Nii (NIHD) 10-Q 5 Aug 09 2009 Q2 Quarterly report Financial data

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (USD $)
In Thousands	Jun. 30, 2009	Dec. 31, 2008
Current Assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$1,136,764	$1,243,251
Short-term investments	37,517	82,002
Accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts of $37,690 and $27,875	549,947	454,769
Handset and accessory inventory	191,052	139,285
Deferred income taxes, net	129,639	135,265
Prepaid expenses and other	193,134	130,705
Total current assets	2,238,053	2,185,277
Property, plant and equipment, net	2,275,871	1,892,113
Intangible assets, net	326,248	317,878
Deferred income taxes, net	486,150	429,365
Other assets	353,192	265,440
Total assets	5,679,514	5,090,073
Current liabilities
Accounts payable	171,808	136,442
Accrued expenses and other	472,413	446,270
Deferred revenues	122,834	116,267
Accrued interest	10,462	13,166
Current portion of long-term debt	198,378	99,054
Total current liabilities	975,895	811,199
Long-term debt	2,030,543	2,034,086
Deferred revenues	28,011	29,616
Deferred credits	126,748	144,397
Other long-term liabilities	165,817	158,652
Total liabilities	3,327,014	3,177,950
Commitments and contingencies (Note 6) Stockholders' equity
Undesignated preferred stock, value	0	0
Common stock, value	166	166
Paid-in capital	1,190,921	1,158,925
Retained earnings	1,498,335	1,293,407
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(336,922)	(540,375)
Total stockholders' equity	2,352,500	1,912,123
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$5,679,514	$5,090,073

1_CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANC

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS [Parentheticals] (USD $)
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2009	Dec. 31, 2008
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS [Parentheticals]
Allowance for doubtful accounts	$37,690	$27,875
Undesignated Preferred Stock, Par Value	0.001	0.001
Undesignated Preferred Stock, Shares, Authorized	10,000	10,000
Undesignated Preferred Stock, Shares, Issued	0	0
Undesignated Preferred Stock, Shares, Outstanding	0	0
Common Stock, Par Value	0.001	0.001
Common Stock, Shares, Authorized	600,000	600,000
Common Stock, Shares, Issued	166,061	165,782
Common Stock, Shares, Outstanding	166,061	165,782

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMEN

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (USD $)
In Thousands	3 Months Ended Jun. 30, 2009	3 Months Ended Jun. 30, 2008	6 Months Ended Jun. 30, 2009	6 Months Ended Jun. 30, 2008
Operating revenues
Service and other revenues	$992,140	$1,043,030	$1,902,447	$1,990,780
Digital handset and accessory revenues	66,725	60,924	117,732	106,391
Total operating revenues	1,058,865	1,103,954	2,020,179	2,097,171
Operating expenses
Cost of service (exclusive of depreciation and amortization included below)	289,255	284,483	545,154	542,992
Cost of digital handsets and accessories	165,738	158,709	310,987	293,398
Selling, general and administrative	337,005	355,888	652,031	669,957
Depreciation	96,570	96,715	182,922	183,062
Amortization	7,183	8,589	13,727	16,527
Total operating expenses	895,751	904,384	1,704,821	1,705,936
Operating income	163,114	199,570	315,358	391,235
Other income (expense)
Interest expense, net	(42,113)	(50,805)	(86,709)	(102,759)
Interest income	3,769	17,588	16,422	36,528
Foreign currency transaction gains, net	63,552	37,401	56,238	40,306
Other income (expense), net	7,210	(646)	5,568	(5,175)
Total other income (expense)	32,418	3,538	(8,481)	(31,100)
Income before income tax provision	195,532	203,108	306,877	360,135
Income tax provision	(61,242)	(54,562)	(101,949)	(104,525)
Net income	134,290	148,546	204,928	255,610
Net income, per common share, basic	0.81	0.89	1.24	1.52
Net income, per common share, diluted	0.79	0.86	1.22	1.48
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding, basic	165,980	166,907	165,882	168,129
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding, diluted	173,312	175,757	173,086	176,883
Comprehensive income, net of income taxes
Foreign currency translation adjustment	281,849	240,601	201,693	202,568
Reclassification for gains on derivatives included in other income (expense), net	216	64	294	146
Unrealized gains on derivatives, net	1,178	289	1,466	297
Other comprehensive income, net of taxes	283,243	240,954	203,453	203,011
Net income	134,290	148,546	204,928	255,610
Total comprehensive income	$417,533	$389,500	$408,381	$458,621

