Consolidated Statement of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014		Dec. 31, 2013		Dec. 31, 2012
Net revenues:
Site rental	$ 3,006,774		$ 2,503,620		$ 2,124,190
Network services and other	683,110		518,764		308,490
Net revenues	3,689,884		3,022,384		2,432,680
Costs of Operations:
Site rental	944,666	[1]	725,109	[1]	539,239	[1]
Network services and other	405,800	[1]	321,687	[1]	189,750	[1]
General and administrative	282,696		238,702		212,572
Asset write-down charges	15,040		14,863		15,548
Acquisition and integration costs	35,042		26,005		18,298
Depreciation, amortization and accretion	1,013,064		774,215		622,592
Total operating expenses	2,696,308		2,100,581		1,597,999
Operating income (loss)	993,576		921,803		834,681
Interest expense and amortization of deferred financing costs	(573,291)		(589,630)		(601,044)
Gains (losses) on retirement of long-term obligations	(44,629)	[2]	(37,127)	[3]	(131,974)	[4]
Interest income	616		1,355		4,556
Other income (expense)	11,862		(3,872)		(5,392)
Income (loss) before income taxes	388,134		292,529		100,827
Benefit (provision) for income taxes	10,640		(198,628)		100,061
Net income (loss)	398,774		93,901		200,888
Less: Net income (loss) attributable to the noncontrolling interest	8,261		3,790		12,304
Net income (loss) attributable to CCIC stockholders	390,513		90,111		188,584
Dividends on preferred stock	(43,988)		(11,363)		(2,629)
Net income (loss) attributable to CCIC common stockholders	346,525		78,748		185,955
Net income (loss)	398,774		93,901		200,888
Derivative instruments, net of taxes
Amounts reclassified into results of operations, net of taxes	63,148	[5]	82,043	[5]	48,124	[5]
Foreign currency translation adjustments	(25,432)	[5]	(45,714)	[5]	6,308
Total other comprehensive income (loss)	37,716		36,329		54,432
Comprehensive income (loss)	436,490		130,230		255,320
Less: Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to the noncontrolling interest	6,545		1,940		11,531
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to CCIC stockholders	$ 429,945		$ 128,290		$ 243,789
Net income (loss) attributable to CCIC common stockholders, per common share:
Basic (in dollars per share)	$ 1.04		$ 0.26		$ 0.64
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 1.04		$ 0.26		$ 0.64
Weighted-average common shares outstanding (in thousands):
Basic (in shares)	332,302		298,083		289,285
Diluted (in shares)	333,265		299,293		291,270
Dividends/distributions declared per share	$ 1.87		$ 0		$ 0

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

[2] The losses predominately relate to cash losses, including with respect to make whole payments and are inclusive of $7.7 million related to the write off of deferred financing costs and discounts.

[3] The losses predominately relate to cash losses, including with respect to make whole payments.

[4] 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.

[5] See the consolidated statement of operations and comprehensive income (loss) for the components of "total other comprehensive income (loss)" and note 8 with respect to the reclassification adjustment.