v2.4.0.6
Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows (USD $)
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2011
Dec. 31, 2010
Dec. 31, 2009
Cash flows from operating activities:      
Net income (loss) $ 171,460 $ (311,259) $ (114,123)
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by (used for) operating activities:      
Depreciation, amortization and accretion 552,951 540,771 529,739
Gains (losses) on retirement of long-term obligations 0 138,367 [1] 91,079 [2]
Amortization of deferred financing costs and other non-cash interest 102,943 85,454 61,357
Stock-based compensation expense 32,610 36,540 29,225
Asset write-down charges 22,285 13,687 19,237
Deferred income tax benefit (provision) 4,626 (26,196) (74,410)
Income (expense) from forward-starting interest rate swaps 0 286,435 90,302
Other adjustments 4,122 857 821
Changes in assets and liabilities, excluding the effects of acquisitions:      
Increase (decrease) in accrued interest 201 (4,285) 52,705
Increase (decrease) in accounts payable (7,497) 1,702 (1,703)
Increase (decrease) in deferred revenues, deferred ground lease payables, other accrued liabilities and other liabilities 19,606 39,012 9,317
Decrease (increase) in receivables (17,407) (11,653) (4,830)
Decrease (increase) in prepaid expenses, deferred site rental receivables, long-term prepaid rent, restricted cash and other assets (242,446) (186,002) (117,460)
Net cash provided by (used for) operating activities 643,454 603,430 571,256
Cash flows from investing activities:      
Payment for acquisitions of businesses, net of cash acquired (37,551) (139,158) (2,598)
Capital expenditures (347,942) (228,058) (173,535)
Other investing activities, net (14,372) (23,733) 3,988
Net cash provided by (used for) investing activities (399,865) (390,949) (172,145)
Cash flows from financing activities:      
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt 0 3,450,000 2,726,348
Proceeds from issuance of capital stock 1,557 18,731 45,049
Principal payments on debt and other long-term obligations (35,345) (26,398) (6,500)
Purchases and redemptions of long-term debt 0 (3,541,312) (2,191,719)
Purchases of capital stock (303,414) (159,639) (3,003)
Purchases of preferred stock (15,002) 0 0
Borrowings under revolving credit facility 283,000 157,000 50,000
Payments under revolving credit facility (189,000) 0 (219,400)
Payments for financing costs 0 (59,259) (67,760)
Payments for forward-starting interest rate swap settlements 0 (697,821) (36,670)
Net (increase) decrease in restricted cash 1,979 11,953 (62,071)
Dividends on preferred stock (19,487) (19,879) (19,878)
Net cash provided by (used for) financing activities (275,712) (866,624) 214,396
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash (288) 528 (2,580)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents (32,411) (653,615) 610,927
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year 112,531 766,146 155,219
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year $ 80,120 $ 112,531 $ 766,146
[1] Inclusive of $23.4 million related to the write-off of deferred financing costs and discounts.
[2] Inclusive of $4.2 million related to the write-off of deferred financing costs and other non-cash adjustments.