Crown Castle (CCI) 10-Q 7 Nov 17 2017 Q3 Quarterly report Financial data

Document and Entity Information

Document and Entity Information - shares	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Nov. 02, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Entity Information [Line Items]
Common Stock, Shares, Outstanding	406,274,802		360,536,659
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, 2017
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2,017
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Amendment Flag	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		406,275,091
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes

Condensed Consolidated Balance

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 6,719,134	$ 567,599
Restricted cash	115,730	124,547
Receivables, net	317,856	373,532
Prepaid expenses	167,235	128,721
Other current assets	154,600	130,362
Total current assets	7,474,555	1,324,761
Deferred site rental receivables	1,285,547	1,317,658
Property and equipment, net	10,599,604	9,805,315
Goodwill	6,905,922	5,757,676
Other intangible assets, net	3,885,311	3,650,072
Long-term prepaid rent and other assets, net	860,817	819,610
Total assets	31,011,756	22,675,092
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Accounts payable	179,335	188,516
Accrued interest	99,467	97,019
Deferred revenues	387,447	353,005
Other accrued liabilities	268,424	221,066
Current maturities of debt and other obligations	114,198	101,749
Total current liabilities	1,048,871	961,355
Debt and other long-term obligations	15,090,217	12,069,393
Deferred credits and other liabilities	2,200,336	2,087,229
Total liabilities	18,339,424	15,117,977
Commitments and contingencies
CCIC stockholders' equity:
Common stock	4,063	3,605
Preferred Stock, Value, Issued	17	0
Additional paid-in capital	16,818,738	10,938,236
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	(4,959)	(5,888)
Dividends/distributions in excess of earnings	(4,145,527)	(3,378,838)
Total equity	12,672,332	7,557,115
Total liabilities and equity	$ 31,011,756	$ 22,675,092

Condensed Consolidated Balance3

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Accumulated depreciation, property and equipment	$ 7,247,071	$ 6,613,219
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	1,650,000	0
Preferred Stock, Shares Outstanding	1,650,000	0
Preferred Stock, Liquidation Preference, Value	$ 1,650,000	$ 0
Common stock, par value	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Common stock, shares authorized	600,000,000	600,000,000
Common stock, shares outstanding	406,274,802	360,536,659

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, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
Net revenues:
Site rental		$ 892,763	$ 812,032	$ 2,618,505	$ 2,415,926
Network services and other		170,475	179,984	499,010	472,883
Net revenues		1,063,238	992,016	3,117,515	2,888,809
Operating expenses:
Site rental	[1]	280,667	256,750	814,969	762,223
Network services and other	[1]	106,707	109,228	310,137	286,066
General and administrative		100,772	89,941	299,232	278,909
Asset write-down charges		5,312	8,339	10,284	28,251
Acquisition and integration costs		13,180	2,680	27,080	11,459
Depreciation, amortization and accretion		296,033	280,824	880,197	834,725
Total operating expenses		802,671	747,762	2,341,899	2,201,633
Operating income (loss)		260,567	244,254	775,616	687,176
Nonoperating Income (Expense) [Abstract]
Interest expense and amortization of deferred financing costs		(154,146)	(129,916)	(430,402)	(385,656)
Gains (losses) on retirement of long-term obligations		0	(10,274)	(3,525)	(52,291)
Interest income		11,188	175	12,585	454
Other income (expense)		(32)	(832)	3,462	(4,623)
Income (loss) before income taxes		117,577	103,407	357,736	245,060
Benefit (provision) for income taxes		(2,383)	(5,041)	(11,290)	(12,797)
Net income (Loss) from Continuing Operations Attributable to Parent				346,446	232,263
Net income (loss) attributable to CCIC stockholders		115,194	98,366	346,446	232,263
Dividends on preferred stock		(29,935)	(10,997)	(29,935)	(32,991)
Net income (loss) attributable to CCIC common stockholders		85,259	87,369	316,511	199,272
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Abstract]
Foreign currency translation adjustments		224	(1,535)	929	(1,143)
Total other comprehensive income (loss)		224	(1,535)	929	(1,143)
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to CCIC stockholders		$ 115,418	$ 96,831	$ 347,375	$ 231,120
Net income (loss) attributable to CCIC common stockholders, per common share:
Basic		$ 0.22	$ 0.26	$ 0.85	$ 0.59
Diluted		$ 0.21	$ 0.26	$ 0.84	$ 0.59
Weighted-average common shares outstanding (in thousands):
Basic		395,359	337,564	373,561	336,426
Diluted		397,035	338,409	374,992	337,076
Common Stock, Dividends, Per Share, Declared		$ 0.950	$ 0.885	$ 2.850	$ 2.655
[1]	Exclusive of depreciation, amortization and accretion shown separately.

Condensed Consolidated Stateme5

Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
Cash and Cash Equivalents at Beginning of Period	$ 567,599	$ 178,810
Cash and Cash Equivalents at End of Period	6,719,134	156,219
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income (loss)	346,446	232,263
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by (used for) operating activities:
Depreciation, amortization and accretion	880,197	834,725
Gains (losses) on retirement of long-term obligations	3,525	52,291
Amortization of deferred financing costs and other non-cash interest	7,637	11,293
Stock-based compensation expense	67,264	60,402
Asset write-down charges	10,284	28,251
Deferred income tax benefit (provision)	330	6,626
Other non-cash adjustments	(3,159)	1,548
Changes in assets and liabilities, excluding the effects of acquisitions:
Increase (decrease) in accrued interest	2,448	17,269
Increase (decrease) in accounts payable	(28,561)	(12,469)
Increase (decrease) in deferred revenues, deferred ground lease payables, other accrued liabilities and other liabilities	88,101	118,144
Decrease (increase) in receivables	78,520	38,231
Decrease (increase) in prepaid expenses, deferred site rental receivables, long-term prepaid rent, restricted cash and other assets	(35,741)	(83,859)
Net cash provided by (used for) operating activities	1,417,291	1,304,715
Cash flows from investing activities:
Payment for acquisitions of businesses, net of cash acquired	(2,112,887)	(545,162)
Capital expenditures	(851,512)	(614,178)
Net receipts from settled swaps	(328)	8,141
Other investing activities, net	(6,147)	11,616
Net cash provided by (used for) investing activities	(2,970,874)	(1,139,583)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt	3,092,323	5,201,010
Principal payments on long-term debt and other long-term obligations	(89,817)	(69,717)
Purchases and redemptions of long-term debt	0	(4,044,834)
Borrowings under revolving credit facility	1,755,000	3,440,000
Payments under revolving credit facility	(1,755,000)	(4,155,000)
Payments for financing costs	(26,684)	(41,471)
Proceeds from Issuance of Common Stock	4,220,766	323,798
Proceeds from Issuance of Convertible Preferred Stock	1,607,759	0
Purchases of capital stock	(23,037)	(24,759)
Dividends/distributions paid on common stock	(1,082,015)	(896,628)
Dividends/distributions paid on preferred stock	0	(32,991)
Net (increase) decrease in restricted cash	4,960	40
Net cash provided by (used for) financing activities	7,704,255	(300,552)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents—continuing operations	6,150,672	(135,420)
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Discontinued Operations [Abstract]
Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities, Discontinued Operations	0	113,150
Cash and Cash Equivalents, Period Increase (Decrease), Excluding Exchange Rate Effect [Abstract]
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Discontinued Operations	0	113,150
Effect of Exchange Rate on Cash and Cash Equivalents [Abstract]
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	$ 863	$ (321)

