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Disclosure Award Timing MNPI Disclosure [Text Block] Aggregate purchase option price for towers Aggregate Purchase Option Price For Towers Aggregate Purchase Option Price For Towers Verizon Transaction Verizon Transaction [Member] Verizon Transaction [Member] Vested and Released (in shares) Share-Based Compensation Arrangement by Share-Based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Vested in Period Class of Stock [Axis] Class of Stock [Axis] Depreciation, amortization and accretion Depreciation, Amortization And Accretion, Including Discontinued Operations Depreciation, Amortization And Accretion, Including Discontinued Operations Net Book Value Intangible Asset, Finite-Lived, after Accumulated Amortization Peer Group Total Shareholder Return Amount Peer Group Total Shareholder Return Amount NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO AMERICAN TOWER CORPORATION COMMON STOCKHOLDERS, BASIC Net income attributable to American Tower Corporation common stockholders, basic Net Income (Loss) 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Name Expected weighted average recognition period Share-Based Payment Arrangement, Nonvested Award, Cost Not yet Recognized, Period for Recognition Non-GAAP Measure Description Non-GAAP Measure Description [Text Block] Statement [Line Items] Statement [Line Items] TOTAL Total assets Assets Allianz Allianz Capital Partners [Member] Allianz Capital Partners Entity [Domain] Entity [Domain] Purchases of property and equipment under finance leases and perpetual easements Lease Obligation Incurred Operating Segments Operating Segments [Member] 2024 PSUs 2024 PSUs [Member] 2024 PSUs Interest expense Interest Expense, Nonoperating 1.000% Senior Notes due 2032 1.000% senior notes 1.000% Senior Notes, Due 2032 [Member] 1.000% Senior Notes, Due 2032 2023 PSUs 2023 PSUs [Member] 2023 PSUs STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION Share-Based Payment Arrangement [Text Block] Issuance of common stock - stock purchase plan Stock Issued During Period, Value, Employee Stock Purchase Plan Series 2023-1A Securities 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Bangladesh partnership on noncontrolling interests Noncontrolling Interest, Decrease from Deconsolidation Distributions in Excess of Earnings Retained Earnings [Member] OPERATING LEASE LIABILITY Lease liability Non-current lease liability Operating Lease, Liability, Noncurrent Revolving Credit Facility Revolving Credit Facility [Member] Erroneously Awarded Compensation Recovery Erroneously Awarded Compensation Recovery [Table] Forfeited (in shares) Share-Based Compensation Arrangement by Share-Based Payment Award, Options, Forfeitures in Period Schedule of Fair Value Level of Inputs Fair Value Measurement Inputs and Valuation Techniques [Table Text Block] Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward] Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward] Common stock, shares outstanding (in shares) Balance at beginning of period (in shares) Balance at end of period (in shares) Common Stock, Shares, Outstanding Award Timing Disclosures [Line Items] Diluted net income 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operating activities Adjustment to Reconcile Net Income to Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activity [Abstract] Schedule of PSU Activity Share-Based Payment Arrangement, Performance Shares, Outstanding Activity [Table Text Block] Share-based Payment Arrangement [Abstract] Share-Based Payment Arrangement [Abstract] Total non-lease revenue Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax Accounting Policies [Line Items] Accounting Policies [Line Items] Accounting Policies [Line Items] Variable lease costs not included in lease liability Variable Lease, Payment Intangible Asset, Finite-Lived, Class [Axis] Intangible Asset, Finite-Lived, Class [Axis] Thereafter Lessor, Operating Lease, Payment To Be Received, After Year Four Lessor, Operating Lease, Payment To Be Received, After Year Four Equity Awards Adjustments, Footnote Equity Awards Adjustments, Footnote [Text Block] Share Repurchase Program [Line Items] Share Repurchase Program [Line Items] GOODWILL AND