Crown Castle (CCI) 10-Q 8 May 15 2015 Q1 Quarterly report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	4-May-15
Entity Information [Line Items]
Entity Registrant Name	CROWN CASTLE INTERNATIONAL CORP
Entity Central Index Key	1051470
Current Fiscal Year End Date	-19
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	31-Mar-15
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2015
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1
Amendment Flag	FALSE
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		333,761,118

Condensed_Consolidated_Balance

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents	$240,153	$175,620
Restricted cash	136,964	147,411
Receivables, net	292,565	329,229
Prepaid expenses	144,334	155,070
Deferred income tax assets	30,105	29,961
Other current assets	83,393	94,211
Total current assets	927,514	931,502
Deferred site rental receivables	1,292,630	1,260,614
Property and equipment, net	9,139,703	9,148,311
Goodwill	5,215,348	5,210,091
Other intangible assets, net	3,650,945	3,715,700
Deferred income tax assets	18,620	20,914
Long-term prepaid rent, deferred financing costs and other assets, net	860,717	856,144
Total assets	21,105,477	21,143,276
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Accounts payable	146,894	167,662
Accrued interest	68,697	66,943
Deferred revenues	327,270	348,338
Other accrued liabilities	163,096	202,657
Current maturities of debt and other obligations	115,998	113,335
Total current liabilities	821,955	898,935
Debt and other long-term obligations	11,954,093	11,807,526
Deferred income tax liabilities	38,152	39,889
Deferred credits and other liabilities	1,732,484	1,659,698
Total liabilities	14,546,684	14,406,048
Commitments and contingencies
CCIC stockholders' equity:
Common stock	3,339	3,339
4.50% Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock	98	98
Additional paid-in capital	9,503,335	9,512,396
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	8,304	15,820
Dividends/distributions in excess of earnings	-2,978,356	-2,815,428
Total CCIC stockholders' equity	6,536,720	6,716,225
Noncontrolling interest	22,073	21,003
Total equity	6,558,793	6,737,228
Total liabilities and equity	$21,105,477	$21,143,276

Condensed_Consolidated_Balance1

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified
Preferred Stock, Par or Stated Value Per Share	$0.01	$0.01
Preferred Stock, Shares Authorized	20,000,000	20,000,000
Preferred Stock, Shares Issued	9,775,000	9,775,000
Preferred Stock, Shares Outstanding	9,775,000	9,775,000
Preferred Stock, Liquidation Preference, Value	$977,500	$977,500
Accumulated depreciation, property and equipment	$5,605,820	$5,438,781
Common stock, par value	$0.01	$0.01
Common stock, shares authorized	600,000,000	600,000,000
Common stock, shares issued	333,761,959	333,856,632
Common stock, shares outstanding	333,761,959	333,856,632

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme

Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015		Mar. 31, 2014
Net revenues:
Site rental	$767,606		$747,162
Network services and other	173,395		128,788
Net revenues	941,001		875,950
Operating expenses:
Site rental	240,980	[1]	228,076	[1]
Network services and other	88,878	[1]	72,874	[1]
General and administrative	79,487		64,849
Asset write-down charges	8,623		2,733
Acquisition and integration costs	2,019		5,659
Depreciation, amortization and accretion	258,060		250,191
Total operating expenses	678,047		624,382
Operating income (loss)	262,954		251,568
Interest expense and amortization of deferred financing costs	-134,439		-146,400
Interest income	109		173
Other income (expense)	-230		-2,736
Income (loss) before income taxes	128,394		102,605
Benefit (provision) for income taxes	-3,282		188
Net income (loss)	125,112		102,793
Less: Net income (loss) attributable to the noncontrolling interest	2,325		1,296
Net income (loss) attributable to CCIC stockholders	122,787		101,497
Dividends, Preferred Stock	10,997		10,997
Net income (loss) attributable to CCIC common stockholders	111,790		90,500
Net income (loss)	125,112		102,793
Interest rate swaps, net of taxes:
Amounts reclassified into interest expense and amortization deferred financing costs, net of taxes	7,491		16,182
Foreign currency translation adjustments	-16,262		12,137
Total other comprehensive income (loss)	-8,771		28,319
Comprehensive income (loss)	116,341		131,112
Less: Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to the noncontrolling interest	1,070		1,944
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to CCIC stockholders	$115,271		$129,168
Net income (loss) attributable to CCIC common stockholders, per common share:
Basic	$0.34		$0.27
Diluted	$0.34		$0.27
Weighted-average common shares outstanding (in thousands):
Basic	332,712		332,034
Diluted	333,485		333,045
Common Stock, Dividends, Per Share, Declared	$0.82		$0.35
[1]	Exclusive of depreciation, amortization and accretion shown separately.

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme1

Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income (loss)	$125,112	$102,793
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by (used for) operating activities:
Depreciation, amortization and accretion	258,060	250,191
Amortization of deferred financing costs and other non-cash interest	11,736	20,881
Stock-based compensation expense	15,244	11,956
Asset write-down charges	8,623	2,733
Deferred income tax benefit (provision)	-800	-2,332
Other adjustments	-557	-774
Changes in assets and liabilities, excluding the effects of acquisitions:
Increase (decrease) in accrued interest	1,754	-1,021
Increase (decrease) in accounts payable	-7,211	-10,601
Increase (decrease) in deferred revenues, deferred ground lease payables, other accrued liabilities and other liabilities	22,426	34,900
Decrease (increase) in receivables	36,661	4,896
Decrease (increase) in prepaid expenses, deferred site rental receivables, long-term prepaid rent, restricted cash and other assets	-10,254	-51,339
Net cash provided by (used for) operating activities	460,794	362,283
Cash flows from investing activities:
Payment for acquisitions of businesses, net of cash acquired	-17,493	-62,228
Capital expenditures	-204,753	-142,943
Other investing activities, net	-514	952
Net cash provided by (used for) investing activities	-222,760	-204,219
Cash flows from financing activities:
Principal payments on long-term debt and other long-term obligations	-31,497	-27,739
Purchases of capital stock	-29,372	-21,417
Borrowings under revolving credit facility	230,000	83,000
Payments under revolving credit facility	-65,000	-89,000
Payments for financing costs	-1,904	-5,854
Net (increase) decrease in restricted cash	10,214	14,743
Dividends/distributions paid on common stock	-273,685	116,829
Dividends/distributions paid on preferred stock	-10,997	11,363
Net cash provided by (used for) financing activities	-172,241	-174,459
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	-1,260	-6,462
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	64,533	-22,857
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	175,620	223,394
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$240,153	$200,537