2_CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEM

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (USD $)
In Thousands		Common Stock, Value	Paid-in Capital	Retained Earnings, Unappropriated (RetainedEarningsUnappropriatedMember)	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss	Total
Balance, January 1, 2009, Shares at Dec. 31, 2008	165,782
Balance, January 1, 2009 at Dec. 31, 2008		$166	$1,158,925	$1,293,407	($540,375)	$1,912,123
Net income				204,928		204,928
Other comprehensive income, net of taxes					203,453	203,453
Exercise of stock options, value		0	47			47
Exercise of stock options, shares	279
Tax deficiency on current period exercise of stock options			(2,905)			(2,905)
Share-based payment expense for equity-based awards			34,854			34,854
Balance, June 30, 2009 at Jun. 30, 2009		$166	$1,190,921	$1,498,335	($336,922)	$2,352,500
Balance, June 30, 2009, Shares at Jun. 30, 2009	166,061

3_CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEM

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (USD $)
In Thousands	6 Months Ended Jun. 30, 2009	6 Months Ended Jun. 30, 2008
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	$204,928	$255,610
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Amortization of debt financing costs	3,694	3,955
Depreciation and amortization	196,649	199,589
Provision for losses on accounts receivable	50,011	39,211
Foreign currency transaction gains, net	(56,238)	(40,306)
Deferred income tax benefit	(3,374)	(35,266)
Share-based payment expense	34,939	35,392
Amortization of discount on convertible notes	24,182	22,602
Excess tax benefit from share-based payment	0	(2,874)
(Gain) loss on short-term investments	(183)	2,955
Accretion of asset retirement obligations	4,262	3,643
Contingency reversals, net of charges	(5,823)	0
Other, net	(7,359)	2,019
Change in assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable, gross	(113,658)	(112,927)
Handset and accessory inventory	(45,660)	(64,673)
Prepaid expenses and other	(43,809)	(15,388)
Other long-term assets	(16,882)	(45,577)
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other	56,693	55,485
Current deferred revenue	224	13,830
Deferred revenue and other long-term liabilities	(1,480)	4,766
Net cash provided by operating activities	281,116	322,046
Cash flows from investing activities:
Capital expenditures	(344,350)	(424,735)
Payments for purchases of licenses and other	(9,992)	(4,275)
Proceeds from sales of short-term investments	425,006	355,013
Purchase of short-term investments	(364,409)	(273,888)
Transfers to restricted cash	(44,498)	(521)
Other	(1,728)	476
Net cash used in investing activities	(339,971)	(347,930)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Payments to purchase common stock	0	(242,665)
Borrowings under credit paper	25,342	0
Borrowings under syndicated loan facilities	0	125,000
Repayments under syndicated loan facilities	(24,048)	(31,922)
Payments of short-term notes payable	(18,000)	0
Proceeds from stock option exercises	47	28,639
Excess tax benefit from share-based payment	0	2,874
Proceeds from tower financing transactions	0	27,271
Repayments under capital leases, license financing, tower financing and other transactions	(5,262)	(5,710)
Net cash used in financing activities	(21,921)	(96,513)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	(25,711)	32,012
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents	(106,487)	(90,385)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	1,243,251	1,370,165
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	$1,136,764	$1,279,780

