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Document and Entity Information - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
Document and Entity Information - USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2017	Feb. 23, 2018	Jun. 30, 2017
Document And Entity Information [Abstract]
Document Type	10-K
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Dec. 31, 2017
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2017
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Trading Symbol	UNIT
Entity Registrant Name	Uniti Group Inc.
Entity Central Index Key	0001620280
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	Yes
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		175,428,468
Entity Public Float			$ 3,342,033,490

Consolidated Balance Sheets - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Assets:
Property, plant and equipment, net	$ 3,053,889	$ 2,670,037
Cash and cash equivalents	59,765	171,754
Accounts receivable, net	43,652	15,281
Goodwill	673,729	262,334
Intangible assets, net	429,357	160,584
Straight-line revenue receivable	47,041	29,088
Derivative asset	6,793
Other assets	15,856	9,674
Total Assets	4,330,082	3,318,752
Liabilities:
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities, net	77,634	40,977
Accrued interest payable	28,684	27,812
Deferred revenue	537,553	261,404
Derivative liability		6,102
Dividends payable	109,557	94,607
Deferred income taxes	55,478	28,394
Capital lease obligations	56,329	54,535
Contingent consideration	105,762	98,600
Notes and other debt, net	4,482,697	4,028,214
Total liabilities	5,453,694	4,640,645
Commitments and contingencies (Note 14)
Shareholders' Deficit:
Preferred stock, $0.0001 par value, 50,000 shares authorized, no shares issued and outstanding
Common stock, $0.0001 par value, 500,000 shares authorized, issued and outstanding: 174,852 shares at December 31, 2017 and 155,139 at December 31, 2016	17	15
Additional paid-in capital	644,328	141,092
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	7,821	(6,369)
Distributions in excess of accumulated earnings	(1,960,715)	(1,537,183)
Total Uniti shareholders' deficit	(1,308,549)	(1,402,445)
Noncontrolling interests - operating partnership units	101,407
Total shareholders' deficit	(1,207,142)	(1,402,445)
Total Liabilities, Convertible Preferred Stock, and Shareholders' Deficit	4,330,082	3,318,752
Series A Convertible Preferred Stock
Liabilities:
Convertible Preferred Stock, Series A, $0.0001 par value, 88 shares authorized, issued and outstanding, $87,500 liquidation value	$ 83,530	$ 80,552

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Preferred stock, par value	$ 0.0001	$ 0.0001
Preferred stock, shares authorized	50,000,000	50,000,000
Preferred stock, shares issued	0	0
Preferred stock, shares outstanding	0	0
Common stock, par value	$ 0.0001	$ 0.0001
Common stock, shares authorized	500,000,000	500,000,000
Common stock, shares issued	174,852,000	155,139,000
Common stock, shares outstanding	174,851,514	155,139,000
Series A Convertible Preferred Stock
Convertible preferred stock, par value	$ 0.0001	$ 0.0001
Convertible preferred stock, shares authorized	88,000	88,000
Convertible preferred stock, shares issued	88,000	88,000
Convertible preferred stock, shares outstanding	88,000	88,000
Convertible preferred stock, liquidation value	$ 87,500	$ 87,500

Consolidated Statements of Income - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Revenues:
Total revenues	$ 916,032	$ 770,408
Costs and Expenses:
Interest expense	305,994	275,394
Depreciation and amortization	434,205	375,970
General and administrative expense	72,045	35,402
Operating expense (exclusive of depreciation, accretion and amortization)	102,176	49,668
Transaction related costs	38,005	33,669
Other expense	11,284
Total costs and expenses	963,709	770,103
(Loss) income before income taxes	(47,677)	305
Income tax (benefit) expense	(38,849)	517
Net (loss) income	(8,828)	(212)
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	611
Net (loss) income attributable to shareholders	(9,439)	(212)
Participating securities' share in earnings	(1,509)	(1,557)
Dividends declared on convertible preferred stock	(2,624)	(1,743)
Amortization of discount on convertible preferred stock	(2,980)	(1,985)
Net (loss) income attributable to common shareholders	$ (16,552)	$ (5,497)
(Loss) earnings per common share (Note 12):
Basic	$ (0.10)	$ (0.04)
Diluted	$ (0.13)	$ (0.04)
Weighted-average number of common shares outstanding
Basic	168,693	152,473
Diluted	168,989	152,473
Dividends declared per common share	$ 2.40	$ 2.40
Leasing
Revenues:
Total revenues	$ 685,099	$ 676,868
Costs and Expenses:
Depreciation and amortization	347,999	343,368
Fiber Infrastructure
Revenues:
Total revenues	202,791	70,568
Costs and Expenses:
Depreciation and amortization	78,307	28,629
Tower
Revenues:
Total revenues	10,055	500
Consumer CLEC
Revenues:
Total revenues	18,087	22,472
Costs and Expenses:
Depreciation and amortization	$ 2,607	$ 3,258

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	8 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Statement Of Income And Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net (loss) income	$ 24,870	$ (8,828)	$ (212)
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Unrealized gain (loss) on derivative contracts	(5,427)	12,895	(675)
Changes in foreign currency translation		1,660	(267)
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(5,427)	14,555	(942)
Comprehensive income (loss)	19,443	5,727	(1,154)
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interest		976
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to common shareholders	$ 19,443	$ 4,751	$ (1,154)

Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Deficit - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Total	Common Stock	Additional Paid-in Capital	Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income	Distributions in Excess of Accumulated Earnings	Noncontrolling Interest
Beginning balance, value at Apr. 23, 2015	$ 2,508,420	$ 15			$ 2,508,405
Beginning balance, shares at Apr. 23, 2015		149,827,214
Net (loss) income	24,870				24,870
Distributions to Windstream related to Spin-Off	(3,447,879)				(3,447,879)
Other comprehensive loss	(5,427)			$ (5,427)
Common stock dividends	(247,361)				(247,361)
Equity issuance cost	(656)		$ (542)		(114)
Stock-based compensation	1,934		1,934
Stock-based compensation, shares		35,245
Other	(807)				(807)
Ending balance, value at Dec. 31, 2015	(1,166,906)	$ 15	1,392	(5,427)	(1,162,886)
Ending balance, shares at Dec. 31, 2015		149,862,459
Net (loss) income	(212)				(212)
Issuance of common stock	137,665		137,665
Issuance of common stock, shares		5,077,629
Amortization of discount on convertible preferred stock	(1,985)		(1,985)
Other comprehensive loss	(942)			(942)
Common stock dividends	(370,186)				(370,186)
Convertible preferred stock dividends	(1,743)				(1,743)
Equity issuance cost	(623)		(623)
Net share settlement	(2,359)		(203)		(2,156)
Stock-based compensation	4,846		4,846
Stock-based compensation, shares		198,549
Ending balance, value at Dec. 31, 2016	(1,402,445)	$ 15	141,092	(6,369)	(1,537,183)
Ending balance, shares at Dec. 31, 2016		155,138,637
Net (loss) income	(8,828)				(9,439)	$ 611
Issuance of common stock	517,501	$ 2	517,499
Issuance of common stock, shares		19,528,302
Amortization of discount on convertible preferred stock	(2,980)		(2,980)
Other comprehensive loss	14,555			14,190		365
Common stock dividends	(410,054)				(410,054)
Distributions to noncontrolling interest	(4,978)					(4,978)
Convertible preferred stock dividends	(2,624)				(2,624)
Equity issuance cost	(18,575)		(18,575)
Contributions from noncontrolling interest holders	105,969					105,969
Purchase of noncontrolling interest	(560)					(560)
Net share settlement	(1,836)		(421)		(1,415)
Stock-based compensation	7,713		7,713
Stock-based compensation, shares		184,575
Ending balance, value at Dec. 31, 2017	$ (1,207,142)	$ 17	$ 644,328	$ 7,821	$ (1,960,715)	$ 101,407
Ending balance, shares at Dec. 31, 2017		174,851,514

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Thousands	8 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Cash flow from operating activities
Net (loss) income	$ 24,870	$ (8,828)	$ (212)
Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	238,748	434,205	375,970
Amortization of deferred financing costs and debt discount	10,004	23,102	16,002
Deferred income taxes	(1,211)	(41,171)	(2,186)
Straight-line rental revenues	(11,795)	(15,136)	(17,293)
Stock-based compensation	1,934	7,713	4,846
Change in fair value of contingent consideration		10,736
Other	(3)	872	936
Changes in assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions:
Accounts receivable	(215)	(10,524)	(3,516)
Other assets	(1,148)	(1,560)	(1,365)
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities	32,024	5,851	2,806
Net cash provided by operating activities	293,208	405,260	375,988
Cash flow from investing activities
Acquisition of businesses, net of cash acquired		(761,887)	(488,788)
Consideration paid to Windstream Services, LLC	(1,035,029)
Acquisition of ground lease investments		(21,764)	(11,543)
NMS asset acquisition (Note 4)		(69,729)
Capital expenditures - other	(44,413)	(166,028)	(34,900)
Net cash used in investing activities	(1,079,442)	(1,019,408)	(535,231)
Cash flow from financing activities
Principal payment on debt	(10,700)	(21,080)	(22,027)
Dividends paid	(156,854)	(400,210)	(367,830)
Payments of contingent consideration		(19,999)
Proceeds from issuance of Term Loans	1,127,000
Proceeds from issuance of Notes		201,000	548,875
Borrowings under revolving credit facility		845,000	641,000
Payments under revolving credit facility		(565,000)	(641,000)
Capital lease payments		(3,237)	(1,549)
Deferred financing costs	(30,057)	(28,539)	(20,557)
Common stock issuance, net of costs	(543)	498,926	54,213
Purchase of noncontrolling interest		(560)
Distributions paid to noncontrolling interest		(2,498)
Net share settlement	(113)	(1,836)	(2,359)
Cash in-lieu of fractional shares	(19)
Net cash provided by financing activities	928,714	501,967	188,766
Effect of exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents		192	(267)
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents	142,480	(111,989)	29,256
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	18	171,754	142,498
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	142,498	59,765	171,754
Non-cash investing and financing activities:
Property and equipment acquired but not yet paid		15,285	5,752
Tenant capital improvements	68,569	227,969	156,972
Acquisition of businesses through non-cash consideration		$ 122,395	$ 259,996
Issuance of notes and other debt to Windstream Services, LLC, net of deferred financing costs ($34,681)	$ 2,412,829

Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows (Parenthetical) $ in Thousands	8 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015 USD ($)
Deferred financing costs	$ 30,057
Windstream Services LLC
Deferred financing costs	$ 34,681

Statements of Revenues and Direct Expenses $ in Thousands	4 Months Ended
Statements of Revenues and Direct Expenses $ in Thousands	Apr. 23, 2015 USD ($)
Consumer CLEC Business
Revenues	$ 10,149
Direct expenses:
Cost of revenues	5,552
Selling, general, and administrative	22
Amortization	1,283
Total costs and expenses	6,857
Revenues in Excess of Direct Expenses	$ 3,292

Organization and Description of Business	12 Months Ended
Organization and Description of Business	Dec. 31, 2017
Organization Consolidation And Presentation Of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Organization and Description of Business	Note 1. Organization and Description of Business Uniti Group Inc. (the “Company,” “Uniti,” “we,” “us,” or “our”), formerly known as Communications Sales and Leasing, Inc., was incorporated in the state of Delaware in February 2014 and reorganized in the state of Maryland on September 4, 2014. We are an independent, internally managed real estate investment trust (“REIT”) engaged in the acquisition and construction of mission critical infrastructure in the communications industry. We are principally focused on acquiring and constructing fiber optic broadband networks, wireless communications towers, copper and coaxial broadband networks and data centers. We manage our operations in four separate lines of business: Uniti Fiber, Uniti Towers, Uniti Leasing, and the Consumer CLEC Business. The Company operates through a customary “up-REIT” structure, pursuant to which we hold substantially all of our assets through a partnership, Uniti Group LP, a Delaware limited partnership (the “Operating Partnership”), that we control as general partner, with the only significant difference between the financial position and results of operations of the Operating Partnership and its subsidiaries compared to the consolidated financial position and consolidated results of operations of Uniti is that the results for the Operating Partnership and its subsidiaries do not include Uniti’s Consumer CLEC segment, which consists of Talk America Services. The up-REIT structure is intended to facilitate future acquisition opportunities by providing the Company with the ability to use common units of the Operating Partnership as a tax-efficient acquisition currency. As of December 31, 2017, we are the sole general partner of the Operating Partnership and own approximately 97.7% of the partnership interests in the Operating Partnership.

Basis of Presentation and Consolidation	12 Months Ended
Basis of Presentation and Consolidation	Dec. 31, 2017
Basis of Presentation and Consolidation	Note 2. Basis of Presentation and Consolidation The accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements include all accounts of the Company, its wholly-owned and/or controlled subsidiaries, which consist of the Operating Partnership. Under the Accounting Standards Codification 810, Consolidation (“ASC 810”), the Operating Partnership is considered a variable interest entity and is consolidated in the Consolidated Financial Statements of Uniti Group Inc. as the Company has determined to be the primary beneficiary. All material intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated. ASC 810 provides guidance on the identification of entities for which control is achieved through means other than voting rights (“variable interest entities” or “VIEs”) and the determination of which business enterprise, if any, should consolidate the VIEs. Generally, the consideration of whether an entity is a VIE applies when either: (1) the equity investors (if any) lack (i) the ability to make decisions about the entity’s activities through voting or similar rights, (ii) the obligation to absorb the expected losses of the entity, or (iii) the right to receive the expected residual returns of the entity; (2) the equity investment at risk is insufficient to finance that entity’s activities without additional subordinated financial support; or (3) the equity investors have voting rights that are not proportionate to their economic interests and substantially all of the activities of the entity involve or are conducted on behalf of an investor with a disproportionately small voting interest. The Company consolidates VIEs in which it is considered to be the primary beneficiary. The primary beneficiary is defined by the entity having both of the following characteristics: (1) the power to direct the activities that, when taken together, most significantly impact the VIE’s performance; and (2) the obligation to absorb losses and right to receive the returns from the VIE that would be significant to the VIE. The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) for financial information set forth in the Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”), as published by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”), and with the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”).
Consumer CLEC Business
Basis of Presentation and Consolidation	Note 2. Basis of Presentation Subsequent to the Spin-Off, all financial results of the Consumer CLEC Business are reported within the consolidated financial statements of Uniti. The accompanying Statement of Revenues and Direct Expenses for the period January 1, 2015 to April 24, 2015 (the “Spin Date”) has been prepared for the purpose of complying with the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), as permitted by the SEC and is not intended to be a complete presentation of the results of operations of the Consumer CLEC Business. The elements of the financial statements are stated in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”). Certain information and footnote disclosures have been condensed or omitted as permitted by the SEC’s rules and regulations. In the opinion of management, all adjustments considered necessary for a fair statement of the results presented have been included. The results of operations for the period presented are not necessarily indicative of results of the Consumer CLEC Business following the Spin-Off. The accompanying Statement of Revenues and Direct Expenses include all direct costs incurred in connection with the operation of the Consumer CLEC Business for which specific identification was practicable. In addition, direct costs incurred by Windstream to operate the Consumer CLEC Business for which specific identification was not practicable have been allocated based on assumptions that management believes reasonable under the circumstances as more fully discussed in Note 4. The Statement of Revenues and Direct Expenses excludes costs that are not directly related to the Consumer CLEC Business including general corporate overhead costs, interest expense and income taxes.

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	12 Months Ended
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	Dec. 31, 2017
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	Note 3. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Use of Estimates—The preparation of financial statements, in accordance with GAAP, requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. The estimates and assumptions used in the accompanying financial statements are based upon management’s evaluation of the relevant facts and circumstances as of the date of the financial statements. Actual results may differ from the estimates and assumptions used in preparing the accompanying financial statements, and such differences could be material. Property, Plant and Equipment—Property, plant and equipment is stated at original cost, net of accumulated depreciation. The Company capitalizes costs incurred in bringing property, plant and equipment to an operational state, including all activities directly associated with the acquisition, construction, and installation of the related assets it owns. The Company capitalizes a portion of the interest costs it incurs for assets that require a period of time to get them ready for their intended use. The amount of interest that is capitalized is based on the average accumulated expenditures made during the period involved in bringing the assets comprising a network to an operational state at the Company’s weighted average interest rate during the respective accounting period. The Company also enters into leasing arrangements providing for the long‑term use of constructed fiber that is then integrated into the Company’s network infrastructure. For each lease that qualifies as a capital lease, the present value of the lease payments, which may include both periodic lease payments over the term of the lease as well as upfront payments to the lessor, is capitalized at the inception of the lease and included in property and equipment. As of December 31, 2017 and 2016, the accumulated amortization of our capital lease assets was $10.1 million and $3.2 million, respectively. Certain property, plant and equipment acquired as part of our spin-off from Windstream Holdings, Inc (“Windstream Holdings” and together with its consolidated subsidiaries “Windstream”) is depreciated using a group composite depreciation method. Under this method, when property is retired, the original cost, net of salvage value, is charged against accumulated depreciation and no immediate gain or loss is recognized on the disposition of the property. For all other property, which includes amortization of capital lease assets, depreciation is computed using the straight-line method over the estimated useful life of the respective property. When the property is retired or otherwise disposed of, the related cost and accumulated depreciation are written-off, with the corresponding gain or loss reflected in operating results. Construction in progress includes direct materials and labor related to fixed assets during the construction period. Depreciation will begin once the construction period has ceased and the related asset has been placed into service, in which it will be depreciated over its useful life. Costs of maintenance and repairs to property, plant and equipment subject triple-net leasing arrangements are the responsibility of our tenant. Costs of maintenance and repairs to property, plant and equipment not subject to triple-net leasing arrangements are expensed as incurred. We acquire real property interests from third parties who own land where communications infrastructure assets are located and desire to monetize the underlying real property. These real property interests entitle us to receive rental payments from leases on our sites. The financial results of the acquired real property interests are included in the Leasing segment from the date of acquisition and were not material, individually or in the aggregate, to our results of operations. Real property interests are recorded in property, plant and equipment on our Consolidated Balance Sheet. Tenant Capital Improvements—Our lease with Windstream provides that tenant funded capital improvements (“TCIs”), defined as maintenance, repair, overbuild, upgrade or replacements to the leased network, including, without limitation, the replacement of copper distribution systems with fiber distribution systems, automatically become property of Uniti upon their construction by Windstream. We receive non-monetary consideration related to the TCIs as they automatically become our property, and we recognize the cost basis of TCIs that are capital in nature as real estate investments and deferred revenue. We depreciate the real estate investments over their estimated useful lives and amortize the deferred revenue as additional leasing revenues over the same depreciable life of the TCI assets. At December 31, 2017 and 2016, the net book value of TCIs recorded as a component of property, plant and equipment on our Consolidated Balance Sheet was $432.4 million and $218.7 million, respectively. For the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, we recognized $14.3 million and $6.1 million of revenue and depreciation expense related to TCIs, respectively. From the period April 24, 2015 to December 31, 2015 we recognized $0.8 million of revenue and depreciation expense related to TCIs. Impairment of Long-Lived Assets—We review long-lived assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the asset group may not be recoverable from future undiscounted net cash flows we expect the asset group to generate. If the asset group is not fully recoverable, an impairment loss would be recognized for the difference between the carrying value of the asset group and its estimated fair value based on discounted net future cash flows. During the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and from the period April 24, 2015 to December 31, 2015, there were no events or changes in circumstances indicating that the carrying amount of any of our assets groups to not be recoverable from future undiscounted net cash flows we expect the asset groups to generate, and no impairment losses were recognized. Asset Retirement Obligations—The Company records obligations to perform asset retirement activities, primarily including requirements to remove equipment from leased space or customer sites as required under the terms of the related lease and customer agreements. The fair value of the liability for asset retirement obligations, which represents the net present value of the estimated expected future cash outlay, is recognized in the period in which it is incurred and the fair value of the liability can reasonably be estimated. The liability accretes as a result of the passage of time and related accretion expense is recognized in the Consolidated Statements of Income. The associated asset retirement costs are capitalized as an additional carrying amount of the related long‑lived asset and depreciated on a straight-line basis over the asset’s useful life. As of December 31, 2017 and 2016, our aggregate carrying amount of asset retirement obligations totaled $9.4 million and $4.2 million, respectively. During the year ended December 31, 2017, we incurred liabilities of $4.4 million and recognized $0.8 million of accretion expense related to asset retirement obligations. Cash and Cash Equivalents—Cash and cash equivalents include all non-restricted cash held at financial institutions and other non-restricted highly liquid short-term investments with original maturities of three months or less. Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities—We account for our derivatives in accordance with FASB ASC 815, Derivatives and Hedging, in which we reflect all derivative instruments at fair value as either assets or liabilities on our Consolidated Balance Sheet. For derivative instruments that are designated and qualify as hedging instruments, we record the effective portion of the gain or loss on the hedged instruments as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income or loss. Any ineffective portion of a derivative’s change in fair value is immediately recognized within net income. For derivatives that do not meet the criteria for hedge accounting, changes in fair value are immediately recognized within net income. See Note 5 and Note 7. Intangible Assets—Intangible assets are presented in the financial statements at cost less accumulated amortization and are amortized using the straight-line method over their estimated useful lives with the exception of the customer list intangible assets related to our Consumer CLEC Business, which were brought over at carry-over basis at the time of the Company’s spin-off from Windstream in 2015, and are amortized using the sum-of-the-years’-digits method over their estimated useful lives. Foreign Currency Translation—The financial statements of our international subsidiaries whose functional currency is the local currency, and includes the Mexican Peso and Colombian Peso, are translated into U.S. dollars using the exchange rate at the balance sheet date for assets and liabilities and the weighted average exchange rate for the applicable period for revenues, expenses, gains and losses. Translation adjustments are recorded as a separate component of comprehensive income in stockholders’ equity. Reclassifications—Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform with current year presentation. During 2017, we managed and reported our operations in four reportable business segments: Leasing, Fiber Infrastructure, Towers and Consumer CLEC. Prior year information, including revenues on the Consolidated Statement of Income, has been recast to conform to the current year presentation. Transaction Related Costs—The Company expenses transaction related costs in the period in which they are incurred and services are received. Transaction related costs include incremental acquisition pursuit, transaction and integration costs, including unsuccessful acquisition pursuit costs. Pursuit and transaction costs include professional services (legal, accounting, advisory, regulatory, etc.), finder’s fees, travel expenses, and other direct expenses associated with an acquisition. Integration costs include direct costs necessary to integrate an acquired business, including professional services, systems and data conversion, severance and retention bonuses payable to employees of an acquired business. Debt Issuance Costs—The Company recognizes debt issuance costs related to a recognized debt liability as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of the debt liability, consistent with debt discounts. The costs, which include underwriting, legal, and other direct costs related to the issuance of debt, are amortized over the contractual term of the debt using the effective interest method. Revenue Recognition—We recognize leasing revenues on a straight-line basis over the applicable lease term when collectability is reasonably assured. Recognizing leasing income on a straight-line basis generally results in recognized revenues during the first half of the lease term in excess of cash amounts contractually due from our tenants, creating a straight-line rent receivable. We evaluate the collectability of straight-line rent receivables and record a provision for doubtful accounts if management believes the receivables to be uncollectible. At December 31, 2017 and 2016, no allowance was recorded related to our straight-line rent receivable. We lease certain assets to Windstream under a triple-net lease, whereby Windstream is responsible for the costs related to operating the Distribution Systems, including property taxes, insurance and maintenance and repair costs. As a result, we do not record an obligation related to the payment of property taxes or insurance, as Windstream makes direct payments to the taxing authorities and insurance carriers, respectively. The Company recognizes service revenues related to its broadband transport and backhaul communications services when (i) persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, (ii) the services have been provided to the customer, (iii) the sales price is fixed or determinable, and (iv) the collection of the sales price is reasonably assured. Services provided to the Company’s customers are rendered pursuant to contractual fee‑based arrangements, which generally provide for recurring fees charged for the use of designated portions of the Company’s network and typically range for a period of three to ten years. The Company’s revenue arrangements often include upfront fees charged to the customer for the cost of establishing the necessary components of the Company’s network prior to the commencement of use by the customer. Fees charged to customers for the recurring use of the Company’s network are recognized during the related periods of service. Upfront fees that are billed in advance of providing services are deferred until such time the customer accepts the Company’s network and then are recognized as service revenues ratably over a period in which substantive services required under the revenue arrangement are expected to be performed, which is the initial term of the arrangement. We evaluate the collectability of service receivables by considering a variety of factors. The Company typically does not require collateral. When the Company becomes aware of a specific customer’s inability to meet its financial obligations, the Company records a specific reserve for bad debt to reduce the related accounts receivable to the amount the Company reasonably believes is collectible. When appropriate, the Company also records reserves for bad debts for all other customers based on a variety of factors including the length of time the receivable is past due, the financial health of the customer, macroeconomic considerations and historical experience. If circumstances related to specific customers change, the Company adjusts its estimates of the recoverability of receivables as needed. At December 31, 2017 and 2016, the allowance recorded for service receivables was $1.0 million and $1.4 million, respectively. Consumer CLEC Business revenues are primarily derived from providing access to or usage of leased networks and facilities, and are recognized over the period that the corresponding services are rendered to customers. Revenues derived from other telecommunications services, including broadband, long distance and enhanced service revenues are recognized monthly as services are provided. Sales of customer premise equipment and modems are recognized when products are delivered to and accepted by customers. Stock-Based Compensation—We account for stock-based compensation using the fair value method of accounting. We have determined that our stock-based payment awards granted in exchange for employee services qualify as equity classified awards, which are measured based on the fair value of the award on the date of the grant. The fair value of restricted stock-based payments is based on the market value of our common stock on the date of grant. The fair value of performance-based awards, which have performance conditions, is based on a Monte Carlo simulation. The fair value of all stock-based compensation is recognized over the period during which an employee is required to provide services in exchange for the award. See Note 10. Income Taxes—We have elected on our U.S. federal income tax return to be treated as a REIT under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”). To qualify as a REIT, we must distribute at least 90% of our annual REIT taxable income to shareholders, and meet certain organizational and operational requirements, including asset holding requirements. As a REIT, we will generally not be subject to U.S. federal income tax on income that we distribute as dividends to our shareholders. If we fail to qualify as a REIT in any taxable year, we will be subject to U.S. federal income tax, including any applicable alternative minimum tax for open taxable years through 2017, on our taxable income at regular corporate income tax rates, and we could not deduct dividends paid to our shareholders in computing taxable income. Any resulting corporate liability could be substantial and could materially and adversely affect our net income and net cash available for distribution to shareholders. Unless we were entitled to relief under certain Code provisions, we also would be disqualified from reelecting to be taxed as a REIT for the four taxable years following the year in which we failed to qualify as a REIT. We intend to make regular quarterly dividend payments of all or substantially all of our annual REIT taxable income to holders of our common stock, and therefore no provision is required in the accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements for U.S. federal income taxes related to the activities of the REIT and its passthrough subsidiaries. We are subject to the statutory requirements of the locations in which we conduct business, and state and local income taxes are accrued as deemed required in the best judgment of management based on analysis and interpretation of respective tax laws. We have elected to treat the subsidiaries through which we operate Uniti Fiber and Talk America as taxable REIT subsidiaries (“TRSs”). TRSs enable us to engage in activities that result in income that does not constitute qualifying income for a REIT. Our TRSs are subject to U.S. federal, state and local corporate income taxes. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized under the asset and liability method for the estimated future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. Deferred tax balances are adjusted to reflect tax rates based on currently enacted tax laws, which will be in effect in the years in which the temporary differences are expected to reverse. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in the results of operations in the period of the enactment date. A valuation allowance is recorded to reduce the carrying amounts of deferred tax assets unless it is more likely than not that such assets will be realized. We recognize the benefit of tax positions that are "more likely than not" to be sustained upon examination based on their technical merit. The benefit of a tax position is measured at the largest amount that has a greater than 50 percent likelihood of being realized upon ultimate settlement. If applicable, we will report tax-related penalties and interest expense as a component of income tax expense. We currently have a liability for unrecognized tax benefits of $5.3 million. The Company will be subject to a federal corporate level tax (currently 35%, 21% beginning 2018 and beyond) on any gain recognized from the sale of assets occurring within a five year recognition period after the Spin-Off up to the amount of the built in gain that existed on April 24, 2015, which is based on the fair market value of the assets in excess of the Company’s tax basis as of such date. Business Combinations—In accordance with ASC 805, Business Combinations, we apply the acquisition method of accounting for acquisitions meeting the definition of a business combination or asset acquisition, where assets acquired and liabilities assumed are recorded at fair value at the date of each acquisition, and the results of operations are included with those of the Company from the dates of the respective acquisitions. For acquisitions meeting the definition of a business combination, any excess of the purchase price paid by the Company over the amounts recognized for assets acquired and liabilities assumed is recorded as goodwill. ASC 805 also requires acquirers, among other things, to estimate the acquisition date fair value of any contingent consideration and to recognize any subsequent changes in the fair value of contingent consideration in earnings. When provisional amounts are initially recorded, the Company continues to evaluate acquisitions for a period not to exceed one year after the applicable acquisition date of each transaction to determine whether any additional adjustments are needed to the allocation of the purchase price paid for the assets acquired and liabilities assumed. For acquisitions meeting the definition of an asset acquisition, the fair value of the consideration transferred, including transaction costs, is allocated to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on their relative fair values. No goodwill is recognized in an asset acquisition. Noncontrolling Interest—The limited partner equity interests in our operating partnership are exchangeable on a one-for-one basis for shares of our common stock or, at our election, cash of equivalent value. All of the limited partner equity interests in our operating partnership not held by the Company are reflected as noncontrolling interests. In the consolidated statements of operations, we allocate net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests to arrive at net income (loss) attributable to shareholders based on their proportionate share. For transactions that result in changes to the Company's ownership interest in our operating partnership, the carrying amount of noncontrolling interests is adjusted to reflect such changes. The difference between the fair value of the consideration received or paid and the amount by which the noncontrolling interest is adjusted is reflected as an adjustment to additional paid-in capital on the consolidated balance sheets. Goodwill—Goodwill is recognized for the excess of purchase price over the fair value of net assets of businesses acquired. Goodwill is reviewed for impairment at least annually. In accordance with ASC 350-20, Intangibles-Goodwill and Other, we evaluate goodwill for impairment between annual impairment tests if an event occurs or circumstances change that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of a reporting unit below its carrying amount. Unless circumstances otherwise dictate, the annual impairment test is performed in the fourth quarter. Application of the goodwill impairment test requires judgment, including: the identification of reporting units; assignment of assets and liabilities to reporting units; assignment of goodwill to reporting units; determination of the fair value of each reporting unit; and an assumption as to the form of the transaction in which the reporting unit would be acquired by a market participant (either a taxable or nontaxable transaction). We estimate the fair value of our reporting units (which are our segments) using a combination of an income approach based on the present value of estimated future cash flows and a market approach based on market data of comparable businesses and acquisition multiples paid in recent transactions. If the carrying value of a reporting unit's net assets is less than its fair value, no indication of impairment exists. If the carrying amount of the reporting unit's goodwill is greater than the implied fair value of its goodwill, an impairment loss must be recognized for the excess and charged to operations. Inherent in our preparation of cash flow projections are significant assumptions and estimates derived from a review of our operating results, business plans, expected growth rates, capital expenditure plans, cost of capital and tax rates. We also make certain forecasts about future economic conditions, interest rates and other market data. Many of the factors used in assessing fair value are outside the control of management, and these assumptions and estimates may change in future periods. Small changes in assumptions or estimates could materially affect the estimate of the fair value of a reporting unit, and therefore could affect the likelihood and amount of potential impairment. As of December 31, 2017 and 2016, all of our Goodwill is included in our Fiber Infrastructure segment. We performed our goodwill impairment analysis during the fourth quarter and we concluded the implied fair value of our Fiber Infrastructure reporting unit was in excess of its carrying value by less than 2%. During the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016 and for the period April 24 2015 to December 31, 2015, no impairment losses were recognized. Earnings per Share—Outstanding restricted stock awards that contain rights to non-forfeitable dividends are deemed to be participating securities, requiring the application of the two-class method of computing basic and dilutive earnings per share. Basic earnings per share includes only the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Dilutive earnings per share includes the weighted average number of common shares and the dilutive effect of restricted stock and performance-based awards outstanding during the period, when such awards are dilutive. See Note 12. Concentration of Credit Risks—In connection with the Spin-Off, we entered into the Master Lease agreement with Windstream, pursuant to which all real property associated with the Spin-Off is leased to Windstream and from which substantially all of Uniti’s leasing revenues are currently derived. Windstream is a publicly traded company and is subject to the periodic filing requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Windstream filings can be found at www.sec.gov. Windstream filings are not incorporated by reference in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Revenue under the Master Lease provided 74.8% of our revenue for the year ended December 31, 2017 and 87.9% of our revenue for the year ended December 31, 2016. Because our revenue is primarily derived from lease payments by Windstream pursuant to the Master Lease, there could be a material adverse impact on our consolidated results of operations, liquidity and/or financial condition if Windstream experiences operating difficulties and becomes unable to generate sufficient cash to make payments to us. In recent years, Windstream has experienced annual declines in its total revenue and sales. Accordingly, we monitor the credit quality of Windstream through numerous methods, including by (i) reviewing the credit ratings of Windstream by nationally recognized credit rating agencies, (ii) reviewing the financial statements of Windstream that are publicly available and that are required to be delivered to us pursuant to the Master Lease, (iii) monitoring news reports regarding Windstream and its businesses, (iv) conducting research to ascertain industry trends potentially affecting Windstream, and (v) monitoring the timeliness of its payments to us under the Master Lease. Recently Issued Accounting Standards—In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-01, Business Combinations (Topic 805): Clarifying the Definition of a Business (“ASU 2017-01”), in an effort to clarify the definition of a business with the objective of adding guidance to assist entities with evaluating whether transactions should be accounted for as acquisitions (or disposals) of assets or businesses. ASU 2017-01 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, and interim periods within those fiscal years, with early adoption permitted. We adopted ASU 2017-01 effective January 1, 2017, with prospective application. As a result of the adoption of ASU 2017-01, the Company’s acquisition of NMS (see Note 4) was determined to be an asset acquisition. Transaction costs associated with asset acquisitions, which includes our real property interest investments, are capitalized as opposed to being recorded as an expense as is required prior to adoption of ASU 2017-01, had this been a business combination. In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-15, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments (“ASU 2016-15”). ASU 2016-15 provides guidance on reducing the diversity in how certain cash receipts and cash payments are presented and classified in the statement of cash flows. In addition to other specific cash flow issues, ASU 2016-15 provides clarification on when an entity should separate cash receipts and cash payments into more than one class of cash flows and when an entity should classify those cash receipts and payments into one class of cash flows on the basis of predominance. The new guidance is effective for the fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, and interim periods within those fiscal years, and early adoption is permitted. The Company does not anticipate the adoption of this accounting standard to have a material impact on our financial statements. In August 2017, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2017-12, Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815): Targeted Improvements to Accounting for Hedging Activities (“ASU 2017-12”), which amends and simplifies existing guidance in order to allow companies to more accurately present the economic effects of risk management activities in the financial statements. ASU 2017-12 is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2018 and interim periods within those annual periods, and earlier adoption is permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impacts the adoption of this accounting standard will have on our financial statements. In February 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-05, Other Income - Gains and Losses from the Derecognition of Nonfinancial Assets (Subtopic 610-20): Clarifying the Scope of Asset Derecognition Guidance and Accounting for Partial Sales of Nonfinancial Assets (“ASU 2017-05”), which provides guidance for recognizing gains and losses from the transfer of nonfinancial assets and for partial sales of nonfinancial assets, and is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2017. The Company will adopt ASU 2017-05 effective January 1, 2018 using the modified retrospective approach and there will not be a material impact on our financial statements with the adoption of this accounting standard. In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-04, Intangibles - Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Simplifying the Accounting for Goodwill Impairment (“ASU 2017-04”), which removes the requirement to perform a hypothetical purchase price allocation to measure goodwill impairment. A goodwill impairment will now be the amount by which a reporting unit’s carrying value exceeds its fair value, not to exceed the carrying amount of goodwill. ASU 2017-04 is effective for annual and interim periods beginning January 1, 2020, with early adoption permitted, and applied prospectively. We adopted ASU 2017-04 effective January 1, 2017, and there was no material impact on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows. In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (“ASU 2014-09”). This update outlines a single comprehensive revenue recognition model for entities to follow in accounting for revenue from contracts with customers and supersedes most current revenue recognition guidance, including industry-specific guidance. The core principle of the revenue model is that an entity should recognize revenue for the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled to receive for those goods or services. ASU 2014-09 is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017 and interim periods within those annual periods. Early adoption is permitted for public companies for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016. The Company intends to adopt the revenue recognition guidance on January 1, 2018 using the modified retrospective approach by recognizing the cumulative effect of initially applying the new standard as an increase to the opening balance of retained earnings. The Company’s implementation efforts include reviewing revenue contracts and the identification of revenue within the scope of the guidance. As ASU 2014-09 does not impact lessor accounting, the Company believes our accounting for leasing revenues will not be significantly impacted. While the Company currently has not identified any material changes in the timing of revenue recognition, we do anticipate an impact to our Fiber Infrastructure costs, primarily related to the capitalization of commission expense under ASU 2014-09, and are currently in the process of quantifying such impacts. In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, Leases (“ASC 842”), which sets out the principles for the recognition, measurement, presentation and disclosure of leases for both parties to a contract (i.e. lessees and lessors). The new standard requires lessees to apply a dual approach, classifying leases as either finance or operating leases based on the principle of whether or not the lease is effectively a financed purchase by the lessee. This classification will determine whether lease expense is recognized based on an effective interest method or on a straight line basis over the term of the lease, respectively. A lessee is also required to record a right-of-use asset and a lease liability for all leases with a term of greater than 12 months regardless of their classification. Leases with a term of 12 months or less will be accounted for similar to existing guidance for operating leases today. The new standard also replaces existing sale-lease back guidance with a new model applicable to lessees and lessors. In addition, it also requires lessors to record gross revenues and expenses associated with costs paid directly by lessees for the benefit of the lessors, such as real estate taxes and insurance, if the lessor is the named beneficiary. The provisions of this guidance are effective for annual periods beginning after December 31, 2018, and for interim periods therein. The Company is currently evaluating this guidance to determine the impact it will have on our financial statements by reviewing its existing operating lease contracts, where we are the lessee and service contracts that may include embedded leases. The Company expects a gross-up of its Consolidated Balance Sheets as a result of recognizing lease liabilities and right of use assets, the extent of the impact of a gross-up is under evaluation. The Company does not anticipate material changes to the recognition of operating lease expense in its Consolidated Statements of Income.
Consumer CLEC Business
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	Note 3. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Use of Estimates —The preparation of financial statements, in accordance with GAAP, requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of revenues and expenses. The estimates and assumptions used in the accompanying financial statement are based upon management’s evaluation of the relevant facts and circumstances as of the date of the financial statement. Actual results may differ from the estimates and assumptions used in preparing the accompanying financial statement, and such differences could be material. Revenue Recognition—Service revenues are primarily derived from providing access to or usage of leased networks and facilities. Service revenues are recognized over the period that the corresponding services are rendered to customers. Revenues derived from other telecommunications services, including broadband, long distance and enhanced service revenues are recognized monthly as services are provided. Sales of customer premise equipment and modems are recognized when products are delivered to and accepted by customers. In assessing collectability of receivables, management considers a number of factors, including historical collection experience, aging of the accounts receivable balances and current economic conditions. When internal collection efforts on accounts have been exhausted, the accounts are written off by reducing the allowance for doubtful accounts. The provision for doubtful accounts, which is included in cost of service, was $111,000 for the period from January 1, 2015 to Spin Date. Subsequent Events—The accompanying financial statements of the Consumer CLEC Business are derived from the consolidated financial statements of Windstream, which issued its audited consolidated financial statements as of and for the year ended December 31, 2015 on February 25, 2016. Accordingly, management has evaluated transactions for consideration as recognized subsequent events in the accompanying financial statement through the date of February 25, 2016. In addition, management has evaluated transactions that occurred as of the issuance of these financial statements on March 7, 2016 for purposes of disclosure of unrecognized subsequent events.

