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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
Originator-Key-Asymmetric:
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 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 R4zR/PDGGCvdoCGctABLoG7k7gVxCUBpilIG0dF/73TnMo85+NYpao+kHMhvpcsk
 Fi+uTQYAc4kLFp9fl6H01Q==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001209191-04-013394.txt : 20040301
<SEC-HEADER>0001209191-04-013394.hdr.sgml : 20040301
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20040301165056
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001209191-04-013394
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20040226
FILED AS OF DATE:		20040301

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			CROWN CASTLE INTERNATIONAL CORP
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001051470
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	COMMUNICATION SERVICES, NEC [4899]
		IRS NUMBER:				760470458
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		510 BERING DRIVE
		STREET 2:		SUITE 500
		CITY:			HOUSTON
		STATE:			TX
		ZIP:			77057
		BUSINESS PHONE:		7135703000

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		510 BERING DRIVE
		STREET 2:		SUITE 500
		CITY:			HOUSTON
		STATE:			TX
		ZIP:			77057

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			FERENBACH CARL
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001021316
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			IL
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-16441
		FILM NUMBER:		04639908

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		C/O CROWN CASTLE INTERNATIONAL CORP
		STREET 2:		510 BERING DR STE 500
		CITY:			HOUSTON
		STATE:			TX
		ZIP:			77057
		BUSINESS PHONE:		7135703070

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		CROWN CASTLE INTERNATIONAL CORP
		STREET 2:		510 BERING DR STE 500
		CITY:			HOUSTON
		STATE:			TX
		ZIP:			77057
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>b49722cf.xml
<DESCRIPTION>MAIN DOCUMENT DESCRIPTION
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0201</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2004-02-26</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0001051470</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>CROWN CASTLE INTERNATIONAL CORP</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>CCI</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001021316</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>FERENBACH CARL</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>C/O BERKSHIRE PARTNERS, LLC</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>ONE BOSTON PLACE, SUITE 3300</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>BOSTON</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>MA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>02108</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2004-02-26</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>3375</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>393202</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F2"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">These shares were issued as a component of the compensation to independent directors of the Issuer.  Pursuant to an agreement between Mr. Ferenbach and Berkshire Partners LLC (&quot;Berkshire Partners&quot;), Berkshire Partners has an economic interest in these shares.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">Certain of these shares are subject to an agreement between Mr. Ferenbach and Berkshire Partners pursuant to which Berkshire Partners has an economic interest in such shares.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Carl Ferenbach</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2004-03-01</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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