SBA Communications (SBAC) 10-Q 7 Nov 13 2013 Q3 Quarterly report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Nov. 01, 2013
Document And Entity Information [Abstract]	'	'
Document Type	'10-Q	'
Amendment Flag	'false	'
Document Period End Date	30-Sep-13	'
Document Fiscal Year Focus	'2013	'
Document Fiscal Period Focus	'Q3	'
Entity Registrant Name	'SBA COMMUNICATIONS CORP	'
Entity Central Index Key	'0001034054	'
Current Fiscal Year End Date	'--12-31	'
Entity Filer Category	'Large Accelerated Filer	'
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	'	128,387,897

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets

Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Current Assets:	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	$189,409	$233,099
Restricted cash	49,054	27,708
Short-term investments	4,873	5,471
Accounts receivable, net of allowance of $714 and $246 at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively	65,115	39,099
Costs and estimated earnings in excess of billings on uncompleted contracts	34,090	23,644
Prepaid and other current assets	47,893	39,542
Total current assets	390,434	368,563
Property and equipment, net	2,578,639	2,671,317
Intangible assets, net	3,122,339	3,134,133
Deferred financing fees, net	76,974	66,324
Other assets	416,042	355,280
Total assets	6,584,428	6,595,617
Current Liabilities	'	'
Current maturities of long-term debt	11,250	475,351
Accounts payable	26,168	27,694
Accrued expenses	67,055	42,052
Deferred revenue	84,919	76,668
Accrued interest	42,175	46,233
Other current liabilities	21,291	195,690
Total current liabilities	252,858	863,688
Long-term liabilities:	'	'
Long-term debt	5,637,078	4,880,752
Other long-term liabilities	246,063	186,475
Total long-term liabilities	5,883,141	5,067,227
Commitments and contingencies	'	'
Redeemable noncontrolling interest	'	11,711
Shareholders' equity	'	'
Common stock - Class A, par value $0.01, 400,000 shares authorized, 128,137 and 126,933 shares issued and outstanding at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively	1,281	1,269
Additional paid in capital	2,958,635	3,111,107
Accumulated deficit	-2,498,923	-2,462,176
Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income, net	-12,564	2,791
Total shareholders' equity	448,429	652,991
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	$6,584,428	$6,595,617

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets_Pa

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified
Accounts receivable, allowance	$714	$246
Class A Common Stock [Member]	'	'
Common stock - Class A, par value	$0.01	$0.01
Common stock - Class A, shares authorized	400,000	400,000
Common stock - Class A, shares issued	128,137	126,933
Common stock - Class A, shares outstanding	128,137	126,933

Consolidated_Statements_of_Ope

Consolidated Statements of Operations (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Revenues:	'	'	'	'
Site leasing	$287,483	$208,828	$840,488	$585,332
Site development	44,611	29,778	128,982	74,911
Total revenues	332,094	238,606	969,470	660,243
Operating expenses:	'	'	'	'
Cost of site leasing	68,042	46,621	203,927	126,787
Cost of site development	35,253	25,062	103,788	63,294
Selling, general, and administrative	21,827	17,565	63,765	52,524
Asset impairment and decommission costs	6,190	1,560	16,405	2,555
Acquisition related expenses	3,599	5,715	11,378	21,875
Depreciation, accretion, and amortization	133,281	101,012	400,006	277,110
Total operating expenses	268,192	197,535	799,269	544,145
Operating income	63,902	41,071	170,201	116,098
Other income (expense):	'	'	'	'
Interest income	274	335	1,612	419
Interest expense	-62,987	-50,578	-185,569	-136,728
Non-cash interest expense	-9,642	-17,874	-39,151	-52,281
Amortization of deferred financing fees	-3,981	-3,199	-11,508	-9,293
Loss from extinguishment of debt, net	-3	-22,643	-5,764	-49,792
Other income, net	34,175	249	34,873	5,233
Total other expense, net	-42,164	-93,710	-205,507	-242,442
Income (loss) before provision for income taxes	21,738	-52,639	-35,306	-126,344
Provision for income taxes	-207	-1,029	-1,441	-4,809
Income (loss) from continuing operations	21,531	-53,668	-36,747	-131,153
Income from discontinued operations, net of income taxes	'	969	'	2,349
Net income (loss)	21,531	-52,699	-36,747	-128,804
Less: Net loss attributable to the noncontrolling interest	'	254	'	256
Net income (loss) attributable to SBA Communications Corporation	$21,531	($52,445)	($36,747)	($128,548)
Income (loss) per common share from continuing operations:	'	'	'	'
Basic	$0.17	($0.44)	($0.29)	($1.11)
Diluted	$0.16	($0.44)	($0.29)	($1.11)
Income per common share from discontinued operations:	'	'	'	'
Basic and diluted	'	$0.01	'	$0.02
Weighted average number of common shares	'	'	'	'
Basic	127,885	121,689	127,555	118,159
Diluted	136,912	121,689	127,555	118,159

Consolidated_Statements_of_Com

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Statement Of Income And Comprehensive Income [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Net income (loss) from continuing operations	$21,531	($53,668)	($36,747)	($131,153)
Income from discontinued operations	'	969	'	2,349
Foreign currency translation adjustments	16,909	1,686	-15,355	1,449
Comprehensive income (loss)	23,140	-51,013	-52,102	-127,355
Comprehensive (loss) attributable to the noncontrolling interest	'	254	'	256
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to SBA Communications Corp.	$23,140	($50,759)	($52,102)	($127,099)

Consolidated_Statement_of_Shar

Consolidated Statement of Shareholders' Equity (USD $)	Total	Shares - Hedge [Member]	Shares - Warrant [Member]	Class A Common Stock [Member]	Class A Common Stock [Member]	Class A Common Stock [Member]	Additional Paid-In Capital [Member]	Additional Paid-In Capital [Member]	Additional Paid-In Capital [Member]	Accumulated Deficit [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income, Net [Member]
In Thousands, except Share data					Shares - Hedge [Member]	Shares - Warrant [Member]		Shares - Hedge [Member]	Shares - Warrant [Member]
BALANCE, Amount at Dec. 31, 2012	$652,991	'	'	$1,269	'	'	$3,111,107	'	'	($2,462,176)	$2,791
BALANCE, Shares at Dec. 31, 2012	'	'	'	126,933,000	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net loss attributable to SBA Communications	-36,747	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-36,747	'
Common stock issued in connection with stock purchase/option plans, Amount	10,167	'	'	6	'	'	10,161	'	'	'	'
Common stock issued in connection with stock purchase/option plans, Shares	'	'	'	638,000	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Non-cash compensation	13,162	'	'	'	'	'	13,162	'	'	'	'
Adjustment associated with the acquisition of noncontrolling interest	5,703	'	'	'	'	'	5,703	'	'	'	'
Settlement of convertible notes, Amount	-321,923	'	'	5	'	'	-321,928	'	'	'	'
Settlement of convertible notes, Shares	'	'	'	438,000	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Settlement of convertible note hedges and common stock warrants, Shares	'	'	'	'	-82,000	210,000	'	'	'	'	'
Settlement of convertible note hedges and common stock warrants, Amount	'	182,854	-42,423	'	-1	2	'	182,855	-42,425	'	'
Foreign currency translation adjustments	-15,355	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-15,355
BALANCE, Amount at Sep. 30, 2013	$448,429	'	'	$1,281	'	'	$2,958,635	'	'	($2,498,923)	($12,564)
BALANCE, Shares at Sep. 30, 2013	'	'	'	128,137,000	'	'	'	'	'	'	'

Consolidated_Statements_of_Cas

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:	'	'
Net loss	($36,747)	($128,804)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by operating activities:	'	'
Income from discontinued operations, net of income taxes	'	-2,349
Depreciation, accretion, and amortization	400,006	277,110
Non-cash interest expense	39,151	52,281
Deferred income tax (benefit) expense	-2,670	1,456
Non-cash asset impairment and decommission costs	13,097	2,555
Non-cash compensation expense	13,010	10,586
Amortization of deferred financing fees	11,508	9,293
Loss from extinguishment of debt, net	5,764	49,792
Unrealized gain on foreign currency swap contract	-6,893	'
Gain on sale/settlement of bankruptcy claim on convertible hedge	-27,870	-4,649
Other non-cash items reflected in the Statements of Operations	-537	177
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions:	'	'
Accounts receivable and costs and estimated earnings in excess of billings on uncompleted contracts, net	-34,531	-14,220
Prepaid and other assets	-68,622	-48,384
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	4,901	7,136
Accrued interest	137	2,656
Other liabilities	33,344	22,887
Net cash provided by operating activities	343,048	237,523
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:	'	'
Acquisitions and related earn-outs	-348,365	-982,989
Capital expenditures	-103,373	-74,461
Proceeds from sale of DAS networks	'	94,300
Other investing activities	960	-2,043
Net cash used in investing activities	-450,778	-965,193
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:	'	'
Borrowings under Revolving Credit Facility	125,000	484,000
Repayments under Revolving Credit Facility	-225,000	-484,000
Proceeds from sale of common stock, net of fees	'	283,879
Proceeds from sale/settlement of bankruptcy claim on convertible hedge	27,870	4,648
Proceeds from employee stock purchase/stock option plans	10,167	20,945
Payments on settlement of convertible debt	-794,997	'
Proceeds from settlement of convertible note hedges	182,855	'
Payments for settlement of common stock warrants	-42,424	'
Net cash provided by financing activities	62,820	2,119,105
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	1,220	-55
Net cash provided by discontinued operations from operating activities	'	2,349
NET (DECREASE) INCREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS	-43,690	1,393,729
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS:	'	'
Beginning of period	233,099	47,316
End of period	189,409	1,441,045
Cash paid during the period for:	'	'
Interest	185,408	134,170
Income taxes	5,208	3,698
SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION OF NON-CASH INVESTING & FINANCING ACTIVITIES:	'	'
Assets acquired through capital leases	1,239	2,235
Issuance of stock for acquisitions	'	263,341
Issuance of stock for conversion of debt, hedges, and warrants	18,158	'
Promissory note received in connection with disposition of DAS assets	'	25,000
Liabilities assumed on acquisition	9,796	'
Mobilitie Bridge Loan [Member]	'	'
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:	'	'
Proceeds from Long Term Debt, net of fees	'	395,000
Repayment of Debt Amount	'	-400,000
5.625% and 5.75% Senior Notes [Member]	'	'
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:	'	'
Proceeds from Long Term Debt, net of fees	'	1,278,456
2012 Secured Tower Revenue Securities [Member]	'	'
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:	'	'
Proceeds from issuance of debt	'	596,772
Term Loan under the Senior Credit Agreement [Member]	'	'
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:	'	'
Proceeds from Term Loans, net of fees	'	493,264
Repayment of Term Loans	-509,500	-6,250
8.0% Notes and 8.25% Notes [Member]	'	'
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:	'	'
Repayment of Debt Amount	'	-542,203
Tower Securities [Member]	'	'
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:	'	'
Proceeds from issuance of debt	1,304,854	'
Other financing activities	($16,005)	($5,406)

Consolidated_Statements_of_Cas1

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Parenthetical)	Sep. 30, 2013
5.625% Senior Notes [Member]	'
Debt instrument stated percentage	5.63%
5.75% Senior Notes [Member]	'
Debt instrument stated percentage	5.75%
8.0% Notes [Member]	'
Debt instrument stated percentage	8.00%
8.25% Notes [Member]	'
Debt instrument stated percentage	8.25%

Basis_of_Presentation

Basis of Presentation	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'
Basis of Presentation	'
	1	BASIS OF PRESENTATION
	The accompanying consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2012 for SBA Communications Corporation and its subsidiaries (the “Company”). These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X and, therefore, omit or condense certain footnotes and other information normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. In the opinion of the Company’s management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) considered necessary for fair financial statement presentation have been made. The results of operations for an interim period may not give an indication of the results for the year. Certain reclassifications have been made to prior year amounts or balances to conform to the presentation adopted in the current year.
	The preparation of financial statements requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. While the Company believes that such estimates are reasonable when considered in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes, the actual amount of such estimates, when known, will vary from these estimates.

Fair_Value_Measurements

Fair Value Measurements	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]	'
Fair Value Measurements	'
	2	FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS
	Items Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis— The Company’s earnouts related to acquisitions are measured at fair value on a recurring basis using Level 3 inputs. The Company determines the fair value of acquisition-related contingent consideration, and any subsequent changes in fair value, using a discounted probability-weighted approach using Level 3 inputs. 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 if the performance targets contained in various acquisition agreements were met was $26.0 million and $9.8 million as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively, which the Company recorded in accrued expenses on its Consolidated Balance Sheets. The maximum potential obligation related to the performance targets was $39.4 million as of September 30, 2013.
	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. 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 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 three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, the Company recognized an impairment charge of $6.2 million and $16.4 million, respectively, including the write off of the carrying value of decommissioned towers and other third party decommission costs, related to its long-lived assets and intangibles resulting from the Company’s analysis that the future cash flows from certain tower sites would not recover the carrying value of the investment in those tower sites. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012, the Company recognized an impairment charge of $1.6 million and $2.6 million, respectively. Impairment charges 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 related estimated fair values due to the short maturity of those instruments. Short-term investments consisted of $4.7 million and $5.3 million in certificate of deposits, as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively. 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 September 30, 2013, the carrying value and fair value of the held-to-maturity investments, including current portion, were $1.1 million and $1.3 million, respectively. As of December 31, 2012, the carrying value and fair value of the held-to-maturity investments, including current portion, was $1.3 million and $1.5 million, respectively.
	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 be equal to 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 187.5 basis points was set for the Revolving Credit Facility. The following table reflects fair values, principal balances, and carrying values of the Company’s debt instruments (see Note 9).
			As of September 30, 2013						As of December 31, 2012
					Principal		Carrying				Principal		Carrying
			Fair Value		Balance		Value		Fair Value		Balance		Value
			(in thousands)
	1.875% Convertible Senior Notes		$	—	$	—	$	—	$	714,096	$	468,836	$	457,351
	4.000% Convertible Senior Notes			1,329,234		499,947		458,535		1,060,622		499,987		430,751
	8.250% Senior Notes			263,250		243,750		242,340		272,391		243,750		242,205
	5.625% Senior Notes			490,000		500,000		500,000		523,750		500,000		500,000
	5.750% Senior Notes			792,000		800,000		800,000		848,000		800,000		800,000
	4.254% Secured Tower Revenue			692,342		680,000		680,000		713,619		680,000		680,000
	Securities Series 2010-1
	5.101% Secured Tower Revenue			592,257		550,000		550,000		621,379		550,000		550,000
	Securities Series 2010-2
	2.933% Secured Tower Revenue			614,008		610,000		610,000		635,614		610,000		610,000
	Securities Series 2012-1
	2.240% Secured Tower Revenue			411,940		425,000		425,000		—		—		—
	Securities Series 2013-1C
	3.722% Secured Tower Revenue			541,805		575,000		575,000		—		—		—
	Securities Series 2013-2C
	3.598% Secured Tower Revenue			321,651		330,000		330,000		—		—		—
	Securities Series 2013-1D
	Revolving Credit Facility			—		—		—		100,000		100,000		100,000
	2011 Term Loan B			180,303		180,529		180,218		493,731		492,500		491,518
	2012-1 Term Loan A			187,031		187,500		187,500		194,513		195,000		195,000
	2012-2 Term Loan B			109,834		109,971		109,735		300,750		300,000		299,278
	Total debt		$	6,525,655	$	5,691,697	$	5,648,328	$	6,478,465	$	5,440,073	$	5,356,103

Restricted_Cash

Restricted Cash	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Text Block [Abstract]	'
Restricted Cash	'
	3	RESTRICTED CASH
	Restricted cash consists of the following:
			As of		As of
			September 30, 2013		December 31, 2012		Included on Balance Sheet
			(in thousands)
	Securitization escrow accounts		$	48,115	$	26,774		Restricted cash - current asset
	Payment and performance bonds			939		934		Restricted cash - current asset
	Surety bonds and workers compensation			11,991		11,989		Other assets - noncurrent
	Total restricted cash		$	61,045	$	39,697
	Pursuant to the terms of the Tower Securities (see Note 9), 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 tower sites, (3) trustee and servicing expenses, (4) management fees, and (5) to reserve a portion of advance rents received from tenants. The restricted cash in the controlled deposit account in excess of required reserve balances is subsequently released to the Borrowers (as defined in the Annual Report on Form 10-K) 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 September 30, 2013, the Company had $39.2 million in surety, payment and performance bonds for which it was required to post $7.8 million in collateral. As of December 31, 2012, the Company had $35.1 million in surety, payment and performance bonds for which it was required to post $10.5 million in collateral. The Company periodically evaluates the collateral posted for its bonds to ensure that it meets the minimum requirements. The Company also pledged $2.3 million as collateral related to its workers’ compensation policy as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012.

