Crown Castle (CCI) 10-Q 1 Nov 16 2016 Q3 Quarterly report Financial data

Document and Entity Information

Document and Entity Information - shares	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Oct. 28, 2016
Entity Information [Line Items]
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Registrant Name	CROWN CASTLE INTERNATIONAL CORP
Entity Central Index Key	1,051,470
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	Sep. 30, 2016
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2,016
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Amendment Flag	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		338,916,436
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes

Condensed Consolidated Balance

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet - USD ($) $ in Thousands		Sep. 30, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents		$ 156,219	$ 178,810
Restricted cash		116,932	130,731
Receivables, net		276,259	313,296
Prepaid expenses		157,102	133,194
Other current assets		133,163	225,214
Total current assets		839,675	981,245
Deferred site rental receivables		1,321,777	1,306,408
Property and equipment, net		9,714,149	9,580,057
Goodwill		5,750,033	5,513,551
Other intangible assets, net		3,737,448	3,779,915
Long-term prepaid rent and other assets, net		808,641	775,790
Total assets		22,171,723	21,936,966
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Accounts payable		148,916	159,629
Accrued interest		84,244	66,975
Deferred revenues		358,683	322,623
Other accrued liabilities		204,533	199,923
Current maturities of debt and other obligations		101,362	106,219
Total current liabilities		897,738	855,369
Debt and other long-term obligations	[1]	12,491,596	12,043,740
Deferred credits and other liabilities		2,028,672	1,948,636
Total liabilities		15,418,006	14,847,745
Commitments and contingencies
CCIC stockholders' equity:
Common stock		3,375	3,338
4.50% Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock		98	98
Additional paid-in capital		9,914,844	9,548,580
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)		(5,541)	(4,398)
Dividends/distributions in excess of earnings		(3,159,059)	(2,458,397)
Total equity		6,753,717	7,089,221
Total liabilities and equity		$ 22,171,723	$ 21,936,966
[1]	Balances reflect debt issuance costs as a direct reduction from the respective carrying amounts of debt, with the exception of debt issuance costs associated with the Company's revolving credit facilities. See note 2.

Condensed Consolidated Balance3

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Accumulated depreciation, property and equipment	$ 6,410,830	$ 5,798,875
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
Common stock, par value	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Common stock, shares authorized	600,000,000	600,000,000

Condensed Consolidated Statemen

Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss) - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
		Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016		Sep. 30, 2015
Net revenues:
Site rental		$ 812,032	$ 764,606	$ 2,415,926		$ 2,233,077
Network services and other		179,984	153,501	472,883		484,938
Net revenues		992,016	918,107	2,888,809		2,718,015
Operating expenses:
Site rental	[1]	256,750	247,000	762,223		716,244
Network services and other	[1]	109,228	86,859	286,066		263,177
General and administrative		89,941	76,699	278,909		223,880
Asset write-down charges		8,339	7,477	28,251		19,652
Acquisition and integration costs		2,680	7,608	11,459		12,001
Depreciation, amortization and accretion		280,824	261,662	834,725		766,621
Total operating expenses		747,762	687,305	2,201,633		2,001,575
Operating income (loss)		244,254	230,802	687,176		716,440
Nonoperating Income (Expense) [Abstract]
Interest expense and amortization of deferred financing costs		(129,916)	(129,877)	(385,656)		(398,782)
Gains (losses) on retirement of long-term obligations		(10,274)	0	(52,291)	[2]	(4,157)
Interest income		175	789	454		1,170
Other income (expense)		(832)	(1,214)	(4,623)		58,510
Income (loss) before income taxes		103,407	100,500	245,060		373,181
Benefit (provision) for income taxes		(5,041)	3,801	(12,797)		9,380
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations, Net of Tax, Attributable to Parent		98,366	104,301	232,263		382,561
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax		0	0	0		19,690	[3],[4],[5]
Discontinued Operation, Gain (Loss) on Disposal of Discontinued Operation, Net of Tax		0	(522)	0		981,018
Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operations, Net of Tax and Gain (Loss) on Disposal			(522)	0		1,000,708
Net income (loss)		98,366	103,779	232,263		1,383,269
Less: Net income (loss) attributable to the noncontrolling interest		0	0	0		3,343
Net income (loss) attributable to CCIC stockholders		98,366	103,779	232,263		1,379,926
Dividends on preferred stock		(10,997)	(10,997)	(32,991)		(32,991)
Net income (loss) attributable to CCIC common stockholders		87,369	92,782	199,272		1,346,935
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Abstract]
Amounts reclassified into interest expense and amortization deferred financing costs, net of taxes		0	3,744	0		18,725
Foreign currency translation adjustments		(1,535)	(632)	(1,143)		(13,493)
Amounts reclassified into discontinued operations for foreign currency translation adjustments		0	0	0		(25,678)
Total other comprehensive income (loss)		(1,535)	3,112	(1,143)		(20,446)
Comprehensive income (loss)		96,831	106,891	231,120		1,362,823
Less: Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to the noncontrolling interest		0	0			0
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to CCIC stockholders		$ 96,831	$ 106,891	$ 231,120		$ 1,362,823
Net income (loss) attributable to CCIC common stockholders, per common share:
Basic		$ 0.26	$ 0.28	$ 0.59		$ 4.05
Diluted		$ 0.26	$ 0.28	$ 0.59		$ 4.04
Weighted-average common shares outstanding (in thousands):
Basic		337,564	333,049	336,426		332,951
Diluted		338,409	333,711	337,076		333,735
Continuing Operations [Member]
Nonoperating Income (Expense) [Abstract]
Net income (loss) attributable to CCIC common stockholders		$ 87,369	$ 93,304	$ 199,272		$ 349,570
Net income (loss) attributable to CCIC common stockholders, per common share:
Basic		$ 0.26	$ 0.28	$ 0.59		$ 1.05
Diluted		$ 0.26	$ 0.28	$ 0.59		$ 1.05
Discontinued Operations [Member]
Nonoperating Income (Expense) [Abstract]
Net income (loss) attributable to CCIC common stockholders		$ 0	$ (522)	$ 0		$ 997,365
Net income (loss) attributable to CCIC common stockholders, per common share:
Basic		$ 0	$ 0	$ 0		$ 3
Diluted		$ 0	$ 0	$ 0		$ 2.99
[1]	Exclusive of depreciation, amortization and accretion shown separately.
[2]	Inclusive of $33.8 million related to the write off of deferred financing costs.
[3]	CCAL results are through May 28, 2015, which was the closing date of the Company's sale of CCAL.
[4]	Exclusive of the gain (loss) from disposal of discontinued operations, net of tax, as presented on the condensed consolidated financial statement of operations.
[5]	No interest expense has been allocated to discontinued operations.

Condensed Consolidated Stateme5

Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016		Sep. 30, 2015
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income (loss) from continuing operations	$ 232,263		$ 382,561
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by (used for) operating activities:
Depreciation, amortization and accretion	834,725		766,621
Gains (losses) on retirement of long-term obligations	52,291	[1]	4,157
Gains (losses) on settled swaps	2,608		(54,475)
Amortization of deferred financing costs and other non-cash interest	11,293		32,394
Stock-based compensation expense	60,402		44,711
Asset write-down charges	28,251		19,652
Deferred income tax benefit (provision)	6,626		(16,199)
Other adjustments	(1,060)		(7,240)
Changes in assets and liabilities, excluding the effects of acquisitions:
Increase (decrease) in accrued interest	17,269		2,241
Increase (decrease) in accounts payable	(12,469)		(8,310)
Increase (decrease) in deferred revenues, deferred ground lease payables, other accrued liabilities and other liabilities	118,144		214,607
Decrease (increase) in receivables	38,231		(703)
Decrease (increase) in prepaid expenses, deferred site rental receivables, long-term prepaid rent, restricted cash and other assets	(83,859)		(89,141)
Net cash provided by (used for) operating activities	1,304,715		1,290,876
Cash flows from investing activities:
Payment for acquisitions of businesses, net of cash acquired	(545,162)		(1,083,319)
Capital expenditures	(614,178)		(658,240)
Net receipts from settled swaps	8,141		54,475
Other investing activities, net	11,616		(1,561)
Net cash provided by (used for) investing activities	(1,139,583)		(1,688,645)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt	5,201,010		1,000,000
Principal payments on long-term debt and other long-term obligations	(69,717)		(78,049)
Purchases and redemptions of long-term debt	(4,044,834)	[2]	(1,069,337)
Purchases of capital stock	(24,759)		(29,576)
Borrowings under revolving credit facility	3,440,000		1,560,000
Payments under revolving credit facility	(4,155,000)		(1,240,000)
Payments for financing costs	(41,471)		(17,415)
Proceeds from Issuance of Common Stock			0
Dividends/distributions paid on common stock	(896,628)		(821,056)
Dividends/distributions paid on preferred stock	(32,991)		(32,991)
Net (increase) decrease in restricted cash	40		28,435
Net cash provided by (used for) financing activities	(300,552)		(699,989)
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Discontinued Operations [Abstract]
Net cash provided by (used for) operating activities, Discontinued Operations	0		4,359
Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities, Discontinued Operations	113,150		1,103,577
Cash and Cash Equivalents, Period Increase (Decrease), Excluding Exchange Rate Effect [Abstract]
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Discontinued Operations	113,150		1,107,936
Effect of Exchange Rate on Cash and Cash Equivalents [Abstract]
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	(321)		(1,682)
Cash and Cash Equivalents, at Carrying Value, Including Discontinued Operations, Period Start	178,810		175,620	[3]
Cash and Cash Equivalents, at Carrying Value, Including Discontinued Operations, Period End	156,219		184,116
Continuing Operations [Member]
Cash flows from financing activities:
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents - continuing operations	(135,420)		$ (1,097,758)
At the Market Program [Member]
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from Issuance of Common Stock	$ 323,798
[1]	Inclusive of $33.8 million related to the write off of deferred financing costs.
[2]	Exclusive of accrued interest.
[3]	Inclusive of cash and cash equivalents included in discontinued operations.

