Shenandoah Telecommunications (SHEN) 10-Q6 Nov 182018 Q3 Quarterly reportFinancial data

Company Profile

Document and Entity Information

Document and Entity Information - shares	9 Months Ended
Document and Entity Information - shares	Sep. 30, 2018	Nov. 02, 2018
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, 2018
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2,018
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Amendment Flag	false
Entity Small Business	false
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		49,558,663

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATE

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 75,207	$ 78,585
Accounts receivable, net	59,968	54,184
Income taxes receivable	2,545	17,311
Inventory, net	4,962	5,704
Prepaid expenses and other	63,383	17,111
Total current assets	206,065	172,895
Investments	12,296	11,472
Property, plant and equipment, net	669,709	686,327
Other assets:
Intangible assets, net	381,537	380,979
Goodwill	146,497	146,497
Deferred charges and other assets, net	53,723	13,690
Total assets	1,469,827	1,411,860
Current Liabilities
Current maturities of long-term debt, net of unamortized loan fees	84,743	64,397
Accounts payable	23,868	28,953
Advanced billings and customer deposits	7,415	21,153
Accrued compensation	6,833	9,167
Accrued liabilities and other	14,756	13,914
Total current liabilities	137,615	137,584
Long-term debt, less current maturities, net of unamortized loan fees	694,045	757,561
Other Long-Term Liabilities
Deferred income taxes	120,846	100,879
Deferred lease	22,162	15,782
Asset retirement obligations	22,372	21,211
Retirement plan obligations	13,235	13,328
Other liabilities	14,567	15,293
Total other long-term liabilities	193,182	166,493
Shareholders’ Equity
Common stock, no par value, authorized 96,000; 49,559 and 49,328 issued and outstanding at September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively	0	0
Additional paid in capital	47,350	44,787
Retained earnings	385,045	297,205
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of taxes	12,590	8,230
Total shareholders’ equity	444,985	350,222
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity	$ 1,469,827	$ 1,411,860

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDA_2

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parenthetical) - $ / shares	Sep. 30, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Statement of Financial Position [Abstract]
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 0	$ 0
Common stock, shares authorized (in shares)	96,000,000	96,000,000
Common stock, shares issued (in shares)	49,559,000	49,328,000
Common stock, shares outstanding (in shares)	49,559,000	49,328,000

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDA_3

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Operating revenue:
Operating revenues	$ 158,731	$ 151,782	$ 469,370	$ 458,920
Operating expenses:
Selling, general and administrative	27,452	42,199	86,117	125,374
Acquisition, integration and migration expenses	0	1,706	0	9,873
Depreciation and amortization	40,028	42,568	124,632	132,297
Total operating expenses	130,402	142,307	403,118	430,520
Operating income (loss)	28,329	9,475	66,252	28,400
Other income (expense):
Interest expense	(9,001)	(9,823)	(27,184)	(28,312)
Gain (loss) on investments, net	88	202	112	395
Non-operating income (loss), net	966	1,003	2,770	3,482
Income (loss) before income taxes	20,382	857	41,950	3,965
Income tax expense (benefit)	4,848	(2,677)	10,207	(1,830)
Net income (loss)	15,534	3,534	31,743	5,795
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Unrealized gain (loss) on interest rate hedge, net of tax	465	6	4,360	(770)
Comprehensive income (loss)	$ 15,999	$ 3,540	$ 36,103	$ 5,025
Net income (loss) per share, basic and diluted:
Basic net income (loss) per share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.31	$ 0.07	$ 0.64	$ 0.12
Diluted net income (loss) per share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.31	$ 0.07	$ 0.63	$ 0.12
Weighted average shares outstanding, basic (in shares)	49,559	49,133	49,527	49,100
Weighted average shares outstanding, diluted (in shares)	50,117	49,959	50,044	49,869
Service revenue and other
Operating revenue:
Operating revenues	$ 142,768	$ 149,788	$ 419,819	$ 450,617
Equipment revenue
Operating revenue:
Operating revenues	15,963	1,994	49,551	8,303
Cost of services
Operating expenses:
Cost of services	47,886	48,552	146,362	145,744
Cost of goods sold
Operating expenses:
Cost of services	$ 15,036	$ 7,282	$ 46,007	$ 17,232

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDA_4

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY - 9 months ended Sep. 30, 2018 - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Total	Shares of Common Stock (no par value)	Additional Paid in Capital	Retained Earnings	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Beginning balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2017	49,328,000	49,328
Beginning balance at Dec. 31, 2017	$ 350,222		$ 44,787	$ 297,205	$ 8,230
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income (loss)	31,743			31,743
Other comprehensive gain (loss), net of tax of $1,441	4,360				4,360
Stock based compensation (in shares)		206
Stock based compensation	4,578		4,578
Stock options exercised (in shares)		15
Stock options exercised	104		104
Common stock issued	18		18
Shares retired for settlement of employee taxes upon issuance of vested equity awards (in shares)		(66)
Shares retired for settlement of employee taxes upon issuance of vested equity awards	(2,137)		(2,137)
Common stock issued to acquire non-controlling interests of nTelos (in shares)		76
Common stock issued to acquire non-controlling interest in nTelos	$ 0
Ending balance (in shares) at Sep. 30, 2018	49,559,000	49,559
Ending balance at Sep. 30, 2018	$ 444,985		$ 47,350	385,045	$ 12,590
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Change in accounting principle - adoption of accounting standard (Note 2)	$ 56,097			$ 56,097

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDA_5

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY (Parenthetical) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018USD ($)
Statement of Stockholders' Equity [Abstract]
Other comprehensive gain (loss), tax	$ 1,441

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDA_6

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Cash Flows From Operating Activities
Net income (loss)	$ 31,743	$ 5,795
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation	106,002	113,437
Amortization	18,630	18,860
Amortization reflected as rent expense in cost of services	372	2,173
Bad debt expense	1,362	1,479
Stock based compensation expense, net of amount capitalized	4,578	3,053
Waived management fee	28,164	27,068
Deferred income taxes	(1,989)	(12,251)
(Gain) loss on investments	(112)	(308)
Net (gain) loss from patronage and equity investments	(2,300)	(2,315)
Amortization of long-term debt issuance costs	3,472	3,572
Accrued interest and other	205	1,633
Changes in assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable	(5,492)	6,418
Inventory, net	741	31,604
Income taxes receivable	14,932	(8,704)
Other assets	(13,393)	(162)
Accounts payable	(1,913)	(30,795)
Income taxes payable	0	(435)
Deferred lease	4,159	3,729
Other deferrals and accruals	(361)	(5,146)
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	188,800	158,705
Cash flows from investing activities:
Acquisition of property, plant and equipment	(92,309)	(109,435)
Proceeds from sale of assets	540	356
Cash distributions (contributions) from investments and other	(1)	4
Sprint expansion	(52,000)	(6,000)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	(143,770)	(115,075)
Cash Flows From Financing Activities
Principal payments on long-term debt	(46,375)	(24,250)
Proceeds from revolving credit facility borrowings	15,000	0
Proceeds from credit facility borrowings	0	25,000
Principal payments on revolving credit facility	(15,000)	0
Taxes paid for equity award issuances	(2,033)	(5,106)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	(48,408)	(4,356)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	(3,378)	39,274
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	78,585	36,193
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	75,207	75,467
Cash payments for:
Interest, net of capitalized interest of $1,187 and $1,266, respectively	25,067	25,934
Income tax (refunds received) payments, net	(2,736)	19,567
Capital expenditures payable	$ 11,919	$ 3,800

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDA_7

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Other cash flow information:
Capitalized interest	$ 1,187	$ 1,266

Basis of Presentation

Basis of Presentation	9 Months Ended
Basis of Presentation	Sep. 30, 2018
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 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, 2017 . Immaterial Prior Period Adjustment . During the three months ended September 30, 2018, the Company determined that the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements for the three months ended March 31, 2018, and the three and six months ended June 30, 2018, contained an immaterial misstatement. Excess amortization of deferred contract costs that are recognized as a reduction of revenue, as described in Note 2, resulted in an understatement of revenue for the three months ended March 31, 2018, and the three and six months ended June 30, 2018. Additionally, amounts recorded upon the adoption of ASU No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers ("Topic 606", or "the new revenue recognition standard"), on January 1, 2018 were misstated. The Company evaluated the materiality of the prior period adjustment quantitatively and qualitatively, under the SEC’s authoritative guidance on materiality, and concluded that the prior period adjustment was not material to the financial statements of any of the impacted unaudited 2018 periods. The Company elected to correct the prior period adjustment by revising the prior period financial statements. The cumulative effect of the adjustment made to the consolidated January 1, 2018 balance sheet for the adoption of the new revenue recognition standard was as follows: As of January 1, 2018 (in thousands) As Reported Correction of Error As Adjusted Prepaid expenses and other $ 53,688 $ (6,701 ) $ 46,987 Deferred charges and other assets, net 29,797 14,964 44,761 Deferred income taxes 119,030 2,201 121,231 Retained earnings 347,240 6,062 353,302 The following table presents the effects of the immaterial prior period adjustment on the unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheet as of March 31, 2018 and June 30, 2018: As of March 31, 2018 (in thousands) As Reported Correction of Error As Adjusted Prepaid expenses and other $ 64,200 $ (5,741 ) $ 58,459 Deferred charges and other assets, net 33,934 16,410 50,344 Deferred income taxes 115,809 2,853 118,662 Retained earnings 352,069 7,816 359,885 As of June 30, 2018 (in thousands) As Reported Correction of Error As Adjusted Prepaid expenses and other $ 64,163 $ (4,756 ) $ 59,407 Deferred charges and other assets, net 34,021 17,896 51,917 Deferred income taxes 111,125 3,522 114,647 Retained earnings 359,893 9,618 369,511 The following tables present the effects of the immaterial prior period adjustment on the unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss) for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and the three and six months ended June 30, 2018: For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2018 (in thousands) As Reported Correction of Error As Adjusted Service revenue and other $ 134,153 $ 2,406 $ 136,559 Income tax expense (benefit) 1,176 652 1,828 Net income (loss) 4,829 1,754 6,583 Earnings per share - basic $ 0.10 $ 0.03 $ 0.13 Earnings per share - diluted $ 0.10 $ 0.03 $ 0.13 For the Three Months Ended June 30, 2018 (in thousands) As Reported Correction of Error As Adjusted Service revenue and other $ 138,021 $ 2,471 $ 140,492 Income tax expense (benefit) 2,862 669 3,531 Net income (loss) 7,824 1,802 9,626 Earnings per share - basic $ 0.16 $ 0.03 $ 0.19 Earnings per share - diluted $ 0.16 $ 0.03 $ 0.19 For the Six Months Ended June 30, 2018 (in thousands) As Reported Correction of Error As Adjusted Service revenue and other $ 272,174 $ 4,877 $ 277,051 Income tax expense (benefit) 4,038 1,321 5,359 Net income (loss) 12,653 3,556 16,209 Earnings per share - basic $ 0.26 $ 0.07 $ 0.33 Earnings per share - diluted $ 0.25 $ 0.07 $ 0.32 Adoption of New Accounting Principles There have been no developments related to recently issued accounting standards, including the expected dates of adoption and estimated effects on the Company's unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and note disclosures, from those disclosed in the Company's 2017 Annual Report on Form 10-K, that would be expected to impact the Company except for the topics discussed below. The Company adopted ASU No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (" Topic 606", or "the new revenue recognition standard" ), and all related amendments, effective January 1, 2018, using the modified retrospective method as discussed in Note 2 , Revenue from Contracts with Customers. The Company recognized the cumulative effect of applying the new revenue recognition standard as an adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings. The comparative information has not been retrospectively modified and continues to be reported under the accounting standards in effect for those periods. In February 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued ASU No. 2016-02, Leases ( Topic 842 ), which requires lessees to recognize a right-of-use asset and a lease liability for all leases with terms greater than 12 months. The standard also requires disclosures by lessees and lessors about the amount, timing and uncertainty of cash flows arising from leases, as well as changes in the categorization of rental costs, from rent expense to interest and depreciation expense. Other effects may occur depending on the types of leases and the specific terms of them utilized by particular lessees. The ASU is effective for the Company on January 1, 2019, and early application is permitted. Modified retrospective application is required. The Company expects that the most notable impact to its financial statements upon the adoption of this ASU will be the recognition of a material right-of-use asset and a lease liability for its real estate and equipment leases. The Company is continuing to assess potential impacts that the standard may have on our consolidated financial statements. In February 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-02, Income Statement - Reporting Comprehensive Income (Topic 220): Reclassification of Certain Tax Effects from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income . Under existing U.S. GAAP, the effects of changes in tax rates and laws on deferred tax balances are recorded as a component of income tax expense in the period in which the law was enacted. When deferred tax balances related to items originally recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income are adjusted, certain tax effects become stranded in accumulated other comprehensive income. The amendments in ASU No. 2018-02 allow a reclassification from accumulated other comprehensive income to retained earnings for stranded tax effects resulting from the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. The amendments in this ASU also require certain disclosures about stranded tax effects. The guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, and interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption in any period is permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of adopting ASU No. 2018-02.

