Summary of significant accounting policies (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Business combinations
Transaction costs associated with business combinations	$ 0	$ 158
Concourse Communications Detroit, LLC
Principles of consolidation
Percentage of ownership in subsidiaries	70.00%
Chicago Concourse Development Group, LLC
Principles of consolidation
Percentage of ownership in subsidiaries	70.00%
Boingo Holding Participacoes Ltda.
Principles of consolidation
Percentage of ownership in subsidiaries	75.00%

This element represents acquisition-related costs incurred to effect a business combination which costs have been expensed during the period. Such costs include finder's fees; advisory, legal, accounting, valuation, and other professional or consulting fees; general administrative costs, including the costs of maintaining an internal acquisitions department; and may include costs of registering and issuing debt and equity securities.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 805

-SubTopic 10

-Section 25

-Paragraph 23

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=21917927&loc=d3e1043-128460

Name:	us-gaap_BusinessCombinationAcquisitionRelatedCosts
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration