Ribbit LEAP Limited 10-Q/A 28 Oct 13 2013 Q1 Quarterly report (amended) Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013	Apr. 22, 2013
Document And Entity Information [Abstract]
Document Type	10-Q/A
Amendment Flag	TRUE
AmendmentDescription	Leap Wireless International, Inc. (the “Company”), is filing this Amendment No. 1 to Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q/A (this “Amendment”) to restate and amend the Company’s previously issued unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and related financial information for the three months ended March 31, 2013 and 2012 previously included in its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended March 31, 2013 (the “Original Form 10-Q”), which was filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 2, 2013 (the “Original Filing Date”). This Amendment amends and restates the Company’s unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and related disclosures in “Part I – Item 1. Financial Statements” for the fiscal quarters ended March 31, 2013 and 2012, as well as related disclosures in “Part I – Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” “Part I – Item 4. Controls and Procedures,” “Part II – Item 1A. Risk Factors” and “Part II – Item 6. Exhibits.”
Document Period End Date	31-Mar-13
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2013
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1
Trading Symbol	LEAP
Entity Registrant Name	LEAP WIRELESS INTERNATIONAL INC
Entity Central Index Key	1065049
Current Fiscal Year End Date	-19
Entity Filer Category	Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		79,045,864

CONDENSED_CONSOLIDATED_BALANCE

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2013		Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$526,734		$515,550
Short-term investments	140,404		159,426
Inventories	102,028		121,601
Deferred charges	60,947		60,963
Other current assets	149,173		139,242
Total current assets	979,286		996,782
Property and equipment, net	1,628,827	[1]	1,762,090	[1]
Wireless licenses	2,090,654		1,947,333
Assets held for sale (Note 9)	0		136,222
Goodwill	31,886		31,886
Intangible assets, net	21,429		24,663
Other assets	80,548		68,284
Total assets	4,832,630		4,967,260
Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	287,862		396,110
Current maturities of long-term debt	4,000		4,000
Other current liabilities	289,469		216,880
Total current liabilities	581,331		616,990
Long-term debt, net	3,299,593		3,298,463
Deferred tax liabilities	397,429		385,111
Other long-term liabilities	166,828		169,047
Total liabilities	4,445,181		4,469,611
Redeemable non-controlling interests	63,519		64,517
Commitments and contingencies (Note 13)
Stockholders' equity:
Preferred stock - authorized 10,000,000 shares, $.0001 par value; no shares issued and outstanding	0		0
Common stock - authorized 160,000,000 shares, $.0001 par value; 79,054,530 and 79,194,750 shares issued and outstanding at March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively	8		8
Additional paid-in capital	2,182,912		2,182,503
Accumulated deficit	-1,858,301		-1,748,694
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	-689		-685
Total stockholders' equity	323,930		433,132
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$4,832,630		$4,967,260
[1]	As of March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, $46.2 million and $45.8 million of assets were held by the Company under capital lease arrangements, respectively. Accumulated amortization relating to these assets totaled $24.2 million and $22.9 million as of March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively.

CONDENSED_CONSOLIDATED_BALANCE1

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Statement Of Financial Position [Abstract]
Preferred stock - par value	$0.00	$0.00
Preferred stock - authorized shares	10,000,000	10,000,000
Preferred stock - shares issued	0	0
Preferred stock - shares outstanding	0	0
Common stock - par value per share	$0.00	$0.00
Common stock - shares authorized	160,000,000	160,000,000
Common stock - shares issued	79,054,530	79,194,750
Common stock - shares outstanding	79,054,530	79,194,750

CONDENSED_CONSOLIDATED_STATEME

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012
Revenues:
Service revenues	$684,622	$773,998
Equipment revenues	105,236	51,621
Total revenues	789,858	825,619
Operating expenses:
Cost of service (exclusive of items shown separately below)	250,858	261,311
Cost of equipment	258,968	247,847
Selling and marketing	78,838	95,554
General and administrative	82,225	89,699
Depreciation and amortization	152,573	146,543
Impairments and other charges (Note 7)	735	0
Total operating expenses	824,197	840,954
Gain (loss) on sale, exchange or disposal of assets, net	4,988	-468
Operating loss	-29,351	-15,803
Equity in net income (loss) of investees, net	-1,158	193
Interest income	47	29
Interest expense	-64,725	-67,042
Income (loss) before income taxes	-95,187	-82,623
Income tax expense	-14,420	-11,711
Net loss	-109,607	-94,334
Accretion of redeemable non-controlling interests and distributions, net of tax	-1,705	-4,105
Net loss attributable to common stockholders	-111,312	-98,439
Loss per share attributable to common stockholders:
Basic	($1.43)	($1.28)
Diluted	($1.43)	($1.28)
Shares used in per share calculations:
Basic	77,714	77,025
Diluted	77,714	77,025
Other comprehensive loss:
Net loss	-109,607	-94,334
Net unrealized holding gains (losses) on investments and other	-3	2
Comprehensive loss	($109,610)	($94,332)

CONDENSED_CONSOLIDATED_STATEME1

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012
Operating activities:
Net cash provided by operating activities	$28,020	$57,744
Investing activities:
Purchases of property and equipment	-28,825	-164,284
Change in prepayments for purchases of property and equipment	0	-6,357
Purchases of wireless licenses and spectrum clearing costs	-335	-976
Proceeds from sales of wireless licenses and operating assets, net	321	855
Purchases of investments	-65,767	-77,149
Sales and maturities of investments	84,716	202,107
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	-9,890	-45,804
Financing activities:
Repayment of long-term debt	-1,000	0
Payment of debt issuance costs	-552	0
Payments made to joint venture partners	-3,750	-255
Other	-1,644	-1,010
Net cash used in financing activities	-6,946	-1,265
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents	11,184	10,675
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	515,550	345,243
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	526,734	355,918
Supplemental disclosure of non-cash investing activities
Cash paid for interest	-11,209	-21,372
Acquisition of property and equipment	23,584	78,230
Net wireless licenses received in exchange transaction	$6,809	$0

The_Company

The Company	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
The Company	Note 1. The Company
	Leap Wireless International, Inc. (“Leap”), a Delaware corporation, together with its subsidiaries and consolidated joint ventures, is a wireless communications carrier that offers digital wireless services in the United States under the “Cricket®” brand. Cricket service offerings provide customers with unlimited nationwide wireless services for a flat rate without requiring a fixed-term contract or a credit check. The Company’s primary service is Cricket Wireless, which offers customers unlimited nationwide voice and data services for a flat monthly rate. Leap conducts operations through its subsidiaries and has no independent operations or sources of income other than through interest income and dividends, if any, from its subsidiaries.
	Cricket service is offered by Cricket Communications, Inc. (“Cricket”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Leap. Cricket service is also offered in South Texas by STX Wireless Operations, LLC (“STX Operations”), which Cricket controls through a 75.75% membership interest in STX Wireless, LLC (“STX Wireless”), the parent company of STX Operations. For more information regarding this joint venture, see “Note 9. Significant Acquisitions and Other Transactions.”
	Leap, Cricket and their subsidiaries and consolidated joint ventures are collectively referred to herein as the “Company.”

Restatement_of_Previously_Repo

Restatement of Previously Reported Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013
Accounting Changes And Error Corrections [Abstract]
Restatement of Previously Reported Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements	Note 2. Restatement of Previously Reported Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
	The Company has restated its unaudited condensed consolidated statements of cash flows for the three months ended March 31, 2013 and 2012 due to a classification error related to the presentation of certain capital expenditures and operating cash flows.
	The classification error related to certain purchases of property and equipment that were unpaid at each of the balance sheet dates (but that were scheduled to be settled in cash soon thereafter), which were incorrectly reflected as cash outflows from investing activities and cash inflows from operating activities. This classification error resulted in a misstatement of net cash provided by operating activities and net cash used in investing activities, as follows (unaudited, in thousands):
		Three Months Ended March 31, 2013									Three Months Ended March 31, 2012
		As Previously			Adjustment			As Restated			As Previously			Adjustment			As Restated
		Reported									Reported
	Operating Activities
	Net cash provided by operating activities	$	25,557		$	2,463		$	28,020		$	35,357		$	22,387		$	57,744
	Investing Activities
	Purchases of property and equipment	$	(26,362	)	$	(2,463	)	$	(28,825	)	$	(146,314	)	$	(17,970	)	$	(164,284	)
	Change in prepayments for purchases of property and equipment		—			—			—			(1,940	)		(4,417	)		(6,357	)
	Net cash used in investing activities		(7,427	)		(2,463	)		(9,890	)		(23,417	)		(22,387	)		(45,804	)
	The Company has also reflected these corrections as applicable in its condensed consolidated financial statements and also in the condensed consolidating statements of cash flows presented in “Note 14. Guarantor Financial Information.”
	The resulting restatement has no impact on the total end-of-period cash and cash equivalents reported on the condensed consolidated statements of cash flows or on the related condensed consolidated balance sheets or condensed consolidated statements of comprehensive income for any of the affected periods.

Basis_of_Presentation_and_Sign

Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies	Note 3. Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies
	Basis of Presentation
	The accompanying interim condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared without audit in accordance with the instructions to Form 10-Q, and therefore do not include all information and footnotes required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) for a complete set of financial statements. These condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company’s Amendment No. 1 to Annual Report on Form 10-K/A for the year ended December 31, 2012. In the opinion of management, the unaudited financial information for the interim periods presented reflects all adjustments necessary for a fair presentation of the Company’s results for the periods presented, with such adjustments consisting only of normal recurring adjustments. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses. By their nature, estimates are subject to an inherent degree of uncertainty. Actual results could differ from management’s estimates and operating results for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of operating results for an entire fiscal year.
	Principles of Consolidation
	The condensed consolidated financial statements include the operating results and financial position of Leap and its wholly-owned subsidiaries as well as the operating results and financial position of STX Wireless and its wholly-owned subsidiaries. The Company consolidates STX Wireless in accordance with the authoritative guidance for consolidations based on the voting interest model. All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in the condensed consolidated financial statements.
	Segment and Geographic Data
	The Company operates in a single operating segment and a single reporting unit as a wireless communications carrier that offers digital wireless services in the United States. As of and for the three months ended March 31, 2013 and 2012, all of the Company’s revenues and long-lived assets related to operations in the United States.
	Revenues
	The Company’s business revenues principally arise from the sale of wireless services, devices (handsets and broadband modems) and accessories. Wireless services are provided primarily on a month-to-month basis. The Company’s customers are required to pay for their service in advance and the Company does not require customers to sign fixed-term contracts or pass a credit check. Service revenues are recognized only after payment has been received and services have been rendered.
	When the Company activates service for a new customer, it often sells that customer a device along with a period of service. In accordance with the authoritative guidance for revenue arrangements with multiple deliverables, the sale of a device along with service constitutes a multiple element arrangement. Under this guidance, once a company has determined the best estimate of selling price of the elements in the sales transaction, the total consideration received from the customer must be allocated among those elements on a relative selling price basis. Applying the guidance to these transactions results in the Company recognizing the total consideration received, less amounts allocated to the wireless service period (generally the customer’s monthly service plan), as equipment revenue.
	Amounts allocated to equipment revenues and related costs from the sale of devices are recognized when service is activated by new customers. Revenues and related costs from the sale of devices and accessories to existing customers are recognized at the point of sale. The costs of devices and accessories sold are recorded in cost of equipment. In addition to devices that the Company sells directly to its customers at Cricket-owned stores, the Company sells devices to third-party dealers, including nationwide retailers. These dealers then sell the devices to the ultimate Cricket customer, similar to the sale made at a Cricket-owned store. Sales of devices to third-party dealers are recognized as equipment revenues only when service is activated by customers, since the level of price reductions and commissions ultimately available to such dealers is not reliably estimable until the devices are sold by such dealers to customers. Thus, revenues from devices sold to third-party dealers are recorded as deferred equipment revenue and the related costs of the devices are recorded as deferred charges upon shipment of the devices by the Company. The deferred charges are recognized as equipment costs when the related equipment revenue is recognized, which occurs when service is activated by the customer.
	Through a third-party provider, the Company’s customers may elect to participate in an extended warranty program for devices they purchase. The Company recognizes revenue on replacement devices sold to its customers under the program when the customer purchases the device.
	The Company participates in the federal government’s Lifeline program and is designated as an eligible telecommunications carrier in certain states in which it provides wireless services. Under this program, the Company offers discounted wireless services to qualified customers and generally receives reimbursement for a portion of the subsidized services. The Company recognizes revenue under this program only after amounts eligible for reimbursement have been determined and services have been rendered.
	Sales incentives offered to customers and commissions and sales incentives offered to the Company’s third-party dealers are recognized as a reduction of revenue when the related service or equipment revenue is recognized. Customers have limited rights to return devices and accessories based on time and/or usage, and customer returns of devices and accessories have historically been insignificant.
	Amounts billed by the Company in advance of customers’ wireless service periods are not reflected in accounts receivable or deferred revenue since collectability of such amounts is not reasonably assured. Deferred revenue consists primarily of cash received from customers in advance of their service period and deferred equipment revenue related to devices sold to third-party dealers, including nationwide retailers.
	Universal Service Fund, E-911 and other telecommunications-related regulatory fees are assessed by various federal and state governmental agencies in connection with the services that the Company provides to its customers. The service plans the Company currently offers are “all-inclusive” of telecommunications and regulatory fees, in that the Company does not separately bill and collect amounts owed and remitted to government agencies from its customers. For the Company’s legacy service plans, which are not “all-inclusive,” the Company separately bills and collects from its customers amounts owed and remitted to government agencies. Regulatory fees and telecommunications taxes separately billed and collected from the Company’s customers are recorded in service revenues. Amounts owed to government agencies are recorded in cost of service. During the three months ended March 31, 2013 and 2012, the total amount of regulatory fees and telecommunications taxes separately billed and collected from customers and recorded in service revenues was $0.9 million and $4.1 million, respectively. Sales, use and excise taxes for all service plans are reported on a net basis.
	Restricted Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments
	The Company has set aside certain amounts of cash, cash equivalents and short term investments to satisfy certain contractual obligations. Restricted cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments are included in either other current assets or other assets, depending on the nature of the underlying contractual obligation. As of March 31, 2013, the Company had $1.0 million and $11.1 million of restricted cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments included in other current assets and other assets, respectively. As of December 31, 2012, the Company had $0.7 million and $11.4 million of restricted cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments included in other current assets and other assets, respectively.
	Recent Accounting Pronouncements
	In July 2012, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (the “FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2012-02, “Testing Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets for Impairment” (“ASU 2012-02”). ASU 2012-02 simplifies the requirements for testing for indefinite-lived intangible assets other than goodwill and permits an entity to first assess qualitative factors to determine whether it is necessary to perform a quantitative fair value test. This new guidance became effective for the Company in the first quarter of 2013 and did not have a material impact on the Company or its condensed consolidated financial statements.
	In February 2013, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2013-02, “Reporting of Amounts Reclassified Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income” (“ASU 2013-02”). ASU 2013-02 requires companies to present information about significant items reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income by component either on the face of the statement where net income is presented or as a separate disclosure in the notes to the financial statements. This new guidance became effective for the Company in the first quarter of 2013 and did not have a material impact on the Company or its condensed consolidated financial statements.

Supplementary_Balance_Sheet_In

Supplementary Balance Sheet Information	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013
Organization Consolidation And Presentation Of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Supplementary Balance Sheet Information	Note 4. Supplementary Balance Sheet Information (in thousands):
			March 31,			December 31,
			2013			2012
	Other current assets:
	Accounts receivable, net of allowances for bad debt of $0.8 million and $1.3		$	85,192		$	86,467
	million, respectively (1)
	Prepaid expenses			47,172			40,237
	Other			16,809			12,538
			$	149,173		$	139,242
	Property and equipment, net(2):
	Network equipment		$	3,344,060		$	3,348,122
	Computer hardware and software			542,126			526,348
	Construction-in-progress			52,741			54,945
	Other			107,393			109,400
				4,046,320			4,038,815
	Accumulated depreciation			(2,417,493	)		(2,276,725	)
			$	1,628,827		$	1,762,090
	Intangible assets, net:
	Customer relationships		$	50,435		$	50,435
	Trademarks			37,000			37,000
				87,435			87,435
	Accumulated amortization of customer relationships			(43,102	)		(40,528	)
	Accumulated amortization of trademarks			(22,904	)		(22,244	)
			$	21,429		$	24,663
	Accounts payable and accrued liabilities:
	Trade accounts payable		$	176,740		$	143,931
	Accrued payroll and related benefits			50,073			67,539
	Other accrued liabilities			61,049			184,640
			$	287,862		$	396,110
	Other current liabilities:
	Deferred service revenue(3)		$	101,396		$	100,276
	Deferred equipment revenue(4)			37,829			36,471
	Accrued sales, telecommunications, property and other taxes payable			17,599			4,267
	Accrued interest			94,384			44,653
	Other			38,261			31,213
			$	289,469		$	216,880
	-1	Accounts receivable, net, consists primarily of (i) amounts billed to third-party dealers for devices and accessories, (ii) amounts due from the Company’s third-party logistics provider for devices sold from the Company to the provider, (iii) amounts due from the federal government in connection with the Lifeline program, and (iv) amounts due from service providers related to interconnect and roaming agreements.
	-2	As of March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, $46.2 million and $45.8 million of assets were held by the Company under capital lease arrangements, respectively. Accumulated amortization relating to these assets totaled $24.2 million and $22.9 million as of March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively.
	-3	Deferred service revenue consists primarily of cash received from customers in advance of their service period.
	-4	Deferred equipment revenue relates to devices sold to third-party dealers and nationwide retailers which have not yet been purchased and activated by customers.

