Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income (loss)	$ 210,532	$ 122,521
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by (used for) operating activities:
Depreciation, amortization and accretion	446,749	413,987
Gains (losses) on retirement of long-term obligations	14,586	0
Amortization of deferred financing costs and other non-cash interest	74,269	77,221
Stock-based compensation expense	33,573	24,937
Asset write-down charges	8,250	13,696
Deferred income tax benefit (provision)	(35,140)	6,684
Other adjustments	13	4,848
Changes in assets and liabilities, excluding the effects of acquisitions:
Increase (decrease) in accrued interest	(11,525)	(9,925)
Increase (decrease) in accounts payable	(494)	(9,713)
Increase (decrease) in deferred revenues, deferred ground lease payables, other accrued liabilities and other liabilities	31,230	(18,231)
Decrease (increase) in receivables	(44,213)	(5,318)
Decrease (increase) in prepaid expenses, deferred site rental receivables, long-term prepaid rent, restricted cash and other assets	(203,372)	(165,433)
Net cash provided by (used for) operating activities	524,458	455,274
Cash flows from investing activities:
Payment for acquisitions of businesses, net of cash acquired	(1,236,238)	(17,997)
Capital expenditures	(283,386)	(265,115)
Other investing activities, net	1,244	(14,375)
Net cash provided by (used for) investing activities	(1,518,380)	(297,487)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt	2,100,000	0
Proceeds from issuance of capital stock	239	1,523
Principal payments on long-term debt and other long-term obligations	(59,579)	(26,026)
Purchases and redemptions of long-term debt	(699,486)	0
Purchases of capital stock	(35,984)	(301,369)
Purchases of preferred stock	0	(15,002)
Borrowings under revolving credit facility	0	273,000
Payments under revolving credit facility	(251,000)	(125,000)
Payments for financing costs	(40,255)	(82)
Net (increase) decrease in restricted cash	19,533	12,153
Dividends on preferred stock	(2,481)	(14,713)
Net cash provided by (used for) financing activities	1,030,987	(195,516)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	1,718	722
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	38,783	(37,007)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	80,120	112,531
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$ 118,903	$ 75,524