Financing Transactions	9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2012
Securities Financing Transactions [Abstract]
Financing Transactions	5. Financing Transactions Revolving Credit Facility and Term Loan—On January 31, 2012, the Company repaid and terminated its $1.25 billion senior unsecured revolving credit facility and repaid $325.0 million of related term loan commitments, with proceeds from borrowings under a $1.0 billion unsecured revolving credit facility entered into on April 8, 2011 (the “2011 Credit Facility”) and a new $1.0 billion unsecured revolving credit facility entered into on January 31, 2012 (the “2012 Credit Facility”). 2011 Credit Facility—As of September 30, 2012, the Company did not have any amounts outstanding under the 2011 Credit Facility and had approximately $6.7 million of undrawn letters of credit. The Company continues to maintain the ability to draw down and repay amounts under the 2011 Credit Facility in the ordinary course. The 2011 Credit Facility has a term of five years and matures on April 8, 2016. 2012 Credit Facility—On January 31, 2012, the Company entered into the 2012 Credit Facility, which has a term of five years and matures on January 31, 2017. Any outstanding principal and accrued but unpaid interest will be due and payable in full at maturity. The 2012 Credit Facility may be paid prior to maturity in whole or in part at the Company's option without penalty or premium. The Company has the option of choosing either a defined base rate or the London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) as the applicable base rate for borrowings under the 2012 Credit Facility. The interest rate ranges between 1.075% to 2.400% above LIBOR for LIBOR based borrowings or between 0.075% to 1.400% above the defined base rate for base rate borrowings, in each case based upon the Company's debt ratings. A quarterly commitment fee on the undrawn portion of the 2012 Credit Facility is required, ranging from 0.125% to 0.450% per annum, based upon the Company's debt ratings. The current margin over LIBOR that the Company would incur on borrowings is 1.625%, and the current commitment fee on the undrawn portion of the 2012 Credit Facility is 0.225%. The loan agreement contains certain reporting, information, financial and operating covenants and other restrictions (including limitations on additional debt, guaranties, sales of assets and liens) with which the Company must comply. Any failure to comply with the financial and operating covenants of the loan agreement would not only prevent the Company from being able to borrow additional funds, but would constitute a default, which could result in, among other things, the amounts outstanding, including all accrued interest and unpaid fees, becoming immediately due and payable. As of September 30, 2012, the Company did not have any amounts outstanding under the 2012 Credit Facility and had approximately $2.7 million of undrawn letters of credit. The Company continues to maintain the ability to draw down and repay amounts under the 2012 Credit Facility in the ordinary course. 2012 Term Loan—On June 29, 2012, the Company entered into a $750.0 million unsecured term loan (“2012 Term Loan”). The Company received net proceeds of approximately $746.4 million, of which $632.0 million were used to repay certain existing indebtedness under the 2012 Credit Facility. The 2012 Term Loan has a term of five years and matures on June 29, 2017. Any outstanding principal and accrued but unpaid interest will be due and payable in full at maturity. The 2012 Term Loan may be paid prior to maturity in whole or in part at the Company's option without penalty or premium. The Company has the option of choosing either a defined base rate or LIBOR as the applicable base rate. The interest rate ranges between 1.25% to 2.50% above LIBOR for LIBOR based borrowings or between 0.25% to 1.50% above the defined base rate for base rate borrowings, in each case based upon the Company's debt ratings. As of September 30, 2012, the interest rate under the 2012 Term Loan is LIBOR plus 1.75%. The loan agreement contains certain reporting, information, financial and operating covenants and other restrictions (including limitations on additional debt, guaranties, sales of assets and liens) with which the Company must comply. Any failure to comply with the financial and operating covenants of the loan agreement would constitute a default, which could result in, among other things, the amounts outstanding, including all accrued interest and unpaid fees, becoming immediately due and payable. As of September 30, 2012, the Company had $750.0 million outstanding under the 2012 Term Loan. Senior Notes Offering—On March 12, 2012, the Company completed a registered public offering of $700.0 million aggregate principal amount of its 4.70% senior notes due 2022 (the “4.70% Notes”). The net proceeds to the Company from the offering were approximately $693.0 million, after deducting commissions and expenses. The Company used the net proceeds to repay a portion of the outstanding indebtedness incurred under its 2011 Credit Facility and 2012 Credit Facility, which had been used to fund recent acquisitions. The 4.70% Notes mature on March 15, 2022, and interest is payable semi-annually in arrears on March 15 and September 15. The Company began making interest payments on September 15, 2012. The Company may redeem the 4.70% Notes at any time at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount, plus a make-whole premium, together with accrued interest to the redemption date. Interest on the notes began to accrue on March 12, 2012 and is computed on the basis of a 360-day year comprised of twelve 30-day months. If the Company undergoes a change of control and ratings decline, each as defined in supplemental indenture no. 5, dated March 12, 2012 (the “Supplemental Indenture”) to the base indenture dated May 13, 2010, as amended and supplemented on December 30, 2011, the Company will be required to offer to repurchase all of the 4.70% Notes at a purchase price equal to 