Nii (NIHD) 10-Q 10 Nov 14 2014 Q3 Quarterly report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Nov. 03, 2014
Document Type	'10-Q	'
Amendment Flag	'false	'
Document Period End Date	30-Sep-14	'
Document Fiscal Year Focus	'2014	'
Document Fiscal Period Focus	'Q3	'
Entity Registrant Name	'NII HOLDINGS INC	'
Entity Central Index Key	'0001037016	'
Entity Tax Identification Number	'911671412	'
Current Fiscal Year End Date	'--12-31	'
Entity Current Reporting Status	'Yes	'
Entity Filer Category	'Large Accelerated Filer	'
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	'	172,363,259
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	'No	'
Entity Voluntary Filers	'No	'

CONDENSED_CONSOLIDATED_BALANCE

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Current assets	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	$641,502	$1,730,335
Short-term investments	98,271	585,760
Accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts of $71,869 and $66,252	468,465	511,406
Handset and accessory inventory	264,412	336,620
Deferred income taxes, net	84,718	127,395
Prepaid expenses and other	453,895	397,574
Assets of Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Current	0	59,096
Total current assets	2,011,263	3,748,186
Property, plant and equipment, net	2,801,283	3,337,545
Intangible assets, net	909,570	980,369
Deferred income taxes, net	9,810	26,713
Other assets	513,744	477,306
Assets of Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Noncurrent	0	109,835
Total assets	6,245,670	8,679,954
Current liabilities	'	'
Accounts payable	190,094	346,128
Accrued expenses and other	548,885	959,059
Deferred revenues	100,526	127,782
Current portion of long-term debt	1,120,272	96,839
Deposit Liability, Current	317,606	720,013
Liabilities of Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Current	0	36,769
Total current liabilities	2,277,383	2,286,590
Long-term debt	318,948	5,696,632
Deferred revenues	0	11,238
Deferred credits	77,274	108,991
Other long-term liabilities	247,768	215,790
Liabilities of Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Noncurrent	0	5,326
Liabilities Not Subject To Compromise	2,921,373	8,324,567
Stockholders' equity	'	'
Undesignated preferred stock, par value $0.001, 10,000 shares authorized - 2012 and 2011, no shares issued or outstanding - 2012 and 2011	0	0
Common stock, par value $0.001, 600,000 shares authorized - 2012 and 2011, 171,191 shares issued and outstanding - 2012, 171,177 shares issued and outstanding - 2011	172	172
Paid-in capital	1,517,751	1,507,899
Retained earnings	-1,639,444	-196,607
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	-1,152,772	-956,077
Total stockholders' equity	-1,274,293	355,387
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	6,245,670	8,679,954
Liabilities Subject to Compromise	$4,598,590	$0

CONSOLIDATED_BALANCE_SHEETS_Pa

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified
Statement of Financial Position [Abstract]	'	'
Allowance for doubtful accounts receivable, current	$59,658	$54,531
Preferred stock, par value	$0.00	$0.00
Preferred stock, shares authorized	10,000,000	10,000,000
Preferred stock, shares issued	0	0
Preferred stock, shares outstanding	0	0
Common stock, par value	$0.00	$0.00
Common stock, shares authorized	600,000,000	600,000,000
Common stock shares issued	172,363,000	172,105,000
Common stock shares outstanding	172,363,000	172,104,720

CONDENSED_CONSOLIDATED_STATEME

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Operating revenues	'	'	'	'
Service and other revenues	$864,103	$1,039,767	$2,641,339	$3,511,094
Handset and accessory revenues	62,624	45,866	193,150	136,705
Total operating revenues	926,727	1,085,633	2,834,489	3,647,799
Operating expenses	'	'	'	'
Cost of service (exclusive of depreciation and amortization included below)	320,860	344,549	989,213	1,095,735
Cost of handsets and accessories	218,998	209,487	749,040	635,525
Selling, general and administrative	406,162	460,977	1,305,737	1,443,016
Provision for Doubtful Accounts	'	'	95,813	73,002
Restructuring, Settlement and Impairment Provisions	98,092	21,341	128,320	147,020
Gain (Loss) on Sale of Assets and Asset Impairment Charges	-75,441	0	-75,441	0
Depreciation	147,036	161,179	454,645	492,979
Amortization	23,920	15,989	58,718	46,463
Total operating expenses	1,139,627	1,213,522	3,610,232	3,860,738
Operating income	-212,900	-127,889	-775,743	-212,939
Other expense	'	'	'	'
Interest expense, net	-130,292	-134,917	-390,858	-382,275
Interest income	13,495	9,265	46,333	24,743
Foreign currency transaction (losses) gains, net	-63,002	-6,117	-48,976	-74,820
Other (expense) income, net	943	4,490	-2,054	-8,610
Total other expense	-178,856	-127,279	-395,555	-440,962
Income before income tax provision	-391,756	-255,168	-1,171,298	-653,901
Reorganization Items	-58,579	0	-58,579	0
Income tax provision	-6,418	-4,339	-40,129	-74,727
Net loss from continuing operations	-456,753	-259,507	-1,270,006	-728,628
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of income taxes	13,306	-40,434	-172,831	-175,168
Net income	-443,447	-299,941	-1,442,837	-903,796
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations, Per Basic Share	($2.65)	($1.51)	($7.37)	($4.23)
Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operations and Disposal of Discontinued Operations, Net of Tax, Per Basic Share	$0.08	($0.23)	($1.01)	($1.02)
Net income, per common share, basic	($2.57)	($1.74)	($8.38)	($5.25)
Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Basic and Diluted	172,363	172,438	172,256	172,116
Comprehensive Income	'	'	'	'
Foreign currency translation adjustment	-216,109	-20,129	-163,106	-218,306
Reclassification adjustment for sale of Nextel Chile	-33,885	0	-33,885	0
Other	430	4,231	296	439
Other comprehensive income	-249,564	-15,898	-196,695	-217,867
Net income	-443,447	-299,941	-1,442,837	-903,796
Total comprehensive income	($693,011)	($315,839)	($1,639,532)	($1,121,663)

CONDENSED_CONSOLIDATED_STATEME1

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (USD $)	Total	Common Stock	Paid-in Capital	Accumulated Deficit	Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Beginning Balance, Value at Dec. 31, 2013	$355,387	$172	$1,507,899	($196,607)	($956,077)
Beginning Balance, Shares at Dec. 31, 2013	'	172,105	'	'	'
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]	'	'	'	'	'
Net income	-1,442,837	'	'	-1,442,837	'
Other comprehensive income	-196,695	'	'	'	-196,695
Share-based payment expense for equity-based awards	9,852	'	9,852	'	'
Exercise of stock options, Shares	'	258	'	'	'
Stock Issued During Period, Value, Stock Options Exercised	'	0	'	'	'
Ending Balance, Value at Sep. 30, 2014	($1,274,293)	$172	$1,517,751	($1,639,444)	($1,152,772)
Ending Balance, Shares at Sep. 30, 2014	'	172,363	'	'	'

CONDENSED_CONSOLIDATED_STATEME2

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Cash flows from operating activities:	'	'
Net income	($1,442,837)	($903,796)
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:	'	'
Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operations, Net of Tax, Attributable to Parent	172,831	175,168
Restructuring Costs	56,829	0
Amortization of debt discount and financing costs	15,072	23,788
Depreciation and amortization	513,363	539,442
Provision for Doubtful Accounts	95,813	73,002
Foreign currency transaction losses, net	48,976	74,820
Impairment charges, restructuring charges and losses on disposals of fixed assets	72,583	142,792
Deferred income tax benefit	21,975	38,172
Share-based payment expense	11,575	27,628
Gain (Loss) on Disposition of Assets	75,441	0
Other, net	30,771	46,735
Change in assets and liabilities:	'	'
Accounts receivable, gross	-70,261	-53,617
Handset and accessory inventory	48,576	-98,088
Prepaid expenses and other	-119,425	-18,781
Other long-term assets	-118,861	-31,784
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other	4,871	-6,856
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities, Continuing Operations	-733,590	28,625
Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities, Discontinued Operations	-62,583	-131,342
Net cash provided by operating activities	-796,173	-102,717
Cash flows from investing activities:	'	'
Capital expenditures	-514,195	-513,132
Purchase of long-term and short-term investments	-1,331,015	-1,772,379
Proceeds from Sale of Other Investments	1,848,594	1,619,551
Increase (Decrease) in Restricted Cash	-157,237	-17,351
Payments for acquisitions, purchases of licenses and other	-2,834	-41,929
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities, Continuing Operations	-156,687	-725,240
Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities, Discontinued Operations	-13,999	237,874
Net cash used in investing activities	-170,686	-487,366
Cash flows from financing activities:	'	'
Proceeds from Issuance of Senior Long-term Debt	0	1,600,000
Borrowings under syndicated loan facilities and other	14,590	110,202
Repayments Under Bank Loans, Equipment Financing and Other	-98,457	-714,021
Other, net	-632	-19,483
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities, Continuing Operations	-84,499	976,698
Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities, Discontinued Operations	0	-152,967
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities	-84,499	823,731
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	-40,923	-38,501
Increase (Decrease) In Cash And Cash Equivalents, Held-For-Sale	3,448	10,407
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents	-1,088,833	205,554
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	1,730,335	1,364,953
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	$641,502	$1,570,507

Basis_of_Presentation_Notes

Basis of Presentation (Notes)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Basis of Presentation [Abstract]	'
Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies [Text Block]	'
	Note 1.	Basis of Presentation
	Our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared under the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission, or the SEC, and in accordance with the requirements of reorganization accounting. See Note 2 for more information. While these financial statements do not include all of the information and footnotes required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States 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.
	You should read these condensed consolidated financial statements in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes contained in our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013 and the condensed consolidated financial statements contained in our quarterly reports on Form 10-Q for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and June 30, 2014. You should not expect results of operations for interim periods to be an indication of the results for a full year.

Chapter_11_Proceedings

Chapter 11 Proceedings	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Reorganizations [Abstract]	'
Chapter 11 Proceedings	'
	Note 2.	Chapter 11 Proceedings
	Overview.
	On September 15, 2014, NII Holdings, Inc. and eight of its U.S. and Luxembourg-domiciled subsidiaries, including NII Capital Corp. and NII International Telecom S.C.A., or NIIT, filed voluntary petitions seeking relief under Chapter 11 of Title 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code, which we refer to as Chapter 11, in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York, which we refer to as the Bankruptcy Court. On October 8, 2014, four additional subsidiaries of NII Holdings, Inc. filed voluntary petitions seeking relief under Chapter 11 in the Bankruptcy Court. The entities that have filed petitions seeking relief under Chapter 11, which we refer to collectively as the debtors, continue to operate as "debtors-in-possession" under the jurisdiction of the Bankruptcy Court and in accordance with the applicable provisions of the Bankruptcy Code and orders of the Bankruptcy Court. Our operating subsidiaries in Brazil, Mexico and Argentina are not debtors in the Chapter 11 cases.
	Under Chapter 11, we are permitted to continue to operate our business and manage our properties in the ordinary course of business without prior approval from the Bankruptcy Court. Transactions outside the ordinary course of business proposed to be undertaken by any of the debtors, including certain types of capital expenditures, as well as certain sales of assets, certain requests for additional financings and certain other arrangements, including material changes to agreements and employee compensation arrangements, require approval by the Bankruptcy Court. There can be no assurance that the Bankruptcy Court will grant any requests for such approvals. On October 14, 2014, the Bankruptcy Court issued a final order permitting us to pay pre-petition salaries, wages and benefits to all of our employees and authorized the payment of certain other pre-petition claims, in limited circumstances, to avoid undue disruption to our operations.
	The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis, which contemplates the realization of assets and the satisfaction of liabilities in the normal course of business. The circumstances leading to our decision to seek relief under Chapter 11 and their impact on our business, including on our liquidity, in combination with the impact of our failure to satisfy certain financial covenants under our existing debt obligations, raise substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern. See Note 7 for more information on financial covenants. These condensed consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments that might result from the occurrence of any of the uncertainties described herein.
	Liabilities Subject to Compromise.
	We have segregated liabilities and obligations whose treatment and satisfaction are dependent on the outcome of our reorganization in the Chapter 11 proceedings and have classified these items as liabilities subject to compromise. Generally, all actions to enforce or otherwise effect repayment of pre-petition liabilities of the debtors, as well as all pending litigation against the debtors, are stayed while we are subject to the Chapter 11 proceedings. The ultimate amount of and settlement terms for these types of liabilities will be subject to the claims resolution processes in the Chapter 11 cases and the terms of any plan of reorganization confirmed by the Bankruptcy Court in the Chapter 11 cases. Only those liabilities that are obligations of the debtors (and not the obligations of our operating subsidiaries that are not debtors in the Chapter 11 cases) are included in liabilities subject to compromise. These liabilities subject to compromise may vary significantly from the stated amounts of claims filed with the Bankruptcy Court. Obligations classified as liabilities subject to compromise may be subject to future adjustments depending on the decisions of the Bankruptcy Court in the Chapter 11 cases, further developments with respect to potential disputed claims and/or determination as to the value of any collateral securing claims or other events. Further, additional claims may arise subsequent to the Chapter 11 filing date resulting from the rejection of executory contracts and from a determination by the Bankruptcy Court, or agreed to by parties in interest, of allowed claims for contingencies and other disputed amounts.
	We report interest expense incurred subsequent to our Chapter 11 filing date only to the extent that it will be paid during the cases or that it is probable that it will be an allowed claim. Principal and interest payments may not be made on pre-petition debt subject to compromise without approval from the Bankruptcy Court or until a plan of reorganization defining the repayment terms, if any, has been confirmed. Further, the Bankruptcy Code generally disallows the payment of post-petition interest that accrues with respect to unsecured or undersecured claims. As a result, we have not accrued interest that we believe is not probable of being treated as an allowed claim in the Chapter 11 cases. As a result, during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, we did not accrue interest aggregating $18.2 million on our NII Capital Corp. and NIIT senior notes subsequent to our Chapter 11 filing date.
	As of September 30, 2014, we classified the entire principal balance of our NII Capital Corp. and NIIT senior notes, as well as interest that was accrued and due but unpaid prior to our Chapter 11 filing date, as liabilities subject to compromise in accordance with the requirements of reorganization accounting since these notes are obligations of debtor entities. The components of our liabilities subject to compromise are as follows (in thousands):
		September 30,
		2014
	7.625% Capital Corp. senior notes due 2021	$	1,450,000
	8.875% Capital Corp. senior notes due 2019	500,000
	10.0% Capital Corp. senior notes due 2016	800,000
	7.875% NII International Telecom S.C.A. senior notes due 2019	700,000
	11.375% NII International Telecom S.C.A. senior notes due 2019	900,000
	Total debt subject to compromise	4,350,000
	Accrued interest on debt subject to compromise	203,621
	Accounts payable	2,299
	Accrued expenses and other	42,670
	Total liabilities subject to compromise	$	4,598,590
	Reorganization Items.
	We classify all income, expenses, gains or losses that are incurred or realized as a result of the commencement of the Chapter 11 cases as reorganization items in our condensed consolidated statements of comprehensive loss. In addition, we report professional fees and related costs associated with and incurred during the Chapter 11 cases as reorganization items. We also reclassify interest income earned by the debtors that would not have been earned but for our Chapter 11 filing as reorganization items. During the third quarter of 2014, we wrote off $8.6 million in net unamortized discounts and premiums, as well as $48.2 million in unamortized financing costs related to all series of our NII Capital Corp. and NIIT senior notes, both of which are included as reorganization items in our condensed consolidated statements of comprehensive loss. We also recognized an immaterial amount of professional fees and other costs related to our Chapter 11 filing as reorganization items in our statements of comprehensive loss.
	In accordance with the requirements of reorganization accounting, the following are condensed combined financial statements of the debtor entities:
	NII HOLDINGS, INC. AND CERTAIN SUBSIDIARIES (DEBTORS-IN-POSSESSION) (1)
	CONDENSED COMBINED BALANCE SHEET
	(in thousands)
		September 30,
		2014
	ASSETS
	Current assets
	Cash and cash equivalents	$	352,302
	Short-term intercompany receivables	122,321
	Accounts receivable, prepaid expenses and other	17,535
	Total current assets	492,158
	Property, plant and equipment, net	52,642
	Intangible assets, net	18,000
	Investments in and advances to non-debtor subsidiaries	1,095,058
	Long-term intercompany receivables	1,671,559
	Other assets	20,683
	Total assets	$	3,350,100
	LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ DEFICIT
	Liabilities not subject to compromise
	Current liabilities
	Accounts payable	$	1,401
	Accrued expenses and other	3,271
	Total current liabilities	4,672
	Other long-term liabilities	11,311
	Total liabilities not subject to compromise	15,983
	Liabilities subject to compromise	4,598,590
	Intercompany liabilities subject to compromise	9,820
	Total liabilities	4,624,393
	Total stockholders’ deficit	(1,274,293		)
	Total liabilities and stockholders’ deficit	$	3,350,100
	_______________________________________
	-1	As of September 30, 2014, the subsidiaries of NII Holdings, Inc. that had filed voluntary petitions seeking relief under Chapter 11 were Nextel International Services, Ltd., NII Capital Corp., NII Aviation, Inc., NII Funding Corp., NII Global Holdings, Inc., NII International Telecom S.C.A., NII International Holdings S.à r.l. and NII International Services S.à r.l. On October 8, 2014, four additional subsidiaries of NII Holdings, Inc. filed voluntary petitions seeking relief under Chapter 11. The condensed combined balance sheet above includes only those entities that were subject to Chapter 11 proceedings as of September 30, 2014.
	NII HOLDINGS, INC. AND CERTAIN SUBSIDIARIES (DEBTORS-IN-POSSESSION) (1)
	CONDENSED COMBINED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE LOSS
	(in thousands)
		Three Months Ended September 30,			Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2014			2014
	Operating revenues	$	102		$	253
	Operating expenses
Selling, general and administrative	37,150			131,053
Impairment and restructuring charges	43,392			60,827
Management fee and other	(13,523		)	(43,596		)
Depreciation and amortization	4,167			15,315
	71,186			163,599
Operating loss	(71,084		)	(163,346		)
Other expense
Interest expense, net	(84,586		)	(288,086		)
Intercompany interest expense	—			(53		)
Interest income	75			876
Intercompany interest income	9,598			24,661
Equity in losses of non-debtor subsidiaries	(240,490		)	(965,195		)
Other income, net	1,619			6,885
	(313,784		)	(1,220,912		)
Loss before reorganization items and income tax provision	(384,868		)	(1,384,258		)
Reorganization items	(58,579		)	(58,579		)
Income tax provision	—			—
Net loss	$	(443,447	)	$	(1,442,837	)
Comprehensive loss, net of income taxes
Foreign currency translation adjustment	$	(216,109	)	$	(163,106	)
Reclassification adjustment for sale of Nextel Chile	(33,885		)	(33,885		)
Other	430			296
Other comprehensive loss	(249,564		)	(196,695		)
Net loss	(443,447		)	(1,442,837		)
Total comprehensive loss	$	(693,011	)	$	(1,639,532	)
_______________________________________
-1	As of September 30, 2014, the subsidiaries of NII Holdings, Inc. that had filed voluntary petitions seeking relief under Chapter 11 were Nextel International Services, Ltd., NII Capital Corp., NII Aviation, Inc., NII Funding Corp., NII Global Holdings, Inc., NII International Telecom S.C.A., NII International Holdings S.à r.l. and NII International Services S.à r.l. On October 8, 2014, four additional subsidiaries of NII Holdings, Inc. filed voluntary petitions seeking relief under Chapter 11. The condensed combined statements of comprehensive loss above includes only those entities that were subject to Chapter 11 proceedings as of September 30, 2014.
NII HOLDINGS, INC. AND CERTAIN SUBSIDIARIES (DEBTORS-IN-POSSESSION) (1)
CONDENSED COMBINED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014
(in thousands)
	2014
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net loss	$	(1,442,837	)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities	1,113,153
Net cash used in operating activities	(329,684		)
Cash flows from investing activities:
Capital expenditures	(7,398		)
Proceeds from sales of fixed assets	32,390
Proceeds from sales of long-term and short-term investments	198,007
Intercompany long-term loans	(517,000		)
Investments in and advances to non-debtor subsidiaries	(124,450		)
Transfers from restricted cash	10,000
Net cash used in investing activities	(408,451		)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Repayments under capital lease and other	(42,414		)
Other, net	(396		)
Net cash used in financing activities	(42,810		)
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents	(780,945		)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	1,133,247
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	$	352,302
_______________________________________
-1	As of September 30, 2014, the subsidiaries of NII Holdings, Inc. that had filed voluntary petitions seeking relief under Chapter 11 were Nextel International Services, Ltd., NII Capital Corp., NII Aviation, Inc., NII Funding Corp., NII Global Holdings, Inc., NII International Telecom S.C.A., NII International Holdings S.à r.l. and NII International Services S.à r.l. On October 8, 2014, four additional subsidiaries of NII Holdings, Inc. filed voluntary petitions seeking relief under Chapter 11. The condensed combined statement of cash flows above includes only those entities that were subject to Chapter 11 proceedings as of September 30, 2014.

Supplemental_FInancial_Stateme

Supplemental FInancial Statement Information (Notes)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Text Block [Abstract]	'
Disclosure Of Summary Of Operations And Significant Accounting Policies [Text Block]	'
	Note 3.	Supplemental Financial Statement Information
	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss. As of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, the tax impact on our accumulated other comprehensive loss was not material. The components of our accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of taxes, are as follows:
		30-Sep-14			31-Dec-13
		(in thousands)
	Cumulative foreign currency translation adjustment	$	(1,148,262	)	$	(951,271	)
	Other	(4,510		)	(4,806		)
		$	(1,152,772	)	$	(956,077	)
	During the third quarter of 2014, we reclassified $33.9 million of accumulated other comprehensive income to income (loss) from discontinued operations in connection with the sale of Nextel Chile. See Note 4 for more information on this sale.
	Supplemental Cash Flow Information.
		Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2014			2013
		(in thousands)
	Capital expenditures
	Cash paid for capital expenditures, including capitalized interest on	$	514,195		$	513,132
	property, plant and equipment
	Change in capital expenditures accrued and unpaid or financed, including	(219,045		)	75,943
	interest capitalized
		$	295,150		$	589,075
	Interest costs
	Interest expense, net	$	390,858		$	382,275
	Interest capitalized	30,160			64,433
		$	421,018		$	446,708
	For the nine months ended September 30, 2014, we had $157.8 million in non-cash financing primarily related to capital lease obligations recognized in Mexico in connection with the leaseback of communication towers and borrowings under our equipment financing facility in Mexico. For the nine months ended September 30, 2013, we had $145.1 million in non-cash financing, primarily related to borrowings under our equipment financing facility in Mexico and co-location capital lease obligations on our communication towers in Brazil and Mexico.
	Revenue-Based Taxes.  We record revenue-based taxes and other excise taxes on a gross basis as a component of both service and other revenues and selling, general and administrative expenses in our condensed consolidated financial statements. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, we recognized $29.5 million and $90.5 million, respectively, in revenue-based taxes and other excise taxes. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, we recognized $36.9 million and $130.0 million, respectively, in revenue-based taxes and other excise taxes.
	Net Loss Per Common Share, Basic and Diluted.  As presented for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, our calculation of diluted net loss from continuing operations per common share is based on the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during those periods and does not include other potential common shares, including shares issuable upon the potential exercise of stock options under our stock-based employee compensation plans or restricted common shares issued under those plans since their effect would have been antidilutive to our net loss per common share for those periods. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, we did not include 9.4 million or 8.8 million stock options, respectively, and 1.2 million in restricted stock for both periods, in our calculation of diluted net loss per common share because their effect would have been antidilutive to our net loss per common share for those periods. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, we did not include 12.8 million or 12.3 million stock options, respectively, and 3.4 million or 2.4 million in restricted stock, respectively, in our calculation of diluted net loss per common share because their effect would have been antidilutive to our net loss per common share for those periods.
	Reclassifications. We have reclassified some prior period amounts in our condensed consolidated financial statements to conform to our current year presentation.
	New Accounting Pronouncements.   In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board, or the FASB, issued new authoritative guidance surrounding revenue recognition, which requires an entity to recognize the amount of revenue to which it expects to be entitled for the transfer of promised goods or services to customers. This new authoritative guidance will replace most existing revenue recognition guidance when it becomes effective. The new standard is effective on January 1, 2017, and early application is not permitted. The standard permits the use of either the retrospective or cumulative effect transition method. We are in the process of evaluating the effect that the new revenue recognition guidance will have on our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures. We have not yet selected a transition method nor have we determined the effect of the standard on our ongoing financial reporting.
	In April 2014, the FASB issued new authoritative guidance surrounding discontinued operations and disclosures of components of an entity, which updates the definition of discontinued operations. Going forward only those disposals of components of an entity that represent a strategic shift that has or will have a major effect on an entity's operations and financial results will be reported as discontinued operations in a company's financial statements. The new standard is effective for disposals of components of an entity that occur within annual periods beginning on or after December 15, 2014, and early adoption is permitted. We intend to adopt this standard in the first quarter of 2015. We do not expect the adoption of this standard to have a material impact on our financial statements.
	In August 2014, the FASB issued new authoritative guidance surrounding the evaluation and disclosures of uncertainties about an entity's ability to continue as a going concern. The new guidance requires management to perform an assessment of going concern and under certain circumstances disclose information regarding this assessment in the footnotes to the financial statements.  The new standard is effective for periods beginning after December 15, 2016. We intend to adopt this standard in the first quarter of 2017. We do not expect the adoption of this standard to have a material impact on our financial statements.

