Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Schedule of Property and Equipment (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment, gross	$ 5,948,875,000	$ 5,069,056,000
Accumulated depreciation and amortization	(1,930,876,000)	(1,409,611,000)
Property and equipment, net	4,017,999,000	3,659,445,000
Interest capitalized during the period	25,300,000	24,500,000	37,500,000
Construction-in-progress
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment, gross	354,068,000	425,906,000
Network infrastructure
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment, gross	5,196,034,000	4,363,009,000
Property and equipment, minimum useful life	5
Property and equipment, maximum useful life	10
Capitalized interest costs
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment, minimum useful life	3
Property and equipment, maximum useful life	10
Infrastructure assets under capital lease
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment, gross	291,200,000	259,000,000
Accumulated depreciation and amortization	(41,900,000)	(23,700,000)
Property and equipment, maximum useful life	15
Office equipment
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment, gross	319,596,000	205,895,000
Property and equipment, minimum useful life	1
Property and equipment, maximum useful life	8
Leasehold improvements
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment, gross	60,635,000	57,853,000
Furniture and fixtures
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment, gross	18,087,000	15,992,000
Property and equipment, minimum useful life	3
Property and equipment, maximum useful life	7
Vehicles
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment, gross	$ 455,000	$ 401,000
Property and equipment, maximum useful life	5