SBA Communications (SBAC) 10-K 26 Feb 16 2015 FY Annual report Financial data

Document And Entity Information

Document And Entity Information - USD ($) $ in Billions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Feb. 19, 2016	Jun. 30, 2015
Document And Entity Information [Abstract]
Document Type	10-K
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Dec. 31, 2015
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2,015
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Entity Registrant Name	SBA COMMUNICATIONS CORP
Entity Central Index Key	1,034,054
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		125,257,417
Entity Public Float			$ 14.5
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Trading Symbol	SBAC

Consolidated Balance Sheets

Consolidated Balance Sheets - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 118,039	$ 39,443
Restricted cash	25,353	52,519
Short-term investments	706	5,549
Accounts receivable, net of allowance of $1,681 and $889 at December 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively	83,326	104,268
Costs and estimated earnings in excess of billings on uncompleted contracts	16,934	30,078
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	49,602	95,031
Total current assets	293,960	326,888
Property and equipment, net	2,782,353	2,762,417
Intangible assets, net	3,735,413	4,189,540
Deferred financing fees, net	94,152	95,237
Other assets	497,337	467,043
Total assets	7,403,215	7,841,125
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	27,105	42,851
Accrued expenses	63,755	65,553
Current maturities of long-term debt	20,000	32,500
Deferred revenue	97,083	120,047
Accrued interest	53,365	53,178
Other current liabilities	12,063	16,921
Total current liabilities	273,371	331,050
Long-term liabilities:
Long-term debt	8,522,305	7,828,299
Other long-term liabilities	313,683	342,576
Total long-term liabilities	$ 8,835,988	$ 8,170,875
Shareholders' deficit:
Preferred stock - par value $.01, 30,000 shares authorized, no shares issued or outstanding
Common stock - Class A, par value $.01, 400,000 shares authorized, 125,743 and 129,134 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively	$ 1,257	$ 1,291
Additional paid-in capital	1,962,713	2,062,775
Accumulated deficit	(3,168,069)	(2,542,380)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net	(502,045)	(182,486)
Total shareholders' deficit	(1,706,144)	(660,800)
Total liabilities and shareholders' deficit	$ 7,403,215	$ 7,841,125

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Pa

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Accounts receivable, allowance	$ 1,681	$ 889
Preferred stock, par value	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Preferred stock, shares authorized	30,000,000	30,000,000
Preferred stock, shares issued	0	0
Preferred stock, shares outstanding	0	0
Common Stock [Member]
Common stock - Class A, par value	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Common stock - Class A, shares authorized	400,000,000	400,000,000
Common stock - Class A, shares issued	125,743,000	129,134,000
Common stock - Class A, shares outstanding	125,743,000	129,134,000

Consolidated Statements Of Oper

Consolidated Statements Of Operations - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Revenues:
Site leasing	$ 1,480,634	$ 1,360,202	$ 1,133,013
Site development	157,840	166,794	171,853
Total revenues	1,638,474	1,526,996	1,304,866
Cost of revenues (exclusive of depreciation, accretion, and amortization shown below):
Cost of site leasing	324,655	301,313	270,772
Cost of site development	119,744	127,172	137,481
Selling, general, and administrative	114,951	103,317	85,476
Acquisition related adjustments and expenses	11,864	7,798	19,198
Asset impairment and decommission costs	94,783	23,801	28,960
Depreciation, accretion, and amortization	660,021	627,072	533,334
Total operating expenses	1,326,018	1,190,473	1,075,221
Operating income	312,456	336,523	229,645
Other income (expense):
Interest income	3,894	677	1,794
Interest expense	(322,366)	(292,600)	(249,051)
Non-cash interest expense	(1,505)	(27,112)	(49,085)
Amortization of deferred financing fees	(19,154)	(17,572)	(15,560)
Loss from extinguishment of debt, net	(783)	(26,204)	(6,099)
Other (expense) income, net	(139,137)	10,628	31,138
Total other expense, net	(479,051)	(352,183)	(286,863)
Loss before provision for income taxes	(166,595)	(15,660)	(57,218)
(Provision) benefit for income taxes	(9,061)	(8,635)	1,309
Net loss	$ (175,656)	$ (24,295)	$ (55,909)
Net loss per common share	$ (1.37)	$ (0.19)	$ (0.44)
Basic and diluted weighted average number of common shares	127,794	128,919	127,769

Consolidated Statements Of Comp

Consolidated Statements Of Comprehensive Loss - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Consolidated Statements Of Comprehensive Loss [Abstract]
Net loss	$ (175,656)	$ (24,295)	$ (55,909)
Foreign currency translation adjustments	(319,559)	(148,807)	(36,470)
Comprehensive loss	$ (495,215)	$ (173,102)	$ (92,379)

Consolidated Statements Of Shar

Consolidated Statements Of Shareholders' Equity (Deficit) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Common Stock [Member]Shares - Hedge [Member]Class A Common Stock [Member]	Common Stock [Member]Shares - Warrant [Member]Class A Common Stock [Member]	Common Stock [Member]Class A Common Stock [Member]	Additional Paid-In Capital [Member]Shares - Hedge [Member]	Additional Paid-In Capital [Member]Shares - Warrant [Member]	Additional Paid-In Capital [Member]	Accumulated Deficit [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income [Member]	Shares - Hedge [Member]	Shares - Warrant [Member]	Total
BALANCE, Amount at Dec. 31, 2012			$ 1,269			$ 3,111,107	$ (2,462,176)	$ 2,791			$ 652,991
BALANCE, Shares at Dec. 31, 2012			126,933,000
Net loss							(55,909)				(55,909)
Common stock issued in connection with stock purchase/option plans			$ 7			10,198					10,205
Common stock issued in connection with stock purchase/option plans, Shares			740,000
Non-cash stock compensation						17,422					17,422
Adjustment associated with the acquisition of noncontrolling interest						5,703					5,703
Settlement of convertible notes, Amount			$ 4			(321,925)					(321,921)
Settlement of convertible note hedges and common stock warrants, Amount		$ 4		$ 182,856	$ (97,915)				$ 182,856	$ (97,911)
Settlement of convertible note hedges and common stock warrants, Shares	(82,000)	402,000	439,000
Foreign currency translation adjustments								(36,470)			(36,470)
BALANCE, Amount at Dec. 31, 2013			$ 1,284			2,907,446	(2,518,085)	(33,679)			356,966
BALANCE, Shares at Dec. 31, 2013			128,432,000
Net loss							(24,295)				(24,295)
Common stock issued in connection with stock purchase/option plans			$ 7			7,741					7,748
Common stock issued in connection with stock purchase/option plans, Shares			696,000
Non-cash stock compensation						22,999					22,999
Settlement of convertible notes, Amount			$ 117			9,450					9,567
Settlement of convertible notes, Shares			11,742,000
Settlement of convertible note hedges and common stock warrants, Amount	$ (117)			$ 124	(884,985)				$ 7	(884,985)
Settlement of convertible note hedges and common stock warrants, Shares	(11,737,000)	1,000
Foreign currency translation adjustments								(148,807)			(148,807)
BALANCE, Amount at Dec. 31, 2014			$ 1,291			2,062,775	(2,542,380)	(182,486)			(660,800)
BALANCE, Shares at Dec. 31, 2014			129,134,000
Net loss							(175,656)				(175,656)
Common stock issued in connection with stock purchase/option plans			$ 6			21,604					21,610
Common stock issued in connection with stock purchase/option plans, Shares			591,000
Non-cash stock compensation						29,208					29,208
Settlement of convertible note hedges and common stock warrants, Amount					$ (150,874)					$ (150,874)
Repurchase and retirement of common stock, Amount			$ (40)				(450,033)				(450,073)
Repurchase and retirement of common stock, Shares			(3,982,000)
Foreign currency translation adjustments								(319,559)			(319,559)
BALANCE, Amount at Dec. 31, 2015			$ 1,257			$ 1,962,713	$ (3,168,069)	$ (502,045)			$ (1,706,144)
BALANCE, Shares at Dec. 31, 2015			125,743,000

Consolidated Statements Of Cash

Consolidated Statements Of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net loss	$ (175,656)	$ (24,295)	$ (55,909)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation, accretion, and amortization	660,021	627,072	533,334
Non-cash interest expense	1,505	27,112	49,085
Deferred income tax (benefit) expense	(5)	530	(6,642)
Non-cash asset impairment and decommission costs	89,406	18,384	23,819
Non-cash compensation expense	28,747	22,671	17,205
Amortization of deferred financing fees	19,154	17,572	15,560
Loss on remeasurement of U.S. denominated intercompany loan	178,854	22,965
Gain on sale of cost method investments	(38,326)	(12,461)
Other non-cash items reflected in the Statements of Operations	(4,892)	924	(23,681)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions:
AR and costs and est. earnings in excess of billings on uncompleted contracts, net	15,975	(36,245)	(29,097)
Prepaid expenses and other assets	(48,975)	(64,882)	(81,458)
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	7,366	5,475	7,711
Other liabilities	3,999	66,821	47,660
Net cash provided by operating activities	737,173	671,643	497,587
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Acquisitions	(609,530)	(1,585,222)	(677,379)
Capital expenditures	(208,707)	(211,251)	(168,893)
Proceeds from sale of cost method investments	89,728	20,889
Other investing activities	(6,012)	15,457	29,074
Net cash used in investing activities	(734,521)	(1,760,127)	(817,198)
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Borrowings under Revolving Credit Facility	770,000	700,000	340,000
Repayments under Revolving Credit Facility	(895,000)	(790,000)	(225,000)
Repayment of Term Loans	(190,000)	(310,500)	(512,000)
Proceeds from Term Loans, net of fees	489,884	1,483,337
Payments on settlement of convertible debt		(499,721)	(794,997)
Proceeds from settlement of convertible note hedges		7	182,855
Payments for settlement of common stock warrants	(150,874)	(884,985)	(97,912)
Payment for the redemption of 8.25% Notes		(253,805)
Proceeds from 4.875% Senior Notes, net of fees		732,325
Proceeds from issuance of Tower Securities	489,100	1,518,229	1,304,665
Repayments of 2010 Tower Securities		(680,000)
Repurchase and retirement of common stock, inclusive of fees	(450,073)
Other financing activities	25,900	(23,049)	13,226
Net cash provided by financing activities	88,937	991,838	210,837
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	(12,993)	13,977	(2,213)
NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS	78,596	(82,669)	(110,987)
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS:
Beginning of year	39,443	122,112	233,099
End of year	118,039	39,443	122,112
Cash paid during the period for:
Interest	322,396	278,359	244,123
Income taxes	9,431	7,525	6,645
SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION OF NON-CASH ACTIVITIES:
Assets acquired through capital leases	$ 2,627	1,290	1,239
Issuance of stock for settlement of convertible debt and warrants, net		$ 229	$ 18,159

Consolidated Statements Of Cas8

Consolidated Statements Of Cash Flows (Parenthetical)	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Jul. 01, 2014	Jul. 24, 2009
8.25% Senior Notes [Member]
Debt instrument stated percentage	8.25%			8.25%
4.875% Senior Notes [Member]
Debt instrument stated percentage	4.875%	4.875%	4.875%

General

General	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Basis Of Presentation [Abstract]
General	1. GENERAL SBA Communications Corporation (the “Company” or “SBAC”) was incorporated in the State of Florida in March 1997. The Company is a holding company that holds all of the outstanding capital stock of SBA Telecommunications, LLC (“Telecommunications”). Telecommunications is a holding company that holds the outstanding capital stock of SBA Senior Finance, LLC (“SBA Senior Finance”), and other operating subsidiaries which are not a party to any loan agreement. SBA Senior Finance is a holding company that holds, directly or indirectly, the equity interest in certain subsidiaries that issued the Tower Securities (see Note 12) and certain subsidiaries that were not involved in the issuance of the Tower Securities. With respect to the subsidiaries involved in the issuance of the Tower Securities, SBA Senior Finance is the sole member of SBA Holdings, LLC and SBA Depositor, LLC. SBA Holdings, LLC is the sole member of SBA Guarantor, LLC. SBA Guarantor, LLC directly or indirectly holds all of the capital stock of the companies referred to as the “Borrowers” under the Tower Securities. With respect to subsidiaries not involved in the issuance of the Tower Securities, SBA Senior Finance holds all of the membership interests in SBA Senior Finance II, LLC (“SBA Senior Finance II”) and certain non-operating subsidiaries. SBA Senior Finance II holds, directly or indirectly, all the capital stock of certain international subsidiaries and certain other tower companies (known as “Tower Companies”). SBA Senior Finance II also holds, directly or indirectly, all the capital stock and/or membership interests of certain other subsidiaries involved in providing services, including SBA Network Services, LLC (“Network Services”) as well as SBA Network Management, Inc. (“Network Management”) which manages and administers the operations of the Borrowers. As of December 31, 2015 , the Company owned and operated wireless towers in the United States and its territories. In addition, the Company owned towers in Brazil, Canada, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Nicaragua, and Panama. Space on these towers is leased primarily to wireless service providers. As of December 31, 2015 , the Company owned and operated 25,465 towers of which 15,778 are domestic and 9,687 are international.

Summary Of Significant Accounti

Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies	2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES A summary of the significant accounting policies applied in the preparation of the accompanying consolidated financial statements is as follows: Principles of Consolidation The consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”) and include the Company and its majority and wholly-owned subsidiaries. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. Use of Estimates The preparation of the consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. The significant estimates made by management relate to the allowance for doubtful accounts, the costs and revenue relating to the Company’s construction contracts, stock-based compensation assumptions, valuation allowance related to deferred tax assets, fair value of long-lived assets, the useful lives of towers and intangible assets, anticipated property tax assessments, fair value of investments and asset retirement obligations. Management develops estimates based on historical experience and on various assumptions about the future that are believed to be reasonable based on the information available. These estimates ultimately may differ from actual results and such differences could be material. Cash and Cash Equivalents Cash and cash equivalents consist primarily of cash in banks, money market funds, commercial paper and other marketable securities with an original maturity of three months or less at the time of purchase. These investments are carried at cost, which approximates fair value. Investments Investment securities with original maturities of more than three months but less than one year at time of purchase are considered short-term investments. The Company’s short-term investments primarily consist of certificates of deposit with maturities of less than a year. Investment securities with maturities of more than a year are considered long-term investments and are classified in other assets on the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets. Long-term investments primarily consist of U.S. Treasuries, mutual funds, and preferred securities. Gross purchases and sales of the Company’s investments are presented within “Cash flows from investing activities” on the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. During the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014 , the Company received proceeds related to the sale or maturity of investments of $89.7 million and $20.9 million, respectively, and recorded gains of $38.3 million and $12.5 million, respectively. The proceeds are reflected in Net cash used in investing activities on the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, and the related gain on sale or maturity is reflected in Other (expense) income, net in the accompanying Consolidated Statement of Operations. The aggregate carrying value of the Company’s investments was approximately $8.8 million and $49.6 million as of December 31, 2015 and 2014 , respectively, and is classified within other assets on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets. The Company accounts for its investments in privately held companies under the cost-method as it does not exert significant influence. The Company evaluates its cost-method investments for impairment at least annually. The Company determines the fair value of its cost-method investments by considering available evidence, including general market conditions, the investee’s financial condition, near-term prospects, market comparables and subsequent rounds of financing. The Company measures and records its cost-method investments at fair value when they are deemed to be other-than-temporarily impaired. The Company did not recognize any impairment loss associated with its cost-method investments during the years ended December 31, 2015 , 2014 , and 2013 . Restricted Cash The Company classifies all cash pledged as collateral to secure certain obligations and all cash whose use is limited as restricted cash. This includes cash held in escrow to fund certain reserve accounts relating to the Tower Securities as well as for payment and performance bonds and surety bonds issued for the benefit of the Company in the ordinary course of business (see Note 4). Property and Equipment Property and equipment are recorded at cost or at estimated fair value (in the case of acquired properties), adjusted for asset impairment and estimated asset retirement obligations. Costs for self-constructed towers include direct materials and labor, indirect costs and capitalized interest. Approximately $0.8 million, $0.3 million, and $0.1 million of interest cost was capitalized in 2015 , 2014 and 2013 , respectively. Depreciation on towers and related components is provided using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives, not to exceed the minimum lease term of the underlying ground lease. The Company defines the minimum lease term as the shorter of the period from lease inception through the end of the term of all tenant lease obligations in existence at ground lease inception, including renewal periods, or the ground lease term, including renewal periods. If no tenant lease obligation exists at the date of ground lease inception, the initial term of the ground lease is considered the minimum lease term. Leasehold improvements are amortized on a straight-line basis over the shorter of the useful life of the improvement or the minimum lease term of the lease. For all other property and equipment, depreciation is provided using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives. The Company performs ongoing evaluations of the estimated useful lives of its property and equipment for depreciation purposes. The estimated useful lives are determined and continually evaluated based on the period over which services are expected to be rendered by the asset. If the useful lives of assets are reduced, depreciation may be accelerated in future years. Property and equipment under capital leases are amortized on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease or the remaining estimated life of the leased property, whichever is shorter, and the related amortization is included in depreciation expense. Expenditures for maintenance and repair are expensed as incurred. Asset classes and related estimated useful lives are as follows: Towers and related components 3 - 15 years Furniture, equipment and vehicles 2 - 7 years Buildings and improvements 5 - 30 years Betterments, improvements, and significant repairs, which increase the value or extend the life of an asset, are capitalized and depreciated over the remaining estimated useful life of the respective asset. Changes in an asset’s estimated useful life are accounted for prospectively, with the book value of the asset at the time of the change being depreciated over the revised remaining useful life. There has been no material impact for changes in estimated useful lives for any years presented. Deferred Financing Fees Financing fees related to the issuance of debt have been deferred and are being amortized using the effective interest rate method over the expected duration of the related indebtedness (see Note 12). Deferred Lease Costs The Company defers certain initial direct costs associated with the origination of tenant leases and lease amendments and amortizes these costs over the initial lease term or over the lease term remaining if related to a lease amendment. Such deferred costs were approximately $10.9 million, $12.4 million, and $12.8 million in 2015 , 2014 , and 2013 , respectively. Amortization expense was $9.0 million, $6.8 million, and $5.5 million for the years ended December 31, 2015 , 2014 and 2013 , respectively, and is included in cost of site leasing on the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Operations. As of December 31, 2015 and 2014 , unamortized deferred lease costs were $30.6 million and $28.5 million, respectively, and are included in other assets on the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets. Intangible Assets The Company classifies as intangible assets the fair value of current leases in place at the acquisition date of towers and related assets (referred to as the “Current contract intangibles”), and the fair value of future tenant leases anticipated to be added to the acquired towers (referred to as the “Network location intangibles”). These intangibles are estimated to have a useful life consistent with the useful life of the related tower assets, which is typically 15 years. For all intangible assets, amortization is provided using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives as the benefit associated with these intangible assets is anticipated to be derived evenly over the life of the asset. Impairment of Long-Lived Assets The Company evaluates its individual long-lived and related assets with finite lives for indicators of impairment to determine when an impairment analysis should be performed. The Company evaluates its tower assets and Current contract intangibles at the tower level, which is the lowest level for which identifiable cash flows exists. The Company evaluates its Network location intangibles for impairment at the tower leasing business level whenever indicators of impairment are present. The Company has established a policy to at least annually evaluate its tower assets and Current contract intangibles for impairment. The Company records an impairment charge when the Company believes an investment in towers or related assets has been impaired, such that future undiscounted cash flows would not recover the then current carrying value of the investment in the tower and related intangible. If the future undiscounted cash flows are lower than the carrying value of the investment in the tower and related intangible, the Company calculates future discounted cash flows and compares those amounts to the carrying value. The Company records an impairment charge for any amounts lower than the carrying value. Estimates and assumptions inherent in the impairment evaluation include, but are not limited to, general market and economic conditions, historical operating results, geographic location, lease-up potential and expected timing of lease-up. In addition, the Company makes certain assumptions in determining an asset’s fair value for the purpose of calculating the amount of an impairment charge. The Company recognized impairment charges of $94.8 million, $23.8 million, and $29.0 million for the years ended December 31, 2015 , 2014 and 2013 , respectively. Refer to Note 3 for further detail of these amounts. Fair Value Measurements The Company determines the fair market values of its financial instruments based on the fair value hierarchy, which requires an entity to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value. The following three levels of inputs may be used to measure fair value: Level 1 Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the Company has the ability to access at the measurement date. Level 2 Observable inputs other than Level 1 prices, such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities; quoted prices in markets that are not active; or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the assets or liabilities. Level 3 Unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity and that are significant to the fair value of the assets or liabilities. Revenue Recognition Revenue from site leasing is recorded monthly and recognized on a straight-line basis over the current term of the related lease agreements, which are generally five to ten years. Receivables recorded related to the straight-lining of site leases are reflected in other assets on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Rental amounts received in advance are recorded as deferred revenue on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Site development projects in which the Company performs consulting services include contracts on a time and materials basis or a fixed price basis. Time and materials based contracts are billed at contractual rates and revenue is recognized as the services are rendered. For those site development contracts in which the Company performs work on a fixed price basis, site development billing (and revenue recognition) is based on the completion of agreed upon phases of the project on a per site basis. Upon the completion of each phase on a per site basis, the Company recognizes the revenue related to that phase. Site development projects generally take from 3 to 12 months to complete. Amounts billed in advance (collected or uncollected) are recorded as deferred revenue on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets. Revenue from construction projects is recognized on the percentage-of-completion method of accounting, determined by the percentage of cost incurred to date compared to management’s estimated total cost for each contract. This method is used because management considers total cost to be the best available measure of progress on the contracts. These amounts are based on estimates, and the uncertainty inherent in the estimates initially is reduced as work on the contracts nears completion. The asset “costs and estimated earnings in excess of billings on uncompleted contracts” represents costs incurred and revenues recognized in excess of amounts billed. The liability “billings in excess of costs and estimated earnings on uncompleted contracts,” included within other current liabilities on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets, represents billings in excess of costs incurred and revenues recognized. Provisions for estimated losses on uncompleted contracts are made in the period in which such losses are determined to be probable. Allowance for Doubtful Accounts The Company performs periodic credit evaluations of its customers. The Company monitors collections and payments from its customers and maintains a provision for estimated credit losses based upon historical experience, specific customer collection issues identified, and past due balances as determined based on contractual terms. Interest is charged on outstanding receivables from customers on a case by case basis in accordance with the terms of the respective contracts or agreements with those customers. Amounts determined to be uncollectible are written off against the allowance for doubtful accounts in the period in which uncollectibility is determined to be probable. The following is a rollforward of the allowance for doubtful accounts: For the year ended December 31, 2015 2014 2013 (in thousands) Beginning balance $ 889 $ 686 $ 246 Provision for doubtful accounts 864 338 770 Write-offs, net of recoveries (72) (135) (330) Ending balance $ 1,681 $ 889 $ 686 Cost of Revenue Cost of site leasing revenue includes ground lease rent, property taxes, amortization of deferred lease costs, maintenance and other tower operating expenses. All ground lease rental obligations due to be paid out over the lease term, including fixed escalations, are recorded on a straight-line basis over the minimum lease term. Liabilities recorded related to the straight-lining of ground leases are reflected in other long-term liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Cost of site development revenue includes the cost of materials, salaries and labor costs, including payroll taxes, subcontract labor, vehicle expense and other costs directly and indirectly related to the projects. All costs related to site development projects are recognized as incurred. Income Taxes The Company recognizes deferred tax assets and liabilities for the estimated future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial reporting and tax bases of existing assets and liabilities. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using tax rates in effect for the year in which the temporary differences are expected to reverse. A valuation allowance is recorded to reduce the carrying amounts of deferred tax assets if it is "more-likely-than-not" that those assets will not be realized. The Company considers many factors when assessing the likelihood of future realization, including the Company's recent cumulative earnings experience by taxing jurisdiction, expectations of future taxable income, prudent and feasible tax planning strategies that are available, the carryforward periods available to the Company for tax reporting purposes and other relevant factors. The Company had taxable income for the year ended December 31, 2015 and 2014 and utilized net operating loss carry-forwards. For the year ended December 31, 2013 , the Company had taxable losses and generated a net operating loss which was carried forward for use in future years. The majority of these net operating loss carry-forwards are fully reserved by a valuation allowance. The U.S. tax losses generated in tax years 1999 through 2013 remain subject to adjustment and tax years 2012 through 2014 are open to examination by the major jurisdictions in which the Company operates. The Company records a liability for unrecognized tax benefits resulting from uncertain tax positions taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. The Company has not identified any tax exposures that require a reserve. To the extent that the Company records unrecognized tax exposures, any related interest and penalties will be recognized as interest expense in the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Operations. The Company does not calculate U.S. taxes on undistributed earnings of foreign subsidiaries because substantially all such earnings are expected to be reinvested indefinitely. Stock-Based Compensation The Company measures and recognizes compensation expense for all share-based payment awards made to employees and directors, including stock options, restricted stock units and employee stock purchases under employee stock purchase plans. The Company records compensation expense, net of estimated forfeitures, for stock options and restricted stock units on a straight-line basis over the vesting period. Compensation expense for employee stock options is based on the estimated fair value of the options on the date of the grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model. Any stock options granted to non-employees would be valued using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model based on the market price of the underlying common stock on the “valuation date,” which for options to non-employees is the vesting date. Expense related to options granted to non-employees would be recognized on a straight-line basis over the shorter of the period over which services are to be received or the vesting period. Compensation expense for restricted stock units is based on the fair market value of the units awarded at the date of the grant. Asset Retirement Obligations The Company has entered into ground leases for the land underlying the majority of the Company’s towers. A majority of these leases require the Company to restore land interests to their original condition upon termination of the ground lease. The Company recognizes asset retirement obligations in the period in which they are incurred, if a reasonable estimate of a fair value can be made, and accretes such liability through the obligation’s estimated settlement date. The associated asset retirement costs are capitalized as part of the carrying amount of the related tower fixed assets, and over time, the liability is accreted to its present value each period and the capitalized cost is depreciated over the estimated useful life of the tower. The asset retirement obligation is included in other long-term liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Upon settlement of the obligations, any difference between the cost to retire an asset and the recorded liability is recorded in the Consolidated Statements of Operations as a gain or loss. In determining the measurement of the asset retirement obligations, the Company considered the nature and scope of the contractual restoration obligations contained in the Company’s third party ground leases, the historical retirement experience as an indicator of future restoration probabilities, intent in renewing existing ground leases through lease termination dates, current and future value and timing of estimated restoration costs and the credit adjusted risk-free rate used to discount future obligations. The following summarizes the activity of the asset retirement obligation liability: For the year ended December 31, 2015 2014 2013 (in thousands) Beginning balance $ 5,856 $ 5,312 $ 7,506 Additions 781 599 597 Currency translation adjustment (57) (161) (42) Accretion expense 373 446 512 Removal (50) (188) (407) Revision in estimates (594) (152) (2,854) Ending balance $ 6,309 $ 5,856 $ 5,312 Loss Per Share The Company has potential common stock equivalents related to its outstanding stock options and until October 2014, its convertible senior notes. These potential common stock equivalents, including 3.8 million shares of stock options outstanding and 0.3 million shares of restricted stock outstanding , were not included in diluted loss per share for the year ended December 31, 2015 , because the effect would have been anti-dilutive in calculating the full year earnings per share. Accordingly, basic and diluted loss per common share and the weighted average number of shares used in the computations are the same for all periods presented in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. Comprehensive Income (Loss) Comprehensive income (loss) is defined as the change in equity (net assets) of a business enterprise during a period from transactions and other events and circumstances from non-owner sources, and is comprised of net income (loss) and other foreign currency adjustments. Foreign Currency Translation The functional currency for the Company’s Central American subsidiaries is the U.S. dollar. Monetary assets and liabilities of such subsidiaries which are not denominated in U.S. dollars are remeasured at exchange rates in effect at the balance sheet date, and revenues and expenses are remeasured at monthly average rates prevailing during the year. Unrealized translation gains and losses are reported as other income/expense in the Consolidated Statement of Operations. All assets and liabilities of foreign subsidiaries that do not utilize the U.S. dollar as its functional currency are translated at period-end rates of exchange, while revenues and expenses are translated at monthly average rates of exchange prevailing during the year. Unrealized translation gains and losses are reported as foreign currency translation adjustments through accumulated other comprehensive loss in shareholders’ deficit. Business Combinations The Company accounts for business combinations under the acquisition method of accounting. The assets and liabilities acquired are recorded at fair market value at the date of each acquisition and the results of operations of the acquired assets are included with those of the Company from the dates of the respective acquisitions. The Company continues to evaluate all acquisitions for a period not to exceed one year after the applicable closing date of each transaction to determine whether any additional adjustments are needed to the allocation of the purchase price paid for the assets acquired and liabilities assumed as a result of information available at the acquisition date. The intangible assets represent the value associated with the current leases at the acquisition date (“Current contract intangibles”) and future tenant leases anticipated to be added to the towers (“Network location intangibles”) and were calculated using the discounted values of the current or future expected cash flows. The intangible assets are estimated to have a useful life consistent with the useful life of the related tower assets, which is typically 15 years. In connection with certain acquisitions, the Company may agree to pay contingent consideration (or earnouts) in cash or stock if the communication sites or businesses that are acquired meet or exceed certain performance targets over a period of one to three years after they have been acquired. The Company accrues for contingent consideration in connection with acquisitions at fair value as of the date of the acquisition. All subsequent changes in fair value of contingent consideration payable in cash are recorded through Consolidated Statements of Operations. Intercompany Loans On November 25, 2014, two wholly owned subsidiaries of the Company, Brazil Shareholder I, LLC, a Florida limited liability company, and SBA Torres Brasil, Limitada, a limitada existing under the laws of the Republic of Brazil, entered into an intercompany loan agreement where from time to time the entities may agree to lend/borrow amounts up to $750.0 million. As of December 31, 2015, the outstanding balance under this agreement was $455.8 million. In accordance with ASC 830, the Company remeasures foreign denominated intercompany loans with the corresponding change in the balance being recorded in Other income (expenses), net in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. For the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014 , the Company recorded $178.9 million and $23.0 million, respectively, of foreign exchange losses on the remeasurement of intercompany loans. Recent Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") released updated guidance regarding the recognition of revenue from contracts with customers, exclusive of those contracts within lease accounting. The core principle of the guidance is that an entity should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. To achieve that core principle, an entity should apply the following steps: (1) identify the contracts with the customer; (2) identify the performance obligations in the contract; (3) determine the contract price; (4) allocate the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract; and (5) recognize revenue when (or as) the entity satisfies a performance obligation. The new guidance is effective for annual reporting periods (including interim periods within those periods) beginning after December 15, 2017 for public companies. Under the proposal, the standard would be required to be adopted by public business entities in annual periods beginning on or after December 15, 2017. Early adoption is permitted but not before interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016. This guidance is required to be applied (1) retrospectively to each prior reporting period presented, or (2) with the cumulative effect being recognized at the date of initial application. The Company is evaluating the guidance including the impact on its consolidated financial statements. In April 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-03, Interest—Imputation of Interest. The standard requires debt issuance costs to be presented on the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the related debt liability rather than as an asset. Once adopted, entities are required to apply the new guidance retrospectively to all prior periods presented. ASU 2015-03 is effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2015 and early application is permitted. The Company has not elected to early adopt the standard. In August 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-15, Interest - Imputation of Interest - Presentation and Subsequent Measurement of Debt Issuance Costs Associated with Line-of-Credit Arrangements. The standard indicates the SEC staff would not object to presenting deferred debt issuance costs for a line of credit arrangement as an asset in the balance sheet. ASU 2015-15 is effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2015 and early application is permitted. The Company has not elected to early adopt the standard. In September 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-16 , Business Combinations. The standard requires that the acquirer (1) recognize adjustments to provisional amounts that are identified during the measurement period in the reporting period in which the adjustment amounts are determined, (2) record, in the same period’s financial statements, the effect on earnings of changes in depreciation, amortization, or other income effects, if any, as a result of the change to the provisional amounts, calculated as if the accounting had been completed at the acquisition date, and (3) to present separately on the face of the income statement or disclose in the notes the portion of the amount recorded in current-period earnings by line item that would have been recorded in previous reporting periods if the adjustment to the provisional amounts had been recognized as of the acquisition date. ASU 2015-16 is effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2015 and early application is permitted. The Company has not elected to early adopt the standard. In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases. The standard amends the existing accounting standards for lease accounting, including requiring lessees to recognize most leases on their balance sheets and making targeted changes to lessor accounting. This standard requires a modified retrospective transition approach for all leases existing at, or entered into after, the date of initial application, with an option to use certain transition relief. ASU 2016-02 is effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2018 and early adoption is permitted. The Company is evaluating the guidance including the impact on its consolidated financial statements.