Discontinued_Operations_Notes

Discontinued Operations (Notes)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Discontinued Operations and Disposal Groups [Abstract]	'
Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations, Disclosure [Text Block]	'
	Note 4.	Discontinued Operations
	Sale of Nextel Chile. In August 2014, our wholly-owned subsidiaries NII Mercosur Telecom, S.L., NII Mercosur Moviles, S.L. and NII International Telecom S.C.A. completed the sale of all of the outstanding equity interests of our wholly-owned subsidiary, Nextel Chile S.A., or Nextel Chile, to Fucata, S.A., a sociedad anonima existing under the laws of the Oriental Republic of Uruguay, a venture comprised of Grupo Veintitres and Optimum Advisors, for a de minimus amount.
	Sale of Nextel Peru. In August 2013, we, together with our wholly-owned subsidiaries NII Mercosur Telecom, S.L. and NII Mercosur Moviles, S.L., completed the sale of all of the outstanding equity interests of our wholly-owned subsidiary, Nextel del Peru, S.A., or Nextel Peru, to Empresa Nacional de Telecomunicaciones S.A. and one of its subsidiaries, Entel Inversiones, S.A., which we refer to collectively as Entel, for $405.5 million in cash, which included $50.0 million that was deposited in escrow on our behalf to satisfy potential indemnification claims. In April 2014, we released $7.5 million of the amounts held in escrow to Entel as a result of the settlement of certain indemnification claims. The remaining funds held in escrow continue to be available to satisfy potential future indemnification claims.
	In connection with the sale of Nextel Chile and Nextel Peru, we have reported the results of these operating companies as discontinued operations in this quarterly report on Form 10-Q. Accordingly, we reclassified Nextel Chile's and Nextel Peru's results of operations for all periods presented to reflect Nextel Chile and Nextel Peru as discontinued operations. Unless otherwise noted, amounts included in these notes to our condensed consolidated financial statements exclude amounts attributable to discontinued operations. The major components of income (loss) from discontinued operations related to Nextel Chile and Nextel Peru were as follows (in thousands):
		Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2014			2013			2014			2013
	Operating revenues	$	7,391		$	55,415		$	38,596		$	248,846
	Operating expenses	(16,754		)	(94,416		)	(228,578		)	(395,118		)
	Other expense, net	(8,519		)	(38		)	(19,990		)	(25,341		)
	Loss before income tax provision	(17,882		)	(39,039		)	(209,972		)	(171,613		)
	Income tax provision	—			—			—			(900		)
		(17,882		)	(39,039		)	(209,972		)	(172,513		)
	Income (loss) on disposal of Nextel Chile and Nextel Peru	31,188			(1,395		)	37,141			(2,655		)
	Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of income taxes	$	13,306		$	(40,434	)	$	(172,831	)	$	(175,168	)
	The components of assets and liabilities related to discontinued operations as of December 31, 2013, all of which related to Nextel Chile, consisted of the following (in thousands):
		31-Dec-13
	ASSETS
	Cash and cash equivalents	$	3,448
	Accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts of $6,762	11,157
	Handset and accessory inventory	5,965
	Prepaid expenses and other	38,526
	Property, plant and equipment, net	50,515
	Intangible assets, net	13,300
	Other assets	46,020
	Total assets	$	168,931
	LIABILITIES
	Accounts payable	$	22,928
	Accrued expenses and other	13,841
	Other long-term liabilities	5,326
	Total liabilities	$	42,095

Impairment_and_Restructuring_C

Impairment and Restructuring Charges (Notes)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Restructuring and Related Activities [Abstract]	'
Restructuring, Impairment, and Other Activities Disclosure [Text Block]	'
	Impairment and Restructuring Charges
	Asset Impairments.
	In September 2014, we evaluated strategic options for the next generation of our push-to-talk services and determined that, for one of these options, further development was no longer probable. As a result, we recognized a $47.9 million asset impairment charge, $5.1 million of which was recognized by Nextel Mexico and the remainder of which was recognized at the corporate level.
	In addition, during the third quarter of 2014, we recognized $13.6 million in other asset impairment charges, the majority of which related to the shutdown or abandonment of approximately 200 transmitter and receiver sites in Brazil and Mexico and about 50 retail store closures in Brazil related to the realignment of our distribution channels.
	In June 2014, we recognized a $6.4 million asset impairment charge at the corporate level related to the sale of our corporate aircraft.
	In January 2013, we concluded that the continuation of the broader usage of software previously developed for use in multiple markets to support our customer relationship management systems was no longer feasible and evaluated the possibility of restricting its ongoing use to one market. As a result of this evaluation, in the first quarter of 2013, we recognized a non-cash asset impairment charge of $85.3 million related to the discontinuation of this software.
	In accordance with the FASB's authoritative guidance on the impairment of long-lived assets, we review our long-lived assets for impairment whenever events and circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the asset may not be recoverable. We evaluate the recoverability of an asset by comparing the carrying amount of the asset to the estimated undiscounted future cash flows expected to be generated by the asset. During the third quarter of 2014, we determined that the recoverable amount of Nextel Argentina's asset group exceeded its carrying amount by less than 10%.
	Restructuring Charges.
	During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, we recognized $12.7 million and $37.8 million in severance and related costs as a result of the separation of approximately 85 employees at the corporate level, all of whom were severed in the second quarter of 2014; approximately 800 employees in Brazil, all of whom were severed in the third quarter of 2014; approximately 1,170 employees in Mexico, 800 of whom were severed in the second quarter of 2014 and the remainder of whom were separated in the third quarter of 2014; and six employees in Argentina, all of whom were severed in the third quarter of 2014. We severed these employees in an effort to streamline our organizational structure and reduce general and administrative expenses.
	In 2009, we entered into an agreement with Nokia Siemens Networks, or NSN, to manage our network operations infrastructure. During the first quarter of 2013, we restructured and amended this agreement, reduced the scope of the services provided by NSN, added terms to facilitate the transition of those services to us and established the terms on which further transitions of services and the termination of the arrangements could be implemented in each of our markets. Under the agreements in effect prior to this restructuring, we classified a portion of the base contractual fees as a prepayment and were recognizing this prepayment over the life of the previous agreement. As a result of this restructuring, we recognized a non-cash charge of $38.2 million relating to the write-off of the remainder of the prepayment during the first quarter of 2013. In March 2014, we settled certain refund claims, which resulted in restructuring benefits of $3.2 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2014.
	In September 2014, we recognized a $17.6 million charge related to the cessation of our utilization of certain network services in Brazil.
	Total impairment and restructuring charges by operating segment for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 were as follows (in thousands):
		Three Months Ended					Nine Months Ended
		September 30,					September 30,
		2014			2013		2014		2013
	Brazil	$	38,194		$	—	$	38,194	$	23,814
	Mexico	13,951			8,598		26,744		29,684
	Argentina	2,555			—		2,555		3,779
	Corporate	43,392			12,743		60,827		89,743
	Total impairment and restructuring charges	$	98,092		$	21,341	$	128,320	$	147,020
	As of September 30, 2014, total accrued restructuring charges were as follows (in thousands):
	Balance, January 1, 2014	$	15,410
	Restructuring charges	59,311
	Cash payments	(38,375		)
	Balance, September 30, 2014	$	36,346

Balance_Sheet_Details_Notes

Balance Sheet Details (Notes)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Balance Sheet Details [Abstract]	'
Supplemental Balance Sheet Disclosures [Text Block]	'
	Note 6.	Supplemental Balance Sheet Information
	Prepaid Expenses and Other.
	The components of our prepaid expenses and other current assets are as follows:
		September 30,			December 31,
		2014			2013
		(in thousands)
	Value-added taxes	$	181,660		$	207,951
	Income taxes	38,598			59,054
	Spectrum fees	33,370			1,109
	Other prepaid assets	116,416			88,999
	Other current assets	83,851			40,461
		$	453,895		$	397,574
	Property, Plant and Equipment, Net.
	The components of our property, plant and equipment are as follows:
		September 30,			December 31,
		2014			2013
		(in thousands)
	Land	$	7,373		$	7,663
	Building and leasehold improvements	165,825			190,258
	Network equipment, communication towers and network software	4,689,990			4,735,361
	Software, office equipment, furniture and fixtures and other	756,142			753,665
	Corporate aircraft	—			42,747
	Less: Accumulated depreciation and amortization	(3,071,986		)	(2,907,939		)
		2,547,344			2,821,755
	Construction in progress	253,939			515,790
		$	2,801,283		$	3,337,545
	Intangible Assets, Net.
	Our intangible assets include the following:
		30-Sep-14								31-Dec-13
		Gross Carrying			Accumulated			Net Carrying		Gross Carrying		Accumulated			Net Carrying
		Value			Amortization			Value		Value		Amortization			Value
		(in thousands)
	Amortizable intangible assets:
	Licenses	$	1,181,743		$	(290,173	)	$	891,570	$	1,205,450	$	(243,081	)	$	962,369
	As of both September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, the balance of our indefinite lived intangible assets was $18.0 million.
	Accrued Expenses and Other.
	The components of our accrued expenses and other are as follows:
		September 30,			December 31,
		2014			2013
		(in thousands)
	Capital expenditures	$	102,189		$	290,036
	Payroll related items and commissions	78,722			89,435
	Network system and information technology	69,119			92,109
	Non-income based taxes	54,856			114,360
	Accrued interest	15,952			128,509
	Other	228,047			244,610
		$	548,885		$	959,059

Debt

Debt	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Debt [Abstract]	'
Debt	'
	Debt
	Chapter 11 Filing. On September 15, 2014, NII Holdings, Inc. and eight of its subsidiaries, including NII Capital Corp. and NIIT, filed voluntary petitions seeking relief under Chapter 11. The filing constituted an event of default under the NII Capital Corp. and NIIT senior notes; however, the holders of these senior notes are currently precluded from taking any action with respect to such events of default under the Bankruptcy Code. As a result of the commencement of the Chapter 11 cases, the obligations evidenced by the NII Capital Corp. and NIIT senior notes are included in liabilities subject to compromise on our condensed consolidated balance sheet as of September 30, 2014. See Note 2 for more information. The financings included in the table below are considered not subject to compromise.
		30-Sep-14			31-Dec-13
		(in thousands)
	NII Capital Corp. senior notes, net	$	—		$	2,729,321
	NII International Telecom S.C.A. senior notes, net	—			1,609,962
	Brazil bank loans	385,795			444,268
	Brazil equipment financing	366,937			352,725
	Mexico equipment financing	346,064			300,832
	Mexico capital lease and tower financing obligations	291,729			194,227
	Brazil capital lease and tower financing obligations	47,239			122,499
	Corporate aircraft capital lease	—			35,736
	Other	1,456			3,901
	Total debt	1,439,220			5,793,471
	Less: current portion	(1,120,272		)	(96,839		)
		$	318,948		$	5,696,632
	Senior Notes.
	NII Capital Corp. 8.875% Senior Notes due 2019. On March 19, 2014, Wilmington Trust Company, or Wilmington Trust, as trustee under the indenture relating to our 8.875% senior notes due 2019, received a notice on behalf of Aurelius Capital Management, or Aurelius, in its capacity as the purported holder of more than 25% of these senior notes, alleging that certain internal corporate restructuring transactions undertaken in 2009, which resulted in certain subsidiary guarantees being released, violated the terms of, and constitute a default under, the indenture. We refer to these allegations as the alleged defaults. These notes are senior unsecured obligations of NII Capital Corp., our wholly-owned domestic subsidiary, and are guaranteed on a senior unsecured basis by NII Holdings and all of its current and future first tier and domestic restricted subsidiaries, other than NII Capital Corp. We believe that the allegations contained in the notice are without merit.
	NII International Telecom S.C.A. 7.875% Senior Notes due 2019 and 11.375% Senior Notes due 2019. In connection with the issuance of our 7.875% senior notes and our 11.375% senior notes, both of which are due in 2019, we entered into registration rights agreements with the initial purchasers of these notes. Under these agreements, we are required to prepare and file with the SEC exchange offer registration statements enabling holders to exchange these notes for notes having identical terms that are freely tradable, cause the exchange offer registration statements to be declared effective as promptly as possible by the SEC, and consummate the exchange offers within 360 days of the date of issue of these notes. We have not filed these exchange offer registration statements and are therefore subject to the additional interest provisions under the registration rights agreements and applicable indentures. Additional interest for our failure to register the notes is equal to 0.25% per year on the principal amount of the notes with respect to the first 90-day period immediately following the failure to register. The amount of additional interest will increase by an additional 0.25% per year with respect to each subsequent 90-day period, up to a maximum amount of additional interest of 1.00% per year. As of September 30, 2014, we accrued an immaterial amount of additional interest on the 7.875% and 11.375% notes in connection with this failure to register these notes, all of which is included in liabilities subject to compromise on our condensed consolidated balance sheets.
	Equipment Financing Facilities.
	As of the last measurement date of June 30, 2014, we were not in compliance with certain financial covenants in our equipment financing facilities in Brazil and Mexico that we are required to meet semiannually, calculated as of June 30 and December 31 of each year. In June 2014, the lender under these equipment financing facilities waived the requirement that we comply with the financial covenants for the June 30, 2014 measurement date. As of September 30, 2014, we had $713.0 million principal amount outstanding under these equipment financing facilities. Because we expect that, absent a waiver or amendment, we will be unable to meet the financial covenants in these equipment financing facilities as of the next compliance date on December 31, 2014, we classified the principal amounts outstanding under these facilities as current liabilities in our condensed consolidated balance sheet as of September 30, 2014. We are actively involved in discussions with the lender under our equipment financing facilities with respect to proposed amendments to those facilities that would address these financial covenant compliance issues. However, there is no guarantee that the lender of our equipment financing facilities will provide additional waivers or agree to amendments to those facilities that would address our failure to comply with the financial covenants. In addition, under the terms of the waivers that we received, we are not permitted to borrow the additional amounts that were available under these facilities at the time the waiver was granted, and it is unlikely that we will be permitted to borrow those amounts in the future.
	Brazil Bank Loans.
	As of June 30, 2014, we were not in compliance with the net debt financial covenants included in Nextel Brazil's local bank loans that we are required to meet semiannually, calculated as of June 30 and December 31 of each year. In September 2014, the lender of one of our bank loans in Brazil waived the requirement that we comply with the financial covenants under that loan for the June 30, 2014 measurement date. As of September 30, 2014, Nextel Brazil had a total of $385.8 million principal amount outstanding under its bank loans. Because of our noncompliance at the June 30 measurement date, and because we expect that, absent a waiver or amendment, we will be unable to meet the financial covenants in these bank loans as of the next compliance date on December 31, 2014, we classified the principal amounts outstanding under these local bank loans as current liabilities in our condensed consolidated balance sheet as of September 30, 2014. We are actively engaged in discussions with the lenders under our local bank loans in Brazil with respect to potential waivers and amendments to the terms of the related agreements that would address these financial covenant compliance issues. However, there is no guarantee that the lenders of Nextel Brazil's local bank loans will provide additional waivers or agree to amendments to those facilities that would address our failure to comply with the financial covenants.
	Capital Leases.
	Mexico and Brazil Capital Leases. In November 2013, Nextel Mexico completed the sale of 1,483 communication towers to American Tower for proceeds based on foreign currency exchange rates at the time of $374.3 million, subject to purchase price adjustments. During the adjustment period, Nextel Mexico accounted for this transaction under the deposit method and recorded the proceeds as a deposit liability. During the third quarter of 2014, the price adjustments were finalized, and we began accounting for the transaction as a sale-leaseback. As result, we recognized $75.4 million of the gain on the sale of the towers within operating income in the third quarter of 2014 and deferred the remaining $179.6 million of the gain, which we will recognize into income over the term of the leaseback of the towers. We also recognized a capital lease liability of $112.4 million related to our leaseback of a portion of each of these towers.
	In December 2013, Nextel Brazil completed the sale of 1,940 communication towers to American Tower for proceeds based on foreign currency exchange rates at the time of $348.0 million, subject to purchase price adjustments. Nextel Brazil also completed the sale of 103 towers for proceeds of $18.6 million in June 2014, subject to purchase price adjustments. In October 2014, upon the finalization of the price adjustments, Nextel Brazil completed the sale of these towers and began accounting for this transaction as a sale-leaseback. As a result, in the fourth quarter of 2014, Nextel Brazil expects to recognize a deferred gain of approximately $160.0 million, which we will recognize into income over the term of the leaseback of the towers, and a capital lease liability of approximately $180.0 million related to the leaseback of a portion of each of these towers.
	Corporate Aircraft Lease. In 2009, we entered into an agreement to lease a corporate aircraft, which we accounted for as a capital lease. In June 2014, we entered into an agreement to sell this corporate aircraft for $32.5 million. In addition, in conjunction with the sale, we exercised our pre-existing option to purchase this aircraft from the lessor and immediately terminated the lease. In connection with the sale of the corporate aircraft and the termination of the associated lease, we recognized a $6.4 million asset impairment charge in the second quarter of 2014.

Fair_Value_Measurements

Fair Value Measurements	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Fair Value Measurements	'
Fair Value Measurements	'
	Fair Value Measurements
	Financial Instruments.
	Available-for-Sale Securities.
	As of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, available-for-sale securities included $98.3 million and $418.6 million, respectively, in short-term investments made by Nextel Brazil in two investment funds and certificates of deposit with a Brazilian bank. These funds invest primarily in Brazilian government bonds, long-term, low-risk bank certificates of deposit and Brazilian corporate debentures. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, we did not have any material unrealized gains or losses associated with these investments.
	We account for our available-for-sale securities at fair value in accordance with the FASB's authoritative guidance surrounding the accounting for investments in debt and equity securities. The fair value of the Brazilian securities is based on the net asset value of the funds. The fair value of the certificates of deposit held at the corporate level is based on quoted market prices for the individual instruments. In our judgment, both of these types of securities trade with sufficient daily observable market activity to support a Level 1 classification within the fair value hierarchy.
	Debt Instruments.
	The carrying amounts and estimated fair values of our debt instruments are as follows:
		30-Sep-14				31-Dec-13
		Carrying		Estimated		Carrying		Estimated
		Amount		Fair Value		Amount		Fair Value
		(in thousands)
	NII Capital Corp. senior notes, net (1)	$	2,750,000	$	629,550	$	2,729,321	$	1,227,950
	NII International Telecom S.C.A. senior notes, net (1)	1,600,000		1,060,500		1,609,962		1,271,370
	Equipment financing	713,001		634,943		653,557		620,173
	Bank loans and other	387,251		295,376		448,169		373,796
		$	5,450,252	$	2,620,369	$	5,441,009	$	3,493,289
	_______________________________________
	(1) As of September 30, 2014, both our senior notes held by NII Capital Corp. and our senior notes held by NII International Telecom S.C.A. are classified as liabilities subject to compromise in our condensed consolidated balance sheet.
	We estimated the fair values of our senior notes using quoted market prices. Because our fair value measurement is based on market prices in an active market, we consider this Level 1 in the fair value hierarchy.
	Bank loans and other consists primarily of loans with certain banks in Brazil and Mexico. We estimated the fair value of these bank loans, as well as the fair value of our equipment financing, utilizing inputs such as U.S. Treasury security yield curves, prices of comparable bonds, LIBOR and zero-coupon yield curves, U.S. Treasury bond rates and credit spreads on comparable publicly traded bonds and consider these measurements to be Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy.
	Other Financial Instruments.
	The carrying values of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable and accounts payable contained in our condensed consolidated balance sheets approximate their fair values due to the short-term nature of these instruments. The fair values of our derivative instruments are not material.

