10-Q

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

____________________________________

FORM 10-Q

____________________________________

x QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2015

OR

o TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period              to        

Commission File Number 001-16441

____________________________________

CROWN CASTLE INTERNATIONAL

CORP.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware	76-0470458
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)	(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
1220 Augusta Drive, Suite 600, Houston, Texas 77057-2261 (Address of principal executives office) (Zip Code)
(713) 570-3000 (Registrant's telephone number, including area code)

____________________________________

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.    Yes  x    No  o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).    Yes  x    No  o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of "large accelerated filer," "accelerated filer" and "smaller reporting company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

Large accelerated filer	x	Accelerated filer	o
Non-accelerated filer	o	Smaller reporting company	o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act).    Yes  o    No  x

Number of shares of common stock outstanding at November 4, 2015: 333,771,307

CROWN CASTLE INTERNATIONAL CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES

INDEX

		Page
PART I—FINANCIAL INFORMATION		2
ITEM 1.	FINANCIAL STATEMENTS	2
	CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET	2
	CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) (Unaudited)	3
	CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS (Unaudited)	4
	CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF EQUITY (Unaudited)	5
	NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—Unaudited	7
ITEM 2.	MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS	17
ITEM 3.	QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK	30
ITEM 4.	CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES	32
PART II—OTHER INFORMATION		33
ITEM 1.	LEGAL PROCEEDINGS	33
ITEM 1A.	RISK FACTORS	33
ITEM 2.	UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS	33
ITEM 6.	EXHIBITS	33
SIGNATURES		34
EXHIBIT INDEX		35

Cautionary Language Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q ("Form 10-Q") contains forward-looking statements that are based on our management's expectations as of the filing date of this report with the SEC. Statements that are not historical facts are hereby identified as forward-looking statements. In addition, words such as "estimate," "anticipate," "project," "plan," "intend," "believe," "expect," "likely," "predicted," any variations of these words and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Such statements include plans, projections and estimates contained in "Part I—Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" and "Part I—Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk" herein. Such forward-looking statements include (1) expectations regarding anticipated growth in the wireless communication industry, carriers' investments in their networks, new tenant additions, customer consolidation or ownership changes, or demand for our wireless infrastructure, (2) expectations regarding non-renewals of tenant leases (including the impact of Sprint decommissioning its iDEN network and the impact of our customers' decommissioning of the former Leap Wireless, MetroPCS and Clearwire networks), (3) availability and adequacy of cash flows and liquidity for, or plans regarding, future discretionary investments including capital expenditures, (4) potential benefits of our discretionary investments, (5) anticipated growth in our future revenues, margins, Adjusted EBITDA, and operating cash flows, (6) expectations regarding our capital structure and the credit markets, our availability and cost of capital, or our ability to service our debt and comply with debt covenants and the benefits of any future refinancings, (7) expectations related to remaining qualified as a real estate investment trust ("REIT") and the advantages, benefits or impact of, or opportunities created by, our REIT status, (8) the realization and utilization of our net operating loss carryforwards ("NOLs"), (9) expectations regarding the inclusion of portions of our small cells within our REIT, and (10) our dividend policy, including the timing, amount, growth or tax characterization of any dividends.

Such forward-looking statements are subject to certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions, including prevailing market conditions, risk factors described in "Item 1A. Risk Factors" of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014 ("2014 Form 10-K") and other factors. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those expected. As used herein, the term "including," and any variation of thereof, means "including without limitation." The use of the word "or" herein is not exclusive.

1

PART I—FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

CROWN CASTLE INTERNATIONAL CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET

(In thousands of dollars, except share amounts)

	September 30, 2015			December 31, 2014
	(Unaudited)
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	184,116		$	151,312
Restricted cash	116,653			147,411
Receivables, net	324,566			313,308
Prepaid expenses	143,675			138,873
Deferred income tax assets	33,110			24,806
Other current assets	222,251			94,503
Assets from discontinued operations (see note 3)	—			412,783
Total current assets	1,024,371			1,282,996
Deferred site rental receivables	1,282,752			1,202,058
Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $5,604,110 and $5,052,395, respectively	9,498,568			8,982,783
Goodwill	5,527,134			5,196,485
Other intangible assets, net	3,837,360			3,681,551
Long-term prepaid rent, deferred financing costs and other assets, net	825,459			797,403
Total assets	$	21,995,644		$	21,143,276
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	$	157,024		$	162,397
Accrued interest	69,184			66,943
Deferred revenues	314,648			279,882
Other accrued liabilities	181,498			182,081
Current maturities of debt and other obligations	102,188			113,335
Liabilities from discontinued operations (see note 3)	—			127,493
Total current liabilities	824,542			932,131
Debt and other long-term obligations	12,039,178			11,807,526
Deferred income tax liabilities	32,317			39,889
Other long-term liabilities	1,859,304			1,626,502
Total liabilities	14,755,341			14,406,048
Commitments and contingencies (note 10)
CCIC stockholders' equity:
Common stock, $.01 par value; 600,000,000 shares authorized; shares issued and outstanding: September 30, 2015—333,771,499 and December 31, 2014—333,856,632	3,339			3,339
4.50% Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock, Series A, $.01 par value; 20,000,000 shares authorized; shares issued and outstanding: September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014—9,775,000; aggregate liquidation value: September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014—$977,500	98			98
Additional paid-in capital	9,532,597			9,512,396
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	(3,754		)	15,820
Dividends/distributions in excess of earnings	(2,291,977		)	(2,815,428		)
Total CCIC stockholders' equity	7,240,303			6,716,225
Noncontrolling interest from discontinued operations	—			21,003
Total equity	7,240,303			6,737,228
Total liabilities and equity	$	21,995,644		$	21,143,276

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

2

CROWN CASTLE INTERNATIONAL CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS AND

COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) (Unaudited)

(In thousands of dollars, except per share amounts)

	Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2015			2014			2015			2014
Net revenues:
Site rental	$	764,606		$	717,623		$	2,233,077		$	2,143,198
Network services and other	153,501			175,260			484,938			469,690
Net revenues	918,107			892,883			2,718,015			2,612,888
Operating expenses:
Costs of operations(a):
Site rental	247,000			230,599			716,244			676,275
Network services and other	86,859			101,814			263,177			275,514
General and administrative	76,699			65,212			223,880			187,171
Asset write-down charges	7,477			4,932			19,652			10,673
Acquisition and integration costs	7,608			4,068			12,001			28,852
Depreciation, amortization and accretion	261,662			247,206			766,621			738,965
Total operating expenses	687,305			653,831			2,001,575			1,917,450
Operating income (loss)	230,802			239,052			716,440			695,438
Interest expense and amortization of deferred financing costs	(129,877		)	(141,287		)	(398,782		)	(432,221		)
Gains (losses) on retirement of long-term obligations	—			—			(4,157		)	(44,629		)
Interest income	789			107			1,170			329
Other income (expense)	(1,214		)	(694		)	58,510			(9,350		)
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes	100,500			97,178			373,181			209,567
Benefit (provision) for income taxes	3,801			1,977			9,380			8,118
Income (loss) from continuing operations	104,301			99,155			382,561			217,685
Discontinued operations (see note 3):
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax	—			8,882			19,690			28,502
Net gain (loss) from disposal of discontinued operations, net of tax	(522		)	—			981,018			—
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax	(522		)	8,882			1,000,708			28,502
Net income (loss)	103,779			108,037			1,383,269			246,187
Less: Net income (loss) attributable to the noncontrolling interest	—			1,100			3,343			3,744
Net income (loss) attributable to CCIC stockholders	103,779			106,937			1,379,926			242,443
Dividends on preferred stock	(10,997		)	(10,997		)	(32,991		)	(32,991		)
Net income (loss) attributable to CCIC common stockholders	$	92,782		$	95,940		$	1,346,935		$	209,452
Net income (loss)	$	103,779		$	108,037		$	1,383,269		$	246,187
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Amounts reclassified into "interest expense and amortization of deferred financing costs," net of taxes (see note 5)	3,744			15,551			18,725			47,895
Foreign currency translation adjustments	(632		)	(24,177		)	(13,493		)	(5,708		)
Amounts reclassified into discontinued operations for foreign currency translation adjustments (see note 3)	—			—			(25,678		)	—
Total other comprehensive income (loss)	3,112			(8,626		)	(20,446		)	42,187
Comprehensive income (loss)	106,891			99,411			1,362,823			288,374
Less: Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to the noncontrolling interest	—			(327		)	—			3,313
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to CCIC stockholders	$	106,891		$	99,738		$	1,362,823		$	285,061
Net income (loss) attributable to CCIC common stockholders, per common share:
Income (loss) from continuing operations, basic	$	0.28		$	0.27		$	1.05		$	0.56
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, basic	$	—		$	0.02		$	3.00		$	0.07
Net income (loss) attributable to CCIC common stockholders, basic	$	0.28		$	0.29		$	4.05		$	0.63
Income (loss) from continuing operations, diluted	$	0.28		$	0.26		$	1.05		$	0.55
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, diluted	$	—		$	0.03		$	2.99		$	0.08
Net income (loss) attributable to CCIC common stockholders, diluted	$	0.28		$	0.29		$	4.04		$	0.63
Weighted-average common shares outstanding (in thousands):
Basic	333,049			332,413			332,951			332,264
Diluted	333,711			333,241			333,735			333,020

________________

(a) Exclusive of depreciation, amortization and accretion shown separately.

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

3

CROWN CASTLE INTERNATIONAL CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS (Unaudited)

(In thousands of dollars)

	Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2015				2014
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income (loss) from continuing operations	$	382,561			$	217,685
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) from continuing operations to net cash provided by (used for) operating activities:
Depreciation, amortization and accretion	766,621				738,965
Gains (losses) on retirement of long-term obligations	4,157				44,629
Gains (losses) on settled swaps	(54,475		)		—
Amortization of deferred financing costs and other non-cash interest	32,394				61,322
Stock-based compensation expense	44,711				39,497
Asset write-down charges	19,652				10,673
Deferred income tax benefit (provision)	(16,199		)		(14,589		)
Other non-cash adjustments, net	(7,240		)		(1,967		)
Changes in assets and liabilities, excluding the effects of acquisitions:
Increase (decrease) in accrued interest	2,241				2,461
Increase (decrease) in accounts payable	(8,310		)		28,037
Increase (decrease) in deferred revenues, deferred ground lease payables, other accrued liabilities and other liabilities	214,607				259,178
Decrease (increase) in receivables	(703		)		(64,079		)
Decrease (increase) in prepaid expenses, deferred site rental receivables, long-term prepaid rent, restricted cash and other assets	(89,141		)		(170,886		)
Net cash provided by (used for) operating activities	1,290,876				1,150,926
Cash flows from investing activities:
Payments for acquisitions of businesses, net of cash acquired	(1,083,319		)		(174,356		)
Capital expenditures	(658,240		)		(498,960		)
Receipts from foreign currency swaps	54,475				—
Other investing activities, net	(1,561		)		2,787
Net cash provided by (used for) investing activities	(1,688,645		)		(670,529		)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt	1,000,000				845,750
Principal payments on debt and other long-term obligations	(78,049		)		(86,197		)
Purchases and redemptions of long-term debt	(1,069,337		)		(836,899		)
Purchases of capital stock	(29,576		)		(21,778		)
Borrowings under revolving credit facility	1,560,000				567,000
Payments under revolving credit facility	(1,240,000		)		(587,000		)
Payments for financing costs	(17,415		)		(15,899		)
Net (increase) decrease in restricted cash	28,435				39,882
Dividends/distributions paid on common stock	(821,056		)		(350,535		)
Dividends paid on preferred stock	(32,991		)		(33,357		)
Net cash provided by (used for) financing activities	(699,989		)		(479,033		)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents - continuing operations	(1,097,758		)		1,364
Discontinued operations (see note 3):
Net cash provided by (used for) operating activities	4,359				41,304
Net cash provided by (used for) investing activities	1,103,577				(20,154		)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents - discontinued operations	1,107,936				21,150
Effect of exchange rate changes	(1,682		)		(7,358		)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	175,620			(a)	223,394			(a)
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$	184,116			$	238,550		(a)

________________

(a) Inclusive of cash and cash equivalents included in discontinued operations.

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

4

CROWN CASTLE INTERNATIONAL CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF EQUITY

(In thousands of dollars, except share amounts) (Unaudited)

	CCIC Stockholders
	Common Stock				4.50% Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock						AOCI
	Shares		($.01 Par)		Shares	($.01 Par)		Additional paid-in capital			Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments			Derivative Instruments, net of tax			Dividends/Distributions in Excess of Earnings			Noncontrolling Interest from discontinued operations		Total
Balance, July 1, 2015	333,762,344		$	3,339	9,775,000	$	98	$	9,518,103		$	(3,122	)	$	(3,744	)	$	(2,110,438	)	$	—	$	7,404,236
Stock-based compensation related activity, net of forfeitures	10,198		—		—	—		14,579			—			—			—			—		14,579
Purchases and retirement of capital stock	(1,043	)	—		—	—		(85		)	—			—			—			—		(85		)
Other comprehensive income (loss)(a)	—		—		—	—		—			(632		)	3,744			—			—		3,112
Common stock dividends/distributions	—		—		—	—		—			—			—			(274,321		)	—		(274,321		)
Preferred stock dividends	—		—		—	—		—			—			—			(10,997		)	—		(10,997		)
Net income (loss)	—		—		—	—		—			—			—			103,779			—		103,779
Balance, September 30, 2015	333,771,499		$	3,339	9,775,000	$	98	$	9,532,597		$	(3,754	)	$	—		$	(2,291,977	)	$	—	$	7,240,303

(a) See the condensed statement of operations and other comprehensive income (loss) for the components of "other comprehensive income (loss)" and note 5 with respect to the reclassification adjustments.

