Crown Castle (CCI) 10-Q 1 Nov 23 2023 Q3 Quarterly report Financial data

Document and Entity Information

Document and Entity Information - shares	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2023	Oct. 30, 2023
Entity Information [Line Items]
Document Type	10-Q
Document Quarterly Report	true
Document Period End Date	Sep. 30, 2023
Document Transition Report	false
Entity File Number	001-16441
Entity Registrant Name	CROWN CASTLE INC.
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	DE
Entity Tax Identification Number	76-0470458
Entity Address, Address Line One	8020 Katy Freeway
Entity Address, City or Town	Houston
Entity Address, State or Province	TX
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	77024
City Area Code	713
Local Phone Number	570-3000
Title of 12(b) Security	Common Stock, $0.01 par value
Trading Symbol	CCI
Security Exchange Name	NYSE
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Small Business	false
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		433,688,863
Entity Central Index Key	0001051470
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2023
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Amendment Flag	false

Condensed Consolidated Balance

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet - USD ($) $ in Millions	Sep. 30, 2023	Dec. 31, 2022
Assets, Current [Abstract]
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 117	$ 156
Restricted cash, current	167	166
Receivables, net	512	593
Prepaid expenses	143	102
Deferred site rental receivables	115	127
Other current assets	72	73
Assets, Current, Total	1,126	1,217
Deferred site rental receivables	2,189	1,954
Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $13,987 and $13,071, respectively	15,573	15,407
Operating lease right-of-use assets	6,309	6,526
Goodwill	10,085	10,085
Other intangible assets, net	3,276	3,596
Other assets, net	141	136
Assets, Total	38,699	38,921
Liabilities, Current [Abstract]
Accounts payable	215	236
Accrued interest	145	183
Deferred revenues	650	736
Other accrued liabilities	373	407
Current maturities of debt and other obligations	827	819
Current portion of operating lease liabilities	339	350
Liabilities, Current, Total	2,549	2,731
Debt and other long-term obligations	21,903	20,910
Operating lease liabilities	5,660	5,881
Other long-term liabilities	1,918	1,950
Liabilities, Total	$ 32,030	$ 31,472
Common stock, par value	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent [Abstract]
Common Stock, Value, Issued	$ 4	$ 4
Additional Paid in Capital	18,241	18,116
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax	(5)	(5)
Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit)	(11,571)	(10,666)
Stockholders' Equity, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Total	6,669	7,449
Liabilities and Equity, Total	$ 38,699	$ 38,921

Condensed Consolidated Balanc_2

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet (Parenthetical) - USD ($) shares in Millions, $ in Millions	Sep. 30, 2023	Dec. 31, 2022
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet (Parenthetical) [Abstract]
Accumulated depreciation, property and equipment	$ 13,987	$ 13,071
Common stock, shares outstanding	434	433
Common stock, shares authorized	1,200	1,200
Common stock, par value	$ 0.01	$ 0.01

Condensed Consolidated Statemen

Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss) - USD ($) shares in Millions, $ in Millions		3 Months Ended			9 Months Ended
		Sep. 30, 2023		Sep. 30, 2022	Sep. 30, 2023	Sep. 30, 2022
Net revenues:
Site Rental		$ 1,577		$ 1,568	$ 4,929	$ 4,711
Services and other		90		178	378	511
Net Revenues		1,667		1,746	5,307	5,222
Operating expenses:
Site rental	[1]	420		405	1,259	1,204
Services and other	[1]	66		119	268	344
Selling, general and administrative		176		187	581	558
Asset write-down charges		8		3	30	26
Acquisition and integration costs		0		0	1	1
Depreciation, amortization and accretion		439		430	1,315	1,276
Restructuring Charges		72			72
Total operating expenses		1,181		1,144	3,526	3,409
Operating income (loss)		486		602	1,781	1,813
Interest expense and amortization of deferred financing costs, net		(217)		(177)	(627)	(506)
Gains (losses) on retirement of long-term obligations		0		(2)	0	(28)
Interest income		3		1	10	1
Other income (expense)		0		(2)	(4)	(5)
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Income Taxes, Noncontrolling Interest		272		422	1,160	1,275
Benefit (provision) for income taxes		(7)		(3)	(21)	(14)
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Parent		265		419	1,139	1,261
Foreign currency translation adjustments		0	[2]	(2)	0	(3)
Total other comprehensive income (loss)	[2]	0		(2)	0	(3)
Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Attributable to Parent		$ 265		$ 417	$ 1,139	$ 1,258
Earnings Per Share, Basic		$ 0.61		$ 0.97	$ 2.63	$ 2.91
Earnings Per Share, Diluted		$ 0.61		$ 0.97	$ 2.63	$ 2.91
Weighted-average common shares outstanding, basic		434		433	434	433
Weighted-average common shares outstanding, diluted		434		434	434	434
[1]Exclusive of depreciation, amortization and accretion shown separately.[2]See the condensed consolidated statement of operations and other comprehensive income (loss) for the components of other comprehensive income (loss).

Condensed Consolidated Statem_2

Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Millions	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2023	Sep. 30, 2022
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Parent	$ 1,139	$ 1,261
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) from continuing operations to net cash provided by (used for) operating activities:
Depreciation, amortization and accretion	1,315	1,276
Gains (losses) on retirement of long-term obligations	0	28
Amortization of deferred financing costs and other non-cash interest	22	10
Stock-based compensation expense, net	126	120
Asset write-down charges	30	26
Deferred income tax (benefit) provision	1	2
Other non-cash adjustments, net	10	6
Changes in assets and liabilities, excluding the effects of acquisitions:
Increase (decrease) in accrued interest	(38)	(63)
Increase (decrease) in accounts payable	(20)	(10)
Increase (decrease) in other liabilities	(162)	(256)
Decrease (increase) in receivables	87	8
Decrease (increase) in other assets	(252)	(370)
Net cash provided by (used for) operating activities	2,258	2,038
Cash flows from investing activities:
Capital expenditures	(1,067)	(921)
Payments for acquisitions, net of cash acquired	(93)	(15)
Other investing activities, net	5	(10)
Net cash provided by (used for) investing activities	(1,155)	(946)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt	2,347	748
Principal payments on debt and other long-term obligations	(58)	(55)
Purchases and redemptions of long-term debt	(750)	(1,274)
Borrowings under revolving credit facility	2,943	2,625
Payments under revolving credit facility	(4,088)	(2,580)
Net issuances (repayments) under commercial paper program	561	1,329
Payments for financing costs	(23)	(14)
Purchases of common stock	(29)	(64)
Dividends/distributions paid on common stock	(2,044)	(1,924)
Net cash provided by (used for) financing activities	(1,141)	(1,209)
Net increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash	(38)	(117)
Effect of Exchange Rate on Cash, Cash Equivalents, Restricted Cash and Restricted Cash Equivalents	0	(2)
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of period	327	466
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period	$ 289	$ 347

Condensed Consolidated Statem_3

Condensed Consolidated Statement of Equity - USD ($) shares in Millions, $ in Millions		Total	Common Stock [Member]	Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]	Dividends/Distributions in Excess of Earnings [Member]	AOCI Attributable to Parent
Balance, shares Period Start at Dec. 31, 2021			432
Balance, value Period Start at Dec. 31, 2021		$ 8,258	$ 4	$ 18,011	$ (9,753)	$ (4)
Stock-based compensation related activity, net of forfeitures, value		140		140
Purchases and retirement of common stock, value		(64)		(64)
Common stock dividends/distributions		(1,913)			(1,913)
Net income (loss)		1,261			1,261
Balance, shares Period End at Sep. 30, 2022			433
Balance, value Period End at Sep. 30, 2022		7,679	$ 4	18,087	(10,405)	(7)
Share-Based Compensation Arrangement by Share-Based Payment Award, Shares Issued in Period			1
Total other comprehensive income (loss)	[1]	(3)				(3)
Foreign currency translation adjustments		(3)
Balance, shares Period Start at Jun. 30, 2022			433
Balance, value Period Start at Jun. 30, 2022		7,861	$ 4	18,050	(10,188)	(5)
Stock-based compensation related activity, net of forfeitures, value		38		38
Purchases and retirement of common stock, value		(1)		(1)
Common stock dividends/distributions		(636)			(636)
Net income (loss)		419			419
Balance, shares Period End at Sep. 30, 2022			433
Balance, value Period End at Sep. 30, 2022		7,679	$ 4	18,087	(10,405)	(7)
Share-Based Compensation Arrangement by Share-Based Payment Award, Shares Issued in Period			0
Total other comprehensive income (loss)	[1]	(2)				(2)
Foreign currency translation adjustments		$ (2)
Balance, shares Period Start at Dec. 31, 2022		433	433
Balance, value Period Start at Dec. 31, 2022		$ 7,449	$ 4	18,116	(10,666)	(5)
Stock-based compensation related activity, net of forfeitures, value		154		154
Purchases and retirement of common stock, value		(29)		(29)
Common stock dividends/distributions		(2,044)			(2,044)
Net income (loss)		$ 1,139			1,139
Balance, shares Period End at Sep. 30, 2023		434	434
Balance, value Period End at Sep. 30, 2023		$ 6,669	$ 4	18,241	(11,571)	(5)
Share-Based Compensation Arrangement by Share-Based Payment Award, Shares Issued in Period			1
Total other comprehensive income (loss)	[1]	0
Foreign currency translation adjustments		0
Balance, shares Period Start at Jun. 30, 2023			434
Balance, value Period Start at Jun. 30, 2023		7,046	$ 4	18,202	(11,155)	(5)
Stock-based compensation related activity, net of forfeitures, value		39		39
Purchases and retirement of common stock, value		0		0
Common stock dividends/distributions		(681)			(681)
Net income (loss)		$ 265			265
Balance, shares Period End at Sep. 30, 2023		434	434
Balance, value Period End at Sep. 30, 2023		$ 6,669	$ 4	$ 18,241	$ (11,571)	(5)
Share-Based Compensation Arrangement by Share-Based Payment Award, Shares Issued in Period
Total other comprehensive income (loss)	[1]	0				$ 0
Foreign currency translation adjustments	[1]	$ 0
[1]See the condensed consolidated statement of operations and other comprehensive income (loss) for the components of other comprehensive income (loss).