Commitments_and_Contingencies

Commitments and Contingencies	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Commitments and Contingencies [Abstract]	'
Commitments and Contingencies	'
	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 Brazil's petitions have been denied, and Nextel Brazil is currently appealing those decisions. Nextel Brazil also had contingencies related to certain regulatory, civil and labor-related matters as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013.
	As of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, Nextel Brazil had accrued liabilities of $66.6 million and $70.9 million, respectively, related to contingencies, all of which were reported as a component of other long-term liabilities, of which $8.9 million and $11.2 million related to unasserted claims, respectively. We currently estimate the reasonably possible losses related to matters for which Nextel Brazil has not accrued liabilities, as they are not deemed probable, to be approximately $430.0 million as of September 30, 2014. We evaluate the likelihood of probable and reasonably possible losses, if any, related to all known contingencies on an ongoing basis. 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 reasonably estimable.
	Legal Proceedings.
	Securities Litigation. On March 4, 2014, a purported class action lawsuit was filed against the Company, NII Capital Corp. and certain of the Company’s current and former directors and executive officers in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia on behalf of a putative class of persons who purchased or otherwise acquired the securities of the Company or NII Capital Corp. between February 25, 2010 and February 27, 2014. The lawsuit is captioned In re NII Holdings, Inc. Securities Litigation, Case Number 14-CV-227. On July 18, 2014, the parties that have been designated as the lead plaintiffs in the lawsuit filed a second amended complaint, which generally alleges that the defendants made false or misleading statements or concealed material adverse information about the Company’s financial condition and operations in violation of Section 10(b), Rule 10b-5 and Section 20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. The complaint seeks class certification and unspecified damages, fees and injunctive relief. On September 22, 2014, the judge issued an order staying all proceedings against the Company following the Company's petition for relief under Chapter 11. On October 6, 2014, the Company's motion to dismiss was denied, and the case is currently continuing as to the remaining individual defendants. The Company and the named individuals will continue to vigorously defend themselves in this matter.
	Chapter 11 Proceedings. On September 15, 2014, NII Holdings, Inc. and eight of its U.S. and Luxembourg-domiciled subsidiaries filed voluntary petitions seeking relief under Chapter 11 in the Bankruptcy Court (Case No. 14-12611). On October 8, 2014, four additional subsidiaries of NII Holdings filed voluntary petitions seeking relief under Chapter 11. The entities that have filed petitions seeking relief under Chapter 11, which we refer to collectively as the debtors, include Nextel International (Services), Ltd.; NII Capital Corp.; NII Aviation, Inc.; NII Funding Corp.; NII Global Holdings, Inc.; NII International Telecom S.C.A.; NII International Holdings S.à r.l.; II International Services S.à r.l.; Airfone Holdings, LLC; Nextel International (Uruguay), LLC; McCaw International (Brazil), LLC; and NII Mercosur, LLC. The debtors continue to operate as "debtors-in-possession" under the jurisdiction of the Bankruptcy Court and in accordance with the applicable provisions of the Bankruptcy Code and orders of the Bankruptcy Court. The Company’s other subsidiaries, including its operating subsidiaries in Brazil, Mexico and Argentina, are not debtors in the Chapter 11 case. As a result of the bankruptcy proceedings, the pending litigation against the debtors is stayed. Subject to certain exceptions and approval by the Bankruptcy Court, during the Chapter 11 proceedings, no party can take further actions to recover pre-petition claims against the Company.
	In addition, we are subject to claims and legal actions that may arise in the ordinary course of business. We do not believe that any of these pending claims or legal actions will have a material effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

Income_Taxes

Income Taxes	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Income Taxes	'
	Income Taxes
	The realization of deferred tax assets is dependent on the generation of future taxable income sufficient to realize our tax loss carryforwards and other tax deductions. Valuation allowances are required to be recognized on deferred tax assets unless it is determined that it is “more-likely-than-not” that the asset will be realized. In 2013, except for Argentina and certain subsidiaries in Mexico, we recorded full valuation allowances on the deferred tax assets of our foreign operating companies, our U.S. subsidiaries and our foreign holding companies due to substantial negative evidence such as the recent history of cumulative losses and the projected losses for 2014 and subsequent years. We maintained this same valuation allowance position through the third quarter of 2014. As a result, the valuation allowance on our deferred tax assets increased by $325.5 million for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2014. Our valuation allowance was $4.6 billion and $4.3 billion as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively.
	For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, we recorded a consolidated income tax provision of $6.4 million and $40.1 million, respectively. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, we recorded a consolidated income tax provision of $4.3 million and $74.7 million. The $34.6 million decrease in the consolidated income tax provision from the nine months ended September 30, 2013 to the same period in 2014 is primarily due to a decrease in Nextel Mexico's and Nextel Argentina's current income tax expense and the additional valuation allowance on the deferred tax assets of one of our Mexican subsidiaries that was recorded in the third quarter of 2013. Further, for the reasons discussed above, we were not able to recognize a deferred tax benefit for pre-tax losses recognized in Brazil, most of our Mexican subsidiaries, the U.S. and our foreign holding companies in the nine months ended September 30, 2014.

Segment_Reporting

Segment Reporting	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Segment Reporting [Abstract]	'
Segment Reporting	'
	Segment Reporting
	We have determined our reportable segments based on our method of internal reporting, which disaggregates our business by geographic location. We evaluate performance of these segments and provide resources to them based on operating income before depreciation, amortization and impairment and restructuring charges, which we refer to as segment earnings. Our reportable segments are: (1) Brazil, (2) Mexico and (3) Argentina.
		Brazil			Mexico			Argentina		Corporate and Eliminations				Consolidated
		(in thousands)
	Three Months Ended September 30, 2014
	Operating revenues	$	476,382		$	347,420		$	103,042	$	(117	)		$	926,727
	Segment earnings (losses)	$	919		$	1,816		$	14,105	$	(36,133	)		$	(19,293	)
	Less:
	Impairment and restructuring charges													(98,092		)
	Gain on sale of towers													75,441
	Depreciation and amortization													(170,956		)
	Foreign currency transaction losses, net													(63,002		)
	Interest expense and other, net													(115,854		)
	Loss from continuing operations before reorganization items and income tax provision													$	(391,756	)
	Capital expenditures	$	20,673		$	25,427		$	6,035	$	3,569			$	55,704
	Three Months Ended September 30, 2013
	Operating revenues	$	490,952		$	442,023		$	158,170	$	(5,512	)		$	1,085,633
	Segment earnings (losses)	$	42,507		$	32,130		$	36,507	$	(40,524	)		$	70,620
	Less:
	Impairment and restructuring charges													(21,341		)
	Depreciation and amortization													(177,168		)
	Foreign currency transaction losses, net													(6,117		)
	Interest expense and other, net													(121,162		)
	Loss from continuing operations before reorganization items and income tax provision													$	(255,168	)
	Capital expenditures	$	120,658		$	89,187		$	13,219	$	3,357			$	226,421
	Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014
	Operating revenues	$	1,416,979		$	1,096,076		$	323,831	$	(2,397	)		$	2,834,489
	Segment (losses) earnings	$	(84,377	)	$	(59,838	)	$	62,390	$	(127,676	)		$	(209,501	)
	Less:
	Impairment and restructuring charges													(128,320		)
	Gain on sale of towers													75,441
	Depreciation and amortization													(513,363		)
	Foreign currency transaction losses, net													(48,976		)
	Interest expense and other, net													(346,579		)
	Loss from continuing operations before reorganization items and income tax provision													$	(1,171,298	)
	Capital expenditures	$	138,039		$	127,223		$	17,474	$	12,414			$	295,150
	Nine Months Ended September 30, 2013
	Operating revenues	$	1,705,468		$	1,458,734		$	489,155	$	(5,558	)		$	3,647,799
	Segment earnings (losses)	$	307,497		$	172,753		$	130,690	$	(137,417	)		$	473,523
	Less:
	Impairment and restructuring charges													(147,020		)
	Depreciation and amortization													(539,442		)
	Foreign currency transaction losses, net													(74,820		)
	Interest expense and other, net													(366,142		)
	Loss from continuing operations before reorganization items and income tax provision													$	(653,901	)
	Capital expenditures	$	333,366		$	225,723		$	21,177	$	8,809			$	589,075
	30-Sep-14
	Identifiable assets	$	3,329,825		$	2,047,208		$	366,374	$	502,263			$	6,245,670
	31-Dec-13
	Identifiable assets	$	3,705,642		$	2,695,091		$	451,041	$	1,828,180		-1	$	8,679,954
	__________________________
	-1	As of December 31, 2013, identifiable assets in the "Corporate and Eliminations" column include $168.9 million of total assets related to discontinued operations as a result of the sale of Nextel Chile. See Note 4 for more information.

Condensed_Consolidating_Financ

Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements	'
Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements	'
	Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements
	In 2011, we issued $1.45 billion in aggregate principal amount of our 7.625% senior notes due 2021. In addition, during 2009, we issued senior notes totaling $1.3 billion in aggregate principal amount comprised of our 10.0% senior notes due 2016 and our 8.875% senior notes due 2019. All of these senior notes are senior unsecured obligations of NII Capital Corp., our wholly-owned domestic subsidiary, and are guaranteed on a senior unsecured basis by NII Holdings, Inc. and all of its current and future first tier and domestic restricted subsidiaries, other than NII Capital Corp. No foreign subsidiaries will guarantee the senior notes unless they are first tier subsidiaries of NII Holdings, Inc. These guarantees are full and unconditional, as well as joint and several.
	In connection with the issuance of the senior notes and the guarantees thereof, we are required to provide certain condensed consolidating financial information. Included in the tables below are condensed consolidating balance sheets as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, as well as condensed consolidating statements of comprehensive loss for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 and condensed consolidating statements of cash flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, of: (a) the parent company, NII Holdings, Inc.; (b) the subsidiary issuer, NII Capital Corp.; (c) the guarantor subsidiaries on a combined basis; (d) the non-guarantor subsidiaries on a combined basis; (e) consolidating adjustments; and (f) NII Holdings, Inc. and subsidiaries on a consolidated basis. In addition, as discussed in Note 2, on September 15, 2014, NII Holdings, Inc. and eight of its U.S. and Luxembourg-domiciled subsidiaries filed voluntary petitions seeking relief under Chapter 11 in the Bankruptcy Court. These debtor entities consisted of: NII Capital Corp., which represents the subsidiary issuer in the following condensed consolidating financial statements; Nextel International Services, Ltd., NII Aviation, Inc., NII Funding Corp. and NII Global Holdings, Inc., all of which are included in the guarantor subsidiaries column in the following condensed consolidating financial statements; and NII International Telecom S.C.A., NII International Holdings S.à r.l. and NII International Services S.à r.l., all of which are included in the non-guarantor subsidiaries column in the following condensed consolidating financial statements.
	CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEET
	As of September 30, 2014
		NII Holdings,			NII Capital			Guarantor			Non-			Consolidating			Consolidated
		Inc. (Parent)			Corp. (Issuer)(1)			Subsidiaries(2)			Guarantor			Adjustments
											Subsidiaries
		(in thousands)
	ASSETS
	Current assets
	Cash and cash equivalents	$	113,985		$	25,168		$	12,856		$	489,493		$	—		$	641,502
	Short-term investments	—			—			—			98,271			—			98,271
	Accounts receivable, net	—			—			560			467,905			—			468,465
	Short-term intercompany receivables	26,397			65,132			95,960			6,233			(193,722		)	—
	Handset and accessory inventory	—			—			—			264,412			—			264,412
	Deferred income taxes, net	—			—			625			85,077			(984		)	84,718
	Prepaid expenses and other	7,611			—			9,362			436,922			—			453,895
	Total current assets	147,993			90,300			119,363			1,848,313			(194,706		)	2,011,263
	Property, plant and equipment, net	—			—			52,642			2,748,641			—			2,801,283
	Investments in and advances to	588,455			317,673			369,565			—			(1,275,693		)	—
	affiliates
	Intangible assets, net	18,000			—			—			891,570			—			909,570
	Deferred income taxes, net	15,592			—			—			9,810			(15,592		)	9,810
	Long-term intercompany receivables	1,455,976			3,834,714			633,482			1,357			(5,925,529		)	—
	Other assets	17,389			—			3,294			493,061			—			513,744
	Total assets	$	2,243,405		$	4,242,687		$	1,178,346		$	5,992,752		$	(7,411,520	)	$	6,245,670
	LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ (DEFICIT) EQUITY
	Liabilities not subject to compromise
	Current liabilities
	Accounts payable	$	—		$	—		$	1,401		$	188,693		$	—		$	190,094
	Short-term intercompany payables	—			—			2,767			173,397			(176,164		)	—
	Accrued expenses and other	—			—			3,333			546,411			(859		)	548,885
	Deferred revenues	—			—			—			100,526			—			100,526
	Current portion of long-term debt	—			—			—			1,120,272			—			1,120,272
	Deposits related to 2013 sale of towers	—			—			—			317,606			—			317,606
	Total current liabilities	—			—			7,501			2,446,905			(177,023		)	2,277,383
	Long-term debt	—			—			—			318,948			—			318,948
	Deferred income tax liabilities	—			2,950			14,786			75,130			(15,592		)	77,274
	Long-term intercompany payables	—			—			—			138,718			(138,718		)	—
	Other long-term liabilities	16			—			9,152			238,600			—			247,768
	Total liabilities not subject to compromise	16			2,950			31,439			3,218,301			(331,333		)	2,921,373
	Liabilities subject to compromise	30,584			2,859,387			13,125			1,695,494			—			4,598,590
	Intercompany liabilities subject to compromise	3,487,098			115,458			1,492,910			709,392			(5,804,858		)	—
	Total liabilities subject to compromise	3,517,682			2,974,845			1,506,035			2,404,886			(5,804,858		)	4,598,590
	Total stockholders’ (deficit) equity	(1,274,293		)	1,264,892			(359,128		)	369,565			(1,275,329		)	(1,274,293		)
	Total liabilities and stockholders’ (deficit) equity	$	2,243,405		$	4,242,687		$	1,178,346		$	5,992,752		$	(7,411,520	)	$	6,245,670
	_______________________________________
	-1	NII Capital Corp. is the issuer of our 7.625% senior notes due 2021, our 10.0% senior notes due 2016 and our 8.875% senior notes due 2019.
	-2	Represents our subsidiaries that have provided guarantees of the obligations of NII Capital Corp. under our 7.625% senior notes due 2021, our 10.0% senior notes due 2016 and our 8.875% senior notes due 2019.
	CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEET
	As of December 31, 2013
		NII Holdings,			NII Capital			Guarantor			Non-			Consolidating			Consolidated
		Inc. (Parent)			Corp. (Issuer)			Subsidiaries			Guarantor			Adjustments
											Subsidiaries
		(in thousands)
	ASSETS
	Current assets
	Cash and cash equivalents	$	356,314		$	—		$	5,586		$	1,368,435		$	—		$	1,730,335
	Short-term investments	—			—			—			585,760			—			585,760
	Accounts receivable, net	—			—			627			510,779			—			511,406
	Short-term intercompany receivables	31,803			129,810			72,595			4,779			(238,987		)	—
	Handset and accessory inventory	—			—			—			336,620			—			336,620
Deferred income taxes, net	—			—			1,145			126,250			—			127,395
Prepaid expenses and other	6,832			—			7,914			382,828			—			397,574
Assets related to discontinued operations	—			—			—			59,096			—			59,096
Total current assets	394,949			129,810			87,867			3,374,547			(238,987		)	3,748,186
Property, plant and equipment, net	—			—			130,729			3,207,103			(287		)	3,337,545
Investments in and advances to affiliates	1,867,753			1,503,202			1,562,080			—			(4,933,035		)	—
Intangible assets, net	18,000			—			—			962,369			—			980,369
Deferred income taxes, net	16,025			—			—			26,716			(16,028		)	26,713
Long-term intercompany receivables	1,474,658			3,714,760			701,680			1,354			(5,892,452		)	—
Other assets	29,381			32,556			15,383			399,986			—			477,306
Assets related to discontinued operations	—			—			—			109,835			—			109,835
Total assets	$	3,800,766		$	5,380,328		$	2,497,739		$	8,081,910		$	(11,080,789	)	$	8,679,954
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Current liabilities
Accounts payable	$	—		$	—		$	727		$	345,401		$	—		$	346,128
Short-term intercompany payables	464,798			132,007			1,485,835			159,322			(2,241,962		)	—
Accrued expenses and other	—			59,490			26,089			873,702			(222		)	959,059
Deferred revenues	—			—			—			127,782			—			127,782
Current portion of long-term debt	—			—			1,871			94,968			—			96,839
Deposits related to 2013 sale of towers	—			—			—			720,013			—			720,013
Liabilities related to discontinued operations	—			—			—			36,769			—			36,769
Total current liabilities	464,798			191,497			1,514,522			2,357,957			(2,242,184		)	2,286,590
Long-term debt	23			2,729,321			33,864			2,933,424			—			5,696,632
Deferred revenues	—			—			—			11,238			—			11,238
Deferred income tax liabilities	3			2,950			15,384			106,682			(16,028		)	108,991
Long-term intercompany payables	2,950,226			—			10,390			929,990			(3,890,606		)	—
Other long-term liabilities	30,329			—			10,248			175,213			—			215,790
Liabilities related to discontinued operations	—			—			—			5,326			—			5,326
Total liabilities	3,445,379			2,923,768			1,584,408			6,519,830			(6,148,818		)	8,324,567
Total stockholders’ equity	355,387			2,456,560			913,331			1,562,080			(4,931,971		)	355,387
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$	3,800,766		$	5,380,328		$	2,497,739		$	8,081,910		$	(11,080,789	)	$	8,679,954
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE LOSS
For the Three Months Ended September 30, 2014
	NII Holdings,			NII Capital			Guarantor			Non-			Consolidating			Consolidated
	Inc. (Parent)			Corp. (Issuer)			Subsidiaries			Guarantor			Adjustments
										Subsidiaries
	(in thousands)
Operating revenues	$	—					$	358		$	926,625		$	(256	)	$	926,727
Operating expenses
Cost of revenues (exclusive of	—			—			—			539,858			—			539,858
depreciation and amortization
included below)
Selling, general and administrative	522			3,142			30,539			373,776			(1,817		)	406,162
Impairment and restructuring charges	—			—			43,391			54,701			—			98,092
Gain on sale of towers	—			—			—			(75,441		)	—			(75,441		)
Management fee and other	—			—			(13,529		)	13,599			(70		)	—
Depreciation and amortization	—			—			4,167			166,789			—			170,956
	522			3,142			64,568			1,073,282			(1,887		)	1,139,627
Operating loss	(522		)	(3,142		)	(64,210		)	(146,657		)	1,631			(212,900		)
Other income (expense)
Interest expense, net	(132		)	(50,309		)	(77		)	(79,774		)	—			(130,292		)
Intercompany interest expense	(48,890		)	—			(18		)	(10,858		)	59,766			—
Interest income	62			—			2			13,431			—			13,495
Intercompany interest income	111			59,282			372			1			(59,766		)	—
Foreign currency transaction losses, net	—			—			—			(63,002		)	—			(63,002		)
Equity in loss of affiliates	(392,272		)	(290,229		)	(289,308		)	—			971,809			—
Other income (expense), net	1,631			—			(2		)	245			(931		)	943
	(439,490		)	(281,256		)	(289,031		)	(139,957		)	970,878			(178,856		)
Loss from continuing operations before reorganization items and income tax (provision) benefit	(440,012		)	(284,398		)	(353,241		)	(286,614		)	972,509			(391,756		)
Reorganization items	—			(45,652		)	(1,750		)	(11,177		)	—			(58,579		)
Income tax (provision) benefit	(3,435		)	7,319			(4,464		)	(5,523		)	(315		)	(6,418		)
Net loss from continuing operations	(443,447		)	(322,731		)	(359,455		)	(303,314		)	972,194			(456,753		)
Income from discontinued operations, net of income taxes	—			—			—			14,006			(700		)	13,306
Net loss	$	(443,447	)	$	(322,731	)	$	(359,455	)	$	(289,308	)	$	971,494		$	(443,447	)
Comprehensive loss, net of income taxes
Foreign currency translation	$	(216,109	)	$	(215,707	)	$	(215,707	)	$	(215,707	)	$	647,121		$	(216,109	)
adjustment
Reclassification adjustment for sale of Nextel Chile	(33,885		)	(33,885		)	(33,885		)	(33,885		)	101,655			(33,885		)
Other	430			430			430			430			(1,290		)	430
Other comprehensive loss	(249,564		)	(249,162		)	(249,162		)	(249,162		)	747,486			(249,564		)
Net loss	(443,447		)	(322,731		)	(359,455		)	(289,308		)	971,494			(443,447		)
Total comprehensive loss	$	(693,011	)	$	(571,893	)	$	(608,617	)	$	(538,470	)	$	1,718,980		$	(693,011	)
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE LOSS
For the Three Months Ended September 30, 2013
	NII Holdings,			NII Capital			Guarantor			Non-			Consolidating			Consolidated
	Inc. (Parent)			Corp. (Issuer)			Subsidiaries			Guarantor			Adjustments
										Subsidiaries
	(in thousands)
Operating revenues	$	—		$	—		$	777		$	1,085,624		$	(768	)	$	1,085,633
Operating expenses
Cost of revenues (exclusive of	—			—			—			554,036			—			554,036
depreciation and amortization
included below)
Selling, general and administrative	748			—			38,077			424,236			(2,084		)	460,977
Impairment and restructuring charges	—			—			12,741			8,600			—			21,341
Management fee and other	—			—			9,959			(2,835		)	(7,124		)	—
Depreciation and amortization	—			—			5,524			171,644			—			177,168
	748			—			66,301			1,155,681			(9,208		)	1,213,522
Operating loss	(748		)	—			(65,524		)	(70,057		)	8,440			(127,889		)
Other income (expense)
Interest expense, net	(141		)	(60,271		)	(323		)	(74,182		)	—			(134,917		)
Intercompany interest expense	(59,183		)	—			(15		)	(12,821		)	72,019			—
Interest income	227			—			2			9,036			—			9,265
Intercompany interest income	76			71,762			181			—			(72,019		)	—
Foreign currency transaction losses, net	—			—			—			(6,117		)	—			(6,117		)
Equity in loss of affiliates	(255,170		)	(235,362		)	(235,810		)	—			726,342			—
Other income, net	8,115			—			666			4,149			(8,440		)	4,490
	(306,076		)	(223,871		)	(235,299		)	(79,935		)	717,902			(127,279		)
Loss from continuing operations before income tax benefit (provision)	(306,824		)	(223,871		)	(300,823		)	(149,992		)	726,342			(255,168		)
Income tax benefit (provision)	6,883			(4,311		)	(1,449		)	(45,384		)	39,922			(4,339		)
Net loss from continuing operations	(299,941		)	(228,182		)	(302,272		)	(195,376		)	766,264			(259,507		)
Loss from discontinued operations, net of income taxes	—			—			—			(40,434		)	—			(40,434		)
Net loss	$	(299,941	)	$	(228,182	)	$	(302,272	)	$	(235,810	)	$	766,264		$	(299,941	)
Comprehensive loss, net of income taxes
Foreign currency translation	$	(20,129	)	$	(20,155	)	$	(20,155	)	$	(20,155	)	$	60,465		$	(20,129	)
adjustment
Other	4,231			4,231			4,231			4,231			(12,693		)	4,231
Other comprehensive loss	(15,898		)	(15,924		)	(15,924		)	(15,924		)	47,772			(15,898		)
Net loss	(299,941		)	(228,182		)	(302,272		)	(235,810		)	766,264			(299,941		)
Total comprehensive loss	$	(315,839	)	$	(244,106	)	$	(318,196	)	$	(251,734	)	$	814,036		$	(315,839	)
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE LOSS
For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014
	NII Holdings,			NII Capital			Guarantor			Non-			Consolidating			Consolidated
	Inc. (Parent)			Corp. (Issuer)			Subsidiaries			Guarantor			Adjustments
										Subsidiaries
	(in thousands)
Operating revenues	$	—		$	—		$	2,045		$	2,834,236		$	(1,792	)	$	2,834,489
Operating expenses
Cost of revenues (exclusive of	—			—			—			1,738,253			—			1,738,253
depreciation and amortization
included below)
Selling, general and administrative	2,117			3,814			122,013			1,184,162			(6,369		)	1,305,737
Impairment and restructuring charges	—			—			60,827			67,493			—			128,320
Gain on sale of towers	—			—			—			(75,441		)	—			(75,441		)
Management fee and other	—			—			(43,439		)	45,646			(2,207		)	—
Depreciation and amortization	—			—			15,315			498,048			—			513,363
	2,117			3,814			154,716			3,458,161			(8,576		)	3,610,232
Operating loss	(2,117		)	(3,814		)	(152,671		)	(623,925		)	6,784			(775,743		)
Other income (expense)
Interest expense, net	(414		)	(171,647		)	(543		)	(218,254		)	—			(390,858		)
Intercompany interest expense	(165,324		)	—			(53		)	(36,264		)	201,641			—
Interest income	266			—			7			46,060			—			46,333
Intercompany interest income	290			200,467			884			—			(201,641		)	—
Foreign currency transaction losses, net	—			—			—			(48,976		)	—			(48,976		)
Equity in loss of affiliates	(1,292,952		)	(1,107,328		)	(1,104,506		)	—			3,504,786			—
Other income (expense), net	6,784			—			(2		)	(3,039		)	(5,797		)	(2,054		)
	(1,451,350		)	(1,078,508		)	(1,104,213		)	(260,473		)	3,498,989			(395,555		)
Loss from continuing operations before reorganization items and income tax benefit (provision)	(1,453,467		)	(1,082,322		)	(1,256,884		)	(884,398		)	3,505,773			(1,171,298		)
Reorganization items	—			(45,652		)	(1,750		)	(11,177		)	—			(58,579		)
Income tax benefit (provision)	10,630			—			(12,975		)	(36,800		)	(984		)	(40,129		)
Net loss from continuing operations	(1,442,837		)	(1,127,974		)	(1,271,609		)	(932,375		)	3,504,789			(1,270,006		)
Loss from discontinued operations, net of income taxes	—			—			—			(172,131		)	(700		)	(172,831		)
Net loss	$	(1,442,837	)	$	(1,127,974	)	$	(1,271,609	)	$	(1,104,506	)	$	3,504,089		$	(1,442,837	)
Comprehensive loss, net of income taxes
Foreign currency translation	$	(163,106	)	$	(163,100	)	$	(163,100	)	$	(163,100	)	$	489,300		$	(163,106	)
adjustment
Reclassification adjustment for sale of Nextel Chile	(33,885		)	(33,885		)	(33,885		)	(33,885		)	101,655			(33,885		)
Other	296			296			296			296			(888		)	296
Other comprehensive loss	(196,695		)	(196,689		)	(196,689		)	(196,689		)	590,067			(196,695		)
Net loss	(1,442,837		)	(1,127,974		)	(1,271,609		)	(1,104,506		)	3,504,089			(1,442,837		)
Total comprehensive loss	$	(1,639,532	)	$	(1,324,663	)	$	(1,468,298	)	$	(1,301,195	)	$	4,094,156		$	(1,639,532	)
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE LOSS
For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2013
	NII Holdings,			NII Capital			Guarantor			Non-			Consolidating			Consolidated
	Inc. (Parent)			Corp. (Issuer)			Subsidiaries			Guarantor			Adjustments
										Subsidiaries
	(in thousands)
Operating revenues	$	—		$	—		$	2,313		$	3,647,790		$	(2,304	)	$	3,647,799
Operating expenses
Cost of revenues (exclusive of	—			—			—			1,731,260			—			1,731,260
depreciation and amortization
included below)
Selling, general and administrative	2,345			—			131,048			1,315,964			(6,341		)	1,443,016
Impairment and restructuring charges	—			—			89,029			57,991			—			147,020
Management fee and other	—			—			(44,351		)	69,366			(25,015		)	—
Depreciation and amortization	—			—			21,429			518,013			—			539,442
	2,345			—			197,155			3,692,594			(31,356		)	3,860,738
Operating loss	(2,345		)	—			(194,842		)	(44,804		)	29,052			(212,939		)
Other income (expense)
Interest expense, net	(419		)	(179,546		)	(1,100		)	(201,210		)	—			(382,275		)
Intercompany interest expense	(175,617		)	—			(42		)	(38,822		)	214,481			—
Interest income	799			—			8			23,936			—			24,743
Intercompany interest income	1,226			212,947			308			—			(214,481		)	—
Foreign currency transaction losses, net	—			—			—			(74,820		)	—			(74,820		)
Equity in loss of affiliates	(766,624		)	(622,252		)	(619,874		)	—			2,008,750			—
Other income (expense), net	28,731			—			611			(8,900		)	(29,052		)	(8,610		)
	(911,904		)	(588,851		)	(620,089		)	(299,816		)	1,979,698			(440,962		)
Loss from continuing operations before income tax benefit (provision)	(914,249		)	(588,851		)	(814,931		)	(344,620		)	2,008,750			(653,901		)
Income tax benefit (provision)	10,453			(12,251		)	(7,042		)	(100,086		)	34,199			(74,727		)
Net loss from continuing operations	(903,796		)	(601,102		)	(821,973		)	(444,706		)	2,042,949			(728,628		)
Loss from discontinued operations, net of income taxes	—			—			—			(175,168		)	—			(175,168		)
Net loss	$	(903,796	)	$	(601,102	)	$	(821,973	)	$	(619,874	)	$	2,042,949		$	(903,796	)
Comprehensive loss, net of income taxes
Foreign currency translation	$	(218,306	)	$	(218,226	)	$	(218,226	)	$	(218,226	)	$	654,678		$	(218,306	)
adjustment
Other	439			439			439			439			(1,317		)	439
Other comprehensive loss	(217,867		)	(217,787		)	(217,787		)	(217,787		)	653,361			(217,867		)
Net loss	(903,796		)	(601,102		)	(821,973		)	(619,874		)	2,042,949			(903,796		)
Total comprehensive loss	$	(1,121,663	)	$	(818,889	)	$	(1,039,760	)	$	(837,661	)	$	2,696,310		$	(1,121,663	)
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014
	NII Holdings,			NII Capital			Guarantor			Non-			Consolidating			Consolidated
	Inc. (Parent)			Corp. (Issuer)			Subsidiaries			Guarantor			Adjustments
										Subsidiaries
	(in thousands)
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net loss	$	(1,442,837	)	$	(1,127,974	)	$	(1,271,609	)	$	(1,104,506	)	$	3,504,089		$	(1,442,837	)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash (used in) provided by operating activities	1,346,923			1,153,588			1,140,157			572,668			(3,504,089		)	709,247
Total operating cash (used in) provided by continuing operations	(95,914		)	25,614			(131,452		)	(531,838		)	—			(733,590		)
Total operating cash used in discontinued operations	—			—			—			(62,583		)	—			(62,583		)
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities	(95,914		)	25,614			(131,452		)	(594,421		)	—			(796,173		)
Cash flows from investing activities:
Capital expenditures	—			—			(7,398		)	(506,797		)	—			(514,195		)
Purchases of long-term and short-	—			—			—			(1,331,015		)	—			(1,331,015		)
term investments
Proceeds from sales of long-term	—			—			—			1,848,594			—			1,848,594
and short-term investments
Investments in subsidiaries	(157,998		)	(446		)	—			—			158,444			—
Change in restricted cash and escrow accounts	10,000			—			—			(167,237		)	—			(157,237		)
Other, net	1,669			—			32,390			(35,224		)	(1,669		)	(2,834		)
Total investing cash (used in) provided by continuing operations	(146,329		)	(446		)	24,992			(191,679		)	156,775			(156,687		)
Total investing cash used in discontinued operations	—			—			—			(13,999		)	—			(13,999		)
Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities	(146,329		)	(446		)	24,992			(205,678		)	156,775			(170,686		)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Borrowings under equipment financing facilities and other	—			—			—			14,590			—			14,590
Repayments under capital leases, equipment financing and other	—			—			(42,414		)	(56,043		)	—			(98,457		)
Capital contributions	—			20			157,812			612			(158,444		)	—
Other, net	(86		)	(20		)	(1,668		)	(527		)	1,669			(632		)
Net cash flows (used in) provided by financing activities	(86		)	—			113,730			(41,368		)	(156,775		)	(84,499		)
Effect of exchange rate changes	—			—			—			(40,923		)	—			(40,923		)
on cash and cash equivalents
Change in cash and cash equivalents related to discontinued operations	—			—			—			3,448			—			3,448
Net (decrease) increase in cash and	(242,329		)	25,168			7,270			(878,942		)	—			(1,088,833		)
cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents,	356,314			—			5,586			1,368,435			—			1,730,335
beginning of period
Cash and cash equivalents, end of	$	113,985		$	25,168		$	12,856		$	489,493		$	—		$	641,502
period
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2013
	NII Holdings,			NII Capital			Guarantor			Non-			Consolidating			Consolidated
	Inc. (Parent)			Corp. (Issuer)			Subsidiaries			Guarantor			Adjustments
										Subsidiaries
	(in thousands)
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net loss	$	(903,796	)	$	(601,102	)	$	(821,973	)	$	(619,874	)	$	2,042,949		$	(903,796	)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash (used in) provided by operating activities	809,240			653,552			707,180			855,308			(2,092,859		)	932,421
Total operating cash (used in) provided by continuing operations	(94,556		)	52,450			(114,793		)	235,434			(49,910		)	28,625
Total operating cash used in discontinued operations	—			—			—			(131,342		)	—			(131,342		)
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities	(94,556		)	52,450			(114,793		)	104,092			(49,910		)	(102,717		)
Cash flows from investing activities:
Capital expenditures	—			—			(11,580		)	(501,552		)	—			(513,132		)
Payments for purchases of licenses	—			—			—			(42,105		)	—			(42,105		)
Purchases of long-term and short-term investments	—			—			—			(1,772,379		)	—			(1,772,379		)
Proceeds from sales of long-term and short-term investments	—			—			—			1,619,551			—			1,619,551
Investments in subsidiaries	(135,714		)	(2,540		)	(1,259		)	—			139,513			—
Change in restricted cash and escrow accounts	—			—			—			(17,351		)	—			(17,351		)
Other, net	—			—			—			160			16			176
Total investing cash used in continuing operations	(135,714		)	(2,540		)	(12,839		)	(713,676		)	139,529			(725,240		)
Total investing cash provided by discontinued operations	—			—			—			237,874			—			237,874
Net cash used in investing activities	(135,714		)	(2,540		)	(12,839		)	(475,802		)	139,529			(487,366		)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Gross proceeds from issuance of senior notes	—			—			—			1,600,000			—			1,600,000
Borrowings under equipment financing facilities	—			—			—			110,157			—			110,157
Payment of line of credit	—			—			—			(327,762		)	—			(327,762		)
Repayments under syndicated loan facilities	—			—			—			(323,919		)	—			(323,919		)
Repayments of import financing loans	—			—			—			(37,422		)	—			(37,422		)
Repayments under tower financing and other borrowings	—			—			(12,391		)	(12,527		)	—			(24,918		)
Capital contributions	—			20			135,694			3,799			(139,513		)	—
Proceeds from intercompany borrowings	—			(49,910		)	—			—			49,910			—
Other, net	(918		)	(20		)	—			(18,484		)	(16		)	(19,438		)
Total financing cash (used in) provided by continuing operations	(918		)	(49,910		)	123,303			993,842			(89,619		)	976,698
Total financing cash used in discontinued operations	—			—			—			(152,967		)	—			(152,967		)
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities	(918		)	(49,910		)	123,303			840,875			(89,619		)	823,731
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	—			—			—			(38,501		)	—			(38,501		)
Change in cash and cash equivalents related to discontinued operations	—			—			—			10,407			—			10,407
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents	(231,188		)	—			(4,329		)	441,071			—			205,554
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	735,022			—			6,469			623,462			—			1,364,953
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	$	503,834		$	—		$	2,140		$	1,064,533		$	—		$	1,570,507