	CCIC Stockholders
	Common Stock				4.50% Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock						AOCI
	Shares		($.01 Par)		Shares	($.01 Par)		Additional paid-in capital			Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments			Derivative Instruments, net of tax			Dividends/Distributions in Excess of Earnings			Noncontrolling Interest from discontinued operations			Total
Balance, July 1, 2014	333,861,080		$	3,339	9,775,000	$	98	$	9,488,414		$	75,734		$	(49,529	)	$	(2,656,718	)	$	18,098		$	6,879,436
Stock-based compensation related activity, net of forfeitures	(980	)	—		—	—		12,124			—			—			—			—			12,124
Purchases and retirement of capital stock	(653	)	—		—	—		(48		)	—			—			—			—			(48		)
Other comprehensive income (loss)(a)	—		—		—	—		—			(22,750		)	15,551			—			(1,427		)	(8,626		)
Common stock dividends/distributions	—		—		—	—		—			—			—			(117,181		)	—			(117,181		)
Preferred stock dividends	—		—		—	—		—			—			—			(10,997		)	—			(10,997		)
Net income (loss)	—		—		—	—		—			—			—			106,937			1,100			108,037
Balance, September 30, 2014	333,859,447		$	3,339	9,775,000	$	98	$	9,500,490		$	52,984		$	(33,978	)	$	(2,677,959	)	$	17,771		$	6,862,745

(a) See the condensed statement of operations and other comprehensive income (loss) for the components of "other comprehensive income (loss)" and note 5 with respect to the reclassification adjustments.

5

	CCIC Stockholders
	Common Stock					4.50% Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock						AOCI
	Shares		($.01 Par)			Shares	($.01 Par)		Additional paid-in capital			Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments			Derivative Instruments, net of tax			Dividends/Distributions in Excess of Earnings			Noncontrolling Interest from discontinued operations			Total
Balance, January 1, 2015	333,856,632		$	3,339		9,775,000	$	98	$	9,512,396		$	34,545		$	(18,725	)	$	(2,815,428	)	$	21,003		$	6,737,228
Stock-based compensation related activity, net of forfeitures	250,443		2			—	—		49,775			—			—			—			—			49,777
Purchases and retirement of capital stock	(335,576	)	(2		)	—	—		(29,574		)	—			—			—			—			(29,576		)
Other comprehensive income (loss)(a)	—		—			—	—		—			(38,299		)	18,725			—			(872		)	(20,446		)
Disposition of CCAL	—		—			—	—		—			—			—			—			(23,474		)	(23,474		)
Common stock dividends/distributions	—		—			—	—		—			—			—			(823,484		)	—			(823,484		)
Preferred stock dividends	—		—			—	—		—			—			—			(32,991		)	—			(32,991		)
Net income (loss)	—		—			—	—		—			—			—			1,379,926			3,343			1,383,269
Balance, September 30, 2015	333,771,499		$	3,339		9,775,000	$	98	$	9,532,597		$	(3,754	)	$	—		$	(2,291,977	)	$	—		$	7,240,303

(a) See the condensed statement of operations and other comprehensive income (loss) for the components of "other comprehensive income (loss)" and notes 3 and 5 with respect to the reclassification adjustments.

	CCIC Stockholders
	Common Stock					4.50% Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock						AOCI
	Shares		($.01 Par)			Shares	($.01 Par)		Additional paid-in capital			Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments			Derivative Instruments, net of tax			Dividends/Distributions in Excess of Earnings			Noncontrolling Interest from discontinued operations			Total
Balance, January 1, 2014	334,070,016		$	3,341		9,775,000	$	98	$	9,482,769		$	58,261		$	(81,873	)	$	(2,535,879	)	$	14,458		$	6,941,175
Stock-based compensation related activity, net of forfeitures	81,350		1			—	—		39,496			—			—			—			—			39,497
Purchases and retirement of capital stock	(291,919	)	(3		)	—	—		(21,775		)	—			—			—			—			(21,778		)
Other comprehensive income (loss)(a)	—		—			—	—		—			(5,277		)	47,895			—			(431		)	42,187
Common stock dividends/distributions	—		—			—	—		—			—			—			(351,532		)	—			(351,532		)
Preferred stock dividends	—		—			—	—		—			—			—			(32,991		)	—			(32,991		)
Net income (loss)	—		—			—	—		—			—			—			242,443			3,744			246,187
Balance, September 30, 2014	333,859,447		$	3,339		9,775,000	$	98	$	9,500,490		$	52,984		$	(33,978	)	$	(2,677,959	)	$	17,771		$	6,862,745

(a) See the condensed statement of operations and other comprehensive income (loss) for the components of "other comprehensive income (loss)" and note 5 with respect to the reclassification adjustments.

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

6

CROWN CASTLE INTERNATIONAL CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS-Unaudited

(Tabular dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)

1. General

The information contained in the following notes to the consolidated financial statements is condensed from that which would appear in the annual consolidated financial statements; accordingly, the consolidated financial statements included herein should be reviewed in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014, and related notes thereto, included in the 2014 Form 10-K filed by Crown Castle International Corp. ("CCIC") with the SEC. References to the "Company" include CCIC and its predecessor, as applicable, and their subsidiaries, unless otherwise indicated or the context indicates otherwise.

The Company owns, operates and leases shared wireless infrastructure, including: (1) towers, and to a lesser extent, (2) small cell networks, and (3) third party land interests. The Company's wireless infrastructure is geographically dispersed throughout the United States, including Puerto Rico ("U.S."). See note 3 for a discussion of the May 2015 sale of the Company's formerly 77.6% owned subsidiary that operated towers in Australia (referred to as "CCAL").

The Company's core business is providing access, including space or capacity, to its wireless infrastructure via long-term contracts in various forms, including licenses, subleases and lease agreements. The Company's wireless infrastructure can accommodate multiple tenants for antennas or other equipment necessary for the transmission of signals for wireless communication.

As part of the Company's effort to provide comprehensive wireless infrastructure solutions, it offers certain network services relating to its wireless infrastructure, consisting of (1) the following site development services relating to existing or new antenna installations on its wireless infrastructure: site acquisition, architectural and engineering, or zoning and permitting and (2) tenant equipment installation or subsequent augmentations (collectively, "installation services").

Effective January 1, 2014, the Company commenced operating as a REIT for U.S. federal income tax purposes. In addition, the Company has certain taxable REIT subsidiaries ("TRSs"). See note 8.

Approximately 55% of the Company's towers are leased or subleased or operated and managed under master leases, subleases, and other agreements with Sprint, T-Mobile, and AT&T. The Company has the option to purchase these towers at the end of their respective lease terms. The Company has no obligation to exercise such purchase options.

Basis of Presentation

The condensed consolidated financial statements included herein are unaudited; however, they include all adjustments (consisting only of normal recurring adjustments) which, in the opinion of management, are necessary to state fairly the consolidated financial position of the Company at September 30, 2015, and the consolidated results of operations and the consolidated cash flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014. The year-end condensed consolidated balance sheet data was derived from audited financial statements, but does not include all disclosures required by GAAP. The results of operations for the interim periods presented are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year.

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with 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.

2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

The significant accounting policies used in the preparation of the Company's condensed consolidated financial statements are disclosed in the 2014 Form 10-K.

Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements

In April 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued new guidance on the implementation and presentation of discontinued operations. The guidance requires that only disposals that represent a strategic shift that has (or will have) a major effect on the entity's results and operations qualify as discontinued operations. In addition, the new guidance expands the disclosure requirements for disposals that meet the definition of a discontinued operation and requires entities to disclose information about disposals of individually significant components that do not meet the definition of discontinued operations. The

7

CROWN CASTLE INTERNATIONAL CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS-Unaudited (Continued)

(Tabular dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)

new guidance was effective for the Company on January 1, 2015, and the Company has applied the new guidance for the sale of CCAL. See note 3.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted

In April 2015, the FASB issued new guidance on the presentation of debt issuance costs. The guidance requires debt issuance costs be presented in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of the related debt liability, consistent with debt discounts and premiums. The update requires retrospective application and the guidance is effective for the Company on January 1, 2016. The Company will adopt the guidance on January 1, 2016. As of September 30, 2015, net deferred financing costs were $110.9 million and were recorded as a component of "long-term prepaid rent, deferred financing costs and other assets, net" on the Company's condensed consolidated balance sheet.

In May 2014, the FASB released updated guidance regarding the recognition of revenue from contracts with customers, exclusive of those contracts within lease accounting. The core principle of the guidance is that an entity should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services.  To achieve that core principle, an entity should apply the following steps: (1) identify the contracts with the customer; (2) identify the performance obligations in the contract; (3) determine the contract price; (4) allocate the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract; and (5) recognize revenue when (or as) the entity satisfies a performance obligation.  This guidance is effective for the Company on January 1, 2018, following the FASB's July 2015 decision to defer the effective date of the standard by one year. This guidance is required to be applied, at the Company's election, either (1) retrospectively to each prior reporting period presented, or (2) with the cumulative effect being recognized at the date of initial application. The Company is evaluating the guidance, including the impact on its consolidated financial statements.

In September 2015, the FASB issued new guidance which requires an acquirer to recognize adjustments to provisional amounts that are identified during the measurement period in the reporting period in which the adjustment amounts are determined. The update requires prospective application and the guidance is effective for the Company on January 1, 2016, with early adoption permitted. The Company is evaluating the guidance, including the impact on its consolidated financial statements.

In October 2015, the FASB issued new guidance on the presentation of deferred tax assets and liabilities. The guidance requires deferred tax assets and liabilities to be presented as non-current on the balance sheet. The update requires prospective application and the guidance is effective for the Company on January 1, 2017, with early adoption permitted. The Company is evaluating the guidance, including the impact on its consolidated financial statements.

3. Discontinued Operations

On May 14, 2015, the Company entered into a definitive agreement to sell CCAL to a consortium of investors led by Macquarie Infrastructure and Real Assets (collectively, “Buyer”). On May 28, 2015, the Company completed the sale. At closing, the Company received net proceeds of approximately $1.1 billion after accounting for the Company's 77.6% ownership interest, repayment of intercompany debt owed to the Company by CCAL and estimated transaction fees and expenses, exclusive of the impact of foreign currency swaps related to the CCAL sale (see note 6).

As part of the sale of CCAL, in January 2016, the Company is entitled to receive an installment payment from the Buyer totaling approximately $124 million, inclusive of the impact of the related foreign currency swap (see note 6). The Buyer's obligation related to the installment payment is unconditional and is substantiated by an irrevocable letter of credit. The installment payment is included within "other current assets" on the Company's condensed consolidated balance sheet.

During the second quarter 2015, the Company used net proceeds from the sale of CCAL to repay portions of outstanding borrowings under its 2012 Credit Facility.

The Company entered into foreign currency swaps to manage and reduce its foreign currency risk associated with the sale of CCAL. These swaps are not included in discontinued operations. See note 6.

CCAL has historically been a separate operating segment of the Company (see note 12). The sale of the Company's CCAL operating segment is treated as discontinued operations for all periods presented pursuant to ASU 2014-8, Reporting Discontinued Operations and Disclosures of Disposals of Components of an Entity, which the Company adopted on January 1, 2015 (see note 2). The sale of CCAL represents a strategic shift of the Company to solely focus on U.S. operations. The gain from disposal of CCAL is included in discontinued operations on the condensed consolidated statement of operations. The tables below set forth

8

CROWN CASTLE INTERNATIONAL CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS-Unaudited (Continued)

(Tabular dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)

the assets and liabilities related to discontinued operations at December 31, 2014, and their results of operations and cash flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014.

			As of December 31, 2014
Assets and liabilities related to discontinued operations:
Current assets			$	61,289
Property and equipment			165,528
Other non-current assets			185,966
Total assets related to discontinued operations			$	412,783
Current liabilities			94,297
Non-current liabilities			33,196
Total liabilities related to discontinued operations			$	127,493
	Three Months Ended September 30,		Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2014(b)		2015 (b)(c)		2014(b)
Total revenues	$	37,142	$	65,293	$	109,432
Total cost of operations (a)	11,720		17,498		33,732
Depreciation, amortization, and accretion	7,656		10,168		20,323
Total other expenses	6,425		10,481		18,671
Pre-tax income from discontinued operations	11,341		27,146		36,706
Net income (loss) from discontinued operations(d)	$	8,882	$	19,690	$	28,502

(a) Exclusive of depreciation, amortization, and accretion shown seperately.

(b) No interest expense has been allocated to discontinued operations.

(c) CCAL results are through May 28, 2015, which was the closing date of the Company's sale of CCAL.

(d) Exclusive of the gain (loss) from disposal of discontinued operations, net of tax, as presented on the condensed consolidated statement of operations.

The Company recorded a gain on the sale of CCAL, which was comprised of the following items:

Cash received from sale of CCAL(a)	$	1,139,369
Installment payment receivable due January 2016(a)	117,384
Total proceeds from sale of CCAL	$	1,256,753
Adjusted for:
Net assets and liabilities related to discontinued operations(b)(c)	258,575
Transaction fees and expenses	21,688
Foreign currency translation reclassification adjustments(d)	(25,678		)
Pre-tax gain (loss) from disposal of discontinued operations	1,002,168
Income taxes related to the sale of CCAL	21,150
Gain (loss) from disposal of discontinued operations	$	981,018

(a) Exclusive of foreign currency swaps and based on exchange rates as of May 28, 2015, which was the closing date of the Company's sale of CCAL. See note 6. The impact of fluctuations in the exchange rate subsequent to the closing date are reflected as a component of "other income (expense)" on the Company's condensed consolidated statement of operations.

(b) Represents net assets attributable to CCIC, net of the disposition of noncontrolling interest of $23.5 million.

(c) Inclusive of $11.1 million of cash.

