Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows (USD $)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2010
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income (loss)	$ 71,138,000	$ (217,014,000)
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by (used for) operating activities:
Depreciation, amortization and accretion	275,464,000	267,294,000
Gains (losses) on purchases and redemptions of long-term debt	0	66,434,000
Amortization of deferred financing costs and other non-cash interest	51,482,000	37,550,000
Stock-based compensation expense	17,254,000	18,143,000
Asset write-down charges	10,606,000	4,159,000
Deferred income tax benefit (provision)	2,545,000	(22,319,000)
Income (expense) from forward-starting interest rate swaps	0	187,874,000
Other adjustments	4,309,000	443,000
Changes in assets and liabilities, excluding the effects of acquisitions:
Increase (decrease) in accrued interest	146,000	(4,774,000)
Increase (decrease) in accounts payable	(7,094,000)	(6,796,000)
Increase (decrease) in deferred revenues, deferred ground lease payables, other accrued liabilities and other liabilities	(40,120,000)	(10,433,000)
Decrease (increase) in receivables	3,468,000	(5,014,000)
Decrease (increase) in prepaid expenses, deferred site rental receivables, long-term prepaid rent, restricted cash and other assets	(105,389,000)	(67,340,000)
Net cash provided by (used for) operating activities	283,809,000	248,207,000
Cash flows from investing activities:
Proceeds from disposition of property and equipment	829,000	1,974,000
Payment for acquisitions of businesses, net of cash acquired	(12,375,000)	(629,000)
Capital expenditures	(116,690,000)	(91,765,000)
Payments for investments and other	0	(21,800,000)
Net cash provided by (used for) investing activities	(128,236,000)	(112,220,000)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt	0	1,900,000,000
Proceeds from issuance of capital stock	757,000	8,397,000
Principal payments on long-term debt and other long-term obligations	(16,792,000)	(8,685,000)
Purchases and redemptions of long-term debt	0	(2,149,653,000)
Purchases of capital stock	(192,563,000)	(146,884,000)
Borrowings under revolving credit agreement	102,000,000	0
Payments under revolving credit agreement	(71,000,000)	0
Payments for financing costs	(82,000)	(31,510,000)
Payments for forward-starting interest rate swap settlements	0	(232,703,000)
Net (increase) decrease in restricted cash	27,088,000	11,719,000
Dividends on preferred stock	(9,939,000)	(9,940,000)
Net cash provided by (used for) financing activities	(160,531,000)	(659,259,000)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	543,000	(787,000)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	(4,415,000)	(524,059,000)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	112,531,000	766,146,000
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$ 108,116,000	$ 242,087,000