Shenandoah Telecommunications (SHEN) 10-Q 2 Nov 17 2017 Q3 Quarterly report Financial data

Document and Entity Information

Document and Entity Information - shares	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Oct. 27, 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	Sep. 30, 2017
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2,017
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Amendment Flag	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		49,264,693

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATE

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Current Assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 75,467	$ 36,193
Accounts receivable, net of allowance of $479 and $449, respectively	64,396	69,789
Income taxes receivable	7,689	0
Inventory, net	7,439	39,043
Prepaid expenses and other	18,226	16,440
Total current assets	173,217	161,465
Investments, including $3,271 and $2,907 carried at fair value	11,319	10,276
Property, plant and equipment, net	683,355	698,122
Other Assets
Intangible assets, net	421,672	454,532
Goodwill	146,497	145,256
Deferred charges and other assets, net	11,012	14,756
Total assets	1,447,072	1,484,407
Current Liabilities
Current maturities of long-term debt, net of unamortized loan fees	54,316	32,041
Accounts payable	31,462	72,810
Advanced billings and customer deposits	21,109	20,427
Accrued compensation	7,373	9,465
Income taxes payable	0	435
Accrued liabilities and other	15,277	29,085
Total current liabilities	129,537	164,263
Long-term debt, less current maturities, net of unamortized loan fees	778,686	797,224
Other Long-Term Liabilities
Deferred income taxes	142,056	151,837
Deferred lease payable	21,089	18,042
Asset retirement obligations	19,240	15,666
Retirement plan obligations	16,939	17,738
Other liabilities	40,180	23,743
Total other long-term liabilities	239,504	227,026
Commitments and Contingencies
Shareholders’ Equity
Common stock	43,908	45,482
Retained earnings	249,419	243,624
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of taxes	6,018	6,788
Total shareholders’ equity	299,345	295,894
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity	$ 1,447,072	$ 1,484,407

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDAT3

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Current Assets
Allowance for doubtful accounts	$ 479	$ 449
Investments carried at fair value	$ 3,271	$ 2,907

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDAT4

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
Income Statement [Abstract]
Operating revenues	$ 151,782	$ 156,836	$ 458,920	$ 379,716
Operating expenses:
Cost of goods and services, exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown separately below	55,834	58,317	162,976	140,354
Selling, general and administrative, exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown separately below	42,199	40,369	125,374	96,263
Integration and acquisition expenses	1,706	15,272	9,873	35,801
Depreciation and amortization	42,568	46,807	132,297	96,961
Total operating expenses	142,307	160,765	430,520	369,379
Operating income (loss)	9,475	(3,929)	28,400	10,337
Other income (expense):
Interest expense	(9,823)	(8,845)	(28,312)	(16,369)
Gain (loss) on investments, net	202	127	395	237
Non-operating income (loss), net	1,003	1,400	3,482	2,910
Income (loss) before income taxes	857	(11,247)	3,965	(2,885)
Income tax expense (benefit)	(2,677)	(3,651)	(1,830)	(2,174)
Net income (loss)	3,534	(7,596)	5,795	(711)
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Unrealized gain (loss) on interest rate hedge, net of tax	6	1,712	(770)	(2,573)
Comprehensive income (loss)	$ 3,540	$ (5,884)	$ 5,025	$ (3,284)
Earnings (loss) per share:
Basic (in dollars per share)	$ 0.07	$ (0.16)	$ 0.12	$ (0.01)
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 0.07	$ (0.16)	$ 0.12	$ (0.01)
Weighted average shares outstanding, basic (in shares)	49,133	48,909	49,100	48,768
Weighted average shares outstanding, diluted (in shares)	49,959	48,909	49,869	48,768

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 (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2015		48,475
Beginning balance at Dec. 31, 2015	$ 289,938	$ 32,776	$ 256,747	$ 415
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income (loss)	(895)		(895)
Other comprehensive gain (loss), net of tax	6,373			6,373
Dividends declared ($0.25 per share)	(12,228)		(12,228)
Dividends reinvested in common stock (in shares)		19
Dividends reinvested in common stock	524	$ 524
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 (in shares)		190
Common stock issued for share awards	0
Common stock issued (in shares)		2
Common stock issued	14	$ 14
Common stock issued to acquire non-controlling interests of nTelos (in shares)		76
Common stock issued to acquire non-controlling interests of nTelos	10,400	$ 10,400
Common stock repurchased (in shares)		(198)
Common stock repurchased	(5,097)	$ (5,097)
Ending balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2016		48,935
Ending balance at Dec. 31, 2016	295,894	$ 45,482	243,624	6,788
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income (loss)	5,795		5,795
Other comprehensive gain (loss), net of tax	(770)			(770)
Stock based compensation	3,557	$ 3,557
Stock options exercised (in shares)		295
Stock options exercised	1,944	$ 1,944
Common stock issued for share awards (in shares)		153
Common stock issued (in shares)		1
Common stock issued	16	$ 16
Common stock issued to acquire non-controlling interests of nTelos (in shares)		76
Common stock issued to acquire non-controlling interests of nTelos	0	$ 0
Common stock repurchased (in shares)		(195)
Common stock repurchased	(7,091)	$ (7,091)
Ending balance (in shares) at Sep. 30, 2017		49,265
Ending balance at Sep. 30, 2017	$ 299,345	$ 43,908	$ 249,419	$ 6,018

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	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
Cash Flows From Operating Activities
Net income (loss)	$ 5,795	$ (711)
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation	113,437	84,256
Amortization reflected as operating expense	18,860	12,705
Amortization reflected as contra revenue	15,563	8,883
Amortization reflected as rent expense	2,173	0
Provision for bad debt	1,479	1,278
Straight line adjustment to management fee revenue	12,960	7,687
Stock based compensation expense	3,053	2,570
Deferred income taxes	(12,251)	(57,196)
Net (gain) loss on disposal of equipment	80	(144)
Unrealized (gain) loss on investments	(308)	(180)
Net (gains) loss from patronage and equity investments	(2,315)	(497)
Amortization of debt issuance costs	3,572	2,608
Other	0	1,634
(Increase) decrease in:
Accounts receivable	6,418	7,903
Inventory, net	31,604	(6,134)
Income taxes receivable	(8,704)	8,294
Other assets	(162)	2,619
Increase (decrease) in:
Accounts payable	(30,795)	3,551
Income taxes payable	(435)	16,225
Deferred lease payable	3,729	2,728
Other deferrals and accruals	(5,048)	(2,633)
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities	158,705	95,446
Cash Flows From Investing Activities
Acquisition of property, plant and equipment	(109,435)	(102,850)
Proceeds from sale of assets	356	287
Cash distributions from investments	27	2,796
Additional contributions to investments	(23)	0
Cash disbursed for acquisition, net of cash acquired	(6,000)	(655,590)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	(115,075)	(755,357)
Cash Flows From Financing Activities
Principal payments on long-term debt	(24,250)	(207,816)
Amounts borrowed under debt agreements	25,000	835,000
Cash paid for debt issuance costs	0	(14,825)
Repurchases of common stock	(5,106)	(5,097)
Proceeds from issuance of common stock	0	3,368
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	(4,356)	610,630
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	39,274	(49,281)
Cash and cash equivalents:
Beginning	36,193	76,812
Ending	75,467	27,531
Cash payments for:
Interest, net of capitalized interest of $1,266 and $909, respectively	25,934	14,671
Income taxes paid, net of refunds received	19,567	23,851
Non-cash investing and financing activities
Accounts payable associated with capital expenditures	$ 3,800	14,200
Value of common stock issued to acquire non-controlling interest		$ 10,400

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDAT8

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
Other cash flow information:
Interest, net of capitalized interest	$ 1,266	$ 909

