Document and Entity Information - shares |
9 Months Ended | ||
|---|---|---|---|
Sep. 30, 2018 |
Nov. 02, 2018 |
Dec. 31, 2017 |
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| Entity Information [Line Items] | |||
| Common Stock, Shares, Outstanding | 415,000,000 | 406,000,000 | |
| Entity Registrant Name | CROWN CASTLE INTERNATIONAL CORP | ||
| Entity Central Index Key | 0001051470 | ||
| Current Fiscal Year End Date | --12-31 | ||
| Entity Filer Category | Large Accelerated Filer | ||
| Document Type | 10-Q | ||
| Document Period End Date | Sep. 30, 2018 | ||
| Document Fiscal Year Focus | 2018 | ||
| Document Fiscal Period Focus | Q3 | ||
| Amendment Flag | false | ||
| Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding | 414,850,442 | ||
| Entity Current Reporting Status | Yes | ||
| Entity Emerging Growth Company | false | ||
| Entity Small Business | false |
| X | ||||||||||
- Definition If the value is true, then the document is an amendment to previously-filed/accepted document. No definition available.
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- Definition End date of current fiscal year in the format --MM-DD. No definition available.
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- Definition This is focus fiscal period of the document report. For a first quarter 2006 quarterly report, which may also provide financial information from prior periods, the first fiscal quarter should be given as the fiscal period focus. Values: FY, Q1, Q2, Q3, Q4, H1, H2, M9, T1, T2, T3, M8, CY. No definition available.
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- Definition This is focus fiscal year of the document report in CCYY format. For a 2006 annual report, which may also provide financial information from prior periods, fiscal 2006 should be given as the fiscal year focus. Example: 2006. No definition available.
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- Definition The end date of the period reflected on the cover page if a periodic report. For all other reports and registration statements containing historical data, it is the date up through which that historical data is presented. If there is no historical data in the report, use the filing date. The format of the date is CCYY-MM-DD. No definition available.
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- Definition The type of document being provided (such as 10-K, 10-Q, 485BPOS, etc). The document type is limited to the same value as the supporting SEC submission type, or the word 'Other'. No definition available.
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- Definition A unique 10-digit SEC-issued value to identify entities that have filed disclosures with the SEC. It is commonly abbreviated as CIK. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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| X | ||||||||||
- Definition Indicate number of shares or other units outstanding of each of registrant's classes of capital or common stock or other ownership interests, if and as stated on cover of related periodic report. Where multiple classes or units exist define each class/interest by adding class of stock items such as Common Class A [Member], Common Class B [Member] or Partnership Interest [Member] onto the Instrument [Domain] of the Entity Listings, Instrument. No definition available.
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- Definition Indicate 'Yes' or 'No' whether registrants (1) have filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that registrants were required to file such reports), and (2) have been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. This information should be based on the registrant's current or most recent filing containing the related disclosure. No definition available.
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- Definition Indicate if registrant meets the emerging growth company criteria. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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- Definition Indicate whether the registrant is one of the following: (1) Large Accelerated Filer, (2) Accelerated Filer, (3) Non-accelerated Filer, (4) Smaller Reporting Company (Non-accelerated), (5) Smaller Reporting Accelerated Filer or (6) Smaller Reporting Company and Large Accelerated Filer. Definitions of these categories are stated in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. This information should be based on the registrant's current or most recent filing containing the related disclosure. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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- Definition Line items represent financial concepts included in a table. These concepts are used to disclose reportable information associated with domain members defined in one or many axes to the table. No definition available.
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- Definition The exact name of the entity filing the report as specified in its charter, which is required by forms filed with the SEC. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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- Definition Indicates that the company is a smaller reporting company with both a public float and revenues of less than $75 million. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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| X | ||||||||||
- Definition Number of shares of common stock outstanding. Common stock represent the ownership interest in a corporation. Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
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| X | ||||||||||
- Definition Carrying value as of the balance sheet date of liabilities incurred (and for which invoices have typically been received) and payable to vendors for goods and services received that are used in an entity's business. Used to reflect the current portion of the liabilities (due within one year or within the normal operating cycle if longer). Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
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| X | ||||||||||
- Definition Amount due from customers or clients, within one year of the balance sheet date (or the normal operating cycle, whichever is longer), for goods or services (including trade receivables) that have been delivered or sold in the normal course of business, reduced to the estimated net realizable fair value by an allowance established by the entity of the amount it deems uncertain of collection. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
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| X | ||||||||||
- Definition 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. Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
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- Definition Excess of issue price over par or stated value of the entity's capital stock and amounts received from other transactions involving the entity's stock or stockholders. Includes adjustments to additional paid in capital. Some examples of such adjustments include recording the issuance of debt with a beneficial conversion feature and certain tax consequences of equity instruments awarded to employees. Use this element for the aggregate amount of additional paid-in capital associated with common and preferred stock. For additional paid-in capital associated with only common stock, use the element additional paid in capital, common stock. For additional paid-in capital associated with only preferred stock, use the element additional paid in capital, preferred stock. Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
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| X | ||||||||||
- Definition Sum of the carrying amounts as of the balance sheet date of all assets that are recognized. Assets are probable future economic benefits obtained or controlled by an entity as a result of past transactions or events. Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
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- References No definition available.
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| X | ||||||||||
- Definition Sum of the carrying amounts as of the balance sheet date of all assets that are expected to be realized in cash, sold, or consumed within one year (or the normal operating cycle, if longer). Assets are probable future economic benefits obtained or controlled by an entity as a result of past transactions or events. Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
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| X | ||||||||||
- Definition Amount of currency on hand as well as demand deposits with banks or financial institutions. Includes other kinds of accounts that have the general characteristics of demand deposits. Also includes short-term, highly liquid investments that are both readily convertible to known amounts of cash and so near their maturity that they present insignificant risk of changes in value because of changes in interest rates. Excludes cash and cash equivalents within disposal group and discontinued operation. Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
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- Definition Represents the caption on the face of the balance sheet to indicate that the entity has entered into (1) purchase or supply arrangements that will require expending a portion of its resources to meet the terms thereof, and (2) is exposed to potential losses or, less frequently, gains, arising from (a) possible claims against a company's resources due to future performance under contract terms, and (b) possible losses or likely gains from uncertainties that will ultimately be resolved when one or more future events that are deemed likely to occur do occur or fail to occur. Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
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- Definition Aggregate par or stated value of issued nonredeemable common stock (or common stock redeemable solely at the option of the issuer). This item includes treasury stock repurchased by the entity. Note: elements for number of nonredeemable common shares, par value and other disclosure concepts are in another section within stockholders' equity. Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
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| X | ||||||||||
- Definition Amount of short-term debt and current maturity of long-term debt and capital lease obligations due within one year or the normal operating cycle, if longer. Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
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- Definition For a classified balance sheet, the cumulative difference between the rental income or payments required by a lease agreement and the rental income or expense recognized on a straight-line basis, or other systematic and rational basis more representative of the time pattern in which use or benefit is granted or derived from the leased property, expected to be recognized in income or expense, by the lessor or lessee, respectively, more than one year after the balance sheet date. Such receivable is reduced by allowances attributable to, for instance, credit risk associated with a lessee. Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
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- Definition The carrying amount of consideration received or receivable as of the balance sheet date on potential earnings that were not recognized as revenue in conformity with GAAP, and which are expected to be recognized as such within one year or the normal operating cycle, if longer, including sales, license fees, and royalties, but excluding interest income. Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/otherTransitionRef
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| X | ||||||||||
- Definition Amount after accumulated impairment loss of an asset representing future economic benefits arising from other assets acquired in a business combination that are not individually identified and separately recognized. Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
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| X | ||||||||||
- Definition Sum of the carrying amounts of all intangible assets, excluding goodwill, as of the balance sheet date, net of accumulated amortization and impairment charges. Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
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- Definition Carrying value as of the balance sheet date of [accrued] interest payable on all forms of debt, including trade payables, that has been incurred and is unpaid. Used to reflect the current portion of the liabilities (due within one year or within the normal operating cycle if longer). Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
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- Definition Sum of the carrying amounts as of the balance sheet date of all liabilities that are recognized. Liabilities are probable future sacrifices of economic benefits arising from present obligations of an entity to transfer assets or provide services to other entities in the future. Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
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- Definition Amount of liabilities and equity items, including the portion of equity attributable to noncontrolling interests, if any. Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
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- References No definition available.
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- Definition Total obligations incurred as part of normal operations that are expected to be paid during the following twelve months or within one business cycle, if longer. Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
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| X | ||||||||||
- Definition Amount of long-term debt and capital lease obligation due after one year or beyond the normal operating cycle, if longer. Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
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| X | ||||||||||
- Definition Amount of current assets classified as other. Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
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| X | ||||||||||
- Definition Amount of noncurrent assets classified as other. Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
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| X | ||||||||||
- Definition Amount of liabilities classified as other, due within one year or the normal operating cycle, if longer. Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
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| X | ||||||||||
- Definition Amount of liabilities classified as other, due after one year or the normal operating cycle, if longer. Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
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- Definition Aggregate par or stated value of issued nonredeemable preferred stock (or preferred stock redeemable solely at the option of the issuer). This item includes treasury stock repurchased by the entity. Note: elements for number of nonredeemable preferred shares, par value and other disclosure concepts are in another section within stockholders' equity. Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
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- Definition Amount of asset related to consideration paid in advance for costs that provide economic benefits within a future period of one year or the normal operating cycle, if longer. Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
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- Definition Amount after accumulated depreciation, depletion and amortization of physical assets used in the normal conduct of business to produce goods and services and not intended for resale. Examples include, but are not limited to, land, buildings, machinery and equipment, office equipment, and furniture and fixtures. Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
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- Definition Amount of cash and cash equivalents restricted as to withdrawal or usage, classified as current. Cash includes, but is not limited to, currency on hand, demand deposits with banks or financial institutions, and other accounts with general characteristics of demand deposits. Cash equivalents include, but are not limited to, short-term, highly liquid investments that are both readily convertible to known amounts of cash and so near their maturity that they present insignificant risk of changes in value because of changes in interest rates. Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
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- Definition The cumulative amount of the reporting entity's undistributed earnings or deficit. Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
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- References No definition available.
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- Definition Amount of stockholders' equity (deficit), net of receivables from officers, directors, owners, and affiliates of the entity, attributable to both the parent and noncontrolling interests. Amount excludes temporary equity. Alternate caption for the concept is permanent equity. Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
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Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet (Parenthetical) - USD ($) shares in Millions, $ in Millions |
Sep. 30, 2018 |
Dec. 31, 2017 |
|---|---|---|
| Accumulated depreciation, property and equipment | $ 8,292 | $ 7,500 |
| Preferred Stock, Par or Stated Value Per Share | $ 0.01 | $ 0.01 |
| Preferred Stock, Shares Authorized | 20 | 20 |
| Preferred Stock, Shares Issued | 2 | 2 |
| Preferred Stock, Shares Outstanding | 2 | 2 |
| Preferred Stock, Liquidation Preference, Value | $ 1,650 | $ 1,650 |
| Common stock, par value | $ 0.01 | $ 0.01 |
| Common stock, shares authorized | 600 | 600 |
| Common stock, shares outstanding | 415 | 406 |
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- Definition Amount of accumulated depreciation, depletion and amortization for physical assets used in the normal conduct of business to produce goods and services. Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
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- Definition Face amount or stated value per share of common stock. Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
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- Definition The maximum number of common shares permitted to be issued by an entity's charter and bylaws. Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
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- Definition Number of shares of common stock outstanding. Common stock represent the ownership interest in a corporation. Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
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- Definition Value of the difference between preference in liquidation and the par or stated values of the preferred shares. No definition available.
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- Definition Face amount or stated value per share of preferred stock nonredeemable or redeemable solely at the option of the issuer. Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
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- Definition The maximum number of nonredeemable preferred shares (or preferred stock redeemable solely at the option of the issuer) permitted to be issued by an entity's charter and bylaws. Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
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| X | ||||||||||
- Definition Total number of nonredeemable preferred shares (or preferred stock redeemable solely at the option of the issuer) issued to shareholders (includes related preferred shares that were issued, repurchased, and remain in the treasury). May be all or portion of the number of preferred shares authorized. Excludes preferred shares that are classified as debt. Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
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- Definition Aggregate share number for all nonredeemable preferred stock (or preferred stock redeemable solely at the option of the issuer) held by stockholders. Does not include preferred shares that have been repurchased. Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
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- Definition This element represents acquisition and integration related costs incurred to effect a business combination which costs have been expensed during the period. Such costs include finder's fees; advisory, legal, accounting, valuation, and other professional or consulting fees; general administrative costs; integration costs; and may include costs of registering and issuing debt and equity securities. No definition available.
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- Definition n/a No definition available.
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- Definition The cost of borrowed funds and the amortization of interest rate swaps accounted for as interest that was charged against earnings during the period. No definition available.
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- Definition Amount of write-down of assets recognized in the income statement. Includes, but is not limited to, losses from tangible assets, intangible assets and goodwill. Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
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- Definition Aggregate dividends declared during the period for each share of common stock outstanding. Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
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- Definition Amount after tax of increase (decrease) in equity from transactions and other events and circumstances from net income and other comprehensive income, attributable to parent entity. Excludes changes in equity resulting from investments by owners and distributions to owners. Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
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- Definition The aggregate costs related to goods produced and sold and services rendered by an entity during the reporting period. This excludes costs incurred during the reporting period related to financial services rendered and other revenue generating activities. Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
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- Definition Total costs of sales and operating expenses for the period. Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
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- Definition The aggregate net amount of depreciation, amortization, and accretion recognized during an accounting period. As a noncash item, the net amount is added back to net income when calculating cash provided by or used in operations using the indirect method. Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
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- Definition Amount of expense incurred and directly related to generating revenue from leased and rented property or equipment. Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/otherTransitionRef
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- Definition Amount of paid and unpaid preferred stock dividends declared with the form of settlement in cash, stock and payment-in-kind (PIK). Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
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- References No definition available.
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| X | ||||||||||
- Definition The amount of net income (loss) for the period per each share of common stock or unit outstanding during the reporting period. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
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| X | ||||||||||
- Definition The amount of net income (loss) for the period available to each share of common stock or common unit outstanding during the reporting period and to each share or unit that would have been outstanding assuming the issuance of common shares or units for all dilutive potential common shares or units outstanding during the reporting period. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/exampleRef
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- Definition Difference between the fair value of payments made and the carrying amount of debt which is extinguished prior to maturity. Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
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- Definition Amount of income (loss) from continuing operations before deduction of income tax expense (benefit) and income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest, and addition of income (loss) from equity method investments. Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
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| X | ||||||||||
- Definition Amount of current income tax expense (benefit) and deferred income tax expense (benefit) pertaining to continuing operations. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
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- Definition Amount before accretion (amortization) of purchase discount (premium) of interest income on nonoperating securities. Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
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- Definition Amount, after deduction of tax, noncontrolling interests, dividends on preferred stock and participating securities; of income (loss) available to common shareholders. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
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- References No definition available.
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- References No definition available.
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| X | ||||||||||
- Definition The net result for the period of deducting operating expenses from operating revenues. No definition available.
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- Definition The total amount of revenue recognized for the period from operating leases, including minimum lease revenue, contingent revenue, percentage revenue and sublease revenue. Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
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| X | ||||||||||
- Definition Amount after tax and reclassification adjustments of gain (loss) on foreign currency translation adjustments, foreign currency transactions designated and effective as economic hedges of a net investment in a foreign entity and intra-entity foreign currency transactions that are of a long-term-investment nature. Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
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| X | ||||||||||
- Definition Amount after tax and reclassification adjustments of other comprehensive income (loss). Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
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- References No definition available.
