Prepaid and other current assets

40,387

6,302

Accounts receivable, net

212,919

199,074

263,274

264,793

^[1]

Deferred income taxes

14,144

14,507

Total current assets

940,575

958,374

PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, net

9,586,400

7,588,126

GOODWILL

4,036,642

4,033,174

^[2]

OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS, net

9,853,199

6,900,637

^[3]

DEFERRED INCOME TAXES

222,276

253,186

DEFERRED RENT ASSET

1,093,812

1,030,707

NOTES RECEIVABLE AND OTHER NON-CURRENT ASSETS

736,821

567,724

TOTAL

26,469,725

21,331,928

CURRENT LIABILITIES:

Accounts payable

82,850

90,366

Accrued expenses

412,981

417,754

Distributions payable

187,987

159,864

Accrued interest

120,482

130,265

Current portion of long-term obligations

38,814

897,624

Unearned revenue

193,514

233,819

Total current liabilities

1,036,628

1,929,692

LONG-TERM OBLIGATIONS

16,185,211

13,711,084

ASSET RETIREMENT OBLIGATIONS

824,991

609,035

OTHER NON-CURRENT LIABILITIES

1,049,737

1,028,765

Total liabilities

19,096,567

17,278,576

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

EQUITY:

Common stock: $.01 par value; 1,000,000,000 shares authorized; 426,074,991 and 399,508,751 shares issued; and 423,264,965 and 396,698,725 shares outstanding, respectively

4,260

3,995

Additional paid-in capital

9,619,406

5,788,786

Distributions in excess of earnings

(876,607)

(837,320)

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

(1,228,521)

(794,221)

Treasury stock (2,810,026 shares at cost)

(207,740)

Total American Tower Corporation equity

7,310,872

3,953,560

Noncontrolling interest

62,286

99,792

Total equity

7,373,158

4,053,352

TOTAL

26,469,725

21,331,928

Series A Preferred Stock

EQUITY:

Preferred stock: $.01 par value: 20,000,000 shares authorized; 5.25%, Series A, 6,000,000 shares issued and outstanding 20,000,000 shares authorized; 5.50%, Series B, 1,375,000 and no shares issued and outstanding, respectively

Total equity

Series B Preferred Stock

EQUITY:

Total equity

$ 14

[1]	December 31, 2014 balances have been revised to reflect purchase accounting measurement period adjustments.
[2]	January 1, 2015 balances have been revised to reflect purchase accounting measurement period adjustments.
[3]	December 31, 2014 balances have been revised to reflect purchase accounting measurement period adjustments.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Jun. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Jun. 30, 2015 Preferred Stock	Dec. 31, 2014 Preferred Stock
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Preferred stock, par value (in dollars per share)			$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Preferred stock, shares authorized			20,000,000	20,000,000
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	426,074,991	399,508,751
Common stock, shares outstanding	423,264,965	396,698,725
Treasury stock, shares	2,810,026	2,810,026

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014
REVENUES:
Rental and management	$ 1,154,235	$ 1,005,761	$ 2,216,415	$ 1,965,881
Network development services	20,140	25,696	37,150	49,665
Total operating revenues	1,174,375	1,031,457	2,253,565	2,015,546
Costs of operations (exclusive of items shown separately below):
Rental and management (including stock-based compensation expense of $390, $343, $822 and $715, respectively)	314,285	263,184	573,542	514,019
Network development services (including stock-based compensation expense of $98, $110, $237 and $242, respectively)	8,173	9,091	13,556	19,025
Depreciation, amortization and accretion	328,356	245,427	591,876	491,190
Selling, general, administrative and development expense (including stock-based compensation expense of $23,557, $18,382, $52,847 and $42,482, respectively)	116,338	98,499	239,628	208,528
Other operating expenses	17,449	12,757	25,223	26,648
Total operating expenses	784,601	628,958	1,443,825	1,259,410
OPERATING INCOME	389,774	402,499	809,740	756,136
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE):
Interest expense	(148,507)	(146,234)	(296,441)	(289,541)
Loss on retirement of long-term obligations	(75,068)	(1,284)	(78,793)	(1,522)
Other expense (including unrealized foreign currency gains (losses) of $25,461, ($23,553), ($30,007) and ($25,558), respectively)	(2,129)	(16,463)	(56,632)	(20,206)
Total other expense	(218,638)	(159,038)	(419,240)	(301,713)
INCOME FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS BEFORE INCOME TAXES	171,136	243,461	390,500	454,423
Income tax provision	(13,956)	(21,802)	(37,828)	(39,451)
NET INCOME	157,180	221,659	352,672	414,972
Net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interest	(1,124)	12,772	(3,299)	21,958
NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO AMERICAN TOWER CORPORATION STOCKHOLDERS	156,056	234,431	349,373	436,930
Dividends on preferred stock	(26,782)	(4,375)	(36,601)	(4,375)
NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO AMERICAN TOWER CORPORATION COMMON STOCKHOLDERS	129,274	230,056	312,772	432,555
NET INCOME PER COMMON SHARE AMOUNTS:
Basic net income attributable to American Tower Corporation common stockholders (in dollars per share)	$ 0.31	$ 0.58	$ 0.76	$ 1.09
Diluted net income attributable to American Tower Corporation common stockholders (in dollars per share)	$ 0.30	$ 0.58	$ 0.75	$ 1.08
WEIGHTED AVERAGE COMMON SHARES OUTSTANDING:
Basic (in shares)	423,154	395,872	414,182	395,511
Diluted (in shares)	426,933	399,588	418,303	399,452
DISTRIBUTIONS DECLARED PER COMMON SHARE	$ 0.44	$ 0.34	$ 0.86	$ 0.66
TV Azteca
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE):
Interest income, TV Azteca, net of interest expense of $370, $370, $740 and $741, respectively	2,662	2,662	5,258	5,257
Interest expense	(370)	(370)	(740)	(741)
Excluding TV Azteca
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE):
Interest income	$ 4,404	$ 2,281	$ 7,368	$ 4,299

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (Parenthetical) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014
Stock-based compensation expense	$ 24,045	$ 18,835	$ 53,906	$ 43,439
Interest income (net of interest expense), TV Azteca	148,507	146,234	296,441	289,541
TV Azteca
Interest income (net of interest expense), TV Azteca	370	370	740	741
Rental And Management
Stock-based compensation expense	390	343	822	715
Network Development Services
Stock-based compensation expense	98	110	237	242
Selling General Administrative And Development Expense
Stock-based compensation expense	23,557	18,382	52,847	42,482
Other Expense
Unrealized foreign currency losses	$ 25,461	$ (23,553)	$ (30,007)	$ (25,558)

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income	$ 157,180	$ 221,659	$ 352,672	$ 414,972
Other comprehensive (loss) income:
Changes in fair value of cash flow hedges, net of taxes of $42, ($141), ($9) and ($24), respectively	597	367	(345)	(337)
Reclassification of unrealized losses on cash flow hedges to net income, net of taxes of $22, $41, $46 and $96, respectively	2,226	629	2,613	1,543
Foreign currency translation adjustments, net of taxes of $197, ($692), ($12,412) and $364, respectively	(44,029)	(3,104)	(476,990)	19,388
Other comprehensive (loss) income	(41,206)	(2,108)	(474,722)	20,594
Comprehensive income (loss)	115,974	219,551	(122,050)	435,566
Comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interest	17,421	36,370	37,123	61,664
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to American Tower Corporation stockholders	$ 133,395	$ 255,921	$ (84,927)	$ 497,230

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) (Parenthetical) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net change in fair value of cash flow hedges, tax	$ 42	$ (141)	$ (9)	$ (24)
Reclassification of unrealized losses on cash flow hedges to net income, tax	22	41	46	96
Foreign currency translation adjustments, tax	$ 197	$ (692)	$ (12,412)	$ 364

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014
CASH FLOWS PROVIDED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net income	$ 352,672	$ 414,972
Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash provided by operating activities:
Stock-based compensation expense	53,906	43,439
Depreciation, amortization and accretion	591,876	491,190
Loss on early retirement of long-term obligations	78,793	1,269
Other non-cash items reflected in statements of operations	75,531	48,636
Increase in net deferred rent asset	(46,653)	(46,293)
Decrease (increase) in restricted cash	26,804	(194)
Increase in assets	(99,179)	(28,473)
Increase in liabilities	2,710	147,836
Cash provided by operating activities	1,036,460	1,072,382
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Payments for purchase of property and equipment and construction activities	(311,122)	(466,247)
Payments for acquisitions, net of cash acquired	(670,246)	(315,527)
Payment for Verizon transaction	(5,060,416)	0
Proceeds from sale of short-term investments and other non-current assets	781,469	338,787
Payments for short-term investments	(816,038)	(332,684)
Deposits, restricted cash and other	(3,087)	(61,134)
Cash used for investing activities	(6,079,440)	(836,805)
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Borrowings under credit facilities	4,740,308	360,000
Proceeds from issuance of senior notes, net	1,492,298	769,640
Proceeds from term loan	500,000	0
Proceeds from other long-term borrowings	0	3,033
Proceeds from issuance of securities in securitization transaction, net	875,000	0
Repayments of notes payable, credit facilities, senior notes and capital leases	(5,931,401)	(1,838,728)
Distributions to noncontrolling interest holders, net	(383)	(291)
Proceeds from stock options and stock purchase plan	17,364	30,738
Proceeds from the issuance of common stock, net	2,440,327	0
Proceeds from the issuance of preferred stock, net	1,337,946	583,326
Payment for early retirement of long-term obligations	(86,107)	(6,767)
Deferred financing costs and other financing activities	(34,284)	(22,914)
Distributions paid on common stock	(329,766)	(127,269)
Distributions paid on preferred stock	(31,085)	0
Cash provided by (used for) financing activities	4,990,217	(249,232)
Net effect of changes in foreign currency exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents	13,973	3,038
NET DECREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS	(38,790)	(10,617)
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, BEGINNING OF PERIOD	313,492	293,576
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, END OF PERIOD	274,702	282,959
CASH PAID FOR INCOME TAXES (NET OF REFUNDS OF $3,311 AND $6,187, RESPECTIVELY)	29,911	35,776
CASH PAID FOR INTEREST	291,103	270,257
NON-CASH INVESTING AND FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
(DECREASE) INCREASE IN ACCOUNTS PAYABLE AND ACCRUED EXPENSES FOR PURCHASES OF PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT AND CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITIES	(20,632)	14,959
PURCHASES OF PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT UNDER CAPITAL LEASES	10,510	14,585
SETTLEMENT OF ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE RELATED TO ACQUISITIONS	735	31,279
CONVERSION OF THIRD-PARTY DEBT TO EQUITY	$ 0	$ 7,750

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Parenthetical) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014
Statement of Cash Flows [Abstract]
Proceeds from income tax refunds	$ 3,311	$ 6,187

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EQUITY (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Total	Common Stock	Series A Preferred Stock	Series B Preferred Stock	Treasury Stock	Additional Paid-in Capital	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss	Distributions in Excess of Earnings	Noncontrolling Interest
BEGINNING BALANCE at Dec. 31, 2013	$ 3,590,040	$ 3,976			$ (207,740)	$ 5,130,616	$ (311,220)	$ (1,081,467)	$ 55,875
BEGINNING BALANCE (shares) at Dec. 31, 2013		397,674,350			(2,810,026)
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Stock-based compensation related activity (shares)		1,093,535
Stock-based compensation related activity	55,946	11				55,935
Issuance of common stock - stock purchase plan (in shares)		43,589
Issuance of common stock- stock purchase plan	2,899	1				2,898
Issuance of preferred stock, (shares)			6,000,000
Issuance of preferred stock	582,880		60			582,820
Changes in fair value of cash flow hedges, net of tax	(337)						(455)		118
Reclassification of unrealized losses on cash flow hedges to net income, net of tax	1,543						1,422		121
Foreign currency translation adjustment, net of tax	19,388						59,333		(39,945)
Contributions from noncontrolling interest	7,750								7,750
Distributions to noncontrolling interest	(291)								(291)
Common stock distributions declared	(262,251)							(262,251)
Dividends on preferred stock	(4,375)
Dividends on preferred stock	(4,375)							(4,375)
Net income (loss)	414,972							436,930	(21,958)
ENDING BALANCE at Jun. 30, 2014	4,408,164	3,988	60		(207,740)	5,772,269	(250,920)	(911,163)	1,670
Preferred Stock Ending Balance (shares) at Jun. 30, 2014			6,000,000
ENDING BALANCE (shares) at Jun. 30, 2014		398,811,474			(2,810,026)
BEGINNING BALANCE at Dec. 31, 2014	4,053,352	3,995	60		(207,740)	5,788,786	(794,221)	(837,320)	99,792
Preferred Stock Beginning Balance (shares) at Dec. 31, 2014			6,000,000	0
BEGINNING BALANCE (shares) at Dec. 31, 2014	396,698,725	399,508,751			(2,810,026)
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Stock-based compensation related activity (shares)		672,300
Stock-based compensation related activity	49,161	6				49,155
Issuance of common stock - stock purchase plan (in shares)		43,940
Issuance of common stock- stock purchase plan	3,465	0				3,465
Issuance of common stock, (shares)		25,850,000
Issuance of common stock	2,440,327	259				2,440,068
Issuance of preferred stock, (shares)				1,375,000
Issuance of preferred stock	1,337,946			14		1,337,932
Changes in fair value of cash flow hedges, net of tax	(345)						(340)		(5)
Reclassification of unrealized losses on cash flow hedges to net income, net of tax	2,613						2,583		30
Foreign currency translation adjustment, net of tax	(476,990)						(436,543)		(40,447)
Contributions from noncontrolling interest	51								51
Distributions to noncontrolling interest	(434)								(434)
Common stock distributions declared	(365,450)							(365,450)
Dividends on preferred stock	(36,601)
Dividends on preferred stock	(23,210)							(23,210)
Net income (loss)	352,672							349,373	3,299
ENDING BALANCE at Jun. 30, 2015	$ 7,373,158	$ 4,260	$ 60	$ 14	$ (207,740)	$ 9,619,406	$ (1,228,521)	$ (876,607)	$ 62,286
Preferred Stock Ending Balance (shares) at Jun. 30, 2015			6,000,000	1,375,000
ENDING BALANCE (shares) at Jun. 30, 2015	423,264,965	426,074,991			(2,810,026)

Description of Business, Basis of Presentation and Accounting Policies	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Description of Business, Basis of Presentation and Accounting Policies	Description of Business, Basis of Presentation and Accounting Policies Business—American Tower Corporation is, through its various subsidiaries (collectively, “ATC” or the “Company”), one of the largest global real estate investment trusts and a leading independent owner, operator and developer of multitenant communications real estate. The Company’s primary business is the leasing of space on multitenant 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. 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. 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 primarily through its subsidiary, American Tower International, Inc., which in turn conducts operations through its various international holding and operating subsidiaries and joint ventures. The Company operates as a real estate investment trust for U.S. federal income tax purposes (“REIT”) and, therefore, is generally not subject to U.S. federal income taxes on its income and gains that it distributes to its stockholders, including the income derived from leasing space on its towers. However, the Company remains obligated to pay income taxes on earnings from its taxable REIT subsidiaries (“TRSs”). In addition, the Company’s international assets and operations, including those designated as direct or indirect qualified REIT subsidiaries or other disregarded entities of a REIT (collectively, “QRSs”), continue to be subject to taxation in the foreign jurisdictions where those assets are held or those operations are conducted. As of June 30, 2015, the Company’s QRSs included its domestic tower leasing business, most of its operations in Costa Rica, Germany and Mexico and a majority of its network development services segment and indoor DAS networks business. On March 27, 2015, the Company significantly expanded its domestic portfolio by obtaining the exclusive right to lease, acquire or otherwise operate and manage 11,448 wireless communications sites from Verizon Communications Inc. (“Verizon”) in the United States (the “Verizon Transaction”). The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared by the Company pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission. The financial information included herein is unaudited; however, the Company believes that all adjustments (consisting primarily of normal recurring adjustments) considered necessary for a fair presentation of the Company’s financial position and results of operations for such periods have been included. These condensed consolidated financial statements and related notes should be read in conjunction with the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014 (the “2014 Form 10-K”). Principles of Consolidation and Basis of Presentation—The accompanying condensed 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 condensed consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results may differ from those estimates, and such differences could be material to the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements. The significant estimates in the accompanying condensed 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 and acquisitions of assets. 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. Accounting Standards Updates—In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (the “FASB”) issued new revenue recognition guidance, which requires an entity to recognize revenue in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for the transfer of promised goods or services to customers. The standard will replace most existing revenue recognition guidance in GAAP and will become effective on January 1, 2018. Early adoption is permitted for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2016. The standard permits the use of either the retrospective or cumulative effect transition method and leases are not included in the scope of this standard. The Company is evaluating the impact this standard will have on its financial statements. In June 2014, the FASB issued stock-based compensation guidance, which requires a performance target that could be achieved after the requisite service period be treated as a performance condition that affects vesting, rather than a condition that affects the grant-date fair value. The Company early adopted this guidance on a prospective basis during the six months ended June 30, 2015, and it did not have a material effect on the Company’s financial statements. In April 2015, the FASB issued new guidance on the presentation of debt issuance costs. The guidance requires debt issuance costs be presented in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of the related debt liability, consistent with debt discounts and premiums. The update requires retrospective application and the update is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2015. The Company does not expect the adoption of this guidance to have a material effect on its financial statements.

Prepaid Expense and Other Assets, Current [Abstract]

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

Prepaid and Other Current Assets

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2015

Prepaid and Other Current Assets

Prepaid and other current assets consisted of the following as of (in thousands):



	June 30, 2015		December 31, 2014 (1)
Prepaid operating ground leases	$	109,569	$	88,053
Prepaid income tax	37,138		34,512
Prepaid assets	29,812		23,848
Unbilled receivables	29,405		25,352
Value added tax and other consumption tax receivables	23,155		23,228
Other miscellaneous current assets	34,195		69,800
Balance	$	263,274	$	264,793

(1) December 31, 2014 balances have been revised to reflect purchase accounting measurement period adjustments.

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2015

Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

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



	Rental and Management					Network Development Services		Total
	Domestic		International			Network Development Services		Total
Balance as of January 1, 2015 (1)	$	3,356,096	$	675,090		$	1,988	$	4,033,174
Additions	12,677		51,431			—		64,108
Effect of foreign currency translation	—		(60,640		)	—		(60,640		)
Balance as of June 30, 2015	$	3,368,773	$	665,881		$	1,988	$	4,036,642


(1)	January 1, 2015 balances have been revised to reflect purchase accounting measurement period adjustments.

The Company’s other intangible assets subject to amortization consisted of the following as of (in thousands):



		June 30, 2015							December 31, 2014 (1)
	Estimated Useful Lives	Gross Carrying Value		Accumulated Amortization			Net Book Value		Gross Carrying Value		Accumulated Amortization			Net Book Value
	(years)
Acquired network location intangibles (2)	Up to 20	$	3,751,373	$	(966,105	)	$	2,785,268	$	2,514,931	$	(901,903	)	$	1,613,028
Acquired customer-related intangibles	15-20	8,524,816		(1,588,864		)	6,935,952		6,594,773		(1,429,572		)	5,165,201
Acquired licenses and other intangibles	3-20	33,461		(4,942		)	28,519		37,471		(3,514		)	33,957
Economic Rights, TV Azteca	70	24,014		(12,302		)	11,712		25,522		(12,960		)	12,562
Total		$	12,333,664	$	(2,572,213	)	$	9,761,451	$	9,172,697	$	(2,347,949	)	$	6,824,748
Deferred financing costs, net (3)	N/A						91,748							75,889
Other intangible assets, net							$	9,853,199						$	6,900,637


(1)	December 31, 2014 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 Depreciation, amortization and accretion expense.

The acquired network location intangibles represent the value to the Company of the incremental revenue growth that 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 Company amortizes its acquired network location intangibles and customer-related intangibles on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives. As of June 30, 2015, the remaining weighted average amortization period of the Company’s intangible assets, excluding deferred financing costs and the TV Azteca Economic Rights detailed in note 5 to the Company’s consolidated financial statements included in the 2014 Form 10-K, was approximately 16 years. Amortization of intangible assets for the three and six months ended June 30, 2015 was approximately $147.6 million and $258.1 million, respectively, and amortization of intangible assets for the three and six months ended June 30, 2014 was approximately $101.6 million and $204.2 million, respectively. Amortization expense excludes amortization of deferred financing costs, which is included in Interest expense on the condensed consolidated statements of operations. Based on current exchange rates, the Company expects to record amortization expense (excluding amortization of deferred financing costs) as follows over the remaining current year and the next five subsequent years (in millions):



Fiscal Year
2015 (remaining year)	$	292.9
2016	581.5
2017	579.7
2018	578.6
2019	576.4
2020	570.3

Summary of Derivative Instruments [Abstract]

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

Long-Term Obligations

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2015

Debt Disclosure [Abstract]

Long-Term Obligations

Refinancing of GTP Acquisition Partners Securitization—On May 29, 2015, GTP Acquisition Partners I, LLC (“GTP Acquisition Partners”), one of the Company’s wholly owned subsidiaries, repaid all amounts outstanding under the Secured Tower Revenue Notes, Global Tower Series 2011-1, Class C, Secured Tower Revenue Notes, Global Tower Series 2011-2, Class C and Class F and Secured Tower Revenue Notes, Global Tower Series 2013-1, Class C and Class F (the “Existing GTP AP Notes”), plus prepayment consideration and other costs and expenses related thereto, with cash on hand and proceeds from a private issuance (the “2015 Securitization”) of $350.0 million of American Tower Secured Revenue Notes, Series 2015-1, Class A (the “Series 2015-1 Notes”) and $525.0 million of American Tower Secured Revenue Notes, Series 2015-2, Class A (the “Series 2015-2 Notes,” and together with the Series 2015-1 Notes, the “2015 Notes”). During each of the three and six months ended June 30, 2015, the Company recorded a loss on retirement of long-term obligations of $0.8 million, consisting of prepayment consideration, primarily offset by the write-off of the unamortized premium recorded in connection with the assumption of the Existing GTP AP Notes.

