Document and Entity Information [Abstract] Document And Entity Information [Abstract] Statement [Table] Statement [Line Items] Document Type Amendment Flag Document Period End Date Document Fiscal Year Focus Document Fiscal Period Focus Entity Registrant Name Entity Central Index Key Current Fiscal Year End Date Trading Symbol Entity Filer Category Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets [Abstract] Assets [Abstract] ASSETS Cash and cash equivalents Cash and cash equivalents of continuing operations, end of period Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period Cash and Cash Equivalents, at Carrying Value, Total Cash and cash equivalents Restricted cash and marketable securities Restricted cash Restricted Cash and Investments, Current, Total Short-term Investments Short-term investment Short-term Investments, Total Wireless Spectrum Licenses Held For Sale Wireless Spectrum Licenses Held For Sale Wireless spectrum licenses held for sale Deferred Finance Costs, Current, Net Deferred financing costs, net Deferred Finance Costs, Current, Net, Total Prepaid Expense and Other Assets, Current Prepaid expenses and other current assets Prepaid Expense and Other Assets, Current, Total Current assets of discontinued operations Assets of Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Current, Total Current assets of discontinued operations Total current assets Assets, Current, Total Total current assets Net carrying amount, as of the balance sheet date, of owned (indefinite and definite-lived) and leased spectrum licenses. Spectrum licenses authorize wireless carriers to use radio frequency spectrum to provide service to certain geographical areas in the United States and internationally. Wireless Spectrum Licenses Net Wireless spectrum licenses, net Property and equipment, net Property, Plant and Equipment, Net, Ending Balance Property, Plant and Equipment, Net, Beginning Balance Property, Plant and Equipment, Net, Total Property and equipment, net Other assets, including assets measured at fair value of $0 and $1,227 at October 2, 2010 and January 2, 2010, respectively Other Assets, Noncurrent, Total Other assets Total assets Assets, Total Total assets Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity [Abstract] LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' DEFICIT Accounts payable Accounts Payable, Current, Total Accounts payable Accrued expenses Accrued Liabilities, Current, Total Accrued expenses Long-term Debt, Current Maturities Long-term Debt, Current Maturities, Total Current portion of long-term obligations Other current liabilities Other Liabilities, Current, Total Other current liabilities Current liabilities of discontinued operations Liabilities of Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Current, Total Current liabilities of discontinued operations Total current liabilities Liabilities, Current, Total Total current liabilities Deferred income tax liabilities Deferred income tax liabilities Long-term Debt, Excluding Current Maturities Long-term Debt, Excluding Current Maturities, Total Long-term obligations, net of current portion Commitments And Contingencies 2009 Commitments and Contingencies Commitments and contingencies Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent [Abstract] Stockholders' deficit: Preferred stock, $0.001 par value; 25,000 shares authorized; 355 shares designated as Series A Senior Convertible Preferred Stock; no other shares issued or outstanding Preferred Stock, Value, Issued, Ending Balance Preferred Stock, Value, Issued, Beginning Balance Preferred Stock, Value, Issued, Total Preferred stock, $0.001 par value; 25,000 shares authorized; 355 shares designated as Series A Senior Convertible Preferred Stock; no other shares issued or outstanding Common stock, $0.007 par value; 57,143 shares authorized; 23,494 and 22,434 shares issued and outstanding at October 2, 2010 and January 2, 2010, respectively Common Stock, Value, Issued, Ending Balance Common Stock, Value, Issued, Beginning Balance Common Stock, Value, Issued, Total Common stock, $0.007 par value; 57,143 shares authorized; 23,510 and 23,729 shares issued at October 1, 2011 and January 1, 2011, respectively; 23,510 shares outstanding at October 1, 2011 and January 1, 2011 Additional paid-in-capital Additional Paid in Capital, Ending Balance Additional Paid in Capital, Beginning Balance Additional Paid in Capital, Total Additional paid-in-capital Accumulated other comprehensive income Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Ending Balance Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Beginning Balance Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Total Accumulated other comprehensive income Accumulated deficit Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit), Ending Balance Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit), Beginning Balance Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit), Total Accumulated deficit Stockholders' deficit attributed to NextWave Total stockholders' deficit Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent, Ending Balance Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent, Beginning Balance Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent, Total Total stockholders' deficit Stockholders' deficit attributed to NextWave Total liabilities and stockholders' deficit Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity, Total Total liabilities and stockholders' deficit Preferred Stock, Par or Stated Value Per Share Preferred stock, par value Preferred Stock, Shares Authorized Preferred stock, shares authorized Shares Designated As Series A Senior Convertible Preferred Stock Series A Senior Convertible Preferred Stock Preferred Stock, Shares Issued Preferred Stock, Shares Issued, Total Preferred stock, shares issued Preferred Stock, Shares Outstanding Preferred Stock, Shares Outstanding, Ending Balance Preferred Stock, Shares Outstanding, Beginning Balance Preferred stock, shares outstanding Common Stock, Par or Stated Value Per Share Common stock, par value Common Stock, Shares Authorized Common stock, shares authorized Common Stock, Shares, Issued Common Stock, Shares, Issued, Total