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| X | ||||||||||
- Definition Amount of income (expense) related to nonoperating activities, classified as other. Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
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- Definition The consolidated profit or loss for the period, net of income taxes, including the portion attributable to the noncontrolling interest. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
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- Definition Amount, excluding tax collected from customer, of revenue from satisfaction of performance obligation by transferring promised good or service to customer. Tax collected from customer is tax assessed by governmental authority that is both imposed on and concurrent with specific revenue-producing transaction, including, but not limited to, sales, use, value added and excise. Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
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| X | ||||||||||
- Definition Amount of revenue recognized from goods sold, services rendered, insurance premiums, or other activities that constitute an earning process. Includes, but is not limited to, investment and interest income before deduction of interest expense when recognized as a component of revenue, and sales and trading gain (loss). Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
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- References No definition available.
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| X | ||||||||||
- Definition The aggregate total costs related to selling a firm's product and services, as well as all other general and administrative expenses. Direct selling expenses (for example, credit, warranty, and advertising) are expenses that can be directly linked to the sale of specific products. Indirect selling expenses are expenses that cannot be directly linked to the sale of specific products, for example telephone expenses, Internet, and postal charges. General and administrative expenses include salaries of non-sales personnel, rent, utilities, communication, etc. Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
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| X | ||||||||||
- Definition The average number of shares or units issued and outstanding that are used in calculating diluted EPS or earnings per unit (EPU), determined based on the timing of issuance of shares or units in the period. Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
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| X | ||||||||||
- Definition Number of [basic] shares or units, after adjustment for contingently issuable shares or units and other shares or units not deemed outstanding, determined by relating the portion of time within a reporting period that common shares or units have been outstanding to the total time in that period. Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
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Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Millions |
9 Months Ended | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Sep. 30, 2018 |
Sep. 30, 2017 |
||||
| Cash and Cash Equivalents at Beginning of Period | [1] | $ 440 | $ 697 | ||
| Cash and Cash Equivalents at End of Period | [1] | 453 | 6,839 | ||
| Cash flows from operating activities: | |||||
| Net income (loss) | 458 | 346 | |||
| Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by (used for) operating activities: | |||||
| Depreciation, amortization and accretion | 1,138 | 880 | |||
| (Gains) losses on retirement of long-term obligations | 106 | 4 | |||
| Amortization of deferred financing costs and other non-cash interest | 5 | 8 | |||
| Stock-based compensation expense | 79 | 67 | |||
| Asset write-down charges | 18 | 10 | |||
| Deferred income tax (benefit) provision | 2 | 0 | |||
| Other non-cash adjustments | 2 | (3) | |||
| Changes in assets and liabilities, excluding the effects of acquisitions: | |||||
| Increase (decrease) in accrued interest | (31) | 2 | |||
| Increase (decrease) in accounts payable | 31 | (28) | |||
| Increase (decrease) in deferred revenues, deferred ground lease payables, other accrued liabilities and other liabilities | 144 | 88 | |||
| Decrease (increase) in receivables | (74) | 79 | |||
| Decrease (increase) in prepaid expenses, deferred site rental receivables, long-term prepaid rent and other assets | (103) | (40) | |||
| Net cash provided by (used for) operating activities | 1,775 | 1,413 | |||
| Cash flows from investing activities: | |||||
| Payments for acquisitions, net of cash acquired | (26) | (2,113) | |||
| Capital expenditures | (1,241) | (852) | |||
| Other investing activities, net | (14) | (6) | |||
| Net cash provided by (used for) investing activities | (1,281) | (2,971) | |||
| Cash flows from financing activities: | |||||
| Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt | 2,743 | 3,092 | |||
| Principal payments on debt and other long-term obligations | (76) | (90) | |||
| Purchases and redemptions of long-term debt | (2,346) | 0 | |||
| Borrowings under revolving credit facility | 1,290 | 1,755 | |||
| Payments under revolving credit facility | (1,465) | (1,755) | |||
| Payments for financing costs | (33) | (27) | |||
| Proceeds from Issuance of Common Stock | 841 | 4,221 | |||
| Proceeds from Issuance of Convertible Preferred Stock | 0 | 1,608 | |||
| Purchases of Common Stock | (34) | (23) | |||
| Dividends/distributions paid on common stock | (1,315) | (1,082) | |||
| Dividends paid on preferred stock | (85) | 0 | |||
| Net cash provided by (used for) financing activities | (480) | 7,699 | |||
| Net increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash | 14 | 6,141 | |||
| Effect of Exchange Rate on Cash and Cash Equivalents [Abstract] | |||||
| Effect of exchange rate changes on cash | $ (1) | $ 1 | |||
| |||||
| X | ||||||||||
- Definition The components of interest expense representing the non-cash expenses against earnings in the period including amortization of deferred financing costs, interest rate swaps, adjustments on long-term debt and other non-cash interest. No definition available.
|
| X | ||||||||||
- References No definition available.
|
| X | ||||||||||
- Definition Amount of write-down of assets recognized in the income statement. Includes, but is not limited to, losses from tangible assets, intangible assets and goodwill. Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
|
| X | ||||||||||
- Definition For the entity and the disposal group, cash includes currency on hand as well as demand deposits with banks or financial institutions. It also includes other kinds of accounts that have the general characteristics of demand deposits in that the Entity may deposit additional funds at any time and also effectively may withdraw funds at any time without prior notice or penalty. Cash equivalents, excluding items classified as marketable securities, include short-term, highly liquid investments that are both readily convertible to known amounts of cash, and so near their maturity that they present minimal risk of changes in value because of changes in interest rates. Generally, only investments with original maturities of three months or less qualify under that definition. Original maturity means original maturity to the entity holding the investment. For example, both a three-month US Treasury bill and a three-year Treasury note purchased three months from maturity qualify as cash equivalents. However, a Treasury note purchased three years ago does not become a cash equivalent when its remaining maturity is three months. Compensating balance arrangements that do not legally restrict the withdrawal or usage of cash amounts may be reported as Cash and Cash Equivalents, while legally restricted deposits held as compensating balances against borrowing arrangements, contracts entered into with others, or company statements of intention with regard to particular deposits are not generally reported as cash and cash equivalents. No definition available.
|
| X | ||||||||||
- Definition Amount of increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents. Cash and cash equivalents are the amount of currency on hand as well as demand deposits with banks or financial institutions. Includes other kinds of accounts that have the general characteristics of demand deposits. Also includes short-term, highly liquid investments that are both readily convertible to known amounts of cash and so near their maturity that they present insignificant risk of changes in value because of changes in interest rates. Excludes effect from exchange rate changes. No definition available.
|
| X | ||||||||||
- Definition Amount of deferred income tax expense (benefit) pertaining to income (loss) from continuing operations. Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
|
| X | ||||||||||
- Definition The aggregate net amount of depreciation, amortization, and accretion recognized during an accounting period. As a noncash item, the net amount is added back to net income when calculating cash provided by or used in operations using the indirect method. Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
|
| X | ||||||||||
- Definition Amount of increase (decrease) from the effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalent balances held in foreign currencies. Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
|
| X | ||||||||||
- References No definition available.
|
| X | ||||||||||
- Definition Difference between the fair value of payments made and the carrying amount of debt which is extinguished prior to maturity. Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
|
| X | ||||||||||
- Definition Amount after tax of income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to the parent. Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
|
| X | ||||||||||
- Definition Change in recurring obligations of a business that arise from the acquisition of merchandise, materials, supplies and services used in the production and sale of goods and services. Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
|
| X | ||||||||||
- Definition The increase (decrease) during the reporting period in interest payable, which represents the amount owed to note holders, bond holders, and other parties for interest earned on loans or credit extended to the reporting entity. Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
|
| X | ||||||||||
- References No definition available.
|
| X | ||||||||||
- Definition Amount of increase (decrease) in operating assets classified as other. Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
|
| X | ||||||||||
- Definition Amount of increase (decrease) in operating liabilities classified as other. Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
|
| X | ||||||||||
- Definition The increase (decrease) during the reporting period in the total amount due within one year (or one operating cycle) from all parties, associated with underlying transactions that are classified as operating activities. Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
|
| X | ||||||||||
- Definition Amount of cash inflow (outflow) from financing activities, including discontinued operations. Financing activity cash flows include obtaining resources from owners and providing them with a return on, and a return of, their investment; borrowing money and repaying amounts borrowed, or settling the obligation; and obtaining and paying for other resources obtained from creditors on long-term credit. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
|
| X | ||||||||||
- References No definition available.
|
| X | ||||||||||
- Definition Amount of cash inflow (outflow) from investing activities, including discontinued operations. Investing activity cash flows include making and collecting loans and acquiring and disposing of debt or equity instruments and property, plant, and equipment and other productive assets. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
|
| X | ||||||||||
- References No definition available.
|
| X | ||||||||||
- Definition Amount of cash inflow (outflow) from operating activities, including discontinued operations. Operating activity cash flows include transactions, adjustments, and changes in value not defined as investing or financing activities. Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
|
| X | ||||||||||
- References No definition available.
|
| X | ||||||||||
- Definition Amount of income (expense) included in net income that results in no cash inflow (outflow), classified as other. Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
|
| X | ||||||||||
- Definition Amount of cash (inflow) outflow from investing activities classified as other. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/commonPracticeRef
|
| X | ||||||||||
- Definition The cash outflow to reacquire common stock during the period. Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
|
| X | ||||||||||
- Definition Amount of cash outflow in the form of ordinary dividends to common shareholders of the parent entity. Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
|
| X | ||||||||||
- Definition Amount of cash outflow in the form of ordinary dividends to preferred shareholders of the parent entity. Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
|
| X | ||||||||||
- Definition The cash outflow for loan and debt issuance costs. Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
|
| X | ||||||||||
- Definition The cash outflow associated with the acquisition of a business, net of the cash acquired from the purchase. Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
|
| X | ||||||||||
- Definition The cash outflow for purchases of and capital improvements on property, plant and equipment (capital expenditures), software, and other intangible assets. Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
|
| X | ||||||||||
- Definition The cash inflow from the additional capital contribution to the entity. Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
|
| X | ||||||||||
- Definition The cash inflow from issuance of preferred stocks identified as being convertible into another form of financial instrument, typically the entity's common stock. Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
|
| X | ||||||||||
- Definition The cash inflow from a debt initially having maturity due after one year or beyond the operating cycle, if longer. Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
|
| X | ||||||||||
- Definition Amount of cash inflow from contractual arrangement with the lender, including but not limited to, letter of credit, standby letter of credit and revolving credit arrangements. Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
|
| X | ||||||||||
- Definition Amount of cash outflow for payment of an obligation from a lender, including but not limited to, letter of credit, standby letter of credit and revolving credit arrangements. Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
|
| X | ||||||||||
- Definition Amount of cash outflow for the payment of debt classified as other. Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
|
| X | ||||||||||
- Definition Amount of cash outflow for the payment of debt classified as other, maturing after one year or the operating cycle, if longer. Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
|
| X | ||||||||||
- Definition The aggregate amount of noncash, equity-based employee remuneration. This may include the value of stock or unit options, amortization of restricted stock or units, and adjustment for officers' compensation. As noncash, this element is an add back when calculating net cash generated by operating activities using the indirect method. Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
|
Condensed Consolidated Statement of Equity - USD ($) shares in Millions, $ in Millions |
Total |
Common Stock [Member] |
6.875% Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock [Member] |
Additional Paid-in Capital [Member] |
Accumulated Foreign Currency Adjustment Attributable to Parent [Member] |
Dividends/Distributions in Excess of Earnings [Member] |
|||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Balance, shares Period Start at Dec. 31, 2016 | 361 | ||||||||||
| Balance, value Period Start at Dec. 31, 2016 | $ 7,557 | $ 4 | $ 0 | $ 10,938 | $ (6) | $ (3,379) | |||||
| Preferred Stock, Shares Outstanding Period Start at Dec. 31, 2016 | 0 | ||||||||||
| Stock-based compensation related activity, net of forfeitures, value | 75 | $ 0 | 75 | 0 | 0 | ||||||
| Stock-based compensation related activity, net of forfeitures, shares | 1 | ||||||||||
| Purchases and retirement of common stock, value | (23) | $ 0 | (23) | 0 | 0 | ||||||
| Stock Issued During Period, Shares, New Issues | 44 | 2 | |||||||||
| Proceeds from Issuance of Convertible Preferred Stock | 1,608 | 1,608 | |||||||||
| Stock Issued During Period, Value, New Issues | 4,221 | $ 0 | 4,221 | ||||||||
| Proceeds from Issuance of Common Stock | 4,221 | ||||||||||
| Purchases and retirement of common stock, shares | 0 | ||||||||||
| Other comprehensive income (loss) | 1 | [1] | $ 0 | 0 | 1 | [1] | 0 | ||||
| Common stock dividends/distributions | (1,083) | (1,083) | |||||||||
| Preferred stock dividends | (30) | (30) | |||||||||
| Net income (loss) | 346 | $ 0 | 0 | 0 | 346 | ||||||
| Balance, shares Period End at Sep. 30, 2017 | 406 | ||||||||||
| Balance, value Period End at Sep. 30, 2017 | 12,672 | $ 4 | $ 0 | 16,819 | (5) | (4,146) | |||||
| Preferred Stock, Shares Outstanding Period End at Sep. 30, 2017 | 2 | ||||||||||
| Balance, shares Period Start at Jun. 30, 2017 | 366 | ||||||||||
| Balance, value Period Start at Jun. 30, 2017 | 7,591 | $ 4 | $ 0 | 11,433 | (5) | (3,841) | |||||
| Preferred Stock, Shares Outstanding Period Start at Jun. 30, 2017 | 0 | ||||||||||
| Stock-based compensation related activity, net of forfeitures, value | 22 | 22 | |||||||||
| Stock-based compensation related activity, net of forfeitures, shares | 0 | ||||||||||
| Purchases and retirement of common stock, value | 0 | 0 | |||||||||
| Stock Issued During Period, Shares, New Issues | 40 | 2 | |||||||||
| Proceeds from Issuance of Convertible Preferred Stock | 1,608 | 1,608 | |||||||||
| Stock Issued During Period, Value, New Issues | 3,756 | 3,756 | |||||||||
| Purchases and retirement of common stock, shares | 0 | ||||||||||
| Other comprehensive income (loss) | [1] | 0 | |||||||||
| Common stock dividends/distributions | (390) | (390) | |||||||||
| Preferred stock dividends | (30) | (30) | |||||||||
| Net income (loss) | 115 | 115 | |||||||||
| Balance, shares Period End at Sep. 30, 2017 | 406 | ||||||||||
| Balance, value Period End at Sep. 30, 2017 | $ 12,672 | $ 4 | $ 0 | 16,819 | (5) | (4,146) | |||||
| Preferred Stock, Shares Outstanding Period End at Sep. 30, 2017 | 2 | ||||||||||
| Balance, shares Period Start at Dec. 31, 2017 | 406 | 406 | |||||||||
| Balance, value Period Start at Dec. 31, 2017 | $ 12,339 | $ 4 | $ 0 | 16,844 | (4) | (4,505) | |||||
| Preferred Stock, Shares Outstanding Period Start at Dec. 31, 2017 | 2 | 2 | |||||||||
| Stock-based compensation related activity, net of forfeitures, value | $ 92 | $ 0 | 92 | 0 | 0 | ||||||
| Stock-based compensation related activity, net of forfeitures, shares | 1 | ||||||||||
| Purchases and retirement of common stock, value | (34) | $ 0 | (34) | 0 | 0 | ||||||
| Stock Issued During Period, Shares, New Issues | 8 | ||||||||||
| Proceeds from Issuance of Convertible Preferred Stock | 0 | ||||||||||
| Stock Issued During Period, Value, New Issues | 841 | $ 0 | 841 | ||||||||
| Proceeds from Issuance of Common Stock | 841 | ||||||||||
| Purchases and retirement of common stock, shares | 0 | ||||||||||
| Other comprehensive income (loss) | (1) | [1] | $ 0 | 0 | (1) | [1] | 0 | ||||
| Common stock dividends/distributions | (1,315) | (1,315) | |||||||||
| Preferred stock dividends | (85) | (85) | |||||||||
| Net income (loss) | $ 458 | $ 0 | 0 | 0 | 458 | ||||||
| Balance, shares Period End at Sep. 30, 2018 | 415 | 415 | |||||||||
| Balance, value Period End at Sep. 30, 2018 | $ 12,295 | $ 4 | $ 0 | 17,743 | (5) | (5,447) | |||||
| Preferred Stock, Shares Outstanding Period End at Sep. 30, 2018 | 2 | 2 | |||||||||
| Balance, shares Period Start at Jun. 30, 2018 | 415 | ||||||||||
| Balance, value Period Start at Jun. 30, 2018 | $ 12,566 | $ 4 | $ 0 | 17,711 | (5) | (5,144) | |||||
| Preferred Stock, Shares Outstanding Period Start at Jun. 30, 2018 | 2 | ||||||||||
| Stock-based compensation related activity, net of forfeitures, value | 32 | 32 | |||||||||
| Stock-based compensation related activity, net of forfeitures, shares | 0 | ||||||||||
| Purchases and retirement of common stock, value | (1) | (1) | |||||||||
| Stock Issued During Period, Shares, New Issues | 0 | ||||||||||
| Stock Issued During Period, Value, New Issues | 1 | 1 | |||||||||