Acquisitions

Acquisitions	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Business Combinations [Abstract]	'
Acquisitions	'
	4	ACQUISITIONS
	During the third quarter of 2013, the Company acquired 279 completed towers and related assets and liabilities and the rights to manage 4 additional communication sites. These acquisitions were not significant to the Company and, accordingly, pro forma financial information has not been presented.
	The following table summarizes the Company’s cash acquisition capital expenditures:
			For the three months				For the nine months
			ended September 30,				ended September 30,
			2013		2012		2013		2012
			(in thousands)
	Towers and related intangible assets		$	80,326	$	21,736	$	311,190	$	951,331
	Ground lease land purchases			11,320		9,154		35,864		25,907
	Earnouts			—		708		1,311		5,751
	Total acquisition capital expenditures		$	91,646	$	31,598	$	348,365	$	982,989
	Total acquisition capital expenditures for the nine months ended September 30, 2013, included $175.9 million related to an acquisition in Brazil which closed in the fourth quarter of 2012.
	In addition, the Company paid $2.8 million and $1.2 million for ground lease extensions during the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively, and $7.6 and $4.7 million for ground lease extensions during the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively. The Company recorded these amounts in prepaid rent on its Consolidated Balance Sheet.
	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.
	During the second quarter of 2013, the Company identified a purchase price allocation adjustment related to an acquisition that occurred in the fourth quarter of the prior year, and accordingly, has recorded an adjustment to reclassify $54.1 million from Property and Equipment to Intangible Assets. The effect of this entry was not material to the Company’s Statement of Operations and Consolidated Balance Sheet for the periods presented, and as such, has only been reflected in the Consolidated Statement of Operations and Consolidated Balance Sheet as of and for the nine months ended September 30, 2013.
	Earnouts
	The Company recorded an adjustment of $0.1 million increasing the estimated contingent consideration fair value and $1.9 million decreasing the estimated contingent consideration fair value during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, respectively. The Company recorded an adjustment of $0.5 million and $1.3 million during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012, respectively, increasing the estimated contingent consideration fair value at such date.
	As of September 30, 2013, the Company’s estimate of its potential obligation if the performance targets contained in various acquisition agreements were met was $26.0 million, which the Company has recorded in accrued expenses.
	Foreign Currency Forward Contract
	On July 26, 2013 the Company entered into foreign currency forward contracts with a valuation date of October 28, 2013 for an aggregate notional amount of $305.0 million (R$697.1 million) to hedge the purchase price of an acquisition in Brazil. 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.
	At September 30, 2013, the Company recognized an unrealized gain of $6.9 million related to the mark to market of the foreign currency forward contracts. Subsequent to September 30, 2013, the Company settled the foreign currency forward contracts, receiving proceeds of $14.1 million. On October 28, 2013, the Company entered into another foreign currency forward contract with a valuation date of November 18, 2013, for an aggregate notional amount of $314.0 million (R$687.5 million) in order to continue to hedge the purchase price of the Brazil acquisition.

Discontinued_Operations

Discontinued Operations	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Discontinued Operations And Disposal Groups [Abstract]	'
Discontinued Operations	'
	5	DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS
	On September 6, 2012, the Company sold certain DAS networks located in New York, Chicago and Las Vegas, to ExteNet Systems, Inc. for approximately $119.3 million, comprised of $94.3 million in cash and $25 million in the form of a promissory note. One additional DAS network in Auburn, Alabama was sold to ExteNet on October 23, 2012 for $5.7 million in cash.
	The sold DAS networks were included in the Company’s Site Leasing segment, met both the component and held for sale criteria during the third quarter of 2012 and the results of operations associated with these assets have been reported as discontinued operations in the Company’s consolidated financial statements. The Company did not allocate any portion of the Company’s interest expense to discontinued operations.
	The key components of discontinued operations were as follows:
			For the three months				For the nine months
			ended September 30,				ended September 30,
			2013		2012		2013		2012
			(in thousands)
	Site leasing revenue		$	—	$	2,121	$	—	$	4,775
	Income from discontinued operations, net of taxes			—		969		—		2,349

Intangible_Assets_Net

Intangible Assets, Net	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Goodwill And Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Intangible Assets, Net	'
	6	INTANGIBLE ASSETS, NET
	The following table provides the gross and net carrying amounts for each major class of intangible assets:
			As of September 30, 2013							As of December 31, 2012
			Gross carrying		Accumulated			Net book		Gross carrying		Accumulated			Net book
			amount		amortization			value		amount		amortization			value
			(in thousands)
	Current contract intangibles		$	2,841,948	$	(605,767	)	$	2,236,181	$	2,744,968	$	(462,016	)	$	2,282,952
	Network location intangibles			1,193,367		(307,209	)		886,158		1,101,566		(250,385	)		851,181
	Intangible assets, net		$	4,035,315	$	(912,976	)	$	3,122,339	$	3,846,534	$	(712,401	)	$	3,134,133
	All intangible assets noted above are included in our site leasing segment. The Company amortizes its intangible assets using the straight-line method over three to fifteen years. Amortization expense relating to the intangible assets above was $68.1 million and $46.4 million for the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively, and $201.7 million and $124.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively. These amounts are subject to change until the preliminary allocation of the purchase price is finalized for the respective acquisition.

Property_and_Equipment_Net

Property and Equipment, Net	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Property Plant And Equipment [Abstract]	'
Property and Equipment, Net	'
	7	PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, NET
	Property and equipment, net (including assets held under capital leases) consists of the following:
			As of			As of
			September 30, 2013			December 31, 2012
			(in thousands)
	Towers and related components		$	3,809,069		$	3,757,859
	Construction-in-process			21,022			25,454
	Furniture, equipment and vehicles			39,483			35,278
	Land, buildings and improvements			327,864			290,931
				4,197,438			4,109,522
	Less: accumulated depreciation			(1,618,799	)		(1,438,205	)
	Property and equipment, net		$	2,578,639		$	2,671,317
	Construction-in-process represents costs incurred related to towers that are under development and that will be used in the Company’s operations. Depreciation expense was $65.1 million and $54.5 million for the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively, and $198.1 million and $152.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively. At September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, non-cash capital expenditures that are included in accounts payable and accrued expenses were $12.0 million and $17.3 million, respectively.

Costs_and_Estimated_Earnings_o

Costs and Estimated Earnings on Uncompleted Contracts	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Contractors [Abstract]	'
Costs and Estimated Earnings on Uncompleted Contracts	'
	8	COSTS AND ESTIMATED EARNINGS ON UNCOMPLETED CONTRACTS
	Costs and estimated earnings on uncompleted contracts consist of the following:
			As of			As of
			September 30, 2013			December 31, 2012
			(in thousands)
	Cost incurred on uncompleted contracts		$	88,242		$	55,349
	Estimated earnings			34,668			20,883
	Billings to date			(92,120	)		(53,708	)
			$	30,790		$	22,524
	These amounts are included on the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheet under the following captions:
			As of			As of
			September 30, 2013			December 31, 2012
			(in thousands)
	Costs and estimated earnings in excess of billings on uncompleted contracts		$	34,090		$	23,644
	Other current liabilities (Billings in excess of costs and estimated earnings on uncompleted contracts)			(3,300	)		(1,120	)
			$	30,790		$	22,524
	At September 30, 2013, five significant customers comprised 83.7% 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, 2012, five significant customers comprised 86.5% of the costs and estimated earnings in excess of billings on uncompleted contracts, net of billings in excess of costs and estimated earnings.