General

General	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2023
General
General	General The information contained in the following notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements is condensed from that which would appear in the annual consolidated financial statements; accordingly, the condensed consolidated financial statements included herein should be reviewed in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022, and related notes thereto, included in the 2022 Form 10-K filed by Crown Castle Inc. ("CCI") with the SEC. Capitalized terms used but not defined in these notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements have the same meaning given to them in the 2022 Form 10-K. References to the "Company" refer to CCI and its predecessor, as applicable, and their subsidiaries, unless otherwise indicated or the context indicates otherwise. As used herein, the term "including," and any variation thereof means "including without limitation." The use of the word "or" herein is not exclusive. Unless the context suggests otherwise, references to "U.S." are to the United States of America and Puerto Rico, collectively. The Company owns, operates and leases shared communications infrastructure that is geographically dispersed throughout the U.S., including (1) towers and other structures, such as rooftops (collectively, "towers"), and (2) fiber primarily supporting small cell networks ("small cells") and fiber solutions. The Company's towers, small cells and fiber assets are collectively referred to herein as "communications infrastructure," and the Company's customers on its communications infrastructure are referred to herein as "tenants." The Company's core business is providing access, including space or capacity, to its shared communications infrastructure via long-term contracts in various forms, including lease, license, sublease and service agreements (collectively, "tenant contracts"). The Company's operating segments consist of (1) Towers and (2) Fiber. See note 10. As part of the Company's effort to provide comprehensive communications infrastructure solutions, as an ancillary business, the Company also offers certain services primarily relating to its Towers segment, predominately consisting of (1) site development services relating to existing or new tenant equipment installations, including: site acquisition, architectural and engineering, or zoning and permitting (collectively, "site development services") and (2) tenant equipment installation or subsequent augmentations (collectively, "installation services"). See note 12 for a discussion of the Company's restructuring plan, which includes discontinuing installation services as a Towers product offering. The Company operates as a REIT for U.S. federal income tax purposes. In addition, the Company has certain taxable REIT subsidiaries ("TRSs"). See note 6. Approximately 53% of the Company's towers are leased or subleased or operated and managed under master leases, subleases, and other agreements with AT&T and T-Mobile (including those which T-Mobile assumed in its merger with Sprint). The Company has the option to purchase these towers at the end of their respective lease terms. The Company has no obligation to exercise such purchase options. Basis of Presentation The condensed consolidated financial statements included herein are unaudited; however, they include all adjustments (consisting only of normal recurring adjustments) which, in the opinion of management, are necessary to state fairly the condensed consolidated financial position of the Company as of September 30, 2023, the condensed consolidated results of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, and the condensed consolidated cash flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022. The year-end condensed consolidated balance sheet data was derived from audited financial statements, but does not include all disclosures required by GAAP. The results of operations for the interim periods presented are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities as of the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Summary of Significant Accounti

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2023
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Significant Accounting Policies	Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements No accounting pronouncements adopted during the nine months ended September 30, 2023 had a material impact on the Company's condensed consolidated financial statements. Recent Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted No new accounting pronouncements issued but not yet adopted are expected to have a material impact on the Company's condensed consolidated financial statements.

Revenues (Notes)

Revenues (Notes)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2023
Revenue from Contract with Customer [Abstract]
Revenue from Contract with Customer [Text Block]	Revenues Site Rental Revenues The Company generates site rental revenues from its core business by providing tenants with access, including space or capacity, to its shared communications infrastructure via long-term tenant contracts in various forms, including lease, license, sublease and service agreements. Typically, providing such access over the length of the tenant contract term represents the Company’s sole performance obligation under its tenant contracts. Site rental revenues from the Company's tenant contracts are recognized on a straight-line, ratable basis over the fixed, non-cancelable term of the relevant tenant contract, which generally ranges from five to 15 years for wireless tenants and three to 20 years for fiber solutions tenants (including from organizations with high-bandwidth and multi-location demands), regardless of whether the payments from the tenant are received in equal monthly amounts during the life of the tenant contract. Certain of the Company's tenant contracts contain (1) fixed escalation clauses (such as fixed dollar or fixed percentage increases) or inflation-based escalation clauses (such as those tied to the CPI), (2) multiple renewal periods exercisable at the tenant's option and (3) only limited termination rights at the applicable tenant's option through the current term. If the payment terms call for fixed escalators, upfront payments, or rent-free periods, the revenue is recognized on a straight-line basis over the fixed, non-cancelable term of the tenant contract. When calculating straight-line rental revenues, the Company considers all fixed elements of tenant contractual escalation provisions, even if such escalation provisions contain a variable element in addition to a minimum. The Company's assets related to straight-line site rental revenues are recorded within "Current portion of deferred site rental receivables" and "Deferred site rental receivables" on the Company's condensed consolidated balance sheet. Amounts billed or received prior to being earned are deferred and reflected in "Deferred revenues" and "Other long-term liabilities" on the Company's condensed consolidated balance sheet. Amounts to which the Company has an unconditional right to payment, which are related to both satisfied or partially satisfied performance obligations, are recorded within "Receivables, net" on the Company's condensed consolidated balance sheet. Sprint Cancellation Payments. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023, site rental revenues include $6 million and $160 million, respectively, of payments in the Company's Fiber segment to satisfy the remaining rental obligations of certain canceled Sprint leases as a result of the T-Mobile US, Inc. and Sprint network consolidation. In connection with such canceled Sprint leases, the Company also recognized $57 million of accelerated prepaid rent amortization in the Company's Fiber segment during the nine months ended September 30, 2023. Services and Other Revenues As part of the Company’s effort to provide comprehensive communications infrastructure solutions, as an ancillary business, the Company offers certain services primarily relating to its Towers segment, predominately consisting of (1) site development services and (2) installation services. See note 12 for a discussion of the Company's restructuring plan, which includes discontinuing installation services as a Towers product offering. Upon contract commencement, the Company assesses its services to tenants and identifies performance obligations for each promise to provide a distinct service. The Company may have multiple performance obligations for site development services, which primarily include: structural analysis, zoning, permitting and construction drawings. For each of these performance obligations, services revenues are recognized at completion of the applicable performance obligation, which represents the point at which the Company believes it has transferred goods or services to the tenant. The services revenue recognized is based on an allocation of the transaction price among the performance obligations in a respective tenant contract based on estimated standalone selling price. The volume and mix of site development services may vary among tenant contracts and may include a combination of some or all of the above performance obligations. Amounts are billed per contractual milestones, with payments generally due within 45 to 60 days, and generally do not contain variable-consideration provisions. The transaction price for the Company's tower installation services consists of amounts for (1) permanent improvements to the Company's towers that represent a lease component and (2) the performance of the service. Amounts under the Company's tower installation service agreements that represent a lease component are recognized as site rental revenues on a straight-line basis over the length of the associated estimated lease term. For the performance of the installation service, the Company has one performance obligation, which is satisfied at the time of the applicable installation or augmentation and recognized as services and other revenues on the Company's condensed consolidated statement of operations and comprehensive income (loss). Since performance obligations are typically satisfied prior to receiving payment from tenants, the unconditional right to payment is recorded within "Receivables, net" on the Company’s condensed consolidated balance sheet. Generally, the services the Company provides to its tenants have a duration of one year or less. Additional Information on Revenues As of January 1, 2023 and September 30, 2023, $2.3 billion and $2.2 billion of unrecognized revenues, respectively, were reported in "Deferred revenues" and "Other long-term liabilities" on the Company's condensed consolidated balance sheet. During the nine months ended September 30, 2023, approximately $503 million of the January 1, 2023 unrecognized revenues balance was recognized as revenues. As of January 1, 2022, $2.6 billion of unrecognized revenues were reported in "Deferred revenues" and "Other long-term liabilities" on the Company's condensed consolidated balance sheet. During the nine months ended September 30, 2022, approximately $495 million of the January 1, 2022 unrecognized revenues balance was recognized as revenues. The following table is a summary of the contracted amounts owed to the Company by tenants pursuant to tenant contracts in effect as of September 30, 2023. Three Months Ending December 31, Years Ending December 31, 2023 2024 2025 2026 2027 Thereafter Total Contracted amounts (a) $ 1,255 $ 4,937 $ 4,586 $ 4,448 $ 4,386 $ 19,781 $ 39,393 (a) Based on the nature of the contract, tenant contracts are accounted for pursuant to relevant lease accounting (ASC 842) or revenue accounting (ASC 606) guidance. Excludes amounts related to services, as those contracts generally have a duration of one year or less. See note 10 for further information regarding the Company's operating segments.