The 2015 Notes were issued by GTP Acquisition Partners pursuant to a Third Amended and Restated Indenture and related series supplements, each dated as of May 29, 2015 (collectively, the “Indenture”), between GTP Acquisition Partners and its subsidiaries (the “GTP Entities”) and The Bank of New York Mellon, as trustee. The Series 2015-1 Notes have an interest rate of 2.350%, an anticipated repayment date of June 15, 2020 and a final repayment date of June 15, 2045. The Series 2015-2 Notes have an interest rate of 3.482%, an anticipated repayment date of June 16, 2025 and a final repayment date of June 15, 2050.

Amounts due under the 2015 Notes will be paid solely from the cash flows generated from the operation of the 3,621 communications sites (the “Secured Sites”) owned by the GTP Entities. GTP Acquisition Partners is required to make monthly payments of interest on the 2015 Notes, commencing in July 2015. Subject to certain limited exceptions (described below), no payments of principal will be required to be made prior to June 15, 2020, which is the anticipated repayment date for the Series 2015-1 Notes. On a monthly basis, after payment of all required amounts under the applicable agreement, the excess cash flows generated from the operation of the Secured Sites are released to GTP Acquisition Partners, which can then be distributed to, and used by, the Company. However, if the debt service coverage ratio (“DSCR”), generally calculated as the ratio of the net cash flow (as defined in the Indenture) to the amount of interest, servicing fees and trustee fees required to be paid over the succeeding 12 months on the principal amount of the 2015 Notes that will be outstanding on the next payment date were equal to or below 1.30x (the “Cash Trap DSCR”) for such quarter, 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 transaction documents, referred to as excess cash flow, will be deposited into a reserve account instead of being released to GTP Acquisition Partners. The funds in the reserve account will not be released to GTP Acquisition Partners unless the DSCR exceeds the Cash Trap DSCR for two consecutive calendar quarters.

Additionally, an “amortization period” commences if, as of the end of any calendar quarter, the DSCR falls below 1.15x (the “Minimum DSCR”) and will continue to exist until the DSCR exceeds the Minimum DSCR for two consecutive calendar quarters. During an amortization period, all excess cash flow and any amounts then in the reserve account because the Cash Trap DSCR was not met would be applied to payment of the principal on the 2015 Notes.

The 2015 Notes may be prepaid in whole or in part at any time, provided such payment is accompanied by the applicable prepayment consideration. If prepayment occurs within 12 months of the anticipated repayment date with respect to the Series 2015-1 Notes, or eighteen months of the anticipated repayment date with respect to the Series 2015-2 Notes, no prepayment consideration is due. If the Series 2015-1 Notes or the Series 2015-2 Notes have not been repaid in full on the applicable anticipated repayment date, additional interest will accrue on the unpaid principal balance of the applicable series of the 2015 Notes, and such series will begin to amortize on a monthly basis from excess cash flow.

The 2015 Notes are secured by (i) mortgages, deeds of trust and deeds to secure debt on substantially all of the Secured Sites and their operating cash flows, (ii) a security interest in substantially all of the personal property and fixtures of the GTP Entities, including GTP Acquisition Partners’ equity interests in its subsidiaries and (iii) the rights of the GTP Entities under a management agreement. American Tower Holding Sub II, LLC, whose only material assets are its equity interests in GTP Acquisition Partners, has guaranteed repayment of the 2015 Notes and pledged its equity interests in GTP Acquisition Partners as security for such payment obligations.

The Indenture includes covenants customary for notes issued in rated securitizations. Among other things, the GTP Entities are prohibited from incurring other indebtedness for borrowed money or further encumbering their assets. The organizational documents of the GTP Entities contain provisions consistent with rating agency securitization criteria for special purpose entities, including the requirement that they maintain independent directors. The Indenture also contains certain covenants that require GTP Acquisition Partners to provide the trustee with regular financial reports and operating budgets, promptly notify the trustee of events of default and material breaches under the Indenture and other agreements related to the Secured Sites and allow the trustee reasonable access to the Secured Sites, including the right to conduct site investigations. Further, under the Indenture, GTP Acquisition Partners is required to maintain reserve accounts, including for amounts received or due from tenants related to future periods, property taxes, insurance, ground rents, certain expenses and debt service. The $18.6 million held in the reserve accounts as of June 30, 2015 is classified as restricted cash on the Company’s accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheet.

Securitized Debt—The Company has several securitizations in place. Cash flows generated by the sites that secure the securitized debt are only available for payment of such debt and are not available to pay the Company’s other obligations or the claims of its creditors. However, subject to certain restrictions, the Company holds the right to the excess cash flows not needed to pay the securitized debt and other obligations arising out of the securitizations. The securitized debt is the obligation of the issuers thereof or borrowers thereunder, as applicable, and their subsidiaries, and not of the Company or its other subsidiaries.

Mexican Loan—In May 2015, upon maturity of its 5.2 billion Mexican Peso (“MXN”) denominated unsecured bridge loan, the Company repaid the remaining outstanding principal balance of 3.9 billion MXN (approximately $251.2 million on the date of repayment) with cash on hand and borrowings under its multi-currency senior unsecured revolving credit facility entered into in June 2013, as amended (the “2013 Credit Facility”).

BR Towers Credit Facility—On March 30, 2015, the Company repaid all amounts outstanding and terminated the Brazilian Reais (“BRL”) denominated credit facility with Banco Nacional de Desenvolvimento Econômico e Social (“BNDES”), which allowed a subsidiary of BR Towers S.A. (“BR Towers”) to borrow up to 48.1 million BRL through an intermediary bank, and which the Company assumed in connection with the acquisition of BR Towers in November 2014.

Brazil Credit Facility—In December 2014, one of the Company’s Brazilian subsidiaries entered into a 271.0 million BRL-denominated credit facility with BNDES, which matures on January 15, 2022 (the “Brazil Credit Facility”). On May 18, 2015, the Brazilian subsidiary borrowed 40.0 million BRL (approximately $13.3 million on the date of borrowing) and maintains the ability to draw on the Brazil Credit Facility until December 30, 2016. The Brazil Credit Facility bears interest at a margin over the long-term interest rate, as defined by BNDES (“TJLP”), and the Special Clearance and Escrow System (“SELIC”) as follows (BRL in millions):



	Maximum Borrowing Amount	Contractual Interest Rate
Tranche A	BRL 34.8	TJLP + 4.25%
Tranche B	BRL 34.8	SELIC + 4.25%
Tranche C	BRL 200.0	6.00	%
Tranche D	BRL 1.4	TJLP

As of June 30, 2015, the weighted average interest rate on the borrowings under the Brazil Credit Facility was 11.1%.

2014 Credit Facility—During the six months ended June 30, 2015, the Company increased the maximum Revolving Loan Commitment (as defined in the loan agreement) under its senior unsecured revolving credit facility entered into in January 2012, as amended and restated in September 2014 (the “2014 Credit Facility”) to $2.5 billion. Effective February 20, 2015, the Company received incremental commitments of $500.0 million, and as a result, has the ability to borrow up to $2.0 billion.

During the six months ended June 30, 2015, the Company borrowed an aggregate of $2.1 billion and repaid an aggregate of $1.3 billion of revolving indebtedness under the 2014 Credit Facility. The Company primarily used the borrowings to fund a portion of the Verizon Transaction.

2013 Credit Facility—During the six months ended June 30, 2015, the Company increased the maximum Revolving Loan Commitment (as defined in the loan agreement) under the 2013 Credit Facility to $3.5 billion. Effective February 20, 2015, the Company received incremental commitments of $750.0 million, and as a result, has the ability to borrow up to $2.75 billion.

During the six months ended June 30, 2015, the Company borrowed an aggregate of $2.6 billion and repaid an aggregate of $2.3 billion of revolving indebtedness under the 2013 Credit Facility. The Company primarily used the borrowings to (i) fund a portion of the Verizon Transaction, (ii) fund the TIM Celular S.A. (“TIM”) acquisition and (iii) repay other indebtedness.

In July 2015, the Company borrowed an additional $850.0 million under the 2013 Credit Facility, which was primarily used to fund the Company’s acquisition in Nigeria.

The 2014 Credit Facility and the 2013 Credit Facility do not require amortization of principal and may be paid prior to maturity in whole or in part at the Company’s option without penalty or premium. The Company maintains the ability to draw down and repay amounts under each of the credit facilities in the ordinary course.

2013 Term Loan—In October 2013, the Company entered into an unsecured term loan (the “2013 Term Loan”). During the six months ended June 30, 2015, the maximum Incremental Term Loan Commitments (as defined in the agreement) was increased to $1.0 billion. Effective February 20, 2015, the Company borrowed an additional $500.0 million under the 2013 Term Loan.

The key terms under the 2014 Credit Facility, the 2013 Credit Facility and the 2013 Term Loan as of June 30, 2015 are as follows ($ in millions):



	Outstanding Balance		Undrawn LOC		Maturity Date	Current margin over LIBOR (2)		Current commitment fee (3)
2014 Credit Facility	$	1,980	$	7.5	January 31, 2020 (1)	1.250	%	0.150	%
2013 Credit Facility	$	250	$	3.2	June 28, 2018 (1)	1.250	%	0.150	%
2013 Term Loan	$	2,000	N/A		January 3, 2019	1.250	%	N/A

(1) Subject to two optional renewal periods.

(2) LIBOR means the London Interbank Offered Rate.

(3) Fee on undrawn portion of the credit facility.

Amendments to Bank Facilities—During the six months ended June 30, 2015, the Company entered into amendment agreements with respect to the 2014 Credit Facility, the 2013 Credit Facility and the 2013 Term Loan. After giving effect to these amendments, the Company’s permitted ratio of Total Debt to Adjusted EBITDA (as defined in the loan agreements for each of the facilities) is (i) 7.25 to 1.00 for the quarter ended June 30, 2015, (ii) 7.00 to 1.00 for the quarters ended September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2015 and (iii) 6.00 to 1.00 thereafter.

Redemption of Senior Notes—On February 11, 2015, the Company redeemed all of the outstanding 4.625% senior notes due 2015 (the “4.625% Notes”), in accordance with the redemption provisions in the indenture, at a price equal to 100.5898% of the principal amount, plus accrued interest up to, but excluding, February 11, 2015, for an aggregate redemption price of approximately $613.6 million, including approximately $10.0 million in accrued and unpaid interest. On April 29, 2015, the Company redeemed all of the outstanding 7.000% senior notes due 2017 (the “7.000% Notes”), in accordance with the redemption provisions in the indenture, at a price equal to 114.0629% of the principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest up to, but excluding, April 29, 2015, for an aggregate redemption price of approximately $571.7 million, including approximately $1.4 million in accrued and unpaid interest.

During each of the three and six month periods ended June 30, 2015, the Company recorded a loss on retirement of long-term obligations of $74.3 million related to the redemption of the 7.000% Notes, which included prepayment consideration, the remaining portion of unamortized deferred financing costs and the write-off of the remaining settlement cost of a treasury rate lock related to the 7.000% Notes. In addition, during the six months ended June 30, 2015, the Company recorded a loss on retirement of long-term obligations of $3.7 million related to the redemption of the 4.625% Notes, which included prepayment consideration and the remaining portion of the unamortized discount and deferred financing costs. Each redemption was funded with borrowings under the Company’s existing credit facilities and cash on hand. Upon completion of these redemptions, none of the 4.625% Notes or the 7.000% Notes remained outstanding.

2.800% Senior Notes and 4.000% Senior Notes Offering—On May 7, 2015, the Company completed a registered public offering of $750.0 million aggregate principal amount of 2.800% senior unsecured notes due 2020 (the “2.800% Notes”) and $750.0 million aggregate principal amount of 4.000% senior unsecured notes due 2025 (the “4.000% Notes”). The net proceeds from this offering were approximately $1,480.1 million, after deducting commissions and estimated expenses. The Company used the proceeds to repay existing indebtedness under the 2013 Credit Facility.

The 2.800% Notes will mature on June 1, 2020 and bear interest at a rate of 2.800% per annum. The 4.000% Notes will mature on June 1, 2025 and bear interest at a rate of 4.000% per annum. Accrued and unpaid interest on the notes will be payable in U.S. Dollars semi-annually in arrears on June 1 and December 1 of each year, beginning on December 1, 2015. Interest on the notes will accrue from May 7, 2015 and will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year comprised of twelve 30-day months.

The Company may redeem the notes at any time, in whole or in part, at the applicable redemption price. If the Company redeems the 2.800% Notes prior to May 1, 2020 or the 4.000% Notes prior to March 1, 2025, it will pay a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the notes plus a make-whole premium, together with accrued interest to the redemption date. If the Company redeems the 2.800% Notes on or after May 1, 2020 or the 4.000% Notes on or after March 1, 2025, it will not be required to pay a make-whole premium. In addition, if the Company undergoes a change of control and ratings decline, each as defined in the supplemental indenture, it may be required to repurchase all of the notes at a purchase price equal to 101% of the principal amount of the notes, plus accrued and unpaid interest (including additional interest, if any), up to but not including the repurchase date. The 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.

Derivative Financial Instruments

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2015

Derivative Financial Instruments

Certain of the Company’s foreign subsidiaries have entered into interest rate swap agreements, which have been designated as cash flow hedges, to manage exposure to variability in interest rates on debt.

South Africa

One of the Company’s South African subsidiaries has 15 interest rate swap agreements outstanding, which mature on the earlier of termination of the underlying debt or March 31, 2020. These swap agreements provide that the Company pay a fixed interest rate ranging from 6.09% to 7.83% and receive variable interest at the three-month Johannesburg Interbank Agreed Rate (JIBAR) over the term of the interest rate swap agreements. The notional value is reduced in accordance with the repayment schedule under the related credit agreement.

Colombia

In connection with entering into a Colombian Peso (“COP”) denominated credit facility in October 2014 (the “Colombian Credit Facility”), one of the Company’s Colombian subsidiaries entered into an interest rate swap agreement with certain of the lenders under the Colombian Credit Facility. This swap agreement matures on the earlier of termination of the underlying debt or April 24, 2021 and provides that the Company pay a fixed interest rate of 5.74% and receive variable interest at the three-month Inter-bank Rate (“IBR”) over the term of the agreement. The notional value is reduced in accordance with the repayment schedule under the Colombian Credit Facility.

The notional amount and fair value of the interest rate swap agreements were as follows (in thousands):



	June 30, 2015				December 31, 2014
	Local		USD		Local		USD
South Africa (ZAR)
Notional	421,342		34,625		440,614		38,080
Fair Value	2,708		223		1,016		88
Colombia (COP)
Notional	97,500,000		37,716		100,000,000		41,798
Fair Value	(1,723,016	)	(667	)	(1,548,688	)	(647	)

As of June 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, the South African agreements were in asset positions and were included in Notes receivable and other non-current assets on the condensed consolidated balance sheets, and the Colombian agreement was in a liability position and included in Other non-current liabilities on the condensed consolidated balance sheets.

In addition to the interest rate swap agreements, the Company was amortizing the settlement cost of a treasury rate lock as additional interest expense over the term of the 7.000% Notes. In connection with the redemption of the 7.000% Notes, the Company recognized $2.0 million of the remaining deferred loss on the settlement cost as a loss on retirement of long-term obligations in the condensed consolidated statements of operations.

During the three months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014, the interest rate swap agreements and treasury rate lock had the following impact on the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements (in thousands):



Three Months Ended June 30,	Gain(Loss) Recognized in OCI - Effective Portion	Gain(Loss) Reclassified from AOCI into Income - Effective Portion	Location of Gain(Loss) Reclassified from AOCI into Income- Effective Portion (1)	Gain(Loss) Recognized in Income - Ineffective Portion	Location of Gain(Loss) Recognized in Income - Ineffective Portion
2015	$639	$(2,248)	Interest Expense/Loss on Retirement of Long-Term Obligations	N/A	N/A

2014	$226	$(670)	Interest Expense	N/A	N/A

During the six months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014, the interest rate swap agreements and treasury rate lock had the following impact on the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements (in thousands):



Six Months Ended June 30,	Gain(Loss) Recognized in OCI - Effective Portion	Gain(Loss) Reclassified from AOCI into Income - Effective Portion	Location of Gain(Loss) Reclassified from AOCI into Income- Effective Portion (1)	Gain(Loss) Recognized in Income - Ineffective Portion	Location of Gain(Loss) Recognized in Income - Ineffective Portion
2015	$(354)	$(2,659)	Interest Expense/Loss on Retirement of Long-Term Obligations	N/A	N/A

2014	$(361)	$(1,639)	Interest Expense	N/A	N/A

(1) For each of the three and six months ended June 30, 2015, the Company reclassified $2.0 million from Accumulated other comprehensive loss (“AOCI”) into Loss on retirement of long-term obligations in connection with the redemption of the 7.000% Notes and the write-off of the deferred loss on the settlement of the treasury rate lock.

As of June 30, 2015, approximately $0.5 million of the amount related to derivatives designated as cash flow hedges and recorded in AOCI was expected to be reclassified into earnings in the next 12 months.

For additional information on the Company’s interest rate swap agreements, see note 7.

The entire disclosure for derivative instruments and hedging activities including, but not limited to, risk management strategies, non-hedging derivative instruments, assets, liabilities, revenue and expenses, and methodologies and assumptions used in determining the amounts.

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+ Details

Fair Value Measurements

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2015

Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]

Fair Value Measurements

The Company determines the fair value 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 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.

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



	June 30, 2015
	Fair Value Measurements Using					Assets/Liabilities at Fair Value
	Level 1	Level 2		Level 3		Assets/Liabilities at Fair Value
Assets:
Short-term investments (1)		$	40,387			$	40,387
Interest rate swap agreements		223				223
Liabilities:
Acquisition-related contingent consideration				$	24,867	$	24,867
Interest rate swap agreements		$	667			$	667



	December 31, 2014
	Fair Value Measurements Using					Assets/Liabilities at Fair Value
	Level 1	Level 2		Level 3		Assets/Liabilities at Fair Value
Assets:
Short-term investments (1)		$	6,302			$	6,302
Interest rate swap agreements		$	88			$	88
Liabilities:
Acquisition-related contingent consideration				$	28,524	$	28,524
Interest rate swap agreements		$	647			$	647


(1)	Consists of highly liquid investments with original maturities in excess of three months.

Interest Rate Swap Agreements

The fair value of the Company’s interest rate swap agreements is determined using pricing models with inputs that are observable in the market or can be derived principally from, or corroborated by, observable market data. Fair valuations of the swap agreements reflect the value of the instrument including the values associated with counterparty risk, the Company’s own credit standing and the value of the net credit differential between the counterparties to the derivative contract.

Acquisition-Related Contingent Consideration

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 condensed 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 condensed consolidated balance sheets and adjustments recorded in the condensed consolidated statements of operations.

As of June 30, 2015, the Company estimated the value of all potential acquisition-related contingent consideration required payments to be between zero and $33.9 million. During the three months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014, the fair value of the contingent consideration changed as follows (in thousands):



	2015			2014
Balance as of April 1	$	27,203		$	31,342
Additions	117			406
Settlements	(2,327		)	(674		)
Change in fair value	—			(952		)
Foreign currency translation adjustment	(126		)	903
Balance as of June 30	$	24,867		$	31,025

During the six months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014, the fair value of the contingent consideration changed as follows (in thousands):



	2015			2014
Balance as of January 1	$	28,524		$	31,890
Additions	1,311			406
Settlements	(3,353		)	(1,289		)
Change in fair value	—			(370		)
Foreign currency translation adjustment	(1,615		)	388
Balance as of June 30	$	24,867		$	31,025

Items Measured at Fair Value on a Nonrecurring Basis

Assets Held and Used—The Company’s long-lived assets are measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis using Level 3 inputs. During the three and six months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014, the Company did not record any asset impairment charges.

Assets Held-for-Sale—During the six months ended June 30, 2014, based on a strategic review of the international rental and management segment and components of the network development services segment, the Company determined that its operations in Panama and its third-party structural analysis business were held-for-sale. The Company recorded an impairment charge of $4.1 million during the three and six months ended June 30, 2014 to write down the intangibles and goodwill to fair value. The impairment charge was recorded in Other operating expenses in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of operations and the adjustment was determined by comparing the estimated net 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 six months ended June 30, 2015.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments—The Company’s financial instruments for which the carrying value reasonably approximates fair value at June 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 included cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, accounts receivable and accounts payable. 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 is estimated using either indicative price quotes or a discounted cash flow analysis using rates for debt with similar terms and maturities. As of June 30, 2015, the carrying value and fair value of long-term obligations, including the current portion, were $16.2 billion and $16.5 billion, respectively, of which $9.9 billion was measured using Level 1 inputs and $6.6 billion was measured using Level 2 inputs. As of December 31, 2014, the carrying value and fair value of long-term obligations, including the current portion, were $14.6 billion and $15.0 billion, respectively, of which $9.7 billion was measured using Level 1 inputs and $5.3 billion was measured using Level 2 inputs.