OTHER 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AT Iberia Cv [Member] AT Iberia C.V Estimate of Fair Value Measurement Estimate of Fair Value Measurement [Member] Prepaid assets Prepaid Expense, Current ATC Philippines ATC Philippines [Member] ATC Philippines 2025 PSUs 2025 PSUs [Member] 2025 PSUs Accrued rent Accrued Rent, Current Proceeds from stock options and employee stock purchase plan Proceeds from stock options and ESPP Proceeds, Issuance of Shares, Share-Based Payment Arrangement, Including Option Exercised Unrecognized tax benefits, additions due to foreign exchange rate fluctuations Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Increase Resulting from Foreign Currency Translation Preferred stock Preferred Stock Preferred Stock [Member] Deposits and other Payment for (Proceeds from) Other Investing Activity Spain Subsidiaries Operating In Spain [Member] Subsidiaries Operating In Spain Weighted-average incremental borrowing rate Operating Lease, Weighted Average Discount Rate, Percent Segment Reporting [Table] Segment Reporting [Table] 2.700% senior notes 2.700% Senior Notes, Due 2031 [Member] 2.700% Senior Notes, Due 2031 Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities: Cash Flow, Lessee [Abstract] Cash Flow, Lessee [Abstract] 5.900% senior notes 5.900% Senior Notes Due 2033 [Member] 5.900% Senior Notes Due 2033 Title and Position [Axis] Title and Position [Axis] 2.750% senior notes 2.750% Senior Notes, Due 2027 [Member] Two Point Seven Five Zero Percent Senior Notes Due 2027 [Member] CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activity, Continuing Operation [Abstract] Schedule of Components of Operating Lease Cost Lease, Cost [Table Text Block] CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activity, Continuing Operation [Abstract] Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract] Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract] All Trading Arrangements All Trading Arrangements [Member] Other Performance Measure, Amount Other Performance 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Common stock, shares issued (in shares) Common Stock, Shares, Issued Measure: Measure [Axis] Property straight-line revenue Straight-Line Revenue Straight-line revenue recognized over the term of non-cancellable tenant leases that contain fixed escalation clauses. 4.900% senior notes 4.900% Senior Notes, Due 2030 [Member] 4.900% Senior Notes, Due 2030 Treasury stock, shares (in shares) Balance at beginning of period (in shares) Balance at end of period (in shares) Treasury Stock, Common, Shares 4.000% Senior Notes due 2033 4.000% senior notes 4.000% Senior Notes due 2033 [Member] 4.000% Senior Notes due 2033 Equity Components [Axis] Equity Components [Axis] Product and Service [Domain] Product and Service [Domain] Class of Stock [Line Items] Class of Stock [Line Items] 2007 Plan 2007 Plan [Member] Two Thousand Seven Plan [Member] CASH PAID FOR INCOME TAXES (NET OF REFUNDS OF $9.2 AND $6.6, RESPECTIVELY) Income Tax Paid, after Refund Received 5.500% senior notes 5.500% Senior Notes, Due 2028 [Member] 5.500% Senior Notes, Due 2028 Disaggregation of Revenue [Table] Disaggregation of Revenue [Table] Entity Interactive Data Current Entity Interactive Data Current Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest DEFERRED TAX LIABILITY Deferred Income Tax Liabilities, Net Compensation Actually Paid vs. Other Measure Compensation Actually Paid vs. Other Measure [Text Block] Entity Small Business Entity Small Business Comprehensive income attributable to American Tower Corporation stockholders Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Attributable to Parent 2029 Lessee, Operating Lease, Liability, to be Paid, Year Three Termination Date Trading Arrangement Termination Date Noncontrolling Interest [Table] Noncontrolling Interest [Table] Number of Reportable Segments Disclosed By Definition Flag Number Of Reportable Segments Disclosed By Definition Flag Number Of Reportable Segments Disclosed By Definition Flag Fair Value, Recurring and Nonrecurring [Table] Fair Value, Recurring and Nonrecurring [Table] Compensation Actually Paid vs. Total Shareholder Return Compensation Actually Paid vs. Total Shareholder Return [Text