Document and Entity Information [Abstract] Document and Entity Information Statement [Table] Statement [Line Items] Document Type Amendment Flag Document Period End Date Document Fiscal Year Focus Document Fiscal Period Focus Entity Registrant Name Entity Central Index Key Current Fiscal Year End Date Entity Filer Category Entity Filer Category Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets Assets (AssetsAbstract) Assets Current assets Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period Cash and cash equivalents, end of period Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period Cash and Cash Equivalents, at Carrying Value, Total Cash and cash equivalents Short-term investments Short term investments Short-term Investments, Total Accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts of $[ ] and $35,148 Accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts of $56,247 and $41,282 Accounts Receivable, Net, Current, Total Accounts receivable, net Handset and accessory inventory (InventoryFinishedGoods) Handset and accessory inventory Inventory, Finished Goods, Total Handset and accessory inventory Deferred income taxes, net (DeferredTaxAssetsNetCurrent) Deferred Tax Assets, Net, Current, Ending Balance Deferred Tax Assets, Net, Current, Beginning Balance Deferred income taxes, net Deferred Tax Assets, Net, Current, Total Deferred income taxes, net Prepaid Expense, Current Prepaid expenses and other Prepaid expenses and other Prepaid expenses and other Total current assets Total current assets Property, plant and equipment, less accumulated depreciation of $[ ] and $2,028,266 Property, Plant and Equipment, Net, Ending Balance Property, Plant and Equipment, Net, Beginning Balance Property, plant and equipment, net Property, plant and equipment, net Property, plant and equipment, less accumulated depreciation of $2,218,485 and $2,028,266 Intangible assets, net Intangible assets, less accumulated amortization of $139,283 and $130,847 Intangible Assets, Net (Excluding Goodwill), Total Intangible assets, less accumulated amortization of $[ ] and $130,847 Deferred income taxes, net (DeferredTaxAssetsNetNoncurrent) Deferred income taxes, net Deferred Tax Assets, Net, Noncurrent, Total Deferred income taxes, net Long-term Investments Long-term Investments, Total Long-term investments Other Assets Noncurrent OtherAssetsNoncurrent Other assets Other assets Other assets Assets (Assets) Identifiable assets Total assets Total assets Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity (LiabilitiesAndStockholdersEquityAbstract) Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity Current liabilities Accounts payable Accounts Payable, Current, Total Accrued expenses and other Accrued expenses and other Deferred Rvenue, Current Deferred revenues Deferred Revenue, Current, Total Current portion of long-term debt Less: current portion Less: current portion Current portion of long-term debt Current portion of long-term debt Total current liabilities Total current liabilities Long-Term Debt and Capital Lease Obligations LongTermDebtAndCapitalLeaseObligations Long-term debt Total long-term debt Deferred Revenue, Noncurrent Deferred revenues Deferred Revenue, Noncurrent, Total Deferred credits Other liabilities Noncurrent Other long-term liabilities Other long-term liabilities Other long-term liabilities Liabilities Total liabilities Total liabilities Commitments and contingencies (Note [ ]) Commitments and contingencies (Note 4) Stockholders' equity Undesignated preferred stock, par value $0.001, 10,000 shares authorized - 2011 and 2010, no shares issued or outstanding - 2011 and 2010 Preferred Stock, Value, Issued, Ending Balance Preferred Stock, Value, Issued, Beginning Balance Preferred Stock, Value, Issued, Total Common stock, par value $0.001, 600,000 shares authorized - 2011 and 2010, [ ] shares issued and outstanding - 2011, 169,661 shares issued and outstanding - 2010 Common Stock, Value, Issued, Ending Balance Common Stock, Value, Issued, Beginning Balance Common Stock, Value, Issued, Total Common stock, par value $0.001, 600,000 shares authorized - 2011 and 2010, 169,729 shares issued and outstanding - 2011, 169,661 shares issued and outstanding - 2010 Additional Paid in Capital Common Stock Additional Paid in Capital, Common Stock, Ending Balance Additional Paid in Capital, Common Stock, Beginning Balance Paid-in capital Retained Earnings Acumulated Deficit Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit), Ending Balance Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit), Beginning Balance Retained earnings Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit), Total Accumulated other comprehensive loss Accumulated other comprehensive loss Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Ending Balance Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Beginning Balance Accumulated other comprehensive loss Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent, Ending Balance Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent, Beginning Balance Total