Document and Entity Information (USD $) In Billions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Feb. 11, 2013	Jun. 30, 2012
Document And Entity Information [Abstract]
Document Type	10-K
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Dec. 31, 2012
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2012
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Entity Registrant Name	AMERICAN TOWER CORP /MA/
Entity Central Index Key	0001053507
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		395,103,065
Entity Public Float			$ 27.6
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (USD $)
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2011

CURRENT ASSETS:

Cash and cash equivalents

$ 368,618

$ 330,191

Restricted cash

69,316

42,215

Short-term investments and available-for-sale securities

6,018

22,270

Accounts receivable, net

136,971

100,610

Prepaid and other current assets

222,851

250,273

^[1]

Deferred income taxes

25,754

29,596

Total current assets

829,528

775,155

PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, net

5,789,995

4,981,722

^[1]

GOODWILL

2,912,046

2,676,290

^[2]

OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS, net

3,115,053

2,495,053

^[1]

DEFERRED INCOME TAXES

213,518

209,031

DEFERRED RENT ASSET

776,201

609,529

NOTES RECEIVABLE AND OTHER NON-CURRENT ASSETS

452,788

495,615

^[1]

TOTAL

14,089,129

12,242,395

^[2]

CURRENT LIABILITIES:

Accounts payable

89,578

215,931

Accrued expenses

286,962

305,538

^[1]

Distributions payable

189

Accrued interest

71,271

65,729

Current portion of long-term obligations

60,031

101,816

Unearned revenue

124,147

92,483

Total current liabilities

632,178

781,497

LONG-TERM OBLIGATIONS

8,693,345

7,134,492

ASSET RETIREMENT OBLIGATIONS

435,724

344,180

^[1]

OTHER NON-CURRENT LIABILITIES

643,701

572,084

^[1]

Total liabilities

10,404,948

8,832,253

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, 395,963,218 and 393,642,079 shares issued, and 395,091,213 and 393,642,079 shares outstanding, respectively

3,959

3,936

Additional paid-in capital

5,012,124

4,903,800

Distributions in excess of earnings

(1,196,907)

(1,477,899)

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

(183,347)

(142,617)

Treasury stock (872,0005 and 0 shares at cost, respectively)

(62,728)

Total American Tower Corporation equity

3,573,101

3,287,220

Noncontrolling interest

111,080

122,922

Total equity

3,684,181

3,410,142

TOTAL

$ 14,089,129

$ 12,242,395

[1]	December 31, 2011 balances have been revised to reflect purchase accounting measurement period adjustments.
[2]	Balances have been revised to reflect purchase accounting measurement period adjustments.

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
Preferred stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Preferred stock, shares authorized	20,000,000	20,000,000
Preferred stock, shares issued	0	0
Preferred stock, shares outstanding	0	0
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Common stock, shares authorized	1,000,000,000	1,000,000,000
Common stock, shares issued	395,963,218	393,642,079
Common stock, shares outstanding	395,091,213	393,642,079
Treasury stock, shares	872,005	0

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
REVENUES:
Rental and management	$ 2,803,490	$ 2,386,185	$ 1,936,373
Network development services	72,470	57,347	48,962
Total operating revenues	2,875,960	2,443,532	1,985,335
OPERATING EXPENSES:
Rental and management (including stock-based compensation expense of $793, 1,105 and $0, respectively)	686,681	590,272	447,629
Network development services (including stock-based compensation expense of $968, $1,224 and $0, respectively)	35,798	30,684	26,957
Depreciation, amortization and accretion	644,276	555,517	460,726
Selling, general, administrative and development expense (including stock-based compensation expense of $50,222, $45,108 and $52,555, respectively)	327,301	288,824	229,769
Other operating expenses	62,185	58,103	35,876
Total operating expenses	1,756,241	1,523,400	1,200,957
OPERATING INCOME	1,119,719	920,132	784,378
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE):
Interest income, TV Azteca, net of interest expense of $1,485, $1,474 and $1,487, restpectively	14,258	14,214	14,212
Interest income	7,680	7,378	5,024
Interest expense	(401,665)	(311,854)	(246,018)
Loss on retirement of long-term obligations	(398)	0	(1,886)
Other (expense) income (including unrealized foreign currency (losses) gains of $(34,330), $(131,053) and $4,792, respectively	(38,300)	(122,975)	315
Total other expense	(418,425)	(413,237)	(228,353)
INCOME FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS BEFORE INCOME TAXES AND INCOME ON EQUITY METHOD INVESTMENTS	701,294	506,895	556,025
Income tax provision	(107,304)	(125,080)	(182,489)
Income on equity method investments	35	25	40
INCOME FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS	594,025	381,840	373,576
INCOME FROM DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS, NET OF INCOME TAX PROVISION OF $0, $0 and $19, RESPECTIVELY	0	0	30
NET INCOME	594,025	381,840	373,606
Net (loss) income attributable to noncontrolling interest	43,258	14,622	(670)
NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO AMERICAN TOWER CORPORATION	$ 637,283	$ 396,462	$ 372,936
BASIC:
Income from continuing operations attributable to American Tower Corporation (in dollars per share)	$ 1.61	$ 1.00	$ 0.93
Income from discontinued operations attributable to American Tower Corporation (in dollars per share)	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0.00
Net income attributable to American Tower Corporation (in dollars per share)	$ 1.61	$ 1.00	$ 0.93
DILUTED:
Income from continuing operations attributable to American Tower Corporation (in dollars per share)	$ 1.60	$ 0.99	$ 0.92
Income from discontinued operations attributable to American Tower Corporation (in dollars per share)	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0.00
Net income attributable to American Tower Corporation (in dollars per share)	$ 1.60	$ 0.99	$ 0.92
WEIGHTED AVERAGE COMMON SHARES OUTSTANDING:
BASIC (in shares)	394,772	395,711	401,152
DILUTED (in shares)	399,287	400,195	404,072
DISTRIBUTIONS DECLARED, PER SHARE	$ 0.90	$ 0.35	$ 0

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (Parenthetical) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Stock-based compensation expense	$ 51,983	$ 47,437	$ 52,555
Interest expense, TV Azteca	1,485	1,474	1,487
Discontinued operations, income tax provision	0	0	19
Unrealized foreign currency (losses) gains	(34,330)	(131,053)	4,792
Rental And Management [Member]
Stock-based compensation expense	793	1,105
Network Development Services [Member]
Stock-based compensation expense	968	1,224
Selling General Administrative And Development Expense [Member]
Stock-based compensation expense	$ 50,222	$ 45,108	$ 52,555

- Definition

Tax effect allocated to a disposal group that is classified as a component of the entity reported as a separate component of income before extraordinary items. Includes the tax effects of the following: income (loss) from operations during the phase-out period, gain (loss) on disposal, provision (or any reversals of earlier provisions) for loss on disposal, and adjustments of a prior period gain (loss) on disposal.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

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-SubTopic 20

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (b),(c)

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Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

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Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

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-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 740

-SubTopic 20

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-Paragraph 2

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Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

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-Name Accounting Standards Codification

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-Paragraph 3

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6892542&loc=d3e957-107759

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-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 144

-Paragraph 47

-Subparagraph c

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 109

-Paragraph 46

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 144

-Paragraph 43

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

+ Details

- Definition

The aggregate unrealized foreign currency transaction gain (loss) (pretax) included in determining net income for the reporting period. Represents the aggregate of gains (losses) on transactions that are unsettled as of the balance sheet date, which is therefore an adjustment to reconcile income (loss) from continuing operations to net cash provided by or used in continuing operations. Excludes foreign currency transactions designated as hedges of net investment in a foreign entity and intercompany foreign currency transactions that are of a long-term nature, when the entities to the transaction are consolidated, combined, or accounted for by the equity method in the reporting entity's financial statements. For certain entities, primarily banks, that are dealers in foreign exchange, foreign currency transaction gains (losses) may be disclosed as dealer gains (losses).

+ References+ Details

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Statement of Income and Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income	$ 594,025	$ 381,840	$ 373,606
Net change in fair value of cash flow hedges, net of taxes of $905, $1,334 and $6,046, respectively	(5,315)	1,977	9,496
Reclassification of unrealized losses on cash flow hedges to net income, net of taxes of $208, $74 and $75, respectively	1,132	225	118
Net unrealized (loss) gain on available-for-sale securities, net of taxes of $0, $65 and $4, respectively	0	(104)	7
Reclassification of unrealized losses on available-for-sale securities to net income	495	0	0
Foreign currency translation adjustments, net of taxes of $7,677, $1,702 and $3,541, respectively	(58,387)	(187,466)	41,081
Reclassifications due to REIT Conversion	0	(1,752)	0
Other comprehensive (loss) income	(62,075)	(187,120)	50,702
Comprehensive income	531,950	194,720	424,308
Comprehensive loss (income) attributable to non-controlling interest	64,603	21,072	(670)
Comprehensive income attributable to American Tower Corporation	$ 596,553	$ 215,792	$ 423,638

CONSOLIDATED STATMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (Parenthetical) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Statement of Income and Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Reclssification of unrealized losses on cash flow hedges to net income, tax	$ 208	$ 74	$ 75
Other comprehensive income (loss), available-for-sale securities, tax	0	(65)	4
Foreign currency translation adjustments, tax	(7,677)	(1,702)	3,541
Net change in fair value of cash flow hedges, tax	$ (905)	$ 1,334	$ 6,046

- Definition

Tax effect of the income statement impact of the reclassification adjustment of accumulated gain (loss) from derivative instruments designated and qualifying as the effective portion of cash flow hedges realized in net income. Also includes reclassification adjustments of an entity's share of an equity investee's deferred hedging gain (loss) realized in net income.

+ References+ Details

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF EQUITY (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data	Total	Common Stock	Treasury Stock	Additional Paid-in Capital	Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income	Earnings (Distributions) in Excess of Distributions (Earnings)	Noncontrolling Interest
BALANCE at Dec. 31, 2009	$ 3,318,125	$ 4,797	$ (2,961,177)	$ 8,393,643	$ (12,649)	$ (2,109,532)	$ 3,043
BALANCE (shares) at Dec. 31, 2009		479,703,633	(78,106,649)
Stock based compensation related activity (shares)		4,646,904
Stock based compensation related activity	174,077	46		174,031
Issuance of common stock upon exercise of warrants (shares)		1,631,061
Issuance of common stock upon exercise of warrants	6,859	16		6,843
Issuance of common stock-Stock Purchase Plan (shares)		75,354
Issuance of common stock-Stock Purchase Plan	2,577	1		2,576
Treasury stock activity (shares)			(9,273,069)
Treasury stock activity	(420,789)		(420,789)
Net change in fair value of cash flow hedges, net of tax	9,496				9,496
Reclassification of unrealized losses on cash flow hedges to net income, net of tax	118				118
Reclassification of unrealized losses on available-for-sale securities to net income	0
Net unrealized (loss) gain on available-for-sale securities, net of tax	7				7
Foreign currency translation adjustments, net of tax	41,081				41,081
Reclassifications Due To REIT Conversion	0
Other comprehensive (loss) income	50,702
Distributions to noncontrolling interest	(599)						(599)
Net income	373,606					372,936	670
BALANCE at Dec. 31, 2010	3,504,558	4,860	(3,381,966)	8,577,093	38,053	(1,736,596)	3,114
BALANCE (shares) at Dec. 31, 2010		486,056,952	(87,379,718)
Stock based compensation related activity (shares)		3,033,698
Stock based compensation related activity	128,158	30		128,128
Issuance of common stock-Stock Purchase Plan (shares)		79,049
Issuance of common stock-Stock Purchase Plan	3,523	1		3,522
Treasury stock activity (shares)			(8,147,902)
Treasury stock activity	(423,932)		(423,932)
Net change in fair value of cash flow hedges, net of tax	1,977				1,977
Reclassification of unrealized losses on cash flow hedges to net income, net of tax	225				225
Reclassification of unrealized losses on available-for-sale securities to net income	0
Net unrealized (loss) gain on available-for-sale securities, net of tax	(104)				(104)
Foreign currency translation adjustments, net of tax	(187,466)				(181,016)		(6,450)
Reclassifications Due To REIT Conversion	(1,752)				(1,752)
Other comprehensive (loss) income	(187,120)
Retirement of treasury stock (shares)		(95,527,620)	95,527,620
Retirement of treasury stock		(955)	3,805,898	(3,804,943)
Contributions from noncontrolling interests	141,387						141,387
Distributions to noncontrolling interest	(507)						(507)
Dividends/distributions declared	(137,765)					(137,765)
Net income	381,840					396,462	(14,622)
BALANCE at Dec. 31, 2011	3,410,142	3,936	0	4,903,800	(142,617)	(1,477,899)	122,922
BALANCE (shares) at Dec. 31, 2011		393,642,079	0
Stock based compensation related activity (shares)		2,233,390
Stock based compensation related activity	103,820	22		103,798
Issuance of common stock-Stock Purchase Plan (shares)		87,749
Issuance of common stock-Stock Purchase Plan	4,527	1		4,526
Treasury stock activity (shares)	(872,005)		(872,005)
Treasury stock activity	(62,728)		(62,728)
Net change in fair value of cash flow hedges, net of tax	(5,315)				(4,733)		(582)
Reclassification of unrealized losses on cash flow hedges to net income, net of tax	1,132				998		134
Reclassification of unrealized losses on available-for-sale securities to net income	495				495
Net unrealized (loss) gain on available-for-sale securities, net of tax	0
Foreign currency translation adjustments, net of tax	(58,387)				(37,490)		(20,897)
Reclassifications Due To REIT Conversion	0
Other comprehensive (loss) income	(62,075)
Contributions from noncontrolling interests	53,341						53,341
Distributions to noncontrolling interest	(580)						(580)
Dividends/distributions declared	(356,291)					(356,291)
Net income	594,025					637,283	(43,258)
BALANCE at Dec. 31, 2012	$ 3,684,181	$ 3,959	$ (62,728)	$ 5,012,124	$ (183,347)	$ (1,196,907)	$ 111,080
BALANCE (shares) at Dec. 31, 2012		395,963,218	(872,005)

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net income	$ 594,025	$ 381,840	$ 373,606
Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation, amortization and accretion	644,276	555,517	460,726
Stock-based compensation expense	51,983	47,437	52,555
Income taxes related to discontinued operations	0	0	(19)
(Increase) decrease in restricted cash	(26,500)	11,867	(4,941)
Loss (gain) on investments, unrealized foreign currency (gain) loss and other non-cash (income) expense	60,002	149,191	5,085
Impairments, net loss on sale of long-lived assets, non-cash restructuring and merger related expenses	34,280	17,412	16,652
Loss on retirement of long-term obligations	0	0	0
Amortization of deferred financing costs, debt discounts and other non-cash interest	11,090	13,092	9,408
Provision for losses on accounts receivable	(4,155)	7,101	4,188
Deferred income taxes	29,300	56,852	188,327
Changes in assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions:
Accounts receivable	(43,679)	(28,857)	(18,974)
Prepaid and other assets	84,640	(43,659)	(48,834)
Deferred rent asset	(164,219)	(143,994)	(105,226)
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	21,880	84,699	1,603
Accrued interest	25,031	23,360	16,633
Unearned revenue	68,015	(6,351)	44,382
Deferred rent liability	33,707	30,952	22,269
Other non-current liabilities	(5,285)	9,483	3,537
Cash provided by operating activities	1,414,391	1,165,942	1,020,977
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Payments for purchase of property and equipment and construction activities	(568,048)	(523,015)	(346,664)
Payments for acquisitions, net of cash acquired	(1,997,955)	(2,320,673)	(899,606)
Proceeds from sales of short-term investments, available-for-sale securities and other long-term assets	374,682	69,971	21,722
Payments for short-term investments	(352,306)	(42,590)	(52,197)
Deposits, restricted cash and other	(14,758)	25,495	(24,157)
Cash used for investing activities	(2,558,385)	(2,790,812)	(1,300,902)
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
(Repayments of) proceeds from short-term borrowings	(55,264)	128,121	0
Borrowings under credit facilities	2,582,000	1,005,014	500,562
Proceeds from issuance of senior notes	698,670	499,290	1,698,370
Procceds from term loan credit facility	750,000	0	0
Proceeds from other long-term borrowings	177,299	212,783	0
Repayments of notes payable, credit facilities and capital leases	(2,658,566)	(395,384)	(983,737)
Contribution from (distribution to) noncontrolling interest holders, net	52,761	140,880	(599)
Purchases of common stock	(62,728)	(437,402)	(430,618)
Proceeds from stock options, warrants and Stock Purchase Plan	55,441	85,642	138,508
Distributions	(355,574)	(137,765)	0
Deferred financing costs and other financing activities	(13,673)	(15,084)	(12,156)
Cash provided by financing activities	1,170,366	1,086,095	910,330
Net effect of changes in foreign currency exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents	12,055	(14,997)	6,265
NET INCREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS	38,427	(553,772)	636,670
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, BEGINNING OF YEAR	330,191	883,963	247,293
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, END OF YEAR	$ 368,618	$ 330,191	$ 883,963

Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Discription of Business Basis Of Presentation And Disclosure [Abstract]

Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

1. BUSINESS AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Business—American Tower Corporation is, through its various subsidiaries (collectively, “ATC” or the “Company”), an independent owner, operator and developer of wireless and broadcast communications real estate in the United States, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Germany, Ghana, India, Mexico, Peru, South Africa and Uganda. The Company's primary business is the leasing of antenna space on multi-tenant communications sites to wireless service providers, radio and television broadcast companies, wireless data and data providers, government agencies and municipalities and tenants in a number of other industries. The Company also manages rooftop and tower sites for property owners, operates in-building and outdoor distributed antenna system (“DAS”) networks, holds property interests under third-party communications sites and provides network development services that primarily support its rental and management operations and the addition of new tenants and equipment on its sites. The Company began operating as a real estate investment trust (“REIT”) for federal income tax purposes effective January 1, 2012.

ATC is a holding company that conducts its operations through its directly and indirectly owned subsidiaries and its joint ventures. ATC's principal domestic operating subsidiaries are American Towers LLC and SpectraSite Communications, LLC. ATC conducts its international operations through its subsidiary, American Tower International, Inc., which in turn conducts operations through its various international operating subsidiaries and joint ventures.

REIT Conversion—In May 2011, the Company announced its intention to reorganize to qualify as a REIT for federal income tax purposes (the “REIT Conversion”). Effective December 31, 2011, the Company completed the merger with its predecessor (“American Tower”) that was approved by the Company's stockholders in November 2011. At the time of the merger all outstanding shares of Class A common stock of American Tower were converted into a right to receive an equal number of shares of common stock of the surviving corporation. In addition, each share of Class A common stock of American Tower held in treasury at December 31, 2011 ceased to be outstanding, and a corresponding adjustment was recorded to additional paid-in capital and common stock.

The Company believes that since January 1, 2012, it has been organized and has operated in a manner that enables it to qualify, and intends to continue to operate in a manner that will allow it to continue to qualify, as a REIT for federal income tax purposes.

The Company holds and operates certain of its assets through one or more taxable REIT subsidiaries (“TRSs”). A TRS is a subsidiary of a REIT that is subject to applicable corporate income tax. The Company's use of TRSs enables it to continue to engage in certain businesses while complying with REIT qualification requirements and also allows the Company to retain income generated by these businesses for reinvestment without the requirement of distributing those earnings. The non-REIT qualified businesses that the Company holds through TRSs include its network development services segment. In addition, the Company has included its international operations and managed networks business within its TRSs. The Company is currently considering changing the election of one or more of its previously designated TRSs, which hold certain of its international operations, to be treated as qualified REIT subsidiaries or other disregarded entities (“QRSs”), and may reorganize and transfer certain assets or operations from its TRSs to other subsidiaries, including QRSs.

As a REIT, the Company generally will not be subject to federal income taxes on its income and gains that the Company distributes to its stockholders, including the income derived from leasing towers. However, even as a REIT, the Company will remain obligated to pay income taxes on earnings from its TRS assets. In addition, the Company's international assets and operations continue to be subject to taxation in the foreign jurisdictions where those assets are held or those operations are conducted.

Principles of Consolidation and Basis of Presentation —The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and those entities in which it has a controlling interest. Investments in entities that the Company does not control are accounted for using the equity or cost method, depending upon the Company's ability to exercise significant influence over operating and financial policies. All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated.

Significant Accounting Policies and Use of Estimates—The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results may differ from those estimates, and such differences could be material to the accompanying consolidated financial statements. The significant estimates in the accompanying consolidated financial statements include impairment of long-lived assets (including goodwill), asset retirement obligations, revenue recognition, rent expense, stock-based compensation, income taxes and accounting for business combinations. The Company considers events or transactions that occur after the balance sheet date but before the financial statements are issued as additional evidence for certain estimates or to identify matters that require additional disclosure.

Changes in Presentation—Changes have been made to the presentation of the Company's consolidated statements of equity for the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010 to be consistent with the current year presentation. Specifically, other comprehensive income was previously reported in the aggregate, but the individual components are now reported separately in the consolidated statements of equity.

Concentrations of Credit Risk—The Company is subject to concentrations of credit risk related to its cash and cash equivalents, notes receivable, accounts receivable, deferred rent asset and derivative financial instruments. The Company mitigates its risk with respect to cash and cash equivalents and derivative financial instruments by maintaining its deposits and contracts at high quality financial institutions and monitoring the credit ratings of those institutions.

The Company derives the largest portion of its revenues, corresponding accounts receivable and the related deferred rent asset from a relatively small number of tenants in the telecommunications industry, and approximately 51% of its revenues is derived from four customers. In addition, the Company has concentrations of credit risk in certain geographic areas.

The Company mitigates its concentrations of credit risk with respect to notes and trade receivables and the related deferred rent assets by actively monitoring the credit worthiness of its borrowers and tenants. In recognizing customer revenue, the Company must assess the collectibility of both the amounts billed and the portion recognized on a straight-line basis. This assessment takes tenant credit risk and business and industry conditions into consideration to ultimately determine the collectibility of the amounts billed. To the extent the amounts, based on management's estimates, may not be collectible, recognition is deferred until such point as the uncertainty is resolved. Any amounts that were previously recognized as revenue and subsequently determined to be uncollectible are charged to bad debt expense included in selling, general, administrative and development expense in the accompanying consolidated statement of operations.

Accounts receivable are reported net of allowances for doubtful accounts related to estimated losses resulting from a tenant's inability to make required payments and allowances for amounts invoiced whose collectibility is not reasonably assured. These allowances are generally estimated based on payment patterns, days past due and collection history, and incorporate changes in economic conditions that may not be reflected in historical trends, such as tenants in bankruptcy, liquidation or reorganization. Receivables are written-off against the allowances when they are determined uncollectible. Such determination includes analysis and consideration of the particular conditions of the account. Changes in the allowances were as follows for the years ended December 31, (in thousands):


	2012		2011		2010

Balance as of January 1	$	24,412	$	22,505	$	28,520
Current year increases		8,028		17,008		16,219
Write-offs, net of recoveries and other		(12,034)		(15,101)		(22,234)
Balance as of December 31	$	20,406	$	24,412	$	22,505

Functional Currency — As a result of changes to the organizational structure of the Company's subsidiaries in Latin America in 2010, the Company determined that effective January 1, 2010, the functional currency of its foreign subsidiary in Brazil is the Brazilian Real. From that point forward, all assets and liabilities held by the subsidiary in Brazil are translated into U.S. Dollars at the exchange rate in effect at the end of the applicable reporting period. Revenues and expenses are translated at the average monthly exchange rates and the cumulative translation effect is included in equity. The change in functional currency from U.S. Dollars to Brazilian Real gave rise to an increase in the net value of certain non-monetary assets and liabilities. The aggregate impact on such assets and liabilities was $39.8 million with an offsetting increase in accumulated other comprehensive income during the year ended December 31, 2010.

As a result of the renegotiation of the Company's agreements with Grupo Iusacell, S.A. de C.V. (“Iusacell”), which included, among other changes, converting Iusacell's contractual obligations to the Company from U.S. Dollars to Mexican Pesos, the Company determined that effective April 1, 2010, the functional currency of certain of its foreign subsidiaries in Mexico is the Mexican Peso. From that point forward, all assets and liabilities held by those subsidiaries in Mexico are translated into U.S. Dollars at the exchange rate in effect at the end of the applicable reporting period. Revenues and expenses are translated at the average monthly exchange rates and the cumulative translation effect is included in equity. The change in functional currency from U.S. Dollars to Mexican Pesos gave rise to a decrease in the net value of certain non-monetary assets and liabilities. The aggregate impact on such assets and liabilities was $33.6 million with an offsetting decrease in accumulated other comprehensive income.

The functional currency of the Company's other foreign operating subsidiaries is also the respective local currency. All assets and liabilities held by the subsidiaries are translated into U.S. Dollars at the exchange rate in effect at the end of the applicable fiscal reporting period. Revenues and expenses are translated at the average monthly exchange rates. The cumulative translation effect is included in equity as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income. Foreign currency transaction gains and losses are recognized in the consolidated statements of operations and are the result of transactions of a subsidiary being denominated in a currency other than its functional currency.

Cash and Cash Equivalents—Cash and cash equivalents include cash on hand, demand deposits and short-term investments, including money market funds, with remaining maturities of three months or less when acquired, whose cost approximates fair value.

Restricted Cash—The Company classifies as restricted cash all cash pledged as collateral to secure obligations and all cash whose use is otherwise limited by contractual provisions, including cash on deposit in reserve accounts relating to the Commercial Mortgage Pass-Through Certificates, Series 2007-1 issued in the Company's securitization transaction and the Secured Cellular Site Revenue Notes, Series 2010-1 Class C, Series 2010-2 Class C and Series 2010-2 Class F, assumed by the Company as a result of the acquisition of certain legal entities from Unison Holdings, LLC and Unison Site Management II, L.L.C. (collectively, “Unison”).

Short-Term Investments and Available-for-Sale Securities—As of December 31, 2012, short-term investments include highly-liquid investments of approximately $6.0 million and as of December 31, 2011, short-term investments and available-for-sale securities include highly-liquid investments of approximately $22.3 million, with original maturities in excess of three months. As of December 31, 2011, the Company's only short-term available-for-sale security was 39,871 shares of common stock of FiberTower Corporation, which had a fair value of less than $0.1 million (at a price of $0.21 per share). These shares were sold during the year ended December 31, 2012. All investments classified as available-for-sale are carried at fair value on the consolidated balance sheet. The net unrealized gains or losses on the available-for-sale securities are reported as accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), unless such changes are deemed other than temporary. The Company periodically reviews the value of available-for-sale securities and records any impairment charges in the consolidated statements of operations for any decline in value that is determined to be other-than-temporary. The Company does not have any investments classified as trading. During the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010, the Company recorded unrealized (losses) gains on available-for-sale securities of $(0.1) million and $0.1 million, respectively (net of tax benefits (provisions) of less than $ 0.1 million and less than $(0.1) million, respectively).

As of December 31, 2011, the unrealized losses included in accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income totaled $0.4 million. Upon the sale of the available-for-sale securities during the year ended December 31, 2012, the amounts in accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income were recognized.

Property and Equipment—Property and equipment are recorded at cost or, in the case of acquired properties, at estimated fair value on the date acquired. Cost for self-constructed towers includes direct materials and labor, capitalized interest and certain indirect costs associated with construction of the tower, such as transportation costs, employee benefits and payroll taxes. The Company begins the capitalization of costs during the pre-construction period, which is the period during which costs are incurred to evaluate the site, and continues to capitalize costs until the tower is substantially completed and ready for occupancy by a tenant. Labor costs capitalized for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010 were $41.6 million, $35.6 million and $31.9 million, respectively. Interest costs capitalized for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010 were $1.9 million, $2.1 million and $1.0 million, respectively.

Expenditures for repairs and maintenance are expensed as incurred. Augmentation and improvements that extend an asset's useful life or enhance capacity are capitalized.

Depreciation is recorded using the straight-line method over the assets' estimated useful lives. Towers and related assets on leased land are depreciated over the shorter of the term of the ground lease (including renewal options and residual value) or the estimated useful life of the tower.

Towers or assets acquired through capital leases are reflected in property and equipment at the present value of future minimum lease payments or the fair market value of the leased asset at the inception of the lease. Property and equipment, network location intangibles and assets held under capital leases are amortized over the shorter of the lease term or the estimated useful lives of the assets for periods up to twenty years.

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets— The Company reviews goodwill and intangible assets with indefinite lives for impairment at least annually (as of December 31) or whenever events or circumstances indicate the carrying value of an asset may not be recoverable.

The Company's goodwill is recorded in its domestic and international rental and management segments and network development services segment. The Company utilizes the two step impairment test when testing goodwill for impairment. When conducting this test, the Company employs a discounted cash flow analysis. The key assumptions utilized in the discounted cash flow analysis include current operating performance, terminal sales growth rate, management's expectations of future operating results and cash requirements, the current weighted average cost of capital, and an expected tax rate. Under the first step of this test, the Company compares the fair value of the reporting unit, as calculated under an income approach using future discounted cash flows, to the carrying value of the applicable reporting unit. If the carrying value exceeds the fair value, the Company conducts the second step of this test, in which the implied fair value of the applicable reporting unit's goodwill is compared to the carrying amount of that goodwill. If the carrying amount of goodwill exceeds its implied fair value, an impairment loss would be recognized.

During the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010, no potential impairment was identified under the first step of the test, as the fair value of each of the reporting units was in excess of its carrying value.

Intangible assets that are separable from goodwill and are deemed to have a definite life are amortized over their useful lives, generally ranging from three to twenty years and are evaluated separately for impairment at least annually or whenever events or circumstances indicate that the carrying value of an asset may not be recoverable.

Deferred Rent Asset—The Company's deferred rent asset is associated with non-cancellable tenant leases that contain fixed escalation clauses over the terms of the applicable leases.

Notes Receivable and Other Non-Current Assets—Notes receivable and other non-current assets primarily represent the Company's notes receivable from TV Azteca, investments accounted for under the equity method, prepaid ground lease assets, long-term deposits, favorable leasehold interests and other non-current assets.

Derivative Financial Instruments—All derivatives are recorded on the consolidated balance sheet at fair value. Derivatives in an asset position are reflected in notes receivable and other non-current assets and derivatives in a liability position are reflected in other non-current liabilities in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. If a derivative is designated as a cash flow hedge, the effective portions of changes in the fair value of the derivative are recorded in accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income and are recognized in the results of operations when the hedged item affects earnings. Ineffective portions of changes in the fair value of cash flow hedges are recognized in the results of operations. For derivative instruments not designated as hedging instruments, changes in fair value are recognized in the results of operations in the period that the change occurs.

The Company is exposed to certain risks related to its ongoing business operations. The primary risk managed through the use of derivative instruments is interest rate risk. From time to time, the Company enters into interest rate swap agreements to manage exposure on the variable rate debt under its credit facilities and to manage variability in cash flows relating to forecasted interest payments. Under these agreements, the Company is exposed to credit risk to the extent that a counterparty fails to meet the terms of a contract. The Company's credit risk exposure is limited to the current value of the contract at the time the counterparty fails to perform. The Company may also enter into forward starting interest rate swap agreements and treasury lock agreements, which the Company designates as cash flow hedges, to manage exposure to variability in cash flows relating to forecasted interest payments in connection with the likely issuance of new fixed rate debt. Settlement gains and losses on terminations of these forward starting interest rate swap agreements are recorded in other comprehensive income (loss), net of taxes, and amortized to interest expense over the term of the newly issued debt.

The Company assesses, both at the inception of the hedge and on an ongoing basis, whether the derivatives that are used in hedging transactions are highly effective in offsetting changes in cash flows of hedged items. The Company does not hold derivatives for trading purposes.

The Company may also enter into foreign currency financial instruments in anticipation of future transactions in order to minimize the risk of currency fluctuations. These transactions do not typically qualify for hedge accounting, and as a result, the associated gains and losses are recognized in other income (expense) in the consolidated statements of operations.

Fair Value Measurements— The Company determines the fair values of its financial instruments based on the fair value hierarchy, which requires an entity to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value. The following are three levels of inputs that may be used to measure fair value:

Level 1 Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the Company has the ability to access at the measurement date.

Level 2 Observable inputs other than Level 1 prices, such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities; quoted prices in markets that are not active; or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the assets or liabilities.

Level 3 Unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity and that are significant to the fair value of the assets or liabilities.

Discount and Premium on Notes—The Company amortizes the discounts and premiums on its notes using the effective interest method over the term of the obligation. Such amortization is reflected in interest expense in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations.

Accounts Payable and Accrued Expenses—Accounts payable and accrued expenses primarily include amounts payable to vendors in the ordinary course and amounts payable to sellers in conjunction with acquisitions.

Asset Retirement Obligations—The fair value of asset retirement obligations associated with an entity's obligation to retire tangible long-lived assets is recognized in the period in which it is incurred and can be reasonably estimated. Such asset retirement costs are capitalized as part of the carrying amount of the related long-lived asset and depreciated over the asset's estimated useful life or captured as a component of purchase accounting. Fair value estimates of asset retirement obligations generally involve discounting of estimated future cash flows. Periodic accretion of such liabilities due to the passage of time is recorded as an operating expense. Adjustments are also made to the asset retirement obligation liability to reflect changes in the estimates of timing and amount of expected cash flows, with an offsetting adjustment made to the related tangible long-lived asset.

The Company has certain obligations related to tower assets, which are principally obligations to remediate leased land on which certain of the Company's tower assets are located which require the recognition of an asset retirement obligation. The significant assumptions used in estimating the Company's aggregate asset retirement obligation are: timing of tower removals; cost of tower removals; timing and number of land lease renewals; expected inflation rates; and credit-adjusted risk-free interest rates that approximate the Company's incremental borrowing rate.

Income Taxes—The consolidated financial statements reflect provisions for federal, state, local and foreign income taxes. The Company recognizes deferred tax assets and liabilities for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax basis, as well as operating loss and tax credit carryforwards. The Company measures deferred tax assets and liabilities using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences and carryforwards are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities as a result of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date. At December 31, 2011, the Company reversed its deferred tax assets and liabilities related to its REIT activities as a result of a reduction of the expected tax rate. As a REIT, the Company will not pay federal income tax with respect to its QRSs because a dividends paid deduction will be available to offset its taxable income. Additionally, the Company will be permitted to use net operating losses (“NOLs”) to offset its REIT taxable income. The Company does not expect to pay federal income taxes on its REIT taxable income.

The Company provides valuation allowances if, based on the available evidence, it is more likely than not that some or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized within a reasonable period of time. The Company also periodically reviews its valuation allowances on deferred tax assets to reduce these amounts to the amount that management believes is more likely than not to be realized.

The Company classifies uncertain tax positions as non-current income tax liabilities unless expected to be paid within one year. The Company reports penalties and tax-related interest expense as a component of the provision for income taxes and interest income from tax refunds as a component of other income in the consolidated statement of operations.

Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income—Other comprehensive (loss) income refers to revenues, expenses, gains and losses that are included in other comprehensive (loss) income, but excluded from net income, as these amounts are recorded directly as an adjustment to equity, net of tax. The Company's other comprehensive (loss) income is comprised of changes in fair value of derivative cash flow hedges, unrealized losses in available-for-sale securities, foreign currency translation adjustments and reclassification of unrealized losses on derivative cash flow hedges and available-for-sale securities as summarized in the accompanying consolidated statement of other comprehensive (loss) income.

Treasury Stock—The Company records treasury stock purchases using the cost method, whereby the purchase price, including legal costs and commissions, is recorded in a contra equity account (treasury stock). The equity accounts from which the shares were originally issued are not adjusted for any treasury stock purchases unless and until such time as the shares are formally retired. As part of the REIT Conversion, all treasury stock outstanding at the time was retired.

Distributions— A REIT must annually distribute to its stockholders an amount equal to at least 90% of its REIT taxable income (determined before the deduction for distributed earnings and excluding any net capital gain). During the year ended December 31, 2010, a pre-REIT year, there were no cash distributions declared. During the year ended December 31, 2011, the Company paid a one-time special cash distribution to its stockholders of approximately $137.8 million, or $0.35 per share, of earnings and profits accumulated during the years it was taxed as a C corporation, in anticipation of commencing to operate as a REIT effective January 1, 2012. During the year ended December 31, 2012, the Company declared and paid distributions of its REIT taxable income of $355.6 million, or $0.90 per share. The amount, timing and frequency of future distributions will be at the sole discretion of the Board of Directors and will be declared based upon various factors, a number of which may be beyond the Company's control, including the financial condition and operating cash flows, the amount required to maintain REIT status and reduce any income and excise taxes that the Company otherwise would be required to pay, limitations on distributions in our existing and future debt instruments, the Company's ability to utilize NOLs to offset, in whole or in part, the Company's distribution requirements, limitations on its ability to fund distributions using cash generated through its TRSs and other factors that the Board of Directors may deem relevant.

Acquisitions—For transactions that meet the definition of a business combination, the Company allocates the purchase price, including any contingent consideration, to the assets acquired and the liabilities assumed at their estimated fair values as of the date of the acquisition with any excess of the purchase price paid over the estimated fair value of net assets acquired recorded as goodwill. For transactions that do not meet the definition of a business combination, the Company first allocates the purchase price to property and equipment for the fair value of the towers and to identifiable intangible assets (primarily acquired customer-related and network location intangibles). The fair value of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed is typically determined by using either estimates of replacement costs or discounted cash flow valuation methods. When determining the fair value of tangible assets acquired, the Company must estimate the cost to replace the asset with a new asset, adjusted for an estimated reduction in fair value due to depreciation, and the economic useful life. When determining the fair value of intangible assets acquired, the Company must estimate the applicable discount rate and the timing and amount of future customer cash flows. The determination of the final purchase price and the acquisition-date fair value of identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed may extend over more than one period and result in adjustments to the preliminary estimate recognized in the prior period financial statements.

Revenue Recognition—Rental and management revenues are recognized on a monthly basis under lease or management agreements when earned and when collectability is reasonably assured. Fixed escalation clauses present in non-cancellable lease agreements, excluding those tied to the Consumer Price Index (“CPI”) or other inflation-based indices, and other incentives present in lease agreements with the Company's tenants are recognized on a straight-line basis over the fixed, non-cancellable terms of the applicable leases and included in the deferred rent asset on the accompanying consolidated balance sheet. Total rental and management straight-line revenues for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010 approximated $165.8 million, $144.0 million and $105.2 million, respectively. Amounts billed up-front for certain services provided in connection with the execution of lease agreements are initially deferred and recognized as revenue over the initial terms of the applicable leases. Amounts billed or received prior to being earned are deferred and reflected in unearned revenue in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets until the criteria for recognition has been met.

Network development services revenues are derived under contracts or arrangements with tenants that provide for billings on a fixed price basis. Revenues are recognized as services are performed, excluding certain fees for services provided in connection with the execution of lease agreements which are initially deferred and recognized as revenue over the initial terms of the applicable leases. Amounts billed or received prior to being earned are deferred and reflected in unearned revenue in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets until the criteria for recognition has been met.

Rent Expense—Many of the leases underlying the Company's tower sites have fixed rent escalations, which provide for periodic increases in the amount of ground rent payable by the Company over time. The Company calculates straight-line ground rent expense for these leases based on the fixed non-cancellable term of the underlying ground lease plus all periods, if any, for which failure to renew the lease imposes an economic penalty to the Company such that renewal appears to be reasonably assured. Certain of the Company's tenant leases require the Company to exercise available renewal options pursuant to the underlying ground lease, if the tenant exercises its renewal option. For towers with these types of tenant leases at the inception of the ground lease, the Company calculates its straight-line ground rent over the term of the ground lease, including all renewal options required to fulfill the tenant lease obligation.

Total rental and management straight-line ground rent expense approximated $33.7 million, $31.0 million and $22.3 million, for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively. In addition to the straight-line ground rent expense recorded by the Company, the Company also records its straight-line rent liability in other non-current liabilities and records prepaid ground rent in prepaid and other current assets and notes receivable and other non-current assets in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.

Selling, General, Administrative and Development Expense—Selling, general and administrative expense consists of overhead expenses related to the Company's rental and management and services operations and corporate overhead costs not specifically allocable to any of the Company's individual business operations. Development expense consists of costs related to the Company's acquisition efforts, costs associated with new business initiatives and abandoned site and acquisition costs.

Stock-Based Compensation—Stock-based compensation cost is measured at the accounting measurement date based on the fair value of the award and this fair value is then recognized as an expense over the service period, which generally represents the vesting period. The expense recognized over the service period is required to include an estimate of awards that will not fully vest and be forfeited. The Company calculates the fair value of stock options using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model and the fair value of restricted stock units based on the fair value of the units at the grant date. The Company's stock-based compensation expense is recognized in either selling, general, administrative and development expense, costs of operations or capitalized as part of the Company's cost to construct tower assets.

Litigation Costs—The Company periodically becomes involved in various claims and lawsuits that are incidental to its business. The Company regularly monitors the status of pending legal actions to evaluate both the magnitude and likelihood of any potential loss. The Company accrues for these potential losses when it is probable that a liability has been incurred and the amount of loss, or possible range of loss, can be reasonably estimated. Should the ultimate losses on contingencies or litigation vary from estimates, adjustments to those liabilities may be required. The Company also incurs legal costs in connection with these matters and records estimates of these expenses, which are reflected in selling, general, administrative and development expense in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations.

Other Operating Expenses—Other operating expenses includes the costs incurred by the Company in conjunction with acquisitions and mergers (including changes in estimated fair value of contingent consideration), impairments on long-lived assets and gains and losses recognized upon the disposal of long-lived assets and other discrete items of a non-recurring nature.

The Company expenses acquisition and merger related costs in the period in which they are incurred and services are received. Acquisition and merger related costs may include finder's fees, advisory, legal, accounting, valuation and other professional or consulting fees and general administrative costs. During the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010, the Company recognized acquisition and merger related expenses of $25.6 million, $28.1 million and $17.0 million, respectively.

The Company reviews long-lived assets, including intangible assets subject to amortization, for impairment whenever events, changes in circumstances or other evidence indicate that the carrying amount of the Company's assets may not be recoverable.