Basis of Presentation

Basis of Presentation	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 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 in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States ("GAAP") for interim financial reporting and as required by Rule 10-01 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements may not include all of the information and notes required by GAAP for audited financial statements. The preparation of condensed consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts of assets and liabilities, and related disclosures, as of the date of the financial statements, and the amounts of revenue and expenses reported during the period. Actual results could differ from estimates. The information contained herein should be read in conjunction with the audited financial statements included 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. Management has made an immaterial error correction to the accompanying prior period unaudited condensed consolidated statement of cash flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 to decrease both the amount of net cash provided by operating activities and the amount of net cash used in investing activities by approximately 10.4 million to properly reflect the common stock issued (non-cash) by the Company to acquire non-controlling interests in a subsidiary of nTelos held by third parties in conjunction with the nTelos acquisition. This immaterial error correction had no effect on the net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents for the period or the beginning or ending balance of cash and cash equivalents for the period. Recently Issued Accounting Standards There have been no developments to recently issued accounting standards, including the expected dates of adoption and estimated effects on the Company's consolidated financial statements and note disclosures, from those disclosed in the Company's 2016 Annual Report on Form 10-K, that would be expected to impact the Company except for the following: In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") No. 2014-09, “ Revenue from Contracts with Customers ”, which requires an entity to recognize the amount of revenue to which it expects to be entitled for the transfer of promised goods or services to customers. The ASU will replace most existing revenue recognition guidance in U.S. GAAP when it becomes effective. In August 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-14, delaying the effective date of ASU 2014-09. Three other amendments have been issued during 2016 modifying the original ASU. As amended, the new standard is effective for the Company on January 1, 2018, using either a retrospective basis or a modified retrospective basis with early adoption permitted. The Company plans to adopt the standard effective January 1, 2018 using the modified retrospective transition approach; under this approach prior periods will not be retrospectively adjusted. The Company is continuing to assess all potential impacts of the standard, including the impact to the pattern with which revenue and direct and contract fulfillment costs are recognized, the impact of the standard on current accounting policies, practices and system of internal controls, in order to identify material differences, if any that would result from applying the new requirements. The Company is in the process of establishing new policies and processes, and is implementing necessary changes to data and procedures necessary to comply with the new requirements. While continuing to assess all potential impacts of the standard, the Company believes the adoption will not have a significant effect on earnings however, the presentation of certain costs may change and disclosures will be impacted. The Company is still in the process of evaluating the impacts and the initial assessment may change. In January 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-01, “Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities” . In addition to the presentation and disclosure requirements for financial instruments, ASU 2016-01 requires entities to measure equity investments, other than those accounted for under the equity method, at fair value and recognize changes in fair value in net income. Entities will no longer be able to use the cost method of accounting for equity securities. However, for equity investments without readily determinable fair values that do not qualify for the practical expedient to estimate fair value using net asset value per share, entities may elect a measurement alternative that will allow those investments to be recorded at cost, less impairment, and adjusted for subsequent observable price changes. Entities must record a cumulative-effect adjustment to the balance sheet as of the beginning of the first reporting period in which the standard is adopted, except for equity investments without readily determinable fair values, for which the guidance will be applied prospectively. The guidance under ASU 2016-01 is effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2017. The Company has not yet completed its assessment of the impact of the new standard on the Company’s consolidated financial statements. In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, “ Leases ”, which requires the recognition of lease assets and lease liabilities by lessees for those leases classified as operating leases under previous generally accepted accounting principles. The ASU is effective for us on January 1, 2019, and early application is permitted. Modified retrospective application is required. The Company plans to adopt this standard when it becomes effective for the Company beginning January 1, 2019, and expects the adoption of this standard will result in the recognition of right of use assets and lease liabilities that have not previously been recorded, which will have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements. In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-15, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments . ASU 2016-15 is intended to reduce diversity in practice in how certain cash receipts and cash payments are presented and classified in the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows by providing guidance on eight specific cash flow issues. The Company intends to adopt the standard retrospectively on the effective date of January 1, 2018 and does not expect the adoption of the ASU to have a material effect on cash flows. In March 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-07, " Improving the Presentation of Net Periodic Pension Cost and Net Periodic Postretirement Benefit Cost ". The update requires employers to present the service cost component of the net periodic benefit cost in the same income statement line item as other employee compensation costs arising from services rendered during the period. The other components of net benefit cost, including interest cost, expected return on plan assets, amortization of prior service cost/credit and actuarial gain/loss, and settlement and curtailment effects, are to be presented outside of any subtotal of operating income. Employers will have to disclose the line(s) used to present the other components of net periodic benefit cost, if the components are not presented separately in the income statement . ASU 2017-07 is effective for fiscal years and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2017, and early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently assessing the impact that adopting this new accounting standard will have on its consolidated financial statements. The Company does not expect the adoption of ASU 2017-07 to have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements, nor does the Company expect to early adopt ASU 2017-07. In August 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-12, " Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815): Targeted Improvements to Accounting for Hedging Activities" . This update is intended to simplify hedge accounting by better aligning an entity’s financial reporting for hedging relationships with its risk management activities. The ASU also simplifies the application of the hedge accounting guidance. ASU 2017-12 is effective on January 1, 2019, with early adoption permitted. For cash flow hedges existing at the adoption date, the standard requires adoption on a modified retrospective basis with a cumulative-effect adjustment to the Consolidated Balance Sheet as of the beginning of the year of adoption, to the extent any ineffectiveness was previously recognized. The amendments to presentation guidance and disclosure requirements under this update are required to be adopted prospectively. The Company has not yet determined the effect of the ASU on our results of operations, financial condition or cash flows, nor has transition date been determined. In September 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-13, " Revenue Recognition (Topic 605), Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606), Leases (Topic 840), and Leases (Topic 842)" , which provided additional implementation guidance on the previously issued topics. The Company has not yet completed its assessment of the impact of the new standard on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

Acquisitions

Acquisitions	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017
Business Combinations [Abstract]
Acquisitions	Acquisitions Acquisition of NTELOS Holdings Corp. and Exchange with Sprint On May 6, 2016, (the "acquisition date"), the Company completed its acquisition of NTELOS Holdings Corp. (nTelos). nTelos, was a regional provider of wireless telecommunications solutions and was acquired to expand the Company's wireless service area and subscriber base, thus strengthening the Company's relationship with Sprint Corporation (Sprint). Pursuant to the terms of the Agreement and Plan of Merger between the Company and nTelos (the "Merger Agreement"), nTelos became a direct wholly owned subsidiary of the Company. Pursuant to the terms of the Merger Agreement, the Company acquired all of the issued and outstanding capital stock of nTelos for an aggregate purchase price of $667.8 million . 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. Transaction costs in connection with the acquisition were expensed as incurred and are included in integration and acquisition expenses in the condensed consolidated statement of operations. The results of operations related to nTelos are included in our consolidated statements of operations beginning from the date of acquisition. The Company accounted for the acquisition of nTelos under the acquisition method of accounting, in accordance with FASB's Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 805, “Business Combinations”, and has accounted for measurement period adjustments under ASU 2015-16, “Simplifying the Accounting for Measurement Period Adjustments”. Estimates of fair value included in the consolidated financial statements, in conformity with ASC 820, "Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures", represent the Company's best estimates and valuations. In accordance with ASC 805, "Business Combinations", the allocation of the consideration value was subject to adjustment until the Company completed its analysis, in a period of time, but not to exceed one year after the date of acquisition, or May 6, 2017, in order to provide the Company with the time to complete the valuation of its assets and liabilities. The Company has completed and finalized its analysis and allocation of the consideration value to assets acquired and liabilities assumed. The following table summarizes the final purchase price allocation to assets acquired and liabilities assumed, including measurement period adjustments: Initial Estimate Measurement Period Adjustments Purchase Price Allocation Accounts receivable $ 48,476 $ (1,242 ) 47,234 Inventory 3,810 762 4,572 Restricted cash 2,167 — 2,167 Investments 1,501 — 1,501 Prepaid expenses and other assets 14,835 — 14,835 Building held for sale 4,950 — 4,950 Property, plant and equipment 223,900 3,347 227,247 Spectrum licenses (1), (2) 198,200 — 198,200 Acquired subscribers - wireless (1), (2) 198,200 7,746 205,946 Favorable lease intangible assets (2) 11,000 6,029 17,029 Goodwill (3) 151,627 (5,244 ) 146,383 Other long term assets 10,288 555 10,843 Total assets acquired $ 868,954 $ 11,953 $ 880,907 Accounts payable 8,648 (105 ) 8,543 Advanced billings and customer deposits 12,477 — 12,477 Accrued expenses 25,230 (2,089 ) 23,141 Capital lease liability 418 — 418 Deferred tax liabilities 124,964 4,327 129,291 Retirement benefits 19,461 (263 ) 19,198 Other long-term liabilities 14,056 6,029 20,085 Total liabilities assumed $ 205,254 $ 7,899 $ 213,153 Net assets acquired $ 663,700 $ 4,054 $ 667,754 (1) Concurrently with acquiring nTelos, the Company completed its previously announced transaction with SprintCom, Inc., a subsidiary of Sprint. Pursuant to this transaction, among other things, the Company exchanged spectrum licenses, valued at $198.2 million and acquired subscribers - wireless, valued at $206.0 million , acquired from nTelos with Sprint, and received an expansion of its affiliate service territory to include most of the service area served by nTelos, valued at $283.3 million , as well as additional acquired subscribers - wireless, valued at $120.9 million , relating to nTelos’ and Sprint’s legacy customers in the Company’s affiliate service territory. These exchanges were accounted for in accordance with ASC 845, “Nonmonetary Transactions”. The transfer of spectrum to Sprint resulted in a taxable gain to the Company which will be recognized as the Company recognizes the cash benefit of the waived management fees over the remaining approximately five years. (2) Identifiable intangible assets were measured using a combination of an income approach and a market approach. (3) Goodwill is the excess of the consideration transferred over the net assets recognized and represents the future economic benefits, primarily as a result of other assets acquired that could not be individually identified and separately recognized. The Company has recorded goodwill in its Wireless segment as a result of the nTelos acquisition. Goodwill is not amortized. The goodwill that arose from the acquisition of nTelos is not deductible for tax purposes. In addition to the changes in the balances reflected above, the Company revised provisional estimated useful lives of certain assets and recorded an adjustment to amortization expense of $0.1 million during the three months ended June 30, 2017, and recorded an adjustment during 2016 of $4.6 million to depreciation expense relating to the three months ended June 30, 2016. Acquisition-related costs primarily related to legal services, professional services, and severance accruals, were expensed as incurred. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 , the Company incurred acquisition-related costs of $0.8 million and $15.9 million , respectively. The amounts of operating revenue and income or loss before income taxes related to the former nTelos entity are not readily determinable due to intercompany transactions, allocations and integration activities that have occurred in connection with the operations of the combined company. The following table presents pro forma information, based on estimates and assumptions that the Company believes to be reasonable, for the Company as if the acquisition of nTelos had occurred at the beginning of 2016: (in millions) Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended Operating revenues $ 157.8 $ 492.1 Income (loss) before income taxes $ (13.4 ) $ (4.0 ) The pro forma information provided in the table above is not necessarily indicative of the consolidated results of operations for future periods or the results that actually would have been realized had the acquisition been completed at the beginning of the periods presented. The pro forma information provided in the table above is based upon estimated valuations of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed as well as estimates of depreciation and amortization charges thereon. Other estimated pro forma adjustments include the following: • changes in nTelos' reported revenues from cancelling nTelos' wholesale contract with Sprint; • the incorporation of the Sprint-homed customers formerly serviced under the wholesale agreement into the Company’s affiliate service territory under the Company’s affiliate agreement with Sprint; • the effect of other changes to revenues and expenses due to various provisions of the affiliate agreement, including fees charged under the affiliate agreement on revenues from former nTelos customers, a reduction of the net service fee charged by Sprint, the straight-line impact of the waived management fee, and the amortization of the affiliate agreement expansion intangible asset; and the elimination of non-recurring transaction related expenses incurred by the Company and nTelos; • the elimination of certain nTelos operating costs associated with billing and care that are covered under the fees charged by Sprint under the affiliate agreement; • historical depreciation expense was reduced for the fair value adjustment decreasing the basis of property, plant and equipment; this decrease was offset by a shorter estimated useful life to conform to the Company’s standard policy and the acceleration of depreciation on certain equipment; and • incremental amortization due to the Acquired subscribers - wireless intangible asset. In connection with the acquisition of nTelos, 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. The Company has incurred these costs as follows: Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended Statement of Operations location: 2017 2016 2017 2016 Cost of goods and services 0.1 0.7 0.3 1.0 Selling, general and administrative 1.1 4.2 5.2 7.1 Integration and acquisition 1.7 15.3 9.9 35.8 Total 2.9 20.2 15.4 43.9 The value of the affiliate agreement expansion discussed above is based on changes to the amended affiliate agreement that include: • an increase in the price to be paid by Sprint from 80% to 90% of the entire business value if the affiliate agreement is not renewed; • extension of the affiliate agreement with Sprint by five years to 2029; • expanded territory in the nTelos service area; • rights to serve all future Sprint customers in the affiliate service territory; • the Company's commitment to upgrade certain coverage and capacity in its newly acquired service area; and • a reduction of the management fee charged by Sprint under the amended affiliate agreement; not to exceed $4.2 million in an individual month until the total waived fee equals $251.8 million , as well as an additional waiver of the management fee charged with respect to the former nTelos customers until the earlier of migration to the Sprint back-office billing and related systems or six months following the acquisition; not to exceed $5.0 million . Intangible assets resulting from the acquisition of nTelos and the Sprint exchange, both described above, are noted below (in thousands): Useful Life Basis Affiliate contract expansion 14 years $ 283,302 Acquired subscribers - wireless 4-10 years $ 120,855 Favorable lease intangible assets 10 years $ 17,029 The affiliate contract expansion intangible asset is amortized on a straight-line basis and recorded as a contra-revenue over the remaining 14 year initial contract term. The Acquired subscribers rights - wireless intangible is amortized over the life of the customers, gradually decreasing over the expected life of this asset, and recorded through amortization expense. The favorable lease intangible assets are amortized on a straight-line basis and recorded through rent expense. The value of these intangible assets includes measurement period adjustments. Acquisition of Expansion Area On April 6, 2017, the Company expanded its affiliate service territory, under its agreements with Sprint, to include certain areas in North Carolina, Kentucky, Maryland, Ohio and West Virginia. The expanded territory includes the Parkersburg, WV, Huntington, WV, and Cumberland, MD, basic trading areas. Approximately 25,000 Sprint retail and former nTelos postpaid and prepaid subscribers in the new basic trading areas became Sprint-branded affiliate customers managed by the Company.