Debt

Debt	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Debt	'
	9	DEBT
	The carrying and principal values of debt consist of the following (in thousands):
					As of								As of
					September 30, 2013								December 31, 2012
			Maturity		Principal				Carrying				Principal				Carrying
			Date		Balance				Value				Balance				Value
					(in thousands)
	1.875% Convertible Senior Notes		1-May-13		$	—			$	—			$	468,836			$	457,351
	4.000% Convertible Senior Notes		Oct. 1, 2014			499,947				458,535				499,987				430,751
	8.250% Senior Notes		Aug. 15, 2019			243,750				242,340				243,750				242,205
	5.625% Senior Notes		Oct. 1, 2019			500,000				500,000				500,000				500,000
	5.750% Senior Notes		15-Jul-20			800,000				800,000				800,000				800,000
	4.254% Secured Tower Revenue Securities Series 2010-1		April 15, 2015			680,000				680,000				680,000				680,000
	5.101% Secured Tower Revenue Securities Series 2010-2		17-Apr-17			550,000				550,000				550,000				550,000
	2.933% Secured Tower Revenue Securities Series 2012-1		Dec. 15, 2017			610,000				610,000				610,000				610,000
	2.240% Secured Tower Revenue Securities Series 2013-1C		17-Apr-18			425,000				425,000				—				—
	3.722% Secured Tower Revenue Securities Series 2013-2C		17-Apr-23			575,000				575,000				—				—
	3.598% Secured Tower Revenue Securities Series 2013-1D		17-Apr-18			330,000				330,000				—				—
	Revolving Credit Facility		9-May-17			—				—				100,000				100,000
	2011 Term Loan B		30-Jun-18			180,529				180,218				492,500				491,518
	2012-1 Term Loan A		9-May-17			187,500				187,500				195,000				195,000
	2012-2 Term Loan B		Sept. 28, 2019			109,971				109,735				300,000				299,278
	Total debt					5,691,697				5,648,328				5,440,073				5,356,103
	Less: current maturities of long-term debt									(11,250	)							(475,351	)
	Total long-term debt, net of current maturities								$	5,637,078							$	4,880,752
	The table below reflects cash and non-cash interest expense amounts recognized by debt instrument for the periods presented:
			Three months ended								Three months ended								Nine months ended				Nine months ended
			September 30, 2013								September 30, 2012								September 30, 2013				September 30, 2012
			Cash				Non-cash				Cash				Non-cash				Cash		Non-cash		Cash			Non-cash
			Interest				Interest				Interest				Interest				Interest		Interest		Interest			Interest
			(in thousands)								(in thousands)								(in thousands)				(in thousands)
	1.875% Convertible Senior Notes		$	—			$	—			$	2,508			$	9,339			$	2,670	$	10,434	$	7,523		$	27,375
	4.0% Convertible Senior Notes			4,999				9,570				5,000				8,412				14,999		28,446		15,000			24,448
	8.0% Senior Notes			—				—				3,142				35				—		—		15,867			174
	8.25% Senior Notes			5,027				46				5,027				42				15,082		135		18,150			149
	5.625% Senior Notes			7,031				—				234				—				21,094		—		234			—
	5.75% Senior Notes			11,500				—				10,094				—				34,500		—		10,094			—
	2010 Secured Tower Revenue Securities			14,349				—				14,344				—				43,037		—		43,032			—
	2012 Secured Tower Revenue Securities			4,521				—				2,612				—				13,564		—		2,612			—
	2013 Secured Tower Revenue Securities			10,804				—				—				—				19,588		—		—			—
	Revolving Credit Facility			856				—				849				—				3,338		—		3,558			—
	2011 Term Loan			1,730				16				4,743				45				8,802		85		14,163			134
	2012-1 Term Loan			1,123				—				1,403				—				3,516		—		2,262			—
	2012-2 Term Loan			1,054				10				94				1				5,362		51		94			1
	Mobilitie Bridge Loan			—				—				499				—				—		—		4,239			—
	Other			(7	)			—				29				—				17		—		(100	)		—
	Total		$	62,987			$	9,642			$	50,578			$	17,874			$	185,569	$	39,151	$	136,728		$	52,281
	Revolving Credit Facility under the Senior Credit Agreement
	The Revolving Credit Facility is governed by the Senior Credit Agreement. As of September 30, 2013, the Revolving Credit Facility consists of a revolving loan under which up to $770.0 million 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 the Eurodollar Rate plus a margin that ranges from 187.5 basis points to 237.5 basis points or at a Base Rate plus a margin that ranges from 87.5 basis points to 137.5 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. 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, May 9, 2017. The proceeds available under the Revolving Credit Facility may be used for general corporate purposes. A per annum commitment fee of 0.375% to 0.5% of the unused commitments under the Revolving Credit Facility is charged based on the ratio of Consolidated Total Debt to Annualized Borrower EBITDA (calculated in accordance with the Senior Credit Agreement). 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.
	On August 27, 2013, SBA Senior Finance II entered into a Sixth Amendment to the Senior Credit Agreement with the lenders parties thereto and the Administrative Agent. The Sixth Amendment amended the Senior Credit Agreement to, among other things, (i) increase the existing Consolidated Total Debt to Annualized Borrower EBITDA ratio maintenance covenant from 6.0x to 6.5x and (ii) proportionately adjust various leverage-based covenants, including mandatory repayments and restrictions on acquired indebtedness, general disposition of assets, restricted payments, and general investments.
	In addition, the Sixth Amendment modified the incremental capacity of the Revolving Credit Facility and Term Loan Facility from a fixed cap to an incurrence-based availability test which permits SBA Senior Finance II to request that one or more lenders provide (i) additional commitments under the Revolving Credit Facility and (ii) additional term loans, in each case without requesting the consent of the other lenders 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 6.5x. In addition, the amendment modified the percentage of allowable annualized borrower EBITDA for foreign subsidiaries from 10.0% to 35.0%.
	As of September 30, 2013, there was no amount outstanding under the Revolving Credit Facility and the availability under the Revolving Credit Facility was $770.0 million, 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 B
	The 2011 Term Loan consists of a senior secured term loan with an initial aggregate principal amount of $500.0 million that matures on June 30, 2018. The 2011 Term Loan accrues 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%). As of September 30, 2013, the 2011 Term Loan was accruing interest at 3.75% per annum. SBA Senior Finance II has the ability to prepay any or all amounts under the 2011 Term Loan without premium or penalty. 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 are being amortized through the maturity date.
	During the nine months ended September 30, 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 are required until the maturity date. As of September 30, 2013, the 2011 Term Loan had a principal balance of $180.5 million. The remaining $1.2 million of deferred financing fees, net are being amortized through the maturity date.
	2012-1 Term Loan A
	The 2012-1 Term Loan consists 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 accrues 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). As of September 30, 2013, the 2012-1 Term Loan was accruing interest at 2.18% per annum. Principal payments on the 2012-1 Term Loan commenced on September 30, 2012 and are being made in quarterly installments on the last day of each March, June, September and December, in an amount equal to $2.5 million for each of the first eight quarters, $3.75 million for the next four quarters and $5.0 million for each quarter thereafter. SBA Senior Finance II has the ability to prepay any or all amounts under the 2012-1 Term Loan without premium or penalty. To the extent not previously repaid, the 2012-1 Term Loan will be due and payable on the maturity date. 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 are being amortized through the maturity date.
	During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, the Company repaid $2.5 million and $7.5 million, respectively, on the 2012-1 Term Loan. As of September 30, 2013, the 2012-1 Term Loan had a principal balance of $187.5 million.
	2012-2 Term Loan B
	The 2012-2 Term Loan consists of a senior secured term loan with an initial aggregate principal amount of $300.0 million that matures on September 28, 2019. The 2012-2 Term Loan accrues 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%). As of September 30, 2013, the 2012-2 Term Loan was accruing interest at 3.75% per annum. SBA Senior Finance II has the ability to prepay any or all amounts under the 2012-2 Term Loan without premium or penalty. To the extent not previously repaid, the 2012-2 Term Loan will be due and payable on the maturity date. 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 are being amortized through the maturity date.
	During the nine months ended September 30, 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 are required until the maturity date. As of September 30, 2013, the 2012-2 Term Loan had a principal balance of $110.0 million. The remaining $1.1 million of deferred financing fees, net are being amortized through the maturity date.
	Secured Tower Revenue Securities
2010 Tower Securities
On April 16, 2010, 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 have an annual interest rate of 4.254% and the 2010-2 Tower Securities have an annual interest rate of 5.101%. The weighted average annual fixed interest rate of the 2010 Tower Securities is 4.7%, including borrowers’ fees, payable monthly. The anticipated repayment date and the final maturity date for the 2010–1 Tower Securities is April 15, 2015 and April 16, 2040, respectively. The anticipated repayment date and the final maturity date for the 2010–2 Tower Securities is April 17, 2017 and April 15, 2042, respectively. The sole asset of the Trust consists of a non-recourse mortgage loan made in favor of the Borrowers. The Company has incurred deferred financing fees of $18.0 million in relation to this transaction which are being amortized through the anticipated repayment date of each of the 2010 Tower Securities.
2012-1 Tower Securities
On August 9, 2012, the Company, through the Trust, issued $610.0 million of Secured Tower Revenue Securities Series 2012-1 (the “2012-1 Tower Securities”) which have an anticipated repayment date of December 15, 2017 and a final maturity date of December 15, 2042. The fixed interest rate of the 2012-1 Tower Securities is 2.933% per annum, payable monthly. The Company has incurred deferred financing fees of $14.9 million in relation to this transaction which are being amortized through the anticipated repayment date of the 2012-1 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 2018 and a final maturity date of April 2043, $575.0 million of 3.722% Secured Tower Revenue Securities Series 2013-2C which have an anticipated repayment date of April 2023 and a final maturity date of April 2048, and $330.0 million of 3.598% Secured Tower Revenue Securities Series 2013-1D which have an anticipated repayment date of April 2018 and a final maturity date of April 2043 (collectively the “2013 Tower Securities”). The aggregate $1.33 billion of 2013 Tower Securities have a blended interest rate of 3.218% and a weighted average life through the anticipated repayment date of 7.2 years. The Company has incurred deferred financing fees of $25.1 million in relation to this transaction which are being amortized through the anticipated repayment date.
Net proceeds from this offering were used to repay the $100 million outstanding balance under the Company’s Revolving Credit Facility, $310.7 million of the 2011 Term Loan, and $189.3 million of the 2012-2 Term Loan under the Company’s Senior Credit Agreement. The remaining net proceeds were used to satisfy unhedged obligations in connection with the Company’s 1.875% Convertible Senior Notes.
As of September 30, 2013, the Borrowers met the required Debt Service Coverage Ratio and were in compliance with all other covenants as set forth in the mortgage loan agreement.
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, and the 1.875% Notes matured on May 1, 2013. The 1.875% Notes were convertible, at the holder’s option, into shares of the Company’s Class A common stock, at an initial conversion rate of 24.1196 shares of Class A common stock per $1,000 principal amount of 1.875% Notes (subject to certain customary adjustments), which is equivalent to an initial conversion price of approximately $41.46 per share or a 20% conversion premium based on the last reported sale price of $34.55 per share of Class A common stock on the Nasdaq Global Select Market on May 12, 2008, the purchase agreement date.
Prior to the final settlement period, which began on February 22, 2013, the Company converted $18.1 million in principal of the 1.875% Notes. These notes were converted and settled with the issuance of 437,134 shares of SBA common stock pursuant to the terms of the Indenture. In connection with these conversions, the related convertible note hedges and a portion of the common stock warrants were settled. As a result, the Company received a net 71,054 shares of SBA Class A common stock.
Pursuant to the terms of the indenture, on February 1, 2013, SBA provided notice to the trustee and holders of its 1.875% Notes that it elected to settle 100% of its future conversion obligations pursuant to the Indenture governing the 1.875% Notes in cash, effective February 4, 2013.
During the final settlement period, the Company received additional conversion notices from holders of an aggregate of $450.6 million in principal of the 1.875% Notes (excluding $81.2 million in principal of the notes held by a subsidiary of the Company which were also converted). Pursuant to the terms of the Indenture, these notes were converted at a price of $1,764.02 per $1,000 of principal or an aggregate of $794.8 million which were settled in cash. The remaining $142,000 aggregate principal amount of 1.875% Notes that was not converted matured on May 1, 2013 and settled in cash at principal plus accrued interest.
Concurrently with the settlement of the Company’s conversion obligation, the Company settled the convertible note hedges that the Company had initially entered into at the time the outstanding 1.875% Notes were issued. In connection with the settlement of these hedges, the Company received an aggregate of $182.9 million in cash.
During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, the Company paid $18.8 million and $42.4 million in cash, respectively, and issued 200,016 shares to settle the related warrants. These warrants have a strike price of $67.37 per share. Subsequent to September 30, 2013, the Company settled the remaining warrants by paying $55.5 million in cash and issuing 192,516 shares of the Company’s Class A common stock.
During the third quarter, 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 accompanying Consolidated Statement of Operations.
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”) in a private placement transaction. Interest on the 4.0% Notes is payable semi-annually on April 1 and October 1. The maturity date of the 4.0% Notes is October 1, 2014. The Company incurred fees of $11.7 million with the issuance of the 4.0% Notes of which $7.7 million was recorded as deferred financing fees and $4.0 million was recorded as a reduction to shareholders’ equity.
The 4.0% Notes are convertible, at the holder’s option, into shares of the Company’s Class A common stock, at an initial conversion rate of 32.9164 shares of the Company’s Class A common stock per $1,000 principal amount of 4.0% Notes (subject to certain customary adjustments), which is equivalent to an initial conversion price of approximately $30.38 per share or a 22.5% conversion premium based on the last reported sale price of $24.80 per share of our Class A common stock on the Nasdaq Global Select Market on April 20, 2009, the purchase agreement date.
Concurrently with the pricing of the 4.0% Notes, the Company entered into convertible note hedge and warrant transactions with affiliates of certain of the initial purchasers of the convertible notes. The initial strike price of the convertible note hedge transactions relating to the 4.0% Notes is $30.38 per share of the Company’s Class A common stock (the same as the initial conversion price of the 4.0% Notes) and the upper strike price of the warrant transactions is $44.64 per share.
The Company is amortizing the debt discount on the 4.0% Notes utilizing the effective interest method over the life of the 4.0% Notes which increases the effective interest rate of the 4.0% Notes from its coupon rate of 4.0% to 12.9%. As of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, the carrying amount of the equity component related to the 4.0% Notes was $169.0 million.
The 4.0 % Notes are reflected in long-term debt in the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets at their carrying value. The following table summarizes the balances for the 4.0% Notes:
		As of				As of
		September 30, 2013				December 31, 2012
		(in thousands)
Principal balance		$	499,947			$	499,987
Debt discount			(41,412	)			(69,236	)
Carrying value		$	458,535			$	430,751
The 4.0% Notes are convertible only under the following circumstances:
	•		during any calendar quarter, if the last reported sale price of the Company’s Class A common stock for at least 20 trading days in the 30 consecutive trading day period ending on the last trading day of the preceding calendar quarter is more than 130% of the applicable conversion price per share of Class A common stock on the last day of such preceding calendar quarter,
	•		during the five business day period after any ten consecutive trading day period in which the trading price per $1,000 principal amount of the 4.0% Notes for each day in the measurement period was less than 95% of the product of the last reported sale price of Class A common stock and the applicable conversion rate,
	•		if specified distributions to holders of Class A common stock are made or specified corporate transactions occur, and
	•		at any time on or after July 22, 2014.
Upon conversion, the Company has the right to settle its conversion obligation in cash, shares of Class A common stock, or a combination of cash and shares of its Class A common stock. From time to time, upon notice to the holders of the 4.0% Notes, the Company may change its election regarding the form of consideration that it will use to settle its conversion obligation; provided, however, that the Company is not permitted to change its settlement election after July 21, 2014 for the 4.0% Notes. At the time of the issuance of the 4.0% Notes, the Company elected to settle its conversion obligations in stock. As of September 30, 2013, the Company has not changed its election.
During the three and nine month ended September 30, 2013, the 4.0% Notes were convertible based on the fact that the Company’s Class A common stock closing price per share exceeded $39.49 for at least 20 trading days during the 30 consecutive trading day period during the last month of the prior quarter. As a result of conversions exercised by holders pursuant to the terms of the indenture, during the nine months ended September 30, 2013, the Company converted $40,000 in principal amount of 4.0% Notes and settled its conversion obligation through the issuance of 1,307 shares of Class A common stock. In connection with these conversions, the related convertible note hedges and a portion of the common stock warrants were settled. As a result, the Company received a net 593 shares of SBA Class A common stock. In addition, the Company has received conversion notices totaling $3,000 in principal amount of the 4.0% Notes during the third quarter of 2013, which will settle during the fourth quarter of 2013 in shares of the Company’s Class A common stock and cash for fractional shares.
Senior Notes
8.0% Senior Notes and 8.25% Senior Notes
On July 24, 2009, the Company’s wholly-owned subsidiary, SBA Telecommunications, LLC (formerly known as SBA Telecommunications, Inc.) (“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 are 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 have an interest rate of 8.25% per annum and were issued at a price of 99.152% of their face value. Interest on each of the Senior Notes was due semi-annually on February 15 and August 15 of each year beginning on February 15, 2010. The Company incurred deferred financing fees of $5.4 million in relation to the 8.25% Notes which are being amortized through the anticipated repayment date.
Net proceeds of this offering were $727.8 million after deducting expenses and the original issue discount. The Company was amortizing the debt discount on the Senior Notes utilizing the effective interest method over the life of the 8.0% Notes and 8.25% Notes.
On April 13, 2012, the Company used the proceeds of an equity offering to redeem $131.3 million in aggregate principal amount of its 8.0% Notes and $131.3 million in aggregate principal amount of its 8.25% Notes and to pay $21.3 million as a premium on the redemption of the notes. The Company expensed $1.5 million and $4.3 million of debt discount and deferred financing fees, respectively, related to the redemption of the notes.
On August 29, 2012, the Company redeemed the remaining $243.8 million principal balance of the 8.0% Notes plus paid $14.6 million in applicable premium on the redemption of the notes. The Company expensed $1.0 million and $3.4 million of debt discount and deferred financing fees, respectively, related to the redemption of the notes.
As of September 30, 2013, the principal balance of the 8.25% Notes was $243.8 million and the carrying value was $242.3 million.
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 has incurred deferred financing fees of $14.0 million in relation to this transaction which are being amortized through the maturity date. The Company used the net proceeds from this offering to (1) repay all amounts outstanding under the Mobilitie Bridge Loan and (2) repay all amounts outstanding under its Revolving Credit Facility. The remaining proceeds were used for general corporate purposes.
In connection with the issuance of the 5.75% Notes, the Company entered into a Registration Rights Agreement (the “Registration Rights Agreement”) with J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, as representative of the Initial Purchasers. Pursuant to the terms of the Registration Rights Agreement, the Company and Telecommunications filed and declared effective a registration statement with respect to an offer to exchange the 5.75% Notes for new notes guaranteed by the Company registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), on May 31, 2013. The exchange offer was consummated on July 5, 2013.
5.625% Senior Notes
On September 28, 2012, the Company issued $500.0 million of unsecured senior notes (the “5.625% Notes”) due October 1, 2019. 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 October 1 and April 1 of each year beginning on April 1, 2013. The Company has incurred deferred financing fees of $8.5 million in relation to this transaction which are being amortized through the maturity date. The Company used the proceeds from the issuance of the 5.625% Notes to pay a portion of the cash consideration in the TowerCo II Holdings LLC acquisition.
In connection with the issuance of the 5.625% Notes, the Company entered into a Registration Rights Agreement (the “Registration Rights Agreement”) with J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, as representative of the Initial Purchasers. Pursuant to the terms of the Registration Rights Agreement, the Company filed and declared effective a registration statement with respect to an offer to exchange the 5.625% Notes for new notes registered under the Securities Act on May 31, 2013. The exchange offer was consummated on July 5, 2013.

Redeemable_Noncontrolling_Inte

Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Noncontrolling Interest [Abstract]	'
Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests	'
	10	REDEEMABLE NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS
	In March 2013, the Company acquired the remaining 10% noncontrolling interest in the Central American joint venture for consideration of $6.0 million. This acquisition increased the Company’s ownership to 100% of the joint venture. The remaining $5.7 million balance of non-controlling interest was recognized as an adjustment to additional paid in capital. The acquisition of the noncontrolling interest has been recorded in accordance with ASC 810.

Shareholders_Equity

Shareholders' Equity	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Equity [Abstract]	'
Shareholders' Equity	'
	11	SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
	Common Stock Equivalents
	As of September 30, 2013, the Company has potential common stock equivalents related to its outstanding stock options and restricted stock units (see Note 12) and the 1.875% Notes and 4.0% Notes (see Note 9). These potential common stock equivalents were considered in the Company’s diluted earnings (loss) per share calculation (see Note 16).
	Stock Repurchases
	The Company’s Board of Directors authorized a stock repurchase program on April 27, 2011. This program authorizes 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. This program became effective on April 28, 2011 and will continue until otherwise modified or terminated by the Company’s Board of Directors at any time in the Company’s sole discretion.
	During the nine months ended September 30, 2013, the Company did not repurchase any shares in conjunction with the stock repurchase program. As of September 30, 2013, the Company had a remaining authorization to repurchase an additional $150.0 million of its common stock under its current $300.0 million stock repurchase program.