The Company reviews its tower portfolio and network location intangible assets for indications of impairment on an individual tower basis. Impairments primarily result from a tower not having current tenant leases or from having expenses in excess of revenues. The Company monitors its customer related intangible assets on a customer by customer basis for indications of impairment, such as high levels of turnover or attrition, non-renewal of a significant number of contracts, or the cancellation or termination of a relationship. The Company assesses recoverability by determining whether the carrying value of the related assets will be recovered, either through projected undiscounted future cash flows or anticipated proceeds from sales of the assets. If the Company determines that the carrying value of an asset may not be recoverable, the Company will measure any impairment loss based on the projected future discounted cash flows to be provided from the asset or available market information relative to the asset's fair market value, as compared to the asset's carrying value. The Company records any related impairment charge in the period in which the Company identifies such impairment.

Loss on Retirement of Long-Term Obligations—Loss on retirement of long-term obligations primarily includes cash paid to retire debt in excess of its carrying value, cash paid to holders of convertible notes in connection with note conversions and non-cash charges related to the write-off of deferred financing fees. Loss on retirement of long-term obligations also includes gains from repurchasing or refinancing certain of the Company's debt obligations.

Earnings Per Common Share—Basic and Diluted—Basic income from continuing operations per common share for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010 represents income from continuing operations attributable to American Tower Corporation divided by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted income from continuing operations per common share for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010 represents income from continuing operations attributable to American Tower Corporation divided by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period and any dilutive common share equivalents, including unvested restricted stock, shares issuable upon exercise of stock options and warrants as determined under the treasury stock method and upon conversion of the Company's convertible notes, as determined under the if-converted method.

Retirement Plan—The Company has a 401(k) plan covering substantially all employees who meet certain age and employment requirements. The Company's matching contribution for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010 is 50% up to a maximum 6% of a participant's contributions. For the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010, the Company contributed approximately $4.4 million, $2.9 million and $1.9 million to the plan, respectively.

- Definition

The entire disclosure for the organization, consolidation and basis of presentation of financial statements disclosure, and significant accounting policies of the reporting entity. May be provided in more than one note to the financial statements, as long as users are provided with an understanding of (1) the significant judgments and assumptions made by an enterprise in determining whether it must consolidate a VIE and/or disclose information about its involvement with a VIE, (2) the nature of restrictions on a consolidated VIE's assets reported by an enterprise in its statement of financial position, including the carrying amounts of such assets, (3) the nature of, and changes in, the risks associated with an enterprise's involvement with the VIE, and (4) how an enterprise's involvement with the VIE affects the enterprise's financial position, financial performance, and cash flows. Describes procedure if disclosures are provided in more than one note to the financial statements.

+ References+ Details

Property and Equipment

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Property and Equipment

Property and Equipment

3. PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT

Property and equipment (including assets held under capital leases) consist of the following:


		Estimated		As of December 31,
		Useful Lives (1)		2012		2011 (2)

		(years)		(in thousands)
Towers		Up to 20	$	6,929,888	$	6,036,484
Equipment		3 - 15		560,009		459,070
Buildings and improvements		3 - 31		424,213		369,561
Land and improvements (3)		3 - 20		1,005,857		868,664
Construction-in-progress				151,289		155,585

	Total			9,071,256		7,889,364
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization				(3,281,261)		(2,907,642)

Property and equipment, net			$	5,789,995	$	4,981,722


(1)	Assets on leased land are depreciated over the shorter of the estimated useful life of the asset or the term of the corresponding ground lease taking into consideration lease renewal options and residual value.
(2)	December 31, 2011 balances have been revised to reflect purchase accounting measurement period adjustments.
(3)	Estimated useful lives apply to land improvements only.

Depreciation expense for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010 was $411.9 million, $353.4 million and $286.0 million, respectively. Property and equipment, net includes approximately $868.3 million and $790.5 million of capital leases, which are primarily classified as either towers or land and improvements as of December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively.

- Definition

The entire disclosure for long-lived, physical assets that are used in the normal conduct of business to produce goods and services and not intended for resale. Examples include land, buildings, machinery and equipment, and other types of furniture and equipment including, but not limited to, office equipment, furniture and fixtures, and computer equipment and software. This disclosure may include property plant and equipment accounting policies and methodology, a schedule of property, plant and equipment gross, additions, deletions, transfers and other changes, depreciation, depletion and amortization expense, net, accumulated depreciation, depletion and amortization expense and useful lives, income statement disclosures, assets held for sale and public utility disclosures.

+ References+ Details

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

4. GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS

The changes in the carrying value of goodwill for the Company's business segments are as follows (in thousands):


		Rental and Management				Network Development Services
		Domestic		International		Network Development Services			Total

Balance as of January 1, 2012 (1)		$	2,249,444	$	424,846	$	2,000	$	2,676,290
Additions			92,420		155,696		-		248,116
Effect of foreign currency translation			-		(12,360)		-		(12,360)
Balance as of December 31, 2012		$	2,341,864	$	568,182	$	2,000	$	2,912,046


(1)	Balances have been revised to reflect purchase accounting measurement period adjustments.

The Company's other intangible assets subject to amortization consist of the following:


				As of December 31, 2012						As of December 31, 2011 (1)
		Estimated Useful Lives		Gross Carrying Value		Accumulated Amortization		Net Book Value		Gross Carrying Value		Accumulated Amortization		Net Book Value

		(years)		(in thousands)

Acquired network location (2)		Up to 20	$	1,696,922	$	(721,135)	$	975,787	$	1,537,748	$	(654,137)	$	883,611
Acquired customer-related intangibles		15-20		3,048,696		(979,264)		2,069,432		2,387,179		(843,432)		1,543,747
Acquired licenses and other intangibles		3-20		26,079		(20,835)		5,244		25,949		(20,045)		5,904
Economic Rights, TV Azteca		70		28,954		(13,902)		15,052		26,902		(12,643)		14,259

Total				4,800,651		(1,735,136)		3,065,515		3,977,778		(1,530,257)		2,447,521
Deferred financing costs, net (3)		N/A						49,538						47,532
Other intangible assets, net							$	3,115,053					$	2,495,053


(1)	December 31, 2011 balances have been revised to reflect purchase accounting measurement period adjustments.
(2)	Acquired network location intangibles are amortized over the shorter of the term of the corresponding ground lease taking into consideration lease renewal options and residual value or up to 20 years, as the Company considers these intangibles to be directly related to the tower assets.
(3)	Deferred financing costs are amortized over the term of the respective debt instruments to which they relate using the effective interest method. This amortization is included in interest expense, rather than in amortization expense.

The acquired network location intangible represents the value to the Company of the incremental revenue growth which could potentially be obtained from leasing the excess capacity on acquired communications sites. The acquired customer-related intangibles typically represent the value to the Company of customer contracts and relationships in place at the time of an acquisition, including assumptions regarding estimated renewals. The acquired licenses and other intangibles consist primarily of non-competition agreements acquired from SpectraSite, Inc., and in other tower acquisitions.

The Company amortizes these intangibles on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives. As of December 31, 2012, the remaining weighted average amortization period of the Company's intangible assets, excluding the TV Azteca Economic Rights, is approximately 13 years. Amortization of intangible assets for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010 aggregated approximately $207.3 million, $176.4 million and $156.1 million (excluding amortization of deferred financing costs, which is included in interest expense), respectively. The Company expects to record amortization expense (excluding amortization of deferred financing costs) as follows over the next five years (in thousands):


Year Ending December 31,
2013	$	211,770
2014		203,439
2015		189,129
2016		182,149
2017		180,515

- Definition

The entire disclosure for the aggregate amount of goodwill and a description of intangible assets, which may include (a) for amortizable intangible assets (also referred to as finite-lived intangible assets), the carrying amount, the amount of any significant residual value, and the weighted-average amortization period, (b) for intangible assets not subject to amortization (also referred to as indefinite-lived intangible assets), the carrying amount, and (c) the amount of research and development assets acquired and written off in the period, including the line item in the income statement in which the amounts written off are aggregated, if not readily apparent from the income statement. Also discloses (a) for amortizable intangibles assets in total and by major class, the gross carrying amount and accumulated amortization, the total amortization expense for the period, and the estimated aggregate amortization expense for each of the five succeeding fiscal years, (b) for intangible assets not subject to amortization the carrying amount in total and by major class, and (c) for goodwill, in total and for each reportable segment, the changes in the carrying amount of goodwill during the period (including the aggregate amount of goodwill acquired, the aggregate amount of impairment losses recognized, and the amount of goodwill included in the gain (loss) on disposal of a reporting unit). If any part of goodwill has not been allocated to a reportable segment, discloses the unallocated amount and the reasons for not allocating. For each impairment loss recognized related to an intangible asset (excluding goodwill), discloses: (a) a description of the impaired intangible asset and the facts and circumstances leading to the impairment, (b) the amount of the impairment loss and the method for determining fair value, (c) the caption in the income statement or the statement of activities in which the impairment loss is aggregated, and (d) the segment in which the impaired intangible asset is reported. For each goodwill impairment loss recognized, discloses: (a) a description of the facts and circumstances leading to the impairment, (b) the amount of the impairment loss and the method of determining the fair value of the associated reporting unit, and (c) if a recognized impairment loss is an estimate not finalized and the reasons why the estimate is not final. May also disclose the nature and amount of any significant adjustments made to a previous estimate of an impairment loss.

+ References+ Details

Notes Receivable and Other Non-current Assets

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Notes Receivable And Other Long Term Assets [Abstract]

Notes Receivable and Other Non-Current Assets

5. NOTES RECEIVABLE AND OTHER NON-CURRENT ASSETS

Notes receivable and other non-current assets consist of the following as of December 31, (in thousands):


		2012		2011(1)

Notes receivable		$	114,256	$	118,892
Long-term prepaid assets			176,094		167,975
Other miscellaneous assets			162,438		208,748

Balance as of December 31,		$	452,788	$	495,615


(1)	December 31, 2011 balances have been revised to reflect purchase accounting measurement period adjustments.

TV Azteca Note Receivable—In 2000, the Company loaned TV Azteca, S.A. de C.V. (“TV Azteca”), the owner of a major national television network in Mexico, $119.8 million. The loan has an interest rate of 13.11%, payable quarterly which at the time of issuance was determined to be below market and therefore a corresponding discount was recorded. As of December 31, 2012 and 2011, approximately $119.8 million undiscounted (approximately $108.2 million discounted) under the loan was outstanding and included in notes receivable and other non-current assets in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. The term of the loan is seventy years; however, the loan may be prepaid by TV Azteca without penalty during the last fifty years of the agreement. The discount on the loan is being amortized to interest income, TV Azteca, net of interest expense, using the effective interest method over the seventy-year term of the loan.

Simultaneous with the signing of the loan agreement, the Company also entered into a seventy year Economic Rights Agreement with TV Azteca regarding space not used by TV Azteca on approximately 190 of its broadcast towers. In exchange for the issuance of the below market interest rate loan and the annual payment of $1.5 million to TV Azteca (under the Economic Rights Agreement), the Company has the right to market and lease the unused tower space on the broadcast towers (the “Economic Rights”). TV Azteca retains title to these towers and is responsible for their operation and maintenance. The Company is entitled to 100% of the revenues generated from leases with tenants on the unused space and is responsible for any incremental operating expenses associated with those tenants.

The term of the Economic Rights Agreement is seventy years; however, TV Azteca has the right to purchase, at fair market value, the Economic Rights from the Company at any time during the last fifty years of the agreement. Should TV Azteca elect to purchase the Economic Rights (in whole or in part), it would also be obligated to repay a proportional amount of the loan discussed above at the time of such election. The Company's obligation to pay TV Azteca $1.5 million annually would also be reduced proportionally.

The Company has accounted for the annual payment of $1.5 million as a capital lease (initially recording an asset and a corresponding liability of approximately $18.6 million). The capital lease asset and the original discount on the note, which aggregated approximately $30.2 million, represent the cost to acquire the Economic Rights, which is recorded as an intangible asset and is being amortized over the seventy-year life of the Economic Rights agreement.

Iusacell Note Receivable—Effective April 1, 2010, the Company renegotiated its agreement with Iusacell. The renegotiated agreement includes, among other changes, the conversion of its accounts receivable, net, outstanding at that time, to a long-term note receivable to be repaid over five years. In December 2011, the Company and Iusacell agreed to amend the repayment terms such that all amounts outstanding will be repaid by April 2014. The loan has an interest rate of 12.0%, but may be reduced, subject to certain capitalization and repayment conditions. As of December 31, 2012, approximately $3.1 million, net, under the loan was outstanding and included in notes receivable and other non-current assets and $12.5 million was outstanding and included in prepaid and other current assets in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.

Long-Term Prepaid Assets—Long-term prepaid assets consist primarily of long-term prepaid ground rent.

Acquisitions and Other Transactions

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Acquisitions and Other Transactions

Acquisitions and Other Transactions

6. ACQUISITIONS AND OTHER TRANSACTIONS

All of the acquisitions described below are being accounted for as business combinations and are consistent with the Company's strategy to expand in selected geographic areas.

The estimates of the fair value of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed at the date of the applicable acquisition are subject to adjustment during the measurement period (up to one year from the particular acquisition date). The primary areas of the preliminary purchase price allocations that are not yet finalized relate to the fair value of certain tangible and intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed, including contingent consideration, and residual goodwill and the related tax impact. The fair values of these net assets acquired are based on management's estimates and assumptions, as well as other information compiled by management, including valuations that utilize customary valuation procedures and techniques. During the measurement period, the Company will adjust assets and/or liabilities if new information is obtained about facts and circumstances that existed as of the acquisition date that, if known, would have resulted in the revised estimated values of those assets and/or liabilities as of that date. The effect of measurement period adjustments to the estimated fair values is reflected as if the adjustments had been completed on the acquisition date. The impact of all changes that do not qualify as measurement period adjustments are included in current period earnings. If the actual results differ from the estimates and judgments used in these fair values, the amounts recorded in the consolidated financial statements could be subject to a possible impairment of the intangible assets and/or goodwill, or require acceleration of the amortization expense of intangible assets in subsequent periods. During the year ended December 31, 2012, the Company made certain purchase accounting measurement period adjustments related to several acquisitions and therefore retrospectively adjusted the fair value of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed in the consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2011.

Impact of current year acquisitions—The Company typically acquires communications sites from wireless carriers or other tower operators and subsequently integrates those sites into its existing portfolio of communications sites. The financial results of the Company's acquisitions have been included in the Company's consolidated statements of operations for the year ended December 31, 2012 from the date of acquisition. The date of acquisition, and by extension the point at which the Company begins to recognize the results of an acquisition may be dependent upon, among other things, the receipt of contractual consents, the commencement and extent of leasing arrangements and the timing of the transfer of title or rights to the assets, which may be accomplished in phases. For sites acquired from communication service providers, these sites may never have been operated as a business and were utilized solely by the seller as a component of their network infrastructure. An acquisition, depending on its size and nature, may or may not involve the transfer of business operations or employees.

The Company reviewed the acquisitions completed during the year ended December 31, 2012 and determined that no single acquisition was material in nature. The Company estimates that the impact of the acquisitions in the aggregate on the revenues of the Company's domestic and international rental and management segments for the year ended December 31, 2012 was approximately $3.8 million and $42.9 million, respectively. Additionally, the Company estimates that the impact of the acquisitions in the aggregate on the gross margin of the Company's domestic and international rental and management segments for the year ended December 31, 2012 was approximately $2.8 million and $20.4 million, respectively. The estimated revenue and gross margin amounts also reflect incremental revenues from the addition of new tenants to the acquired sites subsequent to the date of acquisition. Incremental amounts of segment selling, general, administrative and development expense have not been reflected as the amounts attributable to acquisitions are not comparable for the reasons noted above.

South Africa Acquisition—On November 4, 2010, the Company entered into a definitive agreement with Cell C (Pty) Limited (“Cell C”) to purchase up to approximately 1,400 existing communications sites, and up to 1,800 additional communications sites that either are under construction or may be constructed, for an aggregate purchase price of up to approximately $430.0 million. On March 8, 2011, July 25, 2011 and December 14, 2011, the Company completed the purchase of 959, 329 and 76 existing communications sites, respectively, through its local South African subsidiary for an aggregate purchase price of $214.5 million (including contingent consideration of $2.6 million and value added tax of $12.3 million), using cash on hand, local financing and funds contributed by South African investors who currently hold an approximate 25% non-controlling interest in the Company's South African subsidiary.

Under the terms of the purchase agreement, legal title to certain of the communications sites acquired on December 14, 2011 will be transferred upon fulfillment of certain conditions by Cell C. Prior to the fulfillment of these conditions, the Company will operate and maintain control of these communications sites, and accordingly, reflect these sites in the allocation of purchase price and the consolidated operating results.

The agreement with Cell C requires the Company to make a one-time payment based on the annualized rent for each collocation installed for a specific wireless carrier on the acquired communications sites occurring within a four-year period after the initial closing date. Based on current estimates, the Company estimates the value of the remaining potential contingent consideration payments required to be made under the agreement to be between zero and $2.0 million and is estimated to be $1.9 million using a probability-weighted average of the expected outcomes at December 31, 2012. The Company has previously made payments under this arrangement of $8.7 million. During the year ended December 31, 2012, the Company recorded an increase in fair value of $3.9 million as other operating expenses in the consolidated statements of operations.

The allocation of the purchase price was finalized during the year ended December 31, 2012. The following table summarizes the allocation of the aggregate purchase consideration paid and the amounts of assets acquired and liabilities assumed based upon their estimated fair value at the date of acquisition (in thousands):

		Final Purchase Price Allocation (1)		Preliminary Purchase Price Allocation (2)
Current assets		$	12,262	$	12,262
Property and equipment		81,052		82,225
Intangible assets (3)		118,502		118,781
Current liabilities		(74)		(74)
Other non-current liabilities		(31,418)		(32,908)
Fair value of net assets acquired		$	180,324	$	180,286
Goodwill (4)		34,159		34,197


(1)	Reflected in the consolidated balance sheets herein.
(2)	Reflected in the consolidated balance sheets in the Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011.
(3)	Consists of customer-related intangibles of approximately $105.0 million and network location intangibles of approximately $13.5 million. The customer-related intangibles and network location intangibles are being amortized on a straight-line basis over periods of up to 20 years.
(4)	The Company expects that the goodwill recorded will not be deductible for tax purposes. The goodwill was allocated to the Company’s international rental and management segment.

Pursuant to the agreement with Cell C entered into on November 4, 2010, the Company completed the purchase of an additional 197 and 39 communications sites on July 31, 2012 and August 31, 2012, respectively, for an aggregate purchase price of $35.0 million (including value added tax of $4.3 million). Under the terms of the agreement, legal title to certain of the communications sites acquired will be transferred upon fulfillment of certain conditions by Cell C. Prior to the fulfillment of these conditions, the Company will operate and maintain control of these communications sites, and accordingly, reflect these sites in the allocation of purchase price and the consolidated operating results.

The following table summarizes the preliminary allocation of the aggregate purchase price consideration paid and the amounts of assets acquired and liabilities assumed based upon their estimated fair value at the date of acquisition (in thousands):

		Preliminary Purchase Price Allocation
Current assets		$	4,295
Non-current assets		340
Property and equipment		16,375
Intangible assets (1)		10,709
Other non-current liabilities		(2,552)
Fair value of net assets acquired		$	29,167
Goodwill (2)		5,809


(1)	Consists of customer-related intangibles of approximately $8.5 million and network location intangibles of approximately $2.2 million. The customer-related intangibles and network location intangibles are being amortized on a straight-line basis over periods of up to 20 years.
(2)	The Company expects that the goodwill recorded will not be deductible for tax purposes. The goodwill was allocated to the Company’s international rental and management segment.

Brazil Acquisition—On March 1, 2011, the Company acquired 100% of the outstanding shares of a company that owned 627 communications sites in Brazil for $553.2 million, which was subsequently increased to $585.4 million as a result of acquiring 39 additional communications sites during the year ended December 31, 2011. During the year ended December 31, 2012, the purchase price was reduced to $585.3 million after certain post-closing purchase price adjustments.

		Final Purchase Price Allocation (1)		Preliminary Purchase Price Allocation (2)
Current assets (3)		$	9,922	$	9,922
Non-current assets		71,529		98,047
Property and equipment		83,539		86,062
Intangible assets (4)		368,000		288,000
Current liabilities		(5,536)		(5,536)
Other non-current liabilities (5)		(38,519)		(38,519)
Fair value of net assets acquired		$	488,935	$	437,976
Goodwill (6)		96,395		147,459


(1)	Reflected in the consolidated balance sheets herein.
(2)	Reflected in the consolidated balance sheets in the Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011.
(3)	Includes approximately $7.7 million of accounts receivable, which approximates the value due to the Company under certain contractual arrangements.
(4)	Consists of customer-related intangibles of approximately $250.0 million and network location intangibles of approximately $118.0 million. The customer-related intangibles and network location intangibles are being amortized on a straight-line basis over periods of up to 20 years.
(5)	Other long-term liabilities includes contingent amounts of approximately $30.0 million primarily related to uncertain tax positions related to the acquisition and non-current assets includes $24.0 million of the related indemnification asset.
(6)	The Company expects that the goodwill recorded will be deductible for tax purposes. The goodwill was allocated to the Company’s international rental and management segment.

Brazil – Vivo Acquisition—On March 30, 2012, the Company entered into a definitive agreement to purchase up to 1,500 towers from Vivo S.A. (“Vivo”). Pursuant to the agreement, on March 30, 2012, the Company purchased 800 communications sites for an aggregate purchase price of $151.7 million. On June 30, 2012, the Company purchased the remaining 700 communications sites for an aggregate purchase price of $126.3 million, subject to post-closing adjustments. In addition, the Company and Vivo amended the asset purchase agreement to allow for the acquisition of up to an additional 300 communications sites by the Company, subject to regulatory approval. On August 31, 2012, the Company purchased an additional 192 communications sites from Vivo for an aggregate purchase price of $32.7 million, subject to post-closing adjustments.

The following table summarizes the preliminary allocation of the aggregate purchase consideration paid and the amounts of assets acquired and liabilities assumed based upon their estimated fair value at the date of acquisition (in thousands):

		Preliminary Purchase Price Allocation
Non-current assets		$	24,460
Property and equipment		138,959
Intangible assets (1)		117,990
Other non-current liabilities		(18,195)
Fair value of net assets acquired		$	263,214
Goodwill (2)		47,481


(1)	Consists of customer-related intangibles of approximately $80.0 million and network location intangibles of approximately $38.0 million. The customer-related intangibles and network location intangibles are being amortized on a straight-line basis over periods of up to 20 years.
(2)	The Company expects that the goodwill recorded will be deductible for tax purposes. The goodwill was allocated to the Company’s international rental and management segment.

Ghana Acquisition—On December 6, 2010, the Company entered into a definitive agreement with MTN Group Limited (“MTN Group”) to establish a joint venture in Ghana. The joint venture is controlled by a holding company of which a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company (the “ATC Ghana Subsidiary”) holds a 51% interest and Mobile Telephone Networks (Netherlands) B.V., a wholly owned subsidiary of MTN Group (the “MTN Ghana Subsidiary”) holds a 49% interest. The joint venture is managed and controlled by the Company and owns a tower operations company in Ghana.

Pursuant to the agreement, on May 6, 2011, August 11, 2011 and December 23, 2011, the joint venture acquired 400, 770 and 686 communications sites, respectively, from MTN Group's operating subsidiary in Ghana for an aggregate purchase price of $515.6 million (including contingent consideration of $2.3 million and value added tax of $65.6 million). The aggregate purchase price was subsequently increased to $517.7 million (including contingent consideration of $2.3 million and value added tax of $65.6 million) after certain post-closing adjustments.

Under the terms of the purchase agreement, legal title to certain of the communications sites acquired on December 23, 2011 will be transferred upon fulfillment of certain conditions by MTN Group. Prior to the fulfillment of these conditions, the Company will operate and maintain control of these communications sites, and accordingly, reflect these sites in the allocation of purchase price and the consolidated operating results.

In December 2011, the Company signed an amendment to its agreement with MTN Group, which requires the Company to make additional payments upon the conversion of certain barter agreements with other wireless carriers to cash-paying master lease agreements. The Company currently estimates the fair value of remaining potential contingent consideration payments required to be made under the amended agreement to be between zero and $1.0 million and is estimated to be $0.9 million using a probability weighted average of the expected outcomes at December 31, 2012. The Company has previously made payments under this arrangement of $2.6 million. During the year ended December 31, 2012, the Company recorded an increase in fair value of $0.4 million as other operating expenses in the consolidated statements of operations.

		Final Purchase Price Allocation (1)		Preliminary Purchase Price Allocation (2)
Current assets		$	6,969	$	69,147
Non-current assets		69,145		5,405
Property and equipment		319,641		304,478
Intangible assets (3)		112,025		82,217
Other non-current liabilities		(11,477)		(13,356)
Fair value of net assets acquired		$	496,303	$	447,891
Goodwill (4)		21,375		67,755


(1)	Reflected in the consolidated balance sheets herein.
(2)	Reflected in the consolidated balance sheets in the Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011.
(3)	Consists of customer-related intangibles of approximately $58.0 million and network location intangibles of approximately $54.0 million. The customer-related intangibles and network location intangibles are being amortized on a straight-line basis over periods of up to 20 years.
(4)	The Company expects that the goodwill recorded will be deductible for tax purposes. The goodwill was allocated to the Company’s international rental and management segment.

Mexico Acquisition—On November 3, 2011, the Company entered into a definitive agreement to purchase up to approximately 730 communications sites from Telefónica's Mexican subsidiary, Pegaso PCS, S.A. de C.V. (“Telefónica Mexico”). On December 15, 2011, the Company completed the purchase of 584 communications sites, for an aggregate purchase price of $121.9 million (including value added tax of $16.7 million). On December 7, 2011, the Company entered into a definitive agreement to purchase up to approximately 1,778 additional communications sites from Telefónica Mexico. On December 28, 2011, April 3, 2012, June 29, 2012 and July 10, 2012, the Company completed the purchase of 1,422, 55, 74 and 3 communications sites, respectively, for an aggregate purchase price of $323.3 million (including value added tax of $44.7 million).

		Final Purchase Price Allocation (1)		Preliminary Purchase Price Allocation (2)
Current assets		$	61,402	$	57,414
Non-current assets		16,350		26,845
Property and equipment		187,275		174,767
Intangible assets (3)		147,692		97,182
Current liabilities		(148)		(148)
Other non-current liabilities		(9,449)		(8,836)
Fair value of net assets acquired		$	403,122	$	347,224
Goodwill (4)		42,044		69,030


(1)	Reflected in the consolidated balance sheets herein.
(2)	Reflected in the consolidated balance sheets in the Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011.
(3)	Consists of customer-related intangibles of approximately $75.0 million and network location intangibles of approximately $72.7 million. The customer-related intangibles and network location intangibles are being amortized on a straight-line basis over periods of up to 20 years.
(4)	The Company expects that the goodwill recorded will be deductible for tax purposes. The goodwill was allocated to the Company’s international rental and management segment.

On September 12, 2012, the Company entered into a definitive agreement to purchase up to approximately 348 additional communications sites from Telefónica Mexico. On September 27, 2012 and December 14, 2012, the Company completed the purchase of 279 and 2 communications sites, for an aggregate purchase price of $63.5 million (including value added tax of $8.8 million).

		Preliminary Purchase Price Allocation
Current assets		$	8,763
Non-current assets		2,332
Property and equipment		26,711
Intangible assets (1)		21,079
Other non-current liabilities		(1,349)
Fair value of net assets acquired		$	57,536
Goodwill (2)		5,998


(1)	Consists of customer-related intangibles of approximately $10.7 million and network location intangibles of approximately $10.4 million. The customer-related intangibles and network location intangibles are being amortized on a straight-line basis over periods of up to 20 years.
(2)	The Company expects that the goodwill recorded will be deductible for tax purposes. The goodwill was allocated to the Company’s international rental and management segment.

On November 16, 2012, the Company entered into an agreement to purchase up to 198 additional communications sites from Telefónica Mexico. On December 14, 2012, the Company completed the purchase of 188 communications sites, for an aggregate purchase price of $64.2 million (including value added tax of $8.9 million).

		Preliminary Purchase Price Allocation
Current assets		$	8,852
Non-current assets		1,524
Property and equipment		17,994
Intangible assets (1)		33,882
Other non-current liabilities		(1,992)
Fair value of net assets acquired		$	60,260
Goodwill (2)		3,919


(1)	Consists of customer-related intangibles of approximately $30.0 million and network location intangibles of approximately $3.8 million. The customer-related intangibles and network location intangibles are being amortized on a straight-line basis over periods of up to 20 years.
(2)	The Company expects that the goodwill recorded will be deductible for tax purposes. The goodwill was allocated to the Company’s international rental and management segment.

Colombia – Telefónica Moviles Acquisition—During the year ended December 31, 2011, the Company acquired 125 communications sites from Telefónica Moviles Colombia S.A. (“Telefónica Colombia”) for an aggregate purchase price of $17.5 million.

		Final Purchase Price Allocation (1)		Preliminary Purchase Price Allocation (2)
Non-current assets		$	110	$	217
Property and equipment		13,526		12,456
Intangible assets (3)		4,008		4,675
Other non-current liabilities		(341)		(341)
Fair value of net assets acquired		$	17,303	$	17,007
Goodwill (4)		227		523


(1)	Reflected in the consolidated balance sheets herein.
(2)	Reflected in the consolidated balance sheets in the Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011.
(3)	Consists of customer-related intangibles of approximately $1.5 million and network location intangibles of approximately $2.5 million. The customer-related intangibles and network location intangibles are being amortized on a straight-line basis over periods of up to 20 years.
(4)	The Company expects that the goodwill recorded will be deductible for tax purposes. The goodwill was allocated to the Company’s international rental and management segment.

During the year ended December 31, 2012, the Company acquired an additional 31 communications sites from Telefónica Colombia for an aggregate purchase price of $4.7 million.

		Final Purchase Price Allocation
Non-current assets		$	2
Property and equipment		3,590
Intangible assets (1)		1,062
Other non-current liabilities		(91)
Fair value of net assets acquired		$	4,563
Goodwill (2)		89


(1)	Consists of customer-related intangibles of approximately $0.4 million and network location intangibles of approximately $0.7 million. The customer-related intangibles and network location intangibles are being amortized on a straight-line basis over periods of up to 20 years.
(2)	The Company expects that the goodwill recorded will be deductible for tax purposes. The goodwill was allocated to the Company’s international rental and management segment.

Colombia – Colombia Movil Acquisition—On July 17, 2011, the Company entered into a definitive agreement with Colombia Movil S.A. E.S.P. (“Colombia Movil”), whereby ATC Sitios Infraco, S.A.S., a Colombian subsidiary of the Company (“ATC Infraco”), would purchase up to 2,126 communications sites from Colombia Movil for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $182.0 million.

From December 21, 2011 through the year ended December 31, 2012, ATC Infraco completed the purchase of 1,526 communications sites for an aggregate purchase price of $136.2 million (including contingent consideration of $17.3 million), subject to post-closing adjustments. Through a subsidiary, Millicom International Cellular S.A. (“Millicom”) exercised its option to acquire an indirect, substantial non-controlling interest in ATC Infraco.

Under the terms of the agreement, the Company is required to make additional payments upon the conversion of certain barter agreements with other wireless carriers to cash paying lease agreements. Based on the Company's current estimates, the value of potential contingent consideration payments required to be made under the amended agreement is expected to be between zero and $32.8 million and is estimated to be $17.3 million using a probability weighted average of the expected outcomes at December 31, 2012. During the year ended December 31, 2012, the Company recorded a reduction in fair value of $1.2 million, which is included in other operating expenses in the consolidated statements of operations.

		Final Purchase Price Allocation (1)		Preliminary Purchase Price Allocation (2)
Non-current assets		$	-	$	1,126
Property and equipment		128,989		95,052
Intangible assets (3)		26,791		26,132
Current liabilities		(2,632)		(639)
Other non-current liabilities		(17,489)		(3,416)
Fair value of net assets acquired		$	135,659	$	118,255
Goodwill (4)		576		1,067


(1)	Reflected in the consolidated balance sheets herein.
(2)	Reflected in the consolidated balance sheets in the Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011.
(3)	Consists of customer-related intangibles of approximately $7.2 million and network location intangibles of approximately $19.6 million. The customer-related intangibles and network location intangibles are being amortized on a straight-line basis over periods of up to 20 years.
(4)	The Company expects that the goodwill recorded will be deductible for tax purposes. The goodwill was allocated to the Company’s international rental and management segment.

On December 11, 2012, the Company returned 15 communications sites to Colombia Movil pursuant to the terms of the agreement.

On February 1, 2013, the Company purchased an additional 13 communications sites for an aggregate purchase price of $1.3 million (including contingent consideration of $0.2 million).

Chile – Telefónica Moviles Acquisition—On December 30, 2011, the Company purchased 100% of the outstanding shares of a subsidiary of Telefónica Moviles Chile S.A. that owned 558 communications sites, for an aggregate purchase price of $94.9 million. The purchase price is subject to additional post-closing adjustments, following completion of the Company's post-closing due diligence of the communications sites acquired.

The allocation of the purchase price was finalized during the year ended December 31, 2012. The following table summarizes the allocation of the aggregate purchase price consideration paid and the amounts of assets acquired and liabilities assumed based upon their estimated fair value at the date of acquisition (in thousands):

		Final Purchase Price Allocation (1)		Preliminary Purchase Price Allocation (2)
Non-current assets		$	1,892	$	2,772
Property and equipment		55,100		43,140
Intangible assets (3)		35,300		39,916
Other non-current liabilities		(4,505)		(4,505)
Fair value of net assets acquired		$	87,787	$	81,323
Goodwill (4)		7,073		13,537


(1)	Reflected in the consolidated balance sheets herein.
(2)	Reflected in the consolidated balance sheets in the Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011.
(3)	Consists of customer-related intangibles of approximately $15.5 million and network location intangibles of approximately $19.8 million. The customer-related intangibles and network location intangibles are being amortized on a straight-line basis over periods of up to 20 years.
(4)	The Company expects that the goodwill recorded will be deductible for tax purposes. The goodwill was allocated to the Company’s international rental and management segment.

Uganda Acquisition—On December 8, 2011, the Company entered into a definitive agreement with MTN Group to establish a joint venture in Uganda. The joint venture is controlled by a holding company of which a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company (the “ATC Uganda Subsidiary”) holds a 51% interest and a wholly owned subsidiary of MTN Group (the “MTN Uganda Subsidiary”) holds a 49% interest. The joint venture is managed and controlled by the Company and owns a tower operations company in Uganda.

Pursuant to the agreement, the joint venture agreed to purchase a total of up to 1,000 existing communications sites from MTN Group's operating subsidiary in Uganda, subject to customary closing conditions. On June 29, 2012, the joint venture acquired 962 communications sites for an aggregate purchase price of $171.5 million, subject to post-closing adjustments. The aggregate purchase price was subsequently increased to $173.2 million, subject to future post-closing adjustments.

Under the terms of the purchase agreement, legal title to certain of these communications sites will be transferred upon fulfillment of certain conditions by MTN Group. Prior to the fulfillment of these conditions, the Company will operate and maintain control of these communications sites, and accordingly, reflect these sites in the allocation of purchase price and the consolidated operating results.

		Preliminary Purchase Price Allocation
Non-current assets		$	2,258
Property and equipment		102,366
Intangible assets (1)		63,500
Other non-current liabilities		(7,528)
Fair value of net assets acquired		$	160,596
Goodwill (2)		12,564


(1)	Consists of customer-related intangibles of approximately $36.5 million and network location intangibles of approximately $27.0 million. The customer-related intangibles and network location intangibles are being amortized on a straight-line basis over periods of up to 20 years.
(2)	The Company expects that the goodwill recorded will not be deductible for tax purposes. The goodwill was allocated to the Company’s international rental and management segment.

Germany Acquisition—On November 14, 2012, the Company entered into a definitive agreement to purchase communications sites from E-Plus Mobilfunk GmbH & Co. KG. On December 4, 2012, the Company completed the purchase of 2,031 communications sites, for an aggregate purchase price of $525.7 million.

		Preliminary Purchase Price Allocation
Current assets		$	14,483
Property and equipment		233,073
Intangible assets (1)		238,965
Current liabilities		(2,990)
Other non-current liabilities		(23,243)
Fair value of net assets acquired		$	460,288
Goodwill (2)		65,365


(1)	Consists of customer-related intangibles of approximately $218.2 million and network location intangibles of approximately $20.8 million. The customer-related intangibles and network location intangibles are being amortized on a straight-line basis over periods of up to 20 years.
(2)	The Company expects that the goodwill recorded will be deductible for tax purposes. The goodwill was allocated to the Company’s international rental and management segment.

Skyway Acquisition—On December 20, 2012, the Company acquired an entity holding a portfolio of 318 communications sites from Skyway Towers Holdings, LLC for an aggregate purchase price of $169.6 million, including cash paid of approximately $169.5 million and net liabilities assumed of approximately $0.1 million.

		Preliminary Purchase Price Allocation
Current assets		$	740
Property and equipment		60,671
Intangible assets (1)		83,700
Current liabilities		(454)
Other non-current liabilities		(3,333)
Fair value of net assets acquired		$	141,324
Goodwill (2)		28,224


(1)	Consists of customer-related intangibles of approximately $63.0 million and network location intangibles of approximately $20.7 million. The customer-related intangibles and network location intangibles are being amortized on a straight-line basis over periods of up to 20 years.
(2)	The Company expects that the goodwill recorded will be deductible for tax purposes. The goodwill was allocated to the Company’s domestic rental and management segment.

Diamond Acquisition—On December 28, 2012, the Company acquired Diamond Communications Trust and its subsidiary New Towers LLC, which hold a portfolio of 316 communications sites and 24 property interests under third-party communications sites, for an aggregate purchase price of $322.5 million, including cash paid of $320.1 million and net liabilities assumed of $2.4 million.

		Preliminary Purchase Price Allocation
Current assets		$	842
Property and equipment		69,045
Intangible assets (1)		199,700
Current liabilities		(3,216)
Other non-current liabilities		(3,423)
Fair value of net assets acquired		$	262,948
Goodwill (2)		57,178


(1)	Consists of customer-related intangibles of approximately $171.3 million and network location intangibles of approximately $28.4 million. The customer-related intangibles and network location intangibles are being amortized on a straight-line basis over periods of up to 20 years.
(2)	The Company expects that the goodwill recorded will be deductible for tax purposes. The goodwill was allocated to the Company’s domestic rental and management segment.

Other U.S. Acquisitions—During the year ended December 31, 2012, the Company acquired a total of 128 additional communications sites and equipment in the United States for an aggregate purchase price of $146.2 million, of which $144.8 million was paid during 2012. The remaining $1.4 million is reflected in accounts payable in the consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2012.

The following table summarizes the preliminary allocation of the aggregate purchase consideration paid for acquisitions that closed during the year ended December 31, 2012 and the amounts of assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on the estimated fair value at the date of acquisition (in thousands):

		Preliminary Purchase Price Allocation
Non-current assets		$	153
Property and equipment		61,995
Intangible assets (1)		78,199
Other non-current liabilities		(1,310)
Fair value of net assets acquired		$	139,037
Goodwill (2)		7,124


(1)	Consists of customer-related intangibles of approximately $62.0 million and network location intangibles of approximately $16.2 million. The customer-related intangibles and network location intangibles are being amortized on a straight-line basis over periods of up to 20 years.
(2)	The Company expects that the goodwill recorded will be deductible for tax purposes. The goodwill was allocated to the Company’s domestic rental and management segment.

During the year ended December 31, 2012, the Company purchased the remaining 67.5% interest in one of its equity method investments for $0.8 million. As a result of the acquisition, the Company also re-measured its original investment and recorded a gain of $0.2 million, which is included in other operating expenses in the consolidated statements of operations.

The following table summarizes the allocation of the aggregate purchase consideration paid and the amounts of assets acquired and liabilities assumed based upon the estimated fair value at the acquisition date for acquisitions which closed during the year ended December 31, 2011 (in thousands):

		Final Purchase Price Allocation (1)		Preliminary Purchase Price Allocation (2)
Non-current assets		$	289	$	0
Property and equipment		21,088		23,270
Intangible assets (3)		61,107		61,626
Other non-current liabilities		(4,288)		(4,118)
Fair value of net assets acquired		$	78,196	$	80,778
Goodwill (4)		4,604		2,022


(1)	Reflected in the consolidated balance sheets herein.
(2)	Reflected in the consolidated balance sheets in the Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011.
(3)	Consists of customer relationships of approximately $46.4 million and network location intangibles of approximately $14.7 million as of December 31, 2012. The customer relationships and network location intangibles are being amortized on a straight-line basis over periods of up to 20 years.
(4)	The Company expects that the goodwill recorded will be deductible for tax purposes. The goodwill was allocated to the Company’s domestic rental and management segment.

Cash consideration	$	312,002
Settlement of preexisting arrangement		(2,584)
Total consideration	$	309,418

		Final Purchase Price Allocation (1)		Preliminary Purchase Price Allocation (2)
Current assets (3) (4)		$	10,770	$	16,203
Non-current assets (4)		96,130		154,817
Property and equipment (5)		398,542		340,602
Intangible assets		4,200		3,297
Current liabilities		(6,351)		(7,703)
Long-term obligations		(209,321)		(209,321)
Other non-current liabilities		(561)		(1,508)
Fair value of net assets acquired		$	293,409	$	296,387
Goodwill (6)		16,009		13,031


(1)	Reflected in the consolidated balance sheets herein.
(2)	Reflected in the consolidated balance sheets in the Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011.
(3)	Includes approximately $0.1 million of accounts receivable which approximates the value due to the Company under certain contractual arrangements.
(4)	Includes prepaid operating leases, term easements and managed sites.
(5)	Includes perpetual easements.
(6)	With the exception of goodwill that relates to interests in land and perpetual easements, the Company expects that the goodwill recorded will be deductible for tax purposes. The goodwill was allocated to the Company’s domestic rental and management segment.

U.S. Property Interests-Other—On October 21, 2011, the Company acquired property interests under approximately 240 communications sites in the United States for an aggregate purchase price of $72.6 million.

