Property And Equipment, Net (Property And Equipment, Net Including Assets Held Under Capital Leases) (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment, gross	$ 3,425,355	$ 2,809,672
Less: accumulated depreciation	(1,373,286)	(1,226,279)
Property and equipment, net	2,052,069	1,583,393
Towers and related components [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment, gross	3,167,235	2,587,897
Construction-in-progress [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment, gross	29,600	23,076
Furniture, equipment and vehicles [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment, gross	33,483	29,711
Land, buildings and improvements [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment, gross	$ 195,037	$ 168,988

The cumulative amount of depreciation, depletion and amortization (related to property, plant and equipment, but not including land) that has been recognized in the income statement.

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Gross amount of long-lived physical assets used in the normal conduct of business and not intended for resale. Examples include, but are not limited to, land, buildings, machinery and equipment, office equipment, furniture and fixtures, and computer equipment.

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- Definition

Amount, net of accumulated depreciation, depletion and amortization, of long-lived physical assets used in the normal conduct of business and not intended for resale. Examples include, but are not limited to, land, buildings, machinery and equipment, office equipment, furniture and fixtures, and computer equipment.

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