Debt and Other Obligations (Textuals) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		12 Months Ended
		Dec. 31, 2023		Dec. 31, 2022	Dec. 31, 2021	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principal amount		$ 750,000		$ 1,250,000	$ 1,950,000
Max duration of CP		397
Maximum Upward Adjustment - Spread
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage		0.05%
Maximum Downward Adjustment - Spread
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage		5.00%
Maximum Upward Adjustment - Commitment Fee
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage		0.01%
Maximum Downward Adjustment - Commitment Fee [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage		0.01%
2018 Tower Revenue Notes 4.241% due 2048 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Face Amount		$ 750,000
2015 Tower Revenue Notes 3.663% due 2045 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Face Amount		$ 700,000
Secured Debt [Member] | July 2018 Tower Revenue Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Face Amount						$ 1,000,000
Secured Debt [Member] | 2018 Tower Revenue Notes 3.720% due 2043 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Face Amount						$ 250,000
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage						3.72%
Secured Debt [Member] | 2018 Tower Revenue Notes 4.241% due 2048 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Face Amount						$ 750,000
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage		4.20%	[1]			4.241%
Secured Debt [Member] | 2018 Tower Revenue Notes Risk Retention Tranche [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Face Amount						$ 53,000
Secured Debt [Member] | May 2015 Tower Revenue Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Face Amount											$ 1,000,000
Secured Debt [Member] | 2015 Tower Revenue Notes 3.222% due 2042 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Face Amount											$ 300,000
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage											3.222%
Secured Debt [Member] | 2015 Tower Revenue Notes 3.663% due 2045 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Face Amount											$ 700,000
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage		3.70%	[1]								3.663%
Secured Debt [Member] | Fixed Rate Securitized Debt August 2010 Tower Revenue Notes 6 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Face Amount											$ 250,000
Bank Debt [Member] | 2016 Term Loan A [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Face Amount										$ 2,000,000
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	[1],[2]	6.50%
Bank Debt [Member] | 2016 Term Loan A [Member] | Extended Maturity
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Face Amount									$ 500,000
Bank Debt [Member] | Senior Unsecured 364-Day Revolving Credit Facility [Domain]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity										1,000,000
Bank Debt [Member] | 2016 Revolver [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principal amount						500,000
Bonds [Member] | May 2016 Senior Unsecured Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Face Amount										1,000,000
Bonds [Member] | 4.875% Senior Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage							4.875%
Bonds [Member] | 4.000% Senior Unsecured Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Face Amount									$ 500,000
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage		4.00%	[1]						4.00%
Bonds [Member] | 2016 Senior Unsecured Notes [Domain]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Face Amount										1,500,000
Bonds [Member] | 3.400% Senior Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Face Amount										$ 250,000
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage										3.40%
Bonds [Member] | 3.700% Senior Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Face Amount										$ 750,000
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage										3.70%
Bonds [Member] | 2.250% Senior Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage							2.25%
Bonds [Member] | 4.450% Senior Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Face Amount										$ 900,000
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage										4.45%
Bonds [Member] | 4.750% Senior Unsecured Notes [Member] [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Face Amount									$ 350,000
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage		4.80%	[1]						4.75%
Bonds [Member] | August 2017 Senior Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Face Amount									$ 1,750,000
Bonds [Member] | August 2017 Senior Unsecured 3.200% Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Face Amount									$ 750,000
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage		3.20%	[1]						3.20%
Bonds [Member] | August 2017 Senior Unsecured 3.650% Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Face Amount									$ 1,000,000
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage		3.70%	[1]						3.65%
Bonds [Member] | 3.150% Senior Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Face Amount						$ 750,000
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage		3.15%				3.15%
Bonds [Member] | 3.800% Senior Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Face Amount						$ 1,000,000
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage		3.80%	[1]			3.80%
Bonds [Member] | August 2019 Senior Notes [Domain]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Face Amount								$ 900,000
Bonds [Member] | August 2019 Senior Unsecured 3.100% Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Face Amount								$ 550,000
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage		3.10%	[1]					3.10%
Bonds [Member] | August 2019 Senior Unsecured 4.000% Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Face Amount								$ 350,000
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage		4.00%	[1]					4.00%
Bonds [Member] | February 2019 Senior Notes [Domain]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Face Amount								$ 1,000,000
Bonds [Member] | February 2019 Senior Unsecured 4.300% Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Face Amount								$ 600,000
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage		4.30%	[1]					4.30%
Bonds [Member] | February 2019 Senior Unsecured 5.200% Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Face Amount								$ 400,000
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage		5.20%	[1]					5.20%
Bonds [Member] | June 2020 Senior Notes [Domain]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Face Amount							$ 2,500,000
Bonds [Member] | June 2020 Senior Unsecured 1.350% Notes [Domain]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Face Amount							$ 500,000
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage		1.40%	[1]				1.35%
Bonds [Member] | June 2020 Senior Unsecured 2.250% Notes [Domain]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Face Amount							$ 1,100,000
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage		2.30%	[1]				2.25%
Bonds [Member] | June 2020 Senior Unsecured 3.250% Notes [Domain]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Face Amount							$ 900,000
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage		3.30%	[1]				3.25%
Bonds [Member] | Senior Unsecured 2016 Notes 3.40% [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage							3.40%
Bonds [Member] | April 2020 Senior Unsecured 4.150% Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Face Amount							$ 500,000
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage		4.20%	[1]				4.15%
Bonds [Member] | April 2020 Senior Notes [Domain] [Domain]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Face Amount							$ 1,250,000
Bonds [Member] | 5.250% Senior Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage		5.25%
Bonds [Member] | December 2023 Senior Unsecured 5.600% Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Face Amount		$ 750,000
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	[1]	5.60%
Bonds [Member] | December 2023 Senior Unsecured 5.800% Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Face Amount		$ 750,000
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	[1]	5.80%
Bonds [Member] | April 2023 4.800% Senior Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Face Amount		$ 600,000
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	[1]	4.80%
Bonds [Member] | April 2023 Senior Unsecured 5.100% Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Face Amount		$ 750,000
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	[1]	5.10%
Bonds [Member] | January 2023 Senior Unsecured 5.000% Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Face Amount		$ 1,000,000
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	[1]	5.00%
Bonds [Member] | March 2022 Senior Unsecured 2.900% Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Face Amount				$ 750,000
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage				2.90%
Bonds [Member] | June 2021 Senior Unsecured 2.500% Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Face Amount					$ 750,000
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage					2.50%
Bonds [Member] | February 2021 Senior Unsecured 1.050% Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Face Amount					$ 1,000,000
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage					1.05%
Bonds [Member] | February 2021 Senior Unsecured 2.100% Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Face Amount					$ 1,000,000
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage					2.10%
Bonds [Member] | February 2021 Senior Unsecured 2.900% Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Face Amount					$ 1,250,000
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage		2.90%
Bonds [Member] | April 2020 Senior Unsecured 3.300% Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Face Amount							$ 750,000
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage		3.30%	[1]				3.30%
Bonds [Member] | February 2021 Senior Notes [Domain]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Face Amount					$ 3,250,000
Collateral Pledged [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, PPE Collaterized Amount		$ 731,000
February 2016 Senior Note Upsizing [Member] | Bonds [Member] | 3.400% Senior Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Face Amount										$ 600,000
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage										3.40%
Commercial Paper [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity				$ 2,000,000				$ 1,000,000
Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity				$ 7,000,000		$ 4,250,000		$ 5,000,000	$ 3,500,000	$ 2,500,000
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	[1],[2]	6.50%

[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.