The property interests acquired are located underneath existing communication sites owned or subleased by the Company. The deferred rent liability associated with the underlying ground leases was approximately $4.3 million on the date of acquisition. As a result of the Company's acquisition of these property interests, the preexisting land leases were considered to be effectively settled. The terms of these land leases were determined to represent fair value at the acquisition date. As such, the Company did not record any gain or loss separately from the acquisition and the $4.3 million unamortized deferred rent liability was included as part of the fair value of consideration transferred.

The fair value of the consideration transferred consists of the following (in thousands):

Cash consideration	$	72,595
Settlement of preexisting arrangement		(4,256)
Total consideration	$	68,339

The property interests acquired included perpetual easements, prepaid operating ground leases and term easements for land located under the Company's communication sites and sites owned by communications service providers and third-party tower operators.

The allocation of the purchase price was finalized during the year ended December 31, 2012. The following table summarizes the allocation of the aggregate purchase price consideration paid and the amounts of assets acquired based upon their estimated fair value at the date of acquisition (in thousands):

		Final Purchase Price Allocation (1)		Preliminary Purchase Price Allocation (2)
Current assets (3)		$	359	$	363
Non-current assets (3)		13,357		13,394
Property and equipment (4)		47,898		47,898
Intangible assets		490		383
Fair value of net assets acquired		$	62,104	$	62,038
Goodwill (5)		6,235		6,301


(1)	Reflected in the consolidated balance sheets herein.
(2)	Reflected in the consolidated balance sheets in the Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011.
(3)	Includes prepaid operating ground leases, term easements and managed sites.
(4)	Includes perpetual easements.
(5)	With the exception of goodwill that relates to interests in land and perpetual easements, the Company expects that the goodwill recorded will be deductible for tax purposes. The goodwill was allocated to the Company’s domestic rental and management segment.

- Definition

The entire disclosure for a business combination (or series of individually immaterial business combinations) completed during the period, including background, timing, and recognized assets and liabilities. The disclosure may include leverage buyout transactions (as applicable).

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 141R

-Paragraph F4

-Subparagraph e

-Appendix F

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 141

-Paragraph 51, 52

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

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-Paragraph 67-73

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Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

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-Name Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF)

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+ Details

Long-Term Obligations

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Long-Term Obligations

Long-Term Obligations

8. LONG-TERM OBLIGATIONS

Outstanding amounts under the Company's long-term financing arrangements consist of the following as of December 31, (in thousands):


			2012		2011
Commercial Mortgage Pass-Through Certificates, Series 2007-1		$	1,750,000	$	1,750,000
Revolving Credit Facility (1)			-		1,000,000
2008 Term Loan (1)			-		325,000
2011 Credit Facility (2)			265,000		-
2012 Credit Facility(2)			992,000		-
2012 Term Loan			750,000		-
Unison Notes, Series 2010-1 and Series 2010-2			207,188		209,321
Colombian Short-Term Credit Facility			-		72,811
Colombian Long-Term Credit Facility			76,347		-
Colombian Bridge Loans			53,169		26,780
Colombian Loan			19,176		-
South African Facility			98,456		84,920
Ghana Loan			130,951		127,466
Uganda Loan			61,023		-
4.625% Notes			599,638		599,489
7.00% Notes			500,000		500,000
4.50% Notes			999,414		999,313
7.25% Notes			296,272		295,830
5.05% Notes			699,333		699,258
5.90% Notes			499,356		499,302
4.70% Notes			698,760		-
Capital lease obligations			57,293		46,818
	Total		8,753,376		7,236,308
Less current portion of long-term obligations			(60,031)		(101,816)
Long-term obligations		$	8,693,345	$	7,134,492
	____________________________

(1)	On January 31, 2012, the Company repaid amounts outstanding under the $1.25 billion senior unsecured revolving credit facility (the “Revolving Credit Facility”) and $325.0 of million term loan commitments (the “2008 Term Loan”) with proceeds from an unsecured revolving credit facility entered into on April 8, 2011 (the “2011 Credit Facility”) and an unsecured revolving credit facility entered into on January 31, 2012 (the “2012 Credit Facility”). Therefore, the amounts outstanding at December 31, 2011 have been classified as long-term obligations in the consolidated balance sheet.
(2)	On January 8, 2013, the Company repaid the 2011 Credit Facility and $718.4 million of the 2012 Credit Facility with proceeds from a registered public offering of $1.0 billion aggregate principal amount of 3.50% senior unsecured notes due 2023 (the “3.50% Notes”).

Commercial Mortgage Pass-Through Certificates, Series 2007-1—During the year ended December 31, 2007, the Company completed a securitization transaction (the “Securitization”) involving assets related to 5,295 broadcast and wireless communications towers (the “Secured Towers”) owned by two special purpose subsidiaries of the Company, through a private offering of $1.75 billion of Commercial Mortgage Pass-Through Certificates, Series 2007-1 (the “Certificates”). As of December 31, 2012, 5,278 Secured Towers are owned by the two special purpose subsidiaries.

The Certificates were issued by American Tower Trust I (the “Trust”), a trust established by American Tower Depositor Sub, LLC (the “Depositor”), an indirect wholly owned special purpose subsidiary of the Company. The assets of the Trust consist of a recourse loan (the “Loan”) initially made by the Depositor to American Tower Asset Sub, LLC and American Tower Asset Sub II, LLC (the “Borrowers”), pursuant to a Loan and Security Agreement among the foregoing parties dated as of May 4, 2007 (the “Loan Agreement”). The Borrowers are special purpose entities formed solely for the purpose of holding the Secured Towers subject to the Securitization.

The Certificates were issued in seven separate classes, comprised of Class A-FX, Class A-FL, Class B, Class C, Class D, Class E and Class F. Each of the Certificates in Classes B, C, D, E and F are subordinated in right of payment to any other class of Certificates which has an earlier alphabetical designation. The Certificates were issued with terms identical to the Loan except for the Class A-FL Certificates, which bear interest at a floating rate while the related component of the Loan bears interest at a fixed rate, as described below. The various classes of Certificates were issued with a weighted average interest rate of approximately 5.61%. The Certificates have an expected life of approximately seven years with a final repayment date in April 2037.

The Loan will be paid by the Borrowers solely from the cash flows generated by the Secured Towers. These funds in turn will be used by or on behalf of the Trust to service the payment of interest on the Certificates and for any other payments required by the Loan Agreement. The Borrowers are required to make monthly payments of interest on the Loan. Subject to certain limited exceptions described below, no payments of principal will be required to be made prior to the anticipated repayment date for the Loan in April 2014. On a monthly basis, after payment of all required amounts under the Loan Agreement, the excess cash flows generated from the operation of the Secured Towers are released to the Borrowers, which can then be distributed to, and used by, the Company. However, if the debt service coverage ratio (the “DSCR”), generally defined as the net cash flow divided by the amount of interest, servicing fees and trustee fees that the Borrowers will be required to pay over the succeeding 12 months on the Loan, is 1.75x or less for such quarter, and such DSCR continues to exist for two consecutive calendar quarters (the “Cash Trap DSCR”), then all cash flow in excess of amounts required to make debt service payments, to fund required reserves, to pay management fees and budgeted operating expenses and to make other payments required under the loan documents, referred to as excess cash flow, will be deposited into a reserve account instead of being released to the Borrowers. The funds in the reserve account will not be released to the Borrowers unless the DSCR exceeds the Cash Trap DSCR for two consecutive calendar quarters. An “amortization period” commences if (i) as of the end of any calendar quarter the DSCR falls below 1.45x (the “Minimum DSCR”) for such calendar quarter and such DSCR continues to exist until the end of any two consecutive calendar quarters the DSCR exceeds the Minimum DSCR for such two consecutive calendar quarters or (ii) on the anticipated repayment date the Loan has not been repaid in full.

The Borrowers may prepay the Loan in whole or in part at any time provided it is accompanied by applicable prepayment consideration. If the prepayment occurs within nine months of the anticipated repayment date, no prepayment consideration is due. The entire unpaid principal balance of the Loan components will be due in April 2037. The Loan may be defeased in whole or in part at any time.

The Loan is secured by (1) mortgages, deeds of trust and deeds to secure debt on substantially all of the Secured Towers and their operating cash flows, (2) a security interest in substantially all of the Borrowers' personal property and fixtures and (3) the Borrowers' rights under the Management Agreement entered into in connection with the Securitization. American Tower Holding Sub, LLC, whose only material assets are its equity interests in each of the Borrowers, and American Tower Guarantor Sub, LLC, whose only material asset is its equity interest in American Tower Holding Sub, LLC, each have guaranteed repayment of the Loan and pledged their equity interests in their respective subsidiary or subsidiaries as security for such payment obligations. American Tower Guarantor Sub, LLC, American Tower Holding Sub, LLC, the Depositor and the Borrowers each were formed as special purpose entities solely for purposes of the Securitization, and the assets and credit of these entities are not available to satisfy the debts and other obligations of the Company or any other person, except as set forth in the Loan Agreement.

The Loan Agreement includes operating covenants and other restrictions customary for loans subject to rated securitizations. Among other things, the Borrowers are prohibited from incurring other indebtedness for borrowed money or further encumbering their assets. The organizational documents of the Borrowers contain provisions consistent with rating agency securitization criteria for special purpose entities, including the requirement that the Borrowers maintain at least two independent directors. The Loan Agreement also contains certain covenants that require the Borrowers to provide the Trustee with regular financial reports and operating budgets, promptly notify the Trustee of events of default and material breaches under the Loan Agreement and other agreements related to the Secured Towers, and allow the Trustee reasonable access to the Secured Towers, including the right to conduct site investigations.

A failure to comply with the covenants in the Loan Agreement could prevent the Borrowers from taking certain actions with respect to the Secured Towers, and could prevent the Borrowers from distributing any excess cash from the operation of the Secured Towers to the Company. If the Borrowers were to default on the Loan, the Bank of New York (the “Servicer”) could seek to foreclose upon or otherwise convert the ownership of the Secured Towers, in which case the Company could lose the Secured Towers and the revenue associated with the Secured Towers.

Under the Loan Agreement, the Borrowers are required to maintain reserve accounts, including for debt service payments, ground rents, real estate and personal property taxes, insurance premiums and management fees, and to reserve a portion of advance rents from tenants on the Secured Towers. Based on the terms of the Loan Agreement, all rental cash receipts received for each month are restricted for the succeeding month and held by the Trustee and then released. The $61.9 million held in the reserve accounts as of December 31, 2012 is classified as restricted cash on the Company's accompanying consolidated balance sheet.

Revolving Credit Facility—On January 31, 2012, the Company repaid and terminated the Revolving Credit Facility with proceeds from borrowings under the 2011 Credit Facility and the 2012 Credit Facility.

The Revolving Credit Facility had a term of five years and a maturity date of June 8, 2012. Any outstanding principal and accrued but unpaid interest was due and payable in full at maturity. The Revolving Credit Facility was paid prior to maturity at the Company's option without penalty or premium.

The Company had 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 Revolving Credit Facility. The interest rate ranged between 0.40% to 1.25% above LIBOR for LIBOR based borrowings or between 0.00% to 0.25% 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 Revolving Credit Facility was required, ranging from 0.08% to 0.25% per annum, based upon the Company's debt ratings.

The loan agreement for the Revolving Credit Facility contained certain reporting, information, financial ratios and operating covenants and other restrictions applicable to the Company and its subsidiaries, other than those subsidiaries designated thereunder as unrestricted subsidiaries, on a consolidated basis. These included limitations on additional debt, distributions and dividends, guaranties, sales of assets and liens, as well as certain financial maintenance tests. Any failure to comply with the financial maintenance tests and operating covenants of the loan agreement for the Revolving Credit Facility would not only have prevented the Company from being able to borrow additional funds, but would have constituted a default, which could have resulted in, among other things, the amounts outstanding, including all accrued interest and unpaid fees, becoming immediately due and payable.

2008 Term Loan—On January 31, 2012, the Company repaid the 2008 Term Loan with proceeds from the 2011 Credit Facility and the 2012 Credit Facility.

The 2008 Term Loan was governed by the terms of the loan agreement for the Revolving Credit Facility. Consistent with the terms of the Revolving Credit Facility, the borrower under the 2008 Term Loan was American Tower Corporation, and the maturity date for the 2008 Term Loan was June 8, 2012. Any outstanding principal and accrued but unpaid interest would be due and payable in full at maturity. The 2008 Term Loan was paid prior to maturity at the Company's option without penalty or premium. The Company had the option of choosing either a defined base rate or LIBOR rate as the applicable base rate for borrowings under the Term Loan. The interest rate ranged between 0.50% to 1.50% above LIBOR for LIBOR based borrowings or between 0.00% to 0.50% above the defined base rate for base rate borrowings, in each case based upon the Company's debt ratings.

2011 Credit Facility— As of December 31, 2012, the Company had $265.0 million outstanding under the 2011 Credit Facility and had approximately $5.7 million of undrawn letters of credit. On January 8, 2013, the Company repaid the amount outstanding with net proceeds received from the offering of the 3.50% Notes. 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. Any outstanding principal and accrued but unpaid interest will be due and payable in full at maturity. The 2011 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 LIBOR as the applicable base rate for borrowings under the 2011 Credit Facility. The interest rate ranges between 1.350% to 2.600% above LIBOR rate for LIBOR based borrowings or between 0.350% to 1.600% 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 2011 Credit Facility is required, ranging from 0.250% to 0.550% per annum, based upon the Company's debt ratings. The current margin over LIBOR that the Company would incur on borrowings is 1.850% and the current commitment fee on the undrawn portion of the 2011 Credit Facility is 0.350%.

The loan agreement contains certain reporting, information, financial ratios 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.

2012 Credit Facility—On January 31, 2012, the Company entered into the 2012 Credit Facility. The 2012 Credit Facility 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 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 December 31, 2012, the Company had $992.0 million outstanding under the 2012 Credit Facility and had approximately $2.7 million of undrawn letters of credit. On January 8, 2013, the Company repaid $719.0 million of the amount outstanding with net proceeds received from the offering of the 3.50% Notes and cash on hand. 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 December 31, 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 December 31, 2012, the Company had $750.0 million outstanding under the 2012 Term Loan.

Unison Notes—In connection with the Company's acquisition of a portfolio of property interests that it leases to communications service providers and other third-party tower operators under approximately 1,810 communications sites in the United States from Unison on October 14, 2011, the Company assumed $196.0 million of existing indebtedness with a fair value of $209.3 million under three separate classes of Secured Cellular Site Revenue Notes (the “Unison Notes”) issued by Unison Ground Lease Funding, LLC (the “Unison Issuer”) in a securitization transaction (the “Unison Securitization”). The three classes of Unison Notes bear interest at rates of 5.349%, 6.392% and 9.522%, respectively, with anticipated repayment dates of April 15, 2017, April 15, 2020 and April 15, 2020, respectively, and a final maturity date of April 15, 2040.

The Unison Notes are secured by, among other things, liens on approximately 1,470 real property interests owned by two special purpose subsidiaries of the Unison Issuer (together with the Unison Issuer, the “Unison Obligors”) and other related assets. The indenture for the Unison Notes (the “Unison Indenture”) includes certain financial ratios and operating covenants and other restrictions customary for notes subject to rated securitizations. Among other things, the Unison Obligors are restricted from incurring other indebtedness or further encumbering their assets.

Under the terms of the Unison Indenture, the Unison Notes will be paid solely from the cash flows generated by the communications sites subject to the Unison Securitization. The Unison Issuer is required to make monthly payments of interest to holders of the Unison Notes. On a monthly basis, cash flows in excess of amounts needed to make debt service payments and other payments required under the Unison Indenture are to be distributed to the Unison Issuer, which may then be distributed to, and used by, the Company. The Unison Issuer may prepay the Unison Notes in whole or in part at any time subsequent to May 6, 2012, provided such payment is accompanied by applicable prepayment consideration. If the prepayment occurs within six months of the anticipated repayment date, no prepayment consideration is due.

A failure to comply with the covenants in the Unison Indenture could prevent the Unison Obligors from taking certain actions with respect to the property interests subject to the Unison Securitization and a failure to meet certain financial ratio tests could prevent excess cash flow from being distributed to the Unison Issuer. In addition, if the Unison Issuer were to default on the Unison Notes, the trustee could seek to foreclose upon the property interests subject to the Unison Securitization, in which case the Company could lose ownership of the property interests and the revenue associated with those property interests.

As of December 31, 2012, the Company had $207.2 million outstanding under the Unison Notes, including $11.2 million of unamortized premium recorded as a result of fair value adjustments recognized upon acquisition of property interests from Unison.

Colombian Short-Term Credit Facility— The 141.1 billion Colombian Peso (“COP”) denominated short-term credit facility (the “Colombian 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. On November 30, 2012, the Colombian Short-Term Credit Facility was repaid in full with proceeds from the Colombian Long-Term Credit Facility, described below.

Colombian Long-Term Credit Facility— On October 19, 2012, ATC Sitios entered into a loan agreement for a COP denominated long-term credit facility (the “Colombian Long-Term Credit Facility”), which it used to refinance the Colombian Short-Term Credit Facility on November 30, 2012.

The Colombian Long-Term Credit Facility generally matures on November 30, 2020, subject to earlier maturity as a result of any mandatory prepayments. Any outstanding principal and accrued but unpaid interest will be due and payable in full at maturity. The Colombian Long-Term Credit Facility may be prepaid in whole or in part, subject to certain limitations and prepayment consideration, at any time.

Under the terms of the Colombian Long-Term Credit Facility, ATC Sitios paid the lenders a one-time structuring fee and upfront fee of 2.9 billion COP (approximately $1.6 million), including value added tax. Principal and interest are payable quarterly in arrears with principal due in accordance with the repayment schedule included in the loan agreement. Interest accrues at a per annum rate equal to 5% above the quarterly advanced Inter-bank Rate (“IBR”) in effect at the beginning of each Interest Period (as defined in the loan agreement). The interest rate in effect at December 31, 2012 was 9.10%.

The Colombian Long-Term Credit Facility is secured by, among other things, liens on towers owned by ATC Sitios. The loan agreement contains certain reporting, information, financial ratios and operating covenants. Failure to comply with certain of the financial and operating covenants 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. The loan agreement also requires that ATC Sitios manage exposure to variability in interest rates on at least fifty percent of the amounts outstanding under the Colombian Long-Term Credit Facility for the first four years of the loan, and seventy-five percent thereafter. Accordingly, ATC Sitios entered into interest rate swap agreements with an aggregate notional value of 101.3 billion COP (approximately $57.3 million) with certain of the lenders under the Colombian Long-Term Credit Facility on December 5, 2012.

As of December 31, 2012, 135.0 billion COP (approximately $76.3 million) were outstanding under the Colombian Long-Term Credit Facility. As of December 31, 2012, the interest rate, after giving effect to the interest rate swap agreements, was 10.36%.

Colombian Bridge Loans—In connection with the acquisition of communications sites from Colombia Movil, another of the Company's Colombian subsidiaries entered into five COP denominated bridge loans. As of December 31, 2012, the aggregate principal amount outstanding under these bridge loans was 94.0 billion COP (approximately $53.2 million). As of December 31, 2012, the bridge loans had an interest rate of 7.99% and mature on June 22, 2013.

Colombian Loan—In connection with the establishment of the Company's joint venture with Millicom and the acquisition of certain 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 the Company's wholly owned subsidiary (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 December 31, 2012, an aggregate of $19.2 million was payable to the Millicom Subsidiary.

South African Facility— The Company's 1.2 billion South African Rand (“ZAR”) denominated credit facility (“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 by the Company's local South African subsidiaries (“SA Borrower”). 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 to increase total borrowings under the South African Facility to 834.3 million ZAR (approximately $98.5 million) as of December 31, 2012.

The South African Facility generally matures on March 31, 2020, subject to earlier maturity resulting from repayment increases tied either to SA Borrower's excess cash flows or permitted distributions to SA Borrower's parent. Principal and interest are payable quarterly in arrears with principal due in accordance with the repayment schedule included in the loan agreement. Outstanding principal and accrued but unpaid interest will be due and payable in full at maturity. The South African Facility generally may not be prepaid in whole or in part during the first twenty-four months from financial close absent prepayment consideration, but may thereafter be prepaid absent such consideration. Borrowings may only be used to repay the Bridge Loan or fund the purchase price for additional communications sites from Cell C.

The South African Facility is secured by, among other things, liens on towers owned by one of the Company's South African subsidiaries. The loan agreement contains certain reporting, information, financial ratios and operating covenants. Failure to comply with certain of the financial and operating covenants 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. The loan agreement requires that SA Borrower manage exposure to variability in interest rates on at least fifty percent of the amounts outstanding under the South African Facility. Accordingly, during the year ended December 31, 2012, SA Borrower entered into nine interest rate swap agreements with an aggregate notional value of 423.6 million ZAR (approximately $50.0 million) with certain of the lenders under the South African Facility to manage its exposure to variability in interest rates. After giving effect to the interest rate swap agreements, the facility accrues interest at a weighted average rate of 9.84%.

Under the terms of the South African Facility, interest is payable quarterly at a rate generally equal to 3.75% per annum, plus the three month Johannesburg Interbank Agreed Rate (“JIBAR”) and a quarterly commitment fee of 0.75% per annum applies to additional available borrowings. The interest rate in effect at December 31, 2012 was 8.88%.

Ghana Loan—In connection with the establishment of the Company's joint venture with MTN Group and 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 (“Ghana Loan”), as the borrower, with the ATC Ghana Subsidiary and the MTN Ghana Subsidiary, as the lenders. Pursuant to the terms of the Ghana Loan, loans were made to the joint venture in connection with the acquisition of communications sites from MTN Ghana. The Ghana Loan accrues interest at 9.0% and matures on May 4, 2016. The portion of the loans made by the ATC Ghana Subsidiary is eliminated in consolidation and the portion of the loans made by the MTN Ghana Subsidiary is reported as outstanding debt of the Company. As of December 31, 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 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 the ATC Uganda Subsidiary and 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 December 31, 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 December 31, 2012, an aggregate of $61.0 million was payable to the MTN Uganda Subsidiary.

Outstanding Notes—The following is a description of the Company's outstanding senior notes as of December 31, 2012 and 2011.

4.625% Senior Notes—The 4.625% senior notes due 2015 (“4.625% Notes”) were issued during the year ended December 31, 2009 and mature on April 1, 2015, and interest is payable semi-annually in arrears on April 1 and October 1 of each year. The Company may redeem the 4.625% 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. The indenture for the 4.625% Notes contains certain covenants that limit 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 shall not exceed 3.5x Adjusted EBITDA, as defined in the indenture. If the Company undergoes a change of control and ratings decline (in the event that on, or within 90 days after, an announcement of a change of control, both of the Company's current investment grade credit ratings cease to be investment grade), each as defined in the indenture for the 4.625% Notes, it may be required to repurchase all of the 4.625% Notes at a purchase price equal to 101% of the principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, and additional interest, if any, to but not including the date of repurchase. The 4.625% 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 the Company's subsidiaries.

As of December 31, 2012 and 2011, the Company had $599.6 million and $599.5 million net, respectively ($600.0 million aggregate principal amount) outstanding under the 4.625% Notes. As of December 31, 2012 and 2011, the carrying value includes a discount of $0.4 million and $0.5 million, respectively.

7.00% Senior Notes—The 7.00% senior notes due 2017 (“7.00% Notes”) were issued during the year ended December 31, 2007 and mature on October 15, 2017, and interest is payable semi-annually in arrears on April 15 and October 15 of each year. The Company may redeem the 7.00% 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. The indenture for the 7.00% Notes 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 liens on assets, mortgages or other liens securing indebtedness, if the aggregate amount of such liens shall not exceed 3.5x Adjusted EBITDA as defined in the indenture. If the Company undergoes a change of control and ratings decline (in the event that on, or within 90 days after, an announcement of a change of control, both of the Company's current investment grade credit ratings cease to be investment grade), each as defined in the indenture for the 7.00% Notes, the Company may be required to repurchase all of the 7.00% Notes at a purchase price equal to 101% of the principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, and additional interest, if any, to but not including the date of repurchase. The 7.00% 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 the Company's subsidiaries.

As of December 31, 2012 and 2011, the Company had $500.0 million outstanding under the 7.00% Notes.

4.50% Senior Notes—The 4.50% senior notes due 2018 (“4.50% Notes”) were issued during the year ended December 31, 2010 and mature on January 15, 2018, and interest is payable semi-annually in arrears on January 15 and July 15 of each year. The Company may redeem the 4.50% 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. 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. If the Company undergoes a change of control and ratings decline (in the event that on or within 90 days after an announcement of a change of control, both of its current investment grade credit ratings cease to be investment grade), each as defined in the supplemental indenture, the Company will be required to offer to repurchase all of the 4.50% Notes at a purchase price equal to 101% of the principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest (including additional interest, if any) up to but not including the repurchase date. The 4.50% 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.

As of December 31, 2012 and 2011, the Company had $999.4 million and $999.3 million net, respectively ($1.0 billion aggregate principal amount) outstanding under the 4.50% Notes. As of December 31, 2012 and 2011, the carrying value includes a discount of $0.6 million and $0.7 million, respectively.

7.25% Senior Notes—The 7.25% senior notes due 2019 (“7.25% Notes”) were issued during the year ended December 31, 2009 and mature on May 15, 2019, and interest is payable semi-annually in arrears on May 15 and November 15 of each year. The Company may redeem the 7.25% 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. The indenture for the 7.25% Notes contains certain covenants that may 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 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 indenture. If the Company undergoes a change of control and ratings decline (in the event that on, or within 90 days after, an announcement of a change of control, both of the Company's current investment grade credit ratings cease to be investment grade), each as defined in the indenture for the 7.25% Notes, the Company may be required to repurchase all of the 7.25% Notes at a purchase price equal to 101% of the principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, and additional interest, if any, to but not including the date of repurchase. The 7.25% 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 our subsidiaries.

As of December 31, 2012 and 2011, the Company had $296.3 million and $295.8 million net, respectively ($300.0 million aggregate principal amount) outstanding under the 7.25% Notes. As of December 31, 2012 and 2011, the carrying value includes a discount of $3.7 million and $4.2 million, respectively.

5.05% Senior Notes—The 5.05% senior notes due 2020 (“5.05% Notes”) were issued during the year ended December 31, 2010 and mature on September 1, 2020, and interest is payable semi-annually in arrears on March 1 and September 1 of each year. The Company may redeem the 5.05% 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. 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. If the Company undergoes a change of control and ratings decline (in the event that on or within 90 days after an announcement of a change of control, both of its current investment grade credit ratings cease to be investment grade), each as defined in the supplemental indenture, the Company will be required to offer to repurchase all of the 5.05% Notes at a purchase price equal to 101% of the principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest (including additional interest, if any) up to but not including the repurchase date. The 5.05% 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.

As of December 31, 2012 and 2011, the Company had $699.3 million, net ($700.0 million aggregate principal amount) outstanding under the 5.05% Notes. As of December 31, 2012 and 2011, the carrying value includes a discount of $0.7 million.

5.90% Senior Notes—The 5.90% senior notes due 2021 (“5.90% Notes”) were issued during the year ended December 31, 2011 and mature on November 1, 2021, and interest is payable semi-annually in arrears on May 1 and November 1 of each year. The Company may redeem the 5.90% 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. 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. If the Company undergoes a change of control and ratings decline (in the event that on or within 90 days after an announcement of a change of control, both of its current investment grade credit ratings cease to be investment grade), each as defined in the supplemental indenture, the Company will be required to offer to repurchase all of the 5.90% Notes at a purchase price equal to 101% of the principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest (including additional interest, if any) up to but not including the repurchase date. The 5.90% 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.

As of December 31, 2012 and 2011, the Company had $499.4 million and $499.3 million, net, respectively ($500.0 million aggregate principal amount) outstanding under the 5.90% Notes. As of December 31, 2012 and 2011, the carrying value includes a discount of $0.6 million and $0.7 million, respectively.

4.70% Senior Notes—The 4.70% senior notes due 2022 (“4.70% Notes”) were issued during the year ended December 31, 2012 and mature on March 15, 2022, and interest is payable semi-annually in arrears on March 15 and September 15 of each year. 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. 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. If the Company undergoes a change of control and ratings decline (in the event that on or within 90 days after an announcement of a change of control, both of its current investment grade credit ratings cease to be investment grade), each as defined in the supplemental indenture, 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 (including additional interest, if any) 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.

As of December 31, 2012, the Company had $698.8 million, net ($700.0 million aggregate principal amount) outstanding under the 4.70% Notes. As of December 31, 2012, the carrying value includes a discount of $1.2 million.

Capital Lease Obligations—The Company's capital lease obligations approximated $57.3 million and $46.8 million as of December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively. These obligations are secured by the related assets and bear interest at rates ranging from 2.74% to 9.00% and mature in periods ranging from less than one year to approximately seventy years.

Maturities—As of December 31, 2012, aggregate principal maturities of long-term debt, including capital leases, for the next five years and thereafter are estimated to be (in thousands):


Year Ending December 31,
2013	$	60,031
2014		1,759,043
2015		615,894
2016		423,722
2017		2,340,077
Thereafter		3,550,648
Total cash obligations		8,749,415
Unamortized discounts and premiums, net		3,961
Balance as of December 31, 2012	$	8,753,376

Asset Retirement Obligations

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Asset Retirement Obligations

Asset Retirement Obligations

10. ASSET RETIREMENT OBLIGATIONS

The changes in the carrying value of the Company's asset retirement obligations for the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011 are as follows (in thousands):


		2012		2011 (1)
Beginning balance as of January 1,		$	344,180	$	341,838
Additions			59,847		47,426
Revisions in estimated timing and cash flows, net of settlements			6,641		(70,755)
Accretion expense			25,056		25,671

Balance as of December 31,		$	435,724	$	344,180


(1)	December 31, 2011 balances have been revised to reflect purchase accounting measurement period adjustments.

As of December 31, 2012, the estimated undiscounted future cash outlay for asset retirement obligations was approximately $1.5 billion.

- Definition

The entire disclosure for an asset retirement obligation and the associated long-lived asset. An asset retirement obligation is a legal obligation associated with the disposal or retirement from service of a tangible long-lived asset that results from the acquisition, construction or development, or the normal operations of a long-lived asset, except for certain obligations of lessees.

+ References+ Details

Derivative Financial Instruments

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Derivative Financial Instruments

Derivative Financial Instruments

11. DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

If a derivative is designated as a cash flow hedge, the effective portions of changes in the fair value of the derivative are recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) and are recognized in the results of operations when the hedged item affects earnings. Ineffective portions of changes in the fair value of cash flow hedges are recognized immediately in the results of operations. For derivative instruments not designated as hedging instruments, changes in fair value are recognized in the results of operations in the period in which the change occurs.

The Company has entered into the following interest rate swap agreements to manage its exposure to variability in interest rates on debt in South Africa that accrues interest based on JIBAR: (i) on January 16, 2012, the Company entered into three interest rate swap agreements with an aggregate notional value of 350.0 million ZAR (ii) on August 29, 2012, the Company entered into three additional interest rate swap agreements with an aggregate notional value of 61.5 million ZAR and (iii) on September 28, 2012, the Company entered into three additional interest rate swap agreements with an aggregate notional value of 12.1 million ZAR. The Company's South African interest rate swap agreements have been designated as cash flow hedges, have fixed interest rates ranging from 6.09% to 7.25% and expire on March 31, 2020.

In addition, on December 5, 2012, the Company entered into an interest rate swap agreement with a notional value of 101.3 billion COP to manage its exposure to variability in interest rates on debt in Colombia that accrues interest based on IBR. The Company's Colombian interest rate swap agreement has been designated as a cash flow hedge, has a fixed interest rate of 5.78%, and expires on November 30, 2020.

No interest rate swap agreements were outstanding at December 31, 2011. As of December 31, 2012, the carrying amounts of the Company's derivative financial instruments, along with the estimated fair values of the related liabilities were as follows (in thousands):


		Balance Sheet Location	Notional Amount (1)	Carrying Amount and Fair Value (1)
Liabilities:
	Interest rate swap agreements	Other non-current liabilities	ZAR 423,634	ZAR 20,441
	Interest rate swap agreements	Other non-current liabilities	COP 101,250,000	COP 5,356,377


(1)	The interest rate swap agreements are denominated in ZAR and COP and have an aggregate notional amount and fair value of $107.3 million and $5.4 million, respectively, as of December 31, 2012.

During the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010, the interest rate swap agreements held by the Company had the following impact on other comprehensive income (“OCI”) included in the consolidated balance sheets and in the consolidated statements of operations (in thousands):


	Year Ended December 31, 2012
Amount of Gain/(Loss) Recognized in OCI on Derivatives (Effective Portion)		Location of Gain/(Loss) Reclassified from Accumulated OCI into Income (Effective Portion)		Amount of Gain/(Loss) Reclassified from Accumulated OCI into Income (Effective Portion)	Location of Gain/(Loss) Recognized in Income on Derivative (Ineffective Portion and Amount Excluded from Effectiveness Testing)	Gain/(Loss) Recognized in Income on Derivative (Ineffective Portion and Amount Excluded from Effectiveness Testing)
$	(6,220)	Interest expense	$	(1,340)	N/A	N/A

	Year Ended December 31, 2011
Amount of Gain/(Loss) Recognized in OCI on Derivatives (Effective Portion)		Location of Gain/(Loss) Reclassified from Accumulated OCI into Income (Effective Portion)		Amount of Gain/(Loss) Reclassified from Accumulated OCI into Income (Effective Portion)	Location of Gain/(Loss) Recognized in Income on Derivative (Ineffective Portion and Amount Excluded from Effectiveness Testing)	Gain/(Loss) Recognized in Income on Derivative (Ineffective Portion and Amount Excluded from Effectiveness Testing)
$	(228)	Interest expense	$	(2,205)	N/A	N/A

	Year Ended December 31, 2010
Amount of Gain/(Loss) Recognized in OCI on Derivatives (Effective Portion)		Location of Gain/(Loss) Reclassified from Accumulated OCI into Income (Effective Portion)		Amount of Gain/(Loss) Reclassified from Accumulated OCI into Income (Effective Portion)	Location of Gain/(Loss) Recognized in Income on Derivative (Ineffective Portion and Amount Excluded from Effectiveness Testing)	Gain/(Loss) Recognized in Income on Derivative (Ineffective Portion and Amount Excluded from Effectiveness Testing)
$	(8,798)	Interest expense	$	(18,294)	N/A	N/A

As of December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010, accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income included the following items related to derivative financial instruments (in thousands):


	2012		2011		2010
Deferred loss on the settlement of the treasury rate lock, net of tax	$	(3,827)	$	(4,625)	$	(3,354)
Deferred gain on the settlement of interest rate swap agreements entered into in connection with the Securitization, net of tax		-		202		497
Unrealized losses related to interest rate swap agreements, net of tax		(4,815)		-		(2,083)

As of December 31, 2012, $1.8 million of the amount related to derivatives designated as cash flow hedges and recorded in accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income is expected to be reclassified into earnings in the next twelve months.

During the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010, the Company recorded aggregate net unrealized (losses) gains of approximately $(4.8) million, $1.9 million, and $9.5 million, respectively (net of tax benefits (provisions) of approximately $0.7 million, $(1.3) million, and $(6.0) million, respectively) in accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income for the change in fair value of interest rate swaps designated as cash flow hedges.

The Company is amortizing the deferred loss on the settlement of the treasury rate lock as additional interest expense over the term of the 7.00% Notes, and is amortizing the deferred gain on the settlement of interest rate swap agreements entered into in connection with the Securitization as a reduction in interest expense over the five-year period for which the interest rate swaps were designated as hedges. For the year ended December 31, 2012, the Company reclassified $0.6 million into results of operations. The Company reclassified an aggregate of $0.1 million (net of income tax provisions of $0.1 million) into results of operations during the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010.

As a result of the REIT Conversion described in note 1, effective December 31, 2011, the Company reversed the deferred tax assets and liabilities related to the entities operating its REIT activities. Accordingly, approximately $1.8 million of deferred tax assets associated with the deferred loss on the settlement of the treasury rate lock and the deferred gain on the settlement of the interest rate swap agreement entered into in connection with the Securitization were reclassified to other comprehensive income.

- Definition

The entire disclosure for the entity's entire derivative instruments and hedging activities. Describes an entity's risk management strategies, derivatives in hedging activities and non-hedging derivative instruments, the assets, obligations, liabilities, revenues and expenses arising therefrom, and the amounts of and methodologies and assumptions used in determining the amounts of such items.

+ References

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+ Details

Fair Value Measurements

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]

Fair Value Measurements

12. FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

The Company determines the fair values of its financial instruments based on the fair value hierarchy, which requires an entity to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value. Below are the three levels of inputs that may be used to measure fair value:

Level 1 Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the Company has the ability to access at the measurement date.

Level 3 Unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity and that are significant to the fair value of the assets or liabilities.

Items Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis—The fair value of the Company's financial assets and liabilities that is required to be measured at fair value on a recurring basis is as follows:


			December 31, 2012
			Fair Value Measurements Using						Assets/Liabilities at Fair Value
			Level 1		Level 2			Level 3	Assets/Liabilities at Fair Value

			(in thousands)
Assets:
	Short-term investments (1)		$	6,018					$	6,018

Liabilities:
	Acquisition-related contingent consideration						$	23,711	$	23,711
	Interest rate swap agreements (2)				$	5,442			$	5,442

			December 31, 2011
			Fair Value Measurements Using						Assets/Liabilities at Fair Value
			Level 1		Level 2			Level 3	Assets/Liabilities at Fair Value

			(in thousands)
Assets:
	Short-term investments and available-for-sale
		securities (3)	$	22,270					$	22,270

Liabilities:
	Acquisition-related contingent consideration						$	25,617	$	25,617


(1)		Consists of highly liquid investments with original maturities in excess of three months.
(2)		Consists of interest rate swap agreements based on JIBAR and IBR whose value is determined using a pricing model with inputs that are observable in the market or can be derived principally from, or corroborated by, observable market data.
(3)		Consists of highly liquid investments with original maturities in excess of three months and available-for-sale securities traded in active markets.

Cash and cash equivalents include short-term investments, including money market funds, with original maturities of three months or less whose fair value approximated cost at December 31, 2012 and 2011.

The fair value of the Company's interest rate swap agreements recorded as liabilities is included in other non-current liabilities in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. Fair valuations of the Company's interest rate swap agreements reflect the value of the instrument including the values associated with counterparty risk and the Company's own credit standing. The Company includes in the valuation of the derivative instrument the value of the net credit differential between the counterparties to the derivative contract.

The Company may be required to pay additional consideration under certain agreements for the acquisitions of communications sites in Brazil, Colombia, Ghana, South Africa and the United States if specific conditions are met or events occur, such as the (i) collocation of certain wireless carriers subsequent to acquiring the communications sites, (ii) conversion of certain barter agreements with other wireless carriers to cash-paying master lease agreements or (iii) achievement of certain earnings targets.

Acquisition-related contingent consideration is initially measured and recorded at fair value as an element of consideration paid in connection with an acquisition with subsequent adjustments recognized in other operating expenses in the consolidated statements of operations. The Company determines the fair value of acquisition-related contingent consideration, and any subsequent changes in fair value using a discounted probability-weighted approach. This approach takes into consideration Level 3 unobservable inputs including probability assessments of expected future cash flows over the period in which the obligation is expected to be settled and applies a discount factor that captures the uncertainties associated with the obligation. Changes in these unobservable inputs could significantly impact the fair value of the liabilities recorded in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets and operating expenses in the consolidated statements of operations.

As of December 31, 2012, the Company estimates the value of all potential acquisition-related contingent consideration required payments to be between zero and $43.6 million. During the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, the fair value of the contingent consideration changed as follows (in thousands):


		2012		2011

Balance as of January 1	$	25,617	$	5,809
Additions		6,653		19,853
Payments		(15,716)		(5,742)
Change in fair value		6,329		5,634
Foreign currency translation adjustment		828		63

Balance as of December 31	$	23,711	$	25,617

Items Measured at Fair Value on a Nonrecurring Basis—During the year ended December 31, 2012, certain long-lived assets held and used with a carrying value of $5,379.2 million were written down to their net realizable value of $5,357.7 million as a result of an asset impairment charge of $21.5 million, which was recorded in other operating expenses in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations. During the year ended December 31, 2011, long-lived assets held and used with a carrying value of $4,280.8 million were written down to their net realizable value of $4,271.8 million, resulting in an asset impairment charge of $9.0 million. These adjustments were determined by comparing the estimated proceeds from sale of assets or the projected future discounted cash flows to be provided from the long-lived assets (calculated using Level 3 inputs) to the asset's carrying value. There were no other items measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis during the year ended December 31, 2012.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments—The carrying value of the Company's financial instruments, with the exception of long-term obligations, including the current portion, reasonably approximate the related fair value as of December 31, 2012 and 2011. The Company's estimates of fair value of its long-term obligations, including the current portion, are based primarily upon reported market values. For long-term debt not actively traded, fair value was estimated using a discounted cash flow analysis using rates for debt with similar terms and maturities. As of December 31, 2012, the carrying value and fair value of long-term obligations, including the current portion, were $8.8 billion and $9.4 billion, respectively, of which $4.9 billion was measured using Level 1 inputs and $4.5 billion was measured using Level 2 inputs. As of December 31, 2011, the carrying value and fair value of long-term obligations, including the current portion, were $7.2 billion and $7.5 billion, respectively, of which $3.8 billion was measured using Level 1 inputs and $3.7 billion was measured using Level 2 inputs.

- Definition

The entire disclosure for the fair value of financial instruments (as defined), including financial assets and financial liabilities (collectively, as defined), and the measurements of those instruments as well as disclosures related to the fair value of non-financial assets and liabilities. Such disclosures about the financial instruments, assets, and liabilities would include: (1) the fair value of the required items together with their carrying amounts (as appropriate); (2) for items for which it is not practicable to estimate fair value, disclosure would include: (a) information pertinent to estimating fair value (including, carrying amount, effective interest rate, and maturity, and (b) the reasons why it is not practicable to estimate fair value; (3) significant concentrations of credit risk including: (a) information about the activity, region, or economic characteristics identifying a concentration, (b) the maximum amount of loss the entity is exposed to based on the gross fair value of the related item, (c) policy for requiring collateral or other security and information as to accessing such collateral or security, and (d) the nature and brief description of such collateral or security; (4) quantitative information about market risks and how such risks are managed; (5) for items measured on both a recurring and nonrecurring basis information regarding the inputs used to develop the fair value measurement; and (6) for items presented in the financial statement for which fair value measurement is elected: (a) information necessary to understand the reasons for the election, (b) discussion of the effect of fair value changes on earnings, (c) a description of [similar groups] items for which the election is made and the relation thereof to the balance sheet, the aggregate carrying value of items included in the balance sheet that are not eligible for the election; (7) all other required (as defined) and desired information.