Supplemental_FInancial_Stateme1

Supplemental FInancial Statement Information Revenue-Based Taxes (Policies) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Revenue Based Taxes Policy [Text Block]	'	'	'	'
			Revenue-Based Taxes.  We record revenue-based taxes and other excise taxes on a gross basis as a component of both service and other revenues and selling, general and administrative expenses in our condensed consolidated financial statements. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, we recognized $29.5 million and $90.5 million, respectively, in revenue-based taxes and other excise taxes. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, we recognized $36.9 million and $130.0 million, respectively, in revenue-based taxes and other excise taxes.
Revenue Based Taxes And Other Excise Taxes	$29.50	$36.90	$90.50	$130

Supplemental_FInancial_Stateme2

Supplemental FInancial Statement Information Earnings Per Share (Policies)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'
Earnings Per Share, Policy [Policy Text Block]	'
	Net Loss Per Common Share, Basic and Diluted.  As presented for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, our calculation of diluted net loss from continuing operations per common share is based on the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during those periods and does not include other potential common shares, including shares issuable upon the potential exercise of stock options under our stock-based employee compensation plans or restricted common shares issued under those plans since their effect would have been antidilutive to our net loss per common share for those periods. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, we did not include 9.4 million or 8.8 million stock options, respectively, and 1.2 million in restricted stock for both periods, in our calculation of diluted net loss per common share because their effect would have been antidilutive to our net loss per common share for those periods. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, we did not include 12.8 million or 12.3 million stock options, respectively, and 3.4 million or 2.4 million in restricted stock, respectively, in our calculation of diluted net loss per common share because their effect would have been antidilutive to our net loss per common share for those periods.

Supplemental_FInancial_Stateme3

Supplemental FInancial Statement Information Reclassifications (Policies)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Text Block [Abstract]	'
Reclassifications [Text Block]	'
	Reclassifications. We have reclassified some prior period amounts in our condensed consolidated financial statements to conform to our current year presentation.

Supplemental_FInancial_Stateme4

Supplemental FInancial Statement Information New Accounting Pronouncements (Policies)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Text Block [Abstract]	'
New Accounting Pronouncements, Policy [Policy Text Block]	'
	New Accounting Pronouncements.   In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board, or the FASB, issued new authoritative guidance surrounding revenue recognition, which requires an entity to recognize the amount of revenue to which it expects to be entitled for the transfer of promised goods or services to customers. This new authoritative guidance will replace most existing revenue recognition guidance when it becomes effective. The new standard is effective on January 1, 2017, and early application is not permitted. The standard permits the use of either the retrospective or cumulative effect transition method. We are in the process of evaluating the effect that the new revenue recognition guidance will have on our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures. We have not yet selected a transition method nor have we determined the effect of the standard on our ongoing financial reporting.
	In April 2014, the FASB issued new authoritative guidance surrounding discontinued operations and disclosures of components of an entity, which updates the definition of discontinued operations. Going forward only those disposals of components of an entity that represent a strategic shift that has or will have a major effect on an entity's operations and financial results will be reported as discontinued operations in a company's financial statements. The new standard is effective for disposals of components of an entity that occur within annual periods beginning on or after December 15, 2014, and early adoption is permitted. We intend to adopt this standard in the first quarter of 2015

Chapter_11_Proceedings_Tables

Chapter 11 Proceedings (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Liabilities Subject to Compromise [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Liabilities Subject to Compromise	'B September 30, 20147.625% Capital Corp. senior notes due 2021$1,450,0008.875% Capital Corp. senior notes due 2019500,00010.0% Capital Corp. senior notes due 2016800,0007.875% NII International Telecom S.C.A. senior notes due 2019700,00011.375% NII International Telecom S.C.A. senior notes due 2019900,000B B B B Total debt subject to compromise4,350,000Accrued interest on debt subject to compromise203,621Accounts payable2,299Accrued expenses and other42,670B B B B Total liabilities subject to compromise$4,598,590
Condensed Combined Balance Sheet	'
	NII HOLDINGS, INC. AND CERTAIN SUBSIDIARIES (DEBTORS-IN-POSSESSION) (1)
	CONDENSED COMBINED BALANCE SHEET
	(in thousands)
		September 30,
		2014
	ASSETS
	Current assets
	Cash and cash equivalents	$	352,302
	Short-term intercompany receivables	122,321
	Accounts receivable, prepaid expenses and other	17,535
	Total current assets	492,158
	Property, plant and equipment, net	52,642
	Intangible assets, net	18,000
	Investments in and advances to non-debtor subsidiaries	1,095,058
	Long-term intercompany receivables	1,671,559
	Other assets	20,683
	Total assets	$	3,350,100
	LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ DEFICIT
	Liabilities not subject to compromise
	Current liabilities
	Accounts payable	$	1,401
	Accrued expenses and other	3,271
	Total current liabilities	4,672
	Other long-term liabilities	11,311
	Total liabilities not subject to compromise	15,983
	Liabilities subject to compromise	4,598,590
	Intercompany liabilities subject to compromise	9,820
	Total liabilities	4,624,393
	Total stockholders’ deficit	(1,274,293		)
	Total liabilities and stockholders’ deficit	$	3,350,100
Condensed Combined Statement Of Comprehensive Loss	'
	NII HOLDINGS, INC. AND CERTAIN SUBSIDIARIES (DEBTORS-IN-POSSESSION) (1)
	CONDENSED COMBINED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE LOSS
	(in thousands)
		Three Months Ended September 30,			Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2014			2014
	Operating revenues	$	102		$	253
	Operating expenses
	Selling, general and administrative	37,150			131,053
	Impairment and restructuring charges	43,392			60,827
	Management fee and other	(13,523		)	(43,596		)
	Depreciation and amortization	4,167			15,315
		71,186			163,599
	Operating loss	(71,084		)	(163,346		)
	Other expense
	Interest expense, net	(84,586		)	(288,086		)
	Intercompany interest expense	—			(53		)
	Interest income	75			876
	Intercompany interest income	9,598			24,661
	Equity in losses of non-debtor subsidiaries	(240,490		)	(965,195		)
	Other income, net	1,619			6,885
		(313,784		)	(1,220,912		)
	Loss before reorganization items and income tax provision	(384,868		)	(1,384,258		)
	Reorganization items	(58,579		)	(58,579		)
	Income tax provision	—			—
	Net loss	$	(443,447	)	$	(1,442,837	)
	Comprehensive loss, net of income taxes
	Foreign currency translation adjustment	$	(216,109	)	$	(163,106	)
	Reclassification adjustment for sale of Nextel Chile	(33,885		)	(33,885		)
	Other	430			296
	Other comprehensive loss	(249,564		)	(196,695		)
	Net loss	(443,447		)	(1,442,837		)
	Total comprehensive loss	$	(693,011	)	$	(1,639,532	)
Condensed Combined Statement Of Cash Flows	'
	NII HOLDINGS, INC. AND CERTAIN SUBSIDIARIES (DEBTORS-IN-POSSESSION) (1)
	CONDENSED COMBINED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
	For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014
	(in thousands)
		2014
	Cash flows from operating activities:
	Net loss	$	(1,442,837	)
	Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities	1,113,153
	Net cash used in operating activities	(329,684		)
	Cash flows from investing activities:
	Capital expenditures	(7,398		)
	Proceeds from sales of fixed assets	32,390
	Proceeds from sales of long-term and short-term investments	198,007
	Intercompany long-term loans	(517,000		)
	Investments in and advances to non-debtor subsidiaries	(124,450		)
	Transfers from restricted cash	10,000
	Net cash used in investing activities	(408,451		)
	Cash flows from financing activities:
	Repayments under capital lease and other	(42,414		)
	Other, net	(396		)
	Net cash used in financing activities	(42,810		)
	Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents	(780,945		)
	Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	1,133,247
	Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	$	352,302

Supplemental_FInancial_Stateme5

Supplemental FInancial Statement Information (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Text Block [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Table Text Block]	'
	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss. As of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, the tax impact on our accumulated other comprehensive loss was not material. The components of our accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of taxes, are as follows:
		30-Sep-14			31-Dec-13
		(in thousands)
	Cumulative foreign currency translation adjustment	$	(1,148,262	)	$	(951,271	)
	Other	(4,510		)	(4,806		)
		$	(1,152,772	)	$	(956,077	)
Schedule of Cash Flow, Supplemental Disclosures [Table Text Block]	'
	Supplemental Cash Flow Information.
		Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2014			2013
		(in thousands)
	Capital expenditures
	Cash paid for capital expenditures, including capitalized interest on	$	514,195		$	513,132
	property, plant and equipment
	Change in capital expenditures accrued and unpaid or financed, including	(219,045		)	75,943
	interest capitalized
		$	295,150		$	589,075
	Interest costs
	Interest expense, net	$	390,858		$	382,275
	Interest capitalized	30,160			64,433
		$	421,018		$	446,708
	For the nine months ended September 30, 2014, we had $157.8 million in non-cash financing primarily related to capital lease obligations recognized in Mexico in connection with the leaseback of communication towers and borrowings under our equipment financing facility in Mexico. For the nine months ended September 30, 2013, we had $145.1 million in non-cash financing, primarily related to borrowings under our equipment financing facility in Mexico and co-location capital lease obligations on our communication towers in Brazil and Mexico.

Discontinued_Operations_Tables

Discontinued Operations (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Discontinued Operations and Disposal Groups [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations, Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures [Table Text Block]	'
		Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2014			2013			2014			2013
	Operating revenues	$	7,391		$	55,415		$	38,596		$	248,846
	Operating expenses	(16,754		)	(94,416		)	(228,578		)	(395,118		)
	Other expense, net	(8,519		)	(38		)	(19,990		)	(25,341		)
	Loss before income tax provision	(17,882		)	(39,039		)	(209,972		)	(171,613		)
	Income tax provision	—			—			—			(900		)
		(17,882		)	(39,039		)	(209,972		)	(172,513		)
	Income (loss) on disposal of Nextel Chile and Nextel Peru	31,188			(1,395		)	37,141			(2,655		)
	Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of income taxes	$	13,306		$	(40,434	)	$	(172,831	)	$	(175,168	)

Discontinued_Operations_Balanc

Discontinued Operations Balance Sheet (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Schedule of Discontinued Operations, Balance Sheet [Table Text Block]	'
		31-Dec-13
	ASSETS
	Cash and cash equivalents	$	3,448
	Accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts of $6,762	11,157
	Handset and accessory inventory	5,965
	Prepaid expenses and other	38,526
	Property, plant and equipment, net	50,515
	Intangible assets, net	13,300
	Other assets	46,020
	Total assets	$	168,931
	LIABILITIES
	Accounts payable	$	22,928
	Accrued expenses and other	13,841
	Other long-term liabilities	5,326
	Total liabilities	$	42,095

Impairment_and_Restructuring_C1

Impairment and Restructuring Charges (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Restructuring and Related Activities [Abstract]	'
Restructuring and Related Costs [Table Text Block]	'
	As of September 30, 2014, total accrued restructuring charges were as follows (in thousands):
	Balance, January 1, 2014	$	15,410
	Restructuring charges	59,311
	Cash payments	(38,375		)
	Balance, September 30, 2014	$	36,346
Asset Impairment [Table Text Block]	'
	Total impairment and restructuring charges by operating segment for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 were as follows (in thousands):
		Three Months Ended					Nine Months Ended
		September 30,					September 30,
		2014			2013		2014		2013
	Brazil	$	38,194		$	—	$	38,194	$	23,814
	Mexico	13,951			8,598		26,744		29,684
	Argentina	2,555			—		2,555		3,779
	Corporate	43,392			12,743		60,827		89,743
	Total impairment and restructuring charges	$	98,092		$	21,341	$	128,320	$	147,020

Balance_Sheet_Details_Tables

Balance Sheet Details (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Balance Sheet Details [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Prepaid Assets and Other Disclosure [Table Text Block]	'
	Prepaid Expenses and Other.
	The components of our prepaid expenses and other current assets are as follows:
		September 30,			December 31,
		2014			2013
		(in thousands)
	Value-added taxes	$	181,660		$	207,951
	Income taxes	38,598			59,054
	Spectrum fees	33,370			1,109
	Other prepaid assets	116,416			88,999
	Other current assets	83,851			40,461
		$	453,895		$	397,574
Property, Plant and Equipment [Table Text Block]	'
	Property, Plant and Equipment, Net.
	The components of our property, plant and equipment are as follows:
		September 30,			December 31,
		2014			2013
		(in thousands)
	Land	$	7,373		$	7,663
	Building and leasehold improvements	165,825			190,258
	Network equipment, communication towers and network software	4,689,990			4,735,361
	Software, office equipment, furniture and fixtures and other	756,142			753,665
	Corporate aircraft	—			42,747
	Less: Accumulated depreciation and amortization	(3,071,986		)	(2,907,939		)
		2,547,344			2,821,755
	Construction in progress	253,939			515,790
		$	2,801,283		$	3,337,545
Schedule of Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Table Text Block]	'
	Intangible Assets, Net.
	Our intangible assets include the following:
		30-Sep-14								31-Dec-13
		Gross Carrying			Accumulated			Net Carrying		Gross Carrying		Accumulated			Net Carrying
		Value			Amortization			Value		Value		Amortization			Value
		(in thousands)
	Amortizable intangible assets:
	Licenses	$	1,181,743		$	(290,173	)	$	891,570	$	1,205,450	$	(243,081	)	$	962,369
	As of both September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, the balance of our indefinite lived intangible assets was $18.0 million
Schedule of Accrued Liabilities [Table Text Block]	'
	Accrued Expenses and Other.
	The components of our accrued expenses and other are as follows:
		September 30,			December 31,
		2014			2013
		(in thousands)
	Capital expenditures	$	102,189		$	290,036
	Payroll related items and commissions	78,722			89,435
	Network system and information technology	69,119			92,109
	Non-income based taxes	54,856			114,360
	Accrued interest	15,952			128,509
	Other	228,047			244,610
		$	548,885		$	959,059