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Abstract]

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+ Details

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2015

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss

The changes in Accumulated other comprehensive loss for the three months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014 were as follows (in thousands):



	Unrealized Losses on Cash Flow Hedges			Deferred Loss on the Settlement of the Treasury Rate Lock			Foreign Currency Items			Total
Balance as of April 1, 2015	$	(2,082	)	$	(2,031	)	$	(1,201,747	)	$	(1,205,860	)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications, net of tax	569			—			(25,441		)	(24,872		)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax	180			2,031			—			2,211
Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss)	749			2,031			(25,441		)	(22,661		)
Balance as of June 30, 2015	$	(1,333	)	$	—		$	(1,227,188	)	$	(1,228,521	)



	Unrealized Losses on Cash Flow Hedges			Deferred Loss on the Settlement of the Treasury Rate Lock			Foreign Currency Items			Total
Balance as of April 1, 2014	$	(1,970	)	$	(2,829	)	$	(267,611	)	$	(272,410	)
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications, net of tax	325			—			20,622			20,947
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax	344			199			—			543
Net current-period other comprehensive income	669			199			20,622			21,490
Balance as of June 30, 2014	$	(1,301	)	$	(2,630	)	$	(246,989	)	$	(250,920	)

The changes in Accumulated other comprehensive loss for the six months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014 are as follows (in thousands):



	Unrealized Losses on Cash Flow Hedges			Deferred Loss on the Settlement of the Treasury Rate Lock			Foreign Currency Items			Total
Balance as of January 1, 2015	$	(1,345	)	$	(2,231	)	$	(790,645	)	$	(794,221	)
Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications, net of tax	(340		)	—			(436,543		)	(436,883		)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax	352			2,231			—			2,583
Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss)	12			2,231			(436,543		)	(434,300		)
Balance as of June 30, 2015	$	(1,333	)	$	—		$	(1,227,188	)	$	(1,228,521	)



	Unrealized Losses on Cash Flow Hedges			Deferred Loss on the Settlement of the Treasury Rate Lock			Foreign Currency Items			Total
Balance as of January 1, 2014	$	(1,869	)	$	(3,029	)	$	(306,322	)	$	(311,220	)
Other comprehensive (loss) income before reclassifications, net of tax	(455		)	—			59,333			58,878
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax	1,023			399			—			1,422
Net current-period other comprehensive income	568			399			59,333			60,300
Balance as of June 30, 2014	$	(1,301	)	$	(2,630	)	$	(246,989	)	$	(250,920	)

During each of the three and six months ended June 30, 2015, $2.0 million related to the deferred loss on the settlement of the treasury rate lock was reclassified from AOCI into Loss on retirement of long-term obligations in connection with redemption of the 7.000% Notes. The remaining losses on cash flow hedges have been reclassified into Interest expense in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of operations and the associated tax effect of less than $0.1 million for each of the three and six months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively, is included in Income tax provision.

The entire disclosure for comprehensive income, which includes, but is not limited to, 1) the amount of income tax expense or benefit allocated to each component of other comprehensive income, including reclassification adjustments, 2) the reclassification adjustments for each classification of other comprehensive income and 3) the ending accumulated balances for each component of comprehensive income.

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

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-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 11

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Reference 3: 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=27012166&loc=d3e187085-122770

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

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-Glossary Reclassification Adjustments

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6522872

+ Details

Income Taxes	6 Months Ended
Income Taxes	Jun. 30, 2015
Income Tax Expense (Benefit), Continuing Operations [Abstract]
Income Taxes	Income Taxes The Company provides for income taxes at the end of each interim period based on the estimated effective tax rate for the full fiscal year. Cumulative adjustments to the Company’s estimate are recorded in the interim period in which a change in the estimated annual effective tax rate is determined. As a REIT, the Company continues to be subject to income taxes on the income of its TRSs and income taxation in foreign jurisdictions where it conducts international operations. Under the provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, the Company may deduct amounts distributed to stockholders against the income generated in its QRSs. The Company is able to offset income in both its TRSs and QRSs by utilizing their respective net operating losses. In 2013, the Company acquired MIP Tower Holdings LLC (“MIPT”), which had been organized and qualified as a REIT. The Company intends to file a tax election pursuant to which MIPT will no longer operate as a separate REIT for federal and state income tax purposes, effective July 25, 2015. In connection with this election, the Company expects to incur a one-time cash tax charge of approximately $92.5 million, based on preliminary calculations, in the second half of 2015. 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. Management assesses the available positive and negative evidence to estimate if sufficient future taxable income will be generated to use the existing deferred tax assets. As of June 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, the total amount of unrecognized tax benefits that would impact the effective tax rate, if recognized, was approximately $31.9 million. The amount of unrecognized tax benefits during the three and six months ended June 30, 2015 includes additions to the Company’s existing tax positions, partially offset by fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates. 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, as described in note 14 to the Company’s consolidated financial statements included in the 2014 Form 10-K. The impact of the amount of these changes to previously recorded uncertain tax positions could range from zero to $8.1 million. The Company recorded penalties and income tax-related interest expense during the three and six months ended June 30, 2015 of $0.6 million and $1.5 million, respectively, and during the three and six months ended June 30, 2014 of $1.9 million and $3.2 million, respectively. As of June 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, the total amount of accrued income tax related interest and penalties included in Other non-current liabilities in the condensed consolidated balance sheets was $24.5 million and $24.9 million, respectively.

Share-based Compensation, Allocation and Classification in Financial Statements [Abstract]

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+ Details

Stock-Based Compensation

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2015

Stock-Based Compensation

The Company recognized stock-based compensation expense during the three and six months ended June 30, 2015 of $24.0 million and $53.9 million, respectively, and stock-based compensation expense during the three and six months ended June 30, 2014 of $18.8 million and $43.4 million, respectively. The Company capitalized $0.6 million and $1.1 million of stock-based compensation expense as property and equipment during the three and six months ended June 30, 2015, respectively, and capitalized $0.4 million and $0.8 million of stock-based compensation expense as property and equipment during the three and six months ended June 30, 2014, respectively.

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 (the “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 for time-based restricted stock units (“RSUs”) and stock options and three years for performance-based restricted stock units (“PSUs”). Stock options generally expire ten years from the date of grant. As of June 30, 2015, the Company had the ability to grant stock-based awards with respect to an aggregate of 11.6 million shares of common stock under the 2007 Plan.

The Company’s Compensation Committee adopted a death, disability and retirement benefits program in connection with equity awards granted on or after January 1, 2013 that provides for accelerated vesting and extended exercise periods of stock options and restricted stock units upon an employee’s death or permanent disability, or upon an employee’s qualified retirement provided certain eligibility criteria are met. Accordingly, for grants made on or after January 1, 2013, the Company recognizes compensation expense for stock options and RSUs 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, which may occur upon grant; and recognizes compensation expense for PSUs over the three-year vesting period, subject to adjustment based on the date the employee becomes eligible for such retirement benefits.

Stock Options—The Company’s option activity for the six months ended June 30, 2015 was as follows:



	Number of Options
Outstanding as of January 1, 2015	6,508,435
Granted	2,004,100
Exercised	(221,703	)
Forfeited	(93,021	)
Expired	(1,475	)
Outstanding as of June 30, 2015	8,196,336

The fair value of each option granted during the six months ended June 30, 2015 was estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model based on the assumptions noted in the table below.

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



Range of risk-free interest rate	1.32% - 1.62%
Weighted average risk-free interest rate	1.62	%
Expected life of option grants	4.5 years
Range of expected volatility of underlying stock price	21.09% - 21.20%
Weighted average expected volatility of underlying stock price	21.09	%
Range of expected annual dividend yield	1.50% - 1.85%

The weighted average grant date fair value per share during the six months ended June 30, 2015 was $15.09. As of June 30, 2015, total unrecognized compensation expense related to unvested stock options was $39.3 million and is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of approximately two years.

Restricted Stock Units and Performance-Based Restricted Stock Units—The Company’s RSU and PSU activity for the six months ended June 30, 2015 was as follows:



	RSUs		PSUs (1)
Outstanding as of January 1, 2015	1,758,817		—
Granted	692,340		23,379
Vested	(671,652	)	—
Forfeited	(70,695	)	—
Outstanding as of June 30, 2015	1,708,810		23,379

(1) Represents the target number of shares issuable at the end of the three-year performance cycle attributable to the first year’s performance period.

Restricted Stock Units—As of June 30, 2015, total unrecognized compensation expense related to unvested RSUs granted under the 2007 Plan was $100.0 million and is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of approximately three years.

Performance-Based Restricted Stock Units—During the six months ended June 30, 2015, the Company granted an aggregate of 70,135 PSUs to its executive officers and established the performance metric for this award. Threshold, target and maximum parameters were established for the metric for each year in the three-year performance period, and will be used to calculate the number of shares that will be issuable when the award vests, which may range from zero to 200 percent of the target amount. At the end of the three-year performance period, the number of shares that are earned and vest will depend on the degree of achievement against the pre-established performance goal. PSUs that have been earned over the performance period will be paid out in common stock at the end of the performance period, subject generally to the executive’s continued employment and will accrue dividend equivalents prior to vesting, which will be paid out only in respect of shares actually earned and vested. As the performance metric is tied to year-over-year growth and actual results for the metric will not be determined until the end of each respective fiscal year, the Company is unable to determine the annual target for the second and third years of the performance period for this award at this time. Accordingly, an aggregate of 46,756 PSUs granted on March 10, 2015 are not included in the table above. The grant date fair value per share of the PSUs for which terms have been established was $94.57.

During the three and six months ended June 30, 2015, the Company recorded $0.6 million and $0.7 million, respectively, in stock-based compensation expense for equity awards in which the performance goals have been established and are probable of being achieved. The remaining unrecognized compensation expense related to these awards at June 30, 2015 was $1.6 million based on the Company’s current assessment of the probability of achieving the performance goals. The weighted-average period over which the cost will be recognized is one year.

Employee Stock Purchase Plan—The Company maintains an employee stock purchase plan (“ESPP”) for all eligible employees as described in note 15 to the Company’s consolidated financial statements included in the 2014 Form 10-K. Under the ESPP, shares of the Company’s common stock may be purchased on the last day of each bi-annual offering period at a 15% discount of the lower of the closing market value on the first or last day of such offering period. The offering periods run from June 1 through November 30 and from December 1 through May 31 of each year. During the six months ended June 30, 2015, employee contributions were accumulated to purchase approximately 44,000 shares under the ESPP.

Key assumptions used to apply the Black-Scholes pricing model for shares purchased through the ESPP during the six months ended June 30, 2015, which resulted in a fair value per share of $16.40, were as follows:



Approximate risk-free interest rate	0.06	%
Expected life of shares	6 months
Expected volatility of underlying stock price over the option period	13.91	%
Expected annual dividend yield	1.85	%

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+ Details

Equity

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2015

Equity [Abstract]

Equity

Common Stock Offering—On March 3, 2015, the Company completed a registered public offering of 23,500,000 shares of its common stock, par value $0.01 per share, at $97.00 per share. On March 5, 2015, the Company issued an additional 2,350,000 shares of common stock in connection with the underwriters’ exercise in full of their over-allotment option. Aggregate net proceeds were approximately $2.44 billion after deducting commissions and estimated expenses. The Company used the net proceeds from this offering to fund a portion of the Verizon Transaction.

Series B Preferred Stock Offering—On March 3, 2015, the Company completed a registered public offering of 12,500,000 depositary shares, each representing a 1/10th interest in a share of its 5.50% Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock, Series B, par value $0.01 per share (the “Series B Preferred Stock”), at $100.00 per depositary share. On March 5, 2015, the Company issued an additional 1,250,000 depositary shares in connection with the underwriters’ exercise in full of their over-allotment option. Aggregate net proceeds were approximately $1.34 billion after deducting commissions and estimated expenses. The Company used the net proceeds from this offering to fund a portion of the Verizon Transaction. On March 3, 2015, upon receipt of the proceeds of this offering and the common stock offering described above, the Company terminated the commitment letter dated February 5, 2015 with Goldman Sachs Bank USA and Goldman Sachs Lending Partners LLC entered into in connection with the Verizon Transaction.

Unless converted or redeemed earlier, each share of the Series B Preferred Stock will convert automatically on February 15, 2018, into between 8.5911 and 10.3093 shares of common stock, depending on the applicable market value of the common stock and subject to anti-dilution adjustments. Subject to certain restrictions, at any time prior to February 15, 2018, holders of the Series B Preferred Stock may elect to convert all or a portion of their shares into common stock at the minimum conversion rate then in effect.

Dividends on shares of the Series B Preferred Stock are payable on a cumulative basis when, as and if declared by the Company’s Board of Directors at an annual rate of 5.50% on the liquidation preference of $1,000.00 per share (and, correspondingly, $100.00 per share with respect to the depositary shares) on February 15, May 15, August 15 and November 15 of each year, commencing on May 15, 2015 to, and including, February 15, 2018. The Company may pay dividends in cash or, subject to certain limitations, in shares of common stock or any combination of cash and shares of common stock. The terms of the Series B Preferred Stock provide that, unless full cumulative dividends have been paid or set aside for payment on all outstanding Series B Preferred Stock for all prior dividend periods, no dividends may be declared or paid on common stock.

Series A Preferred Stock—The Company has 6,000,000 shares outstanding of its 5.25% Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock, Series A, par value $0.01 per share (the “Series A Preferred Stock” and, together with the Series B Preferred Stock, the “Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock”).

Unless converted earlier, each share of the Series A Preferred Stock will automatically convert on May 15, 2017, into between 0.9174 and 1.1468 shares of common stock, depending on the applicable market value of the common stock and subject to anti-dilution adjustments. Subject to certain restrictions, at any time prior to May 15, 2017, holders of the Series A Preferred Stock may elect to convert all or a portion of their shares into common stock at the minimum conversion rate then in effect.

Dividends on shares of the Series A Preferred Stock are payable on a cumulative basis when, as and if declared by the Company’s Board of Directors at an annual rate of 5.25% on the liquidation preference of $100.00 per share, on February 15, May 15, August 15 and November 15 of each year, commencing on August 15, 2014 to, and including, May 15, 2017.

Sales of Equity Securities—The Company receives proceeds from sales of its equity securities pursuant to the ESPP and upon exercise of stock options granted under its equity incentive plans. During the six months ended June 30, 2015, the Company received an aggregate of $17.4 million in proceeds upon exercises of stock options and the ESPP.

Distributions—During the six months ended June 30, 2015, the Company declared or paid the following cash distributions:



Declaration Date	Payment Date	Record Date	Distribution per share		Aggregate Payment Amount (in millions)
Common Stock
December 2, 2014	January 13, 2015	December 16, 2014	$	0.38	$	150.7
March 5, 2015	April 28, 2015	April 10, 2015	$	0.42	$	177.7
May 21, 2015	July 16, 2015	June 17, 2015	$	0.44	$	186.2

Series A Preferred Stock
December 2, 2014	February 16, 2015	February 1, 2015	$	1.3125	$	7.9
April 14, 2015	May 15, 2015	May 1, 2015	$	1.3125	$	7.9

Series B Preferred Stock
April 14, 2015	May 15, 2015	May 1, 2015	$	11.1528	$	15.3

The Company accrues distributions on unvested restricted stock units granted subsequent to January 1, 2012, which are payable upon vesting. As of June 30, 2015, the amount accrued for distributions payable related to unvested restricted stock units was $3.6 million. During the six months ended June 30, 2015, the Company paid $1.2 million of distributions upon the vesting of restricted stock units.

To maintain its qualification for taxation as a REIT, the Company expects to continue paying distributions, the amount, timing and frequency of which will be determined, and subject to adjustment, by the Company’s Board of Directors.

The entire disclosure for shareholders' equity comprised of portions attributable to the parent entity and noncontrolling interest, including other comprehensive income. Includes, but is not limited to, balances of common stock, preferred stock, additional paid-in capital, other capital and retained earnings, accumulated balance for each classification of other comprehensive income and amount of comprehensive income.

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 210

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

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-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 02

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+ Details

Earnings Per Share

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2015

Earnings Per Share [Abstract]

Earnings Per Share

Basic net income per common share represents net income attributable to American Tower Corporation common stockholders divided by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted net income per common share represents net income attributable to American Tower Corporation common stockholders divided by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period and any dilutive common share equivalents, including shares issuable upon (i) the vesting of restricted stock awards, (ii) exercise of stock options and (iii) conversion of the Company’s Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock. Dilutive common share equivalents also include the dilutive impact of the ALLTEL transaction (see note 13).

The Company uses the treasury stock method to calculate the effect of its outstanding restricted stock awards and stock options and uses the if-converted method to calculate the effect of its outstanding Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock.

The following table sets forth basic and diluted net income per common share computational data for the three and six months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014 (in thousands, except per share data):



	Three Months Ended June 30,						Six Months Ended June 30,
	2015			2014			2015			2014
Net income attributable to American Tower Corporation stockholders	$	156,056		$	234,431		$	349,373		$	436,930
Dividends on preferred stock	(26,782		)	(4,375		)	(36,601		)	(4,375		)
Net income attributable to American Tower Corporation common stockholders	129,274			230,056			312,772			432,555
Basic weighted average common shares outstanding	423,154			395,872			414,182			395,511
Dilutive securities	3,779			3,716			4,121			3,941
Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding	426,933			399,588			418,303			399,452
Basic net income attributable to American Tower Corporation common stockholders per common share	$	0.31		$	0.58		$	0.76		$	1.09
Diluted net income attributable to American Tower Corporation common stockholders per common share	$	0.30		$	0.58		$	0.75		$	1.08

Shares Excluded From Dilutive Effect

The following shares were not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share because the effect would be anti-dilutive (in thousands, on a weighted average basis):



	Three Months Ended June 30,		Six Months Ended June 30,
	2015	2014	2015	2014
Restricted stock awards	—	3	—	1
Stock options	1,734	2,497	1,229	2,342
Preferred stock	17,349	3,733	13,364	1,877

The entire disclosure for earnings per share.

+ References+ Details

Commitments and Contingencies	6 Months Ended
Commitments and Contingencies	Jun. 30, 2015
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Commitments and Contingencies	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. Lease Obligations Tenant Leases—As part of the Verizon Transaction, the Company entered into leases or subleases with Verizon with respect to 11,448 communications sites with an initial non-cancellable term of ten years. In addition, the Company assumed the rights under the tenant leases that were in place on such sites at the time of the transaction. At the time of the transaction, the total estimated future minimum rental receipts under the non-cancellable Verizon leases and assumed third-party leases was approximately $3.0 billion and was expected to be recognized over an average period of approximately 10 years. Lease Obligations—In connection with the Verizon Transaction, the Company assumed the interest in and obligations under certain ground leases. 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 leases. 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 communications sites and related revenues from tenant leases, thereby making it reasonably assured that the Company will renew the leases. At the time of the transaction, the Company’s future minimum rental payments under non-cancellable operating leases, including certain renewal periods related to the Verizon communications sites, was approximately $2.2 billion and was expected to be recognized over an average period of approximately 17 years. Commitments Verizon Transaction—On March 27, 2015, the Company entered into an agreement with various operating entities of Verizon that provides for the lease, sublease or management of 11,285 wireless communications sites from Verizon commencing March 27, 2015. The average term of the lease or sublease for all sites at the inception of the agreement was approximately 28 years, assuming renewals or extensions of the underlying ground leases for the sites. The Company has the option to purchase the leased sites in tranches, subject to the applicable lease, sublease or management right upon its scheduled expiration. Each tower is assigned to an annual tranche, ranging from 2034 to 2047, which represents the outside expiration date for the sublease rights to the towers in each tranche. The purchase price for each tranche is a fixed amount stated in the sublease for such tranche plus the fair market value of certain alterations made to the related towers. The aggregate purchase option price for the towers leased and subleased is approximately $5.0 billion. Verizon will occupy the sites as a tenant for an initial term of ten years with eight optional successive five-year terms; each such term shall be governed by standard master lease agreement terms established as a part of the transaction. AT&T Transaction—The Company has an agreement with SBC Communications Inc., a predecessor entity to AT&T Inc. (“AT&T”), that currently provides for the lease or sublease of approximately 2,400 towers from AT&T with the lease commencing between December 2000 and August 2004. Substantially all of the towers are part of the Company’s securitization transaction completed in March 2013. 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. As of June 30, 2015, the Company has purchased an aggregate of 31 of the subleased towers upon expiration of the applicable agreement. The aggregate purchase option price for the remaining towers leased and subleased is approximately $675.3 million and will accrete at a rate of 10% per annum through 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. ALLTEL Transaction—In December 2000, the Company entered into an agreement with ALLTEL, a predecessor entity to Verizon Wireless, to acquire towers through a 15-year sublease agreement. Pursuant to the agreement, as amended, with Verizon Wireless, the Company acquired rights to 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 is approximately $74.2 million as of June 30, 2015. At the expiration of the sublease, the purchase price would be payable in cash or, at Verizon Wireless’s or its assignee’s option, as applicable, with 769 shares of the Company’s common stock per tower, which would be valued at approximately $127.1 million in the aggregate based on the closing price at June 30, 2015. 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. On January 21, 2014, the Company received an income tax assessment in the amount of 22.6 billion Indian Rupees (approximately $369.0 million on the date of assessment), asserting tax liabilities arising out of a transfer pricing review of transactions by Essar Telecom Infrastructure Private Limited. The Company challenged the assessment before India’s Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, which issued a decision in the Company’s favor on April 15, 2015, finding, consistent with precedent from the Bombay High Court, that no income tax obligation arose as a result of the issuance of share capital. The tax authority has the right to appeal this decision in accordance with applicable Indian law.

Business Combination, Description [Abstract]

The entire disclosure for commitments and contingencies.

