Significant Accounting Policies	3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2017
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Significant Accounting Policies	Significant Accounting Policies (a) Presentation and Use of Estimates The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America and the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission for interim financial reporting. Accordingly, certain information and footnote disclosures have been condensed or omitted for this quarterly report and should be read in conjunction with the Company's audited consolidated financial statements and related notes included in the Company's annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016. The condensed consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2016 is derived from audited financial statements. The condensed consolidated financial statements reflect all adjustments that, in the opinion of management, are necessary for a fair presentation of results of operations and financial condition for the interim periods shown, including normal recurring accruals and other items. Interim results are not necessarily indicative of results for a full year and actual results could differ from those estimates. (b) Revenue Recognition Revenues are recognized as services are rendered and are primarily derived from the usage of the Company's networks and facilities or under revenue-sharing arrangements with other communications carriers. Revenues are primarily derived from: voice services, access (including pooling), certain Connect America Fund ("CAF") receipts, Internet and broadband services and other miscellaneous services. Local access charges are billed to local end users under tariffs approved by each state's Public Utilities Commission ("PUC") or by rates, terms and conditions determined by the Company. Access revenues are derived for the intrastate jurisdiction by billing access charges to interexchange carriers and to other LECs. These charges are billed based on toll or access tariffs approved by the local state's PUC. Access charges for the interstate jurisdiction are billed in accordance with tariffs filed by the National Exchange Carrier Association ("NECA") or by the individual company and approved by the Federal Communications Commission (the "FCC"). On July 14, 2016, the FCC adopted a Declaratory Order that classifies switched access services provided by Incumbent LECs as non-dominant services. This change in classification will not impact rates or revenues as the rates continue to be subject to rules established for all access providers pursuant to the Intercarrier Compensation transition rules adopted in 2011. Revenues are determined on a bill-and-keep basis or a pooling basis. If on a bill-and-keep basis, the Company bills the charges to the customer and keeps the revenue. If the Company participates in a pooling environment (interstate or intrastate), the revenue from the covered services is contributed to a revenue pool. The revenue is then distributed to individual companies based on their company-specific revenue requirement or similar distribution methods. This distribution is based on individual state PUCs' (intrastate) or the FCC's (interstate) approved settlement mechanisms, separation rules and rates of return. Distribution from these pools can change relative to changes made to expenses, plant investment or rate-of-return. Some companies participate in federal and certain state universal service programs that are pooling in nature but are regulated by rules separate from those described above. These rules vary by state. Revenues earned through the various pooling arrangements are initially recorded based on the Company's estimates. On November 18, 2011, the FCC released its comprehensive landmark order to modify the nationwide system of universal support and the CAF/intercarrier compensation ("ICC") system (the "CAF/ICC Order"). Rule changes associated with the FCC's CAF/ICC Order impact the NECA interstate pooling, in that a portion of the Company's interstate Universal Service Fund ("USF") revenues, which are administered through the NECA pools and which prior to January 1, 2012 were based on costs, are now based on rules from the FCC's CAF/ICC Order, including CAF Phase II support where FairPoint accepted CAF Phase II support, continued CAF Phase I frozen support where FairPoint did not accept CAF Phase II support and CAF/ICC rules in states where FairPoint is eligible for such support under the ICC Transition Rules for price cap and rate-of-return carriers. FairPoint accepted CAF Phase II support in all states except Kansas and Colorado. The CAF Phase II revenue is being recognized on a straight-line basis, ratably over the six-year period in which the funding will be received. The accepted transition funding is being recognized monthly as received over the three-year transition period ending in July 2018. The Company is required to meet certain interim milestones over the six-year period of CAF Phase II and the Company performs a quarterly assessment of its progress. Revenue from long distance switched retail and wholesale services can be recurring due to coverage under an unlimited calling plan or can be usage sensitive. In either case, they are billed in arrears and recognized when earned. Internet and data services revenues are substantially all recurring revenues and are billed one month in advance and deferred until earned. As of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, unearned revenue of $19.5 million and $18.2 million, respectively, was included in other accrued liabilities and unearned revenue of $4.8 million and $4.8 million, respectively, was included in other long-term liabilities on the condensed consolidated balance sheets. The majority of the Company's other miscellaneous services revenue is generated from ancillary special projects at the request of third parties, video services, directory services and late payment charges to end users and wholesale carriers. The Company generally requires customers to pay for ancillary special projects in advance. As of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, customer deposits of $3.3 million and $3.3 million, respectively, were included in other accrued liabilities on the condensed consolidated balance sheets. Once the ancillary special project is completed or substantially complete and all project costs have been accumulated for proper accounting recognition, the advance payment is recognized as revenue with any overpayments refunded to the customer, as appropriate. The Company recognizes revenue upon the provision of video services in certain markets by reselling DirecTV and providing cable and IP television video-over-digital subscriber line services. The Company also publishes telephone directories in some of its Telecom Group markets and recognizes revenues associated with these publications evenly over the time period covered by the directory, which is typically twelve months. The Company bills late payment fees to customers who have not paid their bills in a timely manner. In general, late payment fee revenue is recognized based on collection of these charges. Non-recurring customer activation fees, along with the related costs up to, but not exceeding, the