Debt_Tables

Debt (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Debt [Abstract]	'
Debt	'
		30-Sep-14			31-Dec-13
		(in thousands)
	NII Capital Corp. senior notes, net	$	—		$	2,729,321
	NII International Telecom S.C.A. senior notes, net	—			1,609,962
	Brazil bank loans	385,795			444,268
	Brazil equipment financing	366,937			352,725
	Mexico equipment financing	346,064			300,832
	Mexico capital lease and tower financing obligations	291,729			194,227
	Brazil capital lease and tower financing obligations	47,239			122,499
	Corporate aircraft capital lease	—			35,736
	Other	1,456			3,901
	Total debt	1,439,220			5,793,471
	Less: current portion	(1,120,272		)	(96,839		)
		$	318,948		$	5,696,632

Fair_Value_Measurements_Tables

Fair Value Measurements (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Fair Value Measurements	'
Debt	'
	The carrying amounts and estimated fair values of our debt instruments are as follows:
		30-Sep-14				31-Dec-13
		Carrying		Estimated		Carrying		Estimated
		Amount		Fair Value		Amount		Fair Value
		(in thousands)
	NII Capital Corp. senior notes, net (1)	$	2,750,000	$	629,550	$	2,729,321	$	1,227,950
	NII International Telecom S.C.A. senior notes, net (1)	1,600,000		1,060,500		1,609,962		1,271,370
	Equipment financing	713,001		634,943		653,557		620,173
	Bank loans and other	387,251		295,376		448,169		373,796
		$	5,450,252	$	2,620,369	$	5,441,009	$	3,493,289

Segment_Reporting_Tables

Segment Reporting (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Segment Reporting [Abstract]	'
Segment Reporting Information	'
		Brazil			Mexico			Argentina		Corporate and Eliminations				Consolidated
		(in thousands)
	Three Months Ended September 30, 2014
	Operating revenues	$	476,382		$	347,420		$	103,042	$	(117	)		$	926,727
	Segment earnings (losses)	$	919		$	1,816		$	14,105	$	(36,133	)		$	(19,293	)
	Less:
	Impairment and restructuring charges													(98,092		)
	Gain on sale of towers													75,441
	Depreciation and amortization													(170,956		)
	Foreign currency transaction losses, net													(63,002		)
	Interest expense and other, net													(115,854		)
	Loss from continuing operations before reorganization items and income tax provision													$	(391,756	)
	Capital expenditures	$	20,673		$	25,427		$	6,035	$	3,569			$	55,704
	Three Months Ended September 30, 2013
	Operating revenues	$	490,952		$	442,023		$	158,170	$	(5,512	)		$	1,085,633
	Segment earnings (losses)	$	42,507		$	32,130		$	36,507	$	(40,524	)		$	70,620
	Less:
	Impairment and restructuring charges													(21,341		)
	Depreciation and amortization													(177,168		)
	Foreign currency transaction losses, net													(6,117		)
	Interest expense and other, net													(121,162		)
	Loss from continuing operations before reorganization items and income tax provision													$	(255,168	)
	Capital expenditures	$	120,658		$	89,187		$	13,219	$	3,357			$	226,421
	Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014
	Operating revenues	$	1,416,979		$	1,096,076		$	323,831	$	(2,397	)		$	2,834,489
	Segment (losses) earnings	$	(84,377	)	$	(59,838	)	$	62,390	$	(127,676	)		$	(209,501	)
	Less:
	Impairment and restructuring charges													(128,320		)
	Gain on sale of towers													75,441
	Depreciation and amortization													(513,363		)
	Foreign currency transaction losses, net													(48,976		)
	Interest expense and other, net													(346,579		)
	Loss from continuing operations before reorganization items and income tax provision													$	(1,171,298	)
	Capital expenditures	$	138,039		$	127,223		$	17,474	$	12,414			$	295,150
	Nine Months Ended September 30, 2013
	Operating revenues	$	1,705,468		$	1,458,734		$	489,155	$	(5,558	)		$	3,647,799
	Segment earnings (losses)	$	307,497		$	172,753		$	130,690	$	(137,417	)		$	473,523
	Less:
	Impairment and restructuring charges													(147,020		)
	Depreciation and amortization													(539,442		)
	Foreign currency transaction losses, net													(74,820		)
	Interest expense and other, net													(366,142		)
	Loss from continuing operations before reorganization items and income tax provision													$	(653,901	)
	Capital expenditures	$	333,366		$	225,723		$	21,177	$	8,809			$	589,075
	30-Sep-14
	Identifiable assets	$	3,329,825		$	2,047,208		$	366,374	$	502,263			$	6,245,670
	31-Dec-13
	Identifiable assets	$	3,705,642		$	2,695,091		$	451,041	$	1,828,180		-1	$	8,679,954
	__________________________
	-1	As of December 31, 2013, identifiable assets in the "Corporate and Eliminations" column include $168.9 million of total assets related to discontinued operations as a result of the sale of Nextel Chile. See Note 4 for more information.

Condensed_Consolidating_Financ1

Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements	'
Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet	'
	CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEET
	As of September 30, 2014
		NII Holdings,			NII Capital			Guarantor			Non-			Consolidating			Consolidated
		Inc. (Parent)			Corp. (Issuer)(1)			Subsidiaries(2)			Guarantor			Adjustments
											Subsidiaries
		(in thousands)
	ASSETS
	Current assets
	Cash and cash equivalents	$	113,985		$	25,168		$	12,856		$	489,493		$	—		$	641,502
	Short-term investments	—			—			—			98,271			—			98,271
	Accounts receivable, net	—			—			560			467,905			—			468,465
	Short-term intercompany receivables	26,397			65,132			95,960			6,233			(193,722		)	—
	Handset and accessory inventory	—			—			—			264,412			—			264,412
	Deferred income taxes, net	—			—			625			85,077			(984		)	84,718
	Prepaid expenses and other	7,611			—			9,362			436,922			—			453,895
	Total current assets	147,993			90,300			119,363			1,848,313			(194,706		)	2,011,263
	Property, plant and equipment, net	—			—			52,642			2,748,641			—			2,801,283
	Investments in and advances to	588,455			317,673			369,565			—			(1,275,693		)	—
	affiliates
	Intangible assets, net	18,000			—			—			891,570			—			909,570
	Deferred income taxes, net	15,592			—			—			9,810			(15,592		)	9,810
	Long-term intercompany receivables	1,455,976			3,834,714			633,482			1,357			(5,925,529		)	—
	Other assets	17,389			—			3,294			493,061			—			513,744
	Total assets	$	2,243,405		$	4,242,687		$	1,178,346		$	5,992,752		$	(7,411,520	)	$	6,245,670
	LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ (DEFICIT) EQUITY
	Liabilities not subject to compromise
	Current liabilities
	Accounts payable	$	—		$	—		$	1,401		$	188,693		$	—		$	190,094
	Short-term intercompany payables	—			—			2,767			173,397			(176,164		)	—
	Accrued expenses and other	—			—			3,333			546,411			(859		)	548,885
	Deferred revenues	—			—			—			100,526			—			100,526
	Current portion of long-term debt	—			—			—			1,120,272			—			1,120,272
	Deposits related to 2013 sale of towers	—			—			—			317,606			—			317,606
	Total current liabilities	—			—			7,501			2,446,905			(177,023		)	2,277,383
	Long-term debt	—			—			—			318,948			—			318,948
	Deferred income tax liabilities	—			2,950			14,786			75,130			(15,592		)	77,274
	Long-term intercompany payables	—			—			—			138,718			(138,718		)	—
	Other long-term liabilities	16			—			9,152			238,600			—			247,768
	Total liabilities not subject to compromise	16			2,950			31,439			3,218,301			(331,333		)	2,921,373
	Liabilities subject to compromise	30,584			2,859,387			13,125			1,695,494			—			4,598,590
	Intercompany liabilities subject to compromise	3,487,098			115,458			1,492,910			709,392			(5,804,858		)	—
	Total liabilities subject to compromise	3,517,682			2,974,845			1,506,035			2,404,886			(5,804,858		)	4,598,590
	Total stockholders’ (deficit) equity	(1,274,293		)	1,264,892			(359,128		)	369,565			(1,275,329		)	(1,274,293		)
	Total liabilities and stockholders’ (deficit) equity	$	2,243,405		$	4,242,687		$	1,178,346		$	5,992,752		$	(7,411,520	)	$	6,245,670
	_______________________________________
	-1	NII Capital Corp. is the issuer of our 7.625% senior notes due 2021, our 10.0% senior notes due 2016 and our 8.875% senior notes due 2019.
	-2	Represents our subsidiaries that have provided guarantees of the obligations of NII Capital Corp. under our 7.625% senior notes due 2021, our 10.0% senior notes due 2016 and our 8.875% senior notes due 2019.
	CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEET
	As of December 31, 2013
		NII Holdings,			NII Capital			Guarantor			Non-			Consolidating			Consolidated
		Inc. (Parent)			Corp. (Issuer)			Subsidiaries			Guarantor			Adjustments
											Subsidiaries
		(in thousands)
	ASSETS
	Current assets
	Cash and cash equivalents	$	356,314		$	—		$	5,586		$	1,368,435		$	—		$	1,730,335
	Short-term investments	—			—			—			585,760			—			585,760
	Accounts receivable, net	—			—			627			510,779			—			511,406
	Short-term intercompany receivables	31,803			129,810			72,595			4,779			(238,987		)	—
	Handset and accessory inventory	—			—			—			336,620			—			336,620
	Deferred income taxes, net	—			—			1,145			126,250			—			127,395
	Prepaid expenses and other	6,832			—			7,914			382,828			—			397,574
	Assets related to discontinued operations	—			—			—			59,096			—			59,096
Total current assets	394,949			129,810			87,867			3,374,547			(238,987		)	3,748,186
Property, plant and equipment, net	—			—			130,729			3,207,103			(287		)	3,337,545
Investments in and advances to affiliates	1,867,753			1,503,202			1,562,080			—			(4,933,035		)	—
Intangible assets, net	18,000			—			—			962,369			—			980,369
Deferred income taxes, net	16,025			—			—			26,716			(16,028		)	26,713
Long-term intercompany receivables	1,474,658			3,714,760			701,680			1,354			(5,892,452		)	—
Other assets	29,381			32,556			15,383			399,986			—			477,306
Assets related to discontinued operations	—			—			—			109,835			—			109,835
Total assets	$	3,800,766		$	5,380,328		$	2,497,739		$	8,081,910		$	(11,080,789	)	$	8,679,954
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Current liabilities
Accounts payable	$	—		$	—		$	727		$	345,401		$	—		$	346,128
Short-term intercompany payables	464,798			132,007			1,485,835			159,322			(2,241,962		)	—
Accrued expenses and other	—			59,490			26,089			873,702			(222		)	959,059
Deferred revenues	—			—			—			127,782			—			127,782
Current portion of long-term debt	—			—			1,871			94,968			—			96,839
Deposits related to 2013 sale of towers	—			—			—			720,013			—			720,013
Liabilities related to discontinued operations	—			—			—			36,769			—			36,769
Total current liabilities	464,798			191,497			1,514,522			2,357,957			(2,242,184		)	2,286,590
Long-term debt	23			2,729,321			33,864			2,933,424			—			5,696,632
Deferred revenues	—			—			—			11,238			—			11,238
Deferred income tax liabilities	3			2,950			15,384			106,682			(16,028		)	108,991
Long-term intercompany payables	2,950,226			—			10,390			929,990			(3,890,606		)	—
Other long-term liabilities	30,329			—			10,248			175,213			—			215,790
Liabilities related to discontinued operations	—			—			—			5,326			—			5,326
Total liabilities	3,445,379			2,923,768			1,584,408			6,519,830			(6,148,818		)	8,324,567
Total stockholders’ equity	355,387			2,456,560			913,331			1,562,080			(4,931,971		)	355,387
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$	3,800,766		$	5,380,328		$	2,497,739		$	8,081,910		$	(11,080,789	)	$	8,679,954
Condensed Consolidating Statement Of Operations	'
	CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE LOSS
	For the Three Months Ended September 30, 2014
		NII Holdings,			NII Capital			Guarantor			Non-			Consolidating			Consolidated
		Inc. (Parent)			Corp. (Issuer)			Subsidiaries			Guarantor			Adjustments
											Subsidiaries
		(in thousands)
	Operating revenues	$	—					$	358		$	926,625		$	(256	)	$	926,727
	Operating expenses
	Cost of revenues (exclusive of	—			—			—			539,858			—			539,858
	depreciation and amortization
	included below)
	Selling, general and administrative	522			3,142			30,539			373,776			(1,817		)	406,162
	Impairment and restructuring charges	—			—			43,391			54,701			—			98,092
	Gain on sale of towers	—			—			—			(75,441		)	—			(75,441		)
	Management fee and other	—			—			(13,529		)	13,599			(70		)	—
	Depreciation and amortization	—			—			4,167			166,789			—			170,956
		522			3,142			64,568			1,073,282			(1,887		)	1,139,627
	Operating loss	(522		)	(3,142		)	(64,210		)	(146,657		)	1,631			(212,900		)
	Other income (expense)
	Interest expense, net	(132		)	(50,309		)	(77		)	(79,774		)	—			(130,292		)
	Intercompany interest expense	(48,890		)	—			(18		)	(10,858		)	59,766			—
	Interest income	62			—			2			13,431			—			13,495
	Intercompany interest income	111			59,282			372			1			(59,766		)	—
	Foreign currency transaction losses, net	—			—			—			(63,002		)	—			(63,002		)
	Equity in loss of affiliates	(392,272		)	(290,229		)	(289,308		)	—			971,809			—
	Other income (expense), net	1,631			—			(2		)	245			(931		)	943
		(439,490		)	(281,256		)	(289,031		)	(139,957		)	970,878			(178,856		)
	Loss from continuing operations before reorganization items and income tax (provision) benefit	(440,012		)	(284,398		)	(353,241		)	(286,614		)	972,509			(391,756		)
	Reorganization items	—			(45,652		)	(1,750		)	(11,177		)	—			(58,579		)
	Income tax (provision) benefit	(3,435		)	7,319			(4,464		)	(5,523		)	(315		)	(6,418		)
	Net loss from continuing operations	(443,447		)	(322,731		)	(359,455		)	(303,314		)	972,194			(456,753		)
	Income from discontinued operations, net of income taxes	—			—			—			14,006			(700		)	13,306
	Net loss	$	(443,447	)	$	(322,731	)	$	(359,455	)	$	(289,308	)	$	971,494		$	(443,447	)
	Comprehensive loss, net of income taxes
	Foreign currency translation	$	(216,109	)	$	(215,707	)	$	(215,707	)	$	(215,707	)	$	647,121		$	(216,109	)
	adjustment
	Reclassification adjustment for sale of Nextel Chile	(33,885		)	(33,885		)	(33,885		)	(33,885		)	101,655			(33,885		)
	Other	430			430			430			430			(1,290		)	430
	Other comprehensive loss	(249,564		)	(249,162		)	(249,162		)	(249,162		)	747,486			(249,564		)
	Net loss	(443,447		)	(322,731		)	(359,455		)	(289,308		)	971,494			(443,447		)
	Total comprehensive loss	$	(693,011	)	$	(571,893	)	$	(608,617	)	$	(538,470	)	$	1,718,980		$	(693,011	)
	CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE LOSS
	For the Three Months Ended September 30, 2013
		NII Holdings,			NII Capital			Guarantor			Non-			Consolidating			Consolidated
		Inc. (Parent)			Corp. (Issuer)			Subsidiaries			Guarantor			Adjustments
											Subsidiaries
		(in thousands)
	Operating revenues	$	—		$	—		$	777		$	1,085,624		$	(768	)	$	1,085,633
	Operating expenses
	Cost of revenues (exclusive of	—			—			—			554,036			—			554,036
	depreciation and amortization
	included below)
	Selling, general and administrative	748			—			38,077			424,236			(2,084		)	460,977
	Impairment and restructuring charges	—			—			12,741			8,600			—			21,341
	Management fee and other	—			—			9,959			(2,835		)	(7,124		)	—
	Depreciation and amortization	—			—			5,524			171,644			—			177,168
		748			—			66,301			1,155,681			(9,208		)	1,213,522
	Operating loss	(748		)	—			(65,524		)	(70,057		)	8,440			(127,889		)
	Other income (expense)
	Interest expense, net	(141		)	(60,271		)	(323		)	(74,182		)	—			(134,917		)
	Intercompany interest expense	(59,183		)	—			(15		)	(12,821		)	72,019			—
	Interest income	227			—			2			9,036			—			9,265
	Intercompany interest income	76			71,762			181			—			(72,019		)	—
Foreign currency transaction losses, net	—			—			—			(6,117		)	—			(6,117		)
Equity in loss of affiliates	(255,170		)	(235,362		)	(235,810		)	—			726,342			—
Other income, net	8,115			—			666			4,149			(8,440		)	4,490
	(306,076		)	(223,871		)	(235,299		)	(79,935		)	717,902			(127,279		)
Loss from continuing operations before income tax benefit (provision)	(306,824		)	(223,871		)	(300,823		)	(149,992		)	726,342			(255,168		)
Income tax benefit (provision)	6,883			(4,311		)	(1,449		)	(45,384		)	39,922			(4,339		)
Net loss from continuing operations	(299,941		)	(228,182		)	(302,272		)	(195,376		)	766,264			(259,507		)
Loss from discontinued operations, net of income taxes	—			—			—			(40,434		)	—			(40,434		)
Net loss	$	(299,941	)	$	(228,182	)	$	(302,272	)	$	(235,810	)	$	766,264		$	(299,941	)
Comprehensive loss, net of income taxes
Foreign currency translation	$	(20,129	)	$	(20,155	)	$	(20,155	)	$	(20,155	)	$	60,465		$	(20,129	)
adjustment
Other	4,231			4,231			4,231			4,231			(12,693		)	4,231
Other comprehensive loss	(15,898		)	(15,924		)	(15,924		)	(15,924		)	47,772			(15,898		)
Net loss	(299,941		)	(228,182		)	(302,272		)	(235,810		)	766,264			(299,941		)
Total comprehensive loss	$	(315,839	)	$	(244,106	)	$	(318,196	)	$	(251,734	)	$	814,036		$	(315,839	)
	NII Holdings,			NII Capital			Guarantor			Non-			Consolidating			Consolidated
	Inc. (Parent)			Corp. (Issuer)			Subsidiaries			Guarantor			Adjustments
										Subsidiaries
	(in thousands)
Operating revenues	$	—		$	—		$	2,045		$	2,834,236		$	(1,792	)	$	2,834,489
Operating expenses
Cost of revenues (exclusive of	—			—			—			1,738,253			—			1,738,253
depreciation and amortization
included below)
Selling, general and administrative	2,117			3,814			122,013			1,184,162			(6,369		)	1,305,737
Impairment and restructuring charges	—			—			60,827			67,493			—			128,320
Gain on sale of towers	—			—			—			(75,441		)	—			(75,441		)
Management fee and other	—			—			(43,439		)	45,646			(2,207		)	—
Depreciation and amortization	—			—			15,315			498,048			—			513,363
	2,117			3,814			154,716			3,458,161			(8,576		)	3,610,232
Operating loss	(2,117		)	(3,814		)	(152,671		)	(623,925		)	6,784			(775,743		)
Other income (expense)
Interest expense, net	(414		)	(171,647		)	(543		)	(218,254		)	—			(390,858		)
Intercompany interest expense	(165,324		)	—			(53		)	(36,264		)	201,641			—
Interest income	266			—			7			46,060			—			46,333
Intercompany interest income	290			200,467			884			—			(201,641		)	—
Foreign currency transaction losses, net	—			—			—			(48,976		)	—			(48,976		)
Equity in loss of affiliates	(1,292,952		)	(1,107,328		)	(1,104,506		)	—			3,504,786			—
Other income (expense), net	6,784			—			(2		)	(3,039		)	(5,797		)	(2,054		)
	(1,451,350		)	(1,078,508		)	(1,104,213		)	(260,473		)	3,498,989			(395,555		)
Loss from continuing operations before reorganization items and income tax benefit (provision)	(1,453,467		)	(1,082,322		)	(1,256,884		)	(884,398		)	3,505,773			(1,171,298		)
Reorganization items	—			(45,652		)	(1,750		)	(11,177		)	—			(58,579		)
Income tax benefit (provision)	10,630			—			(12,975		)	(36,800		)	(984		)	(40,129		)
Net loss from continuing operations	(1,442,837		)	(1,127,974		)	(1,271,609		)	(932,375		)	3,504,789			(1,270,006		)
Loss from discontinued operations, net of income taxes	—			—			—			(172,131		)	(700		)	(172,831		)
Net loss	$	(1,442,837	)	$	(1,127,974	)	$	(1,271,609	)	$	(1,104,506	)	$	3,504,089		$	(1,442,837	)
Comprehensive loss, net of income taxes
Foreign currency translation	$	(163,106	)	$	(163,100	)	$	(163,100	)	$	(163,100	)	$	489,300		$	(163,106	)
adjustment
Reclassification adjustment for sale of Nextel Chile	(33,885		)	(33,885		)	(33,885		)	(33,885		)	101,655			(33,885		)
Other	296			296			296			296			(888		)	296
Other comprehensive loss	(196,695		)	(196,689		)	(196,689		)	(196,689		)	590,067			(196,695		)
Net loss	(1,442,837		)	(1,127,974		)	(1,271,609		)	(1,104,506		)	3,504,089			(1,442,837		)
Total comprehensive loss	$	(1,639,532	)	$	(1,324,663	)	$	(1,468,298	)	$	(1,301,195	)	$	4,094,156		$	(1,639,532	)
	NII Holdings,			NII Capital			Guarantor			Non-			Consolidating			Consolidated
	Inc. (Parent)			Corp. (Issuer)			Subsidiaries			Guarantor			Adjustments
										Subsidiaries
	(in thousands)
Operating revenues	$	—		$	—		$	2,313		$	3,647,790		$	(2,304	)	$	3,647,799
Operating expenses
Cost of revenues (exclusive of	—			—			—			1,731,260			—			1,731,260
depreciation and amortization
included below)
Selling, general and administrative	2,345			—			131,048			1,315,964			(6,341		)	1,443,016
Impairment and restructuring charges	—			—			89,029			57,991			—			147,020
Management fee and other	—			—			(44,351		)	69,366			(25,015		)	—
Depreciation and amortization	—			—			21,429			518,013			—			539,442
	2,345			—			197,155			3,692,594			(31,356		)	3,860,738
Operating loss	(2,345		)	—			(194,842		)	(44,804		)	29,052			(212,939		)
Other income (expense)
Interest expense, net	(419		)	(179,546		)	(1,100		)	(201,210		)	—			(382,275		)
Intercompany interest expense	(175,617		)	—			(42		)	(38,822		)	214,481			—
Interest income	799			—			8			23,936			—			24,743
Intercompany interest income	1,226			212,947			308			—			(214,481		)	—
Foreign currency transaction losses, net	—			—			—			(74,820		)	—			(74,820		)
Equity in loss of affiliates	(766,624		)	(622,252		)	(619,874		)	—			2,008,750			—
Other income (expense), net	28,731			—			611			(8,900		)	(29,052		)	(8,610		)
	(911,904		)	(588,851		)	(620,089		)	(299,816		)	1,979,698			(440,962		)
Loss from continuing operations before income tax benefit (provision)	(914,249		)	(588,851		)	(814,931		)	(344,620		)	2,008,750			(653,901		)
Income tax benefit (provision)	10,453			(12,251		)	(7,042		)	(100,086		)	34,199			(74,727		)
Net loss from continuing operations	(903,796		)	(601,102		)	(821,973		)	(444,706		)	2,042,949			(728,628		)
Loss from discontinued operations, net of income taxes	—			—			—			(175,168		)	—			(175,168		)
Net loss	$	(903,796	)	$	(601,102	)	$	(821,973	)	$	(619,874	)	$	2,042,949		$	(903,796	)
Comprehensive loss, net of income taxes
Foreign currency translation	$	(218,306	)	$	(218,226	)	$	(218,226	)	$	(218,226	)	$	654,678		$	(218,306	)
adjustment
Other	439			439			439			439			(1,317		)	439
Other comprehensive loss	(217,867		)	(217,787		)	(217,787		)	(217,787		)	653,361			(217,867		)
Net loss	(903,796		)	(601,102		)	(821,973		)	(619,874		)	2,042,949			(903,796		)
Total comprehensive loss	$	(1,121,663	)	$	(818,889	)	$	(1,039,760	)	$	(837,661	)	$	2,696,310		$	(1,121,663	)
Condensed Consolidating Statement Of Cash Flows	'
	CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
	For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014
		NII Holdings,			NII Capital			Guarantor			Non-			Consolidating			Consolidated
		Inc. (Parent)			Corp. (Issuer)			Subsidiaries			Guarantor			Adjustments
											Subsidiaries
		(in thousands)
	Cash flows from operating activities:
	Net loss	$	(1,442,837	)	$	(1,127,974	)	$	(1,271,609	)	$	(1,104,506	)	$	3,504,089		$	(1,442,837	)
	Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash (used in) provided by operating activities	1,346,923			1,153,588			1,140,157			572,668			(3,504,089		)	709,247
	Total operating cash (used in) provided by continuing operations	(95,914		)	25,614			(131,452		)	(531,838		)	—			(733,590		)
	Total operating cash used in discontinued operations	—			—			—			(62,583		)	—			(62,583		)
	Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities	(95,914		)	25,614			(131,452		)	(594,421		)	—			(796,173		)
	Cash flows from investing activities:
	Capital expenditures	—			—			(7,398		)	(506,797		)	—			(514,195		)
	Purchases of long-term and short-	—			—			—			(1,331,015		)	—			(1,331,015		)
	term investments
	Proceeds from sales of long-term	—			—			—			1,848,594			—			1,848,594
	and short-term investments
	Investments in subsidiaries	(157,998		)	(446		)	—			—			158,444			—
	Change in restricted cash and escrow accounts	10,000			—			—			(167,237		)	—			(157,237		)
	Other, net	1,669			—			32,390			(35,224		)	(1,669		)	(2,834		)
	Total investing cash (used in) provided by continuing operations	(146,329		)	(446		)	24,992			(191,679		)	156,775			(156,687		)
	Total investing cash used in discontinued operations	—			—			—			(13,999		)	—			(13,999		)
	Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities	(146,329		)	(446		)	24,992			(205,678		)	156,775			(170,686		)
	Cash flows from financing activities:
	Borrowings under equipment financing facilities and other	—			—			—			14,590			—			14,590
	Repayments under capital leases, equipment financing and other	—			—			(42,414		)	(56,043		)	—			(98,457		)
	Capital contributions	—			20			157,812			612			(158,444		)	—
	Other, net	(86		)	(20		)	(1,668		)	(527		)	1,669			(632		)
	Net cash flows (used in) provided by financing activities	(86		)	—			113,730			(41,368		)	(156,775		)	(84,499		)
	Effect of exchange rate changes	—			—			—			(40,923		)	—			(40,923		)
	on cash and cash equivalents
	Change in cash and cash equivalents related to discontinued operations	—			—			—			3,448			—			3,448
	Net (decrease) increase in cash and	(242,329		)	25,168			7,270			(878,942		)	—			(1,088,833		)
	cash equivalents
	Cash and cash equivalents,	356,314			—			5,586			1,368,435			—			1,730,335
	beginning of period
	Cash and cash equivalents, end of	$	113,985		$	25,168		$	12,856		$	489,493		$	—		$	641,502
	period
	CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
	For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2013
		NII Holdings,			NII Capital			Guarantor			Non-			Consolidating			Consolidated
		Inc. (Parent)			Corp. (Issuer)			Subsidiaries			Guarantor			Adjustments
											Subsidiaries
		(in thousands)
	Cash flows from operating activities:
	Net loss	$	(903,796	)	$	(601,102	)	$	(821,973	)	$	(619,874	)	$	2,042,949		$	(903,796	)
	Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash (used in) provided by operating activities	809,240			653,552			707,180			855,308			(2,092,859		)	932,421
	Total operating cash (used in) provided by continuing operations	(94,556		)	52,450			(114,793		)	235,434			(49,910		)	28,625
	Total operating cash used in discontinued operations	—			—			—			(131,342		)	—			(131,342		)
	Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities	(94,556		)	52,450			(114,793		)	104,092			(49,910		)	(102,717		)
	Cash flows from investing activities:
	Capital expenditures	—			—			(11,580		)	(501,552		)	—			(513,132		)
	Payments for purchases of licenses	—			—			—			(42,105		)	—			(42,105		)
	Purchases of long-term and short-term investments	—			—			—			(1,772,379		)	—			(1,772,379		)
	Proceeds from sales of long-term and short-term investments	—			—			—			1,619,551			—			1,619,551
	Investments in subsidiaries	(135,714		)	(2,540		)	(1,259		)	—			139,513			—
	Change in restricted cash and escrow accounts	—			—			—			(17,351		)	—			(17,351		)
	Other, net	—			—			—			160			16			176
	Total investing cash used in continuing operations	(135,714		)	(2,540		)	(12,839		)	(713,676		)	139,529			(725,240		)
	Total investing cash provided by discontinued operations	—			—			—			237,874			—			237,874
	Net cash used in investing activities	(135,714		)	(2,540		)	(12,839		)	(475,802		)	139,529			(487,366		)
	Cash flows from financing activities:
Gross proceeds from issuance of senior notes	—			—			—			1,600,000			—			1,600,000
Borrowings under equipment financing facilities	—			—			—			110,157			—			110,157
Payment of line of credit	—			—			—			(327,762		)	—			(327,762		)
Repayments under syndicated loan facilities	—			—			—			(323,919		)	—			(323,919		)
Repayments of import financing loans	—			—			—			(37,422		)	—			(37,422		)
Repayments under tower financing and other borrowings	—			—			(12,391		)	(12,527		)	—			(24,918		)
Capital contributions	—			20			135,694			3,799			(139,513		)	—
Proceeds from intercompany borrowings	—			(49,910		)	—			—			49,910			—
Other, net	(918		)	(20		)	—			(18,484		)	(16		)	(19,438		)
Total financing cash (used in) provided by continuing operations	(918		)	(49,910		)	123,303			993,842			(89,619		)	976,698
Total financing cash used in discontinued operations	—			—			—			(152,967		)	—			(152,967		)
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities	(918		)	(49,910		)	123,303			840,875			(89,619		)	823,731
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	—			—			—			(38,501		)	—			(38,501		)
Change in cash and cash equivalents related to discontinued operations	—			—			—			10,407			—			10,407
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents	(231,188		)	—			(4,329		)	441,071			—			205,554
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	735,022			—			6,469			623,462			—			1,364,953
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	$	503,834		$	—		$	2,140		$	1,064,533		$	—		$	1,570,507

