BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Policies) |
6 Months Ended |
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Jun. 30, 2024 | |
| Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract] | |
| Principles of Consolidation and Basis of Presentation | Principles of Consolidation and Basis of Presentation—The accompanying consolidated and condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and those entities in which it has a controlling interest. Investments in entities that the Company does not control are accounted for using the equity method or as investments in equity securities, depending upon the Company’s ability to exercise significant influence over operating and financial policies. All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated.
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| Reportable Segments | Reportable Segments—The Company reports its results in seven segments – U.S. & Canada property, Asia-Pacific property, Africa property, Europe property, Latin America property, Data Centers and Services, which are discussed further in note 14.
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| Property and Equipment | Property and Equipment—The Company finalized its review of the estimated useful lives of its tower assets during the six months ended June 30, 2024. The Company now has over 20 years of operating history, and determined that it should modify its current estimates for asset lives based on its historical operating experience. The Company retained an independent consultant to assist the Company in completing this review and analysis. The Company previously depreciated its towers on a straight-line basis over the shorter of the term of the underlying ground lease (including renewal options) taking into account residual value or the estimated useful life of the tower, which the Company had historically estimated to be 20 years. The Company determined that the estimated useful life of its tower assets is 30 years, before taking into account residual value. Additionally, certain of the Company’s intangible assets are amortized on a similar basis to its tower assets, as the estimated useful lives of such intangible assets correlate to the useful life of the towers. The Company accounted for the changes in the useful lives as a change in accounting estimate under ASC 250 Accounting Changes and Error Corrections, which were recorded prospectively beginning on January 1, 2024. On January 1, 2024, the Company began depreciating its towers and related intangible assets on a straight-line basis over the remaining estimated useful life of the tower, taking into account the extended useful life and residual value. The extension of the asset lives (i) resulted in an approximately $515 million increase in the right of use asset, as additional renewal options may be included, with an offsetting adjustment made to increase the related operating lease liability and (ii) is expected to result in an estimated $730 million decrease in depreciation and amortization expense for the year ended December 31, 2024.
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| Asset Retirement Obligations | Asset Retirement Obligations—The Company finalized its review of the estimated settlement dates for its asset retirement obligations during the six months ended June 30, 2024. The Company now has over 20 years of operating history, and determined that it should modify its current estimated settlement dates based on its historical operating experience, management’s intent with respect to the assets, and the assets’ estimated useful lives. Based on its review and analysis, the Company concluded that a revision in the estimated settlement dates for its asset retirement obligations was appropriate. The Company accounted for the change in estimated settlement dates as a change in accounting estimate under ASC 250 Accounting Changes and Error Corrections, which was recorded prospectively beginning on January 1, 2024. The extension in the estimated settlement dates (i) resulted in a $470 million increase in the asset retirement obligation liability, with an offsetting adjustment made to the related long-lived tangible asset and an $875 million increase in the estimated undiscounted future cash outlay for asset retirement obligations, and (ii) is expected to result in an estimated $75 million decrease in accretion expense for the year ended December 31, 2024. |
| Revenue | Revenue—The Company’s revenue is derived from leasing the right to use its communications sites, the land on which the sites are located, the land underlying its customers’ sites and the space in its data center facilities (the “lease component”) and from the reimbursement of costs incurred by the Company in operating the communications sites and data center facilities and supporting its customers’ equipment as well as other services and contractual rights (the “non-lease component”). Most of the Company’s revenue is derived from leasing arrangements and is accounted for as lease revenue unless the timing and pattern of revenue recognition of the non-lease component differs from the lease component. If the timing and pattern of the non-lease component revenue recognition differs from that of the lease component, the Company separately determines the stand-alone selling prices and pattern of revenue recognition for each performance obligation. Revenue related to distributed antenna system (“DAS”) networks and fiber and other related assets results from agreements with customers that are generally not accounted for as leases. Non-lease property revenue—Non-lease property revenue consists primarily of revenue generated from DAS networks, fiber and other property related revenue. DAS networks and fiber arrangements generally require that the Company provide the tenant the right to use available capacity on the applicable communications infrastructure. Performance obligations are satisfied over time for the duration of the arrangements. Non-lease property revenue also includes revenue generated from interconnection offerings in the Company’s data center facilities. Interconnection offerings are generally contracted on a month-to-month basis and are cancellable by the Company or the data center customer at any time. Performance obligations are satisfied over time for the duration of the arrangements. Other property related revenue streams, which include site inspections, are not material on either an individual or consolidated basis. There were no material changes in the receivables, contract assets and contract liabilities from contracts with customers for the three and six months ended June 30, 2024. Services revenue—The Company offers tower-related services in the United States. These services include site application, zoning and permitting (“AZP”), structural and mount analyses, and construction management. There is a single performance obligation related to AZP and construction management, and revenue is recognized over time based on milestones achieved, which are determined based on costs expected to be incurred. Structural and mount analyses services may have more than one performance obligation, contingent upon the number of contracted services. Revenue is recognized at the point in time the services are completed.
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| Accounting Standards Updates | Accounting Standards Updates—In November 2023, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued guidance, which is intended to improve reportable segment disclosure requirements, primarily through additional disclosures about significant segment expenses. The standard is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2023, and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024, with early adoption permitted. The amendments should be applied retrospectively to all prior periods presented in the financial statements. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this guidance on its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures. In December 2023, the FASB issued guidance which requires public entities to provide enhanced income tax disclosures on an annual basis. The new guidance requires an expanded rate reconciliation and the disaggregation of cash taxes paid by U.S. federal, U.S. state and foreign jurisdictions. The updated guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024, with early adoption permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this guidance on its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures. SEC Rule Changes— In March 2024, the SEC issued Final Rule No. 33-11275, “The Enhancement and Standardization of Climate-Related Disclosures for Investors.” If such rule remains in effect, the rule will require registrants to provide certain climate-related information in their registration statements and annual reports. The rule requires registrants to provide climate related disclosures, including, but not limited to, (i) material Scope 1 and Scope 2 greenhouse gas emissions, (ii) governance and oversight of material climate-related risks, (iii) the material impact of climate risks on the registrant’s strategy, business model and outlook, (iv) risk management processes for material climate-related risks and (v) material climate targets and goals. The rule also requires disclosure of (x) financial statement effects of severe weather events and other natural conditions, (y) carbon offset and renewable energy credit information and (z) the impact of severe weather events and other natural conditions on estimates and assumptions. Disclosure requirements will begin phasing in for fiscal years beginning on or after January 1, 2025. In April 2024, the SEC issued an order staying implementation of such rule pending the resolution of certain challenges. The outcome of ongoing litigation is currently unknown. The Company is currently evaluating the potential impact of such rule on its consolidated financial statements and disclosures.
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