Debt and Other Obligations

Debt and Other Obligations	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2023
Debt and Other Obligations [Abstract]
Debt Disclosure	Debt and Other Obligations The table below sets forth the Company's debt and other obligations as of September 30, 2023. Original Final Maturity Date (a) Balance as of September 30, 2023 Balance as of December 31, 2022 Stated Interest Rate as of September 30, 2023 (a)(b) Secured Notes, Series 2009-1, Class A-2 July 2009 Aug. 2029 $ 41 $ 47 9.0 % Tower Revenue Notes, Series 2015-2 May 2015 May 2045 (c) 698 698 3.7 % Tower Revenue Notes, Series 2018-2 July 2018 July 2048 (c) 746 745 4.2 % Finance leases and other obligations Various (d) Various (d) 264 246 Various (d) Total secured debt 1,749 1,736 2016 Revolver Jan. 2016 July 2027 160 (e) 1,305 6.5 % (f) 2016 Term Loan A Jan. 2016 July 2027 1,169 1,192 6.5 % (f) Commercial Paper Notes Various (g) Various (g) 1,803 (g) 1,241 6.1 % 3.150% Senior Notes Jan. 2018 July 2023 — (h) 749 N/A 3.200% Senior Notes Aug. 2017 Sept. 2024 749 748 3.2 % 1.350% Senior Notes June 2020 July 2025 498 497 1.4 % 4.450% Senior Notes Feb. 2016 Feb. 2026 897 896 4.5 % 3.700% Senior Notes May 2016 June 2026 748 747 3.7 % 1.050% Senior Notes Feb. 2021 July 2026 994 992 1.1 % 4.000% Senior Notes Feb. 2017 Mar. 2027 498 497 4.0 % 2.900% Senior Notes Mar. 2022 Mar. 2027 744 742 2.9 % 3.650% Senior Notes Aug. 2017 Sept. 2027 996 996 3.7 % 5.000% Senior Notes Jan. 2023 (i) Jan. 2028 (i) 991 — 5.0 % 3.800% Senior Notes Jan. 2018 Feb. 2028 994 993 3.8 % 4.800% Senior Notes Apr. 2023 (j) Sept. 2028 (j) 594 — 4.8 % 4.300% Senior Notes Feb. 2019 Feb. 2029 595 594 4.3 % 3.100% Senior Notes Aug. 2019 Nov. 2029 546 545 3.1 % 3.300% Senior Notes Apr. 2020 July 2030 740 739 3.3 % 2.250% Senior Notes June 2020 Jan. 2031 1,091 1,090 2.3 % 2.100% Senior Notes Feb. 2021 Apr. 2031 990 989 2.1 % 2.500% Senior Notes June 2021 July 2031 742 742 2.5 % 5.100% Senior Notes Apr. 2023 (j) May 2033 (j) 742 — 5.1 % 2.900% Senior Notes Feb. 2021 Apr. 2041 1,234 1,233 2.9 % 4.750% Senior Notes May 2017 May 2047 344 344 4.8 % 5.200% Senior Notes Feb. 2019 Feb. 2049 396 396 5.2 % 4.000% Senior Notes Aug. 2019 Nov. 2049 346 346 4.0 % 4.150% Senior Notes Apr. 2020 July 2050 490 490 4.2 % 3.250% Senior Notes June 2020 Jan. 2051 890 890 3.3 % Total unsecured debt 20,981 19,993 Total debt and other obligations 22,730 21,729 Less: current maturities of debt and other obligations 827 819 Non-current portion of debt and other long-term obligations $ 21,903 $ 20,910 (a) See the 2022 Form 10-K, including note 7 to the consolidated financial statements, for additional information regarding the maturity and principal amortization provisions and interest rates relating to the Company's indebtedness. (b) Represents the weighted-average stated interest rate, as applicable. (c) If the Tower Revenue Notes, Series 2015-2 and Series 2018-2 (collectively, "Tower Revenue Notes") are not paid in full on or prior to an applicable anticipated repayment date, then Excess Cash Flow (as defined in the indenture governing the terms of such notes) of the issuers of such notes will be used to repay principal of the applicable series and class of the Tower Revenue Notes, and additional interest (of an additional approximately 5% per annum) will accrue on the respective Tower Revenue Notes. As of September 30, 2023, the Tower Revenue Notes, Series 2015-2 and Series 2018-2 have principal amounts of $700 million and $750 million, with anticipated repayment dates in 2025 and 2028, respectively. (d) The Company's finance leases and other obligations relate to land, fiber, vehicles, and other assets and bear interest rates up to 10% and mature in periods ranging from less than one year to approximately 25 years. (e) As of September 30, 2023, the undrawn availability under the Company's senior unsecured revolving credit facility ("2016 Revolver") was $6.8 billion. (f) Both the 2016 Revolver and the senior unsecured term loan A facility ("2016 Term Loan A" and, collectively, "2016 Credit Facility") bear interest, at the Company's option, at either (1) Term SOFR plus (i) a credit spread adjustment of 0.10% per annum and (ii) a credit spread ranging from 0.875% to 1.750% per annum or (2) an alternate base rate plus a credit spread ranging from 0.000% to 0.750% per annum, in each case, with the applicable credit spread based on the Company's senior unsecured debt rating. The Company pays a commitment fee ranging from 0.080% to 0.300%, based on the Company's senior unsecured debt rating, per annum on the undrawn available amount under the 2016 Revolver. See the 2022 Form 10-K, including note 7 to the consolidated financial statements, for information regarding potential adjustments to such percentages. (g) The maturities of the Commercial Paper Notes, when outstanding, may vary but may not exceed 397 days from the date of issue. The Commercial Paper Notes are issued under customary terms in the commercial paper market and are issued at a discount from par or, alternatively, can be issued at par and bear varying interest rates on a fixed or floating basis. At any point in time, the Company intends to maintain available commitments under its 2016 Revolver in an amount at least equal to the amount of Commercial Paper Notes outstanding. While any outstanding Commercial Paper Notes generally have short-term maturities, the Company classifies the outstanding issuances, when applicable, as long-term based on its ability and intent to refinance the outstanding issuances on a long-term basis. (h) In July 2023, the Company repaid in full the 3.150% Senior Notes on the contractual maturity date. (i) In January 2023, the Company issued $1.0 billion aggregate principal amount of 5.000% senior unsecured notes due January 2028 ("January 2023 Senior Notes"). The Company used the net proceeds from the January 2023 Senior Notes offering to repay a portion of the outstanding indebtedness under the 2016 Revolver and pay related fees and expenses. (j) In April 2023, the Company issued $600 million aggregate principal amount of 4.800% senior unsecured notes due September 2028 and $750 million aggregate principal amount of 5.100% senior unsecured notes due May 2033 (collectively, "April 2023 Senior Notes"). The Company used the net proceeds from the April 2023 Senior Notes offering to repay a portion of the outstanding indebtedness under the 2016 Revolver and pay related fees and expenses. Scheduled Principal Payments and Final Maturities The following are the scheduled principal payments and final maturities of the total debt and other long-term obligations of the Company outstanding as of September 30, 2023, which do not consider the principal payments that will commence following the anticipated repayment dates on the Tower Revenue Notes. Three Months Ending December 31, Years Ending December 31, Total Cash Obligations Unamortized Adjustments, Net Total Debt and Other Obligations Outstanding 2023 2024 2025 2026 2027 Thereafter Scheduled principal payments and final maturities $ 1,819 (a) $ 835 $ 597 $ 2,775 $ 3,406 $ 13,456 $ 22,888 $ (158) $ 22,730 (a) Predominately consists of outstanding indebtedness under the CP Program as discussed in footnote (g) of the preceding table. Purchases and Redemptions of Long-Term Debt The following is a summary of purchases and redemptions of long-term debt during the nine months ended September 30, 2023. Principal Amount Cash Paid (a) Gains (Losses) 3.150% Senior Notes $ 750 $ 750 $ — (a) Exclusive of accrued interest. Interest Expense and Amortization of Deferred Financing Costs, Net The components of interest expense and amortization of deferred financing costs, net are as follows: Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30, 2023 2022 2023 2022 Interest expense on debt obligations $ 213 $ 174 $ 616 $ 496 Amortization of deferred financing costs and adjustments on long-term debt 8 6 22 19 Capitalized interest (4) (3) (11) (9) Total $ 217 $ 177 $ 627 $ 506
Components of Interest Expense and Amortization of Deferred Financing Costs, net	Interest Expense and Amortization of Deferred Financing Costs, Net The components of interest expense and amortization of deferred financing costs, net are as follows: Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30, 2023 2022 2023 2022 Interest expense on debt obligations $ 213 $ 174 $ 616 $ 496 Amortization of deferred financing costs and adjustments on long-term debt 8 6 22 19 Capitalized interest (4) (3) (11) (9) Total $ 217 $ 177 $ 627 $ 506

Fair Value Disclosures

Fair Value Disclosures	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2023
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Fair Value Disclosures	Fair Value Disclosures Level in Fair Value Hierarchy September 30, 2023 December 31, 2022 Carrying Amount Fair Value Carrying Amount Fair Value Assets: Cash and cash equivalents 1 $ 117 $ 117 $ 156 $ 156 Restricted cash, current and non-current 1 172 172 171 171 Liabilities: Total debt and other obligations 2 22,730 20,046 21,729 19,554

Income Taxes

Income Taxes	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2023
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Income Taxes	Income Taxes The Company operates as a REIT for U.S. federal income tax purposes. As a REIT, the Company is generally entitled to a deduction for dividends that it pays and, therefore, is not subject to U.S. federal corporate income tax on its net taxable income that is currently distributed to its stockholders. The Company may be subject to certain federal, state, local and foreign taxes on its income, including (1) taxes on any undistributed income and (2) taxes related to the TRSs. In addition, the Company could, under certain circumstances, be required to pay an excise or penalty tax, which could be significant in amount, in order to utilize one or more relief provisions under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, to maintain qualification for taxation as a REIT. The Company's TRS assets and operations will continue to be subject, as applicable, to federal and state corporate income taxes or to foreign taxes in the jurisdictions in which such assets and operations are located. The Company's foreign assets and operations (including its tower operations in Puerto Rico) are subject to foreign income taxes in the jurisdictions in which such assets and operations are located, regardless of whether they are included in a TRS or not. For the nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, the Company's effective tax rate differed from the federal statutory rate predominately due to the Company's REIT status, including the dividends paid deduction.

Per Share Information

Per Share Information	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2023
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Per Share Information	Per Share InformationBasic net income (loss), per common share, excludes dilution and is computed by dividing net income (loss) by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the period. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, diluted net income (loss), per common share, is computed by dividing net income (loss) by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the period, plus any potential dilutive common share equivalents, including shares issuable upon the vesting of restricted stock units ("RSUs") as determined under the treasury stock method. Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30, 2023 2022 2023 2022 Net income (loss) $ 265 $ 419 $ 1,139 $ 1,261 Weighted-average number of common shares outstanding (in millions): Basic weighted-average number of common stock outstanding 434 433 434 433 Effect of assumed dilution from potential issuance of common shares relating to restricted stock units — 1 — 1 Diluted weighted-average number of common shares outstanding 434 434 434 434 Net income (loss), per common share: Basic $ 0.61 $ 0.97 $ 2.63 $ 2.91 Diluted $ 0.61 $ 0.97 $ 2.63 $ 2.91 Dividends/distributions declared per share of common stock $ 1.565 $ 1.470 $ 4.695 $ 4.410 During the nine months ended September 30, 2023, the Company granted two million RSUs to the Company's executives and certain other employees.

Commitments and Contingencies

Commitments and Contingencies	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2023
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Commitments and Contingencies	Commitments and ContingenciesThe Company is involved in various claims, assessments, lawsuits or proceedings arising in the ordinary course of business. While there are uncertainties inherent in the ultimate outcome of such matters and it is impossible to presently determine the ultimate costs or losses that may be incurred, if any, management believes the adverse resolution of such uncertainties and the incurrence of such costs should not have a material adverse effect on the Company's condensed consolidated financial position or results of operations. The Company and certain of its subsidiaries are also contingently liable for commitments or performance guarantees arising in the ordinary course of business, including certain letters of credit or surety bonds. In addition, as mentioned in note 1, the Company has the option to purchase approximately 53% of its towers at the end of their respective lease terms. The Company has no obligation to exercise such purchase options.