Business Combinations and Asset Acquisitions

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2017

Business Combinations [Abstract]

Business Combinations and Asset Acquisitions

Note 4. Business Combinations and Asset Acquisitions

Asset Acquisitions

Network Management Holdings LTD

On January 31, 2017, we completed the acquisition of NMS. The Company accounted for the acquisition of NMS as an asset purchase. At close, NMS owned and operated 366 wireless communications towers in Latin America with an additional 105 build to suit tower sites under development. The NMS portfolio spans three Latin American countries with 212 towers in Mexico, 54 towers in Nicaragua, and 100 towers in Colombia. The consideration for the 366 wireless towers in operation as of the transaction close date was $62.6 million, which was funded through cash on hand, and is presented in NMS asset acquisition on the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. NMS conducts its operations through three non-U.S. subsidiaries and the Company has determined that the functional currencies for the Mexican, Nicaraguan and Colombian subsidiaries are the Mexican Peso, U.S. Dollar and Colombian Peso, respectively. The non-U.S. subsidiaries in which NMS conducts its operations are subject to income tax in the jurisdictions in which they operate. The acquisition did not result in a step up in tax basis under local law. The Company recorded a net deferred tax liability of $18.4 million and a liability for unrecognized tax benefits of $5.3 million in connection with the acquisition. The deferred tax liability is primarily related to the excess of the recorded amounts for Property, Plant & Equipment and Intangibles over their respective historical tax bases. Under the terms of the purchase agreement, we will acquire the towers under development when construction is completed. The NMS towers are reflected in our Towers segment. See Note 13. The following is a summary of the estimated fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed:

	(thousands)
Property, plant and equipment	$	36,417
Accounts receivable		2,826
Other assets		1,623
Intangible assets		52,437
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities		(8,895	)
Intangible liabilities		(3,440	)
Deferred income taxes		(18,403	)
Total purchase consideration	$	62,565

Of the $52.4 million of acquired intangible assets, $37.4 million was assigned to tenant contracts (22 year life), $13.5 million was assigned to network (22 year life) and $1.5 million was assigned to acquired above-market leases (10 year life). The acquired below-market lease intangible liability of $3.4 million has a 10 year life. See Note 8.

As of December 31, 2017, construction was completed on 50 of the 105 towers that were under development at the time of the NMS acquisition, and we acquired the completed towers pursuant to the purchase agreement for approximately $5.1 million.

Business Combinations

2017 Transactions

Southern Light, LLC

On July 3, 2017, we acquired 100% of the outstanding equity of Southern Light for $638.1 million in cash and 2.5 million common units in the Operating Partnership with an acquisition date fair value of $64.3 million. Southern Light is a leading provider of data transport services along the Gulf Coast region serving twelve attractive Tier II and Tier III markets across Florida, Alabama, Louisiana, and Mississippi. The acquisition was recorded by allocating the costs of the assets acquired based on their estimated fair values at the acquisition date. The excess of the cost of the acquisition over the fair value of the assets acquired is recorded as goodwill within our Fiber Infrastructure segment. See Note 13. The following is a summary of the estimated fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed:

	(thousands)
Property, plant and equipment	$	279,467
Cash and cash equivalents		1,992
Accounts receivable		11,139
Other assets		1,287
Goodwill		318,620
Intangible assets		160,100
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities		(19,846	)
Deferred revenue		(38,134	)
Deferred income taxes		(9,004	)
Capital lease obligations		(3,189	)
Total purchase consideration	$	702,432

The above purchase price allocation is considered preliminary and is subject to revision when the valuation of assets and liabilities is finalized upon receipt of the final valuation report from a third party valuation expert, and resolution of contractual adjustments, such as working capital adjustments, set forth in the merger agreement, which is anticipated to be finalized during the first half of 2018.

The goodwill arising from the transaction is primarily attributable to the expansion of our fiber network through the complementary nature of Southern Light’s fiber network to our existing fiber network, including anticipated incremental sales and cost savings. For federal income tax purposes, the transaction was treated as partially taxable (for portion paid in cash) and partially non-taxable (for portion paid with common units in the Operating Partnership). The portion of the acquisition that was treated as a taxable acquisition resulted in tax deductible goodwill. No tax deductible goodwill resulted from the portion of the acquisition that was treated as non-taxable.

We acquired an intangible asset that was assigned to customer relationships of $160.1 million (15 year life).

The acquired business contributed revenue of $45.5 million and an operating income of $4.6 million, which excludes transaction related costs, to our consolidated results from the date of acquisition through December 31, 2017. We recorded transaction related costs related to the acquisition of Southern Light for the year ended December 31, 2017 of $14.8 million within transaction related costs on the Consolidated Statement of Income.

The acquisition of Southern Light was structured in a manner such that Southern Light ended up being owned by a subsidiary of ours with a pre-existing valuation allowance primarily related to deferred tax assets associated with net operating loss carryforwards. The acquisition of Southern Light also resulted in a change to our assessment of the need for a valuation allowance against these deferred tax assets, which resulted in a decrease to the valuation allowance of $8.0 million. The decrease in valuation allowance was recorded as an income tax benefit during the year ended December 31, 2017.

Hunt Telecommunications, LLC

On July 3, 2017, we acquired 100% of the outstanding equity of Hunt for $129.3 million in cash and 1.6 million common units in the Operating Partnership with an acquisition date fair value of $41.6 million. Additional contingent consideration of up to $17 million, with an acquisition date fair value of $16.4 million, may be paid upon the achievement of certain financial revenue milestones by delivering shares of our common stock. See Note 5. Hunt is a leading provider of data transport to K-12 schools and government agencies with a dense fiber network in Louisiana. The acquisition was recorded by allocating the costs of the assets acquired based on their estimated fair values at the acquisition date. The excess of the cost of the acquisition over the fair value of the assets acquired is recorded as goodwill within our Fiber Infrastructure segment. See Note 13.

	(thousands)
Property, plant and equipment	$	59,682
Cash and cash equivalents		3,181
Accounts receivable		4,906
Other assets		413
Goodwill		93,023
Intangible assets		73,000
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities		(2,579	)
Deferred revenue		(3,800	)
Deferred income taxes		(40,391	)
Capital lease obligations		(164	)
Total purchase consideration	$	187,271

The above purchase price allocation is considered preliminary and is subject to revision when the valuation of assets and liabilities is finalized upon receipt of the final valuation report from a third party valuation expert, which is anticipated to be finalized during the first half of 2018.

The goodwill arising from the transaction is primarily attributable to the expansion of our fiber network through the complementary nature of Hunt’s fiber network to our existing fiber network, including anticipated incremental sales and cost savings. The goodwill is not expected to be deductible for tax purposes.

We acquired an intangible asset that was assigned to customer relationships of $73 million (18 year life).

The acquired business contributed revenue of $16.5 million and an operating income of $2.7 million, which excludes transaction and transition costs, to our consolidated results from the date of acquisition through December 31, 2017. We recorded transaction related costs related to the acquisition of Hunt for the year ended December 31, 2017 of $5.9 million within transaction related costs on the Consolidated Statement of Income.

The following table presents the unaudited pro forma summary of our financial results as if the Southern Light and Hunt business combinations had occurred on January 1, 2016. The pro forma results include additional depreciation and amortization resulting from purchase accounting adjustments, and interest expense associated with debt used to fund the acquisition. The pro forma results do not include any synergies or other benefits of the acquisition. The pro forma results are not indicative of future results of operations, or results that might have been achieved had the acquisition been consummated on January 1, 2016.

	Year Ended		Year Ended
(Thousands, except per share data)	December 31, 2017		December 31, 2016
Pro forma revenue	$	980,303	$	891,373
Pro forma net income (loss)		4,267		(2,482	)
Pro forma net income (loss) per share	$	0.02	$	(0.01	)

2016 Transactions

Tower Cloud, Inc.

On August 31, 2016, we acquired 100% of the outstanding equity of Tower Cloud, Inc. (“Tower Cloud”) for $187.5 million in cash and 1.9 million shares of our common stock with an acquisition date fair value of $58.5 million. Additional contingent consideration of up to $130 million, with an acquisition date fair value of $98.6 million, may be paid upon the achievement of certain defined operational and financial milestones. At the Company’s discretion, a combination of cash and Uniti common shares may be used to satisfy the contingent consideration payments, provided that at least 50% of the aggregate amount of payments is satisfied in cash. Tower Cloud provides data transport services, with particular focus on providing infrastructure solutions to the wireless and enterprise sectors, including fiber-to-the-tower backhaul, small cell networks, and dark fiber deployments. Following the close of the transaction, the Tower Cloud business and the previously acquired PEG Bandwidth business were combined into a unified fiber infrastructure organization, Uniti Fiber. The operating results from this acquisition are included in the consolidated financial statements from the acquisition date. The acquisition was recorded by allocating the costs of the assets acquired based on their estimated fair values at the acquisition date. The excess of the cost of the acquisition over the fair value of the assets acquired is recorded as goodwill within our Fiber Infrastructure segment. See Note 13. During the first quarter of 2017, certain contractual working capital adjustments resulted in a $0.2 million reduction of the purchase price and goodwill. The following is a summary of the estimated fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed:

	(thousands)
Property, plant and equipment	$	163,680
Cash and cash equivalents		14,346
Accounts receivable		3,043
Other assets		2,595
Goodwill		117,032
Intangible assets		116,218
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities		(16,782	)
Deferred revenue		(23,900	)
Deferred income taxes		(24,866	)
Capital lease obligations		(6,750	)
Total purchase consideration	$	344,616

The goodwill is primarily attributable to strategic opportunities that arose from the acquisition of Tower Cloud. The acquisition was treated as a taxable acquisition of the outstanding stock of Tower Cloud, Inc. Thus, none of the goodwill is expected to be deductible for tax purposes.

We acquired an intangible asset that was assigned to customer relationships of $116.2 million (30 year life).

Tower Cloud had federal net operating loss (“NOL”) carryforwards of approximately $81.2 million at the date of the acquisition, which will expire between 2026 and 2036. As a result of the change in ownership, the utilization of NOL carryforwards is subject to limitations imposed by the Internal Revenue Code. The gross deferred tax assets associated with the NOL and other temporary differences as of August 31, 2016 were approximately $37.0 million, with respect to which we have determined that a valuation allowance is not required. A net deferred tax liability of $24.8 million was recorded in connection with the acquisition, which is primarily related to the excess of the recorded amounts for Property, Plant and Equipment and Intangible Assets over their respective historical tax bases.

The acquired business contributed revenue of $13.5 million and an operating loss of $2.1 million, which excludes transaction and transition costs, to our consolidated results from the date of acquisition through December 31, 2016. We recorded transaction related costs related to the acquisition of Tower Cloud for the year ended December 31, 2016 of $9.1 million within transaction related costs on the Consolidated Statement of Income.

The following table presents the unaudited pro forma summary of our financial results as if the business combination had occurred as of the Spin-Off. The pro forma results include additional depreciation and amortization resulting from purchase accounting adjustments, adjustments to amortized deferred revenue, and interest expense associated with debt used to fund the acquisition. The pro forma results do not include any synergies or other benefits of the acquisition. The pro forma results are not indicative of future results of operations, or results that might have been achieved had the acquisition been consummated as of the Spin-Off.

	Year Ended			Period from
(Thousands, except per share data)	December 31, 2016			April 24 - December 31, 2015
Pro forma revenue	$	798,054		$	505,764
Pro forma net (loss) income		(3,581	)		17,609
Pro forma net (loss) income per share	$	(0.02	)	$	0.12

PEG Bandwidth, LLC

On May 2, 2016, we acquired 100% of the outstanding equity of PEG Bandwidth for $322.5 million in cash, the issuance of 87,500 shares of our 3.00% Series A Convertible Preferred Stock with a fair value of $78.6 million and 1 million shares of our common stock with an acquisition date fair value of $23.2 million. PEG Bandwidth is a leading provider of infrastructure solutions, including cell site backhaul and dark fiber, to the telecommunications industry. The operating results from this acquisition are included in the consolidated financial statements from the acquisition date. The acquisition was recorded by allocating the costs of the assets acquired based on their estimated fair values at the acquisition date. The excess of the cost of the acquisition over the fair value of the assets acquired is recorded as goodwill within our Fiber Infrastructure segment. See Note 13. The following is a summary of the estimated fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed:

	(thousands)
Property, plant and equipment	$	293,030
Cash and cash equivalents		7,003
Accounts receivable		6,584
Other assets		5,161
Goodwill		145,054
Intangible assets		38,000
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities		(8,643	)
Deferred revenue		(12,700	)
Capital lease obligations		(49,195	)
Total purchase consideration	$	424,294

The goodwill is primarily attributable to strategic opportunities that arose from the acquisition of PEG Bandwidth. The goodwill is expected to be deductible for tax purposes.

Of the $38 million of acquired intangible assets, $36 million was assigned to customer relationships (weighted average 17 year life) and $2 million was assigned to trademarks (indefinite life).

The acquired business contributed revenue of $57.0 million and an operating loss of $8.8 million, which excludes transaction and transition costs, to our consolidated results from the date of acquisition through December 31, 2016. We recorded transaction related costs related to the acquisition of PEG Bandwidth for the year ended December 31, 2016 of $11.2 million within transaction related costs on the Consolidated Statement of Income.

	Year Ended		Period from
(Thousands, except per share data)	December 31, 2016		April 24 - December 31, 2015
Pro forma revenue	$	797,637	$	529,911
Pro forma net income		6,264		19,809
Pro forma net income per share	$	0.04	$	0.13

Summit Wireless Infrastructure, LLC

On January 22, 2016, we acquired 100% of the outstanding equity of Summit Wireless Infrastructure LLC (“Summit”). Summit builds, owns and operates telecommunication infrastructure serving wireless carriers in Mexico. Consideration given to acquire Summit included performance-based shares of common equity valued at $1.1 million, which will vest in full on the third anniversary of the closing date, subject to Summit meeting certain performance targets, and the assumption of Summit’s existing debt. The financial results of Summit are included in the Towers segment from the date of acquisition and were not material, individually or in the aggregate, to our results of operations and therefore, pro forma financial information has not been presented.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2017

Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

Note 5. Fair Value of Financial Instruments

FASB ASC 820, Fair Value Measurements, establishes a hierarchy of valuation techniques based on the observability of inputs utilized in measuring assets and liabilities at fair values. This hierarchy establishes market-based or observable inputs as the preferred source of values, followed by valuation models using management assumptions in the absence of market inputs. The three levels of the hierarchy are as follows:

Level 1 – Quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the reporting entity can access at the assessment date

Level 2 – Inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly

Level 3 – Unobservable inputs for the asset or liability

Our financial instruments consist of cash and cash equivalents, accounts and other receivables, derivative instruments, contingent consideration, our outstanding notes and other debt, and accounts, interest and dividends payable.

The following table summarizes the fair value of our financial instruments at December 31, 2017 and 2016:

(Thousands)	Total		Quoted Prices in Active Markets (Level 1)		Prices with Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)		Prices with Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
At December 31, 2017
Assets
Derivative asset	$	6,793	$	—	$	6,793	$	—
Total	$	6,793	$	—	$	6,793	$	—


Liabilities
Senior secured term loan B - variable rate, due October 24, 2022	$	2,011,237	$	—	$	2,011,237	$	—
Senior secured notes - 6.00% , due April 15, 2023		540,375		—		540,375		—
Senior unsecured notes - 8.25%, due October 15, 2023		1,073,925		—		1,073,925		—
Senior unsecured notes - 7.125%, due December 15, 2024		542,250		—		542,250		—
Senior secured revolving credit facility, variable rate, due April 24, 2020		279,972		—		279,972		—
Contingent consideration		105,762		—		—		105,762
Total	$	4,553,521	$	—	$	4,447,759	$	105,762

(Thousands)	Total		Quoted Prices in Active Markets (Level 1)		Prices with Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)		Prices with Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
At December 31, 2016
Liabilities
Senior secured term loan B - variable rate, due October 24, 2022	$	2,139,586	$	—	$	2,139,586	$	—
Senior secured notes - 6.00% , due April 15, 2023		569,250		—		569,250		—
Senior unsecured notes - 8.25%, due October 15, 2023		1,176,600		—		1,176,600		—
Senior unsecured notes - 7.125%, due December 15, 2024		404,000		—		404,000		—
Derivative liability		6,102		—		6,102		—
Contingent consideration		98,600		—		—		98,600
Total	$	4,394,138	$	—	$	4,295,538	$	98,600

The carrying value of cash and cash equivalents, accounts and other receivables, and accounts, interest and dividends payable approximate fair values due to the short-term nature of these financial instruments.

The total principal balance of our Notes and other debt was $4.6 billion at December 31, 2017, with a fair value of $4.4 billion. The estimated fair value of the Notes and other debt was based on available external pricing data and current market rates for similar debt instruments, among other factors, which are classified as Level 2 inputs within the fair value hierarchy. Derivative instruments are carried at fair value. See Note 7. The fair value of our interest rate swap is determined based on the present value of expected future cash flows using observable, quoted LIBOR swap rates for the full term of the swap and also incorporate credit valuation adjustments to appropriately reflect both Uniti 's own non-performance risk and non-performance risk of the respective counterparties. The Company has determined that the majority of the inputs used to value its derivative instruments fall within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy; however the associated credit valuation adjustments utilized Level 3 inputs, such as estimates of credit spreads, to evaluate the likelihood of default by the Company and its counterparties. As of December 31, 2017, the Company has assessed the significance of the impact of the credit valuation adjustments on the overall valuation of its derivative positions and has determined that the credit valuation adjustment is not significant to the overall value of the derivatives. As such, the Company classifies its derivative instruments valuation in Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.

As part of the acquisition of Hunt on July 3, 2017, we may be obligated to pay contingent consideration (the “Hunt Contingent Consideration”) upon the achievement of certain defined revenue milestones; therefore, we have recorded the estimated fair value of contingent consideration of approximately $11.5 million as of December 31, 2017. See Note 4. In accordance with the Hunt merger agreement, Uniti common shares will be used to satisfy the contingent consideration payment. The fair value of the Hunt Contingent Consideration at December 31, 2017 was determined using the closing price of our common shares in the active market and probability estimates of future earnings and is classified as Level 3.

As part of the acquisition of Tower Cloud on August 31, 2016, we may be obligated to pay contingent consideration upon achievement of certain defined operational and financial milestones; therefore, we recorded the estimated fair value of future contingent consideration of $94.3 million as of December 31, 2017. The fair value of the contingent consideration as of December 31, 2017, was determined using a discounted cash flow model and probability adjusted estimates of the future earnings and is classified as Level 3. During the year ended December 31, 2017, we paid $20.0 million for the achievement of certain milestones in accordance with the Tower Cloud merger agreement.

Changes in the fair value of contingent consideration will be recorded in our Consolidated Statement of Income in the period in which the change occurs. For the year ended December 31, 2017, there was a $10.7 million increase in the fair value of the contingent consideration that was recorded in Other expense on the Consolidated Statements of Income.

The following is a roll forward of our liability measured at fair value on a recurring basis using unobservable inputs (Level 3):

(Thousands)		December 31, 2016				Transfers into Level 3				(Gain)/Loss included in earnings				Settlements				December 31, 2017
Contingent consideration		$	98,600			$	16,425			$	10,736			$	(19,999	)		$	105,762

- Definition

The entire disclosure for the fair value of financial instruments (as defined), including financial assets and financial liabilities (collectively, as defined), and the measurements of those instruments as well as disclosures related to the fair value of non-financial assets and liabilities. Such disclosures about the financial instruments, assets, and liabilities would include: (1) the fair value of the required items together with their carrying amounts (as appropriate); (2) for items for which it is not practicable to estimate fair value, disclosure would include: (a) information pertinent to estimating fair value (including, carrying amount, effective interest rate, and maturity, and (b) the reasons why it is not practicable to estimate fair value; (3) significant concentrations of credit risk including: (a) information about the activity, region, or economic characteristics identifying a concentration, (b) the maximum amount of loss the entity is exposed to based on the gross fair value of the related item, (c) policy for requiring collateral or other security and information as to accessing such collateral or security, and (d) the nature and brief description of such collateral or security; (4) quantitative information about market risks and how such risks are managed; (5) for items measured on both a recurring and nonrecurring basis information regarding the inputs used to develop the fair value measurement; and (6) for items presented in the financial statement for which fair value measurement is elected: (a) information necessary to understand the reasons for the election, (b) discussion of the effect of fair value changes on earnings, (c) a description of [similar groups] items for which the election is made and the relation thereof to the balance sheet, the aggregate carrying value of items included in the balance sheet that are not eligible for the election; (7) all other required (as defined) and desired information.

+ References + Details

Property, Plant and Equipment

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2017

Property Plant And Equipment [Abstract]

Property, Plant and Equipment

Note 6. Property, Plant and Equipment

The carrying value of property, plant and equipment is as follows:

(Thousands)	Depreciable Lives	December 31, 2017			December 31, 2016
Land	Indefinite	$	28,269		$	26,833
Building and improvements	3 - 40 years		325,445			318,967
Real property interests	See Note 3		34,580			12,265
Poles	30 years		243,710			234,393
Fiber	30 years		2,669,058			2,243,822
Equipment	5 - 7 years		213,574			130,945
Copper	20 years		3,656,385			3,538,566
Conduit	30 years		91,210			90,540
Tower assets	20 years		59,327			4,307
Capital lease assets	See Note 3		97,592			89,723
Construction in progress	See Note 3		112,489			52,685
Other assets	15 - 20 years		8,258			5,299
Corporate assets	3 - 7 years		2,690			2,731
			7,542,587			6,751,076
Less accumulated depreciation			(4,488,698	)		(4,081,039	)
Net property, plant and equipment		$	3,053,889		$	2,670,037

Capital lease assets above represent fiber leases, where we have the exclusive, unrestricted, and indefeasible right to use one, a pair, or more strands of fiber of a fiber cable.

