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Document and Entity Information - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
Document and Entity Information - USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2016	Feb. 15, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016
Document And Entity Information [Abstract]
Document Type	10-K
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Dec. 31, 2016
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2016
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Trading Symbol	CSAL
Entity Registrant Name	COMMUNICATIONS SALES & LEASING, 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		155,785,924
Entity Public Float			$ 3,618,955,277

Consolidated Balance Sheets - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Assets:
Property, plant and equipment, net	$ 2,670,037	$ 2,374,760
Cash and cash equivalents	171,754	142,498
Accounts receivable, net	15,281	2,083
Goodwill	262,334
Intangible assets, net	160,584	10,530
Straight-line revenue receivable	29,088	11,795
Other assets	9,674	970
Total Assets	3,318,752	2,542,636
Liabilities:
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities	40,977	10,409
Accrued interest payable	27,812	24,440
Deferred revenue	261,404	67,817
Derivative liability	6,102	5,427
Dividends payable	94,607	90,507
Deferred income taxes	28,394	5,714
Capital lease obligations	54,535
Contingent consideration	98,600
Notes and other debt, net	4,028,214	3,505,228
Total liabilities	4,640,645	3,709,542
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: 155,139 shares at December 31, 2016 and 149,862 at December 31, 2015	15	15
Additional paid-in capital	141,092	1,392
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(6,369)	(5,427)
Distributions in excess of accumulated earnings	(1,537,183)	(1,162,886)
Total shareholders' deficit	(1,402,445)	(1,166,906)
Total Liabilities, Convertible Preferred Stock, and Shareholders' (Deficit) Equity	3,318,752	$ 2,542,636
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	$ 80,552

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
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	155,138,637	149,862,000
Common stock, shares outstanding	155,138,637	149,862,000
Series A Convertible Preferred Stock
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

Consolidated Statements of Income - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	2 Months Ended	3 Months Ended						8 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2016
Revenues:
Total revenues	$ 128,748	$ 206,920	$ 200,240	$ 188,573	$ 174,675	$ 173,932	$ 173,634	$ 476,314	$ 770,408
Costs and Expenses:
Interest expense								181,797	275,394
Depreciation and amortization								238,748	375,970
General and administrative expense								11,208	35,402
Operating expense (exclusive of depreciation, accretion and amortization)								13,743	49,668
Transaction related costs								5,210	33,669
Total costs and expenses								450,706	770,103
Income before income taxes	8,532	(4,752)	(2,215)	(1,208)	8,480	7,405	9,671	25,608	305
Income tax expense								738	517
Net (loss) income	8,301	(4,370)	(2,343)	(1,535)	8,036	7,166	9,403	24,870	(212)
Participating securities' share in earnings								(1,152)	(1,557)
Dividends declared on convertible preferred stock									(1,743)
Amortization of discount on convertible preferred stock									(1,985)
Net (loss) income applicable to common shareholders	$ 7,976	$ (6,163)	$ (4,144)	$ (2,871)	$ 7,681	$ 6,769	$ 8,973	$ 23,718	$ (5,497)
(Loss) earnings per common share:
Basic	$ 0.05	$ (0.04)	$ (0.03)	$ (0.02)	$ 0.05	$ 0.05	$ 0.06	$ 0.16	$ (0.04)
Diluted	0.05	(0.04)	(0.03)	(0.02)	0.05	0.05	0.06	$ 0.16	$ (0.04)
Weighted-average number of common shares outstanding
Basic								149,835	152,473
Diluted								149,835	152,473
Dividends declared per common share	$ 0.44	$ 0.60	$ 0.60	$ 0.60	$ 0.60	$ 0.60	$ 0.60	$ 1.64	$ 2.40
Leasing
Revenues:
Total revenues								$ 458,614	$ 677,368
Costs and Expenses:
Depreciation and amortization								236,177	344,083
Fiber Infrastructure
Revenues:
Total revenues									70,568
Costs and Expenses:
Depreciation and amortization									28,629
Consumer CLEC
Revenues:
Total revenues								17,700	22,472
Costs and Expenses:
Depreciation and amortization								$ 2,571	$ 3,258

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	8 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2016
Statement Of Income And Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net (loss) income	$ 24,870	$ (212)
Other comprehensive (loss) income:
Unrealized (loss) gain on derivative contracts	(5,427)	(675)
Changes in foreign currency translation		(267)
Other comprehensive (loss) income	(5,427)	(942)
Comprehensive (loss) income	$ 19,443	$ (1,154)

Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Deficit - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Total	Common Stock	Additional Paid-in Capital	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss	Distributions in Excess of Accumulated Earnings
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

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Thousands	8 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2016
Cash flow from operating activities
Net (loss) income	$ 24,870	$ (212)
Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	238,748	375,970
Amortization of deferred financing costs	4,832	7,823
Amortization of debt discount	5,172	8,179
Deferred income taxes	(1,211)	(2,186)
Straight-line rental revenues	(11,795)	(17,293)
Stock-based compensation	1,934	4,846
Other	(3)	936
Changes in assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions:
Accounts receivable	(215)	(3,516)
Other assets	(1,148)	(1,365)
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities	32,024	2,806
Net cash provided by operating activities	293,208	375,988
Cash flow from investing activities
Acquisition of businesses, net of cash acquired		(488,788)
Consideration paid to Windstream Services, LLC	(1,035,029)
Acquisition of ground lease investments		(11,543)
Other capital expenditures	(44,413)	(34,900)
Net cash used in investing activities	(1,079,442)	(535,231)
Cash flow from financing activities
Principal payment on debt	(10,700)	(22,027)
Dividends paid	(156,854)	(367,830)
Proceeds from issuance of Term Loans	1,127,000
Proceeds from issuance of Notes		548,875
Borrowings under revolving credit facility		641,000
Payments under revolving credit facility		(641,000)
Capital lease payments		(1,549)
Deferred financing costs	(30,057)	(20,557)
Common stock issuance, net of costs	(543)	54,213
Net share settlement	(113)	(2,359)
Cash in-lieu of fractional shares	(19)
Net cash provided by financing activities	928,714	188,766
Effect of exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents		(267)
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents	142,480	29,256
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	18	142,498
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	142,498	171,754
Supplemental cash flow information:
Cash paid for interest	147,428	255,945
Cash paid for income taxes	1,284	3,003
Non-cash investing and financing activities:
Property and equipment acquired but not yet paid		5,752
Tenant capital improvements	68,569	156,972
Acquisition of businesses through non-cash consideration		$ 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 - USD ($) $ in Thousands	4 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Apr. 23, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Consumer CLEC Business
Revenues	$ 10,149	$ 36,015
Direct expenses:
Cost of revenues	5,552	19,060
Selling, general, and administrative	22	80
Amortization	1,283	4,586
Total costs and expenses	6,857	23,726
Revenues in Excess of Direct Expenses	$ 3,292	$ 12,289

Organization and Description of Business	12 Months Ended
Organization and Description of Business	Dec. 31, 2016
Organization Consolidation And Presentation Of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Organization and Description of Business	Note 1. Organization and Description of Business Communications Sales & Leasing, Inc. (the “Company,” “CS&L,” “we,” “us” or “our”) was incorporated in the state of Delaware in February 2014 and reorganized in the state of Maryland on September 4, 2014 as a subsidiary of Windstream Holdings, Inc. (“Windstream Holdings” and, together with its consolidated subsidiaries “Windstream”). On April 24, 2015, in connection with the separation and spin-off of CS&L from Windstream (the “Spin-Off”), Windstream contributed certain telecommunications network assets, including fiber and copper networks and other real estate (the “Distribution Systems”) to CS&L, which it leases back from CS&L pursuant to a long-term, triple-net-lease (“the Master Lease”) and a small consumer competitive local exchange carrier (“CLEC”) business (the “Consumer CLEC Business”) to CS&L in exchange for certain consideration paid to Windstream. The assets and liabilities of the Distribution Systems and Consumer CLEC Business were recorded in our consolidated financial statements on a carryover basis as of the date of the Spin-Off. We are an independent, internally managed 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. Our fiber infrastructure group, Uniti Fiber, is a leading provider of infrastructure solutions including cell site backhaul and dark fiber, to the telecommunications industry. Uniti Towers is a provider of build-to-suit construction in both the U.S and Latin America. At December 31, 2016, Uniti Towers’ portfolio consists of 102 wireless communication towers. The Consumer CLEC Business, which was reported as an integrated operation within Windstream prior to the Spin-Off, 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.

Basis of Presentation and Consolidation	12 Months Ended
Basis of Presentation and Consolidation	Dec. 31, 2016
Basis of Presentation and Consolidation	Note 2. Basis of Presentation and Consolidation 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”). The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of CS&L and its subsidiaries, all of which are wholly owned. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
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 CS&L. The accompanying Statements of Revenues and Direct Expenses for the period January 1, 2015 to April 24, 2015 (the “Spin Date”) and the year ended December 31, 2014 have 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 are 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 periods presented are not necessarily indicative of results of the Consumer CLEC Business following the Spin-Off. The accompanying Statements 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 Statements of Revenues and Direct Expenses exclude 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, 2016
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 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. Certain Distribution System property, plant and equipment are 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 to the Master Lease 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 (“TCI’s”), 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 CS&L 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, 2016 and December 31, 2015, the net book value of TCI’s recorded as a component of property, plant and equipment on our Consolidated Balance Sheet was $218.7 million and $67.8 million, respectively. For the year ended December 31, 2016 we recognized $6.1 million of revenue and depreciation expense related to TCIs. 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 year ended December 31, 2016 and from the period April 24, 2015 to December 31, 2015 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 statement of operations. 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. 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. Customer List Intangible Assets—Customer list intangible assets are presented in the financial statements at cost less accumulated amortization and are amortized using the sum-of-the-digits method over their estimated useful lives. Foreign Currency Translation—The financial statements of our international subsidiaries whose functional currency is the local currency 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. 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, 2016 and December 31, 2015, no allowance was recorded related to our straight-line rent receivable. We lease the Distribution Systems to Windstream under a triple-net lease basis, 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, as Windstream makes direct payments to the taxing authorities. 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. 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, 2016 the allowance recorded for service receivables was $1.4 million. At December 31, 2015 no allowance was recorded for service receivables. 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 for the taxable year ending December 31, 2015 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, 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. To maintain REIT status, we must distribute a minimum of 90% of our taxable income. We intend to make regular quarterly dividend payments of all or substantially all of our 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. CS&L operates as a real estate investment trust (REIT) for U.S. federal income tax purposes. As a REIT, the Company is generally not subject to U.S. federal income taxes on income generated by its REIT operations, which includes income derived from the Master Lease. 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 do not result in income that would be 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 no liabilities for uncertain income tax positions. The Company will be subject to a federal corporate level tax rate (currently 35%) on any gain recognized from the sale of assets occurring within a specified 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. The Company has no plans to dispose of the assets it acquired through the Spin-Off within the applicable recognition period. 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, 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. 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. 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. During the year ended December 31, 2016, 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 10. 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 CS&L’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. Because 87.9% of our revenue for the year ended December 31, 2016 is 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 March 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-09, Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting (“ASU 2016-09”). ASU 2016-09 simplifies several aspects of the accounting for share-based payment transactions, including the income tax consequences, classification of awards as either equity or liabilities, and classification on the statement of cash flows. ASU 2016-09 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016, and interim periods within those fiscal years and early adoption is permitted. We adopted ASU 2016-09 effective April 1, 2016, and will reverse compensation cost of forfeited awards as they occur. At the time of adoption, we had not experienced any forfeited awards and therefore no cumulative-effect adjustment was necessary. In September 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-16, Business Combinations (Topic 805): Simplifying the Accounting for Measurement-Period Adjustments (“ASU 2015-16”) which eliminates the prior requirement to recognize measurement-period adjustments to provisional amounts retrospectively. Instead, ASU 2015-16 requires the acquirer to recognize measurement-period adjustments, as well as the impact on earnings of changes in depreciation, amortization and similar items (if any) resulting from the change to the provisional amounts, in the period when the amount of each measurement-period adjustment is determined. As required, the Company adopted the provisions of ASU 2015-16 in the third quarter of its fiscal year ending December 31, 2016 and its adoption did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements. In August 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-15, Disclosures of Uncertainties About an Entity’s Ability to Continue as a Going Concern (“ASU 2014-15”). ASU 2014-15 provides guidance around management’s responsibility to evaluate whether there is substantial doubt about an entity’s ability to continue as a going concern and to provide related footnote disclosures. ASU 2014-15 is effective for annual periods ending after December 15, 2016, and interim periods within annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016. Early adoption is permitted. We adopted ASU 2014-15 effective December 31, 2016, and there was no material impact on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows. In January 2017, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (“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. The adoption of this guidance is not expected to have a material impact on our financial statements. 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 have elected to early adopt ASU 2017-01 as of January 1, 2017, with prospective application. The adoption of this guidance is not expected to have a material impact on our financial statements. Currently, our real property interest investments will be impacted by ASU 2017-01 as transaction cost associated with the investments will be capitalized as opposed to be recorded as an expense prior to adoption. 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 is currently evaluating the impacts the adoption of this accounting standard will have on our financial statements. 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 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. 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. The Company’s implementation efforts include reviewing revenue contracts and the identification of revenue within scope of the guidance. While the Company currently has not identified any material changes in the timing of revenue recognition, the evaluation is ongoing and we are in the process of determining the method of adoption.
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 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. 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

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Business Combinations [Abstract]

Business Combinations

Note 4. Business Combinations

Tower Cloud, Inc.

On August 31, 2016, we acquired 100% of the outstanding equity of Tower Cloud, Inc. (“Tower Cloud”) for $187.7 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 CS&L 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. 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
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	)
Net assets acquired	$	227,584

Goodwill	$	117,280

The above purchase price allocation is considered preliminary and is subject to revision when the valuation of assets and liabilities are 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 2017.

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 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
Intangible assets		38,000
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities		(8,643	)
Deferred revenue		(12,700	)
Capital lease obligations		(49,195	)
Net assets acquired	$	279,240

Goodwill	$	145,054

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 Leasing 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.

- Definition

The entire disclosure for a business combination (or series of individually immaterial business combinations) completed during the period, including background, timing, and recognized assets and liabilities. The disclosure may include leverage buyout transactions (as applicable).

+ References

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+ Details

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

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, a derivative liability, 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, 2016 and December 31, 2015:

(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

(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, 2015
Liabilities
Senior secured term loan B - variable rate, due October 24, 2022	$	1,986,198	$	—	$	1,986,198	$	—
Senior secured notes - 6.00% , due April 15, 2023		376,000		—		376,000		—
Senior unsecured notes - 8.25%, due October 15, 2023		937,950		—		937,950		—
Derivative liability		5,427		—		5,427		—
Total	$	3,305,575	$	-	$	3,305,575	$	—

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 $4.2 billion at December 31, 2016, with a fair value of $4.3 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 liabilities 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 CS&L'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 liabilities 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, 2016, 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 liabilities valuation in Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.

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 $98.6 million as of August 31, 2016. The fair value of the contingent consideration as of August 31, 2016, was determined using a discounted cash flow model and probability adjusted estimates of the future earnings and is classified as Level 3. 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. There was no change in the fair value of the contingent consideration as of December 31, 2016.

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, 2015				Transfers into Level 3				Gain/(Loss) included in earnings				Settlements				December 31, 2016
Contingent consideration		$	—			$	98,600			$	—			$	—			$	98,600

- 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, 2016

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, 2016			December 31, 2015
Land	Indefinite	$	26,833		$	26,841
Building and improvements	3 - 40 years		318,967			314,750
Real property interests	50 - 99 years		12,265			-
Poles	13 - 40 years		234,393			228,031
Fiber	7 - 40 years		2,243,822			1,948,192
Equipment	5 - 7 years		130,945			-
Copper	7 - 40 years		3,538,566			3,475,987
Conduit	13 - 47 years		90,540			89,460
Tower assets	20 - 49 years		4,307			1,209
Capital lease assets	See Note 3		89,723			-
Construction in progress	See Note 3		52,685			4,749
Other assets	15 - 20 years		5,299			4,322
Corporate assets	3 - 7 years		2,731			2,319
			6,751,076			6,095,860
Less accumulated depreciation			(4,081,039	)		(3,721,100	)
Net property, plant and equipment		$	2,670,037		$	2,374,760

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 year ended December 31, 2016 and for the period from April 24, 2015 to December 31, 2015 was $369.9 million and $236.2 million, respectively.

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

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, 2016

December 31, 2015

Interest rate swaps

Derivative liability

6,102

5,427

As of December 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, 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 year ended December 31, 2016 and for the period from April 24, 2015 to December 31, 2015, the amount recorded in other comprehensive income related to the unrealized loss on derivative instruments was $24.5 million and $21.7 million, respectively. The amount reclassified out of other comprehensive income into interest expense on our Consolidated Statement of Income for the year ended December 31, 2016 and for the period from April 24, 2015 to December 31, 2015 was $23.8 million and $16.3 million, respectively. For the year ended December 31, 2016 and for the period from April 24, 2015 to December 31, 2015, 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, beginning January 1, 2017, we estimate that $24 million will be reclassified as an increase to interest expense.

- Definition

The entire disclosure for derivative instruments and hedging activities including, but not limited to, risk management strategies, non-hedging derivative instruments, assets, liabilities, revenue and expenses, and methodologies and assumptions used in determining the amounts.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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-Name Accounting Standards Codification
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+ Details

Goodwill and Intangible Assets

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

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, 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

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

(Thousands)	December 31, 2016						December 31, 2015
	Cost			Accumulated Amortization			Cost			Accumulated Amortization
Indefinite life intangible assets:
Trade name	$	2,000		$	-		$	-		$	-

Finite life intangible assets:
Customer lists		188,642			(30,058	)		34,501			(23,971	)

Total intangible assets		190,642						34,501
Less: Accumulated amortization		(30,058	)					(23,971	)
Total intangible assets, net	$	160,584					$	10,530

Amortization expense for the customer list intangible assets was $6.1 million and $2.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2016 and for the period from April 24, 2015 to December 31, 2015, respectively. Amortization expense is estimated to be $8.7 million in 2017, $8.1 million in 2018, $7.5 million in 2019, $7.0 million in 2020 and $6.5 million in 2021.