Fair Value Measurements

Fair Value Measurements	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Fair Value Measurements [Abstract]
Fair Value Measurements	3. FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS Items Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis — The Company’s earnout liabilities related to acquisitions are measured at fair value on a recurring basis using Level 3 inputs and are recorded in Accrued expenses in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets. Changes in estimate are recorded in Acquisition related adjustments and expenses in the accompanying Consolidated Statement of Operations. The Company determines the fair value of acquisition-related earnouts (contingent consideration) and any subsequent changes in fair value using a discounted probability-weighted approach using Level 3 inputs. Level 3 valuations rely on unobservable inputs for the asset or liability, and include situations where there is little, if any, market activity for the asset or liability. The fair value of the earnouts is reviewed quarterly and is based on the payments the Company expects to make based on historical internal observations related to the anticipated performance of the underlying assets. The Company’s estimate of the fair value of its obligation contained in various acquisitions was $7.2 million and $15.1 million as of December 31, 2015 and 2014 , respectively. The maximum potential obligation related to the performance targets was $10.2 million and $23.1 million as of December 31, 2015 and 2014 , respectively. The following summarizes the activity of the accrued earnouts: For the year ended December 31, 2015 2014 2013 (in thousands) Beginning balance $ 15,086 $ 30,063 $ 9,840 Additions 3,295 11,048 31,704 Payments (4,094) (18,724) (9,324) Change in estimate (6,468) (7,310) (1,585) Foreign currency translation adjustments (589) 9 (572) Ending balance $ 7,230 $ 15,086 $ 30,063 Items Measured at Fair Value on a Nonrecurring Basis — The Company’s long-lived assets, intangibles, and asset retirement obligations are measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis using Level 3 inputs. The Company considers many factors and makes certain assumptions when making this assessment, including but not limited to: general market and economic conditions, historical operating results, geographic location, lease-up potential and expected timing of lease-up. The fair value of the long-lived assets, intangibles, and asset retirement obligations is calculated using a discounted cash flow model. During the years ended December 31, 2015 , 2014 , and 2013 , the Company recognized impairment charges of $94.8 million, $23.8 million, and $29.0 million, respectively. The impairment charges include the write off of $31.6 million, $18.4 million, and $23.5 million in carrying value of decommissioned towers for the years ended December 31, 2015 , 2014 , and 2013 , respectively , a $56.7 million impairment charge recorded in the third quarter of 2015 related to fiber assets acquired in the 2012 Mobilitie transaction, $1.2 million in exit costs related to the Company’s former corporate headquarters building during 2015, and $5.3 million, $5.4 million, and $5.5 million of other third party decommission costs incurred related to the Company’s long-lived assets and intangibles for the years ended December 31, 2015 , 2014 , and 2013 , respectively. The impairment review of the fiber assets was triggered by a strategic decision made by the Company during the third quarter. The undiscounted cash flows were not sufficient to recover the carrying amount of the assets and thus a discounted cash flow valuation was used to determine the fair value. Key assumptions used in the valuation include forecasts of revenue and expenses over an extended period of time, and estimated costs of debt and equity capital to discount the projected cash flows. Certain of these assumptions involve significant judgment, are based on management’s estimate of current and forecasted market conditions and are sensitive and susceptible to change. The write offs result from the Company’s analysis that the future cash flows from certain towers would not recover the carrying value of the investment in those towers . Asset impairment and decommission costs for all periods presented and the related impaired assets relate to the Company’s site leasing operating segment. Fair Value of Financial Instruments — The carrying values of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, restricted cash, accounts payable, and short-term investments approximate their estimated fair values due to the short maturity of these instruments. Short-term investments consisted of $0.5 million and $5.3 million in certificate of deposits as of December 31, 2015 and 2014 , respectively, and $0.2 million in Treasury securities as of December 31, 2015 and 2014 . The Company’s estimate of the fair value of its held-to-maturity investments in treasury and corporate bonds, including current portion, are based primarily upon Level 1 reported market values. As of December 31, 2015 , the carrying value and fair value of the held-to-maturity investments, including current portion, were $0.8 million and $0.9 million, respectively. As of December 31, 2014 , the carrying value and fair value of the held-to-maturity investments, including current portion, was $1.0 million and $1.1 million, respectively. These amounts are recorded in Other Assets in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets. The Company determines fair value of its debt instruments utilizing various Level 2 sources including quoted prices and indicative quotes (non-binding quotes) from brokers that require judgment to interpret market information including implied credit spreads for similar borrowings on recent trades or bid/ask prices. The fair value of the Revolving Credit Facility is considered to approximate the carrying value because the interest payments are based on Eurodollar rates that reset every month. The Company does not believe its credit risk has changed materially from the date the applicable Eurodollar Rate plus 137.5 to 200.0 basis points was set for the Revolving Credit Facility. Refer to Note 12 for the fair values, principal balances, and carrying values of the Company’s debt instruments.

Restricted Cash

Restricted Cash	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Restricted Cash [Abstract]
Restricted Cash	4. RESTRICTED CASH Restricted cash consists of the following: As of As of December 31, 2015 December 31, 2014 Included on Balance Sheet (in thousands) Securitization escrow accounts $ 25,135 $ 52,117 Restricted cash - current asset Payment and performance bonds 218 402 Restricted cash - current asset Surety bonds and workers compensation 3,227 5,934 Other assets - noncurrent Total restricted cash $ 28,580 $ 58,453 Pursuant to the terms of the Tower Securities (see Note 12), the Company is required to establish a securitization escrow account, held by the indenture trustee, into which all rents and other sums due on the towers that secure the Tower Securities are directly deposited by the lessees. These restricted cash amounts are used to fund reserve accounts for the payment of (1) debt service costs, (2) ground rents, real estate and personal property taxes and insurance premiums related to towers, (3) trustee and servicing expenses, and (4) management fees. The restricted cash in the securitization escrow account in excess of required reserve balances is subsequently released to the Borrowers (as defined in Note 12) monthly, provided that the Borrowers are in compliance with their debt service coverage ratio and that no event of default has occurred. All monies held by the indenture trustee are classified as restricted cash on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets. Payment and performance bonds relate primarily to collateral requirements for tower construction currently in process by the Company. Cash is pledged as collateral related to surety bonds issued for the benefit of the Company or its affiliates in the ordinary course of business and primarily related to the Company’s tower removal obligations. As of December 31, 2015 , the Company had $38.6 million in surety, payment and performance bonds for which it is only required to post $0.7 million in collateral. As of December 31, 2014 , the Company had $38.3 million in surety, payment and performance bonds for which it is only required to post $1.7 million in collateral. The Company periodically evaluates the collateral posted for its bonds to ensure that it meets the minimum requirements. As of December 31, 2015 and 2014 , the Company had also pledged $2.5 million and $2.6 million, respectively, as collateral related to its workers compensation policy. Restricted cash for surety bonds and workers compensation are included in other assets on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Other Assets

Other Assets	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Other Assets [Abstract]
Other Assets	5. OTHER ASSETS The Company’s other assets are comprised of the following: As of As of December 31, 2015 December 31, 2014 (in thousands) Long-term investments $ 8,140 $ 44,095 Prepaid land rent 158,176 134,148 Straight-line rent receivable 267,682 230,384 Deferred lease costs, net 30,577 28,517 Other 32,762 29,899 Total other assets $ 497,337 $ 467,043

Acquisitions

Acquisitions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Acquisitions [Abstract]
Acquisitions	6. ACQUISITIONS The following table summarizes the Company’s acquisition activity: For the year ended December 31, 2015 2014 2013 Tower acquisitions (number of towers) 893 4,030 2,502 The following table summarizes the Company’s cash acquisition capital expenditures: For the year ended December 31, 2015 2014 2013 (in thousands) Towers and related intangible assets (1) $ 525,802 $ 1,540,258 $ 628,423 Land buyouts (2) 83,728 44,964 48,956 Total cash acquisition capital expenditures $ 609,530 $ 1,585,222 $ 677,379 (1) Total acquisition capital expenditures for the year ended December 31, 2013, included $175.9 million related to an acquisition in Brazil which closed in the fourth quarter of 2012 and funded on January 4, 2013. (2) In addition, the Company paid $16.3 million, $10.8 million, and $9.1 million for ground lease extensions during the years ending 2015 , 2014 , and 2013 , respectively. The Company recorded these amounts in prepaid rent on its Consolidated Balance Sheet. During the year ended December 31, 2015 , the Company acquired 893 completed towers and related assets and liabilities for $525.8 million in cash consisting of $176.3 million of property and equipment , $351.0 million of intangible assets , and $1.5 million of working capital adjustments . On March 31, 2014, the Company acquired 2,007 towers in Brazil from Oi S.A. for an aggregate purchase price of $673.9 million in cash. The fair value of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed relating to the Oi S.A. acquisition is summarized below (in thousands): Property and equipment $ 86,787 Intangible assets 587,111 Net assets acquired $ 673,898 For the year ended December 31, 2014, total revenue for this acquisition was $60.7 million. On December 1, 2014, the Company acquired 1,641 towers in Brazil from Oi S.A. for an aggregate purchase price of $463.2 million in cash. The fair value of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed relating to the Oi S.A. acquisition is summarized below (in thousands): Property and equipment $ 99,810 Intangible assets 363,352 Net assets acquired $ 463,162 For the year ended December 31, 2014, total revenue for this acquisition was $4.8 million. During the year ended December 31, 2014 , in addition to the Oi S.A. acquisitions, the Company acquired 382 completed towers and related assets and liabilities for $403.2 million in cash. On November 26, 2013, the Company acquired the rights to use 2,113 towers in Brazil from Oi S.A. for an aggregate purchase price of $317.0 million . During the year ended December 31, 2013, in addition to the Oi S.A. acquisition, the Company acquired 389 completed towers and related assets and liabilities for $311.4 million in cash . The Company evaluates all acquisitions after the applicable closing date of each transaction to determine whether any additional adjustments are needed to the allocation of the purchase price paid for the assets acquired and liabilities assumed by major balance sheet caption, as well as the separate recognition of intangible assets from goodwill if certain criteria are met. The estimates of the fair value of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed at the date of an acquisition are subject to adjustment during the measurement period (up to one year from the particular acquisition date). The primary areas of the preliminary purchase price allocations that are not yet finalized relate to the fair value of certain tangible and intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed, including contingent consideration and any related tax impact. The fair values of these net assets acquired are based on management’s estimates and assumptions, as well as other information compiled by management, including valuations that utilize customary valuation procedures and techniques. During the measurement period, the Company will adjust assets and/or liabilities if new information is obtained about facts and circumstances that existed as of the acquisition date that, if known, would have resulted in a revised estimated value of those assets and/or liabilities as of that date. The effect of material measurement period adjustments to the estimated fair values is reflected as if the adjustments had been completed on the acquisition date. The impact of all changes that do not qualify as measurement period adjustments are included in current period earnings. If the actual results differ from the estimates and judgments used in these fair values, the amounts recorded in the consolidated financial statements could be subject to a possible impairment of the intangible assets, or require acceleration of the amortization expense of intangible assets in subsequent periods. Subsequent to December 31, 2015 , the Company acquired 102 towers and related assets for $62.5 million in cash. Foreign Currency Forward Contract On March 26, 2014, the Company settled two foreign currency contracts entered into during the quarter with an aggregate notional amount of R$ 1,525.0 million in order to hedge the purchase price of the Oi S.A. acquisition in Brazil, which closed on March 31, 2014. The Company realized a gain of $17.9 million related to these foreign currency forward contracts which is included in other income in the accompanying Consolidated Statement of Operations and Net cash used in investing activities on the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. On September 29, 2014, the Company executed put and call option contracts settling on November 25, 2014 which created a “costless collar” based on the cost to purchase $1.17 billion Brazilian Reais with US Dollars. The options were intended to limit exposure to movements in the related exchange rates and were entered into in contemplation of the purchase of the Oi S.A. acquisition that closed on December 1, 2014. These options created a floor price for the purchase of Brazilian Reais of 2.4 and a ceiling price of 2.5665 . Since the closing price was within the floor and ceiling price, no gain or loss was realized. The Company measures its foreign currency forward contracts, which are recorded in Prepaid and other current assets, at fair value based on indicative prices in active markets (Level 2 inputs). These contracts do not qualify for hedge accounting and as such any gains and losses are reflected within Other Income, net in the accompanying Consolidated Statement of Operations. As of December 31, 2015, the Company does not have any pending forward contracts.

Intangible Assets, Net

Intangible Assets, Net	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Intangible Assets, Net [Abstract]
Intangible Assets, Net	7. INTANGIBLE ASSETS, NET The following table provides the gross and net carrying amounts for each major class of intangible assets: As of December 31, 2015 As of December 31, 2014 Gross carrying Accumulated Net book Gross carrying Accumulated Net book amount amortization value amount amortization value (in thousands) Current contract intangibles $ 3,904,864 $ (1,118,493) $ 2,786,371 $ 4,090,129 $ (891,374) $ 3,198,755 Network location intangibles 1,446,293 (497,251) 949,042 1,402,704 (411,919) 990,785 Intangible assets, net $ 5,351,157 $ (1,615,744) $ 3,735,413 $ 5,492,833 $ (1,303,293) $ 4,189,540 All intangible assets noted above are included in the Company’s site leasing segment. The Company amortizes its intangible assets using the straight-line method over 15 years. Amortization expense relating to the intangible assets above was $363.1 million, $338.4 million, and $266.6 million for the years ended December 31, 2015 , 2014 and 2013 , respectively. Estimated amortization expense on the Company’s intangibles assets is as follows: For the year ended December 31, (in thousands) 2016 $ 357,963 2017 355,914 2018 355,811 2019 355,467 2020 354,620

Property And Equipment, Net

Property And Equipment, Net	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Property And Equipment, Net [Abstract]
Property And Equipment, Net	8. PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, NET Property and equipment, net (including assets held under capital leases) consists of the following: As of As of December 31, 2015 December 31, 2014 (in thousands) Towers and related components $ 4,370,664 $ 4,194,375 Construction-in-process 32,730 35,855 Furniture, equipment, and vehicles 48,018 51,832 Land, buildings, and improvements 524,847 426,974 Total property and equipment 4,976,259 4,709,036 Less: accumulated depreciation (2,193,906) (1,946,619) Property and equipment, net $ 2,782,353 $ 2,762,417 Construction-in-process represents costs incurred related to towers that are under development and will be used in the Company’s operations. Depreciation expense was $296.5 million, $287.8 million, and $266.1 million for the years ended December 31, 2015 , 2014 , and 2013 , respectively. At December 31, 2015 and 2014 , non-cash capital expenditures that are included in accounts payable and accrued expenses were $9.5 million and $29.0 million, respectively.

Costs And Estimated Earnings On

Costs And Estimated Earnings On Uncompleted Contracts	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Costs And Estimated Earnings On Uncompleted Contracts [Abstract]
Costs And Estimated Earnings On Uncompleted Contracts	9. COSTS AND ESTIMATED EARNINGS ON UNCOMPLETED CONTRACTS Costs and estimated earnings on uncompleted contracts consist of the following: As of As of December 31, 2015 December 31, 2014 (in thousands) Costs incurred on uncompleted contracts $ 78,849 $ 113,654 Estimated earnings 29,333 48,949 Billings to date (95,055) (143,323) $ 13,127 $ 19,280 These amounts are included in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets under the following captions: As of As of December 31, 2015 December 31, 2014 (in thousands) Costs and estimated earnings in excess of billings on uncompleted contracts $ 16,934 $ 30,078 Billings in excess of costs and estimated earnings on uncompleted contracts (included in Other current liabilities) (3,807) (10,798) $ 13,127 $ 19,280 At December 31, 2015 , eight significant customers comprised 95.9% of the costs and estimated earnings in excess of billings on uncompleted contracts, net of billings in excess of costs and estimated earnings, while at December 31, 2014 , eight significant customers comprised 92.7% of the costs and estimated earnings in excess of billings on uncompleted contracts, net of billings in excess of costs and estimated earnings.

Concentration Of Credit Risk

Concentration Of Credit Risk	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Concentration Of Credit Risk [Abstract]
Concentration of Credit Risk	10. CONCENTRATION OF CREDIT RISK The Company’s credit risks consist primarily of accounts receivable with national, regional, and local wireless service providers and federal and state government agencies. The Company performs periodic credit evaluations of its customers’ financial condition and provides allowances for doubtful accounts, as required, based upon factors surrounding the credit risk of specific customers, historical trends, and other information. The Company generally does not require collateral. The following is a list of significant customers (representing at least 10% of revenue for any period reported) and the percentage of total revenue for the specified time periods derived from such customers: For the year ended December 31, Percentage of Total Revenues 2015 2014 2013 AT&T Wireless (1) 24.2% 23.0% 20.5% Sprint 19.6% 23.4% 25.0% T-Mobile 16.0% 15.5% 17.3% Verizon Wireless 13.8% 12.0% 11.3% The Company’s site leasing and site development segments derive revenue from these customers. Client percentages of total revenue in each of the segments are as follows: For the year ended December 31, Percentage of Domestic Site Leasing Revenue 2015 2014 2013 AT&T Wireless (1) 31.9% 30.1% 25.5% Sprint 22.3% 25.6% 30.9% T-Mobile 19.0% 19.2% 20.2% Verizon Wireless 16.3% 14.4% 13.3% For the year ended December 31, Percentage of International Site Leasing Revenue 2015 2014 2013 Oi S.A. 48.8% 44.3% 6.3% Telefonica 24.7% 28.8% 44.2% Digicel 4.6% 4.9% 11.2% For the year ended December 31, Percentage of Site Development Revenue 2015 2014 2013 Sprint 28.5% 36.7% 1.5% T-Mobile 17.6% 8.5% 8.4% Ericsson, Inc. 15.3% 16.8% 34.5% Verizon Wireless 14.8% 10.1% 4.8% (1) Prior year amounts have been adjusted to reflect the merger of AT&T Wireless and Leap Wireless (Cricket Wireless). Five significant customers comprised 62.1% of total gross accounts receivable at December 31, 2015 compared to five significant customers which comprised 63.5% of total gross accounts receivable at December 31, 2014 .

