Crown Castle (CCI) 10-K 24 Feb 14 2013 FY Annual report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Billions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Feb. 14, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Entity Information [Line Items]	'	'	'
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-K	'	'
Document Period End Date	31-Dec-13	'	'
Document Fiscal Year Focus	'2013	'	'
Document Fiscal Period Focus	'FY	'	'
Amendment Flag	'false	'	'
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	'	334,065,428	'
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	'Yes	'	'
Entity Voluntary Filers	'No	'	'
Entity Current Reporting Status	'Yes	'	'
Entity Public Float	'	'	$21

Consolidated_Balance_Sheet

Consolidated Balance Sheet (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
ASSETS	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	$223,394	$441,364
Restricted cash	183,526	575,938
Receivables net	249,925	192,833
Prepaid expenses	132,003	103,808
Deferred income tax assets	26,714	193,420
Other current assets	77,121	73,961
Total current assets	892,683	1,581,324
Deferred site rental receivables	1,078,995	864,819
Property and equipment, net	8,947,677	6,917,531
Goodwill	4,916,426	3,119,957
Site rental contracts and customer relationships, net	3,650,343	2,652,560
Other intangible assets, net	407,522	289,136
Deferred income tax assets	19,008	33,914
Long-term prepaid rent, deferred financing costs and other assets, net	682,254	629,468
Total assets	20,594,908	16,088,709
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY	'	'
Accounts payable	145,390	115,999
Accrued interest	65,582	52,592
Deferred revenues	260,114	241,127
Other accrued liabilities	181,715	140,084
Current maturities of debt and other obligations	103,586	688,056
Total current liabilities	756,387	1,237,858
Debt and other long-term obligations	11,490,914	10,923,186
Deferred income tax liabilities	56,513	65,830
Deferred credits and other liabilities	1,349,919	910,571
Total liabilities	13,653,733	13,137,445
Commitments and contingencies	'	'
CCIC stockholders' equity:	'	'
Common stock	3,341	2,932
4.5% Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock	98	0
Additional paid-in capital	9,482,769	5,623,595
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	-23,612	-61,791
Accumulated deficit	-2,535,879	-2,625,990
Total CCIC stockholders' equity	6,926,717	2,938,746
Noncontrolling interest	14,458	12,518
Total equity	6,941,175	2,951,264
Total liabilities and equity	$20,594,908	$16,088,709

Consolidated_Balance_Sheet_Par

Consolidated Balance Sheet (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified
Allowance for doubtful accounts receivable, current	$7,676	$7,726
4.5% Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock, Par or Stated Value Per Share	$0.01	$0
4.5% Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock, Shares Authorized	20,000,000	0
4.5% Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock, shares issued	9,775,000	0
4.5% Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock, shares outstanding	9,775,000	0
Mandatory redemption and aggregate liquidation value, 4.5% Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock	$977,500	$0
Common stock, par value	$0.01	$0.01
Common stock, shares authorized	600,000,000	600,000,000
Common stock, shares issued	334,070,016	293,164,786
Common stock, shares outstanding	334,070,016	293,164,786

Consolidated_Statement_of_Oper

Consolidated Statement of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013		Dec. 31, 2012		Dec. 31, 2011
Net revenues:	'		'		'
Site rental	$2,503,620		$2,124,190		$1,853,550
Network services and other	518,764		308,490		179,179
Net revenues	3,022,384		2,432,680		2,032,729
Costs of Operations:	'		'		'
Site rental	725,109	[1]	539,239	[1]	481,398	[1]
Network services and other	321,687	[1]	189,750	[1]	106,987	[1]
General and administrative	238,702		212,572		173,493
Asset write-down charges	14,863		15,548		22,285
Acquisition and integration costs	26,005		18,298		3,310
Depreciation, amortization and accretion	774,215		622,592		552,951
Total operating expenses	2,100,581		1,597,999		1,340,424
Operating income (loss)	921,803		834,681		692,305
Interest expense and amortization of deferred financing costs	-589,630		-601,044		-507,587
Gains (losses) on retirement of long-term obligations	-37,127	[2]	-131,974	[3]	0
Interest income	1,355		4,556		666
Other income (expense)	-3,872		-5,392		-5,577
Income (loss) before income taxes	292,529		100,827		179,807
Benefit (provision) for income taxes	-198,628		100,061		-8,347
Net income (loss)	93,901		200,888		171,460
Less: Net income (loss) attributable to the noncontrolling interest	3,790		12,304		383
Net income (loss) attributable to CCIC stockholders	90,111		188,584		171,077
Dividends on preferred stock and losses on purchases of preferred stock	-11,363		-2,629		-22,940
Net income (loss) attributable to CCIC stockholders after deduction of dividends on preferred stock and losses on purchases of preferred stock	78,748		185,955		148,137
Net income (loss)	93,901		200,888		171,460
Available-for-sale securities	'		'		'
Unrealized gains (losses), net of taxes	0		0		-7,537
Derivative instruments, net of taxes	'		'		'
Net change in fair value of cash flow hedging instruments, net of taxes	0		0		-973
Amounts reclassified into results of operations, net of taxes	82,043		48,124		71,707
Foreign currency translation adjustments	-45,714		6,308		-848
Total other comprehensive income (loss)	36,329		54,432		62,349
Comprehensive income (loss)	130,230		255,320		233,809
Less: Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to the noncontrolling interest	1,940		11,531		750
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to CCIC stockholders	$128,290		$243,789		$233,059
Net income (loss) attributable to CCIC common stockholders, after deduction of dividends on preferred stock and losses on purchases of preferred stock, per common share:	'		'		'
Basic (in dollars per share)	$0.26		$0.64		$0.52
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$0.26		$0.64		$0.52
Weighted-average common shares outstanding (in thousands):	'		'		'
Basic (in shares)	298,083		289,285		283,821
Diluted (in shares)	299,293		291,270		285,947
[1]	Exclusive of depreciation, amortization and accretion shown separately.
[2]	The losses predominantly relate to cash losses, including with respect to make whole payments.
[3]	Inclusive of $48.1 million related to the write-off of deferred financing costs and discounts. In addition, the remainder relates to cash losses including with respect to make whole payments.

Consolidated_Statement_of_Oper1

Consolidated Statement of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Parenthetical) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Tax effect on available-for-sale securities	$0	$0	$0
Tax effect on derivative instruments	($17,115)	$17,115	$0

Consolidated_Statement_of_Cash

Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013		Dec. 31, 2012		Dec. 31, 2011
Cash flows from operating activities:	'		'		'
Net income (loss)	$93,901		$200,888		$171,460
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by (used for) operating activities:	'		'		'
Depreciation, amortization and accretion	774,215		622,592		552,951
Gains (losses) on retirement of long-term obligations	37,127	[1]	131,974	[2]	0
Amortization of deferred financing costs and other non-cash interest	99,245		109,350		102,943
Stock-based compensation expense	39,030		41,944		32,610
Asset write-down charges	14,863		15,548		22,285
Deferred income tax benefit (provision)	180,275		-110,374		4,626
Other adjustments	2,974		612		4,122
Changes in assets and liabilities, excluding the effects of acquisitions:	'		'		'
Increase (decrease) in accrued interest	12,990		-13,520		201
Increase (decrease) in accounts payable	28,665		34,543		-7,497
Increase (decrease) in deferred revenues, deferred ground lease payables, other accrued liabilities and other liabilities	242,465		98,686		19,606
Decrease (increase) in receivables	-60,217		-98,570		-17,407
Decrease (increase) in prepaid expenses, deferred site rental receivables, long-term prepaid rent, restricted cash and other assets	-227,877		-261,116		-242,446
Net cash provided by (used for) operating activities	1,237,656		772,557		643,454
Cash flows from investing activities:	'		'		'
Payment for acquisitions of businesses, net of cash acquired	-4,960,435		-3,759,475		-37,551
Capital expenditures	-567,810		-441,383		-347,942
Other investing activities, net	7,276		1,262		-14,372
Net cash provided by (used for) investing activities	-5,520,969		-4,199,596		-399,865
Cash flows from financing activities:	'		'		'
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt	1,618,430		5,250,000		0
Net proceeds from issuance of capital stock	2,980,586		258		1,557
Net proceeds from issuance of preferred stock	950,886		0		0
Principal payments on debt and other long-term obligations	-101,322		-80,818		-35,345
Purchases and redemptions of long-term debt	-762,970		-1,978,709		0
Purchases of capital stock	-99,458		-36,043		-303,414
Purchases of preferred stock	0		0		-15,002
Borrowings under revolving credit facility	976,032		1,253,000		283,000
Payments under revolving credit facility	-1,855,032		-251,000		-189,000
Payments for financing costs	-30,001		-78,641		0
Net (increase) decrease in restricted cash	385,982		-288,763		1,979
Dividends on preferred stock	0		-2,481		-19,487
Net cash provided by (used for) financing activities	4,063,133		3,786,803		-275,712
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	2,210		1,480		-288
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	-217,970		361,244		-32,411
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	441,364		80,120		112,531
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	$223,394		$441,364		$80,120
[1]	The losses predominantly relate to cash losses, including with respect to make whole payments.
[2]	Inclusive of $48.1 million related to the write-off of deferred financing costs and discounts. In addition, the remainder relates to cash losses including with respect to make whole payments.

Consolidated_Statement_of_Rede

Consolidated Statement of Redeemable Convertible Preferred Stock and Equity (USD $)	Total	Preferred Stock [Member]	Common Stock	Additional Paid-in Capital	Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments	Derivative Instruments	Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Available-for-sale Securities	Retained Earnings [Member]	Noncontrolling Interest	Redeemable Convertible Preferred Stock
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified
Balance, value at Dec. 31, 2010	$2,444,994	'	$2,908	$5,581,525	$96,259	($282,774)	$7,537	($2,960,082)	($379)	'
Balance, (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2010	'	'	290,826,284	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Redeemable preferred stock, shares at Dec. 31, 2010	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	6,361,000
4.5% Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock, Shares Outstanding	'	0	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Redeemable convertible preferred stock, value	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	305,032
Stock-based compensation related activity, net of forfeitures, value	34,167	'	10	34,157	'	'	'	'	'	'
Stock-based compensation related activity, net of forfeitures, shares	'	'	1,000,891	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Purchases and retirement of capital stock, value	-303,414	'	-74	-303,340	'	'	'	'	0	'
Net proceeds from issuance of preferred stock	0	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Purchases and retirement of capital stock, shares	'	'	-7,377,803	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Purchases and retirement of preferred stock and losses on purchases of preferred stock, shares	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-250,000
Purchases and Retirement of Preferred Stock, and Losses on Purchases of Preferred Stock	-2,538	'	'	'	'	'	'	-2,538	'	-12,464
Foreign currency translation adjustments	-848	'	'	'	-1,215	'	'	'	367	'
Available-for-sale securities	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Unrealized gain (loss), net of tax	-7,537	'	'	'	'	'	-7,537	'	'	'
Derivative instruments:	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net change in fair value of cash flow hedging instruments, net of tax	-973	'	'	'	'	-973	'	'	'	'
Amounts reclassified into results of operations, net of tax	71,707	'	'	'	'	71,707	'	'	'	'
Dividends on preferred stock and amortization of issue costs, preferred stock	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	915
Dividends on preferred stock and amortization of issue costs, accumulated deficit	-20,402	'	'	'	'	'	'	-20,402	'	'
Acquisition of noncontrolling interest	248	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	248	'
Net income (loss)	171,460	'	'	'	'	'	'	171,077	383	'
Balance, value at Dec. 31, 2011	2,386,864	0	2,844	5,312,342	95,044	-212,040	0	-2,811,945	619	'
Redeemable preferred stock, shares at Dec. 31, 2011	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	6,111,000
Balance, (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2011	'	'	284,449,372	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
4.5% Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock, Shares Outstanding	0	0	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Redeemable convertible preferred stock, value	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	0
Stock-based compensation related activity, net of forfeitures, value	42,204	'	12	42,192	'	'	'	'	'	'
Stock-based compensation related activity, net of forfeitures, shares	'	'	1,129,579	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Purchases and retirement of capital stock, value	-36,043	'	-7	-36,036	'	0	0	0	0	'
Net proceeds from issuance of preferred stock	0	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Purchases and retirement of capital stock, shares	'	'	-700,070	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Purchases and retirement of preferred stock and losses on purchases of preferred stock, shares	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-6,111,000
Purchases and Retirement of Preferred Stock, and Losses on Purchases of Preferred Stock	305,180	'	83	305,097	'	'	'	'	'	-305,180
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, Conversion of Convertible Securities	'	'	8,285,905	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Foreign currency translation adjustments	6,308	'	'	'	7,081	'	'	'	-773	'
Available-for-sale securities	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Unrealized gain (loss), net of tax	0	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Derivative instruments:	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net change in fair value of cash flow hedging instruments, net of tax	0	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Amounts reclassified into results of operations, net of tax	48,124	'	'	'	'	48,124	'	'	'	'
Dividends on preferred stock and amortization of issue costs, preferred stock	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	148
Dividends on preferred stock and amortization of issue costs, accumulated deficit	-2,629	'	'	'	'	'	'	-2,629	'	'
Acquisition of noncontrolling interest	368	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	368	'
Net income (loss)	200,888	'	'	'	'	'	'	188,584	12,304	'
Balance, value at Dec. 31, 2012	2,951,264	0	2,932	5,623,595	102,125	-163,916	0	-2,625,990	12,518	'
Redeemable preferred stock, shares at Dec. 31, 2012	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	0
Balance, (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2012	293,164,786	'	293,164,786	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
4.5% Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock, Shares Outstanding	9,775,000	9,775,000	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Redeemable convertible preferred stock, value	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	0
Stock-based compensation related activity, net of forfeitures, value	39,030	'	9	39,021	'	'	'	'	'	'
Stock-based compensation related activity, net of forfeitures, shares	'	'	934,691	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Purchases and retirement of capital stock, value	-99,458	'	-14	-99,444	'	0	0	0	0	'
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, New Issues	'	9,775,000	41,400,000	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net proceeds from issuance of preferred stock	950,886	98	'	950,788	'	'	'	'	'	'
Common Stock, Value, Issued	2,980,586	'	414	2,980,172	0	0	0	0	0	'
Purchases and retirement of capital stock, shares	'	'	-1,429,461	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Foreign currency translation adjustments	-45,714	'	'	'	-43,864	'	'	'	-1,850	'
Available-for-sale securities	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Unrealized gain (loss), net of tax	0	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Derivative instruments:	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net change in fair value of cash flow hedging instruments, net of tax	0	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Amounts reclassified into results of operations, net of tax	82,043	'	'	'	'	82,043	'	'	'	'
Dividends on preferred stock and amortization of issue costs, accumulated deficit	-11,363	'	'	-11,363	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net income (loss)	93,901	'	'	'	'	'	'	90,111	3,790	'
Balance, value at Dec. 31, 2013	$6,941,175	$98	$3,341	$9,482,769	$58,261	($81,873)	$0	($2,535,879)	$14,458	'
Redeemable preferred stock, shares at Dec. 31, 2013	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	0
Balance, (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2013	334,070,016	'	334,070,016	'	'	'	'	'	'	'

Basis_of_Presentation

Basis of Presentation	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Basis of Presentation [Abstract]	'
Basis of Presentation	'
		Basis of Presentation
	The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Crown Castle International Corp. ("CCIC") and its majority and wholly-owned subsidiaries, collectively referred to herein as the "Company." All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. As used herein, the term "including" and any variation thereof, means "including without limitation." The use of the word "or" herein is not exclusive.
	The Company owns, operates, and leases shared wireless infrastructure, including: (1) towers and other structures, such as rooftops (collectively, "towers"), (2) distributed antenna systems ("DAS"), a type of small cell network ("small cells"), and (3) interests in land under third party towers in various forms (collectively, "third party land interests") (collectively, "wireless infrastructure"). The Company conducts operations through subsidiaries of Crown Castle Operating Company ("CCOC"), including (1) certain subsidiaries which operate wireless infrastructure portfolios in the United States, including Puerto Rico ("U.S." or "CCUSA") and (2) a 77.6% owned subsidiary that operates towers in Australia (referred to as "CCAL"). The Company's core business is providing access, including space or capacity, to (1) its towers, including approximately 39,600 towers (or 96% of the Company's total towers) in CCUSA and approximately 1,700 towers (or 4% of the Company's total towers) in CCAL, and to a lesser extent, to (2) its small cells, and (3) third party land interests to wireless communications companies via long-term contracts in various forms, including licenses, subleases and lease agreements (collectively, "contracts").
	Approximately 53% of the Company's towers are leased or subleased or operated and managed under master leases,subleases, or other agreements with Sprint, T-Mobile, and AT&T. The Company has the option to purchase these towers at the end of their respective lease terms; such options are not firm commitments and are not required. Additional information concerning these towers is as follows:
	◦	Approximately 16% of the Company's towers are leased or subleased or operated and managed for an initial period of 32 years (through May 2037) under master leases, subleases, or other agreements with Sprint. The Company has the option to purchase in 2037 all (but not less than all) of the leased and subleased Sprint towers from Sprint for approximately $2.3 billion.
	◦	Approximately 15% of the Company's towers are leased or subleased or operated and managed under a master prepaid lease or other related agreements with T-Mobile for a weighted-average term of approximately 28 years, weighted on site rental gross margin. The Company has the option to purchase the leased and subleased towers from T-Mobile at the end of the respective lease or sublease terms for aggregate option payments of approximately $2.0 billion, which payments, if exercised would be due between 2035 and 2049. In addition, through that acquisition, there are another approximately 1% of the Company's towers subject to a lease and sublease or other related arrangements with AT&T. The Company has the option to purchase these towers that it does not otherwise already own at the end of their respective lease terms for aggregate option payments of up to approximately $405 million, which payments, if exercised, would be due between 2018 and 2032 (less than $10 million would be due before 2025).
	◦	Approximately 22% of the Company's towers are leased or subleased or operated and managed under a master prepaid lease or other related agreements with AT&T for a weighted-average term of approximately 28 years, weighted on site rental gross margin. The Company has the option to purchase the leased and subleased towers from AT&T at the end of the respective lease or sublease terms for aggregate option payments of approximately $4.2 billion, which payments, if exercised, would be due between 2032 and 2048.
	As part of CCUSA's effort to provide comprehensive wireless infrastructure solutions, it offers certain network services relating to it wireless infrastructure, consisting of (1) customer equipment installation or subsequent augmentations (collectively, "installation services") and (2) the following additional site development services relating to existing or new antenna installations on its wireless infrastructure: site acquisition, architectural and engineering, zoning or permitting, other construction, or network development related services.
	The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles ("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.

Summary_of_Significant_Account

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	'
		Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
	Restricted Cash
	Restricted cash represents (1) the cash held in reserve by the indenture trustees pursuant to the indenture governing certain of the Company's debt instruments, (2) cash securing performance obligations such as letters of credit, as well as (3) any other cash whose use is limited by contractual provisions. The restriction of rental cash receipts is a critical feature of certain of the Company's debt instruments, due to the applicable indenture trustee's ability to utilize the restricted cash for the payment of (1) debt service costs, (2) ground rents, (3) real estate or personal property taxes, (4) insurance premiums related to towers, (5) other assessments by governmental authorities and potential environmental remediation costs, or (6) a portion of advance rents from customers. The restricted cash in excess of required reserve balances is subsequently released to the Company in accordance with the terms of the indentures. The Company has classified the increases and decreases in restricted cash as (1) cash provided by financing activities for cash held by indenture trustees based on consideration of the terms of the related indebtedness, although the cash flows have aspects of both financing activities and operating activities, (2) cash provided by investing activities for cash securing performance obligations and restricted cash that is acquired in acquisitions, or (3) cash provided by operating activities for the other remaining restricted cash.
	The following table is a summary of the impact of restricted cash on the statement of cash flows.
		For the years ended December 31,
		2013				2012				2011
	Net cash provided by (used from) operating activities	$	(1,637	)		$	11,475			$	(17,902	)
	Net cash provided by (used from) investing activities	$	8,067			$	(46,282	)	(a)	$	(15,430	)
	Net cash provided by (used from) financing activities	$	385,982		(b)	$	(288,763	)	(b)	$	1,979
	(a)	Inclusive of $46.3 million of acquired restricted cash.
	(b)	Inclusive of $316.6 million of cash held by the trustee as of December 31, 2012 and subsequently released to retire the 7.75% Secured Notes in January 2013.
	Receivables Allowance
	An allowance for doubtful accounts is recorded as an offset to accounts receivable. The Company uses judgment in estimating this allowance and considers historical collections, current credit status, or contractual provisions. Additions to the allowance for doubtful accounts are charged either to "site rental costs of operations" or to "network services and other costs of operations," as appropriate; and deductions from the allowance are recorded when specific accounts receivable are written off as uncollectible.
	Lease Accounting
	General. The Company classifies its leases at inception as either operating leases or capital leases. A lease is classified as a capital lease if at least one of the following criteria are met, subject to certain exceptions noted below: (1) the lease transfers ownership of the leased assets to the lessee, (2) there is a bargain purchase option, (3) the lease term is equal to 75% or more of the economic life of the leased assets, or (4) the present value of the minimum lease payments equals or exceeds 90% of the fair value of the leased assets.
	Lessee. Leases for land are evaluated for capital lease treatment if at least one of the first two criteria mentioned in the immediately preceding paragraph is present relating to the leased assets. When the Company, as lessee, classifies a lease as a capital lease, it records an asset in an amount equal to the present value of the minimum lease payments under the lease at the beginning of the lease term. Applicable operating leases are recognized on a straight-line basis as discussed under "costs of operations" below.
	Lessor. If the Company is the lessor of leased property that is part of a larger whole (including with respect to a portion of space on a tower) and for which fair value is not objectively determinable, then such a lease is accounted for as an operating lease. As applicable, operating leases are recognized on a straight-line basis as discussed under "Revenue Recognition."
	Property and Equipment
	Property and equipment is stated at cost, net of accumulated depreciation. Property and equipment includes land owned in fee and perpetual easements for land which have no definite life. When the Company purchases fee ownership or perpetual easements for the land previously subject to ground lease, the Company reduces the value recorded as land by the amount of any associated deferred ground lease payable or unamortized above-market leases. Depreciation is computed utilizing the straight-line method at rates based upon the estimated useful lives of the various classes of assets. Depreciation of wireless infrastructure is computed with a useful life equal to the shorter of 20 years or the term of the underlying ground lease (including optional renewal periods). Additions, renewals, and improvements are capitalized, while maintenance and repairs are expensed. Interest costs incurred related to the construction of certain property and equipment are capitalized. The carrying value of property and equipment will be reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the assets may not be recoverable.
	Abandonments and write-offs of property and equipment are recorded to "asset write-downs charges" on the Company's consolidated statement of operations and comprehensive income (loss) and were $10.2 million, $12.0 million, and $16.1 million for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012, and 2011, respectively.
	Asset Retirement Obligations
	Pursuant to its ground lease and easement agreements, the Company records obligations to perform asset retirement activities, including requirements to remove wireless infrastructure or remediate the land upon which the Company's wireless infrastructure resides. Asset retirement obligations are included in "deferred credits and other liabilities" on the Company's consolidated balance sheet. The liability accretes as a result of the passage of time and the related accretion expense is included in "depreciation, amortization, and accretion" on the Company's consolidated statement of operations and comprehensive income (loss). The associated asset retirement costs are capitalized as an additional carrying amount of the related long-lived asset and depreciated over the useful life of such asset.
	Goodwill
	Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price for an acquired business over the allocated value of the related net assets. The Company tests goodwill for impairment on an annual basis, regardless of whether adverse events or changes in circumstances have occurred. The annual test begins with goodwill and all intangible assets being allocated to applicable reporting units. The Company then performs a qualitative assessment to determine whether it is "more likely than not" that the fair value of the reporting units is less than its carrying amount. If it is concluded that it is "more likely than not" that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, it is necessary to perform the two-step goodwill impairment test. The two-step goodwill impairment test begins with an estimation of fair value of the reporting unit using an income approach, which looks to the present value of expected future cash flows. The first step, commonly referred to as a "step-one impairment test," is a screen for potential impairment while the second step measures the amount of impairment if there is an indication from the first step that one exists. The Company's measurement of the fair value for goodwill is based on an estimate of discounted future cash flows of the reporting unit. The Company performed its most recent annual goodwill impairment test as of October 1, 2013, which resulted in no impairments.
	Intangible Assets
	Intangible assets are included in "site rental contracts and customer relationships, net" and "other intangible assets, net" on the Company's consolidated balance sheet and predominately consist of the estimated fair value of the following items recorded in conjunction with acquisitions: (1) site rental contracts and customer relationships, (2) below-market leases for land interest under the acquired wireless infrastructure, (3) term easement rights for land interest under the acquired wireless infrastructure, or (4) other contractual rights such as trademarks. The site rental contracts and customer relationships intangible assets are comprised of (1) the current term of the existing contracts, (2) the expected exercise of the renewal provisions contained within the existing contracts, which automatically occur under contractual provisions, or (3) any associated relationships that are expected to generate value following the expiration of all renewal periods under existing contracts.
	The useful lives of intangible assets are estimated based on the period over which the intangible asset is expected to benefit the Company and gives consideration to the expected useful life of other assets to which the useful life may relate. Amortization expense for intangible assets is computed using the straight-line method over the estimated useful life of each of the intangible assets. The useful life of the site rental contracts and customer relationships intangible asset is limited by the maximum depreciable life of the wireless infrastructure (20 years), as a result of the interdependency of the wireless infrastructure and site rental contracts. In contrast, the site rental contracts and customer relationships are estimated to provide economic benefits for several decades because of the low rate of customer cancellations and high rate of renewals experienced to date. Thus, while site rental contracts and customer relationships are valued based upon the fair value, which includes assumptions regarding both (1) customers' exercise of optional renewals contained in the acquired contracts and (2) renewals of the acquired contracts past the contractual term including exercisable options, the site rental contracts and customer relationships are amortized over a period not to exceed 20 years as a result of the useful life being limited by the depreciable life of the wireless infrastructure.
	The carrying value of other intangible assets with finite useful lives will be reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the assets may not be recoverable. The Company has a dual grouping policy for purposes of determining the unit of account for testing impairment of the site rental contracts and customer relationships intangible assets. First, the Company pools the site rental contracts and customer relationships with the related wireless infrastructure assets into portfolio groups for purposes of determining the unit of account for impairment testing. Second and separately, the Company evaluates the site rental contracts and customer relationships by significant customer or by customer grouping for individually insignificant customers, as appropriate. If the sum of the estimated future cash flows (undiscounted) expected to result from the use or eventual disposition of an asset is less than the carrying amount of the asset, an impairment loss is recognized. Measurement of an impairment loss is based on the fair value of the asset.
	Deferred Credits
	Deferred credits are included in “deferred revenues” and “deferred credits and other liabilities” on the Company's consolidated balance sheet and consist of the estimated fair value of the following items recorded in conjunction with acquisitions: (1) below-market tenant leases for contractual interests with tenants on acquired wireless infrastructure, which are amortized to site rental revenues and (2) above-market leases for land interests under the Company's wireless infrastructure, which are amortized to site rental cost of operations.
	Fair value for these deferred credits represents the difference between (1) the stated contractual payments to be made pursuant to the in-place lease and (2) management's estimate of fair market lease rates for each corresponding lease. Deferred credits are measured over a period equal to the estimated remaining economic lease term considering renewal provisions or economics associated with those renewal provisions, to the extent applicable. Deferred credits are amortized over their respected estimated lease terms at the time of acquisition.
	Deferred Financing Costs
	Third-party costs incurred to obtain financing are deferred and are included in "long-term prepaid rent, deferred financing costs, and other assets" on the Company's consolidated balance sheet.
	Accrued Estimated Property Taxes
	The accrual for estimated property tax obligations is based on assessments currently in effect or estimates of additional taxes. The Company recognizes the benefit of tax appeals upon ultimate resolution of the appeal.
	Revenue Recognition
	Site rental revenues are recognized on a monthly basis over the fixed, non-cancelable term of the relevant contract (generally ranging from five to 15 years), regardless of whether the payments from the customer are received in equal monthly amounts. 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 ("CPI")). If the payment terms call for fixed escalations, prepaid rent, 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, even if such escalation provisions contain a variable element in addition to a minimum. The Company's assets related to straight-line site rental revenues are included in "other current assets" and "deferred site rental receivables." Amounts billed or received prior to being earned are deferred and reflected in "deferred revenues" and "deferred credits and other liabilities."
	Network services revenues are recognized after completion of the applicable service. Nearly all of the antenna installation services are billed on a cost-plus profit basis.
	Sales taxes or value-added taxes collected from customers and remitted to governmental authorities are presented on a net basis.
	Costs of Operations
	Approximately two-thirds of the Company's site rental costs of operations expenses consist of ground lease expenses, and the remainder includes property taxes, repairs and maintenance expenses, employee compensation or related benefit costs, or utilities. Generally, the ground leases for land are specific to each site and are for an initial term of five years and are renewable for pre-determined periods. The Company also enters into term easements and ground leases in which it prepays the entire term in advance. Ground lease expense is recognized on a monthly basis, regardless of whether the lease agreement payment terms require the Company to make payments annually, quarterly, monthly, or for the entire term in advance. The Company's ground leases contain fixed escalation clauses (such as fixed dollar or fixed percentage increases) or inflation-based escalation clauses (such as those tied to the CPI). If the payment terms include fixed escalation provisions, the effect of such increases is recognized on a straight-line basis. The Company calculates the straight-line ground lease expense using a time period that equals or exceeds the remaining depreciable life of the wireless infrastructure asset. Further, when a tenant has exercisable renewal options that would compel the Company to exercise existing ground lease renewal options, the Company has straight-lined the ground lease expense over a sufficient portion of such ground lease renewals to coincide with the final termination of the tenant's renewal options. The Company's non-current liability related to straight-line ground lease expense is included in "deferred credits and other liabilities" on the Company's consolidated balance sheet. The Company's asset related to prepaid ground leases is included in "prepaid expenses" and "long-term prepaid rent, deferred financing costs and other assets, net" on the Company's consolidated balance sheet.
	Network services and other costs of operations predominately consist of third party service providers such as contractors and professional service firms. As of December 31, 2013 and 2012, the Company had $52.2 million and $43.3 million, respectively, of work in process.
	Acquisition and Integration Costs
	All direct or incremental costs related to a business combination are expensed as incurred. Costs include severance, retention bonuses payable to employees of an acquired enterprise, temporary employees to assist with the integration of the acquired operations, or fees paid for services such as consulting, accounting, legal, or engineering reviews. These business combination costs are included in "acquisition and integration costs" on the Company's consolidated statement of operations and comprehensive income (loss).
	Stock-Based Compensation
	Restricted Stock Awards. The Company records stock-based compensation expense only for those nonvested stock awards ("restricted stock awards") for which the requisite service is expected to be rendered. The cumulative effect of a change in the estimated number of restricted stock awards for which the requisite service is expected to be or has been rendered is recognized in the period of the change in the estimate. To the extent that the requisite service is rendered, compensation cost for accounting purposes is not reversed; rather, it is recognized regardless of whether or not the awards vest. A discussion of the Company's valuation techniques and related assumptions and estimates used to measure the Company's stock-based compensation is as follows:
	Valuation. The fair value of restricted stock awards without market conditions is determined based on the number of shares granted and the quoted price of the Company's common stock at the date of grant. The Company estimates the fair value of restricted stock awards with market conditions granted using a Monte Carlo simulation. The Company's determination of the fair value of restricted stock awards with market conditions on the date of grant is affected by its common stock price as well as assumptions regarding a number of highly complex or subjective variables. The determination of fair value using a Monte Carlo simulation requires the input of subjective assumptions, and other reasonable assumptions could provide differing results.
	Amortization Method. The Company amortizes the fair value of all restricted stock awards on a straight-line basis for each separately vesting tranche of the award (graded vesting schedule) over the requisite service periods.
	Expected Volatility. The Company estimates the volatility of its common stock at the date of grant based on the historical volatility of its common stock and implied volatility on publicly traded options on the Company's common stock.
	Risk-Free Rate. The Company bases the risk-free rate on the implied yield currently available on U.S. Treasury issues with an equivalent remaining term equal to the expected life of the award.
	Forfeitures. The Company uses historical data and management's judgment about the future employee turnover rates to estimate the number of shares for which the requisite service period will not be rendered.
	Interest Expense and Amortization of Deferred Financing Costs
	The components of interest expense and amortization of deferred financing costs are as follows:
		Years Ended December 31,
		2013				2012				2011
	Interest expense on debt obligations	$	490,385			$	491,694			$	404,644
	Amortization of deferred financing costs	25,120				23,324				15,086
	Amortization of adjustments on long-term debt	8,541				21,297				16,090
	Amortization of interest rate swaps	64,928				65,239				71,707
	Other, net of capitalized interest	656				(510		)		60
	Total	$	589,630			$	601,044			$	507,587
	The Company amortizes deferred financing costs, discounts, premiums, and purchase price adjustments on long-term debt over the estimated term of the related borrowing using the effective interest yield method. Discounts or purchase price adjustments are presented as a reduction to the related debt obligation on the Company's consolidated balance sheet.
	Income Taxes
The Company accounts for income taxes using an asset and liability approach, which requires the recognition of deferred income tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences of events that have been recognized in the Company's financial statements or tax returns. Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are determined based on the temporary differences between the financial statement and tax bases of assets and liabilities using enacted tax rates. A valuation allowance is provided on deferred tax assets if it is determined that it is "more likely than not" that the asset will not be realized. During 2013, the Company de-recognized substantially all of its previously recorded U.S. federal and state deferred tax assets and liabilities in connection with completing the steps necessary to qualify to operate as a REIT and receiving final approval from the Company's board of directors. The de-recognized U.S. federal and state deferred tax assets related to the entities included in the REIT, because the expected recovery or settlement of the related assets and liabilities would not result in a taxable or deductible amount in the future. As a REIT, the Company generally will not be subject to U.S. federal corporate income tax to the extent it distributes its REIT taxable income to its stockholders. As a result, while the Company will still be permitted to use net operating loss carryforwards to offset REIT taxable income, the Company does not expect to pay taxes on its REIT taxable income, and therefore does not expect to be able to realize such deferred tax assets. The Company's small cell operations will initially be conducted through one or more wholly-owned taxable REIT subsidiaries ("TRSs"). The Company has submitted a private letter ruling request with the Internal Revenue Service ("IRS") regarding whether certain components of our small cell business and the related rents qualify as real property under Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended ("Code") Section 856 and thus can be included in our REIT. Additionally, the Company will include in TRSs its tower operations in Australia and may include certain other assets and operations in TRSs. Those TRS assets and operations will continue to be subject, as applicable, to federal and state corporate income taxes and 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 and Australia) most likely will be 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.
The Company records a valuation allowance against deferred tax assets when it is "more likely than not" that some portion or all of the deferred tax asset will not be realized. The Company reviews the recoverability of deferred tax assets each quarter and based upon projections of future taxable income, reversing deferred tax liabilities or other known events that are expected to affect future taxable income, records a valuation allowance for assets that do not meet the "more likely than not" realization threshold. Valuation allowances may be reversed if related deferred tax assets are deemed realizable based upon changes in facts and circumstances that impact the recoverability of the asset.
The Company recognizes a tax position if it is "more likely than not" that it will be sustained upon examination. The tax position is measured at the largest amount that is greater than 50 percent likely of being realized upon ultimate settlement. The Company reports penalties and tax-related interest expense as a component of the benefit (provision) for income taxes. As of December 31, 2013 and 2012, the Company has not recorded any penalties related to its income tax positions.
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 stockholders by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted income (loss) attributable to CCIC common stockholders, per common share is computed by dividing net income (loss) attributable to CCIC stockholders by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the period plus any potential dilutive common share equivalents, including shares issuable (1) upon the vesting of restricted stock awards as determined under the treasury stock method and (2) upon conversion of the Company's 4.50% Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock (as defined in note 12), as determined under the if-converted method. The Company's restricted stock awards are considered participating securities and may be included in the computation of earnings pursuant to the two-class. However, the Company does not present the two-class method when there is no difference between the per share amount under the two-class method and the treasury stock method.
A reconciliation of the numerators and denominators of the basic and diluted per share computations is as follows:
	Years Ended December 31,
	2013				2012				2011
Net income (loss) attributable to CCIC stockholders	$	90,111			$	188,584			$	171,077
Dividends on preferred stock and losses on purchases of preferred stock	(11,363		)		(2,629		)		(22,940		)
Net income (loss) attributable to CCIC common stockholders	$	78,748			$	185,955			$	148,137
Weighted-average number of common shares outstanding (in thousands):
Basic weighted-average number of common stock outstanding	298,083				289,285				283,821
Effect of assumed dilution from potential common shares relating to restricted stock awards	1,210				1,985				2,126
Diluted weighted-average number of common shares outstanding	299,293				291,270				285,947
Net income (loss) attributable to CCIC common stockholders, per common share:
Basic	$	0.26			$	0.64			$	0.52
Diluted	$	0.26			$	0.64			$	0.52
For the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012, and 2011, 0.6 million, 0.2 million, and 0.9 million restricted stock awards, respectively, were excluded from the dilutive common shares because certain stock price hurdles would not have been achieved assuming that December 31, 2013, 2012, and 2011 were the respective ends of the contingency periods. For the year ended December 31, 2013, 13.2 million common share equivalents related to the 4.50% Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock (as defined in note 12) were excluded from the dilutive common shares because the impact of such conversion would be anti-dilutive. For the year ended 2011, 8.3 million common share equivalents related to the 6.25% Redeemable Convertible Preferred Stock were excluded from dilutive common shares because the impact of such conversion would have been anti-dilutive. See notes 11, 12, and 13.
Foreign Currency Translation
The Company's international operations use the local currency as their functional currency. The Company translates the results of these international operations using the applicable average exchange rate for the period, and translates the assets and liabilities using the applicable exchange rate at the end of the period. The cumulative effect of changes in the exchange rate is recorded as "foreign currency translation adjustments" in other comprehensive income (loss). See note 17.
Fair Values
The Company's assets and liabilities recorded at fair value are categorized based upon a fair value hierarchy that ranks the quality and reliability of the information used to determine fair value. The three levels of the fair value hierarchy are (1) Level 1 — quoted prices (unadjusted) in active and accessible markets, (2) Level 2 — observable prices that are based on inputs not quoted in active markets but corroborated by market data, and (3) Level 3 — unobservable inputs and are not corroborated by market data. The Company evaluates fair value hierarchy level classifications quarterly, and transfers between levels are effective at the end of the quarterly period.
The fair value of cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash approximate the carrying value. The Company determines fair value of its debt securities based on indicative quotes (that is non-binding quotes) from brokers that require judgment to interpret market information including implied credit spreads for similar borrowings on recent trades or bid/ask prices or quotes from active markets if applicable. There were no changes since December 31, 2012 in the Company's valuation techniques used to measure fair values. See note 9 for a further discussion of fair values.
Derivative Instruments
The Company had previously entered into interest rate swaps to manage or reduce its interest rate risk. Derivative financial instruments were entered into for periods that matched the related underlying exposures. The Company can designate derivative financial instruments as hedges. The Company can also enter into derivative financial instruments that are not designated as accounting hedges.
Derivatives were recognized on the consolidated balance sheet at fair value. If the derivative was designated as a cash flow hedge, the effective portion of the change in the fair value of the derivative was recorded as a separate component of stockholders' equity, captioned "accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)," and recognized as increases or decreases to "interest expense and amortization of deferred financing costs" when the hedged item affects earnings. If a hedge ceased to qualify for hedge accounting, any change in the fair value of the derivative since the date it ceased to qualify was recorded to "net gain (loss) on interest rate swaps." However, any amounts previously recorded to "accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)" would remain there until the original forecasted transaction affected earnings. In situations where it becomes probable that the hedged forecasted transaction will not occur, any gains or losses that have been recorded to "accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)" are immediately reclassified to earnings.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
No accounting pronouncements adopted during the year ended December 31, 2013 had a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements. No new accounting pronouncements issued during the year ended December 31, 2013, but not yet adopted, are expected to have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements.