- 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, 2016

Long Term Debt [Abstract]

Notes and Other Debt

Note 9. Notes and Other Debt

Notes and other debt is as follows:

(Thousands)	December 31, 2016			December 31, 2015
Principal amount	$	4,167,967		$	3,639,300
Less unamortized discount and debt issuance costs		(139,753	)		(134,072	)
Notes and other debt less unamortized discount and debt issuance costs	$	4,028,214		$	3,505,228

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

	December 31, 2016					December 31, 2015
(Thousands)	Principal		Unamortized Discount 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%)	$	2,107,967	$	(78,699	)	$	2,129,300	$	(77,105	)
Senior secured notes - 6.00%, due April 15, 2023 (discount is based on imputed interest rate of 6.29%)		550,000		(9,817	)		400,000		(6,767	)
Senior unsecured notes - 8.25%, due October 15, 2023 (discount is based on imputed interest rate of 9.06%)		1,110,000		(45,599	)		1,110,000		(50,200	)
Senior unsecured notes - 7.125%, due December 15, 2024		400,000		(5,638	)		-		-
Total	$	4,167,967		(139,753	)	$	3,639,300	$	(134,072	)

At December 31, 2016, we had outstanding: (i) $2.1 billion under our senior secured term loan B facility that matures on October 24, 2022 (“Term Loan Facility”); (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) $400 million aggregate principal amount of 7.125% Senior Unsecured Notes due December 15, 2024 (the “2024 Notes”).

Credit Agreement

On April 24, 2015 the Company and CSL Capital entered into a credit agreement (the “Credit Agreement”), which provides for the Term Loan Facility (in an initial principal amount of $2.14 billion) and a $500 million senior secured revolving credit facility maturing April 24, 2020 (the “Revolving Credit Facility” and, together with the Term Loan Facility, the “Facilities”). On October 21, 2016, the Company and CSL Capital amended the Credit Agreement to, among other things, replace the then outstanding principal amounts of the term loans thereunder with a like aggregate amount of new term loans having substantially similar terms as the then outstanding term loans, other than with respect to the applicable interest rate and the period of time for which prepayment premiums in respect of certain repricing transactions apply. The term loans under the Facilities were originally issued at an issue price of 98.00% of par value, now bear interest at a rate equal to a Eurodollar rate, subject to a 1.0% floor, plus an applicable margin equal to 3.50%, and are subject to amortization of 1.0% per annum. The loans have been incurred by the Company and CSL Capital, are guaranteed by certain of CS&L’s wholly-owned subsidiaries (the “Guarantors”), and are secured by substantially all of the assets of CS&L, CSL Capital and the Guarantors, subject to certain exceptions, 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.

We 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 incremental term loan borrowings and/or increased commitments under the Credit Agreement in an aggregate amount equal to $150 million plus, an unlimited amount, so long as, on a pro forma basis after giving effect to any such increases, 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 by the Company or certain of its 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 Company or certain of its subsidiaries fails 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, 2016, we were in compliance with all of the covenants under the Credit Agreement.

On April 22, 2016, the Company borrowed $321 million under the Revolving Credit Facility to fund the cash portion of consideration paid to acquire PEG Bandwidth and related transaction costs and, on August 26, 2016, the Company borrowed $150 million under the Revolving Credit Facility to fund the cash portion of consideration paid to acquire Tower Cloud and related transaction costs. See Note 4. As of December 31, 2016, the date hereof, the Revolving Credit Facility is undrawn.

The Notes

On April 24, 2015, we, along with CSL Capital, co-issued $400 million aggregate principal amount of the Secured Notes and $1.11 billion aggregate principal amount of the 2023 Notes (together the “Notes”). The Secured Notes were issued at an issue price of 100% of par value, while the 2023 Notes were issued at an issue price of 97.055% of par value. The Notes are guaranteed by the Guarantors. The Notes were issued to Windstream Services as partial consideration for the contribution of the Distribution Systems and the Consumer CLEC Business in connection with the Spin-Off. As such, CS&L did not receive any proceeds from the issuance of the Notes. The issuance of the Notes and their exchange by Windstream Services for certain of its outstanding indebtedness were not registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), but were exempt from registration under Rule 144A, Regulation S and other applicable exemptions of the Securities Act. Pursuant to a registration rights agreement entered into by the Company in connection with the sale of the 2023 Notes, the Company subsequently filed with the SEC a registration statement relating to an exchange offer pursuant to which 2023 Notes due 2023 (the “Exchange Notes”) that were registered with the SEC, were offered in exchange for 2023 Notes tendered by the holders of those notes. The terms of the Exchange Notes are substantially identical to the terms of the 2023 Notes in all material respects, except that the Exchange Notes are registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the transfer restrictions, registration rights and additional interest provision applicable to the 2023 Notes do not apply to the Exchange Notes. The exchange offer was completed on September 2, 2015, with all outstanding 2023 Notes being tendered and exchanged for Exchange Notes.

On June 9, 2016, we, along with CSL Capital, co-issued an additional $150 million aggregate principal amount of 6.00% Senior Secured Notes (the “add-on Notes”) as an add-on to the Company’s existing Secured Notes. The add-on Notes were issued at an issue price of 99.25% of par value, are subject to the same customary covenant requirements as the existing Secured Notes, and are guaranteed by the Guarantors. The issuance of the add-on Notes was not registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), but was exempt from registration under Rule 144A, Regulation S and other applicable exemptions of the Securities Act. Proceeds from the issuance of the add-on Notes were used to repay existing borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility.

On December 15, 2016, we, along with CSL Capital, co-issued $400 million aggregate principal amount of the 2024 Notes. The 2024 Notes were issued at an issue price of 100% of par value and are guaranteed by the Guarantors. Proceeds from the issuance of the 2024 Notes were used to repay existing borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility.

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 Statement of Income. For the year ended December 31, 2016 and for the period from April 24, 2015 to December 31, 2015, we recognized $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, 2016 are as follows:

(Thousands)
2017	$	21,133
2018		21,133
2019		21,133
2020		21,133
2021		21,133
Thereafter		4,062,302
Total	$	4,167,967

As discussed in Note 6, we have acquired property pursuant to capital leases. At December 31, 2016, future minimum lease payments under capital lease obligations are as follows:

(Thousands)
2017	$	7,313
2018		7,115
2019		7,125
2020		6,655
2021		6,262
Thereafter		60,495
Total minimum payments		94,965
Less amount representing interest		(40,430	)
Total	$	54,535

Stock-Based Compensation

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Disclosure Of Compensation Related Costs Sharebased Payments [Abstract]

Stock-Based Compensation

Note 10. Stock-Based Compensation

The Company’s Board of Directors adopted the 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 CS&L 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 CS&L in the same proportion as if the equity awards had been common shares on the date of the Spin-Off. The CS&L awards issued have the same form and vesting requirements as the underlying Windstream awards. For the purposes of vesting in the CS&L awards, continued service with Windstream is deemed to be continued service with CS&L. 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 CS&L. At December 31, 2016, 161,588 restricted shares and 16,033 performance-based restricted stock units issued to Windstream employees remained outstanding.

Certain employees of CS&L have retained their unvested Windstream awards that were held prior to the Spin-Off. Unrecognized compensation expense related to these awards was $5,100 at December 31, 2016, and will be amortized to compensation expense in our Consolidated Statement of Income on a straight-line basis over the vesting period. For the year ended December 31, 2016 and for the period from April 24, 2015 to December 31, 2015, we recognized $63,000 and $197,000, respectively, of compensation expense related to these awards, which is recorded in general and administrative expense on our Consolidated Statement of Income.

Restricted Awards

During the year ended December 31, 2016, the Company granted 308,146 shares of restricted stock to employees, which had a fair value of $6.3 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, 2016, there were 5,110,563 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, 2015		241,140		$	25.82
Granted		308,146		$	20.56
Forfeited		(12,419	)	$	21.42
Vested		(42,976	)	$	26.34
Unvested balance, December 31, 2016		493,891		$	22.60	$	12,550

⁽¹⁾

The aggregate intrinsic value is calculated as the market value of our common stock as of December 30, 2016. The market value as of December 30, 2016 was $25.41 per share, which was the closing price of our common stock reported for transactions effected on the NASDAQ Global Select Market on December 30, 2016, the final trading day of 2016.

The total fair value of shares vesting during the ended December 31, 2016 was $1.1 million.

As of December 31, 2016, total unrecognized compensation expense on restricted awards was approximately $7.1 million, and the expense is expected to be recognized over a weighted average vesting period of 1.8 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 150% 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 29, 2016, we issued 101,660 PSUs equal to 100% of the target amount, with an aggregate value of $2.1 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, 2016, 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, 2015		60,970	$	21.82
Granted		101,660	$	20.71
Forfeited		—	$	—
Vested		—	$	—
Unvested balance, December 31, 2016		162,630	$	21.13	$	4,132

⁽¹⁾

As of December 31, 2016, total unrecognized compensation expense related to PSUs was approximately $2.1 million, and the weighted-average vesting period was 1.8 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 year ended December 31, 2016 and for the period from April 24, 2015 to December 31, 2015:

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

For the year ended December 31, 2016 and for the period from April 24, 2015 to December 31, 2015, we recognized $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.

- Definition

The entire disclosure for compensation-related costs for equity-based compensation, which may include disclosure of policies, compensation plan details, allocation of equity compensation, incentive distributions, equity-based arrangements to obtain goods and services, deferred compensation arrangements, employee stock ownership plan details and employee stock purchase plan details.

+ References + Details

Related Party Transactions	12 Months Ended
Related Party Transactions	Dec. 31, 2016
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 CS&L shares it received to existing stockholders of Windstream Holdings and retained a passive ownership interest of approximately 19.6% of the common stock of CS&L. 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 CS&L. 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. Accounts Receivable – As of December 31, 2015, there was $1.7 million accounts receivable from Windstream related to the collection of Consumer CLEC Business revenues, net of amounts owed to Windstream under the Wholesale Agreement and Master Services Agreement recorded in accounts receivable on our Consolidated Balance Sheet. Dividend Payable – At December 31, 2015 there was a $17.6 million dividend payable to Windstream related to the dividend declared on November 6, 2015, based on Windstream ownership of CS&L shares as of the December 31, 2015 record date. This amount was paid to Windstream on January 15, 2016 along with the dividends payable to all common shareholders. 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 CS&L 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 CS&L 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 CS&L 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, 2016

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 year ended December 31, 2016, approximately 220,000 PSUs 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 this period. 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 17) 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 CS&L the option to cash or share settle the instrument, and it is our policy to settle the instrument in cash upon conversion.

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

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

(Thousands, except per share data)	Year Ended December 31, 2016			Period from April 24 - December 31, 2015
Diluted earnings per share:
Numerator:
Net (loss) income	$	(212	)	$	24,870
Less: Income allocated to participating securities		(1,557	)		(1,152	)
Dividends declared on convertible preferred stock		(1,743	)		-
Amortization of discount on convertible preferred stock		(1,985	)		-
Net (loss) income applicable to common shares	$	(5,497	)	$	23,718
Denominator:
Basic weighted-average common shares outstanding		152,473			149,835
Effect of dilutive non-participating securities		—			—
Weighted-average shares for dilutive earnings per common share		152,473			149,835
Dilutive (loss) earnings per common share	$	(0.04	)	$	0.16

Segment Information

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Segment Reporting [Abstract]

Segment Information

Note 13. Segment Information

As of December 31, 2016, our management, including our chief executive officer, who is our chief operating decision maker, manages our operations as three operating business segments: Leasing, Fiber Infrastructure and Consumer CLEC. Our Leasing segment represents our REIT operations, including the results of our tower and ground lease operations and corporate expenses not directly attributable to our other operating segments. The Fiber Infrastructure segment represents the operations of the Uniti Fiber business, as well as corporate expenses directly attributable to the operations of that business, and the Consumer CLEC segment represents the operations of our Consumer CLEC Business and corporate expenses directly attributable to the operation of that business. We determined that each of these operating segments represents a reportable segment.

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 and integration 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 year ended December 31, 2016 and for the period from April 24, 2015 to December 31, 2015:

	Year Ended December 31, 2016
(Thousands)	Leasing		Fiber Infrastructure		Consumer CLEC		Subtotal of Reportable Segments
Revenues	$	677,368	$	70,568	$	22,472	$	770,408

Adjusted EBITDA	$	659,198	$	25,912	$	5,074	$	690,184
Less:
Interest expense								275,394
Depreciation and amortization		344,083		28,629		3,258		375,970
Transaction related costs								33,669
Stock-based compensation								4,846
Income tax expense								517
Net loss							$	(212	)

Capital expenditures ⁽¹⁾	$	15,437	$	31,006	$	-	$	46,443

	Period from April 24, 2015 to December 31, 2015
(Thousands)	Leasing		Consumer CLEC		Subtotal of Reportable Segments
Revenues	$	458,614	$	17,700	$	476,314

Adjusted EBITDA	$	449,340	$	3,957	$	453,297
Less:
Interest expense						181,797
Depreciation and amortization		236,177		2,571		238,748
Transaction related costs						5,210
Stock-based compensation						1,934
Income tax expense						738
Net income					$	24,870

Capital expenditures ⁽¹⁾	$	44,413	$	-	$	44,413

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

Total assets by business segment as of December 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015 are as follows:

(Thousands)	December 31, 2016		December 31, 2015
Leasing	$	2,390,431	$	2,527,915
Fiber Infrastructure		914,082		-
Consumer CLEC		14,239		14,721
Subtotal of reportable segments	$	3,318,752	$	2,542,636

Following the acquisition of Network Management Holdings, LTD in the first quarter of 2017, the Company now manages and reports our operations in four reportable business segment: Leasing, Fiber Infrastructure, Towers and Consumer CLEC. This change in segments aligns with how management, including our Chief Operating Decision maker, evaluates the performance of our businesses and make decisions regarding the allocation of resources. We will recast prior period segment data to conform to this new presentation beginning with our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2017.

- Definition

The entire disclosure for reporting segments including data and tables. Reportable segments include those that meet any of the following quantitative thresholds a) it's reported revenue, including sales to external customers and intersegment sales or transfers is 10 percent or more of the combined revenue, internal and external, of all operating segments b) the absolute amount of its reported profit or loss is 10 percent or more of the greater, in absolute amount of 1) the combined reported profit of all operating segments that did not report a loss or 2) the combined reported loss of all operating segments that did report a loss c) its assets are 10 percent or more of the combined assets of all operating segments.

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+ Details

Commitments and Contingencies

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

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 approximated $834,000 for the year ended December 31, 2016 and $132,000 for the period from April 24, 2015 to December 31, 2015. 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)
2017	$	15,483
2018		11,390
2019		7,450
2020		4,840
2021		2,030
Thereafter		5,579
Total	$	46,772

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, 2016

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 by component is as follows for the year ended December 31, 2016:

(Thousands)	Currency Translation Adjustment			Changes in Fair Value of Effective Cash Flow Hedge (Note 7)			Total
Beginning balance at December 31, 2015	$	—		$	(5,427	)	$	(5,427	)
Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications		(267	)		(24,465	)		(24,732	)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income		—			23,790			23,790
Ending balance at December 31, 2016	$	(267	)	$	(6,102	)	$	(6,369	)

- Definition

The entire disclosure for comprehensive income, which includes, but is not limited to, 1) the amount of income tax expense or benefit allocated to each component of other comprehensive income, including reclassification adjustments, 2) the reclassification adjustments for each classification of other comprehensive income and 3) the ending accumulated balances for each component of comprehensive income.

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+ Details

Income Taxes

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]

Income Taxes

Note 16. Income Taxes

We have elected on our U.S. federal income tax return for the taxable year ending December 31, 2015 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 year ended December 31, 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			Period from
(Thousands)	December 31, 2016			April 24 - December 31, 2015
Current
Federal	$	1,596		$	1,208
State		1,107			741
Total current expense		2,703			1,949

Deferred
Federal		(1,488	)		(770	)
State		(698	)		(441	)
Total deferred expense		(2,186	)		(1,211	)
Total income tax expense	$	517		$	738

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

	Year Ended			Period from
(Thousands)	December 31, 2016			April 24 - December 31, 2015
Income from continuing operations, before tax	$	305		$	24,795
Income tax at U.S. statutory federal rate		107			8,665
Increases (decreases) resulting from:
State taxes, net of federal benefit		(224	)		266
Benefit of REIT status		(4,016	)		(8,193	)
Capitalized transaction costs		(3,915	)		-
Change in valuation allowance		8,176			-
Adjustment of deferred tax balances		149			-
Permanent differences		52			-
Rate differential		188			-
Income tax expense	$	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, and changes in valuation allowance related to deferred tax assets of a TRS.

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, 2016			December 31, 2015
Deferred tax assets:
Deferred revenue	$	4,244		$	90
Accrued bonuses		520			-
Goodwill		1,886			-
Stock based compensation		179			-
Accrued expenses and other		802			-
Asset retirement obligation		790			-
Inventory reserve		401			-
Net operating loss carryforwards		39,916			-
Deferred tax assets		48,738			90
Valuation allowance		(8,176	)		-
Deferred tax assets, net of valuation allowance		40,562			90

Deferred tax liabilities:
Property, plant & equipment	$	(20,923	)	$	(1,759	)
Customer list intangible		(47,721	)		(4,045	)
Other intangible amortization		(137	)		-
Other		(175	)		-
Deferred tax liabilities	$	(68,956	)	$	(5,804	)

Deferred tax asset (liability), net	$	(28,394	)	$	(5,714	)

A valuation allowance is recorded to reduce the carrying amounts of deferred tax assets to the amount that we believe is more likely than not to be realized. The valuation allowance at December 31, 2016 primarily relates to net operating loss carryforwards (“NOL”s) of one of our TRSs.