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme2

Condensed Consolidated Statement of Equity (USD $)	Total	Stockholders' Equity, Total [Member]		Common Stock [Member]	Preferred Stock [Member]	Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]	Accumulated Translation Adjustment [Member]		Accumulated Net Gain (Loss) from Designated or Qualifying Cash Flow Hedges [Member]		Dividends/Distributions in Excess of Earnings [Member]	Noncontrolling Interest [Member]
Balance, value Period Start at Dec. 31, 2013		$6,941,175,000		$3,341,000	$98,000	$9,482,769,000	$58,261,000		($81,873,000)		($2,535,879,000)	$14,458,000
Preferred Stock, Shares Outstanding Period Start at Dec. 31, 2013					9,775,000
Balance, shares Period Start at Dec. 31, 2013				334,070,016
Stock-based compensation related activity, net of forfeitures, value		11,956,000		0		11,956,000	0		0		0	0
Stock-based compensation related activity, net of forfeitures, shares				14,031
Purchases and retirement of capital stock, value		-21,417,000		-3,000		-21,414,000	0		0		0	0
Purchases and retirement of capital stock, shares				-288,066
Other comprehensive income (loss)	28,319,000	28,319,000	[1]	0		0	11,489,000	[1]	16,182,000	[1]	0	648,000	[1]
Common stock dividends/distributions		-117,162,000									-117,162,000
Preferred stock dividends	-10,997,000	-10,997,000									-10,997,000
Net income (loss)	102,793,000	102,793,000		0		0	0		0		101,497,000	1,296,000
Balance, value Period End at Mar. 31, 2014		6,934,667,000		3,338,000	98,000	9,473,311,000	69,750,000		-65,691,000		-2,562,541,000	16,402,000
Preferred Stock, Shares Outstanding Period End at Mar. 31, 2014					9,775,000
Balance, shares Period End at Mar. 31, 2014				333,795,981
Balance, value Period Start at Dec. 31, 2014	6,737,228,000	6,737,228,000		3,339,000	98,000	9,512,396,000	34,545,000		-18,725,000		-2,815,428,000	21,003,000
Preferred Stock, Shares Outstanding Period Start at Dec. 31, 2014	9,775,000				9,775,000
Balance, shares Period Start at Dec. 31, 2014	333,856,632			333,856,632
Stock-based compensation related activity, net of forfeitures, value		20,311,000		2,000		20,309,000			0		0	0
Stock-based compensation related activity, net of forfeitures, shares				238,416
Purchases and retirement of capital stock, value		-29,372,000		-2,000		-29,370,000			0		0	0
Purchases and retirement of capital stock, shares				-333,089
Other comprehensive income (loss)	-8,771,000	-8,771,000	[1]	0		0	-15,007,000	[1]	7,491,000	[1]	0	-1,255,000	[1]
Common stock dividends/distributions		-274,718,000									-274,718,000
Preferred stock dividends	-10,997,000	-10,997,000									-10,997,000
Net income (loss)	125,112,000	125,112,000		0		0			0		122,787,000	2,325,000
Balance, value Period End at Mar. 31, 2015	$6,558,793,000	$6,558,793,000		$3,339,000	$98,000	$9,503,335,000	$19,538,000		($11,234,000)		($2,978,356,000)	$22,073,000
Preferred Stock, Shares Outstanding Period End at Mar. 31, 2015	9,775,000				9,775,000
Balance, shares Period End at Mar. 31, 2015	333,761,959			333,761,959
[1]	See the condensed statement of operations and other comprehensive income (loss) for the components of "other comprehensive income (loss)" and note 3 with respect to the reclassification adjustment.

General

General	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
General
General
		General
	The information contained in the following notes to the consolidated financial statements is condensed from that which would appear in the annual consolidated financial statements; accordingly, the consolidated financial statements included herein should be reviewed in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014, and related notes thereto, included in the 2014 Form 10-K filed by Crown Castle International Corp. ("CCIC") with the SEC. References to the "Company" include CCIC and its predecessor, as applicable, and their subsidiaries unless otherwise indicated or the context indicates otherwise.
	The Company owns, operates and leases shared wireless infrastructure, including: (1) towers, and to a lesser extent, (2) small cell networks, and (3) third party land interests. The Company conducts operations through subsidiaries of 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 its wireless infrastructure via long-term contracts in various forms, including licenses, subleases and lease agreements. Our wireless infrastructure can accommodate multiple tenants for antennas or other equipment necessary for the transmission of signals for wireless communication.
	As part of CCUSA's effort to provide comprehensive wireless infrastructure solutions, it offers certain network services relating to its wireless infrastructure, consisting of (1) the following site development services relating to existing or new antenna installations on its wireless infrastructure: site acquisition, architectural and engineering, or zoning and permitting and (2) tenant equipment installation or subsequent augmentations (collectively, "installation services").
	Effective January 1, 2014, the Company commenced operating as a REIT for U.S. federal income tax purposes. In addition, the Company has certain taxable REIT subsidiaries ("TRSs"). See note 4.
	Approximately 52% of the Company's towers are leased or subleased or operated and managed under master leases, subleases, and 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. The Company has no obligation to exercise such purchase options.
	Basis of Presentation
	The condensed consolidated financial statements included herein are unaudited; however, they include all adjustments (consisting only of normal recurring adjustments) which, in the opinion of management, are necessary to fairly state the consolidated financial position of the Company at March 31, 2015, and the consolidated results of operations and the consolidated cash flows for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014. The year-end condensed consolidated balance sheet data was derived from audited financial statements, but does not include all disclosures required by GAAP. Accounting measurements at interim dates inherently involve greater reliance on estimates than at year end. The results of operations for the interim periods presented are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the entire year.
	The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities as of the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Summary_of_Significant_Account

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Significant Accounting Policies	Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
	The significant accounting policies used in the preparation of the Company's condensed consolidated financial statements are disclosed in the 2014 Form 10-K.
	Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements
	No accounting pronouncements adopted during the three months ended March 31, 2015 had a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements.
	Recent Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted
	In April 2015, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued new guidance on the presentation of debt issuance costs. The guidance requires debt issuance costs be presented in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of the related debt liability, consistent with debt discounts and premiums. The update requires retrospective application and the guidance is effective for the Company on January 1, 2016. The Company is evaluating the guidance, including the impact on its consolidated financial statements.

Debt_and_Other_Obligations

Debt and Other Obligations	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Debt and Other Obligations [Abstract]
Debt and Other Obligations	Debt and Other Obligations
		Original		Contractual		Outstanding				Outstanding		Stated Interest
		Issue Date		Maturity		Balance as of				Balance as of		Rate as of
				Date (a)		31-Mar-15				31-Dec-14		March 31, 2015(a)(b)
	Bank debt - variable rate:
	2012 Revolver	Jan. 2012		Nov. 2018/Jan. 2019		$	860,000		(c)	$	695,000	1.9	%
	Tranche A Term Loans	Jan. 2012		Nov. 2018/Jan. 2019		641,797				645,938		1.9	%
	Tranche B Term Loans	Jan. 2012		Jan. 2019/Jan. 2021		2,828,348			(e)	2,835,509		3	%
	Total bank debt					4,330,145				4,176,447
	Securitized debt - fixed rate:
	January 2010 Tower Revenue Notes	Jan. 2010		2037 - 2040	(d)	1,600,000				1,600,000		6	%
	August 2010 Tower Revenue Notes	Aug. 2010		2035 - 2040	(d)	1,550,000				1,550,000		4.5	%
	2009 Securitized Notes	Jul-09		2019/2029		156,014				160,822		7.5	%
	WCP Securitized Notes	Jan. 2010		Nov. 2040	(d)	256,913				262,386		5.7	%
	Total securitized debt					3,562,927				3,573,208
	Bonds - fixed rate:
	5.25% Senior Notes	Oct. 2012		Jan. 2023		1,649,969				1,649,969		5.3	%
	2012 Secured Notes	Dec. 2012		Dec. 2017/Apr. 2023		1,500,000				1,500,000		3.4	%
	4.875% Senior Notes	Apr. 2014		Apr. 2022		846,175				846,062		4.9	%
	Total bonds					3,996,144				3,996,031
	Other:
	Capital leases and other obligations	Various		Various		180,875				175,175		Various
	Total debt and other obligations					12,070,091				11,920,861
	Less: current maturities and short-term debt and other current obligations					115,998				113,335
	Non-current portion of long-term debt and other long-term obligations					$	11,954,093			$	11,807,526
	(a)	See the 2014 Form 10-K, including note 7, for additional information regarding the maturity and principal amortization provisions and interest rates relating to the Company's indebtedness.
	(b)	Represents the weighted-average stated interest rate.
	(c)	During January and February 2015, the Company amended its 2012 Credit Facility agreement and increased the capacity of the 2012 Revolver to an aggregate revolving commitment of approximately $2.2 billion. As of March 31, 2015, the undrawn availability under the 2012 Revolver is $1.4 billion.
	(d)	If the respective series of such debt is not paid in full on or prior to an applicable date 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 additional interest (of an additional approximately 5% per annum) will accrue on the respective series. See the 2014 Form 10-K for additional information regarding these provisions.
	(e)	As of March 31, 2015, 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 $564.1 million aggregate principal amount due January 2019.
	See note 11 to our condensed consolidated financial statements regarding our May 2015 pricing of $1.0 billion of 2015 Tower Revenue Notes.
	Contractual Maturities
	The following are the scheduled contractual maturities of the total debt and other long-term obligations outstanding as of March 31, 2015. 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 the rapid amortization date on the WCP Securitized Notes.
		Nine Months Ending				Years Ending December 31,														Unamortized Adjustments, Net			Total Debt and Other Obligations Outstanding
		December 31,
		2015				2016				2017		2018		2019		Thereafter		Total Cash Obligations
	Scheduled contractual maturities	$	83,105			$	124,565			$	621,524	$	1,490,513	$	597,469	$	9,154,129	$	12,071,305	$	(1,214	)	$	12,070,091
	Interest Expense and Amortization of Deferred Financing Costs
	The components of interest expense and amortization of deferred financing costs are as follows:
		Three Months Ended March 31,
		2015				2014
	Interest expense on debt obligations	$	122,703			$	125,519
	Amortization of deferred financing costs	5,619				5,641
	Amortization of adjustments on long-term debt	(881		)		(955		)
	Amortization of interest rate swaps(a)	7,491				16,182
	Other, net of capitalized interest	(493		)		13
	Total	$	134,439			$	146,400
	(a)	Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss).

