10-Q

UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

x QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2012

OR

o TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from                to               .

Commission File Number: 001-15605

EARTHLINK, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware	58-2511877
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)	(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

1375 Peachtree St., Atlanta, Georgia  30309

(Address of principal executive offices)  (Zip Code)

(404) 815-0770

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

 _______________________________________________________

(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report date)

_______________________________________________________

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.  Yes x  No o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).  Yes x  No o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

Large accelerated filer x	Accelerated filer o
Non-accelerated filer o	Smaller reporting company o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).  Yes o  No x

As of October 29, 2012, 104,186,811 shares of common stock, $0.01 par value per share, were outstanding.

EARTHLINK, INC.

Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q

For the Quarterly Period Ended September 30, 2012

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Part I
Item 1.  Financial Statements	1
Item 2.  Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations	19
Item 3.  Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk	37
Item 4.  Controls and Procedures	37
Part II
Item 1.  Legal Proceedings	38
Item 1A.  Risk Factors	38
Item 2.  Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds	38
Item 5.  Other Information	38
Item 6.  Exhibits	39
Signatures	40

PART I

Item 1.  Financial Statements.

EARTHLINK, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(in thousands, except per share data)

	December 31, 2011			September 30, 2012
				(unaudited)
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	211,783		$	261,793
Marketable securities	28,606			44,909
Restricted cash	1,781			1,013
Accounts receivable, net of allowance of $7,323 and $7,809 as of December 31, 2011 and September 30, 2012, respectively	114,757			119,378
Prepaid expenses	13,163			17,443
Deferred income taxes, net	38,437			41,641
Other current assets	23,530			20,068
Total current assets	432,057			506,245
Long-term marketable securities	1,001			3,463
Property and equipment, net	389,549			375,836
Long-term deferred income taxes, net	172,376			170,474
Goodwill	378,235			379,415
Other intangible assets, net	285,361			232,215
Other long-term assets	21,872			19,675
Total assets	$	1,680,451		$	1,687,323
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	$	16,023		$	25,206
Accrued payroll and related expenses	29,090			30,893
Other accrued liabilities	126,841			156,565
Deferred revenue	61,440			52,782
Current portion of long-term debt and capital lease obligations	1,655			1,439
Total current liabilities	235,049			266,885
Long-term debt and capital lease obligations	653,765			650,163
Other long-term liabilities	38,493			35,554
Total liabilities	927,307			952,602
Stockholders’ equity:
Convertible preferred stock, $0.01 par value, 100,000 shares authorized, 0 shares issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2011 and September 30, 2012	—			—
Common stock, $0.01 par value, 300,000 shares authorized, 196,202 and 196,810 shares issued as of December 31, 2011 and September 30, 2012, respectively, and 106,193 and 104,521 shares outstanding as of December 31, 2011 and September 30, 2012, respectively	1,962			1,968
Additional paid-in capital	2,071,298			2,061,414
Accumulated deficit	(613,668		)	(606,139		)
Treasury stock, at cost, 90,009 and 92,289 shares as of December 31, 2011 and September 30, 2012, respectively	(706,434		)	(722,538		)
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	(14		)	16
Total stockholders’ equity	753,144			734,721
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$	1,680,451		$	1,687,323

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

EARTHLINK, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

	Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2011			2012			2011			2012
	(in thousands, except per share data) (unaudited)
Revenues	$	357,290		$	334,786		$	963,867		$	1,017,340
Operating costs and expenses:
Cost of revenues (exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown separately below)	161,327			157,920			429,407			485,473
Selling, general and administrative (exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown separately below)	108,827			110,028			295,786			326,533
Depreciation and amortization	46,567			45,665			113,336			136,899
Restructuring, acquisition and integration-related costs	8,966			6,379			24,517			13,736
Total operating costs and expenses	325,687			319,992			863,046			962,641
Income from operations	31,603			14,794			100,821			54,699
Interest expense and other, net	(22,161		)	(16,792		)	(54,197		)	(48,259		)
Income (loss) before income taxes	9,442			(1,998		)	46,624			6,440
Income tax (provision) benefit	(1,937		)	3,370			(16,208		)	1,089
Net income	$	7,505		$	1,372		$	30,416		$	7,529
Net income per share
Basic	$	0.07		$	0.01		$	0.28		$	0.07
Diluted	$	0.07		$	0.01		$	0.28		$	0.07
Weighted average common shares outstanding
Basic	107,794			105,001			108,585			105,833
Diluted	108,523			105,712			109,535			106,592
Dividends declared per share	$	0.05		$	0.05		$	0.15		$	0.15
Comprehensive income	$	7,505		$	1,391		$	30,416		$	7,558

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

1

EARTHLINK, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

	Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2011			2012
Cash flows from operating activities:	(in thousands) (unaudited)
Net income	$	30,416		$	7,529
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	113,336			136,899
Loss on disposals and impairments of fixed assets	3,688			1,044
Non-cash income taxes	11,851			(2,585		)
Stock-based compensation	10,454			8,203
Amortization of debt discount, premium and issuance costs	9,690			(1,470		)
Other operating activities	(748		)	(693		)
Decrease (increase) in accounts receivable, net	9,479			(6,999		)
(Increase) decrease in prepaid expenses and other assets	(28,140		)	2,526
(Decrease) increase in accounts payable and accrued and other liabilities	(45,797		)	34,130
Increase (decrease) in deferred revenue	2,251			(56		)
Net cash provided by operating activities	116,480			178,528
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchase of businesses, net of cash acquired	(40,097		)	—
Purchases of property and equipment	(70,967		)	(80,729		)
Purchases of marketable securities	—			(57,528		)
Sales and maturities of marketable securities	319,729			38,763
Change in restricted cash	489			768
Other investing activities	(3,765		)	—
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	205,389			(98,726		)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from issuance of debt, net of issuance costs	278,383			—
Repayment of debt and capital lease obligations	(272,391		)	(1,243		)
Repurchases of common stock	(39,540		)	(12,967		)
Payment of dividends	(17,214		)	(15,917		)
Proceeds from exercises of stock options	566			236
Other financing activities	685			99
Net cash used in financing activities	(49,511		)	(29,792		)
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents	272,358			50,010
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	242,952			211,783
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	$	515,310		$	261,793

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

2

EARTHLINK, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

UNAUDITED

1.  Organization

EarthLink, Inc. (“EarthLink” or the “Company”), together with its consolidated subsidiaries, is a leading network, communications and IT services provider to business and residential customers in the United States. The Company operates two reportable segments, Business Services and Consumer Services. The Company’s Business Services segment provides a broad range of data, voice, equipment and IT services to retail and wholesale business customers. The Company’s Consumer Services segment provides nationwide Internet access and related value-added services to residential customers. The Company operates an extensive network including approximately 28,800 route fiber miles, 90 metro fiber rings and four enterprise-class data centers that provide IP coverage across more than 90 percent of the United States. For further information concerning the Company’s reportable segments, see Note 14, “Segment Information.”

2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Basis of Presentation

The condensed consolidated financial statements of EarthLink for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2012 and the related footnote information are unaudited and have been prepared on a basis consistent with the audited consolidated financial statements included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) (the “Annual Report”).

These financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and the related notes thereto contained in the Annual Report.  In the opinion of management, the accompanying unaudited financial statements contain all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring adjustments) which management considers necessary to present fairly the Company’s financial position, results of operations and cash flows for the interim periods presented.  The results of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 are not necessarily indicative of the results anticipated for the entire year ending December 31, 2012.

Basis of Consolidation

The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements of EarthLink include the accounts of its wholly-owned subsidiaries. All significant intercompany transactions have been eliminated.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements.  Actual results may differ from those estimates.

Comprehensive Income

Comprehensive income as presented in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2012 includes unrealized gains and losses, net of tax, on certain investments classified as available-for-sale.

Reclassifications

Certain amounts in the prior year financial statements have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation.  Specifically, the Company reclassified certain amounts within current liabilities and between current and other long-term liabilities as of December 31, 2011 to conform with current year presentation, including a $7.5 million reclassification from other accrued liabilities to other long-term liabilities that primarily related to the presentation of tax liabilities.

3

EARTHLINK, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

UNAUDITED - (Continued)

3.  Earnings per Share

The Company presents a dual presentation of basic and diluted earnings per share. Basic earnings per share represents net income divided by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the reported period. Diluted earnings per share reflects the potential dilution that could occur if securities or other contracts to issue common stock, including stock options, restricted stock units and convertible debt (collectively “Common Stock Equivalents”), were exercised, vested or converted into common stock. The dilutive effect of outstanding stock options, restricted stock units and convertible debt is reflected in diluted earnings per share by application of the treasury stock method. In applying the treasury stock method for stock-based compensation arrangements, the assumed proceeds are computed as the sum of the amount the employee must pay upon exercise, the amount of compensation cost attributed to future services and not yet recognized and the amount of excess tax benefits, if any, that would be credited to additional paid-in capital assuming exercise of the awards.

The following table sets forth the computation for basic and diluted net income per share for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2012:

	Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
	September 30,				September 30,
	2011		2012		2011		2012
	(in thousands, except per share data)
Numerator
Net income	$	7,505	$	1,372	$	30,416	$	7,529
Denominator
Basic weighted average common shares outstanding	107,794		105,001		108,585		105,833
Dilutive effect of Common Stock Equivalents	729		711		950		759
Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding	108,523		105,712		109,535		106,592
Basic net income per share	$	0.07	$	0.01	$	0.28	$	0.07
Diluted net income per share	$	0.07	$	0.01	$	0.28	$	0.07

During the three months ended September 30, 2011 and 2012, approximately 1.6 million and 3.9 million, respectively, stock options and restricted stock units were excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings per share because their effect would have been anti-dilutive. During the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2012, approximately 1.8 million and 3.3 million, respectively, stock options and restricted stock units were excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings per share because their effect would have been anti-dilutive.  Anti-dilutive securities could be dilutive in future periods.

4. Acquisitions

One Communications

On April 1, 2011, EarthLink completed its acquisition of One Communications Corp. (“One Communications”), a privately-held integrated telecommunications solutions provider serving customers in the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic and Upper Midwest. EarthLink acquired 100% of One Communications in a merger transaction with One Communications surviving as a wholly-owned subsidiary of EarthLink. The primary reason for the acquisition was to further transform the Company into a network and communications provider for business customers by expanding its IP network footprint. EarthLink also believes the acquisition will provide strategic benefits because One Communications has a large established customer base that generates cash. EarthLink has included the financial results of One Communications in its consolidated financial statements from the date of the acquisition.

Pursuant to the terms of the merger agreement, the aggregate merger consideration for One Communications was $370.0 million, which included assumption and repayment of debt and other liabilities and certain working capital and other adjustments. EarthLink issued a total of 3.0 million shares in connection with the One Communications acquisition, which consisted of 1.3 million shares deposited in escrow (discussed below) and 1.7 million shares issued to One Communications shareholders. Pursuant to the merger agreement, the following escrow transactions have occurred:

4

EARTHLINK, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

UNAUDITED - (Continued)

• Included in the aggregate merger consideration was $13.5 million (combination of cash and approximately 0.8 million shares of common stock) deposited into an escrow account to secure potential post-closing adjustments to the aggregate consideration relating to working capital and other similar adjustments. Of the $13.5 million escrow account, approximately $1.4 million of cash and 0.2 million shares of common stock valued at $1.4 million have been returned to EarthLink as of September 30, 2012.

• EarthLink deposited $7.5 million (combination of cash and approximately 0.5 million shares of common stock) into an escrow account to fund certain post-closing employment-related obligations of the Company on the terms provided in the escrow agreement. This was accounted for separately from the purchase price allocation. As of September 30, 2012, the entire $7.5 million escrow had been returned to EarthLink and none of the escrow account remained outstanding.

The resulting fair value of consideration transferred was $39.9 million which consisted of $20.0 million in cash and $19.9 million for the issuance of EarthLink common stock. The assets acquired and liabilities assumed of One Communications were recognized at their acquisition date fair values.

The following table presents the allocation of the consideration transferred (in thousands):

Acquired Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	11,304
Property and equipment	144,538
Goodwill	87,377
Intangible assets	185,850
Other assets	68,752
Total assets	497,821
Assumed Liabilities:
Debt	(266,275		)
Deferred revenue	(11,379		)
Deferred tax liability, net	(2,055		)
Other liabilities	(178,185		)
Total liabilities	(457,894		)
Total consideration	$	39,927

Included in other assets is accounts receivable with an estimate of fair value of $48.1 million and a gross contractual value of $57.5 million. The difference represents the Company’s best estimate of the contractual cash flows that will not be collected.

Goodwill arising from the acquisition was attributable to the assembled workforce and expected synergies and economies of scale from combining the operations of EarthLink and One Communications. All of the goodwill was assigned to the Company’s Business Services segment. The goodwill is not deductible for income tax purposes.

The following table summarizes the components of intangible assets acquired in connection with the One Communications acquisition (in thousands):

	Fair Value		Useful Life
Customer relationships	$	168,600	5 years
Developed technology	12,000		3 years
Trade name	3,900		3 years
Other	1,350		5 years
Total intangible assets	$	185,850

5

EARTHLINK, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

UNAUDITED - (Continued)

Pro Forma Financial Information

The following unaudited pro forma revenue and earnings assumes the acquisition of One Communications occurred on January 1, 2011:

	Nine Months Ended
	September 30, 2011
	(in thousands)
Total revenues	$	1,097,530
Net income	38,563

5.  Restructuring, Acquisition and Integration-Related Costs

Restructuring, acquisition and integration-related costs consisted of the following during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2012:

	Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
	September 30,				September 30,
	2011		2012		2011		2012
	(in thousands)
Facility exit and restructuring costs	$	57	$	5	$	520	$	(176	)
Acquisition and integration-related costs	8,909		6,374		23,997		13,912
Restructuring, acquisition and integration-related costs	$	8,966	$	6,379	$	24,517	$	13,736

Facility exit and restructuring costs

In August 2007, EarthLink adopted a restructuring plan (the “2007 Plan”) to reduce costs and improve the efficiency of the Company’s operations. The 2007 Plan was the result of a comprehensive review of operations within and across the Company’s functions and businesses. Under the 2007 Plan, the Company reduced its workforce by approximately 900 employees, closed office facilities in Orlando, Florida; Knoxville, Tennessee; Harrisburg, Pennsylvania and San Francisco, California and consolidated its office facilities in Atlanta, Georgia and Pasadena, California. The 2007 Plan was primarily implemented during the latter half of 2007 and during the year ended December 31, 2008. However, there have been and may continue to be changes in estimates to amounts previously recorded.

The following table summarizes facility exit and restructuring costs during the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2012 and the cumulative costs incurred to date as a result of the 2007 Plan. Facility exit and restructuring costs during the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2012 were primarily the result of changes to lease and sublease estimates in the Company’s exited facilities. Such costs have been classified as restructuring, acquisition and integration-related costs in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income.

	Nine Months Ended						Cumulative Costs
	September 30,						Incurred
	2011			2012			To Date
	(in thousands)
Severance and personnel-related costs	$	—		$	—		$	30,764
Lease termination and facilities-related costs	597			(176		)	23,912
Non-cash asset impairments	(77		)	—			24,824
Other associated costs	—			—			1,131
	$	520		$	(176	)	$	80,631

6

EARTHLINK, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

UNAUDITED - (Continued)

The following table summarizes activity for the liability balances associated with the 2007 Plan for the nine months ended September 30, 2012, including changes during the period attributable to costs incurred and charged to expense and costs paid or otherwise settled (in thousands):

Balance as of December 31, 2011	$	7,432
Accruals	(176		)
Payments	(2,255		)
Balance as of September 30, 2012	$	5,001

Facility exit and restructuring liabilities due within one year of the balance sheet date are classified as other accrued liabilities and facility exit and restructuring liabilities due after one year are classified as other long-term liabilities in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. Of the unpaid balance as of December 31, 2011 and September 30, 2012, approximately $3.1 million and $2.5 million, respectively, was classified as other accrued liabilities and approximately $4.3 million and $2.5 million, respectively, was classified as other long-term liabilities.

Acquisition and Integration-Related Costs

Acquisition and integration-related costs consist of costs related to EarthLink’s acquisitions. Such costs include: 1) severance and retention costs; 2) transaction-related costs, which are direct costs incurred to effect a business combination, such as advisory, legal, accounting, valuation and other professional fees; 3) integration-related costs, such as system conversion, rebranding costs and integration-related consulting and employee costs; and 4) facility-related costs, such as lease termination and asset impairments. Acquisition and integration-related costs are expensed in the period in which the costs are incurred and the services are received and are included in restructuring, acquisition and integration-related costs in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income.  Acquisition and integration-related costs consisted of the following during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2012:

	Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
	September 30,				September 30,
	2011		2012		2011		2012
	(in thousands)
Severance and retention costs	$	3,783	$	2,051	$	13,608	$	5,111
Transaction-related costs	325		373		4,867		1,366
Integration-related costs	593		3,614		834		6,944
Facility-related costs	4,208		336		4,688		491
Total acquisition and integration-related costs	$	8,909	$	6,374	$	23,997	$	13,912

6.  Investments

Marketable Securities

The Company’s marketable securities consisted of the following as of December 31, 2011 and September 30, 2012:

	As of December 31, 2011			As of September 30, 2012
	(in thousands)
Corporate debt securities	$	11,057		$	31,652
Government and agency securities	11,304			4,876
Commercial paper	4,246			8,790
Certificates of deposit	3,000			3,054
Total marketable securities	29,607			48,372
Less: classified as current	(28,606		)	(44,909		)
Total long-term marketable securities	$	1,001		$	3,463

7

EARTHLINK, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

UNAUDITED - (Continued)

Marketable securities consist of investments with original maturities greater than three months at the date of acquisition. Marketable securities with maturities less than one year from the balance sheet date are classified as short-term marketable securities. Marketable securities with maturities greater than one year from the balance sheet date are classified as long-term marketable securities. As of September 30, 2012, all of the Company's long-term marketable securities were due within one to two years. These investments primarily consist of corporate debt securities, government and agency notes (which include U.S. treasury securities and government-sponsored debt securities), commercial paper and certificates of deposit. These securities are classified as available for sale. Available-for-sale securities are carried at fair value, with any unrealized gains and losses, net of tax, included in accumulated other comprehensive income as a separate component of stockholders’ equity and in total comprehensive income. Amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income into earnings are determined on a specific identification basis. Realized gains and losses on marketable securities are determined on a specific identification basis and included in interest expense and other, net, in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income.

The following tables summarize gross unrealized gains and losses as of December 31, 2011 and September 30, 2012 on the Company’s marketable securities designated as available-for-sale:

	As of December 31, 2011
	Amortized Cost		Gross Unrealized Losses			Gross Unrealized Gains		Estimated Fair Value
	(in thousands)
Government and agency notes	$	11,306	$	(2	)	$	—	$	11,304
Corporate debt securities	11,069		(12		)	—		11,057
Commercial paper	4,246		—			—		4,246
Certificates of deposit	3,000		—			—		3,000
	$	29,621	$	(14	)	$	—	$	29,607

	As of September 30, 2012
	Amortized Cost		Gross Unrealized Losses		Gross Unrealized Gains		Estimated Fair Value
	(in thousands)
Government and agency notes	$	4,875	$	—	$	1	$	4,876
Corporate debt securities	31,640		—		12		31,652
Commercial paper	8,788		—		2		8,790
Certificates of deposit	3,053		—		1		3,054
	$	48,356	$	—	$	16	$	48,372

8

EARTHLINK, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

UNAUDITED - (Continued)

7. Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

Goodwill

The changes in the carrying amount of goodwill by operating segment during the nine months ended September 30, 2012 were as follows:

	Consumer Services Segment		Business Services Segment			Total
	(in thousands)
Balance as of December 31, 2011
Goodwill	$	88,920	$	377,193		$	466,113
Accumulated impairment loss	—		(87,878		)	(87,878		)
	88,920		289,315			378,235
Goodwill adjustments	—		1,180			1,180
Balance as of September 30, 2012
Goodwill	88,920		378,373			467,293
Accumulated impairment loss	—		(87,878		)	(87,878		)
	$	88,920	$	290,495		$	379,415

Goodwill adjustments during the nine months ended September 30, 2012 resulted from adjustments during the measurement period in the fair value of assets and liabilities assumed in the acquisitions that were not deemed material to retrospectively adjust provisional amounts recorded at the acquisition date.

Other Intangible Assets

The following table presents the components of the Company’s acquired identifiable intangible assets included in the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2011 and September 30, 2012:

	As of December 31, 2011							As of September 30, 2012
	Gross Carrying Value		Accumulated Amortization			Net Carrying Value		Gross Carrying Value		Accumulated Amortization			Net Carrying Value
	(in thousands)
Customer relationships	$	371,835	$	(111,632	)	$	260,203	$	371,835	$	(155,802	)	$	216,033
Developed technology and software	24,311		(6,279		)	18,032		24,311		(12,705		)	11,606
Trade names	9,121		(3,507		)	5,614		9,121		(5,636		)	3,485
Other	1,800		(288		)	1,512		1,800		(709		)	1,091
	$	407,067	$	(121,706	)	$	285,361	$	407,067	$	(174,852	)	$	232,215

Definite-lived intangible assets are amortized over their estimated useful lives. The Company’s customer relationships are being amortized using the straight-line method to match the estimated cash flow generated by such assets, and the developed technology and trade names are being amortized using the straight-line method because a pattern to which the expected benefits will be consumed or otherwise used up could not be reliably determined. As of September 30, 2012, the weighted average amortization periods were 5.2 years for customer relationships, 3.9 years for developed technology and software, 3.3 years for trade names and 4.4 years for other identifiable intangible assets.

Amortization of intangible assets, which is included in depreciation and amortization in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2012 was as follows:

9

EARTHLINK, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

UNAUDITED - (Continued)

	Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
	September 30,				September 30,
	2011		2012		2011		2012
	(in thousands)
Amortization expense	$	17,509	$	17,709	$	41,591	$	53,146

Based on the current amount of definite-lived intangible assets, the Company expects to record amortization expense of approximately $17.5 million during the remaining three months in the year ending December 31, 2012 and $65.4 million, $61.0 million, $59.0 million, $28.2 million and $1.1 million during the years ending December 31, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, and 2017 and thereafter, respectively. Actual amortization expense to be reported in future periods could differ materially from these estimates as a result of acquisitions, changes in useful lives and other relevant factors.

8.  Other Accrued Liabilities

Other accrued liabilities consisted of the following as of December 31, 2011 and September 30, 2012:

	As of December 31, 2011		As of September 30, 2012
	(in thousands)
Accrued taxes and surcharges	$	28,336	$	34,642
Accrued communications costs	29,830		43,141
Accrued interest	11,954		27,314
Amounts due to customers	17,435		16,624
Facility exit and restructuring liabilities	3,081		3,614
Other	36,205		31,230
Total other accrued liabilities	$	126,841	$	156,565

9.  Long-Term Debt and Capital Lease Obligations

The Company’s long-term debt and capital lease obligations consisted of the following as of December 31, 2011 and September 30, 2012:

	As of December 31, 2011			As of September 30, 2012
	(in thousands)
ITC^DeltaCom senior secured notes due April 2016	$	324,800		$	324,800
Unamortized premium on ITC^DeltaCom senior secured notes due April 2016	22,056			18,622
EarthLink senior notes due May 2019	300,000			300,000
Unamortized discount on EarthLink senior notes due May 2019	(9,779		)	(9,067		)
Capital lease obligations	18,343			17,247
Carrying value of debt and capital lease obligations	655,420			651,602
Less current portion of debt and capital lease obligations	(1,655		)	(1,439		)
Long-term debt and capital lease obligations	$	653,765		$	650,163

10

EARTHLINK, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

UNAUDITED - (Continued)

ITC^DeltaCom Senior Secured Notes due April 2016

General.  In connection with the EarthLink’s acquisition of ITC^DeltaCom, Inc. (“ITC^DeltaCom”) in December 2010, EarthLink assumed ITC^DeltaCom’s outstanding $325.0 million aggregate principal amount of 10.5% senior secured notes due on April 1, 2016 (the “ITC^DeltaCom Notes”). The ITC^DeltaCom Notes were not repaid or guaranteed by EarthLink.  The ITC^DeltaCom Notes were recorded at acquisition date fair value, which was based on publicly-quoted market prices. The resulting debt premium of $26.3 million is being amortized over the remaining life of the ITC^DeltaCom Notes using the effective interest method.

Under the indenture for the ITC^DeltaCom Notes, following the consummation of the acquisition, ITC^DeltaCom was required to offer to repurchase any or all of the ITC^DeltaCom Notes at 101% of their principal amount.  The tender window was open from December 20, 2010 through January 18, 2011. As a result, approximately $0.2 million outstanding principal amount of the ITC^DeltaCom Notes was repurchased in January 2011. The remaining ITC^DeltaCom Notes remain outstanding as obligations of ITC^DeltaCom and its subsidiaries.

The ITC^DeltaCom Notes accrue interest at a rate of 10.5% per year. Interest on the ITC^DeltaCom Notes is payable semi-annually in cash in arrears on April 1 and October 1 of each year. The ITC^DeltaCom Notes will mature on April 1, 2016.

Redemption.  ITC^DeltaCom may redeem some or all of the ITC^DeltaCom Notes, at any time before April 1, 2013, at a redemption price equal to 100% of their principal amount plus a “make-whole” premium. ITC^DeltaCom may redeem some or all of the ITC^DeltaCom Notes at any time on or after April 1, 2013, at specified redemption prices declining from 105.250% to 100% of their principal amount. In addition, before April 1, 2013, ITC^DeltaCom may redeem up to 35% of the aggregate principal amount of the ITC^DeltaCom Notes at a redemption price equal to 110.5% of their principal amount with the net proceeds of certain equity offerings. During any 12-month period before April 1, 2013, ITC^DeltaCom may redeem up to 10% of the aggregate principal amount of the ITC^DeltaCom Notes at a redemption price equal to 103% of their principal amount.

If (1) ITC^DeltaCom sells certain of its assets and does not either (a) apply the net sale proceeds to repay indebtedness under the ITC^DeltaCom Notes or other indebtedness secured on a first-priority basis or (b) reinvest the net sale proceeds in its business or (2) ITC^DeltaCom experiences a change of control, ITC^DeltaCom may be required to offer to purchase ITC^DeltaCom Notes from holders at 100% of their principal amount, in the case of a sale of assets, or 101% of their principal amount, in the case of a change of control. ITC^DeltaCom would be required to pay accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on the ITC^DeltaCom Notes redeemed or purchased in each of the foregoing events of redemption or purchase.

Ranking and guaranty. The ITC^DeltaCom Notes are ITC^DeltaCom’s general senior obligations and rank equally in right of payment with any future senior indebtedness. The ITC^DeltaCom Notes are secured on a first-priority basis, along with any future pari passu secured obligations, subject to specified exceptions and permitted liens, by substantially all of the assets of ITC^DeltaCom and its subsidiaries that are deemed to be restricted subsidiaries under the indenture governing the ITC^DeltaCom Notes. Currently all of ITC^DeltaCom’s subsidiaries are deemed to be restricted subsidiaries under the indenture.

The ITC^DeltaCom Notes are guaranteed on a senior secured basis by each of ITC^DeltaCom’s restricted subsidiaries on the initial issue date of the ITC^DeltaCom Notes and will be guaranteed on a senior secured basis by each future domestic restricted subsidiary, other than certain excluded subsidiaries, and by any foreign restricted subsidiary that guarantees any indebtedness of ITC^DeltaCom or any domestic restricted subsidiary. The guarantees are the subsidiary guarantors’ general senior obligations and rank equally in right of payment with all of the subsidiary guarantors’ existing and future senior indebtedness.

Covenants. The indenture governing the ITC^DeltaCom Notes contains covenants that, among other things, limit ITC^DeltaCom’s ability, and the ability of ITC^DeltaCom’s restricted subsidiaries, to incur additional indebtedness, create liens, pay dividends on, redeem or repurchase ITC^DeltaCom’s capital stock, make investments or repay subordinated indebtedness, engage in sale-leaseback transactions, enter into transactions with affiliates, sell assets, create restrictions on dividends and other payments to ITC^DeltaCom from its subsidiaries, issue or sell stock of subsidiaries and engage in mergers and consolidations. All of the covenants are subject to a number of important qualifications and exceptions under the indenture. As of September 30, 2012, ITC^DeltaCom was in compliance with all of its covenants.

11

EARTHLINK, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

UNAUDITED - (Continued)

EarthLink Senior Notes due May 2019

General.  In May 2011, the Company completed a private placement of $300.0 million aggregate principal amount of 8-7/8% Senior Notes due 2019 (the “Senior Notes”).  The Senior Notes were issued at 96.555% of their principal amount, resulting in gross proceeds of approximately $289.7 million and net proceeds of $280.2 million after deducting transaction fees of $9.5 million. In September 2011, in accordance with the registration rights granted to the original purchasers of the Senior Notes, the Company completed an exchange offer of the privately placed Senior Notes for new 8-7/8% Senior Notes due 2019 registered with the SEC with substantially identical terms to the original Senior Notes.

The Senior Notes accrue interest at a rate of 8-7/8% per year, payable on May 15 and November 15 of each year, commencing on November 15, 2011. The Senior Notes will mature on May 15, 2019.

Redemption.  The Company may redeem the Senior Notes, in whole or in part, (i) from May 15, 2015 until May 15, 2016 at a price equal to 104.438% of the principal amount of the Senior Notes redeemed; (ii) from May 15, 2016 until May 15, 2017 at a price equal to 102.219% of the principal amount of the Senior Notes redeemed; and (iii) from May 15, 2017 at a price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the Senior Notes redeemed, in each case plus accrued and unpaid interest.  Prior to May 15, 2015, the Company may also redeem the Senior Notes, in whole or in part, at a price equal to 100% of the aggregate principal amount of the Senior Notes to be redeemed plus a make-whole premium and accrued and unpaid interest.  In addition, prior to May 15, 2014, the Company may redeem up to 35% of the aggregate principal amount of the Senior Notes with the net cash proceeds of certain equity offerings at a price equal to 108.875% of the principal amount of the Senior Notes redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest.

Ranking and guaranty. The Senior Notes and the related guarantees of certain of the Company’s wholly-owned subsidiaries (the “Guarantors”) are the Company’s and the Guarantors’ unsecured senior obligations and rank equally with all of the Company’s and the Guarantors’ other senior indebtedness.

Covenants. The indenture governing the Senior Notes includes covenants which, subject to certain exceptions, limit the ability of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries (as defined in the indenture) to, among other things, incur additional indebtedness, make certain types of restricted payments, incur liens on assets of the Company or the Restricted Subsidiaries, engage in asset sales and enter into transactions with affiliates. Upon a change of control (as defined in the indenture), the Company may be required to make an offer to repurchase the Notes at 101% of their principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest. The indenture governing the Senior Notes also contains customary events of default. As of September 30, 2012, the Company was in compliance with these covenants.

Revolving Credit Facility

General.  On May 20, 2011, the Company entered into a credit agreement (the “Credit Agreement”) providing for a senior secured revolving credit facility with aggregate revolving commitments of $150.0 million. The senior secured revolving credit facility terminates on May 20, 2015, and all amounts outstanding thereunder shall be due and payable in full.  The Company paid $1.9 million of transaction fees related to the new senior secured revolving credit facility, which are being amortized to interest expense over the life of the credit facility using the effective interest method. Commitment fees and borrowing costs under this facility vary and are based the Company’s most recent Consolidated Leverage Ratio (as defined in the Credit Agreement).  As of September 30, 2012, the Company’s Commitment Fee was 0.375% and the Company’s borrowing cost would be LIBOR plus 2.50% for LIBOR Rate Loans and the Base Rate plus 1.50% for Base Rate Loans. No loans were outstanding under the senior secured revolving credit facility as of September 30, 2012. However, $2.1 million of letters of credit were outstanding under the facility’s Letter of Credit Sublimit as of September 30, 2012.

Prepayment. The Company may prepay the senior secured revolving credit facility in whole or in part at any time without premium or penalty, subject to reimbursement of the lenders’ breakage and redeployment costs in the case of prepayment of LIBOR borrowings. The Company may irrevocably reduce or terminate the unutilized portion of the senior secured revolving credit facility at any time without penalty.

Covenants. The Credit Agreement contains representations and warranties, covenants, and events of default with respect to the Company and its subsidiaries that are customarily applicable to senior secured credit facilities.  However, such covenants will not apply to ITC^DeltaCom and its subsidiaries until the earlier of (i) the repayment or refinancing in full of the ITC^DeltaCom Notes or (ii) the date ITC^DeltaCom and its U.S. subsidiaries become guarantors of the senior secured revolving credit facility.

12

EARTHLINK, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

UNAUDITED - (Continued)

 ITC^DeltaCom is not currently a guarantor under the senior secured revolving credit facility. The negative covenants contained in the Credit Agreement include restrictions on the ability of the Company and its subsidiaries to, among other things, incur additional indebtedness, incur liens on assets, engage in certain mergers, acquisitions or divestitures, pay dividends or make other distributions, voluntarily prepay certain other indebtedness (including certain prepayments of the Company’s existing notes and the ITC^DeltaCom Notes), enter into transactions with affiliates, make investments, and change the nature of their businesses, and amend the terms of certain other indebtedness (including the Company’s existing notes and the ITC^DeltaCom Notes), in each case subject to certain exceptions set forth in the Credit Agreement.

Additionally, the Credit Agreement requires the Company to maintain a maximum consolidated leverage ratio and a minimum consolidated interest coverage ratio (as defined in the Credit Agreement). As of September 30, 2012, the Company was in compliance with these covenants.

Capital Lease Obligations

The Company maintains capital leases relating to indefeasible right-to-use agreements, vehicles and equipment. Substantially all of these capital leases were assumed by the Company through its acquisition of One Communications. Depreciation expense related to assets under capital leases is included in depreciation and amortization expense in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income.

10.  Stockholders’ Equity

Share Repurchases

Since the inception of the Company’s share repurchase program, the Board of Directors has authorized a total of $750.0 million for the repurchase of EarthLink’s common stock. As of September 30, 2012, the Company had $86.0 million available under the current authorizations. The Company may repurchase its common stock from time to time in compliance with the Securities and Exchange Commission’s regulations and other legal requirements, including through the use of derivative transactions, and subject to market conditions and other factors. The share repurchase program does not require the Company to acquire any specific number of shares and may be terminated by the Board of Directors at any time.

The Company repurchased 5.0 million shares of its common stock for $39.5 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and repurchased 1.9 million shares of its common stock for $13.0 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2012 pursuant to its share repurchase program. Also during the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2012, 0.1 million shares valued at $0.9 million and 0.4 million shares valued at $3.1 million, respectively, were returned from the One Communications escrow fund and recorded as treasury stock. 

Dividends

During the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2012, cash dividends declared were $0.15 and $0.15 per common share, respectively. The Company also pays cash dividend amounts on each outstanding restricted stock unit to be paid at the time the restricted stock unit vests. Cash dividend amounts are forfeited if the restricted stock units do not vest. Total dividend payments were $17.2 million and $15.9 million, respectively, during the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2012. The Company currently intends to pay regular quarterly dividends on its common stock.  Any decision to declare future dividends will be made at the discretion of the Board of Directors and will depend on, among other things, the Company’s results of operations, financial condition, cash requirements, investment opportunities and other factors the Board of Directors may deem relevant. In addition, the agreements governing the Company’s Senior Notes and senior secured revolving credit facility contain restrictions on the amount of dividends the Company can pay.

11.  Stock-Based Compensation

The Company measures compensation cost for all stock awards at fair value on the date of grant and recognizes compensation expense over the requisite service period for awards expected to vest. The Company estimates the fair value of stock options using the Black-Scholes valuation model, and determines the fair value of restricted stock units based on the quoted price of EarthLink’s common stock on the date of grant. Such value is recognized as expense over the requisite service period, net of estimated forfeitures, using the straight-line attribution method. For performance-based awards, the Company recognizes expense over the requisite service period, net of estimated forfeitures, using the accelerated attribution method when it is probable that the performance measure will be achieved. The estimate of awards that will ultimately vest requires significant judgment, and to the

13

EARTHLINK, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

UNAUDITED - (Continued)

extent actual results or updated estimates differ from the Company’s current estimates, such amounts will be recorded as a cumulative adjustment in the period estimates are revised. The Company considers many factors when estimating expected forfeitures, including types of awards, employee class and historical employee attrition rates. Actual results, and future changes in estimates, may differ substantially from the Company’s current estimates.

Stock-based compensation expense was $3.4 million and $2.7 million during the three months ended September 30, 2011 and 2012, respectively, and $10.5 million and $8.2 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2012, respectively.  The Company has classified stock-based compensation expense within selling, general and administrative expense, the same operating expense line item as cash compensation paid to employees.

Stock Incentive Plans

The Company has granted options and restricted stock units to employees and non-employee directors to purchase the Company’s common stock under various stock incentive plans. Under the plans, employees and non-employee directors are eligible to receive awards of various forms of equity-based incentive compensation, including stock options, restricted stock, restricted stock units, phantom share units and performance awards, among others. The plans are administered by the Board of Directors or the Leadership and Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors, which determine the terms of the awards granted. Stock options are generally granted with an exercise price equal to the closing market value of EarthLink, Inc. common stock on the date of grant, have a term of ten years or less, and vest over terms of four years from the date of grant. Restricted stock units are granted with various vesting terms that range from one to three years from the date of grant.

Options Outstanding

The following table summarizes stock option activity as of and for the nine months ended September 30, 2012:

	Stock Options		Weighted Average Exercise Price		Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term (Years)	Aggregate Intrinsic Value
	(shares and dollars in thousands)
Outstanding as of December 31, 2011	1,875		$	8.97
Granted	2,581		7.55
Exercised	(39	)	6.45
Forfeited and expired	(634	)	8.47
Outstanding as of September 30, 2012	3,783		8.10		6.9	$	74
Vested and expected to vest as of September 30, 2012	3,672		$	8.12	6.8	$	74
Exercisable as of September 30, 2012	1,554		$	8.90	3.2	$	74

The aggregate intrinsic value amounts in the table above represent the closing price of the Company’s common stock on September 30, 2012 in excess of the exercise price, multiplied by the number of stock options outstanding, exercisable or vested and expected to vest, when the closing price is greater than the exercise price. This represents the amount that would have been received by the stock option holders if they had all exercised their stock options on September 30, 2012. The total intrinsic value of options exercised during the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2012 was $80,000 and $56,000, respectively. The intrinsic value of stock options exercised represents the difference between the market value of Company’s common stock at the time of exercise and the exercise price, multiplied by the number of stock options exercised.  As of September 30, 2012, there was $3.1 million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to stock options. That cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 3.4 years.

