ACQUISITIONS (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended			1 Months Ended	12 Months Ended	0 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	May 31, 2011 BDC	Dec. 31, 2013 BDC	May 02, 2011 M3 Wireless, Ltd.	Dec. 31, 2013 M3 Wireless, Ltd. Customer relationships	May 02, 2011 M3 Wireless, Ltd. Customer relationships
Acquisitions
Ownership interest before merger (as a percent)												58.00%
Ownership interest after merger (as a percent)												42.00%	42.00%
Total consideration														$ 6,655
Purchase price allocation:
Net working capital														675
Property, plant and equipment														10,577
Intangible assets																2,600
Telecommunications licenses														6,100
Goodwill	45,077				45,077				45,077	45,077	45,077			3,105
Note payable- affiliate														(7,012)
Other long term liabilities														(200)
Non-controlling interests														(9,190)
Net assets acquired														6,655
Assets acquired, related information
Estimated life															12 years
As Reported
Revenue	77,028	79,350	71,625	64,832	69,912	73,312	68,827	65,745	292,835	277,796	262,807
Net income attributable to ATN stockholders	17,857	276,224	8,859	8,776	13,116	15,966	10,529	9,321	311,716	48,932	21,794
Earnings per basic shares:
Continuing Operations (in dollars per share)	$ 1.02	$ 0.10	$ 0.41	$ 0.31	$ 0.48	$ 0.48	$ 0.19	$ 0.19	$ 1.84	$ 1.34	$ 0.47
Discontinued Operations (in dollars per share)	$ 0.15	$ 17.45	$ 0.16	$ 0.25	$ 0.36	$ 0.55	$ 0.49	$ 0.42	$ 18.01	$ 1.81	$ 0.95
Total (in dollars per share)	$ 1.17	$ 17.55	$ 0.57	$ 0.56	$ 0.84	$ 1.03	$ 0.68	$ 0.61	$ 19.85	$ 3.15	$ 1.42
Earnings per diluted shares:
Continuing Operations (in dollars per share)	$ 1.02	$ 0.10	$ 0.40	$ 0.31	$ 0.48	$ 0.47	$ 0.19	$ 0.19	$ 1.83	$ 1.33	$ 0.47
Discontinued Operations (in dollars per share)	$ 0.14	$ 17.33	$ 0.16	$ 0.25	$ 0.36	$ 0.55	$ 0.48	$ 0.41	$ 17.88	$ 1.80	$ 0.94
Total (in dollars per share)	$ 1.16	$ 17.43	$ 0.56	$ 0.56	$ 0.84	$ 1.02	$ 0.67	$ 0.60	$ 19.71	$ 3.13	$ 1.41
Shares:
Basic (in shares)									15,704	15,531	15,396
Diluted (in shares)									15,817	15,619	15,495
Pro Forma (unaudited)
Revenue											268,895
Net income attributable to ATN stockholders											$ 22,329
Earnings per basic shares:
Continuing Operations (in dollars per share)											$ 0.50
Discontinued Operations (in dollars per share)											$ 0.95
Total (in dollars per share)											$ 1.45
Earnings per diluted shares:
Continuing Operations (in dollars per share)											$ 0.50
Discontinued Operations (in dollars per share)											$ 0.94
Total (in dollars per share)											$ 1.44
Shares:
Basic (in shares)											15,396
Diluted (in shares)											15,495