+ References+ Details

Acquisitions and Other Transactions

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2015

Acquisitions and Other Transactions

The estimates of the fair value of the assets or rights 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 accounting for the acquisitions that are not yet finalized relate to the fair value of certain tangible and intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed, including contingent consideration, residual goodwill and any related tax impact. The fair value 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. While the Company believes that such preliminary estimates provide a reasonable basis for estimating the fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed, it evaluates any necessary information prior to finalization of the fair value. During the measurement period, the Company will adjust assets 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 or liabilities as of that date. The effect of measurement period adjustments to the estimated fair value 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 condensed consolidated financial statements could be subject to a possible impairment of the intangible assets or goodwill, or require acceleration of the amortization expense of intangible assets in subsequent periods. During the six months ended June 30, 2015, the Company made certain measurement period adjustments related to several acquisitions consummated in 2014 and therefore retrospectively adjusted the fair value of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed in the condensed consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2014.

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 condensed consolidated statements of operations for the three and six months ended June 30, 2015 from the date of the respective 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. Sites acquired from communications service providers may never have been operated as a business and may have been utilized solely by the seller as a component of its network infrastructure. An acquisition, depending on its size and nature, may or may not involve the transfer of business operations or employees.

The estimated aggregate impact of the 2015 acquisitions and the Verizon Transaction on the Company’s revenues and gross margin for the three months ended June 30, 2015 was approximately $111.8 million and $54.0 million, respectively, and the estimated aggregate impact for the six months ended June 30, 2015 was approximately $116.3 million and $56.1 million, respectively. The revenues and gross margin amounts also reflect incremental revenues from the addition of new tenants to such sites subsequent to the transaction date. Incremental amounts of segment selling, general, administrative and development expense have not been reflected, as the amounts attributable to transactions are not comparable.

For those acquisitions accounted for as business combinations, the Company recognizes 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, fair value adjustments to contingent consideration and general administrative costs directly related to the transaction. Integration costs include incremental and non-recurring costs necessary to convert data, retain employees and otherwise enable the Company to operate new businesses efficiently. The Company records acquisition and merger related expenses, as well as integration costs, in Other operating expenses in the condensed consolidated statements of operations.

During the three and six months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014, the Company recorded the following acquisition and merger related expenses and integration costs (in thousands):



	Three Months Ended June 30,				Six Months Ended June 30,
	2015		2014		2015		2014

Acquisition and merger related expenses (1)	$	5,021	$	4,854	$	7,987	$	14,606
Integration costs	$	4,525	$	3,217	$	6,280	$	5,686

(1) Acquisition and merger related expenses for the six months ended June 30, 2015 do not reflect approximately $9.9 million of transaction costs related to the Verizon Transaction as these costs have been capitalized as part of the assets’ fair value.

Verizon Transaction

On March 27, 2015, the Company completed its acquisition of the exclusive right to lease, acquire or otherwise operate and manage 11,448 wireless communications sites from Verizon for approximately $5.053 billion in cash pursuant to the Master Agreement entered into on February 5, 2015 (the “Master Agreement”) and the related Master Prepaid Lease, Management Agreement, Sale Site Master Lease Agreement and MPL Site Master Lease Agreement, subject to certain post-closing adjustments.

The Company, through its wholly-owned subsidiary, leased or subleased from certain Verizon subsidiaries 11,285 communications sites, including the interest in the land, the tower and certain related improvements and tower related assets pursuant to the Master Prepaid Lease. Under the Master Prepaid Lease, the Company has the exclusive right to lease and operate the Verizon communications sites for a weighted average term of approximately 28 years and the Company will have the option to purchase the communications sites in various tranches at the end of the respective lease or sublease terms at a fixed amount stated in the sublease for such tranche plus the fair market value of certain alterations made to the related towers. The Company accounted for the payment with respect to the leased sites as a capital lease and the respective lease and non-lease elements related to tower assets and intangible assets, as described below. The total consideration allocated to this element of the overall transaction was $4.964 billion, which included approximately $9.9 million of transaction costs.

In addition, the Company, through its wholly-owned subsidiary, acquired 163 additional communications sites. The Company accounted for these sites as a business combination and the purchase price of $99.0 million is reflected below in “2015 Acquisitions.”

Upon closing, the Company agreed to lease, sublease or otherwise make available collocation space at each of the communications sites to Verizon for an initial non-cancellable term of ten years, subject to automatic extension for eight additional five-year renewal terms. The initial collocation rent is $1,900 per month for each communications site, with annual rent increases of 2%.

The Company funded the Verizon Transaction with (i) proceeds from its concurrent registered public offerings of its common stock and Series B Preferred Stock, (ii) borrowings under the Company’s revolving credit facilities and (iii) cash on hand.

The Company included the Verizon Transaction in the unaudited pro forma financial results included herein as if the capital lease began on January 1, 2014. Management relied on various estimates and assumptions due to the fact that Verizon did not operate the sites as a business and the sites were utilized primarily by Verizon as a component of its network infrastructure.

The following table summarizes the allocation of consideration transferred for the 11,285 communications sites under the Master Prepaid Lease (in thousands). Balances are reflected in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets as of June 30, 2015 and represent the asset balances of the capital lease.



Current assets	$	6,685
Non-current assets	167,315
Property and equipment	2,024,887
Intangible assets (1):
Customer-related intangible assets	1,788,574
Network location intangible assets	1,188,033
Current liabilities	(10,747		)
Other non-current liabilities (2)	(200,530		)
Fair value of consideration transferred (3)	$	4,964,217


(1)	Customer-related intangible assets and network location intangible assets are amortized on a straight-line basis over periods of up to 20 years.

(2) Represents liabilities recorded for asset retirement obligations.

(3) Includes approximately $9.9 million of transaction costs, which have been capitalized as part of the assets’ fair value, $7.1 million of which was paid during the six months ended June 30, 2015.

The acquisitions described below under “2015 Acquisitions” and “2014 Acquisitions” are accounted for as business combinations and are consistent with the Company’s strategy to expand in selected geographic areas.

2015 Acquisitions

TIM Acquisition—On April 29, 2015, the Company acquired 4,176 communications sites from TIM pursuant to its previously announced agreement for a purchase price of approximately 1.9 billion BRL (approximately $644.3 million at the date of acquisition). Pursuant to the terms of the agreement, the remaining sites become available for purchase through October 2016. In connection with this closing, the amount of the letters of credit with Banco Santander was reduced to approximately 92.1 million BRL (approximately $29.7 million), corresponding to certain obligations related to the Company’s acquisition agreement.

Other International Acquisitions—During the six months ended June 30, 2015, the Company acquired a total of 18 communications sites and related assets in Brazil and Uganda for an aggregate purchase price of $2.6 million. Of the total purchase price, $1.9 million is reflected in Accounts payable in the condensed consolidated balance sheet as of June 30, 2015 and the remaining balance was satisfied with cash consideration and by the issuance of credits to be applied against trade accounts receivable. The purchase prices are subject to post-closing adjustments.

U.S. Acquisitions—During the six months ended June 30, 2015, the Company acquired a total of 194 communications sites and equipment, as well as three property interests, in the United States for an aggregate purchase price of $125.4 million (including $1.3 million for the estimated fair value of contingent consideration). Included in these sites are the 163 communications sites acquired as part of the Verizon Transaction, described above. The purchase prices are subject to post-closing adjustments.

The following table summarizes the preliminary allocation of the purchase price for the fiscal year 2015 acquisitions based upon their estimated fair value at the date of acquisition (in thousands). Balances are reflected in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheet as of June 30, 2015.



	TIM			Other International			U.S.
Current assets	$	—		$	—		$	194
Non-current assets	—			—			985
Property and equipment	209,539			1,284			32,803
Intangible assets (1):
Customer-related intangible assets	304,367			822			47,408
Network location intangible assets	98,316			463			33,633
Current liabilities	—			—			(287		)
Other non-current liabilities	(19,286		)	(61		)	(1,986		)
Net assets acquired	592,936			2,508			112,750
Goodwill (2)	51,344			87			12,677
Fair value of net assets acquired	644,280			2,595			125,427
Debt assumed	—			—			—
Purchase Price	$	644,280		$	2,595		$	125,427


(1)	Customer-related intangible assets and network location intangible assets are amortized on a straight-line basis over periods of up to 20 years.


(2)	Goodwill was allocated to the Company’s rental and management segments. The Company expects goodwill recorded in its domestic rental and management segment will be deductible for tax purposes and goodwill recorded in its international rental and management segment will not be deductible for tax purposes.

2014 Acquisitions

BR Towers Acquisition—On November 19, 2014, the Company completed the acquisition of 100% of the equity interests of BR Towers. At closing, BR Towers owned 2,504 towers and four property interests, as well as the exclusive use rights for 2,113 additional towers and 43 property interests in Brazil. The Company completed the acquisition for an estimated preliminary purchase price of approximately $568.9 million, which was subsequently reduced to approximately $558.7 million during the six months ended June 30, 2015. In addition, the Company paid approximately $61.1 million to acquire all outstanding preferred equity and assumed approximately $261.1 million of BR Towers’ existing indebtedness. The Company has repaid approximately $137.9 million of principal balance subsequent to closing, including the repayment of $15.8 million during the six months ended June 30, 2015.

Richland Acquisition—On April 3, 2014, the Company, through one of its wholly-owned subsidiaries, acquired entities holding a portfolio of 59 communications sites, which at the time of acquisition were leased primarily to radio and television broadcast tenants, and four property interests in the United States from Richland Properties LLC and other related entities (“Richland”) for an aggregate purchase price of $189.4 million, which was subsequently reduced to $188.9 million during the six months ended June 30, 2015. In addition, the Company assumed $196.5 million of Richland’s existing indebtedness. In June 2014, the Company repaid the outstanding indebtedness, paid prepayment consideration and wrote-off the unamortized premium associated with the fair value adjustment.

Other International Acquisitions—During the year ended December 31, 2014, the Company acquired 159 additional communications sites and related assets in Brazil, Ghana, Mexico and Uganda, for an aggregate purchase price of $28.3 million (including value added tax of $1.2 million). The Company also acquired 299 communications sites in Mexico for a purchase price of $40.3 million (including value added tax of $5.6 million), which reflected approximately $3.4 million of net liabilities assumed. Total purchase price was satisfied by the issuance of approximately $36.3 million of credits to be applied against trade accounts receivable and cash consideration of approximately $4.0 million. The allocation of the purchase price for these acquisitions was finalized during the year ended December 31, 2014.

Other U.S. Acquisitions—During the year ended December 31, 2014, the Company acquired 184 additional communications sites and equipment, as well as six property interests, in the United States for an aggregate purchase price of $180.8 million (including $6.3 million for the estimated fair value of contingent consideration). The purchase prices are subject to post-closing adjustments.

The following table summarizes the updated allocation of the purchase price for the fiscal year 2014 acquisitions based upon their estimated fair value at the date of acquisition (in thousands). Balances are reflected in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets herein.



	BR Towers			Richland (1)			Other U.S.
Current assets	$	32,075		$	8,583		$	332
Non-current assets	9,365			—			1,041
Property and equipment	133,930			154,899			38,092
Intangible assets (2):
Customer-related intangible assets	495,455			186,455			88,490
Network location intangible assets	136,692			3,409			38,470
Other intangible assets	32,123			—			—
Current liabilities	(23,930		)	(3,635		)	(1,997		)
Other non-current liabilities	(101,892		)	(2,922		)	(1,675		)
Net assets acquired	713,818			346,789			162,753
Goodwill (3)	167,097			44,128			18,069
Fair value of net assets acquired	880,915			390,917			180,822
Debt assumed (4)	(261,136		)	(201,999		)	—
Preferred stock outstanding	(61,056		)	—			—
Purchase Price	$	558,723		$	188,918		$	180,822

(1) The allocation of the purchase price was finalized during the six months ended June 30, 2015.


(2)	Customer-related intangible assets and network location intangible assets are amortized on a straight-line basis over periods of up to 20 years. Other intangible assets are amortized on a straight-line basis over the life of the lease, which is a period of 11 years.


(3)	Goodwill was allocated to the Company’s rental and management segments, and the Company expects goodwill recorded will be deductible for tax purposes except for goodwill associated with BR Towers, where goodwill is expected to be partially deductible.

(4) Assumed BR Towers debt approximated fair value at the date of acquisition and included $11.5 million of current indebtedness. Assumed Richland debt included $196.5 million of Richland’s indebtedness and a fair value adjustment of $5.5 million. The fair value adjustments were based primarily on reported market values using Level 2 inputs.

Unless otherwise noted, the following table summarizes the preliminary allocation of the purchase price paid and the amounts of assets acquired and liabilities assumed for the fiscal year 2014 acquisitions based upon their estimated fair value at the date of acquisition (in thousands). Balances are reflected in the consolidated balance sheets in the 2014 Form 10-K.



	BR Towers			Richland			Other U.S.
Current assets	$	31,832		$	8,583		$	797
Non-current assets	9,135			—			—
Property and equipment	141,422			185,777			38,413
Intangible assets (1):
Customer-related intangible assets	495,279			169,452			89,990
Network location intangible assets	136,233			1,700			39,470
Other intangible assets	37,664			—			—
Current liabilities	(23,930		)	(3,635		)	(1,997		)
Other non-current liabilities	(101,508		)	(2,922		)	(1,675		)
Net assets acquired	726,127			358,955			164,998
Goodwill (2)	164,955			32,423			15,824
Fair value of net assets acquired	891,082			391,378			180,822
Debt assumed (3)	(261,136		)	(201,999		)	—
Preferred stock outstanding	(61,056		)	—			—
Purchase Price	$	568,890		$	189,379		$	180,822


(1)	Customer-related intangible assets and network location intangible assets are amortized on a straight-line basis over periods of up to 20 years. Other intangible assets are amortized on a straight-line basis over the life of the lease, which is a period of 11 years.


(2)	Goodwill was allocated to the Company’s rental and management segments, and the Company expects goodwill recorded will be deductible for tax purposes except for goodwill associated with BR Towers where goodwill is expected to be partially deductible.

(3) Assumed BR Towers debt approximated fair value at the date of acquisition and included $11.5 million of current indebtedness. Richland debt assumed included $196.5 million of Richland’s indebtedness and a fair value adjustment of $5.5 million. The fair value adjustments were based primarily on reported market values using Level 2 inputs.

Pro Forma Consolidated Results

The following table presents the unaudited pro forma financial results as if the 2015 acquisitions, as well as the Verizon Transaction described above, had occurred on January 1, 2014 and the 2014 acquisitions had occurred on January 1, 2013 (in thousands, except per share data). The pro forma consolidated results do not reflect the impact of the acquisition in Nigeria described in note 16. Management relied on various estimates and assumptions due to the fact that some of the transactions never operated as a business and were utilized solely by the seller as a component of their network infrastructure. As a result, historical operating results may not be available. The pro forma results do not include any anticipated cost synergies, costs or other integration impacts. Accordingly, such pro forma amounts are not necessarily indicative of the results that actually would have occurred had the transactions been completed on the dates indicated, nor are they indicative of the future operating results of the Company.



	Three Months Ended June 30,				Six Months Ended June 30,
	2015		2014		2015		2014
Pro forma revenues	$	1,182,098	$	1,173,563	$	2,376,710	$	2,311,108
Pro forma net income attributable to American Tower Corporation common stockholders	$	129,460	$	174,338	$	273,838	$	320,473
Pro forma net income per common share amounts:
Basic net income attributable to American Tower Corporation common stockholders	$	0.31	$	0.41	$	0.65	$	0.76
Diluted net income attributable to American Tower Corporation common stockholders	$	0.30	$	0.41	$	0.64	$	0.75

Acquisition-Related Contingent Consideration

The Company may be required to pay additional consideration under certain agreements for the acquisition of communications sites if specific conditions are met or events occur. In Colombia and Ghana, the Company may be required to pay additional consideration upon the conversion of certain barter agreements with other wireless carriers to cash-paying lease agreements. In Costa Rica and the United States, the Company may be required to pay additional consideration if certain pre-designated tenant leases commence during a specified period of time.

A summary of the value of the Company’s contingent consideration is as follows (in thousands):



					Three Months Ended June 30, 2015					Six Months Ended June 30, 2015
	Maximum potential value (1)		Estimated value at June 30, 2015 (2)		Additions (3)		Settlements			Additions (3)		Settlements
Colombia	$	27,344	$	18,264	$	—	$	—		$	—	$	—
Costa Rica	175		175		—		(1,723		)	—		(1,723		)
Ghana	409		409		—		—			—		—
United States	6,019		6,019		117		(604		)	1,311		(1,630		)
Total	$	33,947	$	24,867	$	117	$	(2,327	)	$	1,311	$	(3,353	)

(1) The maximum potential value is based on exchange rates at June 30, 2015. The minimum value could be zero.

(2) Estimate is determined using a probability weighted average of expected outcomes as of June 30, 2015.

(3) Based on preliminary acquisition accounting upon closing of certain acquisitions during the three and six months ended June 30, 2015.

For more information regarding contingent consideration, see note 7.

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).

Segment Reporting, Measurement Disclosures [Abstract]

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Business Segments

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2015

Business Segments

The Company operates its business in three reportable segments, (i) domestic rental and management, (ii) international rental and management and (iii) network development services. The Company’s primary business is leasing space on multitenant 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, which, as of June 30, 2015, consisted of the following:


•	Domestic: rental and management operations in the United States; and


•	International: rental and management operations in Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Germany, Ghana, India, Mexico, Nigeria, 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 to the Company’s consolidated financial statements included in the 2014 Form 10-K. Among other factors, 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 gross margin and segment operating profit also include Interest income, TV Azteca, net. These measures of segment gross margin and segment operating profit are also before Interest income, Interest expense, Gain (loss) on retirement of long-term obligations, Other income (expense), Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest, Income (loss) on equity method investments and Income tax benefit (provision). 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 condensed consolidated statements of operations and condensed consolidated balance sheets.

Summarized financial information concerning the Company’s reportable segments for the three and six months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014 is shown in the following tables. The “Other” column (i) 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 expenses; Interest income; Interest expense; Gain (loss) on retirement of long-term obligations; and Other income (expense), and (ii) reconciles segment operating profit to Income from continuing operations before income taxes, as the amounts are not utilized in assessing each segment’s performance.



	Rental and Management				Total Rental and Management		Network Development Services		Other		Total
Three Months Ended June 30, 2015	Domestic		International		Total Rental and Management		Network Development Services		Other		Total
	(in thousands)
Segment revenues	$	802,841	$	351,394	$	1,154,235	$	20,140			$	1,174,375
Segment operating expenses (1)	182,172		131,723		313,895		8,075				321,970
Interest income, TV Azteca, net	—		2,662		2,662		—				2,662
Segment gross margin	620,669		222,333		843,002		12,065				855,067
Segment selling, general, administrative and development expense (1)	31,243		29,981		61,224		3,439				64,663
Segment operating profit	$	589,426	$	192,352	$	781,778	$	8,626			$	790,404
Stock-based compensation expense									$	24,045	24,045
Other selling, general, administrative and development expense									28,118		28,118
Depreciation, amortization and accretion									328,356		328,356
Other expense (2)									238,749		238,749
Income from continuing operations before income taxes											$	171,136
Total assets	$	19,383,596	$	6,860,199	$	26,243,795	$	71,268	$	154,662	$	26,469,725


(1)	Segment operating expenses and segment selling, general, administrative and development expense exclude stock-based compensation expense of $0.5 million and $23.6 million, respectively.


(2)	Other expense primarily includes interest expense and loss on retirement of long-term obligations.



	Rental and Management				Total Rental and Management		Network Development Services		Other		Total
Three Months Ended June 30, 2014	Domestic		International		Total Rental and Management		Network Development Services		Other		Total
	(in thousands)
Segment revenues	$	659,743	$	346,018	$	1,005,761	$	25,696			$	1,031,457
Segment operating expenses (1)	126,340		136,501		262,841		8,981				271,822
Interest income, TV Azteca, net	—		2,662		2,662		—				2,662
Segment gross margin	533,403		212,179		745,582		16,715				762,297
Segment selling, general, administrative and development expense (1)	28,313		34,472		62,785		2,326				65,111
Segment operating profit	$	505,090	$	177,707	$	682,797	$	14,389			$	697,186
Stock-based compensation expense									$	18,835	18,835
Other selling, general, administrative and development expense									15,006		15,006
Depreciation, amortization and accretion									245,427		245,427
Other expense (2)									174,457		174,457
Income from continuing operations before income taxes											$	243,461
Total assets	$	14,149,220	$	6,466,380	$	20,615,600	$	58,611	$	173,526	$	20,847,737


(1)	Segment operating expenses and segment selling, general, administrative and development expense exclude stock-based compensation expense of $0.5 million and $18.4 million, respectively.


(2)	Other expense primarily includes interest expense.



	Rental and Management				Total Rental and Management		Network Development Services		Other		Total
Six Months Ended June 30, 2015	Domestic		International		Total Rental and Management		Network Development Services		Other		Total
	(in thousands)
Segment revenues	$	1,520,721	$	695,694	$	2,216,415	$	37,150			$	2,253,565
Segment operating expenses (1)	315,204		257,516		572,720		13,319				586,039
Interest income, TV Azteca, net	—		5,258		5,258		—				5,258
Segment gross margin	1,205,517		443,436		1,648,953		23,831				1,672,784
Segment selling, general, administrative and development expense (1)	58,065		64,592		122,657		6,875				129,532
Segment operating profit	$	1,147,452	$	378,844	$	1,526,296	$	16,956			$	1,543,252
Stock-based compensation expense									$	53,906	53,906
Other selling, general, administrative and development expense									57,249		57,249
Depreciation, amortization and accretion									591,876		591,876
Other expense (2)									449,721		449,721
Income from continuing operations before income taxes											$	390,500


(1)	Segment operating expenses and segment selling, general, administrative and development expense exclude stock-based compensation expense of $1.1 million and $52.8 million, respectively.


