Description of the business and summary of significant accounting policies: (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2013

Description of the business and summary of significant accounting policies:

Schedule of depreciation and amortization periods

Type of asset	Depreciation or amortization period
Indefeasible rights of use (IRUs)	Shorter of useful life or the IRU lease agreement; generally 15 to 20 years
Network equipment	3 to 8 years
Leasehold improvements	Shorter of lease term or useful life
Software	5 years
Owned buildings	40 years
Office and other equipment	3 to 7 years
System infrastructure	5 to 10 years

Schedule of diluted weighted average shares

	Year Ended December 31, 2013		Year Ended December 31, 2011
Weighted average common shares—basic		46,286,735		45,180,485
Dilutive effect of stock options		76,884		83,192
Dilutive effect of restricted stock		633,285		440,375
Weighted average common shares—diluted		46,996,904		45,704,052