Income_Taxes

Income Taxes	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Income Taxes
Income Taxes	Income Taxes
	Effective January 1, 2014, the Company commenced operating as a REIT for U.S. federal income tax purposes. As a REIT, the Company is generally entitled to a deduction for dividends that it pays and therefore is not subject to U.S. federal corporate income tax on its net taxable income that is currently distributed to its stockholders. The Company also may be subject to certain federal, state, local, and foreign taxes on its income and assets, including (1) alternative minimum taxes, (2) taxes on any undistributed income, (3) taxes related to the TRSs, (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 Internal Revenue Code 1986, as amended ("Code") to maintain qualification for taxation as a REIT.
	The Company's small cells are currently included in one or more wholly owned TRSs. In August 2014, the Company received a favorable private letter ruling from the Internal Revenue Service ("IRS"), which provides that the real property portion of the Company's small cells and the related rents qualify as real property and rents from real property, respectively, under the rules governing REITs. The Company is evaluating the impact of this private letter ruling and, subject to board approval, expects to take appropriate action to include at least some part of the Company's small cells as part of the REIT during 2015. Once the Company has completed its evaluation and necessary actions to include small cells in the REIT, the Company expects to de-recognize its net deferred tax liabilities related to such part of the Company's small cells.
	Additionally, the Company has included in TRSs its tower operations in Australia and certain other assets and operations. Those TRS assets and operations (along with any part of the Company's small cells that may remain in a TRS) will continue to be subject, as applicable, to federal and state corporate income taxes or to foreign taxes in the jurisdictions in which such assets and operations are located. The Company's foreign assets and operations (including its tower operations in Puerto Rico 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 the Company's tax basis on January 1, 2014.  This gain can be offset by any remaining federal net operating loss carryforwards.
	For the three months ended March 31, 2015 and the three months ended March 31, 2014, the Company's effective tax rate differed from the federal statutory rate predominately due to the Company's REIT status, including the dividends paid deduction. The income tax provision for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and the three months ended March 31, 2014 primarily related to the TRSs.

Fair_Value_Disclosures

Fair Value Disclosures	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Fair Value Disclosures
Fair Value Disclosures	Fair Value Disclosures
		Level in Fair Value Hierarchy	March 31, 2015				December 31, 2014
			Carrying		Fair		Carrying		Fair
			Amount		Value		Amount		Value
	Assets:
	Cash and cash equivalents	1	$	240,153	$	240,153	$	175,620	$	175,620
	Restricted cash, current and non-current	1	141,964		141,964		152,411		152,411
	Liabilities:
	Long-term debt and other obligations	2	12,070,091		12,532,541		11,920,861		12,286,161
	The fair value of cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash approximate the carrying value. The Company determines the fair value of its debt securities based on indicative, non-binding quotes from brokers. Quotes from brokers require judgment and are based on the brokers' interpretation of market information, including implied credit spreads for similar borrowings on recent trades or bid/ask prices or quotes from active markets if available. There were no changes since December 31, 2014 in the Company's valuation techniques used to measure fair values.

Per_Share_Information

Per Share Information	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Per Share Information
Per Share Information	Per Share Information
	Basic net income (loss) attributable to CCIC common stockholders, per common share, excludes dilution and is computed by dividing net income (loss) attributable to CCIC common stockholders by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted net income (loss) attributable to CCIC common stockholders, per common share is computed by dividing net income (loss) attributable to CCIC common stockholders by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the period plus any potential dilutive common share equivalents, including shares issuable (1) upon the vesting of restricted stock awards and restricted stock units as determined under the treasury stock method and (2) upon conversion of the Company's Convertible Preferred Stock, as determined under the if-converted method.
		Three Months Ended
		March 31,
		2015			2014
	Net income (loss) attributable to CCIC stockholders	$	122,787		$	101,497
	Dividends on preferred stock	(10,997		)	(10,997		)
	Net income (loss) attributable to CCIC common stockholders	$	111,790		$	90,500
	Weighted-average number of common shares outstanding (in thousands):
	Basic weighted-average number of common stock outstanding	332,712			332,034
	Effect of assumed dilution from potential common shares relating to restricted stock units and restricted stock awards	773			1,011
	Diluted weighted-average number of common shares outstanding	333,485			333,045
	Net income (loss) attributable to CCIC common stockholders, per common share:
	Basic	$	0.34		$	0.27
	Diluted	$	0.34		$	0.27
	During the three months ended March 31, 2015, the Company granted 1.0 million restricted stock units. For the three months ended March 31, 2015, 11.5 million common share equivalents related to the Convertible Preferred Stock were excluded from the dilutive common shares because the impact of such conversion would be anti-dilutive, based on the Company's common stock price as of March 31, 2015.

Commitments_and_Contingencies

Commitments and Contingencies	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure
Commitments and Contingencies	Commitments and Contingencies
	The Company is involved in various claims, lawsuits or proceedings arising in the ordinary course of business. While there are uncertainties inherent in the ultimate outcome of such matters and it is impossible to presently determine the ultimate costs or losses that may be incurred, if any, management believes the resolution of such uncertainties and the incurrence of such costs should not have a material adverse effect on the Company's consolidated financial position or results of operations. Additionally, the Company and certain of its subsidiaries are contingently liable for commitments or performance guarantees arising in the ordinary course of business, including certain letters of credit or surety bonds. In addition, the Company has the option to purchase approximately 52% of the Company's towers at the end of their respective lease terms. The Company has no obligation to exercise such purchase options.

Equity

Equity	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Equity [Abstract]
Stockholders' Equity Note Disclosure [Text Block]	Equity
	Declaration and Payment of Dividends
	During the three months ended March 31, 2015, the following dividends were declared or paid:
	Equity Type		Declaration Date	Record Date	Payment Date	Dividends Per Share		Aggregate
								Payment
								Amount
								(In millions)
	Common Stock		February 12, 2015	March 20, 2015	March 31, 2015	$	0.82	$	274.7	(a)
	Convertible Preferred Stock		December 22, 2014	January 15, 2015	February 2, 2015	$	1.125	$	11
	Convertible Preferred Stock		March 27, 2015	April 15, 2015	May 1, 2015	$	1.125	$	11	(b)
	(a)	Inclusive of dividends accrued for holders of unvested restricted stock units.
	(b)	Represents amount paid on May 1, 2015 based on holders of record on April 15, 2015.
	Purchases of the Company's Common Stock
	For the three months ended March 31, 2015, the Company purchased 0.3 million shares of its common stock utilizing 29.4 million in cash.