Block] Unrecognized tax benefits, reduction of existing tax positions Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Decrease Resulting from Current Period Tax Positions MNPI Disclosure Timed for Compensation Value MNPI Disclosure Timed for Compensation Value [Flag] Expiration period Share-Based Compensation Arrangement by Share-Based Payment Award, Expiration Period NOTES RECEIVABLE AND OTHER NON-CURRENT ASSETS Other Assets, Noncurrent CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activity, Continuing Operation [Abstract] Document Type Document Type Unrecognized tax benefits, income tax penalties and interest accrued Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Income Tax Penalties and Interest Accrued Payments for acquisitions, net of cash acquired Payments to Acquire Businesses, Net of 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[Table] Other miscellaneous current assets Other Assets, Miscellaneous, Current Pay vs Performance Disclosure, Table Pay vs Performance [Table Text Block] Foreign currency translation adjustments, net of tax (benefit) expense of $(0.1), $0.6, $(0.2) and $0.6, respectively Foreign currency translation adjustment, net of tax Foreign currency translation adjustment attributable to noncontrolling interests, net of tax Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Foreign Currency Transaction and Translation Gain (Loss) Arising During Period, Net of Tax Arrangement Duration Trading Arrangement Duration 5.200% senior notes 5.200% Senior Notes Due 2029 [Member] 5.200% Senior Notes Due 2029 Statement of Stockholders' Equity [Abstract] Statement of Stockholders' Equity [Abstract] Local Phone Number Local Phone Number Consolidation Items [Axis] Consolidation Items [Axis] Entity Address, Postal Zip Code Entity Address, Postal Zip Code Entity Registrant Name Entity Registrant Name Net Investment Hedge Net Investment Hedging [Member] 1.250% Senior Notes due 2033 1.250% senior notes 1.250% Senior Notes, Due 2033 [Member] 1.250% Senior Notes, Due 2033 Unrecognized tax benefits, additions to existing tax positions Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Increase Resulting from Current Period Tax Positions Payment for early retirement of long-term obligations Payment for Debt Extinguishment or Debt Prepayment Cost INCOME FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS BEFORE INCOME TAXES Income from continuing operations before income taxes Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Income Taxes, Noncontrolling Interest Insider Trading Policies and Procedures Not Adopted Insider Trading Policies and Procedures Not Adopted [Text Block] COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES Commitments and Contingencies Gross Carrying Value Intangible Asset, Finite-Lived, before Accumulated Amortization Total operating revenues Total revenue Segment revenues Revenues Antidilutive Securities, Name [Domain] Antidilutive Securities, Name [Domain] Changed Peer Group, Footnote Changed Peer Group, Footnote [Text Block] 2030 Intangible Asset, Finite-Lived, Estimated Amortization Expense, Year Four Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest [Roll Forward] Equity, Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest [Roll Forward] Forgone Recovery due to Expense of Enforcement, Amount Forgone Recovery due to Expense of Enforcement, Amount Executive Category: Executive Category [Axis] 1.450% senior notes 1.450% Senior Notes, Due 2026 [Member] 1.450% Senior Notes, Due 2026 Series 2018-1A securities Secured Tower Revenue Securities, Series 2018-1A [Member] Secured Tower Revenue Securities, Series 2018-1A [Member] Vesting period Share-Based Compensation Arrangement by Share-Based Payment Award, Award Vesting Period Counterparty Name [Axis] Counterparty Name [Axis] Expired (in shares) Share-Based Compensation Arrangement by Share-Based Payment Award, Options, Expirations in Period Goodwill [Roll Forward] Goodwill [Roll Forward] Intangible Asset, Finite-Lived, Class [Domain] Intangible Asset, Finite-Lived, Class [Domain] 4.400% senior notes 4.400% Senior Notes Due 2026 [Member] Four point four zero percent senior notes [Member] 3.55% senior notes 3.55% Senior Notes, Due 2027 [Member] Three Point Five