| Purchases and retirement of common stock, shares | 0 | ||||||||||
| Other comprehensive income (loss) | [1] | 0 | |||||||||
| Common stock dividends/distributions | (439) | (439) | |||||||||
| Preferred stock dividends | (28) | (28) | |||||||||
| Net income (loss) | $ 164 | 164 | |||||||||
| Balance, shares Period End at Sep. 30, 2018 | 415 | 415 | |||||||||
| Balance, value Period End at Sep. 30, 2018 | $ 12,295 | $ 4 | $ 0 | $ 17,743 | $ (5) | $ (5,447) | |||||
| Preferred Stock, Shares Outstanding Period End at Sep. 30, 2018 | 2 | 2 | |||||||||
| |||||||||||
| X | ||||||||||
- Definition Number of shares of common stock outstanding. Common stock represent the ownership interest in a corporation. Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
|
| X | ||||||||||
- Definition Amount of paid and unpaid common stock dividends declared with the form of settlement in cash, stock and payment-in-kind (PIK). Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
|
| X | ||||||||||
- Definition Amount of paid and unpaid preferred stock dividends declared with the form of settlement in cash, stock and payment-in-kind (PIK). Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
|
| X | ||||||||||
- Definition Amount after tax and reclassification adjustments of other comprehensive income (loss). Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
|
| X | ||||||||||
- Definition Aggregate share number for all nonredeemable preferred stock (or preferred stock redeemable solely at the option of the issuer) held by stockholders. Does not include preferred shares that have been repurchased. Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
|
| X | ||||||||||
- Definition The cash inflow from the additional capital contribution to the entity. Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
|
| X | ||||||||||
- Definition The cash inflow from issuance of preferred stocks identified as being convertible into another form of financial instrument, typically the entity's common stock. Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
|
| X | ||||||||||
- Definition The consolidated profit or loss for the period, net of income taxes, including the portion attributable to the noncontrolling interest. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
|
| X | ||||||||||
- Definition Number of new stock issued during the period. Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
|
| X | ||||||||||
- Definition Number of shares (or other type of equity) issued during the period as a result of any equity-based compensation plan other than an employee stock ownership plan (ESOP), net of any shares forfeited. Shares issued could result from the issuance of restricted stock, the exercise of stock options, stock issued under employee stock purchase plans, and/or other employee benefit plans. Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
|
| X | ||||||||||
- Definition Equity impact of the value of new stock issued during the period. Includes shares issued in an initial public offering or a secondary public offering. Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
|
| X | ||||||||||
- Definition Value of stock (or other type of equity) issued during the period as a result of any equity-based compensation plan other than an employee stock ownership plan (ESOP), net of stock value of such awards forfeited. Stock issued could result from the issuance of restricted stock, the exercise of stock options, stock issued under employee stock purchase plans, and/or other employee benefit plans. Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
|
| X | ||||||||||
- Definition Number of shares that have been repurchased and retired during the period. Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
|
| X | ||||||||||
- Definition Equity impact of the value of stock that has been repurchased and retired during the period. The excess of the purchase price over par value can be charged against retained earnings (once the excess is fully allocated to additional paid in capital). Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
|
| X | ||||||||||
- Definition Amount of stockholders' equity (deficit), net of receivables from officers, directors, owners, and affiliates of the entity, attributable to both the parent and noncontrolling interests. Amount excludes temporary equity. Alternate caption for the concept is permanent equity. Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
|
General |
9 Months Ended | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Sep. 30, 2018 | |||||
| General | |||||
| General |
The information contained in the following notes to the consolidated financial statements is condensed from that which would appear in the annual consolidated financial statements; accordingly, the consolidated financial statements included herein should be reviewed in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017, and related notes thereto, included in the 2017 Form 10-K filed by Crown Castle International Corp. ("CCIC") with the SEC. Capitalized terms used but not defined in these notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements have the same meaning given to them in our 2017 Form 10-K. References to the "Company" include CCIC and its predecessor, as applicable, and their subsidiaries, unless otherwise indicated or the context indicates otherwise. As used herein, the term "including," and any variation thereof means "including without limitation." The use of the word "or" herein is not exclusive. Unless the context suggests otherwise, references to "U.S." are to the United States of America and Puerto Rico, collectively. The Company owns, operates and leases shared communications infrastructure that is geographically dispersed throughout the U.S., including (1) towers and other structures, such as rooftops (collectively, "towers"), and (2) fiber primarily supporting small cell networks ("small cells") and fiber solutions. The Company's towers, fiber and small cells assets are collectively referred to herein as "communications infrastructure," and the Company's customers on its communications infrastructure are referred to herein as "tenants." The Company's core business is providing access, including space or capacity, to its shared communications infrastructure via long-term contracts in various forms, including lease, license, sublease and service agreements (collectively, "contracts"). The Company's operating segments consist of (1) Towers and (2) Fiber. See note 11. As part of the Company's effort to provide comprehensive communications infrastructure solutions, the Company offers certain network services relating to its communications infrastructure, consisting of (1) site development services primarily relating to existing or new tenant equipment installations on its towers and small cells, including: site acquisition, architectural and engineering, or zoning and permitting (collectively, "site development services") and (2) tenant equipment installation or subsequent augmentations (collectively, "installation services"). The Company operates as a REIT for U.S. federal income tax purposes. In addition, the Company has certain taxable REIT subsidiaries ("TRSs"). See note 7. Approximately 53% of the Company's towers are leased or subleased or operated and managed under master leases, subleases, and other agreements with AT&T, Sprint, and T-Mobile. The Company has the option to purchase these towers at the end of their respective lease terms. The Company has no obligation to exercise such purchase options. Basis of Presentation The condensed consolidated financial statements included herein are unaudited; however, they include all adjustments (consisting only of normal recurring adjustments) which, in the opinion of management, are necessary to state fairly the consolidated financial position of the Company at September 30, 2018, and the consolidated results of operations and the consolidated cash flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017. The year-end condensed consolidated balance sheet data was derived from audited financial statements, but does not include all disclosures required by GAAP. The results of operations for the interim periods presented are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities as of the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The Company has changed its presentation from thousands to millions and, as a result, any necessary rounding adjustments have been made to prior year disclosed amounts. |
| X | ||||||||||
- Definition n/a No definition available.
|
| X | ||||||||||
- Definition The entire disclosure for organization, consolidation and basis of presentation of financial statements disclosure. Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
|
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies |
9 Months Ended |
|---|---|
Sep. 30, 2018 | |
| Accounting Policies [Abstract] | |
| Significant Accounting Policies | Summary of Significant Accounting Policies The significant accounting policies used in the preparation of the Company's condensed consolidated financial statements are disclosed in the 2017 Form 10-K, other than as updated by certain recent accounting pronouncements described below. Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements In May 2014, the FASB released updated guidance regarding the recognition of revenue from contracts with customers not otherwise addressed by specific guidance (commonly referred to as "ASC 606" or "the revenue recognition standard"). The core principle of the guidance is that an entity should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. To achieve that core principle, an entity should apply the following steps: (1) identify the contracts with the customer; (2) identify the performance obligations in the contract; (3) determine the contract price; (4) allocate the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract; and (5) recognize revenue when (or as) the entity satisfies a performance obligation. This guidance was effective for the Company on January 1, 2018. This guidance was required to be applied, at the Company's election, either (1) retrospectively to each prior reporting period presented or (2) under the modified retrospective method, with the cumulative effect being recognized at the date of initial application. Given the nature of the Company’s contracts with customers, the Company’s pattern of revenue recognition is not impacted by the adoption of the revenue recognition standard. The Company adopted the revenue recognition standard under the modified retrospective method, and the Company's adoption of the revenue recognition standard did not result in any adjustment to the balance of dividends/distributions in excess of earnings as of January 1, 2018. See note 4 for further discussion regarding the Company’s revenues. In November 2016, the FASB issued new guidance which requires an entity's statement of cash flows to explain the change in restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents in addition to the change in cash and cash equivalents. This new guidance also requires an entity that includes cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents on multiple lines on its balance sheet to present a reconciliation of those line items between its statement of cash flows and its balance sheet. The Company adopted this guidance retrospectively, on January 1, 2018, and the impact of the new guidance is limited to certain changes in presentation on the condensed consolidated statement of cash flows and certain disclosures. See note 12. In January 2017, the FASB issued new guidance which clarifies the definition of a business in order to assist companies in evaluating whether transactions should be accounted for as acquisitions or disposals of assets or businesses. The Company adopted the guidance on January 1, 2018, and the adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on its condensed consolidated financial statements. Recent Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted In February 2016, the FASB issued new guidance on the recognition, measurement, presentation and disclosure of leases. The new guidance requires lessees to recognize a right-of-use asset and a lease liability, initially measured at the present value of the lease payments for all leases with a term greater than 12 months. The accounting for lessors remains largely unchanged from existing guidance. This guidance is effective for the Company as of January 1, 2019, and is required to be adopted using a modified retrospective approach, which after certain additional updates in July 2018, allows the Company to apply the new guidance either (1) as of the beginning of the earliest period presented, or (2) as of the effective date (i.e., January 1, 2019), without adjusting the comparative periods. If necessary under the new guidance, a cumulative-effect adjustment is recognized to the opening balance of retained earnings in the period in which the guidance is initially applied. The Company will apply the guidance as of the effective date, without adjusting the comparative periods and, if necessary, will recognize a cumulative-effect adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings. Although early adoption is permitted, the Company will not adopt the new guidance prior to January 1, 2019. The Company expects that (1) the vast majority of its lessor and lessee arrangements will continue to be classified as operating leases under the new guidance; (2) this guidance will have a material impact on its condensed consolidated balance sheet due to the addition of right-of-use assets and lease liabilities for lessee arrangements (which primarily consist of ground leases under the Company's towers and fiber-related leases); and (3) there will not be a material impact to its condensed consolidated statement of operations and condensed consolidated statement of cash flows. The Company is in the process of updating certain of its existing information technology systems for both the Towers and Fiber segments to integrate the new lease guidance requirements. |
| X | ||||||||||
- References No definition available.
|
| X | ||||||||||
- Definition The entire disclosure for all significant accounting policies of the reporting entity. Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
|
Acquisitions |
9 Months Ended | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Sep. 30, 2018 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Acquisitions [Abstract] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Mergers, Acquisitions and Dispositions Disclosures [Text Block] | Acquisitions Lightower Acquisition On July 18, 2017, the Company announced that it had entered into a definitive agreement to acquire LTS Group Holdings LLC ("Lightower") from Berkshire Partners, Pamlico Capital and other investors for approximately $7.1 billion in cash, subject to certain limited adjustments ("Lightower Acquisition"). Lightower owned or had rights to approximately 32,000 route miles of fiber located primarily in top metro markets in the Northeast, including Boston, New York and Philadelphia. On November 1, 2017, the Company closed the Lightower Acquisition. The preliminary purchase price allocation for the Lightower Acquisition is shown below and is based upon a preliminary valuation which is subject to change as the Company obtains additional information with respect to fixed assets, intangible assets and certain liabilities.
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- Definition Acquisitions [Abstract] No definition available.
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- Definition The entire disclosure for a business combination (or series of individually immaterial business combinations) completed during the period, including background, timing, and recognized assets and liabilities. The disclosure may include leverage buyout transactions (as applicable). Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
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Revenues (Notes) |
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| Revenue from Contract with Customer [Text Block] | Revenues Site rental revenues The Company generates site rental revenues from its core business by providing customers with access, including space or capacity, to its shared communications infrastructure via long-term contracts in various forms, including lease, license, sublease and service agreements. Providing such access over the length of the contract term represents the Company’s sole performance obligation under its site rental contracts. Site rental revenues from the Company’s contracts are recognized on a straight-line, monthly basis over the fixed, non-cancelable term of the relevant contract, which generally ranges from five to 15 years for wireless customers and three to 20 years related to the Company's fiber solutions (including from organizations with high-bandwidth and multi-location demands), regardless of whether the payments from the tenant are received in equal monthly amounts during the life of a contract. Certain of the Company's contracts contain fixed escalation clauses (such as fixed-dollar or fixed-percentage increases) or inflation-based escalation clauses (such as those tied to the consumer price index). If the payment terms call for fixed escalations, upfront payments, or rent-free periods, the revenue is recognized on a straight-line basis over the fixed, non-cancelable term of the agreement. When calculating straight-line rental revenues, the Company considers all fixed elements of tenant contractual escalation provisions. The Company's assets related to straight-line site rental revenues include current amounts of $86 million included in "other current assets" and non-current amounts of $1.4 billion included in "deferred site rental receivables" for the period ended September 30, 2018. Amounts billed or received prior to being earned are deferred and reflected in "deferred revenues" and "other long-term liabilities." Amounts to which the Company has an unconditional right to payment, which are related to both satisfied or partially satisfied performance obligations, are recorded within "receivables, net" on the Company's condensed consolidated balance sheet. Network services and other revenues As part of the Company’s effort to provide comprehensive communications infrastructure solutions, the Company offers certain network services, primarily relating to its towers and small cells, predominately consisting of (1) site development services and (2) installation services. Under network service agreements, the Company may have multiple performance obligations for site development services, which primarily include: structural analysis, zoning, permitting and construction drawings. Upon contract commencement, the Company assesses services to customers and identifies performance obligations for each promise to provide a distinct service. The volume and mix of site development services may vary among contracts, and may include a combination of some or all of the above performance obligations. For each of the above performance obligations, network services revenues are recognized at completion of the applicable performance obligation, which represents the point at which the Company believes it has transferred goods or services to the customer. The revenue recognized is based on an allocation of the transaction price among the performance obligations in a respective contract based on estimated standalone selling price. Payments generally are due within 45 to 60 days and generally do not contain variable-consideration provisions. Since performance obligations are typically satisfied prior to receiving payment from customers, the unconditional right to payment is recorded within "receivables, net" on the Company’s condensed consolidated balance sheet. The Company has one performance obligation for installation services, which is satisfied at the time of the respective installation or augmentation. This single performance obligation is typically completed in advance of receipt of payment from customers, and therefore the unconditional right to payment is recorded within “receivables, net” on the Company’s condensed consolidated balance sheet. The vast majority of the Company’s network services relates to the Company’s Towers operating segment, and generally have a duration of one year or less. Additional information on revenues As of January 1, 2018 and September 30, 2018, $2.1 billion and $2.2 billion of unrecognized revenue, respectively, was reported in "deferred revenues" and "other non-current liabilities" on our condensed consolidated balance sheet. During the nine months ended September 30, 2018, approximately $300 million of the January 1, 2018 unrecognized revenue balance was recognized as revenue. The following table is a summary of the contracted amounts owed to the Company by customers pursuant to site rental contracts in effect as of September 30, 2018.