Acquisitions

Acquisitions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Acquisitions	'
Acquisitions	'
	Acquisitions
	WCP Acquisition
	On January 12, 2012, the Company announced a definitive agreement to acquire certain subsidiaries of Wireless Capital Partners, LLC ("WCP"). On January 31, 2012 the Company closed the acquisition (“WCP Acquisition”). Upon closing, WCP held various contracts with wireless site owners, including approximately 2,300 ground lease related assets.
	The purchase price of $214.7 million includes $39.2 million of restricted cash and excludes the assumption of $336.3 million (after fair value adjustments) of debt. See note 7. The Company utilized the borrowings under the Tranche B Term Loans (as defined in note 7) issued in January 2012 to fund the cash consideration.
	The final allocation of the total purchase price for the WCP Acquisition was primarily allocated to restricted cash, long-term prepaid rent, other intangible assets, deferred income tax assets, goodwill, and debt. The final purchase price allocation to long-term prepaid rent was approximately $322.4 million and had a weighted-average amortization period of 37 years.
	NextG Networks Acquisition
	In December 2011, the Company entered into a definitive agreement to acquire NextG Networks, Inc. ("NextG") for approximately $1.0 billion in cash, subject to certain adjustments. On April 10, 2012, the Company closed the acquisition (“NextG Acquisition”). The Company utilized borrowings under the Tranche A Term Loans and Tranche B Term Loans (as defined in note 7) to fund the cash consideration of approximately $1.0 billion.
	Prior to the NextG Acquisition, NextG was the largest U.S. provider of outdoor DAS. Approximately 75% of NextG's DAS at the time of the acquisition were located in the ten largest metropolitan statistical areas in the U.S. The Company recognized acquisition and integration costs of $2.1 million and $10.3 million (including $4.3 million related to severance and retention bonuses payable to involuntarily terminated employees of NextG) for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
	The final purchase price allocation for the NextG Acquisition is shown below.
	Current assets	$	70,981
	Property and equipment	515,590
	Goodwill	570,874
	Other intangible assets, net	408,000
	Other assets	4,250
	Current liabilities	(104,986		)
	Deferred credits and other liabilities	(322,175		)	(a)
	Deferred income tax liabilities	(144,817		)
	Net assets acquired	$	997,717		(b)
	(a)	Inclusive of below-market tenant leases.
	(b)	Changes to the purchase price allocation presented in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2012 resulted in a decrease of $2.7 million to goodwill. The effect of the change in the purchase price allocation on the Company's statement of operations is immaterial to the periods presented.
	T-Mobile Acquisition
	In September 2012, the Company entered into a definitive agreement with T-Mobile to acquire the exclusive rights to lease, operate, or otherwise acquire towers which, as of December 31, 2013, comprised approximately 17% of the Company's towers for approximately $2.5 billion ("T-Mobile Acquisition"). On November 30, 2012, the Company closed on the T-Mobile Acquisition. Upon closing, the Company obtained the exclusive right to lease and operate the T-Mobile towers (that are otherwise not owned by the Company). See note 1 for a further discussion of the terms of the T-Mobile lease, including the purchase option. The Company utilized cash on hand, inclusive of the proceeds from the 5.25% Senior Notes, and borrowings from the 2012 Revolver (as defined in note 7) to fund the T-Mobile Acquisition. The Company recognized acquisition and integration costs of approximately $9.2 million and $3.6 million for the years ending December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
	During the fourth quarter of 2013, the Company finalized the purchase price allocation for the T-Mobile Acquisition. The final purchase price allocation for the T-Mobile Acquisition is shown below.
	Current assets	$	17,512
	Property and equipment	1,496,281
	Goodwill	425,946
	Other intangible assets, net	414,661
	Deferred income tax assets	205,648
	Other assets	1,178
	Current liabilities	(1,207		)
	Deferred credits and other liabilities	(74,233		)	(a)
	Net assets acquired	$	2,485,786		(b)
	(a)Inclusive of above-market leases for land interests under the Company's towers.
	(b)	Changes to the preliminary purchase price allocation presented in the consolidated balance sheet in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2012 primarily include an increase of $36.9 million to property and equipment and a $42.9 million increase to deferred credits and other non-current liabilities. The effect of the change in the purchase price allocation on the Company's statement of operations is immaterial to the periods presented.
	AT&T Acquisition
	During October 2013, the Company entered into a definitive agreement with AT&T, to acquire rights to towers which, as of December 31, 2013, comprised approximately 24% of the Company's towers for $4.827 billion in cash at closing ("AT&T Acquisition"). On December 16, 2013, the Company closed on the acquisition. See note 1 for further discussion of the terms of the AT&T master prepaid lease, including the related purchase option. The Company utilized net proceeds from the October Equity Financings (as defined in note 12), and additional borrowings under the 2012 Revolver and term loans to fund the AT&T Acquisition, as well as cash on hand. For the year ended December 31, 2013, the Company recognized acquisition and integration costs related to the AT&T Acquisition of $12.2 million.
	The preliminary purchase price allocation related to the AT&T Acquisition is not finalized as of December 31, 2013, and is based upon preliminary valuation which is subject to change as the Company obtains additional information, including with respect to fixed assets, intangible assets and certain liabilities. The preliminary purchase price allocation for the AT&T Acquisition is shown below.
	Current assets	$	20,428
	Property and equipment	1,965,375
	Goodwill	1,768,535
	Other intangible assets, net	1,280,071
	Other assets	3,253
	Current liabilities	(12,929		)
	Deferred credits and other liabilities	(198,134		)	(a)
	Net assets acquired	$	4,826,599		(b)
	(a)Inclusive of above-market leases for land interests under the Company's towers.
	(b)No deferred taxes were recorded as a result of the Company's REIT election. See notes 10 and 20.
	For additional discussion of the WCP Acquisition, NextG Acquisition and T-Mobile Acquisition (collectively, "2012 Acquisitions") and the AT&T Acquisition see notes 5, 6, 7, 10, and 12.
	Actual and Pro Forma Financial Information
	Net revenues and net income (loss) attributable to acquisitions completed during the years ended December 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012 are included in the Company's consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss), since the date of each respective acquisition. For the year ended December 31, 2013, the AT&T Acquisition resulted in (1) increases to consolidated net revenues of $17.9 million and (2) a net loss of approximately $8.9 million included in net income (loss), which includes approximately $12.2 million of acquisition and integration costs and the impact of the associated debt borrowings. For the year ended December 31, 2012, the 2012 Acquisitions resulted in (1) increases to consolidated net revenues of $143.3 million and (2) a net loss of $12.6 million included in net income (loss), which includes the impact of the debt assumed in the WCP Acquisition, and approximately $16.2 million of acquisition and integration expenses.
	The unaudited pro forma financial results for the year ended December 31, 2013 combines the historical results of the Company, which includes the impact of the 2012 Acquisitions, along with the historical results of the AT&T Acquisition. The unaudited pro forma financial results for the year ended December 31, 2012 combines the historical results of the Company, along with the historical results of the AT&T Acquisition and the 2012 Acquisition. The following table presents the unaudited proforma consolidated results of operations of the Company as if the AT&T Acquisition was completed as of January 1, 2012, and the 2012 Acquisitions were completed as of January 1, 2011 for the periods presented below. The unaudited pro forma amounts are presented for illustrative purposes only and are not necessarily indicative of future consolidated results of operations.
		Twelve Months Ended
		December 31,
		2013				2012
	Net revenues	$	3,420,658		(a)	$	3,124,010	(a)(b)
	Income (loss) before income taxes	$	241,511		(f)	$	15,566	(f)
	Benefit (provision) for income taxes	$	(178,221	)	(d)(e)	$	134,487	(d)(e)
	Net income (loss)	$	63,290		(c)(d)(f)	$	150,053	(c)(d)(f)
	Basic net income (loss) attributable to CCIC common stockholders, per common share	$	0.05		(d)	$	0.28	(d)
	Diluted net income (loss) attributable to CCIC common stockholders, per common share	$	0.05		(d)	$	0.27	(d)
	(a)	For the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, amounts are inclusive of pro forma adjustments to increase net revenues of $211.1 million and $220.6 million, respectively, that the Company expects to recognize from AT&T under AT&T's contracted lease of space on the towers acquired in the AT&T Acquisition.
	(b)	For the year ended December 31, 2012, amounts are inclusive of pro forma adjustments to increase net revenues of $148.9 million that the Company expects to recognize from T-Mobile under T-Mobile's contracted lease of space on the towers acquired in the T-Mobile Acquisition.
	(c)	For the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, amounts are inclusive of pro forma adjustments to depreciation and amortization of $218.3 million and $353.2 million, respectively, related to property and equipment and intangibles recorded as a result of the AT&T Acquisition and 2012 Acquisitions.
(d)	For the AT&T Acquisition, pro forma amounts include the impact of the interest expense associated with the related debt financings as well as the October Equity Financings.  For the 2012 Acquisitions, pro forma amounts exclude any impact from debt financings that occurred throughout 2012 due to (1) such financings having been conducted for multiple purposes, including to lower the Company's average cost of debt, to refinance and extend certain of its debt, as well as to provide funds to finance a portion of such acquisitions and (2) such financings having not been conducted concurrently with the 2012 Acquisitions they subsequently funded in part and the fungible nature of the cash makes impracticable a determination of whether, or what portion of, the purchase prices of such acquisitions were funded with the proceeds of such financings.
(e)	For the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, the pro forma adjustments reflects the federal statutory rate and an estimated state rate. No adjustment was made related to the Company's REIT election. See notes 10 and 20.
(f)	Inclusive of $23.7 million and $15.5 million, respectively, of aggregate acquisition and integration costs for the years ended December 31, 2013, and 2012 related to the AT&T Acquisition and 2012 Acquisitions.

Property_and_Equipment

Property and Equipment	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]	'
Property and Equipment	'
		Property and Equipment
	The major classes of property and equipment are as follows:
		Estimated Useful Lives	December 31,
			2013			2012
	Land(a)	—	$	1,305,942		$	1,119,592
	Buildings	40 years	70,497			56,883
	Towers and small cells	1-20 years	11,717,453			9,589,282
	Information technology assets and other	2-7 years	185,699			160,670
	Construction in process	—	401,042			240,287
	Total gross property and equipment		13,680,633			11,166,714
	Less: accumulated depreciation		(4,732,956		)	(4,249,183		)
	Total property and equipment, net		$	8,947,677		$	6,917,531
	(a)	Includes land owned in fee and perpetual easements.
	Depreciation expense for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011 was $562.1 million, $438.9 million and $387.8 million, respectively. Capital leases and associated leasehold improvements related to gross property and equipment and accumulated depreciation was $4.5 billion and $590.5 million, respectively, as of December 31, 2013. See note 1 and 2.

Intangible_Assets_and_Deferred

Intangible Assets and Deferred Credits	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Goodwill and Intangible Assets	'
Intangible Assets and Deferred Credits	'
	Intangible Assets
	Goodwill
	The changes in the carrying value of goodwill for the year ended December 31, 2013 were as follows:
	Balance as of December 31, 2011	$	2,035,390
	Additions due to NextG Acquisition(a)	573,617
	Additions due to WCP Acquisition (b)	54,824
	Additions due to T-Mobile Acquisition (c)	428,019
	Additions due to other acquisitions	28,113
	Effect of exchange rate fluctuations	(6		)
	Balance as of December 31, 2012	$	3,119,957
	Additions due to AT&T Acquisition (c)	1,768,535
	Additions due to other acquisitions	25,194
	Effect of exchange rate fluctuations and other adjustments	2,740
	Balance as of December 31, 2013	$	4,916,426
	(a)	The purchase price allocation for the NextG Acquisition resulted in the recognition of a substantial amount of goodwill at CCUSA relative to the purchase price based on the following:
	•	the acquired or in-process DAS have low average tenancy, which the Company believes provides an opportunity to co-locate additional tenants on those systems;
	•	the Company believes that the economics associated with DAS are similar to the economics associated with the Company's towers, whereby expected increases in revenues from additional tenants on existing DAS are expected to result in high incremental margins due to relatively fixed operating costs;
	•	the Company believes the demand for tenants to co-locate on DAS will be driven by the continued growth trends in the wireless communication industry as wireless carriers continue to focus on improving network quality and expanding capacity;
	•	the Company believes the acquired DAS are well-positioned to benefit from the anticipated growth in the wireless industry with their previously mentioned locations in the ten largest metropolitan statistical areas in the U.S.; or
	•	other intangibles not qualified for separate recognition, including the assembled work force.
	To a lesser extent, a portion of the goodwill recognized is the result of recording the tax impact of the NextG Acquisition. See also note 10.
	(b)	The Company paid a purchase price for the WCP Acquisition that resulted in goodwill at CCUSA primarily because of the strategic opportunities related to the acquired portfolio.
	(c)	The purchase price allocation for the T-Mobile Acquisition and the preliminary purchase price allocation for the AT&T Acquisition resulted in the recognition of goodwill at CCUSA primarily because of the anticipated growth opportunities in the respective tower portfolios.
	Intangibles
	The following is a summary of the Company's intangible assets. See note 3 for further discussion of the Company's acquisitions.
		As of December 31, 2013											As of December 31, 2012
		Gross Carrying Value				Accumulated Amortization				Net Book Value			Gross Carrying Value		Accumulated Amortization			Net Book Value
	Site rental contracts and customer relationships	$	4,761,605			$	(1,111,262	)		$	3,650,343		$	3,566,207	$	(913,647	)	$	2,652,560
	Other intangible assets	486,751				(79,229		)		407,522			354,208		(65,072		)	289,136
	Total	$	5,248,356			$	(1,190,491	)		$	4,057,865		$	3,920,415	$	(978,719	)	$	2,941,696
	The components of the additions to intangible assets during the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012 are as follows:
		For Years Ended December 31,
		2013						2012
		Amount				Weighted-Average Amortization Period		Amount				Weighted-Average Amortization Period
						(In years)						(In years)
	Site rental contracts and customer relationships	$	1,203,596			20		$	741,526			21
	Other intangible assets	132,763			(a)	21		208,700			(b)	19
	Total	$	1,336,359			20		$	950,226			21
	(a)	$114.9 million is related to below-market leases for land interests under acquired wireless infrastructure for the year ended December 31, 2013 which is inclusive of adjustments made during 2013 related to the T-Mobile purchase price allocation (see note 3).
	(b)	$178.3 million is related to below-market leases for land interests under acquired wireless infrastructure for the year ended December 31, 2012.
	Amortization expense related to intangible assets is classified as follows on the Company's consolidated statement of operations and comprehensive income (loss):
		For Years Ended December 31,
	Classification	2013				2012				2011
	Depreciation, amortization and accretion	$	204,042			$	177,163			$	159,478
	Site rental costs of operations	10,197				3,352				3,709
	Total amortization expense	$	214,239			$	180,515			$	163,187
	The estimated annual amortization expense related to intangible assets (inclusive of those recorded as an increase to "site rental costs of operations") for the years ended December 31, 2014 to 2018 is as follows:
		Years Ending December 31,
		2014				2015				2016			2017		2018
	Estimated annual amortization	$	272,944			$	267,326			$	267,273		$	266,902	$	266,732

Deferred_Credits_Notes

Deferred Credits (Notes)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Deferred credits [Abstract]	'
Deferred credits	'
	Deferred Credits and Other Liabilities
	The following is a summary of the Company's "deferred credits and other liabilities" as presented on the Company's consolidated balance sheet. See also notes 2 and 3.
			December 31,
			2013			2012
	Deferred ground lease payable		$	357,419		$	312,262
	Customer prepaid rent		350,474			173,420
	Above market leases for land interests, net (a)		276,319			58,195
	Deferred credits, net (b)		244,537			271,123
	Asset retirement obligation (see note 15)		118,403			94,953
	Other liabilities		2,767			618
			$	1,349,919		$	910,571
	(a)	The Company recorded $145.5 million and $17.0 million related to above-market leases for land interests under acquired wireless infrastructure for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively, which is inclusive of adjustments made during 2013 related to the T-Mobile purchase price allocation.
	(b)	For the year ended December 31, 2012, the Company recorded deferred credits of $291.9 million related to below-market tenant leases as a result of the purchase price allocation for the NextG Acquisition. The below-market tenant leases recorded in the NextG Acquisition had a weighted-average amortization period of 11 years.
	For the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012, and 2011, the Company recorded $7.2 million, $3.4 million, and $3.8 million, respectively, as a decrease to "site rental costs of operations" for the amortization of above-market leases for land interests under the Company's towers. The estimated amortization expense related to above-market leases for land interests under the Company's towers recorded to site rental costs of operations for the years ended December 31, 2014 to 2018 is as follows:
		Years Ending December 31,
		2014			2015			2016		2017		2018
	Above-market leases for land interests	$	21,854		$	21,839		$	21,796	$	21,767	$	21,741
	For the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, the Company recognized $29.6 million and $20.8 million, respectively, in site rental revenues related to the amortization of below market tenant leases. The following table summarizes the estimated annual amounts related to below-market tenant leases expected to be amortized into site rental revenues for the years ended December 31, 2014 to 2018 are as follows:
		Years Ending December 31,
		2014			2015			2016		2017		2018
	Below-market tenant leases	$	28,670		$	27,395		$	27,021	$	24,243	$	21,428

Debt_and_Other_Obligations

Debt and Other Obligations	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Debt and Other Obligations [Abstract]	'
Debt and Other Obligations	'
	Debt and Other Obligations
	The following is a summary of the Company's indebtedness.
		Original		Contractual		Outstanding Balance as of December 31,						Stated
		Issue Date		Maturity								Interest Rate
				Date								as of
												December 31,
						2013			2012			2013		(a)
	Bank debt – variable rate:
	2012 Revolver	Jan. 2012		Nov. 2018/Jan. 2019	(d)	$	374,000	(b)	$	1,253,000		2.2	%	(c)
	Tranche A Term Loans	Jan. 2012		Nov. 2018/Jan. 2019	(d)	662,500			481,250			2.2	%	(c)
	Tranche B Term Loans	Jan. 2012		Jan. 2019/2021	(e)	2,864,150			1,584,000			3.3	%	(f)
	Total bank debt					3,900,650			3,318,250
	Securitized debt – fixed rate:
	January 2010 Tower Revenue Notes	Jan. 2010		2035-2040	(g)	1,900,000			1,900,000			5.8	%	(g)
	August 2010 Tower Revenue Notes	Aug. 2010		2035-2040	(g)	1,550,000			1,550,000			4.5	%	(g)
	2009 Securitized Notes	Jul-09		2019/2029	(h)	179,792			198,463			7.3	%
	WCP Securitized Notes	Jan. 2010		Nov. 2040	(i)	286,171			307,739			5.6	%	(j)
	Total securitized debt					3,915,963			3,956,202
	Bonds – fixed rate:
	9% Senior Notes	Jan. 2009		Jan. 2015		—			304,718			N/A
	7.75% Secured Notes	Apr. 2009		May-17		—			291,394			N/A
	7.125% Senior Notes	Oct. 2009		Nov. 2019		498,332			498,110			7.1	%	(k)
	5.25% Senior Notes	Oct. 2012		Jan. 2023		1,649,970			1,650,000			5.3	%
	2012 Secured Notes	Dec. 2012		2017/2023	(m)	1,500,000			1,500,000			3.4	%
	Total bonds					3,648,302			4,244,222
	Other:
	Capital leases and other obligations	Various		Various	(l)	129,585			92,568			Various		(l)
	Total debt and other obligations					11,594,500			11,611,242
	Less: current maturities and short-term debt and other current obligations					103,586			688,056
	Non-current portion of long-term debt and other long-term obligations					$	11,490,914		$	10,923,186
	(a)	Represents the weighted-average stated interest rate.
	(b)	As of December 31, 2013, the undrawn availability under the $1.5 billion senior secured revolving credit facility ("2012 Revolver") is $1.1 billion.
	(c)	The 2012 Revolver and tranche A term loans ("Tranche A Term Loans"), including the Incremental Tranche A Term Loans (as defined below) bear interest at a rate per annum equal to LIBOR plus a credit spread ranging from 1.5% to 2.25%, based on the CCOC total net leverage ratio. The Company pays a commitment fee of approximately 0.25% per annum on the undrawn available amount under the 2012 Revolver.
	(d)	The 2012 Revolver and Tranche A Term Loans have maturity dates of November 2018 (or, if the aggregate principal amount of CCOC's outstanding Tranche B Term Loans (as defined below) (the maturity date of which has not been extended to a date that is on or after July 31, 2019) is less than or equal to $500.0 million, January 31, 2019).
	(e)	The tranche B term loans ("Tranche B Term Loans"), including the Incremental Tranche B Term Loans and the Incremental Tranche B-2 Term Loans (as defined below), consist as of December 31, 2013 of $2.4 billion of aggregate principal amount due January 2019 and $500.0 million of aggregate principal amount due January 2021. See note 20 for a discussion of the extension of the maturity date of certain of the Tranche B Term Loans.
	(f)	The Tranche B Term Loans, including the Incremental Tranche B Term Loans and the Incremental Tranche B-2 Term Loans (defined below), bear interest at a rate per annum equal to LIBOR plus a credit spread range from 2.25% to 2.50% , based on CCOC's total net leverage ratio (with LIBOR subject to a floor of 0.75% per annum).
	(g)	If the respective series of the January 2010 Tower Revenue Notes and August 2010 Tower Revenue Notes (collectively, "2010 Tower Revenue Notes") are not paid in full on or prior to 2015, 2017, and 2020, as applicable, then Excess Cash Flow (as defined in the indenture) of the issuers (of such notes) will be used to repay principal of the applicable series and class of the 2010 Tower Revenue Notes, and additional interest (of an additional approximately 5% per annum) will accrue on the respective 2010 Tower Revenue Notes. The January 2010 Tower Revenue Notes consist of three series of notes with principal amounts of $300.0 million, $350.0 million, and $1.3 billion, having anticipated repayment dates in 2015, 2017, and 2020, respectively. The August 2010 Tower Revenue Notes consist of three series of notes with principal amounts of $250.0 million, $300.0 million, and $1.0 billion, having anticipated repayment dates in 2015, 2017, and 2020, respectively.
	(h)	The 2009 Securitized Notes consist of $109.8 million of principal as of December 31, 2013 that amortizes through 2019, and $70.0 million of principal as of December 31, 2013 that amortizes during the period beginning in 2019 and ending in 2029.
	(i)	The WCP securitized notes ("WCP Securitized Notes") were assumed in connection with the WCP Acquisition. The WCP Securitized Notes include a fair value adjustment that increased the debt carrying value by $7.6 million as of December 31, 2013. The anticipated repayment date is 2015 for each class. If the WCP Securitized Notes are not repaid in full by their anticipated repayment dates, the applicable interest rate increases by an additional approximately 5% per annum. If the WCP Securitized Notes are not repaid in full by their rapid amortization date of 2017, monthly principal payments commence using the excess cash flows of the issuers of the WCP Securitized Notes.
	(j)	The effective yield is approximately 4.0%, inclusive of the fair value adjustment.
	(k)	The effective yield is approximately 7.2%, inclusive of the discount.
	(l)	The Company's capital leases and other obligations bear interest rates ranging up to 10% and mature in periods ranging from less than one year to approximately 20 years.
	(m)	The Company issued $500.0 million aggregate principal amount of 2.381% secured notes due 2017 and $1.0 billion aggregate principal amount of 3.849% secured notes due 2023 (collectively, "2012 Secured Notes").
	The Company's debt obligations contain certain financial covenants with which CCIC or its subsidiaries must comply. Failure to comply with such covenants may result in the imposition of restrictions. As of and for the year ended December 31, 2013, CCIC and its subsidiaries had no financial covenant violations. Various of the Company's debt obligations also place other restrictions on CCIC or its subsidiaries including the ability to incur debt and liens, purchase Company securities, make capital expenditures, dispose of assets, undertake transactions with affiliates, enter into certain merger or change of control transactions, make other investments, pay dividends, or engage in certain other activities as set forth in the indentures.
	Bank Debt
	In January 2012, the Company refinanced and repaid the previously outstanding revolver ("2007 Revolver") and 2007 term loans with the proceeds of a senior credit facility ("2012 Credit Facility") entered into by CCOC. As of December 31, 2012, the 2012 Credit Facility consisted of (1) a $1.5 billion 2012 Revolver with a maturity of January 2017, (2) $500.0 million of Tranche A Term Loans with a maturity of January 2017, and (3) $1.6 billion of Tranche B Term Loans with a maturity of January 2019.
	In April 2013, the Company refinanced the then outstanding Tranche B Term Loans with new loans pursuant to the existing credit agreement in an aggregate principal amount of approximately $1.6 billion. In August 2013, the Company issued $800.0 million of incremental tranche B term loans ("Incremental Tranche B Term Loans"). In December 2013, the Company issued $500.0 million of incremental tranche B-2 term loans ("Incremental Tranche B-2 Term Loans"). In addition, in December 2013, the Company (1) borrowed $200.0 million of incremental tranche A term loans ("Incremental Tranche A Term Loans"), (2) extended the maturity of both the Tranche A Term Loans and the 2012 Revolver, and (3) reduced the interest at a per annum rate under the 2012 Revolver and Tranche A Term Loans to LIBOR plus a credit spread ranging from 1.50% to 2.25%, based on CCOC's total net leverage ratio.
	The proceeds of the original Tranche A Term Loans and Tranche B Term Loans were used in part to repay the previously outstanding 2007 Revolver, 2007 term loans and to fund the cash consideration of the WCP Acquisition and NextG Acquisition (see note 3). The borrowings under the 2012 Revolver during 2012 were used to partially fund the T-Mobile Acquisition and the repurchase and repayment of the 9% Senior Notes.
	The proceeds of the Incremental Tranche B Term Loans were used to repay a portion of the amounts outstanding under the 2012 Revolver. The borrowings under the 2012 Revolver during 2013 were used to partially fund the AT&T Acquisition (see note 3). The proceeds of the Incremental Tranche B-2 Term Loans and the Incremental Tranche A Term Loans were used to repay a portion of the amounts then outstanding under the 2012 Revolver.
	The 2012 Credit Facility is secured by a pledge of certain equity interests of certain subsidiaries of CCIC, as well as a security interest in CCOC's and certain of its subsidiaries' deposit accounts ($60.8 million as of December 31, 2013) and securities accounts. The 2012 Credit Facility is guaranteed by CCIC and certain of its subsidiaries.
	Securitized Debt
	The 2010 Tower Revenue Notes, the 2009 Securitized Notes, and the WCP Securitized Notes (collectively, "Securitized Debt") are obligations of special purpose entities and their direct and indirect subsidiaries (each an "issuer"), all of which are wholly-owned, indirect subsidiaries of the Company. The 2010 Tower Revenue Notes, 2009 Securitized Notes, and the WCP Securitized Notes are governed by separate indentures. The 2010 Tower Revenue Notes are governed by one indenture and consist of multiple series of notes, each with its own anticipated repayment date. The net proceeds of the January 2010 Tower Revenue Notes and August 2010 Tower Revenue Notes were primarily used to repay the portion of the 2005 Tower Revenue Notes not previously purchased and 2006 Tower Revenue Notes not previously purchased, respectively. The WCP Securitized Notes were assumed in connection with the WCP Acquisition in January 2012. Interest is paid monthly on the Securitized Debt.
	The Securitized Debt is paid solely from the cash flows generated by the operation of the towers or third party land interests held directly and indirectly by the issuers of the respective Securitized Debt. The Securitized Debt is secured by, among other things, (1) a security interest in substantially all of the applicable issuers' assignable personal property, (2) a pledge of the equity interests in each applicable issuer, (3) a security interest in the applicable issuers' contracts with customers to lease tower space (space licenses) or third party land interests, and (4) in the case of the WCP Securitized Notes, a perfected first mortgage lien on certain prepaid lease arrangements. The governing instruments of two indirect subsidiaries ("Crown Atlantic" and "Crown GT") of the issuers of the 2010 Tower Revenue Notes generally prevent them from issuing debt and granting liens on their assets without the approval of a subsidiary of Verizon Communications. Consequently, while distributions paid by Crown Atlantic and Crown GT will service the 2010 Tower Revenue Notes, the 2010 Tower Revenue Notes are not obligations of, nor are the 2010 Tower Revenue Notes secured by the cash flows or any other assets of, Crown Atlantic and Crown GT. As of December 31, 2013, the Securitized Debt was collateralized with personal property and equipment with a net book value of an aggregate approximately $1.5 billion, exclusive of Crown Atlantic and Crown GT personal property and equipment.
	The excess cash flows from the issuers of the Securitized Debt, after the payment of principal, interest, reserves, expenses, and management fees are distributed to the Company in accordance with the terms of the indentures. If the Debt Service Coverage Ratio ("DSCR") (as defined in the applicable governing loan agreement) as of the end of any calendar quarter falls to a certain level, then all excess cash flow of the issuers of the applicable debt instrument will be deposited into a reserve account instead of being released to the Company. The funds in the reserve account will not be released to the Company until the DSCR exceeds a certain level for two consecutive calendar quarters. If the DSCR falls below a certain level as of the end of any calendar quarter, then all cash on deposit in the reserve account along with future excess cash flows of the issuers will be applied to prepay the debt with applicable prepayment consideration.
	The Company may repay the 2010 Tower Revenue Notes or the 2009 Securitized Notes in whole or in part at any time after the second anniversary of the applicable issuance date, provided such prepayment is accompanied by any applicable prepayment consideration. The Securitized Debt has covenants and restrictions customary for rated securitizations, including provisions prohibiting the issuers from incurring additional indebtedness or further encumbering their assets.
	Bonds—Senior Notes
	The 7.125% senior notes due 2019 ("7.125% Senior Notes") and the 5.25% senior notes due 2023 ("5.25% Senior Notes") (collectively, "Senior Notes") are general obligations of CCIC, which rank equally with all existing and future senior debt of CCIC. The Senior Notes are effectively subordinated to all liabilities (including trade payables) of each subsidiary of the Company and rank pari passu with the other respective high yield bonds of the Company. The Company used the net proceeds from the 7.125% Senior Notes to purchase certain indebtedness of its subsidiaries. The Company used the net proceeds from the 5.25% Senior Notes offering to partially fund the T-Mobile Acquisition.
	The Senior Notes contain restrictive covenants with which the Company and its restricted subsidiaries must comply, subject to a number of exceptions or qualifications, including restrictions on its ability to incur incremental debt, issue preferred stock, guarantee debt, pay dividends, repurchase its capital stock, use assets as security in other transactions, sell assets or merge with or into other companies, or make certain investments. Certain of these restrictions are not applicable if there is no event of default and if the ratio of the Company's Consolidated Debt (as defined in the respective Senior Notes indenture) to its Adjusted Consolidated Cash Flows (as defined in the respective Senior Notes indenture) is less than or equal to 7.0 to 1.0. The Senior Notes do not contain any financial maintenance covenants.
	Prior to November 2014, the Company may redeem the 7.125% Senior Notes, at a price equal to 100% of the principal amount, plus a make whole premium, and accrued and unpaid interest, if any. After such date, the 7.125% Senior Notes may be redeemed at the redemption prices set forth in the indenture governing such notes. The Company may redeem the 5.25% Senior Notes at any time at a price equal to 100% of the principal amount, plus a make whole premium, and accrued and unpaid interest if any.
	Bonds—Secured Notes
	The "2012 Secured Notes" consist of $500 million aggregate principal amount of 2.381% secured notes due 2017 and $1.0 billion aggregate principal amount of 3.849% secured notes due 2023. The 2012 Secured Notes were issued and are guaranteed by the same subsidiaries of the Company that had previously issued and guaranteed the 7.75% Secured Notes. The 2012 Secured Notes are secured by a pledge of the equity interests of such subsidiaries. The 2012 Secured Notes are not guaranteed by and are not obligations of CCIC or any of its subsidiaries other than the issuers and guarantors of the 2012 Secured Notes. The 2012 Secured Notes will be paid solely from the cash flows generated from operations of the towers held directly and indirectly by the issuers and the guarantors of such notes. The Company used the net proceeds from the issuance of the 2012 Secured Notes to repurchase and redeem the 7.75% Secured Notes and a portion of the 9% Senior Notes. The 2012 Secured Notes may be redeemed at any time at a price equal to 100% of the principal amount, plus a make whole premium, and accrued and unpaid interest, if any.
	Previously Outstanding Indebtedness
	Credit Facility. In January 2012, the Company repaid the previously outstanding 2007 Revolver and term loans pursuant its previously outstanding credit agreement entered into by CCOC. The 2007 Revolver previously had a total revolving commitment of $450 million.
Bonds—Senior Notes. In December 2012, in accordance with a cash tender offer commenced on December 11, 2012, the Company purchased approximately $515.5 million aggregate principal amount of the 9% Senior Notes validly tendered on or prior to the early settlement date. In January 2013, the Company purchased approximately $0.8 million aggregate principal amount of 9% Senior Notes validly tendered after the early settlement date, but on or prior to the expiration date, and then redeemed all of the remaining outstanding 9% Senior Notes (approximately $313.3 million aggregate principal amount). The purchase and redemption of the 9% Senior Notes was funded by borrowings under the 2012 Revolver and proceeds from the issuance of the 2012 Secured Notes.
Bonds—Secured Notes. In December 2012, in accordance with a cash tender offer commenced on December 11, 2012, the Company purchased approximately $670.6 million aggregate principal amount of the 7.75% Secured Notes validly tendered on or prior to the expiration date. The 7.75% Secured Notes contained financial covenants that resulted in cash being deposited in a reserve account and required the Company to restrict cash in order to redeem the remainder of the 7.75% Secured Notes as of December 31, 2012. In January 2013, all of the remaining then outstanding 7.75% Secured Notes (approximately $294.4 million aggregate principal amount) were redeemed. The purchase and redemption of the 7.75% Secured Notes was funded by the issuance of the 2012 Secured Notes.
Contractual Maturities
The following are the scheduled contractual maturities of the total debt or other long-term obligations outstanding at December 31, 2013. 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 and WCP Securitized Notes. If the Tower Revenue Notes are not paid in full on or prior to 2015, 2017 and 2020, as applicable, then the Excess Cash Flow (as defined in the indenture) of the issuers of such notes will be used to repay principal of the applicable series and class of the Tower Revenue Notes, and additional interest (of an additional approximately 5% per annum) will accrue on the Tower Revenue Notes. If the WCP Securitized Notes are not paid in full by their anticipated repayment dates in 2015, the applicable interest rate increases by an additional approximately 5% per annum. If the WCP Securitized Notes are not repaid in full by their rapid amortization date of 2017, monthly principal payments commence using the Excess Cash Flow of the issuers of the WCP Securitized Notes.
	Years Ending December 31,
	2014				2015			2016			2017			2018		Thereafter		Total Cash Obligations		Net Unamortized Premiums		Total Debt and Other Obligations Outstanding
Scheduled contractual maturities	$	100,550			$	99,750		$	114,418		$	612,677		$	997,390	$	9,663,761	$	11,588,546	$	5,954	$	11,594,500
Debt Purchases and Redemptions
The following is a summary of the purchases and redemptions of debt during the years ended December 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012. There were no purchases and redemptions of debt during the year ended December 31, 2011.
	Year Ending December 31, 2013
	Principal Amount				Cash Paid(a)			Gains (losses)(c)
9% Senior Notes	314,170				332,045			(17,894		)
7.75% Secured Notes(b)	294,362				312,465			(18,103		)
5.25% Senior Notes	30				30			—
Tranche A Term Loans	87,489				87,489			(399		)
Tranche B Term Loans	30,941				30,941			(490		)
Other	—				—			(241		)
Total	$	726,992			$	762,970		$	(37,127	)
(a)	Exclusive of accrued interest.
(b)	The redemption of the 7.75% Secured Notes was funded by the release of restricted cash.
(c)	The losses predominantly relate to cash losses, including with respect to make whole payments.
	Year Ending December 31, 2012
	Principal Amount				Cash Paid(a)			Gains (losses)(b)
2007 Term Loans	619,125				619,125			(1,893		)
9% Senior Notes	552,715				589,105			(62,966		)
7.75% Secured Notes	706,045				752,332			(64,989		)
7.5% Senior Notes	51				51			—
WCP Securitized Notes	16,911				18,096			(681		)
Other	—				—			(1,445		)
Total	$	1,894,847			$	1,978,709		$	(131,974	)
(a)	Exclusive of accrued interest.
(b)	Inclusive of $48.1 million related to the write-off of deferred financing costs and discounts. In addition, the remainder relates to cash losses including with respect to make whole payments.