14

EARTHLINK, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

UNAUDITED - (Continued)

The following table summarizes the status of the Company’s stock options as of September 30, 2012:

									Stock Options
Stock Options Outstanding									Exercisable
						Weighted
						Average	Weighted			Weighted
						Remaining	Average			Average
Range of					Number	Contractual	Exercise		Number	Exercise
Exercise Prices					Outstanding	Life	Price		Exercisable	Price
					(in thousands)				(in thousands)
$	5.10	to	$	6.98	132	3.7	$	6.59	132	$	6.59
7.02		to	7.32		336	4.7	7.27		336	7.27
7.51		to	7.51		2,145	9.3	7.51		17	7.51
7.64		to	8.96		197	6.7	8.33		96	8.21
9.01		to	9.24		252	2.0	9.03		252	9.03
9.48		to	9.89		296	3.1	9.51		296	9.51
10.36		to	10.80		339	2.8	10.39		339	10.39
11.17		to	11.82		86	2.5	11.43		86	11.43
$	5.10	to	$	11.82	3,783	6.9	$	8.10	1,554	$	8.90

The fair value of stock options granted during the nine months ended September 30, 2012 was estimated using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model with the following assumptions:

	Nine Months Ended
	September 30, 2012
Dividend yield	2.69%
Expected volatility	32.50%
Risk-free interest rate	0.81%
Expected life	5 years

The weighted average grant date fair value of options granted during the nine months ended September 30, 2012 was $1.65 per share. The dividend yield assumption was based on the Company's history of dividend payouts at the time of grant. The expected volatility was based on a combination of the Company's historical stock price and implied volatility. The selection of implied volatility data to estimate expected volatility was based upon the availability of prices for actively traded options on the Company's stock. The risk-free interest rate assumption was based upon the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of grant for periods corresponding with the expected life of the option. The expected life of employee stock options represents the weighted-average period the stock options are expected to remain outstanding.

15

EARTHLINK, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

UNAUDITED - (Continued)

Restricted Stock Units

The following table summarizes restricted stock unit activity as of and for the nine months ended September 30, 2012:

	Restricted Stock Units		Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value
	(in thousands)
Outstanding as of December 31, 2011	2,606		$	8.25
Granted	1,806		7.54
Vested	(841	)	8.39
Forfeited	(403	)	7.77
Outstanding as of September 30, 2012	3,168		$	7.92

The fair value of restricted stock units is determined based on the closing price of EarthLink’s common stock on the grant date. The weighted-average grant date fair value of restricted stock units granted during the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2012 was $7.83 and $7.54, respectively.  As of September 30, 2012, there was $16.6 million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to nonvested restricted stock units. That cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 1.9 years. The total fair value of shares vested during the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2012 was $12.4 million and $6.5 million, respectively, which represents the closing price of the Company’s common stock on the vesting date multiplied by the number of restricted stock units that vested.

12.  Income Taxes

The following table presents the components of the income tax (provision) benefit for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2012:

	Three Months Ended					Nine Months Ended
	September 30,					September 30,
	2011			2012		2011			2012
	(in thousands)
Current (provision) benefit	$	(940	)	$	1,912	$	(4,357	)	$	(1,496	)
Deferred (provision) benefit	(997		)	1,458		(11,851		)	2,585
Total income tax (provision) benefit	$	(1,937	)	$	3,370	$	(16,208	)	$	1,089

The income tax provision for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 represents an effective rate of -17%, including a benefit for discrete items of -49%.  The effective rate differs from the federal statutory rate of 35% primarily because of state taxes and state discrete items. The discrete benefit for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 primarily relates to changes to the Company's state deferred income tax rates and its resulting impact on the re-measurement of deferred tax assets and liabilities recorded on the balance sheet as of January 1, 2012, the release of valuation allowance related to specific state net operating losses and  the reversal of  uncertain tax positions in the current quarter due to statute expirations. The current provisions were due to state income and federal and state alternative minimum tax amounts payable due to the net operating loss carryforward limitations associated with the alternative minimum tax calculation. The non-cash deferred tax benefit was due primarily to the favorable discrete item discussed above.

Valuation allowance. The Company has a valuation allowance of $38.5 million against certain deferred tax assets. Of this amount, approximately $31.6 million relates to net operating losses generated by the tax benefits of stock-based compensation. The valuation allowance will be removed upon utilization of these net operating losses by the Company as an adjustment to additional paid-in-capital.  Approximately $6.5 million relates to net operating losses in certain jurisdictions where the Company believes it is not “more likely than not” to be realized in future periods. In addition, valuation allowance of $0.4 million was established in 2010 relating to stock compensation deferred tax assets.

16

EARTHLINK, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

UNAUDITED - (Continued)

To the extent the Company reports income in future periods, the Company intends to use its net operating loss carryforwards to the extent available to offset taxable income and reduce cash outflows for income taxes.  The Company’s ability to use its federal and state net operating loss carryforwards and federal and state tax credit carryforwards may be subject to restrictions attributable to equity transactions in the future resulting from changes in ownership as defined under the Internal Revenue Code.

Uncertain tax positions.  The Company has identified its federal tax return and its state tax returns in California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, New York and Pennsylvania as material tax jurisdictions for purposes of calculating its uncertain tax positions.  Periods extending back to 1994 are still subject to examination for all material jurisdictions. The Company believes that its income tax filing positions and deductions through the period ended September 30, 2012 will not result in a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition, results of operations or cash flow. During the three months ended September 30, 2012, approximately $1.1 million (including interest and penalties) of the Company's total uncertain tax positions reversed as a discrete tax benefit, primarily due to the expiration of statutes of limitation in various jurisdictions. The Company’s policy for recording interest and penalties associated with audits is to record such items as a component of income tax expense.  As of September 30, 2012, $0.8 million of interest and $0.9 million of penalties had been accrued.

A reconciliation of changes in the amount of unrecognized tax benefits for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 is as follows:

	Nine Months Ended
	September 30, 2012
	(in thousands)
Balance as of December 31, 2011	$	24,560
Adjustments to tax positions under purchase accounting	398
Decreases for tax positions related to prior years	(814		)
Balance as of September 30, 2012	$	24,144

Within the next twelve months, it is reasonably possible that approximately $0.7 million of the total uncertain tax positions recorded will reverse, primarily due to the expiration of statutes of limitation in various jurisdictions. 

13.  Fair Value Measurements

Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date (an exit price). A three-tier fair value hierarchy is used to prioritize the inputs used in measuring fair value.  These tiers include: Level 1, defined as observable inputs such as quoted prices in active markets; Level 2, defined as observable inputs other than quoted prices in active markets that are either directly or indirectly observable; and Level 3, defined as unobservable inputs for which little or no market data exists, therefore requiring an entity to develop its own assumptions.

Assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis

As of December 31, 2011 and September 30, 2012, the Company held certain assets that are required to be measured at fair value on a recurring basis.  These included the Company’s cash equivalents and marketable securities. The following tables present the Company’s assets that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2011 and September 30, 2012:

					Fair Value Measurements as of December 31, 2011 Using
Description	Carrying Value		Fair Value		Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)		Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)		Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
	(in thousands)
Cash equivalents	$	105,297	$	105,297	$	105,297	$	—	$	—
Government and agency securities	11,304		11,304		—		11,304		—
Corporate debt securities	11,057		11,057		—		11,057		—
Commercial paper	4,246		4,246		—		4,246		—
Certificates of deposit	3,000		3,000		—		3,000		—
Total	$	134,904	$	134,904	$	105,297	$	29,607	$	—

					Fair Value Measurements as of September 30, 2012 Using
Description	Carrying Value		Fair Value		Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)		Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)		Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
	(in thousands)
Cash equivalents	$	111,236	$	111,236	$	111,236	$	—	$	—
Government and agency securities	4,876		4,876		—		4,876		—
Corporate debt securities	31,652		31,652		—		31,652		—
Commercial paper	8,790		8,790		—		8,790		—
Certificates of deposit	3,054		3,054		—		3,054		—
Total	$	159,608	$	159,608	$	111,236	$	48,372	$	—

As of December 31, 2011 and September 30, 2012, the Company classified its cash equivalents within Level 1 because these securities were valued based on quoted market prices in active markets. The Company classified its government and agency securities, corporate debt securities, commercial paper and certificates of deposit within Level 2 because these securities were valued based on quoted prices in markets that are less active, broker or dealer quotations or alternative pricing sources with reasonable levels of price transparency. The Company utilizes an independent pricing service to assist in obtaining fair-value pricing for its Level 2 securities.  Where observable market data is available, the pricing service will use a weighted average price from a variety of data providers.  Where observable market data is not readily available, the pricing service will use a pricing model appropriate to the type and structure of the security.  The Company periodically evaluates the reasonableness of these models.

Fair value of debt

The estimated fair values of the Company’s Senior Notes and ITC^DeltaCom Notes were determined based on Level 1 input using quoted prices in active markets. The following table presents the fair value of the Company’s debt, excluding capital leases, as of December 31, 2011 and September 30, 2012:

	As of December 31, 2011				As of September 30, 2012
	Carrying				Carrying
	Amount		Fair Value		Amount		Fair Value
	(in thousands)
ITC^DeltaCom senior notes	$	346,856	$	320,578	$	343,422	$	351,596
EarthLink senior notes	290,221		284,700		290,933		306,000
Total debt, excluding capital leases	$	637,077	$	605,278	$	634,355	$	657,596

14.  Segment Information

The Company reports segment information along the same lines that its chief executive officer reviews its operating results in assessing performance and allocating resources. The Company operates two reportable segments, Business Services and Consumer Services. The Company’s Business Services segment provides a broad range of data, voice, equipment and IT services to retail and wholesale business customers. The Company’s Consumer Services segment provides nationwide Internet access and related value-added services to residential customers.

The Company evaluates performance of its segments based on segment operating income. Segment operating income includes revenues from external customers, related cost of revenues and operating expenses directly attributable to the segment, which include costs over which segment managers have direct discretionary control, such as advertising and marketing programs, customer support expenses, operations expenses, product development expenses, certain technology and facilities expenses, billing operations and provisions for doubtful accounts. Segment operating income excludes other income and expense items and certain expenses over which segment managers do not have discretionary control. Costs excluded from segment operating income include various corporate expenses (consisting of certain costs such as corporate management, human resources, finance and legal), depreciation and amortization, impairment of goodwill and intangible assets, restructuring, acquisition and integration-related costs, and stock-based compensation expense, as they are not considered in the measurement of segment performance.

During the three months ended September 30, 2012, the Company changed the basis of measurement of segment income. Certain corporate operating expenses previously included in segment operating income are now excluded from segment operating income, as they are not costs over which segment managers have direct discretionary control. Accordingly, the Company has reclassified segment operating expenses and segment operating income for all periods presented.  

Information on reportable segments and a reconciliation to consolidated income from operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2012 is as follows:

	Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
	September 30,				September 30,
	2011		2012		2011		2012
	(in thousands)
Business Services
Revenues	$	265,743	$	257,061	$	675,729	$	774,807
Cost of revenues (excluding depreciation and amortization)	132,718		132,145		339,325		405,519
Gross margin	133,025		124,916		336,404		369,288
Direct segment operating expenses	82,919		85,560		216,621		254,501
Segment operating income	$	50,106	$	39,356	$	119,783	$	114,787
Consumer Services
Revenues	$	91,547	$	77,725	$	288,138	$	242,533
Cost of revenues (excluding depreciation and amortization)	28,609		25,775		90,082		79,954
Gross margin	62,938		51,950		198,056		162,579
Direct segment operating expenses	17,820		16,700		55,257		49,727
Segment operating income	$	45,118	$	35,250	$	142,799	$	112,852
Consolidated
Revenues	$	357,290	$	334,786	$	963,867	$	1,017,340
Cost of revenues	161,327		157,920		429,407		485,473
Gross margin	195,963		176,866		534,460		531,867
Direct segment operating expenses	100,739		102,260		271,878		304,228
Segment operating income	95,224		74,606		262,582		227,639
Depreciation and amortization	46,567		45,665		113,336		136,899
Restructuring, acquisition and integration-related costs	8,966		6,379		24,517		13,736
Corporate operating expenses	8,088		7,768		23,908		22,305
Income from operations	$	31,603	$	14,794	$	100,821	$	54,699

The Company manages its working capital on a consolidated basis and does not allocate long-lived assets to segments. In addition, segment assets are not reported to, or used by, the chief operating decision maker and therefore, total segment assets have not been disclosed.

The Company has not provided information about geographic segments because substantially all of the Company’s revenues, results of operations and identifiable assets are in the United States.

Information on revenues by groups of similar services and by segment for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2012 is as follows:

	Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
	September 30,				September 30,
	2011		2012		2011		2012
	(in thousands)
Business Services
Retail services	$	218,650	$	210,066	$	546,075	$	635,840
Wholesale services	37,228		38,164		98,915		112,923
Other services	9,865		8,831		30,739		26,044
Total revenues	265,743		257,061		675,729		774,807
Consumer Services
Access services	78,520		65,940		249,380		206,442
Value-added services	13,027		11,785		38,758		36,091
Total revenues	91,547		77,725		288,138		242,533
Total Revenues	$	357,290	$	334,786	$	963,867	$	1,017,340

The Company’s Business Services segment earns revenue by providing a broad range of data, voice, equipment and IT services to retail and wholesale business customers. The Company presents its Business Services revenue in the following three categories: (1) retail services, which includes data, voice and managed IT services provided to business customers; (2) wholesale services, which includes the sale of transmission capacity to other telecommunications carriers; and (3) other services, which includes the sale of customer premises equipment and web hosting. Revenues generally consist of recurring monthly charges for such services; usage fees; installation fees; equipment fees and termination fees.

The Company’s Consumer Services segment earns revenue by providing nationwide Internet access and related value-added services. The Company presents its Consumer Services revenue in the following two categories: (1) access services, which includes narrowband and broadband Internet access services and (2) value-added services, which includes revenues from ancillary services sold as add-on features to EarthLink’s Internet access services, such as security products, premium email only, home networking, email storage and Internet call waiting; search revenues; and advertising revenues. Revenues generally consist of recurring monthly charges for such services; usage fees; installation fees; termination fees; and fees for equipment.

15. Commitments and Contingencies

Legal proceedings and other disputes

General. The Company is party to various legal proceedings and other disputes arising in the normal course of business, including, but not limited to, regulatory audits, trademark and patent infringement, billing disputes, rights of access, tax, consumer protection, employment and tort. The Company accrues for such matters when it is both probable that a liability has been incurred and the amount of the loss can be reasonably estimated. Where it is probable that a liability has been incurred and there is a range of expected loss for which no amount in the range is more likely than any other amount, the Company accrues at the low end of the range. The Company reviews its accruals each reporting period.

The Company's management believes that there are no disputes, litigation or other legal proceedings, audits or disputes asserted or pending against the Company that could have, individually or in the aggregate, a material adverse effect on its financial position, results of operations or cash flows, and believes that adequate provision for any probable and estimable losses has been made in the Company's condensed consolidated financial statements. However, the ultimate result of any current or future litigation or other legal proceedings, audits or disputes is inherently unpredictable and could result in liabilities that are higher than currently predicted.

Regulatory audits. During the second quarter of 2012, the Company recorded an $8.3 million charge as cost of revenue to increase its reserves for regulatory audits, primarily an audit currently being conducted by the Universal Service Administrative Company on previous ITC^DeltaCom Universal Service Fund assessments and payments, because the amount became probable and estimable during the period.

Patents. From time to time, the Company receives notices of infringement of patent rights from parties claiming to own patents related to certain of the Company's services and products. While the Company has been subject to these disputes in the past, the number has increased since the acquisitions of ITC^DeltaCom and One Communications. Certain of these claims are made by patent holding companies that are not operating companies. The alleging parties generally seek royalty payments for prior use as well as future royalty streams. Most of these matters are in preliminary stages. The Company intends to vigorously defend its position with respect to all of these matters and payment amounts, if any, are not estimable at this time.

Billing disputes. The Company is periodically involved in disputes related to its billings to other carriers for access to its network. The Company does not recognize revenue related to such matters until the period that it is reasonably assured of the collection of these claims. In the event that a claim is made related to revenues previously recognized, the Company assesses the validity of the claim and adjusts the amount of revenue being recognized to the extent that the claim adjustment is considered probable and estimable.

     The Company periodically disputes network access charges that it is assessed by other companies with which the Company interconnects. The Company maintains adequate reserves for anticipated exposure associated with these billing disputes. The reserves are subject to changes in estimates and management judgment as new information becomes available. In view of the length of time historically required to resolve these disputes, they may be resolved or require adjustment in future periods and relate to costs invoiced, accrued or paid in prior periods.

 Regulation

The Company's services are subject to varying degrees of federal, state and local regulation. These regulations are subject to ongoing proceedings at federal and state administrative agencies or within state and federal judicial systems. Results of these proceedings could change, in varying degrees, the manner in which the Company operates. The Company cannot predict the outcome of these proceedings or their effect on the Company's industry generally or upon the Company specifically. 

16. Subsequent Event

In October 2012, the Company announced plans to exercise its right to call for the redemption of 10% of the aggregate principal amount of its outstanding ITC^DeltaCom Notes. The Company intends to redeem $32.5 million aggregate principal amount of the ITC^DeltaCom Notes on December 6, 2012. The redemption price shall be equal to 103% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest. Upon completion of the redemption, $292.3 million aggregate principal amount of the ITC^DeltaCom Notes will remain outstanding.

17.  Condensed Consolidating Financial Information

The Company's Senior Notes are fully and unconditionally guaranteed, jointly and severally, on a senior unsecured basis by each of the Company’s existing and future domestic subsidiaries, other than (i) ITC^DeltaCom, Inc. and its subsidiaries and (ii) certain other excluded subsidiaries (the “Guarantor Subsidiaries”). ITC^DeltaCom, Inc. and its subsidiaries are not guarantors of the Senior Notes (the “Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries”). All of the Guarantor Subsidiaries are 100% owned by the Company. As a result of these guarantees, the Company is required to provide the financial information set forth under Rule 3-10 of Regulation S-X, “Financial Statements of Guarantors and Issuers of Guaranteed Securities Registered or Being Registered” (“Rule 3-10”).

The accompanying condensed consolidating financial information has been prepared and presented pursuant to Rule 3-10. The Parent column represents EarthLink’s stand-alone results and its investment in all of its subsidiaries presented using the equity method of accounting. The Guarantor Subsidiaries and the Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries are presented in separate columns and represent all the applicable subsidiaries on a combined basis. Intercompany eliminations are shown in a separate column. The operating activities of the separate legal entities included in the Company’s consolidated financial statements are interdependent. The accompanying condensed consolidating financial information presents the results of operations, financial position and cash flows of each legal entity and, on an aggregate basis, the other non-guarantor subsidiaries based on amounts incurred by such entities, and is not intended to present the operating results of those legal entities on a stand-alone basis.

The condensed consolidating financial information is presented in the following tables (in thousands):

17

EARTHLINK, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

UNAUDITED - (Continued)

Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet

As of September 30, 2012

	Parent			Guarantor Subsidiaries			Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries			Eliminations			Consolidated
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	176,123		$	25,016		$	60,654		$	—		$	261,793
Marketable securities	44,909			—			—			—			44,909
Restricted cash	—			—			1,013			—			1,013
Accounts receivable, net	12,155			61,211			46,012			—			119,378
Prepaid expenses	6,166			4,717			6,560			—			17,443
Deferred income taxes, net	4,563			18,861			18,217			—			41,641
Due from affiliates	151,825			32,786			—			(184,611		)	—
Other current assets	6,733			7,310			6,025			—			20,068
Total current assets	402,474			149,901			138,481			(184,611		)	506,245
Long-term marketable securities	3,463			—			—			—			3,463
Property and equipment, net	32,261			143,087			200,488			—			375,836
Long-term deferred income taxes, net	14,272			79,971			76,231			—			170,474
Goodwill	88,919			95,806			194,690			—			379,415
Purchased intangible assets, net	75			131,360			100,780			—			232,215
Investment in subsidiaries	532,721			—			—			(532,721		)	—
Other long-term assets	9,857			9,113			705			—			19,675
Total assets	$	1,084,042		$	609,238		$	711,375		$	(717,332	)	$	1,687,323
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	$	9,167		$	7,899		$	8,140		$	—		$	25,206
Accrued payroll and related expenses	7,837			13,935			9,121			—			30,893
Other accrued liabilities	30,364			69,736			56,465			—			156,565
Deferred revenue	14,465			20,052			18,265			—			52,782
Due to affiliates	—			184,036			575			(184,611		)	—
Current portion of debt and capital lease obligations	106			1,036			297			—			1,439
Total current liabilities	61,939			296,694			92,863			(184,611		)	266,885
Long-term debt and capital lease obligations	290,934			15,469			343,760			—			650,163
Other long-term liabilities	4,158			23,796			7,600			—			35,554
Total liabilities	357,031			335,959			444,223			(184,611		)	952,602
Stockholders’ equity:
Common stock	1,968			—			—			—			1,968
Additional paid-in capital	2,053,704			501,800			297,346			(791,436		)	2,061,414
Accumulated deficit	(606,139		)	(228,521		)	(30,194		)	258,715			(606,139		)
Treasury stock, at cost	(722,538		)	—			—			—			(722,538		)
Accumulated other comprehensive income	16			—			—			—			16
Total stockholders’ equity	727,011			273,279			267,152			(532,721		)	734,721
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$	1,084,042		$	609,238		$	711,375		$	(717,332	)	$	1,687,323

Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet

As of December 31, 2011

	Parent			Guarantor Subsidiaries			Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries			Eliminations			Consolidated
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	148,363		$	28,490		$	34,930		$	—		$	211,783
Marketable securities	28,606			—			—			—			28,606
Restricted cash	—			—			1,781			—			1,781
Accounts receivable, net	12,622			58,284			43,851			—			114,757
Prepaid expenses	3,974			3,046			6,143			—			13,163
Deferred income taxes, net	7,286			15,247			15,904			—			38,437
Due from affiliates	178,705			16,783			2,919			(198,407		)	—
Other current assets	8,393			10,103			5,034			—			23,530
Total current assets	387,949			131,953			110,562			(198,407		)	432,057
Long-term marketable securities	1,001			—			—			—			1,001
Property and equipment, net	21,622			154,489			213,438			—			389,549
Long-term deferred income taxes, net	31,841			69,207			71,328			—			172,376
Goodwill	88,920			94,554			194,761			—			378,235
Purchased intangible assets, net	304			163,942			121,115			—			285,361
Investment in subsidiaries	570,755			—			—			(570,755		)	—
Other long-term assets	11,888			9,902			82			—			21,872
Total assets	$	1,114,280		$	624,047		$	711,286		$	(769,162	)	$	1,680,451
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	$	7,741		$	3,551		$	4,731		$	—		$	16,023
Accrued payroll and related expenses	10,346			9,382			9,362			—			29,090
Other accrued liabilities	21,262			70,255			35,324			—			126,841
Deferred revenue	16,249			19,781			25,410			—			61,440
Due to affiliates	12,684			183,717			2,006			(198,407		)	—
Current portion of debt and capital lease obligations	20			1,216			419			—			1,655
Total current liabilities	68,302			287,902			77,252			(198,407		)	235,049
Long-term debt and capital lease obligations	290,221			16,180			347,364			—			653,765
Other long-term liabilities	7,288			23,062			8,143			—			38,493
Total liabilities	365,811			327,144			432,759			(198,407		)	927,307
Stockholders’ equity:
Common stock	1,962			—			—			—			1,962
Additional paid-in capital	2,066,623			500,596			295,516			(791,437		)	2,071,298
Accumulated deficit	(613,668		)	(203,693		)	(16,989		)	220,682			(613,668		)
Treasury stock, at cost	(706,434		)	—			—			—			(706,434		)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(14		)	—			—			—			(14		)
Total stockholders’ equity	748,469			296,903			278,527			(570,755		)	753,144
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$	1,114,280		$	624,047		$	711,286		$	(769,162	)	$	1,680,451

Condensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income (Loss)

Three Months Ended September 30, 2012

	Parent			Guarantor Subsidiaries			Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries			Eliminations			Consolidated
Revenues	$	83,022		$	144,496		$	109,120		$	(1,852	)	$	334,786
Operating costs and expenses:
Cost of revenues (exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown separately below)	27,187			76,848			55,737			(1,852		)	157,920
Selling, general and administrative (exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown separately below)	24,468			51,139			34,421			—			110,028
Depreciation and amortization	2,272			25,521			17,872			—			45,665
Restructuring, acquisition and integration-related costs	3,683			1,526			1,170			—			6,379
Total operating costs and expenses	57,610			155,034			109,200			(1,852		)	319,992
Income (loss) from operations	25,412			(10,538		)	(80		)	—			14,794
Interest expense and other, net	(7,385		)	(1,836		)	(7,571		)	—			(16,792		)
Equity in losses of subsidiaries	(12,770		)	—			—			12,770			—
Income (loss) before income taxes	5,257			(12,374		)	(7,651		)	12,770			(1,998		)
Income tax (provision) benefit	(3,885		)	4,834			2,421			—			3,370
Net income (loss)	$	1,372		$	(7,540	)	$	(5,230	)	$	12,770		$	1,372
Comprehensive income (loss)	$	1,391		$	(7,540	)	$	(5,230	)	$	12,770		$	1,391

Condensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income (Loss)

Three Months Ended September 30, 2011

	Parent			Guarantor Subsidiaries			Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries			Eliminations			Consolidated
Revenues	$	97,953		$	146,733		$	113,363		$	(759	)	$	357,290
Operating costs and expenses:
Cost of revenues (exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown separately below)	30,000			78,066			54,020			(759		)	161,327
Selling, general and administrative (exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown separately below)	25,909			50,179			32,739			—			108,827
Depreciation and amortization	2,606			25,675			18,286			—			46,567
Restructuring, acquisition and integration-related costs	1,331			5,971			1,664			—			8,966
Total operating costs and expenses	59,846			159,891			106,709			(759		)	325,687
Income (loss) from operations	38,107			(13,158		)	6,654			—			31,603
Interest expense and other, net	(12,652		)	(1,822		)	(7,687		)	—			(22,161		)
Equity in losses of subsidiaries	(8,722		)	—			—			8,722			—
Income (loss) before income taxes	16,733			(14,980		)	(1,033		)	8,722			9,442
Income tax (provision) benefit	(9,228		)	6,962			329			—			(1,937		)
Net income (loss)	$	7,505		$	(8,018	)	$	(704	)	$	8,722		$	7,505
Comprehensive income (loss)	$	7,505		$	(8,018	)	$	(704	)	$	8,722		$	7,505

Condensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income (Loss)

Nine Months EndedSeptember 30, 2012

	Parent			Guarantor Subsidiaries			Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries			Eliminations			Consolidated
Revenues	$	259,113		$	430,918		$	332,663		$	(5,354	)	$	1,017,340
Operating costs and expenses:
Cost of revenues (exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown separately below)	84,233			233,042			173,552			(5,354		)	485,473
Selling, general and administrative (exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown separately below)	72,032			152,583			101,918			—			326,533
Depreciation and amortization	6,293			77,637			52,969			—			136,899
Restructuring, acquisition and integration-related costs	7,344			4,434			1,958			—			13,736
Total operating costs and expenses	169,902			467,696			330,397			(5,354		)	962,641
Income (loss) from operations	89,211			(36,778		)	2,266			—			54,699
Interest expense and other, net	(20,308		)	(5,242		)	(22,709		)	—			(48,259		)
Equity in losses of subsidiaries	(38,534		)	—			—			38,534			—
Income (loss) before income taxes	30,369			(42,020		)	(20,443		)	38,534			6,440
Income tax (provision) benefit	(22,840		)	16,691			7,238			—			1,089
Net income (loss)	$	7,529		$	(25,329	)	$	(13,205	)	$	38,534		$	7,529
Comprehensive income (loss)	$	7,558		$	(25,329	)	$	(13,205	)	$	38,534		$	7,558

Condensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income (Loss)

Nine Months EndedSeptember 30, 2011

	Parent			Guarantor Subsidiaries			Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries			Eliminations			Consolidated
Revenues	$	308,493		$	319,635		$	336,958		$	(1,219	)	$	963,867
Operating costs and expenses:
Cost of revenues (exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown separately below)	94,403			172,279			163,944			(1,219		)	429,407
Selling, general and administrative (exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown separately below)	79,167			110,874			105,745			—			295,786
Depreciation and amortization	7,940			52,214			53,182			—			113,336
Restructuring, acquisition and integration-related costs	6,798			14,173			3,546			—			24,517
Total operating costs and expenses	188,308			349,540			326,417			(1,219		)	863,046
Income (loss) from operations	120,185			(29,905		)	10,541			—			100,821
Interest expense and other, net	(25,937		)	(4,882		)	(23,378		)	—			(54,197		)
Equity in losses of subsidiaries	(28,156		)	—			—			28,156			—
Income (loss) before income taxes	66,092			(34,787		)	(12,837		)	28,156			46,624
Income tax (provision) benefit	(35,676		)	14,429			5,039			—			(16,208		)
Net income (loss)	$	30,416		$	(20,358	)	$	(7,798	)	$	28,156		$	30,416
Comprehensive income (loss)	$	30,416		$	(20,358	)	$	(7,798	)	$	28,156		$	30,416

Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows

Nine Months EndedSeptember 30, 2012

	Parent			Guarantor Subsidiaries			Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries			Eliminations		Consolidated
Cash flows from operating activities	$	91,098		$	34,403		$	53,027		$	—	$	178,528
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchases of property and equipment	(15,962		)	(36,987		)	(27,780		)	—		(80,729		)
Purchases of investments in marketable securities	(57,528		)	—			—			—		(57,528		)
Sales and maturities of investments in marketable securities	38,763			—			—			—		38,763
Change in restricted cash	—			—			768			—		768
Net cash used in investing activities	(34,727		)	(36,987		)	(27,012		)	—		(98,726		)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Principal payments under capital lease obligations	7			(890		)	(360		)	—		(1,243		)
Repurchases of common stock	(12,967		)	—			—			—		(12,967		)
Payment of dividends	(15,917		)	—			—			—		(15,917		)
Proceeds from exercises of stock options	236			—			—			—		236
Other	30			—			69			—		99
Net cash used in financing activities	(28,611		)	(890		)	(291		)	—		(29,792		)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	27,760			(3,474		)	25,724			—		50,010
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	148,363			28,490			34,930			—		211,783
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	$	176,123		$	25,016		$	60,654		$	—	$	261,793

Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows

Nine Months EndedSeptember 30, 2011

	Parent			Guarantor Subsidiaries			Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries			Eliminations			Consolidated
Cash flows from operating activities	$	81,939		$	(2,788	)	$	37,329		$	—		$	116,480
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchase of businesses, net of cash acquired	(28,685		)	11,447			(22,859		)	—			(40,097		)
Purchases of property and equipment	(4,673		)	(31,232		)	(35,062		)	—			(70,967		)
Sales and maturities of investments in marketable securities	319,729			—			—			—			319,729
Payment for investment in subsidiary stock	(342,341		)	—			—			342,341			—
Change in restricted cash	—			—			489			—			489
Other	(600		)	(3,413		)	248			—			(3,765		)
Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities	(56,570		)	(23,198		)	(57,184		)	342,341			205,389
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from issuance of debt, net of issues costs	278,383			—			—			—			278,383
Repayment of debt and capital lease obligations	(1,283		)	(267,544		)	(3,564		)	—			(272,391		)
Repurchases of common stock	(39,540		)	—			—			—			(39,540		)
Payment of dividends	(17,214		)	—			—			—			(17,214		)
Proceeds from exercises of stock options	566			—			—			—			566
Proceeds from parent	—			312,341			30,000			(342,341		)	—
Other	1			634			50			—			685
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	220,913			45,431			26,486			(342,341		)	(49,511		)
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents	246,282			19,445			6,631			—			272,358
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	197,615			1,752			43,585			—			242,952
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	$	443,897		$	21,197		$	50,216		$	—		$	515,310

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Item 2.   Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.

Certain statements in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. The words “estimate,” “plan,” “intend,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “believe” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are found at various places throughout this report. EarthLink disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Although EarthLink believes that its expectations are based on reasonable assumptions, it can give no assurance that its goals will be achieved. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ from estimates or projections contained in the forward-looking statements are described under “Cautionary Note Concerning Factors That May Affect Future Results” in this Item 2.

Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations is intended to provide a reader of our financial statements with a narrative from the perspective of management. The following Management’s Discussion and Analysis should be read in conjunction with the accompanying unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements and related Notes thereto and with Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations and the audited Consolidated Financial Statements and the Notes thereto contained in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations is presented in the following sections:

• Overview

• Consolidated Results of Operations

• Segment Results of Operations

• Liquidity and Capital Resources

• Non-GAAP Financial Measures

• Cautionary Note Regarding Factors That May Affect Future Results

Overview

EarthLink, Inc. (“EarthLink” or the “Company”), together with its consolidated subsidiaries, is a leading network, communications and IT services provider to business and residential customers in the United States. We operate two reportable segments, Business Services and Consumer Services. Our Business Services segment provides a broad range of data, voice, equipment and IT services to retail and wholesale business customers. Our Consumer Services segment provides nationwide Internet access and related value-added services to residential customers. We operate an extensive network including approximately 28,800 route miles of fiber, 90 metro fiber rings and four enterprise-class data centers that provide IP coverage across more than 90 percent of the United States.

Third Quarter 2012 Highlights

• Total revenues were $334.8 million, a 6% decrease compared to the three months ended September 30, 2011, consisting

of a $13.8 million decrease in Consumer Services revenue and a $8.7 million decrease in Business Services revenue

• Net income was $1.4 million, compared to net income of $7.5 million during the three months ended September 30, 2011

• Adjusted EBITDA (a non-GAAP measure, see “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” in this Item 2) was $69.5 million, a decrease from $90.5 million during the three months ended September 30, 2011 due to the decrease in total revenues and an increase is costs to expand our Business Services, offset by cost synergies from integrating acquisitions

• Net cash provided by operating activities was $90.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2012, an increase from $71.0 million during the comparable period in 2011

• Unlevered free cash flow (a non-GAAP measure, see “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” in this Item 2) was $45.0 million during the three months ended September 30, 2012, a decrease from $60.0 million during the three months ended September 30, 2011

• Cash used in investing activities and cash used in financing activities were $24.4 million and $13.4 million, respectively, for the three months ended September 30, 2012, compared to cash used in investing activities of $35.2 million and cash used in financing activities of $11.0 million during the three months ended September 30, 2011

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Business Strategy

Our business strategy is to continue our transformation into a national managed communications and IT services provider. We believe we are positioning EarthLink to be a trusted managed communications and IT services partner in the small and medium-sized enterprise marketplace for businesses with IT and network security needs. The key elements of our business strategy are as follows:

     Offer a complete package of IT services and managed communications products. In December 2011, we launched a nationwide suite of business voice, data and Internet solutions. In February 2012, we launched a suite of IT services solutions, which includes virtualization services, managed security services, connectivity services, application services, managed desktop support and data center services. We believe the launch of these IT services enables customers to streamline their internal IT resources and offerings by leveraging a comprehensive mix of IT and security services in our enterprise-class data centers. We are focused on continuing to broaden our suite of products and services to offer a complete package of network connectivity and IT services and to design and implement solutions to address the evolving business and infrastructure needs of our customers.

Add new customer relationships. We are focused on adding new customers through new and existing channels, leveraging distribution channels and positioning our business to take advantage of important trends in the markets for our products and services. We believe we have a comprehensive solution to offer business customers. We are continually upgrading and evolving our go to market strategy. This includes investment to improve the quality of our sales force, investment in alternative sales motions, both inside sales and through partner relationships, and investment in the EarthLink brand.

Leverage our existing customer relationships. We are focused on leveraging our existing customer relationships, favorable brand image and experience in providing IP communication and managed services in order to profitably grow our business services revenue. We believe that upselling our new suite of products and services to existing customers is an important opportunity for revenue growth and customer retention. In addition, certain of our business service revenues have been declining due to competitive pressures in the industry, and we expect revenues from certain aspects of these businesses to continue to decline. We are focused on managing this decline by executing on opportunities to leverage these customer relationships by migrating these customers to our new technology platform.

Provide a superior customer experience. We are committed to providing high-quality customer service and continuing to monitor customer satisfaction in all facets of our business. We believe focusing on the customer relationship increases loyalty and reduces churn. We believe that our customizable communications portfolio, blend of access technologies for connectivity and diverse portfolio of cloud, managed security and IT services are key differentiators that can help us build long-term customer relationships. Our secure customer portal, myLink™, provides customers with a centralized tool for 24/7 self-service applications, including account management, billing, reporting and service management. We are focused on creating a consistent nationwide approach to offering and supporting EarthLink products and services.

Successfully integrate acquisitions. We are focused on successfully integrating our acquisitions in order to realize synergies and cost benefits and increase the scale and scope of our product offerings, especially integrating our new IT services capabilities. This includes the integration of operating support systems, networks, sales forces, marketing channels, product offerings and personnel. To date, we have consolidated and integrated network operations centers, sales platforms, financial systems and certain billing platforms, as well as launched a nationwide product portfolio. We are currently involved in the integration of additional billing platforms and other operating support systems. We believe that our competitive positioning with existing and potential customers will be strengthened by our ability to continue to successfully integrate past and potential future acquisitions.

Selectively pursue potential strategic acquisitions. We will continue to selectively evaluate and consider potential strategic transactions that we believe will complement and grow our business. Our acquisition strategy may include investments or acquisitions of new product and services capabilities, network assets or business customers to achieve greater national scale.

Challenges and Risks

The primary challenge we face in executing our business strategy to successfully transition into a national managed IT services and communications provider is to grow revenues from our evolving Business Services product portfolio on a timely basis to offset declining revenues from other Business Services products and from our Consumer Services segment. Contributing to this challenge are the following: providing products and services that meet changing customer needs on a timely and cost-effective basis, responding to competitive and economic pressures, managing the rate of decline in certain revenue streams, successfully integrating our acquisitions to achieve expected synergies and cost savings, implementing operating efficiencies and adapting to regulatory changes and initiatives.  Our future success for growth depends on the timing and market acceptance of our new products and services, our ability to market our services in a cost-effective manner to new customers, our ability to employ an effective sales model and ensure sales force training and product knowledge, our ability to differentiate our services from those

20

of our competitors, our ability to maintain and expand our sales to existing customers, our ability to strengthen awareness of our brand and the reliability and quality of our services.  The factors we believe are instrumental to the achievement of our business strategy may be subject to competitive, regulatory and other events and circumstances that are beyond our control. For a more detailed list of all risks and uncertainties inherent in our business, please refer to the detailed cautionary statements and risk factors referred to under “Risk Factors” in Item 1A of Part II and under “Cautionary Note Concerning Factors That May Affect Future Results” in this Item 2.

Trends in our Business

Our financial results are impacted by several significant trends, which are described below.

Industry factors. We operate in the communications and IT services industry, which is characterized by intense competition, industry consolidation resulting in larger competitors, an evolving regulatory environment, changing technology and changes in customer needs.  We expect these trends to continue. In addition, merger and acquisition transactions and other factors have reduced the number of vendors from which we may purchase network elements that we leverage to operate our business.

Legacy business services revenues. Our legacy business service revenues, specifically traditional voice services, have been declining due to competitive pressures in the industry, and we expect this trend to continue. In addition, we expect revenues to be adversely impacted as a result of rules adopted by the FCC in late 2011 regarding intercarrier compensation. The rules include the elimination of terminating switched access rates and other per-minute terminating charges between service providers by 2018, through annual reductions in the rates. To counteract trends in our legacy business services revenues, we are focused on building long-term customer relationships through our customizable communications portfolio, blend of access technologies for connectivity and diverse portfolio of cloud, managed security and IT services. We are also focused on developing the optimal sales model and internal sales processes appropriate for our changing product portfolio.