Depreciation expense for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and for the period from April 24, 2015 to December 31, 2015 was $415.9 million, $369.9 million and $236.2 million, respectively.

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2017

Derivative Instruments And Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities

Note 7. Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities

The Company uses derivative instruments to mitigate the effects of interest rate volatility inherent in our variable rate debt, which could unfavorably impact our future earnings and forecasted cash flows. The Company does not use derivative instruments for speculative or trading purposes.

On April 27, 2015, we entered into interest rate swap agreements to mitigate the interest rate risk inherent in our variable rate Senior Secured Term Loan B facility. These interest rate swaps are designated as cash flow hedges and have a notional value of $2.13 billion and mature on October 24, 2022. The weighted average fixed rate paid is 2.105%, and the variable rate received resets monthly to the one-month LIBOR subject to a minimum rate of 1.0%. The Company does not currently have any master netting arrangements related to its derivative contracts.

The following table summarizes the fair value and the presentation in our Consolidated Balance Sheet:

(Thousands)

Location on Consolidated

Balance Sheet

December 31, 2017

December 31, 2016

Interest rate swaps

Derivative asset

6,793

Interest rate swaps

Derivative liability

6,102

As of December 31, 2017, all of the interest rate swaps were valued in net unrealized gain positions and recognized as an asset balance within the derivative asset balance. As of December 31, 2016, all of the interest rate swaps were valued in net unrealized loss positions and recognized as liability balances within the derivative liability balance. For the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, the amount recorded in other comprehensive income related to the unrealized loss on derivative instruments was $7.7 million and $24.5 million, respectively. The amount reclassified out of other comprehensive income into interest expense on our Consolidated Statement of Income for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016 was $20.6 million and $23.8 million, respectively. For the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, there were no ineffective portions of the change in fair value derivatives.

Amounts reported in accumulated other comprehensive income related to derivatives will be reclassified to interest expense as interest payments are made on our variable-rate debt. During the next twelve months, ending December 31, 2018, we estimate that $17.5 million will be reclassified as an increase to interest expense.

Goodwill and Intangible Assets

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2017

Goodwill And Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]

Goodwill and Intangible Assets

Note 8. Goodwill and Intangible Assets

Changes in the carrying amount of goodwill occurring during the year ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, are as follows:

(Thousands)	Fiber Infrastructure			Total
Goodwill at December 31, 2015	$	-		$	-
Goodwill associated with 2016 acquisitions		262,334			262,334
Goodwill at December 31, 2016	$	262,334		$	262,334
Goodwill purchase accounting adjustments		(248	)		(248	)
Goodwill associated with 2017 acquisitions		411,643			411,643
Goodwill at December 31, 2017	$	673,729		$	673,729

The carrying value of our other intangible assets is as follows:

(Thousands)	December 31, 2017						December 31, 2016
	Cost			Accumulated Amortization			Cost			Accumulated Amortization
Indefinite life intangible assets:
Trade name	$	2,000		$	-		$	2,000		$	-

Finite life intangible assets:
Customer lists		421,743			(46,049	)		188,642			(30,058	)
Tenant contracts		38,527			(1,605	)		-			-
Network⁽¹⁾		13,951			(581	)		-			-
Acquired below-market leases		1,509			(138	)		-			-

Total intangible assets		477,730						190,642
Less: Accumulated amortization		(48,373	)					(30,058	)
Total intangible assets, net	$	429,357					$	160,584

Finite life intangible liabilities:
Acquired above-market leases	$	3,455		$	(317	)	$	-		$	-

Total intangible liabilities		3,455						-
Less: Accumulated amortization		(317	)					-
Total intangible liabilities, net⁽²⁾	$	3,138					$	-

⁽¹⁾

Reflects the potential to lease additional tower capacity on the existing towers due to their geographical location and capacity as of the valuation date.

⁽²⁾

Recorded in accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities, net on the Consolidated Balance Sheet.

Amortization expense for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and for the period from April 24, 2015 to December 31, 2015 was $18.3 million, $6.1 million and $2.6 million, respectively. Amortization expense is estimated to be $25.1 million in 2018, $24.4 million in 2019, $23.9 million in 2020, $23.5 million in 2021 and $23.0 million in 2022.

- Definition

The entire disclosure for the aggregate amount of goodwill and a description of intangible assets, which may include (a) for amortizable intangible assets (also referred to as finite-lived intangible assets), the carrying amount, the amount of any significant residual value, and the weighted-average amortization period, (b) for intangible assets not subject to amortization (also referred to as indefinite-lived intangible assets), the carrying amount, and (c) the amount of research and development assets acquired and written off in the period, including the line item in the income statement in which the amounts written off are aggregated, if not readily apparent from the income statement. Also discloses (a) for amortizable intangibles assets in total and by major class, the gross carrying amount and accumulated amortization, the total amortization expense for the period, and the estimated aggregate amortization expense for each of the five succeeding fiscal years, (b) for intangible assets not subject to amortization the carrying amount in total and by major class, and (c) for goodwill, in total and for each reportable segment, the changes in the carrying amount of goodwill during the period (including the aggregate amount of goodwill acquired, the aggregate amount of impairment losses recognized, and the amount of goodwill included in the gain (loss) on disposal of a reporting unit). If any part of goodwill has not been allocated to a reportable segment, discloses the unallocated amount and the reasons for not allocating. For each impairment loss recognized related to an intangible asset (excluding goodwill), discloses: (a) a description of the impaired intangible asset and the facts and circumstances leading to the impairment, (b) the amount of the impairment loss and the method for determining fair value, (c) the caption in the income statement or the statement of activities in which the impairment loss is aggregated, and (d) the segment in which the impaired intangible asset is reported. For each goodwill impairment loss recognized, discloses: (a) a description of the facts and circumstances leading to the impairment, (b) the amount of the impairment loss and the method of determining the fair value of the associated reporting unit, and (c) if a recognized impairment loss is an estimate not finalized and the reasons why the estimate is not final. May also disclose the nature and amount of any significant adjustments made to a previous estimate of an impairment loss.

+ References + Details

Notes and Other Debt

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2017

Long Term Debt [Abstract]

Notes and Other Debt

Note 9. Notes and Other Debt

All debt, including the senior secured credit facility and notes described below, are obligations of the Operating Partnership and certain of its subsidiaries as discussed below. The Company is, however, a guarantor of such debt.

Notes and other debt is as follows:

(Thousands)	December 31, 2017			December 31, 2016
Principal amount	$	4,626,887		$	4,167,967
Less unamortized discount, premium and debt issuance costs		(144,190	)		(139,753	)
Notes and other debt less unamortized discount and debt issuance costs	$	4,482,697		$	4,028,214

Notes and other debt at December 31, 2017 and 2016 consisted of the following:

	December 31, 2017					December 31, 2016
(Thousands)	Principal		Unamortized Discount, Premium and Debt Issuance Costs			Principal		Unamortized Discount and Debt Issuance Costs
Senior secured term loan B - variable rate, due October 24, 2022 (discount is based on imputed interest rate of 5.66%)	$	2,086,887	$	(87,140	)	$	2,107,967	$	(78,699	)
Senior secured notes - 6.00%, due April 15, 2023 (discount is based on imputed interest rate of 6.29%)		550,000		(8,508	)		550,000		(9,817	)
Senior unsecured notes - 8.25%, due October 15, 2023 (discount is based on imputed interest rate of 9.06%)		1,110,000		(40,467	)		1,110,000		(45,599	)
Senior unsecured notes - 7.125%, due December 15, 2024		600,000		(8,075	)		400,000		(5,638	)
Senior secured revolving credit facility, variable rate, due April 24, 2020		280,000		-			-		-
Total	$	4,626,887		(144,190	)	$	4,167,967	$	(139,753	)

At December 31, 2017, notes and other debt included the following: (i) $2.1 billion under the senior secured term loan B facility that matures on October 24, 2022 (“Term Loan Facility”) pursuant to the credit agreement by and among the Operating Partnership, CSL Capital, LLC and Uniti Group Finance Inc., the guarantors and lenders party thereto and Bank of America, N.A., as administrative agent and collateral agent (the “Credit Agreement”); (ii) $550.0 million aggregate principal amount of 6.00% Senior Secured Notes due April 15, 2023 (the “Secured Notes”); (iii) $1.11 billion aggregate principal amount of 8.25% Senior Notes due October 15, 2023 (the “2023 Notes”); and (iv) $600.0 million aggregate principal amount of 7.125% Senior Unsecured Notes due December 15, 2024 (the “2024 Notes” and together with the Secured Notes and 2023 Notes, the “Notes”), and (v) $280.0 million under the senior secured revolving credit facility, variable rate, that matures April 24, 2020 pursuant to the Credit Agreement (the “Revolving Credit Facility” and, together with the Term Loan Facility, the “Facilities”).

On May 9, 2017, the Company completed its previously announced reorganization (the “up-REIT Reorganization”) to operate through a customary “up-REIT” structure. Under this structure, the Operating Partnership now holds substantially all of the Company’s assets and is the parent company of, among others, CSL Capital, LLC, Uniti Group Finance Inc. and Uniti Fiber Holdings Inc. In connection with the up-REIT Reorganization, the Operating Partnership replaced the Company and assumed its obligations as an obligor under the Notes and Facilities. The Company subsequently became a guarantor of the Notes and Facilities. Because the Operating Partnership is not a corporation, a corporate co-obligor that is a subsidiary of the Operating Partnership was also added to the Notes and Credit Agreement as part of the up-REIT Reorganization. As discussed below, Uniti Group Finance Inc. is the corporate co-obligor under the Credit Agreement and co-issuer of the Secured Notes and the 2023 Notes, and Uniti Fiber Holdings Inc. is the co-issuer of the 2024 Notes. Separate financial statements of the Operating Partnership have not been included since the Operating Partnership is not a registrant.

Credit Agreement

The Operating Partnership and its wholly-owned subsidiaries, CSL Capital, LLC, and Uniti Group Finance Inc. (collectively, the “Borrowers”) are party to the Credit Agreement, which provides for the Term Loan Facility (in an initial principal amount of $2.14 billion) and the Revolving Credit Facility. The term loans were repriced on February 9, 2017 and now bear interest at a rate equal to LIBOR, subject to a 1.0% floor, plus an applicable margin equal to 3.00%, and are subject to amortization of 1.0% per annum. All obligations under the Credit Agreement are guaranteed by (i) the Company and (ii) certain of the Operating Partnership’s wholly-owned subsidiaries (the “Subsidiary Guarantors”), and are secured by substantially all of the assets of the Borrowers and the Subsidiary Guarantors, which assets also secure the Secured Notes. The Revolving Credit Facility bears interest at a rate equal to LIBOR plus 1.75% to 2.25% based on our consolidated secured leverage ratio, as defined in the Credit Agreement. On April 28, 2017, we amended the Credit Agreement to increase the commitments under our Revolving Credit Facility from $500 million to $750 million. Other terms of the Revolving Credit Facility remain unchanged.

The Borrowers are subject to customary covenants under the Credit Agreement, including an obligation to maintain a consolidated secured leverage ratio, as defined in the Credit Agreement, not to exceed 5.00 to 1.00. We are permitted, subject to customary conditions, to incur (i) incremental term loan borrowings and/or increased commitments under the Credit Agreement in an unlimited amount, so long as, on a pro forma basis after giving effect to any such borrowings or increases, our consolidated secured leverage ratio, as defined in the Credit Agreement, does not exceed 4.00 to 1.00 and (ii) other indebtedness, so long as, on a pro forma basis after giving effect to any such indebtedness, our consolidated total leverage ratio, as defined in the Credit Agreement, does not exceed 6.50 to 1.00 and our consolidated secured leverage ratio, as defined in the Credit Agreement, does not exceed 4.00 to 1.00. In addition, the Credit Agreement contains customary events of default, including a cross default provision whereby the failure of the Borrowers or certain of their subsidiaries to make payments under other debt obligations, or the occurrence of certain events affecting those other borrowing arrangements, could trigger an obligation to repay any amounts outstanding under the Credit Agreement. In particular, a repayment obligation could be triggered if (i) the Borrowers or certain of their subsidiaries fail to make a payment when due of any principal or interest on any other indebtedness aggregating $75.0 million or more, or (ii) an event occurs that causes, or would permit the holders of any other indebtedness aggregating $75.0 million or more to cause, such indebtedness to become due prior to its stated maturity. As of December 31, 2017, the Borrowers were in compliance with all of the covenants under the Credit Agreement.

The Notes

The Borrowers, as co-issuers, have outstanding $550 million aggregate principal amount of the Secured Notes, of which $400 million was originally issued on April 24, 2015 at an issue price of 100% of par value and the remaining $150 million was issued on June 9, 2016 at an issue price of 99.25% of the par value as an add-on to the existing Secured Notes. The Borrowers, as co-issuers, also have outstanding $1.11 billion aggregate principal amount of the 2023 Notes that were originally issued on April 24, 2015 at an issue price of 97.055% of par value. The Secured Notes and the 2023 Notes are guaranteed by the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors.

The Operating Partnership and its wholly-owned subsidiaries, CSL Capital, LLC and Uniti Fiber Holdings Inc., as co-issuers, have outstanding $600 million aggregate principal amount of the 2024 Notes, of which $400 million was originally issued on December 15, 2016 at an issue price of 100% of par value and the remaining $200 million of which was issued on May 8, 2017 at an issue price of 100.50% of par value under a separate indenture and was mandatorily exchanged on August 11, 2017 for 2024 Notes issued as “additional notes” under the indenture governing the 2024 Notes. The 2024 Notes are guaranteed by the Company, Uniti Group Finance Inc. and the Subsidiary Guarantors.

Deferred Financing Cost

Deferred financing costs were incurred in connection with the issuance of the Notes and the Facilities. These costs are amortized using the effective interest method over the term of the related indebtedness, and are included in interest expense in our Consolidated Statements of Income. For the year ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and for the period from April 24, 2015 to December 31, 2015, we recognized $13.6 million, $7.8 million and $4.8 million of non-cash interest expense, respectively, related to the amortization of deferred financing costs.

Aggregate annual maturities of our long-term obligations at December 31, 2017 are as follows:

(Thousands)
2018	$	21,079
2019		21,079
2020		301,079
2021		21,079
2022		2,002,571
Thereafter		2,260,000
Total	$	4,626,887

As discussed in Note 6, we have acquired property pursuant to capital leases. At December 31, 2017, future minimum lease payments under capital lease obligations are as follows:

(Thousands)
2018	$	8,407
2019		8,083
2020		7,048
2021		6,309
2022		6,155
Thereafter		53,461
Total minimum payments		89,463
Less amount representing interest		(33,134	)
Total	$	56,329

Stock-Based Compensation

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2017

Disclosure Of Compensation Related Costs Sharebased Payments [Abstract]

Stock-Based Compensation

Note 10. Stock-Based Compensation

The Company’s Board of Directors adopted the Uniti Group Inc. 2015 Equity Incentive Plan (the “Equity Plan”), which is administered by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors. Awards issuable under the Equity Plan include incentive stock options, “non-qualified” stock options, stock appreciation rights, performance units and performance shares, restricted shares, and restricted stock units.

In connection with the Spin-Off, the Company issued 538,819 restricted shares and 70,889 performance-based restricted stock units to employees of Windstream in accordance with the terms of the Employee Matters Agreement between the Company and Windstream. Under the Employee Matters Agreement, which governs the compensation and employee benefit obligations of Uniti and Windstream with respect to the current and former employees of each company, employees of Windstream who held equity awards as of the date of the Spin-Off were entitled to receive equity awards of Uniti in the same proportion as if the equity awards had been common shares on the date of the Spin-Off. The Uniti awards issued have the same form and vesting requirements as the underlying Windstream awards. For the purposes of vesting in the Uniti awards, continued service with Windstream is deemed to be continued service with Uniti. We do not recognize any compensation expense in our Consolidated Statement of Income related to these awards, as none of the employees granted awards provide service to Uniti. There were no restricted shares and performance-based restricted stock units issued to Windstream employees that remained outstanding at December 31, 2017.

Restricted Awards

During the year ended December 31, 2017, the Company granted 234,294 shares of restricted stock to employees, which had a fair value of $6.0 million as of the date of grant. We calculate the grant date fair value of non-vested shares of restricted stock awards using the closing sale prices on the trading day on the grant date. The restricted stock awards are amortized on a straight-line basis to expense over the vesting period, which is generally three years. As of December 31, 2017, there were 4,992,583 shares available for future issuance under the Equity Plan. The following table sets forth the number of unvested restricted stock awards and the weighted-average fair value of these awards at the date of grant:


	Restricted Awards			Weighted Average Fair Value at Grant Date		Aggregate Intrinsic Value⁽¹⁾($000s)
Unvested balance December 31, 2016		493,891		$	22.60
Granted		234,294		$	25.56
Forfeited		(33,041	)	$	24.77
Vested		(106,956	)	$	20.73
Unvested balance, December 31, 2017		588,188		$	24.00	$	10,464

⁽¹⁾

The aggregate intrinsic value is calculated as the market value of our common stock as of December 29, 2017. The market value as of December 29, 2017 was $17.79 per share, which was the closing price of our common stock reported for transactions effected on the NASDAQ Global Select Market on December 29, 2017, the final trading day of 2017.

During the year ended December 31, 2016, there were 308,146 shares of restricted stock granted with a weighted-average fair value of $20.56 per share. During the period from April 24, 2015 to December 31, 2015, there were 241,140 shares of restricted granted with a weighted-average fair value of $25.82 per share.

The total fair value of shares vested for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016 was $2.9 million and $1.1 million, respectively.

As of December 31, 2017, total unrecognized compensation expense on restricted awards was approximately $6.6 million, and the expense is expected to be recognized over a weighted average vesting period of 0.9 years.

Performance Awards

The Company grants long-term incentives to members of management in the form of performance-based restricted stock units (“PSUs”) under the Equity Plan. The number of PSUs earned is based on the Company’s achievement of specified performance goals, over a specified performance period, and may range from 0% to 200% of the target shares. The PSUs have a service condition that will expire at the end of the three-year performance period provided that the holder continues to be employed by the Company at the end of the performance period. Holders of PSUs are entitled to dividend equivalents, which will be accrued quarterly and paid in cash upon the vesting of a PSU. Dividend equivalents are forfeited to the extent that the underlying PSU is forfeited.

On February 13, 2017, we issued 91,995 PSUs equal to 100% of the target amount, with an aggregate value of $3.1 million on the grant date. The PSUs, in addition to a service condition, are subject to the Company’s performance versus the total return of the MSCI US REIT Index and a triple-net lease peer group, as defined by the Compensation Committee. Upon evaluating the results of the market conditions, the final number of shares is determined and such shares vest based on satisfaction of the service condition. The PSUs are amortized on a straight-line basis over the vesting period. During the year ended December 31, 2017, no PSUs were forfeited due to termination of service. The following table sets forth the number of unvested PSUs and the weighted-average fair value of these awards at the date of grant:

	Performance Awards		Weighted Average Fair Value at Grant Date		Aggregate Intrinsic Value⁽¹⁾($000s)
Unvested balance December 31, 2016		162,630	$	21.13
Granted		91,995	$	33.75
Forfeited		—	$	—
Vested		—	$	—
Unvested balance, December 31, 2017		254,625	$	25.69	$	4,530

⁽¹⁾

During the year ended December 31, 2016, there were 101,660 PSUs granted with a weighted-average fair value of $20.71 per share. During the period from April 24, 2015 to December 31, 2015, there were 60,970 PSUs granted with a weighted-average fair value of $21.82 per share.

As of December 31, 2017, total unrecognized compensation expense related to PSUs was approximately $3.2 million, and the weighted-average vesting period was 1.3 years. The fair value of each PSU award is estimated at the date of grant using a Monte Carlo simulation. The simulation requires assumptions for expected volatility, risk-free return, and dividend yield. Our assumptions include a 0% dividend yield, which is the mathematical equivalent to reinvesting the dividends over the three-year performance period as is consistent with the terms of the PSUs. The following table summarizes the assumptions used to value the PSUs granted during the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016 and for the period from April 24, 2015 to December 31, 2015:

	Year Ended December 31,						Period from April 24 - December 31, 2015
	2017			2016
Expected term (years)		3.0			3.0			2.9
Expected volatility		33.6	%		48.8	%		26.6	%
Expected annual dividend		0.0	%		0.0	%		0.0	%
Risk free rate		1.5	%		0.9	%		0.9	%

For the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and for the period from April 24, 2015 to December 31, 2015, we recognized $7.7 million, $4.8 million and $1.9 million, respectively, of compensation expense related to restricted stock awards and performance-based awards, which is recorded in general and administrative expense on our Consolidated Statement of Income.

Related Party Transactions	12 Months Ended
Related Party Transactions	Dec. 31, 2017
Related Party Transactions [Abstract]
Related Party Transactions	Note 11. Related Party Transactions In connection with the Spin-Off, we issued approximately 149.8 million shares of our common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, to Windstream as partial consideration for the contribution of the Distribution Systems and the Consumer CLEC Business. Windstream Holdings distributed approximately 80.4% of the Uniti shares it received to existing stockholders of Windstream Holdings and retained a passive ownership interest of approximately 19.6% of the common stock of Uniti. As a result of this ownership Windstream was deemed to be a related party. On June 15, 2016, Windstream Holdings disposed of 14.7 million shares of our common stock, representing approximately half of its retained ownership interest. On June 24, 2016, Windstream Holdings disposed of its remaining 14.7 million shares of our common stock as part of a public offering. The Company did not receive any proceeds resulting from the disposition of these shares. Accordingly, Windstream is no longer deemed a related party under applicable accounting regulations. Our consolidated financial statements reflect the following transactions with Windstream during the periods in which Windstream was deemed a related party. Revenues – The Company records leasing revenue pursuant to the Master Lease. For the six months ended June 30, 2016, we recognized leasing revenues of $337.6 million related to the Master Lease. For the period from April 24, 2015 to December 31, 2015, we recognized leasing revenues of $458.6 million related to the Master Lease, which includes $0.8 million of TCI revenue recognized as a result of upgrades made by Windstream to the Distribution Systems. General and Administrative Expenses – We are party to a Transition Services Agreement (“TSA”) pursuant to which Windstream and its affiliates provide, on an interim basis, various services, including but not limited to information technology services, payment processing and collection services, financial and tax services, regulatory compliance and other support services. On April 1, 2016, the TSA ceased and we incurred $19,000 of related TSA expense for the three months ended March 31, 2016. For the period from April 24, 2015 to December 31, 2015, we incurred $0.1 million of expense under the TSA. CLEC Operating Expenses – We are party to a Wholesale Master Services Agreement (“Wholesale Agreement”) and a Master Services Agreement with Windstream related to the Consumer CLEC Business. Under the Wholesale Agreement, Windstream provides us transport services (local and long distance telecommunications service), provisioning services (directory assistance, directory listing, service activation and service changes), and repair services (routine and emergency network maintenance, network audits and network security). Under the Master Services Agreement, Windstream provides billing and collections services to Uniti. During the six months ended June 30, 2016, we incurred expenses of $6.6 million and $0.9 million related to the Wholesale Agreement and Master Services Agreement, respectively. During the period from April 24, 2015 to December 31, 2015 we incurred expenses of $10.1 million and $1.1 million related to the Wholesale Agreement and Master Services Agreement, respectively. Employee Matters Agreement – We are party to an Employee Matters Agreement (“Employee Matters Agreement”) with Windstream that governs the respective compensation and employee benefit obligations of the Company and Windstream in connection with and following the Spin-Off. Under the Employee Matters Agreement, if requested by a Windstream employee, the Company is required to withhold shares to satisfy the employee’s tax obligations arising from the recognition of income and the vesting of shares related to awards of Uniti restricted stock held by the employee that were granted in connection with the Spin-Off. In that case, the Company must pay to Windstream an amount of cash equal to the amount required to be withheld to satisfy minimum statutory tax withholding obligations or, at the request of Windstream, remit such cash directly to the applicable taxing authorities. During the six months ended June 30, 2016, we withheld 91,412 common shares to satisfy these minimum statutory tax-withholding obligations and delivered $1.9 million to Windstream for remittance to the applicable taxing authorities. Tower Purchase – In May, 2016, we completed the previously announced transaction with Windstream to acquire 32 wireless towers owned by Windstream and operating rights for 49 wireless towers previously conveyed to the Company in the Spin-Off for a purchase price of approximately $3 million. Lease Amendment – During the quarter ended March 31, 2016, we amended the Master Lease with Windstream (the “Master Lease Amendment”) to allow for the transfer of ownership rights or exchanges of indefeasible rights of use (an “IRU”) and other long term rights in certain fiber and associated assets constituting leased property under the Master Lease. We will enter into such transactions pursuant to certain fiber exchange agreements under which we will grant to a third party ownership rights in certain fiber assets or an IRU in certain fiber assets that constitute leased property under the Master Lease in exchange for Uniti receiving ownership rights in certain fiber assets or an IRU in certain fiber assets of the third party, which we will then lease to Windstream as leased property under the Master Lease. Under the terms of the Master Lease Amendment, Windstream is responsible for any taxes imposed on Uniti related to the sale, exchange or other disposition of the fiber assets delivered to a third party or the granting of rights to the leased property that arise from fiber exchange agreements. As of June 30, 2016, no such transactions had been consummated. The Master Lease Amendment also permits us to install, own and operate certain wireless communication towers, antennas and related equipment on designated portions of the leased property. Landlord Funded Capital Expense – Windstream Holdings requested, and we funded, $43.1 million of capital expenditures related to the Distribution Systems on December 29, 2015. Monthly rent paid by Windstream increased in accordance with the Master Lease effective as of the date we provided the funding, which equates to approximately $3.5 million of incremental rent per year.

Earnings Per Share

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2017

Earnings Per Share [Abstract]

Earnings Per Share

Note 12. Earnings Per Share

Our restricted stock awards are considered participating securities as they receive non-forfeitable rights to dividends at the same rate as common stock. As participating securities, we included these instruments in the computation of earnings per share under the two-class method described in FASB ASC 260, Earnings per Share.

We also issue PSUs; however these units contain forfeitable rights to receive dividends and are therefore considered non-participating restrictive shares and are not dilutive under the two-class method until performance conditions are met. During the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, approximately 76,000 and 220,000 PSUs, respectively, were excluded from the computation of diluted net loss per share because their effect is anti-dilutive as a result of our net loss for these periods. For the period from April 24, 2015 through December 31, 2015, approximately 61,000 PSUs were excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share as their performance conditions had not been met.

The earnings per share impact of the Series A Shares (See Note 18) is calculated using the net share settlement method, whereby the redemption value of the instrument is assumed to be settled in cash and only the conversion premium, if any, is assumed to be settled in shares. The Series A Shares provide Uniti the option to cash or share settle the instrument, and it is our policy to settle the instrument in cash upon conversion.

The Hunt merger agreement provides for the issuance of additional common shares upon the achievement of certain defined revenue milestones. See Note 4. The earnings per share impact of the Hunt Contingent Consideration is calculated under the method described in ASC 260 for the treatment of contingently issuable shares in weighted-average shares outstanding.

The following sets forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share under the two-class method:

	Year Ended December 31,						Period from
(Thousands, except per share data)	2017			2016			April 24 - December 31, 2015
Basic earnings per share:
Numerator:
Net (loss) income attributable to shareholders	$	(9,439	)	$	(212	)	$	24,870
Less: Income allocated to participating securities		(1,509	)		(1,557	)		(1,152	)
Dividends declared on convertible preferred stock		(2,624	)		(1,743	)		—
Amortization of discount on convertible preferred stock		(2,980	)		(1,985	)		—
Net (loss) income attributable to common shares	$	(16,552	)	$	(5,497	)	$	23,718
Denominator:
Basic weighted-average common shares outstanding		168,693			152,473			149,835
Basic (loss) earnings per common share	$	(0.10	)	$	(0.04	)	$	0.16


	Year Ended December 31,						Period from
(Thousands, except per share data)	2017			2016			April 24 - December 31, 2015
Diluted earnings per share:
Numerator:
Net (loss) income attributable to shareholders	$	(9,439	)	$	(212	)	$	24,870
Less: Income allocated to participating securities		(1,509	)		(1,557	)		(1,152	)
Dividends declared on convertible preferred stock		(2,624	)		(1,743	)		—
Amortization of discount on convertible preferred stock		(2,980	)		(1,985	)		—
Mark-to-market gain on share settled contingent consideration arrangments		(4,944	)		—			—
Net (loss) income attributable to common shares	$	(21,496	)	$	(5,497	)	$	23,718
Denominator:
Basic weighted-average common shares outstanding		168,693			152,473			149,835
Contingent consideration (See Note 5)		296			—			—
Effect of dilutive non-participating securities		—			—			—
Weighted-average shares for dilutive earnings per common share		168,989			152,473			149,835
Dilutive (loss) earnings per common share	$	(0.13	)	$	(0.04	)	$	0.16

Segment Information

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2017

Segment Reporting [Abstract]

Segment Information

Note 13. Segment Information

Our management, including our chief executive officer, who is our chief operating decision maker, manages our operations as four operating business segments in addition to our corporate operations and include:

Leasing: Represents our REIT operations and includes the results from our leasing programs, Uniti Leasing, which is engaged in the acquisition of mission-critical communications assets and leasing them back to anchor customers on either an exclusive or shared-tenant basis.

Fiber Infrastructure: Represents the operations of our fiber business, Uniti Fiber, which is a leading provider of infrastructure solutions, including cell site backhaul and dark fiber, to the telecommunications industry.

Towers: Represents the operations of our towers business, Uniti Towers, through which we acquire and construct tower and tower-related real estate in the United States and Latin America.

Consumer CLEC: Represents the operations of Talk America Services (“Talk America”) through which we operate the Consumer CLEC Business, that prior to the Spin-Off was reported as an integrated operation within Windstream. Talk America provides local telephone, high-speed internet and long distance services to customers in the eastern and central United States.

Corporate: Represents our corporate and back office functions. Certain costs and expenses, primarily related to headcount, insurance, professional fees and similar charges, that are directly attributable to operations of our business segments are allocated to the respective segments.

Management evaluates the performance of each segment using Adjusted EBITDA, which is a segment performance measure defined as net income determined in accordance with GAAP, before interest expense, provision for income taxes, depreciation and amortization, stock-based compensation expense, the impact, which may be recurring in nature, of transaction related expenses, the write off of unamortized deferred financing costs, costs incurred as a result of the early repayment of debt, changes in the fair value of contingent consideration and financial instruments, and other similar items. The Company believes that net income, as defined by GAAP, is the most appropriate earnings metric; however we believe that Adjusted EBITDA serves as a useful supplement to net income because it allows investors, analysts and management to evaluate the performance of our segments in a manner that is comparable period over period. Adjusted EBITDA should not be considered as an alternative to net income as determined in accordance with GAAP.