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 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 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 & Equipment and Intangible Assets over their respective historical tax bases.

We have total federal NOL carryforwards as of December 31, 2016 of approximately $102.9M which will expire between 2026 and 2036.

The Company has no liability for unrecognized tax benefits or tax-related penalties or interest at December 31, 2016 and does not expect a significant change in the balance of unrecognized tax benefits within the next 12 months. With the exception of Tower Cloud, Inc., our 2015 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.

Capital Stock	12 Months Ended
Capital Stock	Dec. 31, 2016
Equity [Abstract]
Capital Stock	Note 17. Capital Stock 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 CS&L 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 155,138,637 and 0 shares, respectively, were outstanding at December 31, 2016. We had 344,861,363 shares of voting common stock available for issuance at December 31, 2016.

- Definition

The entire disclosure for shareholders' equity comprised of portions attributable to the parent entity and noncontrolling interest, including other comprehensive income. Includes, but is not limited to, balances of common stock, preferred stock, additional paid-in capital, other capital and retained earnings, accumulated balance for each classification of other comprehensive income and amount of comprehensive income.

+ References

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+ Details

Dividends (Distributions)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Payments Of Dividends [Abstract]

Dividends (Distributions)

Note 18. 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 year ended December 31, 2016 and for the period from April 24, 2015 to December 31, 2015 our common stock distribution per share was $2.40 and $1.04, respectively, characterized as follows:

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

Future Minimum Rents

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Leases Operating [Abstract]

Future Minimum Rents

Note 19. 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, 2016, are as follows:

(Thousands)
2017	$	657,103
2018		660,883
2019		664,727
2020		668,578
2021		671,845
Thereafter		5,769,327
Total	$	9,092,463

Employee Benefit Plan	12 Months Ended
Employee Benefit Plan	Dec. 31, 2016
Compensation And Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]
Employee Benefit Plan	Note 20. 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 year ended December 31, 2016 and for the period April 24, 2015 to December 31, 2015 was $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, 2016
Subsequent Events [Abstract]
Subsequent Events	Note 21. Subsequent Events On January 31, 2017, Uniti Towers completed the previously announced acquisition of NMS. NMS owns and operates wireless communications towers in Latin America with an additional build-to-suit tower sites under development. The NMS portfolio spans across Mexico, Nicaragua, and Colombia. The consideration for the wireless towers currently in operation was $62.6 million, which was funded through cash on hand. Under the terms of the purchase agreement, Uniti Towers will acquire the rights to towers under development when construction is completed. With the addition of NMS, the Uniti Towers portfolio now consists of 468 wireless communication towers. On February 9, 2017, we completed a repricing of our Term Loan Facility. The repricing decreases the interest rate by 50 basis points to LIBOR plus 3.00% per annum with a minimum LIBOR rate of 1.0%. Our interest rate swap agreements are unaffected by this repricing and effectively fix the interest rate on our Term Loan Facility at 5.1%. On February 23, 2017, we announced a definitive agreement to acquire Hunt Telecommunications, LLC (“Hunt”) for initial consideration of $114.5 million in cash and approximately two million operating partnership units. Hunt is a leading provider of data transport to K-12 schools and government agencies with a dense fiber network in Louisiana. We intend to fund the cash portion of the transaction through cash on hand and borrowings under our revolving credit facility. The transactions is expected to close during the third quarter of 2017 and is subject to regulatory approvals and other customary terms and conditions.

Supplemental Guarantor Information

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Condensed Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]

Supplemental Guarantor Information

Note 22. 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 is required to provide condensed consolidating financial information for CSL Capital and the Guarantors because the Exchange Notes (see Note 9) and the guarantees thereof were registered with the SEC under the Securities Act. While the condensed consolidating financial information presented below is in respect of our Exchange Notes only, our Secured Notes, 2024 Notes and senior credit facilities under the Credit Agreement are guaranteed by the Guarantors. These guarantees are full and unconditional as well as joint and several. All property assets and related operations of the Guarantors are pledged as collateral under the Secured Notes and Credit Agreement and the Guarantors are subject to restrictions on certain investments and payments. Subject to the terms and provisions of the debt agreements, in certain circumstances, a Guarantor may be released from its guarantee obligation including, upon the sale or transfer of any portion of its equity interest or all or substantially all of its property, and upon any Guarantor being designated an Unrestricted Subsidiary, as defined in the Credit Agreement, or otherwise no longer being required to remain a Guarantor given its size or regulatory restrictions.

Certain amounts in the prior period have been revised to correct errors identified during the fourth quarter 2016 that relate to prior periods. Specifically, immaterial adjustments were made to properly reflect the Guarantor’s proportionate share in net assets of Non-Guarantor entities. The adjustments have no impact on the consolidated results of the Company.

The following information summarizes our Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, Condensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income (Loss) for the year ended December 31, 2016 and for the period from April 24, 2015 to December 31, 2015, and the Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows for the year ended December 31, 2016 and for the period from April 24, 2015 to December 31, 2015:

	Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet As of December 31, 2016
(Thousands)	CS&L			CSL Capital			Guarantors		Non-Guarantors			Eliminations			Consolidated
Assets:
Property, plant and equipment, net	$	—		$	—		$	1,975,455	$	694,582		$	—		$	2,670,037
Cash and cash equivalents		131,145			—			32,426		8,183			—			171,754
Accounts receivable, net		(3	)		—			8,989		6,295			—			15,281
Affiliate receivable		—			—			—		2,413			(2,413	)		—
Goodwill		—			—			145,054		117,280			—			262,334
Intangible assets, net		—			—			37,033		123,551			—			160,584
Straight-line revenue receivable		—			—			29,084		4			—			29,088
Investment in consolidated subsidiaries		2,801,234			2,036,717			761,609		-			(5,599,560	)		—
Other assets		1,066			—			6,567		2,041			—			9,674
Total Assets	$	2,933,442		$	2,036,717		$	2,996,217	$	954,349		$	(5,601,973	)	$	3,318,752
Liabilities and Shareholders' (Deficit) Equity:
Liabilities:
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities	$	—		$	—		$	25,081	$	15,896		$	—		$	40,977
Accrued interest payable		27,812			27,812			—		—			(27,812	)		27,812
Deferred revenue		—			—			157,857		103,547			—			261,404
Derivative liability		6,102			6,102			—		—			(6,102	)		6,102
Affiliate payable		—			—			2,413		—			(2,413	)		—
Dividends payable		94,607			—			—		—			—			94,607
Deferred income taxes		—			—			1,603		26,791			—			28,394
Capital lease obligations		—			—			47,977		6,558			—			54,535
Contingent consideration		98,600			—			—		—			—			98,600
Notes and other debt, net		4,028,214			4,028,214			—		—			(4,028,214	)		4,028,214
Total liabilities		4,255,335			4,062,128			234,931		152,792			(4,064,541	)		4,640,645

Convertible preferred stock		80,552			—			—		—			—			80,552

Shareholders' (Deficit) Equity:
Common stock		15			—			—		—			—			15
Additional paid-in capital		141,092			—			—		—			—			141,092
Accumulated other comprehensive income		(6,369	)		(6,102	)		—		(267	)		6,369			(6,369	)
Distributions in excess of earnings		(1,537,183	)		(2,019,309	)		2,761,286		801,824			(1,543,801	)		(1,537,183	)
Total shareholders' deficit		(1,402,445	)		(2,025,411	)		2,761,286		801,557			(1,537,432	)		(1,402,445	)
Total Liabilities, Convertible Preferred Stock, and Shareholders' Deficit	$	2,933,442		$	2,036,717		$	2,996,217	$	954,349		$	(5,601,973	)	$	3,318,752

	Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet As of December 31, 2015
(Thousands)	CS&L			CSL Capital			Guarantors		Non-Guarantors		Eliminations			Consolidated
Assets:
Property, plant and equipment, net	$	—		$	—		$	1,841,712	$	533,048	$	—		$	2,374,760
Cash and cash equivalents		17			—			140,197		2,284		—			142,498
Accounts receivable, net		—			—			474		1,609		—			2,083
Affiliate receivable		—			—			151		—		(151	)		—
Intangible assets, net		—			—			—		10,530		—			10,530
Straight-line rent receivable		—			—			11,795		—		—			11,795
Investment in consolidated subsidiaries		2,458,679			2,458,679			510,093		—		(5,427,451	)		—
Other assets		—			—			672		298		—			970
Total Assets	$	2,458,696		$	2,458,679		$	2,505,094	$	547,769	$	(5,427,602	)	$	2,542,636

Liabilities and Shareholders' (Deficit) Equity:
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities	$	—		$	—		$	9,204	$	1,205	$	—		$	10,409
Accrued Interest payable		24,440			24,440			—		—		(24,440	)		24,440
Deferred Revenue		—			—			44,862		22,955		—			67,817
Derivative liability		5,427			5,427			—		—		(5,427	)		5,427
Affiliate payable		—			—			—		151		(151	)		—
Dividends payable		90,507			—			—		—		—			90,507
Deferred income taxes		—			—			1,677		4,037		—			5,714
Notes and other debt, net		3,505,228			3,505,228			—		—		(3,505,228	)		3,505,228
Total liabilities		3,625,602			3,535,095			55,743		28,348		(3,535,246	)		3,709,542

Common Stock		15			—			—		—		—			15
Additional paid-in capital		1,392			—			—		—		—			1,392
Accumulated other comprehensive income		(5,427	)		(5,427	)		—		—		5,427			(5,427	)
Distributions in excess of earnings		(1,162,886	)		(1,070,989	)		2,449,351		519,421		(1,897,783	)		(1,162,886	)
Total shareholders' deficit		(1,166,906	)		(1,076,416	)		2,449,351		519,421		(1,892,356	)		(1,166,906	)
Total Liabilities and Shareholders' (Deficit) Equity	$	2,458,696		$	2,458,679		$	2,505,094	$	547,769	$	(5,427,602	)	$	2,542,636

	Condensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income For the Year Ended December 31, 2016
(Thousands)	CS&L			CSL Capital		Guarantors			Non-Guarantors			Eliminations			Consolidated
Revenues:
Leasing	$	—		$	—	$	674,683		$	2,685		$	—		$	677,368
Fiber Infrastructure							57,030			13,538						70,568
Consumer CLEC		—			—		—			22,472			—			22,472
Total revenues		—			—		731,713			38,695			—			770,408
Costs and Expenses:
Interest expense		267,959			273,022		7,046			389			(273,022	)		275,394
Depreciation and amortization		—			—		279,507			96,463			—			375,970
General and administrative expense		4,829			—		28,161			2,412			—			35,402
Operating expense (exclusive of depreciation, accretion and amortization)		—			—		25,666			24,002			—			49,668
Transaction related costs		3,945			—		29,566			158			—			33,669
Total costs and expenses		276,733			273,022		369,946			123,424			(273,022	)		770,103
Earnings from consolidated subsidiaries		276,521			288,468		(85,755	)		—			(479,234	)		—
(Loss) income before income taxes		(212	)		15,446		276,012			(84,729	)		(206,212	)		305
Income tax expense		—			—		647			(130	)		—			517
Net (loss) income	$	(212	)	$	15,446	$	275,365		$	(84,599	)	$	(206,212	)	$	(212	)

Comprehensive (loss) income	$	(1,154	)	$	14,771	$	275,365		$	(84,866	)	$	(205,270	)	$	(1,154	)

	Condensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income For the Period from April 24 - December 31, 2015
(Thousands)	CS&L		CSL Capital		Guarantors			Non-Guarantors			Eliminations			Consolidated
Revenues:
Rental revenues	$	—	$	—	$	458,334		$	280		$	—		$	458,614
Consumer CLEC		—		—		—			17,700			—			17,700
Total revenues		—		—		458,334			17,980			—			476,314
Costs and Expenses:
Interest expense		181,797		181,797		—			—			(181,797	)		181,797
Depreciation and amortization		—		—		173,648			65,100			—			238,748
General and administrative expense		1,934		—		9,274			—			—			11,208
Operating expense (exclusive of depreciation, accretion and amortization)		—		—		—			13,743			—			13,743
Transaction related costs		—		—		5,210			—			—			5,210
Total costs and expenses		183,731		181,797		188,132			78,843			(181,797	)		450,706
Earnings (losses) from consolidated subsidiaries		208,601		208,601		(62,249	)		—			(354,953	)		—
(Loss) Income before income taxes		24,870		26,804		207,953			(60,863	)		(173,156	)		25,608
Income tax expense		—		—		201			537			—			738
Net (loss) income	$	24,870	$	26,804	$	207,752		$	(61,400	)	$	(173,156	)	$	24,870

Comprehensive (loss) income	$	19,443	$	21,377	$	207,752		$	(61,400	)	$	(167,729	)	$	19,443

	Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows For the Year Ended December 31, 2016
(Thousands)	CS&L			CSL Capital		Guarantors			Non-Guarantors			Eliminations			Consolidated
Cash flow from operating activities
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	$	(59,076	)	$	—	$	626,147		$	18,686		$	(209,769	)	$	375,988

Cash flow from investing activities
Acquisition of businesses, net of cash acquired		—			—		(315,494	)		(173,294	)		—			(488,788	)
Acquisition of ground lease investments		—			—		—			(11,543	)		—			(11,543	)
Other capital expenditures		—			—		(14,567	)		(20,333	)		—			(34,900	)
Net cash used in investing activities		—			—		(330,061	)		(205,170	)		—			(535,231	)

Cash flow from financing activities
Principal payment on debt		(22,027	)		—		—			—			—			(22,027	)
Dividends paid		(367,830	)		—		—			—			—			(367,830	)
Proceeds from issuance of Notes		548,875			—		—			—			—			548,875
Borrowings under revolving credit facility		641,000			—		—			—			—			641,000
Payments under revolving credit facility		(641,000	)		—		—			—			—			(641,000	)
Capital lease payments		—			—		(1,357	)		(192	)		—			(1,549	)
Deferred financing costs		(20,557	)		—		—			—			—			(20,557	)
Common stock issuance, net of costs		54,213			—		—			—			—			54,213
Net share settlement		(2,359	)		—		—			—			—			(2,359	)
Intercompany transactions, net		(111	)		—		(402,500	)		192,842			209,769			—
Net cash provided (used in) by financing activities		190,204			—		(403,857	)		192,650			209,769			188,766
Effect of exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents		—			—		—			(267	)		—			(267	)

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents		131,128			—		(107,771	)		5,899			—			29,256
Cash and cash equivalents, December 31, 2015		17			—		140,197			2,284						142,498
Cash and cash equivalents, December 31, 2016	$	131,145		$	—	$	32,426		$	8,183		$	—		$	171,754

	Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows For the Period from April 24 - December 31, 2015
(Thousands)	CS&L			CSL Capital		Guarantors			Non-Guarantors			Eliminations			Consolidated
Cash flow from operating activities
Net cash provided by operating activities	$	106,332		$	—	$	426,719		$	13,519		$	(253,362	)	$	293,208

Cash flow from investing activities
Consideration paid to Windstream Services		(1,035,029	)		—		—			—			—			(1,035,029	)
Capital expenditures - other		—			—		(33,178	)		(11,235	)		—			(44,413	)
Net cash used in investing activities		(1,035,029	)		—		(33,178	)		(11,235	)		—			(1,079,442	)

Cash flow from financing activities
Proceeds from issuance of Term Loans		1,127,000			—		—			—			—			1,127,000
Deferred financing costs		(30,057	)		—		—			—			—			(30,057	)
Principal payment on debt		(10,700	)		—		—			—			—			(10,700	)
Common stock issuance costs		(543	)		—		—			—			—			(543	)
Net share settlement		(113	)													(113	)
Dividends paid		(156,854	)		—		—			—			—			(156,854	)
Intercompany transactions, net		—			—		(253,362	)		—			253,362			—
Cash in-lieu of fractional shares		(19	)		—		—			—			—			(19	)
Net cash provided by financing activities		928,714			—		(253,362	)		—			253,362			928,714

Net increase in cash and cash equivalents		17			—		140,179			2,284			—			142,480
Cash and cash equivalents, April 24, 2015		—			—		18			—			—			18
Cash and cash equivalents, December 31, 2015	$	17		$	—	$	140,197		$	2,284		$	—		$	142,498

Quarterly Results of Operations (unaudited)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Selected Quarterly Financial Information [Abstract]

Quarterly Results of Operations (unaudited)

Note 23. Quarterly Results of Operations (unaudited)

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) applicable 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

Selected quarterly information for period from April 24, 2015 to December 31, 2015:

	2015
	Period from		Third		Fourth
(Thousands, except per share data)	April 24 - June 30, 2015		Quarter		Quarter
Total revenues	$	128,748	$	173,634	$	173,932
Income before income taxes		8,532		9,671		7,405
Net income		8,301		9,403		7,166
Net income applicable to common shareholders		7,976		8,973		6,769

Basic earnings per common share	$	0.05	$	0.06	$	0.05
Diluted earnings per common share	$	0.05	$	0.06	$	0.05
Dividends declared per common share	$	0.44	$	0.60	$	0.60

Description of Business	12 Months Ended
Description of Business	Dec. 31, 2016
Consumer CLEC Business
Description of Business	Note 1. Description of Business Communications Sales & Leasing, Inc. (the “Company,” “CS&L,” “we,” “us” or “our”) 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 CS&L 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 CS&L in exchange for cash, shares of common stock of CS&L and certain indebtedness of CS&L (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, 2016
Consumer CLEC Business
Allocations [Line Items]
Allocations	Note 4. Allocations As described in Note 2, the accompanying Statements of Revenues and Direct Expenses of the Consumer CLEC Business include 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.

Condensed Financial Information of The Registrant (Parent Company)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Condensed Financial Information Of Parent Company Only Disclosure [Abstract]

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

Communications Sales & Leasing, Inc.

