
Purchase Accounting Adjustments	0
Ending balance	10
Cable | Ntelos Holding, Corp
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	104
Purchase Accounting Adjustments	0
Ending balance	104
Wireless | Ntelos Holding, Corp
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	143,887
Purchase Accounting Adjustments	(1,255)
Ending balance	$ 145,142

Acquisition of NTELOS Holding33

Acquisition of NTELOS Holdings Corp. and Exchange with Sprint - Schedule of Pro Froma Results (Details) - Ntelos Holding, Corp $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016USD ($)
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Operating revenues	$ 173,248
Income before income taxes	$ 16,905

Property, Plant and Equipment34

Property, Plant and Equipment (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Property, plant and equipment [Abstract]
Total property, plant and equipment	$ 1,186,426	$ 1,159,077
Less accumulated amortization and depreciation	496,478	460,955
Net property, plant and equipment	689,948	698,122
Plant in service
Property, plant and equipment [Abstract]
Total property, plant and equipment	1,124,446	1,085,318
Plant under construction
Property, plant and equipment [Abstract]
Total property, plant and equipment	$ 61,980	$ 73,759

Earnings per share (Details)

Earnings per share (Details) - shares shares in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Shares and options outstanding (in shares)	913	991
Options
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Antidilutive securities excluded from computation of diluted earnings per share (in shares)	125	136

Investments (Details)

Investments (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2016
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Investments carried at fair value	$ 3,058		$ 2,907
Dividend and interest income from investments	32
Net unrealized gains recognized	$ 120	$ 16

Investments - Other Investments

Investments - Other Investments (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Investment [Line Items]
Cost method investments	$ 7,036	$ 6,919
Total other investments	7,549	7,369
Other Equity Investments
Investment [Line Items]
Other	513	450
CoBank
Investment [Line Items]
Cost method investments	6,296	6,177
Other Equity Investments
Investment [Line Items]
Cost method investments	$ 740	$ 742

Derivative Instruments, Hedgi38

Derivative Instruments, Hedging Activities and Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income - Narrative (Details)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017USD ($)	May 31, 2016USD ($)counterparty	Sep. 30, 2012USD ($)
Derivative [Line Items]
Percentage of expected outstanding debt	50.00%
Interest rate swap | Cash Flow Hedge
Derivative [Line Items]
Amount of notional principal interest rate swap			$ 174,600,000
Notional amount of cash flow hedges	$ 131,000,000
Interest rate swap | Cash Flow Hedge | Three Counterparties
Derivative [Line Items]
Amount of notional principal interest rate swap		$ 256,600,000
Notional amount of cash flow hedges	302,400,000
Number of counterparties | counterparty		3
Interest Expense
Derivative [Line Items]
Amount reclassified as a reduction to interest expense during next twelve months	$ 237,000

Derivative Instruments, Hedgi39

Derivative Instruments, Hedging Activities and Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income - Schedule of Derivative Financial Instrument as Well as its Classification on the Consolidated Balance Sheet (Details) - Interest rate swap - Derivatives designated as hedging instruments - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Derivative Assets (Liabilities), at Fair Value, Net, by Balance Sheet Classification [Abstract]
Total derivatives designated as hedging instruments	$ 12,195	$ 11,223
Prepaid expenses and other
Derivative Assets (Liabilities), at Fair Value, Net, by Balance Sheet Classification [Abstract]
Derivative assets, fair value	237	0
Deferred charges and other assets, net
Derivative Assets (Liabilities), at Fair Value, Net, by Balance Sheet Classification [Abstract]
Derivative assets, fair value	11,958	12,118
Accrued liabilities and other
Derivative Assets (Liabilities), at Fair Value, Net, by Balance Sheet Classification [Abstract]
Derivatives liabilities, fair value	$ 0	$ (895)

Derivative Instruments, Hedgi40

Derivative Instruments, Hedging Activities and Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income - Schedule of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Details) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017USD ($)
AOCI Attributable to Parent, Before Tax [Roll Forward]
December 31, 2016	$ 11,223
March 31, 2017	12,195
AOCI Attributable to Parent, Tax [Roll Forward]
December 31, 2016	(4,435)
March 31, 2017	(4,808)
AOCI Attributable to Parent, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
December 31, 2016	6,788
March 31, 2017	7,387
Gains on Cash Flow Hedges
AOCI Attributable to Parent, Before Tax [Roll Forward]
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications	541
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (to interest expense)	431
Net current period other comprehensive income	972
AOCI Attributable to Parent, Tax [Roll Forward]
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications	(208)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (to interest expense)	(165)
Net current period other comprehensive income	(373)
AOCI Attributable to Parent, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications	333
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (to interest expense)	266
Net current period other comprehensive income	$ 599