Property, Plant and Equipment

Property, Plant and Equipment	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]
Property, Plant and Equipment	Property, Plant and Equipment Property, plant and equipment consisted of the following (in thousands): September 30, December 31, Plant in service $ 1,187,799 $ 1,085,318 Plant under construction 67,099 73,759 1,254,898 1,159,077 Less accumulated amortization and depreciation 571,543 460,955 Net property, plant and equipment $ 683,355 $ 698,122

Earnings (loss) per share (EPS)

Earnings (loss) per share (EPS)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Earnings (loss) per share (EPS)	Earnings (loss) per share ("EPS") Basic net income (loss) per share was computed by dividing net income or loss by the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the period. Diluted net income (loss) per share was computed under the treasury stock method, assuming the conversion as of the beginning of the period, for all dilutive stock options. Diluted EPS was computed by dividing net income by the sum of the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding and potentially dilutive securities outstanding during the period under the treasury stock method. Potentially dilutive securities include stock options and restricted stock units and shares that the Company is contractually obligated to issue in the future. Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended (in thousands, except per share amounts) 2017 2016 2017 2016 Basic income (loss) per share Net income (loss) $ 3,534 $ (7,596 ) $ 5,795 $ (711 ) Basic weighted average shares outstanding 49,133 48,909 49,100 48,768 Basic income (loss) per share $ 0.07 $ (0.16 ) $ 0.12 $ (0.01 ) Effect of stock options and awards outstanding: Basic weighted average shares outstanding 49,133 48,909 49,100 48,768 Effect from dilutive shares and options outstanding 826 — 769 — Diluted weighted average shares 49,959 48,909 49,869 48,768 Diluted income (loss) per share $ 0.07 $ (0.16 ) $ 0.12 $ (0.01 ) Due to the net loss for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, no adjustment was made to basic shares, as such an adjustment would have been anti-dilutive. The computation of diluted EPS does not include certain unvested awards, on a weighted average basis, because their inclusion would have an anti-dilutive effect on EPS. The awards excluded because of their anti-dilutive effect are as follows: Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended (in thousands) 2017 2016 2017 2016 Awards excluded from the computation of diluted net income per share because their inclusion would have been anti-dilutive — 893 94 778

Investments

Investments	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Investments	Investments Investments include $3.3 million and $2.9 million of investments carried at fair value as of September 30, 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 nine months ended September 30, 2017 , the Company recognized $59 thousand in dividend and interest income from investments, and recorded net unrealized gains of $308 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. Changes in carrying value of investments are recorded within gain on investments, net on the Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss). At September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016 , other investments, comprised of equity securities which do not have readily determinable fair values, consist of the following (in thousands): September 30, December 31, Cost method: CoBank $ 6,644 $ 6,177 Other – Equity in other telecommunications partners 812 742 7,456 6,919 Equity method: Other 592 450 Total other investments $ 8,048 $ 7,369

Financial Instruments

Financial Instruments	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 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. The Company has certain non-marketable long-term investments for which it is not practicable to estimate fair value with a total carrying value of $8.0 million and $7.4 million as of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016 , respectively, of which $6.6 million and $6.2 million , respectively, represents the Company’s investment in CoBank. This investment is primarily related to patronage distributions of restricted equity and is a required investment related to the portion of the Credit Facility held by CoBank. This investment is carried under the cost method.

Derivative Instruments, Hedging

Derivative Instruments, Hedging Activities and Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]
Derivative Instruments, Hedging Activities and Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	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 $122.2 million as of September 30, 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 $303.8 million as of September 30, 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 the outstanding notional amount 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 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 September 30, 2017 , the Company estimates that $1.1 million 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 (in thousands): September 30, December 31, Balance Sheet Location: Prepaid expenses and other $ 1,124 $ — Deferred charges and other assets, net 8,848 12,118 Accrued liabilities and other — (895 ) Total derivatives designated as hedging instruments $ 9,972 $ 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 (loss) by component for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 (in thousands): Gains (Losses) on Cash Flow Hedges Income Tax Expense Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), net of taxes Balance as of December 31, 2016 $ 11,223 $ (4,435 ) $ 6,788 Net change in unrealized gain (loss) (1,789 ) 698 (1,091 ) Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) to interest expense 538 (217 ) 321 Net current period accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (1,251 ) 481 (770 ) Balance as of September 30, 2017 $ 9,972 $ (3,954 ) $ 6,018

Goodwill and Other Intangible A

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets	Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets Changes in the carrying amount of goodwill during the nine months ended September 30, 2017 are shown below (in thousands): December 31, Measurement Period Adjustments September 30, Goodwill - Wireline segment $ 10 $ — $ 10 Goodwill - Cable segment 104 — 104 Goodwill - Wireless segment 145,142 1,241 146,383 Goodwill as of September 30, 2017 $ 145,256 $ 1,241 $ 146,497 Intangible assets consist of the following at September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016 : September 30, 2017 December 31, 2016 Gross Carrying Amount Accumulated Amortization Net Gross Carrying Amount Accumulated Amortization Net Non-amortizing intangibles: Cable franchise rights $ 64,335 $ — $ 64,335 $ 64,334 $ — $ 64,334 Railroad crossing rights 140 — 140 97 — 97 64,475 — 64,475 64,431 — 64,431 Finite-lived intangibles: Affiliate contract expansion 287,052 (29,593 ) 257,459 284,102 (14,030 ) 270,072 Acquired subscribers – wireless 123,105 (36,871 ) 86,234 120,855 (18,738 ) 102,117 Favorable leases - wireless 16,950 (3,985 ) 12,965 16,950 (1,130 ) 15,820 Acquired subscribers – cable 25,265 (25,059 ) 206 25,265 (24,631 ) 634 Other intangibles 563 (230 ) 333 2,212 (754 ) 1,458 Total finite-lived intangibles 452,935 (95,738 ) 357,197 449,384 (59,283 ) 390,101 Total intangible assets $ 517,410 $ (95,738 ) $ 421,672 $ 513,815 $ (59,283 ) $ 454,532

Accrued and Other Liabilities

Accrued and Other Liabilities	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017
Other Liabilities Disclosure [Abstract]
Accrued and Other Liabilities	Accrued and Other liabilities Accrued liabilities and other include the following (in thousands): September 30, 2017 December 31, 2016 Sales and property taxes payable $ 4,409 $ 6,628 Severance accrual 1,889 4,267 Asset retirement obligations, current portion 823 5,841 Accrued programming costs 2,856 2,939 Other current liabilities 5,300 9,410 Accrued liabilities and other $ 15,277 $ 29,085 Other liabilities include the following (in thousands): September 30, 2017 December 31, 2016 Non-current portion of deferred revenues $ 14,111 $ 8,933 Straight-line management fee waiver 24,934 11,974 Other 1,135 2,836 Other liabilities $ 40,180 $ 23,743