Five Percent Senior Notes [Member] 2030 Lessor, Operating Lease, Payment to be Received, Year Four Schedule of Fair Value of Assets and Liabilities Measured on a Recurring Basis Schedule of Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis [Table Text Block] Award Type [Domain] Award Type [Domain] Executive Vice President and President, APAC Executive Vice President And President, APAC [Member] Executive Vice President And President, APAC Non-PEO NEO Average Compensation Actually Paid Amount Non-PEO NEO Average Compensation Actually Paid Amount Remainder of 2026 Lessee, Operating Lease, Liability, to be Paid, Remainder of Fiscal Year FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS Fair Value Disclosures [Text Block] Level 3 Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] Operating leases: Operating leases: Operating Leases [Abstract] Operating Leases [Abstract] Other selling, general, administrative and development expense Other Selling, General and Administrative Expense 2.950% senior notes 2.950% Senior Notes, Due 2051 [Member] 2.950% Senior Notes, Due 2051 Expected term (years) Share-Based Compensation Arrangement by Share-Based Payment Award, Fair Value Assumptions, Expected Term Unrecognized tax benefits, reduction due to the lapse of statute of limitations Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Reduction Resulting from Lapse of Applicable Statute of Limitations 2027 Intangible Asset, Finite-Lived, Estimated Amortization Expense, Year One Treasury stock activity (in shares) Treasury stock repurchases (in shares) Treasury Stock, Shares, Acquired Operating lease, term of contract Lessee, Operating Lease, Term of Contract 0.450% Senior Notes due 2027 0.450% senior notes 0.450% Senior Notes, Due 2027 [Member] 0.450% Senior Notes, Due 2027 Noncontrolling owner ownership percentage (as a percent) Subsidiary, Ownership Percentage, Noncontrolling Owner PEO Name PEO Name Geographical [Axis] Geographical [Axis] Total Lessor, Operating Lease, Payment to be Received 1.875% senior notes 1.875% Senior Notes, Due 2030 [Member] 1.875% Senior Notes, Due 2030 Stock Price or TSR Estimation Method Stock Price or TSR Estimation Method [Text Block] Entity Tax Identification Number Entity Tax Identification Number Legal Entity [Axis] Legal Entity [Axis] 3.650% senior notes 3.650% Senior Notes, Due 2027 [Member] 3.650% Senior Notes, Due 2027 Treasury stock activity Treasury stock repurchased value Treasury Stock, Value, Acquired, Cost Method CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, AND RESTRICTED CASH, BEGINNING OF PERIOD CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, AND RESTRICTED CASH, END OF PERIOD Total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash Cash, Cash Equivalent, Restricted Cash, and Restricted Cash Equivalent, Continuing Operation Schedule of Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Table] Intangible Asset, Finite-Lived [Table] Other accrued expenses Other Accrued Liabilities, Current Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code Number of data centers operated Number Of Data Centers Operated Number Of Data Centers Operated Aggregate Erroneous Compensation Not Yet Determined Aggregate Erroneous Compensation Not Yet Determined [Text Block] Material Terms of Trading Arrangement Material Terms of Trading Arrangement [Text Block] Non-NEOs Non-NEOs [Member] Restricted cash Restricted cash Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalent, Current Vesting Date Fair Value of Equity Awards Granted and Vested in Covered Year Vesting Date Fair Value of Equity Awards Granted and Vested in Covered Year [Member] Comprehensive income Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Measurement Frequency [Domain] Measurement Frequency [Domain] Debt Instrument [Axis] Debt Instrument [Axis] Stock-based compensation expense Share-Based Payment Arrangement, Noncash Expense 2028 Intangible Asset, Finite-Lived, Estimated Amortization Expense, Year Two Common stock distributions declared Dividends, Cash Disposal Group Name [Axis] Disposal Group Name [Axis] LEASES Lessee, Operating Leases [Text Block] Long-term Debt, Type [Domain] Long-Term Debt, Type [Domain] Basic net income attributable to American Tower