Interest_Rate_Swaps

Interest Rate Swaps

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2013

Interest Rate Derivatives [Abstract]

'

Interest Rate Swaps

'

Interest Rate Swaps

The Company had previously entered into interest rate swaps to manage or reduce its interest rate risk, including the use of (1) forward-starting interest rate swaps to hedge its exposure to variability in future cash flows attributable to changes in LIBOR on anticipated financings, including refinancings and potential future borrowings or (2) interest rate swaps to hedge the interest rate variability on a portion of the Company's floating rate debt. The Company does not enter into interest rate swaps for speculative or trading purposes. As of December 31, 2013, the Company does not have any interest rate swaps outstanding.

The following table shows the effect of interest rate swaps on the consolidated statement of operations and comprehensive income (loss). The estimated net amount, pre-tax, loss that is expected to be reclassified into earnings from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) is approximately $63.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2014. See also note 9.

Interest Rate Swaps Designated as

Years Ended December 31,

Classification

Hedging Instruments(a)

2013

2012

2011

Gain (loss) recognized in other comprehensive income ("OCI") (effective portion)

$

—

$

—

$

(973

)

(b)

OCI

Gain (loss) reclassified from accumulated OCI into income (effective portion)

(64,928

)

(b)

(65,239

)

(b)

(71,707

)

(b)

Interest expense and amortization of deferred financing costs

____________________

(a)

Exclusive of benefit (provision) for income taxes.

(b)

Inclusive of the impact of forward-starting interest rate swaps which had been hedging certain anticipated refinancings, all of which were previously cash settled.

Fair_Value_Disclosures

Fair Value Disclosures	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Fair Value Disclosures	'
Fair Value Disclosures	'
	Fair Value Disclosures
	The following table shows the estimated fair values of the Company's financial instruments, along with the carrying amounts of the related assets (liabilities). See also note 2.
		Level in Fair Value Hierarchy	December 31, 2013				December 31, 2012
			Carrying		Fair		Carrying		Fair
			Amount		Value		Amount		Value
	Assets:
	Cash and cash equivalents	1	$	223,394	$	223,394	$	441,364	$	441,364
	Restricted cash	1	188,526		188,526		580,938		580,938
	Liabilities:
	Debt and other obligations	2	$	11,594,500	$	11,892,587	$	11,611,242	$	12,438,032

Income_Taxes

Income Taxes	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Income Taxes [Abstract]	'
Income Taxes	'
	Income Taxes
	Income (loss) before income taxes by geographic area is as follows:
		Years Ended December 31,
		2013			2012			2011
	Domestic	$	260,364		$	77,254		$	168,804
	Foreign(a)	32,165			23,573			11,003
		$	292,529		$	100,827		$	179,807
	(a)	Inclusive of income (loss) before income taxes from Australia and Puerto Rico.
	The benefit (provision) for income taxes consists of the following:
		Years Ended December 31,
		2013			2012			2011
	Current:
	Federal	$	684		$	229		$	3,213
	Foreign	(6,732		)	(6,837		)	(3,377		)
	State	(12,305		)	(3,705		)	(3,557		)
	Total current	(18,353		)	(10,313		)	(3,721		)
	Deferred:
	Federal	(164,769		)	65,643			1,054
	Foreign	(6,136		)	42,714			(694		)
	State	(9,370		)	2,017			(4,986		)
	Total deferred	(180,275		)	110,374			(4,626		)
	Total tax benefit (provision)	$	(198,628	)	$	100,061		$	(8,347	)
	A reconciliation between the benefit (provision) for income taxes and the amount computed by applying the federal statutory income tax rate to the loss before income taxes is as follows:
		Years Ended December 31,
		2013			2012			2011
	Benefit (provision) for income taxes at statutory rate	$	(102,385	)	$	(35,289	)	$	(62,932	)
	Tax effect of foreign income (losses)	11,258			8,251			3,851
	Tax adjustment related to the REIT election(a)	(67,395		)	—			—
	Expenses for which no federal tax benefit was recognized	(9,570		)	(3,874		)	(5,433		)
	Valuation allowances	—			95,072			61,921
	State tax (provision) benefit, net of federal	(14,852		)	(1,097		)	(4,565		)
	Foreign tax	(12,868		)	35,877			(4,071		)
	Other	(2,816		)	1,121			2,882
		$	(198,628	)	$	100,061		$	(8,347	)
	(a)	Inclusive of a $39.8 million adjustment to reclassify a deferred tax charge from AOCI to the provision for income taxes.
	The components of the net deferred income tax assets and liabilities are as follows:
		December 31,
		2013			2012
	Deferred income tax liabilities:
	Property and equipment	$	135,824		$	1,246,899
	Deferred site rental receivable	28,074			340,113
	Intangible assets	116,548			894,800
	Total deferred income tax liabilities	280,446			2,481,812
	Deferred income tax assets:
	Net operating loss carryforwards	134,123			950,195
	Deferred ground lease payable	7,122			121,752
	Alternate minimum tax credit carryforward	—			3,566
	Accrued liabilities	148,580			190,121
	Receivables allowance	1,228			4,140
	Prepaid lease	—			1,358,430
	Derivative instruments	—			51,380
	Capital loss carryforwards	—			29,402
	Other	5,866			5,270
	Valuation allowances	(27,264		)	(70,940		)
	Total deferred income tax assets, net	269,655			2,643,316
	Net deferred income tax asset (liabilities)	$	(10,791	)	$	161,504
	During the fourth quarter of 2013, the Company completed the steps necessary to qualify to operate as a REIT for U.S. federal income tax purposes and received final approval from the Company's board of directors. See note 20. As a result, the Company de-recognized the net deferred tax assets and liabilities related to the entities included in the REIT, which resulted in net non-cash income tax charge of $67.4 million in conjunction with the anticipated REIT conversion. Included in the REIT conversion charge of $67.4 million is a $39.8 million adjustment to reclassify a deferred tax charge from AOCI to the provision for income taxes.
	During 2013, in connection with completing the steps necessary to qualify to operate as a REIT, the Company reversed $29.4 million of valuation allowance associated with capital loss carryforwards as the Company generated sufficient capital gains in 2013 to fully realize these capital loss carryforwards. Also, during 2013, the Company recorded a valuation allowance of $12.0 million against federal net operating loss carryforwards of its TRSs as the Company has determined that a portion of its TRSs federal net operating loss carryforwards more likely than not will not be realized.
	As a REIT, the Company will generally be entitled to a deduction for dividends that it pays and therefore will not be 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) alternative minimum taxes, (2) taxes on any undistributed income, (3) taxes related to the TRS, (4) certain state, local, or foreign income taxes, (5) franchise taxes, (6) property taxes, and (7) 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 Code to maintain qualification for taxation as a REIT. The Company's small cell operations will initially be conducted through one or more wholly-owned TRSs. The Company has submitted a private letter ruling request with the Internal Revenue Service ("IRS") regarding whether certain components of its small cell business and the related rents qualify as real property under Code Section 856 and thus can be included in our REIT. Additionally, the Company will include in TRSs its tower operations in Australia and may include certain other assets and operations in TRSs. Those TRS assets and operations would continue to be subject, as applicable, to federal and state corporate income taxes and 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 and Australia) most likely will be 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. The Company will be subject to a federal corporate level tax rate (currently 35%) on the gain recognized from the sale of assets occurring within a specified period (generally 10 years) after the REIT conversion up to the amount of the built in gain that existed on January 1, 2014, which is based upon the fair market value of those assets in excess of our tax basis on January 1, 2014.  This gain can be offset for any remaining federal net operating loss carryforwards.
	During 2012, the Company recorded $100.5 million of net U.S. federal deferred tax assets and $19.7 million of net state deferred tax liabilities in connection with the 2012 Acquisitions. Also, during 2012, the Company reversed a total of $95.1 million of federal and $20.1 million of state valuation allowances to benefit (provision) for income taxes resulting from (1) the NextG Acquisition and (2) the determination that the Company is more likely than not to realize these deferred tax assets as a result of the Company's recent historical trends of earnings and anticipated future earnings. In addition, during 2012, the Company reversed the remaining valuation allowance of $51.1 million on its foreign deferred tax assets relating to its Australian subsidiaries to benefit (provision) for income taxes. This reversal results from the determination that the Company is more likely than not to realize these deferred assets as a result of the Australian subsidiaries increased profitability and anticipated future earnings.
	The components of the net deferred income tax assets (liabilities) are as follows:
		December 31, 2013									December 31, 2012
	Classification	Gross			Valuation			Net			Gross		Valuation			Net
Allowance					Allowance
Federal	$	(7,513	)	$	(12,000	)	$	(19,513	)	$	104,213	$	(29,402	)	$	74,811
State	(807		)	(14,547		)	(15,354		)	35,474		(41,538		)	(6,064		)
Foreign	24,793			(717		)	24,076			41,377		—			41,377
Other comprehensive income (loss)	—			—			—			51,380		—			51,380
Total	$	16,473		$	(27,264	)	$	(10,791	)	$	232,444	$	(70,940	)	$	161,504
At December 31, 2013, the Company had U.S. federal and state net operating loss carryforwards of approximately $2.2 billion and $1.1 billion, respectively, which are available to offset future taxable income. These amounts include $0.2 billion of losses related to stock-based compensation. The Company also had foreign net operating loss carryforwards of $0.1 billion. If not utilized, the Company's U.S. federal net operating loss carryforwards expire starting in 2021 and ending in 2032, and the state net operating carryforwards expire starting in 2013 and ending in 2033. The foreign net operating loss carryforwards predominately remain available indefinitely provided certain continuity of business requirements is met. The utilization of the loss carryforwards is subject to certain limitations. The Company's U.S. federal and state income tax returns generally remain open to examination by taxing authorities until three years after the applicable loss carryforwards have been used or expired. The remaining valuation allowance relates to federal net operating loss carryforwards and certain state net deferred tax assets (primarily net operating loss carryforwards).
As of December 31, 2013, the total amount of unrecognized tax benefits that would impact the effective tax rate, if recognized, was $21.5 million. The aggregate changes in the balance of unrecognized tax benefits are as follows:
	Years Ended December 31,
	2013			2012
Balance at beginning of year	$	19,184		$	8,376
Additions based on current year tax positions	2,365			10,808
Balance at end of year	$	21,549		$	19,184
From time to time, the Company is subject to examinations by various tax authorities in jurisdictions in which the Company has business operations. The Company regularly assesses the likelihood of additional assessments in each of the tax jurisdictions resulting from these examinations. At this time, the Company is not subject to an IRS examination.

Redeemable_Convertible_Preferr

Redeemable Convertible Preferred Stock	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Temporary Equity Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Redeemable Convertible Preferred Stock	'
	Redeemable Convertible Preferred Stock
	The Company originally issued 8.1 million shares of its 6.25% Redeemable Convertible Preferred Stock at a price of $50.00 per share (the liquidation preference per share). The holders of the 6.25% Redeemable Convertible Preferred Stock were entitled to receive cumulative dividends at the rate of 6.25% per annum. The dividends were paid with approximately $2.5 million and $19.5 million of cash for the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively. In January 2012, the Company exercised its right to convert all of the outstanding 6.25% Redeemable Convertible Preferred Stock into common stock. In February 2012, the Company issued 8.3 million shares of common stock associated with the previously outstanding 6.25% Redeemable Convertible Preferred Stock.

Stockholders_Equity

Stockholders' Equity	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Stockholders' Equity, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest [Abstract]	'
Stockholders' Equity	'
	Stockholders' Equity
	Common Stock and Preferred Stock Offering
	On October 28, 2013, the Company completed an offering of 41.4 million shares of common stock, which generated net proceeds of approximately $3.0 billion.
	On October 28, 2013, the Company completed an offering of approximately 9.8 million shares of the Company's 4.50% Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock, Series A, par value $0.01 per share ("4.50% Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock"), which generated net proceeds of $950.9 million. The holders of the 4.50% Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock are entitled to receive cumulative dividends, when and if declared by the Company's board of directors, at the rate of 4.50% per annum payable on February 1, May 1, August 1 and November 1 of each year, commencing in February 2014, and to, and including, November 1, 2016. The dividends may be paid in cash or, subject to certain limitations, shares of common stock or any combination of cash and shares of common stock. The terms of the 4.50% Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock provide that, unless accumulated dividends have been paid or set aside for payment on all outstanding 4.50% Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock for all past dividend periods, no dividends may be declared or paid on common stock.
	Unless converted earlier, each outstanding share of the 4.50% Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock will automatically convert on November 1, 2016 into between 1.0811 and 1.3513 shares of common stock, depending on the applicable market value of the common stock and subject to certain anti-dilution adjustments. At any time prior to November 1, 2016, holders of the 4.50% Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock may elect to convert all or a portion of their shares into common stock at the minimum conversion rate of 1.0811, subject to certain anti-dilution adjustments.
	On December 31, 2013, the Company announced that the quarterly dividend on 4.50% Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock will be paid on February 3, 2014 to the holders of record on January 15, 2014, and that dividend will be paid in cash at a rate of $1.1625 per share.
	The common stock and 4.50% Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock offerings in October 2013 are collectively referred to herein as the "October Equity Financings."
	The Company used the proceeds from the October Equity Financings to partially fund the AT&T Acquisition.
	Announcement of Plan to Initiate Common Stock Dividend
	On October 21, 2013, the Company announced its expectation to initiate a quarterly dividend on shares of common stock of $0.35 per share beginning in the first quarter of 2014. The declaration, amount, and payment of dividends are subject to the final determination of the Company's board of directors based on then-current and anticipated future conditions, including earnings, net cash provided by operating activities, capital requirements, financial condition, relative market capitalization, existing federal net operating losses, or other factors deemed relevant by the Company's board of directors. See note 20.
	Purchases of the Company's Common Stock
	For the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012, and 2011, the Company purchased 1.4 million, 0.7 million, and 7.4 million shares of common stock, respectively, utilizing $99.5 million, $36.0 million, and $303.4 million in cash, respectively.

Stockbased_Compensation

Stock-based Compensation	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Share-based Compensation [Abstract]	'
Stock-based Compensation	'
	Stock-based Compensation
	Stock Compensation Plans
	Pursuant to stockholder approved plans, the Company has and is permitted to grant stock-based awards to certain employees, consultants or non-employee directors of the Company and its subsidiaries or affiliates. As of December 31, 2013, the Company has 12.5 million shares available for future issuance pursuant to its 2013 stock compensation plan.
	Restricted Stock Awards
	The restricted stock awards granted to certain executives and employees include (1) annual performance awards that often include provisions for forfeiture by the employee if certain market performance of the Company's common stock is not achieved, (2) new hire or promotional awards that generally contain only service conditions, or (3) other awards related to specific business initiatives or compensation objectives including retention and merger integration. Such restricted stock awards vest over periods of up to five years.
	The following is a summary of the restricted stock award activity during the year ended December 31, 2013.
		Number of Shares		Weighted-Average
				Grant-Date
				Fair Value
		(In thousands of shares)		(In dollars per share)
	Shares outstanding at the beginning of year	2,343		$	34.2
	Shares granted	958		46.4
	Shares vested	(978	)	33.5
	Shares forfeited	(41	)	46.8
	Shares outstanding at end of year	2,282		$	39.4
	For the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012, and 2011, the Company granted 1.0 million shares, 1.0 million shares, and 0.9 million shares, respectively, of restricted stock awards to the Company's executives and certain other employees. The weighted-average grant-date fair value per share of the grants for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012, and 2011 was $46.37, $38.82, and $37.05 per share, respectively. The weighted-average requisite service period for the restricted stock awards granted during 2013 was 2.6 years.
	During the year ended December 31, 2013, the Company granted 0.5 million shares of restricted stock awards that time vest over a three-year or five-year period. During the year ended December 31, 2013, the Company granted 0.5 million shares of restricted stock awards to the Company's executives and certain other employees which may vest on the third anniversary of the grant date based upon achieving a price appreciation hurdle along a price range continuum using the highest average closing price per share of common stock for 20 consecutive trading days during the last 180 days of the performance period.
	Certain restricted stock awards contain provisions that result in forfeiture by the employee of any unvested shares in the event that the Company's common stock does not achieve certain price targets. To the extent that the requisite service is rendered, compensation cost for accounting purposes is not reversed; rather, it is recognized regardless of whether or not the market performance target is achieved.
	The following table summarizes the assumptions used in the Monte Carlo simulation to determine the grant-date fair value for the awards granted during the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012, and 2011, respectively, with market conditions.
		Years Ended December 31,
		2013		2012			2011
	Risk-free rate	0.4	%	0.4	%		1.4	%
	Expected volatility	23	%	31	%		48	%
	Expected dividend rate	—	%	—	%		—	%
	The Company recognized stock-based compensation expense related to restricted stock awards of $37.8 million, $32.7 million, and $31.3 million for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012, and 2011, respectively. The unrecognized compensation (net of estimated forfeitures) related to restricted stock awards at December 31, 2013 is $33.2 million and is estimated to be recognized over a weighted-average period of less than one year.
	The following table is a summary of the restricted stock awards vested during the three years ended December 31, 2013.
	Years Ended December 31,		Total Shares		Fair Value on
			Vested		Vesting Date
			(In thousands
			of shares)
	2013		978		$	66,666
	2012		1,974		101,692
	2011		1,717		74,754
	CCAL Awards
	CCAL may award to its employees and directors restricted units settled in cash. The CCAL vested options for the purchase of CCAL shares, vested restricted units, or CCAL shares may be periodically settled in cash. As of December 31, 2013 and 2012, the liability for the CCAL options and restricted units was $8.1 million and $11.7 million, respectively.
	Stock-based Compensation by Segment
	The following table discloses the components of stock-based compensation expense. For the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012, and 2011, the Company recorded tax benefits, exclusive of the change in the valuation allowance and the impact of the REIT election, of $14.5 million, $14.7 million, and $11.4 million, respectively, related to stock-based compensation expense (see note 10).
		Year Ended December 31, 2013
		CCUSA			CCAL				Consolidated
									Total
	Stock-based compensation expense:
	Site rental costs of operations	$	1,193		$	—			$	1,193
	Network services and other costs of operations	1,799			—				1,799
	General and administrative expenses	36,038			2,758				38,796
	Total stock-based compensation	$	39,030		$	2,758			$	41,788
		Year Ended December 31, 2012
		CCUSA			CCAL				Consolidated
									Total
	Stock-based compensation expense:
	Site rental costs of operations	$	3,401		$	—			$	3,401
	Network services and other costs of operations	2,721			—				2,721
	General and administrative expenses	35,822			5,597				41,419
	Total stock-based compensation	$	41,944		$	5,597			$	47,541
		Year Ended December 31, 2011
		CCUSA			CCAL				Consolidated
									Total
	Stock-based compensation expense:
	Site rental costs of operations	$	942		$	—			$	942
	Network services and other costs of operations	1,555			—				1,555
	General and administrative expenses	30,113			3,381				33,494
	Total stock-based compensation	$	32,610		$	3,381			$	35,991

Employee_Benefit_Plans

Employee Benefit Plans	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Defined Contribution Pension and Other Postretirement Plans Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Employee Benefit Plans	'
	Employee Benefit Plans
	The Company and its subsidiaries have various defined contribution savings plans covering substantially all employees. Employees may elect to contribute a portion of their eligible compensation, subject to limits imposed by the various plans. Certain of the plans provide for partial matching of such contributions. The cost to the Company for these plans amounted to $8.1 million, $15.3 million, and $6.1 million for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012, and 2011, respectively.

Commitments_and_Contingencies

Commitments and Contingencies	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Commitments and Contingencies [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. See note 16 for a discussion of the operating lease commitments. In addition, see note 1 for a discussion of the Company's option to purchase approximately 53% of its towers at the end of their respective lease terms. Such purchase options are not firm commitments and are not required.
	Asset Retirement Obligations
	Pursuant to its ground lease and easement agreements, the Company has the obligation to perform certain asset retirement activities, including requirements upon lease or easement termination to remove wireless infrastructure or remediate the land upon which its wireless infrastructure resides. Accretion expense related to liabilities for retirement obligations amounted to $8.1 million, $6.5 million, and $5.6 million for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012, and 2011, respectively. During the year ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, the Company recorded $16.3 million and $21.1 million, respectively, in asset retirement obligations as a result of the Company's acquisitions. As of December 31, 2013 and 2012, liabilities for retirement obligations were $118.4 million and $95.0 million, respectively, representing the net present value of the estimated expected future cash outlay. As of December 31, 2013, the estimated undiscounted future cash outlay for asset retirement obligations was approximately $1.2 billion. See note 2.
	Property Tax Commitments
	The Company is obligated to pay, or reimburse others for, property taxes related to the Company's wireless infrastructure pursuant to operating leases with landlords or other contractual agreements. The property taxes are contingent upon new assessments of the wireless infrastructure and the Company's appeals of assessments. The Company has an obligation to reimburse Sprint, T-Mobile, and AT&T for property taxes it pays on the Company's behalf related to certain towers the Company leases from them. The Company paid Sprint, T-Mobile, and AT&T an aggregate of $27.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2013 and expects to pay Sprint, T-Mobile, and AT&T an aggregate of approximately $44 million for the year ended December 31, 2014.

Leases

Leases	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Leases [Abstract]	'
Leases	'
	Operating Leases
	Tenant Contracts
	The following table is a summary of the rental cash payments owed to the Company, as a lessor, by tenants pursuant to contractual agreements in effect as of December 31, 2013. Generally, the Company's contracts with its tenants provide for (1) annual escalations, (2) multiple renewal periods at the tenant's option, and (3) only limited termination rights at the applicable tenant's option through the current term. As of December 31, 2013, the weighted-average remaining term of tenant contracts is approximately eight years, exclusive of renewals at the tenant's option. The tenants' rental payments included in the table below are through the current terms with a maximum current term of 20 years and do not assume exercise of tenant renewal options.
		Years Ending December 31,
		2014		2015		2016		2017		2018		Thereafter		Total
	Tenant leases	$	2,474,529	$	2,432,301	$	2,342,749	$	2,256,108	$	2,155,880	$	10,419,970	$	22,081,537
	Operating Leases
	The following table is a summary of rental cash payments owed by the Company, as lessee, to landlords pursuant to contractual agreements in effect as of December 31, 2013. The Company is obligated under non-cancelable operating contracts for land interests under 82% of its towers. The majority of these lease agreements have (1) certain termination rights that provide for cancellation after a notice period, (2) multiple renewal options at the Company's option, and (3) annual escalations. Lease agreements may also contain provisions for a contingent payment based on revenues or the gross margin derived from the wireless infrastructure located on the leased land interest. Approximately three-fourths and nine-tenths of the Company's site rental gross margins for the year ended December 31, 2013 are derived from towers where the land interest under the tower is owned or leased with final expiration dates of greater than 20 years and ten years, respectively, inclusive of renewals at the Company's option. The operating lease payments included in the table below include payments for certain renewal periods at the Company's option up to the estimated wireless infrastructure useful life of 20 years and an estimate of contingent payments based on revenues and gross margins derived from existing tenant leases.
		Years Ending December 31,
		2014		2015		2016		2017		2018		Thereafter		Total
	Operating leases	$	565,587	$	573,059	$	578,551	$	582,231	$	583,775	$	7,546,074	$	10,429,277
	Rental expense from operating leases was $513.6 million, $372.3 million, and $338.3 million, respectively, for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012, and 2011. The rental expense was inclusive of contingent payments based on revenues or gross margin derived from the wireless infrastructure located on the leased land interests of $73.7 million, $57.6 million, and $56.4 million, respectively, for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012, and 2011.