Long-Term Debt and Revolving Li

Long-Term Debt and Revolving Lines of Credit	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Long-Term Debt and Revolving Lines of Credit	Long-Term Debt and Revolving Lines of Credit Total debt at September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016 consists of the following: (In thousands) September 30, 2017 December 31, 2016 Term loan A-1 $ 448,625 $ 472,875 Term loan A-2 400,000 375,000 848,625 847,875 Less: unamortized loan fees 15,623 18,610 Total debt, net of unamortized loan fees $ 833,002 $ 829,265 Current maturities of long term debt, net of unamortized loan fees $ 54,316 $ 32,041 Long-term debt, less current maturities, net of unamortized loan fees $ 778,686 $ 797,224 As of September 30, 2017 , our indebtedness totaled $848.6 million in term loans with an annualized effective interest rate of approximately 4.07% after considering the impact of the interest rate swap contract and unamortized loan costs. The balance consists of the $448.6 million Term Loan A-1 at a variable rate ( 3.99% as of September 30, 2017 ) that resets monthly based on one month LIBOR plus a margin of 2.75% , and the $400.0 million Term Loan A-2 at a variable rate ( 4.24% as of September 30, 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 $12.1 million 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 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. As shown below, as of September 30, 2017 , the Company was in compliance with the covenants in its credit agreements. Actual Covenant Requirement Total Leverage Ratio 2.93 3.75 or Lower Debt Service Coverage Ratio 3.88 2.00 or Higher Minimum Liquidity Balance $ 149,228 $25 million or Higher

Segment Information

Segment Information	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 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. The Wireless segment provides digital wireless service as a PCS affiliate to a portion of a four -state area covering the region from Harrisburg, York and Altoona, Pennsylvania, along Interstate 81 to Harrisonburg, Virginia, south-central and western Virginia, West Virginia, and small portions of North Carolina, Kentucky, Maryland and Ohio. The Wireless 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 September 30, 2017 (in thousands) Wireless Cable Wireline Other Eliminations Consolidated Totals External revenues Service revenues $ 107,395 $ 26,934 $ 5,126 $ — $ — $ 139,455 Other 3,871 2,156 6,300 — — 12,327 Total external revenues 111,266 29,090 11,426 — — 151,782 Internal revenues 1,239 999 8,425 — (10,663 ) — Total operating revenues 112,505 30,089 19,851 — (10,663 ) 151,782 Operating expenses Costs of goods and services, exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown separately below 41,041 14,913 9,807 — (9,927 ) 55,834 Selling, general and administrative, exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown separately below 30,099 5,358 1,706 5,772 (736 ) 42,199 Integration and acquisition expenses 1,691 — — 15 — 1,706 Depreciation and amortization 32,929 6,192 3,249 198 — 42,568 Total operating expenses 105,760 26,463 14,762 5,985 (10,663 ) 142,307 Operating income (loss) $ 6,745 $ 3,626 $ 5,089 $ (5,985 ) $ — $ 9,475 Three Months Ended September 30, 2016 (in thousands) Wireless Cable Wireline Other Eliminations Consolidated Totals External revenues Service revenues $ 111,001 $ 24,948 $ 4,948 $ — $ — $ 140,897 Other 7,978 2,031 5,930 — — 15,939 Total external revenues 118,979 26,979 10,878 — — 156,836 Internal revenues 1,140 587 7,854 — (9,581 ) — Total operating revenues 120,119 27,566 18,732 — (9,581 ) 156,836 Operating expenses Costs of goods and services, exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown separately below 43,097 14,654 9,442 — (8,876 ) 58,317 Selling, general and administrative, exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown separately below 29,892 4,770 1,676 4,736 (705 ) 40,369 Integration and acquisition expenses 14,499 — — 773 — 15,272 Depreciation and amortization 38,038 5,860 2,822 87 — 46,807 Total operating expenses 125,526 25,284 13,940 5,596 (9,581 ) 160,765 Operating income (loss) $ (5,407 ) $ 2,282 $ 4,792 $ (5,596 ) $ — $ (3,929 ) Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017 (in thousands) Wireless Cable Wireline Other Eliminations Consolidated Totals External revenues Service revenues $ 323,262 $ 80,229 $ 15,301 $ — $ — $ 418,792 Other 15,133 6,283 18,712 — — 40,128 Total external revenues 338,395 86,512 34,013 — — 458,920 Internal revenues 3,707 2,153 24,568 (30,428 ) — Total operating revenues 342,102 88,665 58,581 — (30,428 ) 458,920 Operating expenses Costs of goods and services, exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown separately below 117,829 45,052 28,409 — (28,314 ) 162,976 Selling, general and administrative, exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown separately below 88,201 15,083 5,065 19,139 (2,114 ) 125,374 Integration and acquisition expenses 9,607 — — 266 — 9,873 Depreciation and amortization 104,231 18,070 9,536 460 — 132,297 Total operating expenses 319,868 78,205 43,010 19,865 (30,428 ) 430,520 Operating income (loss) $ 22,234 $ 10,460 $ 15,571 $ (19,865 ) $ — $ 28,400 Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016 (in thousands) Wireless Cable Wireline Other Eliminations Consolidated Totals External revenues Service revenues $ 250,053 $ 73,455 $ 14,727 $ — $ — $ 338,235 Other 17,461 5,799 18,221 — — 41,481 Total external revenues 267,514 79,254 32,948 — — 379,716 Internal revenues 3,417 1,159 22,754 — (27,330 ) — Total operating revenues 270,931 80,413 55,702 — (27,330 ) 379,716 Operating expenses Costs of goods and services, exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown separately below 94,892 43,864 26,892 — (25,294 ) 140,354 Selling, general and administrative, exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown separately below 65,219 14,672 4,951 13,457 (2,036 ) 96,263 Integration and acquisition expenses 19,889 — — 15,912 — 35,801 Depreciation and amortization 70,026 17,834 8,789 312 — 96,961 Total operating expenses 250,026 76,370 40,632 29,681 (27,330 ) 369,379 Operating income (loss) $ 20,905 $ 4,043 $ 15,070 $ (29,681 ) $ — $ 10,337 A reconciliation of the total of the reportable segments’ operating income (loss) to consolidated income (loss) before taxes is as follows: Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended (in thousands) 2017 2016 2017 2016 Total consolidated operating income (loss) $ 9,475 $ (3,929 ) $ 28,400 $ 10,337 Interest expense (9,823 ) (8,845 ) (28,312 ) (16,369 ) Non-operating income, net 1,205 1,527 3,877 3,147 Income (loss) before income taxes $ 857 $ (11,247 ) $ 3,965 $ (2,885 )

Income Taxes

Income Taxes	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 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 September 30, 2017 . The effective tax rate has fluctuated in recent periods due to the minimal base of pre-tax earnings or losses and has been further impacted by the impact of share based compensation tax benefits which are recognized as incurred under the provisions of ASC 740, "Income Taxes".

Related Party Transactions

Related Party Transactions	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017
Related Party Transactions [Abstract]
Related Party Transactions	Related Party Transactions ValleyNet, an equity method investee of the Company, resells capacity on the Company’s fiber network under an operating lease agreement. Additionally, the Company's PCS operating subsidiary leases capacity through ValleyNet. The following tables summarize the financial statement impact from related party transactions with ValleyNet (in thousands): Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30, Statement of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss) 2017 2016 2017 2016 Facility Lease Revenue $ 506 $ 560 $ 1,664 $ 1,809 Costs of Goods and Services 951 858 2,699 2,162 September 30, December 31, Consolidated Balance Sheet Accounts Receivable related to ValleyNet $ 181 $ 191 Accounts Payable related to ValleyNet 301 448

Subsequent Events Subsequent Ev

Subsequent Events Subsequent Events	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017
Subsequent Events [Abstract]
Subsequent Events	Subsequent Events On October 24. 2017, the Company’s Board of Directors approved a dividend of $0.26 per common share to be paid December 1, 2017 to shareholders of record as of the close of business on November 3, 2017. Before dividend reinvestments, the total payout is expected to be approximately $12.8 million .

