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SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES - Grants (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands | 12 Months Ended
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Dec. 31, 2016 | Dec. 31, 2015 | Dec. 31, 2014
Accounting for grants |  |  |
Amount spent in capital expenditures | $ 124,282 | $ 64,753 | $ 58,300
U.S. Telecom |  |  |
Accounting for grants |  |  |
Amount received | $ 9,500 | 1,300 |
Minimum |  |  |
Accounting for grants |  |  |
Long-term power purchase agreements term | 10 years |  |
Term of depreciation of grant | 5 years |  |
Maximum |  |  |
Accounting for grants |  |  |
Long-term power purchase agreements term | 25 years |  |
Term of depreciation of grant | 20 years |  |
Stimulus programs |  |  |
Accounting for grants |  |  |
Amount spent in capital expenditures | $ 99,300 |  |
Amount that has been funded or will be funded | 73,900 |  |
Universal Service Fund programs |  |  |
Accounting for grants |  |  |
Amount received | $ 17,700 | $ 7,900 |

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- Definition Proceeds from grants received from U.S. Government and its agencies designed to fund telecommunications infrastructure expansion into rural or underserved areas of the United States. + References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition Carrying amount as of the balance sheet date of amounts due under the terms of governmental, corporate, or foundation grants. + 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 210.5-02.8) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682 + Details
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- Definition Period covered by the long-term purchase commitment, in 'PnYnMnDTnHnMnS' format, for example, 'P1Y5M13D' represents the reported fact of one year, five months, and thirteen days. + References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition The cash outflow associated with the acquisition of long-lived, physical assets that are used in the normal conduct of business to produce goods and services and not intended for resale; includes cash outflows to pay for construction of self-constructed assets. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Glossary Investing Activities -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6516133 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 230 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 13 -Subparagraph (c) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=66902209&loc=d3e3213-108585 + Details
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