Amendment Flag Current Fiscal Year End Date Document Period End Date Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer Entity Voluntary Filers Entity Current Reporting Status Entity Filer Category Entity Registrant Name Entity Central Index Key Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding Document Fiscal Year Focus Document Fiscal Period Focus Document Type Accounts payable Accounts Payable, Current Accounts receivable, net Accrued compensation Accrued Liabilities and Other [Member] Income taxes payable Less accumulated amortization and depreciation Accumulated Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization, Property, Plant, and Equipment Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Abstract] Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Tax Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Tax AOCI Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, before Tax Gains and (Losses) on Cash Flow Hedges [Member] Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Table] Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items] Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member] Accumulated other comprehensive income Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, net of tax Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, net of tax Amortization Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities: Stock based compensation Net excess tax benefit from stock options exercised Other [Member] Other Segments [Member] Amortization of long term debt issuance costs Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items] Antidilutive Securities, Name [Domain] Antidilutive Securities [Axis] Antidilutive securities excluded from computation of diluted earnings per share (in shares) Asset retirement obligations Plant under Construction [Member] Asset under Construction [Member] ASSETS Assets by segment [Abstract] Total assets Assets Total current assets Assets, Current Current Assets Balance Sheet Location [Axis] Balance Sheet Location [Domain] Capital expenditures Beginning Ending Cash and cash equivalents Cash and Cash Equivalents, at Carrying Value Net increase in cash and cash equivalents Cash and Cash Equivalents, Period Increase (Decrease) Cash and cash equivalents: Amount reclassified as an increase to interest expense during next twelve months Commitments and Contingencies Common stock Dividends declared per share (in dollars per share) Common Stock [Member] Balance (in shares) Balance (in shares) Common Stock, Shares, Outstanding Comprehensive income Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Attributable to Parent Consolidation Items [Domain] Consolidation Items [Axis] Cost of goods and services, exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown separately below Advanced billings and customer deposits Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] Deferred income taxes Deferred charges and other assets, net Deferred lease payable Deferred Rent Credit Deferred income taxes Deferred Tax Assets, Net of Valuation Allowance, Current Deferred income taxes Deferred Tax Liabilities, Net, Noncurrent Depreciation and amortization Depreciation and amortization Depreciation Notional amount of cash flow hedges Derivative Assets (Liabilities), at Fair Value, Net Derivative Assets (Liabilities), at Fair Value, Net Derivative Instruments, Hedging Activities and Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Derivative Instruments, Hedging Activities and Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Abstract] Derivative Assets, Fair Value Derivative Instrument Risk [Axis] Derivatives Liabilities, Fair Value Derivative Liability Amount of notional principal interest rate swap Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) by Hedging Relationship, by Income Statement Location, by Derivative Instrument Risk [Table] Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items] Derivative Contract Type [Domain] Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items] Dividends declared Dividends, Common Stock, Cash Earnings per share: Earnings per share Earnings Per Share [Text Block] Basic (in dollars per share) Earnings Per Share, Basic Diluted (in dollars per share) Earnings Per Share, Diluted Earnings per share [Abstract] Options [Member] Equity Component [Domain] Excess tax benefits on stock awards Excess tax benefits on stock awards Excess Tax Benefit from Share-based Compensation, Operating Activities Investments Carried at Fair Value [Abstract] Investments Carried at Fair Value Fair Value Disclosures [Text Block] Fair Values Derivatives, Balance Sheet Location, by Derivative Contract Type [Table] Financial Instruments Financial Instruments Disclosure [Text Block] Net (gain) loss on disposal of equipment Gain (Loss) on Disposition of Property Plant Equipment Hedging Designation [Axis] Hedging Designation [Domain] Eliminations [Member] Intersegment Eliminations [Member] Net gains from patronage and equity investments Income (Loss) from Equity Method Investments Income Statement Location [Axis] UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) [Abstract] Income Taxes [Abstract] Income before income taxes Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Equity Method Investments, Income Taxes, Extraordinary Items, Noncontrolling Interest Income Statement Location [Domain] Income tax expense Income Taxes Income Tax Disclosure [Text Block] Income taxes paid (refunded) Income taxes receivable Accounts receivable Increase (Decrease) in Accounts Receivable Accounts payable Income taxes payable Increase (Decrease) in Income Taxes Payable, Net of Income Taxes Receivable Materials and supplies Increase (Decrease) in Materials and Supplies Other deferrals and accruals Changes in assets and liabilities: Increase (decrease) in: Deferred lease payable (Increase) decrease in: Income taxes receivable Increase (Decrease) in Income Taxes Receivable Other assets Increase (Decrease) in Other Operating Assets Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward] Intangible assets, net Interest expense Interest Expense Interest Interest Rate Swap [Member] Interest Expense [Member] Materials and supplies Gain on investments, net Investment Income, Net Dividend and interest income from investments Financial Instruments [Abstract] Investments at fair value Total current liabilities Liabilities, Current Total other long-term liabilities Liabilities, Noncurrent Current Liabilities LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY Total liabilities and shareholders' equity Liabilities and Equity Current maturities of long-term debt Investments, including $2,752 and $2,661 carried at fair value Long-term debt, less current maturities Cash Flows From Financing Activities Cash Flows From Operating Activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities, Continuing Operations [Abstract] Net cash used in investing activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities, Continuing Operations Net cash provided by operating activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities, Continuing Operations Net income Net income Cash Flows From Investing Activities Net cash used in financing activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities, Continuing Operations Non-operating income, net Other income (expense): Nonoperating Income (Expense) [Abstract] Number of reportable segments Number of Reportable Segments Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] Operating expenses: Operating expenses [Abstract] Total operating expenses Operating Expenses Reportable Segments [Member] Operating income Total consolidated operating income Operating income (loss) Basis of Presentation Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements Disclosure [Text Block] Basis of Presentation [Abstract] Net current period other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax Other comprehensive income before reclassifications, net of tax Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Reclassifications, Net of Tax Net current period other comprehensive loss, before tax Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Tax Other comprehensive income before reclassifications, tax Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) before Reclassifications, Tax Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications, before tax Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Reclassifications, before Tax Other assets, net Other Assets, Noncurrent Net current period other comprehensive loss Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Tax Other Assets Other Assets, Noncurrent [Abstract] Unrealized gain (loss) on interest rate hedge, net of tax Other Long-Term Liabilities Other Liabilities, Noncurrent [Abstract] Other liabilities Other Plant in Service [Member] Other Plant in Service [Member] Other cash flow information: Other Other Revenue, Net Accrued liabilities and other Other comprehensive income: Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Portion Attributable to Parent [Abstract] Other comprehensive loss, net of tax Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Portion Attributable to Parent Repurchases of stock Payments for Repurchase of Common Stock Acquisition of property, plant and equipment Payments to Acquire Property, Plant, and Equipment Prepaid expenses and other Proceeds from issuances of stock Proceeds from sale of equipment Proceeds from Sale of Machinery and Equipment Cash distributions from investments Property, Plant and Equipment Property, Plant and Equipment, Type [Axis] Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract] Property, Plant and Equipment, Type [Domain] Property, plant and equipment, net Net property, plant and equipment Total property, plant and equipment Property, plant and equipment [Abstract] Property, Plant and Equipment, Net, by Type [Abstract] Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items] Property, Plant and Equipment Property, Plant and Equipment Disclosure [Text Block] Provision for bad debt Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (to interest expense), before tax Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, before Tax Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (to interest expense), net of tax Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, Net of Tax Assets by Segment Financial data for each segment [Abstract] Reconciliation of Income from Continuing Operations from Segments to Consolidated Reconciliation of Operating Profit (Loss) from Segments to Consolidated [Table Text Block] Principal payments on long-term debt Repayments of Long-term Debt Retained Earnings [Member] Retained earnings Operating revenues Total operating revenues Service revenues Sales Revenue, Services, Net Schedule of Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Table] Schedule of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Schedule of Derivative Financial Instrument as Well as its Classification on the Consolidated Balance Sheet Schedule of Property, Plant and Equipment [Table] Schedule of Segment Reporting Information, by Segment [Table] Selected Financial Data for Segments Segment Information [Abstract] Segment [Domain] Segment Reporting Information [Line Items] Segment Information Selling, general and administrative, exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown separately below Stock based compensation expense Shares and options outstanding (in shares) Statement [Line Items] UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY [Abstract] UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS [Abstract] Statement, Equity Components [Axis] Equity Components [Axis] Statement [Table] Business Segments [Axis] UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS [Abstract] Dividends reinvested in common stock Dividends reinvested in common stock (in shares) Stock options exercised Stock Issued During Period, Value, Stock Options Exercised Common stock repurchased Stock Repurchased During Period, Value Stock options exercised (in shares) Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercises in Period Common stock issued for share awards (in shares) Common stock issued Common stock issued (in shares) Common stock issued for share awards Common stock repurchased (in shares) Stock Repurchased During Period, Shares Shareholders' Equity Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent [Abstract] Total shareholders' equity Balance Balance Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent Supplemental Disclosures of Cash Flow Information Supplemental Cash Flow Information [Abstract] Unrealized (gain) loss on investments Net unrealized gains recognized Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Investments Weighted average shares outstanding, basic (in shares) Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Basic Weighted average shares outstanding, diluted (in shares) Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Diluted Cash payments for: [Abstract] Cash payments for: 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] Deferred Charges and Other Assets, Net [Member] 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 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 (to interest expense), tax Non Sprint operations, number of states. Non Sprint operations, number of states Non Sprint operations, number of states Reconciliation of income from continuing operations from segments to consolidated [Abstract] 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 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 Amount of revenue from transactions with other operating segments of the same entity. Internal Revenues Internal 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] 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] 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 Suddenlink since November 30, 2010. Cable [Member] Represents the total segments before eliminations. Total Segments [Member] Document and Entity Information [Abstract]