Equity

Equity	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2023
Equity [Abstract]
Equity	Equity Declaration and Payment of Dividends During the nine months ended September 30, 2023, the following dividends/distributions were declared or paid: Equity Type Declaration Date Record Date Payment Date Dividends Per Share Aggregate Payment Amount (a) Common Stock February 7, 2023 March 15, 2023 March 31, 2023 $ 1.565 $ 681 Common Stock May 1, 2023 June 15, 2023 June 30, 2023 $ 1.565 $ 681 Common Stock July 21, 2023 September 15, 2023 September 29, 2023 $ 1.565 $ 681 (a) Inclusive of dividends accrued for holders of unvested RSUs, which will be paid when and if the RSUs vest. See also note 13 for a discussion of the Company's common stock dividend declared in October 2023. Purchases of the Company's Common Stock For the nine months ended September 30, 2023, the Company purchased 0.2 million shares of its common stock utilizing $29 million in cash. The shares of common stock purchased relate to shares withheld in connection with the payment of withholding taxes upon vesting of RSUs. 2021 "At-the-Market" Stock Offering Program In March 2021, the Company established an "at-the-market" stock offering program through which it may issue and sell shares of its common stock having an aggregate gross sales price of up to $750 million ("2021 ATM Program"). Sales under the

Operating Segments

Operating Segments	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2023
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Operating Segments	Operating Segments The Company's operating segments consist of (1) Towers and (2) Fiber. The Towers segment provides access, including space or capacity, to the Company's more than 40,000 towers geographically dispersed throughout the U.S. The Towers segment also reflects certain ancillary services relating to the Company's towers, predominately consisting of site development services and installation services. See note 12 for a discussion of the Company's restructuring plan, which includes discontinuing installation services as a Towers product offering. The Fiber segment provides access, including space or capacity, to the Company's approximately (1) 115,000 small cells on air or under contract and (2) 85,000 route miles of fiber primarily supporting small cells and fiber solutions geographically dispersed throughout the U.S. The measurements of profit or loss used by the Company's chief operating decision maker ("CODM") to evaluate the performance of its operating segments are (1) segment site rental gross margin, (2) segment services and other gross margin and (3) segment operating profit (loss). The Company defines segment site rental gross margin as segment site rental revenues less segment site rental costs of operations, excluding stock-based compensation expense, net and amortization of prepaid lease purchase price adjustments recorded in consolidated site rental costs of operations. The Company defines segment services and other gross margin as segment services and other revenues less segment services and other costs of operations, excluding stock-based compensation expense, net recorded in consolidated services and other costs of operations. The Company defines segment operating profit (loss) as segment site rental gross margin plus segment services and other gross margin, and segment other operating (income) expense, less segment selling, general and administrative expenses. All of these measurements of profit or loss are exclusive of depreciation, amortization and accretion, which are shown separately. The following tables set forth the Company's segment operating results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022. Costs that are directly attributable to Towers and Fiber are assigned to those respective segments. Additionally, certain costs are shared across segments and are reflected in the Company's segment measures through allocations that management believes to be reasonable. The "Other" column (1) represents amounts excluded from specific segments, such as restructuring charges (credits), asset write-down charges, acquisition and integration costs, depreciation, amortization and accretion, amortization of prepaid lease purchase price adjustments, interest expense and amortization of deferred financing costs, net, gains (losses) on retirement of long-term obligations, interest income, other income (expense), stock-based compensation expense, net and certain selling, general and administrative expenses, and (2) reconciles segment operating profit (loss) to income (loss) before income taxes, as the amounts are not utilized in assessing each segment’s performance. The "Other" total assets balance includes corporate assets such as cash and cash equivalents which have not been allocated to specific segments. There are no significant revenues resulting from transactions between the Company's operating segments. Three Months Ended September 30, 2023 Three Months Ended September 30, 2022 Towers Fiber Other Consolidated Towers Fiber Other Consolidated Segment site rental revenues $ 1,074 $ 503 $ 1,577 $ 1,084 $ 484 $ 1,568 Segment services and other revenues 86 4 90 175 3 178 Segment revenues 1,160 507 1,667 1,259 487 1,746 Segment site rental costs of operations 236 175 411 230 166 396 Segment services and other costs of operations 61 3 64 114 3 117 Segment costs of operations (a)(b) 297 178 475 344 169 513 Segment site rental gross margin 838 328 1,166 854 318 1,172 Segment services and other gross margin 25 1 26 61 — 61 Segment selling, general and administrative expenses (b) 24 48 72 28 47 75 Segment operating profit (loss) 839 281 1,120 887 271 1,158 Other selling, general and administrative expenses (b) $ 75 75 $ 81 81 Stock-based compensation expense, net 36 36 38 38 Depreciation, amortization and accretion 439 439 430 430 Restructuring charges 72 72 — — Interest expense and amortization of deferred financing costs, net 217 217 177 177 Other (income) expenses to reconcile to income (loss) before income taxes (c) 9 9 10 10 Income (loss) before income taxes $ 272 $ 422 Capital expenditures $ 49 $ 287 $ 11 $ 347 $ 45 $ 277 $ 15 $ 337 Total assets (at period end) $ 21,783 $ 16,237 $ 679 $ 38,699 $ 22,226 $ 15,914 $ 721 $ 38,861 (a) Exclusive of depreciation, amortization and accretion shown separately. (b) Segment costs of operations excludes (1) stock-based compensation expense, net of $7 million for each of the three months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022 and (2) prepaid lease purchase price adjustments of $4 million for each of the three months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022. Segment selling, general and administrative expenses and other selling, general and administrative expenses exclude stock-based compensation expense, net of $29 million and $31 million for the three months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively. (c) See condensed consolidated statement of operations and comprehensive income (loss) for further information. Nine Months Ended September 30, 2023 Nine Months Ended September 30, 2022 Towers Fiber Other Consolidated Towers Fiber Other Consolidated Segment site rental revenues $ 3,234 $ 1,695 $ 4,929 $ 3,237 $ 1,474 $ 4,711 Segment services and other revenues 356 22 378 502 9 511 Segment revenues 3,590 1,717 5,307 3,739 1,483 5,222 Segment site rental costs of operations 714 518 1,232 689 490 1,179 Segment services and other costs of operations 252 8 260 329 7 336 Segment costs of operations (a)(b) 966 526 1,492 1,018 497 1,515 Segment site rental gross margin 2,520 1,177 3,697 2,548 984 3,532 Segment services and other gross margin 104 14 118 173 2 175 Segment selling, general and administrative expenses (b) 84 148 232 84 140 224 Segment operating profit (loss) 2,540 1,043 3,583 2,637 846 3,483 Other selling, general and administrative expenses (b) $ 246 246 $ 234 234 Stock-based compensation expense 126 126 121 121 Depreciation, amortization and accretion 1,315 1,315 1,276 1,276 Restructuring charges 72 72 — — Interest expense and amortization of deferred financing costs, net 627 627 506 506 Other (income) expenses to reconcile to income (loss) before income taxes (c) 37 37 71 71 Income (loss) before income taxes $ 1,160 $ 1,275 Capital expenditures $ 160 $ 872 $ 35 $ 1,067 $ 137 $ 746 $ 38 $ 921 (a) Exclusive of depreciation, amortization and accretion shown separately. (b) Segment costs of operations excludes (1) stock-based compensation expense, net of $23 million and $21 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively, and (2) prepaid lease purchase price adjustments of $12 million for each of the nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022. Segment selling, general and administrative expenses and other selling, general and administrative expenses exclude stock-based compensation expense, net of $103 million and $100 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively.

Supplemental Cash Flow Informat

Supplemental Cash Flow Information	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2023
Supplemental Cash Flow Elements [Abstract]
Supplemental Cash Flow Information	Supplemental Cash Flow Information The following table is a summary of the Company's supplemental cash flow information for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022: Nine Months Ended September 30, 2023 2022 Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information: Cash payments related to operating lease liabilities (a) $ 429 $ 420 Interest paid 654 559 Income taxes paid 13 10 Supplemental disclosure of non-cash operating, investing and financing activities: ROU assets recorded in exchange for operating lease liabilities 21 162 Increase (decrease) in accounts payable for purchases of property and equipment 5 (7) Purchase of property and equipment under finance leases and installment land purchases 45 17 (a) Excludes the Company's contingent payments pursuant to operating leases, which are recorded as expense in the period such contingencies are resolved. The reconciliation of cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash reported within various lines on the condensed consolidated balance sheet to amounts reported in the condensed consolidated statement of cash flows is shown below. September 30, 2023 December 31, 2022 Cash and cash equivalents $ 117 $ 156 Restricted cash, current 167 166 Restricted cash reported within other assets, net 5 5 Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash $ 289 $ 327

Restructuring and Related Activ

Restructuring and Related Activities	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2023
Restructuring and Related Activities [Abstract]
Restructuring and Related Activities Disclosure	Restructuring On July 24, 2023, the Company initiated a restructuring plan ("Plan") as part of its efforts to reduce costs to better align the Company's operational needs with lower tower activity. The Plan includes reducing the Company's total employee headcount by approximately 15%, discontinuing installation services as a Towers product offering while continuing to offer site development services on Company towers, and consolidating office space. In the third quarter 2023, the Company recorded approximately $72 million in charges in connection with the Plan, $61 million of which represent cash payments that have been or will be made in connection with employee severance and other one-time termination benefits. An additional $1 million of non-cash charges relate to share-based compensation. In connection with the office space consolidation, the Company recorded a $6 million charge related to remaining obligations under facility leases and $4 million of non-cash charges representing accelerated depreciation. The Company expects to incur an additional approximately $35 million of related charges during the fourth quarter 2023, primarily related to the office space consolidation. The actions announced in July 2023 associated with the Plan and related charges are expected to be substantially complete and recorded by December 31, 2023 while the payments are expected to be completed for the employee headcount reduction and office space consolidation in 2024 and 2027, respectively. The following table summarizes the activities related to the restructuring for the nine months ended September 30, 2023: Employee Headcount Reduction Office Space Consolidation Total Charges $ 62 $ 10 $ 72 Payments (35) (1) (36) Non-cash items (1) (4) (5) Liability as of September 30, 2023 $ 26 $ 5 $ 31 As of September 30, 2023, the liability for restructuring charges is included in "Other accrued liabilities" on the consolidated balance sheet, and the corresponding expense is included in "Restructuring charges" on the condensed consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income. The Company does not allocate restructuring charges between its operating segments. If such charges were allocated to operating segments, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023, $41 million and $13 million of the aforementioned charge would have been allocated to the Company's Towers and Fiber segment, respectively, with the remaining $18 million allocated to Other.

Subsequent Events

Subsequent Events	3 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2023
Subsequent Events [Abstract]
Subsequent Events [Text Block]	Subsequent Events Common Stock Dividend On October 17, 2023, the Company's board of directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $1.565 per common share. The quarterly dividend will be payable on December 29, 2023 to common stockholders of record as of December 15, 2023. Restructuring Update On October 18, 2023, the Company announced plans to relocate approximately 1,000 employee positions from several locations nationwide to a centralized location by the end of the third quarter 2024. In connection with this action, the Company anticipates recording related restructuring charges, including employee relocation costs, employee severance and other one-time termination benefits, remaining obligations under facility leases and write-off of leasehold improvements; however, the magnitude of these charges is highly uncertain at this time.

