Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss) - USD ($) shares in Millions, $ in Millions		3 Months Ended			6 Months Ended
		Jun. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2018		Jun. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2018
Net revenues:
Site rental		$ 1,238	$ 1,169		$ 2,457	$ 2,323
Services and other revenue		240	161		447	307
Net Revenues		1,478	1,330		2,904	2,630
Operating expenses:
Site rental	[1]	365	355		726	702
Services and other costs	[1]	138	99		263	185
Selling, general and administrative		155	138		307	273
Asset write-down charges		6	6		12	9
Acquisition and integration costs		2	8		6	14
Depreciation, amortization and accretion		393	379		787	753
Total operating expenses		1,059	985		2,101	1,936
Operating income (loss)		419	345		803	694
Nonoperating Income (Expense) [Abstract]
Interest expense and amortization of deferred financing costs		169	158		337	318
Gains (losses) on retirement of long-term obligations		(1)	(3)		(2)	(74)
Interest income		1	1		3	2
Other income (expense)		0	0		(1)	(1)
Income (loss) before income taxes		250	185		466	303
Benefit (provision) for income taxes		(4)	(5)		(10)	(9)
Net income (loss) attributable to CCIC stockholders		246	180		456	294
Dividends on preferred stock	[2]	(28)	(28)		(57)	(57)
Net income (loss) attributable to CCIC common stockholders		218	152		399	237
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Abstract]
Foreign currency translation adjustments		0	(1)	[3]	0	(1)	[3]
Total other comprehensive income (loss)		0			0	(1)
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to CCIC stockholders		$ 246	$ 179		$ 456	$ 293
Net income (loss) attributable to CCIC common stockholders, per common share:
Basic		$ 0.52	$ 0.37		$ 0.96	$ 0.58
Diluted		$ 0.52	$ 0.36		$ 0.95	$ 0.57
Weighted-average common shares outstanding (in millions):
Basic		416	415		415	412
Diluted		418	416		417	413

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

[2] See note 7 for information regarding common and preferred stock dividends declared per share.

[3] See the condensed consolidated statement of operations and other comprehensive income (loss) for the components of other comprehensive income (loss).