Revenue from Contracts with Cus

Revenue from Contracts with Customers	9 Months Ended
Revenue from Contracts with Customers	Sep. 30, 2018
Revenue from Contract with Customer [Abstract]
Revenue from Contracts with Customers	Revenue from Contracts with Customers The Company earns revenue primarily through the sale of our wireless telecommunications services, wireless equipment, and business, residential, and enterprise cable and wireline services that include video, internet, voice, and data services. Revenue earned for the three months ended September 30, 2018 was as follows: (in thousands) Wireless Cable Wireline Consolidated Wireless service $ 96,299 $ — $ — $ 96,299 Equipment 15,666 234 63 15,963 Business, residential and enterprise — 29,334 10,702 40,036 Tower and other 4,134 2,614 8,857 15,605 Total revenue 116,099 32,182 19,622 167,903 Internal revenue (1,263 ) (1,266 ) (6,643 ) (9,172 ) Total operating revenue $ 114,836 $ 30,916 $ 12,979 $ 158,731 Revenue earned for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 was as follows: (in thousands) Wireless Cable Wireline Consolidated Wireless service $ 284,154 $ — $ — $ 284,154 Equipment 48,859 537 155 49,551 Business, residential and enterprise — 87,931 31,906 119,837 Tower and other 10,643 7,536 26,380 44,559 Total revenue 343,656 96,004 58,441 498,101 Internal revenue (3,746 ) (3,394 ) (21,591 ) (28,731 ) Total operating revenue $ 339,910 $ 92,610 $ 36,850 $ 469,370 Wireless service The majority of the Company's revenue is earned through providing network access to Sprint under the affiliate agreement, which represents approximately 61% of consolidated revenues for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 . Wireless service revenue is variable based on billed revenue to Sprint’s subscribers in the Company's affiliate area, less applicable fees retained by Sprint. The Company's revenue related to Sprint’s postpaid customers is the amount that Sprint bills its postpaid subscribers, reduced by customer credits, write-offs of receivables, and 8% management and 8.6% service fees. The Company is also charged for the costs of subsidized handsets sold through Sprint’s national channels as well as commissions paid by Sprint to third-party resellers in the Company's service territory. The Company's revenue related to Sprint’s prepaid customers is the amount that Sprint bills its prepaid subscribers, reduced by costs to acquire and support the customers, based on national averages for Sprint’s prepaid programs, and a 6% management fee. The Company considers Sprint, rather than Sprint's subscribers, to be the customer under the new revenue recognition standard and the Company's performance obligation is to provide Sprint a series of continuous network access services. The reimbursement to Sprint for the costs of handsets sold through Sprint’s national channels, as well as commissions paid by Sprint to third-party resellers in our service territory represent consideration payable to a customer. These reimbursements are initially recorded as a contract asset and are subsequently recognized as a reduction of revenue over the expected benefit period between 21 and 53 months. Historically, under ASC 605 the customer was considered the subscriber rather than Sprint and as a result, reimbursement payments to Sprint for costs of handsets and commissions were recorded as operating expenses in the period incurred. During 2017 , these costs totaled $63.5 million recorded in cost of goods and services, and $16.9 million recorded in selling, general and administrative costs. On January 1, 2018, upon adoption, the Company recorded a wireless contract asset of approximately $51.1 million . During the three months ended September 30, 2018 , payments that increased the wireless contract asset balance totaled $16.4 million and amortization reflected as a reduction of revenue totaled approximately $11.9 million . During the nine months ended September 30, 2018 , payments that increased the wireless contract asset balance totaled $44.8 million and amortization reflected as a reduction of revenue totaled approximately $34.1 million . The wireless contract asset balance as of September 30, 2018 was approximately $61.8 million . Wireless equipment The Company owns and operates Sprint-branded retail stores within their geographic territory from which the Company sells equipment, primarily wireless handsets, and service to Sprint subscribers. The Company's equipment is predominantly sold to subscribers through Sprint's equipment financing plans. Under the equipment financing plans, Sprint purchases the equipment from the Company and resells the equipment to their subscribers. Historically, under ASC 605, the Company concluded that it was the agent in these equipment financing transactions and recorded revenues net of related handset costs which were approximately $63.8 million in 2017 . Under Topic 606 the Company concluded that it is the principal in these equipment financing transactions, as the Company controls and bears the risk of ownership of the inventory prior to sale, and accordingly, revenues and handset costs are recorded on a gross basis, the corresponding cost of the equipment is recorded separately to cost of goods sold. Business, residential and enterprise The Company earns revenue in the Cable and Wireline segments from business, residential, and enterprise customers where the performance obligations are to provide cable and telephone network services, sell and lease equipment and wiring services, and lease fiber-optic cable capacity. The Company's arrangements are generally composed of contracts that are cancellable at the customer’s discretion without penalty at any time. As there are multiple performance obligations in these arrangements, the Company recognizes revenue based on the standalone selling price of each distinct good or service. The Company generally recognizes these revenues over time as customers simultaneously receive and consume the benefits of the service, with the exception of equipment sales and home wiring which are recognized as revenue at a point in time when control transfers and when installation is complete, respectively. Under the new revenue recognition standard, the Company concluded that installation services do not represent a separate performance obligation. Accordingly, installation fees are allocated to services and are recognized ratably over the longer of the contract term or the period the unrecognized portion of the fee remains material to the contract, typically 10 and 11 months for cable and wireline customers, respectively. Historically, the Company deferred these fees over the estimated customer life of 42 months. Additionally, the Company incurs commission and installation costs related to in-house and third-party vendors that were previously expensed as incurred. Under Topic 606, the Company capitalizes and amortizes these commission and installation costs over the expected benefit period which is approximately 44 months, 72 months, and 46 months, for cable, wireline, and enterprise business, respectively. Tower / Other Tower revenues consist primarily of tower space leases accounted for under Topic 840, Leases , and Other revenues include network access-related charges for service provided to customers across the segments. The cumulative effect of the changes made to the consolidated January 1, 2018 balance sheet for the adoption of the new revenue recognition standard were as follows: (in thousands) Balance at December 31, 2017 Adjustments due to Topic 606 Balance at January 1, 2018 Assets Prepaid expenses and other $ 17,111 $ 29,876 $ 46,987 Deferred charges and other assets, net 13,690 31,071 44,761 Liabilities Advanced billing and customer deposits 21,153 (14,302 ) 6,851 Deferred income taxes 100,879 20,352 121,231 Other long-term liabilities 15,293 (1,200 ) 14,093 Retained earnings 297,205 56,097 353,302 The impact of the adoption of the new revenue recognition standard on the condensed consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss) and condensed consolidated balance sheets was as follows: Three Months Ended September 30, 2018 (in thousands) As Reported Balances without Adoption of Topic 606 Effect of Change Higher/(Lower) Operating revenue: Service revenue and other $ 142,768 $ 161,076 $ (18,308 ) Equipment revenue 15,963 2,178 13,785 Operating expenses: Cost of services 47,886 48,001 (115 ) Cost of goods sold 15,036 7,870 7,166 Selling, general and administrative 27,452 44,164 (16,712 ) Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018 (in thousands) As Reported Balances without Adoption of Topic 606 Effect of Change Higher/(Lower) Operating revenue: Service revenue and other $ 419,819 $ 471,155 $ (51,336 ) Equipment revenue 49,551 6,036 43,515 Operating expenses: Cost of services 146,362 146,199 163 Cost of goods sold 46,007 20,316 25,691 Selling, general and administrative 86,117 132,711 (46,594 ) As of September 30, 2018 (in thousands) As Reported Balances without Adoption of Topic 606 Effect of Change Higher/(Lower) Assets Prepaid expenses and other $ 63,383 $ 27,765 $ 35,618 Deferred charges and other assets, net 53,723 17,496 36,227 Liabilities Advanced billing and customer deposits 7,415 23,744 (16,329 ) Deferred income taxes 120,846 97,029 23,817 Other long-term liabilities 14,567 15,759 (1,192 ) Retained earnings 385,045 319,496 65,549 Future performance obligations On September 30, 2018 , the Company had approximately $3.1 million of transaction price allocated to unsatisfied performance obligations, which is exclusive of contracts with original expected duration of one year or less. The Company expects to recognize approximately $0.2 million of this amount as revenue during the remainder of 2018, $0.6 million in 2019, an additional $0.6 million by 2020, and the balance thereafter. Contract acquisition costs and costs to fulfill contracts Capitalized contract costs represent contract fulfillment costs and contract acquisition costs which include commissions and installation costs in our Cable and Wireline segments. Capitalized contract costs are amortized on a straight line basis over the contract term plus expected renewals. The Company elected to apply the practical expedient to expense contract acquisition costs when incurred, if the amortization period would be twelve months or less. The amortization of these costs is included in cost of services, and selling, general and administrative expenses. Amounts capitalized were approximately $10.0 million as of September 30, 2018 of which $4.6 million is presented as prepaid expenses and other and $5.4 million is presented as deferred charges and other assets, net. Amortization recognized during the nine months ended September 30, 2018 was approximately $4.1 million .

Acquisition

Acquisition	9 Months Ended
Acquisition	Sep. 30, 2018
Business Combinations [Abstract]
Acquisition	Acquisition Sprint Territory Expansion: Effective February 1, 2018, the Company signed an expansion agreement with Sprint to expand its wireless service coverage area to include certain areas in Kentucky, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia, (the “Expansion Area”). The agreement includes certain network build out requirements in the Expansion Area, and the ability to utilize Sprint’s spectrum in the Expansion Area. Pursuant to the expansion agreement, Sprint agreed to, among other things, transition the provision of network coverage in the Expansion Area from Sprint to the Company. The expansion agreement required a payment of $52.0 million for the right to service the Expansion Area pursuant to the Affiliate Agreements plus an additional payment of up to $5.0 million after acceptance of certain equipment at the Sprint cell sites in the Expansion Area. The transaction was accounted for as an asset acquisition. The Company recorded the following in the wireless segment: ($ in thousands) Estimated Useful Life (in years) February 1, 2018 Affiliate contract expansion 12 $ 45,148 Prepayment of tangible assets 0 6,497 Off-market leases - favorable 16.5 3,665 Off-market leases - unfavorable 4.2 (3,310 ) Total $ 52,000 Estimated useful lives are approximate and represent the average of the remaining useful lives as of the acquisition date. The Company allocated the purchase price to the components identified in the table above based on the relative fair value of each component. The fair value of the components was determined using an income and cost approach. The affiliate contract expansion asset is classified as "Intangible assets, net". The prepayment of tangible assets are classified as "Prepaid expenses and other" within current assets on the Company's balance sheet. The off-market leases - favorable and off-market leases - unfavorable, are classified as "Intangible assets, net" and "Deferred lease", respectively, on the Company's balance sheet.

Customer Concentration

Customer Concentration	9 Months Ended
Customer Concentration	Sep. 30, 2018
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Customer Concentration	Customer Concentration Significant Contractual Relationship: In 1999, the Company executed a Management Agreement (the “Agreement”) with Sprint whereby the Company committed to construct and operate a personal communications service (PCS) network using CDMA air interface technology. The Agreement has been amended numerous times. Under the amended Agreement, the Company is the exclusive PCS Affiliate of Sprint providing wireless mobility communications network products and services on the 800 MHz, 1900 MHz and 2.5 GHz spectrum ranges in its territory across a multi-state area covering large portions of central and western Virginia, south-central Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and portions of Maryland, North Carolina, Kentucky, and Ohio. The Company is authorized to use the Sprint brand in its territory, and operate its network under Sprint’s radio spectrum licenses. As an exclusive PCS Affiliate of Sprint, the Company has the exclusive right to build, own and maintain its portion of Sprint’s nationwide PCS network, in the aforementioned areas, to Sprint’s specifications. The initial term of the Agreement extends through November 2029 , with two successive 10 -year renewal periods, unless terminated by either party under provisions outlined in the Agreement. Upon non-renewal, the Company may cause Sprint to buy or Sprint may cause the Company to sell, the business at 90% of “Entire Business Value” (EBV) as defined in the Agreement. EBV is defined as i) the fair market value of a going concern paid by a willing buyer to a willing seller; ii) valued as if the business will continue to utilize existing brands and operate under existing agreements; and, iii) valued as if Manager (Shentel) owns the spectrum. Determination of EBV is made by an independent appraisal process. Amendment to the Affiliate agreement related to the acquisition of the Expansion Area : Effective with the acquisition of the Expansion Area on February 1, 2018, the Company amended its Agreement with Sprint to expand its wireless service area to include certain areas in Kentucky, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia. The agreement includes certain network build out requirements in the Expansion Area, and the ability to utilize Sprint’s spectrum in the Expansion Area along with certain other amendments to the Affiliate Agreements. Pursuant to the Expansion Agreement, Sprint agreed to, among other things, transition the provision of network coverage in the Expansion Area from Sprint to the Company.

