v2.4.0.8
Leases (Details) (USD $)
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2013
Dec. 31, 2012
Dec. 31, 2011
Property Subject to or Available for Operating Lease [Line Items]      
Weighted average remaining term of tenant leases 8 years    
Maximum Current Term 20 years    
Tenant Leases 2014 $ 2,474,529,000    
Tenant Leases 2015 2,432,301,000    
Tenant Leases 2016 2,342,749,000    
Tenant Leases 2017 2,256,108,000    
Tenant Leases 2018 2,155,880,000    
Tenant Leases thereafter 10,419,970,000    
Total tenant leases 22,081,537,000    
Percentage of wireless infrastructure, office space and equipment that is on land that has non-cancelable operating leases 82.00%    
Operating Leases, Owned Land Under Tower, Expiration Term 20 years    
Operating Leases, Leased Land Under Tower, Expiration Term 10 years    
Operating leases 2014 565,587,000    
Operating leases 2015 573,059,000    
Operating leases 2016 578,551,000    
Operating leases 2017 582,231,000    
Operating leases 2018 583,775,000    
Operating leases thereafter 7,546,074,000    
Total operating leases 10,429,277,000    
Rental expense from operating leases 513,600,000 372,300,000 338,300,000
Contingent rental payments $ 73,700,000 $ 57,600,000 $ 56,400,000
Greater than 10 Years, Inclusive of Renewals at the Company's Option [Member]
      
Property Subject to or Available for Operating Lease [Line Items]      
Percentage of site rental gross margin that is derived from wireless infrastructure where the lease for the land has a final expiration date 90.00%    
Greater than 20 Years, Inclusive of Renewals at the Company's Option [Member]
      
Property Subject to or Available for Operating Lease [Line Items]      
Percentage of site rental gross margin that is derived from wireless infrastructure where the lease for the land has a final expiration date 75.00%    
Wireless Infrastructure [Member]
      
Property Subject to or Available for Operating Lease [Line Items]      
Estimated useful life, maximum, in years 20 years