Basis of Presentation

Basis of Presentation
	6 Months Ended Jun. 30, 2009
Basis of Presentation
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements Disclosure [Text Block]	Note1.Basis of Presentation General.Our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared under the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission, or the SEC. While they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America for complete financial statements, they reflect all adjustments that, in the opinion of management, are necessary for a fair presentation of the results for interim periods. In addition, the year-end condensed consolidated balance sheet data was derived from audited financial statements, but does not include all disclosures required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. We have evaluated all subsequent events through August 5, 2009, which is the date our condensed consolidated financial statements were issued. You should read these condensed consolidated financial statements in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes contained in our 2008 annual report on Form10-K and our quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the three months ended March 31, 2009. You should not expect results of operations for interim periods to be an indication of the results for a full year. Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss.The components of our accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of taxes, are as follows: June 30, 2009 December31, 2008 (in thousands) Cumulative foreign currency translation adjustment....................................................................................... $ (337,323) $ (539,016) Unrealized gains (losses) on derivatives and available-for-sale securities.................................................... 401 (1,359) $ (336,922) $ (540,375) Supplemental Cash Flow Information. Six Months Ended June 30, 2009 2008 (in thousands) Capital expenditures Cash paid for capital expenditures, including capitalized interest.......................................................................... $ 344,350 $ 424,735 Change in capital expenditures accrued and unpaid or financed, including accreted interest capitalized..... 56,571 11,509 $ 400,921 $ 436,244 Interest costs Interest expense, net........................................................................................................................................................ $ 86,709 $ 102,759 Interest capitalized.......................................................................................................................................................... 5,160 5,132 $ 91,869 $ 107,891 Cash paid for interest, net of amounts capitalized.................................................................................................. $ 54,678 $ 53,650 Cash paid for income taxes..............................................................................................................

Fair Value Measurements

Fair Value Measurements
	6 Months Ended Jun. 30, 2009
Fair Value Measurements
Fair Value Disclosures [Text Block]	Note2.Fair Value Measurements In September 2006, the FASB issued SFASNo.157, Fair Value Measurements, or SFASNo.157, which defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring the fair value of assets and liabilities when other accounting pronouncements require or permit fair value measurements and expands related disclosure requirements. On January 1, 2008, we adopted SFAS No. 157 for financial assets and financial liabilities, except for those that are recognized or disclosed at fair value on a recurring basis (at least annually). On January 1, 2009 we adopted SFAS No. 157 for non-financial assets and non-financial liabilities as contemplated by FASB Staff Position No. 157-2, Effective Date of FASB Statement No.157, or FSP157-2, that was issued in February 2008. As of June 30, 2009, the adoption of SFASNo.157 with respect to our nonfinancial assets and nonfinancial liabilities has not had a material impact on our condensed consolidated financial statements. SFASNo.157 clarifies that fair value is an exit price, representing the amount that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants. As such, fair value is a market-based measurement that is determined based on assumptions that market participants would use in pricing an asset or liability. As a basis for considering such assumptions, SFASNo.157 utilizes a three-tier fair value hierarchy, which prioritizes the inputs used to measure fair value. The three levels in the fair value hierarchy used are summarized as follows: Level1:Observable inputs such as quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities. Level2:Inputs other than quoted prices in active markets that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly. Level3:Unobservable inputs that reflect the reporting entitys own assumptions. Considerable judgment is required in interpreting market data to develop the estimates of fair value. To the extent that the valuation is based on models or inputs that are less observable or unobservable in the market, the determination of fair value requires more judgment. Accordingly, the degree of judgment exercised in determining fair value is greatest for instruments categorized in Level3. The estimates presented below are not necessarily indicative of the amounts that we could realize in a current market exchange. The use of different market assumptions and valuation techniques may have a material effect on the estimated fair value amounts. The following is a description of the major categories of assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis. Available-for-Sale Securities. Available-for-sale securities include short-term investments made by Nextel Brazil and current and long term classifications of our enhanced cash fund which is invested primarily in asset-backed securities. The short-term investments by Nextel Brazil are classified as Level1 within the fair value hierarchy as these short-term investments trade regularly in observable markets. The enhanced cash fund is classified as Level3 with