StockBased_Compensation

Stock-Based Compensation	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Disclosure Of Compensation Related Costs Sharebased Payments [Abstract]	'
Stock-Based Compensation	'
	12	STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION
	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 nine months ended September 30,
			2013		2012
	Risk free interest rate		0.51% - 1.38%		0.57% - 0.83%
	Dividend yield		0.00%		0.00%
	Expected volatility		25% - 29%		53.00%
	Expected lives		3.9 - 4.8 years		3.8 - 4.6 years
	The following table summarizes the Company’s activities with respect to its stock options for the nine months ended September 30, 2013:
			Number			Weighted-		Weighted-Average
			of Shares			Average		Remaining
						Exercise Price		Contractual
						Per Share		Life (in years)
			(in thousands)
	Outstanding at December 31, 2012			2,831		$	34.06
	Granted			984			73.17
	Exercised			(620	)		27.15
	Canceled			(57	)		51.73
	Outstanding at September 30, 2013			3,138		$	47.37		4.42
	Exercisable at September 30, 2013			1,339		$	30.96		2.67
	Unvested at September 30, 2013			1,799		$	59.58		5.72
	The weighted-average fair value of options granted during the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 was $17.20 and $20.31, respectively. The total intrinsic value for options exercised during the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 was $30.7 million and $23.0 million, respectively.
	Restricted Stock Units
	The following table summarizes the Company’s restricted stock unit activity for the nine months ended September 30, 2013:
			Number of			Weighted-
			Units			Average
						Grant Date
						Fair Value per share
			(in thousands)
	Outstanding at December 31, 2012			294		$	43.27
	Granted			122			73.44
	Restriction Lapse			(99	)		41.86
	Forfeited/Canceled			(11	)		48.5
	Outstanding at September 30, 2013			306		$	55.54

Income_Taxes

Income Taxes	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Income Taxes	'
	13	INCOME TAXES
	The Company had U.S. taxable losses during the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, and, as a result, federal and state net operating loss carry-forwards have been generated. The U.S. federal and state net operating loss carry-forwards of the Company have a full valuation allowance as management believes it is not “more-likely-than-not” that the Company will generate sufficient taxable income in future periods to recognize the losses. However, a foreign tax provision is recognized because certain international subsidiaries of the Company have profitable operations or a net deferred tax liability position.

Segment_Data

Segment Data	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Segment Reporting [Abstract]	'
Segment Data	'
	14	SEGMENT DATA
	The Company operates principally in two business segments: site leasing and site development. 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. During the fourth quarter of 2012, the Company combined the reporting of its site development segments, as the nature of the services were complementary to one another. All prior periods presented have been restated to conform to the current year presentation.
	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 (in thousands):
							Not
			Site		Site		Identified by
			Leasing		Development		Segment (1)			Total
	Three months ended September 30, 2013
	Revenues		$	287,483	$	44,611	$	—		$	332,094
	Cost of revenues (2)		$	68,042	$	35,253	$	—		$	103,295
	Depreciation, amortization and accretion		$	132,074	$	731	$	476		$	133,281
	Operating income (loss)		$	59,757	$	6,685	$	(2,540	)	$	63,902
	Capital expenditures (3)		$	122,268	$	2,538	$	565		$	125,371
	Three months ended September 30, 2012
	Revenues		$	208,828	$	29,778	$	—		$	238,606
	Cost of revenues (2)		$	46,621	$	25,062	$	—		$	71,683
	Depreciation, amortization and accretion		$	100,107	$	561	$	344		$	101,012
	Operating income (loss)		$	42,420	$	1,735	$	(3,084	)	$	41,071
	Capital expenditures (3)		$	57,508	$	708	$	—		$	58,216
	Nine months ended September 30, 2013
	Revenues		$	840,488	$	128,982	$	—		$	969,470
	Cost of revenues (2)		$	203,927	$	103,788	$	—		$	307,715
	Depreciation, amortization and accretion		$	396,824	$	1,762	$	1,420		$	400,006
	Operating income (loss)		$	161,101	$	17,615	$	(8,515	)	$	170,201
	Capital expenditures (3)		$	446,514	$	5,185	$	1,278		$	452,977
	Nine months ended September 30, 2012
	Revenues		$	585,332	$	74,911	$	—		$	660,243
	Cost of revenues (2)		$	126,787	$	63,294	$	—		$	190,081
	Depreciation, amortization and accretion		$	274,541	$	1,596	$	973		$	277,110
	Operating income (loss)		$	120,224	$	2,625	$	(6,751	)	$	116,098
	Capital expenditures (3)		$	1,056,215	$	2,975	$	495		$	1,059,685
	Assets
	As of September 30, 2013		$	6,219,735	$	78,738	$	285,955		$	6,584,428
	As of December 31, 2012		$	6,422,577	$	58,804	$	114,236		$	6,595,617
	-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 related earn-outs and vehicle capital lease additions.
	For the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, the Company’s leasing revenues generated outside of the United States were 7.0% and 5.9%, respectively, of total consolidated site leasing revenues. As of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, the Company’s total assets outside of the United States were 11.3% and 12.2%, respectively, of total consolidated assets. Total assets held outside of the United States at December 31, 2012 included $178.1 million of cash in Brazil, which was part of the Vivo acquisition, and paid in January 2013.

Concentration_of_Credit_Risk

Concentration of Credit Risk	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Risks And Uncertainties [Abstract]	'
Concentration of Credit Risk	'
	15	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 the periods reported) and the percentage of total revenue for the specified time periods derived from such customers:
			For the three months						For the nine months
	Site Leasing Revenue		ended September 30,						ended September 30,
			2013			2012			2013			2012
	Sprint (1)			28.2	%		24.2	%		28.5	%		24.9	%
	AT&T			22.7	%		23	%		22.3	%		23.8	%
	T-Mobile(2)			16.5	%		18	%		16.7	%		16.6	%
	Verizon			12.3	%		13.3	%		12.2	%		13.7	%
			For the three months						For the nine months
	Site Development Revenue		ended September 30,						ended September 30,
			2013			2012			2013			2012
	Ericsson, Inc.			32.2	%		23.6	%		38.1	%		19.7	%
	T-Mobile(2)			10.5	%		2.5	%		7.9	%		8.3	%
	Alcatel-Lucent			8.1	%		8.3	%		10.1	%		6.1	%
	Nsoro			2.1	%		17.3	%		3.1	%		19.9	%
	-1	Prior year amounts have been adjusted to reflect the merger of Sprint and Clearwire.
	-2	Prior year amounts have been adjusted to reflect the merger of T-Mobile and Metro PCS.
	At September 30, 2013, five significant customers comprised 53.9% of total gross accounts receivable compared to five significant customers which comprised 55.5% of total gross accounts receivable at December 31, 2012.

Earnings_Per_Share

Earnings Per Share	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'
Earnings Per Share	'
	16	EARNINGS PER SHARE
	Basic earnings per share was computed by dividing net income from continuing operations attributable to common shareholders by the weighted-average number of shares of Common Stock outstanding for each respective period. Diluted earnings per share was calculated by dividing net income from continuing operations attributable to common shareholders by the weighted-average number of shares of Common Stock outstanding and any dilutive Common Stock equivalents, including unvested restricted stock and shares issuable upon exercise of stock options and Common Stock warrants as determined under the “Treasury Stock” method.
	The following table sets forth basic and diluted income from continuing operations per common share for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 (in thousands, except per share data):
			For the three months					For the nine months
			ended September 30,					ended September 30,
			2013		2012			2013			2012
	Numerator:
	Net income (loss) from continuing operations		$	21,531	$	(53,668	)	$	(36,747	)	$	(131,153	)
	Net income from discontinued operations		$	—	$	969		$	—		$	2,349
	Denominator:
	Basic weighted-average shares outstanding			127,885		121,689			127,555			118,159
	Dilutive impact of stock options and restricted shares			1,195		—			—			—
	Dilutive impact of common stock warrants			7,832		—			—			—
	Diluted weighted-average shares outstanding			136,912		121,689			127,555			118,159
	Earnings (loss) per share attributable to continuing operations:
	Basic		$	0.17	$	(0.44	)	$	(0.29	)	$	(1.11	)
	Diluted		$	0.16	$	(0.44	)	$	(0.29	)	$	(1.11	)
	Earnings per share attributable to discontinued operations:
	Basic and diluted		$	—	$	0.01		$	—		$	0.02

Fair_Value_Measurements_Tables

Fair Value Measurements (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]	'
Summary of Fair Values, Principal Balances, and Carrying Values of Company's Debt Instruments	'
	The following table reflects fair values, principal balances, and carrying values of the Company’s debt instruments (see Note 9).
		As of September 30, 2013						As of December 31, 2012
				Principal		Carrying				Principal		Carrying
		Fair Value		Balance		Value		Fair Value		Balance		Value
		(in thousands)
	1.875% Convertible Senior Notes	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	714,096	$	468,836	$	457,351
	4.000% Convertible Senior Notes		1,329,234		499,947		458,535		1,060,622		499,987		430,751
	8.250% Senior Notes		263,250		243,750		242,340		272,391		243,750		242,205
	5.625% Senior Notes		490,000		500,000		500,000		523,750		500,000		500,000
	5.750% Senior Notes		792,000		800,000		800,000		848,000		800,000		800,000
	4.254% Secured Tower Revenue		692,342		680,000		680,000		713,619		680,000		680,000
	Securities Series 2010-1
	5.101% Secured Tower Revenue		592,257		550,000		550,000		621,379		550,000		550,000
	Securities Series 2010-2
	2.933% Secured Tower Revenue		614,008		610,000		610,000		635,614		610,000		610,000
	Securities Series 2012-1
	2.240% Secured Tower Revenue		411,940		425,000		425,000		—		—		—
	Securities Series 2013-1C
	3.722% Secured Tower Revenue		541,805		575,000		575,000		—		—		—
	Securities Series 2013-2C
	3.598% Secured Tower Revenue		321,651		330,000		330,000		—		—		—
	Securities Series 2013-1D
	Revolving Credit Facility		—		—		—		100,000		100,000		100,000
	2011 Term Loan B		180,303		180,529		180,218		493,731		492,500		491,518
	2012-1 Term Loan A		187,031		187,500		187,500		194,513		195,000		195,000
	2012-2 Term Loan B		109,834		109,971		109,735		300,750		300,000		299,278
	Total debt	$	6,525,655	$	5,691,697	$	5,648,328	$	6,478,465	$	5,440,073	$	5,356,103

Restricted_Cash_Tables

Restricted Cash (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Text Block [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Restricted Cash	'
	Restricted cash consists of the following:
		As of		As of
		September 30, 2013		December 31, 2012		Included on Balance Sheet
		(in thousands)
	Securitization escrow accounts	$	48,115	$	26,774		Restricted cash - current asset
	Payment and performance bonds		939		934		Restricted cash - current asset
	Surety bonds and workers compensation		11,991		11,989		Other assets - noncurrent
	Total restricted cash	$	61,045	$	39,697

Acquisitions_Tables

Acquisitions (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Business Combinations [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Acquisition Capital Expenditures	'
	The following table summarizes the Company’s cash acquisition capital expenditures:
		For the three months				For the nine months
		ended September 30,				ended September 30,
		2013		2012		2013		2012
		(in thousands)
	Towers and related intangible assets	$	80,326	$	21,736	$	311,190	$	951,331
	Ground lease land purchases		11,320		9,154		35,864		25,907
	Earnouts		—		708		1,311		5,751
	Total acquisition capital expenditures	$	91,646	$	31,598	$	348,365	$	982,989

Discontinued_Operations_Tables

Discontinued Operations (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Discontinued Operations And Disposal Groups [Abstract]	'
Components of Discontinued Operations	'
	The key components of discontinued operations were as follows:
		For the three months				For the nine months
		ended September 30,				ended September 30,
		2013		2012		2013		2012
		(in thousands)
	Site leasing revenue	$	—	$	2,121	$	—	$	4,775
	Income from discontinued operations, net of taxes		—		969		—		2,349

Intangible_Assets_Net_Tables

Intangible Assets, Net (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Goodwill And Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Gross and Net Carrying Amounts for Each Major Class of Intangible Assets	'
	The following table provides the gross and net carrying amounts for each major class of intangible assets:
		As of September 30, 2013							As of December 31, 2012
		Gross carrying		Accumulated			Net book		Gross carrying		Accumulated			Net book
		amount		amortization			value		amount		amortization			value
		(in thousands)
	Current contract intangibles	$	2,841,948	$	(605,767	)	$	2,236,181	$	2,744,968	$	(462,016	)	$	2,282,952
	Network location intangibles		1,193,367		(307,209	)		886,158		1,101,566		(250,385	)		851,181
	Intangible assets, net	$	4,035,315	$	(912,976	)	$	3,122,339	$	3,846,534	$	(712,401	)	$	3,134,133

Property_and_Equipment_Net_Tab

Property and Equipment, Net (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Property Plant And Equipment [Abstract]	'
Property and Equipment, Net (Including Assets Held Under Capital Leases)	'
	Property and equipment, net (including assets held under capital leases) consists of the following:
		As of			As of
		September 30, 2013			December 31, 2012
		(in thousands)
	Towers and related components	$	3,809,069		$	3,757,859
	Construction-in-process		21,022			25,454
	Furniture, equipment and vehicles		39,483			35,278
	Land, buildings and improvements		327,864			290,931
			4,197,438			4,109,522
	Less: accumulated depreciation		(1,618,799	)		(1,438,205	)
	Property and equipment, net	$	2,578,639		$	2,671,317

Costs_and_Estimated_Earnings_o1

Costs and Estimated Earnings on Uncompleted Contracts (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Contractors [Abstract]	'
Summary of Costs and Estimated Earnings on Uncompleted Contracts	'
	Costs and estimated earnings on uncompleted contracts consist of the following:
		As of			As of
		September 30, 2013			December 31, 2012
		(in thousands)
	Cost incurred on uncompleted contracts	$	88,242		$	55,349
	Estimated earnings		34,668			20,883
	Billings to date		(92,120	)		(53,708	)
		$	30,790		$	22,524
Costs and Estimated Earnings on Uncompleted Contracts Accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets	'
	These amounts are included on the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheet under the following captions:
		As of			As of
		September 30, 2013			December 31, 2012
		(in thousands)
	Costs and estimated earnings in excess of billings on uncompleted contracts	$	34,090		$	23,644
	Other current liabilities (Billings in excess of costs and estimated earnings on uncompleted contracts)		(3,300	)		(1,120	)
		$	30,790		$	22,524