(d) Represents foreign currency translation adjustments previously included in "accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)" on the condensed consolidated balance sheet and reclassified to "gain (loss) from disposal of discontinued operations".

4. Acquisitions

Sunesys Acquisition

In April 2015, the Company entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Quanta Fiber Networks, Inc. ("Sunesys") for approximately $1.0 billion in cash, subject to certain limited adjustments ("Sunesys Acquisition"). On August 4, 2015, the Company closed the Sunesys Acquisition. The results of operations from Sunesys have been included in the Company's consolidated statement of operations since the date of acquisition.

Prior to the closing, Sunesys was a wholly owned subsidiary of Quanta Services, Inc. and a fiber services provider that owned or had rights to nearly 10,000 miles of fiber in major metropolitan markets across the U.S., including Los Angeles, Philadelphia, Chicago, Atlanta, Silicon Valley, and northern New Jersey. Approximately 60% of Sunesys' fiber miles were located in the top 10 basic trading areas.

The Company utilized borrowings under the 2012 Revolver and cash on hand to fund the cash consideration of approximately $1.0 billion. See note 5.

The preliminary purchase price allocation for the Sunesys Acquisition is shown below. The preliminary purchase price allocation is based upon a preliminary valuation which is subject to change as the Company obtains additional information, with respect to fixed assets, intangible assets and certain liabilities.

Preliminary Purchase Price Allocation
Current assets	$	12,821
Property and equipment	432,106
Goodwill (a)	347,547
Other intangible assets, net	249,935
Current liabilities	(25,418		)
Other non-current liabilities	(29,065		)
Net assets acquired (b)	$	987,926

(a) The preliminary purchase price allocation for the Sunesys Acquisition resulted in the recognition of goodwill based on the Company's expectation to leverage the Sunesys fiber footprint to support new small cell networks. The Sunesys fiber is complementary to the Company's existing fiber assets and is located where the Company expects to see wireless carrier network investments.

(b) Assets acquired in the Sunesys Acquisition are included in the Company's REIT and as such, no deferred taxes were recorded in connection with the Sunesys Acquisition.

9

CROWN CASTLE INTERNATIONAL CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS-Unaudited (Continued)

(Tabular dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)

5. Debt and Other Obligations

	Original Issue Date	Contractual Maturity Date (a)		Outstanding Balance as of September 30, 2015			Outstanding Balance as of December 31, 2014		Stated Interest Rate as of September 30, 2015(a)(b)
Bank debt - variable rate:
2012 Revolver	Jan. 2012	Jan. 2019		$	1,015,000	(c)	$	695,000	2.0	%
Tranche A Term Loans	Jan. 2012	Jan. 2019		633,516			645,938		1.9	%
Tranche B Term Loans	Jan. 2012	Jan. 2021		2,252,747		(e)	2,835,509		3.0	%
Total bank debt				3,901,263			4,176,447
Securitized debt - fixed rate:
January 2010 Tower Revenue Notes	Jan. 2010	2037 - 2040	(d)	1,600,000			1,600,000		6.0	%
August 2010 Tower Revenue Notes	Aug. 2010	2037 - 2040	(d)(f)	1,300,000			1,550,000		4.7	%
May 2015 Tower Revenue Notes	May 2015	2042 - 2045	(d)(f)	1,000,000			—		3.5	%
2009 Securitized Notes	July 2009	2019/2029		146,399			160,822		7.6	%
WCP Securitized Notes	Jan. 2010	Nov. 2040	(f)	—			262,386		N/A
Total securitized debt				4,046,399			3,573,208
Bonds - fixed rate:
5.25% Senior Notes	Oct. 2012	Jan. 2023		1,649,969			1,649,969		5.3	%
2012 Secured Notes	Dec. 2012	Dec. 2017/Apr. 2023		1,500,000			1,500,000		3.4	%
4.875% Senior Notes	Apr. 2014	Apr. 2022		846,405			846,062		4.9	%
Total bonds				3,996,374			3,996,031
Other:
Capital leases and other obligations	Various	Various		197,330			175,175		Various
Total debt and other obligations				12,141,366			11,920,861
Less: current maturities and short-term debt and other current obligations				102,188			113,335
Non-current portion of long-term debt and other long-term obligations				$	12,039,178		$	11,807,526

(a) See the 2014 Form 10-K, including note 7, for additional information regarding the maturity and principal amortization provisions and interest rates relating to the Company's indebtedness.

(b) Represents the weighted-average stated interest rate.

(c) During January and February 2015, the Company amended its 2012 Credit Facility agreement and increased the capacity of the 2012 Revolver to an aggregate revolving commitment of approximately $2.2 billion. During August 2015, the Company utilized borrowings under the 2012 Revolver of $835.0 million, along with cash on hand, to fund the Sunesys Acquisition. See note 4. As of September 30, 2015, the undrawn availability under the 2012 Revolver was $1.2 billion.

(d) If the respective series of such debt is not paid in full on or prior to an applicable date then Excess Cash Flow (as defined in the indenture) of the issuers of such notes will be used to repay principal of the applicable series, and additional interest (of an additional approximately 5% per annum) will accrue on the respective series. See the 2014 Form 10-K for additional information regarding these provisions.

(e) During the second quarter of 2015, the Company repaid the portion of its Tranche B Term Loans that were due January 2019, which had an outstanding balance of $564.1 million.

(f) In May 2015, the Company issued $1.0 billion aggregate principal amount of Senior Secured Tower Revenue Notes ("May 2015 Tower Revenue Notes"), which were issued by certain of its indirect subsidiaries pursuant to the existing indenture governing the 2010 Tower Revenue Notes and having similar terms and security as the 2010 Tower Revenue Notes. The 2015 Tower Revenue Notes consist of (1) $300.0 million aggregate principal amount of 3.222% Notes with an expected life of seven years and a final maturity date of May 2042 and (2) $700.0 million aggregate principal amount of 3.663% Notes with an expected life of ten years and a final maturity date of May 2045. The Company used the net proceeds received from the May 2015 Tower Revenue Notes offering (1) to repay $250.0 million aggregate principal amount of August 2010 Tower Revenue Notes with an anticipated repayment date of August 2015, (2) to repay all of the previously outstanding WCP Securitized Notes, (3) to repay portions of outstanding borrowings under its 2012 Credit Facility, and (4) to pay related fees and expenses. Collectively, the 2010 Tower Revenue Notes and the May 2015 Tower Revenue Notes are referred to herein as the "Tower Revenue Notes."

10

CROWN CASTLE INTERNATIONAL CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS-Unaudited (Continued)

(Tabular dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)

Contractual Maturities

The following are the scheduled contractual maturities of the total debt and other long-term obligations of the Company outstanding as of September 30, 2015. These maturities reflect contractual maturity dates and do not consider the principal payments that will commence following the anticipated repayment dates on the Tower Revenue Notes.

	Three Months Ending December 31,		Years Ending December 31,												Unamortized Adjustments, Net			Total Debt and Other Obligations Outstanding
	2015		2016		2017		2018		2019		Thereafter		Total Cash Obligations
Scheduled contractual maturities	$	23,049	$	105,640	$	601,859	$	98,208	$	1,602,265	$	9,713,940	$	12,144,961	$	(3,595	)	$	12,141,366

Purchases and Redemptions of Long-Term Debt

The following is a summary of purchases and redemptions of long-term debt during the nine months ended September 30, 2015.

	Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015
	Principal Amount		Cash Paid(a)		Gains (Losses)(b)
August 2010 Tower Revenue Notes	$	250,000	$	250,000	$	(159	)
WCP Securitized Notes	252,830		252,830		2,105
Tranche B Term Loans	564,137		564,137		(6,127		)
Other	2,394		2,370		24
Total	$	1,069,361	$	1,069,337	$	(4,157	)

(a) Exclusive of accrued interest.

(b) Inclusive of $4.2 million related to the net write off of deferred financing costs, premiums and discounts.

Interest Expense and Amortization of Deferred Financing Costs

The components of interest expense and amortization of deferred financing costs are as follows:

	Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2015			2014			2015			2014
Interest expense on debt obligations	$	121,287		$	121,450		$	366,388		$	370,899
Amortization of deferred financing costs	5,451			5,516			16,624			16,678
Amortization of adjustments on long-term debt	116			(892		)	(1,146		)	(2,743		)
Amortization of interest rate swaps(a)	3,744			15,551			18,725			47,895
Other, net of capitalized interest	(721		)	(338		)	(1,809		)	(508		)
Total	$	129,877		$	141,287		$	398,782		$	432,221

(a) Amounts reclassified from "accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)."

11

CROWN CASTLE INTERNATIONAL CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS-Unaudited (Continued)

(Tabular dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)

6. Foreign Currency Swaps

During May 2015, the Company entered into two foreign currency swaps to manage and reduce its foreign currency risk related to its sale of CCAL (see note 3). The Company does not enter into foreign currency swaps for speculative or trading purposes. The foreign currency swaps were originally comprised of the following:

Item Swapped	Notional Amount	Forward Rate	Start Date	End Date	Pay Amount	Receive Amount	Fair Value at September 30, 2015
May 2015 cash receipt from sale of CCAL	A$1,400,000	0.8072	May 2015	June 2015	Australian Dollar	US Dollar	N/A	(a)
Installment payment from Buyer	A$155,000	0.79835	May 2015	January 2016	Australian Dollar	US Dollar	$15,524	(b)

(a) In conjunction with closing the CCAL sale on May 28, 2015, the Company cash settled the swap with a notional value of Australian dollar $1.4 billion and recorded a gain on foreign currency swaps of $54.5 million, which is included as a component of "other income (expense)" on the Company's condensed consolidated statement of operations.

(b) As of September 30, 2015, the Company marked-to-market the swap with a notional value of Australian dollar $155 million and recorded (1) an asset within "other current assets" on the Company's condensed consolidated balance sheet and (2) a corresponding gain on foreign currency swaps, which is included as a component of "other income (expense)" on the Company's condensed consolidated statement of operations.

In total, the Company recorded a gain on foreign currency swaps of $10.2 million and $70.0 million for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2015, respectively. This gain is included as a component of "other income (expense)" on the Company's condensed consolidated statement of operations.

7. Fair Value Disclosures

	Level in Fair Value Hierarchy	September 30, 2015				December 31, 2014
		Carrying  Amount		Fair Value		Carrying  Amount		Fair Value
Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	1	$	184,116	$	184,116	$	151,312	$	151,312
Restricted cash, current and non-current	1	121,653		121,653		152,411		152,411
Foreign currency swaps	2	15,524		15,524		—		—
Liabilities:
Long-term debt and other obligations	2	12,141,366		12,479,140		11,920,861		12,286,161

The fair value of cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash approximate the carrying value. The Company determines the fair value of its debt securities based on indicative, non-binding quotes from brokers. Quotes from brokers require judgment and are based on the brokers' interpretation of market information, including implied credit spreads for similar borrowings on recent trades or bid/ask prices or quotes from active markets if available. Foreign currency swaps are valued at settlement amounts using observable exchange rates and, if material, reflect an adjustment for the Company's and contract counterparty's credit risk. There were no changes since December 31, 2014 in the Company's valuation techniques used to measure fair values.

8. Income Taxes

Effective January 1, 2014, the Company commenced operating as a REIT for U.S. federal income tax purposes. As a REIT, the Company is generally entitled to a deduction for dividends that it pays and therefore is not subject to U.S. federal corporate income tax on its net taxable income that is currently distributed to its stockholders. The Company also may be subject to certain federal, state, local, and foreign taxes on its income and assets, including (1) alternative minimum taxes, (2) taxes on any undistributed income, (3) taxes related to the TRSs, (4) certain state, local, or foreign income taxes, (5) franchise taxes, (6) property taxes, and (7) transfer taxes. In addition, the Company could in certain circumstances be required to pay an excise or penalty tax, which could be significant in amount, in order to utilize one or more relief provisions under the Internal Revenue Code 1986, as amended ("Code") to maintain qualification for taxation as a REIT.

12

CROWN CASTLE INTERNATIONAL CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS-Unaudited (Continued)

(Tabular dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)

The Company's small cells other than Sunesys (see note 4) are currently included in one or more wholly owned TRSs. In August 2014, the Company received a favorable private letter ruling from the Internal Revenue Service ("IRS"), which provides that the real property portion of the Company's small cells and the related rents qualify as real property and rents from real property, respectively, under the rules governing REITs. The Company is evaluating the impact of this private letter ruling and, subject to board approval, expects to take appropriate action to include at least some part of the Company's small cells (other than Sunesys (see note 4)) as part of the REIT during 2015 or 2016. Once the Company has completed its evaluation and necessary actions to include small cells in the REIT, the Company expects to de-recognize its net deferred tax liabilities related to such part of the Company's small cells.

The Company's TRS assets and operations (along with any part of the Company's small cells that may remain in a TRS) will continue to be subject, as applicable, to federal and state corporate income taxes or to foreign taxes in the jurisdictions in which such assets and operations are located. The Company's foreign assets and operations (including its tower operations in Puerto Rico) most likely will be subject to foreign income taxes in the jurisdictions in which such assets and operations are located, regardless of whether they are included in a TRS or not. The Company will be subject to a federal corporate level tax rate (currently 35%) on the gain recognized from the sale of assets occurring within a specified period (generally 10 years) after the REIT conversion up to the amount of the built in gain that existed on January 1, 2014, which is based upon the fair market value of those assets in excess of the Company's tax basis on January 1, 2014.  This gain can be offset by any remaining federal NOLs.