Operating_Segments_and_Concent

Operating Segments and Concentrations of Credit Risk	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Operating Segments and Concentrations of Credit Risk [Abstract]	'
Operating Segments and Concentrations of Credit Risks	'
	Operating Segments and Concentrations of Credit Risk
	Operating Segments
	The Company's reportable operating segments are (1) CCUSA, consisting of the Company's U.S. operations, and (2) CCAL, the Company's Australian operations. Financial results for the Company are reported to management and the board of directors in this manner.
	The measurement of profit or loss currently used by management to evaluate the results of operations for the Company and its operating segments is earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization, and accretion, as adjusted ("Adjusted EBITDA"). The Company defines Adjusted EBITDA as net income (loss) plus restructuring charges (credits), 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, impairment of available-for-sale securities, interest income, other income (expense), benefit (provision) for income taxes, cumulative effect of change in accounting principle, income (loss) from discontinued operations, and stock-based compensation expense. Adjusted EBITDA is not intended as an alternative measure of operating results or cash flows from operations (as determined in accordance with GAAP), and the Company's measure of Adjusted EBITDA may not be comparable to similarly titled measures of other companies. There are no significant revenues resulting from transactions between the Company's operating segments. Inter-company borrowings and related interest between segments are eliminated to reconcile segment results and assets to the consolidated basis. Noncontrolling interests primarily represent the noncontrolling shareholders' 22.4% interests in CCAL, the Company's 77.6% majority-owned subsidiary.
	The financial results for the Company's operating segments are as follows:
		Year Ended December 31, 2013														Year Ended December 31, 2012												Year Ended December 31, 2011
		CCUSA				CCAL				Elim(a)			Consolidated			CCUSA			CCAL			Elim(a)			Consolidated			CCUSA			CCAL			Elim(a)			Consolidated
													Total												Total												Total
	Net revenues:
	Site rental	$	2,371,380			$	132,240			$	—		$	2,503,620		$	2,001,049		$	123,141		$	—		$	2,124,190		$	1,744,993		$	108,557		$	—		$	1,853,550
	Network services and other	494,371				24,393				—			518,764			285,287			23,203			—			308,490			161,522			17,657			—			179,179
	Net revenues	2,865,751				156,633				—			3,022,384			2,286,336			146,344			—			2,432,680			1,906,515			126,214			—			2,032,729
	Operating expenses:
	Costs of operations(b):
	Site rental	686,873				38,236				—			725,109			503,661			35,578			—			539,239			446,868			34,530			—			481,398
	Network services and other	304,144				17,543				—			321,687			173,762			15,988			—			189,750			96,057			10,930			—			106,987
	General and administrative	213,519				25,183				—			238,702			184,911			27,661			—			212,572			151,737			21,756			—			173,493
	Asset write-down charges	13,595				1,268				—			14,863			15,226			322			—			15,548			21,986			299			—			22,285
	Acquisition and integration costs	25,574				431				—			26,005			18,216			82			—			18,298			3,310			—			—			3,310
	Depreciation, amortization and accretion	741,342				32,873				—			774,215			591,428			31,164			—			622,592			522,681			30,270			—			552,951
	Total operating expenses	1,985,047				115,534				—			2,100,581			1,487,204			110,795			—			1,597,999			1,242,639			97,785			—			1,340,424
	Operating income (loss)	880,704				41,099				—			921,803			799,132			35,549			—			834,681			663,876			28,429			—			692,305
	Interest expense and amortization of deferred financing costs	(589,630		)		(16,545		)		16,545			(589,630		)	(601,031		)	(19,330		)	19,317			(601,044		)	(507,264		)	(22,974		)	22,651			(507,587		)
	Gains (losses) on retirement of long-term obligations	(37,127		)		—				—			(37,127		)	(131,974		)	—			—			(131,974		)	—			—			—			—
	Interest income	956				399				—			1,355			4,089			467			—			4,556			187			479			—			666
	Other income (expense)	12,643				30				(16,545		)	(3,872		)	13,954			(29		)	(19,317		)	(5,392		)	17,048			26			(22,651		)	(5,577		)
	Benefit (provision) for income taxes	(191,000		)		(7,628		)		—			(198,628		)	60,144			39,917			—			100,061			(6,126		)	(2,221		)	—			(8,347		)
	Net income (loss)	76,546				17,355				—			93,901			144,314			56,574			—			200,888			167,721			3,739			—			171,460
	Less: Net income (loss) attributable to the noncontrolling interest	—				3,790				—			3,790			(268		)	12,572			—			12,304			(348		)	731			—			383
	Net income (loss) attributable to CCIC stockholders	$	76,546			$	13,565			$	—		$	90,111		$	144,582		$	44,002		$	—		$	188,584		$	168,069		$	3,008		$	—		$	171,077
	Capital expenditures	$	534,809			$	33,001			$	—		$	567,810		$	419,980		$	21,403		$	—		$	441,383		$	333,862		$	14,080		$	—		$	347,942
	Total assets (at year end)	$	20,466,369			$	411,679			$	(283,140	)	$	20,594,908		$	15,969,084		$	440,395		$	(320,770	)	$	16,088,709
	Goodwill (at year end)	$	4,902,950			$	13,476			$	—		$	4,916,426		$	3,116,824		$	3,133		$	—		$	3,119,957
	(a)	Elimination of inter-company borrowings and related interest expense.
	(b)	Exclusive of depreciation, amortization and accretion shown separately.
	The following are reconciliations of net income (loss) to Adjusted EBITDA for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011:
		Year Ended December 31, 2013														Year Ended December 31, 2012												Year Ended December 31, 2011
		CCUSA				CCAL				Elim(a)			Consolidated			CCUSA			CCAL			Elim(a)			Consolidated			CCUSA			CCAL			Elim(a)			Consolidated
													Total												Total												Total
	Net income (loss)	$	76,546			$	17,355			$	—		$	93,901		$	144,314		$	56,574		$	—		$	200,888		$	167,721		$	3,739		$	—		$	171,460
	Adjustments to increase (decrease) net income (loss):
	Asset write-down charges	13,595				1,268				—			14,863			15,226			322			—			15,548			21,986			299			—			22,285
	Acquisition and integration costs	25,574				431				—			26,005			18,216			82			—			18,298			3,310			—			—			3,310
	Depreciation, amortization and accretion	741,342				32,873				—			774,215			591,428			31,164			—			622,592			522,681			30,270			—			552,951
	Amortization of prepaid lease purchase price adjustments	15,473				—				—			15,473			14,166			—			—			14,166			—			—			—			—
	Interest expense and amortization of deferred financing costs	589,630				16,545				(16,545		)	589,630			601,031			19,330			(19,317		)	601,044			507,264			22,974			(22,651		)	507,587
	Gains (losses) on retirement of long-term obligations	37,127				—				—			37,127			131,974			—			—			131,974			—			—			—			—
	Interest income	(956		)		(399		)		—			(1,355		)	(4,089		)	(467		)	—			(4,556		)	(187		)	(479		)	—			(666		)
	Other income (expense)	(12,643		)		(30		)		16,545			3,872			(13,954		)	29			19,317			5,392			(17,048		)	(26		)	22,651			5,577
	Benefit (provision) for income taxes	191,000				7,628				—			198,628			(60,144		)	(39,917		)	—			(100,061		)	6,126			2,221			—			8,347
	Stock-based compensation expense	39,030				2,758				—			41,788			41,785			5,597			—			47,382			32,610			3,381			—			35,991
	Adjusted EBITDA	$	1,715,718			$	78,429			$	—		$	1,794,147		$	1,479,953		$	72,714		$	—		$	1,552,667		$	1,244,463		$	62,379		$	—		$	1,306,842
	____________________
	(a)	Elimination of inter-company borrowings and related interest expense.
	Geographic Information
	A summary of net revenues by country, based on the location of the Company's subsidiaries, is as follows:
		Years Ended December 31,
		2013				2012				2011
	United States	$	2,862,397			$	2,283,088			$	1,902,536
	Australia	156,633				146,344				126,214
	Other countries	3,354				3,248				3,979
	Total net revenues	$	3,022,384			$	2,432,680			$	2,032,729
	A summary of long-lived assets (property and equipment, goodwill and other intangible assets) by country of location is as follows:
	December 31,
	2013				2012
United States	$	17,670,665			$	12,730,337
Australia	235,493				232,099
Other countries	15,810				16,748
Total long-lived assets	$	17,921,968			$	12,979,184
Major Customers
The following table summarizes the percentage of the consolidated revenues for those customers accounting for more than 10% of the consolidated revenues (all of such customer revenues relate to the CCUSA segment). The following table is after giving effect to T-Mobile's acquisition of MetroPCS (completed in April 2013), Sprint's acquisition of Clearwire (completed in July 2013), and AT&T's pending acquisition of Leap Wireless.
	Years Ended December 31,
	2013			2012			2011
Sprint	27	%	(a)	28	%		24	%
T-Mobile	23	%	(b)	15	%		14	%
AT&T	22	%	(c)	23	%		26	%
Verizon Wireless	16	%		17	%		19	%
Total	88	%		83	%		83	%
________________
(a)	For the year ended December 31, 2013, Sprint and Clearwire accounted for 24% and 3%, respectively, of consolidated net revenues. As of December 31, 2013, Sprint and Clearwire are co-residents on approximately 7% of the Company's towers. The weighted-average remaining term on these tower tenant contracts with Sprint and Clearwire is approximately six years and three years, respectively. Revenue from Clearwire on these towers represented approximately 2% of consolidated site rental revenues for the year ended December 31, 2013.
(b)	For the year ended December 31, 2013, T-Mobile and MetroPCS accounted for 18% and 5%, respectively, of consolidated net revenues. As of December 31, 2013, T-Mobile and MetroPCS are co-residents on approximately 4% of the Company's towers. The weighted-average remaining term on these tower tenant contracts with T-Mobile and MetroPCS is approximately nine years and five years , respectively. Revenue from MetroPCS on these towers represented approximately 2% of consolidated site rental revenues for the year ended December 31, 2013.
(c)	For the year ended December 31, 2013, AT&T and Leap Wireless accounted for 19% and 3%, respectively, of consolidated net revenues. As of December 31, 2013, AT&T and Leap Wireless are co-residents on approximately 6% of the Company's towers. The weighted-average remaining term on these tower tenant contracts with AT&T and Leap Wireless is approximately eight years and three years, respectively. Revenue from Leap Wireless on these towers represented approximately 1% of consolidated site rental revenues for the year ended December 31, 2013.
Concentrations of Credit Risk
Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to concentrations of credit risk are primarily cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash and trade receivables. The Company mitigates its risk with respect to cash and cash equivalents by maintaining such deposits at high credit quality financial institutions and monitoring the credit ratings of those institutions. The Company's restricted cash is predominately held and directed by a trustee (see note 2).
The Company derives the largest portion of its revenues from customers in the wireless communications industry. The Company also has a concentration in its volume of business with Sprint, T-Mobile, AT&T, and Verizon Wireless or their agents that accounts for a significant portion of the Company's revenues, receivables, and deferred site rental receivables. The Company mitigates its concentrations of credit risk with respect to trade receivables by actively monitoring the creditworthiness of its customers, the use of customer leases with contractually determinable payment terms, or proactive management of past due balances.

Supplemental_Cash_Flow_Informa

Supplemental Cash Flow Information	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Supplemental Cash Flow Information [Abstract]	'
Supplemental Cash Flow Information	'
	Supplemental Cash Flow Information
	The following table is a summary of the supplemental cash flow information during the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011.
		Years Ended December 31,
		2013		2012		2011
	Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
	Interest paid	$	477,395	$	504,494	$	404,443
	Income taxes paid	15,591		3,375		4,340
	Supplemental disclosure of non-cash investing and financing activities:
	Increase in liabilities for purchases of property and equipment	56,279		58,638		27,094
	Conversion of 6.25% Redeemable Convertible Preferred Stock (note 11)	—		305,180		—
	Assumption of WCP Securitized Notes	—		336,273		—

Quarterly_Financial_Informatio

Quarterly Financial Information (Unaudited)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Selected Quarterly Financial Information [Abstract]	'
Quarterly Financial Information (Unaudited)	'
	Quarterly Financial Information (Unaudited)
	Summary quarterly financial information for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012 is as follows:
		Three Months Ended
		March 31			June 30			September 30			December 31
	2013:00:00
	Net revenues	$	740,060		$	734,928		$	748,977		$	798,419
	Operating income (loss)	235,055			229,961			222,839			233,948
	Gains (losses) on retirement of long-term obligations	(35,909		)	(577		)	(1		)	(640		)
	Benefit (provision) for income taxes(a)	(17,708		)	(36,587		)	(33,959		)	(110,374		)
	Net income (loss) attributable to CCIC stockholders	15,462			52,359			45,836			(23,546		)
	Net income (loss) attributable to CCIC common stockholders, per common share:
	Basic	$	0.05		$	0.18		$	0.16		$	(0.11	)
	Diluted	$	0.05		$	0.18		$	0.16		$	(0.11	)
		Three Months Ended
		March 31			June 30			September 30			December 31
	2012:00:00
	Net revenues	$	551,745		$	585,511		$	621,337		$	674,087
	Operating income (loss)	202,228			202,977			220,768			208,708
	Gains (losses) on retirement of long-term obligations	(7,068		)	(7,518		)	—			(117,388		)
	Benefit (provision) for income taxes(a)	(6,695		)	68,432			(32,300		)	70,624
	Net income (loss) attributable to CCIC stockholders	50,031			116,013			42,045			(19,505		)
	Net income (loss) attributable to CCIC common stockholders, per common share:
	Basic	$	0.17		$	0.4		$	0.14		$	(0.07	)
	Diluted	$	0.17		$	0.4		$	0.14		$	(0.07	)
	(a) Inclusive of the tax adjustment related to the REIT election of $67.4 million. See also note 10.

Subsequent_Events

Subsequent Events	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Subsequent Events [Abstract]	'
Subsequent Events [Text Block]	'
	Subsequent Events
	REIT Election
	Effective January 1, 2014, the Company announced that it commenced operating as a REIT for U.S. federal income tax purposes. See notes 2 and 10 for additional information concerning the REIT election.
	Tranche B Term Loans Maturity Extension
	On January 21, 2014, the Company amended the 2012 Credit Facility by extending the maturity date on a portion of the Tranche B Term Loans, including Incremental Tranche B Term Loans to January 2021. As of the date of the amendment, the Company's Tranche B Term Loans, including the Incremental Tranche B Term Loans and the Incremental Tranche B-2 Term Loans, consist of $2.3 billion aggregate principal amount due January 2021 and $571.3 million aggregate principal amount due January 2019.
	Dividend Declaration
	On February 20, 2014, the Company announced that its board of directors has declared a quarterly cash dividend to its common stockholders. The quarterly dividend of $0.35 per common share will be payable on March 31, 2014 to stockholders of record at the close of business on March 20, 2014.

Schedule_II_Valuation_and_Qual

Schedule II - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Schedule II Valuation and Qualifying Accounts	'
Schedule II - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts Disclosure [Text Block]	'
				Additions		Deductions
		Balance at		Charged to		Credited to		Written Off			Effect of			Balance at
		Beginning		Operations		Operations					Exchange Rate			End of
		of Year									Changes			Year
	Allowance for Doubtful Accounts Receivable:
	2013	$	7,726	$	1,351	$	—	$	(1,401	)	$	—		$	7,676
	2012	$	5,891	$	3,673	$	—	$	(1,838	)	$	—		$	7,726
	2011	$	5,683	$	1,819	$	—	$	(1,611	)	$	—		$	5,891
				Additions				Deductions
		Balance at		Charged		Charged to		Credited to			Credited to			Other			Balance at
		Beginning		to		Additional		Operations			Additional			Adjustments(a)			End of
		of Year		Operations		Paid-in Capital					Paid-in Capital						Year
						and Other					and Other
						Comprehensive					Comprehensive
						Income					Income
	Deferred Tax Valuation Allowance:
	2013	$	70,940	$	717	$	—	$	(2,174	)	$	—		$	(42,219	)	$	27,264
	2012	$	228,417	$	—	$	—	$	(166,911	)	$	(5,718	)	$	15,152		$	70,940
	2011	$	318,055	$	—	$	—	$	(83,115	)	$	(22,119	)	$	15,596		$	228,417
	____________________
	(a)	Inclusive of the effects of exchange rate changes, acquisitions, and the impact of the REIT conversion.

Summary_of_Significant_Account1

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'
Deferred Credits [Policy Text Block]	'
	Deferred Credits
	Deferred credits are included in “deferred revenues” and “deferred credits and other liabilities” on the Company's consolidated balance sheet and consist of the estimated fair value of the following items recorded in conjunction with acquisitions: (1) below-market tenant leases for contractual interests with tenants on acquired wireless infrastructure, which are amortized to site rental revenues and (2) above-market leases for land interests under the Company's wireless infrastructure, which are amortized to site rental cost of operations.
	Fair value for these deferred credits represents the difference between (1) the stated contractual payments to be made pursuant to the in-place lease and (2) management's estimate of fair market lease rates for each corresponding lease. Deferred credits are measured over a period equal to the estimated remaining economic lease term considering renewal provisions or economics associated with those renewal provisions, to the extent applicable. Deferred credits are amortized over their respected estimated lease terms at the time of acquisition.
Restricted Cash	'
	Restricted Cash
	Restricted cash represents (1) the cash held in reserve by the indenture trustees pursuant to the indenture governing certain of the Company's debt instruments, (2) cash securing performance obligations such as letters of credit, as well as (3) any other cash whose use is limited by contractual provisions. The restriction of rental cash receipts is a critical feature of certain of the Company's debt instruments, due to the applicable indenture trustee's ability to utilize the restricted cash for the payment of (1) debt service costs, (2) ground rents, (3) real estate or personal property taxes, (4) insurance premiums related to towers, (5) other assessments by governmental authorities and potential environmental remediation costs, or (6) a portion of advance rents from customers. The restricted cash in excess of required reserve balances is subsequently released to the Company in accordance with the terms of the indentures. The Company has classified the increases and decreases in restricted cash as (1) cash provided by financing activities for cash held by indenture trustees based on consideration of the terms of the related indebtedness, although the cash flows have aspects of both financing activities and operating activities, (2) cash provided by investing activities for cash securing performance obligations and restricted cash that is acquired in acquisitions, or (3) cash provided by operating activities for the other remaining restricted cash.
	The following table is a summary of the impact of restricted cash on the statement of cash flows.
		For the years ended December 31,
		2013				2012				2011
	Net cash provided by (used from) operating activities	$	(1,637	)		$	11,475			$	(17,902	)
	Net cash provided by (used from) investing activities	$	8,067			$	(46,282	)	(a)	$	(15,430	)
	Net cash provided by (used from) financing activities	$	385,982		(b)	$	(288,763	)	(b)	$	1,979
	(a)	Inclusive of $46.3 million of acquired restricted cash.
	(b)	Inclusive of $316.6 million of cash held by the trustee as of December 31, 2012 and subsequently released to retire the 7.75% Secured Notes in January 2013.
Receivables Allowance	'
	Receivables Allowance
	An allowance for doubtful accounts is recorded as an offset to accounts receivable. The Company uses judgment in estimating this allowance and considers historical collections, current credit status, or contractual provisions. Additions to the allowance for doubtful accounts are charged either to "site rental costs of operations" or to "network services and other costs of operations," as appropriate; and deductions from the allowance are recorded when specific accounts receivable are written off as uncollectible.
Lease, Policy	'
	Lease Accounting
	General. The Company classifies its leases at inception as either operating leases or capital leases. A lease is classified as a capital lease if at least one of the following criteria are met, subject to certain exceptions noted below: (1) the lease transfers ownership of the leased assets to the lessee, (2) there is a bargain purchase option, (3) the lease term is equal to 75% or more of the economic life of the leased assets, or (4) the present value of the minimum lease payments equals or exceeds 90% of the fair value of the leased assets.
	Lessee. Leases for land are evaluated for capital lease treatment if at least one of the first two criteria mentioned in the immediately preceding paragraph is present relating to the leased assets. When the Company, as lessee, classifies a lease as a capital lease, it records an asset in an amount equal to the present value of the minimum lease payments under the lease at the beginning of the lease term. Applicable operating leases are recognized on a straight-line basis as discussed under "costs of operations" below.
	Lessor. If the Company is the lessor of leased property that is part of a larger whole (including with respect to a portion of space on a tower) and for which fair value is not objectively determinable, then such a lease is accounted for as an operating lease. As applicable, operating leases are recognized on a straight-line basis as discussed under "Revenue Recognition."
Property and Equipment	'
	Property and Equipment
	Property and equipment is stated at cost, net of accumulated depreciation. Property and equipment includes land owned in fee and perpetual easements for land which have no definite life. When the Company purchases fee ownership or perpetual easements for the land previously subject to ground lease, the Company reduces the value recorded as land by the amount of any associated deferred ground lease payable or unamortized above-market leases. Depreciation is computed utilizing the straight-line method at rates based upon the estimated useful lives of the various classes of assets. Depreciation of wireless infrastructure is computed with a useful life equal to the shorter of 20 years or the term of the underlying ground lease (including optional renewal periods). Additions, renewals, and improvements are capitalized, while maintenance and repairs are expensed. Interest costs incurred related to the construction of certain property and equipment are capitalized. The carrying value of property and equipment will be reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the assets may not be recoverable.
	Abandonments and write-offs of property and equipment are recorded to "asset write-downs charges" on the Company's consolidated statement of operations and comprehensive income (loss) and were $10.2 million, $12.0 million, and $16.1 million for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012, and 2011, respectively.
Asset Retirement Obligations	'
	Asset Retirement Obligations
	Pursuant to its ground lease and easement agreements, the Company records obligations to perform asset retirement activities, including requirements to remove wireless infrastructure or remediate the land upon which the Company's wireless infrastructure resides. Asset retirement obligations are included in "deferred credits and other liabilities" on the Company's consolidated balance sheet. The liability accretes as a result of the passage of time and the related accretion expense is included in "depreciation, amortization, and accretion" on the Company's consolidated statement of operations and comprehensive income (loss). The associated asset retirement costs are capitalized as an additional carrying amount of the related long-lived asset and depreciated over the useful life of such asset.
Goodwill	'
	Goodwill
	Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price for an acquired business over the allocated value of the related net assets. The Company tests goodwill for impairment on an annual basis, regardless of whether adverse events or changes in circumstances have occurred. The annual test begins with goodwill and all intangible assets being allocated to applicable reporting units. The Company then performs a qualitative assessment to determine whether it is "more likely than not" that the fair value of the reporting units is less than its carrying amount. If it is concluded that it is "more likely than not" that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, it is necessary to perform the two-step goodwill impairment test. The two-step goodwill impairment test begins with an estimation of fair value of the reporting unit using an income approach, which looks to the present value of expected future cash flows. The first step, commonly referred to as a "step-one impairment test," is a screen for potential impairment while the second step measures the amount of impairment if there is an indication from the first step that one exists. The Company's measurement of the fair value for goodwill is based on an estimate of discounted future cash flows of the reporting unit. The Company performed its most recent annual goodwill impairment test as of October 1, 2013, which resulted in no impairments.
Intangible Assets	'
	Intangible Assets
	Intangible assets are included in "site rental contracts and customer relationships, net" and "other intangible assets, net" on the Company's consolidated balance sheet and predominately consist of the estimated fair value of the following items recorded in conjunction with acquisitions: (1) site rental contracts and customer relationships, (2) below-market leases for land interest under the acquired wireless infrastructure, (3) term easement rights for land interest under the acquired wireless infrastructure, or (4) other contractual rights such as trademarks. The site rental contracts and customer relationships intangible assets are comprised of (1) the current term of the existing contracts, (2) the expected exercise of the renewal provisions contained within the existing contracts, which automatically occur under contractual provisions, or (3) any associated relationships that are expected to generate value following the expiration of all renewal periods under existing contracts.
	The useful lives of intangible assets are estimated based on the period over which the intangible asset is expected to benefit the Company and gives consideration to the expected useful life of other assets to which the useful life may relate. Amortization expense for intangible assets is computed using the straight-line method over the estimated useful life of each of the intangible assets. The useful life of the site rental contracts and customer relationships intangible asset is limited by the maximum depreciable life of the wireless infrastructure (20 years), as a result of the interdependency of the wireless infrastructure and site rental contracts. In contrast, the site rental contracts and customer relationships are estimated to provide economic benefits for several decades because of the low rate of customer cancellations and high rate of renewals experienced to date. Thus, while site rental contracts and customer relationships are valued based upon the fair value, which includes assumptions regarding both (1) customers' exercise of optional renewals contained in the acquired contracts and (2) renewals of the acquired contracts past the contractual term including exercisable options, the site rental contracts and customer relationships are amortized over a period not to exceed 20 years as a result of the useful life being limited by the depreciable life of the wireless infrastructure.
	The carrying value of other intangible assets with finite useful lives will be reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the assets may not be recoverable. The Company has a dual grouping policy for purposes of determining the unit of account for testing impairment of the site rental contracts and customer relationships intangible assets. First, the Company pools the site rental contracts and customer relationships with the related wireless infrastructure assets into portfolio groups for purposes of determining the unit of account for impairment testing. Second and separately, the Company evaluates the site rental contracts and customer relationships by significant customer or by customer grouping for individually insignificant customers, as appropriate. If the sum of the estimated future cash flows (undiscounted) expected to result from the use or eventual disposition of an asset is less than the carrying amount of the asset, an impairment loss is recognized. Measurement of an impairment loss is based on the fair value of the asset.
Deferred Financing Costs	'
	Deferred Financing Costs
	Third-party costs incurred to obtain financing are deferred and are included in "long-term prepaid rent, deferred financing costs, and other assets" on the Company's consolidated balance sheet.
Accrued Estimated Property Taxes	'
	Accrued Estimated Property Taxes
	The accrual for estimated property tax obligations is based on assessments currently in effect or estimates of additional taxes. The Company recognizes the benefit of tax appeals upon ultimate resolution of the appeal.
Revenue Recognition	'
	Revenue Recognition
	Site rental revenues are recognized on a monthly basis over the fixed, non-cancelable term of the relevant contract (generally ranging from five to 15 years), regardless of whether the payments from the customer are received in equal monthly amounts. 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 ("CPI")). If the payment terms call for fixed escalations, prepaid rent, 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, even if such escalation provisions contain a variable element in addition to a minimum. The Company's assets related to straight-line site rental revenues are included in "other current assets" and "deferred site rental receivables." Amounts billed or received prior to being earned are deferred and reflected in "deferred revenues" and "deferred credits and other liabilities."
	Network services revenues are recognized after completion of the applicable service. Nearly all of the antenna installation services are billed on a cost-plus profit basis.
	Sales taxes or value-added taxes collected from customers and remitted to governmental authorities are presented on a net basis.
Cost of Operations	'
	Costs of Operations
	Approximately two-thirds of the Company's site rental costs of operations expenses consist of ground lease expenses, and the remainder includes property taxes, repairs and maintenance expenses, employee compensation or related benefit costs, or utilities. Generally, the ground leases for land are specific to each site and are for an initial term of five years and are renewable for pre-determined periods. The Company also enters into term easements and ground leases in which it prepays the entire term in advance. Ground lease expense is recognized on a monthly basis, regardless of whether the lease agreement payment terms require the Company to make payments annually, quarterly, monthly, or for the entire term in advance. The Company's ground leases contain fixed escalation clauses (such as fixed dollar or fixed percentage increases) or inflation-based escalation clauses (such as those tied to the CPI). If the payment terms include fixed escalation provisions, the effect of such increases is recognized on a straight-line basis. The Company calculates the straight-line ground lease expense using a time period that equals or exceeds the remaining depreciable life of the wireless infrastructure asset. Further, when a tenant has exercisable renewal options that would compel the Company to exercise existing ground lease renewal options, the Company has straight-lined the ground lease expense over a sufficient portion of such ground lease renewals to coincide with the final termination of the tenant's renewal options. The Company's non-current liability related to straight-line ground lease expense is included in "deferred credits and other liabilities" on the Company's consolidated balance sheet. The Company's asset related to prepaid ground leases is included in "prepaid expenses" and "long-term prepaid rent, deferred financing costs and other assets, net" on the Company's consolidated balance sheet.
Acquisition and Integration Costs	'
	Acquisition and Integration Costs
	All direct or incremental costs related to a business combination are expensed as incurred. Costs include severance, retention bonuses payable to employees of an acquired enterprise, temporary employees to assist with the integration of the acquired operations, or fees paid for services such as consulting, accounting, legal, or engineering reviews. These business combination costs are included in "acquisition and integration costs" on the Company's consolidated statement of operations and comprehensive income (loss).
Stock-Based Compensation	'
	Stock-Based Compensation
	Restricted Stock Awards. The Company records stock-based compensation expense only for those nonvested stock awards ("restricted stock awards") for which the requisite service is expected to be rendered. The cumulative effect of a change in the estimated number of restricted stock awards for which the requisite service is expected to be or has been rendered is recognized in the period of the change in the estimate. To the extent that the requisite service is rendered, compensation cost for accounting purposes is not reversed; rather, it is recognized regardless of whether or not the awards vest. A discussion of the Company's valuation techniques and related assumptions and estimates used to measure the Company's stock-based compensation is as follows:
	Valuation. The fair value of restricted stock awards without market conditions is determined based on the number of shares granted and the quoted price of the Company's common stock at the date of grant. The Company estimates the fair value of restricted stock awards with market conditions granted using a Monte Carlo simulation. The Company's determination of the fair value of restricted stock awards with market conditions on the date of grant is affected by its common stock price as well as assumptions regarding a number of highly complex or subjective variables. The determination of fair value using a Monte Carlo simulation requires the input of subjective assumptions, and other reasonable assumptions could provide differing results.
	Amortization Method. The Company amortizes the fair value of all restricted stock awards on a straight-line basis for each separately vesting tranche of the award (graded vesting schedule) over the requisite service periods.
	Expected Volatility. The Company estimates the volatility of its common stock at the date of grant based on the historical volatility of its common stock and implied volatility on publicly traded options on the Company's common stock.
	Risk-Free Rate. The Company bases the risk-free rate on the implied yield currently available on U.S. Treasury issues with an equivalent remaining term equal to the expected life of the award.
	Forfeitures. The Company uses historical data and management's judgment about the future employee turnover rates to estimate the number of shares for which the requisite service period will not be rendered.
Interest Expense and Amortization of Deferred Financing Costs	'
	Interest Expense and Amortization of Deferred Financing Costs
	The components of interest expense and amortization of deferred financing costs are as follows:
		Years Ended December 31,
		2013				2012				2011
	Interest expense on debt obligations	$	490,385			$	491,694			$	404,644
	Amortization of deferred financing costs	25,120				23,324				15,086
	Amortization of adjustments on long-term debt	8,541				21,297				16,090
	Amortization of interest rate swaps	64,928				65,239				71,707
	Other, net of capitalized interest	656				(510		)		60
	Total	$	589,630			$	601,044			$	507,587
	The Company amortizes deferred financing costs, discounts, premiums, and purchase price adjustments on long-term debt over the estimated term of the related borrowing using the effective interest yield method. Discounts or purchase price adjustments are presented as a reduction to the related debt obligation on the Company's consolidated balance sheet.
Income Taxes	'
	Income Taxes
	The Company accounts for income taxes using an asset and liability approach, which requires the recognition of deferred income tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences of events that have been recognized in the Company's financial statements or tax returns. Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are determined based on the temporary differences between the financial statement and tax bases of assets and liabilities using enacted tax rates. A valuation allowance is provided on deferred tax assets if it is determined that it is "more likely than not" that the asset will not be realized. During 2013, the Company de-recognized substantially all of its previously recorded U.S. federal and state deferred tax assets and liabilities in connection with completing the steps necessary to qualify to operate as a REIT and receiving final approval from the Company's board of directors. The de-recognized U.S. federal and state deferred tax assets related to the entities included in the REIT, because the expected recovery or settlement of the related assets and liabilities would not result in a taxable or deductible amount in the future. As a REIT, the Company generally will not be subject to U.S. federal corporate income tax to the extent it distributes its REIT taxable income to its stockholders. As a result, while the Company will still be permitted to use net operating loss carryforwards to offset REIT taxable income, the Company does not expect to pay taxes on its REIT taxable income, and therefore does not expect to be able to realize such deferred tax assets. The Company's small cell operations will initially be conducted through one or more wholly-owned taxable REIT subsidiaries ("TRSs"). The Company has submitted a private letter ruling request with the Internal Revenue Service ("IRS") regarding whether certain components of our small cell business and the related rents qualify as real property under Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended ("Code") Section 856 and thus can be included in our REIT. Additionally, the Company will include in TRSs its tower operations in Australia and may include certain other assets and operations in TRSs. Those TRS assets and operations will continue to be subject, as applicable, to federal and state corporate income taxes and 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 and Australia) most likely will be 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.
	The Company records a valuation allowance against deferred tax assets when it is "more likely than not" that some portion or all of the deferred tax asset will not be realized. The Company reviews the recoverability of deferred tax assets each quarter and based upon projections of future taxable income, reversing deferred tax liabilities or other known events that are expected to affect future taxable income, records a valuation allowance for assets that do not meet the "more likely than not" realization threshold. Valuation allowances may be reversed if related deferred tax assets are deemed realizable based upon changes in facts and circumstances that impact the recoverability of the asset.
	The Company recognizes a tax position if it is "more likely than not" that it will be sustained upon examination. The tax position is measured at the largest amount that is greater than 50 percent likely of being realized upon ultimate settlement. The Company reports penalties and tax-related interest expense as a component of the benefit (provision) for income taxes. As of December 31, 2013 and 2012, the Company has not recorded any penalties related to its income tax positions.
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 stockholders by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted income (loss) attributable to CCIC common stockholders, per common share is computed by dividing net income (loss) attributable to CCIC stockholders by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the period plus any potential dilutive common share equivalents, including shares issuable (1) upon the vesting of restricted stock awards as determined under the treasury stock method and (2) upon conversion of the Company's 4.50% Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock (as defined in note 12), as determined under the if-converted method. The Company's restricted stock awards are considered participating securities and may be included in the computation of earnings pursuant to the two-class. However, the Company does not present the two-class method when there is no difference between the per share amount under the two-class method and the treasury stock method.
	A reconciliation of the numerators and denominators of the basic and diluted per share computations is as follows:
		Years Ended December 31,
		2013				2012				2011
	Net income (loss) attributable to CCIC stockholders	$	90,111			$	188,584			$	171,077
	Dividends on preferred stock and losses on purchases of preferred stock	(11,363		)		(2,629		)		(22,940		)
	Net income (loss) attributable to CCIC common stockholders	$	78,748			$	185,955			$	148,137
	Weighted-average number of common shares outstanding (in thousands):
	Basic weighted-average number of common stock outstanding	298,083				289,285				283,821
	Effect of assumed dilution from potential common shares relating to restricted stock awards	1,210				1,985				2,126
	Diluted weighted-average number of common shares outstanding	299,293				291,270				285,947
	Net income (loss) attributable to CCIC common stockholders, per common share:
	Basic	$	0.26			$	0.64			$	0.52
	Diluted	$	0.26			$	0.64			$	0.52
	For the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012, and 2011, 0.6 million, 0.2 million, and 0.9 million restricted stock awards, respectively, were excluded from the dilutive common shares because certain stock price hurdles would not have been achieved assuming that December 31, 2013, 2012, and 2011 were the respective ends of the contingency periods. For the year ended December 31, 2013, 13.2 million common share equivalents related to the 4.50% Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock (as defined in note 12) were excluded from the dilutive common shares because the impact of such conversion would be anti-dilutive. For the year ended 2011, 8.3 million common share equivalents related to the 6.25% Redeemable Convertible Preferred Stock were excluded from dilutive common shares because the impact of such conversion would have been anti-dilutive. See notes 11, 12, and 13.
Foreign Currency Translation	'
	Foreign Currency Translation
	The Company's international operations use the local currency as their functional currency. The Company translates the results of these international operations using the applicable average exchange rate for the period, and translates the assets and liabilities using the applicable exchange rate at the end of the period. The cumulative effect of changes in the exchange rate is recorded as "foreign currency translation adjustments" in other comprehensive income (loss). See note 17.
Fair Values	'
	Fair Values
	The Company's assets and liabilities recorded at fair value are categorized based upon a fair value hierarchy that ranks the quality and reliability of the information used to determine fair value. The three levels of the fair value hierarchy are (1) Level 1 — quoted prices (unadjusted) in active and accessible markets, (2) Level 2 — observable prices that are based on inputs not quoted in active markets but corroborated by market data, and (3) Level 3 — unobservable inputs and are not corroborated by market data. The Company evaluates fair value hierarchy level classifications quarterly, and transfers between levels are effective at the end of the quarterly period.
	The fair value of cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash approximate the carrying value. The Company determines fair value of its debt securities based on indicative quotes (that is non-binding quotes) from brokers that require judgment to interpret market information including implied credit spreads for similar borrowings on recent trades or bid/ask prices or quotes from active markets if applicable. There were no changes since December 31, 2012 in the Company's valuation techniques used to measure fair values. See note 9 for a further discussion of fair values.
Derivative Instruments	'
	Derivative Instruments
	The Company had previously entered into interest rate swaps to manage or reduce its interest rate risk. Derivative financial instruments were entered into for periods that matched the related underlying exposures. The Company can designate derivative financial instruments as hedges. The Company can also enter into derivative financial instruments that are not designated as accounting hedges.
	Derivatives were recognized on the consolidated balance sheet at fair value. If the derivative was designated as a cash flow hedge, the effective portion of the change in the fair value of the derivative was recorded as a separate component of stockholders' equity, captioned "accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)," and recognized as increases or decreases to "interest expense and amortization of deferred financing costs" when the hedged item affects earnings. If a hedge ceased to qualify for hedge accounting, any change in the fair value of the derivative since the date it ceased to qualify was recorded to "net gain (loss) on interest rate swaps." However, any amounts previously recorded to "accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)" would remain there until the original forecasted transaction affected earnings. In situations where it becomes probable that the hedged forecasted transaction will not occur, any gains or losses that have been recorded to "accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)" are immediately reclassified to earnings.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements	'
	Recent Accounting Pronouncements
	No accounting pronouncements adopted during the year ended December 31, 2013 had a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements. No new accounting pronouncements issued during the year ended December 31, 2013, but not yet adopted, are expected to have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements.