Selected financial data related to our segments is presented below for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016 and for the period from April 24, 2015 to December 31, 2015:

	Year Ended December 31, 2017
(Thousands)	Leasing			Fiber Infrastructure			Towers			Consumer CLEC			Corporate			Total of Reportable Segments
Revenues	$	685,099		$	202,791		$	10,055		$	18,087		$	-		$	916,032

Adjusted EBITDA	$	683,651		$	83,987		$	(831	)	$	4,556		$	(21,839	)	$	749,524
Adjusted EBITDA margin		99.8	%		41.4	%		(8.3	%)		25.2	%	-				81.8	%
Less:
Interest expense																	305,994
Depreciation and amortization		347,999			78,307			4,907			2,607			385			434,205
Other expense																	11,284
Transaction related costs																	38,005
Stock-based compensation																	7,713
Income tax benefit																	(38,849	)
Net loss																$	(8,828	)

Capital expenditures ⁽¹⁾	$	-		$	152,918		$	104,540		$	-		$	63		$	257,521

	Year Ended December 31, 2016
(Thousands)	Leasing			Fiber Infrastructure			Towers			Consumer CLEC			Corporate			Total of Reportable Segments
Revenues	$	676,868		$	70,568		$	500		$	22,472		$	-		$	770,408

Adjusted EBITDA	$	675,114		$	25,912		$	(1,123	)	$	5,074		$	(14,793	)	$	690,184
Adjusted EBITDA margin		99.7	%		36.7	%		(224.6	%)		22.6	%	-				89.6	%
Less:
Interest expense																	275,394
Depreciation and amortization		343,368			28,629			337			3,258			378			375,970
Other expense																	-
Transaction related costs																	33,669
Stock-based compensation																	4,846
Income tax expense																	517
Net loss																$	(212	)

Capital expenditures ⁽¹⁾	$	-		$	31,006		$	15,262		$	-		$	175		$	46,443

	Period from April 24, 2015 to December 31, 2015
(Thousands)	Leasing			Fiber Infrastructure		Towers		Consumer CLEC			Corporate			Total of Reportable Segments
Revenues	$	458,614		$	-	$	-	$	17,700		$	-		$	476,314

Adjusted EBITDA	$	457,704		$	-	$	-	$	3,957		$	(8,364	)	$	453,297
Adjusted EBITDA margin		99.8	%	-		-			22.4	%	-				95.2	%
Less:
Interest expense															181,797
Depreciation and amortization		235,967			-		-		2,571			210			238,748
Other expense															-
Transaction related costs															5,210
Stock-based compensation															1,934
Income tax expense															738
Net income															24,870

Capital expenditures ⁽¹⁾	$	43,077		$	-	$	-	$	-		$	1,336		$	44,413

(1)	Segment capital expenditures represents capital expenditures, the NMS asset acquisition and ground lease investments as reported in the investing activities section of the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows.

Total assets by business segment as of December 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 are as follows:

(Thousands)	December 31, 2017		December 31, 2016
Leasing	$	2,121,857	$	2,238,517
Fiber Infrastructure		2,009,175		914,082
Towers		157,180		18,004
Consumer CLEC		10,919		14,239
Corporate		30,951		133,910
Total of reportable segments	$	4,330,082	$	3,318,752

Our principal geographical regions consist of the United States and Latin America, which includes Mexico, Colombia and Nicaragua. Summarized geographical information related to the Company’s revenues for the years ended December 31 2017, 2016 and for the period from April 24, 2015 to December 31, 2015 is as follows:

	Year Ended December 31,				Period from
(Thousands)		2017		2016	April 24 - December 31, 2015
United States revenues	$	908,576	$	770,351	$	476,314
Latin America revenues		7,456		57		-
Total revenues	$	916,032	$	770,408	$	476,314

Summarized geographical information related to the Company’s long-lived assets as of December 31, 2017 and 2016 is as follows:

	December 31,
(Thousands)		2017		2016
United States long-lived assets	$	3,382,894	$	2,826,442
Latin America long-lived assets		98,352		2,179
Total long-lived assets	$	3,481,246	$	2,828,621

Commitments and Contingencies

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2017

Commitments And Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]

Commitments and Contingencies

Note 14. Commitments and Contingencies

In the ordinary course of our business, we are subject to claims and administrative proceedings, none of which we believe are material or would be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, cash flows or results of operations.

We have fiber lease agreements and office space lease agreements under non-cancelable operating leases. Rental expense under operating leases for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and for the period from April 24, 2015 to December 31, 2015 approximated $25.2 million, $10.9 million and $132,000, respectively. Future minimum payments, by year and in the aggregate, under non-cancellable operating leases with initial or remaining lease terms of one year or more, are as follows:

(Thousands)
2018	$	14,336
2019		10,007
2020		7,107
2021		4,411
2022		2,760
Thereafter		16,663
Total	$	55,284

Pursuant to the Separation and Distribution Agreement, Windstream has agreed to indemnify us (including our subsidiaries, directors, officers, employees and agents and certain other related parties) for any liability arising from or relating to legal proceedings involving Windstream's telecommunications business prior to the Spin-Off, and, pursuant to the Master Lease, Windstream has agreed to indemnify us for, among other things, any use, misuse, maintenance or repair by Windstream with respect to the Distribution Systems. Windstream is currently a party to various legal actions and administrative proceedings, including various claims arising in the ordinary course of its telecommunications business, which are subject to the indemnities provided by Windstream to us.

Under the terms of the Tax Matters Agreement entered into with Windstream, we are generally responsible for any taxes imposed on Windstream that arise from the failure of the Spin-Off and the debt exchanges to qualify as tax-free for U.S. federal income tax purposes, within the meaning of Section 355 and Section 368(a)(1)(D) of the Code, as applicable, to the extent such failure to qualify is attributable to certain actions, events or transactions relating to our stock, indebtedness, assets or business, or a breach of the relevant representations or any covenants made by us in the Tax Matters Agreement, the materials submitted to the IRS in connection with the request for the private letter ruling or the representations provided in connection with the tax opinion. We believe that the probability of us incurring obligations under the Tax Matters Agreement are remote; and therefore, have recorded no such liabilities in our consolidated balance sheet.

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2017

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss Net Of Tax [Abstract]

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income

Note 15. Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income

Changes in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) by component is as follows for the year ended December 31, 2017:

(Thousands)	2017			2016			2015
Cash flow hedge changes in fair value gain (loss):
Balance at begininng of period	$	(6,102	)	$	(5,427	)	$	—
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications		(7,735	)		(24,465	)		(21,682	)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income		20,630			23,790			16,255
Net other comprehensive income		6,793			(6,102	)		(5,427	)
Less: Other comprehensive (loss) income attributable to noncontrolling interest		442			—			—
Balance at end of period		6,351			(6,102	)		(5,427	)
Foreign currency translation gain (loss):
Balance at begininng of period		(267	)		—			—
Translation adjustments		1,660			(267	)		—
Net other comprehensive income		1,393			(267	)		—
Less: Other comprehensive (loss) income attributable to noncontrolling interest		(77	)		—			—
Balance at end of period		1,470			(267	)		-
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) at end of period	$	7,821		$	(6,369	)	$	(5,427	)

Income Taxes

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2017

Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]

Income Taxes

Note 16. Income Taxes

We have elected on our U.S. federal income tax return to be treated as a REIT and thus have no provision for U.S. federal income tax related to activities of the REIT and its passthrough subsidiaries. The REIT and certain of its subsidiaries are subject to certain state and local income taxes, franchise taxes, and gross receipts taxes. Our TRSs are subject to U.S. federal, state and local corporate income taxes.

Income tax expense (benefit) for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016 and for the period from April 24, 2015 to December 31, 2015 as reported in the accompanying Consolidated Statement of Income was comprised of the following:

	Year Ended December 31,						Period from
(Thousands)	2017			2016			April 24 - December 31, 2015
Current
Federal	$	1,456		$	1,596		$	1,208
State		866			1,107			741
Total current expense		2,322			2,703			1,949

Deferred
Federal		(36,956	)		(1,488	)		(770	)
State		(3,837	)		(698	)		(441	)
Foreign		(378	)		-			-
Total deferred expense		(41,171	)		(2,186	)		(1,211	)
Total income tax (benefit) expense	$	(38,849	)	$	517		$	738

An income tax expense reconciliation between the U.S. statutory tax rate and the effective tax rate is as follows:

	Year Ended December 31,						Period from
(Thousands)	2017			2016			April 24 - December 31, 2015
Income from continuing operations, before tax	$	(47,667	)	$	305		$	24,795
Income tax at U.S. statutory federal rate		(16,687	)		107			8,665
Increases (decreases) resulting from:
State taxes, net of federal benefit		(429	)		(224	)		266
Benefit of REIT status		8,836			(4,016	)		(8,193	)
Capitalized transaction costs		(4,820	)		(3,915	)		-
Change in valuation allowance		(8,176	)		8,176			-
Adjustment of deferred tax balances		(217	)		149			-
Permanent differences		60			52			-
Foreign taxes		(378	)		-			-
Rate differential		(17,038	)		188			-
Income tax (benefit) expense	$	(38,849	)	$	517		$	738

The effective tax rate on income from continuing operations differs from tax at the statutory rate primarily due to our status as a REIT, certain capitalized costs incurred to acquire assets that were transferred to a TRS, changes in valuation allowance related to deferred tax assets of a TRS, and the impact of corporate tax reform, discussed below.

The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (“Tax Bill”) was enacted on December 22, 2017. The Tax Bill reduces the U.S. federal corporate tax rate from 35% to 21%, requires companies to pay a one-time transition tax on earnings of certain foreign subsidiaries that were previously tax deferred and creates new taxes on certain foreign sourced earnings.

At December 31, 2017, we have not completed our accounting for the tax effects of enactment of the Tax Bill; however, in certain cases, as described below, we have made a reasonable estimate of the effects on our existing deferred tax balances and the one-time transition tax. In other cases, we have not been able to make a reasonable estimate and continue to account for those items based on our existing accounting under ASC 740, Income Taxes, and the provisions of the tax laws that were in effect immediately prior to enactment.

For the items for which we were able to determine a reasonable estimate, we recognized a non-cash provisional benefit in the amount of $17.0 million due to the revaluing of the Company’s deferred tax liabilities, which is included as a component of income tax expense from continuing operations. Given the current structure of the Company, it is anticipated that there will be limited to no impact related to the one-time transition tax on historic foreign earnings.

Future regulatory and rulemaking interpretations and decisions of the Tax Bill may impact the Company’s tax position. Therefore the estimated impact of provisions outside of the write-down of cumulative deferred tax liabilities remains uncertain. Corrective or supplemental legislation and its impact will be considered in the Company’s financial statements in the period ending September 30, 2018.

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the estimated future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases.

The components of the Company's deferred tax assets and liabilities are as follows:

(Thousands)	December 31, 2017			December 31, 2016
Deferred tax assets:
Deferred revenue	$	17,114		$	4,244
Accrued bonuses		101			520
Goodwill		-			1,886
Stock based compensation		506			179
Accrued expenses and other		2,023			802
Asset retirement obligation		1,341			790
Inventory reserve		248			401
Net operating loss carryforwards		36,229			39,916
Deferred tax assets		57,562			48,738
Valuation allowance		-			(8,176	)
Deferred tax assets, net of valuation allowance		57,562			40,562

Deferred tax liabilities:
Property, plant & equipment	$	(43,817	)	$	(20,923	)
Customer list intangible		(68,795	)		(47,721	)
Other intangible amortization		(291	)		(137	)
Other		(137	)		(175	)
Deferred tax liabilities	$	(113,040	)	$	(68,956	)

Deferred tax liability, net	$	(55,478	)	$	(28,394	)

As of December 31, 2016, the Company’s deferred tax assets were primarily the result of U.S. federal and state NOL carryforwards. A valuation allowance of $8.2 million was recorded against its gross deferred tax asset balance as of December 31, 2016. During 2017, the Company recorded a full-year valuation allowance release of $8.2 million on the basis of management’s reassessment of the amount of its deferred tax assets that are more likely than not to be realized.

As of each reporting date, the Company’s management considers new evidence, both positive and negative, that could impact management’s view with regard to future realization of deferred tax assets. Given the Company has significant deferred tax liabilities which are not limited by Sec. 269(a)(1) of the Code, management determined that sufficient positive evidence exists as of December 31, 2017, to conclude that it is more likely than not that additional deferred taxes of $8,176 are realizable, and therefore, removed the valuation allowance accordingly.

On August 31, 2016, we acquired 100% of the outstanding equity of Tower Cloud, Inc., which had federal NOL carryforwards of approximately $81.2 million at the date of the acquisition that will expire between 2026 and 2036. As a result of the change in ownership, the utilization of Tower Cloud, Inc. NOL carryforwards is subject to limitations imposed by the Code.

We have total federal NOL carryforwards as of December 31, 2017 of approximately $133.8 million which will expire between 2026 and 2037.

With the exception of Tower Cloud, Inc., our 2014 returns remain open to examination. As Tower Cloud, Inc. has NOLs available to carry forward, the applicable tax years will generally remain open to examination several years after the applicable loss carryforwards have been utilized or expire.

The Company or its subsidiaries file tax returns in the U.S. federal jurisdiction, various state and local jurisdictions, and certain foreign jurisdictions. A reconciliation of the Company’s beginning and ending liability for unrecognized tax benefits is as follows:

(Thousands)	2017
Balance at January 1	$	-
Additions related to acquisitions		3,036
Additions for tax positions for the current year		-
Additions for tax positions of prior years		-
Reductions for tax positions of prior years		-
Settlements		-
Balance at December 31	$	3,036

The Company’s entire liability for unrecognized tax benefit would affect the annual effective tax rate if recognized. The Company does not expect a significant change in the balance of unrecognized tax benefits within the next 12 months.

The Company recognizes accrued interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits as additional tax expense. The Company recorded no interest expense or penalties for the period ending December 31, 2017. The Company’s balance of accrued interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits as of December 31, 2017 was $2.3 million.

Supplemental Cash Flow Information

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2017

Supplemental Cash Flow Information [Abstract]

Supplemental Cash Flow Information

Note 17. Supplemental Cash Flow Information

Cash paid for interest expense and income taxes is as follows:

	Year Ended December 31,				Period from
(Thousands)	2017		2016		April 24 - December 31, 2015
Supplemental cash flow information:
Cash paid for interest	$	276,071	$	255,945	$	147,428
Cash paid for income taxes	$	4,388	$	3,003	$	1,284

Capital Stock	12 Months Ended
Capital Stock	Dec. 31, 2017
Equity [Abstract]
Capital Stock	Note 18. Capital Stock On April 25, 2017, we issued 19.5 million shares of our common stock, par value $0.0001 per share. The shares were sold at a public offering price of $26.50, generating proceeds of approximately $518 million, before underwriter discounts and transaction costs. The Company used the proceeds from this offering to fund a portion of the cash consideration paid in connection with the acquisitions of Southern Light and Hunt that closed on July 3, 2017. On August 31, 2016, we issued 1.9 million shares of our common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, as partial consideration for all outstanding equity interests of Tower Cloud. See Note 4. On June 24, 2016, in connection with Windstream’s disposition of its retained ownership interest in Uniti pursuant to the public offering (See Note 11), we issued 2.2 million additional shares of our common stock. The shares were sold at a public offering price of $26.01, resulting in proceeds to the Company of $54.8 million, net of underwriting discounts and commissions, which were used to repay existing borrowings under our Revolving Credit Facility. On May 2, 2016, we issued 1 million shares of our common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, as partial consideration for all outstanding equity interests of PEG Bandwidth. See Note 4. In addition, we issued 87,500 shares of the Company’s 3% Series A Convertible Preferred Stock, $0.0001 par value (“Series A Shares”), with a liquidation value of $87.5 million. The Series A Shares are non-voting and entitle the holders to receive cumulative dividends at the rate per annum of 3.0%, payable in cash. Holders of the Series A Shares have the option to convert at any time after three years, or are mandatorily convertible after eight years at a conversion rate of 28.5714 shares of common stock per Series A Share, subject to adjustment for certain dilutive events not to exceed a conversion rate of 50.5305 shares of common stock per Series A Share. The Series A Shares provide us the option to cash or share settle, and it is our policy to settle in cash upon conversion. Upon liquidation, each holder of the Series A Shares shall be entitled to receive the liquidation preference per share of $1,000 plus an amount equal to the accumulated and unpaid dividends on such shares. The Series A Shares were recorded at inception on the Consolidated Balance Sheet as mezzanine equity at fair value. We are authorized to issue up to 500,000,000 shares of voting common stock and 50,000,000 shares of preferred stock, of which 174,851,514 and 0 shares, respectively, were outstanding at December 31, 2017. We had 325,148,486 shares of voting common stock available for issuance at December 31, 2017.

Dividends (Distributions)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2017

Payments Of Dividends [Abstract]

Dividends (Distributions)

Note 19. Dividends (Distributions)

Distributions with respect to our common stock is characterized for federal income tax purposes as taxable ordinary dividends, capital gains dividends, non-dividend distribution or a combination thereof. For the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016 and for the period from April 24, 2015 to December 31, 2015 our common stock distribution per share was $2.40, $2.40 and $1.04, respectively, characterized as follows:

	Year Ended December 31,				Period from
	2017		2016		April 24 - December 31, 2015
Ordinary dividends	$	1.22	$	1.31	$	0.87
Non-dividend distributions		1.18		1.09		0.17
Total	$	2.40	$	2.40	$	1.04

Future Minimum Rents

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2017

Leases Operating [Abstract]

Future Minimum Rents

Note 20. Future Minimum Rents

Future minimum lease payments to be received, excluding operating expense reimbursements, from tenant under non-cancelable operating leases as of December 31, 2017, are as follows:

(Thousands)
2017	$	661,859
2018		666,703
2019		669,838
2020		672,998
2021		675,904
Thereafter		5,109,341
Total	$	8,456,643

Employee Benefit Plan	12 Months Ended
Employee Benefit Plan	Dec. 31, 2017
Compensation And Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]
Employee Benefit Plan	Note 21. Employee Benefit Plan We sponsor a defined contribution plan under section 401(k) of the Internal Revenue Code, which covers employees who are 21 years of age and over. Under this plan, we match voluntary employee contributions at a rate of 100% for the first 3% of an employee’s annual compensation and at a rate of 50% for the next 2% of an employee’s annual compensation. Employees vest in our contribution immediately. Our expense related to the plan recognized for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and for the period April 24, 2015 to December 31, 2015 was $0.8 million, $0.4 million and $0.1 million, respectively. We sponsor a deferred compensation plan. The plan is established and maintained by the Company primarily to permit certain management or highly compensated employees of the Company and its subsidiaries, within the meaning of Section 301(a) of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (“ERISA”), to defer a percentage of their compensation. The plan is an unfunded deferred compensation plan intended to qualify for the exemptions provided in, and shall be administered in a manner consistent with Section 201, 301 and 401 of ERISA and Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

Subsequent Events	12 Months Ended
Subsequent Events	Dec. 31, 2017
Subsequent Events [Abstract]
Subsequent Events	Note 22. Subsequent Events On March 1, 2018, we announced that Uniti has entered into agreements to acquire and lease-back fiber assets from privately-held U.S. TelePacific holding Corp. (“TPx”) for aggregate consideration of $95 million in cash. In the transactions, Uniti will acquire and leaseback to TPx, on a triple-net basis, 38,000 fiber strand miles located across California, Nevada, Texas, and Massachusetts. In addition, Uniti will acquire and have exclusive use of 7,000 fiber strand miles located in Texas, which are adjacent to Uniti Fiber’s southern network footprint. Uniti will also have non-exclusive rights to market, on behalf of TPx, certain of the fiber assets in California and Massachusetts. The transactions are subject to customary closing conditions and are expected to close in two tranches, with the non-California assets expected to close in the second quarter of 2018 and the remaining California assets to close in the third quarter of 2018. The initial lease term will be 15 years with five 5-year renewal options at TPx’s discretion. Upon the closing of both transactions, annual cash rent will initially be $8.8 million with a fixed annual escalator of 1.5%.

Supplemental Guarantor Information	12 Months Ended
Supplemental Guarantor Information	Dec. 31, 2017
Condensed Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]
Supplemental Guarantor Information	Note 23. Supplemental Guarantor Information Pursuant to SEC Regulation S-X Rule 3-10 “Financial statements of guarantors and issuers of guaranteed securities registered or being registered,” the Company historically has provided condensed consolidating financial information for CSL Capital and the Guarantors because the 2023 Notes and the guarantees thereof were previously registered with the SEC under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. Effective as of May 9, 2017 (the effective date of the previously announced up-REIT Reorganization (see Note 9)), the 2023 Notes ceased to be an obligation of the Company, and the Company was no longer required to provide supplemental guarantor information related to the 2023 Notes.

Quarterly Results of Operations (unaudited)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2017

Selected Quarterly Financial Information [Abstract]

Quarterly Results of Operations (unaudited)

Note 24. Quarterly Results of Operations (unaudited)

Selected quarterly information for each of the four quarters in the year ended December 31, 2017:

	2017
	First			Second			Third			Fourth
(Thousands, except per share data)	Quarter			Quarter			Quarter			Quarter
Total revenues	$	211,473		$	213,013		$	245,210		$	246,336
Loss before income taxes		(20,379	)		(16,385	)		(3,837	)		(7,076	)
Net (loss) income		(20,000	)		(16,460	)		4,835			22,797
Net (loss) income attributable to common shareholders		(21,788	)		(18,242	)		2,939			20,539
											-
Basic (loss) earnings per common share	$	(0.14	)	$	(0.11	)	$	0.02		$	0.12
Diluted (loss) earnings per common share	$	(0.14	)	$	(0.11	)	$	(0.02	)	$	0.12
Dividends declared per common share	$	0.60		$	0.60		$	0.60		$	0.60

Selected quarterly information for each of the four quarters in the year ended December 31, 2016:

	2016
	First		Second			Third			Fourth
(Thousands, except per share data)	Quarter		Quarter			Quarter			Quarter
Total revenues	$	174,675	$	188,573		$	200,240		$	206,920
Income (loss) before income taxes		8,480		(1,208	)		(2,215	)		(4,752	)
Net income (loss)		8,036		(1,535	)		(2,343	)		(4,370	)
Net income (loss) attributable to common shareholders		7,681		(2,871	)		(4,144	)		(6,163	)

Basic earnings (loss) per common share	$	0.05	$	(0.02	)	$	(0.03	)	$	(0.04	)
Diluted earnings (loss) per common share	$	0.05	$	(0.02	)	$	(0.03	)	$	(0.04	)
Dividends declared per common share	$	0.60	$	0.60		$	0.60		$	0.60

Description of Business	12 Months Ended
Description of Business	Dec. 31, 2017
Consumer CLEC Business
Description of Business	Note 1. Description of Business Uniti Group Inc. (the “Company,” “Uniti,” “we,” “us” or “our”), formerly known as Communications Sales and Leasing, Inc., was incorporated in the state of Delaware in February 2014 and reorganized in the state of Maryland on September 4, 2014. On April 24, 2015, in connection with the separation and spin-off of Uniti from Windstream Holdings, Inc. (“Windstream Holdings” and together with its consolidated subsidiaries “Windstream”), Windstream contributed certain telecommunications network assets, including fiber and copper networks and other real estate (the “Distribution Systems”) and a small consumer competitive local exchange carrier (“CLEC”) business (the “Consumer CLEC Business”) to Uniti in exchange for cash, shares of common stock of Uniti and certain indebtedness of Uniti (the “Spin-Off”). The Consumer CLEC Business, which historically has been reported as an integrated operation within Windstream, offers voice, broadband, long-distance, and value-added services to residential customers located primarily in rural locations. Substantially all of the network assets used to provide these services to customers are contracted through interconnection agreements with other telecommunications carriers. Prior to the Spin-Off, Windstream ceased accepting new residential customers in the service areas covered by the Consumer CLEC Business.

Allocations	12 Months Ended
Allocations	Dec. 31, 2017
Consumer CLEC Business
Allocations [Line Items]
Allocations	Note 4. Allocations As described in Note 2, the accompanying Statement of Revenues and Direct Expenses of the Consumer CLEC Business includes all direct costs incurred in connection with the operation of the Consumer CLEC Business for which specific identification was practicable. In addition, certain costs incurred by Windstream to operate the Consumer CLEC Business for which specific identification was not practicable have been allocated based on revenues and sales. These allocated expenses are included in “Cost of revenues” and “Selling, general and administrative.” General and administrative costs incurred by Windstream not directly related to the Consumer CLEC Business have not been allocated to these operations. Costs not allocated include amounts related to executive management, accounting, treasury and cash management, data processing, legal, human resources and certain occupancy costs.

Schedule I - Condensed Financial Information of The Registrant (Parent Company)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2017

Condensed Financial Information Of Parent Company Only Disclosure [Abstract]

Schedule I - Condensed Financial Information of The Registrant (Parent Company)

Uniti Group Inc.

Schedule I – Condensed Financial Information of

The Registrant (Parent Company)

Condensed Balance Sheets

(Thousands, except par value)	December 31, 2017			December 31, 2016
Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	2,188		$	131,145
Accounts receivable, net		—			(3	)
Other assets		(9	)		1,066
Investment in consolidated subsidiaries		(1,120,120	)		2,801,234
Total Assets	$	(1,117,941	)	$	2,933,442

Liabilities:
Accrued interest payable	$	—		$	27,812
Derivative liability		—			6,102
Dividends payable		107,078			94,607
Contingent consideration		—			98,600
Notes and other debt, net		—			4,028,214
Total liabilities		107,078			4,255,335

Convertible Preferred Stock, Series A, $0.0001 par value, 88 shares authorized, issued and outstanding, $87,500 liquidation value		83,530			80,552

Shareholders' Deficit:
Preferred stock, $0.0001 par value, 50,000 shares authorized, no shares issued and outstanding		—			—
Common stock, $0.0001 par value, 500,000 shares authorized, issued and outstanding: 174,852 shares at December 31, 2017 and 155,139 at December 31, 2016		17			15
Additional paid-in capital		644,328			141,092
Accumulated other comprehensive income		7,821			(6,369	)
Distributions in excess of accumulated earnings		(1,960,715	)		(1,537,183	)
Total Uniti shareholders' deficit		(1,308,549	)		(1,402,445	)
Total Liabilities, Convertible Preferred Stock, and Shareholders' Deficit	$	(1,117,941	)	$	2,933,442

See notes to Consolidated Financial Statements of Uniti Group Inc. included in Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.

Uniti Group Inc.

Schedule I – Condensed Financial Information of

The Registrant (Parent Company)

Condensed Statements of Comprehensive Income

	Year Ended December 31,						Period from
(Thousands)	2017			2016			April 24 - December 31, 2015
Costs and Expenses:
Interest expense	$	119,702		$	267,959		$	181,797
General and administrative expense		40			4,829			1,934
Transaction related costs		—			3,945			—
Other expense		9,253			—			—
Total costs and expenses		128,995			276,733			183,731
Operating loss		(128,995	)		(276,733	)		(183,731	)
Earnings from consolidated subsidiaries		119,556			276,521			208,601
(Loss) income before income taxes		(9,439	)		(212	)		24,870
Net (loss) income		(9,439	)		(212	)		24,870
Comprehensive (loss) income	$	4,751		$	(1,154	)	$	19,443

See notes to Consolidated Financial Statements of Uniti Group Inc. included in Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.

Uniti Group Inc.

Schedule I – Condensed Financial Information of

The Registrant (Parent Company)

Condensed Statements of Cash Flows

	Year Ended December 31,						Period from
(Thousands)	2017			2016			April 24 - December 31, 2015
Cash flow from operating activities
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities	$	(602,530	)	$	(59,076	)	$	106,332

Cash flow from investing activities
Consideration paid to Windstream Services		—			—			(1,035,029	)
Net cash used in investing activities		—			—			(1,035,029	)

Cash flow from financing activities
Principal payment on debt		(5,270	)		(22,027	)		(10,700	)
Dividends paid		(400,210	)		(367,830	)		(156,854	)
Proceeds from issuance of Term Loans		—			—			1,127,000
Proceeds from issuance of Notes		201,000			548,875			—
Borrowings under revolving credit facility		350,000			641,000			—
Payments under revolving credit facility		(125,000	)		(641,000	)		—
Payments of contingent consideration		(18,791	)		—			—
Purchase of noncontrolling interests		(560	)		—			—
Deferred financing costs		(24,686	)		(20,557	)		(30,057	)
Common stock issuance, net of costs		498,926			54,213			(543	)
Net share settlement		(1,836	)		(2,359	)		(113	)
Intercompany transactions, net		—			(111	)		-
Cash in-lieu of fractional shares		—			—			(19	)
Net cash provided by investing activities		473,573			190,204			928,714
Effect of exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents		—			—			—
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents		(128,957	)		131,128			17
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period		131,145			17			—
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$	2,188		$	131,145		$	17

See notes to Consolidated Financial Statements of Uniti Group Inc. included in Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.

Uniti Group Inc.

Schedule I – Condensed Financial Information of

The Registrant (Parent Company)

Notes to Condensed Financial Statements

Note 1. Background and Basis of Presentation

Uniti Group Inc.’s parent company financial information has been derived from its consolidated financial statements and should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes of Uniti and its subsidiaries included in Item 8 Financial Statements and Supplementary Data in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Note 2. Subsidiary Transactions

Investment in Subsidiaries

On May 9, 2017, the parent company completed its previously announced reorganization (the “up-REIT Reorganization”) to operate through a customary “up-REIT” structure, pursuant to which we hold substantially all of our assets through a partnership, Uniti Group LP, a Delaware limited partnership (the “Operating Partnership”), that we control as general partner, with the only significant difference between the financial position and results of operations of the Operating Partnership and its subsidiaries compared to the consolidated financial position and consolidated results of operations of Uniti is that the results for the Operating Partnership and its subsidiaries do not include Uniti’s Consumer CLEC segment, which consists of Talk America Services. Under this structure, the Operating Partnership now holds substantially all of Uniti Group Inc.’s assets, liabilities and results of operations. In connection with the up-REIT Reorganization, the Operating Partnership replaced Uniti Group Inc. and assumed its obligations as an obligor under Uniti Group Inc.’s notes and debt facilities.

Dividends

Cash dividends received from subsidiaries and recorded in Cash Flow from Operating Activities in the Condensed Statement of Cash Flows were $104.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2017. No cash dividends were received for the year ended December 31, 2016 and for the period April 24, 2015 through December 31, 2015.

