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Income Taxes (Components of Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities) (Details) (USD $)
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified |
Dec. 31, 2011
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Dec. 31, 2010
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| Income Taxes [Abstract] | ||
| Property and equipment | $ 511,205 | $ 486,577 |
| Deferred site rental receivable | 238,203 | 164,867 |
| Intangible assets | 655,512 | 689,597 |
| Total deferred income tax liabilities | 1,404,920 | 1,341,041 |
| Net operating loss carryforwards | 908,747 | 926,444 |
| Deferred ground lease payable | 109,948 | 104,324 |
| Alternative minimum tax credit carryforward | 3,591 | 3,591 |
| Accrued liabilities | 81,719 | 78,752 |
| Receivable allowance | 2,253 | 2,175 |
| Prepaid lease | 405,993 | 430,558 |
| Derivative instruments | 74,214 | 75,960 |
| Available-for-sale securities | 29,402 | 25,289 |
| Other | 5,293 | 4,415 |
| Valuation allowance, asset | (228,417) | (318,055) |
| Total deferred income tax assets, net | 1,392,743 | 1,333,453 |
| Net deferred income tax assets (liabilities) | $ (12,177) | $ (7,588) |
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- Definition
Deferred tax assets available-for-sale securities. No definition available.
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- Definition
The effect as of the balance sheet date of the amount of the estimated future tax deductions arising from currently nondeductible expenses in prepaid leases. No definition available.
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- Details
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- Definition
The tax effect as of the balance sheet date of the amount of the estimated future tax deductions attributable to derivative instruments which can only be deducted for tax purposes when losses on such instruments are realized, and which can only be realized if sufficient tax-basis income is generated in future periods to enable the deduction to be taken. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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- Definition
For entities that net deferred tax assets and tax liabilities, represents the unclassified net amount of deferred tax assets and liabilities as of the balance sheet date, which result from applying the applicable enacted tax rate to net temporary differences and carryforwards pertaining to assets or liabilities. A temporary difference is a difference between the tax basis of an asset or liability and its carrying amount in the financial statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles that will reverse in ensuing periods. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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- Definition
The aggregate tax effects as of the balance sheet date of all future tax deductions arising from temporary differences between tax basis and generally accepted accounting principles basis recognition of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, which can only be deducted for tax purposes when permitted under enacted tax laws; net of deducting the allocated valuation allowance, if any, to reduce such amount to net realizable value. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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- Definition
The sum of the tax effects as of the balance sheet date of the amount of excesses of tax deductions over gross income in a year which cannot be used on the tax returns in the current year but can be carried forward to reduce taxable income or income taxes payable in a future year, for which there must be sufficient tax-basis income to utilize a portion or all of the carryforward amount to realize the deferred tax asset. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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- Definition
The tax effect as of the balance sheet date of the amount of estimated future tax deductions arising from other temporary differences not otherwise specified in the taxonomy. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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- Definition
The tax effect as of the balance sheet date of the amount of future tax deductions arising from unused alternative minimum tax credit carryforwards; a tax credit carryforward is the amount by which tax credits available for utilization exceeded statutory limits on inclusion in historical filings, and which can only be utilized if sufficient tax-basis income is generated in future periods and providing tax laws continue to allow such utilization. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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- Definition
The tax effect as of the balance sheet date of the amount of the estimated future tax deductions arising from currently nondeductible expenses in accrued liabilities, which can only be deducted for tax purposes when such items are actually incurred, and which can only be realized if sufficient tax-basis income is generated in future periods to enable the deduction to be taken. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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- Definition
The tax effect as of the balance sheet date of the amount of the estimated future tax deductions arising from estimated losses reflected in the allowance for doubtful accounts, which can only be deducted for tax purposes when actual bad debts are known, and which can only be realized if sufficient tax-basis income is generated in future periods to enable the deduction to be taken. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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- Definition
The tax effect as of the balance sheet date of the amount of the estimated future tax deductions arising from deferred rent, which can only be deducted for tax purposes when rent escalations actually take effect, and which can only be realized if sufficient tax-basis income is generated in future periods to enable the deduction to be taken. Deferred rent generally arises as a result of straight-lining minimum rent over the term of a lease when minimum rent escalates from time to time over such term. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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- Definition
The sum of the portions of deferred tax assets as of the balance sheet date for which, based on the weight of available evidence, it is more likely than not will not be realized through future reductions of tax-based income. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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- Definition
The cumulative amount of all deferred tax liabilities, which result from applying the applicable tax rate to net taxable temporary differences pertaining to each jurisdiction to which the entity is obligated to pay income tax. A taxable temporary difference is a difference between the tax basis and the carrying amount of an asset or liability in the financial statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles that will result in taxable amounts in one or more future periods. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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- Definition
The cumulative amount of the estimated future tax effects attributable to the difference between the tax basis of intangible assets and the basis of intangible assets computed in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. The difference in basis, whether due to amortization or other reasons, will increase future taxable income when such difference reverses. Intangible assets include, but are not limited to, assets such as patents, trademarks and customer lists. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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- Definition
The amount as of the balance sheet date of the estimated future tax effects attributable to differences between the methods used to account for leasing arrangements for tax purposes and under generally accepted accounting principles which will increase future taxable income when such differences reverse. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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- Definition
The amount as of the balance sheet date of the estimated future tax effects attributable to the difference between the tax basis of capital assets and the basis of capital assets computed in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. The difference in basis, attributable to different capitalization of costs, depreciation, or amortization methodologies, will increase future taxable income when such basis difference is realized. Capital assets include but are not limited to assets such as land, real estate, leasehold improvements, machinery and equipment and furniture and fixtures. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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