Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	Common Stock Outstanding [Member]	Treasury Stock [Member]	Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]	Retained Earnings [Member]	AOCI Attributable to Parent [Member]	Noncontrolling Interest [Member]	Total
Balance at beginning of period (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2017	52,526
Issuance of common stock pursuant to stock plans, $.01 par (in shares)	742
Purchases of common stock, $.01 par (in shares)
Balance at end of period (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2018	53,268
Total Stockholders' Equity - Beginning Balance at Dec. 31, 2017	$ 525		$ 158,969	$ (3,579)	$ (2,396)	$ 991	$ 154,510
Issuance of common stock pursuant to stock plans, $.01 par	8		203
Balance at end of period at Dec. 31, 2018	$ 533		160,514	10,439	(2,675)	939	169,750
Purchases of 1,000 shares of common stock, $.01 par
Stock-based compensation			1,757
Surrender of shares to cover minimum withholding taxes on stock-based compensation			(415)
Net income attributable to Alaska Communications				9,080			9,080
Cumulative effect of new accounting principles adopted				4,938
Total comprehensive income					(279)		8,709
Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest						(92)	(92)
Contributions from noncontrolling interest						40
Issuance of common stock pursuant to stock plans, $.01 par (in shares)	817
Purchases of common stock, $.01 par (in shares)	(1,000)	(1,000)
Balance at end of period (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2019	53,085
Issuance of common stock pursuant to stock plans, $.01 par	$ 8		203
Balance at end of period at Dec. 31, 2019	$ 541	$ (1,812)	161,844	15,367	(3,277)	846	173,509
Purchases of 1,000 shares of common stock, $.01 par		$ (1,812)
Stock-based compensation			1,580
Surrender of shares to cover minimum withholding taxes on stock-based compensation			$ (453)
Net income attributable to Alaska Communications				4,928			4,928
Cumulative effect of new accounting principles adopted
Total comprehensive income					$ (602)		4,233
Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest						(93)	$ (93)
Contributions from noncontrolling interest