Pay vs Performance Disclosure

Pay vs Performance Disclosure - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2023	Sep. 30, 2022	Sep. 30, 2023	Sep. 30, 2022
Pay vs Performance Disclosure
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Parent	$ 265	$ 419	$ 1,139	$ 1,261

Insider Trading Arrangements

Insider Trading Arrangements	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2023
Trading Arrangements, by Individual
Rule 10b5-1 Arrangement Terminated	false

Accounting Policies (Policies)

Accounting Policies (Policies)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2023
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Recent accounting prounouncements	Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements No accounting pronouncements adopted during the nine months ended September 30, 2023 had a material impact on the Company's condensed consolidated financial statements. Recent Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted No new accounting pronouncements issued but not yet adopted are expected to have a material impact on the Company's condensed consolidated financial statements.

Revenues (Tables)

Revenues (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2023
Revenue from Contract with Customer [Abstract]
Lessor, Operating Lease, Payment to be Received, Fiscal Year Maturity	The following table is a summary of the contracted amounts owed to the Company by tenants pursuant to tenant contracts in effect as of September 30, 2023. Three Months Ending December 31, Years Ending December 31, 2023 2024 2025 2026 2027 Thereafter Total Contracted amounts (a) $ 1,255 $ 4,937 $ 4,586 $ 4,448 $ 4,386 $ 19,781 $ 39,393 (a) Based on the nature of the contract, tenant contracts are accounted for pursuant to relevant lease accounting (ASC 842) or revenue accounting (ASC 606) guidance. Excludes amounts related to services, as those contracts generally have a duration of one year or less.

Debt and Other Obligations (Tab

Debt and Other Obligations (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2023
Debt and Other Obligations [Abstract]
Schedule of Long-Term Debt Instruments	The table below sets forth the Company's debt and other obligations as of September 30, 2023. Original Final Maturity Date (a) Balance as of September 30, 2023 Balance as of December 31, 2022 Stated Interest Rate as of September 30, 2023 (a)(b) Secured Notes, Series 2009-1, Class A-2 July 2009 Aug. 2029 $ 41 $ 47 9.0 % Tower Revenue Notes, Series 2015-2 May 2015 May 2045 (c) 698 698 3.7 % Tower Revenue Notes, Series 2018-2 July 2018 July 2048 (c) 746 745 4.2 % Finance leases and other obligations Various (d) Various (d) 264 246 Various (d) Total secured debt 1,749 1,736 2016 Revolver Jan. 2016 July 2027 160 (e) 1,305 6.5 % (f) 2016 Term Loan A Jan. 2016 July 2027 1,169 1,192 6.5 % (f) Commercial Paper Notes Various (g) Various (g) 1,803 (g) 1,241 6.1 % 3.150% Senior Notes Jan. 2018 July 2023 — (h) 749 N/A 3.200% Senior Notes Aug. 2017 Sept. 2024 749 748 3.2 % 1.350% Senior Notes June 2020 July 2025 498 497 1.4 % 4.450% Senior Notes Feb. 2016 Feb. 2026 897 896 4.5 % 3.700% Senior Notes May 2016 June 2026 748 747 3.7 % 1.050% Senior Notes Feb. 2021 July 2026 994 992 1.1 % 4.000% Senior Notes Feb. 2017 Mar. 2027 498 497 4.0 % 2.900% Senior Notes Mar. 2022 Mar. 2027 744 742 2.9 % 3.650% Senior Notes Aug. 2017 Sept. 2027 996 996 3.7 % 5.000% Senior Notes Jan. 2023 (i) Jan. 2028 (i) 991 — 5.0 % 3.800% Senior Notes Jan. 2018 Feb. 2028 994 993 3.8 % 4.800% Senior Notes Apr. 2023 (j) Sept. 2028 (j) 594 — 4.8 % 4.300% Senior Notes Feb. 2019 Feb. 2029 595 594 4.3 % 3.100% Senior Notes Aug. 2019 Nov. 2029 546 545 3.1 % 3.300% Senior Notes Apr. 2020 July 2030 740 739 3.3 % 2.250% Senior Notes June 2020 Jan. 2031 1,091 1,090 2.3 % 2.100% Senior Notes Feb. 2021 Apr. 2031 990 989 2.1 % 2.500% Senior Notes June 2021 July 2031 742 742 2.5 % 5.100% Senior Notes Apr. 2023 (j) May 2033 (j) 742 — 5.1 % 2.900% Senior Notes Feb. 2021 Apr. 2041 1,234 1,233 2.9 % 4.750% Senior Notes May 2017 May 2047 344 344 4.8 % 5.200% Senior Notes Feb. 2019 Feb. 2049 396 396 5.2 % 4.000% Senior Notes Aug. 2019 Nov. 2049 346 346 4.0 % 4.150% Senior Notes Apr. 2020 July 2050 490 490 4.2 % 3.250% Senior Notes June 2020 Jan. 2051 890 890 3.3 % Total unsecured debt 20,981 19,993 Total debt and other obligations 22,730 21,729 Less: current maturities of debt and other obligations 827 819 Non-current portion of debt and other long-term obligations $ 21,903 $ 20,910 (a) See the 2022 Form 10-K, including note 7 to the consolidated financial statements, for additional information regarding the maturity and principal amortization provisions and interest rates relating to the Company's indebtedness. (b) Represents the weighted-average stated interest rate, as applicable. (c) If the Tower Revenue Notes, Series 2015-2 and Series 2018-2 (collectively, "Tower Revenue Notes") are not paid in full on or prior to an applicable anticipated repayment date, then Excess Cash Flow (as defined in the indenture governing the terms of such notes) of the issuers of such notes will be used to repay principal of the applicable series and class of the Tower Revenue Notes, and additional interest (of an additional approximately 5% per annum) will accrue on the respective Tower Revenue Notes. As of September 30, 2023, the Tower Revenue Notes, Series 2015-2 and Series 2018-2 have principal amounts of $700 million and $750 million, with anticipated repayment dates in 2025 and 2028, respectively. (d) The Company's finance leases and other obligations relate to land, fiber, vehicles, and other assets and bear interest rates up to 10% and mature in periods ranging from less than one year to approximately 25 years. (e) As of September 30, 2023, the undrawn availability under the Company's senior unsecured revolving credit facility ("2016 Revolver") was $6.8 billion. (f) Both the 2016 Revolver and the senior unsecured term loan A facility ("2016 Term Loan A" and, collectively, "2016 Credit Facility") bear interest, at the Company's option, at either (1) Term SOFR plus (i) a credit spread adjustment of 0.10% per annum and (ii) a credit spread ranging from 0.875% to 1.750% per annum or (2) an alternate base rate plus a credit spread ranging from 0.000% to 0.750% per annum, in each case, with the applicable credit spread based on the Company's senior unsecured debt rating. The Company pays a commitment fee ranging from 0.080% to 0.300%, based on the Company's senior unsecured debt rating, per annum on the undrawn available amount under the 2016 Revolver. See the 2022 Form 10-K, including note 7 to the consolidated financial statements, for information regarding potential adjustments to such percentages. (g) The maturities of the Commercial Paper Notes, when outstanding, may vary but may not exceed 397 days from the date of issue. The Commercial Paper Notes are issued under customary terms in the commercial paper market and are issued at a discount from par or, alternatively, can be issued at par and bear varying interest rates on a fixed or floating basis. At any point in time, the Company intends to maintain available commitments under its 2016 Revolver in an amount at least equal to the amount of Commercial Paper Notes outstanding. While any outstanding Commercial Paper Notes generally have short-term maturities, the Company classifies the outstanding issuances, when applicable, as long-term based on its ability and intent to refinance the outstanding issuances on a long-term basis. (h) In July 2023, the Company repaid in full the 3.150% Senior Notes on the contractual maturity date. (i) In January 2023, the Company issued $1.0 billion aggregate principal amount of 5.000% senior unsecured notes due January 2028 ("January 2023 Senior Notes"). The Company used the net proceeds from the January 2023 Senior Notes offering to repay a portion of the outstanding indebtedness under the 2016 Revolver and pay related fees and expenses. (j) In April 2023, the Company issued $600 million aggregate principal amount of 4.800% senior unsecured notes due September 2028 and $750 million aggregate principal amount of 5.100% senior unsecured notes due May 2033 (collectively, "April 2023 Senior Notes"). The Company used the net proceeds from the April 2023 Senior Notes offering to repay a portion of the outstanding indebtedness under the 2016 Revolver and pay related fees and expenses.
Schedule of Maturities of Long-term Debt	Scheduled Principal Payments and Final Maturities The following are the scheduled principal payments and final maturities of the total debt and other long-term obligations of the Company outstanding as of September 30, 2023, which do not consider the principal payments that will commence following the anticipated repayment dates on the Tower Revenue Notes. Three Months Ending December 31, Years Ending December 31, Total Cash Obligations Unamortized Adjustments, Net Total Debt and Other Obligations Outstanding 2023 2024 2025 2026 2027 Thereafter Scheduled principal payments and final maturities $ 1,819 (a) $ 835 $ 597 $ 2,775 $ 3,406 $ 13,456 $ 22,888 $ (158) $ 22,730 (a) Predominately consists of outstanding indebtedness under the CP Program as discussed in footnote (g) of the preceding table.
Debt Instrument Redemption [Table Text Block]	Purchases and Redemptions of Long-Term Debt The following is a summary of purchases and redemptions of long-term debt during the nine months ended September 30, 2023. Principal Amount Cash Paid (a) Gains (Losses) 3.150% Senior Notes $ 750 $ 750 $ — (a) Exclusive of accrued interest.
Components of Interest Expense and Amortization of Deferred Financing Costs, net	Interest Expense and Amortization of Deferred Financing Costs, Net The components of interest expense and amortization of deferred financing costs, net are as follows: Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30, 2023 2022 2023 2022 Interest expense on debt obligations $ 213 $ 174 $ 616 $ 496 Amortization of deferred financing costs and adjustments on long-term debt 8 6 22 19 Capitalized interest (4) (3) (11) (9) Total $ 217 $ 177 $ 627 $ 506

Fair Value Disclosures (Tables)

Fair Value Disclosures (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2023
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Estimated Fair Values and Carrying Amounts of Assets and Liabilities	Level in Fair Value Hierarchy September 30, 2023 December 31, 2022 Carrying Amount Fair Value Carrying Amount Fair Value Assets: Cash and cash equivalents 1 $ 117 $ 117 $ 156 $ 156 Restricted cash, current and non-current 1 172 172 171 171 Liabilities: Total debt and other obligations 2 22,730 20,046 21,729 19,554

