Percentage of voting equity interests acquired at the acquisition date in the business combination.

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Amount of consideration transferred, consisting of acquisition-date fair value of assets transferred by the acquirer, liabilities incurred by the acquirer, and equity interest issued by the acquirer.

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Amount before allocation of valuation allowances of deferred tax asset attributable to deductible temporary differences and carryforwards.

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The parent entity's interest in net assets of the subsidiary, expressed as a percentage.

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Amount of cumulative effect of the change in accounting principle or new accounting pronouncement on retained earnings or other components of equity or net assets in the statement of financial position as of the beginning of the earliest period presented.

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Amount of decrease (increase) in additional paid in capital (APIC) for the acquisition of the remaining interest in non-controlling interest.

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Summary of significant accounting policies - Basis of presentation and consolidation (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		12 Months Ended
	Aug. 04, 2015	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2016	Jan. 01, 2016	Aug. 03, 2015
Principles of consolidation
Reduction to additional paid-in capital resulting from purchase of remaining noncontrolling interest		$ 1,150
ASU 2016-09 \| Early adoption
Basis of presentation
Increase to additional paid-in capital and accumulated deficit due to cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle				$ 94
ASU 2016-09 \| Early adoption \| Federal
Basis of presentation
Increase to deferred tax assets				6,933
ASU 2016-09 \| Early adoption \| State
Basis of presentation
Increase to deferred tax assets				$ 589
Concourse Communications Detroit, LLC
Principles of consolidation
Percentage of additional ownership in subsidiary acquired	30.00%
Total purchase price	$ 1,150
Reduction to additional paid-in capital resulting from purchase of remaining noncontrolling interest	$ 1,150
Chicago Concourse Development Group, LLC
Principles of consolidation
Percentage of ownership in subsidiaries			70.00%
Boingo Holding Participacoes Ltda.
Principles of consolidation
Percentage of ownership in subsidiaries			75.00%
Concourse Communications Detroit, LLC
Principles of consolidation
Percentage of ownership in subsidiaries					70.00%