CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net loss	$ (181,390)	$ (126,892)	$ (194,421)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by operating activities:
Income from discontinued operations, net of income taxes	(2,296)
Depreciation, accretion, and amortization	408,467	309,146	278,727
Non-cash interest expense	70,110	63,629	60,070
Deferred income tax expense (benefit)	1,360	(1,686)	(737)
Asset impairment	6,383	5,472	5,862
Non-cash compensation expense	13,968	11,469	10,501
Amortization of deferred financing fees	12,870	9,188	9,099
Loss from extinguishment of debt, net	51,799	1,696	49,060
Other non-cash items reflected in the Statements of Operations	(5,317)	768	163
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions:
Accounts receivable and costs and estimated earnings in excess of billings on uncompleted contracts	(18,804)	(3,709)	(5,919)
Prepaid and other assets	(82,759)	(27,425)	(15,023)
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	8,251	3,814	(3,313)
Accrued interest	13,882	58	(3,300)
Other liabilities	44,390	3,530	10,371
Net cash provided by operating activities	340,914	249,058	201,140
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Acquisitions and related earn-outs	(2,258,655)	(379,320)	(328,045)
Capital expenditures	(113,265)	(126,938)	(66,618)
Proceeds from sale of DAS networks	100,000
Other investing activities	(3,131)	(1,630)	(30,376)
Net cash used in investing activities	(2,275,051)	(507,888)	(425,039)
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Proceeds from SBA Tower Trust Series 2012, net of fees	596,083
Borrowings under Revolving Credit Facility	584,000	250,000	20,000
Repayments under Revolving Credit Facility	(484,000)	(270,000)
Proceeds from Term Loans, net of fees	493,107	492,560
Proceeds from Mobilitie Bridge Loan, net of fees	395,000
Proceeds from sale of common stock, net of fees	283,872
Repayment of Mobilitie Bridge Loan	(400,000)
Payments on early extinguishment of convertible debt	(107,493)	(17,038)	(30,409)
Repayments of Term Loans	(10,000)	(2,500)
Repurchase and retirement of common stock		(225,072)	(107,426)
Proceeds from 2010 Tower Securities, net of fees			1,212,194
Payment on extinguishment of CMBS Certificates			(979,368)
Proceeds from employee stock purchase/stock option plans	31,152	15,801	16,133
Other financing activities	(835)	(1,704)	(4,303)
Net cash provided by financing activities	2,116,412	242,047	126,821
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	1,212	(155)	15
Net cash provided by discontinued operations:
Operating Activities	2,296
NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS	185,783	(16,938)	(97,063)
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS:
Beginning of year	47,316	64,254	161,317
End of year	233,099	47,316	64,254
Cash paid during the period for:
Interest	182,474	161,257	153,607
Income taxes	5,304	4,218	1,545
SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION OF NON-CASH ACTIVITIES:
Assets acquired through capital leases	2,509	2,570	1,130
Increase in accounts payable and accrued expenses for capital expenditures	10,166	2,470	2,800
Deferred payment on Brazil acquired assets	175,890
Issuance of stock for acquisitions	555,378
Promissory note received in connection with disposition of DAS assets	25,000
Contribution of DAS Networks in exchange for equity investment			11,000
Exchange of redeemable noncontrolling interests			12,500
5.625% and 5.75% Senior Notes[Member]
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Proceeds from 5.625% and 5.75% Senior Notes, net of fees	1,277,729
8.0% Notes and 8.25% Notes [Member]
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Repurchase of Notes	$ (542,203)