Earnings (Loss) Per Share (EPS)

Earnings (Loss) Per Share (EPS)	9 Months Ended
Earnings (Loss) Per Share (EPS)	Sep. 30, 2018
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Earnings (Loss) Per Share (EPS)	Earnings (Loss) Per Share (EPS) Basic EPS 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. The following table indicates the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share: Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended (in thousands, except per share amounts) 2018 2017 2018 2017 Calculation of net income (loss) per share: Net income (loss) $ 15,534 $ 3,534 $ 31,743 $ 5,795 Weighted average shares outstanding 49,559 49,133 49,527 49,100 Basic income (loss) per share $ 0.31 $ 0.07 $ 0.64 $ 0.12 Effect of stock options outstanding: Basic weighted average shares outstanding 49,559 49,133 49,527 49,100 Effect from dilutive shares and options outstanding 558 826 517 769 Diluted weighted average shares outstanding 50,117 49,959 50,044 49,869 Diluted income (loss) per share $ 0.31 $ 0.07 $ 0.63 $ 0.12 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 were as follows: Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended (in thousands) 2018 2017 2018 2017 Awards excluded from the computation of diluted net income per share because their inclusion would have been anti-dilutive 13 — 60 94

Investments

Investments	9 Months Ended
Investments	Sep. 30, 2018
Investments [Abstract]
Investments	Investments Other investments, comprised of equity securities which do not have readily determinable fair values, consist of the following: (in thousands) 9/30/2018 12/31/2017 Cost method: CoBank $ 7,441 $ 6,818 Other – equity in other telecommunications partners 784 811 8,225 7,629 Equity method: Other 575 564 575 564 Total other investments $ 8,800 $ 8,193 The CoBank investment is primarily related to patronage distributions of restricted equity and is a required investment related to the Credit Facility. Refer to Note 12, Long-Term Debt , for additional information. The Company's investments carried at fair value consisted of: (in thousands) 9/30/2018 12/31/2017 Cash and Equivalents $ 1,408 $ — Domestic equity funds 1,675 2,856 International equity funds 413 423 Total investments carried at fair value $ 3,496 $ 3,279 Investments carried at fair value were acquired under a rabbi trust arrangement related to the Company’s Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan (SERP). The Company purchases investments in the trust to mirror the investment elections of participants in the SERP. The Company recorded net gains of $0.1 million in both the three months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017 . The Company recorded net gains of $0.1 million and $0.3 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and September 30, 2017 , respectively. Fair values for these investments are determined using net asset value per share and are not classified in the fair value hierarchy. Gains and losses on the investments in the trust are reflected as increases or decreases in the liability owed to the participants. The increases or decreases to the liability are recorded as pension expense included within "Non-operating income (loss), net" in the Company's consolidated statements of operations.

Fair Value Measurements

Fair Value Measurements	9 Months Ended
Fair Value Measurements	Sep. 30, 2018
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Fair Value Measurements	Fair Value Measurements The following tables present the hierarchy for financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis: (in thousands) September 30, 2018 Balance sheet location: Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total Prepaid expenses and other: Interest rate swaps $ — $ 5,447 $ — $ 5,447 Deferred charges and other assets, net: Interest rate swaps — 13,541 — 13,541 Total $ — $ 18,988 $ — $ 18,988 (in thousands) December 31, 2017 Balance sheet location: Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total Cash equivalents: Money market funds $ 150 $ — $ — $ 150 Prepaid expenses and other: Interest rate swaps — 2,411 — 2,411 Deferred charges and other assets, net: Interest rate swaps — 10,776 — 10,776 Total $ 150 $ 13,187 $ — $ 13,337 Level 1- Financial assets and liabilities whose values are based on unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the reporting entity can access at the measurement date. Level 2 - Financial assets and liabilities whose values are based on inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly. Level 3 - Financial assets and liabilities whose values are based on unobservable inputs for the asset or liability. Financial instruments are defined as cash, or other financial instruments to a third party. The carrying amounts of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, other current assets, investments carried at fair value, accounts payable and accrued liabilities approximate fair value due to their short-term nature. The Company's long-term debt and interest rate swaps approximate fair value because of their floating rate structure. Derivative financial instruments are recognized as assets or liabilities in the financial statements and measured at fair value on a recurring basis. See Note 10, Derivatives and Hedging , for additional information. The Company measures its interest rate swaps at fair value and recognizes such derivative instruments as either assets or liabilities on the Company’s consolidated balance sheet. Changes in the fair value of swaps are recognized in other comprehensive income, as the Company has designated these swaps as cash flow hedges for accounting purposes. The Company entered into these swaps to manage a portion of its exposure to interest rate movements by converting a portion of its variable rate long-term debt to fixed rate debt. The Company determines the fair value of its security holdings based on pricing from its vendors. The valuation techniques used to measure the fair value of financial instruments having Level 2 inputs were derived from non-binding consensus prices that are corroborated by observable market data or quoted market prices for similar instruments. Such market prices may be quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1 inputs) or pricing determined using inputs other than quoted prices that are observable either directly or indirectly (Level 2 inputs). The Company has certain non-marketable long-term investments for which it is not practicable to estimate fair value, refer to Note 6, Investments , for additional information.

Property, Plant and Equipment

Property, Plant and Equipment	9 Months Ended
Property, Plant and Equipment	Sep. 30, 2018
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]
Property, Plant and Equipment	Property, Plant and Equipment Property, plant and equipment consisted of the following: (in thousands) Estimated Useful Lives September 30, 2018 December 31, 2017 Land $ 6,568 $ 6,418 Buildings and structures 10 - 40 years 207,647 195,540 Cable and wire 4 - 40 years 302,592 286,999 Equipment and software 2 - 17 years 763,089 730,228 Plant in service 1,279,896 1,219,185 Plant under construction 74,422 62,202 Total property, plant and equipment 1,354,318 1,281,387 Less accumulated amortization and depreciation 684,609 595,060 Property, plant and equipment, net $ 669,709 $ 686,327

Goodwill and Other Intangible A

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets	9 Months Ended
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets	Sep. 30, 2018
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets	Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets Goodwill consisted of the following: (in thousands) September 30, 2018 December 31, 2017 Goodwill - wireless $ 146,383 $ 146,383 Goodwill - cable 104 104 Goodwill - wireline 10 10 Goodwill $ 146,497 $ 146,497 Intangible assets consisted of the following: September 30, 2018 December 31, 2017 (in thousands) Gross Accumulated Amortization and Other Net Gross Accumulated Amortization and Other Net Non-amortizing intangibles: Cable franchise rights $ 64,334 $ — $ 64,334 $ 64,334 $ — $ 64,334 Railroad crossing rights 141 — 141 141 — 141 Total non-amortizing intangibles 64,475 — 64,475 64,475 — 64,475 Finite-lived intangibles: Affiliate contract expansion - wireless 455,305 (152,603 ) 302,702 410,157 (105,964 ) 304,193 Favorable leases - wireless 15,816 (1,754 ) 14,062 13,103 (1,222 ) 11,881 Acquired subscribers - cable 25,265 (25,213 ) 52 25,265 (25,100 ) 165 Other intangibles 464 (218 ) 246 463 (198 ) 265 Total finite-lived intangibles 496,850 (179,788 ) 317,062 448,988 (132,484 ) 316,504 Total intangible assets $ 561,325 $ (179,788 ) $ 381,537 $ 513,463 $ (132,484 ) $ 380,979 Affiliate contract expansion is amortized over the expected benefit period and is further reduced by the amount of waived management fees received from Sprint which were $9.6 million and $28.2 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 , respectively. Since May 6, 2016, the date of the non-monetary exchange, waived management fees received from Sprint totaled $88.8 million . The gross carrying amount of certain intangibles was affected by the expansion of the Company's wireless service coverage area with Sprint. See Note 3, Acquisition for additional information.

Derivatives and Hedging

Derivatives and Hedging	9 Months Ended
Derivatives and Hedging	Sep. 30, 2018
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]
Derivatives and Hedging	Derivatives and Hedging The table below presents the fair value of the Company’s derivative financial instruments as well as its classification on the consolidated balance sheet: (in thousands) September 30, December 31, Balance sheet location of derivative financial instruments: Prepaid expenses and other $ 5,447 $ 2,411 Deferred charges and other assets, net 13,541 10,776 Total derivatives designated as hedging instruments $ 18,988 $ 13,187 The table below summarizes changes in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) by component: Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018 (in thousands) Gains (Losses) on Income Tax Accumulated Balance as of December 31, 2017 $ 13,187 $ (4,957 ) $ 8,230 Net change in unrealized gain (loss) 5,801 (1,441 ) 4,360 Net current period other comprehensive income (loss) 5,801 (1,441 ) 4,360 Balance as of September 30, 2018 $ 18,988 $ (6,398 ) $ 12,590 The outstanding notional amounts of the cash flow hedge were $395.1 million and $418.3 million as of September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017 , respectively. See Note 7, Fair Value Measurements , for additional information.

Other Assets and Accrued Liabil

Other Assets and Accrued Liabilities	9 Months Ended
Other Assets and Accrued Liabilities	Sep. 30, 2018
Other Liabilities Disclosure [Abstract]
Other Assets and Accrued Liabilities	Other Assets and Accrued Liabilities Prepaid expenses and other, classified as current assets, included the following: (in thousands) September 30, 2018 December 31, 2017 Prepaid rent $ 10,058 $ 10,519 Prepaid maintenance expenses 3,546 3,062 Interest rate swaps 5,447 2,411 Deferred contract asset 35,617 — Other 8,715 1,119 Prepaid expenses and other $ 63,383 $ 17,111 Deferred contract and other costs include amounts reimbursed to Sprint for commissions and device costs, and commissions and installation costs in the Company’s Cable and Wireline segments. The deferred contract and other costs increased due to the adoption of Topic 606. Refer to Note 2, Revenue from Contracts with Customers , for additional information. Deferred charges and other assets, classified as long-term assets, included the following: (in thousands) September 30, 2018 December 31, 2017 Interest rate swaps $ 13,541 $ 10,776 Deferred contract asset 36,260 — Other 3,922 2,914 Deferred charges and other assets, net $ 53,723 $ 13,690 Deferred contract and other costs include amounts reimbursed to Sprint for commissions and device costs, and commissions and installation costs in the Company’s Cable and Wireline segments. The deferred contract and other costs increased due to the adoption of Topic 606. Refer to Note 2, Revenue from Contracts with Customers , for additional information. Accrued liabilities and other, classified as current liabilities, included the following: (in thousands) September 30, 2018 December 31, 2017 Sales and property taxes payable $ 3,513 $ 3,872 Severance accrual — 1,028 Asset retirement obligations 582 492 Accrued programming costs 2,927 2,805 Other current liabilities 7,734 5,717 Accrued liabilities and other $ 14,756 $ 13,914 Other liabilities, classified as long-term liabilities, included the following: (in thousands) September 30, 2018 December 31, 2017 Non-current portion of deferred revenues $ 12,659 $ 14,030 Other 1,908 1,263 Other liabilities $ 14,567 $ 15,293 The Company's asset retirement obligations are included in the balance sheet captions "Asset retirement obligations" and "Accrued liabilities and other". The Company records the fair value of an asset retirement obligation as a liability in the period in which it incurs a legal obligation associated with the retirement and removal of leasehold improvements or equipment. The Company also records a corresponding asset, which is depreciated over the life of the leasehold improvement or equipment. Subsequent to the initial measurement of the asset retirement obligation, the obligation is adjusted at the end of each period to reflect the passage of time and changes in the estimated future cash flows underlying the obligation. The terms associated with its operating leases, and applicable zoning ordinances of certain jurisdictions, define the Company’s obligations which are estimated and vary based on the size and types of the towers.