Condensed Consolidated Stateme6

Condensed Consolidated Statement of Equity - USD ($)	Total	At the Market Program [Member]	Stockholders' Equity, Total [Member]		Stockholders' Equity, Total [Member]At the Market Program [Member]	Common Stock [Member]	Common Stock [Member]At the Market Program [Member]	Preferred Stock [Member]	Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]	Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]At the Market Program [Member]	Accumulated Foreign Currency Adjustment Attributable to Parent [Member]		Accumulated Net Gain (Loss) from Designated or Qualifying Cash Flow Hedges [Member]		Dividends/Distributions in Excess of Earnings [Member]	Noncontrolling Interest [Member]
Balance, shares Period Start at Dec. 31, 2014						333,856,632
Balance, value Period Start at Dec. 31, 2014			$ 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
Stock-based compensation related activity, net of forfeitures, value			49,777,000			$ 2,000			49,775,000		0		0		0	0
Stock-based compensation related activity, net of forfeitures, shares						250,443
Purchases and retirement of capital stock, value			(29,576,000)			$ (2,000)			(29,574,000)		0		0		0	0
Proceeds from Issuance of Common Stock	$ 0
Purchases and retirement of capital stock, shares						(335,576)
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(20,446,000)		(20,446,000)			$ 0			0		(38,299,000)		18,725,000		0	(872,000)
Noncontrolling Interest, Period Increase (Decrease)			(23,474,000)													(23,474,000)
Common stock dividends/distributions			(823,484,000)												(823,484,000)
Preferred stock dividends	(32,991,000)		(32,991,000)												(32,991,000)
Net income (loss)	1,383,269,000		1,383,269,000			$ 0			0		0		0		1,379,926,000	3,343,000
Balance, shares Period End at Sep. 30, 2015						333,771,499
Balance, value Period End at Sep. 30, 2015			7,240,303,000			$ 3,339,000		$ 98,000	9,532,597,000		(3,754,000)		0		(2,291,977,000)	0
Preferred Stock, Shares Outstanding Period End at Sep. 30, 2015								9,775,000
Balance, shares Period Start at Jun. 30, 2015						333,762,344
Balance, value Period Start at Jun. 30, 2015			7,404,236,000			$ 3,339,000		$ 98,000	9,518,103,000		(3,122,000)		(3,744,000)		(2,110,438,000)	0
Preferred Stock, Shares Outstanding Period Start at Jun. 30, 2015								9,775,000
Stock-based compensation related activity, net of forfeitures, value			14,579,000			$ 0			14,579,000		0		0		0	0
Stock-based compensation related activity, net of forfeitures, shares						10,198
Purchases and retirement of capital stock, value			(85,000)			$ 0			(85,000)		0		0		0	0
Purchases and retirement of capital stock, shares						(1,043)
Other comprehensive income (loss)	3,112,000		3,112,000	[1]		$ 0			0		(632,000)	[1]	3,744,000	[1]	0	0	[1]
Common stock dividends/distributions			(274,321,000)												(274,321,000)
Preferred stock dividends	(10,997,000)		(10,997,000)												(10,997,000)
Net income (loss)	103,779,000		103,779,000			$ 0			0		0		0		103,779,000	0
Balance, shares Period End at Sep. 30, 2015						333,771,499
Balance, value Period End at Sep. 30, 2015			7,240,303,000			$ 3,339,000		$ 98,000	9,532,597,000		(3,754,000)		0		(2,291,977,000)	0
Preferred Stock, Shares Outstanding Period End at Sep. 30, 2015								9,775,000
Balance, shares Period Start at Dec. 31, 2015						333,771,660
Balance, value Period Start at Dec. 31, 2015	$ 7,089,221,000		7,089,221,000			$ 3,338,000		$ 98,000	9,548,580,000		(4,398,000)		0		(2,458,397,000)	0
Preferred Stock, Shares Outstanding Period Start at Dec. 31, 2015	9,775,000							9,775,000
Stock-based compensation related activity, net of forfeitures, value			67,262,000			$ 2,000			67,260,000		0		0		0	0
Stock-based compensation related activity, net of forfeitures, shares						257,720
Purchases and retirement of capital stock, value			(24,759,000)			$ (3,000)			(24,756,000)		0		0		0	0
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, New Issues							3,828,064
Proceeds from Issuance of Common Stock		$ 323,798,000			$ 323,798,000		$ 38,000			$ 323,760,000
Purchases and retirement of capital stock, shares						(287,513)
Other comprehensive income (loss)	$ (1,143,000)		(1,143,000)			$ 0			0		(1,143,000)		0		0	0
Common stock dividends/distributions			(899,934,000)												(899,934,000)
Preferred stock dividends	(32,991,000)		(32,991,000)												(32,991,000)
Net income (loss)	232,263,000		232,263,000			$ 0			0		0		0		232,263,000	0
Balance, shares Period End at Sep. 30, 2016						337,569,931
Balance, value Period End at Sep. 30, 2016	$ 6,753,717,000		6,753,717,000			$ 3,375,000		$ 98,000	9,914,844,000		(5,541,000)		0		(3,159,059,000)	0
Preferred Stock, Shares Outstanding Period End at Sep. 30, 2016	9,775,000							9,775,000
Balance, shares Period Start at Jun. 30, 2016						337,562,378
Balance, value Period Start at Jun. 30, 2016			6,948,307,000			$ 3,375,000		$ 98,000	9,894,921,000		(4,006,000)		0		(2,946,081,000)	0
Preferred Stock, Shares Outstanding Period Start at Jun. 30, 2016								9,775,000
Stock-based compensation related activity, net of forfeitures, value			20,222,000			$ 0			20,222,000		0		0		0	0
Stock-based compensation related activity, net of forfeitures, shares						10,784
Purchases and retirement of capital stock, value			(299,000)			$ 0			(299,000)		0		0		0	0
Purchases and retirement of capital stock, shares						(3,231)
Other comprehensive income (loss)	$ (1,535,000)		(1,535,000)	[2]		$ 0			0		(1,535,000)	[2]	0	[2]	0	0	[2]
Common stock dividends/distributions			(300,347,000)												(300,347,000)
Preferred stock dividends	(10,997,000)		(10,997,000)												(10,997,000)
Net income (loss)	98,366,000		98,366,000			$ 0			0		0		0		98,366,000	0
Balance, shares Period End at Sep. 30, 2016						337,569,931
Balance, value Period End at Sep. 30, 2016	$ 6,753,717,000		$ 6,753,717,000			$ 3,375,000		$ 98,000	$ 9,914,844,000		$ (5,541,000)		$ 0		$ (3,159,059,000)	$ 0
Preferred Stock, Shares Outstanding Period End at Sep. 30, 2016	9,775,000							9,775,000
[1]	See the condensed statement of operations and other comprehensive income (loss) for the components of "other comprehensive income (loss)" and note 5 with respect to the reclassification adjustments.
[2]	See the condensed statement of operations and other comprehensive income (loss) for the components of "other comprehensive income (loss)."

General

General	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016
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, 2015 , and related notes thereto, included in the 2015 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. 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"), and (2) small cell networks supported by fiber (collectively, "small cells" and, together with towers, "wireless infrastructure"). The Company's wireless infrastructure is geographically dispersed throughout the United States, including Puerto Rico ("U.S."). See note 3 for a discussion of the May 2015 sale of the Company's formerly 77.6% owned subsidiary that operated towers in Australia (referred to as "CCAL"). The Company's core business is providing access, including space or capacity, to its shared wireless infrastructure via long-term contracts in various forms, including licenses, subleases and lease agreements. During the first quarter of 2016, the Company changed its operating segments to consist of (1) towers and (2) small cells. The Company has recast its prior period presentation to conform to its current reporting presentation. See note 11 . As part of the Company'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 tenant equipment installations on its wireless infrastructure: site acquisition, architectural and engineering, or zoning and permitting and (2) tenant equipment installation or subsequent augmentations. The Company operates as a REIT for U.S. federal income tax purposes. In addition, the Company has certain taxable REIT subsidiaries ("TRSs"). See note 7 . Approximately 54% of the Company's towers are leased or subleased or operated and managed under master leases, subleases, and other agreements with AT&T, Sprint, and T-Mobile. 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 state fairly the consolidated financial position of the Company at September 30, 2016 , and the consolidated results of operations and the consolidated cash flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 . The year-end condensed consolidated balance sheet data was derived from audited financial statements, but does not include all disclosures required by GAAP. The results of operations for the interim periods presented are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full 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 Accounti

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016
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 2015 Form 10-K, other than certain recent accounting pronouncements described below. Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements In April 2015, the FASB issued new guidance on the presentation of debt issuance costs. The guidance requires debt issuance costs be presented on the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of the related debt liability, consistent with debt discounts and premiums. The Company adopted the guidance as of January 1, 2016, and has applied the guidance retrospectively. As a result, the Company reclassified $99.3 million of deferred financing costs as of December 31, 2015 from "long-term prepaid rent and other assets, net" as a direct reduction of "debt and other long-term obligations." In September 2015, the FASB issued new guidance which requires an acquirer to recognize adjustments to provisional amounts that are identified during the measurement period in the reporting period in which the adjustment amounts are determined. The Company adopted the guidance as of January 1, 2016 on a prospective basis. This standard did not have a material impact on the Company's condensed consolidated financial statements upon adoption. Recent Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted In February 2016, the FASB issued new guidance on the recognition, measurement, presentation and disclosure of leases. The new guidance requires lessees to recognize a right-of-use asset and a lease liability, initially measured at the present value of the lease payments for all leases with a term greater than 12 months. The accounting for lessors remains largely unchanged from existing guidance. This guidance is effective for the Company as of January 1, 2019 and is required to be applied using a modified retrospective approach for all leases existing at, or entered into after, the beginning of the earliest comparative period presented. Early adoption is permitted. The Company expects this guidance to have a material impact on its condensed consolidated financial statements and is currently evaluating the impact. In June 2016, the FASB issued new guidance on the recognition and measurement of expected credit losses for certain types of financial instruments, including accounts receivable. The new guidance requires entities to estimate the expected credit loss over the life of certain financial instruments at initial recognition of the financial instrument. The guidance is effective for the Company as of January 1, 2020. Early adoption is permitted. The Company does not expect this guidance to have a material impact on its condensed consolidated financial statements.

Discontinued Operations (Notes)

Discontinued Operations (Notes)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016
Discontinued Operations and Disposal Groups [Abstract]
Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations, Disclosure [Text Block]	Discontinued Operations On May 14, 2015, the Company entered into a definitive agreement to sell CCAL to a consortium of investors led by Macquarie Infrastructure and Real Assets (collectively, “Buyer”). On May 28, 2015, the Company completed the sale. At closing, the Company received net proceeds of approximately $ 1.1 billion after accounting for the Company's 77.6% ownership interest, repayment of intercompany debt owed to the Company by CCAL and estimated transaction fees and expenses, exclusive of the impact of foreign currency swaps related to the CCAL sale. As part of the sale of CCAL, in January 2016, the Company received an installment payment from the Buyer totaling approximately $ 124 million , inclusive of the impact of the related foreign currency swap. CCAL was historically a separate operating segment of the Company. The sale of the Company's CCAL operating segment is treated as discontinued operations for all periods presented pursuant to ASU 2014-8, Reporting Discontinued Operations and Disclosures of Disposals of Components of an Entity , which the Company adopted on January 1, 2015. The gain from disposal of CCAL is included in discontinued operations on the condensed consolidated statement of operations. The table below sets forth the results of operations related to discontinued operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 . Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015 (b)(c) Total revenues $ 65,293 Total cost of operations (a) 17,498 Depreciation, amortization, and accretion 10,168 Total other expenses 10,481 Pre-tax income from discontinued operations 27,146 Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax (d) $ 19,690 (a) Exclusive of depreciation, amortization, and accretion shown separately. (b) No interest expense has been allocated to discontinued operations. (c) CCAL results are through May 28, 2015, which was the closing date of the Company's sale of CCAL. (d) Exclusive of the gain (loss) from disposal of discontinued operations, net of tax, as presented on the condensed consolidated financial statement of operations.

Acquisitions

Acquisitions	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016
Acquisitions [Abstract]
Mergers, Acquisitions and Dispositions Disclosures [Text Block]	Acquisitions In April 2016, the Company acquired Tower Development Corporation ("TDC"), a portfolio of approximately 330 towers, for approximately $461 million in cash ("TDC Acquisition"). The Company funded the acquisition with cash on hand, cash from borrowings under the 2016 Revolver, and cash from equity issuances under the ATM Program (see note 10 ). As of September 30, 2016, the preliminary purchase price allocation was primarily composed of other intangible assets of approximately $155 million , property and equipment of approximately $106 million , and goodwill of approximately $200 million . The preliminary purchase price allocation, including the valuation of fixed assets and intangible assets, is based upon a preliminary valuation, which is subject to change as the Company obtains additional information.