activation fees, are deferred and amortized over the customer relationship period. Under the Maine Public Utilities Commission ("MPUC") rules (Chapter 201), which went into effect August 1, 2014, the MPUC may open an investigation regarding the failure to meet any of the established service quality index ("SQI") benchmarks and has the authority to impose penalties. The MPUC opened an investigation into the Company's failure to meet some third quarter 2014 SQI benchmarks and subsequently opened an investigation into the fourth quarter of 2014 and then with respect to each of the quarterly periods in 2015. On March 29, 2016, the MPUC consolidated the investigations of the six quarters into one investigation. On September 14, 2016, a hearing examiner for the MPUC issued a report recommending that the MPUC find that FairPoint had failed to meet SQI benchmarks for the period under review and impose a $500,000 penalty as allowed by statute, and provided until October 7, 2016 for comments or exceptions to be filed by interested parties. This recommendation did not constitute MPUC action. The Company promptly filed a motion to implement adjudicatory procedures prior to entry of any final order. After the Company’s motion to implement adjudicatory procedures was briefed by the parties, the Hearing Examiner issued an order on November 30, 2016 granting the Company’s motion in part and permanently withdrawing the Examiner’s September 14, 2016 report. A case schedule was established by the Hearing Examiner, and a hearing is currently scheduled to begin May 11, 2017 in the event the parties have not reached a settlement prior to this date. Subsequent legislation in Maine has superseded the SQI benchmarks applied in the examiner’s report. Effective with the new legislation, the reporting of service quality will be required only in the areas of the state where Provider of Last Resort ("POLR") is still required and will be filed and treated as confidential. The number of SQI reporting metrics has been reduced and the benchmarks are less stringent than under previous Commission rules. Effective June 1, 2015, the Company began measuring and reporting certain wholesale local service performance results in each of the states of Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont called the Wholesale Performance Plan ("WPP"). In evaluating the presentation of taxes and surcharges, such as USF charges, sales, use, value added and some excise taxes, the Company determines whether it is the primary obligor or principal taxpayer. In jurisdictions where the Company deems that it is the principal taxpayer, the Company records these taxes and surcharges on a gross basis and includes them in its revenues and costs of services and sales. In jurisdictions where the Company determines that it is a pass through agent for the government authority, it records the taxes on a net basis through the condensed consolidated balance sheets. Customer arrangements that include both equipment and services are evaluated to determine whether the elements are separable. If the elements are deemed separable and separate earnings processes exist, the revenue associated with each element is allocated to each element based on the relative estimated selling price of the separate elements. The Company has estimated the selling prices of each element by reference to vendor-specific objective evidence of selling prices when the elements are sold separately. The revenue associated with each element is then recognized as earned. Management makes estimated adjustments, as necessary, to revenue and accounts receivable for billing errors, including certain disputed amounts. (c) Accounts Receivable Accounts receivable are recorded at the invoiced amount and do not bear interest. The allowance for doubtful accounts is recorded as a contra-asset of accounts receivable and represents the Company's best estimate of probable credit losses in the Company's existing accounts receivable. The Company establishes an allowance for doubtful accounts based upon factors surrounding the credit risk of specific customers, historical trends, and other information. Accounts receivable balances are reviewed on an aged basis and account balances are written off against the allowance after all means of collection have been exhausted and the potential for recovery is considered remote. (d) Accounting for Income Taxes Income taxes are accounted for under the asset and liability method. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases and operating loss and tax credit carryforwards. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date. In assessing the realizability of deferred tax assets, management considers whether it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. The ultimate realization of deferred tax assets is dependent upon the generation of future taxable income during the periods in which those temporary differences become deductible. Management determines its estimates of future taxable income based upon the scheduled reversal of deferred tax liabilities and tax planning strategies. The Company establishes valuation allowances for deferred tax assets when it is estimated to be more likely than not that the tax assets will not be realized. In determining the income tax provision, a reserve for uncertain tax positions is established unless management determines that such positions are more likely than not to be sustained upon examination by the taxing authorities, based on their merits. There is considerable judgment involved in determining whether positions taken on the Company’s tax return are more likely than not to be sustained. (e) Operating Segments Management views its business of providing data, video and voice communications services to residential, wholesale and business customers as one operating segment. The Company's services consist of retail and wholesale communications and data services, including voice and HSD in 17 states. The Company's chief operating decision maker assesses operating performance and allocates resources based on the consolidated results. (f) Interest Rate Swap Agreements In the third quarter of 2013, the Company entered into interest rate swap agreements. For further information regarding these interest rate swap agreements, see note (8) "Interest Rate Swap Agreements." The interest rate swap agreements, at their inception, qualified for and were designated as cash flow hedging instruments. The Company records its interest rate swaps on the condensed consolidated balance sheets at fair value. The effective portion of changes in fair value are recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income and are subsequently reclassified into earnings in the period that the hedged forecasted transaction affects earnings. Any ineffective portion is recognized in earnings. Both at inception and on a quarterly basis, the Company performs an effectiveness test. (g) Stock-Based Compensation The Company recognizes forfeitures as they occur. Stock-based compensation cost is measured at the grant date, based on the fair value of the award, and is recognized as expense on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period, which generally begins on the date the award is granted through the date the award vests.

