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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
Originator-Key-Asymmetric:
 MFgwCgYEVQgBAQICAf8DSgAwRwJAW2sNKK9AVtBzYZmr6aGjlWyK3XmZv3dTINen
 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 LfawqdJx/HXHKH82wzMqTVwaL97EfWH7c5YOCb47CeYwYDaiMTVo0hbypq+rJHOA
 ABOfDA8Ia/DrBSIS9+4BKw==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000061227-03-000026.txt : 20030918
<SEC-HEADER>0000061227-03-000026.hdr.sgml : 20030918
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20030918130210
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000061227-03-000026
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20030602
FILED AS OF DATE:		20030918

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			NII HOLDINGS INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001037016
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	RADIO TELEPHONE COMMUNICATIONS [4812]
		IRS NUMBER:				911671412
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		10700 PARKRIDGE BLVD
		STREET 2:		SUITE 600
		CITY:			RESTON
		STATE:			VA
		ZIP:			20191
		BUSINESS PHONE:		7034334000

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		10700 PARKRIDGE BLVD
		STREET 2:		SUITE 600
		CITY:			RESTON
		STATE:			VA
		ZIP:			20191

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	NEXTEL INTERNATIONAL INC
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19970919

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	MCCAW INTERNATIONAL LTD
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19970402

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			MACKAY SHIELDS LLC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000061227
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-32421
		FILM NUMBER:		03900977

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		9 WEST 57TH STREET
		STREET 2:		33RD  FLOOR
		CITY:			NEW YORK
		STATE:			NY
		ZIP:			10019
		BUSINESS PHONE:		212-758-5400

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		9 WEST 57TH STREET
		STREET 2:		33RD FLOOR
		CITY:			NEW YORK
		STATE:			NY
		ZIP:			10019

	FORMER NAME:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	MACKAY SHIELDS FINANCIAL CORP
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19920929
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>primary_doc.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>

<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0201</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2003-06-02</periodOfReport>


    <notSubjectToSection16>1</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0001037016</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>NII HOLDINGS INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>NIHD</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0000061227</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>MACKAY SHIELDS LLC</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>9 WEST 57TH STREET</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>33RD FLOOR</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>NEW YORK</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>NY</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>10019</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>

        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>NII Holdings Inc (Class A Common Stock, $0.001 par value)</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2003-09-16</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>S</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>1500000</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>57</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>D</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>790894</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>Voting and dispositive power as manager and/or trading advisor to various clients</value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>

    </nonDerivativeTable>


    <remarks>No longer a 10% beneficial owner</remarks>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Russell A Thompson, Chief Compliance Officer</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2003-09-18</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

</ownershipDocument>

</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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