101% of the principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest up to but not including the repurchase date. The 4.70% Notes rank equally with all of the Company's other senior unsecured debt and are structurally subordinated to all existing and future indebtedness and other obligations of its subsidiaries. The Supplemental Indenture contains certain covenants that restrict the Company's ability to merge, consolidate or sell assets and its (together with its subsidiaries') ability to incur liens. These covenants are subject to a number of exceptions, including that the Company and its subsidiaries may incur certain liens on assets, mortgages or other liens securing indebtedness, if the aggregate amount of such liens does not exceed 3.5x Adjusted EBITDA, as defined in the Supplemental Indenture. Colombian Short-Term Credit Facility—The 141.1 billion Colombian Peso (“COP”) denominated short-term credit facility was executed by one of the Company's Colombian subsidiaries (“ATC Sitios”) on July 25, 2011, to refinance the credit facility entered into in connection with the purchase of the exclusive use rights for towers from Telefónica S.A.'s Colombian subsidiary, Colombia Telecomunicaciones S.A. E.S.P. As of September 30, 2012, 135.0 billion COP (approximately $75.0 million) was outstanding under this credit facility and the facility was scheduled to mature on October 25, 2012 with an interest rate of 7.95%. In October 2012, the maturity date was extended to November 25, 2012, and the facility continues to accrue interest at a rate of 7.95%. On October 19, 2012, ATC Sitios entered into a loan agreement for a long-term credit facility, which it intends to use to refinance the Colombian short-term credit facility upon completion of certain closing conditions. Colombian Bridge Loans—In connection with the acquisition of communications sites from Colombia Movil S.A. E.S.P. (“Colombia Movil”), another of the Company's Colombian subsidiaries entered into five COP denominated bridge loans. As of September 30, 2012, the aggregate principal amount outstanding under these bridge loans was 94.0 billion COP (approximately $52.2 million). The bridge loans have terms ranging from 30 to 90 days, and are extended from time to time in the ordinary course. As of September 30, 2012, the interest rates of these loans ranged from 8.01% to 8.23%. Colombian Loan—In connection with the establishment of the joint venture with Millicom International Cellular S.A. (“Millicom”) and the acquisition of communications sites in Colombia, ATC Colombia B.V., a 60% owned subsidiary of the Company, entered into a U.S. Dollar-denominated shareholder loan agreement (the “Colombian Loan”), as the borrower, with a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company (the “ATC Colombian Subsidiary”), and a wholly owned subsidiary of Millicom (the “Millicom Subsidiary”), as the lenders. The Colombian Loan accrues interest at 8.30% and matures on February 22, 2022. The portion of the Colombian Loan made by the ATC Colombian Subsidiary is eliminated in consolidation, and the portion of the Colombian Loan made by the Millicom Subsidiary is reported as outstanding debt of the Company. As of September 30, 2012, an aggregate of $16.3 million was payable to the Millicom Subsidiary. South African Facility—The Company's 1.2 billion South African Rand (“ZAR”) credit facility (the “South African Facility”) was executed in November 2011 to refinance the bridge loan entered into in connection with the acquisition of communications sites from Cell C (Pty) Limited (“Cell C”). On August 8, 2012 and September 14, 2012, the Company borrowed an additional 123.0 million ZAR (approximately $15.1 million) and 24.2 million ZAR (approximately $2.9 million), respectively. The South African Facility matures on March 31, 2020, and accrues interest based on a margin plus the Johannesburg Interbank Agreed Rate (“JIBAR”). As of September 30, 2012, 834.3 million ZAR (approximately $100.3 million) was outstanding under the South African Facility, and after giving effect to the interest rate swap agreements discussed in note 6, the facility accrues interest at a weighted average rate of 9.81%. Ghana Loan—In connection with the establishment of the Company's joint venture with MTN Group Limited (“MTN Group”) and the acquisitions of communications sites in Ghana, Ghana Tower Interco B.V., a 51% owned subsidiary of the Company, entered into a U.S. Dollar-denominated shareholder loan agreement (the “Ghana Loan”), as the borrower, with a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company (the “ATC Ghana Subsidiary”), and Mobile Telephone Networks (Netherlands) B.V., a wholly owned subsidiary of MTN Group (the “MTN Ghana Subsidiary”), as the lenders. The Ghana Loan accrues interest at 9.0% and matures on May 4, 2016. The portion of the Ghana Loan made by the ATC Ghana Subsidiary is eliminated in consolidation, and the portion of the Ghana Loan made by the MTN Ghana Subsidiary is reported as outstanding debt of the Company. As of September 30, 2012, an aggregate of $131.0 million was payable to the MTN Ghana Subsidiary. Uganda Loan—In connection with the establishment of the Company's joint venture with MTN Group and the acquisitions of communications sites in Uganda, Uganda Tower Interco B.V., a 51% owned subsidiary of the Company, entered into a U.S. Dollar-denominated shareholder loan agreement (the “Uganda Loan”), as the borrower, with a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company (the “ATC Uganda Subsidiary”), and a wholly owned subsidiary of MTN Group (the “MTN Uganda Subsidiary”), as the lenders. The Uganda Loan matures on June 29, 2019 and accrues interest at 5.30% above LIBOR, reset annually, which as of September 30, 2012 was 6.368%. The portion of the Uganda Loan made by the ATC Uganda Subsidiary is eliminated in consolidation, and the portion of the Uganda Loan made by the MTN Uganda Subsidiary is reported as outstanding debt of the Company. As of September 30, 2012, an aggregate of $61.0 million was payable to the MTN Uganda Subsidiary.

