Long-Term Obligations (Narrative) (Details) ₨ / shares in Units, ₨ in Millions, BRL in Millions, COP in Billions							1 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Feb. 15, 2017 USD ($)	Dec. 23, 2016 ZAR	Sep. 30, 2016 USD ($)	May 13, 2016 USD ($)	Jan. 12, 2016 USD ($)	May 29, 2015 USD ($) tower	Oct. 28, 2016 USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2013 USD ($) tower	Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($) installment quarter renewal_period Class shares	Dec. 31, 2015 USD ($) quarter renewal_period	Dec. 31, 2014 USD ($)	Jan. 01, 2017 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2016 INR (₨) quarter ₨ / shares shares	Dec. 31, 2016 COP quarter shares	Dec. 31, 2016 BRL quarter shares	Dec. 31, 2016 ZAR quarter shares	Dec. 31, 2015 BRL quarter	Dec. 31, 2015 ZAR quarter	Jan. 23, 2015 ZAR	Nov. 30, 2014 BRL	Jan. 10, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013 USD ($)	Aug. 19, 2013
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Balance as of December 31, 2016									$ 18,533,465,000
Valuation allowance									144,397,000	$ 136,952,000	$ 141,241,000											$ 136,006,000
Proceeds from issuance of senior notes, net									3,236,383,000	1,492,298,000	1,415,844,000
Fair value of debt assumed through acquisitions									786,889,000	0	463,135,000
Interest costs capitalized									1,500,000	1,800,000	2,800,000
Borrowings under credit facilities									$ 2,446,845,000	6,126,618,000	2,187,000,000
Annual renewal periods, number | renewal_period									2
Extinguishment of Debt, Gain (Loss), Net of Tax									$ 1,168,000	(79,750,000)	(3,379,000)
Accrued interest									157,297,000	115,672,000
Gain (loss) on retirement of long-term obligations									$ 1,168,000	(79,606,000)	$ (3,473,000)
Capital lease obligation and notes payable, interest rate, maximum									9.50%				9.50%	9.50%	9.50%	9.50%
Capital Lease Obligation And Notes Payable Interest Mature In Periods Minimum									1 year
Capital lease obligation and notes payable, maturity, maximum									70 years
Capital Lease Obligations									$ 135,800,000	110,900,000
Capital Lease Obligation And Notes Payable Interest Rates Ranging Minimum									2.40%				2.40%	2.40%	2.40%	2.40%
Third measurement period
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Ratio of total debt to EBITDA									6.00				6.00	6.00	6.00	6.00
Fourth measurement period
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Ratio of total debt to EBITDA									7.00				7.00	7.00	7.00	7.00
Revolving Credit Facility
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Borrowing Capacity of EBITDA									50.00%				50.00%	50.00%	50.00%	50.00%
Unsecured Debt
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Balance as of December 31, 2016									$ 286,009,000	219,902,000
Senior Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Redemption Price, Percentage									100.00%
Maximum Adjusted EBITDA									3.5				3.5	3.5	3.5	3.5
Repurchase price as a percentage of principal									101.00%				101.00%	101.00%	101.00%	101.00%
BR Towers Debentures
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Issuer Shares Used In Securitization, Percent									100.00%
BR Towers Debentures | Secured Debt
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Balance as of December 31, 2016									$ 101,000,000	85,200,000					BRL 329.3		BRL 332.8
Long-term debt, stated interest rate									7.40%				7.40%	7.40%	7.40%	7.40%
BR Towers Debentures | Unsecured Debt
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Balance as of December 31, 2016 | BRL																				BRL 300.0
Uganda Loan | Unsecured Debt
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Balance as of December 31, 2016									$ 79,998,000	$ 75,226,000
Long-term debt, stated interest rate									16.60%				16.60%	16.60%	16.60%	16.60%
Interest costs capitalized									$ 4,800,000
Debt instrument, interest rate, effective Percentage									6.52%				6.52%	6.52%	6.52%	6.52%
Viom Debenture | Secured Debt
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Balance as of December 31, 2016									$ 88,300,000				₨ 6,000
Long-term debt, stated interest rate									9.90%				9.90%	9.90%	9.90%	9.90%
Viom Debenture | Secured Debt | Base Rate
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Basis spread on variable rate									0.60%
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread On Variable Rate, Reset Rate									10.00%
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread On Variable Rate, Reset Period One									36 months
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread On Variable Rate, Reset Period Two									48 months
Viom Debenture | Secured Debt | Minimum | Base Rate
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread On Variable Rate, Reset Threshold									9.75%
Viom Debenture | Secured Debt | Maximum | Base Rate
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread On Variable Rate, Reset Threshold									10.25%
Commercial Mortgage Pass Through Certificates Series 2013 | Secured Debt
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Balance as of December 31, 2016								$ 1,800,000,000
Number of broadcast and wireless communications towers | tower								5,181
Weighted average life, years								8 years 7 months 6 days
Debt, weighted average interest rate								2.648%
Cash trap debt service credit ratio									1.30	1.3			1.30	1.30	1.30	1.30	1.3	1.3
Number of consecutive quarters required for release of funds | quarter									2	2			2	2	2	2	2	2
Minimum, DSCR									1.15	1.15			1.15	1.15	1.15	1.15	1.15	1.15
Threshold for majority of holders in event of default									50.00%