Corporation common stockholders (in dollars per share) Earnings Per Share, Basic Purchases of common stock Payments for Repurchase of Common Stock Unearned revenue Contract with Customer, Liability, Current Total current assets Assets, Current Statistical Measurement [Axis] Statistical Measurement [Axis] Insider Trading Arrangements [Line Items] Repayments of notes payable, credit facilities, senior notes, secured debt and finance leases Repayment of Long-Term Debt, Long-Term Lease Obligation, and Capital Security Segment operating expenses Cost of Revenue Award Type [Axis] Award Type [Axis] Remainder of 2026 Lessor, Operating Lease, Payment to be Received, Remainder of Fiscal Year Named Executive Officers, Footnote Named Executive Officers, Footnote [Text Block] Accounts receivable, net Accounts Receivable, after Allowance for Credit Loss, Current Distributions in excess of earnings Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit) Product and Service [Axis] Product and Service [Axis] Investments in equity securities Equity Securities, FV-NI Aggregate Change in Present Value of Accumulated Benefit for All Pension Plans Reported in Summary Compensation Table Aggregate Change in Present Value of Accumulated Benefit for All Pension Plans Reported in Summary Compensation Table [Member] 4.125% Senior Notes Due 2027 4.125% senior notes 4.125% Senior Notes Due 2027 [Member] 4.125 Percent Senior Notes Due 2027 Awards Close in Time to MNPI Disclosures Awards Close in Time to MNPI Disclosures [Table] Common Stock, $0.01 par value Common Stock Common Stock [Member] Accrued pass-through costs Accrued Pass-Through Costs Accrued Pass-Through Costs Annualized volatility Share-Based Compensation Arrangement by Share-Based Payment Award, Fair Value Assumptions, Expected Volatility Rate Fair Value Measurement [Domain] Fair Value Measurement [Domain] 3.900% Senior Notes due 2030 3.900% senior notes 3.900% Senior Notes, Due 2030 [Member] 3.900% Senior Notes, Due 2030 Operating lease cost Operating Lease, Cost Compensation Actually Paid vs. Company Selected Measure Compensation Actually Paid vs. Company Selected Measure [Text Block] BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements Disclosure and Significant Accounting Policies [Text Block] Cover page. Cover [Abstract] Noncontrolling Interest [Abstract] Noncontrolling Interest [Abstract] Thereafter Lessee, Operating Lease, Liability, To Be Paid, After Year Four Lessee, Operating Lease, Liability, To Be Paid, After Year Four Concentration risk percentage (less than for year ended December 31, 2025) Concentration Risk, Percentage Concentration Risk Benchmark [Axis] Concentration Risk Benchmark [Axis] Foreign lne of credit Foreign Line of Credit [Member] Effect of foreign currency translation Goodwill, Foreign Currency Translation, Gain (Loss) Kirtonkhola Tower Bangladesh Limited Kirtonkhola Tower Bangladesh Limited [Member] Kirtonkhola Tower Bangladesh Limited Equity Awards Adjustments Equity Awards Adjustments [Member] Product Benchmark Revenue from Contract with Customer, Product and Service Benchmark [Member] Hedging Relationship [Domain] Hedging Relationship [Domain] TOTAL Liabilities and Equity Loss on retirement due to prepayment consideration Gain (Loss) on Extinguishment of Debt, before Debt Issuance Cost Writeoff Interest income Interest Income, Other Stock Options Share-Based Payment Arrangement, Option [Member] Noncontrolling interests Equity, Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Schedule of Future Minimum Rental Receipts Expected Under Operating Leases Lessor, Operating Lease, Payment to be Received, Maturity [Table Text Block] Segments [Axis] Segments [Axis] Decrease in liabilities Increase (Decrease) in Other Operating Liabilities Additional 402(v) Disclosure Additional 402(v) Disclosure [Text Block] 2.900% senior notes 2.900% Senior Notes, Due 2030 [Member] 2.900% Senior Notes, Due 2030 Proceeds from issuance of senior notes, net Proceeds from issuance of senior notes Proceeds from Issuance of Senior Long-Term Debt Plan Name [Axis] Plan Name [Axis] Tabular List, Table Tabular List [Table Text Block] 2021 Credit Facility 2021 Credit Facility 2021 Credit Facility [Member] 2021 Credit Facility Additional paid-in