Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2012
Revenues:
Service revenues	$ 678,497	$ 751,285	$ 1,363,119	$ 1,525,283
Equipment revenues	53,046	35,487	158,282	87,108
Total revenues	731,543	786,772	1,521,401	1,612,391
Operating expenses:
Cost of service (exclusive of items shown separately below)	249,371	256,555	500,229	517,866
Cost of equipment	183,658	171,673	442,626	419,520
Selling and marketing	69,397	77,247	148,235	172,801
General and administrative	83,402	94,892	165,627	184,591
Depreciation and amortization	150,856	154,483	303,429	301,026
Impairments and other charges (Note 7)	4,287	0	5,022	0
Total operating expenses	740,971	754,850	1,565,168	1,595,804
Gain (loss) on sale, exchange or disposal of assets, net	1,870	(333)	6,858	(801)
Operating income (loss)	(7,558)	31,589	(36,909)	15,786
Equity in net income (loss) of investees, net	1,696	(59)	538	134
Interest income	58	28	105	57
Interest expense	(66,851)	(66,983)	(131,576)	(134,025)
Loss on extinguishment of debt	(72,988)	0	(72,988)	0
Loss before income taxes	(145,643)	(35,425)	(240,830)	(118,048)
Income tax expense	(10,710)	(10,562)	(25,130)	(22,273)
Net loss	(156,353)	(45,987)	(265,960)	(140,321)
Accretion of redeemable non-controlling interests and distributions, net of tax	(6,756)	4,397	(8,461)	292
Net loss attributable to common stockholders	(163,109)	(41,590)	(274,421)	(140,029)
Loss per share attributable to common stockholders:
Basic (usd per share)	$ (2.09)	$ (0.54)	$ (3.53)	$ (1.82)
Diluted (usd per share)	$ (2.09)	$ (0.54)	$ (3.53)	$ (1.82)
Shares used in per share calculations:
Basic (shares)	77,915	77,206	77,815	77,116
Diluted (shares)	77,915	77,206	77,815	77,116
Other comprehensive loss:
Net loss	(156,353)	(45,987)	(265,960)	(140,321)
Net unrealized holding gains (losses) on investments and other	(10)	10	(13)	12
Comprehensive loss	$ (156,363)	$ (45,977)	$ (265,973)	$ (140,309)