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]	4.50% Convertible Preferred Stock	6.875% Convertible Preferred Stock	Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]	Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]At the Market Program [Member]	Accumulated Foreign Currency Adjustment Attributable to Parent [Member]		Dividends/Distributions in Excess of Earnings [Member]
Balance, shares Period Start at Dec. 31, 2015						333,771,660
Balance, value Period Start at Dec. 31, 2015			$ 7,089,221,000			$ 3,338,000		$ 98,000	$ 0	$ 9,548,580,000		$ (4,398,000)		$ (2,458,397,000)
Preferred Stock, Shares Outstanding Period Start at Dec. 31, 2015								9,775,000	0
Stock-based compensation related activity, net of forfeitures, value			67,262,000			$ 2,000				67,260,000		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
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, New Issues						0	3,828,064
Proceeds from Issuance of Convertible Preferred Stock	$ 0
Stock Issued During Period, Value, New Issues						$ 0				0
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)	[1]		$ 0				0		(1,143,000)	[1]	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		232,263,000
Balance, shares Period End at Sep. 30, 2016						337,569,931
Balance, value Period End at Sep. 30, 2016			6,753,717,000			$ 3,375,000		$ 98,000	$ 0	9,914,844,000		(5,541,000)		(3,159,059,000)
Preferred Stock, Shares Outstanding Period End at Sep. 30, 2016								9,775,000	0
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)		(2,946,081,000)
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
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
Purchases and retirement of capital stock, shares						(3,231)
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(1,535,000)		(1,535,000)	[1]		$ 0				0		(1,535,000)	[1]	0
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		98,366,000
Balance, shares Period End at Sep. 30, 2016						337,569,931
Balance, value Period End at Sep. 30, 2016			6,753,717,000			$ 3,375,000		$ 98,000	$ 0	9,914,844,000		(5,541,000)		(3,159,059,000)
Preferred Stock, Shares Outstanding Period End at Sep. 30, 2016								9,775,000	0
Balance, shares Period Start at Dec. 31, 2016	360,536,659					360,536,659
Balance, value Period Start at Dec. 31, 2016	$ 7,557,115,000		7,557,115,000			$ 3,605,000		$ 0	$ 0	10,938,236,000		(5,888,000)		(3,378,838,000)
Preferred Stock, Shares Outstanding Period Start at Dec. 31, 2016	0							0	0
Stock-based compensation related activity, net of forfeitures, value			75,489,000			$ 7,000				75,482,000		0		0
Stock-based compensation related activity, net of forfeitures, shares						739,805
Purchases and retirement of capital stock, value			(23,037,000)			$ (3,000)				(23,034,000)		0		0
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, New Issues						45,255,158	242,300		1,650,000
Proceeds from Issuance of Convertible Preferred Stock	$ 1,607,759,000		1,607,759,000						$ 17,000	1,607,742,000
Proceeds from Issuance of Common Stock	4,220,766,000	$ 22,009,000	4,220,766,000			$ 454,000				4,220,312,000
Purchases and retirement of capital stock, shares						(256,820)
Other comprehensive income (loss)	929,000		929,000	[1]		$ 0				0		929,000	[1]	0
Common stock dividends/distributions			(1,083,200,000)											(1,083,200,000)
Preferred stock dividends	(29,935,000)		(29,935,000)											(29,935,000)
Net income (loss)	$ 346,446,000		346,446,000			$ 0				0		0		346,446,000
Balance, shares Period End at Sep. 30, 2017	406,274,802					406,274,802
Balance, value Period End at Sep. 30, 2017	$ 12,672,332,000		12,672,332,000			$ 4,063,000		$ 0	$ 17,000	16,818,738,000		(4,959,000)		(4,145,527,000)
Preferred Stock, Shares Outstanding Period End at Sep. 30, 2017	1,650,000							0	1,650,000
Balance, shares Period Start at Jun. 30, 2017						366,115,800
Balance, value Period Start at Jun. 30, 2017			7,590,309,000			$ 3,661,000		$ 0	$ 0	11,433,018,000		(5,183,000)		(3,841,187,000)
Preferred Stock, Shares Outstanding Period Start at Jun. 30, 2017								0	0
Stock-based compensation related activity, net of forfeitures, value			22,079,000			$ 0				22,079,000		0		0
Stock-based compensation related activity, net of forfeitures, shares						13,261
Purchases and retirement of capital stock, value			(443,000)			$ 0				(443,000)		0		0
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, New Issues						40,150,000			1,650,000
Proceeds from Issuance of Convertible Preferred Stock			1,607,759,000						$ 17,000	1,607,742,000
Proceeds from Issuance of Common Stock			3,756,744,000			$ 402,000				3,756,342,000
Purchases and retirement of capital stock, shares						(4,259)
Other comprehensive income (loss)	$ 224,000		224,000	[1]		$ 0				0		224,000	[1]	0
Common stock dividends/distributions			(389,599,000)											(389,599,000)
Preferred stock dividends	(29,935,000)		(29,935,000)											(29,935,000)
Net income (loss)	$ 115,194,000		115,194,000			$ 0				0		0		115,194,000
Balance, shares Period End at Sep. 30, 2017	406,274,802					406,274,802
Balance, value Period End at Sep. 30, 2017	$ 12,672,332,000		$ 12,672,332,000			$ 4,063,000		$ 0	$ 17,000	$ 16,818,738,000		$ (4,959,000)		$ (4,145,527,000)
Preferred Stock, Shares Outstanding Period End at Sep. 30, 2017	1,650,000							0	1,650,000
[1]	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, 2017
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, 2016 , and related notes thereto, included in the 2016 Form 10-K filed by Crown Castle International Corp. ("CCIC") with the SEC. Capitalized terms used but not defined in these notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements have the same meaning given to them in our 2016 Form 10-K. 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 that has been acquired or constructed over time and is geographically dispersed throughout the United States and Puerto Rico ("U.S."), including: (1) towers and other structures, such as rooftops (collectively, "towers"), and (2) fiber primarily supporting small cell networks and fiber based solutions (collectively, "small cells" and, together with towers, "wireless infrastructure"). 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. The Company's operating segments consist of (1) Towers and (2) Small Cells. See note 10 . As part of the Company's effort to provide comprehensive wireless infrastructure solutions, the Company offers certain network services relating to its wireless infrastructure, consisting of (1) site development services relating to existing or new tenant equipment installations on its wireless infrastructure, including: 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 6 . Approximately 53% 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, 2017 , and the consolidated results of operations and the consolidated cash flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 . 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, 2017
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 2016 Form 10-K, other than certain recent accounting pronouncements described below. Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements No accounting pronouncements adopted during the nine months ended September 30, 2017 had a material impact on the Company's condensed consolidated financial statements. Recent Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted In May 2014, the FASB released updated guidance regarding the recognition of revenue from contracts with customers, exclusive of those contracts within lease accounting. The core principle of the guidance is that an entity should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. To achieve that core principle, an entity should apply the following steps: (1) identify the contracts with the customer; (2) identify the performance obligations in the contract; (3) determine the contract price; (4) allocate the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract; and (5) recognize revenue when (or as) the entity satisfies a performance obligation. This guidance is effective for the Company on January 1, 2018, following the FASB's July 2015 decision to defer the effective date of the standard by one year. This guidance is required to be applied, at the Company's election, either (1) retrospectively to each prior reporting period presented, or (2) with the cumulative effect being recognized at the date of initial application. The Company expects to adopt the guidance effective January 1, 2018 with the cumulative effect being recognized at the date of initial application, and does not expect the guidance to have a material impact on its condensed consolidated financial statements. 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, however, the Company does not expect to early adopt the new guidance. The Company (1) has established and is progressing through the various steps of a cross functional project plan to assess the impact of the standard; (2) expects this guidance to have a material impact on its condensed consolidated balance sheet due to the addition of right-of-use assets and lease liabilities for all lessee arrangements with a term greater than 12 months; and (3) continues to assess additional impacts to its condensed consolidated financial statements, including the condensed consolidated statement of operations and the condensed consolidated statement of cash flows. In February 2017, the FASB issued new guidance which clarifies the scope and application on accounting for the de-recognition of non-financial assets and in substance non-financial assets, including sales and partial sales of real estate assets. The new guidance also eliminates the existing industry specific guidance for partial sales of real estate, and requires full gain recognition upon partial sales of real estate. The guidance is effective for the Company as of January 1, 2018. The guidance may be early adopted, but must be adopted concurrently with the FASB's May 2014 guidance on revenue from contracts with customers. The guidance is required to be applied, at the Company's election, either (1) retrospectively to each prior reporting period presented or (2) with the cumulative effect being recognized at the date of initial application. The Company does not expect this guidance to have a material impact on its condensed consolidated financial statements.

Acquisitions

Acquisitions	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017
Acquisitions [Abstract]
Mergers, Acquisitions and Dispositions Disclosures [Text Block]	Acquisitions FiberNet Acquisition On November 1, 2016, the Company announced that it had 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 ("FiberNet Acquisition"). FiberNet is a fiber services provider in Florida and Texas that, as of the agreement date, owned or had rights to approximately 11,500 route miles of fiber installed or under construction, inclusive of approximately 6,000 route miles in top metro markets. On January 17, 2017 , the Company closed the FiberNet Acquisition which was financed using proceeds from its November 2016 Equity Financing and borrowings under the 2016 Revolver (see note 4). The preliminary purchase price allocation for the FiberNet Acquisition is shown below and is based upon a preliminary valuation which is subject to change as the Company obtains additional information with respect to fixed assets, intangible assets and certain liabilities. Preliminary Purchase Price Allocation Current Assets $ 51,791 Property and equipment 439,961 Goodwill (a) 779,013 Other intangible assets, net (b) 327,338 Other non-current assets 72 Current liabilities (36,438 ) Other non-current liabilities (40,907 ) Net assets acquired (c) $ 1,520,830 (a) The preliminary purchase price allocation for the FiberNet Acquisition resulted in the recognition of goodwill based on: • the Company's expectation to leverage the FiberNet fiber footprint to support new small cell networks and fiber based solutions, • the complementary nature of the FiberNet fiber to the Company's existing fiber assets and its location in top metro markets where the Company expects to see wireless carrier network investments, • the Company's belief that the acquired fiber assets are well-positioned to benefit from the continued growth trends in the wireless industry, and • other intangibles not qualified for separate recognition, including the assembled workforce. (b) Predominantly comprised of site rental contracts and customer relationships. (c) For tax purposes, the Fibernet Acquisition was treated as a purchase of assets. As a result of the tax step-up and the expectation that the vast majority of the assets will be included in the Company's REIT, no deferred taxes were recorded in connection with the FiberNet Acquisition. Net revenues attributable to the FiberNet Acquisition are included in the Company's consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss) since the date the acquisition was completed. For the nine months ended September 30, 2017 , the FiberNet Acquisition contributed $109.0 million to consolidated net revenues. Wilcon Acquisition On April 17, 2017 , the Company announced that it had entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Wilcon Holdings LLC ("Wilcon") from Pamlico Holdings and other unit holders of Wilcon for approximately $600 million in cash, subject to certain limited adjustments ("Wilcon Acquisition"). Wilcon is a fiber services provider that owns approximately 1,900 route miles of fiber, primarily in Los Angeles and San Diego. On June 26, 2017 , the Company closed the Wilcon Acquisition, which was financed using proceeds from the May 2017 Equity Financing (as defined in note 9 ) and the 4.75% Senior Notes (as defined in note 4 ). The preliminary purchase price of approximately $600 million was primarily comprised of other intangible assets (predominantly comprised of site rental contracts and customer relationships) of approximately $140 million , property and equipment of approximately $150 million , goodwill of approximately $360 million , offset by deferred revenues of approximately $40 million . The preliminary purchase price allocation for the Wilcon Acquisition resulted in the recognition of goodwill based on (1) the Company's expectation to leverage the Wilcon fiber footprint to support new small cell networks and fiber based solutions, (2) the complementary nature of the Wilcon fiber to the Company's existing fiber assets and its location primarily in Los Angeles and San Diego, where the Company expects to see wireless carrier network investments, (3) the Company's belief that the acquired fiber assets are well positioned to benefit from the continued growth trends in the wireless industry, and (4) other intangibles not qualified for separate recognition, including the assembled workforce. The preliminary purchase price allocation for the Wilcon Acquisition is based upon a preliminary valuation which is subject to change as the Company obtains additional information with respect to fixed assets, intangible assets and certain liabilities. Lightower Acquisition On July 18, 2017, the Company announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire LTS Group Holdings LLC ("Lightower") from Berkshire Partners, Pamlico Capital and other investors for approximately $7.1 billion in cash, subject to certain limited adjustments ("Lightower Acquisition"). Lightower owns or has rights to approximately 32,000 route miles of fiber located primarily in top metro markets in the Northeast, including Boston, New York and Philadelphia. On November 1, 2017 , the Company closed the Lightower Acquisition, which was financed using (1) cash on hand, including proceeds from the July 2017 Equity Financings and August 2017 Senior Notes Offering, and (2) borrowings under the 2016 Revolver. Due to the proximity of the closing of the Lightower Acquisition to the 10-Q filing date, the Company was not able to determine the preliminary purchase price allocation or provide pro forma financial information as of the date of this report. See note 12 .