Debt and Other Obligations

Debt and Other Obligations	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016
Debt and Other Obligations [Abstract]
Debt and Other Obligations	Debt and Other Obligations Original Issue Date Contractual Maturity Date (a) Balance as of September 30, 2016 (g) Balance as of December 31, 2015 (g) Stated Interest Rate as of September 30, 2016 (a) Bank debt - variable rate: 2016 Revolver Jan. 2016 Jan. 2021 (d)(e)(f) $ 410,000 (b) $ — 1.8 % 2016 Term Loan A Jan. 2016 Jan. 2021 1,966,109 (b) — 1.9 % 2012 Revolver Jan. 2012 Jan. 2019 — (b) 1,125,000 N/A Tranche A Term Loans Jan. 2012 Jan. 2019 — (b) 627,846 N/A Tranche B Term Loans Jan. 2012 Jan. 2021 — (b) 2,219,602 N/A Total bank debt 2,376,109 3,972,448 Securitized debt - fixed rate: Secured Notes, Series 2009-1, Class A-1 July 2009 Aug. 2019 56,122 70,219 6.3 % Secured Notes, Series 2009-1, Class A-2 July 2009 Aug. 2029 68,718 68,658 9.0 % Tower Revenue Notes, Series 2010-2 Jan. 2010 Jan. 2037 (e) — 349,171 N/A Tower Revenue Notes, Series 2010-3 Jan. 2010 Jan. 2040 (c) 1,243,769 1,242,368 6.1 % Tower Revenue Notes, Series 2010-5 Aug. 2010 Aug. 2037 (e) — 298,774 N/A Tower Revenue Notes, Series 2010-6 Aug. 2010 Aug. 2040 (c) 993,097 991,749 4.9 % Tower Revenue Notes, Series 2015-1 May 2015 May 2042 (c) 296,414 295,937 3.2 % Tower Revenue Notes, Series 2015-2 May 2015 May 2045 (c) 691,025 690,247 3.7 % Total securitized debt 3,349,145 4,007,123 Bonds - fixed rate: 5.250% Senior Notes Oct. 2012 Jan. 2023 1,636,571 1,634,989 5.3 % 2.381% Secured Notes Dec. 2012 Dec. 2017 (f) — 497,160 2.4 % 3.849% Secured Notes Dec. 2012 Apr. 2023 990,933 989,895 3.9 % 4.875% Senior Notes Apr. 2014 Apr. 2022 839,884 838,579 4.9 % 3.400% Senior Notes Feb./May 2016 Feb. 2021 849,706 (d)(e) — 3.4 % 4.450% Senior Notes Feb. 2016 Feb. 2026 889,804 (d) — 4.5 % 3.700% Senior Notes May 2016 June 2026 741,705 (e) — 3.7 % 2.250% Senior Notes Sept. 2016 Sept. 2021 693,630 (f) — 2.3 % Total bonds 6,642,233 3,960,623 Other: Capital leases and other obligations Various Various 225,471 209,765 Various Total debt and other obligations 12,592,958 12,149,959 Less: current maturities and short-term debt and other current obligations 101,362 106,219 Non-current portion of long-term debt and other long-term obligations $ 12,491,596 $ 12,043,740 (a) See the 2015 Form 10-K, including note 8, for additional information regarding the maturity and principal amortization provisions and interest rates relating to the Company's indebtedness. (b) In January 2016, the Company completed a Senior Unsecured Credit Facility ("2016 Credit Facility"), comprised of (1) a $2.5 billion Senior Unsecured Revolving Credit Facility ("2016 Revolver") maturing in January 2021, (2) a $2.0 billion Senior Unsecured Term Loan A Facility ("2016 Term Loan A") maturing in January 2021 and (3) a previously outstanding $1.0 billion Senior Unsecured 364-Day Revolving Credit Facility ("364-Day Facility") maturing in January 2017. The 2016 Credit Facility bears interest at a per annum rate equal to LIBOR plus 1.125% to 2.000% , based on the Company's senior unsecured debt rating. The Company used the net proceeds from the 2016 Credit Facility (1) to repay the previously outstanding 2012 Credit Facility and (2) for general corporate purposes. In February 2016, the Company used a portion of the net proceeds from the 2016 Senior Notes offering to repay in full all outstanding borrowings under the previously outstanding 364-Day Facility. As of September 30, 2016 , the undrawn availability under the 2016 Revolver was $ 2.1 billion . (c) 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 2015 Form 10-K for additional information regarding these provisions. (d) In February 2016, the Company issued $1.5 billion aggregate principal amount of senior unsecured notes ("2016 Senior Notes"), which consist of (1) $600.0 million aggregate principal amount of 3.40% senior notes with a final maturity date of February 2021 and (2) $900.0 million aggregate principal amount of 4.45% senior notes with a final maturity date of February 2026. The Company used net proceeds from the 2016 Senior Notes offering, together with cash on hand, to (1) repay in full all outstanding borrowings under the previously outstanding 364-Day Facility and (2) repay $500.0 million of outstanding borrowings under the 2016 Revolver. (e) In May 2016, the Company issued $1.0 billion aggregate principal amount of senior unsecured notes ("May 2016 Senior Notes"), which consist of (1) $250.0 million aggregate principal amount of 3.40% senior notes that were issued pursuant to the same indenture as the 3.40% senior notes of the 2016 Senior Notes with a final maturity date of February 2021 and (2) $750.0 million aggregate principal amount of 3.70% senior notes with a final maturity date of June 2026. The Company used net proceeds from the May 2016 Senior Notes offering to repay in full the Tower Revenue Notes, Series 2010-2 and Series 2010-5, each issued by certain of its subsidiaries, and to repay a portion of the outstanding borrowings under the 2016 Revolver. (f) In September 2016, the Company issued $700.0 million aggregate principal amount of 2.25% senior unsecured notes ("September 2016 Senior Notes"). The Company used net proceeds from the September 2016 Senior Notes offering (1) to repay in full the 2.381% Secured Notes issued by certain of its subsidiaries and (2) to repay a portion of the outstanding borrowings under the 2016 Revolver. (g) Balances reflect debt issuance costs as a direct reduction from the respective carrying amounts of debt, with the exception of debt issuance costs associated with the Company's revolving credit facilities. See note 2. Contractual Maturities The following are the scheduled contractual maturities of the total debt and other long-term obligations of the Company outstanding as of September 30, 2016 . 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. Three Months Ending December 31, Years Ending December 31, Unamortized Adjustments, Net Total Debt and Other Obligations Outstanding 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 Thereafter Total Cash Obligations Scheduled contractual maturities $ 25,054 $ 101,049 $ 134,864 $ 138,883 $ 202,640 $ 12,085,120 $ 12,687,610 $ (94,652 ) $ 12,592,958 Purchases and Redemptions of Long-Term Debt The following is a summary of purchases and redemptions of long-term debt during the three months ended September 30, 2016 . Three Months Ended September 30, 2016 Principal Amount Cash Paid (a) Gains (Losses) (b) 2.381% Secured Notes $ 500,000 $ 508,472 $ (10,274 ) (a) Exclusive of accrued interest. (b) Inclusive of $ 1.8 million related to the write off of deferred financing costs. The following is a summary of purchases and redemptions of long-term debt during the nine months ended September 30, 2016 . Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016 Principal Amount Cash Paid (a) Gains (Losses) (b) 2012 Revolver (c) $ — $ — $ (1,930 ) Tranche A Term Loans 629,375 629,375 (1,498 ) Tranche B Term Loans 2,247,015 2,247,015 (27,122 ) Tower Revenue Notes, Series 2010-2 350,000 352,796 (3,338 ) Tower Revenue Notes, Series 2010-5 300,000 307,176 (8,129 ) 2.381% Secured Notes 500,000 508,472 (10,274 ) Total $ 4,026,390 $ 4,044,834 $ (52,291 ) (a) Exclusive of accrued interest. (b) Inclusive of $ 33.8 million related to the write off of deferred financing costs. (c) See discussion of the repayment of the Company's 2012 Credit Facility above. 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 September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016 2015 2016 2015 Interest expense on debt obligations $ 126,616 $ 121,287 $ 374,363 $ 366,388 Amortization of deferred financing costs and adjustments on long-term debt 4,601 5,567 14,522 15,478 Amortization of interest rate swaps (a) — 3,744 — 18,725 Other, net of capitalized interest (1,301 ) (721 ) (3,229 ) (1,809 ) Total $ 129,916 $ 129,877 $ 385,656 $ 398,782 (a) Amounts reclassified from "accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)."

Fair Value Disclosures

Fair Value Disclosures	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016
Fair Value Disclosures
Fair Value Disclosures	Fair Value Disclosures Level in Fair Value Hierarchy September 30, 2016 December 31, 2015 Carrying Amount Fair Value Carrying Amount Fair Value Assets: Cash and cash equivalents 1 $ 156,219 $ 156,219 $ 178,810 $ 178,810 Restricted cash, current and non-current 1 121,932 121,932 135,731 135,731 Foreign currency swaps 2 — — 10,749 10,749 Liabilities: Total debt and other obligations 2 12,592,958 13,523,464 12,149,959 12,555,143 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. Foreign currency swaps are valued at settlement amounts using observable exchange rates and, if material, reflect an adjustment for the Company's and contract counterparty's credit risk. There were no changes since December 31, 2015 in the Company's valuation techniques used to measure fair values.

Income Taxes

Income Taxes	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016
Income Taxes
Income Taxes	Income Taxes The Company operates 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 of 1986, as amended ("Code") to maintain qualification for taxation as a REIT. During the fourth quarter of 2015, the Company completed the necessary steps to include small cells that were previously included in one or more TRSs in the REIT. As a result, during the fourth quarter 2015, the Company de-recognized the net deferred tax liabilities in conjunction with the inclusion of small cells in the REIT. Effective January 4, 2016 the Company's small cells that were previously included in one or more TRSs are included in the REIT. The Company's TRS assets and operations 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) 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. For the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 , 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.

Per Share Information

Per Share Information	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016
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 September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016 2015 2016 2015 Net income (loss) from continuing operations $ 98,366 $ 104,301 $ 232,263 $ 382,561 Dividends on preferred stock (10,997 ) (10,997 ) (32,991 ) (32,991 ) Net income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to CCIC common stockholders for basic and diluted computations $ 87,369 $ 93,304 $ 199,272 $ 349,570 Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax — (522 ) — 1,000,708 Less: Net income (loss) attributable to the noncontrolling interest — — — 3,343 Net income (loss) from discontinued operations attributable to CCIC common stockholders for basic and diluted computations $ — $ (522 ) $ — $ 997,365 Weighted-average number of common shares outstanding (in thousands): Basic weighted-average number of common stock outstanding 337,564 333,049 336,426 332,951 Effect of assumed dilution from potential common shares relating to restricted stock units and restricted stock awards 845 662 650 784 Diluted weighted-average number of common shares outstanding 338,409 333,711 337,076 333,735 Net income (loss) attributable to CCIC common stockholders, per common share: Income (loss) from continuing operations, basic 0.26 0.28 0.59 1.05 Income (loss) from discontinued operations, basic — — — 3.00 Net income (loss) attributable to CCIC common stockholders, basic 0.26 0.28 0.59 4.05 Income (loss) from continuing operations, diluted 0.26 0.28 0.59 1.05 Income (loss) from discontinued operations, diluted — — — 2.99 Net income (loss) attributable to CCIC common stockholders, diluted 0.26 0.28 0.59 4.04 During the nine months ended September 30, 2016 , the Company granted 1.3 million restricted stock units. For the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 , 11.6 million and 12.4 million common share equivalents, respectively, 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 the end of the respective periods. See note 13 for a discussion of the October and November 2016 conversion of the Company's previously outstanding Convertible Preferred Stock to common stock.

Commitments and Contingencies

Commitments and Contingencies	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016
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 54% 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	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016
Equity [Abstract]
Stockholders' Equity Note Disclosure [Text Block]	Equity Declaration and Payment of Dividends During the nine months ended September 30, 2016 , 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 18, 2016 March 18, 2016 March 31, 2016 $ 0.885 $ 300.0 (a) Common Stock May 20, 2016 June 17, 2016 June 30, 2016 $ 0.885 $ 300.8 (a) Common Stock August 2, 2016 September 16, 2016 September 30, 2016 $ 0.885 $ 300.3 (a) Convertible Preferred Stock December 16, 2015 January 16, 2016 February 1, 2016 $ 1.1250 $ 11.0 Convertible Preferred Stock March 22, 2016 April 15, 2016 May 2, 2016 $ 1.1250 $ 11.0 Convertible Preferred Stock June 28, 2016 July 15, 2016 August 1, 2016 $ 1.1250 $ 11.0 Convertible Preferred Stock September 17, 2016 October 15, 2016 November 1, 2016 $ 1.1250 $ 11.0 (a) Inclusive of dividends accrued for holders of unvested restricted stock units and payments of previously accrued dividends for holders of restricted stock units that have vested during the nine months ended September 30, 2016 . See note 13 for a discussion of (1) the October and November 2016 conversion of the Company's previously outstanding Convertible Preferred Stock to common stock and (2) the Company's October 2016 declaration of its quarterly cash common stock dividend. Purchases of the Company's Common Stock For the nine months ended September 30, 2016 , the Company purchased 0.3 million shares of its common stock utilizing $24.8 million in cash. The common stock shares purchased relate to shares withheld in connection with the payment of withholding taxes upon vesting of restricted stock. "At the Market" Stock Offering Program In August 2015, the Company established an "at the market" stock offering program ("ATM Program") through which it may, from time to time, issue and sell shares of its common stock having an aggregate cumulative gross sales price of up to $ 500.0 million to or through sales agents. Sales, if any, under the ATM Program may be made by means of ordinary brokers' transactions on the New York Stock Exchange or otherwise at market prices prevailing at the time of sale, at prices related to prevailing market prices or, subject to specific instructions of the Company, at negotiated prices. The Company intends to use the net proceeds from any sales under the ATM Program for general corporate purposes, which may include the funding of future acquisitions or investments and the repayment or repurchase of any outstanding indebtedness. During the nine months ended September 30, 2016 , 3.8 million shares of common stock were sold under the ATM Program generating net proceeds of $323.8 million after giving effect to sales agent commissions of $3.3 million . The net proceeds from the sales under the ATM Program were used, in part, to fund the TDC Acquisition. See note 4.

