Leases (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Property Subject to or Available for Operating Lease [Line Items]
Weighted average remaining term of tenant leases	7 years
Maximum Current Term	20 years
Tenant Leases 2015	$ 2,703,655,000
Tenant Leases 2016	2,635,024,000
Tenant Leases 2017	2,562,704,000
Tenant Leases 2018	2,474,553,000
Tenant Leases 2019	2,373,865,000
Tenant Leases thereafter	9,549,658,000
Total tenant leases	22,299,459,000
Percentage of wireless infrastructure that has non-cancelable operating leases	80.00%
Operating Leases, Owned Land Under Tower, Expiration Term	20 years
Operating Leases, Leased Land Under Tower, Expiration Term	10 years
Operating leases 2015	569,314,000
Operating leases 2016	574,728,000
Operating leases 2017	578,815,000
Operating leases 2018	580,231,000
Operating leases 2019	581,020,000
Operating leases thereafter	8,067,093,000
Total operating leases	10,951,201,000
Rental expense from operating leases	676,700,000	513,600,000	372,300,000
Contingent rental payments	$ 88,300,000	$ 73,700,000	$ 57,600,000
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 towers where the lease for the land has a final expiration date	90.00%
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 towers where the lease for the land has a final expiration date	75.00%