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shares) Common stock issued for share awards Common stock repurchased (in shares) Stock Repurchased During Period, Shares Shareholder Rights Plan Stockholders' Equity Note Disclosure [Text Block] Shareholders' Equity Shareholders' Equity Stock split ratio Stock split ratio Shareholder Rights Plan [Abstract] Total shareholders' equity Balance Balance Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent Subsequent Event [Line Items] Subsequent Events Subsequent Events [Abstract] Subsequent Event [Table] SERP [Member] Supplemental Employee Retirement Plan [Member] Supplemental Disclosures of Cash Flow Information Supplemental Disclosures of Cash Flow Information Cash payments for: Towers [Member] Relationship to Entity [Domain] Title of Individual [Axis] Accounts receivable: Trade and Other Accounts Receivable, Policy [Policy Text Block] Unrealized (gains) loss on investments Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Investments Unrecognized tax benefits Use of estimates: US Treasury Rate [Member] US Treasury 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Exchange of equipment for new equipment purchase Equipment exchange credit for new equipment purchase Purchased software applications and internally developed software for sale, licensing or long-term internal use and related equipment. Equipment and Software [Member] Equipment and Software [Member] Amount after allocation of valuation allowances of deferred tax asset attributable to deductible state and local operating loss carryforwards. Deferred Tax Assets, Operating Loss Carryforwards, State And Local Net of Valuation Allowance Deferred tax asset related to various state net operating losses net of valuation allowance Income Tax Allocation [Abstract] Income tax allocation [Abstract] The sum of the current income tax expense or benefit and the deferred income tax expense or benefit pertaining to pretax Income or Loss from continuing and discontinued operations; income tax expense or benefit may include interest and penalties on tax uncertainties based on the entity's accounting policy. Income Tax Expense (Benefit), Continuing Operations and Discontinued Operations Income tax expense continuing operations and discontinued operations Amount before allocation of valuation allowances of deferred tax asset attributable to deductible temporary differences related to lease obligations. Deferred Tax Assets Lease obligations Lease obligations Amount before allocation of valuation allowances of deferred tax asset attributable to deductible temporary differences from transaction costs Deferred Tax Assets Tax Deferred Expense Compensation And Benefits Transaction Costs Transaction costs Amount before allocation of valuation allowances of deferred tax asset attributable to deductible temporary differences from goodwill. Deferred Tax Assets, Goodwill Goodwill Amount before allocation of valuation allowances of deferred tax asset attributable to deductible temporary differences from deferred activation charges. Deferred Tax Assets, Deferred Activation Charges Deferred activation charges Tabular disclosure of the allocation of income tax expense to continuing operations, discontinued operations, tax related to stock compensation and other. Schedule of allocation of income tax expense [Table Text Block] Allocation of Income Tax Expense Represents the aggregation and reporting of combined amounts of individually immaterial business combinations that were completed during the period. Sprint Com [Member] Represents the aggregation and reporting of combined amounts of individually immaterial business combinations that were completed during the period. Ntelos Holding, Corp [Member] NTELOS Holdings Corporation [Member] Tabular disclosure of financial covenants in credit agreements. Financial covenants in credit agreements [Table Text Block] Financial Covenants in Credit Agreements Radio frequencies used by the company. Spectrum Range 3 Used Spectrum range 3 used Radio frequencies used by the company. Spectrum Range 2 Used Spectrum range 2 used Table reflecting the descriptions and summaries of significant accounting policies. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Table] Line items represent financial concepts included in a table. These concepts are used to disclose reportable information associated with domain members defined in one or many axes to the table. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items] Description of business [Abstract] Radio frequencies used by the company. Spectrum Range 1 Used Spectrum range 1 used The percentage of ownership of common stock or equity participation in the investee accounted for under the cost method of accounting. Cost Method Investment, Ownership Percentage Ownership percentage to consider Investments Carried at Cost Refers to non-sprint operations, number of states. Non Sprint operations, number of states Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss Before Tax [Abstract] Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Tax [Abstract] Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss Tax [Abstract] Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Tax [Abstract] Amount tax expense in accumulated in equity from transactions and other events and circumstances from non-owner sources. Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Tax Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Tax Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Tax Line item in the statement of financial position in which the fair value amounts of the derivative instruments are included. Deferred charges and other assets, net [Member] Amount of tax for reclassification adjustments of other comprehensive income (loss). Reclassification From Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Current Period Tax Amounts reclassified From accumulated other comprehensive income tax (to interest expense) Cash payments for: [Abstract] Cash payments for: Tabular disclosure of the changes in allowance for doubtful accounts for trade accounts receivable. Schedule of changes in allowance for doubtful accounts for trade accounts receivable [Table Text Block] Changes in Allowance for Doubtful Accounts for Trade Accounts Receivable The Wireless segment provides digital wireless service to a portion of a four-state area covering the region from Harrisburg, York and Altoona, Pennsylvania, to Harrisonburg, Virginia, as a Sprint PCS Affiliate of Sprint Nextel. This segment also owns cell site towers built on leased land, and leases space on these towers to both affiliates and non-affiliated service providers. Wireless [Member] Amount of revenue from transactions with other operating segments of the same entity. Internal Revenues Internal revenues The Cable segment provides video, internet and voice services in Virginia, West Virginia and Maryland. It includes the operations acquired from Jet Broadband, LLC, since July 30, 2010, and the operations acquired from Sudden link since November 30, 2010. Cable [Member] Reconciliation of income from continuing operations from segments to consolidated [Abstract] Represents the total segments before eliminations. Total Segments [Member] The aggregate amount of income or expense from ancillary business-related activities (that is to say, excluding major activities considered part of the normal operations of the business). Nonoperating income expense net Non-operating income, net Entity Wide Information Revenue From External Customer [Abstract] External revenues [Abstract] Amount of revenue from external customers for the reportable segment. Such disclosure is presented if the amount is: (a) included in the measure of segment profit or loss reviewed by the chief operating decision maker or (b) otherwise regularly provided to the chief operating decision maker, even if not included in that measure of segment profit or loss. External Revenues Total external revenues The Wireline segment provides regulated and unregulated voice services, dial-up and DSL internet access, and long distance access services throughout Shenandoah County and portions of northwestern Augusta County, Virginia, and leases fiber optic facilities throughout the northern Shenandoah Valley of Virginia, northern Virginia and adjacent areas along the Interstate 81 corridor, including portions of West Virginia and Maryland. Wireline [Member] Wireline [Member] Equity securities issued by domestic or foreign corporate business, banks and other entities with a promise of repayment. Domestic equity funds [Member] Domestic Equity Funds [Member] Refers to taxable bond funds. Taxable Bonds Funds [Member] Taxable Bond Funds [Member] Equity securities investments. Other Equity Investments [Member] Other [Member] Equity securities investments. CoBank [Member] CoBank [Member] This item represents the entity's proportionate share for the period of the net income (loss) of its investee (such as unconsolidated subsidiaries and joint ventures) to which the equity method of accounting is applied. This item includes income or expense related to stock-based compensation based on the investor's grant of stock to employees of an equity method investee. Income (Loss) from Equity Method Investments1 Gain on equity method investment The increase in cost method investments due to ongoing patronage earned from outstanding investment and loan balances. Increase in cost method investments Equity securities investments. Dolphin Communications Fund II, L.P. [Member] Dolphin Communications Fund II, L.P. [Member] Equity securities investments. Burton Partnership [Member] Private Equity Limited Partnerships [Member] Arrangement in which loan proceeds can continuously be obtained following repayments, but the total amount borrowed cannot exceed a specified maximum amount in the order of credit facilities. Credit Facility Three [Member] Period from April 1, 2014 through March 31, 2015. Leverage Ratio Period 3 [Member] April 1, 2014 through March 31, 2015 [Member] Arrangement in which loan proceeds can continuously be obtained following repayments, but the total amount borrowed cannot exceed a specified maximum amount in the order of credit facilities. Credit Facility Two [Member] Period after December 31, 2014. Minimum Equity To Assets Ratio Period 3 [Member] January 1, 2015 and Thereafter [Member] Arrangement in which loan proceeds can continuously be obtained following repayments, but the total amount borrowed cannot exceed a specified maximum amount in the order of credit facilities. Credit Facility One [Member] Period from amendment date through December 31, 2013. Minimum Equity To Assets Ratio Period 1 [Member] Amendment date through December 31, 2013 [Member] Represents the percentage of patronage credits paid in share by the entity. Percentage of Patronage Credit Paid in Share Percentage of patronage credit paid in shares Refers to the number of years of interest-only payments on credit facility. Number of years of interest-only payments Represents the percentage of patronage credits paid in cash by the entity. Percentage of Patronage Credit Paid in Cash Percentage of patronage credit paid in cash Effective fixed interest rate debt portion related to the interest rate derivative. Derivative, Effective Fixed Interest Rate Debt Portion Percentage of