Financing Transactions

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2012

Securities Financing Transactions [Abstract]

5. Financing Transactions

Revolving Credit Facility and Term Loan—On January 31, 2012, the Company repaid and terminated its $1.25 billion senior unsecured revolving credit facility and repaid $325.0 million of related term loan commitments, with proceeds from borrowings under a $1.0 billion unsecured revolving credit facility entered into on April 8, 2011 (the “2011 Credit Facility”) and a new $1.0 billion unsecured revolving credit facility entered into on January 31, 2012 (the “2012 Credit Facility”).

2011 Credit Facility—As of September 30, 2012, the Company did not have any amounts outstanding under the 2011 Credit Facility and had approximately $6.7 million of undrawn letters of credit. The Company continues to maintain the ability to draw down and repay amounts under the 2011 Credit Facility in the ordinary course. The 2011 Credit Facility has a term of five years and matures on April 8, 2016.

2012 Credit Facility—On January 31, 2012, the Company entered into the 2012 Credit Facility, which has a term of five years and matures on January 31, 2017. Any outstanding principal and accrued but unpaid interest will be due and payable in full at maturity. The 2012 Credit Facility may be paid prior to maturity in whole or in part at the Company's option without penalty or premium.

The Company has the option of choosing either a defined base rate or the London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) as the applicable base rate for borrowings under the 2012 Credit Facility. The interest rate ranges between 1.075% to 2.400% above LIBOR for LIBOR based borrowings or between 0.075% to 1.400% above the defined base rate for base rate borrowings, in each case based upon the Company's debt ratings. A quarterly commitment fee on the undrawn portion of the 2012 Credit Facility is required, ranging from 0.125% to 0.450% per annum, based upon the Company's debt ratings. The current margin over LIBOR that the Company would incur on borrowings is 1.625%, and the current commitment fee on the undrawn portion of the 2012 Credit Facility is 0.225%.

The loan agreement contains certain reporting, information, financial and operating covenants and other restrictions (including limitations on additional debt, guaranties, sales of assets and liens) with which the Company must comply. Any failure to comply with the financial and operating covenants of the loan agreement would not only prevent the Company from being able to borrow additional funds, but would constitute a default, which could result in, among other things, the amounts outstanding, including all accrued interest and unpaid fees, becoming immediately due and payable.

As of September 30, 2012, the Company did not have any amounts outstanding under the 2012 Credit Facility and had approximately $2.7 million of undrawn letters of credit. The Company continues to maintain the ability to draw down and repay amounts under the 2012 Credit Facility in the ordinary course.