Economic conditions. Our business customers are particularly exposed to a weak economy. We believe that the financial and economic pressures faced by our customers in this environment of diminished consumer spending, corporate downsizing and tightened credit have had, and may continue to have, an adverse effect on our results of operations, including longer sales cycles and increased customer demands for price reductions in connection with contract renewals. Additionally, our consumer access services are discretionary and dependent upon levels of consumer spending. Unfavorable economic conditions could cause customers to slow spending in the future, which could adversely affect our revenues and churn.

Emergence of IT services. The industry for cloud, managed security and IT services is relatively new and continues to evolve. The IT services market is growing as security needs, compliance requirements and IT costs increase. IT services currently represents the smallest proportion of our business services revenues. However, we believe this represents a significant growth area for our business and there is opportunity for EarthLink to address this market nationally for small and medium-sized enterprises.

Consumer access declines. Our consumer access subscriber base and revenues have been declining and are expected to continue to decline due to the continued maturation of the market for Internet access and competitive pressures in the industry. In addition, we have implemented, and expect to continue to implement, targeted price increases, which could negatively impact our churn rates. The mix of our consumer access subscriber base has been shifting from narrowband access to broadband access customers. Consumer broadband access revenues have lower gross margins than narrowband revenues due to the costs associated with delivering broadband services. This change in mix has negatively affected our profitability and we expect this trend to continue. To counteract trends in our consumer revenues, we are focused on customer retention, operational efficiency and adding customers through marketing channels that we believe will produce an acceptable rate of return.

Revenue Sources

Business Services. Our Business Services segment earns revenue by providing a broad range of data, voice, equipment and IT services to retail and wholesale business customers. We present our Business Services revenue in the following three categories: (1) retail services, which includes data, voice and IT services provided to business customers; (2) wholesale services, which includes the sale of transmission capacity to other telecommunications carriers; and (3) other services, which includes the sale of customer premises equipment and web hosting. Our IT services, which are included within our retail services, include data centers, virtualization, security, applications, premises-based solutions, managed solutions and support services. Revenues generally consist of recurring monthly charges for such services; usage fees; installation fees; equipment fees; and termination fees.

Consumer Services. Our Consumer Services segment earns revenue by providing nationwide Internet access and related value-added services to residential customers. We present our Consumer Services in two categories: (1) access services, which

21

includes narrowband access services and broadband access services; and (2) value-added services, which includes revenues from ancillary services sold as add-on features to EarthLink’s Internet access services, such as security products, premium email only, home networking, email storage and Internet call waiting; search revenues; and advertising revenues. Revenues generally consist of recurring monthly charges for such services; usage fees; installation fees; termination fees; and equipment fees.

Consolidated Results of Operations

The following comparison of statement of operations data is affected by our acquisition of One Communications Corp. (“One Communications”) on April 1, 2011. The results of operations of One Communications are included in our operating results beginning on the acquisition date. The following comparison of statement of operations data is also affected, to a lesser extent, by our other acquisitions completed during 2011 including Saturn Telecommunication Services Inc. and affiliates (“STS Telecom"), Logical Solutions.net, Inc. (“Logical Solutions”) and Business Vitals, LLC, among others.

The following table sets forth statement of operations data for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2012:

	Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
	September 30,						September 30,
	2011			2012			2011			2012
	(in thousands)
Revenues	$	357,290		$	334,786		$	963,867		$	1,017,340
Operating costs and expenses:
Cost of revenues (exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown separately below)	161,327			157,920			429,407			485,473
Selling, general and administrative (exclusive of of depreciation and amortization shown separately below)	108,827			110,028			295,786			326,533
Depreciation and amortization	46,567			45,665			113,336			136,899
Restructuring, acquisition and integration-related costs	8,966			6,379			24,517			13,736
Total operating costs and expenses	325,687			319,992			863,046			962,641
Income from operations	31,603			14,794			100,821			54,699
Interest expense and other, net	(22,161		)	(16,792		)	(54,197		)	(48,259		)
Income (loss) before income taxes	9,442			(1,998		)	46,624			6,440
Income tax (provision) benefit	(1,937		)	3,370			(16,208		)	1,089
Net income	$	7,505		$	1,372		$	30,416		$	7,529

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Revenues

The following table presents revenues by groups of similar services and by segment for the three months ended September 30, 2011 and 2012:

	Three Months Ended September 30,								Change
			% of				% of
	2011		Total		2012		Total		Dollars			Percent
	(dollars in thousands)
Business Services
Retail services	$	218,650	82	%	$	210,066	82	%	$	(8,584	)	(4	)%
Wholesale services	37,228		14	%	38,164		15	%	936			3	%
Other	9,865		4	%	8,831		3	%	(1,034		)	(10	)%
Total revenues	265,743		100	%	257,061		100	%	(8,682		)	(3	)%
Consumer Services
Access services	78,520		86	%	65,940		85	%	(12,580		)	(16	)%
Value-added services	13,027		14	%	11,785		15	%	(1,242		)	(10	)%
Total revenues	91,547		100	%	77,725		100	%	(13,822		)	(15	)%
Total revenues	$	357,290			$	334,786			$	(22,504	)	(6	)%

The following table presents revenues by groups of similar services and by segment for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2012:

	Nine Months Ended September 30,								Change
			% of				% of
	2011		Total		2012		Total		Dollars			Percent
	(dollars in thousands)
Business Services
Retail services	$	546,075	80	%	$	635,840	82	%	$	89,765		16	%
Wholesale services	98,915		15	%	112,923		15	%	14,008			14	%
Other	30,739		5	%	26,044		3	%	(4,695		)	(15	)%
Total revenues	675,729		100%		774,807		100%		99,078			15	%
Consumer Services
Access services	249,380		87%		206,442		85%		(42,938		)	(17	)%
Value-added services	38,758		13%		36,091		15%		(2,667		)	(7	)%
Total revenues	288,138		100%		242,533		100%		(45,605		)	(16	)%
Total revenues	$	963,867			$	1,017,340			$	53,473		6	%

Business Services

Our Business Services segment earns revenue by providing a broad range of data, voice, equipment and IT services to retail and wholesale business customers. We present our Business Services revenue in the following three categories: (1) retail services, which includes data, voice and IT services provided to business customers; (2) wholesale services, which includes the sale of transmission capacity to other telecommunications carriers; and (3) other services, which includes the sale of customer premises equipment and web hosting. Our IT services, which are included within our retail services, include data centers, virtualization, security, applications, premises-based solutions, managed solutions and support services. Revenues generally consist of recurring monthly charges for such services; usage fees; installation fees; equipment fees; and termination fees.

Total Business Services revenues decreased during the three months ended September 30, 2012 compared to the prior year period primarily due a decrease in retail Business Services revenue, as discussed further below. Total Business Services revenues increased during the nine months ended September 30, 2012 compared to the prior year period primarily due to the inclusion of full period of revenues during 2012 from our acquired businesses, including One Communications, compared to a partial period during 2011.

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The following table presents the primary reasons for the changes in Business Services revenues for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 compared to the prior year periods:

	Three Months Ended			Nine Months Ended
	September 30, 2012			September 30, 2012
	(in millions)
Due to acquisition of One Communications (a)	$	—		$	114.7
Due to IT services acquisitions and product launches (b)	2.6			10.1
Due to net favorable settlement and reserve adjustments (c)	1.5			1.5
Due to decline in legacy products (d)	(12.8		)	(27.2		)
Total change in Business Services revenues	$	(8.7	)	$	99.1

______________

(a) Increases due to the inclusion of a full period of cost of revenues during 2012 from One Communications compared to a partial period during 2011

(b) Increase in revenues from our newer products due to IT Services acquisitions entered into during 2011 to expand our IT services portfolio and new product launches over the past year

(c) Increase due to $1.5 million in net favorable settlements and reserve adjustments during 2012

(d) Decrease due to decline in revenues for certain legacy products, including traditional voice and lower-end, single site broadband services. Revenues for these legacy products have been decreasing due to competition in the industry, the migration of customers to more advanced services and a decreased emphasis on selling these services.

We expect continued declines in traditional voice services and other legacy products. Business Services revenues will also be adversely impacted as a result of rules adopted by the FCC regarding intercarrier compensation. In addition, growth in our Business Services revenues may be adversely impacted by longer than anticipated sales cycles and installations of our more advanced products. These revenues also may be adversely impacted by competition, regulatory changes, timing and market acceptance of our new products and services, shifting patterns of use, convergence of technology and general economic conditions. However, to counteract competitive pressures, we continue to emphasize our diverse portfolio of cloud, managed security and IT services, customizable communications portfolio, and blend of access technologies for connectivity. We seek to grow our business services revenues and are focused on growing our new suite of IT services. As a result, we expect the mix of our retail business service revenues to change over time, from legacy services and connectivity services to managed IT services.

Consumer Services

Access services. Access services include narrowband access services (including traditional, fully-featured narrowband access and value-priced narrowband access) and broadband access services (including high-speed access via DSL and cable and VoIP). Access service revenues consist of recurring monthly charges for narrowband and broadband access services; usage fees; installation fees; termination fees; and fees for equipment.

The decreases in consumer access revenues were due to decreases in narrowband access and broadband access revenues. This was primarily due to a decrease in average consumer access subscribers, which decreased from 1.4 million and 1.5 million during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011, respectively, to 1.2 million and 1.3 million million during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012, respectively.  Narrowband access comprised a larger portion of the average consumer access subscriber decreases as our consumer access subscriber base continues to shift towards broadband subscribers.  The decrease in average consumer access subscribers resulted from limited sales and marketing activities, the continued maturation of and competition in the market for narrowband Internet access and competitive pressures in the industry. However, we continue to focus on the retention of customers and on marketing channels that we believe will produce an acceptable rate of return. Slightly offsetting the decrease in average consumer subscribers was an increase in average revenue per subscriber due to targeted price increases implemented over the past year.

Our monthly consumer subscriber churn rates decreased from 2.7% during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 to 2.5% during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012, which moderated the decline in average consumer subscribers. Churn rates decreased compared to the prior year periods due to the increased tenure of our subscriber base. We expect our consumer access and service subscriber base and revenues to continue to decrease due to limited sales and marketing activities, competitive pressures, declines in gross broadband subscriber additions and the continued maturation of the market for narrowband

24

Internet access. However, we expect the rate of churn and revenue decline to continue to decelerate as our customer base becomes longer tenured and churn rates go down. Consistent with trends in the Internet access industry, we expect the mix of our consumer access subscriber base to continue to shift from narrowband access to broadband access customers.

Value-added services revenues. Value-added services revenues consist of revenues from ancillary services sold as add-on features to our Internet access services, such as security products, premium email only, home networking, email storage and Internet call waiting; search revenues; and advertising revenues. We derive these revenues from fees charged for ancillary services; fees generated through revenue sharing arrangements with online partners whose products and services can be accessed through our web properties, such as the Google™ search engine; and fees charged for advertising on our various web properties.

The decreases in value-added services revenues were due primarily to a decreases in search and advertising revenues resulting from the decline in total average consumer subscribers and decreases in revenues from our security and home networking services. Partially offsetting these decreases was an increase in revenues from our premium email only service.

Cost of revenues

The following table presents cost of revenues by segment for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2012:

	Three Months Ended								Nine Months Ended
	September 30,				Change				September 30,				Change
	2011		2012		Dollar			Percent	2011		2012		Dollar			Percent
	(dollars in thousands)
Business Services	$	132,718	$	132,145	$	(573	)	—%	$	339,325	$	405,519	$	66,194		20	%
Consumer Services	28,609		25,775		(2,834		)	(10)%	90,082		79,954		(10,128		)	(11	)%
Total cost of revenues	$	161,327	$	157,920	$	(3,407	)	(2)%	$	429,407	$	485,473	$	56,066		13	%

Business Services

Cost of revenues for our Business Services segment primarily consists of the cost of connecting customers to our networks via leased facilities; the costs of leasing components of our network facilities; costs paid to third-party providers for interconnect access and transport services; and the cost of equipment sold to customers for use with our services.

The following table presents the primary reasons for the changes in Business Services cost of revenues for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 compared to the prior year periods:

	Three Months Ended			Nine Months Ended
	September 30, 2012			September 30, 2012
	(in millions)
Due to acquisition of One Communications (a)	$	—		$	58.0
Due to increase in reserves for regulatory audits (b)	—			8.3
Due to IT services acquisitions and product launches (c)	2.0			6.5
Due to decline in legacy products (d)	(2.6		)	(6.6		)
Total change in Business Services cost of revenues	$	(0.6	)	$	66.2

______________

(a) Increases due to the inclusion of a full period of cost of revenues during 2012 from One Communications compared to a partial period during 2011

(b) Increase due to a charge recorded in the second quarter of 2012 to increase our reserves for regulatory audits, primarily an audit currently being conducted by the Universal Service Administrative Company on previous ITC^DeltaCom Universal Service Fund assessments and payments

(c) Increase due to IT Services acquisitions entered into during 2011 to expand our IT services portfolio and new product launches over the past year

(d) Decrease due to decline in certain legacy products, including traditional voice, lower-end, single site broadband services and web hosting

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Consumer Services

Cost of revenues for our Consumer Services segment primarily consists of telecommunications fees and network operations costs incurred to provide our Internet access services; fees paid to suppliers of our value-added services; fees paid to content providers for information provided on our online properties; and the cost of equipment sold to customers for use with our services. Our principal provider for narrowband services is Level 3 Communications, Inc. We also purchase lesser amounts of narrowband services from certain regional and local providers. Our principal providers of broadband connectivity are AT&T Inc., Bright House Networks, CenturyLink, Inc. (formerly Qwest Communications Corporation), Comcast Corporation, Megapath (formerly Covad Communications Group, Inc.), Time Warner Cable and Verizon Communications, Inc. Cost of revenues for our Consumer Services segment also include sales incentives, which include the cost of promotional products and services provided to potential and new subscribers, including free modems and other hardware and free Internet access on a trial basis.

The decreases in Consumer Services cost of revenues compared to the prior year periods were primarily due to the decline in average consumer services subscribers. Also contributing was lower network expenses related to cost optimization efforts and more favorable rates with service certain service providers.

We expect Consumer Services segment cost of revenues to continue to decrease as a result of declines in average consumer subscribers. Consistent with trends in the Internet access industry, we expect the mix of our consumer access subscriber base to continue to shift from narrowband access to broadband access customers, which will negatively affect our Consumer Services segment cost of revenues due to the higher costs associated with delivering broadband services.

Selling, general and administrative

The following table presents our selling, general and administrative expenses for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2012: 

	Three Months Ended							Nine Months Ended
	September 30,				Change			September 30,				Change
	2011		2012		Dollar		Percent	2011		2012		Dollar		Percent
	(dollars in thousands)
Selling, general and administrative expenses	$	108,827	$	110,028	$	1,201	1%	$	295,786	$	326,533	$	30,747	10%

Selling, general and administrative expenses consist of expenses related to sales and marketing, customer service, network operations, information technology, regulatory, billing and collections, corporate administration, and legal and accounting. Such costs include salaries and related employee costs (including stock-based compensation), outsourced labor, professional fees, property taxes, travel, insurance, occupancy costs, advertising and other administrative expenses.

The increase in selling, general and administrative expenses during the three months ended September 30, 2012 compared to the prior year period was primarily due to a favorable tax settlement recognized during the three months ended September 30, 2011 and an increase in people costs as we increase headcount to grow our Business Services segment. These were offset by a decrease in professional fees, facilities and certain other corporate overhead expenses resulting from synergies from integrating our businesses and a decrease in bad debt and payment processing.

The increase in selling, general and administrative expenses during the nine months ended September 30, 2012 compared to the prior year period was primarily due to the inclusion of full period of selling, general and administrative expenses during 2012 from our acquired businesses, including One Communications and STS Telecom, compared to a partial period during 2011.  On a pro forma basis for the acquisition of One Communications, selling, general and administrative expenses decreased $14.0 million, from $340.5 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2011 to $326.5 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2012. The decrease was due to cost savings realized from workforce reductions and other synergies from integrating our businesses, continued cost reduction initiatives, certain benefits as our overall consumer subscriber base has decreased and reduced discretionary sales and marketing spend.  The decrease consisted primarily of decreases in personnel-related costs, stock-based compensation expense and occupancy expense, offset by an increase in professional fees.

We expect that selling, general and administrative expenses will increase as we seek to grow our business services revenue. However, we expect to realize cost synergies as we integrate our acquisitions. We will continue to seek operating efficiencies, such as consolidating operations and integrating systems, though certain of these synergies may take longer or present greater

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costs to realize than originally anticipated.

Depreciation and amortization

The following table presents our depreciation and amortization expense for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2012:

	Three Months Ended								Nine Months Ended
	September 30,				Change				September 30,				Change
	2011		2012		Dollars			Percent	2011		2012		Dollars		Percent
	(dollars in thousands)
Depreciation expense	$	29,058	$	27,956	$	(1,102	)	(4)%	$	71,745	$	83,753	$	12,008	17%
Amortization expense	17,509		17,709		200			1%	41,591		53,146		11,555		28%
Total	$	46,567	$	45,665	$	(902	)	(2)%	$	113,336	$	136,899	$	23,563	21%

Depreciation and amortization includes depreciation of property and equipment and amortization of definite-lived intangible assets acquired in purchases of businesses and purchases of customer bases from other companies. Property and equipment is depreciated using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the various asset classes. Leasehold improvements are depreciated using the straight-line method over the shorter of the estimated useful life or the remaining term of the lease. Definite-lived intangible assets, which primarily consist of subscriber bases and customer relationships, acquired software and technology, trade names and other assets, are amortized on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives, which range from three to six years.

The decrease in depreciation and amortization expense during the three months ended September 30, 2012 compared to the prior year period was primarily due to assets becoming fully depreciated over the past year. The increase in depreciation and amortization expense during the nine months ended September 30, 2012 compared to the prior year period was primarily attributable to expense resulting from property and equipment and definite-lived intangible assets obtained in the acquisitions of One Communications on April 1, 2011 and STS Telecom on March 2, 2011. Also contributing to the increase in depreciation expense was an increase in capital expenditures from our acquired businesses, including customer acquisition costs and costs to maintain and enhance our network.

Restructuring, acquisition and integration-related costs

Restructuring, acquisition and integration-related costs consisted of the following during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2012:

	Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
	September 30,				September 30,
	2011		2012		2011		2012
	(in thousands)
Facility exit and restructuring costs	$	57	$	5	$	520	$	(176	)
Acquisition and integration-related costs	8,909		6,374		23,997		13,912
Restructuring, acquisition and integration-related costs	$	8,966	$	6,379	$	24,517	$	13,736

Facility and exit restructuring costs. In August 2007, we adopted a restructuring plan to reduce costs and improve the efficiency of our operations (the “2007 Plan”). The 2007 Plan was the result of a comprehensive review of operations within and across our functions and businesses. Under the 2007 Plan, we reduced our workforce by approximately 900 employees, consolidated our office facilities in Atlanta, Georgia and Pasadena, California and closed office facilities in Orlando, Florida; Knoxville, Tennessee; Harrisburg, Pennsylvania and San Francisco, California. The 2007 Plan was primarily implemented during the latter half of 2007 and during 2008. However, there have been and may continue to be changes in estimates to amounts previously recorded.

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The following table reconciles the beginning and ending liability balances associated with the 2007 Plan as of September 30, 2012, including changes during the period attributable to costs incurred and charged to expense and costs paid or otherwise settled (in thousands):

Balance as of December 31, 2011	$	7,432
Accruals	(176		)
Payments	(2,255		)
Balance as of September 30, 2012	$	5,001

Acquisition and integration-related costs. Acquisition and integration-related costs consist of costs related to our acquisitions. Such costs include: 1) severance and retention costs; 2) transaction-related costs, which are direct costs incurred to effect a business combination, such as advisory, legal, accounting, valuation and other professional fees; 3) integration-related costs, such as system conversion, rebranding costs and integration related consulting and employee costs; and 4) facility-related costs, such as lease termination and asset impairments. Acquisition and integration-related costs are expensed in the period in which the costs are incurred and the services are received and are included in restructuring, acquisition and integration-related costs in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income. Acquisition and integration-related costs consisted of the following during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2012: 

	Three Months Ended									Nine Months Ended
	September 30,				Change					September 30,				Change
	2011		2012		Dollars			Percent		2011		2012		Dollars			Percent
	(dollars in thousands)
Severance and retention costs	$	3,783	$	2,051	$	(1,732	)	(46	)%	$	13,608	$	5,111	$	(8,497	)	(62	)%
Transaction-related costs	325		373		48			15	%	4,867		1,366		(3,501		)	(72	)%
Integration-related costs	593		3,614		3,021			509	%	834		6,944		6,110			733	%
Facility-related costs	4,208		336		(3,872		)	(92	)%	4,688		491		(4,197		)	(90	)%
Total acquisition and integration-related costs	$	8,909	$	6,374	$	(2,535	)	(28	)%	$	23,997	$	13,912	$	(10,085	)	(42	)%

The decreases in acquisition and integration-related costs compared to the prior year periods were primarily due to a decline in certain up-front costs related to our acquisitions, such as transactions costs incurred to effect the transactions, severance costs incurred to eliminate duplicate positions and gain synergies and costs to exit duplicate facilities. Partially offsetting these decreases was an increase in integration-related costs, as we incur costs to integrate operating support systems and networks.

We expect to incur additional integration costs related to our recent acquisitions. Once the businesses are integrated, we expect to realize cost synergies from the combined businesses. However, we expect to incur upfront costs to gain these synergies, which may take longer or present greater cost to realize than originally anticipated. Such costs may include severance and employee benefits, the elimination of duplicate facilities and contracts and costs to develop common operating platforms.

Interest expense and other, net

The following table presents our interest expense and other, net, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2012:

	Three Months Ended										Nine Months Ended
	September 30,						Change				September 30,						Change
	2011			2012			Dollars			Percent	2011			2012			Dollars			Percent
	(dollars in thousands)
Interest expense	$	23,378		$	16,442		$	(6,936	)	(30)%	$	57,817		$	49,480		$	(8,337	)	(14	)%
Interest income	(1,019		)	(356		)	663			(65)%	(3,855		)	(2,003		)	1,852			(48	)%
Other, net	(198		)	706			904			(457)%	235			782			547			233	%
Total	$	22,161		$	16,792		(5,369		)	(24)%	$	54,197		$	48,259		$	(5,938	)	(11	)%

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Interest expense and other, net, is primarily comprised of interest expense incurred on our debt and capital leases, amortization of debt issuance costs, debt premiums, and debt discounts; interest earned on our cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities; and other miscellaneous income and expense items.

The decreases in interest expense and other, net, compared to the prior year period were primarily due to the redemption of our convertible senior notes due 2026 on November 15, 2011. Partially offsetting this decrease were decreases in interest income due to lower investment yields.

Income tax (provision) benefit

The following table presents the components of the income tax (provision) benefit for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2012:

	Three Months Ended					Nine Months Ended
	September 30,					September 30,
	2011			2012		2011			2012
	(in thousands)
Current (provision) benefit	$	(940	)	$	1,912	$	(4,357	)	$	(1,496	)
Deferred (provision) benefit	(997		)	1,458		(11,851		)	2,585
Total income tax (provision) benefit	$	(1,937	)	$	3,370	$	(16,208	)	$	1,089

The income tax provision for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 represents an effective rate of -17%, including a benefit for discrete items of -49%.  The effective rate differs from the federal statutory rate of 35% primarily because of state taxes. The discrete benefit for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 primarily relates to changes to the Company's state deferred income tax rates and its resulting impact on the re-measurement of deferred tax assets and liabilities recorded on the balance sheet as of January 1, 2012, the release of valuation allowance related to specific state net operating losses and  the reversal of  uncertain tax positions in the current quarter due to statute expirations. The current provisions were due to state income and federal and state alternative minimum tax amounts payable due to the net operating loss carryforward limitations associated with the alternative minimum tax calculation. The non-cash deferred tax benefit was due primarily to the favorable discrete item.

We have a valuation allowance of $38.5 million against certain deferred tax assets. Of this amount, approximately $31.6 million relates to net operating losses generated by the tax benefits of stock-based compensation. The valuation allowance will be removed upon utilization of these net operating losses by us as an adjustment to additional paid-in-capital.  Approximately $6.5 million relates to net operating losses in certain jurisdictions where we believe it is not “more likely than not” to be realized in future periods. In addition, a valuation allowance of $0.4 million was established in 2010 relating to stock compensation deferred tax assets.

To the extent we report income in future periods, we intend to use our net operating loss carryforwards to the extent available to offset taxable income and reduce cash outflows for income taxes.  Our ability to use our federal and state net operating loss carryforwards and federal and state tax credit carryforwards may be subject to restrictions attributable to equity transactions in the future resulting from changes in ownership as defined under the Internal Revenue Code.

Segment Results of Operations

We operate two reportable segments, Business Services and Consumer Services. We present our segment information along the same lines that our chief executive reviews our operating results in assessing performance and allocating resources. Our Business Services segment earns revenue by providing a broad range of data, voice, equipment and IT services to businesses and communications carriers. Our Consumer Services segment provides nationwide Internet access and related value-added services to residential customers.

We evaluate the performance of our operating segments based on segment operating income. Segment operating income includes revenues from external customers, related cost of revenues and operating expenses directly attributable to the segment, which include expenses over which segment managers have direct discretionary control, such as advertising and marketing programs, customer support expenses, operations expenses, product development expenses, certain technology and facilities expenses, billing operations and provisions for doubtful accounts. Segment operating income excludes other income and expense items and certain expenses over which segment managers do not have discretionary control. Costs excluded from segment operating income include various corporate expenses (consisting of certain costs such as corporate management, human resources, finance and legal), depreciation and amortization, impairment of goodwill and intangible assets, restructuring, acquisition and integration-

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related costs and stock-based compensation expense, as they are not considered in the measurement of segment performance.

During the three months ended September 30, 2012, the Company changed the basis of measurement of segment income. Certain corporate operating expenses previously included in segment operating income are now excluded from segment operating income, as they are not costs over which segment managers have direct discretionary control. Accordingly, the Company has reclassified segment operating expenses and segment operating income for all periods presented.

Business Services Segment

Business Services Operating Metrics

We utilize certain non-financial and operating measures to assess our financial performance. The following table sets forth operating data as of September 30, 2011 and 2012:

	September 30, 2011	September 30, 2012
Total fiber optic route miles (a)	28,757	28,804
Colocations	1,340	1,415
Voice and data switches	55	56

(a) As of September 30, 2011, includes 24,812 route miles owned or obtained through indefeasible rights to use (IRU) and 3,945 marketed and managed route miles. As of September 30, 2012, includes 24,859 route miles owned or obtained through indefeasible rights to use (IRU) and 3,945 marketed and managed route miles.

Business Services Operating Results

The following table sets forth operating results for our Business Services segment for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2012:

	Three Months Ended									Nine Months Ended
	September 30,				Change					September 30,				Change
	2011		2012		Dollars			Percent		2011		2012		Dollars			Percent
	(dollars in thousands)
Segment revenues	$	265,743	$	257,061	$	(8,682	)	(3	)%	$	675,729	$	774,807	$	99,078		15	%
Segment operating income	50,106		39,356		(10,750		)	(21	)%	119,783		114,787		(4,996		)	(4	)%

The decrease in Business Services revenues during the three months ended September 30, 2012 compared to the prior year period was due to a decline in revenues for certain legacy products, including traditional voice, web hosting and lower-end, single site broadband services. The decrease was partially offset by an increase in revenues from our newer products. The increase in Business Services revenues during the nine months ended September 30, 2012 compared to the prior year period was primarily due to the inclusion of full period of revenues during 2012 from our acquired businesses, including One Communications and STS Telecom, compared to a partial period during 2011. This was partially offset by the decrease in revenues for certain legacy products, including traditional voice, web hosting and lower-end, single site broadband services.

The decrease in Business Services operating income during the three months ended September 30, 2012 was primarily due to the decrease in revenues discussed above and an increase in operating costs for IT services. Partially offsetting these decreases was a decline in operating costs due to cost synergies realized from the integration of acquired businesses and the decline in cost of revenue for certain legacy products. The increase in Business Services operating income during the nine months ended September 30, 2012 compared to the prior year period was primarily due to the inclusion of full period of operating income during 2012 from our acquired businesses, including One Communications and STS Telecom, compared to a partial period during 2011. Partially offsetting this was the decrease in segment revenues (discussed above) and the $8.3 million reserve for regulatory audits.

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Consumer Services Segment

Consumer Services Operating Metrics

The following table sets forth subscriber and operating data for our Consumer Services segment for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2012:

	Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
	September 30,						September 30,
	2011			2012			2011			2012
Consumer Subscriber Activity
Subscribers at beginning of period	1,478,000			1,244,000			1,636,000			1,350,000
Gross organic subscriber additions	49,000			44,000			136,000			126,000
Churn	(117,000)			(91,000)			(362,000)			(279,000)
Subscribers at end of period (a)	1,410,000			1,197,000			1,410,000			1,197,000
Consumer Metrics
Average narrowband subscribers (b)	802,000			663,000			853,000			692,000
Average broadband subscribers (b)	640,000			555,000			666,000			578,000
Average consumer subscribers (b)	1,442,000			1,218,000			1,519,000			1,270,000
ARPU (c)	$	21.13		$	21.27		$	21.07		$	21.21
Churn rate (d)	2.7		%	2.5		%	2.7		%	2.5		%

(a) Subscriber counts do not include new nonpaying customers. Customers receiving service under promotional programs that include periods of free service at inception are not included in subscriber counts until they become paying customers.

(b) Average subscribers for the three month periods is calculated by averaging the ending monthly subscribers or accounts for the four months preceding and including the end of the period. Average subscribers for the nine month periods is calculated by averaging the ending monthly subscribers or accounts for the ten months preceding and including the end of the period.

(c) ARPU represents the average monthly revenue per user (subscriber). ARPU is computed by dividing average monthly revenue for the period by the average number of subscribers for the period. Average monthly revenue used to calculate ARPU includes recurring service revenue as well as nonrecurring revenues associated with equipment and other one-time charges associated with initiating or discontinuing services.

(d) Churn rate is used to measure the rate at which subscribers discontinue service on a voluntary or involuntary basis.  Churn rate is computed by dividing the average monthly number of subscribers that discontinued service during the period by the average subscribers for the period.

Consumer Services Operating Results

The following table sets forth operating results for our Consumer Services segment for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2012:

	Three Months Ended									Nine Months Ended
	September 30,				Change					September 30,				Change
	2011		2012		Dollars			Percent		2011		2012		Dollars			Percent
	(dollars in thousands)
Segment revenues	$	91,547	$	77,725	$	(13,822	)	(15	)%	$	288,138	$	242,533	$	(45,605	)	(16	)%
Segment operating income	45,118		35,250		(9,868		)	(22	)%	142,799		112,852		(29,947		)	(21	)%

The decreases in Consumer Services revenues and operating income compared to the prior year periods were primarily due to the continued maturation of and competition in the market for consumer Internet access and competitive pressures in the

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industry. The decreases in revenue were partially offset by decreases in operating expenses as our consumer subscriber base has decreased and become longer-tenured. Our longer tenured customers require less customer service and technical support and have a lower frequency of non-payment.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

The following table sets forth summarized cash flow data for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2012:

	Nine Months Ended
	September 30,						Change
	2011			2012			Dollars			Percent
	(dollars in thousands)
Net cash provided by operating activities	$	116,480		$	178,528		$	62,048		53	%
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	205,389			(98,726		)	(304,115		)	(148	)%
Net cash used in financing activities	(49,511		)	(29,792		)	19,719			(40	)%
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents	$	272,358		$	50,010		$	(222,348	)	(82	)%

Operating activities

The increase in cash provided by operating activities during the nine months ended September 30, 2012 compared to the prior year period was primarily due to the inclusion of a full period of cash generated by One Communications in 2012 compared to a partial period in 2011. Also contributing to the increase was an increase in accounts payable and accrued liabilities, primarily related to timing of certain payments to network providers. This was partially offset by severance, transaction and other integration-related costs, an increase in interest payments and an increase in accounts receivable due to timing of payments from customers.

Investing activities

The decrease in cash flows from investing activities during the nine months ended September 30, 2012 compared to the prior year period was primarily due to a change in cash associated with investments in marketable securities. During the nine months ended September 30, 2011, we received cash of $319.7 million for sales and maturities of investments in marketable securities as we converted our investments to cash equivalents during the period. During the nine months ended September 30, 2012, we used cash of $18.8 million for purchases of marketable securities, net of sales and maturities.  Also contributing to the decrease was a $9.8 million increase in capital expenditures, primarily due to the inclusion of capital expenditures of our acquired companies, network and technology center related projects and customer acquisition costs. We continue to focus on investments in our technology infrastructure to support our long-term strategic plans.  The overall decrease in cash flows from investing activities was offset by a $40.1 million decrease in cash used for acquisitions, net of cash acquired.

Financing activities

The decrease in net cash used in financing activities during the nine months ended September 30, 2012 compared to the prior year period was primarily due to a $26.6 million decrease in repurchases of common stock and a $1.3 million decrease in dividend payments. We repurchased 5.0 million shares of our common stock for $39.5 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and repurchased 1.9 million shares of our common stock for $13.0 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2012.  Dividend payments were $17.2 million and $15.9 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2012, respectively, reflecting quarterly dividends of $0.05 per share. These changes were partially offset by a $7.2 million net change in cash flows from debt activities. During the nine months ended September 30, 2011, we received net proceeds of $6.0 million from the issuance and repayment of debt and capital lease obligations, and during the nine months ended September 30, 2012, we used $1.2 million for repayment of debt and capital lease obligations.

Future Uses of cash

Our primary future cash requirements relate to outstanding indebtedness, capital expenditures, investments in our business services segment, acquisition and integration-related costs and dividends. In addition, we may use cash in the future to make strategic acquisitions or repurchase common stock or debt.

Debt and interest. We expect to use cash to service our outstanding indebtedness, including ITC^DeltaCom's outstanding $324.8 million aggregate principal amount of 10.5% senior secured notes due on April 1, 2016 (the “ITC^DeltaCom Notes”), our

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$300.0 million aggregate principal amount of Senior Notes in May 2011 and our $150.0 million revolving credit facility. We expect to use cash for interest payments. In October 2012, we announced plans to redeem 10%, or $32.5 million aggregate principal amount, of our outstanding ITC^DeltaCom Notes at a redemption price of 103% pursuant to the terms of the related indenture. We may use additional cash to redeem the ITC^DeltaCom Notes in accordance with the terms of the related indenture, to purchase the ITC^DeltaCom Notes in the open market or to refinance with new debt.

Capital expenditures. We expect to incur capital expenditures of approximately $215.0 million to $225.0 million over the next five quarters, through the fourth quarter of 2013. Approximately $45.0 million of that amount will be used for fiber network expansion and investment in our nationwide data center footprint. The remaining capital expenditures relate to the acquisition of new customers and to maintain and upgrade our network and technology infrastructure. The actual amount of capital expenditures may fluctuate due to a number of factors which are difficult to predict and could change significantly over time. Additionally, technological advances may require us to make capital expenditures to develop or acquire new equipment or technology in order to replace aging or obsolete equipment.

Investments in our Business Services segment. One of our key strategies is to grow our Business Services revenue. In addition to leveraging our fiber network and nationwide IP reach to provide a broad range of communications services, we are deploying a wide array of cloud, managed security and IT support services. We expect to invest cash in sales and marketing efforts and resources required to support our business services. We also expect to invest cash to build out data center space across our nationwide footprint to support our cloud, managed security and IT support services.

Acquisition and integration-related costs. We expect to continue to use cash for one-time costs related to our acquisitions, including severance and retention costs and integration-related costs. There are a number of systems that continue to be integrated, including management information, sales, billing and human resources.  We expect to incur expenses in connection with integrating the businesses, policies, procedures, operations, technologies and other operating support systems of our acquisitions to common platforms.

Dividends. During the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2012, cash dividends declared were $0.15 per common share. We currently intend to continue to pay regular quarterly dividends on our common stock. However, any decision to declare future dividends will be made at the discretion of the Board of Directors and will depend on, among other things, our results of operations, financial condition, cash requirements, investment opportunities and other factors the Board of Directors may deem relevant.

Other. We may use cash to invest in or acquire other companies, to repurchase common stock or to repurchase or redeem debt. We expect to continue to evaluate and consider potential strategic transactions that we believe may complement or grow our business. Although we continue to consider and evaluate potential strategic transactions, there can be no assurance that we will be able to consummate any such transaction.

Our cash requirements depend on numerous factors, including costs required to integrate our acquisitions, costs incurred to redeem or repurchase debt, the size and types of future acquisitions in which we may engage, the costs required to maintain our network infrastructure, the outcome of various telecommunications-related disputes and proceedings, the pricing of our services and the level of resources used for our sales and marketing activities, among others. In addition, our use of cash in connection with acquisitions may limit other potential uses of our cash, including stock repurchases, debt repayments or repurchases and dividend payments.

Future sources of cash

Our principal sources of liquidity are our cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities, as well as the cash flow we generate from our operations. During the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2012, we generated $116.5 million and $178.5 million in cash from operations, respectively. As of September 30, 2012, we had $261.8 million in cash and cash equivalents and $48.4 million in marketable securities. Our cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities are subject to general credit, liquidity, market, and interest rate risks, which may be exacerbated by unfavorable economic conditions.

Another source of liquidity is our revolving credit facility. We have a credit agreement providing for a senior secured revolving credit facility with aggregate revolving commitments of $150.0 million. The senior secured revolving credit facility terminates in May 2015, and at that time any amounts outstanding thereunder shall be due and payable in full. As of September 30, 2012, no amounts had been drawn or were outstanding under the senior secured revolving credit facility.

Our available cash and cash equivalents, together with our results of operations, are expected to be sufficient to meet our

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operating expenses, service outstanding indebtedness, capital requirements and investment and other obligations for at least the next 12 months. However, to increase available liquidity or to fund acquisitions or other strategic activities, we may seek additional financing. We have no commitments for any additional financing and have no lines of credit or similar sources of financing, other than the $150.0 million credit facility. We cannot be sure that we can obtain additional financing on favorable terms, if at all, through the issuance of equity securities or the incurrence of additional debt. Additional equity financing may dilute our stockholders, and debt financing, if available, may restrict our ability to repurchase common stock or debt, declare and pay dividends and raise future capital. If we are unable to obtain additional needed financing, it may prohibit us from making acquisitions, capital expenditures and/or investments, which could materially and adversely affect our business.

Debt Covenants

Under the indentures governing our debt agreements, acceleration on principal payments would occur upon payment default or violation of debt covenants. We were in compliance with all covenants under our debt agreements as of September 30, 2012.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

As of September 30, 2012, we did not have any off-balance sheet arrangements that have or are reasonably likely to have a current or future effect on our financial condition, changes in financial condition, revenues or expenses, results of operations, liquidity, capital expenditures or capital resources that are material to investors.

Share Repurchase Program

The Board of Directors has authorized a total of $750.0 million to repurchase our common stock under our share repurchase program. As of September 30, 2012, we had utilized approximately $664.0 million pursuant to the authorizations and had $86.0 million available under the current authorization. We may repurchase our common stock from time to time in compliance with the Securities and Exchange Commission’s regulations and other legal requirements, and subject to market conditions and other factors. The share repurchase program does not require us to acquire any specific number of shares and may be terminated by the Board of Directors at any time.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

In addition to our financial information presented in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”), management uses certain “non-GAAP financial measures” within the meaning of the SEC Regulation G, to clarify and enhance understanding of past performance and prospects for the future. Generally, a non-GAAP financial measure is a numerical measure of a company’s operating performance, financial position or cash flows that excludes or includes amounts that are included in or excluded from the most directly comparable measure calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP. Set forth below is a discussion of the presentation and use of Adjusted EBITDA and Unlevered Free Cash Flow, the non-GAAP financial measures used by management.