effective interest rate on portion of debt The maximum aggregate principal amount of incremental term loan facilities the company is allowed to permitted to enter into under the terms of the credit agreement. Aggregate principal amount of incremental term loan facilities, Maximum Aggregate principal amount of incremental term loan facilities, maximum Represents the number of trailing months the financial covenants are measured each calendar quarter. Trailing Month Basis of Financial Covenants Trailing month basis of financial covenants Amount of accrued patronage credit as of balance sheet date. Accrued Patronage Credits Accrued in anticipation of early 2014 distribution of patronage credit Minimum percentage of aggregate principal balance on which entity obtain interest rate protection. Minimum Percentage of Aggregate Principal Balance on Which Entity Obtain Interest Rate Protection Minimum percentage of aggregate principal balance on which entity must obtain interest rate protection Compliance with financial covenants [Abstract] Ratio of EBITDA divided by sum of all scheduled principal payments on Term Loans and regularly scheduled principal payments on other indebtedness plus cash interest. Minimum Debt Service Coverage Ratio Debt Service Coverage Ratio, Covenant Requirement Represents actual debt service coverage ratio. Debt Service Coverage Ratio, Actual Debt Service Coverage Ratio, Actual Represents actual leverage ratio. Leverage Ratio, Actual Total Leverage Ratio, Actual Ratio of indebtedness to earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization. Ratio of Indebtedness to EBITDA Total Leverage Ratio, Covenant Requirement The minimum number of days in which the Company must obtain interest rate protection. Minimum Days To Obtain Interest Rate Protection Minimum days to obtain interest rate protection Refers to number of term loans included in Credit Agreement. Number of term loans included in Credit Agreement Number of credit facilities Represents consolidated total assets minus consolidated total liabilities, divided by consolidated total assets measured at each fiscal quarter end. Minimum Equity to Assets Ratio Equity to Assets Ratio, Covenant Requirement Effective fixed interest rate related to the interest rate derivative. Derivative, Effective Fixed Interest Rate Derivative effective interest rate Represents the number of additional credit institution with which entity entered amended and restated credit agreement. Number of Additional Farm Credit Institutions Number of additional farm credit institutions Period after April 1, 2015. Leverage Ratio Period 2 [Member] April 1, 2015 and Thereafter [Member] Loan from a bank/financial institution for a specific amount that has a specified repayment schedule and a fixed/floating interest rate. Term Loan [Member] A written promise to pay a note to a bank. CoBank Term Loan [Member] Represents actual equity to assets ratio. Equity to Assets Ratio, Actual Equity to Assets Ratio, Actual Refers to number of facilities included in Credit Agreement. Number of facilities included in Credit Agreement Number of facilities included in credit agreement Minimum length of time the Company must maintain interest rate protection. Minimum Time to Maintain Interest Rate Protection Minimum time to maintain interest rate protection Represents the principal amount of loan on which entity entered in to pay fixed receive variable interest rate swap. Percentage of principal Amount of Loan on Which Entity Entered in Pay Fixed Receive Variable Interest Rate Swap Percentage of principal amount of loan on which entity entered in pay fixed receive variable interest rate swap Significant Contractual Relationship [Abstract] Prepaid wireless service fee percentage retained by Sprint. Management Fee Retained, Percent Fee Management fee retained Postpaid wireless service fee as a deduction from gross revenues. Management Fee, Percent Fee Management fee Management fee on post paid services Amount before amortization of assets, excluding financial assets and goodwill, lacking physical substance. Intangible Assets, Gross Total intangibles, gross carrying amount Post paid service fee percentage retained by Sprint. Net Service Fee, Percent Fee Net service fee Amount after amortization of assets, excluding financial assets and goodwill, lacking physical substance with an indefinite life. Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets, Net Net Number of shareholder approved company stock incentive plans. Number of Stock Incentive Plans Number of stock incentive plans Shares that an entity has not yet issued because the agreed-upon consideration, such as employee services, has not yet vested. Non Vested Shares [Member] Non Vested Shares [Member] Number of peer companies compared to determine Company's stock performance. Number of Peer Companies Number of peer companies Employees classified as directors and senior management. Directors and Senior Management [Member] All the other employees excluding, the board of directors members, directors and senior management. Employee Shares [Member] Employee Shares [Member] Eight persons controlling and directing the affairs of an entity. Eight Management Employees [Member] Eight Management Employees [Member] Represents non-employee director shares. Non Employee Director Shares [Member] Non Employee Director Shares [Member] Refers to number of employees participating in grants of non vested shares. Number of Employees Participating in Grants of Non Vested Shares Number of employees participating in grants of non vested shares A stock incentive plan approved by the Board of Directors. The Plan 2005 [Member] The 2005 Plan [Member] The premium added to the grant date fair value used to determine the target price of each anniversary date of the stock awards. Premium on grant date fair value Premium on grant date fair value (in dollars per share) The additional expense recognized during the period arising from equity-based compensation arrangements (for example, shares of stock, unit, stock options or other equity instruments) with employees, directors and certain consultants qualifying for treatment as employees. Additional Share based Compensation Expense Additional compensation expense Maximum percentage for grants made during the period on other than stock (or unit) option plans. Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Non Option Equity Instruments Grants in Period Maximum Percentage Maximum percentage for granted share units The estimated forfeiture rate of stock awards. Share based Compensation Arrangement by Share based Payment Award, Non Option Equity Instruments, Forfeitures and Expirations, Revised Percentage Estimated forfeiture rate of awards Estimated expected forfeitures of shares. Share based Compensation Arrangement by Share based Payment Award, Non Option Equity Instruments, Forfeitures and Expirations, Expected Percentage Estimated expected forfeitures Represents the period of time shares can vest prior to a respective anniversary date of employment. Period Stock Awards Can Vest Period stock awards can vest Tabular disclosure of investments carried at fair value. Schedule of Investments carried at fair value [Table Text Block] Investments Carried at Fair Value Tabular disclosure of other investments which do not have readily determinable fair values. Schedule of other investments which do not have readily determinable fair values [Table Text Block] Other Investments Effect of stock options outstanding: [Abstract] Effect of stock options outstanding [Abstract] The expected revision of future net service fee. Expected future net service fee Expected future net service fee The number of times that a contract can be extended beyond its initial term. Number of Contract Renewals Number of contract renewals Number of base stations to be upgraded to new technology by the end of the period. Number of base stations upgraded to new technology Schedule reflecting a Statement of Income, Statement of Cash Flows, Statement of Financial Position, Statement of Shareholders' Equity and Other Comprehensive Income, or other statement as needed. Significant Contractual Relationship [Table] Line items represent financial concepts included in a table. These concepts are used to disclose reportable information associated with domain members defined in one or many axes to the table. Significant Contractual Relationship [Line Items] The additional term of the contract after the lapse of automatic renewal period. Additional term of contract Radio frequencies used by the company. Megahertz spectrum range used Megahertz spectrum used Proceeds from reimbursement of handset subsidies and other costs per gross add that had been calculated incorrectly from inception of the prepaid program. Proceeds from reimbursement of handset subsidies and other costs incorrectly calculated from inception The right to receive a share of revenues from Virgin Mobile customers in service area. Number of Virgin Mobile rights acquired to receive customers share of revenues Length of renewals after the initial term of a contract. Length of Renewals Length of renewals Initial term of the contract. Term of Contract Initial term of contract The percentage of the Entire Business value the company has a right or obligation to sell business upon non-renewal, under the agreement. Right or obligation to sell business Right or obligation to sell business The Company amended its Agreement with Sprint in order to allow Sprint to recover the capital costs incurred in providing the Company hardware and software components of the network. These components control and direct LTE traffic between LTE devices in the Company's service area and the internet, in order to assure interoperability of the Company's network with Sprint's PCS network. The Company pays a one-time fee per LTE device activated in the Company's service area. One-time fee per device for the amended Sprint agreement Document and Entity Information [Abstract] Refers to number of major customers. Number of Major Customers Number of major customers IRS 401 (k) Plan. IRS 401 (k) Plan [Member] 401 (k) Plan [Member] Refers to price per half share of common stock, cash. Price per half share of common stock, cash Price per half share of common stock (in dollars per share) Time period for independent directors to review the shareholders' rights plan. Time period for independent directors to review the Shareholders' Rights Plan Time period for independent directors to review the Shareholders' Rights Plan Refers to number of rights granted per share owned. Number of rights granted per share owned Number of rights granted per share owned (in shares) Price per half share of common stock. Alternate price per half share of common stock Alternate price per half share of common stock (in dollars per share) The redemption of price of each right outstanding. Redemption price of rights Redemption price of rights (in dollars per right) Percentage minimum beneficial ownership that triggers the shareholder rights. Beneficial ownership that triggers the shareholder rights Beneficial ownership that triggers the shareholder rights, Minimum The number of lease renewals under the operating lease agreement. Description of Lessee Leasing Arrangements, Operating Leases, Number of Renewals Number of renewals