2012 Term Loan—On June 29, 2012, the Company entered into a $750.0 million unsecured term loan (“2012 Term Loan”). The Company received net proceeds of approximately $746.4 million, of which $632.0 million were used to repay certain existing indebtedness under the 2012 Credit Facility.

The 2012 Term Loan has a term of five years and matures on June 29, 2017. Any outstanding principal and accrued but unpaid interest will be due and payable in full at maturity. The 2012 Term Loan may be paid prior to maturity in whole or in part at the Company's option without penalty or premium.

The Company has the option of choosing either a defined base rate or LIBOR as the applicable base rate. The interest rate ranges between 1.25% to 2.50% above LIBOR for LIBOR based borrowings or between 0.25% to 1.50% above the defined base rate for base rate borrowings, in each case based upon the Company's debt ratings. As of September 30, 2012, the interest rate under the 2012 Term Loan is LIBOR plus 1.75%.

The loan agreement contains certain reporting, information, financial and operating covenants and other restrictions (including limitations on additional debt, guaranties, sales of assets and liens) with which the Company must comply. Any failure to comply with the financial and operating covenants of the loan agreement would constitute a default, which could result in, among other things, the amounts outstanding, including all accrued interest and unpaid fees, becoming immediately due and payable.

As of September 30, 2012, the Company had $750.0 million outstanding under the 2012 Term Loan.

Senior Notes Offering—On March 12, 2012, the Company completed a registered public offering of $700.0 million aggregate principal amount of its 4.70% senior notes due 2022 (the “4.70% Notes”). The net proceeds to the Company from the offering were approximately $693.0 million, after deducting commissions and expenses. The Company used the net proceeds to repay a portion of the outstanding indebtedness incurred under its 2011 Credit Facility and 2012 Credit Facility, which had been used to fund recent acquisitions.

The 4.70% Notes mature on March 15, 2022, and interest is payable semi-annually in arrears on March 15 and September 15. The Company began making interest payments on September 15, 2012. The Company may redeem the 4.70% Notes at any time at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount, plus a make-whole premium, together with accrued interest to the redemption date. Interest on the notes began to accrue on March 12, 2012 and is computed on the basis of a 360-day year comprised of twelve 30-day months.

If the Company undergoes a change of control and ratings decline, each as defined in supplemental indenture no. 5, dated March 12, 2012 (the “Supplemental Indenture”) to the base indenture dated May 13, 2010, as amended and supplemented on December 30, 2011, the Company will be required to offer to repurchase all of the 4.70% Notes at a purchase price equal to 101% of the principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest up to but not including the repurchase date. The 4.70% Notes rank equally with all of the Company's other senior unsecured debt and are structurally subordinated to all existing and future indebtedness and other obligations of its subsidiaries. The Supplemental Indenture contains certain covenants that restrict the Company's ability to merge, consolidate or sell assets and its (together with its subsidiaries') ability to incur liens. These covenants are subject to a number of exceptions, including that the Company and its subsidiaries may incur certain liens on assets, mortgages or other liens securing indebtedness, if the aggregate amount of such liens does not exceed 3.5x Adjusted EBITDA, as defined in the Supplemental Indenture.

Colombian Short-Term Credit Facility—The 141.1 billion Colombian Peso (“COP”) denominated short-term credit facility was executed by one of the Company's Colombian subsidiaries (“ATC Sitios”) on July 25, 2011, to refinance the credit facility entered into in connection with the purchase of the exclusive use rights for towers from Telefónica S.A.'s Colombian subsidiary, Colombia Telecomunicaciones S.A. E.S.P. As of September 30, 2012, 135.0 billion COP (approximately $75.0 million) was outstanding under this credit facility and the facility was scheduled to mature on October 25, 2012 with an interest rate of 7.95%. In October 2012, the maturity date was extended to November 25, 2012, and the facility continues to accrue interest at a rate of 7.95%.

On October 19, 2012, ATC Sitios entered into a loan agreement for a long-term credit facility, which it intends to use to refinance the Colombian short-term credit facility upon completion of certain closing conditions.

