Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Supplemental Cash Flow Information (Tables)
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2014
Supplemental Cash Flow Elements [Abstract]  
Schedule of Cash Flow, Supplemental Disclosures [Table Text Block]
Supplemental Cash Flow Information.
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
2014
 
2013
 
2012
 
(in thousands)
Capital expenditures
 

 
 

 
 

Cash paid for capital expenditures, including capitalized interest
$
612,161

 
$
620,895

 
$
953,882

Change in capital expenditures accrued and unpaid or financed, including
  accreted interest capitalized
(183,741
)
 
251,199

 
351,814

 
$
428,420

 
$
872,094

 
$
1,305,696

Interest costs
 

 
 

 
 

Interest expense, net
$
449,345

 
$
526,530

 
$
359,795

Interest capitalized
32,541

 
78,254

 
127,189

 
$
481,886

 
$
604,784

 
$
486,984

Acquisitions of assets and business combinations
 

 
 

 
 

Fair value of licenses and other assets acquired
$
31,861

 
$
53,066

 
$
100,185

Less: liabilities assumed and deferred tax liabilities incurred
—

 
—

 
—

Less: cash acquired
—

 
—

 
—

 
$
31,861

 
$
53,066

 
$
100,185

Cash paid for interest, net of amounts capitalized
$
310,230

 
$
389,064

 
$
290,131

Cash paid for income taxes
$
24,544

 
$
39,292

 
$
269,597

For the year ended December 31, 2014, we had $319.6 million in non-cash financing, primarily related to capital lease obligations recognized in Brazil and Mexico in connection with the leaseback of communication towers and borrowings under our equipment financing facility in Mexico. For the year ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, we had $213.5 million and $194.5 million, respectively, in non-cash financing, primarily related to borrowings under our equipment financing facilities in Mexico, the short-term financing of imported handsets and infrastructure in Brazil and co-location capital lease obligations on our communication towers in Brazil and Mexico.