Basis or Presentation (Policies

Basis or Presentation (Policies)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Recently Issued Accounting Standards	Recently Issued Accounting Standards There have been no developments to recently issued accounting standards, including the expected dates of adoption and estimated effects on the Company's consolidated financial statements and note disclosures, from those disclosed in the Company's 2016 Annual Report on Form 10-K, that would be expected to impact the Company except for the following: In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") No. 2014-09, “ Revenue from Contracts with Customers ”, which requires an entity to recognize the amount of revenue to which it expects to be entitled for the transfer of promised goods or services to customers. The ASU will replace most existing revenue recognition guidance in U.S. GAAP when it becomes effective. In August 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-14, delaying the effective date of ASU 2014-09. Three other amendments have been issued during 2016 modifying the original ASU. As amended, the new standard is effective for the Company on January 1, 2018, using either a retrospective basis or a modified retrospective basis with early adoption permitted. The Company plans to adopt the standard effective January 1, 2018 using the modified retrospective transition approach; under this approach prior periods will not be retrospectively adjusted. The Company is continuing to assess all potential impacts of the standard, including the impact to the pattern with which revenue and direct and contract fulfillment costs are recognized, the impact of the standard on current accounting policies, practices and system of internal controls, in order to identify material differences, if any that would result from applying the new requirements. The Company is in the process of establishing new policies and processes, and is implementing necessary changes to data and procedures necessary to comply with the new requirements. While continuing to assess all potential impacts of the standard, the Company believes the adoption will not have a significant effect on earnings however, the presentation of certain costs may change and disclosures will be impacted. The Company is still in the process of evaluating the impacts and the initial assessment may change. In January 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-01, “Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities” . In addition to the presentation and disclosure requirements for financial instruments, ASU 2016-01 requires entities to measure equity investments, other than those accounted for under the equity method, at fair value and recognize changes in fair value in net income. Entities will no longer be able to use the cost method of accounting for equity securities. However, for equity investments without readily determinable fair values that do not qualify for the practical expedient to estimate fair value using net asset value per share, entities may elect a measurement alternative that will allow those investments to be recorded at cost, less impairment, and adjusted for subsequent observable price changes. Entities must record a cumulative-effect adjustment to the balance sheet as of the beginning of the first reporting period in which the standard is adopted, except for equity investments without readily determinable fair values, for which the guidance will be applied prospectively. The guidance under ASU 2016-01 is effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2017. The Company has not yet completed its assessment of the impact of the new standard on the Company’s consolidated financial statements. In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, “ Leases ”, which requires the recognition of lease assets and lease liabilities by lessees for those leases classified as operating leases under previous generally accepted accounting principles. The ASU is effective for us on January 1, 2019, and early application is permitted. Modified retrospective application is required. The Company plans to adopt this standard when it becomes effective for the Company beginning January 1, 2019, and expects the adoption of this standard will result in the recognition of right of use assets and lease liabilities that have not previously been recorded, which will have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements. In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-15, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments . ASU 2016-15 is intended to reduce diversity in practice in how certain cash receipts and cash payments are presented and classified in the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows by providing guidance on eight specific cash flow issues. The Company intends to adopt the standard retrospectively on the effective date of January 1, 2018 and does not expect the adoption of the ASU to have a material effect on cash flows. In March 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-07, " Improving the Presentation of Net Periodic Pension Cost and Net Periodic Postretirement Benefit Cost ". The update requires employers to present the service cost component of the net periodic benefit cost in the same income statement line item as other employee compensation costs arising from services rendered during the period. The other components of net benefit cost, including interest cost, expected return on plan assets, amortization of prior service cost/credit and actuarial gain/loss, and settlement and curtailment effects, are to be presented outside of any subtotal of operating income. Employers will have to disclose the line(s) used to present the other components of net periodic benefit cost, if the components are not presented separately in the income statement . ASU 2017-07 is effective for fiscal years and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2017, and early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently assessing the impact that adopting this new accounting standard will have on its consolidated financial statements. The Company does not expect the adoption of ASU 2017-07 to have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements, nor does the Company expect to early adopt ASU 2017-07. In August 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-12, " Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815): Targeted Improvements to Accounting for Hedging Activities" . This update is intended to simplify hedge accounting by better aligning an entity’s financial reporting for hedging relationships with its risk management activities. The ASU also simplifies the application of the hedge accounting guidance. ASU 2017-12 is effective on January 1, 2019, with early adoption permitted. For cash flow hedges existing at the adoption date, the standard requires adoption on a modified retrospective basis with a cumulative-effect adjustment to the Consolidated Balance Sheet as of the beginning of the year of adoption, to the extent any ineffectiveness was previously recognized. The amendments to presentation guidance and disclosure requirements under this update are required to be adopted prospectively. The Company has not yet determined the effect of the ASU on our results of operations, financial condition or cash flows, nor has transition date been determined. In September 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-13, " Revenue Recognition (Topic 605), Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606), Leases (Topic 840), and Leases (Topic 842)" , which provided additional implementation guidance on the previously issued topics. The Company has not yet completed its assessment of the impact of the new standard on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

Acquisitions (Tables)

Acquisitions (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017
Business Combinations [Abstract]
Schedule of Purchase Price Allocation	The following table summarizes the final purchase price allocation to assets acquired and liabilities assumed, including measurement period adjustments: Initial Estimate Measurement Period Adjustments Purchase Price Allocation Accounts receivable $ 48,476 $ (1,242 ) 47,234 Inventory 3,810 762 4,572 Restricted cash 2,167 — 2,167 Investments 1,501 — 1,501 Prepaid expenses and other assets 14,835 — 14,835 Building held for sale 4,950 — 4,950 Property, plant and equipment 223,900 3,347 227,247 Spectrum licenses (1), (2) 198,200 — 198,200 Acquired subscribers - wireless (1), (2) 198,200 7,746 205,946 Favorable lease intangible assets (2) 11,000 6,029 17,029 Goodwill (3) 151,627 (5,244 ) 146,383 Other long term assets 10,288 555 10,843 Total assets acquired $ 868,954 $ 11,953 $ 880,907 Accounts payable 8,648 (105 ) 8,543 Advanced billings and customer deposits 12,477 — 12,477 Accrued expenses 25,230 (2,089 ) 23,141 Capital lease liability 418 — 418 Deferred tax liabilities 124,964 4,327 129,291 Retirement benefits 19,461 (263 ) 19,198 Other long-term liabilities 14,056 6,029 20,085 Total liabilities assumed $ 205,254 $ 7,899 $ 213,153 Net assets acquired $ 663,700 $ 4,054 $ 667,754 (1) Concurrently with acquiring nTelos, the Company completed its previously announced transaction with SprintCom, Inc., a subsidiary of Sprint. Pursuant to this transaction, among other things, the Company exchanged spectrum licenses, valued at $198.2 million and acquired subscribers - wireless, valued at $206.0 million , acquired from nTelos with Sprint, and received an expansion of its affiliate service territory to include most of the service area served by nTelos, valued at $283.3 million , as well as additional acquired subscribers - wireless, valued at $120.9 million , relating to nTelos’ and Sprint’s legacy customers in the Company’s affiliate service territory. These exchanges were accounted for in accordance with ASC 845, “Nonmonetary Transactions”. The transfer of spectrum to Sprint resulted in a taxable gain to the Company which will be recognized as the Company recognizes the cash benefit of the waived management fees over the remaining approximately five years. (2) Identifiable intangible assets were measured using a combination of an income approach and a market approach. (3) Goodwill is the excess of the consideration transferred over the net assets recognized and represents the future economic benefits, primarily as a result of other assets acquired that could not be individually identified and separately recognized. The Company has recorded goodwill in its Wireless segment as a result of the nTelos acquisition. Goodwill is not amortized. The goodwill that arose from the acquisition of nTelos is not deductible for tax purposes.
Schedule of Pro Forma Results	The following table presents pro forma information, based on estimates and assumptions that the Company believes to be reasonable, for the Company as if the acquisition of nTelos had occurred at the beginning of 2016: (in millions) Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended Operating revenues $ 157.8 $ 492.1 Income (loss) before income taxes $ (13.4 ) $ (4.0 )
Schedule of Acquisition Related Costs	The Company has incurred these costs as follows: Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended Statement of Operations location: 2017 2016 2017 2016 Cost of goods and services 0.1 0.7 0.3 1.0 Selling, general and administrative 1.1 4.2 5.2 7.1 Integration and acquisition 1.7 15.3 9.9 35.8 Total 2.9 20.2 15.4 43.9
Schedule of Intangible Assets Acquired	Intangible assets resulting from the acquisition of nTelos and the Sprint exchange, both described above, are noted below (in thousands): Useful Life Basis Affiliate contract expansion 14 years $ 283,302 Acquired subscribers - wireless 4-10 years $ 120,855 Favorable lease intangible assets 10 years $ 17,029

Property, Plant and Equipment (

Property, Plant and Equipment (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]
Property, Plant and Equipment	Property, plant and equipment consisted of the following (in thousands): September 30, December 31, Plant in service $ 1,187,799 $ 1,085,318 Plant under construction 67,099 73,759 1,254,898 1,159,077 Less accumulated amortization and depreciation 571,543 460,955 Net property, plant and equipment $ 683,355 $ 698,122

Earnings (Loss) Per Share (EP26

Earnings (Loss) Per Share (EPS) (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Schedule of Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted	Potentially dilutive securities include stock options and restricted stock units and shares that the Company is contractually obligated to issue in the future. Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended (in thousands, except per share amounts) 2017 2016 2017 2016 Basic income (loss) per share Net income (loss) $ 3,534 $ (7,596 ) $ 5,795 $ (711 ) Basic weighted average shares outstanding 49,133 48,909 49,100 48,768 Basic income (loss) per share $ 0.07 $ (0.16 ) $ 0.12 $ (0.01 ) Effect of stock options and awards outstanding: Basic weighted average shares outstanding 49,133 48,909 49,100 48,768 Effect from dilutive shares and options outstanding 826 — 769 — Diluted weighted average shares 49,959 48,909 49,869 48,768 Diluted income (loss) per share $ 0.07 $ (0.16 ) $ 0.12 $ (0.01 )
Schedule of Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share	The awards excluded because of their anti-dilutive effect are as follows: Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended (in thousands) 2017 2016 2017 2016 Awards excluded from the computation of diluted net income per share because their inclusion would have been anti-dilutive — 893 94 778

Investments (Tables)

Investments (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Schedule of other investments which do not have readily determinable fair values	At September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016 , other investments, comprised of equity securities which do not have readily determinable fair values, consist of the following (in thousands): September 30, December 31, Cost method: CoBank $ 6,644 $ 6,177 Other – Equity in other telecommunications partners 812 742 7,456 6,919 Equity method: Other 592 450 Total other investments $ 8,048 $ 7,369

Derivative Instruments, Hedgi28

Derivative Instruments, Hedging Activities and Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 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 (in thousands): September 30, December 31, Balance Sheet Location: Prepaid expenses and other $ 1,124 $ — Deferred charges and other assets, net 8,848 12,118 Accrued liabilities and other — (895 ) Total derivatives designated as hedging instruments $ 9,972 $ 11,223
Schedule of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	The table below presents change in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) by component for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 (in thousands): Gains (Losses) on Cash Flow Hedges Income Tax Expense Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), net of taxes Balance as of December 31, 2016 $ 11,223 $ (4,435 ) $ 6,788 Net change in unrealized gain (loss) (1,789 ) 698 (1,091 ) Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) to interest expense 538 (217 ) 321 Net current period accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (1,251 ) 481 (770 ) Balance as of September 30, 2017 $ 9,972 $ (3,954 ) $ 6,018

Goodwill and Other Intangible29

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets, Net (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Changes in Carrying Amount of Goodwill	Changes in the carrying amount of goodwill during the nine months ended September 30, 2017 are shown below (in thousands): December 31, Measurement Period Adjustments September 30, Goodwill - Wireline segment $ 10 $ — $ 10 Goodwill - Cable segment 104 — 104 Goodwill - Wireless segment 145,142 1,241 146,383 Goodwill as of September 30, 2017 $ 145,256 $ 1,241 $ 146,497
Schedule of Intangible Assets	Intangible assets consist of the following at September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016 : September 30, 2017 December 31, 2016 Gross Carrying Amount Accumulated Amortization Net Gross Carrying Amount Accumulated Amortization Net Non-amortizing intangibles: Cable franchise rights $ 64,335 $ — $ 64,335 $ 64,334 $ — $ 64,334 Railroad crossing rights 140 — 140 97 — 97 64,475 — 64,475 64,431 — 64,431 Finite-lived intangibles: Affiliate contract expansion 287,052 (29,593 ) 257,459 284,102 (14,030 ) 270,072 Acquired subscribers – wireless 123,105 (36,871 ) 86,234 120,855 (18,738 ) 102,117 Favorable leases - wireless 16,950 (3,985 ) 12,965 16,950 (1,130 ) 15,820 Acquired subscribers – cable 25,265 (25,059 ) 206 25,265 (24,631 ) 634 Other intangibles 563 (230 ) 333 2,212 (754 ) 1,458 Total finite-lived intangibles 452,935 (95,738 ) 357,197 449,384 (59,283 ) 390,101 Total intangible assets $ 517,410 $ (95,738 ) $ 421,672 $ 513,815 $ (59,283 ) $ 454,532

Accrued and Other Liabilities (

Accrued and Other Liabilities (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017
Other Liabilities Disclosure [Abstract]
Summary of Accrued Liabilities and Other	Accrued liabilities and other include the following (in thousands): September 30, 2017 December 31, 2016 Sales and property taxes payable $ 4,409 $ 6,628 Severance accrual 1,889 4,267 Asset retirement obligations, current portion 823 5,841 Accrued programming costs 2,856 2,939 Other current liabilities 5,300 9,410 Accrued liabilities and other $ 15,277 $ 29,085
Summary of Other Liabilities	Other liabilities include the following (in thousands): September 30, 2017 December 31, 2016 Non-current portion of deferred revenues $ 14,111 $ 8,933 Straight-line management fee waiver 24,934 11,974 Other 1,135 2,836 Other liabilities $ 40,180 $ 23,743

Long-Term Debt and Revolving 31

Long-Term Debt and Revolving Lines of Credit (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of long term debt	Total debt at September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016 consists of the following: (In thousands) September 30, 2017 December 31, 2016 Term loan A-1 $ 448,625 $ 472,875 Term loan A-2 400,000 375,000 848,625 847,875 Less: unamortized loan fees 15,623 18,610 Total debt, net of unamortized loan fees $ 833,002 $ 829,265 Current maturities of long term debt, net of unamortized loan fees $ 54,316 $ 32,041 Long-term debt, less current maturities, net of unamortized loan fees $ 778,686 $ 797,224
Financial covenants in credit agreements	As shown below, as of September 30, 2017 , the Company was in compliance with the covenants in its credit agreements. Actual Covenant Requirement Total Leverage Ratio 2.93 3.75 or Lower Debt Service Coverage Ratio 3.88 2.00 or Higher Minimum Liquidity Balance $ 149,228 $25 million or Higher

Segment Information (Tables)

Segment Information (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Selected Financial Data for Segments	Three Months Ended September 30, 2017 (in thousands) Wireless Cable Wireline Other Eliminations Consolidated Totals External revenues Service revenues $ 107,395 $ 26,934 $ 5,126 $ — $ — $ 139,455 Other 3,871 2,156 6,300 — — 12,327 Total external revenues 111,266 29,090 11,426 — — 151,782 Internal revenues 1,239 999 8,425 — (10,663 ) — Total operating revenues 112,505 30,089 19,851 — (10,663 ) 151,782 Operating expenses Costs of goods and services, exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown separately below 41,041 14,913 9,807 — (9,927 ) 55,834 Selling, general and administrative, exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown separately below 30,099 5,358 1,706 5,772 (736 ) 42,199 Integration and acquisition expenses 1,691 — — 15 — 1,706 Depreciation and amortization 32,929 6,192 3,249 198 — 42,568 Total operating expenses 105,760 26,463 14,762 5,985 (10,663 ) 142,307 Operating income (loss) $ 6,745 $ 3,626 $ 5,089 $ (5,985 ) $ — $ 9,475 Three Months Ended September 30, 2016 (in thousands) Wireless Cable Wireline Other Eliminations Consolidated Totals External revenues Service revenues $ 111,001 $ 24,948 $ 4,948 $ — $ — $ 140,897 Other 7,978 2,031 5,930 — — 15,939 Total external revenues 118,979 26,979 10,878 — — 156,836 Internal revenues 1,140 587 7,854 — (9,581 ) — Total operating revenues 120,119 27,566 18,732 — (9,581 ) 156,836 Operating expenses Costs of goods and services, exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown separately below 43,097 14,654 9,442 — (8,876 ) 58,317 Selling, general and administrative, exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown separately below 29,892 4,770 1,676 4,736 (705 ) 40,369 Integration and acquisition expenses 14,499 — — 773 — 15,272 Depreciation and amortization 38,038 5,860 2,822 87 — 46,807 Total operating expenses 125,526 25,284 13,940 5,596 (9,581 ) 160,765 Operating income (loss) $ (5,407 ) $ 2,282 $ 4,792 $ (5,596 ) $ — $ (3,929 ) Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017 (in thousands) Wireless Cable Wireline Other Eliminations Consolidated Totals External revenues Service revenues $ 323,262 $ 80,229 $ 15,301 $ — $ — $ 418,792 Other 15,133 6,283 18,712 — — 40,128 Total external revenues 338,395 86,512 34,013 — — 458,920 Internal revenues 3,707 2,153 24,568 (30,428 ) — Total operating revenues 342,102 88,665 58,581 — (30,428 ) 458,920 Operating expenses Costs of goods and services, exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown separately below 117,829 45,052 28,409 — (28,314 ) 162,976 Selling, general and administrative, exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown separately below 88,201 15,083 5,065 19,139 (2,114 ) 125,374 Integration and acquisition expenses 9,607 — — 266 — 9,873 Depreciation and amortization 104,231 18,070 9,536 460 — 132,297 Total operating expenses 319,868 78,205 43,010 19,865 (30,428 ) 430,520 Operating income (loss) $ 22,234 $ 10,460 $ 15,571 $ (19,865 ) $ — $ 28,400 Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016 (in thousands) Wireless Cable Wireline Other Eliminations Consolidated Totals External revenues Service revenues $ 250,053 $ 73,455 $ 14,727 $ — $ — $ 338,235 Other 17,461 5,799 18,221 — — 41,481 Total external revenues 267,514 79,254 32,948 — — 379,716 Internal revenues 3,417 1,159 22,754 — (27,330 ) — Total operating revenues 270,931 80,413 55,702 — (27,330 ) 379,716 Operating expenses Costs of goods and services, exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown separately below 94,892 43,864 26,892 — (25,294 ) 140,354 Selling, general and administrative, exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown separately below 65,219 14,672 4,951 13,457 (2,036 ) 96,263 Integration and acquisition expenses 19,889 — — 15,912 — 35,801 Depreciation and amortization 70,026 17,834 8,789 312 — 96,961 Total operating expenses 250,026 76,370 40,632 29,681 (27,330 ) 369,379 Operating income (loss) $ 20,905 $ 4,043 $ 15,070 $ (29,681 ) $ — $ 10,337
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 Nine Months Ended (in thousands) 2017 2016 2017 2016 Total consolidated operating income (loss) $ 9,475 $ (3,929 ) $ 28,400 $ 10,337 Interest expense (9,823 ) (8,845 ) (28,312 ) (16,369 ) Non-operating income, net 1,205 1,527 3,877 3,147 Income (loss) before income taxes $ 857 $ (11,247 ) $ 3,965 $ (2,885 )

Related Party Transactions (Tab

Related Party Transactions (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017
Related Party Transactions [Abstract]
Schedule of Related Party Financial Impact	The following tables summarize the financial statement impact from related party transactions with ValleyNet (in thousands): Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30, Statement of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss) 2017 2016 2017 2016 Facility Lease Revenue $ 506 $ 560 $ 1,664 $ 1,809 Costs of Goods and Services 951 858 2,699 2,162 September 30, December 31, Consolidated Balance Sheet Accounts Receivable related to ValleyNet $ 181 $ 191 Accounts Payable related to ValleyNet 301 448

Basis of Presentation - Narrati

Basis of Presentation - Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
Error Corrections and Prior Period Adjustments Restatement [Line Items]
Adjustments to net cash used in investing activities	$ 115,075	$ 755,357
Adjustments to net cash used in operating activities	$ (158,705)	(95,446)
Restatement Adjustment | Immaterial Error Correction
Error Corrections and Prior Period Adjustments Restatement [Line Items]
Adjustments to net cash used in investing activities		10,400
Adjustments to net cash used in operating activities		$ 10,400

Acquisitions - Narrative (Detai

Acquisitions - Narrative (Details) customer in Thousands, $ in Thousands	Apr. 06, 2017customer	May 06, 2016USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2017USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2017USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2016USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2016USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2017USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2016USD ($)
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Integration and acquisition expenses			$ 1,706		$ 15,272		$ 9,873	$ 35,801
Ntelos Holding, Corp
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Aggregate purchase price		$ 667,800
Measurement period adjustment, amortization expense				$ 100
Measurement period adjustment, depreciation expense						$ 4,600
Integration and acquisition expenses			2,900		20,200		15,400	43,900
Term extend for affiliate relationship agreement		5 years
Limit of waived feed under affiliate agreement		$ 251,800
Period for additional waiver of management fee under affiliate agreement		6 months
Minimum | Ntelos Holding, Corp
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Before amendment right or obligation to sell business		80.00%
Maximum | Ntelos Holding, Corp
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
After amendment right or obligation to sell business		90.00%
Management fee charge by Sprint		$ 4,200
Additional waiver of management fee under affiliate agreement		$ 5,000
Sprint and Affiliates | Sprint PCS Management Agreement, Former Retail, Post and Prepaid Subscribers, Sprint-branded Affiliate Customers
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Number of customers | customer	25
Other | Operating Segments
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Integration and acquisition expenses			$ 15		$ 800		$ 266	$ 15,900