Per Share Information (Tables)

Per Share Information (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2023
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Reconciliation of the Numerators and Denominators of the Basic and Diluted Per Share Computations	Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30, 2023 2022 2023 2022 Net income (loss) $ 265 $ 419 $ 1,139 $ 1,261 Weighted-average number of common shares outstanding (in millions): Basic weighted-average number of common stock outstanding 434 433 434 433 Effect of assumed dilution from potential issuance of common shares relating to restricted stock units — 1 — 1 Diluted weighted-average number of common shares outstanding 434 434 434 434 Net income (loss), per common share: Basic $ 0.61 $ 0.97 $ 2.63 $ 2.91 Diluted $ 0.61 $ 0.97 $ 2.63 $ 2.91 Dividends/distributions declared per share of common stock $ 1.565 $ 1.470 $ 4.695 $ 4.410

Equity (Tables)

Equity (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2023
Equity [Abstract]
Dividends Declared	Declaration and Payment of Dividends During the nine months ended September 30, 2023, the following dividends/distributions were declared or paid: Equity Type Declaration Date Record Date Payment Date Dividends Per Share Aggregate Payment Amount (a) Common Stock February 7, 2023 March 15, 2023 March 31, 2023 $ 1.565 $ 681 Common Stock May 1, 2023 June 15, 2023 June 30, 2023 $ 1.565 $ 681 Common Stock July 21, 2023 September 15, 2023 September 29, 2023 $ 1.565 $ 681 (a) Inclusive of dividends accrued for holders of unvested RSUs, which will be paid when and if the RSUs vest.

Operating Segments Operating Se

Operating Segments Operating Segments (Tables)	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2023	Sep. 30, 2023
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Schedule of Segment Reporting Information, by Segment	Three Months Ended September 30, 2023 Three Months Ended September 30, 2022 Towers Fiber Other Consolidated Towers Fiber Other Consolidated Segment site rental revenues $ 1,074 $ 503 $ 1,577 $ 1,084 $ 484 $ 1,568 Segment services and other revenues 86 4 90 175 3 178 Segment revenues 1,160 507 1,667 1,259 487 1,746 Segment site rental costs of operations 236 175 411 230 166 396 Segment services and other costs of operations 61 3 64 114 3 117 Segment costs of operations (a)(b) 297 178 475 344 169 513 Segment site rental gross margin 838 328 1,166 854 318 1,172 Segment services and other gross margin 25 1 26 61 — 61 Segment selling, general and administrative expenses (b) 24 48 72 28 47 75 Segment operating profit (loss) 839 281 1,120 887 271 1,158 Other selling, general and administrative expenses (b) $ 75 75 $ 81 81 Stock-based compensation expense, net 36 36 38 38 Depreciation, amortization and accretion 439 439 430 430 Restructuring charges 72 72 — — Interest expense and amortization of deferred financing costs, net 217 217 177 177 Other (income) expenses to reconcile to income (loss) before income taxes (c) 9 9 10 10 Income (loss) before income taxes $ 272 $ 422 Capital expenditures $ 49 $ 287 $ 11 $ 347 $ 45 $ 277 $ 15 $ 337 Total assets (at period end) $ 21,783 $ 16,237 $ 679 $ 38,699 $ 22,226 $ 15,914 $ 721 $ 38,861 (a) Exclusive of depreciation, amortization and accretion shown separately. (b) Segment costs of operations excludes (1) stock-based compensation expense, net of $7 million for each of the three months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022 and (2) prepaid lease purchase price adjustments of $4 million for each of the three months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022. Segment selling, general and administrative expenses and other selling, general and administrative expenses exclude stock-based compensation expense, net of $29 million and $31 million for the three months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively.	Nine Months Ended September 30, 2023 Nine Months Ended September 30, 2022 Towers Fiber Other Consolidated Towers Fiber Other Consolidated Segment site rental revenues $ 3,234 $ 1,695 $ 4,929 $ 3,237 $ 1,474 $ 4,711 Segment services and other revenues 356 22 378 502 9 511 Segment revenues 3,590 1,717 5,307 3,739 1,483 5,222 Segment site rental costs of operations 714 518 1,232 689 490 1,179 Segment services and other costs of operations 252 8 260 329 7 336 Segment costs of operations (a)(b) 966 526 1,492 1,018 497 1,515 Segment site rental gross margin 2,520 1,177 3,697 2,548 984 3,532 Segment services and other gross margin 104 14 118 173 2 175 Segment selling, general and administrative expenses (b) 84 148 232 84 140 224 Segment operating profit (loss) 2,540 1,043 3,583 2,637 846 3,483 Other selling, general and administrative expenses (b) $ 246 246 $ 234 234 Stock-based compensation expense 126 126 121 121 Depreciation, amortization and accretion 1,315 1,315 1,276 1,276 Restructuring charges 72 72 — — Interest expense and amortization of deferred financing costs, net 627 627 506 506 Other (income) expenses to reconcile to income (loss) before income taxes (c) 37 37 71 71 Income (loss) before income taxes $ 1,160 $ 1,275 Capital expenditures $ 160 $ 872 $ 35 $ 1,067 $ 137 $ 746 $ 38 $ 921 (a) Exclusive of depreciation, amortization and accretion shown separately. (b) Segment costs of operations excludes (1) stock-based compensation expense, net of $23 million and $21 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively, and (2) prepaid lease purchase price adjustments of $12 million for each of the nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022. Segment selling, general and administrative expenses and other selling, general and administrative expenses exclude stock-based compensation expense, net of $103 million and $100 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively.

Supplemental Cash Flow Inform_2

Supplemental Cash Flow Information (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2023
Supplemental Cash Flow Elements [Abstract]
Schedule of Cash Flow, Supplemental Disclosures [Table Text Block]	The following table is a summary of the Company's supplemental cash flow information for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022: Nine Months Ended September 30, 2023 2022 Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information: Cash payments related to operating lease liabilities (a) $ 429 $ 420 Interest paid 654 559 Income taxes paid 13 10 Supplemental disclosure of non-cash operating, investing and financing activities: ROU assets recorded in exchange for operating lease liabilities 21 162 Increase (decrease) in accounts payable for purchases of property and equipment 5 (7) Purchase of property and equipment under finance leases and installment land purchases 45 17 (a) Excludes the Company's contingent payments pursuant to operating leases, which are recorded as expense in the period such contingencies are resolved.
Schedule of Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash	The reconciliation of cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash reported within various lines on the condensed consolidated balance sheet to amounts reported in the condensed consolidated statement of cash flows is shown below. September 30, 2023 December 31, 2022 Cash and cash equivalents $ 117 $ 156 Restricted cash, current 167 166 Restricted cash reported within other assets, net 5 5 Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash $ 289 $ 327

Restructuring and Related Act_2

Restructuring and Related Activities (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2023
Restructuring and Related Activities [Abstract]
Restructuring and Related Costs	The following table summarizes the activities related to the restructuring for the nine months ended September 30, 2023: Employee Headcount Reduction Office Space Consolidation Total Charges $ 62 $ 10 $ 72 Payments (35) (1) (36) Non-cash items (1) (4) (5) Liability as of September 30, 2023 $ 26 $ 5 $ 31

General Business (Details)

General Business (Details)	Sep. 30, 2023
Subject to Capital Lease with TMO or AT&T [Member]
Purchase Option, Percentage of Towers	53%

Revenues (Details)

Revenues (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions		3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
		Sep. 30, 2023	Sep. 30, 2023	Sep. 30, 2022	Dec. 31, 2022	Dec. 31, 2021
Revenue Recognition Non-cancelable Lease Term for Wireless Tenants			five to 15 years
Revenue Recognition for Fiber Solutions Tenants			three to 20 years
Revenue, Performance Obligation, Description of Payment Terms			45 to 60 days,
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Amount		$ 2,200	$ 2,200		$ 2,300	$ 2,600
Revenue Recognized on Deferred Revenues			503	$ 495
Contracted Amounts Receivable from Customers, remainder of year	[1]	1,255	1,255
Contracted Amounts Receivable from Customers, in Two Years	[1]	4,937	4,937
Contracted Amounts Receivable from Customers, in Three Years	[1]	4,586	4,586
Contracted Amounts Receivable from Customers, in Four Years	[1]	4,448	4,448
Contracted Amounts Receivable from Customers, in Five Years	[1]	4,386	4,386
Contracted Amounts Receivable from Customers, Thereafter	[1]	19,781	19,781
Lessor, Operating Lease, Payments to be Received	[1]	39,393	39,393
Accelerated prepaid rent amortization		57	57
Site rental revenue - remaining rental obligation		$ 6	$ 160
[1]Based on the nature of the contract, tenant contracts are accounted for pursuant to relevant lease accounting (ASC 842) or revenue accounting (ASC 606) guidance. Excludes amounts related to services, as those contracts generally have a duration of one year or less.