Restricted cash									$ 82,700,000
Proceeds from issuance of senior notes, net								$ 1,780,000,000
Secured Tower Revenue Securities, Series 2013-1A
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Period during which no prepayment consideration is due, period									12 months
Secured Tower Revenue Securities, Series 2013-2A
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Period during which no prepayment consideration is due, period									18 months
Series 2015-1 Class A | Secured Debt
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Balance as of December 31, 2016						$ 350,000,000			$ 347,108,000	$ 346,262,000
Long-term debt, stated interest rate									2.35%				2.35%	2.35%	2.35%	2.35%
Series 2015-2 Class A | Secured Debt
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Balance as of December 31, 2016						$ 525,000,000			$ 519,437,000	518,776,000
Long-term debt, stated interest rate									3.482%				3.482%	3.482%	3.482%	3.482%
Commercial Mortgage Pass Through Certificates Series 2015 | Secured Debt
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Number of broadcast and wireless communications towers | tower						3,596
Weighted average life, years						8 years 1 month 6 days
Debt, weighted average interest rate						3.029%
Restricted cash									$ 16,800,000
Series 2012-1 Class A Notes | Secured Debt
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Repayments of secured debt									$ 94,100,000
GTP Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term Debt, Repayment Terms, Number of Site Released Upon Repayment | Class									472
GTP Notes | Secured Debt
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Balance as of December 31, 2016									$ 179,459,000	281,902,000
Principal amount									173,700,000
Debt instrument, unamortized premium									$ 5,700,000
GTP Notes | Secured Debt | Minimum
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt, stated interest rate									4.336%				4.336%	4.336%	4.336%	4.336%
GTP Notes | Secured Debt | Maximum
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt, stated interest rate									7.358%				7.358%	7.358%	7.358%	7.358%
Secured Cellular Site Revenue Notes | Secured Debt
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Balance as of December 31, 2016									$ 132,960,000	201,930,000
Principal amount									129,000,000
Debt instrument, unamortized premium									$ 4,000,000
Secured Cellular Site Revenue Notes | Secured Debt | Minimum
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt, stated interest rate									6.392%				6.392%	6.392%	6.392%	6.392%
Secured Cellular Site Revenue Notes | Secured Debt | Maximum
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt, stated interest rate									9.522%				9.522%	9.522%	9.522%	9.522%
Viom Term Loan | Secured Debt
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Balance as of December 31, 2016									$ 461,200,000				₨ 31,326
Viom Term Loan | Secured Debt | Minimum
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Term									1 year
Long-term debt, stated interest rate									8.15%				8.15%	8.15%	8.15%	8.15%
Debt Instrument, Prepayment Penalty, Percent Of Principal									1.00%
Debt Instrument, Payment Terms, Repayment Period									6 months
Viom Term Loan | Secured Debt | Maximum
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Term									10 years
Long-term debt, stated interest rate									11.15%				11.15%	11.15%	11.15%	11.15%
Debt Instrument, Prepayment Penalty, Percent Of Principal									2.00%
Debt Instrument, Payment Terms, Repayment Period									36 months
Series 2010-1 Class C | Secured Debt
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Repayments of senior debt							$ 67,000,000
Viom preferred shares | Mandatorily Redeemable Preferred Stock
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Balance as of December 31, 2016									$ 24,537,000
Long-term debt, stated interest rate									13.50%				13.50%	13.50%	13.50%	13.50%
Debt Instrument, Redemption Price, Percentage									2.00%
Preferred stock, shares outstanding | shares									166,666,666				166,666,666	166,666,666	166,666,666	166,666,666
Financial Instruments Subject to Mandatory Redemption, Settlement Terms, Maximum Amount									$ 24,500,000				₨ 1,670
Preferred Stock, Number Of Redemption Installments | installment									2
Preferred Stock, Redemption Price Per Share | ₨ / shares													₨ 10
Preferred Stock, Dividend Rate, Percentage									13.50%
South African Facility | Revolving Credit Facility
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Balance as of December 31, 2016 | ZAR																			ZAR 830,000,000
Long-term debt, stated interest rate									9.308%				9.308%	9.308%	9.308%	9.308%
Long-term line of credit									$ 84,300,000	53,200,000						ZAR 1,164,000,000		ZAR 830,000,000
South African Facility | Revolving Credit Facility
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Borrowings under credit facilities | ZAR		ZAR 500,000,000
South African Facility | Unsecured Debt
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Line of credit facility, maximum borrowing capacity | ZAR																ZAR 330,000,000.0
Ghana Loan | Unsecured Debt
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Balance as of December 31, 2016									$ 71,047,000	70,314,000
Long-term debt, stated interest rate									21.87%				21.87%	21.87%	21.87%	21.87%
Line of credit facility, maximum borrowing capacity									$ 300,900,000
2014 Colombian Long Term Credit Facility | Revolving Credit Facility
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Balance as of December 31, 2016 | COP														COP 200.0