Summary_of_Significant_Account2

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents [Table Text Block]	'
		For the years ended December 31,
		2013				2012				2011
	Net cash provided by (used from) operating activities	$	(1,637	)		$	11,475			$	(17,902	)
	Net cash provided by (used from) investing activities	$	8,067			$	(46,282	)	(a)	$	(15,430	)
	Net cash provided by (used from) financing activities	$	385,982		(b)	$	(288,763	)	(b)	$	1,979
	(a)	Inclusive of $46.3 million of acquired restricted cash.
	(b)	Inclusive of $316.6 million of cash held by the trustee as of December 31, 2012 and subsequently released to retire the 7.75% Secured Notes in January 2013.
Components of Interest Expense and Amortization of Deferred Financing Costs	'
	The components of interest expense and amortization of deferred financing costs are as follows:
		Years Ended December 31,
		2013				2012				2011
	Interest expense on debt obligations	$	490,385			$	491,694			$	404,644
	Amortization of deferred financing costs	25,120				23,324				15,086
	Amortization of adjustments on long-term debt	8,541				21,297				16,090
	Amortization of interest rate swaps	64,928				65,239				71,707
	Other, net of capitalized interest	656				(510		)		60
	Total	$	589,630			$	601,044			$	507,587
Reconciliation of the Numerators and Denominators of the Basic and Diluted Per Share Computations	'
	A reconciliation of the numerators and denominators of the basic and diluted per share computations is as follows:
		Years Ended December 31,
		2013				2012				2011
	Net income (loss) attributable to CCIC stockholders	$	90,111			$	188,584			$	171,077
	Dividends on preferred stock and losses on purchases of preferred stock	(11,363		)		(2,629		)		(22,940		)
	Net income (loss) attributable to CCIC common stockholders	$	78,748			$	185,955			$	148,137
	Weighted-average number of common shares outstanding (in thousands):
	Basic weighted-average number of common stock outstanding	298,083				289,285				283,821
	Effect of assumed dilution from potential common shares relating to restricted stock awards	1,210				1,985				2,126
	Diluted weighted-average number of common shares outstanding	299,293				291,270				285,947
	Net income (loss) attributable to CCIC common stockholders, per common share:
	Basic	$	0.26			$	0.64			$	0.52
	Diluted	$	0.26			$	0.64			$	0.52

Acquisitions_Acquisitions_Tabl

Acquisitions Acquisitions (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'
Schedule Purchase Price Allocation [Table Text Block]	'
	The final purchase price allocation for the NextG Acquisition is shown below.
	Current assets	$	70,981
	Property and equipment	515,590
	Goodwill	570,874
	Other intangible assets, net	408,000
	Other assets	4,250
	Current liabilities	(104,986		)
	Deferred credits and other liabilities	(322,175		)	(a)
	Deferred income tax liabilities	(144,817		)
	Net assets acquired	$	997,717		(b)
	(a)	Inclusive of below-market tenant leases.
	(b)	Changes to the purchase price allocation presented in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2012 resulted in a decrease of $2.7 million to goodwill. The effect of the change in the purchase price allocation on the Company's statement of operations is immaterial to the periods presented.
	T-Mobile Acquisition
	In September 2012, the Company entered into a definitive agreement with T-Mobile to acquire the exclusive rights to lease, operate, or otherwise acquire towers which, as of December 31, 2013, comprised approximately 17% of the Company's towers for approximately $2.5 billion ("T-Mobile Acquisition"). On November 30, 2012, the Company closed on the T-Mobile Acquisition. Upon closing, the Company obtained the exclusive right to lease and operate the T-Mobile towers (that are otherwise not owned by the Company). See note 1 for a further discussion of the terms of the T-Mobile lease, including the purchase option. The Company utilized cash on hand, inclusive of the proceeds from the 5.25% Senior Notes, and borrowings from the 2012 Revolver (as defined in note 7) to fund the T-Mobile Acquisition. The Company recognized acquisition and integration costs of approximately $9.2 million and $3.6 million for the years ending December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
	During the fourth quarter of 2013, the Company finalized the purchase price allocation for the T-Mobile Acquisition. The final purchase price allocation for the T-Mobile Acquisition is shown below.
	Current assets	$	17,512
	Property and equipment	1,496,281
	Goodwill	425,946
	Other intangible assets, net	414,661
	Deferred income tax assets	205,648
	Other assets	1,178
	Current liabilities	(1,207		)
	Deferred credits and other liabilities	(74,233		)	(a)
	Net assets acquired	$	2,485,786		(b)
	(a)Inclusive of above-market leases for land interests under the Company's towers.
	(b)	Changes to the preliminary purchase price allocation presented in the consolidated balance sheet in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2012 primarily include an increase of $36.9 million to property and equipment and a $42.9 million increase to deferred credits and other non-current liabilities. The effect of the change in the purchase price allocation on the Company's statement of operations is immaterial to the periods presented.
	AT&T Acquisition
	During October 2013, the Company entered into a definitive agreement with AT&T, to acquire rights to towers which, as of December 31, 2013, comprised approximately 24% of the Company's towers for $4.827 billion in cash at closing ("AT&T Acquisition"). On December 16, 2013, the Company closed on the acquisition. See note 1 for further discussion of the terms of the AT&T master prepaid lease, including the related purchase option. The Company utilized net proceeds from the October Equity Financings (as defined in note 12), and additional borrowings under the 2012 Revolver and term loans to fund the AT&T Acquisition, as well as cash on hand. For the year ended December 31, 2013, the Company recognized acquisition and integration costs related to the AT&T Acquisition of $12.2 million.
	The preliminary purchase price allocation related to the AT&T Acquisition is not finalized as of December 31, 2013, and is based upon preliminary valuation which is subject to change as the Company obtains additional information, including with respect to fixed assets, intangible assets and certain liabilities. The preliminary purchase price allocation for the AT&T Acquisition is shown below.
	Current assets	$	20,428
	Property and equipment	1,965,375
	Goodwill	1,768,535
	Other intangible assets, net	1,280,071
	Other assets	3,253
	Current liabilities	(12,929		)
	Deferred credits and other liabilities	(198,134		)	(a)
	Net assets acquired	$	4,826,599		(b)
	(a)Inclusive of above-market leases for land interests under the Company's towers.
	(b)No deferred taxes were recorded as a result of the Company's REIT election. See notes 10 and 20.
	For additional discussion of the WCP Acquisition, NextG Acquisition and T-Mobile Acquisition (collectively, "2012 Acquisitions") and the AT&T Acquisition see notes 5, 6, 7, 10, and 12.
Business Acquisition, Pro Forma Information [Table Text Block]	'
	The following table presents the unaudited proforma consolidated results of operations of the Company as if the AT&T Acquisition was completed as of January 1, 2012, and the 2012 Acquisitions were completed as of January 1, 2011 for the periods presented below. The unaudited pro forma amounts are presented for illustrative purposes only and are not necessarily indicative of future consolidated results of operations.
		Twelve Months Ended
		December 31,
		2013				2012
	Net revenues	$	3,420,658		(a)	$	3,124,010	(a)(b)
	Income (loss) before income taxes	$	241,511		(f)	$	15,566	(f)
	Benefit (provision) for income taxes	$	(178,221	)	(d)(e)	$	134,487	(d)(e)
	Net income (loss)	$	63,290		(c)(d)(f)	$	150,053	(c)(d)(f)
	Basic net income (loss) attributable to CCIC common stockholders, per common share	$	0.05		(d)	$	0.28	(d)
	Diluted net income (loss) attributable to CCIC common stockholders, per common share	$	0.05		(d)	$	0.27	(d)
	(a)	For the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, amounts are inclusive of pro forma adjustments to increase net revenues of $211.1 million and $220.6 million, respectively, that the Company expects to recognize from AT&T under AT&T's contracted lease of space on the towers acquired in the AT&T Acquisition.
	(b)	For the year ended December 31, 2012, amounts are inclusive of pro forma adjustments to increase net revenues of $148.9 million that the Company expects to recognize from T-Mobile under T-Mobile's contracted lease of space on the towers acquired in the T-Mobile Acquisition.
	(c)	For the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, amounts are inclusive of pro forma adjustments to depreciation and amortization of $218.3 million and $353.2 million, respectively, related to property and equipment and intangibles recorded as a result of the AT&T Acquisition and 2012 Acquisitions.
	(d)	For the AT&T Acquisition, pro forma amounts include the impact of the interest expense associated with the related debt financings as well as the October Equity Financings.  For the 2012 Acquisitions, pro forma amounts exclude any impact from debt financings that occurred throughout 2012 due to (1) such financings having been conducted for multiple purposes, including to lower the Company's average cost of debt, to refinance and extend certain of its debt, as well as to provide funds to finance a portion of such acquisitions and (2) such financings having not been conducted concurrently with the 2012 Acquisitions they subsequently funded in part and the fungible nature of the cash makes impracticable a determination of whether, or what portion of, the purchase prices of such acquisitions were funded with the proceeds of such financings.
	(e)	For the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, the pro forma adjustments reflects the federal statutory rate and an estimated state rate. No adjustment was made related to the Company's REIT election. See notes 10 and 20.
	(f)	Inclusive of $23.7 million and $15.5 million, respectively, of aggregate acquisition and integration costs for the years ended December 31, 2013, and 2012 related to the AT&T Acquisition and 2012 Acquisitions.

Property_and_Equipment_Tables

Property and Equipment (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]	'
Major Classes of Property and Equipment	'
	The major classes of property and equipment are as follows:
		Estimated Useful Lives	December 31,
			2013			2012
	Land(a)	—	$	1,305,942		$	1,119,592
	Buildings	40 years	70,497			56,883
	Towers and small cells	1-20 years	11,717,453			9,589,282
	Information technology assets and other	2-7 years	185,699			160,670
	Construction in process	—	401,042			240,287
	Total gross property and equipment		13,680,633			11,166,714
	Less: accumulated depreciation		(4,732,956		)	(4,249,183		)
	Total property and equipment, net		$	8,947,677		$	6,917,531
	(a)	Includes land owned in fee and perpetual easements.

Intangible_Assets_and_Deferred1

Intangible Assets and Deferred Credits (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'
Schedule of Goodwill [Table Text Block]	'
	Goodwill
	The changes in the carrying value of goodwill for the year ended December 31, 2013 were as follows:
	Balance as of December 31, 2011	$	2,035,390
	Additions due to NextG Acquisition(a)	573,617
	Additions due to WCP Acquisition (b)	54,824
	Additions due to T-Mobile Acquisition (c)	428,019
	Additions due to other acquisitions	28,113
	Effect of exchange rate fluctuations	(6		)
	Balance as of December 31, 2012	$	3,119,957
	Additions due to AT&T Acquisition (c)	1,768,535
	Additions due to other acquisitions	25,194
	Effect of exchange rate fluctuations and other adjustments	2,740
	Balance as of December 31, 2013	$	4,916,426
	(a)	The purchase price allocation for the NextG Acquisition resulted in the recognition of a substantial amount of goodwill at CCUSA relative to the purchase price based on the following:
	•	the acquired or in-process DAS have low average tenancy, which the Company believes provides an opportunity to co-locate additional tenants on those systems;
	•	the Company believes that the economics associated with DAS are similar to the economics associated with the Company's towers, whereby expected increases in revenues from additional tenants on existing DAS are expected to result in high incremental margins due to relatively fixed operating costs;
	•	the Company believes the demand for tenants to co-locate on DAS will be driven by the continued growth trends in the wireless communication industry as wireless carriers continue to focus on improving network quality and expanding capacity;
	•	the Company believes the acquired DAS are well-positioned to benefit from the anticipated growth in the wireless industry with their previously mentioned locations in the ten largest metropolitan statistical areas in the U.S.; or
	•	other intangibles not qualified for separate recognition, including the assembled work force.
	To a lesser extent, a portion of the goodwill recognized is the result of recording the tax impact of the NextG Acquisition. See also note 10.
	(b)	The Company paid a purchase price for the WCP Acquisition that resulted in goodwill at CCUSA primarily because of the strategic opportunities related to the acquired portfolio.
	(c)	The purchase price allocation for the T-Mobile Acquisition and the preliminary purchase price allocation for the AT&T Acquisition resulted in the recognition of goodwill at CCUSA primarily because of the anticipated growth opportunities in the respective tower portfolios.
Intangible Assets	'
	The following is a summary of the Company's intangible assets. See note 3 for further discussion of the Company's acquisitions.
		As of December 31, 2013											As of December 31, 2012
		Gross Carrying Value				Accumulated Amortization				Net Book Value			Gross Carrying Value		Accumulated Amortization			Net Book Value
	Site rental contracts and customer relationships	$	4,761,605			$	(1,111,262	)		$	3,650,343		$	3,566,207	$	(913,647	)	$	2,652,560
	Other intangible assets	486,751				(79,229		)		407,522			354,208		(65,072		)	289,136
	Total	$	5,248,356			$	(1,190,491	)		$	4,057,865		$	3,920,415	$	(978,719	)	$	2,941,696
Schedule of Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets by Major Class [Table Text Block]	'
	The components of the additions to intangible assets during the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012 are as follows:
		For Years Ended December 31,
		2013						2012
		Amount				Weighted-Average Amortization Period		Amount				Weighted-Average Amortization Period
						(In years)						(In years)
	Site rental contracts and customer relationships	$	1,203,596			20		$	741,526			21
	Other intangible assets	132,763			(a)	21		208,700			(b)	19
	Total	$	1,336,359			20		$	950,226			21
	(a)	$114.9 million is related to below-market leases for land interests under acquired wireless infrastructure for the year ended December 31, 2013 which is inclusive of adjustments made during 2013 related to the T-Mobile purchase price allocation (see note 3).
	(b)	$178.3 million is related to below-market leases for land interests under acquired wireless infrastructure for the year ended December 31, 2012.
Schedule of Amortization Expense	'
	Amortization expense related to intangible assets is classified as follows on the Company's consolidated statement of operations and comprehensive income (loss):
		For Years Ended December 31,
	Classification	2013				2012				2011
	Depreciation, amortization and accretion	$	204,042			$	177,163			$	159,478
	Site rental costs of operations	10,197				3,352				3,709
	Total amortization expense	$	214,239			$	180,515			$	163,187
Site Rental Contracts and Customer Relationships [Member]	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'
Schedule of Estimated Annual Amortization Expense	'
		For Years Ended December 31,
	Classification	2013				2012				2011
	Depreciation, amortization and accretion	$	204,042			$	177,163			$	159,478
	Site rental costs of operations	10,197				3,352				3,709
	Total amortization expense	$	214,239			$	180,515			$	163,187
	The estimated annual amortization expense related to intangible assets (inclusive of those recorded as an increase to "site rental costs of operations") for the years ended December 31, 2014 to 2018 is as follows:
		Years Ending December 31,
		2014				2015				2016			2017		2018
	Estimated annual amortization	$	272,944			$	267,326			$	267,273		$	266,902	$	266,732

Deferred_Credits_Tables

Deferred Credits (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Deferred credits [Abstract]	'
Deferred Credits Table [Table Text Block]	'
	The following is a summary of the Company's "deferred credits and other liabilities" as presented on the Company's consolidated balance sheet. See also notes 2 and 3.
			December 31,
			2013			2012
	Deferred ground lease payable		$	357,419		$	312,262
	Customer prepaid rent		350,474			173,420
	Above market leases for land interests, net (a)		276,319			58,195
	Deferred credits, net (b)		244,537			271,123
	Asset retirement obligation (see note 15)		118,403			94,953
	Other liabilities		2,767			618
			$	1,349,919		$	910,571
	(a)	The Company recorded $145.5 million and $17.0 million related to above-market leases for land interests under acquired wireless infrastructure for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively, which is inclusive of adjustments made during 2013 related to the T-Mobile purchase price allocation.
	(b)	For the year ended December 31, 2012, the Company recorded deferred credits of $291.9 million related to below-market tenant leases as a result of the purchase price allocation for the NextG Acquisition. The below-market tenant leases recorded in the NextG Acquisition had a weighted-average amortization period of 11 years.
Schedule of Above Market Leases	'
	The estimated amortization expense related to above-market leases for land interests under the Company's towers recorded to site rental costs of operations for the years ended December 31, 2014 to 2018 is as follows:
		Years Ending December 31,
		2014			2015			2016		2017		2018
	Above-market leases for land interests	$	21,854		$	21,839		$	21,796	$	21,767	$	21,741
Amortization of below-market tenant leases [Table Text Block]	'
	The following table summarizes the estimated annual amounts related to below-market tenant leases expected to be amortized into site rental revenues for the years ended December 31, 2014 to 2018 are as follows:
		Years Ending December 31,
		2014			2015			2016		2017		2018
	Below-market tenant leases	$	28,670		$	27,395		$	27,021	$	24,243	$	21,428

Debt_and_Other_Obligations_Tab

Debt and Other Obligations (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Debt and Other Obligations [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Long-Term Debt Instruments	'
	The following is a summary of the Company's indebtedness.
		Original		Contractual		Outstanding Balance as of December 31,						Stated
		Issue Date		Maturity								Interest Rate
				Date								as of
												December 31,
						2013			2012			2013		(a)
	Bank debt – variable rate:
	2012 Revolver	Jan. 2012		Nov. 2018/Jan. 2019	(d)	$	374,000	(b)	$	1,253,000		2.2	%	(c)
	Tranche A Term Loans	Jan. 2012		Nov. 2018/Jan. 2019	(d)	662,500			481,250			2.2	%	(c)
	Tranche B Term Loans	Jan. 2012		Jan. 2019/2021	(e)	2,864,150			1,584,000			3.3	%	(f)
	Total bank debt					3,900,650			3,318,250
	Securitized debt – fixed rate:
	January 2010 Tower Revenue Notes	Jan. 2010		2035-2040	(g)	1,900,000			1,900,000			5.8	%	(g)
	August 2010 Tower Revenue Notes	Aug. 2010		2035-2040	(g)	1,550,000			1,550,000			4.5	%	(g)
	2009 Securitized Notes	Jul-09		2019/2029	(h)	179,792			198,463			7.3	%
	WCP Securitized Notes	Jan. 2010		Nov. 2040	(i)	286,171			307,739			5.6	%	(j)
	Total securitized debt					3,915,963			3,956,202
	Bonds – fixed rate:
	9% Senior Notes	Jan. 2009		Jan. 2015		—			304,718			N/A
	7.75% Secured Notes	Apr. 2009		May-17		—			291,394			N/A
	7.125% Senior Notes	Oct. 2009		Nov. 2019		498,332			498,110			7.1	%	(k)
	5.25% Senior Notes	Oct. 2012		Jan. 2023		1,649,970			1,650,000			5.3	%
	2012 Secured Notes	Dec. 2012		2017/2023	(m)	1,500,000			1,500,000			3.4	%
	Total bonds					3,648,302			4,244,222
	Other:
	Capital leases and other obligations	Various		Various	(l)	129,585			92,568			Various		(l)
	Total debt and other obligations					11,594,500			11,611,242
	Less: current maturities and short-term debt and other current obligations					103,586			688,056
	Non-current portion of long-term debt and other long-term obligations					$	11,490,914		$	10,923,186
	(a)	Represents the weighted-average stated interest rate.
	(b)	As of December 31, 2013, the undrawn availability under the $1.5 billion senior secured revolving credit facility ("2012 Revolver") is $1.1 billion.
	(c)	The 2012 Revolver and tranche A term loans ("Tranche A Term Loans"), including the Incremental Tranche A Term Loans (as defined below) bear interest at a rate per annum equal to LIBOR plus a credit spread ranging from 1.5% to 2.25%, based on the CCOC total net leverage ratio. The Company pays a commitment fee of approximately 0.25% per annum on the undrawn available amount under the 2012 Revolver.
	(d)	The 2012 Revolver and Tranche A Term Loans have maturity dates of November 2018 (or, if the aggregate principal amount of CCOC's outstanding Tranche B Term Loans (as defined below) (the maturity date of which has not been extended to a date that is on or after July 31, 2019) is less than or equal to $500.0 million, January 31, 2019).
	(e)	The tranche B term loans ("Tranche B Term Loans"), including the Incremental Tranche B Term Loans and the Incremental Tranche B-2 Term Loans (as defined below), consist as of December 31, 2013 of $2.4 billion of aggregate principal amount due January 2019 and $500.0 million of aggregate principal amount due January 2021. See note 20 for a discussion of the extension of the maturity date of certain of the Tranche B Term Loans.
	(f)	The Tranche B Term Loans, including the Incremental Tranche B Term Loans and the Incremental Tranche B-2 Term Loans (defined below), bear interest at a rate per annum equal to LIBOR plus a credit spread range from 2.25% to 2.50% , based on CCOC's total net leverage ratio (with LIBOR subject to a floor of 0.75% per annum).
	(g)	If the respective series of the January 2010 Tower Revenue Notes and August 2010 Tower Revenue Notes (collectively, "2010 Tower Revenue Notes") are not paid in full on or prior to 2015, 2017, and 2020, as applicable, then Excess Cash Flow (as defined in the indenture) of the issuers (of such notes) will be used to repay principal of the applicable series and class of the 2010 Tower Revenue Notes, and additional interest (of an additional approximately 5% per annum) will accrue on the respective 2010 Tower Revenue Notes. The January 2010 Tower Revenue Notes consist of three series of notes with principal amounts of $300.0 million, $350.0 million, and $1.3 billion, having anticipated repayment dates in 2015, 2017, and 2020, respectively. The August 2010 Tower Revenue Notes consist of three series of notes with principal amounts of $250.0 million, $300.0 million, and $1.0 billion, having anticipated repayment dates in 2015, 2017, and 2020, respectively.
	(h)	The 2009 Securitized Notes consist of $109.8 million of principal as of December 31, 2013 that amortizes through 2019, and $70.0 million of principal as of December 31, 2013 that amortizes during the period beginning in 2019 and ending in 2029.
	(i)	The WCP securitized notes ("WCP Securitized Notes") were assumed in connection with the WCP Acquisition. The WCP Securitized Notes include a fair value adjustment that increased the debt carrying value by $7.6 million as of December 31, 2013. The anticipated repayment date is 2015 for each class. If the WCP Securitized Notes are not repaid in full by their anticipated repayment dates, the applicable interest rate increases by an additional approximately 5% per annum. If the WCP Securitized Notes are not repaid in full by their rapid amortization date of 2017, monthly principal payments commence using the excess cash flows of the issuers of the WCP Securitized Notes.
	(j)	The effective yield is approximately 4.0%, inclusive of the fair value adjustment.
	(k)	The effective yield is approximately 7.2%, inclusive of the discount.
	(l)	The Company's capital leases and other obligations bear interest rates ranging up to 10% and mature in periods ranging from less than one year to approximately 20 years.
	(m)	The Company issued $500.0 million aggregate principal amount of 2.381% secured notes due 2017 and $1.0 billion aggregate principal amount of 3.849% secured notes due 2023 (collectively, "2012 Secured Notes").
Schedule of Maturities of Long-term Debt	'
	Contractual Maturities
	The following are the scheduled contractual maturities of the total debt or other long-term obligations outstanding at December 31, 2013. 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 and WCP Securitized Notes. If the Tower Revenue Notes are not paid in full on or prior to 2015, 2017 and 2020, as applicable, then the Excess Cash Flow (as defined in the indenture) of the issuers of such notes will be used to repay principal of the applicable series and class of the Tower Revenue Notes, and additional interest (of an additional approximately 5% per annum) will accrue on the Tower Revenue Notes. If the WCP Securitized Notes are not paid in full by their anticipated repayment dates in 2015, the applicable interest rate increases by an additional approximately 5% per annum. If the WCP Securitized Notes are not repaid in full by their rapid amortization date of 2017, monthly principal payments commence using the Excess Cash Flow of the issuers of the WCP Securitized Notes.
		Years Ending December 31,
		2014				2015			2016			2017			2018		Thereafter		Total Cash Obligations		Net Unamortized Premiums		Total Debt and Other Obligations Outstanding
	Scheduled contractual maturities	$	100,550			$	99,750		$	114,418		$	612,677		$	997,390	$	9,663,761	$	11,588,546	$	5,954	$	11,594,500
Schedule of Extinguishment of Debt	'
	Debt Purchases and Redemptions
	The following is a summary of the purchases and redemptions of debt during the years ended December 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012. There were no purchases and redemptions of debt during the year ended December 31, 2011.
		Year Ending December 31, 2013
		Principal Amount				Cash Paid(a)			Gains (losses)(c)
	9% Senior Notes	314,170				332,045			(17,894		)
	7.75% Secured Notes(b)	294,362				312,465			(18,103		)
	5.25% Senior Notes	30				30			—
	Tranche A Term Loans	87,489				87,489			(399		)
	Tranche B Term Loans	30,941				30,941			(490		)
	Other	—				—			(241		)
	Total	$	726,992			$	762,970		$	(37,127	)
	(a)	Exclusive of accrued interest.
	(b)	The redemption of the 7.75% Secured Notes was funded by the release of restricted cash.
	(c)	The losses predominantly relate to cash losses, including with respect to make whole payments.
		Year Ending December 31, 2012
		Principal Amount				Cash Paid(a)			Gains (losses)(b)
	2007 Term Loans	619,125				619,125			(1,893		)
	9% Senior Notes	552,715				589,105			(62,966		)
	7.75% Secured Notes	706,045				752,332			(64,989		)
	7.5% Senior Notes	51				51			—
	WCP Securitized Notes	16,911				18,096			(681		)
	Other	—				—			(1,445		)
	Total	$	1,894,847			$	1,978,709		$	(131,974	)
	(a)	Exclusive of accrued interest.
	(b)	Inclusive of $48.1 million related to the write-off of deferred financing costs and discounts. In addition, the remainder relates to cash losses including with respect to make whole payments.

Interest_Rate_Swaps_Tables

Interest Rate Swaps (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2013

Interest Rate Derivatives [Abstract]

'

Schedule of Interest Rate Swaps Gain (Loss) in Statement of Financial Performance

'

The following table shows the effect of interest rate swaps on the consolidated statement of operations and comprehensive income (loss). The estimated net amount, pre-tax, loss that is expected to be reclassified into earnings from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) is approximately $63.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2014. See also note 9.

Interest Rate Swaps Designated as

Years Ended December 31,

Classification

Hedging Instruments(a)

2013

2012

2011

Gain (loss) recognized in other comprehensive income ("OCI") (effective portion)

$

—

$

—

$

(973

)

(b)

OCI

Gain (loss) reclassified from accumulated OCI into income (effective portion)

(64,928

)

(b)

(65,239

)

(b)

(71,707

)

(b)

Interest expense and amortization of deferred financing costs

____________________

(a)

Exclusive of benefit (provision) for income taxes.

(b)

Inclusive of the impact of forward-starting interest rate swaps which had been hedging certain anticipated refinancings, all of which were previously cash settled.