During the second quarter 2015, the Company recorded approximately $21.2 million in current state income tax expense related to the sale of CCAL. In conjunction with the sale of CCAL, the Company expects to utilize approximately $1.0 billion of its $2.0 billion NOLs to fully offset the tax gain from the sale of CCAL. Further, as a result of the sale of CCAL, the Company expects that a significant portion of its common stock dividend distributions during 2015 will be characterized as capital gains distributions. See note 3.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, the Company's effective tax rate differed from the federal statutory rate predominately due to the Company's REIT status, including the dividends paid deduction. The income tax provision for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 primarily related to the TRSs.

13

CROWN CASTLE INTERNATIONAL CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS-Unaudited (Continued)

(Tabular dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)

9. Per Share Information

Basic net income (loss) attributable to CCIC common stockholders, per common share, excludes dilution and is computed by dividing net income (loss) attributable to CCIC common stockholders by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted net income (loss) attributable to CCIC common stockholders, per common share is computed by dividing net income (loss) attributable to CCIC common stockholders by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the period plus any potential dilutive common share equivalents, including shares issuable (1) upon the vesting of restricted stock awards and restricted stock units as determined under the treasury stock method and (2) upon conversion of the Company's Convertible Preferred Stock, as determined under the if-converted method.

	Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2015			2014			2015			2014
Net income (loss) from continuing operations	$	104,301		$	99,155		$	382,561		$	217,685
Dividends on preferred stock	(10,997		)	(10,997		)	(32,991		)	(32,991		)
Net income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to CCIC common stockholders for basic and diluted computations	$	93,304		$	88,158		$	349,570		$	184,694
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax	(522		)	8,882			1,000,708			28,502
Less: Net income (loss) attributable to the noncontrolling interest	—			1,100			3,343			3,744
Net income (loss) from discontinued operations attributable to CCIC common stockholders for basic and diluted computations	$	(522	)	$	7,782		$	997,365		$	24,758
Weighted-average number of common shares outstanding (in thousands):
Basic weighted-average number of common stock outstanding	333,049			332,413			332,951			332,264
Effect of assumed dilution from potential common shares relating to restricted stock units and restricted stock awards	662			828			784			756
Diluted weighted-average number of common shares outstanding	333,711			333,241			333,735			333,020
Net income (loss) attributable to CCIC common stockholders, per common share:
Income (loss) from continuing operations, basic	0.28			0.27			1.05			0.56
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, basic	—			0.02			3.00			0.07
Net income (loss) attributable to CCIC common stockholders, basic	0.28			0.29			4.05			0.63
Income (loss) from continuing operations, diluted	0.28			0.26			1.05			0.55
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, diluted	—			0.03			2.99			0.08
Net income (loss) attributable to CCIC common stockholders, diluted	0.28			0.29			4.04			0.63

During the nine months ended September 30, 2015, the Company granted 1.0 million restricted stock units. For the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, 12.4 million common share equivalents and 12.3 million common share equivalents, respectively, related to the Convertible Preferred Stock were excluded from the dilutive common shares because the impact of such conversion would be anti-dilutive, based on the Company's common stock price as of the end of the respective periods.

10. Commitments and Contingencies

The Company is involved in various claims, lawsuits or proceedings arising in the ordinary course of business. While there are uncertainties inherent in the ultimate outcome of such matters and it is impossible to presently determine the ultimate costs or losses that may be incurred, if any, management believes the resolution of such uncertainties and the incurrence of such costs should not have a material adverse effect on the Company's consolidated financial position or results of operations. Additionally, the Company and certain of its subsidiaries are contingently liable for commitments or performance guarantees arising in the ordinary course of business, including certain letters of credit or surety bonds. In addition, the Company has the option to purchase approximately 55% of the Company's towers at the end of their respective lease terms. The Company has no obligation to exercise such purchase options.

14

CROWN CASTLE INTERNATIONAL CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS-Unaudited (Continued)

(Tabular dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)

11. Equity

Declaration and Payment of Dividends

During the nine months ended September 30, 2015, the following dividends were declared or paid:

Equity Type	Declaration Date	Record Date	Payment Date	Dividends Per Share		Aggregate Payment Amount (In millions)
Common Stock	February 12, 2015	March 20, 2015	March 31, 2015	$	0.82	$	274.7	(a)
Common Stock	May 29, 2015	June 19, 2015	June 30, 2015	$	0.82	$	274.5	(a)
Common Stock	July 30, 2015	September 18, 2015	September 30, 2015	$	0.82	$	274.3	(a)
Convertible Preferred Stock	December 22, 2014	January 15, 2015	February 2, 2015	$	1.1250	$	11.0
Convertible Preferred Stock	March 27, 2015	April 15, 2015	May 1, 2015	$	1.1250	$	11.0
Convertible Preferred Stock	June 21, 2015	July 15, 2015	August 3, 2015	$	1.1250	$	11.0
Convertible Preferred Stock	September 23, 2015	October 15, 2015	November 2, 2015	$	1.1250	$	11.0	(b)

(a) Inclusive of dividends accrued for holders of unvested restricted stock units.

(b) Represents amount paid on November 2, 2015 based on holders of record on October 15, 2015.

See note 14.

Purchases of the Company's Common Stock

For the nine months ended September 30, 2015, the Company purchased 0.3 million shares of its common stock utilizing $29.6 million in cash.

"At the Market" Stock Offering Program

In August 2015, the Company established an "at the market" stock offering program ("ATM Program") through which it may, from time to time, issue and sell shares of its common stock having an aggregate gross sales price of up to $500.0 million to or through sales agents. Sales, if any, under the ATM Program may be made by means of ordinary brokers' transactions on the New York Stock Exchange or otherwise at market prices prevailing at the time of sale, at prices related to prevailing market prices or, subject to specific instructions of the Company, at negotiated prices. The Company intends to use the net proceeds from any sales under the ATM Program for general corporate purposes, which may include the funding of future acquisitions or investments and the repayment or repurchase of any outstanding indebtedness. As of September 30, 2015, no shares of common stock were sold under the ATM Program.

12. Operating Segments

The Company has determined that presently, following the sale of CCAL, it has one reportable operating segment, CCUSA, consisting of its U.S. operations, which is consistent with its current operational and financial reporting structure. Financial results for the Company are currently reported to the Company's management team and board of directors in this manner.

Prior to its sale in May 2015, CCAL, the Company's previously 77.6% owned subsidiary that owned and operated towers in Australia, was a reportable segment. As a result of the sale of CCAL, the Company's segment data has been reclassified for all periods presented to include CCAL on a discontinued operations basis.

The Company will continue its evaluation of its operating segments following the disposition of CCAL and its change in strategic focus to its U.S. business. To the extent the Company makes changes to its financial reporting or organizational structure, including the integration of the Sunesys Acquisition, the Company will evaluate any impact such changes may have to its segment reporting.

15

CROWN CASTLE INTERNATIONAL CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS-Unaudited (Continued)

(Tabular dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)

13. Supplemental Cash Flow Information

	Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2015			2014
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
Interest paid	$	364,147		$	368,437
Income taxes paid	23,865			15,353
Supplemental disclosure of non-cash investing and financing activities:
Increase (decrease) in accounts payable for purchases of property and equipment	(5,399		)	2,827
Purchase of property and equipment under capital leases and installment purchases	41,331			27,772
Installment payment receivable for sale of CCAL (see note 3)	117,384			—

14. Subsequent Events

Common Stock Dividend

On October 19, 2015, the Company declared a quarterly common stock cash dividend of $0.885 per share, which was approved by the Company's board of directors. The common stock dividend will be paid on December 31, 2015, to common stock holders of record as of December 18, 2015.

16

ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The following discussion should be read in conjunction with the response to Part I, Item 1 of this report and the consolidated financial statements of the Company including the related notes and "Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" ("MD&A")included in our 2014 Form 10-K. Capitalized terms used but not defined in this Item have the same meaning given to them in our 2014 Form 10-K. Unless this Form 10-Q indicates otherwise or the context otherwise requires, the terms "we," "our," "our company," "the company," or "us" as used in this Form 10-Q refer to Crown Castle International Corp., and its predecessor, as applicable, and their subsidiaries.

General Overview

Overview

We own, operate and lease shared wireless infrastructure that are geographically dispersed throughout the U.S. with a significant presence in the top 100 BTAs. Site rental revenues represented 83% of our third quarter 2015 consolidated net revenues. The vast majority of our site rental revenues is of a recurring nature and has been contracted for in a prior year.

Strategy

Our strategy is to create long-term stockholder value via a combination of (1) growing cash flows generated from our portfolio of wireless infrastructure, (2) returning a meaningful portion of our cash provided by operating activities to our stockholders in the form of dividends and (3) investing capital efficiently to grow long-term dividends per share. We measure our efforts to create "long-term stockholder value" by the combined payment of dividends to stockholders and growth in our per share results. The key elements of our strategy are to:

• Grow cash flows from our wireless infrastructure. We seek to maximize the site rental cash flows derived from our wireless infrastructure by adding tenants on our wireless infrastructure through long-term leases as our customers deploy and improve their wireless networks. We seek to maximize new tenant additions or modifications of existing tenant installations (collectively, "new tenant additions") through our focus on customer service and deployment speed. Due to the relatively fixed nature of the costs to operate our wireless infrastructure (which tend to increase at approximately the rate of inflation), we expect increases in our site rental cash flows from new tenant additions and the related subsequent impact from contracted escalations to result in growth in our operating cash flows. We believe there is considerable additional future demand for our existing wireless infrastructure based on their location and the anticipated growth in the wireless communication services industry. Substantially all of our wireless infrastructure can accommodate additional tenancy, either as currently constructed or with appropriate modifications to the structure, which we expect to have high incremental returns.

• Return cash provided by operating activities to stockholders in the form of dividends. We believe that distributing a meaningful portion of our cash provided by operating activities appropriately provides stockholders with increased certainty for a portion of expected long-term stockholder value while still retaining sufficient flexibility to invest in our business and deliver growth. We believe this decision reflects the translation of the high-quality, long-term contractual cash flows of our business into stable capital returns to stockholders.

• Invest capital efficiently to grow long-term dividends per share. We seek to invest our capital available, including the net cash provided by our operating activities and external financing sources, in a manner that will increase long-term stockholder value on a risk-adjusted basis. Our historical investments have included the following (in no particular order):

◦ purchase shares of our common stock from time to time;

◦ acquire or construct wireless infrastructure;

◦ acquire land interests under towers;

◦ make improvements and structural enhancements to our existing wireless infrastructure; or

◦ purchase, repay or redeem our debt.

Our strategy to create long-term stockholder value is based on our belief that additional demand for our wireless infrastructure will be created by the expected continued growth in the wireless communication services industry, which is predominately driven by the demand for wireless data services by consumers. We believe that such demand for our wireless infrastructure will continue, will result in growth of our cash flows due to new tenant additions on our existing wireless infrastructure, and will create other growth opportunities for us, such as demand for new wireless infrastructure.

17

Business Fundamentals and Results

The following are certain highlights of our business fundamentals and results as of and for the nine months ended September 30, 2015.

• Effective January 1, 2014, we commenced operating as a REIT for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

◦ As a REIT, we are generally entitled to a deduction for dividends that we pay and therefore are not subject to U.S. federal corporate income tax on our taxable income that is distributed to our stockholders.

◦ To qualify and be taxed as a REIT, we will generally be required to distribute at least 90% of our REIT taxable income, after the utilization of our NOLs (determined without regard to the dividends paid deduction and excluding net capital gain), each year to our stockholders.

◦ See note 8 to our condensed consolidated financial statements for further discussion of our REIT status.

• Potential growth resulting from wireless network expansion and new entrants

◦ We expect wireless carriers will continue their focus on improving network quality and expanding capacity by adding additional antennas or other equipment on our wireless infrastructure.

◦ We expect existing and potential new customer demand for our wireless infrastructure will result from (1) new technologies, (2) increased usage of wireless data applications (including mobile entertainment, mobile internet usage, and machine-to-machine applications), (3) adoption of other emerging and embedded wireless devices (including laptops, tablets, and other devices), (4) increasing smartphone penetration, (5) wireless carrier focus on expanding quality and capacity, or (6) the availability of additional spectrum.

◦ Substantially all of our wireless infrastructure can accommodate additional tenancy, either as currently constructed or with appropriate modifications to the structure.

◦ U.S. wireless carriers continue to invest in their networks.

◦ Our site rental revenues grew $89.9 million, or 4%, from the nine months ended September 30, 2014 to the nine months ended September 30, 2015. This growth was predominately comprised of the following, exclusive of the impact of straight-line accounting:

▪ An approximate 6% increase from new leasing activity.

▪ An approximate 3% increase from cash escalations.

▪ An approximate 4% decrease in site rental revenues caused by the non-renewal of tenant leases.

• Site rental revenues under long-term tenant leases with contractual escalations

◦ Initial terms of five to 15 years with multiple renewal periods at the option of the tenant of five to ten years each.

◦ Weighted-average remaining term of approximately seven years, exclusive of renewals at the tenant's option, currently representing approximately $20 billion of expected future cash inflows.

• Revenues predominately from large wireless carriers

◦ Approximately 91% of our consolidated site rental revenues were derived from AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, and Verizon Wireless. See also "Item 2. MD&A—General Overview—Outlook Highlights" presented below.

• Majority of land interests under our towers under long-term control

◦ Nearly 90% and 75% of our site rental gross margin is derived from towers that reside on land that we own or control for greater than ten and 20 years, respectively. The aforementioned amounts include towers that reside on land interests that are owned, including fee interests and perpetual easements, which represent approximately one-third of our site rental gross margin.

• Relatively fixed wireless infrastructure operating costs

◦ Our wireless infrastructure operating costs tend to increase at approximately the rate of inflation and are not typically influenced by new tenant additions.

• Minimal sustaining capital expenditure requirements

◦ Sustaining capital expenditures represented approximately 3% of net revenues.

• Debt portfolio with long-dated maturities extended over multiple years, with the majority of such debt having a fixed rate (see "Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk" for a further discussion of our debt)

◦ 68% of our debt is fixed rate.