Credit Facility 2014 | Swingline Loan
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Line of credit facility, remaining borrowing capacity									50,000,000
Credit Facility 2014 | Revolving Credit Facility
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Line of credit facility, remaining borrowing capacity									2,000,000,000
Principal amount									1,385,000,000
Long-term line of credit									1,385,000,000	$ 1,980,000,000
Borrowings under credit facilities									245,000,000
Line of credit facility, maximum borrowing capacity									3,000,000,000.00
Repayment of indebtedness under credit facility									840,000,000
Letters of credit, amount outstanding									$ 7,300,000
Annual renewal periods, number | renewal_period										2
Line of credit facility, commitment fee percentage									0.15%	0.15%
Debt instrument, interest rate, effective Percentage									2.432%				2.432%	2.432%	2.432%	2.432%
Credit Facility 2014 | Revolving Credit Facility | London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR)
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principal amount									$ 1,095,000,000
Basis spread on variable rate									1.25%
Credit Facility 2014 | Revolving Credit Facility | Base Rate
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principal amount									$ 290,000,000
Basis spread on variable rate									0.25%
Credit Facility 2014 | Revolving Credit Facility | Minimum
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Line of credit facility, commitment fee percentage										0.10%
Credit Facility 2014 | Revolving Credit Facility | Maximum
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Line of credit facility, commitment fee percentage										0.40%
Credit Facility 2014 | Unsecured Debt | Minimum | London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR)
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Basis spread on variable rate										1.00%
Credit Facility 2014 | Unsecured Debt | Maximum | London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR)
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Basis spread on variable rate										2.00%
Credit Facility 2014 | Unsecured Debt | Maximum | Base Rate
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Basis spread on variable rate										1.00%
India Indebtedness | Secured Debt | Minimum
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt, stated interest rate									8.15%				8.15%	8.15%	8.15%	8.15%
India Indebtedness | Secured Debt | Maximum
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt, stated interest rate									11.70%				11.70%	11.70%	11.70%	11.70%
India Indebtedness | Unsecured Debt
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Balance as of December 31, 2016									$ 549,528,000	$ 8,752,000
Term Loan 2013 | Revolving Credit Facility | London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR)
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Basis spread on variable rate									1.25%
Term Loan 2013 | Revolving Credit Facility | Base Rate
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Basis spread on variable rate									0.25%
Term Loan 2013 | Unsecured Debt
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Balance as of December 31, 2016									$ 993,936,000	$ 1,993,601,000
Principal amount									1,000,000,000
Letters of credit, amount outstanding									$ 0
Debt instrument, interest rate, effective Percentage									2.02%				2.02%	2.02%	2.02%	2.02%
Repayments of Long-term Debt									$ 1,000,000,000
Term Loan 2013 | Unsecured Debt | Minimum | London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR)
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Basis for Effective Rate									0.01
Term Loan 2013 | Unsecured Debt | Maximum | London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR)
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Basis for Effective Rate									0.02
Term Loan 2013 | Unsecured Debt | Maximum | Base Rate
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Basis for Effective Rate									0.01
Term Loan 2013 | Unsecured Debt | Third measurement period
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Ratio of total debt to EBITDA										7.00							7.00	7.00
Term Loan 2013 | Unsecured Debt | Fourth measurement period
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Ratio of total debt to EBITDA										6.00							6.00	6.00
Credit Facility 2013 | Revolving Credit Facility
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Line of credit facility, remaining borrowing capacity									$ 2,750,000,000
Principal amount									540,000,000
Long-term line of credit									539,975,000	$ 1,225,000,000
Borrowings under credit facilities									1,900,000,000
Line of credit facility, maximum borrowing capacity									4,250,000,000.00
Repayment of indebtedness under credit facility									2,600,000,000
Letters of credit, amount outstanding									$ 3,200,000
Line of credit facility, commitment fee percentage									0.15%
Debt instrument, interest rate, effective Percentage									1.963%				1.963%	1.963%	1.963%	1.963%
Credit Facility 2013 | Revolving Credit Facility | London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR)
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Basis spread on variable rate									1.25%
Credit Facility 2013 | Revolving Credit Facility | Base Rate
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Basis spread on variable rate									0.25%
Credit Facility 2013 | Revolving Credit Facility | Third measurement period
