CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2013		Dec. 31, 2012
CURRENT ASSETS:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 441,706		$ 368,618
Restricted cash	46,733		69,316
Short-term investments	13,004	[1]	6,018	[1]
Accounts receivable, net	145,446		143,772
Prepaid and other current assets	232,110		222,851
Deferred income taxes	24,617		25,754
Total current assets	903,616		836,329
PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, net	5,879,513		5,796,517
GOODWILL	2,898,638		2,881,959	[2]
OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS, net	3,271,981		3,136,602	[3]
DEFERRED INCOME TAXES	215,559		209,257
DEFERRED RENT ASSET	811,903		776,201
NOTES RECEIVABLE AND OTHER NON-CURRENT ASSETS	482,530		452,788
TOTAL	14,463,740		14,089,653
CURRENT LIABILITIES:
Accounts payable	86,769		89,578
Accrued expenses	263,187		287,575	[3]
Distributions payable	103,095		189
Accrued interest	80,065		71,271
Current portion of long-term obligations	57,603		60,031
Unearned revenue	148,405		124,147
Total current liabilities	739,124		632,791
LONG-TERM OBLIGATIONS	8,791,520		8,693,345
ASSET RETIREMENT OBLIGATIONS	455,982		435,635
OTHER NON-CURRENT LIABILITIES	695,592		643,701
Total liabilities	10,682,218		10,405,472
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
EQUITY:
Preferred stock: $.01 par value; 20,000,000 shares authorized; no shares issued or outstanding
Common stock: $.01 par value, 1,000,000,000 shares authorized; 396,624,027 and 395,963,218 shares issued, and 395,587,902 and 395,091,213 shares outstanding, respectively	3,966		3,959
Additional paid-in capital	5,029,261		5,012,124
Distributions in excess of earnings	(1,128,361)		(1,196,907)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(158,043)		(183,347)
Treasury stock (1,036,125 and 872,005 shares at cost, respectively)	(75,208)		(62,728)
Total American Tower Corporation equity	3,671,615		3,573,101
Noncontrolling interest	109,907		111,080
Total equity	3,781,522		3,684,181
TOTAL	$ 14,463,740		$ 14,089,653

[1] Consists of highly liquid investments with original maturities in excess of three months.

[2] Balances have been revised to reflect purchase accounting measurement period adjustments.

[3] December 31, 2012 balances have been revised to reflect purchase accounting measurement period adjustments.