| **Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows Supplemental Disclosures (Tables)** | 3 Months Ended                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         |
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| **Supplemental Cash Flow Elements [Abstract]**                              |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   |
| Cash Flow Operating Capital                                                 | Changes in operating assets and liabilities consist of (amounts in thousands):Three Months Ended March 31,2016 2015(Increase) decrease in accounts receivable, net$(14,761) 7,859Increase in prepaid expenses(3,806) (308)Decrease in inventories887 2,495(Increase) decrease in other current assets(84) 7Increase in other assets(3,301) (1,250)Decrease in accounts payable(2,972) (2,470)Increase (decrease) in deferred revenues1,161 (2,256)Decrease in accrued payroll and payroll related obligations(3,191) (6,083)Increase in accrued liabilities552 3,891Increase in accrued interest9,031 17,611Decrease in subscriber deposits(49) (153)Increase (decrease) in long-term deferred revenue5,458 (251)Increase (decrease) in components of other long-term liabilities1,566 (255)Total change in operating assets and liabilities$(9,509) 18,837 |
| Cash Payments for Interest                                                  | The following item is for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015 (amounts in thousands):Net cash paid or received:2016 2015Interest paid including capitalized interest$11,580 3,382                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 |
| Schedule of Other Significant Noncash Transactions                          | The following items are non-cash investing and financing activities for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015 (amounts in thousands): 2016 2015Non-cash additions for purchases of property and equipment$13,395 17,817Asset retirement obligation additions to property and equipment$357 243Non-cash consideration for Wireless Acquisition$— 23,326                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         |

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| - Definition
Tabular disclosure of the net increase (decrease) in operating capital in the operating section of the statement of cash flows, represents the entire footnote disclosure that provides details regarding the net change during the reporting period of all assets and liabilities used in operating activities.
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No definition available.
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| - Definition
Tabular disclosure of supplemental cash flow information for the periods presented.
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No definition available.
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| - Definition
Tabular disclosure of noncash investing and financing activities, classified as other.
+ References
Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 230 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 4 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6367179&loc=d3e4313-108586Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 230 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 5 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6367179&loc=d3e4332-108586Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 230 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 3 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6367179&loc=d3e4304-108586
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| - References
No definition available.
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