Debt and Other Obligations (Ind

Debt and Other Obligations (Indebtedness) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions		9 Months Ended
		Sep. 30, 2023		Dec. 31, 2022
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt and Finance Lease Obligations		$ 22,730		$ 21,729
Less: current maturities of debt and other obligations		827		819
Non-current portion of long-term debt and other long-term obligations		21,903		20,910
2015 Tower Revenue Notes 3.663% due 2045 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Face Amount		700
2018 Tower Revenue Notes 4.241% due 2048 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Face Amount		$ 750
Fixed Rate Securitized Debt July 2018 Tower Revenue Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Increase (Decrease)		5%
Finance Lease Obligations and Other [Member] | Securitized Debt [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt and Finance Lease Obligations		$ 264	[1]	246
High Yield Bonds [Member] | 3.150% Senior Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage		3.15%
Debt and Finance Lease Obligations		$ 0	[2]	749
High Yield Bonds [Member] | August 2017 Senior Unsecured 3.200% Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	[3],[4]	3.20%
Debt and Finance Lease Obligations		$ 749		748
High Yield Bonds [Member] | June 2020 Senior Unsecured 1.350% Notes [Domain]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	[3],[4]	1.40%
Debt and Finance Lease Obligations		$ 498		497
High Yield Bonds [Member] | Senior Unsecured 2016 Notes 4.450% [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	[3],[4]	4.50%
Debt and Finance Lease Obligations		$ 897		896
High Yield Bonds [Member] | Senior Unsecured 2016 Notes 3.7% [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	[3],[4]	3.70%
Debt and Finance Lease Obligations		$ 748		747
High Yield Bonds [Member] | February 2021 Senior Unsecured 1.050% Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	[3],[4]	1.10%
Debt and Finance Lease Obligations		$ 994		992
High Yield Bonds [Member] | 4.000% Senior Unsecured Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	[3],[4]	4%
Debt and Finance Lease Obligations		$ 498		497
High Yield Bonds [Member] | 2.900% Senior Unsecured Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	[3],[4]	2.90%
Debt and Finance Lease Obligations		$ 744		742
High Yield Bonds [Member] | August 2017 Senior Unsecured 3.650% Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	[3],[4]	3.70%
Debt and Finance Lease Obligations		$ 996		996
High Yield Bonds [Member] | January 2023 Senior Unsecured 5.000% Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Face Amount		$ 1,000
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	[3],[4]	5%
Debt and Finance Lease Obligations		$ 991	[5]	0
High Yield Bonds [Member] | 3.800% Senior Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	[3],[4]	3.80%
Debt and Finance Lease Obligations		$ 994		993
High Yield Bonds [Member] | February 2019 Senior Unsecured 4.300% Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	[3],[4]	4.30%
Debt and Finance Lease Obligations		$ 595		594
High Yield Bonds [Member] | August 2019 Senior Unsecured 3.100% Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	[3],[4]	3.10%
Debt and Finance Lease Obligations		$ 546		545
High Yield Bonds [Member] | April 2020 Senior Unsecured 3.300% Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	[3],[4]	3.30%
Debt and Finance Lease Obligations		$ 740		739
High Yield Bonds [Member] | June 2020 Senior Unsecured 2.250% Notes [Domain]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	[3],[4]	2.30%
Debt and Finance Lease Obligations		$ 1,091		1,090
High Yield Bonds [Member] | February 2021 Senior Unsecured 2.100% Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	[3],[4]	2.10%
Debt and Finance Lease Obligations		$ 990		989
High Yield Bonds [Member] | June 2021 Senior Unsecured 2.500% Notes [Domain]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	[3],[4]	2.50%
Debt and Finance Lease Obligations		$ 742		742
High Yield Bonds [Member] | February 2021 Senior Unsecured 2.900% Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	[3],[4]	2.90%
Debt and Finance Lease Obligations		$ 1,234		1,233
High Yield Bonds [Member] | 4.750% Senior Unsecured Notes [Member] [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	[3],[4]	4.80%
Debt and Finance Lease Obligations		$ 344		344
High Yield Bonds [Member] | February 2019 Senior Unsecured 5.200% Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	[3],[4]	5.20%
Debt and Finance Lease Obligations		$ 396		396
High Yield Bonds [Member] | August 2019 Senior Unsecured 4.000% Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	[3],[4]	4%
Debt and Finance Lease Obligations		$ 346		346
High Yield Bonds [Member] | April 2020 Senior Unsecured 4.150% Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	[3],[4]	4.20%
Debt and Finance Lease Obligations		$ 490		490
High Yield Bonds [Member] | June 2020 Senior Unsecured 3.250% Notes [Domain]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	[3],[4]	3.30%
Debt and Finance Lease Obligations		$ 890		890
High Yield Bonds [Member] | 4.800% Senior Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Face Amount		$ 600
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	[3],[4]	4.80%
Debt and Finance Lease Obligations		$ 594	[6]	0
High Yield Bonds [Member] | 5.100% Senior Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Face Amount		$ 750
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	[3],[4]	5.10%
Debt and Finance Lease Obligations		$ 742	[6]	0
Unsecured Debt [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt and Finance Lease Obligations		20,981		19,993
Securitized Debt [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt and Finance Lease Obligations		$ 1,749		1,736
Securitized Debt [Member] | Fixed Rate Debt 2009 Securitized Notes A-2 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	[3],[4]	9%
Debt and Finance Lease Obligations		$ 41		47
Securitized Debt [Member] | 2015 Tower Revenue Notes 3.663% due 2045 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	[3],[4]	3.70%
Debt and Finance Lease Obligations		$ 698	[7]	698
Securitized Debt [Member] | 2018 Tower Revenue Notes 4.241% due 2048 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	[3],[4]	4.20%
Debt and Finance Lease Obligations		$ 746	[7]	745
Bank Debt [Member] | 2016 Term Loan A [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	[3],[4],[8]	6.50%
Debt and Finance Lease Obligations		$ 1,169		1,192
Bank Debt [Member] | Commercial Paper [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	[3],[4]	6.10%
Bank Debt [Member] | Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	[3],[4],[8]	6.50%
Maximum [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage		0.75%
Maximum [Member] | Finance Lease Obligations and Other [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage		10%
Maximum [Member] | Finance Lease Obligations and Other [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument Maturity Date Range		25 years
Minimum [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage		0%
Minimum [Member] | Finance Lease Obligations and Other [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument Maturity Date Range		one year
Secured Overnight Financing Rate (SOFR) Overnight Index Swap Rate | Maximum [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage		1.75%
Secured Overnight Financing Rate (SOFR) Overnight Index Swap Rate | Minimum [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage		0.875%
Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Unused Borrowing Capacity, Amount		$ 6,800
Debt and Finance Lease Obligations		$ 160	[9]	1,305
Revolving Credit Facility [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Line of Credit Facility, Commitment Fee Percentage		0.30%
Revolving Credit Facility [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Line of Credit Facility, Commitment Fee Percentage		0.08%
Commercial Paper [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt and Finance Lease Obligations		$ 1,803	[10]	$ 1,241
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date, Description		397 days
Term SOFR Adjustment
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage		0.10%
[1]The Company's finance leases and other obligations relate to land, fiber, vehicles, and other assets and bear interest rates up to 10% and mature in periods ranging from less than one year to approximately 25 years.[2]In July 2023, the Company repaid in full the 3.150% Senior Notes on the contractual maturity date[3]Represents the weighted-average stated interest rate, as applicable.[4]See the 2022 Form 10-K, including note 7 to the consolidated financial statements, for additional information regarding the maturity and principal amortization provisions and interest rates relating to the Company's indebtedness.[5]In January 2023, the Company issued $1.0 billion aggregate principal amount of 5.000% senior unsecured notes due January 2028 ("January 2023 Senior Notes"). The Company used the net proceeds from the January 2023 Senior Notes offering to repay a portion of the outstanding indebtedness under the 2016 Revolver and pay related fees and expenses.[6]In April 2023, the Company issued $600 million aggregate principal amount of 4.800% senior unsecured notes due September 2028 and $750 million aggregate principal amount of 5.100% senior unsecured notes due May 2033 (collectively, "April 2023 Senior Notes"). The Company used the net proceeds from the April 2023 Senior Notes offering to repay a portion of the outstanding indebtedness under the 2016 Revolver and pay related fees and expenses.[7]If the Tower Revenue Notes, Series 2015-2 and Series 2018-2 (collectively, "Tower Revenue Notes") are not paid in full on or prior to an applicable anticipated repayment date, then Excess Cash Flow (as defined in the indenture governing the terms of such notes) of the issuers of such notes will be used to repay principal of the applicable series and class of the Tower Revenue Notes, and additional interest (of an additional approximately 5% per annum) will accrue on the respective Tower Revenue Notes. As of September 30, 2023, the Tower Revenue Notes, Series 2015-2 and Series 2018-2 have principal amounts of $700 million and $750 million, with anticipated repayment dates in 2025 and 2028, respectively.[8]Both the 2016 Revolver and the senior unsecured term loan A facility ("2016 Term Loan A" and, collectively, "2016 Credit Facility") bear interest, at the Company's option, at either (1) Term SOFR plus (i) a credit spread adjustment of 0.10% per annum and (ii) a credit spread ranging from 0.875% to 1.750% per annum or (2) an alternate base rate plus a credit spread ranging from 0.000% to 0.750% per annum, in each case, with the applicable credit spread based on the Company's senior unsecured debt rating. The Company pays a commitment fee ranging from 0.080% to 0.300%, based on the Company's senior unsecured debt rating, per annum on the undrawn available amount under the 2016 Revolver. See the 2022 Form 10-K, including note 7 to the consolidated financial statements, for information regarding potential adjustments to such percentages.[9]As of September 30, 2023, the undrawn availability under the Company's senior unsecured revolving credit facility ("2016 Revolver") was $6.8 billion.[10]The maturities of the Commercial Paper Notes, when outstanding, may vary but may not exceed 397 days from the date of issue. The Commercial Paper Notes are issued under customary terms in the commercial paper market and are issued at a discount from par or, alternatively, can be issued at par and bear varying interest rates on a fixed or floating basis. At any point in time, the Company intends to maintain available commitments under its 2016 Revolver in an amount at least equal to the amount of Commercial Paper Notes outstanding. While any outstanding Commercial Paper Notes generally have short-term maturities, the Company classifies the outstanding issuances, when applicable, as long-term based on its ability and intent to refinance the outstanding issuances on a long-term basis.

Debt and Other Obligations (Com

Debt and Other Obligations (Components of Interest Expense and Amortization of Deferred Financing Costs) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2023	Sep. 30, 2022	Sep. 30, 2023	Sep. 30, 2022
Debt and Other Obligations [Abstract]
Interest Expense, Debt, Excluding Amortization	$ 213	$ 174	$ 616	$ 496
Amortization of deferred financing costs and adjustments on long-term debt, net	8	6	22	19
Capitalized interest	(4)	(3)	(11)	(9)
Interest expense and amortization of deferred financing costs, net	$ 217	$ 177	$ 627	$ 506

Debt and Other Obligations Cont

Debt and Other Obligations Contractual Maturities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions		Sep. 30, 2023	Dec. 31, 2022
Contractual Obligation, Fiscal Year Maturity Schedule [Abstract]
Long-Term Debt, Maturity, remainder of year	[1]	$ 1,819
Long-Term Debt, Maturity, Year One		835
Long-Term Debt, Maturity, Year Two		597
Long-Term Debt, Maturity, Year Three		2,775
Long-Term Debt, Maturity, Year Four		3,406
Long-Term Debt, Maturity, after Year Five		13,456
Total Cash Obligations		22,888
Unamortized Adjustments, Net		(158)
Debt and Finance Lease Obligations		$ 22,730	$ 21,729
[1]Predominately consists of outstanding indebtedness under the CP Program as discussed in footnote (g) of the preceding table.

Debt and Other Obligations Exti

Debt and Other Obligations Extinguishment of Debt (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions		3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
		Sep. 30, 2023	Sep. 30, 2022	Sep. 30, 2023	Sep. 30, 2022
Extinguishment of Debt [Line Items]
Gains (losses) on retirement of long-term obligations		$ 0	$ (2)	$ 0	$ (28)
3.150% Senior Notes [Member]
Extinguishment of Debt [Line Items]
Principal amount				750
Cash paid	[1]			750
Gains (losses) on retirement of long-term obligations				$ 0
[1]Exclusive of accrued interest.