- Definition

The entire disclosure for condensed financial information, including the financial position, cash flows, and the results of operations of the registrant (parent company) as of the same dates or for the same periods for which audited consolidated financial statements are being presented. Alternatively, the details of this disclosure can be reported by the specific parent company taxonomy elements, indicating the appropriate date and period contexts in an instance document.

+ References + Details

Schedule II - Valuation and Qualifying Account

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2017

Valuation And Qualifying Accounts [Abstract]

Schedule II - Valuation and Qualifying Account

Uniti Group Inc.

Schedule II – Valuation and Qualifying Accounts

(dollars in thousands)

Column A	Column B		Column C					Column D			Column E
			Additions
Description	Balance at Beginning of Period		Charged to Cost and Expenses			Charged to Other Accounts		Deductions			Balance at End of Period
Valuation allowance for deferred tax assets:
Year Ended December 31, 2017	$	8,176	$	-		$	-	$	(8,176	)	$	-
Year Ended December 31, 2016	$	-	$	-		$	8,176	$	-		$	8,176
Period from April 24 - December 31, 2015	$	-	$	-		$	-	$	-		$	-
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts
Year Ended December 31, 2017	$	1,352	$	(86	)	$	45	$	(300	)	$	1,011
Year Ended December 31, 2016	$	-	$	1,352		$	-	$	-		$	1,352
Period from April 24 - December 31, 2015	$	-	$	-		$	-	$	-		$	-

Schedule III - Real Estate Investments and Accumulated Depreciation

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2017

Real Estate And Accumulated Depreciation Disclosure [Abstract]

Schedule III - Real Estate Investments and Accumulated Depreciation

Uniti Group Inc.

Schedule III – Real Estate Investments and Accumulated Depreciation

As of December 31, 2017

(dollars in thousands)

Col. A	Col. B		Col. C	Col. D		Col. E		Col. F			Col. G	Col. H	Col. I

				Cost capitalized subsequent to acquisition^{(1) (3)}									Life on which Depreciation in Latest Income
Description	Encumbrances		Initial cost to company⁽¹⁾	Improvements	Carry Costs	Gross Amount Carried at Close of Period⁽⁵⁾		Accumulated Depreciation			Date of Construction⁽²⁾	Date Acquired⁽²⁾	Statements is Computed
Land	$	—	(1)	(1)	(1)	$	28,269	$	—		(2)	(2)	Indefinite
Building and improvements		—	(1)	(1)	(1)		323,939		(156,620	)	(2)	(2)	3 - 40 years
Poles		—	(1)	(1)	(1)		243,710		(179,514	)	(2)	(2)	30 years
Fiber		—	(1)	(1)	(1)		2,153,942		(946,564	)	(2)	(2)	30 years
Equipment		—	(1)	(1)	(1)		889		(36	)	(2)	(2)	5 -7 years
Copper		—	(1)	(1)	(1)		3,656,384		(3,055,096	)	(2)	(2)	20 years
Conduit		—	(1)	(1)	(1)		90,235		(57,205	)	(2)	(2)	30 years
Towers		—	(1)	(1)	(1)		55,150		(2,921	)	(2)	(2)	20 years
Real property interest		—	(1)	(1)	(1)		34,580		(495	)	(2)	(2)	See Note 3
Other assets		—	(1)	(1)	(1)		8,334		(1,338	)	(2)	(2)	15 - 20 years
Construction in progress		—	(1)	(1)	(1)		8,048		—		(2)	(2)	See Note 3

⁽¹⁾Given the voluminous nature and variety of our real estate investment assets, this schedule omits columns C and D from the schedule III presentation.

⁽²⁾Because additions and improvements to our real estate investment assets are ongoing, construction and acquisition dates are not applicable.

⁽³⁾For the year ended December 31, 2017, the amount of capitalized costs related to the Distribution Systems is as follows (millions):


	Tenant capital improvements⁽⁴⁾		$	228.0

⁽⁴⁾ Tenant capital improvements represent, maintenance, repair, overbuild, upgrade or replacements to the leased network, including, without limitation, the replacement of copper distribution systems with fiber distribution systems. We receive non-monetary consideration related to the TCIs as they automatically become our property, and we recognize the cost basis of TCIs that are capital in nature.

⁽⁵⁾ Aggregate cost for Federal income tax purposes related to our real estate investment assets is $6.3 billion.

Uniti Group Inc.

Schedule III – Real Estate Investments and Accumulated Depreciation

As of December 31, 2017

(dollars in thousands)

	2017		2016
Gross amount at beginning	$	6,256,248	$	6,093,541
Additions during period:
Tenant capital improvements		227,969		156,972
Acquisitions		80,132		15,848
Other		45,552		-
Total additions		353,653		172,820

Deductions during period:
Cost of real estate sold or disposed		6,421		10,113
Other		-		-
Total deductions		6,421		10,113

Balance at end	$	6,603,480	$	6,256,248

	2017			2016
Gross amount of accumulated depreciation at beginning	$	4,054,748		$	3,720,890
Additions during period:
Depreciation		351,332			343,971
Other		(45	)		-
Total additions		351,287			343,971

Deductions during period:
Amount of accumulated depreciation for assets sold or disposed		6,246			-
Other		-			10,113
Total deductions		6,246			10,113

Balance at end	$	4,399,789		$	4,054,748

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	12 Months Ended
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	Dec. 31, 2017
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Use of Estimates	Use of Estimates—The preparation of financial statements, in accordance with GAAP, requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. The estimates and assumptions used in the accompanying financial statements are based upon management’s evaluation of the relevant facts and circumstances as of the date of the financial statements. Actual results may differ from the estimates and assumptions used in preparing the accompanying financial statements, and such differences could be material.
Property, Plant and Equipment	Property, Plant and Equipment—Property, plant and equipment is stated at original cost, net of accumulated depreciation. The Company capitalizes costs incurred in bringing property, plant and equipment to an operational state, including all activities directly associated with the acquisition, construction, and installation of the related assets it owns. The Company capitalizes a portion of the interest costs it incurs for assets that require a period of time to get them ready for their intended use. The amount of interest that is capitalized is based on the average accumulated expenditures made during the period involved in bringing the assets comprising a network to an operational state at the Company’s weighted average interest rate during the respective accounting period. The Company also enters into leasing arrangements providing for the long‑term use of constructed fiber that is then integrated into the Company’s network infrastructure. For each lease that qualifies as a capital lease, the present value of the lease payments, which may include both periodic lease payments over the term of the lease as well as upfront payments to the lessor, is capitalized at the inception of the lease and included in property and equipment. As of December 31, 2017 and 2016, the accumulated amortization of our capital lease assets was $10.1 million and $3.2 million, respectively. Certain property, plant and equipment acquired as part of our spin-off from Windstream Holdings, Inc (“Windstream Holdings” and together with its consolidated subsidiaries “Windstream”) is depreciated using a group composite depreciation method. Under this method, when property is retired, the original cost, net of salvage value, is charged against accumulated depreciation and no immediate gain or loss is recognized on the disposition of the property. For all other property, which includes amortization of capital lease assets, depreciation is computed using the straight-line method over the estimated useful life of the respective property. When the property is retired or otherwise disposed of, the related cost and accumulated depreciation are written-off, with the corresponding gain or loss reflected in operating results. Construction in progress includes direct materials and labor related to fixed assets during the construction period. Depreciation will begin once the construction period has ceased and the related asset has been placed into service, in which it will be depreciated over its useful life. Costs of maintenance and repairs to property, plant and equipment subject triple-net leasing arrangements are the responsibility of our tenant. Costs of maintenance and repairs to property, plant and equipment not subject to triple-net leasing arrangements are expensed as incurred. We acquire real property interests from third parties who own land where communications infrastructure assets are located and desire to monetize the underlying real property. These real property interests entitle us to receive rental payments from leases on our sites. The financial results of the acquired real property interests are included in the Leasing segment from the date of acquisition and were not material, individually or in the aggregate, to our results of operations. Real property interests are recorded in property, plant and equipment on our Consolidated Balance Sheet.
Tenant Capital Improvements	Tenant Capital Improvements—Our lease with Windstream provides that tenant funded capital improvements (“TCIs”), defined as maintenance, repair, overbuild, upgrade or replacements to the leased network, including, without limitation, the replacement of copper distribution systems with fiber distribution systems, automatically become property of Uniti upon their construction by Windstream. We receive non-monetary consideration related to the TCIs as they automatically become our property, and we recognize the cost basis of TCIs that are capital in nature as real estate investments and deferred revenue. We depreciate the real estate investments over their estimated useful lives and amortize the deferred revenue as additional leasing revenues over the same depreciable life of the TCI assets. At December 31, 2017 and 2016, the net book value of TCIs recorded as a component of property, plant and equipment on our Consolidated Balance Sheet was $432.4 million and $218.7 million, respectively. For the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, we recognized $14.3 million and $6.1 million of revenue and depreciation expense related to TCIs, respectively. From the period April 24, 2015 to December 31, 2015 we recognized $0.8 million of revenue and depreciation expense related to TCIs.
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets	Impairment of Long-Lived Assets—We review long-lived assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the asset group may not be recoverable from future undiscounted net cash flows we expect the asset group to generate. If the asset group is not fully recoverable, an impairment loss would be recognized for the difference between the carrying value of the asset group and its estimated fair value based on discounted net future cash flows. During the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and from the period April 24, 2015 to December 31, 2015, there were no events or changes in circumstances indicating that the carrying amount of any of our assets groups to not be recoverable from future undiscounted net cash flows we expect the asset groups to generate, and no impairment losses were recognized.
Asset Retirement Obligations	Asset Retirement Obligations—The Company records obligations to perform asset retirement activities, primarily including requirements to remove equipment from leased space or customer sites as required under the terms of the related lease and customer agreements. The fair value of the liability for asset retirement obligations, which represents the net present value of the estimated expected future cash outlay, is recognized in the period in which it is incurred and the fair value of the liability can reasonably be estimated. The liability accretes as a result of the passage of time and related accretion expense is recognized in the Consolidated Statements of Income. The associated asset retirement costs are capitalized as an additional carrying amount of the related long‑lived asset and depreciated on a straight-line basis over the asset’s useful life. As of December 31, 2017 and 2016, our aggregate carrying amount of asset retirement obligations totaled $9.4 million and $4.2 million, respectively. During the year ended December 31, 2017, we incurred liabilities of $4.4 million and recognized $0.8 million of accretion expense related to asset retirement obligations.
Cash and Cash Equivalents	Cash and Cash Equivalents—Cash and cash equivalents include all non-restricted cash held at financial institutions and other non-restricted highly liquid short-term investments with original maturities of three months or less.
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities	Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities—We account for our derivatives in accordance with FASB ASC 815, Derivatives and Hedging, in which we reflect all derivative instruments at fair value as either assets or liabilities on our Consolidated Balance Sheet. For derivative instruments that are designated and qualify as hedging instruments, we record the effective portion of the gain or loss on the hedged instruments as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income or loss. Any ineffective portion of a derivative’s change in fair value is immediately recognized within net income. For derivatives that do not meet the criteria for hedge accounting, changes in fair value are immediately recognized within net income. See Note 5 and Note 7.
Customer List Intangible Assets	Intangible Assets—Intangible assets are presented in the financial statements at cost less accumulated amortization and are amortized using the straight-line method over their estimated useful lives with the exception of the customer list intangible assets related to our Consumer CLEC Business, which were brought over at carry-over basis at the time of the Company’s spin-off from Windstream in 2015, and are amortized using the sum-of-the-years’-digits method over their estimated useful lives.
Foreign Currency Translation	Foreign Currency Translation—The financial statements of our international subsidiaries whose functional currency is the local currency, and includes the Mexican Peso and Colombian Peso, are translated into U.S. dollars using the exchange rate at the balance sheet date for assets and liabilities and the weighted average exchange rate for the applicable period for revenues, expenses, gains and losses. Translation adjustments are recorded as a separate component of comprehensive income in stockholders’ equity.
Reclassifications	Reclassifications—Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform with current year presentation. During 2017, we managed and reported our operations in four reportable business segments: Leasing, Fiber Infrastructure, Towers and Consumer CLEC. Prior year information, including revenues on the Consolidated Statement of Income, has been recast to conform to the current year presentation.
Transaction Related Costs	Transaction Related Costs—The Company expenses transaction related costs in the period in which they are incurred and services are received. Transaction related costs include incremental acquisition pursuit, transaction and integration costs, including unsuccessful acquisition pursuit costs. Pursuit and transaction costs include professional services (legal, accounting, advisory, regulatory, etc.), finder’s fees, travel expenses, and other direct expenses associated with an acquisition. Integration costs include direct costs necessary to integrate an acquired business, including professional services, systems and data conversion, severance and retention bonuses payable to employees of an acquired business.
Debt Issuance Costs	Debt Issuance Costs—The Company recognizes debt issuance costs related to a recognized debt liability as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of the debt liability, consistent with debt discounts. The costs, which include underwriting, legal, and other direct costs related to the issuance of debt, are amortized over the contractual term of the debt using the effective interest method.
Revenue Recognition	Revenue Recognition—We recognize leasing revenues on a straight-line basis over the applicable lease term when collectability is reasonably assured. Recognizing leasing income on a straight-line basis generally results in recognized revenues during the first half of the lease term in excess of cash amounts contractually due from our tenants, creating a straight-line rent receivable. We evaluate the collectability of straight-line rent receivables and record a provision for doubtful accounts if management believes the receivables to be uncollectible. At December 31, 2017 and 2016, no allowance was recorded related to our straight-line rent receivable. We lease certain assets to Windstream under a triple-net lease, whereby Windstream is responsible for the costs related to operating the Distribution Systems, including property taxes, insurance and maintenance and repair costs. As a result, we do not record an obligation related to the payment of property taxes or insurance, as Windstream makes direct payments to the taxing authorities and insurance carriers, respectively. The Company recognizes service revenues related to its broadband transport and backhaul communications services when (i) persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, (ii) the services have been provided to the customer, (iii) the sales price is fixed or determinable, and (iv) the collection of the sales price is reasonably assured. Services provided to the Company’s customers are rendered pursuant to contractual fee‑based arrangements, which generally provide for recurring fees charged for the use of designated portions of the Company’s network and typically range for a period of three to ten years. The Company’s revenue arrangements often include upfront fees charged to the customer for the cost of establishing the necessary components of the Company’s network prior to the commencement of use by the customer. Fees charged to customers for the recurring use of the Company’s network are recognized during the related periods of service. Upfront fees that are billed in advance of providing services are deferred until such time the customer accepts the Company’s network and then are recognized as service revenues ratably over a period in which substantive services required under the revenue arrangement are expected to be performed, which is the initial term of the arrangement. We evaluate the collectability of service receivables by considering a variety of factors. The Company typically does not require collateral. When the Company becomes aware of a specific customer’s inability to meet its financial obligations, the Company records a specific reserve for bad debt to reduce the related accounts receivable to the amount the Company reasonably believes is collectible. When appropriate, the Company also records reserves for bad debts for all other customers based on a variety of factors including the length of time the receivable is past due, the financial health of the customer, macroeconomic considerations and historical experience. If circumstances related to specific customers change, the Company adjusts its estimates of the recoverability of receivables as needed. At December 31, 2017 and 2016, the allowance recorded for service receivables was $1.0 million and $1.4 million, respectively. Consumer CLEC Business revenues are primarily derived from providing access to or usage of leased networks and facilities, and are recognized over the period that the corresponding services are rendered to customers. Revenues derived from other telecommunications services, including broadband, long distance and enhanced service revenues are recognized monthly as services are provided. Sales of customer premise equipment and modems are recognized when products are delivered to and accepted by customers.
Stock-Based Compensation	Stock-Based Compensation—We account for stock-based compensation using the fair value method of accounting. We have determined that our stock-based payment awards granted in exchange for employee services qualify as equity classified awards, which are measured based on the fair value of the award on the date of the grant. The fair value of restricted stock-based payments is based on the market value of our common stock on the date of grant. The fair value of performance-based awards, which have performance conditions, is based on a Monte Carlo simulation. The fair value of all stock-based compensation is recognized over the period during which an employee is required to provide services in exchange for the award. See Note 10.
Income Taxes	Income Taxes—We have elected on our U.S. federal income tax return to be treated as a REIT under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”). To qualify as a REIT, we must distribute at least 90% of our annual REIT taxable income to shareholders, and meet certain organizational and operational requirements, including asset holding requirements. As a REIT, we will generally not be subject to U.S. federal income tax on income that we distribute as dividends to our shareholders. If we fail to qualify as a REIT in any taxable year, we will be subject to U.S. federal income tax, including any applicable alternative minimum tax for open taxable years through 2017, on our taxable income at regular corporate income tax rates, and we could not deduct dividends paid to our shareholders in computing taxable income. Any resulting corporate liability could be substantial and could materially and adversely affect our net income and net cash available for distribution to shareholders. Unless we were entitled to relief under certain Code provisions, we also would be disqualified from reelecting to be taxed as a REIT for the four taxable years following the year in which we failed to qualify as a REIT. We intend to make regular quarterly dividend payments of all or substantially all of our annual REIT taxable income to holders of our common stock, and therefore no provision is required in the accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements for U.S. federal income taxes related to the activities of the REIT and its passthrough subsidiaries. We are subject to the statutory requirements of the locations in which we conduct business, and state and local income taxes are accrued as deemed required in the best judgment of management based on analysis and interpretation of respective tax laws. We have elected to treat the subsidiaries through which we operate Uniti Fiber and Talk America as taxable REIT subsidiaries (“TRSs”). TRSs enable us to engage in activities that result in income that does not constitute qualifying income for a REIT. Our TRSs are subject to U.S. federal, state and local corporate income taxes. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized under the asset and liability method for the estimated future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. Deferred tax balances are adjusted to reflect tax rates based on currently enacted tax laws, which will be in effect in the years in which the temporary differences are expected to reverse. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in the results of operations in the period of the enactment date. A valuation allowance is recorded to reduce the carrying amounts of deferred tax assets unless it is more likely than not that such assets will be realized. We recognize the benefit of tax positions that are "more likely than not" to be sustained upon examination based on their technical merit. The benefit of a tax position is measured at the largest amount that has a greater than 50 percent likelihood of being realized upon ultimate settlement. If applicable, we will report tax-related penalties and interest expense as a component of income tax expense. We currently have a liability for unrecognized tax benefits of $5.3 million. The Company will be subject to a federal corporate level tax (currently 35%, 21% beginning 2018 and beyond) on any gain recognized from the sale of assets occurring within a five year recognition period after the Spin-Off up to the amount of the built in gain that existed on April 24, 2015, which is based on the fair market value of the assets in excess of the Company’s tax basis as of such date.
Business Combinations	Business Combinations—In accordance with ASC 805, Business Combinations, we apply the acquisition method of accounting for acquisitions meeting the definition of a business combination or asset acquisition, where assets acquired and liabilities assumed are recorded at fair value at the date of each acquisition, and the results of operations are included with those of the Company from the dates of the respective acquisitions. For acquisitions meeting the definition of a business combination, any excess of the purchase price paid by the Company over the amounts recognized for assets acquired and liabilities assumed is recorded as goodwill. ASC 805 also requires acquirers, among other things, to estimate the acquisition date fair value of any contingent consideration and to recognize any subsequent changes in the fair value of contingent consideration in earnings. When provisional amounts are initially recorded, the Company continues to evaluate acquisitions for a period not to exceed one year after the applicable acquisition date of each transaction to determine whether any additional adjustments are needed to the allocation of the purchase price paid for the assets acquired and liabilities assumed. For acquisitions meeting the definition of an asset acquisition, the fair value of the consideration transferred, including transaction costs, is allocated to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on their relative fair values. No goodwill is recognized in an asset acquisition.
Noncontrolling Interest	Noncontrolling Interest—The limited partner equity interests in our operating partnership are exchangeable on a one-for-one basis for shares of our common stock or, at our election, cash of equivalent value. All of the limited partner equity interests in our operating partnership not held by the Company are reflected as noncontrolling interests. In the consolidated statements of operations, we allocate net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests to arrive at net income (loss) attributable to shareholders based on their proportionate share. For transactions that result in changes to the Company's ownership interest in our operating partnership, the carrying amount of noncontrolling interests is adjusted to reflect such changes. The difference between the fair value of the consideration received or paid and the amount by which the noncontrolling interest is adjusted is reflected as an adjustment to additional paid-in capital on the consolidated balance sheets.
Goodwill	Goodwill—Goodwill is recognized for the excess of purchase price over the fair value of net assets of businesses acquired. Goodwill is reviewed for impairment at least annually. In accordance with ASC 350-20, Intangibles-Goodwill and Other, we evaluate goodwill for impairment between annual impairment tests if an event occurs or circumstances change that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of a reporting unit below its carrying amount. Unless circumstances otherwise dictate, the annual impairment test is performed in the fourth quarter. Application of the goodwill impairment test requires judgment, including: the identification of reporting units; assignment of assets and liabilities to reporting units; assignment of goodwill to reporting units; determination of the fair value of each reporting unit; and an assumption as to the form of the transaction in which the reporting unit would be acquired by a market participant (either a taxable or nontaxable transaction). We estimate the fair value of our reporting units (which are our segments) using a combination of an income approach based on the present value of estimated future cash flows and a market approach based on market data of comparable businesses and acquisition multiples paid in recent transactions. If the carrying value of a reporting unit's net assets is less than its fair value, no indication of impairment exists. If the carrying amount of the reporting unit's goodwill is greater than the implied fair value of its goodwill, an impairment loss must be recognized for the excess and charged to operations. Inherent in our preparation of cash flow projections are significant assumptions and estimates derived from a review of our operating results, business plans, expected growth rates, capital expenditure plans, cost of capital and tax rates. We also make certain forecasts about future economic conditions, interest rates and other market data. Many of the factors used in assessing fair value are outside the control of management, and these assumptions and estimates may change in future periods. Small changes in assumptions or estimates could materially affect the estimate of the fair value of a reporting unit, and therefore could affect the likelihood and amount of potential impairment. As of December 31, 2017 and 2016, all of our Goodwill is included in our Fiber Infrastructure segment. We performed our goodwill impairment analysis during the fourth quarter and we concluded the implied fair value of our Fiber Infrastructure reporting unit was in excess of its carrying value by less than 2%. During the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016 and for the period April 24 2015 to December 31, 2015, no impairment losses were recognized.
Earnings per Share	Earnings per Share—Outstanding restricted stock awards that contain rights to non-forfeitable dividends are deemed to be participating securities, requiring the application of the two-class method of computing basic and dilutive earnings per share. Basic earnings per share includes only the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Dilutive earnings per share includes the weighted average number of common shares and the dilutive effect of restricted stock and performance-based awards outstanding during the period, when such awards are dilutive. See Note 12.
Concentration of Credit Risks	Concentration of Credit Risks—In connection with the Spin-Off, we entered into the Master Lease agreement with Windstream, pursuant to which all real property associated with the Spin-Off is leased to Windstream and from which substantially all of Uniti’s leasing revenues are currently derived. Windstream is a publicly traded company and is subject to the periodic filing requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Windstream filings can be found at www.sec.gov. Windstream filings are not incorporated by reference in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Revenue under the Master Lease provided 74.8% of our revenue for the year ended December 31, 2017 and 87.9% of our revenue for the year ended December 31, 2016. Because our revenue is primarily derived from lease payments by Windstream pursuant to the Master Lease, there could be a material adverse impact on our consolidated results of operations, liquidity and/or financial condition if Windstream experiences operating difficulties and becomes unable to generate sufficient cash to make payments to us. In recent years, Windstream has experienced annual declines in its total revenue and sales. Accordingly, we monitor the credit quality of Windstream through numerous methods, including by (i) reviewing the credit ratings of Windstream by nationally recognized credit rating agencies, (ii) reviewing the financial statements of Windstream that are publicly available and that are required to be delivered to us pursuant to the Master Lease, (iii) monitoring news reports regarding Windstream and its businesses, (iv) conducting research to ascertain industry trends potentially affecting Windstream, and (v) monitoring the timeliness of its payments to us under the Master Lease.
Recently Issued Accounting Standards	Recently Issued Accounting Standards—In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-01, Business Combinations (Topic 805): Clarifying the Definition of a Business (“ASU 2017-01”), in an effort to clarify the definition of a business with the objective of adding guidance to assist entities with evaluating whether transactions should be accounted for as acquisitions (or disposals) of assets or businesses. ASU 2017-01 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, and interim periods within those fiscal years, with early adoption permitted. We adopted ASU 2017-01 effective January 1, 2017, with prospective application. As a result of the adoption of ASU 2017-01, the Company’s acquisition of NMS (see Note 4) was determined to be an asset acquisition. Transaction costs associated with asset acquisitions, which includes our real property interest investments, are capitalized as opposed to being recorded as an expense as is required prior to adoption of ASU 2017-01, had this been a business combination. In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-15, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments (“ASU 2016-15”). ASU 2016-15 provides guidance on reducing the diversity in how certain cash receipts and cash payments are presented and classified in the statement of cash flows. In addition to other specific cash flow issues, ASU 2016-15 provides clarification on when an entity should separate cash receipts and cash payments into more than one class of cash flows and when an entity should classify those cash receipts and payments into one class of cash flows on the basis of predominance. The new guidance is effective for the fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, and interim periods within those fiscal years, and early adoption is permitted. The Company does not anticipate the adoption of this accounting standard to have a material impact on our financial statements. In August 2017, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2017-12, Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815): Targeted Improvements to Accounting for Hedging Activities (“ASU 2017-12”), which amends and simplifies existing guidance in order to allow companies to more accurately present the economic effects of risk management activities in the financial statements. ASU 2017-12 is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2018 and interim periods within those annual periods, and earlier adoption is permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impacts the adoption of this accounting standard will have on our financial statements. In February 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-05, Other Income - Gains and Losses from the Derecognition of Nonfinancial Assets (Subtopic 610-20): Clarifying the Scope of Asset Derecognition Guidance and Accounting for Partial Sales of Nonfinancial Assets (“ASU 2017-05”), which provides guidance for recognizing gains and losses from the transfer of nonfinancial assets and for partial sales of nonfinancial assets, and is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2017. The Company will adopt ASU 2017-05 effective January 1, 2018 using the modified retrospective approach and there will not be a material impact on our financial statements with the adoption of this accounting standard. In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-04, Intangibles - Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Simplifying the Accounting for Goodwill Impairment (“ASU 2017-04”), which removes the requirement to perform a hypothetical purchase price allocation to measure goodwill impairment. A goodwill impairment will now be the amount by which a reporting unit’s carrying value exceeds its fair value, not to exceed the carrying amount of goodwill. ASU 2017-04 is effective for annual and interim periods beginning January 1, 2020, with early adoption permitted, and applied prospectively. We adopted ASU 2017-04 effective January 1, 2017, and there was no material impact on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows. In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (“ASU 2014-09”). This update outlines a single comprehensive revenue recognition model for entities to follow in accounting for revenue from contracts with customers and supersedes most current revenue recognition guidance, including industry-specific guidance. The core principle of the revenue model is that an entity should recognize revenue for the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled to receive for those goods or services. ASU 2014-09 is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017 and interim periods within those annual periods. Early adoption is permitted for public companies for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016. The Company intends to adopt the revenue recognition guidance on January 1, 2018 using the modified retrospective approach by recognizing the cumulative effect of initially applying the new standard as an increase to the opening balance of retained earnings. The Company’s implementation efforts include reviewing revenue contracts and the identification of revenue within the scope of the guidance. As ASU 2014-09 does not impact lessor accounting, the Company believes our accounting for leasing revenues will not be significantly impacted. While the Company currently has not identified any material changes in the timing of revenue recognition, we do anticipate an impact to our Fiber Infrastructure costs, primarily related to the capitalization of commission expense under ASU 2014-09, and are currently in the process of quantifying such impacts. In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, Leases (“ASC 842”), which sets out the principles for the recognition, measurement, presentation and disclosure of leases for both parties to a contract (i.e. lessees and lessors). The new standard requires lessees to apply a dual approach, classifying leases as either finance or operating leases based on the principle of whether or not the lease is effectively a financed purchase by the lessee. This classification will determine whether lease expense is recognized based on an effective interest method or on a straight line basis over the term of the lease, respectively. A lessee is also required to record a right-of-use asset and a lease liability for all leases with a term of greater than 12 months regardless of their classification. Leases with a term of 12 months or less will be accounted for similar to existing guidance for operating leases today. The new standard also replaces existing sale-lease back guidance with a new model applicable to lessees and lessors. In addition, it also requires lessors to record gross revenues and expenses associated with costs paid directly by lessees for the benefit of the lessors, such as real estate taxes and insurance, if the lessor is the named beneficiary. The provisions of this guidance are effective for annual periods beginning after December 31, 2018, and for interim periods therein. The Company is currently evaluating this guidance to determine the impact it will have on our financial statements by reviewing its existing operating lease contracts, where we are the lessee and service contracts that may include embedded leases. The Company expects a gross-up of its Consolidated Balance Sheets as a result of recognizing lease liabilities and right of use assets, the extent of the impact of a gross-up is under evaluation. The Company does not anticipate material changes to the recognition of operating lease expense in its Consolidated Statements of Income.
Consumer CLEC Business
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Use of Estimates	Use of Estimates —The preparation of financial statements, in accordance with GAAP, requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of revenues and expenses. The estimates and assumptions used in the accompanying financial statement are based upon management’s evaluation of the relevant facts and circumstances as of the date of the financial statement. Actual results may differ from the estimates and assumptions used in preparing the accompanying financial statement, and such differences could be material.
Revenue Recognition	Revenue Recognition—Service revenues are primarily derived from providing access to or usage of leased networks and facilities. Service revenues are recognized over the period that the corresponding services are rendered to customers. Revenues derived from other telecommunications services, including broadband, long distance and enhanced service revenues are recognized monthly as services are provided. Sales of customer premise equipment and modems are recognized when products are delivered to and accepted by customers. In assessing collectability of receivables, management considers a number of factors, including historical collection experience, aging of the accounts receivable balances and current economic conditions. When internal collection efforts on accounts have been exhausted, the accounts are written off by reducing the allowance for doubtful accounts. The provision for doubtful accounts, which is included in cost of service, was $111,000 for the period from January 1, 2015 to Spin Date.
Subsequent Events	Subsequent Events—The accompanying financial statements of the Consumer CLEC Business are derived from the consolidated financial statements of Windstream, which issued its audited consolidated financial statements as of and for the year ended December 31, 2015 on February 25, 2016. Accordingly, management has evaluated transactions for consideration as recognized subsequent events in the accompanying financial statement through the date of February 25, 2016. In addition, management has evaluated transactions that occurred as of the issuance of these financial statements on March 7, 2016 for purposes of disclosure of unrecognized subsequent events.