Common stock, shares issued Common Stock, Shares, Outstanding Common Stock, Shares, Outstanding, Ending Balance Common Stock, Shares, Outstanding, Beginning Balance Common stock, shares outstanding Condensed Consolidated Statements Of Operations And Other Comprehensive Loss [Abstract] Operating expenses: General and administrative General and Administrative Expense, Total General and administrative Restructuring credits Restructuring charges (credits) Restructuring Charges, Total Restructuring charges (credits) Total operating expenses Operating Expenses, Total Total operating expenses Gain (Loss) on Sales of Wireless Spectrum Licenses Gain Loss On Sales Of Wireless Spectrum Licenses (Gain) loss on sales of wireless spectrum licenses Net gains (losses) on sale of wireless spectrum licenses Net gains (losses) on sale of wireless spectrum licenses Loss from operations Loss from operations Loss from operations Nonoperating Income Expense Abstract Other income (expense): Interest income Interest income Interest expense Interest expense Interest Expense, Total Interest expense Gain on extinguishment of debt Gain on extinguishment of debt Gain on extinguishment of debt Gains (Losses) on Extinguishment of Debt, Total Gain on extinguishment of debt Other income (expense), net Other Nonoperating Income (Expense), Total Other income (expense), net Total other income (expense), net Nonoperating Income (Expense), Total Total other expense, net Total other income (expense), net Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Income Taxes, Extraordinary Items, Noncontrolling Interest Loss from continuing operations before income taxes Income tax benefit Income tax benefit Income Tax Expense (Benefit), Total Income tax benefit Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations Attributable to Parent Net loss from continuing operations Net loss from continuing operations Net loss from continuing operations Loss from discontinued operations before income taxes, net of gains (losses) on divestiture of discontinued operations of $(1,219), $3,108, $(5,835) and $3,159, respectively Loss from discontinued operations before income taxes, net of gains (losses) on divestiture of discontinued operations of $(1,219), $3,108, $(5,835) and $3,159, respectively Income (loss) from discontinued operations before income taxes, net of gains (losses) on divestitures of discontinued operations of $(1), $(1,219), $2,119 and $(5,835), respectively Discontinued Operation, Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operation, before Income Tax, Total Loss from discontinued operations before income taxes, net of gains (losses) on divestiture of discontinued operations of $(1,219), $3,108, $(5,835) and $3,159, respectively Discontinued Operation, Tax Effect of Discontinued Operation Income tax benefit (provision) Income tax benefit (provision) Discontinued Operation, Tax Effect of Discontinued Operation, Total Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax Net loss from discontinued operations Net income (loss) from discontinued operations Net income (loss) from discontinued operations Net income (loss) from discontinued operations Net loss from discontinued operations attributed to NextWave Net loss attributed to noncontrolling interest in subsidiary Net loss attributed to noncontrolling interest in subsidiary Net loss from discontinued operations attributed to NextWave Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operations, Net of Tax, Attributable to Parent Net loss from discontinued operations attributed to NextWave Net income (loss) from discontinued operations attributed to NextWave Net income (loss) from discontinued operations Net loss attributed to NextWave Net loss Net loss attributed to NextWave Net loss attributed to NextWave common shares Other comprehensive loss: Net loss Net loss Net loss Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Foreign Currency Transaction and Translation Adjustment, Net of Tax Foreign currency translation adjustment Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Foreign Currency Transaction and Translation Adjustment, Net of Tax, Total Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Total other comprehensive loss Total other comprehensive loss Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interest in subsidiary Comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interest in subsidiary Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Total Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Attributable to Parent Other comprehensive loss attributed to NextWave Other comprehensive loss attributed to NextWave Income Amounts Attributable to Parent, Disclosures [Abstract] Amounts attributed to NextWave common shares: Net income (loss) per share attributed to NextWave common shares - basic and diluted Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations, Per Basic and Diluted Share Continuing operations Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operations, Net of Tax, Per Basic and Diluted Share Discontinued operations Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted Net loss Net loss The average number of shares or units issued and outstanding that are used in calculating basic and diluted EPS. Weighted Average Number Of Share Outstanding Basic And Diluted Weighted average shares used in per share calculation Weighted-average shares used in per share calculation Discontinued Operation, Gain (Loss) on Disposal of Discontinued Operation, Net of Tax Net of gains (losses) on divestiture of discontinued operations Discontinued Operation, Gain (Loss) on Disposal of Discontinued Operation, Net of Tax, Total Condensed Consolidated Statements Of Cash Flows [Abstract] OPERATING ACTIVITIES Adjustments To Reconcile Net Income Loss From Continuing Operations To Cash Provided By Used In Operating Activities Of Continuing Operations [Abstract] Adjustments To Reconcile Net Income Loss From Continuing Operations To Cash Provided By Used In Operating Activities Of Continuing Operations [Abstract] Adjustments to reconcile loss from continuing operations to net cash used in operating activities of continuing operations: Amortization