Accrued Expenses

Accrued Expenses	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Accrued Expenses [Abstract]
Accrued Expenses	11. ACCRUED EXPENSES The Company’s accrued expenses are comprised of the following: As of As of December 31, 2015 December 31, 2014 (in thousands) Accrued earnouts $ 7,230 $ 15,086 Salaries and benefits 14,253 13,440 Real estate and property taxes 7,899 5,331 Other 34,373 31,696 Total accrued expenses $ 63,755 $ 65,553

Debt

Debt	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Debt [Abstract]
Debt	12. DEBT The carrying and principal values of debt consist of the following (in thousands): As of As of December 31, 2015 December 31, 2014 Maturity Date Principal Balance Fair Value Carrying Value Principal Balance Fair Value Carrying Value 5.625% Senior Notes Oct. 1, 2019 $ 500,000 $ 521,250 $ 500,000 $ 500,000 $ 511,250 $ 500,000 5.750% Senior Notes July 15, 2020 800,000 832,000 800,000 800,000 816,000 800,000 4.875% Senior Notes July 15, 2022 750,000 744,375 744,806 750,000 721,875 744,150 2010 -2C Tower Securities April 11, 2017 550,000 558,223 550,000 550,000 576,901 550,000 2012 -1C Tower Securities Dec. 11, 2017 610,000 611,879 610,000 610,000 620,175 610,000 2013 -1C Tower Securities April 10, 2018 425,000 416,959 425,000 425,000 420,776 425,000 2013 -2C Tower Securities April 11, 2023 575,000 565,541 575,000 575,000 584,344 575,000 2013 -1D Tower Securities April 10, 2018 330,000 332,676 330,000 330,000 330,551 330,000 2014 -1C Tower Securities Oct. 8, 2019 920,000 910,368 920,000 920,000 920,515 920,000 2014 -2C Tower Securities Oct. 8, 2024 620,000 608,084 620,000 620,000 629,474 620,000 2015-1C Tower Securities Oct. 8, 2020 500,000 489,680 500,000 — — — Revolving Credit Facility Feb. 5, 2020 — — — 125,000 125,000 125,000 2012-1 Term Loan May 9, 2017 — — — 172,500 171,422 172,500 2014 Term Loan Mar. 24, 2021 1,477,500 1,447,950 1,474,641 1,492,500 1,458,919 1,489,149 2015 Term Loan June 10, 2022 497,500 486,306 492,858 — — — Total debt $ 8,555,000 $ 8,525,291 $ 8,542,305 $ 7,870,000 $ 7,887,202 $ 7,860,799 Less: current maturities of long-term debt (20,000) (32,500) Total long-term debt, net of current maturities $ 8,522,305 $ 7,828,299 The Company’s future principal payment obligations (based on the outstanding debt as of December 31, 2015 and assuming the Tower Securities are repaid at their respective anticipated repayment dates) are as follows: For the year ended December 31, (in thousands) 2016 $ 20,000 2017 1,180,000 2018 775,000 2019 1,440,000 2020 1,320,000 The table below reflects cash and non-cash interest expense amounts recognized by debt instrument for the years ended December 31, 2015 , 2014 , and 2013 , respectively: For the year ended December 31, 2015 2014 2013 Cash Non-cash Cash Non-cash Cash Non-cash Interest Interest Interest Interest Interest Interest (in thousands) 1.875% Convertible Senior Notes $ — $ — $ — $ — $ 2,670 $ 10,434 4.0% Convertible Senior Notes — — 12,520 26,266 19,998 38,307 8.25% Senior Notes — — 12,513 121 20,109 182 5.625% Senior Notes 28,125 — 28,125 — 28,125 — 5.75% Senior Notes 46,000 — 46,000 — 46,000 — 4.875% Senior Notes 36,563 655 18,281 315 — — 2010 Tower Securities 28,230 — 51,237 — 57,383 — 2012 Tower Securities 18,111 — 18,085 — 18,085 — 2013 Tower Securities 43,217 — 43,217 — 30,392 — 2014 Tower Securities 51,138 — 10,796 — — — 2015 Tower Securities 3,453 — — — — — Revolving Credit Facility 5,552 — 4,591 — 4,515 — 2011 Term Loan — — 696 7 10,533 101 2012-1 Term Loan 3,959 — 4,534 — 4,557 — 2012-2 Term Loan — — 424 4 6,416 61 2014 Term Loan 48,992 492 41,338 399 — — 2015 Term Loan 9,243 358 — — — — Other (217) — 243 — 268 — Total $ 322,366 $ 1,505 $ 292,600 $ 27,112 $ 249,051 $ 49,085 Senior Credit Agreement On February 7, 2014, SBA Senior Finance II entered into a Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement with several banks and other financial institutions or entities from time to time parties to the Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement to, among other things, incur the 2014 Term Loan and amend certain terms of the existing senior credit agreement (as amended, the “Senior Credit Agreement”). Terms of the Senior Credit Agreement The Senior Credit Agreement, as amended, requires SBA Senior Finance II to maintain specific financial ratios, including (1) a ratio of Consolidated Total Debt to Annualized Borrower EBITDA not to exceed 6.5 times for any fiscal quarter, (2) a ratio of Consolidated Total Debt and Net Hedge Exposure (calculated in accordance with the Senior Credit Agreement) to Annualized Borrower EBITDA for the most recently ended fiscal quarter not to exceed 6.5 times for 30 consecutive days and (3) a ratio of Annualized Borrower EBITDA to Annualized Cash Interest Expense (calculated in accordance with the Senior Credit Agreement) of not less than 2.0 times for any fiscal quarter. The Senior Credit Agreement contains customary affirmative and negative covenants that, among other things, limit the ability of SBA Senior Finance II and its subsidiaries to incur indebtedness, grant certain liens, make certain investments, enter into sale leaseback transactions, merge or consolidate, make certain restricted payments, enter into transactions with affiliates, and engage in certain asset dispositions, including a sale of all or substantially all of their property. As of December 31, 2015 , SBA Senior Finance II was in compliance with the financial covenants contained in the Senior Credit Agreement. The Senior Credit Agreement is also subject to customary events of default. Pursuant to the Second Amended and Restated Guarantee and Collateral Agreement, amounts borrowed under the Revolving Credit Facility, the Term Loans and certain hedging transactions that may be entered into by SBA Senior Finance II or the Subsidiary Guarantors (as defined in the Senior Credit Agreement) with lenders or their affiliates are secured by a first lien on the membership interests of SBA Telecommunications, LLC, SBA Senior Finance, LLC and SBA Senior Finance II and on substantially all of the assets (other than leasehold, easement and fee interests in real property) of SBA Senior Finance II and the Subsidiary Guarantors. The Senior Credit Agreement, as amended, permits SBA Senior Finance II, without the consent of the other lenders, to request that one or more lenders provide SBA Senior Finance II with increases in the Revolving Credit Facility or additional term loans provided that after giving effect to the proposed increase in Revolving Credit Facility commitments or incremental term loans the ratio of Consolidated Total Debt to Annualized Borrower EBITDA would not exceed 6.5 times. SBA Senior Finance II’s ability to request such increases in the Revolving Credit Facility or additional term loans is subject to its compliance with customary conditions set forth in the Senior Credit Agreement including compliance, on a pro forma basis, with the financial covenants and ratios set forth therein and, with respect to any additional term loan, an increase in the margin on existing term loans to the extent required by the terms of the Senior Credit Agreement. Upon SBA Senior Finance II’s request, each lender may decide, in its sole discretion, whether to increase all or a portion of its Revolving Credit Facility commitment or whether to provide SBA Senior Finance II with additional term loans and, if so, upon what terms. Revolving Credit Facility under the Senior Credit Agreement On February 5, 2015, SBA Senior Finance II entered into the 2015 Revolving Refinancing Amendment with several banks and other financial institutions or entities from time to time parties to the Senior Credit Agreement to, among other things, (i) increase the borrowing capacity under the Company’s Revolving Credit Facility from $770.0 million to $1.0 billion, (ii) extend the maturity date of the Revolving Credit Facility to February 5, 2020 , (iii) provide for the ability to borrow in U.S. dollars and certain designated foreign currencies, and (iv) lower the applicable interest rate margins and commitment fees under the Revolving Credit Facility. As amended February 2015, the Revolving Credit Facility consists of a revolving loan under which up to $1.0 billion aggregate principal amount may be borrowed, repaid and redrawn, subject to compliance with specific financial ratios and the satisfaction of other customary conditions to borrowing. Amounts borrowed under the Revolving Credit Facility accrue interest, at SBA Senior Finance II’s election, at either (i) the Eurodollar Rate plus a margin that ranges from 137.5 basis points to 200.0 basis points or (ii) the Base Rate plus a margin that ranges from 37.5 basis points to 100.0 basis points, in each case based on the ratio of Consolidated Total Debt to Annualized Borrower EBITDA, calculated in accordance with the Senior Credit Agreement. In addition, SBA Senior Finance II is required to pay a commitment fee of 0.25% per annum on the amount of unused commitment. If not earlier terminated by SBA Senior Finance II, the Revolving Credit Facility will terminate on, and SBA Senior Finance II will repay all amounts outstanding on or before, February 5, 2020 . The proceeds available under the Revolving Credit Facility may be used for general corporate purposes. SBA Senior Finance II may, from time to time, borrow from and repay the Revolving Credit Facility. Consequently, the amount outstanding under the Revolving Credit Facility at the end of a period may not be reflective of the total amounts outstanding during such period. During the year ended December 31, 2015 , the Company borrowed $770.0 million and repaid $895.0 million of the outstanding balance under the Revolving Credit Facility. As of December 31, 2015 , there was no amount outstanding under the Revolving Credit Facility. The remaining borrowing capacity under the Revolving Credit Facility was $1.0 billion at December 31, 2015 , subject to compliance with specified financial ratios and satisfaction of other customary conditions to borrowing. Term Loans under the Senior Credit Agreement 2011 Term Loan The 2011 Term Loan consisted of a senior secured term loan with an initial aggregate principal amount of $500.0 million with a maturity date of June 30, 2018 . The 2011 Term Loan accrued interest, at SBA Senior Finance II’s election, at either the Base Rate plus a margin of 175 basis points (with a Base Rate floor of 2% ) or Eurodollar Rate plus a margin of 275 basis points (with a Eurodollar Rate floor of 1% ). The 2011 Term Loan was issued at 99.75% of par value. The Company incurred deferred financing fees of $4.9 million associated with this transaction which were being amortized through the maturity date. During the year ended December 31, 2013, the Company repaid $312.0 million on the 2011 Term Loan. Included in this amount was a prepayment of $310.7 million made on April 24, 2013 using proceeds from the 2013 Tower Securities. In connection with the prepayment, the Company expensed $2.3 million of net deferred financing fees and $0.6 million of discount related to the debt. As a result of the prepayment, no further scheduled quarterly principal payments were required until the maturity date. On February 7, 2014, the Company repaid the entire $180.5 million outstanding principal balance of the 2011 Term Loan. In connection with the prepayment, the Company expensed $1.1 million of net deferred financing fees and $0.3 million of discount related to the debt. 2012-1 Term Loan The 2012-1 Term Loan consisted of a senior secured term loan with an initial aggregate principal amount of $200.0 million that matures on May 9, 2017 . The 2012-1 Term Loan accrued interest, at SBA Senior Finance II’s election, at either the Base Rate plus a margin that ranges from 100 to 150 basis points or the Eurodollar Rate plus a margin that ranges from 200 to 250 basis points, in each case based on the ratio of Consolidated Total Debt to Annualized Borrower EBITDA (calculated in accordance with the Senior Credit Agreement). The 2012-1 Term Loan was issued at par. The Company incurred deferred financing fees of $2.7 million in relation to this transaction which were being amortized through the maturity date. During the year ended December 31, 2015 , the Company repaid $172.5 million on the 2012-1 Term Loan. Included in this amount was a prepayment of $160.0 million made on November 18, 2015. In connection with the prepayment, the Company expensed $0.8 million of net deferred financing fees. 2012-2 Term Loan The 2012-2 Term Loan consisted of a senior secured term loan with an initial aggregate principal amount of $300.0 million with a maturity date of September 28, 2019 . The 2012-2 Term Loan accrued interest, at SBA Senior Finance II’s election, at either the Base Rate plus 175 basis points (with a Base Rate floor of 2% ) or Eurodollar Rate plus 275 basis points (with a Eurodollar Rate floor of 1% ). The 2012-2 Term Loan was issued at 99.75% of par value. The Company incurred deferred financing fees of approximately $3.5 million in relation to this transaction which were being amortized through the maturity date. During the year ended December 31, 2013, the Company repaid $190.0 million on the 2012-2 Term Loan. Included in this amount was a prepayment of $189.3 million made on April 24, 2013 using proceeds from the 2013 Tower Securities. In connection with the prepayment, the Company expensed $2.0 million of net deferred financing fees and $0.4 million of discount related to the debt. As a result of the prepayment, no further scheduled quarterly principal payments were required until the maturity date. On February 7, 2014, the Company repaid the entire $110.0 million outstanding principal balance of the 2012-2 Term Loan. In connection with the prepayment, the Company expensed $1.0 million of net deferred financing fees and $0.2 million of discount related to the debt. 2014 Term Loan The 2014 Term Loan consists of a senior secured term loan with an initial aggregate principal amount of $1.5 billion that matures on March 24, 2021 . The 2014 Term Loan accrues interest, at SBA Senior Finance II’s election, at either the Base Rate plus 150 basis points (with a Base Rate floor of 1.75% ) or the Eurodollar Rate plus 250 basis points (with a Eurodollar Rate floor of 0.75% ). The 2014 Term Loan was issued at 99.75% of par value. As of December 31, 2015 , the 2014 Term Loan was accruing interest at 3.25% per annum. Principal payments on the 2014 Term Loan commenced on September 30, 2014 and are being made in quarterly installments on the last day of each March, June, September, and December in an amount equal to $3.8 million. SBA Senior Finance II has the ability to prepay any or all amounts under the 2014 Term Loan. The Company incurred deferred financing fees of approximately $12.9 million in relation to this transaction which are being amortized through the maturity date. Net proceeds from the 2014 Term Loan were used (1) to repay in full the remaining $180.5 million balance of the 2011 Term Loan, (2) to repay in full the remaining $110.0 million balance of the 2012-2 Term Loan, (3) to repay the $390.0 million outstanding balance under the Revolving Credit Facility, (4) to pay the cash consideration in connection with SBAC’s acquisition of towers from Oi S.A. in Brazil, and (5) for general corporate purposes. During the year ended December 31, 2015 , the Company repaid $15.0 million of principal on the 2014 Term Loan. As of December 31, 2015 , the 2014 Term Loan had a principal balance of $1.5 billion. 2015 Term Loan On June 10, 2015, SBA Senior Finance II obtained a new senior secured term loan with an initial aggregate principal amount of $500.0 million that matures on June 10, 2022 . The 2015 Term Loan accrues interest, at SBA Senior Finance II’s election, at either the Base Rate plus 150 basis points (with a Base Rate floor of 1.75% ) or the Eurodollar Rate plus 250 basis points (with a Eurodollar Rate floor of 0.75% ). The 2015 Term Loan was issued at 99.0% of par value. As of September 30, 2015, the 2015 Term Loan was accruing interest at 3.25% per annum. Principal payments on the 2015 Term Loan commenced on September 30, 2015 and are being made in quarterly installments on the last day of each March, June, September, and December in an amount equal to $1.3 million. SBA Senior Finance II has the ability to prepay any or all amounts under the 2015 Term Loan. The Company incurred deferred financing fees of approximately $5.1 million in relation to this transaction which are being amortized through the maturity date. During the year ended December 31, 2015 , the Company repaid $2.5 million of principal on the 2015 Term Loan. As of December 31, 2015 , the 2015 Term Loan had a principal balance of $497.5 million. Secured Tower Revenue Securities Tower Revenue Securities Terms The mortgage loan underlying the 2010 Tower Securities, 2012 Tower Securities, 2013 Tower Securities, 2014 Tower Securities, and 2015 Tower Securities (together the “Tower Securities”) will be paid from the operating cash flows from the aggregate 10,585 tower sites owned by the Borrowers. The mortgage loan is secured by (i) mortgages, deeds of trust, and deeds to secure debt on a substantial portion of the tower sites, (ii) a security interest in the tower sites and substantially all of the Borrowers’ personal property and fixtures, (iii) the Borrowers’ rights under certain tenant leases, and (iv) all of the proceeds of the foregoing. For each calendar month, SBA Network Management, Inc., an indirect subsidiary (“Network Management”), is entitled to receive a management fee equal to 4.5% of the Borrowers’ operating revenues for the immediately preceding calendar month. The Borrowers may prepay any of the mortgage loan components, in whole or in part, with no prepayment consideration, (i) within nine months (in the case of the components corresponding to the 2010 Tower Securities), twelve months (in the case of the component corresponding to the 2012 Tower Securities, Secured Tower Revenue Securities Series 2013 -1C, Secured Tower Revenue Securities Series 2013 -1D, Secured Tower Revenue Securities Series 2014 -1C, and Secured Tower Revenue Securities Series 2015 -1C ), or eighteen months (in the case of the components corresponding to the Secured Tower Revenue Securities Series 2013-2C and Secured Tower Revenue Securities Series 2014 -2C ) of the anticipated repayment date of such mortgage loan component, (ii) with proceeds received as a result of any condemnation or casualty of any tower owned by the Borrowers or (iii) during an amortization period. In all other circumstances, the Borrowers may prepay the mortgage loan, in whole or in part, upon payment of the applicable prepayment consideration. The prepayment consideration is determined based on the class of the Tower Securities to which the prepaid mortgage loan component corresponds and consists of an amount equal to the excess, if any, of (1) the present value associated with the portion of the principal balance being prepaid, calculated in accordance with the formula set forth in the mortgage loan agreement, on the date of prepayment of all future installments of principal and interest required to be paid from the date of prepayment to and including the first due date within nine months (in the case of the components corresponding to the 2010 Tower Securities), twelve months (in the case of the component corresponding to the 2012 Tower Securities, Secured Tower Revenue Securities Series 2013-1C, Secured Tower Revenue Securities Series 2013-1D, Secured Tower Revenue Securities Series 2014-1C, and Secured Tower Revenue Securities Series 2015-1C ), or eighteen months (in the case of the components corresponding to the Secured Tower Revenue Securities Series 2013-2C and Secured Tower Revenue Securities Series 2014-2C ) of the anticipated repayment date of such mortgage loan component over (2) that portion of the principal balance of such class prepaid on the date of such prepayment. To the extent that the mortgage loan components corresponding to the Tower Securities are not fully repaid by their respective anticipated repayment dates, the interest rate of each such component will increase by the greater of (i) 5% and (ii) the amount, if any, by which the sum of (x) the ten -year U.S. treasury rate plus (y) the credit-based spread for such component (as set forth in the mortgage loan agreement) plus (z) 5% , exceeds the original interest rate for such component. Pursuant to the terms of the Tower Securities, all rents and other sums due on any of the towers owned by the Borrowers are directly deposited by the lessees into a controlled deposit account and are held by the indenture trustee. The monies held by the indenture trustee after the release date are classified as restricted cash on the Consolidated Balance Sheets (see Note 4). However, if the Debt Service Coverage Ratio, defined as the net cash flow (as defined in the mortgage loan agreement) divided by the amount of interest on the mortgage loan, servicing fees and trustee fees that the Borrowers are required to pay over the succeeding twelve months, as of the end of any calendar quarter, falls to 1.30x or lower, then all cash flow in excess of amounts required to make debt service payments, to fund required reserves, to pay management fees and budgeted operating expenses and to make other payments required under the loan documents, referred to as “excess cash flow,” will be deposited into a reserve account instead of being released to the Borrowers. The funds in the reserve account will not be released to the Borrowers unless the Debt Service Coverage Ratio exceeds 1.30x for two consecutive calendar quarters. If the Debt Service Coverage Ratio falls below 1.15x as of the end of any calendar quarter, then an “amortization period” will commence and all funds on deposit in the reserve account will be applied to prepay the mortgage loan until such time that the Debt Service Coverage Ratio exceeds 1.15x for a calendar quarter. In addition, if any of the Tower Securities are not fully repaid by their respective anticipated repayment dates, the cash flow from the towers owned by the Borrowers will be trapped by the trustee for the Tower Securities and applied first to repay the interest, at the original interest rates, on the mortgage loan components underlying the Tower Securities, second to fund all reserve accounts and operating expenses associated with those towers, third to pay the management fees due to Network Management, fourth to repay principal of the Tower Securities and fifth to repay the additional interest discussed above. The mortgage loan agreement, as amended, also includes covenants customary for mortgage loans subject to rated securitizations. Among other things, the Borrowers are prohibited from incurring other indebtedness for borrowed money or further encumbering their assets. As of December 31, 2015 , the Borrowers met the required Debt Service Coverage Ratio as set forth in the mortgage loan agreement and were in compliance with all other covenants. 2010 Tower Securities On April 16, 2010, the Company, through a New York common law trust (the “Trust”), issued $680.0 million of 2010-1 Tower Securities and $550.0 million of 2010-2 Tower Securities (together the “2010 Tower Securities”). The 2010-1 Tower Securities had an annual interest rate of 4.254% and the 2010-2 Tower Securities have an annual interest rate of 5.101% . The anticipated repayment date and the final maturity date for the 2010–1 Tower Securities were April 15, 2015 and April 16, 2040 , respectively. The anticipated repayment date and the final maturity date for the 2010–2 Tower Securities are April 11, 2017 and April 9, 2042 , respectively. The sole asset of the Trust consists of a non-recourse mortgage loan made in favor of those entities that are borrowers on the mortgage loan (“the Borrowers”). The Company incurred deferred financing fees of $8.1 million in relation to this transaction which are being amortized through the anticipated repayment date of each of the 2010 Tower Securities. On October 15, 2014, the Company repaid in full the 2010-1 Tower Securities with proceeds from the 2014 Tower Securities (defined below). In connection with the prepayment, the Company expensed $1.1 million of net deferred financing fees. 2012 Tower Securities On August 9, 2012, the Company, through the Trust, issued $610.0 million of Secured Tower Revenue Securities Series 2012-1C (the “2012 Tower Securities”) which have an anticipated repayment date of December 11, 2017 and a final maturity date of December 9, 2042 . The fixed interest rate of the 2012 Tower Securities is 2.933% per annum, payable monthly. The Company incurred deferred financing fees of $14.9 million in relation to this transaction which are being amortized through the anticipated repayment date of the 2012 Tower Securities. 2013 Tower Securities On April 18, 2013, the Company, through the Trust, issued $425.0 million of 2.240% Secured Tower Revenue Securities Series 2013-1C which have an anticipated repayment date of April 10, 2018 and a final maturity date of April 9, 2043 , $575.0 million of 3.722% Secured Tower Revenue Securities Series 2013-2C which have an anticipated repayment date of April 11, 2023 and a final maturity date of April 9, 2048 , and $330.0 million of 3.598% Secured Tower Revenue Securities Series 2013-1D which have an anticipated repayment date of April 10, 2018 and a final maturity date of April 9, 2043 (collectively the “2013 Tower Securities”). The aggregate $1.33 billion of 2013 Tower Securities have a blended interest rate of 3.218% per annum, payable monthly. The Company incurred deferred financing fees of $25.5 million in relation to this transaction which are being amortized through the anticipated repayment date of each of the 2013 Tower Securities. 2014 Tower Securities On October 15, 2014, the Company, through the Trust, issued $920.0 million of 2.898% Secured Tower Revenue Securities Series 2014-1C which have an anticipated repayment date of October 8, 2019 and a final maturity date of October 11, 2044 and $620.0 million of 3.869% Secured Tower Revenue Securities Series 2014-2C which have an anticipated repayment date of October 8, 2024 and a final maturity date of October 8, 2049 (collectively the “2014 Tower Securities”). The aggregate $1.54 billion of 2014 Tower Securities have a blended interest rate of 3.289% per annum, payable monthly. The Company has incurred deferred financing fees in the aggregate of $22.5 million in relation to this transaction which are being amortized through the anticipated repayment date of each of the 2014 Tower Securities. 2015 Tower Securities On October 14, 2015, the Company, through the Trust, issued $500.0 million of Secured Tower Revenue Securities Series 2015-1C which have an anticipated repayment date of October 8, 2020 and a final maturity date of October 10, 2045 (the “2015 Tower Securities”). The fixed interest rate of the 2015 Tower Securities is 3.156% per annum, payable monthly. The Company incurred deferred financing fees of $10.9 million to date in relation to this transaction which are being amortized through the anticipated repayment date of the 2015 Tower Securities. In connection with the issuance of the 2015 Tower Securities, the advance rents reserve requirement was modified such that the Borrowers will only be required to maintain an advance rents reserve at any time the monthly tenant debt service coverage ratio is equal to or less than 2:1 and for two calendar months after such coverage ratio again exceeds 2:1. In connection with the issuance of the 2015 Tower Securities, SBA Properties, LLC, SBA Sites, LLC, SBA Structures, LLC, SBA Infrastructure, LLC, SBA Monarch Towers III, LLC, SBA 2012 TC Assets PR, LLC, SBA 2012 TC Assets, LLC, SBA Towers IV, LLC, SBA Monarch Towers I, LLC, SBA Towers USVI, Inc., SBA Towers VII, LLC, SBA GC Towers, LLC, SBA Towers V, LLC, and SBA Towers VI, LLC (collectively, the “Borrowers”), each an indirect subsidiary of SBAC, and Midland Loan Services, a division of PNC Bank, National Association, as servicer, on behalf of the Trustee entered into the First Loan and Security Agreement Supplement and Amendment pursuant to which, among other things, (i) the existing Second Amended and Restated Loan and Security Agreement was amended to modify the advance rents reserve as described above, (ii) the outstanding principal amount of the mortgage loan was increased by $500 million, and (iii) the Borrowers became jointly and severally liable for the aggregate $4.5 billion borrowed under the mortgage loan corresponding to the 2010 Tower Securities, 2012 Tower Securities, 2013 Tower Securities, 2014 Tower Securities, and the newly issued 2015 Tower Securities. 1.875% Convertible Senior Notes due 2013 On May 16, 2008 , the Company issued $550.0 million of its 1.875% Convertible Senior Notes (the “1.875% Notes”). Interest was payable semi-annually on May 1 and November 1. During the year ended December 31, 2013, the Company sold its claim against Lehman Brothers, related to a hedge terminated when Lehman Brothers filed for bankruptcy in 2008, for $27.3 million and recorded a gain on the transaction of the same amount. The gain has been recorded within Other Income, net in the accompanying Consolidated Statement of Operations. During the year ended December 31, 2013, the Company had settled all conversion obligations and related hedges and warrants for the 1.875% Notes. 4.0% Convertible Senior Notes due 2014 On April 24, 2009 , the Company issued $500.0 million of its 4.0% Convertible Senior Notes (“4.0% Notes. Interest was payable semi-annually on April 1 and October 1 . As of December 31, 2014, the Company settled its conversion obligations and associated convertible note hedges. During the year ended December 31, 2015, the Company settled the remaining outstanding warrants for $150.9 million, representing approximately 2.1 million underlying shares. Senior Notes 8.0% Senior Notes and 8.25% Senior Notes On July 24, 2009, Telecommunications issued $750.0 million of unsecured senior notes (the “Senior Notes”), $375.0 million of which were due August 15, 2016 (the “8.0% Notes”) and $375.0 million of which were due August 15, 2019 (the “8.25% Notes”). The 8.0% Notes had an interest rate of 8.00% per annum and were issued at a price of 99.330% of their face value. The 8.25% Notes had an interest rate of 8.25% per annum and were issued at a price of 99.152% of their face value. The 8.0% Notes were repaid in full on August 29, 2012, and the 8.25% Notes were repaid in full on August 15, 2014. In connection with the redemption of the 8.25% Notes, the Company paid $10.1 million as a premium on redemption of the 8.25% Notes and expensed $1.2 million and $3.3 million of debt discount and deferred financing fees, respectively. 5.75% Senior Notes On July 13, 2012, Telecommunications issued $800.0 million of unsecured senior notes (the “5.75% Notes”) due July 15, 2020 . The Notes accrue interest at a rate of 5.75% and were issued at par. Interest on the 5.75% Notes is due semi-annually on July 15 and January 15 of each year beginning on January 15, 2013. The Company incurred deferred financing fees of $14.0 million in relation to this transaction which are being amortized through the maturity date. The 5.75% Notes are subject to redemption in whole or in part on or after July 15, 2016 at the redemption prices set forth in the indenture agreement plus accrued and unpaid interest. If redeemed during the twelve-month period beginning on July 15, 2016, July 15, 2017, or July 15, 2018 through maturity, the redemption price will be 102.875% , 101.438% , and 100.000% , respectively, of the principal amount of the 5.75% Notes to be redeemed on the redemption date plus accrued and unpaid interest. SBAC is a holding company with no business operations of its own and its only significant asset is the outstanding capital stock of Telecommunications. Telecommunications is 100% owned by SBAC. SBAC has fully and unconditionally guaranteed the Senior Notes issued by Telecommunications. 5.625% Senior Notes On September 28, 2012, the Company issued $500.0 million of unsecured senior notes due October 1, 2019 (the “5.625% Notes”). The 5.625% Notes accrue interest at a rate of 5.625% per annum and were issued at par. Interest on the 5.625% Notes is due semi-annually on April 1 and October 1 of each year. The Company incurred deferred financing fees of $8.6 million in relation to this transaction which are being amortized through the maturity date. The 5.625% Notes are subject to redemption in whole or in part on or after October 1, 2016 at the redemption prices set forth in the indenture agreement plus accrued and unpaid interest. If redeemed during the twelve-month period beginning on October 1, 2016, October 1, 2017, or October 1, 2018 until maturity, the redemption price will be 102.813% , 101.406% , and 100.000% , respectively, of the principal amount of the 5.625% Notes to be redeemed on the redemption date plus accrued and unpaid interest. 4.87