◦ Our debt service coverage and leverage ratios were comfortably within their respective financial maintenance covenants.

◦ During January and February 2015, we amended our 2012 Credit Facility agreement and increased the capacity of the 2012 Revolver to an aggregate revolving commitment of approximately $2.2 billion.

◦ During the second quarter 2015, we (1) issued $1.0 billion aggregate principal amount of the May 2015 Tower Revenue Notes, (2) repaid $250.0 million of August 2010 Tower Revenue Notes with an anticipated repayment date of August 2015, (3) repaid all of the previously outstanding WCP Securitized Notes, and (4) repaid a portion of our outstanding borrowings under our 2012 Credit Facility. See note 5 to our condensed consolidated financial statements.

18

• Significant cash flows from operations

◦ Net cash provided by operating activities was $1.3 billion.

◦ We expect to grow our core business of providing access to our wireless infrastructure as a result of contractual escalators and future anticipated demand for our wireless infrastructure.

• Returning cash flows provided by operations to stockholders in the form of dividends

◦ During each of the first three quarters of 2015, we paid common stock cash dividends totaling approximately $821.1 million. See "Item 2. MD&A—General Overview—Common Stock Dividend" below for a discussion of the increase to our quarterly cash dividend in the fourth quarter of 2015.

• Investing capital efficiently to grow long-term dividends per share

◦ Discretionary capital expenditures were $582.8 million, including wireless infrastructure improvements in order to support additional site rentals, construction of wireless infrastructure and land purchases.

Common Stock Dividend

During each of the first three quarters of 2015, we paid a quarterly common stock cash dividend of $0.82 per share, totaling approximately $821.1 million. In October 2015, we increased our quarterly cash dividend, beginning in the fourth quarter of 2015, from an annual amount of $3.28 per share to an annual amount of $3.54 per share. As such, we declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.885 per share in October 2015, which represented an increase of 8% from the quarterly cash dividend declared during each of the first three quarters of 2015. We currently expect such dividends to result in aggregate cash payments of approximately $1.2 billion during the next 12 months. Over time, we expect to increase our dividend per share generally commensurate with our realized growth in organic cash flows. Future dividends are subject to the approval of our board of directors. See notes 8, 11 and 14 to our condensed consolidated financial statements.

Sale of CCAL

In May 2015, we entered into a definitive agreement to sell our 77.6% owned Australian subsidiary, CCAL, to a consortium of investors led by Macquarie Infrastructure and Real Assets. On May 28, 2015, we completed the sale of CCAL. At closing, we received net proceeds of approximately $1.1 billion after accounting for our ownership interest, repayment of intercompany debt owed to us by CCAL and estimated transaction fees and expenses, exclusive of the impact of foreign currency swaps related to the CCAL sale.

As part of the sale of CCAL, in January 2016, we are entitled to receive an installment payment of $124 million from the Buyer, inclusive of the impact of the related foreign currency swap (see note 6 to our condensed consolidated financial statements). During the second quarter 2015, we used net proceeds from the sale of CCAL to repay portions of outstanding borrowings under our 2012 Credit Facility.

We entered into foreign currency swaps to manage and reduce our foreign currency risk associated with the sale of CCAL. These swaps are not included in discontinued operations. See note 6 to our condensed consolidated financial statements.

Sunesys Acquisition

In April 2015, we entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Sunesys for approximately $1.0 billion in cash, subject to certain limited adjustments. On August 4, 2015, we closed the Sunesys Acquisition utilizing $835.0 million in 2012 Revolver borrowings and cash on hand. Prior to the closing, Sunesys was a wholly owned subsidiary of Quanta Services, Inc., and a fiber services provider that owned or had rights to nearly 10,000 miles of fiber in major metropolitan markets across the U.S., including Los Angeles, Philadelphia, Chicago, Atlanta, Silicon Valley, and northern New Jersey. Approximately 60% of Sunesys' fiber miles were located in the top 10 basic trading areas. See note 4 to our condensed consolidated financial statements.

Outlook Highlights

The following are certain highlights of our full year 2015 and 2016 outlook that impact our business fundamentals described above.

• We expect that our full year 2015 site rental revenue growth will be benefited by similar levels of tenant additions as in 2014, as large U.S. wireless carriers upgrade and enhance their networks, partially offset by an increase in non-renewals of tenant leases. During 2015, we expect non-renewals of tenant leases to primarily result from Sprint's decommissioning of its legacy Nextel iDEN network.

• We expect that our full year 2016 site rental revenue growth will be benefited by similar levels of tenant additions as in 2015, as large U.S. wireless carriers upgrade and enhance their networks, partially offset by non-renewals of tenant leases primarily resulting from anticipated non-renewals of $80 million to $90 million from our customers' decommissioning of the former Leap Wireless, MetroPCS and Clearwire networks, at least in part.

19

• We expect sustaining capital expenditures to be approximately 3% of net revenues for full year 2015 due to expansion of our office facilities. We expect sustaining capital expenditures to be approximately 2% of net revenues for full year 2016.

20

Consolidated Results of Operations

The following discussion of our results of operations should be read in conjunction with our condensed consolidated financial statements and our 2014 Form 10-K.

The following discussion of our results of operations is based on our condensed consolidated financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP, which requires us to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts (see "Item 2. MD&A—Accounting and Reporting Matters—Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates" and note 2 to our consolidated financial statements on our 2014 Form 10-K).

See "Item 2. MD&A—Accounting and Reporting Matters—Non-GAAP Financial Measures" for a discussion of our use of Adjusted EBITDA, including its definition and a reconciliation to net income (loss).

Comparison of Consolidated Results

The following information is derived from our historical consolidated statements of operations for the periods indicated.

	Three Months Ended September 30,						Percent Change(b)
	2015			2014
	(Dollars in thousands)
Net revenues:
Site rental	$	764,606		$	717,623		7	%
Network services and other	153,501			175,260			(12	)%
Net revenues	918,107			892,883			3	%
Operating expenses:
Costs of operations(a):
Site rental	247,000			230,599			7	%
Network services and other	86,859			101,814			(15	)%
Total costs of operations	333,859			332,413			—	%
General and administrative	76,699			65,212			18	%
Asset write-down charges	7,477			4,932			*
Acquisition and integration costs	7,608			4,068			*
Depreciation, amortization and accretion	261,662			247,206			6	%
Total operating expenses	687,305			653,831			5	%
Operating income (loss)	230,802			239,052			(3	)%
Interest expense and amortization of deferred financing costs	(129,877		)	(141,287		)	(8	)%
Gains (losses) on retirement of long-term obligations	—			—
Interest income	789			107
Other income (expense)	(1,214		)	(694		)
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes	100,500			97,178
Benefit (provision) for income taxes	3,801			1,977
Income (loss) from continuing operations	104,301			99,155
Discontinued operations:
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax	—			8,882
Net gain (loss) from disposal of discontinued operations, net of tax	(522		)	—
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax	(522		)	8,882
Net income (loss)	103,779			108,037
Less: net income (loss) attributable to the noncontrolling interest	—			1,100
Net income (loss) attributable to CCIC stockholders	103,779			106,937
Dividends on preferred stock	(10,997		)	(10,997		)
Net income (loss) attributable to CCIC common stockholders	$	92,782		$	95,940

________________

* Percentage is not meaningful

(a) Exclusive of depreciation, amortization and accretion shown separately.

(b) Inclusive of the impact of foreign exchange rate fluctuations.

21

	Nine Months Ended September 30,						Percent Change(b)
	2015			2014
	(Dollars in thousands)
Net revenues:
Site rental	$	2,233,077		$	2,143,198		4	%
Network services and other	484,938			469,690			3	%
Net revenues	2,718,015			2,612,888			4	%
Operating expenses:
Costs of operations(a):
Site rental	716,244			676,275			6	%
Network services and other	263,177			275,514			(4	)%
Total costs of operations	979,421			951,789			3	%
General and administrative	223,880			187,171			20	%
Asset write-down charges	19,652			10,673			*
Acquisition and integration costs	12,001			28,852			*
Depreciation, amortization and accretion	766,621			738,965			4	%
Total operating expenses	2,001,575			1,917,450			4	%
Operating income (loss)	716,440			695,438			3	%
Interest expense and amortization of deferred financing costs	(398,782		)	(432,221		)	(8	)%
Gains (losses) on retirement of long-term obligations	(4,157		)	(44,629		)
Interest income	1,170			329
Other income (expense)	58,510			(9,350		)
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes	373,181			209,567
Benefit (provision) for income taxes	9,380			8,118
Income (loss) from continuing operations	382,561			217,685
Discontinued operations:
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax	19,690			28,502
Net gain (loss) from disposal of discontinued operations, net of tax	981,018			—
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax	1,000,708			28,502
Net income (loss)	1,383,269			246,187
Less: net income (loss) attributable to the noncontrolling interest	3,343			3,744
Net income (loss) attributable to CCIC stockholders	1,379,926			242,443
Dividends on preferred stock	(32,991		)	(32,991		)
Net income (loss) attributable to CCIC common stockholders	$	1,346,935		$	209,452

________________

* Percentage is not meaningful

(a) Exclusive of depreciation, amortization and accretion shown separately.

(b) Inclusive of the impact of foreign exchange rate fluctuations.

Comparison of Operating Results

We have determined that presently, following the sale of CCAL, we have one reportable operating segment,  CCUSA, consisting of our U.S. operations, which is consistent with our current operational and financial reporting structure. Our financial results are currently reported to management and the board of directors in this manner.

Prior to its sale in May 2015, CCAL, our previously 77.6% owned subsidiary that owned and operated towers in Australia, was a reportable segment. As a result of the sale of CCAL, our historical financial statements have been reclassified for all periods presented to include CCAL on a discontinued operations basis. See also "Item 2. MD&A—General Overview—Sale of CCAL".

We will continue our evaluation of our operating segments following the disposition of CCAL, and our change in strategic focus to our U.S. business. To the extent we make changes to our financial reporting or organizational structure, including the integration of the Sunesys Acquisition, we will evaluate any impact such changes may have to our segment reporting.

22

Third Quarter 2015 and 2014

Net revenues for the third quarter of 2015increased by $25.2 million, or 3%, from the same period in the prior year. This increase in net revenues resulted from an increase from the same period in the prior year in site rental revenues of $47.0 million, or 7%, offset by a decrease in network services and other revenues of $21.8 million, or 12%.

The increase in site rental revenues was impacted by the following items, inclusive of straight-line accounting, in no particular order: new tenant additions across our entire portfolio, renewals or extensions of tenant leases, escalations, acquisitions, construction of wireless infrastructure, and non-renewals of tenant leases. Tenant additions were influenced by the ongoing efforts of large U.S. wireless carriers to upgrade and enhance their networks. See "Item 2. MD&A—Business Fundamentals and Results."

Site rental gross margins for the third quarter of 2015increased by $30.6 million, or 6%, from the same period in the prior year. The increase in the site rental gross margins was related to the previously mentioned 7%increase in site rental revenues.

Network services and other gross margin decreased by $6.8 million, or 9%, from the same period in the prior year. The decrease in our gross margin from our network services and other revenues is a reflection of (1) the volume of activity from carrier network enhancements such as LTE upgrades and (2) the volume and mix of network services and other work. Our network services and other offerings are of a variable nature as these revenues are not under long-term contracts.

General and administrative expenses for the third quarter of 2015increased by $11.5 million, or approximately 18%, from the same period in the prior year. General and administrative expenses were 8% of net revenues for the third quarter of 2015 and 7% of net revenues for the third quarter of 2014. General and administrative expenses are inclusive of stock-based compensation charges. The increase in general and administrative expenses in nominal dollars was related to the expansion in the size of our wireless infrastructure portfolio primarily due to our recent acquisitions and small cell network activities. Typically, our general and administrative expenses do not significantly increase as a result of new tenant additions on our existing wireless infrastructure.

Adjusted EBITDA for the third quarter of 2015increased by $15.6 million, or 3%, from the same period in the prior year. Adjusted EBITDA was positively impacted by the growth in our site rental activities, partially offset by the aforementioned increase in general and administrative expenses and decrease in network services and other gross margin.

Depreciation, amortization and accretion for the third quarter of 2015increased by $14.5 million, or 6%, from the same period in the prior year. This increase predominately resulted from a corresponding increase in our gross property and equipment due to capital expenditures and acquisitions.

Interest expense and amortization of deferred financing costs decreased$11.4 million, or 8%, from the third quarter of 2014 to the third quarter of 2015 primarily as a result of an $11.8 million decrease in the amortization of previously settled interest rate swaps. For a further discussion of our debt and interest rate swaps, see note 5 to our condensed consolidated financial statements and see notes 7 and 8 to our consolidated financial statements in our 2014 Form 10-K.

For the third quarter of 2015 and 2014, the effective tax rate differed from the federal statutory rate predominately due to our REIT status including the dividends paid deduction.  See note 8 to our condensed consolidated financial statements and also note 10 to our consolidated financial statements in our 2014 Form 10-K.

Net income (loss) attributable to CCIC stockholders for the third quarter of 2015 was income of $103.8 million compared to income of $106.9 million for the third quarter of 2014.

First Nine Months 2015 and 2014

Net revenues for the first nine months of 2015increased by $105.1 million, or 4%, from the same period in the prior year. This increase in net revenues resulted from an increase from the same period in the prior year in (1) site rental revenues of $89.9 million, or 4%, and (2) network services and other revenues of $15.2 million, or 3%. The increase in site rental revenues was impacted by the following items, inclusive of straight-line accounting, in no particular order: new tenant additions across our entire portfolio, renewals or extensions of tenant leases, escalations, acquisitions, construction of wireless infrastructure, and non-renewals of tenant leases. Tenant additions were influenced by the ongoing efforts of large U.S. wireless carriers to upgrade and enhance their networks. See "Item 2. MD&A—Business Fundamentals and Results."