stockholders' equity Total stockholders' equity Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity (LiabilitiesAndStockholdersEquity) Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity Total liabilities and stockholders' equity Total liabilities and stockholders' equity Allowance for doubtful accounts receivable, current Allowance for Doubtful Accounts Receivable, Current, Ending Balance Allowance for Doubtful Accounts Receivable, Current, Beginning Balance Accumulated depreciation property, plant, and equipment Less: Accumulated depreciation and amortization Accumulated Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization, Property, Plant, and Equipment, Ending Balance Accumulated Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization, Property, Plant, and Equipment, Beginning Balance Accumulated Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization, Property, Plant, and Equipment, Total Less: Accumulated depreciation Intangible assets, accumulated amortization Accumulated Amortization Accumulated Amortization Preferred Stock, Par or Stated Value Per Share Preferred stock, par value Preferred Stock, Shares Authorized Preferred stock, shares authorized Preferred stock, shares issued Preferred Stock, Shares Issued, Total Preferred stock, shares outstanding Preferred Stock, Shares Outstanding, Ending Balance Preferred Stock, Shares Outstanding, Beginning Balance Common stock, par value Par value of common stock Common stock, shares authorized Authorized common stock Common stock shares issued Common Stock, Shares, Issued, Total Common stock shares outstanding Common Stock, Shares, Outstanding, Ending Balance Common Stock, Shares, Outstanding, Beginning Balance Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income Operating revenues Service and other revenues Service and other revenues Digital handset and accessory revenues Digital handset and accessory revenues Revenues Operating revenues Total operating revenues Costs and Expenses Abstract Operating expenses Cost of revenues (exclusive of depreciation and amortization included below) Cost of service (exclusive of depreciation and amortization included below) Cost of service (exclusive of depreciation and amortization included below) Cost of digital handsets and accessories Cost of digital handsets and accessories Selling, general and administrative Selling, general and administrative Selling, general and administrative costs related to the workforce transition Selling, General and Administrative Expense, Total Depreciation Depreciation Depreciation Amortization Amortization Amortization Amortization Operating Expenses Total operating expenses Operating expenses Total operating expenses Operating (loss) income Operating income (loss) Operating income Other income (expense) Other expense Other expense Interest expense, net Interest expense, net Interest expense, net Interest Expense, Total Interest income Foreign Currency Transaction Gain (Loss) Before Tax Foreign currency transaction losses, net Foreign currency transaction gains (losses), net Foreign Currency Transaction Gain (Loss), before Tax, Total Foreign currency transaction gains (losses), net Other income (expense), net Other expense, net Other expense, net Other expense, net Other (expense) income, net Other expense, net Nonoperating Income (Expense) Nonoperating income (expense) Total other expense Income (loss) before income tax benefit (provision) Income before income tax benefit (provision) Income before income tax provision Income before income tax provision Income tax benefit (provision) Income tax provision Income tax provision Income tax expense Total income tax provision Net income Net income Net income Net income Net income, value Net income, per common share, basic Net income, per share amount Net income, per common share, basic Net income, per common share, diluted Net income on which diluted earnings per share is calculated, Per share amount Net income, per common share, diluted Net income on which diluted earnings per share is calculated, per share amount Weighted average number of common shares outstanding, basic Weighted average number of common shares outstanding, basic Net income, shares Weighted average number of common shares outstanding, diluted Net income on which diluted earnings per share is calculated, Shares Weighted average number of common shares outstanding, diluted Net income on which diluted earnings per share is calculated, shares Other comprehensive income (loss): Other comprehensive income (loss): Comprehensive income, net of income taxes Foreign currency translation adjustment, net of taxes Foreign currency translation adjustment, net of income taxes Foreign currency translation adjustment Other losses on available-for-sale securities and derivatives, net of income taxes Other Other Other comprehensive income, net of taxes Other comprehensive income Total comprehensive income (loss) Comprehensive Income Net Of Tax Including Portion AttributableTo Noncontrolling Interest Total comprehensive income Condensed Consolidated Statement of Changes