Debt and Other Obligations (Indebtedness) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		12 Months Ended
		Dec. 31, 2023		Dec. 31, 2022	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total debt and other obligations		$ 22,921,000		$ 21,729,000
Less: current maturities and short-term debt and other current obligations		835,000		819,000
Non-current portion of long-term debt and other long-term obligations		$ 22,086,000		20,910,000
Max duration of CP		397
Minimum [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage		0.875%
Maximum [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage		1.75%
Minimum [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage		0.00%
Maximum [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage		0.75%
Maximum Downward Adjustment - Commitment Fee [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage		0.01%
Maximum Upward Adjustment - Spread
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage		0.05%
Secured Debt [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total debt and other obligations		$ 1,754,000		1,736,000
Unsecured Debt [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total debt and other obligations		$ 21,167,000		19,993,000
Minimum [Member] | Finance Lease Obligations and Other [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument Maturity Date Range		one year
Maximum [Member] | Finance Lease Obligations and Other [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument Maturity Date Range		25 years
Fixed Rate Debt 2009 Securitized Notes A-2 [Member] | Secured Debt [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total debt and other obligations		$ 40,000		47,000
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	[1]	9.00%
2015 Tower Revenue Notes 3.663% due 2045 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Face Amount		$ 700,000
Debt Instrument, Face Amount		700,000
2015 Tower Revenue Notes 3.663% due 2045 [Member] | Secured Debt [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total debt and other obligations		$ 698,000		698,000
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage		3.70%	[1]							3.663%
Debt Instrument, Face Amount										$ 700,000
Debt Instrument, Face Amount										$ 700,000
2018 Tower Revenue Notes 4.241% due 2048 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Face Amount		$ 750,000
Debt Instrument, Face Amount		750,000
2018 Tower Revenue Notes 4.241% due 2048 [Member] | Secured Debt [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total debt and other obligations		$ 746,000		745,000
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage		4.20%	[1]				4.241%
Debt Instrument, Face Amount							$ 750,000
Debt Instrument, Face Amount							$ 750,000
Finance Lease Obligations and Other [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage		10.00%
3.150% Senior Notes [Member] | Bonds [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total debt and other obligations		$ 0		749,000
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage		3.15%					3.15%
Debt Instrument, Face Amount							$ 750,000
Debt Instrument, Face Amount							$ 750,000
August 2017 Senior Unsecured 3.200% Notes [Member] | Bonds [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total debt and other obligations		$ 749,000		748,000
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage		3.20%	[1]					3.20%
Debt Instrument, Face Amount								$ 750,000
Debt Instrument, Face Amount								$ 750,000
Senior Unsecured 2016 Notes 4.450% [Member] | Bonds [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total debt and other obligations		$ 898,000		896,000
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	[1]	4.50%
Senior Unsecured 2016 Notes 3.7% [Member] | Bonds [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total debt and other obligations		$ 748,000		747,000
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	[1]	3.70%
4.000% Senior Unsecured Notes [Member] | Bonds [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total debt and other obligations		$ 498,000		497,000
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage		4.00%	[1]					4.00%
Debt Instrument, Face Amount								$ 500,000
Debt Instrument, Face Amount								$ 500,000
August 2017 Senior Unsecured 3.650% Notes [Member] | Bonds [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total debt and other obligations		$ 997,000		996,000
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage		3.70%	[1]					3.65%
Debt Instrument, Face Amount								$ 1,000,000
Debt Instrument, Face Amount								$ 1,000,000
3.800% Senior Notes [Member] | Bonds [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total debt and other obligations		$ 995,000		993,000
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage		3.80%	[1]				3.80%
Debt Instrument, Face Amount							$ 1,000,000
Debt Instrument, Face Amount							$ 1,000,000
February 2019 Senior Unsecured 4.300% Notes [Member] | Bonds [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total debt and other obligations		$ 595,000		594,000
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage		4.30%	[1]			4.30%
Debt Instrument, Face Amount						$ 600,000
Debt Instrument, Face Amount						$ 600,000
August 2019 Senior Unsecured 3.100% Notes [Member] | Bonds [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total debt and other obligations		$ 546,000		545,000
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage		3.10%	[1]			3.10%
Debt Instrument, Face Amount						$ 550,000
Debt Instrument, Face Amount						$ 550,000
4.750% Senior Unsecured Notes [Member] [Member] | Bonds [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total debt and other obligations		$ 344,000		344,000
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage		4.80%	[1]					4.75%
Debt Instrument, Face Amount								$ 350,000
Debt Instrument, Face Amount								$ 350,000
February 2019 Senior Unsecured 5.200% Notes [Member] | Bonds [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total debt and other obligations		$ 396,000		396,000
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage		5.20%	[1]			5.20%
Debt Instrument, Face Amount						$ 400,000
Debt Instrument, Face Amount						$ 400,000
August 2019 Senior Unsecured 4.000% Notes [Member] | Bonds [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total debt and other obligations		$ 346,000		346,000
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage		4.00%	[1]			4.00%
Debt Instrument, Face Amount						$ 350,000
