Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Principles (Balance Sheets Immaterial Error Correction) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Sep. 30, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Property and equipment in service, net of depreciation	$ 817,798	$ 849,121
Net property and equipment	910,398	892,039
Total assets	1,497,048	1,444,663
Deferred income taxes	124,619	114,234
Total liabilities	1,324,302	1,272,673
Retained deficit	(116,063)	(112,781)	(95,998)	(63,390)
Total GCI, Inc. stockholder's equity	156,969	155,682
Total stockholder's equity	172,746	171,990	169,400	197,806
Total liabilities and stockholder's equity	1,497,048	1,444,663
Scenario As Previously Reported [Member]
Property and equipment in service, net of depreciation		851,705
Net property and equipment		894,623
Total assets		1,447,247
Deferred income taxes		115,296
Total liabilities		1,273,735
Retained deficit		(111,259)	(94,447)	(61,983)
Total GCI, Inc. stockholder's equity		157,204
Total stockholder's equity		173,512	170,951	199,213
Total liabilities and stockholder's equity		1,447,247
Adjustment [Member]
Property and equipment in service, net of depreciation		(2,584)
Net property and equipment		(2,584)
Total assets		(2,584)
Deferred income taxes		(1,062)
Total liabilities		(1,062)
Retained deficit		(1,522)	(1,551)	(1,407)
Total GCI, Inc. stockholder's equity		(1,522)
Total stockholder's equity		(1,522)	(1,551)	(1,407)
Total liabilities and stockholder's equity		$ (2,584)

Sum of the carrying amounts as of the balance sheet date of all assets that are recognized. Assets are probable future economic benefits obtained or controlled by an entity as a result of past transactions or events.

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Represents the noncurrent portion of deferred tax liabilities, which result from applying the applicable tax rate to net taxable temporary differences pertaining to each jurisdiction to which the entity is obligated to pay income tax. A noncurrent taxable temporary difference is a difference between the tax basis and the carrying amount of a noncurrent asset or liability in the financial statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. In a classified statement of financial position, an enterprise separates deferred tax liabilities and assets into a current amount and a noncurrent amount. Deferred tax liabilities and assets are classified as current or noncurrent based on the classification of the related asset or liability for financial reporting. A deferred tax liability or asset that is not related to an asset or liability for financial reporting, including deferred tax assets related to carryforwards, are classified according to the expected reversal date of the temporary difference.

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- Definition

Tangible assets that are held by an entity for use in the production or supply of goods and services, for rental to others, or for administrative purposes and that are expected to provide economic benefit for more than one year; net of accumulated depreciation. Examples include land, buildings, machinery and equipment, and other types of furniture and equipment including, but not limited to, office equipment, furniture and fixtures, and computer equipment and software.

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- Definition

Total of all stockholders' equity (deficit) items, net of receivables from officers, directors, owners, and affiliates of the entity which are attributable to the parent. The amount of the economic entity's stockholders' equity attributable to the parent excludes the amount of stockholders' equity which is allocable to that ownership interest in subsidiary equity which is not attributable to the parent (noncontrolling interest, minority interest). This excludes temporary equity and is sometimes called permanent equity.

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- Definition

Total of Stockholders' Equity (deficit) items, net of receivables from officers, directors, owners, and affiliates of the entity including portions attributable to both the parent and noncontrolling interests (previously referred to as minority interest), if any. The entity including portions attributable to the parent and noncontrolling interests is sometimes referred to as the economic entity. This excludes temporary equity and is sometimes called permanent equity.

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