Colombian Bridge Loans—In connection with the acquisition of communications sites from Colombia Movil S.A. E.S.P. (“Colombia Movil”), another of the Company's Colombian subsidiaries entered into five COP denominated bridge loans. As of September 30, 2012, the aggregate principal amount outstanding under these bridge loans was 94.0 billion COP (approximately $52.2 million). The bridge loans have terms ranging from 30 to 90 days, and are extended from time to time in the ordinary course. As of September 30, 2012, the interest rates of these loans ranged from 8.01% to 8.23%.

Colombian Loan—In connection with the establishment of the joint venture with Millicom International Cellular S.A. (“Millicom”) and the acquisition of communications sites in Colombia, ATC Colombia B.V., a 60% owned subsidiary of the Company, entered into a U.S. Dollar-denominated shareholder loan agreement (the “Colombian Loan”), as the borrower, with a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company (the “ATC Colombian Subsidiary”), and a wholly owned subsidiary of Millicom (the “Millicom Subsidiary”), as the lenders. The Colombian Loan accrues interest at 8.30% and matures on February 22, 2022. The portion of the Colombian Loan made by the ATC Colombian Subsidiary is eliminated in consolidation, and the portion of the Colombian Loan made by the Millicom Subsidiary is reported as outstanding debt of the Company. As of September 30, 2012, an aggregate of $16.3 million was payable to the Millicom Subsidiary.

South African Facility—The Company's 1.2 billion South African Rand (“ZAR”) credit facility (the “South African Facility”) was executed in November 2011 to refinance the bridge loan entered into in connection with the acquisition of communications sites from Cell C (Pty) Limited (“Cell C”). On August 8, 2012 and September 14, 2012, the Company borrowed an additional 123.0 million ZAR (approximately $15.1 million) and 24.2 million ZAR (approximately $2.9 million), respectively. The South African Facility matures on March 31, 2020, and accrues interest based on a margin plus the Johannesburg Interbank Agreed Rate (“JIBAR”). As of September 30, 2012, 834.3 million ZAR (approximately $100.3 million) was outstanding under the South African Facility, and after giving effect to the interest rate swap agreements discussed in note 6, the facility accrues interest at a weighted average rate of 9.81%.

Ghana Loan—In connection with the establishment of the Company's joint venture with MTN Group Limited (“MTN Group”) and the acquisitions of communications sites in Ghana, Ghana Tower Interco B.V., a 51% owned subsidiary of the Company, entered into a U.S. Dollar-denominated shareholder loan agreement (the “Ghana Loan”), as the borrower, with a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company (the “ATC Ghana Subsidiary”), and Mobile Telephone Networks (Netherlands) B.V., a wholly owned subsidiary of MTN Group (the “MTN Ghana Subsidiary”), as the lenders. The Ghana Loan accrues interest at 9.0% and matures on May 4, 2016. The portion of the Ghana Loan made by the ATC Ghana Subsidiary is eliminated in consolidation, and the portion of the Ghana Loan made by the MTN Ghana Subsidiary is reported as outstanding debt of the Company. As of September 30, 2012, an aggregate of $131.0 million was payable to the MTN Ghana Subsidiary.

Uganda Loan—In connection with the establishment of the Company's joint venture with MTN Group and the acquisitions of communications sites in Uganda, Uganda Tower Interco B.V., a 51% owned subsidiary of the Company, entered into a U.S. Dollar-denominated shareholder loan agreement (the “Uganda Loan”), as the borrower, with a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company (the “ATC Uganda Subsidiary”), and a wholly owned subsidiary of MTN Group (the “MTN Uganda Subsidiary”), as the lenders. The Uganda Loan matures on June 29, 2019 and accrues interest at 5.30% above LIBOR, reset annually, which as of September 30, 2012 was 6.368%. The portion of the Uganda Loan made by the ATC Uganda Subsidiary is eliminated in consolidation, and the portion of the Uganda Loan made by the MTN Uganda Subsidiary is reported as outstanding debt of the Company. As of September 30, 2012, an aggregate of $61.0 million was payable to the MTN Uganda Subsidiary.

- Definition

The entire disclosure for information about short-term and long-term debt arrangements, which includes amounts of borrowings under each line of credit, note payable, commercial paper issue, bonds indenture, debenture issue, own-share lending arrangements and any other contractual agreement to repay funds, and about the underlying arrangements, rationale for a classification as long-term, including repayment terms, interest rates, collateral provided, restrictions on use of assets and activities, whether or not in compliance with debt covenants, and other matters important to users of the financial statements, such as the effects of refinancing and noncompliance with debt covenants.

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