Operating_Segments

Operating Segments	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Segment Reporting Disclosure	The Company's reportable operating segments are (1) CCUSA, primarily 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 flow 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.
		Three Months Ended March 31, 2015												Three Months Ended March 31, 2014
		CCUSA			CCAL			Elim(a)			Consolidated			CCUSA			CCAL			Elim(a)			Consolidated
											Total												Total
	Net revenues:
	Site rental	$	731,380		$	36,226		$	—		$	767,606		$	714,792		$	32,370		$	—		$	747,162
	Network services and other	169,091			4,304			—			173,395			126,971			1,817			—			128,788
	Net revenues	900,471			40,530			—			941,001			841,763			34,187			—			875,950
	Operating expenses:
	Costs of operations(b):
	Site rental	232,213			8,767			—			240,980			218,644			9,432			—			228,076
	Network services and other	86,918			1,960			—			88,878			71,799			1,075			—			72,874
	General and administrative	74,056			5,431			—			79,487			58,641			6,208			—			64,849
	Asset write-down charges	8,555			68			—			8,623			2,636			97			—			2,733
	Acquisition and integration costs	2,016			3			—			2,019			5,659			—			—			5,659
	Depreciation, amortization and accretion	251,806			6,254			—			258,060			245,176			5,015			—			250,191
	Total operating expenses	655,564			22,483			—			678,047			602,555			21,827			—			624,382
	Operating income (loss)	244,907			18,047			—			262,954			239,208			12,360			—			251,568
	Interest expense and amortization of deferred financing costs	(134,439		)	(3,051		)	3,051			(134,439		)	(146,400		)	(3,683		)	3,683			(146,400		)
	Interest income	56			53			—			109			114			59			—			173
	Other income (expense)	2,827			(6		)	(3,051		)	(230		)	947			—			(3,683		)	(2,736		)
	Benefit (provision) for income taxes	1,434			(4,716		)	—			(3,282		)	3,040			(2,852		)	—			188
	Net income (loss)	114,785			10,327			—			125,112			96,909			5,884			—			102,793
	Less: net income (loss) attributable to the noncontrolling interest	—			2,325			—			2,325			—			1,296			—			1,296
	Net income (loss) attributable to CCIC stockholders	$	114,785		$	8,002		$	—		$	122,787		$	96,909		$	4,588		$	—		$	101,497
	Capital expenditures	$	201,653		$	3,100		$	—		$	204,753		$	138,838		$	4,105		$	—		$	142,943
	________________
	(a)	Elimination of inter-company borrowings and related interest expense.
	(b)	Exclusive of depreciation, amortization and accretions shown separately.
	The following is a reconciliation of net income (loss) to Adjusted EBITDA for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014.
		Three Months Ended March 31, 2015												Three Months Ended March 31, 2014
		CCUSA			CCAL			Elim(a)			Consolidated			CCUSA			CCAL			Elim(a)			Consolidated
											Total												Total
	Net income (loss)	$	114,785		$	10,327		$	—		$	125,112		$	96,909		$	5,884		$	—		$	102,793
	Adjustments to increase (decrease) net income (loss):
	Asset write-down charges	8,555			68			—			8,623			2,636			97			—			2,733
	Acquisition and integration costs	2,016			3			—			2,019			5,659			—			—			5,659
	Depreciation, amortization and accretion	251,806			6,254			—			258,060			245,176			5,015			—			250,191
	Amortization of prepaid lease purchase price adjustments	5,174			—			—			5,174			3,895			—			—			3,895
	Interest expense and amortization of deferred financing costs	134,439			3,051			(3,051		)	134,439			146,400			3,683			(3,683		)	146,400
	Interest income	(56		)	(53		)	—			(109		)	(114		)	(59		)	—			(173		)
	Other income (expense)	(2,827		)	6			3,051			230			(947		)	—			3,683			2,736
	Benefit (provision) for income taxes	(1,434		)	4,716			—			3,282			(3,040		)	2,852			—			(188		)
	Stock-based compensation expense	16,842			582			—			17,424			11,956			981			—			12,937
	Adjusted EBITDA(b)	$	529,300		$	24,954		$	—		$	554,254		$	508,530		$	18,453		$	—		$	526,983
	________________
	(a)	Elimination of inter-company borrowings and related interest expense.
	(b)	The above reconciliation excludes line items included in the Company's Adjusted EBITDA definition for which there is no activity for the periods shown.

Supplemental_Cash_Flow_Informa

Supplemental Cash Flow Information	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Supplemental Cash Flow Information [Abstract]
Supplemental Cash Flow Information	Supplemental Cash Flow Information
		Three Months Ended March 31,
		2015			2014
	Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
	Interest paid	$	120,949		$	126,540
	Income taxes paid	2,498			7,400
	Supplemental disclosure of non-cash financing activities:
	Increase (decrease) in accounts payable for purchases of property and equipment	(13,557		)	(7,582		)
	Purchase of property and equipment under capital leases and installment purchases	12,407			8,012

Subsequent_Events_Notes

Subsequent Events (Notes)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Subsequent Events [Abstract]
Subsequent Events [Text Block]	Subsequent Events
	Proposed Sunesys Acquisition
	On April 30, 2015, the Company announced a definitive agreement to acquire Quanta Fiber Networks, Inc. ("Sunesys") for approximately $1.0 billion in cash, subject to certain limited adjustments ("Proposed Sunesys Acquisition"). Sunesys, a wholly owned subsidiary of Quanta Services, Inc., is a fiber services provider that owns or has rights to nearly 10,000 miles of fiber in major metropolitan markets across the U.S. Approximately 60% of Sunesys' fiber miles are located in the top 10 basic trading areas in the U.S. The Proposed Sunesys Acquisition is expected to close by the end of 2015.
	2015 Tower Revenue Notes Offering
	On May 1, 2015, the Company announced that it had priced $1.0 billion of Senior Secured Tower Revenue Notes ("2015 Tower Revenue Notes") which will be issued by certain of its indirect subsidiaries. The 2015 Tower Revenue Notes consist of (1) $300 million of 3.222% Notes with an expected life of seven years and a final maturity date of May 2042, and (2) $700 million of 3.663% Notes with an expected life of ten years and a final maturity date of May 2045.
	The Company expects to use the net proceeds received from this offering (1) to repay $250.0 million of August 2010 Tower Revenue Notes with an anticipated repayment date of August 2015, (2) to pay fees and expenses related to the offering of the 2015 Tower Revenue Notes and repayment of the August 2010 Tower Revenue Notes, and (3) for general corporate purposes. The Company expects the offering of the 2015 Tower Revenue Notes to close on or about May 15, 2015.