Site rental gross margins for the first nine months of 2015increased by $49.9 million, or 3%, from the same period in the prior year. The increase in the site rental gross margins was related to the previously mentioned 4% increase in site rental revenues.

Network services and other gross margin increased by $27.6 million, or 14%, from the same period in the prior year. The increase in our gross margin from our network services and other revenues is a reflection of (1) the volume of activity from carrier

23

network enhancements such as LTE upgrades, (2) the volume and mix of network services work, and (3) the expansion in the size of our wireless infrastructure portfolio due to the T-Mobile Acquisition and AT&T Acquisition. Our network services business is of a variable nature as these revenues are not under long-term contracts.

General and administrative expenses for the first nine months of 2015increased by $36.7 million, or approximately 20%, from the same period in the prior year. General and administrative expenses were 8% of net revenues for the first nine months of 2015 and 7% of net revenues for the first nine months of 2014. General and administrative expenses are inclusive of stock-based compensation charges. The increase in general and administrative expenses in nominal dollars was related to (1) the expansion in the size of our wireless infrastructure portfolio primarily due to our recent acquisitions and small cell network activities and (2) growth in network services. Typically, our general and administrative expenses do not significantly increase as a result of new tenant additions on our existing wireless infrastructure.

Adjusted EBITDA for the first nine months of 2015increased by $47.7 million, or 3%, from the same period in the prior year. Adjusted EBITDA was positively impacted by the growth in our site rental and network services activities, partially offset by the aforementioned increase in general and administrative expenses.

Depreciation, amortization and accretion for the first nine months of 2015increased by $27.7 million, or 4%, from the same period in the prior year. This increase predominately resulted from a corresponding increase in our gross property and equipment due to capital expenditures and acquisitions.

Interest expense and amortization of deferred financing costs decreased$33.4 million, or 8%, from the first nine months of 2014 to the first nine months of 2015, as a result of (1) a $29.2 million decrease in the amortization of interest rate swaps and (2) our refinancing activities. During May 2015, we issued an aggregate principal amount of $1.0 billion in May 2015 Tower Revenue Notes, which, together with proceeds received from our sale of CCAL, provided us with funding to (1) repay $250.0 million aggregate principal amount of the August 2010 Tower Revenue Notes with an anticipated repayment date of August 2015, (2) repay all of the previously outstanding WCP Securitized Notes, (3) repay portions of outstanding borrowings under our 2012 Credit Facility, and (4) pay related fees and expenses. During the first nine months of 2014, we issued $850.0 million of 4.875% Senior Notes, which provided us with funding to (1) repay $300.0 million of the January 2010 Tower Revenue Notes and (2) redeem all of the previously outstanding 7.125% Senior Notes. As a result of the repayment and redemption of certain of our debt during the first nine months of 2015 and the first nine months of 2014, we incurred losses of $4.2 million and $44.6 million, respectively. For a further discussion of our debt, see note 5 to our condensed consolidated financial statements and see note 7 to our consolidated financial statements in the 2014 Form 10-K.

The decrease in acquisition and integration expenses for the first nine months of 2015 compared to the first nine months of 2014 was a result of expenses recorded during the first nine months of 2014 related to our acquisitions in 2012 and 2013.

Other income (expense) for the first nine months of 2015 was income of $58.5 million, compared to expense of $9.4 million for the first nine months of 2014. This change was predominately a result of gains recorded during the first nine months of 2015 on foreign currency swaps that we entered into to manage and reduce our foreign currency risk related to our May 2015 sale of CCAL. See note 6 to our condensed consolidated financial statements.

For the first nine months of 2015 and 2014, the effective tax rate differs from the federal statutory rate predominately due to our REIT status, including the dividends paid deduction.  See note 8 to our condensed consolidated financial statements and also note 10 to our consolidated financial statements in our 2014 Form 10-K.

Income from discontinued operations, net of tax, decreased from the first nine months of 2014 to the first nine months of 2015 due to the sale of CCAL occurring mid-period on May 28, 2015. In addition, during the first nine months of 2015, we recorded a gain on the sale of discontinued operations, net of tax, of $1.0 billion.

Net income (loss) attributable to CCIC stockholders for the first nine months of 2015 was income of $1.4 billion, compared to income of $242.4 million for the first nine months of 2014. The increase in net income attributable to CCIC stockholders was primarily due to the gain recorded on the sale of CCAL.

24

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Overview

General. Our core business generates revenues under long-term leases (see "Item 2. MD&A—General Overview—Overview") predominately from the largest U.S. wireless carriers. Our strategy is to create long-term stockholder value via a combination of (1) growing cash flows generated from our portfolio of wireless infrastructure, (2) returning a meaningful portion of our cash provided by operating activities to our stockholders in the form of dividends and (3) investing capital efficiently to grow long-term dividends per share. We measure our efforts to create "long-term stockholder value" by the combined payment of dividends to stockholders and growth in our per share results.

We have and expect to continue to engage in discretionary investments that we believe will maximize long-term stockholder value. Our historical discretionary investments include (in no particular order): purchasing our common stock, acquiring or constructing wireless infrastructure, acquiring land interests under towers, improving and structurally enhancing our existing wireless infrastructure, and purchasing, repaying, or redeeming our debt. Based on the growth in small cell activity, we expect to increase our capital spending on the construction of small cell networks. We seek to fund our discretionary investments with both net cash provided by operating activities and, cash available from financing capacity, such as the use of our undrawn availability from the 2012 Revolver, debt financings and issuances of equity or equity related securities.

We seek to maintain a capital structure that we believe drives long-term stockholder value and optimizes our weighted-average cost of capital. We target a leverage ratio of approximately four to five times Adjusted EBITDA and interest coverage of approximately three times Adjusted EBITDA, subject to various factors such as the availability and cost of capital and the potential long-term return on our discretionary investments. We may choose to increase or decrease our leverage or coverage from these targets for various periods of time. 

Effective January 1, 2014, we commenced operating as a REIT for U.S. federal income tax purposes. We expect to continue to pay minimal cash income taxes as a result of our REIT status and our NOLs. See note 8 to our condensed consolidated financial statements and our 2014 Form 10-K.

Liquidity Position. The following is a summary of our capitalization and liquidity position. See "Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk" and note 5 to our condensed consolidated financial statements for additional information regarding our debt.

	September 30, 2015
	(In thousands of dollars)
Cash and cash equivalents(a)	$	184,116
Undrawn 2012 Revolver availability(b)	1,215,000
Total debt and other long-term obligations	12,141,366
Total equity	7,240,303

(a) Exclusive of restricted cash.

(b) Availability at any point in time is subject to certain restrictions based on the maintenance of financial covenants contained in the 2012 Credit Facility. See our2014 Form 10-K.

Over the next 12 months:

• Our liquidity sources may include (1) cash on hand, (2) net cash provided by operating activities (net of cash interest payments), (3) undrawn availability from our 2012 Revolver, and (4) issuances of equity pursuant to our ATM Program. Our liquidity uses over the next 12 months are expected to include (1) debt service obligations of $102.2 million (principal payments), (2) common stock dividend payments expected to be $3.54 per share, or an aggregate of approximately $1.2 billion, subject to future approval by our board of directors (see "Item 2. MD&A—Common Stock Dividend"), (3) Convertible Preferred Stock dividend payments of approximately $45 million, and (4) sustaining and discretionary capital expenditures (expect to be equal to or greater than current levels). During the next 12 months, we expect that our liquidity sources should be sufficient to cover our expected uses. As CCIC and CCOC are holding companies, our cash flow from operations is generated by our operating subsidiaries.

• We have no scheduled contractual debt maturities other than principal payments on amortizing debt. See "Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk" for a tabular presentation as of September 30, 2015 of our scheduled contractual debt maturities and a discussion of anticipated repayment dates.

25

Summary Cash Flow Information

	Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2015			2014			Change
	(In thousands of dollars)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents provided by (used for) from continuing operations:
Operating activities	$	1,290,876		$	1,150,926		$	139,950
Investing activities	(1,688,645		)	(670,529		)	(1,018,116		)
Financing activities	(699,989		)	(479,033		)	(220,956		)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents from continuing operations	(1,097,758		)	1,364			(1,099,122		)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents from discontinued operations	1,107,936			21,150			1,086,786
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	(1,682		)	(7,358		)	5,676
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	$	8,496		$	15,156		$	(6,660	)

Operating Activities

The increase in net cash provided by operating activities from continuing operations for the first nine months of 2015 of $140.0 million, or 12%, from the first nine months of 2014, was due primarily to (1) a net benefit from changes in working capital, and (2) growth in our site rental and network services offerings. Changes in working capital (including changes in accounts receivable, deferred site rental receivables, deferred rental revenues, prepaid ground leases, restricted cash, and accrued interest) can have a significant impact on net cash provided by operating activities, largely due to the timing of prepayments and receipts. We expect to grow our net cash provided by operating activities in the future (exclusive of movements in working capital) if we realize expected growth in our core business.

Investing Activities

Capital Expenditures

Our capital expenditures include the following:

• Discretionary capital expenditures made with respect to activities which we believe exhibit sufficient potential to enhance long-term stockholder value. They consist of wireless infrastructure construction and improvements and, to a lesser extent, purchases of land assets under towers as we seek to manage our interests in the land beneath our towers. Improvements to existing wireless infrastructure to accommodate new leasing typically vary based on, among other factors: (1) the type of wireless infrastructure, (2) the scope, volume, and mix of work performed on the wireless infrastructure, (3) existing capacity prior to installation, or (4) changes in structural engineering regulations and standards. Our decisions regarding capital expenditures are influenced by the availability and cost of capital and expected returns on alternative uses of cash, such as payments of dividends and investments.

• Sustaining capital expenditures consist of (1) corporate-related capital improvements and (2) maintenance on our wireless infrastructure assets that enable our customers' ongoing quiet enjoyment of the wireless infrastructure.

Capital expenditures for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 were as follows:

	Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2015		2014		Change
	(In thousands of dollars)
Discretionary:
Purchases of land interests	$	67,786	$	54,889	$	12,897
Wireless infrastructure construction and improvements	515,008		401,441		113,567
Sustaining	75,446		42,630		32,816
Total	$	658,240	$	498,960	$	159,280

Discretionary capital expenditures increased from the first nine months of 2014 to 2015 primarily as a result of (1) improvements to existing towers to accommodate new leasing and (2) the construction of small cell networks. We expect to invest in discretionary capital expenditures over the next 12 months at levels equal to or greater than current levels and we expect increases in the construction of small cell networks.

26

Our sustaining capital expenditures have historically been less than 2% of net revenues annually and are approximately 3% of net revenues in 2015 due to expansion of our office facilities. We expect sustaining capital expenditures of approximately 2% of net revenues in 2016.

Sale of CCAL. See note 3 to our condensed consolidated financial statements for a discussion of our May 2015 sale of CCAL, our previously 77.6% owned Australian subsidiary.

Foreign Currency Swaps. During May 2015, in conjunction with our sale of CCAL, we entered into foreign currency swaps to manage and reduce our foreign currency risk associated with the sale of CCAL. See note 6 to our condensed consolidated financial statements.

Acquisitions. See note 4 to our condensed consolidated financial statements for a discussion of the Sunesys Acquisition, which closed in August 2015.

Financing Activities

We seek to allocate cash generated by our operations in a manner that will enhance long-term stockholder value, which may include various financing activities such as (in no particular order) paying dividends on our common stock (currently expected to total an aggregate of approximately $1.2 billion during the next 12 months), paying dividends on our Convertible Preferred Stock (expected to be approximately $45 million during the next 12 months), purchasing our common stock, or purchasing, repaying, or redeeming our debt.

Credit Facility. The proceeds of our 2012 Revolver may be used for general corporate purposes, which may include the financing of capital expenditures, acquisitions, such as the Sunesys Acquisition, and purchases of our common stock. During January and February 2015, we increased the aggregate revolving commitment under the 2012 Revolver by $730 million to approximately $2.2 billion. As of November 4, 2015, there was $1.0 billion outstanding and $1.2 billion in undrawn availability under our revolving credit facility. See also note 5 to our condensed consolidated financial statements.

Incurrence, Purchases, and Repayments of Debt. In May 2015, we issued $1.0 billion in May 2015 Tower Revenue Notes. The issuance enabled us to (1) repay $250.0 million aggregate principal amount of August 2010 Tower Revenue Notes with an anticipated repayment date of August 2015, all of the previously outstanding WCP Securitized Notes, and portions of outstanding borrowings under our 2012 Credit Facility, (2) lower our cost of debt, and (3) extend the weighted-average maturity of our debt obligations. See note 5 to our condensed consolidated financial statements for further discussion of the May 2015 Tower Revenue Notes.

Common Stock Activity. As of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, we had 333.8 million and 333.9 million common shares outstanding, respectively. See "Item 2. MD&A—General Overview—Common Stock Dividend" for a discussion of the increase to our quarterly cash dividend in the fourth quarter of 2015. See notes 11 and 14 to our condensed consolidated financial statements for further discussion of the common stock dividends. See below for a discussion of the automatic conversion of Convertible Preferred Stock into common stock during November 2016.

ATM Program. In August 2015, we established an ATM stock offering program through which we may, from time to time, issue and sell shares of our common stock having an aggregate gross sales price of up to $500.0 million to or through sales agents. Sales, if any, under the ATM Program may be made by means of ordinary brokers' transactions on the New York Stock Exchange or otherwise at market prices prevailing at the time of sale, at prices related to prevailing market prices or, subject to our specific instructions, at negotiated prices. We intend to use the net proceeds from any sales under the ATM Program for general corporate purposes, which may include the funding of future acquisitions or investments and the repayment or repurchase of any outstanding indebtedness. As of September 30, 2015, no shares of common stock were sold under the ATM Program. See note 11.