Fair_Value_Disclosures_Tables

Fair Value Disclosures (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Fair Value Disclosures	'
Estimated Fair Values and Carrying Amounts of Assets and Liabilities	'
	The following table shows the estimated fair values of the Company's financial instruments, along with the carrying amounts of the related assets (liabilities). See also note 2.
		Level in Fair Value Hierarchy	December 31, 2013				December 31, 2012
			Carrying		Fair		Carrying		Fair
			Amount		Value		Amount		Value
	Assets:
	Cash and cash equivalents	1	$	223,394	$	223,394	$	441,364	$	441,364
	Restricted cash	1	188,526		188,526		580,938		580,938
	Liabilities:
	Debt and other obligations	2	$	11,594,500	$	11,892,587	$	11,611,242	$	12,438,032

Income_Taxes_Tables

Income Taxes (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Income Taxes [Abstract]	'
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes	'
	Income (loss) before income taxes by geographic area is as follows:
		Years Ended December 31,
		2013			2012			2011
	Domestic	$	260,364		$	77,254		$	168,804
	Foreign(a)	32,165			23,573			11,003
		$	292,529		$	100,827		$	179,807
	(a)	Inclusive of income (loss) before income taxes from Australia and Puerto Rico.
Benefit (Provision) for Income Taxes	'
	The benefit (provision) for income taxes consists of the following:
		Years Ended December 31,
		2013			2012			2011
	Current:
	Federal	$	684		$	229		$	3,213
	Foreign	(6,732		)	(6,837		)	(3,377		)
	State	(12,305		)	(3,705		)	(3,557		)
	Total current	(18,353		)	(10,313		)	(3,721		)
	Deferred:
	Federal	(164,769		)	65,643			1,054
	Foreign	(6,136		)	42,714			(694		)
	State	(9,370		)	2,017			(4,986		)
	Total deferred	(180,275		)	110,374			(4,626		)
	Total tax benefit (provision)	$	(198,628	)	$	100,061		$	(8,347	)
Effective Tax Rate	'
	A reconciliation between the benefit (provision) for income taxes and the amount computed by applying the federal statutory income tax rate to the loss before income taxes is as follows:
		Years Ended December 31,
		2013			2012			2011
	Benefit (provision) for income taxes at statutory rate	$	(102,385	)	$	(35,289	)	$	(62,932	)
	Tax effect of foreign income (losses)	11,258			8,251			3,851
	Tax adjustment related to the REIT election(a)	(67,395		)	—			—
	Expenses for which no federal tax benefit was recognized	(9,570		)	(3,874		)	(5,433		)
	Valuation allowances	—			95,072			61,921
	State tax (provision) benefit, net of federal	(14,852		)	(1,097		)	(4,565		)
	Foreign tax	(12,868		)	35,877			(4,071		)
	Other	(2,816		)	1,121			2,882
		$	(198,628	)	$	100,061		$	(8,347	)
	(a)	Inclusive of a $39.8 million adjustment to reclassify a deferred tax charge from AOCI to the provision for income taxes.
Components of Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities	'
	The components of the net deferred income tax assets and liabilities are as follows:
		December 31,
		2013			2012
	Deferred income tax liabilities:
	Property and equipment	$	135,824		$	1,246,899
	Deferred site rental receivable	28,074			340,113
	Intangible assets	116,548			894,800
	Total deferred income tax liabilities	280,446			2,481,812
	Deferred income tax assets:
	Net operating loss carryforwards	134,123			950,195
	Deferred ground lease payable	7,122			121,752
	Alternate minimum tax credit carryforward	—			3,566
	Accrued liabilities	148,580			190,121
	Receivables allowance	1,228			4,140
	Prepaid lease	—			1,358,430
	Derivative instruments	—			51,380
	Capital loss carryforwards	—			29,402
	Other	5,866			5,270
	Valuation allowances	(27,264		)	(70,940		)
	Total deferred income tax assets, net	269,655			2,643,316
	Net deferred income tax asset (liabilities)	$	(10,791	)	$	161,504
Jurisdictional Components of Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities	'
	The components of the net deferred income tax assets (liabilities) are as follows:
		December 31, 2013									December 31, 2012
	Classification	Gross			Valuation			Net			Gross		Valuation			Net
					Allowance								Allowance
	Federal	$	(7,513	)	$	(12,000	)	$	(19,513	)	$	104,213	$	(29,402	)	$	74,811
	State	(807		)	(14,547		)	(15,354		)	35,474		(41,538		)	(6,064		)
	Foreign	24,793			(717		)	24,076			41,377		—			41,377
	Other comprehensive income (loss)	—			—			—			51,380		—			51,380
	Total	$	16,473		$	(27,264	)	$	(10,791	)	$	232,444	$	(70,940	)	$	161,504
Schedule of Unrecognized Tax Benefits Roll Forward	'
	The aggregate changes in the balance of unrecognized tax benefits are as follows:
		Years Ended December 31,
		2013			2012
	Balance at beginning of year	$	19,184		$	8,376
	Additions based on current year tax positions	2,365			10,808
	Balance at end of year	$	21,549		$	19,184

Stockbased_Compensation_Tables

Stock-based Compensation (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Share-based Compensation [Abstract]	'
Summary of Restricted Stock Awards Activity	'
	The following is a summary of the restricted stock award activity during the year ended December 31, 2013.
		Number of Shares		Weighted-Average
				Grant-Date
				Fair Value
		(In thousands of shares)		(In dollars per share)
	Shares outstanding at the beginning of year	2,343		$	34.2
	Shares granted	958		46.4
	Shares vested	(978	)	33.5
	Shares forfeited	(41	)	46.8
	Shares outstanding at end of year	2,282		$	39.4
Summary of the Assumptions Used in the Monte Carlo Simulation to Determine the Grant-Date Fair Value	'
	The following table summarizes the assumptions used in the Monte Carlo simulation to determine the grant-date fair value for the awards granted during the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012, and 2011, respectively, with market conditions.
		Years Ended December 31,
		2013		2012			2011
	Risk-free rate	0.4	%	0.4	%		1.4	%
	Expected volatility	23	%	31	%		48	%
	Expected dividend rate	—	%	—	%		—	%
Summary of Restricted Stock Awards Vested	'
	The following table is a summary of the restricted stock awards vested during the three years ended December 31, 2013.
	Years Ended December 31,		Total Shares		Fair Value on
			Vested		Vesting Date
			(In thousands
			of shares)
	2013		978		$	66,666
	2012		1,974		101,692
	2011		1,717		74,754
Stock Based Compensation Expense	'
	The following table discloses the components of stock-based compensation expense. For the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012, and 2011, the Company recorded tax benefits, exclusive of the change in the valuation allowance and the impact of the REIT election, of $14.5 million, $14.7 million, and $11.4 million, respectively, related to stock-based compensation expense (see note 10).
		Year Ended December 31, 2013
		CCUSA			CCAL				Consolidated
									Total
	Stock-based compensation expense:
	Site rental costs of operations	$	1,193		$	—			$	1,193
	Network services and other costs of operations	1,799			—				1,799
	General and administrative expenses	36,038			2,758				38,796
	Total stock-based compensation	$	39,030		$	2,758			$	41,788
		Year Ended December 31, 2012
		CCUSA			CCAL				Consolidated
									Total
	Stock-based compensation expense:
	Site rental costs of operations	$	3,401		$	—			$	3,401
	Network services and other costs of operations	2,721			—				2,721
	General and administrative expenses	35,822			5,597				41,419
	Total stock-based compensation	$	41,944		$	5,597			$	47,541
		Year Ended December 31, 2011
		CCUSA			CCAL				Consolidated
									Total
	Stock-based compensation expense:
	Site rental costs of operations	$	942		$	—			$	942
	Network services and other costs of operations	1,555			—				1,555
	General and administrative expenses	30,113			3,381				33,494
	Total stock-based compensation	$	32,610		$	3,381			$	35,991

Leases_Tables

Leases (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Leases [Abstract]	'
Tenant Leases	'
	Tenant Contracts
	The following table is a summary of the rental cash payments owed to the Company, as a lessor, by tenants pursuant to contractual agreements in effect as of December 31, 2013. Generally, the Company's contracts with its tenants provide for (1) annual escalations, (2) multiple renewal periods at the tenant's option, and (3) only limited termination rights at the applicable tenant's option through the current term. As of December 31, 2013, the weighted-average remaining term of tenant contracts is approximately eight years, exclusive of renewals at the tenant's option. The tenants' rental payments included in the table below are through the current terms with a maximum current term of 20 years and do not assume exercise of tenant renewal options.
		Years Ending December 31,
		2014		2015		2016		2017		2018		Thereafter		Total
	Tenant leases	$	2,474,529	$	2,432,301	$	2,342,749	$	2,256,108	$	2,155,880	$	10,419,970	$	22,081,537
Operating Leases	'
	Operating Leases
	The following table is a summary of rental cash payments owed by the Company, as lessee, to landlords pursuant to contractual agreements in effect as of December 31, 2013. The Company is obligated under non-cancelable operating contracts for land interests under 82% of its towers. The majority of these lease agreements have (1) certain termination rights that provide for cancellation after a notice period, (2) multiple renewal options at the Company's option, and (3) annual escalations. Lease agreements may also contain provisions for a contingent payment based on revenues or the gross margin derived from the wireless infrastructure located on the leased land interest. Approximately three-fourths and nine-tenths of the Company's site rental gross margins for the year ended December 31, 2013 are derived from towers where the land interest under the tower is owned or leased with final expiration dates of greater than 20 years and ten years, respectively, inclusive of renewals at the Company's option. The operating lease payments included in the table below include payments for certain renewal periods at the Company's option up to the estimated wireless infrastructure useful life of 20 years and an estimate of contingent payments based on revenues and gross margins derived from existing tenant leases.
		Years Ending December 31,
		2014		2015		2016		2017		2018		Thereafter		Total
	Operating leases	$	565,587	$	573,059	$	578,551	$	582,231	$	583,775	$	7,546,074	$	10,429,277

Operating_Segments_and_Concent1

Operating Segments and Concentrations of Credit Risk (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Operating Segments and Concentrations of Credit Risk [Abstract]	'
Financial Results of Operating Segments	'
	The financial results for the Company's operating segments are as follows:
		Year Ended December 31, 2013														Year Ended December 31, 2012												Year Ended December 31, 2011
		CCUSA				CCAL				Elim(a)			Consolidated			CCUSA			CCAL			Elim(a)			Consolidated			CCUSA			CCAL			Elim(a)			Consolidated
													Total												Total												Total
	Net revenues:
	Site rental	$	2,371,380			$	132,240			$	—		$	2,503,620		$	2,001,049		$	123,141		$	—		$	2,124,190		$	1,744,993		$	108,557		$	—		$	1,853,550
	Network services and other	494,371				24,393				—			518,764			285,287			23,203			—			308,490			161,522			17,657			—			179,179
	Net revenues	2,865,751				156,633				—			3,022,384			2,286,336			146,344			—			2,432,680			1,906,515			126,214			—			2,032,729
	Operating expenses:
	Costs of operations(b):
	Site rental	686,873				38,236				—			725,109			503,661			35,578			—			539,239			446,868			34,530			—			481,398
	Network services and other	304,144				17,543				—			321,687			173,762			15,988			—			189,750			96,057			10,930			—			106,987
	General and administrative	213,519				25,183				—			238,702			184,911			27,661			—			212,572			151,737			21,756			—			173,493
	Asset write-down charges	13,595				1,268				—			14,863			15,226			322			—			15,548			21,986			299			—			22,285
	Acquisition and integration costs	25,574				431				—			26,005			18,216			82			—			18,298			3,310			—			—			3,310
	Depreciation, amortization and accretion	741,342				32,873				—			774,215			591,428			31,164			—			622,592			522,681			30,270			—			552,951
	Total operating expenses	1,985,047				115,534				—			2,100,581			1,487,204			110,795			—			1,597,999			1,242,639			97,785			—			1,340,424
	Operating income (loss)	880,704				41,099				—			921,803			799,132			35,549			—			834,681			663,876			28,429			—			692,305
	Interest expense and amortization of deferred financing costs	(589,630		)		(16,545		)		16,545			(589,630		)	(601,031		)	(19,330		)	19,317			(601,044		)	(507,264		)	(22,974		)	22,651			(507,587		)
	Gains (losses) on retirement of long-term obligations	(37,127		)		—				—			(37,127		)	(131,974		)	—			—			(131,974		)	—			—			—			—
	Interest income	956				399				—			1,355			4,089			467			—			4,556			187			479			—			666
	Other income (expense)	12,643				30				(16,545		)	(3,872		)	13,954			(29		)	(19,317		)	(5,392		)	17,048			26			(22,651		)	(5,577		)
	Benefit (provision) for income taxes	(191,000		)		(7,628		)		—			(198,628		)	60,144			39,917			—			100,061			(6,126		)	(2,221		)	—			(8,347		)
	Net income (loss)	76,546				17,355				—			93,901			144,314			56,574			—			200,888			167,721			3,739			—			171,460
	Less: Net income (loss) attributable to the noncontrolling interest	—				3,790				—			3,790			(268		)	12,572			—			12,304			(348		)	731			—			383
	Net income (loss) attributable to CCIC stockholders	$	76,546			$	13,565			$	—		$	90,111		$	144,582		$	44,002		$	—		$	188,584		$	168,069		$	3,008		$	—		$	171,077
	Capital expenditures	$	534,809			$	33,001			$	—		$	567,810		$	419,980		$	21,403		$	—		$	441,383		$	333,862		$	14,080		$	—		$	347,942
	Total assets (at year end)	$	20,466,369			$	411,679			$	(283,140	)	$	20,594,908		$	15,969,084		$	440,395		$	(320,770	)	$	16,088,709
	Goodwill (at year end)	$	4,902,950			$	13,476			$	—		$	4,916,426		$	3,116,824		$	3,133		$	—		$	3,119,957
	(a)	Elimination of inter-company borrowings and related interest expense.
	(b)	Exclusive of depreciation, amortization and accretion shown separately.
Reconciliation of Net Income (Loss) to Adjusted EBITDA	'
	The following are reconciliations of net income (loss) to Adjusted EBITDA for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011:
		Year Ended December 31, 2013														Year Ended December 31, 2012												Year Ended December 31, 2011
		CCUSA				CCAL				Elim(a)			Consolidated			CCUSA			CCAL			Elim(a)			Consolidated			CCUSA			CCAL			Elim(a)			Consolidated
													Total												Total												Total
	Net income (loss)	$	76,546			$	17,355			$	—		$	93,901		$	144,314		$	56,574		$	—		$	200,888		$	167,721		$	3,739		$	—		$	171,460
	Adjustments to increase (decrease) net income (loss):
	Asset write-down charges	13,595				1,268				—			14,863			15,226			322			—			15,548			21,986			299			—			22,285
	Acquisition and integration costs	25,574				431				—			26,005			18,216			82			—			18,298			3,310			—			—			3,310
	Depreciation, amortization and accretion	741,342				32,873				—			774,215			591,428			31,164			—			622,592			522,681			30,270			—			552,951
	Amortization of prepaid lease purchase price adjustments	15,473				—				—			15,473			14,166			—			—			14,166			—			—			—			—
	Interest expense and amortization of deferred financing costs	589,630				16,545				(16,545		)	589,630			601,031			19,330			(19,317		)	601,044			507,264			22,974			(22,651		)	507,587
	Gains (losses) on retirement of long-term obligations	37,127				—				—			37,127			131,974			—			—			131,974			—			—			—			—
	Interest income	(956		)		(399		)		—			(1,355		)	(4,089		)	(467		)	—			(4,556		)	(187		)	(479		)	—			(666		)
	Other income (expense)	(12,643		)		(30		)		16,545			3,872			(13,954		)	29			19,317			5,392			(17,048		)	(26		)	22,651			5,577
	Benefit (provision) for income taxes	191,000				7,628				—			198,628			(60,144		)	(39,917		)	—			(100,061		)	6,126			2,221			—			8,347
	Stock-based compensation expense	39,030				2,758				—			41,788			41,785			5,597			—			47,382			32,610			3,381			—			35,991
	Adjusted EBITDA	$	1,715,718			$	78,429			$	—		$	1,794,147		$	1,479,953		$	72,714		$	—		$	1,552,667		$	1,244,463		$	62,379		$	—		$	1,306,842
	____________________
	(a)	Elimination of inter-company borrowings and related interest expense.
Summary of Net Revenue by Country	'
	A summary of net revenues by country, based on the location of the Company's subsidiaries, is as follows:
		Years Ended December 31,
		2013				2012				2011
	United States	$	2,862,397			$	2,283,088			$	1,902,536
	Australia	156,633				146,344				126,214
	Other countries	3,354				3,248				3,979
	Total net revenues	$	3,022,384			$	2,432,680			$	2,032,729
Summary of Long-Lived Assets by Country of Location	'
	A summary of long-lived assets (property and equipment, goodwill and other intangible assets) by country of location is as follows:
		December 31,
		2013				2012
	United States	$	17,670,665			$	12,730,337
	Australia	235,493				232,099
	Other countries	15,810				16,748
	Total long-lived assets	$	17,921,968			$	12,979,184
A Summary of the Percentage of the Consolidated Revenues for Those Customers Accounting for More than 10% of the Consolidated Revenues	'
	The following table summarizes the percentage of the consolidated revenues for those customers accounting for more than 10% of the consolidated revenues (all of such customer revenues relate to the CCUSA segment). The following table is after giving effect to T-Mobile's acquisition of MetroPCS (completed in April 2013), Sprint's acquisition of Clearwire (completed in July 2013), and AT&T's pending acquisition of Leap Wireless.
		Years Ended December 31,
		2013			2012			2011
	Sprint	27	%	(a)	28	%		24	%
	T-Mobile	23	%	(b)	15	%		14	%
	AT&T	22	%	(c)	23	%		26	%
	Verizon Wireless	16	%		17	%		19	%
	Total	88	%		83	%		83	%

Supplemental_Cash_Flow_Informa1

Supplemental Cash Flow Information (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Supplemental Cash Flow Information [Abstract]	'
Supplemental Disclosure of Cash Flow Information and Non-cash Investing and Financing Activities	'
	The following table is a summary of the supplemental cash flow information during the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011.
		Years Ended December 31,
		2013		2012		2011
	Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
	Interest paid	$	477,395	$	504,494	$	404,443
	Income taxes paid	15,591		3,375		4,340
	Supplemental disclosure of non-cash investing and financing activities:
	Increase in liabilities for purchases of property and equipment	56,279		58,638		27,094
	Conversion of 6.25% Redeemable Convertible Preferred Stock (note 11)	—		305,180		—
	Assumption of WCP Securitized Notes	—		336,273		—

Quarterly_Financial_Informatio1

Quarterly Financial Information (Unaudited) (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Selected Quarterly Financial Information [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Quarterly Financial Information (Unaudited)	'
	Summary quarterly financial information for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012 is as follows:
		Three Months Ended
		March 31			June 30			September 30			December 31
	2013:00:00
	Net revenues	$	740,060		$	734,928		$	748,977		$	798,419
	Operating income (loss)	235,055			229,961			222,839			233,948
	Gains (losses) on retirement of long-term obligations	(35,909		)	(577		)	(1		)	(640		)
	Benefit (provision) for income taxes(a)	(17,708		)	(36,587		)	(33,959		)	(110,374		)
	Net income (loss) attributable to CCIC stockholders	15,462			52,359			45,836			(23,546		)
	Net income (loss) attributable to CCIC common stockholders, per common share:
	Basic	$	0.05		$	0.18		$	0.16		$	(0.11	)
	Diluted	$	0.05		$	0.18		$	0.16		$	(0.11	)
		Three Months Ended
		March 31			June 30			September 30			December 31
	2012:00:00
	Net revenues	$	551,745		$	585,511		$	621,337		$	674,087
	Operating income (loss)	202,228			202,977			220,768			208,708
	Gains (losses) on retirement of long-term obligations	(7,068		)	(7,518		)	—			(117,388		)
	Benefit (provision) for income taxes(a)	(6,695		)	68,432			(32,300		)	70,624
	Net income (loss) attributable to CCIC stockholders	50,031			116,013			42,045			(19,505		)
	Net income (loss) attributable to CCIC common stockholders, per common share:
	Basic	$	0.17		$	0.4		$	0.14		$	(0.07	)
	Diluted	$	0.17		$	0.4		$	0.14		$	(0.07	)
	(a) Inclusive of the tax adjustment related to the REIT election of $67.4 million. See also note 10.

Basis_of_Presentation_Details

Basis of Presentation (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013
Ground Lease Agreement Initial Term	'5 years
Subject to Capital Lease with Sprint, TMO, or AT&T [Member]	'
Tower count as a percentage of total towers	53.00%
Leased or Operated Under Sprint Agreement [Member]	'
Ground Lease Agreement Initial Term	'32
Purchase Option Price	2,300
Tower count as a percentage of total towers	16.00%
Leased or Operated Under T-Mobile Agreement [Member]	'
Ground Lease Agreement Initial Term	'28
Tower count as a percentage of total towers	15.00%
T-Mobile [Member]	'
Purchase Option Price	2,000
AT&T lease or sublease in accordance with TMO Agreement [Member]	'
Purchase Option Price	10
Tower count as a percentage of total towers	1.00%
AT&T Transaction, Leased and Operated Sites [Member]	'
Tower count as a percentage of total towers	22.00%
AT&T [Member]	'
Ground Lease Agreement Initial Term	'28
Purchase Option Price	4,200
Tower count as a percentage of total towers	24.00%
AT&T Prior to 2025 [Member]	'
Purchase Option Price	405
CCUSA [Member]	'
Tower Count	39,600
Tower count as a percentage of total towers	96.00%
CCAL [Member]	'
Tower Count	1,700
Tower count as a percentage of total towers	4.00%

Summary_of_Significant_Account3

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013		Dec. 31, 2012		Dec. 31, 2011
			years
Development in Process	$52,200,000		$43,300,000		'
Increase (decrease) in restricted cash for operating activities	-1,637,000		11,475,000		-17,902,000
Increase (decrease) in restricted cash for investing activities	8,067,000		-46,282,000	[1]	-15,430,000
Net cash provided by (used from) financing activities	385,982,000	[2]	-288,763,000	[2]	1,979,000
Useful life of site rental contracts and customer relationships (years)	'20 years		'		'
Revenue recognition, non-cancelable lease term, minimum (years)	'		5		'
Revenue recognition, non-cancelable lease term, maximum (years)	'		15		'
Portion of company site rental costs that are ground lease expenses	0.667		'		'
Ground Lease Agreement Initial Term	'5 years		'		'
Percentage of tax position that is likely of being realized upon ultimate settlement	50.00%		'		'
Asset write-down charges	14,863,000		15,548,000		22,285,000
Maximum [Member]	'		'		'
Original Maturities of Highly Liquid Investments	'3 months		'		'
Wireless Infrastructure [Member]	'		'		'
Property, plant and equipment estimated useful life, maximum (years)	'20 years		'		'
Wireless Infrastructure [Member] | Maximum [Member]	'		'		'
Property, plant and equipment estimated useful life, maximum (years)	'20 years		'		'
Acquired [Member]	'		'		'
Increase (decrease) in restricted cash for investing activities	'		46,300,000		'
Restricted Cash Held By Trustee [Member] [Member]	'		'		'
Net cash provided by (used from) financing activities	'		316,600,000		'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Member]	'		'		'
Asset write-down charges	$10,200,000		$12,000,000		$16,100,000
[1]	Inclusive of $46.3 million of acquired restricted cash.
[2]	Inclusive of $316.6 million of cash held by the trustee as of DecemberB 31, 2012 and subsequently released to retire the 7.75% Secured Notes in January 2013.

Summary_of_Significant_Account4

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Interest Expense and Amortization of Deferred Financing Costs) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'	'	'
Interest expense on debt obligations	$490,385	$491,694	$404,644
Amortization of deferred financing costs	25,120	23,324	15,086
Amortization of discounts on long-term debt	8,541	21,297	16,090
Amortization of interest rate swaps	64,928	65,239	71,707
Other, net of capitalized interest	656	-510	60
Total	$589,630	$601,044	$507,587

Summary_of_Significant_Account5

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Per Share Information) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted, by Common Class [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net income (loss) attributable to CCIC stockholders	($23,546)	$45,836	$52,359	$15,462	($19,505)	$42,045	$116,013	$50,031	$90,111	$188,584	$171,077
Dividends on preferred stock and losses on purchases of preferred stock	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-11,363	-2,629	-22,940
Net income (loss) attributable to CCIC stockholders after deduction of dividends on preferred stock and losses on purchases of preferred stock	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	$78,748	$185,955	$148,137
Weighted-average common shares outstanding:	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Basic weighted-average number of common stock outstanding	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	298,083,000	289,285,000	283,821,000
Diluted weighted-average number of common shares outstanding	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	299,293,000	291,270,000	285,947,000
Net income (loss) attributable to CCIC common stockholders, after deduction of dividends on preferred stock, per common share:	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Basic (in dollars per share)	($0.11)	$0.16	$0.18	$0.05	($0.07)	$0.14	$0.40	$0.17	$0.26	$0.64	$0.52
Diluted (in dollars per share)	($0.11)	$0.16	$0.18	$0.05	($0.07)	$0.14	$0.40	$0.17	$0.26	$0.64	$0.52
Preferred Stock [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net income (loss) attributable to CCIC common stockholders, after deduction of dividends on preferred stock, per common share:	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Antidilutive securities excluded from computation of earnings per share (in shares)	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	13,200,000	'	'
Redeemable Convertible Preferred Stock	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net income (loss) attributable to CCIC common stockholders, after deduction of dividends on preferred stock, per common share:	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Antidilutive securities excluded from computation of earnings per share (in shares)	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	8,300,000
Preferred stock, dividend rate, percentage	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	6.25%	'	'
Restricted Stock Awards [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net income (loss) attributable to CCIC common stockholders, after deduction of dividends on preferred stock, per common share:	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Antidilutive securities excluded from computation of earnings per share (in shares)	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	600,000	200,000	900,000
Stock Options and Restricted Stock Awards [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Weighted-average common shares outstanding:	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Effect of assumed dilution from potential common shares relating to stock options and restricted stock awards	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	1,210,000	1,985,000	2,126,000

Acquisitions_Details

Acquisitions (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013		Dec. 31, 2012		Dec. 31, 2011
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'		'		'
Net revenues	$3,420,658,000	[1]	$3,124,010,000	[1],[2]	'
Income (loss) before income taxes	241,511,000	[3]	15,566,000	[3]	'
Benefit (provision) for income taxes	-178,221,000	[4],[5]	134,487,000	[4],[5]	'
Net impact of acquisitions on revenue	17,900,000		143,300,000		'
Acquisition and integration costs	26,005,000		18,298,000		3,310,000
Acquired Finite-lived Intangible Assets, Weighted Average Useful Life	'20 years		'21 years		'
Net impact of acquisitions on net income	8,900,000		12,600,000		'
Net income (loss)	63,290,000	[3],[4],[6]	150,053,000	[3],[4],[6]	'
Basic net income (loss) attributable to CCIC common stockholders, after deduction of dividends on preferred stock, per common share	$0.05	[4]	$0.28	[4]	'
Diluted net income (loss) attributable to CCIC common stockholders, after deduction of dividends on preferred stock, per common share	$0.05	[4]	$0.27	[4]	'
Wireless Capital Partners, LLC [Member]	'		'		'
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'		'		'
Ground lease related assets	2,300		'		'
Business Combination, Consideration Transferred	214,700,000		'		'
Business Acquisition, Purchase Price Allocation	39,200,000		'		'
NextG Networks Inc. [Member]	'		'		'
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'		'		'
Acquisition and integration costs	2,100,000		10,300,000		'
Business Combination, Consideration Transferred	1,000,000,000		'		'
Business Acquisition, Purchase Price Allocation	997,717,000	[7]	'		'
Severance Costs	'		4,300,000		'
Percentage of Total Nodes	75.00%		'		'
T-Mobile [Member]	'		'		'
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'		'		'
Acquisition and integration costs	9,200,000		3,600,000		'
Business Combination, Consideration Transferred	2,500,000,000		'		'
Business Acquisition, Purchase Price Allocation	2,485,786,000	[8]	'		'
AT&T [Member]	'		'		'
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'		'		'
Acquisition and integration costs	12,200,000		'		'
Business Combination, Consideration Transferred	4.827		'		'
Business Acquisition, Purchase Price Allocation	4,826,599,000	[9]	'		'
Combined Impact of T-Mobile, WCP, and NextG [Member]	'		'		'
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'		'		'
Acquisition and integration costs	'		16,200,000		'
ATT, TMO, WCP, and NextG Acquisitions [Member]	'		'		'
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'		'		'
Acquisition and integration costs	23,700,000		15,500,000		'
Total T-Mobile Towers [Member]	'		'		'
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'		'		'
Tower count as a percentage of total towers	17.00%		'		'
AT&T [Member]	'		'		'
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'		'		'
Tower count as a percentage of total towers	24.00%		'		'
Pro forma revenue adjustments [Member] | T-Mobile [Member]	'		'		'
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'		'		'
Business acquisition, pro forma adjustment	'		148,900,000		'
Pro forma revenue adjustments [Member] | AT&T [Member]	'		'		'
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'		'		'
Business acquisition, pro forma adjustment	211,100,000		220,600,000		'
Depreciation, Amortization and Accretion [Member]	'		'		'
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'		'		'
Business acquisition, pro forma adjustment	218,300,000		353,200,000		'
Long-term prepaid rent [Member] | Wireless Capital Partners, LLC [Member]	'		'		'
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'		'		'
Business Acquisition, Purchase Price Allocation	322,400,000		'		'
Acquired Finite-lived Intangible Assets, Weighted Average Useful Life	'37 years		'		'
Other Liabilities [Member] | T-Mobile [Member]	'		'		'
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'		'		'
Adjustments to purchase price allocation	42,900,000		'		'
Deferred Lease Revenue [Member] | NextG Networks Inc. [Member]	'		'		'
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'		'		'
Business Acquisition, Purchase Price Allocation	-322,175,000	[10]	'		'
Deferred Lease Revenue [Member] | T-Mobile [Member]	'		'		'
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'		'		'
Business Acquisition, Purchase Price Allocation	-74,233,000	[11]	'		'
Deferred Lease Revenue [Member] | AT&T [Member]	'		'		'
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'		'		'
Business Acquisition, Purchase Price Allocation	-198,134,000	[11]	'		'
Other Current Liabilities [Member] | NextG Networks Inc. [Member]	'		'		'
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'		'		'
Business Acquisition, Purchase Price Allocation	-104,986,000		'		'
Other Current Liabilities [Member] | T-Mobile [Member]	'		'		'
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'		'		'
Business Acquisition, Purchase Price Allocation	-1,207,000		'		'
Other Current Liabilities [Member] | AT&T [Member]	'		'		'
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'		'		'
Business Acquisition, Purchase Price Allocation	-12,929,000		'		'
Other Assets [Member] | NextG Networks Inc. [Member]	'		'		'
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'		'		'
Business Acquisition, Purchase Price Allocation	4,250,000		'		'
Other Assets [Member] | T-Mobile [Member]	'		'		'
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'		'		'
Business Acquisition, Purchase Price Allocation	1,178,000		'		'
Other Assets [Member] | AT&T [Member]	'		'		'
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'		'		'
Business Acquisition, Purchase Price Allocation	3,253,000		'		'
Other Intangible Assets [Member] | NextG Networks Inc. [Member]	'		'		'
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'		'		'
Business Acquisition, Purchase Price Allocation	408,000,000		'		'
Other Intangible Assets [Member] | T-Mobile [Member]	'		'		'
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'		'		'
Business Acquisition, Purchase Price Allocation	414,661,000		'		'
Other Intangible Assets [Member] | AT&T [Member]	'		'		'
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'		'		'
Business Acquisition, Purchase Price Allocation	1,280,071,000		'		'
Goodwill [Member] | NextG Networks Inc. [Member]	'		'		'
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'		'		'
Adjustments to purchase price allocation	2,700,000		'		'
Business Acquisition, Purchase Price Allocation	570,874,000		'		'
Goodwill [Member] | T-Mobile [Member]	'		'		'
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'		'		'
Business Acquisition, Purchase Price Allocation	425,946,000		'		'
Goodwill [Member] | AT&T [Member]	'		'		'
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'		'		'
Business Acquisition, Purchase Price Allocation	1,768,535,000		'		'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Member] | NextG Networks Inc. [Member]	'		'		'
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'		'		'
Business Acquisition, Purchase Price Allocation	515,590,000		'		'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Member] | T-Mobile [Member]	'		'		'
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'		'		'
Adjustments to purchase price allocation	36,900,000		'		'
Business Acquisition, Purchase Price Allocation	1,496,281,000		'		'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Member] | AT&T [Member]	'		'		'
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'		'		'
Business Acquisition, Purchase Price Allocation	1,965,375,000		'		'
Prepaid Expenses and Other Current Assets [Member] | NextG Networks Inc. [Member]	'		'		'
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'		'		'
Business Acquisition, Purchase Price Allocation	70,981,000		'		'
Prepaid Expenses and Other Current Assets [Member] | T-Mobile [Member]	'		'		'
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'		'		'
Business Acquisition, Purchase Price Allocation	17,512,000		'		'
Prepaid Expenses and Other Current Assets [Member] | AT&T [Member]	'		'		'
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'		'		'
Business Acquisition, Purchase Price Allocation	20,428,000		'		'
WCP Securitized Notes [Member] | Wireless Capital Partners, LLC [Member]	'		'		'
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'		'		'
Business Acquisition, Purchase Price Allocation	336,300,000		'		'
Deferred Tax Assets (Liabilities) [Member] | NextG Networks Inc. [Member]	'		'		'
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'		'		'
Business Acquisition, Purchase Price Allocation	-144,817,000		'		'
Deferred Tax Assets (Liabilities) [Member] | T-Mobile [Member]	'		'		'
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'		'		'
Business Acquisition, Purchase Price Allocation	$205,648,000		'		'
[1]	For the years ended DecemberB 31, 2013 and 2012, amounts are inclusive of pro forma adjustments to increase net revenues of $211.1 million and $220.6 million, respectively, that the Company expects to recognize from AT&T under AT&T's contracted lease of space on the towers acquired in the AT&T Acquisition.
[2]	For the year ended DecemberB 31, 2012, amounts are inclusive of pro forma adjustments to increase net revenues of $148.9 million that the Company expects to recognize from T-Mobile under T-Mobile's contracted lease of space on the towers acquired in the T-Mobile Acquisition.
[3]	Inclusive of $23.7 million and $15.5 million, respectively, of aggregate acquisition and integration costs for the years ended December 31, 2013, and 2012 related to the AT&T Acquisition and 2012 Acquisitions.
[4]	For the AT&T Acquisition, pro forma amounts include the impact of the interest expense associated with the related debt financings as well as the October Equity Financings. For the 2012 Acquisitions, pro forma amounts exclude any impact from debt financings that occurred throughout 2012 due to (1) such financings having been conducted for multiple purposes, including to lower the Company's average cost of debt, to refinance and extend certain of its debt, as well as to provide funds to finance a portion of such acquisitions and (2) such financings having not been conducted concurrently with the 2012 Acquisitions they subsequently funded in part and the fungible nature of the cash makes impracticable a determination of whether, or what portion of, the purchase prices of such acquisitions were funded with the proceeds of such financings.
[5]	For the years ended DecemberB 31, 2013 and 2012, the pro forma adjustments reflects the federal statutory rate and an estimated state rate. No adjustment was made related to the Company's REIT election. See notes 10 and 20.
[6]	For the years ended DecemberB 31, 2013 and 2012, amounts are inclusive of pro forma adjustments to depreciation and amortization of $218.3 million and $353.2 million, respectively, related to property and equipment and intangibles recorded as a result of the AT&T Acquisition and 2012 Acquisitions.
[7]	Changes to the purchase price allocation presented in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended DecemberB 31, 2012 resulted in a decrease of $2.7 million to goodwill. The effect of the change in the purchase price allocation on the Company's statement of operations is immaterial to the periods presented.
[8]	Changes to the preliminary purchase price allocation presented in the consolidated balance sheet in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended DecemberB 31, 2012 primarily include an increase of $36.9 million to property and equipment and a $42.9 million increase to deferred credits and other non-current liabilities. The effect of the change in the purchase price allocation on the Company's statement of operations is immaterial to the periods presented.
[9]	No deferred taxes were recorded as a result of the Company's REIT election. See notes 10 and 20.
[10]	Inclusive of below-market tenant leases.
[11]	Inclusive of above-market leases for land interests under the Company's towers.

Property_and_Equipment_Details

Property and Equipment (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013		Dec. 31, 2012		Dec. 31, 2011
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'		'		'
Gross property and equipment	$13,680,633,000		$11,166,714,000		'
Less: accumulated depreciation	-4,732,956,000		-4,249,183,000		'
Total property and equipment, net	8,947,677,000		6,917,531,000		'
Depreciation expense	562,100,000		438,900,000		387,800,000
Capital Leased Assets, Gross	4,500,000,000		'		'
Accumulated Depreciation on Capital Lease Assets	590,500,000		'		'
Land owned in fee and perpetual easements [Member]	'		'		'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'		'		'
Gross property and equipment	1,305,942,000	[1]	1,119,592,000	[1]	'
Buildings [Member]	'		'		'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'		'		'
Gross property and equipment	70,497,000		56,883,000		'
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life	'40 years		'		'
Wireless Infrastructure [Member]	'		'		'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'		'		'
Gross property and equipment	11,717,453,000		9,589,282,000		'
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life	'20 years		'		'
Information technology assets and other [Member]	'		'		'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'		'		'
Gross property and equipment	185,699,000		160,670,000		'
Construction in Process [Member]	'		'		'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'		'		'
Gross property and equipment	$401,042,000		$240,287,000		'
Minimum [Member] | Wireless Infrastructure [Member]	'		'		'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'		'		'
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life	'1 year		'		'
Minimum [Member] | Information technology assets and other [Member]	'		'		'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'		'		'
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life	'2 years		'		'
Maximum [Member] | Wireless Infrastructure [Member]	'		'		'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'		'		'
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life	'20 years		'		'
Maximum [Member] | Information technology assets and other [Member]	'		'		'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'		'		'
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life	'7 years		'		'
[1]	Includes land owned in fee and perpetual easements.

