Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Revenues:
Service revenues	$ 2,630,554	$ 2,947,457	$ 2,829,281
Equipment revenues	267,518	194,884	241,850
Total revenues	2,898,072	3,142,341	3,071,131
Operating expenses:
Cost of service (exclusive of items shown separately below)	999,965	1,034,167	981,203
Cost of equipment	871,399	816,226	817,920
Selling and marketing	276,604	349,970	369,257
General and administrative	357,323	348,934	355,529
Depreciation and amortization	594,341	625,596	548,426
Impairments and other charges (Note 8)	28,783	39,399	26,770
Total operating expenses	3,128,415	3,214,292	3,099,105
Gain on sale, exchange or disposal of assets, net	5,427	229,714	2,622
Operating income (loss)	(224,916)	157,763	(25,352)
Equity in net loss of investees, net	(10,558)	(464)	2,984
Interest income	362	194	245
Interest expense	(249,784)	(268,232)	(256,175)
Other expense, net	0	0	(2)
Loss on extinguishment of debt	(72,988)	(18,634)	0
Income (loss) before income taxes	(557,884)	(129,373)	(278,300)
Income tax benefit (expense)	(45,569)	(57,904)	(39,377)
Net income (loss)	(603,453)	(187,277)	(317,677)
Accretion of redeemable non-controlling interests and distributions, net of tax	(37,355)	(2,015)	3,050
Net income (loss) attributable to common stockholders	(640,808)	(189,292)	(314,627)
Income (loss) per share attributable to common stockholders:
Basic (usd per share)	$ (8.20)	$ (2.45)	$ (4.11)
Diluted (usd per share)	$ (8.20)	$ (2.45)	$ (4.11)
Shares used in per share calculations:
Basic (shares)	78,136	77,283	76,534
Diluted (shares)	78,136	77,283	76,534
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Net income (loss)	(603,453)	(187,277)	(317,677)
Net unrealized holding gains (losses) on investments and other	(18)	27	(14)
Comprehensive income (loss)	$ (603,471)	$ (187,250)	$ (317,691)