Significant Accounting Policies

(a) Presentation and Use of Estimates

The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America and the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission for interim financial reporting. Accordingly, certain information and footnote disclosures have been condensed or omitted for this quarterly report and should be read in conjunction with the Company's audited consolidated financial statements and related notes included in the Company's annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016. The condensed consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2016 is derived from audited financial statements.

The condensed consolidated financial statements reflect all adjustments that, in the opinion of management, are necessary for a fair presentation of results of operations and financial condition for the interim periods shown, including normal recurring accruals and other items. Interim results are not necessarily indicative of results for a full year and actual results could differ from those estimates.

(b) Revenue Recognition

Revenues are recognized as services are rendered and are primarily derived from the usage of the Company's networks and facilities or under revenue-sharing arrangements with other communications carriers. Revenues are primarily derived from: voice services, access (including pooling), certain Connect America Fund ("CAF") receipts, Internet and broadband services and other miscellaneous services. Local access charges are billed to local end users under tariffs approved by each state's Public Utilities Commission ("PUC") or by rates, terms and conditions determined by the Company. Access revenues are derived for the intrastate jurisdiction by billing access charges to interexchange carriers and to other LECs. These charges are billed based on toll or access tariffs approved by the local state's PUC. Access charges for the interstate jurisdiction are billed in accordance with tariffs filed by the National Exchange Carrier Association ("NECA") or by the individual company and approved by the Federal Communications Commission (the "FCC"). On July 14, 2016, the FCC adopted a Declaratory Order that classifies switched access services provided by Incumbent LECs as non-dominant services. This change in classification will not impact rates or revenues as the rates continue to be subject to rules established for all access providers pursuant to the Intercarrier Compensation transition rules adopted in 2011.