of intangible assets Amortization of intangible assets Amortization of Intangible Assets, Total Depreciation Depreciation, Total Non-cash share-based compensation Non-cash share-based compensation Share-based Compensation, Total Paid In Kind Interest Paid-in-kind interest Amortization of Deferred Financing Costs and Discounts Amortization of deferred financing costs and discounts Amortization of Financing Costs and Discounts, Total Embedded Derivative, Gain (Loss) on Embedded Derivative, Net Gains from changes in estimated fair values of embedded derivatives Net gains (losses) on sale of wireless spectrum licenses Embedded Derivative, Gain (Loss) on Embedded Derivative, Net, Total Gains from changes in estimated fair values of embedded derivatives Other non-cash adjustments Other non-cash adjustments Other non-cash adjustments Other Noncash Income (Expense), Total Changes in operating assets and liabilities: Increase Decrease In Prepaid Deferred Expense And Other Assets Prepaid expenses and other current assets Prepaid expenses and other current assets Increase (Decrease) in Prepaid, Deferred Expense and Other Assets, Total Other assets Other assets Other assets Increase (Decrease) in Other Operating Assets, Total Accounts payable and accrued liabilities Accounts payable and accrued liabilities Increase (Decrease) in Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities, Total Increase Decrease In Other Operating Liabilities Other liabilities and deferred credits Increase (Decrease) in Other Operating Liabilities, Total Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities, Continuing Operations Net cash used in operating activities of continuing operations Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities, Continuing Operations [Abstract] INVESTING ACTIVITIES Payments to Acquire Held-to-maturity Securities Purchase of held-to-maturity investment security Purchase of held-to-maturity investment security Proceeds from sale of wireless spectrum licenses. Proceeds from Sale of Wireless Spectrum Licenses Proceeds from the sale of wireless spectrum licenses, net of selling costs Proceeds from Sale of Short-term Investments Proceeds from the sale of auction-rate securities Purchase of property and equipment Payments for the purchase of property and equipment Purchase of property and equipment Payments to Acquire Property, Plant, and Equipment, Total Other, net Other, net Other, net Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities, Continuing Operations Net cash provided (used) by investing activities of continuing operations Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities, Continuing Operations [Abstract] FINANCING ACTIVITIES Payments on long-term obligations Payments on long-term obligations Payments on long-term obligations Repayments of Long-term Debt, Total Proceeds from long-term obligations Proceeds from long-term obligations Proceeds from Issuance of Long-term Debt, Total Proceeds from the sale of common shares Proceeds from the sale of common shares Proceeds from (Repayments of) Restricted Cash, Financing Activities Payment to restricted spectrum sales cash account used to redeem long-term obligations Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities, Continuing Operations Net cash used in financing activities of continuing operations Cash provided (used) by discontinued operations: Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities of discontinued operations Net cash provided (used) by operating activities of discontinued operations Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities of discontinued operations Net cash provided (used) by investing activities of discontinued operations Net cash provided (used) by discontinued operations Net cash provided (used) by discontinued operations Net cash provided by discontinued operations Effect of foreign currency exchange rate changes on cash Effect of foreign currency exchange rate changes on cash Effect of Exchange Rate on Cash and Cash Equivalents, Total Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents Cash and Cash Equivalents, at Carrying Value, Including Discontinued Operations Cash and cash equivalents, end of period Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period Cash and Cash Equivalents, at Carrying Value, Including Discontinued Operations, Total Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Cash and Cash Equivalents Less cash and cash equivalents of discontinued operations, end of period NONCASH FINANCING ACTIVITIES NON CASH FINANCING ACTIVITIES Notes Issued Senior, Second and Third Lien Notes issued to noteholders in exchange for debt modification fees Senior, Second and Third Lien Notes issued to noteholders in exchange for debt modification fees Basis Of Presentation And Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract] Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies [Text Block] Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies Basis Of Presentation And Significant Accounting Policies Related Party Transactions [Abstract] Related Party Transactions Disclosure [Text Block] Related Party Transactions Wireless Spectrum Licenses And Business Divestitures [Abstract] Wireless Spectrum Licenses Disclosure [Text Block] Wireless Spectrum Licenses And Business Divestitures Wireless Spectrum Licenses And Business Divestitures Asset Impairment Charges [Abstract] Asset Impairment Charges [Text Block] Asset Impairment Charges Restructuring Charges [Abstract] Restructuring and Related Activities Disclosure [Text Block] Restructuring Charges Long-Term Obligations [Abstract] Long-term Debt [Text Block] Long-Term Obligations Net Income (Loss) Per Common Share Information [Abstract] Amounts attributed to NextWave common shares: Earnings Per Share [Text Block] Net Income (Loss) Per Common Share Information Stockholders' Deficit [Abstract] Stockholders' Equity Note Disclosure [Text Block] Stockholders' Deficit Fair Value Measurements [Abstract] Fair Value Disclosures [Text Block] Fair Value Measurements Commitments And Contingencies [Abstract] Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Text Block] Commitments and Contingencies Commitments And Contingencies