See note 11 for further information regarding the Company's operating segments. |
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- Definition The entire disclosure of revenue from contract with customer to transfer good or service and to transfer nonfinancial asset. Includes, but is not limited to, disaggregation of revenue, credit loss recognized from contract with customer, judgment and change in judgment related to contract with customer, and asset recognized from cost incurred to obtain or fulfill contract with customer. Excludes insurance and lease contracts. Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
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Debt and Other Obligations |
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| Debt and Other Obligations | Debt and Other Obligations
Contractual Maturities The following are the scheduled contractual maturities of the total debt and other long-term obligations of the Company outstanding as of September 30, 2018. These maturities reflect contractual maturity dates and do not consider the principal payments that will commence following the anticipated repayment dates on the Tower Revenue Notes.
Purchases and Redemptions of Long-Term Debt The following is a summary of purchases and redemptions of long-term debt during the nine months ended September 30, 2018.
Interest Expense and Amortization of Deferred Financing Costs The components of interest expense and amortization of deferred financing costs are as follows:
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- Definition Debt and Other Obligations [Abstract} No definition available.
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- Definition The entire disclosure for debt and capital lease obligations can be reported. Information about short-term and long-term debt arrangements, which includes amounts of borrowings under each line of credit, note payable, commercial paper issue, bonds indenture, debenture issue, own-share lending arrangements and any other contractual agreement to repay funds, and about the underlying arrangements, rationale for a classification as long-term, including repayment terms, interest rates, collateral provided, restrictions on use of assets and activities, whether or not in compliance with debt covenants, and other matters important to users of the financial statements, such as the effects of refinancing and noncompliance with debt covenants. Also includes descriptions and amounts of capital leasing arrangements that consist of direct financing, sales type and leveraged leases. Disclosure may include the effect on the balance sheet and the income statement resulting from a change in lease classification for leases that at inception would have been classified differently had guidance been in effect at the inception of the original lease. Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
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Fair Value Disclosures |
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| Fair Value Disclosures | Fair Value Disclosures
The fair value of cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash approximate the carrying value. The Company determines the fair value of its debt securities based on indicative, non-binding quotes from brokers. Quotes from brokers require judgment and are based on the brokers' interpretation of market information, including implied credit spreads for similar borrowings on recent trades or bid/ask prices or quotes from active markets if available. There were no changes since December 31, 2017 in the Company's valuation techniques used to measure fair values. |
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- Definition The entire disclosure for the fair value of financial instruments (as defined), including financial assets and financial liabilities (collectively, as defined), and the measurements of those instruments as well as disclosures related to the fair value of non-financial assets and liabilities. Such disclosures about the financial instruments, assets, and liabilities would include: (1) the fair value of the required items together with their carrying amounts (as appropriate); (2) for items for which it is not practicable to estimate fair value, disclosure would include: (a) information pertinent to estimating fair value (including, carrying amount, effective interest rate, and maturity, and (b) the reasons why it is not practicable to estimate fair value; (3) significant concentrations of credit risk including: (a) information about the activity, region, or economic characteristics identifying a concentration, (b) the maximum amount of loss the entity is exposed to based on the gross fair value of the related item, (c) policy for requiring collateral or other security and information as to accessing such collateral or security, and (d) the nature and brief description of such collateral or security; (4) quantitative information about market risks and how such risks are managed; (5) for items measured on both a recurring and nonrecurring basis information regarding the inputs used to develop the fair value measurement; and (6) for items presented in the financial statement for which fair value measurement is elected: (a) information necessary to understand the reasons for the election, (b) discussion of the effect of fair value changes on earnings, (c) a description of [similar groups] items for which the election is made and the relation thereof to the balance sheet, the aggregate carrying value of items included in the balance sheet that are not eligible for the election; (7) all other required (as defined) and desired information. Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
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Income Taxes |
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| Income Taxes [Abstract] | |
| Income Taxes | Income Taxes The Company operates as a REIT for U.S. federal income tax purposes. As a REIT, the Company is generally entitled to a deduction for dividends that it pays and therefore is not subject to U.S. federal corporate income tax on its net taxable income that is currently distributed to its stockholders. The Company also may be subject to certain federal, state, local, and foreign taxes on its income and assets, including (1) taxes on any undistributed income, (2) taxes related to the TRSs, (3) franchise taxes, (4) property taxes, and (5) transfer taxes. In addition, the Company could in certain circumstances be required to pay an excise or penalty tax, which could be significant in amount, in order to utilize one or more relief provisions under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, to maintain qualification for taxation as a REIT. The Company's TRS assets and operations will continue to be subject, as applicable, to federal and state corporate income taxes or to foreign taxes in the jurisdictions in which such assets and operations are located. The Company's foreign assets and operations (including its tower operations in Puerto Rico) are subject to foreign income taxes in the jurisdictions in which such assets and operations are located, regardless of whether they are included in a TRS or not. For the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, the Company's effective tax rate differed from the federal statutory rate predominately due to the Company's REIT status, including the dividends paid deduction. |
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- Definition Income Taxes [Abstract] No definition available.
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- Definition The entire disclosure for income taxes. Disclosures may include net deferred tax liability or asset recognized in an enterprise's statement of financial position, net change during the year in the total valuation allowance, approximate tax effect of each type of temporary difference and carryforward that gives rise to a significant portion of deferred tax liabilities and deferred tax assets, utilization of a tax carryback, and tax uncertainties information. Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
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Per Share Information |
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| Per Share Information | Per Share Information Basic net income (loss) attributable to CCIC common stockholders, per common share, excludes dilution and is computed by dividing net income (loss) attributable to CCIC common stockholders by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the period. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, diluted net income (loss) attributable to CCIC common stockholders, per common share is computed by dividing net income (loss) attributable to CCIC common stockholders by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the period plus any potential dilutive common share equivalents, including shares issuable upon (1) the vesting of restricted stock units as determined under the treasury stock method and (2) conversion of the Company's 6.875% Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock (as defined in note 10), as determined under the if-converted method.
During the nine months ended September 30, 2018, the Company granted one million restricted stock units. For both the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018, 15 million common share equivalents related to the 6.875% Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock were excluded from the dilutive common shares because the impact of such conversion would be anti-dilutive, based on the Company's common stock price as of September 30, 2018. |
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- Definition The entire disclosure for earnings per share. Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
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Commitments and Contingencies |
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Sep. 30, 2018 | |
| Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract] | |
| Commitments and Contingencies | Commitments and Contingencies The Company is involved in various claims, lawsuits or proceedings arising in the ordinary course of business. While there are uncertainties inherent in the ultimate outcome of such matters and it is impossible to presently determine the ultimate costs or losses that may be incurred, if any, management believes the resolution of such uncertainties and the incurrence of such costs should not have a material adverse effect on the Company's consolidated financial position or results of operations. Additionally, the Company and certain of its subsidiaries are contingently liable for commitments or performance guarantees arising in the ordinary course of business, including certain letters of credit or surety bonds. In addition, the Company has the option to purchase approximately 53% of the Company's towers at the end of their respective lease terms. The Company has no obligation to exercise such purchase options. |
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- Definition The entire disclosure for commitments and contingencies. Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
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Equity |
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| Stockholders' Equity Note Disclosure [Text Block] | Equity Declaration and Payment of Dividends During the nine months ended September 30, 2018, the following dividends were declared or paid:
See note 13. Purchases of the Company's Common Stock For the nine months ended September 30, 2018, the Company purchased 0.3 million shares of its common stock utilizing $34 million in cash. The common stock shares purchased relate to shares withheld in connection with the payment of withholding taxes upon vesting of restricted stock units. 2015 "At the Market" Stock Offering Program The Company previously maintained an "at the market" stock offering program ("2015 ATM Program") through which it had the right to issue and sell shares of its common stock having an aggregate gross sales price of up to $500 million to or through sales agents. The Company sold shares of its common stock under the 2015 ATM Program generating aggregate gross proceeds of approximately $350 million. The Company terminated its previously outstanding 2015 ATM Program in March 2018 with shares of its common stock having an aggregate offering price of approximately $150 million remaining unsold. 2018 "At the Market" Stock Offering Program In April 2018, the Company established a new "at the market" stock offering program ("2018 ATM Program") through which it may issue and sell shares of its common stock having an aggregate gross sales price of up to $750 million. Sales under the 2018 ATM Program may be made by means of ordinary brokers' transactions on the NYSE or otherwise at market prices prevailing at the time of sale, at prices related to prevailing market prices or, subject to our specific instructions, at negotiated prices. The Company intends to use the net proceeds from any sales under the 2018 ATM Program for general corporate purposes, which may include the funding of future acquisitions or investments and the repayment or repurchase of any outstanding indebtedness. The Company has not sold any shares of common stock under the 2018 ATM Program. March 2018 Equity Financing In March 2018, the Company completed an offering of 8 million shares of its common stock, which generated net proceeds of $841 million ("March 2018 Equity Financing"). The Company used the net proceeds from the March 2018 Equity Financing for general corporate purposes, including repayment of outstanding indebtedness. |
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- Definition 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://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
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Operating Segments |
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| Segment Reporting [Abstract] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Segment Reporting Disclosure [Text Block] | Operating Segments The Company's operating segments are (1) Towers and (2) Fiber. The Towers segment provides access, including space or capacity, to the Company's approximately 40,000 towers geographically dispersed throughout the U.S. The Towers segment also reflects certain network services relating to the Company's towers, consisting of site development services and installation services. The Fiber segment provides access, including space or capacity, to the Company's approximately 65,000 route miles of fiber primarily supporting small cell networks and fiber solutions. The measurements of profit or loss used by the Company's chief operating decision maker to evaluate the results of operations of its operating segments are (1) segment site rental gross margin, (2) segment network services and other gross margin and (3) segment operating profit. The Company defines segment site rental gross margin as segment site rental revenues less segment site rental cost of operations, which excludes stock-based compensation expense and prepaid lease purchase price adjustments recorded in consolidated cost of operations. The Company defines segment network services and other gross margin as segment network services and other revenues less segment network services and other cost of operations, which excludes stock-based compensation expense recorded in consolidated cost of operations. The Company defines segment operating profit as segment site rental gross margin plus segment network services and other gross margin, less selling, general and administrative expenses attributable to the respective segment. All of these measurements of profit or loss are exclusive of depreciation, amortization and accretion, which are shown separately. Costs that are directly attributable to Towers and Fiber are assigned to those respective segments. The "Other" column (1) represents amounts excluded from specific segments, such as asset write-down charges, acquisition and integration costs, depreciation, amortization and accretion, amortization of prepaid lease purchase price adjustments, interest expense and amortization of deferred financing costs, gains (losses) on retirement of long-term obligations, net gain (loss) on interest rate swaps, gains (losses) on foreign currency swaps, interest income, other income (expense), income (loss) from discontinued operations, and stock-based compensation expense, and (2) reconciles segment operating profit to income (loss) before income taxes, as the amounts are not utilized in assessing each segment’s performance. The "Other" total assets balance includes corporate assets such as cash and cash equivalents which have not been allocated to specific segments. There are no significant revenues resulting from transactions between the Company's operating segments.
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- Definition The entire disclosure for reporting segments including data and tables. Reportable segments include those that meet any of the following quantitative thresholds a) it's reported revenue, including sales to external customers and intersegment sales or transfers is 10 percent or more of the combined revenue, internal and external, of all operating segments b) the absolute amount of its reported profit or loss is 10 percent or more of the greater, in absolute amount of 1) the combined reported profit of all operating segments that did not report a loss or 2) the combined reported loss of all operating segments that did report a loss c) its assets are 10 percent or more of the combined assets of all operating segments. Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
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Supplemental Cash Flow Information |
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| Supplemental Cash Flow Information | Supplemental Cash Flow Information
The reconciliation of cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash reported within various lines on the condensed consolidated balance sheet to amounts reported in the condensed consolidated statement of cash flows is shown below.
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- Definition The entire disclosure for supplemental cash flow activities, including cash, noncash, and part noncash transactions, for the period. Noncash is defined as information about all investing and financing activities of an enterprise during a period that affect recognized assets or liabilities but that do not result in cash receipts or cash payments in the period. "Part noncash" refers to that portion of the transaction not resulting in cash receipts or cash payments in the period. Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
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Subsequent Events Subsequent Events |
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Sep. 30, 2018 | |
| Subsequent Event [Line Items] | |
| Subsequent Events [Text Block] | Subsequent Events Common Stock Dividend On October 15, 2018, the Company's board of directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $1.125 per common share. The quarterly dividend will be paid on December 31, 2018 to common stockholders of record as of December 14, 2018. |
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- Definition Detail information of subsequent event by type. User is expected to use existing line items from elsewhere in the taxonomy as the primary line items for this disclosure, which is further associated with dimension and member elements pertaining to a subsequent event. No definition available.
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- Definition The entire disclosure for significant events or transactions that occurred after the balance sheet date through the date the financial statements were issued or the date the financial statements were available to be issued. Examples include: the sale of a capital stock issue, purchase of a business, settlement of litigation, catastrophic loss, significant foreign exchange rate changes, loans to insiders or affiliates, and transactions not in the ordinary course of business. Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
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Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies) |
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Sep. 30, 2018 | |
| Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract] | |
| Recent accounting prounouncements | Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements In May 2014, the FASB released updated guidance regarding the recognition of revenue from contracts with customers not otherwise addressed by specific guidance (commonly referred to as "ASC 606" or "the revenue recognition standard"). The core principle of the guidance is that an entity should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. To achieve that core principle, an entity should apply the following steps: (1) identify the contracts with the customer; (2) identify the performance obligations in the contract; (3) determine the contract price; (4) allocate the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract; and (5) recognize revenue when (or as) the entity satisfies a performance obligation. This guidance was effective for the Company on January 1, 2018. This guidance was required to be applied, at the Company's election, either (1) retrospectively to each prior reporting period presented or (2) under the modified retrospective method, with the cumulative effect being recognized at the date of initial application. Given the nature of the Company’s contracts with customers, the Company’s pattern of revenue recognition is not impacted by the adoption of the revenue recognition standard. The Company adopted the revenue recognition standard under the modified retrospective method, and the Company's adoption of the revenue recognition standard did not result in any adjustment to the balance of dividends/distributions in excess of earnings as of January 1, 2018. See note 4 for further discussion regarding the Company’s revenues. In November 2016, the FASB issued new guidance which requires an entity's statement of cash flows to explain the change in restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents in addition to the change in cash and cash equivalents. This new guidance also requires an entity that includes cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents on multiple lines on its balance sheet to present a reconciliation of those line items between its statement of cash flows and its balance sheet. The Company adopted this guidance retrospectively, on January 1, 2018, and the impact of the new guidance is limited to certain changes in presentation on the condensed consolidated statement of cash flows and certain disclosures. See note 12. In January 2017, the FASB issued new guidance which clarifies the definition of a business in order to assist companies in evaluating whether transactions should be accounted for as acquisitions or disposals of assets or businesses. The Company adopted the guidance on January 1, 2018, and the adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on its condensed consolidated financial statements. Recent Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted In February 2016, the FASB issued new guidance on the recognition, measurement, presentation and disclosure of leases. The new guidance requires lessees to recognize a right-of-use asset and a lease liability, initially measured at the present value of the lease payments for all leases with a term greater than 12 months. The accounting for lessors remains largely unchanged from existing guidance. This guidance is effective for the Company as of January 1, 2019, and is required to be adopted using a modified retrospective approach, which after certain additional updates in July 2018, allows the Company to apply the new guidance either (1) as of the beginning of the earliest period presented, or (2) as of the effective date (i.e., January 1, 2019), without adjusting the comparative periods. If necessary under the new guidance, a cumulative-effect adjustment is recognized to the opening balance of retained earnings in the period in which the guidance is initially applied. The Company will apply the guidance as of the effective date, without adjusting the comparative periods and, if necessary, will recognize a cumulative-effect adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings. Although early adoption is permitted, the Company will not adopt the new guidance prior to January 1, 2019. The Company expects that (1) the vast majority of its lessor and lessee arrangements will continue to be classified as operating leases under the new guidance; (2) this guidance will have a material impact on its condensed consolidated balance sheet due to the addition of right-of-use assets and lease liabilities for lessee arrangements (which primarily consist of ground leases under the Company's towers and fiber-related leases); and (3) there will not be a material impact to its condensed consolidated statement of operations and condensed consolidated statement of cash flows. The Company is in the process of updating certain of its existing information technology systems for both the Towers and Fiber segments to integrate the new lease guidance requirements. |
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- Definition Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract] No definition available.