Schedule I – Condensed Financial Information of

The Registrant (Parent Company)

Balance Sheets

(Thousands, except par value)	December 31, 2016			December 31, 2015
Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	131,145		$	17
Accounts receivable, net		(3	)		-
Other assets		1,066			-
Investment in consolidated subsidiaries		2,801,234			2,458,679
Total Assets	$	2,933,442		$	2,458,696

Liabilities:
Accrued interest payable	$	27,812		$	24,440
Derivative liability		6,102			5,427
Dividends payable		94,607			90,507
Contingent consideration		98,600			—
Notes and other debt, net		4,028,214			3,505,228
Total liabilities		4,255,335			3,625,602

Convertible Preferred Stock, Series A, $0.0001 par value, 88 shares authorized, issued and outstanding, $87,500 liquidation value		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: 155,139 shares at December 31, 2016 and 149,862 at December 31, 2015		15			15
Additional paid-in capital		141,092			1,392
Accumulated other comprehensive income		(6,369	)		(5,427	)
Distributions in excess of accumulated earnings		(1,537,183	)		(1,162,886	)
Total shareholders' deficit		(1,402,445	)		(1,166,906	)
Total Liabilities, Convertible Preferred Stock, and Shareholders' Deficit	$	2,933,442		$	2,458,696

See notes to Consolidated Financial Statements of CS&L, Inc. included in Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.

Communications Sales & Leasing, Inc.

Schedule I – Condensed Financial Information of

The Registrant (Parent Company)

Statements of Comprehensive Income

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

See notes to Consolidated Financial Statements of CS&L, Inc. included in Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.

Communications Sales & Leasing, Inc.

Schedule I – Condensed Financial Information of

The Registrant (Parent Company)

Statements of Cash Flows

	Year Ended			Period from
(Thousands)	December 31, 2016			April 24 - December 31, 2015
Cash flow from operating activities
Net (loss) income	$	(212	)	$	24,870
Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Amortization of deferred financing costs		7,823			4,832
Amortization of debt discount		8,179			5,172
Equity in earnings from subsidiaries		(276,521	)		(208,601	)
Distributions from subsidiaries		194,500			253,362
Stock-based compensation		4,846			1,934
Changes in:
Accounts receivable		3			-
Other assets		(1,066	)		-
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities		3,372			24,763
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities		(59,076	)		106,332

Cash flow from investing activities
Acquisition of businesses, net of cash acquired		-			-
Consideration paid to Windstream Services		-			(1,035,029	)
Capital expenditures		-			-
Net cash used in investing activities		-			(1,035,029	)

Cash flow from financing activities
Principal payment on debt		(22,027	)		(10,700	)
Dividends paid		(367,830	)		(156,854	)
Proceeds from issuance of Term Loans		-			1,127,000
Proceeds from issuance of Notes		548,875			-
Borrowings under revolving credit facility		641,000			-
Payments under revolving credit facility		(641,000	)		-
Capital lease payments		-			-
Deferred financing costs		(20,557	)		(30,057	)
Common stock issuance, net of costs		54,213			(543	)
Net share settlement		(2,359	)		(113	)
Intercompany transactions, net		(111	)		-
Cash in-lieu of fractional shares		-			(19	)
Net cash provided by investing activities		190,204			928,714
Effect of exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents		-			-
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents		131,128			17
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period		17			-
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$	131,145		$	17

See notes to Consolidated Financial Statements of CS&L, Inc. included in Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.

Communications Sales & Leasing, Inc.

Schedule I – Condensed Financial Information of

The Registrant (Parent Company)

Background and Basis of Presentation – Pursuant to SEC Regulation S-X Rule 3-10 “Financial statements of guarantors and issuers of guaranteed securities registered or being registered,” the Company is required to provide condensed consolidating financial information for CSL Capital and the Guarantors because the Exchange Notes and the guarantees thereof were registered with the SEC under the Securities Act. While the condensed consolidating financial information presented below is in respect of our Exchange Notes only, our Secured Notes, 2024 Notes and senior credit facilities under the Credit Agreement are guaranteed by the Guarantors. These guarantees are full and unconditional as well as joint and several. All property assets and related operations of the Guarantors are pledged as collateral under the Secured Notes and Credit Agreement and the Guarantors are subject to restrictions on certain investments and payments. Accordingly, these condensed financial statements of CS&L have been presented on a “Parent Only” basis. Under this basis of presentation, CS&L’s investment in its consolidated subsidiaries are presented under the equity method of accounting. The condensed parent company financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes of CS&L and its subsidiaries included in Item 8 Financial Statements and Supplementary Data in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

- 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, 2016

Valuation And Qualifying Accounts [Abstract]

Schedule II – Valuation and Qualifying Account

Communications Sales and Leasing, 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, 2016	$	-	$	-	$	8,176	$	-	$	8,176
Period from April 24 - December 31, 2015	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	-

Schedule III – Real Estate Investments and Accumulated Depreciation

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Real Estate And Accumulated Depreciation Disclosure [Abstract]

Schedule III – Real Estate Investments and Accumulated Depreciation

Communications Sales and Leasing, Inc.

Schedule III – Real Estate Investments and Accumulated Depreciation

As of December 31, 2016

(dollars in thousands)

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

			Initial cost to company⁽¹⁾	Cost capitalized subsequent to acquisition^{(1) (3)}		Gross Amount Carried at Close of Period							Life on which Depreciation in Latest Income
Description	Encumbrances		Distribution Systems	Improvements	Carry Costs	Distribution Systems Total		Accumulated Depreciation			Date of Construction⁽²⁾	Date Acquired⁽²⁾	Statements is Computed
Land	$	—	(1)	(1)	(1)	$	26,833	$	(201	)	(2)	(2)
Building and improvements		—	(1)	(1)	(1)		318,616		(148,432	)	(2)	(2)	3 - 40 years
Poles		—	(1)	(1)	(1)		234,393		(173,441	)	(2)	(2)	13 - 40 years
Fiber		—	(1)	(1)	(1)		2,024,564		(820,389	)	(2)	(2)	7 - 40 years
Copper		—	(1)	(1)	(1)		3,538,565		(2,856,327	)	(2)	(2)	7 - 40 years
Conduit		—	(1)	(1)	(1)		89,661		(54,487	)	(2)	(2)	13 - 47 years
Towers		—	(1)	(1)	(1)		4,307		(659	)	(2)	(2)	20 - 49 years
Real property interest		—	(1)	(1)	(1)		12,265		(94	)	(2)	(2)	50 - 99 years
Other assets		—	(1)	(1)	(1)		5,299		(718	)	(2)	(2)	15 - 20 years
Construction in progress		—	(1)	(1)	(1)		1,745		—		(2)	(2)

⁽¹⁾Given the voluminous nature and variety of the Distribution Systems assets, this schedule omits columns C and D from the schedule III presentation.

⁽²⁾Because additions and improvements to the Distribution Systems are ongoing, construction and acquisition dates are not applicable.

⁽³⁾For the year ended December 31, 2016, the amount of capitalized costs related to the Distribution Systems is as follows (millions):


	Tenant capital improvements⁽⁴⁾		$	157.0

⁽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.

Communications Sales and Leasing, Inc.

Schedule III – Real Estate Investments and Accumulated Depreciation

As of December 31, 2016

(dollars in thousands)

	2016
Gross amount at beginning	$	6,093,541
Additions during period:
Tenant capital improvements		156,972
Acquisitions		15,848
Other		-
Total additions		172,820

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

Balance at end	$	6,256,248

	2016
Gross amount of accumulated depreciation at beginning	$	3,720,890
Additions during period:
Depreciation		343,971
Other		-
Total additions		343,971

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

Balance at end	$	4,054,748

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	12 Months Ended
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	Dec. 31, 2016
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 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. Certain Distribution System property, plant and equipment are 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 to the Master Lease 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 (“TCI’s”), 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 CS&L 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, 2016 and December 31, 2015, the net book value of TCI’s recorded as a component of property, plant and equipment on our Consolidated Balance Sheet was $218.7 million and $67.8 million, respectively. For the year ended December 31, 2016 we recognized $6.1 million of revenue and depreciation expense related to TCIs. 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 year ended December 31, 2016 and from the period April 24, 2015 to December 31, 2015 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 statement of operations. 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.
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	Customer List Intangible Assets—Customer list intangible assets are presented in the financial statements at cost less accumulated amortization and are amortized using the sum-of-the-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 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.
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, 2016 and December 31, 2015, no allowance was recorded related to our straight-line rent receivable. We lease the Distribution Systems to Windstream under a triple-net lease basis, 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, as Windstream makes direct payments to the taxing authorities. 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. 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, 2016 the allowance recorded for service receivables was $1.4 million. At December 31, 2015 no allowance was recorded for service receivables.
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 for the taxable year ending December 31, 2015 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, 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. To maintain REIT status, we must distribute a minimum of 90% of our taxable income. We intend to make regular quarterly dividend payments of all or substantially all of our 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. CS&L operates as a real estate investment trust (REIT) for U.S. federal income tax purposes. As a REIT, the Company is generally not subject to U.S. federal income taxes on income generated by its REIT operations, which includes income derived from the Master Lease. 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 do not result in income that would be 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 no liabilities for uncertain income tax positions. The Company will be subject to a federal corporate level tax rate (currently 35%) on any gain recognized from the sale of assets occurring within a specified 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. The Company has no plans to dispose of the assets it acquired through the Spin-Off within the applicable recognition period.
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, 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. 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.
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. During the year ended December 31, 2016, 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 10.
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 CS&L’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. Because 87.9% of our revenue for the year ended December 31, 2016 is 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 March 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-09, Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting (“ASU 2016-09”). ASU 2016-09 simplifies several aspects of the accounting for share-based payment transactions, including the income tax consequences, classification of awards as either equity or liabilities, and classification on the statement of cash flows. ASU 2016-09 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016, and interim periods within those fiscal years and early adoption is permitted. We adopted ASU 2016-09 effective April 1, 2016, and will reverse compensation cost of forfeited awards as they occur. At the time of adoption, we had not experienced any forfeited awards and therefore no cumulative-effect adjustment was necessary. In September 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-16, Business Combinations (Topic 805): Simplifying the Accounting for Measurement-Period Adjustments (“ASU 2015-16”) which eliminates the prior requirement to recognize measurement-period adjustments to provisional amounts retrospectively. Instead, ASU 2015-16 requires the acquirer to recognize measurement-period adjustments, as well as the impact on earnings of changes in depreciation, amortization and similar items (if any) resulting from the change to the provisional amounts, in the period when the amount of each measurement-period adjustment is determined. As required, the Company adopted the provisions of ASU 2015-16 in the third quarter of its fiscal year ending December 31, 2016 and its adoption did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements. In August 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-15, Disclosures of Uncertainties About an Entity’s Ability to Continue as a Going Concern (“ASU 2014-15”). ASU 2014-15 provides guidance around management’s responsibility to evaluate whether there is substantial doubt about an entity’s ability to continue as a going concern and to provide related footnote disclosures. ASU 2014-15 is effective for annual periods ending after December 15, 2016, and interim periods within annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016. Early adoption is permitted. We adopted ASU 2014-15 effective December 31, 2016, and there was no material impact on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows. In January 2017, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (“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. The adoption of this guidance is not expected to have a material impact on our financial statements. 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 have elected to early adopt ASU 2017-01 as of January 1, 2017, with prospective application. The adoption of this guidance is not expected to have a material impact on our financial statements. Currently, our real property interest investments will be impacted by ASU 2017-01 as transaction cost associated with the investments will be capitalized as opposed to be recorded as an expense prior to adoption. 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 is currently evaluating the impacts the adoption of this accounting standard will have on our financial statements. 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 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. 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. The Company’s implementation efforts include reviewing revenue contracts and the identification of revenue within scope of the guidance. While the Company currently has not identified any material changes in the timing of revenue recognition, the evaluation is ongoing and we are in the process of determining the method of adoption.
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 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.
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 (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Business Combinations [Abstract]

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
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	)
Net assets acquired	$	227,584

Goodwill	$	117,280

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
Intangible assets		38,000
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities		(8,643	)
Deferred revenue		(12,700	)
Capital lease obligations		(49,195	)
Net assets acquired	$	279,240

Goodwill	$	145,054

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 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

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, 2016

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, 2016 and December 31, 2015:

(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

(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, 2015
Liabilities
Senior secured term loan B - variable rate, due October 24, 2022	$	1,986,198	$	—	$	1,986,198	$	—
Senior secured notes - 6.00% , due April 15, 2023		376,000		—		376,000		—
Senior unsecured notes - 8.25%, due October 15, 2023		937,950		—		937,950		—
Derivative liability		5,427		—		5,427		—
Total	$	3,305,575	$	-	$	3,305,575	$	—

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, 2015				Transfers into Level 3				Gain/(Loss) included in earnings				Settlements				December 31, 2016
Contingent consideration		$	—			$	98,600			$	—			$	—			$	98,600

- 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, 2016

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, 2016			December 31, 2015
Land	Indefinite	$	26,833		$	26,841
Building and improvements	3 - 40 years		318,967			314,750
Real property interests	50 - 99 years		12,265			-
Poles	13 - 40 years		234,393			228,031
Fiber	7 - 40 years		2,243,822			1,948,192
Equipment	5 - 7 years		130,945			-
Copper	7 - 40 years		3,538,566			3,475,987
Conduit	13 - 47 years		90,540			89,460
Tower assets	20 - 49 years		4,307			1,209
Capital lease assets	See Note 3		89,723			-
Construction in progress	See Note 3		52,685			4,749
Other assets	15 - 20 years		5,299			4,322
Corporate assets	3 - 7 years		2,731			2,319
			6,751,076			6,095,860
Less accumulated depreciation			(4,081,039	)		(3,721,100	)
Net property, plant and equipment		$	2,670,037		$	2,374,760

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

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, 2016

December 31, 2015

Interest rate swaps

Derivative liability

6,102

5,427

Goodwill and Intangible Assets (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

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, 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

Schedule of Carrying Value of Other Intangible Assets

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

(Thousands)	December 31, 2016						December 31, 2015
	Cost			Accumulated Amortization			Cost			Accumulated Amortization
Indefinite life intangible assets:
Trade name	$	2,000		$	-		$	-		$	-

Finite life intangible assets:
Customer lists		188,642			(30,058	)		34,501			(23,971	)

Total intangible assets		190,642						34,501
Less: Accumulated amortization		(30,058	)					(23,971	)
Total intangible assets, net	$	160,584					$	10,530

Notes and Other Debt (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Long Term Debt [Abstract]

Schedule of Notes and Other Debt

Notes and other debt is as follows:

(Thousands)	December 31, 2016			December 31, 2015
Principal amount	$	4,167,967		$	3,639,300
Less unamortized discount and debt issuance costs		(139,753	)		(134,072	)
Notes and other debt less unamortized discount and debt issuance costs	$	4,028,214		$	3,505,228

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

	December 31, 2016					December 31, 2015
(Thousands)	Principal		Unamortized Discount 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%)	$	2,107,967	$	(78,699	)	$	2,129,300	$	(77,105	)
Senior secured notes - 6.00%, due April 15, 2023 (discount is based on imputed interest rate of 6.29%)		550,000		(9,817	)		400,000		(6,767	)
Senior unsecured notes - 8.25%, due October 15, 2023 (discount is based on imputed interest rate of 9.06%)		1,110,000		(45,599	)		1,110,000		(50,200	)
Senior unsecured notes - 7.125%, due December 15, 2024		400,000		(5,638	)		-		-
Total	$	4,167,967		(139,753	)	$	3,639,300	$	(134,072	)

Schedule of Aggregate Annual Maturities of Long-Term Obligations

Aggregate annual maturities of our long-term obligations at December 31, 2016 are as follows:

(Thousands)
2017	$	21,133
2018		21,133
2019		21,133
2020		21,133
2021		21,133
Thereafter		4,062,302
Total	$	4,167,967

Schedule of Future Minimum Lease Payments Under Capital Lease Obligations

At December 31, 2016, future minimum lease payments under capital lease obligations are as follows:

(Thousands)
2017	$	7,313
2018		7,115
2019		7,125
2020		6,655
2021		6,262
Thereafter		60,495
Total minimum payments		94,965
Less amount representing interest		(40,430	)
Total	$	54,535

- 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=6928386&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=6479336&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=6928386&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=6928386&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=6928386&loc=d3e21521-112644

+ Details

Stock-Based Compensation (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

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, 2015		241,140		$	25.82
Granted		308,146		$	20.56
Forfeited		(12,419	)	$	21.42
Vested		(42,976	)	$	26.34
Unvested balance, December 31, 2016		493,891		$	22.60	$	12,550

⁽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, 2015		60,970	$	21.82
Granted		101,660	$	20.71
Forfeited		—	$	—
Vested		—	$	—
Unvested balance, December 31, 2016		162,630	$	21.13	$	4,132

⁽¹⁾

Schedule of Assumptions used to Value PSUs Granted

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

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

Earnings Per Share (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

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:

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

(Thousands, except per share data)	Year Ended December 31, 2016			Period from April 24 - December 31, 2015
Diluted earnings per share:
Numerator:
Net (loss) income	$	(212	)	$	24,870
Less: Income allocated to participating securities		(1,557	)		(1,152	)
Dividends declared on convertible preferred stock		(1,743	)		-
Amortization of discount on convertible preferred stock		(1,985	)		-
Net (loss) income applicable to common shares	$	(5,497	)	$	23,718
Denominator:
Basic weighted-average common shares outstanding		152,473			149,835
Effect of dilutive non-participating securities		—			—
Weighted-average shares for dilutive earnings per common share		152,473			149,835
Dilutive (loss) earnings per common share	$	(0.04	)	$	0.16

Segment Information (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Segment Reporting [Abstract]

Schedule of Segment Reporting Information

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

	Year Ended December 31, 2016
(Thousands)	Leasing		Fiber Infrastructure		Consumer CLEC		Subtotal of Reportable Segments
Revenues	$	677,368	$	70,568	$	22,472	$	770,408

Adjusted EBITDA	$	659,198	$	25,912	$	5,074	$	690,184
Less:
Interest expense								275,394
Depreciation and amortization		344,083		28,629		3,258		375,970
Transaction related costs								33,669
Stock-based compensation								4,846
Income tax expense								517
Net loss							$	(212	)

Capital expenditures ⁽¹⁾	$	15,437	$	31,006	$	-	$	46,443

	Period from April 24, 2015 to December 31, 2015
(Thousands)	Leasing		Consumer CLEC		Subtotal of Reportable Segments
Revenues	$	458,614	$	17,700	$	476,314

Adjusted EBITDA	$	449,340	$	3,957	$	453,297
Less:
Interest expense						181,797
Depreciation and amortization		236,177		2,571		238,748
Transaction related costs						5,210
Stock-based compensation						1,934
Income tax expense						738
Net income					$	24,870

Capital expenditures ⁽¹⁾	$	44,413	$	-	$	44,413

1.	Segment capital expenditures represents acquisition of ground lease investments and other capital expenditures as reported in the investing activities section of the Statement of Cash Flows.