Fair_Value_of_Financial_Instru

Fair Value of Financial Instruments and Non-Financial Assets	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Fair Value of Financial Instruments and Non-Financial Assets	Note 5. Fair Value of Financial Instruments and Non-Financial Assets
	Fair Value of Financial Instruments
	The authoritative guidance for fair value measurements defines fair value for accounting purposes, establishes a framework for measuring fair value and provides disclosure requirements regarding fair value measurements. The guidance defines fair value as an exit price, which is the price that would be received upon the sale of an asset or paid upon the transfer of a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. The degree of judgment utilized in measuring the fair value of assets and liabilities generally correlates to the level of pricing observability. Assets and liabilities with readily available, actively quoted prices or for which fair value can be measured from actively quoted prices in active markets generally have more pricing observability and require less judgment in measuring fair value. Conversely, assets and liabilities that are rarely traded or not quoted have less pricing observability and are generally measured at fair value using valuation models that require more judgment. These valuation techniques involve some level of management estimation and judgment, the degree of which is dependent on the price transparency of the asset, liability or market and the nature of the asset or liability.
	The Company has categorized its assets and liabilities measured at fair value into a three-level hierarchy in accordance with the authoritative guidance for fair value measurements. Assets and liabilities measured at fair value using quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities are generally categorized as Level 1; assets and liabilities measured at fair value using observable market-based inputs or unobservable inputs that are corroborated by market data for similar assets or liabilities are generally categorized as Level 2; and assets and liabilities measured at fair value using unobservable inputs that cannot be corroborated by market data are generally categorized as Level 3. Assets and liabilities presented at fair value in the Company’s condensed consolidated balance sheets are generally categorized as follows:
		Level 1:		Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities. The Company did not have any Level 1 assets or liabilities as of March 31, 2013 or December 31, 2012.
		Level 2:		Observable inputs other than Level 1 prices, such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities, quoted prices in markets that are not active or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the assets or liabilities. The Company’s Level 2 assets as of March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012 included its cash equivalents, its short-term investments in obligations of the U.S. government and government agencies and its short-term investments in commercial paper.
		Level 3:		Unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity and that are significant to the fair value of the assets or liabilities. Such assets and liabilities may have values determined using pricing models, discounted cash flow methodologies, or similar techniques, and include instruments for which the determination of fair value requires significant management judgment or estimation. The Company did not have any Level 3 assets or liabilities as of March 31, 2013 or December 31, 2012.
	The following tables set forth by level within the fair value hierarchy the Company’s assets and liabilities that were recorded at fair value as of March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012 (in thousands). As required by the guidance for fair value measurements, financial assets and liabilities are classified in their entirety based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. Thus, assets and liabilities categorized as Level 3 may be measured at fair value using inputs that are observable (Levels 1 and 2) and unobservable (Level 3). Management’s assessment of the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurement requires judgment, which may affect the valuation of assets and liabilities and their placement within the fair value hierarchy levels.
		At Fair Value as of March 31, 2013
		Level 1			Level 2		Level 3		Total
	Assets:
	Money market funds	$	—		$	12,235	$	—	$	12,235
	Commercial paper		—			79,081		—		79,081
	U.S. government or government agency securities		—			148,912		—		148,912
	Total	$	—		$	240,228	$	—	$	240,228
		At Fair Value as of December 31, 2012
		Level 1			Level 2		Level 3		Total
	Assets:
	Money market funds	$	—		$	126,617	$	—	$	126,617
	Commercial paper		—			82,346		—		82,346
	U.S. government or government agency securities		—			135,861		—		135,861
	Total	$	—		$	344,824	$	—	$	344,824
	Assets in the tables above are reported on the condensed consolidated balance sheets as components of cash and cash equivalents, short-term investments, other current assets and other assets.
	Unrealized gains (losses) are presented in accumulated other comprehensive loss within stockholders’ equity in the condensed consolidated balance sheets. Realized gains (losses) are presented in other income (expense), net in the condensed consolidated statements of comprehensive income.
	Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments
	As of March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, all of the Company’s short-term investments were debt securities with contractual maturities of less than one year and were classified as available-for-sale. The fair value of the Company’s cash equivalents, short-term investments in obligations of the U.S. government and government agencies and its short-term investments in commercial paper is determined using observable market-based inputs for similar assets, which primarily include yield curves and time-to-maturity factors. Such investments are therefore considered to be Level 2 items.
	Available-for-sale securities were comprised as follows as of March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012 (in thousands):
		As of March 31, 2013
		Cost			Fair Value
	Money market funds	$	12,235		$	12,235
	Commercial paper		79,081			79,081
	U.S. government or government agency securities		148,904			148,912
		$	240,220		$	240,228
		As of December 31, 2012
		Cost			Fair Value
	Money market funds	$	126,617		$	126,617
	Commercial paper		82,345			82,346
	U.S. government or government agency securities		135,848			135,861
		$	344,810		$	344,824
	Long-Term Debt
	The Company reports its long-term debt obligations at amortized cost; however, the Company is required to disclose the fair value of outstanding debt at each reporting date. The fair value of the Company’s outstanding long-term debt is determined primarily by using quoted prices in active markets and was $3,395.7 million and $3,421.5 million as of March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively. The Company’s debt was considered to be a Level 1 item for disclosure purposes.
	Assets Measured at Fair Value on a Nonrecurring Basis
	As of March 31, 2013, there were no non-financial assets that were measured and recorded at fair value on a nonrecurring basis. As of December 31, 2012, non-financial assets with a carrying value of $13.6 million accumulated in construction-in-
	progress had been reduced to a fair value of zero, resulting in an impairment charge of $13.6 million. There were no other non-financial assets that were measured and recorded at fair value on a nonrecurring basis.

LongTerm_Debt_Net

Long-Term Debt, Net	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Long-Term Debt, Net	Note 6. Long-Term Debt, Net
	Long-term debt, net as of March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012 was comprised of the following (in thousands):
			March 31,			December 31,
			2013			2012
	Convertible senior notes due 2014 (1)		$	250,000		$	250,000
	Senior secured notes due 2016 (2)			1,100,000			1,100,000
	Unamortized discount on $1,100 million senior secured notes due 2016 (2)			(22,230	)		(23,767	)
	Term loans under Credit Agreement (2)			399,000			400,000
	Unamortized discount on term loans under Credit Agreement (2)			(3,764	)		(3,892	)
	Unsecured senior notes due 2020			1,600,000			1,600,000
	Unamortized discount on $1,600 million unsecured senior notes due 2020			(19,413	)		(19,878	)
				3,303,593			3,302,463
	Current maturities of long-term debt			(4,000	)		(4,000	)
			$	3,299,593		$	3,298,463
	-1	Subsequent to the quarter ended March 31, 2013, the Company purchased $1.8 million in aggregate principal amount of 4.50% convertible senior notes due 2014 in a cash tender offer.
	-2	Subsequent to the quarter ended March 31, 2013, the Company borrowed an additional $1,425 million in aggregate principal amount of term loans under the Credit Agreement and issued a notice of redemption to redeem all of the 7.75% senior secured notes due 2016 in accordance with the indenture governing the notes. Approximately $1,185 million of the proceeds of the term loans were used to fund the redemption price (including accrued interest) and discharge the indenture governing the 7.75% senior secured notes due 2016.
	Credit Agreement
	On October 10, 2012, Cricket entered into a credit agreement (as amended, the “Credit Agreement”) with respect to a $400 million senior secured B term loan facility, which was fully drawn in October 2012 and matures in October 2019. B term loan borrowings under the Credit Agreement must be repaid in 27 quarterly installments of $1.0 million each, which commenced on March 31, 2013, followed by a final installment of $373.0 million at maturity.
	On March 8, 2013, Cricket amended the Credit Agreement to provide for an incremental $1,425 million senior secured C term loan facility, which was fully drawn on April 15, 2013 and matures in March 2020. C term loan borrowings under the Credit Agreement must be repaid in 26 quarterly installments of $3.6 million each, commencing on September 30, 2013, followed by a final installment of $1,332.4 million at maturity. Approximately $1,185 million of the net proceeds from the C term loan facility were used to fund the redemption of all of Cricket’s $1,100 million of 7.75% senior secured notes due 2016 (including accrued interest), as more fully described below. Remaining net proceeds may be used for general corporate purposes.
	Outstanding borrowings under the Credit Agreement bear interest at the London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) plus 3.50% (subject to a LIBOR floor of 1.25% per annum) or at the bank base rate plus 2.50% (subject to a base rate floor of 2.25% per annum), as selected by Cricket. At March 31, 2013, the weighted average effective interest rate on outstanding borrowings under the Credit Agreement was 4.80%.
	Borrowings under the Credit Agreement are guaranteed by Leap and each of its existing and future wholly owned domestic subsidiaries (other than Cricket, which is the borrower) that guarantees any indebtedness of Leap, Cricket or any subsidiary guarantor or that constitutes a “significant subsidiary” as defined in Regulation S-X under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (subject to certain exceptions).
	Borrowings under the Credit Agreement are effectively senior to all of Leap’s, Cricket’s and the guarantors’ existing and future unsecured indebtedness (including Cricket’s $1,600 million aggregate principal amount of senior notes and, in the case of Leap, Leap’s $248.2 million aggregate principal amount of convertible senior notes), as well as to all of Leap’s, Cricket’s and the guarantors’ obligations under any permitted junior lien debt that may be incurred in the future, in each case to the extent of the value of the collateral securing the obligations under the Credit Agreement.
	Borrowings under the Credit Agreement are secured on a first-priority basis, equally and ratably with any future parity lien debt that Leap, Cricket or the guarantors may incur, by liens on substantially all of the present and future personal property of Leap, Cricket and the guarantors, except for certain excluded assets and subject to permitted liens (including liens on the collateral securing any future permitted priority debt). Under the Credit Agreement, Leap, Cricket and the guarantors are permitted to incur liens securing indebtedness for borrowed money in an aggregate principal amount outstanding (including the aggregate principal amount outstanding under the Credit Agreement) of up to the greater of $1,750 million and 3.5 times Leap’s consolidated cash flow (excluding the consolidated cash flow of Cricket Music Holdco, LLC (“Cricket Music”) (a wholly-owned subsidiary of Cricket that holds certain hardware, software and intellectual property relating to Cricket’s Muve Music® service)) for the prior four fiscal quarters.
	Borrowings under the Credit Agreement are effectively junior to all of Leap’s, Cricket’s and the guarantors’ obligations under any permitted priority debt that may be incurred in the future (up to the lesser of 0.30 times Leap’s consolidated cash flow (excluding the consolidated cash flow of STX Wireless and Cricket Music) for the prior four fiscal quarters and $300 million in aggregate principal amount outstanding), to the extent of the value of the collateral securing such permitted priority debt, as well as to existing and future liabilities of Leap’s and Cricket’s subsidiaries that are not guarantors (including STX Wireless and Cricket Music and their respective subsidiaries). In addition, borrowings under the Credit Agreement are senior in right of payment to any of Leap’s, Cricket’s and the guarantors’ future subordinated indebtedness.
	Cricket has the right to prepay borrowings under the Credit Agreement, in whole or in part, at any time without premium or penalty, except that prepayments of B term loans in connection with a repricing transaction occurring on or prior to October 10, 2013 are subject to a prepayment premium of 1.00% of the principal amount of the borrowings so prepaid and prepayments of C term loans in connection with a repricing transaction occurring on or prior to March 8, 2014 are subject to a prepayment premium of 1.00% of the principal amount of the borrowings so prepaid.
	Under the Credit Agreement, Leap and its restricted subsidiaries are subject to certain limitations, including limitations on their ability to: incur additional debt or sell assets, make certain investments, grant liens and pay dividends and make certain other restricted payments. In addition, Cricket will be required to pay down the facility under certain circumstances if Leap and its restricted subsidiaries issue debt, sell assets or property, receive certain extraordinary receipts or generate excess cash flow (as defined in the Credit Agreement).
	The Credit Agreement also provides for an event of default upon the occurrence of a change of control, which includes the acquisition of beneficial ownership of 35% or more of Leap’s equity securities (other than a transaction where immediately after such transaction Leap will be a wholly owned subsidiary of a person of which no person or group is the beneficial owner of 35% or more of such person’s voting stock), a sale of all or substantially all of the assets of Leap and its restricted subsidiaries and a change in a majority of the members of Leap’s board of directors that is not approved by the board. If the indebtedness under the Credit Agreement was accelerated prior to maturity as a result of such change of control, this would give rise to an event of default under the indentures governing the Company’s senior notes and convertible notes.
	Senior Notes
	Discharge of Indenture and Loss on Extinguishment of Debt
	On April 15, 2013, in connection with the borrowing of C term loans under the Credit Agreement, Cricket issued a notice of redemption to redeem all of its $1,100 million of 7.75% senior secured notes due 2016 in accordance with the optional redemption provisions governing the notes at a redemption price of 103.875% of the principal amount of outstanding notes, plus accrued and unpaid interest to the redemption date of May 15, 2013. Also on April 15, 2013, Cricket deposited approximately $1,185 million with the trustee for the notes to fund the redemption price (including accrued interest) and the indenture governing the notes was satisfied and discharged in accordance with its terms. As a result of this redemption, the Company estimates that it will incur a loss on extinguishment of debt of approximately $70 million, which will be recorded in the second quarter of 2013.
	Convertible Senior Notes Due 2014
	In June 2008, Leap issued $250 million of 4.50% convertible senior notes due 2014 in a private placement to institutional buyers. The notes bear interest at the rate of 4.50% per year, payable semi-annually in cash in arrears, which interest payments commenced in January 2009. The notes are Leap’s general unsecured obligations and rank equally in right of payment with all of Leap’s existing and future senior unsecured indebtedness and senior in right of payment to all indebtedness that is contractually subordinated to the notes. The notes are structurally subordinated to the existing and future claims of Leap’s subsidiaries’ creditors, including under the Credit Agreement and the senior notes described below. The notes are effectively junior to all of Leap’s existing and future secured obligations, including those under the Credit Agreement, to the extent of the value of the assets securing such obligations.
	Holders may convert their notes into shares of Leap common stock at any time on or prior to the third scheduled trading day prior to the maturity date of the notes, July 15, 2014. If, at the time of conversion, the applicable stock price of Leap common stock is less than or equal to approximately $93.21 per share, the notes will be convertible into 10.7290 shares of Leap common stock per $1,000 principal amount of the notes (referred to as the “base conversion rate”), subject to adjustment upon the occurrence of certain events. If, at the time of conversion, the applicable stock price of Leap common stock exceeds approximately $93.21 per share, the conversion rate will be determined pursuant to a formula based on the base conversion rate and an incremental share factor of 8.3150 shares per $1,000 principal amount of the notes, subject to adjustment.
	Leap may be required to repurchase all outstanding notes in cash at a repurchase price of 100% of the principal amount of the notes, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, thereon to the repurchase date if (1) any person acquires beneficial ownership, directly or indirectly, of shares of Leap’s capital stock that would entitle the person to exercise 50% or more of the total voting power of all of Leap’s capital stock entitled to vote in the election of directors, (2) Leap (i) merges or consolidates with or into any other person, another person merges with or into Leap, or Leap conveys, sells, transfers or leases all or substantially all of its assets to another person or (ii) engages in any recapitalization, reclassification or other transaction in which all or substantially all of Leap common stock is exchanged for or converted into cash, securities or other property, in each case subject to limitations and excluding in the case of (1) and (2) any merger or consolidation where at least 90% of the consideration consists of shares of common stock traded on NYSE, ASE or NASDAQ, (3) a majority of the members of Leap’s board of directors ceases to consist of individuals who were directors on the date of original issuance of the notes or whose election or nomination for election was previously approved by the board of directors, (4) Leap is liquidated or dissolved or holders of common stock approve any plan or proposal for its liquidation or dissolution or (5) shares of Leap common stock are not listed for trading on any of the New York Stock Exchange, the NASDAQ Global Market or the NASDAQ Global Select Market (or any of their respective successors). Leap may not redeem the notes at its option.
	On March 26, 2013, Leap launched a tender offer to purchase, for cash, any and all of its $250 million of 4.50% convertible senior notes due 2014 at a purchase price of $1,005 per $1,000 principal amount of notes tendered plus accrued interest. On April 23, 2013, the Company purchased $1.8 million in aggregate principal amount of 4.50% convertible senior notes due 2014 pursuant to the tender offer. The Company may from time to time seek to purchase outstanding 4.50% convertible senior notes due 2014 through open-market purchases, privately negotiated transactions or otherwise. Such purchases, if any, will depend on prevailing market conditions, the Company’s liquidity requirements and other factors.
	Unsecured Senior Notes Due 2020
	In November 2010, Cricket issued $1,200 million of 7.75% senior notes due 2020 in a private placement to institutional buyers at an issue price of 98.323% of the principal amount, which were exchanged in January 2011 for identical notes that had been registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). The $20.1 million discount to the net proceeds the Company received in connection with the issuance of the notes has been recorded in long-term debt, net in the condensed consolidated financial statements and is being accreted as an increase to interest expense over the term of the notes. In May 2011, Cricket issued an additional $400 million of 7.75% senior notes due 2020 in a private placement to institutional buyers at an issue price of 99.193% of the principal amount, which were exchanged in November 2011 for identical notes that had been registered with the SEC. The $3.2 million discount to the net proceeds the Company received in connection with the issuance of the additional notes was recorded in long-term debt, net in the condensed consolidated financial statements and is being accreted as an increase to interest expense over the term of the notes. At March 31, 2013, the effective interest rates on the initial $1,200 million tranche and the additional $400 million tranche of the notes were 7.86% and 7.80%, respectively, both of which include the effect of the discount accretion.
	The notes bear interest at the rate of 7.75% per year, payable semi-annually in cash in arrears, which interest payments commenced in April 2011. The notes are guaranteed on an unsecured senior basis by Leap and each of its existing and future domestic subsidiaries (other than Cricket, which is the issuer of the notes) that guarantees indebtedness of Leap, Cricket or any subsidiary guarantor. The notes and the guarantees are Leap’s, Cricket’s and the guarantors’ general senior unsecured obligations and rank equally in right of payment with all of Leap’s, Cricket’s and the guarantors’ existing and future unsubordinated unsecured indebtedness. The notes and the guarantees are effectively junior to Leap’s, Cricket’s and the guarantors’ existing and future secured obligations, including those under the Credit Agreement, to the extent of the value of the assets securing such obligations, as well as to existing and future liabilities of Leap’s and Cricket’s subsidiaries that are not guarantors (including STX Wireless and Cricket Music and their respective subsidiaries). In addition, the notes and the guarantees are senior in right of payment to any of Leap’s, Cricket’s and the guarantors’ future subordinated indebtedness.
	Prior to October 15, 2013, Cricket may redeem up to 35% of the aggregate principal amount of the notes at a redemption price of 107.750% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, thereon to the redemption date, from the net cash proceeds of specified equity offerings. Prior to October 15, 2015, Cricket may redeem the notes, in whole or in part, at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount thereof plus the applicable premium and any accrued and unpaid interest, if any, thereon to the redemption date. The applicable premium is calculated as the greater of (i) 1.0% of the principal amount of such notes and (ii) the excess of (a) the present value at such date of redemption of (1) the redemption price of such notes at October 15, 2015 plus (2) all remaining required interest payments due on such notes through October 15, 2015 (excluding accrued but unpaid interest to the date of redemption), computed using a discount rate equal to the Treasury Rate plus 50 basis points, over (b) the principal amount of such notes. The notes may be redeemed, in whole or in part, at any time on or after October 15, 2015, at a redemption price of 103.875%, 102.583% and 101.292% of the principal amount thereof if redeemed during the twelve months beginning on October 15, 2015, 2016 and 2017, respectively, or at 100% of the principal amount if redeemed during the twelve months beginning on October 15, 2018 or thereafter, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, thereon to the redemption date.
	If a “change of control” occurs (which includes the acquisition of beneficial ownership of 35% or more of Leap’s equity securities (other than a transaction where immediately after such transaction Leap will be a wholly-owned subsidiary of a person of which no person or group is the beneficial owner of 35% or more of such person’s voting stock), a sale of all or substantially all of the assets of Leap and its restricted subsidiaries and a change in a majority of the members of Leap’s board of directors that is not approved by the board), each holder of the notes may require Cricket to repurchase all of such holder’s notes at a purchase price equal to 101% of the principal amount of the notes, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, thereon to the repurchase date.