Convertible Preferred Stock Activity. As of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, we had approximately 9.8 million shares of preferred stock outstanding. Unless converted earlier, each outstanding share of the Convertible Preferred Stock will automatically convert on November 1, 2016. Currently, each share of Convertible Preferred Stock will convert into between 1.1418 shares (based on the current maximum conversion price of $87.58) and 1.4272 shares (based on the current minimum conversion price of $70.07) of common stock, depending on the applicable market value of the common stock and subject to certain anti-dilution adjustments. At any time prior to November 1, 2016, holders of the Convertible Preferred Stock may elect to convert all or a portion of their shares into common stock at the minimum conversion rate of 1.1418, subject to certain anti-dilution adjustments. See note 11 to our condensed consolidated financial statements for further discussion of the Convertible Preferred Stock dividends declared and paid during 2015.

27

Debt Covenants

The credit agreement governing the 2012 Credit Facility contains financial maintenance covenants. We are currently in compliance with these financial maintenance covenants, and based upon our current expectations, we believe we will continue to comply with our financial maintenance covenants. In addition, certain of our debt agreements also contain restrictive covenants that place restrictions on us and may limit our ability to, among other things, incur additional debt and liens, purchase our securities, make capital expenditures, dispose of assets, undertake transactions with affiliates, make other investments, pay dividends or distribute excess cash flow. See our 2014 Form 10-K for a further discussion of our debt covenants, certain restrictive covenants and factors that are likely to determine our subsidiaries' ability to comply with current and future debt covenants.

Accounting and Reporting Matters

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

Our critical accounting policies and estimates are those that we believe (1) are most important to the portrayal of our financial condition and results of operations or (2) require our most difficult, subjective or complex judgments, often as a result of the need to make estimates about the effect of matters that are inherently uncertain. The critical accounting policies and estimates for 2015 are not intended to be a comprehensive list of our accounting policies and estimates. In many cases, the accounting treatment of a particular transaction is specifically dictated by GAAP, with no need for management's judgment. In other cases, management is required to exercise judgment in the application of accounting principles with respect to particular transactions. Our critical accounting policies and estimates as of December 31, 2014 are described in "Item 7. MD&A" and in note 2 of our consolidated financial statements in our 2014 Form 10-K. The critical accounting policies and estimates for the first nine months of 2015 have not changed from the critical accounting policies for the year ended December 31, 2014.

Accounting Pronouncements

Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements. See note 2 to our condensed consolidated financial statements.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted. See note 2 to our condensed consolidated financial statements.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

Historically, our measurement of profit or loss used to evaluate the operating performance of our operating segments has been earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization, and accretion, as adjusted ("Adjusted EBITDA"). As discussed in note 12 to our condensed consolidated financial statements, we are currently in the process of evaluating the financial reporting and organizational structure used to manage our business, including the scope and content of the financial data being reported to our management team and board of directors. Our definition of Adjusted EBITDA is set forth below. Our measure of Adjusted EBITDA may not be comparable to similarly titled measures of other companies, including companies in the tower sector and other similar providers of wireless infrastructure, and is not a measure of performance calculated in accordance with GAAP. Adjusted EBITDA should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for operating income or loss, net income or loss, net cash provided by (used for) operating, investing and financing activities or other income statement or cash flow statement data prepared in accordance with GAAP.

We define Adjusted EBITDA as net income (loss) plus restructuring charges (credits), asset write-down charges, acquisition and integration costs, depreciation, amortization and accretion, amortization of prepaid lease purchase price adjustments, interest expense and amortization of deferred financing costs, gains (losses) on retirement of long-term obligations, net gain (loss) on interest rate swaps, gains (losses) on foreign currency swaps, impairment of available-for-sale securities, interest income, other income (expense), benefit (provision) for income taxes, cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle, income (loss) from discontinued operations and stock-based compensation expense. The reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to our net income (loss) is set forth below. Adjusted EBITDA is not intended as an alternative measure of operating results or cash flows from operations as determined in accordance with GAAP, and our definition of Adjusted EBITDA may not be comparable to similarly titled measures of other companies.

28

	Three Months Ended September 30,
	2015			2014
Net income (loss)	$	103,779		$	108,037
Adjustments to increase (decrease) net income (loss):
Income (loss) from discontinued operations	522			(8,882		)
Asset write-down charges	7,477			4,932
Acquisition and integration costs	7,608			4,068
Depreciation, amortization and accretion	261,662			247,206
Amortization of prepaid lease purchase price adjustments	5,143			4,988
Interest expense and amortization of deferred financing costs	129,877			141,287
Interest income	(789		)	(107		)
Other income (expense)	1,214			694
Benefit (provision) for income taxes	(3,801		)	(1,977		)
Stock-based compensation expense	16,466			13,358
Adjusted EBITDA(a)	$	529,158		$	513,604

(a) The above reconciliation excludes the items included in the Company's Adjusted EBITDA definition which are not applicable to the periods shown.

	Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2015			2014
Net income (loss)	$	1,383,269		$	246,187
Adjustments to increase (decrease) net income (loss):
Income (loss) from discontinued operations	(1,000,708		)	(28,502		)
Asset write-down charges	19,652			10,673
Acquisition and integration costs	12,001			28,852
Depreciation, amortization and accretion	766,621			738,965
Amortization of prepaid lease purchase price adjustments	15,387			14,546
Interest expense and amortization of deferred financing costs	398,782			432,221
Gains (losses) on retirement of long-term obligations	4,157			44,629
Interest income	(1,170		)	(329		)
Other income (expense)	(58,510		)	9,350
Benefit (provision) for income taxes	(9,380		)	(8,118		)
Stock-based compensation expense	49,282			43,199
Adjusted EBITDA(a)	$	1,579,383		$	1,531,673

(a) The above reconciliation excludes the items included in the Company's Adjusted EBITDA definition which are not applicable to the periods shown.

We believe Adjusted EBITDA is useful to an investor in evaluating our operating performance because:

• it is the primary measure used by our management to evaluate the economic productivity of our operations, including the efficiency of our employees and the profitability associated with their performance, the realization of lease revenues under our long-term leases, our ability to obtain and maintain our tenants, and our ability to operate our wireless infrastructure effectively;

• it is the primary measure of profit and loss historically used by management for purposes of making decisions about allocating resources to, and assessing the performance of, our operating segments;

• it is similar to the measure of current financial performance generally used in our debt covenant calculations;

• although specific definitions may vary, it is widely used in the tower sector and other similar providers of wireless infrastructure to measure operating performance without regard to items such as depreciation, amortization and accretion which can vary depending upon accounting methods and the book value of assets; and

• we believe it helps investors meaningfully evaluate and compare the results of our operations (1) from period to period and (2) to our competitors by removing the impact of our capital structure (primarily interest charges from our outstanding debt) and asset base (primarily depreciation, amortization and accretion) from our operating results.

29

Our management uses Adjusted EBITDA:

• with respect to compliance with our debt covenants, which require us to maintain certain financial ratios including, or similar to, Adjusted EBITDA;

• as the primary measure of profit and loss historically used for purposes of making decisions about allocating resources to, and assessing the performance of, our operating segments;

• as a performance goal in employee annual incentive compensation;

• as a measurement of operating performance because it assists us in comparing our operating performance on a consistent basis as it removes the impact of our capital structure (primarily interest charges from our outstanding debt) and asset base (primarily depreciation, amortization and accretion) from our operating results;

• in presentations to our board of directors to enable it to have the same measurement of operating performance used by management;

• for planning purposes, including preparation of our annual operating budget;

• as a valuation measure in strategic analyses in connection with the purchase and sale of assets; and

• in determining self-imposed limits on our debt levels, including the evaluation of our leverage ratio and interest coverage ratio.

There are material limitations to using a measure such as Adjusted EBITDA, including the difficulty associated with comparing results among more than one company, including our competitors, and the inability to analyze certain significant items, including depreciation and interest expense, that directly affect our net income or loss. Management compensates for these limitations by considering the economic effect of the excluded expense items independently as well as in connection with their analysis of net income (loss).

ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

The following section updates "Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk" in our 2014 Form 10-K and should be read in conjunction with that report as well as our condensed consolidated financial statements included in Part 1, Item 1 of this report.

Interest Rate Risk

Our interest rate risk relates primarily to the impact of interest rate movements on the following:

• the potential refinancing of our existing debt ($12.1 billion outstanding at September 30, 2015 and $11.9 billion at December 31, 2014);

• our $3.9 billion and $4.2 billion of floating rate debt at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively, which represented approximately 32% and 35% of our total debt, as of September 30, 2015 and as of December 31, 2014, respectively; and

• potential future borrowings of incremental debt, including borrowings on our 2012 Credit Facility.

Over the next 12 months, we have no debt maturities other than principal payments on amortizing debt. We currently have no interest rate swaps.

Sensitivity Analysis

We manage our exposure to market interest rates on our existing debt by controlling the mix of fixed and floating rate debt. As of September 30, 2015, we had $3.9 billion of floating rate debt, which included $2.3 billion of debt with a LIBOR floor of 75 basis points per annum. As a result, a hypothetical unfavorable fluctuation in market interest rates on our existing debt of 1/8 of a percent point over a 12 month period would increase our interest expense by approximately $2 million when giving effect to our LIBOR floor and would increase our interest expense by approximately $5 million exclusive of the impact of the LIBOR floor.

30

Tabular Information

The following table provides information about our market risk related to changes in interest rates. The future principal payments and weighted-average interest rates are presented as of September 30, 2015. These debt maturities reflect contractual maturity dates and do not consider the impact of the principal payments that commence if the applicable debt is not repaid or refinanced on or prior to the anticipated repayment dates on the Tower Revenue Notes (see footnote (c)). The information presented below regarding the variable rate debt is supplementary to our sensitivity analysis regarding the impact of changes in the LIBOR rates. See notes 5 and 7 to our condensed consolidated financial statements and our 2014 Form 10-K for additional information regarding our debt.

	Future Principal Payments and Interest Rates by the Debt Instruments' Contractual Year of Maturity
	2015			2016			2017				2018			2019				Thereafter				Total				Fair Value(a)
	(Dollars in thousands)
Debt:
Fixed rate(c)	$	13,176		$	49,586		$	545,805		(f)	$	42,154		$	34,336			$	7,558,640		(c)(d)	$	8,243,697		(c)(d)	$	8,588,875
Average interest rate(b)(c)(d)	4.4		%	4.3		%	2.6		%		4.8		%	5.0		%		7.5		%	(c)(d)	7.1		%	(c)(d)
Variable rate	$	9,873		$	56,054		$	56,054			$	56,054		$	1,567,929		(g)	$	2,155,300			$	3,901,264			$	3,890,265
Average interest rate(e)	2.6		%	2.8		%	3.3		%		3.7		%	3.7		%		4.8		%		4.3		%

________________

(a) The fair value of our debt is based on indicative quotes (that is, non-binding quotes) from brokers that require judgment to interpret market information, including implied credit spreads for similar borrowings on recent trades or bid/ask offers. These fair values are not necessarily indicative of the amount which could be realized in a current market exchange.

(b) The average interest rate represents the weighted-average stated coupon rate (see footnotes (c) and (d)).

(c) The impact of principal payments that will commence following the anticipated repayment dates is not considered. The January 2010 Tower Revenue Notes consist of two series of notes with principal amounts of $350.0 million and $1.3 billion, having anticipated repayment dates in 2017 and 2020, respectively. The August 2010 Tower Revenue Notes consist of two series of notes with principal amounts of $300.0 million and $1.0 billion, having anticipated repayment dates in 2017 and 2020, respectively. See note 5 to our condensed consolidated financial statements for a discussion of our issuance of $1.0 billion of the May 2015 Tower Revenue Notes with anticipated repayment dates ranging between 2022 and 2025.

(d) If the Tower Revenue Notes are not repaid in full by the applicable anticipated repayment dates, the applicable interest rate increases by approximately 5% per annum and monthly principal payments commence using the Excess Cash Flow of the issuers of the Tower Revenue Notes. The Tower Revenue Notes are presented based on their contractual maturity dates ranging from 2037 to 2045 and include the impact of an assumed 5% increase in interest rate that would occur following the anticipated repayment dates but exclude the impact of monthly principal payments that would commence using Excess Cash Flow of the issuers of the Tower Revenue Notes. The full year 2014 Excess Cash Flow of the issuers of the Tower Revenue Notes was approximately $502.9 million. We currently expect to refinance these notes on or prior to the respective anticipated repayment dates.

(e) The average variable interest rate is based on the currently observable forward rates. The 2012 Revolver and the Tranche A Term Loans bear interest at a per annum rate equal to LIBOR plus 1.5% to 2.25%, based on CCOC's total net leverage ratio. The Tranche B Term Loans bear interest at a per annum rate equal to LIBOR (with LIBOR subject to a floor of 75 basis points per annum) plus 2.25% to 2.5%, based on CCOC's total net leverage ratio.

(f) Predominantly consists of $500.0 million in aggregate principal of 2.381% secured notes due 2017.

(g) Predominantly consists of the Tranche A Term Loans due January 2019 and the 2012 Revolver. See notes 4 and 5 to our condensed consolidated financial statements.

Foreign Currency Risk

Following the May 2015 sale of CCAL (as discussed in note 3 to our condensed consolidated financial statements), the vast majority of our foreign currency risk is related to the installment payment receivable of Australian dollar $155 million from the Buyer due in January 2016. As discussed in note 6 to our condensed consolidated financial statements, we have hedged this installment payment receivable via an Australian dollar foreign currency swap, which effectively eliminates our foreign currency exposure to the Australian dollar.