Acquisitions - Schedule of Purc

Acquisitions - Schedule of Purchase Price Allocation (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	May 06, 2016	Sep. 30, 2017	May 06, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Net [Abstract]
Goodwill		$ 146,497		$ 145,256
Measurement Period Adjustments
Goodwill		$ 1,241
Ntelos Holding, Corp
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Net [Abstract]
Accounts receivable	$ 48,476		$ 47,234
Inventory	3,810		4,572
Restricted cash	2,167		2,167
Investments	1,501		1,501
Prepaid expenses and other assets	14,835		14,835
Building held for sale	4,950		4,950
Property, plant and equipment	223,900		227,247
Goodwill	151,627		146,383
Other long term assets	10,288		10,843
Total assets acquired	868,954		880,907
Accounts payable	8,648		8,543
Advanced billings and customer deposits	12,477		12,477
Accrued expenses	25,230		23,141
Capital lease liability	418		418
Deferred tax liabilities	124,964		129,291
Retirement benefits	19,461		19,198
Other long-term liabilities	14,056		20,085
Total liabilities assumed	205,254		213,153
Net assets acquired	663,700		667,754
Measurement Period Adjustments
Accounts receivable			(1,242)
Inventory			762
Restricted cash			0
Investments			0
Prepaid expenses and other assets			0
Building held for sale			0
Property, plant and equipment			3,347
Goodwill			(5,244)
Other long term assets			555
Total assets acquired			11,953
Accounts payable			(105)
Advanced billings and customer deposits			0
Accrued expenses			(2,089)
Capital lease liability			0
Deferred tax liabilities			4,327
Retirement benefits			(263)
Other long-term liabilities			6,029
Total liabilities assumed			7,899
Net assets acquired			4,054
Spectrum licenses | Ntelos Holding, Corp
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Net [Abstract]
Finite-lived intangible assets	198,200		198,200
Measurement Period Adjustments
Finite-lived intangible assets			0
Acquired subscribers - wireless | Ntelos Holding, Corp
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Net [Abstract]
Finite-lived intangible assets	198,200		205,946
Measurement Period Adjustments
Finite-lived intangible assets			7,746
Favorable lease intangible assets | Ntelos Holding, Corp
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Net [Abstract]
Finite-lived intangible assets	$ 11,000		17,029
Measurement Period Adjustments
Finite-lived intangible assets			$ 6,029
Affiliate contract expansion | Ntelos Holding, Corp
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Acquired Finite-lived Intangible Assets, Weighted Average Useful Life	14 years
Sprint and Affiliates | Nonmonetary Exchange of Intangibles | Spectrum licenses
Measurement Period Adjustments
Related party transaction	$ 198,200
Sprint and Affiliates | Nonmonetary Exchange of Intangibles | Acquired subscribers - wireless
Measurement Period Adjustments
Related party transaction	206,000
Sprint and Affiliates | Nonmonetary Exchange of Intangibles | Affiliate contract expansion
Measurement Period Adjustments
Related party transaction	283,300
Sprint and Affiliates | Nonmonetary Exchange of Intangibles | Additional Acquired Subscribers Wireless
Measurement Period Adjustments
Related party transaction	$ 120,900
Sprint and Affiliates | Nonmonetary Exchange of Intangibles | Additional Customer Based Contract Rights
Measurement Period Adjustments
Related party transaction, gain recognition period	5 years

Acquisitions - Schedule of Pro

Acquisitions - Schedule of Pro Forma Results (Details) - Ntelos Holding, Corp - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Operating revenues	$ 157.8	$ 492.1
Income (loss) before income taxes	$ (13.4)	$ (4)

Acquisitions - Schedule of Acqu

Acquisitions - Schedule of Acquisition Related Costs (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Integration and acquisition expenses	$ 1,706	$ 15,272	$ 9,873	$ 35,801
Ntelos Holding, Corp
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Integration and acquisition expenses	2,900	20,200	15,400	43,900
Ntelos Holding, Corp | Cost of goods and services
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Integration and acquisition expenses	100	700	300	1,000
Ntelos Holding, Corp | Selling, general and administrative
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Integration and acquisition expenses	1,100	4,200	5,200	7,100
Ntelos Holding, Corp | Integration and acquisition
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Integration and acquisition expenses	$ 1,700	$ 15,300	$ 9,900	$ 35,800

Acquisitions - Schedule of Inta

Acquisitions - Schedule of Intangible Assets Acquired (Details) - Ntelos Holding, Corp $ in Thousands	May 06, 2016USD ($)
Affiliate contract expansion
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Intangible assets acquired as part of business combination	$ 283,302
Intangible asset useful life	14 years
Favorable lease intangible assets
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Intangible assets acquired as part of business combination	$ 17,029
Intangible asset useful life	10 years
Acquired subscribers - wireless
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Intangible assets acquired as part of business combination	$ 120,855
Minimum | Acquired subscribers - wireless
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Intangible asset useful life	4 years
Maximum | Acquired subscribers - wireless
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Intangible asset useful life	10 years

Property, Plant and Equipment40

Property, Plant and Equipment (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Property, plant and equipment [Abstract]
Total property, plant and equipment	$ 1,254,898	$ 1,159,077
Less accumulated amortization and depreciation	571,543	460,955
Net property, plant and equipment	683,355	698,122
Plant in service
Property, plant and equipment [Abstract]
Total property, plant and equipment	1,187,799	1,085,318
Plant under construction
Property, plant and equipment [Abstract]
Total property, plant and equipment	$ 67,099	$ 73,759

Earnings (loss) per share (EP41

Earnings (loss) per share (EPS) - Schedule of Diluted Earnings Per Shares Calculation (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Dec. 31, 2016
Basic income (loss) per share
Net income (loss)	$ 3,534	$ (7,596)	$ 5,795	$ (711)	$ (895)
Basic weighted average shares outstanding (in shares)	49,133,000	48,909,000	49,100,000	48,768,000
Basic income (loss) per share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.07	$ (0.16)	$ 0.12	$ (0.01)
Effect of stock options and awards outstanding:
Basic weighted average shares outstanding (in shares)	49,133,000	48,909,000	49,100,000	48,768,000
Effect from dilutive shares and options outstanding (in shares)	826,000	0	769,000	0
Diluted weighted average shares (in shares)	49,959,000	48,909,000	49,869,000	48,768,000
Diluted income (loss) per share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.07	$ (0.16)	$ 0.12	$ (0.01)

Earnings (loss) per share (EP42

Earnings (loss) per share (EPS) - Schedule of Antidilutive Shares (Details) - shares shares in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Awards excluded from the computation of diluted net income per share because their inclusion would have been anti-dilutive	0	893	94	778

Investments (Details)

Investments (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Dec. 31, 2016
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Investments carried at fair value	$ 3,271		$ 2,907
Dividend and interest income from investments	59
Gain (loss) on investments, net	$ 308	$ 180

Investments - Other Investments

Investments - Other Investments (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Investment [Line Items]
Cost method investments	$ 7,456	$ 6,919
Total other investments	8,048	7,369
Other Equity Investments
Investment [Line Items]
Other	592	450
CoBank
Investment [Line Items]
Cost method investments	6,644	6,177
Other Equity Investments
Investment [Line Items]
Cost method investments	$ 812	$ 742

Financial Instruments - Narrati

Financial Instruments - Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Investment [Line Items]
Other long-term investments	$ 8,048	$ 7,369
Cost method investments	7,456	6,919
CoBank
Investment [Line Items]
Cost method investments	$ 6,644	$ 6,177

Derivative Instruments, Hedgi46

Derivative Instruments, Hedging Activities and Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income - Narrative (Details)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 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	$ 122,200,000
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	303,800,000
Number of counterparties | counterparty		3
Interest Expense
Derivative [Line Items]
Amount reclassified as a reduction to interest expense during next twelve months	$ 1,100,000

Derivative Instruments, Hedgi47

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	Sep. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Derivative Assets (Liabilities), at Fair Value, Net, by Balance Sheet Classification [Abstract]
Total derivatives designated as hedging instruments	$ 9,972	$ 11,223
Prepaid expenses and other
Derivative Assets (Liabilities), at Fair Value, Net, by Balance Sheet Classification [Abstract]
Derivative assets, fair value	1,124	0
Deferred charges and other assets, net
Derivative Assets (Liabilities), at Fair Value, Net, by Balance Sheet Classification [Abstract]
Derivative assets, fair value	8,848	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, Hedgi48

Derivative Instruments, Hedging Activities and Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income - Schedule of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Details) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017USD ($)
Gains (Losses) on Cash Flow Hedges
December 31, 2016	$ 11,223
September 30, 2017	9,972
Income Tax Expense
December 31, 2016	(4,435)
September 30, 2017	(3,954)
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), net of taxes
December 31, 2016	6,788
September 30, 2017	6,018
Gains (Losses) on Cash Flow Hedges
Gains (Losses) on Cash Flow Hedges
Net change in unrealized gain (loss)	(1,789)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) to interest expense	538
Net current period accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	(1,251)
Income Tax Expense
Net change in unrealized gain (loss)	698
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) to interest expense	(217)
Net current period accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	481
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), net of taxes
Net change in unrealized gain (loss)	(1,091)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) to interest expense	321
Net current period accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	$ (770)