Chapter_11_Proceedings_Narrati

Chapter 11 Proceedings - Narrative (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Liabilities Subject to Compromise [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'
Debt	$4,350,000,000	$4,350,000,000	'	'	'
Accrued Interest	203,621,000	203,621,000	'	'	'
Accounts Payable	2,299,000	2,299,000	'	'	'
Accrued expenses and other	42,670,000	42,670,000	'	'	'
Total liabilities subject to compromise	4,598,590,000	4,598,590,000	0	'	'
Debtor Reorganization Items, Write-off of Debt Discounts (Premiums)	8,600,000	'	'	'	'
Debtor Reorganization Items, Write-off of Deferred Financing Costs and Debt Discounts	48,200,000	'	'	'	'
Post-Petition Unaccrued Interest	'	18,200,000	'	'	'
Cash and Cash Equivalents, at Carrying Value	641,502,000	641,502,000	1,730,335,000	1,570,507,000	1,364,953,000
Short-term investments	98,271,000	98,271,000	585,760,000	'	'
Accounts receivable, net	468,465,000	468,465,000	511,406,000	'	'
7.625% Senior Notes Due 2021 [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Liabilities Subject to Compromise [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'
Debt	1,450,000,000	1,450,000,000	'	'	'
Eight Point Eight Seven Five Percent Senior Notes Due Two Zero One Nine [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Liabilities Subject to Compromise [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'
Debt	500,000,000	500,000,000	'	'	'
10.0% Senior Notes Due 2016 [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Liabilities Subject to Compromise [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'
Debt	800,000,000	800,000,000	'	'	'
Seven Point Eight Seven Five Percent Senior Notes Due Two Zero One Nine [Domain]	'	'	'	'	'
Liabilities Subject to Compromise [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'
Debt	700,000,000	700,000,000	'	'	'
Eleven Point Three Seven Five Percent Senior Notes Due Two Zero One Nine [Domain]	'	'	'	'	'
Liabilities Subject to Compromise [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'
Debt	$900,000,000	$900,000,000	'	'	'

Chapter_11_Proceedings_Balance

Chapter 11 Proceedings - Balance Sheet (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Intercompany Liabilities Subject To Compromise	$0	'	'	'
Cash and Cash Equivalents, at Carrying Value	641,502	1,730,335	1,570,507	1,364,953
Short-term investments	98,271	585,760	'	'
Other Assets, Current	83,851	40,461	'	'
Assets, Current	2,011,263	3,748,186	'	'
Property, plant and equipment, net	2,801,283	3,337,545	'	'
Intangible assets, net	909,570	980,369	'	'
Long-term Intercompany Receivables	0	0	'	'
Other assets	513,744	477,306	'	'
Assets	6,245,670	8,679,954	'	'
Accounts payable	190,094	346,128	'	'
Other Accrued Liabilities, Current	228,047	244,610	'	'
Liabilities, Current	2,277,383	2,286,590	'	'
Liabilities Not Subject To Compromise	2,921,373	8,324,567	'	'
Liabilities Subject to Compromise	4,598,590	'	'	'
Liabilities	'	8,324,567	'	'
Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent	-1,274,293	355,387	'	'
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	6,245,670	8,679,954	'	'
Chapter 11 Entities [Member]	'	'	'	'
Intercompany Liabilities Subject To Compromise	9,820	'	'	'
Cash and Cash Equivalents, at Carrying Value	352,302	1,133,247	'	'
Short-term investments	122,321	'	'	'
Other Assets, Current	17,535	'	'	'
Assets, Current	492,158	'	'	'
Property, plant and equipment, net	52,642	'	'	'
Intangible assets, net	18,000	'	'	'
Investments In And Advances To Non-Debtor Entities	1,095,058	'	'	'
Long-term Intercompany Receivables	1,671,559	'	'	'
Other assets	20,683	'	'	'
Assets	3,350,100	'	'	'
Accounts payable	1,401	'	'	'
Other Accrued Liabilities, Current	3,271	'	'	'
Liabilities, Current	4,672	'	'	'
Liabilities, Noncurrent	11,311	'	'	'
Liabilities Not Subject To Compromise	15,983	'	'	'
Liabilities Subject to Compromise	4,598,590	'	'	'
Liabilities	4,624,393	'	'	'
Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent	-1,274,293	'	'	'
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$3,350,100	'	'	'

Chapter_11_Proceedings_Income_

Chapter 11 Proceedings - Income Statement (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Total operating revenues	$926,727	$1,085,633	$2,834,489	$3,647,799
Selling, general and administrative	406,162	460,977	1,305,737	1,443,016
Restructuring, Settlement and Impairment Provisions	98,092	21,341	128,320	147,020
Operating Expenses	1,139,627	1,213,522	3,610,232	3,860,738
Operating income	-212,900	-127,889	-775,743	-212,939
Interest expense, net	130,292	134,917	390,858	382,275
Intercompany Interest Expense	0	0	0	0
Intercompany Interest Income	0	0	0	0
Other Nonoperating Income (Expense)	943	4,490	-2,054	-8,610
Nonoperating Income (Expense)	-178,856	-127,279	-395,555	-440,962
Reorganization Items	58,579	0	58,579	0
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Equity Method Investments, Income Taxes, Extraordinary Items, Noncontrolling Interest	-391,756	-255,168	-1,171,298	-653,901
Income Tax Expense (Benefit)	6,418	4,339	40,129	74,727
Net income	-443,447	-299,941	-1,442,837	-903,796
Foreign currency translation adjustment	-216,109	-20,129	-163,106	-218,306
Reclassification adjustment for sale of Nextel Chile	33,885	0	33,885	0
Other	430	4,231	296	439
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax	-249,564	-15,898	-196,695	-217,867
Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Attributable to Parent	-693,011	-315,839	-1,639,532	-1,121,663
Chapter 11 Entities [Member]	'	'	'	'
Total operating revenues	102	'	253	'
Selling, general and administrative	37,150	'	131,053	'
Restructuring, Settlement and Impairment Provisions	43,392	'	60,827	'
Management Fee Expense	-13,523	'	-43,596	'
Depreciation, Amortization and Accretion, Net	4,167	'	15,315	'
Operating Expenses	71,186	'	163,599	'
Operating income	-71,084	'	-163,346	'
Interest expense, net	-84,586	'	-288,086	'
Intercompany Interest Expense	0	'	-53	'
Interest Income, Other	75	'	876	'
Intercompany Interest Income	9,598	'	24,661	'
Equity In Losses Of Non-Debtor Subsidiaries	-240,490	'	-965,195	'
Other Nonoperating Income (Expense)	1,619	'	6,885	'
Nonoperating Income (Expense)	-313,784	'	-1,220,912	'
Reorganization Items	-58,579	'	-58,579	'
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Equity Method Investments, Income Taxes, Extraordinary Items, Noncontrolling Interest	-384,868	'	-1,384,258	'
Income Tax Expense (Benefit)	0	'	0	'
Net income	-443,447	'	-1,442,837	'
Foreign currency translation adjustment	-216,109	'	-163,106	'
Reclassification adjustment for sale of Nextel Chile	-33,885	'	-33,885	'
Other	430	'	296	'
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax	-249,564	'	-196,695	'
Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Attributable to Parent	($693,011)	'	'	'

Chapter_11_Proceedings_Stateme

Chapter 11 Proceedings - Statement of Cash Flows (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Net income	($1,442,837)	($903,796)
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities	709,247	932,421
Net cash provided by operating activities	-796,173	-102,717
Capital expenditures	-514,195	-513,132
Proceeds from Sale, Maturity and Collection of Investments	-1,331,015	-1,772,379
Net cash used in investing activities	-170,686	-487,366
Other, net	-632	-19,483
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities	-84,499	823,731
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents	-1,088,833	205,554
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	1,730,335	1,364,953
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	641,502	1,570,507
Chapter 11 Entities [Member]	'	'
Net income	-1,442,837	'
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities	1,113,153	'
Net cash provided by operating activities	-329,684	'
Capital expenditures	-7,398	'
Proceeds from Sale of Productive Assets	32,390	'
Proceeds from Sale, Maturity and Collection of Investments	198,007	'
Intercompany Payments, Investing Activities	-517,000	'
Investments In And Advances To Non-Debtor Subsidiaries	-124,450	'
Transfers from restricted cash	10,000	'
Net cash used in investing activities	-408,451	'
Repayments of Long-term Capital Lease Obligations	-42,414	'
Other, net	-396	'
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities	-42,810	'
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents	-780,945	'
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	1,133,247	'
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	$352,302	'

Supplemental_FInancial_Stateme6

Supplemental FInancial Statement Information (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
Share data in Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Supplemental Cash Flow Information [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Cash paid for capital expenditures, including capitalized interest on property, plant and equipment	'	'	$514,195,000	$513,132,000
Change in capital expenditures accrued and unpaid or financed, including interest capitalized	'	'	-219,045,000	75,943,000
Total Capital expenditures	55,704,000	226,421,000	295,150,000	589,075,000
Interest expense, net	130,292,000	134,917,000	390,858,000	382,275,000
Interest capitalized	'	'	30,160,000	64,433,000
Total interest costs	'	'	421,018,000	446,708,000
Non Cash Financing Activities	'	'	$157,800,000	$145,100,000
Employee Stock Option [Member]	'	'	'	'
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share, Amount	9.4	12.8	8.8	12.3
Restricted Stock [Member]	'	'	'	'
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share, Amount	'	3.4	1.2	2.4

Supplemental_FInancial_Stateme7

Supplemental FInancial Statement Information Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'	'
Cumulative foreign currency translation adjustment	($1,148,262)	($951,271)
Other	-4,510	-4,806
Total accumulated other comprehensive loss	($1,152,772)	($956,077)

Supplemental_FInancial_Stateme8

Supplemental FInancial Statement Information Table (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Reclassification adjustment for sale of Nextel Chile	$33,885	$0	$33,885	$0
Chapter 11 Entities [Member]	'	'	'	'
Reclassification adjustment for sale of Nextel Chile	($33,885)	'	($33,885)	'

Discontinued_Operations_Detail

Discontinued Operations (Details) (Nextel Peru [Member], USD $)	9 Months Ended		3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Aug. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Cash and Cash Equivalents	'	'	'	'	'	'	$3,448,000
Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Consideration	'	405,500,000	'	'	'	'	'
Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Revenue	'	'	7,391,000	55,415,000	38,596,000	248,846,000	'
Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Operating Expense	'	'	-16,754,000	-94,416,000	-228,578,000	-395,118,000	'
Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Other Income (Expense)	'	'	-8,519,000	-38,000	-19,990,000	-25,341,000	'
Discontinued Operation, Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operation, before Income Tax	'	'	-17,882,000	-39,039,000	-209,972,000	-171,613,000	'
Discontinued Operation, Tax Effect of Discontinued Operation	'	'	0	0	0	-900,000	'
Discontinued Operation, Income (Loss) From Discontinued Operation, Before Gain (Loss) On Disposal Of Discontinued Operation, Net Of Tax	'	'	-17,882,000	-39,039,000	-209,972,000	-172,513,000	'
Discontinued Operation, Gain (Loss) on Disposal of Discontinued Operation, Net of Tax	'	'	31,188,000	-1,395,000	37,141,000	-2,655,000	'
Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operations, Net of Tax, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	'	'	13,306,000	-40,434,000	-172,831,000	-175,168,000	'
Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Consideration, Escrow Deposit	'	50,000,000	'	'	'	'	'
Release Of Consideration	7,500,000	'	'	'	'	'	'
Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Accounts, Notes and Loans Receivable, Net	'	'	'	'	'	'	11,157,000
Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Inventory	'	'	'	'	'	'	5,965,000
Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Prepaid and Other Assets, Current	'	'	'	'	'	'	38,526,000
Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Property, Plant, and Equipment, Net	'	'	'	'	'	'	50,515,000
Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Intangible Assets, Net	'	'	'	'	'	'	13,300,000
Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Other Assets	'	'	'	'	'	'	46,020,000
Assets of Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation	'	'	'	'	'	'	168,931,000
Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Accounts Payable	'	'	'	'	'	'	22,928,000
Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Accrued Liabilities	'	'	'	'	'	'	13,841,000
Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Other Noncurrent Liabilities	'	'	'	'	'	'	5,326,000
Liabilities of Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation	'	'	'	'	'	'	$42,095,000

Impairment_and_Restructuring_C2

Impairment and Restructuring Charges Table (Details) (USD $)

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Mar. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Mar. 31, 2013

Corporate [Member]

Corporate [Member]

Corporate [Member]

Corporate [Member]

Corporate [Member]

BRAZIL

BRAZIL

BRAZIL

BRAZIL

MEXICO

MEXICO

MEXICO

MEXICO

ARGENTINA

ARGENTINA

ARGENTINA

ARGENTINA

Contractual Rights [Member]

Contractual Rights [Member]

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Asset Impairment Charges

'

'

$85,300,000

$47,900,000

'

'

$6,400,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$17,600,000

$38,200,000

Other Asset Impairment Charges

13,600,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Restructuring, Settlement and Impairment Provisions

$98,092,000

$21,341,000

'

$128,320,000

$147,020,000

$43,392,000

'

$12,743,000

$60,827,000

$89,743,000

$38,194,000

$0

$38,194,000

$23,814,000

$13,951,000

$8,598,000

$26,744,000

$29,684,000

$2,555,000

$0

$2,555,000

$3,779,000

'

'

Impairment_and_Restructuring_C3

Impairment and Restructuring Charges Restructuring Charges (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended		3 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013
				Contractual Rights [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Restructuring Charges	'	($59,311,000)	'	$3,200,000
Payments for Restructuring	'	-38,375,000	'	'
Accrued Restructuring Charges	36,346,000	36,346,000	15,410,000	'
Severance Costs	$12,700,000	$37,800,000	'	'

Balance_Sheet_Details_Details

Balance Sheet Details (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Prepaid Expenses and Other	'	'
Prepaid value-added taxes	$181,660,000	$207,951,000
Prepaid Spectrum Fees	33,370,000	1,109,000
Prepaid income taxes	38,598,000	59,054,000
Other Prepaid Expense, Current	116,416,000	88,999,000
Other Assets, Current	83,851,000	40,461,000
Prepaid expenses and other	453,895,000	397,574,000
Property, Plant and Equipment	'	'
Land	7,373,000	7,663,000
Building and leasehold improvements	165,825,000	190,258,000
Digital mobile network equipment, communication towers and network software	4,689,990,000	4,735,361,000
Office equipment, furniture and fixtures and other	756,142,000	753,665,000
Corporate aircraft capital lease	0	42,747,000
Less: Accumulated depreciation and amortization	-3,071,986,000	-2,907,939,000
Property, plant and equipment, Gross	2,547,344,000	2,821,755,000
Construction in progress	253,939,000	515,790,000
Property, plant and equipment, net	2,801,283,000	3,337,545,000
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Indefinite-lived intangible assets	18,000,000	'
Accrued Expenses and Other	'	'
Accrued Capital Expenditure Current	102,189,000	290,036,000
Employee-related Liabilities	78,722,000	89,435,000
Non-income based taxes	54,856,000	114,360,000
Accrued interest	15,952,000	128,509,000
Other Accrued Liabilities, Current	228,047,000	244,610,000
Accrued expenses and other	548,885,000	959,059,000
Licensing Agreements [Member]	'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Gross	1,181,743,000	1,205,450,000
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization	-290,173,000	-243,081,000
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net Carrying Value	$891,570,000	$962,369,000

Balance_Sheet_Details_Other_Lo

Balance Sheet Details Other Long-Term Assets (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Other Long-Term Assets [Abstract]	'	'
Other assets	$513,744	$477,306

Balance_Sheet_Details_Prepaid_

Balance Sheet Details Prepaid Expenses and Other (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Prepaid value-added taxes	$181,660	$207,951
Prepaid income taxes	38,598	59,054
Prepaid Spectrum Fees	33,370	1,109
Other Prepaid Expense, Current	116,416	88,999
Other Assets, Current	83,851	40,461
Prepaid expenses and other	$453,895	$397,574