Shareholders' Equity

Shareholders' Equity	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Shareholders' Equity [Abstract]
Shareholders' Equity	13. SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY Common Stock equivalents The Company has potential common stock equivalents related to its outstanding stock options (see Note 14), restricted stock units, and, until its maturity in 2014, the 4.0% Notes (see Note 12). These potential common stock equivalents were not included in diluted loss per share because the effect would have been anti-dilutive for the years ended December 31, 2015 , 2014 and 2013 , respectively. Accordingly, basic and diluted loss per common share and the weighted average number of shares used in the computation are the same for the years presented. Stock Repurchases The Company’s Board of Directors authorized a stock repurchase program on April 27, 2011. This program authorized the Company to purchase, from time to time, up to $300.0 million of the Company’s outstanding Class A common stock through open market repurchases in compliance with Rule 10b-18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and/or in privately negotiated transactions at management’s discretion based on market and business conditions, applicable legal requirements and other factors. During the second quarter of 2015, the Company repurchased $1.3 million shares of its Class A common stock at an average price of $114.96 with the remaining $150.0 million authorized under the $300.0 million stock repurchase plan, completing this plan. During the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, the Company did not repurchase any shares in conjunction with the stock repurchase program. On June 4, 2015, the Company’s Board of Directors announced the authorization of a new $1.0 billion stock repurchase plan. This plan authorizes the Company to purchase from time to time its outstanding common stock through open market repurchases in compliance with Rule 10b-18 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and/or in privately negotiated transactions at management’s discretion based on market and business conditions, applicable legal requirements and other factors. Shares purchased will be retired. During the year ended December 31, 2015 , the Company repurchased an additional 2.7 million shares of its Class A common stock under the new stock repurchase program for $300 million at a weighted average price per share of $112.04 . As of December 31, 2015 , the Company had a remaining authorization to repurchase $700.0 million of Class A common stock under the current $1.0 billion stock repurchase program. Subsequent to December 31, 2015 , the Company repurchased 0.5 million shares of its Class A common stock under the stock repurchase program for $50.0 million at a weighted average price per share of $98.65 . As of the date of this filing, the Company had a remaining authorization to repurchase $650.0 million of Class A common stock under the current $1.0 billion stock repurchase program. Registration of Additional Shares On May 20, 2010, the Company filed a registration statement on Form S-8 with the Securities and Exchange Commission registering 15.0 million shares of the Company’s Class A common stock issuable under the 2010 Performance and Equity Incentive Plan (see Note 14). The Company filed shelf registration statements on Form S-4 with the Securities and Exchange Commission registering 4.0 million shares of its Class A common stock in 2007. These shares may be issued in connection with acquisitions of wireless communication towers or antenna sites and related assets or companies that own wireless communication towers, antenna sites, or related assets. During the years ended December 31, 2015 , 2014 and 2013 , the Company did not issue any shares of its Class A common stock pursuant to this registration statement in connection with acquisitions. At December 31, 2015 , approximately 1.7 million shares remain available for issuance under this shelf registration statement. On March 3, 2015, the Company filed with the Commission an automatic shelf registration statement for well-known seasoned issuers on Form S-3ASR. This registration statement enables the Company to issue shares of its Class A common stock, preferred stock or debt securities either separately or represented by warrants, or depositary shares as well as units that include any of these securities. Under the rules governing automatic shelf registration statements, the Company will file a prospectus supplement and advise the Commission of the amount and type of securities each time it issue s securities under this registration statement. For the year ended December 31, 2015 , the Company did not issue any securities under this automatic shelf registration statement.

Stock-Based Compensation

Stock-Based Compensation	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Stock-Based Compensation [Abstract]
Stock-Based Compensation	14. STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION The Company has two equity participation plans (the 2001 Equity Participation Plan and the 2010 Performance and Equity Incentive Plan, the “2010 Plan”) whereby options (both non-qualified and incentive stock options), restricted stock units, stock appreciation rights, and other equity and performance based instruments may be granted to directors, employees, and consultants. The options and restricted stock units generally vest from the date of grant on a straight-line basis over the vesting term and generally have a seven -year or a ten -year contractual life. Upon the adoption of the 2010 Plan by the Company’s shareholders on May 6, 2010, the 2001 Equity Participation Plan was terminated and the Company is no longer eligible to issue shares pursuant to the plan . The 2010 Plan provides for the issuance of a maximum of 15.0 million shares of the Company’s Class A common stock; however, the aggregate number of shares that may be issued pursuant to restricted stock awards, restricted stock unit awards, stock bonus awards, performance awards, other stock-based awards, or other awards granted under the 2010 Plan will not exceed 7.5 million shares. As of December 31, 2015 , the Company had 10.2 million shares remaining available for future issuance under the 2010 Plan. Stock Options The Company records compensation expense for employee stock options based on the estimated fair value of the options on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model with the assumptions included in the table below. The Company uses a combination of historical data and historical volatility to establish the expected volatility. Historical data is used to estimate the expected option life and the expected forfeiture rate. The risk-free rate is based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of grant for the estimated life of the option. The following assumptions were used to estimate the fair value of options granted using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model: For the year ended December 31, 2015 2014 2013 Risk free interest rate 1.21% - 1.46% 1.15% - 1.37% 0.51% - 1.38% Dividend yield 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% Expected volatility 20.0% 22.0% 25.0% - 29.0% Expected lives 4.6 years 4.4 years 3.9 - 4.8 years The following table summarizes the Company’s activities with respect to its stock option plans for the years ended December 31, 2015 , 2014 and 2013 as follows (dollars and number of shares in thousands, except for per share data): Weighted- Weighted- Average Average Remaining Number Exercise Price Contractual Aggregate of Shares Per Share Life (in years) Intrinsic Value Outstanding at December 31, 2012 2,831 $ 34.06 Granted 984 $ 73.17 Exercised (776) $ 27.57 Canceled (60) $ 52.54 Outstanding at December 31, 2013 2,979 $ 48.30 Granted 1,121 $ 95.51 Exercised (780) $ 36.34 Canceled (44) $ 81.21 Outstanding at December 31, 2014 3,276 $ 66.85 Granted 1,076 $ 124.24 Exercised (495) $ 51.58 Canceled (63) $ 93.74 Outstanding at December 31, 2015 3,794 $ 84.66 4.5 $ 97,731 Exercisable at December 31, 2015 1,349 $ 54.85 3.0 $ 67,721 Unvested at December 31, 2015 2,445 $ 101.10 5.3 $ 30,010 The weighted-average fair value of options granted during the years ended December 31, 2015 , 2014 and 2013 was $24.75 , $19.49 , and $17.38 , respectively. The total intrinsic value for options exercised during the years ended December 31, 2015 , 2014 and 2013 was $33.0 million, $49.2 million and $39.3 million, respectively. Cash received from option exercises under all plans for the years ended December 31, 2015 , 2014 and 2013 was approximately $25.4 million, $28.3 million, and $21.4 million, respectively. No tax benefit was realized for the tax deductions from option exercises under all plans for the years ended December 31, 2015 , 2014 and 2013 , respectively. The aggregate intrinsic value for stock options in the preceding table represents the total intrinsic value based on the Company’s closing stock price of $105.07 as of December 31, 2015 . The amount represents the total intrinsic value that would have been received by the holders of the stock-based awards had these awards been exercised and sold as of that date. Additional information regarding options outstanding and exercisable at December 31, 2015 is as follows: Options Outstanding Options Exercisable Weighted Average Weighted Weighted Remaining Average Average Range Outstanding Contractual Life Exercise Price Exercisable Exercise Price (in thousands) (in years) (in thousands) $0.00 - $30.00 141 0.6 $ 21.74 141 $ 21.74 $30.01 - $50.00 840 2.4 $ 42.84 704 $ 41.93 $50.01 - $90.00 754 4.2 $ 72.96 295 $ 72.53 $90.01 - $129.00 2,059 5.7 $ 110.32 209 $ 95.58 3,794 1,349 The following table summarizes the activity of options outstanding that had not yet vested: Weighted- Average Number Fair Value of Shares Per Share (in thousands) Unvested as of December 31, 2014 2,221 $ 18.89 Shares granted 1,076 $ 24.75 Vesting during period (796) $ 18.98 Forfeited (56) $ 20.68 Unvested as of December 31, 2015 2,445 $ 21.43 As of December 31, 2015 , the total unrecognized compensation expense related to unvested stock options outstanding under the Plans is $35.2 million. That cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 2.6 years. The total fair value of shares vested during 2015 , 2014 , and 2013 was $15.1 million, $11.5 million, and $9.8 million, respectively. Restricted Stock Units The following table summarized the Company’s restricted stock unit activity for the year ended December 31, 2015 : Weighted- Average Grant Date Number of Fair Value per Units Share (in thousands) Outstanding at December 31, 2014 295 $ 73.55 Granted 110 $ 123.93 Vested (122) $ 64.35 Forfeited/canceled (6) $ 95.19 Outstanding at December 31, 2015 277 $ 97.14 As of December 31, 2015 , total unrecognized compensation expense related to unvested restricted stock units granted under the 2010 Plan was $18.5 million and is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 2.6 years. Employee Stock Purchase Plan In 2008, the Board of Directors of the Company adopted the 2008 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (“2008 Purchase Plan”) which reserved 500,000 shares of Class A common stock for purchase. The 2008 Purchase Plan permits eligible employee participants to purchase Class A common stock at a price per share which is equal to 85% of the fair market value of Class A common stock on the last day of an offering period. For the year ended December 31, 2015 , 26,898 shares of Class A common stock were issued under the 2008 Purchase Plan, which resulted in cash proceeds to the Company of approximately $2.6 million, compared to the year ended December 31, 2014 when 23,204 shares of Class A common stock were issued under the 2008 Purchase Plan which resulted in cash proceeds to the Company of $2.1 million. At December 31, 2015 , 304,339 shares remained available for issuance under the 2008 Purchase Plan. In addition, the Company recorded $0.5 million, $0.4 million, and $0.3 million of non-cash compensation expense relating to the shares issued under the 2008 Purchase Plans for each of the years ended December 31, 2015 , 2014 , and 2013 . Non-Cash Compensation Expense The table below reflects a break out by category of the non-cash compensation expense amounts recognized on the Company’s Statements of Operations for the years ended December 31, 2015 , 2014 , and 2013 , respectively: For the year ended December 31, 2015 2014 2013 (in thousands) Cost of revenues $ 405 $ 386 $ 230 Selling, general and administrative 28,342 22,285 16,975 Total cost of non-cash compensation included in loss before provision for income taxes 28,747 22,671 17,205 Amount of income tax recognized in earnings — — — Amount charged against loss $ 28,747 $ 22,671 $ 17,205 In addition, the Company capitalized $0.5 million, $0.3 million and $0.2 million of non-cash compensation for the years ended December 31, 2015 , 2014 and 2013 , respectively, to fixed assets.

Income Taxes

Income Taxes	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Income Taxes [Abstract]
Income Taxes	15. INCOME TAXES Income (loss) before provision for income taxes from continuing operations by geographic area is as follows: For the year ended December 31, 2015 2014 2013 (in thousands) Domestic $ (22,698) $ (16,623) $ (45,429) Foreign (143,897) 963 (11,789) Total $ (166,595) $ (15,660) $ (57,218) The provision (benefit) for income taxes on continuing operations consists of the following components: For the year ended December 31, 2015 2014 2013 (in thousands) Current provision (benefit): State $ 2,752 $ 1,099 $ 387 Foreign 6,314 7,006 4,946 Total current 9,066 8,105 5,333 Deferred provision (benefit) for taxes: Federal (3,023) 1,458 (11,977) State (3,106) (887) (3,272) Foreign (40,636) (472) (9,013) Increase in valuation allowance 46,760 431 17,620 Total deferred (5) 530 (6,642) Total provision (benefit) for income taxes $ 9,061 $ 8,635 $ (1,309) A reconciliation of the provision for income taxes on continuing operations at the statutory U.S. Federal tax rate ( 35% ) and the effective income tax rate is as follows: For the year ended December 31, 2015 2014 2013 (in thousands) Statutory federal benefit $ (58,307) $ (5,481) $ (20,027) Foreign tax expense 3,534 3,844 2,870 State and local taxes benefit (230) 138 (1,875) Non-deductible foreign expenses 4,892 5,644 2,605 Foreign dividend income — 3,700 — Foreign tax rate change — 1,374 (4,960) Foreign exchange rate changes 9,212 (799) — Other 3,200 (216) 2,458 Valuation allowance 46,760 431 17,620 Provision (benefit) for income taxes $ 9,061 $ 8,635 $ (1,309) The components of the net deferred income tax asset (liability) accounts are as follows: As of December 31, 2015 2014 (in thousands) Current deferred tax assets: Net operating losses $ — $ 49,900 Allowance for doubtful accounts — 326 Deferred revenue — 48,940 Accrued liabilities — 6,701 Valuation allowance — (51,249) Total current deferred tax assets, net (1)(2) $ — $ 54,618 Noncurrent deferred tax assets: Net operating losses $ 369,924 $ 375,103 Property, equipment, and intangible basis differences 28,226 27,340 Accrued liabilities 45,885 40,368 Non-cash compensation 14,913 10,567 Deferred revenue 43,608 — Allowance for doubtful accounts 647 — Currency translation 57,015 7,757 Other 4,357 2,425 Valuation allowance (292,871) (216,052) Total noncurrent deferred tax assets, net (3) 271,704 247,508 Noncurrent deferred tax liabilities: Property, equipment, and intangible basis differences (242,763) (283,185) Straight-line rents (28,058) (25,142) Deferred lease costs (11,611) (5,647) Other (14,448) (10,905) Total noncurrent deferred tax liabilities, net (3) $ (25,176) $ (77,371) (1) Amounts are included in Prepaid and other current assets on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. (2) In November 2015, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued accounting standard update, ASU No. 2015-17, revising ASC 740 Income Taxes. Specifically, ASU 2015-17 requires deferred tax liabilities and assets, along with any related valuation allowance, to be classified as noncurrent on the consolidated balance sheet. This standard is required to be adopted for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016, including interim periods within that annual period, with early adoption permitted. The amendment may be applied either prospectively to all deferred tax liabilities and assets or retrospectively to all periods presented. The Company elected to prospectively adopt the accounting standard in the beginning of the fourth quarter of 2015. Prior periods in the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements were not retrospectively adjusted. (3) Of these amounts, $619 and $25,795 are included in Other assets and Other long-term liabilities, respectively on the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2015 . As of December 31, 2014 , $451 and $77,822 are included in Other assets and Other long-term liabilities on the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheet. A deferred tax asset is reduced by a valuation allowance if based on the weight of all available evidence, it is more likely than not (a likelihood of more than 50%) that the value of such assets will not be realized. The valuation allowance should be sufficient to reduce the deferred tax asset to the amount that is more likely than not to be realized. The determination of whether a deferred tax asset is realizable is based on weighting all available evidence, including both positive and negative evidence. The realization of deferred tax assets, including carryforwards and deductible temporary differences, depends upon the existence of sufficient taxable income of the same character during the carryback or carryforward period. All sources of taxable income available to realize the deferred tax asset, including the future reversal of existing temporary differences, future taxable income exclusive of reversing temporary differences and carryforwards, taxable income in carryback years and tax-planning strategies, should be considered. The Company has recorded a valuation allowance for the majority of its deferred tax assets as management believes that it is not “more-likely-than-not” that the Company will generate sufficient taxable income in future periods to recognize the assets. Valuation allowances of $292.9 million and $267.3 million were being carried to offset net deferred income tax assets as of December 31, 2015 and 2014 , respectively. The net increase in the valuation allowance for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014 was $25.6 million and $20.8 million, respectively. At December 31, 2015 , the valuation allowance related to federal and state tax credit carryovers were approximately $2.0 million and $0.4 million, respectively. These tax credits expire beginning 2017 . The Company has available at December 31, 2015 , a net federal operating tax loss carry-forward of approximately $955.7 million and an additional $253.9 million of net operating tax loss carry forward from stock options which will benefit additional paid-in capital when the loss is utilized. These net operating tax loss carry-forwards will expire between 2021 and 2033 . The Internal Revenue Code places limitations upon the future availability of net operating losses based upon changes in the equity of the Company. If these occur, the ability of the Company to offset future income with existing net operating losses may be limited. In addition, the Company has available at December 31, 2015 , a foreign net operating loss carry-forward of $50.3 million and a net state operating tax loss carry-forward of approximately $474.6 million. These net operating tax loss carry-forwards begin to expire in 2016 . In accordance with the Company’s methodology for determining when stock option deductions are deemed realized, the Company utilizes a “with-and-without” approach that will result in a benefit not being recorded in APIC if the amount of available net operating loss carry-forwards generated from operations is sufficient to offset the current year taxable income. The Company does not expect to remit earnings from its foreign subsidiaries. Undistributed earnings of the Company’s foreign subsidiaries amounted to approximately $38.2 million at December 31, 2015 . Those earnings are considered to be permanently reinvested and, accordingly, no U.S. Federal and state income taxes have been provided thereon. Upon distribution of those earnings in the form of dividends or otherwise, the Company could be subject to both U.S. income taxes (subject to an adjustment for foreign tax credits) and withholding taxes payable to various foreign countries.

Commitments And Contingencies

Commitments And Contingencies	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Commitments And Contingencies [Abstract]
Commitments And Contingencies	16. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES Leases The Company is obligated under various non-cancelable operating leases for land, office space, equipment and site leases that expire at various times through December 2114 . In addition, the Company is obligated under various non-cancelable capital leases for vehicles that expire at various times through September 2019 . The annual minimum lease payments under non-cancelable operating and capital leases in effect as of December 31, 2015 are as follows (in thousands): For the year ended December 31, Capital Leases Operating Leases 2016 $ 1,619 $ 188,382 2017 1,150 190,538 2018 799 194,228 2019 251 197,012 2020 — 198,774 Total minimum lease payments 3,819 Less: amount representing interest (178) Present value of future payments 3,641 Less: current obligations (1,814) Long-term obligations $ 1,827 Future minimum rental payments under noncancelable ground leases include payments for certain renewal periods at the Company’s option because failure to renew could result in a loss of the applicable tower and related revenue from tenant leases, thereby making it reasonably assured that the Company will renew the lease. The majority of operating leases provide for renewal at varying escalations. Fixed rate escalations have been included in the table disclosed above. Rent expense for operating leases was $239.8 million, $223.4 million and $196.3 million for the years ended December 31, 2015 , 2014 and 2013 , respectively. In addition, certain of the Company’s leases include contingent rent provisions which provide for the lessor to receive additional rent upon the attainment of certain tower operating results and/or lease-up. Contingent rent expense for the years ended December 31, 2015 , 2014 and 2013 was $24.4 million, $23.3 million and $20.3 million, respectively. Tenant Leases The annual minimum tower lease income to be received for tower space and antenna rental under non-cancelable operating leases in effect as of December 31, 2015 is as follows: For the year ended December 31, (in thousands) 2016 $ 1,271,391 2017 1,144,510 2018 996,793 2019 808,933 2020 574,797 The Company’s tenant leases provide for annual escalations and multiple renewal periods, at the tenant’s option. The tenant rental payments disclosed in the table above do not assume exercise of tenant renewal options, however, fixed rate escalations have been included. Litigation The Company is involved in various claims, lawsuits and proceedings arising in the ordinary course of business. While there are uncertainties inherent in the ultimate outcome of such matters and it is impossible to presently determine the ultimate costs that may be incurred, management believes the resolution of such uncertainties and the incurrence of such costs will not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s consolidated financial position, results of operations or liquidity. Contingent Purchase Obligations From time to time, the Company agrees to pay additional consideration (or earnouts) for acquisitions if the towers or businesses that are acquired meet or exceed certain performance targets in the one to three years after they have been acquired. For the years ended December 31, 2015 , 2014 , and 2013 certain earnings targets associated with the acquired towers were achieved, and therefore, the Company paid in cash $4.1 million, $18.7 million, and $9.3 million, respectively. As of December 31, 2015 , the Company’s estimate of its potential obligation if the performance targets contained in various acquisition agreements were met was $7.2 million which the Company recorded in accrued expenses. The maximum potential obligation related to the performance targets was $10.2 million and $23.1 million as of December 31, 2015 and 2014 , respectively.

Defined Contribution Plan

Defined Contribution Plan	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Defined Contribution Plan [Abstract]
Defined Contribution Plan	17. DEFINED CONTRIBUTION PLAN The Company has a defined contribution profit sharing plan under Section 401(k) of the Internal Revenue Code that provides for voluntary employee contributions up to the limitations set forth in Section 402(g) of the Internal Revenue Code. Employees have the opportunity to participate following completion of three months of employment and must be 21 years of age. Employer matching begins immediately upon the employee’s participation in the plan. For the years ended December 31, 2012 and through June 30, 2013, the Company made a discretionary matching contribution of 50% of an employee’s contributions up to a maximum of $3,000 annually. Effective July 1, 2013, the Company made a discretionary matching contribution of 75% of an employee’s contributions up to a maximum of $4,000 annually. Company matching contributions were approximately $2.1 million, $2.0 million and $1.6 million for the years ended December 31, 2015 , 2014 and 2013 , respectively.

Segment Data

Segment Data	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Segment Data [Abstract]
Segment Data	18. SEGMENT DATA The Company operates principally in two business segments: site leasing and site development. The Company’s site leasing business includes two reportable segments, domestic site leasing and international site leasing. The Company’s reportable segments are strategic business units that offer different services. They are managed separately based on the fundamental differences in their operations. The site leasing segment includes results of the managed and sublease businesses. The site development segment includes the results of both consulting and construction related activities. The Company’s Chief Operating Decision Maker utilizes segment operating profit and operating income as his two measures of segment profit in assessing performance and allocating resources at the reportable segment level. Revenues, cost of revenues (exclusive of depreciation, accretion and amortization), capital expenditures (including assets acquired through the issuance of shares of the Company’s Class A common stock) and identifiable assets pertaining to the segments in which the Company continues to operate are presented below: Not Domestic Site Int'l Site Site Identified by Leasing Leasing Development Segment Total For the year ended December 31, 2015 (in thousands) Revenues $ 1,236,758 $ 243,876 $ 157,840 $ — $ 1,638,474 Cost of revenues (2) 252,493 72,162 119,744 — 444,399 Operating profit 984,265 171,714 38,096 — 1,194,075 Selling, general, and administrative 67,413 16,196 12,247 19,095 114,951 Acquisition related adjustments and expenses 9,975 1,889 — — 11,864 Asset impairment and decommission costs 93,977 806 — — 94,783 Depreciation, amortization and accretion 534,436 118,886 3,662 3,037 660,021 Operating income (loss) 278,464 33,937 22,187 (22,132) 312,456 Other expense (principally interest expense and other expense) (479,051) (479,051) Loss before provision for income taxes (166,595) Cash capital expenditures (3) 709,337 94,693 3,495 13,339 820,864 For the year ended December 31, 2014 Revenues $ 1,157,293 $ 202,909 $ 166,794 $ — $ 1,526,996 Cost of revenues (2) 247,237 54,076 127,172 — 428,485 Operating profit 910,056 148,833 39,622 — 1,098,511 Selling, general, and administrative 67,611 16,762 9,074 9,870 103,317 Acquisition related adjustments and expenses 3,351 4,447 — — 7,798 Asset impairment and decommission costs 21,538 2,263 — — 23,801 Depreciation, amortization and accretion 515,150 104,447 2,453 5,022 627,072 Operating income (loss) 302,406 20,914 28,095 (14,892) 336,523 Other expense (principally interest expense and other expense) (352,183) (352,183) Loss before provision for income taxes (15,660) Cash capital expenditures (3) 547,774 1,221,786 3,851 24,352 1,797,763 For the year ended December 31, 2013 Revenues $ 1,048,756 $ 84,257 $ 171,853 $ — $ 1,304,866 Cost of revenues (2) 242,839 27,933 137,481 — 408,253 Operating profit 805,917 56,324 34,372 — 896,613 Selling, general, and administrative 59,320 10,065 7,760 8,331 85,476 Acquisition related adjustments and expenses 6,525 12,673 — — 19,198 Asset impairment and decommission costs 26,478 2,482 — — 28,960 Depreciation, amortization and accretion 484,053 44,973 2,280 2,028 533,334 Operating income (loss) 229,541 (13,869) 24,332 (10,359) 229,645 Other expense (principally interest expense and other expense) (286,863) (286,863) Loss before provision for income taxes (57,218) Cash capital expenditures (3) 261,775 578,938 6,693 105 847,511 Not Domestic Site Int'l Site Site Identified by Leasing Leasing Development Segment (1) Total (in thousands) Assets As of December 31, 2015 $ 5,639,495 $ 1,564,496 $ 56,631 $ 142,593 $ 7,403,215 As of December 31, 2014 $ 5,554,753 $ 1,989,571 $ 78,633 $ 218,168 $ 7,841,125 (1) Assets not identified by segment consist primarily of general corporate assets. (2) Excludes depreciation, amortization, and accretion. (3) Includes cash paid for capital expenditures and acquisitions and vehicle capital lease additions.

