Intangible assets - Changes in the Carrying Amount of Goodwill (Details) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016 USD ($)
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill as of December 31, 2015	$ 10
Goodwill as of September 30, 2016	145,413
NTELOS Holdings Corp. [Member]
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill as of September 30, 2016	145,299
Wireless [Member]
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill as of December 31, 2015	10
Wireless [Member] | NTELOS Holdings Corp. [Member]
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill recorded	145,299
Cable [Member] | Colane [Member]
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill recorded	$ 104