capital Additional Paid in Capital Schedule of Stock-Based Compensation Expense Share-Based Payment Arrangement, Cost by Plan [Table Text Block] Other income (expense) (including foreign currency gains (losses) of $42.1, $(484.0), $110.2 and $(829.7), respectively) Other Nonoperating Income (Expense) 2031 Intangible Asset, Finite-Lived, Estimated Amortization Expense, Year Five 2029 Intangible Asset, Finite-Lived, Estimated Amortization Expense, Year Three Remainder of 2026 Intangible Asset, Finite-Lived, Estimated Amortization Expense, Remainder of Fiscal Year Other operating (income) expense Other Operating Income (Expense), Net Name Awards Close in Time to MNPI Disclosures, Individual Name EQUITY (shares in thousands): Equity, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest [Abstract] 5.800% senior notes 5.800% Senior Notes Due 2028 [Member] 5.800% Senior Notes Due 2028 Year-end Fair Value of Equity Awards Granted in Covered Year that are Outstanding and Unvested Year-end Fair Value of Equity Awards Granted in Covered Year that are Outstanding and Unvested [Member] Forfeited (in shares) Share-Based Compensation Arrangement by Share-Based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Forfeited in Period Stock Options and Time-Based Restricted Stock Units Stock Options And Time Based Restricted Stock Units [Member] Stock Options And Time Based Restricted Stock Units Adjustment to Compensation: Adjustment to Compensation [Axis] Services Services Segment [Member] Services Segment Share Repurchase Program [Axis] Share Repurchase Program [Axis] Class of Stock [Domain] Class of Stock [Domain] Rule 10b5-1 Arrangement Terminated Rule 10b5-1 Arrangement Terminated [Flag] Aggregate Erroneous Compensation Amount Aggregate Erroneous Compensation Amount Prepaid income tax Prepaid Taxes CASH PAID FOR INTEREST Interest Paid, Excluding Capitalized Interest, Operating Activity Statement of Cash Flows [Abstract] Statement of Cash Flows [Abstract] Acquisition-Related Loans Acquisition-Related Loans [Member] Acquisition-Related Loans Number of sites acquired Number Of Sites Acquired Number Of Communications Sites Acquired Schedule of Changes in Noncontrolling Interests Consolidation, Less than Wholly Owned Subsidiary, Parent Ownership Interest, Effects of Changes, Net [Table Text Block] Credit Facility [Axis] Credit Facility [Axis] Aggregate Available Trading Arrangement, Securities Aggregate Available Amount Acquired licenses and other intangibles Acquired Licenses And Other Intangibles [Member] Acquired Licenses And Other Intangibles Member Acquired network location intangibles Acquired Network Location [Member] Acquired network location [Member] LONG-TERM OBLIGATIONS Long-term obligations Long-Term Debt and Lease Obligation Name Measure Name INCOME TAXES Income Tax Disclosure [Text Block] Accounts payable Accounts Payable, Current Pay vs Performance Disclosure [Line Items] Fair Value Hierarchy and NAV [Domain] Fair Value Hierarchy and NAV [Domain] Other non-cash items reflected in statements of operations Other Noncash Income (Expense) Debt Instrument [Line Items] Debt Instrument [Line Items] Pay vs Performance Disclosure Pay vs Performance Disclosure [Table] AT&T Transaction AT And T Transaction [Member] At&T Transaction [Member] Additional Paid-in Capital Additional Paid-in Capital [Member] Entity Filer Category Entity Filer Category Debt instrument, repurchase amount including interest Debt Instrument, Repaid, Including Interest Debt Instrument, Repaid, Including Interest 5.650% senior notes 5.650% Senior Notes, Due 2033 [Member] 5.650% Senior Notes, Due 2033 Maximum adjusted EBITDA Maximum Adjusted EBITDA The maximum times Adjusted EBITDA for liens covenant as defined in the Senior Notes agreement. Name Trading Arrangement, Individual Name Cash and cash equivalents Cash and cash equivalents Cash and Cash Equivalent Prepaid Expense and Other Assets, Current [Abstract] Concentration Risk Benchmark [Domain] Concentration Risk Benchmark [Domain] Company Selected Measure Amount Company Selected Measure Amount 5.000% senior notes 5.000% senior notes Due 2030 [Member] 5.000% senior notes Due 2030 Buyback Program 2017 Buyback [Member] 2017 Buyback [Member] Unrealized gains on equity