+ References

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-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 107

-Paragraph 3, 10, 14, 15

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+ Details

Income Taxes

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Income Taxes

Income Taxes

13. INCOME TAXES

The Company has filed, for prior taxable years through its taxable year ended December 31, 2011, a consolidated U.S. federal tax return, which includes all of its wholly owned domestic subsidiaries. For its taxable year commencing January 1, 2012, the Company intends to file as a REIT, and its domestic TRSs intend to file as C corporations. The Company also files tax returns in various states and countries. The Company's state tax returns reflect different combinations of the Company's subsidiaries and are dependent on the connection each subsidiary has with a particular state. The following information pertains to the Company's income taxes on a consolidated basis.

The income tax provision from continuing operations was comprised of the following for the years ended December 31, (in thousands):


		2012		2011		2010
Current:
	Federal	$	(18,170)	$	(14,069)	$	-
	State		(6,321)		(19,346)		(6,090)
	Foreign		(53,513)		(34,813)		11,928
Deferred:
	Federal		(13,094)		(81,685)		(191,393)
	State		(666)		(12,001)		(14,446)
	Foreign		(15,540)		36,834		17,512
Income tax provision		$	(107,304)	$	(125,080)	$	(182,489)

The income tax provision for the year ended December 31, 2011 is net of the deferred tax benefit due to the REIT Conversion of approximately $121 million.

The domestic and foreign components of income from continuing operations before income taxes and income on equity method investments were as follows for the years ended December 31, (in thousands):


	2012		2011		2010
United States	$	787,960	$	608,936	$	536,188
Foreign		(86,666)		(102,041)		19,837
Total	$	701,294	$	506,895	$	556,025

For the year ended December 31, 2011, the Company recorded an income tax expense of $125.1 million, net of a benefit due to the adjustment of approximately $121 million in deferred tax liabilities (net of deferred tax assets) the values of which were reduced as a result of its REIT Conversion. A reconciliation between the U.S. statutory rate and the effective rate from continuing operations was as follows for the years ended December 31:


		2012		2011		2010

	Statutory tax rate	35	%	35	%	35	%
	Tax adjustment related to REIT (1)	(35)		-		-
	State taxes, net of federal benefit	1		6		3
	Non-deductible stock compensation	-		-		1
	Foreign taxes	4		3		-
	Foreign withholding taxes	4		2		-
	Changes in uncertain tax positions	(1)		1		(2)
	Foreign currency losses	-		1		-
	Reorganization of financing entity	-		-		(6)
	Deferred tax adjustment due to REIT Conversion	-		(24)		-
	Change in valuation allowance	8		-		-
	Other	(1)		1		2
	Effective tax rate	15	%	25	%	33	%

(1)	Includes 18% from dividend paid deductions.

The components of the net deferred tax asset and related valuation allowance are as follows as of December 31, (in thousands):


		2012		2011
Current assets:
Allowances, accruals and other items not currently deductible		$	31,561	$	17,673
Net operating loss carryforwards			-		16,279
Current deferred liabilities			(2,509)		(17,345)
Subtotal			29,052		16,607
Valuation allowance			(3,298)		(517)
	Net short-term deferred tax assets	$	25,754	$	16,090

Non-current items:
Assets:
	Net operating loss carryforwards		127,914		48,962
	Accrued asset retirement obligations		70,797		50,131
	Stock-based compensation		25,258		26,993
	Unearned revenue		21,912		20,896
	Items not currently deductible and other		55,924		27,396
	Depreciation and amortization		-		31,264
Liabilities:
	Depreciation and amortization		(42,896)		-
	Deferred rent		(18,640)		(9,987)
	Other		(4,566)		(2,031)
Subtotal			235,703		193,624
Valuation allowance			(92,260)		(5,321)
	Net long-term deferred tax assets	$	143,443	$	188,303

The valuation allowance increased from $5.8 million as of December 31, 2011 to $95.6 million as of December 31, 2012.

At December 31, 2012, the Company has provided a valuation allowance of approximately $95.6 million which primarily relates to foreign items. During 2012, the Company increased amounts recorded as valuation allowances due to the uncertainty as to the timing and the Company's ability to recover net deferred tax assets in certain foreign operations in the foreseeable future. The amount of deferred tax assets considered realizable, however, could be adjusted if objective evidence in the form of cumulative losses is no longer present and additional weight may be given to subjective evidence such as our projections for growth.

The recoverability of the Company's net deferred tax asset has been assessed utilizing projections based on its current operations. Accordingly, the recoverability of the net deferred tax asset is not dependent on material asset sales or other non-routine transactions. Based on its current outlook of future taxable income during the carryforward period, management believes that the net deferred tax asset will be realized.

The Company's deferred tax assets as of December 31, 2012 and 2011 in the table above do not include $6.9 million and $3.0 million, respectively, of excess tax benefits from the exercises of employee stock options that are a component of net operating losses as these benefits can only be recognized when the related tax deduction reduces income taxes payable. If these benefits had been fully recognized in 2012, total equity as of December 31, 2012 would have increased by $6.9 million.

The Company considers the earnings of certain non-U.S. subsidiaries to be indefinitely invested outside the United States on the basis of estimates that future domestic cash generation will be sufficient to meet future domestic cash needs. The Company has not recorded a deferred tax liability related to the U.S. federal and state income taxes and foreign withholding taxes on approximately $101 million of undistributed earnings of foreign subsidiaries indefinitely invested outside of the United States. Should the Company decide to repatriate the foreign earnings, it may have to adjust the income tax provision in the period it determined that the earnings will no longer be indefinitely invested outside of the United States.

At December 31, 2012, the Company had net federal, state, and foreign operating loss carryforwards available to reduce future taxable income, including losses related to employee stock options of approximately $0.3 billion. If not utilized, the Company's net operating loss carryforwards expire as follows (in thousands):


Years ended December 31,	Federal		State		Foreign
2013 to 2017	$	-	$	118,719	$	791
2018 to 2022		-		468,951		3,661
2023 to 2027		732,561		445,206		-
2028 to 2032		190,332		87,043		-
Indefinite carryforward		-		-		407,168
Total	$	922,893	$	1,119,919	$	411,620

In addition, the Company has Mexican tax credits of $2.9 million which if not utilized would expire in 2017.

As of December 31, 2012 and 2011, the total amount of unrecognized tax benefits that would impact the effective tax rate, if recognized, was $30.6 million and $34.5 million, respectively. The Company expects the unrecognized tax benefits to change over the next 12 months if certain tax matters ultimately settle with the applicable taxing jurisdiction during this timeframe, or if the applicable statute of limitations lapses. The impact of the amount of such changes to previously recorded uncertain tax positions could range from zero to $1.3 million. A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of unrecognized tax benefits are as follows for the years ended December 31, (in thousands):


	2012		2011		2010
Balance at January 1	$	38,886	$	79,012	$	87,975
Additions based on tax positions related to the current year		1,037		1,801		10,101
Additions for tax positions of prior years		-		16,520		11,109
Reductions for tax positions of prior years		(221)		(54,430)		(30,855)
Foreign currency		(439)		(3,550)		735
Reduction as a result of the lapse of statute of limitations and effective settlements		(4,926)		(467)		(53)
Balance at December 31,	$	34,337	$	38,886	$	79,012

During the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010, the statute of limitations on certain unrecognized tax benefits lapsed and certain positions were effectively settled, which resulted in a decrease of $4.9 million, $0.5 million and less than $0.1 million, respectively, in the liability for uncertain tax benefits, all of which reduced the income tax provision.

During the year ended December 31, 2012, the Company recorded penalties and tax-related interest benefit to the tax provision of $2.9 million. During the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010, the Company recorded penalties and tax-related interest expense to the tax provision of $9.1 million and $2.3 million. As of December 31, 2012 and 2011, the total unrecognized tax benefits included in other non-current liabilities in the consolidated balance sheets were $34.3 million and $36.6 million, respectively. As of December 31, 2012 and 2011, the total amount of accrued income tax-related interest and penalties included in other non-current liabilities in the consolidated balance sheets were $28.7 million and $31.5 million, respectively.

The Company has filed for prior taxable years, and for its taxable year ended December 31, 2012 will file, numerous consolidated and separate income tax returns, including U.S. federal and state tax returns and foreign tax returns. The Company is subject to examination in the U.S. and various state and foreign jurisdictions for certain tax years. As a result of the Company's ability to carryforward federal, state and foreign net operating losses, the applicable tax years generally remain open to examination several years after the applicable loss carryforwards have been used or expired.

The Company regularly assesses the likelihood of additional assessments in each of the tax jurisdictions resulting from these examinations. The Company believes that adequate provisions have been made for income taxes for all periods through December 31, 2012.

- Definition

The entire disclosure for income taxes. Disclosures may include net deferred tax liability or asset recognized in an enterprise's statement of financial position, net change during the year in the total valuation allowance, approximate tax effect of each type of temporary difference and carryforward that gives rise to a significant portion of deferred tax liabilities and deferred tax assets, utilization of a tax carryback, and tax uncertainties information.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 740

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 15

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6907707&loc=d3e32718-109319

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 235

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.4-08.(h))

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6881521&loc=d3e23780-122690

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 08

-Paragraph h

-Article 4

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

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-Name Accounting Standards Codification

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-Name Accounting Standards Codification

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Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

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-SubTopic 10

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-Paragraph 3

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Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 109

-Paragraph 136, 172

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 8: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 109

-Paragraph 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

+ Details

Stock-Based Compensation

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Stock-Based Compensation

Stock-Based Compensation

14. STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION

The Company recognized stock-based compensation of $52.0 million, $47.4 million and $52.6 million for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively. Stock-based compensation for the year ended December 31, 2011 included $3.0 million related to the modification of the vesting and exercise terms for a certain employee's equity awards. The Company capitalized $2.2 million and $3.1 million of stock-based compensation expense as property and equipment during the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively, and did not capitalize any stock-based compensation expense for the year ended December 31, 2010.

Summary of Stock-Based Compensation Plans—The Company maintains equity incentive plans that provide for the grant of stock-based awards to its directors, officers and employees. The 2007 Equity Incentive Plan (“2007 Plan”) provides for the grant of non-qualified and incentive stock options, as well as restricted stock units, restricted stock and other stock-based awards. Exercise prices in the case of non-qualified and incentive stock options are not less than the fair value of the underlying common stock on the date of grant. Equity awards typically vest ratably over various periods, generally four years, and generally expire ten years from the date of grant. In January 2013, the Company began granting awards under the 2007 Plan that allow for vesting of such awards upon retirement if the employee has reached certain eligibility requirements. The Company will recognize compensation expense for all stock-based compensation over the shorter of (i) the four year vesting period or (ii) the period from the date of grant to the date the employee becomes eligible for such retirement benefits. As of December 31, 2012, the Company had the ability to grant stock-based awards with respect to an aggregate of 18.6 million shares of common stock under the 2007 Plan.

Stock Options—The fair value of each option grant is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model based on the assumptions noted in the table below. The risk-free treasury rate is based on the U.S. Treasury yield approximating the estimated life in effect at the accounting measurement date. The expected life (estimated period of time outstanding) is estimated using the vesting term and historical exercise behavior of Company employees. The expected volatility is based on historical volatility for a period equal to the expected life of the stock options. The expected annual dividend is the Company's best estimate of expected future dividend yield.

Key assumptions used to apply this pricing model are as follows:


	2012	2011	2010
Range of risk-free interest rate	0.62%-1.03%	0.90% - 2.24%	1.41% - 2.39%
Weighted average risk-free interest rate	0.92%	1.97%	2.35%
Expected life of option grants	4.40 years	4.50 years	4.60 years
Range of expected volatility of underlying stock price	36.53% - 37.86%	36.89% - 38.13%	37.11% - 37.48%
Weighted average expected volatility of underlying stock price	37.84%	36.98%	37.14%
Weighted average expected annual dividends	1.50%	0.03%	N/A

The weighted average grant date fair value per share during the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010 was $17.46, $17.18 and $15.03, respectively. The intrinsic value of stock options exercised during the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010 was $59.5 million, $54.6 million and $62.7 million, respectively. As of December 31, 2012, total unrecognized compensation expense related to unvested stock options was approximately $30.8 million and is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of approximately two years. The amount of cash received from the exercise of stock options was approximately $50.9 million during the year ended December 31, 2012. During the year ended December 31, 2012, the Company realized approximately $2.1 million of state tax benefits from the exercise of stock options.

The following table summarizes the Company's option activity for the periods presented:


	Options	Weighted Average Exercise Price		Weighted Average Contractual Term (Years)		Aggregate Intrinsic Value (in millions)

Outstanding as of January 1, 2012	6,376,244	$	37.36

Granted	1,237,172		62.22
Exercised	(1,614,657)		31.53
Forfeited	(162,839)		44.19
Expired	(5,975)		9.74

Outstanding as of December 31, 2012	5,829,945	$	44.09	6.42	$	193.45

Exercisable as of December 31, 2012	3,170,504	$	37.07	4.86	$	127.46
Vested or expected to vest as of December 31, 2012	5,829,945	$	44.09	6.42	$	193.45

The following table sets forth information regarding options outstanding at December 31, 2012:


Options Outstanding					Options Exercisable

Outstanding Number of Options	Range of Exercise Price Per Share	Weighted Average Exercise Price Per Share		Weighted Average Remaining Life (Years)	Options Exercisable	Weighted Average Exercise Price Per Share
703,811	$5.51 - $28.39	$	26.32	5.47	458,581	$	25.22
733,695	31.06 - 31.54		31.49	3.52	691,370		31.50
972,017	32.21- 37.70		37.52	4.50	970,173		37.53
1,237,938	38.06 - 47.25		43.41	6.07	823,641		43.56
966,548	50.78- 58.60		51.25	8.23	198,019		51.14
1,215,936	62.00- 71.50		62.22	9.20	28,720		62.00

5,829,945	$5.51 - $71.50	$	44.09	6.42	3,170,504	$	37.07

Restricted Stock Units—During the year ended December 31, 2012, the Company granted restricted stock units pursuant to the 2007 Plan. Restricted stock units typically vest ratably over various periods, generally four years. The Company recognizes the expense associated with the units over the vesting term. The expense is based on the fair value of the units awarded at the date of grant, times the number of shares subject to the units awarded.

The following table summarizes the Company's restricted stock unit activity during the year ended December 31, 2012:


	Number of Units	Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value

Outstanding as of January 1, 2012	2,197,460	$	42.39
Granted	836,835		62.34
Vested	(893,739)		39.75
Forfeited	(172,003)		48.20

Outstanding as of December 31, 2012	1,968,553	$	51.56

Expected to vest, net of estimated forfeitures, as of December 31, 2012	1,898,708	$	51.37

The total fair value of restricted stock units which vested during the year ended December 31, 2012 was $56.3 million.

As of December 31, 2012, total unrecognized compensation expense related to unvested restricted stock units granted under the 2007 Plan was $68.8 million and is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of approximately two years.

Employee Stock Purchase Plan —The Company maintains an employee stock purchase plan (“ESPP”) for all eligible employees. Under the ESPP, shares of the Company's common stock may be purchased on the last day of each bi-annual offering period at 85% of the lower of the fair value on the first or the last day of such offering period. Employees may purchase shares having a value not exceeding 15% of their gross compensation during an offering period and may not purchase more than $25,000 worth of stock in a calendar year (based on market values at the beginning of each offering period). The offering periods run from June 1 through November 30 and from December 1 through May 31 of each year. During the 2012, 2011 and 2010 offering periods employee contributions were accumulated to purchase an estimated 87,749, 79,049 and 75,354 shares, respectively, at weighted average prices per share of $51.59, $44.56 and $34.16, respectively. The fair value of the ESPP offerings is estimated on the offering period commencement date using a Black-Scholes pricing model with the expense recognized over the expected life, which is the six month offering period over which employees accumulate payroll deductions to purchase the Company's common stock. The weighted average fair value for the ESPP shares purchased during 2012, 2011 and 2010 was $13.64, $12.18 and $9.43, respectively. At December 31, 2012, 3.5 million shares remain reserved for future issuance under the plan.

Key assumptions used to apply this pricing model for the years ended December 31, are as follows:


	2012	2011	2010
Range of risk-free interest rate	0.05% - 0.12%	0.11% - 0.20%	0.22% - 0.23%
Weighted average risk-free interest rate	0.08%	0.16%	0.22%
Expected life of shares	6 months	6 months	6 months
Range of expected volatility of underlying stock price	33.16% - 33.86%	33.96% - 34.55%	35.26% - 35.27%
Weighted average expected volatility of underlying stock price	33.54%	34.28%	35.26%
Expected annual dividends	1.50%	N/A	N/A

- Definition

The entire disclosure for compensation-related costs for equity-based compensation, which may include disclosure of policies, compensation plan details, allocation of equity compensation, incentive distributions, equity-based arrangements to obtain goods and services, deferred compensation arrangements, employee stock ownership plan details and employee stock purchase plan details.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 718

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6415400&loc=d3e5047-113901

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

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Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

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Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 123R

-Paragraph 64, 65, A240

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

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Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Staff Accounting Bulletin (SAB)

-Number Topic 14

Reference 8: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher AICPA

-Name Statement of Position (SOP)

-Number 93-6

-Paragraph 53

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

+ Details

Equity

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Stockholders' Equity

Equity

15. EQUITY

Warrants—In August 2005, the Company completed its merger with SpectraSite, Inc. and assumed outstanding warrants to purchase shares of SpectraSite, Inc. common stock. As of the merger completion date, each warrant was exercisable for two shares of SpectraSite, Inc. common stock at an exercise price of $32 per warrant. Upon completion of the merger, each warrant to purchase shares of SpectraSite, Inc. common stock automatically converted into a warrant to purchase shares of the Company's common stock, such that upon exercise of each warrant, the holder has a right to receive 3.575 shares of the Company's common stock in lieu of each share of SpectraSite, Inc. common stock that would have been receivable under each assumed warrant prior to the merger. Upon completion of the Company's merger with SpectraSite, Inc., these warrants were exercisable for approximately 6.8 million shares of common stock. These warrants expired on February 10, 2010. No warrants were outstanding at December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010.

Stock Repurchase Program—During the year ended December 31, 2012, the Company continued to repurchase shares of its common stock pursuant to its publicly announced stock repurchase program.

In March 2011, the Board of Directors approved a stock repurchase program, pursuant to which the Company is authorized to purchase up to an additional $1.5 billion of common stock (“2011 Buyback”).

During the year ended December 31, 2012, the Company repurchased 872,005 shares of its common stock for an aggregate of $62.7 million, including commissions and fees, pursuant to the 2011 Buyback. As of December 31, 2012, the Company had repurchased a total of approximately 4.3 million shares of its common stock under the 2011 Buyback for an aggregate of $243.9 million, including commissions and fees.

Between January 1, 2013 and January 21, 2013, the Company repurchased an additional 15,790 shares of its common stock for an aggregate of $1.2 million, including commissions and fees, pursuant to the 2011 Buyback. As of January 21, 2013, the Company had repurchased a total of approximately 4.3 million shares of its common stock under the 2011 Buyback for an aggregate of $245.2 million, including commissions and fees.

Under the 2011 Buyback, the Company is authorized to purchase shares from time to time through open market purchases or privately negotiated transactions at prevailing prices in accordance with securities laws and other legal requirements, and subject to market conditions and other factors. To facilitate repurchases, the Company makes purchases pursuant to trading plans under Rule 10b5-1 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, which allows the Company to repurchase shares during periods when it otherwise might be prevented from doing so under insider trading laws or because of self-imposed trading blackout periods.

The Company continues to manage the pacing of the remaining $1.3 billion under the 2011 Buyback in response to general market conditions and other relevant factors. In the near term, the Company expects to fund any further repurchases of its common stock through a combination of cash on hand, cash generated by operations and borrowings under its credit facilities. Purchases under the 2011 Buyback are subject to the Company having available cash to fund repurchases.

Distributions—During the year ended December 31, 2012, the Company declared and paid the following regular cash distributions to the stockholders:



Declaration Date	Payment Date	Record Date	Distribution per share	Aggregate Payment Amount (in millions)
March 22, 2012	April 25, 2012	April 11, 2012	$ 0.21	$ 82.9
June 20, 2012	July 18, 2012	July 2, 2012	$ 0.22	$ 86.9
September 19, 2012	October 15, 2012	October 1, 2012	$ 0.23	$ 90.9
December 6, 2012	December 31, 2012	December 17, 2012	$ 0.24	$ 94.8

The Company accrues distributions on unvested restricted stock unit awards granted subsequent to January 1, 2012, which will be payable upon vesting. As of December 31, 2012, the Company had accrued $0.7 million of distributions payable upon the vesting of restricted stock units.

To maintain its REIT status, the Company expects to continue paying regular distributions, the amount, timing and frequency of which will be determined and be subject to adjustment by the Company's Board of Directors.

- Definition

The entire disclosure for shareholders' equity, comprised of portions attributable to the parent entity and noncontrolling interest, if any, including other comprehensive income (as applicable). Including, but not limited to: (1) balances of common stock, preferred stock, additional paid-in capital, other capital and retained earnings; (2) accumulated balance for each classification of other comprehensive income and total amount of comprehensive income; (3) amount and nature of changes in separate accounts, including the number of shares authorized and outstanding, number of shares issued upon exercise and conversion, and for other comprehensive income, the adjustments for reclassifications to net income; (4) rights and privileges of each class of stock authorized; (5) basis of treasury stock, if other than cost, and amounts paid and accounting treatment for treasury stock purchased significantly in excess of market; (6) dividends paid or payable per share and in the aggregate for each class of stock for each period presented; (7) dividend restrictions and accumulated preferred dividends in arrears (in aggregate and per share amount); (8) retained earnings appropriations or restrictions, such as dividend restrictions; (9) impact of change in accounting principle, initial adoption of new accounting principle and correction of an error in previously issued financial statements; (10) shares held in trust for Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP); (11) deferred compensation related to issuance of capital stock; (12) note received for issuance of stock; (13) unamortized discount on shares; (14) description, terms, and number of warrants or rights outstanding; (15) shares under subscription and subscription receivables, effective date of new retained earnings after quasi-reorganization and deficit eliminated by quasi-reorganization and, for a period of at least ten years after the effective date, the point in time from which the new retained dates; and (16) retroactive effective of subsequent change in capital structure.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 5

-Paragraph 15

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

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-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6521494

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Reference 9: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

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Reference 10: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

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-Number Topic 4

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Reference 13: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 505

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 4

-Subparagraph (SAB TOPIC 4.C)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6959260&loc=d3e187143-122770

Reference 14: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 129

-Paragraph 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 15: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher AICPA

-Name Accounting Principles Board Opinion (APB)

-Number 12

-Paragraph 10

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 16: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 04

-Article 3

Reference 17: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 505

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 2

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Reference 18: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 505

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.3-04)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6959260&loc=d3e187085-122770

Reference 19: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 505

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 11

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6928386&loc=d3e21564-112644

Reference 20: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 505

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 3

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6928386&loc=d3e21475-112644

Reference 21: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

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-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 505

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-Paragraph 4

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6928386&loc=d3e21484-112644

Reference 22: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 505

-SubTopic 10

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Reference 23: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 08

-Paragraph d

-Article 4

+ Details

Impairments, Net Loss on Sale of Long-Lived Assets

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Property, Plant and Equipment Impairment or Disposal [Abstract]

Asset Impairment Charges [Text Block]

16. IMPAIRMENTS, NET LOSS ON SALE OF LONG-LIVED ASSETS

During the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010, the Company recorded impairment charges and net losses on sale of long-lived assets of $34.4 million, $17.4 million and $16.7 million, respectively. These charges are primarily related to assets included in the Company's domestic rental and management segment and are included in other operating expenses in the consolidated statements of operation.

Included in these amounts are impairment charges of approximately $21.5 million, $9.0 million and $12.2 million for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively, to write down certain assets to net realizable value after an indicator of impairment had been identified. Included in amounts recorded for the year ended December 31, 2012, was an impairment charge of approximately $10.8 million resulting from the impairment of one of the Company's outdoor DAS networks upon the termination of a tenant lease.

Also included in these amounts are net losses associated with the sale or disposal of certain non-core towers, other assets and other miscellaneous items of $12.9 million, $8.4 million and $4.5 million for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

Earnings Per Common Share

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Earnings Per Common Share

Earnings Per Common Share

17. EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE

Basic income from continuing operations per common share represents income from continuing operations attributable to American Tower Corporation divided by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted income from continuing operations per common share represents income from continuing operations attributable to American Tower Corporation divided by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period and any dilutive common share equivalents, including unvested restricted stock, shares issuable upon exercise of stock options and warrants as determined under the treasury stock method and upon conversion of the Company's convertible notes, as determined under the if-converted method. Dilutive common share equivalents also include the dilutive impact of the Verizon transaction (see note 18).

The following table sets forth basic and diluted income from continuing operations per common share computational data for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010 (in thousands, except per share data):


		2012		2011		2010

Income from continuing operations attributable to American Tower Corporation		$	637,283	$	396,462	$	372,906

Basic weighted average common shares outstanding			394,772		395,711		401,152
Dilutive securities			4,515		4,484		2,920
Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding			399,287		400,195		404,072

Basic income from continuing operations attributable to
	American Tower Corporation per common share	$	1.61	$	1.00	$	0.93

Diluted income from continuing operations attributable to
	American Tower Corporation per common share	$	1.60	$	0.99	$	0.92

For the year ended December 31, 2010, the weighted average number of common shares outstanding excludes shares issuable upon conversion of the Company's convertible notes of 0.1 million. For the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010, the diluted weighted average number of common shares outstanding excludes shares issuable upon exercise of the Company's stock options and share based awards of 1.0 million, 0.9 million and 1.1 million, respectively, as the effect would be anti-dilutive.

- Definition

The entire disclosure for earnings per share.

+ References+ Details

Commitments and Contingencies

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Commitments And Contingencies [Abstract]

Commitments and Contingencies

18. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

Litigation—The Company periodically becomes involved in various claims, lawsuits and proceedings that are incidental to its business. In the opinion of Company management, after consultation with counsel, there are no matters currently pending that would, in the event of an adverse outcome, materially impact the Company's consolidated financial position, results of operations or liquidity.

SEC Subpoena—On June 2, 2011, the Company received a subpoena from the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) requesting certain documents from 2007 through the date of the subpoena, including in particular documents related to our tax accounting and reporting. On November 6, 2012, the SEC notified the Company that the SEC's investigation has been completed. The SEC indicated that it does not intend to recommend any enforcement action against the Company.

Mexico Litigation—One of the Company's subsidiaries, SpectraSite Communications, Inc. (“SCI ”), a predecessor in interest by conversion to SpectraSite Communications, LLC, was involved in a lawsuit brought in Mexico against a former Mexican subsidiary of SCI (the subsidiary of SCI was sold in 2002, prior to the Company's acquisition of SCI in 2005). The lawsuit concerns a terminated tower construction contract and related agreements with a wireless carrier in Mexico. The primary issue for the Company is whether SCI itself can be found liable to the Mexican carrier. The trial and lower appellate courts initially found that SCI had no such liability in part because Mexican courts did not have the necessary jurisdiction over SCI. In September 2010, following several decisions by Mexican appellate courts, including the Supreme Court of Mexico, and related appeals by both parties, an intermediate appellate court issued a new decision that would have, if enforceable, re-imposed liability on SCI if the primary defendant in the case were unable to satisfy the judgment. In its decision, the intermediate appellate court identified potential damages, in the form of potential statutory interest, of approximately $6.7 million as of that date. On October 14, 2010, the Company filed a new constitutional appeal to again dispute the decision, which was rejected on January 24, 2012. The case was returned to the trial court to determine whether any actual damages should be awarded to the Mexican carrier. On August 2, 2012, the trial court entered judgment against the primary defendant and SCI in the amount of approximately $6.5 million. Each party appealed the trial court's determination and on October 17, 2012, the appellate court entered judgment against the primary defendant in the amount of approximately $7.9 million with SCI responsible for any amount not recoverable from the primary defendant. On November 9, 2012, SCI filed a constitutional appeal of the appellate court ruling. In connection with the Company's acquisition of a portfolio of communications sites from the Mexican carrier on January 31, 2013, the Mexican carrier released all of its claims against SCI, including any obligation of SCI to pay any damages.

Lease Obligations—The Company leases certain land, office and tower space under operating leases that expire over various terms. Many of the leases contain renewal options with specified increases in lease payments upon exercise of the renewal option. Escalation clauses present in operating leases, excluding those tied to CPI or other inflation-based indices, are recognized on a straight-line basis over the non-cancellable term of the lease.

Future minimum rental payments under non-cancellable operating leases include payments for certain renewal periods at the Company's option because failure to renew could result in a loss of the applicable tower site and related revenues from tenant leases, thereby making it reasonably assured that the Company will renew the lease. Such payments in effect at December 31, 2012 are as follows (in thousands):


Year Ending December 31,
2013	$	364,427
2014		352,624
2015		343,478
2016		328,826
2017		317,533
Thereafter		2,878,866

Total	$	4,585,754

Aggregate rent expense (including the effect of straight-line rent expense) under operating leases for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010 approximated $419.0 million, $366.1 million and $300.0 million, respectively.

Future minimum payments under capital leases in effect at December 31, 2012 are as follows (in thousands):


Year Ending December 31,
2013	$	8,242
2014		7,316
2015		5,377
2016		5,485
2017		4,897
Thereafter		164,520

Total minimum lease payments		195,837
Less amounts representing interest		(138,544)

Present value of capital lease obligations	$	57,293

Tenant Leases—The Company's lease agreements with its tenants vary depending upon the region and the industry of the tenant. In the United States, initial terms for television and radio broadcast leases typically range between 10 to 20 years, while leases for wireless communications providers generally have initial terms of five to ten years. Internationally, the Company's typical tenant leases have an initial term of 10 years. In most cases, the Company's tenant leases have multiple renewal terms at the option of the tenant.

Future minimum rental receipts expected from tenants under non-cancellable operating lease agreements in effect at December 31, 2012 are as follows (in thousands):


Year Ending December 31,
2013	$	2,519,271
2014		2,464,510
2015		2,461,416
2016		2,370,434
2017		2,264,910
Thereafter		8,142,544

Total	$	20,223,085

AT&T Transaction—The Company has an agreement with SBC Communications Inc., a predecessor entity to AT&T Inc. (“AT&T”), for the lease or sublease of approximately 2,450 towers from AT&T commencing between December 2000 and August 2004. All of the towers are part of the Company's Securitization. The average term of the lease or sublease for all sites at the inception of the agreement was approximately 27 years, assuming renewals or extensions of the underlying ground leases for the sites. The Company has the option to purchase the sites subject to the applicable lease or sublease upon its expiration. Each tower is assigned to an annual tranche, ranging from 2013 to 2032, which represents the outside expiration date for the sublease rights to that tower. The purchase price for each site is a fixed amount stated in the sublease for that site plus the fair market value of certain alterations made to the related tower by AT&T. The aggregate purchase option price for the towers leased and subleased was approximately $545.2 million as of December 31, 2012, and will accrete at a rate of 10% per year to the applicable expiration of the lease or sublease of a site. For all such sites purchased by the Company prior to June 30, 2020, AT&T will continue to lease the reserved space at the then-current monthly fee which shall escalate in accordance with the standard master lease agreement for the remainder of AT&T's tenancy. Thereafter, AT&T shall have the right to renew such lease for up to four successive five-year terms. For all such sites purchased by the Company subsequent to June 30, 2020, AT&T has the right to continue to lease the reserved space for successive one-year terms at a rent equal to the lesser of the agreed upon market rate and the then current monthly fee, which is subject to an annual increase based on changes in the Consumer Price Index.

Verizon Transaction—In December 2000, the Company entered into an agreement with ALLTEL, a predecessor entity to Verizon Wireless (“Verizon”) to acquire towers through a 15-year sublease agreement. Pursuant to the agreement with Verizon, as amended, the Company acquired rights to a total of approximately 1,800 towers in tranches between April 2001 and March 2002. The Company has the option to purchase each tower at the expiration of the applicable sublease, which will occur in tranches between April 2016 and March 2017 based on the original closing date for such tranche of towers. The purchase price per tower as of the original closing date was $27,500 and will accrete at a rate of 3% per annum through the expiration of the applicable sublease. The aggregate purchase option price for the subleased towers was approximately $69.1 million as of December 31, 2012. At Verizon's option, at the expiration of the sublease, the purchase price would be payable in cash or with 769 shares of the Company's common stock per tower, which at December 31, 2012 would be valued at approximately $105.5 million.

Guaranties and Indemnifications—The Company enters into agreements from time to time in the ordinary course of business pursuant to which it agrees to guarantee or indemnify third parties for certain claims. The Company has also entered into purchase and sale agreements relating to the sale or acquisition of assets containing customary indemnification provisions. The Company's indemnification obligations under these agreements generally are limited solely to damages resulting from breaches of representations and warranties or covenants under the applicable agreements, but do not guaranty future performance. In addition, payments under such indemnification clauses are generally conditioned on the other party making a claim that is subject to whatever defenses the Company may have and are governed by dispute resolution procedures specified in the particular lease. Further, the Company's obligations under these agreements may be limited in duration and/or amount, and in some instances, the Company may have recourse against third parties for payments made by the Company. The Company has not historically made any material payments under these agreements and, as of December 31, 2012, is not aware of any agreements that could result in a material payment.

Other Contingencies—The Company is subject to income tax and other taxes in the geographic areas where it operates, and periodically receives notifications of audits, assessments or other actions by taxing authorities. The Company evaluates the circumstances of each notification based on the information available, and records a liability for any potential outcome that is probable or more likely than not unfavorable, if the liability is also reasonably estimable. Subsequent to December 31, 2012, the Company received a notice from the Indian tax authorities in connection with a review of transactions by Essar Telecom Infrastructure Private Limited (“ETIPL”) in 2008, prior to the Company's acquisition of ETIPL in August 2010. The Company believes that under its definitive agreement, the seller is obligated to indemnify and defend the Company with respect to any tax-related liability that may arise from activities prior to March 31, 2010.

- Definition

The entire disclosure for commitments and contingencies.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name FASB Interpretation (FIN)

-Number 14

-Paragraph 3

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 210

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.25)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

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-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 825

-SubTopic 20

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6449706&loc=d3e16207-108621

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 460

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 8

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6398077&loc=d3e12565-110249

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

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-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 450

-SubTopic 20

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-Paragraph 4

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Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

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-Name Accounting Standards Codification

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-Paragraph 2

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Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 5

-Paragraph 9, 10, 11, 12

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

+ Details

Supplemental Cash Flow Information

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Supplemental Cash Flow Information

Supplemental Cash Flow Information

19. SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION

Supplemental cash flow information and non-cash investing and financing activities for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010 are as follows (in thousands):


			2012		2011		2010

Supplemental cash flow information:
	Cash paid for interest	$	366,458	$	274,234	$	219,408
	Cash paid for income taxes (net of refunds of $20,847, $9,277 and $9,977, respectively)		69,277		53,909		36,381
Non-cash investing and financing activities:
	(Decrease) increase in accounts payable and accrued expenses for purchases of property and equipment and construction activities		(10,244)		8,507		11,253
	Purchases of property and equipment under capital leases		19,219		6,800		2,200
	Fair value of debt assumed through acquisitions		-		209,321		-

- Definition

The entire disclosure for supplemental cash flow activities, including cash, noncash, and part noncash transactions, for the period. Noncash is defined as information about all investing and financing activities of an enterprise during a period that affect recognized assets or liabilities but that do not result in cash receipts or cash payments in the period. "Part noncash" refers to that portion of the transaction not resulting in cash receipts or cash payments in the period.

+ References+ Details

Business Segments

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Business Segments

Business Segments

20. BUSINESS SEGMENTS

The Company operates in three business segments: domestic rental and management, international rental and management and network development services. The Company's primary business is leasing antenna space on multi-tenant communications sites to wireless service providers, radio and television broadcast companies, wireless data providers, government agencies and municipalities and tenants in a number of other industries. This business is referred to as the Company's rental and management operations and is comprised of domestic and international segments:

Domestic: consisting of rental and management operations in the United States; and
International: consisting of rental and management operations in Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Germany, Ghana, India, Mexico, Peru, South Africa and Uganda.

The Company has applied the aggregation criteria to operations within the international rental and management operating segments on a basis consistent with management's review of information and performance evaluation.

The Company's network development services segment offers tower-related services in the United States, including site acquisition, zoning and permitting services and structural analysis services, which primarily support its site leasing business and the addition of new tenants and equipment on its sites. The network development services segment is a strategic business unit that offers different services from the rental and management operating segments and requires different resources, skill sets and marketing strategies.

The accounting policies applied in compiling segment information below are similar to those described in note 1. In evaluating financial performance in each business segment, management uses segment gross margin and segment operating profit. The Company defines segment gross margin as segment revenue less segment operating expenses excluding stock-based compensation expense recorded in costs of operations; depreciation, amortization and accretion; selling, general, administrative and development expense; and other operating expenses. The Company defines segment operating profit as segment gross margin less selling, general, administrative and development expense attributable to the segment, excluding stock-based compensation expense and corporate expenses. For reporting purposes, the international rental and management segment operating profit and segment gross margin also include interest income, TV Azteca, net. These measures of segment gross margin and segment operating profit are also before interest income, interest expense, loss on retirement of long-term obligations, other (expense) income, net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest, income (loss) on equity method investments, income taxes and discontinued operations. The categories of expenses indicated above, such as depreciation, have been excluded from segment operating performance as they are not considered in the review of information or the evaluation of results by management. There are no significant revenues resulting from transactions between the Company's operating segments. All intercompany transactions are eliminated to reconcile segment results and assets to the consolidated statements of operations and consolidated balance sheets.

Summarized financial information concerning the Company's reportable segments for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010 is shown in the following tables. The Other column represents amounts excluded from specific segments, such as business development operations, stock-based compensation expense and corporate expenses included in selling, general, administrative and development expense; other operating expense; interest income; interest expense; loss on retirement of long-term obligations; and other (expense) income, as well as reconciles segment operating profit to income from continuing operations before income taxes and income on equity method investments, as the amounts are not utilized in assessing each segment's performance.


			Rental and Management				Total Rental and Management		Network Development Services		Other		Total
Year Ended December 31, 2012			Domestic		International		Total Rental and Management		Network Development Services		Other		Total
			(in thousands)

Segment revenues			$	1,940,689	$	862,801	$	2,803,490	$	72,470			$	2,875,960
Segment operating expenses (1)				357,555		328,333		685,888		34,830				720,718
Interest income, TV Azteca, net				-		14,258		14,258		-				14,258
Segment gross margin				1,583,134		548,726		2,131,860		37,640				2,169,500
Segment selling, general, administrative and
	development expense (1)			85,663		95,579		181,242		6,744				187,986
Segment operating profit			$	1,497,471	$	453,147	$	1,950,618	$	30,896			$	1,981,514
Stock-based compensation expense											$	51,983		51,983
Other selling, general, administrative and
	development expense											89,093		89,093
Depreciation, amortization and accretion												644,276		644,276
Other expense (principally interest expense and
	other (expense) income)											494,868		494,868
Income from continuing operations before income
	taxes and income on equity method investments												$	701,294

Capital expenditures			$	268,997	$	279,004	$	548,001	$	-	$	20,047	$	568,048

(1)		Segment operating expenses and segment selling, general, administrative and development expenses exclude stock-based compensation expense of $1.8 million and $50.2 million, respectively.




			Rental and Management				Total Rental and Management		Network Development Services		Other		Total
Year Ended December 31, 2011			Domestic		International		Total Rental and Management		Network Development Services		Other		Total
			(in thousands)

Segment revenues			$	1,744,260	$	641,925	$	2,386,185	$	57,347			$	2,443,532
Segment operating expenses (1)				353,458		235,709		589,167		29,460				618,627
Interest income, TV Azteca, net				-		14,214		14,214		-				14,214
Segment gross margin				1,390,802		420,430		1,811,232		27,887				1,839,119
Segment selling, general, administrative and
	development expense (1)			77,041		82,106		159,147		7,864				167,011
Segment operating profit			$	1,313,761	$	338,324	$	1,652,085	$	20,023			$	1,672,108
Stock-based compensation expense											$	47,437		47,437
Other selling, general, administrative and
	development expense											76,705		76,705
Depreciation, amortization and accretion												555,517		555,517
Other expense (principally interest expense and
	other (expense) income)											485,554		485,554
Income from continuing operations before income
	taxes and income on equity method investments												$	506,895

Capital expenditures			$	325,264	$	178,826	$	504,090	$	-	$	18,925	$	523,015

(1)		Segment operating expenses and segment selling, general, administrative and development expenses exclude stock-based compensation expense of $2.3 million and $45.1 million, respectively.







			Rental and Management				Total Rental and Management		Network Development Services		Other		Total
Year Ended December 31, 2010			Domestic		International		Total Rental and Management		Network Development Services		Other		Total
			(in thousands)

Segment revenues			$	1,565,474	$	370,899	$	1,936,373	$	48,962			$	1,985,335
Segment operating expenses				325,360		122,269		447,629		26,957				474,586
Interest income, TV Azteca, net				-		14,212		14,212		-				14,212
Segment gross margin				1,240,114		262,842		1,502,956		22,005				1,524,961
Segment selling, general, administrative and
	development expense (1)			62,295		45,877		108,172		6,312				114,484
Segment operating profit			$	1,177,819	$	216,965	$	1,394,784	$	15,693			$	1,410,477
Stock-based compensation expense											$	52,555		52,555
Other selling, general, administrative and
	development expense											62,730		62,730
Depreciation, amortization and accretion												460,726		460,726
Other expense (principally interest expense and
	other (expense) income)											278,441		278,441
Income from continuing operations before income
	taxes and income on equity method investments												$	556,025

Capital expenditures			$	260,739	$	68,827	$	329,566	$	5,496	$	11,602	$	346,664

(1)		Segment selling, general, administrative and development expense excludes stock-based compensation expense of $52.6 million.