Business Combinations and Asset Acquisitions (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2017

NMS

Summary of Estimated Fair Values of Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed

The following is a summary of the estimated fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed:

	(thousands)
Property, plant and equipment	$	36,417
Accounts receivable		2,826
Other assets		1,623
Intangible assets		52,437
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities		(8,895	)
Intangible liabilities		(3,440	)
Deferred income taxes		(18,403	)
Total purchase consideration	$	62,565

Southern Light, LLC

Summary of Estimated Fair Values of Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed

The following is a summary of the estimated fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed:

	(thousands)
Property, plant and equipment	$	279,467
Cash and cash equivalents		1,992
Accounts receivable		11,139
Other assets		1,287
Goodwill		318,620
Intangible assets		160,100
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities		(19,846	)
Deferred revenue		(38,134	)
Deferred income taxes		(9,004	)
Capital lease obligations		(3,189	)
Total purchase consideration	$	702,432

Hunt Telecommunications, LLC

Unaudited Pro Forma Summary of Financial Results

The pro forma results are not indicative of future results of operations, or results that might have been achieved had the acquisition been consummated on January 1, 2016.

	Year Ended		Year Ended
(Thousands, except per share data)	December 31, 2017		December 31, 2016
Pro forma revenue	$	980,303	$	891,373
Pro forma net income (loss)		4,267		(2,482	)
Pro forma net income (loss) per share	$	0.02	$	(0.01	)

Business Combinations (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2017

Tower Cloud, Inc.

Summary of Estimated Fair Values of Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed

The following is a summary of the estimated fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed:

	(thousands)
Property, plant and equipment	$	163,680
Cash and cash equivalents		14,346
Accounts receivable		3,043
Other assets		2,595
Goodwill		117,032
Intangible assets		116,218
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities		(16,782	)
Deferred revenue		(23,900	)
Deferred income taxes		(24,866	)
Capital lease obligations		(6,750	)
Total purchase consideration	$	344,616

Unaudited Pro Forma Summary of Financial Results

The pro forma results are not indicative of future results of operations, or results that might have been achieved had the acquisition been consummated as of the Spin-Off.

	Year Ended			Period from
(Thousands, except per share data)	December 31, 2016			April 24 - December 31, 2015
Pro forma revenue	$	798,054		$	505,764
Pro forma net (loss) income		(3,581	)		17,609
Pro forma net (loss) income per share	$	(0.02	)	$	0.12

PEG Bandwidth, LLC

Summary of Estimated Fair Values of Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed

The following is a summary of the estimated fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed:

	(thousands)
Property, plant and equipment	$	293,030
Cash and cash equivalents		7,003
Accounts receivable		6,584
Other assets		5,161
Goodwill		145,054
Intangible assets		38,000
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities		(8,643	)
Deferred revenue		(12,700	)
Capital lease obligations		(49,195	)
Total purchase consideration	$	424,294

Unaudited Pro Forma Summary of Financial Results

The pro forma results are not indicative of future results of operations, or results that might have been achieved had the acquisition been consummated as of the Spin-Off.

	Year Ended		Period from
(Thousands, except per share data)	December 31, 2016		April 24 - December 31, 2015
Pro forma revenue	$	797,637	$	529,911
Pro forma net income		6,264		19,809
Pro forma net income per share	$	0.04	$	0.13

Fair Value of Financial Instruments (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2017

Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]

Schedule of Fair Value Valuation of Financial Instruments

The following table summarizes the fair value of our financial instruments at December 31, 2017 and 2016:

(Thousands)	Total		Quoted Prices in Active Markets (Level 1)		Prices with Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)		Prices with Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
At December 31, 2017
Assets
Derivative asset	$	6,793	$	—	$	6,793	$	—
Total	$	6,793	$	—	$	6,793	$	—


Liabilities
Senior secured term loan B - variable rate, due October 24, 2022	$	2,011,237	$	—	$	2,011,237	$	—
Senior secured notes - 6.00% , due April 15, 2023		540,375		—		540,375		—
Senior unsecured notes - 8.25%, due October 15, 2023		1,073,925		—		1,073,925		—
Senior unsecured notes - 7.125%, due December 15, 2024		542,250		—		542,250		—
Senior secured revolving credit facility, variable rate, due April 24, 2020		279,972		—		279,972		—
Contingent consideration		105,762		—		—		105,762
Total	$	4,553,521	$	—	$	4,447,759	$	105,762

(Thousands)	Total		Quoted Prices in Active Markets (Level 1)		Prices with Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)		Prices with Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
At December 31, 2016
Liabilities
Senior secured term loan B - variable rate, due October 24, 2022	$	2,139,586	$	—	$	2,139,586	$	—
Senior secured notes - 6.00% , due April 15, 2023		569,250		—		569,250		—
Senior unsecured notes - 8.25%, due October 15, 2023		1,176,600		—		1,176,600		—
Senior unsecured notes - 7.125%, due December 15, 2024		404,000		—		404,000		—
Derivative liability		6,102		—		6,102		—
Contingent consideration		98,600		—		—		98,600
Total	$	4,394,138	$	—	$	4,295,538	$	98,600

Roll Forward of Liability Measured at Fair Value on Recurring Basis Using Unobservable Inputs

The following is a roll forward of our liability measured at fair value on a recurring basis using unobservable inputs (Level 3):

(Thousands)		December 31, 2016				Transfers into Level 3				(Gain)/Loss included in earnings				Settlements				December 31, 2017
Contingent consideration		$	98,600			$	16,425			$	10,736			$	(19,999	)		$	105,762

- Definition

Tabular disclosure of financial instruments measured at fair value, including those classified in shareholders' equity measured on a recurring or nonrecurring basis. Disclosures include, but are not limited to, fair value measurements recorded and the reasons for the measurements, level within the fair value hierarchy in which the fair value measurements are categorized and transfers between levels 1 and 2. Nonrecurring fair value measurements are those that are required or permitted in the statement of financial position in particular circumstances.

+ References + Details

Property, Plant and Equipment (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2017

Property Plant And Equipment [Abstract]

Schedule of Carrying Value of Property, Plant and Equipment

The carrying value of property, plant and equipment is as follows:

(Thousands)	Depreciable Lives	December 31, 2017			December 31, 2016
Land	Indefinite	$	28,269		$	26,833
Building and improvements	3 - 40 years		325,445			318,967
Real property interests	See Note 3		34,580			12,265
Poles	30 years		243,710			234,393
Fiber	30 years		2,669,058			2,243,822
Equipment	5 - 7 years		213,574			130,945
Copper	20 years		3,656,385			3,538,566
Conduit	30 years		91,210			90,540
Tower assets	20 years		59,327			4,307
Capital lease assets	See Note 3		97,592			89,723
Construction in progress	See Note 3		112,489			52,685
Other assets	15 - 20 years		8,258			5,299
Corporate assets	3 - 7 years		2,690			2,731
			7,542,587			6,751,076
Less accumulated depreciation			(4,488,698	)		(4,081,039	)
Net property, plant and equipment		$	3,053,889		$	2,670,037

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2017

Derivative Instruments And Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]

Summary of Fair Value of Derivative Instruments and Presentation in Consolidated Balance Sheet

The following table summarizes the fair value and the presentation in our Consolidated Balance Sheet:

(Thousands)

Location on Consolidated

Balance Sheet

December 31, 2017

December 31, 2016

Interest rate swaps

Derivative asset

6,793

Interest rate swaps

Derivative liability

6,102

Goodwill and Intangible Assets (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2017

Goodwill And Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]

Schedule of Carrying Amount of Goodwill

Changes in the carrying amount of goodwill occurring during the year ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, are as follows:

(Thousands)	Fiber Infrastructure			Total
Goodwill at December 31, 2015	$	-		$	-
Goodwill associated with 2016 acquisitions		262,334			262,334
Goodwill at December 31, 2016	$	262,334		$	262,334
Goodwill purchase accounting adjustments		(248	)		(248	)
Goodwill associated with 2017 acquisitions		411,643			411,643
Goodwill at December 31, 2017	$	673,729		$	673,729

Schedule of Carrying Value of Other Intangible Assets

The carrying value of our other intangible assets is as follows:

(Thousands)	December 31, 2017						December 31, 2016
	Cost			Accumulated Amortization			Cost			Accumulated Amortization
Indefinite life intangible assets:
Trade name	$	2,000		$	-		$	2,000		$	-

Finite life intangible assets:
Customer lists		421,743			(46,049	)		188,642			(30,058	)
Tenant contracts		38,527			(1,605	)		-			-
Network⁽¹⁾		13,951			(581	)		-			-
Acquired below-market leases		1,509			(138	)		-			-

Total intangible assets		477,730						190,642
Less: Accumulated amortization		(48,373	)					(30,058	)
Total intangible assets, net	$	429,357					$	160,584

Finite life intangible liabilities:
Acquired above-market leases	$	3,455		$	(317	)	$	-		$	-

Total intangible liabilities		3,455						-
Less: Accumulated amortization		(317	)					-
Total intangible liabilities, net⁽²⁾	$	3,138					$	-

Notes and Other Debt (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2017

Long Term Debt [Abstract]

Schedule of Notes and Other Debt

Notes and other debt is as follows:

(Thousands)	December 31, 2017			December 31, 2016
Principal amount	$	4,626,887		$	4,167,967
Less unamortized discount, premium and debt issuance costs		(144,190	)		(139,753	)
Notes and other debt less unamortized discount and debt issuance costs	$	4,482,697		$	4,028,214

	December 31, 2017					December 31, 2016
(Thousands)	Principal		Unamortized Discount, Premium and Debt Issuance Costs			Principal		Unamortized Discount and Debt Issuance Costs
Senior secured term loan B - variable rate, due October 24, 2022 (discount is based on imputed interest rate of 5.66%)	$	2,086,887	$	(87,140	)	$	2,107,967	$	(78,699	)
Senior secured notes - 6.00%, due April 15, 2023 (discount is based on imputed interest rate of 6.29%)		550,000		(8,508	)		550,000		(9,817	)
Senior unsecured notes - 8.25%, due October 15, 2023 (discount is based on imputed interest rate of 9.06%)		1,110,000		(40,467	)		1,110,000		(45,599	)
Senior unsecured notes - 7.125%, due December 15, 2024		600,000		(8,075	)		400,000		(5,638	)
Senior secured revolving credit facility, variable rate, due April 24, 2020		280,000		-			-		-
Total	$	4,626,887		(144,190	)	$	4,167,967	$	(139,753	)

Schedule of Aggregate Annual Maturities of Long-Term Obligations

Aggregate annual maturities of our long-term obligations at December 31, 2017 are as follows:

(Thousands)
2018	$	21,079
2019		21,079
2020		301,079
2021		21,079
2022		2,002,571
Thereafter		2,260,000
Total	$	4,626,887

Schedule of Future Minimum Lease Payments Under Capital Lease Obligations

At December 31, 2017, future minimum lease payments under capital lease obligations are as follows:

(Thousands)
2018	$	8,407
2019		8,083
2020		7,048
2021		6,309
2022		6,155
Thereafter		53,461
Total minimum payments		89,463
Less amount representing interest		(33,134	)
Total	$	56,329

- Definition

Tabular disclosure of long-debt instruments or arrangements, including identification, terms, features, collateral requirements and other information necessary to a fair presentation. These are debt arrangements that originally required repayment more than twelve months after issuance or greater than the normal operating cycle of the entity, if longer.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.22)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 505
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 3
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=84159872&loc=d3e21475-112644

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 942
-SubTopic 470
-Section 50
-Paragraph 3
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=75038535&loc=d3e64711-112823

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 235
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.4-08.(e),(f))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=26873400&loc=d3e23780-122690

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 835
-SubTopic 30
-Section 55
-Paragraph 8
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=64930739&loc=d3e28878-108400

Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 505
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 8
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=84159872&loc=d3e21538-112644

Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 505
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 6
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=84159872&loc=d3e21506-112644

Reference 8: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 835
-SubTopic 30
-Section 45
-Paragraph 1A
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=64930785&loc=d3e28541-108399

Reference 9: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 835
-SubTopic 30
-Section 45
-Paragraph 2
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=64930785&loc=d3e28551-108399

Reference 10: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 505
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 7
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=84159872&loc=d3e21521-112644

+ Details

Stock-Based Compensation (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2017

Restricted Awards

Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]

Schedule of Unvested Restricted Stock Awards

The following table sets forth the number of unvested restricted stock awards and the weighted-average fair value of these awards at the date of grant:


	Restricted Awards			Weighted Average Fair Value at Grant Date		Aggregate Intrinsic Value⁽¹⁾($000s)
Unvested balance December 31, 2016		493,891		$	22.60
Granted		234,294		$	25.56
Forfeited		(33,041	)	$	24.77
Vested		(106,956	)	$	20.73
Unvested balance, December 31, 2017		588,188		$	24.00	$	10,464

⁽¹⁾

Performance Awards

Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]

Schedule of Unvested Performance-based Restricted Stock Units Awards

The following table sets forth the number of unvested PSUs and the weighted-average fair value of these awards at the date of grant:

	Performance Awards		Weighted Average Fair Value at Grant Date		Aggregate Intrinsic Value⁽¹⁾($000s)
Unvested balance December 31, 2016		162,630	$	21.13
Granted		91,995	$	33.75
Forfeited		—	$	—
Vested		—	$	—
Unvested balance, December 31, 2017		254,625	$	25.69	$	4,530

⁽¹⁾

Schedule of Assumptions used to Value PSUs Granted

The following table summarizes the assumptions used to value the PSUs granted during the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016 and for the period from April 24, 2015 to December 31, 2015:

	Year Ended December 31,						Period from April 24 - December 31, 2015
	2017			2016
Expected term (years)		3.0			3.0			2.9
Expected volatility		33.6	%		48.8	%		26.6	%
Expected annual dividend		0.0	%		0.0	%		0.0	%
Risk free rate		1.5	%		0.9	%		0.9	%

Earnings Per Share (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2017

Earnings Per Share [Abstract]

Schedule of Earnings Per Share Basic and Diluted

The following sets forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share under the two-class method:

	Year Ended December 31,						Period from
(Thousands, except per share data)	2017			2016			April 24 - December 31, 2015
Basic earnings per share:
Numerator:
Net (loss) income attributable to shareholders	$	(9,439	)	$	(212	)	$	24,870
Less: Income allocated to participating securities		(1,509	)		(1,557	)		(1,152	)
Dividends declared on convertible preferred stock		(2,624	)		(1,743	)		—
Amortization of discount on convertible preferred stock		(2,980	)		(1,985	)		—
Net (loss) income attributable to common shares	$	(16,552	)	$	(5,497	)	$	23,718
Denominator:
Basic weighted-average common shares outstanding		168,693			152,473			149,835
Basic (loss) earnings per common share	$	(0.10	)	$	(0.04	)	$	0.16


	Year Ended December 31,						Period from
(Thousands, except per share data)	2017			2016			April 24 - December 31, 2015
Diluted earnings per share:
Numerator:
Net (loss) income attributable to shareholders	$	(9,439	)	$	(212	)	$	24,870
Less: Income allocated to participating securities		(1,509	)		(1,557	)		(1,152	)
Dividends declared on convertible preferred stock		(2,624	)		(1,743	)		—
Amortization of discount on convertible preferred stock		(2,980	)		(1,985	)		—
Mark-to-market gain on share settled contingent consideration arrangments		(4,944	)		—			—
Net (loss) income attributable to common shares	$	(21,496	)	$	(5,497	)	$	23,718
Denominator:
Basic weighted-average common shares outstanding		168,693			152,473			149,835
Contingent consideration (See Note 5)		296			—			—
Effect of dilutive non-participating securities		—			—			—
Weighted-average shares for dilutive earnings per common share		168,989			152,473			149,835
Dilutive (loss) earnings per common share	$	(0.13	)	$	(0.04	)	$	0.16

Segment Information (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2017

Segment Reporting [Abstract]

Schedule of Segment Reporting Information

Selected financial data related to our segments is presented below for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016 and for the period from April 24, 2015 to December 31, 2015:

	Year Ended December 31, 2017
(Thousands)	Leasing			Fiber Infrastructure			Towers			Consumer CLEC			Corporate			Total of Reportable Segments
Revenues	$	685,099		$	202,791		$	10,055		$	18,087		$	-		$	916,032

Adjusted EBITDA	$	683,651		$	83,987		$	(831	)	$	4,556		$	(21,839	)	$	749,524
Adjusted EBITDA margin		99.8	%		41.4	%		(8.3	%)		25.2	%	-				81.8	%
Less:
Interest expense																	305,994
Depreciation and amortization		347,999			78,307			4,907			2,607			385			434,205
Other expense																	11,284
Transaction related costs																	38,005
Stock-based compensation																	7,713
Income tax benefit																	(38,849	)
Net loss																$	(8,828	)

Capital expenditures ⁽¹⁾	$	-		$	152,918		$	104,540		$	-		$	63		$	257,521

	Year Ended December 31, 2016
(Thousands)	Leasing			Fiber Infrastructure			Towers			Consumer CLEC			Corporate			Total of Reportable Segments
Revenues	$	676,868		$	70,568		$	500		$	22,472		$	-		$	770,408

Adjusted EBITDA	$	675,114		$	25,912		$	(1,123	)	$	5,074		$	(14,793	)	$	690,184
Adjusted EBITDA margin		99.7	%		36.7	%		(224.6	%)		22.6	%	-				89.6	%
Less:
Interest expense																	275,394
Depreciation and amortization		343,368			28,629			337			3,258			378			375,970
Other expense																	-
Transaction related costs																	33,669
Stock-based compensation																	4,846
Income tax expense																	517
Net loss																$	(212	)

Capital expenditures ⁽¹⁾	$	-		$	31,006		$	15,262		$	-		$	175		$	46,443

	Period from April 24, 2015 to December 31, 2015
(Thousands)	Leasing			Fiber Infrastructure		Towers		Consumer CLEC			Corporate			Total of Reportable Segments
Revenues	$	458,614		$	-	$	-	$	17,700		$	-		$	476,314

Adjusted EBITDA	$	457,704		$	-	$	-	$	3,957		$	(8,364	)	$	453,297
Adjusted EBITDA margin		99.8	%	-		-			22.4	%	-				95.2	%
Less:
Interest expense															181,797
Depreciation and amortization		235,967			-		-		2,571			210			238,748
Other expense															-
Transaction related costs															5,210
Stock-based compensation															1,934
Income tax expense															738
Net income															24,870

Capital expenditures ⁽¹⁾	$	43,077		$	-	$	-	$	-		$	1,336		$	44,413

(1)	Segment capital expenditures represents capital expenditures, the NMS asset acquisition and ground lease investments as reported in the investing activities section of the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows.

Summary of Total Assets by Business Segment

Total assets by business segment as of December 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 are as follows:

(Thousands)	December 31, 2017		December 31, 2016
Leasing	$	2,121,857	$	2,238,517
Fiber Infrastructure		2,009,175		914,082
Towers		157,180		18,004
Consumer CLEC		10,919		14,239
Corporate		30,951		133,910
Total of reportable segments	$	4,330,082	$	3,318,752

Summary of Geographical Segment Information Related to Revenues

Summarized geographical information related to the Company’s revenues for the years ended December 31 2017, 2016 and for the period from April 24, 2015 to December 31, 2015 is as follows:

	Year Ended December 31,				Period from
(Thousands)		2017		2016	April 24 - December 31, 2015
United States revenues	$	908,576	$	770,351	$	476,314
Latin America revenues		7,456		57		-
Total revenues	$	916,032	$	770,408	$	476,314

Summary of Geographical Segment Information Related to Long Lived Assets

Summarized geographical information related to the Company’s long-lived assets as of December 31, 2017 and 2016 is as follows:

	December 31,
(Thousands)		2017		2016
United States long-lived assets	$	3,382,894	$	2,826,442
Latin America long-lived assets		98,352		2,179
Total long-lived assets	$	3,481,246	$	2,828,621

Commitments and Contingencies (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2017

Commitments And Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]

Schedule of Future Minimum Rental Payments Under Non-cancelable Operating Leases

Future minimum payments, by year and in the aggregate, under non-cancellable operating leases with initial or remaining lease terms of one year or more, are as follows:

(Thousands)
2018	$	14,336
2019		10,007
2020		7,107
2021		4,411
2022		2,760
Thereafter		16,663
Total	$	55,284

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2017

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss Net Of Tax [Abstract]

Schedule of Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) by Component

Changes in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) by component is as follows for the year ended December 31, 2017:

(Thousands)	2017			2016			2015
Cash flow hedge changes in fair value gain (loss):
Balance at begininng of period	$	(6,102	)	$	(5,427	)	$	—
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications		(7,735	)		(24,465	)		(21,682	)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income		20,630			23,790			16,255
Net other comprehensive income		6,793			(6,102	)		(5,427	)
Less: Other comprehensive (loss) income attributable to noncontrolling interest		442			—			—
Balance at end of period		6,351			(6,102	)		(5,427	)
Foreign currency translation gain (loss):
Balance at begininng of period		(267	)		—			—
Translation adjustments		1,660			(267	)		—
Net other comprehensive income		1,393			(267	)		—
Less: Other comprehensive (loss) income attributable to noncontrolling interest		(77	)		—			—
Balance at end of period		1,470			(267	)		-
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) at end of period	$	7,821		$	(6,369	)	$	(5,427	)

Income Taxes (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2017

Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]

Schedule of Income Tax Expense (Benefit)

	Year Ended December 31,						Period from
(Thousands)	2017			2016			April 24 - December 31, 2015
Current
Federal	$	1,456		$	1,596		$	1,208
State		866			1,107			741
Total current expense		2,322			2,703			1,949

Deferred
Federal		(36,956	)		(1,488	)		(770	)
State		(3,837	)		(698	)		(441	)
Foreign		(378	)		-			-
Total deferred expense		(41,171	)		(2,186	)		(1,211	)
Total income tax (benefit) expense	$	(38,849	)	$	517		$	738

Income Tax Expense Reconciliation Between U.S. Statutory Tax Rate and Effective Tax Rate

An income tax expense reconciliation between the U.S. statutory tax rate and the effective tax rate is as follows:

	Year Ended December 31,						Period from
(Thousands)	2017			2016			April 24 - December 31, 2015
Income from continuing operations, before tax	$	(47,667	)	$	305		$	24,795
Income tax at U.S. statutory federal rate		(16,687	)		107			8,665
Increases (decreases) resulting from:
State taxes, net of federal benefit		(429	)		(224	)		266
Benefit of REIT status		8,836			(4,016	)		(8,193	)
Capitalized transaction costs		(4,820	)		(3,915	)		-
Change in valuation allowance		(8,176	)		8,176			-
Adjustment of deferred tax balances		(217	)		149			-
Permanent differences		60			52			-
Foreign taxes		(378	)		-			-
Rate differential		(17,038	)		188			-
Income tax (benefit) expense	$	(38,849	)	$	517		$	738

Schedule of Components of Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities

The components of the Company's deferred tax assets and liabilities are as follows:

(Thousands)	December 31, 2017			December 31, 2016
Deferred tax assets:
Deferred revenue	$	17,114		$	4,244
Accrued bonuses		101			520
Goodwill		-			1,886
Stock based compensation		506			179
Accrued expenses and other		2,023			802
Asset retirement obligation		1,341			790
Inventory reserve		248			401
Net operating loss carryforwards		36,229			39,916
Deferred tax assets		57,562			48,738
Valuation allowance		-			(8,176	)
Deferred tax assets, net of valuation allowance		57,562			40,562

Deferred tax liabilities:
Property, plant & equipment	$	(43,817	)	$	(20,923	)
Customer list intangible		(68,795	)		(47,721	)
Other intangible amortization		(291	)		(137	)
Other		(137	)		(175	)
Deferred tax liabilities	$	(113,040	)	$	(68,956	)

Deferred tax liability, net	$	(55,478	)	$	(28,394	)

Schedule of Reconciliation of Unrecognized Tax Benefits

A reconciliation of the Company’s beginning and ending liability for unrecognized tax benefits is as follows:

(Thousands)	2017
Balance at January 1	$	-
Additions related to acquisitions		3,036
Additions for tax positions for the current year		-
Additions for tax positions of prior years		-
Reductions for tax positions of prior years		-
Settlements		-
Balance at December 31	$	3,036

Supplemental Cash Flow Information (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2017

Supplemental Cash Flow Information [Abstract]

Schedule Cash Paid For Interest Expense And Income Taxes

Cash paid for interest expense and income taxes is as follows:

	Year Ended December 31,				Period from
(Thousands)	2017		2016		April 24 - December 31, 2015
Supplemental cash flow information:
Cash paid for interest	$	276,071	$	255,945	$	147,428
Cash paid for income taxes	$	4,388	$	3,003	$	1,284

Dividends (Distributions) (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2017

Payments Of Dividends [Abstract]

Schedule of Common Stock Distribution Per Share

For the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016 and for the period from April 24, 2015 to December 31, 2015 our common stock distribution per share was $2.40, $2.40 and $1.04, respectively, characterized as follows:

	Year Ended December 31,				Period from
	2017		2016		April 24 - December 31, 2015
Ordinary dividends	$	1.22	$	1.31	$	0.87
Non-dividend distributions		1.18		1.09		0.17
Total	$	2.40	$	2.40	$	1.04

Future Minimum Rents (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2017

Leases Operating [Abstract]

Schedule of Future Minimum Lease Payments to be Received from Tenant under Non-Cancelable Operating Leases

Future minimum lease payments to be received, excluding operating expense reimbursements, from tenant under non-cancelable operating leases as of December 31, 2017, are as follows:

(Thousands)
2017	$	661,859
2018		666,703
2019		669,838
2020		672,998
2021		675,904
Thereafter		5,109,341
Total	$	8,456,643

Quarterly Results of Operations (unaudited) (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2017

Selected Quarterly Financial Information [Abstract]

Schedule of Quarterly Financial Information

Selected quarterly information for each of the four quarters in the year ended December 31, 2017:

	2017
	First			Second			Third			Fourth
(Thousands, except per share data)	Quarter			Quarter			Quarter			Quarter
Total revenues	$	211,473		$	213,013		$	245,210		$	246,336
Loss before income taxes		(20,379	)		(16,385	)		(3,837	)		(7,076	)
Net (loss) income		(20,000	)		(16,460	)		4,835			22,797
Net (loss) income attributable to common shareholders		(21,788	)		(18,242	)		2,939			20,539
											-
Basic (loss) earnings per common share	$	(0.14	)	$	(0.11	)	$	0.02		$	0.12
Diluted (loss) earnings per common share	$	(0.14	)	$	(0.11	)	$	(0.02	)	$	0.12
Dividends declared per common share	$	0.60		$	0.60		$	0.60		$	0.60

Selected quarterly information for each of the four quarters in the year ended December 31, 2016:

	2016
	First		Second			Third			Fourth
(Thousands, except per share data)	Quarter		Quarter			Quarter			Quarter
Total revenues	$	174,675	$	188,573		$	200,240		$	206,920
Income (loss) before income taxes		8,480		(1,208	)		(2,215	)		(4,752	)
Net income (loss)		8,036		(1,535	)		(2,343	)		(4,370	)
Net income (loss) attributable to common shareholders		7,681		(2,871	)		(4,144	)		(6,163	)

Basic earnings (loss) per common share	$	0.05	$	(0.02	)	$	(0.03	)	$	(0.04	)
Diluted earnings (loss) per common share	$	0.05	$	(0.02	)	$	(0.03	)	$	(0.04	)
Dividends declared per common share	$	0.60	$	0.60		$	0.60		$	0.60

Organization and Description of Business - Additional Information (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017 Segment
Organization And Description Of Business [Line Items]
Number of operating business segments	4
Uniti Group LP
Organization And Description Of Business [Line Items]
Percentage of partnership interests owned	97.70%

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Additional Information (Details) - USD ($)	4 Months Ended	6 Months Ended	8 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Apr. 23, 2015	Jun. 30, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Accumulated amortization of capital lease assets					$ 4,488,698,000	$ 4,081,039,000
Gain (loss) on disposition of property					0
Depreciation expense			$ 236,200,000		415,900,000	369,900,000
Impairment losses			0		0	0
Aggregate carrying amount of asset retirement obligations					9,400,000	4,200,000
Asset retirement obligations liabilities Incurred					4,400,000
Asset retirement obligations accretion expense recognized					800,000
Provision for doubtful accounts					0	0
Allowance for service receivables					$ 1,000,000	1,400,000
Income tax examination, description					We recognize the benefit of tax positions that are "more likely than not" to be sustained upon examination based on their technical merit. The benefit of a tax position is measured at the largest amount that has a greater than 50 percent likelihood of being realized upon ultimate settlement.
Current liabilities for unrecognized tax benefit					$ 5,300,000
Federal corporate level tax rate					35.00%
Gain recognized from sale of assets after spinoff recognition period					5 years
Impairment loss						0
Consumer CLEC Business
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Provision for doubtful accounts	$ 111,000
Fiber Infrastructure
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Impairment loss			0		$ 0	0
Percentage of fair value in excess of carrying value					2.00%
Scenario, Forecast
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Federal corporate level tax rate				21.00%
Minimum
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Recurring fee charging period for use of company services					3 years
Maximum
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Recurring fee charging period for use of company services					10 years
Property Plant and Equipment, Net
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Tenant funded capital improvements					$ 432,400,000	$ 218,700,000
Master Lease \| Windstream
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Leasing revenue		$ 337,600,000	458,600,000
Leasing revenue percentage					74.80%	87.90%
Capital Lease Assets
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Accumulated amortization of capital lease assets					$ 10,100,000	$ 3,200,000
Tenant Capital Improvements \| Master Lease \| Windstream
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Leasing revenue			800,000		14,300,000	6,100,000
Depreciation expense			$ 800,000		$ 14,300,000	$ 6,100,000

