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Debt and Other Obligations (Textuals) (Details) (USD $)
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12 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended | |||||||||||||||||||||||
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Dec. 31, 2011
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Dec. 31, 2010
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Dec. 31, 2009
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Dec. 31, 2008
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Dec. 31, 2011
Variable Rate Revolver [Member]
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Jun. 30, 2011
Variable Rate Revolver [Member]
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Jan. 31, 2010
Variable Rate Revolver [Member]
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Dec. 31, 2011
Variable Rate 2007 Term Loans [Member]
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Dec. 31, 2011
Fixed Rate Securitized Debt 2010 Tower Revenue Notes [Member]
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Dec. 31, 2011
Fixed Rate Securitized Debt January 2010 Tower Revenue Notes First Tranche [Member]
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Dec. 31, 2011
Fixed Rate Securitized Debt January 2010 Tower Revenue Notes Second Tranche [Member]
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Dec. 31, 2011
Fixed Rate Securitized Debt January 2010 Tower Revenue Notes Third Tranche [Member]
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Dec. 31, 2011
Fixed Rate Securitized Debt August 2010 Tower Revenue Notes First Tranche [Member]
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Dec. 31, 2011
Fixed Rate Securitized Debt August 2010 Tower Revenue Notes Second Tranche [Member]
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Dec. 31, 2011
Fixed Rate Securitized Debt August 2010 Tower Revenue Notes Third Tranche [Member]
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Dec. 31, 2011
Fixed Rate Debt 2009 Securitized Notes First Tranche [Member]
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Dec. 31, 2011
Fixed Rate Debt 2009 Securitized Notes Second Tranche [Member]
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Dec. 31, 2011
Fixed Rate - High Yield Bonds, 9% Senior Notes [Member]
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Dec. 31, 2011
Fixed Rate - High Yield Bonds, 7.75% Secured Notes [Member]
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Dec. 31, 2011
Fixed Rate - High Yield Bonds, 7.125% Senior Notes [Member]
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Dec. 31, 2011
Capital Lease Obligations and Other [Member]
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Dec. 31, 2010
Capital Lease Obligations and Other [Member]
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Dec. 31, 2011
High Yield Bonds - Senior Notes [Member]
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Dec. 31, 2011
Collateralized [Member]
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Dec. 31, 2011
Collateralized [Member]
Fixed Rate - High Yield Bonds, 7.75% Secured Notes [Member]
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Jan. 31, 2007
2007 Credit Agreement [Member]
CCOC [Member]
Term Loan Joinder Pursuant [Member]
Variable Rate 2007 Term Loans [Member]
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Mar. 31, 2007
2007 Credit Agreement [Member]
CCOC [Member]
Second Term Loan Joinder Pursuant [Member]
Variable Rate 2007 Term Loans [Member]
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Dec. 31, 2011
2007 Credit Agreement [Member]
CCOC [Member]
Security Interest [Member]
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Dec. 31, 2011
Redeemable Convertible Preferred Stock
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Jan. 31, 2012
Issuance of Debt [Member]
2012 Credit Facility [Member]
CCOC [Member]
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| Debt Instrument [Line Items] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total revolving commitment | $ 450,000,000 | $ 400,000,000 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total debt and other obligations | 6,885,699,000 | 6,778,894,000 | 54,406,000 | 34,537,000 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Availablity on revolver | 199,000,000 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Debt Instrument Additional Interest Rate Federal Funds Rate | 0.50% | 0.50% | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Debt instrument credit spread prime federal funds rate, minimum | 1.00% | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Debt Instrument Credit Spread Prime Federal Funds Rate Maximum | 1.40% | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Debt instrument credit spread LIBOR rate minimum | 2.00% | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Debt Instrument Credit Spread Libor Rate Maximum | 2.40% | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate | 1.50% | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Additional interest accruing following anticipated repayment dates | 5.00% | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Face amount of debt instrument | 300,000,000 | 350,000,000 | 1,300,000,000 | 250,000,000 | 300,000,000 | 1,000,000,000 | 3,100,000,000 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Principal balance outstanding on debt instruments | 6,958,306,000 | 146,400,000 | 70,000,000 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Effective yield rate, inclusive of discount | 11.30% | 8.20% | 7.20% | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Debt instrument interest rate stated percentage rate range maximum | 10.00% | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Contractual maturity date, start | 1 year | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Contractual maturity date, end | 20 years | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Line of credit facility possible additional borrowing capacity | 50,000,000 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Additional borrowings | 600,000,000 | 50,000,000 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Security interest | 80,120,000 | 112,531,000 | 766,146,000 | 155,219,000 | 47,800,000 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Commitment fee | 0.40% | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Property and equipment, net | $ 4,861,227,000 | $ 4,893,651,000 | $ 1,700,000,000 | $ 1,200,000,000 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Stated interest rate | 9.00% | 7.75% | 7.125% | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Debt Instrument, Covenant Description | 7.0 to 1.0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Debt to Adjusted Cash Flow Ratio | 7.0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Redemption pricing percentage of principal amount | 100.00% | 100.00% | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Preferred Stock, Dividend Rate, Percentage | 6.25% | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||