Consolidated Statements Of Cash Flows (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net loss	$ (24,295,000)	$ (55,909,000)	$ (181,390,000)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by operating activities:
Income from discontinued operations, net of income taxes			(2,296,000)
Depreciation, accretion, and amortization	627,072,000	533,334,000	408,467,000
Non-cash interest expense	27,112,000	49,085,000	70,110,000
Deferred income tax (benefit) expense	530,000	(6,642,000)	1,360,000
Non-cash asset impairment and decommission costs	18,384,000	23,819,000	6,383,000
Non-cash compensation expense	22,671,000	17,205,000	13,968,000
Amortization of deferred financing fees	17,572,000	15,560,000	12,870,000
Loss from extinguishment of debt, net	26,204,000	6,099,000	51,799,000
Other non-cash items reflected in the Statements of Operations	(14,776,000)	(29,780,000)	(4,525,000)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions:
AR and costs and est. earnings in excess of billings on uncompleted contracts, net	(36,245,000)	(29,097,000)	(18,804,000)
Prepaid expenses and other assets	(64,882,000)	(81,458,000)	(82,759,000)
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	5,475,000	7,711,000	21,341,000
Other liabilities	66,821,000	47,660,000	44,390,000
Net cash provided by operating activities	671,643,000	497,587,000	340,914,000
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Acquisitions	(1,585,222,000)	(677,379,000)	(2,252,724,000)
Capital expenditures	(211,251,000)	(168,893,000)	(113,265,000)
Other investing activities	36,346,000	29,074,000	96,869,000
Net cash used in investing activities	(1,760,127,000)	(817,198,000)	(2,269,120,000)
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Borrowings under Revolving Credit Facility	700,000,000	340,000,000	584,000,000
Repayments under Revolving Credit Facility	(790,000,000)	(225,000,000)	(484,000,000)
Repayment of Term Loans	(310,500,000)	(512,000,000)	(10,000,000)
Proceeds from Term Loans, net of fees	1,483,337,000		493,107,000
Payments on settlement of convertible debt	(499,721,000)	(794,997,000)	(107,493,000)
Proceeds from settlement of convertible note hedges	7,000	182,855,000
Payments for settlement of common stock warrants	(884,985,000)	(97,912,000)
Payment for the redemption of 8.0% Notes and 8.25% Notes	(253,805,000)		(542,203,000)
Proceeds from 5.625%, 5.75%, and 4.875% Senior Notes, net of fees	732,325,000		1,277,729,000
Proceeds from sale of common stock, net of fees			283,872,000
Other financing activities	(23,049,000)	13,226,000	24,386,000
Net cash provided by financing activities	991,838,000	210,837,000	2,110,481,000
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	13,977,000	(2,213,000)	1,212,000
Net cash provided by discontinued operations: Operating Activities			2,296,000
NET (DECREASE) INCREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS	(82,669,000)	(110,987,000)	185,783,000
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS:
Beginning of year	122,112,000	233,099,000	47,316,000
End of year	39,443,000	122,112,000	233,099,000
Cash paid during the period for:
Interest	278,359,000	244,123,000	182,474,000
Income taxes	7,525,000	6,645,000	5,304,000
SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION OF NON-CASH ACTIVITIES:
Assets acquired through capital leases	1,290,000	1,239,000	2,509,000
Issuance of stock for acquisitions			555,378,000
Issuance of stock for conversion of debt, hedges, and warrants	229,000	18,159,000
Promissory note received in connection with disposition of DAS assets			25,000,000
Deferred payment on Brazil acquired assets			175,890,000
Tower Securities [Member]
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Proceeds from issuance of secured debt	1,518,229,000	1,304,665,000	596,083,000
2010 Tower Securities [Member]
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Repayments of secured debt	(680,000,000)
Mobilitie Bridge Loan [Member]
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Proceeds from issuance of secured debt			395,000,000
Repayments of secured debt			$ (400,000,000)