Leases (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Property Subject to or Available for Operating Lease [Line Items]
Weighted average remaining term of tenant leases	8 years
Maximum Current Term	20 years
Tenant Leases 2012	$ 2,105,703,000
Tenant Leases 2013	1,982,547,000
Tenant Leases 2014	1,966,147,000
Tenant Leases 2015	1,895,196,000
Tenant Leases 2016	1,823,029,000
Tenant Leases thereafter	10,480,786,000
Total tenant leases	20,253,408,000
Percentage of wireless infrastructure, office space and equipment that is on land that has non-cancelable operating leases	77.00%
Operating Leases, Owned Land Under Tower, Expiration Term	20 years
Operating Leases, Leased Land Under Tower, Expiration Term	10 years
Operating leases 2012	428,839,000
Operating leases 2013	430,348,000
Operating leases 2014	434,247,000
Operating leases 2015	437,690,000
Operating leases 2016	440,573,000
Operating leases thereafter	5,761,353,000
Total operating leases	7,933,050,000
Rental expense from operating leases	372,300,000	338,300,000	330,100,000
Contingent rental payments	$ 57,600,000	$ 56,400,000	$ 55,100,000
Greater than 10 Years, Inclusive of Renewals at the Company's Option [Member]
Property Subject to or Available for Operating Lease [Line Items]
Percentage of site rental gross margin that is derived from wireless infrastructure where the lease for the land has a final expiration date	91.00%
Greater than 20 Years, Inclusive of Renewals at the Company's Option [Member]
Property Subject to or Available for Operating Lease [Line Items]
Percentage of site rental gross margin that is derived from wireless infrastructure where the lease for the land has a final expiration date	77.00%
Wireless Infrastructure [Member]
Property Subject to or Available for Operating Lease [Line Items]
Estimated useful life, maximum, in years	20 years