Intangible Assets and Deferred Credits (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]

Intangible Assets

The following is a summary of the Company's intangible assets.

	As of December 31, 2011							As of December 31, 2010
	Gross Carrying Value		Accumulated Amortization			Net Book Value		Gross Carrying Value		Accumulated Amortization			Net Book Value
Site rental contracts and customer relationships	$	2,823,832	$	(748,850	)	$	2,074,982	$	2,799,804	$	(602,426	)	$	2,197,378
Other intangible assets	152,375		(49,175		)	103,200		150,558		(34,007		)	116,551
Total	$	2,976,207	$	(798,025	)	$	2,178,182	$	2,950,362	$	(636,433	)	$	2,313,929

Schedule of Amortization Expense

Amortization expense related to intangible assets is classified as follows on the Company's consolidated statement of operations and comprehensive income (loss):

	For Years Ended December 31,
Classification	2011		2010		2009
Depreciation, amortization and accretion	$	159,478	$	156,150	$	145,192
Site rental costs of operations	3,709		3,764		4,051
Total amortization expense	$	163,187	$	159,914	$	149,243

Schedule of Above Market Leases

The following is a summary of the Company's above-market leases.

	As of December 31, 2011							As of December 31, 2010
	Gross Carrying Value		Accumulated Amortization			Net Book Value		Gross Carrying Value		Accumulated Amortization			Net Book Value
Above-market leases	$	67,132	$	(17,816	)	$	49,316	$	70,331	$	(17,669	)	$	52,662

Site Rental Contracts and Customer Relationships [Member]

Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]

Schedule of Estimated Annual Amortization Expense

The estimated annual amortization expense related to intangible assets (inclusive of those recorded to "site rental costs of operations") for the years ended December 31, 2012 to 2016 is as follows:

	Years Ending December 31,
	2012		2013		2014		2015		2016
Estimated annual amortization	$	159,509	$	151,288	$	145,761	$	140,146	$	140,139

Above Market Leases [Member]

Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]

Schedule of Estimated Annual Amortization Expense

The estimated annual amortization expense related to above-market leases for land interests under the Company's towers for the years ended December 31, 2012 to 2016 is as follows:

	Years Ending December 31,
	2012		2013		2014		2015		2016
Estimated annual amortization	$	3,504	$	3,434	$	3,410	$	3,386	$	3,469