(2)	Other expense primarily includes interest expense and loss on retirement of long-term obligations.



	Rental and Management				Total Rental and Management		Network Development Services		Other		Total
Six Months Ended June 30, 2014	Domestic		International		Total Rental and Management		Network Development Services		Other		Total
	(in thousands)
Segment revenues	$	1,295,522	$	670,359	$	1,965,881	$	49,665			$	2,015,546
Segment operating expenses (1)	247,849		265,455		513,304		18,783				532,087
Interest income, TV Azteca, net	—		5,257		5,257		—				5,257
Segment gross margin	1,047,673		410,161		1,457,834		30,882				1,488,716
Segment selling, general, administrative and development expense (1)	55,722		63,688		119,410		4,856				124,266
Segment operating profit	$	991,951	$	346,473	$	1,338,424	$	26,026			$	1,364,450
Stock-based compensation expense									$	43,439	43,439
Other selling, general, administrative and development expense									41,780		41,780
Depreciation, amortization and accretion									491,190		491,190
Other expense (2)									333,618		333,618
Income from continuing operations before income taxes											$	454,423


(1)	Segment operating expenses and segment selling, general, administrative and development expense exclude stock-based compensation expense of $1.0 million and $42.5 million, respectively.


(2)	Other expense primarily includes interest expense.

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.

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+ Details

Subsequent Events

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2015

Subsequent Events [Abstract]

Subsequent Events

Airtel Acquisition—On November 24, 2014, certain of the Company’s subsidiaries entered into a definitive agreement with certain of Bharti Airtel Limited’s subsidiaries (“Airtel”) for the sale of over 4,800 of Airtel’s communications sites in Nigeria. On July 1, 2015, the Company acquired 4,699 communications sites from Airtel for a purchase price of approximately $1.087 billion, including value added tax, of which $735.7 million was paid in July 2015, and the remainder to be paid no later than January 15, 2016. The purchase price is subject to post-closing adjustments.

The following table summarizes the preliminary allocation of the purchase price for the Airtel acquisition based upon the estimated fair value at the date of acquisition (in thousands):



	Airtel
Non-current assets	$	37,994
Property and equipment	569,929
Intangible assets (1):
Customer-related intangible assets	145,731
Network location intangible assets	258,708
Other non-current liabilities	(8,056		)
Net assets acquired	1,004,306
Goodwill (2)	82,731
Fair value of net assets acquired	1,087,037
Debt assumed	—
Purchase Price	$	1,087,037


(1)	Customer-related intangible assets and network location intangible assets will be amortized on a straight-line basis over a period of up to 20 years.


(2)	The Company expects goodwill recorded in its international rental and management segment will not be deductible for tax purposes.

Description of Business, Basis of Presentation and Accounting Policies (Policies)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Principles of Consolidation and Basis of Presentation	The accompanying condensed 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 condensed consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results may differ from those estimates, and such differences could be material to the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements. The significant estimates in the accompanying condensed 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 and acquisitions of assets. 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.
Accounting Standards Updates	In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (the “FASB”) issued new revenue recognition guidance, which requires an entity to recognize revenue in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for the transfer of promised goods or services to customers. The standard will replace most existing revenue recognition guidance in GAAP and will become effective on January 1, 2018. Early adoption is permitted for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2016. The standard permits the use of either the retrospective or cumulative effect transition method and leases are not included in the scope of this standard. The Company is evaluating the impact this standard will have on its financial statements. In June 2014, the FASB issued stock-based compensation guidance, which requires a performance target that could be achieved after the requisite service period be treated as a performance condition that affects vesting, rather than a condition that affects the grant-date fair value. The Company early adopted this guidance on a prospective basis during the six months ended June 30, 2015, and it did not have a material effect on the Company’s financial statements. In April 2015, the FASB issued new guidance on the presentation of debt issuance costs. The guidance requires debt issuance costs be presented in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of the related debt liability, consistent with debt discounts and premiums. The update requires retrospective application and the update is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2015. The Company does not expect the adoption of this guidance to have a material effect on its financial statements.

Prepaid Expense and Other Assets, Current [Abstract]

Disclosure of accounting policy regarding (1) the principles it follows in consolidating or combining the separate financial statements, including the principles followed in determining the inclusion or exclusion of subsidiaries or other entities in the consolidated or combined financial statements and (2) its treatment of interests (for example, common stock, a partnership interest or other means of exerting influence) in other entities, for example consolidation or use of the equity or cost methods of accounting. The accounting policy may also address the accounting treatment for intercompany accounts and transactions, noncontrolling interest, and the income statement treatment in consolidation for issuances of stock by a subsidiary.

+ References+ Details

Prepaid and Other Current Assets (Tables)

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2015

Prepaid expense and other current assets

Prepaid and other current assets consisted of the following as of (in thousands):



	June 30, 2015		December 31, 2014 (1)
Prepaid operating ground leases	$	109,569	$	88,053
Prepaid income tax	37,138		34,512
Prepaid assets	29,812		23,848
Unbilled receivables	29,405		25,352
Value added tax and other consumption tax receivables	23,155		23,228
Other miscellaneous current assets	34,195		69,800
Balance	$	263,274	$	264,793

(1) December 31, 2014 balances have been revised to reflect purchase accounting measurement period adjustments.

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Tables)

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2015

Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]

Changes in the carrying value of goodwill

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



	Rental and Management					Network Development Services		Total
	Domestic		International			Network Development Services		Total
Balance as of January 1, 2015 (1)	$	3,356,096	$	675,090		$	1,988	$	4,033,174
Additions	12,677		51,431			—		64,108
Effect of foreign currency translation	—		(60,640		)	—		(60,640		)
Balance as of June 30, 2015	$	3,368,773	$	665,881		$	1,988	$	4,036,642


(1)	January 1, 2015 balances have been revised to reflect purchase accounting measurement period adjustments.

Schedule of finite-lived intangible assets

The Company’s other intangible assets subject to amortization consisted of the following as of (in thousands):



		June 30, 2015							December 31, 2014 (1)
	Estimated Useful Lives	Gross Carrying Value		Accumulated Amortization			Net Book Value		Gross Carrying Value		Accumulated Amortization			Net Book Value
	(years)
Acquired network location intangibles (2)	Up to 20	$	3,751,373	$	(966,105	)	$	2,785,268	$	2,514,931	$	(901,903	)	$	1,613,028
Acquired customer-related intangibles	15-20	8,524,816		(1,588,864		)	6,935,952		6,594,773		(1,429,572		)	5,165,201
Acquired licenses and other intangibles	3-20	33,461		(4,942		)	28,519		37,471		(3,514		)	33,957
Economic Rights, TV Azteca	70	24,014		(12,302		)	11,712		25,522		(12,960		)	12,562
Total		$	12,333,664	$	(2,572,213	)	$	9,761,451	$	9,172,697	$	(2,347,949	)	$	6,824,748
Deferred financing costs, net (3)	N/A						91,748							75,889
Other intangible assets, net							$	9,853,199						$	6,900,637


(1)	December 31, 2014 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 Depreciation, amortization and accretion expense.

Expected future amortization expenses

Based on current exchange rates, the Company expects to record amortization expense (excluding amortization of deferred financing costs) as follows over the remaining current year and the next five subsequent years (in millions):



Fiscal Year
2015 (remaining year)	$	292.9
2016	581.5
2017	579.7
2018	578.6
2019	576.4
2020	570.3

Long-Term Obligations (Tables)

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2015

Debt Disclosure [Abstract]

Schedule of Brazil Credit Facility Sublimits

The Brazil Credit Facility bears interest at a margin over the long-term interest rate, as defined by BNDES (“TJLP”), and the Special Clearance and Escrow System (“SELIC”) as follows (BRL in millions):



	Maximum Borrowing Amount	Contractual Interest Rate
Tranche A	BRL 34.8	TJLP + 4.25%
Tranche B	BRL 34.8	SELIC + 4.25%
Tranche C	BRL 200.0	6.00	%
Tranche D	BRL 1.4	TJLP

Schedule of Line of Credit Facilities

The key terms under the 2014 Credit Facility, the 2013 Credit Facility and the 2013 Term Loan as of June 30, 2015 are as follows ($ in millions):



	Outstanding Balance		Undrawn LOC		Maturity Date	Current margin over LIBOR (2)		Current commitment fee (3)
2014 Credit Facility	$	1,980	$	7.5	January 31, 2020 (1)	1.250	%	0.150	%
2013 Credit Facility	$	250	$	3.2	June 28, 2018 (1)	1.250	%	0.150	%
2013 Term Loan	$	2,000	N/A		January 3, 2019	1.250	%	N/A

(1) Subject to two optional renewal periods.

(2) LIBOR means the London Interbank Offered Rate.

(3) Fee on undrawn portion of the credit facility.

Derivative Financial Instruments (Tables)

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2015

Summary of Derivative Instruments [Abstract]

Schedule of derivative financial instruments

The notional amount and fair value of the interest rate swap agreements were as follows (in thousands):



	June 30, 2015				December 31, 2014
	Local		USD		Local		USD
South Africa (ZAR)
Notional	421,342		34,625		440,614		38,080
Fair Value	2,708		223		1,016		88
Colombia (COP)
Notional	97,500,000		37,716		100,000,000		41,798
Fair Value	(1,723,016	)	(667	)	(1,548,688	)	(647	)

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



Six Months Ended June 30,	Gain(Loss) Recognized in OCI - Effective Portion	Gain(Loss) Reclassified from AOCI into Income - Effective Portion	Location of Gain(Loss) Reclassified from AOCI into Income- Effective Portion (1)	Gain(Loss) Recognized in Income - Ineffective Portion	Location of Gain(Loss) Recognized in Income - Ineffective Portion
2015	$(354)	$(2,659)	Interest Expense/Loss on Retirement of Long-Term Obligations	N/A	N/A

2014	$(361)	$(1,639)	Interest Expense	N/A	N/A



Three Months Ended June 30,	Gain(Loss) Recognized in OCI - Effective Portion	Gain(Loss) Reclassified from AOCI into Income - Effective Portion	Location of Gain(Loss) Reclassified from AOCI into Income- Effective Portion (1)	Gain(Loss) Recognized in Income - Ineffective Portion	Location of Gain(Loss) Recognized in Income - Ineffective Portion
2015	$639	$(2,248)	Interest Expense/Loss on Retirement of Long-Term Obligations	N/A	N/A

2014	$226	$(670)	Interest Expense	N/A	N/A

Fair Value Measurements (Tables)

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2015

Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]

Schedule of fair value, assets and liabilities measured on recurring basis

The fair value of the Company’s financial assets and liabilities that are required to be measured on a recurring basis at fair value is as follows (in thousands):



	June 30, 2015
	Fair Value Measurements Using					Assets/Liabilities at Fair Value
	Level 1	Level 2		Level 3		Assets/Liabilities at Fair Value
Assets:
Short-term investments (1)		$	40,387			$	40,387
Interest rate swap agreements		223				223
Liabilities:
Acquisition-related contingent consideration				$	24,867	$	24,867
Interest rate swap agreements		$	667			$	667



	December 31, 2014
	Fair Value Measurements Using					Assets/Liabilities at Fair Value
	Level 1	Level 2		Level 3		Assets/Liabilities at Fair Value
Assets:
Short-term investments (1)		$	6,302			$	6,302
Interest rate swap agreements		$	88			$	88
Liabilities:
Acquisition-related contingent consideration				$	28,524	$	28,524
Interest rate swap agreements		$	647			$	647


(1)	Consists of highly liquid investments with original maturities in excess of three months.

Schedule of business acquisitions by acquisition, contingent consideration

During the three months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014, the fair value of the contingent consideration changed as follows (in thousands):



	2015			2014
Balance as of April 1	$	27,203		$	31,342
Additions	117			406
Settlements	(2,327		)	(674		)
Change in fair value	—			(952		)
Foreign currency translation adjustment	(126		)	903
Balance as of June 30	$	24,867		$	31,025

During the six months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014, the fair value of the contingent consideration changed as follows (in thousands):



	2015			2014
Balance as of January 1	$	28,524		$	31,890
Additions	1,311			406
Settlements	(3,353		)	(1,289		)
Change in fair value	—			(370		)
Foreign currency translation adjustment	(1,615		)	388
Balance as of June 30	$	24,867		$	31,025

A summary of the value of the Company’s contingent consideration is as follows (in thousands):



					Three Months Ended June 30, 2015					Six Months Ended June 30, 2015
	Maximum potential value (1)		Estimated value at June 30, 2015 (2)		Additions (3)		Settlements			Additions (3)		Settlements
Colombia	$	27,344	$	18,264	$	—	$	—		$	—	$	—
Costa Rica	175		175		—		(1,723		)	—		(1,723		)
Ghana	409		409		—		—			—		—
United States	6,019		6,019		117		(604		)	1,311		(1,630		)
Total	$	33,947	$	24,867	$	117	$	(2,327	)	$	1,311	$	(3,353	)

(1) The maximum potential value is based on exchange rates at June 30, 2015. The minimum value could be zero.

(2) Estimate is determined using a probability weighted average of expected outcomes as of June 30, 2015.

(3) Based on preliminary acquisition accounting upon closing of certain acquisitions during the three and six months ended June 30, 2015.

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (Tables)

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2015

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Abstract]

Schedule of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)



	Unrealized Losses on Cash Flow Hedges			Deferred Loss on the Settlement of the Treasury Rate Lock			Foreign Currency Items			Total
Balance as of January 1, 2014	$	(1,869	)	$	(3,029	)	$	(306,322	)	$	(311,220	)
Other comprehensive (loss) income before reclassifications, net of tax	(455		)	—			59,333			58,878
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax	1,023			399			—			1,422
Net current-period other comprehensive income	568			399			59,333			60,300
Balance as of June 30, 2014	$	(1,301	)	$	(2,630	)	$	(246,989	)	$	(250,920	)

The changes in Accumulated other comprehensive loss for the three months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014 were as follows (in thousands):



	Unrealized Losses on Cash Flow Hedges			Deferred Loss on the Settlement of the Treasury Rate Lock			Foreign Currency Items			Total
Balance as of April 1, 2015	$	(2,082	)	$	(2,031	)	$	(1,201,747	)	$	(1,205,860	)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications, net of tax	569			—			(25,441		)	(24,872		)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax	180			2,031			—			2,211
Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss)	749			2,031			(25,441		)	(22,661		)
Balance as of June 30, 2015	$	(1,333	)	$	—		$	(1,227,188	)	$	(1,228,521	)



	Unrealized Losses on Cash Flow Hedges			Deferred Loss on the Settlement of the Treasury Rate Lock			Foreign Currency Items			Total
Balance as of April 1, 2014	$	(1,970	)	$	(2,829	)	$	(267,611	)	$	(272,410	)
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications, net of tax	325			—			20,622			20,947
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax	344			199			—			543
Net current-period other comprehensive income	669			199			20,622			21,490
Balance as of June 30, 2014	$	(1,301	)	$	(2,630	)	$	(246,989	)	$	(250,920	)

The changes in Accumulated other comprehensive loss for the six months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014 are as follows (in thousands):



	Unrealized Losses on Cash Flow Hedges			Deferred Loss on the Settlement of the Treasury Rate Lock			Foreign Currency Items			Total
Balance as of January 1, 2015	$	(1,345	)	$	(2,231	)	$	(790,645	)	$	(794,221	)
Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications, net of tax	(340		)	—			(436,543		)	(436,883		)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax	352			2,231			—			2,583
Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss)	12			2,231			(436,543		)	(434,300		)
Balance as of June 30, 2015	$	(1,333	)	$	—		$	(1,227,188	)	$	(1,228,521	)

Stock-Based Compensation (Tables)

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2015

Share-based Compensation, Allocation and Classification in Financial Statements [Abstract]

Summary of the company's option activity

The Company’s option activity for the six months ended June 30, 2015 was as follows:



	Number of Options
Outstanding as of January 1, 2015	6,508,435
Granted	2,004,100
Exercised	(221,703	)
Forfeited	(93,021	)
Expired	(1,475	)
Outstanding as of June 30, 2015	8,196,336

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

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



Range of risk-free interest rate	1.32% - 1.62%
Weighted average risk-free interest rate	1.62	%
Expected life of option grants	4.5 years
Range of expected volatility of underlying stock price	21.09% - 21.20%
Weighted average expected volatility of underlying stock price	21.09	%
Range of expected annual dividend yield	1.50% - 1.85%

Summary of the company's restricted stock unit activity

The Company’s RSU and PSU activity for the six months ended June 30, 2015 was as follows:



	RSUs		PSUs (1)
Outstanding as of January 1, 2015	1,758,817		—
Granted	692,340		23,379
Vested	(671,652	)	—
Forfeited	(70,695	)	—
Outstanding as of June 30, 2015	1,708,810		23,379

(1) Represents the target number of shares issuable at the end of the three-year performance cycle attributable to the first year’s performance period.

Schedule of Share-based Payment Award, Employee Stock Purchase Plan, Valuation Assumptions [Table Text Block]



Approximate risk-free interest rate	0.06	%
Expected life of shares	6 months
Expected volatility of underlying stock price over the option period	13.91	%
Expected annual dividend yield	1.85	%

Equity (Tables)

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2015

Equity [Abstract]

Schedule of dividends payable

During the six months ended June 30, 2015, the Company declared or paid the following cash distributions:



Declaration Date	Payment Date	Record Date	Distribution per share		Aggregate Payment Amount (in millions)
Common Stock
December 2, 2014	January 13, 2015	December 16, 2014	$	0.38	$	150.7
March 5, 2015	April 28, 2015	April 10, 2015	$	0.42	$	177.7
May 21, 2015	July 16, 2015	June 17, 2015	$	0.44	$	186.2

Series A Preferred Stock
December 2, 2014	February 16, 2015	February 1, 2015	$	1.3125	$	7.9
April 14, 2015	May 15, 2015	May 1, 2015	$	1.3125	$	7.9

Series B Preferred Stock
April 14, 2015	May 15, 2015	May 1, 2015	$	11.1528	$	15.3

Earnings Per Share (Tables)

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2015

Earnings Per Share [Abstract]

Schedule of earnings per basic and diluted by common class

The following table sets forth basic and diluted net income per common share computational data for the three and six months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014 (in thousands, except per share data):



	Three Months Ended June 30,						Six Months Ended June 30,
	2015			2014			2015			2014
Net income attributable to American Tower Corporation stockholders	$	156,056		$	234,431		$	349,373		$	436,930
Dividends on preferred stock	(26,782		)	(4,375		)	(36,601		)	(4,375		)
Net income attributable to American Tower Corporation common stockholders	129,274			230,056			312,772			432,555
Basic weighted average common shares outstanding	423,154			395,872			414,182			395,511
Dilutive securities	3,779			3,716			4,121			3,941
Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding	426,933			399,588			418,303			399,452
Basic net income attributable to American Tower Corporation common stockholders per common share	$	0.31		$	0.58		$	0.76		$	1.09
Diluted net income attributable to American Tower Corporation common stockholders per common share	$	0.30		$	0.58		$	0.75		$	1.08

Schedule of Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share

The following shares were not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share because the effect would be anti-dilutive (in thousands, on a weighted average basis):



	Three Months Ended June 30,		Six Months Ended June 30,
	2015	2014	2015	2014
Restricted stock awards	—	3	—	1
Stock options	1,734	2,497	1,229	2,342
Preferred stock	17,349	3,733	13,364	1,877

Acquisitions and Other Transactions (Tables)

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2015

Business Combination, Description [Abstract]

Schedule of merger and acquisition related costs

During the three and six months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014, the Company recorded the following acquisition and merger related expenses and integration costs (in thousands):



	Three Months Ended June 30,				Six Months Ended June 30,
	2015		2014		2015		2014

Acquisition and merger related expenses (1)	$	5,021	$	4,854	$	7,987	$	14,606
Integration costs	$	4,525	$	3,217	$	6,280	$	5,686

Schedule of recognized identified assets acquired and liabilities assumed



	TIM			Other International			U.S.
Current assets	$	—		$	—		$	194
Non-current assets	—			—			985
Property and equipment	209,539			1,284			32,803
Intangible assets (1):
Customer-related intangible assets	304,367			822			47,408
Network location intangible assets	98,316			463			33,633
Current liabilities	—			—			(287		)
Other non-current liabilities	(19,286		)	(61		)	(1,986		)
Net assets acquired	592,936			2,508			112,750
Goodwill (2)	51,344			87			12,677
Fair value of net assets acquired	644,280			2,595			125,427
Debt assumed	—			—			—
Purchase Price	$	644,280		$	2,595		$	125,427


(1)	Customer-related intangible assets and network location intangible assets are amortized on a straight-line basis over periods of up to 20 years.


(2)	Goodwill was allocated to the Company’s rental and management segments. The Company expects goodwill recorded in its domestic rental and management segment will be deductible for tax purposes and goodwill recorded in its international rental and management segment will not be deductible for tax purposes.



Current assets	$	6,685
Non-current assets	167,315
Property and equipment	2,024,887
Intangible assets (1):
Customer-related intangible assets	1,788,574
Network location intangible assets	1,188,033
Current liabilities	(10,747		)
Other non-current liabilities (2)	(200,530		)
Fair value of consideration transferred (3)	$	4,964,217


(1)	Customer-related intangible assets and network location intangible assets are amortized on a straight-line basis over periods of up to 20 years.

(2) Represents liabilities recorded for asset retirement obligations.