Summary of Total Assets by Business Segment

Total assets by business segment as of December 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015 are as follows:

(Thousands)	December 31, 2016		December 31, 2015
Leasing	$	2,390,431	$	2,527,915
Fiber Infrastructure		914,082		-
Consumer CLEC		14,239		14,721
Subtotal of reportable segments	$	3,318,752	$	2,542,636

Commitments and Contingencies (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

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)
2017	$	15,483
2018		11,390
2019		7,450
2020		4,840
2021		2,030
Thereafter		5,579
Total	$	46,772

- Definition

Tabular disclosure of a lessee's leasing arrangements including: (1) the basis on which contingent rental payments are determined, (2) the existence and terms of renewal or purchase options and escalation clauses, (3) restrictions imposed by lease arrangements, such as those concerning dividends, additional debt, and further leasing, (4) rent holidays, rent concessions, or leasehold improvement incentives and unusual provisions or conditions. Disclosure may also include the specific period used to amortize material leasehold improvements made at the inception of the lease or during the lease term. Additionally, for operating leases having initial or remaining noncancelable lease terms in excess of one year: (a) future minimum rental payments required as of the date of the latest balance sheet presented, in the aggregate and for each of the five succeeding fiscal years, (b) the total of minimum rentals to be received in the future under noncancelable subleases as of the date of the latest balance sheet presented, and (c) for all operating leases, rental expense for each period for which an income statement is presented, with separate amounts for minimum rentals, contingent rentals, and sublease rentals. Rental payments under leases with terms of a month or less that were not renewed need not be included.

+ References + Details

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss Net Of Tax [Abstract]

Schedule of Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income by Component

Changes in accumulated other comprehensive income by component is as follows for the year ended December 31, 2016:

(Thousands)	Currency Translation Adjustment			Changes in Fair Value of Effective Cash Flow Hedge (Note 7)			Total
Beginning balance at December 31, 2015	$	—		$	(5,427	)	$	(5,427	)
Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications		(267	)		(24,465	)		(24,732	)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income		—			23,790			23,790
Ending balance at December 31, 2016	$	(267	)	$	(6,102	)	$	(6,369	)

Income Taxes (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]

Schedule of Income Tax Expense (Benefit)

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

Deferred
Federal		(1,488	)		(770	)
State		(698	)		(441	)
Total deferred expense		(2,186	)		(1,211	)
Total income tax expense	$	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			Period from
(Thousands)	December 31, 2016			April 24 - December 31, 2015
Income from continuing operations, before tax	$	305		$	24,795
Income tax at U.S. statutory federal rate		107			8,665
Increases (decreases) resulting from:
State taxes, net of federal benefit		(224	)		266
Benefit of REIT status		(4,016	)		(8,193	)
Capitalized transaction costs		(3,915	)		-
Change in valuation allowance		8,176			-
Adjustment of deferred tax balances		149			-
Permanent differences		52			-
Rate differential		188			-
Income tax expense	$	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, 2016			December 31, 2015
Deferred tax assets:
Deferred revenue	$	4,244		$	90
Accrued bonuses		520			-
Goodwill		1,886			-
Stock based compensation		179			-
Accrued expenses and other		802			-
Asset retirement obligation		790			-
Inventory reserve		401			-
Net operating loss carryforwards		39,916			-
Deferred tax assets		48,738			90
Valuation allowance		(8,176	)		-
Deferred tax assets, net of valuation allowance		40,562			90

Deferred tax liabilities:
Property, plant & equipment	$	(20,923	)	$	(1,759	)
Customer list intangible		(47,721	)		(4,045	)
Other intangible amortization		(137	)		-
Other		(175	)		-
Deferred tax liabilities	$	(68,956	)	$	(5,804	)

Deferred tax asset (liability), net	$	(28,394	)	$	(5,714	)

Dividends (Distributions) (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Payments Of Dividends [Abstract]

Schedule of Common Stock Distribution Per Share

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

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

Future Minimum Rents (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

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, 2016, are as follows:

(Thousands)
2017	$	657,103
2018		660,883
2019		664,727
2020		668,578
2021		671,845
Thereafter		5,769,327
Total	$	9,092,463

Supplemental Guarantor Information (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Condensed Financial Information Of Parent Company Only Disclosure [Abstract]

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet

	Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet As of December 31, 2016
(Thousands)	CS&L			CSL Capital			Guarantors		Non-Guarantors			Eliminations			Consolidated
Assets:
Property, plant and equipment, net	$	—		$	—		$	1,975,455	$	694,582		$	—		$	2,670,037
Cash and cash equivalents		131,145			—			32,426		8,183			—			171,754
Accounts receivable, net		(3	)		—			8,989		6,295			—			15,281
Affiliate receivable		—			—			—		2,413			(2,413	)		—
Goodwill		—			—			145,054		117,280			—			262,334
Intangible assets, net		—			—			37,033		123,551			—			160,584
Straight-line revenue receivable		—			—			29,084		4			—			29,088
Investment in consolidated subsidiaries		2,801,234			2,036,717			761,609		-			(5,599,560	)		—
Other assets		1,066			—			6,567		2,041			—			9,674
Total Assets	$	2,933,442		$	2,036,717		$	2,996,217	$	954,349		$	(5,601,973	)	$	3,318,752
Liabilities and Shareholders' (Deficit) Equity:
Liabilities:
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities	$	—		$	—		$	25,081	$	15,896		$	—		$	40,977
Accrued interest payable		27,812			27,812			—		—			(27,812	)		27,812
Deferred revenue		—			—			157,857		103,547			—			261,404
Derivative liability		6,102			6,102			—		—			(6,102	)		6,102
Affiliate payable		—			—			2,413		—			(2,413	)		—
Dividends payable		94,607			—			—		—			—			94,607
Deferred income taxes		—			—			1,603		26,791			—			28,394
Capital lease obligations		—			—			47,977		6,558			—			54,535
Contingent consideration		98,600			—			—		—			—			98,600
Notes and other debt, net		4,028,214			4,028,214			—		—			(4,028,214	)		4,028,214
Total liabilities		4,255,335			4,062,128			234,931		152,792			(4,064,541	)		4,640,645

Convertible preferred stock		80,552			—			—		—			—			80,552

Shareholders' (Deficit) Equity:
Common stock		15			—			—		—			—			15
Additional paid-in capital		141,092			—			—		—			—			141,092
Accumulated other comprehensive income		(6,369	)		(6,102	)		—		(267	)		6,369			(6,369	)
Distributions in excess of earnings		(1,537,183	)		(2,019,309	)		2,761,286		801,824			(1,543,801	)		(1,537,183	)
Total shareholders' deficit		(1,402,445	)		(2,025,411	)		2,761,286		801,557			(1,537,432	)		(1,402,445	)
Total Liabilities, Convertible Preferred Stock, and Shareholders' Deficit	$	2,933,442		$	2,036,717		$	2,996,217	$	954,349		$	(5,601,973	)	$	3,318,752

	Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet As of December 31, 2015
(Thousands)	CS&L			CSL Capital			Guarantors		Non-Guarantors		Eliminations			Consolidated
Assets:
Property, plant and equipment, net	$	—		$	—		$	1,841,712	$	533,048	$	—		$	2,374,760
Cash and cash equivalents		17			—			140,197		2,284		—			142,498
Accounts receivable, net		—			—			474		1,609		—			2,083
Affiliate receivable		—			—			151		—		(151	)		—
Intangible assets, net		—			—			—		10,530		—			10,530
Straight-line rent receivable		—			—			11,795		—		—			11,795
Investment in consolidated subsidiaries		2,458,679			2,458,679			510,093		—		(5,427,451	)		—
Other assets		—			—			672		298		—			970
Total Assets	$	2,458,696		$	2,458,679		$	2,505,094	$	547,769	$	(5,427,602	)	$	2,542,636

Liabilities and Shareholders' (Deficit) Equity:
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities	$	—		$	—		$	9,204	$	1,205	$	—		$	10,409
Accrued Interest payable		24,440			24,440			—		—		(24,440	)		24,440
Deferred Revenue		—			—			44,862		22,955		—			67,817
Derivative liability		5,427			5,427			—		—		(5,427	)		5,427
Affiliate payable		—			—			—		151		(151	)		—
Dividends payable		90,507			—			—		—		—			90,507
Deferred income taxes		—			—			1,677		4,037		—			5,714
Notes and other debt, net		3,505,228			3,505,228			—		—		(3,505,228	)		3,505,228
Total liabilities		3,625,602			3,535,095			55,743		28,348		(3,535,246	)		3,709,542

Common Stock		15			—			—		—		—			15
Additional paid-in capital		1,392			—			—		—		—			1,392
Accumulated other comprehensive income		(5,427	)		(5,427	)		—		—		5,427			(5,427	)
Distributions in excess of earnings		(1,162,886	)		(1,070,989	)		2,449,351		519,421		(1,897,783	)		(1,162,886	)
Total shareholders' deficit		(1,166,906	)		(1,076,416	)		2,449,351		519,421		(1,892,356	)		(1,166,906	)
Total Liabilities and Shareholders' (Deficit) Equity	$	2,458,696		$	2,458,679		$	2,505,094	$	547,769	$	(5,427,602	)	$	2,542,636

Condensed Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income

	Condensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income For the Year Ended December 31, 2016
(Thousands)	CS&L			CSL Capital		Guarantors			Non-Guarantors			Eliminations			Consolidated
Revenues:
Leasing	$	—		$	—	$	674,683		$	2,685		$	—		$	677,368
Fiber Infrastructure							57,030			13,538						70,568
Consumer CLEC		—			—		—			22,472			—			22,472
Total revenues		—			—		731,713			38,695			—			770,408
Costs and Expenses:
Interest expense		267,959			273,022		7,046			389			(273,022	)		275,394
Depreciation and amortization		—			—		279,507			96,463			—			375,970
General and administrative expense		4,829			—		28,161			2,412			—			35,402
Operating expense (exclusive of depreciation, accretion and amortization)		—			—		25,666			24,002			—			49,668
Transaction related costs		3,945			—		29,566			158			—			33,669
Total costs and expenses		276,733			273,022		369,946			123,424			(273,022	)		770,103
Earnings from consolidated subsidiaries		276,521			288,468		(85,755	)		—			(479,234	)		—
(Loss) income before income taxes		(212	)		15,446		276,012			(84,729	)		(206,212	)		305
Income tax expense		—			—		647			(130	)		—			517
Net (loss) income	$	(212	)	$	15,446	$	275,365		$	(84,599	)	$	(206,212	)	$	(212	)

Comprehensive (loss) income	$	(1,154	)	$	14,771	$	275,365		$	(84,866	)	$	(205,270	)	$	(1,154	)

	Condensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income For the Period from April 24 - December 31, 2015
(Thousands)	CS&L		CSL Capital		Guarantors			Non-Guarantors			Eliminations			Consolidated
Revenues:
Rental revenues	$	—	$	—	$	458,334		$	280		$	—		$	458,614
Consumer CLEC		—		—		—			17,700			—			17,700
Total revenues		—		—		458,334			17,980			—			476,314
Costs and Expenses:
Interest expense		181,797		181,797		—			—			(181,797	)		181,797
Depreciation and amortization		—		—		173,648			65,100			—			238,748
General and administrative expense		1,934		—		9,274			—			—			11,208
Operating expense (exclusive of depreciation, accretion and amortization)		—		—		—			13,743			—			13,743
Transaction related costs		—		—		5,210			—			—			5,210
Total costs and expenses		183,731		181,797		188,132			78,843			(181,797	)		450,706
Earnings (losses) from consolidated subsidiaries		208,601		208,601		(62,249	)		—			(354,953	)		—
(Loss) Income before income taxes		24,870		26,804		207,953			(60,863	)		(173,156	)		25,608
Income tax expense		—		—		201			537			—			738
Net (loss) income	$	24,870	$	26,804	$	207,752		$	(61,400	)	$	(173,156	)	$	24,870

Comprehensive (loss) income	$	19,443	$	21,377	$	207,752		$	(61,400	)	$	(167,729	)	$	19,443

Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows

	Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows For the Year Ended December 31, 2016
(Thousands)	CS&L			CSL Capital		Guarantors			Non-Guarantors			Eliminations			Consolidated
Cash flow from operating activities
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	$	(59,076	)	$	—	$	626,147		$	18,686		$	(209,769	)	$	375,988

Cash flow from investing activities
Acquisition of businesses, net of cash acquired		—			—		(315,494	)		(173,294	)		—			(488,788	)
Acquisition of ground lease investments		—			—		—			(11,543	)		—			(11,543	)
Other capital expenditures		—			—		(14,567	)		(20,333	)		—			(34,900	)
Net cash used in investing activities		—			—		(330,061	)		(205,170	)		—			(535,231	)

Cash flow from financing activities
Principal payment on debt		(22,027	)		—		—			—			—			(22,027	)
Dividends paid		(367,830	)		—		—			—			—			(367,830	)
Proceeds from issuance of Notes		548,875			—		—			—			—			548,875
Borrowings under revolving credit facility		641,000			—		—			—			—			641,000
Payments under revolving credit facility		(641,000	)		—		—			—			—			(641,000	)
Capital lease payments		—			—		(1,357	)		(192	)		—			(1,549	)
Deferred financing costs		(20,557	)		—		—			—			—			(20,557	)
Common stock issuance, net of costs		54,213			—		—			—			—			54,213
Net share settlement		(2,359	)		—		—			—			—			(2,359	)
Intercompany transactions, net		(111	)		—		(402,500	)		192,842			209,769			—
Net cash provided (used in) by financing activities		190,204			—		(403,857	)		192,650			209,769			188,766
Effect of exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents		—			—		—			(267	)		—			(267	)

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents		131,128			—		(107,771	)		5,899			—			29,256
Cash and cash equivalents, December 31, 2015		17			—		140,197			2,284						142,498
Cash and cash equivalents, December 31, 2016	$	131,145		$	—	$	32,426		$	8,183		$	—		$	171,754

	Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows For the Period from April 24 - December 31, 2015
(Thousands)	CS&L			CSL Capital		Guarantors			Non-Guarantors			Eliminations			Consolidated
Cash flow from operating activities
Net cash provided by operating activities	$	106,332		$	—	$	426,719		$	13,519		$	(253,362	)	$	293,208

Cash flow from investing activities
Consideration paid to Windstream Services		(1,035,029	)		—		—			—			—			(1,035,029	)
Capital expenditures - other		—			—		(33,178	)		(11,235	)		—			(44,413	)
Net cash used in investing activities		(1,035,029	)		—		(33,178	)		(11,235	)		—			(1,079,442	)

Cash flow from financing activities
Proceeds from issuance of Term Loans		1,127,000			—		—			—			—			1,127,000
Deferred financing costs		(30,057	)		—		—			—			—			(30,057	)
Principal payment on debt		(10,700	)		—		—			—			—			(10,700	)
Common stock issuance costs		(543	)		—		—			—			—			(543	)
Net share settlement		(113	)													(113	)
Dividends paid		(156,854	)		—		—			—			—			(156,854	)
Intercompany transactions, net		—			—		(253,362	)		—			253,362			—
Cash in-lieu of fractional shares		(19	)		—		—			—			—			(19	)
Net cash provided by financing activities		928,714			—		(253,362	)		—			253,362			928,714

Net increase in cash and cash equivalents		17			—		140,179			2,284			—			142,480
Cash and cash equivalents, April 24, 2015		—			—		18			—			—			18
Cash and cash equivalents, December 31, 2015	$	17		$	—	$	140,197		$	2,284		$	—		$	142,498

Quarterly Results of Operations (unaudited) (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

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, 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) applicable 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

Selected quarterly information for period from April 24, 2015 to December 31, 2015:

	2015
	Period from		Third		Fourth
(Thousands, except per share data)	April 24 - June 30, 2015		Quarter		Quarter
Total revenues	$	128,748	$	173,634	$	173,932
Income before income taxes		8,532		9,671		7,405
Net income		8,301		9,403		7,166
Net income applicable to common shareholders		7,976		8,973		6,769

Basic earnings per common share	$	0.05	$	0.06	$	0.05
Diluted earnings per common share	$	0.05	$	0.06	$	0.05
Dividends declared per common share	$	0.44	$	0.60	$	0.60

Organization and Description of Business - Additional Information (Details)	Dec. 31, 2016 Tower
Uniti Towers
Organization And Description Of Business [Line Items]
Number of wireless towers owned	102

