Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015		Dec. 31, 2014		Dec. 31, 2013
Cash flows from operating activities:
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations Attributable to Parent	$ 525,286		$ 346,314		$ 60,001
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by (used for) operating activities:
Depreciation, amortization and accretion	1,036,178		985,781		741,342
Gains (losses) on retirement of long-term obligations	4,157	[1]	44,629	[2]	37,127	[3]
Realized Gain (Loss) on Foreign Currency Derivative Instruments Not Designated As Hedging Instruments	(54,475)		0		0
Amortization of deferred financing costs and other non-cash interest	37,126		80,854		99,245
Stock-based compensation expense	60,773		51,497		39,030
Asset write-down charges	33,468		14,246		13,595
Deferred income tax benefit (provision)	(60,618)		(21,859)		174,269
Other non-cash adjustments, net	(8,915)		(25,679)		2,974
Changes in assets and liabilities, excluding the effects of acquisitions:
Increase (decrease) in accrued interest	32		1,361		12,990
Increase (decrease) in accounts payable	(5,287)		12,281		28,665
Increase (decrease) in deferred revenues, deferred ground lease payables, other accrued liabilities and other liabilities	325,880		397,363		242,687
Decrease (increase) in receivables	12,668		(77,116)		(64,026)
Decrease (increase) in prepaid expenses, deferred site rental receivables, long-term prepaid rent, restricted cash and other assets	(112,248)		(209,475)		(216,840)
Net cash provided by (used for) operating activities	1,794,025		1,600,197		1,171,059
Cash flows from investing activities:
Payment for acquisitions of businesses, net of cash acquired	(1,102,179)		(461,651)		(4,931,752)
Capital expenditures	(908,892)		(758,535)		(534,809)
Realized Gain (loss) on Foreign Currency Derivative Instruments Not Designated as a Hedge	54,475		0		0
Other investing activities, net	(3,138)		3,477		7,276
Net cash provided by (used for) investing activities	(1,959,734)		(1,216,709)		(5,459,285)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt	1,000,000		845,750		1,618,430
Net proceeds from issuance of capital stock	0		0		2,980,586
Net proceeds from issuance of preferred stock	0		0		950,886
Principal payments on debt and other long-term obligations	(102,866)		(116,426)		(101,322)
Purchases and redemptions of long-term debt	(1,069,337)		(836,899)		(762,970)
Purchases of capital stock	(29,657)		(21,872)		(99,458)
Borrowings under revolving credit facility	1,790,000		1,019,000		976,032
Payments under revolving credit facility	(1,360,000)		(698,000)		(1,855,032)
Payments for financing costs	(19,642)		(15,899)		(30,001)
Net (increase) decrease in restricted cash	16,458		30,010		385,982
Dividends/distributions paid on common stock	(1,116,444)		(624,297)		0
Dividends paid on preferred stock	(43,988)		(44,354)		0
Net cash provided by (used for) financing activities	(935,476)		(462,987)		4,063,133
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Continuing Operations	(1,101,185)		(79,499)		(225,093)
Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities, Discontinued Operations	2,700		65,933		66,597
Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities, Discontinued Operations	1,103,577		(26,196)		(61,684)
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Discontinued Operations	1,106,277		39,737		4,913
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	(1,902)		(8,012)		2,210
Cash and Cash Equivalents, at Carrying Value, Including Discontinued Operations Period Start	175,620		223,394		441,364
Cash and Cash Equivalents, at Carrying Value, Including Discontinued Operations Period End	$ 178,810		$ 175,620		$ 223,394

[1] Inclusive of $4.2 million related to the net write off of deferred financing costs, premiums and discounts.

[2] The losses predominately 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.

[3] The losses predominately relate to cash losses, including make whole payments.