Additional information relating to the total assets of the Company's operating segments for the years ended December 31, is as follows (in thousands):
		December 31,
		2012		2011 (1)
Domestic rental and management		$	8,471,269	$	7,789,578
International rental and management (2)			5,190,587		3,942,258
Network development services			63,956		33,941
Other (3)			363,317		476,618
		$	14,089,129	$	12,242,395


(1)	Balances have been revised to reflect purchase accounting measurement period adjustments.
(2)	Balances are translated at the applicable period end exchange rate and therefore may impact comparability between periods.
(3)	Balances include corporate assets such as cash and cash equivalents, certain tangible and intangible assets and income tax accounts which have not been allocated to specific segments.

Summarized geographic information related to the Company's operating revenues and long-lived assets as of and for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010, is as follows (in thousands):


				December 31,
				2012		2011		2010

Operating Revenues:
	United States		$	2,013,159	$	1,801,607	$	1,614,436
	International:
		Brazil		198,068		177,526		104,922
		Chile		22,114		7,380		735
		Colombia		48,424		13,690		1,553
		Germany		4,030		-		-
		Ghana		81,818		41,464		-
		India		181,863		170,680		98,799
		Mexico		217,473		183,175		164,039
		Peru		5,310		4,546		851
		South Africa		80,202		43,464		-
		Uganda		23,499		-		-

		Total international		862,801		641,925		370,899
		Total operating revenues	$	2,875,960	$	2,443,532	$	1,985,335


						December 31,
						2012		2011 (1)
Long-Lived Assets (2):
	United States				$	7,558,076	$	7,053,599
	International (3):
		Brazil				909,330		695,923
		Chile				196,387		178,670
		Colombia				380,326		316,096
		Germany				539,670		-
		Ghana				377,553		427,759
		India				676,049		671,091
		Mexico				709,341		546,678
		Peru				65,756		63,956
		South Africa				230,833		199,293
		Uganda				173,773		-

		Total international				4,259,018		3,099,466
		Total long-lived assets			$	11,817,094	$	10,153,065


(1)	Balances have been revised to reflect purchase accounting measurement period adjustments.
(2)	Includes property, equipment, goodwill and other intangible assets.
(3)	Balances are translated at the applicable period end exchange rate and therefore may impact comparability between periods.

Three tenants within the domestic and international rental and management segments and network development services segment accounted for 10% or more of the Company's consolidated operating revenues for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010 is as follows:

	2012	2011	2010
AT&T Mobility	18%	20%	20%
Sprint Nextel	14%	14%	16%
Verizon Wireless	11%	12%	15%

- Definition

The entire disclosure for reporting segments including data and tables. Reportable segments include those that meet any of the following quantitative thresholds a) it's reported revenue, including sales to external customers and intersegment sales or transfers is 10 percent or more of the combined revenue, internal and external, of all operating segments b) the absolute amount of its reported profit or loss is 10 percent or more of the greater, in absolute amount of 1) the combined reported profit of all operating segments that did not report a loss or 2) the combined reported loss of all operating segments that did report a loss c) its assets are 10 percent or more of the combined assets of all operating segments.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 280

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 10

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-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 280

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Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 131

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

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+ Details

Related Party Transactions

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Related Party Transactions

Related Party Transactions

21. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

During the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011, and 2010, the Company had no significant related party transactions.

- Definition

The entire disclosure for related party transactions. Examples of related party transactions include transactions between (a) a parent company and its subsidiary; (b) subsidiaries of a common parent; (c) and entity and its principal owners; and (d) affiliates.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 850

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

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-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 850

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-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 04

-Paragraph b

-Article 3A

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

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-Name Accounting Standards Codification

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-Paragraph 1

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-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 57

-Paragraph 1-4

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

+ Details

Selected Quarterly Financial Data

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Selected Quarterly Financial Data

Selected Quarterly Financial Data

22. SELECTED QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA (UNAUDITED)

Selected quarterly financial data for the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011 is as follows (in thousands, except per share data):


			Three Months Ended							Year Ended
		March 31,		June 30,		September 30,		December 31,		December 31,
	2012:
	Operating revenues	$	696,517	$	697,734	$	713,335	$	768,374	$	2,875,960
	Cost of operations (1)		170,985		172,384		184,904		194,206		722,479
	Operating income		274,446		270,486		295,552		279,235		1,119,719
	Net income		210,358		33,689		231,825		118,153		594,025
	Net income attributable to American Tower Corporation		221,306		48,209		232,089		135,679		637,283
	Basic net income per common share		0.56		0.12		0.59		0.34		1.61
	Diluted net income per common share		0.56		0.12		0.58		0.34		1.60

			Three Months Ended							Year Ended
		March 31,		June 30,		September 30,		December 31,		December 31,
	2011:
	Operating revenues	$	562,695	$	597,235	$	630,403	$	653,199	$	2,443,532
	Cost of operations (1)		135,328		151,077		168,933		165,618		620,956
	Operating income		218,300		225,789		228,305		247,738		920,132
	Net income (loss)		91,961		113,171		(19,726)		196,434		381,840
	Net income (loss) attributable to American Tower Corporation		91,842		115,211		(15,701)		205,110		396,462
	Basic net income (loss) per common share		0.23		0.29		(0.04)		0.52		1.00
	Diluted net income (loss) per common share		0.23		0.29		(0.04)		0.52		0.99

(1)	Represents operating expenses, exclusive of depreciation, amortization and accretion, selling, general, administrative and development expense, and other operating expense.

- Definition

The entire disclosure for the quarterly financial data in the annual financial statements. The disclosure may include a tabular presentation of financial information for each fiscal quarter for the current and previous year, including revenues, gross profit, income or loss before extraordinary items and earnings per share data. It also includes an indication if the information in the note is unaudited, comments on the aggregate effect of year-end adjustments, and an explanation of matters or transactions that affect comparability or are pertinent to an understanding of the information furnished.

+ References+ Details

Subsequent Events

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Subsequent Events

Subsequent Events

23. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

3.50% Senior Notes—On January 8, 2013, the Company completed a registered offering of $1.0 billion aggregate principal amount of the 3.50% Notes. The 3.50% Notes have an interest rate of 3.50% per annum and were issued at a price equal to 99.185% of their face value. The net proceeds to the Company from the offering were approximately $983.4 million, after deducting commissions and expenses. The Company used $265.0 million of the net proceeds to repay the outstanding indebtedness under the 2011 Credit Facility and $718.4 million to repay a portion of the outstanding indebtedness under the 2012 Credit Facility.

The 3.50% Notes mature on January 31, 2023, and interest is payable semi-annually in arrears on January 31 and July 31 of each year, commencing on July 31, 2013. The Company may redeem the 3.50% 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.

If the Company undergoes a change of control and ratings decline, each as defined in the supplemental indenture, the Company will be required to offer to repurchase all of the 3.50% 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 3.50% 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.

Mexico – Axtel Acquisition—On January 23, 2013, the Company entered into a definitive agreement to purchase communications sites from Axtel, S.A.B. de C.V. (“Axtel”). Pursuant to the definitive agreement, on January 31, 2013, the Company acquired 883 sites from Axtel for an aggregate purchase price of $248.5 million, subject to post-closing adjustments and value added tax.

Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Real Estate And Accumulated Depreciation Disclosure

Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation Disclosure

Description (1)

Encumbrances (2)

Initial cost to company

Cost capitalized subsequent to acquisition

Gross amount at which carried at close of period (4)

Accumulated depreciation

Date of construction

Date acquired

Life on which depreciation in latest income statements is computed

54,604 sites

2,120,804

(3)

8,316,547

(2,968,230)

Various

Up to 20 years

(1)

No single site exceeds 5% of the aggregate gross amounts at which the assets were carried at the close of the period set forth in the table above.

(2)

Certain assets secure debt of approximately $2.1 billion.

(3)

The Company has omitted this information, as it would be impracticable to compile such information on a site-by-site basis.

(4)

Does not include sites under construction accounts.

Gross amount at which carried at January 1, 2012			7,192,641

Additions during period:
	Acquisitions through foreclosure	0
	Other acquisitions (1)	739,144
	Discretionary capital projects (2)	217,935
	Discretionary ground lease purchases (3)	93,990
	Redevelopment capital expenditures (4)	67,309
	Capital improvements (5)	70,453
	Other (6)	30,813
Total additions			1,219,644

Deductions during period:
	Cost of real estate sold or disposed	(15,288)
	Other (7)	(80,450)
Total deductions:			(95,738)

Balance at December 31, 2012			8,316,547

(1)	Other acquisitions include acquisitions of sites.
(2)	Discretionary capital projects include amounts incurred primarily for the construction of new sites.
(3)	Discretionary ground lease purchases include amounts incurred to purchase or otherwise secure the land under communications sites.
(4)	Redevelopment capital expenditures include amounts incurred to increase the capacity of existing sites, which results in new incremental tenant revenue.
(5)	Capital improvements include amounts incurred to maintain existing sites.
(6)	Primarily includes asset retirement obligations and regional improvements
(7)	Primarily includes foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations.

Gross amount of accumulated depreciation at January 1, 2012			(2,646,927)

Additions during period:
	Depreciation	(344,778)
	Other	(253)
Total additions			(345,031)

Deductions during period:
	Amount of accumulated depreciation for assets sold or disposed	10,920
	Other	12,808
Total deductions			23,728

Balance at December 31, 2012			(2,968,230)

- Definition

The entire disclosure for real estate and accumulated depreciation. This may include a schedule that describes the property and lists the initial cost of land, buildings and improvements, improvements and carrying costs capitalized after acquisition, and the total carrying cost for land, buildings and improvements for each property and in aggregate. The schedule also lists the accumulated depreciation for each property and in aggregate, the date each property was constructed and acquired, the useful life used to calculate depreciation and any encumbrances on the properties. The entity provides a reconciliation of the carrying amount of real estate from the beginning of the period to the end of the period. Any real estate investments that have been written down or reserved against are described, including the basis of the write-down. A material amount of intercompany profit in the total carrying amount of real estate is disclosed. The aggregate cost of all real estate investments for federal income tax purposes is also disclosed.

+ References+ Details

Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policy)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Discription of Business Basis Of Presentation And Disclosure [Abstract]

Business

REIT Conversion

Principles of Consolidation and Basis of Presentation

Significant Accounting Policies and Use of Estimates

Change in Presentation

Concentration of Credit Risk


	2012		2011		2010

Balance as of January 1	$	24,412	$	22,505	$	28,520
Current year increases		8,028		17,008		16,219
Write-offs, net of recoveries and other		(12,034)		(15,101)		(22,234)
Balance as of December 31	$	20,406	$	24,412	$	22,505

Functional Currency

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Restricted Cash

Short-Term Investments and Available for Sale Securities

Property and Equipment

Expenditures for repairs and maintenance are expensed as incurred. Augmentation and improvements that extend an asset's useful life or enhance capacity are capitalized.

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

Deferred rent asset

Deferred Rent Asset—The Company's deferred rent asset is associated with non-cancellable tenant leases that contain fixed escalation clauses over the terms of the applicable leases.

Notes Receivable and Other Long-Term Assets

Derivatives Financial Instruments

Fair Value Measurements

Level 1 Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the Company has the ability to access at the measurement date.

Level 3 Unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity and that are significant to the fair value of the assets or liabilities.

Discount and Premium on Notes

Accounts Payable and Accrued Expense

Asset Retirement Obligations

Income Taxes

Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income

Selling, General, Administrative and Development Expense

Stock-Based Compensation

Litigation Costs

Other Operating Expenses

Loss on Retirement of Long-Term Obligations

Earnings Per Common Share-Basic and Diluted

Retirement Plan

Property and Equipment (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Property and Equipment

Property and equipment (including assets held under capital leases)


		Estimated		As of December 31,
		Useful Lives (1)		2012		2011 (2)

		(years)		(in thousands)
Towers		Up to 20	$	6,929,888	$	6,036,484
Equipment		3 - 15		560,009		459,070
Buildings and improvements		3 - 31		424,213		369,561
Land and improvements (3)		3 - 20		1,005,857		868,664
Construction-in-progress				151,289		155,585

	Total			9,071,256		7,889,364
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization				(3,281,261)		(2,907,642)

Property and equipment, net			$	5,789,995	$	4,981,722


(1)	Assets on leased land are depreciated over the shorter of the estimated useful life of the asset or the term of the corresponding ground lease taking into consideration lease renewal options and residual value.
(2)	December 31, 2011 balances have been revised to reflect purchase accounting measurement period adjustments.
(3)	Estimated useful lives apply to land improvements only.

- Definition

Tabular disclosure of the useful life and salvage value of long-lived, physical assets that are used in the normal conduct of business to produce goods and services and not intended for resale. Examples include land, buildings, machinery and equipment, and other types of furniture and equipment including, but not limited to, office equipment, furniture and fixtures, and computer equipment and software.

+ References+ Details

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]

Changes in the carrying value of goodwill


		Rental and Management				Network Development Services
		Domestic		International		Network Development Services			Total

Balance as of January 1, 2012 (1)		$	2,249,444	$	424,846	$	2,000	$	2,676,290
Additions			92,420		155,696		-		248,116
Effect of foreign currency translation			-		(12,360)		-		(12,360)
Balance as of December 31, 2012		$	2,341,864	$	568,182	$	2,000	$	2,912,046


(1)	Balances have been revised to reflect purchase accounting measurement period adjustments.

Finite Intangible Assets


				As of December 31, 2012						As of December 31, 2011 (1)
		Estimated Useful Lives		Gross Carrying Value		Accumulated Amortization		Net Book Value		Gross Carrying Value		Accumulated Amortization		Net Book Value

		(years)		(in thousands)

Acquired network location (2)		Up to 20	$	1,696,922	$	(721,135)	$	975,787	$	1,537,748	$	(654,137)	$	883,611
Acquired customer-related intangibles		15-20		3,048,696		(979,264)		2,069,432		2,387,179		(843,432)		1,543,747
Acquired licenses and other intangibles		3-20		26,079		(20,835)		5,244		25,949		(20,045)		5,904
Economic Rights, TV Azteca		70		28,954		(13,902)		15,052		26,902		(12,643)		14,259

Total				4,800,651		(1,735,136)		3,065,515		3,977,778		(1,530,257)		2,447,521
Deferred financing costs, net (3)		N/A						49,538						47,532
Other intangible assets, net							$	3,115,053					$	2,495,053


(1)	December 31, 2011 balances have been revised to reflect purchase accounting measurement period adjustments.
(2)	Acquired network location intangibles are amortized over the shorter of the term of the corresponding ground lease taking into consideration lease renewal options and residual value or up to 20 years, as the Company considers these intangibles to be directly related to the tower assets.
(3)	Deferred financing costs are amortized over the term of the respective debt instruments to which they relate using the effective interest method. This amortization is included in interest expense, rather than in amortization expense.

Expected future amortization expenses


Year Ending December 31,
2013	$	211,770
2014		203,439
2015		189,129
2016		182,149
2017		180,515

- Definition

Tabular disclosure of goodwill by reportable segment and in total which includes a rollforward schedule.

+ References+ Details

Acquisitions and Other Transactions (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

South Africa Acquisition [Member]

Schedule of aggregate purchase consideration paid and the amount of assets acquired

		Final Purchase Price Allocation (1)		Preliminary Purchase Price Allocation (2)
Current assets		$	12,262	$	12,262
Property and equipment		81,052		82,225
Intangible assets (3)		118,502		118,781
Current liabilities		(74)		(74)
Other non-current liabilities		(31,418)		(32,908)
Fair value of net assets acquired		$	180,324	$	180,286
Goodwill (4)		34,159		34,197


(1)	Reflected in the consolidated balance sheets herein.
(2)	Reflected in the consolidated balance sheets in the Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011.
(3)	Consists of customer-related intangibles of approximately $105.0 million and network location intangibles of approximately $13.5 million. The customer-related intangibles and network location intangibles are being amortized on a straight-line basis over periods of up to 20 years.
(4)	The Company expects that the goodwill recorded will not be deductible for tax purposes. The goodwill was allocated to the Company’s international rental and management segment.

South Africa 2012 Acquisition [Member]

Schedule of aggregate purchase consideration paid and the amount of assets acquired

		Preliminary Purchase Price Allocation
Current assets		$	4,295
Non-current assets		340
Property and equipment		16,375
Intangible assets (1)		10,709
Other non-current liabilities		(2,552)
Fair value of net assets acquired		$	29,167
Goodwill (2)		5,809


(1)	Consists of customer-related intangibles of approximately $8.5 million and network location intangibles of approximately $2.2 million. The customer-related intangibles and network location intangibles are being amortized on a straight-line basis over periods of up to 20 years.
(2)	The Company expects that the goodwill recorded will not be deductible for tax purposes. The goodwill was allocated to the Company’s international rental and management segment.

Brazil Acquisition [Member]

Schedule of aggregate purchase consideration paid and the amount of assets acquired

		Final Purchase Price Allocation (1)		Preliminary Purchase Price Allocation (2)
Current assets (3)		$	9,922	$	9,922
Non-current assets		71,529		98,047
Property and equipment		83,539		86,062
Intangible assets (4)		368,000		288,000
Current liabilities		(5,536)		(5,536)
Other non-current liabilities (5)		(38,519)		(38,519)
Fair value of net assets acquired		$	488,935	$	437,976
Goodwill (6)		96,395		147,459


(1)	Reflected in the consolidated balance sheets herein.
(2)	Reflected in the consolidated balance sheets in the Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011.
(3)	Includes approximately $7.7 million of accounts receivable, which approximates the value due to the Company under certain contractual arrangements.
(4)	Consists of customer-related intangibles of approximately $250.0 million and network location intangibles of approximately $118.0 million. The customer-related intangibles and network location intangibles are being amortized on a straight-line basis over periods of up to 20 years.
(5)	Other long-term liabilities includes contingent amounts of approximately $30.0 million primarily related to uncertain tax positions related to the acquisition and non-current assets includes $24.0 million of the related indemnification asset.
(6)	The Company expects that the goodwill recorded will be deductible for tax purposes. The goodwill was allocated to the Company’s international rental and management segment.

		Preliminary Purchase Price Allocation
Non-current assets		$	24,460
Property and equipment		138,959
Intangible assets (1)		117,990
Other non-current liabilities		(18,195)
Fair value of net assets acquired		$	263,214
Goodwill (2)		47,481


(1)	Consists of customer-related intangibles of approximately $80.0 million and network location intangibles of approximately $38.0 million. The customer-related intangibles and network location intangibles are being amortized on a straight-line basis over periods of up to 20 years.
(2)	The Company expects that the goodwill recorded will be deductible for tax purposes. The goodwill was allocated to the Company’s international rental and management segment.

Ghana Acquisition [Member]

Schedule of aggregate purchase consideration paid and the amount of assets acquired

		Final Purchase Price Allocation (1)		Preliminary Purchase Price Allocation (2)
Current assets		$	6,969	$	69,147
Non-current assets		69,145		5,405
Property and equipment		319,641		304,478
Intangible assets (3)		112,025		82,217
Other non-current liabilities		(11,477)		(13,356)
Fair value of net assets acquired		$	496,303	$	447,891
Goodwill (4)		21,375		67,755


(1)	Reflected in the consolidated balance sheets herein.
(2)	Reflected in the consolidated balance sheets in the Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011.
(3)	Consists of customer-related intangibles of approximately $58.0 million and network location intangibles of approximately $54.0 million. The customer-related intangibles and network location intangibles are being amortized on a straight-line basis over periods of up to 20 years.
(4)	The Company expects that the goodwill recorded will be deductible for tax purposes. The goodwill was allocated to the Company’s international rental and management segment.

Mexico Acquisition [Member]

Schedule of aggregate purchase consideration paid and the amount of assets acquired

		Final Purchase Price Allocation (1)		Preliminary Purchase Price Allocation (2)
Current assets		$	61,402	$	57,414
Non-current assets		16,350		26,845
Property and equipment		187,275		174,767
Intangible assets (3)		147,692		97,182
Current liabilities		(148)		(148)
Other non-current liabilities		(9,449)		(8,836)
Fair value of net assets acquired		$	403,122	$	347,224
Goodwill (4)		42,044		69,030


(1)	Reflected in the consolidated balance sheets herein.
(2)	Reflected in the consolidated balance sheets in the Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011.
(3)	Consists of customer-related intangibles of approximately $75.0 million and network location intangibles of approximately $72.7 million. The customer-related intangibles and network location intangibles are being amortized on a straight-line basis over periods of up to 20 years.
(4)	The Company expects that the goodwill recorded will be deductible for tax purposes. The goodwill was allocated to the Company’s international rental and management segment.

Mexico 2012 Acquisition [Member]

Schedule of aggregate purchase consideration paid and the amount of assets acquired

		Preliminary Purchase Price Allocation
Current assets		$	8,763
Non-current assets		2,332
Property and equipment		26,711
Intangible assets (1)		21,079
Other non-current liabilities		(1,349)
Fair value of net assets acquired		$	57,536
Goodwill (2)		5,998


(1)	Consists of customer-related intangibles of approximately $10.7 million and network location intangibles of approximately $10.4 million. The customer-related intangibles and network location intangibles are being amortized on a straight-line basis over periods of up to 20 years.
(2)	The Company expects that the goodwill recorded will be deductible for tax purposes. The goodwill was allocated to the Company’s international rental and management segment.

Mexico 2012 DEC Acquisition [Member]

Schedule of aggregate purchase consideration paid and the amount of assets acquired

		Preliminary Purchase Price Allocation
Current assets		$	8,852
Non-current assets		1,524
Property and equipment		17,994
Intangible assets (1)		33,882
Other non-current liabilities		(1,992)
Fair value of net assets acquired		$	60,260
Goodwill (2)		3,919


(1)	Consists of customer-related intangibles of approximately $30.0 million and network location intangibles of approximately $3.8 million. The customer-related intangibles and network location intangibles are being amortized on a straight-line basis over periods of up to 20 years.
(2)	The Company expects that the goodwill recorded will be deductible for tax purposes. The goodwill was allocated to the Company’s international rental and management segment.

Colombia Moviles 2011 Acquisition [Member]

Schedule of aggregate purchase consideration paid and the amount of assets acquired

		Final Purchase Price Allocation (1)		Preliminary Purchase Price Allocation (2)
Non-current assets		$	110	$	217
Property and equipment		13,526		12,456
Intangible assets (3)		4,008		4,675
Other non-current liabilities		(341)		(341)
Fair value of net assets acquired		$	17,303	$	17,007
Goodwill (4)		227		523


(1)	Reflected in the consolidated balance sheets herein.
(2)	Reflected in the consolidated balance sheets in the Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011.
(3)	Consists of customer-related intangibles of approximately $1.5 million and network location intangibles of approximately $2.5 million. The customer-related intangibles and network location intangibles are being amortized on a straight-line basis over periods of up to 20 years.
(4)	The Company expects that the goodwill recorded will be deductible for tax purposes. The goodwill was allocated to the Company’s international rental and management segment.

Colombia Moviles 2012 Acquisition [Member]

Schedule of aggregate purchase consideration paid and the amount of assets acquired

		Final Purchase Price Allocation
Non-current assets		$	2
Property and equipment		3,590
Intangible assets (1)		1,062
Other non-current liabilities		(91)
Fair value of net assets acquired		$	4,563
Goodwill (2)		89


(1)	Consists of customer-related intangibles of approximately $0.4 million and network location intangibles of approximately $0.7 million. The customer-related intangibles and network location intangibles are being amortized on a straight-line basis over periods of up to 20 years.
(2)	The Company expects that the goodwill recorded will be deductible for tax purposes. The goodwill was allocated to the Company’s international rental and management segment.

Colombia Movil Acquisition [Member]

Schedule of aggregate purchase consideration paid and the amount of assets acquired

		Final Purchase Price Allocation (1)		Preliminary Purchase Price Allocation (2)
Non-current assets		$	-	$	1,126
Property and equipment		128,989		95,052
Intangible assets (3)		26,791		26,132
Current liabilities		(2,632)		(639)
Other non-current liabilities		(17,489)		(3,416)
Fair value of net assets acquired		$	135,659	$	118,255
Goodwill (4)		576		1,067


(1)	Reflected in the consolidated balance sheets herein.
(2)	Reflected in the consolidated balance sheets in the Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011.
(3)	Consists of customer-related intangibles of approximately $7.2 million and network location intangibles of approximately $19.6 million. The customer-related intangibles and network location intangibles are being amortized on a straight-line basis over periods of up to 20 years.
(4)	The Company expects that the goodwill recorded will be deductible for tax purposes. The goodwill was allocated to the Company’s international rental and management segment.

Chile Moviles Acquisition [Member]

Schedule of aggregate purchase consideration paid and the amount of assets acquired

		Final Purchase Price Allocation (1)		Preliminary Purchase Price Allocation (2)
Non-current assets		$	1,892	$	2,772
Property and equipment		55,100		43,140
Intangible assets (3)		35,300		39,916
Other non-current liabilities		(4,505)		(4,505)
Fair value of net assets acquired		$	87,787	$	81,323
Goodwill (4)		7,073		13,537


(1)	Reflected in the consolidated balance sheets herein.
(2)	Reflected in the consolidated balance sheets in the Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011.
(3)	Consists of customer-related intangibles of approximately $15.5 million and network location intangibles of approximately $19.8 million. The customer-related intangibles and network location intangibles are being amortized on a straight-line basis over periods of up to 20 years.
(4)	The Company expects that the goodwill recorded will be deductible for tax purposes. The goodwill was allocated to the Company’s international rental and management segment.

Uganda Acquisition [Member]

Schedule of aggregate purchase consideration paid and the amount of assets acquired

		Preliminary Purchase Price Allocation
Non-current assets		$	2,258
Property and equipment		102,366
Intangible assets (1)		63,500
Other non-current liabilities		(7,528)
Fair value of net assets acquired		$	160,596
Goodwill (2)		12,564


(1)	Consists of customer-related intangibles of approximately $36.5 million and network location intangibles of approximately $27.0 million. The customer-related intangibles and network location intangibles are being amortized on a straight-line basis over periods of up to 20 years.
(2)	The Company expects that the goodwill recorded will not be deductible for tax purposes. The goodwill was allocated to the Company’s international rental and management segment.

Germany Acquisition [Member]

Schedule of aggregate purchase consideration paid and the amount of assets acquired

		Preliminary Purchase Price Allocation
Current assets		$	14,483
Property and equipment		233,073
Intangible assets (1)		238,965
Current liabilities		(2,990)
Other non-current liabilities		(23,243)
Fair value of net assets acquired		$	460,288
Goodwill (2)		65,365


(1)	Consists of customer-related intangibles of approximately $218.2 million and network location intangibles of approximately $20.8 million. The customer-related intangibles and network location intangibles are being amortized on a straight-line basis over periods of up to 20 years.
(2)	The Company expects that the goodwill recorded will be deductible for tax purposes. The goodwill was allocated to the Company’s international rental and management segment.

Skyway Acquisition [Member]

Schedule of aggregate purchase consideration paid and the amount of assets acquired

		Preliminary Purchase Price Allocation
Current assets		$	740
Property and equipment		60,671
Intangible assets (1)		83,700
Current liabilities		(454)
Other non-current liabilities		(3,333)
Fair value of net assets acquired		$	141,324
Goodwill (2)		28,224


(1)	Consists of customer-related intangibles of approximately $63.0 million and network location intangibles of approximately $20.7 million. The customer-related intangibles and network location intangibles are being amortized on a straight-line basis over periods of up to 20 years.
(2)	The Company expects that the goodwill recorded will be deductible for tax purposes. The goodwill was allocated to the Company’s domestic rental and management segment.

Diamond Acquisition [Member]

Schedule of aggregate purchase consideration paid and the amount of assets acquired

		Preliminary Purchase Price Allocation
Current assets		$	842
Property and equipment		69,045
Intangible assets (1)		199,700
Current liabilities		(3,216)
Other non-current liabilities		(3,423)
Fair value of net assets acquired		$	262,948
Goodwill (2)		57,178


(1)	Consists of customer-related intangibles of approximately $171.3 million and network location intangibles of approximately $28.4 million. The customer-related intangibles and network location intangibles are being amortized on a straight-line basis over periods of up to 20 years.
(2)	The Company expects that the goodwill recorded will be deductible for tax purposes. The goodwill was allocated to the Company’s domestic rental and management segment.

Other U.S. Acquisition 2012 [Member]

Schedule of aggregate purchase consideration paid and the amount of assets acquired

		Preliminary Purchase Price Allocation
Non-current assets		$	153
Property and equipment		61,995
Intangible assets (1)		78,199
Other non-current liabilities		(1,310)
Fair value of net assets acquired		$	139,037
Goodwill (2)		7,124


(1)	Consists of customer-related intangibles of approximately $62.0 million and network location intangibles of approximately $16.2 million. The customer-related intangibles and network location intangibles are being amortized on a straight-line basis over periods of up to 20 years.
(2)	The Company expects that the goodwill recorded will be deductible for tax purposes. The goodwill was allocated to the Company’s domestic rental and management segment.

Other U.S. Acquisition 2011 Member

Schedule of aggregate purchase consideration paid and the amount of assets acquired

		Final Purchase Price Allocation (1)		Preliminary Purchase Price Allocation (2)
Non-current assets		$	289	$	0
Property and equipment		21,088		23,270
Intangible assets (3)		61,107		61,626
Other non-current liabilities		(4,288)		(4,118)
Fair value of net assets acquired		$	78,196	$	80,778
Goodwill (4)		4,604		2,022


(1)	Reflected in the consolidated balance sheets herein.
(2)	Reflected in the consolidated balance sheets in the Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011.
(3)	Consists of customer relationships of approximately $46.4 million and network location intangibles of approximately $14.7 million as of December 31, 2012. The customer relationships and network location intangibles are being amortized on a straight-line basis over periods of up to 20 years.
(4)	The Company expects that the goodwill recorded will be deductible for tax purposes. The goodwill was allocated to the Company’s domestic rental and management segment.

U.S. Property Interest - Unison Acquisition [Member]

Schedule of aggregate purchase consideration paid and the amount of assets acquired

		Final Purchase Price Allocation (1)		Preliminary Purchase Price Allocation (2)
Current assets (3) (4)		$	10,770	$	16,203
Non-current assets (4)		96,130		154,817
Property and equipment (5)		398,542		340,602
Intangible assets		4,200		3,297
Current liabilities		(6,351)		(7,703)
Long-term obligations		(209,321)		(209,321)
Other non-current liabilities		(561)		(1,508)
Fair value of net assets acquired		$	293,409	$	296,387
Goodwill (6)		16,009		13,031


(1)	Reflected in the consolidated balance sheets herein.
(2)	Reflected in the consolidated balance sheets in the Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011.
(3)	Includes approximately $0.1 million of accounts receivable which approximates the value due to the Company under certain contractual arrangements.
(4)	Includes prepaid operating leases, term easements and managed sites.
(5)	Includes perpetual easements.
(6)	With the exception of goodwill that relates to interests in land and perpetual easements, the Company expects that the goodwill recorded will be deductible for tax purposes. The goodwill was allocated to the Company’s domestic rental and management segment.

Fair Value Of Consideration Transferred [Table Text Block]

Cash consideration	$	312,002
Settlement of preexisting arrangement		(2,584)
Total consideration	$	309,418

U.S. Property Interest - Other Acquisition [Member]

Schedule of aggregate purchase consideration paid and the amount of assets acquired

		Final Purchase Price Allocation (1)		Preliminary Purchase Price Allocation (2)
Current assets (3)		$	359	$	363
Non-current assets (3)		13,357		13,394
Property and equipment (4)		47,898		47,898
Intangible assets		490		383
Fair value of net assets acquired		$	62,104	$	62,038
Goodwill (5)		6,235		6,301


(1)	Reflected in the consolidated balance sheets herein.
(2)	Reflected in the consolidated balance sheets in the Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011.
(3)	Includes prepaid operating ground leases, term easements and managed sites.
(4)	Includes perpetual easements.
(5)	With the exception of goodwill that relates to interests in land and perpetual easements, the Company expects that the goodwill recorded will be deductible for tax purposes. The goodwill was allocated to the Company’s domestic rental and management segment.

Fair Value Of Consideration Transferred [Table Text Block]

Cash consideration	$	72,595
Settlement of preexisting arrangement		(4,256)
Total consideration	$	68,339

Long-Term Obligations (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Long-Term Obligations

Long-term financing arrangements


			2012		2011
Commercial Mortgage Pass-Through Certificates, Series 2007-1		$	1,750,000	$	1,750,000
Revolving Credit Facility (1)			-		1,000,000
2008 Term Loan (1)			-		325,000
2011 Credit Facility (2)			265,000		-
2012 Credit Facility(2)			992,000		-
2012 Term Loan			750,000		-
Unison Notes, Series 2010-1 and Series 2010-2			207,188		209,321
Colombian Short-Term Credit Facility			-		72,811
Colombian Long-Term Credit Facility			76,347		-
Colombian Bridge Loans			53,169		26,780
Colombian Loan			19,176		-
South African Facility			98,456		84,920
Ghana Loan			130,951		127,466
Uganda Loan			61,023		-
4.625% Notes			599,638		599,489
7.00% Notes			500,000		500,000
4.50% Notes			999,414		999,313
7.25% Notes			296,272		295,830
5.05% Notes			699,333		699,258
5.90% Notes			499,356		499,302
4.70% Notes			698,760		-
Capital lease obligations			57,293		46,818
	Total		8,753,376		7,236,308
Less current portion of long-term obligations			(60,031)		(101,816)
Long-term obligations		$	8,693,345	$	7,134,492
	____________________________

(1)	On January 31, 2012, the Company repaid amounts outstanding under the $1.25 billion senior unsecured revolving credit facility (the “Revolving Credit Facility”) and $325.0 of million term loan commitments (the “2008 Term Loan”) with proceeds from an unsecured revolving credit facility entered into on April 8, 2011 (the “2011 Credit Facility”) and an unsecured revolving credit facility entered into on January 31, 2012 (the “2012 Credit Facility”). Therefore, the amounts outstanding at December 31, 2011 have been classified as long-term obligations in the consolidated balance sheet.
(2)	On January 8, 2013, the Company repaid the 2011 Credit Facility and $718.4 million of the 2012 Credit Facility with proceeds from a registered public offering of $1.0 billion aggregate principal amount of 3.50% senior unsecured notes due 2023 (the “3.50% Notes”).

Aggregate carrying value of long-term debt, including capital leases


Year Ending December 31,
2013	$	60,031
2014		1,759,043
2015		615,894
2016		423,722
2017		2,340,077
Thereafter		3,550,648
Total cash obligations		8,749,415
Unamortized discounts and premiums, net		3,961
Balance as of December 31, 2012	$	8,753,376

- Definition

Tabular disclosure of long-debt instruments or arrangements, including identification, terms, features, collateral requirements and other information necessary to a fair presentation. These are debt arrangements that originally required repayment more than twelve months after issuance or greater than the normal operating cycle of the entity, if longer.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 835

-SubTopic 30

-Section 55

-Paragraph 8

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6584090&loc=d3e28878-108400

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 835

-SubTopic 30

-Section 45

-Paragraph 2

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6451184&loc=d3e28551-108399

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 835

-SubTopic 30

-Section 45

-Paragraph 1A

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6451184&loc=d3e28541-108399

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 505

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 3

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6928386&loc=d3e21475-112644

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 210

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.22)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 02

-Paragraph 22

-Article 5

Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 505

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 6

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6928386&loc=d3e21506-112644

Reference 8: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 505

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 7

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6928386&loc=d3e21521-112644

Reference 9: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 505

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 8

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6928386&loc=d3e21538-112644

Reference 10: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 942

-SubTopic 470

-Section 50

-Paragraph 3

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6479336&loc=d3e64711-112823

Reference 11: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 235

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.4-08.(e),(f))

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6881521&loc=d3e23780-122690

+ Details

Derivative Financial Instruments (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Derivative Financial Instruments

Schedule of derivative financial instruments


		Balance Sheet Location	Notional Amount (1)	Carrying Amount and Fair Value (1)
Liabilities:
	Interest rate swap agreements	Other non-current liabilities	ZAR 423,634	ZAR 20,441
	Interest rate swap agreements	Other non-current liabilities	COP 101,250,000	COP 5,356,377


(1)	The interest rate swap agreements are denominated in ZAR and COP and have an aggregate notional amount and fair value of $107.3 million and $5.4 million, respectively, as of December 31, 2012.

Schedule of interest rate swap agreements' impact on other comprehensive income


	Year Ended December 31, 2012
Amount of Gain/(Loss) Recognized in OCI on Derivatives (Effective Portion)		Location of Gain/(Loss) Reclassified from Accumulated OCI into Income (Effective Portion)		Amount of Gain/(Loss) Reclassified from Accumulated OCI into Income (Effective Portion)	Location of Gain/(Loss) Recognized in Income on Derivative (Ineffective Portion and Amount Excluded from Effectiveness Testing)	Gain/(Loss) Recognized in Income on Derivative (Ineffective Portion and Amount Excluded from Effectiveness Testing)
$	(6,220)	Interest expense	$	(1,340)	N/A	N/A

	Year Ended December 31, 2011
Amount of Gain/(Loss) Recognized in OCI on Derivatives (Effective Portion)		Location of Gain/(Loss) Reclassified from Accumulated OCI into Income (Effective Portion)		Amount of Gain/(Loss) Reclassified from Accumulated OCI into Income (Effective Portion)	Location of Gain/(Loss) Recognized in Income on Derivative (Ineffective Portion and Amount Excluded from Effectiveness Testing)	Gain/(Loss) Recognized in Income on Derivative (Ineffective Portion and Amount Excluded from Effectiveness Testing)
$	(228)	Interest expense	$	(2,205)	N/A	N/A

	Year Ended December 31, 2010
Amount of Gain/(Loss) Recognized in OCI on Derivatives (Effective Portion)		Location of Gain/(Loss) Reclassified from Accumulated OCI into Income (Effective Portion)		Amount of Gain/(Loss) Reclassified from Accumulated OCI into Income (Effective Portion)	Location of Gain/(Loss) Recognized in Income on Derivative (Ineffective Portion and Amount Excluded from Effectiveness Testing)	Gain/(Loss) Recognized in Income on Derivative (Ineffective Portion and Amount Excluded from Effectiveness Testing)
$	(8,798)	Interest expense	$	(18,294)	N/A	N/A

Schedule of other comprehensive (loss) income included in derivative financial instruments


	2012		2011		2010
Deferred loss on the settlement of the treasury rate lock, net of tax	$	(3,827)	$	(4,625)	$	(3,354)
Deferred gain on the settlement of interest rate swap agreements entered into in connection with the Securitization, net of tax		-		202		497
Unrealized losses related to interest rate swap agreements, net of tax		(4,815)		-		(2,083)

- Definition

Tabular disclosure of the location and amount of gains and losses reported in the statement of financial performance, or when applicable, the statement of financial position. For example, (a) gains and losses recognized in the income statement on derivative instruments designated and qualifying as hedging instruments in fair value hedges and related hedged items designated and qualifying in fair value hedges and (b) gains and losses initially recognized in other comprehensive income on derivative instruments designated and qualifying as cash flow hedges.

+ References+ Details

- Definition

Tabular disclosure of the location and fair value amounts of derivative instruments (and nonderivative instruments that are designated and qualify as hedging instruments) reported in the statement of financial position.

+ References+ Details

Fair Value Measurements (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]

Schedule of Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis


			December 31, 2012
			Fair Value Measurements Using						Assets/Liabilities at Fair Value
			Level 1		Level 2			Level 3	Assets/Liabilities at Fair Value

			(in thousands)
Assets:
	Short-term investments (1)		$	6,018					$	6,018

Liabilities:
	Acquisition-related contingent consideration						$	23,711	$	23,711
	Interest rate swap agreements (2)				$	5,442			$	5,442

			December 31, 2011
			Fair Value Measurements Using						Assets/Liabilities at Fair Value
			Level 1		Level 2			Level 3	Assets/Liabilities at Fair Value

			(in thousands)
Assets:
	Short-term investments and available-for-sale
		securities (3)	$	22,270					$	22,270

Liabilities:
	Acquisition-related contingent consideration						$	25,617	$	25,617


(1)		Consists of highly liquid investments with original maturities in excess of three months.
(2)		Consists of interest rate swap agreements based on JIBAR and IBR whose value is determined using a pricing model with inputs that are observable in the market or can be derived principally from, or corroborated by, observable market data.
(3)		Consists of highly liquid investments with original maturities in excess of three months and available-for-sale securities traded in active markets.

Schedule Of Business Acquisitions Contingent Consideration Change [Table Text Block]


		2012		2011

Balance as of January 1	$	25,617	$	5,809
Additions		6,653		19,853
Payments		(15,716)		(5,742)
Change in fair value		6,329		5,634
Foreign currency translation adjustment		828		63

Balance as of December 31	$	23,711	$	25,617

Income Taxes (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Income Taxes

Income tax provision from continuing operations


		2012		2011		2010
Current:
	Federal	$	(18,170)	$	(14,069)	$	-
	State		(6,321)		(19,346)		(6,090)
	Foreign		(53,513)		(34,813)		11,928
Deferred:
	Federal		(13,094)		(81,685)		(191,393)
	State		(666)		(12,001)		(14,446)
	Foreign		(15,540)		36,834		17,512
Income tax provision		$	(107,304)	$	(125,080)	$	(182,489)

Components of income from continuing operations before income taxes and income on equity method investments


	2012		2011		2010
United States	$	787,960	$	608,936	$	536,188
Foreign		(86,666)		(102,041)		19,837
Total	$	701,294	$	506,895	$	556,025

Reconciliation between the U.S. statutory rate and the effective rate from continuing operations


		2012		2011		2010

	Statutory tax rate	35	%	35	%	35	%
	Tax adjustment related to REIT (1)	(35)		-		-
	State taxes, net of federal benefit	1		6		3
	Non-deductible stock compensation	-		-		1
	Foreign taxes	4		3		-
	Foreign withholding taxes	4		2		-
	Changes in uncertain tax positions	(1)		1		(2)
	Foreign currency losses	-		1		-
	Reorganization of financing entity	-		-		(6)
	Deferred tax adjustment due to REIT Conversion	-		(24)		-
	Change in valuation allowance	8		-		-
	Other	(1)		1		2
	Effective tax rate	15	%	25	%	33	%

(1)	Includes 18% from dividend paid deductions.

