CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS EQUITY (DEFICIT) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data	Total	Class A Common Stock [Member]	Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]	Accumulated Deficit [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income [Member]	Noncontrolling Interest [Member]
BALANCE, value at Dec. 31, 2009	$ 599,949	$ 1,171	$ 2,228,268	$ (1,627,602)	$ (2,803)	$ 915
BALANCE, shares at Dec. 31, 2009		117,082,000
Net loss attributable to SBA Communications	(194,674)			(194,674)		253
Amortization of net deferred loss from settlement of derivative financial instruments	632				632
Write-off of net deferred loss from derivative instruments related to repurchase of debt	3,645				3,645
Foreign currency translation adjustments	701				701
Non-cash compensation	10,560		10,560
Common stock issued in connection with stock purchase/option plans, value	16,133	9	16,124
Common stock issued in connection with stock purchase/option plans, shares		924,000
Proceeds from the settlement of convertible note hedges	8,497		8,497
Purchase of redeemable noncontrolling interests	(8,203)		(7,500)			(703)
Exchange of redeemable noncontrolling interests	(12,957)		(12,492)			(465)
Repurchase and retirement of common stock, value	(107,426)	(32)		(107,394)
Repurchase and retirement of common stock, shares		(3,174,000)
BALANCE, value at Dec. 31, 2010	317,110	1,148	2,243,457	(1,929,670)	2,175
BALANCE, shares at Dec. 31, 2010		114,832,000
Net loss attributable to SBA Communications	(126,456)			(126,456)
Foreign currency translation adjustments	(1,728)		(38)		(1,690)
Foreign currency translation adjustments, shares
Equity component related to repurchases of convertible debt, value	(2,607)		(2,607)
Non-cash compensation	11,639		11,639
Common stock issued in connection with stock purchase/option plans, value	15,801	8	15,793
Common stock issued in connection with stock purchase/option plans, shares		761,000
Repurchase and retirement of common stock, value	(225,072)	(59)		(225,013)
Repurchase and retirement of common stock, shares		(5,918,000)
BALANCE, value at Dec. 31, 2011	(11,313)	1,097	2,268,244	(2,281,139)	485
BALANCE, shares at Dec. 31, 2011		109,675,000
Net loss attributable to SBA Communications	(181,037)			(181,037)
Foreign currency translation adjustments	2,306				2,306
Equity component related to repurchases of convertible debt, value	(41,569)		(41,569)
Equity component related to repurchases of convertible debt, shares
Non-cash compensation	14,202		14,202
Common stock issued in connection with acquisitions, value	555,378	98	555,280
Common stock issued in connection with acquisitions, shares		9,839,000
Common stock issued in connection with stock purchase/option plans, value	31,152	14	31,138
Common stock issued in connection with stock purchase/option plans, shares		1,414,000
Proceeds from sale of common stock, value	283,872	60	283,812
Proceeds from sale of common stock, shares		6,005,000
BALANCE, value at Dec. 31, 2012	$ 652,991	$ 1,269	$ 3,111,107	$ (2,462,176)	$ 2,791
BALANCE, shares at Dec. 31, 2012		126,933,000