v2.4.0.8

Commitments and Contingencies (Details) (USD $) | 12 Months Ended
--- | ---
Dec. 31, 2013 | Dec. 31, 2012 | Dec. 31, 2011
Accretion expense related to liabilities for contingent retirement obligations | $ 8,100,000 | $ 6,500,000 | $ 5,600,000
Asset retirement obligation | 118,400,000 | 95,000,000 |
Asset retirement obligation future outlay | 1,200,000,000 |  |
Sprint [Member] |  |  |
Taxes, Other | 27,700,000 |  |
Estimated future property tax commitment | 43,700,000 |  |
ATT, TMO, WCP, and NextG Acquisitions [Member] |  |  |
Increase (Decrease) in Asset Retirement Obligations | $ 16,300,000 | $ 21,100,000 |

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- Definition Estimated future property tax commitment. + References No definition available. + Details
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Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

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- Definition This disclosure represents the estimated future undiscounted cash flows expected to be paid relating to asset retirement obligations + References No definition available. + Details
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Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
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- Definition The carrying amount of a liability for an asset retirement obligation. An asset retirement obligation is a legal obligation associated with the disposal or retirement of a tangible long-lived asset that results from the acquisition, construction or development, or the normal operations of a long-lived asset, except for certain obligations of lessees. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 410 -SubTopic 20 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (c) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6392692&loc=d3e7535-110849 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Glossary Asset Retirement Obligation -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6505190 + Details
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Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | instant

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- Definition Amount of accretion expense recognized during the period that is associated with an asset retirement obligation. Accretion expense measures and incorporates changes due to the passage of time into the carrying amount of the liability. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 410 -SubTopic 20 -Section 45 -Paragraph 1 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6392676&loc=d3e7480-110848 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 410 -SubTopic 20 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (c)(3) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6392692&loc=d3e7535-110849 + Details
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- Definition The increase (decrease) during the reporting period in the carrying amount of asset retirement obligations. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 230 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 28 -Subparagraph (a) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=31042434&loc=d3e3602-108585 + Details
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- Definition Taxes, excluding payroll, income and excise taxes, if not included elsewhere, that could include production, real and personal property, and other selling and distribution-related taxes. + References No definition available. + Details
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Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration