Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014		Sep. 30, 2013
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income (loss)	$ 246,187		$ 116,582
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by (used for) operating activities:
Depreciation, amortization and accretion	759,288		572,518
Gains (losses) on retirement of long-term obligations	44,629	[1]	36,487
Amortization of deferred financing costs and other non-cash interest	61,322		78,241
Stock-based compensation expense	39,497		29,334
Asset write-down charges	11,144		10,705
Deferred income tax benefit (provision)	(7,512)		80,999
Other adjustments	(2,088)		2,167
Changes in assets and liabilities, excluding the effects of acquisitions:
Increase (decrease) in accrued interest	2,462		11,979
Increase (decrease) in accounts payable	27,047		8,279
Increase (decrease) in deferred revenues, deferred ground lease payables, other accrued liabilities and other liabilities	253,110		127,463
Decrease (increase) in receivables	(61,347)		(45,689)
Decrease (increase) in prepaid expenses, deferred site rental receivables, long-term prepaid rent, restricted cash and other assets	(181,509)		(190,199)
Net cash provided by (used for) operating activities	1,192,230		838,866
Cash flows from investing activities:
Payment for acquisitions of businesses, net of cash acquired	(179,918)		(55,131)
Capital expenditures	(513,552)		(385,482)
Other investing activities, net	2,787		7,601
Net cash provided by (used for) investing activities	(690,683)		(433,012)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt	845,750		830,941
Principal payments on long-term debt and other long-term obligations	(86,197)		(77,986)
Purchases and redemptions of long-term debt	(836,899)		(675,481)
Purchases of capital stock	(21,778)		(99,217)
Borrowings under revolving credit facility	567,000		94,000
Payments under revolving credit facility	(587,000)		(1,092,000)
Payments for financing costs	(15,899)		(20,753)
Net (increase) decrease in restricted cash	39,882		415,498
Dividends/distributions paid on common stock	(350,535)		0
Dividends/distributions paid on preferred stock	(33,357)		0
Net cash provided by (used for) financing activities	(479,033)		(624,998)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	(7,358)		(3,571)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	15,156		(222,715)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	223,394		441,364
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$ 238,550		$ 218,649

[1] The losses predominantly relate to cash losses, including make whole payments and are inclusive of $7.7 million related to the write off of deferred financing costs and discounts.