Consolidated Statement of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013		Dec. 31, 2012		Dec. 31, 2011
Net revenues:
Site rental	$ 2,503,620		$ 2,124,190		$ 1,853,550
Network services and other	518,764		308,490		179,179
Net revenues	3,022,384		2,432,680		2,032,729
Costs of Operations:
Site rental	725,109	[1]	539,239	[1]	481,398	[1]
Network services and other	321,687	[1]	189,750	[1]	106,987	[1]
General and administrative	238,702		212,572		173,493
Asset write-down charges	14,863		15,548		22,285
Acquisition and integration costs	26,005		18,298		3,310
Depreciation, amortization and accretion	774,215		622,592		552,951
Total operating expenses	2,100,581		1,597,999		1,340,424
Operating income (loss)	921,803		834,681		692,305
Interest expense and amortization of deferred financing costs	(589,630)		(601,044)		(507,587)
Gains (losses) on retirement of long-term obligations	(37,127)	[2]	(131,974)	[3]	0
Interest income	1,355		4,556		666
Other income (expense)	(3,872)		(5,392)		(5,577)
Income (loss) before income taxes	292,529		100,827		179,807
Benefit (provision) for income taxes	(198,628)		100,061		(8,347)
Net income (loss)	93,901		200,888		171,460
Less: Net income (loss) attributable to the noncontrolling interest	3,790		12,304		383
Net income (loss) attributable to CCIC stockholders	90,111		188,584		171,077
Dividends on preferred stock and losses on purchases of preferred stock	(11,363)		(2,629)		(22,940)
Net income (loss) attributable to CCIC stockholders after deduction of dividends on preferred stock and losses on purchases of preferred stock	78,748		185,955		148,137
Net income (loss)	93,901		200,888		171,460
Available-for-sale securities
Unrealized gains (losses), net of taxes	0		0		(7,537)
Derivative instruments, net of taxes
Net change in fair value of cash flow hedging instruments, net of taxes	0		0		(973)
Amounts reclassified into results of operations, net of taxes	82,043		48,124		71,707
Foreign currency translation adjustments	(45,714)		6,308		(848)
Total other comprehensive income (loss)	36,329		54,432		62,349
Comprehensive income (loss)	130,230		255,320		233,809
Less: Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to the noncontrolling interest	1,940		11,531		750
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to CCIC stockholders	$ 128,290		$ 243,789		$ 233,059
Net income (loss) attributable to CCIC common stockholders, after deduction of dividends on preferred stock and losses on purchases of preferred stock, per common share:
Basic (in dollars per share)	$ 0.26		$ 0.64		$ 0.52
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 0.26		$ 0.64		$ 0.52
Weighted-average common shares outstanding (in thousands):
Basic (in shares)	298,083		289,285		283,821
Diluted (in shares)	299,293		291,270		285,947

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

[2] The losses predominantly relate to cash losses, including with respect to make whole payments.

[3] Inclusive of $48.1 million related to the write-off of deferred financing costs and discounts. In addition, the remainder relates to cash losses including with respect to make whole payments.