Consolidated Statements Of Operations (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2011
Revenues:
Site leasing	$ 172,923	$ 146,484
Site development	19,567	21,265
Total revenues	192,490	167,749
Operating expenses:
Cost of site leasing	35,407	31,976
Cost of site development	16,786	18,728
Selling, general and administrative	17,215	15,895
Asset impairment	349
Acquisition related expenses	344	2,373
Depreciation, accretion and amortization	82,100	74,878
Total operating expenses	152,201	143,850
Operating income	40,289	23,899
Other income (expense):
Interest income	47	30
Interest expense	(42,248)	(37,781)
Non-cash interest expense	(16,991)	(15,393)
Amortization of deferred financing fees	(2,433)	(2,199)
Loss from extinguishment of debt, net		(1,696)
Other income (expense)	12	(545)
Total other expense	(61,613)	(57,584)
Loss before provision for income taxes	(21,324)	(33,685)
Provision for income taxes	(1,327)	(691)
Net loss	(22,651)	(34,376)
Net loss attributable to the noncontrolling interest	20	125
Net loss attributable to SBA Communications Corporation	$ (22,631)	$ (34,251)
Net loss per common share attributable to SBA Communications Corporation:
Basic and diluted	$ (0.20)	$ (0.30)
Basic and diluted weighted average number of common shares	111,431	114,416