Summary_of_Significant_Account1

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Recent accounting prounouncements	Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements
	No accounting pronouncements adopted during the three months ended March 31, 2015 had a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements.
	Recent Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted

Debt_and_Other_Obligations_Tab

Debt and Other Obligations (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Debt and Other Obligations [Abstract]
Schedule of Long-Term Debt Instruments
		Original		Contractual		Outstanding				Outstanding		Stated Interest
		Issue Date		Maturity		Balance as of				Balance as of		Rate as of
				Date (a)		31-Mar-15				31-Dec-14		March 31, 2015(a)(b)
	Bank debt - variable rate:
	2012 Revolver	Jan. 2012		Nov. 2018/Jan. 2019		$	860,000		(c)	$	695,000	1.9	%
	Tranche A Term Loans	Jan. 2012		Nov. 2018/Jan. 2019		641,797				645,938		1.9	%
	Tranche B Term Loans	Jan. 2012		Jan. 2019/Jan. 2021		2,828,348			(e)	2,835,509		3	%
	Total bank debt					4,330,145				4,176,447
	Securitized debt - fixed rate:
	January 2010 Tower Revenue Notes	Jan. 2010		2037 - 2040	(d)	1,600,000				1,600,000		6	%
	August 2010 Tower Revenue Notes	Aug. 2010		2035 - 2040	(d)	1,550,000				1,550,000		4.5	%
	2009 Securitized Notes	Jul-09		2019/2029		156,014				160,822		7.5	%
	WCP Securitized Notes	Jan. 2010		Nov. 2040	(d)	256,913				262,386		5.7	%
	Total securitized debt					3,562,927				3,573,208
	Bonds - fixed rate:
	5.25% Senior Notes	Oct. 2012		Jan. 2023		1,649,969				1,649,969		5.3	%
	2012 Secured Notes	Dec. 2012		Dec. 2017/Apr. 2023		1,500,000				1,500,000		3.4	%
	4.875% Senior Notes	Apr. 2014		Apr. 2022		846,175				846,062		4.9	%
	Total bonds					3,996,144				3,996,031
	Other:
	Capital leases and other obligations	Various		Various		180,875				175,175		Various
	Total debt and other obligations					12,070,091				11,920,861
	Less: current maturities and short-term debt and other current obligations					115,998				113,335
	Non-current portion of long-term debt and other long-term obligations					$	11,954,093			$	11,807,526
	(a)	See the 2014 Form 10-K, including note 7, for additional information regarding the maturity and principal amortization provisions and interest rates relating to the Company's indebtedness.
	(b)	Represents the weighted-average stated interest rate.
	(c)	During January and February 2015, the Company amended its 2012 Credit Facility agreement and increased the capacity of the 2012 Revolver to an aggregate revolving commitment of approximately $2.2 billion. As of March 31, 2015, the undrawn availability under the 2012 Revolver is $1.4 billion.
	(d)	If the respective series of such debt is not paid in full on or prior to an applicable date 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 additional interest (of an additional approximately 5% per annum) will accrue on the respective series. See the 2014 Form 10-K for additional information regarding these provisions.
	(e)	As of March 31, 2015, 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 $564.1 million aggregate principal amount due January 2019.
	See note 11 to our condensed consolidated financial statements regarding our May 2015 pricing of $1.0 billion of 2015 Tower Revenue Notes.
Schedule of Maturities of Long-term Debt	Contractual Maturities
	The following are the scheduled contractual maturities of the total debt and other long-term obligations outstanding as of March 31, 2015. 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 the rapid amortization date on the WCP Securitized Notes.
		Nine Months Ending				Years Ending December 31,														Unamortized Adjustments, Net			Total Debt and Other Obligations Outstanding
		December 31,
		2015				2016				2017		2018		2019		Thereafter		Total Cash Obligations
	Scheduled contractual maturities	$	83,105			$	124,565			$	621,524	$	1,490,513	$	597,469	$	9,154,129	$	12,071,305	$	(1,214	)	$	12,070,091
Components of 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:
		Three Months Ended March 31,
		2015				2014
	Interest expense on debt obligations	$	122,703			$	125,519
	Amortization of deferred financing costs	5,619				5,641
	Amortization of adjustments on long-term debt	(881		)		(955		)
	Amortization of interest rate swaps(a)	7,491				16,182
	Other, net of capitalized interest	(493		)		13
	Total	$	134,439			$	146,400
	(a)	Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss).

Fair_Value_Disclosures_Tables

Fair Value Disclosures (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Fair Value Disclosures
Estimated Fair Values and Carrying Amounts of Assets and Liabilities
		Level in Fair Value Hierarchy	March 31, 2015				December 31, 2014
			Carrying		Fair		Carrying		Fair
			Amount		Value		Amount		Value
	Assets:
	Cash and cash equivalents	1	$	240,153	$	240,153	$	175,620	$	175,620
	Restricted cash, current and non-current	1	141,964		141,964		152,411		152,411
	Liabilities:
	Long-term debt and other obligations	2	12,070,091		12,532,541		11,920,861		12,286,161

Per_Share_Information_Tables

Per Share Information (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Per Share Information
Reconciliation of the Numerators and Denominators of the Basic and Diluted Per Share Computations
		Three Months Ended
		March 31,
		2015			2014
	Net income (loss) attributable to CCIC stockholders	$	122,787		$	101,497
	Dividends on preferred stock	(10,997		)	(10,997		)
	Net income (loss) attributable to CCIC common stockholders	$	111,790		$	90,500
	Weighted-average number of common shares outstanding (in thousands):
	Basic weighted-average number of common stock outstanding	332,712			332,034
	Effect of assumed dilution from potential common shares relating to restricted stock units and restricted stock awards	773			1,011
	Diluted weighted-average number of common shares outstanding	333,485			333,045
	Net income (loss) attributable to CCIC common stockholders, per common share:
	Basic	$	0.34		$	0.27
	Diluted	$	0.34		$	0.27

Equity_Tables

Equity (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends Declared [Table Text Block]	Declaration and Payment of Dividends
	During the three months ended March 31, 2015, the following dividends were declared or paid:
	Equity Type		Declaration Date	Record Date	Payment Date	Dividends Per Share		Aggregate
								Payment
								Amount
								(In millions)
	Common Stock		February 12, 2015	March 20, 2015	March 31, 2015	$	0.82	$	274.7	(a)
	Convertible Preferred Stock		December 22, 2014	January 15, 2015	February 2, 2015	$	1.125	$	11
	Convertible Preferred Stock		March 27, 2015	April 15, 2015	May 1, 2015	$	1.125	$	11	(b)
	(a)	Inclusive of dividends accrued for holders of unvested restricted stock units.
	(b)	Represents amount paid on May 1, 2015 based on holders of record on April 15, 2015.