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- Definition Disclosure of accounting policy pertaining to new accounting pronouncements that may impact the entity's financial reporting. Includes, but is not limited to, quantification of the expected or actual impact. No definition available.
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Acquisitions Purchase Price Allocation (Tables) |
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| Schedule of Business Acquisitions, by Acquisition [Table Text Block] | The preliminary purchase price allocation for the Lightower Acquisition is shown below and is based upon a preliminary valuation which is subject to change as the Company obtains additional information with respect to fixed assets, intangible assets and certain liabilities.
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- Definition Line items represent financial concepts included in a table. These concepts are used to disclose reportable information associated with domain members defined in one or many axes to the table. No definition available.
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- Definition Tabular disclosure of a material business combination completed during the period, including background, timing, and recognized assets and liabilities. This table does not include leveraged buyouts. Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
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Revenues (Tables) |
9 Months Ended | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Sep. 30, 2018 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Schedule of Contractual Revenues [Line Items] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Schedule of Contractual Revenue | The following table is a summary of the contracted amounts owed to the Company by customers pursuant to site rental contracts in effect as of September 30, 2018.
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| X | ||||||||||
- Definition [Line Items] for Schedule of Contractual Revenues [Table] No definition available.
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| X | ||||||||||
- Definition Tabular disclosure of expected timing for satisfying remaining performance obligation. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/commonPracticeRef
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Debt and Other Obligations (Tables) |
9 Months Ended | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Sep. 30, 2018 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Extinguishment of Debt [Line Items] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Schedule of Long-Term Debt Instruments |
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| Schedule of Maturities of Long-term Debt | The following are the scheduled contractual maturities of the total debt and other long-term obligations of the Company outstanding as of September 30, 2018. These maturities reflect contractual maturity dates and do not consider the principal payments that will commence following the anticipated repayment dates on the Tower Revenue Notes.
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| Schedule of Extinguishment of Debt [Table Text Block] | The following is a summary of purchases and redemptions of long-term debt during the nine months ended September 30, 2018.
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| Components of Interest Expense and Amortization of Deferred Financing Costs | The components of interest expense and amortization of deferred financing costs are as follows:
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| X | ||||||||||
- Definition Schedule of interest expense and amortization of deferred financing costs. No definition available.
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| X | ||||||||||
- Definition Line items represent financial concepts included in a table. These concepts are used to disclose reportable information associated with domain members defined in one or many axes to the table. No definition available.
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| X | ||||||||||
- Definition Tabular disclosure of information pertaining to short-term and long-debt instruments or arrangements, including but not limited to identification of terms, features, collateral requirements and other information necessary to a fair presentation. No definition available.
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| X | ||||||||||
- Definition Tabular disclosure of debt extinguished which may include, amount of gain (loss), the income tax effect and the per share amount of the aggregate gain (loss), net of the related income tax. Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
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| X | ||||||||||
- Definition Tabular disclosure of the combined aggregate amount of maturities and sinking fund requirements for all long-term borrowings for each of the five years following the date of the latest balance sheet date presented. Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
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Fair Value Disclosures (Tables) |
9 Months Ended | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Sep. 30, 2018 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Estimated Fair Values and Carrying Amounts of Assets and Liabilities |
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| X | ||||||||||
- Definition Tabular disclosure of the fair value of financial instruments, including financial assets and financial liabilities, and the measurements of those instruments, assets, and liabilities. Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
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| X | ||||||||||
- References No definition available.
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Per Share Information (Tables) |
9 Months Ended | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Sep. 30, 2017 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Per Share Information | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Reconciliation of the Numerators and Denominators of the Basic and Diluted Per Share Computations |
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| X | ||||||||||
- Definition n/a No definition available.
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| X | ||||||||||
- Definition Tabular disclosure of an entity's basic and diluted earnings per share calculations, including a reconciliation of numerators and denominators of the basic and diluted per-share computations for income from continuing operations. Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
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Equity (Tables) |
9 Months Ended | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Sep. 30, 2018 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Dividends Payable [Line Items] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Dividends Declared [Table Text Block] | During the nine months ended September 30, 2018, the following dividends were declared or paid:
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| X | ||||||||||
- Definition Tabular disclosure of information related to dividends declared, including paid and unpaid dividends. No definition available.
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| X | ||||||||||
- Definition Line items represent financial concepts included in a table. These concepts are used to disclose reportable information associated with domain members defined in one or many axes to the table. No definition available.
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Operating Segments Operating Segments (Tables) |
3 Months Ended | 9 Months Ended | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Sep. 30, 2018 |
Sep. 30, 2018 |
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| Schedule of Segment Reporting Information, by Segment [Table Text Block] |
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- Definition Tabular disclosure of the profit or loss and total assets for each reportable segment. An entity discloses certain information on each reportable segment if the amounts (a) are included in the measure of segment profit or loss reviewed by the chief operating decision maker or (b) are otherwise regularly provided to the chief operating decision maker, even if not included in that measure of segment profit or loss. Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
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Supplemental Cash Flow Information (Tables) |
9 Months Ended | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Sep. 30, 2018 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Schedule of Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash [Line Items] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Schedule of Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash [Table Text Block] | The reconciliation of cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash reported within various lines on the condensed consolidated balance sheet to amounts reported in the condensed consolidated statement of cash flows is shown below.
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- Definition [Line Items] for Schedule of Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash [Table] No definition available.
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- Definition [Table Text Block] for Schedule of Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash [Table] No definition available.
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- Definition Tabular disclosure of supplemental cash flow information for the periods presented. No definition available.
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General Business (Details) |
Sep. 30, 2018 |
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| Subject to Capital Lease with Sprint, TMO, or AT&T [Member] | |
| Purchase Option, Percentage of Towers | 53.00% |
| X | ||||||||||
- Definition Purchase Option, Percentage of Towers No definition available.
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- Details
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Acquisitions (Details) - Lightower Acquisition [Member] $ in Millions |
9 Months Ended | |||||||
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Sep. 30, 2018
USD ($)
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| Business Acquisition [Line Items] | ||||||||
| Business Combination, Consideration Transferred | $ 7,100 | |||||||
| Fiber Miles Acquired | 32,000 | |||||||
| Business Acquisition, Date of Acquisition Agreement | Nov. 01, 2017 | |||||||
| Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Current Assets | $ 99 | |||||||
| Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Property, Plant, and Equipment | 2,194 | |||||||
| Business Acquisition, Goodwill | 3,167 | [1] | ||||||
| Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Intangible Assets | 2,177 | [2] | ||||||
| Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Other Noncurrent Assets | 29 | |||||||
| Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Current Liabilities | (174) | |||||||
| Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Noncurrent Liabilities | (342) | |||||||
| Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired, Goodwill, and Liabilities Assumed, Net | $ 7,150 | [3] | ||||||
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- Definition Fiber Miles Acquired No definition available.
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- Definition Date when the business acquisition agreement was executed, in CCYY-MM-DD format. No definition available.
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- Definition Line items represent financial concepts included in a table. These concepts are used to disclose reportable information associated with domain members defined in one or many axes to the table. No definition available.
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- Definition The amount of goodwill arising from a business combination that is expected to be deductible for tax purposes. Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
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- Definition Amount of consideration transferred, consisting of acquisition-date fair value of assets transferred by the acquirer, liabilities incurred by the acquirer, and equity interest issued by the acquirer. Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
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- Definition Amount of assets that are expected to be realized or consumed within one year or the normal operating cycle, if longer, acquired at the acquisition date. Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
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- Definition Amount of liabilities due within one year or within the normal operating cycle, if longer, assumed at the acquisition date. Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
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- Definition Amount of intangible assets, excluding goodwill, acquired at the acquisition date. Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
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- Definition Amount of liabilities due after one year or the normal operating cycle, if longer, assumed at the acquisition date. Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
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- Definition Amount of other assets expected to be realized or consumed after one year or the normal operating cycle, if longer, acquired at the acquisition date. Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
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- Definition The amount of property, plant, and equipment recognized as of the acquisition date. Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
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- Definition Amount recognized for assets, including goodwill, in excess of (less than) the aggregate liabilities assumed. Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
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Revenues (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions |
9 Months Ended | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Sep. 30, 2018 |
Dec. 31, 2017 |
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| Revenue, Performance Obligation, Description of Payment Terms | 45 to 60 days | ||||
| Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Amount | $ 2,200 | $ 2,100 | |||
| Revenue Recognized on Deferred Revenues | 300 | ||||
| Contracted Amounts Receivable from Customers, Current | [1] | 1,065 | |||
| Contracted Amounts Receivable from Customers, in Two Years | [1] | 3,935 | |||
| Contracted Amounts Receivable from Customers, in Three Years | [1] | 3,671 | |||
| Contracted Amounts Receivable from Customers, in Four Years | [1] | 3,416 | |||
| Contracted Amounts Receivable from Customers, in Five Years | [1] | 3,193 | |||
| Contracted Amounts Receivable from Customers, Thereafter | [1] | 7,948 | |||
| Contracted Amounts Receivable from Customers, Total | [1] | 23,228 | |||
| Non-current | |||||
| Assets Related to Straight Line Site Rental Revenues | 1,400 | ||||
| Current | |||||
| Assets Related to Straight Line Site Rental Revenues | $ 86 | ||||
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- Definition Amount of revenue recognized that was previously included in balance of obligation to transfer good or service to customer for which consideration from customer has been received or is due. Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
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- Definition Future minimum rental payments in aggregate as of the balance sheet date under operating leases. Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
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- Definition Future rental payments receivable within one year of the balance sheet date under an operating lease. Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
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- Definition Future rental payments receivable within the fifth year from the balance sheet date under an operating lease. Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
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- Definition Future rental payments receivable within the fourth year from the balance sheet date under an operating lease. Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
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- Definition Future rental payments receivable within the third year from the balance sheet date under an operating lease. Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
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- Definition Future rental payments receivable within the second year from the balance sheet date under an operating lease. Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
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- Definition Future minimum lease payments receivable under operating leases for periods greater than five years following the balance sheet date. Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
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| X | ||||||||||
- Definition Description of payment terms in contract with customer. Includes, but is not limited to, timing of payment, existence of financing component, variability of consideration and constraint on variable consideration. Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
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| X | ||||||||||
- Definition Amount of transaction price allocated to performance obligation that has not been recognized as revenue. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
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| X | ||||||||||
- Definition Amount of the adjustment to rental revenues to measure escalating leasing revenues on a straight line basis. No definition available.
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- Details
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| X | ||||||||||
- Details
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Debt and Other Obligations (Indebtedness) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions |
3 Months Ended | 9 Months Ended | ||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Sep. 30, 2018 |
Jun. 30, 2018 |
Mar. 31, 2018 |
Sep. 30, 2018 |
Dec. 31, 2017 |
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| Debt Instrument [Line Items] | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Debt and Capital Lease Obligations | $ 16,424 | $ 16,424 | $ 16,159 | |||||||||||||||||
| Less: current maturities and short-term debt and other current obligations | 111 | 111 | 115 | |||||||||||||||||
| Non-current portion of long-term debt and other long-term obligations | 16,313 | 16,313 | 16,044 | |||||||||||||||||
| 3.150% Senior Notes [Member] | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Debt Instrument [Line Items] | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Debt Instrument, Face Amount | $ 750 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Debt Instrument, Maturity Date | Jul. 01, 2023 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage | 3.20% | |||||||||||||||||||
| 3.800% Senior Notes [Member] | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Debt Instrument [Line Items] | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Debt Instrument, Face Amount | $ 1,000 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Debt Instrument, Maturity Date | Feb. 01, 2028 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage | 3.80% | |||||||||||||||||||
| Variable Rate Revolver 2016 [Member] | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Debt Instrument [Line Items] | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Debt Instrument, Maturity Date | Jun. 01, 2023 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Credit Facility Amendment, Date | Jun. 01, 2018 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Line of Credit Facility, Change in Borrowing Capacity | $ 750 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity | $ 4,250 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Debt Instrument, Unused Borrowing Capacity, Amount | 3,400 | $ 3,400 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Capital Lease Obligations and Other [Member] | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Debt Instrument [Line Items] | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Contractual maturity date | [1] | Various | ||||||||||||||||||
| Original Debt Issuance Date | Various | |||||||||||||||||||
| Percentage of debt instrument interest rate stated | [1] | Various | ||||||||||||||||||
| Debt and Capital Lease Obligations | 224 | $ 224 | 227 | |||||||||||||||||
| Fixed Rate Securitized Debt 2010 Tower Revenue Notes [Member] | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Debt Instrument [Line Items] | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Debt Instrument Additional Interest Rate if not Repaid Prior to Applicable Date | 5.00% | |||||||||||||||||||
| January 2018 Senior Note [Member] | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Debt Instrument [Line Items] | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Original issue date | Jan. 01, 2018 | |||||||||||||||||||
| 2018 Tower Revenue Notes 3.720% due 2043 [Member] | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Debt Instrument [Line Items] | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Debt Instrument, Face Amount | $ 250 | $ 250 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Debt Instrument, Maturity Date | Jul. 01, 2043 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage | 3.70% | 3.70% | ||||||||||||||||||
| 2018 Tower Revenue Notes 4.241% due 2048 [Member] | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Debt Instrument [Line Items] | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Debt Instrument, Face Amount | $ 750 | $ 750 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Debt Instrument, Maturity Date | Jul. 01, 2048 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage | 4.20% | 4.20% | ||||||||||||||||||
| July 2018 Tower Revenue Notes [Member] | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Debt Instrument [Line Items] | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Debt Instrument, Face Amount | $ 1,000 | $ 1,000 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Original issue date | Jul. 01, 2018 | |||||||||||||||||||
| 2018 Tower Revenue Notes Risk Retention Tranche [Member] | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Debt Instrument [Line Items] | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Debt Instrument, Face Amount | 53 | $ 53 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Bank Debt [Member] | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Debt Instrument [Line Items] | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Debt and Capital Lease Obligations | $ 3,173 | $ 3,173 | 3,377 | |||||||||||||||||
| Bank Debt [Member] | Variable Rate Revolver 2016 [Member] | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Debt Instrument [Line Items] | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Original issue date | Jan. 01, 2016 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Debt Instrument, Maturity Date | [2] | Jun. 01, 2023 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage | [2] | 3.50% | 3.50% | |||||||||||||||||