Goodwill and Other Intangible49

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets - Changes in Carrying Amount of Goodwill (Details) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017USD ($)
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill beginning balance	$ 145,256
Measurement Period Adjustments	1,241
Goodwill ending balance	146,497
Wireline
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill beginning balance	10
Measurement Period Adjustments	0
Goodwill ending balance	10
Cable
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill beginning balance	104
Measurement Period Adjustments	0
Goodwill ending balance	104
Wireless
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill beginning balance	145,142
Measurement Period Adjustments	1,241
Goodwill ending balance	$ 146,383

Goodwill and Other Intangible50

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets - Intangible Assets (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Non-amortizing intangibles:	$ 64,475	$ 64,431
Gross Carrying Amount	452,935	449,384
Accumulated Amortization	(95,738)	(59,283)
Net	357,197	390,101
Total intangible assets, gross	517,410	513,815
Intangible assets, net	421,672	454,532
Affiliate contract expansion
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross Carrying Amount	287,052	284,102
Accumulated Amortization	(29,593)	(14,030)
Net	257,459	270,072
Acquired subscribers – wireless
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross Carrying Amount	123,105	120,855
Accumulated Amortization	(36,871)	(18,738)
Net	86,234	102,117
Favorable leases - wireless
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross Carrying Amount	16,950	16,950
Accumulated Amortization	(3,985)	(1,130)
Net	12,965	15,820
Acquired subscribers – cable
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross Carrying Amount	25,265	25,265
Accumulated Amortization	(25,059)	(24,631)
Net	206	634
Other intangibles
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross Carrying Amount	563	2,212
Accumulated Amortization	(230)	(754)
Net	333	1,458
Cable franchise rights
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Non-amortizing intangibles:	64,335	64,334
Railroad crossing rights
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Non-amortizing intangibles:	$ 140	$ 97

Accrued Liabilities and Other (

Accrued Liabilities and Other (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Other Liabilities Disclosure [Abstract]
Sales and property taxes payable	$ 4,409	$ 6,628
Severance accrual	1,889	4,267
Asset retirement obligations, current portion	823	5,841
Accrued programming costs	2,856	2,939
Other current liabilities	5,300	9,410
Accrued liabilities and other	$ 15,277	$ 29,085

Accrued and Other Liabilities -

Accrued and Other Liabilities - Other Liabilities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Other Liabilities Disclosure [Abstract]
Non-current portion of deferred revenues	$ 14,111	$ 8,933
Straight-line management fee waiver	24,934	11,974
Other	1,135	2,836
Other liabilities	$ 40,180	$ 23,743

Long-Term Debt and Revolving 53

Long-Term Debt and Revolving Lines of Credit - Schedule of Long-Term Debt (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt	$ 848,625	$ 847,875
Less: unamortized loan fees	15,623	18,610
Total debt, net of unamortized loan fees	833,002	829,265
Current maturities of long term debt, net of unamortized loan fees	54,316	32,041
Long-term debt, less current maturities, net of unamortized loan fees	778,686	797,224
Term loan A-1
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt	448,625	472,875
Term loan A-2
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt	$ 400,000	$ 375,000

Long-Term Debt and Revolving 54

Long-Term Debt and Revolving Lines of Credit - Narrative (Details)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2016USD ($)
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Effective interest rate	4.07%
Long-term debt	$ 848,625,000	$ 847,875,000
Leverage ratio two	3.25
Leverage ratio three	3
Debt service coverage ratio, actual	3.88
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	3.99%
Long-term debt	$ 448,625,000	472,875,000
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	4.24%
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 55

Long-Term Debt and Revolving Lines of Credit - Schedule of Financial Covenants (Details)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017USD ($)
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Leverage ratio, actual	2.93
Covenant requirement, total leverage ratio	3.75
Debt service coverage ratio, actual	3.88
Minimum debt service coverage ratio	2
Covenant, liquidity balance, actual	$ 149,228,000
Debt instrument covenants minimum liquidity amount	$ 25,000,000

Segment Information - Narrative

Segment Information - Narrative (Details)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017statesegment
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Number of reportable segments | segment	3
Wireless
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Number of states in which entity operates | state	4

Segment Information - Selected

Segment Information - Selected Financial Data for Segments (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
External revenues [Abstract]
Service revenues	$ 139,455	$ 140,897	$ 418,792	$ 338,235
Other	12,327	15,939	40,128	41,481
Total operating revenues	151,782	156,836	458,920	379,716
Operating expenses:
Costs of goods and services, exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown separately below	55,834	58,317	162,976	140,354
Selling, general and administrative, exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown separately below	42,199	40,369	125,374	96,263
Integration and acquisition expenses	1,706	15,272	9,873	35,801
Depreciation and amortization	42,568	46,807	132,297	96,961
Total operating expenses	142,307	160,765	430,520	369,379
Operating income (loss)	9,475	(3,929)	28,400	10,337
Wireless
External revenues [Abstract]
Service revenues	107,395	111,001	323,262	250,053
Other	3,871	7,978	15,133	17,461
Total operating revenues	111,266	118,979	338,395	267,514
Cable
External revenues [Abstract]
Service revenues	26,934	24,948	80,229	73,455
Other	2,156	2,031	6,283	5,799
Total operating revenues	29,090	26,979	86,512	79,254
Wireline
External revenues [Abstract]
Service revenues	5,126	4,948	15,301	14,727
Other	6,300	5,930	18,712	18,221
Total operating revenues	11,426	10,878	34,013	32,948
Other
External revenues [Abstract]
Service revenues	0	0	0	0
Other	0	0	0	0
Total operating revenues	0	0	0	0
Operating Segments | Wireless
External revenues [Abstract]
Total operating revenues	112,505	120,119	342,102	270,931
Operating expenses:
Costs of goods and services, exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown separately below	41,041	43,097	117,829	94,892
Selling, general and administrative, exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown separately below	30,099	29,892	88,201	65,219
Integration and acquisition expenses	1,691	14,499	9,607	19,889
Depreciation and amortization	32,929	38,038	104,231	70,026
Total operating expenses	105,760	125,526	319,868	250,026
Operating income (loss)	6,745	(5,407)	22,234	20,905
Operating Segments | Cable
External revenues [Abstract]
Total operating revenues	30,089	27,566	88,665	80,413
Operating expenses:
Costs of goods and services, exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown separately below	14,913	14,654	45,052	43,864
Selling, general and administrative, exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown separately below	5,358	4,770	15,083	14,672
Integration and acquisition expenses	0	0	0	0
Depreciation and amortization	6,192	5,860	18,070	17,834
Total operating expenses	26,463	25,284	78,205	76,370
Operating income (loss)	3,626	2,282	10,460	4,043
Operating Segments | Wireline
External revenues [Abstract]
Total operating revenues	19,851	18,732	58,581	55,702
Operating expenses:
Costs of goods and services, exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown separately below	9,807	9,442	28,409	26,892
Selling, general and administrative, exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown separately below	1,706	1,676	5,065	4,951
Integration and acquisition expenses	0	0	0	0
Depreciation and amortization	3,249	2,822	9,536	8,789
Total operating expenses	14,762	13,940	43,010	40,632
Operating income (loss)	5,089	4,792	15,571	15,070
Operating Segments | Other
External revenues [Abstract]
Total operating revenues	0	0	0	0
Operating expenses:
Costs of goods and services, exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown separately below	0	0	0	0
Selling, general and administrative, exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown separately below	5,772	4,736	19,139	13,457
Integration and acquisition expenses	15	800	266	15,900
Depreciation and amortization	198	87	460	312
Total operating expenses	5,985	5,596	19,865	29,681
Operating income (loss)	(5,985)	(5,596)	(19,865)	(29,681)
Intersegment Eliminations
External revenues [Abstract]
Total operating revenues	(10,663)	(9,581)	(30,428)	(27,330)
Operating expenses:
Costs of goods and services, exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown separately below	(9,927)	(8,876)	(28,314)	(25,294)
Selling, general and administrative, exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown separately below	(736)	(705)	(2,114)	(2,036)
Integration and acquisition expenses	0	0	0	0
Depreciation and amortization	0	0	0	0
Total operating expenses	(10,663)	(9,581)	(30,428)	(27,330)
Operating income (loss)	0	0	0	0
Intersegment Eliminations | Wireless
External revenues [Abstract]
Total operating revenues	1,239	1,140	3,707	3,417
Intersegment Eliminations | Cable
External revenues [Abstract]
Total operating revenues	999	587	2,153	1,159
Intersegment Eliminations | Wireline
External revenues [Abstract]
Total operating revenues	8,425	7,854	$ 24,568	22,754
Intersegment Eliminations | Other
External revenues [Abstract]
Total operating revenues	$ 0	$ 0		$ 0

Segment Information - Reconcili

Segment Information - Reconciliation of Operating Profit (Loss) from Segments to Consolidated (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
Reconciliation of income from continuing operations from segments to consolidated [Abstract]
Total consolidated operating income (loss)	$ 9,475	$ (3,929)	$ 28,400	$ 10,337
Interest expense	(9,823)	(8,845)	(28,312)	(16,369)
Non-operating income, net	1,205	1,527	3,877	3,147
Income (loss) before income taxes	$ 857	$ (11,247)	$ 3,965	$ (2,885)

Related Party Transactions - Sc

Related Party Transactions - Schedule of Related Party Financial Impact (Details) - ValleyNet - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Dec. 31, 2016
Statement of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Facility Lease Revenue	$ 506	$ 560	$ 1,664	$ 1,809
Costs of Goods and Services	951	$ 858	2,699	$ 2,162
Consolidated Balance Sheet
Accounts Receivable related to ValleyNet	181		181		$ 191
Accounts Payable related to ValleyNet	$ 301		$ 301		$ 448

Subsequent Events Subsequent 60

Subsequent Events Subsequent Events (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Millions	Oct. 24, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Common stock dividends approved (in usd per share)		$ 0.25
Subsequent Event
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Common stock dividends approved (in usd per share)	$ 0.26
Expected dividend payout	$ 12.8