	BR Towers			Richland (1)			Other U.S.
Current assets	$	32,075		$	8,583		$	332
Non-current assets	9,365			—			1,041
Property and equipment	133,930			154,899			38,092
Intangible assets (2):
Customer-related intangible assets	495,455			186,455			88,490
Network location intangible assets	136,692			3,409			38,470
Other intangible assets	32,123			—			—
Current liabilities	(23,930		)	(3,635		)	(1,997		)
Other non-current liabilities	(101,892		)	(2,922		)	(1,675		)
Net assets acquired	713,818			346,789			162,753
Goodwill (3)	167,097			44,128			18,069
Fair value of net assets acquired	880,915			390,917			180,822
Debt assumed (4)	(261,136		)	(201,999		)	—
Preferred stock outstanding	(61,056		)	—			—
Purchase Price	$	558,723		$	188,918		$	180,822

(1) The allocation of the purchase price was finalized during the six months ended June 30, 2015.


(2)	Customer-related intangible assets and network location intangible assets are amortized on a straight-line basis over periods of up to 20 years. Other intangible assets are amortized on a straight-line basis over the life of the lease, which is a period of 11 years.


(3)	Goodwill was allocated to the Company’s rental and management segments, and the Company expects goodwill recorded will be deductible for tax purposes except for goodwill associated with BR Towers, where goodwill is expected to be partially deductible.

Balances are reflected in the consolidated balance sheets in the 2014 Form 10-K.



	BR Towers			Richland			Other U.S.
Current assets	$	31,832		$	8,583		$	797
Non-current assets	9,135			—			—
Property and equipment	141,422			185,777			38,413
Intangible assets (1):
Customer-related intangible assets	495,279			169,452			89,990
Network location intangible assets	136,233			1,700			39,470
Other intangible assets	37,664			—			—
Current liabilities	(23,930		)	(3,635		)	(1,997		)
Other non-current liabilities	(101,508		)	(2,922		)	(1,675		)
Net assets acquired	726,127			358,955			164,998
Goodwill (2)	164,955			32,423			15,824
Fair value of net assets acquired	891,082			391,378			180,822
Debt assumed (3)	(261,136		)	(201,999		)	—
Preferred stock outstanding	(61,056		)	—			—
Purchase Price	$	568,890		$	189,379		$	180,822


(1)	Customer-related intangible assets and network location intangible assets are amortized on a straight-line basis over periods of up to 20 years. Other intangible assets are amortized on a straight-line basis over the life of the lease, which is a period of 11 years.


(2)	Goodwill was allocated to the Company’s rental and management segments, and the Company expects goodwill recorded will be deductible for tax purposes except for goodwill associated with BR Towers where goodwill is expected to be partially deductible.

Business Acquisition, Pro Forma Information

Accordingly, such pro forma amounts are not necessarily indicative of the results that actually would have occurred had the transactions been completed on the dates indicated, nor are they indicative of the future operating results of the Company.



	Three Months Ended June 30,				Six Months Ended June 30,
	2015		2014		2015		2014
Pro forma revenues	$	1,182,098	$	1,173,563	$	2,376,710	$	2,311,108
Pro forma net income attributable to American Tower Corporation common stockholders	$	129,460	$	174,338	$	273,838	$	320,473
Pro forma net income per common share amounts:
Basic net income attributable to American Tower Corporation common stockholders	$	0.31	$	0.41	$	0.65	$	0.76
Diluted net income attributable to American Tower Corporation common stockholders	$	0.30	$	0.41	$	0.64	$	0.75

Schedule of business acquisitions by acquisition, contingent consideration

During the three months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014, the fair value of the contingent consideration changed as follows (in thousands):



	2015			2014
Balance as of April 1	$	27,203		$	31,342
Additions	117			406
Settlements	(2,327		)	(674		)
Change in fair value	—			(952		)
Foreign currency translation adjustment	(126		)	903
Balance as of June 30	$	24,867		$	31,025

During the six months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014, the fair value of the contingent consideration changed as follows (in thousands):



	2015			2014
Balance as of January 1	$	28,524		$	31,890
Additions	1,311			406
Settlements	(3,353		)	(1,289		)
Change in fair value	—			(370		)
Foreign currency translation adjustment	(1,615		)	388
Balance as of June 30	$	24,867		$	31,025

A summary of the value of the Company’s contingent consideration is as follows (in thousands):



					Three Months Ended June 30, 2015					Six Months Ended June 30, 2015
	Maximum potential value (1)		Estimated value at June 30, 2015 (2)		Additions (3)		Settlements			Additions (3)		Settlements
Colombia	$	27,344	$	18,264	$	—	$	—		$	—	$	—
Costa Rica	175		175		—		(1,723		)	—		(1,723		)
Ghana	409		409		—		—			—		—
United States	6,019		6,019		117		(604		)	1,311		(1,630		)
Total	$	33,947	$	24,867	$	117	$	(2,327	)	$	1,311	$	(3,353	)

(1) The maximum potential value is based on exchange rates at June 30, 2015. The minimum value could be zero.

(2) Estimate is determined using a probability weighted average of expected outcomes as of June 30, 2015.

(3) Based on preliminary acquisition accounting upon closing of certain acquisitions during the three and six months ended June 30, 2015.

Business Segments (Tables)

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2015

Segment Reporting, Measurement Disclosures [Abstract]

Summarized financial information concerning the company's reportable segments



	Rental and Management				Total Rental and Management		Network Development Services		Other		Total
Three Months Ended June 30, 2015	Domestic		International		Total Rental and Management		Network Development Services		Other		Total
	(in thousands)
Segment revenues	$	802,841	$	351,394	$	1,154,235	$	20,140			$	1,174,375
Segment operating expenses (1)	182,172		131,723		313,895		8,075				321,970
Interest income, TV Azteca, net	—		2,662		2,662		—				2,662
Segment gross margin	620,669		222,333		843,002		12,065				855,067
Segment selling, general, administrative and development expense (1)	31,243		29,981		61,224		3,439				64,663
Segment operating profit	$	589,426	$	192,352	$	781,778	$	8,626			$	790,404
Stock-based compensation expense									$	24,045	24,045
Other selling, general, administrative and development expense									28,118		28,118
Depreciation, amortization and accretion									328,356		328,356
Other expense (2)									238,749		238,749
Income from continuing operations before income taxes											$	171,136
Total assets	$	19,383,596	$	6,860,199	$	26,243,795	$	71,268	$	154,662	$	26,469,725


(1)	Segment operating expenses and segment selling, general, administrative and development expense exclude stock-based compensation expense of $0.5 million and $23.6 million, respectively.


(2)	Other expense primarily includes interest expense and loss on retirement of long-term obligations.



	Rental and Management				Total Rental and Management		Network Development Services		Other		Total
Three Months Ended June 30, 2014	Domestic		International		Total Rental and Management		Network Development Services		Other		Total
	(in thousands)
Segment revenues	$	659,743	$	346,018	$	1,005,761	$	25,696			$	1,031,457
Segment operating expenses (1)	126,340		136,501		262,841		8,981				271,822
Interest income, TV Azteca, net	—		2,662		2,662		—				2,662
Segment gross margin	533,403		212,179		745,582		16,715				762,297
Segment selling, general, administrative and development expense (1)	28,313		34,472		62,785		2,326				65,111
Segment operating profit	$	505,090	$	177,707	$	682,797	$	14,389			$	697,186
Stock-based compensation expense									$	18,835	18,835
Other selling, general, administrative and development expense									15,006		15,006
Depreciation, amortization and accretion									245,427		245,427
Other expense (2)									174,457		174,457
Income from continuing operations before income taxes											$	243,461
Total assets	$	14,149,220	$	6,466,380	$	20,615,600	$	58,611	$	173,526	$	20,847,737


(1)	Segment operating expenses and segment selling, general, administrative and development expense exclude stock-based compensation expense of $0.5 million and $18.4 million, respectively.


(2)	Other expense primarily includes interest expense.



	Rental and Management				Total Rental and Management		Network Development Services		Other		Total
Six Months Ended June 30, 2015	Domestic		International		Total Rental and Management		Network Development Services		Other		Total
	(in thousands)
Segment revenues	$	1,520,721	$	695,694	$	2,216,415	$	37,150			$	2,253,565
Segment operating expenses (1)	315,204		257,516		572,720		13,319				586,039
Interest income, TV Azteca, net	—		5,258		5,258		—				5,258
Segment gross margin	1,205,517		443,436		1,648,953		23,831				1,672,784
Segment selling, general, administrative and development expense (1)	58,065		64,592		122,657		6,875				129,532
Segment operating profit	$	1,147,452	$	378,844	$	1,526,296	$	16,956			$	1,543,252
Stock-based compensation expense									$	53,906	53,906
Other selling, general, administrative and development expense									57,249		57,249
Depreciation, amortization and accretion									591,876		591,876
Other expense (2)									449,721		449,721
Income from continuing operations before income taxes											$	390,500


(1)	Segment operating expenses and segment selling, general, administrative and development expense exclude stock-based compensation expense of $1.1 million and $52.8 million, respectively.


(2)	Other expense primarily includes interest expense and loss on retirement of long-term obligations.



	Rental and Management				Total Rental and Management		Network Development Services		Other		Total
Six Months Ended June 30, 2014	Domestic		International		Total Rental and Management		Network Development Services		Other		Total
	(in thousands)
Segment revenues	$	1,295,522	$	670,359	$	1,965,881	$	49,665			$	2,015,546
Segment operating expenses (1)	247,849		265,455		513,304		18,783				532,087
Interest income, TV Azteca, net	—		5,257		5,257		—				5,257
Segment gross margin	1,047,673		410,161		1,457,834		30,882				1,488,716
Segment selling, general, administrative and development expense (1)	55,722		63,688		119,410		4,856				124,266
Segment operating profit	$	991,951	$	346,473	$	1,338,424	$	26,026			$	1,364,450
Stock-based compensation expense									$	43,439	43,439
Other selling, general, administrative and development expense									41,780		41,780
Depreciation, amortization and accretion									491,190		491,190
Other expense (2)									333,618		333,618
Income from continuing operations before income taxes											$	454,423


(1)	Segment operating expenses and segment selling, general, administrative and development expense exclude stock-based compensation expense of $1.0 million and $42.5 million, respectively.


(2)	Other expense primarily includes interest expense.

Schedule of Subsequent Events

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

Subsequent Events (Tables)

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2015

Subsequent Events [Abstract]

The following table summarizes the preliminary allocation of the purchase price for the Airtel acquisition based upon the estimated fair value at the date of acquisition (in thousands):



	Airtel
Non-current assets	$	37,994
Property and equipment	569,929
Intangible assets (1):
Customer-related intangible assets	145,731
Network location intangible assets	258,708
Other non-current liabilities	(8,056		)
Net assets acquired	1,004,306
Goodwill (2)	82,731
Fair value of net assets acquired	1,087,037
Debt assumed	—
Purchase Price	$	1,087,037


(1)	Customer-related intangible assets and network location intangible assets will be amortized on a straight-line basis over a period of up to 20 years.


(2)	The Company expects goodwill recorded in its international rental and management segment will not be deductible for tax purposes.

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

Jun. 30, 2015

Dec. 31, 2014

Prepaid Expense and Other Assets, Current [Abstract]

Prepaid operating ground leases

$ 109,569

$ 88,053

^[1]

Prepaid income tax

37,138

34,512

^[1]

Prepaid assets

29,812

23,848

^[1]

Unbilled receivables

29,405

25,352

^[1]

Value added tax and other consumption tax receivables

23,155

23,228

^[1]

Other miscellaneous current assets

34,195

69,800

^[1]

Balance

$ 263,274

$ 264,793

^[1]

[1]	December 31, 2014 balances have been revised to reflect purchase accounting measurement period adjustments.

Amount of asset related to consideration paid in advance for income and other taxes that provide economic benefits within a future period of one year or the normal operating cycle, if longer.

+ References+ Details

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Narrative) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014
Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Amortization of intangible assets	$ 147.6	$ 101.6	$ 258.1	$ 204.2
Weighted Average [Member]
Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Remaining Amortization Period			16 years

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

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2015

$ 4,033,174

^[1]

64,108

(60,640)

4,036,642

Rental And Management | Domestic

3,356,096

^[1]

12,677

3,368,773

Rental And Management | International

675,090

^[1]

51,431

(60,640)

665,881

Network Development Services

1,988

^[1]

$ 1,988

[1]	January 1, 2015 balances have been revised to reflect purchase accounting measurement period adjustments.

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

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2015

Dec. 31, 2014

$ 12,333,664

$ 9,172,697

^[1]

(2,572,213)

(2,347,949)

^[1]

Deferred financing costs, net

9,761,451

6,824,748

^[1]

91,748

^[2]

75,889

^[1],[2]

Other intangible assets, net

9,853,199

6,900,637

^[1]

11 years

Acquired Network Location Intangibles

3,751,373

^[3]

2,514,931

^[1],[3]

(966,105)

^[3]

(901,903)

^[1],[3]

2,785,268

^[3]

1,613,028

^[1],[3]

Acquired Network Location Intangibles | Maximum

20 years

Customer Relationships

8,524,816

6,594,773

^[1]

(1,588,864)

(1,429,572)

^[1]

6,935,952

5,165,201

^[1]

Customer Relationships | Minimum

15 years

Customer Relationships | Maximum

20 years

Acquired Licenses And Other Intangibles

33,461

37,471

^[1]

(4,942)

(3,514)

^[1]

28,519

33,957

^[1]

Acquired Licenses And Other Intangibles | Minimum

3 years

Acquired Licenses And Other Intangibles | Maximum

20 years

Economic Rights, TV Azteca

24,014

25,522

^[1]

(12,302)

(12,960)

^[1]

$ 11,712

$ 12,562

^[1]

70 years

[1]	December 31, 2014 balances have been revised to reflect purchase accounting measurement period adjustments.
[2]	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 Depreciation, amortization and accretion expense.
[3]	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.

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Expected Future Amortization Expenses) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2015
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
2015 (remaining year)	$ 292.9
2016	581.5
2017	579.7
2018	578.6
2019	576.4
2020	$ 570.3

Accrued Expenses (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Accrued Liabilities, Current [Abstract]
Accrued property and real estate taxes	$ 76,070	$ 61,206
Accrued rent	44,118	34,074
Payroll and related withholdings	42,874	57,110
Accrued construction costs	30,801	46,024
Other accrued expenses	219,118	219,340
Balance	$ 412,981	$ 417,754

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+ Details

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)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended				6 Months Ended		3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended					0 Months Ended				0 Months Ended			3 Months Ended						6 Months Ended			3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended	0 Months Ended		0 Months Ended	3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended		0 Months Ended												6 Months Ended				1 Months Ended
Long-Term Obligations (Narrative) (Details)	Jun. 30, 2015 USD ($) integer	Jun. 30, 2014 USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2015 USD ($) integer	Jun. 30, 2014 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2014 USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2015 Brazil Credit Facility	Jun. 30, 2015 Credit Facility 2014 Revolving Credit Facility USD ($) renewal_period	Feb. 20, 2015 Credit Facility 2014 Revolving Credit Facility USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2015 Credit Facility 2013 Revolving Credit Facility renewal_period	Jun. 30, 2015 Credit Facility 2013 Revolving Credit Facility USD ($)	May 29, 2015 Secured Debt Series 2015-1 Class A USD ($)	May 29, 2015 Secured Debt Series 2015-2 Class A USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2015 Secured Debt Commercial Mortgage Pass Through Certificates Series 2015 USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2015 Secured Debt GTP Notes site	May 08, 2015 Unsecured Debt Mexican loan MXN	May 31, 2015 Unsecured Debt Mexican loan MXN	May 04, 2015 Unsecured Debt Mexican loan USD ($)	Nov. 19, 2014 Unsecured Debt BR Towers Credit Facility BRL	May 18, 2015 Unsecured Debt Brazil Credit Facility BRL	May 19, 2015 Unsecured Debt Brazil Credit Facility USD ($)	Dec. 30, 2014 Unsecured Debt Brazil Credit Facility BRL	Mar. 31, 2015 Unsecured Debt Term Loan 2013 renewal_period	Jun. 30, 2015 Unsecured Debt Term Loan 2013 USD ($)	Feb. 20, 2015 Unsecured Debt Term Loan 2013 USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2015 Unsecured Debt Term Loan 2013 Second measurement period	Jun. 30, 2015 Unsecured Debt Term Loan 2013 Third measurement period	Jun. 30, 2015 Unsecured Debt Term Loan 2013 Fourth measurement period	Jun. 30, 2015 Senior Notes	May 29, 2015 Senior Notes Series 2015-1 Class A	May 29, 2015 Senior Notes Series 2015-2 Class A	Jun. 30, 2015 Senior Notes Commercial Mortgage Pass Through Certificates Series 2015 USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2015 Senior Notes Commercial Mortgage Pass Through Certificates Series 2015 USD ($)	Feb. 12, 2015 Senior Notes Four Point Six Two Five Percent Senior Notes USD ($)	Feb. 11, 2015 Senior Notes Four Point Six Two Five Percent Senior Notes USD ($)	Apr. 29, 2015 Senior Notes Seven Point Zero Zero Percent Senior Notes USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2015 Senior Notes Seven Point Zero Zero Percent Senior Notes	Jun. 30, 2015 Senior Notes Seven Point Zero Zero Percent Senior Notes USD ($)	Apr. 29, 2015 Senior Notes Seven Point Zero Zero Percent Senior Notes	May 08, 2015 Senior Notes Two Point Eight Zero Percent Senior Notes USD ($)	May 07, 2015 Senior Notes Two Point Eight Zero Percent Senior Notes USD ($)	May 07, 2015 Senior Notes Four Point Zero Zero Percent Senior Notes USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2015 Revolving Credit Facility Credit Facility 2014 USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2015 Revolving Credit Facility Credit Facility 2014 Second measurement period	Jun. 30, 2015 Revolving Credit Facility Credit Facility 2014 Third measurement period	Jun. 30, 2015 Revolving Credit Facility Credit Facility 2014 Fourth measurement period	Jun. 30, 2015 Revolving Credit Facility Credit Facility 2013 USD ($)	Feb. 20, 2015 Revolving Credit Facility Credit Facility 2013 USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2015 Revolving Credit Facility Credit Facility 2013 Second measurement period	Jun. 30, 2015 Revolving Credit Facility Credit Facility 2013 Third measurement period	Jun. 30, 2015 Revolving Credit Facility Credit Facility 2013 Fourth measurement period	Jun. 30, 2015 Senior Notes Four Point Six Two Five Percent Senior Notes USD ($)	Feb. 11, 2015 Senior Notes Four Point Six Two Five Percent Senior Notes	May 07, 2015 Senior Notes Two Point Eight Zero Percent Senior Notes	May 07, 2015 Senior Notes Four Point Zero Zero Percent Senior Notes	Jul. 31, 2015 Subsequent Event Credit Facility 2013 Revolving Credit Facility USD ($)
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term Debt											$ 350,000,000	$ 525,000,000
Loss on retirement of long-term obligations	(75,068,000)	(1,284,000)	(78,793,000)	(1,522,000)																											800,000	800,000					74,300,000
Number of Annual Renewal Periods							2		2													2
Stated percentage interest rate																													2.35%	3.482%								7.00%														4.625%	2.80%	4.00%
Number Of Broadcast And Wireless Communications Towers														3,621
Cash Trap Debt Service Credit Ratio													1.30
Debt Instrument, Covenant, Number of Consecutive Quarters Required For Release of Funds	2		2
Minimum Debt Service Credit Ratio													1.15
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents													18,600,000
Bridge Loan																5,200,000,000
Repayments of unsecured debt															3,900,000,000
Long-term Debt, Current Maturities	38,814,000		38,814,000		897,624,000												251,200,000
Long-term Debt, Fair Value	16,500,000,000		16,500,000,000		15,000,000,000													48,100,000
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity																					271,000,000																					2,000,000,000				2,750,000,000
Proceeds from Lines of Credit			4,740,308,000	360,000,000			2,100,000,000			2,600,000,000									40,000,000	13,300,000																																			850,000,000
Long-term Debt, Weighted Average Interest Rate						11.10%
Maximum revolving loan commitments								2,500,000,000																																							3,500,000,000
Term Loan, optional additional commitments																								500,000,000
Repayments of Lines of Credit							1,300,000,000			2,300,000,000
Line of credit facility, optional additional commitments																																															750,000,000
Maximum incremental term loan commitment																							1,000,000,000
Ratio of total debt to EBITDA																									7.25	7.0	6.0																7.25	7.00	6.00			7.25	7.0	6.0
Debt Instrument, Redemption Price, Percentage																												100.00%					100.5898%			114.0629%
Repayments of Senior Debt																																	613,600,000		571,700,000
Accrued interest	120,482,000		120,482,000		130,265,000																													10,000,000
CASH PAID FOR INTEREST			291,103,000	270,257,000																															1,400,000
Loss on early retirement of long-term obligations			78,793,000	1,269,000																																															3,700,000
Long-term Debt, Gross																																								750,000,000	750,000,000
Proceeds from Issuance of Debt																																							$ 1,480,100,000
Repurchase Price As Percentage Of Principal																												101.00%
Maximum Adjusted EBITDA																												3.5

Long-Term Obligations (Schedule of Brazil Credit Facility Sublimits) (Details) (BRL) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015
Brazil Credit Facility Tranche A
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity	34.8
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate	4.25%
Brazil Credit Facility Tranche B
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity	34.8
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate	4.25%
Brazil Credit Facility Tranche C
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Stated percentage interest rate	6.00%
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity	200.0
Brazil Credit Facility Tranche D
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity	1.4

Long-Term Obligations (Schedule of Line of Credit Facilities) (Details) (USD $)

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2015

Credit Facility 2014 | Revolving Credit Facility

Line of Credit Facility, Commitment Fee Percentage

0.15%

^[1]

Credit Facility 2014 | Revolving Credit Facility

Letters of Credit Outstanding, Amount

Long-term Line of Credit

$ 1,980,000

7,500

Credit Facility 2014 | London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) | Revolving Credit Facility

Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate

1.25%

^[2]

Credit Facility 2013 | Revolving Credit Facility

Letters of Credit Outstanding, Amount

3,200

Line of Credit Facility, Commitment Fee Percentage

0.15%

^[1]

Credit Facility 2013 | Revolving Credit Facility

Long-term Line of Credit

250,000

Credit Facility 2013 | London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) | Revolving Credit Facility

Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate

1.25%

^[2]

Term Loan 2013 | Unsecured Debt

Long-term Line of Credit

$ 2,000,000

Term Loan 2013 | London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) | Unsecured Debt

Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate

1.25%

^[2]

[1]	Fee on undrawn portion of the credit facility.
[2]	LIBOR means the London Interbank Offered Rate.

Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]

The carrying value as of the balance sheet date of the current and noncurrent portions of long-term obligations drawn from a line of credit, which is a bank's commitment to make loans up to a specific amount. Examples of items that might be included in the application of this element may consist of letters of credit, standby letters of credit, and revolving credit arrangements, under which borrowings can be made up to a maximum amount as of any point in time conditional on satisfaction of specified terms before, as of and after the date of drawdowns on the line. Includes short-term obligations that would normally be classified as current liabilities but for which (a) postbalance sheet date issuance of a long term obligation to refinance the short term obligation on a long term basis, or (b) the enterprise has entered into a financing agreement that clearly permits the enterprise to refinance the short-term obligation on a long term basis and the following conditions are met (1) the agreement does not expire within 1 year and is not cancelable by the lender except for violation of an objectively determinable provision, (2) no violation exists at the BS date, and (3) the lender has entered into the financing agreement is expected to be financially capable of honoring the agreement.

+ References+ Details

Derivative Financial Instruments (Narrative) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended				3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015 Designated as Hedging Instrument	Jun. 30, 2015 South African Facility interest_rate_swap	Jun. 30, 2015 2014 Colombian Long Term Credit Facility	Jun. 30, 2015 Seven Point Zero Zero Percent Senior Notes	Jun. 30, 2015 Seven Point Zero Zero Percent Senior Notes	Apr. 29, 2015 Seven Point Zero Zero Percent Senior Notes Senior Notes
Derivative [Line Items]
Number of interest rate swap agreements			15
Derivative, lower fixed interest rate range			6.09%
Derivative, higher fixed interest rate range			7.83%
Derivative, fixed interest rate				5.74%
Stated percentage interest rate							7.00%
Derivative, Loss on Derivative	$ 2.0
Interest rate cash flow hedge gain (loss) to be reclassified during next 12 months, net		0.5
Reclassification adjustment from AOCI on deferred loss					$ 2.0	$ 2.0

Derivative Financial Instruments (Schedule of Interest Rate Swap Agreements) (Details) (Interest Rate Swap) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2015 South African Facility USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2015 South African Facility ZAR	Dec. 31, 2014 South African Facility USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2014 South African Facility ZAR	Jun. 30, 2015 2014 Colombian Long Term Credit Facility USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2015 2014 Colombian Long Term Credit Facility COP	Dec. 31, 2014 2014 Colombian Long Term Credit Facility USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2014 2014 Colombian Long Term Credit Facility COP
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional	$ 34,625	421,342	$ 38,080	440,614	$ 37,716	97,500,000	$ 41,798	100,000,000
Derivative, Fair Value, Net	223	2,708	88	1,016
Fair Value, Gross Liability					$ (667)	(1,723,016)	$ (647)	(1,548,688)

Derivative Financial Instruments (Schedule of Interest Rate Swap Agreements Impact on Other Comprehensive Income) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014
Interest rate swaps and treasury locks
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Effective Portion, Net	$ 639,000	$ 226,000	$ (354,000)	$ (361,000)
Interest rate swaps and treasury locks
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) Reclassified from Accumulated OCI into Income, Effective Portion, Net	(2,248,000)	(670,000)	(2,659,000)	(1,639,000)
Seven Point Zero Zero Percent Senior Notes
Derivative [Line Items]
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Reclassification Adjustment from AOCI on Derivatives, before Tax	$ 2,000,000		$ 2,000,000

Fair Value Measurements (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)

3 Months Ended

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2015

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2015

Jun. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2014

Goodwill and Intangible Asset Impairment

$ 0

$ 4,100,000

Contingent consideration arrangements, low range of outcomes

Contingent consideration arrangements, high range of outcomes

33,947,000

^[1]

33,947,000

^[1]

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets Held-for-use

Carrying value of long-term obligations, including current portion

16,200,000,000

14,600,000,000

Long-term Debt, Fair Value

16,500,000,000

15,000,000,000

Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1

Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]

Long-term Debt, Fair Value

9,900,000,000

9,700,000,000

Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2

Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]

Long-term Debt, Fair Value

$ 6,600,000,000

$ 5,300,000,000

[1]	The maximum potential value is based on exchange rates at June 30, 2015. The minimum value could be zero.

Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]

The aggregate amount of write-downs for impairments recognized during the period for long lived assets held for use (including those held for disposal by means other than sale).

+ References+ Details

Fair Value Measurements (Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis) (Details) (USD $)
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified

Jun. 30, 2015

Mar. 31, 2015

Dec. 31, 2014

Jun. 30, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]

$ 40,387

$ 6,302

24,867

^[1]

27,203

28,524

31,025

31,342

31,890

Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring

Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]

40,387

6,302

^[2]

28,524

Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Interest Rate Swap

223

Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]

667

647

Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2

Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]

40,387

^[2]

6,302

^[2]

Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 | Interest Rate Swap

223

Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]

667

647

Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3

$ 24,867

$ 28,524

[1]	Estimate is determined using a probability weighted average of expected outcomes as of June 30, 2015.
[2]	Consists of highly liquid investments with original maturities in excess of three months.

Fair value, after the effects of master netting arrangements, of a financial asset or other contract with one or more underlyings, notional amount or payment provision or both, and the contract can be net settled by means outside the contract or delivery of an asset. Includes assets not subject to a master netting arrangement and not elected to be offset.

+ References+ Details

Fair Value, Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]

Fair value, after the effects of master netting arrangements, of a financial liability or contract with one or more underlyings, notional amount or payment provision or both, and the contract can be net settled by means outside the contract or delivery of an asset. Includes liabilities not subject to a master netting arrangement and not elected to be offset.

+ References+ Details

Fair Value Measurement (Contingent Consideration Change) (Details) (USD $)
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified

3 Months Ended

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2015

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2015

Jun. 30, 2014

Balance at Beginning of Period

$ 27,203

$ 31,342

$ 28,524

$ 31,890

Foreign currency translation adjustment

117

406

1,311

406

Settlements

(2,327)

(674)

(3,353)

(1,289)

Change in fair value

(952)

(370)

(126)

903

(1,615)

388

Balance at End of Period

$ 24,867

^[1]

$ 31,025

$ 24,867

^[1]

$ 31,025

[1]	Estimate is determined using a probability weighted average of expected outcomes as of June 30, 2015.

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended		3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended		3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended		3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (Details) (USD $)	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2015 Unrealized Losses on Cash Flow Hedges	Jun. 30, 2014 Unrealized Losses on Cash Flow Hedges	Jun. 30, 2015 Unrealized Losses on Cash Flow Hedges	Jun. 30, 2014 Unrealized Losses on Cash Flow Hedges	Jun. 30, 2015 Treasury Lock	Jun. 30, 2014 Treasury Lock	Jun. 30, 2015 Treasury Lock	Jun. 30, 2014 Treasury Lock	Jun. 30, 2015 Foreign Currency Items	Jun. 30, 2014 Foreign Currency Items	Jun. 30, 2015 Foreign Currency Items	Jun. 30, 2014 Foreign Currency Items	Apr. 29, 2015 Senior Notes Seven Point Zero Zero Percent Senior Notes
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Stated percentage interest rate																	7.00%
Derivative, Loss on Derivative	$ 2,000,000
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Roll Forward]
Balance at beginning of period	(1,205,860,000)	(272,410,000)	(794,221,000)	(311,220,000)	(2,082,000)	(1,970,000)	(1,345,000)	(1,869,000)	(2,031,000)	(2,829,000)	(2,231,000)	(3,029,000)	(1,201,747,000)	(267,611,000)	(790,645,000)	(306,322,000)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications, net of tax	(24,872,000)	20,947,000	(436,883,000)	58,878,000	569,000	325,000	(340,000)	(455,000)	0	0	0	0	(25,441,000)	20,622,000	(436,543,000)	59,333,000
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax	2,211,000	543,000	2,583,000	1,422,000	180,000	344,000	352,000	1,023,000	2,031,000	199,000	2,231,000	399,000	0	0	0	0
Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss)	(22,661,000)	21,490,000	(434,300,000)	60,300,000	749,000	669,000	12,000	568,000	2,031,000	199,000	2,231,000	399,000	(25,441,000)	20,622,000	(436,543,000)	59,333,000
Balance at end of period	(1,228,521,000)	(250,920,000)	(1,228,521,000)	(250,920,000)	(1,333,000)	(1,301,000)	(1,333,000)	(1,301,000)	0	(2,630,000)	0	(2,630,000)	(1,227,188,000)	(246,989,000)	(1,227,188,000)	(246,989,000)
Reclassification of unrealized losses on cash flow hedges to net income, tax	$ 22,000	$ 41,000	$ 46,000	$ 96,000	$ 100,000	$ 100,000	$ 100,000	$ 100,000

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]

Accumulated change in equity from transactions and other events and circumstances from non-owner sources, net of tax effect, at period end. Excludes Net Income (Loss), and accumulated changes in equity from transactions resulting from investments by owners and distributions to owners. Includes foreign currency translation items, certain pension adjustments, unrealized gains and losses on certain investments in debt and equity securities, other than temporary impairment (OTTI) losses related to factors other than credit losses on available-for-sale and held-to-maturity debt securities that an entity does not intend to sell and it is not more likely than not that the entity will be required to sell before recovery of the amortized cost basis, as well as changes in the fair value of derivatives related to the effective portion of a designated cash flow hedge.

+ References+ Details

Income Taxes (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
Income Taxes (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014
Income Tax Expense (Benefit), Continuing Operations [Abstract]
REIT Liquidation Tax Charge	$ 92,500,000		$ 92,500,000
Unrecognized tax benefits that would impact effective tax rate	0		0		31,900,000
Impact of change in unrecognized tax benefit, lower	0		0
Impact of change in unrecognized tax benefits, upper	8,100,000		8,100,000
Penalties and tax-related interest expense during period	600,000	1,900,000	1,500,000	3,200,000
Unrecognized tax benefits, income tax penalties and interest accrued	$ 24,500,000		$ 24,500,000		$ 24,900,000

Stock-Based Compensation (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)

3 Months Ended

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2015

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2015

Jun. 30, 2014

Capitalized stock-based compensation expense

$ 24,045,000

$ 18,835,000

$ 53,906,000

$ 43,439,000

600,000

400,000

1,100,000

800,000

Performance Shares

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]

Total unrecognized compensation expense

600,000

700,000

1,600,000

Total compensation cost not yet recognized, period for recognition

1 year

Three year performance grant, shares granted

70,135

^[1]

Shares granted, grant date fair value not yet established

46,756

^[1]

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Grants in Period, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value

$ 94.57

Employee Stock Option

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]

Weighted average grant date fair value (in dollars per share)

$ 15.09

Total unrecognized compensation expense

39,300,000

Total compensation cost not yet recognized, period for recognition

2 years

Restricted stock awards

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]

Total unrecognized compensation expense

$ 100,000,000

Total compensation cost not yet recognized, period for recognition

3 years

Employee Stock

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]

Percentage Of Employee Purchases Not To Exceed Gross Compensation

15.00%

Stock Issued During Period, Shares, Employee Stock Purchase Plans

44,000

Purchase Shares Fair Value Price Per Share ESPP

$ 16.40

2007 Plan

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]

Number of shares issuable under stock incentive plan

4 years

Expiration period

10 years

11,600,000

2007 Plan | Performance Shares

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]

3 years

Minimum | Performance Shares

Percentage of potential target shares

0.00%

Maximum | Performance Shares

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]

Percentage of potential target shares

200.00%

[1]	Represents the target number of shares issuable at the end of the three-year performance cycle attributable to the first year’s performance period.

Stock-Based Compensation (Summary of the Company's Option Activity) (Details) (Employee Stock Option)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015
Employee Stock Option
Options Activity, Outstanding [Roll Forward]
Outstanding at Beginning of Period	6,508,435
Granted	2,004,100
Exercised	(221,703)
Forfeited	(93,021)
Expired	(1,475)
Outstanding at End of Period	8,196,336

Restricted Stock Unit Activity, Outstanding [Roll Forward]

Number of share options (or share units) exercised during the current period.

+ References+ Details

Stock-Based Compensation (Assumptions Used to Determine the Grant Date Fair Value for Options Granted) (Details) (Employee Stock Option)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Minimum range of risk-free interest rate	1.32%
Maximum range of risk-free interest rate	1.62%
Approximate risk-free interest rate	1.62%
Expected life of shares	4 years 5 months 37 days
Minimum range of expected volatility of underlying stock price	21.09%
Maximum range of expected volatility of underlying stock price	21.20%
Expected volatility of underlying stock price over the option period	21.09%
Minimum
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Expected annual dividend yield	1.50%
Maximum
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Expected annual dividend yield	1.85%

Stock-Based Compensation (Summary of the Company's Restricted Stock Unit Activity) (Details)

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2015

Restricted Stock Units

Outstanding at Beginning of Period

1,758,817

Granted

692,340

Vested

(671,652)

Forfeited

(70,695)

Outstanding at End of Period

1,708,810

Performance Shares

Restricted Stock Unit Activity, Outstanding [Roll Forward]

Outstanding at Beginning of Period

^[1]

Granted

23,379

^[1]

Vested

^[1]

Forfeited

^[1]

Outstanding at End of Period

23,379

^[1]

2007 Plan

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]

4 years

2007 Plan | Performance Shares

3 years

[1]	Represents the target number of shares issuable at the end of the three-year performance cycle attributable to the first year’s performance period.

Stock-Based Compensation Schedule of employee stock purchase plan valuation assumptions (Details) (Employee Stock)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015
Employee Stock
Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) Disclosures [Line Items]
Approximate risk-free interest rate	0.06%
Expected life of shares	0 years 6 months 0 days
Expected volatility of underlying stock price over the option period	13.91%
Expected annual dividend yield	1.85%

Equity (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	6 Months Ended			6 Months Ended			6 Months Ended	12 Months Ended			6 Months Ended	12 Months Ended	6 Months Ended
Equity (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014	Jun. 30, 2015 Common Stock	Mar. 05, 2015 Common Stock	Mar. 03, 2015 Common Stock	Jun. 30, 2015 Series B Preferred Stock	Dec. 31, 2014 Series B Preferred Stock	Mar. 05, 2015 Series B Preferred Stock	Mar. 03, 2015 Series B Preferred Stock	Jun. 30, 2015 Series A Preferred Stock	Dec. 31, 2014 Series A Preferred Stock	Jun. 30, 2015 Minimum Series B Preferred Stock	Jun. 30, 2015 Minimum Series A Preferred Stock	Jun. 30, 2015 Maximum Series B Preferred Stock	Jun. 30, 2015 Maximum Series A Preferred Stock
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Common stock, shares issued	426,074,991		399,508,751			23,500,000
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 0.01		$ 0.01			$ 0.01
Shares Issued, Price Per Share						$ 97.00				$ 100
Common Stock, Additional Shares Issued					2,350,000
Proceeds from issuance of common stock	$ 2,440,327,000	$ 0		$ 2,440,390,000
Preferred stock, shares issued							1,375,000	0		12,500,000	6,000,000	6,000,000
Preferred stock, dividend rate percentage							5.50%	5.50%			5.25%	5.25%
Preferred Stock, Par or Stated Value Per Share										$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Preferred Stock, Additional Shares Issued									1,250,000
Issuance of preferred stock	1,337,946,000	583,326,000					1,340,000,000
Conversion Factor, Preferred Stock													8.5911	0.9174	10.3093	1.1468
Preferred Stock, Liquidation Preference Per Share							$ 1,000.00				$ 100
Preferred Stock, Liquidation Preference, Depositary Shares							100
Proceeds from stock options and stock purchase plan	17,364,000	30,738,000
Accrued dividend, restricted stock units	3,600,000
Paid dividend, restricted stock units	$ 1,200,000
Preferred Stock, Depositary Shares, Percentage of Preferred Shares										0.1

Equity (Schedule Of Dividends) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Distribution per share, common stock (in dollars per share)	$ 0.44	$ 0.34	$ 0.86	$ 0.66
Aggregate Payment Amount, Common Stock			$ 329,766	$ 127,269
Aggregate Payment Amount, Preferred Stock			31,085	0
Common Stock \| Fourth Quarter
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Common Stock, Dividends, Per Share, Cash Paid			$ 0.38
Aggregate Payment Amount, Common Stock			150,700
Common Stock \| First Quarter
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Common Stock, Dividends, Per Share, Cash Paid			$ 0.42
Aggregate Payment Amount, Common Stock			177,700
Common Stock \| Second Quarter
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Distribution per share, common stock (in dollars per share)			$ 0.44
Aggregate Payment Amount, Common Stock			186,200
Series A Preferred Stock \| Fourth Quarter
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Preferred Stock, Dividends, Per Share, Cash Paid			$ 1.3125
Aggregate Payment Amount, Preferred Stock			7,900
Series A Preferred Stock \| Second Quarter
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Preferred Stock, Dividends, Per Share, Cash Paid			$ 1.3125
Aggregate Payment Amount, Preferred Stock			7,900
Series B Preferred Stock \| Second Quarter
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Preferred Stock, Dividends, Per Share, Cash Paid			$ 11.1528
Aggregate Payment Amount, Preferred Stock			$ 15,300

Earnings Per Share (Schedule of Earnings Per Basic And Diluted by Common Class) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Net income attributable to American Tower Corporation stockholders	$ 156,056	$ 234,431	$ 349,373	$ 436,930
Dividends on preferred stock	(26,782)	(4,375)	(36,601)	(4,375)
NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO AMERICAN TOWER CORPORATION COMMON STOCKHOLDERS	$ 129,274	$ 230,056	$ 312,772	$ 432,555
Basic weighted average common shares outstanding (in shares)	423,154	395,872	414,182	395,511
Dilutive securities (in shares)	3,779	3,716	4,121	3,941
Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding (in shares)	426,933	399,588	418,303	399,452
Basic net income attributable to American Tower Corporation common stockholders per common share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.31	$ 0.58	$ 0.76	$ 1.09
Diluted net income attributable to American Tower Corporation common stockholders per common share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.30	$ 0.58	$ 0.75	$ 1.08

The amount of net income (loss) for the period per each share of common stock or unit outstanding during the reporting period.

+ References+ Details

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

The portion of profit or loss for the period, net of income taxes, which is attributable to the parent.