| Debt and Capital Lease Obligations | $ 805 | [2],[3],[4] | $ 805 | [2],[3],[4] | 980 | |||||||||||||||
| Bank Debt [Member] | Variable Rate 2016 Term Loan A [Member] | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Debt Instrument [Line Items] | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Original issue date | Jan. 01, 2016 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Debt Instrument, Maturity Date | [2] | Jun. 01, 2023 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage | [1] | 3.50% | 3.50% | |||||||||||||||||
| Debt and Capital Lease Obligations | $ 2,368 | $ 2,368 | 2,397 | |||||||||||||||||
| Securitized Debt [Member] | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Debt Instrument [Line Items] | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Debt and Capital Lease Obligations | $ 2,065 | $ 2,065 | 3,332 | |||||||||||||||||
| Securitized Debt [Member] | Fixed Rate Debt 2009 Securitized Notes First Tranche [Member] | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Debt Instrument [Line Items] | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Original issue date | Jul. 01, 2009 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Debt Instrument, Maturity Date | [1] | Aug. 01, 2019 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage | [1] | 6.30% | 6.30% | |||||||||||||||||
| Debt and Capital Lease Obligations | $ 17 | $ 17 | 32 | |||||||||||||||||
| Securitized Debt [Member] | Fixed Rate Securitized Debt January 2010 Tower Revenue Notes Third Tranche [Member] | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Debt Instrument [Line Items] | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Original issue date | Jan. 01, 2010 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Debt Instrument, Maturity Date | [5] | Jan. 01, 2040 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Debt and Capital Lease Obligations | 0 | [4] | $ 0 | [4] | 1,246 | |||||||||||||||
| Securitized Debt [Member] | Fixed Rate Securitized Debt August 2010 Tower Revenue Notes Third Tranche [Member] | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Debt Instrument [Line Items] | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Original issue date | Aug. 01, 2010 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Debt Instrument, Maturity Date | [5] | Aug. 01, 2040 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Debt and Capital Lease Obligations | $ 0 | [6] | $ 0 | [6] | 995 | |||||||||||||||
| Securitized Debt [Member] | Fixed Rate Debt 2009 Securitized Notes Second Tranche [Member] | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Debt Instrument [Line Items] | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Original issue date | Jul. 01, 2009 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Debt Instrument, Maturity Date | [1] | Aug. 01, 2029 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage | [1] | 9.00% | 9.00% | |||||||||||||||||
| Debt and Capital Lease Obligations | $ 70 | $ 70 | 70 | |||||||||||||||||
| Securitized Debt [Member] | 2015 Tower Revenue Notes 3.222% due 2042 [Member] | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Debt Instrument [Line Items] | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Original issue date | May 01, 2015 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Debt Instrument, Maturity Date | [5] | May 01, 2042 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage | [1] | 3.20% | 3.20% | |||||||||||||||||
| Debt and Capital Lease Obligations | $ 298 | $ 298 | 297 | |||||||||||||||||
| Securitized Debt [Member] | 2015 Tower Revenue Notes 3.663% due 2045 [Member] | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Debt Instrument [Line Items] | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Original issue date | May 01, 2015 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Debt Instrument, Maturity Date | [5] | May 01, 2045 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage | [1] | 3.70% | 3.70% | |||||||||||||||||
| Debt and Capital Lease Obligations | $ 693 | $ 693 | 692 | |||||||||||||||||
| Securitized Debt [Member] | 2018 Tower Revenue Notes 3.720% due 2043 [Member] | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Debt Instrument [Line Items] | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Original issue date | Jul. 01, 2018 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Debt Instrument, Maturity Date | [5] | Jul. 15, 2043 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage | [1] | 3.70% | 3.70% | |||||||||||||||||
| Debt and Capital Lease Obligations | $ 247 | [6] | $ 247 | [6] | 0 | |||||||||||||||
| Securitized Debt [Member] | 2018 Tower Revenue Notes 4.241% due 2048 [Member] | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Debt Instrument [Line Items] | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Original issue date | Jul. 01, 2018 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Debt Instrument, Maturity Date | [5] | Jul. 15, 2048 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage | [1] | 4.20% | 4.20% | |||||||||||||||||
| Debt and Capital Lease Obligations | $ 740 | [6] | $ 740 | [6] | 0 | |||||||||||||||
| High Yield Bonds [Member] | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Debt Instrument [Line Items] | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Debt and Capital Lease Obligations | $ 10,962 | $ 10,962 | 9,223 | |||||||||||||||||
| High Yield Bonds [Member] | September 2016 Senior Unsecured Notes [Member] | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Debt Instrument [Line Items] | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Original issue date | Sep. 01, 2016 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Debt Instrument, Maturity Date | [1] | Sep. 01, 2021 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage | [1] | 2.30% | 2.30% | |||||||||||||||||
| Debt and Capital Lease Obligations | $ 696 | $ 696 | 695 | |||||||||||||||||
| High Yield Bonds [Member] | February 2017 Senior Unsecured Notes [Member] | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Debt Instrument [Line Items] | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Original issue date | Feb. 01, 2017 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Debt Instrument, Maturity Date | [1] | Mar. 01, 2027 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage | [1] | 4.00% | 4.00% | |||||||||||||||||
| Debt and Capital Lease Obligations | $ 494 | $ 494 | 494 | |||||||||||||||||
| High Yield Bonds [Member] | May 2017 Senior Unsecured Notes [Member] | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Debt Instrument [Line Items] | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Original issue date | May 01, 2017 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Debt Instrument, Maturity Date | [1] | May 01, 2047 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage | [1] | 4.80% | 4.80% | |||||||||||||||||
| Debt and Capital Lease Obligations | $ 343 | $ 343 | 343 | |||||||||||||||||
| High Yield Bonds [Member] | August 2017 Senior Unsecured 3.200% Notes [Member] | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Debt Instrument [Line Items] | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Original issue date | Aug. 01, 2017 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Debt Instrument, Maturity Date | [1] | Sep. 01, 2024 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage | [1] | 3.20% | 3.20% | |||||||||||||||||
| Debt and Capital Lease Obligations | $ 743 | $ 743 | 742 | |||||||||||||||||
| High Yield Bonds [Member] | August 2017 Senior Unsecured 3.650% Notes [Member] | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Debt Instrument [Line Items] | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Original issue date | Aug. 01, 2017 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Debt Instrument, Maturity Date | [1] | Sep. 01, 2027 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage | [1] | 3.70% | 3.70% | |||||||||||||||||
| Debt and Capital Lease Obligations | $ 992 | $ 992 | 991 | |||||||||||||||||
| High Yield Bonds [Member] | 3.150% Senior Notes [Member] | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Debt Instrument [Line Items] | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Original issue date | Jan. 01, 2018 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Debt Instrument, Maturity Date | [1] | Jul. 01, 2023 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage | [1] | 3.20% | 3.20% | |||||||||||||||||
| Debt and Capital Lease Obligations | $ 742 | [4] | $ 742 | [4] | 0 | |||||||||||||||
| High Yield Bonds [Member] | 3.800% Senior Notes [Member] | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Debt Instrument [Line Items] | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Original issue date | Jan. 01, 2018 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Debt Instrument, Maturity Date | [1] | Feb. 01, 2028 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage | [1] | 3.80% | 3.80% | |||||||||||||||||
| Debt and Capital Lease Obligations | $ 988 | [4] | $ 988 | [4] | 0 | |||||||||||||||
| High Yield Bonds [Member] | Five and One Fourth Senior Notes [Member] | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Debt Instrument [Line Items] | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Original issue date | Oct. 01, 2012 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Debt Instrument, Maturity Date | [1] | Jan. 15, 2023 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage | [1] | 5.30% | 5.30% | |||||||||||||||||
| Debt and Capital Lease Obligations | $ 1,641 | $ 1,641 | 1,639 | |||||||||||||||||
| High Yield Bonds [Member] | 2012 secured notes tranche B [Member] | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Debt Instrument [Line Items] | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Original issue date | Dec. 01, 2012 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Debt Instrument, Maturity Date | [1] | Apr. 15, 2023 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage | [1] | 3.90% | 3.90% | |||||||||||||||||
| Debt and Capital Lease Obligations | $ 994 | $ 994 | 993 | |||||||||||||||||
| High Yield Bonds [Member] | 4.875% Senior Notes [Member] | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Debt Instrument [Line Items] | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Original issue date | Apr. 01, 2014 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Debt Instrument, Maturity Date | [1] | Apr. 01, 2022 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage | [1] | 4.90% | 4.90% | |||||||||||||||||
| Debt and Capital Lease Obligations | $ 844 | $ 844 | 842 | |||||||||||||||||
| High Yield Bonds [Member] | Senior Unsecured 2016 Notes 3.40% [Member] | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Debt Instrument [Line Items] | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Original issue date | Feb. 01, 2016 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Debt Instrument, Maturity Date | [1] | Feb. 15, 2021 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage | [1] | 3.40% | 3.40% | |||||||||||||||||
| Debt and Capital Lease Obligations | $ 850 | $ 850 | 850 | |||||||||||||||||
| High Yield Bonds [Member] | Senior Unsecured 2016 Notes 3.7% [Member] | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Debt Instrument [Line Items] | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Original issue date | May 01, 2016 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Debt Instrument, Maturity Date | [1] | Jun. 15, 2026 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage | [1] | 3.70% | 3.70% | |||||||||||||||||
| Debt and Capital Lease Obligations | $ 743 | $ 743 | 743 | |||||||||||||||||
| High Yield Bonds [Member] | Senior Unsecured 2016 Notes 4.450% [Member] | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Debt Instrument [Line Items] | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Original issue date | Feb. 01, 2016 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Debt Instrument, Maturity Date | [1] | Feb. 15, 2026 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage | [1] | 4.50% | 4.50% | |||||||||||||||||
| Debt and Capital Lease Obligations | $ 892 | $ 892 | $ 891 | |||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
| X | ||||||||||
- Definition Credit Facility Amendment, Date No definition available.
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| X | ||||||||||
- Definition Additional interest rate margin that will accrue on certain debt instruments if they are not paid in full on or prior to their anticipated repayment dates. No definition available.
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| X | ||||||||||
- Definition Date range when the debt instrument is schedule to be fully repaid, which may be presented in a variety of ways (year, month and year, day, month, and year, quarter, etc). No definition available.
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| X | ||||||||||
- Definition Line of Credit Facility, Change in Borrowing Capacity No definition available.
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| X | ||||||||||
- Definition Date of original debt issuance. No definition available.
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| X | ||||||||||
- Definition Interest rate stated in the contractual debt agreements. No definition available.
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| X | ||||||||||
- Definition Sum of the carrying values as of the balance sheet date of all debt, including all short-term borrowings, long-term debt, and capital lease obligations. Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
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| X | ||||||||||
- Definition Amount of short-term debt and current maturity of long-term debt and capital lease obligations due within one year or the normal operating cycle, if longer. Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
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| X | ||||||||||
- Definition Face (par) amount of debt instrument at time of issuance. Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
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| X | ||||||||||
- Definition Contractual interest rate for funds borrowed, under the debt agreement. Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
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| X | ||||||||||
- Definition Date the debt instrument was issued, in CCYY-MM-DD format. Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
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| X | ||||||||||
- Definition Line items represent financial concepts included in a table. These concepts are used to disclose reportable information associated with domain members defined in one or many axes to the table. No definition available.
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| X | ||||||||||
- Definition Date when the debt instrument is scheduled to be fully repaid, in CCYY-MM-DD format. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
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| X | ||||||||||
- Definition Amount of unused borrowing capacity under the long-term financing arrangement that is available to the entity as of the balance sheet date. Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
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| X | ||||||||||
- Definition Maximum borrowing capacity under the credit facility without consideration of any current restrictions on the amount that could be borrowed or the amounts currently outstanding under the facility. Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
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| X | ||||||||||
- Definition Amount of long-term debt and capital lease obligation due after one year or beyond the normal operating cycle, if longer. Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
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Debt and Other Obligations (Components of Interest Expense and Amortization of Deferred Financing Costs) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions |
3 Months Ended | 9 Months Ended | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
Sep. 30, 2018 |
Sep. 30, 2017 |
Sep. 30, 2018 |
Sep. 30, 2017 |
|
| Debt and Other Obligations [Abstract] | ||||
| Interest expense on debt obligations | $ 158 | $ 152 | $ 473 | $ 422 |
| Amortization of deferred financing costs and adjustments on long-term debt | 5 | 5 | 16 | 15 |
| Other | (3) | (3) | (11) | (7) |
| Total | $ 160 | $ 154 | $ 478 | $ 430 |
| X | ||||||||||
- Definition Debt and Other Obligations [Abstract} No definition available.
|
| X | ||||||||||
- Definition The cost of borrowed funds and the amortization of interest rate swaps accounted for as interest that was charged against earnings during the period. No definition available.
|
| X | ||||||||||
- Definition Amount of amortization expense attributable to debt issuance costs. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/commonPracticeRef
|
| X | ||||||||||
- Definition Amount of the cost of borrowed funds accounted for as interest expense for debt. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
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| X | ||||||||||
- Definition Amount of interest expense classified as other. No definition available.
|
Debt and Other Obligations Contractual Maturities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions |
Sep. 30, 2018 |
Dec. 31, 2017 |
|---|---|---|
| Contractual Maturities [Abstract] | ||
| Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayments of Principal, Remainder of Fiscal Year | $ 28 | |
| Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayments of Principal in Year Two | 107 | |
| Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayments of Principal in Year Three | 139 | |
| Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayments of Principal in Year Four | 1,700 | |
| Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayments of Principal in Year Five | 1,085 | |
| Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayments of Principal after Year Five | 13,479 | |
| Unamortized Adjustments, Net | (114) | |
| Debt and Capital Lease Obligations | 16,424 | $ 16,159 |
| Total Cash Obligations | $ 16,538 |
| X | ||||||||||
- Definition Contractual Maturities [Abstract] No definition available.
|
| X | ||||||||||
- Definition Sum of the carrying values as of the balance sheet date of all debt, including all short-term borrowings, long-term debt, and capital lease obligations. Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
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| X | ||||||||||
- Definition Amount, before unamortized (discount) premium and debt issuance costs, of long-term debt. Includes, but is not limited to, notes payable, bonds payable, commercial loans, mortgage loans, convertible debt, subordinated debt and other types of debt. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
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| X | ||||||||||
- Definition Amount, after accumulated amortization, of debt discount. Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
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| X | ||||||||||
- Definition Amount of long-term debt payable, sinking fund requirements, and other securities issued that are redeemable by holder at fixed or determinable prices and dates maturing after the fifth fiscal year following the latest fiscal year. Excludes interim and annual periods when interim periods are reported on a rolling approach, from latest balance sheet date. Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
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| X | ||||||||||
- Definition Amount of long-term debt payable, sinking fund requirements, and other securities issued that are redeemable by holder at fixed or determinable prices and dates maturing in the fifth fiscal year following the latest fiscal year. Excludes interim and annual periods when interim periods are reported on a rolling approach, from latest balance sheet date. Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
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| X | ||||||||||
- Definition Amount of long-term debt payable, sinking fund requirements, and other securities issued that are redeemable by holder at fixed or determinable prices and dates maturing in the fourth fiscal year following the latest fiscal year. Excludes interim and annual periods when interim periods are reported on a rolling approach, from latest balance sheet date. Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
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| X | ||||||||||
- Definition Amount of long-term debt payable, sinking fund requirements, and other securities issued that are redeemable by holder at fixed or determinable prices and dates maturing in the third fiscal year following the latest fiscal year. Excludes interim and annual periods when interim periods are reported on a rolling approach, from latest balance sheet date. Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
|
| X | ||||||||||
- Definition Amount of long-term debt payable, sinking fund requirements, and other securities issued that are redeemable by holder at fixed or determinable prices and dates maturing in the second fiscal year following the latest fiscal year. Excludes interim and annual periods when interim periods are reported on a rolling approach, from latest balance sheet date. Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
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| X | ||||||||||
- Definition Amount of long-term debt payable, sinking fund requirements, and other securities issued that are redeemable by holder at fixed or determinable prices and dates maturing in the remainder of the fiscal year following the latest fiscal year. Excludes interim and annual periods when interim periods are reported on a rolling approach, from latest balance sheet date. Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
|
Debt and Other Obligations Schedule of Extinguishment of Long Term Debt (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions |
3 Months Ended | 9 Months Ended | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Sep. 30, 2018 |
Sep. 30, 2017 |
Sep. 30, 2018 |
Sep. 30, 2017 |
||||||
| Extinguishment of Debt [Line Items] | |||||||||
| Gain (Loss) on Extinguishment of Debt | $ (32) | $ 0 | $ (106) | $ (4) | |||||
| January 2010 Tower Revenue Notes [Member] | |||||||||
| Extinguishment of Debt [Line Items] | |||||||||
| Extinguishment of Debt, Amount | 1,250 | ||||||||
| Repayments of Debt | [1] | 1,318 | |||||||
| Gain (Loss) on Extinguishment of Debt | [2] | (71) | |||||||
| 2016 Term Loan A [Member] | |||||||||
| Extinguishment of Debt [Line Items] | |||||||||
| Extinguishment of Debt, Amount | 0 | ||||||||
| Repayments of Debt | 0 | ||||||||
| Gain (Loss) on Extinguishment of Debt | [2] | (3) | |||||||
| Fixed Rate Securitized Debt August 2010 Tower Revenue Notes 6 [Member] | |||||||||
| Extinguishment of Debt [Line Items] | |||||||||
| Extinguishment of Debt, Amount | 1,000 | ||||||||
| Repayments of Debt | [1] | 1,028 | |||||||
| Gain (Loss) on Extinguishment of Debt | [2] | $ (32) | |||||||
| |||||||||
| X | ||||||||||
- Definition Gross amount of debt extinguished. No definition available.