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, 2016
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Gain (loss) on disposition of property				$ 0
Depreciation expense			$ 236,200,000	369,900,000
Impairment losses			0	0
Provision for doubtful accounts			0	0
Allowance for service receivables			0	$ 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 uncertain income tax positions				$ 0
Federal corporate level tax rate				35.00%
Impairment loss				$ 0
Consumer CLEC Business
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Provision for doubtful accounts	$ 111,000
Minimum
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Recurring fee charging period for use of company services				3 years
Percentage of REIT taxable income distributed				90.00%
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			67,800,000	$ 218,700,000
Master Lease \| Windstream
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Leasing revenue		$ 337,600,000	458,600,000
Leasing revenue percentage				87.90%
Master Lease \| Windstream \| Tenant Capital Improvements
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Leasing revenue			800,000	$ 6,100,000
Depreciation expense			$ 800,000	$ 6,100,000

Business Combinations - Additional Information (Details) - USD ($)				2 Months Ended	3 Months Ended						4 Months Ended	8 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2016	May 02, 2016	Jan. 22, 2016	Jun. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2016
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Contingent consideration	$ 98,600,000				$ 98,600,000						$ 98,600,000	$ 98,600,000		$ 98,600,000
Net operating loss					102,900,000						102,900,000	102,900,000		102,900,000
Deferred tax assets gross					48,738,000				$ 90,000		48,738,000	48,738,000	$ 90,000	48,738,000
Deferred Tax Liabilities					28,394,000				5,714,000		28,394,000	28,394,000	5,714,000	28,394,000
Revenues				$ 128,748,000	$ 206,920,000	$ 200,240,000	$ 188,573,000	$ 174,675,000	$ 173,932,000	$ 173,634,000			$ 476,314,000	770,408,000
Equity consideration transferred on acquisition														$ 259,996,000
Tower Cloud
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Business acquisition date														Aug. 31, 2016
Percentage of equity acquired	100.00%
Cash paid for business acquisition	$ 187,700,000
Additional contingent consideration	130,000,000
Contingent consideration	98,600,000
Goodwill expected to be deductible for income tax purposes	0
Intangible assets	116,218,000
Net operating loss	81,200,000
Deferred tax assets gross	37,000,000
Deferred Tax Liabilities	24,800,000
Revenues											13,500,000
Operating loss											$ (2,100,000)
Business combination, transaction related costs														$ 9,100,000
Tower Cloud \| Customer Relationships
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Intangible assets	$ 116,200,000
Acquired finite-lived intangible assets, weighted average useful life	30 years
Tower Cloud \| Common Stock
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Issuance of shares	1,900,000
Fair value of shares issued for acquisition	$ 58,500,000
PEG Bandwidth, LLC
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Business acquisition date														May 02, 2016
Percentage of equity acquired		100.00%
Cash paid for business acquisition		$ 322,500,000
Intangible assets		38,000,000
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		87,500
Fair value of shares issued for acquisition		$ 78,600,000
Debt instrument interest rate stated percentage		3.00%
PEG Bandwidth, LLC \| Customer Relationships
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Acquired finite-lived intangible assets, weighted average useful life		17 years
Finite-lived intangible assets acquired		$ 36,000,000
PEG Bandwidth, LLC \| Common Stock
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Issuance of shares		1,000,000
Fair value of shares issued for acquisition		$ 23,200,000
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
Minimum \| Tower Cloud
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Percentage of aggregate amount of contingent consideration payments	50.00%
Operating loss carry forwards expiration year														2026
Maximum \| Tower Cloud
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Operating loss carry forwards expiration year														2036

Business Combinations - Summary of Estimated Fair Values of Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2016	Aug. 31, 2016	May 02, 2016
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Goodwill	$ 262,334
Tower Cloud
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment		$ 163,680
Cash and cash equivalents		14,346
Accounts receivable		3,043
Other assets		2,595
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)
Net assets acquired		227,584
Goodwill		$ 117,280
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
Intangible assets			38,000
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities			(8,643)
Deferred revenue			(12,700)
Capital lease obligations			(49,195)
Net assets acquired			279,240
Goodwill			$ 145,054

Business Combinations - 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, 2016
Tower Cloud
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Pro forma revenue	$ 505,764	$ 798,054
Pro forma net (loss) income	$ 17,609	$ (3,581)
Pro forma net (loss) income per share	$ 0.12	$ (0.02)
PEG Bandwidth, LLC
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Pro forma revenue	$ 529,911	$ 797,637
Pro forma net (loss) income	$ 19,809	$ 6,264
Pro forma net (loss) income 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, 2016	Aug. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Liabilities
Derivative liability	$ 6,102		$ 5,427
Contingent consideration	98,600	$ 98,600
Total	4,394,138		3,305,575
Senior Secured Term Loan B Facility
Liabilities
Senior secured loan	2,139,586		1,986,198
6.00% Senior Secured Notes
Liabilities
Senior notes	569,250		376,000
8.25% Senior Unsecured Notes
Liabilities
Senior notes	1,176,600		937,950
7.125% Senior Unsecured Notes
Liabilities
Senior notes	404,000
Prices with Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)
Liabilities
Derivative liability	6,102		5,427
Total	4,295,538		3,305,575
Prices with Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) \| Senior Secured Term Loan B Facility
Liabilities
Senior secured loan	2,139,586		1,986,198
Prices with Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) \| 6.00% Senior Secured Notes
Liabilities
Senior notes	569,250		376,000
Prices with Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) \| 8.25% Senior Unsecured Notes
Liabilities
Senior notes	1,176,600		$ 937,950
Prices with Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) \| 7.125% Senior Unsecured Notes
Liabilities
Senior notes	404,000
Prices with Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
Liabilities
Contingent consideration	98,600
Total	$ 98,600

Fair Value of Financial Instruments - Schedule of Fair Value Valuation of Financial Instruments (Parenthetical) (Details)	8 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	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%
Debt instrument, maturity date		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

Fair Value of Financial Instruments - Additional Information (Details) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Aug. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Recurring And Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Principal amount of notes and other debt	$ 4,167,967,000		$ 3,639,300,000
Estimated fair value of future contingent consideration	98,600,000	$ 98,600,000
Change in fair value of contingent consideration liability	0
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	$ 4,300,000,000

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, 2016 USD ($)
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Transfers into Level 3	$ 98,600
Contingent consideration, ending balance	$ 98,600

Property, Plant and Equipment - Schedule of Carrying Value of Property, Plant and Equipment (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Property Plant And Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, gross	$ 6,751,076	$ 6,095,860
Less accumulated depreciation	(4,081,039)	(3,721,100)
Net property, plant and equipment	$ 2,670,037	2,374,760
Land
Property Plant And Equipment [Line Items]
Depreciable Lives	Indefinite
Property, plant and equipment, gross	$ 26,833	26,841
Building and Improvements
Property Plant And Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, gross	$ 318,967	314,750
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
Real Property Interests
Property Plant And Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, gross	$ 12,265
Real Property Interests \| Minimum
Property Plant And Equipment [Line Items]
Depreciable Lives	50 years
Real Property Interests \| Maximum
Property Plant And Equipment [Line Items]
Depreciable Lives	99 years
Poles
Property Plant And Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, gross	$ 234,393	228,031
Poles \| Minimum
Property Plant And Equipment [Line Items]
Depreciable Lives	13 years
Poles \| Maximum
Property Plant And Equipment [Line Items]
Depreciable Lives	40 years
Fiber
Property Plant And Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, gross	$ 2,243,822	1,948,192
Fiber \| Minimum
Property Plant And Equipment [Line Items]
Depreciable Lives	7 years
Fiber \| Maximum
Property Plant And Equipment [Line Items]
Depreciable Lives	40 years
Equipment
Property Plant And Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, gross	$ 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]
Property, plant and equipment, gross	$ 3,538,566	3,475,987
Copper \| Minimum
Property Plant And Equipment [Line Items]
Depreciable Lives	7 years
Copper \| Maximum
Property Plant And Equipment [Line Items]
Depreciable Lives	40 years
Conduit
Property Plant And Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, gross	$ 90,540	89,460
Conduit \| Minimum
Property Plant And Equipment [Line Items]
Depreciable Lives	13 years
Conduit \| Maximum
Property Plant And Equipment [Line Items]
Depreciable Lives	47 years
Tower assets
Property Plant And Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, gross	$ 4,307	1,209
Tower assets \| Minimum
Property Plant And Equipment [Line Items]
Depreciable Lives	20 years
Tower assets \| Maximum
Property Plant And Equipment [Line Items]
Depreciable Lives	49 years
Other assets
Property Plant And Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, gross	$ 5,299	4,322
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	$ 2,731	2,319
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
Capital Lease Assets
Property Plant And Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, gross	$ 89,723
Construction in progress
Property Plant And Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, gross	$ 52,685	$ 4,749

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

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities - Additional Information (Details) - USD ($)		8 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Apr. 27, 2015	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2016
Derivative Instruments And Hedging Activities Disclosures [Line Items]
Unrealized loss on derivative instruments		$ 21,700,000	$ 24,500,000
Ineffective portions of change in fair value derivatives		0	0
Increase decrease in estimated interest expense			24,000,000
Interest Expense
Derivative Instruments And Hedging Activities Disclosures [Line Items]
Reclassification of other comprehensive income		$ 16,300,000	$ 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, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Derivatives Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative liability	$ 6,102	$ 5,427
Interest Rate Swap
Derivatives Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative liability	$ 6,102	$ 5,427

Goodwill and Intangible Assets - Schedule of Carrying Amount of Goodwill (Details) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($)
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill associated with 2016 acquisitions	$ 262,334
Goodwill at December 31, 2016	262,334
Fiber Infrastructure
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill associated with 2016 acquisitions	262,334
Goodwill at December 31, 2016	$ 262,334

Goodwill and Intangible Assets - Schedule of Carrying Value of Other Intangible Assets (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Schedule Of Indefinite And Finite Lived Intangible Assets And Liabilities [Line Items]
Total intangible assets, Cost	$ 190,642	$ 34,501
Less: Accumulated amortization	(30,058)	(23,971)
Total intangible assets, net	160,584	10,530
Trade Names
Schedule Of Indefinite And Finite Lived Intangible Assets And Liabilities [Line Items]
Indefinite life intangible assets, Cost	2,000
Customer Lists
Schedule Of Indefinite And Finite Lived Intangible Assets And Liabilities [Line Items]
Finite life intangible assets, Cost	188,642	34,501
Finite life intangible assets, Accumulated Amortization	$ (30,058)	$ (23,971)

Goodwill and Intangible Assets - Additional Information (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	8 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2016
Goodwill And Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Amortization	$ 2.6	$ 6.1
Estimated amortization expense for 2017		8.7
Estimated amortization expense for 2018		8.1
Estimated amortization expense for 2019		7.5
Estimated amortization expense for 2020		7.0
Estimated amortization expense for 2021		$ 6.5

Notes and Other Debt - Schedule of Notes and Other Debt (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principal amount of notes and other debt	$ 4,167,967	$ 3,639,300
Unamortized discount and debt issuance costs	(139,753)	(134,072)
Notes and other debt less unamortized discount and debt issuance costs	4,028,214	3,505,228
Senior Secured Term Loan B Facility
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principal amount of notes and other debt	2,107,967	2,129,300
Unamortized discount and debt issuance costs	(78,699)	(77,105)
Senior Secured Notes - 6.00% Due April 15, 2023
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principal amount of notes and other debt	550,000	400,000
Unamortized discount and debt issuance costs	(9,817)	(6,767)
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
Unamortized discount and debt issuance costs	(45,599)	$ (50,200)
Senior Unsecured Notes - 7.125% Due December 15, 2024
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principal amount of notes and other debt	400,000
Unamortized discount and debt issuance costs	$ (5,638)

Notes and Other Debt - Schedule of Notes and Other Debt (Parenthetical) (Details)	8 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	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
Issuance senior notes, stated percentage		7.125%

Notes and Other Debt - Additional Information (Details) - USD ($)				8 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 15, 2016	Jun. 09, 2016	Apr. 25, 2015	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2016	Aug. 26, 2016	Apr. 22, 2016	Apr. 24, 2015
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Amortization of deferred financing costs				$ 4,832,000	$ 7,823,000
Tower Cloud \| Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Aggregate borrowing amount						$ 150,000,000
Minimum
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Aggregate borrowing amount								$ 150,000,000
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]
Term loan issue price as a percentage of par								98.00%
Debt instrument, debt default, description of violation or event of default					In particular, a repayment obligation could be triggered if (i) the Company or certain of its subsidiaries fails 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								$ 75,000,000
CSL Capital, LLC \| Senior Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Proceeds from issuance of debt			$ 0
Senior Secured Term Loan B Facility
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Credit facility outstanding amount					$ 2,100,000,000
Debt instrument, maturity date				Oct. 24, 2022	Oct. 24, 2022
Senior Secured Term Loan B Facility \| CSL Capital, LLC
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Issuance of senior notes, principal amount								$ 2,140,000,000
Debt amortization percentage								1.00%
Senior Secured Term Loan B Facility \| CSL Capital, LLC \| Eurodollar
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, basis spread on variable rate			3.50%
Senior Secured Term Loan B Facility \| CSL Capital, LLC \| Minimum \| Eurodollar
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Issuance senior notes, stated percentage			1.00%
6.00% Senior Secured Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Credit facility outstanding amount					$ 550,000,000
Debt instrument, maturity date				Apr. 15, 2023	Apr. 15, 2023
Issuance senior notes, stated percentage				6.00%	6.00%
6.00% Senior Secured Notes \| CSL Capital, LLC
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Issuance senior notes, stated percentage		6.00%
Issuance of senior notes, principal amount		$ 150,000,000
Notes issued price percentage at par		99.25%
8.25% Senior Unsecured Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Credit facility outstanding amount					$ 1,110,000,000
Debt instrument, maturity date				Oct. 15, 2023	Oct. 15, 2023
Issuance senior notes, stated percentage				8.25%	8.25%
8.25% Senior Unsecured Notes \| CSL Capital, LLC
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Issuance of senior notes, principal amount								$ 1,110,000,000
Notes issued price percentage at par			97.055%
Senior Unsecured Notes - 7.125% Due December 15, 2024
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Credit facility outstanding amount					$ 400,000,000
Debt instrument, maturity date					Dec. 15, 2024
Issuance senior notes, stated percentage					7.125%
Senior Unsecured Notes - 7.125% Due December 15, 2024 \| CSL Capital, LLC
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Issuance of senior notes, principal amount	$ 400,000,000
Notes issued price percentage at par	100.00%
Senior Secured Revolving Credit Facility \| CSL Capital, LLC
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, maturity date					Apr. 24, 2020
Aggregate borrowing amount								500,000,000
Line of credit facility, maximum borrowing capacity							$ 321,000,000
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 Secured Notes - 8.25% Due October 15, 2023 \| CSL Capital, LLC
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, maturity date					Oct. 15, 2023
Issuance of senior notes, principal amount								$ 400,000,000
Notes issued price percentage at par			100.00%

Notes and Other Debt - Schedule of Aggregate Annual Maturities of Long-Term Obligations (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Long Term Debt By Maturity [Abstract]
2017	$ 21,133
2018	21,133
2019	21,133
2020	21,133
2021	21,133
Thereafter	4,062,302
Total	$ 4,167,967	$ 3,639,300

Notes and Other Debt - Schedule of Future Minimum Lease Payments Under Capital Lease Obligations (Details) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($)
Long Term Debt [Abstract]
2017	$ 7,313
2018	7,115
2019	7,125
2020	6,655
2021	6,262
Thereafter	60,495
Total minimum payments	94,965
Less amount representing interest	(40,430)
Total	$ 54,535

Stock-Based Compensation - Additional Information (Details) - USD ($)		8 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Feb. 29, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2016
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Shares available for future issuance			344,861,363
Restricted Awards
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Unrecognized compensation expense			$ 7,100,000
Number of shares granted			308,146
Fair value of shares granted			$ 6,300,000
Awards vesting period			3 years
Shares available for future issuance			5,110,563
Aggregate intrinsic value			$ 25.41
Total fair value of shares vesting			$ 1,100,000
Weighted average vesting period			1 year 9 months 18 days
Number of shares forfeited			12,419
Performance Awards
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Unrecognized compensation expense			$ 2,100,000
Number of shares granted	101,660		101,660
Aggregate intrinsic value			$ 25.41
Weighted average vesting period			1 year 9 months 18 days
Performance period			3 years
Percentage of target amount	100.00%
Aggregate value	$ 2,100,000
Number of shares forfeited			0
Dividend yield		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			150.00%
Unvested Windstream Awards
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Unrecognized compensation expense			$ 5,100
Unvested Windstream Awards \| General And Administrative Expense
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Compensation expense recognized during the period		$ 197,000	63,000
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		$ 1,900,000	$ 4,800,000
Windstream \| Restricted Awards
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Shares issued			538,819
Shares issued to employees remained outstanding			161,588
Windstream \| Performance Awards
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Shares issued			70,889
Shares issued to employees remained outstanding			16,033

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

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

USD ($)

$ / shares

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

Unvested balance | shares

241,140

Granted | shares

308,146

Forfeited | shares

(12,419)

Vested | shares

(42,976)

Unvested balance | shares

493,891

Unvested balance, Weighted Average Fair Value at Grant Date | $ / shares

$ 25.82

Granted, Weighted Average Fair Value at Grant Date | $ / shares

20.56

Forfeited, Weighted Average Fair Value at Grant Date | $ / shares

21.42

Vested, Weighted Average Fair Value at Grant Date | $ / shares

26.34

Unvested balance, Weighted Average Fair Value at Grant Date | $ / shares

$ 22.60

Unvested balance, Aggregate Intrinsic Value | $

$ 12,550

^[1]

[1]

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

12 Months Ended

Feb. 29, 2016

Dec. 31, 2016

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

60,970

101,660

162,630

Unvested balance, Weighted Average Fair Value at Grant Date

$ 21.82

Granted, Weighted Average Fair Value at Grant Date

20.71

Unvested balance, Weighted Average Fair Value at Grant Date

$ 21.13

Unvested balance, Aggregate Intrinsic Value

^[1]