Operating Segments

Operating Segments	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Segment Reporting Disclosure [Text Block]	Operating Segments During the first quarter of 2016, the Company changed its operating segments to consist of (1) towers and (2) small cells. This change was as a result of growth in small cells from a combination of organic growth, capital expenditures, and acquisitions, as well as the continued progression of the integration of Quanta Fiber Networks, Inc. ("Sunesys"), which led to changes in how the Company's chief operating decision maker ("CODM") reviews financial information. The Company's operating segment change aligns with how the CODM views and evaluates the Company's operations, including how the CODM allocates capital and assesses segment performance. The Company has recast its prior period presentation to conform to its current reporting presentation. The towers segment provides access, including space or capacity, to the Company's approximately 40,000 towers geographically dispersed throughout the United States. The tower segment also reflects certain network services relating to the Company's towers, consisting of site development services and installation services. The small cells segment provides access, including space or capacity, to the Company's small cell networks designed to facilitate wireless connectivity and supported by 17,000 miles of fiber. To a lesser extent, the small cells segment offers other fiber based solutions, including dark fiber (dedicated fiber strands lit by the customer) and lit fiber (bandwidth provided to the customer using the Company's own optronics). The measurement of profit or loss used by the CODM to evaluate the results of operations of its operating segments are (1) segment site rental gross margin, (2) segment network services and other gross margin, and (3) segment operating profit. The Company defines segment site rental gross margin as segment site rental revenues less segment site rental cost of operations, which excludes stock-based compensation expense and prepaid lease purchase price adjustments recorded in consolidated cost of operations. The Company defines segment network services and other gross margin as segment network services and other revenues less segment network services and other cost of operations, which excludes stock-based compensation expense recorded in consolidated cost of operations. The Company defines segment operating profit as segment site rental gross margin plus segment network services and other gross margin, less general and administrative expenses attributable to the respective segment. Costs that are directly attributable to towers and small cells are assigned to those respective segments. The "Other" column (1) represents amounts excluded from specific segments, such as 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, gains (losses) on foreign currency swaps, impairment of available-for-sale securities, interest income, other income (expense), cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle, income (loss) from discontinued operations, and stock-based compensation expense, and (2) reconciles segment operating profit to income (loss) before income taxes, as the amounts are not utilized in assessing each segment’s performance. The "Other" total assets balance includes corporate assets such as cash and cash equivalents which have not been allocated to specific segments. There are no significant revenues resulting from transactions between the Company's operating segments. Three Months Ended September 30, 2016 Three Months Ended September 30, 2015 Towers Small Cells Other Consolidated Total Towers Small Cells Other Consolidated Total Segment site rental revenues $ 709,603 $ 102,429 $ 812,032 $ 686,934 $ 77,672 $ 764,606 Segment network services and other revenues 166,979 13,005 179,984 138,566 14,935 153,501 Segment revenues 876,582 115,434 992,016 825,500 92,607 918,107 Segment site rental cost of operations 210,322 37,754 248,076 209,056 30,449 239,505 Segment network services and other cost of operations 97,395 10,194 107,589 75,302 10,213 85,515 Segment cost of operations (a) 307,717 47,948 355,665 284,358 40,662 325,020 Segment site rental gross margin 499,281 64,675 563,956 477,878 47,223 525,101 Segment network services and other gross margin 69,584 2,811 72,395 63,264 4,722 67,986 Segment general and administrative expenses (a) 22,225 14,480 35,526 72,231 22,994 10,194 30,741 63,929 Segment operating profit 546,640 53,006 (35,526 ) 564,120 518,148 41,751 (30,741 ) 529,158 Stock-based compensation expense 22,594 22,594 16,466 16,466 Depreciation, amortization and accretion 280,824 280,824 261,662 261,662 Interest expense and amortization of deferred financing costs 129,916 129,916 129,877 129,877 Other income (expenses) to reconcile to income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes 27,379 27,379 20,653 20,653 Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes $ 103,407 $ 100,500 Capital expenditures $ 103,679 $ 111,885 $ 5,617 $ 221,181 $ 136,327 $ 95,067 $ 5,963 $ 237,357 Total assets (at period end) $ 18,466,528 $ 3,298,927 $ 406,268 $ 22,171,723 $ 17,999,121 $ 3,458,941 $ 433,406 $ 21,891,468 (a) Segment cost of operations exclude (1) stock-based compensation expense of $4.9 million and $3.7 million for the three months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 , respectively, and (2) prepaid lease purchase price adjustments of $5.4 million and $5.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 , respectively. Segment general and administrative expenses exclude stock-based compensation expense of $17.7 million and $12.8 million for the three months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 , respectively. Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016 Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015 Towers Small Cells Other Consolidated Total Towers Small Cells Other Consolidated Total Segment site rental revenues $ 2,118,159 $ 297,767 $ 2,415,926 $ 2,040,147 $ 192,930 $ 2,233,077 Segment network services and other revenues 434,042 38,841 472,883 445,683 39,255 484,938 Segment revenues 2,552,201 336,608 2,888,809 2,485,830 232,185 2,718,015 Segment site rental cost of operations 625,331 109,402 734,733 620,726 73,818 694,544 Segment network services and other cost of operations 249,306 30,652 279,958 229,164 30,034 259,198 Segment cost of operations (a) 874,637 140,054 1,014,691 849,890 103,852 953,742 Segment site rental gross margin 1,492,828 188,365 1,681,193 1,419,421 119,112 1,538,533 Segment network services and other gross margin 184,736 8,189 192,925 216,519 9,221 225,740 Segment general and administrative expenses (a) 68,329 45,720 107,161 221,210 68,245 25,664 90,981 184,890 Segment operating profit 1,609,235 150,834 (107,161 ) 1,652,908 1,567,695 102,669 (90,981 ) 1,579,383 Stock-based compensation expense 75,297 75,297 49,282 49,282 Depreciation, amortization and accretion 834,725 834,725 766,621 766,621 Interest expense and amortization of deferred financing costs 385,656 385,656 398,782 398,782 Other income (expenses) to reconcile to income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes 112,170 112,170 (8,483 ) (8,483 ) Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes $ 245,060 $ 373,181 Capital expenditures $ 318,900 $ 279,488 $ 15,790 $ 614,178 $ 427,398 $ 213,259 $ 17,583 $ 658,240 (a) Segment cost of operations exclude (1) stock-based compensation expense of $17.6 million and $10.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 , respectively, and (2) prepaid lease purchase price adjustments of $16.0 million and $15.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 , respectively. Segment general and administrative expenses exclude stock-based compensation expense of $57.7 million and $39.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 , respectively.

Supplemental Cash Flow Informat

Supplemental Cash Flow Information	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016
Supplemental Cash Flow Information [Abstract]
Supplemental Cash Flow Information	Supplemental Cash Flow Information Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016 2015 Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information: Interest paid $ 357,094 $ 364,147 Income taxes paid 11,740 23,865 Supplemental disclosure of non-cash investing and financing activities: Increase (decrease) in accounts payable for purchases of property and equipment 1,390 (5,399 ) Purchase of property and equipment under capital leases and installment purchases 40,295 41,331 Installment payment receivable for sale of CCAL (see note 3) — 117,384

Subsequent Events Subsequent Ev

Subsequent Events Subsequent Events	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016
Subsequent Events [Abstract]
Subsequent Events [Text Block]	Subsequent Events Convertible Preferred Stock Conversion In October and November 2016, all of the approximately 9.8 million shares of the Company's previously outstanding Convertible Preferred Stock converted to approximately 11.6 million shares of the Company's common stock at a conversion rate (based on the applicable market value of the common stock and subject to certain anti-dilutive adjustments) of 1.188 common shares per each share of Convertible Preferred Stock. Common Stock Dividend On October 18, 2016 , the Company declared a quarterly common stock cash dividend of $0.95 per share, which was approved by the Company's board of directors. The common stock dividend will be paid on December 30, 2016 , to common stockholders of record as of December 16, 2016 . Proposed FiberNet Acquisition On November 1, 2016, the Company announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire FPL FiberNet Holdings, LLC and certain other subsidiaries of NextEra Energy, Inc. (collectively, "FiberNet") for approximately $1.5 billion in cash, subject to certain limited adjustments ("Proposed FiberNet Acquisition"). FiberNet is a fiber services provider in Florida and Texas. The Company expects to finance the Proposed FiberNet Acquisition using one or more liquidity sources, which may include cash on hand, undrawn availability from the 2016 Revolver, debt financings and issuances of equity or equity related securities. The Company expects the Proposed FiberNet Acquisition to close in the first half of 2017.

Summary of Significant Accoun20

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Recent accounting prounouncements	Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements In April 2015, the FASB issued new guidance on the presentation of debt issuance costs. The guidance requires debt issuance costs be presented on the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of the related debt liability, consistent with debt discounts and premiums. The Company adopted the guidance as of January 1, 2016, and has applied the guidance retrospectively. As a result, the Company reclassified $99.3 million of deferred financing costs as of December 31, 2015 from "long-term prepaid rent and other assets, net" as a direct reduction of "debt and other long-term obligations." In September 2015, the FASB issued new guidance which requires an acquirer to recognize adjustments to provisional amounts that are identified during the measurement period in the reporting period in which the adjustment amounts are determined. The Company adopted the guidance as of January 1, 2016 on a prospective basis. This standard did not have a material impact on the Company's condensed consolidated financial statements upon adoption. Recent Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted In February 2016, the FASB issued new guidance on the recognition, measurement, presentation and disclosure of leases. The new guidance requires lessees to recognize a right-of-use asset and a lease liability, initially measured at the present value of the lease payments for all leases with a term greater than 12 months. The accounting for lessors remains largely unchanged from existing guidance. This guidance is effective for the Company as of January 1, 2019 and is required to be applied using a modified retrospective approach for all leases existing at, or entered into after, the beginning of the earliest comparative period presented. Early adoption is permitted. The Company expects this guidance to have a material impact on its condensed consolidated financial statements and is currently evaluating the impact. In June 2016, the FASB issued new guidance on the recognition and measurement of expected credit losses for certain types of financial instruments, including accounts receivable. The new guidance requires entities to estimate the expected credit loss over the life of certain financial instruments at initial recognition of the financial instrument. The guidance is effective for the Company as of January 1, 2020. Early adoption is permitted. The Company does not expect this guidance to have a material impact on its condensed consolidated financial statements.

Discontinued Operations (Tables

Discontinued Operations (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016
Discontinued Operations Financial Information [Abstract]
Schedule of Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations, Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures [Table Text Block]	Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015 (b)(c) Total revenues $ 65,293 Total cost of operations (a) 17,498 Depreciation, amortization, and accretion 10,168 Total other expenses 10,481 Pre-tax income from discontinued operations 27,146 Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax (d) $ 19,690 (a) Exclusive of depreciation, amortization, and accretion shown separately. (b) No interest expense has been allocated to discontinued operations. (c) CCAL results are through May 28, 2015, which was the closing date of the Company's sale of CCAL. (d) Exclusive of the gain (loss) from disposal of discontinued operations, net of tax, as presented on the condensed consolidated financial statement of operations.