Debt and Other Obligations

Debt and Other Obligations	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017
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, 2017 Balance as of December 31, 2016 Stated Interest Rate as of September 30, 2017 (a) Bank debt - variable rate: 2016 Revolver Jan. 2016 Aug. 2022 (e) $ — (b)(d)(e)(f) $ — 2.6 % 2016 Term Loan A Jan. 2016 Aug. 2022 (e) 2,411,400 (e) 1,954,173 2.6 % Total bank debt 2,411,400 1,954,173 Securitized debt - fixed rate: Secured Notes, Series 2009-1, Class A-1 July 2009 Aug. 2019 36,595 51,416 6.3 % Secured Notes, Series 2009-1, Class A-2 July 2009 Aug. 2029 69,469 68,737 9.0 % Tower Revenue Notes, Series 2010-3 Jan. 2010 Jan. 2040 (c) 1,245,639 1,244,237 6.1 % Tower Revenue Notes, Series 2010-6 Aug. 2010 Aug. 2040 (c) 994,905 993,557 4.9 % Tower Revenue Notes, Series 2015-1 May 2015 May 2042 (c) 297,051 296,573 3.2 % Tower Revenue Notes, Series 2015-2 May 2015 May 2045 (c) 692,065 691,285 3.7 % Total securitized debt 3,335,724 3,345,805 Bonds - fixed rate: 5.250% Senior Notes Oct. 2012 Jan. 2023 1,638,680 1,637,099 5.3 % 3.849% Secured Notes Dec. 2012 Apr. 2023 992,317 991,279 3.8 % 4.875% Senior Notes Apr. 2014 Apr. 2022 841,645 840,322 4.9 % 3.400% Senior Notes Feb./May 2016 Feb. 2021 849,836 849,698 3.4 % 4.450% Senior Notes Feb. 2016 Feb. 2026 890,887 890,118 4.5 % 3.700% Senior Notes May 2016 June 2026 742,521 741,908 3.7 % 2.250% Senior Notes Sept. 2016 Sept. 2021 695,069 693,893 2.3 % 4.000% Senior Notes Feb. 2017 March 2027 493,810 (d) — 4.0 % 4.750% Senior Notes May 2017 May 2047 342,524 (f) — 4.8 % 3.200% Senior Notes Aug. 2017 Sept. 2024 741,561 (g) — 3.2 % 3.650% Senior Notes Aug. 2017 Sept. 2027 990,734 (g) — 3.7 % Total bonds 9,219,584 6,644,317 Other: Capital leases and other obligations Various Various 237,707 226,847 Various Total debt and other obligations 15,204,415 12,171,142 Less: current maturities and short-term debt and other current obligations 114,198 101,749 Non-current portion of long-term debt and other long-term obligations $ 15,090,217 $ 12,069,393 (a) See the 2016 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) As of September 30, 2017 , the undrawn availability under the 2016 Revolver was $ 3.5 billion . In November 2017, the Company used proceeds from its 2016 Revolver to partially fund the Lightower Acqusition. See notes 3 and 12. (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 2016 Form 10-K for additional information regarding these provisions. (d) In February 2017 , the Company issued $500 million aggregate principal amount of 4.000% senior unsecured notes with a maturity date of March 2027 ("4.0% Senior Notes"). The Company used the net proceeds from the 4.0% Senior Notes offering to repay a portion of the borrowings under the 2016 Revolver. (e) In February 2017 , the Company entered into an amendment to the Credit Facility to (1) incur additional term loans in an aggregate principal amount of $500 million , and (2) extend the maturity of both the 2016 Term Loan A and the 2016 Revolver to January 2022 . In August 2017, the Company entered into an amendment to the Credit Facility to (1) increase the commitments under the 2016 Revolver by $1.0 billion, to total commitments of $3.5 billion, and (2) extend the maturity of both the 2016 Term Loan A and the 2016 Revolver to August 2022. (f) In May 2017 , the Company issued $350 million aggregate principal amount of 4.750% senior unsecured notes due May 2047 ("4.75% Senior Notes"). The Company used the net proceeds from the 4.75% Senior Notes offering to partially fund the Wilcon Acquisition and to repay a portion of the borrowings under the 2016 Revolver. (g) In August 2017 , the Company issued $750 million aggregate principal amount of 3.200% senior unsecured notes due September 2024 ("3.2% Senior Notes") and $1.0 billion aggregate principal amount of 3.650% senior unsecured notes due September 2027 ("3.65% Senior Notes") (collectively, "August 2017 Senior Notes Offering"). The Company used the net proceeds of the August 2017 Senior Notes Offering to partially fund the Lightower Acquisition and pay related fees and expenses. See notes 3 and 12. 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, 2017 . 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 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 Thereafter Total Cash Obligations Scheduled contractual maturities $ 29,588 $ 113,667 $ 166,726 $ 154,989 $ 1,824,666 $ 13,022,295 $ 15,311,931 $ (107,516 ) $ 15,204,415 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, 2017 2016 2017 2016 Interest expense on debt obligations $ 151,765 $ 126,616 $ 422,765 $ 374,363 Amortization of deferred financing costs and adjustments on long-term debt 4,882 4,601 13,973 14,522 Other, net of capitalized interest (2,501 ) (1,301 ) (6,336 ) (3,229 ) Total $ 154,146 $ 129,916 $ 430,402 $ 385,656

Fair Value Disclosures

Fair Value Disclosures	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017
Fair Value Disclosures
Fair Value Disclosures	Fair Value Disclosures Level in Fair Value Hierarchy September 30, 2017 December 31, 2016 Carrying Amount Fair Value Carrying Amount Fair Value Assets: Cash and cash equivalents 1 $ 6,719,134 $ 6,719,134 $ 567,599 $ 567,599 Restricted cash, current and non-current 1 120,730 120,730 129,547 129,547 Liabilities: Total debt and other obligations 2 15,204,415 15,848,408 12,171,142 12,660,013 The fair value of cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash approximate the carrying value. The Company determines the fair value of its debt securities based on indicative, non-binding quotes from brokers. Quotes from brokers require judgment and are based on the brokers' interpretation of market information, including implied credit spreads for similar borrowings on recent trades or bid/ask prices or quotes from active markets if available. There were no changes since December 31, 2016 in the Company's valuation techniques used to measure fair values.

Income Taxes

Income Taxes	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017
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. 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, 2017 and 2016 , 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, 2017
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. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, 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 6.875% Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock (as defined in note 9), as determined under the if-converted method. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, 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 previously outstanding 4.50% Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock, which converted to common stock during the fourth quarter of 2016, as determined under the if-converted method. Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017 2016 2017 2016 Net income (loss) attributable to CCIC stockholders $ 115,194 $ 98,366 $ 346,446 $ 232,263 Dividends on preferred stock (29,935 ) (10,997 ) (29,935 ) (32,991 ) Net income (loss) attributable to CCIC common stockholders for basic and diluted computations $ 85,259 $ 87,369 $ 316,511 $ 199,272 Weighted-average number of common shares outstanding (in thousands): Basic weighted-average number of common stock outstanding 395,359 337,564 373,561 336,426 Effect of assumed dilution from potential common shares relating to restricted stock units and restricted stock awards 1,676 845 1,431 650 Diluted weighted-average number of common shares outstanding 397,035 338,409 374,992 337,076 Net income (loss) attributable to CCIC common stockholders, per common share: Basic $ 0.22 $ 0.26 $ 0.85 $ 0.59 Diluted $ 0.21 $ 0.26 $ 0.84 $ 0.59 During the nine months ended September 30, 2017 , the Company granted 1.3 million restricted stock units. For both the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 , 15.9 million common share equivalents related to the 6.875% Mandatory 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 September 30, 2017. For both the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 , 11.6 million common share equivalents related to the previously outstanding 4.50% Mandatory 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 September 30, 2016.