Property, Plant and Equipment

Property, Plant and Equipment
	6 Months Ended Jun. 30, 2009
Property, Plant and Equipment
Property, Plant and Equipment Disclosure [Text Block]	Note3.Property, Plant and Equipment The components of our property, plant and equipment are as follows: June 30, 2009 December31, 2008 (in thousands) Land......................................................................................................................................................................... $ 7,099 $ 6,600 Leasehold improvements..................................................................................................................................... 94,380 84,663 Digital mobile network equipment and network software............................................................................. 2,723,078 2,216,212 Office equipment, furniture and fixtures and other........................................................................................ 376,699 329,352 Corporate aircraft capital lease........................................................................................................................... 31,450 31,450 Less: Accumulated depreciation and amortization........................................................................................ (1,181,632) (928,368) 2,051,074 1,739,909 Construction in progress....................................................................................................................................... 224,797 152,204 $ 2,275,871 $ 1,892,113

Intangible Assets

Intangible Assets
	6 Months Ended Jun. 30, 2009
Intangible Assets
Intangible Assets Disclosure [Text Block]	Note4.Intangible Assets Our intangible assets consist of our licenses and trade name, all of which have finite useful lives, as follows: June 30, 2009 December31, 2008 Gross Carrying Value Accumulated Amortization Net Carrying Value Gross Carrying Value Accumulated Amortization Net Carrying Value (in thousands) Amortizable intangible assets: Licenses....................................................................................... $ 398,322 $ (72,074) $ 326,248 $ 373,315 $ (55,437) $ 317,878 Trade name and other.............................................................. 1,547 (1,547) 1,412 (1,412) Total intangible assets........................................................... $ 399,869 $ (73,621) $ 326,248 $ 374,727 $ (56,849) $ 317,878 Based solely on the carrying amount of amortizable intangible assets existing as of June 30, 2009 and current foreign currency exchange rates, we estimate amortization expense for each of the next five years ending December 31 to be as follows (in thousands): Years Estimated Amortization Expense 2009............................................................................................................................................................................................................ $ 28,161 2010............................................................................................................................................................................................................ 28,869 2011............................................................................................................................................................................................................ 28,869 2012............................................................................................................................................................................................................ 28,869 2013............................................................................................................................................................................................................ 28,782 Actual amortization expense to be reported in future periods could differ from these estimates as a result of additional acquisitions of intangibles, as well as changes in foreign currency exchange rates and other relevant factors. During the three months ended June 30, 2009 and 2008, we did not acquire, dispose of or write down any goodwill or intangible assets with indefinite useful lives.

Debt

Debt
	6 Months Ended Jun. 30, 2009
Debt
Debt Disclosure [Text Block]	Note5.Debt The components are as follows: June30, 2009 December31, 2008 (in thousands) 3.125% convertible notes due 2012, net......................................................................................................... $ 1,078,488 $ 1,059,997 2.75% convertible notes due 2025, net............................................................................................................ 336,540 330,850 Brazil syndicated loan facility.......................................................................................................................... 300,000 300,000 Mexico syndicated loan facility........................................................................................................................ 181,859 205,863 Tower financing obligations............................................................................................................................. 168,352 157,262 Capital lease obligations.................................................................................................................................... 72,028 68,167 Brazil import financing ..................................................................................................................................... 53,470 Brazil credit paper .............................................................................................................................................. 25,620 Brazil spectrum license financing ................................................................................................................... 6,546 6,660 Other........................................................................................................................................................................ 6,018 4,341 Total debt................................................................................................................................................................ 2,228,921 2,133,140 Less: current portion.............................................................................................................................................. (198,378) (99,054) $ 2,030,543 $ 2,034,086 Convertible Notes. 3.125%Convertible Notes.The 3.125%notes are convertible into shares of our common stock at a conversion rate of 8.4517shares per $1,000 principal amount of notes, or 10,142,040 aggregate common shares, representing a conversion price of about $118.32 per share. For the fiscal quarter ended June 30, 2009, the closing sale price of our common stock did not exceed 120% of the conversion price of $118.32 per share for at least 20 trading days in the 30 consecutive trading days ending on June 30, 2009. As a result, the conversion contingency was not met as of June 30, 2009. 2.75%Convertible Notes.The 2.75%notes are convertible, at the option of the holder, into shares of our common stock