Debt_Tables

Debt (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Carrying Values of Debt	'
	The carrying and principal values of debt consist of the following (in thousands):
				As of								As of
				September 30, 2013								December 31, 2012
		Maturity		Principal				Carrying				Principal				Carrying
		Date		Balance				Value				Balance				Value
				(in thousands)
	1.875% Convertible Senior Notes	1-May-13		$	—			$	—			$	468,836			$	457,351
	4.000% Convertible Senior Notes	Oct. 1, 2014			499,947				458,535				499,987				430,751
	8.250% Senior Notes	Aug. 15, 2019			243,750				242,340				243,750				242,205
	5.625% Senior Notes	Oct. 1, 2019			500,000				500,000				500,000				500,000
	5.750% Senior Notes	15-Jul-20			800,000				800,000				800,000				800,000
	4.254% Secured Tower Revenue Securities Series 2010-1	April 15, 2015			680,000				680,000				680,000				680,000
	5.101% Secured Tower Revenue Securities Series 2010-2	17-Apr-17			550,000				550,000				550,000				550,000
	2.933% Secured Tower Revenue Securities Series 2012-1	Dec. 15, 2017			610,000				610,000				610,000				610,000
	2.240% Secured Tower Revenue Securities Series 2013-1C	17-Apr-18			425,000				425,000				—				—
	3.722% Secured Tower Revenue Securities Series 2013-2C	17-Apr-23			575,000				575,000				—				—
	3.598% Secured Tower Revenue Securities Series 2013-1D	17-Apr-18			330,000				330,000				—				—
	Revolving Credit Facility	9-May-17			—				—				100,000				100,000
	2011 Term Loan B	30-Jun-18			180,529				180,218				492,500				491,518
	2012-1 Term Loan A	9-May-17			187,500				187,500				195,000				195,000
	2012-2 Term Loan B	Sept. 28, 2019			109,971				109,735				300,000				299,278
	Total debt				5,691,697				5,648,328				5,440,073				5,356,103
	Less: current maturities of long-term debt								(11,250	)							(475,351	)
	Total long-term debt, net of current maturities							$	5,637,078							$	4,880,752
Schedule of Cash and Non-Cash Interest Expense	'
	The table below reflects cash and non-cash interest expense amounts recognized by debt instrument for the periods presented:
		Three months ended								Three months ended								Nine months ended				Nine months ended
		September 30, 2013								September 30, 2012								September 30, 2013				September 30, 2012
		Cash				Non-cash				Cash				Non-cash				Cash		Non-cash		Cash			Non-cash
		Interest				Interest				Interest				Interest				Interest		Interest		Interest			Interest
		(in thousands)								(in thousands)								(in thousands)				(in thousands)
	1.875% Convertible Senior Notes	$	—			$	—			$	2,508			$	9,339			$	2,670	$	10,434	$	7,523		$	27,375
	4.0% Convertible Senior Notes		4,999				9,570				5,000				8,412				14,999		28,446		15,000			24,448
	8.0% Senior Notes		—				—				3,142				35				—		—		15,867			174
	8.25% Senior Notes		5,027				46				5,027				42				15,082		135		18,150			149
	5.625% Senior Notes		7,031				—				234				—				21,094		—		234			—
	5.75% Senior Notes		11,500				—				10,094				—				34,500		—		10,094			—
	2010 Secured Tower Revenue Securities		14,349				—				14,344				—				43,037		—		43,032			—
	2012 Secured Tower Revenue Securities		4,521				—				2,612				—				13,564		—		2,612			—
	2013 Secured Tower Revenue Securities		10,804				—				—				—				19,588		—		—			—
	Revolving Credit Facility		856				—				849				—				3,338		—		3,558			—
	2011 Term Loan		1,730				16				4,743				45				8,802		85		14,163			134
	2012-1 Term Loan		1,123				—				1,403				—				3,516		—		2,262			—
	2012-2 Term Loan		1,054				10				94				1				5,362		51		94			1
	Mobilitie Bridge Loan		—				—				499				—				—		—		4,239			—
	Other		(7	)			—				29				—				17		—		(100	)		—
	Total	$	62,987			$	9,642			$	50,578			$	17,874			$	185,569	$	39,151	$	136,728		$	52,281
4.0% Convertible Senior Notes [Member]	'
Summary of Long-Term Debt	'
	The following table summarizes the balances for the 4.0% Notes:
		As of				As of
		September 30, 2013				December 31, 2012
		(in thousands)
	Principal balance	$	499,947			$	499,987
	Debt discount		(41,412	)			(69,236	)
	Carrying value	$	458,535			$	430,751

StockBased_Compensation_Tables

Stock-Based Compensation (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Disclosure Of Compensation Related Costs Sharebased Payments [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Assumptions Used to Estimate Fair Value of Stock Options	'
	The following assumptions were used to estimate the fair value of options granted using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model:
		For the nine months ended September 30,
		2013		2012
	Risk free interest rate	0.51% - 1.38%		0.57% - 0.83%
	Dividend yield	0.00%		0.00%
	Expected volatility	25% - 29%		53.00%
	Expected lives	3.9 - 4.8 years		3.8 - 4.6 years
Company's Activities with Respect to its Stock Options	'
	The following table summarizes the Company’s activities with respect to its stock options for the nine months ended September 30, 2013:
		Number			Weighted-		Weighted-Average
		of Shares			Average		Remaining
					Exercise Price		Contractual
					Per Share		Life (in years)
		(in thousands)
	Outstanding at December 31, 2012		2,831		$	34.06
	Granted		984			73.17
	Exercised		(620	)		27.15
	Canceled		(57	)		51.73
	Outstanding at September 30, 2013		3,138		$	47.37		4.42
	Exercisable at September 30, 2013		1,339		$	30.96		2.67
	Unvested at September 30, 2013		1,799		$	59.58		5.72
Company's Restricted Stock Unit Activity	'
	The following table summarizes the Company’s restricted stock unit activity for the nine months ended September 30, 2013:
		Number of			Weighted-
		Units			Average
					Grant Date
					Fair Value per share
		(in thousands)
	Outstanding at December 31, 2012		294		$	43.27
	Granted		122			73.44
	Restriction Lapse		(99	)		41.86
	Forfeited/Canceled		(11	)		48.5
	Outstanding at September 30, 2013		306		$	55.54

Segment_Data_Tables

Segment Data (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Segment Reporting [Abstract]	'
Segment Reporting Information Disclosure	'
	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 (in thousands):
							Not
			Site		Site		Identified by
			Leasing		Development		Segment (1)			Total
	Three months ended September 30, 2013
	Revenues		$	287,483	$	44,611	$	—		$	332,094
	Cost of revenues (2)		$	68,042	$	35,253	$	—		$	103,295
	Depreciation, amortization and accretion		$	132,074	$	731	$	476		$	133,281
	Operating income (loss)		$	59,757	$	6,685	$	(2,540	)	$	63,902
	Capital expenditures (3)		$	122,268	$	2,538	$	565		$	125,371
	Three months ended September 30, 2012
	Revenues		$	208,828	$	29,778	$	—		$	238,606
	Cost of revenues (2)		$	46,621	$	25,062	$	—		$	71,683
	Depreciation, amortization and accretion		$	100,107	$	561	$	344		$	101,012
	Operating income (loss)		$	42,420	$	1,735	$	(3,084	)	$	41,071
	Capital expenditures (3)		$	57,508	$	708	$	—		$	58,216
	Nine months ended September 30, 2013
	Revenues		$	840,488	$	128,982	$	—		$	969,470
	Cost of revenues (2)		$	203,927	$	103,788	$	—		$	307,715
	Depreciation, amortization and accretion		$	396,824	$	1,762	$	1,420		$	400,006
	Operating income (loss)		$	161,101	$	17,615	$	(8,515	)	$	170,201
	Capital expenditures (3)		$	446,514	$	5,185	$	1,278		$	452,977
	Nine months ended September 30, 2012
	Revenues		$	585,332	$	74,911	$	—		$	660,243
	Cost of revenues (2)		$	126,787	$	63,294	$	—		$	190,081
	Depreciation, amortization and accretion		$	274,541	$	1,596	$	973		$	277,110
	Operating income (loss)		$	120,224	$	2,625	$	(6,751	)	$	116,098
	Capital expenditures (3)		$	1,056,215	$	2,975	$	495		$	1,059,685
	Assets
	As of September 30, 2013		$	6,219,735	$	78,738	$	285,955		$	6,584,428
	As of December 31, 2012		$	6,422,577	$	58,804	$	114,236		$	6,595,617
	-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 related earn-outs and vehicle capital lease additions.

Concentration_of_Credit_Risk_T

Concentration of Credit Risk (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Risks And Uncertainties [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 the periods reported) and the percentage of total revenue for the specified time periods derived from such customers:
			For the three months						For the nine months
	Site Leasing Revenue		ended September 30,						ended September 30,
			2013			2012			2013			2012
	Sprint (1)			28.2	%		24.2	%		28.5	%		24.9	%
	AT&T			22.7	%		23	%		22.3	%		23.8	%
	T-Mobile(2)			16.5	%		18	%		16.7	%		16.6	%
	Verizon			12.3	%		13.3	%		12.2	%		13.7	%
			For the three months						For the nine months
	Site Development Revenue		ended September 30,						ended September 30,
			2013			2012			2013			2012
	Ericsson, Inc.			32.2	%		23.6	%		38.1	%		19.7	%
	T-Mobile(2)			10.5	%		2.5	%		7.9	%		8.3	%
	Alcatel-Lucent			8.1	%		8.3	%		10.1	%		6.1	%
	Nsoro			2.1	%		17.3	%		3.1	%		19.9	%
	-1	Prior year amounts have been adjusted to reflect the merger of Sprint and Clearwire.
	-2	Prior year amounts have been adjusted to reflect the merger of T-Mobile and Metro PCS.

Earnings_Per_Share_Tables

Earnings Per Share (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'
Weighted-Average Shares of Common Stock Outstanding Used in Calculation of Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Share	'
	The following table sets forth basic and diluted income from continuing operations per common share for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 (in thousands, except per share data):
		For the three months					For the nine months
		ended September 30,					ended September 30,
		2013		2012			2013			2012
	Numerator:
	Net income (loss) from continuing operations	$	21,531	$	(53,668	)	$	(36,747	)	$	(131,153	)
	Net income from discontinued operations	$	—	$	969		$	—		$	2,349
	Denominator:
	Basic weighted-average shares outstanding		127,885		121,689			127,555			118,159
	Dilutive impact of stock options and restricted shares		1,195		—			—			—
	Dilutive impact of common stock warrants		7,832		—			—			—
	Diluted weighted-average shares outstanding		136,912		121,689			127,555			118,159
	Earnings (loss) per share attributable to continuing operations:
	Basic	$	0.17	$	(0.44	)	$	(0.29	)	$	(1.11	)
	Diluted	$	0.16	$	(0.44	)	$	(0.29	)	$	(1.11	)
	Earnings per share attributable to discontinued operations:
	Basic and diluted	$	—	$	0.01		$	—		$	0.02

Fair_Value_Measurements_Additi

Fair Value Measurements - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'
Accrued earnouts	$26	'	$26	'	$9.80
Performance targets, maximum potential obligation	39.4	'	39.4	'	'
Impairment charge recognized, related to long-lived assets	6.2	1.6	16.4	2.6	'
Certificate of deposits	4.7	'	4.7	'	5.3
Held-to-maturity investments, carrying value	1.1	'	1.1	'	1.3
Held-to-maturity investments, fair value	$1.30	'	$1.30	'	$1.50
Interest rate under Revolving Credit Facility	'	'	1.88%	'	'

Fair_Value_Measurements_Summar

Fair Value Measurements - Summary of Fair Values, Principal Balances, and Carrying Values of Company's Debt Instruments (Detail) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Fair Value [Member]	'	'
Fair Value Inputs Assets Liabilities Quantitative Information [Line Items]	'	'
Debt instrument	$6,525,655	$6,478,465
Fair Value [Member] | 1.875% Convertible Senior Notes [Member]	'	'
Fair Value Inputs Assets Liabilities Quantitative Information [Line Items]	'	'
Debt instrument	'	714,096
Fair Value [Member] | 4.000% Convertible Senior Notes [Member]	'	'
Fair Value Inputs Assets Liabilities Quantitative Information [Line Items]	'	'
Debt instrument	1,329,234	1,060,622
Fair Value [Member] | 8.250% Senior Notes [Member]	'	'
Fair Value Inputs Assets Liabilities Quantitative Information [Line Items]	'	'
Debt instrument	263,250	272,391
Fair Value [Member] | 5.625% Senior Notes [Member]	'	'
Fair Value Inputs Assets Liabilities Quantitative Information [Line Items]	'	'
Debt instrument	490,000	523,750
Fair Value [Member] | 5.750% Senior Notes [Member]	'	'
Fair Value Inputs Assets Liabilities Quantitative Information [Line Items]	'	'
Debt instrument	792,000	848,000
Fair Value [Member] | 4.254% Secured Tower Revenue Securities Series 2010-1 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value Inputs Assets Liabilities Quantitative Information [Line Items]	'	'
Debt instrument	692,342	713,619
Fair Value [Member] | 5.101% Secured Tower Revenue Securities Series 2010-2 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value Inputs Assets Liabilities Quantitative Information [Line Items]	'	'
Debt instrument	592,257	621,379
Fair Value [Member] | 2.933% Secured Tower Revenue Securities Series 2012-1 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value Inputs Assets Liabilities Quantitative Information [Line Items]	'	'
Debt instrument	614,008	635,614
Fair Value [Member] | 2.240% Secured Tower Revenue Securities Series 2013-1C [Member]	'	'
Fair Value Inputs Assets Liabilities Quantitative Information [Line Items]	'	'
Debt instrument	411,940	'
Fair Value [Member] | 3.722% Secured Tower Revenue Securities Series 2013-2C [Member]	'	'
Fair Value Inputs Assets Liabilities Quantitative Information [Line Items]	'	'
Debt instrument	541,805	'
Fair Value [Member] | 3.598% Secured Tower Revenue Securities Series 2013-1D [Member]	'	'
Fair Value Inputs Assets Liabilities Quantitative Information [Line Items]	'	'
Debt instrument	321,651	'
Fair Value [Member] | Revolving Credit Facility [Member]	'	'
Fair Value Inputs Assets Liabilities Quantitative Information [Line Items]	'	'
Debt instrument	'	100,000
Fair Value [Member] | 2011 Term Loan B [Member]	'	'
Fair Value Inputs Assets Liabilities Quantitative Information [Line Items]	'	'
Debt instrument	180,303	493,731
Fair Value [Member] | 2012-1 Term Loan A [Member]	'	'
Fair Value Inputs Assets Liabilities Quantitative Information [Line Items]	'	'
Debt instrument	187,031	194,513
Fair Value [Member] | 2012-2 Term Loan B [Member]	'	'
Fair Value Inputs Assets Liabilities Quantitative Information [Line Items]	'	'
Debt instrument	109,834	300,750
Principal Balance [Member]	'	'
Fair Value Inputs Assets Liabilities Quantitative Information [Line Items]	'	'
Debt instrument	5,691,697	5,440,073
Principal Balance [Member] | 1.875% Convertible Senior Notes [Member]	'	'
Fair Value Inputs Assets Liabilities Quantitative Information [Line Items]	'	'
Debt instrument	'	468,836
Principal Balance [Member] | 4.000% Convertible Senior Notes [Member]	'	'
Fair Value Inputs Assets Liabilities Quantitative Information [Line Items]	'	'
Debt instrument	499,947	499,987
Principal Balance [Member] | 8.250% Senior Notes [Member]	'	'
Fair Value Inputs Assets Liabilities Quantitative Information [Line Items]	'	'
Debt instrument	243,750	243,750
Principal Balance [Member] | 5.625% Senior Notes [Member]	'	'
Fair Value Inputs Assets Liabilities Quantitative Information [Line Items]	'	'
Debt instrument	500,000	500,000
Principal Balance [Member] | 5.750% Senior Notes [Member]	'	'
Fair Value Inputs Assets Liabilities Quantitative Information [Line Items]	'	'
Debt instrument	800,000	800,000
Principal Balance [Member] | 4.254% Secured Tower Revenue Securities Series 2010-1 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value Inputs Assets Liabilities Quantitative Information [Line Items]	'	'
Debt instrument	680,000	680,000
Principal Balance [Member] | 5.101% Secured Tower Revenue Securities Series 2010-2 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value Inputs Assets Liabilities Quantitative Information [Line Items]	'	'
Debt instrument	550,000	550,000
Principal Balance [Member] | 2.933% Secured Tower Revenue Securities Series 2012-1 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value Inputs Assets Liabilities Quantitative Information [Line Items]	'	'
Debt instrument	610,000	610,000
Principal Balance [Member] | 2.240% Secured Tower Revenue Securities Series 2013-1C [Member]	'	'
Fair Value Inputs Assets Liabilities Quantitative Information [Line Items]	'	'
Debt instrument	425,000	'
Principal Balance [Member] | 3.722% Secured Tower Revenue Securities Series 2013-2C [Member]	'	'
Fair Value Inputs Assets Liabilities Quantitative Information [Line Items]	'	'
Debt instrument	575,000	'
Principal Balance [Member] | 3.598% Secured Tower Revenue Securities Series 2013-1D [Member]	'	'
Fair Value Inputs Assets Liabilities Quantitative Information [Line Items]	'	'
Debt instrument	330,000	'
Principal Balance [Member] | Revolving Credit Facility [Member]	'	'
Fair Value Inputs Assets Liabilities Quantitative Information [Line Items]	'	'
Debt instrument	'	100,000
Principal Balance [Member] | 2011 Term Loan B [Member]	'	'
Fair Value Inputs Assets Liabilities Quantitative Information [Line Items]	'	'
Debt instrument	180,529	492,500
Principal Balance [Member] | 2012-1 Term Loan A [Member]	'	'
Fair Value Inputs Assets Liabilities Quantitative Information [Line Items]	'	'
Debt instrument	187,500	195,000
Principal Balance [Member] | 2012-2 Term Loan B [Member]	'	'
Fair Value Inputs Assets Liabilities Quantitative Information [Line Items]	'	'
Debt instrument	109,971	300,000
Carrying Value [Member]	'	'
Fair Value Inputs Assets Liabilities Quantitative Information [Line Items]	'	'
Debt instrument	5,648,328	5,356,103
Carrying Value [Member] | 1.875% Convertible Senior Notes [Member]	'	'
Fair Value Inputs Assets Liabilities Quantitative Information [Line Items]	'	'
Debt instrument	'	457,351
Carrying Value [Member] | 4.000% Convertible Senior Notes [Member]	'	'
Fair Value Inputs Assets Liabilities Quantitative Information [Line Items]	'	'
Debt instrument	458,535	430,751
Carrying Value [Member] | 8.250% Senior Notes [Member]	'	'
Fair Value Inputs Assets Liabilities Quantitative Information [Line Items]	'	'
Debt instrument	242,340	242,205
Carrying Value [Member] | 5.625% Senior Notes [Member]	'	'
Fair Value Inputs Assets Liabilities Quantitative Information [Line Items]	'	'
Debt instrument	500,000	500,000
Carrying Value [Member] | 5.750% Senior Notes [Member]	'	'
Fair Value Inputs Assets Liabilities Quantitative Information [Line Items]	'	'
Debt instrument	800,000	800,000
Carrying Value [Member] | 4.254% Secured Tower Revenue Securities Series 2010-1 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value Inputs Assets Liabilities Quantitative Information [Line Items]	'	'
Debt instrument	680,000	680,000
Carrying Value [Member] | 5.101% Secured Tower Revenue Securities Series 2010-2 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value Inputs Assets Liabilities Quantitative Information [Line Items]	'	'
Debt instrument	550,000	550,000
Carrying Value [Member] | 2.933% Secured Tower Revenue Securities Series 2012-1 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value Inputs Assets Liabilities Quantitative Information [Line Items]	'	'
Debt instrument	610,000	610,000
Carrying Value [Member] | 2.240% Secured Tower Revenue Securities Series 2013-1C [Member]	'	'
Fair Value Inputs Assets Liabilities Quantitative Information [Line Items]	'	'
Debt instrument	425,000	'
Carrying Value [Member] | 3.722% Secured Tower Revenue Securities Series 2013-2C [Member]	'	'
Fair Value Inputs Assets Liabilities Quantitative Information [Line Items]	'	'
Debt instrument	575,000	'
Carrying Value [Member] | 3.598% Secured Tower Revenue Securities Series 2013-1D [Member]	'	'
Fair Value Inputs Assets Liabilities Quantitative Information [Line Items]	'	'
Debt instrument	330,000	'
Carrying Value [Member] | Revolving Credit Facility [Member]	'	'
Fair Value Inputs Assets Liabilities Quantitative Information [Line Items]	'	'
Debt instrument	'	100,000
Carrying Value [Member] | 2011 Term Loan B [Member]	'	'
Fair Value Inputs Assets Liabilities Quantitative Information [Line Items]	'	'
Debt instrument	180,218	491,518
Carrying Value [Member] | 2012-1 Term Loan A [Member]	'	'
Fair Value Inputs Assets Liabilities Quantitative Information [Line Items]	'	'
Debt instrument	187,500	195,000
Carrying Value [Member] | 2012-2 Term Loan B [Member]	'	'
Fair Value Inputs Assets Liabilities Quantitative Information [Line Items]	'	'
Debt instrument	$109,735	$299,278

