FIXED ASSETS (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Fixed Assets
Total plant in service	$ 826,950,000	$ 775,016,000
Total property, plant, and equipment	869,344,000	813,391,000
Less: Accumulated depreciation	(418,797,000)	(330,188,000)
Net fixed assets	450,547,000	483,203,000
Depreciation and amortization	96,500,000	93,600,000	68,500,000
Capital expenditures offset by grants	30,600,000	11,800,000	1,600,000
Minimum
Fixed Assets
Useful Life	3 years
Maximum
Fixed Assets
Useful Life	39 years
Telecommunications equipment and towers
Fixed Assets
Total plant in service	697,340,000	666,969,000
Telecommunications equipment and towers | Minimum
Fixed Assets
Useful Life	5 years	5 years
Telecommunications equipment and towers | Maximum
Fixed Assets
Useful Life	15 years	15 years
Office and computer equipment
Fixed Assets
Total plant in service	53,579,000	47,063,000
Office and computer equipment | Minimum
Fixed Assets
Useful Life	3 years	3 years
Office and computer equipment | Maximum
Fixed Assets
Useful Life	10 years	10 years
Buildings
Fixed Assets
Total plant in service	29,619,000	18,017,000
Buildings | Minimum
Fixed Assets
Useful Life	15 years	15 years
Buildings | Maximum
Fixed Assets
Useful Life	39 years	39 years
Transportation vehicles
Fixed Assets
Total plant in service	8,610,000	7,679,000
Transportation vehicles | Minimum
Fixed Assets
Useful Life	3 years	3 years
Transportation vehicles | Maximum
Fixed Assets
Useful Life	10 years	10 years
Leasehold improvements
Fixed Assets
Total plant in service	19,876,000	20,515,000
Land
Fixed Assets
Total plant in service	6,836,000	6,653,000
Furniture and fixtures
Fixed Assets
Total plant in service	11,090,000	8,120,000
Furniture and fixtures | Minimum
Fixed Assets
Useful Life	5 years	5 years
Furniture and fixtures | Maximum
Fixed Assets
Useful Life	10 years	10 years
Construction in progress
Fixed Assets
Total property, plant, and equipment	$ 42,394,000	$ 38,375,000