Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013 Restated [Member]
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:
Net income	$ 8,586	$ 161,069
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	38,452	33,291
Gain on sale/contribution of asset to AWN		(207,318)
Gain on ineffective hedge adjustment		(785)
Amortization of debt issuance costs and debt discount	4,382	5,754
Amortization of ineffective hedge		1,948
Amortization of deferred AWN capacity revenue		(738)
Stock-based compensation	2,662	2,268
Deferred income taxes	6,385	58,733
Provision for uncollectible accounts	1,836	805
Cash distribution from equity method investments	32	5,389
Earnings on equity method investments	(45)	(8,061)
Other non-cash expense, net	(2,042)	1,157
Changes in operating assets and liabilities	(4,038)	6,096
Net cash provided by operating activities	56,210	59,608
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
Capital expenditures	(36,319)	(27,314)
Capitalized interest	(1,396)	(1,291)
Change in unsettled capital expenditures	(5,648)	(3,276)
Proceeds on sale of assets	2,923	4,747
Proceeds on sale/contribution of asset to AWN		100,000
Net change in short-term investments		2,037
Change in unsettled acquisition costs		(3,345)
Net change in restricted accounts	(1,071)	3,393
Net cash provided (used) by investing activities	(41,511)	74,951
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
Repayments of long-term debt	(9,255)	(97,382)
Debt issuance costs		(206)
Payment of cash dividend on common stock	(6,831)
Payment of withholding taxes on stock-based compensation	(243)	(632)
Proceeds from the issuance of common stock	179	117
Net cash used by financing activities	(16,150)	(98,103)
Change in cash and cash equivalents	(1,451)	36,456
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	20,490	16,839
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	19,039	53,295
Supplemental Cash Flow Data:
Interest paid	24,799	25,201
Extinguishment of hedging instrument		4,073
Income tax paid (refunded), net	(24)
Supplemental Non-cash Transactions:
Property acquired (retired) under capital leases, net	(24)	(17)
Dividend declared, but not paid	2,286
Additions to ARO asset	78	180
Exchange of debt with common stock		$ 6,000