CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (USD $)
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2014
Dec. 31, 2013
Dec. 31, 2012
Operating revenues      
Service and other revenues $ 3,447,167 $ 4,517,154 $ 5,424,766
Digital handset and accessory revenues 241,553 194,413 268,469
Total operating revenues 3,688,720 4,711,567 5,693,235
Operating expenses      
Cost of service (exclusive of depreciation and amortization included below) 1,308,835 1,392,140 1,509,543
Cost of digital handsets and accessories 973,491 884,789 792,466
Selling, general and administrative 1,699,058 1,941,773 2,261,922
Provision for doubtful accounts 114,784 111,460 214,454
Restructuring, Settlement and Impairment Provisions 220,742 168,543 30,401
Gain (Loss) on Sale of Assets and Asset Impairment Charges (74,631) 0 0
Depreciation 592,056 629,606 558,224
Amortization 80,649 63,321 46,937
Total operating expenses 4,800,200 5,080,172 5,199,493
Operating (loss) income (1,111,480) (368,605) 493,742
Other expense      
Interest expense, net (449,345) (526,530) (359,795)
Interest income 66,425 43,327 33,785
Foreign currency transaction losses, net (130,499) (123,369) (63,330)
Other expense, net (6,721) (12,859) (28,097)
Total other expense (520,140) (619,431) (417,437)
(Loss) income from continuing operations before reorganization items and income tax provision (1,631,620) (988,036) 76,305
Reorganization Items (71,601) 0 0
Income tax provision (Note 13) (74,091) (446,052) (158,144)
Net loss from continuing operations (1,777,312) (1,434,088) (81,839)
Loss from discontinued operations, net of income taxes (Note 5) (180,386) (215,511) (683,410)
Net loss (1,957,698) (1,649,599) (765,249)
Net loss from continuing operations per common share, basic and diluted $ (10.31) $ (8.34) $ (0.48)
Net loss from discontinued operations per common share, basic and diluted $ (1.05) $ (1.26) $ (3.98)
Net loss per common share, basic and diluted $ (11.36) $ (9.60) $ (4.46)
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding, basic and diluted 172,283 171,912 171,499
Comprehensive loss, net of income taxes      
Foreign currency translation adjustment (340,847) (334,893) (97,589)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Foreign Currency Transaction and Translation Reclassification Adjustment from AOCI, Realized upon Sale or Liquidation, Net of Tax (33,885) 0 0
Other (544) 2,257 (1,802)
Other comprehensive loss (375,276) (332,636) (99,391)
Net loss (1,957,698) (1,649,599) (765,249)
Total comprehensive loss $ (2,332,974) $ (1,982,235) $ (864,640)