Asset Retirement Obligations

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2018

Asset Retirement Obligation Disclosure [Abstract]

ASSET RETIREMENT OBLIGATIONS

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



(Dollars in thousands)	Short-Term Portion			Long-Term Portion			Total
Balance at January 1, 2018	$	235		$	7,174		$	7,409
Accretion	(22		)	157			135
Amounts paid	(13		)	—			(13		)
Increases	—			15			15
Reclassifications	80			(80		)	—
Balance at March 31, 2018	$	280		$	7,266		$	7,546

The balances above were included within other current liabilities and other non-current liabilities on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet, respectively, at March 31, 2018.

Increases other than accretion, reclassification and amounts paid primarily relate to changes in estimate of the underlying liability, specifically as it relates to updates in estimated costs to remove a transmitter and the estimated timing of removal. The cost associated with the estimated removal costs and timing refinements due to ongoing network rationalization activities is expected to accrete to a total liability of $9.0 million. The total estimated liability is based on the transmitter locations remaining after we have consolidated the number of networks we operate and assume the underlying leases continue to be renewed to that future date.

Accretion expense was $0.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively. Accretion expense related solely to asset retirement obligations and was recorded based on the interest method.