Long-Term Debt

Long-Term Debt	9 Months Ended
Long-Term Debt	Sep. 30, 2018
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Long-Term Debt	Long-Term Debt Total debt as of September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017 consisted of the following: (in thousands) September 30, 2018 December 31, 2017 Term loan A-1 $ 400,125 $ 436,500 Term loan A-2 390,000 400,000 790,125 836,500 Less: unamortized loan fees 11,337 14,542 Total debt, net of unamortized loan fees $ 778,788 $ 821,958 Current maturities of long-term debt, net of current unamortized loan fees $ 84,743 $ 64,397 Long-term debt, less current maturities, net of unamortized loan fees $ 694,045 $ 757,561 As of September 30, 2018 , the Company's indebtedness totaled approximately $778.8 million , net of unamortized loan fees of $11.3 million , with an annualized overall weighted average interest rate of approximately 4.11% . As of September 30, 2018 , the Term Loan A-1 bears interest at one-month LIBOR plus a margin of 2.25% , while the Term Loan A-2 bears interest at one-month LIBOR plus a margin of 2.50% . For September 2018 , one-month LIBOR was 2.08% . LIBOR resets monthly. The Term Loan A-1 required quarterly principal repayments of $6.1 million , which began on September 30, 2016 and continued through June 30, 2017, increased to $12.1 million quarterly from September 30, 2017 through June 30, 2020; then increases to $18.2 million quarterly from September 30, 2020 through March 31, 2021, with the remaining balance due June 30, 2021. The Term Loan A-2 requires quarterly principal repayments of $10.0 million which began on September 30, 2018 and continue through March 31, 2023 , with the remaining balance due June 30, 2023 . The 2016 credit agreement also requires the Company to enter into one or more hedge agreements to manage its exposure to interest rate movements. The Company elected to hedge the minimum required under the 2016 credit agreement, and entered into a pay-fixed, receive-variable swap on 50% of the aggregate expected principal balance of the term loans outstanding. The Company will receive one month LIBOR and pay a fixed rate of 1.16% , in addition to the 2.25% initial spread on Term Loan A-1 and the 2.50% initial spread on Term Loan A-2. The 2016 credit agreement contains affirmative and negative covenants customary to secured credit facilities, including covenants restricting the ability of the Company and its subsidiaries, subject to negotiated exceptions, to incur additional indebtedness and additional liens on their assets, engage in mergers or acquisitions or dispose of assets, pay dividends or make other distributions, voluntarily prepay other indebtedness, enter into transactions with affiliated persons, make investments, and change the nature of the Company’s and its subsidiaries’ businesses. Indebtedness outstanding under any of the facilities may be accelerated by an Event of Default, as defined in the 2016 credit agreement. The Facilities are secured by a pledge by the Company of its stock and membership interests in its subsidiaries, a guarantee by the Company’s subsidiaries other than Shenandoah Telephone Company, and a security interest in substantially all of the assets of the Company and the guarantors. The Company is subject to certain financial covenants to be measured on a trailing twelve month basis each calendar quarter unless otherwise specified. These covenants include: • a limitation on the Company’s total leverage ratio, defined as indebtedness divided by earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, or EBITDA, of less than or equal to 3.75 to 1.00 from the closing date through December 30, 2018, then 3.25 to 1.00 through December 30, 2019, and 3.00 to 1.00 thereafter; • a minimum debt service coverage ratio, defined as EBITDA minus certain cash taxes divided by the sum of all scheduled principal payments on the Term Loans and scheduled principal payments on other indebtedness plus cash interest expense, greater than 2.00 to 1.00; and • maintain a minimum liquidity balance of greater than $25 million . The balance includes amounts available 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. As shown below, as of September 30, 2018 , the Company was in compliance with the covenants in its credit agreements. Actual Covenant Requirement Total leverage ratio 2.61 3.75 or Lower Debt service coverage ratio 3.25 2.00 or Higher Minimum liquidity balance (in millions) $ 149.1 $25.0 or Higher Credit Facility Modification: On February 16, 2018, the Company, entered into a Second Amendment to Credit Agreement (the “Second Amendment”) with CoBank, ACB, as administrative agent of its Credit Agreement and the various financial institutions party thereto (the “Lenders”), which modifies the Credit Agreement by (i) reducing the interest rate paid by the Company by 50 basis points with respect to certain loans made by the Lenders to the Company under the Credit Agreement, and (ii) allowing the Company to make charitable contributions to the Shentel Foundation, a Virginia nonstock corporation, of up to $1.5 million in any fiscal year.

Income Taxes

Income Taxes	9 Months Ended
Income Taxes	Sep. 30, 2018
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. The net operating losses acquired in the nTelos acquisition are open to examination from 2002 forward. Income tax filings prior to 2014, excluding the acquired net operating losses, are no longer subject to examination. The Company is not subject to any state or federal income tax audits as of September 30, 2018 . 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 share based compensation tax benefits which are recognized as incurred under the provisions of ASC 740, " Income Taxes ". On December 22, 2017, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the “2017 Tax Act”) was enacted, substantially changing the U.S. tax system. The 2017 Tax Act includes a number of changes to existing U.S. tax laws that impact the Company, most notably a reduction of the U.S. corporate income tax rate from 35 percent to 21 percent for tax years beginning after December 31, 2017. The 2017 Tax Act also provides immediate expensing for certain qualified assets acquired and placed into service after September 27, 2017 as well as prospective changes beginning in 2018, including acceleration of tax revenue recognition, additional limitations on deductibility of executive compensation and limitations on the deductibility of interest. On December 22, 2017, the SEC staff issued Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 118 (SAB 118) to address the application of U.S. GAAP in situations when a registrant does not have the necessary information available, prepared, or analyzed in reasonable detail to complete the accounting for certain income tax effects of the 2017 Tax Act. The Company recognized the income tax effects of the 2017 Tax Act in its 2017 consolidated financial statements in accordance with SAB No. 118. As of September 30, 2018 , the Company is continuing to evaluate the provisional amounts recorded related to the 2017 Tax Act at December 31, 2017 , for related state and local municipality tax matters.

Segment Reporting

Segment Reporting	9 Months Ended
Segment Reporting	Sep. 30, 2018
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Segment Reporting	Segment Reporting Three Months Ended September 30, 2018 (in thousands) Wireless Cable Wireline Other Eliminations Consolidated External revenue Service revenue $ 96,299 $ 28,578 $ 5,443 $ — $ — $ 130,320 Equipment revenue 15,666 234 63 — — 15,963 Other 2,871 2,104 7,473 — — 12,448 Total external revenue 114,836 30,916 12,979 — — 158,731 Internal revenue 1,263 1,266 6,643 — (9,172 ) — Total operating revenue 116,099 32,182 19,622 — (9,172 ) 158,731 Operating expenses Cost of services 32,253 14,837 9,266 (12 ) (8,458 ) 47,886 Cost of goods sold 14,940 78 19 (1 ) — 15,036 Selling, general and administrative 11,191 5,331 1,780 9,864 (714 ) 27,452 Depreciation and amortization 30,363 6,102 3,435 128 — 40,028 Total operating expenses 88,747 26,348 14,500 9,979 (9,172 ) 130,402 Operating income (loss) $ 27,352 $ 5,834 $ 5,122 $ (9,979 ) $ — $ 28,329 Three Months Ended September 30, 2017 (in thousands) Wireless Cable Wireline Other Eliminations Consolidated External revenue Service revenue $ 107,395 $ 26,934 $ 5,126 $ — $ — $ 139,455 Equipment revenue 1,742 219 33 — — 1,994 Other 2,129 1,937 6,267 — — 10,333 Total external revenue 111,266 29,090 11,426 — — 151,782 Internal revenue 1,239 999 8,425 — (10,663 ) — Total operating revenue 112,505 30,089 19,851 — (10,663 ) 151,782 Operating expenses Cost of services 33,825 14,858 9,796 — (9,927 ) 48,552 Cost of goods sold 7,216 55 11 — — 7,282 Selling, general and administrative 30,099 5,358 1,706 5,772 (736 ) 42,199 Acquisition, integration and migration 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 Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018 (in thousands) Wireless Cable Wireline Other Eliminations Consolidated External revenue Service revenue $ 284,154 $ 85,797 $ 16,052 $ — $ — $ 386,003 Equipment revenue 48,859 537 155 — — 49,551 Other 6,897 6,276 20,643 — — 33,816 Total external revenue 339,910 92,610 36,850 — — 469,370 Internal revenue 3,746 3,394 21,591 — (28,731 ) — Total operating revenue 343,656 96,004 58,441 — (28,731 ) 469,370 Operating expenses Cost of services 99,491 45,118 28,441 — (26,688 ) 146,362 Cost of goods sold 45,749 197 61 — — 46,007 Selling, general and administrative 35,693 14,940 5,183 32,344 (2,043 ) 86,117 Depreciation and amortization 95,853 18,305 10,069 405 — 124,632 Total operating expenses 276,786 78,560 43,754 32,749 (28,731 ) 403,118 Operating income (loss) $ 66,870 $ 17,444 $ 14,687 $ (32,749 ) $ — $ 66,252 Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017 (in thousands) Wireless Cable Wireline Other Eliminations Consolidated External revenue Service revenue $ 323,262 $ 80,229 $ 15,301 $ — $ — $ 418,792 Equipment revenue 7,666 547 90 — — 8,303 Other 7,467 5,736 18,622 — — 31,825 Total external revenue 338,395 86,512 34,013 — — 458,920 Internal revenue 3,707 2,153 24,568 — (30,428 ) — Total operating revenue 342,102 88,665 58,581 — (30,428 ) 458,920 Operating expenses Cost of services 100,745 44,956 28,357 — (28,314 ) 145,744 Cost of goods sold 17,084 96 52 — — 17,232 Selling, general and administrative 88,201 15,083 5,065 19,139 (2,114 ) 125,374 Acquisition, integration and migration 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 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) 2018 2017 2018 2017 Total consolidated operating income (loss) $ 28,329 $ 9,475 $ 66,252 $ 28,400 Interest expense (9,001 ) (9,823 ) (27,184 ) (28,312 ) Gain (loss) on investments, net 88 202 112 395 Non-operating income (loss), net 966 1,003 2,770 3,482 Income (loss) before income taxes $ 20,382 $ 857 $ 41,950 $ 3,965 As of January 1, 2018, the Company records stock compensation expense to the Other segment. Previously, stock compensation expense was allocated among all of the segments.

Subsequent Events

Subsequent Events	9 Months Ended
Subsequent Events	Sep. 30, 2018
Subsequent Events [Abstract]
Subsequent Events	Subsequent Events On October 30, 2018, the Company's Board of Directors approved a dividend of $0.27 per common share to be paid on November 30, 2018 to shareholders of record as of the close of business on November 12, 2018. Before dividend reinvestments, the total payout is expected to be approximately $13.4 million .

Basis of Presentation (Policies

Basis of Presentation (Policies)	9 Months Ended
Basis of Presentation (Policies)	Sep. 30, 2018
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Adoption of New Accounting Principles Policy	Adoption of New Accounting Principles There have been no developments related to recently issued accounting standards, including the expected dates of adoption and estimated effects on the Company's unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and note disclosures, from those disclosed in the Company's 2017 Annual Report on Form 10-K, that would be expected to impact the Company except for the topics discussed below. The Company adopted ASU No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (" Topic 606", or "the new revenue recognition standard" ), and all related amendments, effective January 1, 2018, using the modified retrospective method as discussed in Note 2 , Revenue from Contracts with Customers. The Company recognized the cumulative effect of applying the new revenue recognition standard as an adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings. The comparative information has not been retrospectively modified and continues to be reported under the accounting standards in effect for those periods. In February 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued ASU No. 2016-02, Leases ( Topic 842 ), which requires lessees to recognize a right-of-use asset and a lease liability for all leases with terms greater than 12 months. The standard also requires disclosures by lessees and lessors about the amount, timing and uncertainty of cash flows arising from leases, as well as changes in the categorization of rental costs, from rent expense to interest and depreciation expense. Other effects may occur depending on the types of leases and the specific terms of them utilized by particular lessees. The ASU is effective for the Company on January 1, 2019, and early application is permitted. Modified retrospective application is required. The Company expects that the most notable impact to its financial statements upon the adoption of this ASU will be the recognition of a material right-of-use asset and a lease liability for its real estate and equipment leases. The Company is continuing to assess potential impacts that the standard may have on our consolidated financial statements. In February 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-02, Income Statement - Reporting Comprehensive Income (Topic 220): Reclassification of Certain Tax Effects from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income . Under existing U.S. GAAP, the effects of changes in tax rates and laws on deferred tax balances are recorded as a component of income tax expense in the period in which the law was enacted. When deferred tax balances related to items originally recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income are adjusted, certain tax effects become stranded in accumulated other comprehensive income. The amendments in ASU No. 2018-02 allow a reclassification from accumulated other comprehensive income to retained earnings for stranded tax effects resulting from the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. The amendments in this ASU also require certain disclosures about stranded tax effects. The guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, and interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption in any period is permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of adopting ASU No. 2018-02.

