Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows Supplemental Disclosures ( Non-cash investing and financing activities) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands |
12 Months Ended | ||
|---|---|---|---|
Dec. 31, 2015 |
Dec. 31, 2014 |
Dec. 31, 2013 |
|
| Supplemental Cash Flow Elements [Abstract] | |||
| Non-cash additions for purchases of property and equipment | $ 26,799 | $ 42,958 | $ 17,230 |
| Non-cash consideration for Wireless Acquisition | 23,326 | 0 | 0 |
| Asset retirement obligation additions to property and equipment | 2,048 | 4,268 | 5,292 |
| Net capital lease obligation | 0 | 9,386 | 0 |
| Distribution to non-controlling interest | 0 | 4,167 | 4,167 |
| Deferred compensation distribution denominated in shares | 0 | 617 | 621 |
| Net assets acquired with equity in AWN (see Note 1(d)) | $ 0 | $ 0 | $ 267,642 |
| X | ||||||||||
- Definition Non-cash Distributions to Noncontrolling Interest No definition available.
|
| X | ||||||||||
- Definition Amount of asset retirement obligations incurred during the period. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
|
| X | ||||||||||
- Definition Future cash outflow to pay for purchases of fixed assets that have occurred. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
|
| X | ||||||||||
- Definition The increase during the period in capital lease obligations due to entering into new capital leases. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
|
| X | ||||||||||
- Definition The net book value of a nonmonetary asset transferred or exchanged in connection with the acquisition of a business or asset in a noncash transaction. Noncash is defined as transactions during a period that affect recognized assets or liabilities but that do not result in cash receipts or cash payments in the period. "Part noncash" refers to that portion of the transaction not resulting in cash receipts or cash payments in the period. Nonmonetary assets and liabilities are assets and liabilities that will not result in cash receipts or cash payments in the future. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
|
| X | ||||||||||
- Definition The amount of assets that an Entity acquires in a noncash (or part noncash) acquisition that are not presented as a separate disclosure or not otherwise listed in the existing taxonomy. Noncash is defined as information about all investing and financing activities of an enterprise during a period that affect recognized assets or liabilities but that do not result in cash receipts or cash payments in the period. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
|
| X | ||||||||||
- Definition The value of the noncash (or part noncash) consideration given (for example, liability, equity) in a transaction. Noncash is defined as transactions during a period that do not result in cash receipts or cash payments in the period. "Part noncash" refers to that portion of a transaction not resulting in cash receipts or cash payments in the period. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
|
| X | ||||||||||
- References No definition available.
|