Balance_Sheet_Details_Accrued_

Balance Sheet Details Accrued Expenses and Other (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Accrued Capital Expenditure Current	$102,189	$290,036
Non-income based taxes	54,856	114,360
Network system and information technology	69,119	92,109
Accrued interest	15,952	128,509
Other Accrued Liabilities, Current	228,047	244,610
Accrued expenses and other	$548,885	$959,059

Debt_Narrative_Details

Debt (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Mar. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2009

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2011

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Aug. 31, 2009

Sep. 30, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

NII Capital Corp [Member]

NII Capital Corp [Member]

NII International Telecom [Member]

NII International Telecom [Member]

Eight Point Eight Seven Five Percent Senior Notes Due Two Zero One Nine [Member]

Eight Point Eight Seven Five Percent Senior Notes Due Two Zero One Nine [Member]

Eight Point Eight Seven Five Percent Senior Notes Due Two Zero One Nine [Member]

Seven Point Eight Seven Five Percent Senior Notes Due Two Zero One Nine [Domain]

Eleven Point Three Seven Five Percent Senior Notes Due Two Zero One Nine [Domain]

10.0% Senior Notes Due 2016 [Member]

7.625% Senior Notes Due 2021 [Member]

7.625% Senior Notes Due 2021 [Member]

7.625% Senior Notes Due 2021 [Member]

MEXICO

MEXICO

Brazil [Member]

Brazil [Member]

BRAZIL

BRAZIL

BRAZIL

Aircraft [Domain]

Equipment Financing

$713,000,000

'

'

$713,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$366,937,000

$352,725,000

'

'

'

'

Loans Payable to Bank

385,795,000

'

'

385,795,000

'

444,268,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Senior Notes

'

'

'

'

'

'

0

2,729,321,000

0

1,609,962,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Notes interest rate

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

8.88%

8.88%

7.88%

11.38%

10.00%

7.63%

7.63%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Interest Penalty

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0.25%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Maximum Interest Penalty, Per Year

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Maturity Date

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'December 15, 2019

'

'

'

'

'August 15, 2016

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Principal amount

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1,450,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Proceeds from Sale of Productive Assets

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

374,300,000

'

'

'

160,000,000

18,600,000

348,000,000

32,500,000

Gain (Loss) on Sale of Assets and Asset Impairment Charges

-75,441,000

0

'

-75,441,000

0

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

75,400,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Sale Leaseback Transaction, Deferred Gain, Gross

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

179,600,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Present Value of Future Minimum Lease Payments, Sale Leaseback Transactions

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

112,400,000

'

'

'

180,000,000

'

'

'

Asset Impairment Charges

'

'

$85,300,000

$47,900,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$5,100,000

'

'

'

'

'

$6,400,000

Debt_Debt_Details

Debt (Debt) (Details) (USD $)

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

In Thousands, unless otherwise specified

Eleven Point Three Seven Five Percent Senior Notes Due Two Zero One Nine [Domain]

Seven Point Eight Seven Five Percent Senior Notes Due Two Zero One Nine [Domain]

NII Capital Corp [Member]

NII Capital Corp [Member]

NII International Telecom [Member]

NII International Telecom [Member]

Brazil [Member]

Brazil [Member]

Mexico [Member]

Mexico [Member]

Debt Instrument [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Interest Penalty

'

'

0.25%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Maximum Interest Penalty, Per Year

'

'

1.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Total debt, excluding current portion

$318,948

$5,696,632

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Less: current portion

-1,120,272

-96,839

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Total debt

1,439,220

5,793,471

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Other Long-term Debt

1,456

3,901

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Loans Payable to Bank

385,795

444,268

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Corporate Aircraft Capital Lease

0

35,736

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Capital Lease And Tower Financing Obligations

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

47,239

122,499

291,729

194,227

Equipment Financing

713,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

366,937

352,725

346,064

300,832

Senior notes, net

'

'

'

'

$0

$2,729,321

$0

$1,609,962

'

'

'

'

Notes interest rate

'

'

11.38%

7.88%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Debt_Debt_and_Equity_Component

Debt (Debt and Equity Components Recognized for Convertible Notes) (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Principal amount of convertible notes	$5,450,252	$5,441,009

Fair_Value_Measurements_Fair_V

Fair Value Measurements (Fair Value on Recurring Basis) (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Available Number Of Funds	'	2
Short-term Investments [Member] | Nextel Brazil [Member]	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities	$98.30	$418.60

Fair_Value_Measurements_Carryi

Fair Value Measurements (Carrying Amounts and Estimated Fair Values of Long-Term Debt Instrument) (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Carrying amount	$5,450,252	$5,441,009
Long-term estimated fair value	2,620,369	3,493,289
NII Capital Corp [Member]	'	'
Carrying amount	2,750,000	2,729,321
Long-term estimated fair value	629,550	1,227,950
NII International Telecom [Member]	'	'
Carrying amount	1,600,000	1,609,962
Long-term estimated fair value	1,060,500	1,271,370
Bank Loans and Other [Member]	'	'
Carrying amount	387,251	448,169
Long-term estimated fair value	295,376	373,796
Equipment Financing [Member]	'	'
Carrying amount	713,001	653,557
Long-term estimated fair value	$634,943	$620,173

Commitments_and_Contingencies_

Commitments and Contingencies (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Loss Contingency, Estimate of Possible Loss	$430	'
Nextel Brazil [Member]	'	'
Accrued Liabilities	66.6	70.9
Unasserted Claims	$8.90	$11.20

Income_Taxes_Narrative_Details

Income Taxes (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'
Valuation Allowance, Deferred Tax Asset, Change in Amount	'	'	$325,500,000	'	'
Deferred Tax Assets, Valuation Allowance	4,600,000,000	'	4,600,000,000	'	4,300,000,000
Deferred income tax benefit	'	'	-21,975,000	-38,172,000	'
Income tax provision	-6,418,000	-4,339,000	-40,129,000	-74,727,000	'
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Equity Method Investments, Income Taxes, Extraordinary Items, Noncontrolling Interest	-391,756,000	-255,168,000	-1,171,298,000	-653,901,000	'
Income Tax Provision	6,400,000	4,300,000	40,100,000	74,700,000	'
Change in Income Tax Provision	$34,600,000	'	'	'	'

Segment_Reporting_Segment_Repo

Segment Reporting (Segment Reporting Information) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013
Operating revenues	$926,727	$1,085,633	$2,834,489	$3,647,799	'
Segment earnings (losses)	-19,293	70,620	-209,501	473,523	'
Restructuring, Settlement and Impairment Provisions	-98,092	-21,341	-128,320	-147,020	'
Gain (Loss) on Sale of Assets and Asset Impairment Charges	75,441	0	75,441	0	'
Less:	'	'	'	'	'
Depreciation and amortization	-170,956	-177,168	-513,363	-539,442	'
Foreign currency transaction (losses) gains, net	-63,002	-6,117	-48,976	-74,820	'
Segment Reporting, Interest Expense and Other, Net	-115,854	-121,162	-346,579	-366,142	'
Income before income tax provision	-391,756	-255,168	-1,171,298	-653,901	'
Capital expenditures	55,704	226,421	295,150	589,075	'
Identifiable assets	6,245,670	'	6,245,670	'	8,679,954
Brazil [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Operating revenues	476,382	490,952	1,416,979	1,705,468	'
Segment earnings (losses)	919	42,507	-84,377	307,497	'
Less:	'	'	'	'	'
Capital expenditures	20,673	120,658	138,039	333,366	'
Identifiable assets	3,329,825	'	3,329,825	'	3,705,642
Mexico [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Operating revenues	347,420	442,023	1,096,076	1,458,734	'
Segment earnings (losses)	1,816	32,130	-59,838	172,753	'
Less:	'	'	'	'	'
Capital expenditures	25,427	89,187	127,223	225,723	'
Identifiable assets	2,047,208	'	2,047,208	'	2,695,091
Argentina [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Operating revenues	103,042	158,170	323,831	489,155	'
Segment earnings (losses)	14,105	36,507	62,390	130,690	'
Less:	'	'	'	'	'
Capital expenditures	6,035	13,219	17,474	21,177	'
Identifiable assets	366,374	'	366,374	'	451,041
Corporate and Other [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Operating revenues	-117	-5,512	-2,397	-5,558	'
Segment earnings (losses)	-36,133	-40,524	-127,676	-137,417	'
Less:	'	'	'	'	'
Capital expenditures	3,569	3,357	12,414	8,809	'
Identifiable assets	$502,263	'	$502,263	'	$1,828,180

Condensed_Consolidating_Financ2

Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2011

Aug. 31, 2009

Dec. 31, 2009

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2011

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

7.625% Senior Notes Due 2021 [Member]

7.625% Senior Notes Due 2021 [Member]

7.625% Senior Notes Due 2021 [Member]

10.0% and 8.875% Senior Notes Due 2016 and 2019 [Member]

10.0% Senior Notes Due 2016 [Member]

Eight Point Eight Seven Five Percent Senior Notes Due Two Zero One Nine [Member]

Eight Point Eight Seven Five Percent Senior Notes Due Two Zero One Nine [Member]

Eight Point Eight Seven Five Percent Senior Notes Due Two Zero One Nine [Member]

Eleven Point Three Seven Five Percent Senior Notes Due Two Zero One Nine [Domain]

NII Holdings Inc. (Parent) [Member]

NII Holdings Inc. (Parent) [Member]

NII Holdings Inc. (Parent) [Member]

NII Holdings Inc. (Parent) [Member]

Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]

Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]

Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]

Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]

Principal amount

'

'

'

'

'

'

$1,450,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Notes interest rate

'

'

'

'

7.63%

7.63%

'

'

10.00%

'

8.88%

8.88%

11.38%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Senior Notes

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1,300,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Maturity Date

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'August 15, 2016

'December 15, 2019

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Other (expense) income, net

943,000

4,490,000

-2,054,000

-8,610,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1,631,000

8,115,000

6,784,000

28,731,000

-2,000

666,000

-2,000

611,000

Net cash used in investing activities

'

'

-170,686,000

-487,366,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

-146,329,000

-135,714,000

'

'

24,992,000

-12,839,000

Net cash provided by operating activities

'

'

($796,173,000)

($102,717,000)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

($95,914,000)

($94,556,000)

'

'

($131,452,000)

($114,793,000)

Condensed_Consolidating_Financ3

Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements (Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet) (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014		Dec. 31, 2013		Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Cash and cash equivalents	$641,502		$1,730,335		$1,570,507	$1,364,953
Short-term investments	98,271		585,760		'	'
Accounts receivable, net	468,465		511,406		'	'
Short-term Intercompany Receviables	0		0		'	'
Handset and accessory inventory	264,412		336,620		'	'
Deferred income taxes, net	84,718		127,395		'	'
Prepaid expenses and other	453,895		397,574		'	'
Assets of Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Current	0		59,096		'	'
Total current assets	2,011,263		3,748,186		'	'
Property, plant and equipment, net	2,801,283		3,337,545		'	'
Investments in and advances to affiliates	0		0		'	'
Intangible assets, net	909,570		980,369		'	'
Deferred income taxes, net	9,810		26,713		'	'
Long-term Intercompany Receivables	0		0		'	'
Other assets	513,744		477,306		'	'
Assets of Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Noncurrent	0		109,835		'	'
Total assets	6,245,670		8,679,954		'	'
Accounts payable	190,094		346,128		'	'
Short-term Intercompany Payables	0		0		'	'
Accrued expenses and other	548,885		959,059		'	'
Deferred revenues	100,526		127,782		'	'
Current portion of long-term debt	1,120,272		96,839		'	'
Deposit Liability, Current	317,606		720,013		'	'
Liabilities of Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Current	0		36,769		'	'
Total current liabilities	2,277,383		2,286,590		'	'
Long-term debt	318,948		5,696,632		'	'
Deferred revenues	0		11,238		'	'
Deferred credits	77,274		108,991		'	'
Long-term Intercompany Payables	0		0		'	'
Other long-term liabilities	247,768		215,790		'	'
Liabilities Not Subject To Compromise	2,921,373		8,324,567		'	'
Liabilities of Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Noncurrent	0		5,326		'	'
Total Liabilities	'		8,324,567		'	'
External Liabilities Subject To Compromise	4,598,590		'		'	'
Intercompany Liabilities Subject To Compromise	0		'		'	'
Liabilities Subject to Compromise	4,598,590		0		'	'
Total stockholders' equity	-1,274,293		355,387		'	'
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	6,245,670		8,679,954		'	'
NII Holdings Inc. (Parent) [Member]	'		'		'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	113,985		356,314		503,834	735,022
Short-term investments	0		0		'	'
Accounts receivable, net	0		0		'	'
Short-term Intercompany Receviables	26,397		31,803		'	'
Handset and accessory inventory	0		0		'	'
Deferred income taxes, net	0		0		'	'
Prepaid expenses and other	7,611		6,832		'	'
Assets of Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Current	'		0		'	'
Total current assets	147,993		394,949		'	'
Property, plant and equipment, net	0		0		'	'
Investments in and advances to affiliates	588,455		1,867,753		'	'
Intangible assets, net	18,000		18,000		'	'
Deferred income taxes, net	15,592		16,025		'	'
Long-term Intercompany Receivables	1,455,976		1,474,658		'	'
Other assets	17,389		29,381		'	'
Assets of Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Noncurrent	'		0		'	'
Total assets	2,243,405		3,800,766		'	'
Accounts payable	0		0		'	'
Short-term Intercompany Payables	0		464,798		'	'
Accrued expenses and other	0		0		'	'
Deferred revenues	0		0		'	'
Current portion of long-term debt	0		0		'	'
Deposit Liability, Current	0		0		'	'
Liabilities of Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Current	'		0		'	'
Total current liabilities	0		464,798		'	'
Long-term debt	0		23		'	'
Deferred revenues	'		0		'	'
Deferred credits	0		3		'	'
Long-term Intercompany Payables	0		2,950,226		'	'
Other long-term liabilities	16		30,329		'	'
Liabilities Not Subject To Compromise	16		'		'	'
Liabilities of Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Noncurrent	'		0		'	'
Total Liabilities	'		3,445,379		'	'
External Liabilities Subject To Compromise	30,584		'		'	'
Intercompany Liabilities Subject To Compromise	3,487,098		'		'	'
Liabilities Subject to Compromise	3,517,682		'		'	'
Total stockholders' equity	-1,274,293		355,387		'	'
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	2,243,405		3,800,766		'	'
NII Capital Corp. (Issuer) [Member]	'		'		'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	25,168	[1]	0	[1]	0	0
Short-term investments	0	[1]	0	[1]	'	'
Accounts receivable, net	0	[1]	0	[1]	'	'
Short-term Intercompany Receviables	65,132	[1]	129,810	[1]	'	'
Handset and accessory inventory	0	[1]	0	[1]	'	'
Deferred income taxes, net	0	[1]	0	[1]	'	'
Prepaid expenses and other	0	[1]	0	[1]	'	'
Assets of Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Current	'		0	[1]	'	'
Total current assets	90,300	[1]	129,810	[1]	'	'
Property, plant and equipment, net	0	[1]	0	[1]	'	'
Investments in and advances to affiliates	317,673	[1]	1,503,202	[1]	'	'
Intangible assets, net	0	[1]	0	[1]	'	'
Deferred income taxes, net	0	[1]	0	[1]	'	'
Long-term Intercompany Receivables	3,834,714	[1]	3,714,760	[1]	'	'
Other assets	0	[1]	32,556	[1]	'	'
Assets of Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Noncurrent	'		0	[1]	'	'
Total assets	4,242,687	[1]	5,380,328	[1]	'	'
Accounts payable	0	[1]	0	[1]	'	'
Short-term Intercompany Payables	0	[1]	132,007	[1]	'	'
Accrued expenses and other	0	[1]	59,490	[1]	'	'
Deferred revenues	0	[1]	0	[1]	'	'
Current portion of long-term debt	0	[1]	0	[1]	'	'
Deposit Liability, Current	0	[1]	0	[1]	'	'
Liabilities of Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Current	'		0	[1]	'	'
Total current liabilities	0	[1]	191,497	[1]	'	'
Long-term debt	0	[1]	2,729,321	[1]	'	'
Deferred revenues	'		0	[1]	'	'
Deferred credits	2,950	[1]	2,950	[1]	'	'
Long-term Intercompany Payables	0	[1]	0	[1]	'	'
Other long-term liabilities	0	[1]	0	[1]	'	'
Liabilities Not Subject To Compromise	2,950	[1]	'		'	'
Liabilities of Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Noncurrent	'		0	[1]	'	'
Total Liabilities	'		2,923,768	[1]	'	'
External Liabilities Subject To Compromise	2,859,387	[1]	'		'	'
Intercompany Liabilities Subject To Compromise	115,458	[1]	'		'	'
Liabilities Subject to Compromise	2,974,845	[1]	'		'	'
Total stockholders' equity	1,264,892	[1]	2,456,560		'	'
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	4,242,687	[1]	5,380,328	[1]	'	'
Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]	'		'		'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	12,856	[2]	5,586	[2]	2,140	6,469
Short-term investments	0	[2]	0	[2]	'	'
Accounts receivable, net	560	[2]	627	[2]	'	'
Short-term Intercompany Receviables	95,960	[2]	72,595	[2]	'	'
Handset and accessory inventory	0	[2]	0	[2]	'	'
Deferred income taxes, net	625	[2]	1,145	[2]	'	'
Prepaid expenses and other	9,362	[2]	7,914	[2]	'	'
Assets of Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Current	'		0	[2]	'	'
Total current assets	119,363	[2]	87,867	[2]	'	'
Property, plant and equipment, net	52,642	[2]	130,729	[2]	'	'
Investments in and advances to affiliates	369,565	[2]	1,562,080	[2]	'	'
Intangible assets, net	0	[2]	0	[2]	'	'
Deferred income taxes, net	0	[2]	0	[2]	'	'
Long-term Intercompany Receivables	633,482	[2]	701,680	[2]	'	'
Other assets	3,294	[2]	15,383	[2]	'	'
Assets of Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Noncurrent	'		0	[2]	'	'
Total assets	1,178,346	[2]	2,497,739	[2]	'	'
Accounts payable	1,401	[2]	727	[2]	'	'
Short-term Intercompany Payables	2,767	[2]	1,485,835	[2]	'	'
Accrued expenses and other	3,333	[2]	26,089	[2]	'	'
Deferred revenues	0	[2]	0	[2]	'	'
Current portion of long-term debt	0	[2]	1,871	[2]	'	'
Deposit Liability, Current	0	[2]	0	[2]	'	'
Liabilities of Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Current	'		0	[2]	'	'
Total current liabilities	7,501	[2]	1,514,522	[2]	'	'
Long-term debt	0	[2]	33,864	[2]	'	'
Deferred revenues	'		0	[2]	'	'
Deferred credits	14,786	[2]	15,384	[2]	'	'
Long-term Intercompany Payables	0	[2]	10,390	[2]	'	'
Other long-term liabilities	9,152	[2]	10,248	[2]	'	'
Liabilities Not Subject To Compromise	31,439	[2]	'		'	'
Liabilities of Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Noncurrent	'		0	[2]	'	'
Total Liabilities	'		1,584,408	[2]	'	'
External Liabilities Subject To Compromise	13,125	[2]	'		'	'
Intercompany Liabilities Subject To Compromise	1,492,910	[2]	'		'	'
Liabilities Subject to Compromise	1,506,035	[2]	'		'	'
Total stockholders' equity	-359,128	[2]	913,331		'	'
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	1,178,346	[2]	2,497,739	[2]	'	'
Prior Group Of Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]	'		'		'	'
Deposit Liability, Current	317,606		'		'	'
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]	'		'		'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	489,493		1,368,435		1,064,533	623,462
Short-term investments	98,271		585,760		'	'
Accounts receivable, net	467,905		510,779		'	'
Short-term Intercompany Receviables	6,233		4,779		'	'
Handset and accessory inventory	264,412		336,620		'	'
Deferred income taxes, net	85,077		126,250		'	'
Prepaid expenses and other	436,922		382,828		'	'
Assets of Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Current	'		59,096		'	'
Total current assets	1,848,313		3,374,547		'	'
Property, plant and equipment, net	2,748,641		3,207,103		'	'
Investments in and advances to affiliates	0		0		'	'
Intangible assets, net	891,570		962,369		'	'
Deferred income taxes, net	9,810		26,716		'	'
Long-term Intercompany Receivables	1,357		1,354		'	'
Other assets	493,061		399,986		'	'
Assets of Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Noncurrent	'		109,835		'	'
Total assets	5,992,752		8,081,910		'	'
Accounts payable	188,693		345,401		'	'
Short-term Intercompany Payables	173,397		159,322		'	'
Accrued expenses and other	546,411		873,702		'	'
Deferred revenues	100,526		127,782		'	'
Current portion of long-term debt	1,120,272		94,968		'	'
Deposit Liability, Current	'		720,013		'	'
Liabilities of Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Current	'		36,769		'	'
Total current liabilities	2,446,905		2,357,957		'	'
Long-term debt	318,948		2,933,424		'	'
Deferred revenues	'		11,238		'	'
Deferred credits	75,130		106,682		'	'
Long-term Intercompany Payables	138,718		929,990		'	'
Other long-term liabilities	238,600		175,213		'	'
Liabilities Not Subject To Compromise	3,218,301		'		'	'
Liabilities of Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Noncurrent	'		5,326		'	'
Total Liabilities	'		6,519,830		'	'
External Liabilities Subject To Compromise	1,695,494		'		'	'
Intercompany Liabilities Subject To Compromise	709,392		'		'	'
Liabilities Subject to Compromise	2,404,886		'		'	'
Total stockholders' equity	369,565		1,562,080		'	'
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	5,992,752		8,081,910		'	'
Consolidating Adjustments [Member]	'		'		'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	0		0		0	0
Short-term investments	0		0		'	'
Accounts receivable, net	0		0		'	'
Short-term Intercompany Receviables	-193,722		-238,987		'	'
Handset and accessory inventory	0		0		'	'
Deferred income taxes, net	-984		0		'	'
Prepaid expenses and other	0		0		'	'
Assets of Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Current	'		0		'	'
Total current assets	-194,706		-238,987		'	'
Property, plant and equipment, net	0		-287		'	'
Investments in and advances to affiliates	-1,275,693		-4,933,035		'	'
Intangible assets, net	0		0		'	'
Deferred income taxes, net	-15,592		-16,028		'	'
Long-term Intercompany Receivables	-5,925,529		-5,892,452		'	'
Other assets	0		0		'	'
Assets of Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Noncurrent	'		0		'	'
Total assets	-7,411,520		-11,080,789		'	'
Accounts payable	0		0		'	'
Short-term Intercompany Payables	-176,164		-2,241,962		'	'
Accrued expenses and other	-859		-222		'	'
Deferred revenues	0		0		'	'
Current portion of long-term debt	0		0		'	'
Deposit Liability, Current	0		0		'	'
Liabilities of Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Current	'		0		'	'
Total current liabilities	-177,023		-2,242,184		'	'
Long-term debt	0		0		'	'
Deferred revenues	'		0		'	'
Deferred credits	-15,592		-16,028		'	'
Long-term Intercompany Payables	-138,718		-3,890,606		'	'
Other long-term liabilities	0		0		'	'
Liabilities Not Subject To Compromise	-331,333		'		'	'
Liabilities of Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Noncurrent	'		0		'	'
Total Liabilities	'		-6,148,818		'	'
External Liabilities Subject To Compromise	0		'		'	'
Intercompany Liabilities Subject To Compromise	-5,804,858		'		'	'
Liabilities Subject to Compromise	-5,804,858		'		'	'
Total stockholders' equity	-1,275,329		-4,931,971		'	'
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	($7,411,520)		($11,080,789)		'	'
[1]	NII Capital Corp. is the issuer of our 7.625% senior notes due 2021, our 10.0%B senior notes due 2016 and our 8.875%B senior notes due 2019.
[2]	Represents our subsidiaries that have provided guarantees of the obligations of NII Capital Corp. under our 7.625% senior notes due 2021, our 10.0%B senior notes due 2016 and our 8.875%B senior notes due 2019.