Basis of Presentation (Tables)

Basis of Presentation (Tables)	9 Months Ended
Basis of Presentation (Tables)	Sep. 30, 2018
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Schedule of Effects of Immaterial Error Correction	As of January 1, 2018 (in thousands) As Reported Correction of Error As Adjusted Prepaid expenses and other $ 53,688 $ (6,701 ) $ 46,987 Deferred charges and other assets, net 29,797 14,964 44,761 Deferred income taxes 119,030 2,201 121,231 Retained earnings 347,240 6,062 353,302 The following table presents the effects of the immaterial prior period adjustment on the unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheet as of March 31, 2018 and June 30, 2018: As of March 31, 2018 (in thousands) As Reported Correction of Error As Adjusted Prepaid expenses and other $ 64,200 $ (5,741 ) $ 58,459 Deferred charges and other assets, net 33,934 16,410 50,344 Deferred income taxes 115,809 2,853 118,662 Retained earnings 352,069 7,816 359,885 As of June 30, 2018 (in thousands) As Reported Correction of Error As Adjusted Prepaid expenses and other $ 64,163 $ (4,756 ) $ 59,407 Deferred charges and other assets, net 34,021 17,896 51,917 Deferred income taxes 111,125 3,522 114,647 Retained earnings 359,893 9,618 369,511 The following tables present the effects of the immaterial prior period adjustment on the unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss) for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and the three and six months ended June 30, 2018: For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2018 (in thousands) As Reported Correction of Error As Adjusted Service revenue and other $ 134,153 $ 2,406 $ 136,559 Income tax expense (benefit) 1,176 652 1,828 Net income (loss) 4,829 1,754 6,583 Earnings per share - basic $ 0.10 $ 0.03 $ 0.13 Earnings per share - diluted $ 0.10 $ 0.03 $ 0.13 For the Three Months Ended June 30, 2018 (in thousands) As Reported Correction of Error As Adjusted Service revenue and other $ 138,021 $ 2,471 $ 140,492 Income tax expense (benefit) 2,862 669 3,531 Net income (loss) 7,824 1,802 9,626 Earnings per share - basic $ 0.16 $ 0.03 $ 0.19 Earnings per share - diluted $ 0.16 $ 0.03 $ 0.19 For the Six Months Ended June 30, 2018 (in thousands) As Reported Correction of Error As Adjusted Service revenue and other $ 272,174 $ 4,877 $ 277,051 Income tax expense (benefit) 4,038 1,321 5,359 Net income (loss) 12,653 3,556 16,209 Earnings per share - basic $ 0.26 $ 0.07 $ 0.33 Earnings per share - diluted $ 0.25 $ 0.07 $ 0.32

Revenue from Contracts with C_2

Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Tables)	9 Months Ended
Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Tables)	Sep. 30, 2018
Revenue from Contract with Customer [Abstract]
Disaggregation of Revenue	The Company earns revenue primarily through the sale of our wireless telecommunications services, wireless equipment, and business, residential, and enterprise cable and wireline services that include video, internet, voice, and data services. Revenue earned for the three months ended September 30, 2018 was as follows: (in thousands) Wireless Cable Wireline Consolidated Wireless service $ 96,299 $ — $ — $ 96,299 Equipment 15,666 234 63 15,963 Business, residential and enterprise — 29,334 10,702 40,036 Tower and other 4,134 2,614 8,857 15,605 Total revenue 116,099 32,182 19,622 167,903 Internal revenue (1,263 ) (1,266 ) (6,643 ) (9,172 ) Total operating revenue $ 114,836 $ 30,916 $ 12,979 $ 158,731 Revenue earned for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 was as follows: (in thousands) Wireless Cable Wireline Consolidated Wireless service $ 284,154 $ — $ — $ 284,154 Equipment 48,859 537 155 49,551 Business, residential and enterprise — 87,931 31,906 119,837 Tower and other 10,643 7,536 26,380 44,559 Total revenue 343,656 96,004 58,441 498,101 Internal revenue (3,746 ) (3,394 ) (21,591 ) (28,731 ) Total operating revenue $ 339,910 $ 92,610 $ 36,850 $ 469,370
Schedule of New Accounting Pronouncements and Changes in Accounting Principles	The cumulative effect of the changes made to the consolidated January 1, 2018 balance sheet for the adoption of the new revenue recognition standard were as follows: (in thousands) Balance at December 31, 2017 Adjustments due to Topic 606 Balance at January 1, 2018 Assets Prepaid expenses and other $ 17,111 $ 29,876 $ 46,987 Deferred charges and other assets, net 13,690 31,071 44,761 Liabilities Advanced billing and customer deposits 21,153 (14,302 ) 6,851 Deferred income taxes 100,879 20,352 121,231 Other long-term liabilities 15,293 (1,200 ) 14,093 Retained earnings 297,205 56,097 353,302 The impact of the adoption of the new revenue recognition standard on the condensed consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss) and condensed consolidated balance sheets was as follows: Three Months Ended September 30, 2018 (in thousands) As Reported Balances without Adoption of Topic 606 Effect of Change Higher/(Lower) Operating revenue: Service revenue and other $ 142,768 $ 161,076 $ (18,308 ) Equipment revenue 15,963 2,178 13,785 Operating expenses: Cost of services 47,886 48,001 (115 ) Cost of goods sold 15,036 7,870 7,166 Selling, general and administrative 27,452 44,164 (16,712 ) Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018 (in thousands) As Reported Balances without Adoption of Topic 606 Effect of Change Higher/(Lower) Operating revenue: Service revenue and other $ 419,819 $ 471,155 $ (51,336 ) Equipment revenue 49,551 6,036 43,515 Operating expenses: Cost of services 146,362 146,199 163 Cost of goods sold 46,007 20,316 25,691 Selling, general and administrative 86,117 132,711 (46,594 ) As of September 30, 2018 (in thousands) As Reported Balances without Adoption of Topic 606 Effect of Change Higher/(Lower) Assets Prepaid expenses and other $ 63,383 $ 27,765 $ 35,618 Deferred charges and other assets, net 53,723 17,496 36,227 Liabilities Advanced billing and customer deposits 7,415 23,744 (16,329 ) Deferred income taxes 120,846 97,029 23,817 Other long-term liabilities 14,567 15,759 (1,192 ) Retained earnings 385,045 319,496 65,549

Acquisition (Tables)

Acquisition (Tables)	9 Months Ended
Acquisition (Tables)	Sep. 30, 2018
Business Combinations [Abstract]
Schedule of Finite-Lived Intangible Assets Acquired as Part of Business Combination	The Company recorded the following in the wireless segment: ($ in thousands) Estimated Useful Life (in years) February 1, 2018 Affiliate contract expansion 12 $ 45,148 Prepayment of tangible assets 0 6,497 Off-market leases - favorable 16.5 3,665 Off-market leases - unfavorable 4.2 (3,310 ) Total $ 52,000

Earnings (Loss) Per Share (EP_2

Earnings (Loss) Per Share (EPS) (Tables)	9 Months Ended
Earnings (Loss) Per Share (EPS) (Tables)	Sep. 30, 2018
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Schedule of Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted	The following table indicates the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share: Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended (in thousands, except per share amounts) 2018 2017 2018 2017 Calculation of net income (loss) per share: Net income (loss) $ 15,534 $ 3,534 $ 31,743 $ 5,795 Weighted average shares outstanding 49,559 49,133 49,527 49,100 Basic income (loss) per share $ 0.31 $ 0.07 $ 0.64 $ 0.12 Effect of stock options outstanding: Basic weighted average shares outstanding 49,559 49,133 49,527 49,100 Effect from dilutive shares and options outstanding 558 826 517 769 Diluted weighted average shares outstanding 50,117 49,959 50,044 49,869 Diluted income (loss) per share $ 0.31 $ 0.07 $ 0.63 $ 0.12
Schedule of Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share	The awards excluded because of their anti-dilutive effect were as follows: Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended (in thousands) 2018 2017 2018 2017 Awards excluded from the computation of diluted net income per share because their inclusion would have been anti-dilutive 13 — 60 94

Investments (Tables)

Investments (Tables)	9 Months Ended
Investments (Tables)	Sep. 30, 2018
Investments [Abstract]
Schedule of other investments which do not have readily determinable fair values	Other investments, comprised of equity securities which do not have readily determinable fair values, consist of the following: (in thousands) 9/30/2018 12/31/2017 Cost method: CoBank $ 7,441 $ 6,818 Other – equity in other telecommunications partners 784 811 8,225 7,629 Equity method: Other 575 564 575 564 Total other investments $ 8,800 $ 8,193
Schedule Of Investments Carried At Fair Value	The Company's investments carried at fair value consisted of: (in thousands) 9/30/2018 12/31/2017 Cash and Equivalents $ 1,408 $ — Domestic equity funds 1,675 2,856 International equity funds 413 423 Total investments carried at fair value $ 3,496 $ 3,279

Fair Value Measurements (Tables

Fair Value Measurements (Tables)	9 Months Ended
Fair Value Measurements (Tables)	Sep. 30, 2018
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Fair Value Hierarchy, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis	The following tables present the hierarchy for financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis: (in thousands) September 30, 2018 Balance sheet location: Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total Prepaid expenses and other: Interest rate swaps $ — $ 5,447 $ — $ 5,447 Deferred charges and other assets, net: Interest rate swaps — 13,541 — 13,541 Total $ — $ 18,988 $ — $ 18,988 (in thousands) December 31, 2017 Balance sheet location: Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total Cash equivalents: Money market funds $ 150 $ — $ — $ 150 Prepaid expenses and other: Interest rate swaps — 2,411 — 2,411 Deferred charges and other assets, net: Interest rate swaps — 10,776 — 10,776 Total $ 150 $ 13,187 $ — $ 13,337
Fair Value, Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation	The following tables present the hierarchy for financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis: (in thousands) September 30, 2018 Balance sheet location: Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total Prepaid expenses and other: Interest rate swaps $ — $ 5,447 $ — $ 5,447 Deferred charges and other assets, net: Interest rate swaps — 13,541 — 13,541 Total $ — $ 18,988 $ — $ 18,988 (in thousands) December 31, 2017 Balance sheet location: Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total Cash equivalents: Money market funds $ 150 $ — $ — $ 150 Prepaid expenses and other: Interest rate swaps — 2,411 — 2,411 Deferred charges and other assets, net: Interest rate swaps — 10,776 — 10,776 Total $ 150 $ 13,187 $ — $ 13,337

Property, Plant and Equipment (

Property, Plant and Equipment (Tables)	9 Months Ended
Property, Plant and Equipment (Tables)	Sep. 30, 2018
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]
Property, Plant and Equipment	Property, plant and equipment consisted of the following: (in thousands) Estimated Useful Lives September 30, 2018 December 31, 2017 Land $ 6,568 $ 6,418 Buildings and structures 10 - 40 years 207,647 195,540 Cable and wire 4 - 40 years 302,592 286,999 Equipment and software 2 - 17 years 763,089 730,228 Plant in service 1,279,896 1,219,185 Plant under construction 74,422 62,202 Total property, plant and equipment 1,354,318 1,281,387 Less accumulated amortization and depreciation 684,609 595,060 Property, plant and equipment, net $ 669,709 $ 686,327

Goodwill and Other Intangible_2

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets, Net (Tables)	9 Months Ended
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets, Net (Tables)	Sep. 30, 2018
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Changes in Carrying Amount of Goodwill	Goodwill consisted of the following: (in thousands) September 30, 2018 December 31, 2017 Goodwill - wireless $ 146,383 $ 146,383 Goodwill - cable 104 104 Goodwill - wireline 10 10 Goodwill $ 146,497 $ 146,497
Schedule of Intangible Assets	Intangible assets consisted of the following: September 30, 2018 December 31, 2017 (in thousands) Gross Accumulated Amortization and Other Net Gross Accumulated Amortization and Other Net Non-amortizing intangibles: Cable franchise rights $ 64,334 $ — $ 64,334 $ 64,334 $ — $ 64,334 Railroad crossing rights 141 — 141 141 — 141 Total non-amortizing intangibles 64,475 — 64,475 64,475 — 64,475 Finite-lived intangibles: Affiliate contract expansion - wireless 455,305 (152,603 ) 302,702 410,157 (105,964 ) 304,193 Favorable leases - wireless 15,816 (1,754 ) 14,062 13,103 (1,222 ) 11,881 Acquired subscribers - cable 25,265 (25,213 ) 52 25,265 (25,100 ) 165 Other intangibles 464 (218 ) 246 463 (198 ) 265 Total finite-lived intangibles 496,850 (179,788 ) 317,062 448,988 (132,484 ) 316,504 Total intangible assets $ 561,325 $ (179,788 ) $ 381,537 $ 513,463 $ (132,484 ) $ 380,979

Derivative and Hedging (Tables)

Derivative and Hedging (Tables)	9 Months Ended
Derivative and Hedging (Tables)	Sep. 30, 2018
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 instruments as well as its classification on the consolidated balance sheet: (in thousands) September 30, December 31, Balance sheet location of derivative financial instruments: Prepaid expenses and other $ 5,447 $ 2,411 Deferred charges and other assets, net 13,541 10,776 Total derivatives designated as hedging instruments $ 18,988 $ 13,187
Schedule of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	The table below summarizes changes in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) by component: Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018 (in thousands) Gains (Losses) on Income Tax Accumulated Balance as of December 31, 2017 $ 13,187 $ (4,957 ) $ 8,230 Net change in unrealized gain (loss) 5,801 (1,441 ) 4,360 Net current period other comprehensive income (loss) 5,801 (1,441 ) 4,360 Balance as of September 30, 2018 $ 18,988 $ (6,398 ) $ 12,590

