Asset Retirement Obligations

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2015

Asset Retirement Obligation Disclosure [Abstract]

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 January 1, 2015, we had recognized cumulative asset retirement costs of $2.8 million. During 2015, we have recorded nominal charges and as a result, the total cumulative asset retirement cost remains $2.8 million at September 30, 2015. The asset retirement cost additions during the nine months ended September 30, 2015 increased paging equipment assets and are being depreciated over the related estimated lives of 51 to 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 were:



	Short-Term Portion			Long-Term Portion			Total
	(Dollars in thousands)
Balance at January 1, 2015	$	342		$	6,805		$	7,147
Accretion	93			404			497
Additions	—			45			45
Reclassifications	20			(20		)	—
Amounts paid	(128		)	—			(128		)
Balance at September 30, 2015	$	327		$	7,234		$	7,561

The balances above were included with accounts payable and accrued liabilities and other long-term liabilities, respectively, at September 30, 2015.