Components of the net deferred tax asset and related valuation allowance


		2012		2011
Current assets:
Allowances, accruals and other items not currently deductible		$	31,561	$	17,673
Net operating loss carryforwards			-		16,279
Current deferred liabilities			(2,509)		(17,345)
Subtotal			29,052		16,607
Valuation allowance			(3,298)		(517)
	Net short-term deferred tax assets	$	25,754	$	16,090

Non-current items:
Assets:
	Net operating loss carryforwards		127,914		48,962
	Accrued asset retirement obligations		70,797		50,131
	Stock-based compensation		25,258		26,993
	Unearned revenue		21,912		20,896
	Items not currently deductible and other		55,924		27,396
	Depreciation and amortization		-		31,264
Liabilities:
	Depreciation and amortization		(42,896)		-
	Deferred rent		(18,640)		(9,987)
	Other		(4,566)		(2,031)
Subtotal			235,703		193,624
Valuation allowance			(92,260)		(5,321)
	Net long-term deferred tax assets	$	143,443	$	188,303

Net operating loss carryforwards expire


Years ended December 31,	Federal		State		Foreign
2013 to 2017	$	-	$	118,719	$	791
2018 to 2022		-		468,951		3,661
2023 to 2027		732,561		445,206		-
2028 to 2032		190,332		87,043		-
Indefinite carryforward		-		-		407,168
Total	$	922,893	$	1,119,919	$	411,620

Change in unrecognized tax benefit


	2012		2011		2010
Balance at January 1	$	38,886	$	79,012	$	87,975
Additions based on tax positions related to the current year		1,037		1,801		10,101
Additions for tax positions of prior years		-		16,520		11,109
Reductions for tax positions of prior years		(221)		(54,430)		(30,855)
Foreign currency		(439)		(3,550)		735
Reduction as a result of the lapse of statute of limitations and effective settlements		(4,926)		(467)		(53)
Balance at December 31,	$	34,337	$	38,886	$	79,012

Stock-Based Compensation (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Stock-Based Compensation

Assumptions used to determine the grant date fair value for options granted


	2012	2011	2010
Range of risk-free interest rate	0.62%-1.03%	0.90% - 2.24%	1.41% - 2.39%
Weighted average risk-free interest rate	0.92%	1.97%	2.35%
Expected life of option grants	4.40 years	4.50 years	4.60 years
Range of expected volatility of underlying stock price	36.53% - 37.86%	36.89% - 38.13%	37.11% - 37.48%
Weighted average expected volatility of underlying stock price	37.84%	36.98%	37.14%
Weighted average expected annual dividends	1.50%	0.03%	N/A

Summary of the company's option activity


	Options	Weighted Average Exercise Price		Weighted Average Contractual Term (Years)		Aggregate Intrinsic Value (in millions)

Outstanding as of January 1, 2012	6,376,244	$	37.36

Granted	1,237,172		62.22
Exercised	(1,614,657)		31.53
Forfeited	(162,839)		44.19
Expired	(5,975)		9.74

Outstanding as of December 31, 2012	5,829,945	$	44.09	6.42	$	193.45

Exercisable as of December 31, 2012	3,170,504	$	37.07	4.86	$	127.46
Vested or expected to vest as of December 31, 2012	5,829,945	$	44.09	6.42	$	193.45

Schedule of options outstanding


Options Outstanding					Options Exercisable

Outstanding Number of Options	Range of Exercise Price Per Share	Weighted Average Exercise Price Per Share		Weighted Average Remaining Life (Years)	Options Exercisable	Weighted Average Exercise Price Per Share
703,811	$5.51 - $28.39	$	26.32	5.47	458,581	$	25.22
733,695	31.06 - 31.54		31.49	3.52	691,370		31.50
972,017	32.21- 37.70		37.52	4.50	970,173		37.53
1,237,938	38.06 - 47.25		43.41	6.07	823,641		43.56
966,548	50.78- 58.60		51.25	8.23	198,019		51.14
1,215,936	62.00- 71.50		62.22	9.20	28,720		62.00

5,829,945	$5.51 - $71.50	$	44.09	6.42	3,170,504	$	37.07

Summary of the company's restricted stock unit activity


	Number of Units	Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value

Outstanding as of January 1, 2012	2,197,460	$	42.39
Granted	836,835		62.34
Vested	(893,739)		39.75
Forfeited	(172,003)		48.20

Outstanding as of December 31, 2012	1,968,553	$	51.56

Expected to vest, net of estimated forfeitures, as of December 31, 2012	1,898,708	$	51.37

Schedule of employee stock purchase plan valuation assumptions


	2012	2011	2010
Range of risk-free interest rate	0.05% - 0.12%	0.11% - 0.20%	0.22% - 0.23%
Weighted average risk-free interest rate	0.08%	0.16%	0.22%
Expected life of shares	6 months	6 months	6 months
Range of expected volatility of underlying stock price	33.16% - 33.86%	33.96% - 34.55%	35.26% - 35.27%
Weighted average expected volatility of underlying stock price	33.54%	34.28%	35.26%
Expected annual dividends	1.50%	N/A	N/A

- Definition

Tabular disclosure of option exercise prices, by grouped ranges, including the upper and lower limits of the price range, the number of shares under option, weighted average exercise price and remaining contractual option terms.

+ References+ Details

Commitments and Contingencies (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Commitments And Contingencies [Abstract]

Future minimum rental payments under non-cancelable operating leases


Year Ending December 31,
2013	$	364,427
2014		352,624
2015		343,478
2016		328,826
2017		317,533
Thereafter		2,878,866

Total	$	4,585,754

Future minimum payments under capital leases


Year Ending December 31,
2013	$	8,242
2014		7,316
2015		5,377
2016		5,485
2017		4,897
Thereafter		164,520

Total minimum lease payments		195,837
Less amounts representing interest		(138,544)

Present value of capital lease obligations	$	57,293

Future minimum rental receipts under operating lease agreements


Year Ending December 31,
2013	$	2,519,271
2014		2,464,510
2015		2,461,416
2016		2,370,434
2017		2,264,910
Thereafter		8,142,544

Total	$	20,223,085

- Definition

Tabular disclosure of a lessee's leasing arrangements including: (1) the basis on which contingent rental payments are determined, (2) the existence and terms of renewal or purchase options and escalation clauses, (3) restrictions imposed by lease arrangements, such as those concerning dividends, additional debt, and further leasing, (4) rent holidays, rent concessions, or leasehold improvement incentives and unusual provisions or conditions. Disclosure may also include the specific period used to amortize material leasehold improvements made at the inception of the lease or during the lease term. Additionally, for operating leases having initial or remaining noncancelable lease terms in excess of one year: (a) future minimum rental payments required as of the date of the latest balance sheet presented, in the aggregate and for each of the five succeeding fiscal years, (b) the total of minimum rentals to be received in the future under noncancelable subleases as of the date of the latest balance sheet presented, and (c) for all operating leases, rental expense for each period for which an income statement is presented, with separate amounts for minimum rentals, contingent rentals, and sublease rentals. Rental payments under leases with terms of a month or less that were not renewed need not be included.

+ References+ Details

Business Segments (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2011

Dec. 31, 2010

Business Segments

Summarized financial information concerning the company's reportable segments


			Rental and Management				Total Rental and Management		Network Development Services		Other		Total
Year Ended December 31, 2012			Domestic		International		Total Rental and Management		Network Development Services		Other		Total
			(in thousands)

Segment revenues			$	1,940,689	$	862,801	$	2,803,490	$	72,470			$	2,875,960
Segment operating expenses (1)				357,555		328,333		685,888		34,830				720,718
Interest income, TV Azteca, net				-		14,258		14,258		-				14,258
Segment gross margin				1,583,134		548,726		2,131,860		37,640				2,169,500
Segment selling, general, administrative and
	development expense (1)			85,663		95,579		181,242		6,744				187,986
Segment operating profit			$	1,497,471	$	453,147	$	1,950,618	$	30,896			$	1,981,514
Stock-based compensation expense											$	51,983		51,983
Other selling, general, administrative and
	development expense											89,093		89,093
Depreciation, amortization and accretion												644,276		644,276
Other expense (principally interest expense and
	other (expense) income)											494,868		494,868
Income from continuing operations before income
	taxes and income on equity method investments												$	701,294

Capital expenditures			$	268,997	$	279,004	$	548,001	$	-	$	20,047	$	568,048

(1)		Segment operating expenses and segment selling, general, administrative and development expenses exclude stock-based compensation expense of $1.8 million and $50.2 million, respectively.


			Rental and Management				Total Rental and Management		Network Development Services		Other		Total
Year Ended December 31, 2011			Domestic		International		Total Rental and Management		Network Development Services		Other		Total
			(in thousands)

Segment revenues			$	1,744,260	$	641,925	$	2,386,185	$	57,347			$	2,443,532
Segment operating expenses (1)				353,458		235,709		589,167		29,460				618,627
Interest income, TV Azteca, net				-		14,214		14,214		-				14,214
Segment gross margin				1,390,802		420,430		1,811,232		27,887				1,839,119
Segment selling, general, administrative and
	development expense (1)			77,041		82,106		159,147		7,864				167,011
Segment operating profit			$	1,313,761	$	338,324	$	1,652,085	$	20,023			$	1,672,108
Stock-based compensation expense											$	47,437		47,437
Other selling, general, administrative and
	development expense											76,705		76,705
Depreciation, amortization and accretion												555,517		555,517
Other expense (principally interest expense and
	other (expense) income)											485,554		485,554
Income from continuing operations before income
	taxes and income on equity method investments												$	506,895

Capital expenditures			$	325,264	$	178,826	$	504,090	$	-	$	18,925	$	523,015

(1)		Segment operating expenses and segment selling, general, administrative and development expenses exclude stock-based compensation expense of $2.3 million and $45.1 million, respectively.


			Rental and Management				Total Rental and Management		Network Development Services		Other		Total
Year Ended December 31, 2010			Domestic		International		Total Rental and Management		Network Development Services		Other		Total
			(in thousands)

Segment revenues			$	1,565,474	$	370,899	$	1,936,373	$	48,962			$	1,985,335
Segment operating expenses				325,360		122,269		447,629		26,957				474,586
Interest income, TV Azteca, net				-		14,212		14,212		-				14,212
Segment gross margin				1,240,114		262,842		1,502,956		22,005				1,524,961
Segment selling, general, administrative and
	development expense (1)			62,295		45,877		108,172		6,312				114,484
Segment operating profit			$	1,177,819	$	216,965	$	1,394,784	$	15,693			$	1,410,477
Stock-based compensation expense											$	52,555		52,555
Other selling, general, administrative and
	development expense											62,730		62,730
Depreciation, amortization and accretion												460,726		460,726
Other expense (principally interest expense and
	other (expense) income)											278,441		278,441
Income from continuing operations before income
	taxes and income on equity method investments												$	556,025

Capital expenditures			$	260,739	$	68,827	$	329,566	$	5,496	$	11,602	$	346,664

(1)		Segment selling, general, administrative and development expense excludes stock-based compensation expense of $52.6 million.

Reconciliation of Assets from Segment to Consolidated [Text Block]


Additional information relating to the total assets of the Company's operating segments for the years ended December 31, is as follows (in thousands):
		December 31,
		2012		2011 (1)
Domestic rental and management		$	8,471,269	$	7,789,578
International rental and management (2)			5,190,587		3,942,258
Network development services			63,956		33,941
Other (3)			363,317		476,618
		$	14,089,129	$	12,242,395


(1)	Balances have been revised to reflect purchase accounting measurement period adjustments.
(2)	Balances are translated at the applicable period end exchange rate and therefore may impact comparability between periods.
(3)	Balances include corporate assets such as cash and cash equivalents, certain tangible and intangible assets and income tax accounts which have not been allocated to specific segments.

Schedule of Revenue from External Customers Attributed to Foreign Countries by Geographic Area


				December 31,
				2012		2011		2010

Operating Revenues:
	United States		$	2,013,159	$	1,801,607	$	1,614,436
	International:
		Brazil		198,068		177,526		104,922
		Chile		22,114		7,380		735
		Colombia		48,424		13,690		1,553
		Germany		4,030		-		-
		Ghana		81,818		41,464		-
		India		181,863		170,680		98,799
		Mexico		217,473		183,175		164,039
		Peru		5,310		4,546		851
		South Africa		80,202		43,464		-
		Uganda		23,499		-		-

		Total international		862,801		641,925		370,899
		Total operating revenues	$	2,875,960	$	2,443,532	$	1,985,335

Schedule of disclosure on geographic areas, long-lived assets


				December 31,
				2012		2011 (1)
Long-Lived Assets (2):
	United States		$	7,558,076	$	7,053,599
	International (3):
		Brazil		909,330		695,923
		Chile		196,387		178,670
		Colombia		380,326		316,096
		Germany		539,670		-
		Ghana		377,553		427,759
		India		676,049		671,091
		Mexico		709,341		546,678
		Peru		65,756		63,956
		South Africa		230,833		199,293
		Uganda		173,773		-

		Total international		4,259,018		3,099,466
		Total long-lived assets	$	11,817,094	$	10,153,065


(1)	Balances have been revised to reflect purchase accounting measurement period adjustments.
(2)	Includes property, equipment, goodwill and other intangible assets.
(3)	Balances are translated at the applicable period end exchange rate and therefore may impact comparability between periods.

ScheduleOfRevenueByMajorCustomersByReportingSegmentsTableTextBlock

	2012	2011	2010
AT&T Mobility	18%	20%	20%
Sprint Nextel	14%	14%	16%
Verizon Wireless	11%	12%	15%

- Definition

Tabular disclosure of the names of foreign countries from which revenue is material and the amount of revenue from external customers attributed to those countries. An entity may also provide subtotals of geographic information about groups of countries.

+ References+ Details

- Definition

Tabular disclosure of the profit or loss and total assets for each reportable segment. An entity discloses certain information on each reportable segment if the amounts (a) are included in the measure of segment profit or loss reviewed by the chief operating decision maker or (b) are otherwise regularly provided to the chief operating decision maker, even if not included in that measure of segment profit or loss.

+ References+ Details

Selected Quarterly Financial Data (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Selected Quarterly Financial Data

Schedule of quarterly financial information


			Three Months Ended							Year Ended
		March 31,		June 30,		September 30,		December 31,		December 31,
	2012:
	Operating revenues	$	696,517	$	697,734	$	713,335	$	768,374	$	2,875,960
	Cost of operations (1)		170,985		172,384		184,904		194,206		722,479
	Operating income		274,446		270,486		295,552		279,235		1,119,719
	Net income		210,358		33,689		231,825		118,153		594,025
	Net income attributable to American Tower Corporation		221,306		48,209		232,089		135,679		637,283
	Basic net income per common share		0.56		0.12		0.59		0.34		1.61
	Diluted net income per common share		0.56		0.12		0.58		0.34		1.60

			Three Months Ended							Year Ended
		March 31,		June 30,		September 30,		December 31,		December 31,
	2011:
	Operating revenues	$	562,695	$	597,235	$	630,403	$	653,199	$	2,443,532
	Cost of operations (1)		135,328		151,077		168,933		165,618		620,956
	Operating income		218,300		225,789		228,305		247,738		920,132
	Net income (loss)		91,961		113,171		(19,726)		196,434		381,840
	Net income (loss) attributable to American Tower Corporation		91,842		115,211		(15,701)		205,110		396,462
	Basic net income (loss) per common share		0.23		0.29		(0.04)		0.52		1.00
	Diluted net income (loss) per common share		0.23		0.29		(0.04)		0.52		0.99

(1)	Represents operating expenses, exclusive of depreciation, amortization and accretion, selling, general, administrative and development expense, and other operating expense.

Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Concentration of credit risk, revenues from four customers	51.00%
Short-term investments	$ 6,018,000	$ 22,300,000
Available for sale securities, shares of common stock		39,871
Net unrealized (loss) gain on available-for-sale securities, net of tax	0	(104,000)	7,000
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life	20 years
Straight line revenue	165,800,000	144,000,000	105,200,000
Straight-line ground rent expense	33,700,000	31,000,000	22,300,000
Aquisition and merger related expense	25,600,000	28,100,000	17,000,000
Company contribution	4,400,000	2,900,000	1,900,000
Other comprehensive income (loss), available-for-sale securities, tax	0	(65,000)	4,000
Balance of unrealized gains (losses) included in other accumulated other comprehensive income, net of taxes at the end of the period.	400,000
Payments of Ordinary Dividends, Common Stock	355,574,000	137,765,000	0
Cash distribution per share	$ 0.90	$ 0.35
Interest Costs Capitalized	1,900,000	2,100,000	1,000,000
Labor Costs Capitalized	41,600,000	35,600,000	31,900,000
Defined Contribution Plan, Employer Matching Contribution, Percent	50.00%
Defined Contribution Plan, Maximum Annual Contribution Per Employee, Percent	6.00%
Fiber Tower Corporation [Member]
Available for sale securities, common stock price per share		$ 0.21
Short-term available-for-sale security common stock value		100,000
Currency Exchange Brazilian Real [Member]
Impact of change in functional currency in AOCI			39,800,000
Currency Exchange Mexican Peso [Member]
Impact of change in functional currency in AOCI			$ 33,600,000

Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Changes in Allowances) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Discription of Business Basis Of Presentation And Disclosure [Abstract]
Balance as of January 1,	$ 24,412	$ 22,505	$ 28,520
Current year increases	8,028	17,008	16,219
Write-offs, net of recoveries and other	(12,034)	(15,101)	(22,234)
Balance as of December 31,	$ 20,406	$ 24,412	$ 22,505

Prepaid and Other Current Assets (Details) (USD $)
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2011

Prepaid Expense and Other Assets, Current [Abstract]

Prepaid income tax

$ 57,665

$ 31,384

^[1]

Prepaid operating ground leases

56,916

49,585

^[1]

Value added tax and other consumption tax receivables

22,443

81,276

^[1]

Prepaid assets

19,037

28,031

^[1]

Other miscellaneous current assets

66,790

59,997

^[1]

Balance as of December 31,

$ 222,851

$ 250,273

^[1]

[1]	December 31, 2011 balances have been revised to reflect purchase accounting measurement period adjustments.

- Definition

The total of the amounts paid in advance for capitalized costs that will be expensed with the passage of time or the occurrence of a triggering event, and will be charged against earnings within one year or the normal operating cycle, if longer, and the aggregate carrying amount of current assets, as of the balance sheet date, not separately presented elsewhere in the balance sheet. Current assets are expected to be realized or consumed within one year (or the normal operating cycle, if longer).

+ References+ Details

- Definition

Sum of the amounts paid in advance for capitalized costs that will be expensed with the passage of time or the occurrence of a triggering event, and will be charged against earnings within one year or the normal operating cycle, if longer.

+ References+ Details

Property and Equipment (Narrative) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Property and Equipment
Depreciation expense	$ 411.9	$ 353.4	$ 286.0
Capital Leases, Balance Sheet, Assets by Major Class, Net	$ 868.3	$ 790.5

- Definition

The amount of expense recognized in the current period that reflects the allocation of the cost of tangible assets over the assets' useful lives. Includes production and non-production related depreciation.

+ References+ Details

Property and Equipment (Property and Equipment (Including Assets Held Under Capital Leases)) (Details) (USD $)
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2011

Towers

$ 6,929,888

^[1]

$ 6,036,484

^[1]

Equipment

560,009

459,070

^[1]

Buildings and improvements

424,213

369,561

^[1]

Land and improvements

1,005,857

^[2]

868,664

^[1],[2]

Construction-in-progress

151,289

155,585

^[1]

Total

9,071,256

7,889,364

^[1]

Less accumulated depreciation and amortization

(3,281,261)

(2,907,642)

^[1]

Property and equipment, net

$ 5,789,995

$ 4,981,722

^[1]

Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life

20 years

Tower [Member] | Maximum

Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life

20 years

^[3]

Tower [Member] | Minimum

Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life

0 years

^[3]

Equipment [Member] | Maximum

Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life

15 years

^[3]

Equipment [Member] | Minimum

Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life

3 years

^[3]

Buildings and Improvements [Member] | Maximum

Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life

31 years

^[3]

Buildings and Improvements [Member] | Minimum

Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life

3 years

^[3]

Land and Improvements [Member] | Maximum

Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life

20 years

^[3]

Land and Improvements [Member] | Minimum

Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life

3 years

^[3]

[1]	December 31, 2011 balances have been revised to reflect purchase accounting measurement period adjustments.
[2]	Estimated useful lives apply to land improvements only.
[3]	Assets on leased land are depreciated over the shorter of the estimated useful life of the asset or the term of the corresponding ground lease taking into consideration lease renewal options and residual value.

- Definition

The cumulative amount of depreciation, depletion and amortization (related to property, plant and equipment, but not including land) that has been recognized in the income statement.

+ References+ Details

- Definition

Gross amount of long-lived physical assets used in the normal conduct of business and not intended for resale. Examples include, but are not limited to, land, buildings, machinery and equipment, office equipment, furniture and fixtures, and computer equipment.

+ References+ Details

- Definition

Amount, net of accumulated depreciation, depletion and amortization, of long-lived physical assets used in the normal conduct of business and not intended for resale. Examples include, but are not limited to, land, buildings, machinery and equipment, office equipment, furniture and fixtures, and computer equipment.

+ References+ Details

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Narrative) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012 y	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Weighted average amortization period of intangible assets, years	13
Amortization of intangible assets	$ 207.3	$ 176.4	$ 156.1

- Definition

The aggregate expense charged against earnings to allocate the cost of intangible assets (nonphysical assets not used in production) in a systematic and rational manner to the periods expected to benefit from such assets. As a noncash expense, this element is added back to net income when calculating cash provided by or used in operations using the indirect method.

+ References+ Details

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Rollforwardl) (Details) (USD $)
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Goodwill, Beginning Balance

$ 2,676,290

^[1]

Additions

248,116

Effect of foreign currency translation

(12,360)

Goodwill, Ending Balance

2,912,046

Rental And Management [Member] | Domestic [Member]

Goodwill, Beginning Balance

2,249,444

^[1]

Additions

92,420

Effect of foreign currency translation

Goodwill, Ending Balance

2,341,864

Rental And Management [Member] | International [Member]

Goodwill, Beginning Balance

424,846

^[1]

Additions

155,696

Effect of foreign currency translation

(12,360)

Goodwill, Ending Balance

568,182

Network Development Services [Member]

Goodwill, Beginning Balance

2,000

^[1]

Additions

Effect of foreign currency translation

Goodwill, Ending Balance

$ 2,000

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

- Definition

Carrying amount as of the balance sheet date, which is the cumulative amount paid and (if applicable) the fair value of any noncontrolling interest in the acquiree, adjusted for any amortization recognized prior to the adoption of any changes in generally accepted accounting principles (as applicable) and for any impairment charges, in excess of the fair value of net assets acquired in one or more business combination transactions.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 141R

-Paragraph 68

-Subparagraph l

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 350

-SubTopic 20

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=14024403&loc=d3e13816-109267

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 350

-SubTopic 20

-Section 45

-Paragraph 1

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6388280&loc=d3e13770-109266

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 142

-Paragraph 45

-Subparagraph e

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 142

-Paragraph 43

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 141R

-Paragraph 72

-Subparagraph d

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 142

-Paragraph 45

-Subparagraph e

-Clause 1

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 8: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 141R

-Paragraph 34

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

+ Details

- Definition

The aggregate amount of goodwill acquired in the period and allocated to the reportable segment. The value is stated at fair value based on the purchase price allocation.

+ References+ Details

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Changes in the Carrying Value of Goodwill) (Details) (USD $)
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2011

Dec. 31, 2012

Acquired Network Location [Member]

Dec. 31, 2011

Acquired Network Location [Member]

Dec. 31, 2012

Acquired Network Location [Member]

Maximum

Dec. 31, 2012

Acquired Network Location [Member]

Minimum

Dec. 31, 2012

Acquired Customer Base [Member]

Dec. 31, 2011

Acquired Customer Base [Member]

Dec. 31, 2012

Acquired Customer Relationships [Member]

Maximum

Dec. 31, 2012

Acquired Customer Relationships [Member]

Minimum

Dec. 31, 2012

Acquired Licenses And Other Intangibles [Member]

Dec. 31, 2011

Acquired Licenses And Other Intangibles [Member]

Dec. 31, 2012

Acquired Licenses And Other Intangibles [Member]

Maximum

Dec. 31, 2012

Acquired Licenses And Other Intangibles [Member]

Minimum

Dec. 31, 2012

Economic Rights, TV Azteca [Member]

Dec. 31, 2011

Economic Rights, TV Azteca [Member]

Dec. 31, 2012

Economic Rights, TV Azteca [Member]

Maximum

Dec. 31, 2012

Economic Rights, TV Azteca [Member]

Minimum

Gross Carrying Value

$ 4,800,651

$ 3,977,778

^[1]

$ 1,696,922

^[2]

$ 1,537,748

^[1],[2]

$ 3,048,696

$ 2,387,179

^[1]

$ 26,079

$ 25,949

^[1]

$ 28,954

$ 26,902

^[1]

Accumulated Amortization

(1,735,136)

(1,530,257)

^[1]

(721,135)

^[2]

(654,137)

^[1],[2]

(979,264)

(843,432)

^[1]

(20,835)

(20,045)

^[1]

(13,902)

(12,643)

^[1]

Net Book Value

3,065,515

2,447,521

^[1]

975,787

^[2]

883,611

^[1],[2]

2,069,432

1,543,747

^[1]

5,244

5,904

^[1]

15,052

14,259

^[1]

Deferred financing costs, net

49,538

^[3]

47,532

^[1],[3]

Other intangible assets, net

$ 3,115,053

$ 2,495,053

^[1]

Economic rights agreement useful life, years

20 years

0 years

20 years

15 years

20 years

3 years

70 years

[1]	December 31, 2011 balances have been revised to reflect purchase accounting measurement period adjustments.
[2]	Acquired network location intangibles are amortized over the shorter of the term of the corresponding ground lease taking into consideration lease renewal options and residual value or up to 20 years, as the Company considers these intangibles to be directly related to the tower assets.
[3]	Deferred financing costs are amortized over the term of the respective debt instruments to which they relate using the effective interest method. This amortization is included in interest expense, rather than in amortization expense.

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Expected Future Amortization Expenses) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2012
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
2013	$ 211,770
2014	203,439
2015	189,129
2016	182,149
2017	$ 180,515

Notes Receivable and Other Non-Current Assets (Narrative) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012 y	Dec. 31, 2000	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Economic Rights, TV Azteca [Member]
Number of broadcast towers		190
Commercial Rights, Annual Payment		$ 1.5
Percentage of the revenues from leasing of towers		100.00%
Right to purchase economic rights, years	50
Capital lease originally recorded, assets		18.6
Capital lease originally recorded, liability		18.6
Capital lease asset and discount on note		30.2
TV Azteca [Member]
Loans Receivable	119.8	119.8	119.8
Loan interest rate		13.11%
Loan discounted	108.2		108.2	108.2
Term of the loan, years	70
Loan prepayment without penalty, period, years	50
Economic rights agreement useful life, years	70 years
Grupo Iusacell [Member]
Loans Receivable	3.1
Other long-term notes receivable outstanding included in prepaid and other current assets	$ 12.5
Loan receivable interest rate	12.00%
Long-term note receivable original repayment period, years	5

Notes Receivable and Other Non-Current Assets (Notes Receivable and Other Non-Current Assets) (Details) (USD $)
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2011

Notes Receivable And Other Long Term Assets [Abstract]

Notes receivable

$ 114,256

$ 118,892

^[1]

Long-term prepaid assets

176,094

167,975

^[1]

Other miscellaneous assets

162,438

208,748

^[1]

Balance as of December 31

$ 452,788

$ 495,615

^[1]

[1]	December 31, 2011 balances have been revised to reflect purchase accounting measurement period adjustments.

Acquitions and Other transactions (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)		12 Months Ended		0 Months Ended	12 Months Ended									0 Months Ended			12 Months Ended					0 Months Ended							0 Months Ended			0 Months Ended				0 Months Ended	12 Months Ended				0 Months Ended				0 Months Ended			12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012 Domestic [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 International [Member]	Nov. 04, 2010 South Africa Acquisition [Member] sites	Dec. 31, 2012 South Africa Acquisition [Member]	Dec. 14, 2011 South Africa Acquisition [Member] sites	Jul. 25, 2011 South Africa Acquisition [Member] sites	Mar. 08, 2011 South Africa Acquisition [Member] sites	Aug. 31, 2012 South Africa 2012 Acquisition [Member] sites	Jul. 31, 2012 South Africa 2012 Acquisition [Member] sites	Dec. 31, 2012 Brazil Acquisition [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Brazil Acquisition [Member] sites	Mar. 01, 2011 Brazil Acquisition [Member] sites	Jun. 30, 2012 Brazil Vivo Acquisition [Member] sites	Mar. 30, 2012 Brazil Vivo Acquisition [Member] sites	Aug. 31, 2012 Brazil Vivo Acquisition [Member] sites	Dec. 31, 2012 Ghana Acquisition [Member]	Dec. 23, 2011 Ghana Acquisition [Member] sites	Aug. 11, 2011 Ghana Acquisition [Member] sites	May 06, 2011 Ghana Acquisition [Member] sites	Dec. 06, 2010 Ghana Acquisition [Member]	Dec. 07, 2011 Mexico Acquisition [Member] sites	Nov. 03, 2011 Mexico Acquisition [Member] sites	Jul. 10, 2012 Mexico Acquisition [Member] sites	Jun. 29, 2012 Mexico Acquisition [Member] sites	Apr. 03, 2012 Mexico Acquisition [Member] sites	Dec. 28, 2011 Mexico Acquisition [Member] sites	Dec. 15, 2011 Mexico Acquisition [Member] sites	Sep. 12, 2012 Mexico 2012 Acquisition [Member] sites	Dec. 14, 2012 Mexico 2012 Acquisition [Member] sites	Sep. 27, 2012 Mexico 2012 Acquisition [Member] sites	Dec. 14, 2012 Mexico 2012 DEC Acquisition [Member] sites	Nov. 16, 2012 Mexico 2012 DEC Acquisition [Member] sites	Dec. 31, 2011 Colombia Moviles 2011 Acquisition [Member] sites	Dec. 31, 2012 Colombia Moviles 2012 Acquisition [Member] sites	Jul. 17, 2011 Colombia Movil Acquisition [Member] sites	Dec. 31, 2012 Colombia Movil Acquisition [Member] sites	Feb. 01, 2013 Colombia Movil Acquisition [Member] sites	Dec. 11, 2012 Colombia Movil Acquisition [Member] sites	Dec. 30, 2011 Chile Moviles Acquisition [Member] sites	Dec. 08, 2011 Uganda Acquisition [Member] sites	Dec. 31, 2012 Uganda Acquisition [Member]	Jun. 29, 2012 Uganda Acquisition [Member] sites	Dec. 04, 2012 Germany Acquisition [Member] sites	Dec. 20, 2012 Skyway Acquisition [Member] sites	Dec. 28, 2012 Diamond Acquisition [Member] sites propertyinterests	Dec. 31, 2012 Other U.S. Acquisition 2012 [Member] sites	Dec. 31, 2012 Us Acquisition 2012 Equity Method Investment Member [Member]	Oct. 14, 2011 U.S. Property Interest - Unison Acquisition [Member] sites propertyinterests	Oct. 21, 2011 U.S. Property Interest - Other Acquisition [Member] propertyinterests
Aggregate purchase price				$ 430,000,000		$ 214,500,000			$ 35,000,000		$ 585,300,000	$ 585,400,000	$ 553,200,000	$ 126,300,000	$ 151,700,000	$ 32,700,000	$ 517,700,000	$ 515,600,000						$ 323,300,000				$ 121,900,000		$ 63,500,000		$ 64,200,000		$ 17,500,000	$ 4,700,000	$ 182,000,000	$ 136,200,000	$ 1,300,000		$ 94,900,000		$ 173,200,000	$ 171,500,000	$ 525,700,000	$ 169,600,000	$ 322,500,000	$ 146,200,000	$ 800,000	$ 312,002,000	$ 72,595,000
Contingent consideration						2,600,000											2,300,000	2,300,000																			17,300,000	200,000
ValueAddedTaxReceivable						12,300,000			4,300,000								65,600,000	65,600,000						44,700,000				16,700,000		8,800,000		8,900,000
Partial payment of aggregate purchase price																																															144,800,000
BusinessAcquisitionCostOfAcquiredEntityCashPaid																																													169,500,000	320,100,000
Number of communications sites acquired						76	329	959	39	197		39	627	700	800	192		686	770	400				3	74	55	1,422	584		2	279			125	31		1,526	13		558			962	2,031	318	316	128		12
Maximum number of communications sites to be acquired				1,400											1,500							1,778	730						348			188	198			2,126					1,000
Additional communications sites to be acquired				1,800										300
Number Of Property Interests Acquired																																														24			1,910	240
Number of property interests acquired under third party sites																																																	1,810
Business Combination, Contingent Consideration Arrangements, Range of Outcomes, Value, High	43,600,000				2,000,000												1,000,000																				32,800,000
Business Combination, Contingent Consideration Arrangements, Range of Outcomes, Value, Low	0				0												0																				0
Previous contingent consideration payments					8,700,000												2,600,000
Updated contingent consideration fair value					1,900,000												900,000																				17,300,000
Ownership percentage																					51.00%																				51.00%
Ownership percentage by subsidiary					25.00%																49.00%																				49.00%
Percentage of business acquired													100.00%																											100.00%								67.50%
Business Combination, Contingent Consideration Arrangements, Change in Amount of Contingent Consideration, Liability					3,900,000												400,000																				(1,200,000)
Noncash or Part Noncash Acquisition, Value of Liabilities Assumed																																													100,000	2,400,000
Business Acquisition Cost Of Acquired Entity, Purchase Price Reflected In Accounts Payable																																															1,400,000
Business acquisition preexisting relationship settlement purchase price adjustment																																																	(2,584,000)	(4,256,000)
Business Acquisition, Purchase Price Allocation, Noncurrent Liabilities, Long-term Debt																																																	196,000,000
Business Acquisition Purchase Price Allocation Noncurrent Liabilities Long Term Debt, Fair Value																																																	209,300,000
Business Combination, Pro Forma Information, Revenue of Acquiree since Acquisition Date, Actual		3,800,000	42,900,000
Business combination pro forma information gross margin of acquiree since acquisition date actual		2,800,000	20,400,000
Contingent Consideration Term					4 years
Number of communications sites returned																																							15
Equity Method Investment, Realized Gain (Loss) on Disposal																																																$ 200,000

Acquisitions and Other Transactions (Schedule of Aggregate Purchase Consideration Paid and the Amount of Assets Acquired) (Details) (USD $)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

South Africa Acquisition [Member]

Dec. 14, 2011

South Africa Acquisition [Member]

Nov. 04, 2010

South Africa Acquisition [Member]

Dec. 31, 2012

South Africa Acquisition [Member]

Acquired Network Location [Member]

Dec. 31, 2012

South Africa Acquisition [Member]

Purchase Price Allocation [Member]

Dec. 31, 2011

South Africa Acquisition [Member]

Preliminary Purchase Price Allocation [Member]

Dec. 31, 2012

South Africa 2012 Acquisition [Member]

Aug. 31, 2012

South Africa 2012 Acquisition [Member]

Dec. 31, 2012

South Africa 2012 Acquisition [Member]

Acquired Network Location [Member]

Dec. 31, 2012

South Africa 2012 Acquisition [Member]

Preliminary Purchase Price Allocation [Member]

Dec. 31, 2012

Brazil Acquisition [Member]

Dec. 31, 2011

Brazil Acquisition [Member]

Mar. 01, 2011

Brazil Acquisition [Member]

Dec. 31, 2012

Brazil Acquisition [Member]

Acquired Network Location [Member]

Dec. 31, 2012

Brazil Acquisition [Member]

Purchase Price Allocation [Member]

Dec. 31, 2011

Brazil Acquisition [Member]

Preliminary Purchase Price Allocation [Member]

Dec. 31, 2012

Brazil Vivo Acquisition [Member]

Aug. 31, 2012

Brazil Vivo Acquisition [Member]

Jun. 30, 2012

Brazil Vivo Acquisition [Member]

Mar. 30, 2012

Brazil Vivo Acquisition [Member]

Dec. 31, 2012

Brazil Vivo Acquisition [Member]

Acquired Network Location [Member]

Dec. 31, 2012

Brazil Vivo Acquisition [Member]

Preliminary Purchase Price Allocation [Member]

Dec. 31, 2012

Ghana Acquisition [Member]

Dec. 23, 2011

Ghana Acquisition [Member]

Dec. 31, 2012

Ghana Acquisition [Member]

Acquired Network Location [Member]

Dec. 31, 2012

Ghana Acquisition [Member]

Purchase Price Allocation [Member]

Dec. 31, 2011

Ghana Acquisition [Member]

Preliminary Purchase Price Allocation [Member]

Dec. 31, 2012

Mexico Acquisition [Member]

Jul. 10, 2012

Mexico Acquisition [Member]

Dec. 15, 2011

Mexico Acquisition [Member]

Dec. 31, 2012

Mexico Acquisition [Member]

Acquired Network Location [Member]

Dec. 31, 2012

Mexico Acquisition [Member]

Purchase Price Allocation [Member]

Dec. 31, 2011

Mexico Acquisition [Member]

Preliminary Purchase Price Allocation [Member]

Dec. 31, 2012

Mexico 2012 Acquisition [Member]

Dec. 14, 2012

Mexico 2012 Acquisition [Member]

Dec. 31, 2012

Mexico 2012 Acquisition [Member]

Acquired Network Location [Member]

Dec. 31, 2012

Mexico 2012 Acquisition [Member]

Preliminary Purchase Price Allocation [Member]

Dec. 31, 2012

Mexico 2012 Dec Acquisition [Member]

Dec. 14, 2012

Mexico 2012 Dec Acquisition [Member]

Dec. 31, 2012

Mexico 2012 Dec Acquisition [Member]

Acquired Network Location [Member]

Dec. 31, 2012

Mexico 2012 Dec Acquisition [Member]

Preliminary Purchase Price Allocation [Member]

Dec. 31, 2012

Colombia Moviles 2011 Acquisition [Member]

Dec. 31, 2011

Colombia Moviles 2011 Acquisition [Member]

Dec. 31, 2012

Colombia Moviles 2011 Acquisition [Member]

Acquired Network Location [Member]

Dec. 31, 2012

Colombia Moviles 2011 Acquisition [Member]

Purchase Price Allocation [Member]

Dec. 31, 2011

Colombia Moviles 2011 Acquisition [Member]

Preliminary Purchase Price Allocation [Member]

Dec. 31, 2012

Colombia Moviles 2012 Acquisition [Member]

Dec. 31, 2012

Colombia Moviles 2012 Acquisition [Member]

Acquired Network Location [Member]

Dec. 31, 2012

Colombia Moviles 2012 Acquisition [Member]

Purchase Price Allocation [Member]

Dec. 31, 2012

Colombia Movil Acquisition [Member]

Feb. 01, 2013

Colombia Movil Acquisition [Member]

Jul. 17, 2011

Colombia Movil Acquisition [Member]

Dec. 31, 2012

Colombia Movil Acquisition [Member]

Acquired Network Location [Member]

Dec. 31, 2012

Colombia Movil Acquisition [Member]

Purchase Price Allocation [Member]

Dec. 31, 2011

Colombia Movil Acquisition [Member]

Preliminary Purchase Price Allocation [Member]

Dec. 31, 2012

Chile Moviles Acquisition [Member]

Dec. 30, 2011

Chile Moviles Acquisition [Member]

Dec. 31, 2012

Chile Moviles Acquisition [Member]

Acquired Network Location [Member]

Dec. 31, 2012

Chile Moviles Acquisition [Member]

Purchase Price Allocation [Member]

Dec. 31, 2011

Chile Moviles Acquisition [Member]

Preliminary Purchase Price Allocation [Member]

Dec. 31, 2012

Uganda Acquisition [Member]

Jun. 29, 2012

Uganda Acquisition [Member]

Dec. 31, 2012

Uganda Acquisition [Member]

Acquired Network Location [Member]

Dec. 31, 2012

Uganda Acquisition [Member]

Preliminary Purchase Price Allocation [Member]

Dec. 31, 2012

Germany Acquisition [Member]

Dec. 04, 2012

Germany Acquisition [Member]

Dec. 31, 2012

Germany Acquisition [Member]

Acquired Network Location [Member]

Dec. 31, 2012

Germany Acquisition [Member]

Preliminary Purchase Price Allocation [Member]

Dec. 31, 2012

Skyway Acquisition [Member]

Dec. 20, 2012

Skyway Acquisition [Member]

Dec. 31, 2012

Skyway Acquisition [Member]

Preliminary Purchase Price Allocation [Member]

Dec. 31, 2012

Diamond Acquisition [Member]

Dec. 28, 2012

Diamond Acquisition [Member]

Dec. 31, 2012

Diamond Acquisition [Member]

Acquired Network Location [Member]

Dec. 31, 2012

Diamond Acquisition [Member]

Preliminary Purchase Price Allocation [Member]

Dec. 31, 2012

Other U.S. Acquisition 2012 [Member]

Dec. 31, 2012

Other U.S. Acquisition 2012 [Member]

Acquired Network Location [Member]

Dec. 31, 2012

Other U.S. Acquisition 2012 [Member]

Preliminary Purchase Price Allocation [Member]

Dec. 31, 2012

Other U.S. Acquisition 2011 Member

Dec. 31, 2012

Other U.S. Acquisition 2011 Member

Acquired Network Location [Member]

Dec. 31, 2012

Other U.S. Acquisition 2011 Member

Purchase Price Allocation [Member]

Dec. 31, 2011

Other U.S. Acquisition 2011 Member

Preliminary Purchase Price Allocation [Member]