Debt and Other Obligations (Tab

Debt and Other Obligations (Tables)	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016
Debt and Other Obligations [Abstract]
Schedule of Long-Term Debt Instruments		Original Issue Date Contractual Maturity Date (a) Balance as of September 30, 2016 (g) Balance as of December 31, 2015 (g) Stated Interest Rate as of September 30, 2016 (a) Bank debt - variable rate: 2016 Revolver Jan. 2016 Jan. 2021 (d)(e)(f) $ 410,000 (b) $ — 1.8 % 2016 Term Loan A Jan. 2016 Jan. 2021 1,966,109 (b) — 1.9 % 2012 Revolver Jan. 2012 Jan. 2019 — (b) 1,125,000 N/A Tranche A Term Loans Jan. 2012 Jan. 2019 — (b) 627,846 N/A Tranche B Term Loans Jan. 2012 Jan. 2021 — (b) 2,219,602 N/A Total bank debt 2,376,109 3,972,448 Securitized debt - fixed rate: Secured Notes, Series 2009-1, Class A-1 July 2009 Aug. 2019 56,122 70,219 6.3 % Secured Notes, Series 2009-1, Class A-2 July 2009 Aug. 2029 68,718 68,658 9.0 % Tower Revenue Notes, Series 2010-2 Jan. 2010 Jan. 2037 (e) — 349,171 N/A Tower Revenue Notes, Series 2010-3 Jan. 2010 Jan. 2040 (c) 1,243,769 1,242,368 6.1 % Tower Revenue Notes, Series 2010-5 Aug. 2010 Aug. 2037 (e) — 298,774 N/A Tower Revenue Notes, Series 2010-6 Aug. 2010 Aug. 2040 (c) 993,097 991,749 4.9 % Tower Revenue Notes, Series 2015-1 May 2015 May 2042 (c) 296,414 295,937 3.2 % Tower Revenue Notes, Series 2015-2 May 2015 May 2045 (c) 691,025 690,247 3.7 % Total securitized debt 3,349,145 4,007,123 Bonds - fixed rate: 5.250% Senior Notes Oct. 2012 Jan. 2023 1,636,571 1,634,989 5.3 % 2.381% Secured Notes Dec. 2012 Dec. 2017 (f) — 497,160 2.4 % 3.849% Secured Notes Dec. 2012 Apr. 2023 990,933 989,895 3.9 % 4.875% Senior Notes Apr. 2014 Apr. 2022 839,884 838,579 4.9 % 3.400% Senior Notes Feb./May 2016 Feb. 2021 849,706 (d)(e) — 3.4 % 4.450% Senior Notes Feb. 2016 Feb. 2026 889,804 (d) — 4.5 % 3.700% Senior Notes May 2016 June 2026 741,705 (e) — 3.7 % 2.250% Senior Notes Sept. 2016 Sept. 2021 693,630 (f) — 2.3 % Total bonds 6,642,233 3,960,623 Other: Capital leases and other obligations Various Various 225,471 209,765 Various Total debt and other obligations 12,592,958 12,149,959 Less: current maturities and short-term debt and other current obligations 101,362 106,219 Non-current portion of long-term debt and other long-term obligations $ 12,491,596 $ 12,043,740 (a) See the 2015 Form 10-K, including note 8, for additional information regarding the maturity and principal amortization provisions and interest rates relating to the Company's indebtedness. (b) In January 2016, the Company completed a Senior Unsecured Credit Facility ("2016 Credit Facility"), comprised of (1) a $2.5 billion Senior Unsecured Revolving Credit Facility ("2016 Revolver") maturing in January 2021, (2) a $2.0 billion Senior Unsecured Term Loan A Facility ("2016 Term Loan A") maturing in January 2021 and (3) a previously outstanding $1.0 billion Senior Unsecured 364-Day Revolving Credit Facility ("364-Day Facility") maturing in January 2017. The 2016 Credit Facility bears interest at a per annum rate equal to LIBOR plus 1.125% to 2.000% , based on the Company's senior unsecured debt rating. The Company used the net proceeds from the 2016 Credit Facility (1) to repay the previously outstanding 2012 Credit Facility and (2) for general corporate purposes. In February 2016, the Company used a portion of the net proceeds from the 2016 Senior Notes offering to repay in full all outstanding borrowings under the previously outstanding 364-Day Facility. As of September 30, 2016 , the undrawn availability under the 2016 Revolver was $ 2.1 billion . (c) 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 2015 Form 10-K for additional information regarding these provisions. (d) In February 2016, the Company issued $1.5 billion aggregate principal amount of senior unsecured notes ("2016 Senior Notes"), which consist of (1) $600.0 million aggregate principal amount of 3.40% senior notes with a final maturity date of February 2021 and (2) $900.0 million aggregate principal amount of 4.45% senior notes with a final maturity date of February 2026. The Company used net proceeds from the 2016 Senior Notes offering, together with cash on hand, to (1) repay in full all outstanding borrowings under the previously outstanding 364-Day Facility and (2) repay $500.0 million of outstanding borrowings under the 2016 Revolver. (e) In May 2016, the Company issued $1.0 billion aggregate principal amount of senior unsecured notes ("May 2016 Senior Notes"), which consist of (1) $250.0 million aggregate principal amount of 3.40% senior notes that were issued pursuant to the same indenture as the 3.40% senior notes of the 2016 Senior Notes with a final maturity date of February 2021 and (2) $750.0 million aggregate principal amount of 3.70% senior notes with a final maturity date of June 2026. The Company used net proceeds from the May 2016 Senior Notes offering to repay in full the Tower Revenue Notes, Series 2010-2 and Series 2010-5, each issued by certain of its subsidiaries, and to repay a portion of the outstanding borrowings under the 2016 Revolver. (f) In September 2016, the Company issued $700.0 million aggregate principal amount of 2.25% senior unsecured notes ("September 2016 Senior Notes"). The Company used net proceeds from the September 2016 Senior Notes offering (1) to repay in full the 2.381% Secured Notes issued by certain of its subsidiaries and (2) to repay a portion of the outstanding borrowings under the 2016 Revolver. (g) Balances reflect debt issuance costs as a direct reduction from the respective carrying amounts of debt, with the exception of debt issuance costs associated with the Company's revolving credit facilities. See note 2.
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 of the Company outstanding as of September 30, 2016 . 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. Three Months Ending December 31, Years Ending December 31, Unamortized Adjustments, Net Total Debt and Other Obligations Outstanding 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 Thereafter Total Cash Obligations Scheduled contractual maturities $ 25,054 $ 101,049 $ 134,864 $ 138,883 $ 202,640 $ 12,085,120 $ 12,687,610 $ (94,652 ) $ 12,592,958
Extinguishment of Debt [Line Items]
Schedule of Extinguishment of Debt [Table Text Block]	The following is a summary of purchases and redemptions of long-term debt during the three months ended September 30, 2016 . Three Months Ended September 30, 2016 Principal Amount Cash Paid (a) Gains (Losses) (b) 2.381% Secured Notes $ 500,000 $ 508,472 $ (10,274 ) (a) Exclusive of accrued interest. (b) Inclusive of $ 1.8 million related to the write off of deferred financing costs.	Purchases and Redemptions of Long-Term Debt The following is a summary of purchases and redemptions of long-term debt during the three months ended September 30, 2016 . Three Months Ended September 30, 2016 Principal Amount Cash Paid (a) Gains (Losses) (b) 2.381% Secured Notes $ 500,000 $ 508,472 $ (10,274 ) (a) Exclusive of accrued interest. (b) Inclusive of $ 1.8 million related to the write off of deferred financing costs. The following is a summary of purchases and redemptions of long-term debt during the nine months ended September 30, 2016 . Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016 Principal Amount Cash Paid (a) Gains (Losses) (b) 2012 Revolver (c) $ — $ — $ (1,930 ) Tranche A Term Loans 629,375 629,375 (1,498 ) Tranche B Term Loans 2,247,015 2,247,015 (27,122 ) Tower Revenue Notes, Series 2010-2 350,000 352,796 (3,338 ) Tower Revenue Notes, Series 2010-5 300,000 307,176 (8,129 ) 2.381% Secured Notes 500,000 508,472 (10,274 ) Total $ 4,026,390 $ 4,044,834 $ (52,291 ) (a) Exclusive of accrued interest. (b) Inclusive of $ 33.8 million related to the write off of deferred financing costs. (c) See discussion of the repayment of the Company's 2012 Credit Facility above.
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 September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016 2015 2016 2015 Interest expense on debt obligations $ 126,616 $ 121,287 $ 374,363 $ 366,388 Amortization of deferred financing costs and adjustments on long-term debt 4,601 5,567 14,522 15,478 Amortization of interest rate swaps (a) — 3,744 — 18,725 Other, net of capitalized interest (1,301 ) (721 ) (3,229 ) (1,809 ) Total $ 129,916 $ 129,877 $ 385,656 $ 398,782 (a) Amounts reclassified from "accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)."

Fair Value Disclosures (Tables)

Fair Value Disclosures (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016
Fair Value Disclosures
Estimated Fair Values and Carrying Amounts of Assets and Liabilities	Level in Fair Value Hierarchy September 30, 2016 December 31, 2015 Carrying Amount Fair Value Carrying Amount Fair Value Assets: Cash and cash equivalents 1 $ 156,219 $ 156,219 $ 178,810 $ 178,810 Restricted cash, current and non-current 1 121,932 121,932 135,731 135,731 Foreign currency swaps 2 — — 10,749 10,749 Liabilities: Total debt and other obligations 2 12,592,958 13,523,464 12,149,959 12,555,143

Per Share Information (Tables)

Per Share Information (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016
Per Share Information
Reconciliation of the Numerators and Denominators of the Basic and Diluted Per Share Computations	Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016 2015 2016 2015 Net income (loss) from continuing operations $ 98,366 $ 104,301 $ 232,263 $ 382,561 Dividends on preferred stock (10,997 ) (10,997 ) (32,991 ) (32,991 ) Net income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to CCIC common stockholders for basic and diluted computations $ 87,369 $ 93,304 $ 199,272 $ 349,570 Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax — (522 ) — 1,000,708 Less: Net income (loss) attributable to the noncontrolling interest — — — 3,343 Net income (loss) from discontinued operations attributable to CCIC common stockholders for basic and diluted computations $ — $ (522 ) $ — $ 997,365 Weighted-average number of common shares outstanding (in thousands): Basic weighted-average number of common stock outstanding 337,564 333,049 336,426 332,951 Effect of assumed dilution from potential common shares relating to restricted stock units and restricted stock awards 845 662 650 784 Diluted weighted-average number of common shares outstanding 338,409 333,711 337,076 333,735 Net income (loss) attributable to CCIC common stockholders, per common share: Income (loss) from continuing operations, basic 0.26 0.28 0.59 1.05 Income (loss) from discontinued operations, basic — — — 3.00 Net income (loss) attributable to CCIC common stockholders, basic 0.26 0.28 0.59 4.05 Income (loss) from continuing operations, diluted 0.26 0.28 0.59 1.05 Income (loss) from discontinued operations, diluted — — — 2.99 Net income (loss) attributable to CCIC common stockholders, diluted 0.26 0.28 0.59 4.04

Equity (Tables)

Equity (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends Declared [Table Text Block]	Declaration and Payment of Dividends During the nine months ended September 30, 2016 , 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 18, 2016 March 18, 2016 March 31, 2016 $ 0.885 $ 300.0 (a) Common Stock May 20, 2016 June 17, 2016 June 30, 2016 $ 0.885 $ 300.8 (a) Common Stock August 2, 2016 September 16, 2016 September 30, 2016 $ 0.885 $ 300.3 (a) Convertible Preferred Stock December 16, 2015 January 16, 2016 February 1, 2016 $ 1.1250 $ 11.0 Convertible Preferred Stock March 22, 2016 April 15, 2016 May 2, 2016 $ 1.1250 $ 11.0 Convertible Preferred Stock June 28, 2016 July 15, 2016 August 1, 2016 $ 1.1250 $ 11.0 Convertible Preferred Stock September 17, 2016 October 15, 2016 November 1, 2016 $ 1.1250 $ 11.0 (a) Inclusive of dividends accrued for holders of unvested restricted stock units and payments of previously accrued dividends for holders of restricted stock units that have vested during the nine months ended September 30, 2016 .