|
| X | ||||||||||
- Definition Line items represent financial concepts included in a table. These concepts are used to disclose reportable information associated with domain members defined in one or many axes to the table. No definition available.
|
| X | ||||||||||
- Definition Difference between the fair value of payments made and the carrying amount of debt which is extinguished prior to maturity. Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
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| X | ||||||||||
- Definition The cash outflow during the period from the repayment of aggregate short-term and long-term debt. Excludes payment of capital lease obligations. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/commonPracticeRef
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Fair Value Disclosures (Estimated Fair Values and Carrying Amounts of Assets and Liabilities) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions |
Sep. 30, 2018 |
Dec. 31, 2017 |
|---|---|---|
| Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items] | ||
| Cash and cash equivalents, at carrying value | $ 323 | $ 314 |
| Cash and cash equivalents, fair value | 323 | 314 |
| Restricted cash, current and non-current, carrying value | 130 | 126 |
| Restricted cash, current and non-current, fair value | 130 | 126 |
| Long-term debt and other obligations, carrying amount | 16,424 | 16,159 |
| Long-term debt and other obligations, fair value | $ 16,362 | $ 16,644 |
| X | ||||||||||
- Definition Sum of the fair values as of the balance sheet date of all debt, including all short-term borrowings, long-term debt, and capital lease obligations. No definition available.
|
| X | ||||||||||
- Definition The fair value of cash and cash equivalent items which are restricted as to withdrawal or usage. No definition available.
|
| X | ||||||||||
- Definition Amount of currency on hand as well as demand deposits with banks or financial institutions. Includes other kinds of accounts that have the general characteristics of demand deposits. Also includes short-term, highly liquid investments that are both readily convertible to known amounts of cash and so near their maturity that they present insignificant risk of changes in value because of changes in interest rates. Excludes cash and cash equivalents within disposal group and discontinued operation. Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
|
| X | ||||||||||
- Definition Fair value portion of currency on hand as well as demand deposits with banks or financial institutions. Includes other kinds of accounts that have the general characteristics of demand deposits. Also includes short-term, highly liquid investments that are both readily convertible to known amounts of cash and so near their maturity that they present insignificant risk of changes in value because of changes in interest rates. No definition available.
|
| X | ||||||||||
- Definition Sum of the carrying values as of the balance sheet date of all debt, including all short-term borrowings, long-term debt, and capital lease obligations. Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
|
| X | ||||||||||
- Definition Line items represent financial concepts included in a table. These concepts are used to disclose reportable information associated with domain members defined in one or many axes to the table. No definition available.
|
| X | ||||||||||
- Definition Amount of cash and cash equivalents restricted as to withdrawal or usage. Cash includes, but is not limited to, currency on hand, demand deposits with banks or financial institutions, and other accounts with general characteristics of demand deposits. Cash equivalents include, but are not limited to, short-term, highly liquid investments that are both readily convertible to known amounts of cash and so near their maturity that they present insignificant risk of changes in value because of changes in interest rates. Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
|
Per Share Information (Reconciliation of the Numerators and Denominators of the Basic and Diluted Per Share Computations) (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Millions, $ in Millions |
3 Months Ended | 9 Months Ended | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
Sep. 30, 2018 |
Sep. 30, 2017 |
Sep. 30, 2018 |
Sep. 30, 2017 |
|
| Per Share Information | ||||
| Net Income (Loss), Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest | $ 164 | $ 115 | $ 458 | $ 346 |
| Dividends on preferred stock | 28 | 30 | 85 | 30 |
| Net income (loss) attributable to CCIC common stockholders for basic and diluted computations | $ 136 | $ 85 | $ 373 | $ 316 |
| Basic weighted-average number of common stock outstanding | 415 | 395 | 413 | 374 |
| Effect of assumed dilution from potential issuance of common shares relating to restricted stock units | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| Diluted weighted-average number of common shares outstanding | 416 | 397 | 414 | 375 |
| Basic | $ 0.33 | $ 0.22 | $ 0.90 | $ 0.85 |
| Diluted | 0.33 | 0.21 | 0.90 | 0.84 |
| Common Stock, Dividends, Per Share, Declared | $ 1.05 | $ 0.95 | $ 3.15 | $ 2.85 |
| X | ||||||||||
- Definition n/a No definition available.
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| X | ||||||||||
- Definition Aggregate dividends declared during the period for each share of common stock outstanding. Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
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| X | ||||||||||
- Definition Amount of paid and unpaid preferred stock dividends declared with the form of settlement in cash, stock and payment-in-kind (PIK). Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
|
| X | ||||||||||
- Definition The amount of net income (loss) for the period per each share of common stock or unit outstanding during the reporting period. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
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| X | ||||||||||
- Definition The amount of net income (loss) for the period available to each share of common stock or common unit outstanding during the reporting period and to each share or unit that would have been outstanding assuming the issuance of common shares or units for all dilutive potential common shares or units outstanding during the reporting period. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/exampleRef
|
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- Definition Amount, after deduction of tax, noncontrolling interests, dividends on preferred stock and participating securities; of income (loss) available to common shareholders. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
|
| X | ||||||||||
- Definition The consolidated profit or loss for the period, net of income taxes, including the portion attributable to the noncontrolling interest. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
|
| X | ||||||||||
- Definition The sum of dilutive potential common shares or units used in the calculation of the diluted per-share or per-unit computation. Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
|
| X | ||||||||||
- Definition The average number of shares or units issued and outstanding that are used in calculating diluted EPS or earnings per unit (EPU), determined based on the timing of issuance of shares or units in the period. Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
|
| X | ||||||||||
- Definition Number of [basic] shares or units, after adjustment for contingently issuable shares or units and other shares or units not deemed outstanding, determined by relating the portion of time within a reporting period that common shares or units have been outstanding to the total time in that period. Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
|
Per Share Information (Narrative) (Details) shares in Millions |
9 Months Ended |
|---|---|
|
Sep. 30, 2018
shares
| |
| Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items] | |
| Stock Issued During Period, Shares, Restricted Stock Award, Gross | 1 |
| Preferred Stock [Member] | |
| Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items] | |
| Anti-dilutive securities excluded from dilutive common shares calculation | 15 |
| X | ||||||||||
- Definition Securities (including those issuable pursuant to contingent stock agreements) that could potentially dilute basic earnings per share (EPS) or earnings per unit (EPU) in the future that were not included in the computation of diluted EPS or EPU because to do so would increase EPS or EPU amounts or decrease loss per share or unit amounts for the period presented. Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
|
| X | ||||||||||
- Definition Line items represent financial concepts included in a table. These concepts are used to disclose reportable information associated with domain members defined in one or many axes to the table. No definition available.
|
| X | ||||||||||
- Definition Total number of shares issued during the period, including shares forfeited, as a result of Restricted Stock Awards. Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
|
| X | ||||||||||
- Details
|
Commitments and Contingencies Commitment and Contingencies (Details) |
Sep. 30, 2018 |
|---|---|
| Subject to Capital Lease with Sprint, TMO, or AT&T [Member] | |
| Other Commitments [Line Items] | |
| Purchase Option, Percentage of Towers | 53.00% |
| X | ||||||||||
- Definition Purchase Option, Percentage of Towers No definition available.
|
| X | ||||||||||
- Definition Line items represent financial concepts included in a table. These concepts are used to disclose reportable information associated with domain members defined in one or many axes to the table. No definition available.
|
| X | ||||||||||
- Details
|
Equity (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Millions, $ in Millions |
3 Months Ended | 9 Months Ended | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Dec. 31, 2018 |
Sep. 30, 2018 |
Jun. 30, 2018 |
Mar. 31, 2018 |
Sep. 30, 2018 |
Sep. 30, 2017 |
||||
| Dividends Payable [Line Items] | |||||||||
| Common Stock, Dividends, Per Share, Cash Paid | [1] | $ 1.050 | $ 1.050 | $ 1.050 | |||||
| Preferred Stock, Dividends Per Share, Declared | $ 17.1875 | $ 17.1875 | $ 17.1875 | $ 17.1875 | |||||
| Dividends, Common Stock, Cash | [1] | $ 438 | $ 438 | $ 439 | |||||
| Dividends, Preferred Stock, Cash | $ 28 | $ 28 | $ 28 | $ 28 | |||||
| Common stock repurchased during period, shares | 0.3 | ||||||||
| Purchases of Common Stock | $ 34 | $ 23 | |||||||
| Common Stock [Member] | |||||||||
| Dividends Payable [Line Items] | |||||||||
| Dividends Payable, Date Declared | [1] | Aug. 02, 2018 | May 17, 2018 | Feb. 21, 2018 | |||||
| Dividends Payable, Date of Record | [1] | Sep. 14, 2018 | Jun. 15, 2018 | Mar. 16, 2018 | |||||
| Dividends Payable, Date to be Paid | [1] | Sep. 28, 2018 | Jun. 29, 2018 | Mar. 30, 2018 | |||||
| Preferred Stock [Member] | |||||||||
| Dividends Payable [Line Items] | |||||||||
| Dividends Payable, Date Declared | Sep. 19, 2018 | Jun. 22, 2018 | Mar. 19, 2018 | Dec. 15, 2017 | |||||
| Dividends Payable, Date of Record | Oct. 15, 2018 | Jul. 15, 2018 | Apr. 15, 2018 | Jan. 15, 2018 | |||||
| Dividends Payable, Date to be Paid | Nov. 01, 2018 | Aug. 01, 2018 | May 01, 2018 | Feb. 01, 2018 | |||||
| |||||||||
| X | ||||||||||
- Definition Aggregate dividends paid during the period for each share of common stock outstanding. Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
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| X | ||||||||||
- Definition Date the declared dividend will be paid, in CCYY-MM-DD format. Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
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| X | ||||||||||
- Definition Amount of paid and unpaid common stock dividends declared with the form of settlement in cash. Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
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| X | ||||||||||
- Definition Date the dividend to be paid was declared, in CCYY-MM-DD format. Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
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| X | ||||||||||
- Definition Date the holder must own the stock to be entitled to the dividend, in CCYY-MM-DD format. No definition available.
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| X | ||||||||||
- Definition Line items represent financial concepts included in a table. These concepts are used to disclose reportable information associated with domain members defined in one or many axes to the table. No definition available.
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| X | ||||||||||
- Definition Amount of paid and unpaid preferred stock dividends declared with the form of settlement in cash. Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
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| X | ||||||||||
- Definition The cash outflow to reacquire common stock during the period. Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
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| X | ||||||||||
- Definition Aggregate dividends declared during the period for each share of preferred stock outstanding. No definition available.
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| X | ||||||||||
- Definition Number of shares that have been repurchased during the period and have not been retired and are not held in treasury. Some state laws may govern the circumstances under which an entity may acquire its own stock and prescribe the accounting treatment therefore. This element is used when state law does not recognize treasury stock. Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
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| X | ||||||||||
- Details
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| X | ||||||||||
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Equity Other Equity Activity (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Millions, $ in Millions |
3 Months Ended | 9 Months Ended | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Sep. 30, 2018 |
Mar. 31, 2018 |
Sep. 30, 2017 |
Sep. 30, 2018 |
Sep. 30, 2017 |
Dec. 31, 2017 |
|
| Class of Stock [Line Items] | ||||||
| Proceeds from Issuance of Common Stock | $ 841 | $ 4,221 | ||||
| 2015 ATM Program, Life to Date Proceeds, Gross | $ 350 | 350 | ||||
| 2015 ATM Program, capacity remaining | 150 | 150 | ||||
| Availability Under ATM | $ 750 | $ 750 | ||||
| Preferred Stock, Par or Stated Value Per Share | $ 0.01 | $ 0.01 | $ 0.01 | |||
| 2015 ATM, Aggregate Value of Common Stock | $ 500 | $ 500 | ||||
| March 2018 Equity Financing [Member] | ||||||
| Class of Stock [Line Items] | ||||||
| Proceeds from Issuance of Common Stock | $ 841 | |||||
| Stock Issued During Period, Shares, New Issues | 8 | |||||
| Common Stock [Member] | ||||||
| Class of Stock [Line Items] | ||||||
| Stock Issued During Period, Shares, New Issues | 0 | 40 | 8 | 44 | ||
| X | ||||||||||
- Definition Represents the aggregate value of common stock that the Company may issue and sales shares through its the At the Market Stock Offering Program. No definition available.
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| X | ||||||||||
- Definition At the Market Stock Offering Program, capacity remaining No definition available.
|
| X | ||||||||||
- Definition Availability Under ATM No definition available.
|
| X | ||||||||||
- Definition Life to Date Proceeds Under ATM, Gross No definition available.
|
| X | ||||||||||
- Definition Line items represent financial concepts included in a table. These concepts are used to disclose reportable information associated with domain members defined in one or many axes to the table. No definition available.
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| X | ||||||||||
- Definition Face amount or stated value per share of preferred stock nonredeemable or redeemable solely at the option of the issuer. Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
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| X | ||||||||||
- Definition The cash inflow from the additional capital contribution to the entity. Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
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| X | ||||||||||
- Definition Number of new stock issued during the period. Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
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| X | ||||||||||
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| X | ||||||||||
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Equity Schedule of Equity by Type (Details) - USD ($) shares in Millions, $ in Millions |
3 Months Ended | 9 Months Ended | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
Sep. 30, 2018 |
Sep. 30, 2017 |
Sep. 30, 2018 |
Sep. 30, 2017 |
|
| Class of Stock [Line Items] | ||||
| Proceeds from Issuance of Common Stock | $ 841 | $ 4,221 | ||
| Common Stock [Member] | ||||
| Class of Stock [Line Items] | ||||
| Stock Issued During Period, Shares, New Issues | 0 | 40 | 8 | 44 |
| X | ||||||||||
- Definition Line items represent financial concepts included in a table. These concepts are used to disclose reportable information associated with domain members defined in one or many axes to the table. No definition available.