Revenues are determined on a bill-and-keep basis or a pooling basis. If on a bill-and-keep basis, the Company bills the charges to the customer and keeps the revenue. If the Company participates in a pooling environment (interstate or intrastate), the revenue from the covered services is contributed to a revenue pool. The revenue is then distributed to individual companies based on their company-specific revenue requirement or similar distribution methods. This distribution is based on individual state PUCs' (intrastate) or the FCC's (interstate) approved settlement mechanisms, separation rules and rates of return. Distribution from these pools can change relative to changes made to expenses, plant investment or rate-of-return. Some companies participate in federal and certain state universal service programs that are pooling in nature but are regulated by rules separate from those described above. These rules vary by state. Revenues earned through the various pooling arrangements are initially recorded based on the Company's estimates.

On November 18, 2011, the FCC released its comprehensive landmark order to modify the nationwide system of universal support and the CAF/intercarrier compensation ("ICC") system (the "CAF/ICC Order"). Rule changes associated with the FCC's CAF/ICC Order impact the NECA interstate pooling, in that a portion of the Company's interstate Universal Service Fund ("USF") revenues, which are administered through the NECA pools and which prior to January 1, 2012 were based on costs, are now based on rules from the FCC's CAF/ICC Order, including CAF Phase II support where FairPoint accepted CAF Phase II support, continued CAF Phase I frozen support where FairPoint did not accept CAF Phase II support and CAF/ICC rules in states where FairPoint is eligible for such support under the ICC Transition Rules for price cap and rate-of-return carriers. FairPoint accepted CAF Phase II support in all states except Kansas and Colorado. The CAF Phase II revenue is being recognized on a straight-line basis, ratably over the six-year period in which the funding will be received. The accepted transition funding is being recognized monthly as received over the three-year transition period ending in July 2018. The Company is required to meet certain interim milestones over the six-year period of CAF Phase II and the Company performs a quarterly assessment of its progress.

Revenue from long distance switched retail and wholesale services can be recurring due to coverage under an unlimited calling plan or can be usage sensitive. In either case, they are billed in arrears and recognized when earned. Internet and data services revenues are substantially all recurring revenues and are billed one month in advance and deferred until earned.

As of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, unearned revenue of $19.5 million and $18.2 million, respectively, was included in other accrued liabilities and unearned revenue of $4.8 million and $4.8 million, respectively, was included in other long-term liabilities on the condensed consolidated balance sheets.

The majority of the Company's other miscellaneous services revenue is generated from ancillary special projects at the request of third parties, video services, directory services and late payment charges to end users and wholesale carriers. The Company generally requires customers to pay for ancillary special projects in advance. As of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, customer deposits of $3.3 million and $3.3 million, respectively, were included in other accrued liabilities on the condensed consolidated balance sheets. Once the ancillary special project is completed or substantially complete and all project costs have been accumulated for proper accounting recognition, the advance payment is recognized as revenue with any overpayments refunded to the customer, as appropriate. The Company recognizes revenue upon the provision of video services in certain markets by reselling DirecTV and providing cable and IP television video-over-digital subscriber line services. The Company also publishes telephone directories in some of its Telecom Group markets and recognizes revenues associated with these publications evenly over the time period covered by the directory, which is typically twelve months. The Company bills late payment fees to customers who have not paid their bills in a timely manner. In general, late payment fee revenue is recognized based on collection of these charges.

Non-recurring customer activation fees, along with the related costs up to, but not exceeding, the activation fees, are deferred and amortized over the customer relationship period.

Under the Maine Public Utilities Commission ("MPUC") rules (Chapter 201), which went into effect August 1, 2014, the MPUC may open an investigation regarding the failure to meet any of the established service quality index ("SQI") benchmarks and has the authority to impose penalties. The MPUC opened an investigation into the Company's failure to meet some third quarter 2014 SQI benchmarks and subsequently opened an investigation into the fourth quarter of 2014 and then with respect to each of the quarterly periods in 2015. On March 29, 2016, the MPUC consolidated the investigations of the six quarters into one investigation. On September 14, 2016, a hearing examiner for the MPUC issued a report recommending that the MPUC find that FairPoint had failed to meet SQI benchmarks for the period under review and impose a $500,000 penalty as allowed by statute, and provided until October 7, 2016 for comments or exceptions to be filed by interested parties. This recommendation did not constitute MPUC action. The Company promptly filed a motion to implement adjudicatory procedures prior to entry of any final order. After the Company’s motion to implement adjudicatory procedures was briefed by the parties, the Hearing Examiner issued an order on November 30, 2016 granting the Company’s motion in part and permanently withdrawing the Examiner’s September 14, 2016 report. A case schedule was established by the Hearing Examiner, and a hearing is currently scheduled to begin May 11, 2017 in the event the parties have not reached a settlement prior to this date.