Impairments_and_Other_Charges

Impairments and Other Charges	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013
Goodwill And Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Impairments and Other Charges	Note 7. Impairments and Other Charges
	In the third quarter of 2012, the Company developed a plan to reduce administrative and corporate support costs through a reduction in personnel. As a result, the Company recorded a liability of $14.8 million representing severance expense and related costs to implement the plan.
	In the fourth quarter of 2012, the Company further developed its plan to also include reductions in previously planned network expansion activities and capital expenditures. In connection with the reduction in network expansion activities, the Company recognized restructuring charges of $11.0 million, primarily related to lease exit costs associated with cellular sites that were no longer being developed or utilized. In the first quarter of 2013, the Company recognized additional restructuring charges of $0.7 million.
	During 2011, the Company recognized $23.9 million of post-acquisition charges associated with the integration of certain operating assets in South Texas.
	The following table provides a rollforward of those amounts recorded as liabilities within the consolidated balance sheets:
		December 31,		Accruals		Payments			March 31, 2013
		2012
	Post-acquisition charges	$	14,726	$	—	$	(726	)	$	14,000
	Severance		9,877		—		(5,313	)		4,564
	Restructuring activities		10,393		735		(4,656	)		6,472
	Total amounts to be settled in cash	$	34,996	$	735	$	(10,695	)	$	25,036

Basic_and_Diluted_Earnings_Los

Basic and Diluted Earnings (Loss) Per Share	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Basic and Diluted Earnings (Loss) Per Share	Note 8. Basic and Diluted Earnings (Loss) Per Share
	Basic earnings (loss) per share is computed by dividing net income (loss) attributable to common stockholders by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per share is computed by dividing net income attributable to common stockholders by the sum of the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the period and the weighted-average number of dilutive common share equivalents outstanding during the period, using the treasury stock method and the if-converted method, where applicable. Dilutive common share equivalents are comprised of stock options, restricted stock awards, deferred stock units, employee stock purchase rights and convertible senior notes. Since the Company incurred losses for the three months ended March 31, 2013 and 2012, 7.6 million and 8.7 million common share equivalents were excluded in the computation of diluted loss per share for those periods, respectively.

Significant_Acquisitions_and_O

Significant Acquisitions and Other Transactions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013
Text Block [Abstract]
Significant Acquisitions and Other Transactions	Note 9. Significant Acquisitions and Other Transactions
	On March 25, 2013, the Company completed an intra-market license exchange with a subsidiary of T-Mobile USA, Inc.
	(“T-Mobile”) and Cellco Partnership dba Verizon Wireless (“Verizon Wireless”) involving various markets in Philadelphia, Wilmington and Atlantic City. The licenses involved in the exchange had a carrying value of $136.2 million and the Company recognized a gain of $6.8 million in connection with the transaction.

Arrangement_with_Joint_Venture

Arrangement with Joint Venture	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013
Text Block [Abstract]
Arrangement with Joint Venture	Note 10. Arrangement with Joint Venture
	Cricket service is offered in South Texas by STX Operations, which Cricket controls through a 75.75% membership interest in STX Wireless, the parent company of STX Operations. The joint venture was created in October 2010 through the contribution by the Company and various entities doing business as Pocket Communications (“Pocket”) of substantially all of their respective wireless spectrum and operating assets in the South Texas region. In exchange for such contributions, Cricket received a 75.75% controlling membership interest in STX Wireless and Pocket received a 24.25% non-controlling membership interest. Additionally, in connection with the transaction, the Company made payments to Pocket of $40.7 million in cash.
	Cricket controls and manages the joint venture under the terms of the amended and restated limited liability company agreement (the “STX LLC Agreement”). Under the STX LLC Agreement, Pocket has the right to put, and the Company has the right to call, all of Pocket’s membership interests in STX Wireless, which rights are generally exercisable on or after April 1, 2014. In addition, in the event of a change of control of Leap, Pocket is obligated to sell to the Company all of its membership interests in STX Wireless. The purchase price for Pocket’s membership interests would be equal to 24.25% of the product of Leap’s enterprise value-to-revenue multiple for the four most recently completed fiscal quarters multiplied by the total revenues of STX Wireless and its subsidiaries over that same period, subject to adjustment in certain circumstances. In the event optional cash distributions are made to the members of STX Wireless pursuant to the STX LLC Agreement, the purchase price is reduced by the total amount of such distributions made to Pocket plus an amount equal to an 8.0% per annum return on each such distribution from the date it was made. The purchase price is payable in either cash, Leap common stock or a combination thereof, as determined by Cricket in its discretion (provided that, if permitted by Cricket’s debt instruments, at least $25 million of the purchase price must be paid in cash). The Company has the right to deduct from or set off against the purchase price certain distributions made to Pocket, as well as any obligations owed to the Company by Pocket. Under the STX LLC Agreement, Cricket is permitted to purchase Pocket’s membership interests in STX Wireless over multiple closings in the event that the block of shares of Leap common stock issuable to Pocket at the closing of the purchase would be greater than 9.9% of the total number of shares of Leap common stock then issued and outstanding.
	To the extent the redemption price for Pocket’s non-controlling membership interest varies from the value of Pocket’s net interest in STX Wireless at any period (after the attribution of profits or losses), the value of such interest is accreted to the redemption price for such interest with a corresponding adjustment to additional paid-in capital. For the three months ended March 31, 2013 and for the year ended December 31, 2012, the Company recorded a net accretion expense of $0.5 million and a net accretion benefit of $0.7 million, respectively, to bring the carrying value of Pocket’s membership interests in STX Wireless to its estimated redemption value.
	In accordance with the STX LLC Agreement, STX Wireless made pro-rata tax distributions of $8.8 million and $2.8 million to Cricket and Pocket, respectively, in connection with their estimated tax liabilities resulting from STX Wireless’ earnings for the three months ended March 31, 2013. No tax distributions were made during the three months ended March 31, 2012. The Company recorded the tax distribution to Pocket as an adjustment to additional paid-in-capital in the condensed consolidated balance sheets and as a component of accretion of redeemable non-controlling interests and distributions, net of tax, in the condensed consolidated statements of comprehensive income. The distributions made to Cricket were eliminated in consolidation.
	On July 12, 2012, STX Wireless made an optional pro-rata cash distribution of $50.7 million and $16.2 million to Cricket and Pocket, respectively. Subsequent to the quarter end, on April 26, 2013, STX Wireless made a further optional pro-rata cash distribution of $18.9 million and $6.1 million to Cricket and Pocket, respectively. Under the STX LLC Agreement, optional distributions to Pocket (plus an annual return, as discussed above), are deducted from the purchase price payable to Pocket in the event of a put, call or mandatory buyout following a change of control of Leap.
	At the closing of the formation of the joint venture, STX Wireless entered into a loan and security agreement with Pocket pursuant to which, commencing in April 2012, STX Wireless agreed to make quarterly limited-recourse loans to Pocket out of excess cash in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $30 million, which loans are secured by Pocket’s membership interests in STX Wireless. As of March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, Pocket had $9.2 million and $8.3 million in aggregate principal amount of outstanding borrowings under the loan and security agreement, respectively. Borrowings under the loan and security agreement bear interest at 8.0% per annum, compounded annually, and will mature on the earlier of October 2020 and the date on which Pocket ceases to hold any membership interests in STX Wireless. Cricket has the right to set off all outstanding principal and interest under this loan and security agreement against the payment of the purchase price for Pocket’s membership interests in STX Wireless in the event of a put, call or mandatory buyout following a change of control of Leap. Accordingly, outstanding borrowings and accrued interest under the loan and security agreement have been recorded as a deduction from the purchase price payable to Pocket as discussed above in the condensed consolidated balance sheets and as a component of accretion of redeemable non-controlling interests and distributions, net of tax, in the condensed consolidated statements of comprehensive income. The offset of the outstanding borrowings and accrued interest against the purchase price for Pocket’s membership interest, coupled with the accretion benefit recorded to adjust the redemption value of Pocket’s net interest in STX Wireless, brought the carrying value of Pocket’s membership interests in STX Wireless to an estimated redemption value of $63.5 million and $64.5 million as of March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively.
	As described in Note 3, the Company consolidates its controlling membership interest in STX Wireless in accordance with the authoritative guidance for consolidations based on the voting interest model. All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in the consolidated financial statements.
	The following table provides a summary of the changes in value of the Company’s redeemable non-controlling interests (in thousands):
		Three Months Ended March 31,
		2013			2012
	Beginning balance, January 1	$	64,517		$	95,910
	Accretion of redeemable non-controlling interests, before tax		475			4,105
	Loans made to joint venture partner		(982	)		—
	Other		(491	)		(255	)
	Ending balance, March 31	$	63,519		$	99,760

Unrestricted_Subsidiaries

Unrestricted Subsidiaries	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013
Text Block [Abstract]
Unrestricted Subsidiaries	Note 11. Unrestricted Subsidiaries
	In July 2011, the Company’s board of directors designated Cricket Music and Cricket Music’s wholly-owned subsidiary Muve USA, LLC (“Muve USA”) as “Unrestricted Subsidiaries” under the indentures governing Cricket’s senior notes. Cricket Music, Muve USA and their subsidiaries are also designated as “Unrestricted Subsidiaries” under the Credit Agreement. Muve USA holds certain hardware, software and intellectual property relating to Cricket’s Muve Music service. The financial position and results of operations of Cricket Music and Muve USA are included in the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements included in this report. Together with STX Wireless, Cricket Music and Muve USA and their subsidiaries are presented as “Non-Guarantors” within the Company’s condensed consolidating financial statements included in Note 14.
	As required by the Credit Agreement and the indenture governing Cricket’s senior notes, the Company is presenting the aggregate carrying amount and classification of the components of the financial position as of March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012 and results of operations of Cricket Music and Muve USA for the three months ended March 31, 2013 and 2012 in the following tables separately (in thousands):
		March 31,			December 31,
		2013			2012
	Assets
	Cash and cash equivalents	$	—		$	1
	Other current assets		913			—
	Property and equipment, net		3,813			4,937
	Total assets	$	4,726		$	4,938
	Liabilities and stockholders’ equity
	Other current liabilities	$	464		$	5
	Other long-term liabilities		457			—
	Stockholders’ equity		3,805			4,933
	Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$	4,726		$	4,938
		Three Months Ended
		March 31,
		2013			2012
	Revenues	$	—		$	—
	Operating expenses
	Depreciation and amortization		1,124			1,124
	Other		8			4
	Total operating expenses		1,132			1,128
	Operating loss		(1,132	)		(1,128	)
	Net loss	$	(1,132	)	$	(1,128	)

Income_Taxes

Income Taxes	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Income Taxes	Note 12. Income Taxes
	The computation of the Company’s annual effective tax rate includes a forecast of the Company’s estimated “ordinary” income (loss), which is its annual income (loss) from continuing operations before tax, excluding unusual or infrequently occurring (discrete) items. Significant management judgment is required in projecting the Company’s ordinary income (loss). The Company’s projected ordinary income tax expense for the full year 2013 consists primarily of the deferred tax effect of the Company’s investments in joint ventures that are in a deferred tax liability position and the amortization of wireless licenses for income tax purposes. Because the Company’s projected 2013 income tax expense is a relatively fixed amount, a small change in the ordinary income (loss) projection can produce a significant variance in the effective tax rate, therefore making it difficult to determine a reliable estimate of the annual effective tax rate. As a result, and in accordance with the authoritative guidance for accounting for income taxes in interim periods, the Company has computed its provision for income taxes as of and for the three months ended March 31, 2013 and 2012 based upon the actual effective tax rate for those periods.
	The Company periodically assesses the likelihood that its deferred tax assets will be recoverable from future taxable income. To the extent the Company believes it is more likely than not that its deferred tax assets will not be recovered, it must establish a valuation allowance. As part of this periodic assessment for the three months ended March 31, 2013, the Company weighed the positive and negative factors and, at this time, does not believe there is sufficient positive evidence to support a conclusion that it is more likely than not that all or a portion of its deferred tax assets will be realized, except with respect to the realization of a $1.9 million Texas Margins Tax (“TMT”) credit. Accordingly, at March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, the Company recorded a valuation allowance offsetting substantially all of its deferred tax assets. Deferred tax liabilities associated with wireless licenses and investments in certain joint ventures cannot be considered a source of taxable income to support the realization of deferred tax assets because these deferred tax liabilities will not reverse until some indefinite future period when these assets are either sold or impaired for book purposes.
	The Company has substantial federal and state net operating losses (“NOLs”) for income tax purposes. Subject to certain requirements, the Company may “carry forward” its federal NOLs for up to 20 years to offset future taxable income and reduce its income tax liability. For state income tax purposes, the NOL carryforward period ranges from five to 20 years. As of March 31, 2013, the Company had federal and state NOLs of approximately $2.7 billion and $2.1 billion, respectively, which begin to expire in 2022 for federal income tax purposes and of which $69.8 million will expire at the end of 2013 for state income tax purposes. While these NOL carryforwards have a potential to be used to offset future ordinary taxable income and reduce future cash tax liabilities by approximately $1.1 billion, the Company’s ability to utilize these NOLs will depend upon the availability of future taxable income during the carryforward period and, as such, there is no assurance the Company will be able to realize such tax savings.
	The Company’s ability to utilize NOLs could be further limited if it were to experience an “ownership change,” as defined in Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code and similar state provisions. In general terms, an ownership change can occur whenever there is a cumulative shift in the ownership of a company by more than 50 percentage points by one or more “5% stockholders” within a three-year period. The occurrence of such a change generally limits the amount of NOL carryforwards a company could utilize in a given year to the aggregate fair market value of the company’s common stock immediately prior to the ownership change, multiplied by the long-term tax-exempt interest rate in effect for the month of the ownership change.
	The determination of whether an ownership change has occurred for purposes of Section 382 is complex and requires significant judgment. The occurrence of such an ownership change would accelerate cash tax payments the Company would be required to make and likely result in a substantial portion of its NOLs expiring before the Company could fully utilize them.
	On August 30, 2011, the Company’s board of directors adopted a Tax Benefit Preservation Plan to help deter acquisitions of Leap common stock that could result in an ownership change under Section 382 and thus help preserve the Company’s ability to use its NOL carryforwards. The Tax Benefit Preservation Plan was approved by the Company’s stockholders in May 2012. The Tax Benefit Preservation Plan is designed to deter acquisitions of Leap common stock that would result in a stockholder owning 4.99% or more of Leap common stock (as calculated under Section 382), or any existing holder of 4.99% or more of Leap common stock acquiring additional shares, by substantially diluting the ownership interest of any such stockholder unless the stockholder obtains an exemption from the Company’s board of directors.
	The Company’s unrecognized income tax benefits and uncertain tax positions, as well as any associated interest and penalties, are recorded through income tax expense; however, such amounts have not been significant in any period.

Commitments_and_Contingencies

Commitments and Contingencies	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013
Commitments And Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Commitments and Contingencies	Note 13. Commitments and Contingencies
	From time to time, the Company is involved in a variety of legal proceedings, including lawsuits, claims, investigations and other proceedings concerning intellectual property, commercial disputes, business practices and other matters. Due in part to the expansion and development of its business operations, the Company has become subject to an increased number of these proceedings, including disputes alleging intellectual property infringement. These matters may seek monetary damages and other relief.
	The Company believes that any damage amounts alleged by plaintiffs in matters that may arise are not necessarily meaningful indicators of its potential liability. The Company determines whether it should accrue an estimated loss for a contingency in a particular legal proceeding by assessing whether a loss is deemed probable and whether the amount can be reasonably estimated. The Company reassesses its views on estimated losses on a quarterly basis to reflect the impact of any developments in the matters in which it is involved.
	Legal proceedings are inherently unpredictable, and the matters in which the Company is involved often present complex legal and factual issues. The Company vigorously pursues defenses in legal proceedings and engages in discussions where possible to resolve these matters on favorable terms. The Company’s policy is to recognize legal costs as incurred. It is possible, however, that the Company’s business, financial condition and results of operations in future periods could be materially adversely affected by increased litigation expense, significant settlement costs and/or unfavorable damage awards.
	Indemnification Agreements
	From time to time, the Company enters into indemnification agreements with certain parties in the ordinary course of business, including agreements with manufacturers, licensors and suppliers who provide it with equipment, software and technology that it uses in its business, as well as with purchasers of assets, lenders, lessors and other vendors. Indemnification agreements are generally entered into in commercial and other transactions in an attempt to allocate potential risk of loss.
	iPhone Purchase Commitment
	In May 2012, the Company entered into a three-year iPhone purchase commitment with Apple. The commitment began upon the Company’s launch of sales of the iPhone in June 2012. Based on its current handset purchase and sales mix and current iPhone device pricing, the Company estimates that the commitment would require it to purchase approximately $800 million of iPhones, with annual commitments during the three-year period that increase moderately in the second and third years. The Company projects that the minimum number of iPhones that it is required to purchase from Apple over the term of the commitment would represent 10% or less of the total number of handsets it expects to sell to new and upgrading customers over the period of the commitment and for approximately one year thereafter. The actual amount the Company spends and the number of devices it purchases over the term of the commitment will depend on many factors, including customer acceptance and availability of current and future versions of the device, future costs for the device, the success of the Company’s marketing and advertising efforts, customer demand for devices offered by other manufacturers and other factors.
	At its current purchase rate, the Company would purchase approximately one-half of its first-year minimum purchase commitment through June 2013, although the actual amount of the Company’s purchases will depend on the factors described above. At its current purchase rate, the Company’s iPhone purchases for the first year would be approximately $100 million below its first-year minimum purchase commitment; for the second year, approximately $150 million below its second-year minimum purchase commitment; and for the third year, approximately $200 million below its third-year minimum purchase commitment. The Company believes, however, that it will be able to increase its current iPhone sales rate and purchase and sell the total required number of devices over the three-year period of the commitment and for a subsequent one-year inventory sell-through period. The Company is pursuing a number of programs to expand sales volume, including exploring expanded device leasing and financing programs and working with Apple to increase the Company’s advertising and promotional programs to increase awareness of the Company’s iPhone offering. In addition, if Apple introduces an AWS-compatible version of the iPhone in the future, the Company will be able to sell the device in additional markets covering approximately 40% of its covered POPs. The Company may also seek to amend the requirements under, or extend the term of, the purchase commitment, although the Company’s current capital and liquidity projections do not assume that such a modification will occur.
	Wholesale Agreement
	In August 2010, the Company entered into a wholesale agreement with an affiliate of Sprint Nextel which the Company uses to offer Cricket services in nationwide retailers outside of its current network footprint. The initial term of the wholesale agreement runs until December 31, 2015, and automatically renews for successive one-year periods unless either party provides 180-day advance notice to the other. Under the agreement, the Company pays Sprint a specified amount per month for each subscriber activated on its network, subject to periodic market-based adjustments. The Company has agreed, among other things, to purchase a minimum of $300 million of wholesale services over the initial five-year term of the agreement with the following annual minimum purchase commitments: $20 million in 2011; $75 million in 2012; $80 million in 2013; $75 million in 2014; and $50 million in 2015. The Company entered into an amendment to the wholesale agreement in February 2013 to enable the Company to purchase 4G LTE services. In addition, under the amendment, the Company can credit up to $162 million of revenue it provides Sprint under other existing commercial arrangements against the minimum purchase commitment. Any wholesale revenue provided to Sprint in a given year above the minimum purchase commitment for that particular year is credited to the next succeeding year. However, to the extent the Company’s revenues were to fall beneath the applicable commitment amount for any given year, excess revenues from a subsequent year could not be carried back to offset such shortfall.
	The Company’s obligation to provide the minimum purchase amount for any calendar year is subject to Sprint’s compliance with specified covenants in the wholesale agreement. Based upon a review of information provided to the Company by Sprint, the Company informed Sprint that certain of those covenants had not been met in 2012 and that, as a result, the Company was not subject to the minimum purchase commitment for 2012. Sprint disputed that assertion. In February 2013, the parties resolved this matter.
	In addition, in the event Leap is involved in a change-of-control transaction with another facilities-based wireless carrier with annual revenues of at least $500 million in the fiscal year preceding the date of the change of control agreement (other than MetroPCS Communications, Inc. (“MetroPCS”)), either the Company (or the Company’s successor in interest) or Sprint may terminate the wholesale agreement within 60 days following the closing of such a transaction. In connection with any such termination, the Company (or its successor in interest) would be required to pay to Sprint a specified percentage of the remaining aggregate minimum purchase commitment, with the percentage to be paid depending on the year in which the change of control agreement was entered into, being 20% for any such agreement entered into in 2013 and 10% for any such agreement entered into in 2014 or 2015.
	In the event that Leap is involved in a change-of-control transaction with MetroPCS during the term of the wholesale agreement, then the agreement would continue in full force and effect, subject to certain revisions, including, without limitation, an increase to the total minimum purchase commitment to $350 million, taking into account any revenue contributed by Cricket prior to the date thereof. In the event Sprint is involved in a change-of-control transaction, the agreement would bind Sprint’s successor-in-interest.