Dec. 31, 2012

U.S. Property Interest - Unison Acquisition [Member]

Oct. 14, 2011

U.S. Property Interest - Unison Acquisition [Member]

Dec. 31, 2012

U.S. Property Interest - Unison Acquisition [Member]

Purchase Price Allocation [Member]

Dec. 31, 2011

U.S. Property Interest - Unison Acquisition [Member]

Preliminary Purchase Price Allocation [Member]

Oct. 21, 2011

U.S. Property Interest - Other Acquisition [Member]

Dec. 31, 2012

U.S. Property Interest - Other Acquisition [Member]

Purchase Price Allocation [Member]

Dec. 31, 2011

U.S. Property Interest - Other Acquisition [Member]

Preliminary Purchase Price Allocation [Member]

Current assets

$ 12,262,000

^[1]

$ 12,262,000

^[2]

$ 4,295,000

$ 9,922,000

^[1],[3]

$ 9,922,000

^[2],[3]

$ 6,969,000

^[1]

$ 69,147,000

^[2]

$ 61,402,000

^[1]

$ 57,414,000

^[2]

$ 8,763,000

$ 8,852,000

$ 14,483,000

$ 740,000

$ 842,000

$ 10,770,000

^[1],[4],[5]

$ 16,203,000

^[2],[4],[5]

$ 359,000

^[1],[4]

$ 363,000

^[2],[4]

Non-current assets

340,000

71,529,000

^[1]

98,047,000

^[2]

24,460,000

69,145,000

^[1]

5,405,000

^[2]

16,350,000

^[1]

26,845,000

^[2]

2,332,000

1,524,000

110,000

^[1]

217,000

^[2]

2,000

^[1]

1,126,000

^[2]

1,892,000

^[1]

2,772,000

^[2]

2,258,000

153,000

289,000

^[1]

^[2]

96,130,000

^[1],[4]

154,817,000

^[2],[4]

13,357,000

^[1],[4]

13,394,000

^[2],[4]

Property and equipment

81,052,000

^[1]

82,225,000

^[2]

16,375,000

83,539,000

^[1]

86,062,000

^[2]

138,959,000

319,641,000

^[1]

304,478,000

^[2]

187,275,000

^[1]

174,767,000

^[2]

26,711,000

17,994,000

13,526,000

^[1]

12,456,000

^[2]

3,590,000

128,989,000

^[1]

95,052,000

^[2]

55,100,000

^[1]

43,140,000

^[2]

102,366,000

233,073,000

60,671,000

69,045,000

61,995,000

21,088,000

^[1]

23,270,000

^[2]

398,542,000

^[1],[6]

340,602,000

^[2],[6]

47,898,000

^[1],[6]

47,898,000

^[2],[6]

Intangible assets

118,502,000

^[1],[7]

118,781,000

^[2],[7]

10,709,000

^[8]

368,000,000

^[1],[9]

288,000,000

^[2],[9]

117,990,000

^[10]

112,025,000

^[1],[11]

82,217,000

^[11],[2]

147,692,000

^[1],[12]

97,182,000

^[12],[2]

21,079,000

^[13]

33,882,000

^[14]

4,008,000

^[1],[15]

4,675,000

^[15],[2]

1,062,000

^[16]

26,791,000

^[1],[17]

26,132,000

^[17],[2]

35,300,000

^[1],[18]

39,916,000

^[18],[2]

63,500,000

^[19]

238,965,000

^[20]

83,700,000

^[21]

199,700,000

^[22]

78,199,000

^[23]

61,107,000

^[1],[24]

61,626,000

^[2],[24]

4,200,000

^[1]

3,297,000

^[2]

490,000

^[1]

383,000

^[2]

Current liabilities

(74,000)

^[1]

(74,000)

^[2]

(5,536,000)

^[1]

(5,536,000)

^[2]

(148,000)

^[1]

(148,000)

^[2]

(2,632,000)

^[1]

(639,000)

^[2]

(2,990,000)

(454,000)

(3,216,000)

(6,351,000)

^[1]

(7,703,000)

^[2]

Long-term obligations

(209,321,000)

^[1]

(209,321,000)

^[2]

Other non-current liabilities

(31,418,000)

^[1]

(32,908,000)

^[2]

(2,552,000)

(38,519,000)

^[1],[25]

(38,519,000)

^[2],[25]

(18,195,000)

(11,477,000)

^[1]

(13,356,000)

^[2]

(9,449,000)

^[1]

(8,836,000)

^[2]

(1,349,000)

(1,992,000)

(341,000)

^[1]

(341,000)

^[2]

(91,000)

(17,489,000)

^[1]

(3,416,000)

^[2]

(4,505,000)

^[1]

(4,505,000)

^[2]

(7,528,000)

(23,243,000)

(3,333,000)

(3,423,000)

(1,310,000)

(4,288,000)

^[1]

(4,118,000)

^[2]

(561,000)

^[1]

(1,508,000)

^[2]

Fair value of net assets acquired

180,324,000

^[1]

180,286,000

^[2]

29,167,000

488,935,000

^[1]

437,976,000

^[2]

263,214,000

496,303,000

^[1]

447,891,000

^[2]

403,122,000

^[1]

347,224,000

^[2]

57,536,000

60,260,000

17,303,000

^[1]

17,007,000

^[2]

4,563,000

135,659,000

^[1]

118,255,000

^[2]

87,787,000

^[1]

81,323,000

^[2]

160,596,000

460,288,000

141,324,000

262,948,000

139,037,000

78,196,000

^[1]

80,778,000

^[2]

293,409,000

^[1]

296,387,000

^[2]

62,104,000

^[1]

62,038,000

^[2]

Goodwill

34,159,000

^[1],[26]

34,197,000

^[2],[26]

5,809,000

^[26]

96,395,000

^[1],[27]

147,459,000

^[2],[27]

47,481,000

^[27]

21,375,000

^[1],[27]

67,755,000

^[2],[27]

42,044,000

^[1],[27]

69,030,000

^[2],[27]

5,998,000

^[27]

3,919,000

^[27]

227,000

^[1],[27]

523,000

^[2],[27]

89,000

^[27]

576,000

^[1],[27]

1,067,000

^[2],[27]

7,073,000

^[1],[27]

13,537,000

^[2],[27]

12,564,000

^[26]

65,365,000

^[27]

28,224,000

^[28]

57,178,000

^[28]

7,124,000

^[28]

4,604,000

^[1],[28]

2,022,000

^[2],[28]

16,009,000

^[1],[29]

13,031,000

^[2],[29]

6,235,000

^[1],[29]

6,301,000

^[2],[29]

Accounts receivables

7,700,000

100,000

Customer-related intangible

105,000,000

8,500,000

250,000,000

80,000,000

58,000,000

75,000,000

10,700,000

30,000,000

1,500,000

400,000

7,200,000

15,500,000

36,500,000

218,200,000

63,000,000

171,300,000

62,000,000

46,400,000

Network location intangibles

13,500,000

2,200,000

118,000,000

38,000,000

54,000,000

72,700,000

10,400,000

3,800,000

2,500,000

700,000

19,600,000

19,800,000

27,000,000

20,800,000

20,700,000

28,400,000

16,200,000

14,700,000

Useful life of intangible assets

20 years

Business Combination Contingent Tax Liabilities Assumed

30,000,000

Indemnification asset

24,000,000

Aggregate purchase price

214,500,000

430,000,000

35,000,000

585,300,000

585,400,000

553,200,000

32,700,000

126,300,000

151,700,000

517,700,000

515,600,000

323,300,000

121,900,000

63,500,000

64,200,000

17,500,000

4,700,000

136,200,000

1,300,000

182,000,000

94,900,000

173,200,000

171,500,000

525,700,000

169,600,000

322,500,000

146,200,000

312,002,000

72,595,000

Business acquisition preexisting relationship settlement purchase price adjustment

(2,584,000)

(4,256,000)

Total consideration

$ 309,418,000

$ 68,339,000

[1]	Reflected in the consolidated balance sheets herein.
[2]	Reflected in the consolidated balance sheets in the Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011.
[3]	Includes approximately $7.7 million of accounts receivable, which approximates the value due to the Company under certain contractual arrangements.
[4]	Includes prepaid operating leases, term easements and managed sites.
[5]	Includes approximately $0.1 million of accounts receivable which approximates the value due to the Company under certain contractual arrangements.
[6]	Includes perpetual easements.
[7]	Consists of customer-related intangibles of approximately $105.0 million and network location intangibles of approximately $13.5 million. The customer-related intangibles and network location intangibles are being amortized on a straight-line basis over periods of up to 20 years.
[8]	Consists of customer-related intangibles of approximately $8.5 million and network location intangibles of approximately $2.2 million. The customer-related intangibles and network location intangibles are being amortized on a straight-line basis over periods of up to 20 years.
[9]	Consists of customer-related intangibles of approximately $250.0 million and network location intangibles of approximately $118.0 million. The customer-related intangibles and network location intangibles are being amortized on a straight-line basis over periods of up to 20 years.
[10]	Consists of customer-related intangibles of approximately $80.0 million and network location intangibles of approximately $38.0 million. The customer-related intangibles and network location intangibles are being amortized on a straight-line basis over periods of up to 20 years.
[11]	Consists of customer-related intangibles of approximately $58.0 million and network location intangibles of approximately $54.0 million. The customer-related intangibles and network location intangibles are being amortized on a straight-line basis over periods of up to 20 years.
[12]	Consists of customer-related intangibles of approximately $75.0 million and network location intangibles of approximately $72.7 million. The customer-related intangibles and network location intangibles are being amortized on a straight-line basis over periods of up to 20 years.
[13]	Consists of customer-related intangibles of approximately $10.7 million and network location intangibles of approximately $10.4 million. The customer-related intangibles and network location intangibles are being amortized on a straight-line basis over periods of up to 20 years.
[14]	Consists of customer-related intangibles of approximately $30.0 million and network location intangibles of approximately $3.8 million. The customer-related intangibles and network location intangibles are being amortized on a straight-line basis over periods of up to 20 years.
[15]	Consists of customer-related intangibles of approximately $1.5 million and network location intangibles of approximately $2.5 million. The customer-related intangibles and network location intangibles are being amortized on a straight-line basis over periods of up to 20 years.
[16]	Consists of customer-related intangibles of approximately $0.4 million and network location intangibles of approximately $0.7 million. The customer-related intangibles and network location intangibles are being amortized on a straight-line basis over periods of up to 20 years.
[17]	Consists of customer-related intangibles of approximately $7.2 million and network location intangibles of approximately $19.6 million. The customer-related intangibles and network location intangibles are being amortized on a straight-line basis over periods of up to 20 years.
[18]	Consists of customer-related intangibles of approximately $15.5 million and network location intangibles of approximately $19.8 million. The customer-related intangibles and network location intangibles are being amortized on a straight-line basis over periods of up to 20 years.
[19]	Consists of customer-related intangibles of approximately $36.5 million and network location intangibles of approximately $27.0 million. The customer-related intangibles and network location intangibles are being amortized on a straight-line basis over periods of up to 20 years.
[20]	Consists of customer-related intangibles of approximately $218.2 million and network location intangibles of approximately $20.8 million. The customer-related intangibles and network location intangibles are being amortized on a straight-line basis over periods of up to 20 years.
[21]	Consists of customer-related intangibles of approximately $63.0 million and network location intangibles of approximately $20.7 million. The customer-related intangibles and network location intangibles are being amortized on a straight-line basis over periods of up to 20 years.
[22]	Consists of customer-related intangibles of approximately $171.3 million and network location intangibles of approximately $28.4 million. The customer-related intangibles and network location intangibles are being amortized on a straight-line basis over periods of up to 20 years.
[23]	Consists of customer-related intangibles of approximately $62.0 million and network location intangibles of approximately $16.2 million. The customer-related intangibles and network location intangibles are being amortized on a straight-line basis over periods of up to 20 years.
[24]	Consists of customer relationships of approximately $46.4 million and network location intangibles of approximately $14.7 million as of December 31, 2012. The customer relationships and network location intangibles are being amortized on a straight-line basis over periods of up to 20 years.
[25]	Other long-term liabilities includes contingent amounts of approximately $30.0 million primarily related to uncertain tax positions related to the acquisition and non-current assets includes $24.0 million of the related indemnification asset.
[26]	The Company expects that the goodwill recorded will not be deductible for tax purposes. The goodwill was allocated to the Company’s international rental and management segment.
[27]	The Company expects that the goodwill recorded will be deductible for tax purposes. The goodwill was allocated to the Company’s international rental and management segment.
[28]	The Company expects that the goodwill recorded will be deductible for tax purposes. The goodwill was allocated to the Company’s domestic rental and management segment.
[29]	With the exception of goodwill that relates to interests in land and perpetual easements, the Company expects that the goodwill recorded will be deductible for tax purposes. The goodwill was allocated to the Company’s domestic rental and management segment.

Accrued Expenses (Details) (USD $)
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2011

Accrued Liabilities Current [Abstract]

Payroll and related withholdings

$ 37,586

$ 31,470

Accrued property and real estate taxes

36,814

46,930

^[1]

Accrued rent

24,394

24,477

Other accrued expenses

188,168

202,661

^[1]

Balance as of December 31

$ 286,962

$ 305,538

^[1]

[1]	December 31, 2011 balances have been revised to reflect purchase accounting measurement period adjustments.

- Definition

Carrying value as of the balance sheet date of obligations incurred through that date and payable for contractual rent under lease arrangements. Used to reflect the current portion of the liabilities (due within one year or within the normal operating cycle if longer).

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 02

-Paragraph 20

-Article 5

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 210

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 8

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6361293&loc=d3e6935-107765

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Glossary Current Liabilities

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6509677

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher AICPA

-Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB)

-Number 43

-Section A

-Paragraph 7

-Chapter 3

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 210

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.20)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 210

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 6

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6361293&loc=d3e6911-107765

Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher AICPA

-Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB)

-Number 43

-Section A

-Paragraph 8

-Chapter 3

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

+ Details

- Definition

Carrying value as of the balance sheet date of obligations incurred through that date and payable arising from transactions not otherwise specified in the taxonomy. Used to reflect the current portion of the liabilities (due within one year or within the normal operating cycle if longer).

+ References+ Details

Long-Term Obligations (Narrative) (Details)

12 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

USD ($)

integer

Dec. 31, 2011

USD ($)

integer

Dec. 31, 2012

Commercial Mortgage Pass Through Certificates Series 2007 [Member]

USD ($)

sites

Dec. 31, 2011

Commercial Mortgage Pass Through Certificates Series 2007 [Member]

USD ($)

Dec. 31, 2007

Commercial Mortgage Pass Through Certificates Series 2007 [Member]

USD ($)

sites

Dec. 31, 2012

Revolving Credit Facility [Member]

Jan. 31, 2012

Revolving Credit Facility [Member]

USD ($)

Dec. 31, 2011

Revolving Credit Facility [Member]

USD ($)

Dec. 31, 2012

Term Loan 2008 [Member]

Jan. 31, 2012

Term Loan 2008 [Member]

USD ($)

Dec. 31, 2011

Term Loan 2008 [Member]

USD ($)

Dec. 31, 2012

Colombia Short Term Credit Facility [Member]

Dec. 31, 2011

Colombia Short Term Credit Facility [Member]

USD ($)

Dec. 31, 2011

Colombia Short Term Credit Facility [Member]

COP

Dec. 31, 2012

Four Point Five Zero Percent Senior Notes [Member]

USD ($)

Dec. 31, 2011

Four Point Five Zero Percent Senior Notes [Member]

USD ($)

Dec. 31, 2012

Five Point Zero Five Percent Senior Notes [Member]

USD ($)

Dec. 31, 2011

Five Point Zero Five Percent Senior Notes [Member]

USD ($)

Dec. 31, 2012

Four Point Six Two Five Percent Senior Notes [Member]

USD ($)

Dec. 31, 2011

Four Point Six Two Five Percent Senior Notes [Member]

USD ($)

Dec. 31, 2012

Seven Point Zero Zero Percent Senior Notes [Member]

USD ($)

Dec. 31, 2011

Seven Point Zero Zero Percent Senior Notes [Member]

USD ($)

Dec. 31, 2012

Seven Point Two Five Percent Senior Notes [Member]

USD ($)

Dec. 31, 2011

Seven Point Two Five Percent Senior Notes [Member]

USD ($)

Dec. 31, 2012

Notes Payable and Capital Leases [Member]

USD ($)

Dec. 31, 2011

Notes Payable and Capital Leases [Member]

USD ($)

Dec. 31, 2012

Colombian Bridge Loan [Member]

USD ($)

Dec. 31, 2012

Colombian Bridge Loan [Member]

COP

Dec. 31, 2011

Colombian Bridge Loan [Member]

USD ($)

Dec. 31, 2012

Five Point Nine Zero Percent Senior Notes [Member]

USD ($)

Dec. 31, 2011

Five Point Nine Zero Percent Senior Notes [Member]

USD ($)

Dec. 31, 2012

Secured Cellular Site Revenue Notes [Member]

USD ($)

Dec. 31, 2011

Secured Cellular Site Revenue Notes [Member]

USD ($)

Oct. 14, 2011

Secured Cellular Site Revenue Notes [Member]

propertyinterests

sites

Dec. 31, 2012

Secured Cellular Site Revenue Notes [Member]

Series 2010-1 Class C [Member]

Dec. 31, 2012

Secured Cellular Site Revenue Notes [Member]

Series 2010-2 Class C [Member]

Dec. 31, 2012

Secured Cellular Site Revenue Notes [Member]

Series 20102 Class F [Member]

Dec. 31, 2012

Ghana Loan [Member]

USD ($)

Dec. 31, 2011

Ghana Loan [Member]

USD ($)

Dec. 31, 2012

Credit Facility 2011 [Member]

USD ($)

Jan. 08, 2013

Credit Facility 2012 [Member]

USD ($)

Dec. 31, 2012

Credit Facility 2012 [Member]

USD ($)

Sep. 14, 2012

South African Facility [Member]

USD ($)

Sep. 14, 2012

South African Facility [Member]

ZAR

Aug. 08, 2012

South African Facility [Member]

USD ($)

Aug. 08, 2012

South African Facility [Member]

ZAR

Dec. 31, 2012

South African Facility [Member]

USD ($)

integer

Dec. 31, 2012

South African Facility [Member]

ZAR

Sep. 28, 2012

South African Facility [Member]

ZAR

integer

Aug. 29, 2012

South African Facility [Member]

ZAR

integer

Jan. 16, 2012

South African Facility [Member]

ZAR

integer

Dec. 31, 2011

South African Facility [Member]

USD ($)

Dec. 31, 2012

Term Loan 2012 [Member]

USD ($)

Dec. 31, 2012

Colombian Long-Term Credit Facility [Member]

USD ($)

Dec. 31, 2012

Colombian Long-Term Credit Facility [Member]

COP

Dec. 05, 2012

Colombian Long-Term Credit Facility [Member]

integer

Dec. 31, 2012

Colombian Loan [Member]

USD ($)

Dec. 31, 2012

Uganda Loan [Member]

USD ($)

Dec. 31, 2012

Four Point Seven Zero Percent Senior Notes [Member]

USD ($)

Number of broadcast and wireless communications towers

5,278

5,295

1,810

Total long term obligation

$ 8,753,376,000

$ 7,236,308,000

$ 1,750,000,000

$ 1,000,000,000

^[1]

$ 325,000,000

^[1]

$ 999,414,000

$ 999,313,000

$ 699,333,000

$ 699,258,000

$ 599,638,000

$ 599,489,000

$ 500,000,000

$ 296,272,000

$ 295,830,000

$ 57,293,000

$ 46,818,000

$ 53,169,000

$ 26,780,000

$ 499,356,000

$ 499,302,000

$ 207,188,000

$ 209,321,000

$ 130,951,000

$ 127,466,000

$ 265,000,000

^[2]

$ 992,000,000

^[2]

$ 98,456,000

834,300,000

$ 84,920,000

$ 750,000,000

$ 76,347,000

135,000,000,000

$ 19,176,000

$ 61,023,000

$ 698,760,000

Expected life certificates final repayment, in years

Restricted cash and cash equivalents

61,900,000

Line of credit facility, maximum borrowing capacity

1,250,000,000

325,000,000

1,200,000,000

Letters of credit outstanding

5,700,000

2,700,000

Term of revolving credit facility

Spread above Libor rate for Libor based borrowings minimum

0.40%

0.50%

1.35%

1.075%

1.25%

Spread above Libor rate for Libor based borrowings maximum

1.25%

1.50%

2.60%

2.40%

2.50%

Spread above base rate for base rate borrowings minimum

0.00%

0.35%

0.075%

0.25%

Spread above base rate for base rate borrowings maximum

0.25%

0.50%

1.60%

1.40%

1.50%

Interest rate, effective

5.61%

8.88%

9.00%

6.368%

Quarterly commitment fee on the undrawn portion of the revolving credit facility minimum

0.08%

0.25%

0.125%

Quarterly commitment fee on the undrawn portion of the revolving credit facility maximum

0.25%

0.55%

0.45%

Increase borrowings of debt

2,900,000

24,200,000

15,100,000

123,000,000

Proceeds from the issuance of debt

746,400,000

Repayment of indebtedness under credit facility

719,000,000

632,000,000

Property interests under communications sites

1,470

Debt Instrument Interest Rate

4.50%

5.05%

4.625%

7.00%

7.25%

7.99%

5.90%

5.349%

6.392%

9.522%

9.00%

8.30%

4.70%

Debt Maturity Date

Apr. 15, 2014

Jun. 08, 2012

Apr. 25, 2012

Jan. 15, 2018

Sep. 01, 2020

Apr. 01, 2015

Oct. 15, 2017

May 15, 2019

Jun. 22, 2013

Nov. 01, 2021

Apr. 15, 2040

Apr. 15, 2017

Apr. 15, 2020

May 04, 2016

Apr. 08, 2016

Jan. 31, 2017

Mar. 31, 2020

Jun. 29, 2017

Apr. 15, 2020

Feb. 22, 2022

Jun. 29, 2019

Nov. 01, 2021

Redemption price percentage of principal

100.00%

Repurchase price as percentage of principal

101.00%

Long-term debt, gross

1,000,000,000

700,000,000

600,000,000

300,000,000

500,000,000

196,000,000

Aggregate principal amount

1,750,000,000

700,000,000

Amortized discount (premium) outstanding

600,000

700,000

400,000

500,000

3,700,000

4,200,000

600,000

700,000

(11,200,000)

1,200,000

Capital lease obligations and notes payable

57,293,000

46,818,000

Interest rates ranging minimum

2.74%

Interest rates ranging maximum

9.00%

Interest rates mature in periods minimum

Interest mature in periods maximum

Commitment fee percentage

0.35%

0.225%

0.75%

Base rate borrowing margin

1.85%

1.625%

3.75%

1.75%

5.00%

5.30%

Notional value of interest rate swaps

49,995,000

423,634,000

12,124,000

61,511,000

350,000,000

57,261,000

101,250,000,000

Short term debt outstanding

72,811,000

141,100,000,000

94,000,000,000

Noncontrolling Interest, Ownership Percentage by Parent

51.00%

60.00%

51.00%

Debt, Weighted Average Interest Rate

9.84%

10.36%

Debt Instrument, Fee Amount

$ 1,600,000

2,900,000,000

Number of Interest Rate Derivatives Held

(3)

(1)

[1]

On January 31, 2012, the Company repaid amounts outstanding under the $1.25 billion senior unsecured revolving credit facility (the “Revolving Credit Facility”) and $325.0 of million term loan commitments (the “2008 Term Loan”) with proceeds from an unsecured revolving credit facility entered into on April 8, 2011 (the “2011 Credit Facility”) and an unsecured revolving credit facility entered into on January 31, 2012 (the “2012 Credit Facility”). Therefore, the amounts outstanding at December 31, 2011 have been classified as long-term obligations in the consolidated balance sheet.

[2]

On January 8, 2013, the Company repaid the 2011 Credit Facility and $718.4 million of the 2012 Credit Facility with proceeds from a registered public offering of $1.0 billion aggregate principal amount of 3.50% senior unsecured notes due 2023 (the “3.50% Notes”).

Long-Term Obligations (Long-Term Financing Arrangements) (Details)

0 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

USD ($)

Dec. 31, 2011

USD ($)

Dec. 31, 2012

Commercial Mortgage Pass Through Certificates Series 2007 [Member]

USD ($)

Dec. 31, 2011

Commercial Mortgage Pass Through Certificates Series 2007 [Member]

USD ($)

Jan. 31, 2012

Revolving Credit Facility [Member]

USD ($)

Dec. 31, 2011

Revolving Credit Facility [Member]

USD ($)

Jan. 31, 2012

Term Loan 2008 [Member]

USD ($)

Dec. 31, 2011

Term Loan 2008 [Member]

USD ($)

Dec. 31, 2011

Colombian Short-Term Credit Facility [Member]

USD ($)

Dec. 31, 2012

Four Point Five Zero Percent Senior Notes [Member]

USD ($)

Dec. 31, 2011

Four Point Five Zero Percent Senior Notes [Member]

USD ($)

Dec. 31, 2012

Five Point Zero Five Percent Senior Notes [Member]

USD ($)

Dec. 31, 2011

Five Point Zero Five Percent Senior Notes [Member]

USD ($)

Dec. 31, 2012

Four Point Six Two Five Percent Senior Notes [Member]

USD ($)

Dec. 31, 2011

Four Point Six Two Five Percent Senior Notes [Member]

USD ($)

Dec. 31, 2012

Seven Point Zero Zero Percent Senior Notes [Member]

USD ($)

Dec. 31, 2011

Seven Point Zero Zero Percent Senior Notes [Member]

USD ($)

Dec. 31, 2012

Seven Point Two Five Percent Senior Notes [Member]

USD ($)

Dec. 31, 2011

Seven Point Two Five Percent Senior Notes [Member]

USD ($)

Dec. 31, 2012

Notes Payable and Capital Leases [Member]

USD ($)

Dec. 31, 2011

Notes Payable and Capital Leases [Member]

USD ($)

Dec. 31, 2012

Colombian Bridge Loan [Member]

USD ($)

Dec. 31, 2011

Colombian Bridge Loan [Member]

USD ($)

Dec. 31, 2012

South African Facility [Member]

USD ($)

Dec. 31, 2012

South African Facility [Member]

ZAR

Dec. 31, 2011

South African Facility [Member]

USD ($)

Dec. 31, 2012

Five Point Nine Zero Percent Senior Notes [Member]

USD ($)

Dec. 31, 2011

Five Point Nine Zero Percent Senior Notes [Member]

USD ($)

Dec. 31, 2012

Secured Cellular Site Revenue Notes [Member]

USD ($)

Dec. 31, 2011

Secured Cellular Site Revenue Notes [Member]

USD ($)

Dec. 31, 2012

Ghana Loan [Member]

USD ($)

Dec. 31, 2011

Ghana Loan [Member]

USD ($)

Dec. 31, 2012

Credit Facility 2011 [Member]

USD ($)

Jan. 08, 2013

Credit Facility 2012 [Member]

USD ($)

Dec. 31, 2012

Credit Facility 2012 [Member]

USD ($)

Dec. 31, 2012

Term Loan 2012 [Member]

USD ($)

Dec. 31, 2012

Colombian Long-Term Credit Facility [Member]

USD ($)

Dec. 31, 2012

Colombian Long-Term Credit Facility [Member]

COP

Dec. 31, 2012

Colombian Loan [Member]

USD ($)

Dec. 31, 2012

Uganda Loan [Member]

USD ($)

Dec. 31, 2012

Four Point Seven Zero Percent Senior Notes [Member]

USD ($)

Jan. 31, 2013

Three Point Five Zero Notes [Member]

USD ($)

Jan. 08, 2013

Three Point Five Zero Notes [Member]

USD ($)

Total

$ 8,753,376,000

$ 7,236,308,000

$ 1,750,000,000

$ 1,000,000,000

^[1]

$ 325,000,000

^[1]

$ 72,811,000

$ 999,414,000

$ 999,313,000

$ 699,333,000

$ 699,258,000

$ 599,638,000

$ 599,489,000

$ 500,000,000

$ 296,272,000

$ 295,830,000

$ 57,293,000

$ 46,818,000

$ 53,169,000

$ 26,780,000

$ 98,456,000

834,300,000

$ 84,920,000

$ 499,356,000

$ 499,302,000

$ 207,188,000

$ 209,321,000

$ 130,951,000

$ 127,466,000

$ 265,000,000

^[2]

$ 992,000,000

^[2]

$ 750,000,000

$ 76,347,000

135,000,000,000

$ 19,176,000

$ 61,023,000

$ 698,760,000

Current portion of long-term obligations

(60,031,000)

(101,816,000)

Long-term obligations

8,693,345,000

7,134,492,000

499,302,000

Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity

1,250,000,000

325,000,000

1,200,000,000

Repayment Of Indebtedness Under Revolving Credit Facility

719,000,000

632,000,000

718,400,000

265,000,000

Debt Instrument, Face Amount

$ 1,000,000,000

Debt Instrument Interest Rate

4.50%

5.05%

4.625%

7.00%

7.25%

7.99%

5.90%

9.00%

8.30%

4.70%

3.50%

[1]

[2]

- Definition

Carrying amount of long-term debt, net of unamortized discount or premium, including current and noncurrent amounts. Includes, but not limited to, notes payable, bonds payable, debentures, mortgage loans and commercial paper. Excludes capital lease obligations.

+ References+ Details

Long-Term Obligations (Aggregate Carrying Value of Long-Term Debt) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Long-Term Obligations
2013	$ 60,031
2014	1,759,043
2015	615,894
2016	423,722
2017	2,340,077
Thereafter	3,550,648
Total cash obligations	8,749,415
Unamortized discounts and premiums, net	3,961
Balance as of December 31, 2012	$ 8,753,376	$ 7,236,308

Other Non-Current Liabilities (Other Non-Current Liabilities) (Details) (USD $)
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2011

Other Liabilities, Noncurrent [Abstract]

Deferred rent liabilitiy

$ 254,494

$ 226,383

^[1]

Unearned revenue

164,032

125,472

^[1]

Other miscellaneous liabilities

225,175

^[1]

220,229

^[1]

Balance as of December 31

$ 643,701

$ 572,084

^[1]

[1]	December 31, 2011 balances have been revised to reflect purchase accounting measurement period adjustments.

- Definition

For a classified balance sheet, the cumulative difference between the rental income or payments required by a lease agreement and the rental income or expense recognized on a straight-line basis, or other systematic and rational basis more representative of the time pattern in which use or benefit is granted or derived from the leased property, expected to be recognized in income or expense, by the lessor or lessee, respectively, more than one year after the balance sheet date.

+ References+ Details

- Definition

The noncurrent portion of deferred revenue amount as of balance sheet date. Deferred revenue is a liability related to a revenue producing activity for which revenue has not yet been recognized, and is not expected to be recognized in the next twelve months. Generally, an entity records deferred revenue when it receives consideration from a customer before achieving certain criteria that must be met for revenue to be recognized in conformity with GAAP.

+ References+ Details

Asset Retirement Obligations (Carrying Value of Asset Retirement Obligations) (Details) (USD $)
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2011

Asset Retirement Obligations

Beginning balance as of January 1

$ 344,180

^[1]

$ 341,838

^[1]

Additions

59,847

47,426

^[1]

Revisions in estimated cash flows, net of settlements

6,641

(70,755)

^[1]

Accretion expense

25,056

25,671

^[1]

Balance as of December 31

$ 435,724

$ 344,180

^[1]

[1]	December 31, 2011 balances have been revised to reflect purchase accounting measurement period adjustments.

- Definition

The carrying amount of a liability for an asset retirement obligation. An asset retirement obligation is a legal obligation associated with the disposal or retirement of a tangible long-lived asset that results from the acquisition, construction or development, or the normal operations of a long-lived asset, except for certain obligations of lessees.

+ References+ Details

- Definition

Amount of accretion expense recognized during the period that is associated with an asset retirement obligation. Accretion expense measures and incorporates changes due to the passage of time into the carrying amount of the liability.

+ References+ Details

Derivative Financial Instruments (Narrative) (Details)	12 Months Ended										12 Months Ended
Derivative Financial Instruments (Narrative) (Details)	Dec. 31, 2012 USD ($) integer	Dec. 31, 2011 USD ($) integer	Dec. 31, 2010 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2012 South African Facility [Member] USD ($) integer	Dec. 31, 2012 South African Facility [Member] ZAR	Sep. 28, 2012 South African Facility [Member] ZAR integer	Aug. 29, 2012 South African Facility [Member] ZAR integer	Jan. 16, 2012 South African Facility [Member] ZAR integer	Dec. 31, 2012 South African Facility [Member] Minimum	Dec. 31, 2012 South African Facility [Member] Maximum	Dec. 31, 2012 Colombian Long-Term Credit Facility [Member] USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2012 Colombian Long-Term Credit Facility [Member] COP	Dec. 05, 2012 Colombian Long-Term Credit Facility [Member] integer
Number of interest rate swap agreements	10	0		9	9	(3)	(3)	(3)					(1)
Aggregate net unrealized gains of approximately	$ (5,315,000)	$ 1,977,000	$ 9,496,000
Net of tax provisions of approximately	700,000	(1,300,000)	(6,000,000)
Other comprehensive loss for change in fair value of interest rate swaps designated as cash flow hedges and reclassified	600,000	100,000	100,000
Net of income tax provisions		100,000	100,000
Notional Amount of Interest Rate Fair Value Hedge Derivatives				49,995,000	423,634,000	12,124,000	61,511,000	350,000,000			57,261,000	101,250,000,000
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Reclassification Adjustment on Derivatives Included in Net Income, before Tax	(4,800,000)	1,900,000	9,500,000
Reclassifications Due To REIT Conversion	0	(1,752,000)	0
Interest Rate									6.09%	7.25%	5.78%	5.78%
Amount reclassified into earnings over the next 12 months	$ 1,800,000
Derivative, Maturity Date				Mar. 31, 2020	Mar. 31, 2020						Nov. 30, 2020	Nov. 30, 2020

Derivative Financial Instruments (Schedule of Derivative Financial Instruments) (Details) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2012 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2012 ZAR	Dec. 31, 2012 South African Facility [Member] ZAR	Dec. 31, 2012 Colombian Long-Term Credit Facility [Member] COP
Notional Amount	$ 107,256	423,634		101,250,000
Carrying Amount and Fair Value	$ (5,442)		(20,441)	(5,356,377)

- Definition

Fair value of derivative liability, presented on a gross basis even when the derivative instrument is subject to master netting arrangements and qualifies for net presentation in the statement of financial position.

+ References+ Details

Derivative Financial Instruments (Schedule of Interest Rate Swap Agreements Impact on Other Comprehensive Income) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Derivative Financial Instruments
Amount of Gain/(Loss) Recognized in OCI on Derivatives (Effective Portion)	$ (6,220)	$ (228)	$ (8,798)
Amount of Gain/(Loss) Reclassified from Accumulated OCI into Income (Effective Portion)	$ (1,340)	$ (2,205)	$ (18,294)

- Definition

The effective portion of net gain (loss) reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income into income on derivative instruments designated and qualifying as hedging instruments.

+ References+ Details

- Definition

The effective portion of gains and losses (net) on derivative instruments designated and qualifying as hedging instruments that was recognized in other comprehensive income during the current period.

+ References+ Details

Derivative Financial Instruments (Schedule of Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income Included In Derivative Financial Instruments) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Derivative Financial Instruments
Deferred loss on the settlement of the treasury rate lock, net of tax	$ (3,827)	$ (4,625)	$ (3,354)
Deferred gain on the settlement of interest rate swap agreements entered into in connection with the Securitization, net of tax	0	202	497
Unrealized losses related to interest rate swap agreements, net of tax	$ (4,815)	$ 0	$ (2,083)

- Definition

Accumulated change, net of tax, in accumulated gains and losses from derivative instruments designated and qualifying as the effective portion of cash flow hedges. Includes an entity's share of an equity investee's Increase or Decrease in deferred hedging gains or losses.

+ References+ Details

Fair Value Measurements (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
Fair Value Measurements (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Carrying value and fair value of long-term obligations, including current portion	$ 8,753,376,000	$ 7,236,308,000
Impairment charges to write down certain assets to net realizable value	21,500,000	9,000,000	12,200,000
Assets held and used, original carrying value	5,379,200,000	4,280,800,000
Assets Held And Used Long Lived, Net Realizable Value	5,357,700,000	4,271,800,000
Business Combination, Contingent Consideration Arrangements, Range of Outcomes, Value, Low	0
Business Combination, Contingent Consideration Arrangements, Range of Outcomes, Value, High	43,600,000
Estimate of Fair Value, Fair Value Disclosure [Member]
Carrying value and fair value of long-term obligations, including current portion	9,359,575,000	7,500,000,000
Estimate of Fair Value, Fair Value Disclosure [Member] \| Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Carrying value and fair value of long-term obligations, including current portion	4,900,000,000	3,800,000,000
Estimate of Fair Value, Fair Value Disclosure [Member] \| Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Carrying value and fair value of long-term obligations, including current portion	$ 4,500,000,000	$ 3,700,000,000

- Definition

The charge against earnings resulting from the aggregate write down of all assets from their carrying value to their fair value.

+ References+ Details

- Definition

+ References+ Details

Fair Value Measurements (Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis) (Details) (USD $)
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2011

Dec. 31, 2010

Short-term investments and available-for-sale securities

$ 6,018

^[1]

$ 22,270

^[1]

Interest rate swap agreements

5,442

^[1],[2]

23,711

25,617

5,809

Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]

Short-term investments and available-for-sale securities

6,018

^[1]

22,270

^[1]

Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]

Interest rate swap agreements

5,442

^[1],[2]

Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]

$ 23,711

$ 25,617

[1]	Consists of interest rate swap agreements based on JIBAR and IBR whose value is determined using a pricing model with inputs that are observable in the market or can be derived principally from, or corroborated by, observable market data.
[2]	Consists of highly liquid investments with original maturities in excess of three months.

- Definition

Fair value, as of the acquisition date, of potential payments under the contingent consideration arrangement including cash and shares.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 141

-Paragraph 51

-Subparagraph f

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 141R

-Paragraph 65

-Subparagraph a, b

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 141R

-Paragraph 68

-Subparagraph g(1)

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 141R

-Paragraph 29, 30, 41, 42, 64

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 805

-SubTopic 30

-Section 25

-Paragraph 5

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6911189&loc=d3e6405-128476

Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

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-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 805

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-Paragraph 4

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-Name Accounting Standards Codification

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-Paragraph 18

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-Paragraph 19

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-Topic 805

-SubTopic 20

-Section 40

-Paragraph 3

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6910732&loc=d3e4805-128471

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-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 805

-SubTopic 30

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-Paragraph 6

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Reference 12: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 805

-SubTopic 20

-Section 25

-Paragraph 28

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6946367&loc=d3e3642-128468

Reference 13: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 805

-SubTopic 20

-Section 25

-Paragraph 27

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6946367&loc=d3e3629-128468

Reference 14: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 805

-SubTopic 30

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (b)(3),(c)(1)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7488404&loc=d3e6927-128479

+ Details

- Definition

Derivative instrument obligations meeting the definition of a liability which the Company is a party to as of the balance sheet date.

+ References+ Details

- Definition

This element represents the portion of the balance sheet assertion valued at fair value by the entity whether such amount is presented as a separate caption or as a parenthetical disclosure. Additionally, this element may be used in connection with the fair value disclosures required in the footnote disclosures to the financial statements. The element may be used in both the balance sheet and disclosure in the same submission. This item represents investment securities as of the balance sheet date which may include marketable securities, derivative financial instruments, and investments accounted for under the equity method.

+ References+ Details

Fair Value Measurments (Contingent Consideration)(Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Balance as of January 1	$ 25,617	$ 5,809
Additions	6,653	19,853
Payments	(15,716)	(5,742)
Changes in fair value	6,329	5,634
Foreign currency translation adjustment	828	63
Balance as of December 31	$ 23,711	$ 25,617

- Definition

Fair value, as of the acquisition date, of potential payments under the contingent consideration arrangement including cash and shares.

+ References

+ Details

Income Taxes (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
Income Taxes (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Valuation allowance	$ (95,558,000)	$ (5,838,000)
Excess tax benefits from the exercises of employee stock options	6,900,000	3,000,000
Mexican tax credits	2,900,000
Unrecognized tax benefit that would impact effect tax rate	30,600,000	34,500,000
Losses related to employee stock options	300,000,000
Impact of uncertain tax positions minimum	0
Impact of uncertain tax positions maximum	1,300,000
Reduction as a result of the lapse of statute limitations	4,926,000	467,000	53,000
Penalties and tax-related interest expense (income)	(2,900,000)	9,100,000	2,300,000
Total unrecognized tax benefits included in other long-term liabilities	34,337,000	38,886,000	79,012,000	87,975,000
The total amount of accrued income tax related interest and penalties included in other long-term liabilities	28,700,000	31,500,000
Deferred tax benefit due to the REIT conversion		121,000,000
Income tax benefit	107,304,000	125,080,000	182,489,000
Deferred Tax Liability Related To Undistributed Foreign Earnings	101,000,000
Federal [Member]
Future federal and state net operating loss carryforwards	922,893,000
Long-Term Liabilities [Member]
Total unrecognized tax benefits included in other long-term liabilities	$ 34,300,000	$ 36,600,000

Income Taxes (Income Tax Provision from Continuing Operations) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Income Taxes
Federal, current	$ (18,170)	$ (14,069)	$ 0
State, current	(6,321)	(19,346)	(6,090)
Foreign, current	(53,513)	(34,813)	11,928
Federal, deferred	(13,094)	(81,685)	(191,393)
State, deferred	(666)	(12,001)	(14,446)
Foreign, deferred	(15,540)	36,834	17,512
Income tax provision	$ (107,304)	$ (125,080)	$ (182,489)

- Definition

The component of income tax expense for the period representing amounts paid or payable (or refundable) as determined by applying the provisions of enacted federal tax law to the domestic taxable Income or Loss from continuing operations.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 740

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SAB TOPIC 6.I.7)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6889476&loc=d3e330036-122817

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Glossary Current Tax Expense (or Benefit)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6509736

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 740

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 9

-Subparagraph (a)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6907707&loc=d3e32639-109319

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 235

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.4-08.(h))

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6881521&loc=d3e23780-122690

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 109

-Paragraph 45

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 08

-Paragraph h

-Article 4

Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 109

-Paragraph 289

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 8: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Staff Accounting Bulletin (SAB)

-Number Topic 6

-Section I

-Paragraph Question 1-7

+ Details

- Definition

The component of income tax expense for the period representing amounts paid or payable (or refundable) as determined by applying the provisions of foreign enacted tax law to the foreign taxable Income or Loss from continuing operations.