Quarterly Financial Data

Quarterly Financial Data	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Quarterly Financial Data [Abstract]
Quarterly Financial Data	19. QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA (unaudited) Quarter Ended December 31, September 30, June 30, March 31, 2015 2015 2015 2015 (in thousands, except per share amounts) Revenues $ 406,941 $ 410,735 $ 410,704 $ 410,094 Operating income 82,129 43,083 98,163 89,081 Depreciation, accretion, and amortization (161,461) (164,330) (162,377) (171,853) Loss from extinguishment of debt, net (783) — — — Net income (loss) 31,019 (155,946) 28,305 (79,034) Net income (loss) per common share - basic $ 0.25 $ (1.23) $ 0.22 $ (0.61) Net income (loss) per common share - diluted 0.24 (1.23) 0.22 (0.61) Quarter Ended December 31, September 30, June 30, March 31, 2014 2014 2014 2014 (in thousands, except per share amounts) Revenues $ 404,734 $ 393,293 $ 383,420 $ 345,549 Operating income 96,590 89,484 83,317 67,132 Depreciation, accretion, and amortization (162,214) (159,410) (161,005) (144,443) Loss from extinguishment of debt, net (1,124) (14,893) (8,236) (1,951) Net income (loss) 388 (16,624) (9,467) 1,408 Net income (loss) per common share - basic $ 0.00 $ (0.13) $ (0.07) $ 0.01 Net income (loss) per common share - diluted 0.00 (0.13) (0.07) 0.01 Basic and diluted net loss per share is computed by dividing net income by the weighted average number of shares for the period. Potentially dilutive instruments have been excluded from the computation of diluted loss per share as their impact would have been anti-dilutive. Because loss per share amounts are calculated using the weighted average number of common and dilutive common shares outstanding during each quarter, the sum of the per share amounts for the four quarters may not equal the total loss per share amounts for the year.

Summary Of Significant Accoun28

Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies (Policy)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Principles Of Consolidation	Principles of Consolidation The consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”) and include the Company and its majority and wholly-owned subsidiaries. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
Use Of Estimates	Use of Estimates The preparation of the consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. The significant estimates made by management relate to the allowance for doubtful accounts, the costs and revenue relating to the Company’s construction contracts, stock-based compensation assumptions, valuation allowance related to deferred tax assets, fair value of long-lived assets, the useful lives of towers and intangible assets, anticipated property tax assessments, fair value of investments and asset retirement obligations. Management develops estimates based on historical experience and on various assumptions about the future that are believed to be reasonable based on the information available. These estimates ultimately may differ from actual results and such differences could be material.
Cash And Cash Equivalents	Cash and Cash Equivalents Cash and cash equivalents consist primarily of cash in banks, money market funds, commercial paper and other marketable securities with an original maturity of three months or less at the time of purchase. These investments are carried at cost, which approximates fair value.
Investments	Investments Investment securities with original maturities of more than three months but less than one year at time of purchase are considered short-term investments. The Company’s short-term investments primarily consist of certificates of deposit with maturities of less than a year. Investment securities with maturities of more than a year are considered long-term investments and are classified in other assets on the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets. Long-term investments primarily consist of U.S. Treasuries, mutual funds, and preferred securities. Gross purchases and sales of the Company’s investments are presented within “Cash flows from investing activities” on the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. During the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014 , the Company received proceeds related to the sale or maturity of investments of $89.7 million and $20.9 million, respectively, and recorded gains of $38.3 million and $12.5 million, respectively. The proceeds are reflected in Net cash used in investing activities on the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, and the related gain on sale or maturity is reflected in Other (expense) income, net in the accompanying Consolidated Statement of Operations. The aggregate carrying value of the Company’s investments was approximately $8.8 million and $49.6 million as of December 31, 2015 and 2014 , respectively, and is classified within other assets on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets. The Company accounts for its investments in privately held companies under the cost-method as it does not exert significant influence. The Company evaluates its cost-method investments for impairment at least annually. The Company determines the fair value of its cost-method investments by considering available evidence, including general market conditions, the investee’s financial condition, near-term prospects, market comparables and subsequent rounds of financing. The Company measures and records its cost-method investments at fair value when they are deemed to be other-than-temporarily impaired. The Company did not recognize any impairment loss associated with its cost-method investments during the years ended December 31, 2015 , 2014 , and 2013 .
Restricted Cash	Restricted Cash The Company classifies all cash pledged as collateral to secure certain obligations and all cash whose use is limited as restricted cash. This includes cash held in escrow to fund certain reserve accounts relating to the Tower Securities as well as for payment and performance bonds and surety bonds issued for the benefit of the Company in the ordinary course of business (see Note 4).
Property And Equipment	Property and Equipment Property and equipment are recorded at cost or at estimated fair value (in the case of acquired properties), adjusted for asset impairment and estimated asset retirement obligations. Costs for self-constructed towers include direct materials and labor, indirect costs and capitalized interest. Approximately $0.8 million, $0.3 million, and $0.1 million of interest cost was capitalized in 2015 , 2014 and 2013 , respectively. Depreciation on towers and related components is provided using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives, not to exceed the minimum lease term of the underlying ground lease. The Company defines the minimum lease term as the shorter of the period from lease inception through the end of the term of all tenant lease obligations in existence at ground lease inception, including renewal periods, or the ground lease term, including renewal periods. If no tenant lease obligation exists at the date of ground lease inception, the initial term of the ground lease is considered the minimum lease term. Leasehold improvements are amortized on a straight-line basis over the shorter of the useful life of the improvement or the minimum lease term of the lease. For all other property and equipment, depreciation is provided using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives. The Company performs ongoing evaluations of the estimated useful lives of its property and equipment for depreciation purposes. The estimated useful lives are determined and continually evaluated based on the period over which services are expected to be rendered by the asset. If the useful lives of assets are reduced, depreciation may be accelerated in future years. Property and equipment under capital leases are amortized on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease or the remaining estimated life of the leased property, whichever is shorter, and the related amortization is included in depreciation expense. Expenditures for maintenance and repair are expensed as incurred. Asset classes and related estimated useful lives are as follows: Towers and related components 3 - 15 years Furniture, equipment and vehicles 2 - 7 years Buildings and improvements 5 - 30 years Betterments, improvements, and significant repairs, which increase the value or extend the life of an asset, are capitalized and depreciated over the remaining estimated useful life of the respective asset. Changes in an asset’s estimated useful life are accounted for prospectively, with the book value of the asset at the time of the change being depreciated over the revised remaining useful life. There has been no material impact for changes in estimated useful lives for any years presented.
Deferred Financing Fees	Deferred Financing Fees Financing fees related to the issuance of debt have been deferred and are being amortized using the effective interest rate method over the expected duration of the related indebtedness (see Note 12).
Deferred Lease Costs	Deferred Lease Costs The Company defers certain initial direct costs associated with the origination of tenant leases and lease amendments and amortizes these costs over the initial lease term or over the lease term remaining if related to a lease amendment. Such deferred costs were approximately $10.9 million, $12.4 million, and $12.8 million in 2015 , 2014 , and 2013 , respectively. Amortization expense was $9.0 million, $6.8 million, and $5.5 million for the years ended December 31, 2015 , 2014 and 2013 , respectively, and is included in cost of site leasing on the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Operations. As of December 31, 2015 and 2014 , unamortized deferred lease costs were $30.6 million and $28.5 million, respectively, and are included in other assets on the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets.
Intangible Assets	Intangible Assets The Company classifies as intangible assets the fair value of current leases in place at the acquisition date of towers and related assets (referred to as the “Current contract intangibles”), and the fair value of future tenant leases anticipated to be added to the acquired towers (referred to as the “Network location intangibles”). These intangibles are estimated to have a useful life consistent with the useful life of the related tower assets, which is typically 15 years. For all intangible assets, amortization is provided using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives as the benefit associated with these intangible assets is anticipated to be derived evenly over the life of the asset.
Impairment Of Long-Lived Assets	Impairment of Long-Lived Assets The Company evaluates its individual long-lived and related assets with finite lives for indicators of impairment to determine when an impairment analysis should be performed. The Company evaluates its tower assets and Current contract intangibles at the tower level, which is the lowest level for which identifiable cash flows exists. The Company evaluates its Network location intangibles for impairment at the tower leasing business level whenever indicators of impairment are present. The Company has established a policy to at least annually evaluate its tower assets and Current contract intangibles for impairment. The Company records an impairment charge when the Company believes an investment in towers or related assets has been impaired, such that future undiscounted cash flows would not recover the then current carrying value of the investment in the tower and related intangible. If the future undiscounted cash flows are lower than the carrying value of the investment in the tower and related intangible, the Company calculates future discounted cash flows and compares those amounts to the carrying value. The Company records an impairment charge for any amounts lower than the carrying value. Estimates and assumptions inherent in the impairment evaluation include, but are not limited to, general market and economic conditions, historical operating results, geographic location, lease-up potential and expected timing of lease-up. In addition, the Company makes certain assumptions in determining an asset’s fair value for the purpose of calculating the amount of an impairment charge. The Company recognized impairment charges of $94.8 million, $23.8 million, and $29.0 million for the years ended December 31, 2015 , 2014 and 2013 , respectively. Refer to Note 3 for further detail of these amounts.
Fair Value Measurements	Fair Value Measurements The Company determines the fair market values of its financial instruments based on the fair value hierarchy, which requires an entity to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value. The following three levels of inputs may be used to measure fair value: Level 1 Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the Company has the ability to access at the measurement date. Level 2 Observable inputs other than Level 1 prices, such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities; quoted prices in markets that are not active; or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the assets or liabilities. Level 3 Unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity and that are significant to the fair value of the assets or liabilities.
Revenue Recognition	Revenue Recognition Revenue from site leasing is recorded monthly and recognized on a straight-line basis over the current term of the related lease agreements, which are generally five to ten years. Receivables recorded related to the straight-lining of site leases are reflected in other assets on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Rental amounts received in advance are recorded as deferred revenue on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Site development projects in which the Company performs consulting services include contracts on a time and materials basis or a fixed price basis. Time and materials based contracts are billed at contractual rates and revenue is recognized as the services are rendered. For those site development contracts in which the Company performs work on a fixed price basis, site development billing (and revenue recognition) is based on the completion of agreed upon phases of the project on a per site basis. Upon the completion of each phase on a per site basis, the Company recognizes the revenue related to that phase. Site development projects generally take from 3 to 12 months to complete. Amounts billed in advance (collected or uncollected) are recorded as deferred revenue on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets. Revenue from construction projects is recognized on the percentage-of-completion method of accounting, determined by the percentage of cost incurred to date compared to management’s estimated total cost for each contract. This method is used because management considers total cost to be the best available measure of progress on the contracts. These amounts are based on estimates, and the uncertainty inherent in the estimates initially is reduced as work on the contracts nears completion. The asset “costs and estimated earnings in excess of billings on uncompleted contracts” represents costs incurred and revenues recognized in excess of amounts billed. The liability “billings in excess of costs and estimated earnings on uncompleted contracts,” included within other current liabilities on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets, represents billings in excess of costs incurred and revenues recognized. Provisions for estimated losses on uncompleted contracts are made in the period in which such losses are determined to be probable.
Allowance For Doubtful Accounts	Allowance for Doubtful Accounts The Company performs periodic credit evaluations of its customers. The Company monitors collections and payments from its customers and maintains a provision for estimated credit losses based upon historical experience, specific customer collection issues identified, and past due balances as determined based on contractual terms. Interest is charged on outstanding receivables from customers on a case by case basis in accordance with the terms of the respective contracts or agreements with those customers. Amounts determined to be uncollectible are written off against the allowance for doubtful accounts in the period in which uncollectibility is determined to be probable. The following is a rollforward of the allowance for doubtful accounts: For the year ended December 31, 2015 2014 2013 (in thousands) Beginning balance $ 889 $ 686 $ 246 Provision for doubtful accounts 864 338 770 Write-offs, net of recoveries (72) (135) (330) Ending balance $ 1,681 $ 889 $ 686
Cost Of Revenue	Cost of Revenue Cost of site leasing revenue includes ground lease rent, property taxes, amortization of deferred lease costs, maintenance and other tower operating expenses. All ground lease rental obligations due to be paid out over the lease term, including fixed escalations, are recorded on a straight-line basis over the minimum lease term. Liabilities recorded related to the straight-lining of ground leases are reflected in other long-term liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Cost of site development revenue includes the cost of materials, salaries and labor costs, including payroll taxes, subcontract labor, vehicle expense and other costs directly and indirectly related to the projects. All costs related to site development projects are recognized as incurred.
Income Taxes	Income Taxes The Company recognizes deferred tax assets and liabilities for the estimated future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial reporting and tax bases of existing assets and liabilities. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using tax rates in effect for the year in which the temporary differences are expected to reverse. A valuation allowance is recorded to reduce the carrying amounts of deferred tax assets if it is "more-likely-than-not" that those assets will not be realized. The Company considers many factors when assessing the likelihood of future realization, including the Company's recent cumulative earnings experience by taxing jurisdiction, expectations of future taxable income, prudent and feasible tax planning strategies that are available, the carryforward periods available to the Company for tax reporting purposes and other relevant factors. The Company had taxable income for the year ended December 31, 2015 and 2014 and utilized net operating loss carry-forwards. For the year ended December 31, 2013 , the Company had taxable losses and generated a net operating loss which was carried forward for use in future years. The majority of these net operating loss carry-forwards are fully reserved by a valuation allowance. The U.S. tax losses generated in tax years 1999 through 2013 remain subject to adjustment and tax years 2012 through 2014 are open to examination by the major jurisdictions in which the Company operates. The Company records a liability for unrecognized tax benefits resulting from uncertain tax positions taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. The Company has not identified any tax exposures that require a reserve. To the extent that the Company records unrecognized tax exposures, any related interest and penalties will be recognized as interest expense in the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Operations. The Company does not calculate U.S. taxes on undistributed earnings of foreign subsidiaries because substantially all such earnings are expected to be reinvested indefinitely.
Stock-Based Compensation	Stock-Based Compensation The Company measures and recognizes compensation expense for all share-based payment awards made to employees and directors, including stock options, restricted stock units and employee stock purchases under employee stock purchase plans. The Company records compensation expense, net of estimated forfeitures, for stock options and restricted stock units on a straight-line basis over the vesting period. Compensation expense for employee stock options is based on the estimated fair value of the options on the date of the grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model. Any stock options granted to non-employees would be valued using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model based on the market price of the underlying common stock on the “valuation date,” which for options to non-employees is the vesting date. Expense related to options granted to non-employees would be recognized on a straight-line basis over the shorter of the period over which services are to be received or the vesting period. Compensation expense for restricted stock units is based on the fair market value of the units awarded at the date of the grant.
Asset Retirement Obligations	Asset Retirement Obligations The Company has entered into ground leases for the land underlying the majority of the Company’s towers. A majority of these leases require the Company to restore land interests to their original condition upon termination of the ground lease. The Company recognizes asset retirement obligations in the period in which they are incurred, if a reasonable estimate of a fair value can be made, and accretes such liability through the obligation’s estimated settlement date. The associated asset retirement costs are capitalized as part of the carrying amount of the related tower fixed assets, and over time, the liability is accreted to its present value each period and the capitalized cost is depreciated over the estimated useful life of the tower. The asset retirement obligation is included in other long-term liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Upon settlement of the obligations, any difference between the cost to retire an asset and the recorded liability is recorded in the Consolidated Statements of Operations as a gain or loss. In determining the measurement of the asset retirement obligations, the Company considered the nature and scope of the contractual restoration obligations contained in the Company’s third party ground leases, the historical retirement experience as an indicator of future restoration probabilities, intent in renewing existing ground leases through lease termination dates, current and future value and timing of estimated restoration costs and the credit adjusted risk-free rate used to discount future obligations. The following summarizes the activity of the asset retirement obligation liability: For the year ended December 31, 2015 2014 2013 (in thousands) Beginning balance $ 5,856 $ 5,312 $ 7,506 Additions 781 599 597 Currency translation adjustment (57) (161) (42) Accretion expense 373 446 512 Removal (50) (188) (407) Revision in estimates (594) (152) (2,854) Ending balance $ 6,309 $ 5,856 $ 5,312
Loss Per Share	Loss Per Share The Company has potential common stock equivalents related to its outstanding stock options and until October 2014, its convertible senior notes. These potential common stock equivalents, including 3.8 million shares of stock options outstanding and 0.3 million shares of restricted stock outstanding , were not included in diluted loss per share for the year ended December 31, 2015 , because the effect would have been anti-dilutive in calculating the full year earnings per share. Accordingly, basic and diluted loss per common share and the weighted average number of shares used in the computations are the same for all periods presented in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.
Comprehensive Income (Loss)	Comprehensive Income (Loss) Comprehensive income (loss) is defined as the change in equity (net assets) of a business enterprise during a period from transactions and other events and circumstances from non-owner sources, and is comprised of net income (loss) and other foreign currency adjustments.
Foreign Currency Translation	Foreign Currency Translation The functional currency for the Company’s Central American subsidiaries is the U.S. dollar. Monetary assets and liabilities of such subsidiaries which are not denominated in U.S. dollars are remeasured at exchange rates in effect at the balance sheet date, and revenues and expenses are remeasured at monthly average rates prevailing during the year. Unrealized translation gains and losses are reported as other income/expense in the Consolidated Statement of Operations. All assets and liabilities of foreign subsidiaries that do not utilize the U.S. dollar as its functional currency are translated at period-end rates of exchange, while revenues and expenses are translated at monthly average rates of exchange prevailing during the year. Unrealized translation gains and losses are reported as foreign currency translation adjustments through accumulated other comprehensive loss in shareholders’ deficit.
Business Combinations	Business Combinations The Company accounts for business combinations under the acquisition method of accounting. The assets and liabilities acquired are recorded at fair market value at the date of each acquisition and the results of operations of the acquired assets are included with those of the Company from the dates of the respective acquisitions. The Company continues to evaluate all acquisitions for a period not to exceed one year after the applicable closing date of each transaction to determine whether any additional adjustments are needed to the allocation of the purchase price paid for the assets acquired and liabilities assumed as a result of information available at the acquisition date. The intangible assets represent the value associated with the current leases at the acquisition date (“Current contract intangibles”) and future tenant leases anticipated to be added to the towers (“Network location intangibles”) and were calculated using the discounted values of the current or future expected cash flows. The intangible assets are estimated to have a useful life consistent with the useful life of the related tower assets, which is typically 15 years. In connection with certain acquisitions, the Company may agree to pay contingent consideration (or earnouts) in cash or stock if the communication sites or businesses that are acquired meet or exceed certain performance targets over a period of one to three years after they have been acquired. The Company accrues for contingent consideration in connection with acquisitions at fair value as of the date of the acquisition. All subsequent changes in fair value of contingent consideration payable in cash are recorded through Consolidated Statements of Operations.
Intercompany Loans	Intercompany Loans On November 25, 2014, two wholly owned subsidiaries of the Company, Brazil Shareholder I, LLC, a Florida limited liability company, and SBA Torres Brasil, Limitada, a limitada existing under the laws of the Republic of Brazil, entered into an intercompany loan agreement where from time to time the entities may agree to lend/borrow amounts up to $750.0 million. As of December 31, 2015, the outstanding balance under this agreement was $455.8 million. In accordance with ASC 830, the Company remeasures foreign denominated intercompany loans with the corresponding change in the balance being recorded in Other income (expenses), net in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. For the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014 , the Company recorded $178.9 million and $23.0 million, respectively, of foreign exchange losses on the remeasurement of intercompany loans.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted	Recent Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") released updated guidance regarding the recognition of revenue from contracts with customers, exclusive of those contracts within lease accounting. The core principle of the guidance is that an entity should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. To achieve that core principle, an entity should apply the following steps: (1) identify the contracts with the customer; (2) identify the performance obligations in the contract; (3) determine the contract price; (4) allocate the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract; and (5) recognize revenue when (or as) the entity satisfies a performance obligation. The new guidance is effective for annual reporting periods (including interim periods within those periods) beginning after December 15, 2017 for public companies. Under the proposal, the standard would be required to be adopted by public business entities in annual periods beginning on or after December 15, 2017. Early adoption is permitted but not before interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016. This guidance is required to be applied (1) retrospectively to each prior reporting period presented, or (2) with the cumulative effect being recognized at the date of initial application. The Company is evaluating the guidance including the impact on its consolidated financial statements. In April 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-03, Interest—Imputation of Interest. The standard requires debt issuance costs to be presented on the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the related debt liability rather than as an asset. Once adopted, entities are required to apply the new guidance retrospectively to all prior periods presented. ASU 2015-03 is effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2015 and early application is permitted. The Company has not elected to early adopt the standard. In August 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-15, Interest - Imputation of Interest - Presentation and Subsequent Measurement of Debt Issuance Costs Associated with Line-of-Credit Arrangements. The standard indicates the SEC staff would not object to presenting deferred debt issuance costs for a line of credit arrangement as an asset in the balance sheet. ASU 2015-15 is effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2015 and early application is permitted. The Company has not elected to early adopt the standard. In September 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-16 , Business Combinations. The standard requires that the acquirer (1) recognize adjustments to provisional amounts that are identified during the measurement period in the reporting period in which the adjustment amounts are determined, (2) record, in the same period’s financial statements, the effect on earnings of changes in depreciation, amortization, or other income effects, if any, as a result of the change to the provisional amounts, calculated as if the accounting had been completed at the acquisition date, and (3) to present separately on the face of the income statement or disclose in the notes the portion of the amount recorded in current-period earnings by line item that would have been recorded in previous reporting periods if the adjustment to the provisional amounts had been recognized as of the acquisition date. ASU 2015-16 is effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2015 and early application is permitted. The Company has not elected to early adopt the standard. In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases. The standard amends the existing accounting standards for lease accounting, including requiring lessees to recognize most leases on their balance sheets and making targeted changes to lessor accounting. This standard requires a modified retrospective transition approach for all leases existing at, or entered into after, the date of initial application, with an option to use certain transition relief. ASU 2016-02 is effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2018 and early adoption is permitted. The Company is evaluating the guidance including the impact on its consolidated financial statements.

Summary Of Significant Accoun29

Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Schedule Of Asset Classes And Related Estimated Useful Lives	Towers and related components 3 - 15 years Furniture, equipment and vehicles 2 - 7 years Buildings and improvements 5 - 30 years
Allowance For Doubtful Accounts	For the year ended December 31, 2015 2014 2013 (in thousands) Beginning balance $ 889 $ 686 $ 246 Provision for doubtful accounts 864 338 770 Write-offs, net of recoveries (72) (135) (330) Ending balance $ 1,681 $ 889 $ 686
Summary Of Asset Retirement Obligation Liability	For the year ended December 31, 2015 2014 2013 (in thousands) Beginning balance $ 5,856 $ 5,312 $ 7,506 Additions 781 599 597 Currency translation adjustment (57) (161) (42) Accretion expense 373 446 512 Removal (50) (188) (407) Revision in estimates (594) (152) (2,854) Ending balance $ 6,309 $ 5,856 $ 5,312

Fair Value Measurements (Tables

Fair Value Measurements (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Fair Value Measurements [Abstract]
Summary Of Accrued Earnout Activity	For the year ended December 31, 2015 2014 2013 (in thousands) Beginning balance $ 15,086 $ 30,063 $ 9,840 Additions 3,295 11,048 31,704 Payments (4,094) (18,724) (9,324) Change in estimate (6,468) (7,310) (1,585) Foreign currency translation adjustments (589) 9 (572) Ending balance $ 7,230 $ 15,086 $ 30,063

Restricted Cash (Tables)

Restricted Cash (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Restricted Cash [Abstract]
Schedule Of Restricted Cash	As of As of December 31, 2015 December 31, 2014 Included on Balance Sheet (in thousands) Securitization escrow accounts $ 25,135 $ 52,117 Restricted cash - current asset Payment and performance bonds 218 402 Restricted cash - current asset Surety bonds and workers compensation 3,227 5,934 Other assets - noncurrent Total restricted cash $ 28,580 $ 58,453

Other Assets (Tables)

Other Assets (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Other Assets [Abstract]
Schedule Of Other Assets	As of As of December 31, 2015 December 31, 2014 (in thousands) Long-term investments $ 8,140 $ 44,095 Prepaid land rent 158,176 134,148 Straight-line rent receivable 267,682 230,384 Deferred lease costs, net 30,577 28,517 Other 32,762 29,899 Total other assets $ 497,337 $ 467,043

Acquisitions (Tables)

Acquisitions (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Acquisitions [Abstract]
Schedule Of Acquisition Activity	For the year ended December 31, 2015 2014 2013 Tower acquisitions (number of towers) 893 4,030 2,502
Schedule Of Acquisition Capital Expenditures	For the year ended December 31, 2015 2014 2013 (in thousands) Towers and related intangible assets (1) $ 525,802 $ 1,540,258 $ 628,423 Land buyouts (2) 83,728 44,964 48,956 Total cash acquisition capital expenditures $ 609,530 $ 1,585,222 $ 677,379 (1) Total acquisition capital expenditures for the year ended December 31, 2013, included $175.9 million related to an acquisition in Brazil which closed in the fourth quarter of 2012 and funded on January 4, 2013. (2) In addition, the Company paid $16.3 million, $10.8 million, and $9.1 million for ground lease extensions during the years ending 2015 , 2014 , and 2013 , respectively. The Company recorded these amounts in prepaid rent on its Consolidated Balance Sheet.
Schedule Of Recognized Identified Assets Acquired And Liabilities Assumed	On March 31, 2014, the Company acquired 2,007 towers in Brazil from Oi S.A. for an aggregate purchase price of $673.9 million in cash. The fair value of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed relating to the Oi S.A. acquisition is summarized below (in thousands): Property and equipment $ 86,787 Intangible assets 587,111 Net assets acquired $ 673,898 For the year ended December 31, 2014, total revenue for this acquisition was $60.7 million. On December 1, 2014, the Company acquired 1,641 towers in Brazil from Oi S.A. for an aggregate purchase price of $463.2 million in cash. The fair value of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed relating to the Oi S.A. acquisition is summarized below (in thousands): Property and equipment $ 99,810 Intangible assets 363,352 Net assets acquired $ 463,162