Business Combinations and Asset Acquisitions - Additional Information (Details)						3 Months Ended								4 Months Ended	6 Months Ended	8 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Jul. 03, 2017 USD ($) shares	Jan. 31, 2017 USD ($) Tower	Aug. 31, 2016 USD ($) shares	May 02, 2016 USD ($) shares	Jan. 22, 2016 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2017 USD ($) Tower	Sep. 30, 2017 USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2017 USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2017 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2016 USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2016 USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2016 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2017 USD ($) Tower	Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2015 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2017 USD ($) Tower	Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($)
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Cash paid for business acquisition																		$ 69,729,000
Deferred Tax Liabilities						$ 55,478,000				$ 28,394,000				$ 28,394,000	$ 55,478,000	$ 28,394,000		55,478,000	$ 28,394,000
Unrecognized tax benefits						3,036,000									3,036,000			3,036,000
Total revenues						246,336,000	$ 245,210,000	$ 213,013,000	$ 211,473,000	206,920,000	$ 200,240,000	$ 188,573,000	$ 174,675,000				$ 476,314,000	916,032,000	770,408,000
Contingent consideration						105,762,000				98,600,000				98,600,000	105,762,000	98,600,000		105,762,000	98,600,000
Reduction of purchase price and goodwill																		(248,000)
Net operating loss						133,800,000									133,800,000			133,800,000
Deferred tax assets gross						$ 57,562,000				$ 48,738,000				48,738,000	$ 57,562,000	48,738,000		57,562,000	48,738,000
Equity consideration transferred on acquisition																		122,395,000	259,996,000
Latin American
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Total revenues																		$ 7,456,000	57,000
NMS
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Business acquisition date																		Jan. 31, 2017
Number of wireless towers owned \| Tower		366
Cash paid for business acquisition		$ 62,600,000
Deferred Tax Liabilities		18,400,000
Unrecognized tax benefits		5,300,000
Intangible assets		52,437,000
Acquired below-market leases intangible liability		$ 3,440,000
Acquired finite-lived intangible liability, weighted average useful life		10 years
Number of towers construction completed \| Tower						50									50			50
Payment for acquisition																		$ 5,100,000
NMS \| Customer Relationships
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Finite-lived intangible assets acquired		$ 37,400,000
Acquired finite-lived intangible assets, weighted average useful life		22 years
NMS \| Network
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Finite-lived intangible assets acquired		$ 13,500,000
Acquired finite-lived intangible assets, weighted average useful life		22 years
NMS \| Above Market Leases
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Finite-lived intangible assets acquired		$ 1,500,000
Acquired finite-lived intangible assets, weighted average useful life		10 years
NMS \| Latin American
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Number of towers additional acquisition when construction is completed \| Tower		105
NMS \| Mexican
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Number of wireless towers owned \| Tower		212
NMS \| Nicaragua
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Number of wireless towers owned \| Tower		54
NMS \| Colombia
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Number of wireless towers owned \| Tower		100
Southern Light, LLC
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Business acquisition date																		Jul. 03, 2017
Cash paid for business acquisition	$ 638,100,000
Intangible assets	$ 160,100,000
Percentage of equity acquired	100.00%
Total revenues															$ 45,500,000
Operating loss															4,600,000
Business combination, transaction related costs																		$ 14,800,000
Decrease to the valuation allowance																		$ 8,000,000
Southern Light, LLC \| Common Units
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Issuance of shares \| shares	2,500,000
Fair value of shares issued for acquisition	$ 64,300,000
Southern Light, LLC \| Customer Relationships
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Intangible assets	$ 160,100,000
Acquired finite-lived intangible assets, weighted average useful life	15 years
Hunt Telecommunications, LLC
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Business acquisition date																		Jul. 03, 2017
Cash paid for business acquisition	$ 129,300,000
Intangible assets	$ 73,000,000
Acquired finite-lived intangible assets, weighted average useful life	18 years
Percentage of equity acquired	100.00%
Total revenues																		$ 16,500,000
Operating loss																		2,700,000
Business combination, transaction related costs																		5,900,000
Additional contingent consideration	$ 17,000,000
Contingent consideration	$ 16,400,000					$ 11,500,000									11,500,000			$ 11,500,000
Hunt Telecommunications, LLC \| Common Units
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Issuance of shares \| shares	1,600,000
Fair value of shares issued for acquisition	$ 41,600,000
Tower Cloud, Inc.
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Business acquisition date																		Aug. 31, 2016
Cash paid for business acquisition			$ 187,500,000
Deferred Tax Liabilities			24,800,000
Intangible assets			$ 116,218,000
Percentage of equity acquired			100.00%
Total revenues														13,500,000
Operating loss														$ (2,100,000)
Business combination, transaction related costs																			$ 9,100,000
Additional contingent consideration			$ 130,000,000
Contingent consideration			98,600,000			$ 94,300,000									$ 94,300,000			$ 94,300,000
Reduction of purchase price and goodwill									$ (200,000)
Goodwill expected to be deductible for income tax purposes			0
Net operating loss			81,200,000
Deferred tax assets gross			$ 37,000,000
Tower Cloud, Inc. \| Minimum
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Percentage of aggregate amount of contingent consideration payments			50.00%
Operating loss carry forwards expiration year																			2026
Tower Cloud, Inc. \| Maximum
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Operating loss carry forwards expiration year																			2036
Tower Cloud, Inc. \| Common Stock
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Issuance of shares \| shares			1,900,000
Fair value of shares issued for acquisition			$ 58,500,000
Tower Cloud, Inc. \| Customer Relationships
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Intangible assets			$ 116,200,000
Acquired finite-lived intangible assets, weighted average useful life			30 years
PEG Bandwidth, LLC
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Business acquisition date																			May 02, 2016
Cash paid for business acquisition				$ 322,500
Intangible assets				$ 38,000,000
Percentage of equity acquired				100.00%
Total revenues																57,000,000
Operating loss																$ (8,800,000)
Business combination, transaction related costs																			$ 11,200,000
PEG Bandwidth, LLC \| Trademarks
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Indefinite-lived Intangible assets acquired				$ 2,000,000
PEG Bandwidth, LLC \| Series A Convertible Preferred Stock
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Issuance of shares \| shares				87,500
Fair value of shares issued for acquisition				$ 78,600
Percentage of dividend rate on convertible preferred stock				3.00%
PEG Bandwidth, LLC \| Common Stock
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Issuance of shares \| shares				1,000,000
Fair value of shares issued for acquisition				$ 23,200
PEG Bandwidth, LLC \| Customer Relationships
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Finite-lived intangible assets acquired				$ 36,000,000
Acquired finite-lived intangible assets, weighted average useful life				17 years
Summit Wireless Infrastructure, LLC
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Business acquisition date																			Jan. 22, 2016
Percentage of equity acquired					100.00%
Summit Wireless Infrastructure, LLC \| Common Stock
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Equity consideration transferred on acquisition					$ 1,100,000

Business Combinations and Asset Acquisitions - Summary of Estimated Fair Values of Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2017	Jul. 03, 2017	Jan. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Aug. 31, 2016	May 02, 2016
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Goodwill	$ 673,729			$ 262,334
NMS
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment			$ 36,417
Accounts receivable			2,826
Other assets			1,623
Intangible assets			52,437
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities			(8,895)
Intangible liabilities			(3,440)
Deferred income taxes			(18,403)
Total purchase consideration			$ 62,565
Southern Light, LLC
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment		$ 279,467
Cash and cash equivalents		1,992
Accounts receivable		11,139
Other assets		1,287
Goodwill		318,620
Intangible assets		160,100
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities		(19,846)
Deferred revenue		(38,134)
Deferred income taxes		(9,004)
Capital lease obligations		(3,189)
Total purchase consideration		702,432
Hunt Telecommunications, LLC
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment		59,682
Cash and cash equivalents		3,181
Accounts receivable		4,906
Other assets		413
Goodwill		93,023
Intangible assets		73,000
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities		(2,579)
Deferred revenue		(3,800)
Deferred income taxes		(40,391)
Capital lease obligations		(164)
Total purchase consideration		$ 187,271
Tower Cloud, Inc.
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment					$ 163,680
Cash and cash equivalents					14,346
Accounts receivable					3,043
Other assets					2,595
Goodwill					117,032
Intangible assets					116,218
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities					(16,782)
Deferred revenue					(23,900)
Deferred income taxes					(24,866)
Capital lease obligations					(6,750)
Total purchase consideration					$ 344,616
PEG Bandwidth, LLC
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment						$ 293,030
Cash and cash equivalents						7,003
Accounts receivable						6,584
Other assets						5,161
Goodwill						145,054
Intangible assets						38,000
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities						(8,643)
Deferred revenue						(12,700)
Capital lease obligations						(49,195)
Total purchase consideration						$ 424,294

Business Combinations and Asset Acquisitions - Unaudited Pro Forma Summary of Financial Results (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	8 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Southern Light, LLC and Hunt Telecommunications, LLC
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Pro forma revenue		$ 980,303	$ 891,373
Pro forma net income (loss)		$ 4,267	$ (2,482)
Pro forma net income (loss) per share		$ 0.02	$ (0.01)
Tower Cloud, Inc.
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Pro forma revenue	$ 505,764		$ 798,054
Pro forma net income (loss)	$ 17,609		$ (3,581)
Pro forma net income (loss) per share	$ 0.12		$ (0.02)
PEG Bandwidth, LLC
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Pro forma revenue	$ 529,911		$ 797,637
Pro forma net income (loss)	$ 19,809		$ 6,264
Pro forma net income (loss) per share	$ 0.13		$ 0.04

Fair Value of Financial Instruments - Schedule of Fair Value Valuation of Financial Instruments (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Assets
Derivative asset	$ 6,793
Total	6,793
Liabilities
Contingent consideration	105,762	$ 98,600
Total	4,553,521	4,394,138
Derivative liability		6,102
Senior Secured Term Loan B Facility
Liabilities
Senior secured loan	2,011,237	2,139,586
6.00% Senior Secured Notes
Liabilities
Senior notes	540,375	569,250
8.25% Senior Unsecured Notes
Liabilities
Senior notes	1,073,925	1,176,600
7.125% Senior Unsecured Notes
Liabilities
Senior notes	542,250	404,000
Senior Secured Revolving Credit Facility
Liabilities
Senior secured loan	279,972
Prices with Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)
Assets
Derivative asset	6,793
Total	6,793
Liabilities
Total	4,447,759	4,295,538
Derivative liability		6,102
Prices with Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) \| Senior Secured Term Loan B Facility
Liabilities
Senior secured loan	2,011,237	2,139,586
Prices with Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) \| 6.00% Senior Secured Notes
Liabilities
Senior notes	540,375	569,250
Prices with Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) \| 8.25% Senior Unsecured Notes
Liabilities
Senior notes	1,073,925	1,176,600
Prices with Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) \| 7.125% Senior Unsecured Notes
Liabilities
Senior notes	542,250	404,000
Prices with Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) \| Senior Secured Revolving Credit Facility
Liabilities
Senior secured loan	279,972
Prices with Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
Liabilities
Contingent consideration	105,762	98,600
Total	$ 105,762	$ 98,600

Fair Value of Financial Instruments - Schedule of Fair Value Valuation of Financial Instruments (Parenthetical) (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
6.00% Senior Secured Notes
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Recurring And Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Issuance senior notes, stated percentage	6.00%	6.00%
Debt instrument, maturity date	Apr. 15, 2023	Apr. 15, 2023
8.25% Senior Unsecured Notes
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Recurring And Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Issuance senior notes, stated percentage	8.25%	8.25%
Debt instrument, maturity date	Oct. 15, 2023	Oct. 15, 2023
7.125% Senior Unsecured Notes
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Recurring And Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Issuance senior notes, stated percentage	7.125%	7.125%
Debt instrument, maturity date	Dec. 15, 2024	Dec. 15, 2024
Senior Secured Term Loan B Facility
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Recurring And Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Debt instrument, maturity date	Oct. 24, 2022	Oct. 24, 2022
Senior Secured Revolving Credit Facility
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Recurring And Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Debt instrument, maturity date	Apr. 24, 2020	Apr. 24, 2020

Fair Value of Financial Instruments - Additional Information (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Jul. 03, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Aug. 31, 2016
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Recurring And Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Principal amount of notes and other debt	$ 4,626,887		$ 4,167,967
Estimated fair value of future contingent consideration	105,762		$ 98,600
Payments of contingent consideration	19,999
Change in fair value of contingent consideration	10,736
Hunt Telecommunications, LLC
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Recurring And Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Estimated fair value of future contingent consideration	11,500	$ 16,400
Tower Cloud, Inc.
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Recurring And Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Estimated fair value of future contingent consideration	94,300			$ 98,600
Payments of contingent consideration	20,000
Prices with Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Recurring And Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Notes and other debt, fair value	$ 4,400,000

Fair Value of Financial Instruments - Roll Forward of Liability Measured at Fair Value on Recurring Basis Using Unobservable Inputs (Details) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017 USD ($)
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Contingent consideration, beginning balance	$ 98,600
Transfers into Level 3	16,425
(Gain)/Loss included in earnings	10,736
Settlements	(19,999)
Contingent consideration, ending balance	$ 105,762

Property, Plant and Equipment - Schedule of Carrying Value of Property, Plant and Equipment (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Property Plant And Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, gross	$ 7,542,587	$ 6,751,076
Less accumulated depreciation	(4,488,698)	(4,081,039)
Net property, plant and equipment	3,053,889	2,670,037
Land
Property Plant And Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, gross	28,269	26,833
Building and Improvements
Property Plant And Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, gross	$ 325,445	318,967
Building and Improvements \| Minimum
Property Plant And Equipment [Line Items]
Depreciable Lives	3 years
Building and Improvements \| Maximum
Property Plant And Equipment [Line Items]
Depreciable Lives	40 years
Poles
Property Plant And Equipment [Line Items]
Depreciable Lives	30 years
Property, plant and equipment, gross	$ 243,710	234,393
Fiber
Property Plant And Equipment [Line Items]
Depreciable Lives	30 years
Property, plant and equipment, gross	$ 2,669,058	2,243,822
Equipment
Property Plant And Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, gross	$ 213,574	130,945
Equipment \| Minimum
Property Plant And Equipment [Line Items]
Depreciable Lives	5 years
Equipment \| Maximum
Property Plant And Equipment [Line Items]
Depreciable Lives	7 years
Copper
Property Plant And Equipment [Line Items]
Depreciable Lives	20 years
Property, plant and equipment, gross	$ 3,656,385	3,538,566
Conduit
Property Plant And Equipment [Line Items]
Depreciable Lives	30 years
Property, plant and equipment, gross	$ 91,210	90,540
Tower assets
Property Plant And Equipment [Line Items]
Depreciable Lives	20 years
Property, plant and equipment, gross	$ 59,327	4,307
Other assets
Property Plant And Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, gross	$ 8,258	5,299
Other assets \| Minimum
Property Plant And Equipment [Line Items]
Depreciable Lives	15 years
Other assets \| Maximum
Property Plant And Equipment [Line Items]
Depreciable Lives	20 years
Corporate assets
Property Plant And Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, gross	$ 2,690	2,731
Corporate assets \| Minimum
Property Plant And Equipment [Line Items]
Depreciable Lives	3 years
Corporate assets \| Maximum
Property Plant And Equipment [Line Items]
Depreciable Lives	7 years
Real Property Interests
Property Plant And Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, gross	$ 34,580	12,265
Capital Lease Assets
Property Plant And Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, gross	97,592	89,723
Construction in progress
Property Plant And Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, gross	$ 112,489	$ 52,685

Property, Plant and Equipment - Additional Information (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	8 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Property Plant And Equipment [Abstract]
Depreciation expense	$ 236.2	$ 415.9	$ 369.9

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities - Additional Information (Details) - USD ($)		12 Months Ended
	Apr. 27, 2015	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Derivative Instruments And Hedging Activities Disclosures [Line Items]
Unrealized loss on derivative instruments		$ (7,700,000,000)	$ (24,500,000,000)
Ineffective portion of change in fair value derivatives		0	0
Amounts reported in AOCI that will be reclassified into interest expense during the next twelve months		17,500,000
Interest Expense
Derivative Instruments And Hedging Activities Disclosures [Line Items]
Reclassification out of other comprehensive income into interest expense		$ 20,600,000	$ 23,800,000
Interest Rate Swap
Derivative Instruments And Hedging Activities Disclosures [Line Items]
Derivative, notional value	$ 2,130,000,000
Derivative, maturity date	Oct. 24, 2022
Derivative, weighted average fixed rate paid	2.105%
Interest Rate Swap \| Minimum
Derivative Instruments And Hedging Activities Disclosures [Line Items]
LIBOR, variable rate	1.00%

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities - Summary of Fair Value of Derivative Instruments and Presentation in Consolidated Balance Sheet (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Derivatives Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative asset	$ 6,793
Derivative liability		$ 6,102
Interest Rate Swap
Derivatives Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative asset	$ 6,793
Derivative liability		$ 6,102

Goodwill and Intangible Assets - Schedule of Carrying Amount of Goodwill (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill at December 31, 2015	$ 262,334
Goodwill Purchase Accounting Adjustments	(248)
Goodwill associated with acquisitions	411,643	$ 262,334
Goodwill at December 31, 2016	673,729	262,334
Fiber Infrastructure
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill at December 31, 2015	262,334
Goodwill Purchase Accounting Adjustments	(248)
Goodwill associated with acquisitions	411,643	262,334
Goodwill at December 31, 2016	$ 673,729	$ 262,334

Goodwill and Intangible Assets - Schedule of Carrying Value of Other Intangible Assets (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands

Dec. 31, 2017

Dec. 31, 2016

Schedule Of Indefinite And Finite Lived Intangible Assets And Liabilities [Line Items]

Total intangible assets, Cost

$ 477,730

$ 190,642

Less: Accumulated amortization

(48,373)

(30,058)

Total intangible assets, net

429,357

160,584

Trade Names

Schedule Of Indefinite And Finite Lived Intangible Assets And Liabilities [Line Items]

Indefinite life intangible assets, Cost

2,000

Customer Relationships

Schedule Of Indefinite And Finite Lived Intangible Assets And Liabilities [Line Items]

Finite life intangible assets, Cost

38,527

Less: Accumulated amortization

(1,605)

Acquired Below-market Leases

Schedule Of Indefinite And Finite Lived Intangible Assets And Liabilities [Line Items]

Finite life intangible assets, Cost

1,509

Less: Accumulated amortization

^[1]

(138)

Acquired Above-market Leases

Schedule Of Indefinite And Finite Lived Intangible Assets And Liabilities [Line Items]

Finite life intangible liabilities, Cost

3,455

Less: Accumulated amortization

(317)

Total intangible liabilities, net

^[2]

3,138

Customer Lists

Schedule Of Indefinite And Finite Lived Intangible Assets And Liabilities [Line Items]

Finite life intangible assets, Cost

421,743

188,642

Less: Accumulated amortization

(46,049)

$ (30,058)

Network

Schedule Of Indefinite And Finite Lived Intangible Assets And Liabilities [Line Items]

Finite life intangible assets, Cost

^[1]

13,951

Less: Accumulated amortization

$ (581)

[1]	Reflects the potential to lease additional tower capacity on the existing towers due to their geographical location and capacity as of the valuation date.
[2]	Recorded in accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities, net on the Consolidated Balance Sheet.

Goodwill and Intangible Assets - Additional Information (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	8 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Goodwill And Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Amortization	$ 2.6	$ 18.3	$ 6.1
Estimated amortization expense for 2018		25.1
Estimated amortization expense for 2019		24.4
Estimated amortization expense for 2020		23.9
Estimated amortization expense for 2021		23.5
Estimated amortization expense for 2022		$ 23.0

Notes and Other Debt - Schedule of Notes and Other Debt (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principal amount of notes and other debt	$ 4,626,887	$ 4,167,967
Less unamortized discount, premium and debt issuance costs	(144,190)	(139,753)
Notes and other debt less unamortized discount and debt issuance costs	4,482,697	4,028,214
Senior Secured Term Loan B Facility
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principal amount of notes and other debt	2,086,887	2,107,967
Less unamortized discount, premium and debt issuance costs	(87,140)	(78,699)
Senior Secured Notes - 6.00% Due April 15, 2023
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principal amount of notes and other debt	550,000	550,000
Less unamortized discount, premium and debt issuance costs	(8,508)	(9,817)
Senior Unsecured Notes - 8.25% Due October 15, 2023
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principal amount of notes and other debt	1,110,000	1,110,000
Less unamortized discount, premium and debt issuance costs	(40,467)	(45,599)
Senior Unsecured Notes - 7.125% Due December 15, 2024
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principal amount of notes and other debt	600,000	400,000
Less unamortized discount, premium and debt issuance costs	(8,075)	$ (5,638)
Senior Secured Revolving Credit Facility
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principal amount of notes and other debt	$ 280,000

Notes and Other Debt - Schedule of Notes and Other Debt (Parenthetical) (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Senior Secured Term Loan B Facility
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, maturity date	Oct. 24, 2022	Oct. 24, 2022
Debt instrument, imputed interest rate	5.66%	5.66%
Senior Secured Notes - 6.00% Due April 15, 2023
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, maturity date	Apr. 15, 2023	Apr. 15, 2023
Debt instrument, imputed interest rate	6.29%	6.29%
Issuance senior notes, stated percentage	6.00%	6.00%
Senior Unsecured Notes - 8.25% Due October 15, 2023
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, maturity date	Oct. 15, 2023	Oct. 15, 2023
Debt instrument, imputed interest rate	9.06%	9.06%
Issuance senior notes, stated percentage	8.25%	8.25%
Senior Unsecured Notes - 7.125% Due December 15, 2024
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, maturity date	Dec. 15, 2024	Dec. 15, 2024
Issuance senior notes, stated percentage	7.125%	7.125%
Senior Secured Revolving Credit Facility
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, maturity date	Apr. 24, 2020	Apr. 24, 2020

Notes and Other Debt - Additional Information (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands					8 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	May 08, 2017	Dec. 15, 2016	Jun. 09, 2016	Apr. 25, 2015	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Apr. 28, 2017	Apr. 27, 2017	Apr. 24, 2015
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument amount						$ 4,626,887	$ 4,167,967
Amortization of deferred financing costs					$ 4,800	$ 13,600	$ 7,800
Maximum
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Consolidated secured leverage ratio								500.00%
Consolidated total leverage ratio								650.00%
Maximum \| Pro Forma
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Consolidated secured leverage ratio								400.00%
CSL Capital, LLC
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, debt default, description of violation or event of default						In particular, a repayment obligation could be triggered if (i) the Borrowers or certain of their subsidiaries fail to make a payment when due of any principal or interest on any other indebtedness aggregating $75.0 million or more, or (ii) an event occurs that causes, or would permit the holders of any other indebtedness aggregating $75.0 million or more to cause, such indebtedness to become due prior to its stated maturity.
Debt Instrument, debt default, amount								$ 75,000
Senior Secured Term Loan B Facility
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, maturity date						Oct. 24, 2022	Oct. 24, 2022
Debt instrument amount						$ 2,086,887	$ 2,107,967
Senior Secured Term Loan B Facility \| CSL Capital, LLC
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Issuance of senior notes, principal amount						$ 2,140,000
Debt amortization percentage						1.00%
Senior Secured Term Loan B Facility \| CSL Capital, LLC \| London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR)
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, basis spread on variable rate						3.00%
Senior Secured Term Loan B Facility \| CSL Capital, LLC \| Minimum \| London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR)
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Issuance senior notes, stated percentage						1.00%
Senior Secured Notes - 6.00% Due April 15, 2023
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, maturity date						Apr. 15, 2023	Apr. 15, 2023
Issuance senior notes, stated percentage						6.00%	6.00%
Debt instrument amount						$ 550,000	$ 550,000
Senior Secured Notes - 6.00% Due April 15, 2023 \| CSL Capital, LLC
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Issuance of senior notes, principal amount			$ 150,000			$ 550,000				$ 400,000
Notes issued price percentage at par			99.25%	100.00%
8.25% Senior Unsecured Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, maturity date						Oct. 15, 2023	Oct. 15, 2023
Issuance senior notes, stated percentage						8.25%	8.25%
Debt instrument amount						$ 1,110,000	$ 1,110,000
8.25% Senior Unsecured Notes \| CSL Capital, LLC
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Issuance of senior notes, principal amount										$ 1,110,000
Notes issued price percentage at par				97.055%
Senior Secured Revolving Credit Facility
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, maturity date						Apr. 24, 2020	Apr. 24, 2020
Debt instrument amount						$ 280,000
Senior Secured Revolving Credit Facility \| CSL Capital, LLC
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Commitments under revolving credit facility								$ 750,000	$ 500,000
Senior Secured Revolving Credit Facility \| CSL Capital, LLC \| Minimum \| London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR)
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, basis spread on variable rate						1.75%
Senior Secured Revolving Credit Facility \| CSL Capital, LLC \| Maximum \| London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR)
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, basis spread on variable rate						2.25%
Senior Unsecured Notes - 7.125% Due December 15, 2024
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, maturity date						Dec. 15, 2024	Dec. 15, 2024
Issuance senior notes, stated percentage						7.125%	7.125%
Debt instrument amount						$ 600,000	$ 400,000
Senior Unsecured Notes - 7.125% Due December 15, 2024 \| CSL Capital, LLC
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument amount						$ 600,000
Issuance of senior notes, principal amount	$ 200,000	$ 400,000
Notes issued price percentage at par	100.50%	100.00%

Notes and Other Debt - Schedule of Aggregate Annual Maturities of Long-Term Obligations (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Long Term Debt By Maturity [Abstract]
2018	$ 21,079
2019	21,079
2020	301,079
2021	21,079
2022	2,002,571
Thereafter	2,260,000
Total	$ 4,626,887	$ 4,167,967

Notes and Other Debt - Schedule of Future Minimum Lease Payments Under Capital Lease Obligations (Details) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2017 USD ($)
Long Term Debt [Abstract]
2018	$ 8,407
2019	8,083
2020	7,048
2021	6,309
2022	6,155
Thereafter	53,461
Total minimum payments	89,463
Less amount representing interest	(33,134)
Total	$ 56,329

Stock-Based Compensation - Additional Information (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Millions		8 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Feb. 13, 2017	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 29, 2017
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Shares available for future issuance			325,148,486
Restricted Awards
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of shares granted		241,140	234,294	308,146
Fair value of shares granted			$ 6.0
Awards vesting period			3 years
Shares available for future issuance				4,992,583
Aggregate intrinsic value					$ 17.79
Weighted-average fair value		$ 25.82	$ 25.56	$ 20.56
Total fair value of shares vesting			$ 2.9	$ 1.1
Unrecognized compensation expense			$ 6.6
Weighted average vesting period			10 months 24 days
Number of shares forfeited			33,041
Performance Awards
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of shares granted	91,995	60,970	91,995	101,660
Aggregate intrinsic value					$ 17.79
Weighted-average fair value		$ 21.82	$ 33.75	$ 20.71
Unrecognized compensation expense				$ 3.2
Weighted average vesting period				1 year 9 months 18 days
Performance period			3 years
Percentage of target amount	100.00%
Aggregate value	$ 3.1
Number of shares forfeited			0
Dividend yield		0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Performance Awards \| Minimum
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Percentage of target shares			0.00%
Performance Awards \| Maximum
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Percentage of target shares			200.00%
Restricted Stock Awards and Performance-Based Awards \| General And Administrative Expense
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Compensation expense recognized during the period		$ 1.9	$ 7.7	$ 4.8
Windstream \| Restricted Awards
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Shares issued			538,819
Shares issued to employees remained outstanding			0
Windstream \| Performance Awards
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Shares issued			70,889
Shares issued to employees remained outstanding			0

Stock-Based Compensation - Schedule of Unvested Restricted Stock Awards (Details) - Restricted Awards - USD ($)
$ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands

8 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2015

Dec. 31, 2017

Dec. 31, 2016

Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]

Unvested balance

493,891

Granted

241,140

234,294

308,146

Forfeited

(33,041)

Vested

(106,956)

Unvested balance

588,188

493,891

Unvested balance, Weighted Average Fair Value at Grant Date

$ 22.60

Granted, Weighted Average Fair Value at Grant Date

$ 25.82

25.56

$ 20.56

Forfeited, Weighted Average Fair Value at Grant Date

24.77

Vested, Weighted Average Fair Value at Grant Date

20.73

Unvested balance, Weighted Average Fair Value at Grant Date

$ 24.00

$ 22.60

Unvested balance, Aggregate Intrinsic Value

^[1]

$ 10,464

[1]

Stock-Based Compensation - Schedule of Unvested Performance-based Restricted Stock Units Awards (Details) - Performance Awards - USD ($)
$ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands

8 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

Feb. 13, 2017

Dec. 31, 2015

Dec. 31, 2017

Dec. 31, 2016

Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]

Unvested balance

162,630

Granted

91,995

60,970

91,995

101,660

Forfeited

Unvested balance

254,625

162,630

Unvested balance, Weighted Average Fair Value at Grant Date

$ 21.13

Granted, Weighted Average Fair Value at Grant Date

$ 21.82

33.75

$ 20.71

Unvested balance, Weighted Average Fair Value at Grant Date

$ 25.69

$ 21.13

Unvested balance, Aggregate Intrinsic Value

^[1]

$ 4,530

[1]

Stock-Based Compensation - Schedule of Assumptions used to Value PSUs Granted (Details) - Performance Awards	8 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Expected term (years)	2 years 10 months 25 days	3 years	3 years
Expected volatility	26.60%	33.60%	48.80%
Expected annual dividend	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Risk free rate	0.90%	1.50%	0.90%

Related Party Transactions - Additional Information (Details)						3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended	8 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Jun. 24, 2016 USD ($) shares	Jun. 15, 2016 shares	May 31, 2016 USD ($) Tower	Dec. 29, 2015 USD ($)	Apr. 25, 2015 $ / shares shares	Mar. 31, 2016 USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2016 USD ($) shares	Dec. 31, 2015 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2017 USD ($) $ / shares shares	Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($) $ / shares shares
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Common stock, shares issued \| shares									174,852,000	155,139,000
Common stock, par value \| $ / shares									$ 0.0001	$ 0.0001
Proceeds from disposition of common stock								$ (543,000)	$ 498,926,000	$ 54,213,000
General and administrative expense								11,208,000	72,045,000	35,402,000
Operating expense								13,743,000	102,176,000	49,668,000
Payments related to tax withholding for share-based compensation								113,000	1,836,000	2,359,000
Windstream
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Common shares withheld to satisfy minimum statutory tax-withholding obligations \| shares							91,412
Payments related to tax withholding for share-based compensation							$ 1,900,000
Number of wireless towers owned \| Tower			32
Number of wireless towers owned by operating rights \| Tower			49
Purchase price of wireless towers to be acquired			$ 3,000,000
Capital expenditures				$ 43,100,000
Windstream \| Master Lease
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Leasing revenue							337,600,000	458,600,000
Incremental rent per year				$ 3,500,000
Windstream \| Transitional Service Agreement
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
General and administrative expense						$ 19,000		100,000
Windstream \| Tenant Capital Improvements \| Master Lease
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Leasing revenue								800,000	$ 14,300,000	$ 6,100,000
Windstream \| Common Stock
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Disposition of common stock in exchange for debt \| shares		14,700,000
Windstream \| Public Offering
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Common stock, shares issued \| shares	14,700,000
Proceeds from disposition of common stock	$ 0
Windstream \| Consumer CLEC Business \| Wholesale Master Services Agreement
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Operating expense							6,600,000	10,100,000
Windstream \| Consumer CLEC Business \| Master Services Agreement
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Operating expense							$ 900,000	$ 1,100,000
Spinoff \| Windstream \| Consumer CLEC Business
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Common stock, shares issued \| shares					149,800,000
Common stock, par value \| $ / shares					$ 0.0001
Common stock, ownership interest percentage					19.60%
Spinoff \| Windstream \| Consumer CLEC Business \| Share Distribution
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Percentage of stock distributed					80.40%

Earnings Per Share - Additional Information (Details) - shares shares in Thousands	8 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Performance Awards
Antidilutive Securities Excluded From Computation Of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Anti-dilutive securities excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share	61	76	220

Earnings Per Share - Schedule of Earnings Per Share Basic and Diluted (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								8 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2017	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Numerator:
Net (loss) income attributable to shareholders									$ 24,870	$ (9,439)	$ (212)
Less: Income allocated to participating securities									(1,152)	(1,509)	(1,557)
Dividends declared on convertible preferred stock										(2,624)	(1,743)
Amortization of discount on convertible preferred stock										(2,980)	(1,985)
Net (loss) income attributable to common shareholders	$ 20,539	$ 2,939	$ (18,242)	$ (21,788)	$ (6,163)	$ (4,144)	$ (2,871)	$ 7,681	$ 23,718	$ (16,552)	$ (5,497)
Denominator:
Basic									149,835	168,693	152,473
Basic	$ 0.12	$ 0.02	$ (0.11)	$ (0.14)	$ (0.04)	$ (0.03)	$ (0.02)	$ 0.05	$ 0.16	$ (0.10)	$ (0.04)
Numerator:
Net (loss) income attributable to shareholders									$ 24,870	$ (9,439)	$ (212)
Less: Income allocated to participating securities									(1,152)	(1,509)	(1,557)
Dividends declared on convertible preferred stock										(2,624)	(1,743)
Amortization of discount on convertible preferred stock										(2,980)	(1,985)
Mark-to-market gain on share settled contingent consideration arrangments										(4,944)
Net (loss) income attributable to common shares									$ 23,718	$ (21,496)	$ (5,497)
Denominator:
Basic weighted-average common shares outstanding									149,835	168,693	152,473
Contingent consideration										296
Weighted-average shares for dilutive earnings per common share									149,835	168,989	152,473
Diluted	$ 0.12	$ (0.02)	$ (0.11)	$ (0.14)	$ (0.04)	$ (0.03)	$ (0.02)	$ 0.05	$ 0.16	$ (0.13)	$ (0.04)

Segment Information - Additional Information (Details)	12 Months Ended
Segment Information - Additional Information (Details)	Dec. 31, 2017 Segment
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Number of operating business segments	4

Segment Information - Schedule of Segment Information (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands

3 Months Ended

8 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2017

Sep. 30, 2017

Jun. 30, 2017

Mar. 31, 2017

Dec. 31, 2016

Sep. 30, 2016

Jun. 30, 2016

Mar. 31, 2016

Dec. 31, 2015

Dec. 31, 2017

Dec. 31, 2016

Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]

Revenues

$ 246,336

$ 245,210

$ 213,013

$ 211,473

$ 206,920

$ 200,240

$ 188,573

$ 174,675

$ 476,314

$ 916,032

$ 770,408

Adjusted EBITDA

$ 453,297

$ 749,524

$ 690,184

Adjusted EBITDA margin

95.20%

81.80%

89.60%

Interest expense

$ 181,797

$ 305,994

$ 275,394

Depreciation and amortization

238,748

434,205

375,970

Other expense

11,284

Transaction related costs

5,210

38,005

33,669

Stock-based compensation

1,934

7,713

4,846

Income tax (benefit) expense

738

(38,849)

517

Net (loss) income

$ 22,797

$ 4,835

$ (16,460)

$ (20,000)

$ (4,370)

$ (2,343)

$ (1,535)

$ 8,036

24,870

(8,828)

(212)

Capital expenditures

^[1]

44,413

257,521

46,443

Leasing

Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]

Revenues

458,614

685,099

676,868

Adjusted EBITDA

$ 457,704

$ 683,651

$ 675,114

Adjusted EBITDA margin

99.80%

99.70%

Depreciation and amortization

$ 235,967

$ 347,999

$ 343,368

Capital expenditures

^[1]

43,077

Fiber Infrastructure

Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]

Revenues

202,791

70,568

Adjusted EBITDA

$ 83,987

$ 25,912

Adjusted EBITDA margin

41.40%

36.70%

Depreciation and amortization

$ 78,307

$ 28,629

Capital expenditures

^[1]

152,918

31,006

Towers

Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]

Revenues

10,055

500

Adjusted EBITDA

$ (831)

$ (1,123)

Adjusted EBITDA margin

(8.30%)

(224.60%)

Depreciation and amortization

$ 4,907

$ 337

Capital expenditures

^[1]

104,540

15,262

Consumer CLEC

Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]

Revenues

17,700

18,087

22,472

Adjusted EBITDA

$ 3,957

$ 4,556

$ 5,074

Adjusted EBITDA margin

22.40%

25.20%

22.60%

Depreciation and amortization

$ 2,571

$ 2,607

$ 3,258

Corporate

Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]

Adjusted EBITDA

(8,364)

(21,839)

(14,793)

Depreciation and amortization

210

385

378

Capital expenditures

^[1]

$ 1,336

$ 63

$ 175

[1]	Segment capital expenditures represents capital expenditures, the NMS asset acquisition and ground lease investments as reported in the investing activities section of the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows.