Adjusted EBITDA is defined as net income before interest expense and other, net, income tax provision (benefit), depreciation and amortization, stock-based compensation, impairment of goodwill and intangible assets, and restructuring, acquisition and integration-related costs.  Unlevered Free Cash Flow is defined as net income before interest expense and other, net, income tax provision (benefit), depreciation and amortization, stock-based compensation, impairment of goodwill and intangible assets, and restructuring, acquisition and integration-related costs, less cash used for purchases of property and equipment.

These non-GAAP financial measures are commonly used in the industry and are presented because management believes they provide relevant and useful information to investors. Management uses these non-GAAP financial measures to evaluate the performance of its business. Management also uses Unlevered Free Cash Flow to assess its ability to fund capital expenditures, fund growth and service debt. Management believes that excluding the effects of certain non-cash and non-operating items enables investors to better understand and analyze the current period’s results and provides a better measure of comparability.

There are limitations to using these non-GAAP financial measures. Adjusted EBITDA and Unlevered Free Cash Flow are not indicative of cash provided or used by operating activities and may differ from comparable information provided by other companies.  Adjusted EBITDA and Unlevered Free Cash Flow should not be considered in isolation, as an alternative to, or more meaningful than measures of financial performance determined in accordance with U.S. GAAP.

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The following table presents a reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to the most closely related financial measure reported under GAAP for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2012:

	Three Months Ended					Nine Months Ended
	September 30,					September 30,
	2011		2012			2011		2012
	(in thousands)
Net income	$	7,505	$	1,372		$	30,416	$	7,529
Interest expense and other, net	22,161		16,792			54,197		48,259
Income tax provision (benefit)	1,937		(3,370		)	16,208		(1,089		)
Depreciation and amortization	46,567		45,665			113,336		136,899
Stock-based compensation expense	3,369		2,663			10,454		8,203
Restructuring, acquisition and integration-related costs	8,966		6,379			24,517		13,736
Adjusted EBITDA	$	90,505	$	69,501		$	249,128	$	213,537

The following table presents a reconciliation of Unlevered Free Cash Flow to the most closely related financial measure reported under GAAP for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2012:

	Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
	September 30,						September 30,
	2011			2012			2011			2012
	(in thousands)
Net income	$	7,505		$	1,372		$	30,416		$	7,529
Interest expense and other, net	22,161			16,792			54,197			48,259
Income tax provision (benefit)	1,937			(3,370		)	16,208			(1,089		)
Depreciation and amortization	46,567			45,665			113,336			136,899
Stock-based compensation expense	3,369			2,663			10,454			8,203
Restructuring, acquisition and integration-related costs	8,966			6,379			24,517			13,736
Purchases of property and equipment	(30,528		)	(24,504		)	(70,967		)	(80,729		)
Unlevered Free Cash Flow	$	59,977		$	44,997		$	178,161		$	132,808

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The following table presents a reconciliation of Unlevered Free Cash Flow, as a liquidity measure, to net cash provided by operating activities for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2012:

	Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
	September 30,						September 30,
	2011			2012			2011			2012
	(in thousands)
Net cash provided by operating activities	$	71,007		$	90,066		$	116,480		$	178,528
Income tax provision (benefit)	1,937			(3,370		)	16,208			(1,089		)
Non-cash income taxes	(1,018		)	1,458			(11,851		)	2,585
Interest expense and other, net	22,161			16,792			54,197			48,259
Amortization of debt discount, premium and issuance costs	(3,533		)	497			(9,690		)	1,470
Restructuring, acquisition and integration-related costs	8,966			6,379			24,517			13,736
Changes in operating assets and liabilities	(6,416		)	(42,008		)	62,207			(29,601		)
Purchases of property and equipment	(30,528		)	(24,504		)	(70,967		)	(80,729		)
Other, net	(2,599		)	(313		)	(2,940		)	(351		)
Unlevered Free Cash Flow	$	59,977		$	44,997		$	178,161		$	132,808
Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities	$	(35,224	)	$	(24,363	)	$	205,389		$	(98,726	)
Net cash used in financing activities	$	(10,957	)	$	(13,362	)	$	(49,511	)	$	(29,792	)

Cautionary Note Concerning Factors That May Affect Future Results

The Management’s Discussion and Analysis and other portions of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q include “forward-looking” statements (rather than historical facts) that are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described. Although we believe that the expectations expressed in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, we cannot promise that our expectations will turn out to be correct. Our actual results could be materially different from and worse than our expectations. With respect to such forward-looking statements, we seek the protections afforded by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These risks and uncertainties (1) that we may not be able to execute our strategy to grow our business services revenue, especially revenue from advanced products, in an expeditious manner, which could adversely impact our results of operations and cash flows; (2) that we may be unsuccessful or experience delays in integrating acquisitions into our business while we develop our Business Services advanced product portfolio, which could result in operating difficulties, losses and other adverse consequences; (3) that we may be unable to successfully identify, manage and assimilate future acquisitions, which could adversely affect our results of operations; (4) that if we are unable to adapt to changes in technology and customer demands, we may not remain competitive, and our revenues and operating results could suffer; (5) that our failure to achieve operating efficiencies will adversely affect our results of operations; (6) that unfavorable general economic conditions could harm our business; (7) that we face significant competition in the communications and managed IT services industry that could reduce our profitability; (8) that decisions by the Federal Communications Commission relieving incumbent carriers of certain regulatory requirements, and possible further deregulation in the future, may restrict our ability to provide services and may increase the costs we incur to provide these services; (9) that if we are unable to interconnect with AT&T, Verizon and other incumbent carriers on acceptable terms, our ability to offer competitively priced local telephone services will be adversely affected; (10) that our operating performance will suffer if we are not offered competitive rates for the access services we need to provide our long distance services; (11) that we may experience reductions in switched access and reciprocal compensation revenue; (12) that failure to obtain and maintain necessary permits and rights-of-way could interfere with our network infrastructure and operations; (13) that if we are unable to renew our wholesale agreements with telecommunications carriers, our wholesale revenue and results of operations could be materially and adversely affected; (14) that we obtain a majority of our network equipment and software from a limited numbers of third-party suppliers; (15) that our consumer services commercial and alliance arrangements may not be renewed or may not generate expected benefits, which could adversely affect our results of operations;  (16) that our consumer business is dependent on the availability and affordability of third-party network service providers; (17) that we face significant competition in the Internet industry that could reduce our profitability; (18) that the continued decline of our consumer access subscribers, combined with the change in mix of our consumer access base from narrowband to broadband, will adversely affect our results of operations; (19) that potential regulation of Internet service providers could adversely affect our operations; (20) that we may be unable to hire and retain sufficient qualified personnel, including Business Services sales personnel, and that the loss of any of our key executive officers could adversely affect us; (21) that privacy concerns relating to our business could damage

36

our reputation and deter current and potential users from using our services; (22) that security breaches could damage our reputation and harm our operating results; (23) that interruption or failure of our network and information systems and other technologies could impair our ability to provide our services, which could damage our reputation and harm our operating results; (24) that our business depends on effective business support systems and processes; (25) that government regulations could adversely affect our business or force us to change our business practices and that we are subject to regulatory audit; (26) that our business may suffer if third parties are unable to provide services or terminate their relationships with us; (27) that we may not be able to protect our intellectual property; (28) that we are subject to claims that we have infringed upon the intellectual property rights of third parties, which are costly to defend, could result in our having to make significant payments and could limit our ability to use certain technologies in the future; (29) that if we are unable to successfully defend against legal actions, we could face substantial liabilities or suffer harm to our financial and operational prospects; (30) that we may be required to recognize additional impairment charges on our goodwill and intangible assets, which would adversely affect our results of operations and financial position; (31) that we may have exposure to greater than anticipated tax liabilities and the use of our net operating losses and certain other tax attributes could be limited in the future; (32) that our indebtedness could adversely affect our financial health and limit our ability to react to changes in our industry; (33) that we may require additional capital to support business growth, and this capital may not be available to us on acceptable terms, or at all; (34) that we may reduce, or cease payment of, quarterly cash dividends; (35) that our stock price may be volatile; and (36) that provisions of our third restated certificate of incorporation, amended and restated bylaws and other elements of our capital structure could limit our share price and delay a change of control of the company.  These risks and uncertainties, as well as other risks and uncertainties that could cause our actual results to differ significantly from management’s expectations, are not intended to represent a complete list of all risks and uncertainties inherent in our business, and should be read in conjunction with the more detailed cautionary statements and risk factors included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011.

Item 3.   Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.

There have been no material changes in market risk from the information provided in Part II, Item 7A “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011.

Item 4. Controls and Procedures.

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

Pursuant to Rule 13a-15(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), we carried out an evaluation, with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined under Rule 13a-15(e) under the Exchange Act) as of the end of the period covered by this report.  Based upon that evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures are effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the reports that are filed or submitted under the Exchange Act, is recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting during the three months ended September 30, 2012 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

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Part II

Item 1. Legal Proceedings.

The Company is party to various legal and regulatory proceedings and other disputes arising from normal business activities. The Company’s management believes that there are no disputes, litigation or other legal or regulatory proceedings asserted or pending against the Company that could have, individually or in the aggregate, a material adverse effect on its financial position, results of operations or cash flows, and believes that adequate provision for any probable and estimable losses has been made in the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements. However, the result of any current or future disputes, litigation or other legal or regulatory proceedings is inherently unpredictable and could result in liabilities that are higher than currently predicted.

Item 1A.  Risk Factors.

There were no material updates to the risk factors discussed in EarthLink’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011.

Item 2.  Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds.

The number of shares repurchased and the average price paid per share for each month in the three months ended September 30, 2012 are as follows:

				Total Number of	Maximum Dollar
	Total Number	Average		Shares Repurchased	Value that May
	of Shares	Price Paid		as Part of Publicly	Yet be Purchased
	Repurchased	per Share		Announced Program (1)	Under the Program
	(in thousands, except average price paid per share)
July 1 through July 31	100	$	7.21	100	$	93,152
August 1 through August 31	1,078	6.67		1,078	85,960
September 1 through September 30	—	—		—	85,960
Total	1,178			1,178

__________

     (1) Since the inception of the share repurchase program (“Repurchase Program”), the Board of Directors has

authorized a total of $750.0 million for the repurchase of our common stock. The Board of Directors has also

approved repurchasing common stock pursuant to plans under Rule 10b5-1 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as

amended. We may repurchase our common stock from time to time in compliance with the Securities and Exchange

Commission's regulations and other legal requirements, and subject to market conditions and other factors. The

Repurchase Program does not require EarthLink to acquire any specific number of shares and may be terminated at

any time.

Item 5.  Other Information.

None.

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Item 6.   Exhibits.

(a) Exhibits.   The following exhibits are filed as part of this report:

3.1	Third Restated Certificate of Incorporation
10.1	Separation Agreement between the Company and Joseph M. Wetzel, dated October 15, 2012.
31.1	Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Securities Exchange Act Rules 13a-14 and 15d-14, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
31.2	Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Securities Exchange Act Rules 13a-14 and 15d-14, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
32.1	Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
32.2	Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
101.INS	XBRL Instance Document*
101.SCH	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document*
101.CAL	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document*
101.DEF	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document*
101.LAB	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document*
101.PRE	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document*

* Pursuant to Rule 406T of Regulation S-T that this interactive data file is deemed not filed or part of a registration statement or prospectus for the purposes of section 11 or 12 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, is deemed not filed for purposes of section 18 of the Securities and Exchanges Act of 1934, as amended, and otherwise is not subject to liability under these sections.

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

		EARTHLINK, INC.
Date:	October 31, 2012	/s/ ROLLA P. HUFF
		Rolla P. Huff, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer (principal executive officer)
Date:	October 31, 2012	/s/ BRADLEY A. FERGUSON
		Bradley A. Ferguson, Chief Financial Officer
		(principal financial and accounting officer)

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EX-3.1

THIRD RESTATED

CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION

OF

EARTHLINK, INC.

EarthLink, Inc. (the “Corporation”), a corporation duly organized and existing under the laws of the State of Delaware, hereby certifies as follows:

1. The name under which the Corporation was originally incorporated was WWW Holdings, Inc.

2. The original Certificate of Incorporation was filed with the Secretary of State of Delaware on September 21, 1999.

3. This Third Restated Certificate of Incorporation was duly adopted by the Board of Directors of the Corporation (the “Board”) in accordance with Section 245 of the Delaware General Corporation Law (the “DGCL”).

4. On August 7, 2012, the Board adopted the resolutions set forth below in accordance with Section 151(g) of the DGCL:

Resolved, that the Board hereby determines that none of the authorized shares of the Series D Junior Preferred Stock (the “Preferred Stock”) subject to the Certificate of Designation previously filed with respect to such Preferred Stock have been issued and that none will be issued in the future.

Resolved, that the Board hereby determines to eliminate the Certificate of Designation for the Preferred Stock from the Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation in accordance with Section 151(g) of the DGCL.

5. This Third Restated Certificate of Incorporation only restates and integrates and does not further amend the provisions of the Corporation’s Certificate of Incorporation as heretofore amended or supplemented, and there is no discrepancy between those provisions and the provisions of this Third Restated Certificate of Incorporation.

6. The text of the Corporation’s Certificate of Incorporation as heretofore amended or supplemented is hereby restated to read in its entirety as follows:

ARTICLE 1.    NAME

The name of the Corporation is EarthLink, Inc. (the “Corporation”).

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ARTICLE 2.    REGISTERED OFFICE AND AGENT

The address of the Corporation’s registered office in the State of Delaware is at Corporation Trust Center, 1209 Orange Street, Wilmington, New Castle County, Delaware 19801. The name of the Corporation’s registered agent at such address is The Corporation Trust Company.

ARTICLE 3.    PURPOSES AND POWERS

The purposes for which the Corporation is formed are to engage in any lawful act or activity for which corporations may be organized under the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (“DGCL”) and to possess and exercise all of the powers and privileges granted by such law.

ARTICLE 4.    CAPITAL STOCK

The total number of shares of capital stock that the Corporation is authorized to issue is four hundred million (400,000,000), divided into two classes as follows:

(a) three hundred million (300,000,000) shares of common stock, $.01 par value per share (“Common Stock”); and

(b) one hundred million (100,000,000) shares of preferred stock, $.01 par value per share (“Preferred Stock”).

Common Stock. The holders of Common Stock shall be entitled to one vote for each share on all matters required or permitted to be voted on by stockholders of the Corporation under the DGCL. The Common Stock shall be subject to all of the rights, privileges, preferences and priorities of the Preferred Stock as set forth herein.

Preferred Stock. The Board of Directors is authorized, subject to limitations prescribed by law and the provisions of this Third Restated Certificate of Incorporation, to provide for the issuance, without stockholder approval, of shares of Preferred Stock in series, and by filing a certificate pursuant to the DGCL, to establish from time to time the number of shares to be included in each such series, and to fix the designation, powers, preferences and rights of the shares of each such series and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof.

The authority of the Board of Directors with respect to each series of Preferred Stock shall include, but not be limited to, determination of the following:

(1)    The number of shares constituting that series and the distinctive designation of that series; and

(2)    The dividend rate on the shares of that series, whether dividends shall be cumulative, and, if so, from which date or dates, and the relative rights of priority, if any, of payment of dividends on shares of that series; and

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(3)    Whether that series shall have voting rights, in addition to the voting rights provided by law, and, if so, the terms of such voting rights; and

(4)    Whether that series shall have conversion privileges, and, if so, the terms and conditions of such conversion, including provision for adjustment of the conversion rate in such events as the Board of Directors shall determine; and

(5)    Whether or not the shares of that series shall be redeemable, and, if so, the terms and conditions of such redemption, including the date or dates upon or after which they shall be redeemable, and the amount per share payable in case of redemption, which amount may vary under different conditions and at different redemption dates; and

(6)    Whether that series shall have a sinking fund for the redemption or purchase of shares of that series and, if so, the terms and amount of such sinking fund; and

(7)    The rights of the shares of that series in the event of voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation, and the relative rights of priority, if any, of payment of shares of that series; and

(8)    Any other relative rights, preferences and limitations of that series.

ARTICLE 5. BOARD OF DIRECTORS

The business and affairs of the Corporation shall be managed by, or under the direction of, a Board of Directors comprised as follows:

(1)    The initial number of directors shall be thirteen (13) and thereafter the number of directors of the Corporation shall be not less than two (2) and not more than seventeen (17), the exact number within such minimum and maximum limits to be fixed and determined from time to time by resolution of a majority of the Board of Directors or by the affirmative vote of the holders of at least a majority of all outstanding shares entitled to be voted in the election of directors, voting together as a single class.

(2)    The members of the Board of Directors shall be elected at each annual meeting of stockholders for a term expiring at the next succeeding annual meeting of stockholders, and in all cases as to each director until his or her successor shall be elected and shall qualify, or until his or her earlier resignation, removal from office, death or incapacity.

(3)    Except as set forth below with respect to vacancies and newly created directorships, directors shall be elected as provided in the Bylaws of the Corporation. The directors of the Corporation shall not be required to be elected by written ballots.

(4)    Nominations for the election of directors may be made by the Board of Directors or a committee appointed by the Board of Directors, or by any stockholder of record entitled to vote generally in the election of directors; provided, however, that any stockholder of record entitled to vote generally in the election of directors may nominate one or more persons for election as directors

2403758v1

at a meeting only if written notice of such stockholder’s intent to make such nomination or nominations has been given, either by personal delivery or by the United States mail, postage prepaid, to the Secretary of the Corporation not later than (i) with respect to any election to be held at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders, 90 days in advance of such meeting, and (ii) with respect to any election for directors to be held at a Special Meeting of Stockholders, the close of business on the seventh day following the date on which notice of such meeting is first given to stockholders. Each such notice shall set forth:

(A)    The name and address of the stockholder of record who intends to make the nomination and of the person or persons to be nominated;

(B)    a representation that the stockholder is a holder of record of shares of the Corporation entitled to vote at such meeting and intends to appear in person or by proxy at the meeting to nominate the person or persons specified in the notice;

(C)    a description of all arrangements or understandings between the stockholder and each nominee and any other person or persons (naming such person or persons) pursuant to which the nomination or nominations are to be made by the stockholder;

(D)    such other information regarding each nominee proposed by such stockholder as would be required to be included in a proxy statement filed pursuant to the then-current proxy rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission if the nominees were to be nominated by the Board of Directors; and

(E)    the consent of each nominee to serve as a director of the Corporation if so elected.

The Chairman of the meeting may refuse to acknowledge the nomination of any person not made in compliance with the foregoing procedure.

(5)    Any vacancy on the Board of Directors that results from an increase in the number of directors, from the prior death, resignation, retirement, disqualification or removal from office of a director, or otherwise shall be filled by a majority of the Board of Directors then in office, though less than a quorum, or by the sole remaining director, or by the stockholders of the Corporation if the Board of Directors has not filled the vacancy and each director so chosen shall hold office for a term expiring at the next succeeding annual meeting of stockholders and until his or her successor shall be elected and shall qualify, or until his or her earlier resignation, removal from office, death or incapacity.

(6)    At any meeting of stockholders with respect to which notice of such purpose has been given, the entire Board of Directors or any individual director may be removed, with or without cause, by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of all outstanding shares entitled to be voted at an election of directors, except that if less than the entire Board of Directors is to be removed, no director may be removed without cause if the votes cast against his removal would be sufficient to elect him if then cumulatively voted at an election of the entire Board of Directors.

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(7)    Notwithstanding the foregoing, whenever the holders of any one or more classes or series of Preferred Stock issued by the Corporation shall have the right, voting separately by class or series, to elect directors at an Annual or Special Meeting of Stockholders, the election, term of office, filling of vacancies and other features of such directorships shall be governed by the terms of this Third Restated Certificate of Incorporation or the resolutions of the Board of Directors creating such class or series, as the case may be, applicable thereto.

The invalidity or unenforceability of this Article 5 or any portion hereof, or of any action taken pursuant to this Article 5, shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision of this Third Restated Certificate of Incorporation, any action taken pursuant to such other provision, or any action taken pursuant to this Article 5.

ARTICLE 6.    LIMITATION OF LIABILITY; INDEMNIFICATION

The directors of the Corporation shall be protected from personal liability, through indemnification or otherwise, to the fullest extent permitted under the DGCL as from time to time in effect and any other provisions of Delaware law.

A director of the Corporation shall under no circumstances have any personal liability to the Corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director, except for those specific breaches and acts or omissions with respect to which the DGCL expressly provides that this provision shall not eliminate or limit such personal liability of directors. The modification or repeal of this paragraph of Article 6 shall not adversely affect the restriction hereunder of a director’s personal liability for any act or omission occurring prior to such modification or repeal.

The Corporation shall indemnify each director and officer of the Corporation to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, except as may be otherwise provided in the Corporation’s Bylaws. The modification or repeal of this paragraph of Article 6 shall not adversely affect the right of indemnification of any director or officer hereunder with respect to any act or omission occurring prior to such modification or repeal.

ARTICLE 7.    AMENDMENT OF CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION AND

BYLAWS

The Corporation reserves the right, at any time and from time to time, to alter, amend or repeal any provision contained in this Third Restated Certificate of Incorporation, and to add or insert other provisions authorized by the DGCL, in the manner now or hereafter prescribed by the laws of the State of Delaware, except that Article 5, Article 6 and this Article 7 may not be altered, amended or repealed except by the affirmative vote of at least two-thirds (2/3) of the shares entitled to vote thereon and the affirmative vote of a majority of the members of the entire Board of Directors. The Board of Directors of the Corporation is hereby expressly authorized to make, amend, repeal or otherwise alter the Bylaws of the Corporation. All rights, preferences and privileges of any nature conferred upon stockholders, directors or any other persons whomsoever by and pursuant to this Third Restated Certificate of Incorporation in its present form or as hereafter amended are granted subject to the rights reserved in this Article 7.

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Corporation has caused this Third Restated Certificate of Incorporation to be executed this 23rd day of October, 2012

EARTHLINK, INC.

By:    /s/ Samuel R. DeSimone, Jr.                                    Samuel R. DeSimone, Jr.                                Executive Vice President, General                                     Counsel and Secretary

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EX-10.1

October 15, 2012

Joseph M. Wetzel

7948 S. Clayton Circle

Centennial, CO 80122

Re:    Agreement

Dear Joe:

This letter agreement sets forth the complete terms under which your employment with EarthLink, Inc. (the “Company”) will cease.

1.End Date. Your employment with the Company is ceasing and your last day of employment with the Company will be December 31, 2012 (your “End Date”). After your End Date, you will no longer be an employee of the Company or of any parent, subsidiary or affiliate of the Company. You also hereby waive any claim for future employment with the Company or any parent, subsidiary or affiliate of the Company.

2.Payments. As consideration for the General Release described in paragraph 9 of this letter agreement and the other consideration described herein, the receipt and adequacy of which are hereby acknowledged, the Company will pay you the following:

(a)You, and after your death, your beneficiary, will receive a payment in the amount of $736,021 in a single lump sum payment on the first payroll date occurring (and no later than thirty (30) days) after the six months following your End Date or, if earlier, your death; and

(b)You, and after your death, your beneficiary, will receive a non-compete payment in the amount of $588,869 in a single lump sum payment on the first payroll date occurring (and no later than thirty (30) days) after the six months following your End Date or, if earlier, your death; and

(c)You, and after your death, your beneficiary, will receive the annual bonus you would have received under the Company’s annual bonus plan for the Company’s fiscal year ending December 31, 2012 (had you remained employed with the Company), in a single lump sum on the same date as bonus awards for the Company’s fiscal year ending December 31, 2012 are paid to the other participants in the Company’s annual bonus plan (but in no event later than 2½ months after December 31, 2012).

Nothing in this letter agreement shall be deemed an admission by the Company or any parent, subsidiary or affiliate of the Company, or by you, of any violation of any agreement, statute, law, or right or of any wrongdoing of any kind.

3.Employee Benefits. You also will receive the following employee benefits:

(a)You will have the right to elect and pay for continuation of your health insurance coverage under the Company’s health plans pursuant to the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985, as amended (“COBRA”), in accordance with the terms of the applicable Company health plans, and you will be required to pay any sums that are required to be paid for such COBRA continuation coverage. You, and after your death, your beneficiary, will receive a COBRA payment in the amount of $16,300 in a single lump sum payment on the first payroll date occurring (and no later than thirty (30) days) after the six months following your End Date or, if earlier, your death.

(b)You will receive your vested benefits under the Company’s 401(k) Plan in accordance with its terms.

(c)You and your dependents’ rights to benefits under the Company’s other employee benefit plans in which you participated, if any, will be determined in accordance with the applicable plan documents.

4.Standard Payments. You, and after your death, your beneficiary, will receive payments for your earned and unpaid base salary accrued through your End Date and unreimbursed business and entertainment expenses incurred or otherwise payable through your End Date as are reimbursable under the Company’s normal policies. Payment of these items will be made in a manner consistent with the normal check processing schedules of the Company but in no event later than thirty (30) days after your End Date. Payment of unreimbursed medical, dental and other employee benefit expenses shall be paid pursuant to the terms of the applicable benefit plans.

5.Consulting Agreement.

(a)    You agree to make yourself available to the Company to perform consulting services, to the extent reasonably requested by the Company, from the End Date through September 30, 2013 or such earlier date as you (by choice or circumstances) are no longer available to perform consulting services.  The consulting term may be extended beyond September 30, 2013 only if you and the Company so mutually agree. The period of time during which you are available to perform consulting services is hereinafter referred to as the consulting term or the term of the consulting arrangement. In performing any such consulting services, you shall at all times comply with the terms and conditions of this letter agreement, all applicable policies and procedures of the Company and any parent, subsidiary and affiliate of the Company and any reasonable written or oral instructions that may be provided to you by the Company in connection with your performance of consulting services under this letter agreement.

(b)    During the consulting term, you will report to the Chief Executive Officer of the Company or his designated representative and work closely with the Company’s other executive officers.

(c)    The Company shall pay you the following retainer with respect to the following projected hours of service during the consulting term:

Quarter	Monthly Retainer	Projected Quarterly Hours of Service
January 1, 2013 – March 31, 2013	$20,000	96
April 1, 2013 – June 30, 2013	$10,000	50
July 1, 2013 – September 30, 2013	$5,000	25

If with prior approval from the Chief Executive Officer you provide more than the projected hours of consulting services set forth above in any quarter, the Company will pay you $500 for each such hour of consulting services. Additionally, the Company shall reimburse you for any reasonable expenses incurred or paid by you in the course of performing any consulting services hereunder, provided that such expenses are approved in advance by the Company. You will receive your monthly retainer fee, hourly fees and reimbursements for any reasonable expenses incurred or paid by you in the course of providing consulting services, subject to adequate substantiation, no later than thirty (30) days after the calendar month for which your retainer is payable or in which you provide the services entitling you to additional hourly fees or in which you incur the reimbursable expenses. Notwithstanding the foregoing, (i) the reimbursements provided in any one calendar year shall not affect the amount of reimbursements provided in any other calendar year and (ii) your rights to reimbursements pursuant to this paragraph 5(e) shall not be subject to liquidation or exchange for another benefit.

(d)    You and the Company may mutually agree to terminate this consulting arrangement at any time prior to expiration of the consulting term; provided, however, that Company shall remain liable for and pay you for any amounts that are then due to be paid or reimbursed to you.

(e)    Both you and the Company, in the performance of this consulting arrangement, will be acting in your own separate capacities and not as agents, employees, partners, joint venturers or associates of one another. It is expressly understood and agreed that during the consulting term you will be an independent contractor of the Company in all manners and respects and that you will not be authorized to bind the Company or any parent, subsidiary or affiliate of the Company to any liability or obligation or to represent that you have any such authority. You will be solely responsible for all withholding taxes, social security taxes, unemployment taxes, and workers’ compensation insurance premiums relating to your provision of consulting services under this letter agreement. You will not be entitled to participate in or receive any benefits or other rights under any employee benefit plan of the Company as the result of this consulting arrangement.

(f)    All work product, property, data, documentation, information or materials conceived, discovered, developed or created by you in connection with the consulting arrangement under this letter agreement (collectively, the “Work Product”) shall be owned exclusively by the Company. To the greatest extent possible, any Work Product shall be deemed to be a “work made for hire” (as defined in the United States Copyright Act, 17 U.S.C.A. §101 etseq., as amended) and owned exclusively by the Company. You hereby unconditionally and irrevocably transfer and assign to the Company all right, title and interest in or to any such Work Product.

(g)    Notwithstanding the foregoing, for purposes of Section 409A of the Code, the Company and you agree that you will have a “separation from service” within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code on the End Date, because it is reasonably anticipated that the level of bona fide services you will perform after the End Date will permanently decrease to no more than twenty percent (20%) of the average level of bona fide services you performed over the thirty-six (36) month period immediately preceding the End Date.

6.Company Stock.

(a)Your Company Stock Options as of the End Date are set forth on Exhibit A attached hereto. As of the End Date, your Company Stock Options that otherwise would have become vested during the eighteen (18)-month period immediately following the End Date had you remained employed with the Company during such time shall become vested as of the End Date. Your Company Stock Options will continue to vest pursuant to their terms after the End Date and during the term of the consulting arrangement described in paragraph 5 above in the same manner as if you had continued your employment with the Company during the consulting term and the consulting term had commenced as of the eighteen (18) month anniversary of the End Date. Your then vested Company Stock Options (including Stock Options that were or became vested as of or after the End Date) will be exercisable in accordance with the Company’s 2011 Equity and Cash Incentive Plan and the related award agreements for ninety (90) days after the cessation of such consulting arrangement (but in no event will your vested Company Stock Options be exercisable beyond their latest expiration date as set forth in the related award agreements). Any of your Company Stock Options that are not vested as of the cessation of the consulting arrangement as described in this paragraph will be forfeited without any payment therefor. Should you be prohibited from executing your then vested Company Stock Options during the ninety (90)-day period after cessation of the consulting arrangement due to having material non-public information about the Company, such exercise period will be extended until ten (10) days following the date that you no longer have material non-public information about the Company (but in no event will your vested Company Stock Options be exercisable beyond their latest expiration date as set forth in the respective award agreements).

(b)Your Company Restricted Stock Units (“Company RSUs”) as of the End Date are set forth on Exhibit B attached hereto. As of the End Date, your Company RSUs that otherwise would have become vested and payable during the eighteen (18)-month period immediately following the End Date had you remained employed with the Company during such time shall become vested and payable as of the End Date, except if any of such Company RSUs contain performance criteria for payment (either alone or in combination with any continued employment or other requirements), then any tranche of such Company RSUs for which the performance period has ended prior to the End Date shall not be affected by the foregoing provisions of this paragraph. For example, if the Company RSU has separate twelve (12)-month performance periods for each of three tranches and the End Date occurred during the beginning of the second such performance period, the second tranche would fully vest upon the End Date (because it would end within eighteen (18) months after the End Date); the first tranche would vest (or not) based on the actual achievement of the performance goals applicable to the first performance period; and the third tranche would vest (or not) (notwithstanding actual performance) provided the applicable vesting date falls within that number of months after your End Date that equals the sum of eighteen (18) months and the number of months in your consulting term. Your Company RSUs will continue to vest and become payable pursuant to their terms after the End Date and during the term of the consulting arrangement described in paragraph 5 above in the same manner as if you had continued your employment with the Company during the consulting term and the consulting term had commenced as of the eighteen (18) month anniversary of the End Date. Any of your Company RSUs that become vested and payable as described above will be paid as soon as practicable after (and within thirty (30) days of) the date the Company RSUs become vested. Any of your Company RSUs that are not vested and payable as of the cessation of the consulting arrangement as described in this paragraph will be forfeited without any payment therefor.

7.Accord and Satisfaction. By signing this letter agreement, you accept the payments and benefits described herein as a final accord and satisfaction of all payments and benefits due you from the Company or any parent, subsidiary or affiliate of the Company relating to your employment,including, without limitation, any amounts that may be due you under the terms of your Employment Agreement dated October 19, 2011, which is attached hereto as Exhibit C (your “Employment Agreement”), and you hereby waive any rights to receive any other payments and benefits from the Company or any parent, subsidiary or affiliate of the Company other than as described in this letter agreement, including without limitation, any payments and benefits to which you may be entitled under your Employment Agreement. You also acknowledge that you are not entitled to receive any payments or benefits under any severance plan, arrangement, program or policy of the Company or any parent, subsidiary or affiliate of the Company. You also acknowledge that your receipt of this letter agreement constituted notice to you that your Employment Agreement would not be extended beyond December 31, 2012 and would be terminated as of such date except as otherwise set forth in this letter agreement.The Company acknowledges that you will be deemed to have resigned for Good Reason for purposes of your Employment Agreement. Except as otherwise provided herein, this letter agreement constitutes the final and entire agreement between you and the Company on the subject matter herein, and no other representation, promise, or agreement has been made to cause you to sign this letter agreement. All other agreements regarding your employment or the subject matter therein shall be superceded by this letter agreement, except as expressly set forth herein.

8.Non-Competition, Non-Recruitment and Confidential Information. You agree, acknowledge and affirm that Sections 7, 8, 9, and 10 of your Employment Agreement remain in full force and effect and are not superceded, merged or otherwise affected by this letter agreement and that you will continue to be bound by the terms and conditions of Sections 7, 8, 9, and 10 of your Employment Agreement (notwithstanding the non-renewal and termination of the other provisions of your Employment Agreement as described above). You further agree that the covenants, prohibitions and restrictions contained in this letter agreement are in addition to, and not in lieu of, any rights or remedies that the Company may have available pursuant to the foregoing sections of your Employment Agreement or the laws of any jurisdiction, or the common law or equity, and the enforcement or non-enforcement by the Company of its rights and remedies pursuant to this letter agreement shall not be construed as a waiver of any other rights or remedies that it may possess. Any breach by you of this paragraph 8, or of Sections 7, 8, 9, and 10 of your Employment Agreement, shall be grounds for termination of any payments to be made or benefits to be delivered hereunder. Additionally, in the event of any such breach, you agree to repay the Company any payments and benefits described in paragraphs 2, 3, 5 and 6 of this letter agreement that you previously received pursuant to this letter agreement, that you would not have been entitled to receive absent this letter agreement.

9.General Release. For and in consideration of the payments and promises set forth in this letter agreement, and other good and valuable consideration, the sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, you hereby release, acquit, and forever discharge the Company, and all its affiliates, parents, subsidiaries, partners, joint venturers, owners, and shareholders, and all of their officers, directors, employees, representatives, and agents, and all successors and assigns thereof (each a “Released Party”), from any and all claims, charges, complaints, demands, liabilities, obligations, promises, agreements, controversies, damages, actions, causes of action, suits, rights, entitlements, costs, losses, debts, and expenses (including attorneys’ fees and legal expenses), of any nature whatsoever, known or unknown, which you now have, had, or may hereafter claim to have had against the Company or any other Released Party, of any kind or nature whatsoever, arising from any act, omission, transaction, matter, or event which has occurred or is alleged to have occurred through the End Date and that is relating in any way to your employment with the Company or any Released Party, or the conclusion of that employment, whether such claims are now known or are later discovered.

The claims knowingly and voluntarily released herein include, but are not limited to, claims under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, 42 U.S.C. § 1981, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Family and Medical Leave Act, the Fair Labor Standards Act or other federal or state wage and hour laws, the Employee Retirement Income Security Act, claims for breach of contract, infliction of emotional distress, claims under any other federal or state law pertaining to employment or employment benefits, and any other claims of any kind based on any contract, tort, ordinance, regulation, statute, or constitution; provided, however, that nothing in this letter agreement shall be interpreted to release any claims which you may have for workers compensation benefits or any claims or liabilities for indemnification arising from your acts and/or omissions as an officer or director of the Company to the extent provided by law or the governing documents of the Company. You acknowledge that this letter agreement is a complete defense and shall constitute a full and final bar to any claim by you based on any act, omission, transaction, matter, or event which has occurred or is alleged to have occurred through the End Date.

10.Non-Disparagement. You agree not to make any statement or take any action that criticizes or disparages the Company, any Released Party or their parents, subsidiaries or affiliates, their employees, officers, directors, representatives and agents, their management or their practices or that disrupts or impairs their normal operations; and the Company, the Released Parties and their parents, subsidiaries and affiliates agree not to make any statement or take any action that criticizes or disparages you, except that nothing in this letter agreement shall be interpreted to limit either of our rights to confer with counsel or to provide truthful testimony pursuant to subpoena, notice of deposition or as otherwise required by law. This provision is in addition to, and not in lieu of, the substantive protections under applicable law relating to defamation, libel, slander, interference with contractual or business relationships, or other statutory, contractual, or tort theories.

11.Receipt and Effective Date. You acknowledge that you have read and understand this letter agreement, that you are hereby provided a period of twenty-one (21) calendar days to consider its terms, and that you are hereby advised in writing to discuss its terms with an attorney or other advisor before executing the letter agreement, and that your execution is purely voluntary. This letter agreement will not become effective and enforceable until seven (7) days after your execution, which must occur after the End Date and on or before the expiration of the twenty-one (21) calendar days you are being provided to consider its terms. Additionally, you may sign this letter agreement prior to the End Date to evidence your agreement to its terms, subject to the requirement to re-execute the letter agreement after the End Date. You further understand that you may revoke this letter agreement within seven (7) calendar days after either date you have signed it by delivering written notice of revocation to Stacie S. Hagan at 1375 Peachtree Street, Atlanta, Georgia 30309. If the end of such revocation period falls on a Saturday, Sunday or legal holiday in the State of Georgia, the revocation period shall be extended until the next day that is not a Saturday, Sunday or legal holiday in the State of Georgia. Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, you understand and agree that, if you fail to sign this letter agreement after the End Date and on or before the expiration of the twenty-one (21) calendar days, or if you revoke the letter agreement before the expiration of the applicable revocation period, this letter agreement shall be canceled and void and neither party shall have any rights or obligations arising under it, and you will not be entitled to receive any payments or benefits under this letter agreement not otherwise payable absent this letter agreement. Notwithstanding any other provision of this letter agreement, no payments or benefits shall be made under paragraphs 2, 3, 5 and 6 hereunder for the thirty (30) days immediately following the End Date. Any payments to be made or benefits to be delivered during such thirty (30) days will be delayed until the expiration of such thirty (30) days period. Any payments that would otherwise have been paid during that time shall be accumulated and paid in a lump sum immediately after the expiration of such period. Any benefit to be delivered during such time may be continued at your expense, with you having the right to reimbursement immediately after the expiration of such period. You further acknowledge that the payments and benefits set forth in paragraphs 2, 3, 5 and 6 herein would not be otherwise payable or deliverable in the absence of your agreement of the General Release in paragraph 9.

12.Severability. Except as set forth below, the terms, conditions, covenants, restrictions, and other provisions contained in this letter agreement are separate, severable, and divisible. If any term, provision, covenant, restriction, or condition of this letter agreement or part thereof, or the application thereof to any person, place, or circumstance, shall be held to be invalid, unenforceable, or void, the remainder of this letter agreement and such term, provision, covenant, or condition shall remain in full force and effect to the greatest extent practicable and permissible by law, and any such invalid, unenforceable, or void term, provision, covenant, or condition shall be deemed, without further action on the part of the parties hereto, modified, amended, limited, or deleted to the extent necessary to render the same and the remainder of this letter agreement valid, enforceable, and lawful.