securities Unrealized gains on equity securities Equity Securities, FV-NI, Unrealized Gain (Loss) 2.300% senior notes 2.300% Senior Notes, Due 2031 [Member] 2.300% Senior Notes, Due 2031 Lease incentives Incentive to Lessee Aggregate principal amount repaid Debt Instrument, Repaid, Principal Amount Debt Instrument, Repaid, Principal Amount Stock-based compensation related activity (in shares) Shares Issued, Shares, Share-Based Payment Arrangement, after Forfeiture Schedule of Stock by Class [Table] Stock, Class of Stock [Table] Net income Net income Net income Net Income (Loss), Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Unrecognized tax benefits that would impact the ETR Unrecognized Tax Benefits that Would Impact Effective Tax Rate CURRENT ASSETS: Assets, Current [Abstract] Weighted-average remaining lease term (years) Operating Lease, Weighted Average Remaining Lease Term Non-PEO NEO Non-PEO NEO [Member] Senior notes Senior Notes [Member] Entity Address, Address Line One Entity Address, Address Line One New operating leases Right-of-Use Asset Obtained in Exchange for Operating Lease Liability Debt Instrument, Redemption Option [Domain] Debt Instrument, Redemption Option [Domain] Debt Instrument, Redemption Option [Domain] Income tax provision Income Tax Expense (Benefit) Leased assets, number of communication sites (more than) Leased Assets, Number Of Sites Leased Assets, Number Of Sites AT Europe C.V. ATC Europe C.V. [Member] ATC Europe C.V. Net (loss) income Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests Net Income (Loss), Including Portion Attributable to Nonredeemable Noncontrolling Interest Services Cost of Product and Service Sold Award Timing Method Award Timing Method [Text Block] 5.250% senior notes 5.250% Senior Notes Due 2028 [Member] 5.250% Senior Notes Due 2028 Principles of Consolidation and Basis of Presentation Consolidation, Policy [Policy Text Block] NET INCREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, AND RESTRICTED CASH Cash, Cash Equivalent, Restricted Cash, and Restricted Cash Equivalent, Period Increase (Decrease), Including Exchange Rate Effect and Discontinued Operation Forecast Forecast [Member] Forgone Recovery, Explanation of Impracticability Forgone Recovery, Explanation of Impracticability [Text Block] 5.350% senior notes 5.350% Senior Notes, Due 2035 [Member] 5.350% Senior Notes, Due 2035 Schedule of Information About Other Lease-Related Balances Lease, Assets And Liabilities [Table Text Block] Lease, Assets And Liabilities [Table Text Block] 2028 Lessor, Operating Lease, Payment to be Received, Year Two Long-term Debt, Type [Axis] Long-Term Debt, Type [Axis] Erroneous Compensation Analysis Erroneous Compensation Analysis [Text Block] Bridge Loan Bridge Loan [Member] Balance Sheet Location [Axis] Location, Statement of Financial Position, Balance [Axis] Statement [Table] Statement [Table] Other Segment Reporting, Reconciling Item, Excluding Corporate Nonsegment [Member] 2.100% senior notes 2.100% Senior Notes, Due 2030 [Member] 2.100% Senior Notes, Due 2030 Restatement Determination Date: Restatement Determination Date [Axis] Right to lease, weighted average term Right To Lease, Weighted Average Term Weighted average period for which the Company has the exclusive right to lease and operate certain sites Segment Operating Profit Operating Income (Loss), Operating Segments [Member] Operating Income (Loss), Operating Segments Unrealized foreign currency gains (losses) for net investment hedge Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net Investment Hedge, Gain (Loss), before Reclassification and Tax Vested and deferred (in shares) Share-Based Compensation Arrangement By Share-Based Payment Award, Equity Instrument Other Than Options, Vested And Deferred Share-Based Compensation Arrangement By Share-Based Payment Award, Equity Instrument Other Than Options, Vested And Deferred Foreign currency gains (losses) Unrealized Gain (Loss), Foreign Currency Transaction, before Tax Debt Instrument, Redemption Option [Axis] Debt Instrument, Redemption Option [Axis] Debt Instrument, Redemption Option REVENUES: Revenues [Abstract] Pension Benefits Adjustments, Footnote Pension Benefits Adjustments, Footnote [Text Block]