Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss) - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
		Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016
Net revenues:
Site rental		$ 868,806	$ 804,600	$ 1,725,742	$ 1,603,893
Network services and other		169,529	157,809	328,535	292,899
Net revenues		1,038,335	962,409	2,054,277	1,896,792
Operating expenses:
Site rental	[1]	269,285	252,852	534,302	505,472
Network services and other	[1]	104,622	95,867	203,430	176,838
General and administrative		97,736	91,386	198,460	188,967
Asset write-down charges		4,327	11,952	4,972	19,912
Acquisition and integration costs		8,250	3,141	13,900	8,779
Depreciation, amortization and accretion		295,615	276,026	584,164	553,901
Total operating expenses		779,835	731,224	1,539,228	1,453,869
Operating income (loss)		258,500	231,185	515,049	442,923
Nonoperating Income (Expense) [Abstract]
Interest expense and amortization of deferred financing costs		(141,769)	(129,362)	(276,256)	(255,740)
Gains (losses) on retirement of long-term obligations		0	(11,468)	(3,525)	(42,017)
Interest income		1,027	105	1,397	279
Other income (expense)		(1,106)	(518)	3,494	(3,791)
Income (loss) before income taxes		116,652	89,942	240,159	141,654
Benefit (provision) for income taxes		(4,538)	(3,884)	(8,907)	(7,756)
Net income (Loss) from Continuing Operations Attributable to Parent				231,252	133,898
Net income (loss) attributable to CCIC stockholders		112,114	86,058	231,252	133,898
Dividends on preferred stock		0	(10,997)	0	(21,994)
Net income (loss) attributable to CCIC common stockholders		112,114	75,061	231,252	111,904
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Abstract]
Foreign currency translation adjustments		530	971	705	392
Total other comprehensive income (loss)		530	971	705	392
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to CCIC stockholders		$ 112,644	$ 87,029	$ 231,957	$ 134,290
Net income (loss) attributable to CCIC common stockholders, per common share:
Basic		$ 0.31	$ 0.22	$ 0.64	$ 0.33
Diluted		$ 0.31	$ 0.22	$ 0.64	$ 0.33
Weighted-average common shares outstanding (in thousands):
Basic		364,493	337,560	362,662	335,857
Diluted		365,832	338,609	363,892	336,658

[1] Exclusive of depreciation, amortization and accretion shown separately.