The stated principal amount of the debt instrument at time of issuance, which may vary from the carrying amount because of unamortized premium or discount.

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Interest rate stated in the contractual debt agreement.

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Carrying amount of long-term debt, net of unamortized discount or premium, including current and noncurrent amounts. Includes, but not limited to, notes payable, bonds payable, debentures, mortgage loans and commercial paper. Excludes capital lease obligations.

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Debt (Carrying Value Of Debt) (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	May 16, 2008
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt	$ 5,306,034	$ 3,354,485
Debt instrument interest rate stated percentage	4.00%
Less: current maturities of long-term debt and short-term debt	(529,595)	(5,000)
Total long-term debt, net of current maturities and short-term debt	4,776,439	3,349,485
1.875% Convertible Senior Notes due 2013 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt	512,345	484,970
Debt instrument interest rate stated percentage	1.875%		187.50%
Debt instrument, principal balance	535,000	535,000
4.0% Convertible Senior Notes due 2014 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt	422,052	397,612
Debt instrument interest rate stated percentage	4.00%
Debt instrument, principal balance	500,000	500,000
4.254% 2010-1C Tower Securities [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt	680,000	680,000
Debt instrument interest rate stated percentage	4.254%
5.101% Secured Tower Revenue Securities Series 2010-2 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt	550,000	550,000
Debt instrument interest rate stated percentage	5.101%
2.933% Secured Tower Revenue Securities Series 2012-1 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt	610,000
Debt instrument interest rate stated percentage	2.933%
8.0% Senior Notes due 2016 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt		373,198
Debt instrument interest rate stated percentage	8.00%
Debt instrument, principal balance	0	375,000
8.25% Senior Notes due 2019 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt	242,162	372,365
Debt instrument interest rate stated percentage	8.25%
Debt instrument, principal balance	243,800	375,000
5.625% Senior Notes Due 2019 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt	500,000
Debt instrument interest rate stated percentage	5.625%
Debt instrument, principal balance	500,000
5.75% Senior Notes Due 2020 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt	800,000
Debt instrument interest rate stated percentage	5.75%
Debt instrument, principal balance	800,000
Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt
2011 Term Loan [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt	492,724	496,340
Debt instrument, principal balance	500,000
2012-1 Term Loan [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt	197,500
Debt instrument, principal balance	200,000
2012-2 Term loan [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt	$ 299,251