Subsequent legislation in Maine has superseded the SQI benchmarks applied in the examiner’s report. Effective with the new legislation, the reporting of service quality will be required only in the areas of the state where Provider of Last Resort ("POLR") is still required and will be filed and treated as confidential. The number of SQI reporting metrics has been reduced and the benchmarks are less stringent than under previous Commission rules.

Effective June 1, 2015, the Company began measuring and reporting certain wholesale local service performance results in each of the states of Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont called the Wholesale Performance Plan ("WPP").

In evaluating the presentation of taxes and surcharges, such as USF charges, sales, use, value added and some excise taxes, the Company determines whether it is the primary obligor or principal taxpayer. In jurisdictions where the Company deems that it is the principal taxpayer, the Company records these taxes and surcharges on a gross basis and includes them in its revenues and costs of services and sales. In jurisdictions where the Company determines that it is a pass through agent for the government authority, it records the taxes on a net basis through the condensed consolidated balance sheets.

Customer arrangements that include both equipment and services are evaluated to determine whether the elements are separable. If the elements are deemed separable and separate earnings processes exist, the revenue associated with each element is allocated to each element based on the relative estimated selling price of the separate elements. The Company has estimated the selling prices of each element by reference to vendor-specific objective evidence of selling prices when the elements are sold separately. The revenue associated with each element is then recognized as earned.

Management makes estimated adjustments, as necessary, to revenue and accounts receivable for billing errors, including certain disputed amounts.

Accounts receivable are recorded at the invoiced amount and do not bear interest. The allowance for doubtful accounts is recorded as a contra-asset of accounts receivable and represents the Company's best estimate of probable credit losses in the Company's existing accounts receivable. The Company establishes an allowance for doubtful accounts based upon factors surrounding the credit risk of specific customers, historical trends, and other information. Accounts receivable balances are reviewed on an aged basis and account balances are written off against the allowance after all means of collection have been exhausted and the potential for recovery is considered remote.

(d) Accounting for Income Taxes

Income taxes are accounted for under the asset and liability method. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases and operating loss and tax credit carryforwards. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date.

In assessing the realizability of deferred tax assets, management considers whether it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. The ultimate realization of deferred tax assets is dependent upon the generation of future taxable income during the periods in which those temporary differences become deductible. Management determines its estimates of future taxable income based upon the scheduled reversal of deferred tax liabilities and tax planning strategies. The Company establishes valuation allowances for deferred tax assets when it is estimated to be more likely than not that the tax assets will not be realized.

In determining the income tax provision, a reserve for uncertain tax positions is established unless management determines that such positions are more likely than not to be sustained upon examination by the taxing authorities, based on their merits. There is considerable judgment involved in determining whether positions taken on the Company’s tax return are more likely than not to be sustained.

(e) Operating Segments

Management views its business of providing data, video and voice communications services to residential, wholesale and business customers as one operating segment. The Company's services consist of retail and wholesale communications and data services, including voice and HSD in 17 states. The Company's chief operating decision maker assesses operating performance and allocates resources based on the consolidated results.

(f) Interest Rate Swap Agreements

In the third quarter of 2013, the Company entered into interest rate swap agreements. For further information regarding these interest rate swap agreements, see note (8) "Interest Rate Swap Agreements." The interest rate swap agreements, at their inception, qualified for and were designated as cash flow hedging instruments. The Company records its interest rate swaps on the condensed consolidated balance sheets at fair value. The effective portion of changes in fair value are recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income and are subsequently reclassified into earnings in the period that the hedged forecasted transaction affects earnings. Any ineffective portion is recognized in earnings. Both at inception and on a quarterly basis, the Company performs an effectiveness test.

(g) Stock-Based Compensation

The Company recognizes forfeitures as they occur. Stock-based compensation cost is measured at the grant date, based on the fair value of the award, and is recognized as expense on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period, which generally begins on the date the award is granted through the date the award vests.