Property and Equipment, Net - Property and Equipment, Net (Including Assets Held Under Capital Leases) (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment, gross	$ 4,197,438	$ 4,109,522
Less: accumulated depreciation	(1,618,799)	(1,438,205)
Property and equipment, net	2,578,639	2,671,317
Towers and Related Components [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment, gross	3,809,069	3,757,859
Construction-In-Process [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment, gross	21,022	25,454
Furniture, Equipment and Vehicles [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment, gross	39,483	35,278
Land, Buildings and Improvements [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment, gross	$ 327,864	$ 290,931