Arrangements with Variable Interest Entities and Joint Ventures (Details) (Savary Island [Member], USD $) In Thousands	Sep. 30, 2011		Dec. 31, 2010
Variable Interest Entity, Total Assets [Member]
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Variable Interest Entity, Consolidated, Carrying Amount, Assets	$ 164,028		$ 161,305
Cash and Cash Equivalents [Member]
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Variable Interest Entity, Consolidated, Carrying Amount, Assets	7,858		5,250
Indefinite Lived Licensing Agreements [Member]
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Variable Interest Entity, Consolidated, Carrying Amount, Assets	127,137		156,055
Assets Held-for-sale [Member]
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Variable Interest Entity, Consolidated, Carrying Amount, Assets	29,033	[1]	0	[1]
Variable Interest Entity, Total Liabilities [Member]
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Variable Interest Entity, Consolidated, Carrying Amount, Liabilities	30		0
Other Current Liabilities [Member]
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Variable Interest Entity, Consolidated, Carrying Amount, Liabilities	$ 30		$ 0

[1] Represents the carrying value of wireless licenses to be assigned and transferred to T-Mobile and its affiliates at the closing under the license exchange agreement discussed in Note 10, "Significant Acquisitions and Other Transactions."