RECONCILIATION OF TOTAL EQUITY (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011
Changes in total equity
Equity, beginning of period			$ 352,530	$ 329,036
Stock based compensation			1,908	1,890
Comprehensive income:
Net income	11,767	1,318	20,704	5,297
Other comprehensive income:
Foreign currency translation adjustment				13
Gain (loss) on interest rate swap (net of tax)			149	(583)
Comprehensive income			20,853	4,727
Issuance of common stock upon exercise of stock options			946	52
Dividends declared on common stock			(7,119)	(8,382)
Distributions to non-controlling interests			(929)
Investments made by minority shareholders			805	3,507
Repurchase of non-controlling interests			(80)
Change in equity ownership of consolidated subsidiaries				15,398
Purchase of common shares			(184)	(91)
Equity, end of period	368,730	346,137	368,730	346,137
Atlantic Tele-Network, Inc.
Changes in total equity
Equity, beginning of period			294,266	283,768
Stock based compensation			1,908	1,890
Comprehensive income:
Net income			19,851	6,312
Other comprehensive income:
Foreign currency translation adjustment				13
Gain (loss) on interest rate swap (net of tax)			149	(583)
Comprehensive income			20,000	5,742
Issuance of common stock upon exercise of stock options			946	52
Dividends declared on common stock			(7,119)	(6,775)
Change in equity ownership of consolidated subsidiaries				3,475
Purchase of common shares			(184)	(91)
Equity, end of period	309,817	288,061	309,817	288,061
Non-Controlling Interests
Changes in total equity
Equity, beginning of period			58,264	45,268
Comprehensive income:
Net income			853	(1,015)
Other comprehensive income:
Comprehensive income			853	(1,015)
Dividends declared on common stock				(1,607)
Distributions to non-controlling interests			(929)
Investments made by minority shareholders			805	3,507
Repurchase of non-controlling interests			(80)
Change in equity ownership of consolidated subsidiaries				11,923
Equity, end of period	$ 58,913	$ 58,076	$ 58,913	$ 58,076