Basis of Presentation

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Basis of Presentation [Abstract]

Basis of Presentation

Basis of Presentation

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Crown Castle International Corp. ("CCIC") and its majority and wholly-owned subsidiaries, collectively referred to herein as the "Company." All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

The Company owns, operates and leases shared wireless infrastructure, including: (1) towers and other structures, such as rooftops (collectively, "towers"), (2) distributed antenna systems ("DAS")(each such system is a network of antennas for the benefit wireless carriers which is connected by fiber to communication hubs designed to facilitate wireless communications), and (3) interests in land under third party towers in various forms (collectively, "third party land interests") (unless the context otherwise suggests or requires references, herein to "wireless infrastructure" include towers, DAS and third party land interests). The Company's primary business is renting space or physical capacity (collectively, "space") on its towers, DAS and, to a lesser extent, third party land interests (collectively, "site rental business") to wireless communications companies via long-term contracts in various forms, including licenses, subleases and lease agreements (collectively, "contracts"). To a lesser extent, the Company also provides certain network services relating to its wireless infrastructure, primarily consisting of antenna installation and subsequent augmentation services (collectively, "installation services"), as well as the following additional site development services relating to existing and new antenna installations on its wireless infrastructure: site acquisition, architectural and engineering, zoning and permitting, fiber installation, other construction and other services related network development. The Company conducts its operations through wireless infrastructure portfolios in the United States, including Puerto Rico ("U.S." or "CCUSA") and Australia (referred to as "CCAL").

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles ("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.