Intangible_Assets_and_Goodwill

Intangible Assets and Goodwill (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013		Dec. 31, 2012		Dec. 31, 2011
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'		'		'
Goodwill	$4,916,426		$3,119,957		$2,035,390
Finite-lived intangible assets, gross	5,248,356		3,920,415		'
Accumulated amortization of intangible assets	-1,190,491		-978,719		'
Other intangible assets, net	407,522		289,136		'
Finite-lived intangible assets, net	4,057,865		2,941,696		'
Acquired finite-lived intangible asset, amount	1,336,359		950,226		'
Amortization expense	214,239		180,515		163,187
2012	272,944		'		'
2013	267,326		'		'
2014	267,273		'		'
2015	266,902		'		'
2016	266,732		'		'
Deferred Credits [Abstract]	'		'		'
2012	21,854		'		'
2013	21,839		'		'
2014	21,796		'		'
2015	21,767		'		'
2016	21,741		'		'
Acquired Finite-lived Intangible Assets, Weighted Average Useful Life	'20 years		'21 years		'
Site Rental Contracts and Customer Relationships [Member]	'		'		'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'		'		'
Finite-lived intangible assets, gross	4,761,605		3,566,207		'
Accumulated amortization of intangible assets	-1,111,262		-913,647		'
Finite-lived intangible assets, net	3,650,343		2,652,560		'
Acquired finite-lived intangible asset, amount	1,203,596		741,526		'
Deferred Credits [Abstract]	'		'		'
Acquired Finite-lived Intangible Assets, Weighted Average Useful Life	'20 years		'21 years		'
Below Market Leases For Land Interests [Member]	'		'		'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'		'		'
Acquired finite-lived intangible asset, amount	114,900		178,300		'
Other Intangible Assets [Member]	'		'		'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'		'		'
Finite-lived intangible assets, gross	486,751		354,208		'
Accumulated amortization of intangible assets	-79,229		-65,072		'
Other intangible assets, net	407,522		289,136		'
Acquired finite-lived intangible asset, amount	132,763	[1]	208,700	[2]	'
Deferred Credits [Abstract]	'		'		'
Acquired Finite-lived Intangible Assets, Weighted Average Useful Life	'21 years		'19 years		'
Depreciation, Amortization and Accretion [Member]	'		'		'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'		'		'
Amortization expense	204,042		177,163		159,478
Site Rental Costs of Operations [Member]	'		'		'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'		'		'
Amortization expense	10,197		3,352		3,709
NextG Networks Inc. [Member]	'		'		'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'		'		'
Goodwill, Acquired During Period	'		573,617	[3]	'
Wireless Capital Partners, LLC [Member]	'		'		'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'		'		'
Goodwill, Acquired During Period	'		54,824	[4]	'
AT&T [Member]	'		'		'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'		'		'
Goodwill, Acquired During Period	1,768,535	[5]	'		'
T-Mobile [Member]	'		'		'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'		'		'
Goodwill, Acquired During Period	'		428,019	[5]	'
Other Acquired Goodwill [Domain]	'		'		'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'		'		'
Goodwill, Acquired During Period	25,194		28,113		'
Effect of exchange rates on goodwill [Domain]	'		'		'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'		'		'
Goodwill, Acquired During Period	$2,740		($6)		'
[1]	(a)$114.9 million is related to below-market leases for land interests under acquired wireless infrastructure for the year ended DecemberB 31, 2013 which is inclusive of adjustments made during 2013 related to the T-Mobile purchase price allocation (see note 3). (b)$178.3 million is
[2]	(b)$178.3 million is related to below-market leases for land interests under acquired wireless infrastructure for the year ended DecemberB 31, 2012.Amortiza
[3]	urchase price allocation for the NextG Acquisition resulted in the recognition of a substantial amount of goodwill at CCUSA relative to the purchase price based on the following:b"the acquired or in-process DAS have low average tenancy, which the Company believes provides an opportunity to co-locate additional tenants on those systems;b"the Company believes that the economics associated with DAS are similar to the economics associated with the Company's towers, whereby expected increases in revenues from additional tenants on existing DAS are expected to result in high incremental margins due to relatively fixed operating costs;b"the Company believes the demand for tenants to co-locate on DAS will be driven by the continued growth trends in the wireless communication industry as wireless carriers continue to focus on improving network quality and expanding capacity;b"the Company believes the acquired DAS are well-positioned to benefit from the anticipated growth in the wireless industry with their previously mentioned locations in the ten largest metropolitan statistical areas in the U.S.; orb"other intangibles not qualified for separate recognition, including the assembled work force.To a lesser extent, a portion of the goodwill recognized is the result of recording the tax impact of the NextG Acquisition. See also note 10.(b)
[4]	Company paid a purchase price for the WCP Acquisition that resulted in goodwill at CCUSA primarily because of the strategic opportunities related to the acquired portfolio.
[5]	purchase price allocation for the T-Mobile Acquisition and the preliminary purchase price allocation for the AT&T Acquisition resulted in the recognition of goodwill at CCUSA primarily because of the anticipated growth opportunities in the respective tower portfolios. Int

Deferred_Credits_Details

Deferred Credits (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013		Dec. 31, 2012		Dec. 31, 2011
Deferred Revenue Arrangement [Line Items]	'		'		'
Amortization of below market tenant leases	$29,600,000		$20,800,000		'
Off-market Lease, Unfavorable	145,500,000		17,000,000		'
Weighted Average Remaining Term Of Tenant Leases	'		'11 years		'
Deferred Credit Amortization Expense, Year One	21,854,000		'		'
Deferred Credit Amortization Expense, Year Two	21,839,000		'		'
Deferred Credit Amortization Expense, Year Three	21,796,000		'		'
Deferred Credit Amortization Expense, Year Four	21,767,000		'		'
Deferred Credit Amortization Expense, Year Five	21,741,000		'		'
Deferred credits and other liabilities	1,349,919,000		910,571,000		'
deferred ground lease payable [Member]	'		'		'
Deferred Revenue Arrangement [Line Items]	'		'		'
Deferred credits and other liabilities	357,419,000		312,262,000		'
customer prepaid rent [Member]	'		'		'
Deferred Revenue Arrangement [Line Items]	'		'		'
Deferred credits and other liabilities	350,474,000		173,420,000		'
Above Market Leases [Member]	'		'		'
Deferred Revenue Arrangement [Line Items]	'		'		'
Amortization of above and below Market Leases	7,200,000		3,400,000		3,800,000
Deferred credits and other liabilities	276,319,000	[1]	58,195,000	[1]	'
deferred credits [Member]	'		'		'
Deferred Revenue Arrangement [Line Items]	'		'		'
Deferred credits and other liabilities	244,537,000	[2]	271,123,000	[2]	'
asset retirement obligations [Member]	'		'		'
Deferred Revenue Arrangement [Line Items]	'		'		'
Deferred credits and other liabilities	118,403,000		94,953,000		'
Other Liabilities [Member]	'		'		'
Deferred Revenue Arrangement [Line Items]	'		'		'
Deferred credits and other liabilities	2,767,000		618,000		'
Amortization expense, 2014 [Member]	'		'		'
Deferred Revenue Arrangement [Line Items]	'		'		'
Expected amortization of below-market tenant leases by year	28,670,000		'		'
Amortization expense, 2017 [Member]	'		'		'
Deferred Revenue Arrangement [Line Items]	'		'		'
Expected amortization of below-market tenant leases by year	24,243,000		'		'
Amortization expense, 2016 [Member]	'		'		'
Deferred Revenue Arrangement [Line Items]	'		'		'
Expected amortization of below-market tenant leases by year	27,021,000		'		'
Amortization expense, 2015 [Member]	'		'		'
Deferred Revenue Arrangement [Line Items]	'		'		'
Expected amortization of below-market tenant leases by year	27,395,000		'		'
Amortization expense, 2018 [Member]	'		'		'
Deferred Revenue Arrangement [Line Items]	'		'		'
Expected amortization of below-market tenant leases by year	21,428,000		'		'
Gross Value [Member]	'		'		'
Deferred Revenue Arrangement [Line Items]	'		'		'
Below market tenant leases	'		$291,900,000		'
[1]	The Company recorded $145.5 million and $17.0 million related to above-market leases for land interests under acquired wireless infrastructure for the years ended DecemberB 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively, which is inclusive of adjustments made during 2013 related to the T-Mobile purchase price allocation.
[2]	For the year ended DecemberB 31, 2012, the Company recorded deferred credits of $291.9 million related to below-market tenant leases as a result of the purchase price allocation for the NextG Acquisition. The below-market tenant leases recorded in the NextG Acquisition had a weighted-average amortization period of 11 years.

Debt_and_Other_Obligations_Ind

Debt and Other Obligations (Indebtedness) (Details) (USD $)

3 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Jun. 30, 2013

Mar. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Sep. 30, 2012

Jun. 30, 2012

Mar. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2011

Dec. 31, 2010

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Feb. 14, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Feb. 14, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Fixed Rate - High Yield Bonds, 9% Senior Notes [Member]

Fixed Rate - High Yield Bonds, 9% Senior Notes [Member]

Fixed Rate Debt 2009 Securitized Notes First Tranche [Member]

WCP Securitized Notes [Member]

WCP Securitized Notes [Member]

Variable Rate Revolver [Member]

2012 Revolver [Member]

2012 Revolver [Member]

Variable Rate 2012 Term Loans Tranche A [Member]

Variable Rate 2012 Term Loans Tranche B [Member]

Fixed Rate Debt 2009 Securitized Notes [Member]

Fixed Rate - High Yield Bonds, 7.125% Senior Notes [Member]

Fixed Rate - High Yield Bonds, 7.125% Senior Notes [Member]

Fixed Rate High Yield Bonds 7.5% Senior Notes [Member]

2012 Secured Notes [Member]

Capital Lease Obligations and Other [Member]

Capital Lease Obligations and Other [Member]

Fixed Rate - High Yield Bonds, 7.75% Secured Notes [Member]

Fixed Rate - High Yield Bonds, 7.75% Secured Notes [Member]

2012 Credit Facility [Member]

Bank Debt [Member]

Bank Debt [Member]

Bank Debt [Member]

Bank Debt [Member]

Bank Debt [Member]

Bank Debt [Member]

Bank Debt [Member]

Bank Debt [Member]

Securitized Debt [Member]

Securitized Debt [Member]

Securitized Debt [Member]

Securitized Debt [Member]

Securitized Debt [Member]

Securitized Debt [Member]

Securitized Debt [Member]

Securitized Debt [Member]

Securitized Debt [Member]

Securitized Debt [Member]

High Yield Bonds [Member]

High Yield Bonds [Member]

High Yield Bonds [Member]

High Yield Bonds [Member]

High Yield Bonds [Member]

High Yield Bonds [Member]

High Yield Bonds [Member]

High Yield Bonds [Member]

High Yield Bonds [Member]

High Yield Bonds [Member]

High Yield Bonds [Member]

High Yield Bonds [Member]

High Yield Bonds [Member]

High Yield Bonds [Member]

2019 [Member]

2019 [Member]

2021 [Member]

2021 [Member]

CCOC [Member]

CCOC [Member]

2012 Revolver [Member]

2012 Revolver [Member]

Variable Rate 2012 Term Loans Tranche A [Member]

Variable Rate 2012 Term Loans Tranche A [Member]

Variable Rate 2012 Term Loans Tranche B [Member]

Variable Rate 2012 Term Loans Tranche B [Member]

WCP Securitized Notes [Member]

WCP Securitized Notes [Member]

Fixed Rate Securitized Debt January 2010 Tower Revenue Notes [Member]

Fixed Rate Securitized Debt January 2010 Tower Revenue Notes [Member]

Fixed Rate Securitized Debt August 2010 Tower Revenue Notes [Member]

Fixed Rate Securitized Debt August 2010 Tower Revenue Notes [Member]

Fixed Rate Debt 2009 Securitized Notes [Member]

Fixed Rate Debt 2009 Securitized Notes [Member]

Fixed Rate High Yield Bonds 9 Percent Senior Notes [Member]

Fixed Rate High Yield Bonds 9 Percent Senior Notes [Member]

Fixed Rate - High Yield Bonds, 7.75% Secured Notes [Member]

Fixed Rate - High Yield Bonds, 7.75% Secured Notes [Member]

Fixed Rate - High Yield Bonds, 7.125% Senior Notes [Member]

Fixed Rate - High Yield Bonds, 7.125% Senior Notes [Member]

Five and One Fourth Senior Notes [Member]

Five and One Fourth Senior Notes [Member]

2012 Secured Notes [Member]

2012 Secured Notes [Member]

2012 Secured Notes [Member]

2012 secured notes tranche A [Member]

Variable Rate 2012 Term Loans Tranche B [Member]

Bank Debt [Member]

Variable Rate 2012 Term Loans Tranche B [Member]

Bank Debt [Member]

Minimum [Member]

Maximum [Member]

Variable Rate 2012 Term Loans Tranche B [Member]

Variable Rate 2012 Term Loans Tranche B [Member]

Variable Rate 2012 Term Loans Tranche B [Member]

Variable Rate 2012 Term Loans Tranche B [Member]

Debt Instrument [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Long-term Debt, Gross

$11,588,546,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$11,588,546,000

'

'

'

'

'

$109,800,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Extinguishment of Debt, Amount

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

726,992,000

1,894,847,000

'

'

314,170,000

552,715,000

'

16,911,000

'

'

-241,000

[1]

-1,445,000

[2]

87,489,000

30,941,000

619,125,000

'

'

51,000

30,000

'

'

294,362,000

[3]

706,045,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Debt Instrument, Unamortized Premium

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

7,600,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Cash and cash equivalents

223,394,000

'

'

'

441,364,000

'

'

'

223,394,000

441,364,000

80,120,000

112,531,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1,500,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Effective yield rate, inclusive of purchase price adjustments

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

4.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

7.20%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Original issue date

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1-Jan-12

'

1-Jan-12

'

1-Jan-12

'

'

'

1-Nov-10

'

1-Jan-10

'

1-Aug-10

'

1-Jul-09

'

'

'

1-Jan-09

'

1-Apr-09

'

1-Oct-09

'

1-Oct-12

'

1-Dec-12

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Contractual maturity date

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'Various

[4]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'Nov. 2018/Jan. 2019

[5]

'

'Nov. 2018/Jan. 2019

[5]

'

'Jan. 2019/2021

[6]

'

'

'

'Nov. 2040

[7]

'

'2035-2040

[8]

'

'2035-2040

[8]

'

'2019/2029

[9]

'

'

'

'Jan. 2015

'

'May 2017

'

'Nov. 2019

'

'Jan. 2023

'

'2017/2023

[10]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Total debt and other obligations

11,594,500,000

'

'

'

11,611,242,000

'

'

'

11,594,500,000

11,611,242,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

129,585,000

92,568,000

'

'

'

3,900,650,000

3,318,250,000

374,000,000

[11]

1,253,000,000

662,500,000

481,250,000

2,864,150,000

1,584,000,000

3,915,963,000

3,956,202,000

286,171,000

307,739,000

1,900,000,000

1,900,000,000

1,550,000,000

1,550,000,000

179,792,000

198,463,000

3,648,302,000

4,244,222,000

0

304,718,000

0

291,394,000

498,332,000

498,110,000

1,649,970,000

1,650,000,000

1,500,000,000

1,500,000,000

1,000,000,000

500,000,000

571,300,000

2,400,000,000

2,300,000,000

500,000,000

'

'

Less: current maturities and short-term debt and other current obligations

103,586,000

'

'

'

688,056,000

'

'

'

103,586,000

688,056,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Non-current portion of long-term debt and other long-term obligations

11,490,914,000

'

'

'

10,923,186,000

'

'

'

11,490,914,000

10,923,186,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Stated interest rate

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

7.13%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0.00%

[12],[13]

'

0.00%

[12],[13]

'

0.00%

[12],[14]

'

'

'

10.00%

[12],[15]

'

10.00%

[12],[8]

'

0.00%

[12],[8]

'

10.00%

[12]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

10.00%

[12],[16]

'

10.00%

[12]

'

0.00%

[12]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Percentage of debt instrument interest rate stated

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'Various

[12],[4]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Line of Credit Facility, Commitment Fee Percentage

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0.25%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Availability on revolver

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1,100,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Repayments of Other Long-term Debt

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

762,970,000

[17]

1,978,709,000

[17]

'

'

332,045,000

[17]

589,105,000

[17]

'

18,096,000

[17]

'

'

'

'

87,489,000

[17]

30,941,000

[17]

619,125,000

[17]

'

'

51,000

[17]

30,000

[17]

'

'

312,465,000

[17],[3]

752,332,000

[17]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Gains (losses) on retirement of long-term obligations

($640,000)

($1,000)

($577,000)

($35,909,000)

($117,388,000)

$0

($7,518,000)

($7,068,000)

($37,127,000)

[1]

($131,974,000)

[2]

$0

'

($17,894,000)

[1]

($62,966,000)

[2]

'

($681,000)

[2]

'

'

'

'

($399,000)

[1]

($490,000)

[1]

($1,893,000)

[2]

'

'

$0

[2]

$0

[1]

'

'

($18,103,000)

[1],[3]

($64,989,000)

[2]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

2.25%

2.50%

[1]

The losses predominantly relate to cash losses, including with respect to make whole payments.

[2]

Inclusive of $48.1 million related to the write-off of deferred financing costs and discounts. In addition, the remainder relates to cash losses including with respect to make whole payments.

[3]

The redemption of the 7.75% Secured Notes was funded by the release of restricted cash.

[4]

The Company's capital leases and other obligations bear interest rates ranging up to 10% and mature in periods ranging from less than one year to approximately 20 years.

[5]

The 2012 Revolver and Tranche A Term Loans have maturity dates of November 2018 (or, if the aggregate principal amount of CCOC's outstanding Tranche B Term Loans (as defined below) (the maturity date of which has not been extended to a date that is on or after July 31, 2019) is less than or equal to $500.0 million, January 31, 2019).

[6]

The tranche B term loans ("Tranche B Term Loans"), including the Incremental Tranche B Term Loans and the Incremental Tranche B-2 Term Loans (as defined below), consist as of December 31, 2013 of $2.4 billion of aggregate principal amount due January 2019 and $500.0 million of aggregate principal amount due January 2021. See note 20 for a discussion of the extension of the maturity date of certain of the Tranche B Term Loans.

[7]

The WCP securitized notes ("WCP Securitized Notes") were assumed in connection with the WCP Acquisition. The WCP Securitized Notes include a fair value adjustment that increased the debt carrying value by $7.6 million as of DecemberB 31, 2013. The anticipated repayment date is 2015 for each class. If the WCP Securitized Notes are not repaid in full by their anticipated repayment dates, the applicable interest rate increases by an additional approximately 5% per annum. If the WCP Securitized Notes are not repaid in full by their rapid amortization date of 2017, monthly principal payments commence using the excess cash flows of the issuers of the WCP Securitized Notes.

[8]

If the respective series of the January 2010 Tower Revenue Notes and August 2010 Tower Revenue Notes (collectively, "2010 Tower Revenue Notes") are not paid in full on or prior to 2015, 2017, and 2020, as applicable, then Excess Cash Flow (as defined in the indenture) of the issuers (of such notes) will be used to repay principal of the applicable series and class of the 2010 Tower Revenue Notes, and additional interest (of an additional approximately 5%B per annum) will accrue on the respective 2010 Tower Revenue Notes. The January 2010 Tower Revenue Notes consist of three series of notes with principal amounts of $300.0 million, $350.0 million, and $1.3 billion, having anticipated repayment dates in 2015, 2017, and 2020, respectively. The August 2010 Tower Revenue Notes consist of three series of notes with principal amounts of $250.0 million, $300.0 million, and $1.0 billion, having anticipated repayment dates in 2015, 2017, and 2020, respectively.

[9]

The 2009 Securitized Notes consist of $109.8 million of principal as of DecemberB 31, 2013 that amortizes through 2019, and $70.0 million of principal as of DecemberB 31, 2013 that amortizes during the period beginning in 2019 and ending in 2029.

[10]

The Company issued $500.0 million aggregate principal amount of 2.381% secured notes due 2017 and $1.0 billion aggregate principal amount of 3.849% secured notes due 2023 (collectively, "2012 Secured Notes").

[11]

As of DecemberB 31, 2013, the undrawn availability under the $1.5 billion senior secured revolving credit facility ("2012 Revolver") is $1.1 billion.

[12]

Represents the weighted-average stated interest rate.

[13]

The 2012 Revolver and tranche A term loans ("Tranche A Term Loans"), including the Incremental Tranche A Term Loans (as defined below) bear interest at a rate per annum equal to LIBOR plus a credit spread ranging from 1.5% to 2.25%, based on the CCOC total net leverage ratio. The Company pays a commitment fee of approximately 0.25% per annum on the undrawn available amount under the 2012 Revolver.

[14]

The Tranche B Term Loans, including the Incremental Tranche B Term Loans and the Incremental Tranche B-2 Term Loans (defined below), bear interest at a rate per annum equal to LIBOR plus a credit spread range from 2.25% to 2.50% , based on CCOC's total net leverage ratio (with LIBOR subject to a floor of 0.75% per annum).

[15]

The effective yield is approximately 4.0%, inclusive of the fair value adjustment.

[16]

The effective yield is approximately 7.2%, inclusive of the discount.

[17]

Exclusive of accrued interest.

Debt_and_Other_Obligations_Tex

Debt and Other Obligations (Textuals) (Details) (USD $)

12 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2011

Dec. 31, 2010

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

WCP Securitized Notes [Member]

Variable Rate Revolver [Member]

Variable Rate Revolver 2012 [Member]

Fixed Rate Securitized Debt 2010 Tower Revenue Notes [Member]

Fixed Rate Securitized Debt January 2010 Tower Revenue Notes First Tranche [Member]

Fixed Rate Securitized Debt January 2010 Tower Revenue Notes Second Tranche [Member]

Fixed Rate Securitized Debt January 2010 Tower Revenue Notes Third Tranche [Member]

Fixed Rate Securitized Debt August 2010 Tower Revenue Notes First Tranche [Member]

Fixed Rate Securitized Debt August 2010 Tower Revenue Notes Second Tranche [Member]

Fixed Rate Securitized Debt August 2010 Tower Revenue Notes Third Tranche [Member]

Fixed Rate Debt 2009 Securitized Notes First Tranche [Member]

Fixed Rate Debt 2009 Securitized Notes Second Tranche [Member]

Fixed Rate - High Yield Bonds, 7.125% Senior Notes [Member]

Fixed Rate - High Yield Bonds, 7.125% Senior Notes [Member]

Capital Lease Obligations and Other [Member]

Capital Lease Obligations and Other [Member]

High Yield Bonds - Senior Notes [Member]

Collateralized [Member]

CCOC [Member]

CCOC [Member]

CCOC [Member]

2012 secured notes tranche A [Member]

2012 Credit Facility [Member]

2012 Credit Facility [Member]

2012 Credit Facility [Member]

2012 secured notes tranche B [Member]

Variable Rate Revolver [Member]

Redeemable Convertible Preferred Stock

Tendered After the Early Tender Date [Member]

Amount redeemed after tender [Member]

Amount redeemed after tender [Member]

Amount validly tendered [Member]

Amount validly tendered [Member]

Incremental Term Loan B [Member]

Incremental Term Loan B2 [Member] [Member]

Incremental Term Loan A2 [Member]

CCOC [Member]

CCOC [Member]

CCOC [Member]

Fixed Rate High Yield Bonds 9 Percent Senior Notes [Member]

Fixed Rate - High Yield Bonds, 7.75% Secured Notes [Member]

Fixed Rate High Yield Bonds 9 Percent Senior Notes [Member]

Fixed Rate - High Yield Bonds, 7.75% Secured Notes [Member]

Fixed Rate High Yield Bonds 9 Percent Senior Notes [Member]

Senior Secured Term Loan A [Member]

Senior Secured Term Loan B [Member]

Senior Secured 2012 Revolver [Member]

Debt Instrument [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Total revolving commitment

'

'

'

'

'

$1,500,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$1,500,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Total debt and other obligations

11,611,242,000

11,594,500,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

129,585,000

92,568,000

'

'

'

'

'

500,000,000

'

'

'

1,000,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Availability on revolver

'

'

'

'

'

1,100,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Debt instrument credit spread LIBOR rate minimum

'

'

'

'

'

'

1.50%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Debt Instrument Credit Spread Libor Rate Maximum

'

'

'

'

'

'

2.25%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Additional interest accruing following anticipated repayment dates

'

'

'

'

5.00%

'

'

5.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Face amount of debt instrument

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

300,000,000

350,000,000

1,300,000,000

250,000,000

300,000,000

1,000,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

800,000,000

500,000,000

200,000,000

'

500,000,000

1,600,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Principal balance outstanding on debt instruments

'

11,588,546,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

109,800,000

70,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Effective yield rate, inclusive of purchase price adjustments

'

'

'

'

4.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

7.20%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Debt instrument interest rate stated percentage rate range maximum

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

10.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Contractual maturity date, start

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'1 year

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Contractual maturity date, end

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'20 years

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Security interest

441,364,000

223,394,000

80,120,000

112,531,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

60,800,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Property and equipment, net

6,917,531,000

8,947,677,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1,500,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Stated interest rate

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

7.13%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Debt Instrument, Covenant Description

'7.0 to 1.0

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Debt to Adjusted Cash Flow Ratio

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

7

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Redemption pricing percentage of principal amount

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

100.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Tender Offer Amount

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

313,300,000

294,400,000

800,000

670,600,000

515,500,000

Preferred Stock, Dividend Rate, Percentage

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

6.25%

'

'

'

'

'

Line of Credit Facility, Amount Outstanding

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$450,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

Debt_and_Other_Obligations_Sch

Debt and Other Obligations (Scheduled Contractual Maturities) (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'
2012	$100,550
2013	99,750
2014	114,418
2015	612,677
2016	997,390
Thereafter	9,663,761
Total Cash Obligations	11,588,546
Unamortized Discounts	5,954
Total Debt and Other Obligations Outstanding	$11,594,500

Debt_and_Other_Obligations_Deb

Debt and Other Obligations (Debt Purchases and Repayments) (Details) (USD $)

3 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Jun. 30, 2013

Mar. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Sep. 30, 2012

Jun. 30, 2012

Mar. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2011

Debt Instrument [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Principal Amount

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$726,992,000

$1,894,847,000

'

Cash Paid

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

762,970,000

[1]

1,978,709,000

[1]

'

Gains (losses) on retirement of long-term obligations

640,000

1,000

577,000

35,909,000

117,388,000

0

7,518,000

7,068,000

37,127,000

[2]

131,974,000

[3]

0

Write-off of deferred financing costs and discounts

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

48,100,000

'

Fixed Rate Debt 2009 Securitized Notes [Member]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Debt Instrument [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Principal Amount

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

619,125,000

'

Cash Paid

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

619,125,000

[1]

'

Gains (losses) on retirement of long-term obligations

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1,893,000

[3]

'

Fixed Rate - High Yield Bonds, 9% Senior Notes [Member]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Debt Instrument [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Principal Amount

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

314,170,000

552,715,000

'

Cash Paid

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

332,045,000

[1]

589,105,000

[1]

'

Gains (losses) on retirement of long-term obligations

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

17,894,000

[2]

62,966,000

[3]

'

Fixed Rate - High Yield Bonds, 7.75% Secured Notes [Member]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Debt Instrument [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Principal Amount

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

294,362,000

[4]

706,045,000

'

Cash Paid

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

312,465,000

[1],[4]

752,332,000

[1]

'

Gains (losses) on retirement of long-term obligations

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

18,103,000

[2],[4]

64,989,000

[3]

'

Fixed Rate High Yield Bonds 7.5% Senior Notes [Member]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Debt Instrument [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Principal Amount

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

51,000

'

Cash Paid

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

51,000

[1]

'

Gains (losses) on retirement of long-term obligations

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0

[3]

'

WCP Securitized Notes [Member]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Debt Instrument [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Principal Amount

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

16,911,000

'

Cash Paid

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

18,096,000

[1]

'

Gains (losses) on retirement of long-term obligations

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

681,000

[3]

'

2012 Revolver [Member]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Debt Instrument [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Principal Amount

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

($241,000)

[2]

($1,445,000)

[3]

'

[1]

Exclusive of accrued interest.

[2]

The losses predominantly relate to cash losses, including with respect to make whole payments.

[3]

Inclusive of $48.1 million related to the write-off of deferred financing costs and discounts. In addition, the remainder relates to cash losses including with respect to make whole payments.

[4]

The redemption of the 7.75% Secured Notes was funded by the release of restricted cash.

Interest_Rate_Swaps_Details

Interest Rate Swaps (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013		Dec. 31, 2012		Dec. 31, 2011
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]	'		'		'
Gain (loss) recognized in OCI (effective portion)	$0	[1]	$0	[1]	($973,000)	[1],[2]
Gain (loss) reclassified from accumulated OCI into income (effective portion)	-64,928,000	[1],[2]	-65,239,000	[1],[2]	-71,707,000	[1],[2]
Interest Rate Contract [Member] | Cash Flow Hedging [Member]	'		'		'
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]	'		'		'
Estimated amount expected to be reclassified into earnings from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) during next twelve months	$63,000,000		'		'
[1]	Exclusive of benefit (provision) for income taxes.
[2]	Inclusive of the impact of forward-starting interest rate swaps which had been hedging certain anticipated refinancings, all of which were previously cash settled.

Fair_Value_Disclosures_Estimat

Fair Value Disclosures (Estimated Fair Values and Carrying Amounts of Assets and Liabilities) (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents, carrying value	$223,394,000	$441,364,000	$80,120,000	$112,531,000
Cash and cash equivalents, fair value	223,394,000	441,364,000	'	'
Restricted cash, carrying value	188,526,000	580,938,000	'	'
Restricted cash, fair value	188,526,000	580,938,000	'	'
Long-term debt and other obligations, carrying amount	11,594,500,000	11,611,242,000	'	'
Long-term debt and other obligations, fair value	11,892,587,000	12,438,032,000	'	'
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]	'	'	'	'
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents, carrying value	1	'	'	'
Restricted cash, carrying value	1	'	'	'
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]	'	'	'	'
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Long-term debt and other obligations, carrying amount	$2	'	'	'

Income_Taxes_Narrative_Details

Income Taxes (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Federal tax benefits	($684,000)	($229,000)	($3,213,000)
Unrecognized Tax Benefits that Would Impact Effective Tax Rate	21,500,000	'	'
Unrecognized tax benefits	21,549,000	19,184,000	8,376,000
Stock Compensation Plan [Member]	'	'	'
Operating loss carryforwards	200,000,000	'	'
U.S. Federal [Member]	'	'	'
Operating loss carryforwards	2,200,000,000	'	'
U.S. Federal [Member] | Minimum [Member]	'	'	'
Operating loss carryforwards, expiration dates	31-Dec-21	'	'
U.S. Federal [Member] | Maximum [Member]	'	'	'
Operating loss carryforwards, expiration dates	31-Dec-32	'	'
State [Member]	'	'	'
Operating loss carryforwards	1,100,000,000	'	'
State [Member] | Minimum [Member]	'	'	'
Operating loss carryforwards, expiration dates	31-Dec-13	'	'
State [Member] | Maximum [Member]	'	'	'
Operating loss carryforwards, expiration dates	31-Dec-33	'	'
Foreign [Member]	'	'	'
Operating loss carryforwards	$100,000,000	'	'

Income_Taxes_Income_Loss_from_

Income Taxes (Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Income Taxes) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013		Dec. 31, 2012		Dec. 31, 2011
Income Taxes [Abstract]	'		'		'
Domestic	$260,364		$77,254		$168,804
Foreign	32,165	[1]	23,573	[1]	11,003	[1]
Income (loss) before income taxes	$292,529		$100,827		$179,807
[1]	Inclusive of income (loss) before income taxes from Australia and Puerto Rico.

Income_Taxes_Benefit_Provision

Income Taxes (Benefit (Provision) for Income Taxes) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Income Taxes [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Current Federal	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	$684	$229	$3,213
Current Foreign	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-6,732	-6,837	-3,377
Current State	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-12,305	-3,705	-3,557
Total current	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-18,353	-10,313	-3,721
Deferred Federal	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-164,769	65,643	1,054
Deferred Foreign	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-6,136	42,714	-694
Deferred State	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-9,370	2,017	-4,986
Total deferred	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-180,275	110,374	-4,626
Total benefit (provision) for income taxes	$110,374	$33,959	$36,587	$17,708	($70,624)	$32,300	($68,432)	$6,695	($198,628)	$100,061	($8,347)

Income_Taxes_Effective_Tax_Rat

Income Taxes (Effective Tax Rate) (Details) (USD $)

3 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Jun. 30, 2013

Mar. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Sep. 30, 2012

Jun. 30, 2012

Mar. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2011

Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

REIT tax adjustment to reclassify a deferred tax charge from AOCI

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$39,800,000

'

'

Benefit (provision) for income taxes at statutory rate

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

-102,385,000

-35,289,000

-62,932,000

Tax effect of foreign income (losses)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

11,258,000

8,251,000

3,851,000

Tax adjustment related to the REIT conversion

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

-67,395,000

[1]

'

'

Expenses for which no federal tax benefit was recognized

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

-9,570,000

-3,874,000

-5,433,000

Valuation allowances

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0

95,072,000

61,921,000

State tax (provision) benefit, net of federal

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

-14,852,000

-1,097,000

-4,565,000

Foreign tax

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

-12,868,000

35,877,000

-4,071,000

Other

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

-2,816,000

1,121,000

2,882,000

Total benefit (provision) for income taxes

110,374,000

33,959,000

36,587,000

17,708,000

-70,624,000

32,300,000

-68,432,000

6,695,000

-198,628,000

100,061,000

-8,347,000

Capital Loss Carryforward [Member]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Valuation Allowance, Deferred Tax Asset, Change in Amount

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$29,400,000

'

'

[1]

Inclusive of a $39.8 million adjustment to reclassify a deferred tax charge from AOCI to the provision for income taxes.