Guarantor_Financial_Informatio

Guarantor Financial Information	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013
Condensed Financial Information Of Parent Company Only Disclosure [Abstract]
Guarantor Financial Information	Note 14. Guarantor Financial Information
	At March 31, 2013, the $2,700 million of senior notes issued by Cricket (the “Issuing Subsidiary”) were comprised of $1,100 million of 7.75% senior secured notes due 2016 and $1,600 million of 7.75% senior notes due 2020. The senior secured notes were, and the unsecured senior notes are, jointly and severally guaranteed on a full and unconditional basis by Leap (the “Guarantor Parent Company”) and Cricket License Company, LLC, a 100%-owned subsidiary of Cricket (the “Guarantor Subsidiary”).
	The indenture governing the unsecured senior notes limits, among other things, the Guarantor Parent Company’s, Cricket’s and the Guarantor Subsidiary’s ability to: incur additional debt; create liens or other encumbrances; place limitations on distributions from restricted subsidiaries; pay dividends; make investments; prepay subordinated indebtedness or make other restricted payments; issue or sell capital stock of restricted subsidiaries; issue guarantees; sell assets; enter into transactions with affiliates; and make acquisitions or merge or consolidate with another entity.
	Condensed consolidating financial information of the Guarantor Parent Company, the Issuing Subsidiary, the Guarantor Subsidiary, Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries (STX Wireless, Cricket Music and their respective subsidiaries) and total consolidated Leap and subsidiaries as of March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012 and for the three months ended March 31, 2013 and 2012 is presented below. The equity method of accounting is used to account for ownership interests in subsidiaries, where applicable.
	Cricket formerly owned an 85% non-controlling membership interest in Savary Island Wireless, LLC (“Savary Island”), which held wireless spectrum in the upper Midwest portion of the U.S. and which leased a portion of that spectrum to Cricket. The remaining 15% controlling interest was held by Ring Island Wireless, LLC (“Ring Island”). In May 2012, Ring Island exercised its right to put its entire controlling membership interest in Savary Island to Cricket, and in October 2012, Cricket acquired Ring Island’s 15% controlling interest for $5.3 million in cash. In December 2012, Savary Island and its subsidiaries were merged with and into Cricket, with Cricket as the surviving entity. As a result of these transactions, the financial position, results of operations and cash flows of these entities have been consolidated into the Issuing Subsidiary. All prior period consolidating financial statements have been revised to reflect this reorganization.
	In connection with the restatement of the Company’s unaudited condensed consolidated statements of cash flows, the Company has restated its unaudited condensed consolidating statements of cash flows for the three months ended March 31, 2013 and 2012 due to a classification error related to the presentation of certain capital expenditures and operating cash flows (see Note 2). The classification error related to certain purchases of property and equipment that were unpaid at each of the balance sheet dates (but that were scheduled to be settled in cash soon thereafter), which were incorrectly reflected as cash outflows from investing activities and cash inflows from operating activities. This classification error resulted in a misstatement of net cash provided by operating activities and net cash used in investing activities. The classification error has been reflected in the condensed consolidating statements of cash flows for the Issuing Subsidiary and Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries as follows:
	Condensed consolidating statement of cash flows for the three months ended March 31, 2013:
		•		Issuing Subsidiary – Increased net cash provided by operating activities by $1.8 million with a corresponding increase in net cash used in investing activities for the same amount.
		•		Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries – Increased net cash provided by operating activities by $0.7 million with a corresponding increase in net cash used in investing activities for the same amount.
	Condensed consolidating statement of cash flows for the three months ended March 31, 2012:
		•		Issuing Subsidiary – Increased net cash provided by operating activities by $23.0 million with a corresponding increase in net cash used in investing activities for the same amount.
		•		Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries – Decreased net cash provided by operating activities by $0.6 million with a corresponding decrease in net cash used in investing activities for the same amount.
	In addition, certain revisions have been made to certain intercompany balances in the condensed consolidating statement of cash flows for the three months ended March 31, 2012 presented below to more appropriately reflect the substance of the underlying transactions or related settlement terms. These revisions had no impact on the consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2012 or the consolidated statement of cash flows for the three months ended March 31, 2012. The revisions had the following impacts to the condensed consolidating statement of cash flows for the three months ended March 31, 2012:
	•		Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries - Increased net cash provided by operating activities by $5.5 million, with a corresponding increase to net cash used in investing activities for the same amount.
	•		Issuing Subsidiary - Decreased net cash provided by operating activities by $5.5 million, with a corresponding decrease to net cash used in investing activities for the same amount.
	The Company assessed the materiality of the revisions noted above and concluded that they were not material to any of the Company’s previously issued financial statements.
	Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet as of March 31, 2013 (unaudited and in thousands):
			Guarantor			Issuing			Guarantor		Non-Guarantor			Consolidating			Consolidated
			Parent			Subsidiary			Subsidiary		Subsidiaries			and
			Company											Eliminating
														Adjustments
	Assets
	Cash and cash equivalents		$	14		$	448,581		$	—	$	78,139		$	—		$	526,734
	Short-term investments			—			140,404			—		—			—			140,404
	Inventories			—			98,279			—		3,749			—			102,028
	Deferred charges			—			60,941			—		6			—			60,947
	Advances to affiliates and consolidated subsidiaries			5,119			23,036			24,827		—			(52,982	)		—
	Other current assets			635			137,877			—		10,691			(30	)		149,173
	Total current assets			5,768			909,118			24,827		92,585			(53,012	)		979,286
	Property and equipment, net			—			1,567,332			—		61,495			—			1,628,827
	Investments in and advances to affiliates and consolidated subsidiaries			636,118			2,315,746			—		—			(2,951,864	)		—
	Wireless licenses			—			—			2,025,742		64,912			—			2,090,654
	Assets held for sale			—			—			—		—			—			—
	Goodwill			—			11,222			—		20,664			—			31,886
	Intangible assets, net			—			14,095			—		7,334			—			21,429
	Other assets			3,550			64,312			—		12,686			—			80,548
	Total assets		$	645,436		$	4,881,825		$	2,050,569	$	259,676		$	(3,004,876	)	$	4,832,630
	Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity
	Accounts payable and accrued liabilities		$	27		$	280,645		$	—	$	7,190		$	—		$	287,862
	Current maturities of long-term debt			—			4,000			—		—			—			4,000
	Intercompany payables			—			29,946			—		23,036			(52,982	)		—
	Other current liabilities			2,445			269,452			48		17,554			(30	)		289,469
	Total current liabilities			2,472			584,043			48		47,780			(53,012	)		581,331
	Long-term debt, net			250,000			3,049,593			—		—			—			3,299,593
	Deferred tax liabilities			—			397,429			—		—			—			397,429
	Long-term intercompany payables			69,034			242,500			—		36,531			(348,065	)		—
	Other long-term liabilities			—			151,123			—		15,705			—			166,828
	Total liabilities			321,506			4,424,688			48		100,016			(401,077	)		4,445,181
	Redeemable non-controlling interests			—			63,519			—		—			—			63,519
	Stockholders’ equity			323,930			393,618			2,050,521		159,660			(2,603,799	)		323,930
	Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity		$	645,436		$	4,881,825		$	2,050,569	$	259,676		$	(3,004,876	)	$	4,832,630
	Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet as of December 31, 2012 (in thousands):
			Guarantor			Issuing			Guarantor		Non-Guarantor			Consolidating			Consolidated
			Parent			Subsidiary			Subsidiary		Subsidiaries			and
			Company											Eliminating
														Adjustments
	Assets
	Cash and cash equivalents		$	69		$	449,668		$	—	$	65,813		$	—		$	515,550
	Short-term investments			—			159,426			—		—			—			159,426
	Inventories			—			118,149			—		3,452			—			121,601
	Deferred charges			—			60,933			—		30			—			60,963
	Advances to affiliates and consolidated subsidiaries			11,182			23,592			49,407		—			(84,181	)		—
	Other current assets			707			129,346			—		13,519			(4,330	)		139,242
	Total current assets			11,958			941,114			49,407		82,814			(88,511	)		996,782
Property and equipment, net			—			1,694,365			—		67,725			—			1,762,090
Investments in and advances to affiliates and consolidated subsidiaries			739,072			2,327,953			—		—			(3,067,025	)		—
Wireless licenses			—			—			1,882,421		64,912			—			1,947,333
Assets held for sale			—			—			136,222		—			—			136,222
Goodwill			—			11,222			—		20,664			—			31,886
Intangible assets, net			—			14,756			—		9,907			—			24,663
Other assets			3,938			54,852			—		9,494			—			68,284
Total assets		$	754,968		$	5,044,262		$	2,068,050	$	255,516		$	(3,155,536	)	$	4,967,260
Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities		$	40		$	389,951		$	—	$	6,119		$	—		$	396,110
Current maturities of long-term debt			—			4,000			—		—			—			4,000
Intercompany payables			—			60,589			—		23,592			(84,181	)		—
Other current liabilities			5,247			202,740			—		13,223			(4,330	)		216,880
Total current liabilities			5,287			657,280			—		42,934			(88,511	)		616,990
Long-term debt, net			250,000			3,048,463			—		—			—			3,298,463
Deferred tax liabilities			—			385,111			—		—			—			385,111
Long-term intercompany payables			66,549			242,500			—		32,562			(341,611	)		—
Other long-term liabilities			—			149,819			—		19,228			—			169,047
Total liabilities			321,836			4,483,173			—		94,724			(430,122	)		4,469,611
Redeemable non-controlling interests			—			64,517			—		—			—			64,517
Stockholders’ equity			433,132			496,572			2,068,050		160,792			(2,725,414	)		433,132
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity		$	754,968		$	5,044,262		$	2,068,050	$	255,516		$	(3,155,536	)	$	4,967,260
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2013 (unaudited and in thousands):
		Guarantor			Issuing			Guarantor		Non-Guarantor			Consolidating			Consolidated
		Parent			Subsidiary			Subsidiary		Subsidiaries			and
		Company											Eliminating
													Adjustments
Revenues:
Service revenues		$	—		$	602,037		$	—	$	82,570		$	15		$	684,622
Equipment revenues			—			89,340			—		15,896			—			105,236
Other revenues			—			4,149			25,490		89			(29,728	)		—
Total revenues			—			695,526			25,490		98,555			(29,713	)		789,858
Operating expenses:
Cost of service (exclusive of items shown separately below)			—			255,844			—		20,578			(25,564	)		250,858
Cost of equipment			—			224,043			—		34,925			—			258,968
Selling and marketing			—			68,309			—		10,529			—			78,838
General and administrative			2,607			71,680			191		11,896			(4,149	)		82,225
Depreciation and amortization			—			143,974			—		8,599			—			152,573
Impairments and other charges			—			186			—		549			—			735
Total operating expenses			2,607			764,036			191		87,076			(29,713	)		824,197
Gain (loss) on sale, exchange or disposal of assets, net			—			(1,703	)		6,752		(61	)		—			4,988
Operating income (loss)			(2,607	)		(70,213	)		32,051		11,418			—			(29,351	)
Equity in net income (loss) of consolidated subsidiaries			(111,569	)		43,469			—		—			68,100			—
Equity in net loss of investees, net			—			(1,158	)		—		—			—			(1,158	)
Interest income			6,063			46			—		—			(6,062	)		47
Interest expense			(3,199	)		(67,588	)		—		—			6,062			(64,725	)
Income (loss) before income taxes			(111,312	)		(95,444	)		32,051		11,418			68,100			(95,187	)
Income tax expense			—			(14,420	)		—		—			—			(14,420	)
Net income (loss)			(111,312	)		(109,864	)		32,051		11,418			68,100			(109,607	)
Accretion of redeemable non-controlling interests and distributions, net of tax			—			(1,705	)		—		—			—			(1,705	)
Net income (loss) attributable to common stockholders		$	(111,312	)	$	(111,569	)	$	32,051	$	11,418		$	68,100		$	(111,312	)
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Net income (loss)			(111,312	)		(109,864	)		32,051		11,418			68,100			(109,607	)
Net unrealized holding gains on investments and other			(3	)		(3	)		—		—			3			(3	)
Comprehensive income (loss)		$	(111,315	)	$	(109,867	)	$	32,051	$	11,418		$	68,103		$	(109,610	)
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2012 (unaudited and in thousands):
		Guarantor			Issuing			Guarantor		Non-Guarantor			Consolidating			Consolidated
		Parent			Subsidiary			Subsidiary		Subsidiaries			and
		Company											Eliminating
													Adjustments
Revenues:
Service revenues		$	—		$	685,710		$	—	$	88,272		$	16		$	773,998
Equipment revenues			—			45,250			—		6,371			—			51,621
Other revenues			—			3,965			29,689		—			(33,654	)		—
Total revenues			—			734,925			29,689		94,643			(33,638	)		825,619
Operating expenses:
Cost of service (exclusive of items shown separately below)			—			266,874			—		24,110			(29,673	)		261,311
Cost of equipment			—			219,348			—		28,499			—			247,847
Selling and marketing			—			85,033			—		10,521			—			95,554
General and administrative			2,737			78,574			190		12,163			(3,965	)		89,699
Depreciation and amortization			—			130,183			—		16,360			—			146,543
Total operating expenses			2,737			780,012			190		91,653			(33,638	)		840,954
Gain (loss) on sale, exchange or disposal of assets, net			—			(1,391	)		—		923			—			(468	)
Operating income (loss)			(2,737	)		(46,478	)		29,499		3,913			—			(15,803	)
Equity in net income (loss) of consolidated subsidiaries			(98,586	)		33,414			—		—			65,172			—
Equity in net income of investees, net			—			193			—		—			—			193
Interest income			6,063			26			—		2			(6,062	)		29
Interest expense			(3,179	)		(69,925	)		—		—			6,062			(67,042	)
Income (loss) before income taxes			(98,439	)		(82,770	)		29,499		3,915			65,172			(82,623	)
Income tax expense			—			(11,711	)		—		—			—			(11,711	)
Net income (loss)			(98,439	)		(94,481	)		29,499		3,915			65,172			(94,334	)
Accretion of redeemable non-controlling interests and distributions, net of tax			—			(4,105	)		—		—			—			(4,105	)
Net income (loss) attributable to common stockholders		$	(98,439	)	$	(98,586	)	$	29,499	$	3,915		$	65,172		$	(98,439	)
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Net income (loss)			(98,439	)		(94,481	)		29,499		3,915			65,172			(94,334	)
Net unrealized holding gains on investments and other			2			2			—		—			(2	)		2
Comprehensive income (loss)		$	(98,437	)	$	(94,479	)	$	29,499	$	3,915		$	65,170		$	(94,332	)
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2013 (unaudited and in thousands, as restated):
		Guarantor			Issuing			Guarantor		Non-Guarantor			Consolidating			Consolidated
		Parent			Subsidiary			Subsidiary		Subsidiaries			and
		Company											Eliminating
													Adjustments
Operating activities:
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities		$	(55	)	$	2,503		$	—	$	25,572		$	—		$	28,020
Investing activities:
Purchases of and change in prepayments for purchases of property and equipment			—			(28,822	)		—		(1,006	)		1,003			(28,825	)
Purchases of wireless licenses and spectrum clearing costs			—			(335	)		—		—			—			(335	)
Proceeds from sales of wireless licenses and operating assets			—			1,015			—		309			(1,003	)		321
Purchases of investments			—			(65,767	)		—		—			—			(65,767	)
Sales and maturities of investments			—			84,716			—		—			—			84,716
Payments received from joint venture			—			8,799			—		—			(8,799	)		—
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities			—			(394	)		—		(697	)		(8,799	)		(9,890	)
Financing activities:
Repayment of long-term debt			—			(1,000	)		—		—			—			(1,000	)
Payment of debt issuance costs			—			(552	)		—		—			—			(552	)
Payments made to joint venture partners			—			—			—		(12,549	)		8,799			(3,750	)
Other			—			(1,644	)		—		—			—			(1,644	)
Net cash used in financing activities			—			(3,196	)		—		(12,549	)		8,799			(6,946	)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents			(55	)		(1,087	)		—		12,326			—			11,184
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period			69			449,668			—		65,813			—			515,550
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period		$	14		$	448,581		$	—	$	78,139		$	—		$	526,734
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2012 (unaudited and in thousands, as restated):
		Guarantor			Issuing			Guarantor		Non-Guarantor			Consolidating			Consolidated
		Parent			Subsidiary			Subsidiary		Subsidiaries			and
		Company											Eliminating
													Adjustments
Operating activities:
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities		$	(24	)	$	38,806		$	—	$	18,962		$	—		$	57,744
Investing activities:
Purchases of and change in prepayments for purchases of property and equipment			—			(163,024	)		—		(13,721	)		6,104			(170,641	)
Purchases of wireless licenses and spectrum clearing costs			—			(976	)		—		—			—			(976	)
Proceeds from sales of wireless licenses and operating assets			—			451			—		6,508			(6,104	)		855
Purchases of investments			—			(77,149	)		—		—			—			(77,149	)
Sales and maturities of investments			—			202,107			—		—			—			202,107
Net cash used in investing activities			—			(38,591	)		—		(7,213	)		—			(45,804	)
Financing activities:
Payments made to joint venture partners			—			(255	)		—		—			—			(255	)
Other			—			(1,010	)		—		—			—			(1,010	)
Net cash used in financing activities			—			(1,265	)		—		—			—			(1,265	)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents			(24	)		(1,050	)		—		11,749			—			10,675
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period			91			270,056			—		75,096			—			345,243
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period		$	67		$	269,006		$	—	$	86,845		$	—		$	355,918

