Leases (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011 towers	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Property Subject to or Available for Operating Lease [Line Items]
Weighted average remaining term of tenant leases	9 years
Maximum Current Term	20 years
Tenant Leases 2012	$ 1,661,458,000
Tenant Leases 2013	1,666,996,000
Tenant Leases 2014	1,631,813,000
Tenant Leases 2015	1,575,337,000
Tenant Leases 2016	1,468,813,000
Tenant Leases thereafter	9,185,611,000
Total tenant leases	17,190,028,000
Percentage of wireless infrastructure, office space and equipment that is on land that has non-cancelable operating leases	71.00%
Number of towers located on space that the company manages	600
Operating Leases, Owned Land Under Tower, Expiration Term	20 years
Operating Leases, Leased Land Under Tower, Expiration Term	10 years
Operating leases 2012	301,264,000
Operating leases 2013	305,278,000
Operating leases 2014	307,267,000
Operating leases 2015	308,801,000
Operating leases 2016	311,242,000
Operating leases thereafter	3,907,901,000
Total operating leases	5,441,753,000
Rental expense from operating leases	338,300,000	330,100,000	316,200,000
Contingent rental payments	$ 56,400,000	$ 55,100,000	$ 53,100,000
Greater than 10 Years, Inclusive of Renewals at the Company's Option [Member]
Property Subject to or Available for Operating Lease [Line Items]
Percentage of site rental gross margin that is derived from wireless infrastructure where the lease for the land has a final expiration date	89.00%
Greater than 20 Years, Inclusive of Renewals at the Company's Option [Member]
Property Subject to or Available for Operating Lease [Line Items]
Percentage of site rental gross margin that is derived from wireless infrastructure where the lease for the land has a final expiration date	73.00%
Wireless Infrastructure [Member]
Property Subject to or Available for Operating Lease [Line Items]
Estimated useful life, maximum, in years	20