Operating Segments Operating Segments Table (Details) $ in Millions		3 Months Ended				6 Months Ended
		Jun. 30, 2022 USD ($)		Jun. 30, 2021 USD ($)		Jun. 30, 2022 USD ($)		Jun. 30, 2021 USD ($)		Dec. 31, 2021 USD ($)
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Tower Count		40,000				40,000
Fiber Miles		85,000				85,000
Amortization of prepaid lease purchase price adjustments		$ 4		$ 4		$ 8		$ 9
Site Rental		1,567		1,425		3,143		2,794
Services and other		167		158		333		274
Segment Revenues		1,734		1,583		3,476		3,068
Segment site rental cost of operations	[1]	402		389		798		770
Services and other	[1]	112		105		225		186
Segment selling, general and administrative expenses		190		169		371		333
Stock-based compensation expense						83		67
Depreciation, Amortization and Accretion, Net		427		408		847		816
Interest expense and amortization of deferred financing costs		165		161		329		330
Capital expenditures						584		609
Total Assets		39,013				39,013				$ 39,040
Segments [Domain]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Site Rental		1,567		1,425		3,143		2,794
Services and other		167		158		333		274
Segment Revenues		1,734		1,583		3,476		3,068
Segment site rental cost of operations		394		382		781		755
Services and other		109		103		220		181
Segment cost of operations	[2]	503	[3]	485	[3]	1,001	[4]	936	[4]
Segment site rental gross margin		1,173		1,043		2,362		2,039
Segment services gross margin		58		55		113		93
Segment General and Administrative Expenses [Line Items]		74	[3]	70	[3]	149	[4]	140	[4]
Segment selling, general and administrative expenses		79		70		153		136
Segment Operating Profit		1,157		1,028		2,326		1,992
Stock-based compensation expense		44		34		83		68
Depreciation, Amortization and Accretion, Net		427		408		847		816
Interest expense and amortization of deferred financing costs		165		161		329		330
Other expenses to reconcile to income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes	[5]	16		16		61		174
Income (loss) before income taxes		426		339		853		468
Capital expenditures		303		308		584		609
Total Assets		39,013		38,973		39,013		38,973
Segment cost of operations share-based compensation [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation expense		7		5		14		11
Towers [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Site Rental		1,078		952		2,153		1,847
Services and other		164		154		327		265
Segment Revenues		1,242		1,106		2,480		2,112
Segment site rental cost of operations		232		221		458		433
Services and other		107		100		216		175
Segment cost of operations	[2]	339	[3]	321	[3]	674	[4]	608	[4]
Segment site rental gross margin		846		731		1,695		1,414
Segment services gross margin		57		54		111		90
Segment selling, general and administrative expenses		28	[3]	26	[3]	56	[4]	51	[4]
Segment Operating Profit		875		759		1,750		1,453
Capital expenditures		45		63		92		114
Total Assets		22,286		22,207		22,286		22,207
Fiber [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Site Rental		489		473		990		947
Services and other		3		4		6		9
Segment Revenues		492		477		996		956
Segment site rental cost of operations		162		161		323		322
Services and other		2		3		4		6
Segment cost of operations	[2]	164	[3]	164	[3]	327	[4]	328	[4]
Segment site rental gross margin		327		312		667		625
Segment services gross margin		1		1		2		3
Segment selling, general and administrative expenses		46	[3]	44	[3]	93	[4]	89	[4]
Segment Operating Profit		282		269		576		539
Capital expenditures		247		235		469		472
Total Assets		15,859		15,771		15,859		15,771
Corporate and Other [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Segment selling, general and administrative expenses		79		70		153		136
Stock-based compensation expense		44		34		83		68
Depreciation, Amortization and Accretion, Net		427		408		847		816
Interest expense and amortization of deferred financing costs		165		161		329		330
Other expenses to reconcile to income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes	[5]	16		16		61		174
Capital expenditures		11		10		23		23
Total Assets		868		995		868		995
Segment G&A share-based compensation [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation expense		$ 37		$ 29		$ 69		$ 57

[1] Exclusive of depreciation, amortization and accretion shown separately.

[2] Exclusive of depreciation, amortization and accretion shown separately.

[3] Segment costs of operations excludes (1) stock-based compensation of $7 million and $5 million for the three months ended June 30, 2022 and 2021, respectively and (2) prepaid lease purchase price adjustments of $4 million for each of the three months ended June 30, 2022 and 2021. Selling, general and administrative expenses exclude stock-based compensation expense of $37 million and $29 million for the three months ended June 30, 2022 and 2021, respectively.

[4] Segment costs of operations excludes (1) stock-based compensation expense of $14 million and $11 million for the six months ended June 30, 2022 and 2021, respectively, and (2) prepaid lease purchase price adjustments of $8 million and $9 million for the six months ended June 30, 2022 and 2021, respectively. Selling, general and administrative expenses exclude stock-based compensation expense of $69 million and $57 million for the six months ended June 30, 2022 and 2021, respectively.

[5] See condensed consolidated statement of operations for further information.