Basis_of_Presentation_and_Sign1

Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Principles of Consolidation	Principles of Consolidation
	The condensed consolidated financial statements include the operating results and financial position of Leap and its wholly-owned subsidiaries as well as the operating results and financial position of STX Wireless and its wholly-owned subsidiaries. The Company consolidates STX Wireless in accordance with the authoritative guidance for consolidations based on the voting interest model. All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in the condensed consolidated financial statements.
Segment and Geographic Data	Segment and Geographic Data
	The Company operates in a single operating segment and a single reporting unit as a wireless communications carrier that offers digital wireless services in the United States. As of and for the three months ended March 31, 2013 and 2012, all of the Company’s revenues and long-lived assets related to operations in the United States.
Revenues	Revenues
	The Company’s business revenues principally arise from the sale of wireless services, devices (handsets and broadband modems) and accessories. Wireless services are provided primarily on a month-to-month basis. The Company’s customers are required to pay for their service in advance and the Company does not require customers to sign fixed-term contracts or pass a credit check. Service revenues are recognized only after payment has been received and services have been rendered.
	When the Company activates service for a new customer, it often sells that customer a device along with a period of service. In accordance with the authoritative guidance for revenue arrangements with multiple deliverables, the sale of a device along with service constitutes a multiple element arrangement. Under this guidance, once a company has determined the best estimate of selling price of the elements in the sales transaction, the total consideration received from the customer must be allocated among those elements on a relative selling price basis. Applying the guidance to these transactions results in the Company recognizing the total consideration received, less amounts allocated to the wireless service period (generally the customer’s monthly service plan), as equipment revenue.
	Amounts allocated to equipment revenues and related costs from the sale of devices are recognized when service is activated by new customers. Revenues and related costs from the sale of devices and accessories to existing customers are recognized at the point of sale. The costs of devices and accessories sold are recorded in cost of equipment. In addition to devices that the Company sells directly to its customers at Cricket-owned stores, the Company sells devices to third-party dealers, including nationwide retailers. These dealers then sell the devices to the ultimate Cricket customer, similar to the sale made at a Cricket-owned store. Sales of devices to third-party dealers are recognized as equipment revenues only when service is activated by customers, since the level of price reductions and commissions ultimately available to such dealers is not reliably estimable until the devices are sold by such dealers to customers. Thus, revenues from devices sold to third-party dealers are recorded as deferred equipment revenue and the related costs of the devices are recorded as deferred charges upon shipment of the devices by the Company. The deferred charges are recognized as equipment costs when the related equipment revenue is recognized, which occurs when service is activated by the customer.
	Through a third-party provider, the Company’s customers may elect to participate in an extended warranty program for devices they purchase. The Company recognizes revenue on replacement devices sold to its customers under the program when the customer purchases the device.
	The Company participates in the federal government’s Lifeline program and is designated as an eligible telecommunications carrier in certain states in which it provides wireless services. Under this program, the Company offers discounted wireless services to qualified customers and generally receives reimbursement for a portion of the subsidized services. The Company recognizes revenue under this program only after amounts eligible for reimbursement have been determined and services have been rendered.
	Sales incentives offered to customers and commissions and sales incentives offered to the Company’s third-party dealers are recognized as a reduction of revenue when the related service or equipment revenue is recognized. Customers have limited rights to return devices and accessories based on time and/or usage, and customer returns of devices and accessories have historically been insignificant.
	Amounts billed by the Company in advance of customers’ wireless service periods are not reflected in accounts receivable or deferred revenue since collectability of such amounts is not reasonably assured. Deferred revenue consists primarily of cash received from customers in advance of their service period and deferred equipment revenue related to devices sold to third-party dealers, including nationwide retailers.
	Universal Service Fund, E-911 and other telecommunications-related regulatory fees are assessed by various federal and state governmental agencies in connection with the services that the Company provides to its customers. The service plans the Company currently offers are “all-inclusive” of telecommunications and regulatory fees, in that the Company does not separately bill and collect amounts owed and remitted to government agencies from its customers. For the Company’s legacy service plans, which are not “all-inclusive,” the Company separately bills and collects from its customers amounts owed and remitted to government agencies. Regulatory fees and telecommunications taxes separately billed and collected from the Company’s customers are recorded in service revenues. Amounts owed to government agencies are recorded in cost of service. During the three months ended March 31, 2013 and 2012, the total amount of regulatory fees and telecommunications taxes separately billed and collected from customers and recorded in service revenues was $0.9 million and $4.1 million, respectively. Sales, use and excise taxes for all service plans are reported on a net basis.
Restricted Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments	Restricted Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments
	The Company has set aside certain amounts of cash, cash equivalents and short term investments to satisfy certain contractual obligations. Restricted cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments are included in either other current assets or other assets, depending on the nature of the underlying contractual obligation. As of March 31, 2013, the Company had $1.0 million and $11.1 million of restricted cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments included in other current assets and other assets, respectively. As of December 31, 2012, the Company had $0.7 million and $11.4 million of restricted cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments included in other current assets and other assets, respectively.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments	The authoritative guidance for fair value measurements defines fair value for accounting purposes, establishes a framework for measuring fair value and provides disclosure requirements regarding fair value measurements. The guidance defines fair value as an exit price, which is the price that would be received upon the sale of an asset or paid upon the transfer of a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. The degree of judgment utilized in measuring the fair value of assets and liabilities generally correlates to the level of pricing observability. Assets and liabilities with readily available, actively quoted prices or for which fair value can be measured from actively quoted prices in active markets generally have more pricing observability and require less judgment in measuring fair value. Conversely, assets and liabilities that are rarely traded or not quoted have less pricing observability and are generally measured at fair value using valuation models that require more judgment. These valuation techniques involve some level of management estimation and judgment, the degree of which is dependent on the price transparency of the asset, liability or market and the nature of the asset or liability.
	The Company has categorized its assets and liabilities measured at fair value into a three-level hierarchy in accordance with the authoritative guidance for fair value measurements. Assets and liabilities measured at fair value using quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities are generally categorized as Level 1; assets and liabilities measured at fair value using observable market-based inputs or unobservable inputs that are corroborated by market data for similar assets or liabilities are generally categorized as Level 2; and assets and liabilities measured at fair value using unobservable inputs that cannot be corroborated by market data are generally categorized as Level 3. Assets and liabilities presented at fair value in the Company’s condensed consolidated balance sheets are generally categorized as follows:
		Level 1:	Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities. The Company did not have any Level 1 assets or liabilities as of March 31, 2013 or December 31, 2012.
		Level 2:	Observable inputs other than Level 1 prices, such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities, quoted prices in markets that are not active or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the assets or liabilities. The Company’s Level 2 assets as of March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012 included its cash equivalents, its short-term investments in obligations of the U.S. government and government agencies and its short-term investments in commercial paper.
		Level 3:	Unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity and that are significant to the fair value of the assets or liabilities. Such assets and liabilities may have values determined using pricing models, discounted cash flow methodologies, or similar techniques, and include instruments for which the determination of fair value requires significant management judgment or estimation. The Company did not have any Level 3 assets or liabilities as of March 31, 2013 or December 31, 2012.
Basic and Diluted Earnings (Loss) Per Share	Basic earnings (loss) per share is computed by dividing net income (loss) attributable to common stockholders by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per share is computed by dividing net income attributable to common stockholders by the sum of the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the period and the weighted-average number of dilutive common share equivalents outstanding during the period, using the treasury stock method and the if-converted method, where applicable. Dilutive common share equivalents are comprised of stock options, restricted stock awards, deferred stock units, employee stock purchase rights and convertible senior notes.

Restatement_of_Previously_Repo1

Restatement of Previously Reported Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013
Accounting Changes And Error Corrections [Abstract]
Classification Error Resulted in a Misstatement of Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities and Net Cash Used in Investing Activities	This classification error resulted in a misstatement of net cash provided by operating activities and net cash used in investing activities, as follows (unaudited, in thousands):
		Three Months Ended March 31, 2013									Three Months Ended March 31, 2012
		As Previously			Adjustment			As Restated			As Previously			Adjustment			As Restated
		Reported									Reported
	Operating Activities
	Net cash provided by operating activities	$	25,557		$	2,463		$	28,020		$	35,357		$	22,387		$	57,744
	Investing Activities
	Purchases of property and equipment	$	(26,362	)	$	(2,463	)	$	(28,825	)	$	(146,314	)	$	(17,970	)	$	(164,284	)
	Change in prepayments for purchases of property and equipment		—			—			—			(1,940	)		(4,417	)		(6,357	)
	Net cash used in investing activities		(7,427	)		(2,463	)		(9,890	)		(23,417	)		(22,387	)		(45,804	)

Supplementary_Balance_Sheet_In1

Supplementary Balance Sheet Information (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013
Organization Consolidation And Presentation Of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Schedule of Additional Balance Sheet Information	Supplementary Balance Sheet Information (in thousands):
			March 31,			December 31,
			2013			2012
	Other current assets:
	Accounts receivable, net of allowances for bad debt of $0.8 million and $1.3		$	85,192		$	86,467
	million, respectively (1)
	Prepaid expenses			47,172			40,237
	Other			16,809			12,538
			$	149,173		$	139,242
	Property and equipment, net(2):
	Network equipment		$	3,344,060		$	3,348,122
	Computer hardware and software			542,126			526,348
	Construction-in-progress			52,741			54,945
	Other			107,393			109,400
				4,046,320			4,038,815
	Accumulated depreciation			(2,417,493	)		(2,276,725	)
			$	1,628,827		$	1,762,090
	Intangible assets, net:
	Customer relationships		$	50,435		$	50,435
	Trademarks			37,000			37,000
				87,435			87,435
	Accumulated amortization of customer relationships			(43,102	)		(40,528	)
	Accumulated amortization of trademarks			(22,904	)		(22,244	)
			$	21,429		$	24,663
	Accounts payable and accrued liabilities:
	Trade accounts payable		$	176,740		$	143,931
	Accrued payroll and related benefits			50,073			67,539
	Other accrued liabilities			61,049			184,640
			$	287,862		$	396,110
	Other current liabilities:
	Deferred service revenue(3)		$	101,396		$	100,276
	Deferred equipment revenue(4)			37,829			36,471
	Accrued sales, telecommunications, property and other taxes payable			17,599			4,267
	Accrued interest			94,384			44,653
	Other			38,261			31,213
			$	289,469		$	216,880
	-1	Accounts receivable, net, consists primarily of (i) amounts billed to third-party dealers for devices and accessories, (ii) amounts due from the Company’s third-party logistics provider for devices sold from the Company to the provider, (iii) amounts due from the federal government in connection with the Lifeline program, and (iv) amounts due from service providers related to interconnect and roaming agreements.
	-2	As of March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, $46.2 million and $45.8 million of assets were held by the Company under capital lease arrangements, respectively. Accumulated amortization relating to these assets totaled $24.2 million and $22.9 million as of March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively.
	-3	Deferred service revenue consists primarily of cash received from customers in advance of their service period.
	-4	Deferred equipment revenue relates to devices sold to third-party dealers and nationwide retailers which have not yet been purchased and activated by customers.

Fair_Value_of_Financial_Instru1

Fair Value of Financial Instruments and Non-Financial Assets (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Schedule of Fair Value - Assets Measured on Recurring Basis
		At Fair Value as of March 31, 2013
		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
	Assets:
	Money market funds	$	—	$	12,235	$	—	$	12,235
	Commercial paper		—		79,081		—		79,081
	U.S. government or government agency securities		—		148,912		—		148,912
	Total	$	—	$	240,228	$	—	$	240,228
		At Fair Value as of December 31, 2012
		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
	Assets:
	Money market funds	$	—	$	126,617	$	—	$	126,617
	Commercial paper		—		82,346		—		82,346
	U.S. government or government agency securities		—		135,861		—		135,861
	Total	$	—	$	344,824	$	—	$	344,824
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities	Available-for-sale securities were comprised as follows as of March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012 (in thousands):
		As of March 31, 2013
		Cost		Fair Value
	Money market funds	$	12,235	$	12,235
	Commercial paper		79,081		79,081
	U.S. government or government agency securities		148,904		148,912
		$	240,220	$	240,228
		As of December 31, 2012
		Cost		Fair Value
	Money market funds	$	126,617	$	126,617
	Commercial paper		82,345		82,346
	U.S. government or government agency securities		135,848		135,861
		$	344,810	$	344,824

LongTerm_Debt_Net_Tables

Long-Term Debt, Net (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Debt	Long-term debt, net as of March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012 was comprised of the following (in thousands):
			March 31,			December 31,
			2013			2012
	Convertible senior notes due 2014 (1)		$	250,000		$	250,000
	Senior secured notes due 2016 (2)			1,100,000			1,100,000
	Unamortized discount on $1,100 million senior secured notes due 2016 (2)			(22,230	)		(23,767	)
	Term loans under Credit Agreement (2)			399,000			400,000
	Unamortized discount on term loans under Credit Agreement (2)			(3,764	)		(3,892	)
	Unsecured senior notes due 2020			1,600,000			1,600,000
	Unamortized discount on $1,600 million unsecured senior notes due 2020			(19,413	)		(19,878	)
				3,303,593			3,302,463
	Current maturities of long-term debt			(4,000	)		(4,000	)
			$	3,299,593		$	3,298,463
	-1	Subsequent to the quarter ended March 31, 2013, the Company purchased $1.8 million in aggregate principal amount of 4.50% convertible senior notes due 2014 in a cash tender offer.
	-2	Subsequent to the quarter ended March 31, 2013, the Company borrowed an additional $1,425 million in aggregate principal amount of term loans under the Credit Agreement and issued a notice of redemption to redeem all of the 7.75% senior secured notes due 2016 in accordance with the indenture governing the notes. Approximately $1,185 million of the proceeds of the term loans were used to fund the redemption price (including accrued interest) and discharge the indenture governing the 7.75% senior secured notes due 2016.

Impairments_and_Other_Charges_

Impairments and Other Charges (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013
Goodwill And Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Impairments and Other Charges	The following table provides a rollforward of those amounts recorded as liabilities within the consolidated balance sheets:
		December 31,		Accruals		Payments			March 31, 2013
		2012
	Post-acquisition charges	$	14,726	$	—	$	(726	)	$	14,000
	Severance		9,877		—		(5,313	)		4,564
	Restructuring activities		10,393		735		(4,656	)		6,472
	Total amounts to be settled in cash	$	34,996	$	735	$	(10,695	)	$	25,036

Arrangement_with_Joint_Venture1

Arrangement with Joint Venture (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013
Text Block [Abstract]
Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest	The following table provides a summary of the changes in value of the Company’s redeemable non-controlling interests (in thousands):
		Three Months Ended March 31,
		2013			2012
	Beginning balance, January 1	$	64,517		$	95,910
	Accretion of redeemable non-controlling interests, before tax		475			4,105
	Loans made to joint venture partner		(982	)		—
	Other		(491	)		(255	)
	Ending balance, March 31	$	63,519		$	99,760

Unrestricted_Subsidiaries_Tabl

Unrestricted Subsidiaries (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013
Text Block [Abstract]
Schedule of Unrestricted Subsidiary Financial Information	As required by the Credit Agreement and the indenture governing Cricket’s senior notes, the Company is presenting the aggregate carrying amount and classification of the components of the financial position as of March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012 and results of operations of Cricket Music and Muve USA for the three months ended March 31, 2013 and 2012 in the following tables separately (in thousands):
		March 31,			December 31,
		2013			2012
	Assets
	Cash and cash equivalents	$	—		$	1
	Other current assets		913			—
	Property and equipment, net		3,813			4,937
	Total assets	$	4,726		$	4,938
	Liabilities and stockholders’ equity
	Other current liabilities	$	464		$	5
	Other long-term liabilities		457			—
	Stockholders’ equity		3,805			4,933
	Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$	4,726		$	4,938
		Three Months Ended
		March 31,
		2013			2012
	Revenues	$	—		$	—
	Operating expenses
	Depreciation and amortization		1,124			1,124
	Other		8			4
	Total operating expenses		1,132			1,128
	Operating loss		(1,132	)		(1,128	)
	Net loss	$	(1,132	)	$	(1,128	)