|
| X | ||||||||||
- Definition The cash inflow from the additional capital contribution to the entity. Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
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| X | ||||||||||
- Definition Number of new stock issued during the period. Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
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| X | ||||||||||
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Operating Segments Operating Segments Table (Details) $ in Millions |
3 Months Ended | 9 Months Ended | ||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Sep. 30, 2018
USD ($)
|
Sep. 30, 2017
USD ($)
|
Sep. 30, 2018
USD ($)
|
Sep. 30, 2017
USD ($)
|
Dec. 31, 2017
USD ($)
|
||||||||||||||
| Segment Reporting Information [Line Items] | ||||||||||||||||||
| Tower Count | 40,000 | 40,000 | ||||||||||||||||
| Segment site rental revenues | $ 1,184 | $ 893 | $ 3,507 | $ 2,619 | ||||||||||||||
| Network services and other revenue | 191 | 170 | 497 | 499 | ||||||||||||||
| Revenues | $ 1,375 | 1,063 | $ 4,004 | 3,118 | ||||||||||||||
| Fiber Miles | 65,000 | 65,000 | ||||||||||||||||
| Segment site rental cost of operations | [1] | $ 355 | 281 | $ 1,057 | 815 | |||||||||||||
| Network services and other costs | [1] | 119 | 107 | 304 | 310 | |||||||||||||
| Segment selling, general and administrative expenses | 145 | 100 | 418 | 300 | ||||||||||||||
| Stock-based compensation expense | 79 | 67 | ||||||||||||||||
| Depreciation, Amortization and Accretion, Net | 385 | 296 | 1,138 | 880 | ||||||||||||||
| Interest expense and amortization of deferred financing costs | 160 | 154 | 478 | 430 | ||||||||||||||
| Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Equity Method Investments, Income Taxes, Extraordinary Items, Noncontrolling Interest | 169 | 118 | 471 | 358 | ||||||||||||||
| Capital expenditures | 1,241 | 852 | ||||||||||||||||
| Total Assets | 32,644 | 32,644 | $ 32,229 | |||||||||||||||
| Amortization of prepaid lease purchase price adjustments | 5 | 15 | ||||||||||||||||
| Segment cost of operations share-based compensation [Member] | ||||||||||||||||||
| Segment Reporting Information [Line Items] | ||||||||||||||||||
| Stock-based compensation expense | 7 | 6 | 19 | 12 | ||||||||||||||
| Towers [Member] | ||||||||||||||||||
| Segment Reporting Information [Line Items] | ||||||||||||||||||
| Segment site rental revenues | 782 | 725 | 2,318 | 2,159 | ||||||||||||||
| Network services and other revenue | 189 | 153 | 489 | 461 | ||||||||||||||
| Revenues | 971 | 878 | 2,807 | 2,620 | ||||||||||||||
| Segment site rental cost of operations | 215 | 212 | 641 | 632 | ||||||||||||||
| Network services and other costs | 115 | 91 | 292 | 277 | ||||||||||||||
| Segment cost of operations | [1] | 330 | [2] | 303 | [2] | 933 | [3] | 909 | [3] | |||||||||
| Segment site rental gross margin | 567 | 513 | 1,677 | 1,527 | ||||||||||||||
| Segment network services gross margin | 74 | 62 | 197 | 184 | ||||||||||||||
| Segment selling, general and administrative expenses | 28 | [2] | 22 | [2] | 81 | [3] | 69 | [3] | ||||||||||
| Segment Operating Profit | 613 | 553 | 1,793 | 1,642 | ||||||||||||||
| Capital expenditures | 123 | 109 | 318 | 317 | ||||||||||||||
| Total Assets | 17,694 | 18,099 | 17,694 | 18,099 | ||||||||||||||
| Small Cells [Member] | ||||||||||||||||||
| Segment Reporting Information [Line Items] | ||||||||||||||||||
| Segment site rental revenues | 402 | 168 | 1,189 | 460 | ||||||||||||||
| Network services and other revenue | 2 | 17 | 8 | 38 | ||||||||||||||
| Revenues | 404 | 185 | 1,197 | 498 | ||||||||||||||
| Segment site rental cost of operations | 131 | 60 | 388 | 158 | ||||||||||||||
| Network services and other costs | 1 | 14 | 6 | 31 | ||||||||||||||
| Segment cost of operations | [1] | 132 | [2] | 74 | [2] | 394 | [3] | 189 | [3] | |||||||||
| Segment site rental gross margin | 271 | 108 | 801 | 302 | ||||||||||||||
| Segment network services gross margin | 1 | 3 | 2 | 7 | ||||||||||||||
| Segment selling, general and administrative expenses | 45 | [2] | 18 | [2] | 131 | [3] | 55 | [3] | ||||||||||
| Segment Operating Profit | 227 | 93 | 672 | 254 | ||||||||||||||
| Capital expenditures | 348 | 172 | 900 | 514 | ||||||||||||||
| Total Assets | 14,326 | 5,927 | 14,326 | 5,927 | ||||||||||||||
| Consolidated Total [Member] | ||||||||||||||||||
| Segment Reporting Information [Line Items] | ||||||||||||||||||
| Segment site rental revenues | 1,184 | 893 | 3,507 | 2,619 | ||||||||||||||
| Network services and other revenue | 191 | 170 | 497 | 499 | ||||||||||||||
| Revenues | 1,375 | 1,063 | 4,004 | 3,118 | ||||||||||||||
| Segment site rental cost of operations | 346 | 272 | 1,029 | 790 | ||||||||||||||
| Network services and other costs | 116 | 105 | 298 | 308 | ||||||||||||||
| Segment cost of operations | [1] | 462 | [2] | 377 | [2] | 1,327 | [3] | 1,098 | [3] | |||||||||
| Segment site rental gross margin | 838 | 621 | 2,478 | 1,829 | ||||||||||||||
| Segment network services gross margin | 75 | 65 | 199 | 191 | ||||||||||||||
| Segment selling, general and administrative expenses | 73 | [2] | 40 | [2] | 212 | [3] | 124 | [3] | ||||||||||
| Segment Operating Profit | 840 | 646 | 2,465 | 1,896 | ||||||||||||||
| Stock-based compensation expense | 32 | 25 | 84 | 67 | ||||||||||||||
| Depreciation, Amortization and Accretion, Net | 385 | 296 | 1,138 | 880 | ||||||||||||||
| Interest expense and amortization of deferred financing costs | 160 | 154 | 478 | 430 | ||||||||||||||
| Other expenses to reconcile to income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes | 47 | 12 | 153 | 40 | ||||||||||||||
| Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Equity Method Investments, Income Taxes, Extraordinary Items, Noncontrolling Interest | 169 | 118 | 471 | 358 | ||||||||||||||
| Capital expenditures | 478 | 289 | 1,241 | 852 | ||||||||||||||
| Total Assets | 32,644 | 31,012 | 32,644 | 31,012 | ||||||||||||||
| Other [Member] | ||||||||||||||||||
| Segment Reporting Information [Line Items] | ||||||||||||||||||
| Segment selling, general and administrative expenses | 47 | [2] | 41 | [2] | 141 | [3] | 121 | [3] | ||||||||||
| Segment Operating Profit | ||||||||||||||||||
| Stock-based compensation expense | 32 | 25 | 84 | 67 | ||||||||||||||
| Depreciation, Amortization and Accretion, Net | 385 | 296 | 1,138 | 880 | ||||||||||||||
| Interest expense and amortization of deferred financing costs | 160 | 154 | 478 | 430 | ||||||||||||||
| Other expenses to reconcile to income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes | [4] | 47 | 12 | 153 | 40 | |||||||||||||
| Capital expenditures | 7 | 8 | 23 | 21 | ||||||||||||||
| Total Assets | 624 | 6,986 | 624 | 6,986 | ||||||||||||||
| Segment G&A share-based compensation [Member] | ||||||||||||||||||
| Segment Reporting Information [Line Items] | ||||||||||||||||||
| Stock-based compensation expense | $ 25 | $ 19 | $ 65 | $ 55 | ||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||
| X | ||||||||||
- Definition Represents the amortization of prepaid lease purchase price adjustments for the period presented. No definition available.
|
| X | ||||||||||
- Definition Fiber Miles that the Company owns and operates. No definition available.
|
| X | ||||||||||
- Definition The cost of borrowed funds and the amortization of interest rate swaps accounted for as interest that was charged against earnings during the period. No definition available.
|
| X | ||||||||||
- Definition Segment Operating Profit is defined as segment site rental gross margin plus segment network services and other gross margin, less general and administrative expenses attributable to the respective segment. No definition available.
|
| X | ||||||||||
- Definition Segment network services and other gross margin is defined as segment network services and other revenues less segment network services and other cost of operations, which excludes stock-based compensation expense recorded in consolidated cost of operations. No definition available.
|
| X | ||||||||||
- Definition Segment site rental gross margin is defined as segment site rental revenues less segment site rental cost of operations, which excludes stock-based compensation expense and prepaid lease purchase price adjustments recorded in consolidated cost of operations. No definition available.
|
| X | ||||||||||
- Definition Represents the Company's tower count. Inclusive of towers and other structures, such as rooftops No definition available.
|
| X | ||||||||||
- Definition Sum of the carrying amounts as of the balance sheet date of all assets that are recognized. Assets are probable future economic benefits obtained or controlled by an entity as a result of past transactions or events. Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
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| X | ||||||||||
- Definition The aggregate costs related to goods produced and sold and services rendered by an entity during the reporting period. This excludes costs incurred during the reporting period related to financial services rendered and other revenue generating activities. Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
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| X | ||||||||||
- Definition The aggregate cost of goods produced and sold and services rendered during the reporting period. Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
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| X | ||||||||||
- Definition The aggregate net amount of depreciation, amortization, and accretion recognized during an accounting period. As a noncash item, the net amount is added back to net income when calculating cash provided by or used in operations using the indirect method. Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
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| X | ||||||||||
- Definition Amount of expense incurred and directly related to generating revenue from leased and rented property or equipment. Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/otherTransitionRef
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| X | ||||||||||
- Definition Amount of income (loss) from continuing operations before deduction of income tax expense (benefit) and income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest, and addition of income (loss) from equity method investments. Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
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| X | ||||||||||
- Definition The total amount of revenue recognized for the period from operating leases, including minimum lease revenue, contingent revenue, percentage revenue and sublease revenue. Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
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| X | ||||||||||
- Definition Amount of expense classified as other. Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
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| X | ||||||||||
- Definition The cash outflow for purchases of and capital improvements on property, plant and equipment (capital expenditures), software, and other intangible assets. Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
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| X | ||||||||||
- Definition Amount, excluding tax collected from customer, of revenue from satisfaction of performance obligation by transferring promised good or service to customer. Tax collected from customer is tax assessed by governmental authority that is both imposed on and concurrent with specific revenue-producing transaction, including, but not limited to, sales, use, value added and excise. Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
|
| X | ||||||||||
- Definition Amount of revenue recognized from goods sold, services rendered, insurance premiums, or other activities that constitute an earning process. Includes, but is not limited to, investment and interest income before deduction of interest expense when recognized as a component of revenue, and sales and trading gain (loss). Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
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| X | ||||||||||
- Definition Line items represent financial concepts included in a table. These concepts are used to disclose reportable information associated with domain members defined in one or many axes to the table. No definition available.
|
| X | ||||||||||
- Definition The aggregate total costs related to selling a firm's product and services, as well as all other general and administrative expenses. Direct selling expenses (for example, credit, warranty, and advertising) are expenses that can be directly linked to the sale of specific products. Indirect selling expenses are expenses that cannot be directly linked to the sale of specific products, for example telephone expenses, Internet, and postal charges. General and administrative expenses include salaries of non-sales personnel, rent, utilities, communication, etc. Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
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| X | ||||||||||
- Definition The aggregate amount of noncash, equity-based employee remuneration. This may include the value of stock or unit options, amortization of restricted stock or units, and adjustment for officers' compensation. As noncash, this element is an add back when calculating net cash generated by operating activities using the indirect method. Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
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Supplemental Cash Flow Information (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions |
9 Months Ended | ||
|---|---|---|---|
Sep. 30, 2018 |
Sep. 30, 2017 |
Dec. 31, 2017 |
|
| Supplemental Cash Flow Information [Line Items] | |||
| Cash and cash equivalents | $ 323 | $ 314 | |
| Interest paid | 503 | $ 420 | |
| Income taxes paid | 15 | 14 | |
| Increase (decrease) in accounts payable for purchases of property and equipment | 25 | (5) | |
| Purchase of property and equipment under capital leases and installment purchases | 28 | 25 | |
| Restricted Cash, Current | 125 | 121 | |
| Restricted Cash, Noncurrent | 5 | 5 | |
| Cash, Cash Equivalents, Restricted Cash and Restricted Cash Equivalents | 453 | $ 440 | |
| Preferred Stock [Member] | |||
| Supplemental Cash Flow Information [Line Items] | |||
| Preferred Stock Dividends Declared, Not Paid | $ 0 | $ 30 | |
| X | ||||||||||
- Definition Increase (Decrease) in accounts payable for purchases of property and equipment No definition available.
|
| X | ||||||||||
- Definition Purchase of property and equipment under capital leases and installment purchases No definition available.
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| X | ||||||||||
- Definition Supplemental Cash Flow Information [Line Items] No definition available.
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| X | ||||||||||
- Definition Amount of currency on hand as well as demand deposits with banks or financial institutions. Includes other kinds of accounts that have the general characteristics of demand deposits. Also includes short-term, highly liquid investments that are both readily convertible to known amounts of cash and so near their maturity that they present insignificant risk of changes in value because of changes in interest rates. Excludes cash and cash equivalents within disposal group and discontinued operation. Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
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| X | ||||||||||
- Definition Amount of cash and cash equivalents, and cash and cash equivalents restricted to withdrawal or usage. Excludes amount for disposal group and discontinued operations. Cash includes, but is not limited to, currency on hand, demand deposits with banks or financial institutions, and other accounts with general characteristics of demand deposits. Cash equivalents include, but are not limited to, short-term, highly liquid investments that are both readily convertible to known amounts of cash and so near their maturity that they present insignificant risk of changes in value because of changes in interest rates. Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
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| X | ||||||||||
- Definition Amount of paid and unpaid cash, stock, and paid-in-kind (PIK) dividends declared, for example, but not limited to, common and preferred stock. Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
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| X | ||||||||||
- Definition The amount of cash paid during the current period to foreign, federal, state, and local authorities as taxes on income. Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
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| X | ||||||||||
- Definition Amount of cash paid for interest, including, but not limited to, capitalized interest and payment to settle zero-coupon bond attributable to accreted interest of debt discount and debt instrument with insignificant coupon interest rate in relation to effective interest rate of borrowing attributable to accreted interest of debt discount; classified as operating and investing activities. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/commonPracticeRef
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| X | ||||||||||
- Definition Amount of cash and cash equivalents restricted as to withdrawal or usage, classified as current. Cash includes, but is not limited to, currency on hand, demand deposits with banks or financial institutions, and other accounts with general characteristics of demand deposits. Cash equivalents include, but are not limited to, short-term, highly liquid investments that are both readily convertible to known amounts of cash and so near their maturity that they present insignificant risk of changes in value because of changes in interest rates. Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
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| X | ||||||||||
- Definition Amount of cash restricted as to withdrawal or usage, classified as noncurrent. Cash includes, but is not limited to, currency on hand, demand deposits with banks or financial institutions, and other accounts with general characteristics of demand deposits. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/commonPracticeRef
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| X | ||||||||||
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Subsequent Events (Details) - $ / shares |
3 Months Ended | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Dec. 31, 2018 |
Sep. 30, 2018 |
Jun. 30, 2018 |
Mar. 31, 2018 |
||||
| Subsequent Event [Line Items] | |||||||
| Common Stock, Dividends, Per Share, Cash Paid | [1] | $ 1.050 | $ 1.050 | $ 1.050 | |||
| Common Stock [Member] | |||||||
| Subsequent Event [Line Items] | |||||||
| Dividends Payable, Date to be Paid | [1] | Sep. 28, 2018 | Jun. 29, 2018 | Mar. 30, 2018 | |||
| Dividends Payable, Date of Record | [1] | Sep. 14, 2018 | Jun. 15, 2018 | Mar. 16, 2018 | |||
| Dividends Payable, Date Declared | [1] | Aug. 02, 2018 | May 17, 2018 | Feb. 21, 2018 | |||
| Paid subsequent to year end [Member] | |||||||
| Subsequent Event [Line Items] | |||||||
| Common Stock, Dividends, Per Share, Cash Paid | $ 1.125 | ||||||
| Dividend Declared [Member] | Common Stock [Member] | |||||||
| Subsequent Event [Line Items] | |||||||
| Dividends Payable, Date to be Paid | Dec. 31, 2018 | ||||||
| Dividends Payable, Date of Record | Dec. 14, 2018 | ||||||
| Dividends Payable, Date Declared | Oct. 15, 2018 | ||||||
| |||||||
| X | ||||||||||
- Definition Aggregate dividends paid during the period for each share of common stock outstanding. Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
|
| X | ||||||||||
- Definition Date the declared dividend will be paid, in CCYY-MM-DD format. Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
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| X | ||||||||||
- Definition Date the dividend to be paid was declared, in CCYY-MM-DD format. Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
|
| X | ||||||||||
- Definition Date the holder must own the stock to be entitled to the dividend, in CCYY-MM-DD format. No definition available.
|
| X | ||||||||||
- Definition Detail information of subsequent event by type. User is expected to use existing line items from elsewhere in the taxonomy as the primary line items for this disclosure, which is further associated with dimension and member elements pertaining to a subsequent event. No definition available.
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