+ References+ Details

Earnings Per Share (Shares Excluded From Dilutive Effect) (Details) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014
Restricted stock awards
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share, Amount	0	3	0	1
Stock options
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share, Amount	1,734	2,497	1,229	2,342
Preferred Stock
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share, Amount	17,349	3,733	13,364	1,877

Pro forma information, revenue of acquiree since acquisition date, actual

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+ Details

Commitments And Contingencies (Narrative) (Details)	0 Months Ended			0 Months Ended	6 Months Ended		0 Months Ended	6 Months Ended		6 Months Ended			1 Months Ended	6 Months Ended
Commitments And Contingencies (Narrative) (Details)	Jan. 21, 2014 USD ($)	Jan. 21, 2014 INR	Mar. 27, 2015 Verizon Transaction site	Mar. 27, 2015 Leased Sites Verizon Transaction renewal_period communications_site	Jun. 30, 2015 Leased Sites Verizon Transaction	Mar. 27, 2015 Leased Sites Verizon Transaction communications_site	Mar. 27, 2015 Verizon Transaction	Jun. 30, 2015 Verizon Transaction USD ($) renewal_period	Mar. 27, 2015 Verizon Transaction communications_site	Jun. 30, 2015 At T Transaction USD ($) renewal_period tower	Jun. 30, 2015 At T Transaction Commitments prior to June 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2015 At T Transaction Commitments subsequent to June 30, 2020	Dec. 31, 2000 ALLTEL Transaction USD ($) tower	Jun. 30, 2015 ALLTEL Transaction USD ($)
Long-term Purchase Commitment [Line Items]
Number of sites acquired			11,448							31
Initial Lease Term					10 years
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments Receivable								$ 3,000,000,000
Operating lease, future minimum rental receipts, average recognition period								10 years
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments Due								2,200,000,000
Operating lease, future minimum rental payments, average recognition period								17 years
Capital Leased Assets, Number of Units						11,285			11,285	2,400			1,800
Right to lease, weighted average term				28 years			28 years
Aggregate purchase option price for towers								5,000,000,000		675,300,000				74,200,000
Customer Lease Initial Term								10 years
Successive Terms To Renew Lease				8				8		4
Lessee Leasing Arrangements, Operating Leases, Renewal Term				5 years				5 years			5 years	1 year
Lessee leasing arrangements, operating leases, term of contract										27 years
Purchase price accretion rate (per year)										10.00%			3.00%
Long-term purchase commitment, time period													15 years
Cash purchase price per tower													27,500
Purchase price of tower in shares of common stock														769
Value of potential shares payable														127,100,000
India Tax Assessment	$ 369,000,000	22,600,000,000

Acquisitions and Other Transactions (Narrative) (Details)

3 Months Ended

6 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

6 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

6 Months Ended

7 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

6 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

6 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

6 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

6 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

6 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2015

USD ($)

Jun. 30, 2015

USD ($)

Mar. 31, 2015

USD ($)

Dec. 31, 2014

USD ($)

Jun. 30, 2014

USD ($)

Mar. 31, 2014

USD ($)

Dec. 31, 2013

USD ($)

Mar. 27, 2015

Verizon Transaction

USD ($)

Jun. 30, 2015

Verizon Transaction

USD ($)

Mar. 27, 2015

Verizon Transaction

USD ($)

site

Apr. 29, 2015

TIM Acquisition

USD ($)

Apr. 29, 2015

TIM Acquisition

BRL

Jun. 30, 2015

TIM Acquisition

USD ($)

Jun. 30, 2015

TIM Acquisition

BRL

Apr. 29, 2015

TIM Acquisition

communications_site

Jun. 30, 2015

Other International Acquisitions 2015

USD ($)

communications_site

Jun. 30, 2015

Other Us Acquisition 2015

USD ($)

property_interest

communications_site

Nov. 19, 2014

BR Towers

USD ($)

tower

property_interest

Jun. 30, 2015

BR Towers

USD ($)

Jun. 30, 2015

BR Towers

USD ($)

Nov. 19, 2014

BR Towers

tower

property_interest

Apr. 03, 2014

Richland Acquisition

USD ($)

Jun. 30, 2015

Richland Acquisition

USD ($)

Apr. 03, 2014

Richland Acquisition

property_interest

communications_site

Dec. 31, 2014

Other International Acquisitions 2014

USD ($)

communications_site

Dec. 31, 2014

Other International Acquisitions 2014

Mexico

USD ($)

communications_site

Dec. 31, 2014

Other US Acquisition 2014

USD ($)

communications_site

property_interest

Nov. 24, 2014

Airtel Acquisition

communications_site

Jun. 30, 2015

Preliminary Purchase Price Allocation

TIM Acquisition

USD ($)

Jun. 30, 2015

Preliminary Purchase Price Allocation

Other International Acquisitions 2015

USD ($)

Jun. 30, 2015

Preliminary Purchase Price Allocation

Other Us Acquisition 2015

USD ($)

Jun. 30, 2015

Preliminary Purchase Price Allocation

BR Towers

USD ($)

Dec. 31, 2014

Preliminary Purchase Price Allocation

BR Towers

USD ($)

Dec. 31, 2014

Preliminary Purchase Price Allocation

Richland Acquisition

USD ($)

Jun. 30, 2015

Preliminary Purchase Price Allocation

Other US Acquisition 2014

USD ($)

Dec. 31, 2014

Preliminary Purchase Price Allocation

Other US Acquisition 2014

USD ($)

Mar. 27, 2015

Leased Sites

Verizon Transaction

USD ($)

renewal_period

communications_site

Jun. 30, 2015

Leased Sites

Verizon Transaction

Mar. 27, 2015

Leased Sites

Verizon Transaction

USD ($)

communications_site

Mar. 27, 2015

Owned Sites

Verizon Transaction

USD ($)

Jun. 30, 2015

Owned Sites

Verizon Transaction

communications_site

Mar. 27, 2015

Owned Sites

Verizon Transaction

communications_site

Jul. 01, 2015

Subsequent Event

Airtel Acquisition

USD ($)

Jul. 01, 2015

Subsequent Event

Airtel Acquisition

communications_site

Jul. 01, 2015

Subsequent Event

Preliminary Purchase Price Allocation

Airtel Acquisition

USD ($)

Jun. 30, 2015

Customer Relationships

Maximum

Jul. 01, 2015

Customer Relationships

Subsequent Event

Maximum

Preliminary Purchase Price Allocation

Jun. 30, 2015

Acquired Network Location

Maximum

Jun. 30, 2015

Acquired Network Location

Maximum

Preliminary Purchase Price Allocation

Business Acquisition [Line Items]

$ 111,800,000

$ 116,300,000

Pro forma information gross margin of acquiree since acquisition date actual

54,000,000

56,100,000

Number of sites acquired

11,448

4,176

194

2,504

159

299

184

163

4,699

Aggregate purchase price

5,053,000,000

644,300,000

1,900,000,000

2,600,000

125,400,000

568,900,000

558,700,000

189,400,000

188,900,000

28,300,000

40,300,000

180,800,000

644,280,000

2,595,000

125,427,000

558,723,000

568,890,000

189,379,000

180,822,000

4,964,000,000

99,000,000

1,087,000,000

1,087,037,000

Business combination, consideration transferred, amount to be paid

1,900,000

Capital Leased Assets, Number of Units

11,285

Right to lease, weighted average term

28 years

Business Acquisition, Transaction Costs

9,900,000

Initial Lease Term

10 years

Successive Terms To Renew Lease

Lessee Leasing Arrangements, Operating Leases, Renewal Term

5 years

Future monthly sublease rent per tower

1,900

Fixed annual rent escalation percentage

2.00%

Letters of Credit Outstanding, Amount

11 years

20 years

20 years 0 months 0 days 0 hours 0 minutes 0 seconds

Transaction costs paid

7,100,000

29,700,000

92,100,000

Number of property interests acquired

24,867,000

^[1]

24,867,000

^[1]

27,203,000

28,524,000

31,025,000

31,342,000

31,890,000

1,300,000

6,300,000

Additional Sites To Be Acquired

2,113

Right to use, property interests acquired

Payments for Repurchase of Trust Preferred Securities

61,100,000

Assumption of existing indebtedness at historical cost

261,100,000

196,500,000

3,400,000

261,136,000

^[2]

261,136,000

^[2]

201,999,000

^[2]

Repayments of Assumed Debt

15,800,000

137,900,000

Value added tax and other consumption tax receivables

23,155,000

23,228,000

^[3]

1,200,000

5,600,000

Consideration transferred, other

36,300,000

Partial cash consideration transferred

4,000,000

Noncash or Part Noncash Acquisition, Value of Liabilities Assumed, Current Portion

11,500,000

Liabilities, Fair Value Adjustment

5,500,000

Maximum number of communications sites to be acquired

4,800

Contingent consideration arrangements, low range of outcomes

$ 0

[1]	Estimate is determined using a probability weighted average of expected outcomes as of June 30, 2015.
[2]	Assumed BR Towers debt approximated fair value at the date of acquisition and included $11.5 million of current indebtedness. Assumed Richland debt included $196.5 million of Richland’s indebtedness and a fair value adjustment of $5.5 million. The fair value adjustments were based primarily on reported market values using Level 2 inputs.
[3]	December 31, 2014 balances have been revised to reflect purchase accounting measurement period adjustments.

Acquisitions and Other Transactions (Schedule of merger and acquisition related costs) (Details) (USD $)
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified

3 Months Ended

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2015

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2015

Jun. 30, 2014

Business Combination, Description [Abstract]

Acquisition and merger related expenses (1)

$ 5,021

^[1]

$ 4,854

^[1]

$ 7,987

^[1]

$ 14,606

^[1]

Integration costs

$ 4,525

$ 3,217

$ 6,280

$ 5,686

[1]	Acquisition and merger related expenses for the six months ended June 30, 2015 do not reflect approximately $9.9 million of transaction costs related to the Verizon Transaction as these costs have been capitalized as part of the assets’ fair value.

Acquisitions and Other Transactions (Schedule of recognized identified assets acquired and liabilities assumed) (Details)
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified

0 Months Ended

6 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

6 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

6 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

6 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

6 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2015

USD ($)

Dec. 31, 2014

USD ($)

Mar. 27, 2015

Verizon Transaction

USD ($)

Apr. 29, 2015

TIM Acquisition

USD ($)

Apr. 29, 2015

TIM Acquisition

BRL

Jun. 30, 2015

TIM Acquisition

Preliminary Purchase Price Allocation

USD ($)

Jun. 30, 2015

Other International Acquisitions 2015

USD ($)

Jun. 30, 2015

Other International Acquisitions 2015

Preliminary Purchase Price Allocation

USD ($)

Jun. 30, 2015

Other Us Acquisition 2015

USD ($)

Jun. 30, 2015

Other Us Acquisition 2015

Preliminary Purchase Price Allocation

USD ($)

Nov. 19, 2014

BR Towers

USD ($)

Jun. 30, 2015

BR Towers

USD ($)

Jun. 30, 2015

BR Towers

Preliminary Purchase Price Allocation

USD ($)

Dec. 31, 2014

BR Towers

Preliminary Purchase Price Allocation

USD ($)

Jun. 30, 2015

BR Towers

Preliminary Purchase Price Allocation

Acquired Network Location

USD ($)

Dec. 31, 2014

BR Towers

Preliminary Purchase Price Allocation

Acquired Network Location

USD ($)

Apr. 03, 2014

Richland Acquisition

USD ($)

Jun. 30, 2015

Richland Acquisition

USD ($)

Dec. 31, 2014

Richland Acquisition

Preliminary Purchase Price Allocation

USD ($)

Dec. 31, 2014

Richland Acquisition

Preliminary Purchase Price Allocation

Acquired Network Location

USD ($)

Jun. 30, 2015

Richland Acquisition

Purchase Price Allocation

USD ($)

Jun. 30, 2015

Richland Acquisition

Purchase Price Allocation

Acquired Network Location

USD ($)

Dec. 31, 2014

Other US Acquisition 2014

USD ($)

Jun. 30, 2015

Other US Acquisition 2014

Preliminary Purchase Price Allocation

USD ($)

Dec. 31, 2014

Other US Acquisition 2014

Preliminary Purchase Price Allocation

USD ($)

Jun. 30, 2015

Other US Acquisition 2014

Preliminary Purchase Price Allocation

Acquired Network Location

USD ($)

Dec. 31, 2014

Other US Acquisition 2014

Preliminary Purchase Price Allocation

Acquired Network Location

USD ($)

Mar. 27, 2015

Leased Sites

Verizon Transaction

USD ($)

Jun. 30, 2015

Leased Sites

Verizon Transaction

Preliminary Purchase Price Allocation

USD ($)

Business Acquisition [Line Items]

Current assets

$ 0

$ 194

$ 32,075

$ 31,832

$ 8,583

^[1]

$ 332

$ 797

$ 6,685

Non-current assets

985

9,365

9,135

^[1]

1,041

167,315

Property and equipment

209,539

1,284

32,803

133,930

141,422

185,777

154,899

^[1]

38,092

38,413

2,024,887

Intangible assets:

Customer-related intangible assets

304,367

^[2]

822

^[2]

47,408

^[2]

495,455

^[3]

495,279

^[3]

169,452

^[3]

186,455

^[1],[3]

88,490

^[3]

89,990

^[3]

1,788,574

^[2]

Network location intangible assets

98,316

^[2]

463

^[2]

33,633

^[2]

136,692

^[3]

136,233

^[3]

1,700

^[3]

3,409

^[1],[3]

38,470

^[3]

39,470

^[3]

1,188,033

^[2]

Other Intangible Assets, Net

32,123

^[3]

37,664

^[3]

^[1],[3]

^[3]

Current liabilities

(287)

(23,930)

(3,635)

^[1]

(1,997)

(10,747)

Other non-current liabilities

(19,286)

(61)

(1,986)

(101,892)

(101,508)

(2,922)

^[1]

(1,675)

(200,530)

^[4]

Net assets acquired

592,936

2,508

112,750

713,818

726,127

358,955

346,789

^[1]

162,753

164,998

Goodwill

4,036,642

4,033,174

^[5]

51,344

^[6]

12,677

^[6]

167,097

^[7]

164,955

^[7]

32,423

^[7]

44,128

^[1]

18,069

^[7]

15,824

^[7]

Fair value of net assets acquired

644,280

2,595

125,427

880,915

891,082

391,378

390,917

^[1]

180,822

4,964,217

^[8]

Assumption of existing indebtedness at historical cost

(261,100)

(261,136)

^[9]

(261,136)

^[9]

(196,500)

(201,999)

^[9]

(201,999)

^[1]

^[9]

Preferred stock outstanding

(61,056)

Aggregate purchase price

$ 5,053,000

$ 644,300

1,900,000

$ 644,280

$ 2,600

$ 2,595

$ 125,400

$ 125,427

$ 568,900

$ 558,700

$ 558,723

$ 568,890

$ 189,400

$ 188,900

$ 189,379

$ 188,918

^[1]

$ 180,800

$ 180,822

$ 4,964,000

[1]	The allocation of the purchase price was finalized during the six months ended June 30, 2015.
[2]	Customer-related intangible assets and network location intangible assets are amortized on a straight-line basis over periods of up to 20 years.
[3]	Customer-related intangible assets and network location intangible assets are amortized on a straight-line basis over periods of up to 20 years. Other intangible assets are amortized on a straight-line basis over the life of the lease, which is a period of 11 years.
[4]	Represents liabilities recorded for asset retirement obligations.
[5]	January 1, 2015 balances have been revised to reflect purchase accounting measurement period adjustments.
[6]	Goodwill was allocated to the Company’s rental and management segments. The Company expects goodwill recorded in its domestic rental and management segment will be deductible for tax purposes and goodwill recorded in its international rental and management segment will not be deductible for tax purposes.
[7]	Goodwill was allocated to the Company’s rental and management segments, and the Company expects goodwill recorded will be deductible for tax purposes except for goodwill associated with BR Towers, where goodwill is expected to be partially deductible.
[8]	Includes approximately $9.9 million of transaction costs, which have been capitalized as part of the assets’ fair value, $7.1 million of which was paid during the six months ended June 30, 2015.
[9]	Assumed BR Towers debt approximated fair value at the date of acquisition and included $11.5 million of current indebtedness. Assumed Richland debt included $196.5 million of Richland’s indebtedness and a fair value adjustment of $5.5 million. The fair value adjustments were based primarily on reported market values using Level 2 inputs.

Acquisitions and Other Transactions (Business Acquisition, Pro Forma Information) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014
Business Acquisition, Pro Forma Information [Abstract]
Operating revenues	$ 1,182,098	$ 1,173,563	$ 2,376,710	$ 2,311,108
Net income attributable to American Tower Corporation	$ 129,460	$ 174,338	$ 273,838	$ 320,473
Basic earnings per share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.31	$ 0.41	$ 0.65	$ 0.76
Diluted earnings per share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.30	$ 0.41	$ 0.64	$ 0.75

Acquisitions and Other Transactions (Schedule of business acquisitions by acquisitions, contingent consideration) (Details) (USD $)
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified

3 Months Ended

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2015

Mar. 31, 2015

Dec. 31, 2014

Jun. 30, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Business Acquisition, Contingent Consideration [Line Items]

Contingent consideration arrangements, high range of outcomes

$ 33,947

^[1]

$ 33,947

^[1]

24,867

^[2]

24,867

^[2]

27,203

28,524

31,025

31,342

31,890

117

^[3]

1,311

^[3]

Business Acquisition, Contingent Consideration [Line Items]

(2,327)

(3,353)

COLOMBIA

Contingent consideration arrangements, high range of outcomes

27,344

^[1]

27,344

^[1]

18,264

^[2]

18,264

^[2]

^[3]

Business Acquisition, Contingent Consideration [Line Items]

COSTA RICA

Contingent consideration arrangements, high range of outcomes

175

^[1]

175

^[1]

175

^[2]

175

^[2]

^[3]

Business Acquisition, Contingent Consideration [Line Items]

(1,723)

GHANA

Contingent consideration arrangements, high range of outcomes

409

^[1]

409

^[1]

409

^[2]

409

^[2]

^[3]

Business Acquisition, Contingent Consideration [Line Items]

UNITED STATES

Contingent consideration arrangements, high range of outcomes

6,019

^[1]

6,019

^[1]

6,019

^[2]

6,019

^[2]

117

^[3]

1,311

^[3]

$ (604)

$ (1,630)

[1]	The maximum potential value is based on exchange rates at June 30, 2015. The minimum value could be zero.
[2]	Estimate is determined using a probability weighted average of expected outcomes as of June 30, 2015.
[3]	Based on preliminary acquisition accounting upon closing of certain acquisitions during the three and six months ended June 30, 2015.

Business Segments (Summarized Financial Information Concerning the Company's Reportable Segments) (Details) (USD $)
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified

3 Months Ended

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2015

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2015

Jun. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2014

$ 1,174,375

$ 1,031,457

$ 2,253,565

$ 2,015,546

321,970

^[1]

271,822

^[2]

586,039

^[3]

532,087

^[4]

Segment selling, general, administrative and development expense

855,067

762,297

1,672,784

1,488,716

64,663

^[1]

65,111

^[2]

129,532

^[3]

124,266

^[4]

790,404

697,186

1,543,252

1,364,450

Other selling, general, administrative and development expense

24,045

18,835

53,906

43,439

28,118

15,006

57,249

41,780

Depreciation, amortization and accretion

328,356

245,427

591,876

491,190

Other expense

238,749

^[5]

174,457

^[6]

449,721

^[5]

333,618

^[6]

INCOME FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS BEFORE INCOME TAXES

171,136

243,461

390,500

454,423

26,469,725

20,847,737

26,469,725

20,847,737

21,331,928

Operating Segments | Rental And Management

1,154,235

1,005,761

2,216,415

1,965,881

313,895

^[1]

262,841

^[2]

572,720

^[3]

513,304

^[4]

Segment selling, general, administrative and development expense

843,002

745,582

1,648,953

1,457,834

61,224

^[1]

62,785

^[2]

122,657

^[3]

119,410

^[4]

781,778

682,797

1,526,296

1,338,424

26,243,795

20,615,600

26,243,795

20,615,600

Operating Segments | Rental And Management | Domestic

802,841

659,743

1,520,721

1,295,522

182,172

^[1]

126,340

^[2]

315,204

^[3]

247,849

^[4]

Segment selling, general, administrative and development expense

620,669

533,403

1,205,517

1,047,673

31,243

^[1]

28,313

^[2]

58,065

^[3]

55,722

^[4]

589,426

505,090

1,147,452

991,951

19,383,596

14,149,220

19,383,596

14,149,220

Operating Segments | Rental And Management | International

351,394

346,018

695,694

670,359

131,723

^[1]

136,501

^[2]

257,516

^[3]

265,455

^[4]

Segment selling, general, administrative and development expense

222,333

212,179

443,436

410,161

29,981

^[1]

34,472

^[2]

64,592

^[3]

63,688

^[4]

192,352

177,707

378,844

346,473

6,860,199

6,466,380

6,860,199

6,466,380

Operating Segments | Network Development Services

20,140

25,696

37,150

49,665

8,075

^[1]

8,981

^[2]

13,319

^[3]

18,783

^[4]

Segment selling, general, administrative and development expense

12,065

16,715

23,831

30,882

3,439

^[1]

2,326

^[2]

6,875

^[3]

4,856

^[4]

8,626

14,389

16,956

26,026

71,268

58,611

71,268

58,611

Corporate, Non-Segment

Other selling, general, administrative and development expense

24,045

18,835

53,906

43,439

28,118

15,006

57,249

41,780

Depreciation, amortization and accretion

328,356

245,427

591,876

491,190

Other expense

238,749

^[5]

174,457

^[6]

449,721

^[5]

333,618

^[6]

154,662

173,526

154,662

173,526

TV Azteca

2,662

5,258

5,257

TV Azteca | Operating Segments | Rental And Management

2,662

5,258

5,257

TV Azteca | Operating Segments | Rental And Management | International

2,662

5,258

5,257

Operating Expense | Corporate, Non-Segment

500

1,100

1,000

Selling General Administrative And Development Expense

23,557

18,382

52,847

42,482

Selling General Administrative And Development Expense | Corporate, Non-Segment

Maximum number of communications sites to be acquired

$ 23,600

$ 18,400

$ 52,800

$ 42,500

[1]	Segment operating expenses and segment selling, general, administrative and development expense exclude stock-based compensation expense of $0.5 million and $23.6 million, respectively.
[2]	Segment operating expenses and segment selling, general, administrative and development expense exclude stock-based compensation expense of $0.5 million and $18.4 million, respectively.
[3]	Segment operating expenses and segment selling, general, administrative and development expense exclude stock-based compensation expense of $1.1 million and $52.8 million, respectively.
[4]	Segment operating expenses and segment selling, general, administrative and development expense exclude stock-based compensation expense of $1.0 million and $42.5 million, respectively.
[5]	Other expense primarily includes interest expense and loss on retirement of long-term obligations.
[6]	Other expense primarily includes interest expense.

Subsequent Events (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)

6 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2015

Dec. 31, 2014

Jun. 30, 2015

Maximum

Customer Relationships

Nov. 24, 2014

Airtel Acquisition

communications_site

Jul. 01, 2015

Subsequent Event

Preliminary Purchase Price Allocation

Maximum

Customer Relationships

Jul. 01, 2015

Subsequent Event

Airtel Acquisition

Jul. 01, 2015

Subsequent Event

Airtel Acquisition

communications_site

Jul. 01, 2015

Subsequent Event

Airtel Acquisition

Preliminary Purchase Price Allocation

Jul. 01, 2015

Subsequent Event

Airtel Acquisition

Preliminary Purchase Price Allocation

Subsequent Event [Line Items]

4,800

Number of sites acquired

4,699

Aggregate purchase price

$ 1,087,000,000

$ 1,087,037,000

Payments to Acquire Businesses, Gross

735,700,000

Non-current assets

37,994,000

Property and equipment

569,929,000

Customer-related intangible assets

145,731,000

^[1]

Network location intangible assets

258,708,000

^[1]

Other non-current liabilities

(8,056,000)

Net assets acquired

1,004,306,000

GOODWILL

4,036,642,000

4,033,174,000

^[2]

82,731,000

^[3]

Fair value of net assets acquired

1,087,037,000

Debt assumed

$ 0