Guarantor_Financial_Informatio1

Guarantor Financial Information (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013
Condensed Financial Information Of Parent Company Only Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements
	Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet as of March 31, 2013 (unaudited and in thousands):
		Guarantor			Issuing			Guarantor		Non-Guarantor			Consolidating			Consolidated
		Parent			Subsidiary			Subsidiary		Subsidiaries			and
		Company											Eliminating
													Adjustments
	Assets
	Cash and cash equivalents	$	14		$	448,581		$	—	$	78,139		$	—		$	526,734
	Short-term investments		—			140,404			—		—			—			140,404
	Inventories		—			98,279			—		3,749			—			102,028
	Deferred charges		—			60,941			—		6			—			60,947
	Advances to affiliates and consolidated subsidiaries		5,119			23,036			24,827		—			(52,982	)		—
	Other current assets		635			137,877			—		10,691			(30	)		149,173
	Total current assets		5,768			909,118			24,827		92,585			(53,012	)		979,286
	Property and equipment, net		—			1,567,332			—		61,495			—			1,628,827
	Investments in and advances to affiliates and consolidated subsidiaries		636,118			2,315,746			—		—			(2,951,864	)		—
	Wireless licenses		—			—			2,025,742		64,912			—			2,090,654
	Assets held for sale		—			—			—		—			—			—
	Goodwill		—			11,222			—		20,664			—			31,886
	Intangible assets, net		—			14,095			—		7,334			—			21,429
	Other assets		3,550			64,312			—		12,686			—			80,548
	Total assets	$	645,436		$	4,881,825		$	2,050,569	$	259,676		$	(3,004,876	)	$	4,832,630
	Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity
	Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	$	27		$	280,645		$	—	$	7,190		$	—		$	287,862
	Current maturities of long-term debt		—			4,000			—		—			—			4,000
	Intercompany payables		—			29,946			—		23,036			(52,982	)		—
	Other current liabilities		2,445			269,452			48		17,554			(30	)		289,469
	Total current liabilities		2,472			584,043			48		47,780			(53,012	)		581,331
	Long-term debt, net		250,000			3,049,593			—		—			—			3,299,593
	Deferred tax liabilities		—			397,429			—		—			—			397,429
	Long-term intercompany payables		69,034			242,500			—		36,531			(348,065	)		—
	Other long-term liabilities		—			151,123			—		15,705			—			166,828
	Total liabilities		321,506			4,424,688			48		100,016			(401,077	)		4,445,181
	Redeemable non-controlling interests		—			63,519			—		—			—			63,519
	Stockholders’ equity		323,930			393,618			2,050,521		159,660			(2,603,799	)		323,930
	Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$	645,436		$	4,881,825		$	2,050,569	$	259,676		$	(3,004,876	)	$	4,832,630
	Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet as of December 31, 2012 (in thousands):
		Guarantor			Issuing			Guarantor		Non-Guarantor			Consolidating			Consolidated
		Parent			Subsidiary			Subsidiary		Subsidiaries			and
		Company											Eliminating
													Adjustments
	Assets
	Cash and cash equivalents	$	69		$	449,668		$	—	$	65,813		$	—		$	515,550
	Short-term investments		—			159,426			—		—			—			159,426
	Inventories		—			118,149			—		3,452			—			121,601
	Deferred charges		—			60,933			—		30			—			60,963
	Advances to affiliates and consolidated subsidiaries		11,182			23,592			49,407		—			(84,181	)		—
	Other current assets		707			129,346			—		13,519			(4,330	)		139,242
	Total current assets		11,958			941,114			49,407		82,814			(88,511	)		996,782
	Property and equipment, net		—			1,694,365			—		67,725			—			1,762,090
	Investments in and advances to affiliates and consolidated subsidiaries		739,072			2,327,953			—		—			(3,067,025	)		—
	Wireless licenses		—			—			1,882,421		64,912			—			1,947,333
	Assets held for sale		—			—			136,222		—			—			136,222
	Goodwill		—			11,222			—		20,664			—			31,886
	Intangible assets, net		—			14,756			—		9,907			—			24,663
	Other assets		3,938			54,852			—		9,494			—			68,284
	Total assets	$	754,968		$	5,044,262		$	2,068,050	$	255,516		$	(3,155,536	)	$	4,967,260
	Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity
	Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	$	40		$	389,951		$	—	$	6,119		$	—		$	396,110
	Current maturities of long-term debt		—			4,000			—		—			—			4,000
	Intercompany payables		—			60,589			—		23,592			(84,181	)		—
	Other current liabilities		5,247			202,740			—		13,223			(4,330	)		216,880
	Total current liabilities		5,287			657,280			—		42,934			(88,511	)		616,990
	Long-term debt, net		250,000			3,048,463			—		—			—			3,298,463
Deferred tax liabilities		—			385,111			—		—			—			385,111
Long-term intercompany payables		66,549			242,500			—		32,562			(341,611	)		—
Other long-term liabilities		—			149,819			—		19,228			—			169,047
Total liabilities		321,836			4,483,173			—		94,724			(430,122	)		4,469,611
Redeemable non-controlling interests		—			64,517			—		—			—			64,517
Stockholders’ equity		433,132			496,572			2,068,050		160,792			(2,725,414	)		433,132
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$	754,968		$	5,044,262		$	2,068,050	$	255,516		$	(3,155,536	)	$	4,967,260
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2013 (unaudited and in thousands):
	Guarantor			Issuing			Guarantor		Non-Guarantor			Consolidating			Consolidated
	Parent			Subsidiary			Subsidiary		Subsidiaries			and
	Company											Eliminating
												Adjustments
Revenues:
Service revenues	$	—		$	602,037		$	—	$	82,570		$	15		$	684,622
Equipment revenues		—			89,340			—		15,896			—			105,236
Other revenues		—			4,149			25,490		89			(29,728	)		—
Total revenues		—			695,526			25,490		98,555			(29,713	)		789,858
Operating expenses:
Cost of service (exclusive of items shown separately below)		—			255,844			—		20,578			(25,564	)		250,858
Cost of equipment		—			224,043			—		34,925			—			258,968
Selling and marketing		—			68,309			—		10,529			—			78,838
General and administrative		2,607			71,680			191		11,896			(4,149	)		82,225
Depreciation and amortization		—			143,974			—		8,599			—			152,573
Impairments and other charges		—			186			—		549			—			735
Total operating expenses		2,607			764,036			191		87,076			(29,713	)		824,197
Gain (loss) on sale, exchange or disposal of assets, net		—			(1,703	)		6,752		(61	)		—			4,988
Operating income (loss)		(2,607	)		(70,213	)		32,051		11,418			—			(29,351	)
Equity in net income (loss) of consolidated subsidiaries		(111,569	)		43,469			—		—			68,100			—
Equity in net loss of investees, net		—			(1,158	)		—		—			—			(1,158	)
Interest income		6,063			46			—		—			(6,062	)		47
Interest expense		(3,199	)		(67,588	)		—		—			6,062			(64,725	)
Income (loss) before income taxes		(111,312	)		(95,444	)		32,051		11,418			68,100			(95,187	)
Income tax expense		—			(14,420	)		—		—			—			(14,420	)
Net income (loss)		(111,312	)		(109,864	)		32,051		11,418			68,100			(109,607	)
Accretion of redeemable non-controlling interests and distributions, net of tax		—			(1,705	)		—		—			—			(1,705	)
Net income (loss) attributable to common stockholders	$	(111,312	)	$	(111,569	)	$	32,051	$	11,418		$	68,100		$	(111,312	)
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Net income (loss)		(111,312	)		(109,864	)		32,051		11,418			68,100			(109,607	)
Net unrealized holding gains on investments and other		(3	)		(3	)		—		—			3			(3	)
Comprehensive income (loss)	$	(111,315	)	$	(109,867	)	$	32,051	$	11,418		$	68,103		$	(109,610	)
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2012 (unaudited and in thousands):
	Guarantor			Issuing			Guarantor		Non-Guarantor			Consolidating			Consolidated
	Parent			Subsidiary			Subsidiary		Subsidiaries			and
	Company											Eliminating
												Adjustments
Revenues:
Service revenues	$	—		$	685,710		$	—	$	88,272		$	16		$	773,998
Equipment revenues		—			45,250			—		6,371			—			51,621
Other revenues		—			3,965			29,689		—			(33,654	)		—
Total revenues		—			734,925			29,689		94,643			(33,638	)		825,619
Operating expenses:
Cost of service (exclusive of items shown separately below)		—			266,874			—		24,110			(29,673	)		261,311
Cost of equipment		—			219,348			—		28,499			—			247,847
Selling and marketing		—			85,033			—		10,521			—			95,554
General and administrative		2,737			78,574			190		12,163			(3,965	)		89,699
Depreciation and amortization		—			130,183			—		16,360			—			146,543
Total operating expenses		2,737			780,012			190		91,653			(33,638	)		840,954
Gain (loss) on sale, exchange or disposal of assets, net		—			(1,391	)		—		923			—			(468	)
Operating income (loss)		(2,737	)		(46,478	)		29,499		3,913			—			(15,803	)
Equity in net income (loss) of consolidated subsidiaries		(98,586	)		33,414			—		—			65,172			—
Equity in net income of investees, net		—			193			—		—			—			193
Interest income		6,063			26			—		2			(6,062	)		29
Interest expense		(3,179	)		(69,925	)		—		—			6,062			(67,042	)
Income (loss) before income taxes		(98,439	)		(82,770	)		29,499		3,915			65,172			(82,623	)
Income tax expense		—			(11,711	)		—		—			—			(11,711	)
Net income (loss)		(98,439	)		(94,481	)		29,499		3,915			65,172			(94,334	)
Accretion of redeemable non-controlling interests and distributions, net of tax		—			(4,105	)		—		—			—			(4,105	)
Net income (loss) attributable to common stockholders	$	(98,439	)	$	(98,586	)	$	29,499	$	3,915		$	65,172		$	(98,439	)
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Net income (loss)		(98,439	)		(94,481	)		29,499		3,915			65,172			(94,334	)
Net unrealized holding gains on investments and other		2			2			—		—			(2	)		2
Comprehensive income (loss)	$	(98,437	)	$	(94,479	)	$	29,499	$	3,915		$	65,170		$	(94,332	)
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2013 (unaudited and in thousands, as restated):
	Guarantor			Issuing			Guarantor		Non-Guarantor			Consolidating			Consolidated
	Parent			Subsidiary			Subsidiary		Subsidiaries			and
	Company											Eliminating
												Adjustments
Operating activities:
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	$	(55	)	$	2,503		$	—	$	25,572		$	—		$	28,020
Investing activities:
Purchases of and change in prepayments for purchases of property and equipment		—			(28,822	)		—		(1,006	)		1,003			(28,825	)
Purchases of wireless licenses and spectrum clearing costs		—			(335	)		—		—			—			(335	)
Proceeds from sales of wireless licenses and operating assets		—			1,015			—		309			(1,003	)		321
Purchases of investments		—			(65,767	)		—		—			—			(65,767	)
Sales and maturities of investments		—			84,716			—		—			—			84,716
Payments received from joint venture		—			8,799			—		—			(8,799	)		—
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities		—			(394	)		—		(697	)		(8,799	)		(9,890	)
Financing activities:
Repayment of long-term debt		—			(1,000	)		—		—			—			(1,000	)
Payment of debt issuance costs		—			(552	)		—		—			—			(552	)
Payments made to joint venture partners		—			—			—		(12,549	)		8,799			(3,750	)
Other		—			(1,644	)		—		—			—			(1,644	)
Net cash used in financing activities		—			(3,196	)		—		(12,549	)		8,799			(6,946	)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents		(55	)		(1,087	)		—		12,326			—			11,184
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period		69			449,668			—		65,813			—			515,550
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$	14		$	448,581		$	—	$	78,139		$	—		$	526,734
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2012 (unaudited and in thousands, as restated):
	Guarantor			Issuing			Guarantor		Non-Guarantor			Consolidating			Consolidated
	Parent			Subsidiary			Subsidiary		Subsidiaries			and
	Company											Eliminating
												Adjustments
Operating activities:
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	$	(24	)	$	38,806		$	—	$	18,962		$	—		$	57,744
Investing activities:
Purchases of and change in prepayments for purchases of property and equipment		—			(163,024	)		—		(13,721	)		6,104			(170,641	)
Purchases of wireless licenses and spectrum clearing costs		—			(976	)		—		—			—			(976	)
Proceeds from sales of wireless licenses and operating assets		—			451			—		6,508			(6,104	)		855
Purchases of investments		—			(77,149	)		—		—			—			(77,149	)
Sales and maturities of investments		—			202,107			—		—			—			202,107
Net cash used in investing activities		—			(38,591	)		—		(7,213	)		—			(45,804	)
Financing activities:
Payments made to joint venture partners		—			(255	)		—		—			—			(255	)
Other		—			(1,010	)		—		—			—			(1,010	)
Net cash used in financing activities		—			(1,265	)		—		—			—			(1,265	)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents		(24	)		(1,050	)		—		11,749			—			10,675
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period		91			270,056			—		75,096			—			345,243
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$	67		$	269,006		$	—	$	86,845		$	—		$	355,918

The_Company_Additional_Informa

The Company - Additional Information (Detail) (STX Wireless [Member])	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013
STX Wireless [Member]
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Controlling membership percentage	75.75%

Classification_Error_Resulted_

Classification Error Resulted in a Misstatement of Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities and Net Cash Used in Investing Activities (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012
Operating Activities
Net cash provided by operating activities	$28,020	$57,744
Investing Activities
Purchases of for property and equipment	-28,825	-164,284
Change in prepayments for purchases of property and equipment	0	-6,357
Net cash used in investing activities	-9,890	-45,804
Previously Reported [Member]
Operating Activities
Net cash provided by operating activities	25,557	35,357
Investing Activities
Purchases of for property and equipment	-26,362	-146,314
Change in prepayments for purchases of property and equipment		-1,940
Net cash used in investing activities	-7,427	-23,417
Restatement Adjustment [Member]
Operating Activities
Net cash provided by operating activities	2,463	22,387
Investing Activities
Purchases of for property and equipment	-2,463	-17,970
Change in prepayments for purchases of property and equipment		-4,417
Net cash used in investing activities	($2,463)	($22,387)

Basis_of_Presentation_and_Sign2

Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies - Additional information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Regulatory fees and telecommunications taxes separately billed and collected from customers	$0.90	$4.10
Restricted Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments
Restricted cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments, included in other current assets	1		0.7
Restricted cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments, included in other assets	$11.10		$11.40

Supplementary_Balance_Sheet_In2

Supplementary Balance Sheet Information (Detail) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2013		Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Other current assets:
Accounts receivable, net of allowances for bad debt of $0.8 million and $1.3 million, respectively (1)	$85,192	[1]	$86,467	[1]
Prepaid expenses	47,172		40,237
Other	16,809		12,538
Other current assets	149,173		139,242
Property and equipment, net(2):
Network equipment	3,344,060	[2]	3,348,122	[2]
Computer hardware and software	542,126	[2]	526,348	[2]
Construction-in-progress	52,741	[2]	54,945	[2]
Other	107,393	[2]	109,400	[2]
Property and equipment, gross	4,046,320	[2]	4,038,815	[2]
Accumulated depreciation	-2,417,493	[2]	-2,276,725	[2]
Property and equipment, net	1,628,827	[2]	1,762,090	[2]
Intangible assets, net:
Customer relationships	50,435		50,435
Trademarks	37,000		37,000
Intangible assets, gross	87,435		87,435
Intangible assets, net	21,429		24,663
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities:
Trade accounts payable	176,740		143,931
Accrued payroll and related benefits	50,073		67,539
Other accrued liabilities	61,049		184,640
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	287,862		396,110
Other current liabilities:
Accrued sales, telecommunications, property and other taxes payable	17,599		4,267
Accrued interest	94,384		44,653
Other	38,261		31,213
Other current liabilities	289,469		216,880
Nonsoftware Service, Support and Maintenance Arrangement [Member]
Other current liabilities:
Deferred revenue	101,396	[3]	100,276	[3]
Distributor Arrangement [Member]
Other current liabilities:
Deferred revenue	37,829	[4]	36,471	[4]
Customer Relationships [Member]
Intangible assets, net:
Accumulated amortization of intangible assets	-43,102		-40,528
Trademarks [Member]
Intangible assets, net:
Accumulated amortization of intangible assets	($22,904)		($22,244)
[1]	Accounts receivable, net, consists primarily of (i) amounts billed to third-party dealers for devices and accessories, (ii) amounts due from the Company's third-party logistics provider for devices sold from the Company to the provider, (iii) amounts due from the federal government in connection with the Lifeline program, and (iv) amounts due from service providers related to interconnect and roaming agreements.
[2]	As of March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, $46.2 million and $45.8 million of assets were held by the Company under capital lease arrangements, respectively. Accumulated amortization relating to these assets totaled $24.2 million and $22.9 million as of March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively.
[3]	Deferred service revenue consists primarily of cash received from customers in advance of their service period.
[4]	Deferred equipment revenue relates to devices sold to third-party dealers and nationwide retailers which have not yet been purchased and activated by customers.

Supplementary_Balance_Sheet_In3

Supplementary Balance Sheet Information (Parenthetical) (Detail) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2013		Dec. 31, 2012
Supplementary Balance Sheet Information [Abstract]
Allowances for bad debt	$800,000		$1,300,000
Property and equipment, net(2):
Property and equipment, gross	4,046,320,000	[1]	4,038,815,000	[1]
Accumulated depreciation	2,417,493,000	[1]	2,276,725,000	[1]
Assets Held under Capital Leases [Member]
Property and equipment, net(2):
Property and equipment, gross	46,200,000		45,800,000
Accumulated depreciation	$24,200,000		$22,900,000
[1]	As of March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, $46.2 million and $45.8 million of assets were held by the Company under capital lease arrangements, respectively. Accumulated amortization relating to these assets totaled $24.2 million and $22.9 million as of March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively.

