Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Operating activities:
Net loss	$ (187,277)	$ (317,677)	$ (785,055)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by operating activities:
Share-based compensation expense	8,122	15,328	36,609
Depreciation and amortization	625,596	548,426	457,035
Accretion of asset retirement obligations	3,208	3,061	2,503
Non-cash interest items, net	13,514	13,178	11,446
Non-cash (gain) loss on extinguishment of debt	3,528	0	(2,040)
Deferred income tax expense	53,845	35,316	39,263
Impairments and other charges	13,640	377	477,327
(Gain) loss on sale, exchange or disposal of assets, net	(229,714)	(2,732)	5,061
Equity in net (income) loss of investees, net of cash dividends	464	3,628	(1,912)
Changes in assets and liabilities:
Inventories and deferred charges	(7,628)	(23,352)	(2,469)
Other assets	(9,735)	(40,970)	(16,791)
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	(64,079)	87,668	63,120
Other liabilities	(53,989)	43,212	28,181
Impairments and other charges, to be settled in cash	12,950	22,046	0
Net cash provided by operating activities	182,445	387,509	312,278
Investing activities:
Acquisition of a business	0	(850)	(40,730)
Purchases of property and equipment	(434,395)	(441,656)	(398,894)
Change in prepayments for purchases of property and equipment	(1,940)	(9,944)	1,412
Purchases of wireless licenses and spectrum clearing costs	(5,596)	(4,880)	(13,319)
Proceeds from sales of wireless licenses and operating assets, net	154,068	5,070	0
Purchases of investments	(367,487)	(826,233)	(488,450)
Sales and maturities of investments	613,632	487,860	816,247
Purchase of membership units of equity investment	0	0	(967)
Dividend received from equity investee	0	11,606	0
Change in restricted cash	239	(948)	749
Net cash used in investing activities	(41,479)	(779,975)	(123,952)
Financing activities:
Proceeds from the issuance of long-term debt	396,000	396,772	1,179,876
Repayment of long-term debt	(321,911)	(23,589)	(1,118,096)
Payment of debt issuance costs	(5,645)	(7,269)	(1,308)
Purchase of non-controlling interest	(5,250)	0	(77,664)
Non-controlling interest contribution	0	0	5,100
Proceeds from issuance of common stock, net	959	1,346	1,535
Proceeds from sale lease-back financing	0	25,815	0
Payments made to joint venture partners	(29,407)	(3,108)	0
Other	(5,405)	(3,048)	(1,978)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	29,341	386,919	(12,535)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	170,307	(5,547)	175,791
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	345,243	350,790	174,999
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$ 515,550	$ 345,243	$ 350,790