Note 15 - Earnings Per Share - Calculation of Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Share (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Net income attributable to Alaska Communications	$ 4,928	$ 9,080
Net income attributable to Alaska Communications assuming dilution	$ 4,928	$ 9,080
Basic shares (in shares)	53,379	53,042
Effect of stock-based compensation (in shares)	898	798
Effect of 6.25% convertible notes (in shares)
Diluted shares (in shares)	54,277	53,840
Basic (in dollars per share)	$ 0.09	$ 0.17
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 0.09	$ 0.17