in Stockholders' Equity Statement, Equity Components [Axis] Equity Component [Domain] Parent [Member] Common Stock Paid-in Capital Retained Earnings Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income Shares, Issued Balance, shares Balance, shares Stockholders' Equity, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Balance Balance Stockholders' Equity, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Total Exercise of stock options, value Exercise of stock options, shares Share-based payment expense for equity-based awards Share-based payment expense for equity-based awards Other (StockholdersEquityOther) Other, value This element represents movements in the number of shares included in the statement of changes in stockholders' equity which are not separately disclosed or provided for elsewhere in the taxonomy. Stockholders Equity Other Shares Other, shares Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows Cash flows from operating activities: Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities: Amortization of Financing Costs and Discounts Amortization of debt discount and financing costs Amortization of Financing Costs and Discounts, Total Depreciation and amortization Less: Depreciation and amortization Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization, Total Provision for losses on accounts receivable Foreign currency transaction gains (losses), net Foreign currency transaction (gains) losses, net Foreign currency transaction gains (losses), net Share-based payment expense Share-based Compensation, Total Other, net (AdjustmentsNoncashItemsToReconcileNetIncomeLossToCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivitiesOther) Other, net Other, net Repayments of other borrowings Change in assets and liabilities: Accounts receivable, gross Accounts receivable, gross Handset and accessory inventory (IncreaseDecreaseInInventories) Handset and accessory inventory Handset and accessory inventory Increase (Decrease) in Inventories, Total Prepaid expenses and other Prepaid expenses and other, net Increase (Decrease) in Prepaid, Deferred Expense and Other Assets, Total Increase (Decrease) in Other Operating Assets Other long-term assets Other long-term assets Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other Net cash provided by operating activities Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities Net cash provided by operating activities Cash flows from investing activities: Payments To Acquire Property Plant And Equipment Capital expenditures Cash paid for capital expenditures, including capitalized interest Cash paid for capital expenditures, including capitalized interest Payments to Acquire Property, Plant, and Equipment, Total Purchase of long-term and short-term investments Purchase of long-term and short-term investments Purchase of long-term and short-term investments Proceeds from sales of short-term investments Proceeds from sales of short-term investments Proceeds from sales of short-term investments Transfers from restricted cash Transfers from restricted cash Other Other, net Other, net Other Other, net Net cash used in investing activities Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities Net cash used in investing activities Net cash (used in) investing activities Cash flows from financing activities: Proceeds from issuance of senior notes Borrowings under syndicated loan facilities Proceeds from (Repayments of) Notes Payable, Total Repayments under syndicated loan facilities Repayments under syndicated loan facilities Repayments under syndicated loan facilities and other transactions Repayments under syndicated loan facilities and other transactions Repayments under syndicated loan facilities and other transactions Repayments of Other Debt Other, net Other, net Other, net Other, net Repayments of other borrowings Net cash flows provided by financing activities Net cash used in financing activities Net cash provided by financing activities Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents Net increase in cash and cash equivalents Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents Basis of Presentation [Abstract] Basis of Presentation Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements Disclosure [Text Block] Basis of Presentation Fair Value Measurements [Abstract] Fair Value Measurements Fair Value Measurements [Text Block] Fair Value Measurements Debt [Abstract] Debt Debt Disclosure Debt Commitments and Contingencies [Abstract] Commitments and Contingencies Commitments and Contingencies (CommitmentsAndContingenciesDisclosureTextBlock) Commitments and Contingencies Income Taxes [Abstract] Income Taxes Income Tax Disclosure Income Taxes Segment Reporting [Abstract] Segment Reporting Segment Reporting Disclosure Text Block Segment Information Segment Reporting Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements (ScheduleOfCondensedFinancialStatementsTextBlock) Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements Revenue Based Taxes Policy [Text Block] Revenue Based Taxes Policy [Text Block] Revenue-Based