Intangible Assets, Net - Intang

Intangible Assets, Net - Intangible Assets (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Non-amortizing intangibles:	$ 64,431	$ 64,431
Gross Carrying Amount	450,402	449,384
Accumulated Amortization	(71,525)	(59,283)
Net	378,877	390,101
Total intangible assets, gross	514,833	513,815
Intangible assets, net	443,308	454,532
Affiliate contract expansion
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross Carrying Amount	284,102	284,102
Accumulated Amortization	(19,008)	(14,030)
Net	265,094	270,072
Acquired subscribers – wireless
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross Carrying Amount	120,855	120,855
Accumulated Amortization	(25,387)	(18,738)
Net	95,468	102,117
Favorable leases - wireless
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross Carrying Amount	16,950	16,950
Accumulated Amortization	(1,531)	(1,130)
Net	15,419	15,820
Acquired subscribers – cable
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross Carrying Amount	25,265	25,265
Accumulated Amortization	(24,802)	(24,631)
Net	463	634
Other intangibles
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross Carrying Amount	3,230	2,212
Accumulated Amortization	(797)	(754)
Net	2,433	1,458
Cable franchise rights
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Non-amortizing intangibles:	64,334	64,334
Railroad crossing rights
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Non-amortizing intangibles:	$ 97	$ 97

Accrued and Other Liabilities -

Accrued and Other Liabilities - Accrued Liabilities and Other (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Other Liabilities Disclosure [Abstract]
Sales and property taxes payable	$ 4,742	$ 6,628
Severance accrual, current portion	3,553	4,267
Asset retirement obligations, current portion	884	5,841
Other current liabilities	8,995	12,349
Accrued liabilities and other	$ 18,174	$ 29,085

- Other Liabilities (Details)

- Other Liabilities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Other Liabilities Disclosure [Abstract]
Non-current portion of deferred revenues	$ 7,735	$ 8,933
Straight-line management fee waiver	16,180	11,974
Other	2,142	2,836
Other liabilities	$ 26,057	$ 23,743

Long-Term Debt and Revolving 44

Long-Term Debt and Revolving Lines of Credit - Schedule of Long-Term Debt (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt	$ 866,813	$ 847,875
Less: unamortized loan fees	17,816	18,610
Total debt, net of unamortized loan fees	848,997	829,265
Current maturities of long term debt, net of unamortized loan fees	38,124	32,041
Long-term debt, less current maturities, net of unamortized loan fees	810,873	797,224
Term loan A-1
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt	466,813	472,875
Term loan A-2
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt	$ 400,000	$ 375,000

Long-Term Debt and Revolving 45

Long-Term Debt and Revolving Lines of Credit - Narrative (Details)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2016USD ($)
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total indebtedness	$ 866,800,000
Effective interest rate	3.91%
Long-term debt	$ 866,813,000	$ 847,875,000
Leverage ratio two	3.25
Leverage ratio three	3
Debt service coverage ratio, actual	4.56
Debt instrument covenants minimum liquidity amount	$ 25,000,000
Maximum
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Leverage ratio one	3.75
Minimum
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt service coverage ratio, actual	2
Term loan A-1
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Effective interest rate	3.73%
Long-term debt	$ 466,813,000	472,875,000
Periodic payment of principal	6,100,000
Periodic payment principal, period two	$ 12,100,000
Term loan A-1 | London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR)
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Variable interest rate	2.75%
Term loan A-2
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Effective interest rate	3.98%
Long-term debt	$ 400,000,000	$ 375,000,000
Periodic payment of principal	$ 10,000,000
Term loan A-2 | London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR)
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Variable interest rate	3.00%

Long-Term Debt and Revolving 46

Long-Term Debt and Revolving Lines of Credit - Schedule of Financial Covenants (Details)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017USD ($)
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Covenant requirement, total leverage ratio	3.75
Leverage ratio, actual	2.88
Debt service coverage ratio, actual	4.56
Minimum debt service coverage ratio	2
Debt instrument covenants minimum liquidity amount	$ 25,000,000
Covenant, liquidity balance, actual	$ 113,000,000

Segment Information - Narrative

Segment Information - Narrative (Details)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017statesegment
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Number of reportable segments | segment	3
Non Sprint operations, number of states | state	4