Operating Segments Operating Se

Operating Segments Operating Segments (Tables)	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Schedule of Segment Reporting Information, by Segment [Table Text Block]	Three Months Ended September 30, 2016 Three Months Ended September 30, 2015 Towers Small Cells Other Consolidated Total Towers Small Cells Other Consolidated Total Segment site rental revenues $ 709,603 $ 102,429 $ 812,032 $ 686,934 $ 77,672 $ 764,606 Segment network services and other revenues 166,979 13,005 179,984 138,566 14,935 153,501 Segment revenues 876,582 115,434 992,016 825,500 92,607 918,107 Segment site rental cost of operations 210,322 37,754 248,076 209,056 30,449 239,505 Segment network services and other cost of operations 97,395 10,194 107,589 75,302 10,213 85,515 Segment cost of operations (a) 307,717 47,948 355,665 284,358 40,662 325,020 Segment site rental gross margin 499,281 64,675 563,956 477,878 47,223 525,101 Segment network services and other gross margin 69,584 2,811 72,395 63,264 4,722 67,986 Segment general and administrative expenses (a) 22,225 14,480 35,526 72,231 22,994 10,194 30,741 63,929 Segment operating profit 546,640 53,006 (35,526 ) 564,120 518,148 41,751 (30,741 ) 529,158 Stock-based compensation expense 22,594 22,594 16,466 16,466 Depreciation, amortization and accretion 280,824 280,824 261,662 261,662 Interest expense and amortization of deferred financing costs 129,916 129,916 129,877 129,877 Other income (expenses) to reconcile to income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes 27,379 27,379 20,653 20,653 Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes $ 103,407 $ 100,500 Capital expenditures $ 103,679 $ 111,885 $ 5,617 $ 221,181 $ 136,327 $ 95,067 $ 5,963 $ 237,357 Total assets (at period end) $ 18,466,528 $ 3,298,927 $ 406,268 $ 22,171,723 $ 17,999,121 $ 3,458,941 $ 433,406 $ 21,891,468 (a) Segment cost of operations exclude (1) stock-based compensation expense of $4.9 million and $3.7 million for the three months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 , respectively, and (2) prepaid lease purchase price adjustments of $5.4 million and $5.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 , respectively. Segment general and administrative expenses exclude stock-based compensation expense of $17.7 million and $12.8 million for the three months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 , respectively.	Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016 Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015 Towers Small Cells Other Consolidated Total Towers Small Cells Other Consolidated Total Segment site rental revenues $ 2,118,159 $ 297,767 $ 2,415,926 $ 2,040,147 $ 192,930 $ 2,233,077 Segment network services and other revenues 434,042 38,841 472,883 445,683 39,255 484,938 Segment revenues 2,552,201 336,608 2,888,809 2,485,830 232,185 2,718,015 Segment site rental cost of operations 625,331 109,402 734,733 620,726 73,818 694,544 Segment network services and other cost of operations 249,306 30,652 279,958 229,164 30,034 259,198 Segment cost of operations (a) 874,637 140,054 1,014,691 849,890 103,852 953,742 Segment site rental gross margin 1,492,828 188,365 1,681,193 1,419,421 119,112 1,538,533 Segment network services and other gross margin 184,736 8,189 192,925 216,519 9,221 225,740 Segment general and administrative expenses (a) 68,329 45,720 107,161 221,210 68,245 25,664 90,981 184,890 Segment operating profit 1,609,235 150,834 (107,161 ) 1,652,908 1,567,695 102,669 (90,981 ) 1,579,383 Stock-based compensation expense 75,297 75,297 49,282 49,282 Depreciation, amortization and accretion 834,725 834,725 766,621 766,621 Interest expense and amortization of deferred financing costs 385,656 385,656 398,782 398,782 Other income (expenses) to reconcile to income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes 112,170 112,170 (8,483 ) (8,483 ) Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes $ 245,060 $ 373,181 Capital expenditures $ 318,900 $ 279,488 $ 15,790 $ 614,178 $ 427,398 $ 213,259 $ 17,583 $ 658,240 (a) Segment cost of operations exclude (1) stock-based compensation expense of $17.6 million and $10.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 , respectively, and (2) prepaid lease purchase price adjustments of $16.0 million and $15.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 , respectively. Segment general and administrative expenses exclude stock-based compensation expense of $57.7 million and $39.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 , respectively.

Supplemental Cash Flow Inform27

Supplemental Cash Flow Information (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016
Supplemental Cash Flow Information [Abstract]
Supplemental Disclosure of Cash Flow Information and Non-cash Investing and Financing Activities	Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016 2015 Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information: Interest paid $ 357,094 $ 364,147 Income taxes paid 11,740 23,865 Supplemental disclosure of non-cash investing and financing activities: Increase (decrease) in accounts payable for purchases of property and equipment 1,390 (5,399 ) Purchase of property and equipment under capital leases and installment purchases 40,295 41,331 Installment payment receivable for sale of CCAL (see note 3) — 117,384

General Business (Details)

General Business (Details)	Sep. 30, 2016
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	54.00%

Summary of Significant Accoun29

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Significant Accounting Policies (Details) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2015USD ($)
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Amount of deferred financing costs reclassified to debt	$ 99.3

Discontinued Operations (Detail

Discontinued Operations (Details) - USD ($)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015
Proceeds from Divestiture of Businesses, Net of Cash Divested	$ 1,100,000,000
Installment payment received for sale of subsidiary		$ 117,384,000
CCAL [Member]
Noncontrolling Interest, Ownership Percentage by Parent	77.60%
inclusive of foreign currency derivative [Domain]
Installment payment received for sale of subsidiary	$ 124,000,000

Discontinued Operations Discont

Discontinued Operations Discontinued Operations Historical Financial Information (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
		Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015
Discontinued Operations and Disposal Groups [Abstract]
Total revenues	[1],[2]				$ 65,293
Total cost of operations (a)	[1],[2],[3]				17,498
Depreciation, amortization, and accretion	[1],[2]				10,168
Total other expenses	[1],[2]				10,481
Pre-tax income from discontinued operations	[1],[2]				27,146
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax		$ 0	$ 0	$ 0	$ 19,690	[1],[2],[4]
[1]	CCAL results are through May 28, 2015, which was the closing date of the Company's sale of CCAL.
[2]	No interest expense has been allocated to discontinued operations.
[3]	Exclusive of depreciation, amortization, and accretion shown separately.
[4]	Exclusive of the gain (loss) from disposal of discontinued operations, net of tax, as presented on the condensed consolidated financial statement of operations.

Discontinued Operations Gain on

Discontinued Operations Gain on Sale of Subsidiary (Details) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2015USD ($)
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Installment payment received for sale of subsidiary	$ 117,384

Acquisitions (Details)

Acquisitions (Details) $ in Millions	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016USD ($)
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Tower Count	40,000
Business Combination, Consideration Transferred	$ 461
TDC [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Tower Count	330
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Intangible Assets	$ 155
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Property, Plant, and Equipment	106
Business Acquisition, Goodwill	$ 200

Debt and Other Obligations (Ind

Debt and Other Obligations (Indebtedness) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		9 Months Ended
		Sep. 30, 2016		Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2015
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Proceeds from Lines of Credit		$ 3,440,000		$ 1,560,000
Debt and Capital Lease Obligations	[1]	12,592,958			$ 12,149,959
Less: current maturities and short-term debt and other current obligations		101,362			106,219
Non-current portion of long-term debt and other long-term obligations	[1]	12,491,596			12,043,740
September 2016 Senior Unsecured Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Face Amount		$ 700,000
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage		2.30%
Variable Rate Revolver 2016 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Face Amount		$ 2,500,000
Variable Rate 2016 Term Loan A [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Face Amount		2,000,000
Senior Unsecured 2016 Notes 3.40% [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Face Amount		$ 600,000
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage		3.40%
Senior Unsecured 2016 Notes 4.450% [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Face Amount		$ 900,000
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage		4.50%
Capital Lease Obligations and Other [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Contractual maturity date	[2]	Various
Original Debt Issuance Date	[2]	Various
Percentage of debt instrument interest rate stated	[2]	Various
Debt and Capital Lease Obligations	[1]	$ 225,471			209,765
Fixed Rate Securitized Debt 2010 Tower Revenue Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument Additional Interest Rate Margin		5.00%
May 2016 Senior Unsecured Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Face Amount		$ 1,000,000
2012 Credit Facility [Member] | Variable Rate Revolver 2016 [Member] | CCOC [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Unused Borrowing Capacity, Amount		2,100,000
Bank Debt [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt and Capital Lease Obligations	[1]	$ 2,376,109			3,972,448
Bank Debt [Member] | Variable Rate Revolver 2016 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Original issue date		Jan. 1, 2016
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date	[2],[3],[4],[5]	Jan. 21, 2021
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	[2]	1.80%
Debt and Capital Lease Obligations	[1]	$ 410,000	[6]		0
Bank Debt [Member] | Variable Rate 2016 Term Loan A [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Original issue date		Jan. 1, 2016
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date	[2]	Jan. 21, 2021
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	[2]	1.90%
Debt and Capital Lease Obligations	[1]	$ 1,966,109	[6]		0
Bank Debt [Member] | Variable Rate Revolver 2012 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Original issue date		Jan. 1, 2012
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date	[2]	Jan. 31, 2019
Percentage of debt instrument interest rate stated	[2]	N/A
Debt and Capital Lease Obligations	[1]	$ 0	[6]		1,125,000
Bank Debt [Member] | Variable Rate 2012 Term Loans Tranche A [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Original issue date		Jan. 1, 2012
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date	[2]	Jan. 31, 2019
Percentage of debt instrument interest rate stated	[2]	N/A
Debt and Capital Lease Obligations	[1]	$ 0	[6]		627,846
Bank Debt [Member] | Variable Rate 2012 Term Loans Tranche B [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Original issue date		Jan. 1, 2012
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date	[2]	Jan. 31, 2021
Percentage of debt instrument interest rate stated	[2]	N/A
Debt and Capital Lease Obligations	[1]	$ 0	[6]		2,219,602
Securitized Debt [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt and Capital Lease Obligations	[1]	$ 3,349,145			4,007,123
Securitized Debt [Member] | Fixed Rate Debt 2009 Securitized Notes First Tranche [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Original issue date		Jul. 1, 2009
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date	[2]	Aug. 1, 2019
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	[2]	6.30%
Debt and Capital Lease Obligations	[1]	$ 56,122			70,219
Securitized Debt [Member] | 2015 Tower Revenue Notes 3.222% due 2042 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Original issue date		May 1, 2015
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date	[2],[7]	May 1, 2042
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	[2]	3.20%
Debt and Capital Lease Obligations	[1]	$ 296,414			295,937
Securitized Debt [Member] | 2015 Tower Revenue Notes 3.663% due 2045 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Original issue date		May 1, 2015
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date	[2],[7]	May 1, 2045
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	[2]	3.70%
Debt and Capital Lease Obligations	[1]	$ 691,025			690,247
Securitized Debt [Member] | Fixed Rate Securitized Debt January 2010 Tower Revenue Notes Third Tranche [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Original issue date		Jan. 1, 2010
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date	[2],[7]	Jan. 1, 2040
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	[2]	6.10%
Debt and Capital Lease Obligations	[1]	$ 1,243,769			1,242,368
Securitized Debt [Member] | Fixed Rate Securitized Debt January 2010 Tower Revenue Notes Second Tranche [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Original issue date		Jan. 1, 2010
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date	[2],[5]	Jan. 1, 2037
Percentage of debt instrument interest rate stated	[2]	N/A
Debt and Capital Lease Obligations		$ 0	[5]		349,171	[1]
Securitized Debt [Member] | Fixed Rate Securitized Debt August 2010 Tower Revenue Notes Third Tranche [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Original issue date		Aug. 1, 2010
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date	[2],[7]	Aug. 1, 2040
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	[2]	4.90%
Debt and Capital Lease Obligations	[1]	$ 993,097			991,749
Securitized Debt [Member] | Fixed Rate Securitized Debt August 2010 Tower Revenue Notes Second Tranche [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Original issue date		Aug. 1, 2010
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date	[2],[5]	Aug. 1, 2037
Percentage of debt instrument interest rate stated	[2]	N/A
Debt and Capital Lease Obligations		$ 0	[5]		298,774	[1]
Securitized Debt [Member] | Fixed Rate Debt 2009 Securitized Notes Second Tranche [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Original issue date		Jul. 1, 2009
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date	[2]	Aug. 1, 2029
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	[2]	9.00%
Debt and Capital Lease Obligations	[1]	$ 68,718			68,658
High Yield Bonds [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt and Capital Lease Obligations	[1]	$ 6,642,233			3,960,623
High Yield Bonds [Member] | September 2016 Senior Unsecured Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Original issue date		Sep. 1, 2016
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date	[2]	Sep. 1, 2021
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	[2]	2.25%
Debt and Capital Lease Obligations		$ 693,630	[1],[3]		0
High Yield Bonds [Member] | Five and One Fourth Senior Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Original issue date		Oct. 1, 2012
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date	[2]	Jan. 15, 2023
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	[2]	5.25%
Debt and Capital Lease Obligations	[1]	$ 1,636,571			1,634,989
High Yield Bonds [Member] | 2012 secured notes tranche A [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date	[2],[3]	Dec. 15, 2017
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	[2]	2.40%
Debt and Capital Lease Obligations	[1]	$ 0			497,160
High Yield Bonds [Member] | 2012 secured notes tranche B [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Original issue date		Dec. 1, 2012
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date	[2]	Apr. 15, 2023
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	[2]	3.90%
Debt and Capital Lease Obligations	[1]	$ 990,933			989,895
High Yield Bonds [Member] | 4.875% Senior Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Original issue date		Apr. 1, 2014
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date	[2]	Apr. 1, 2022
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	[2]	4.88%
Debt and Capital Lease Obligations	[1]	$ 839,884			838,579
High Yield Bonds [Member] | Senior Unsecured 2016 Notes 3.40% [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Original issue date		Feb. 1, 2016
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date	[2]	Feb. 15, 2021
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	[2]	3.40%
Debt and Capital Lease Obligations		$ 849,706	[1],[4],[5]		0
High Yield Bonds [Member] | Senior Unsecured 2016 Notes 3.7% [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Original issue date		May 1, 2016
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date	[2]	Jun. 15, 2026
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	[2]	3.70%
Debt and Capital Lease Obligations		$ 741,705	[1],[5]		0
High Yield Bonds [Member] | Senior Unsecured 2016 Notes 4.450% [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Original issue date		Feb. 1, 2016
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date	[2]	Feb. 15, 2026
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	[2]	4.50%
Debt and Capital Lease Obligations		$ 889,804	[1],[4]		$ 0
[1]	Balances reflect debt issuance costs as a direct reduction from the respective carrying amounts of debt, with the exception of debt issuance costs associated with the Company's revolving credit facilities. See note 2.
[2]	See the 2015 Form 10-K, including note 8, for additional information regarding the maturity and principal amortization provisions and interest rates relating to the Company's indebtedness.
[3]	$700.0 million aggregate principal amount of 2.25% senior unsecured notes ("September 2016 Senior Notes"). The Company used net proceeds from the September 2016 Senior Notes offering (1) to repay in full the 2.381% Secured Notes issued by certain of its subsidiaries and (2) to repay a portion of the outstanding borrowings under the 2016 Revolver.
[4]	In February 2016, the Company issued $1.5 billion aggregate principal amount of senior unsecured notes ("2016 Senior Notes"), which consist of (1) $600.0 million aggregate principal amount of 3.40% senior notes with a final maturity date of February 2021 and (2) $900.0 million aggregate principal amount of 4.45% senior notes with a final maturity date of February 2026. The Company used net proceeds from the 2016 Senior Notes offering, together with cash on hand, to (1) repay in full all outstanding borrowings under the previously outstanding 364-Day Facility and (2) repay $500.0 million of outstanding borrowings under the 2016 Revolver.
[5]	In May 2016, the Company issued $1.0 billion aggregate principal amount of senior unsecured notes ("May 2016 Senior Notes"), which consist of (1) $250.0 million aggregate principal amount of 3.40% senior notes that were issued pursuant to the same indenture as the 3.40% senior notes of the 2016 Senior Notes with a final maturity date of February 2021 and (2) $750.0 million aggregate principal amount of 3.70% senior notes with a final maturity date of June 2026. The Company used net proceeds from the May 2016 Senior Notes offering to repay in full the Tower Revenue Notes, Series 2010-2 and Series 2010-5, each issued by certain of its subsidiaries, and to repay a portion of the outstanding borrowings under the 2016 Revolver.
[6]	In January 2016, the Company completed a Senior Unsecured Credit Facility ("2016 Credit Facility"), comprised of (1) a $2.5 billion Senior Unsecured Revolving Credit Facility ("2016 Revolver") maturing in January 2021, (2) a $2.0 billion Senior Unsecured Term Loan A Facility ("2016 Term Loan A") maturing in January 2021 and (3) a previously outstanding $1.0 billion Senior Unsecured 364-Day Revolving Credit Facility ("364-Day Facility") maturing in January 2017. The 2016 Credit Facility bears interest at a per annum rate equal to LIBOR plus 1.125% to 2.000%, based on the Company's senior unsecured debt rating. The Company used the net proceeds from the 2016 Credit Facility (1) to repay the previously outstanding 2012 Credit Facility and (2) for general corporate purposes. In February 2016, the Company used a portion of the net proceeds from the 2016 Senior Notes offering to repay in full all outstanding borrowings under the previously outstanding 364-Day Facility. As of September 30, 2016, the undrawn availability under the 2016 Revolver was $2.1 billion.
[7]	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 2015 Form 10-K for additional information regarding these provisions.

Debt and Other Obligations (I35

Debt and Other Obligations (Indebtedness) (Textuals) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
		Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015		Dec. 31, 2015
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest expense and amortization of deferred financing costs		$ 129,916	$ 129,877	$ 385,656	$ 398,782
Long-term Debt, Gross		12,687,610		12,687,610
Debt and Capital Lease Obligations	[1]	12,592,958		$ 12,592,958			$ 12,149,959
Senior Unsecured 364-Day Revolving Credit Facility [Domain]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Face Amount							1,000,000
Fixed Rate Securitized Debt 2010 Tower Revenue Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Additional interest accruing following anticipated repayment dates				5.00%
2016 Senior Unsecured Notes [Domain]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Face Amount		1,500,000		$ 1,500,000
Senior Unsecured 2016 Notes 3.40% [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Face Amount		$ 600,000		$ 600,000
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage		3.40%		3.40%
Senior Unsecured 2016 Notes 4.450% [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Face Amount		$ 900,000		$ 900,000
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage		4.50%		4.50%
May 2016 Senior Unsecured Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Face Amount		$ 1,000,000		$ 1,000,000
May 2016 Senior Notes 3.4% [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Face Amount		$ 300,000		$ 300,000
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage		3.40%		3.40%
May 2016 Senior Notes 3.7% [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Face Amount		$ 800,000		$ 800,000
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage		3.70%		3.70%
Interest Rate Swap [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Amortization of interest rate swaps		$ 0	$ 3,744	$ 0	$ 18,725	[2]
Variable Rate Revolver 2016 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Repayments of Debt		500,000
Securitized Debt [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt and Capital Lease Obligations	[1]	3,349,145		3,349,145			4,007,123
Securitized Debt [Member] | 2015 Tower Revenue Notes 3.222% due 2042 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt and Capital Lease Obligations	[1]	$ 296,414		$ 296,414			295,937
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	[3]	3.20%		3.20%
Securitized Debt [Member] | 2015 Tower Revenue Notes 3.663% due 2045 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt and Capital Lease Obligations	[1]	$ 691,025		$ 691,025			$ 690,247
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	[3]	3.70%		3.70%
Minimum [Member] | Senior Unsecured 2016 Credit Facility [Domain]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage		1.125%		1.125%
Maximum [Member] | Senior Unsecured 2016 Credit Facility [Domain]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage		2.00%		2.00%
[1]	Balances reflect debt issuance costs as a direct reduction from the respective carrying amounts of debt, with the exception of debt issuance costs associated with the Company's revolving credit facilities. See note 2.
[2]	Amounts reclassified from "accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)."
[3]	See the 2015 Form 10-K, including note 8, for additional information regarding the maturity and principal amortization provisions and interest rates relating to the Company's indebtedness.

Debt and Other Obligations (Com

Debt and Other Obligations (Components of Interest Expense and Amortization of Deferred Financing Costs) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015
Debt and Other Obligations [Abstract]
Interest expense on debt obligations	$ 126,616	$ 121,287	$ 374,363	$ 366,388
Amortization of deferred financing costs and adjustments on long-term debt	4,601	5,567	14,522	15,478
Other	(1,301)	(721)	(3,229)	(1,809)
Total	129,916	129,877	385,656	398,782
Interest Rate Swap [Member]
Debt and Other Obligations [Abstract]
Amortization of interest rate swaps	$ 0	$ 3,744	$ 0	$ 18,725	[1]
[1]	Amounts reclassified from "accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)."

Debt and Other Obligations Reti

Debt and Other Obligations Retirement of Long-term Obligations (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended			9 Months Ended
		Sep. 30, 2016		Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016		Sep. 30, 2015
Extinguishment of Debt [Line Items]
Write-off of deferred financing costs and discounts		$ 1,800			$ 33,800
Extinguishment of Debt, Amount					4,026,390
Repayments of Other Long-term Debt					4,044,834	[1]	$ 1,069,337
Gains (losses) on retirement of long-term obligations		(10,274)		$ 0	(52,291)	[2]	$ (4,157)
Variable Rate Revolver 2012 [Member]
Extinguishment of Debt [Line Items]
Extinguishment of Debt, Amount	[3]				0
Repayments of Other Long-term Debt	[1],[3]				0
Gains (losses) on retirement of long-term obligations	[2],[3]				(1,930)
Variable Rate 2012 Term Loans Tranche A [Member]
Extinguishment of Debt [Line Items]
Extinguishment of Debt, Amount					629,375
Repayments of Other Long-term Debt	[1]				629,375
Gains (losses) on retirement of long-term obligations	[2]				(1,498)
Variable Rate 2012 Term Loans Tranche B [Member]
Extinguishment of Debt [Line Items]
Extinguishment of Debt, Amount					2,247,015
Repayments of Other Long-term Debt	[1]				2,247,015
Gains (losses) on retirement of long-term obligations	[2]				(27,122)
Fixed Rate Securitized Debt January 2010 Tower Revenue Notes Second Tranche [Member]
Extinguishment of Debt [Line Items]
Extinguishment of Debt, Amount					350,000
Repayments of Other Long-term Debt	[1]				352,796
Gains (losses) on retirement of long-term obligations	[2]				(3,338)
Fixed Rate Securitized Debt August 2010 Tower Revenue Notes Second Tranche [Member]
Extinguishment of Debt [Line Items]
Extinguishment of Debt, Amount					300,000
Repayments of Other Long-term Debt	[1]				307,176
Gains (losses) on retirement of long-term obligations	[2]				(8,129)
2012 secured notes tranche A [Member]
Extinguishment of Debt [Line Items]
Extinguishment of Debt, Amount		500,000			500,000
Repayments of Other Long-term Debt		508,472	[4]		508,472	[1]
Gains (losses) on retirement of long-term obligations		$ (10,274)	[5]		$ (10,274)	[2]
[1]	Exclusive of accrued interest.
[2]	Inclusive of $33.8 million related to the write off of deferred financing costs.
[3]	See discussion of the repayment of the Company's 2012 Credit Facility above.
[4]	Exclusive of accrued interest.
[5]	Inclusive of $1.8 million related to the write off of deferred financing costs.

Debt and Other Obligations Cont

Debt and Other Obligations Contractual Maturities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		Sep. 30, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Contractual Maturities [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Unamortized Discount		$ 94,652
Debt and Capital Lease Obligations	[1]	12,592,958	$ 12,149,959
Long-term Debt, Gross		12,687,610
Repayments of debt 2016 [Member]
Contractual Maturities [Line Items]
Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayments of Principal, Remainder of Fiscal Year		25,054
Repayments of debt 2017 [Member]
Contractual Maturities [Line Items]
Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayments of Principal in Year Two		101,049
repayments of debt 2018 [Member]
Contractual Maturities [Line Items]
Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayments of Principal in Year Three		134,864
repayments of debt 2019 [Member]
Contractual Maturities [Line Items]
Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayments of Principal in Year Four		138,883
Repayments of debt 2020 [Member]
Contractual Maturities [Line Items]
Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayments of Principal in Year Five		202,640
Repayments of debt thereafter [Member]
Contractual Maturities [Line Items]
Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayments of Principal after Year Five		$ 12,085,120
[1]	Balances reflect debt issuance costs as a direct reduction from the respective carrying amounts of debt, with the exception of debt issuance costs associated with the Company's revolving credit facilities. See note 2.

Fair Value Disclosures (Estimat

Fair Value Disclosures (Estimated Fair Values and Carrying Amounts of Assets and Liabilities) (Details) - USD ($)		3 Months Ended
		Sep. 30, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents, carrying value		$ 156,219,000	$ 178,810,000
Cash and cash equivalents, fair value		156,219,000	178,810,000
Restricted cash, current and non-current, carrying value		121,932,000	135,731,000
Restricted cash, current and non-current, fair value		121,932,000	135,731,000
Foreign currency swaps, at carrying value		0	10,749,000
Foreign currency swaps, at fair value		0	10,749,000
Long-term debt and other obligations, carrying amount	[1]	12,592,958,000	12,149,959,000
Long-term debt and other obligations, fair value		13,523,464,000	$ 12,555,143,000
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]
Derivative, Gain (Loss) on Derivative, Net		2
Long-term debt and other obligations, carrying amount		$ 2
[1]	Balances reflect debt issuance costs as a direct reduction from the respective carrying amounts of debt, with the exception of debt issuance costs associated with the Company's revolving credit facilities. See note 2.

