v2.4.0.8
Intangible Assets and Goodwill (Details) (USD $)
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2013
Dec. 31, 2012
Dec. 31, 2011
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]      
Goodwill $ 4,916,426 $ 3,119,957 $ 2,035,390
Finite-lived intangible assets, gross 5,248,356 3,920,415  
Accumulated amortization of intangible assets (1,190,491) (978,719)  
Other intangible assets, net 407,522 289,136  
Finite-lived intangible assets, net 4,057,865 2,941,696  
Acquired finite-lived intangible asset, amount 1,336,359 950,226  
Amortization expense 214,239 180,515 163,187
2012 272,944    
2013 267,326    
2014 267,273    
2015 266,902    
2016 266,732    
Deferred Credits [Abstract]      
2012 21,854    
2013 21,839    
2014 21,796    
2015 21,767    
2016 21,741    
Acquired Finite-lived Intangible Assets, Weighted Average Useful Life 20 years 21 years  
Site Rental Contracts and Customer Relationships [Member]
      
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]      
Finite-lived intangible assets, gross 4,761,605 3,566,207  
Accumulated amortization of intangible assets (1,111,262) (913,647)  
Finite-lived intangible assets, net 3,650,343 2,652,560  
Acquired finite-lived intangible asset, amount 1,203,596 741,526  
Deferred Credits [Abstract]      
Acquired Finite-lived Intangible Assets, Weighted Average Useful Life 20 years 21 years  
Below Market Leases For Land Interests [Member]
      
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]      
Acquired finite-lived intangible asset, amount 114,900 178,300  
Other Intangible Assets [Member]
      
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]      
Finite-lived intangible assets, gross 486,751 354,208  
Accumulated amortization of intangible assets (79,229) (65,072)  
Other intangible assets, net 407,522 289,136  
Acquired finite-lived intangible asset, amount 132,763 [1] 208,700 [2]  
Deferred Credits [Abstract]      
Acquired Finite-lived Intangible Assets, Weighted Average Useful Life 21 years 19 years  
Depreciation, Amortization and Accretion [Member]
      
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]      
Amortization expense 204,042 177,163 159,478
Site Rental Costs of Operations [Member]
      
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]      
Amortization expense 10,197 3,352 3,709
NextG Networks Inc. [Member]
      
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]      
Goodwill, Acquired During Period   573,617 [3]  
Wireless Capital Partners, LLC [Member]
      
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]      
Goodwill, Acquired During Period   54,824 [4]  
AT&T [Member]
      
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]      
Goodwill, Acquired During Period 1,768,535 [5]    
T-Mobile [Member]
      
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]      
Goodwill, Acquired During Period   428,019 [5]  
Other Acquired Goodwill [Domain]
      
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]      
Goodwill, Acquired During Period 25,194 28,113  
Effect of exchange rates on goodwill [Domain]
      
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]      
Goodwill, Acquired During Period $ 2,740 $ (6)  
[1] (a)$114.9 million is related to below-market leases for land interests under acquired wireless infrastructure for the year ended December 31, 2013 which is inclusive of adjustments made during 2013 related to the T-Mobile purchase price allocation (see note 3). (b)$178.3 million is
[2] (b)$178.3 million is related to below-market leases for land interests under acquired wireless infrastructure for the year ended December 31, 2012.Amortiza
[3] urchase price allocation for the NextG Acquisition resulted in the recognition of a substantial amount of goodwill at CCUSA relative to the purchase price based on the following:•the acquired or in-process DAS have low average tenancy, which the Company believes provides an opportunity to co-locate additional tenants on those systems;•the Company believes that the economics associated with DAS are similar to the economics associated with the Company's towers, whereby expected increases in revenues from additional tenants on existing DAS are expected to result in high incremental margins due to relatively fixed operating costs;•the Company believes the demand for tenants to co-locate on DAS will be driven by the continued growth trends in the wireless communication industry as wireless carriers continue to focus on improving network quality and expanding capacity;•the Company believes the acquired DAS are well-positioned to benefit from the anticipated growth in the wireless industry with their previously mentioned locations in the ten largest metropolitan statistical areas in the U.S.; or•other intangibles not qualified for separate recognition, including the assembled work force.To a lesser extent, a portion of the goodwill recognized is the result of recording the tax impact of the NextG Acquisition. See also note 10.(b)
[4] Company paid a purchase price for the WCP Acquisition that resulted in goodwill at CCUSA primarily because of the strategic opportunities related to the acquired portfolio.
[5] purchase price allocation for the T-Mobile Acquisition and the preliminary purchase price allocation for the AT&T Acquisition resulted in the recognition of goodwill at CCUSA primarily because of the anticipated growth opportunities in the respective tower portfolios. Int