v2.3.0.15
Document and Entity Information
9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2011
Oct. 28, 2011
Document Information [Line Items]  
Document Type10-Q 
Amendment Flagfalse 
Document Period End DateSep. 30, 2011
Document Fiscal Year Focus2011 
Document Fiscal Period FocusQ3 
Entity Registrant NameMETROPCS COMMUNICATIONS INC 
Entity Central Index Key0001283699 
Current Fiscal Year End Date--12-31 
Entity Filer CategoryLarge Accelerated Filer 
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding 362,259,788