Fair_Value_of_Financial_Instru2

Fair Value of Financial Instruments and Non-Financial Assets (Detail) (Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member], USD $)	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Level 1 [Member]
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
Total Available-for-sale Debt Securities - Fair Value	$0	$0
Level 2 [Member]
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
Total Available-for-sale Debt Securities - Fair Value	240,228	344,824
Level 2 [Member] | Money Market Funds [Member]
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
Money market funds	12,235	126,617
Level 2 [Member] | Commercial Paper [Member]
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities	79,081	82,346
Level 2 [Member] | U.S. Government or Government Agency Securities [Member]
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities	148,912	135,861
Level 3 [Member]
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
Total Available-for-sale Debt Securities - Fair Value	0	0
Fair Value [Member]
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
Total Available-for-sale Debt Securities - Fair Value	240,228	344,824
Fair Value [Member] | Money Market Funds [Member]
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
Money market funds	12,235	126,617
Fair Value [Member] | Commercial Paper [Member]
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities	79,081	82,346
Fair Value [Member] | U.S. Government or Government Agency Securities [Member]
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities	$148,912	$135,861

Fair_Value_of_Financial_Instru3

Fair Value of Financial Instruments and Non-Financial Assets - Available-for-sale Securities (Detail) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Money market funds - Cost	$526,734	$515,550	$355,918	$345,243
Available-for-sale securities - Cost	240,220	344,810
Money Market Funds [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Money market funds - Cost	12,235	126,617
Commercial Paper [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale securities - Cost	79,081	82,345
U.S. Government or Government Agency Securities [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale securities - Cost	148,904	135,848
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Total Available-for-sale Debt Securities - Fair Value	240,228	344,824
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value [Member] | Money Market Funds [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Money market funds - Fair Value	12,235	126,617
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value [Member] | Commercial Paper [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale securities - Fair Value	79,081	82,346
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value [Member] | U.S. Government or Government Agency Securities [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Available-for-sale securities - Fair Value	$148,912	$135,861

Fair_Value_of_Financial_Instru4

Fair Value of Financial Instruments and Non-Financial Assets - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2013
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
Long-term Debt, Fair Value	$3,421.50	$3,395.70
Wireless licenses, fair value	13.6	0
Impairment charges	$13.60

LongTerm_Debt_Net_Detail

Long-Term Debt, Net (Detail) (USD $)

Mar. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Apr. 23, 2013

Apr. 23, 2013

Mar. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Apr. 15, 2013

Mar. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Apr. 15, 2013

Mar. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Apr. 15, 2013

Mar. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Senior Notes Due In 2014 [Member]

Subsequent Event [Member]

Convertible Debt [Member]

Convertible Debt [Member]

Secured Debt [Member]

Secured Debt [Member]

Secured Debt [Member]

Secured Debt [Member]

Term Loan [Member]

Term Loan [Member]

Term Loan [Member]

Unsecured Debt [Member]

Unsecured Debt [Member]

Unsecured Debt [Member]

Senior Notes Due In 2014 [Member]

Senior Notes Due In 2014 [Member]

Senior Notes Due In 2014 [Member]

Senior Notes Due In 2016 [Member]

Senior Notes Due In 2016 [Member]

Senior Notes Due In 2016 [Member]

Subsequent Event [Member]

Subsequent Event [Member]

Senior Notes Due In 2014 [Member]

Senior Notes Due In 2020 [Member]

Senior Notes Due In 2020 [Member]

Senior Notes Due In 2016 [Member]

Schedule Of Debt [Line Items]

Gross long-term debt

$2,700,000,000

$250,000,000

[1]

$250,000,000

[1]

$1,100,000,000

[2]

$1,100,000,000

[2]

$399,000,000

[2]

$400,000,000

[2]

$250,000,000

$1,600,000,000

$1,600,000,000

Unamortized discount

-22,230,000

[2]

-23,767,000

[2]

-3,764,000

[2]

-3,892,000

[2]

-19,413,000

-19,878,000

Long-term Debt

3,303,593,000

3,302,463,000

Current maturities of long-term debt

-4,000,000

-4,000,000

Long-term debt, excluding current maturities

3,299,593,000

3,298,463,000

Repayments of convertible debt

1,800,000

1,800,000

Debt Instrument, Increase, Additional Borrowings

1,425,000,000

Payments for Deposits Applied to Debt Retirements

$1,185,000,000

Debt instrument, stated interest rate

7.75%

7.75%

4.50%

7.75%

[1]

Subsequent to the quarter ended March 31, 2013, the Company purchased $1.8 million in aggregate principal amount of 4.50% convertible senior notes due 2014 in a cash tender offer.

[2]

Subsequent to the quarter ended March 31, 2013, the Company borrowed an additional $1,425 million in aggregate principal amount of term loans under the Credit Agreement and issued a notice of redemption to redeem all of the 7.75% senior secured notes due 2016 in accordance with the indenture governing the notes. Approximately $1,185 million of the proceeds of the term loans were used to fund the redemption price (including accrued interest) and discharge the indenture governing the 7.75% senior secured notes due 2016.

LongTerm_Debt_Additional_Infor

Long-Term Debt - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)

1 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

Mar. 08, 2013

Mar. 31, 2013

Apr. 23, 2013

Apr. 23, 2013

Mar. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Nov. 30, 2010

Mar. 31, 2013

31-May-11

Mar. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Apr. 15, 2013

Apr. 15, 2013

Mar. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Apr. 15, 2013

Apr. 15, 2013

Mar. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Mar. 31, 2013

Oct. 31, 2012

Mar. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2012

Mar. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2013

Installment

Senior Notes Due In 2014 [Member]

Subsequent Event [Member]

Unsecured Debt [Member]

Unsecured Debt [Member]

Unsecured Debt [Member]

Unsecured Debt [Member]

Unsecured Debt [Member]

Unsecured Debt [Member]

Unsecured Debt [Member]

Unsecured Debt [Member]

Unsecured Debt [Member]

Unsecured Debt [Member]

Unsecured Debt [Member]

Term Loan [Member]

Term Loan [Member]

Term Loan [Member]

Secured Debt [Member]

Secured Debt [Member]

Secured Debt [Member]

Secured Debt [Member]

Secured Debt [Member]

Convertible Debt [Member]

Convertible Debt [Member]

Convertible Debt [Member]

Credit Agreement [Member]

Credit Agreement [Member]

Credit Agreement [Member]

Credit Agreement [Member]

Credit Agreement [Member]

Credit Agreement [Member]

Credit Agreement [Member]

Credit Agreement [Member]

Senior Notes Due In 2014 [Member]

Senior Notes Due In 2014 [Member]

Senior Notes Due In 2020 [Member]

Senior Notes Due In 2020 [Member]

Senior Notes Due In 2020 First Tranche [Member]

Senior Notes Due In 2020 First Tranche [Member]

Senior Notes Due In 2020 Second Tranche [Member]

Senior Notes Due In 2020 Second Tranche [Member]

Cricket Communications [Member]

Redemption Period Two [Member]

Redemption Period Three [Member]

Redemption Period Thereafter [Member]

Subsequent Event [Member]

Senior Notes Due In 2016 [Member]

Senior Notes Due In 2016 [Member]

Senior Notes Due In 2016 [Member]

Subsequent Event [Member]

Subsequent Event [Member]

Senior Notes Due In 2014 [Member]

Senior Notes Due In 2014 [Member]

Senior Notes [Member]

Installment

LIBOR [Member]

LIBOR [Member]

Bank Base Rate [Member]

Bank Base Rate [Member]

Secured Debt [Member]

Senior Notes [Member]

Senior Notes Due In 2020 [Member]

Senior Notes Due In 2020 [Member]

Senior Notes Due In 2020 [Member]

Senior Notes Due In 2016 [Member]

Redemption Period Two [Member]

Minimum [Member]

Minimum [Member]

Senior Notes Due In 2016 [Member]

Senior Notes Due In 2016 [Member]

Schedule Of Debt [Line Items]

Senior secured term loan facility

$400,000,000

Number of quarterly installment payments

26

27

Quarterly installment payment amount

3,600,000

1,000,000

Final installment payment

1,332,400,000

373,000,000

Debt Instrument, Increase, Additional Borrowings

1,425,000,000

Payments for Deposits Applied to Debt Retirements

1,185,000,000

Extinguishment of Debt, Amount

1,100,000,000

Debt instrument, stated interest rate

4.50%

7.75%

7.75%

7.75%

7.75%

7.75%

Description of variable rate basis

LIBOR

LIBOR

Bank base rate

Basis spread on variable rate

3.50%

1.25%

2.50%

2.25%

Weighted average effective interest rate

4.80%

Gross long-term debt

2,700,000,000

250,000,000

1,600,000,000

1,600,000,000

1,200,000,000

400,000,000

1,600,000,000

399,000,000

[1]

400,000,000

[1]

1,100,000,000

[1]

1,100,000,000

[1]

250,000,000

[2]

250,000,000

[2]

248,200,000

Aggregate principal amount of debt allowed under guarantee

1,750,000,000

Cash flow multiple, allowed for calculation of total debt borrowings allowed under guarantee

3.5

Cash flow multiple for priority debt borrowings allowed under guarantees

0.3

Aggregate principal amount for calculation of priority debt borrowings allowed under guarantees

300,000,000

Prepayment premium fee (as a percentage)

1.00%

Prohibited change of control (as a percent)

35.00%

Redemption price percentage of principal

101.00%

103.88%

102.58%

101.29%

103.88%

Gains (Losses) on Extinguishment of Debt

70,000,000

Convertible debt instrument, stock price (in dollars per share)

$93.21

Convertible debt instrument, shares convertible

10.729

Convertible debt instrument, base conversion rate

1,000

Convertible debt instrument, incremental share factor

8.315

Convertible debt instrument, repurchase percent of principal

100.00%

Convertible debt instrument, voting power percentage

50.00%

Convertible debt instrument, merger consideration of shares

90.00%

Debt Instrument, Redemption Price

1,005

Repayments of convertible debt

1,800,000

1,800,000

Debt issuance price (as a percentage)

98.32%

99.19%

Debt discount

$20,100,000

$3,200,000

Effective interest rate

7.86%

7.80%

Maximum redemption percentage, of aggregate principal amount

35.00%

Redemption price, percentage of principal, prior to maturity

107.75%

Applicable premium, as a percentage of principal amount

1.00%

Applicable premium, basis spread (in basis points)

50,000

Change of control threshold (as a percentage)

35.00%

[1]

Subsequent to the quarter ended March 31, 2013, the Company borrowed an additional $1,425 million in aggregate principal amount of term loans under the Credit Agreement and issued a notice of redemption to redeem all of the 7.75% senior secured notes due 2016 in accordance with the indenture governing the notes. Approximately $1,185 million of the proceeds of the term loans were used to fund the redemption price (including accrued interest) and discharge the indenture governing the 7.75% senior secured notes due 2016.

[2]

Subsequent to the quarter ended March 31, 2013, the Company purchased $1.8 million in aggregate principal amount of 4.50% convertible senior notes due 2014 in a cash tender offer.

Impairments_and_Other_Charges_1

Impairments and Other Charges - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended		3 Months Ended			3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
				Post Acquisition Charges [Member]	Post Acquisition Charges [Member]	Post Acquisition Charges [Member]	Restructuring activities [Member]	Restructuring activities [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring Reserve	$25,036,000	$34,996,000		$14,000,000	$14,726,000	$14,800,000	$6,472,000	$10,393,000
Restructuring Charge	735,000	11,000,000		0			735,000
Post-acquisition charges			$23,900,000

Impairments_and_Other_Charges_2

Impairments and Other Charges (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended	3 Months Ended		3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013
			Post Acquisition Charges [Member]	Post Acquisition Charges [Member]	Severance [Member]	Restructuring activities [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Beginning balance	$34,996		$14,726	$14,800	$9,877	$10,393
Accruals	735	11,000	0		0	735
Payments	-10,695		-726		-5,313	-4,656
Ending balance	$25,036	$34,996	$14,000	$14,800	$4,564	$6,472

Basic_and_Diluted_Earnings_Los1

Basic and Diluted Earnings (Loss) Per Share - Additional Information (Detail)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Common share equivalents excluded from computation of diluted earnings (loss) per share	7.6	8.7

Significant_Acquisitions_and_O1

Significant Acquisitions and Other Transactions - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012	Mar. 25, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Net wireless licenses received in exchange transaction	$4,988	($468)
Wireless licenses	2,090,654		136,200	1,947,333
Guarantor Subsidiary [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Net wireless licenses received in exchange transaction	6,752	0
Wireless licenses	$2,025,742			$1,882,421

Arrangements_with_Variable_Int

Arrangements with Variable Interest Entities and Joint Ventures - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)

3 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2011

Jul. 12, 2012

Mar. 31, 2012

Jul. 12, 2012

Mar. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Mar. 31, 2013

Mar. 30, 2013

Mar. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Mar. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2013

Apr. 26, 2013

Apr. 26, 2013

Pocket Wireless [Member]

Pocket Wireless [Member]

Cricket Communications [Member]

Cricket Communications [Member]

Stx Wireless Acquisition [Member]

Stx Wireless Acquisition [Member]

Stx Wireless Acquisition [Member]

Loan And Security Agreement With Pocket [Member]

Loan And Security Agreement With Pocket [Member]

Loan And Security Agreement With Pocket [Member]

STX Wireless [Member]

STX Wireless [Member]

Subsequent Event [Member]

Subsequent Event [Member]

Pocket Wireless [Member]

Stx Wireless Acquisition [Member]

Stx Wireless Acquisition [Member]

Stx Wireless Acquisition [Member]

Pocket Wireless [Member]

Pocket Wireless [Member]

Cricket Communications [Member]

Pocket Wireless [Member]

Pocket Wireless [Member]

Pocket Wireless [Member]

Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]

Controlling membership percentage

75.75%

Noncontrolling Interest, Ownership Percentage by Noncontrolling Owners

24.25%

Ownership percentage acquired

$40,700,000

Debt instrument, stated interest rate

8.00%

Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest Redemption Price Minimum Cash Payment

25,000,000

Threshold of Shares Issuable In a Redemption As a Percentage of Entitys Common Stock Issued and Outstanding Over Which Multiple Closing is Permitted

9.90%

Noncontrolling interest, change in redemption value

475,000

4,105,000

500,000

700,000

Noncontrolling interest, pro rata distributions received

16,200,000

2,800,000

50,700,000

8,800,000

6,100,000

18,900,000

Maximum loan committed to joint venture partner

30,000,000

Due to related parties

982,000

0

9,200,000

8,300,000

Redeemable noncontrolling interest, equity, carrying amount

$63,519,000

$99,760,000

$64,517,000

$95,910,000

$63,500,000

$64,500,000

Arrangements_with_Variable_Int1

Arrangements with Variable Interest Entities and Joint Ventures - Noncontrolling Interest (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012
Change in Value of Noncontrolling Interest [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	$64,517	$95,910
Accretion of redeemable non-controlling interests, before tax	475	4,105
Loans made to joint venture partner	-982	0
Other	-491	-255
Ending balance	$63,519	$99,760

Unrestricted_Subsidiaries_Deta

Unrestricted Subsidiaries (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2013		Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012		Dec. 31, 2011
Statement of Financial Position [Abstract]
Cash and cash equivalents	$526,734		$355,918	$515,550		$345,243
Other current assets	16,809			12,538
Property and equipment, net	1,628,827	[1]		1,762,090	[1]
Total assets	4,832,630			4,967,260
Other current liabilities	289,469			216,880
Other long-term liabilities	166,828			169,047
Stockholders' equity	323,930			433,132
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	4,832,630			4,967,260
Income Statement [Abstract]
Revenues	789,858		825,619
Depreciation and amortization	152,573		146,543
Total operating expenses	824,197		840,954
Operating loss	-29,351		-15,803
Net loss	-109,607		-94,334
Cricket Music And Cricket Music Operations [Member]
Statement of Financial Position [Abstract]
Cash and cash equivalents	0			1
Other current assets	913			0
Property and equipment, net	3,813			4,937
Total assets	4,726			4,938
Other current liabilities	464			5
Other long-term liabilities	457			0
Stockholders' equity	3,805			4,933
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	4,726			4,938
Income Statement [Abstract]
Revenues	0		0
Depreciation and amortization	1,124		1,124
Other	8		4
Total operating expenses	1,132		1,128
Operating loss	-1,132		-1,128
Net loss	($1,132)		($1,128)
[1]	As of March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, $46.2 million and $45.8 million of assets were held by the Company under capital lease arrangements, respectively. Accumulated amortization relating to these assets totaled $24.2 million and $22.9 million as of March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively.

Income_Taxes_Additional_Inform

Income Taxes - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]
Potential reduction in future cash tax liabilities	$1,100,000,000
Net operating loss carryforward limitations on use, ownership change amount (as a percentage)	50.00%
Net operating loss carryforward limitations on use, ownership change significant stockholder ownership (as a percentage)	5.00%
Net operating loss carryforward limitation on use, period for change in control	3
Net operating loss carryforward limitations on use, ownership threshold under tax benefit preservation plan (as a percentage)	4.99%
Internal Revenue Service (IRS) [Member]
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]
Operating loss carryforwad period	20 years
Net operating loss carryforwards	2,700,000,000
Net operating loss carryforwards, expiration dates	2022
State and Local Jurisdiction [Member]
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]
Net operating loss carryforwards	2,100,000,000
Net operating loss carryforwards, expiration dates	2013
Net operating loss carryforwards, amount expiring in current year	69,800,000
State and Local Jurisdiction [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]
Operating loss carryforwad period	5 years
State and Local Jurisdiction [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]
Operating loss carryforwad period	20 years
Texas Margins Tax [Member]
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]
Deferred tax assets, operating loss carryforwards, tax effect	$1,900,000

Commitments_and_Contingencies_

Commitments and Contingencies - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	1 Months Ended		3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	31-May-12	Aug. 31, 2010	Mar. 31, 2013
	Apple Inc. [Member]	Wholesale Agreement With Sprint [Member]	Wholesale Agreement With Sprint [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Purchase commitment period	3 years
Estimated purchase commitment	$800
Purchase obligation, minimum percentage of expected sales to new and upgrading customers	10.00%
Estimated increase in purchase obligation in 2013	100
Estimated increase in purchase obligation in 2014	150
Estimated increase in purchase obligation in 2015	200
Market coverage percentage	40.00%
Extension periods of agreement (in years)		1 year
Advance notice required for contract termination (in days)		180 days
Total minimum revenue under agreement		300
Initial term of agreement (in years)		5 years
Total minimum revenue under agreement in 2012			20
Total minimum revenue under agreement in 2013			75
Total minimum revenue under agreement in 2014			80
Total minimum revenue under agreement in 2015			75
Total minimum revenue under agreement in 2016			50
Amount of service revenue which can be credited against minimum revenue requirement			162
Minimum revenues of service provided in change of control transaction			500
Time period for contract termination with Metro PCS (in days)			60 days
Percentage of minimum revenue requirements to be paid after change of control in 2013			20.00%
Percentage of minimum revenue requirements to be paid after change of control in 2014 or 2015			10.00%
Total minimum revenue upon change of control with Metro PCS			$350

Guarantor_Financial_Informatio2

Guarantor Financial Information (Detail) (USD $)

3 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2012

Mar. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2012

Oct. 31, 2012

Apr. 15, 2013

Mar. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Mar. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Mar. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2012

Mar. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2012

Mar. 31, 2012

Mar. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2012

Mar. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2012

Mar. 31, 2012

Mar. 31, 2013

Oct. 31, 2012

Restatement Adjustment [Member]

Restatement Adjustment [Member]

Ring Island [Member]

Secured Debt [Member]

Secured Debt [Member]

Secured Debt [Member]

Unsecured Debt [Member]

Unsecured Debt [Member]

Issuing Subsidiary [Member]

Issuing Subsidiary [Member]

Issuing Subsidiary [Member]

Issuing Subsidiary [Member]

Issuing Subsidiary [Member]

Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]

Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]

Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]

Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]

Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]

Savary Island [Member]

Savary Island Acquisition [Member]

Senior Notes Due In 2016 [Member]

Senior Notes Due In 2016 [Member]

Senior Notes Due In 2016 [Member]

Senior Notes Due In 2020 [Member]

Senior Notes Due In 2020 [Member]

Restatement Adjustment [Member]

Restatement Adjustment [Member]

Restatement Adjustment [Member]

Restatement Adjustment [Member]

Restatement Adjustment [Member]

Restatement Adjustment [Member]

Additional [Member]

Additional [Member]

Supplemental Guarantor Financial Information [Line Items]

Gross long-term debt

$2,700,000,000

$1,100,000,000

[1]

$1,100,000,000

[1]

$1,600,000,000

$1,600,000,000

Debt instrument, stated interest rate

7.75%

7.75%

7.75%

Ownership percentage

15.00%

85.00%

Ownership percentage acquired

5,300,000

Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities

$28,020,000

$57,744,000

$2,463,000

$22,387,000

$2,503,000

$38,806,000

$1,800,000

$23,000,000

($5,500,000)

$25,572,000

$18,962,000

$700,000

($600,000)

$5,500,000

[1]

Subsequent to the quarter ended March 31, 2013, the Company borrowed an additional $1,425 million in aggregate principal amount of term loans under the Credit Agreement and issued a notice of redemption to redeem all of the 7.75% senior secured notes due 2016 in accordance with the indenture governing the notes. Approximately $1,185 million of the proceeds of the term loans were used to fund the redemption price (including accrued interest) and discharge the indenture governing the 7.75% senior secured notes due 2016.