Commitments and Contingencies

Commitments and Contingencies
	6 Months Ended Jun. 30, 2009
Commitments and Contingencies (CommitmentsAndContingenciesDisclosures)
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Text Block]	Note6.Commitments and Contingencies Brazilian Contingencies. Nextel Brazil has received various assessment notices from state and federal Brazilian authorities asserting deficiencies in payments related primarily to value-added taxes, excise taxes on imported equipment and other non-income based taxes. Nextel Brazil has filed various administrative and legal petitions disputing these assessments. In some cases, Nextel Brazil has received favorable decisions, which are currently being appealed by the respective governmental authority. In other cases, Nextel Brazils petitions have been denied, and Nextel Brazil is currently appealing those decisions. Nextel Brazil is also disputing various other claims. As a result of a favorable ruling by the state tax authority in Brazil, during the three months ended June 30, 2009, Nextel Brazil reversed $10.5 million in accrued liabilities, of which we recorded $5.8 million as other income. As of June 30, 2009 and December31, 2008, Nextel Brazil had accrued liabilities of $11.6million and $18.3million, respectively, related to contingencies, all of which were classified in accrued contingencies reported as a component of other long-term liabilities. Of the total accrued liabilities as of June 30, 2009 and December31, 2008, Nextel Brazil had $0.3 million and $9.2million in unasserted claims. We currently estimate the range of reasonably possible losses related to matters for which Nextel Brazil has not accrued liabilities, as they are not deemed probable, to be between $95.6million and $99.6million as of June 30, 2009. We are continuing to evaluate the likelihood of probable and reasonably possible losses, if any, related to all known contingencies. As a result, future increases or decreases to our accrued liabilities may be necessary and will be recorded in the period when such amounts are determined to be probable and estimable. Argentine Contingencies. As of June 30, 2009 and December31, 2008, Nextel Argentina had accrued liabilities of $26.8million and $35.0million, respectively, related primarily to local turnover taxes, universal service tax and local government claims, all of which were classified in accrued contingencies and accrued non-income taxes reported as components of accrued expenses and other. Turnover Tax.The government of the city of Buenos Aires imposes a turnover tax rate of 6% of revenues for cellular companies while maintaining a 3% rate for other telecommunications services. From a regulatory standpoint, we are not considered a cellular company, although, the city of Buenos Aires made claims to the effect that the higher turnover tax rate should apply to our services. As a result, until April 2006, Nextel Argentina paid the turnover tax at a rate of 3% and recorded a liability and related expense for the differential between the higher rate applicable to cellular carriers and the 3% rate, plus interest. In April 2006, following some adverse decisions by the city of Buenos Aires, Nextel Argentina decided to pay under protest $18.8million, which represented the total amount of principal and interest, related to the citys turnover tax claims and subseque

