CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net loss	$ (1,069)	$ (12,620)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization expense	143,033	135,563
Deferred income tax expense	10,459	632
Share-based compensation expense	7,820	8,074
Loss on extinguishment of debt	0	27,700
Software impairment charge	0	29,839
Impairment of equity method investment	0	12,593
Other noncash income and expense items	10,647	8,060
Change in operating assets and liabilities	25,340	17,245
Net cash provided by operating activities	196,230	227,086
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchases of property and equipment	(149,842)	(134,275)
Purchases of other assets and intangible assets	(10,226)	(7,191)
Note receivable payment from an equity method investee	3,000	0
Proceeds from sale of investment	1,377	7,551
Grant proceeds	0	14,007
Note receivable issued to an equity method investee	0	(3,000)
Purchase of business, net of cash received	0	(10,569)
Other	(1,591)	(4,711)
Net cash used for investing activities	(157,282)	(138,188)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from tower sale	90,795	0
Borrowing on Amended Senior Credit Facility	60,000	295,000
Repayment of debt and capital lease obligations	(69,013)	(492,068)
Net contribution from (distribution to) General Communication, Inc.	(53,084)	25,935
Issuance of 2025 notes	0	445,973
Purchase of non-controlling interests	0	(280,505)
Payment of bond call premium	0	(20,244)
Payment of debt issuance costs	0	(13,979)
Distribution to non-controlling interest	0	(4,932)
Other	(1,552)	203
Net cash provided by (used for) financing activities	27,146	(44,617)
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents	66,094	44,281
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	26,528	15,402
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$ 92,622	$ 59,683