13.Taxes. You shall be responsible for any tax consequences of any payments made or benefits delivered pursuant to this letter agreement, except for any applicable taxes that the Company withholds and except as provided in paragraph 21 hereof. You acknowledge and agree that the Company is not undertaking to advise you with respect to any tax consequences of this letter agreement, and that you are solely responsible for determining those consequences and satisfying all of your applicable tax obligations resulting from any payments described herein.

14.Assignment. Your rights and obligations under this letter agreement are personal to you and may not be transferred by you by assignment or otherwise.

15.Non-Waiver. Neither any course of dealing nor any failure or neglect of either party hereto in any instance to exercise any right, power, or privilege hereunder or under law shall constitute a waiver of that right, power, or privilege or of the same right, power, or privilege in any other instance. Any waiver by either party hereto must be contained in a written instrument signed by the party to be charged with such waiver and, in the case of the Company, by its Chief Executive Officer.

16.Acknowledgments. You acknowledge that you have read this letter agreement and understand its terms. You have been provided with a full and fair opportunity to consult with an attorney of your choosing and to obtain any and all advice you deem appropriate with respect to this letter agreement. In light of the foregoing, you are satisfied with the terms of this letter agreement and agree that its terms are binding upon you.

17.Non-Disclosure. You covenant and agree that you will not disclose the existence or terms of this letter agreement to any person except (i) licensed attorney(s) for the purpose of obtaining legal advice, (ii) licensed or certified accountant(s) for purposes of preparing tax returns or other financial services, (iii) proceedings to enforce the terms of this letter agreement, or (iv) as otherwise required by law or court order. However, nothing herein shall limit your ability to confer with legal counsel, to testify truthfully under subpoena or court order, or to cooperate with an investigation by a municipal, state or federal agency for enforcement of laws, and you may disclose the existence or terms of this letter agreement to your spouse or other immediate family, including your parents, provided you take reasonable measures to assure that she or they do not disclose the existence or terms of this letter agreement to a third party, except as otherwise allowed herein. The foregoing non-disclosure will not apply to the existence and terms of this letter agreement on and after, but only to the extent that, they become public knowledge upon any filing with the SEC.

18.Previous Agreements. This letter agreement supercedes any previous agreement(s), whether written or oral, that you may have had with the Company or any parent, subsidiary or affiliate, including your Employment Agreement, and any other such agreement is merged into and extinguished by this letter agreement, except as expressly provided otherwise in this letter agreement.

19.Governing Law and Interpretation. This letter agreement shall be deemed to be made in, and in all respects shall be interpreted, construed, and governed by and in accordance with the laws of the State of Georgia, notwithstanding any choice of law provisions otherwise requiring application of other laws. It shall be interpreted according to the fair meaning of the terms herein and not strictly in favor of, or against, either party.

20.Amendments. No amendment or modification of this letter agreement shall be binding or effective for any purpose unless made in a writing signed by the party against whom enforcement of such amendment or modification is sought.

21.Section 409A. Notwithstanding any other provision of this letter agreement, it is intended that any payment or benefit provided hereto that is considered nonqualified deferred compensation subject to Section 409A of the Code will be provided and paid in a manner, and at such time and in such form, as complies with the applicable requirements of Section 409A of the Code. For purposes of this letter agreement, all rights to payments and benefits hereunder will be treated as rights to a series of separate payments and benefits to the fullest extent allowable by Section 409A of the Code. To the extent that you incur liability for excise taxes, penalties or interest under Section 409A of the Code because any nonqualified deferred compensation plan of the Company fails to comply with Section 409A, the Company will make a special reimbursement payment to you equal to the sum of (i) your liability for excise taxes, penalties or interest under Section 409A and (ii) all taxes attributable to the special reimbursement payment, at the time such taxes, penalties and interest are required to be remitted to the applicable authorities and by the end of your taxable year next following the year in which the taxes that are the subject of the audit or litigation are remitted to the taxing authorities or, where no such taxes are remitted, the end of your taxable year following the year in which the audit is completed or there is a final and non-appealable settlement or resolution of the litigation.

22.Beneficiary. You may designate one or more individuals or entities as your beneficiary under this letter agreement and change any prior beneficiary designation, so long as such designation or change in designation is in writing and delivered to Stacie Hagan or her successor, at the address set forth in paragraph 11 above, prior to your death. In the absence of a valid beneficiary designation, or should your designated beneficiary predecease you, your estate shall be your beneficiary. Your beneficiary shall be entitled to receive any payments owed to you after your death, and to exercise any rights you had prior to your death, to the extent such payments or rights are to continue after your death.

Please sign and date in the first space below to accept the terms of this letter agreement and return the executed letter agreement to me for the Company’s files.

Additionally, for purposes of paragraphs 9 and 11 of this Agreement, in order for this letter agreement to become effective and enforceable, we will ask you following the End Date to again sign, date and have notarized the letter agreement in the second space below, which executed letter agreement shall also be returned to me.

If you have any questions, please let me know.

Sincerely,

By:

Rolla Huff

Chief Executive Officer

Acknowledged and Agreed:

By: _________________________________

Joseph M. Wetzel

Date: October ____, 2012

* * * * * * *

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has signed and executed this letter agreement on the date set forth below as an expression of his intent to be bound by the foregoing terms of this letter agreement, including without limitation the general release set forth in paragraph 9 of the letter agreement.

By: _________________________________

Joseph M. Wetzel

Date:

Sworn to and subscribed

before me this _______ day

of _______________, ______.

________________________________________________

Notary Public

[Seal]

Exhibit A

Company Stock Options

Grant Date	Grant Type	Granted	Grant Price	Outstanding	Shares Vesting	Future Vest Date
2/16/2012	NQ	178,447	$7.51	178,447	44,611	2/16/2013*
					44,612	2/16/2014*
					44,612	2/16/2015**
					44,612	2/16/2016***
2/16/2012	ISOs	53,260	$7.51	53,260	13,315	2/16/2013*
					13,315	2/16/2014*
					13,315	2/16/2015**
					13,315	2/16/2016***
				Total Stock Options	231,707

* Vested (contingent upon the General Release) as of the End Date.

** Eligible to become vested (contingent upon the General Release) if you render consulting services and the future vest date falls within that number of months after your End Date that equals the sum of eighteen (18) months and the number of months you render consulting services.

*** Will be forfeited upon expiration of the nine (9) month consulting term (or at such earlier time your consulting may end).

Exhibit B

Company RSUs

Grant Date	Grant Type	Granted	Performance or Service Vesting	Performance Period Ends	Outstanding	Shares Vesting	Future Vest Date
2/7/2011	RSUs	45,000	Service	NA	30,000	15,000	2/7/2013*
						15,000	2/7/2014*
2/7/2011	RSUs	45,000	Performance	12/31/2011	45,000	45,000	2/7/2014***
2/16/2012	RSUs	30,360	Performance	12/31/2012	30,360	30,360	2/16/2015****
2/16/2012	RSUs	7,589	Performance	12/31/2013	7,589	7,589	2/16/2015**
2/16/2012	RSUs	12,650	Performance	12/31/2014	12,650	12,650	2/16/2015**
					Total RSUs	125,599

* Vested (contingent upon the General Release) as of the End Date.

** Eligible to become vested (contingent upon the General Release) if you render consulting services and the future vest date falls within that number of months after your End Date that equals the sum of eighteen (18) months and the number of months you render consulting services (notwithstanding actual performance for the requisite performance periods).

*** Vested (contingent upon the General Release) as of the End Date, subject to actual achievement of the applicable performance goals for the requisite performance periods.

**** Eligible to become vested (contingent upon the General Release) if you render consulting services and the future vest date falls within that number of months after your End Date that equals the sum of eighteen (18) months and the number of months you render consulting services, subject to actual achievement of the applicable performance goals for the requisite performance periods.

Exhibit C

Employment Agreement

20140994v5

Page #PageNum# of 13

EX-31.1

Exhibit 31.1

CERTIFICATION OF CEO PURSUANT TO

SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT RULES 13a-14 AND 15d-14

AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO

SECTION 302 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

I, Rolla P. Huff, certify that:

1. I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the period ended September 30, 2012 of EarthLink, Inc.;

2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

(a) designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

(b) designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

(c) evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

(d) disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

5. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

(a) all significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

(b) any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

Date:	October 31, 2012	By:	/s/ ROLLA P. HUFF
			Rolla P. Huff
			Chief Executive Officer

EX-31.2

Exhibit 31.2

CERTIFICATION OF CFO PURSUANT TO

SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT RULES 13a-14 AND 15d-14

AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO

SECTION 302 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

I, Bradley A. Ferguson, certify that:

1. I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the period ended September 30, 2012 of EarthLink, Inc.;

2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

(a) designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

(b) designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

(c) evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

(d) disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

5. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

(a) all significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

(b) any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

Date:	October 31, 2012	By:	/s/ BRADLEY A. FERGUSON
			Bradley A. Ferguson
			Chief Financial Officer

EX-32.1

Exhibit 32.1

CERTIFICATION OF CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER PURSUANT TO

18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,

AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO

SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

In connection with the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of EarthLink, Inc. (the “Company”) for the period ended September 30, 2012 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), I, Rolla P. Huff, Chief Executive Officer of the Company, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, to my knowledge that:

(1) the Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

(2) the information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

/s/ ROLLA P. HUFF

Rolla P. Huff

Chief Executive Officer

October 31, 2012

EX-32.2

Exhibit 32.2

CERTIFICATION OF CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER PURSUANT TO

18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,

AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO

SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

In connection with the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of EarthLink, Inc. (the “Company”) for the period ended September 30, 2012 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), I, Bradley A. Ferguson, Chief Financial Officer of the Company, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, to my knowledge that:

(1)   the Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

(2)   the information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

/s/ BRADLEY A. FERGUSON

Bradley A. Ferguson

Chief Financial Officer

October 31, 2012

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Acquisitions (Details) (USD $)	1 Months Ended	9 Months Ended			1 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2012	Apr. 02, 2011	Apr. 30, 2011 One Communications	Sep. 30, 2012 One Communications	Apr. 02, 2011 One Communications
Business Acquisitions
Percentage interest acquired in merger transaction							0.00%
Aggregate merger consideration							$ 370,000,000
Escrow deposit used to fund post-closing working capital and other obligations					13,500,000
BusinessAcquisitionCashEscrowReturned			1,400,000
BusinessAcquisitionShareEscrowReturnedShares			200,000
BusinessAcquisitionShareEscrowReturnedValue			1,400,000
Number of shares deposited in escrow account used to fund post-closing working capital and other obligations (in shares)					800,000
Escrow deposit used to fund post-closing employment related obligations							7,500,000
Number of shares deposited in escrow account used to fund post-closing employment related obligations (in shares)					500,000
Number of common stock issued (in shares)	3,000,000
Number of shares deposited in escrow account (in shares)	1,300,000
Number of shares of issued to acquiree's shareholders (in shares)	1,700,000
Treasury Stock Value Returned From Escrow Fund		900,000				3,100,000
Treasury Stock Shares Returned From Escrow Fund						400,000
Total consideration							39,927,000
Cash paid for acquisition							20,000,000
Stock units issued as consideration for acquisition							19,900,000
Fair value of accounts receivable				48,100,000
Gross contractual value of accounts receivable				$ 57,500,000

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Long-Term Debt and Capital Lease Obligations (Details) (USD $)	1 Months Ended	9 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended		3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2011	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 08, 2010	Sep. 30, 2012 ITC DeltaCom senior secured notes due April 2016 M	Dec. 31, 2011 ITC DeltaCom senior secured notes due April 2016	Sep. 30, 2011 Senior Notes 8.875 percent due 2019	Sep. 30, 2012 Senior Notes 8.875 percent due 2019	May 16, 2011 Senior Notes 8.875 percent due 2019	Sep. 30, 2011 Senior secured revolving credit facility	Sep. 30, 2012 Senior secured revolving credit facility	May 16, 2011 Senior secured revolving credit facility	Sep. 30, 2012 Senior secured revolving credit facility Base rate	Sep. 30, 2012 Senior secured revolving credit facility LIBOR
Debt instrument:
Principal amount			$ 325,000,000					$ 300,000,000
Interest rate (as a percent)		10.50%	10.50%				8.875%	8.875%				1.50%	2.50%
Unamortized premium			26,300,000	18,622,000	22,056,000
Redemption price as percentage of principal amount on consummation		0.00%
Outstanding principal amount of debt repurchased	200,000
Percentage of principal amount at which the entity may redeem some or all of the notes prior to April 1, 2013		0.00%		10.00%
Maximum redemption price as a percentage of the principal amount if the notes are redeemed on or after April 1, 2013		105.25%
Minimum redemption price as a percentage of the principal amount if the notes are redeemed on or after April 1, 2013		0.00%
Maximum percentage of the aggregate principal amount of notes redeemable before initial redemption date with net proceeds of certain equity offerings				35.00%			35.00%
Redemption price as percentage of principal amount with the net proceeds of equity offerings				110.50%
Number of consecutive monthly periods that the entity may redeem the notes before April 1, 2013 (in months)				12
Redemption price as percentage of principal amount of notes redeemable during any 12-month period before April 1, 2013		103.00%
Percentage of principal amount at which notes may be required to be repurchased in event of sales of certain assets				0.00%
Percentage of principal amount at which notes may be required to be repurchased in event of change of control				101.00%			101.00%
Issue price as percentage of principal amount								96.555%
Gross proceeds from issuance of debt						289,700,000
Proceeds from issuance of long term debt, net of transaction fees						280,200,000
Transaction fees on debt issued						9,500,000			1,900,000
Redemption price as percentage of principal amount of notes redeemable from May 2015 to May 2016							104.438%
Redemption price as percentage of principal amount of notes redeemable from May 2016 to May 2017							102.219%
Redemption price as percentage of principal amount of notes redeemable after May 2017							0.00%
Redemption price as percentage of principal amount of notes redeemable before May 2015							0.00%
Redemption price as percentage of principal amount							108.875%
Maximum borrowing capacity											150,000,000
Commitment fee (as a percent)										0.375%
Letters of Credit Outstanding, Amount										$ 2,100,000

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Investments (Details)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012 Y M
Marketable Securities
Classification in balance sheet as marketable securities, minimum maturity (in months)	3
Classification in balance sheet as marketable securities, maximum maturity (in years)	1
Classification in balance sheet as long-term marketable securities, minimum maturity (in years)	1

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Condensed Consolidating Financial Information (Details 4) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Condensed Consolidating Financial Information
Net cash provided by operating activities	$ 178,528	$ 116,480
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchase of business, net of cash acquired	0	(40,097)
Purchases of property and equipment	(80,729)	(70,967)
Purchases of marketable securities	(57,528)	0
Sales and maturities of investments in marketable securities	38,763	319,729
Change in restricted cash	768	489
Payment for investment in subsidiary stock		0
Other	0	(3,765)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	(98,726)	205,389
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from issuance of debt, net of issuance costs	0	278,383
Principal payments under capital lease obligations	(1,243)	(272,391)
Repurchases of common stock	(12,967)	(39,540)
Payment of dividends	(15,917)	(17,214)
Proceeds from exercises of stock options	236	566
Proceeds from Parent		0
Other	(99)	(685)
Net cash used in financing activities	(29,792)	(49,511)
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents	50,010	272,358
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	211,783	242,952
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	261,793	515,310
Parent
Condensed Consolidating Financial Information
Net cash provided by operating activities	91,098	81,939
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchase of business, net of cash acquired		(28,685)
Purchases of property and equipment	(15,962)	(4,673)
Purchases of marketable securities	(57,528)
Sales and maturities of investments in marketable securities	38,763	319,729
Change in restricted cash	0	0
Payment for investment in subsidiary stock		342,341
Other		(600)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	(34,727)	(56,570)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from issuance of debt, net of issuance costs		278,383
Principal payments under capital lease obligations	7	(1,283)
Repurchases of common stock	(12,967)	(39,540)
Payment of dividends	(15,917)	(17,214)
Proceeds from exercises of stock options	236	566
Proceeds from Parent		0
Other	(30)	(1)
Net cash used in financing activities	(28,611)	220,913
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents	27,760	246,282
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	148,363	197,615
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	176,123	443,897
Guarantor Subsidiaries
Condensed Consolidating Financial Information
Net cash provided by operating activities	34,403	(2,788)
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchase of business, net of cash acquired		11,447
Purchases of property and equipment	(36,987)	(31,232)
Purchases of marketable securities	0
Sales and maturities of investments in marketable securities	0	0
Change in restricted cash	0	0
Payment for investment in subsidiary stock		0
Other		(3,413)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	(36,987)	(23,198)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from issuance of debt, net of issuance costs		0
Principal payments under capital lease obligations	(890)	(267,544)
Repurchases of common stock	0	0
Payment of dividends	0	0
Proceeds from exercises of stock options	0	0
Proceeds from Parent		312,341
Other	0	(634)
Net cash used in financing activities	(890)	45,431
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents	(3,474)	19,445
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	28,490	1,752
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	25,016	21,197
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries
Condensed Consolidating Financial Information
Net cash provided by operating activities	53,027	37,329
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchase of business, net of cash acquired		(22,859)
Purchases of property and equipment	(27,780)	(35,062)
Purchases of marketable securities	0
Sales and maturities of investments in marketable securities	0	0
Change in restricted cash	768	489
Payment for investment in subsidiary stock		0
Other		248
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	(27,012)	(57,184)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from issuance of debt, net of issuance costs		0
Principal payments under capital lease obligations	(360)	(3,564)
Repurchases of common stock	0	0
Payment of dividends	0	0
Proceeds from exercises of stock options	0	0
Proceeds from Parent		(30,000)
Other	(69)	(50)
Net cash used in financing activities	(291)	26,486
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents	25,724	6,631
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	34,930	43,585
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	60,654	50,216
Eliminations
Condensed Consolidating Financial Information
Net cash provided by operating activities	0	0
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchase of business, net of cash acquired		0
Purchases of property and equipment	0	0
Purchases of marketable securities	0
Sales and maturities of investments in marketable securities	0	0
Change in restricted cash	0	0
Payment for investment in subsidiary stock		342,341
Other		0
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	0	342,341
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from issuance of debt, net of issuance costs		0
Principal payments under capital lease obligations	0	0
Repurchases of common stock	0	0
Payment of dividends	0	0
Proceeds from exercises of stock options	0	0
Proceeds from Parent		342,341
Other	0	0
Net cash used in financing activities	0	(342,341)
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents	0	0
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	0	0
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	$ 0	$ 0

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Long-Term Debt and Capital Lease Obligations (Details 2) (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 08, 2010	Dec. 06, 2012 Secured Debt [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Secured Debt [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Secured Debt [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Senior Notes 8875 Percent Due 2019 [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Senior Notes 8875 Percent Due 2019 [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Capital Lease Obligations [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Capital Lease Obligations [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term Debt	$ 651,602,000	$ 655,420,000		$ 292,320,000	$ 324,800,000	$ 324,800,000	$ 300,000,000	$ 300,000,000	$ 17,247,000	$ 18,343,000
Debt Instrument, Unamortized Discount							(9,067,000)	(9,779,000)
Debt Instrument, Unamortized Premium			26,300,000		18,622,000	22,056,000
Long-term Debt and Capital Lease Obligations, Current	(1,439,000)	(1,655,000)
Long-term Debt and Capital Lease Obligations	$ 650,163,000	$ 653,765,000

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Restructuring, Acquisition and Integration-Related Costs (Details 4) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Restructuring, Acquisition and Integration-Related Costs [Abstract]
Balance as of December 31, 2011			$ 7,432
Accruals	5	57	(176)	520
Payments			(2,255)
Balance as of September 30, 2012	$ 5,001		$ 5,001

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Fair Value Measurements (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2012

Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]

Schedule of assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis

					Fair Value Measurements as of December 31, 2011 Using
Description	Carrying Value		Fair Value		Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)		Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)		Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
	(in thousands)
Cash equivalents	$	105,297	$	105,297	$	105,297	$	—	$	—
Government and agency securities	11,304		11,304		—		11,304		—
Corporate debt securities	11,057		11,057		—		11,057		—
Commercial paper	4,246		4,246		—		4,246		—
Certificates of deposit	3,000		3,000		—		3,000		—
Total	$	134,904	$	134,904	$	105,297	$	29,607	$	—

					Fair Value Measurements as of September 30, 2012 Using
Description	Carrying Value		Fair Value		Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)		Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)		Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
	(in thousands)
Cash equivalents	$	111,236	$	111,236	$	111,236	$	—	$	—
Government and agency securities	4,876		4,876		—		4,876		—
Corporate debt securities	31,652		31,652		—		31,652		—
Commercial paper	8,790		8,790		—		8,790		—
Certificates of deposit	3,054		3,054		—		3,054		—
Total	$	159,608	$	159,608	$	111,236	$	48,372	$	—

Schedule of fair value of debt excluding capital leases

	As of December 31, 2011				As of September 30, 2012
	Carrying				Carrying
	Amount		Fair Value		Amount		Fair Value
	(in thousands)
ITC^DeltaCom senior notes	$	346,856	$	320,578	$	343,422	$	351,596
EarthLink senior notes	290,221		284,700		290,933		306,000
Total debt, excluding capital leases	$	637,077	$	605,278	$	634,355	$	657,596

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Stock-Based Compensation (Details) (USD $) Share data in Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]
Share-based Compensation	$ 2,700,000	$ 3,400,000	$ 8,203,000	$ 10,454,000
Share-based compensation arrangements by share-based payment award
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value			$ 1.65
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Fair Value Assumptions, Expected Dividend Rate			2.69%
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Grants in Period, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value			$ 7.54	$ 7.83
Weighted Average Exercise Price
Outstanding at the beginning of the period (in dollars per share)			$ 0
Granted (in dollars per share)			$ 0
Exercised (in dollars per share)			$ 0
Forfeited and expired (in dollars per share)			$ 0
Outstanding at the end of the period (in dollars per share)	$ 0		$ 0
Vested and expected to vest at the end of the period (in dollars per share)	$ 0		$ 0
Exercisable at the end of the period (in dollars per share)	$ 0		$ 0
Aggregate Intrinsic Value
Aggregate intrinsic value of options exercised			56,000	80,000
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Fair Value Assumptions, Expected Volatility Rate			32.50%
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Fair Value Assumptions, Risk Free Interest Rate			0.807%
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Fair Value Assumptions, Expected Term			5 years
Stock Options
Stock option activity
Outstanding at the beginning of the period (in shares)			1,875
Granted (in shares)			2,581
Exercised (in shares)			(39)
Forfeited and expired (in shares)			(634)
Outstanding at the end of the period (in shares)	3,783		3,783
Vested and expected to vest at the end of the period (in shares)	3,672		3,672
Exercisable at the end of the period (in shares)	1,554		1,554
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term
Options outstanding at the end of the period (in years)			6 years 10 months 10 days
Vested and expected to vest at the end of the period (in years)			6 years 9 months 15 days
Exercisable at the end of the period (in years)			3 years 2 months 23 days
Aggregate Intrinsic Value
Outstanding at the end of the period	74,000		74,000
Vested and expected to vest at the end of the period	74,000		74,000
Exercisable at the end of the period	74,000		74,000
Unrecognized compensation costs	3,100,000		3,100,000
Weighted-average period for recognition of unrecognized compensation cost (in years)			3 years 4 months 21 days
Restricted Stock Units
Aggregate Intrinsic Value
Unrecognized compensation costs	$ 16,600,000		$ 16,600,000
Weighted-average period for recognition of unrecognized compensation cost (in years)			1 year 11 months 5 days

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Subsequent Event (Details) (USD $)	0 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Dec. 06, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Planned Long-term Debt Redemption as Percentage of Principal Amount		10.00%
Long-term Debt Redemption Price During any Twelve Month Period Prior to April 2013 as Percentage of Principal Amount		103.00%
Extinguishment of Debt, Amount	$ 32,500,000
Long-term Debt		651,602,000	655,420,000
Secured Debt [Member]
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Long-term Debt	$ 292,320,000	$ 324,800,000	$ 324,800,000

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Acquisitions (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2012

Business Combinations [Abstract]

Schedule of preliminary allocation of purchase consideration

Acquired Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	11,304
Property and equipment	144,538
Goodwill	87,377
Intangible assets	185,850
Other assets	68,752
Total assets	497,821
Assumed Liabilities:
Debt	(266,275		)
Deferred revenue	(11,379		)
Deferred tax liability, net	(2,055		)
Other liabilities	(178,185		)
Total liabilities	(457,894		)
Total consideration	$	39,927

Schedule of preliminary components of intangible assets

	Fair Value		Useful Life
Customer relationships	$	168,600	5 years
Developed technology	12,000		3 years
Trade name	3,900		3 years
Other	1,350		5 years
Total intangible assets	$	185,850

Schedule of unaudited pro forma revenue and earnings assumes the acquisition of One Communications occurred on January 1, 2011

	Nine Months Ended
	September 30, 2011
	(in thousands)
Total revenues	$	1,097,530
Net income	38,563

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Investments (Details 3) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	$ 48,356	$ 29,621
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	0	14
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	16	0
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	48,372	29,607
US Treasury and Government [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	4,875	11,306
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	0	2
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	1	0
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	4,876	11,304
Corporate Debt Securities [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	31,640	11,069
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	0	12
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	12	0
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	31,652	11,057
Commercial Paper [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	8,788	4,246
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	0	0
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	2	0
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	8,790	4,246
Certificates of Deposit [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	3,053	3,000
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	0	0
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	1	0
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	$ 3,054	$ 3,000

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Acquisitions (Details 4) (One Communications Corp [Member], USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2011
One Communications Corp [Member]
Total revenues	$ 1,097,530
Net income	$ 38,563

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Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2011
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Reclassification Adjustment To Conform To Current Period Presentation	$ 7.5

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Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Details 2) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Dec. 31, 2011
Intangible assets subject to amortization:
Gross Carrying Value	$ 407,067,000		$ 407,067,000		$ 407,067,000
Accumulated Amortization	(174,852,000)		(174,852,000)		(121,706,000)
Net Carrying Value	232,215,000		232,215,000		285,361,000
Amortization of intangible assets	17,709,000	17,509,000	53,146,000	41,591,000
Future amortization expense of definite-lived intangible assets
2012	17,500,000		17,500,000
2013			65,400,000
2014			61,000,000
2015			59,000,000
2016			28,200,000
Thereafter			1,100,000
Customer relationships
Intangible assets subject to amortization:
Gross Carrying Value	371,835,000		371,835,000		371,835,000
Accumulated Amortization	(155,802,000)		(155,802,000)		(111,632,000)
Net Carrying Value	216,033,000		216,033,000		260,203,000
Weighted average amortization period (in years)			5 years 2 months 12 days
Developed Technology and Software
Intangible assets subject to amortization:
Gross Carrying Value	24,311,000		24,311,000		24,311,000
Accumulated Amortization	(12,705,000)		(12,705,000)		(6,279,000)
Net Carrying Value	11,606,000		11,606,000		18,032,000
Weighted average amortization period (in years)			3 years 10 months 24 days
Trade names
Intangible assets subject to amortization:
Gross Carrying Value	9,121,000		9,121,000		9,121,000
Accumulated Amortization	(5,636,000)		(5,636,000)		(3,507,000)
Net Carrying Value	3,485,000		3,485,000		5,614,000
Weighted average amortization period (in years)			3 years 3 months 18 days
Other
Intangible assets subject to amortization:
Gross Carrying Value	1,800,000		1,800,000		1,800,000
Accumulated Amortization	(709,000)		(709,000)		(288,000)
Net Carrying Value	$ 1,091,000		$ 1,091,000		$ 1,512,000
Weighted average amortization period (in years)			4 years 4 months 24 days

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Condensed Consolidating Financial Information (Details)	Sep. 30, 2012
Condensed Consolidating Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]
Percentage Ownership in all guarantor subsidiaries	0.00%

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Income Taxes (Details 2) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012
Unrecognized tax benefits
Balance at the beginning of period		$ 24,560,000
Adjustment to tax positions under purchase accounting		398,000
Additions for tax positions of prior years		(814,000)
Balance at the end of period	24,144,000	24,144,000
Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Income Tax Penalties and Interest Accrued	800,000	800,000
Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Income Tax Penalties Accrued	900,000	900,000
Unrecognized Tax Benefits Maximum Period For Reversal	12	12
Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Reductions Resulting from Lapse of Applicable Statute of Limitations	$ 1,100,000	$ 700,000

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Restructuring, Acquisition and Integration-Related Costs (Details 5) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Restructuring, Acquisition and Integration-Related Costs [Abstract]
Severance and retention costs	$ 2,051	$ 3,783	$ 5,111	$ 13,608
Transaction-related Costs	373	325	1,366	4,867
Integration-related Costs	3,614	593	6,944	834
Facility-related Costs	336	4,208	491	4,688
Acquisition and Integration Related Costs	$ 6,374	$ 8,909	$ 13,912	$ 23,997

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Acquisitions

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2012

Business Combinations [Abstract]

Acquisitions

Acquisitions

One Communications

On April 1, 2011, EarthLink completed its acquisition of One Communications Corp. (“One Communications”), a privately-held integrated telecommunications solutions provider serving customers in the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic and Upper Midwest. EarthLink acquired 100% of One Communications in a merger transaction with One Communications surviving as a wholly-owned subsidiary of EarthLink. The primary reason for the acquisition was to further transform the Company into a network and communications provider for business customers by expanding its IP network footprint. EarthLink also believes the acquisition will provide strategic benefits because One Communications has a large established customer base that generates cash. EarthLink has included the financial results of One Communications in its consolidated financial statements from the date of the acquisition.

Pursuant to the terms of the merger agreement, the aggregate merger consideration for One Communications was $370.0 million, which included assumption and repayment of debt and other liabilities and certain working capital and other adjustments. EarthLink issued a total of 3.0 million shares in connection with the One Communications acquisition, which consisted of 1.3 million shares deposited in escrow (discussed below) and 1.7 million shares issued to One Communications shareholders. Pursuant to the merger agreement, the following escrow transactions have occurred:

• Included in the aggregate merger consideration was $13.5 million (combination of cash and approximately 0.8 million shares of common stock) deposited into an escrow account to secure potential post-closing adjustments to the aggregate consideration relating to working capital and other similar adjustments. Of the $13.5 million escrow account, approximately $1.4 million of cash and 0.2 million shares of common stock valued at $1.4 million have been returned to EarthLink as of September 30, 2012.

• EarthLink deposited $7.5 million (combination of cash and approximately 0.5 million shares of common stock) into an escrow account to fund certain post-closing employment-related obligations of the Company on the terms provided in the escrow agreement. This was accounted for separately from the purchase price allocation. As of September 30, 2012, the entire $7.5 million escrow had been returned to EarthLink and none of the escrow account remained outstanding.

The resulting fair value of consideration transferred was $39.9 million which consisted of $20.0 million in cash and $19.9 million for the issuance of EarthLink common stock. The assets acquired and liabilities assumed of One Communications were recognized at their acquisition date fair values.

The following table presents the allocation of the consideration transferred (in thousands):

Acquired Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	11,304
Property and equipment	144,538
Goodwill	87,377
Intangible assets	185,850
Other assets	68,752
Total assets	497,821
Assumed Liabilities:
Debt	(266,275		)
Deferred revenue	(11,379		)
Deferred tax liability, net	(2,055		)
Other liabilities	(178,185		)
Total liabilities	(457,894		)
Total consideration	$	39,927

Included in other assets is accounts receivable with an estimate of fair value of $48.1 million and a gross contractual value of $57.5 million. The difference represents the Company’s best estimate of the contractual cash flows that will not be collected.

Goodwill arising from the acquisition was attributable to the assembled workforce and expected synergies and economies of scale from combining the operations of EarthLink and One Communications. All of the goodwill was assigned to the Company’s Business Services segment. The goodwill is not deductible for income tax purposes.

The following table summarizes the components of intangible assets acquired in connection with the One Communications acquisition (in thousands):

	Fair Value		Useful Life
Customer relationships	$	168,600	5 years
Developed technology	12,000		3 years
Trade name	3,900		3 years
Other	1,350		5 years
Total intangible assets	$	185,850

Pro Forma Financial Information

The following unaudited pro forma revenue and earnings assumes the acquisition of One Communications occurred on January 1, 2011:

	Nine Months Ended
	September 30, 2011
	(in thousands)
Total revenues	$	1,097,530
Net income	38,563

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Fair Value Measurements (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Fair value disclosure
Marketable securities	$ 48,372	$ 29,607
Government and agency securities
Fair value disclosure
Marketable securities	4,876	11,304
Corporate debt securities
Fair value disclosure
Marketable securities	31,652	11,057
Commercial paper
Fair value disclosure
Marketable securities	8,790	4,246
Certificates of deposit
Fair value disclosure
Marketable securities	3,054	3,000
Carrying Value
Fair value disclosure
Cash equivalents	111,236	105,297
Total	159,608	134,904
Carrying Value | Government and agency securities
Fair value disclosure
Marketable securities	4,876	11,304
Carrying Value | Corporate debt securities
Fair value disclosure
Marketable securities	31,652	11,057
Carrying Value | Commercial paper
Fair value disclosure
Marketable securities	8,790	4,246
Carrying Value | Certificates of deposit
Fair value disclosure
Marketable securities	3,054	3,000
Fair Value
Fair value disclosure
Cash equivalents	111,236	105,297
Total	159,608	134,904
Fair Value | Government and agency securities
Fair value disclosure
Marketable securities	4,876	11,304
Fair Value | Corporate debt securities
Fair value disclosure
Marketable securities	31,652	11,057
Fair Value | Commercial paper
Fair value disclosure
Marketable securities	8,790	4,246
Fair Value | Certificates of deposit
Fair value disclosure
Marketable securities	3,054	3,000
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)
Fair value disclosure
Cash equivalents	111,236	105,297
Total	111,236	105,297
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) | Government and agency securities
Fair value disclosure
Marketable securities	0	0
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) | Corporate debt securities
Fair value disclosure
Marketable securities	0	0
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) | Commercial paper
Fair value disclosure
Marketable securities	0	0
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) | Certificates of deposit
Fair value disclosure
Marketable securities	0	0
Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)
Fair value disclosure
Cash equivalents	0	0
Total	48,372	29,607
Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) | Government and agency securities
Fair value disclosure
Marketable securities	4,876	11,304
Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) | Corporate debt securities
Fair value disclosure
Marketable securities	31,652	11,057
Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) | Commercial paper
Fair value disclosure
Marketable securities	8,790	4,246
Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) | Certificates of deposit
Fair value disclosure
Marketable securities	3,054	3,000
Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
Fair value disclosure
Cash equivalents	0	0
Total	0	0
Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) | Government and agency securities
Fair value disclosure
Marketable securities	0	0
Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) | Corporate debt securities
Fair value disclosure
Marketable securities	0	0
Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) | Commercial paper
Fair value disclosure
Marketable securities	0	0
Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) | Certificates of deposit
Fair value disclosure
Marketable securities	$ 0	$ 0

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Restructuring, Acquisition and Integration-Related Costs (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended	17 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012 Y	Dec. 31, 2008	Dec. 31, 2011
Restructuring and Related Activities [Abstract]
Number of workforce reduced		900
Maximum Maturity for Liability Classification	1
Minimum Maturity for Liability Classification	1
Facility exit and restructuring liabilities, classified as other accrued liabilities	$ 2.5		$ 3.1
Facility exit and restructuring liabilities, classified as other long-term liabilities	$ 2.5		$ 4.3

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Other Accrued Liabilities Accrued Liabilities (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2012

Other Accrued Liabilities [Abstract]

Schedule of Accrued Liabilities [Table Text Block]

	As of December 31, 2011		As of September 30, 2012
	(in thousands)
Accrued taxes and surcharges	$	28,336	$	34,642
Accrued communications costs	29,830		43,141
Accrued interest	11,954		27,314
Amounts due to customers	17,435		16,624
Facility exit and restructuring liabilities	3,081		3,614
Other	36,205		31,230
Total other accrued liabilities	$	126,841	$	156,565

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Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2012

Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]

Schedule of changes in the carrying amount of goodwill by operating segment

	Consumer Services Segment		Business Services Segment			Total
	(in thousands)
Balance as of December 31, 2011
Goodwill	$	88,920	$	377,193		$	466,113
Accumulated impairment loss	—		(87,878		)	(87,878		)
	88,920		289,315			378,235
Goodwill adjustments	—		1,180			1,180
Balance as of September 30, 2012
Goodwill	88,920		378,373			467,293
Accumulated impairment loss	—		(87,878		)	(87,878		)
	$	88,920	$	290,495		$	379,415

Schedule of gross carrying value and accumulated amortization by major intangible asset

	As of December 31, 2011							As of September 30, 2012
	Gross Carrying Value		Accumulated Amortization			Net Carrying Value		Gross Carrying Value		Accumulated Amortization			Net Carrying Value
	(in thousands)
Customer relationships	$	371,835	$	(111,632	)	$	260,203	$	371,835	$	(155,802	)	$	216,033
Developed technology and software	24,311		(6,279		)	18,032		24,311		(12,705		)	11,606
Trade names	9,121		(3,507		)	5,614		9,121		(5,636		)	3,485
Other	1,800		(288		)	1,512		1,800		(709		)	1,091
	$	407,067	$	(121,706	)	$	285,361	$	407,067	$	(174,852	)	$	232,215

Schedule of amortization of intangible assets included in depreciation and amortization

	Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
	September 30,				September 30,
	2011		2012		2011		2012
	(in thousands)
Amortization expense	$	17,509	$	17,709	$	41,591	$	53,146

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Shareholders' Equity (Details) (USD $) Share data in Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Shares returned from the One Communications escrow fund, value				$ 900,000
Share Repurchases
Repurchase of common stock, authorized amount			750,000,000
Repurchase of common stock, remaining authorization			86,000,000
Number of shares repurchased			1.9	5.0
Aggregate purchase price			13,000,000	39,500,000
Dividends
Dividends declared per share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.05	$ 0.05	$ 0.15	$ 0.15
Payment of dividends			15,917,000	17,214,000
One Communications Corp [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Shares returned from the One Communications escrow fund and recorded as treasury stock (in shares)			0.4
Shares returned from the One Communications escrow fund, value			$ 3,100,000

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Restructuring, Acquisition and Integration-Related Costs (Details 2) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Restructuring, Acquisition and Integration-Related Costs [Abstract]
Facility exit and restructuring costs	$ 5	$ 57	$ (176)	$ 520
Total acquisition and integration-related Costs	6,374	8,909	13,912	23,997
Restructuring, Acquisition and Integration Related Costs	$ 6,379	$ 8,966	$ 13,736	$ 24,517

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Long-Term Debt and Capital Lease Obligations (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2012

Debt Disclosure [Abstract]

Schedule of long-term debt and capital lease obligations

	As of December 31, 2011			As of September 30, 2012
	(in thousands)
ITC^DeltaCom senior secured notes due April 2016	$	324,800		$	324,800
Unamortized premium on ITC^DeltaCom senior secured notes due April 2016	22,056			18,622
EarthLink senior notes due May 2019	300,000			300,000
Unamortized discount on EarthLink senior notes due May 2019	(9,779		)	(9,067		)
Capital lease obligations	18,343			17,247
Carrying value of debt and capital lease obligations	655,420			651,602
Less current portion of debt and capital lease obligations	(1,655		)	(1,439		)
Long-term debt and capital lease obligations	$	653,765		$	650,163

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Stock-Based Compensation (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2012

Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]

Stock option activity

	Stock Options		Weighted Average Exercise Price		Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term (Years)	Aggregate Intrinsic Value
	(shares and dollars in thousands)
Outstanding as of December 31, 2011	1,875		$	8.97
Granted	2,581		7.55
Exercised	(39	)	6.45
Forfeited and expired	(634	)	8.47
Outstanding as of September 30, 2012	3,783		8.10		6.9	$	74
Vested and expected to vest as of September 30, 2012	3,672		$	8.12	6.8	$	74
Exercisable as of September 30, 2012	1,554		$	8.90	3.2	$	74

Summary of the status of stock options by exercise price range

									Stock Options
Stock Options Outstanding									Exercisable
						Weighted
						Average	Weighted			Weighted
						Remaining	Average			Average
Range of					Number	Contractual	Exercise		Number	Exercise
Exercise Prices					Outstanding	Life	Price		Exercisable	Price
					(in thousands)				(in thousands)
$	5.10	to	$	6.98	132	3.7	$	6.59	132	$	6.59
7.02		to	7.32		336	4.7	7.27		336	7.27
7.51		to	7.51		2,145	9.3	7.51		17	7.51
7.64		to	8.96		197	6.7	8.33		96	8.21
9.01		to	9.24		252	2.0	9.03		252	9.03
9.48		to	9.89		296	3.1	9.51		296	9.51
10.36		to	10.80		339	2.8	10.39		339	10.39
11.17		to	11.82		86	2.5	11.43		86	11.43
$	5.10	to	$	11.82	3,783	6.9	$	8.10	1,554	$	8.90

Schedule of Share-based Payment Award, Stock Options, Valuation Assumptions [Table Text Block]

	Nine Months Ended
	September 30, 2012
Dividend yield	2.69%
Expected volatility	32.50%
Risk-free interest rate	0.81%
Expected life	5 years

Restricted stock unit activity

	Restricted Stock Units		Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value
	(in thousands)
Outstanding as of December 31, 2011	2,606		$	8.25
Granted	1,806		7.54
Vested	(841	)	8.39
Forfeited	(403	)	7.77
Outstanding as of September 30, 2012	3,168		$	7.92

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Earnings per Share

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2012

Earnings Per Share [Abstract]

Earnings per Share

Earnings per Share

The Company presents a dual presentation of basic and diluted earnings per share. Basic earnings per share represents net income divided by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the reported period. Diluted earnings per share reflects the potential dilution that could occur if securities or other contracts to issue common stock, including stock options, restricted stock units and convertible debt (collectively “Common Stock Equivalents”), were exercised, vested or converted into common stock. The dilutive effect of outstanding stock options, restricted stock units and convertible debt is reflected in diluted earnings per share by application of the treasury stock method. In applying the treasury stock method for stock-based compensation arrangements, the assumed proceeds are computed as the sum of the amount the employee must pay upon exercise, the amount of compensation cost attributed to future services and not yet recognized and the amount of excess tax benefits, if any, that would be credited to additional paid-in capital assuming exercise of the awards.