Fair_Value_Measurements_Summar1

Fair Value Measurements - Summary of Fair Values, Principal Balances, and Carrying Values of Company's Debt Instruments (Parenthetical) (Detail)	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 28, 2012
1.875% Convertible Senior Notes [Member]	'	'
Fair Value Inputs Assets Liabilities Quantitative Information [Line Items]	'	'
Interest rates for senior notes	1.88%	'
4.000% Convertible Senior Notes [Member]	'	'
Fair Value Inputs Assets Liabilities Quantitative Information [Line Items]	'	'
Interest rates for senior notes	4.00%	'
8.250% Senior Notes [Member]	'	'
Fair Value Inputs Assets Liabilities Quantitative Information [Line Items]	'	'
Interest rates for senior notes	8.25%	'
5.625% Senior Notes [Member]	'	'
Fair Value Inputs Assets Liabilities Quantitative Information [Line Items]	'	'
Interest rates for senior notes	5.63%	5.63%
5.750% Senior Notes [Member]	'	'
Fair Value Inputs Assets Liabilities Quantitative Information [Line Items]	'	'
Interest rates for senior notes	5.75%	'
2.933% Secured Tower Revenue Securities Series 2012-1 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value Inputs Assets Liabilities Quantitative Information [Line Items]	'	'
Interest rates for senior notes	2.93%	'
2.240% Secured Tower Revenue Securities Series 2013-1C [Member]	'	'
Fair Value Inputs Assets Liabilities Quantitative Information [Line Items]	'	'
Interest rates for senior notes	2.24%	'
3.722% Secured Tower Revenue Securities Series 2013-2C [Member]	'	'
Fair Value Inputs Assets Liabilities Quantitative Information [Line Items]	'	'
Interest rates for senior notes	3.72%	'
3.598% Secured Tower Revenue Securities Series 2013-1D [Member]	'	'
Fair Value Inputs Assets Liabilities Quantitative Information [Line Items]	'	'
Interest rates for senior notes	3.60%	'
4.254% Secured Tower Revenue Securities Series 2010-1 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value Inputs Assets Liabilities Quantitative Information [Line Items]	'	'
Interest rates for senior notes	4.25%	'
5.101% Secured Tower Revenue Securities Series 2010-2 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value Inputs Assets Liabilities Quantitative Information [Line Items]	'	'
Interest rates for senior notes	5.10%	'

Restricted_Cash_Schedule_of_Re

Restricted Cash - Schedule of Restricted Cash (Detail) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents Items [Line Items]	'	'
Total restricted cash	$61,045	$39,697
Restricted Cash - Current Asset [Member] | Securitization Escrow Accounts [Member]	'	'
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents Items [Line Items]	'	'
Total restricted cash	48,115	26,774
Restricted Cash - Current Asset [Member] | Payment and Performance Bonds [Member]	'	'
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents Items [Line Items]	'	'
Total restricted cash	939	934
Other Assets - Noncurrent [Member] | Surety Bonds and Workers Compensation [Member]	'	'
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents Items [Line Items]	'	'
Total restricted cash	$11,991	$11,989

Restricted_Cash_Additional_Inf

Restricted Cash - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Cash And Cash Equivalents [Abstract]	'	'
Surety, payment and performance bonds	$39.20	$35.10
Collateral payment for performance bonds	7.8	10.5
Collateral related to workers compensation policy	$2.30	$2.30

Acquisitions_Additional_Inform

Acquisitions - Additional Information (Detail)

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2013

Jun. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Jul. 26, 2013

Jul. 26, 2013

Oct. 28, 2013

Oct. 28, 2013

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

Brazil Acquisition [Member]

Brazil [Member]

Brazil [Member]

Brazil [Member]

Brazil [Member]

Brazil [Member]

Brazil [Member]

site

USD ($)

USD ($)

Foreign Exchange Forward [Member]

Foreign Exchange Forward [Member]

Foreign Exchange Forward [Member]

Subsequent Event [Member]

Subsequent Event [Member]

Tower

USD ($)

USD ($)

BRL

Foreign Exchange Forward [Member]

Foreign Exchange Forward [Member]

USD ($)

BRL

Business Acquisition [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Number of towers acquired

279

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Additional communication sites

4

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Acquisition of capital expenditures

$91,646,000

'

$31,598,000

$348,365,000

$982,989,000

$175,900,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

Ground lease extensions

2,800,000

'

1,200,000

7,600,000

4,700,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Purchase price allocation adjustment to reclassify from Property and Equipment to Intangible Assets

'

54,100,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Estimated contingent consideration fair value

100,000

'

500,000

1,900,000

1,300,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Potential obligation recorded in accrued expenses

'

'

'

26,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Foreign currency forward contracts, notional amount

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

305,000,000

697,100,000

314,000,000

687,500,000

Foreign currency forward contracts, unrealized gain

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

6,900,000

'

'

'

'

Foreign currency forward contracts, proceeds received

'

'

'

$182,855,000

'

'

$14,100,000

'

'

'

'

'

Acquisitions_Schedule_of_Acqui

Acquisitions - Schedule of Acquisition Capital Expenditures (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Business Combinations [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Towers and related intangible assets	$80,326	$21,736	$311,190	$951,331
Ground lease land purchases	11,320	9,154	35,864	25,907
Earnouts	'	708	1,311	5,751
Total acquisition capital expenditures	$91,646	$31,598	$348,365	$982,989

Discontinued_Operations_Additi

Discontinued Operations - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	1 Months Ended	0 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Oct. 23, 2012	Sep. 06, 2012
Discontinued Operations And Disposal Groups [Abstract]	'	'
Sale of DAS networks to ExteNet, discontinued operations, total consideration	'	$119.30
Sale of DAS networks to ExteNet, discontinued operations, cash amount	5.7	94.3
Sale of DAS networks to ExteNet, discontinued operations, promissory note	'	$25

Discontinued_Operations_Compon

Discontinued Operations - Components of Discontinued Operations (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Discontinued Operations And Disposal Groups [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Site leasing revenue	'	$2,121	'	$4,775
Income from discontinued operations, net of taxes	'	$969	'	$2,349

Intangible_Assets_Net_Gross_an

Intangible Assets, Net - Gross and Net Carrying Amounts for Each Major Class of Intangible Assets (Detail) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Gross carrying amount	$4,035,315	$3,846,534
Accumulated amortization	-912,976	-712,401
Net book value	3,122,339	3,134,133
Current Contract Intangibles [Member]	'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Gross carrying amount	2,841,948	2,744,968
Accumulated amortization	-605,767	-462,016
Net book value	2,236,181	2,282,952
Network Location Intangibles [Member]	'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Gross carrying amount	1,193,367	1,101,566
Accumulated amortization	-307,209	-250,385
Net book value	$886,158	$851,181

Intangible_Assets_Net_Addition

Intangible Assets, Net - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Amortization expense	$68.10	$46.40	$201.70	$124
Minimum [Member]	'	'	'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Intangible assets, useful life	'	'	'3 years	'
Maximum [Member]	'	'	'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Intangible assets, useful life	'	'	'15 years	'

Property_and_Equipment_Net_Pro

Property and Equipment, Net - Property and Equipment, Net (Including Assets Held Under Capital Leases) (Detail) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'
Property and equipment, gross	$4,197,438	$4,109,522
Less: accumulated depreciation	-1,618,799	-1,438,205
Property and equipment, net	2,578,639	2,671,317
Towers and Related Components [Member]	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'
Property and equipment, gross	3,809,069	3,757,859
Construction-In-Process [Member]	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'
Property and equipment, gross	21,022	25,454
Furniture, Equipment and Vehicles [Member]	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'
Property and equipment, gross	39,483	35,278
Land, Buildings and Improvements [Member]	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'
Property and equipment, gross	$327,864	$290,931

Property_and_Equipment_Net_Add

Property and Equipment, Net - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012
Property Plant And Equipment [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'
Depreciation expense	$65.10	$54.50	$198.10	$152.80	'
Non-cash capital expenditures	'	'	$12	'	$17.30

Costs_and_Estimated_Earnings_o2

Costs and Estimated Earnings on Uncompleted Contracts - Summary of Costs and Estimated Earnings on Uncompleted Contracts (Detail) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Contracts In Progress Costs And Earnings [Line Items]	'	'
Costs and estimated earnings on uncompleted contracts	$30,790	$22,524
Cost Incurred on Uncompleted Contracts [Member]	'	'
Contracts In Progress Costs And Earnings [Line Items]	'	'
Costs and estimated earnings on uncompleted contracts	88,242	55,349
Estimated Earnings [Member]	'	'
Contracts In Progress Costs And Earnings [Line Items]	'	'
Costs and estimated earnings on uncompleted contracts	34,668	20,883
Billings to Date [Member]	'	'
Contracts In Progress Costs And Earnings [Line Items]	'	'
Costs and estimated earnings on uncompleted contracts	($92,120)	($53,708)

Costs_and_Estimated_Earnings_o3

Costs and Estimated Earnings on Uncompleted Contracts - Costs and Estimated Earnings on Uncompleted Contracts Accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets (Detail) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Contractors [Abstract]	'	'
Costs and estimated earnings in excess of billings on uncompleted contracts	$34,090	$23,644
Other current liabilities (Billings in excess of costs and estimated earnings on uncompleted contracts)	-3,300	-1,120
Costs in excess of billings on uncompleted contracts or programs	$30,790	$22,524

Costs_and_Estimated_Earnings_o4

Costs and Estimated Earnings on Uncompleted Contracts - Additional Information (Detail)	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
	Customer	Customer
Contractors [Abstract]	'	'
Costs and estimated earnings in excess of billings on uncompleted contracts, net of billings in excess of costs and estimated earnings, percentage comprised by significant customers	83.70%	86.50%
Number of significant customers	5	5

Debt_Carrying_Values_of_Debt_D

Debt - Carrying Values of Debt (Detail) (USD $)

Sep. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

16-May-08

Sep. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Apr. 24, 2009

Sep. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

In Thousands, unless otherwise specified

4.254% Secured Tower Revenue Securities Series 2010-1 [Member]

4.254% Secured Tower Revenue Securities Series 2010-1 [Member]

5.101% Secured Tower Revenue Securities Series 2010-2 [Member]

5.101% Secured Tower Revenue Securities Series 2010-2 [Member]

2.933% Secured Tower Revenue Securities Series 2012-1 [Member]

2.933% Secured Tower Revenue Securities Series 2012-1 [Member]

2.240% Secured Tower Revenue Securities Series 2013-1C [Member]

3.722% Secured Tower Revenue Securities Series 2013-2C [Member]

3.598% Secured Tower Revenue Securities Series 2013-1D [Member]

8.25% Senior Notes [Member]

8.25% Senior Notes [Member]

5.625% Senior Notes [Member]

5.625% Senior Notes [Member]

5.75% Senior Notes [Member]

5.75% Senior Notes [Member]

1.875% Convertible Senior Notes due 2013 [Member]

1.875% Convertible Senior Notes due 2013 [Member]

1.875% Convertible Senior Notes due 2013 [Member]

