Goodwill and Intangible Assets
Goodwill

The carrying value of goodwill was $5.1 billion as of December 31, 2025 and 2024. There were no additions during the years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024.
Intangible Assets
The following is a summary of the Company's intangible assets.
As of December 31, 2025
As of December 31, 2024
Gross Carrying ValueAccumulated AmortizationNet Book ValueGross Carrying ValueAccumulated AmortizationNet Book Value
Site rental contracts and tenant relationships
$4,590 $(3,756)$834 $4,589 $(3,580)$1,009 
Other intangible assets56 (29)27 56 (28)28 
Total$4,646 $(3,785)$861 $4,645 $(3,608)$1,037 
Amortization expense related to intangible assets is classified as "Depreciation, amortization and accretion" on the Company's consolidated statement of operations and comprehensive income (loss) and was $177 million, $198 million, and $247 million for the years ended December 31, 2025, 2024 and 2023, respectively.
The estimated annual amortization expense related to intangible assets for the years ending December 31, 2026 to 2030 is as follows:
 Years Ending December 31,
20262027202820292030
Estimated annual amortization$172 $89 $85 $84 $84 

Historical Timeline

Fiscal YearFiled
2025Feb 23, 2026Showing above
2024Mar 14, 2025
2023Feb 23, 2024
2022Feb 24, 2023
2021Feb 22, 2022
2020Feb 22, 2021
2019Mar 10, 2020
2018Feb 25, 2019
2017Feb 26, 2018
2016Feb 22, 2017
2015Feb 22, 2016

About Goodwill & Intangibles Disclosures

Goodwill and intangible asset disclosures reveal the premium paid in acquisitions and how management assesses whether that premium retains its value. Since goodwill is no longer amortized under US GAAP, the annual impairment test is the only mechanism that adjusts carrying values downward — making the assumptions behind that test critically important for investors.

Key signals: a history of goodwill impairments suggests management consistently overpays for acquisitions. Watch the gap between reporting unit fair value and carrying amount — when fair value exceeds carrying amount by less than 10-20%, a small decline in business performance could trigger a write-down. For finite-lived intangibles, examine useful life assumptions across customer relationships, technology, and trade names; aggressive estimates inflate near-term earnings. Compare total intangibles-to-total-assets ratios against peers to assess acquisition dependency. Rising goodwill as a percentage of equity can signal balance sheet fragility.