Fair Value Disclosures (Estimat

Fair Value Disclosures (Estimated Fair Values and Carrying Amounts of Assets and Liabilities) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Sep. 30, 2023	Dec. 31, 2022
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 117	$ 156
Cash and cash equivalents, fair value	117	156
Restricted Cash Fair Value Disclosure	172	171
Restricted Cash	172	171
Long-term debt and other obligations, carrying amount	22,730	21,729
Long-term debt and other obligations, fair value	$ 20,046	$ 19,554

Per Share Information (Reconcil

Per Share Information (Reconciliation of the Numerators and Denominators of the Basic and Diluted Per Share Computations) (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Millions, $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2023	Sep. 30, 2022	Sep. 30, 2023	Sep. 30, 2022
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Parent	$ 265	$ 419	$ 1,139	$ 1,261
Basic weighted-average number of common stock outstanding	434	433	434	433
Effect of assumed dilution from potential issuance of common shares relating to restricted stock units	0	1	0	1
Diluted weighted-average number of common shares outstanding	434	434	434	434
Earnings Per Share, Basic	$ 0.61	$ 0.97	$ 2.63	$ 2.91
Earnings Per Share, Diluted	0.61	0.97	2.63	2.91
Dividends/distributions declared per share of common stock (in dollars per share)	$ 1.565	$ 1.470	$ 4.695	$ 4.410

Per Share Information Stock Iss

Per Share Information Stock Issued During Period, Restricted Stock Award (Details) shares in Millions	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2023 shares
Restricted stock units granted [Abstract]
Restricted stock award granted	2

Commitments and Contingencies C

Commitments and Contingencies Commitment and Contingencies (Details)	Sep. 30, 2023
Subject to Capital Lease with TMO or AT&T [Member]
Other Commitments [Line Items]
Purchase Option, Percentage of Towers	53%

Equity (Details)

Equity (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Millions, $ in Millions		3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
		Mar. 31, 2023	Jun. 30, 2023	Sep. 30, 2023	Sep. 30, 2022
Common Stock, Dividends, Per Share, Cash Paid		$ 1.565	$ 1.565	$ 1.565
Dividends, Common Stock, Cash	[1]	$ 681	$ 681	$ 681
Common stock repurchased during period, shares				0.2
Purchases of common stock				$ (29)	$ (64)
Availability Under ATM				$ 750
Common Stock [Member]
Dividends Payable, Date Declared		Feb. 07, 2023	May 01, 2023	Jul. 21, 2023
Dividends Payable, Date of Record		Mar. 15, 2023	Jun. 15, 2023	Sep. 15, 2023
Dividends Payable, Date to be Paid		Mar. 31, 2023	Jun. 30, 2023	Sep. 29, 2023
[1]Inclusive of dividends accrued for holders of unvested RSUs, which will be paid when and if the RSUs vest.

Operating Segments Operating _2

Operating Segments Operating Segments Table (Details) $ in Millions		3 Months Ended				9 Months Ended
		Sep. 30, 2023 USD ($)		Sep. 30, 2022 USD ($)		Sep. 30, 2023 USD ($)		Sep. 30, 2022 USD ($)		Dec. 31, 2022 USD ($)
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Tower Count		40,000				40,000
Fiber Miles		85,000				85,000
Small Cells on Air or Under Contract		115,000				115,000
Amortization of prepaid lease purchase price adjustments		$ 4		$ 4		$ 12		$ 12
Site Rental		1,577		1,568		4,929		4,711
Services and other		90		178		378		511
Segment Revenues		1,667		1,746		5,307		5,222
Segment site rental cost of operations	[1]	420		405		1,259		1,204
Services and other	[1]	66		119		268		344
Segment selling, general and administrative expenses		176		187		581		558
Stock-based compensation expense, net						126		120
Depreciation, Amortization and Accretion, Net		439		430		1,315		1,276
Restructuring Charges		72				72
Interest expense and amortization of deferred financing costs, net		217		177		627		506
Capital expenditures						1,067		921
Total Assets		38,699				38,699				$ 38,921
Segments [Domain]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Site Rental		1,577		1,568		4,929		4,711
Services and other		90		178		378		511
Segment Revenues		1,667		1,746		5,307		5,222
Segment site rental cost of operations		411		396		1,232		1,179
Services and other		64		117		260		336
Segment cost of operations	[2]	475	[3]	513	[3]	1,492	[4]	1,515	[4]
Segment site rental gross margin		1,166		1,172		3,697		3,532
Segment services gross margin		26		61		118		175
Segment General and Administrative Expenses [Line Items]		72	[3]	75	[3]	232	[4]	224	[4]
Segment Operating Profit		1,120		1,158		3,583		3,483
Segment selling, general and administrative expenses		75		81		246		234
Stock-based compensation expense, net		36		38		126		121
Depreciation, Amortization and Accretion, Net		439		430		1,315		1,276
Restructuring Charges		72		0		72		0
Interest expense and amortization of deferred financing costs, net		217		177		627		506
Other expenses to reconcile to income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes	[5]	9		10		37		71
Income (loss) before income taxes		272		422		1,160		1,275
Capital expenditures		347		337		1,067		921
Total Assets		38,699		38,861		38,699		38,861
Segment cost of operations share-based compensation [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation expense, net		7		7		23		21
Towers [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Site Rental		1,074		1,084		3,234		3,237
Services and other		86		175		356		502
Segment Revenues		1,160		1,259		3,590		3,739
Segment site rental cost of operations		236		230		714		689
Services and other		61		114		252		329
Segment cost of operations	[2]	297	[3]	344	[3]	966	[4]	1,018	[4]
Segment site rental gross margin		838		854		2,520		2,548
Segment services gross margin		25		61		104		173
Segment Operating Profit		839		887		2,540		2,637
Segment selling, general and administrative expenses		24	[3]	28	[3]	84	[4]	84	[4]
Restructuring Charges		41
Capital expenditures		49		45		160		137
Total Assets		21,783		22,226		21,783		22,226
Fiber [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Site Rental		503		484		1,695		1,474
Services and other		4		3		22		9
Segment Revenues		507		487		1,717		1,483
Segment site rental cost of operations		175		166		518		490
Services and other		3		3		8		7
Segment cost of operations	[2]	178	[3]	169	[3]	526	[4]	497	[4]
Segment site rental gross margin		328		318		1,177		984
Segment services gross margin		1		0		14		2
Segment Operating Profit		281		271		1,043		846
Segment selling, general and administrative expenses		48	[3]	47	[3]	148	[4]	140	[4]
Restructuring Charges		13
Capital expenditures		287		277		872		746
Total Assets		16,237		15,914		16,237		15,914
Corporate and Other [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Segment selling, general and administrative expenses		75		81		246		234
Stock-based compensation expense, net		36		38		126		121
Depreciation, Amortization and Accretion, Net		439		430		1,315		1,276
Restructuring Charges		72		0		72		0
Interest expense and amortization of deferred financing costs, net		217		177		627		506
Other expenses to reconcile to income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes	[5]	9		10		37		71
Capital expenditures		11		15		35		38
Total Assets		679		721		679		721
Segment G&A share-based compensation [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation expense, net		$ 29		$ 31		$ 103		$ 100
[1]Exclusive of depreciation, amortization and accretion shown separately.[2]Exclusive of depreciation, amortization and accretion shown separately.[3]Segment costs of operations excludes (1) stock-based compensation expense, net of $7 million for each of the three months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022 and (2) prepaid lease purchase price adjustments of $4 million for each of the three months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022. Segment selling, general and administrative expenses and other selling, general and administrative expenses exclude stock-based compensation expense, net of $29 million and $31 million for the three months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively.[4]Segment costs of operations excludes (1) stock-based compensation expense, net of $23 million and $21 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively, and (2) prepaid lease purchase price adjustments of $12 million for each of the nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022. Segment selling, general and administrative expenses and other selling, general and administrative expenses exclude stock-based compensation expense, net of $103 million and $100 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively.[5]See condensed consolidated statement of operations and comprehensive income (loss) for further information.

Supplemental Cash Flow Inform_3

Supplemental Cash Flow Information (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions		9 Months Ended
		Sep. 30, 2023	Sep. 30, 2022	Dec. 31, 2022	Dec. 31, 2021
Supplemental Cash Flow Elements [Abstract]
Cash payments related to operating lease liabilities	[1]	$ 429	$ 420
Interest Paid		654	559
Income taxes paid		13	10
ROU assets recorded in exchange for operating lease liabilities		21	162
Increase (decrease) in accounts payable for purchases of property and equipment		5	(7)
Purchase of property and equipment under capital leases and installment purchases		45	17
Cash and cash equivalents		117		$ 156
Restricted cash, current		167		166
Restricted Cash, Noncurrent		5		5
Cash, Cash Equivalents, Restricted Cash and Restricted Cash Equivalents		$ 289	$ 347	$ 327	$ 466
[1]Excludes the Company's contingent payments pursuant to operating leases, which are recorded as expense in the period such contingencies are resolved.

Restructuring and Related Act_3

Restructuring and Related Activities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2023	Sep. 30, 2023	Dec. 31, 2023
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring Charges	$ 72	$ 72
Towers [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring Charges	41
Fiber [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring Charges	13
Other Segments
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring Charges	18
Forecast
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and Related Cost, Expected Cost Remaining			$ 35
The Plan
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring Charges	72	72
Payments for Restructuring		(36)
Restructuring Reserve, Settled without Cash		(5)
Restructuring Reserve	31	31
Employee Severance
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring Charges		62
Payments for Restructuring		(35)
Restructuring Reserve, Settled without Cash		(1)
Restructuring Reserve	26	26
Facility Closing
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring Charges		10
Payments for Restructuring		(1)
Restructuring Reserve, Settled without Cash		(4)
Restructuring Reserve	5	$ 5
Accelerated depreciation and asset write downs
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring Reserve, Settled without Cash	(4)
Share-based compensation
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring Reserve, Settled without Cash	(1)
Remaining obligations under facility leases
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring Charges	6
Employee severance and other one-time termination benefits
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring Charges	$ 61

Subsequent Events (Details)

Subsequent Events (Details) - Subsequent Event	Oct. 18, 2023	Oct. 17, 2023 $ / shares
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Dividends Payable, Amount Per Share		$ 1.565
Number of relocated employee positions [Abstract]	1,000