Asset Retirement Obligations

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2012

Asset Retirement Obligations [Abstract]

Asset Retirement Obligations

(11) Asset Retirement Obligations — We recognize liabilities and corresponding assets for future obligations associated with the retirement of assets. We have paging equipment assets, principally transmitters, which are located on leased locations. The underlying leases generally require the removal of equipment at the end of the lease term; therefore, a future obligation exists.

At December 31, 2011, we had recognized cumulative asset retirement costs of $1.9 million. During the first quarter of 2012, we recorded an increase of $0.1 million in asset retirement costs. At March 31, 2012, cumulative asset retirement costs were $2.0 million. The asset retirement cost additions in the first quarter of 2012 increased paging equipment assets and are being depreciated over the related estimated life of 57 months. The asset retirement costs and the corresponding liabilities that have been recorded to date generally relate to either current plans to consolidate networks or to the removal of assets at an estimated future terminal date.

The components of the changes in the asset retirement obligation liabilities:

	Short - Term Portion		Long - Term Portion		Total
	(Dollars in thousands)
Balance at December 31, 2011	$	794	$	7,557	$	8,351
Accretion		16		168		184
Additions		—		74		74
Reclassifications		373		(373)		—
Amounts paid		(196)		—		(196)
Balance at March 31, 2012	$	987	$	7,426	$	8,413

The balances above were included with accounts payable and accrued liabilities and other long-term liabilities, respectively, at March 31, 2012.