Per Share Information (Reconcil

Per Share Information (Reconciliation of the Numerators and Denominators of the Basic and Diluted Per Share Computations) (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015
Per Share Information
Net income (Loss) from Continuing Operations Attributable to Parent	$ 98,366	$ 104,301	$ 232,263	$ 382,561
Dividends on preferred stock	10,997	10,997	32,991	32,991
Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operations, Net of Tax, Attributable to Parent	0	0	0	19,690	[1],[2],[3]
Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operations, Net of Tax and Gain (Loss) on Disposal		(522)	0	1,000,708
Less: Net income (loss) attributable to the noncontrolling interest	0	0	0	3,343
Net income (loss) attributable to CCIC common stockholders for basic and diluted computations	$ 87,369	$ 92,782	$ 199,272	$ 1,346,935
Basic weighted-average number of common stock outstanding	337,564,000	333,049,000	336,426,000	332,951,000
Effect of assumed dilution from potential common shares relating to restricted stock units and restricted stock awards	845,000	662,000	650,000	784,000
Diluted weighted-average number of common shares outstanding	338,409,000	333,711,000	337,076,000	333,735,000
Basic	$ 0.26	$ 0.28	$ 0.59	$ 4.05
Diluted	$ 0.26	$ 0.28	$ 0.59	$ 4.04
Continuing Operations [Member]
Per Share Information
Net income (loss) attributable to CCIC common stockholders for basic and diluted computations	$ 87,369	$ 93,304	$ 199,272	$ 349,570
Basic	$ 0.26	$ 0.28	$ 0.59	$ 1.05
Diluted	$ 0.26	$ 0.28	$ 0.59	$ 1.05
Discontinued Operations [Member]
Per Share Information
Net income (loss) attributable to CCIC common stockholders for basic and diluted computations	$ 0	$ (522)	$ 0	$ 997,365
Basic	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0	$ 3
Diluted	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0	$ 2.99
[1]	CCAL results are through May 28, 2015, which was the closing date of the Company's sale of CCAL.
[2]	Exclusive of the gain (loss) from disposal of discontinued operations, net of tax, as presented on the condensed consolidated financial statement of operations.
[3]	No interest expense has been allocated to discontinued operations.

Per Share Information (Narrativ

Per Share Information (Narrative) (Details) - shares shares in Millions	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, Restricted Stock Award, Gross	1.3
Preferred Stock [Member]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Anti-dilutive securities excluded from dilutive common shares calculation	11.6	12.4

Commitments and Contingencies C

Commitments and Contingencies Commitment and Contingencies (Details)	Sep. 30, 2016
Subject to Capital Lease with Sprint, TMO, or AT&T [Member]
Other Commitments [Line Items]
Purchase Option, Percentage of Towers	54.00%

Equity (Details)

Equity (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Millions		3 Months Ended					9 Months Ended
		Sep. 30, 2016		Jun. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Common Stock, Dividends, Per Share, Cash Paid	[1]	$ 0.885		$ 0.885	$ 0.885
Dividends, Common Stock, Cash	[1]	$ 300,300,000		$ 300,800,000	$ 300,000,000
Common stock repurchased during period, shares							0.3
Purchases of capital stock							$ 24,759,000	$ 29,576,000
Common Stock [Member]
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends Payable, Date Declared	[1]	Aug. 2, 2016		May 20, 2016	Feb. 18, 2016
Dividends Payable, Date to be Paid	[1]	Sep. 30, 2016		Jun. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016
Dividends Payable, Date of Record	[1]	Sep. 16, 2016		Jun. 17, 2016	Mar. 18, 2016
Mandatory Convertible Preferred stock [Member]
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends Payable, Date Declared					Mar. 22, 2016	Dec. 16, 2015
Dividends Payable, Date to be Paid					May 2, 2016	Feb. 1, 2016
Dividends Payable, Date of Record					Apr. 15, 2016	Jan. 16, 2016
Preferred Stock, Dividends, Per Share, Cash Paid				$ 1.1250	$ 1.1250	$ 1.1250
Dividends, Preferred Stock, Cash				$ 11,000,000	$ 11,000,000	$ 11,000,000
Mandatory Convertible Preferred stock [Member] | Paid subsequent to quarter end [Member]
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends Payable, Date Declared		Sep. 17, 2016	[2]	Jun. 28, 2016
Dividends Payable, Date to be Paid		Nov. 1, 2016	[2]	Aug. 1, 2016
Dividends Payable, Date of Record		Oct. 15, 2016	[2]	Jul. 15, 2016
Preferred Stock, Dividends, Per Share, Cash Paid	[2]	$ 1.1250
Dividends, Preferred Stock, Cash	[2]	$ 11,000,000
[1]	Inclusive of dividends accrued for holders of unvested restricted stock units and payments of previously accrued dividends for holders of restricted stock units that have vested during the nine months ended September 30, 2016.
[2]	.

Equity Other Equity Activity (D

Equity Other Equity Activity (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Proceeds from Issuance of Common Stock		$ 0
Common Stock, Capital Shares Reserved for Future Issuance	$ 500,000
At the Market Program [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Proceeds from Issuance of Common Stock	323,798
Payments of Stock Issuance Costs	3,300
Common Stock [Member] | At the Market Program [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Proceeds from Issuance of Common Stock	$ 38
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, New Issues	3,828,064

Operating Segments Operating 45

Operating Segments Operating Segments Table (Details) $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended				9 Months Ended
		Sep. 30, 2016USD ($)		Sep. 30, 2015USD ($)		Sep. 30, 2016USD ($)		Sep. 30, 2015USD ($)		Dec. 31, 2015USD ($)
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Tower Count		40,000				40,000
Segment site rental revenues		$ 812,032		$ 764,606		$ 2,415,926		$ 2,233,077
Segment network services and other revenues		$ 179,984		153,501		$ 472,883		484,938
Fiber Miles		17,000				17,000
Segment revenues		$ 992,016		918,107		$ 2,888,809		2,718,015
Segment site rental cost of operations	[1]	256,750		247,000		762,223		716,244
Segment network services and other cost of operations	[1]	109,228		86,859		286,066		263,177
Segment general and administrative expenses		89,941		76,699		278,909		223,880
Stock-based compensation expense						60,402		44,711
Depreciation, Amortization and Accretion, Net		280,824		261,662		834,725		766,621
Interest expense and amortization of deferred financing costs		129,916		129,877		385,656		398,782
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Equity Method Investments, Income Taxes, Extraordinary Items, Noncontrolling Interest		103,407		100,500		245,060		373,181
Capital expenditures						614,178		658,240
Total Assets		22,171,723				22,171,723				$ 21,936,966
Amortization of prepaid lease purchase price adjustments		5,400		5,100		16,000		15,400
Segment cost of operations share-based compensation [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation expense		4,900		3,700		17,600		10,300
Towers [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Segment site rental revenues		709,603		686,934		2,118,159		2,040,147
Segment network services and other revenues		166,979		138,566		434,042		445,683
Segment revenues		876,582		825,500		2,552,201		2,485,830
Segment site rental cost of operations		210,322		209,056		625,331		620,726
Segment network services and other cost of operations		97,395		75,302		249,306		229,164
Segment cost of operations		307,717	[2]	284,358	[2]	874,637	[3]	849,890	[3]
Segment site rental gross margin		499,281		477,878		1,492,828		1,419,421
Segment network services gross margin		69,584		63,264		184,736		216,519
Segment general and administrative expenses		22,225	[2]	22,994	[2]	68,329	[3]	68,245	[3]
Segment Operating Profit		546,640		518,148		1,609,235		1,567,695
Capital expenditures						318,900		427,398
Total Assets		18,466,528		17,999,121		18,466,528		17,999,121
Small Cells [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Segment site rental revenues		102,429		77,672		297,767		192,930
Segment network services and other revenues		13,005		14,935		38,841		39,255
Segment revenues		115,434		92,607		336,608		232,185
Segment site rental cost of operations		37,754		30,449		109,402		73,818
Segment network services and other cost of operations		10,194		10,213		30,652		30,034
Segment cost of operations		47,948	[2]	40,662	[2]	140,054	[3]	103,852	[3]
Segment site rental gross margin		64,675		47,223		188,365		119,112
Segment network services gross margin		2,811		4,722		8,189		9,221
Segment general and administrative expenses		14,480	[2]	10,194	[2]	45,720	[3]	25,664	[3]
Segment Operating Profit		53,006		41,751		150,834		102,669
Capital expenditures						279,488		213,259
Total Assets		3,298,927		3,458,941		3,298,927		3,458,941
Consolidated Total [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Segment site rental revenues		812,032		764,606		2,415,926		2,233,077
Segment network services and other revenues		179,984		153,501		472,883		484,938
Segment revenues		992,016		918,107		2,888,809		2,718,015
Segment site rental cost of operations		248,076		239,505		734,733		694,544
Segment network services and other cost of operations		107,589		85,515		279,958		259,198
Segment cost of operations		355,665	[2]	325,020	[2]	1,014,691	[3]	953,742	[3]
Segment site rental gross margin		563,956		525,101		1,681,193		1,538,533
Segment network services gross margin		72,395		67,986		192,925		225,740
Segment general and administrative expenses		72,231	[2]	63,929	[2]	221,210	[3]	184,890	[3]
Segment Operating Profit		564,120		529,158		1,652,908		1,579,383
Stock-based compensation expense		22,594		16,466		75,297		49,282
Depreciation, Amortization and Accretion, Net		280,824		261,662		834,725		766,621
Interest expense and amortization of deferred financing costs		129,916		129,877		385,656		398,782
Other expenses to reconcile to income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes		27,379		20,653		112,170		(8,483)
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Equity Method Investments, Income Taxes, Extraordinary Items, Noncontrolling Interest		103,407		100,500		245,060		373,181
Capital expenditures		221,181		237,357		614,178		658,240
Total Assets		22,171,723		21,891,468		22,171,723		21,891,468
Other [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Segment general and administrative expenses		35,526	[2]	30,741	[2]	107,161	[3]	90,981	[3]
Segment Operating Profit		(35,526)		(30,741)		(107,161)		(90,981)
Stock-based compensation expense		22,594		16,466		75,297		49,282
Depreciation, Amortization and Accretion, Net		280,824		261,662		834,725		766,621
Interest expense and amortization of deferred financing costs		129,916		129,877		385,656		398,782
Other expenses to reconcile to income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes		27,379		20,653		112,170		(8,483)
Capital expenditures						15,790		17,583
Total Assets		406,268		433,406		406,268		433,406
Segment G&A share-based compensation [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation expense		$ 17,700		$ 12,800		$ 57,700		$ 39,000
[1]	Exclusive of depreciation, amortization and accretion shown separately.
[2]	Segment cost of operations exclude (1) stock-based compensation expense of $4.9 million and $3.7 million for the three months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively, and (2) prepaid lease purchase price adjustments of $5.4 million and $5.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively. Segment general and administrative expenses exclude stock-based compensation expense of $17.7 million and $12.8 million for the three months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively.
[3]	Segment cost of operations exclude (1) stock-based compensation expense of $17.6 million and $10.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively, and (2) prepaid lease purchase price adjustments of $16.0 million and $15.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively. Segment general and administrative expenses exclude stock-based compensation expense of $57.7 million and $39.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively.

Supplemental Cash Flow Inform46

Supplemental Cash Flow Information (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015
Supplemental Cash Flow Information [Line Items]
Interest paid	$ 357,094	$ 364,147
Income taxes paid	11,740	23,865
Increase (decrease) in accounts payable for purchases of property and equipment	1,390	(5,399)
Purchase of property and equipment under capital leases and installment purchases	$ 40,295	41,331
Installment payment receivable for sale of subsidiary		$ 117,384

Subsequent Events (Details)

Subsequent Events (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Millions		1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended			9 Months Ended
		Nov. 01, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Common Stock, Dividends, Per Share, Cash Paid	[1]		$ 0.885	$ 0.885	$ 0.885
Business Combination, Consideration Transferred						$ 461
Common Stock [Member]
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Dividends Payable, Date Declared	[1]		Aug. 2, 2016	May 20, 2016	Feb. 18, 2016
Dividends Payable, Date to be Paid	[1]		Sep. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016
Dividends Payable, Date of Record	[1]		Sep. 16, 2016	Jun. 17, 2016	Mar. 18, 2016
Conversion of Preferred Stock [Member]
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Preferred Stock, Shares Outstanding						9,775,000
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, New Issues			11,612,700			11,612,700
Common Stock, Conversion Basis						1.188
Conversion of Stock, Description						each
FiberNet [Member] | Subsequent Event [Member]
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Business Combination, Consideration Transferred		$ 1,500
Dividend Declared [Member] | Common Stock [Member]
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Dividends Payable, Date Declared			Oct. 18, 2016
Dividends Payable, Date to be Paid			Dec. 30, 2016
Dividends Payable, Date of Record			Dec. 16, 2016
Paid subsequent to current quarter end [Member]
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Common Stock, Dividends, Per Share, Cash Paid			$ 0.950
[1]	Inclusive of dividends accrued for holders of unvested restricted stock units and payments of previously accrued dividends for holders of restricted stock units that have vested during the nine months ended September 30, 2016.