| **Segments (Tables)**                                                   | 9 Months Ended                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 |
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| **Segment Reporting [Abstract]**                                        |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           |
| Schedule of Segment Reporting Information, by Segment                   | Summarized financial information for our reportable segments for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 follows (amounts in thousands): Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended Wireless Wireline Total Reportable Segments Wireless Wireline Total Reportable SegmentsSeptember 30, 2013           Revenues$68,097 152,330 220,427 137,493 458,811 596,304Adjusted EBITDA$37,260 41,457 78,717 66,722 132,783 199,505            September 30, 2012           Revenues$32,262 146,232 178,494 92,066 434,439 526,505Adjusted EBITDA$13,194 46,255 59,449 38,857 134,842 173,699                                                                                                                       |
| Reconciliation of Operating Profit (Loss) from Segments to Consolidated | A reconciliation of reportable segment Adjusted EBITDA to consolidated income before income taxes follows (amounts in thousands): Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30, 2013 2012 2013 2012Reportable segment Adjusted EBITDA$78,717 59,449 199,505 173,699Less depreciation and amortization  expense(37,466) (32,120) (105,861) (97,850)Less share-based compensation  expense(1,823) (1,395) (4,729) (3,990)Less non-cash contribution expense— — — (960)Less accretion expense(178) (201) (460) (541)Less facility rights to use(563) — (563) —Other(3) (341) (453) (648)Consolidated operating income38,684 25,392 87,439 69,710Less other expense(17,702) (16,599) (52,080) (50,743)Consolidated income before  income tax expense$20,982 8,793 35,359 18,967 |

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| - Definition
Tabular disclosure of  all significant reconciling items in the reconciliation of total profit or loss from reportable segments, to the entity's consolidated income before income taxes, extraordinary items, and discontinued operations.
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| - Definition
Tabular disclosure of the profit or loss and total assets for each reportable segment. An entity discloses certain information on each reportable segment if the amounts (a) are included in the measure of segment profit or loss reviewed by the chief operating decision maker or (b) are otherwise regularly provided to the chief operating decision maker, even if not included in that measure of segment profit or loss.
+ References
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