Taxes Earnings Per Share, Policy [Text Block] Net Income Per Common Share, Basic and Diluted Reclassifications Policy [Text Block] Reclassifications Policy [Text Block] Reclassifications Tabular disclosure of the components of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss). Schedule of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss [Table Text Block] Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Cash Flow, Supplemental Disclosures [Text Block] Supplemental Cash Flow Information Schedule Of Reconciliation Used To Calculate Basic And Diluted Net Income Per Common Share Text Block Schedule Of Reconciliation Used To Calculate Basic And Diluted Net Income Per Common Share [Text Block] Reconciliation used to Calculate Basic and Diluted Net Income per Common Share Fair Value, Measurement Inputs, Disclosure [Text Block] Fair Value on Recurring Basis Held-to-maturity Securities [Text Block] Carrying Amounts and Estimated Fair Values Held to Maturity Investments Schedule of Long-term Debt Instruments [Text Block] Debt Carrying amounts and estimated fair values of long term debt instruments Schedule Of Debt Disclosure [Text Block] Schedule Of Debt Disclosure Text Block Debt Debt Schedule Of Redemption Prices Prior To Maturity Text Block Schedule Of Redemption Prices Prior To Maturity Text Block Redemption Prices Prior to Maturity Schedule of Debt and Equity Components Recognized for Convertible Notes [Text Block] Schedule of Debt and Equity Components Recognized for Convertible Notes [Text Block] Debt and Equity Components Recognized Schedule of Interest Expenses Recognized for Convertible Notes [Text Block] Schedule of Interest Expenses Recognized for Convertible Notes [Text Block] Interest Expenses Recognized Schedule Of Unrecognized Tax Benefits (Text Block) Schedule Of Unrecognized Tax Benefits (Text Block) Unrecognized Tax Benefits Schedule of Segment Reporting Information, by Segment [Text Block] Segment Reporting Information Schedule Of Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet [Text Block] Schedule Of Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet [Text Block] Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet Schedule Of Condensed Consolidating Statement Of Operations [Text Block] Schedule Of Condensed Consolidating Statement Of Operations [Text Block] Condensed Consolidating Statement of Operations Schedule Of Condensed Consolidating Statement Of Cash Flows [Text Block] Schedule Of Condensed Consolidating Statement Of Cash Flows [Text Block] Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows Schedule of Long-term Debt Instruments [Table] Non Cash Financing Activities Non Cash Financing Activities Non cash financing primarily related to the short-term financing Revenue Based Taxes And Other Excise Taxes Revenue Based Taxes And Other Excise Taxes Revenue-based taxes and other excise taxes Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage Notes interest rate Debt instrument, interest rate, stated percentage Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share, Amount Antidilutive stock options Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment, Net of Tax Cumulative foreign currency translation adjustment Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment, Net of Tax, Ending Balance Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment, Net of Tax, Beginning Balance Cumulative foreign currency translation adjustment Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss Other Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss Other Other Other Capital Expenditures Incurred but Not yet Paid Change in capital expenditures accrued and unpaid or financed, including accreted interest capitalized Capital Expenditures Plus Accrued Unpaid Including Accreted Interest Capitalized Capital Expenditures Plus Accrued Unpaid Including Accreted Interest Capitalized Capital expenditures Capital expenditures accrued, unpaid including accreted interest capitalized Interest Costs, Capitalized During Period Interest capitalized Interest Costs Incurred Interest expense including capitalized interest Effect of Dilutive Securities Stock Option Shares Effect of Dilutive Securities Stock Option Shares Stock options, shares Effect Of Dilutive Securities Restricted Stock Shares Effect Of Dilutive Securities Restricted Stock Shares Restricted stock, shares Effect Of Dilutive Securities Convertible Notes Net Of Capitalized Interest And Taxes Value Effect Of Dilutive Securities Convertible Notes Net Of Capitalized Interest And Taxes Value Convertible notes, net of capitalized interest and taxes, value Effect Of Dilutive Securities Convertible Notes Net Of Capitalized Interest And Taxes Shares Effect Of Dilutive Securities Convertible Notes Net Of Capitalized Interest And Taxes Shares Convertible notes, net of capitalized interest and taxes, shares Net Income Loss Diluted Outstanding Amount Net Income Loss Diluted Outstanding Amount Net income loss diluted outstanding amount Net income on which diluted earnings per share is calculated, value Corporate