CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income (loss)	$ 56,689	$ (4,251)	$ 7,542
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	64,358	62,478	59,850
Amortization of debt discount and premium	6,086	6,031	5,609
Equity-based compensation expense (net of amounts capitalized)	8,719	8,323	7,695
Gain-release of lease obligation			(2,739)
Gains-dispositions of assets and other, net	(1,001)	(971)	(96)
Deferred income taxes	(50,069)	2,692	(5,735)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable	(6,293)	1,247	(1,554)
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	(3,642)	459	(1,238)
Deposits and other assets	770	(436)	343
Accounts payable, accrued liabilities and other long-term liabilities	6,234	4,371	6,137
Net cash provided by operating activities	81,851	79,943	75,814
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchases of property and equipment	(49,031)	(44,337)	(45,856)
Proceeds from asset sales	50	141	44
Net cash used in investing activities	(48,981)	(44,196)	(45,812)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Net proceeds from issuance of senior secured notes	69,882		170,512
Dividends paid	(35,352)	(9,549)
Principal payments of capital lease obligations	(11,164)	(16,794)	(15,540)
Purchases of common stock		(1,265)	(2,969)
Proceeds from exercises of common stock options	1,218	404	633
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	24,584	(27,204)	152,636
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	127	535	(714)
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents	57,581	9,078	181,924
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year	247,285	238,207	56,283
Cash and cash equivalents, end of year	304,866	247,285	238,207
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:
Cash paid for interest	34,511	26,107	24,602
Cash paid for income taxes	822	428	810
Non-cash investing and financing activities:
Capital lease obligations incurred	33,428	17,805	41,959
Fair value of equipment acquired in leases	8,029	273	2,365
Non-cash component of network equipment obtained in exchange transactions	$ 934	$ 1,126