4.0% Convertible Senior Notes due 2014 [Member]

4.0% Convertible Senior Notes due 2014 [Member]

4.0% Convertible Senior Notes due 2014 [Member]

Revolving Credit Facility [Member]

Revolving Credit Facility [Member]

2011 Term Loan B [Member]

2011 Term Loan B [Member]

2012-1 Term Loan A [Member]

2012-1 Term Loan A [Member]

2012-2 Term Loan B [Member]

2012-2 Term Loan B [Member]

Debt Instrument [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Debt instrument, Principal balance

$5,691,697

$5,440,073

$680,000

$680,000

$550,000

$550,000

$610,000

$610,000

$425,000

$575,000

$330,000

$243,750

$243,750

$500,000

$500,000

$800,000

$800,000

'

'

$468,836

'

$499,947

$499,987

'

$100,000

$180,529

$492,500

$187,500

$195,000

$109,971

$300,000

Debt, Carrying Value

5,648,328

5,356,103

680,000

680,000

550,000

550,000

610,000

610,000

425,000

575,000

330,000

242,340

242,205

500,000

500,000

800,000

800,000

'

'

457,351

'

458,535

430,751

'

100,000

180,218

491,518

187,500

195,000

109,735

299,278

Less: current maturities of long-term debt

-11,250

-475,351

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Total long-term debt, net of current maturities

$5,637,078

$4,880,752

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Debt instrument, maturity date

'

'

15-Apr-15

'

17-Apr-17

'

15-Dec-17

'

17-Apr-18

17-Apr-23

17-Apr-18

15-Aug-19

'

1-Oct-19

'

15-Jul-20

'

1-May-13

1-May-13

'

1-Oct-14

1-Oct-14

'

9-May-17

'

30-Jun-18

'

9-May-17

'

28-Sep-19

'

Debt_Carrying_Values_of_Debt_P

Debt - Carrying Values of Debt (Parenthetical) (Detail)	Sep. 30, 2013	16-May-08
8.25% Senior Notes [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Debt instrument interest rate stated percentage	8.25%	'
5.625% Senior Notes [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Debt instrument interest rate stated percentage	5.63%	'
5.75% Senior Notes [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Debt instrument interest rate stated percentage	5.75%	'
4.254% Secured Tower Revenue Securities Series 2010-1 [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Debt instrument interest rate stated percentage	4.25%	'
5.101% Secured Tower Revenue Securities Series 2010-2 [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Debt instrument interest rate stated percentage	5.10%	'
2.933% Secured Tower Revenue Securities Series 2012-1 [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Debt instrument interest rate stated percentage	2.93%	'
2.240% Secured Tower Revenue Securities Series 2013-1C [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Debt instrument interest rate stated percentage	2.24%	'
3.722% Secured Tower Revenue Securities Series 2013-2C [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Debt instrument interest rate stated percentage	3.72%	'
3.598% Secured Tower Revenue Securities Series 2013-1D [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Debt instrument interest rate stated percentage	3.60%	'
1.875% Convertible Senior Notes due 2013 [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Debt instrument interest rate stated percentage	1.88%	1.88%
4.0% Convertible Senior Notes due 2014 [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Debt instrument interest rate stated percentage	4.00%	'

Debt_Schedule_of_Cash_and_NonC

Debt - Schedule of Cash and Non-Cash Interest Expense (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Cash Interest	$62,987	$50,578	$185,569	$136,728
Non-cash Interest	9,642	17,874	39,151	52,281
1.875% Convertible Senior Notes due 2013 [Member]	'	'	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Cash Interest	'	2,508	2,670	7,523
Non-cash Interest	'	9,339	10,434	27,375
4.0% Convertible Senior Notes due 2014 [Member]	'	'	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Cash Interest	4,999	5,000	14,999	15,000
Non-cash Interest	9,570	8,412	28,446	24,448
8.0% Senior Notes due 2016 [Member]	'	'	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Cash Interest	'	3,142	'	15,867
Non-cash Interest	'	35	'	174
8.25% Senior Notes [Member]	'	'	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Cash Interest	5,027	5,027	15,082	18,150
Non-cash Interest	46	42	135	149
5.625% Senior Notes [Member]	'	'	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Cash Interest	7,031	234	21,094	234
5.75% Senior Notes [Member]	'	'	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Cash Interest	11,500	10,094	34,500	10,094
2010 Secured Tower Revenue Securities [Member]	'	'	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Cash Interest	14,349	14,344	43,037	43,032
2012 Secured Tower Revenue Securities [Member]	'	'	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Cash Interest	4,521	2,612	13,564	2,612
2013 Secured Tower Revenue Securities [Member]	'	'	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Cash Interest	10,804	'	19,588	'
Revolving Credit Facility [Member]	'	'	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Cash Interest	856	849	3,338	3,558
2011 Term Loan [Member]	'	'	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Cash Interest	1,730	4,743	8,802	14,163
Non-cash Interest	16	45	85	134
2012-1 Term Loan A [Member]	'	'	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Cash Interest	1,123	1,403	3,516	2,262
2012-2 Term Loan B [Member]	'	'	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Cash Interest	1,054	94	5,362	94
Non-cash Interest	10	1	51	1
Mobilitie Bridge Loan [Member]	'	'	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Cash Interest	'	499	'	4,239
Other [Member]	'	'	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Cash Interest	($7)	$29	$17	($100)

Debt_Schedule_of_Cash_and_NonC1

Debt - Schedule of Cash and Non-Cash Interest Expense (Parenthetical) (Detail)	Sep. 30, 2013
1.875% Convertible Senior Notes due 2013 [Member]	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'
Interest rates for senior notes	1.88%
4.0% Convertible Senior Notes due 2014 [Member]	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'
Interest rates for senior notes	4.00%
8.0% Senior Notes due 2016 [Member]	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'
Interest rates for senior notes	8.00%
8.25% Senior Notes [Member]	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'
Interest rates for senior notes	8.25%
5.625% Senior Notes [Member]	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'
Interest rates for senior notes	5.63%
5.75% Senior Notes [Member]	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'
Interest rates for senior notes	5.75%

Debt_Additional_Information_De

Debt - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	Aug. 27, 2013	Aug. 27, 2013	Aug. 27, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013
In Millions, unless otherwise specified		Revolving Credit Facility [Member]	Senior Credit Agreement [Member]	Minimum [Member]	Maximum [Member]	Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Line of credit facility, maximum borrowing capacity	'	'	'	'	'	$770
Eurodollar Rate margin	'	'	'	1.88%	2.38%	'
Base rate margin	'	'	'	0.88%	1.38%	'
Line of credit facility, commitment fee	'	'	'	0.38%	0.50%	'
Line of credit facility, outstanding	'	'	'	'	'	0
Line of credit facility, remaining borrowing capacity	'	'	'	'	'	770
Debt to EBITDA ratio	'	'	6	'	'	'
Debt to EBITDA ratio increased	'	'	6.5	'	'	'
Debt to EBITDA ratio	$6.50	'	'	'	'	'
Allowable annualized percentage borrower EBITDA for foreign subsidiaries	'	10.00%	'	'	'	'
Allowable annualized percentage borrower EBITDA for foreign subsidiaries, revised	'	35.00%	'	'	'	'

Debt_Additional_Information_1_

Debt - Additional Information 1 (Detail) (USD $)

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Dec. 31, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Apr. 24, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Minimum [Member]

Maximum [Member]

Term Loan A [Member]

Term Loan A [Member]

Term Loan A [Member]

Term Loan A [Member]

Term Loan A [Member]

Term Loan A [Member]

Term Loan under the Senior Credit Agreement [Member]

Term Loan under the Senior Credit Agreement [Member]

Term Loan under the Senior Credit Agreement [Member]

Term Loan B [Member]

Term Loan B [Member]

2012-1 Term Loan A [Member]

2012-1 Term Loan A [Member]

2012-1 Term Loan A [Member]

2012-1 Term Loan A [Member]

2012-1 Term Loan A [Member]

2012-1 Term Loan A [Member]

2011 Term Loan B [Member]

2012-1 Term Loan [Member]

2012-1 Term Loan [Member]

2011 Term Loan B [Member]

2011 Term Loan B [Member]

Minimum [Member]

Maximum [Member]

First Eight Quarters [Member]

Next Four Quarters [Member]

Each Quarter Thereafter [Member]

Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Debt instrument, face amount

$5,691,697,000

'

$5,691,697,000

'

$5,440,073,000

'

'

$200,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

$500,000,000

'

'

'

'

Eurodollar Rate margin

'

'

'

'

'

1.88%

2.38%

'

2.00%

2.50%

'

'

'

2.75%

'

'

'

'

Base rate margin

'

'

'

'

'

0.88%

1.38%

'

1.00%

1.50%

'

'

'

1.75%

'

'

'

'

Base rate floor

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

2.00%

'

'

'

'

Eurodollar rate floor

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1.00%

'

'

'

'

Accrued interest on Term Loan

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

2.18%

'

'

'

'

'

3.75%

'

'

'

'

Financing fees

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

4,900,000

'

2,700,000

'

'

Percentage of par value price for issuance of term loan

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

99.75%

'

'

'

'

Repayments of long-term debt, quarterly

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

2,500,000

3,750,000

5,000,000

'

'

'

'

312,000,000

Prepayment of term loan

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

310,700,000

'

Deferred financing fees expense

3,981,000

3,199,000

11,508,000

9,293,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

2,300,000

'

Wrote off of discount related to debt

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

600,000

'

Term Loan, Principal balance

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

187,500,000

187,500,000

'

180,500,000

Remaining deferred financing fees, net

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1,200,000

Repayment of debt

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$2,500,000

$7,500,000

'

'

Debt_Additional_Information_2_

Debt - Additional Information 2 (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended			1 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012	Apr. 24, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013
						Term Loan B [Member]	Term Loan B [Member]
						2012-2 Term Loan B [Member]	2012-2 Term Loan B [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Debt instrument, face amount	$5,691,697,000	'	$5,691,697,000	'	$5,440,073,000	'	$300,000,000
Eurodollar Rate margin	'	'	'	'	'	'	2.75%
Base rate margin	'	'	'	'	'	'	1.75%
Base rate floor	'	'	'	'	'	'	2.00%
Eurodollar rate floor	'	'	'	'	'	'	1.00%
Accrued interest on Term Loan	'	'	'	'	'	'	3.75%
Percentage of par value price for issuance of term loan	'	'	'	'	'	'	99.75%
Financing fees	'	'	'	'	'	'	3,500,000
Term Loan, outstanding balance repaid	'	'	'	'	'	'	190,000,000
Prepayment of term loan	'	'	'	'	'	189,300,000	'
Deferred financing fees expense	3,981,000	3,199,000	11,508,000	9,293,000	'	2,000,000	'
Wrote off of discount related to debt	'	'	'	'	'	400,000	'
Term Loan, Principal balance	'	'	'	'	'	'	110,000,000
Remaining deferred financing fees, net	'	'	'	'	'	'	$1,100,000

Debt_Additional_Information_3_

Debt - Additional Information 3 (Detail) (USD $)

Sep. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Apr. 18, 2013

Apr. 18, 2013

Apr. 16, 2010

Sep. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Apr. 16, 2010

Sep. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Apr. 16, 2010

Apr. 16, 2010

Sep. 30, 2013

Apr. 18, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Aug. 09, 2012

Apr. 18, 2013

Apr. 18, 2013

Apr. 18, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Apr. 18, 2013

2011 Term Loan B [Member]

2012-2 Term Loan B [Member]

4.254% Secured Tower Revenue Securities Series 2010-1 [Member]

4.254% Secured Tower Revenue Securities Series 2010-1 [Member]

4.254% Secured Tower Revenue Securities Series 2010-1 [Member]

5.101% Secured Tower Revenue Securities Series 2010-2 [Member]

5.101% Secured Tower Revenue Securities Series 2010-2 [Member]

5.101% Secured Tower Revenue Securities Series 2010-2 [Member]

Tower Securities [Member]

Tower Securities [Member]

Commercial Mortgage Series 2006-1 [Member]

Revolving Credit Facility [Member]

Revolving Credit Facility [Member]

Revolving Credit Facility [Member]

2012-1 Tower Securities [Member]

2012-1 Tower Securities [Member]

2013-1C Tower Securities [Member]

2013-2C Tower Securities [Member]

2013-1DTower Securities [Member]

2013 Tower Securities [Member]

2013 Tower Securities [Member]

Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Proceeds from issuance of 2010 Tower Securities, net of fees paid

'

'

'

'

$680,000,000

'

'

$550,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Securities, annual interest rate

'

'

'

'

4.25%

'

'

5.10%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Weighted average annual fixed coupon interest rate

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

4.70%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Tower revenue securities anticipated repayment date

'

'

'

'

'2015-04-15

'

'

'2017-04-17

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Tower revenue securities maturity date

'

'

'

'

'2040-04-16

'

'

'2042-04-15

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Line of credit facility, deferred financing fees

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

18,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

14,900,000

'

'

'

'

25,100,000

'

Repayment of debt

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Face amount of debt

5,691,697,000

5,440,073,000

'

'

'

680,000,000

680,000,000

'

550,000,000

550,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

100,000,000

'

610,000,000

425,000,000

575,000,000

330,000,000

'

1,330,000,000

Debt instrument interest rate stated percentage

'

'

'

'

'

4.25%

'

'

5.10%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

2.93%

2.24%

3.72%

3.60%

'

3.22%

Repayment date of debt instrument

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'April 2018

'April 2023

'April 2018

'

'

Weighted average life of debt instrument through the anticipated repayment date

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'7 years 2 months 12 days

Debt instrument, maturity date

'

'

'

'

'

15-Apr-15

'

'

17-Apr-17

'

'

'

'

9-May-17

'

'

'

'

30-Apr-43

30-Apr-48

30-Apr-43

'

'

Outstanding amount

'

'

$310,700,000

$189,300,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$100,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Debt_Additional_Information_4_

Debt - Additional Information 4 (Detail) (USD $)	1 Months Ended		3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Feb. 22, 2013	16-May-08	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Feb. 01, 2013
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Proceeds from settlement of convertible bond hedges	'	'	'	$182,855,000	'
Company paid in cash to settle warrants	'	'	'	42,424,000	'
Shares - Warrant [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Common stock warrants issued	'	'	'	200,016	'
Lehman Brothers [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Gain on a sale of a bankruptcy claim	'	'	27,300,000	'	'
Subsequent Event [Member] | Shares - Warrant [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Common stock warrants issued	'	'	'	192,516	'
1.875% Convertible Senior Notes due 2013 [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Convertible senior notes issued	'	550,000,000	'	'	'
Equity component related to repurchases, convertible, effective interest rate	'	1.88%	1.88%	1.88%	'
Debt instrument, issuance date	'	16-May-08	'	'	'
Interest payable dates	'	'	'	'May 1 and November 1	'
Debt instrument, maturity date	'	1-May-13	'	1-May-13	'
Conversion rate, in shares	'	24.1196	'	'	'
Common stock principal amount	'	1,000	'	'	'
Per share conversion price	'	$41.46	'	'	'
Conversion premium	'	20.00%	'	'	'
Last reported selling price	'	$34.55	'	'	'
Issuance of stock for conversion of debt	18,100,000	'	'	'	'
Issuance of common stock	437,134	'	'	'	'
Exercised share warrants net	71,054	'	'	'	'
Settlement of future conversion obligations	'	'	'	'	100.00%
Additional conversion notices aggregate value	'	'	'	450,600,000	'
Converted Notes held by subsidiary	'	'	'	81,200,000	'
Convertible indenture notes	'	'	'	1,764.02	'
Convertible price per notes	'	'	'	$1,000	'
Convertible notes aggregate value	'	'	'	794,800,000	'
Aggregate principal amount	'	'	142,000	142,000	'
Proceeds from settlement of convertible bond hedges	'	'	'	182,900,000	'
Company paid in cash to settle warrants	'	'	18,800,000	42,400,000	'
Initial strike price of warrants	'	'	'	$67.37	'
1.875% Convertible Senior Notes due 2013 [Member] | Subsequent Event [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Company paid in cash to settle warrants	'	'	'	$55,500,000	'