Operating_Segments_Tables

Operating Segments (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Operating Segments
Financial Results of Operating Segments
		Three Months Ended March 31, 2015												Three Months Ended March 31, 2014
		CCUSA			CCAL			Elim(a)			Consolidated			CCUSA			CCAL			Elim(a)			Consolidated
											Total												Total
	Net revenues:
	Site rental	$	731,380		$	36,226		$	—		$	767,606		$	714,792		$	32,370		$	—		$	747,162
	Network services and other	169,091			4,304			—			173,395			126,971			1,817			—			128,788
	Net revenues	900,471			40,530			—			941,001			841,763			34,187			—			875,950
	Operating expenses:
	Costs of operations(b):
	Site rental	232,213			8,767			—			240,980			218,644			9,432			—			228,076
	Network services and other	86,918			1,960			—			88,878			71,799			1,075			—			72,874
	General and administrative	74,056			5,431			—			79,487			58,641			6,208			—			64,849
	Asset write-down charges	8,555			68			—			8,623			2,636			97			—			2,733
	Acquisition and integration costs	2,016			3			—			2,019			5,659			—			—			5,659
	Depreciation, amortization and accretion	251,806			6,254			—			258,060			245,176			5,015			—			250,191
	Total operating expenses	655,564			22,483			—			678,047			602,555			21,827			—			624,382
	Operating income (loss)	244,907			18,047			—			262,954			239,208			12,360			—			251,568
	Interest expense and amortization of deferred financing costs	(134,439		)	(3,051		)	3,051			(134,439		)	(146,400		)	(3,683		)	3,683			(146,400		)
	Interest income	56			53			—			109			114			59			—			173
	Other income (expense)	2,827			(6		)	(3,051		)	(230		)	947			—			(3,683		)	(2,736		)
	Benefit (provision) for income taxes	1,434			(4,716		)	—			(3,282		)	3,040			(2,852		)	—			188
	Net income (loss)	114,785			10,327			—			125,112			96,909			5,884			—			102,793
	Less: net income (loss) attributable to the noncontrolling interest	—			2,325			—			2,325			—			1,296			—			1,296
	Net income (loss) attributable to CCIC stockholders	$	114,785		$	8,002		$	—		$	122,787		$	96,909		$	4,588		$	—		$	101,497
	Capital expenditures	$	201,653		$	3,100		$	—		$	204,753		$	138,838		$	4,105		$	—		$	142,943
	________________
	(a)	Elimination of inter-company borrowings and related interest expense.
	(b)	Exclusive of depreciation, amortization and accretions shown separately.
Reconciliation of Net Income (Loss) to Adjusted EBITDA
		Three Months Ended March 31, 2015												Three Months Ended March 31, 2014
		CCUSA			CCAL			Elim(a)			Consolidated			CCUSA			CCAL			Elim(a)			Consolidated
											Total												Total
	Net income (loss)	$	114,785		$	10,327		$	—		$	125,112		$	96,909		$	5,884		$	—		$	102,793
	Adjustments to increase (decrease) net income (loss):
	Asset write-down charges	8,555			68			—			8,623			2,636			97			—			2,733
	Acquisition and integration costs	2,016			3			—			2,019			5,659			—			—			5,659
	Depreciation, amortization and accretion	251,806			6,254			—			258,060			245,176			5,015			—			250,191
	Amortization of prepaid lease purchase price adjustments	5,174			—			—			5,174			3,895			—			—			3,895
	Interest expense and amortization of deferred financing costs	134,439			3,051			(3,051		)	134,439			146,400			3,683			(3,683		)	146,400
	Interest income	(56		)	(53		)	—			(109		)	(114		)	(59		)	—			(173		)
	Other income (expense)	(2,827		)	6			3,051			230			(947		)	—			3,683			2,736
	Benefit (provision) for income taxes	(1,434		)	4,716			—			3,282			(3,040		)	2,852			—			(188		)
	Stock-based compensation expense	16,842			582			—			17,424			11,956			981			—			12,937
	Adjusted EBITDA(b)	$	529,300		$	24,954		$	—		$	554,254		$	508,530		$	18,453		$	—		$	526,983
	________________
	(a)	Elimination of inter-company borrowings and related interest expense.
	(b)	The above reconciliation excludes line items included in the Company's Adjusted EBITDA definition for which there is no activity for the periods shown.

Supplemental_Cash_Flow_Informa1

Supplemental Cash Flow Information (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Supplemental Cash Flow Information [Abstract]
Supplemental Disclosure of Cash Flow Information and Non-cash Investing and Financing Activities
		Three Months Ended March 31,
		2015			2014
	Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
	Interest paid	$	120,949		$	126,540
	Income taxes paid	2,498			7,400
	Supplemental disclosure of non-cash financing activities:
	Increase (decrease) in accounts payable for purchases of property and equipment	(13,557		)	(7,582		)
	Purchase of property and equipment under capital leases and installment purchases	12,407			8,012

General_Business_Details

General Business (Details)	Mar. 31, 2015
CCAL [Member]
Percentage of Subsidiary Owned by the Company	77.60%
Subject to Capital Lease with Sprint, TMO, or AT&T [Member]
Purchase Option, Percentage of Towers	52.00%

Debt_and_Other_Obligations_Ind

Debt and Other Obligations (Indebtedness) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015		Dec. 31, 2014
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt and Capital Lease Obligations	$12,070,091,000		$11,920,861,000
Less: current maturities and short-term debt and other current obligations	115,998,000		113,335,000
Non-current portion of long-term debt and other long-term obligations	11,954,093,000		11,807,526,000
Term Loans Tranche B - Due 2019
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt and Capital Lease Obligations	564,100,000
Term Loans Tranche B - Due 2021
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt and Capital Lease Obligations	2,300,000,000
Capital Lease Obligations and Other [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Contractual maturity date	Various	[1]
Original Debt Issuance Date	Various
Percentage of debt instrument interest rate stated	Various	[1],[2]
Debt and Capital Lease Obligations	180,875,000		175,175,000
Fixed Rate Securitized Debt 2010 Tower Revenue Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument Additional Interest Rate Margin	5.00%
2012 Credit Facility [Member] | Variable Rate Revolver 2012 [Member] | CCOC [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total revolving commitment	2,200,000,000
Debt Instrument, Unused Borrowing Capacity, Amount	1,400,000,000
Bank Debt [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt and Capital Lease Obligations	4,330,145,000		4,176,447,000
Bank Debt [Member] | Variable Rate Revolver 2012 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Original issue date	1-Jan-12
Contractual maturity date	Nov. 2018/Jan. 2019	[1]
Stated interest rate	1.90%	[1],[2]
Debt and Capital Lease Obligations	860,000,000	[3]	695,000,000
Bank Debt [Member] | Variable Rate 2012 Term Loans [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Original issue date	1-Jan-12
Contractual maturity date	Nov. 2018/Jan. 2019	[1]
Stated interest rate	1.90%	[1],[2]
Debt and Capital Lease Obligations	641,797,000		645,938,000
Bank Debt [Member] | Variable Rate 2012 Term Loans Tranche B [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Original issue date	1-Jan-12
Contractual maturity date	Jan. 2019/Jan. 2021	[1]
Stated interest rate	3.00%	[1],[2]
Debt and Capital Lease Obligations	2,828,348,000	[4]	2,835,509,000
Securitized Debt [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt and Capital Lease Obligations	3,562,927,000		3,573,208,000
Securitized Debt [Member] | Fixed Rate Securitized Debt January 2010 Tower Revenue Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Original issue date	1-Jan-10
Contractual maturity date	2037 - 2040	[1],[5]
Stated interest rate	6.00%	[1],[2]
Debt and Capital Lease Obligations	1,600,000,000		1,600,000,000
Securitized Debt [Member] | Fixed Rate Securitized Debt August 2010 Tower Revenue Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Original issue date	1-Aug-10
Contractual maturity date	2035 - 2040	[1],[5]
Stated interest rate	4.50%	[1],[2]
Debt and Capital Lease Obligations	1,550,000,000		1,550,000,000
Securitized Debt [Member] | Fixed Rate Debt 2009 Securitized Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Original issue date	1-Jul-09
Contractual maturity date	2019/2029	[1]
Stated interest rate	7.50%	[1],[2]
Debt and Capital Lease Obligations	156,014,000		160,822,000
Securitized Debt [Member] | WCP Securitized Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Original issue date	1-Jan-10
Contractual maturity date	Nov. 2040	[1],[5]
Stated interest rate	5.70%	[1],[2]
Debt and Capital Lease Obligations	256,913,000		262,386,000
High Yield Bonds [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt and Capital Lease Obligations	3,996,144,000		3,996,031,000
High Yield Bonds [Member] | Five and One Fourth Senior Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Original issue date	1-Oct-12
Contractual maturity date	Jan. 2023	[1]
Stated interest rate	5.25%	[1],[2]
Debt and Capital Lease Obligations	1,649,969,000		1,649,969,000
High Yield Bonds [Member] | 2012 Secured Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Original issue date	1-Dec-12
Contractual maturity date	Dec. 2017/Apr. 2023	[1]
Stated interest rate	3.36%	[1],[2]
Debt and Capital Lease Obligations	1,500,000,000		1,500,000,000
High Yield Bonds [Member] | 4.875% Senior Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Original issue date	1-Apr-14
Contractual maturity date	Apr. 2022
Stated interest rate	4.88%
Debt and Capital Lease Obligations	$846,175,000		$846,062,000
[1]	See the 2014 Form 10-K, including note 7, for additional information regarding the maturity and principal amortization provisions and interest rates relating to the Company's indebtedness.
[2]	Represents the weighted-average stated interest rate.
[3]	During January and February 2015, the Company amended its 2012 Credit Facility agreement and increased the capacity of the 2012 Revolver to an aggregate revolving commitment of approximately $2.2 billion. As of MarchB 31, 2015, the undrawn availability under the 2012 Revolver is $1.4 billion.
[4]	As of MarchB 31, 2015, 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 $564.1 million aggregate principal amount due January 2019.
[5]	If the respective series of such debt is not paid in full on or prior to an applicable date 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 additional interest (of an additional approximately 5% per annum) will accrue on the respective series. See the 2014 Form 10-K for additional information regarding these provisions.