Income Taxes

Income Taxes
	6 Months Ended Jun. 30, 2009
Income Taxes
Income Tax Disclosure [Text Block]	Note7.Income Taxes We are subject to income taxes in both the United States and the non-U.S.jurisdictions in which we operate. Certain of our entities are under examination by the relevant taxing authorities for various tax years. The earliest years that remain subject to examination by jurisdiction are: Chile 1993; U.S. 1995; Mexico 2001; Argentina 2002; Peru and Brazil 2004. We regularly assess the potential outcome of current and future examinations in each of the taxing jurisdictions when determining the adequacy of the provision for income taxes. The following table shows a reconciliation of our unrecognized tax benefits according to FASB Interpretation No.48, Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes An interpretation of FASB Statement No.109, or FINNo.48, for the six months ended June 30, 2009 (in thousands): Unrecognized tax benefits December31, 2008............................................................................................................................... $ 85,886 Additions for current year tax positions................................................................................................................................................. 1,594 Additions for prior year tax positions..................................................................................................................................................... Lapse of statute of limitations................................................................................................................................................................. (577) Settlements with taxing authorities......................................................................................................................................................... Foreign currency translation adjustment............................................................................................................................................... 1,576 Unrecognized tax benefits June 30, 2009......................................................................................................................................... $ 88,479 The unrecognized tax benefits as of December31, 2008 and June 30, 2009 include $63.2million and $65.8million, respectively, of tax benefits that could potentially reduce our future effective tax rate, if recognized. We record interest and penalties associated with uncertain tax positions as a component of our income tax provision. We assessed the realizability of our deferred tax assets during the second quarter of 2009, consistent with the methodology we employed for 2008, and determined that the realizability of those deferred assets has not changed for the markets in which we operate. In that assessment, we considered the reversal of existing temporary differences associated with deferred tax assets and liabilities, future taxable income, tax planning strategies and historical and future pre-tax book income (as adjusted for permanent differences between financial and tax accounting items) in order to determine if it is more

Segment Reporting

Segment Reporting
	6 Months Ended Jun. 30, 2009
Segment Reporting
Segment Reporting Disclosure [Text Block]	Note8.Segment Reporting We have determined that our reportable segments are those that are based on our method of internal reporting, which disaggregates our business by geographical location. Our reportable segments are: (1)Mexico, (2)Brazil, (3)Argentina and (4)Peru. The operations of all other businesses that fall below the segment reporting thresholds are included in the Corporate and other segment below. This segment includes our Chilean operating companies and our corporate operations in the U.S.We evaluate performance of these segments and provide resources to them based on operating income before depreciation and amortization and impairment, restructuring and other charges, which we refer to as segment earnings. Because we do not view share-based compensation as an important element of operational performance, we recognize share-based payment expense at the corporate level and exclude it when evaluating the business performance of our segments. Mexico Brazil Argentina Peru Corporate and other Intercompany Eliminations Consolidated (in thousands) Six Months Ended June30, 2009 Service and other revenues............... $ 877,648 $ 657,498 $ 243,582 $ 118,340 $ 5,968 $ (589) $ 1,902,447 Digital handset and accessory revenues............................................. 38,335 48,996 17,301 13,072 28 117,732 Operating revenues............................. $ 915,983 $ 706,494 $ 260,883 $ 131,412 $ 5,996 $ (589) $ 2,020,179 Segment earnings (losses).................. $ 326,917 $ 183,443 $ 83,321 $ 15,264 $ (96,938) $ $ 512,007 Management fee................................ (15,900) 15,900 Depreciation and amortization........ (80,902) (74,655) (19,480) (14,853) (6,759) (196,649) Operating income (loss)..................... 230,115 108,788 63,841 411 (87,797) 315,358 Interest expense, net.......................... (22,867) (22,482) 5,890 (287) (49,101) 2,138 (86,709) Interest income................................... 13,044 2,332 368 202 2,614 (2,138) 16,422 Foreign currency transaction (losses) gains, net............................................ (20,653) 69,716 5,340 (281) 2,116 56,238 Other (expense) income, net............. (268) 5,902 3,747 1 (3,814) 5,568 Income (loss) before income tax..... $ 199,371 $ 164,256 $ 79,186 $ 46 $ (135,982) $ $ 306,877 Capital expenditures.......................... $ 57,400 $ 246,688 $ 20,130 $ 64,972 $ 11,731 $ $ 400,921 Six Months Ended June30, 2008 Service and other revenues......

Document Information

Document Information
	6 Months Ended Jun. 30, 2009
Document Information [Line Items]
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	false
Amendment Description	N/A
Document Period End Date	2009-06-30

Entity Information

Entity Information (USD $)
In Thousands, except Share data	6 Months Ended Jun. 30, 2009
Entity Information [Line Items]
Entity Registrant Name	NII Holdings, Inc.
Entity Central Index Key	0001037016
Entity Tax Identification Number	911671412
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Public Float	$3,157,960
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	166,060,502