Condensed_Consolidating_Financ4

Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements (Condensed Consolidating Statement of Operations) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Operating revenues	$926,727	$1,085,633	$2,834,489	$3,647,799
Operating expenses	'	'	'	'
Cost of revenues (exclusive of depreciation and amortization included below)	539,858	554,036	1,738,253	1,731,260
Selling, general and administrative	406,162	460,977	1,305,737	1,443,016
Provision for Doubtful Accounts	'	'	95,813	73,002
Restructuring, Settlement and Impairment Provisions	98,092	21,341	128,320	147,020
Gain (Loss) on Sale of Assets and Asset Impairment Charges	-75,441	0	-75,441	0
Management fee, royalty fee and other	0	0	0	0
Depreciation and amortization	170,956	177,168	513,363	539,442
Total operating expenses	1,139,627	1,213,522	3,610,232	3,860,738
Operating income	-212,900	-127,889	-775,743	-212,939
Other income (expense)	'	'	'	'
Interest expense, net	-130,292	-134,917	-390,858	-382,275
Intercompany Interest Expense	0	0	0	0
Interest income	13,495	9,265	46,333	24,743
Intercompany Interest Income	0	0	0	0
Foreign currency transaction (losses) gains, net	-63,002	-6,117	-48,976	-74,820
Equity in income of affiliates	0	0	0	0
Other (expense) income, net	943	4,490	-2,054	-8,610
Total other expense	-178,856	-127,279	-395,555	-440,962
(Loss) income before income tax benefit (provision)	-391,756	-255,168	-1,171,298	-653,901
Reorganization Items	-58,579	0	-58,579	0
Income tax benefit (provision)	-6,418	-4,339	-40,129	-74,727
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations Attributable to Parent	-456,753	-259,507	-1,270,006	-728,628
Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operations, Net of Tax, Attributable to Parent	13,306	-40,434	-172,831	-175,168
Net income	-443,447	-299,941	-1,442,837	-903,796
Foreign currency translation adjustment	-216,109	-20,129	-163,106	-218,306
Reclassification adjustment for sale of Nextel Chile	-33,885	0	-33,885	0
Other	430	4,231	296	439
Other comprehensive income	-249,564	-15,898	-196,695	-217,867
Total comprehensive income	-693,011	-315,839	-1,639,532	-1,121,663
NII Holdings Inc. (Parent) [Member]	'	'	'	'
Operating revenues	0	0	0	0
Operating expenses	'	'	'	'
Cost of revenues (exclusive of depreciation and amortization included below)	0	0	0	0
Selling, general and administrative	522	748	2,117	2,345
Restructuring, Settlement and Impairment Provisions	0	0	0	0
Gain (Loss) on Sale of Assets and Asset Impairment Charges	0	'	0	'
Management fee, royalty fee and other	0	0	0	0
Depreciation and amortization	0	0	0	0
Total operating expenses	522	748	2,117	2,345
Operating income	-522	-748	-2,117	-2,345
Other income (expense)	'	'	'	'
Interest expense, net	-132	-141	-414	-419
Intercompany Interest Expense	-48,890	-59,183	-165,324	-175,617
Interest income	62	227	266	799
Intercompany Interest Income	111	76	290	1,226
Foreign currency transaction (losses) gains, net	0	0	0	0
Equity in income of affiliates	-392,272	-255,170	-1,292,952	-766,624
Other (expense) income, net	1,631	8,115	6,784	28,731
Total other expense	-439,490	-306,076	-1,451,350	-911,904
(Loss) income before income tax benefit (provision)	-440,012	-306,824	-1,453,467	-914,249
Reorganization Items	0	'	0	'
Income tax benefit (provision)	-3,435	6,883	10,630	10,453
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations Attributable to Parent	-443,447	-299,941	-1,442,837	-903,796
Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operations, Net of Tax, Attributable to Parent	0	0	0	0
Net income	-443,447	-299,941	-1,442,837	-903,796
Foreign currency translation adjustment	-216,109	-20,129	-163,106	-218,306
Reclassification adjustment for sale of Nextel Chile	-33,885	'	-33,885	'
Other	430	4,231	296	439
Other comprehensive income	-249,564	-15,898	-196,695	-217,867
Total comprehensive income	-693,011	-315,839	-1,639,532	-1,121,663
Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]	'	'	'	'
Operating revenues	358	777	2,045	2,313
Operating expenses	'	'	'	'
Cost of revenues (exclusive of depreciation and amortization included below)	0	0	0	0
Selling, general and administrative	30,539	38,077	122,013	131,048
Restructuring, Settlement and Impairment Provisions	43,391	12,741	60,827	89,029
Gain (Loss) on Sale of Assets and Asset Impairment Charges	0	'	0	'
Management fee, royalty fee and other	-13,529	9,959	-43,439	-44,351
Depreciation and amortization	4,167	5,524	15,315	21,429
Total operating expenses	64,568	66,301	154,716	197,155
Operating income	-64,210	-65,524	-152,671	-194,842
Other income (expense)	'	'	'	'
Interest expense, net	-77	-323	-543	-1,100
Intercompany Interest Expense	-18	-15	-53	-42
Interest income	2	2	7	8
Intercompany Interest Income	372	181	884	308
Foreign currency transaction (losses) gains, net	0	0	0	0
Equity in income of affiliates	-289,308	-235,810	-1,104,506	-619,874
Other (expense) income, net	-2	666	-2	611
Total other expense	-289,031	-235,299	-1,104,213	-620,089
(Loss) income before income tax benefit (provision)	-353,241	-300,823	-1,256,884	-814,931
Reorganization Items	-1,750	'	-1,750	'
Income tax benefit (provision)	-4,464	-1,449	-12,975	-7,042
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations Attributable to Parent	-359,455	-302,272	-1,271,609	-821,973
Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operations, Net of Tax, Attributable to Parent	0	0	0	0
Net income	-359,455	-302,272	-1,271,609	-821,973
Foreign currency translation adjustment	-215,707	-20,155	-163,100	-218,226
Reclassification adjustment for sale of Nextel Chile	-33,885	'	-33,885	'
Other	430	4,231	296	439
Other comprehensive income	-249,162	-15,924	-196,689	-217,787
Total comprehensive income	-608,617	-318,196	-1,468,298	-1,039,760
Prior Group Of Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]	'	'	'	'
Other income (expense)	'	'	'	'
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations Attributable to Parent	-303,314	-195,376	-932,375	-444,706
Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operations, Net of Tax, Attributable to Parent	14,006	-40,434	-172,131	-175,168
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]	'	'	'	'
Operating revenues	926,625	1,085,624	2,834,236	3,647,790
Operating expenses	'	'	'	'
Cost of revenues (exclusive of depreciation and amortization included below)	539,858	554,036	1,738,253	1,731,260
Selling, general and administrative	373,776	424,236	1,184,162	1,315,964
Restructuring, Settlement and Impairment Provisions	54,701	8,600	67,493	57,991
Gain (Loss) on Sale of Assets and Asset Impairment Charges	-75,441	'	-75,441	'
Management fee, royalty fee and other	13,599	-2,835	45,646	69,366
Depreciation and amortization	166,789	171,644	498,048	518,013
Total operating expenses	1,073,282	1,155,681	3,458,161	3,692,594
Operating income	-146,657	-70,057	-623,925	-44,804
Other income (expense)	'	'	'	'
Interest expense, net	-79,774	-74,182	-218,254	-201,210
Intercompany Interest Expense	-10,858	-12,821	-36,264	-38,822
Interest income	13,431	9,036	46,060	23,936
Intercompany Interest Income	1	0	0	0
Foreign currency transaction (losses) gains, net	-63,002	-6,117	-48,976	-74,820
Equity in income of affiliates	0	0	0	0
Other (expense) income, net	245	4,149	-3,039	-8,900
Total other expense	-139,957	-79,935	-260,473	-299,816
(Loss) income before income tax benefit (provision)	-286,614	-149,992	-884,398	-344,620
Reorganization Items	-11,177	'	-11,177	'
Income tax benefit (provision)	-5,523	-45,384	-36,800	-100,086
Net income	-289,308	-235,810	-1,104,506	-619,874
Foreign currency translation adjustment	-215,707	-20,155	-163,100	-218,226
Reclassification adjustment for sale of Nextel Chile	-33,885	'	-33,885	'
Other	430	4,231	296	439
Other comprehensive income	-249,162	-15,924	-196,689	-217,787
Total comprehensive income	-538,470	-251,734	-1,301,195	-837,661
Consolidating Adjustments [Member]	'	'	'	'
Operating revenues	-256	-768	-1,792	-2,304
Operating expenses	'	'	'	'
Cost of revenues (exclusive of depreciation and amortization included below)	0	0	0	0
Selling, general and administrative	-1,817	-2,084	-6,369	-6,341
Restructuring, Settlement and Impairment Provisions	0	0	0	0
Gain (Loss) on Sale of Assets and Asset Impairment Charges	0	'	0	'
Management fee, royalty fee and other	-70	-7,124	-2,207	-25,015
Depreciation and amortization	0	0	0	0
Total operating expenses	-1,887	-9,208	-8,576	-31,356
Operating income	1,631	8,440	6,784	29,052
Other income (expense)	'	'	'	'
Interest expense, net	0	0	0	0
Intercompany Interest Expense	59,766	72,019	201,641	214,481
Interest income	0	0	0	0
Intercompany Interest Income	-59,766	-72,019	-201,641	-214,481
Foreign currency transaction (losses) gains, net	0	0	0	0
Equity in income of affiliates	971,809	726,342	3,504,786	2,008,750
Other (expense) income, net	-931	-8,440	-5,797	-29,052
Total other expense	970,878	717,902	3,498,989	1,979,698
(Loss) income before income tax benefit (provision)	972,509	726,342	3,505,773	2,008,750
Reorganization Items	0	'	0	'
Income tax benefit (provision)	-315	39,922	-984	34,199
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations Attributable to Parent	972,194	766,264	3,504,789	2,042,949
Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operations, Net of Tax, Attributable to Parent	-700	0	-700	0
Net income	971,494	766,264	3,504,089	2,042,949
Foreign currency translation adjustment	647,121	60,465	489,300	654,678
Reclassification adjustment for sale of Nextel Chile	101,655	'	101,655	'
Other	-1,290	-12,693	-888	-1,317
Other comprehensive income	747,486	47,772	590,067	653,361
Total comprehensive income	1,718,980	814,036	4,094,156	2,696,310
NII Capital Corp. (Issuer) [Member]	'	'	'	'
Operating revenues	'	0	0	0
Operating expenses	'	'	'	'
Cost of revenues (exclusive of depreciation and amortization included below)	0	0	0	0
Selling, general and administrative	3,142	0	3,814	0
Restructuring, Settlement and Impairment Provisions	0	0	0	0
Gain (Loss) on Sale of Assets and Asset Impairment Charges	0	'	0	'
Management fee, royalty fee and other	0	0	0	0
Depreciation and amortization	0	0	0	0
Total operating expenses	3,142	0	3,814	0
Operating income	-3,142	0	-3,814	0
Other income (expense)	'	'	'	'
Interest expense, net	-50,309	-60,271	-171,647	-179,546
Intercompany Interest Expense	0	0	0	0
Interest income	0	0	0	0
Intercompany Interest Income	59,282	71,762	200,467	212,947
Foreign currency transaction (losses) gains, net	0	0	0	0
Equity in income of affiliates	-290,229	-235,362	-1,107,328	-622,252
Other (expense) income, net	0	0	0	0
Total other expense	-281,256	-223,871	-1,078,508	-588,851
(Loss) income before income tax benefit (provision)	-284,398	-223,871	-1,082,322	-588,851
Reorganization Items	-45,652	'	-45,652	'
Income tax benefit (provision)	7,319	-4,311	0	-12,251
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations Attributable to Parent	-322,731	-228,182	-1,127,974	-601,102
Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operations, Net of Tax, Attributable to Parent	0	0	0	0
Net income	-322,731	-228,182	-1,127,974	-601,102
Foreign currency translation adjustment	-215,707	-20,155	-163,100	-218,226
Reclassification adjustment for sale of Nextel Chile	-33,885	'	-33,885	'
Other	430	4,231	296	439
Other comprehensive income	-249,162	-15,924	-196,689	-217,787
Total comprehensive income	($571,893)	($244,106)	($1,324,663)	($818,889)

Condensed_Consolidating_Financ5

Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements (Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows) (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014		Sep. 30, 2013
Cash flows from operating activities:	'		'
Net income	($1,442,837)		($903,796)
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities	709,247		932,421
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities, Continuing Operations	-733,590		28,625
Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities, Discontinued Operations	-62,583		-131,342
Net cash provided by operating activities	-796,173		-102,717
Cash flows from investing activities:	'		'
Capital expenditures	-514,195		-513,132
Payments For Acquisitions Purchases Of Licenses	'		-42,105
Purchase of long-term and short-term investments	-1,331,015		-1,772,379
Proceeds from Sale of Other Investments	1,848,594		1,619,551
Investment in Subsidiaries	0		0
Increase (Decrease) in Restricted Cash	-157,237		-17,351
Transfers To Restricted Cash	'		-17,351
Other, net	-2,834		176
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities, Continuing Operations	-156,687		-725,240
Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities, Discontinued Operations	-13,999		237,874
Net cash used in investing activities	-170,686		-487,366
Cash flows from financing activities:	'		'
Proceeds from Issuance of Senior Long-term Debt	0		1,600,000
Proceeds from Long-term Lines of Credit	'		110,157
Repayments of Lines of Credit	'		-327,762
Repayments under syndicated loan facilities	'		-323,919
Repayments Under Import Financing	'		-37,422
Repayments Under Tower Financing and Other Borrowings	'		-24,918
Borrowings under vendor financing	14,590		'
Intercompany dividends	'		0
Proceeds From Intercompany Borrowings, Financing Activities	'		0
Other, net	'		-19,438
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities, Continuing Operations	-84,499		976,698
Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities, Discontinued Operations	0		-152,967
Repayments of import financing	-98,457		'
Capital contributions	0		'
Other, net	-632		-19,483
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities	-84,499		823,731
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	-40,923		-38,501
Increase (Decrease) In Cash And Cash Equivalents, Held-For-Sale	3,448		10,407
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents	-1,088,833		205,554
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	1,730,335		1,364,953
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	641,502		1,570,507
NII Holdings Inc. (Parent) [Member]	'		'
Cash flows from operating activities:	'		'
Net income	-1,442,837		-903,796
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities	1,346,923		809,240
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities, Continuing Operations	-95,914		-94,556
Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities, Discontinued Operations	0		0
Net cash provided by operating activities	-95,914		-94,556
Cash flows from investing activities:	'		'
Capital expenditures	0		0
Payments For Acquisitions Purchases Of Licenses	'		0
Purchase of long-term and short-term investments	0		0
Proceeds from Sale of Other Investments	0		0
Investment in Subsidiaries	-157,998		-135,714
Increase (Decrease) in Restricted Cash	10,000		'
Transfers To Restricted Cash	'		0
Other, net	1,669		0
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities, Continuing Operations	-146,329		-135,714
Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities, Discontinued Operations	0		0
Net cash used in investing activities	-146,329		-135,714
Cash flows from financing activities:	'		'
Proceeds from Issuance of Senior Long-term Debt	'		0
Proceeds from Long-term Lines of Credit	'		0
Repayments of Lines of Credit	'		0
Repayments under syndicated loan facilities	'		0
Repayments Under Import Financing	'		0
Repayments Under Tower Financing and Other Borrowings	'		0
Borrowings under vendor financing	0		'
Intercompany dividends	'		0
Proceeds From Intercompany Borrowings, Financing Activities	'		0
Other, net	'		-918
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities, Continuing Operations	'		-918
Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities, Discontinued Operations	'		0
Repayments of import financing	0		'
Capital contributions	0		'
Other, net	-86		'
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities	-86		-918
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	0		0
Increase (Decrease) In Cash And Cash Equivalents, Held-For-Sale	0		0
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents	-242,329		-231,188
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	356,314		735,022
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	113,985		503,834
NII Capital Corp. (Issuer) [Member]	'		'
Cash flows from operating activities:	'		'
Net income	-1,127,974		-601,102
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities	1,153,588		653,552
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities, Continuing Operations	25,614		52,450
Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities, Discontinued Operations	0		0
Net cash provided by operating activities	25,614		52,450
Cash flows from investing activities:	'		'
Capital expenditures	0		0
Payments For Acquisitions Purchases Of Licenses	'		0
Purchase of long-term and short-term investments	0		0
Proceeds from Sale of Other Investments	0		0
Investment in Subsidiaries	-446		-2,540
Increase (Decrease) in Restricted Cash	0		'
Transfers To Restricted Cash	'		0
Other, net	0		0
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities, Continuing Operations	-446		-2,540
Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities, Discontinued Operations	0		0
Net cash used in investing activities	-446		-2,540
Cash flows from financing activities:	'		'
Proceeds from Issuance of Senior Long-term Debt	'		0
Proceeds from Long-term Lines of Credit	'		0
Repayments of Lines of Credit	'		0
Repayments under syndicated loan facilities	'		0
Repayments Under Import Financing	'		0
Repayments Under Tower Financing and Other Borrowings	'		0
Borrowings under vendor financing	0		'
Intercompany dividends	'		20
Proceeds From Intercompany Borrowings, Financing Activities	'		-49,910
Other, net	'		-20
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities, Continuing Operations	'		-49,910
Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities, Discontinued Operations	'		0
Repayments of import financing	0		'
Capital contributions	20		'
Other, net	-20		'
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities	0		-49,910
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	0		0
Increase (Decrease) In Cash And Cash Equivalents, Held-For-Sale	0		0
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents	25,168		0
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	0	[1]	0
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	25,168	[1]	0
Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]	'		'
Cash flows from operating activities:	'		'
Net income	-1,271,609		-821,973
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities	1,140,157		707,180
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities, Continuing Operations	-131,452		-114,793
Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities, Discontinued Operations	0		0
Net cash provided by operating activities	-131,452		-114,793
Cash flows from investing activities:	'		'
Capital expenditures	-7,398		-11,580
Payments For Acquisitions Purchases Of Licenses	'		0
Purchase of long-term and short-term investments	0		0
Proceeds from Sale of Other Investments	0		0
Investment in Subsidiaries	0		-1,259
Increase (Decrease) in Restricted Cash	0		'
Transfers To Restricted Cash	'		0
Other, net	32,390		0
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities, Continuing Operations	24,992		-12,839
Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities, Discontinued Operations	0		0
Net cash used in investing activities	24,992		-12,839
Cash flows from financing activities:	'		'
Proceeds from Issuance of Senior Long-term Debt	'		0
Proceeds from Long-term Lines of Credit	'		0
Repayments of Lines of Credit	'		0
Repayments under syndicated loan facilities	'		0
Repayments Under Import Financing	'		0
Repayments Under Tower Financing and Other Borrowings	'		-12,391
Borrowings under vendor financing	0		'
Intercompany dividends	'		135,694
Proceeds From Intercompany Borrowings, Financing Activities	'		0
Other, net	'		0
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities, Continuing Operations	'		123,303
Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities, Discontinued Operations	'		0
Repayments of import financing	-42,414		'
Capital contributions	157,812		'
Other, net	-1,668		'
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities	113,730		123,303
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	0		0
Increase (Decrease) In Cash And Cash Equivalents, Held-For-Sale	0		0
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents	7,270		-4,329
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	5,586	[2]	6,469
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	12,856	[2]	2,140
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]	'		'
Cash flows from operating activities:	'		'
Net income	-1,104,506		-619,874
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities	572,668		855,308
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities, Continuing Operations	-531,838		235,434
Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities, Discontinued Operations	-62,583		-131,342
Net cash provided by operating activities	-594,421		104,092
Cash flows from investing activities:	'		'
Capital expenditures	-506,797		-501,552
Payments For Acquisitions Purchases Of Licenses	'		-42,105
Purchase of long-term and short-term investments	-1,331,015		-1,772,379
Proceeds from Sale of Other Investments	1,848,594		1,619,551
Investment in Subsidiaries	0		0
Increase (Decrease) in Restricted Cash	-167,237		'
Transfers To Restricted Cash	'		-17,351
Other, net	-35,224		160
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities, Continuing Operations	-191,679		-713,676
Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities, Discontinued Operations	-13,999		237,874
Net cash used in investing activities	-205,678		-475,802
Cash flows from financing activities:	'		'
Proceeds from Issuance of Senior Long-term Debt	'		1,600,000
Proceeds from Long-term Lines of Credit	'		110,157
Repayments of Lines of Credit	'		-327,762
Repayments under syndicated loan facilities	'		-323,919
Repayments Under Import Financing	'		-37,422
Repayments Under Tower Financing and Other Borrowings	'		-12,527
Borrowings under vendor financing	14,590		'
Intercompany dividends	'		3,799
Proceeds From Intercompany Borrowings, Financing Activities	'		0
Other, net	'		-18,484
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities, Continuing Operations	'		993,842
Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities, Discontinued Operations	'		-152,967
Repayments of import financing	-56,043		'
Capital contributions	612		'
Other, net	-527		'
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities	-41,368		840,875
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	-40,923		-38,501
Increase (Decrease) In Cash And Cash Equivalents, Held-For-Sale	3,448		10,407
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents	-878,942		441,071
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	1,368,435		623,462
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	489,493		1,064,533
Consolidating Adjustments [Member]	'		'
Cash flows from operating activities:	'		'
Net income	3,504,089		2,042,949
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities	-3,504,089		-2,092,859
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities, Continuing Operations	0		-49,910
Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities, Discontinued Operations	0		0
Net cash provided by operating activities	0		-49,910
Cash flows from investing activities:	'		'
Capital expenditures	0		0
Payments For Acquisitions Purchases Of Licenses	'		0
Purchase of long-term and short-term investments	0		0
Proceeds from Sale of Other Investments	0		0
Investment in Subsidiaries	158,444		139,513
Increase (Decrease) in Restricted Cash	0		'
Transfers To Restricted Cash	'		0
Other, net	-1,669		16
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities, Continuing Operations	156,775		139,529
Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities, Discontinued Operations	0		0
Net cash used in investing activities	156,775		139,529
Cash flows from financing activities:	'		'
Proceeds from Issuance of Senior Long-term Debt	'		0
Proceeds from Long-term Lines of Credit	'		0
Repayments of Lines of Credit	'		0
Repayments under syndicated loan facilities	'		0
Repayments Under Import Financing	'		0
Repayments Under Tower Financing and Other Borrowings	'		0
Borrowings under vendor financing	0		'
Intercompany dividends	'		-139,513
Proceeds From Intercompany Borrowings, Financing Activities	'		49,910
Other, net	'		-16
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities, Continuing Operations	'		-89,619
Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities, Discontinued Operations	'		0
Repayments of import financing	0		'
Capital contributions	-158,444		'
Other, net	1,669		'
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities	-156,775		-89,619
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	0		0
Increase (Decrease) In Cash And Cash Equivalents, Held-For-Sale	0		0
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents	0		0
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	0		0
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	$0		$0
[1]	NII Capital Corp. is the issuer of our 7.625% senior notes due 2021, our 10.0%B senior notes due 2016 and our 8.875%B senior notes due 2019.
[2]	Represents our subsidiaries that have provided guarantees of the obligations of NII Capital Corp. under our 7.625% senior notes due 2021, our 10.0%B senior notes due 2016 and our 8.875%B senior notes due 2019.