Acquisitions (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended			9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014		Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014		Sep. 30, 2013
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Pro forma net revenues				$ 2,535,916,000	[1]
Pro forma net income (loss)				96,441,000	[2],[3]
Pro forma basic net income (loss) attributable to CCIC common stockholders, after deduction of dividends on preferred stock, per common share				$ 0.18	[4]
Basic	$ 0.29		$ 0.16	$ 0.63		$ 0.39
Pro forma diluted net income (loss) attributable to CCIC common stockholders, after deduction of dividends on preferred stock, per common share				$ 0.18
AT T [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Business Acquisition, Purchase Price Allocation	4,826,599,000	[5],[6]		4,826,599,000	[5],[6]
Business Combination, Consideration Transferred				4,827,000,000
Pro forma revenue adjustments [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Pro forma net revenues				165,400,000
Depreciation, Amortization and Accretion [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Pro forma net income (loss)				165,600,000
Total ATT Towers [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Tower Count	23.00%			23.00%
Long-term prepaid rent [Member] | AT T [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Adjustments to purchase price allocation				57,200,000
Deferred Lease Revenue [Member] | AT T [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Business Acquisition, Purchase Price Allocation	(217,295,000)	[7]		(217,295,000)	[7]
Other Current Liabilities [Member] | AT T [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Business Acquisition, Purchase Price Allocation	(9,757,000)			(9,757,000)
Other Assets [Member] | AT T [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Business Acquisition, Purchase Price Allocation	60,497,000			60,497,000
Other Intangible Assets [Member] | AT T [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Adjustments to purchase price allocation				(91,100,000)
Business Acquisition, Purchase Price Allocation	1,189,000,000			1,189,000,000
Goodwill [Member] | AT T [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Adjustments to purchase price allocation				127,400,000
Business Acquisition, Purchase Price Allocation	1,895,942,000			1,895,942,000
Property, Plant and Equipment [Member] | AT T [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Adjustments to purchase price allocation				(75,500,000)
Business Acquisition, Purchase Price Allocation	1,889,875,000			1,889,875,000
Prepaid Expenses and Other Current Assets [Member] | AT T [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Business Acquisition, Purchase Price Allocation	$ 18,337,000			$ 18,337,000

[1] Amounts are inclusive of pro forma adjustments to increase net revenues of $165.4 million that the Company expects to recognize from AT&T under AT&T's contracted lease of space on the towers acquired in the AT&T Acquisition.

[2] The pro forma adjustments reflect the federal statutory rate and an estimated state rate. No adjustment was made with respect to the Company's REIT election.

[3] Amounts are inclusive of pro forma adjustments to increase depreciation and amortization of $165.6 million related to property and equipment and intangibles recorded as a result of the AT&T Acquisition.

[4] Pro forma amounts include the impact of the interest expense associated with the related debt financing as well as the impact of the common stock and preferred stock offerings completed in October 2013.

[5] No deferred taxes were recorded as a result of the Company's REIT election. See note 5.

[6] The principal changes in the preliminary purchase price allocation for the AT&T Acquisition between December 31, 2013 and September 30, 2014 relate to (1) a $127.4 million increase to goodwill, (2) a $91.1 million decrease to other intangible assets, net, (3) a $75.5 million decrease to property and equipment, net, and (4) a $57.2 million increase to other assets. The effect of the change in the preliminary price allocation on the Company's statement of operations and comprehensive income (loss) is immaterial to the periods presented.

[7] Inclusive of above-market leases for land interests under the Company's towers.