Debt_and_Other_Obligations_Ind1

Debt and Other Obligations (Indebtedness) (Textuals) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term Debt, Gross	12,071,305,000
Debt and Capital Lease Obligations	12,070,091,000	11,920,861,000
Term Loans Tranche B - Due 2019
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt and Capital Lease Obligations	564,100,000
Fixed Rate Securitized Debt 2010 Tower Revenue Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Additional interest accruing following anticipated repayment dates	5.00%
CCOC [Member] | 2012 Credit Facility [Member] | Variable Rate Revolver 2012 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total revolving commitment	2,200,000,000
Debt Instrument, Unused Borrowing Capacity, Amount	1,400,000,000

Debt_and_Other_Obligations_Com

Debt and Other Obligations (Components of Interest Expense and Amortization of Deferred Financing Costs) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Debt and Other Obligations [Abstract]
Total	$134,439	$146,400

Debt_and_Other_Obligations_Con

Debt and Other Obligations Contractual Maturities (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Contractual Maturities [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Unamortized Discount	$1,214,000
Debt and Capital Lease Obligations	12,070,091,000	11,920,861,000
Long-term Debt, Gross	12,071,305,000
Repayments of debt 2015 [Member]
Contractual Maturities [Line Items]
Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayments of Principal, Remainder of Fiscal Year	83,105,000
Repayments of debt 2016 [Member]
Contractual Maturities [Line Items]
Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayments of Principal in Year Two	124,565,000
Repayments of debt 2017 [Member]
Contractual Maturities [Line Items]
Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayments of Principal in Year Three	621,524,000
repayments of debt 2018 [Member]
Contractual Maturities [Line Items]
Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayments of Principal in Year Four	1,490,513,000
repayments of debt 2019 [Member]
Contractual Maturities [Line Items]
Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayments of Principal in Year Five	597,469,000
Repayments of debt thereafter [Member]
Contractual Maturities [Line Items]
Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayments of Principal after Year Five	$9,154,129,000

Fair_Value_Disclosures_Estimat

Fair Value Disclosures (Estimated Fair Values and Carrying Amounts of Assets and Liabilities) (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents, carrying value	$240,153,000	$175,620,000	$200,537,000	$223,394,000
Cash and cash equivalents, fair value	240,153,000	175,620,000
Restricted cash, current and non-current, carrying value	141,964,000	152,411,000
Restricted cash, current and non-current, fair value	141,964,000	152,411,000
Long-term debt and other obligations, carrying amount	12,070,091,000	11,920,861,000
Long-term debt and other obligations, fair value	12,532,541,000	12,286,161,000
Cash and Cash Equivalents [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents, carrying value	1
Restricted cash, current and non-current, carrying value	1
Long-term Debt [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Long-term debt and other obligations, carrying amount	$2

Per_Share_Information_Reconcil

Per Share Information (Reconciliation of the Numerators and Denominators of the Basic and Diluted Per Share Computations) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Per Share Information
Net income (loss) attributable to CCIC stockholders	$122,787	$101,497
Dividends, Preferred Stock	10,997	10,997
Net income (loss) attributable to CCIC common stockholders for basic and diluted computations	$111,790	$90,500
Basic weighted-average number of common stock outstanding	332,712,000	332,034,000
Effect of assumed dilution from potential common shares relating to stock options and restricted stock awards	773,000	1,011,000
Diluted weighted-average number of common shares outstanding	333,485,000	333,045,000
Basic	$0.34	$0.27
Diluted	$0.34	$0.27

Per_Share_Information_Narrativ

Per Share Information (Narrative) (Details)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, Restricted Stock Award, Gross	1
Preferred Stock [Member]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Anti-dilutive securities excluded from dilutive common shares calculation	11.5

Commitments_and_Contingencies_

Commitments and Contingencies Commitment and Contingencies (Details) (Subject to Capital Lease with Sprint, TMO, or AT&T [Member])	Mar. 31, 2015
Subject to Capital Lease with Sprint, TMO, or AT&T [Member]
Other Commitments [Line Items]
Purchase Option, Percentage of Towers	52.00%

Equity_Details

Equity (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
Share data in Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014		Dec. 31, 2013
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Common stock repurchased during period, shares	0.3
Purchases of capital stock	$29,372,000	$21,417,000
Paid prior to quarter end [Member]
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Common Stock, Dividends, Per Share, Cash Paid		$0.82
Dividends, Common Stock, Cash		274,700,000	[1]
Preferred Stock, Dividends, Per Share, Cash Paid				$1.13
Dividends, Preferred Stock, Cash				11,000,000
Common Stock [Member] | Paid prior to quarter end [Member]
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends Payable, Date Declared		12-Feb-15
Dividends Payable, Date to be Paid		20-Mar-15
Dividends Payable, Date of Record		31-Mar-15
Mandatory Convertible Preferred stock [Member] | Paid prior to quarter end [Member]
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends Payable, Date Declared				22-Dec-14
Dividends Payable, Date to be Paid				15-Jan-15
Dividends Payable, Date of Record				2-Feb-15
Mandatory Convertible Preferred stock [Member] | Paid subsequent to quarter end [Member]
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends Payable, Date Declared		27-Mar-15
Dividends Payable, Date to be Paid		15-Apr-15
Dividends Payable, Date of Record		1-May-15
Preferred Stock, Dividends, Per Share, Cash Paid		$1.13
Dividends, Preferred Stock, Cash		$11,000,000	[2]
[1]	Inclusive of dividends accrued for holders of unvested restricted stock units.
[2]	Represents amount paid on May 1, 2015 based on holders of record on April 15, 2015.

