Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Principles (Balance Sheets Immaterial Error Correction) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Property and equipment in service net of depreciation	$ 838,247	$ 849,121
Net property and equipment	932,665	892,039
Total assets	1,502,616	1,444,663
Deferred income taxes	123,661	114,234
Total liabilities	1,317,086	1,272,673
Retained earnings (deficit)	(120,843)	(112,781)	(63,390)	8,834
Total GCI, Inc. stockholder's equity	153,272	155,682
Total stockholder's equity	185,530	171,990	197,806	264,621
Total liabilities and stockholder's equity	1,502,616	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 earnings (deficit)		(111,259)	(61,983)	9,896
Total GCI, Inc. stockholder's equity		157,204
Total stockholder's equity		173,512	199,213	265,683
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 earnings (deficit)		(1,522)	(1,407)	(1,062)
Total GCI, Inc. stockholder's equity		(1,522)
Total stockholder's equity		(1,522)	(1,407)	(1,062)
Total liabilities and stockholder's equity		$ (2,584)