Commitments and Contingencies

Commitments and Contingencies	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017
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 53% 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, 2017
Equity [Abstract]
Stockholders' Equity Note Disclosure [Text Block]	Equity Declaration and Payment of Dividends During the nine months ended September 30, 2017 , the following dividends were declared and paid: Equity Type Declaration Date Record Date Payment Date Dividends Per Share Aggregate Payment Amount (In millions) Common Stock February 17, 2017 March 17, 2017 March 31, 2017 $ 0.95 $ 343.3 (a) Common Stock May 18, 2017 June 16, 2017 June 30, 2017 $ 0.95 $ 350.3 (a) Common Stock August 3, 2017 September 15, 2017 September 29, 2017 $ 0.95 $ 389.6 (a) 6.875% Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock September 21, 2017 October 15, 2017 November 1, 2017 $ 18.1424 $ 29.9 (a) Inclusive of dividends accrued for holders of unvested restricted stock units, which will be paid when and if the restricted stock units vest. See note 12 for a discussion of the Company's October 2017 declaration of its quarterly common stock dividend. Purchases of the Company's Common Stock For the nine months ended September 30, 2017 , the Company purchased 0.3 million shares of its common stock utilizing $23.0 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 The Company maintains 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, 2017 , 0.2 million shares of common stock were sold under the ATM Program generating net proceeds of $22.0 million after giving effect to sales agent commissions of $0.2 million . As of September 30, 2017 , the Company had approximately $150 million of gross sales of common stock availability remaining under the ATM Program. May 2017 Equity Financing On May 1, 2017 , the Company completed an offering of 4.75 million shares of its common stock, which generated net proceeds of approximately $442 million ("May 2017 Equity Financing"). The Company used the net proceeds of the May 2017 Equity Financing to partially fund the Wilcon Acquisition. July 2017 Equity Financings On July 26, 2017 , the Company completed an offering of 40.15 million shares of common stock, including certain additional shares sold pursuant to the underwriters' option, which generated net proceeds of approximately $3.8 billion ("July 2017 Common Stock Offering"). The Company used the net proceeds of the July 2017 Common Stock Offering to partially fund the Lightower Acquisition and pay related fees and expenses. See note 12. On July 26, 2017 , the Company completed an offering of 1.65 million shares of the Company's 6.875% Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock, Series A, par value $0.01 per share, at $1,000 per share ("6.875% Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock"), including certain additional shares sold pursuant to the underwriters' option, which generated net proceeds of approximately $1.6 billion ("Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock Offering"). The Company used the net proceeds from the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock Offering to partially fund the Lightower Acquisition and pay related fees and expenses. See note 12. The holders of the 6.875% Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock are entitled to receive cumulative dividends, when and if declared by the Company's board of directors, at the rate of 6.875% on the liquidation preference of $1,000 per share. The dividends may be paid in cash or, subject to certain limitations, in shares of the Company's common stock or any combination of cash and shares of common stock on February 1, May 1, August 1 and November 1 of each year, commencing on November 1, 2017 and to, and including, August 1, 2020. The terms of the 6.875% Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock provide that, unless accumulated dividends have been paid or set aside for payment on all outstanding shares of 6.875% Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock for all past dividend periods, no dividends may be declared or paid on common stock. Unless converted earlier, each outstanding share of the 6.875% Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock will automatically convert on August 1, 2020 into between 8.6806 and 10.4167 shares of the Company's common stock, depending on the applicable market value of the common stock and subject to certain anti-dilution adjustments. At any time prior to August 1, 2020, holders of the 6.875% Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock may elect to convert all or a portion of their shares into common stock at the minimum conversion rate of 8.6806 , subject to certain anti-dilution adjustments. The July 2017 Common Stock Offering and Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock Offering are collectively referred to herein as "July 2017 Equity Financings."

Operating Segments

Operating Segments	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Segment Reporting Disclosure [Text Block]	Operating Segments The Company's operating segments are (1) Towers and (2) Small Cells. The Towers segment provides access, including space or capacity, to the Company's approximately 40,000 towers geographically dispersed throughout the U.S. The Towers 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 approximately 32,000 route miles of fiber primarily supporting small cell networks and fiber based solutions. The measurements of profit or loss used by the Company's chief operating decision maker 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, 2017 Three Months Ended September 30, 2016 Towers Small Cells Other Consolidated Total Towers Small Cells Other Consolidated Total Segment site rental revenues $ 724,813 $ 167,950 $ 892,763 $ 709,603 $ 102,429 $ 812,032 Segment network services and other revenues 153,001 17,474 170,475 166,979 13,005 179,984 Segment revenues 877,814 185,424 1,063,238 876,582 115,434 992,016 Segment site rental cost of operations 212,037 59,319 271,356 210,322 37,754 248,076 Segment network services and other cost of operations 90,845 14,245 105,090 97,395 10,194 107,589 Segment cost of operations (a) 302,882 73,564 376,446 307,717 47,948 355,665 Segment site rental gross margin 512,776 108,631 621,407 499,281 64,675 563,956 Segment network services and other gross margin 62,156 3,229 65,385 69,584 2,811 72,395 Segment general and administrative expenses (a) 22,490 18,415 41,085 81,990 22,225 14,480 35,526 72,231 Segment operating profit (loss) 552,442 93,445 (41,085 ) 604,802 546,640 53,006 (35,526 ) 564,120 Stock-based compensation expense 24,681 24,681 22,594 22,594 Depreciation, amortization and accretion 296,033 296,033 280,824 280,824 Interest expense and amortization of deferred financing costs 154,146 154,146 129,916 129,916 Other income (expenses) to reconcile to income (loss) before income taxes (b) 12,365 12,365 27,379 27,379 Income (loss) before income taxes $ 117,577 $ 103,407 Capital expenditures $ 108,625 $ 171,650 $ 7,876 $ 288,151 $ 103,679 $ 111,885 $ 5,617 $ 221,181 Total assets (at period end) $ 18,099,103 $ 5,927,354 $ 6,985,299 $ 31,011,756 $ 18,466,528 $ 3,298,927 $ 406,268 $ 22,171,723 (a) Segment cost of operations excludes (1) stock-based compensation expense of $5.9 million and $4.9 million for the three months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 , respectively, and (2) prepaid lease purchase price adjustments of $5.0 million and $5.4 million for the three months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 , respectively. Segment general and administrative expenses exclude stock-based compensation expense of $18.8 million and $17.7 million for the three months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 , respectively. (b) See condensed consolidated statement of operations for further information. Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017 Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016 Towers Small Cells Other Consolidated Total Towers Small Cells Other Consolidated Total Segment site rental revenues $ 2,158,994 $ 459,511 $ 2,618,505 $ 2,118,159 $ 297,767 $ 2,415,926 Segment network services and other revenues 460,593 38,417 499,010 434,042 38,841 472,883 Segment revenues 2,619,587 497,928 3,117,515 2,552,201 336,608 2,888,809 Segment site rental cost of operations 632,705 158,426 791,131 625,331 109,402 734,733 Segment network services and other cost of operations 275,618 31,078 306,696 249,306 30,652 279,958 Segment cost of operations (a) 908,323 189,504 1,097,827 874,637 140,054 1,014,691 Segment site rental gross margin 1,526,289 301,085 1,827,374 1,492,828 188,365 1,681,193 Segment network services and other gross margin 184,975 7,339 192,314 184,736 8,189 192,925 Segment general and administrative expenses (a) 69,125 54,770 121,045 244,940 68,329 45,720 107,161 221,210 Segment operating profit (loss) 1,642,139 253,654 (121,045 ) 1,774,748 1,609,235 150,834 (107,161 ) 1,652,908 Stock-based compensation expense 66,458 66,458 75,297 75,297 Depreciation, amortization and accretion 880,197 880,197 834,725 834,725 Interest expense and amortization of deferred financing costs 430,402 430,402 385,656 385,656 Other income (expenses) to reconcile to income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes (b) 39,955 39,955 112,170 112,170 Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes $ 357,736 $ 245,060 Capital expenditures $ 317,050 $ 514,006 $ 20,456 $ 851,512 $ 318,900 $ 279,488 $ 15,790 $ 614,178 (a) Segment cost of operations excludes (1) stock-based compensation expense of $12.2 million and $17.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 , respectively, and (2) prepaid lease purchase price adjustments of $15.1 million and $16.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 , respectively. Segment general and administrative expenses exclude stock-based compensation expense of $54.3 million and $57.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 , respectively. (b) See condensed consolidated statement of operations for further information.

Supplemental Cash Flow Informat

Supplemental Cash Flow Information	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017
Supplemental Cash Flow Information [Abstract]
Supplemental Cash Flow Information	Supplemental Cash Flow Information Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017 2016 Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information: Interest paid $ 420,317 $ 357,094 Income taxes paid 13,853 11,740 Supplemental disclosure of non-cash investing and financing activities: Increase (decrease) in accounts payable for purchases of property and equipment (5,282 ) 1,390 Purchase of property and equipment under capital leases and installment purchases 25,189 40,295 Preferred stock dividends declared but not paid (see note 9) 29,935 10,997

Subsequent Events Subsequent Ev

Subsequent Events Subsequent Events	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Subsequent Events [Text Block]	Subsequent Events Lightower Acquisition On November 1, 2017 , the Company closed the Lightower Acquisition. See note 3 for further discussion of the Lightower Acquisition. Common Stock Dividend On October 15, 2017 , the Company's board of directors declared a quarterly common stock cash dividend of $1.05 per share. The common stock dividend will be paid on December 29, 2017 to common stockholders of record as of December 15, 2017 .

Summary of Significant Accoun19

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Recent accounting prounouncements	Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements No accounting pronouncements adopted during the nine months ended September 30, 2017 had a material impact on the Company's condensed consolidated financial statements. Recent Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted In May 2014, the FASB released updated guidance regarding the recognition of revenue from contracts with customers, exclusive of those contracts within lease accounting. The core principle of the guidance is that an entity should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. To achieve that core principle, an entity should apply the following steps: (1) identify the contracts with the customer; (2) identify the performance obligations in the contract; (3) determine the contract price; (4) allocate the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract; and (5) recognize revenue when (or as) the entity satisfies a performance obligation. This guidance is effective for the Company on January 1, 2018, following the FASB's July 2015 decision to defer the effective date of the standard by one year. This guidance is required to be applied, at the Company's election, either (1) retrospectively to each prior reporting period presented, or (2) with the cumulative effect being recognized at the date of initial application. The Company expects to adopt the guidance effective January 1, 2018 with the cumulative effect being recognized at the date of initial application, and does not expect the guidance to have a material impact on its condensed consolidated financial statements. 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, however, the Company does not expect to early adopt the new guidance. The Company (1) has established and is progressing through the various steps of a cross functional project plan to assess the impact of the standard; (2) expects this guidance to have a material impact on its condensed consolidated balance sheet due to the addition of right-of-use assets and lease liabilities for all lessee arrangements with a term greater than 12 months; and (3) continues to assess additional impacts to its condensed consolidated financial statements, including the condensed consolidated statement of operations and the condensed consolidated statement of cash flows. In February 2017, the FASB issued new guidance which clarifies the scope and application on accounting for the de-recognition of non-financial assets and in substance non-financial assets, including sales and partial sales of real estate assets. The new guidance also eliminates the existing industry specific guidance for partial sales of real estate, and requires full gain recognition upon partial sales of real estate. The guidance is effective for the Company as of January 1, 2018. The guidance may be early adopted, but must be adopted concurrently with the FASB's May 2014 guidance on revenue from contracts with customers. The guidance is required to be applied, at the Company's election, either (1) retrospectively to each prior reporting period presented or (2) with the cumulative effect being recognized at the date of initial application. The Company does not expect this guidance to have a material impact on its condensed consolidated financial statements.