Operating_Segments_Financial_R

Operating Segments (Financial Results for the Company's Operating Segments) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015		Mar. 31, 2014
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Site rental	$767,606,000		$747,162,000
Network services and other	173,395,000		128,788,000
Net revenues	941,001,000		875,950,000
Site rental	240,980,000	[1]	228,076,000	[1]
Network services and other	88,878,000	[1]	72,874,000	[1]
General and administrative	79,487,000		64,849,000
Asset write-down charges	8,623,000		2,733,000
Acquisition and integration costs	2,019,000		5,659,000
Depreciation, amortization and accretion	258,060,000		250,191,000
Total operating expenses	678,047,000		624,382,000
Operating income (loss)	262,954,000		251,568,000
Interest expense and amortization of deferred financing costs	-134,439,000		-146,400,000
Interest income	109,000		173,000
Other income (expense)	-230,000		-2,736,000
Benefit (provision) for income taxes	-3,282,000		188,000
Net income (loss)	125,112,000		102,793,000
Less: Net income (loss) attributable to the noncontrolling interest	2,325,000		1,296,000
Net income (loss) attributable to CCIC stockholders	122,787,000		101,497,000
Capital expenditures	204,753,000		142,943,000
CCUSA [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Site rental	731,380,000		714,792,000
Network services and other	169,091,000		126,971,000
Net revenues	900,471,000		841,763,000
Site rental	232,213,000	[1]	218,644,000	[1]
Network services and other	86,918,000	[1]	71,799,000	[1]
General and administrative	74,056,000		58,641,000
Asset write-down charges	8,555,000		2,636,000
Acquisition and integration costs	2,016,000		5,659,000
Depreciation, amortization and accretion	251,806,000		245,176,000
Total operating expenses	655,564,000		602,555,000
Operating income (loss)	244,907,000		239,208,000
Interest expense and amortization of deferred financing costs	-134,439,000		-146,400,000
Interest income	56,000		114,000
Other income (expense)	2,827,000		947,000
Benefit (provision) for income taxes	1,434,000		3,040,000
Net income (loss)	114,785,000		96,909,000
Less: Net income (loss) attributable to the noncontrolling interest	0		0
Net income (loss) attributable to CCIC stockholders	114,785,000		96,909,000
Capital expenditures	201,653,000		138,838,000
CCAL [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Site rental	36,226,000		32,370,000
Network services and other	4,304,000		1,817,000
Net revenues	40,530,000		34,187,000
Site rental	8,767,000	[1]	9,432,000	[1]
Network services and other	1,960,000	[1]	1,075,000	[1]
General and administrative	5,431,000		6,208,000
Asset write-down charges	68,000		97,000
Acquisition and integration costs	3,000		0
Depreciation, amortization and accretion	6,254,000		5,015,000
Total operating expenses	22,483,000		21,827,000
Operating income (loss)	18,047,000		12,360,000
Interest expense and amortization of deferred financing costs	-3,051,000		-3,683,000
Interest income	53,000		59,000
Other income (expense)	-6,000		0
Benefit (provision) for income taxes	-4,716,000		-2,852,000
Net income (loss)	10,327,000		5,884,000
Less: Net income (loss) attributable to the noncontrolling interest	2,325,000		1,296,000
Net income (loss) attributable to CCIC stockholders	8,002,000		4,588,000
Capital expenditures	3,100,000		4,105,000
Elimination [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Site rental	0		0
Network services and other	0		0
Net revenues	0		0
Site rental	0	[1]	0	[1]
Network services and other	0	[1]	0	[1]
General and administrative	0		0
Asset write-down charges	0		0
Acquisition and integration costs	0		0
Depreciation, amortization and accretion	0		0
Total operating expenses	0		0
Operating income (loss)	0		0
Interest expense and amortization of deferred financing costs	3,051,000	[2]	3,683,000	[2]
Interest income	0		0
Other income (expense)	-3,051,000	[2]	-3,683,000	[2]
Benefit (provision) for income taxes	0		0
Net income (loss)	0		0
Less: Net income (loss) attributable to the noncontrolling interest	0		0
Net income (loss) attributable to CCIC stockholders	0		0
Capital expenditures	$0		$0
[1]	Exclusive of depreciation, amortization and accretion shown separately.
[2]	Elimination of inter-company borrowings and related interest expense.

Operating_Segments_Adjusted_fo

Operating Segments (Adjusted for EBITDA) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015		Mar. 31, 2014
Segment Reporting, Other Significant Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Net income (loss)	$125,112,000		$102,793,000
Asset write-down charges	8,623,000		2,733,000
Acquisition and integration costs	2,019,000		5,659,000
Depreciation, amortization and accretion	258,060,000		250,191,000
Amortization of prepaid lease purchase price adjustments	5,174,000		3,895,000
Interest expense and amortization of deferred financing costs	134,439,000		146,400,000
Interest income	-109,000		-173,000
Other income (expense)	230,000		2,736,000
Benefit (provision) for income taxes	3,282,000		-188,000
Stock-based compensation expense	17,424,000		12,937,000
Adjusted EBITDA	554,254,000	[1]	526,983,000	[1]
CCUSA [Member]
Segment Reporting, Other Significant Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Net income (loss)	114,785,000		96,909,000
Asset write-down charges	8,555,000		2,636,000
Acquisition and integration costs	2,016,000		5,659,000
Depreciation, amortization and accretion	251,806,000		245,176,000
Amortization of prepaid lease purchase price adjustments	5,174,000		3,895,000
Interest expense and amortization of deferred financing costs	134,439,000		146,400,000
Interest income	-56,000		-114,000
Other income (expense)	-2,827,000		-947,000
Benefit (provision) for income taxes	-1,434,000		-3,040,000
Stock-based compensation expense	16,842,000		11,956,000
Adjusted EBITDA	529,300,000	[1]	508,530,000	[1]
CCAL [Member]
Segment Reporting, Other Significant Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Net income (loss)	10,327,000		5,884,000
Asset write-down charges	68,000		97,000
Acquisition and integration costs	3,000		0
Depreciation, amortization and accretion	6,254,000		5,015,000
Amortization of prepaid lease purchase price adjustments	0		0
Interest expense and amortization of deferred financing costs	3,051,000		3,683,000
Interest income	-53,000		-59,000
Other income (expense)	6,000		0
Benefit (provision) for income taxes	4,716,000		2,852,000
Stock-based compensation expense	582,000		981,000
Adjusted EBITDA	24,954,000	[1]	18,453,000	[1]
Elimination [Member]
Segment Reporting, Other Significant Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Net income (loss)	0		0
Asset write-down charges	0		0
Acquisition and integration costs	0		0
Depreciation, amortization and accretion	0		0
Amortization of prepaid lease purchase price adjustments	0		0
Interest expense and amortization of deferred financing costs	-3,051,000	[2]	-3,683,000	[2]
Interest income	0		0
Other income (expense)	3,051,000	[2]	3,683,000	[2]
Benefit (provision) for income taxes	0		0
Stock-based compensation expense	0		0
Adjusted EBITDA	$0	[1]	$0	[1]
[1]	Text selection found with no content.
[2]	Elimination of inter-company borrowings and related interest expense.

Supplemental_Cash_Flow_Informa2

Supplemental Cash Flow Information (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Supplemental Cash Flow Information [Line Items]
Interest paid	$120,949	$126,540
Income taxes paid	2,498	7,400
Increase (decrease) in accounts payable for purchases of property and equipment	-13,557	-7,582
Purchase of property and equipment under capital leases and installment purchases	$12,407	$8,012

Subsequent_Events_Details

Subsequent Events (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015		Dec. 31, 2014
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Debt and Capital Lease Obligations	$12,070,091,000		$11,920,861,000
Sunesys [Member]
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Business Combination, Consideration	1,000,000,000
Fiber Miles	10,000
Percentage of FIber Miles	60.00%
Securitized Debt [Member]
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Debt and Capital Lease Obligations	3,562,927,000		3,573,208,000
2015 Tower Revenue Notes [Member] [Member] | Securitized Debt [Member]
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Debt and Capital Lease Obligations	1,000,000,000
2015 Tower Revenue Notes 3.222% due 2042 [Member] | Securitized Debt [Member]
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	3.22%	[1],[2]
Debt and Capital Lease Obligations	300,000,000
2015 Tower Revenue Notes 3.663% due 2045 [Member] | Securitized Debt [Member]
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	3.66%	[1],[2]
Debt and Capital Lease Obligations	700,000,000
Fixed Rate Securitized Debt August 2010 Tower Revenue Notes [Member] | Securitized Debt [Member]
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	4.50%	[1],[2]
Debt and Capital Lease Obligations	1,550,000,000		1,550,000,000
August 2010 Tower Revenue Notes ARD [Domain] | Fixed Rate Securitized Debt August 2010 Tower Revenue Notes [Member] | Securitized Debt [Member]
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Debt and Capital Lease Obligations	$250,000,000
[1]	Represents the weighted-average stated interest rate.
[2]	See the 2014 Form 10-K, including note 7, for additional information regarding the maturity and principal amortization provisions and interest rates relating to the Company's indebtedness.