+ References+ Details

- Definition

The component of income tax expense for the period representing amounts paid or payable (or refundable) as determined by applying the provisions of enacted state and local tax law to relevant amounts of taxable Income or Loss from continuing operations.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 740

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SAB TOPIC 6.I.7)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6889476&loc=d3e330036-122817

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Glossary Current Tax Expense (or Benefit)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6509736

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 740

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 9

-Subparagraph (a)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6907707&loc=d3e32639-109319

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 235

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.4-08.(h))

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6881521&loc=d3e23780-122690

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 109

-Paragraph 45

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 08

-Paragraph h

-Article 4

Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

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+ Details

- Definition

The component of total income tax expense for the period comprised of the increase (decrease) during the period in the entity's domestic deferred tax assets and liabilities attributable to continuing operations as determined by applying the provisions of the federally enacted tax law.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

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-Number 210

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-Glossary Deferred Tax Expense (or Benefit)

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-Number 109

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Reference 8: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

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-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

+ Details

- Definition

The component of total income tax expense for the period comprised of the increase (decrease) in the entity's net foreign deferred tax assets and liabilities attributable to continuing operations as determined by applying the provisions of applicable enacted tax laws of countries other than the country of domicile.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

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-Name Accounting Standards Codification

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-SubTopic 10

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-Name Staff Accounting Bulletin (SAB)

-Number Topic 6

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-Subsection 7

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+ Details

- Definition

The component of total income tax expense for the period comprised of the increase (decrease) in the entity's state and local deferred tax assets and liabilities attributable to continuing operations as determined by applying the provisions of the applicable enacted tax laws.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

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-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

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-Number 109

-Paragraph 8, 16, 17, 289

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-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

+ Details

- Definition

The sum of the current income tax expense or benefit and the deferred income tax expense or benefit pertaining to continuing operations.

+ References+ Details

Income Taxes (Components of Income from Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes and Income on Equity Method Investments) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Income Taxes
United States	$ 787,960	$ 608,936	$ 536,188
International	(86,666)	(102,041)	19,837
Total	$ 701,294	$ 506,895	$ 556,025

Income Taxes (Reconciliation Between the U.S. Statutory Rate and the Effective Rate from Continuing Operations) (Details)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2011

Dec. 31, 2010

Income Taxes

Statutory tax rate

35.00%

Tax adjustment related to REIT

(35.00%)

^[1]

0.00%

State taxes, net of federal benefit

1.00%

6.00%

3.00%

Non-deductible stock compensation

0.00%

1.00%

Foreign taxes

4.00%

3.00%

0.00%

Foreign withholding taxes

4.00%

2.00%

0.00%

Changes in uncertain tax positions

(1.00%)

1.00%

(2.00%)

Valuation allowance

8.00%

0.00%

Foreign currency losses

0.00%

1.00%

0.00%

Reorganization of financing entity

0.00%

(6.00%)

Deferred tax adjustment due to REIT conversion

0.00%

(24.00%)

0.00%

Other

(1.00%)

1.00%

2.00%

Effective tax rate

15.00%

25.00%

33.00%

[1]	Includes 18% from dividend paid deductions.

Income Taxes (Components of the Net Deferred Tax Asset and Related Valuation Allowance) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Income Taxes
Allowances, accruals and other items not currently deductible	$ 31,561	$ 17,673
Net operating loss carryforwards	0	16,279
Current deferred liabilities	(2,509)	(17,345)
Subtotal	29,052	16,607
Less: Valuation allowance	(3,298)	(517)
Net short-term deferred tax assets	25,754	16,090
Net operating loss carryforwards	127,914	48,962
Accrued asset retirement obligations	70,797	50,131
Stock-based compensation	25,258	26,993
Deferred revenue	21,912	20,896
Items not currently deductible and other	55,924	27,396
Depreciation and amortization	(42,896)	31,264
Deferred rent	(18,640)	(9,987)
Other	(4,566)	(2,031)
Subtotal	235,703	193,624
Valuation Allowance	(92,260)	(5,321)
Net long-term deferred tax (liabilities) assets	$ 143,443	$ 188,303

Income Taxes (Net Operating Loss Carryforwards Expire) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2012
State [Member]
2013 to 2017	$ 118,719
2018 to 2022	468,951
2023 to 2027	445,206
2028 to 2032	87,043
Indefinite Carryforward	0
Total	1,119,919
Federal [Member]
2013 to 2017	0
2018 to 2022	0
2023 to 2027	732,561
2028 to 2032	190,332
Indefinite Carryforward	0
Total	922,893
International [Member]
2013 to 2017	791
2018 to 2022	3,661
2023 to 2027	0
2028 to 2032	0
Indefinite Carryforward	407,168
Total	$ 411,620

Income Taxes (Reconciliation of the Beginning and Ending Amount of Unrecognized Tax Benefits) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Income Taxes
Balance at January 1	$ 38,886	$ 79,012	$ 87,975
Additions based on tax positions related to the current year	1,037	1,801	10,101
Additions for tax positions of prior years	0	16,520	11,109
Reductions for tax positions of prior years	(221)	(54,430)	(30,855)
Foreign currency	(439)	(3,550)	735
Reduction as a result of the lapse of statute limitations and effective settlements	(4,926)	(467)	(53)
Balance at December 31,	$ 34,337	$ 38,886	$ 79,012

Stock-Based Compensation (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
Stock-Based Compensation (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Stock-based compensation expense	$ 51,983,000	$ 47,437,000	$ 52,555,000
Stock based compensation expenses related to modification of the vesting and exercise terms for a certain employee's equity awards		3,000,000
Stock-based compensation, equity awards period, years	4 years 0 months 0 days
Number of shares issuable under stock incentive plan	18,600,000
Excess tax benefits from the exercises of employee stock options	6,900,000	3,000,000
Capitalized stock-based compensation expense	2,200,000	3,100,000	0
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Award Life	10 years
Stock Option [Member]
Weighted average grant date fair value per share	$ 17.46	$ 17.18	$ 15.03
Intrinsic value of stock options exercised	59,500,000	54,600,000	62,700,000
Total unrecognized compensation expense	30,800,000
Expected recognition of stock award compensation expense weighted average period in years	2 years 0 months 0 days
Employee service share-based compensation, cash received from exercise of stock options	50,900,000
Excess tax benefits from the exercises of employee stock options	2,100,000
Restricted Stock [Member]
Total unrecognized compensation expense	68,800,000
Expected recognition of stock award compensation expense weighted average period in years	2 years 0 months 0 days
Fair Value of restricted stock awards vested	(56,300,000)
Employee Stock Purchase Plan [Member]
Common stock purchased during bi-annual offer	85.00%
Employee stock purchase plan offering, expense recognition period, months	0 years 6 months 0 days
Employee purchase shares not exceeding of gross compensation	15.00%
Employee purchase value not exceeding	$ 25,000
Number of shares purchased by employees under the Employee Stock Purchase Plan	87,749	79,049	75,354
Purchased shares fair value, weighted average price per share	$ (51.59)	$ 44.56	$ 34.16
Weighted average fair value per share for the ESPP	$ 13.64	$ 12.18	$ 9.43
Employee stock purchase plan, shares remain reserved for future issuance	3,500,000

Stock-Based Compensation (Assumptions Used to Determine the Grant Date Fair Value for Options Granted) (Details) (Stock Option [Member])	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Stock Option [Member]
Minimum range of risk-free interest rate	0.62%	0.90%	1.41%
Maximum range of risk-free interest rate	1.03%	2.24%	2.39%
Weighted average risk-free interest rate	0.92%	1.97%	2.35%
Expected Term	4 years 4 months 26 days	4 years 6 months 0 days	4 years 7 months 2 days
Minimum range of expected volatility of underlying stock price	36.53%	36.89%	37.11%
Maximum range of expected volatility of underlying stock price	37.86%	38.13%	37.48%
Weighted average expected volatility of underlying stock price	37.84%	36.98%	37.14%
Weighted average expected annual dividends	1.50%	0.03%

Stock-Based Compensation (Summary of the Company's Option Activity) (Details) (Stock Option [Member], USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012
Stock Option [Member]
Outstanding as of January 1, 2012	6,376,244
Granted	1,237,172
Exercised	(1,614,657)
Forfeited	(162,839)
Expired	(5,975)
Outstanding as of December 31, 2012	5,829,945
Exercisable as of December 31, 2012	3,170,504
Vested or expected to vest as of December 31, 2012	5,829,945
Weighted-Average exercise price option at beginning	$ 37.36
Grants in Period	$ 62.22
Exercises in Period	$ 31.53
Forfeitures In Period	$ 44.19
Expirations in Period	$ 9.74
Weighted-Average exercise price option at ending	$ 44.09
Weighted Average exercise price Exercisable	$ 37.07
Weighted Average exercise price vested or expected to Vest	$ 44.09
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term	6 years 4 months 29 days
Weighted Average contractual term Exercisable	4 years 10 months 4 days
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Vested and Expected to Vest, Outstanding, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term	6 years 4 months 29 days
Aggregate intrinsic value outstanding ending	$ 193.45
Aggregate intrinsic value Exercisable	127.46
Aggregate intrinsic value vested	$ 193.45

Stock-Based Compensation (Schedule of Options Outstanding) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012
Outstanding Number of Options	5,829,945
Range of Exercise Price Per Share Minimum Range	$ 5.51
Range of Exercise Price Per Share Maximum Range	$ 71.50
Weighted Average Exercise Price Per Share	$ 44.09
Outstanding Options	6 years 4 months 29 days
Options Exercisable	3,170,504
Weighted Average Exercise Price Per Share	$ 37.07
Range One [Member]
Outstanding Number of Options	703,811
Range of Exercise Price Per Share Minimum Range	$ 5.51
Range of Exercise Price Per Share Maximum Range	$ 28.39
Weighted Average Exercise Price Per Share	$ 26.32
Outstanding Options	5 years 5 months 16 days
Options Exercisable	458,581
Weighted Average Exercise Price Per Share	$ 25.22
Range Two [Member]
Outstanding Number of Options	733,695
Range of Exercise Price Per Share Minimum Range	$ 31.06
Range of Exercise Price Per Share Maximum Range	$ 31.54
Weighted Average Exercise Price Per Share	$ 31.49
Outstanding Options	3 years 6 months 4 days
Options Exercisable	691,370
Weighted Average Exercise Price Per Share	$ 31.50
Range Three [Member]
Outstanding Number of Options	972,017
Range of Exercise Price Per Share Minimum Range	$ 32.21
Range of Exercise Price Per Share Maximum Range	$ 37.70
Weighted Average Exercise Price Per Share	$ 37.52
Outstanding Options	4 years 6 months 0 days
Options Exercisable	970,173
Weighted Average Exercise Price Per Share	$ 37.53
Range Four [Member]
Outstanding Number of Options	1,237,938
Range of Exercise Price Per Share Minimum Range	$ 38.06
Range of Exercise Price Per Share Maximum Range	$ 47.25
Weighted Average Exercise Price Per Share	$ 43.41
Outstanding Options	6 years 0 months 2 days
Options Exercisable	823,641
Weighted Average Exercise Price Per Share	$ 43.56
Range Five [Member]
Outstanding Number of Options	966,548
Range of Exercise Price Per Share Minimum Range	$ 50.78
Range of Exercise Price Per Share Maximum Range	$ 58.60
Weighted Average Exercise Price Per Share	$ 51.25
Outstanding Options	8 years 2 months 22 days
Options Exercisable	198,019
Weighted Average Exercise Price Per Share	$ 51.14
Range Six [Member]
Outstanding Number of Options	1,215,936
Range of Exercise Price Per Share Minimum Range	$ 62.00
Range of Exercise Price Per Share Maximum Range	$ 71.50
Weighted Average Exercise Price Per Share	$ 62.22
Outstanding Options	9 years 2 months 6 days
Options Exercisable	28,720
Weighted Average Exercise Price Per Share	$ 62.00

Stock-Based Compensation (Summary of the Company's Restricted Stock Unit Activity) (Details) (Restricted Stock [Member], USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012
Restricted Stock [Member]
Number of Units Outstanding as of January 1, 2012	2,197,460
Number of Units Granted	836,835
Number of Units Vested	(893,739)
Number of Units Forfeited	172,003
Outstanding as of December 31, 2012	1,968,553
Expected to vest, net of estimated forfeitures, as of December 31, 2012	1,898,708
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value Outstanding as of January 1, 2012	$ 42.39
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value Granted	$ 62.34
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value Vested	$ 39.75
Forfeitures	$ 48.20
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value Outstanding as of December 31, 2012	$ 51.56
Expected to vest, net of estimated fofeitures, as of December 31, 2012	$ 51.37

Stock-Based Compensation (Schedule of Employee Stock Purchase Plan Valuation Assumptions) (Details) (Employee Stock Purchase Plan [Member])	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Employee Stock Purchase Plan [Member]
Minimum range of risk-free interest rate	0.05%	0.11%	0.22%
Maximum range of risk-free interest rate	0.12%	0.20%	0.23%
Weighted average risk-free interest rate	0.08%	0.16%	0.22%
Expected Term	0 years 6 months 0 days	0 years 6 months 0 days	0 years 6 months 0 days
Minimum range of expected volatility of underlying stock price	33.16%	33.96%	35.26%
Maximum range of expected volatility of underlying stock price	33.86%	34.55%	35.27%
Weighted average expected volatility of underlying stock price	33.54%	34.28%	35.26%
Expected annual dividends	1.50%

Stockholders' Equity (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	1 Months Ended	2 Months Ended	12 Months Ended			22 Months Ended	23 Months Ended
Stockholders' Equity (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	Aug. 30, 2005	Feb. 21, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2012	Feb. 11, 2013
Warrants exercisable for shares of common stock	6,800,000
Class of warrant or right, number of securities called by warrants or rights	3.575
Common stock at an exercise price of warrant	32
Treasury stock shares acquired		15,790	872,005			4,300,000	4,300,000
Treasury stock value acquired cost method		$ 1,200,000	$ 62,728,000	$ 423,932,000	$ 420,789,000	$ 243,900,000	$ 245,200,000
Treasury stock amount paid in cash			62,728,000	437,402,000	430,618,000
Remaining stock value Of Buyback			1,300,000,000
Distributions Payable Upon Vesting RSU			700,000			700,000
SpectraSite [Member]
Warrants exercisable for shares of common stock	2.00
Treasury Stock
Treasury stock shares acquired			872,005	8,147,902	9,273,069
Treasury stock value acquired cost method			62,728,000	423,932,000	420,789,000
Two Thousand Eleven Buyback [Member]
Authorized Repurchase of common stock			$ 1,500,000,000

- Definition

The cash outflow to reacquire common stock during the period.

+ References+ Details

- Definition

Equity impact of the cost of common and preferred stock that were repurchased during the period. Recorded using the cost method.

+ References+ Details

Equity (Distributions) (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Distribution per share	$ 0.90	$ 0.35	$ 0
Payment Amount	$ 355,574	$ 137,765	$ 0
First Quarter [Member]
Dividends Payable, Date Declared	Mar. 22, 2012
Dividends Payable, Date to be Paid	Apr. 25, 2012
Dividends Payable, Date of Record	Apr. 11, 2012
Distribution per share	$ 0.21
Payment Amount	82,900
Second Quarter [Member]
Dividends Payable, Date Declared	Jun. 20, 2012
Dividends Payable, Date to be Paid	Jul. 02, 2012
Dividends Payable, Date of Record	Jul. 02, 2012
Distribution per share	$ 0.22
Payment Amount	86,900
Third Quarter [Member]
Dividends Payable, Date Declared	Sep. 19, 2012
Dividends Payable, Date to be Paid	Oct. 01, 2012
Dividends Payable, Date of Record	Oct. 01, 2012
Distribution per share	$ 0.23
Payment Amount	90,900
Fourth Quarter [Member]
Dividends Payable, Date Declared	Dec. 06, 2012
Dividends Payable, Date to be Paid	Dec. 17, 2012
Dividends Payable, Date of Record	Dec. 17, 2012
Distribution per share	$ 0.24
Payment Amount	$ 94,800

- Definition

Cash outflow in the form of ordinary dividends to common shareholders, generally out of earnings.

+ References+ Details

Impairments, Net Loss on Sale of Long-Lived Assets (Narrative) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Property, Plant and Equipment Impairment or Disposal [Abstract]
Gain (Loss) on Sale of Assets and Asset Impairment Charges	$ 34.4	$ 17.4	$ 16.7
Asset Impairment Charges	21.5	9.0	12.2
Gain (Loss) on Sale of Other Assets	12.9	8.4	4.5
Gain (Loss) on Contract Termination	$ 10.8

- Definition

The charge against earnings resulting from the aggregate write down of all assets from their carrying value to their fair value.

+ References+ Details

Earnings Per Common Share (Narrative) (Details) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Stock Options [Member]
Shares issuable upon conversion of the stock-based awards and convertible notes	1.0	0.9	1.1
Convertible Debt Securities [Member]
Shares issuable upon conversion of the stock-based awards and convertible notes			0.1

- Definition

Securities (including those issuable pursuant to contingent stock agreements) that could potentially dilute basic earnings per share (EPS) or earnings per unit (EPU) in the future that were not included in the computation of diluted EPS or EPU because to do so would increase EPS or EPU amounts or decrease loss per share or unit amounts for the period presented.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Glossary Antidilution

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6505113

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Glossary Diluted Earnings Per Share

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6510752

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Glossary Contingent Stock Agreement

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6508534

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 260

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (c)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6371337&loc=d3e3550-109257

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 128

-Paragraph 40

-Subparagraph c

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 128

-Paragraph 13, 14

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF)

-Number 07-4

-Paragraph 4

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 8: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 128

-Paragraph 171

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

+ Details

Earnings Per Common Share (Schedule of Earnings Per Basic And Diluted by Common Class) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Earnings Per Common Share
Income from continuing operations attributable to American Tower Corporation (in dollars)	$ 637,283	$ 396,462	$ 372,906
Basic weighted average common shares outstanding	394,772	395,711	401,152
Dilutive securities	4,515	4,484	2,920
Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding	399,287	400,195	404,072
Basic income from continuing operations attributable to American Tower Corporation per common share (in dollars per share)	$ 1.61	$ 1.00	$ 0.93
Diluted income from continuing operations attributable to American Tower Corporation per common share (in dollars per share)	$ 1.60	$ 0.99	$ 0.92

- Definition

Amount of income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to the parent. Also defined as revenue less expenses and taxes from ongoing operations before extraordinary items but after deduction of those portions of income or loss from continuing operations that are allocable to noncontrolling interests.

+ References

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-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 230

-SubTopic 10

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-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 225

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-Paragraph 2

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+ Details

- Definition

The amount of net income (loss) from continuing operations per each share of common stock or unit outstanding during the reporting period.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

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-Name Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF)

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-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 04

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-Article 7

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+ Details

- Definition

The amount of net income (loss) derived from continuing operations during the period available to each share of common stock or common unit outstanding during the reporting period and to each share or unit that would have been outstanding assuming the issuance of common shares or units for all dilutive potential common shares or units outstanding during the reporting period.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

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Reference 9: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

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-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

+ Details

- Definition

The sum of dilutive potential common shares or units used in the calculation of the diluted per-share or per-unit computation.

+ References+ Details

- Definition

The average number of shares or units issued and outstanding that are used in calculating diluted EPS or earnings per unit (EPU), determined based on the timing of issuance of shares or units in the period.

+ References+ Details

- Definition

Number of [basic] shares or units, after adjustment for contingently issuable shares or units and other shares or units not deemed outstanding, determined by relating the portion of time within a reporting period that common shares or units have been outstanding to the total time in that period.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

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-Number 07-4

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Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

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Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

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Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Glossary Weighted-Average Number of Common Shares Outstanding

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6528421

+ Details

Commitments And Contingencies (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended			0 Months Ended			12 Months Ended			1 Months Ended	12 Months Ended	1 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Sep. 03, 2010 Mexico Litigation [Member]	Oct. 17, 2012 Mexico Litigation [Member]	Aug. 02, 2012 Mexico Litigation [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Television And Radio Broadcast [Member] y	Dec. 31, 2012 Wireless Communications [Member] y	Dec. 31, 2012 International [Member] y	Aug. 30, 2005 At T Transaction [Member] sites	Dec. 31, 2012 At T Transaction [Member]	Dec. 31, 2000 ALLTEL Transaction [Member] y sites	Dec. 31, 2012 ALLTEL Transaction [Member]
Damages assessed by the intermediate appellate court				$ 6,700,000
Aggregate rent expense	419,000,000	366,100,000	300,000,000
Number of towers leased or subleased										2,450		1,800
Average lease term (in years)										27
Customer lease initial term maximum years							20	10
Customer lease initial term minimum years							10	5
Customer lease years of term									10
Aggregate purchase option price for towers											545,200,000		69,100,000
Purchase price accretion rate (per year)											10.00%	3.00%
Sublease term towers, years												15
Cash purchase price per tower												27,500
Purchase price of tower in shares of common stock													769
Value of potential shares payable													105,500,000
Amount the court entered judgement					$ 7,900,000	$ 6,500,000

Commitments and Contingencies (Future Minimum Rental Payments Under Non-Cancelable Operating Leases) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2012
Commitments And Contingencies [Abstract]
2013	$ 364,427
2014	352,624
2015	343,478
2016	328,826
2017	317,533
Thereafter	2,878,866
Total	$ 4,585,754

- Definition

Amount of required minimum rental payments for leases having an initial or remaining non-cancelable letter-terms in excess of one year.

+ References+ Details

- Definition

Amount of required minimum rental payments maturing in the next fiscal year following the latest fiscal year for operating leases having an initial or remaining non-cancelable letter-terms in excess of one year.

+ References+ Details

- Definition

Amount of required minimum rental payments maturing in the fifth fiscal year following the latest fiscal year for operating leases having an initial or remaining non-cancelable letter-terms in excess of one year.

+ References+ Details

- Definition

Amount of required minimum rental payments maturing in the forth fiscal year following the latest fiscal year for operating leases having an initial or remaining non-cancelable letter-terms in excess of one year.

+ References+ Details

- Definition

Amount of required minimum rental payments maturing in the third fiscal year following the latest fiscal year for operating leases having an initial or remaining non-cancelable letter-terms in excess of one year.

+ References+ Details

- Definition

Amount of required minimum rental payments maturing in the second fiscal year following the latest fiscal year for operating leases having an initial or remaining non-cancelable letter-terms in excess of one year.

+ References+ Details

- Definition

Amount of required minimum rental payments maturing after the fifth fiscal year following the latest fiscal year for operating leases having an initial or remaining non-cancelable letter-terms in excess of one year.

+ References+ Details

Commitments and Contingencies (Future Minimum Payments Under Capital Leases) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2012
Commitments And Contingencies [Abstract]
2013	$ 8,242
2014	7,316
2015	5,377
2016	5,485
2017	4,897
Thereafter	164,520
Total minimum lease payments	195,837
Less amounts representing interest	(138,544)
Present value of capital lease obligations	$ 57,293

Commitments and Contingencies (Future Minimum Rental Receipts Under Operating Lease Agreements) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2012
Commitments And Contingencies [Abstract]
2013	$ 2,519,271
2014	2,464,510
2015	2,461,416
2016	2,370,434
2017	2,264,910
Thereafter	8,142,544
Total	$ 20,223,085

Supplemental Cash Flow Information (Supplemental Cash Flow Information and Non-Cash Investing and Financing Activities) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Supplemental Cash Flow Information
Cash paid during the period for interest	$ 366,458	$ 274,234	$ 219,408
Cash paid during the period for income taxes (net of refunds of $20,847, $9,277 and $9,977)	69,277	53,909	36,381
(Decrease) increase in accounts payable and accrued expenses for purchases of property and equipment and construction activities	(10,244)	8,507	11,253
Purchases of property, plant and equipment under capital leases	19,219	6,800	2,200
Fair value of debt assumed through acquisitions	$ 0	$ 209,321	$ 0

- Definition

The amount of cash paid during the current period to foreign, federal, state, and local authorities as taxes on income, net of any cash received during the current period as refunds for the overpayment of taxes.

+ References+ Details

Business Segments (Narrative) (Details)	12 Months Ended
Business Segments (Narrative) (Details)	Dec. 31, 2012 customers	Dec. 31, 2011 customers	Dec. 31, 2010 customers
Segment reporting, number of customers	3	3	3
Percentage of revenues	10.00%	10.00%	10.00%
Number of reportable segments	3

Business Segments (Summarized Financial Information Concerning the Company's Reportable Segments) (Details) (USD $)
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified

3 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Sep. 30, 2012

Jun. 30, 2012

Mar. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2011

Sep. 30, 2011

Jun. 30, 2011

Mar. 31, 2011

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2011

Dec. 31, 2010

Segment revenues

$ 768,374

$ 713,335

$ 697,734

$ 696,517

$ 653,199

$ 630,403

$ 597,235

$ 562,695

$ 2,875,960

$ 2,443,532

$ 1,985,335

Segment operating expenses

720,718

^[1]

618,627

^[2]

474,586

Interest income, TV Azteca, net

14,258

14,214

14,212

Segment gross margin

2,169,500

1,839,119

1,524,961

Segment selling, general, administrative and development expense

187,986

^[1]

167,011

^[2]

114,484

^[3]

Segment Operating Profit

1,981,514

1,672,108

1,410,477

Stock-based compensation expense

51,983

47,437

52,555

Other selling, general, administrative and development expense

89,093

76,705

62,730

Depreciation, amortization and accretion

644,276

555,517

460,726

Other expense (principally interest expense and other (expense) income)

494,868

485,554

278,441

INCOME FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS BEFORE INCOME TAXES AND INCOME ON EQUITY METHOD INVESTMENTS

701,294

506,895

556,025

Capital expenditure

568,048

523,015

346,664

Rental And Management [Member]

Segment revenues

2,803,490

2,386,185

1,936,373

Segment operating expenses

685,888

^[1]

589,167

^[2]

447,629

Interest income, TV Azteca, net

14,258

14,214

14,212

Segment gross margin

2,131,860

1,811,232

1,502,956

Segment selling, general, administrative and development expense

181,242

^[1]

159,147

^[2]

108,172

^[3]

Segment Operating Profit

1,950,618

1,652,085

1,394,784

Stock-based compensation expense

793

1,105

Capital expenditure

548,001

504,090

329,566

Rental And Management [Member] | International [Member]

Segment revenues

862,801

641,925

370,899

Segment operating expenses

328,333

^[1]

235,709

^[2]

122,269

Interest income, TV Azteca, net

14,258

14,214

14,212

Segment gross margin

548,726

420,430

262,842

Segment selling, general, administrative and development expense

95,579

^[1]

82,106

^[2]

45,877

^[3]

Segment Operating Profit

453,147

338,324

216,965

Capital expenditure

279,004

178,826

68,827

Rental And Management [Member] | Domestic [Member]

Segment revenues

1,940,689

1,744,260

1,565,474

Segment operating expenses

357,555

^[1]

353,458

^[2]

325,360

Interest income, TV Azteca, net

Segment gross margin

1,583,134

1,390,802

1,240,114

Segment selling, general, administrative and development expense

85,663

^[1]

77,041

^[2]

62,295

^[3]

Segment Operating Profit

1,497,471

1,313,761

1,177,819

Capital expenditure

268,997

325,264

260,739

Network Development Services [Member]

Segment revenues

72,470

57,347

48,962

Segment operating expenses

34,830

^[1]

29,460

^[2]

26,957

Interest income, TV Azteca, net

Segment gross margin

37,640

27,887

22,005

Segment selling, general, administrative and development expense

6,744

^[1]

7,864

^[2]

6,312

^[3]

Segment Operating Profit

30,896

20,023

15,693

Stock-based compensation expense

968

1,224

Capital expenditure

5,496

Other Segment [Member]

Stock-based compensation expense

51,983

47,437

52,555

Other selling, general, administrative and development expense

89,093

76,705

62,730

Depreciation, amortization and accretion

644,276

555,517

460,726

Other expense (principally interest expense and other (expense) income)

494,868

485,554

278,441

Capital expenditure

20,047

18,925

11,602

Operating Expense [Member]

Stock-based compensation expense

1,800

2,300

Selling General Administrative And Development Expense [Member]

Stock-based compensation expense

$ 50,222

$ 45,108

$ 52,555

[1]	Segment operating expenses and segment selling, general, administrative and development expenses exclude stock-based compensation expense of $1.8 million and $50.2 million, respectively.
[2]	Segment operating expenses and segment selling, general, administrative and development expenses exclude stock-based compensation expense of $2.3 million and $45.1 million, respectively.
[3]	Segment selling, general, administrative and development expense excludes stock-based compensation expense of $52.6 million.

Business Segments (Additional Information Relating to the Company's Operating Segments) (Details) (USD $)
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2011

Assets

$ 14,089,129

$ 12,242,395

^[1]

Rental And Management [Member] | Domestic [Member]

Assets

8,471,269

7,789,578

^[1]

Rental And Management [Member] | International [Member]

Assets

5,190,587

^[2]

3,942,258

^[1],[2]

Network Development Services [Member]

Assets

63,956

33,941

^[1]

Other Segment [Member]

Assets

$ 363,317

^[3]

$ 476,618

^[1],[3]

[1]	Balances have been revised to reflect purchase accounting measurement period adjustments.
[2]	Balances are translated at the applicable period end exchange rate and therefore may impact comparability between periods.
[3]	Balances include corporate assets such as cash and cash equivalents, certain tangible and intangible assets and income tax accounts which have not been allocated to specific segments.

- Definition

Sum of the carrying amounts as of the balance sheet date of all assets that are recognized. Assets are probable future economic benefits obtained or controlled by an entity as a result of past transactions or events.

+ References+ Details

Business Segments (Summarized Geographic Information Related to the Company's Operating Revenues) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Sep. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2011	Mar. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Segment revenues	$ 768,374	$ 713,335	$ 697,734	$ 696,517	$ 653,199	$ 630,403	$ 597,235	$ 562,695	$ 2,875,960	$ 2,443,532	$ 1,985,335
UNITED STATES
Segment revenues									2,013,159	1,801,607	1,614,436
International [Member]
Segment revenues									862,801	641,925	370,899
International [Member] \| BRAZIL
Segment revenues									198,068	177,526	104,922
International [Member] \| CHILE
Segment revenues									22,114	7,380	735
International [Member] \| COLOMBIA
Segment revenues									48,424	13,690	1,553
International [Member] \| GERMANY
Segment revenues									4,030	0	0
International [Member] \| GHANA
Segment revenues									81,818	41,464	0
International [Member] \| INDIA
Segment revenues									181,863	170,680	98,799
International [Member] \| MEXICO
Segment revenues									217,473	183,175	164,039
International [Member] \| PERU
Segment revenues									5,310	4,546	851
International [Member] \| SOUTH AFRICA
Segment revenues									80,202	43,464	0
International [Member] \| UGANDA
Segment revenues									$ 23,499	$ 0	$ 0

Business Segments (Summarized Geographic Information Related to the Company's Long-lived Assets) (Details) (USD $)
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2011

Long-Lived Assets

$ 11,817,094

^[1],[2]

$ 10,153,065

^[1],[2]

UNITED STATES

Long-Lived Assets

7,558,076

^[2]

7,053,599

^[2]

International [Member]

Long-Lived Assets

4,259,018

^[2],[3]

3,099,466

^[2],[3]

International [Member] | BRAZIL

Long-Lived Assets

909,330

^[2],[3]

695,923

^[2],[3]

International [Member] | CHILE

Long-Lived Assets

196,387

^[2],[3]

178,670

^[2],[3]

International [Member] | COLOMBIA

Long-Lived Assets

380,326

^[2],[3]

316,096

^[2],[3]

International [Member] | GERMANY

Long-Lived Assets

539,670

^[2],[3]

International [Member] | GHANA

Long-Lived Assets

377,553

^[2],[3]

427,759

^[2],[3]

International [Member] | INDIA

Long-Lived Assets

676,049

^[2],[3]

671,091

^[2],[3]

International [Member] | MEXICO

Long-Lived Assets

709,341

^[2],[3]

546,678

^[2],[3]

International [Member] | PERU

Long-Lived Assets

65,756

^[2],[3]

63,956

^[2],[3]

International [Member] | SOUTH AFRICA

Long-Lived Assets

230,833

^[2],[3]

199,293

^[2],[3]

International [Member] | UGANDA

Long-Lived Assets

$ 173,773

^[2],[3]

$ 0

^[2],[3]

[1]	December 31, 2011 balances have been revised to reflect purchase accounting measurement period adjustments.
[2]	Balances have been revised to reflect purchase accounting measurement period adjustments.
[3]	Balances are translated at the applicable period end exchange rate and therefore may impact comparability between periods.

Business Segments (Major Customers) (Details)	12 Months Ended
Business Segments (Major Customers) (Details)	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Percentage of revenues	10.00%	10.00%	10.00%
AT&T Mobility [Member]
Percentage of revenues	18.00%	20.00%	20.00%
Sprint Nextel [Member]
Percentage of revenues	14.00%	14.00%	16.00%
Verizon Wireless [Member]
Percentage of revenues	11.00%	12.00%	15.00%

Selected Quarterly Financial Data (Schedule Of Quarterly Financial Information) (Details) (USD $)
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified

3 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Sep. 30, 2012

Jun. 30, 2012

Mar. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2011

Sep. 30, 2011

Jun. 30, 2011

Mar. 31, 2011

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2011

Dec. 31, 2010

Selected Quarterly Financial Data

Operating revenues

$ 768,374

$ 713,335

$ 697,734

$ 696,517

$ 653,199

$ 630,403

$ 597,235

$ 562,695

$ 2,875,960

$ 2,443,532

$ 1,985,335

Cost of operations

194,206

^[1]

184,904

^[1]

172,384

^[1]

170,985

^[1]

165,618

^[1]

168,933

^[1]

151,077

^[1]

135,328

^[1]

722,479

^[1]

620,956

^[1]

Operating income

279,235

295,552

270,486

274,446

247,738

228,305

225,789

218,300

1,119,719

920,132

784,378

Net income

118,153

231,825

33,689

210,358

196,434

(19,726)

113,171

91,961

594,025

381,840

373,606

Net income attributable to American Tower Corporation

$ 135,679

$ 232,089

$ 48,209

$ 221,306

$ 205,110

$ (15,701)

$ 115,211

$ 91,842

$ 637,283

$ 396,462

$ 372,936

Basic net income per common share (in dollars per share)

$ 0.34

$ 0.59

$ 0.12

$ 0.56

$ 0.52

$ (0.04)

$ 0.29

$ 0.23

$ 1.61

$ 1.00

$ 0.93

Diluted net income per common share (in dollars per share)

$ 0.34

$ 0.58

$ 0.12

$ 0.56

$ 0.52

$ (0.04)

$ 0.29

$ 0.23

$ 1.60

$ 0.99

$ 0.92

[1]	Represents operating expenses, exclusive of depreciation, amortization and accretion, selling, general, administrative and development expense, and other operating expense.

- Definition

The amount of net income (loss) for the period per each share of common stock or unit outstanding during the reporting period.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 128

-Paragraph 36, 37, 38

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF)

-Number 07-4

-Paragraph 4

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 260

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6371337&loc=d3e3550-109257

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 225

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-03.21)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6880815&loc=d3e20235-122688

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 260

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 2

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7655603&loc=d3e1252-109256

Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 04

-Paragraph 18

-Article 7

Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 03

-Paragraph 20

-Article 5

Reference 8: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 04

-Paragraph 21

-Article 9

Reference 9: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 260

-SubTopic 10

-Section 55

-Paragraph 52

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=16381557&loc=d3e4984-109258

Reference 10: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 944

-SubTopic 225

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.7-04.19)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879464&loc=d3e573970-122913

Reference 11: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 942

-SubTopic 225

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.9-04.23)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879574&loc=d3e536633-122882

+ Details

- Definition

The amount of net income (loss) for the period available to each share of common stock or common unit outstanding during the reporting period and to each share or unit that would have been outstanding assuming the issuance of common shares or units for all dilutive potential common shares or units outstanding during the reporting period.

+ References+ Details

- Definition

The portion of profit or loss for the period, net of income taxes, which is attributable to the parent.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 130

-Paragraph 10, 15

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 03

-Paragraph 19

-Article 5

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 04

-Paragraph 20

-Article 9

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 95

-Paragraph 28, 29, 30

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 944

-SubTopic 225

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

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-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879464&loc=d3e573970-122913

Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

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-Topic 220

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 6

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=20435746&loc=d3e565-108580

Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

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-Topic 230

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 28

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6943989&loc=d3e3602-108585

Reference 8: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Glossary Other Comprehensive Income

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6519514

Reference 9: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Glossary Net Income

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6518256

Reference 10: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher AICPA

-Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB)

-Number 51

-Paragraph 38

-Subparagraph a

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 11: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher AICPA

-Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB)

-Number 51

-Paragraph A7

-Appendix A

Reference 12: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher AICPA

-Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB)

-Number 51

-Paragraph 38

-Subparagraph d

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 13: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 260

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6371337&loc=d3e3550-109257

Reference 14: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 944

-SubTopic 225

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.7-04.19)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879464&loc=d3e573970-122913

Reference 15: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF)

-Number 87-21

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 16: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 225

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-03.18)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6880815&loc=d3e20235-122688

+ Details

- Definition

The consolidated profit or loss for the period, net of income taxes, including the portion attributable to the noncontrolling interest.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 810

-SubTopic 10

-Section 55

-Paragraph 4K

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=18733213&loc=SL4591552-111686

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 810

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 19

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7656940&loc=SL4569616-111683

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher AICPA

-Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB)

-Number 51

-Paragraph 29

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher AICPA

-Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB)

-Number 51

-Paragraph 38

-Subparagraph a

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher AICPA

-Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB)

-Number 51

-Paragraph 38

-Subparagraph c(1)

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 810

-SubTopic 10

-Section 55

-Paragraph 4J

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=18733213&loc=SL4591551-111686

Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher AICPA

-Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB)

-Number 51

-Paragraph A1, A4, A5

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 8: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 810

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1A

-Subparagraph (a),(c)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=18733093&loc=SL4573702-111684

Reference 9: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher AICPA

-Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB)

-Number 51

-Paragraph 5

-Subparagraph b

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

+ Details

Subsequent Events (Details) (USD $)	0 Months Ended
Subsequent Events (Details) (USD $)	Jan. 31, 2013	Jan. 08, 2013
Mexico Axtel Acquisition [Member]
Aggregate purchase price	$ 248,500,000
Number Of Sites Acquired	883
Three Point Five Zero Notes [Member]
Proceeds from Issuance of Debt		983,400,000
Debt Amount Of Principal Redemption Percentage		100.00%
Repurchase Price As Percentage Of Principal		101.00%
Repayment of indebtedness under credit facility	718,400,000	265,000,000
Debt Instrument Interest Rate		3.50%
Debt Issuance Percentage Less Discount		99.185%
Debt Instrument, Face Amount	$ 1,000,000,000	$ 1,000,000,000

Real Estate And Accumulated Depreciation (Schedule Of Real Estate And Accumulated Depreciation) (Details) (USD $)
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Real Estate And Accumulated Depreciation Disclosure

Description of Property

54,604 sites

^[1]

Amount of Encumbrances

$ 2,120,804

^[2]

Initial cost to the Company

^[3]

Costs Capitalized Subsequent to Acquisition

^[3]

Gross amount at which carried at close of the period.

8,316,547

^[4]

Accumulated Depreciation

$ (2,968,230)

Date of construction

Various

Date Acquired

Various

Life on which depreciation in latest income statement is computed

Up to 20 years

Percentage Of Gross Amounts Maximum

5.00%

[1]	No single site exceeds 5% of the aggregate gross amounts at which the assets were carried at the close of the period set forth in the table above.
[2]	Certain assets secure debt of approximately $2.1 billion.
[3]	The Company has omitted this information, as it would be impracticable to compile such information on a site-by-site basis.
[4]	Does not include sites under construction accounts.

Real Estate And Accumulated Depreciation (Activity Of Real Estate And Accumulated Depreciation) (Details) (USD $)
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

ReconciliationOfCarryingAmountOfRealEstateInvestmentsRollForward

Gross amount at which carried at beginning of period

$ 7,192,641

Real Estate, Acquisitions Through Foreclosures

Other acquisitions

739,144

^[1]

Discretionary capital projects

217,935

^[2]

Discretionary ground lease purchases

93,990

^[3]

Redevelopment capital expenditures

67,309

^[4]

Capital improvements

70,453

^[5]

Other Additions

30,813

^[6]

Total additions

1,219,644

Cost of real estate sold or disposed

(15,288)

Other Deductions

(80,450)

^[7]

Total deductions

(95,738)

Balance at close period

8,316,547

ReconciliationOfRealEstateAccumulatedDepreciationRollForward

Gross amount of accumulated depreciation at beginning of period

(2,646,927)

Depreciation

(344,778)

Other Additions

(253)

Total additions

(345,031)

Amount of accumulated depreciation for assets sold or disposed

10,920

Other deductions

12,808

Total deductions

23,728

Balance at close of period

$ (2,968,230)

[1]	Other acquisitions include acquisitions of sites.
[2]	Discretionary capital projects include amounts incurred primarily for the construction of new sites.
[3]	Discretionary ground lease purchases include amounts incurred to purchase or otherwise secure the land under communications sites.
[4]	Redevelopment capital expenditures include amounts incurred to increase the capacity of existing sites, which results in new incremental tenant revenue.
[5]	Capital improvements include amounts incurred to maintain existing sites.
[6]	Primarily includes asset retirement obligations and regional improvements
[7]	Primarily includes foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations.

Asset Retirement Obligations (Narrative) (Details) (USD $) In Billions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2012
Asset Retirement Obligations
Estimated undiscounted future cash outlay for asset retirement obligations	$ 1.5