Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Revenues:
Service revenues	$ 2,947,457	$ 2,829,281	$ 2,482,601
Equipment revenues	194,884	241,850	214,602
Total revenues	3,142,341	3,071,131	2,697,203
Operating expenses:
Cost of service (exclusive of items shown separately below)	1,034,167	981,203	840,635
Cost of equipment	816,226	817,920	591,994
Selling and marketing	349,970	369,257	414,318
General and administrative	348,934	355,529	361,571
Depreciation and amortization	625,596	548,426	457,035
Impairments and other charges (Note 10)	39,399	26,770	477,327
Total operating expenses	3,214,292	3,099,105	3,142,880
Gain (loss) on sale, exchange or disposal of assets, net	229,714	2,622	(5,061)
Operating income (loss)	157,763	(25,352)	(450,738)
Equity in net income (loss) of investees, net	(464)	2,984	1,912
Interest income	194	245	1,010
Interest expense	(268,232)	(256,175)	(243,377)
Other income (expense), net	0	(2)	3,209
Loss on extinguishment of debt	(18,634)	0	(54,558)
Loss before income taxes	(129,373)	(278,300)	(742,542)
Income tax expense	(57,904)	(39,377)	(42,513)
Net loss	(187,277)	(317,677)	(785,055)
Accretion of redeemable non-controlling interests and distributions, net of tax	(2,015)	3,050	(86,898)
Net loss attributable to common stockholders	(189,292)	(314,627)	(871,953)
Loss per share attributable to common stockholders:
Basic (usd per share)	$ (2.45)	$ (4.11)	$ (11.49)
Diluted (usd per share)	$ (2.45)	$ (4.11)	$ (11.49)
Shares used in per share calculations:
Basic (shares)	77,283	76,534	75,917
Diluted (shares)	77,283	76,534	75,917
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Net loss	(187,277)	(317,677)	(785,055)
Net unrealized holding gains (losses) on investments and other	27	(14)	(254)
Reclassification adjustment for losses included in net loss, net of tax	0	0	(1,457)
Comprehensive loss	$ (187,250)	$ (317,691)	$ (786,766)