Acquisitions Purchase Price All

Acquisitions Purchase Price Allocation (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Schedule of Business Acquisitions, by Acquisition [Table Text Block]	The preliminary purchase price allocation for the FiberNet Acquisition is shown below and is based upon a preliminary valuation which is subject to change as the Company obtains additional information with respect to fixed assets, intangible assets and certain liabilities. Preliminary Purchase Price Allocation Current Assets $ 51,791 Property and equipment 439,961 Goodwill (a) 779,013 Other intangible assets, net (b) 327,338 Other non-current assets 72 Current liabilities (36,438 ) Other non-current liabilities (40,907 ) Net assets acquired (c) $ 1,520,830 (a) The preliminary purchase price allocation for the FiberNet Acquisition resulted in the recognition of goodwill based on: • the Company's expectation to leverage the FiberNet fiber footprint to support new small cell networks and fiber based solutions, • the complementary nature of the FiberNet fiber to the Company's existing fiber assets and its location in top metro markets where the Company expects to see wireless carrier network investments, • the Company's belief that the acquired fiber assets are well-positioned to benefit from the continued growth trends in the wireless industry, and • other intangibles not qualified for separate recognition, including the assembled workforce. (b) Predominantly comprised of site rental contracts and customer relationships. (c) For tax purposes, the Fibernet Acquisition was treated as a purchase of assets. As a result of the tax step-up and the expectation that the vast majority of the assets will be included in the Company's REIT, no deferred taxes were recorded in connection with the FiberNet Acquisition.

Debt and Other Obligations (Tab

Debt and Other Obligations (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017
Debt and Other Obligations [Abstract]
Schedule of Long-Term Debt Instruments	Original Issue Date Contractual Maturity Date (a) Balance as of September 30, 2017 Balance as of December 31, 2016 Stated Interest Rate as of September 30, 2017 (a) Bank debt - variable rate: 2016 Revolver Jan. 2016 Aug. 2022 (e) $ — (b)(d)(e)(f) $ — 2.6 % 2016 Term Loan A Jan. 2016 Aug. 2022 (e) 2,411,400 (e) 1,954,173 2.6 % Total bank debt 2,411,400 1,954,173 Securitized debt - fixed rate: Secured Notes, Series 2009-1, Class A-1 July 2009 Aug. 2019 36,595 51,416 6.3 % Secured Notes, Series 2009-1, Class A-2 July 2009 Aug. 2029 69,469 68,737 9.0 % Tower Revenue Notes, Series 2010-3 Jan. 2010 Jan. 2040 (c) 1,245,639 1,244,237 6.1 % Tower Revenue Notes, Series 2010-6 Aug. 2010 Aug. 2040 (c) 994,905 993,557 4.9 % Tower Revenue Notes, Series 2015-1 May 2015 May 2042 (c) 297,051 296,573 3.2 % Tower Revenue Notes, Series 2015-2 May 2015 May 2045 (c) 692,065 691,285 3.7 % Total securitized debt 3,335,724 3,345,805 Bonds - fixed rate: 5.250% Senior Notes Oct. 2012 Jan. 2023 1,638,680 1,637,099 5.3 % 3.849% Secured Notes Dec. 2012 Apr. 2023 992,317 991,279 3.8 % 4.875% Senior Notes Apr. 2014 Apr. 2022 841,645 840,322 4.9 % 3.400% Senior Notes Feb./May 2016 Feb. 2021 849,836 849,698 3.4 % 4.450% Senior Notes Feb. 2016 Feb. 2026 890,887 890,118 4.5 % 3.700% Senior Notes May 2016 June 2026 742,521 741,908 3.7 % 2.250% Senior Notes Sept. 2016 Sept. 2021 695,069 693,893 2.3 % 4.000% Senior Notes Feb. 2017 March 2027 493,810 (d) — 4.0 % 4.750% Senior Notes May 2017 May 2047 342,524 (f) — 4.8 % 3.200% Senior Notes Aug. 2017 Sept. 2024 741,561 (g) — 3.2 % 3.650% Senior Notes Aug. 2017 Sept. 2027 990,734 (g) — 3.7 % Total bonds 9,219,584 6,644,317 Other: Capital leases and other obligations Various Various 237,707 226,847 Various Total debt and other obligations 15,204,415 12,171,142 Less: current maturities and short-term debt and other current obligations 114,198 101,749 Non-current portion of long-term debt and other long-term obligations $ 15,090,217 $ 12,069,393 (a) See the 2016 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) As of September 30, 2017 , the undrawn availability under the 2016 Revolver was $ 3.5 billion . In November 2017, the Company used proceeds from its 2016 Revolver to partially fund the Lightower Acqusition. See notes 3 and 12. (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 2016 Form 10-K for additional information regarding these provisions. (d) In February 2017 , the Company issued $500 million aggregate principal amount of 4.000% senior unsecured notes with a maturity date of March 2027 ("4.0% Senior Notes"). The Company used the net proceeds from the 4.0% Senior Notes offering to repay a portion of the borrowings under the 2016 Revolver. (e) In February 2017 , the Company entered into an amendment to the Credit Facility to (1) incur additional term loans in an aggregate principal amount of $500 million , and (2) extend the maturity of both the 2016 Term Loan A and the 2016 Revolver to January 2022 . In August 2017, the Company entered into an amendment to the Credit Facility to (1) increase the commitments under the 2016 Revolver by $1.0 billion, to total commitments of $3.5 billion, and (2) extend the maturity of both the 2016 Term Loan A and the 2016 Revolver to August 2022. (f) In May 2017 , the Company issued $350 million aggregate principal amount of 4.750% senior unsecured notes due May 2047 ("4.75% Senior Notes"). The Company used the net proceeds from the 4.75% Senior Notes offering to partially fund the Wilcon Acquisition and to repay a portion of the borrowings under the 2016 Revolver. (g) In August 2017 , the Company issued $750 million aggregate principal amount of 3.200% senior unsecured notes due September 2024 ("3.2% Senior Notes") and $1.0 billion aggregate principal amount of 3.650% senior unsecured notes due September 2027 ("3.65% Senior Notes") (collectively, "August 2017 Senior Notes Offering"). The Company used the net proceeds of the August 2017 Senior Notes Offering to partially fund the Lightower Acquisition and pay related fees and expenses. See notes 3 and 12.
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, 2017 . 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 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 Thereafter Total Cash Obligations Scheduled contractual maturities $ 29,588 $ 113,667 $ 166,726 $ 154,989 $ 1,824,666 $ 13,022,295 $ 15,311,931 $ (107,516 ) $ 15,204,415
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, 2017 2016 2017 2016 Interest expense on debt obligations $ 151,765 $ 126,616 $ 422,765 $ 374,363 Amortization of deferred financing costs and adjustments on long-term debt 4,882 4,601 13,973 14,522 Other, net of capitalized interest (2,501 ) (1,301 ) (6,336 ) (3,229 ) Total $ 154,146 $ 129,916 $ 430,402 $ 385,656

Fair Value Disclosures (Tables)

Fair Value Disclosures (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017
Fair Value Disclosures
Estimated Fair Values and Carrying Amounts of Assets and Liabilities	Level in Fair Value Hierarchy September 30, 2017 December 31, 2016 Carrying Amount Fair Value Carrying Amount Fair Value Assets: Cash and cash equivalents 1 $ 6,719,134 $ 6,719,134 $ 567,599 $ 567,599 Restricted cash, current and non-current 1 120,730 120,730 129,547 129,547 Liabilities: Total debt and other obligations 2 15,204,415 15,848,408 12,171,142 12,660,013

Per Share Information (Tables)

Per Share Information (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017
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, 2017 2016 2017 2016 Net income (loss) attributable to CCIC stockholders $ 115,194 $ 98,366 $ 346,446 $ 232,263 Dividends on preferred stock (29,935 ) (10,997 ) (29,935 ) (32,991 ) Net income (loss) attributable to CCIC common stockholders for basic and diluted computations $ 85,259 $ 87,369 $ 316,511 $ 199,272 Weighted-average number of common shares outstanding (in thousands): Basic weighted-average number of common stock outstanding 395,359 337,564 373,561 336,426 Effect of assumed dilution from potential common shares relating to restricted stock units and restricted stock awards 1,676 845 1,431 650 Diluted weighted-average number of common shares outstanding 397,035 338,409 374,992 337,076 Net income (loss) attributable to CCIC common stockholders, per common share: Basic $ 0.22 $ 0.26 $ 0.85 $ 0.59 Diluted $ 0.21 $ 0.26 $ 0.84 $ 0.59

Equity (Tables)

Equity (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends Declared [Table Text Block]	Declaration and Payment of Dividends During the nine months ended September 30, 2017 , the following dividends were declared and paid: Equity Type Declaration Date Record Date Payment Date Dividends Per Share Aggregate Payment Amount (In millions) Common Stock February 17, 2017 March 17, 2017 March 31, 2017 $ 0.95 $ 343.3 (a) Common Stock May 18, 2017 June 16, 2017 June 30, 2017 $ 0.95 $ 350.3 (a) Common Stock August 3, 2017 September 15, 2017 September 29, 2017 $ 0.95 $ 389.6 (a) 6.875% Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock September 21, 2017 October 15, 2017 November 1, 2017 $ 18.1424 $ 29.9 (a) Inclusive of dividends accrued for holders of unvested restricted stock units, which will be paid when and if the restricted stock units vest.

