Refers to number of counterparties.

No definition available.

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- Definition

The estimated net amount of existing gains or losses on cash flow hedges at the reporting date expected to be reclassified to earnings within the next 12 months.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 815
-SubTopic 30
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (c)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=35736893&loc=d3e80748-113994

+ Details

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- Definition

Amount of the hedged item as of the balance sheet date related to the derivative. For example, the hedged balance on a debt instrument.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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- Definition

Nominal or face amount used to calculate payments on the derivative asset.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 815
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1A
-Subparagraph (d)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=64837297&loc=SL5579245-113959

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Glossary Notional Amount
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6519104

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 815
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1B
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=64837297&loc=SL5580258-113959

+ Details

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- Definition

Line items represent financial concepts included in a table. These concepts are used to disclose reportable information associated with domain members defined in one or many axes to the table.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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- Definition

Percentage of an entity's outstanding debt that is designated as a hedged item in cash flow, fair value, or net investment hedge.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Details

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- Details

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- Details

Name:	us-gaap_CounterpartyNameAxis=shen_CounterpartyMember
Namespace Prefix:
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Period Type:

- Details

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Derivative Instruments, Hedging Activities and Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) - Narrative (Details)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016 USD ($)	May 31, 2016 USD ($) counterparty	Sep. 30, 2012 USD ($)
Derivative [Line Items]
Percentage of expected outstanding debt	50.00%
Interest Rate Swap [Member] \| Cash Flow Hedge [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Amount of notional principal interest rate swap			$ 174,600,000.0
Notional amount of cash flow hedges	$ 139,700,000.0
Interest Rate Swap [Member] \| Cash Flow Hedge [Member] \| Three Counterparties [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Amount of notional principal interest rate swap		$ 256,600,000.0
Notional amount of cash flow hedges	287,300,000.0
Number of counterparties \| counterparty		3
Interest Expense [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Amount reclassified as an increase to interest expense during next twelve months	$ 2,300,000