Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Operating activities:
Net loss	$ (317,677)	$ (785,055)	$ (237,963)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by operating activities:
Share-based compensation expense	15,328	36,609	42,713
Depreciation and amortization	548,426	457,035	410,697
Accretion of asset retirement obligations	3,061	2,503	1,888
Non-cash interest items, net	13,178	11,446	8,357
Non-cash loss on extinguishment of debt	0	(2,040)	8,805
Deferred income tax expense	35,316	39,263	38,164
Impairment of assets and other charges	22,423	477,327	639
(Gain) loss on sale or disposal of assets	(2,732)	5,061	418
Equity in net (income) loss of investees, net of cash dividend	3,628	(1,912)	(3,946)
Changes in assets and liabilities:
Inventories and deferred charges	(23,352)	(2,469)	(20,491)
Other assets	(40,970)	(16,791)	(18,759)
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	87,668	63,120	5,674
Other liabilities	43,212	28,181	48,121
Net cash provided by operating activities	387,509	312,278	284,317
Investing activities:
Acquisition of a business	(850)	(40,730)	0
Purchases of property and equipment	(441,656)	(398,894)	(699,525)
Change in prepayments for purchases of property and equipment	(9,944)	1,412	5,691
Purchases of wireless licenses and spectrum clearing costs	(4,880)	(13,319)	(35,356)
Proceeds from sales of wireless licenses and operating assets	5,070	0	2,965
Purchases of investments	(826,233)	(488,450)	(883,173)
Sales and maturities of investments	487,860	816,247	733,268
Purchase of membership units of equity investment	0	(967)	0
Dividend received from equity investee	11,606	0	0
Change in restricted cash	(948)	749	338
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	(779,975)	(123,952)	(875,792)
Financing activities:
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt	396,772	1,179,876	1,057,474
Repayment of long-term debt	(23,589)	(1,118,096)	(897,904)
Payment of debt issuance costs	(7,269)	(1,308)	(16,200)
Purchase of non-controlling interest	0	(77,664)	0
Non-controlling interest contribution	0	5,100	0
Proceeds from the issuance of common stock, net	1,346	1,535	267,105
Proceeds from sale lease-back financing	25,815	0	0
Other	(6,156)	(1,978)	(1,709)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	386,919	(12,535)	408,766
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	(5,547)	175,791	(182,709)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	350,790	174,999	357,708
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$ 345,243	$ 350,790	$ 174,999