Exhibit 23
                                                                     ----------

                         INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' CONSENT

   We consent to the incorporation by reference in Registration Statement Nos.
333-41226, 333-41224, 333-72927, 333-56331, 333-76324 and 333-51959 each on
Form S-8 and Registration Statement Nos. 333-54648, 333-50098, 333-43130,
333-37988 and 333-35412 each on Form S-3 of American Tower Corporation of our
report dated February 25, 2002, which report expresses an unqualified opinion
and includes an explanatory paragraph relating to the adoption of Statement of
Financial Accounting Standard No. 133, "Accounting for Derivative Instruments
and Hedging Activities," as amended, appearing in this Annual Report on Form
10-K of American Tower Corporation for the year ended December 31, 2001.

/s/  DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP
Boston, Massachusetts
March 29, 2002