Operating Segments Operating Se

Operating Segments Operating Segments (Tables)	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Schedule of Segment Reporting Information, by Segment [Table Text Block]	Three Months Ended September 30, 2017 Three Months Ended September 30, 2016 Towers Small Cells Other Consolidated Total Towers Small Cells Other Consolidated Total Segment site rental revenues $ 724,813 $ 167,950 $ 892,763 $ 709,603 $ 102,429 $ 812,032 Segment network services and other revenues 153,001 17,474 170,475 166,979 13,005 179,984 Segment revenues 877,814 185,424 1,063,238 876,582 115,434 992,016 Segment site rental cost of operations 212,037 59,319 271,356 210,322 37,754 248,076 Segment network services and other cost of operations 90,845 14,245 105,090 97,395 10,194 107,589 Segment cost of operations (a) 302,882 73,564 376,446 307,717 47,948 355,665 Segment site rental gross margin 512,776 108,631 621,407 499,281 64,675 563,956 Segment network services and other gross margin 62,156 3,229 65,385 69,584 2,811 72,395 Segment general and administrative expenses (a) 22,490 18,415 41,085 81,990 22,225 14,480 35,526 72,231 Segment operating profit (loss) 552,442 93,445 (41,085 ) 604,802 546,640 53,006 (35,526 ) 564,120 Stock-based compensation expense 24,681 24,681 22,594 22,594 Depreciation, amortization and accretion 296,033 296,033 280,824 280,824 Interest expense and amortization of deferred financing costs 154,146 154,146 129,916 129,916 Other income (expenses) to reconcile to income (loss) before income taxes (b) 12,365 12,365 27,379 27,379 Income (loss) before income taxes $ 117,577 $ 103,407 Capital expenditures $ 108,625 $ 171,650 $ 7,876 $ 288,151 $ 103,679 $ 111,885 $ 5,617 $ 221,181 Total assets (at period end) $ 18,099,103 $ 5,927,354 $ 6,985,299 $ 31,011,756 $ 18,466,528 $ 3,298,927 $ 406,268 $ 22,171,723 (a) Segment cost of operations excludes (1) stock-based compensation expense of $5.9 million and $4.9 million for the three months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 , respectively, and (2) prepaid lease purchase price adjustments of $5.0 million and $5.4 million for the three months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 , respectively. Segment general and administrative expenses exclude stock-based compensation expense of $18.8 million and $17.7 million for the three months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 , respectively. (b) See condensed consolidated statement of operations for further information.	Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017 Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016 Towers Small Cells Other Consolidated Total Towers Small Cells Other Consolidated Total Segment site rental revenues $ 2,158,994 $ 459,511 $ 2,618,505 $ 2,118,159 $ 297,767 $ 2,415,926 Segment network services and other revenues 460,593 38,417 499,010 434,042 38,841 472,883 Segment revenues 2,619,587 497,928 3,117,515 2,552,201 336,608 2,888,809 Segment site rental cost of operations 632,705 158,426 791,131 625,331 109,402 734,733 Segment network services and other cost of operations 275,618 31,078 306,696 249,306 30,652 279,958 Segment cost of operations (a) 908,323 189,504 1,097,827 874,637 140,054 1,014,691 Segment site rental gross margin 1,526,289 301,085 1,827,374 1,492,828 188,365 1,681,193 Segment network services and other gross margin 184,975 7,339 192,314 184,736 8,189 192,925 Segment general and administrative expenses (a) 69,125 54,770 121,045 244,940 68,329 45,720 107,161 221,210 Segment operating profit (loss) 1,642,139 253,654 (121,045 ) 1,774,748 1,609,235 150,834 (107,161 ) 1,652,908 Stock-based compensation expense 66,458 66,458 75,297 75,297 Depreciation, amortization and accretion 880,197 880,197 834,725 834,725 Interest expense and amortization of deferred financing costs 430,402 430,402 385,656 385,656 Other income (expenses) to reconcile to income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes (b) 39,955 39,955 112,170 112,170 Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes $ 357,736 $ 245,060 Capital expenditures $ 317,050 $ 514,006 $ 20,456 $ 851,512 $ 318,900 $ 279,488 $ 15,790 $ 614,178 (a) Segment cost of operations excludes (1) stock-based compensation expense of $12.2 million and $17.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 , respectively, and (2) prepaid lease purchase price adjustments of $15.1 million and $16.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 , respectively. Segment general and administrative expenses exclude stock-based compensation expense of $54.3 million and $57.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 , respectively. (b) See condensed consolidated statement of operations for further information.

Supplemental Cash Flow Inform26

Supplemental Cash Flow Information (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017
Supplemental Cash Flow Information [Abstract]
Supplemental Disclosure of Cash Flow Information and Non-cash Investing and Financing Activities	Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017 2016 Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information: Interest paid $ 420,317 $ 357,094 Income taxes paid 13,853 11,740 Supplemental disclosure of non-cash investing and financing activities: Increase (decrease) in accounts payable for purchases of property and equipment (5,282 ) 1,390 Purchase of property and equipment under capital leases and installment purchases 25,189 40,295 Preferred stock dividends declared but not paid (see note 9) 29,935 10,997

General Business (Details)

General Business (Details)	Sep. 30, 2017
Subject to Capital Lease with Sprint, TMO, or AT&T [Member]
Purchase Option, Percentage of Towers	53.00%

Acquisitions (Details)

Acquisitions (Details) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017USD ($)
Lightower Acquisition [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Business Combination, Consideration Transferred	$ 7,100,000
Fiber Miles Acquired	32,000
Business Acquisition, Date of Acquisition Agreement	Nov. 1, 2017
Wilcon Acquisition [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Business Combination, Consideration Transferred	$ 600,000
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Intangible Assets	140,000
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Property, Plant, and Equipment	150,000
Business Acquisition, Goodwill	360,000
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Current Liabilities, Deferred Revenue	$ 40,000
Fiber Miles Acquired	1,900
Business Acquisition, Date of Acquisition Agreement	Jun. 26, 2017
FiberNet Acquisition [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Current Assets	$ 51,791
Business Combination, Revenue of Acquiree since Acquisition Date, Actual	109,000
Business Combination, Consideration Transferred	1,500,000
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Intangible Assets	327,338	[1]
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Other Noncurrent Assets	72
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Property, Plant, and Equipment	439,961
Business Acquisition, Goodwill	$ 779,013	[2]
Fiber Miles Acquired	11,500
Business Acquisition, Date of Acquisition Agreement	Jan. 17, 2017
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Current Liabilities	$ (36,438)
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Noncurrent Liabilities	(40,907)
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired, Goodwill, and Liabilities Assumed, Net	$ 1,520,830	[3]
Top Metro Markets [Domain] | FiberNet Acquisition [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Fiber Miles Acquired	6,000
[1]	Predominantly comprised of site rental contracts and customer relationships.
[2]	The preliminary purchase price allocation for the FiberNet Acquisition resulted in the recognition of goodwill based on:•the Company's expectation to leverage the FiberNet fiber footprint to support new small cell networks and fiber based solutions,•the complementary nature of the FiberNet fiber to the Company's existing fiber assets and its location in top metro markets where the Company expects to see wireless carrier network investments,•the Company's belief that the acquired fiber assets are well-positioned to benefit from the continued growth trends in the wireless industry, and•other intangibles not qualified for separate recognition, including the assembled workforce.
[3]	For tax purposes, the Fibernet Acquisition was treated as a purchase of assets. As a result of the tax step-up and the expectation that the vast majority of the assets will be included in the Company's REIT, no deferred taxes were recorded in connection with the FiberNet Acquisition.