The following table sets forth the computation for basic and diluted net income per share for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2012:

	Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
	September 30,				September 30,
	2011		2012		2011		2012
	(in thousands, except per share data)
Numerator
Net income	$	7,505	$	1,372	$	30,416	$	7,529
Denominator
Basic weighted average common shares outstanding	107,794		105,001		108,585		105,833
Dilutive effect of Common Stock Equivalents	729		711		950		759
Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding	108,523		105,712		109,535		106,592
Basic net income per share	$	0.07	$	0.01	$	0.28	$	0.07
Diluted net income per share	$	0.07	$	0.01	$	0.28	$	0.07

During the three months ended September 30, 2011 and 2012, approximately 1.6 million and 3.9 million, respectively, stock options and restricted stock units were excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings per share because their effect would have been anti-dilutive. During the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2012, approximately 1.8 million and 3.3 million, respectively, stock options and restricted stock units were excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings per share because their effect would have been anti-dilutive.  Anti-dilutive securities could be dilutive in future periods.

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Income Taxes (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2012

Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]

Schedule of components of the income tax provision

	Three Months Ended					Nine Months Ended
	September 30,					September 30,
	2011			2012		2011			2012
	(in thousands)
Current (provision) benefit	$	(940	)	$	1,912	$	(4,357	)	$	(1,496	)
Deferred (provision) benefit	(997		)	1,458		(11,851		)	2,585
Total income tax (provision) benefit	$	(1,937	)	$	3,370	$	(16,208	)	$	1,089

Summary of Income Tax Contingencies [Table Text Block]

	Nine Months Ended
	September 30, 2012
	(in thousands)
Balance as of December 31, 2011	$	24,560
Adjustments to tax positions under purchase accounting	398
Decreases for tax positions related to prior years	(814		)
Balance as of September 30, 2012	$	24,144

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Acquisitions (Details 2) (One Communications Corp [Member], USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2011	Apr. 02, 2011
One Communications Corp [Member]
Acquired Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents		$ 11,304
Property and equipment		144,538
Goodwill		87,377
Intangible assets	185,850	185,850
Other assets		68,752
Total assets		497,821
Assumed Liabilities:
Debt		(266,275)
Deferred revenue		(11,379)
Deferred tax liability, net		(2,055)
Other liabilities		(178,185)
Total liabilities		(457,894)
Total consideration		$ 39,927

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Other Accrued Liabilities Other Accrued Liabilities (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Other Accrued Liabilities [Abstract]
Taxes Payable, Current	$ 34,642	$ 28,336
Accrued communications costs	43,141	29,830
Interest Payable, Current	27,314	11,954
Payables to Customers	16,624	17,435
Facility Exit And Restructuring Liabilities	3,614	3,081
Other	31,230	36,205
Other accrued liabilities	$ 156,565	$ 126,841

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CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 261,793	$ 211,783
Marketable securities	44,909	28,606
Restricted cash	1,013	1,781
Accounts receivable, net of allowance of $7,323 and $8,680 as of December 31, 2011 and September 30, 2012, respectively	119,378	114,757
Prepaid expenses	17,443	13,163
Deferred income taxes, net	41,641	38,437
Other current assets	20,068	23,530
Total current assets	506,245	432,057
Long-term marketable securities	3,463	1,001
Property and equipment, net	375,836	389,549
Long-term deferred income taxes, net	170,474	172,376
Goodwill	379,415	378,235
Other intangible assets, net	232,215	285,361
Other long-term assets	19,675	21,872
Total assets	1,687,323	1,680,451
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	25,206	16,023
Accrued payroll and related expenses	30,893	29,090
Other accrued liabilities	156,565	126,841
Deferred revenue	52,782	61,440
Current portion of long-term debt and capital lease obligations	1,439	1,655
Total current liabilities	266,885	235,049
Long-term debt and capital lease obligations	650,163	653,765
Other long-term liabilities	35,554	38,493
Total liabilities	952,602	927,307
Stockholders' equity:
Convertible preferred stock, $0.01 par value, 100,000 shares authorized, 0 shares issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2011 and September 30, 2012	0	0
Common stock, $0.01 par value, 300,000 shares authorized, 196,202 and 196,810 shares issued as of December 31, 2011 and September 30, 2012, respectively, and 106,193 and 105,677 shares outstanding as of December 31, 2011 and September 30, 2012, respectively	1,968	1,962
Additional paid-in capital	2,061,414	2,071,298
Accumulated deficit	(606,139)	(613,668)
Treasury stock, at cost, 90,009 and 92,289 shares as of December 31, 2011 and September 30, 2012, respectively	(722,538)	(706,434)
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	16	(14)
Total stockholders' equity	734,721	753,144
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$ 1,687,323	$ 1,680,451

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Restructuring, Acquisition and Integration-Related Costs (Details 3) (Restructuring Plan 2007 [Member], USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and Related Cost, Incurred Cost	$ (176)	$ 520
Restructuring and Related Cost, Cost Incurred to Date	80,631
Employee Severance [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and Related Cost, Incurred Cost	0	0
Restructuring and Related Cost, Cost Incurred to Date	30,764
Lease Termination and Facilities Related Cost [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and Related Cost, Incurred Cost	(176)	597
Restructuring and Related Cost, Cost Incurred to Date	23,912
Non-Cash Asset Impairments Cost [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and Related Cost, Incurred Cost	0	(77)
Restructuring and Related Cost, Cost Incurred to Date	24,824
Other Costs [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and Related Cost, Incurred Cost	0	0
Restructuring and Related Cost, Cost Incurred to Date	$ 1,131

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Organization

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2012

Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]

Organization

Organization

EarthLink, Inc. (“EarthLink” or the “Company”), together with its consolidated subsidiaries, is a leading network, communications and IT services provider to business and residential customers in the United States. The Company operates two reportable segments, Business Services and Consumer Services. The Company’s Business Services segment provides a broad range of data, voice, equipment and IT services to retail and wholesale business customers. The Company’s Consumer Services segment provides nationwide Internet access and related value-added services to residential customers. The Company operates an extensive network including approximately 28,800 route fiber miles, 90 metro fiber rings and four enterprise-class data centers that provide IP coverage across more than 90 percent of the United States. For further information concerning the Company’s reportable segments, see Note 14, “Segment Information.”

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Stock-Based Compensation (Details 3) (USD $) In Millions, except Share data in Thousands, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value
Granted (in dollars per share)	$ 7.54	$ 7.83
Restricted stock units, other information
Aggregate fair value of shares, vested	$ 6.5	$ 12.4
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]
Restricted Stock Units
Nonvested, at the beginning of the period (in shares)	2,606
Granted (in shares)	1,806
Vested (in shares)	(841)
Forfeited (in shares)	(403)
Nonvested, at the end of the period (in shares)	3,168
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value
Nonvested, at the beginning of the period (in dollars per share)	$ 8.25
Vested (in dollars per share)	$ 8.39
Forfeited (in dollars per share)	$ 7.77
Nonvested, at the end of the period (in dollars per share)	$ 7.92
Restricted stock units, other information
Unrecognized compensation costs	$ 16.6
Weighted-average period for recognition of unrecognized compensation cost (in years)	1 year 11 months 5 days

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Condensed Consolidating Financial Information (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2012

Condensed Consolidating Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]

Schedule of Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheets

	Parent			Guarantor Subsidiaries			Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries			Eliminations			Consolidated
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	176,123		$	25,016		$	60,654		$	—		$	261,793
Marketable securities	44,909			—			—			—			44,909
Restricted cash	—			—			1,013			—			1,013
Accounts receivable, net	12,155			61,211			46,012			—			119,378
Prepaid expenses	6,166			4,717			6,560			—			17,443
Deferred income taxes, net	4,563			18,861			18,217			—			41,641
Due from affiliates	151,825			32,786			—			(184,611		)	—
Other current assets	6,733			7,310			6,025			—			20,068
Total current assets	402,474			149,901			138,481			(184,611		)	506,245
Long-term marketable securities	3,463			—			—			—			3,463
Property and equipment, net	32,261			143,087			200,488			—			375,836
Long-term deferred income taxes, net	14,272			79,971			76,231			—			170,474
Goodwill	88,919			95,806			194,690			—			379,415
Purchased intangible assets, net	75			131,360			100,780			—			232,215
Investment in subsidiaries	532,721			—			—			(532,721		)	—
Other long-term assets	9,857			9,113			705			—			19,675
Total assets	$	1,084,042		$	609,238		$	711,375		$	(717,332	)	$	1,687,323
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	$	9,167		$	7,899		$	8,140		$	—		$	25,206
Accrued payroll and related expenses	7,837			13,935			9,121			—			30,893
Other accrued liabilities	30,364			69,736			56,465			—			156,565
Deferred revenue	14,465			20,052			18,265			—			52,782
Due to affiliates	—			184,036			575			(184,611		)	—
Current portion of debt and capital lease obligations	106			1,036			297			—			1,439
Total current liabilities	61,939			296,694			92,863			(184,611		)	266,885
Long-term debt and capital lease obligations	290,934			15,469			343,760			—			650,163
Other long-term liabilities	4,158			23,796			7,600			—			35,554
Total liabilities	357,031			335,959			444,223			(184,611		)	952,602
Stockholders’ equity:
Common stock	1,968			—			—			—			1,968
Additional paid-in capital	2,053,704			501,800			297,346			(791,436		)	2,061,414
Accumulated deficit	(606,139		)	(228,521		)	(30,194		)	258,715			(606,139		)
Treasury stock, at cost	(722,538		)	—			—			—			(722,538		)
Accumulated other comprehensive income	16			—			—			—			16
Total stockholders’ equity	727,011			273,279			267,152			(532,721		)	734,721
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$	1,084,042		$	609,238		$	711,375		$	(717,332	)	$	1,687,323

	Parent			Guarantor Subsidiaries			Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries			Eliminations			Consolidated
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	148,363		$	28,490		$	34,930		$	—		$	211,783
Marketable securities	28,606			—			—			—			28,606
Restricted cash	—			—			1,781			—			1,781
Accounts receivable, net	12,622			58,284			43,851			—			114,757
Prepaid expenses	3,974			3,046			6,143			—			13,163
Deferred income taxes, net	7,286			15,247			15,904			—			38,437
Due from affiliates	178,705			16,783			2,919			(198,407		)	—
Other current assets	8,393			10,103			5,034			—			23,530
Total current assets	387,949			131,953			110,562			(198,407		)	432,057
Long-term marketable securities	1,001			—			—			—			1,001
Property and equipment, net	21,622			154,489			213,438			—			389,549
Long-term deferred income taxes, net	31,841			69,207			71,328			—			172,376
Goodwill	88,920			94,554			194,761			—			378,235
Purchased intangible assets, net	304			163,942			121,115			—			285,361
Investment in subsidiaries	570,755			—			—			(570,755		)	—
Other long-term assets	11,888			9,902			82			—			21,872
Total assets	$	1,114,280		$	624,047		$	711,286		$	(769,162	)	$	1,680,451
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	$	7,741		$	3,551		$	4,731		$	—		$	16,023
Accrued payroll and related expenses	10,346			9,382			9,362			—			29,090
Other accrued liabilities	21,262			70,255			35,324			—			126,841
Deferred revenue	16,249			19,781			25,410			—			61,440
Due to affiliates	12,684			183,717			2,006			(198,407		)	—
Current portion of debt and capital lease obligations	20			1,216			419			—			1,655
Total current liabilities	68,302			287,902			77,252			(198,407		)	235,049
Long-term debt and capital lease obligations	290,221			16,180			347,364			—			653,765
Other long-term liabilities	7,288			23,062			8,143			—			38,493
Total liabilities	365,811			327,144			432,759			(198,407		)	927,307
Stockholders’ equity:
Common stock	1,962			—			—			—			1,962
Additional paid-in capital	2,066,623			500,596			295,516			(791,437		)	2,071,298
Accumulated deficit	(613,668		)	(203,693		)	(16,989		)	220,682			(613,668		)
Treasury stock, at cost	(706,434		)	—			—			—			(706,434		)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(14		)	—			—			—			(14		)
Total stockholders’ equity	748,469			296,903			278,527			(570,755		)	753,144
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$	1,114,280		$	624,047		$	711,286		$	(769,162	)	$	1,680,451

Schedule of Condensed Consolidating Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss)

	Parent			Guarantor Subsidiaries			Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries			Eliminations			Consolidated
Revenues	$	97,953		$	146,733		$	113,363		$	(759	)	$	357,290
Operating costs and expenses:
Cost of revenues (exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown separately below)	30,000			78,066			54,020			(759		)	161,327
Selling, general and administrative (exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown separately below)	25,909			50,179			32,739			—			108,827
Depreciation and amortization	2,606			25,675			18,286			—			46,567
Restructuring, acquisition and integration-related costs	1,331			5,971			1,664			—			8,966
Total operating costs and expenses	59,846			159,891			106,709			(759		)	325,687
Income (loss) from operations	38,107			(13,158		)	6,654			—			31,603
Interest expense and other, net	(12,652		)	(1,822		)	(7,687		)	—			(22,161		)
Equity in losses of subsidiaries	(8,722		)	—			—			8,722			—
Income (loss) before income taxes	16,733			(14,980		)	(1,033		)	8,722			9,442
Income tax (provision) benefit	(9,228		)	6,962			329			—			(1,937		)
Net income (loss)	$	7,505		$	(8,018	)	$	(704	)	$	8,722		$	7,505
Comprehensive income (loss)	$	7,505		$	(8,018	)	$	(704	)	$	8,722		$	7,505

	Parent			Guarantor Subsidiaries			Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries			Eliminations			Consolidated
Revenues	$	83,022		$	144,496		$	109,120		$	(1,852	)	$	334,786
Operating costs and expenses:
Cost of revenues (exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown separately below)	27,187			76,848			55,737			(1,852		)	157,920
Selling, general and administrative (exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown separately below)	24,468			51,139			34,421			—			110,028
Depreciation and amortization	2,272			25,521			17,872			—			45,665
Restructuring, acquisition and integration-related costs	3,683			1,526			1,170			—			6,379
Total operating costs and expenses	57,610			155,034			109,200			(1,852		)	319,992
Income (loss) from operations	25,412			(10,538		)	(80		)	—			14,794
Interest expense and other, net	(7,385		)	(1,836		)	(7,571		)	—			(16,792		)
Equity in losses of subsidiaries	(12,770		)	—			—			12,770			—
Income (loss) before income taxes	5,257			(12,374		)	(7,651		)	12,770			(1,998		)
Income tax (provision) benefit	(3,885		)	4,834			2,421			—			3,370
Net income (loss)	$	1,372		$	(7,540	)	$	(5,230	)	$	12,770		$	1,372
Comprehensive income (loss)	$	1,391		$	(7,540	)	$	(5,230	)	$	12,770		$	1,391

	Parent			Guarantor Subsidiaries			Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries			Eliminations			Consolidated
Revenues	$	308,493		$	319,635		$	336,958		$	(1,219	)	$	963,867
Operating costs and expenses:
Cost of revenues (exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown separately below)	94,403			172,279			163,944			(1,219		)	429,407
Selling, general and administrative (exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown separately below)	79,167			110,874			105,745			—			295,786
Depreciation and amortization	7,940			52,214			53,182			—			113,336
Restructuring, acquisition and integration-related costs	6,798			14,173			3,546			—			24,517
Total operating costs and expenses	188,308			349,540			326,417			(1,219		)	863,046
Income (loss) from operations	120,185			(29,905		)	10,541			—			100,821
Interest expense and other, net	(25,937		)	(4,882		)	(23,378		)	—			(54,197		)
Equity in losses of subsidiaries	(28,156		)	—			—			28,156			—
Income (loss) before income taxes	66,092			(34,787		)	(12,837		)	28,156			46,624
Income tax (provision) benefit	(35,676		)	14,429			5,039			—			(16,208		)
Net income (loss)	$	30,416		$	(20,358	)	$	(7,798	)	$	28,156		$	30,416
Comprehensive income (loss)	$	30,416		$	(20,358	)	$	(7,798	)	$	28,156		$	30,416

	Parent			Guarantor Subsidiaries			Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries			Eliminations			Consolidated
Revenues	$	259,113		$	430,918		$	332,663		$	(5,354	)	$	1,017,340
Operating costs and expenses:
Cost of revenues (exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown separately below)	84,233			233,042			173,552			(5,354		)	485,473
Selling, general and administrative (exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown separately below)	72,032			152,583			101,918			—			326,533
Depreciation and amortization	6,293			77,637			52,969			—			136,899
Restructuring, acquisition and integration-related costs	7,344			4,434			1,958			—			13,736
Total operating costs and expenses	169,902			467,696			330,397			(5,354		)	962,641
Income (loss) from operations	89,211			(36,778		)	2,266			—			54,699
Interest expense and other, net	(20,308		)	(5,242		)	(22,709		)	—			(48,259		)
Equity in losses of subsidiaries	(38,534		)	—			—			38,534			—
Income (loss) before income taxes	30,369			(42,020		)	(20,443		)	38,534			6,440
Income tax (provision) benefit	(22,840		)	16,691			7,238			—			1,089
Net income (loss)	$	7,529		$	(25,329	)	$	(13,205	)	$	38,534		$	7,529
Comprehensive income (loss)	$	7,558		$	(25,329	)	$	(13,205	)	$	38,534		$	7,558

Schedule of Condensed Consolidating Statements of Cash Flows

	Parent			Guarantor Subsidiaries			Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries			Eliminations		Consolidated
Cash flows from operating activities	$	91,098		$	34,403		$	53,027		$	—	$	178,528
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchases of property and equipment	(15,962		)	(36,987		)	(27,780		)	—		(80,729		)
Purchases of investments in marketable securities	(57,528		)	—			—			—		(57,528		)
Sales and maturities of investments in marketable securities	38,763			—			—			—		38,763
Change in restricted cash	—			—			768			—		768
Net cash used in investing activities	(34,727		)	(36,987		)	(27,012		)	—		(98,726		)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Principal payments under capital lease obligations	7			(890		)	(360		)	—		(1,243		)
Repurchases of common stock	(12,967		)	—			—			—		(12,967		)
Payment of dividends	(15,917		)	—			—			—		(15,917		)
Proceeds from exercises of stock options	236			—			—			—		236
Other	30			—			69			—		99
Net cash used in financing activities	(28,611		)	(890		)	(291		)	—		(29,792		)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	27,760			(3,474		)	25,724			—		50,010
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	148,363			28,490			34,930			—		211,783
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	$	176,123		$	25,016		$	60,654		$	—	$	261,793

	Parent			Guarantor Subsidiaries			Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries			Eliminations			Consolidated
Cash flows from operating activities	$	81,939		$	(2,788	)	$	37,329		$	—		$	116,480
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchase of businesses, net of cash acquired	(28,685		)	11,447			(22,859		)	—			(40,097		)
Purchases of property and equipment	(4,673		)	(31,232		)	(35,062		)	—			(70,967		)
Sales and maturities of investments in marketable securities	319,729			—			—			—			319,729
Payment for investment in subsidiary stock	(342,341		)	—			—			342,341			—
Change in restricted cash	—			—			489			—			489
Other	(600		)	(3,413		)	248			—			(3,765		)
Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities	(56,570		)	(23,198		)	(57,184		)	342,341			205,389
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from issuance of debt, net of issues costs	278,383			—			—			—			278,383
Repayment of debt and capital lease obligations	(1,283		)	(267,544		)	(3,564		)	—			(272,391		)
Repurchases of common stock	(39,540		)	—			—			—			(39,540		)
Payment of dividends	(17,214		)	—			—			—			(17,214		)
Proceeds from exercises of stock options	566			—			—			—			566
Proceeds from parent	—			312,341			30,000			(342,341		)	—
Other	1			634			50			—			685
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	220,913			45,431			26,486			(342,341		)	(49,511		)
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents	246,282			19,445			6,631			—			272,358
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	197,615			1,752			43,585			—			242,952
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	$	443,897		$	21,197		$	50,216		$	—		$	515,310

XML

Segment Information Segment Information (Details 2) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue, Net	$ 334,786	$ 357,290	$ 1,017,340	$ 963,867
Business Services Segment [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue, Net	257,061	265,743	774,807	675,729
Consumer Services Segment [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue, Net	77,725	91,547	242,533	288,138
Retail Services [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue, Net	210,066	218,650	635,840	546,075
Whole Sale Services [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue, Net	38,164	37,228	112,923	98,915
Other Services [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue, Net	8,831	9,865	26,044	30,739
Access and Service [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue, Net	65,940	78,520	206,442	249,380
Value Added Services [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue, Net	$ 11,785	$ 13,027	$ 36,091	$ 38,758

XML

Subsequent Event

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2012

Subsequent Event [Abstract]

Subsequent Events [Text Block]

Subsequent Event

In October 2012, the Company announced plans to exercise its right to call for the redemption of 10% of the aggregate principal amount of its outstanding ITC^DeltaCom Notes. The Company intends to redeem $32.5 million aggregate principal amount of the ITC^DeltaCom Notes on December 6, 2012. The redemption price shall be equal to 103% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest. Upon completion of the redemption, $292.3 million aggregate principal amount of the ITC^DeltaCom Notes will remain outstanding.

XML

Organization (Details)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Number of reportable segments	2
Number of route fiber miles	28,800
Number of metro fiber rings	90
Number of enterprise-class data centers	4
Minimum percentage of IP coverage in United States	0.00%

XML

Earnings per Share (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2012

Earnings Per Share [Abstract]

Schedule of computation for basic and diluted net income per share

	Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
	September 30,				September 30,
	2011		2012		2011		2012
	(in thousands, except per share data)
Numerator
Net income	$	7,505	$	1,372	$	30,416	$	7,529
Denominator
Basic weighted average common shares outstanding	107,794		105,001		108,585		105,833
Dilutive effect of Common Stock Equivalents	729		711		950		759
Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding	108,523		105,712		109,535		106,592
Basic net income per share	$	0.07	$	0.01	$	0.28	$	0.07
Diluted net income per share	$	0.07	$	0.01	$	0.28	$	0.07

XML

Condensed Consolidating Financial Information (Details 2) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Sep. 30, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 261,793	$ 211,783	$ 515,310	$ 242,952
Marketable securities	44,909	28,606
Restricted cash	1,013	1,781
Accounts receivable, net	119,378	114,757
Prepaid expenses	17,443	13,163
Deferred income taxes, net	41,641	38,437
Due from affiliates	0	0
Other current assets	20,068	23,530
Total current assets	506,245	432,057
Long-term marketable securities	3,463	1,001
Property and equipment, net	375,836	389,549
Long-term deferred income taxes, net	170,474	172,376
Goodwill	379,415	378,235
Purchased intangible assets, net	232,215	285,361
Investment in subsidiaries	0	0
Other long-term assets	19,675	21,872
Total assets	1,687,323	1,680,451
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	25,206	16,023
Accrued payroll and related expenses	30,893	29,090
Other accrued liabilities	156,565	126,841
Deferred revenue	52,782	61,440
Due to affiliates	0	0
Current portion of long-term debt and capital lease obligations	1,439	1,655
Total current liabilities	266,885	235,049
Long-term debt and capital lease obligations	650,163	653,765
Other long-term liabilities	35,554	38,493
Total liabilities	952,602	927,307
Stockholders' equity:
Common stock	1,968	1,962
Additional paid-in capital	2,061,414	2,071,298
Accumulated deficit	(606,139)	(613,668)
Treasury stock, at cost	(722,538)	(706,434)
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	(16)	14
Total stockholders' equity	734,721	753,144
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	1,687,323	1,680,451
Parent
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	176,123	148,363	443,897	197,615
Marketable securities	44,909	28,606
Restricted cash	0	0
Accounts receivable, net	12,155	12,622
Prepaid expenses	6,166	3,974
Deferred income taxes, net	4,563	7,286
Due from affiliates	151,825	178,705
Other current assets	6,733	8,393
Total current assets	402,474	387,949
Long-term marketable securities	3,463	1,001
Property and equipment, net	32,261	21,622
Long-term deferred income taxes, net	14,272	31,841
Goodwill	88,919	88,920
Purchased intangible assets, net	75	304
Investment in subsidiaries	532,721	570,755
Other long-term assets	9,857	11,888
Total assets	1,084,042	1,114,280
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	9,167	7,741
Accrued payroll and related expenses	7,837	10,346
Other accrued liabilities	30,364	21,262
Deferred revenue	14,465	16,249
Due to affiliates	0	12,684
Current portion of long-term debt and capital lease obligations	106	20
Total current liabilities	61,939	68,302
Long-term debt and capital lease obligations	290,934	290,221
Other long-term liabilities	4,158	7,288
Total liabilities	357,031	365,811
Stockholders' equity:
Common stock	1,968	1,962
Additional paid-in capital	2,053,704	2,066,623
Accumulated deficit	(606,139)	(613,668)
Treasury stock, at cost	(722,538)	(706,434)
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	(16)	14
Total stockholders' equity	727,011	748,469
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	1,084,042	1,114,280
Guarantor Subsidiaries
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	25,016	28,490	21,197	1,752
Marketable securities	0	0
Restricted cash	0	0
Accounts receivable, net	61,211	58,284
Prepaid expenses	4,717	3,046
Deferred income taxes, net	18,861	15,247
Due from affiliates	32,786	16,783
Other current assets	7,310	10,103
Total current assets	149,901	131,953
Long-term marketable securities	0	0
Property and equipment, net	143,087	154,489
Long-term deferred income taxes, net	79,971	69,207
Goodwill	95,806	94,554
Purchased intangible assets, net	131,360	163,942
Investment in subsidiaries	0	0
Other long-term assets	9,113	9,902
Total assets	609,238	624,047
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	7,899	3,551
Accrued payroll and related expenses	13,935	9,382
Other accrued liabilities	69,736	70,255
Deferred revenue	20,052	19,781
Due to affiliates	184,036	183,717
Current portion of long-term debt and capital lease obligations	1,036	1,216
Total current liabilities	296,694	287,902
Long-term debt and capital lease obligations	15,469	16,180
Other long-term liabilities	23,796	23,062
Total liabilities	335,959	327,144
Stockholders' equity:
Common stock	0	0
Additional paid-in capital	501,800	500,596
Accumulated deficit	(228,521)	(203,693)
Treasury stock, at cost	0	0
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	0	0
Total stockholders' equity	273,279	296,903
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	609,238	624,047
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	60,654	34,930	50,216	43,585
Marketable securities	0	0
Restricted cash	1,013	1,781
Accounts receivable, net	46,012	43,851
Prepaid expenses	6,560	6,143
Deferred income taxes, net	18,217	15,904
Due from affiliates	0	2,919
Other current assets	6,025	5,034
Total current assets	138,481	110,562
Long-term marketable securities	0	0
Property and equipment, net	200,488	213,438
Long-term deferred income taxes, net	76,231	71,328
Goodwill	194,690	194,761
Purchased intangible assets, net	100,780	121,115
Investment in subsidiaries	0	0
Other long-term assets	705	82
Total assets	711,375	711,286
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	8,140	4,731
Accrued payroll and related expenses	9,121	9,362
Other accrued liabilities	56,465	35,324
Deferred revenue	18,265	25,410
Due to affiliates	575	2,006
Current portion of long-term debt and capital lease obligations	297	419
Total current liabilities	92,863	77,252
Long-term debt and capital lease obligations	343,760	347,364
Other long-term liabilities	7,600	8,143
Total liabilities	444,223	432,759
Stockholders' equity:
Common stock	0	0
Additional paid-in capital	297,346	295,516
Accumulated deficit	(30,194)	(16,989)
Treasury stock, at cost	0	0
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	0	0
Total stockholders' equity	267,152	278,527
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	711,375	711,286
Eliminations
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	0	0	0	0
Marketable securities	0	0
Restricted cash	0	0
Accounts receivable, net	0	0
Prepaid expenses	0	0
Deferred income taxes, net	0	0
Due from affiliates	(184,611)	(198,407)
Other current assets	0	0
Total current assets	(184,611)	(198,407)
Long-term marketable securities	0	0
Property and equipment, net	0	0
Long-term deferred income taxes, net	0	0
Goodwill	0	0
Purchased intangible assets, net	0	0
Investment in subsidiaries	(532,721)	(570,755)
Other long-term assets	0	0
Total assets	(717,332)	(769,162)
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	0	0
Accrued payroll and related expenses	0	0
Other accrued liabilities	0	0
Deferred revenue	0	0
Due to affiliates	(184,611)	(198,407)
Current portion of long-term debt and capital lease obligations	0	0
Total current liabilities	(184,611)	(198,407)
Long-term debt and capital lease obligations	0	0
Other long-term liabilities	0	0
Total liabilities	(184,611)	(198,407)
Stockholders' equity:
Common stock	0	0
Additional paid-in capital	(791,436)	(791,437)
Accumulated deficit	258,715	220,682
Treasury stock, at cost	0	0
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	0	0
Total stockholders' equity	(532,721)	(570,755)
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$ (717,332)	$ (769,162)

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Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2012

Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Basis of Presentation

The condensed consolidated financial statements of EarthLink for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2012 and the related footnote information are unaudited and have been prepared on a basis consistent with the audited consolidated financial statements included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) (the “Annual Report”).

These financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and the related notes thereto contained in the Annual Report.  In the opinion of management, the accompanying unaudited financial statements contain all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring adjustments) which management considers necessary to present fairly the Company’s financial position, results of operations and cash flows for the interim periods presented.  The results of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 are not necessarily indicative of the results anticipated for the entire year ending December 31, 2012.

Basis of Consolidation

The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements of EarthLink include the accounts of its wholly-owned subsidiaries. All significant intercompany transactions have been eliminated.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements.  Actual results may differ from those estimates.

Comprehensive Income

Comprehensive income as presented in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2012 includes unrealized gains and losses, net of tax, on certain investments classified as available-for-sale.

Reclassifications

Certain amounts in the prior year financial statements have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation.  Specifically, the Company reclassified certain amounts within current liabilities and between current and other long-term liabilities as of December 31, 2011 to conform with current year presentation, including a $7.5 million reclassification from other accrued liabilities to other long-term liabilities that primarily related to the presentation of tax liabilities.

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CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parenthetical) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts Receivable, Current	$ 7,809	$ 7,323
Convertible preferred stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Convertible preferred stock, shares authorized	100,000	100,000
Convertible preferred stock, shares issued	0	0
Convertible preferred stock, shares outstanding	0	0
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Common stock, shares authorized	300,000	300,000
Common stock, shares issued	196,810	196,202
Common stock, shares outstanding	104,516	106,193
Treasury stock, shares	92,289	90,009

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Income Taxes

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2012

Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]

Income Taxes

Income Taxes

The following table presents the components of the income tax (provision) benefit for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2012:

	Three Months Ended					Nine Months Ended
	September 30,					September 30,
	2011			2012		2011			2012
	(in thousands)
Current (provision) benefit	$	(940	)	$	1,912	$	(4,357	)	$	(1,496	)
Deferred (provision) benefit	(997		)	1,458		(11,851		)	2,585
Total income tax (provision) benefit	$	(1,937	)	$	3,370	$	(16,208	)	$	1,089

The income tax provision for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 represents an effective rate of -17%, including a benefit for discrete items of -49%.  The effective rate differs from the federal statutory rate of 35% primarily because of state taxes and state discrete items. The discrete benefit for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 primarily relates to changes to the Company's state deferred income tax rates and its resulting impact on the re-measurement of deferred tax assets and liabilities recorded on the balance sheet as of January 1, 2012, the release of valuation allowance related to specific state net operating losses and  the reversal of  uncertain tax positions in the current quarter due to statute expirations. The current provisions were due to state income and federal and state alternative minimum tax amounts payable due to the net operating loss carryforward limitations associated with the alternative minimum tax calculation. The non-cash deferred tax benefit was due primarily to the favorable discrete item discussed above.

Valuation allowance. The Company has a valuation allowance of $38.5 million against certain deferred tax assets. Of this amount, approximately $31.6 million relates to net operating losses generated by the tax benefits of stock-based compensation. The valuation allowance will be removed upon utilization of these net operating losses by the Company as an adjustment to additional paid-in-capital.  Approximately $6.5 million relates to net operating losses in certain jurisdictions where the Company believes it is not “more likely than not” to be realized in future periods. In addition, valuation allowance of $0.4 million was established in 2010 relating to stock compensation deferred tax assets.

To the extent the Company reports income in future periods, the Company intends to use its net operating loss carryforwards to the extent available to offset taxable income and reduce cash outflows for income taxes.  The Company’s ability to use its federal and state net operating loss carryforwards and federal and state tax credit carryforwards may be subject to restrictions attributable to equity transactions in the future resulting from changes in ownership as defined under the Internal Revenue Code.

Uncertain tax positions.  The Company has identified its federal tax return and its state tax returns in California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, New York and Pennsylvania as material tax jurisdictions for purposes of calculating its uncertain tax positions.  Periods extending back to 1994 are still subject to examination for all material jurisdictions. The Company believes that its income tax filing positions and deductions through the period ended September 30, 2012 will not result in a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition, results of operations or cash flow. During the three months ended September 30, 2012, approximately $1.1 million (including interest and penalties) of the Company's total uncertain tax positions reversed as a discrete tax benefit, primarily due to the expiration of statutes of limitation in various jurisdictions. The Company’s policy for recording interest and penalties associated with audits is to record such items as a component of income tax expense.  As of September 30, 2012, $0.8 million of interest and $0.9 million of penalties had been accrued.

A reconciliation of changes in the amount of unrecognized tax benefits for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 is as follows:

	Nine Months Ended
	September 30, 2012
	(in thousands)
Balance as of December 31, 2011	$	24,560
Adjustments to tax positions under purchase accounting	398
Decreases for tax positions related to prior years	(814		)
Balance as of September 30, 2012	$	24,144

Within the next twelve months, it is reasonably possible that approximately $0.7 million of the total uncertain tax positions recorded will reverse, primarily due to the expiration of statutes of limitation in various jurisdictions.

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Document and Entity Information	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Oct. 29, 2012
Document And Entity Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	EARTHLINK INC
Entity Central Index Key	0001102541
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	Sep. 30, 2012
Amendment Flag	false
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		104,186,811
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2012
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3

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Fair Value Measurements

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2012

Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]

Fair Value Measurements

Fair Value Measurements

Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date (an exit price). A three-tier fair value hierarchy is used to prioritize the inputs used in measuring fair value.  These tiers include: Level 1, defined as observable inputs such as quoted prices in active markets; Level 2, defined as observable inputs other than quoted prices in active markets that are either directly or indirectly observable; and Level 3, defined as unobservable inputs for which little or no market data exists, therefore requiring an entity to develop its own assumptions.

Assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis

As of December 31, 2011 and September 30, 2012, the Company held certain assets that are required to be measured at fair value on a recurring basis.  These included the Company’s cash equivalents and marketable securities. The following tables present the Company’s assets that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2011 and September 30, 2012:

					Fair Value Measurements as of December 31, 2011 Using
Description	Carrying Value		Fair Value		Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)		Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)		Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
	(in thousands)
Cash equivalents	$	105,297	$	105,297	$	105,297	$	—	$	—
Government and agency securities	11,304		11,304		—		11,304		—
Corporate debt securities	11,057		11,057		—		11,057		—
Commercial paper	4,246		4,246		—		4,246		—
Certificates of deposit	3,000		3,000		—		3,000		—
Total	$	134,904	$	134,904	$	105,297	$	29,607	$	—

					Fair Value Measurements as of September 30, 2012 Using
Description	Carrying Value		Fair Value		Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)		Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)		Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
	(in thousands)
Cash equivalents	$	111,236	$	111,236	$	111,236	$	—	$	—
Government and agency securities	4,876		4,876		—		4,876		—
Corporate debt securities	31,652		31,652		—		31,652		—
Commercial paper	8,790		8,790		—		8,790		—
Certificates of deposit	3,054		3,054		—		3,054		—
Total	$	159,608	$	159,608	$	111,236	$	48,372	$	—

As of December 31, 2011 and September 30, 2012, the Company classified its cash equivalents within Level 1 because these securities were valued based on quoted market prices in active markets. The Company classified its government and agency securities, corporate debt securities, commercial paper and certificates of deposit within Level 2 because these securities were valued based on quoted prices in markets that are less active, broker or dealer quotations or alternative pricing sources with reasonable levels of price transparency. The Company utilizes an independent pricing service to assist in obtaining fair-value pricing for its Level 2 securities.  Where observable market data is available, the pricing service will use a weighted average price from a variety of data providers.  Where observable market data is not readily available, the pricing service will use a pricing model appropriate to the type and structure of the security.  The Company periodically evaluates the reasonableness of these models.