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Ratio of total debt to EBITDA										7.00							7.00	7.00
Credit Facility 2013 | Revolving Credit Facility | Fourth measurement period
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Ratio of total debt to EBITDA										6.00							6.00	6.00
Credit Facility 2013 | Unsecured Debt | Minimum | London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR)
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Basis spread on variable rate										1.00%
Credit Facility 2013 | Unsecured Debt | Maximum | London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR)
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Basis spread on variable rate										2.00%
Credit Facility 2013 | Unsecured Debt | Maximum | Base Rate
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Basis spread on variable rate										1.00%
3.300% senior notes | Senior Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Balance as of December 31, 2016									$ 744,762,000	$ 0
Long-term debt, stated interest rate					3.30%				3.30%				3.30%	3.30%	3.30%	3.30%
Principal amount					$ 750,000,000					750,000,000
4.400% senior notes | Senior Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Balance as of December 31, 2016									$ 495,212,000	0
Long-term debt, stated interest rate					4.40%				4.40%				4.40%	4.40%	4.40%	4.40%
Principal amount					$ 500,000,000					750,000,000
Three point three zero and four point four zero percent senior notes [Member] | Senior Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Proceeds from issuance of senior notes, net					$ 1,237,200,000
2.800% senior notes | Senior Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Balance as of December 31, 2016									$ 744,917,000	743,557,000
Long-term debt, stated interest rate									2.80%				2.80%	2.80%	2.80%	2.80%
Principal amount										750,000,000
4.000% senior notes | Senior Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Balance as of December 31, 2016									$ 739,985,000	739,057,000
Long-term debt, stated interest rate									4.00%				4.00%	4.00%	4.00%	4.00%
Principal amount										500,000,000
3.40% senior notes | Senior Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Balance as of December 31, 2016									$ 999,716,000	999,769,000
Long-term debt, stated interest rate									3.40%				3.40%	3.40%	3.40%	3.40%					3.40%		3.40%
Principal amount										1,000,000,000
5.00% senior notes | Senior Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Balance as of December 31, 2016									$ 1,002,742,000	1,003,453,000
Long-term debt, stated interest rate									5.00%				5.00%	5.00%	5.00%	5.00%					5.00%		5.00%
Principal amount										1,000,000,000
3.375% senior notes | Senior Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Balance as of December 31, 2016									$ 983,369,000	0
Long-term debt, stated interest rate				3.375%					3.375%				3.375%	3.375%	3.375%	3.375%
Proceeds from issuance of senior notes, net				$ 981,500,000
Principal amount				$ 1,000,000,000						1,000,000,000
2.250% senior notes | Senior Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Balance as of December 31, 2016									$ 572,764,000	0
Long-term debt, stated interest rate			2.25%						2.25%				2.25%	2.25%	2.25%	2.25%
Interest rate swap agreements									$ 22,300,000
Principal amount			$ 600,000,000							600,000,000
Debt instrument, interest rate, effective Percentage									1.97%				1.97%	1.97%	1.97%	1.97%
3.125% senior notes | Senior Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Balance as of December 31, 2016									$ 396,713,000	0
Long-term debt, stated interest rate			3.125%						3.125%				3.125%	3.125%	3.125%	3.125%
Proceeds from issuance of senior notes, net			$ 990,600,000
Principal amount			$ 400,000,000							400,000,000
Subsidiaries
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Balance as of December 31, 2016									$ 3,978,992,000	$ 3,509,231,000
Subsidiaries | Revolving Credit Facility
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Line of credit facility, maximum borrowing capacity									2,250,000,000
Multicurrency Borrowings | Credit Facility 2013 | Revolving Credit Facility
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Capacity available for specific purpose other than for trade purchases									1,000,000,000
Letter of Credit | Credit Facility 2014 | Revolving Credit Facility
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Capacity available for specific purpose other than for trade purchases									200,000,000
Letter of Credit | Credit Facility 2013 | Revolving Credit Facility
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Capacity available for specific purpose other than for trade purchases									200,000,000
Swingline Loan | Credit Facility 2013 | Revolving Credit Facility
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Capacity available for specific purpose other than for trade purchases									50,000,000
Unison | Secured Cellular Site Revenue Notes | Secured Debt
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Principal amount									$ 196,000,000
Subsequent Event | Uganda Loan | Unsecured Debt
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Balance as of December 31, 2016												$ 31,800,000
Subsequent Event | GTP Notes | Secured Debt
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Repayments of secured debt	$ 173,500,000
Gain (loss) on retirement of long-term obligations	1,800,000
Subsequent Event | Secured Cellular Site Revenue Notes | Secured Debt
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Repayments of secured debt	129,000,000
Gain (loss) on retirement of long-term obligations	$ 14,500,000