$ 4,132

[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, 2016
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Expected term (years)	2 years 10 months 24 days	3 years
Expected volatility	26.60%	48.80%
Expected annual dividend	0.00%	0.00%
Risk free rate	0.90%	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 ($) $ / shares shares	Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($) $ / shares shares
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Common stock, shares issued \| shares								149,862,000	155,138,637
Common stock, par value \| $ / shares								$ 0.0001	$ 0.0001
Proceeds from disposition of common stock								$ (543,000)	$ 54,213,000
General and administrative expense								11,208,000	35,402,000
Operating expense								13,743,000	49,668,000
Dividends payable								90,507,000	94,607,000
Payments related to tax withholding for share-based compensation								113,000	2,359,000
Windstream
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Accounts receivable from related party to the collection of revenues of consumer CLEC business revenues								1,700,000
Dividends payable								$ 17,600,000
Dividend declared date								Nov. 06, 2015
Dividend record date								Dec. 31, 2015
Dividends payable date								Jan. 15, 2016
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	$ 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, 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	220

Earnings Per Share - Schedule of Earnings Per Share Basic and Diluted (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	2 Months Ended	3 Months Ended						8 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2016
Numerator:
Net (loss) income	$ 8,301	$ (4,370)	$ (2,343)	$ (1,535)	$ 8,036	$ 7,166	$ 9,403	$ 24,870	$ (212)
Less: Income allocated to participating securities								(1,152)	(1,557)
Dividends declared on convertible preferred stock									(1,743)
Amortization of discount on convertible preferred stock									(1,985)
Net (loss) income applicable to common shareholders	$ 7,976	$ (6,163)	$ (4,144)	$ (2,871)	$ 7,681	$ 6,769	$ 8,973	$ 23,718	$ (5,497)
Denominator:
Basic								149,835	152,473
Basic (loss) earnings per common share	$ 0.05	$ (0.04)	$ (0.03)	$ (0.02)	$ 0.05	$ 0.05	$ 0.06	$ 0.16	$ (0.04)
Numerator:
Net (loss) income	$ 8,301	$ (4,370)	$ (2,343)	$ (1,535)	$ 8,036	$ 7,166	$ 9,403	$ 24,870	$ (212)
Less: Income allocated to participating securities								(1,152)	(1,557)
Dividends declared on convertible preferred stock									(1,743)
Amortization of discount on convertible preferred stock									(1,985)
Net (loss) income applicable to common shares								$ 23,718	$ (5,497)
Denominator:
Basic weighted-average common shares outstanding								149,835	152,473
Weighted-average shares for dilutive earnings per common share								149,835	152,473
Dilutive (loss) earnings per common share	$ 0.05	$ (0.04)	$ (0.03)	$ (0.02)	$ 0.05	$ 0.05	$ 0.06	$ 0.16	$ (0.04)

Segment Information - Additional Information (Details) - Segment		12 Months Ended
	Feb. 23, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Number of operating business segments		3
Subsequent Event
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Number of operating business segments	4

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

2 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

8 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2015

Dec. 31, 2016

Sep. 30, 2016

Jun. 30, 2016

Mar. 31, 2016

Dec. 31, 2015

Sep. 30, 2015

Dec. 31, 2015

Dec. 31, 2016

Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]

Revenues

$ 128,748

$ 206,920

$ 200,240

$ 188,573

$ 174,675

$ 173,932

$ 173,634

$ 476,314

$ 770,408

Adjusted EBITDA

453,297

690,184

Interest expense

181,797

275,394

Depreciation and amortization

238,748

375,970

Transaction related costs

5,210

33,669

Stock-based compensation

1,934

4,846

Income tax expense

738

517

Net (loss) income

$ 8,301

$ (4,370)

$ (2,343)

$ (1,535)

$ 8,036

$ 7,166

$ 9,403

24,870

(212)

Capital expenditures

^[1]

44,413

46,443

Leasing

Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]

Revenues

458,614

677,368

Adjusted EBITDA

449,340

659,198

Depreciation and amortization

236,177

344,083

Capital expenditures

^[1]

44,413

15,437

Fiber Infrastructure

Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]

Revenues

70,568

Adjusted EBITDA

25,912

Depreciation and amortization

28,629

Capital expenditures

^[1]

31,006

Consumer CLEC

Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]

Revenues

17,700

22,472

Adjusted EBITDA

3,957

5,074

Depreciation and amortization

$ 2,571

$ 3,258

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

Segment Information - Summary of Total Assets by Business Segment (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total assets	$ 3,318,752	$ 2,542,636
Leasing
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total assets	2,390,431	2,527,915
Fiber Infrastructure
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total assets	914,082
Consumer CLEC
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total assets	$ 14,239	$ 14,721

Commitments and Contingencies - Additional Information (Details) - USD ($)	8 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2016
Commitments And Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Rental expense under operating leases	$ 132,000	$ 834,000
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, 2016 USD ($)
Commitments And Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
2017	$ 15,483
2018	11,390
2019	7,450
2020	4,840
2021	2,030
Thereafter	5,579
Total	$ 46,772

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income - Schedule of Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income by Component (Details) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($)
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss [Line Items]
Beginning balance, value	$ (1,166,906)
Ending balance, value	(1,402,445)
Currency Translation Adjustment
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss [Line Items]
Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications	(267)
Ending balance, value	(267)
Accumulated Net Gain Loss From Designated Or Qualifying Cash Flow Hedges
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss [Line Items]
Beginning balance, value	(5,427)
Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications	(24,465)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income	23,790
Ending balance, value	(6,102)
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss [Line Items]
Beginning balance, value	(5,427)
Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications	(24,732)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income	23,790
Ending balance, value	$ (6,369)

Income Taxes - Additional Information (Details) - USD ($)	8 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2016	Aug. 31, 2016
Income Taxes [Line Items]
Federal income tax provision	$ 0
Net operating loss		$ 102,900,000
Deferred tax assets gross	90,000	48,738,000
Deferred tax liabilities	$ 5,714,000	28,394,000
Unrecognized tax benefits or tax-related penalties or interest		$ 0
Income tax examination, year open to examination		2015
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		2036
Tower Cloud
Income Taxes [Line Items]
Business acquisition date		Aug. 31, 2016
Percentage of equity acquired			100.00%
Net operating loss			$ 81,200,000
Deferred tax assets gross			37,000,000
Deferred tax liabilities			$ 24,800,000
Minimum \| Tower Cloud
Income Taxes [Line Items]
Operating loss carry forwards expiration year		2026
Maximum \| Tower Cloud
Income Taxes [Line Items]
Operating loss carry forwards expiration year		2036

Income Taxes - Schedule of Income Tax Expense (Benefit) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	8 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2016
Current
Federal	$ 1,208	$ 1,596
State	741	1,107
Total current expense	1,949	2,703
Deferred
Federal	(770)	(1,488)
State	(441)	(698)
Total deferred expense	(1,211)	(2,186)
Total income tax expense	$ 738	$ 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, 2016
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Income from continuing operations, before tax	$ 24,795	$ 305
Income tax at U.S. statutory federal rate	8,665	107
Increases (decreases) resulting from:
State taxes, net of federal benefit	266	(224)
Benefit of REIT status	(8,193)	(4,016)
Capitalized transaction costs		(3,915)
Change in valuation allowance		8,176
Adjustment of deferred tax balances		149
Permanent differences		52
Rate differential		188
Total income tax expense	$ 738	$ 517

Income Taxes - Schedule of Components of Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Deferred tax assets:
Deferred revenue	$ 4,244	$ 90
Accrued bonuses	520
Goodwill	1,886
Stock based compensation	179
Accrued expenses and other	802
Asset retirement obligation	790
Inventory reserve	401
Net operating loss carryforwards	39,916
Deferred tax assets	48,738	90
Valuation allowance	(8,176)
Deferred tax assets, net of valuation allowance	40,562	90
Deferred tax liabilities:
Property, plant & equipment	(20,923)	(1,759)
Customer list intangible	(47,721)	(4,045)
Other intangible amortization	(137)
Other	(175)
Deferred tax liabilities	(68,956)	(5,804)
Deferred tax asset (liability), net	$ (28,394)	$ (5,714)

Capital Stock - Additional Information (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Millions				12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2016	Jun. 24, 2016	May 02, 2016	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Schedule Of Capitalization Equity [Line Items]
Common stock, par value				$ 0.0001	$ 0.0001
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				155,138,637	149,862,000
Preferred stock, shares outstanding				0	0
Shares available for future issuance				344,861,363
Common Stock
Schedule Of Capitalization Equity [Line Items]
Additional shares issued				5,077,629
Proceeds from issuance of public offering, net of underwriting discounts and commissions		$ 54.8
Common Stock \| Public Offering
Schedule Of Capitalization Equity [Line Items]
Additional shares issued		2,200,000
Public offering price		$ 26.01
Tower Cloud \| Common Stock
Schedule Of Capitalization Equity [Line Items]
Issuance of shares	1,900,000
Common stock, par value	$ 0.0001
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			$ 87.5
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, 2016
Payments Of Dividends [Abstract]
Common stock distribution per share	$ 1.04	$ 2.40

Dividends (Distributions) - Schedule of Common Stock Distribution Per Share (Details) - $ / shares	8 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2016
Payments Of Dividends [Abstract]
Ordinary dividends	$ 0.87	$ 1.31
Non-dividend distributions	0.17	1.09
Total	$ 1.04	$ 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, 2016 USD ($)
Operating Leases Future Minimum Payments Receivable [Abstract]
2017	$ 657,103
2018	660,883
2019	664,727
2020	668,578
2021	671,845
Thereafter	5,769,327
Total	$ 9,092,463

Employee Benefit Plan - Additional Information (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	8 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	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	$ 0.4
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) shares in Millions, $ in Millions	Feb. 23, 2017 USD ($) shares	Feb. 09, 2017	Jan. 31, 2017 USD ($) Tower	Dec. 31, 2016 Tower
Uniti Towers
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Number of wireless towers owned \| Tower				102
Subsequent Event \| Senior Secured Term Loan B Facility
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Debt instrument, decrease in interest rate		0.50%
Issuance senior notes, stated percentage		5.10%
Subsequent Event \| Senior Secured Term Loan B Facility \| London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR)
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Debt instrument, basis spread on variable rate		3.00%
Subsequent Event \| Senior Secured Term Loan B Facility \| London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) \| Minimum
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Issuance senior notes, stated percentage		1.00%
Subsequent Event \| Uniti Towers
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Number of wireless towers owned \| Tower			468
Cash paid for business acquisition \| $			$ 62.6
Subsequent Event \| Hunt Telecommunications, LLC
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Cash to be paid for business acquisition \| $	$ 114.5
Operating partnership units to be transferred for business acquisition \| shares	2

Supplemental Guarantor Information - Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2016	Aug. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Apr. 23, 2015
Assets:
Property, plant and equipment, net	$ 2,670,037		$ 2,374,760
Cash and cash equivalents	171,754		142,498	$ 18
Accounts receivable, net	15,281		2,083
Goodwill	262,334
Intangible assets, net	160,584		10,530
Straight-line revenue receivable	29,088		11,795
Other assets	9,674		970
Total Assets	3,318,752		2,542,636
Liabilities, Convertible Preferred Stock and Shareholders' (Deficit) Equity:
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities	40,977		10,409
Accrued interest payable	27,812		24,440
Deferred revenue	261,404		67,817
Derivative liability	6,102		5,427
Dividends payable	94,607		90,507
Deferred income taxes	28,394		5,714
Capital lease obligations	54,535
Contingent consideration	98,600	$ 98,600
Notes and other debt, net	4,028,214		3,505,228
Total liabilities	4,640,645		3,709,542
Shareholders' Deficit:
Common stock	15		15
Additional paid-in capital	141,092		1,392
Accumulated other comprehensive income	(6,369)		(5,427)
Distributions in excess of accumulated earnings	(1,537,183)		(1,162,886)
Total shareholders' deficit	(1,402,445)		(1,166,906)	2,508,420
Total Liabilities, Convertible Preferred Stock, and Shareholders' (Deficit) Equity	3,318,752		2,542,636
Eliminations
Assets:
Affiliate receivable	(2,413)		(151)
Investment in consolidated subsidiaries	(5,599,560)		(5,427,451)
Total Assets	(5,601,973)		(5,427,602)
Liabilities, Convertible Preferred Stock and Shareholders' (Deficit) Equity:
Accrued interest payable	(27,812)		(24,440)
Derivative liability	(6,102)		(5,427)
Affiliate payable	(2,413)		(151)
Notes and other debt, net	(4,028,214)		(3,505,228)
Total liabilities	(4,064,541)		(3,535,246)
Shareholders' Deficit:
Accumulated other comprehensive income	6,369		5,427
Distributions in excess of accumulated earnings	(1,543,801)		(1,897,783)
Total shareholders' deficit	(1,537,432)		(1,892,356)
Total Liabilities, Convertible Preferred Stock, and Shareholders' (Deficit) Equity	(5,601,973)		(5,427,602)
Series A Convertible Preferred Stock
Liabilities, Convertible Preferred Stock and Shareholders' (Deficit) Equity:
Convertible preferred stock	80,552
CS&L, Inc.
Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	131,145		17
Accounts receivable, net	(3)
Investment in consolidated subsidiaries	2,801,234		2,458,679
Other assets	1,066
Total Assets	2,933,442		2,458,696
Liabilities, Convertible Preferred Stock and Shareholders' (Deficit) Equity:
Accrued interest payable	27,812		24,440
Derivative liability	6,102		5,427
Dividends payable	94,607		90,507
Contingent consideration	98,600
Notes and other debt, net	4,028,214		3,505,228
Total liabilities	4,255,335		3,625,602
Shareholders' Deficit:
Common stock	15		15
Additional paid-in capital	141,092		1,392
Accumulated other comprehensive income	(6,369)		(5,427)
Distributions in excess of accumulated earnings	(1,537,183)		(1,162,886)
Total shareholders' deficit	(1,402,445)		(1,166,906)
Total Liabilities, Convertible Preferred Stock, and Shareholders' (Deficit) Equity	2,933,442		2,458,696
CS&L, Inc. \| Series A Convertible Preferred Stock
Liabilities, Convertible Preferred Stock and Shareholders' (Deficit) Equity:
Convertible preferred stock	80,552
CSL Capital, LLC
Assets:
Investment in consolidated subsidiaries	2,036,717		2,458,679
Total Assets	2,036,717		2,458,679
Liabilities, Convertible Preferred Stock and Shareholders' (Deficit) Equity:
Accrued interest payable	27,812		24,440
Derivative liability	6,102		5,427
Notes and other debt, net	4,028,214		3,505,228
Total liabilities	4,062,128		3,535,095
Shareholders' Deficit:
Accumulated other comprehensive income	(6,102)		(5,427)
Distributions in excess of accumulated earnings	(2,019,309)		(1,070,989)
Total shareholders' deficit	(2,025,411)		(1,076,416)
Total Liabilities, Convertible Preferred Stock, and Shareholders' (Deficit) Equity	2,036,717		2,458,679
Guarantors
Assets:
Property, plant and equipment, net	1,975,455		1,841,712
Cash and cash equivalents	32,426		140,197	$ 18
Accounts receivable, net	8,989		474
Affiliate receivable			151
Goodwill	145,054
Intangible assets, net	37,033
Straight-line revenue receivable	29,084		11,795
Investment in consolidated subsidiaries	761,609		510,093
Other assets	6,567		672
Total Assets	2,996,217		2,505,094
Liabilities, Convertible Preferred Stock and Shareholders' (Deficit) Equity:
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities	25,081		9,204
Deferred revenue	157,857		44,862
Affiliate payable	2,413
Deferred income taxes	1,603		1,677
Capital lease obligations	47,977
Total liabilities	234,931		55,743
Shareholders' Deficit:
Distributions in excess of accumulated earnings	2,761,286		2,449,351
Total shareholders' deficit	2,761,286		2,449,351
Total Liabilities, Convertible Preferred Stock, and Shareholders' (Deficit) Equity	2,996,217		2,505,094
Non-Guarantors
Assets:
Property, plant and equipment, net	694,582		533,048
Cash and cash equivalents	8,183		2,284
Accounts receivable, net	6,295		1,609
Affiliate receivable	2,413
Goodwill	117,280
Intangible assets, net	123,551		10,530
Straight-line revenue receivable	4
Other assets	2,041		298
Total Assets	954,349		547,769
Liabilities, Convertible Preferred Stock and Shareholders' (Deficit) Equity:
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities	15,896		1,205
Deferred revenue	103,547		22,955
Affiliate payable			151
Deferred income taxes	26,791		4,037
Capital lease obligations	6,558
Total liabilities	152,792		28,348
Shareholders' Deficit:
Accumulated other comprehensive income	(267)
Distributions in excess of accumulated earnings	801,824		519,421
Total shareholders' deficit	801,557		519,421
Total Liabilities, Convertible Preferred Stock, and Shareholders' (Deficit) Equity	$ 954,349		$ 547,769

