Consolidated Statements Of Operations (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Revenues:
Site leasing	$ 616,294	$ 535,444	$ 477,007
Site development	81,876	91,175	78,506
Total revenues	698,170	626,619	555,513
Operating expenses:
Cost of site leasing	131,916	119,141	111,842
Cost of site development	71,005	80,301	68,701
Selling, general and administrative	62,828	58,209	52,785
Acquisition related expenses	7,144	10,106	4,810
Asset impairment	5,472	5,862	3,884
Depreciation, accretion and amortization	309,146	278,727	258,537
Total operating expenses	587,511	552,346	500,559
Operating income	110,659	74,273	54,954
Other income (expense):
Interest income	136	432	1,123
Interest expense	(160,896)	(149,921)	(130,853)
Non-cash interest expense	(63,629)	(60,070)	(49,897)
Amortization of deferred financing fees	(9,188)	(9,099)	(10,456)
Loss from extinguishment of debt, net	(1,696)	(49,060)	(5,661)
Other (expense) income	(165)	29	163
Total other expense	(235,438)	(267,689)	(195,581)
Loss before provision for income taxes	(124,779)	(193,416)	(140,627)
Provision for income taxes	(2,113)	(1,005)	(492)
Net loss	(126,892)	(194,421)	(141,119)
Net loss (income) attributable to the noncontrolling interest	436	(253)	248
Net loss attributable to SBA Communications Corporation	$ (126,456)	$ (194,674)	$ (140,871)
Net loss per common share attributable to SBA Communications Corporation:
Basic and diluted	$ (1.13)	$ (1.68)	$ (1.20)
Basic and diluted weighted average number of common shares	111,595	115,591	117,165