Debt and Other Obligations (Ind

Debt and Other Obligations (Indebtedness) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		9 Months Ended
		Sep. 30, 2017		Dec. 31, 2016
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Credit Facility Amendment, Additional Principal		$ 500,000
Credit Facility Amendment, Date		Feb. 13, 2017
Debt and Capital Lease Obligations		$ 15,204,415		$ 12,171,142
Less: current maturities and short-term debt and other current obligations		114,198		101,749
Non-current portion of long-term debt and other long-term obligations		$ 15,090,217		12,069,393
Capital Lease Obligations and Other [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Contractual maturity date	[1]	Various
Original Debt Issuance Date		Various
Percentage of debt instrument interest rate stated	[1]	Various
Debt and Capital Lease Obligations		$ 237,707		226,847
Fixed Rate Securitized Debt 2010 Tower Revenue Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument Additional Interest Rate if not Repaid Prior to Applicable Date		5.00%
2012 Credit Facility [Member] | Variable Rate Revolver 2016 [Member] | CCOC [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Unused Borrowing Capacity, Amount		$ 3,500,000
Bank Debt [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt and Capital Lease Obligations		$ 2,411,400		1,954,173
Bank Debt [Member] | Variable Rate Revolver 2016 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Original issue date		Jan. 1, 2016
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date	[1],[2]	Aug. 31, 2022
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	[1]	2.60%
Debt and Capital Lease Obligations		$ 0	[2],[3],[4],[5]	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	[1],[2]	Aug. 31, 2022
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	[1]	2.60%
Debt and Capital Lease Obligations		$ 2,411,400	[2]	1,954,173
Securitized Debt [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt and Capital Lease Obligations		$ 3,335,724		3,345,805
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	[1]	Aug. 1, 2019
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	[1]	6.30%
Debt and Capital Lease Obligations		$ 36,595		51,416
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	[1],[6]	Jan. 1, 2040
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	[1]	6.10%
Debt and Capital Lease Obligations		$ 1,245,639		1,244,237
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	[1],[6]	Aug. 1, 2040
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	[1]	4.90%
Debt and Capital Lease Obligations		$ 994,905		993,557
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	[1]	Aug. 1, 2029
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	[1]	9.00%
Debt and Capital Lease Obligations		$ 69,469		68,737
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	[1],[6]	May 1, 2042
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	[1]	3.20%
Debt and Capital Lease Obligations		$ 297,051		296,573
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	[1],[6]	May 1, 2045
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	[1]	3.70%
Debt and Capital Lease Obligations		$ 692,065		691,285
High Yield Bonds [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt and Capital Lease Obligations		$ 9,219,584		6,644,317
High Yield Bonds [Member] | September 2016 Senior Unsecured Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Original issue date		Sep. 1, 2016
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date	[1]	Sep. 1, 2021
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	[1]	2.25%
Debt and Capital Lease Obligations		$ 695,069		693,893
High Yield Bonds [Member] | February 2017 Senior Unsecured Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Original issue date		Feb. 1, 2017
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date	[1]	Mar. 1, 2027
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	[1]	4.00%
Debt and Capital Lease Obligations		$ 493,810	[4]	0
High Yield Bonds [Member] | May 2017 Senior Unsecured Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Original issue date		May 1, 2017
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date	[1]	May 1, 2047
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	[1]	4.75%
Debt and Capital Lease Obligations		$ 342,524	[5]	0
High Yield Bonds [Member] | August 2017 Senior Unsecured 3.200% Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Original issue date		Aug. 1, 2017
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date	[1]	Sep. 1, 2024
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	[1]	3.20%
Debt and Capital Lease Obligations		$ 741,561	[7]	0
High Yield Bonds [Member] | August 2017 Senior Unsecured 3.650% Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Original issue date		Aug. 1, 2017
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date	[1]	Sep. 1, 2027
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	[1]	3.65%
Debt and Capital Lease Obligations		$ 990,734	[7]	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	[1]	Jan. 15, 2023
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	[1]	5.25%
Debt and Capital Lease Obligations		$ 1,638,680		1,637,099
High Yield Bonds [Member] | 2012 secured notes tranche B [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Original issue date		Dec. 1, 2012
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date	[1]	Apr. 15, 2023
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	[1]	3.80%
Debt and Capital Lease Obligations		$ 992,317		991,279
High Yield Bonds [Member] | 4.875% Senior Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Original issue date		Apr. 1, 2014
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date	[1]	Apr. 1, 2022
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	[1]	4.875%
Debt and Capital Lease Obligations		$ 841,645		840,322
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	[1]	Feb. 15, 2021
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	[1]	3.40%
Debt and Capital Lease Obligations		$ 849,836		849,698
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	[1]	Jun. 15, 2026
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	[1]	3.70%
Debt and Capital Lease Obligations		$ 742,521		741,908
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	[1]	Feb. 15, 2026
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	[1]	4.50%
Debt and Capital Lease Obligations		$ 890,887		$ 890,118
Issuance of debt obligation [Member] | August 2017 Senior Unsecured 3.200% Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Face Amount		$ 750,000
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date		Sep. 1, 2024
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage		3.20%
Issuance of debt obligation [Member] | August 2017 Senior Unsecured 3.650% Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Face Amount		$ 1,000,000
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date		Sep. 1, 2027
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage		3.70%
Issuance of debt obligation [Member] | 4.000% Senior Unsecured Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Face Amount		$ 500,000
Original issue date		Feb. 2, 2017
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date		Mar. 1, 2027
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage		4.00%
Issuance of debt obligation [Member] | 2016 Term Loan A [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date		Jan. 1, 2022
Issuance of debt obligation [Member] | 4.750% Senior Unsecured Notes [Member] [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Face Amount		$ 350,000
Original issue date		May 1, 2017
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date		May 1, 2047
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage		4.80%
Issuance of debt obligation [Member] | August 2017 Senior Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Original issue date		Aug. 1, 2017
[1]	See the 2016 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.
[2]	In February 2017, the Company entered into an amendment to the Credit Facility to (1) incur additional term loans in an aggregate principal amount of $500 million, and (2) extend the maturity of both the 2016 Term Loan A and the 2016 Revolver to January 2022.
[3]	As of September 30, 2017, the undrawn availability under the 2016 Revolver was $3.5 billion.
[4]	In February 2017, the Company issued $500 million aggregate principal amount of 4.000% senior unsecured notes with a maturity date of March 2027 ("4.0% Senior Notes"). The Company used the net proceeds from the 4.0% Senior Notes offering to repay a portion of the borrowings under the 2016 Revolver.
[5]	In May 2017, the Company issued $350 million aggregate principal amount of 4.750% senior unsecured notes due May 2047 ("4.75% Senior Notes"). The Company used the net proceeds from the 4.75% Senior Notes offering to partially fund the Wilcon Acquisition and to repay a portion of the borrowings under the 2016 Revolver.
[6]	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 2016 Form 10-K for additional information regarding these provisions.
[7]	In August 2017, the Company issued $750 million aggregate principal amount of 3.200% senior unsecured notes due September 2024 ("3.2% Senior Notes") and $1.0 billion aggregate principal amount of 3.650% senior unsecured notes due September 2027 ("3.65% Senior Notes") (collectively, "August 2017 Senior Notes Offering"). The Company used the net proceeds of the August 2017 Senior Notes Offering to partially fund the Lightower Acquisition and pay related fees and expenses. See notes 3 and 12.

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, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
Debt and Other Obligations [Abstract]
Interest expense on debt obligations	$ 151,765	$ 126,616	$ 422,765	$ 374,363
Amortization of deferred financing costs and adjustments on long-term debt	4,882	4,601	13,973	14,522
Other	(2,501)	(1,301)	(6,336)	(3,229)
Total	$ 154,146	$ 129,916	$ 430,402	$ 385,656

Debt and Other Obligations Cont

Debt and Other Obligations Contractual Maturities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Contractual Maturities [Abstract]
Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayments of Principal, Remainder of Fiscal Year	$ 29,588
Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayments of Principal in Year Two	113,667
Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayments of Principal in Year Three	166,726
Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayments of Principal in Year Four	154,989
Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayments of Principal in Year Five	1,824,666
Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayments of Principal after Year Five	13,022,295
Debt Instrument, Unamortized Adjustments	107,516
Debt and Capital Lease Obligations	15,204,415	$ 12,171,142
Total Cash Obligations	$ 15,311,931

Fair Value Disclosures (Estimat

Fair Value Disclosures (Estimated Fair Values and Carrying Amounts of Assets and Liabilities) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents, at carrying value	$ 6,719,134	$ 567,599
Cash and cash equivalents, fair value	6,719,134	567,599
Cash and Cash Equivalents, at Carrying Value, Including Discontinued Operations	6,719,134	567,599	$ 156,219	$ 178,810
Restricted cash, current and non-current, carrying value	120,730	129,547
Restricted cash, current and non-current, fair value	120,730	129,547
Long-term debt and other obligations, carrying amount	15,204,415	12,171,142
Long-term debt and other obligations, fair value	$ 15,848,408	$ 12,660,013

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, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
Per Share Information
Net Income (Loss), Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	$ 115,194	$ 98,366	$ 346,446	$ 232,263
Dividends on preferred stock	29,935	10,997	29,935	32,991
Net income (loss) attributable to CCIC common stockholders for basic and diluted computations	$ 85,259	$ 87,369	$ 316,511	$ 199,272
Basic weighted-average number of common stock outstanding	395,359,000	337,564,000	373,561,000	336,426,000
Effect of assumed dilution from potential common shares relating to restricted stock units and restricted stock awards	1,676,000	845,000	1,431,000	650,000
Diluted weighted-average number of common shares outstanding	397,035,000	338,409,000	374,992,000	337,076,000
Basic	$ 0.22	$ 0.26	$ 0.85	$ 0.59
Diluted	$ 0.21	$ 0.26	$ 0.84	$ 0.59

Per Share Information (Narrativ

Per Share Information (Narrative) (Details) - shares shares in Millions	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
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	15.9	11.6

Commitments and Contingencies C

Commitments and Contingencies Commitment and Contingencies (Details)	Sep. 30, 2017
Subject to Capital Lease with Sprint, TMO, or AT&T [Member]
Other Commitments [Line Items]
Purchase Option, Percentage of Towers	53.00%

Equity (Details)

Equity (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Millions		3 Months Ended			9 Months Ended
		Sep. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2017	Mar. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Preferred Stock, Dividends, Per Share, Cash Paid		$ 18.1424
Common Stock, Dividends, Per Share, Cash Paid	[1]	$ 0.950	$ 0.950	$ 0.950
Dividends, Common Stock, Cash	[1]	$ 389,600,000	$ 350,300,000	$ 343,300,000
Dividends, Preferred Stock, Cash		$ 29,900,000
Common stock repurchased during period, shares					0.3
Purchases of capital stock					$ 23,037,000	$ 24,759,000
Common Stock [Member]
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends Payable, Date Declared	[1]	Aug. 3, 2017	May 18, 2017	Feb. 17, 2017
Dividends Payable, Date to be Paid	[1]	Sep. 29, 2017	Jun. 30, 2017	Mar. 31, 2017
Dividends Payable, Date of Record	[1]	Sep. 15, 2017	Jun. 16, 2017	Mar. 17, 2017
Preferred Stock [Member]
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends Payable, Date Declared		Sep. 21, 2017
Dividends Payable, Date to be Paid		Nov. 1, 2017
Dividends Payable, Date of Record		Oct. 15, 2017
At the Market Program [Member]
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Payments of Stock Issuance Costs					$ 200,000
[1]	Inclusive of dividends accrued for holders of unvested restricted stock units, which will be paid when and if the restricted stock units vest.