Segment Information - Summary of Total Assets by Business Segment (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total assets	$ 4,330,082	$ 3,318,752
Leasing
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total assets	2,121,857	2,238,517
Fiber Infrastructure
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total assets	2,009,175	914,082
Towers
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total assets	157,180	18,004
Consumer CLEC
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total assets	10,919	14,239
Corporate
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total assets	$ 30,951	$ 133,910

Segment Information - Summary of Geographical Segment Information Related to Revenues (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								8 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2017	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Segment Reporting Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Total revenues	$ 246,336	$ 245,210	$ 213,013	$ 211,473	$ 206,920	$ 200,240	$ 188,573	$ 174,675	$ 476,314	$ 916,032	$ 770,408
United States
Segment Reporting Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Total revenues									$ 476,314	908,576	770,351
Latin American
Segment Reporting Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Total revenues										$ 7,456	$ 57

Segment Information - Summary of Geographical Segment Information Related to Long Lived Assets (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Revenues From External Customers And Long Lived Assets [Line Items]
Total long-lived assets	$ 3,481,246	$ 2,828,621
United States
Revenues From External Customers And Long Lived Assets [Line Items]
Total long-lived assets	3,382,894	2,826,442
Latin American
Revenues From External Customers And Long Lived Assets [Line Items]
Total long-lived assets	$ 98,352	$ 2,179

Commitments and Contingencies - Additional Information (Details) - USD ($)	8 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Commitments And Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Rental expense under operating leases	$ 132,000	$ 25.2	$ 10.9
Obligations under tax matters agreement		$ 0

Commitments and Contingencies - Schedule of Future Minimum Rental Payments Under Non-cancelable Operating Leases (Details) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2017 USD ($)
Commitments And Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
2018	$ 14,336
2019	10,007
2020	7,107
2021	4,411
2022	2,760
Thereafter	16,663
Total	$ 55,284

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income - Schedule of Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) by Component (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	8 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss [Line Items]
Beginning balance, value	$ 2,508,420	$ (1,402,445)	$ (1,166,906)
Changes in foreign currency translation		1,660	(267)
Ending balance, value	(1,166,906)	(1,207,142)	(1,402,445)
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	(5,427)	7,821	(6,369)
Cash Flow Hedge Changes in Fair Value Gain
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss [Line Items]
Beginning balance, value		(6,102)	(5,427)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	(21,682)	(7,735)	(24,465)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income	16,255	20,630	23,790
Net other comprehensive income	(5,427)	6,793	(6,102)
Less: Other comprehensive (loss) income attributable to noncontrolling interest		442
Ending balance, value	$ (5,427)	6,351	(6,102)
Currency Translation Adjustment
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss [Line Items]
Beginning balance, value		(267)
Changes in foreign currency translation		1,660	(267)
Net other comprehensive income		1,393	(267)
Less: Other comprehensive (loss) income attributable to noncontrolling interest		(77)
Ending balance, value		$ 1,470	$ (267)

Income Taxes - Additional Information (Details) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Aug. 31, 2016
Income Taxes [Line Items]
Federal income tax provision		$ 0
Federal corporate level tax rate		35.00%
Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 accounting complete		false
Non-cash provisional benefit		$ 17,000,000
Deferred tax asset, valuation allowance			$ 8,176,000
Change in valuation allowance		(8,176,000)	$ 8,176,000
Net operating loss		$ 133,800,000
Income tax examination, year open to examination		2014
Interest and penalties net of tax recognized		$ 0
Accrued interest and penalties on unrecognized tax benefits		$ 2,300,000
Earliest Tax Year
Income Taxes [Line Items]
Operating loss carry forwards expiration year		2026
Latest Tax Year
Income Taxes [Line Items]
Operating loss carry forwards expiration year		2037
Tower Cloud, Inc.
Income Taxes [Line Items]
Business acquisition date		Aug. 31, 2016
Percentage of equity acquired				100.00%
Net operating loss				$ 81,200,000
Minimum \| Tower Cloud, Inc.
Income Taxes [Line Items]
Operating loss carry forwards expiration year			2026
Maximum \| Tower Cloud, Inc.
Income Taxes [Line Items]
Operating loss carry forwards expiration year			2036
Scenario, Forecast
Income Taxes [Line Items]
Federal corporate level tax rate	21.00%

Income Taxes - Schedule of Income Tax Expense (Benefit) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	8 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Current
Federal	$ 1,208	$ 1,456	$ 1,596
State	741	866	1,107
Total current expense	1,949	2,322	2,703
Deferred
Federal	(770)	(36,956)	(1,488)
State	(441)	(3,837)	(698)
Foreign		(378)
Total deferred expense	(1,211)	(41,171)	(2,186)
Total income tax (benefit) expense	$ 738	$ (38,849)	$ 517

Income Taxes - Income Tax Expense Reconciliation Between U.S. Statutory Tax Rate and Effective Tax Rate (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	8 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Income from continuing operations, before tax	$ 24,795	$ (47,667)	$ 305
Income tax at U.S. statutory federal rate	8,665	(16,687)	107
Increases (decreases) resulting from:
State taxes, net of federal benefit	266	(429)	(224)
Benefit of REIT status	(8,193)	8,836	(4,016)
Capitalized transaction costs		(4,820)	(3,915)
Change in valuation allowance		(8,176)	8,176
Adjustment of deferred tax balances		(217)	149
Permanent differences		60	52
Foreign taxes		(378)
Rate differential		(17,038)	188
Total income tax (benefit) expense	$ 738	$ (38,849)	$ 517

Income Taxes - Schedule of Components of Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Deferred tax assets:
Deferred revenue	$ 17,114	$ 4,244
Accrued bonuses	101	520
Goodwill		1,886
Stock based compensation	506	179
Accrued expenses and other	2,023	802
Asset retirement obligation	1,341	790
Inventory reserve	248	401
Net operating loss carryforwards	36,229	39,916
Deferred tax assets	57,562	48,738
Valuation allowance		(8,176)
Deferred tax assets, net of valuation allowance	57,562	40,562
Deferred tax liabilities:
Property, plant & equipment	(43,817)	(20,923)
Customer list intangible	(68,795)	(47,721)
Other intangible amortization	(291)	(137)
Other	(137)	(175)
Deferred tax liabilities	(113,040)	(68,956)
Deferred tax liability, net	$ (55,478)	$ (28,394)

Income Taxes - Schedule of Reconciliation of Unrecognized Tax Benefits (Details) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017 USD ($)
Income Tax Uncertainties [Abstract]
Additions related to acquisitions	$ 3,036
Balance at December 31	$ 3,036

Supplemental Cash Flow Information - Schedule Cash Paid For Interest Expense And Income Taxes (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	8 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Supplemental Cash Flow Information [Abstract]
Cash paid for interest	$ 147,428	$ 276,071	$ 255,945
Cash paid for income taxes	$ 1,284	$ 4,388	$ 3,003

Capital Stock - Additional Information (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands					8 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Apr. 25, 2017	Aug. 31, 2016	Jun. 24, 2016	May 02, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Schedule Of Capitalization Equity [Line Items]
Common stock, par value						$ 0.0001	$ 0.0001
Proceeds from disposition of common stock					$ (543)	$ 498,926	$ 54,213
Preferred stock, par value						$ 0.0001	$ 0.0001
Convertible preferred stock, terms of conversion						Holders of the Series A Shares have the option to convert at any time after three years, or are mandatorily convertible after eight years.
Common stock, shares authorized						500,000,000	500,000,000
Preferred stock, shares authorized						50,000,000	50,000,000
Common stock, shares outstanding						174,851,514	155,139,000
Preferred stock, shares outstanding						0	0
Shares available for future issuance						325,148,486
Common Stock
Schedule Of Capitalization Equity [Line Items]
Additional shares issued						19,528,302	5,077,629
Proceeds from issuance of public offering, net of underwriting discounts and commissions			$ 54,800
Common Stock \| Public Offering
Schedule Of Capitalization Equity [Line Items]
Public offering price			$ 26.01
Additional shares issued			2,200,000
Tower Cloud, Inc. \| Common Stock
Schedule Of Capitalization Equity [Line Items]
Issuance of shares		1,900,000
Common stock, par value		$ 0.0001
Southern Light and Hunt \| Common Stock
Schedule Of Capitalization Equity [Line Items]
Issuance of shares	19,500,000
Common stock, par value	$ 0.0001
Public offering price	$ 26.50
Proceeds from disposition of common stock	$ 518,000
PEG Bandwidth, LLC \| 3% Series A Convertible Preferred Stock
Schedule Of Capitalization Equity [Line Items]
Issuance of shares				87,500
Preferred stock, par value				$ 0.0001
Preferred stock, liquidation value				$ 87,500
Percentage of dividend rate on convertible preferred stock				3.00%
Preferred stock, liquidation preference				$ 1,000
PEG Bandwidth, LLC \| Common Stock
Schedule Of Capitalization Equity [Line Items]
Issuance of shares				1,000,000
Common stock, par value				$ 0.0001
PEG Bandwidth, LLC \| Common Stock \| 3% Series A Convertible Preferred Stock
Schedule Of Capitalization Equity [Line Items]
Convertible preferred stock, conversion rate				28.5714
PEG Bandwidth, LLC \| Common Stock \| Maximum \| 3% Series A Convertible Preferred Stock
Schedule Of Capitalization Equity [Line Items]
Convertible preferred stock, conversion rate				50.5305

Dividends (Distributions) - Additional Information (Details) - $ / shares	8 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Payments Of Dividends [Abstract]
Common stock distribution per share	$ 1.04	$ 2.40	$ 2.40

Dividends (Distributions) - Schedule of Common Stock Distribution Per Share (Details) - $ / shares	8 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Payments Of Dividends [Abstract]
Ordinary dividends	$ 0.87	$ 1.22	$ 1.31
Non-dividend distributions	0.17	1.18	1.09
Total	$ 1.04	$ 2.40	$ 2.40

Future Minimum Rents - Schedule of Future Minimum Lease Payments to be Received from Tenant under Non-Cancelable Operating Leases (Details) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2017 USD ($)
Operating Leases Future Minimum Payments Receivable [Abstract]
2017	$ 661,859
2018	666,703
2019	669,838
2020	672,998
2021	675,904
Thereafter	5,109,341
Total	$ 8,456,643

Employee Benefit Plan - Additional Information (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	8 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Defined Contribution Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Defined contribution plan, description		We match voluntary employee contributions at a rate of 100% for the first 3% of an employee?s annual compensation and at a rate of 50% for the next 2% of an employee?s annual compensation
Expense recognized under defined contribution plan	$ 0.1	$ 0.8	$ 0.4
Defined Contribution Plan First 3% of Employee's Compensation
Defined Contribution Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Percentage of employer matching compensation contributed		100.00%
Percentage of employee's compensation contributed		3.00%
Defined Contribution Plan Next 2% of Employee's Compensation
Defined Contribution Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Percentage of employer matching compensation contributed		50.00%
Percentage of employee's compensation contributed		2.00%

Subsequent Events - Additional Information (Details) - Subsequent Events - TPx $ in Millions	Mar. 01, 2018 USD ($) Tranche RenewalOption mi
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Cash consideration to acquire assets \| $	$ 95.0
Fiber strand miles expected to be acquired and leaseback \| mi	38,000
Fiber strand miles expected to be acquired \| mi	7,000
Number of tranches to close transaction \| Tranche	2
Triple-net lease arrangement term	15 years
Annual rent income \| $	$ 8.8
Number of lease renewal options \| RenewalOption	5
Triple-net lease renewal term	5 years
Fixed annual escalator	1.50%

Quarterly Results of Operations (unaudited) - Schedule of Quarterly Financial Information (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								8 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2017	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Selected Quarterly Financial Information [Abstract]
Total revenues	$ 246,336	$ 245,210	$ 213,013	$ 211,473	$ 206,920	$ 200,240	$ 188,573	$ 174,675	$ 476,314	$ 916,032	$ 770,408
Income (loss) before income taxes	(7,076)	(3,837)	(16,385)	(20,379)	(4,752)	(2,215)	(1,208)	8,480	25,608	(47,677)	305
Net income (loss)	22,797	4,835	(16,460)	(20,000)	(4,370)	(2,343)	(1,535)	8,036	24,870	(8,828)	(212)
Net income (loss) attributable to common shareholders	$ 20,539	$ 2,939	$ (18,242)	$ (21,788)	$ (6,163)	$ (4,144)	$ (2,871)	$ 7,681	$ 23,718	$ (16,552)	$ (5,497)
Basic earnings (loss) per common share	$ 0.12	$ 0.02	$ (0.11)	$ (0.14)	$ (0.04)	$ (0.03)	$ (0.02)	$ 0.05	$ 0.16	$ (0.10)	$ (0.04)
Diluted earnings (loss) per common share	0.12	(0.02)	(0.11)	(0.14)	(0.04)	(0.03)	(0.02)	0.05	0.16	(0.13)	(0.04)
Dividends declared per common share	$ 0.60	$ 0.60	$ 0.60	$ 0.60	$ 0.60	$ 0.60	$ 0.60	$ 0.60	$ 1.64	$ 2.40	$ 2.40

Schedule I - Condensed Financial Information of The Registrant (Parent Company) - Condensed Balance Sheets (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Apr. 23, 2015
Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 59,765	$ 171,754	$ 142,498	$ 18
Accounts receivable, net	43,652	15,281
Other assets	15,856	9,674
Total Assets	4,330,082	3,318,752
Liabilities:
Accrued interest payable	28,684	27,812
Derivative liability		6,102
Dividends payable	109,557	94,607
Contingent consideration	105,762	98,600
Notes and other debt, net	4,482,697	4,028,214
Total liabilities	5,453,694	4,640,645
Shareholders' Deficit:
Preferred stock, $0.0001 par value, 50,000 shares authorized, no shares issued and outstanding
Common stock, $0.0001 par value, 500,000 shares authorized, issued and outstanding: 174,852 shares at December 31, 2017 and 155,139 at December 31, 2016	17	15
Additional paid-in capital	644,328	141,092
Accumulated other comprehensive income	7,821	(6,369)	(5,427)
Distributions in excess of accumulated earnings	(1,960,715)	(1,537,183)
Total Uniti shareholders' deficit	(1,308,549)	(1,402,445)
Total Liabilities, Convertible Preferred Stock, and Shareholders' Deficit	4,330,082	3,318,752
Series A Convertible Preferred Stock
Liabilities:
Convertible Preferred Stock, Series A, $0.0001 par value, 88 shares authorized, issued and outstanding, $87,500 liquidation value	83,530	80,552
Uniti Group Inc. [Member]
Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	2,188	131,145	$ 17
Accounts receivable, net		(3)
Other assets	(9)	1,066
Investment in consolidated subsidiaries	(1,120,120)	2,801,234
Total Assets	(1,117,941)	2,933,442
Liabilities:
Accrued interest payable		27,812
Derivative liability		6,102
Dividends payable	107,078	94,607
Contingent consideration		98,600
Notes and other debt, net		4,028,214
Total liabilities	107,078	4,255,335
Shareholders' Deficit:
Preferred stock, $0.0001 par value, 50,000 shares authorized, no shares issued and outstanding
Common stock, $0.0001 par value, 500,000 shares authorized, issued and outstanding: 174,852 shares at December 31, 2017 and 155,139 at December 31, 2016	17	15
Additional paid-in capital	644,328	141,092
Accumulated other comprehensive income	7,821	(6,369)
Distributions in excess of accumulated earnings	(1,960,715)	(1,537,183)
Total Uniti shareholders' deficit	(1,308,549)	(1,402,445)
Total Liabilities, Convertible Preferred Stock, and Shareholders' Deficit	(1,117,941)	2,933,442
Uniti Group Inc. [Member] \| Series A Convertible Preferred Stock
Liabilities:
Convertible Preferred Stock, Series A, $0.0001 par value, 88 shares authorized, issued and outstanding, $87,500 liquidation value	$ 83,530	$ 80,552

Schedule I - Condensed Financial Information of The Registrant (Parent Company) -Condensed Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Condensed Financial Statements Captions [Line Items]
Preferred stock, par value	$ 0.0001	$ 0.0001
Preferred stock, shares authorized	50,000,000	50,000,000
Preferred stock, shares issued	0	0
Preferred stock, shares outstanding	0	0
Common stock, par value	$ 0.0001	$ 0.0001
Common stock, shares authorized	500,000,000	500,000,000
Common stock, shares issued	174,852,000	155,139,000
Common stock, shares outstanding	174,851,514	155,139,000
Series A Convertible Preferred Stock
Condensed Financial Statements Captions [Line Items]
Convertible preferred stock, par value	$ 0.0001	$ 0.0001
Convertible preferred stock, shares authorized	88,000	88,000
Convertible preferred stock, shares issued	88,000	88,000
Convertible preferred stock, shares outstanding	88,000	88,000
Convertible preferred stock, liquidation value	$ 87,500	$ 87,500
Uniti Group Inc. [Member]
Condensed Financial Statements Captions [Line Items]
Preferred stock, par value	$ 0.0001	$ 0.0001
Preferred stock, shares authorized	50,000,000	50,000,000
Preferred stock, shares issued	0	0
Preferred stock, shares outstanding	0	0
Common stock, par value	$ 0.0001	$ 0.0001
Common stock, shares authorized	500,000,000	500,000,000
Common stock, shares issued	174,852,000	155,139,000
Common stock, shares outstanding	174,852,000	155,139,000
Uniti Group Inc. [Member] \| Series A Convertible Preferred Stock
Condensed Financial Statements Captions [Line Items]
Convertible preferred stock, par value	$ 0.0001
Convertible preferred stock, shares authorized	88,000
Convertible preferred stock, shares issued	88,000
Convertible preferred stock, shares outstanding	88,000
Convertible preferred stock, liquidation value	$ 87,500

Schedule I - Condensed Financial Information of The Registrant (Parent Company) -Condensed Statements of Comprehensive Income (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								8 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2017	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Costs and Expenses:
Interest expense									$ 181,797	$ 305,994	$ 275,394
General and administrative expense									11,208	72,045	35,402
Transaction related costs									5,210	38,005	33,669
Other expense										11,284
Total costs and expenses									450,706	963,709	770,103
(Loss) income before income taxes	$ (7,076)	$ (3,837)	$ (16,385)	$ (20,379)	$ (4,752)	$ (2,215)	$ (1,208)	$ 8,480	25,608	(47,677)	305
Net (loss) income									24,870	(9,439)	(212)
Comprehensive (loss) income									19,443	4,751	(1,154)
Uniti Group Inc. [Member]
Costs and Expenses:
Interest expense									181,797	119,702	267,959
General and administrative expense									1,934	40	4,829
Transaction related costs											3,945
Other expense										9,253
Total costs and expenses									183,731	128,995	276,733
Operating loss									(183,731)	(128,995)	(276,733)
Earnings from consolidated subsidiaries									208,601	119,556	276,521
(Loss) income before income taxes									24,870	(9,439)	(212)
Net (loss) income									24,870	(9,439)	(212)
Comprehensive (loss) income									$ 19,443	$ 4,751	$ (1,154)

Schedule I - Condensed Financial Information of The Registrant (Parent Company) - Condensed Statements of Cash Flows (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	8 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Cash flow from operating activities
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities	$ 293,208	$ 405,260	$ 375,988
Cash flow from investing activities
Consideration paid to Windstream Services, LLC	(1,035,029)
Net cash used in investing activities	(1,079,442)	(1,019,408)	(535,231)
Cash flow from financing activities
Principal payment on debt	(10,700)	(21,080)	(22,027)
Dividends paid	(156,854)	(400,210)	(367,830)
Proceeds from issuance of Term Loans	1,127,000
Proceeds from issuance of Notes		201,000	548,875
Borrowings under revolving credit facility		845,000	641,000
Payments under revolving credit facility		(565,000)	(641,000)
Payments of contingent consideration		(19,999)
Purchase of noncontrolling interest		(560)
Deferred financing costs	(30,057)	(28,539)	(20,557)
Common stock issuance, net of costs	(543)	498,926	54,213
Net share settlement	(113)	(1,836)	(2,359)
Cash in-lieu of fractional shares	(19)
Net cash provided by financing activities	928,714	501,967	188,766
Effect of exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents		192	(267)
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents	142,480	(111,989)	29,256
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	18	171,754	142,498
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	142,498	59,765	171,754
Uniti Group Inc. [Member]
Cash flow from operating activities
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities	106,332	(602,530)	(59,076)
Cash flow from investing activities
Consideration paid to Windstream Services, LLC	(1,035,029)
Net cash used in investing activities	(1,035,029)
Cash flow from financing activities
Principal payment on debt	(10,700)	(5,270)	(22,027)
Dividends paid	(156,854)	(400,210)	(367,830)
Proceeds from issuance of Term Loans	1,127,000
Proceeds from issuance of Notes		201,000	548,875
Borrowings under revolving credit facility		350,000	641,000
Payments under revolving credit facility		(125,000)	(641,000)
Payments of contingent consideration		(18,791)
Purchase of noncontrolling interest		(560)
Deferred financing costs	(30,057)	(24,686)	(20,557)
Common stock issuance, net of costs	(543)	498,926	54,213
Net share settlement	(113)	(1,836)	(2,359)
Intercompany transactions, net			(111)
Cash in-lieu of fractional shares	(19)
Net cash provided by financing activities	928,714	473,573	190,204
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents	17	(128,957)	131,128
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period		131,145	17
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$ 17	$ 2,188	$ 131,145

Schedule I - Additional Information (Details) - USD ($)	8 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
Schedule I - Additional Information (Details) - USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Uniti Group Inc. [Member]
Condensed Financial Statements Captions [Line Items]
Cash dividends received from subsidiaries	$ 0	$ 104,900,000	$ 0

Schedule II - Valuation and Qualifying Account (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Valuation Allowance of Deferred Tax Assets
Valuation And Qualifying Accounts Disclosure [Line Items]
Balance at Beginning of Period	$ 8,176
Charged to Other Accounts		$ 8,176
Deductions	(8,176)
Balance at End of Period		8,176
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts
Valuation And Qualifying Accounts Disclosure [Line Items]
Balance at Beginning of Period	1,352
Charged to Cost and Expenses	(86)	1,352
Charged to Other Accounts	45
Deductions	(300)
Balance at End of Period	$ 1,011	$ 1,352

Schedule III - Real Estate Investments and Accumulated Depreciation (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Real Estate And Accumulated Depreciation [Line Items]
Gross Amount Carried at Close of Period	$ 6,603,480	$ 6,256,248	$ 6,093,541
Accumulated Depreciation	(4,399,789)	$ (4,054,748)	$ (3,720,890)
Land
Real Estate And Accumulated Depreciation [Line Items]
Gross Amount Carried at Close of Period	28,269
Building and Improvements
Real Estate And Accumulated Depreciation [Line Items]
Gross Amount Carried at Close of Period	323,939
Accumulated Depreciation	$ (156,620)
Building and Improvements \| Minimum
Real Estate And Accumulated Depreciation [Line Items]
Depreciable Lives	3 years
Building and Improvements \| Maximum
Real Estate And Accumulated Depreciation [Line Items]
Depreciable Lives	40 years
Poles
Real Estate And Accumulated Depreciation [Line Items]
Gross Amount Carried at Close of Period	$ 243,710
Accumulated Depreciation	$ (179,514)
Depreciable Lives	30 years
Fiber
Real Estate And Accumulated Depreciation [Line Items]
Gross Amount Carried at Close of Period	$ 2,153,942
Accumulated Depreciation	$ (946,564)
Depreciable Lives	30 years
Equipment
Real Estate And Accumulated Depreciation [Line Items]
Gross Amount Carried at Close of Period	$ 889
Accumulated Depreciation	$ (36)
Equipment \| Minimum
Real Estate And Accumulated Depreciation [Line Items]
Depreciable Lives	5 years
Equipment \| Maximum
Real Estate And Accumulated Depreciation [Line Items]
Depreciable Lives	7 years
Copper
Real Estate And Accumulated Depreciation [Line Items]
Gross Amount Carried at Close of Period	$ 3,656,384
Accumulated Depreciation	$ (3,055,096)
Depreciable Lives	20 years
Conduit
Real Estate And Accumulated Depreciation [Line Items]
Gross Amount Carried at Close of Period	$ 90,235
Accumulated Depreciation	$ (57,205)
Depreciable Lives	30 years
Towers
Real Estate And Accumulated Depreciation [Line Items]
Gross Amount Carried at Close of Period	$ 55,150
Accumulated Depreciation	$ (2,921)
Depreciable Lives	20 years
Real Property Interests
Real Estate And Accumulated Depreciation [Line Items]
Gross Amount Carried at Close of Period	$ 34,580
Accumulated Depreciation	(495)
Other assets
Real Estate And Accumulated Depreciation [Line Items]
Gross Amount Carried at Close of Period	8,334
Accumulated Depreciation	$ (1,338)
Other assets \| Minimum
Real Estate And Accumulated Depreciation [Line Items]
Depreciable Lives	15 years
Other assets \| Maximum
Real Estate And Accumulated Depreciation [Line Items]
Depreciable Lives	20 years
Construction in progress
Real Estate And Accumulated Depreciation [Line Items]
Gross Amount Carried at Close of Period	$ 8,048

Schedule III - Real Estate Investments and Accumulated Depreciation (Parenthetical) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	8 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Real Estate And Accumulated Depreciation Disclosure [Abstract]
Tenant capital improvements	$ 68,569	$ 227,969	$ 156,972
Aggregate cost of real estate federal income tax		$ 6,300,000

Schedule III - Carrying Cost and Accumulated Depreciation (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	8 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Carrying cost:
Gross amount at beginning		$ 6,256,248	$ 6,093,541
Tenant capital improvements	$ 68,569	227,969	156,972
Acquisitions		80,132	15,848
Other		45,552
Total additions		353,653	172,820
Cost of real estate sold or disposed		6,421	10,113
Total deductions		6,421	10,113
Balance at end	6,093,541	6,603,480	6,256,248
Accumulated depreciation:
Gross amount of accumulated depreciation at beginning		4,054,748	3,720,890
Depreciation		351,332	343,971
Other		(45)
Total additions		351,287	343,971
Amount of accumulated depreciation for assets sold or disposed		6,246
Other			10,113
Total deductions		6,246	10,113
Balance at end	$ 3,720,890	$ 4,399,789	$ 4,054,748