Other Assets and Accrued Liab_2

Other Assets and Accrued Liabilities (Tables)	9 Months Ended
Other Assets and Accrued Liabilities (Tables)	Sep. 30, 2018
Other Liabilities Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Other Current Assets	Prepaid expenses and other, classified as current assets, included the following: (in thousands) September 30, 2018 December 31, 2017 Prepaid rent $ 10,058 $ 10,519 Prepaid maintenance expenses 3,546 3,062 Interest rate swaps 5,447 2,411 Deferred contract asset 35,617 — Other 8,715 1,119 Prepaid expenses and other $ 63,383 $ 17,111
Schedule of Other Assets, Noncurrent	Deferred charges and other assets, classified as long-term assets, included the following: (in thousands) September 30, 2018 December 31, 2017 Interest rate swaps $ 13,541 $ 10,776 Deferred contract asset 36,260 — Other 3,922 2,914 Deferred charges and other assets, net $ 53,723 $ 13,690
Summary of Accrued Liabilities and Other	Accrued liabilities and other, classified as current liabilities, included the following: (in thousands) September 30, 2018 December 31, 2017 Sales and property taxes payable $ 3,513 $ 3,872 Severance accrual — 1,028 Asset retirement obligations 582 492 Accrued programming costs 2,927 2,805 Other current liabilities 7,734 5,717 Accrued liabilities and other $ 14,756 $ 13,914
Summary of Other Liabilities	Other liabilities, classified as long-term liabilities, included the following: (in thousands) September 30, 2018 December 31, 2017 Non-current portion of deferred revenues $ 12,659 $ 14,030 Other 1,908 1,263 Other liabilities $ 14,567 $ 15,293

Long-Term Debt (Tables)

Long-Term Debt (Tables)	9 Months Ended
Long-Term Debt (Tables)	Sep. 30, 2018
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of long term debt	Total debt as of September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017 consisted of the following: (in thousands) September 30, 2018 December 31, 2017 Term loan A-1 $ 400,125 $ 436,500 Term loan A-2 390,000 400,000 790,125 836,500 Less: unamortized loan fees 11,337 14,542 Total debt, net of unamortized loan fees $ 778,788 $ 821,958 Current maturities of long-term debt, net of current unamortized loan fees $ 84,743 $ 64,397 Long-term debt, less current maturities, net of unamortized loan fees $ 694,045 $ 757,561
Financial covenants in credit agreements	As shown below, as of September 30, 2018 , the Company was in compliance with the covenants in its credit agreements. Actual Covenant Requirement Total leverage ratio 2.61 3.75 or Lower Debt service coverage ratio 3.25 2.00 or Higher Minimum liquidity balance (in millions) $ 149.1 $25.0 or Higher

Segment Reporting (Tables)

Segment Reporting (Tables)	9 Months Ended
Segment Reporting (Tables)	Sep. 30, 2018
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Selected Financial Data for Segments	Three Months Ended September 30, 2018 (in thousands) Wireless Cable Wireline Other Eliminations Consolidated External revenue Service revenue $ 96,299 $ 28,578 $ 5,443 $ — $ — $ 130,320 Equipment revenue 15,666 234 63 — — 15,963 Other 2,871 2,104 7,473 — — 12,448 Total external revenue 114,836 30,916 12,979 — — 158,731 Internal revenue 1,263 1,266 6,643 — (9,172 ) — Total operating revenue 116,099 32,182 19,622 — (9,172 ) 158,731 Operating expenses Cost of services 32,253 14,837 9,266 (12 ) (8,458 ) 47,886 Cost of goods sold 14,940 78 19 (1 ) — 15,036 Selling, general and administrative 11,191 5,331 1,780 9,864 (714 ) 27,452 Depreciation and amortization 30,363 6,102 3,435 128 — 40,028 Total operating expenses 88,747 26,348 14,500 9,979 (9,172 ) 130,402 Operating income (loss) $ 27,352 $ 5,834 $ 5,122 $ (9,979 ) $ — $ 28,329 Three Months Ended September 30, 2017 (in thousands) Wireless Cable Wireline Other Eliminations Consolidated External revenue Service revenue $ 107,395 $ 26,934 $ 5,126 $ — $ — $ 139,455 Equipment revenue 1,742 219 33 — — 1,994 Other 2,129 1,937 6,267 — — 10,333 Total external revenue 111,266 29,090 11,426 — — 151,782 Internal revenue 1,239 999 8,425 — (10,663 ) — Total operating revenue 112,505 30,089 19,851 — (10,663 ) 151,782 Operating expenses Cost of services 33,825 14,858 9,796 — (9,927 ) 48,552 Cost of goods sold 7,216 55 11 — — 7,282 Selling, general and administrative 30,099 5,358 1,706 5,772 (736 ) 42,199 Acquisition, integration and migration 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 Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018 (in thousands) Wireless Cable Wireline Other Eliminations Consolidated External revenue Service revenue $ 284,154 $ 85,797 $ 16,052 $ — $ — $ 386,003 Equipment revenue 48,859 537 155 — — 49,551 Other 6,897 6,276 20,643 — — 33,816 Total external revenue 339,910 92,610 36,850 — — 469,370 Internal revenue 3,746 3,394 21,591 — (28,731 ) — Total operating revenue 343,656 96,004 58,441 — (28,731 ) 469,370 Operating expenses Cost of services 99,491 45,118 28,441 — (26,688 ) 146,362 Cost of goods sold 45,749 197 61 — — 46,007 Selling, general and administrative 35,693 14,940 5,183 32,344 (2,043 ) 86,117 Depreciation and amortization 95,853 18,305 10,069 405 — 124,632 Total operating expenses 276,786 78,560 43,754 32,749 (28,731 ) 403,118 Operating income (loss) $ 66,870 $ 17,444 $ 14,687 $ (32,749 ) $ — $ 66,252 Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017 (in thousands) Wireless Cable Wireline Other Eliminations Consolidated External revenue Service revenue $ 323,262 $ 80,229 $ 15,301 $ — $ — $ 418,792 Equipment revenue 7,666 547 90 — — 8,303 Other 7,467 5,736 18,622 — — 31,825 Total external revenue 338,395 86,512 34,013 — — 458,920 Internal revenue 3,707 2,153 24,568 — (30,428 ) — Total operating revenue 342,102 88,665 58,581 — (30,428 ) 458,920 Operating expenses Cost of services 100,745 44,956 28,357 — (28,314 ) 145,744 Cost of goods sold 17,084 96 52 — — 17,232 Selling, general and administrative 88,201 15,083 5,065 19,139 (2,114 ) 125,374 Acquisition, integration and migration 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
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) 2018 2017 2018 2017 Total consolidated operating income (loss) $ 28,329 $ 9,475 $ 66,252 $ 28,400 Interest expense (9,001 ) (9,823 ) (27,184 ) (28,312 ) Gain (loss) on investments, net 88 202 112 395 Non-operating income (loss), net 966 1,003 2,770 3,482 Income (loss) before income taxes $ 20,382 $ 857 $ 41,950 $ 3,965

Basis of Presentation - Immater

Basis of Presentation - Immaterial Prior Period Adjustment (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended				6 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2018	Mar. 31, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Jan. 01, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Error Corrections and Prior Period Adjustments Restatement [Line Items]
Prepaid expenses and other	$ 63,383	$ 59,407	$ 58,459		$ 59,407	$ 63,383		$ 46,987	$ 17,111
Deferred charges and other assets, net	53,723	51,917	50,344		51,917	53,723		44,761	13,690
Deferred income taxes	120,846	114,647	118,662		114,647	120,846		121,231	100,879
Retained earnings	385,045	369,511	359,885		369,511	385,045		353,302	$ 297,205
Service revenue and other	158,731			$ 151,782		469,370	$ 458,920
Income tax expense (benefit)	4,848	3,531	1,828	(2,677)	5,359	10,207	(1,830)
Net income (loss)	$ 15,534	$ 9,626	$ 6,583	$ 3,534	$ 16,209	$ 31,743	$ 5,795
Earnings per share - basic (in usd per share)	$ 0.31	$ 0.19	$ 0.13	$ 0.07	$ 0.33	$ 0.64	$ 0.12
Earnings per share - diluted (in usd per share)	$ 0.31	$ 0.19	$ 0.13	$ 0.07	$ 0.32	$ 0.63	$ 0.12
As Reported
Error Corrections and Prior Period Adjustments Restatement [Line Items]
Prepaid expenses and other		$ 64,163	$ 64,200		$ 64,163			53,688
Deferred charges and other assets, net		34,021	33,934		34,021			29,797
Deferred income taxes		111,125	115,809		111,125			119,030
Retained earnings		359,893	352,069		359,893			347,240
Income tax expense (benefit)		2,862	1,176		4,038
Net income (loss)		$ 7,824	$ 4,829		$ 12,653
Earnings per share - basic (in usd per share)		$ 0.16	$ 0.10		$ 0.26
Earnings per share - diluted (in usd per share)		$ 0.16	$ 0.10		$ 0.25
Service revenue and other
Error Corrections and Prior Period Adjustments Restatement [Line Items]
Service revenue and other	$ 142,768	$ 140,492	$ 136,559	$ 149,788	$ 277,051	$ 419,819	$ 450,617
Service revenue and other \| As Reported
Error Corrections and Prior Period Adjustments Restatement [Line Items]
Service revenue and other		138,021	134,153		272,174
Immaterial Error Correction \| Correction of Error
Error Corrections and Prior Period Adjustments Restatement [Line Items]
Prepaid expenses and other		(4,756)	(5,741)		(4,756)			(6,701)
Deferred charges and other assets, net		17,896	16,410		17,896			14,964
Deferred income taxes		3,522	2,853		3,522			2,201
Retained earnings		9,618	7,816		9,618			$ 6,062
Income tax expense (benefit)		669	652		1,321
Net income (loss)		$ 1,802	$ 1,754		$ 3,556
Earnings per share - basic (in usd per share)		$ 0.03	$ 0.03		$ 0.07
Earnings per share - diluted (in usd per share)		$ 0.03	$ 0.03		$ 0.07
Immaterial Error Correction \| Service revenue and other \| Correction of Error
Error Corrections and Prior Period Adjustments Restatement [Line Items]
Service revenue and other		$ 2,471	$ 2,406		$ 4,877

Revenue from Contracts with C_3

Revenue from Contracts with Customers - Revenue by Category (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue from contract with customer	$ 158,731	$ 151,782	$ 469,370	$ 458,920
Wireless
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue from contract with customer	114,836	111,266	339,910	338,395
Cable
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue from contract with customer	30,916	29,090	92,610	86,512
Wireline
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue from contract with customer	12,979	11,426	36,850	34,013
Operating Segments
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue from contract with customer	167,903		498,101
Operating Segments \| Wireless service
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue from contract with customer	96,299		284,154
Operating Segments \| Equipment
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue from contract with customer	15,963		49,551
Operating Segments \| Business, residential and enterprise
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue from contract with customer	40,036		119,837
Operating Segments \| Tower and other
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue from contract with customer	15,605		44,559
Operating Segments \| Wireless
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue from contract with customer	116,099	112,505	343,656	342,102
Operating Segments \| Wireless \| Wireless service
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue from contract with customer	96,299		284,154
Operating Segments \| Wireless \| Equipment
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue from contract with customer	15,666		48,859
Operating Segments \| Wireless \| Business, residential and enterprise
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue from contract with customer	0		0
Operating Segments \| Wireless \| Tower and other
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue from contract with customer	4,134		10,643
Operating Segments \| Cable
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue from contract with customer	32,182	30,089	96,004	88,665
Operating Segments \| Cable \| Wireless service
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue from contract with customer	0		0
Operating Segments \| Cable \| Equipment
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue from contract with customer	234		537
Operating Segments \| Cable \| Business, residential and enterprise
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue from contract with customer	29,334		87,931
Operating Segments \| Cable \| Tower and other
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue from contract with customer	2,614		7,536
Operating Segments \| Wireline
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue from contract with customer	19,622	19,851	58,441	58,581
Operating Segments \| Wireline \| Wireless service
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue from contract with customer	0		0
Operating Segments \| Wireline \| Equipment
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue from contract with customer	63		155
Operating Segments \| Wireline \| Business, residential and enterprise
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue from contract with customer	10,702		31,906
Operating Segments \| Wireline \| Tower and other
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue from contract with customer	8,857		26,380
Intersegment Eliminations
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue from contract with customer	(9,172)	(10,663)	(28,731)	(30,428)
Intersegment Eliminations \| Wireless
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue from contract with customer	(1,263)	(1,239)	(3,746)	(3,707)
Intersegment Eliminations \| Cable
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue from contract with customer	(1,266)	(999)	(3,394)	(2,153)
Intersegment Eliminations \| Wireline
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue from contract with customer	$ (6,643)	$ (8,425)	$ (21,591)	$ (24,568)

Revenue from Contracts with C_4

Revenue from Contracts with Customers - Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Jan. 01, 2018
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Percentage of consolidated revenue		61.00%
Management fee, percentage		8.00%
Service fee retained by Sprint		8.60%
Management fee on prepaid wireless revenues and costs		6.00%
Wireless contract asset balance	$ 61.8	$ 61.8		$ 51.1
Payments to increase wireless contract asset balance	16.4	44.8
Amortization to reduce revenue	11.9	$ 34.1
Revenue recorded from equipment financing transactions			$ 63.8
Estimated customer life (in months)		42 months
Cost to fulfill contract	10	$ 10
Amortization of capitalized costs to fulfill contracts	4.1	$ 4.1
Cable
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Installation revenue, recognition period		10 months
Commissions and other costs, recognition period (in months)		44 months
Wireline
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Installation revenue, recognition period		11 months
Commissions and other costs, recognition period (in months)		72 months
Enterprise
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Commissions and other costs, recognition period (in months)		46 months
Prepaid expenses and other
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Cost to fulfill contract	4.6	$ 4.6
Deferred charges and other assets, net
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Cost to fulfill contract	$ 5.4	$ 5.4
Cost of Goods and Services Sold
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Reimbursement payments, cost of equipment and commissions			63.5
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Reimbursement payments, cost of equipment and commissions			$ 16.9
Minimum
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Reimbursement payment, cost of equipment and commissions, benefit period for recognition		21 months
Maximum
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Reimbursement payment, cost of equipment and commissions, benefit period for recognition		53 months