Debt_Additional_Information_5_

Debt - Additional Information 5 (Detail) (USD $)	1 Months Ended	9 Months Ended	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended	1 Months Ended	9 Months Ended					3 Months Ended
	Apr. 24, 2009	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Apr. 24, 2009	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013
			Class A Common Stock [Member]	Class A Common Stock [Member]	4.0% Convertible Senior Notes due 2014 [Member]	4.0% Convertible Senior Notes due 2014 [Member]	Convertible Senior Notes [Member]	Convertible Senior Notes [Member]	Convertible Senior Notes [Member]	Convertible Senior Notes [Member]	4.0% Notes [Member]
									Maximum [Member]	Minimum [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Convertible senior notes issued	'	'	'	'	$500,000,000	'	'	'	'	'	'
Debt instrument, issuance date	'	'	'	'	24-Apr-09	'	'	'	'	'	'
Interest payable dates	'	'	'	'	'April 1 and October 1	'	'	'	'	'	'
Debt instrument, maturity date	'	'	'	'	1-Oct-14	1-Oct-14	'	'	'	'	'
Issuance fee of convertible senior notes	11,700,000	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Deferred financing fees	7,700,000	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Financing fees recorded as a reduction to shareholders' equity	4,000,000	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Initial strike price of warrants	'	'	'	'	'	$30.38	'	'	'	'	'
Equity component related to repurchases, convertible, effective interest rate	'	'	'	'	'	4.00%	'	'	'	'	'
Conversion rate, in shares	'	'	'	'	'	32.9164	'	'	'	'	'
Conversion premium	'	'	'	'	'	22.50%	'	'	'	'	'
Per share conversion price	'	'	'	'	'	$30.38	'	'	'	'	'
Common stock principal amount	'	'	'	'	'	1,000	'	'	'	'	'
Last reported selling price	'	'	'	'	'	$24.80	'	'	'	'	'
Upper strike price of warrants	'	'	'	'	'	$44.64	'	'	'	'	'
Coupon rate of notes, maximum	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	12.90%	4.00%	'
Carrying amount of the equity component	'	'	'	'	'	'	169,000,000	169,000,000	'	'	'
Convertible notes conversion criteria associated with common stock trading price	'	'The last reported sale price of the Company's Class A common stock for at least 20 trading days in the 30 consecutive trading day period ending on the last trading day of the preceding calendar quarter is more than 130% of the applicable conversion price per share of Class A common stock on the last day of such preceding calendar quarter	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Convertible notes conversion criteria associated with common stock and convertible notes trading price	'	'Trading price per $1,000 principal amount of the 4.0% Notes for each day in the measurement period was less than 95% of the product of the last reported sale price of Class A common stock and the applicable conversion rate,	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Common stock closing price per share	'	'	$39.49	$39.49	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Period of payment of additional interest	'	'	'20 days	'20 days	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Consecutive trading day	'	'	'30 days	'30 days	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Principal amount converted	'	'	'	'	'	40,000	'	'	'	'	'
Issuance of common stock	'	'	'	'	'	1,307	'	'	'	'	'
Common stock received	'	'	'	'	'	593	'	'	'	'	'
Principal amount of conversion notices	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	$3,000

Debt_Summary_of_LongTerm_Debt_

Debt - Summary of Long-Term Debt (Detail) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Short-term Debt [Line Items]	'	'
Debt instrument, Principal balance	$5,691,697	$5,440,073
Carrying value	5,648,328	5,356,103
4.0% Convertible Senior Notes due 2014 [Member]	'	'
Short-term Debt [Line Items]	'	'
Debt instrument, Principal balance	499,947	499,987
Debt discount	-41,412	-69,236
Carrying value	$458,535	$430,751

Debt_Additional_Information_6_

Debt - Additional Information 6 (Detail) (USD $)

1 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

Aug. 29, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Dec. 31, 2012

Apr. 24, 2009

Aug. 29, 2012

Apr. 13, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Apr. 13, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Apr. 13, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Jul. 24, 2009

Jul. 24, 2009

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Aug. 29, 2012

8.0% Senior Notes due 2016 [Member]

8.0% Senior Notes due 2016 [Member]

8.0% Senior Notes due 2016 [Member]

8.25% Senior Notes [Member]

8.25% Senior Notes [Member]

Senior Notes [Member]

Senior Notes [Member]

Senior Notes Due Two Thousand Sixteen [Member]

Senior Notes Due Two Thousand Nineteen [Member]

8.0% Senior Notes [Member]

8.25% Senior Notes [Member]

8.0% Senior Notes [Member]

Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Unsecured senior notes

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$750,000,000

$375,000,000

$375,000,000

'

'

'

Debt instrument, maturity date

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

15-Aug-16

15-Aug-19

'

'

'

Equity component related to repurchases, convertible, effective interest rate

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

8.00%

'

8.25%

'

'

'

'

8.00%

8.25%

8.00%

Percentage of face value price for issuance of senior notes

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

99.33%

99.15%

'

'

'

Interest payable dates

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'February 15 and August 15

'February 15 and August 15

'

'

'

Deferred financing fees

'

'

'

'

'

'

7,700,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

5,400,000

'

Net proceeds of offering after deducting discounts

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

727,800,000

'

'

'

'

'

Debt instrument, aggregate principal amount redeemed

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

131,300,000

'

131,300,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Premium on redemption

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

21,300,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

Debt discount

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1,500,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

Deferred financing fees

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

4,300,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

Debt instrument, aggregate principal amount redeemed

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

243,800,000

Premium on redemption

14,600,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Debt discount expensed

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Deferred financing fees

'

3,981,000

3,199,000

11,508,000

9,293,000

'

'

3,400,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Carrying value of senior note

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

242,300,000

'

Debt instrument, Principal balance

'

$5,691,697,000

'

$5,691,697,000

'

$5,440,073,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$243,800,000

'

Debt_Additional_Information_7_

Debt - Additional Information 7 (Detail) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Apr. 24, 2009	Sep. 28, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Jul. 13, 2012
				5.625% Senior Notes [Member]	5.625% Senior Notes [Member]	5.75% Notes [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Unsecured senior notes	$5,691,697,000	$5,440,073,000	'	$500,000,000	'	$800,000,000
Interest rate for senior notes	'	'	'	5.63%	5.63%	5.75%
Interest payable dates	'	'	'	'October 1 and April 1	'	'July 15 and January 15
Debt instrument, maturity date	'	'	'	1-Oct-19	'	15-Jul-20
Deferred financing fees	'	'	$7,700,000	$8,500,000	'	$14,000,000

Redeemable_Noncontrolling_Inte1

Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests - Additional Information (Detail) (Central American joint venture [Member], USD $)	1 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2013
Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]	'
Acquired additional non-controlling interest	10.00%
Acquired additional interest value	$6
Ownership interest after acquisition	100.00%
Additional Paid-In Capital [Member]	'
Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]	'
Adjusted non-controlling interest	$5.70

Shareholders_Equity_Additional

Shareholders' Equity - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Apr. 27, 2011	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013
		Class A Common Stock [Member]	Common Stock Equivalents 4.0% Notes [Member]	Common stock equivalents 1.875% Notes [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Interest rate for senior notes	'	'	4.00%	1.88%
Stock repurchase authorized	$150	$300	'	'
New stock repurchase authorized program	$300	'	'	'

StockBased_Compensation_Schedu

Stock-Based Compensation - Schedule of Assumptions Used to Estimate Fair Value of Stock Options (Detail)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'
Risk free interest rate, Minimum	0.51%	0.57%
Risk free interest rate, Maximum	1.38%	0.83%
Dividend yield	0.00%	0.00%
Expected volatility	'	53.00%
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	'3 years 9 months 18 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	'4 years 7 months 6 days

StockBased_Compensation_Compan

Stock-Based Compensation - Company's Activities with Respect to its Stock Options (Detail) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013
Disclosure Of Compensation Related Costs Sharebased Payments [Abstract]	'
Number of Shares Outstanding, Beginning Balance	2,831
Number of Shares, Granted	984
Number of Shares, Exercised	-620
Number of Shares, Canceled	-57
Number of Shares Outstanding, Ending Balance	3,138
Number of Shares Exercisable, Ending Balance	1,339
Number of Shares Unvested, Ending Balance	1,799
Weighted-Average Exercise Price Per Share Outstanding, Beginning Balance	$34.06
Weighted-Average Exercise Price Per Share, Granted	$73.17
Weighted-Average Exercise Price Per Share, Exercised	$27.15
Weighted-Average Exercise Price Per Share, Canceled	$51.73
Weighted-Average Exercise Price Per Share Outstanding, Ending Balance	$47.37
Weighted-Average Exercise Price Per Share Exercisable, Ending Balance	$30.96
Weighted-Average Exercise Price Per Share Unvested, Ending Balance	$59.58
Weighted-Average Remaining Contractual Life (in Years) Outstanding at September 30, 2013	'4 years 5 months 1 day
Weighted-Average Remaining Contractual Life (in years) Exercisable at September 30, 2013	'2 years 8 months 1 day
Weighted-Average Remaining Contractual Life (in years) Unvested at September 30, 2013	'5 years 8 months 19 days

StockBased_Compensation_Additi

Stock-Based Compensation - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Disclosure Of Compensation Related Costs Sharebased Payments [Abstract]	'	'
Weighted-average fair value of options granted	$17.20	$20.31
Total intrinsic value for options exercised	$30.70	$23

StockBased_Compensation_Compan1

Stock-Based Compensation - Company's Restricted Stock Unit Activity (Detail) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013
Disclosure Of Compensation Related Costs Sharebased Payments [Abstract]	'
Number of Units Outstanding, Beginning Balance	294
Number of Units, Granted	122
Number of Units, Restriction Lapse	-99
Number of Units, Forfeited/Canceled	-11
Number of Units Outstanding, Ending Balance	306
Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value per share Outstanding, Beginning Balance	$43.27
Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value per share, Granted	$73.44
Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value per share, Restriction Lapse	$41.86
Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value per share, Forfeited/Canceled	$48.50
Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value per share Outstanding, Ending Balance	$55.54

Segment_Data_Additional_Inform

Segment Data - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'
Number of business segments	2	'	'
Total assets held in Brazil	$6,584,428	6,595,617	$6,595,617
Outside of United States [Member]	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'
Percentage of revenue generated from the foreign countries	7.00%	5.90%	'
Percentage of total assets in the foreign countries	11.30%	'	12.20%
Total assets held in Brazil	'	'	$178,100

Segment_Data_Segment_Reporting

Segment Data - Segment Reporting Information Disclosure (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Revenues	$332,094	$238,606	$969,470	$660,243	'
Cost of revenues	103,295	71,683	307,715	190,081	'
Depreciation, amortization and accretion	133,281	101,012	400,006	277,110	'
Operating income (loss)	63,902	41,071	170,201	116,098	'
Capital expenditures	125,371	58,216	452,977	1,059,685	'
Assets	6,584,428	6,595,617	6,584,428	6,595,617	6,595,617
Operating Segments [Member] | Site Leasing Revenue [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Revenues	287,483	208,828	840,488	585,332	'
Cost of revenues	68,042	46,621	203,927	126,787	'
Depreciation, amortization and accretion	132,074	100,107	396,824	274,541	'
Operating income (loss)	59,547	42,420	161,101	120,224	'
Capital expenditures	122,268	57,508	446,514	1,056,215	'
Assets	6,219,735	6,422,577	6,219,735	6,422,577	'
Operating Segments [Member] | Site Development [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Revenues	44,611	29,778	128,982	74,911	'
Cost of revenues	35,253	25,062	103,788	63,294	'
Depreciation, amortization and accretion	731	561	1,762	1,596	'
Operating income (loss)	6,685	1,735	17,615	2,625	'
Capital expenditures	2,538	708	5,185	2,975	'
Assets	78,738	58,804	78,738	58,804	'
Not Identified by Segment [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Depreciation, amortization and accretion	476	344	1,420	973	'
Operating income (loss)	-2,540	-3,084	-8,515	-6,751	'
Capital expenditures	565	'	1,278	495	'
Assets	$285,955	$114,236	$285,955	$114,236	'

Concentration_of_Credit_Risk_A

Concentration of Credit Risk - Additional Information (Detail)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
	Customer	Customer
Risks And Uncertainties [Abstract]	'	'
Concentration risk percentage of revenue minimum	10.00%	'
Concentration risk percentage of accounts receivable	53.90%	55.50%
Accounts receivable number of customers	5	5

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 (Detail)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Site Leasing Revenue [Member] | Sprint [Member]	'	'	'	'
Concentration Risk [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Concentration risk percentage of revenue	28.20%	24.20%	28.50%	24.90%
Site Leasing Revenue [Member] | AT&T [Member]	'	'	'	'
Concentration Risk [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Concentration risk percentage of revenue	22.70%	23.00%	22.30%	23.80%
Site Leasing Revenue [Member] | T-Mobile [Member]	'	'	'	'
Concentration Risk [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Concentration risk percentage of revenue	16.50%	18.00%	16.70%	16.60%
Site Leasing Revenue [Member] | Verizon [Member]	'	'	'	'
Concentration Risk [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Concentration risk percentage of revenue	12.30%	13.30%	12.20%	13.70%
Site Development Revenue [Member] | Ericsson, Inc [Member]	'	'	'	'
Concentration Risk [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Concentration risk percentage of revenue	32.20%	23.60%	38.10%	19.70%
Site Development Revenue [Member] | T-Mobile [Member]	'	'	'	'
Concentration Risk [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Concentration risk percentage of revenue	10.50%	2.50%	7.90%	8.30%
Site Development Revenue [Member] | Alcatel-Lucent [Member]	'	'	'	'
Concentration Risk [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Concentration risk percentage of revenue	8.10%	8.30%	10.10%	6.10%
Site Development Revenue [Member] | Nsoro [Member]	'	'	'	'
Concentration Risk [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Concentration risk percentage of revenue	2.10%	17.30%	3.10%	19.90%

Earnings_Per_Share_WeightedAve

Earnings Per Share - Weighted-Average Shares of Common Stock Outstanding Used in Calculation of Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Share (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Net income (loss) from continuing operations	$21,531	($53,668)	($36,747)	($131,153)
Net income from discontinued operations	'	$969	'	$2,349
Basic weighted-average shares outstanding	127,885	121,689	127,555	118,159
Dilutive impact of stock options and restricted shares	1,195	'	'	'
Dilutive impact of common stock warrants	7,832	'	'	'
Diluted weighted-average shares outstanding	136,912	121,689	127,555	118,159
Earnings (loss) per share attributable to continuing operations:	'	'	'	'
Basic	$0.17	($0.44)	($0.29)	($1.11)
Diluted	$0.16	($0.44)	($0.29)	($1.11)
Earnings per share attributable to discontinued operations:	'	'	'	'
Basic and diluted	'	$0.01	'	$0.02