Income_Taxes_Components_of_Def

Income Taxes (Components of Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013		Dec. 31, 2012
Tax adjustment related to the REIT conversion	($67,395,000)	[1]	'
Property and equipment	135,824,000		1,246,899,000
Deferred site rental receivable	28,074,000		340,113,000
Intangible assets	116,548,000		894,800,000
Total deferred income tax liabilities	280,446,000		2,481,812,000
Net operating loss carryforwards	134,123,000		950,195,000
Deferred ground lease payable	7,122,000		121,752,000
Alternative minimum tax credit carryforward	0		3,566,000
Accrued liabilities	148,580,000		190,121,000
Receivable allowance	1,228,000		4,140,000
Prepaid lease	0		1,358,430,000
Derivative instruments	0		51,380,000
Deferred Tax Assets, Capital Loss Carryforwards	0		29,402,000
Other	5,866,000		5,270,000
Valuation allowance, asset	-27,264,000		-70,940,000
Total deferred income tax assets, net	269,655,000		2,643,316,000
Net deferred income tax assets (liabilities)	-10,791,000		161,504,000
REIT tax adjustment to reclassify a deferred tax charge from AOCI	39,800,000		'
U.S. Federal [Member]	'		'
Total Amount of Valuation Reversals	95,100,000		'
State [Member]	'		'
Total Amount of Valuation Reversals	20,100,000		'
CCAL [Member]	'		'
Total Amount of Valuation Reversals	51,100,000		'
Combined Impact of T-Mobile, WCP, and NextG [Member]	'		'
Total deferred income tax liabilities	-19,700,000		'
Net deferred income tax assets (liabilities)	-100,500,000		'
Valuation Allowance, Operating Loss Carryforwards [Member]	'		'
Valuation Allowance, Deferred Tax Asset, Change in Amount	$12,000,000		'
[1]	Inclusive of a $39.8 million adjustment to reclassify a deferred tax charge from AOCI to the provision for income taxes.

Income_Taxes_Jurisdictional_Co

Income Taxes (Jurisdictional Components of Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]	'	'
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Percent	35.00%	'
Gross, asset	$16,473	$232,444
Valuation allowance, asset	-27,264	-70,940
Net, asset	-269,655	-2,643,316
Net, liability	280,446	2,481,812
Net deferred income tax assets (liabilities)	-10,791	161,504
U.S. Federal [Member]	'	'
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]	'	'
Gross, asset	-7,513	104,213
Valuation allowance, asset	-12,000	-29,402
Net deferred income tax assets (liabilities)	19,513	-74,811
State [Member]	'	'
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]	'	'
Gross, asset	-807	35,474
Valuation allowance, asset	-14,547	-41,538
Net deferred income tax assets (liabilities)	15,354	6,064
Foreign [Member]	'	'
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]	'	'
Gross, asset	24,793	41,377
Valuation allowance, asset	-717	0
Net deferred income tax assets (liabilities)	-24,076	-41,377
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]	'	'
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]	'	'
Gross, asset	0	51,380
Valuation allowance, asset	0	0
Net deferred income tax assets (liabilities)	$0	($51,380)
Minimum [Member] | U.S. Federal [Member]	'	'
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]	'	'
Operating loss carryforwards, expiration dates	31-Dec-21	'
Minimum [Member] | State [Member]	'	'
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]	'	'
Operating loss carryforwards, expiration dates	31-Dec-13	'
Maximum [Member] | U.S. Federal [Member]	'	'
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]	'	'
Operating loss carryforwards, expiration dates	31-Dec-32	'
Maximum [Member] | State [Member]	'	'
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]	'	'
Operating loss carryforwards, expiration dates	31-Dec-33	'

Income_Taxes_Income_Taxes_Unre

Income Taxes Income Taxes (Unrecognized Tax Benefits) (Details) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Reconciliation of Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Excluding Amounts Pertaining to Examined Tax Returns [Roll Forward]	'	'
Balance at beginning of year	$19,184	$8,376
Additions based on current year tax positions	2,365	10,808
Balance at end of year	$21,549	$19,184

Redeemable_Convertible_Preferr1

Redeemable Convertible Preferred Stock (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data in Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
				Redeemable Convertible Preferred Stock	Redeemable Convertible Preferred Stock	Redeemable Convertible Preferred Stock	Redeemable Convertible Preferred Stock
Temporary Equity [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Convertible Preferred Stock, Shares Issued	'	'	'	8.1	'	'	'
Preferred Stock, Dividend Rate, Percentage	'	'	'	6.25%	'	'	'
Convertible Preferred Stock, liquidation preference per share	'	'	'	$50	'	'	'
Dividends on preferred stock	$0	$2,481	$19,487	'	'	'	'
Conversion of redeemable convertible preferred stock	8.3	'	'	'	'	'	'
Redeemable convertible preferred stock, value	'	'	'	$0	$0	$305,032	$316,581

Stockholders_Equity_Details

Stockholders' Equity (Details) (USD $)	0 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Feb. 21, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Preferred Stock, Dividend Rate, Percentage	'	$1.16	'	'
4.5% Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock, Par or Stated Value Per Share	'	$0.01	$0	'
Purchases of common stock, value	'	($99.50)	$36	$303.40
Common Stock, Dividends, Per Share, Declared	$0.35	$0.35	'	'
Common Stock	'	'	'	'
Purchases of common stock, shares	'	1,429,461	700,070	7,377,803
Minimum [Member]	'	'	'	'
Conversion factor, Preferred Stock	'	1.0811	'	'
Maximum [Member]	'	'	'	'
Conversion factor, Preferred Stock	'	1.3513	'	'

Stockbased_Compensation_Narrat

Stock-based Compensation (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'
Shares available for future issuance (in shares)	12,500,000	'	'
CCAL [Member]	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'
Stock-based compensation, liability for options and restricted units	$8.10	$11.70	'
Restricted Stock [Member]	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'
Shares granted, number of shares	1,000,000	1,000,000	900,000
Shares granted, weighted-average grant-date fair value (in dollars per share)	$46.37	$38.82	$37.05
Weighted-average requisite service period (years)	'2 years 7 months	'	'
Restricted Stock [Member] | Maximum [Member]	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Period	'5 years	'	'
Performance Awards [Member]	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'
Shares granted, number of shares	500,000	'	'
Restricted Stock Award Vesting Period Price Appreciation Hurdle	'20 days	'	'
Vesting Performance Period	'180 days	'	'
Time Vesting Awards [Member]	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'
Shares granted, number of shares	500,000	'	'
Time Vesting Awards [Member] | Minimum [Member]	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Period	'3 years	'	'
Time Vesting Awards [Member] | Maximum [Member]	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Period	'5 years	'	'

Stockbased_Compensation_Summar

Stock-based Compensation (Summary of Restricted Stock Awards Activity) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Restricted Stock [Member]	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'
Shares granted, number of shares	1,000	1,000	900
Shares granted, weighted-average grant-date fair value (in dollars per share)	$46.37	$38.82	$37.05
Restricted Stock Awards [Member]	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'
Shares outstanding at the beginning of the year, number of shares	2,343	'	'
Shares outstanding at the beginning of the year, weighted-average grant-date fair value (in dollars per share)	$34.20	'	'
Shares granted, number of shares	958	'	'
Shares granted, weighted-average grant-date fair value (in dollars per share)	$46.40	'	'
Shares vested, number of shares	-978	'	'
Shares vested, weighted-average grant-date fair value (in dollars per share)	$33.50	'	'
Shares forfeited, number of shares	-41	'	'
Shares forfeited, weighted-average grant-date fair value (in dollars per share)	$46.80	'	'
Shares outstanding at the end of year, number of shares	2,282	'	'
Shares outstanding at the end of the year, weighted-average grant-date fair value (in dollars per share)	$39.40	'	'

Stockbased_Compensation_Summar1

Stock-based Compensation (Summary of the Assumptions Used in the Monte Carlo Simulation to Determine the Grant-Date Fair Value) (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Share-based Compensation [Abstract]	'	'	'
Risk-free rate	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Expected volatility	20.00%	30.00%	50.00%
Expected dividend rate	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Stockbased_Compensation_Summar2

Stock-based Compensation (Summary of Restricted Stock Awards Vested) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
Share data in Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'
Total shares vested	978	1,974	1,717
Fair value on vesting date	$66,666,000	$101,692,000	$74,754,000
Restricted Stock [Member]	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'
Stock-based compensation expense	37,800,000	32,700,000	31,300,000
Restricted Stock Awards [Member]	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'
Unrecognized compensation expense on restricted stock awards	$33,200,000	'	'
Unrecognized compensation expense on restricted stock awards, weighted average period, years	'1 year	'	'

Stockbased_Compensation_StockB

Stock-based Compensation (Stock-Based Compensation Expense) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]	'	'	'
Stock-based compensation expense, tax benefits	$14,500,000	$14,700,000	$11,400,000
Stock-based compensation expense	41,788,000	47,541,000	35,991,000
CCUSA [Member]	'	'	'
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]	'	'	'
Stock-based compensation expense	39,030,000	41,944,000	32,610,000
CCAL [Member]	'	'	'
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]	'	'	'
Stock-based compensation expense	2,758,000	5,597,000	3,381,000
Site Rental Cost of Operations [Member]	'	'	'
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]	'	'	'
Stock-based compensation expense	1,193,000	3,401,000	942,000
Site Rental Cost of Operations [Member] | CCUSA [Member]	'	'	'
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]	'	'	'
Stock-based compensation expense	1,193,000	3,401,000	942,000
Site Rental Cost of Operations [Member] | CCAL [Member]	'	'	'
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]	'	'	'
Stock-based compensation expense	0	0	0
Network Services and Other Costs of Operations [Member]	'	'	'
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]	'	'	'
Stock-based compensation expense	1,799,000	2,721,000	1,555,000
Network Services and Other Costs of Operations [Member] | CCUSA [Member]	'	'	'
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]	'	'	'
Stock-based compensation expense	1,799,000	2,721,000	1,555,000
Network Services and Other Costs of Operations [Member] | CCAL [Member]	'	'	'
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]	'	'	'
Stock-based compensation expense	0	0	0
General and Administrative Expense [Member]	'	'	'
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]	'	'	'
Stock-based compensation expense	38,796,000	41,419,000	33,494,000
General and Administrative Expense [Member] | CCUSA [Member]	'	'	'
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]	'	'	'
Stock-based compensation expense	36,038,000	35,822,000	30,113,000
General and Administrative Expense [Member] | CCAL [Member]	'	'	'
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]	'	'	'
Stock-based compensation expense	$2,758,000	$5,597,000	$3,381,000

Employee_Benefit_Plans_Details

Employee Benefit Plans (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Defined Contribution Pension and Other Postretirement Plans Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'	'
Defined contribution plan cost to the Company	$8.10	$15.30	$6.10

Commitments_and_Contingencies_

Commitments and Contingencies (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Accretion expense related to liabilities for contingent retirement obligations	$8,100,000	$6,500,000	$5,600,000
Asset retirement obligation	118,400,000	95,000,000	'
Asset retirement obligation future outlay	1,200,000,000	'	'
Sprint [Member]	'	'	'
Taxes, Other	27,700,000	'	'
Estimated future property tax commitment	43,700,000	'	'
ATT, TMO, WCP, and NextG Acquisitions [Member]	'	'	'
Increase (Decrease) in Asset Retirement Obligations	$16,300,000	$21,100,000	'

Leases_Details

Leases (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Property Subject to or Available for Operating Lease [Line Items]	'	'	'
Weighted average remaining term of tenant leases	'8 years	'	'
Maximum Current Term	'20 years	'	'
Tenant Leases 2014	$2,474,529,000	'	'
Tenant Leases 2015	2,432,301,000	'	'
Tenant Leases 2016	2,342,749,000	'	'
Tenant Leases 2017	2,256,108,000	'	'
Tenant Leases 2018	2,155,880,000	'	'
Tenant Leases thereafter	10,419,970,000	'	'
Total tenant leases	22,081,537,000	'	'
Percentage of wireless infrastructure, office space and equipment that is on land that has non-cancelable operating leases	82.00%	'	'
Operating Leases, Owned Land Under Tower, Expiration Term	'20 years	'	'
Operating Leases, Leased Land Under Tower, Expiration Term	'10 years	'	'
Operating leases 2014	565,587,000	'	'
Operating leases 2015	573,059,000	'	'
Operating leases 2016	578,551,000	'	'
Operating leases 2017	582,231,000	'	'
Operating leases 2018	583,775,000	'	'
Operating leases thereafter	7,546,074,000	'	'
Total operating leases	10,429,277,000	'	'
Rental expense from operating leases	513,600,000	372,300,000	338,300,000
Contingent rental payments	$73,700,000	$57,600,000	$56,400,000
Greater than 10 Years, Inclusive of Renewals at the Company's Option [Member]	'	'	'
Property Subject to or Available for Operating Lease [Line Items]	'	'	'
Percentage of site rental gross margin that is derived from wireless infrastructure where the lease for the land has a final expiration date	90.00%	'	'
Greater than 20 Years, Inclusive of Renewals at the Company's Option [Member]	'	'	'
Property Subject to or Available for Operating Lease [Line Items]	'	'	'
Percentage of site rental gross margin that is derived from wireless infrastructure where the lease for the land has a final expiration date	75.00%	'	'
Wireless Infrastructure [Member]	'	'	'
Property Subject to or Available for Operating Lease [Line Items]	'	'	'
Estimated useful life, maximum, in years	'20 years	'	'

Operating_Segments_and_Concent2

Operating Segments and Concentrations of Credit Risk (Financial Results for the Company's Operating Segments) (Details) (USD $)

3 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

In Thousands, unless otherwise specified

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Jun. 30, 2013

Mar. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Sep. 30, 2012

Jun. 30, 2012

Mar. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2011

Net revenues:

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Site rental

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$2,503,620

$2,124,190

$1,853,550

Network services and other

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

518,764

308,490

179,179

Net revenues

798,419

748,977

734,928

740,060

674,087

621,337

585,511

551,745

3,022,384

2,432,680

2,032,729

Costs of Operations:

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Site rental

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

725,109

[1]

539,239

[1]

481,398

[1]

Network services and other

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

321,687

[1]

189,750

[1]

106,987

[1]

General and administrative

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

238,702

212,572

173,493

Asset write-down charges

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

14,863

15,548

22,285

Acquisition and integration costs

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

26,005

18,298

3,310

Depreciation, amortization and accretion

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

774,215

622,592

552,951

Total operating expenses

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

2,100,581

1,597,999

1,340,424

Operating income (loss)

233,948

222,839

229,961

235,055

208,708

220,768

202,977

202,228

921,803

834,681

692,305

Interest expense and amortization of deferred financing costs

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

-589,630

-601,044

-507,587

Gains (losses) on retirement of long-term obligations

-640

-1

-577

-35,909

-117,388

0

-7,518

-7,068

-37,127

[2]

-131,974

[3]

0

Interest income

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1,355

4,556

666

Other income (expense)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

-3,872

-5,392

-5,577

Benefit (provision) for income taxes

110,374

33,959

36,587

17,708

-70,624

32,300

-68,432

6,695

-198,628

100,061

-8,347

Net income (loss)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

93,901

200,888

171,460

Less: Net income (loss) attributable to the noncontrolling interest

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

3,790

12,304

383

Net income (loss) attributable to CCIC stockholders

-23,546

45,836

52,359

15,462

-19,505

42,045

116,013

50,031

90,111

188,584

171,077

Capital expenditures

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

567,810

441,383

347,942

Total assets (at year end)

20,594,908

'

'

'

16,088,709

'

'

'

20,594,908

16,088,709

'

Goodwill

4,916,426

'

'

'

3,119,957

'

'

'

4,916,426

3,119,957

2,035,390

CCUSA [Member]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Net revenues:

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Site rental

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

2,371,380

2,001,049

1,744,993

Network services and other

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

494,371

285,287

161,522

Net revenues

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

2,865,751

2,286,336

1,906,515

Costs of Operations:

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Site rental

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

686,873

503,661

446,868

Network services and other

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

304,144

173,762

96,057

General and administrative

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

213,519

184,911

151,737

Asset write-down charges

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

13,595

15,226

21,986

Acquisition and integration costs

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

25,574

18,216

3,310

Depreciation, amortization and accretion

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

741,342

591,428

522,681

Total operating expenses

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1,985,047

1,487,204

1,242,639

Operating income (loss)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

880,704

799,132

663,876

Interest expense and amortization of deferred financing costs

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

-589,630

-601,031

-507,264

Gains (losses) on retirement of long-term obligations

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

-37,127

-131,974

0

Interest income

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

956

4,089

187

Other income (expense)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

12,643

13,954

17,048

Benefit (provision) for income taxes

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

-191,000

60,144

-6,126

Net income (loss)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

76,546

144,314

167,721

Less: Net income (loss) attributable to the noncontrolling interest

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0

-268

-348

Net income (loss) attributable to CCIC stockholders

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

76,546

144,582

168,069

Capital expenditures

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

534,809

419,980

333,862

Total assets (at year end)

20,466,369

'

'

'

15,969,084

'

'

'

20,466,369

15,969,084

'

Goodwill

4,902,950

'

'

'

3,116,824

'

'

'

4,902,950

3,116,824

'

CCAL [Member]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Net revenues:

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Site rental

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

132,240

123,141

108,557

Network services and other

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

24,393

23,203

17,657

Net revenues

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

156,633

146,344

126,214

Costs of Operations:

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Site rental

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

38,236

35,578

34,530

Network services and other

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

17,543

15,988

10,930

General and administrative

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

25,183

27,661

21,756

Asset write-down charges

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1,268

322

299

Acquisition and integration costs

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

431

82

0

Depreciation, amortization and accretion

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

32,873

31,164

30,270

Total operating expenses

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

115,534

110,795

97,785

Operating income (loss)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

41,099

35,549

28,429

Interest expense and amortization of deferred financing costs

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

-16,545

-19,330

-22,974

Gains (losses) on retirement of long-term obligations

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0

0

0

Interest income

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

399

467

479

Other income (expense)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

30

-29

26

Benefit (provision) for income taxes

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

-7,628

39,917

-2,221

Net income (loss)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

17,355

56,574

3,739

Less: Net income (loss) attributable to the noncontrolling interest

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

3,790

12,572

731

Net income (loss) attributable to CCIC stockholders

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

13,565

44,002

3,008

Capital expenditures

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

33,001

21,403

14,080

Total assets (at year end)

411,679

'

'

'

440,395

'

'

'

411,679

440,395

'

Goodwill

13,476

'

'

'

3,133

'

'

'

13,476

3,133

'

Elimination [Member]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Net revenues:

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Site rental

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0

0

0

Network services and other

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0

0

0

Net revenues

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0

[4]

0

[4]

0

[4]

Costs of Operations:

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Site rental

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0

0

0

Network services and other

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0

0

0

General and administrative

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0

0

0

Asset write-down charges

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0

0

0

Acquisition and integration costs

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0

0

0

Depreciation, amortization and accretion

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0

0

0

Total operating expenses

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0

[4]

0

[4]

0

[4]

Operating income (loss)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0

[4]

0

[4]

0

[4]

Interest expense and amortization of deferred financing costs

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

16,545

19,317

22,651

Gains (losses) on retirement of long-term obligations

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0

0

0

Interest income

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0

0

0

Other income (expense)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

-16,545

-19,317

-22,651

Benefit (provision) for income taxes

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0

0

0

Net income (loss)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0

[4]

0

[4]

0

[4]

Less: Net income (loss) attributable to the noncontrolling interest

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0

0

0

Net income (loss) attributable to CCIC stockholders

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0

[4]

0

[4]

0

[4]

Capital expenditures

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0

0

0

Total assets (at year end)

-283,140

'

'

'

-320,770

'

'

'

-283,140

-320,770

'

Goodwill

$0

'

'

'

$0

'

'

'

$0

$0

'

[1]

Exclusive of depreciation, amortization and accretion shown separately.

[2]

The losses predominantly relate to cash losses, including with respect to make whole payments.

[3]

Inclusive of $48.1 million related to the write-off of deferred financing costs and discounts. In addition, the remainder relates to cash losses including with respect to make whole payments.

[4]

Elimination of inter-company borrowings and related interest expense.

Operating_Segments_and_Concent3

Operating Segments and Concentrations of Credit Risk (Adjusted for EBITDA) (Details) (USD $)

3 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

In Thousands, unless otherwise specified

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Jun. 30, 2013

Mar. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Sep. 30, 2012

Jun. 30, 2012

Mar. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2011

Segment Reporting, Other Significant Reconciling Item [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Net income (loss)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$93,901

$200,888

$171,460

Asset write-down charges

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

14,863

15,548

22,285

Acquisition and integration costs

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

26,005

18,298

3,310

Depreciation, amortization and accretion

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

774,215

622,592

552,951

Amortization of prepaid lease purchase price adjustments

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

15,473

14,166

0

Interest expense and amortization of deferred financing costs

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

589,630

601,044

507,587

Gains (losses) on retirement of long-term obligations

640

1

577

35,909

117,388

0

7,518

7,068

37,127

[1]

131,974

[2]

0

Interest income

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

-1,355

-4,556

-666

Other income (expense)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

3,872

5,392

5,577

Benefit (provision) for income taxes

-110,374

-33,959

-36,587

-17,708

70,624

-32,300

68,432

-6,695

198,628

-100,061

8,347

Stock-based compensation expense

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

41,788

47,382

35,991

Adjusted EBITDA

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1,794,147

1,552,667

1,306,842

CCUSA [Member]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Segment Reporting, Other Significant Reconciling Item [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Net income (loss)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

76,546

144,314

167,721

Asset write-down charges

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

13,595

15,226

21,986

Acquisition and integration costs

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

25,574

18,216

3,310

Depreciation, amortization and accretion

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

741,342

591,428

522,681

Amortization of prepaid lease purchase price adjustments

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

15,473

14,166

0

Interest expense and amortization of deferred financing costs

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

589,630

601,031

507,264

Gains (losses) on retirement of long-term obligations

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

37,127

131,974

0

Interest income

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

-956

-4,089

-187

Other income (expense)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

-12,643

-13,954

-17,048

Benefit (provision) for income taxes

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

191,000

-60,144

6,126

Stock-based compensation expense

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

39,030

41,785

32,610

Adjusted EBITDA

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1,715,718

1,479,953

1,244,463

CCAL [Member]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Segment Reporting, Other Significant Reconciling Item [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Noncontrolling Interest, Ownership Percentage by Noncontrolling Owners

22.40%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

22.40%

'

'

Noncontrolling Interest, Ownership Percentage by Parent

77.60%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

77.60%

'

'

Net income (loss)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

17,355

56,574

3,739

Asset write-down charges

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1,268

322

299

Acquisition and integration costs

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

431

82

0

Depreciation, amortization and accretion

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

32,873

31,164

30,270

Amortization of prepaid lease purchase price adjustments

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0

0

0

Interest expense and amortization of deferred financing costs

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

16,545

19,330

22,974

Gains (losses) on retirement of long-term obligations

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0

0

0

Interest income

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

-399

-467

-479

Other income (expense)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

-30

29

-26

Benefit (provision) for income taxes

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

7,628

-39,917

2,221

Stock-based compensation expense

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

2,758

5,597

3,381

Adjusted EBITDA

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

78,429

72,714

62,379

Elimination [Member]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Segment Reporting, Other Significant Reconciling Item [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Net income (loss)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0

[3]

0

[3]

0

[3]

Asset write-down charges

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0

0

0

Acquisition and integration costs

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0

0

0

Depreciation, amortization and accretion

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0

0

0

Amortization of prepaid lease purchase price adjustments

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0

0

0

Interest expense and amortization of deferred financing costs

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

-16,545

-19,317

-22,651

Gains (losses) on retirement of long-term obligations

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0

0

0

Interest income

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0

0

0

Other income (expense)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

16,545

19,317

22,651

Benefit (provision) for income taxes

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0

0

0

Stock-based compensation expense

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

0

0

0

Adjusted EBITDA

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$0

[3]

$0

[3]

$0

[3]

[1]

The losses predominantly relate to cash losses, including with respect to make whole payments.

[2]

Inclusive of $48.1 million related to the write-off of deferred financing costs and discounts. In addition, the remainder relates to cash losses including with respect to make whole payments.

[3]

Elimination of inter-company borrowings and related interest expense.

Operating_Segments_and_Concent4

Operating Segments and Concentrations of Credit Risk (Geographic Information) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Net revenues	$798,419	$748,977	$734,928	$740,060	$674,087	$621,337	$585,511	$551,745	$3,022,384	$2,432,680	$2,032,729
United States long-lived assets	17,921,968	'	'	'	12,979,184	'	'	'	17,921,968	12,979,184	'
United States [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net revenues	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	2,862,397	2,283,088	1,902,536
United States long-lived assets	17,670,665	'	'	'	12,730,337	'	'	'	17,670,665	12,730,337	'
Australia [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net revenues	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	156,633	146,344	126,214
United States long-lived assets	235,493	'	'	'	232,099	'	'	'	235,493	232,099	'
Other Countries [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net revenues	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	3,354	3,248	3,979
United States long-lived assets	$15,810	'	'	'	$16,748	'	'	'	$15,810	$16,748	'

Operating_Segments_and_Concent5

Operating Segments and Concentrations of Credit Risk (Major Customers) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013		Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Weighted Average Remaining Term Of Tenant Leases	'		'11 years	'
Percentage of the consolidated revenues	88.00%		83.00%	83.00%
Long-Lived Assets	$17,921,968		$12,979,184	'
AT&T [Member]	'		'	'
Percentage of the consolidated revenues	23.00%	[1]	15.00%	14.00%
Sprint [Member]	'		'	'
Percentage of the consolidated revenues	27.00%	[2]	28.00%	24.00%
Verizon Wireless [Member]	'		'	'
Percentage of the consolidated revenues	22.00%	[3]	23.00%	26.00%
T-Mobile [Member]	'		'	'
Percentage of the consolidated revenues	16.00%		17.00%	19.00%
United States [Member]	'		'	'
Long-Lived Assets	17,670,665		12,730,337	'
Australia [Member]	'		'	'
Long-Lived Assets	235,493		232,099	'
Other Countries [Member]	'		'	'
Long-Lived Assets	$15,810		$16,748	'
Sprint, excluding Clearwire [Member]	'		'	'
Weighted Average Remaining Term Of Tenant Leases	'6 years		'	'
Percentage of the consolidated revenues	24.00%		'	'
Clearwire [Member]	'		'	'
Weighted Average Remaining Term Of Tenant Leases	'3 years		'	'
Revenue from consolidated tenant during merger as percentage of net revenues	2.00%		'	'
Percentage of the consolidated revenues	3.00%		'	'
T-Mobile, excluding Metro PCS [Member]	'		'	'
Weighted Average Remaining Term Of Tenant Leases	'9 years		'	'
Percentage of the consolidated revenues	18.00%		'	'
Metro PCS [Member]	'		'	'
Weighted Average Remaining Term Of Tenant Leases	'5 years		'	'
Revenue from consolidated tenant during merger as percentage of net revenues	2.00%		'	'
Percentage of the consolidated revenues	5.00%		'	'
AT&T, excluding Leap Wireless [Member]	'		'	'
Weighted Average Remaining Term Of Tenant Leases	'8 years		'	'
Percentage of the consolidated revenues	19.00%		'	'
Leap Wireless [Member]	'		'	'
Weighted Average Remaining Term Of Tenant Leases	'3 years		'	'
Revenue from consolidated tenant during merger as percentage of net revenues	1.00%		'	'
Percentage of the consolidated revenues	3.00%		'	'
Sprint Clearwire Consolidation [Member]	'		'	'
Tower count as a percentage of total towers	7.00%		'	'
T-Mobile Metro Consolidation [Member]	'		'	'
Tower count as a percentage of total towers	4.00%		'	'
ATT Leap Wireless Consolidation [Member]	'		'	'
Tower count as a percentage of total towers	6.00%		'	'
[1]	For the year ended DecemberB 31, 2013, T-Mobile and MetroPCS accounted for 18% and 5%, respectively, of consolidated net revenues. As of DecemberB 31, 2013, T-Mobile and MetroPCS are co-residents on approximately 4% of the Company's towers. The weighted-average remaining term on these tower tenant contracts with T-Mobile and MetroPCS is approximately nine years and five years , respectively. Revenue from MetroPCS on these towers represented approximately 2% of consolidated site rental revenues for the year ended DecemberB 31, 2013.
[2]	For the year ended DecemberB 31, 2013, Sprint and Clearwire accounted for 24% and 3%, respectively, of consolidated net revenues. As of DecemberB 31, 2013, Sprint and Clearwire are co-residents on approximately 7% of the Company's towers. The weighted-average remaining term on these tower tenant contracts with Sprint and Clearwire is approximately six years and three years, respectively. Revenue from Clearwire on these towers represented approximately 2% of consolidated site rental revenues for the year ended DecemberB 31, 2013.
[3]	For the year ended DecemberB 31, 2013, AT&T and Leap Wireless accounted for 19% and 3%, respectively, of consolidated net revenues. As of DecemberB 31, 2013, AT&T and Leap Wireless are co-residents on approximately 6% of the Company's towers. The weighted-average remaining term on these tower tenant contracts with AT&T and Leap Wireless is approximately eight years and three years, respectively. Revenue from Leap Wireless on these towers represented approximately 1% of consolidated site rental revenues for the year ended DecemberB 31, 2013.

Supplemental_Cash_Flow_Informa2

Supplemental Cash Flow Information (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Supplemental Cash Flow Information [Abstract]	'	'	'
Interest paid	$477,395	$504,494	$404,443
Income taxes paid (refund)	15,591	3,375	4,340
Assets acquired through capital leases and installment sales	56,279	58,638	27,094
Conversion of redeemable convertible preferred stock	0	305,180	0
Assumption of WCP Securitized Notes	$0	$336,273	$0

Quarterly_Financial_Informatio2

Quarterly Financial Information (Unaudited) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2013		Dec. 31, 2012		Dec. 31, 2011
Selected Quarterly Financial Information [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'		'		'
Tax adjustment related to the REIT conversion	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	$67,395	[1]	'		'
Net revenues	798,419	748,977	734,928	740,060	674,087	621,337	585,511	551,745	3,022,384		2,432,680		2,032,729
Operating income (loss)	233,948	222,839	229,961	235,055	208,708	220,768	202,977	202,228	921,803		834,681		692,305
Income Tax Expense (Benefit)	-110,374	-33,959	-36,587	-17,708	70,624	-32,300	68,432	-6,695	198,628		-100,061		8,347
Gains (losses) on retirement of long-term obligations	640	1	577	35,909	117,388	0	7,518	7,068	37,127	[2]	131,974	[3]	0
Net income (loss) attributable to CCIC stockholders	($23,546)	$45,836	$52,359	$15,462	($19,505)	$42,045	$116,013	$50,031	$90,111		$188,584		$171,077
Net income (loss) attributable to CCIC common stockholders, after deduction of dividends on preferred stock and losses on purchases of preferred stock, per common share:	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'		'		'
Basic (in dollars per share)	($0.11)	$0.16	$0.18	$0.05	($0.07)	$0.14	$0.40	$0.17	$0.26		$0.64		$0.52
Diluted (in dollars per share)	($0.11)	$0.16	$0.18	$0.05	($0.07)	$0.14	$0.40	$0.17	$0.26		$0.64		$0.52
[1]	Inclusive of a $39.8 million adjustment to reclassify a deferred tax charge from AOCI to the provision for income taxes.
[2]	The losses predominantly relate to cash losses, including with respect to make whole payments.
[3]	Inclusive of $48.1 million related to the write-off of deferred financing costs and discounts. In addition, the remainder relates to cash losses including with respect to make whole payments.

Subsequent_Events_Details

Subsequent Events (Details) (USD $)	0 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Feb. 21, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Feb. 14, 2014	Feb. 14, 2014
				2019 [Member]	2021 [Member]
				Variable Rate 2012 Term Loans Tranche B [Member]	Variable Rate 2012 Term Loans Tranche B [Member]
Subsequent Event [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Debt and Capital Lease Obligations	'	$11,594,500,000	$11,611,242,000	$571,300,000	$2,300,000,000
Common Stock, Dividends, Per Share, Declared	$0.35	$0.35	'	'	'

Schedule_II_Valuation_and_Qual1

Schedule II - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013		Dec. 31, 2012		Dec. 31, 2011
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts [Member]	'		'		'
Movement in Valuation Allowances and Reserves [Roll Forward]	'		'		'
Balance at beginning of year	$7,726		$5,891		$5,683
Charged to operations	1,351		3,673		1,819
Credited to operations	0		0		0
Written off	-1,401		-1,838		-1,611
Effect of exchange rate changes or Other adjustments	0		0		0
Balance at end of year	7,676		7,726		5,891
Deferred Tax Valuation Allowance [Member]	'		'		'
Movement in Valuation Allowances and Reserves [Roll Forward]	'		'		'
Balance at beginning of year	70,940		228,417		318,055
Charged to operations	717		0		0
Credited to operations	0		0		0
Written off	-2,174		-166,911		-83,115
Effect of exchange rate changes or Other adjustments	0		-5,718		-22,119
Balance at end of year	27,264		70,940		228,417
Valuation allowance and reserves, other adjustments	($42,219)	[1]	$15,152	[1]	$15,596	[1]
[1]	Inclusive of the effects of exchange rate changes, acquisitions, and the impact of the REIT conversion.