Supplementary Financial Information - Cash Flow Disclosure (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Supplementary Balance Sheet Information [Abstract]
Cash paid for interest	$ (251,883)	$ (268,186)	$ (229,034)
Cash paid for income taxes	(4,276)	(4,043)	(3,079)
Supplementary disclosure of non-cash investing activities:
Net wireless licenses received in exchange transaction	6,809	106,877	20,649
Assets acquired through capital leases	807	13,829	1,749
Acquisition of property and equipment	$ 27,548	$ 43,220	$ 117,042

The amount of cash paid during the current period to foreign, federal, state, and local authorities as taxes on income.

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The amount of fixed assets that an Entity acquires in a noncash (or part noncash) acquisition. Noncash is defined as information about all investing and financing activities of an enterprise during a period that affect recognized assets or liabilities but that do not result in cash receipts or cash payments in the period. "Part noncash" refers to that portion of the transaction not resulting in cash receipts or cash payments in the period.

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- Definition

The amount of assets that an Entity acquires in a noncash (or part noncash) acquisition that are not presented as a separate disclosure or not otherwise listed in the existing taxonomy. Noncash is defined as information about all investing and financing activities of an enterprise during a period that affect recognized assets or liabilities but that do not result in cash receipts or cash payments in the period.

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- Definition

The value of the noncash (or part noncash) consideration received in a transaction. Noncash is defined as transactions during a period that do not result in cash receipts or cash payments in the period. "Part noncash" refers to that portion of a transaction not resulting in cash receipts or cash payments in the period.

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