Revenue from Contracts with C_5

Revenue from Contracts with Customers - Adjustments to Previously Reported Consolidated Financial Statements from the Adoption of Accounting Pronouncements (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended				6 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2018	Mar. 31, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Jan. 01, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Assets
Prepaid expenses and other	$ 63,383	$ 59,407	$ 58,459		$ 59,407	$ 63,383		$ 46,987	$ 17,111
Deferred charges and other assets, net	53,723	51,917	50,344		51,917	53,723		44,761	13,690
Liabilities
Advanced billings and customer deposits	7,415					7,415		6,851
Deferred income taxes	120,846	114,647	118,662		114,647	120,846		121,231	100,879
Other long-term liabilities	14,567					14,567		14,093	15,293
Retained earnings	385,045	369,511	359,885		369,511	385,045		353,302	297,205
Operating revenues	158,731			$ 151,782		469,370	$ 458,920
Selling, general and administrative	27,452			42,199		86,117	125,374
Calculated under Revenue Guidance in Effect before Topic 606
Assets
Prepaid expenses and other	27,765					27,765			17,111
Deferred charges and other assets, net	17,496					17,496			13,690
Liabilities
Advanced billings and customer deposits	23,744					23,744			21,153
Deferred income taxes	97,029					97,029			100,879
Other long-term liabilities	15,759					15,759			15,293
Retained earnings	319,496					319,496			$ 297,205
Selling, general and administrative	44,164					132,711
Difference between Revenue Guidance in Effect before and after Topic 606 \| Accounting Standards Update 2014-09
Assets
Prepaid expenses and other	35,618					35,618		29,876
Deferred charges and other assets, net	36,227					36,227		31,071
Liabilities
Advanced billings and customer deposits	(16,329)					(16,329)		(14,302)
Deferred income taxes	23,817					23,817		20,352
Other long-term liabilities	(1,192)					(1,192)		(1,200)
Retained earnings	65,549					65,549		$ 56,097
Selling, general and administrative	(16,712)					(46,594)
Service revenue and other
Liabilities
Operating revenues	142,768	$ 140,492	$ 136,559	149,788	$ 277,051	419,819	450,617
Service revenue and other \| Calculated under Revenue Guidance in Effect before Topic 606
Liabilities
Operating revenues	161,076					471,155
Service revenue and other \| Difference between Revenue Guidance in Effect before and after Topic 606 \| Accounting Standards Update 2014-09
Liabilities
Operating revenues	(18,308)					(51,336)
Equipment revenue
Liabilities
Operating revenues	15,963			1,994		49,551	8,303
Equipment revenue \| Calculated under Revenue Guidance in Effect before Topic 606
Liabilities
Operating revenues	2,178					6,036
Equipment revenue \| Difference between Revenue Guidance in Effect before and after Topic 606 \| Accounting Standards Update 2014-09
Liabilities
Operating revenues	13,785					43,515
Cost of services
Liabilities
Cost of services	47,886			48,552		146,362	145,744
Cost of services \| Calculated under Revenue Guidance in Effect before Topic 606
Liabilities
Cost of services	48,001					146,199
Cost of services \| Difference between Revenue Guidance in Effect before and after Topic 606 \| Accounting Standards Update 2014-09
Liabilities
Cost of services	(115)					163
Cost of goods sold
Liabilities
Cost of services	15,036			$ 7,282		46,007	$ 17,232
Cost of goods sold \| Calculated under Revenue Guidance in Effect before Topic 606
Liabilities
Cost of services	7,870					20,316
Cost of goods sold \| Difference between Revenue Guidance in Effect before and after Topic 606 \| Accounting Standards Update 2014-09
Liabilities
Cost of services	$ 7,166					$ 25,691

Revenue from Contracts with C_6

Revenue from Contracts with Customers - Remaining Performance Obligations (Details) $ in Millions	Sep. 30, 2018USD ($)
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction, Start Date [Axis]: 2018-10-01
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction [Line Items]
Remaining performance obligations	$ 0.2
Remaining performance obligations, period	3 months
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction, Start Date [Axis]: 2019-01-01
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction [Line Items]
Remaining performance obligations	$ 0.6
Remaining performance obligations, period	1 year
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction, Start Date [Axis]: 2020-01-01
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction [Line Items]
Remaining performance obligations	$ 3.1
Remaining performance obligations, period	12 months

Acquisition - Sprint Territory

Acquisition - Sprint Territory Expansion (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Feb. 01, 2018	Sep. 30, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
One-time payment for expansion of service area	$ 52,000
Finite-lived intangible assets	52,000	$ 317,062	$ 316,504
Maximum
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
One-time payment for expansion of service area, additional payment	$ 5,000
Affiliate contract expansion
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Estimated useful life, finite lived intangible assets	12 years
Finite-lived intangible assets	$ 45,148	302,702	304,193
Prepayment of tangible assets
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Finite-lived intangible assets	$ 6,497
Off-market leases - favorable
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Estimated useful life, finite lived intangible assets	16 years 6 months
Finite-lived intangible assets	$ 3,665	$ 14,062	$ 11,881
Off-market leases - unfavorable
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Estimated useful life, finite lived intangible assets	4 years 2 months 12 days
Finite-lived intangible assets	$ 3,310

Customer Concentration (Details

Customer Concentration (Details)	12 Months Ended
Customer Concentration (Details)	Dec. 31, 1999renewalmegahertz
Collaborative Arrangements and Non-collaborative Arrangement Transactions [Line Items]
Megahertz spectrum used	1,900
Initial term of contract	2029 years
Number of contract renewals \| renewal	2
Length of renewals	10 years
Right or obligation to sell business, percentage of EBV	90.00%
Minimum
Collaborative Arrangements and Non-collaborative Arrangement Transactions [Line Items]
Megahertz spectrum used	800
Maximum
Collaborative Arrangements and Non-collaborative Arrangement Transactions [Line Items]
Megahertz spectrum used	2,500

Earnings (Loss) Per Share (EP_3

Earnings (Loss) Per Share (EPS) - Schedule of Diluted Earnings Per Shares Calculation (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended				6 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2018	Mar. 31, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Calculation of net income (loss) per share:
Net income (loss)	$ 15,534	$ 9,626	$ 6,583	$ 3,534	$ 16,209	$ 31,743	$ 5,795
Basic weighted average shares outstanding (in shares)	49,559			49,133		49,527	49,100
Basic income (loss) per share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.31	$ 0.19	$ 0.13	$ 0.07	$ 0.33	$ 0.64	$ 0.12
Effect of stock options outstanding:
Basic weighted average shares outstanding (in shares)	49,559			49,133		49,527	49,100
Effect from dilutive shares and options outstanding (in shares)	558			826		517	769
Diluted weighted average shares (in shares)	50,117			49,959		50,044	49,869
Diluted income (loss) per share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.31	$ 0.19	$ 0.13	$ 0.07	$ 0.32	$ 0.63	$ 0.12

Earnings (Loss) Per Share (EP_4

Earnings (Loss) Per Share (EPS) - Schedule of Antidilutive Shares (Details) - shares shares in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Awards excluded from the computation of diluted net income per share because their inclusion would have been anti-dilutive (in shares)	13	0	60	94

Investments - Other Investments

Investments - Other Investments (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Investment [Line Items]
Cost method:	$ 8,225	$ 7,629
Equity method:	575	564
Total other investments	8,800	8,193
CoBank
Investment [Line Items]
Cost method:	7,441	6,818
Other
Investment [Line Items]
Cost method:	784	811
Equity method:	$ 575	$ 564

Investments - Investments Carri

Investments - Investments Carried at Fair Value (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Investments carried at fair value	$ 3,496	$ 3,279
Cash and Equivalents
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Investments carried at fair value	1,408	0
Domestic equity funds
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Investments carried at fair value	1,675	2,856
International equity funds
Debt Securities, Available-for-sale [Line Items]
Investments carried at fair value	$ 413	$ 423

Investments - Narrative (Detail

Investments - Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
Investments - Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Investments [Abstract]
Realized gains, available for sale	$ 0.1	$ 0.1	$ 0.1	$ 0.3

Fair Value Measurements - Hiera

Fair Value Measurements - Hierarchy (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
Total	$ 18,988	$ 13,337
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring \| Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
Total	0	150
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring \| Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
Total	18,988	13,187
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring \| Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
Total	0	0
Interest rate swap
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
Interest rate swaps	13,541	10,776
Prepaid expenses and other \| Interest rate swap \| Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
Interest rate swaps	5,447	2,411
Prepaid expenses and other \| Interest rate swap \| Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring \| Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
Interest rate swaps	0	0
Prepaid expenses and other \| Interest rate swap \| Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring \| Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
Interest rate swaps	5,447	2,411
Prepaid expenses and other \| Interest rate swap \| Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring \| Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
Interest rate swaps	0	0
Deferred charges and other assets, net \| Interest rate swap \| Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
Interest rate swaps	13,541	10,776
Deferred charges and other assets, net \| Interest rate swap \| Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring \| Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
Interest rate swaps	0	0
Deferred charges and other assets, net \| Interest rate swap \| Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring \| Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
Interest rate swaps	13,541	10,776
Deferred charges and other assets, net \| Interest rate swap \| Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring \| Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
Interest rate swaps	$ 0	0
Money market funds \| Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
Money market funds		150
Money market funds \| Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring \| Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
Money market funds		150
Money market funds \| Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring \| Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
Money market funds		0
Money market funds \| Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring \| Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
Money market funds		$ 0

Property, Plant and Equipment_2

Property, Plant and Equipment (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Property, plant and equipment [Abstract]
Total property, plant and equipment	$ 1,354,318	$ 1,281,387
Less accumulated amortization and depreciation	684,609	595,060
Property, plant and equipment, net	669,709	686,327
Land
Property, plant and equipment [Abstract]
Total property, plant and equipment	6,568	6,418
Buildings and structures
Property, plant and equipment [Abstract]
Total property, plant and equipment	207,647	195,540
Cable and wire
Property, plant and equipment [Abstract]
Total property, plant and equipment	302,592	286,999
Equipment and software
Property, plant and equipment [Abstract]
Total property, plant and equipment	763,089	730,228
Plant in service
Property, plant and equipment [Abstract]
Total property, plant and equipment	1,279,896	1,219,185
Plant under construction
Property, plant and equipment [Abstract]
Total property, plant and equipment	$ 74,422	$ 62,202
Minimum \| Buildings and structures
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Useful life (in years)	10 years
Minimum \| Cable and wire
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Useful life (in years)	4 years
Minimum \| Equipment and software
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Useful life (in years)	2 years
Maximum \| Buildings and structures
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Useful life (in years)	40 years
Maximum \| Cable and wire
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Useful life (in years)	40 years
Maximum \| Equipment and software
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Useful life (in years)	17 years

Goodwill and Other Intangible_3

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets - Changes in Carrying Amount of Goodwill (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill	$ 146,497	$ 146,497
Wireless
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill	146,383	146,383
Cable
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill	104	104
Wireline
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill	$ 10	$ 10

Goodwill and Other Intangible_4

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets - Intangible Assets (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended	29 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2018	Feb. 01, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Total non-amortizing intangibles	$ 64,475	$ 64,475	$ 64,475		$ 64,475
Gross Carrying Amount	496,850	496,850	496,850		448,988
Accumulated Amortization and Other	(179,788)	(179,788)	(179,788)		(132,484)
Net	317,062	317,062	317,062	$ 52,000	316,504
Total intangible assets, gross	561,325	561,325	561,325		513,463
Total intangible assets, net	381,537	381,537	381,537		380,979
Waived management fees under affiliate agreement	9,600	28,200	88,800
Affiliate contract expansion - wireless
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross Carrying Amount	455,305	455,305	455,305		410,157
Accumulated Amortization and Other	(152,603)	(152,603)	(152,603)		(105,964)
Net	302,702	302,702	302,702	45,148	304,193
Favorable leases - wireless
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross Carrying Amount	15,816	15,816	15,816		13,103
Accumulated Amortization and Other	(1,754)	(1,754)	(1,754)		(1,222)
Net	14,062	14,062	14,062	$ 3,665	11,881
Acquired subscribers - cable
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross Carrying Amount	25,265	25,265	25,265		25,265
Accumulated Amortization and Other	(25,213)	(25,213)	(25,213)		(25,100)
Net	52	52	52		165
Other intangibles
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross Carrying Amount	464	464	464		463
Accumulated Amortization and Other	(218)	(218)	(218)		(198)
Net	246	246	246		265
Cable franchise rights
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Total non-amortizing intangibles	64,334	64,334	64,334		64,334
Railroad crossing rights
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Total non-amortizing intangibles	$ 141	$ 141	$ 141		$ 141

