Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]

Summary of Depreciable Lives for Property and Equipment

The following table summarizes the depreciable lives for property and equipment (in years):

	Depreciable Life
Network equipment:
Switches	5-10
Switch power equipment	15
Cell site equipment and site improvements	5-7
Towers	15
Antennae	5
Computer hardware and software	3-5
Furniture, fixtures retail and office equipment	3-7

Summary of Asset Retirement Obligations

The following table summarizes the Company's asset retirement obligations as of and for the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011 (in thousands):

	Year Ended December 31,
	2012			2011
Asset retirement obligations, beginning of year	$	32,919		$	31,663
Liabilities incurred	815			193
Liabilities assumed by STX Wireless in connection with the formation of the joint venture	—			(828		)
Accretion expense	3,208			3,061
Decommissioned sites	(712		)	(1,170		)
Asset retirement obligations, end of year	$	36,230		$	32,919