v2.4.0.8
Property and Equipment (Details) (USD $)
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2013
Dec. 31, 2012
Dec. 31, 2011
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]      
Gross property and equipment $ 13,680,633,000 $ 11,166,714,000  
Less: accumulated depreciation (4,732,956,000) (4,249,183,000)  
Total property and equipment, net 8,947,677,000 6,917,531,000  
Depreciation expense 562,100,000 438,900,000 387,800,000
Capital Leased Assets, Gross 4,500,000,000    
Accumulated Depreciation on Capital Lease Assets 590,500,000    
Land owned in fee and perpetual easements [Member]
      
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]      
Gross property and equipment 1,305,942,000 [1] 1,119,592,000 [1]  
Buildings [Member]
      
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]      
Gross property and equipment 70,497,000 56,883,000  
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life 40 years    
Wireless Infrastructure [Member]
      
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]      
Gross property and equipment 11,717,453,000 9,589,282,000  
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life 20 years    
Information technology assets and other [Member]
      
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]      
Gross property and equipment 185,699,000 160,670,000  
Construction in Process [Member]
      
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]      
Gross property and equipment $ 401,042,000 $ 240,287,000  
Minimum [Member] | Wireless Infrastructure [Member]
      
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]      
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life 1 year    
Minimum [Member] | Information technology assets and other [Member]
      
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]      
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life 2 years    
Maximum [Member] | Wireless Infrastructure [Member]
      
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]      
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life 20 years    
Maximum [Member] | Information technology assets and other [Member]
      
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]      
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life 7 years    
[1] Includes land owned in fee and perpetual easements.