Consolidated Statements Of Cash Flows (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net loss	$ (8,061)	$ (58,275)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation, accretion, and amortization	305,447	266,725
Non-cash interest expense	18,596	29,509
Deferred income tax expense (benefit)	37	(1,396)
Non-cash asset impairment and decommission costs	5,263	7,426
Non-cash compensation expense	10,814	8,804
Amortization of deferred financing fees	8,516	7,527
Loss from extinguishment of debt, net	10,187	5,760
Other non-cash items reflected in the Statements of Operations	2,028	(1,208)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions:
Accounts receivable and costs and estimated earnings in excess of billings on uncompleted contracts, net	(656)	(20,276)
Prepaid and other assets	(16,397)	(33,656)
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	(2,044)	2,416
Accrued interest	7,331	4,401
Other liabilities	11,775	10,402
Net cash provided by operating activities	352,836	228,159
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Acquisitions	(967,474)	(255,409)
Capital expenditures	(72,151)	(70,202)
Other investing activities	(4,916)	213
Net cash used in investing activities	(1,044,541)	(325,398)
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Borrowings under Revolving Credit Facility	275,000	125,000
Repayments under Revolving Credit Facility	(390,000)	(225,000)
Repayment of Term Loans	(295,500)	(507,000)
Proceeds from employee stock purchase/stock option plans	5,624	6,105
Proceeds from Term Loans, net of fees	1,483,450
Proceeds from settlement of convertible note hedges	4	182,853
Proceeds from issuance of Tower Securities		1,305,935
Repayments of BNDES loans	(6,320)
Payment of deferred financing fees	(812)	(1,268)
Payment for purchase of noncontrolling interests		(6,008)
Payments for settlement of convertible debt	(121,289)	(794,996)
Payments for settlement of common stock warrants	(276,227)	(23,648)
Payment of restricted cash relating to SBA Tower Trust		(7,333)
Other financing activities	(14,935)	(1,642)
Net cash provided by financing activities	658,995	52,998
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	18,250	584
NET DECREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS	(14,460)	(43,657)
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS:
Beginning of period	122,112	233,099
End of period	107,652	189,442
Cash paid during the period for:
Interest	129,961	118,155
Income taxes	4,354	3,249
SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION OF NON-CASH ACTIVITIES:
Assets acquired through capital leases	947	690
Issuance of stock for settlement of convertible debt and warrants, net of hedges	$ 283	$ 18,134