Fair value of debt

The estimated fair values of the Company’s Senior Notes and ITC^DeltaCom Notes were determined based on Level 1 input using quoted prices in active markets. The following table presents the fair value of the Company’s debt, excluding capital leases, as of December 31, 2011 and September 30, 2012:

	As of December 31, 2011				As of September 30, 2012
	Carrying				Carrying
	Amount		Fair Value		Amount		Fair Value
	(in thousands)
ITC^DeltaCom senior notes	$	346,856	$	320,578	$	343,422	$	351,596
EarthLink senior notes	290,221		284,700		290,933		306,000
Total debt, excluding capital leases	$	637,077	$	605,278	$	634,355	$	657,596

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CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Revenues	$ 334,786	$ 357,290	$ 1,017,340	$ 963,867
Operating costs and expenses:
Cost of revenues (exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown separately below)	157,920	161,327	485,473	429,407
Selling, general and administrative (exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown separately below)	110,028	108,827	326,533	295,786
Depreciation and amortization	45,665	46,567	136,899	113,336
Restructuring, acquisition and integration-related costs	6,379	8,966	13,736	24,517
Total operating costs and expenses	319,992	325,687	962,641	863,046
Income from operations	14,794	31,603	54,699	100,821
Interest expense and other, net	(16,792)	(22,161)	(48,259)	(54,197)
Income (loss) before income taxes	(1,998)	9,442	6,440	46,624
Income tax (provision) benefit	3,370	(1,937)	1,089	(16,208)
Net income	1,372	7,505	7,529	30,416
Net income per share
Basic (in dollars per share)	$ 0.01	$ 0.07	$ 0.07	$ 0.28
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 0.01	$ 0.07	$ 0.07	$ 0.28
Weighted average common shares outstanding
Basic (in shares)	105,001	107,794	105,833	108,585
Diluted (in shares)	105,712	108,523	106,592	109,535
Dividends declared per share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.05	$ 0.05	$ 0.15	$ 0.15
Comprehensive income	$ 1,391	$ 7,505	$ 7,558	$ 30,416

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Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2012

Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

Goodwill

The changes in the carrying amount of goodwill by operating segment during the nine months ended September 30, 2012 were as follows:

	Consumer Services Segment		Business Services Segment			Total
	(in thousands)
Balance as of December 31, 2011
Goodwill	$	88,920	$	377,193		$	466,113
Accumulated impairment loss	—		(87,878		)	(87,878		)
	88,920		289,315			378,235
Goodwill adjustments	—		1,180			1,180
Balance as of September 30, 2012
Goodwill	88,920		378,373			467,293
Accumulated impairment loss	—		(87,878		)	(87,878		)
	$	88,920	$	290,495		$	379,415

Goodwill adjustments during the nine months ended September 30, 2012 resulted from adjustments during the measurement period in the fair value of assets and liabilities assumed in the acquisitions that were not deemed material to retrospectively adjust provisional amounts recorded at the acquisition date.

Other Intangible Assets

The following table presents the components of the Company’s acquired identifiable intangible assets included in the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2011 and September 30, 2012:

	As of December 31, 2011							As of September 30, 2012
	Gross Carrying Value		Accumulated Amortization			Net Carrying Value		Gross Carrying Value		Accumulated Amortization			Net Carrying Value
	(in thousands)
Customer relationships	$	371,835	$	(111,632	)	$	260,203	$	371,835	$	(155,802	)	$	216,033
Developed technology and software	24,311		(6,279		)	18,032		24,311		(12,705		)	11,606
Trade names	9,121		(3,507		)	5,614		9,121		(5,636		)	3,485
Other	1,800		(288		)	1,512		1,800		(709		)	1,091
	$	407,067	$	(121,706	)	$	285,361	$	407,067	$	(174,852	)	$	232,215

Definite-lived intangible assets are amortized over their estimated useful lives. The Company’s customer relationships are being amortized using the straight-line method to match the estimated cash flow generated by such assets, and the developed technology and trade names are being amortized using the straight-line method because a pattern to which the expected benefits will be consumed or otherwise used up could not be reliably determined. As of September 30, 2012, the weighted average amortization periods were 5.2 years for customer relationships, 3.9 years for developed technology and software, 3.3 years for trade names and 4.4 years for other identifiable intangible assets.

Amortization of intangible assets, which is included in depreciation and amortization in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2012 was as follows:

	Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
	September 30,				September 30,
	2011		2012		2011		2012
	(in thousands)
Amortization expense	$	17,509	$	17,709	$	41,591	$	53,146

Based on the current amount of definite-lived intangible assets, the Company expects to record amortization expense of approximately $17.5 million during the remaining three months in the year ending December 31, 2012 and $65.4 million, $61.0 million, $59.0 million, $28.2 million and $1.1 million during the years ending December 31, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, and 2017 and thereafter, respectively. Actual amortization expense to be reported in future periods could differ materially from these estimates as a result of acquisitions, changes in useful lives and other relevant factors.

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Investments

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2012

Investments, Debt and Equity Securities [Abstract]

Investments

Investments

Marketable Securities

The Company’s marketable securities consisted of the following as of December 31, 2011 and September 30, 2012:

	As of December 31, 2011			As of September 30, 2012
	(in thousands)
Corporate debt securities	$	11,057		$	31,652
Government and agency securities	11,304			4,876
Commercial paper	4,246			8,790
Certificates of deposit	3,000			3,054
Total marketable securities	29,607			48,372
Less: classified as current	(28,606		)	(44,909		)
Total long-term marketable securities	$	1,001		$	3,463

Marketable securities consist of investments with original maturities greater than three months at the date of acquisition. Marketable securities with maturities less than one year from the balance sheet date are classified as short-term marketable securities. Marketable securities with maturities greater than one year from the balance sheet date are classified as long-term marketable securities. As of September 30, 2012, all of the Company's long-term marketable securities were due within one to two years. These investments primarily consist of corporate debt securities, government and agency notes (which include U.S. treasury securities and government-sponsored debt securities), commercial paper and certificates of deposit. These securities are classified as available for sale. Available-for-sale securities are carried at fair value, with any unrealized gains and losses, net of tax, included in accumulated other comprehensive income as a separate component of stockholders’ equity and in total comprehensive income. Amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income into earnings are determined on a specific identification basis. Realized gains and losses on marketable securities are determined on a specific identification basis and included in interest expense and other, net, in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income.

The following tables summarize gross unrealized gains and losses as of December 31, 2011 and September 30, 2012 on the Company’s marketable securities designated as available-for-sale:

	As of December 31, 2011
	Amortized Cost		Gross Unrealized Losses			Gross Unrealized Gains		Estimated Fair Value
	(in thousands)
Government and agency notes	$	11,306	$	(2	)	$	—	$	11,304
Corporate debt securities	11,069		(12		)	—		11,057
Commercial paper	4,246		—			—		4,246
Certificates of deposit	3,000		—			—		3,000
	$	29,621	$	(14	)	$	—	$	29,607

	As of September 30, 2012
	Amortized Cost		Gross Unrealized Losses		Gross Unrealized Gains		Estimated Fair Value
	(in thousands)
Government and agency notes	$	4,875	$	—	$	1	$	4,876
Corporate debt securities	31,640		—		12		31,652
Commercial paper	8,788		—		2		8,790
Certificates of deposit	3,053		—		1		3,054
	$	48,356	$	—	$	16	$	48,372

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Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2012

Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Basis of Presentation [Policy Text Block]

Basis of Presentation

The condensed consolidated financial statements of EarthLink for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2012 and the related footnote information are unaudited and have been prepared on a basis consistent with the audited consolidated financial statements included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) (the “Annual Report”).

These financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and the related notes thereto contained in the Annual Report.  In the opinion of management, the accompanying unaudited financial statements contain all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring adjustments) which management considers necessary to present fairly the Company’s financial position, results of operations and cash flows for the interim periods presented.  The results of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 are not necessarily indicative of the results anticipated for the entire year ending December 31, 2012.

Basis of Consolidation

Basis of Consolidation

The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements of EarthLink include the accounts of its wholly-owned subsidiaries. All significant intercompany transactions have been eliminated.

Use of Estimates

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements.  Actual results may differ from those estimates.

Comprehensive Income

Comprehensive Income

Comprehensive income as presented in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2012 includes unrealized gains and losses, net of tax, on certain investments classified as available-for-sale.

Reclassifications

Reclassifications

Certain amounts in the prior year financial statements have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation.  Specifically, the Company reclassified certain amounts within current liabilities and between current and other long-term liabilities as of December 31, 2011 to conform with current year presentation, including a $7.5 million reclassification from other accrued liabilities to other long-term liabilities that primarily related to the presentation of tax liabilities.

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Segment Information

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2012

Segment Reporting [Abstract]

Segment Information

Segment Information

The Company reports segment information along the same lines that its chief executive officer reviews its operating results in assessing performance and allocating resources. The Company operates two reportable segments, Business Services and Consumer Services. The Company’s Business Services segment provides a broad range of data, voice, equipment and IT services to retail and wholesale business customers. The Company’s Consumer Services segment provides nationwide Internet access and related value-added services to residential customers.

The Company evaluates performance of its segments based on segment operating income. Segment operating income includes revenues from external customers, related cost of revenues and operating expenses directly attributable to the segment, which include costs over which segment managers have direct discretionary control, such as advertising and marketing programs, customer support expenses, operations expenses, product development expenses, certain technology and facilities expenses, billing operations and provisions for doubtful accounts. Segment operating income excludes other income and expense items and certain expenses over which segment managers do not have discretionary control. Costs excluded from segment operating income include various corporate expenses (consisting of certain costs such as corporate management, human resources, finance and legal), depreciation and amortization, impairment of goodwill and intangible assets, restructuring, acquisition and integration-related costs, and stock-based compensation expense, as they are not considered in the measurement of segment performance.

During the three months ended September 30, 2012, the Company changed the basis of measurement of segment income. Certain corporate operating expenses previously included in segment operating income are now excluded from segment operating income, as they are not costs over which segment managers have direct discretionary control. Accordingly, the Company has reclassified segment operating expenses and segment operating income for all periods presented.  

Information on reportable segments and a reconciliation to consolidated income from operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2012 is as follows:

	Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
	September 30,				September 30,
	2011		2012		2011		2012
	(in thousands)
Business Services
Revenues	$	265,743	$	257,061	$	675,729	$	774,807
Cost of revenues (excluding depreciation and amortization)	132,718		132,145		339,325		405,519
Gross margin	133,025		124,916		336,404		369,288
Direct segment operating expenses	82,919		85,560		216,621		254,501
Segment operating income	$	50,106	$	39,356	$	119,783	$	114,787
Consumer Services
Revenues	$	91,547	$	77,725	$	288,138	$	242,533
Cost of revenues (excluding depreciation and amortization)	28,609		25,775		90,082		79,954
Gross margin	62,938		51,950		198,056		162,579
Direct segment operating expenses	17,820		16,700		55,257		49,727
Segment operating income	$	45,118	$	35,250	$	142,799	$	112,852
Consolidated
Revenues	$	357,290	$	334,786	$	963,867	$	1,017,340
Cost of revenues	161,327		157,920		429,407		485,473
Gross margin	195,963		176,866		534,460		531,867
Direct segment operating expenses	100,739		102,260		271,878		304,228
Segment operating income	95,224		74,606		262,582		227,639
Depreciation and amortization	46,567		45,665		113,336		136,899
Restructuring, acquisition and integration-related costs	8,966		6,379		24,517		13,736
Corporate operating expenses	8,088		7,768		23,908		22,305
Income from operations	$	31,603	$	14,794	$	100,821	$	54,699

The Company manages its working capital on a consolidated basis and does not allocate long-lived assets to segments. In addition, segment assets are not reported to, or used by, the chief operating decision maker and therefore, total segment assets have not been disclosed.

The Company has not provided information about geographic segments because substantially all of the Company’s revenues, results of operations and identifiable assets are in the United States.

Information on revenues by groups of similar services and by segment for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2012 is as follows:

	Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
	September 30,				September 30,
	2011		2012		2011		2012
	(in thousands)
Business Services
Retail services	$	218,650	$	210,066	$	546,075	$	635,840
Wholesale services	37,228		38,164		98,915		112,923
Other services	9,865		8,831		30,739		26,044
Total revenues	265,743		257,061		675,729		774,807
Consumer Services
Access services	78,520		65,940		249,380		206,442
Value-added services	13,027		11,785		38,758		36,091
Total revenues	91,547		77,725		288,138		242,533
Total Revenues	$	357,290	$	334,786	$	963,867	$	1,017,340

The Company’s Business Services segment earns revenue by providing a broad range of data, voice, equipment and IT services to retail and wholesale business customers. The Company presents its Business Services revenue in the following three categories: (1) retail services, which includes data, voice and managed IT services provided to business customers; (2) wholesale services, which includes the sale of transmission capacity to other telecommunications carriers; and (3) other services, which includes the sale of customer premises equipment and web hosting. Revenues generally consist of recurring monthly charges for such services; usage fees; installation fees; equipment fees and termination fees.

The Company’s Consumer Services segment earns revenue by providing nationwide Internet access and related value-added services. The Company presents its Consumer Services revenue in the following two categories: (1) access services, which includes narrowband and broadband Internet access services and (2) value-added services, which includes revenues from ancillary services sold as add-on features to EarthLink’s Internet access services, such as security products, premium email only, home networking, email storage and Internet call waiting; search revenues; and advertising revenues. Revenues generally consist of recurring monthly charges for such services; usage fees; installation fees; termination fees; and fees for equipment.

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Shareholders' Equity

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2012

Stockholders' Equity Note [Abstract]

Shareholders' Equity

Stockholders’ Equity

Share Repurchases

Since the inception of the Company’s share repurchase program, the Board of Directors has authorized a total of $750.0 million for the repurchase of EarthLink’s common stock. As of September 30, 2012, the Company had $86.0 million available under the current authorizations. The Company may repurchase its common stock from time to time in compliance with the Securities and Exchange Commission’s regulations and other legal requirements, including through the use of derivative transactions, and subject to market conditions and other factors. The share repurchase program does not require the Company to acquire any specific number of shares and may be terminated by the Board of Directors at any time.

The Company repurchased 5.0 million shares of its common stock for $39.5 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and repurchased 1.9 million shares of its common stock for $13.0 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2012 pursuant to its share repurchase program. Also during the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2012, 0.1 million shares valued at $0.9 million and 0.4 million shares valued at $3.1 million, respectively, were returned from the One Communications escrow fund and recorded as treasury stock. 

Dividends

During the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2012, cash dividends declared were $0.15 and $0.15 per common share, respectively. The Company also pays cash dividend amounts on each outstanding restricted stock unit to be paid at the time the restricted stock unit vests. Cash dividend amounts are forfeited if the restricted stock units do not vest. Total dividend payments were $17.2 million and $15.9 million, respectively, during the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2012. The Company currently intends to pay regular quarterly dividends on its common stock.  Any decision to declare future dividends will be made at the discretion of the Board of Directors and will depend on, among other things, the Company’s results of operations, financial condition, cash requirements, investment opportunities and other factors the Board of Directors may deem relevant. In addition, the agreements governing the Company’s Senior Notes and senior secured revolving credit facility contain restrictions on the amount of dividends the Company can pay.

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Income Taxes (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Components of income tax provision
Current (provision) benefit	$ 1,912,000	$ (940,000)	$ (1,496,000)	$ (4,357,000)
Deferred (provision) benefit	1,458,000	(997,000)	2,585,000	(11,851,000)
Total income tax (provision) benefit	3,370,000	(1,937,000)	1,089,000	(16,208,000)
Effective income tax rate (as a percent)			(17.00%)
Benefit of discrete items (as a percent)			(49.00%)
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, at Federal Statutory Income Tax Rate			35.00%
Valuation allowance against deferred tax assets	38,500,000		38,500,000
Portion of valuation allowance that relates to net operating losses generated by the tax benefits of stock-based compensation.	31,600,000		31,600,000		400,000
Portion of the valuation allowance related to net operating losses in certain jurisdictions	$ 6,500,000		$ 6,500,000

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Other Accrued Liabilities

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2012

Other Accrued Liabilities [Abstract]

Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities Disclosure [Text Block]

Other Accrued Liabilities

Other accrued liabilities consisted of the following as of December 31, 2011 and September 30, 2012:

	As of December 31, 2011		As of September 30, 2012
	(in thousands)
Accrued taxes and surcharges	$	28,336	$	34,642
Accrued communications costs	29,830		43,141
Accrued interest	11,954		27,314
Amounts due to customers	17,435		16,624
Facility exit and restructuring liabilities	3,081		3,614
Other	36,205		31,230
Total other accrued liabilities	$	126,841	$	156,565

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Long-Term Debt and Capital Lease Obligations

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2012

Debt Disclosure [Abstract]

Long-Term Debt and Capital Lease Obligations

Long-Term Debt and Capital Lease Obligations

The Company’s long-term debt and capital lease obligations consisted of the following as of December 31, 2011 and September 30, 2012:

	As of December 31, 2011			As of September 30, 2012
	(in thousands)
ITC^DeltaCom senior secured notes due April 2016	$	324,800		$	324,800
Unamortized premium on ITC^DeltaCom senior secured notes due April 2016	22,056			18,622
EarthLink senior notes due May 2019	300,000			300,000
Unamortized discount on EarthLink senior notes due May 2019	(9,779		)	(9,067		)
Capital lease obligations	18,343			17,247
Carrying value of debt and capital lease obligations	655,420			651,602
Less current portion of debt and capital lease obligations	(1,655		)	(1,439		)
Long-term debt and capital lease obligations	$	653,765		$	650,163

ITC^DeltaCom Senior Secured Notes due April 2016

General.  In connection with the EarthLink’s acquisition of ITC^DeltaCom, Inc. (“ITC^DeltaCom”) in December 2010, EarthLink assumed ITC^DeltaCom’s outstanding $325.0 million aggregate principal amount of 10.5% senior secured notes due on April 1, 2016 (the “ITC^DeltaCom Notes”). The ITC^DeltaCom Notes were not repaid or guaranteed by EarthLink.  The ITC^DeltaCom Notes were recorded at acquisition date fair value, which was based on publicly-quoted market prices. The resulting debt premium of $26.3 million is being amortized over the remaining life of the ITC^DeltaCom Notes using the effective interest method.

Under the indenture for the ITC^DeltaCom Notes, following the consummation of the acquisition, ITC^DeltaCom was required to offer to repurchase any or all of the ITC^DeltaCom Notes at 101% of their principal amount.  The tender window was open from December 20, 2010 through January 18, 2011. As a result, approximately $0.2 million outstanding principal amount of the ITC^DeltaCom Notes was repurchased in January 2011. The remaining ITC^DeltaCom Notes remain outstanding as obligations of ITC^DeltaCom and its subsidiaries.

The ITC^DeltaCom Notes accrue interest at a rate of 10.5% per year. Interest on the ITC^DeltaCom Notes is payable semi-annually in cash in arrears on April 1 and October 1 of each year. The ITC^DeltaCom Notes will mature on April 1, 2016.

Redemption.  ITC^DeltaCom may redeem some or all of the ITC^DeltaCom Notes, at any time before April 1, 2013, at a redemption price equal to 100% of their principal amount plus a “make-whole” premium. ITC^DeltaCom may redeem some or all of the ITC^DeltaCom Notes at any time on or after April 1, 2013, at specified redemption prices declining from 105.250% to 100% of their principal amount. In addition, before April 1, 2013, ITC^DeltaCom may redeem up to 35% of the aggregate principal amount of the ITC^DeltaCom Notes at a redemption price equal to 110.5% of their principal amount with the net proceeds of certain equity offerings. During any 12-month period before April 1, 2013, ITC^DeltaCom may redeem up to 10% of the aggregate principal amount of the ITC^DeltaCom Notes at a redemption price equal to 103% of their principal amount.

If (1) ITC^DeltaCom sells certain of its assets and does not either (a) apply the net sale proceeds to repay indebtedness under the ITC^DeltaCom Notes or other indebtedness secured on a first-priority basis or (b) reinvest the net sale proceeds in its business or (2) ITC^DeltaCom experiences a change of control, ITC^DeltaCom may be required to offer to purchase ITC^DeltaCom Notes from holders at 100% of their principal amount, in the case of a sale of assets, or 101% of their principal amount, in the case of a change of control. ITC^DeltaCom would be required to pay accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on the ITC^DeltaCom Notes redeemed or purchased in each of the foregoing events of redemption or purchase.

Ranking and guaranty. The ITC^DeltaCom Notes are ITC^DeltaCom’s general senior obligations and rank equally in right of payment with any future senior indebtedness. The ITC^DeltaCom Notes are secured on a first-priority basis, along with any future pari passu secured obligations, subject to specified exceptions and permitted liens, by substantially all of the assets of ITC^DeltaCom and its subsidiaries that are deemed to be restricted subsidiaries under the indenture governing the ITC^DeltaCom Notes. Currently all of ITC^DeltaCom’s subsidiaries are deemed to be restricted subsidiaries under the indenture.

The ITC^DeltaCom Notes are guaranteed on a senior secured basis by each of ITC^DeltaCom’s restricted subsidiaries on the initial issue date of the ITC^DeltaCom Notes and will be guaranteed on a senior secured basis by each future domestic restricted subsidiary, other than certain excluded subsidiaries, and by any foreign restricted subsidiary that guarantees any indebtedness of ITC^DeltaCom or any domestic restricted subsidiary. The guarantees are the subsidiary guarantors’ general senior obligations and rank equally in right of payment with all of the subsidiary guarantors’ existing and future senior indebtedness.

Covenants. The indenture governing the ITC^DeltaCom Notes contains covenants that, among other things, limit ITC^DeltaCom’s ability, and the ability of ITC^DeltaCom’s restricted subsidiaries, to incur additional indebtedness, create liens, pay dividends on, redeem or repurchase ITC^DeltaCom’s capital stock, make investments or repay subordinated indebtedness, engage in sale-leaseback transactions, enter into transactions with affiliates, sell assets, create restrictions on dividends and other payments to ITC^DeltaCom from its subsidiaries, issue or sell stock of subsidiaries and engage in mergers and consolidations. All of the covenants are subject to a number of important qualifications and exceptions under the indenture. As of September 30, 2012, ITC^DeltaCom was in compliance with all of its covenants.

EarthLink Senior Notes due May 2019

General.  In May 2011, the Company completed a private placement of $300.0 million aggregate principal amount of 8-7/8% Senior Notes due 2019 (the “Senior Notes”).  The Senior Notes were issued at 96.555% of their principal amount, resulting in gross proceeds of approximately $289.7 million and net proceeds of $280.2 million after deducting transaction fees of $9.5 million. In September 2011, in accordance with the registration rights granted to the original purchasers of the Senior Notes, the Company completed an exchange offer of the privately placed Senior Notes for new 8-7/8% Senior Notes due 2019 registered with the SEC with substantially identical terms to the original Senior Notes.

The Senior Notes accrue interest at a rate of 8-7/8% per year, payable on May 15 and November 15 of each year, commencing on November 15, 2011. The Senior Notes will mature on May 15, 2019.

Redemption.  The Company may redeem the Senior Notes, in whole or in part, (i) from May 15, 2015 until May 15, 2016 at a price equal to 104.438% of the principal amount of the Senior Notes redeemed; (ii) from May 15, 2016 until May 15, 2017 at a price equal to 102.219% of the principal amount of the Senior Notes redeemed; and (iii) from May 15, 2017 at a price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the Senior Notes redeemed, in each case plus accrued and unpaid interest.  Prior to May 15, 2015, the Company may also redeem the Senior Notes, in whole or in part, at a price equal to 100% of the aggregate principal amount of the Senior Notes to be redeemed plus a make-whole premium and accrued and unpaid interest.  In addition, prior to May 15, 2014, the Company may redeem up to 35% of the aggregate principal amount of the Senior Notes with the net cash proceeds of certain equity offerings at a price equal to 108.875% of the principal amount of the Senior Notes redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest.

Ranking and guaranty. The Senior Notes and the related guarantees of certain of the Company’s wholly-owned subsidiaries (the “Guarantors”) are the Company’s and the Guarantors’ unsecured senior obligations and rank equally with all of the Company’s and the Guarantors’ other senior indebtedness.

Covenants. The indenture governing the Senior Notes includes covenants which, subject to certain exceptions, limit the ability of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries (as defined in the indenture) to, among other things, incur additional indebtedness, make certain types of restricted payments, incur liens on assets of the Company or the Restricted Subsidiaries, engage in asset sales and enter into transactions with affiliates. Upon a change of control (as defined in the indenture), the Company may be required to make an offer to repurchase the Notes at 101% of their principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest. The indenture governing the Senior Notes also contains customary events of default. As of September 30, 2012, the Company was in compliance with these covenants.

Revolving Credit Facility

General.  On May 20, 2011, the Company entered into a credit agreement (the “Credit Agreement”) providing for a senior secured revolving credit facility with aggregate revolving commitments of $150.0 million. The senior secured revolving credit facility terminates on May 20, 2015, and all amounts outstanding thereunder shall be due and payable in full.  The Company paid $1.9 million of transaction fees related to the new senior secured revolving credit facility, which are being amortized to interest expense over the life of the credit facility using the effective interest method. Commitment fees and borrowing costs under this facility vary and are based the Company’s most recent Consolidated Leverage Ratio (as defined in the Credit Agreement).  As of September 30, 2012, the Company’s Commitment Fee was 0.375% and the Company’s borrowing cost would be LIBOR plus 2.50% for LIBOR Rate Loans and the Base Rate plus 1.50% for Base Rate Loans. No loans were outstanding under the senior secured revolving credit facility as of September 30, 2012. However, $2.1 million of letters of credit were outstanding under the facility’s Letter of Credit Sublimit as of September 30, 2012.

Prepayment. The Company may prepay the senior secured revolving credit facility in whole or in part at any time without premium or penalty, subject to reimbursement of the lenders’ breakage and redeployment costs in the case of prepayment of LIBOR borrowings. The Company may irrevocably reduce or terminate the unutilized portion of the senior secured revolving credit facility at any time without penalty.

Covenants. The Credit Agreement contains representations and warranties, covenants, and events of default with respect to the Company and its subsidiaries that are customarily applicable to senior secured credit facilities.  However, such covenants will not apply to ITC^DeltaCom and its subsidiaries until the earlier of (i) the repayment or refinancing in full of the ITC^DeltaCom Notes or (ii) the date ITC^DeltaCom and its U.S. subsidiaries become guarantors of the senior secured revolving credit facility.  ITC^DeltaCom is not currently a guarantor under the senior secured revolving credit facility. The negative covenants contained in the Credit Agreement include restrictions on the ability of the Company and its subsidiaries to, among other things, incur additional indebtedness, incur liens on assets, engage in certain mergers, acquisitions or divestitures, pay dividends or make other distributions, voluntarily prepay certain other indebtedness (including certain prepayments of the Company’s existing notes and the ITC^DeltaCom Notes), enter into transactions with affiliates, make investments, and change the nature of their businesses, and amend the terms of certain other indebtedness (including the Company’s existing notes and the ITC^DeltaCom Notes), in each case subject to certain exceptions set forth in the Credit Agreement.

Additionally, the Credit Agreement requires the Company to maintain a maximum consolidated leverage ratio and a minimum consolidated interest coverage ratio (as defined in the Credit Agreement). As of September 30, 2012, the Company was in compliance with these covenants.

Capital Lease Obligations

The Company maintains capital leases relating to indefeasible right-to-use agreements, vehicles and equipment. Substantially all of these capital leases were assumed by the Company through its acquisition of One Communications. Depreciation expense related to assets under capital leases is included in depreciation and amortization expense in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income.

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Stock-Based Compensation

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2012

Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]

Stock-Based Compensation

Stock-Based Compensation

The Company measures compensation cost for all stock awards at fair value on the date of grant and recognizes compensation expense over the requisite service period for awards expected to vest. The Company estimates the fair value of stock options using the Black-Scholes valuation model, and determines the fair value of restricted stock units based on the quoted price of EarthLink’s common stock on the date of grant. Such value is recognized as expense over the requisite service period, net of estimated forfeitures, using the straight-line attribution method. For performance-based awards, the Company recognizes expense over the requisite service period, net of estimated forfeitures, using the accelerated attribution method when it is probable that the performance measure will be achieved. The estimate of awards that will ultimately vest requires significant judgment, and to the extent actual results or updated estimates differ from the Company’s current estimates, such amounts will be recorded as a cumulative adjustment in the period estimates are revised. The Company considers many factors when estimating expected forfeitures, including types of awards, employee class and historical employee attrition rates. Actual results, and future changes in estimates, may differ substantially from the Company’s current estimates.

Stock-based compensation expense was $3.4 million and $2.7 million during the three months ended September 30, 2011 and 2012, respectively, and $10.5 million and $8.2 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2012, respectively.  The Company has classified stock-based compensation expense within selling, general and administrative expense, the same operating expense line item as cash compensation paid to employees.

Stock Incentive Plans

The Company has granted options and restricted stock units to employees and non-employee directors to purchase the Company’s common stock under various stock incentive plans. Under the plans, employees and non-employee directors are eligible to receive awards of various forms of equity-based incentive compensation, including stock options, restricted stock, restricted stock units, phantom share units and performance awards, among others. The plans are administered by the Board of Directors or the Leadership and Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors, which determine the terms of the awards granted. Stock options are generally granted with an exercise price equal to the closing market value of EarthLink, Inc. common stock on the date of grant, have a term of ten years or less, and vest over terms of four years from the date of grant. Restricted stock units are granted with various vesting terms that range from one to three years from the date of grant.

Options Outstanding

The following table summarizes stock option activity as of and for the nine months ended September 30, 2012:

	Stock Options		Weighted Average Exercise Price		Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term (Years)	Aggregate Intrinsic Value
	(shares and dollars in thousands)
Outstanding as of December 31, 2011	1,875		$	8.97
Granted	2,581		7.55
Exercised	(39	)	6.45
Forfeited and expired	(634	)	8.47
Outstanding as of September 30, 2012	3,783		8.10		6.9	$	74
Vested and expected to vest as of September 30, 2012	3,672		$	8.12	6.8	$	74
Exercisable as of September 30, 2012	1,554		$	8.90	3.2	$	74

The aggregate intrinsic value amounts in the table above represent the closing price of the Company’s common stock on September 30, 2012 in excess of the exercise price, multiplied by the number of stock options outstanding, exercisable or vested and expected to vest, when the closing price is greater than the exercise price. This represents the amount that would have been received by the stock option holders if they had all exercised their stock options on September 30, 2012. The total intrinsic value of options exercised during the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2012 was $80,000 and $56,000, respectively. The intrinsic value of stock options exercised represents the difference between the market value of Company’s common stock at the time of exercise and the exercise price, multiplied by the number of stock options exercised.  As of September 30, 2012, there was $3.1 million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to stock options. That cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 3.4 years.

The following table summarizes the status of the Company’s stock options as of September 30, 2012:

									Stock Options
Stock Options Outstanding									Exercisable
						Weighted
						Average	Weighted			Weighted
						Remaining	Average			Average
Range of					Number	Contractual	Exercise		Number	Exercise
Exercise Prices					Outstanding	Life	Price		Exercisable	Price
					(in thousands)				(in thousands)
$	5.10	to	$	6.98	132	3.7	$	6.59	132	$	6.59
7.02		to	7.32		336	4.7	7.27		336	7.27
7.51		to	7.51		2,145	9.3	7.51		17	7.51
7.64		to	8.96		197	6.7	8.33		96	8.21
9.01		to	9.24		252	2.0	9.03		252	9.03
9.48		to	9.89		296	3.1	9.51		296	9.51
10.36		to	10.80		339	2.8	10.39		339	10.39
11.17		to	11.82		86	2.5	11.43		86	11.43
$	5.10	to	$	11.82	3,783	6.9	$	8.10	1,554	$	8.90

The fair value of stock options granted during the nine months ended September 30, 2012 was estimated using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model with the following assumptions:

	Nine Months Ended
	September 30, 2012
Dividend yield	2.69%
Expected volatility	32.50%
Risk-free interest rate	0.81%
Expected life	5 years

The weighted average grant date fair value of options granted during the nine months ended September 30, 2012 was $1.65 per share. The dividend yield assumption was based on the Company's history of dividend payouts at the time of grant. The expected volatility was based on a combination of the Company's historical stock price and implied volatility. The selection of implied volatility data to estimate expected volatility was based upon the availability of prices for actively traded options on the Company's stock. The risk-free interest rate assumption was based upon the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of grant for periods corresponding with the expected life of the option. The expected life of employee stock options represents the weighted-average period the stock options are expected to remain outstanding.

Restricted Stock Units

The following table summarizes restricted stock unit activity as of and for the nine months ended September 30, 2012:

	Restricted Stock Units		Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value
	(in thousands)
Outstanding as of December 31, 2011	2,606		$	8.25
Granted	1,806		7.54
Vested	(841	)	8.39
Forfeited	(403	)	7.77
Outstanding as of September 30, 2012	3,168		$	7.92

The fair value of restricted stock units is determined based on the closing price of EarthLink’s common stock on the grant date. The weighted-average grant date fair value of restricted stock units granted during the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2012 was $7.83 and $7.54, respectively.  As of September 30, 2012, there was $16.6 million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to nonvested restricted stock units. That cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 1.9 years. The total fair value of shares vested during the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2012 was $12.4 million and $6.5 million, respectively, which represents the closing price of the Company’s common stock on the vesting date multiplied by the number of restricted stock units that vested.

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Segment Information (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Number of reportable segments			2
Segment Reporting Information
Revenues	$ 334,786	$ 357,290	$ 1,017,340	$ 963,867
Cost of revenues (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)	157,920	161,327	485,473	429,407
Gross margin	176,866	195,963	531,867	534,460
Direct segment operating expenses	102,260	100,739	304,228	271,878
Segment operating income	74,606	95,224	227,639	262,582
Stock-based compensation expense	2,700	3,400	8,203	10,454
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization, Nonproduction	45,665	46,567	136,899	113,336
Restructuring, acquisition and integration-related costs	6,379	8,966	13,736	24,517
Corporate operating expenses	7,768	8,088	22,305	23,908
Income from operations	14,794	31,603	54,699	100,821
Business Services Segment
Segment Reporting Information
Revenues	257,061	265,743	774,807	675,729
Cost of revenues (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)	132,145	132,718	405,519	339,325
Gross margin	124,916	133,025	369,288	336,404
Direct segment operating expenses	85,560	82,919	254,501	216,621
Segment operating income	39,356	50,106	114,787	119,783
Consumer Services Segment
Segment Reporting Information
Revenues	77,725	91,547	242,533	288,138
Cost of revenues (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)	25,775	28,609	79,954	90,082
Gross margin	51,950	62,938	162,579	198,056
Direct segment operating expenses	16,700	17,820	49,727	55,257
Segment operating income	$ 35,250	$ 45,118	$ 112,852	$ 142,799

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Commitments and Contingencies (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Loss Contingency, Loss in Period	$ 8.3

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Fair Value Measurements (Details 2) (USD $)	Dec. 06, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Long-term Debt		$ 651,602,000	$ 655,420,000
Secured Debt [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Long-term Debt	292,320,000	324,800,000	324,800,000
Senior Notes 8875 Percent Due 2019 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Long-term Debt		300,000,000	300,000,000
Estimate of Fair Value, Fair Value Disclosure [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Long-term Debt		657,596,000	605,278,000
Estimate of Fair Value, Fair Value Disclosure [Member] | Secured Debt [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Long-term Debt		351,596,000	320,578,000
Estimate of Fair Value, Fair Value Disclosure [Member] | Senior Notes 8875 Percent Due 2019 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Long-term Debt		306,000,000	284,700,000
Carrying (Reported) Amount, Fair Value Disclosure [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Long-term Debt		634,355,000	637,077,000
Carrying (Reported) Amount, Fair Value Disclosure [Member] | Secured Debt [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Long-term Debt		343,422,000	346,856,000
Carrying (Reported) Amount, Fair Value Disclosure [Member] | Senior Notes 8875 Percent Due 2019 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Long-term Debt		$ 290,933,000	$ 290,221,000

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Segment Information (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2012

Segment Reporting [Abstract]

Schedule of information on reportable segments and a reconciliation to consolidated income from operations

	Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
	September 30,				September 30,
	2011		2012		2011		2012
	(in thousands)
Business Services
Revenues	$	265,743	$	257,061	$	675,729	$	774,807
Cost of revenues (excluding depreciation and amortization)	132,718		132,145		339,325		405,519
Gross margin	133,025		124,916		336,404		369,288
Direct segment operating expenses	82,919		85,560		216,621		254,501
Segment operating income	$	50,106	$	39,356	$	119,783	$	114,787
Consumer Services
Revenues	$	91,547	$	77,725	$	288,138	$	242,533
Cost of revenues (excluding depreciation and amortization)	28,609		25,775		90,082		79,954
Gross margin	62,938		51,950		198,056		162,579
Direct segment operating expenses	17,820		16,700		55,257		49,727
Segment operating income	$	45,118	$	35,250	$	142,799	$	112,852
Consolidated
Revenues	$	357,290	$	334,786	$	963,867	$	1,017,340
Cost of revenues	161,327		157,920		429,407		485,473
Gross margin	195,963		176,866		534,460		531,867
Direct segment operating expenses	100,739		102,260		271,878		304,228
Segment operating income	95,224		74,606		262,582		227,639
Depreciation and amortization	46,567		45,665		113,336		136,899
Restructuring, acquisition and integration-related costs	8,966		6,379		24,517		13,736
Corporate operating expenses	8,088		7,768		23,908		22,305
Income from operations	$	31,603	$	14,794	$	100,821	$	54,699

Schedule of information on revenues by groups of similar services and by segment

	Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
	September 30,				September 30,
	2011		2012		2011		2012
	(in thousands)
Business Services
Retail services	$	218,650	$	210,066	$	546,075	$	635,840
Wholesale services	37,228		38,164		98,915		112,923
Other services	9,865		8,831		30,739		26,044
Total revenues	265,743		257,061		675,729		774,807
Consumer Services
Access services	78,520		65,940		249,380		206,442
Value-added services	13,027		11,785		38,758		36,091
Total revenues	91,547		77,725		288,138		242,533
Total Revenues	$	357,290	$	334,786	$	963,867	$	1,017,340

XML

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012
Changes in the carrying amount of goodwill
Balance of goodwill, gross at the beginning of the period	$ 466,113
Balance of accumulated impairment loss at the beginning of the period	(87,878)
Balance of goodwill at the beginning of the period	378,235
Goodwill adjustments	1,180
Balance of goodwill, gross at the end of the period	467,293
Balance of accumulated impairment loss at the end of the period	(87,878)
Balance of goodwill at the end of the period	379,415
Consumer Services Segment
Changes in the carrying amount of goodwill
Balance of goodwill, gross at the beginning of the period	88,920
Balance of accumulated impairment loss at the beginning of the period	0
Balance of goodwill at the beginning of the period	88,920
Goodwill adjustments	0
Balance of goodwill, gross at the end of the period	88,920
Balance of accumulated impairment loss at the end of the period	0
Balance of goodwill at the end of the period	88,920
Business Services Segment
Changes in the carrying amount of goodwill
Balance of goodwill, gross at the beginning of the period	377,193
Balance of accumulated impairment loss at the beginning of the period	(87,878)
Balance of goodwill at the beginning of the period	289,315
Goodwill adjustments	1,180
Balance of goodwill, gross at the end of the period	378,373
Balance of accumulated impairment loss at the end of the period	(87,878)
Balance of goodwill at the end of the period	$ 290,495

XML

Condensed Consolidating Financial Information

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2012

Condensed Consolidating Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]

Condensed Consolidating Financial Information

Condensed Consolidating Financial Information

The Company's Senior Notes are fully and unconditionally guaranteed, jointly and severally, on a senior unsecured basis by each of the Company’s existing and future domestic subsidiaries, other than (i) ITC^DeltaCom, Inc. and its subsidiaries and (ii) certain other excluded subsidiaries (the “Guarantor Subsidiaries”). ITC^DeltaCom, Inc. and its subsidiaries are not guarantors of the Senior Notes (the “Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries”). All of the Guarantor Subsidiaries are 100% owned by the Company. As a result of these guarantees, the Company is required to provide the financial information set forth under Rule 3-10 of Regulation S-X, “Financial Statements of Guarantors and Issuers of Guaranteed Securities Registered or Being Registered” (“Rule 3-10”).

