v2.4.0.8
Operating Segments and Concentrations of Credit Risk (Major Customers) (Details) (USD $)
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2013
Dec. 31, 2012
Dec. 31, 2011
Weighted Average Remaining Term Of Tenant Leases   11 years  
Percentage of the consolidated revenues 88.00% 83.00% 83.00%
Long-Lived Assets $ 17,921,968 $ 12,979,184  
AT&T [Member]
      
Percentage of the consolidated revenues 23.00% [1] 15.00% 14.00%
Sprint [Member]
      
Percentage of the consolidated revenues 27.00% [2] 28.00% 24.00%
Verizon Wireless [Member]
      
Percentage of the consolidated revenues 22.00% [3] 23.00% 26.00%
T-Mobile [Member]
      
Percentage of the consolidated revenues 16.00% 17.00% 19.00%
United States [Member]
      
Long-Lived Assets 17,670,665 12,730,337  
Australia [Member]
      
Long-Lived Assets 235,493 232,099  
Other Countries [Member]
      
Long-Lived Assets $ 15,810 $ 16,748  
Sprint, excluding Clearwire [Member]
      
Weighted Average Remaining Term Of Tenant Leases 6 years    
Percentage of the consolidated revenues 24.00%    
Clearwire [Member]
      
Weighted Average Remaining Term Of Tenant Leases 3 years    
Revenue from consolidated tenant during merger as percentage of net revenues 2.00%    
Percentage of the consolidated revenues 3.00%    
T-Mobile, excluding Metro PCS [Member]
      
Weighted Average Remaining Term Of Tenant Leases 9 years    
Percentage of the consolidated revenues 18.00%    
Metro PCS [Member]
      
Weighted Average Remaining Term Of Tenant Leases 5 years    
Revenue from consolidated tenant during merger as percentage of net revenues 2.00%    
Percentage of the consolidated revenues 5.00%    
AT&T, excluding Leap Wireless [Member]
      
Weighted Average Remaining Term Of Tenant Leases 8 years    
Percentage of the consolidated revenues 19.00%    
Leap Wireless [Member]
      
Weighted Average Remaining Term Of Tenant Leases 3 years    
Revenue from consolidated tenant during merger as percentage of net revenues 1.00%    
Percentage of the consolidated revenues 3.00%    
Sprint Clearwire Consolidation [Member]
      
Tower count as a percentage of total towers 7.00%    
T-Mobile Metro Consolidation [Member]
      
Tower count as a percentage of total towers 4.00%    
ATT Leap Wireless Consolidation [Member]
      
Tower count as a percentage of total towers 6.00%    
[1] For the year ended December 31, 2013, T-Mobile and MetroPCS accounted for 18% and 5%, respectively, of consolidated net revenues. As of December 31, 2013, T-Mobile and MetroPCS are co-residents on approximately 4% of the Company's towers. The weighted-average remaining term on these tower tenant contracts with T-Mobile and MetroPCS is approximately nine years and five years , respectively. Revenue from MetroPCS on these towers represented approximately 2% of consolidated site rental revenues for the year ended December 31, 2013.
[2] For the year ended December 31, 2013, Sprint and Clearwire accounted for 24% and 3%, respectively, of consolidated net revenues. As of December 31, 2013, Sprint and Clearwire are co-residents on approximately 7% of the Company's towers. The weighted-average remaining term on these tower tenant contracts with Sprint and Clearwire is approximately six years and three years, respectively. Revenue from Clearwire on these towers represented approximately 2% of consolidated site rental revenues for the year ended December 31, 2013.
[3] For the year ended December 31, 2013, AT&T and Leap Wireless accounted for 19% and 3%, respectively, of consolidated net revenues. As of December 31, 2013, AT&T and Leap Wireless are co-residents on approximately 6% of the Company's towers. The weighted-average remaining term on these tower tenant contracts with AT&T and Leap Wireless is approximately eight years and three years, respectively. Revenue from Leap Wireless on these towers represented approximately 1% of consolidated site rental revenues for the year ended December 31, 2013.