Supplemental Guarantor Information - Condensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	2 Months Ended	3 Months Ended						8 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2016
Revenues:
Total revenues	$ 128,748	$ 206,920	$ 200,240	$ 188,573	$ 174,675	$ 173,932	$ 173,634	$ 476,314	$ 770,408
Costs and Expenses:
Interest expense								181,797	275,394
Depreciation and amortization								238,748	375,970
General and administrative expense								11,208	35,402
Operating expense (exclusive of depreciation, accretion and amortization)								13,743	49,668
Transaction related costs								5,210	33,669
Total costs and expenses								450,706	770,103
Income before income taxes	8,532	(4,752)	(2,215)	(1,208)	8,480	7,405	9,671	25,608	305
Income tax expense								738	517
Net (loss) income	$ 8,301	$ (4,370)	$ (2,343)	$ (1,535)	$ 8,036	$ 7,166	$ 9,403	24,870	(212)
Comprehensive (loss) income								19,443	(1,154)
Eliminations
Costs and Expenses:
Interest expense								(181,797)	(273,022)
Total costs and expenses								(181,797)	(273,022)
Earnings (losses) from consolidated subsidiaries								(354,953)	(479,234)
Income before income taxes								(173,156)	(206,212)
Net (loss) income								(173,156)	(206,212)
Comprehensive (loss) income								(167,729)	(205,270)
CS&L, Inc.
Costs and Expenses:
Interest expense								181,797	267,959
General and administrative expense								1,934	4,829
Transaction related costs									3,945
Total costs and expenses								183,731	276,733
Earnings (losses) from consolidated subsidiaries								208,601	276,521
Income before income taxes								24,870	(212)
Net (loss) income								24,870	(212)
Comprehensive (loss) income								19,443	(1,154)
CSL Capital, LLC
Costs and Expenses:
Interest expense								181,797	273,022
Total costs and expenses								181,797	273,022
Earnings (losses) from consolidated subsidiaries								208,601	288,468
Income before income taxes								26,804	15,446
Net (loss) income								26,804	15,446
Comprehensive (loss) income								21,377	14,771
Guarantors
Revenues:
Total revenues								458,334	731,713
Costs and Expenses:
Interest expense									7,046
Depreciation and amortization								173,648	279,507
General and administrative expense								9,274	28,161
Operating expense (exclusive of depreciation, accretion and amortization)									25,666
Transaction related costs								5,210	29,566
Total costs and expenses								188,132	369,946
Earnings (losses) from consolidated subsidiaries								(62,249)	(85,755)
Income before income taxes								207,953	276,012
Income tax expense								201	647
Net (loss) income								207,752	275,365
Comprehensive (loss) income								207,752	275,365
Non-Guarantors
Revenues:
Total revenues								17,980	38,695
Costs and Expenses:
Interest expense									389
Depreciation and amortization								65,100	96,463
General and administrative expense									2,412
Operating expense (exclusive of depreciation, accretion and amortization)								13,743	24,002
Transaction related costs									158
Total costs and expenses								78,843	123,424
Income before income taxes								(60,863)	(84,729)
Income tax expense								537	(130)
Net (loss) income								(61,400)	(84,599)
Comprehensive (loss) income								(61,400)	(84,866)
Leasing
Revenues:
Total revenues								458,614	677,368
Costs and Expenses:
Depreciation and amortization								236,177	344,083
Leasing \| Guarantors
Revenues:
Total revenues									674,683
Leasing \| Non-Guarantors
Revenues:
Total revenues									2,685
Fiber Infrastructure
Revenues:
Total revenues									70,568
Costs and Expenses:
Depreciation and amortization									28,629
Fiber Infrastructure \| Guarantors
Revenues:
Total revenues									57,030
Fiber Infrastructure \| Non-Guarantors
Revenues:
Total revenues									13,538
Rental Revenues
Revenues:
Total revenues								458,614
Rental Revenues \| Guarantors
Revenues:
Total revenues								458,334
Rental Revenues \| Non-Guarantors
Revenues:
Total revenues								280
Consumer CLEC
Revenues:
Total revenues								17,700	22,472
Costs and Expenses:
Depreciation and amortization								2,571	3,258
Consumer CLEC \| Non-Guarantors
Revenues:
Total revenues								$ 17,700	$ 22,472

Supplemental Guarantor Information - Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	8 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2016
Cash flow from operating activities
Net cash provided by operating activities	$ 293,208	$ 375,988
Cash flow from investing activities
Acquisition of businesses, net of cash acquired		(488,788)
Consideration paid to Windstream Services, LLC	(1,035,029)
Acquisition of ground lease investments		(11,543)
Other capital expenditures	(44,413)	(34,900)
Net cash used in investing activities	(1,079,442)	(535,231)
Cash flow from financing activities
Proceeds from issuance of Term Loans	1,127,000
Principal payment on debt	(10,700)	(22,027)
Dividends paid	(156,854)	(367,830)
Proceeds from issuance of Notes		548,875
Borrowings under revolving credit facility		641,000
Payments under revolving credit facility		(641,000)
Capital lease payments		(1,549)
Deferred financing costs	(30,057)	(20,557)
Common stock issuance, net of costs	(543)	54,213
Net share settlement	(113)	(2,359)
Cash in-lieu of fractional shares	(19)
Net cash provided by financing activities	928,714	188,766
Common stock issuance costs	(543)
Effect of exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents		(267)
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents	142,480	29,256
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	18	142,498
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	142,498	171,754
Eliminations
Cash flow from operating activities
Net cash provided by operating activities	(253,362)	(209,769)
Cash flow from financing activities
Intercompany transactions, net	253,362	209,769
Net cash provided by financing activities	253,362	209,769
CS&L, Inc.
Cash flow from operating activities
Net cash provided by operating activities	106,332	(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
Proceeds from issuance of Term Loans	1,127,000
Principal payment on debt	(10,700)	(22,027)
Dividends paid	(156,854)	(367,830)
Proceeds from issuance of Notes		548,875
Borrowings under revolving credit facility		641,000
Payments under revolving credit facility		(641,000)
Deferred financing costs	(30,057)	(20,557)
Common stock issuance, net of costs	(543)	54,213
Net share settlement	(113)	(2,359)
Intercompany transactions, net		(111)
Cash in-lieu of fractional shares	(19)
Net cash provided by financing activities	928,714	190,204
Common stock issuance costs	(543)
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents	17	131,128
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period		17
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	17	131,145
Guarantors
Cash flow from operating activities
Net cash provided by operating activities	426,719	626,147
Cash flow from investing activities
Acquisition of businesses, net of cash acquired		(315,494)
Other capital expenditures	(33,178)	(14,567)
Net cash used in investing activities	(33,178)	(330,061)
Cash flow from financing activities
Capital lease payments		(1,357)
Intercompany transactions, net	(253,362)	(402,500)
Net cash provided by financing activities	(253,362)	(403,857)
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents	140,179	(107,771)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	18	140,197
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	140,197	32,426
Non-Guarantors
Cash flow from operating activities
Net cash provided by operating activities	13,519	18,686
Cash flow from investing activities
Acquisition of businesses, net of cash acquired		(173,294)
Acquisition of ground lease investments		(11,543)
Other capital expenditures	(11,235)	(20,333)
Net cash used in investing activities	(11,235)	(205,170)
Cash flow from financing activities
Capital lease payments		(192)
Intercompany transactions, net		192,842
Net cash provided by financing activities		192,650
Effect of exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents		(267)
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents	2,284	5,899
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period		2,284
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$ 2,284	$ 8,183

Quarterly Results of Operations (unaudited) - Schedule of Quarterly Financial Information (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	2 Months Ended	3 Months Ended						8 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2016
Selected Quarterly Financial Information [Abstract]
Total revenues	$ 128,748	$ 206,920	$ 200,240	$ 188,573	$ 174,675	$ 173,932	$ 173,634	$ 476,314	$ 770,408
Income (loss) before income taxes	8,532	(4,752)	(2,215)	(1,208)	8,480	7,405	9,671	25,608	305
Net income (loss)	8,301	(4,370)	(2,343)	(1,535)	8,036	7,166	9,403	24,870	(212)
Net income (loss) applicable to common shareholders	$ 7,976	$ (6,163)	$ (4,144)	$ (2,871)	$ 7,681	$ 6,769	$ 8,973	$ 23,718	$ (5,497)
Basic earnings (loss) per common share	$ 0.05	$ (0.04)	$ (0.03)	$ (0.02)	$ 0.05	$ 0.05	$ 0.06	$ 0.16	$ (0.04)
Diluted earnings (loss) per common share	0.05	(0.04)	(0.03)	(0.02)	0.05	0.05	0.06	0.16	(0.04)
Dividends declared per common share	$ 0.44	$ 0.60	$ 0.60	$ 0.60	$ 0.60	$ 0.60	$ 0.60	$ 1.64	$ 2.40

Schedule I - Condensed Financial Information of The Registrant (Parent Company) - Balance Sheets (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2016	Aug. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Apr. 23, 2015
Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 171,754		$ 142,498	$ 18
Accounts receivable, net	15,281		2,083
Other assets	9,674		970
Total Assets	3,318,752		2,542,636
Liabilities:
Accrued interest payable	27,812		24,440
Derivative liability	6,102		5,427
Dividends payable	94,607		90,507
Contingent consideration	98,600	$ 98,600
Notes and other debt, net	4,028,214		3,505,228
Total liabilities	4,640,645		3,709,542
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: 155,139 shares at December 31, 2016 and 149,862 at December 31, 2015	15		15
Additional paid-in capital	141,092		1,392
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(6,369)		(5,427)
Distributions in excess of accumulated earnings	(1,537,183)		(1,162,886)
Total shareholders' deficit	(1,402,445)		(1,166,906)	$ 2,508,420
Total Liabilities, Convertible Preferred Stock, and Shareholders' (Deficit) Equity	3,318,752		2,542,636
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	80,552
CS&L, Inc.
Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	131,145		17
Accounts receivable, net	(3)
Other assets	1,066
Investment in consolidated subsidiaries	2,801,234		2,458,679
Total Assets	2,933,442		2,458,696
Liabilities:
Accrued interest payable	27,812		24,440
Derivative liability	6,102		5,427
Dividends payable	94,607		90,507
Contingent consideration	98,600
Notes and other debt, net	4,028,214		3,505,228
Total liabilities	4,255,335		3,625,602
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: 155,139 shares at December 31, 2016 and 149,862 at December 31, 2015	15		15
Additional paid-in capital	141,092		1,392
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(6,369)		(5,427)
Distributions in excess of accumulated earnings	(1,537,183)		(1,162,886)
Total shareholders' deficit	(1,402,445)		(1,166,906)
Total Liabilities, Convertible Preferred Stock, and Shareholders' (Deficit) Equity	2,933,442		$ 2,458,696
CS&L, Inc. \| 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	$ 80,552

Schedule I - Condensed Financial Information of The Registrant (Parent Company) - Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
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	155,138,637	149,862,000
Common stock, shares outstanding	155,138,637	149,862,000
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
CS&L, Inc.
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	155,139,000	149,862,000
Common stock, shares outstanding	155,139,000	149,862,000
CS&L, Inc. \| 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) - Statements of Comprehensive Income (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	2 Months Ended	3 Months Ended						8 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2016
Costs and Expenses:
Interest expense								$ 181,797	$ 275,394
General and administrative expense								11,208	35,402
Transaction related costs								5,210	33,669
Total costs and expenses								450,706	770,103
Income before income taxes	$ 8,532	$ (4,752)	$ (2,215)	$ (1,208)	$ 8,480	$ 7,405	$ 9,671	25,608	305
Net (loss) income	$ 8,301	$ (4,370)	$ (2,343)	$ (1,535)	$ 8,036	$ 7,166	$ 9,403	24,870	(212)
Comprehensive (loss) income								19,443	(1,154)
CS&L, Inc.
Costs and Expenses:
Interest expense								181,797	267,959
General and administrative expense								1,934	4,829
Transaction related costs									3,945
Total costs and expenses								183,731	276,733
Operating loss								(183,731)	(276,733)
Earnings from consolidated subsidiaries								208,601	276,521
Income before income taxes								24,870	(212)
Net (loss) income								24,870	(212)
Comprehensive (loss) income								$ 19,443	$ (1,154)

Schedule I - Condensed Financial Information of The Registrant (Parent Company) - Statements of Cash Flows (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	2 Months Ended	3 Months Ended						8 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2016
Cash flow from operating activities
Net (loss) income	$ 8,301	$ (4,370)	$ (2,343)	$ (1,535)	$ 8,036	$ 7,166	$ 9,403	$ 24,870	$ (212)
Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Amortization of deferred financing costs								4,832	7,823
Amortization of debt discount								5,172	8,179
Stock-based compensation								1,934	4,846
Changes in:
Accounts receivable								(215)	(3,516)
Other assets								(1,148)	(1,365)
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities								32,024	2,806
Net cash provided by operating activities								293,208	375,988
Cash flow from investing activities
Acquisition of businesses, net of cash acquired									(488,788)
Consideration paid to Windstream Services, LLC								(1,035,029)
Net cash used in investing activities								(1,079,442)	(535,231)
Cash flow from financing activities
Principal payment on debt								(10,700)	(22,027)
Dividends paid								(156,854)	(367,830)
Proceeds from issuance of Term Loans								1,127,000
Proceeds from issuance of Notes									548,875
Borrowings under revolving credit facility									641,000
Payments under revolving credit facility									(641,000)
Capital lease payments									(1,549)
Deferred financing costs								(30,057)	(20,557)
Common stock issuance, net of costs								(543)	54,213
Net share settlement								(113)	(2,359)
Cash in-lieu of fractional shares								(19)
Net cash provided by financing activities								928,714	188,766
Effect of exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents									(267)
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents								142,480	29,256
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	$ 18				142,498			18	142,498
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period		171,754				142,498		142,498	171,754
CS&L, Inc.
Cash flow from operating activities
Net (loss) income								24,870	(212)
Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Amortization of deferred financing costs								4,832	7,823
Amortization of debt discount								5,172	8,179
Equity in earnings from subsidiaries								(208,601)	(276,521)
Distributions from subsidiaries								253,362	194,500
Stock-based compensation								1,934	4,846
Changes in:
Accounts receivable									3
Other assets									(1,066)
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities								24,763	3,372
Net cash provided by operating activities								106,332	(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)	(22,027)
Dividends paid								(156,854)	(367,830)
Proceeds from issuance of Term Loans								1,127,000
Proceeds from issuance of Notes									548,875
Borrowings under revolving credit facility									641,000
Payments under revolving credit facility									(641,000)
Deferred financing costs								(30,057)	(20,557)
Common stock issuance, net of costs								(543)	54,213
Net share settlement								(113)	(2,359)
Intercompany transactions, net									(111)
Cash in-lieu of fractional shares								(19)
Net cash provided by financing activities								928,714	190,204
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents								17	131,128
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period					$ 17				17
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period		$ 131,145				$ 17		$ 17	$ 131,145

Schedule II - Valuation and Qualifying Account (Details) - Valuation Allowance For Deferred Tax Assets $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($)
Valuation And Qualifying Accounts Disclosure [Line Items]
Charged to Other Accounts	$ 8,176
Balance at End of Period	$ 8,176

Schedule III - Real Estate Investments and Accumulated Depreciation (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Real Estate And Accumulated Depreciation [Line Items]
Gross Amount Carried at Close of Period	$ 6,256,248	$ 6,093,541
Accumulated Depreciation	(4,054,748)	$ (3,720,890)
Land
Real Estate And Accumulated Depreciation [Line Items]
Gross Amount Carried at Close of Period	26,833
Accumulated Depreciation	(201)
Building and Improvements
Real Estate And Accumulated Depreciation [Line Items]
Gross Amount Carried at Close of Period	318,616
Accumulated Depreciation	$ (148,432)
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	$ 234,393
Accumulated Depreciation	$ (173,441)
Poles \| Minimum
Real Estate And Accumulated Depreciation [Line Items]
Depreciable Lives	13 years
Poles \| Maximum
Real Estate And Accumulated Depreciation [Line Items]
Depreciable Lives	40 years
Fiber
Real Estate And Accumulated Depreciation [Line Items]
Gross Amount Carried at Close of Period	$ 2,024,564
Accumulated Depreciation	$ (820,389)
Fiber \| Minimum
Real Estate And Accumulated Depreciation [Line Items]
Depreciable Lives	7 years
Fiber \| Maximum
Real Estate And Accumulated Depreciation [Line Items]
Depreciable Lives	40 years
Copper
Real Estate And Accumulated Depreciation [Line Items]
Gross Amount Carried at Close of Period	$ 3,538,565
Accumulated Depreciation	$ (2,856,327)
Copper \| Minimum
Real Estate And Accumulated Depreciation [Line Items]
Depreciable Lives	7 years
Copper \| Maximum
Real Estate And Accumulated Depreciation [Line Items]
Depreciable Lives	40 years
Conduit
Real Estate And Accumulated Depreciation [Line Items]
Gross Amount Carried at Close of Period	$ 89,661
Accumulated Depreciation	$ (54,487)
Conduit \| Minimum
Real Estate And Accumulated Depreciation [Line Items]
Depreciable Lives	13 years
Conduit \| Maximum
Real Estate And Accumulated Depreciation [Line Items]
Depreciable Lives	47 years
Towers
Real Estate And Accumulated Depreciation [Line Items]
Gross Amount Carried at Close of Period	$ 4,307
Accumulated Depreciation	$ (659)
Towers \| Minimum
Real Estate And Accumulated Depreciation [Line Items]
Depreciable Lives	20 years
Towers \| Maximum
Real Estate And Accumulated Depreciation [Line Items]
Depreciable Lives	49 years
Real Property Interests
Real Estate And Accumulated Depreciation [Line Items]
Gross Amount Carried at Close of Period	$ 12,265
Accumulated Depreciation	$ (94)
Real Property Interests \| Minimum
Real Estate And Accumulated Depreciation [Line Items]
Depreciable Lives	50 years
Real Property Interests \| Maximum
Real Estate And Accumulated Depreciation [Line Items]
Depreciable Lives	99 years
Other assets
Real Estate And Accumulated Depreciation [Line Items]
Gross Amount Carried at Close of Period	$ 5,299
Accumulated Depreciation	$ (718)
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	$ 1,745

Schedule III - Real Estate Investments and Accumulated Depreciation (Parenthetical) (Details) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($)
Real Estate And Accumulated Depreciation Disclosure [Abstract]
Tenant capital improvements	$ 157.0

Schedule III - Carrying Cost and Accumulated Depreciation (Details) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($)
Carrying cost:
Gross amount at beginning	$ 6,093,541
Tenant capital improvements	156,972
Acquisitions	15,848
Total additions	172,820
Cost of real estate sold or disposed	10,113
Total deductions	10,113
Balance at end	6,256,248
Accumulated depreciation:
Gross amount of accumulated depreciation at beginning	3,720,890
Depreciation	343,971
Total additions	343,971
Other	10,113
Total deductions	10,113
Balance at end	$ 4,054,748