Acquisitions (Narrative) (Details) $ in Thousands, BRL in Millions				1 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 01, 2014 USD ($) item	Mar. 31, 2014 USD ($) item	Mar. 26, 2014 USD ($)	Jan. 31, 2017 USD ($) item	Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($) item	Dec. 31, 2015 USD ($) item	Dec. 31, 2014 USD ($) item	Sep. 29, 2014 BRL shares	Mar. 26, 2014 BRL
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Number of towers acquired | item					531	893	4,030
Cash paid for acquisition						$ 525,800
Property and equipment						176,300
Intangible assets						351,000
Working capital adjustments						$ 1,500
Foreign Exchange Forward [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Foreign currency forward contracts, notional amount | BRL								BRL 1,170.0
Foreign currency floor price | shares								2.4
Foreign currency ceiling price								2.5665
Oi. S. A. Acquisitions [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Number of towers acquired | item	1,641	2,007
Cash paid for acquisition	$ 463,200	$ 673,900
Property and equipment		86,787					$ 99,810
Intangible assets		$ 587,111					363,352
Oi. S. A. Acquisitions [Member] | March 31, 2014 Acquisition [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Total revenue from business acquisition							60,700
Oi. S. A. Acquisitions [Member] | December 1, 2014 Acquisition [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Total revenue from business acquisition							$ 4,800
Oi. S. A. Acquisitions [Member] | Foreign Exchange Forward [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Foreign currency forward contracts, notional amount | BRL									BRL 1,525.0
Gain (loss) on derivative			$ 17,900
Other Acquisitions [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Number of towers acquired | item					531		382
Cash paid for acquisition					$ 214,700		$ 403,200
Property and equipment					72,800
Intangible assets					144,400
Working capital adjustments					$ 2,500
Subsequent Event [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Number of towers acquired | item				42
Cash paid for acquisition				$ 17,300