Intangible Assets, Net (Tables)

Intangible Assets, Net (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Intangible Assets, Net [Abstract]
Gross And Net Carrying Amounts For Each Major Class Of Intangible Assets	As of December 31, 2015 As of December 31, 2014 Gross carrying Accumulated Net book Gross carrying Accumulated Net book amount amortization value amount amortization value (in thousands) Current contract intangibles $ 3,904,864 $ (1,118,493) $ 2,786,371 $ 4,090,129 $ (891,374) $ 3,198,755 Network location intangibles 1,446,293 (497,251) 949,042 1,402,704 (411,919) 990,785 Intangible assets, net $ 5,351,157 $ (1,615,744) $ 3,735,413 $ 5,492,833 $ (1,303,293) $ 4,189,540
Estimated Future Amortization Expense	For the year ended December 31, (in thousands) 2016 $ 357,963 2017 355,914 2018 355,811 2019 355,467 2020 354,620

Property And Equipment, Net (Ta

Property And Equipment, Net (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Property And Equipment, Net [Abstract]
Property And Equipment, Net (Including Assets Held Under Capital Leases)	As of As of December 31, 2015 December 31, 2014 (in thousands) Towers and related components $ 4,370,664 $ 4,194,375 Construction-in-process 32,730 35,855 Furniture, equipment, and vehicles 48,018 51,832 Land, buildings, and improvements 524,847 426,974 Total property and equipment 4,976,259 4,709,036 Less: accumulated depreciation (2,193,906) (1,946,619) Property and equipment, net $ 2,782,353 $ 2,762,417

Costs And Estimated Earnings 36

Costs And Estimated Earnings On Uncompleted Contracts (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Costs And Estimated Earnings On Uncompleted Contracts [Abstract]
Summary Of Costs And Estimated Earnings On Uncompleted Contracts	As of As of December 31, 2015 December 31, 2014 (in thousands) Costs incurred on uncompleted contracts $ 78,849 $ 113,654 Estimated earnings 29,333 48,949 Billings to date (95,055) (143,323) $ 13,127 $ 19,280
Costs And Estimated Earnings On Uncompleted Contracts Accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets	As of As of December 31, 2015 December 31, 2014 (in thousands) Costs and estimated earnings in excess of billings on uncompleted contracts $ 16,934 $ 30,078 Billings in excess of costs and estimated earnings on uncompleted contracts (included in Other current liabilities) (3,807) (10,798) $ 13,127 $ 19,280

Concentration Of Credit Risk (T

Concentration Of Credit Risk (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Concentration Of Credit Risk [Abstract]
Summary Of Significant Customers And Percentage Of Total Revenue For Specified Time Periods Derived From Such Customers	The following is a list of significant customers (representing at least 10% of revenue for any period reported) and the percentage of total revenue for the specified time periods derived from such customers: For the year ended December 31, Percentage of Total Revenues 2015 2014 2013 AT&T Wireless (1) 24.2% 23.0% 20.5% Sprint 19.6% 23.4% 25.0% T-Mobile 16.0% 15.5% 17.3% Verizon Wireless 13.8% 12.0% 11.3% The Company’s site leasing and site development segments derive revenue from these customers. Client percentages of total revenue in each of the segments are as follows: For the year ended December 31, Percentage of Domestic Site Leasing Revenue 2015 2014 2013 AT&T Wireless (1) 31.9% 30.1% 25.5% Sprint 22.3% 25.6% 30.9% T-Mobile 19.0% 19.2% 20.2% Verizon Wireless 16.3% 14.4% 13.3% For the year ended December 31, Percentage of International Site Leasing Revenue 2015 2014 2013 Oi S.A. 48.8% 44.3% 6.3% Telefonica 24.7% 28.8% 44.2% Digicel 4.6% 4.9% 11.2% For the year ended December 31, Percentage of Site Development Revenue 2015 2014 2013 Sprint 28.5% 36.7% 1.5% T-Mobile 17.6% 8.5% 8.4% Ericsson, Inc. 15.3% 16.8% 34.5% Verizon Wireless 14.8% 10.1% 4.8% (1) Prior year amounts have been adjusted to reflect the merger of AT&T Wireless and Leap Wireless (Cricket Wireless).

Accrued Expenses (Tables)

Accrued Expenses (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Accrued Expenses [Abstract]
Schedule Of Accrued Expenses	As of As of December 31, 2015 December 31, 2014 (in thousands) Accrued earnouts $ 7,230 $ 15,086 Salaries and benefits 14,253 13,440 Real estate and property taxes 7,899 5,331 Other 34,373 31,696 Total accrued expenses $ 63,755 $ 65,553

Debt (Tables)

Debt (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Debt [Abstract]
Carrying And Principal Values Of Debt	As of As of December 31, 2015 December 31, 2014 Maturity Date Principal Balance Fair Value Carrying Value Principal Balance Fair Value Carrying Value 5.625% Senior Notes Oct. 1, 2019 $ 500,000 $ 521,250 $ 500,000 $ 500,000 $ 511,250 $ 500,000 5.750% Senior Notes July 15, 2020 800,000 832,000 800,000 800,000 816,000 800,000 4.875% Senior Notes July 15, 2022 750,000 744,375 744,806 750,000 721,875 744,150 2010 -2C Tower Securities April 11, 2017 550,000 558,223 550,000 550,000 576,901 550,000 2012 -1C Tower Securities Dec. 11, 2017 610,000 611,879 610,000 610,000 620,175 610,000 2013 -1C Tower Securities April 10, 2018 425,000 416,959 425,000 425,000 420,776 425,000 2013 -2C Tower Securities April 11, 2023 575,000 565,541 575,000 575,000 584,344 575,000 2013 -1D Tower Securities April 10, 2018 330,000 332,676 330,000 330,000 330,551 330,000 2014 -1C Tower Securities Oct. 8, 2019 920,000 910,368 920,000 920,000 920,515 920,000 2014 -2C Tower Securities Oct. 8, 2024 620,000 608,084 620,000 620,000 629,474 620,000 2015-1C Tower Securities Oct. 8, 2020 500,000 489,680 500,000 — — — Revolving Credit Facility Feb. 5, 2020 — — — 125,000 125,000 125,000 2012-1 Term Loan May 9, 2017 — — — 172,500 171,422 172,500 2014 Term Loan Mar. 24, 2021 1,477,500 1,447,950 1,474,641 1,492,500 1,458,919 1,489,149 2015 Term Loan June 10, 2022 497,500 486,306 492,858 — — — Total debt $ 8,555,000 $ 8,525,291 $ 8,542,305 $ 7,870,000 $ 7,887,202 $ 7,860,799 Less: current maturities of long-term debt (20,000) (32,500) Total long-term debt, net of current maturities $ 8,522,305 $ 7,828,299
Future Principal Payment Obligations	For the year ended December 31, (in thousands) 2016 $ 20,000 2017 1,180,000 2018 775,000 2019 1,440,000 2020 1,320,000
Schedule Of Cash And Non-Cash Interest Expense	For the year ended December 31, 2015 2014 2013 Cash Non-cash Cash Non-cash Cash Non-cash Interest Interest Interest Interest Interest Interest (in thousands) 1.875% Convertible Senior Notes $ — $ — $ — $ — $ 2,670 $ 10,434 4.0% Convertible Senior Notes — — 12,520 26,266 19,998 38,307 8.25% Senior Notes — — 12,513 121 20,109 182 5.625% Senior Notes 28,125 — 28,125 — 28,125 — 5.75% Senior Notes 46,000 — 46,000 — 46,000 — 4.875% Senior Notes 36,563 655 18,281 315 — — 2010 Tower Securities 28,230 — 51,237 — 57,383 — 2012 Tower Securities 18,111 — 18,085 — 18,085 — 2013 Tower Securities 43,217 — 43,217 — 30,392 — 2014 Tower Securities 51,138 — 10,796 — — — 2015 Tower Securities 3,453 — — — — — Revolving Credit Facility 5,552 — 4,591 — 4,515 — 2011 Term Loan — — 696 7 10,533 101 2012-1 Term Loan 3,959 — 4,534 — 4,557 — 2012-2 Term Loan — — 424 4 6,416 61 2014 Term Loan 48,992 492 41,338 399 — — 2015 Term Loan 9,243 358 — — — — Other (217) — 243 — 268 — Total $ 322,366 $ 1,505 $ 292,600 $ 27,112 $ 249,051 $ 49,085

Stock-Based Compensation (Table

Stock-Based Compensation (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Stock-Based Compensation [Abstract]
Schedule Of Assumptions Used To Estimate Fair Value Of Stock Options	For the year ended December 31, 2015 2014 2013 Risk free interest rate 1.21% - 1.46% 1.15% - 1.37% 0.51% - 1.38% Dividend yield 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% Expected volatility 20.0% 22.0% 25.0% - 29.0% Expected lives 4.6 years 4.4 years 3.9 - 4.8 years
Company's Activities With Respect To Its Stock Options	Weighted- Weighted- Average Average Remaining Number Exercise Price Contractual Aggregate of Shares Per Share Life (in years) Intrinsic Value Outstanding at December 31, 2012 2,831 $ 34.06 Granted 984 $ 73.17 Exercised (776) $ 27.57 Canceled (60) $ 52.54 Outstanding at December 31, 2013 2,979 $ 48.30 Granted 1,121 $ 95.51 Exercised (780) $ 36.34 Canceled (44) $ 81.21 Outstanding at December 31, 2014 3,276 $ 66.85 Granted 1,076 $ 124.24 Exercised (495) $ 51.58 Canceled (63) $ 93.74 Outstanding at December 31, 2015 3,794 $ 84.66 4.5 $ 97,731 Exercisable at December 31, 2015 1,349 $ 54.85 3.0 $ 67,721 Unvested at December 31, 2015 2,445 $ 101.10 5.3 $ 30,010
Additional Information Regarding Options Outstanding And Exercisable	Options Outstanding Options Exercisable Weighted Average Weighted Weighted Remaining Average Average Range Outstanding Contractual Life Exercise Price Exercisable Exercise Price (in thousands) (in years) (in thousands) $0.00 - $30.00 141 0.6 $ 21.74 141 $ 21.74 $30.01 - $50.00 840 2.4 $ 42.84 704 $ 41.93 $50.01 - $90.00 754 4.2 $ 72.96 295 $ 72.53 $90.01 - $129.00 2,059 5.7 $ 110.32 209 $ 95.58 3,794 1,349
Activity Of Options Outstanding Not Yet Vested	Weighted- Average Number Fair Value of Shares Per Share (in thousands) Unvested as of December 31, 2014 2,221 $ 18.89 Shares granted 1,076 $ 24.75 Vesting during period (796) $ 18.98 Forfeited (56) $ 20.68 Unvested as of December 31, 2015 2,445 $ 21.43
Company's Restricted Stock Unit Activity	Weighted- Average Grant Date Number of Fair Value per Units Share (in thousands) Outstanding at December 31, 2014 295 $ 73.55 Granted 110 $ 123.93 Vested (122) $ 64.35 Forfeited/canceled (6) $ 95.19 Outstanding at December 31, 2015 277 $ 97.14
Schedule Of Non-Cash Compensation Expense	For the year ended December 31, 2015 2014 2013 (in thousands) Cost of revenues $ 405 $ 386 $ 230 Selling, general and administrative 28,342 22,285 16,975 Total cost of non-cash compensation included in loss before provision for income taxes 28,747 22,671 17,205 Amount of income tax recognized in earnings — — — Amount charged against loss $ 28,747 $ 22,671 $ 17,205

Income Taxes (Tables)

Income Taxes (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Income Taxes [Abstract]
Income (Loss) Before Provision for Income Taxes from Continuing Operations by Geographic Area	For the year ended December 31, 2015 2014 2013 (in thousands) Domestic $ (22,698) $ (16,623) $ (45,429) Foreign (143,897) 963 (11,789) Total $ (166,595) $ (15,660) $ (57,218)
Components Of Provision For Income Taxes	For the year ended December 31, 2015 2014 2013 (in thousands) Current provision (benefit): State $ 2,752 $ 1,099 $ 387 Foreign 6,314 7,006 4,946 Total current 9,066 8,105 5,333 Deferred provision (benefit) for taxes: Federal (3,023) 1,458 (11,977) State (3,106) (887) (3,272) Foreign (40,636) (472) (9,013) Increase in valuation allowance 46,760 431 17,620 Total deferred (5) 530 (6,642) Total provision (benefit) for income taxes $ 9,061 $ 8,635 $ (1,309)
Income Tax Rate Reconciliation	For the year ended December 31, 2015 2014 2013 (in thousands) Statutory federal benefit $ (58,307) $ (5,481) $ (20,027) Foreign tax expense 3,534 3,844 2,870 State and local taxes benefit (230) 138 (1,875) Non-deductible foreign expenses 4,892 5,644 2,605 Foreign dividend income — 3,700 — Foreign tax rate change — 1,374 (4,960) Foreign exchange rate changes 9,212 (799) — Other 3,200 (216) 2,458 Valuation allowance 46,760 431 17,620 Provision (benefit) for income taxes $ 9,061 $ 8,635 $ (1,309)
Components Of Net Deferred Income Tax Asset And Liability	As of December 31, 2015 2014 (in thousands) Current deferred tax assets: Net operating losses $ — $ 49,900 Allowance for doubtful accounts — 326 Deferred revenue — 48,940 Accrued liabilities — 6,701 Valuation allowance — (51,249) Total current deferred tax assets, net (1)(2) $ — $ 54,618 Noncurrent deferred tax assets: Net operating losses $ 369,924 $ 375,103 Property, equipment, and intangible basis differences 28,226 27,340 Accrued liabilities 45,885 40,368 Non-cash compensation 14,913 10,567 Deferred revenue 43,608 — Allowance for doubtful accounts 647 — Currency translation 57,015 7,757 Other 4,357 2,425 Valuation allowance (292,871) (216,052) Total noncurrent deferred tax assets, net (3) 271,704 247,508 Noncurrent deferred tax liabilities: Property, equipment, and intangible basis differences (242,763) (283,185) Straight-line rents (28,058) (25,142) Deferred lease costs (11,611) (5,647) Other (14,448) (10,905) Total noncurrent deferred tax liabilities, net (3) $ (25,176) $ (77,371) (1) Amounts are included in Prepaid and other current assets on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. (2) In November 2015, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued accounting standard update, ASU No. 2015-17, revising ASC 740 Income Taxes. Specifically, ASU 2015-17 requires deferred tax liabilities and assets, along with any related valuation allowance, to be classified as noncurrent on the consolidated balance sheet. This standard is required to be adopted for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016, including interim periods within that annual period, with early adoption permitted. The amendment may be applied either prospectively to all deferred tax liabilities and assets or retrospectively to all periods presented. The Company elected to prospectively adopt the accounting standard in the beginning of the fourth quarter of 2015. Prior periods in the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements were not retrospectively adjusted. (3) Of these amounts, $619 and $25,795 are included in Other assets and Other long-term liabilities, respectively on the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2015 . As of December 31, 2014 , $451 and $77,822 are included in Other assets and Other long-term liabilities on the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheet.

Commitments And Contingencies (

Commitments And Contingencies (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Commitments And Contingencies [Abstract]
Annual Minimum Lease Payments	For the year ended December 31, Capital Leases Operating Leases 2016 $ 1,619 $ 188,382 2017 1,150 190,538 2018 799 194,228 2019 251 197,012 2020 — 198,774 Total minimum lease payments 3,819 Less: amount representing interest (178) Present value of future payments 3,641 Less: current obligations (1,814) Long-term obligations $ 1,827
Annual Minimum Tower Lease Income	For the year ended December 31, (in thousands) 2016 $ 1,271,391 2017 1,144,510 2018 996,793 2019 808,933 2020 574,797

Segment Data (Tables)

Segment Data (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Segment Data [Abstract]
Segment Reporting Information Disclosure	Not Domestic Site Int'l Site Site Identified by Leasing Leasing Development Segment Total For the year ended December 31, 2015 (in thousands) Revenues $ 1,236,758 $ 243,876 $ 157,840 $ — $ 1,638,474 Cost of revenues (2) 252,493 72,162 119,744 — 444,399 Operating profit 984,265 171,714 38,096 — 1,194,075 Selling, general, and administrative 67,413 16,196 12,247 19,095 114,951 Acquisition related adjustments and expenses 9,975 1,889 — — 11,864 Asset impairment and decommission costs 93,977 806 — — 94,783 Depreciation, amortization and accretion 534,436 118,886 3,662 3,037 660,021 Operating income (loss) 278,464 33,937 22,187 (22,132) 312,456 Other expense (principally interest expense and other expense) (479,051) (479,051) Loss before provision for income taxes (166,595) Cash capital expenditures (3) 709,337 94,693 3,495 13,339 820,864 For the year ended December 31, 2014 Revenues $ 1,157,293 $ 202,909 $ 166,794 $ — $ 1,526,996 Cost of revenues (2) 247,237 54,076 127,172 — 428,485 Operating profit 910,056 148,833 39,622 — 1,098,511 Selling, general, and administrative 67,611 16,762 9,074 9,870 103,317 Acquisition related adjustments and expenses 3,351 4,447 — — 7,798 Asset impairment and decommission costs 21,538 2,263 — — 23,801 Depreciation, amortization and accretion 515,150 104,447 2,453 5,022 627,072 Operating income (loss) 302,406 20,914 28,095 (14,892) 336,523 Other expense (principally interest expense and other expense) (352,183) (352,183) Loss before provision for income taxes (15,660) Cash capital expenditures (3) 547,774 1,221,786 3,851 24,352 1,797,763 For the year ended December 31, 2013 Revenues $ 1,048,756 $ 84,257 $ 171,853 $ — $ 1,304,866 Cost of revenues (2) 242,839 27,933 137,481 — 408,253 Operating profit 805,917 56,324 34,372 — 896,613 Selling, general, and administrative 59,320 10,065 7,760 8,331 85,476 Acquisition related adjustments and expenses 6,525 12,673 — — 19,198 Asset impairment and decommission costs 26,478 2,482 — — 28,960 Depreciation, amortization and accretion 484,053 44,973 2,280 2,028 533,334 Operating income (loss) 229,541 (13,869) 24,332 (10,359) 229,645 Other expense (principally interest expense and other expense) (286,863) (286,863) Loss before provision for income taxes (57,218) Cash capital expenditures (3) 261,775 578,938 6,693 105 847,511 Not Domestic Site Int'l Site Site Identified by Leasing Leasing Development Segment (1) Total (in thousands) Assets As of December 31, 2015 $ 5,639,495 $ 1,564,496 $ 56,631 $ 142,593 $ 7,403,215 As of December 31, 2014 $ 5,554,753 $ 1,989,571 $ 78,633 $ 218,168 $ 7,841,125 (1) Assets not identified by segment consist primarily of general corporate assets. (2) Excludes depreciation, amortization, and accretion. (3) Includes cash paid for capital expenditures and acquisitions and vehicle capital lease additions.

Quarterly Financial Data (Table

Quarterly Financial Data (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Quarterly Financial Data [Abstract]
Schedule Of Quarterly Financial Information	Quarter Ended December 31, September 30, June 30, March 31, 2015 2015 2015 2015 (in thousands, except per share amounts) Revenues $ 406,941 $ 410,735 $ 410,704 $ 410,094 Operating income 82,129 43,083 98,163 89,081 Depreciation, accretion, and amortization (161,461) (164,330) (162,377) (171,853) Loss from extinguishment of debt, net (783) — — — Net income (loss) 31,019 (155,946) 28,305 (79,034) Net income (loss) per common share - basic $ 0.25 $ (1.23) $ 0.22 $ (0.61) Net income (loss) per common share - diluted 0.24 (1.23) 0.22 (0.61) Quarter Ended December 31, September 30, June 30, March 31, 2014 2014 2014 2014 (in thousands, except per share amounts) Revenues $ 404,734 $ 393,293 $ 383,420 $ 345,549 Operating income 96,590 89,484 83,317 67,132 Depreciation, accretion, and amortization (162,214) (159,410) (161,005) (144,443) Loss from extinguishment of debt, net (1,124) (14,893) (8,236) (1,951) Net income (loss) 388 (16,624) (9,467) 1,408 Net income (loss) per common share - basic $ 0.00 $ (0.13) $ (0.07) $ 0.01 Net income (loss) per common share - diluted 0.00 (0.13) (0.07) 0.01

General (Narrative) (Details)

General (Narrative) (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015item
Company owned tower sites	25,465
Domestic [Member]
Company owned tower sites	15,778
International [Member]
Company owned tower sites	9,687

Summary Of Significant Accoun46

Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	Nov. 25, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Gain on sale of investments			$ 38,326	$ 12,461
Cost-method investments, carrying value			8,800	49,600
Cost-method investments, impairment loss			0	0	$ 0
Interest cost capitalized			800	300	100
Deferred lease costs			10,900	12,400	12,800
Amortization expense			9,000	6,800	5,500
Unamortized deferred lease costs			$ 30,600	28,500
Intangible assets, useful life			15 years
Impairment charge recognized, related to long-lived assets		$ 56,700	$ 94,800	23,800	29,000
Write-offs relating to long-lived assets and intangibles			$ 31,600	$ 18,400	$ 23,500
Stock options outstanding			3,794
Restricted stock outstanding			277	295
Business acquistions period after closing date to determine additional adjustments			1 year
Acquired intangible assets, useful life			15 years
Intercompany Loan Maxiumum Amount	$ 750,000
Intercompany Foreign Currency Balance, Amount	$ 455,800
Loss on remeasurement of U.S. denominated intercompany loan			$ (178,854)	$ (22,965)
Privately Held Company [Member]
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Proceeds from sale of other investments			89,700	20,900
Gain on sale of investments			$ 38,300	$ 12,500
Minimum [Member]
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Lease term			5 years
Duration of site development projects			3 months
Business acquisitions performance target period			1 year
Maximum [Member]
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Lease term			10 years
Duration of site development projects			12 months
Business acquisitions performance target period			3 years

Summary Of Significant Accoun47

Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies (Schedule Of Asset Classes And Related Estimated Useful Lives) (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Towers And Related Components [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Estimated useful lives	3 years
Towers And Related Components [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Estimated useful lives	15 years
Furniture, Equipment And Vehicles [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Estimated useful lives	2 years
Furniture, Equipment And Vehicles [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Estimated useful lives	7 years
Buildings And Improvements [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Estimated useful lives	5 years
Buildings And Improvements [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Estimated useful lives	30 years

Summary Of Significant Accoun48

Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies (Allowance For Doubtful Accounts) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Beginning balance	$ 889	$ 686	$ 246
Provision for doubtful accounts	864	338	770
Write-offs, net of recoveries	(72)	(135)	(330)
Ending balance	$ 1,681	$ 889	$ 686

Summary Of Significant Accoun49

Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies (Summary Of Asset Retirement Obligation Liability) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Beginning balance	$ 5,856	$ 5,312	$ 7,506
Additions	781	599	597
Currency translation adjustment	(57)	(161)	(42)
Accretion expense	373	446	512
Removal	(50)	(188)	(407)
Revision in estimates	(594)	(152)	(2,854)
Ending balance	$ 6,309	$ 5,856	$ 5,312

Fair Value Measurements (Narrat

Fair Value Measurements (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Accrued earnouts		$ 7,230	$ 15,086	$ 30,063	$ 9,840
Performance targets, maximum potential obligation		10,200	23,100
Impairment charge recognized, related to long-lived assets	$ 56,700	94,800	23,800	29,000
Write-offs relating to long-lived assets and intangibles		31,600	18,400	23,500
Certificate of deposits		500	5,300
Treasury securities		200	200
Held-to-maturity investments, carrying value		800	1,000
Held-to-maturity investments, fair value		900	1,100
Not Identified by Segment [Member]
Write-offs relating to long-lived assets and intangibles		$ 5,300	$ 5,400	$ 5,500
Minimum [Member]
Interest rate under Revolving Credit Facility		1.375%
Maximum [Member]
Interest rate under Revolving Credit Facility		2.00%
Former Corporate Headquarters Building [Member]
Write-offs relating to long-lived assets and intangibles		$ 1,200

Fair Value Measurements (Summar

Fair Value Measurements (Summary Of Accrued Earnout Activity) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Fair Value Measurements [Abstract]
Beginning balance	$ 15,086	$ 30,063	$ 9,840
Additions	3,295	11,048	31,704
Payments	(4,094)	(18,724)	(9,324)
Change in estimate	(6,468)	(7,310)	(1,585)
Foreign currency translation adjustments	(589)	9	(572)
Ending balance	$ 7,230	$ 15,086	$ 30,063

Restricted Cash (Narrative) (De

Restricted Cash (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Restricted Cash [Abstract]
Surety, payment and performance bonds	$ 38.6	$ 38.3
Collateral payment for performance bonds	0.7	1.7
Collateral related to workers compensation policy	$ 2.5	$ 2.6

Restricted Cash (Schedule Of Re

Restricted Cash (Schedule Of Restricted Cash) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents Items [Line Items]
Total restricted cash	$ 28,580	$ 58,453
Restricted Cash - Current Asset [Member] | Securitization Escrow Accounts [Member]
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents Items [Line Items]
Total restricted cash	25,135	52,117
Restricted Cash - Current Asset [Member] | Payment and Performance Bonds [Member]
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents Items [Line Items]
Total restricted cash	218	402
Other Assets - Noncurrent [Member] | Surety Bonds and Workers Compensation [Member]
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents Items [Line Items]
Total restricted cash	$ 3,227	$ 5,934

Other Assets (Schedule Of Other

Other Assets (Schedule Of Other Assets) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Other Assets [Abstract]
Long-term investments	$ 8,140	$ 44,095
Prepaid land rent	158,176	134,148
Straight-line rent receivable	267,682	230,384
Deferred lease costs, net	30,577	28,517
Other	32,762	29,899
Total other assets	$ 497,337	$ 467,043