Segment Information - Selected

Segment Information - Selected Financial Data for Segments (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016
External revenues [Abstract]
Service revenues	$ 139,645	$ 81,479
Other	14,235	11,092
Total external revenues	153,880	92,571
Internal revenues	0	0
Total operating revenues	153,880	92,571
Operating expenses:
Costs of goods and services, exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown separately below	53,761	31,762
Selling, general and administrative, exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown separately below	40,153	21,426
Integration and acquisition expenses	4,489	332
Depreciation and amortization	44,804	17,739
Total operating expenses	143,207	71,259
Operating income	10,673	21,312
Operating Segments | Wireless
External revenues [Abstract]
Service revenues	108,186	52,179
Other	6,042	3,203
Total external revenues	114,228	55,382
Internal revenues	1,235	1,136
Total operating revenues	115,463	56,518
Operating expenses:
Costs of goods and services, exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown separately below	38,318	16,578
Selling, general and administrative, exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown separately below	28,464	11,514
Integration and acquisition expenses	3,792	0
Depreciation and amortization	35,752	8,494
Total operating expenses	106,326	36,586
Operating income	9,137	19,932
Operating Segments | Cable
External revenues [Abstract]
Service revenues	26,411	24,340
Other	2,035	1,846
Total external revenues	28,446	26,186
Internal revenues	567	260
Total operating revenues	29,013	26,446
Operating expenses:
Costs of goods and services, exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown separately below	15,228	14,647
Selling, general and administrative, exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown separately below	4,858	5,108
Integration and acquisition expenses	0	0
Depreciation and amortization	5,788	6,095
Total operating expenses	25,874	25,850
Operating income	3,139	596
Operating Segments | Wireline
External revenues [Abstract]
Service revenues	5,048	4,960
Other	6,158	6,043
Total external revenues	11,206	11,003
Internal revenues	7,948	7,376
Total operating revenues	19,154	18,379
Operating expenses:
Costs of goods and services, exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown separately below	9,273	8,643
Selling, general and administrative, exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown separately below	1,676	1,605
Integration and acquisition expenses	0	0
Depreciation and amortization	3,132	3,033
Total operating expenses	14,081	13,281
Operating income	5,073	5,098
Operating Segments | Other Segments
External revenues [Abstract]
Service revenues	0	0
Other	0	0
Total external revenues	0	0
Internal revenues	0
Total operating revenues	0	0
Operating expenses:
Costs of goods and services, exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown separately below	0	0
Selling, general and administrative, exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown separately below	5,847	3,865
Integration and acquisition expenses	697	332
Depreciation and amortization	132	117
Total operating expenses	6,676	4,314
Operating income	(6,676)	(4,314)
Intersegment Eliminations
External revenues [Abstract]
Service revenues	0	0
Other	0
Total external revenues	0	0
Internal revenues	(9,750)	(8,772)
Total operating revenues	(9,750)	(8,772)
Operating expenses:
Costs of goods and services, exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown separately below	(9,058)	(8,106)
Selling, general and administrative, exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown separately below	(692)	(666)
Integration and acquisition expenses	0	0
Depreciation and amortization	0	0
Total operating expenses	(9,750)	(8,772)
Operating income	$ 0	$ 0

Segment Information - Reconcili

Segment Information - Reconciliation of Operating Profit (Loss) from Segments to Consolidated (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016
Reconciliation of income from continuing operations from segments to consolidated [Abstract]
Total consolidated operating income	$ 10,673	$ 21,312
Interest expense	(9,100)	(1,619)
Non-operating income, net	1,375	556
Income before income taxes	$ 2,948	$ 20,249

Segment Information - Assets by

Segment Information - Assets by Segment (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Segment Reporting, Asset Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Assets	$ 1,452,989	$ 1,484,407
Operating Segments
Segment Reporting, Asset Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Assets	2,446,324	2,495,367
Operating Segments | Wireless
Segment Reporting, Asset Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Assets	1,039,211	1,101,716
Operating Segments | Cable
Segment Reporting, Asset Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Assets	220,519	218,471
Operating Segments | Wireline
Segment Reporting, Asset Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Assets	116,390	115,282
Operating Segments | Other Segments
Segment Reporting, Asset Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Assets	1,070,204	1,059,898
Intersegment Eliminations
Segment Reporting, Asset Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Assets	$ (993,335)	$ (1,010,960)

Subsequent Events (Details)

Subsequent Events (Details) - Sprint and Affiliates - Addendum XX to Sprint PCS Management Agreement - Subsequent Event individual_people in Thousands, customer in Thousands	Apr. 06, 2017customerindividual_people
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Market population | individual_people	500
Number of customers | customer	21