Debt Securities Maturity Period Minimum Corporate Debt Securities Maturity Period Minimum Corporate debt securities maturity period minimum (months) Corporate Debt Securities Maturity Period Maximum Corporate Debt Securities Maturity Period Maximum Corporate debt securities maturity period maximum (months) Fair Value, Option, Qualitative Disclosures Related to Election [Table] Fair Value, Option, Qualitative Disclosures Related to Election, by Eligible Item or Group [Axis] Fair Value, Option, Eligible Item or Group [Domain] Available-for-Sale Securities [Member] Fair Value, Measured on Recurring Basis, Investments Short-term investments Schedule of Fair Value of Separate Accounts by Major Category of Investment [Table] Investment Type [Axis] Investment Type [Domain] Short-Term Investments [Member] Long-term Investments [Member] Long-Term Investments [Member] Fair Value, Option, Quantitative Disclosures, by Eligible Item or Group [Axis] U.S. Treasuries [Member] Corporate Bonds [Member] Held-to-maturity Securities, Debt Maturities, Net Carrying Amount Held-to-maturity securities, carrying amount Held-to-maturity Securities, Debt Maturities, Net Carrying Amount, Total Held-to-maturity Securities, Debt Maturities, Fair Value Held-to-maturity securities, estimated fair value Held-to-maturity Securities, Debt Maturities, Fair Value, Total Schedule of Assets Sold under Agreements to Repurchase [Table] Assets Sold under Agreements to Repurchase [Axis] Assets Sold under Agreements to Repurchase, Type [Domain] Senior Notes [Member] Long-term Debt, Type [Axis] Long-term Debt, Type [Domain] Convertible Notes [Member] Syndicated Loan Facilities Member Syndicated Loan Facilities [Member] Schedule of Trading Securities and Other Trading Assets, Major Types of Trading Securities and Assets [Axis] Major Types of Trading Securities and Assets [Domain] Other [Member] Long-term Debt, Gross Carrying amount Debt Instrument, Fair Value Long-term estimated fair value Seven Point Six Two Five Percent Senior Notes Due Two Thousand Twenty One [Member] 7.625% Senior Notes Due 2021 [Member] Eight Point Eight Seven Five Percent Senior Notes Due Two Thousand Nineteen [Member] 8.875% Senior Notes Due 2019 [Member] Three Point One Two Five Percent Convertible Notes Due Two Zero One Two [Member] 3.125% Convertible Notes Due 2012 [Member] Ten Point Zero Percent Senior Notes Due Two Zero One Six [Member] 10.0% Senior Notes Due 2016 [Member] 10.0% Senior Notes Due 2016 Debt Instrument, Face Amount Principal amount Purchased face Amount Proceeds from Notes Payable Total cash proceeds Proceeds from Notes Payable, Total Unamortized Debt Issuance Expense Offering expenses related to issuance of notes Debt Maturity Date Debt Maturity Date Redeemed Principal Amount Percentage Redeemed Principal Amount Percentage Redeemed principal amount Equity Offerings At Redemption Price With Interest Equity Offerings At Redemption Price With Interest Redemption price with interest Redemption Price Equal To Percentage Of Principal Amount Redemption Price Equal To Percentage Of Principal Amount Redemption price equal to percentage of principal amount Number Of Shares Converted For Conversion Rate Number Of Shares Converted For Conversion Rate Number of shares converted, conversion rate Principal Amount Of Notes Eligible For Conversion Principal Amount Of Notes Eligible For Conversion Principal amount of notes Conversion of Stock, Shares Converted Aggregate number of common shares Debt Instrument, Convertible, Conversion Price, Per Share Debt Instrument, Convertible, Conversion Price, Per Share Conversion price per share Closing Sale Price Maximum Limit Percentage Closing Sale Price Maximum Limit Percentage Closing sale price maximum limit percentage Senior Notes Senior notes, net Senior Notes, Total Senior notes Convertible Notes Payable Convertible notes, net Convertible Notes Payable, Total Convertible notes, carrying amount Syndicated Loan Facilities Syndicated Loan Facilities Syndicated loan facilities Syndicated loan facilities, carrying amount Tower financing obligations Tower financing obligations Tower financing obligations Capital Lease Obligations Capital lease obligations Capital Lease Obligations, Total Brazil Import Financing Brazil Import Financing Brazil import financing Other Long-term Debt Other Other Long-term Debt, Total Debt and Capital Lease Obligations Total debt Debt Instrument [Axis] Debt Instrument, Name [Domain] Two Zero One Six [Member] 2016 [Member] Two Zero One Seven [Member] 2017 [Member] Two Zero One Eight [Member] 2018 [Member] Two Zero One Nine And Thereafter [Member] 2019 and Thereafter [Member] Redemption Price Prior To Maturity Redemption Price Prior To Maturity Redemption price Debt Instrument, Principal Outstanding Principal amount of convertible notes Principal amount issued, net Debt Instrument, Unamortized Discount Unamortized discount on convertible notes Debt instrument, unamortized discount Debt Instrument Carrying Value Debt Instrument Carrying Value Net carrying amount of convertible notes Debt Instrument, Convertible, Carrying