Equity Other Equity Activity (D

Equity Other Equity Activity (Details) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017USD ($)$ / sharesshares	Sep. 30, 2017USD ($)shares$ / shares	Sep. 30, 2016USD ($)shares	Dec. 31, 2016$ / shares
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Proceeds from Issuance of Common Stock		$ 4,220,766	$ 323,798
At the Market Stock Offering Program, capacity remaining	$ 150,000	$ 150,000
Preferred Stock, Par or Stated Value Per Share | $ / shares	$ 0.01	$ 0.01		$ 0.01
Common Stock, Capital Shares Reserved for Future Issuance	$ 500,000	$ 500,000
At the Market Program [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Proceeds from Issuance of Common Stock		22,009
Payments of Stock Issuance Costs		200
Common Stock [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Proceeds from Issuance of Common Stock	$ 402	$ 454
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, New Issues | shares	40,150,000	45,255,158	0
Common Stock [Member] | July 2017 Equity Offering [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Proceeds from Issuance of Common Stock	$ 3,800,000
Sale of Stock, Transaction Date	Jul. 26, 2017
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, New Issues | shares	40,150,000
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 | shares		242,300	3,828,064
Preferred Stock [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Preferred Stock, Dividend Rate, Percentage	6.875%
Preferred Stock, Per Share Sales Price | $ / shares	$ 1,000
Preferred Stock, Automatic Conversion Date		Aug. 1, 2020
Preferred Stock [Member] | July 2017 Equity Offering [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Preferred Stock, Dividend Rate, Percentage	6.875%
Preferred Stock, Par or Stated Value Per Share | $ / shares	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Preferred Stock, Per Share Sales Price | $ / shares	$ 1,000
Proceeds from Issuance of Preferred Stock and Preference Stock	$ 1,600,000
Sale of Stock, Transaction Date	Jul. 26, 2017
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, New Issues | shares	1,650,000
Minimum [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Conversion factor, Preferred Stock | shares		8.6806
Maximum [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Conversion factor, Preferred Stock | shares		10.4167

Equity Schedule of Equity by Ty

Equity Schedule of Equity by Type (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Proceeds from Issuance of Common Stock		$ 4,220,766	$ 323,798
Common Stock [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, New Issues	40,150,000	45,255,158	0
Proceeds from Issuance of Common Stock	$ 402	$ 454
May 2017 Equity Offering [Member] | Common Stock [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Sale of Stock, Transaction Date		May 1, 2017
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, New Issues		4,750,000
Proceeds from Issuance of Common Stock		$ 442,000

Operating Segments Operating 39

Operating Segments Operating Segments Table (Details) $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended				9 Months Ended
		Sep. 30, 2017USD ($)		Sep. 30, 2016USD ($)		Sep. 30, 2017USD ($)		Sep. 30, 2016USD ($)		Dec. 31, 2016USD ($)
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Tower Count		40,000				40,000
Segment site rental revenues		$ 892,763		$ 812,032		$ 2,618,505		$ 2,415,926
Segment network services and other revenues		$ 170,475		179,984		$ 499,010		472,883
Fiber Miles		32,000				32,000
Segment revenues		$ 1,063,238		992,016		$ 3,117,515		2,888,809
Segment site rental cost of operations	[1]	280,667		256,750		814,969		762,223
Segment network services and other cost of operations	[1]	106,707		109,228		310,137		286,066
Segment general and administrative expenses		100,772		89,941		299,232		278,909
Stock-based compensation expense						67,264		60,402
Depreciation, Amortization and Accretion, Net		296,033		280,824		880,197		834,725
Interest expense and amortization of deferred financing costs		154,146		129,916		430,402		385,656
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Equity Method Investments, Income Taxes, Extraordinary Items, Noncontrolling Interest		117,577		103,407		357,736		245,060
Capital expenditures						851,512		614,178
Total Assets		31,011,756				31,011,756				$ 22,675,092
Amortization of prepaid lease purchase price adjustments		5,000		5,400		15,100		16,000
Segment cost of operations share-based compensation [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation expense		5,900		4,900		12,200		17,600
Towers [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Segment site rental revenues		724,813		709,603		2,158,994		2,118,159
Segment network services and other revenues		153,001		166,979		460,593		434,042
Segment revenues		877,814		876,582		2,619,587		2,552,201
Segment site rental cost of operations		212,037		210,322		632,705		625,331
Segment network services and other cost of operations		90,845		97,395		275,618		249,306
Segment cost of operations		302,882	[2]	307,717	[2]	908,323	[3]	874,637	[3]
Segment site rental gross margin		512,776		499,281		1,526,289		1,492,828
Segment network services gross margin		62,156		69,584		184,975		184,736
Segment general and administrative expenses		22,490	[2]	22,225	[2]	69,125	[3]	68,329	[3]
Segment Operating Profit		552,442		546,640		1,642,139		1,609,235
Capital expenditures		108,625		103,679		317,050		318,900
Total Assets		18,099,103		18,466,528		18,099,103		18,466,528
Small Cells [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Segment site rental revenues		167,950		102,429		459,511		297,767
Segment network services and other revenues		17,474		13,005		38,417		38,841
Segment revenues		185,424		115,434		497,928		336,608
Segment site rental cost of operations		59,319		37,754		158,426		109,402
Segment network services and other cost of operations		14,245		10,194		31,078		30,652
Segment cost of operations		73,564	[2]	47,948	[2]	189,504	[3]	140,054	[3]
Segment site rental gross margin		108,631		64,675		301,085		188,365
Segment network services gross margin		3,229		2,811		7,339		8,189
Segment general and administrative expenses		18,415	[2]	14,480	[2]	54,770	[3]	45,720	[3]
Segment Operating Profit		93,445		53,006		253,654		150,834
Capital expenditures		171,650		111,885		514,006		279,488
Total Assets		5,927,354		3,298,927		5,927,354		3,298,927
Consolidated Total [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Segment site rental revenues		892,763		812,032		2,618,505		2,415,926
Segment network services and other revenues		170,475		179,984		499,010		472,883
Segment revenues		1,063,238		992,016		3,117,515		2,888,809
Segment site rental cost of operations		271,356		248,076		791,131		734,733
Segment network services and other cost of operations		105,090		107,589		306,696		279,958
Segment cost of operations		376,446	[2]	355,665	[2]	1,097,827	[3]	1,014,691	[3]
Segment site rental gross margin		621,407		563,956		1,827,374		1,681,193
Segment network services gross margin		65,385		72,395		192,314		192,925
Segment general and administrative expenses		81,990	[2]	72,231	[2]	244,940	[3]	221,210	[3]
Segment Operating Profit		604,802		564,120		1,774,748		1,652,908
Stock-based compensation expense		24,681		22,594		66,458		75,297
Depreciation, Amortization and Accretion, Net		296,033		280,824		880,197		834,725
Interest expense and amortization of deferred financing costs		154,146		129,916		430,402		385,656
Other expenses to reconcile to income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes	[4]	12,365		27,379		39,955		112,170
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Equity Method Investments, Income Taxes, Extraordinary Items, Noncontrolling Interest		117,577		103,407		357,736		245,060
Capital expenditures		288,151		221,181		851,512		614,178
Total Assets		31,011,756		22,171,723		31,011,756		22,171,723
Other [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Segment general and administrative expenses		41,085	[2]	35,526	[2]	121,045	[3]	107,161	[3]
Segment Operating Profit		(41,085)		(35,526)		(121,045)		(107,161)
Stock-based compensation expense		24,681		22,594		66,458		75,297
Depreciation, Amortization and Accretion, Net		296,033		280,824		880,197		834,725
Interest expense and amortization of deferred financing costs		154,146		129,916		430,402		385,656
Other expenses to reconcile to income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes	[4]	12,365		27,379		39,955		112,170
Capital expenditures		7,876		5,617		20,456		15,790
Total Assets		6,985,299		406,268		6,985,299		406,268
Segment G&A share-based compensation [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation expense		$ 18,800		$ 17,700		$ 54,300		$ 57,700
[1]	Exclusive of depreciation, amortization and accretion shown separately.
[2]	Segment cost of operations excludes (1) stock-based compensation expense of $5.9 million and $4.9 million for the three months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively, and (2) prepaid lease purchase price adjustments of $5.0 million and $5.4 million for the three months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively. Segment general and administrative expenses exclude stock-based compensation expense of $18.8 million and $17.7 million for the three months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively.
[3]	Segment cost of operations excludes (1) stock-based compensation expense of $12.2 million and $17.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively, and (2) prepaid lease purchase price adjustments of $15.1 million and $16.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively. Segment general and administrative expenses exclude stock-based compensation expense of $54.3 million and $57.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively.
[4]	See condensed consolidated statement of operations for further information.

Supplemental Cash Flow Inform40

Supplemental Cash Flow Information (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
Supplemental Cash Flow Information [Line Items]
Interest paid	$ 420,317	$ 357,094
Income taxes paid	13,853	11,740
Increase (decrease) in accounts payable for purchases of property and equipment	(5,282)	1,390
Purchase of property and equipment under capital leases and installment purchases	25,189	40,295
Preferred Stock [Member]
Supplemental Cash Flow Information [Line Items]
Preferred Stock Dividends Declared, Not Paid	$ 29,935	$ 10,997

Subsequent Events (Details)

Subsequent Events (Details) - $ / shares		3 Months Ended			9 Months Ended
		Sep. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2017	Mar. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Common Stock, Dividends, Per Share, Cash Paid	[1]	$ 0.950	$ 0.950	$ 0.950
Common Stock [Member]
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Dividends Payable, Date to be Paid	[1]	Sep. 29, 2017	Jun. 30, 2017	Mar. 31, 2017
Dividends Payable, Date of Record	[1]	Sep. 15, 2017	Jun. 16, 2017	Mar. 17, 2017
Dividends Payable, Date Declared	[1]	Aug. 3, 2017	May 18, 2017	Feb. 17, 2017
Lightower Acquisition [Member]
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Business Acquisition, Date of Acquisition Agreement					Nov. 1, 2017
Dividend Declared [Member] | Common Stock [Member]
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Dividends Payable, Date to be Paid		Dec. 29, 2017
Dividends Payable, Date of Record		Dec. 15, 2017
Dividends Payable, Date Declared		Oct. 15, 2017
Paid subsequent to year end [Member]
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Common Stock, Dividends, Per Share, Cash Paid		$ 1.050
[1]	Inclusive of dividends accrued for holders of unvested restricted stock units, which will be paid when and if the restricted stock units vest.