Acquisitions (Narrative) (Detai

Acquisitions (Narrative) (Details) $ in Thousands, BRL in Millions	Dec. 01, 2014USD ($)item	Mar. 31, 2014USD ($)item	Mar. 26, 2014BRL	Nov. 26, 2013USD ($)item	Jan. 31, 2016USD ($)item	Dec. 31, 2015USD ($)item	Dec. 31, 2014USD ($)item	Dec. 31, 2013USD ($)item	Sep. 29, 2014BRLshares
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Number of towers acquired | item						893	4,030	2,502
Foreign Exchange Forward [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Foreign currency forward contracts, notional amount | BRL									BRL 1,170
Foreign currency floor price | shares									2.4
Foreign currency ceiling price									2.5665
Oi. S. A. Acquisitions [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Number of towers acquired | item	1,641	2,007		2,113
Cash paid for acquisition	$ 463,200	$ 673,900
Property and equipment	99,810	86,787
Intangible assets	$ 363,352	$ 587,111
Aggregate purchase price				$ 317,000
Oi. S. A. Acquisitions [Member] | March 31, 2014 Acquisition [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Total revenue from business acquisition							$ 60,700
Oi. S. A. Acquisitions [Member] | December 1, 2014 Acquisition [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Total revenue from business acquisition							$ 4,800
Oi. S. A. Acquisitions [Member] | Foreign Exchange Forward [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Foreign currency forward contracts, notional amount | BRL			BRL 1,525
Gain (loss) on derivative | BRL			BRL 17.9
Other Acquisitions [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Number of towers acquired | item						893	382	389
Cash paid for acquisition						$ 525,800	$ 403,200	$ 311,400
Property and equipment						176,300
Intangible assets						351,000
Working capital adjustments						$ 1,500
Subsequent Event [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Number of towers acquired | item					102
Cash paid for acquisition					$ 62,500

Acquisitions (Schedule Of Acqui

Acquisitions (Schedule Of Acquisition Activity) (Details) - item	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Acquisitions [Abstract]
Tower acquisitions (number of towers)	893	4,030	2,502

Acquisitions (Schedule Of Acq57

Acquisitions (Schedule Of Acquisition Capital Expenditures) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Towers and related intangible assets	$ 525,802	$ 1,540,258	$ 628,423
Land buyouts	83,728	44,964	48,956
Total cash acquisition capital expenditures	609,530	1,585,222	677,379
Ground lease extensions	$ 16,300	$ 10,800	9,100
Brazilian Acquisiton [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Total cash acquisition capital expenditures			$ 175,900

Acquisitions (Schedule Of Recog

Acquisitions (Schedule Of Recognized Identified Assets Acquired And Liabilities Assumed) (Details) - Oi. S. A. Acquisitions [Member] - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 01, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Property and equipment	$ 99,810	$ 86,787
Intangible assets	363,352	587,111
Net assets acquired	$ 463,162	$ 673,898

Intangible Assets, Net (Narrati

Intangible Assets, Net (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Intangible Assets, Net [Abstract]
Intangible assets, useful life	15 years
Amortization expense	$ 363.1	$ 338.4	$ 266.6

Intangible Assets, Net (Gross A

Intangible Assets, Net (Gross And Net Carrying Amounts For Each Major Class Of Intangible Assets) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross carrying amount	$ 5,351,157	$ 5,492,833
Accumulated amortization	(1,615,744)	(1,303,293)
Net book value	3,735,413	4,189,540
Current Contract Intangibles [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross carrying amount	3,904,864	4,090,129
Accumulated amortization	(1,118,493)	(891,374)
Net book value	2,786,371	3,198,755
Network Location Intangibles [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross carrying amount	1,446,293	1,402,704
Accumulated amortization	(497,251)	(411,919)
Net book value	$ 949,042	$ 990,785

Intangible Assets, Net (Estimat

Intangible Assets, Net (Estimated Future Amortization Expense) (Details) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2015USD ($)
Intangible Assets, Net [Abstract]
2,016	$ 357,963
2,017	355,914
2,018	355,811
2,019	355,467
2,020	$ 354,620

Property And Equipment, Net (Na

Property And Equipment, Net (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Property And Equipment, Net [Abstract]
Depreciation expense	$ 296.5	$ 287.8	$ 266.1
Non-cash capital expenditures	$ 9.5	$ 29

Property And Equipment, Net (Pr

Property And Equipment, Net (Property And Equipment, Net (Including Assets Held Under Capital Leases)) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Total property and equipment	$ 4,976,259	$ 4,709,036
Less: accumulated depreciation	(2,193,906)	(1,946,619)
Property and equipment, net	2,782,353	2,762,417
Towers And Related Components [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Total property and equipment	4,370,664	4,194,375
Construction-In-Process [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Total property and equipment	32,730	35,855
Furniture, Equipment and Vehicles [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Total property and equipment	48,018	51,832
Land, Buildings, and Improvements [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Total property and equipment	$ 524,847	$ 426,974

Costs And Estimated Earnings 64

Costs And Estimated Earnings On Uncompleted Contracts (Narrative) (Details) - customer	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Costs And Estimated Earnings On Uncompleted Contracts [Abstract]
Costs and estimated earnings in excess of billings on uncompleted contracts, net of billings in excess of costs and estimated earnings on uncompleted contracts, percentage comprised by significant customers	95.90%	92.70%
Number of significant customers	8

Costs And Estimated Earnings 65

Costs And Estimated Earnings On Uncompleted Contracts (Summary Of Costs And Estimated Earnings On Uncompleted Contracts) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Costs And Estimated Earnings On Uncompleted Contracts [Abstract]
Costs incurred on uncompleted contracts	$ 78,849	$ 113,654
Estimated earnings	29,333	48,949
Billings to date	(95,055)	(143,323)
Costs and estimated earnings on uncompleted contracts	$ 13,127	$ 19,280

Costs And Estimated Earnings 66

Costs And Estimated Earnings On Uncompleted Contracts (Costs And Estimated Earnings On Uncompleted Contracts Accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Costs And Estimated Earnings On Uncompleted Contracts [Abstract]
Costs and estimated earnings in excess of billings on uncompleted contracts	$ 16,934	$ 30,078
Billings in excess of costs and estimated earnings on uncompleted contracts (included in Other current liabilities)	(3,807)	(10,798)
Costs and estimated earnings on uncompleted contracts	$ 13,127	$ 19,280

Concentration Of Credit Risk (N

Concentration Of Credit Risk (Narrative) (Details) - customer	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Number of significant customers	8
Accounts Receivable [Member]
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Number of significant customers	5	5
Concentration risk percentage of accounts receivable	62.10%	63.50%

Concentration Of Credit Risk (S

Concentration Of Credit Risk (Summary Of Significant Customers And Percentage Of Total Revenue For Specified Time Periods Derived From Such Customers) (Details) - Revenue [Member]	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
AT&T Wireless [Member]
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Concentration risk percentage of revenue	24.20%	23.00%	20.50%
Sprint [Member]
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Concentration risk percentage of revenue	19.60%	23.40%	25.00%
T-Mobile [Member]
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Concentration risk percentage of revenue	16.00%	15.50%	17.30%
Verizon Wireless [Member]
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Concentration risk percentage of revenue	13.80%	12.00%	11.30%
Domestic Site Leasing Revenue [Member] | AT&T Wireless [Member]
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Concentration risk percentage of revenue	31.90%	30.10%	25.50%
Domestic Site Leasing Revenue [Member] | Sprint [Member]
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Concentration risk percentage of revenue	22.30%	25.60%	30.90%
Domestic Site Leasing Revenue [Member] | T-Mobile [Member]
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Concentration risk percentage of revenue	19.00%	19.20%	20.20%
Domestic Site Leasing Revenue [Member] | Verizon Wireless [Member]
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Concentration risk percentage of revenue	16.30%	14.40%	13.30%
International Site Leasing Revenue [Member] | Oi S.A. [Member]
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Concentration risk percentage of revenue	48.80%	44.30%	6.30%
International Site Leasing Revenue [Member] | Telefonica [Member]
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Concentration risk percentage of revenue	24.70%	28.80%	44.20%
International Site Leasing Revenue [Member] | Digicel [Member]
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Concentration risk percentage of revenue	4.60%	4.90%	11.20%
Site Development Revenue [Member] | Sprint [Member]
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Concentration risk percentage of revenue	28.50%	36.70%	1.50%
Site Development Revenue [Member] | T-Mobile [Member]
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Concentration risk percentage of revenue	17.60%	8.50%	8.40%
Site Development Revenue [Member] | Ericsson, Inc [Member]
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Concentration risk percentage of revenue	15.30%	16.80%	34.50%
Site Development Revenue [Member] | Verizon Wireless [Member]
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Concentration risk percentage of revenue	14.80%	10.10%	4.80%

Accrued Expenses (Details)

Accrued Expenses (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Accrued Expenses [Abstract]
Accrued earnouts	$ 7,230	$ 15,086
Salaries and benefits	14,253	13,440
Real estate and property taxes	7,899	5,331
Other	34,373	31,696
Total accrued expenses	$ 63,755	$ 65,553

Debt (Terms Of The Senior Credi

Debt (Terms Of The Senior Credit Agreement) (Narrative) (Details) - Senior Credit Agreement [Member]	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt to annualized borrower EBITDA ratio	6.5
Debt and net hedge exposure to annualized borrower EBITDA	6.5
Consecutive trading days	30 days
Annualized borrower EBITDA to annualized cash interest expense	2

Debt (Revolving Credit Facility

Debt (Revolving Credit Facility Under The Senior Credit Agreement) (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($)	Feb. 05, 2015	Feb. 07, 2014	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Feb. 04, 2015
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Repayments of revolving credit facility			$ 895,000,000	$ 790,000,000	$ 225,000,000
Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Line of credit facility, maximum borrowing capacity	$ 1,000,000,000					$ 770,000,000
Line of credit facility, commitment fee	0.25%
Revolving credit facility, maturity date	Feb. 5, 2020
Borrowings on the revolving credit facility			770,000,000
Repayments of revolving credit facility		$ 390,000,000	895,000,000
Line of credit facility, outstanding			0
Line of credit facility, remaining borrowing capacity			$ 1,000,000
Minimum [Member] | Revolving Credit Facility [Member] | Eurodollar [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Basis spread on variable interest rate	1.375%
Minimum [Member] | Revolving Credit Facility [Member] | Base Rate [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Basis spread on variable interest rate	0.375%
Maximum [Member] | Revolving Credit Facility [Member] | Eurodollar [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Basis spread on variable interest rate	2.00%
Maximum [Member] | Revolving Credit Facility [Member] | Base Rate [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Basis spread on variable interest rate	1.00%

Debt (Term Loans Under The Seni

Debt (Term Loans Under The Senior Credit Agreement) (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($)	Nov. 18, 2015	Jun. 10, 2015	Feb. 07, 2014	Apr. 24, 2013	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Repayment of term loans					$ 190,000,000	$ 310,500,000	$ 512,000,000
Deferred financing fees, expensed					19,154,000	17,572,000	15,560,000
Debt instrument, principal balance					8,555,000,000	7,870,000,000
2011 Term Loan [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, face amount					$ 500,000,000
Debt instrument, maturity date					Jun. 30, 2018
Term Loan, percentage of par value					99.75%
Deferred financing fees					$ 4,900,000
Repayment of term loans			$ 180,500,000	$ 310,700,000			312,000,000
Deferred financing fees, expensed			1,100,000	2,300,000
Discount related to debt			300,000	600,000
2012-1 Term Loan [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, face amount					$ 200,000,000
Debt instrument, maturity date					May 9, 2017
Deferred financing fees					$ 2,700,000
Repayment of term loans	$ 160,000,000				172,500,000
Deferred financing fees, expensed	$ 800,000
Debt instrument, principal balance						172,500,000
2012-2 Term Loan [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, face amount					$ 300,000,000
Debt instrument, maturity date					Sep. 28, 2019
Percentage of par value price for issuance of term loan					99.75%
Deferred financing fees					$ 3,500,000
Repayment of term loans			110,000,000	189,300,000			$ 190,000,000
Deferred financing fees, expensed			1,000,000	2,000,000
Discount related to debt			$ 200,000	$ 400,000
2014 Term Loan [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, face amount					$ 1,500,000,000
Debt instrument, maturity date					Mar. 24, 2021
Coupon rate of notes					3.25%
Percentage of par value price for issuance of term loan					99.75%
Deferred financing fees					$ 12,900,000
Quarterly payments					3,800,000
Repayment of term loans					15,000,000
Debt instrument, principal balance					$ 1,477,500,000	$ 1,492,500,000
2015 Term Loan [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, face amount		$ 500,000,000
Debt instrument, maturity date					Jun. 10, 2022
Term Loan, percentage of par value		99.00%
Coupon rate of notes					3.25%
Deferred financing fees					$ 5,100,000
Quarterly payments					1,300,000
Repayment of term loans					2,500,000
Debt instrument, principal balance					$ 497,500,000
Base Rate [Member] | 2011 Term Loan [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Basis spread on variable interest rate					1.75%
Base rate floor					2.00%
Base Rate [Member] | 2012-2 Term Loan [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Basis spread on variable interest rate					1.75%
Base rate floor					2.00%
Base Rate [Member] | 2014 Term Loan [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Basis spread on variable interest rate					1.50%
Base rate floor					1.75%
Base Rate [Member] | 2015 Term Loan [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Basis spread on variable interest rate		1.50%
Base rate floor		1.75%
Eurodollar [Member] | 2011 Term Loan [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Basis spread on variable interest rate					2.75%
Eurodollar rate floor					1.00%
Eurodollar [Member] | 2012-2 Term Loan [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Basis spread on variable interest rate					2.75%
Eurodollar rate floor					1.00%
Eurodollar [Member] | 2014 Term Loan [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Basis spread on variable interest rate					2.50%
Eurodollar rate floor					0.75%
Eurodollar [Member] | 2015 Term Loan [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Basis spread on variable interest rate		2.50%
Eurodollar rate floor		0.75%
Minimum [Member] | Base Rate [Member] | 2012-1 Term Loan [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Basis spread on variable interest rate					1.00%
Minimum [Member] | Eurodollar [Member] | 2012-1 Term Loan [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Basis spread on variable interest rate					2.00%
Maximum [Member] | Base Rate [Member] | 2012-1 Term Loan [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Basis spread on variable interest rate					1.50%
Maximum [Member] | Eurodollar [Member] | 2012-1 Term Loan [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Basis spread on variable interest rate					2.50%

Debt (Secured Tower Revenue Sec

Debt (Secured Tower Revenue Securities) (Narrative) (Details)	Oct. 14, 2015USD ($)	Oct. 15, 2014USD ($)	Apr. 18, 2013USD ($)	Aug. 09, 2012USD ($)	Apr. 16, 2010USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2015USD ($)site	Dec. 31, 2014USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2013USD ($)
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Deferred financing fees, expensed						$ 19,154,000	$ 17,572,000	$ 15,560,000
Aggregate debt						$ 8,542,305,000	7,860,799,000
Tower Securities [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Aggregate number of tower sites owned by Borrowers | site						10,585
Property management fee percentage						4.50%
U.S. Treasury rate term						10 years
Interest added to Treasury rate and credit-based spread for non-compliance						5.00%
2010 Tower Securities [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
No prepayment consideration period						9 months
Deferred financing fees					$ 8,100,000
2010-1C Tower Securities [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, face amount					$ 680,000,000
Debt instrument, interest rate, stated percentage					4.254%
Repayment date of debt instrument					Apr. 15, 2015
Debt instrument, maturity date					Apr. 16, 2040
Deferred financing fees, expensed		$ 1,100,000
2010-2C Tower Securities [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, face amount					$ 550,000,000
Debt instrument, interest rate, stated percentage					5.101%
Repayment date of debt instrument					Apr. 11, 2017
Debt instrument, maturity date					Apr. 9, 2042	Apr. 11, 2017
Aggregate debt						$ 550,000,000	550,000,000
2012 Tower Securities [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
No prepayment consideration period						12 months
2012-1C Tower Securities [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, face amount				$ 610,000,000
Debt instrument, interest rate, stated percentage				2.933%
Repayment date of debt instrument				Dec. 11, 2017
Debt instrument, maturity date				Dec. 9, 2042		Dec. 11, 2017
Deferred financing fees				$ 14,900,000
Aggregate debt						$ 610,000,000	610,000,000
2013 Tower Securities [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, face amount			$ 1,330,000,000
Deferred financing fees			$ 25,500,000
Debt instrument, weighted average interest rate			3.218%
2013-1C Tower Securities [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
No prepayment consideration period						12 months
Debt instrument, face amount			$ 425,000,000
Debt instrument, interest rate, stated percentage			2.24%
Repayment date of debt instrument			Apr. 10, 2018
Debt instrument, maturity date			Apr. 9, 2043			Apr. 10, 2018
Aggregate debt						$ 425,000,000	425,000,000
2013-2C Tower Securities [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
No prepayment consideration period						18 months
Debt instrument, face amount			$ 575,000,000
Debt instrument, interest rate, stated percentage			3.722%
Repayment date of debt instrument			Apr. 11, 2023
Debt instrument, maturity date			Apr. 9, 2048			Apr. 11, 2023
Aggregate debt						$ 575,000,000	575,000,000
2013-1D Tower Securities [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
No prepayment consideration period						12 months
Debt instrument, face amount			$ 330,000,000
Debt instrument, interest rate, stated percentage			3.598%
Repayment date of debt instrument			Apr. 10, 2018
Debt instrument, maturity date			Apr. 9, 2043			Apr. 10, 2018
Aggregate debt						$ 330,000,000	330,000,000
2014 Tower Securities [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, face amount		1,540,000,000
Deferred financing fees		$ 22,500,000
Debt instrument, weighted average interest rate		3.289%
2014-1C Tower Securities [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
No prepayment consideration period						12 months
Debt instrument, face amount		$ 920,000,000
Debt instrument, interest rate, stated percentage		2.898%
Repayment date of debt instrument		Oct. 8, 2019
Debt instrument, maturity date		Oct. 11, 2044				Oct. 8, 2019
Aggregate debt						$ 920,000,000	920,000,000
2014-2C Tower Securities [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
No prepayment consideration period						18 months
Debt instrument, face amount		$ 620,000,000
Debt instrument, interest rate, stated percentage		3.869%
Repayment date of debt instrument		Oct. 8, 2024
Debt instrument, maturity date		Oct. 8, 2049				Oct. 8, 2024
Aggregate debt						$ 620,000,000	$ 620,000,000
2015-1C Tower Securities [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
No prepayment consideration period						12 months
Debt instrument, face amount	$ 500,000,000
Debt instrument, interest rate, stated percentage	3.156%
Repayment date of debt instrument	Oct. 8, 2020
Debt instrument, maturity date	Oct. 10, 2045					Oct. 8, 2020
Deferred financing fees	$ 10,900,000
Debt service coverage ratio	2
Aggregate debt						$ 500,000,000
Mortgage Loan [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, additional borrowings						500,000,000
Aggregate debt						$ 4,500,000,000
Minimum [Member] | Tower Securities [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Additional interest rate for non-compliance						5.00%
Excess Cash Flow Reserve [Member] | Minimum [Member] | Tower Securities [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt service coverage ratio						1.30
Amortization Period Prepay [Member] | Maximum [Member] | Tower Securities [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt service coverage ratio						1.15

Debt (1.875% Convertible Senior

Debt (1.875% Convertible Senior Notes Due 2013) (Narrative) (Details) - 1.875% Convertible Senior Notes [Member] - USD ($) $ in Millions	May. 16, 2008	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2013
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, issuance date	May 16, 2008
Convertible senior notes issued	$ 550
Debt instrument, interest rate, stated percentage	1.875%	1.875%
Interest payable dates		May 1 and November 1.
Lehman Brothers [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Gain on a sale of a bankruptcy claim			$ 27.3

Debt (4.0% Convertible Senior N

Debt (4.0% Convertible Senior Notes Due 2014) (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands, shares in Millions	Apr. 24, 2009	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Company paid in cash to settle warrants		$ 150,874	$ 884,985	$ 97,912
4.0% Convertible Senior Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, issuance date	Apr. 24, 2009
Convertible senior notes issued	$ 500,000
Debt instrument, interest rate, stated percentage	4.00%	4.00%
Interest payable dates		April 1 and October 1
4.0% Convertible Senior Notes [Member] | Common Stock [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Company paid in cash to settle warrants		$ 150,900
Common stock received from conversion settlement		2.1

Debt (Senior Notes) (Narrative)

Debt (Senior Notes) (Narrative) (Details) $ in Thousands	Aug. 15, 2014USD ($)	Jul. 01, 2014USD ($)	Sep. 28, 2012USD ($)	Jul. 13, 2012USD ($)	Jul. 24, 2009USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2015USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2014USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2013USD ($)
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Deferred financing fees, expensed						$ 19,154	$ 17,572	$ 15,560
8.0% Senior Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Unsecured senior notes					$ 375,000
Debt instrument, maturity date					Aug. 15, 2016
Debt instrument, interest rate, stated percentage					8.00%	8.25%
Percentage of face value price for issuance of senior notes					99.33%
8.25% Senior Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Unsecured senior notes					$ 375,000
Debt instrument, maturity date					Aug. 15, 2019
Debt instrument, interest rate, stated percentage					8.25%	8.25%
Percentage of face value price for issuance of senior notes					99.152%
Premium on redemption	$ 10,100
Debt discount expensed	1,200
Deferred financing fees, expensed	$ 3,300
5.75% Senior Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Unsecured senior notes				$ 800,000
Debt instrument, maturity date				Jul. 15, 2020		Jul. 15, 2020
Debt instrument, interest rate, stated percentage				5.75%		5.75%
Interest payable dates						July 15 and January 15
Deferred financing fees				$ 14,000
5.75% Senior Notes [Member] | Redemption, Period One [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Redemption price, percentage						102.875%
5.75% Senior Notes [Member] | Redemption, Period Two [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Redemption price, percentage						101.438%
5.75% Senior Notes [Member] | Redemption, Period Three [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Redemption price, percentage						100.00%
5.75% Senior Notes [Member] | Telecommunications [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Ownership interest						100.00%
5.625% Senior Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Unsecured senior notes			$ 500,000
Debt instrument, maturity date			Oct. 1, 2019			Oct. 1, 2019
Debt instrument, interest rate, stated percentage			5.625%			5.625%
Interest payable dates						April 1 and October 1
Deferred financing fees			$ 8,600
5.625% Senior Notes [Member] | Redemption, Period One [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Redemption price, percentage						102.813%
5.625% Senior Notes [Member] | Redemption, Period Two [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Redemption price, percentage						101.406%
5.625% Senior Notes [Member] | Redemption, Period Three [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Redemption price, percentage						100.00%
4.875% Senior Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Unsecured senior notes		$ 750,000
Debt instrument, maturity date		Jul. 15, 2022				Jul. 15, 2022
Debt instrument, interest rate, stated percentage		4.875%				4.875%	4.875%
Percentage of face value price for issuance of senior notes		99.178%
Interest payable dates						January 15 and July 15
Deferred financing fees		$ 11,600
Redemption price, percentage						104.875%
Aggregate redemption price, percentage						35.00%
4.875% Senior Notes [Member] | Redemption, Period One [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Redemption price, percentage						103.656%
4.875% Senior Notes [Member] | Redemption, Period Two [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Redemption price, percentage						102.438%
4.875% Senior Notes [Member] | Redemption, Period Three [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Redemption price, percentage						101.219%
4.875% Senior Notes [Member] | Redemption, Period Four [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Redemption price, percentage						100.00%
Senior Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Unsecured senior notes					$ 750,000
Ratio of indebtedness to annualized consolidated adjusted EBITDA						9.500
Senior Notes [Member] | Telecommunications [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Ratio of indebtedness to annualized consolidated adjusted EBITDA						7.500

Debt (BNDES Loans) (Narrative)

Debt (BNDES Loans) (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2015
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, fair value	$ 7,887,202		$ 8,525,291
BNDES Loans [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, fair value		$ 5,000
Debt instrument, additional borrowings	400	$ 1,300
Repayments of long-term debt	$ 6,300

Debt (Carrying And Principal Va

Debt (Carrying And Principal Values Of Debt) (Details) - USD ($)	Oct. 14, 2015	Oct. 15, 2014	Jul. 01, 2014	Apr. 18, 2013	Sep. 28, 2012	Aug. 09, 2012	Jul. 13, 2012	Apr. 16, 2010	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principal Balance									$ 8,555,000,000	$ 7,870,000,000
Fair Value									8,525,291,000	7,887,202,000
Carrying Value									8,542,305,000	7,860,799,000
Less: current maturities of long-term debt									(20,000,000)	(32,500,000)
Total long-term debt, net of current maturities									$ 8,522,305,000	7,828,299,000
Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principal Balance										125,000,000
Fair Value										125,000,000
Carrying Value										125,000,000
Debt instrument, maturity date									Feb. 5, 2020
5.625% Senior Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principal Balance									$ 500,000,000	500,000,000
Fair Value									521,250,000	511,250,000
Carrying Value									$ 500,000,000	500,000,000
Debt instrument, maturity date					Oct. 1, 2019				Oct. 1, 2019
Debt instrument, interest rate, stated percentage					5.625%				5.625%
5.75% Senior Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principal Balance									$ 800,000,000	800,000,000
Fair Value									832,000,000	816,000,000
Carrying Value									$ 800,000,000	800,000,000
Debt instrument, maturity date							Jul. 15, 2020		Jul. 15, 2020
Debt instrument, interest rate, stated percentage							5.75%		5.75%
4.875% Senior Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principal Balance									$ 750,000,000	750,000,000
Fair Value									744,375,000	721,875,000
Carrying Value									$ 744,806,000	$ 744,150,000
Debt instrument, maturity date			Jul. 15, 2022						Jul. 15, 2022
Debt instrument, interest rate, stated percentage			4.875%						4.875%	4.875%
2010-2C Tower Securities [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principal Balance									$ 550,000,000	$ 550,000,000
Fair Value									558,223,000	576,901,000
Carrying Value									$ 550,000,000	550,000,000
Debt instrument, maturity date								Apr. 9, 2042	Apr. 11, 2017
Debt instrument, interest rate, stated percentage								5.101%
2012-1C Tower Securities [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principal Balance									$ 610,000,000	610,000,000
Fair Value									611,879,000	620,175,000
Carrying Value									$ 610,000,000	610,000,000
Debt instrument, maturity date						Dec. 9, 2042			Dec. 11, 2017
Debt instrument, interest rate, stated percentage						2.933%
2013-1C Tower Securities [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principal Balance									$ 425,000,000	425,000,000
Fair Value									416,959,000	420,776,000
Carrying Value									$ 425,000,000	425,000,000
Debt instrument, maturity date				Apr. 9, 2043					Apr. 10, 2018
Debt instrument, interest rate, stated percentage				2.24%
2013-2C Tower Securities [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principal Balance									$ 575,000,000	575,000,000
Fair Value									565,541,000	584,344,000
Carrying Value									$ 575,000,000	575,000,000
Debt instrument, maturity date				Apr. 9, 2048					Apr. 11, 2023
Debt instrument, interest rate, stated percentage				3.722%
2013-1D Tower Securities [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principal Balance									$ 330,000,000	330,000,000
Fair Value									332,676,000	330,551,000
Carrying Value									$ 330,000,000	330,000,000
Debt instrument, maturity date				Apr. 9, 2043					Apr. 10, 2018
Debt instrument, interest rate, stated percentage				3.598%
2014-1C Tower Securities [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principal Balance									$ 920,000,000	920,000,000
Fair Value									910,368,000	920,515,000
Carrying Value									$ 920,000,000	920,000,000
Debt instrument, maturity date		Oct. 11, 2044							Oct. 8, 2019
Debt instrument, interest rate, stated percentage		2.898%
2014-2C Tower Securities [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principal Balance									$ 620,000,000	620,000,000
Fair Value									608,084,000	629,474,000
Carrying Value									$ 620,000,000	620,000,000
Debt instrument, maturity date		Oct. 8, 2049							Oct. 8, 2024
Debt instrument, interest rate, stated percentage		3.869%
2015-1C Tower Securities [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principal Balance									$ 500,000,000
Fair Value									489,680,000
Carrying Value									$ 500,000,000
Debt instrument, maturity date	Oct. 10, 2045								Oct. 8, 2020
Debt instrument, interest rate, stated percentage	3.156%
2012-1 Term Loan [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principal Balance										172,500,000
Fair Value										171,422,000
Carrying Value										172,500,000
Debt instrument, maturity date									May 9, 2017
2014 Term Loan [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principal Balance									$ 1,477,500,000	1,492,500,000
Fair Value									1,447,950,000	1,458,919,000
Carrying Value									$ 1,474,641,000	$ 1,489,149,000
Debt instrument, maturity date									Mar. 24, 2021
2015 Term Loan [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principal Balance									$ 497,500,000
Fair Value									486,306,000
Carrying Value									$ 492,858,000
Debt instrument, maturity date									Jun. 10, 2022