Amount of Equity Component Carrying amount of equity component Two Point Seven Five Percent Convertible Notes Due Two Zero Two Five [Member] 2.75% Convertible Notes Due 2025 [Member] Debt Instrument, Convertible, Interest Expense Contractual coupon interest Amortization of Debt Discount (Premium) Amortization of discount on convertible notes Interest Expense, Debt Interest expense, net Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Effective Percentage Effective interest rate on convertible notes Legal Entity [Axis] Entity [Domain] Nextel Brazil [Member] Nextel Brazil [Member] Accrued Liabilities Accrued liabilities Accrued expenses and other Accrued expenses and other Loss Contingency, Range of Possible Loss, Minimum Estimated range of possible loss of accrued liabilities minimum Loss Contingency, Range of Possible Loss, Maximum Estimated range of possible loss of accrued liabilities maximum Unrecognized Tax Benefits that Would Impact Effective Tax Rate Unrecognized tax benefits that reduce future effective tax rate Unrecognized tax benefits decreases resulting from court verdict Unrecognized Tax Benefits Decreases Resulting From Court Verdict Unrecognized tax benefits decreases resulting from court verdict Deferred Tax Asset Valuation Allowance Increase Or Decrease Deferred Tax Asset Valuation Allowance Increase Or Decrease Deferred tax asset valuation allowance increase or decrease Increase (Decrease) in Income Taxes Receivable Income tax expense due to reverse of income tax receivable Unrecognized Tax Benefits Unrecognized tax benefits - March 31, 2011 Unrecognized tax benefits - December 31, 2010 Unrecognized tax benefits Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Increases Resulting from Current Period Tax Positions Additions for current year tax positions Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Increases Resulting from Prior Period Tax Positions Additions for prior year tax positions Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Decreases Resulting from Current Period Tax Positions Reductions for current year tax positions Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Decreases Resulting from Prior Period Tax Positions Reductions for prior year tax positions Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Reductions Resulting from Lapse of Applicable Statute of Limitations Lapse of statute of limitations Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Decreases Resulting from Settlements with Taxing Authorities Settlements with taxing authorities Unrecognized Tax Benefits Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment Unrecognized Tax Benefits Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment Foreign currency translation adjustment Segment Reporting Information, by Segment [Axis] Reporting Segment [Domain] Brazil [Member] Brazil [Member] Mexico [Member] Mexico [Member] Argentina [Member] Argentina [Member] Peru [Member] Peru [Member] Corporate And Other [Member] Corporate and Other [Member] Statement, Business Segments [Axis] Segment, Business [Domain] Intercompany Eliminations [Member] Segment Reporting, Segment Operating Profit (Loss) Segment earnings (losses) Segment Reporting Information, Interest Expense Interest expense and other, net Seven Point Six Two Five Percentage Senior Notes [Member] 7.625% Senior Notes [Member] Ten Point Zero Percent And Eight Point Eight Seven Five Percent Senior Notes Due Two Zero One Six Two Zero One Nine [Member] 10.0% and 8.875% Senior Notes Due 2019 and 2016 [Member] NII Holdings, Inc. (Parent) [Member] Investments in and advances to affiliates Subsidiary [Member] NII Capital Corp. (Issuer) [Member] Cost of Goods and Services Sold Cost of revenues (exclusive of depreciation and amortization included below) Cost of Goods and Services Sold, Total Management Fee Management Fee Management fee and other Equity in income of affiliates Income (Loss) from Equity Method Investments, Total Equity in income of affiliates Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash (used in) provided by operating activities Adjustments to Reconcile Net Income (Loss) to Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities, Total Transfer From Restricted Cash Transfer From Restricted Cash Transfers from restricted cash Intercompany Borrowings Intercompany Borrowings Intercompany Borrowings Intercompany borrowings Intercompany investments Proceeds from intercompany long-term loan Intercompany dividends Intercompany dividends Proceeds from (Payments for) Other Financing Activities Other, net Other, net 3.125% Convertible Notes [Member] 3.125% Convertible Notes [Member] 2.75% Convertible Notes [Member] 2.75% Convertible Notes [Member] Fair Value By Fair Value Hierarchy Level [Axis] Fair Value By Fair Value Hierarchy Level [Axis] Fair Value Plan Asset Measurement [Domain] Level 1 [Member] Level 2 [Member] Level 3 [Member] Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member] Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member] Consolidating Adjustments [Member] Consolidating Adjustments [Member]