Debt Instrument, Face Amount						$ 350,000
Tower Revenue Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Increase (Decrease)		5.00%
Secured Debt [Member] | Finance Lease Obligations and Other [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total debt and other obligations		$ 270,000		246,000
June 2020 Senior Unsecured 1.350% Notes [Domain] | Bonds [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total debt and other obligations		$ 498,000		497,000
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage		1.40%	[1]		1.35%
Debt Instrument, Face Amount					$ 500,000
Debt Instrument, Face Amount					$ 500,000
June 2020 Senior Unsecured 2.250% Notes [Domain] | Bonds [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total debt and other obligations		$ 1,091,000		1,090,000
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage		2.30%	[1]		2.25%
Debt Instrument, Face Amount					$ 1,100,000
Debt Instrument, Face Amount					$ 1,100,000
April 2020 Senior Unsecured 3.300% Notes [Member] | Bonds [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total debt and other obligations		$ 741,000		739,000
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage		3.30%	[1]		3.30%
Debt Instrument, Face Amount					$ 750,000
Debt Instrument, Face Amount					$ 750,000
April 2020 Senior Unsecured 4.150% Notes [Member] | Bonds [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total debt and other obligations		$ 490,000		490,000
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage		4.20%	[1]		4.15%
Debt Instrument, Face Amount					$ 500,000
Debt Instrument, Face Amount					$ 500,000
June 2020 Senior Unsecured 3.250% Notes [Domain] | Bonds [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total debt and other obligations		$ 890,000		890,000
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage		3.30%	[1]		3.25%
Debt Instrument, Face Amount					$ 900,000
Debt Instrument, Face Amount					$ 900,000
February 2021 Senior Unsecured 2.100% Notes [Domain] | Bonds [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total debt and other obligations		$ 990,000		989,000
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	[1]	2.10%
June 2021 Senior Unsecured 2.500% Notes [Domain] | Bonds [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total debt and other obligations		$ 743,000		742,000
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	[1]	2.50%
February 2021 Senior Unsecured 2.900% Notes [Domain] | Bonds [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total debt and other obligations		$ 1,234,000		1,233,000
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	[1]	2.90%
February 2021 Senior Unsecured 1.050% Notes [Domain] | Bonds [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total debt and other obligations		$ 994,000		992,000
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	[1]	1.10%
2.9000% Senior Unsecured Notes | Bonds [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total debt and other obligations		$ 744,000		742,000
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	[1]	2.90%
January 2023 Senior Unsecured 5.000% Notes | Bonds [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total debt and other obligations		$ 991,000		0
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	[1]	5.00%
Debt Instrument, Face Amount		$ 1,000,000
Debt Instrument, Face Amount		1,000,000
April 2023 4.800% Senior Notes | Bonds [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total debt and other obligations		$ 594,000		0
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	[1]	4.80%
Debt Instrument, Face Amount		$ 600,000
Debt Instrument, Face Amount		600,000
December 2023 Senior Unsecured 5.600% Notes | Bonds [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total debt and other obligations		$ 740,000		0
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	[1]	5.60%
Debt Instrument, Face Amount		$ 750,000
Debt Instrument, Face Amount		750,000
April 2023 Senior Unsecured 5.100% Notes | Bonds [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total debt and other obligations		$ 743,000		0
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	[1]	5.10%
Debt Instrument, Face Amount		$ 750,000
Debt Instrument, Face Amount		750,000
December 2023 Senior Unsecured 5.800% Notes | Bonds [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total debt and other obligations		$ 740,000		0
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	[1]	5.80%
Debt Instrument, Face Amount		$ 750,000
Debt Instrument, Face Amount		750,000
2016 Term Loan A [Member] | Bank Debt [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total debt and other obligations		$ 1,162,000		1,192,000
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	[1],[2]	6.50%
Debt Instrument, Face Amount									$ 2,000,000
Debt Instrument, Face Amount									$ 2,000,000
Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total debt and other obligations		$ 670,000	[3]	1,305,000
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	[1],[2]	6.50%
Line of Credit Facility, Remaining Borrowing Capacity		$ 6,300,000
Revolving Credit Facility [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Line of Credit Facility, Commitment Fee Percentage		0.08%
Revolving Credit Facility [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Line of Credit Facility, Commitment Fee Percentage		0.30%
Commercial Paper [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total debt and other obligations		$ 0		$ 1,241,000

[1] Represents the weighted-average stated interest rate, as applicable.

[2] Both the 2016 Revolver and senior unsecured term loan A facility ("2016 Term Loan A" and, collectively, "2016 Credit Facility") bear interest, at the Company's option, at either (1) Term SOFR plus (i) a credit spread adjustment of 0.10% per annum and (ii) a credit spread ranging from 0.875% to 1.750% per annum or (2) an alternate base rate plus a credit spread ranging from 0.000% to 0.750% per annum, in each case, with the applicable credit spread based on the Company's senior unsecured debt rating. The Company pays a commitment fee ranging from 0.080% to 0.300%, based on the Company's senior unsecured debt rating, per annum on the undrawn available amount under the 2016 Revolver. See further discussion below regarding potential adjustments to such percentages.

[3] As of December 31, 2023, the undrawn availability under the senior unsecured revolving credit facility ("2016 Revolver") was $6.3 billion.