Supplemental Cash Flows (Details) (USD $) Share data in Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Supplemental cash flow disclosures
Series A Common and Common Shares, dividends per share paid	$ 5.75
Series A Common and Common Shares, dividends paid	$ 482,270,000
Dividend payable date	Jun. 25, 2013
Supplemental cash flows, stock based compensation
Net cash receipts (disbursements) from exercise of stock options and vesting of other stock awards	2,840,000	(2,299,000)
Auction 901 Mobility Funds
Supplemental cash flow disclosures
FCC auction date	Sep. 27, 2012
FCC auction amount received	13,400,000
FCC auction number of states won	10
Other assets and deferred charges | Auction 901 Mobility Funds
Supplemental cash flow disclosures
FCC auction amount received	12,100,000
Property, plant and equipment, net | Auction 901 Mobility Funds
Supplemental cash flow disclosures
FCC auction amount received	1,300,000
Maximum | Auction 901 Mobility Funds
Supplemental cash flow disclosures
FCC auction amount	300,000,000
FCC auction amount received	40,100,000
Common Shares
Supplemental cash flows, stock based compensation
Shares withheld	524	78
Aggregate value of shares withheld	21,387,000	3,076,000
Cash receipts upon exercise of stock options	7,223,000	793,000
Cash disbursements for payments of taxes	(4,383,000)	(3,092,000)
Net cash receipts (disbursements) from exercise of stock options and vesting of other stock awards	$ 2,840,000	$ (2,299,000)