Debt (Future Principal Payment

Debt (Future Principal Payment Obligations) (Details) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2015USD ($)
Debt [Abstract]
2,016	$ 20,000
2,017	1,180,000
2,018	775,000
2,019	1,440,000
2,020	$ 1,320,000

Debt (Schedule Of Cash And Non-

Debt (Schedule Of Cash And Non-Cash Interest Expense) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Jul. 01, 2014	Sep. 28, 2012	Jul. 13, 2012	Jul. 24, 2009	Apr. 24, 2009	May. 16, 2008
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Cash Interest	$ 322,366	$ 292,600	$ 249,051
Non-cash Interest	1,505	27,112	49,085
Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Cash Interest	$ 5,552	4,591	4,515
1.875% Convertible Senior Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Cash Interest			2,670
Non-cash Interest			10,434
Debt instrument, interest rate, stated percentage	1.875%								1.875%
4.0% Convertible Senior Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Cash Interest		12,520	19,998
Non-cash Interest		26,266	38,307
Debt instrument, interest rate, stated percentage	4.00%							4.00%
8.0% Senior Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, interest rate, stated percentage	8.25%						8.00%
8.25% Senior Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Cash Interest		12,513	20,109
Non-cash Interest		121	182
Debt instrument, interest rate, stated percentage	8.25%						8.25%
5.625% Senior Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Cash Interest	$ 28,125	28,125	28,125
Debt instrument, interest rate, stated percentage	5.625%				5.625%
5.75% Senior Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Cash Interest	$ 46,000	46,000	46,000
Debt instrument, interest rate, stated percentage	5.75%					5.75%
4.875% Senior Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Cash Interest	$ 36,563	18,281
Non-cash Interest	$ 655	$ 315
Debt instrument, interest rate, stated percentage	4.875%	4.875%		4.875%
2010 Tower Securities [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Cash Interest	$ 28,230	$ 51,237	57,383
2012 Tower Securities [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Cash Interest	18,111	18,085	18,085
2013 Tower Securities [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Cash Interest	43,217	43,217	30,392
2014 Tower Securities [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Cash Interest	51,138	10,796
2015 Tower Securities [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Cash Interest	3,453
2011 Term Loan [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Cash Interest		696	10,533
Non-cash Interest		7	101
2012-1 Term Loan [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Cash Interest	3,959	4,534	4,557
2012-2 Term Loan [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Cash Interest		424	6,416
Non-cash Interest		4	61
2014 Term Loan [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Cash Interest	48,992	41,338
Non-cash Interest	492	399
2015 Term Loan [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Cash Interest	9,243
Non-cash Interest	358
Other [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Cash Interest	$ (217)	$ 243	$ 268

Shareholders' Equity (Narrative

Shareholders' Equity (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Millions	1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended	24 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2016	Jun. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Jun. 04, 2015	Apr. 27, 2011	May. 20, 2010	Apr. 24, 2009	Dec. 31, 2007
Class A Common Stock [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Shares registered									4,000,000
Shares reclassified as authorized and unissued			1,700,000
4.0% Convertible Senior Notes [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Debt instrument, interest rate, stated percentage			4.00%					4.00%
Previous Stock Repurchase Program [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Stock repurchased, shares				0
Previous Stock Repurchase Program [Member] | Class A Common Stock [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Stock repurchase program, authorized						$ 300
Stock repurchased, value		$ 1.3
Weighted average price per share		$ 114.96
Stock repurchase program, remaining authorization		$ 150
New Stock Repurchase Program [Member] | Class A Common Stock [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Stock repurchase program, authorized					$ 1,000
Stock repurchased, value			$ 300
Stock repurchased, shares			2,700,000
Weighted average price per share			$ 112.04
Stock repurchase program, remaining authorization			$ 700
New Stock Repurchase Program [Member] | Class A Common Stock [Member] | Subsequent Event [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Stock repurchased, value	$ 50
Stock repurchased, shares	500,000
Weighted average price per share	$ 98.65
Stock repurchase program, remaining authorization	$ 650
2010 Plan [Member] | Class A Common Stock [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Maximum issuance of shares			15,000,000				15,000,000

Stock-Based Compensation (Narra

Stock-Based Compensation (Narrative) (Details) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015USD ($)ShareBasedCompensationPlan$ / sharesshares	Dec. 31, 2014USD ($)$ / sharesshares	Dec. 31, 2013USD ($)$ / shares	May. 20, 2010shares
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of equity participation plans | ShareBasedCompensationPlan	2
Weighted-average fair value of options granted | $ / shares	$ 24.75	$ 19.49	$ 17.38
Total intrinsic value for options exercised	$ 33,000	$ 49,200	$ 39,300
Cash received from option exercises	25,400	28,300	21,400
Tax benefit realized from stock option exercises	$ 0	0	0
Share price | $ / shares	$ 105.07
Total fair value of shares vested	$ 15,100	11,500	9,800
Non-cash compensation expense	28,747	22,671	17,205
Non-cash compensation capitalized to fixed and intangible assets	500	300	200
Stock Options [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Total unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested stock options	$ 35,200
Weighted average period to recognize cost	2 years 7 months 6 days
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Weighted average period to recognize cost	2 years 7 months 6 days
Total unrecognized compensation expense related to unvested restricted stock	$ 18,500
2010 Plan [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Maximum issuance of granted | shares	7,500,000
2010 Plan [Member] | Class A Common Stock [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Maximum issuance of shares | shares	15,000,000			15,000,000
Shares remaining available for future issuance under the plan | shares	10,200,000
2008 Plan [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Shares remaining available for future issuance under the plan | shares	304,339
Percentage of purchase plan price per share equal to the fair market value	85.00%
Non-cash compensation expense	$ 500	$ 400	$ 300
2008 Plan [Member] | Class A Common Stock [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Maximum issuance of shares | shares	500,000
Class A common stock were issued under the purchase plan | shares	26,898	23,204
Cash proceeds from issuance of shares under the purchase plan	$ 2,600	$ 2,100
Minimum [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Contractual life of options and restricted stock units	7 years
Maximum [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Contractual life of options and restricted stock units	10 years

Stock-Based Compensation (Sched

Stock-Based Compensation (Schedule Of Assumptions Used To Estimate Fair Value Of Stock Options) (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Risk free interest rate, Minimum	1.21%	1.15%	0.51%
Risk free interest rate, Maximum	1.46%	1.37%	1.38%
Dividend yield	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Expected volatility	20.00%	22.00%
Expected lives	4 years 7 months 6 days	4 years 4 months 24 days
Minimum [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Expected volatility			25.00%
Expected lives			3 years 10 months 24 days
Maximum [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Expected volatility			29.00%
Expected lives			4 years 9 months 18 days

Stock-Based Compensation (Activ

Stock-Based Compensation (Activities With Respect To Its Stock Options) (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Stock-Based Compensation [Abstract]
Number of Shares Outstanding, Beginning Balance	3,276	2,979	2,831
Number of Shares, Granted	1,076	1,121	984
Number of Shares, Exercised	(495)	(780)	(776)
Number of Shares, Canceled	(63)	(44)	(60)
Number of Shares Outstanding, Ending Balance	3,794	3,276	2,979
Number of Shares Exercisable, Ending Balance	1,349
Number of Shares Unvested, Ending Balance	2,445
Weighted-Average Exercise Price Per Share, Outstanding, Beginning Balance	$ 66.85	$ 48.30	$ 34.06
Weighted-Average Exercise Price Per Share, Granted	124.24	95.51	73.17
Weighted-Average Exercise Price Per Share, Exercised	51.58	36.34	27.57
Weighted-Average Exercise Price Per Share, Canceled	93.74	81.21	52.54
Weighted-Average Exercise Price Per Share, Outstanding, Ending Balance	84.66	$ 66.85	$ 48.30
Weighted-Average Exercise Price Per Share, Exercisable, Ending Balance	54.85
Weighted-Average Exercise Price Per Share, Unvested, Ending Balance	$ 101.10
Weighted-Average Remaining Contractual Life (in years), Outstanding at December 31, 2015	4 years 6 months
Weighted-Average Remaining Contractual Life (in years), Exercisable at December 31, 2015	3 years
Weighted-Average Remaining Contractual Life (in years), Unvested at December 31, 2015	5 years 3 months 18 days
Aggregate Intrinsic Value, Outstanding at December 31, 2015	$ 97,731
Aggregate Intrinsic Value, Exercisable at December 31, 2015	67,721
Aggregate Intrinsic Value, Unvested at December 31, 2015	$ 30,010

Stock-Based Compensation (Addit

Stock-Based Compensation (Additional Information Regarding Options Outstanding And Exercisable) (Details) shares in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015$ / sharesshares
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Options Outstanding, Number of Shares | shares	3,794
Options Exercisable, Number of Shares | shares	1,349
$0.00 - $30.00 [Member]
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Exercise price range, lower limit	$ 0
Exercise price range, upper limit	$ 30
Options Outstanding, Number of Shares | shares	141
Options Outstanding, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life	7 months 6 days
Options Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$ 21.74
Options Exercisable, Number of Shares | shares	141
Options Exercisable, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$ 21.74
$30.01 - $50.00 [Member]
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Exercise price range, lower limit	30.01
Exercise price range, upper limit	$ 50
Options Outstanding, Number of Shares | shares	840
Options Outstanding, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life	2 years 4 months 24 days
Options Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$ 42.84
Options Exercisable, Number of Shares | shares	704
Options Exercisable, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$ 41.93
$50.01 - $90.00 [Member]
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Exercise price range, lower limit	50.01
Exercise price range, upper limit	$ 90
Options Outstanding, Number of Shares | shares	754
Options Outstanding, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life	4 years 2 months 12 days
Options Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$ 72.96
Options Exercisable, Number of Shares | shares	295
Options Exercisable, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$ 72.53
$90.01 - $129.00 [Member]
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Exercise price range, lower limit	90.01
Exercise price range, upper limit	$ 129
Options Outstanding, Number of Shares | shares	2,059
Options Outstanding, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life	5 years 8 months 12 days
Options Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$ 110.32
Options Exercisable, Number of Shares | shares	209
Options Exercisable, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$ 95.58

Stock-Based Compensation (Act86

Stock-Based Compensation (Activity Of Options Outstanding Not Yet Vested) (Details) - $ / shares shares in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Stock-Based Compensation [Abstract]
Number of Shares, Unvested as of December 31, 2014	2,221
Number of Shares, Granted	1,076	1,121	984
Number of Shares, Vesting during period	(796)
Number of Shares, Forfeited or canceled	(56)
Number of Shares, Unvested as of December 31, 2015	2,445	2,221
Weighted-Average Fair Value Per Share, Unvested as of December 31, 2014	$ 18.89
Weighted-Average Fair Value Per Share, Granted	24.75	$ 19.49	$ 17.38
Weighted-Average Fair Value Per Share, Vesting during period	18.98
Weighted-Average Fair Value Per Share, Forfeited or canceled	20.68
Weighted-Average Fair Value Per Share, Unvested as of December 31, 2015	$ 21.43	$ 18.89

Stock-Based Compensation (Restr

Stock-Based Compensation (Restricted Stock Unit Activity) (Details) shares in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015$ / sharesshares
Stock-Based Compensation [Abstract]
Number of Units Outstanding, at December 31, 2014 | shares	295
Number of Units, Granted | shares	110
Number of Units, Vested | shares	(122)
Number of Units, Forfeited/Canceled | shares	(6)
Number of Units Outstanding, at December 31, 2015 | shares	277
Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value per Share Outstanding, at December 31, 2014 | $ / shares	$ 73.55
Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value per Share, Granted | $ / shares	123.93
Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value per Share, Vested | $ / shares	64.35
Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value per Share, Forfeited/Canceled | $ / shares	95.19
Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value per Share Outstanding, at December 31, 2015 | $ / shares	$ 97.14

Stock-Based Compensation (Sch88

Stock-Based Compensation (Schedule Of Non-Cash Compensation Expense) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Compensation Cost [Line Items]
Total cost of non-cash compensation included in loss before provision for income taxes	$ 28,747	$ 22,671	$ 17,205
Amount charged against loss	28,747	22,671	17,205
Cost of Revenues [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Compensation Cost [Line Items]
Total cost of non-cash compensation included in loss before provision for income taxes	405	386	230
Selling, General And Administrative [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Compensation Cost [Line Items]
Total cost of non-cash compensation included in loss before provision for income taxes	$ 28,342	$ 22,285	$ 16,975

Income Taxes (Narrative) (Detai

Income Taxes (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Schedule Of Income Taxes [Line Items]
Reconciliation of provision for income taxes on continuing operations at the statutory U.S. Federal tax rate	35.00%
Valuation allowance recognized	$ 292.9	$ 267.3
Net change in valuation allowance	25.6	$ 20.8
Valuation allowance relating to federal carryover	2
Valuation allowance relating to state tax credit carryover	0.4
Net federal operating tax loss carry-forward	955.7
Net operating tax loss carried forward from stock options	$ 253.9
Operating loss carry-forward, expiration year	2,016
Foreign net operating loss carry-forward	$ 50.3
Net state operating tax loss carry-forward	474.6
Undistributed earnings of Company's foreign subsidiaries	38.2
Undistributed earnings of foreign subsidiaries, federal and state income taxes	$ 0
Minimum [Member]
Schedule Of Income Taxes [Line Items]
Tax credit carry-forward, expiration year	2,017
Operating loss carry-forward, expiration year	2,021
Maximum [Member]
Schedule Of Income Taxes [Line Items]
Operating loss carry-forward, expiration year	2,033

Income Taxes (Income (Loss) Bef

Income Taxes (Income (Loss) Before Provision For Income Taxes From Continuing Operations By Geographic Area) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Income Taxes [Abstract]
Domestic	$ (22,698)	$ (16,623)	$ (45,429)
Foreign	(143,897)	963	(11,789)
Total	$ (166,595)	$ (15,660)	$ (57,218)

Income Taxes (Components Of Pro

Income Taxes (Components Of Provision For Income Taxes) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Income Taxes [Abstract]
Current provision (benefit), State	$ 2,752	$ 1,099	$ 387
Current provision (benefit), Foreign	6,314	7,006	4,946
Total current	9,066	8,105	5,333
Deferred provision (benefit) for taxes, Federal income taxes	(3,023)	1,458	(11,977)
Deferred provision (benefit) for taxes, State and local taxes	(3,106)	(887)	(3,272)
Deferred provision (benefit) for taxes, Foreign tax	(40,636)	(472)	(9,013)
Deferred provision (benefit) for taxes, Increase in valuation allowance	46,760	431	17,620
Total deferred	(5)	530	(6,642)
Total provision (benefit) for income taxes	$ 9,061	$ 8,635	$ (1,309)

Income Taxes (Income Tax Rate R

Income Taxes (Income Tax Rate Reconciliation) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Income Taxes [Abstract]
Statutory Federal benefit	$ (58,307)	$ (5,481)	$ (20,027)
Foreign tax expense	3,534	3,844	2,870
State and local taxes benefit	(230)	138	(1,875)
Non-deductible non-cash compensation	4,892	5,644	2,605
Foreign dividend income		3,700
Foreign tax rate change		1,374	(4,960)
Foreign exchange rate changes	9,212	(799)
Other	3,200	(216)	2,458
Valuation allowance	46,760	431	17,620
Total provision (benefit) for income taxes	$ 9,061	$ 8,635	$ (1,309)

Income Taxes (Components Of Net

Income Taxes (Components Of Net Deferred Income Tax Asset And Liability) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Schedule of Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities [Line Items]
Current deferred tax assets, Net operating losses		$ 49,900
Current deferred tax assets, Alloance for doubtful accounts		326
Current deferred tax assets, Deferred revenue		48,940
Current deferred tax assets, Accrued liabilities		6,701
Current deferred tax assets, Valuation allowance		(51,249)
Current deferred tax assets, Total current deferred tax assets, net		54,618
Noncurrent deferred tax assets, Net operating losses	$ 369,924	375,103
Noncurrent deferred tax assets, Property, equipment & intangible basis differences	28,226	27,340
Noncurrent deferred tax assets, Accrued liabilities	45,885	40,368
Noncurrent deferred tax assets, Non-cash compensation	14,913	10,567
Noncurrent deferred tax assets, Deferred revenue	43,608
Noncurrent deferred tax assets, Allowance for doubtful accounts	647
Noncurrent deferred tax assets, Currency translation	57,015	7,757
Noncurrent deferred tax assets, Other	4,357	2,425
Noncurrent deferred tax assets, Valuation allowance	(292,871)	(216,052)
Total noncurrent deferred tax assets	271,704	247,508
Noncurrent deferred tax liabilities, Property, equipment & intangible basis differences	(242,763)	(283,185)
Noncurrent deferred tax liabilities, Straight-line Rents	(28,058)	(25,142)
Noncurrent deferred tax liabilities, Deferred lease costs	(11,611)	(5,647)
Noncurrent deferred tax liabilities, Other	(14,448)	(10,905)
Total noncurrent deferred tax liabilities, net	(25,176)	(77,371)
Other Assets [Member]
Schedule of Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities [Line Items]
Total noncurrent deferred tax assets	619	451
Other Long-Term Liabilities [Member]
Schedule of Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities [Line Items]
Total noncurrent deferred tax liabilities, net	$ (25,795)	$ (77,822)

Commitments And Contingencies94

Commitments And Contingencies (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Schedule Of Commitments And Contingencies [Line Items]
Rent expense for operating leases	$ 239.8	$ 223.4	$ 196.3
Contingent rent expense	24.4	23.3	20.3
Long term purchase commitment milestone	4.1	18.7	$ 9.3
Estimated obligation for long term purchase commitment milestones	7.2
Maximum obligation for long term purchase commitment milestones	$ 10.2	$ 23.1
Non-cancelable Operating Leases [Member]
Schedule Of Commitments And Contingencies [Line Items]
Lease expiration period	Dec. 1, 2114
Non-cancelable Capital Leases [Member]
Schedule Of Commitments And Contingencies [Line Items]
Lease expiration period	Sep. 1, 2019
Minimum [Member]
Schedule Of Commitments And Contingencies [Line Items]
Business acquisitions performance target period	1 year
Maximum [Member]
Schedule Of Commitments And Contingencies [Line Items]
Business acquisitions performance target period	3 years

Commitments And Contingencies95

Commitments And Contingencies (Annual Minimum Lease Payments) (Details) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2015USD ($)
Commitments And Contingencies [Abstract]
Capital Leases, due on 2016	$ 1,619
Capital Leases, due on 2017	1,150
Capital Leases, due on 2018	799
Capital Leases, due on 2019	251
Total minimum lease payments	3,819
Less: amount representing interest	(178)
Present value of future payments	3,641
Less: current obligations	(1,814)
Long-term obligations	1,827
Operating Leases, due on 2016	188,382
Operating Leases, due on 2017	190,538
Operating Leases, due on 2018	194,228
Operating Leases, due on 2019	197,012
Operating Leases, due on 2020	$ 198,774

Commitments And Contingencies96

Commitments And Contingencies (Annual Minimum Tower Lease Income) (Details) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2015USD ($)
Commitments And Contingencies [Abstract]
2,016	$ 1,271,391
2,017	1,144,510
2,018	996,793
2,019	808,933
2,020	$ 574,797

Defined Contribution Plan (Narr

Defined Contribution Plan (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($)	6 Months Ended		12 Months Ended				24 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2015
Defined Contribution Plan [Abstract]
Condition to participate in defined contribution plan			Employees have the opportunity to participate following completion of three months of employment and must be 21 years of age.
Discretionary matching contribution company percentage	75.00%	50.00%				50.00%	75.00%
Discretionary matching contribution, employee's contribution, maximum	$ 4,000	$ 3,000				$ 3,000	$ 4,000
Company matching contributions			$ 2,100,000	$ 2,000,000	$ 1,600,000

Segment Data (Narrative) (Detai

Segment Data (Narrative) (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015segment
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Number of business segments	2
Number of reportable segments	2

Segment Data (Segment Reporting

Segment Data (Segment Reporting Information Disclosure) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	$ 406,941	$ 410,735	$ 410,704	$ 410,094	$ 404,734	$ 393,293	$ 383,420	$ 345,549	$ 1,638,474	$ 1,526,996	$ 1,304,866
Cost of revenues									444,399	428,485	408,253
Operating profit									1,194,075	1,098,511	896,613
Selling, general, and administrative									114,951	103,317	85,476
Acquisition related adjustments and expenses									11,864	7,798	19,198
Asset impairment and decommission costs									94,783	23,801	28,960
Depreciation, amortization and accretion	161,461	164,330	162,377	171,853	162,214	159,410	161,005	144,443	660,021	627,072	533,334
Operating income	82,129	$ 43,083	$ 98,163	$ 89,081	96,590	$ 89,484	$ 83,317	$ 67,132	312,456	336,523	229,645
Other expense (principally interest expense and other expense)									(479,051)	(352,183)	(286,863)
Loss before provision for income taxes									(166,595)	(15,660)	(57,218)
Cash capital expenditures									820,864	1,797,763	847,511
Assets	7,403,215				7,841,125				7,403,215	7,841,125
Domestic Site Leasing Revenue [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues									1,236,758	1,157,293	1,048,756
Cost of revenues									252,493	247,237	242,839
Operating profit									984,265	910,056	805,917
Selling, general, and administrative									67,413	67,611	59,320
Acquisition related adjustments and expenses									9,975	3,351	6,525
Asset impairment and decommission costs									93,977	21,538	26,478
Depreciation, amortization and accretion									534,436	515,150	484,053
Operating income									278,464	302,406	229,541
Cash capital expenditures									709,337	547,774	261,775
Assets	5,639,495				5,554,753				5,639,495	5,554,753
International Site Leasing Revenue [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues									243,876	202,909	84,257
Cost of revenues									72,162	54,076	27,933
Operating profit									171,714	148,833	56,324
Selling, general, and administrative									16,196	16,762	10,065
Acquisition related adjustments and expenses									1,889	4,447	12,673
Asset impairment and decommission costs									806	2,263	2,482
Depreciation, amortization and accretion									118,886	104,447	44,973
Operating income									33,937	20,914	(13,869)
Cash capital expenditures									94,693	1,221,786	578,938
Assets	1,564,496				1,989,571				1,564,496	1,989,571
Site Development [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues									157,840	166,794	171,853
Cost of revenues									119,744	127,172	137,481
Operating profit									38,096	39,622	34,372
Selling, general, and administrative									12,247	9,074	7,760
Depreciation, amortization and accretion									3,662	2,453	2,280
Operating income									22,187	28,095	24,332
Cash capital expenditures									3,495	3,851	6,693
Assets	56,631				78,633				56,631	78,633
Not Identified by Segment [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Selling, general, and administrative									19,095	9,870	8,331
Depreciation, amortization and accretion									3,037	5,022	2,028
Operating income									(22,132)	(14,892)	(10,359)
Other expense (principally interest expense and other expense)									(479,051)	(352,183)	(286,863)
Cash capital expenditures									13,339	24,352	$ 105
Assets	$ 142,593				$ 218,168				$ 142,593	$ 218,168

Quarterly Financial Data (Sched

Quarterly Financial Data (Schedule Of Quarterly Financial Information) (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Quarterly Financial Data [Abstract]
Revenues	$ 406,941	$ 410,735	$ 410,704	$ 410,094	$ 404,734	$ 393,293	$ 383,420	$ 345,549	$ 1,638,474	$ 1,526,996	$ 1,304,866
Operating income	82,129	43,083	98,163	89,081	96,590	89,484	83,317	67,132	312,456	336,523	229,645
Depreciation, accretion, and amortization	(161,461)	(164,330)	(162,377)	(171,853)	(162,214)	(159,410)	(161,005)	(144,443)	(660,021)	(627,072)	(533,334)
Loss from extinguishment of debt, net	(783)				(1,124)	(14,893)	(8,236)	(1,951)	(783)	(26,204)	(6,099)
Net income (loss)	$ 31,019	$ (155,946)	$ 28,305	$ (79,034)	$ 388	$ (16,624)	$ (9,467)	$ 1,408	$ (175,656)	$ (24,295)	$ (55,909)
Net loss per common share									$ (1.37)	$ (0.19)	$ (0.44)
Net income (loss) per common share - basic	$ 0.25	$ (1.23)	$ 0.22	$ (0.61)	$ 0	$ (0.13)	$ (0.07)	$ 0.01
Net income (loss) per common share - diluted	$ 0.24	$ (1.23)	$ 0.22	$ (0.61)	$ 0	$ (0.13)	$ (0.07)	$ 0.01