Derivatives and Hedging - Sched

Derivatives and Hedging - Schedule of Derivative Financial Instrument as Well as its Classification on the Consolidated Balance Sheet (Details) - Interest rate swap - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Derivative Assets (Liabilities), at Fair Value, Net, by Balance Sheet Classification [Abstract]
Derivative assets	$ 13,541	$ 10,776
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments
Derivative Assets (Liabilities), at Fair Value, Net, by Balance Sheet Classification [Abstract]
Total derivatives designated as hedging instruments	18,988	13,187
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments \| Prepaid expenses and other
Derivative Assets (Liabilities), at Fair Value, Net, by Balance Sheet Classification [Abstract]
Derivative assets	5,447	2,411
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments \| Deferred charges and other assets, net
Derivative Assets (Liabilities), at Fair Value, Net, by Balance Sheet Classification [Abstract]
Derivative assets	$ 13,541	$ 10,776

Derivatives and Hedging - Sch_2

Derivatives and Hedging - Schedule of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Details) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018USD ($)
Gains (Losses) on Cash Flow Hedges
Balance as of December 31, 2017	$ 13,187
Balance as of September 30, 2018	18,988
Income Tax Expense
Balance as of December 31, 2017	(4,957)
Net current period accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	(1,441)
Balance as of September 30, 2018	(6,398)
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), net of taxes
Balance as of December 31, 2017	8,230
Balance as of September 30, 2018	12,590
Gains (Losses) on Cash Flow Hedges
Gains (Losses) on Cash Flow Hedges
Net change in unrealized gain (loss)	5,801
Net current period accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	5,801
Income Tax Expense
Net change in unrealized gain (loss)	(1,441)
Net current period accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	(1,441)
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), net of taxes
Net change in unrealized gain (loss)	4,360
Net current period accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	$ 4,360

Derivatives and Hedging - Narra

Derivatives and Hedging - Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Sep. 30, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument \| Cash Flow Hedge
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional amount of cash flow hedges	$ 395.1	$ 418.3

Other Assets and Accrued Liab_3

Other Assets and Accrued Liabilities - Current Assets (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2018	Mar. 31, 2018	Jan. 01, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Other Liabilities Disclosure [Abstract]
Prepaid rent	$ 10,058				$ 10,519
Prepaid maintenance expenses	3,546				3,062
Interest rate swaps	5,447				2,411
Deferred contract asset	35,617				0
Other	8,715				1,119
Prepaid expenses and other	$ 63,383	$ 59,407	$ 58,459	$ 46,987	$ 17,111

Other Assets and Accrued Liab_4

Other Assets and Accrued Liabilities - Long-Term Assets (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2018	Mar. 31, 2018	Jan. 01, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Deferred contract asset	$ 36,260				$ 0
Other	3,922				2,914
Deferred charges and other assets, net	53,723	$ 51,917	$ 50,344	$ 44,761	13,690
Interest rate swap
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Interest rate swaps	$ 13,541				$ 10,776

Other Assets and Accrued Liab_5

Other Assets and Accrued Liabilities - Current Liabilities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Other Liabilities Disclosure [Abstract]
Sales and property taxes payable	$ 3,513	$ 3,872
Severance accrual	0	1,028
Asset retirement obligations	582	492
Accrued programming costs	2,927	2,805
Other current liabilities	7,734	5,717
Accrued liabilities and other	$ 14,756	$ 13,914

Other Assets and Accrued Liab_6

Other Assets and Accrued Liabilities - Long-Term Liabilities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2018	Jan. 01, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Other Liabilities Disclosure [Abstract]
Non-current portion of deferred revenues	$ 12,659		$ 14,030
Other	1,908		1,263
Other liabilities	$ 14,567	$ 14,093	$ 15,293

Long-Term Debt - Schedule of Lo

Long-Term Debt - Schedule of Long-Term Debt (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt	$ 790,125	$ 836,500
Less: unamortized loan fees	11,337	14,542
Total debt, net of unamortized loan fees	778,788	821,958
Current maturities of long-term debt, net of current unamortized loan fees	84,743	64,397
Long-term debt, less current maturities, net of unamortized loan fees	694,045	757,561
Term loan A-1
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt	400,125	436,500
Term loan A-2
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt	$ 390,000	$ 400,000

Long-Term Debt - Narrative (Det

Long-Term Debt - Narrative (Details)	Feb. 16, 2018USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2018USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2017USD ($)
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total debt, net of unamortized loan fees		$ 778,788,000	$ 821,958,000
Unamortized loan fees		$ 11,337,000	$ 14,542,000
Effective rate		4.11%
Principal balance of term loans outstanding, percentage		50.00%
Fixed rate to pay		1.16%
Leverage ratio two		3.25
Leverage ratio three		3
Debt service coverage ratio, actual		3.25
Debt instrument covenants minimum liquidity amount		$ 25,000,000
Interest rate reduction, basis points	0.05%
Credit facility modification, charitable contributions	$ 1,500,000
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]
Periodic payment of principal		$ 6,100,000
Periodic payment principal, period two		12,100,000
Periodic payment principal, period three		$ 18,200,000
Term loan A-1 \| London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR)
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Variable interest rate		2.25%
Term loan A-2
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Periodic payment of principal		$ 10,000,000
Term loan A-2 \| London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR)
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Variable interest rate		2.50%

Long-Term Debt - Schedule of Fi

Long-Term Debt - Schedule of Financial Covenants (Details)	9 Months Ended
Long-Term Debt - Schedule of Financial Covenants (Details)	Sep. 30, 2018USD ($)
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Leverage ratio, actual	2.61
Covenant requirement, total leverage ratio	3.75
Debt service coverage ratio, actual	3.25
Minimum debt service coverage ratio	2
Covenant, liquidity balance, actual	$ 149,100,000
Debt instrument covenants minimum liquidity amount	$ 25,000,000

Segment Reporting - Selected Fi

Segment Reporting - Selected Financial Data for Segments (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
External revenue
Operating revenues	$ 158,731	$ 151,782	$ 469,370	$ 458,920
Operating expenses:
Selling, general and administrative	27,452	42,199	86,117	125,374
Acquisition, integration and migration expenses	0	1,706	0	9,873
Depreciation and amortization	40,028	42,568	124,632	132,297
Total operating expenses	130,402	142,307	403,118	430,520
Operating income (loss)	28,329	9,475	66,252	28,400
Wireless
External revenue
Operating revenues	114,836	111,266	339,910	338,395
Cable
External revenue
Operating revenues	30,916	29,090	92,610	86,512
Wireline
External revenue
Operating revenues	12,979	11,426	36,850	34,013
Other
External revenue
Operating revenues	0	0	0	0
Intersegment Eliminations
External revenue
Operating revenues	(9,172)	(10,663)	(28,731)	(30,428)
Operating expenses:
Selling, general and administrative	(714)	(736)	(2,043)	(2,114)
Acquisition, integration and migration expenses		0		0
Depreciation and amortization	0	0	0	0
Total operating expenses	(9,172)	(10,663)	(28,731)	(30,428)
Operating income (loss)	0	0	0	0
Intersegment Eliminations \| Wireless
External revenue
Operating revenues	(1,263)	(1,239)	(3,746)	(3,707)
Intersegment Eliminations \| Cable
External revenue
Operating revenues	(1,266)	(999)	(3,394)	(2,153)
Intersegment Eliminations \| Wireline
External revenue
Operating revenues	(6,643)	(8,425)	(21,591)	(24,568)
Intersegment Eliminations \| Other
External revenue
Operating revenues	0	0	0	0
Operating Segments
External revenue
Operating revenues	167,903		498,101
Operating Segments \| Wireless
External revenue
Operating revenues	116,099	112,505	343,656	342,102
Operating expenses:
Selling, general and administrative	11,191	30,099	35,693	88,201
Acquisition, integration and migration expenses		1,691		9,607
Depreciation and amortization	30,363	32,929	95,853	104,231
Total operating expenses	88,747	105,760	276,786	319,868
Operating income (loss)	27,352	6,745	66,870	22,234
Operating Segments \| Cable
External revenue
Operating revenues	32,182	30,089	96,004	88,665
Operating expenses:
Selling, general and administrative	5,331	5,358	14,940	15,083
Acquisition, integration and migration expenses		0		0
Depreciation and amortization	6,102	6,192	18,305	18,070
Total operating expenses	26,348	26,463	78,560	78,205
Operating income (loss)	5,834	3,626	17,444	10,460
Operating Segments \| Wireline
External revenue
Operating revenues	19,622	19,851	58,441	58,581
Operating expenses:
Selling, general and administrative	1,780	1,706	5,183	5,065
Acquisition, integration and migration expenses		0		0
Depreciation and amortization	3,435	3,249	10,069	9,536
Total operating expenses	14,500	14,762	43,754	43,010
Operating income (loss)	5,122	5,089	14,687	15,571
Operating Segments \| Other
External revenue
Operating revenues	0	0	0	0
Operating expenses:
Selling, general and administrative	9,864	5,772	32,344	19,139
Acquisition, integration and migration expenses		15		266
Depreciation and amortization	128	198	405	460
Total operating expenses	9,979	5,985	32,749	19,865
Operating income (loss)	(9,979)	(5,985)	(32,749)	(19,865)
Service revenue
External revenue
Operating revenues	130,320	139,455	386,003	418,792
Service revenue \| Wireless
External revenue
Operating revenues	96,299	107,395	284,154	323,262
Service revenue \| Cable
External revenue
Operating revenues	28,578	26,934	85,797	80,229
Service revenue \| Wireline
External revenue
Operating revenues	5,443	5,126	16,052	15,301
Service revenue \| Other
External revenue
Operating revenues	0	0	0	0
Equipment revenue
External revenue
Operating revenues	15,963	1,994	49,551	8,303
Equipment revenue \| Wireless
External revenue
Operating revenues	15,666	1,742	48,859	7,666
Equipment revenue \| Cable
External revenue
Operating revenues	234	219	537	547
Equipment revenue \| Wireline
External revenue
Operating revenues	63	33	155	90
Equipment revenue \| Other
External revenue
Operating revenues	0	0	0	0
Other
External revenue
Operating revenues	12,448	10,333	33,816	31,825
Other \| Wireless
External revenue
Operating revenues	2,871	2,129	6,897	7,467
Other \| Cable
External revenue
Operating revenues	2,104	1,937	6,276	5,736
Other \| Wireline
External revenue
Operating revenues	7,473	6,267	20,643	18,622
Other \| Other
External revenue
Operating revenues	0	0	0	0
Cost of services
Operating expenses:
Cost of services	47,886	48,552	146,362	145,744
Cost of services \| Intersegment Eliminations
Operating expenses:
Cost of services	(8,458)	(9,927)	(26,688)	(28,314)
Cost of services \| Operating Segments \| Wireless
Operating expenses:
Cost of services	32,253	33,825	99,491	100,745
Cost of services \| Operating Segments \| Cable
Operating expenses:
Cost of services	14,837	14,858	45,118	44,956
Cost of services \| Operating Segments \| Wireline
Operating expenses:
Cost of services	9,266	9,796	28,441	28,357
Cost of services \| Operating Segments \| Other
Operating expenses:
Cost of services	(12)	0	0	0
Cost of goods sold
Operating expenses:
Cost of services	15,036	7,282	46,007	17,232
Cost of goods sold \| Intersegment Eliminations
Operating expenses:
Cost of services	0	0	0	0
Cost of goods sold \| Operating Segments \| Wireless
Operating expenses:
Cost of services	14,940	7,216	45,749	17,084
Cost of goods sold \| Operating Segments \| Cable
Operating expenses:
Cost of services	78	55	197	96
Cost of goods sold \| Operating Segments \| Wireline
Operating expenses:
Cost of services	19	11	61	52
Cost of goods sold \| Operating Segments \| Other
Operating expenses:
Cost of services	$ (1)	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0

Segment Reporting - Reconciliat

Segment Reporting - Reconciliation of Operating Profit (Loss) from Segments to Consolidated (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Reconciliation of income from continuing operations from segments to consolidated [Abstract]
Total consolidated operating income (loss)	$ 28,329	$ 9,475	$ 66,252	$ 28,400
Interest expense	(9,001)	(9,823)	(27,184)	(28,312)
Gain (loss) on investments, net	88	202	112	395
Non-operating income (loss), net	966	1,003	2,770	3,482
Income (loss) before income taxes	$ 20,382	$ 857	$ 41,950	$ 3,965

Subsequent Events - Narrative (

Subsequent Events - Narrative (Details) - Subsequent Event - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Millions	Nov. 30, 2018	Oct. 30, 2018
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Dividends declared (in usd per share)		$ 0.27
Scenario, Forecast
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Dividends payable (in usd per share)	$ 0.27
Dividend payout	$ 13.4