The accompanying condensed consolidating financial information has been prepared and presented pursuant to Rule 3-10. The Parent column represents EarthLink’s stand-alone results and its investment in all of its subsidiaries presented using the equity method of accounting. The Guarantor Subsidiaries and the Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries are presented in separate columns and represent all the applicable subsidiaries on a combined basis. Intercompany eliminations are shown in a separate column. The operating activities of the separate legal entities included in the Company’s consolidated financial statements are interdependent. The accompanying condensed consolidating financial information presents the results of operations, financial position and cash flows of each legal entity and, on an aggregate basis, the other non-guarantor subsidiaries based on amounts incurred by such entities, and is not intended to present the operating results of those legal entities on a stand-alone basis.

The condensed consolidating financial information is presented in the following tables (in thousands):

Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet

As of September 30, 2012

	Parent			Guarantor Subsidiaries			Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries			Eliminations			Consolidated
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	176,123		$	25,016		$	60,654		$	—		$	261,793
Marketable securities	44,909			—			—			—			44,909
Restricted cash	—			—			1,013			—			1,013
Accounts receivable, net	12,155			61,211			46,012			—			119,378
Prepaid expenses	6,166			4,717			6,560			—			17,443
Deferred income taxes, net	4,563			18,861			18,217			—			41,641
Due from affiliates	151,825			32,786			—			(184,611		)	—
Other current assets	6,733			7,310			6,025			—			20,068
Total current assets	402,474			149,901			138,481			(184,611		)	506,245
Long-term marketable securities	3,463			—			—			—			3,463
Property and equipment, net	32,261			143,087			200,488			—			375,836
Long-term deferred income taxes, net	14,272			79,971			76,231			—			170,474
Goodwill	88,919			95,806			194,690			—			379,415
Purchased intangible assets, net	75			131,360			100,780			—			232,215
Investment in subsidiaries	532,721			—			—			(532,721		)	—
Other long-term assets	9,857			9,113			705			—			19,675
Total assets	$	1,084,042		$	609,238		$	711,375		$	(717,332	)	$	1,687,323
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	$	9,167		$	7,899		$	8,140		$	—		$	25,206
Accrued payroll and related expenses	7,837			13,935			9,121			—			30,893
Other accrued liabilities	30,364			69,736			56,465			—			156,565
Deferred revenue	14,465			20,052			18,265			—			52,782
Due to affiliates	—			184,036			575			(184,611		)	—
Current portion of debt and capital lease obligations	106			1,036			297			—			1,439
Total current liabilities	61,939			296,694			92,863			(184,611		)	266,885
Long-term debt and capital lease obligations	290,934			15,469			343,760			—			650,163
Other long-term liabilities	4,158			23,796			7,600			—			35,554
Total liabilities	357,031			335,959			444,223			(184,611		)	952,602
Stockholders’ equity:
Common stock	1,968			—			—			—			1,968
Additional paid-in capital	2,053,704			501,800			297,346			(791,436		)	2,061,414
Accumulated deficit	(606,139		)	(228,521		)	(30,194		)	258,715			(606,139		)
Treasury stock, at cost	(722,538		)	—			—			—			(722,538		)
Accumulated other comprehensive income	16			—			—			—			16
Total stockholders’ equity	727,011			273,279			267,152			(532,721		)	734,721
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$	1,084,042		$	609,238		$	711,375		$	(717,332	)	$	1,687,323

Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet

As of December 31, 2011

	Parent			Guarantor Subsidiaries			Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries			Eliminations			Consolidated
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	148,363		$	28,490		$	34,930		$	—		$	211,783
Marketable securities	28,606			—			—			—			28,606
Restricted cash	—			—			1,781			—			1,781
Accounts receivable, net	12,622			58,284			43,851			—			114,757
Prepaid expenses	3,974			3,046			6,143			—			13,163
Deferred income taxes, net	7,286			15,247			15,904			—			38,437
Due from affiliates	178,705			16,783			2,919			(198,407		)	—
Other current assets	8,393			10,103			5,034			—			23,530
Total current assets	387,949			131,953			110,562			(198,407		)	432,057
Long-term marketable securities	1,001			—			—			—			1,001
Property and equipment, net	21,622			154,489			213,438			—			389,549
Long-term deferred income taxes, net	31,841			69,207			71,328			—			172,376
Goodwill	88,920			94,554			194,761			—			378,235
Purchased intangible assets, net	304			163,942			121,115			—			285,361
Investment in subsidiaries	570,755			—			—			(570,755		)	—
Other long-term assets	11,888			9,902			82			—			21,872
Total assets	$	1,114,280		$	624,047		$	711,286		$	(769,162	)	$	1,680,451
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	$	7,741		$	3,551		$	4,731		$	—		$	16,023
Accrued payroll and related expenses	10,346			9,382			9,362			—			29,090
Other accrued liabilities	21,262			70,255			35,324			—			126,841
Deferred revenue	16,249			19,781			25,410			—			61,440
Due to affiliates	12,684			183,717			2,006			(198,407		)	—
Current portion of debt and capital lease obligations	20			1,216			419			—			1,655
Total current liabilities	68,302			287,902			77,252			(198,407		)	235,049
Long-term debt and capital lease obligations	290,221			16,180			347,364			—			653,765
Other long-term liabilities	7,288			23,062			8,143			—			38,493
Total liabilities	365,811			327,144			432,759			(198,407		)	927,307
Stockholders’ equity:
Common stock	1,962			—			—			—			1,962
Additional paid-in capital	2,066,623			500,596			295,516			(791,437		)	2,071,298
Accumulated deficit	(613,668		)	(203,693		)	(16,989		)	220,682			(613,668		)
Treasury stock, at cost	(706,434		)	—			—			—			(706,434		)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(14		)	—			—			—			(14		)
Total stockholders’ equity	748,469			296,903			278,527			(570,755		)	753,144
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$	1,114,280		$	624,047		$	711,286		$	(769,162	)	$	1,680,451

Condensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income (Loss)

Three Months Ended September 30, 2012

	Parent			Guarantor Subsidiaries			Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries			Eliminations			Consolidated
Revenues	$	83,022		$	144,496		$	109,120		$	(1,852	)	$	334,786
Operating costs and expenses:
Cost of revenues (exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown separately below)	27,187			76,848			55,737			(1,852		)	157,920
Selling, general and administrative (exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown separately below)	24,468			51,139			34,421			—			110,028
Depreciation and amortization	2,272			25,521			17,872			—			45,665
Restructuring, acquisition and integration-related costs	3,683			1,526			1,170			—			6,379
Total operating costs and expenses	57,610			155,034			109,200			(1,852		)	319,992
Income (loss) from operations	25,412			(10,538		)	(80		)	—			14,794
Interest expense and other, net	(7,385		)	(1,836		)	(7,571		)	—			(16,792		)
Equity in losses of subsidiaries	(12,770		)	—			—			12,770			—
Income (loss) before income taxes	5,257			(12,374		)	(7,651		)	12,770			(1,998		)
Income tax (provision) benefit	(3,885		)	4,834			2,421			—			3,370
Net income (loss)	$	1,372		$	(7,540	)	$	(5,230	)	$	12,770		$	1,372
Comprehensive income (loss)	$	1,391		$	(7,540	)	$	(5,230	)	$	12,770		$	1,391

Condensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income (Loss)

Three Months Ended September 30, 2011

	Parent			Guarantor Subsidiaries			Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries			Eliminations			Consolidated
Revenues	$	97,953		$	146,733		$	113,363		$	(759	)	$	357,290
Operating costs and expenses:
Cost of revenues (exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown separately below)	30,000			78,066			54,020			(759		)	161,327
Selling, general and administrative (exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown separately below)	25,909			50,179			32,739			—			108,827
Depreciation and amortization	2,606			25,675			18,286			—			46,567
Restructuring, acquisition and integration-related costs	1,331			5,971			1,664			—			8,966
Total operating costs and expenses	59,846			159,891			106,709			(759		)	325,687
Income (loss) from operations	38,107			(13,158		)	6,654			—			31,603
Interest expense and other, net	(12,652		)	(1,822		)	(7,687		)	—			(22,161		)
Equity in losses of subsidiaries	(8,722		)	—			—			8,722			—
Income (loss) before income taxes	16,733			(14,980		)	(1,033		)	8,722			9,442
Income tax (provision) benefit	(9,228		)	6,962			329			—			(1,937		)
Net income (loss)	$	7,505		$	(8,018	)	$	(704	)	$	8,722		$	7,505
Comprehensive income (loss)	$	7,505		$	(8,018	)	$	(704	)	$	8,722		$	7,505

Condensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income (Loss)

Nine Months EndedSeptember 30, 2012

	Parent			Guarantor Subsidiaries			Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries			Eliminations			Consolidated
Revenues	$	259,113		$	430,918		$	332,663		$	(5,354	)	$	1,017,340
Operating costs and expenses:
Cost of revenues (exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown separately below)	84,233			233,042			173,552			(5,354		)	485,473
Selling, general and administrative (exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown separately below)	72,032			152,583			101,918			—			326,533
Depreciation and amortization	6,293			77,637			52,969			—			136,899
Restructuring, acquisition and integration-related costs	7,344			4,434			1,958			—			13,736
Total operating costs and expenses	169,902			467,696			330,397			(5,354		)	962,641
Income (loss) from operations	89,211			(36,778		)	2,266			—			54,699
Interest expense and other, net	(20,308		)	(5,242		)	(22,709		)	—			(48,259		)
Equity in losses of subsidiaries	(38,534		)	—			—			38,534			—
Income (loss) before income taxes	30,369			(42,020		)	(20,443		)	38,534			6,440
Income tax (provision) benefit	(22,840		)	16,691			7,238			—			1,089
Net income (loss)	$	7,529		$	(25,329	)	$	(13,205	)	$	38,534		$	7,529
Comprehensive income (loss)	$	7,558		$	(25,329	)	$	(13,205	)	$	38,534		$	7,558

Condensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income (Loss)

Nine Months EndedSeptember 30, 2011

	Parent			Guarantor Subsidiaries			Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries			Eliminations			Consolidated
Revenues	$	308,493		$	319,635		$	336,958		$	(1,219	)	$	963,867
Operating costs and expenses:
Cost of revenues (exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown separately below)	94,403			172,279			163,944			(1,219		)	429,407
Selling, general and administrative (exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown separately below)	79,167			110,874			105,745			—			295,786
Depreciation and amortization	7,940			52,214			53,182			—			113,336
Restructuring, acquisition and integration-related costs	6,798			14,173			3,546			—			24,517
Total operating costs and expenses	188,308			349,540			326,417			(1,219		)	863,046
Income (loss) from operations	120,185			(29,905		)	10,541			—			100,821
Interest expense and other, net	(25,937		)	(4,882		)	(23,378		)	—			(54,197		)
Equity in losses of subsidiaries	(28,156		)	—			—			28,156			—
Income (loss) before income taxes	66,092			(34,787		)	(12,837		)	28,156			46,624
Income tax (provision) benefit	(35,676		)	14,429			5,039			—			(16,208		)
Net income (loss)	$	30,416		$	(20,358	)	$	(7,798	)	$	28,156		$	30,416
Comprehensive income (loss)	$	30,416		$	(20,358	)	$	(7,798	)	$	28,156		$	30,416

Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows

Nine Months EndedSeptember 30, 2012

	Parent			Guarantor Subsidiaries			Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries			Eliminations		Consolidated
Cash flows from operating activities	$	91,098		$	34,403		$	53,027		$	—	$	178,528
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchases of property and equipment	(15,962		)	(36,987		)	(27,780		)	—		(80,729		)
Purchases of investments in marketable securities	(57,528		)	—			—			—		(57,528		)
Sales and maturities of investments in marketable securities	38,763			—			—			—		38,763
Change in restricted cash	—			—			768			—		768
Net cash used in investing activities	(34,727		)	(36,987		)	(27,012		)	—		(98,726		)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Principal payments under capital lease obligations	7			(890		)	(360		)	—		(1,243		)
Repurchases of common stock	(12,967		)	—			—			—		(12,967		)
Payment of dividends	(15,917		)	—			—			—		(15,917		)
Proceeds from exercises of stock options	236			—			—			—		236
Other	30			—			69			—		99
Net cash used in financing activities	(28,611		)	(890		)	(291		)	—		(29,792		)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	27,760			(3,474		)	25,724			—		50,010
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	148,363			28,490			34,930			—		211,783
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	$	176,123		$	25,016		$	60,654		$	—	$	261,793

s

Nine Months EndedSeptember 30, 2011

	Parent			Guarantor Subsidiaries			Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries			Eliminations			Consolidated
Cash flows from operating activities	$	81,939		$	(2,788	)	$	37,329		$	—		$	116,480
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchase of businesses, net of cash acquired	(28,685		)	11,447			(22,859		)	—			(40,097		)
Purchases of property and equipment	(4,673		)	(31,232		)	(35,062		)	—			(70,967		)
Sales and maturities of investments in marketable securities	319,729			—			—			—			319,729
Payment for investment in subsidiary stock	(342,341		)	—			—			342,341			—
Change in restricted cash	—			—			489			—			489
Other	(600		)	(3,413		)	248			—			(3,765		)
Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities	(56,570		)	(23,198		)	(57,184		)	342,341			205,389
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from issuance of debt, net of issues costs	278,383			—			—			—			278,383
Repayment of debt and capital lease obligations	(1,283		)	(267,544		)	(3,564		)	—			(272,391		)
Repurchases of common stock	(39,540		)	—			—			—			(39,540		)
Payment of dividends	(17,214		)	—			—			—			(17,214		)
Proceeds from exercises of stock options	566			—			—			—			566
Proceeds from parent	—			312,341			30,000			(342,341		)	—
Other	1			634			50			—			685
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	220,913			45,431			26,486			(342,341		)	(49,511		)
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents	246,282			19,445			6,631			—			272,358
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	197,615			1,752			43,585			—			242,952
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	$	443,897		$	21,197		$	50,216		$	—		$	515,310

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Restructuring, Acquisition and Integration-Related Costs (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2012

Restructuring and Related Activities [Abstract]

Schedule of Restructuring, Acquisition and Integration-related costs [Table Text Block]

	Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
	September 30,				September 30,
	2011		2012		2011		2012
	(in thousands)
Facility exit and restructuring costs	$	57	$	5	$	520	$	(176	)
Acquisition and integration-related costs	8,909		6,374		23,997		13,912
Restructuring, acquisition and integration-related costs	$	8,966	$	6,379	$	24,517	$	13,736

Schedule of Restructuring and Related Costs [Table Text Block]

	Nine Months Ended						Cumulative Costs
	September 30,						Incurred
	2011			2012			To Date
	(in thousands)
Severance and personnel-related costs	$	—		$	—		$	30,764
Lease termination and facilities-related costs	597			(176		)	23,912
Non-cash asset impairments	(77		)	—			24,824
Other associated costs	—			—			1,131
	$	520		$	(176	)	$	80,631

Activity for the liability balances associated with the 2007 Plan

Balance as of December 31, 2011	$	7,432
Accruals	(176		)
Payments	(2,255		)
Balance as of September 30, 2012	$	5,001

Schedule of Acquisition and Integration-Related Costs [Table Text Block]

	Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
	September 30,				September 30,
	2011		2012		2011		2012
	(in thousands)
Severance and retention costs	$	3,783	$	2,051	$	13,608	$	5,111
Transaction-related costs	325		373		4,867		1,366
Integration-related costs	593		3,614		834		6,944
Facility-related costs	4,208		336		4,688		491
Total acquisition and integration-related costs	$	8,909	$	6,374	$	23,997	$	13,912

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Investments (Details 2) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	$ 48,372	$ 29,607
Available-for-sale Securities, Current	(44,909)	(28,606)
Available-for-sale Securities, Noncurrent	3,463	1,001
Corporate Debt Securities [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	31,652	11,057
US Treasury and Government [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	4,876	11,304
Commercial Paper [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	8,790	4,246
Certificates of Deposit [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale Securities	$ 3,054	$ 3,000

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Acquisitions (Details 3) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified			9 Months Ended	1 Months Ended		9 Months Ended	1 Months Ended		9 Months Ended	1 Months Ended		9 Months Ended	1 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2011 One Communications Corp [Member]	Apr. 02, 2011 One Communications Corp [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Customer Relationships [Member]	Apr. 30, 2011 Customer Relationships [Member] One Communications Corp [Member]	Sep. 30, 2011 Customer Relationships [Member] One Communications Corp [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Developed Technology [Member]	Apr. 30, 2011 Developed Technology [Member] One Communications Corp [Member]	Sep. 30, 2011 Developed Technology [Member] One Communications Corp [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Trade Names [Member]	Apr. 30, 2011 Trade Names [Member] One Communications Corp [Member]	Sep. 30, 2011 Trade Names [Member] One Communications Corp [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Other Intangible Assets [Member]	Apr. 30, 2011 Other Intangible Assets [Member] One Communications Corp [Member]	Sep. 30, 2011 Other Intangible Assets [Member] One Communications Corp [Member]
Business Acquisition, Purchase Price Allocation, Amortizable Intangible Assets	$ 185,850	$ 185,850			$ 168,600			$ 12,000			$ 3,900			$ 1,350
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Useful Life			5 years 2 months 12 days	5 years		3 years 10 months 24 days	3 years		3 years 3 months 18 days	3 years		4 years 4 months 24 days	5 years

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CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	$ 7,529	$ 30,416
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	136,899	113,336
Loss on disposals and impairments of fixed assets	1,044	3,688
Non-cash income taxes	(2,585)	11,851
Share-based Compensation	8,203	10,454
Amortization of debt discount, premium and issuance costs	(1,470)	9,690
Other operating activities	(693)	(748)
Decrease (increase) in accounts receivable, net	(6,999)	9,479
(Increase) decrease in prepaid expenses and other assets	2,526	(28,140)
(Decrease) increase in accounts payable and accrued and other liabilities	34,130	(45,797)
Increase (decrease) in deferred revenue	(56)	2,251
Net cash provided by operating activities	178,528	116,480
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchase of business, net of cash acquired	0	(40,097)
Purchases of property and equipment	(80,729)	(70,967)
Purchases of marketable securities	(57,528)	0
Sales and maturities of marketable securities	38,763	319,729
Change in restricted cash	768	489
Other investing activities	0	(3,765)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	(98,726)	205,389
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from issuance of debt, net of issuance costs	0	278,383
Repayment of debt and capital lease obligations	(1,243)	(272,391)
Repurchases of common stock	(12,967)	(39,540)
Payment of dividends	(15,917)	(17,214)
Proceeds from exercises of stock options	236	566
Other financing activities	99	685
Net cash used in financing activities	(29,792)	(49,511)
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents	50,010	272,358
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	211,783	242,952
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	$ 261,793	$ 515,310

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Restructuring, Acquisition and Integration-Related Costs

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2012

Restructuring and Related Activities [Abstract]

Restructuring, Acquisition and Integration-Related Costs

Restructuring, Acquisition and Integration-Related Costs

Restructuring, acquisition and integration-related costs consisted of the following during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2012:

	Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
	September 30,				September 30,
	2011		2012		2011		2012
	(in thousands)
Facility exit and restructuring costs	$	57	$	5	$	520	$	(176	)
Acquisition and integration-related costs	8,909		6,374		23,997		13,912
Restructuring, acquisition and integration-related costs	$	8,966	$	6,379	$	24,517	$	13,736

Facility exit and restructuring costs

In August 2007, EarthLink adopted a restructuring plan (the “2007 Plan”) to reduce costs and improve the efficiency of the Company’s operations. The 2007 Plan was the result of a comprehensive review of operations within and across the Company’s functions and businesses. Under the 2007 Plan, the Company reduced its workforce by approximately 900 employees, closed office facilities in Orlando, Florida; Knoxville, Tennessee; Harrisburg, Pennsylvania and San Francisco, California and consolidated its office facilities in Atlanta, Georgia and Pasadena, California. The 2007 Plan was primarily implemented during the latter half of 2007 and during the year ended December 31, 2008. However, there have been and may continue to be changes in estimates to amounts previously recorded.

The following table summarizes facility exit and restructuring costs during the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2012 and the cumulative costs incurred to date as a result of the 2007 Plan. Facility exit and restructuring costs during the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2012 were primarily the result of changes to lease and sublease estimates in the Company’s exited facilities. Such costs have been classified as restructuring, acquisition and integration-related costs in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income.

	Nine Months Ended						Cumulative Costs
	September 30,						Incurred
	2011			2012			To Date
	(in thousands)
Severance and personnel-related costs	$	—		$	—		$	30,764
Lease termination and facilities-related costs	597			(176		)	23,912
Non-cash asset impairments	(77		)	—			24,824
Other associated costs	—			—			1,131
	$	520		$	(176	)	$	80,631

The following table summarizes activity for the liability balances associated with the 2007 Plan for the nine months ended September 30, 2012, including changes during the period attributable to costs incurred and charged to expense and costs paid or otherwise settled (in thousands):

Balance as of December 31, 2011	$	7,432
Accruals	(176		)
Payments	(2,255		)
Balance as of September 30, 2012	$	5,001

Facility exit and restructuring liabilities due within one year of the balance sheet date are classified as other accrued liabilities and facility exit and restructuring liabilities due after one year are classified as other long-term liabilities in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. Of the unpaid balance as of December 31, 2011 and September 30, 2012, approximately $3.1 million and $2.5 million, respectively, was classified as other accrued liabilities and approximately $4.3 million and $2.5 million, respectively, was classified as other long-term liabilities.

Acquisition and Integration-Related Costs

Acquisition and integration-related costs consist of costs related to EarthLink’s acquisitions. Such costs include: 1) severance and retention costs; 2) transaction-related costs, which are direct costs incurred to effect a business combination, such as advisory, legal, accounting, valuation and other professional fees; 3) integration-related costs, such as system conversion, rebranding costs and integration-related consulting and employee costs; and 4) facility-related costs, such as lease termination and asset impairments. Acquisition and integration-related costs are expensed in the period in which the costs are incurred and the services are received and are included in restructuring, acquisition and integration-related costs in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income.  Acquisition and integration-related costs consisted of the following during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2012:

	Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
	September 30,				September 30,
	2011		2012		2011		2012
	(in thousands)
Severance and retention costs	$	3,783	$	2,051	$	13,608	$	5,111
Transaction-related costs	325		373		4,867		1,366
Integration-related costs	593		3,614		834		6,944
Facility-related costs	4,208		336		4,688		491
Total acquisition and integration-related costs	$	8,909	$	6,374	$	23,997	$	13,912

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Stock-Based Compensation (Details 2) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012
Range of exercise price per share from $5.10 to $6.98
Stock options outstanding and exercisable by exercise price range
Exercise price, low end of the range	$ 0
Exercise price, high end of the range	$ 0
Stock Options Outstanding - Number Outstanding (in shares)	132
Stock Options Outstanding - Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life (in years)	3 years 8 months 12 days
Stock Options Outstanding - Weighted Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share)	$ 0
Stock Options Exercisable - Number Exercisable (in shares)	132
Stock Options Exercisable - Weighted Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share)	$ 0
Range of exercise price per share from $7.02 to $7.32
Stock options outstanding and exercisable by exercise price range
Exercise price, low end of the range	$ 0
Exercise price, high end of the range	$ 0
Stock Options Outstanding - Number Outstanding (in shares)	336
Stock Options Outstanding - Weighted Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share)	$ 0
Stock Options Exercisable - Number Exercisable (in shares)	336
Stock Options Exercisable - Weighted Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share)	$ 0
Range of exercise price per share from $7.51 to $7.51
Stock options outstanding and exercisable by exercise price range
Exercise price, low end of the range	$ 0
Exercise price, high end of the range	$ 0
Stock Options Outstanding - Number Outstanding (in shares)	2,145
Stock Options Outstanding - Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life (in years)	9 years 3 months 18 days
Stock Options Outstanding - Weighted Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share)	$ 0
Stock Options Exercisable - Number Exercisable (in shares)	17
Stock Options Exercisable - Weighted Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share)	$ 0
Range of exercise price per share from $7.64 to $8.96
Stock options outstanding and exercisable by exercise price range
Exercise price, low end of the range	$ 0
Exercise price, high end of the range	$ 0
Stock Options Outstanding - Number Outstanding (in shares)	197
Stock Options Outstanding - Weighted Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share)	$ 0
Stock Options Exercisable - Number Exercisable (in shares)	96
Stock Options Exercisable - Weighted Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share)	$ 0
Range of exercise price per share from $9.01 to $9.24
Stock options outstanding and exercisable by exercise price range
Exercise price, low end of the range	$ 0
Exercise price, high end of the range	$ 0
Stock Options Outstanding - Number Outstanding (in shares)	252
Stock Options Outstanding - Weighted Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share)	$ 0
Stock Options Exercisable - Number Exercisable (in shares)	252
Stock Options Exercisable - Weighted Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share)	$ 0
Range of exercise price per share from $9.48 to $9.89
Stock options outstanding and exercisable by exercise price range
Exercise price, low end of the range	$ 0
Exercise price, high end of the range	$ 0
Stock Options Outstanding - Number Outstanding (in shares)	296
Stock Options Outstanding - Weighted Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share)	$ 0
Stock Options Exercisable - Number Exercisable (in shares)	296
Stock Options Exercisable - Weighted Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share)	$ 0
Range of exercise price per share from $10.36 to $10.80
Stock options outstanding and exercisable by exercise price range
Exercise price, low end of the range	$ 0
Exercise price, high end of the range	$ 0
Stock Options Outstanding - Number Outstanding (in shares)	339
Stock Options Outstanding - Weighted Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share)	$ 0
Stock Options Exercisable - Number Exercisable (in shares)	339
Stock Options Exercisable - Weighted Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share)	$ 0
Range of exercise price per share from $10.37 to $11.82
Stock options outstanding and exercisable by exercise price range
Exercise price, low end of the range	$ 0
Exercise price, high end of the range	$ 0
Stock Options Outstanding - Number Outstanding (in shares)	86
Stock Options Outstanding - Weighted Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share)	$ 0
Stock Options Exercisable - Number Exercisable (in shares)	86
Stock Options Exercisable - Weighted Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share)	$ 0
Range of exercise price per share from $5.10 to $11.82
Stock options outstanding and exercisable by exercise price range
Exercise price, low end of the range	$ 0
Exercise price, high end of the range	$ 0
Stock Options Outstanding - Number Outstanding (in shares)	3,783
Stock Options Outstanding - Weighted Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share)	$ 0
Stock Options Exercisable - Number Exercisable (in shares)	1,554
Stock Options Exercisable - Weighted Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share)	$ 0
Employee Stock Option [Member] | Range of exercise price per share from $7.02 to $7.32
Stock options outstanding and exercisable by exercise price range
Stock Options Outstanding - Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life (in years)	4 years 8 months 9 days
Employee Stock Option [Member] | Range of exercise price per share from $7.64 to $8.96
Stock options outstanding and exercisable by exercise price range
Stock Options Outstanding - Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life (in years)	6 years 8 months 9 days
Employee Stock Option [Member] | Range of exercise price per share from $9.01 to $9.24
Stock options outstanding and exercisable by exercise price range
Stock Options Outstanding - Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life (in years)	2 years
Employee Stock Option [Member] | Range of exercise price per share from $9.48 to $9.89
Stock options outstanding and exercisable by exercise price range
Stock Options Outstanding - Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life (in years)	3 years 1 month 6 days
Employee Stock Option [Member] | Range of exercise price per share from $10.36 to $10.80
Stock options outstanding and exercisable by exercise price range
Stock Options Outstanding - Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life (in years)	2 years 10 months 2 days
Employee Stock Option [Member] | Range of exercise price per share from $10.37 to $11.82
Stock options outstanding and exercisable by exercise price range
Stock Options Outstanding - Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life (in years)	2 years 5 months 27 days
Employee Stock Option [Member] | Range of exercise price per share from $5.10 to $11.82
Stock options outstanding and exercisable by exercise price range
Stock Options Outstanding - Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life (in years)	6 years 10 months 10 days

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Condensed Consolidating Financial Information (Details 3) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Condensed Consolidating Financial Information
Revenues	$ 334,786	$ 357,290	$ 1,017,340	$ 963,867
Operating costs and expenses:
Cost of revenues (exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown separately below)	157,920	161,327	485,473	429,407
Selling, general and administrative (exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown separately below)	110,028	108,827	326,533	295,786
Depreciation and amortization	45,665	46,567	136,899	113,336
Restructuring, acquisition and integration-related costs	6,379	8,966	13,736	24,517
Total operating costs and expenses	319,992	325,687	962,641	863,046
Income (loss) from operations	14,794	31,603	54,699	100,821
Interest expense and other, net	(16,792)	(22,161)	(48,259)	(54,197)
Equity in losses of subsidiaries	0	0	0	0
Income (loss) before income taxes	(1,998)	9,442	6,440	46,624
Income tax (provision) benefit	3,370	(1,937)	1,089	(16,208)
Net income (loss)	1,372	7,505	7,529	30,416
Comprehensive income (loss)	1,391	7,505	7,558	30,416
Parent
Condensed Consolidating Financial Information
Revenues	83,022	97,953	259,113	308,493
Operating costs and expenses:
Cost of revenues (exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown separately below)	27,187	30,000	84,233	94,403
Selling, general and administrative (exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown separately below)	24,468	25,909	72,032	79,167
Depreciation and amortization	2,272	2,606	6,293	7,940
Restructuring, acquisition and integration-related costs	3,683	1,331	7,344	6,798
Total operating costs and expenses	57,610	59,846	169,902	188,308
Income (loss) from operations	25,412	38,107	89,211	120,185
Interest expense and other, net	(7,385)	(12,652)	(20,308)	(25,937)
Equity in losses of subsidiaries	(12,770)	(8,722)	(38,534)	(28,156)
Income (loss) before income taxes	5,257	16,733	30,369	66,092
Income tax (provision) benefit	(3,885)	(9,228)	(22,840)	(35,676)
Net income (loss)	1,372	7,505	7,529	30,416
Comprehensive income (loss)	1,391	7,505	7,558	30,416
Guarantor Subsidiaries
Condensed Consolidating Financial Information
Revenues	144,496	146,733	430,918	319,635
Operating costs and expenses:
Cost of revenues (exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown separately below)	76,848	78,066	233,042	172,279
Selling, general and administrative (exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown separately below)	51,139	50,179	152,583	110,874
Depreciation and amortization	25,521	25,675	77,637	52,214
Restructuring, acquisition and integration-related costs	1,526	5,971	4,434	14,173
Total operating costs and expenses	155,034	159,891	467,696	349,540
Income (loss) from operations	(10,538)	(13,158)	(36,778)	(29,905)
Interest expense and other, net	(1,836)	(1,822)	(5,242)	(4,882)
Equity in losses of subsidiaries	0	0	0	0
Income (loss) before income taxes	(12,374)	(14,980)	(42,020)	(34,787)
Income tax (provision) benefit	4,834	6,962	16,691	14,429
Net income (loss)	(7,540)	(8,018)	(25,329)	(20,358)
Comprehensive income (loss)	(7,540)	(8,018)	(25,329)	(20,358)
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries
Condensed Consolidating Financial Information
Revenues	109,120	113,363	332,663	336,958
Operating costs and expenses:
Cost of revenues (exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown separately below)	55,737	54,020	173,552	163,944
Selling, general and administrative (exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown separately below)	34,421	32,739	101,918	105,745
Depreciation and amortization	17,872	18,286	52,969	53,182
Restructuring, acquisition and integration-related costs	1,170	1,664	1,958	3,546
Total operating costs and expenses	109,200	106,709	330,397	326,417
Income (loss) from operations	(80)	6,654	2,266	10,541
Interest expense and other, net	(7,571)	(7,687)	(22,709)	(23,378)
Equity in losses of subsidiaries	0	0	0	0
Income (loss) before income taxes	(7,651)	(1,033)	(20,443)	(12,837)
Income tax (provision) benefit	2,421	329	7,238	5,039
Net income (loss)	(5,230)	(704)	(13,205)	(7,798)
Comprehensive income (loss)	(5,230)	(704)	(13,205)	(7,798)
Eliminations
Condensed Consolidating Financial Information
Revenues	(1,852)	(759)	(5,354)	(1,219)
Operating costs and expenses:
Cost of revenues (exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown separately below)	(1,852)	(759)	(5,354)	(1,219)
Selling, general and administrative (exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown separately below)	0	0	0	0
Depreciation and amortization	0	0	0	0
Restructuring, acquisition and integration-related costs	0	0	0	0
Total operating costs and expenses	(1,852)	(759)	(5,354)	(1,219)
Income (loss) from operations	0	0	0	0
Interest expense and other, net	0	0	0	0
Equity in losses of subsidiaries	12,770	8,722	38,534	28,156
Income (loss) before income taxes	12,770	8,722	38,534	28,156
Income tax (provision) benefit	0	0	0	0
Net income (loss)	12,770	8,722	38,534	28,156
Comprehensive income (loss)	$ 12,770	$ 8,722	$ 38,534	$ 28,156

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Investments (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2012

Investments, Debt and Equity Securities [Abstract]

Available-for-sale Securities [Table Text Block]

	As of December 31, 2011			As of September 30, 2012
	(in thousands)
Corporate debt securities	$	11,057		$	31,652
Government and agency securities	11,304			4,876
Commercial paper	4,246			8,790
Certificates of deposit	3,000			3,054
Total marketable securities	29,607			48,372
Less: classified as current	(28,606		)	(44,909		)
Total long-term marketable securities	$	1,001		$	3,463

Schedule of gross unrealized gains and losses on marketable securities designated as available-for-sale

	As of December 31, 2011
	Amortized Cost		Gross Unrealized Losses			Gross Unrealized Gains		Estimated Fair Value
	(in thousands)
Government and agency notes	$	11,306	$	(2	)	$	—	$	11,304
Corporate debt securities	11,069		(12		)	—		11,057
Commercial paper	4,246		—			—		4,246
Certificates of deposit	3,000		—			—		3,000
	$	29,621	$	(14	)	$	—	$	29,607

	As of September 30, 2012
	Amortized Cost		Gross Unrealized Losses		Gross Unrealized Gains		Estimated Fair Value
	(in thousands)
Government and agency notes	$	4,875	$	—	$	1	$	4,876
Corporate debt securities	31,640		—		12		31,652
Commercial paper	8,788		—		2		8,790
Certificates of deposit	3,053		—		1		3,054
	$	48,356	$	—	$	16	$	48,372

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Earnings per Share (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Numerator
Net income	$ 1,372	$ 7,505	$ 7,529	$ 30,416
Denominator
Basic weighted average common shares outstanding	105,001,000	107,794,000	105,833,000	108,585,000
Dilutive effect of Common Stock Equivalents (in shares)	711,000	729,000	759,000	950,000
Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding	105,712,000	108,523,000	106,592,000	109,535,000
Net income per share
Basic net income per share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.01	$ 0.07	$ 0.07	$ 0.28
Diluted net income per share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.01	$ 0.07	$ 0.07	$ 0.28
Antidilutive securities
Stock options and restricted stock units excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings per share	3,900,000	1,600,000	3,300,000	1,800,000

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Commitments and Contingencies

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2012

Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]

Commitments and Contingencies

Commitments and Contingencies

Legal proceedings and other disputes

General. The Company is party to various legal proceedings and other disputes arising in the normal course of business, including, but not limited to, regulatory audits, trademark and patent infringement, billing disputes, rights of access, tax, consumer protection, employment and tort. The Company accrues for such matters when it is both probable that a liability has been incurred and the amount of the loss can be reasonably estimated. Where it is probable that a liability has been incurred and there is a range of expected loss for which no amount in the range is more likely than any other amount, the Company accrues at the low end of the range. The Company reviews its accruals each reporting period.

The Company's management believes that there are no disputes, litigation or other legal proceedings, audits or disputes asserted or pending against the Company that could have, individually or in the aggregate, a material adverse effect on its financial position, results of operations or cash flows, and believes that adequate provision for any probable and estimable losses has been made in the Company's condensed consolidated financial statements. However, the ultimate result of any current or future litigation or other legal proceedings, audits or disputes is inherently unpredictable and could result in liabilities that are higher than currently predicted.

Regulatory audits. During the second quarter of 2012, the Company recorded an $8.3 million charge as cost of revenue to increase its reserves for regulatory audits, primarily an audit currently being conducted by the Universal Service Administrative Company on previous ITC^DeltaCom Universal Service Fund assessments and payments, because the amount became probable and estimable during the period.

Patents. From time to time, the Company receives notices of infringement of patent rights from parties claiming to own patents related to certain of the Company's services and products. While the Company has been subject to these disputes in the past, the number has increased since the acquisitions of ITC^DeltaCom and One Communications. Certain of these claims are made by patent holding companies that are not operating companies. The alleging parties generally seek royalty payments for prior use as well as future royalty streams. Most of these matters are in preliminary stages. The Company intends to vigorously defend its position with respect to all of these matters and payment amounts, if any, are not estimable at this time.

Billing disputes. The Company is periodically involved in disputes related to its billings to other carriers for access to its network. The Company does not recognize revenue related to such matters until the period that it is reasonably assured of the collection of these claims. In the event that a claim is made related to revenues previously recognized, the Company assesses the validity of the claim and adjusts the amount of revenue being recognized to the extent that the claim adjustment is considered probable and estimable.

     The Company periodically disputes network access charges that it is assessed by other companies with which the Company interconnects. The Company maintains adequate reserves for anticipated exposure associated with these billing disputes. The reserves are subject to changes in estimates and management judgment as new information becomes available. In view of the length of time historically required to resolve these disputes, they may be resolved or require adjustment in future periods and relate to costs invoiced, accrued or paid in prior periods.

 Regulation

The Company's services are subject to varying degrees of federal, state and local regulation. These regulations are subject to ongoing proceedings at federal and state administrative agencies or within state and federal judicial systems. Results of these proceedings could change, in varying degrees, the manner in which the Company operates. The Company cannot predict the outcome of these proceedings or their effect on the Company's industry generally or upon the Company specifically.