Recovered_Sheet1

Condensed consolidated Balance Sheet (Detail) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2013		Mar. 25, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012		Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$526,734			$515,550		$355,918	$345,243
Short-term investments	140,404			159,426
Inventories	102,028			121,601
Deferred charges	60,947			60,963
Advances to affiliates and consolidated subsidiaries	0			0
Other current assets	149,173			139,242
Total current assets	979,286			996,782
Property and equipment, net	1,628,827	[1]		1,762,090	[1]
Investments in and advances to affiliates and consolidated subsidiaries	0			0
Wireless licenses	2,090,654		136,200	1,947,333
Assets held for sale	0			136,222
Goodwill	31,886			31,886
Intangible assets, net	21,429			24,663
Other assets	80,548			68,284
Total assets	4,832,630			4,967,260
Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	287,862			396,110
Current maturities of long-term debt	4,000			4,000
Intercompany payables	0			0
Other current liabilities	289,469			216,880
Total current liabilities	581,331			616,990
Long-term debt, net	3,299,593			3,298,463
Deferred tax liabilities	397,429			385,111
Long-term intercompany payables	0			0
Other long-term liabilities	166,828			169,047
Total liabilities	4,445,181			4,469,611
Redeemable non-controlling interests	63,519			64,517
Stockholders' equity	323,930			433,132
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	4,832,630			4,967,260
Guarantor Parent Company [Member]
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents	14			69		67	91
Short-term investments	0			0
Inventories	0			0
Deferred charges	0			0
Advances to affiliates and consolidated subsidiaries	5,119			11,182
Other current assets	635			707
Total current assets	5,768			11,958
Property and equipment, net	0			0
Investments in and advances to affiliates and consolidated subsidiaries	636,118			739,072
Wireless licenses	0			0
Assets held for sale	0			0
Goodwill	0			0
Intangible assets, net	0			0
Other assets	3,550			3,938
Total assets	645,436			754,968
Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	27			40
Current maturities of long-term debt	0			0
Intercompany payables	0			0
Other current liabilities	2,445			5,247
Total current liabilities	2,472			5,287
Long-term debt, net	250,000			250,000
Deferred tax liabilities	0			0
Long-term intercompany payables	69,034			66,549
Other long-term liabilities	0			0
Total liabilities	321,506			321,836
Redeemable non-controlling interests	0			0
Stockholders' equity	323,930			433,132
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	645,436			754,968
Issuing Subsidiary [Member]
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents	448,581			449,668		269,006	270,056
Short-term investments	140,404			159,426
Inventories	98,279			118,149
Deferred charges	60,941			60,933
Advances to affiliates and consolidated subsidiaries	23,036			23,592
Other current assets	137,877			129,346
Total current assets	909,118			941,114
Property and equipment, net	1,567,332			1,694,365
Investments in and advances to affiliates and consolidated subsidiaries	2,315,746			2,327,953
Wireless licenses	0			0
Assets held for sale	0			0
Goodwill	11,222			11,222
Intangible assets, net	14,095			14,756
Other assets	64,312			54,852
Total assets	4,881,825			5,044,262
Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	280,645			389,951
Current maturities of long-term debt	4,000			4,000
Intercompany payables	29,946			60,589
Other current liabilities	269,452			202,740
Total current liabilities	584,043			657,280
Long-term debt, net	3,049,593			3,048,463
Deferred tax liabilities	397,429			385,111
Long-term intercompany payables	242,500			242,500
Other long-term liabilities	151,123			149,819
Total liabilities	4,424,688			4,483,173
Redeemable non-controlling interests	63,519			64,517
Stockholders' equity	393,618			496,572
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	4,881,825			5,044,262
Guarantor Subsidiary [Member]
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents	0			0		0	0
Short-term investments	0			0
Inventories	0			0
Deferred charges	0			0
Advances to affiliates and consolidated subsidiaries	24,827			49,407
Other current assets	0			0
Total current assets	24,827			49,407
Property and equipment, net	0			0
Investments in and advances to affiliates and consolidated subsidiaries	0			0
Wireless licenses	2,025,742			1,882,421
Assets held for sale	0			136,222
Goodwill	0			0
Intangible assets, net	0			0
Other assets	0			0
Total assets	2,050,569			2,068,050
Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	0			0
Current maturities of long-term debt	0			0
Intercompany payables	0			0
Other current liabilities	48			0
Total current liabilities	48			0
Long-term debt, net	0			0
Deferred tax liabilities	0			0
Long-term intercompany payables	0			0
Other long-term liabilities	0			0
Total liabilities	48			0
Redeemable non-controlling interests	0			0
Stockholders' equity	2,050,521			2,068,050
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	2,050,569			2,068,050
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents	78,139			65,813		86,845	75,096
Short-term investments	0			0
Inventories	3,749			3,452
Deferred charges	6			30
Advances to affiliates and consolidated subsidiaries	0			0
Other current assets	10,691			13,519
Total current assets	92,585			82,814
Property and equipment, net	61,495			67,725
Investments in and advances to affiliates and consolidated subsidiaries	0			0
Wireless licenses	64,912			64,912
Assets held for sale	0			0
Goodwill	20,664			20,664
Intangible assets, net	7,334			9,907
Other assets	12,686			9,494
Total assets	259,676			255,516
Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	7,190			6,119
Current maturities of long-term debt	0			0
Intercompany payables	23,036			23,592
Other current liabilities	17,554			13,223
Total current liabilities	47,780			42,934
Long-term debt, net	0			0
Deferred tax liabilities	0			0
Long-term intercompany payables	36,531			32,562
Other long-term liabilities	15,705			19,228
Total liabilities	100,016			94,724
Redeemable non-controlling interests	0			0
Stockholders' equity	159,660			160,792
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	259,676			255,516
Consolidating and Eliminating Adjustments [Member]
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents	0			0		0	0
Short-term investments	0			0
Inventories	0			0
Deferred charges	0			0
Advances to affiliates and consolidated subsidiaries	-52,982			-84,181
Other current assets	-30			-4,330
Total current assets	-53,012			-88,511
Property and equipment, net	0			0
Investments in and advances to affiliates and consolidated subsidiaries	-2,951,864			-3,067,025
Wireless licenses	0			0
Assets held for sale	0			0
Goodwill	0			0
Intangible assets, net	0			0
Other assets	0			0
Total assets	-3,004,876			-3,155,536
Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	0			0
Current maturities of long-term debt	0			0
Intercompany payables	-52,982			-84,181
Other current liabilities	-30			-4,330
Total current liabilities	-53,012			-88,511
Long-term debt, net	0			0
Deferred tax liabilities	0			0
Long-term intercompany payables	-348,065			-341,611
Other long-term liabilities	0			0
Total liabilities	-401,077			-430,122
Redeemable non-controlling interests	0			0
Stockholders' equity	-2,603,799			-2,725,414
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	($3,004,876)			($3,155,536)
[1]	As of March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, $46.2 million and $45.8 million of assets were held by the Company under capital lease arrangements, respectively. Accumulated amortization relating to these assets totaled $24.2 million and $22.9 million as of March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively.

Condensed_Consolidating_Statem

Condensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012
Revenues:
Service revenues	$684,622	$773,998
Equipment revenues	105,236	51,621
Other revenues		0
Total revenues	789,858	825,619
Operating expenses:
Cost of service (exclusive of items shown separately below)	250,858	261,311
Cost of equipment	258,968	247,847
Selling and marketing	78,838	95,554
General and administrative	82,225	89,699
Depreciation and amortization	152,573	146,543
Impairments and other charges	735	0
Total operating expenses	824,197	840,954
Gain (loss) on sale, exchange or disposal of assets, net	4,988	-468
Operating income (loss)	-29,351	-15,803
Equity in net income (loss) of consolidated subsidiaries	0	0
Equity in net income of investees, net	-1,158	193
Interest income	47	29
Interest expense	-64,725	-67,042
Income (loss) before income taxes	-95,187	-82,623
Income tax expense	-14,420	-11,711
Net income (loss)	-109,607	-94,334
Accretion of redeemable non-controlling interests and distributions, net of tax	-1,705	-4,105
Net income (loss) attributable to common stockholders	-111,312	-98,439
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Net income (loss)	-109,607	-94,334
Net unrealized holding gains on investments and other	-3	2
Comprehensive income (loss)	-109,610	-94,332
Guarantor Parent Company [Member]
Revenues:
Service revenues	0	0
Equipment revenues	0	0
Other revenues	0	0
Total revenues	0	0
Operating expenses:
Cost of service (exclusive of items shown separately below)	0	0
Cost of equipment	0	0
Selling and marketing	0	0
General and administrative	2,607	2,737
Depreciation and amortization	0	0
Impairments and other charges	0
Total operating expenses	2,607	2,737
Gain (loss) on sale, exchange or disposal of assets, net	0	0
Operating income (loss)	-2,607	-2,737
Equity in net income (loss) of consolidated subsidiaries	-111,569	-98,586
Equity in net income of investees, net	0	0
Interest income	6,063	6,063
Interest expense	-3,199	-3,179
Income (loss) before income taxes	-111,312	-98,439
Income tax expense	0	0
Net income (loss)	-111,312	-98,439
Accretion of redeemable non-controlling interests and distributions, net of tax	0	0
Net income (loss) attributable to common stockholders	-111,312	-98,439
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Net income (loss)	-111,312	-98,439
Net unrealized holding gains on investments and other	-3	2
Comprehensive income (loss)	-111,315	-98,437
Issuing Subsidiary [Member]
Revenues:
Service revenues	602,037	685,710
Equipment revenues	89,340	45,250
Other revenues	4,149	3,965
Total revenues	695,526	734,925
Operating expenses:
Cost of service (exclusive of items shown separately below)	255,844	266,874
Cost of equipment	224,043	219,348
Selling and marketing	68,309	85,033
General and administrative	71,680	78,574
Depreciation and amortization	143,974	130,183
Impairments and other charges	186
Total operating expenses	764,036	780,012
Gain (loss) on sale, exchange or disposal of assets, net	-1,703	-1,391
Operating income (loss)	-70,213	-46,478
Equity in net income (loss) of consolidated subsidiaries	43,469	33,414
Equity in net income of investees, net	-1,158	193
Interest income	46	26
Interest expense	-67,588	-69,925
Income (loss) before income taxes	-95,444	-82,770
Income tax expense	-14,420	-11,711
Net income (loss)	-109,864	-94,481
Accretion of redeemable non-controlling interests and distributions, net of tax	-1,705	-4,105
Net income (loss) attributable to common stockholders	-111,569	-98,586
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Net income (loss)	-109,864	-94,481
Net unrealized holding gains on investments and other	-3	2
Comprehensive income (loss)	-109,867	-94,479
Guarantor Subsidiary [Member]
Revenues:
Service revenues	0	0
Equipment revenues	0	0
Other revenues	25,490	29,689
Total revenues	25,490	29,689
Operating expenses:
Cost of service (exclusive of items shown separately below)	0	0
Cost of equipment	0	0
Selling and marketing	0	0
General and administrative	191	190
Depreciation and amortization	0	0
Impairments and other charges	0
Total operating expenses	191	190
Gain (loss) on sale, exchange or disposal of assets, net	6,752	0
Operating income (loss)	32,051	29,499
Equity in net income (loss) of consolidated subsidiaries	0	0
Equity in net income of investees, net	0	0
Interest income	0	0
Interest expense	0	0
Income (loss) before income taxes	32,051	29,499
Income tax expense	0	0
Net income (loss)	32,051	29,499
Accretion of redeemable non-controlling interests and distributions, net of tax	0	0
Net income (loss) attributable to common stockholders	32,051	29,499
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Net income (loss)	32,051	29,499
Net unrealized holding gains on investments and other	0	0
Comprehensive income (loss)	32,051	29,499
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Revenues:
Service revenues	82,570	88,272
Equipment revenues	15,896	6,371
Other revenues	89	0
Total revenues	98,555	94,643
Operating expenses:
Cost of service (exclusive of items shown separately below)	20,578	24,110
Cost of equipment	34,925	28,499
Selling and marketing	10,529	10,521
General and administrative	11,896	12,163
Depreciation and amortization	8,599	16,360
Impairments and other charges	549
Total operating expenses	87,076	91,653
Gain (loss) on sale, exchange or disposal of assets, net	-61	923
Operating income (loss)	11,418	3,913
Equity in net income (loss) of consolidated subsidiaries	0	0
Equity in net income of investees, net	0	0
Interest income	0	2
Interest expense	0	0
Income (loss) before income taxes	11,418	3,915
Income tax expense	0	0
Net income (loss)	11,418	3,915
Accretion of redeemable non-controlling interests and distributions, net of tax	0	0
Net income (loss) attributable to common stockholders	11,418	3,915
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Net income (loss)	11,418	3,915
Net unrealized holding gains on investments and other	0	0
Comprehensive income (loss)	11,418	3,915
Consolidating and Eliminating Adjustments [Member]
Revenues:
Service revenues	15	16
Equipment revenues	0	0
Other revenues	-29,728	-33,654
Total revenues	-29,713	-33,638
Operating expenses:
Cost of service (exclusive of items shown separately below)	-25,564	-29,673
Cost of equipment	0	0
Selling and marketing	0	0
General and administrative	-4,149	-3,965
Depreciation and amortization	0	0
Impairments and other charges	0
Total operating expenses	-29,713	-33,638
Gain (loss) on sale, exchange or disposal of assets, net	0	0
Operating income (loss)	0	0
Equity in net income (loss) of consolidated subsidiaries	68,100	65,172
Equity in net income of investees, net	0	0
Interest income	-6,062	-6,062
Interest expense	6,062	6,062
Income (loss) before income taxes	68,100	65,172
Income tax expense	0	0
Net income (loss)	68,100	65,172
Accretion of redeemable non-controlling interests and distributions, net of tax	0	0
Net income (loss) attributable to common stockholders	68,100	65,172
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Net income (loss)	68,100	65,172
Net unrealized holding gains on investments and other	3	-2
Comprehensive income (loss)	$68,103	$65,170

Recovered_Sheet2

Condensed Consolidating statement of Cash Flow (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012
Operating activities:
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	$28,020	$57,744
Investing activities:
Purchases of and change in prepayments for purchases of property and equipment	-28,825	-70,641
Purchases of wireless licenses and spectrum clearing costs	-335	-976
Proceeds from sales of wireless licenses and operating assets	321	855
Purchases of investments	-65,767	-77,149
Sales and maturities of investments	84,716	202,107
Payments received from joint venture	0
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	-9,890	-45,804
Financing activities:
Repayment of long-term debt	-1,000	0
Payment of debt issuance costs	-552	0
Payments made to joint venture partners	-3,750	-255
Other	-1,644	-1,010
Net cash used in financing activities	-6,946	-1,265
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	11,184	10,675
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	515,550	345,243
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	526,734	355,918
Guarantor Parent Company [Member]
Operating activities:
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	-55	-24
Investing activities:
Purchases of and change in prepayments for purchases of property and equipment	0	0
Purchases of wireless licenses and spectrum clearing costs	0	0
Proceeds from sales of wireless licenses and operating assets	0	0
Purchases of investments	0	0
Sales and maturities of investments	0	0
Payments received from joint venture	0
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	0	0
Financing activities:
Repayment of long-term debt	0
Payment of debt issuance costs	0
Payments made to joint venture partners	0	0
Other	0	0
Net cash used in financing activities	0	0
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	-55	-24
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	69	91
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	14	67
Issuing Subsidiary [Member]
Operating activities:
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	2,503	38,806
Investing activities:
Purchases of and change in prepayments for purchases of property and equipment	-28,822	-163,024
Purchases of wireless licenses and spectrum clearing costs	-335	-976
Proceeds from sales of wireless licenses and operating assets	1,015	451
Purchases of investments	-65,767	-77,149
Sales and maturities of investments	84,716	202,107
Payments received from joint venture	8,799
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	-394	-38,591
Financing activities:
Repayment of long-term debt	-1,000
Payment of debt issuance costs	-552
Payments made to joint venture partners	0	-255
Other	-1,644	-1,010
Net cash used in financing activities	-3,196	-1,265
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	-1,087	-1,050
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	449,668	270,056
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	448,581	269,006
Guarantor Subsidiary [Member]
Operating activities:
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	0	0
Investing activities:
Purchases of and change in prepayments for purchases of property and equipment	0	0
Purchases of wireless licenses and spectrum clearing costs	0	0
Proceeds from sales of wireless licenses and operating assets	0	0
Purchases of investments	0	0
Sales and maturities of investments	0	0
Payments received from joint venture	0
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	0	0
Financing activities:
Repayment of long-term debt	0
Payment of debt issuance costs	0
Payments made to joint venture partners	0	0
Other	0	0
Net cash used in financing activities	0	0
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	0	0
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	0	0
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	0	0
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Operating activities:
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	25,572	18,962
Investing activities:
Purchases of and change in prepayments for purchases of property and equipment	-1,006	-13,721
Purchases of wireless licenses and spectrum clearing costs	0	0
Proceeds from sales of wireless licenses and operating assets	309	6,508
Purchases of investments	0	0
Sales and maturities of investments	0	0
Payments received from joint venture	0
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	-697	-7,213
Financing activities:
Repayment of long-term debt	0
Payment of debt issuance costs	0
Payments made to joint venture partners	-12,549	0
Other	0	0
Net cash used in financing activities	-12,549	0
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	12,326	11,749
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	65,813	75,096
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	78,139	86,845
Consolidating and Eliminating Adjustments [Member]
Operating activities:
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	0	0
Investing activities:
Purchases of and change in prepayments for purchases of property and equipment	1,003	6,104
Purchases of wireless licenses and spectrum clearing costs	0	0
Proceeds from sales of wireless licenses and operating assets	-1,003	-6,104
Purchases of investments	0	0
Sales and maturities of investments	0	0
Payments received from joint venture	-8,799
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	-8,799	0
Financing activities:
Repayment of long-term debt	0
Payment of debt issuance costs	0
Payments made to joint venture partners	8,799	0
Other	0	0
Net cash used in financing activities	8,799	0
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	0	0
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	0	0
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$0	$0