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.