31

ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Disclosure Controls and Procedures

The Company conducted an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of the Company's management, including the Company's Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the Company's disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based on this evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that the Company's disclosure controls and procedures were effective in alerting them in a timely manner to material information relating to the Company required to be included in the Company's periodic reports under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

There have been no changes in the Company's internal control over financial reporting during the fiscal quarter covered by this report that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company's internal control over financial reporting.

32

PART II—OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

See the disclosure in note 10 to our condensed consolidated financial statements set forth in Part I, Item 1 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, which disclosure is hereby incorporated herein by reference.

ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS

There are no material changes to the risk factors discussed in "Item 1A—Risk Factors" in our 2014 Form 10-K.

ITEM 2. UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS

The following table summarizes information with respect to purchase of our equity securities during the third quarter of 2015:

Period	Total Number of Shares Purchased	Average Price Paid per Share		Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs	Maximum Number (or Approximate Dollar Value) of Shares that May Yet Be Purchased Under the Plans or Programs
	(In thousands)
July 1 - July 31, 2015	—			—	—
August 1 - August 31, 2015	1	81.98		—	—
September 1 - September 30, 2015	—			—	—
Total	1	$	81.98	—	—

We paid $0.1 million in cash to effect these purchases. The shares purchased relate to shares withheld in connection with the payment of withholding taxes upon vesting of restricted stock.

ITEM 6. EXHIBITS

The list of exhibits set forth in the accompanying Exhibit Index is incorporated by reference into this Item 6.

33

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

		CROWN CASTLE INTERNATIONAL CORP.
Date:	November 6, 2015	By:	/s/ Jay A. Brown
			Jay A. Brown
			Senior Vice President,
			Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer
			(Principal Financial Officer)
Date:	November 6, 2015	By:	/s/ Rob A. Fisher
			Rob A. Fisher
			Vice President and Controller
			(Principal Accounting Officer)

34

Exhibit Index

Exhibit No.		Description
(c)	1.1	Form of Sales Agreement, dated August 28, 2015, between Crown Castle International Corp. and each of Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated, Barclays Capital Inc., Citigroup Global Markets Inc., Credit Agricole Securities (USA) Inc., J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, Mizuho Securities USA Inc., Mitsubishi UFJ Securities (USA), Inc., Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC, RBC Capital Markets, LLC, SMBC Nikko Securities America, Inc., SunTrust Robinson Humphrey, Inc. and Wells Fargo Securities, LLC
(a)	3.1	Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Crown Castle International Corp. (including the Certificate of Designations of 4.50% Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock, Series A, incorporated therein as Exhibit I)
(b)	3.2	Amended and Restated By-Laws of Crown Castle International Corp., dated July 30, 2015
(d)	10.1	Agency Resignation and Appointment Agreement and Amendment to Credit Agreement dated as of August 7, 2015, among Crown Castle International Corp., Crown Castle Operating Company, certain subsidiaries of Crown Castle Operating Company party thereto, The Royal Bank of Scotland plc, as the retiring administrative agent, issuing bank and swingline lender, Mizuho Bank, Ltd., as the successor administrative agent, issuing bank and swingline lender, and the lenders party thereto
*	31.1	Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
*	31.2	Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
*	32.1	Certification of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 906 of Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
*	101.INS	XBRL Instance Document
*	101.SCH	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
*	101.DEF	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document
*	101.CAL	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document
*	101.LAB	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document
*	101.PRE	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document

* Filed herewith.

(a) Incorporated by reference to the exhibit previously filed by the Registrant on Form 8-K (File No. 001-16441) on December 16, 2014.

(b) Incorporated by reference to the exhibit previously filed by the Registrant on Form 8-K (File No. 001-16441) on August 4, 2015.

(c) Incorporated by reference to the exhibit previously filed by the Registrant on Form 8-K (File No. 001-16441) on August 28, 2015.

(d) Incorporated by reference to the exhibit previously filed by the Registrant on Form 8-K (File No. 001-16441) on August 31, 2015.

35

EX-31.1

Exhibit 31.1

Certification

For the Quarterly Period Ended September 30, 2015

I, W. Benjamin Moreland, certify that:

1. I have reviewed this report on Form 10-Q of Crown Castle International Corp. (“registrant”);

2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4. The registrant's other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

d) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant's most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant's fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant's internal control over financial reporting; and

5. The registrant's other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of the registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant's ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting.

Date:  November 6, 2015

/s/ W. Benjamin Moreland

W. Benjamin Moreland

President and Chief Executive Officer

EX-31.2

Exhibit 31.2

Certification

For the Quarterly Period Ended September 30, 2015

I, Jay A. Brown, certify that:

1. I have reviewed this report on Form 10-Q of Crown Castle International Corp. (“registrant”);

2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4. The registrant's other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

d) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant's most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant's fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant's internal control over financial reporting; and

5. The registrant's other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of the registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant's ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting.

Date:  November 6, 2015

/s/ Jay A. Brown

Jay A. Brown

Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer

and Treasurer

EX-32.1

Exhibit 32.1

Certification Pursuant to

18 U.S.C. Section 1350

As Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

In connection with the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of Crown Castle International Corp., a Delaware Corporation (“Company”), for the period ending September 30, 2015 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (“Report”), each of the undersigned officers of the Company hereby certifies pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that to the best of such officer's knowledge:

1) the Report complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

2) the information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company as of September 30, 2015 (the last date of the period covered by the Report).

/s/ W. Benjamin Moreland

W. Benjamin Moreland

President and Chief Executive Officer

November 6, 2015

/s/ Jay A. Brown

Jay A. Brown

Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer

and Treasurer

November 6, 2015

A signed original of this written statement required by Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 has been provided to Crown Castle International Corp. and will be retained by Crown Castle International Corp. and furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff upon request.

XML

Debt and Other Obligations Retirement of Long-term Obligations (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
		Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015		Sep. 30, 2014
Extinguishment of Debt [Line Items]
Write-off of deferred financing costs and discounts				$ 4,200
Extinguishment of Debt, Amount				1,069,361
Repayments of Other Long-term Debt				1,069,337	[1]	$ 836,899
Gains (Losses) on Extinguishment of Debt		$ 0	$ 0	(4,157)	[2]	$ (44,629)
Fixed Rate Securitized Debt August 2010 Tower Revenue Notes [Member]
Extinguishment of Debt [Line Items]
Extinguishment of Debt, Amount				250,000
Repayments of Other Long-term Debt	[1]			250,000
Gains (Losses) on Extinguishment of Debt	[2]			(159)
WCP Securitized Notes [Member]
Extinguishment of Debt [Line Items]
Extinguishment of Debt, Amount				252,830
Repayments of Other Long-term Debt	[1]			252,830
Gains (Losses) on Extinguishment of Debt	[2]			2,105
Term Loans Tranche B - Due 2019 [Member]
Extinguishment of Debt [Line Items]
Extinguishment of Debt, Amount				564,137
Repayments of Other Long-term Debt	[1]			564,137
Gains (Losses) on Extinguishment of Debt	[2]			(6,127)
Other Debt Obligations [Member]
Extinguishment of Debt [Line Items]
Extinguishment of Debt, Amount				2,394
Repayments of Other Long-term Debt	[1]			2,370
Gains (Losses) on Extinguishment of Debt	[2]			$ 24

[1] Exclusive of accrued interest.

[2] Inclusive of $4.2 million related to the net write off of deferred financing costs, premiums and discounts.

XML

Equity Other Equity Activity (Details) $ in Millions	Sep. 30, 2015 USD ($)
Equity [Abstract]
Common Stock, Capital Shares Reserved for Future Issuance	$ 500.0

XML

Commitments and Contingencies Commitment and Contingencies (Details)	Sep. 30, 2015
Subject to Capital Lease with Sprint, TMO, or AT&T [Member]
Other Commitments [Line Items]
Purchase Option, Percentage of Towers	55.00%

XML

Discontinued Operations Discontinued Operations Historical Financial Information (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended			9 Months Ended
		Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014		Sep. 30, 2015		Sep. 30, 2014		Dec. 31, 2014
Discontinued Operations and Disposal Groups [Abstract]
Current assets									$ 61,289
Property and equipment									165,528
Other non-current assets									185,966
Total assets related to discontinued operations		$ 0			$ 0				412,783
Current liabilities									94,297
Non-current liabilities									33,196
Total liabilities related to discontinued operations		0			0				$ 127,493
Total revenues	[1]		$ 37,142		65,293	[2]	$ 109,432
Total cost of operations (a)	[1],[3]		11,720		17,498	[2]	33,732
Depreciation, amortization, and accretion	[1]		7,656		10,168	[2]	20,323
Total other expenses	[1]		6,425		10,481	[2]	18,671
Pre-tax income from discontinued operations	[1]		11,341		27,146	[2]	36,706
Net income (loss) from discontinued operations(d)		$ 0	$ 8,882	[1],[4]	$ 19,690	[1],[2],[4]	$ 28,502	[1],[4]

[1] No interest expense has been allocated to discontinued operations.

[2] CCAL results are through May 28, 2015, which was the closing date of the Company's sale of CCAL.

[3] Exclusive of depreciation, amortization, and accretion shown seperately.

[4] Exclusive of the gain (loss) from disposal of discontinued operations, net of tax, as presented on the condensed consolidated statement of operations.

XML

Foreign Currency Swaps (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2015

Derivative Instruments Disclosure [Abstract]

Schedule of Derivative Instruments [Table Text Block]

Item Swapped	Notional Amount	Forward Rate	Start Date	End Date	Pay Amount	Receive Amount	Fair Value at September 30, 2015
May 2015 cash receipt from sale of CCAL	A$1,400,000	0.8072	May 2015	June 2015	Australian Dollar	US Dollar	N/A	(a)
Installment payment from Buyer	A$155,000	0.79835	May 2015	January 2016	Australian Dollar	US Dollar	$15,524	(b)

(a) In conjunction with closing the CCAL sale on May 28, 2015, the Company cash settled the swap with a notional value of Australian dollar $1.4 billion and recorded a gain on foreign currency swaps of $54.5 million, which is included as a component of "other income (expense)" on the Company's condensed consolidated statement of operations.

(b) As of September 30, 2015, the Company marked-to-market the swap with a notional value of Australian dollar $155 million and recorded (1) an asset within "other current assets" on the Company's condensed consolidated balance sheet and (2) a corresponding gain on foreign currency swaps, which is included as a component of "other income (expense)" on the Company's condensed consolidated statement of operations.

XML

Subsequent Events (Details) - $ / shares	3 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Common Stock, Dividends, Per Share, Cash Paid	$ 0.82	$ 0.82	$ 0.82
Common Stock [Member]
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Dividends Payable, Date Declared	Jul. 30, 2015	May 29, 2015	Feb. 12, 2015
Dividends Payable, Date to be Paid	Sep. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015
Dividends Payable, Date of Record	Sep. 18, 2015	Jun. 19, 2015	Mar. 20, 2015
Common Stock [Member] | Dividend Declared [Member]
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Dividends Payable, Date Declared	Oct. 19, 2015
Common Stock, Dividends, Per Share, Cash Paid	$ 0.885
Dividends Payable, Date to be Paid	Dec. 31, 2015
Dividends Payable, Date of Record	Dec. 18, 2015

XML

Fair Value Disclosures (Estimated Fair Values and Carrying Amounts of Assets and Liabilities) (Details) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents, carrying value	$ 184,116,000	$ 151,312,000
Cash and cash equivalents, fair value	184,116,000	151,312,000
Restricted cash, current and non-current, carrying value	121,653,000	152,411,000
Restricted cash, current and non-current, fair value	121,653,000	152,411,000
Foreign currency swaps, at carrying value	15,524,000	0
Foreign currency swaps, at fair value	15,524,000	0
Long-term debt and other obligations, carrying amount	12,141,366,000	11,920,861,000
Long-term debt and other obligations, fair value	12,479,140,000	$ 12,286,161,000
Cash and Cash Equivalents [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents, carrying value	1
Restricted cash, current and non-current, carrying value	1
Long-term Debt [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Derivative, Gain (Loss) on Derivative, Net	2
Long-term debt and other obligations, carrying amount	$ 2

XML

Debt and Other Obligations (Indebtedness) (Textuals) (Details) - USD ($)		3 Months Ended			9 Months Ended
		Sep. 30, 2015		Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015		Sep. 30, 2014		Dec. 31, 2014
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest expense and amortization of deferred financing costs		$ 129,877,000		$ 141,287,000	$ 398,782,000		$ 432,221,000
Long-term Debt, Gross		12,144,961,000			12,144,961,000
Debt and Capital Lease Obligations		12,141,366,000			12,141,366,000				$ 11,920,861,000
Term Loans Tranche B - Due 2019
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt and Capital Lease Obligations		564,100,000			$ 564,100,000
Fixed Rate Securitized Debt 2010 Tower Revenue Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Additional interest accruing following anticipated repayment dates					5.00%
Interest Rate Swap [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Amortization of interest rate swaps		3,744,000	[1]	$ 15,551,000	$ 18,725,000	[1]	$ 47,895,000	[1]
Securitized Debt [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt and Capital Lease Obligations		4,046,399,000			4,046,399,000				3,573,208,000
Securitized Debt [Member] | WCP Securitized Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt and Capital Lease Obligations		0			0				262,386,000
Securitized Debt [Member] | 2015 Tower Revenue Notes [Member] [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt and Capital Lease Obligations		1,000,000,000			1,000,000,000
Securitized Debt [Member] | 2015 Tower Revenue Notes 3.222% due 2042 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt and Capital Lease Obligations		$ 300,000,000			$ 300,000,000
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	[2],[3]	3.222%			3.222%
Securitized Debt [Member] | 2015 Tower Revenue Notes 3.663% due 2045 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt and Capital Lease Obligations		$ 700,000,000			$ 700,000,000
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	[2],[3]	3.663%			3.663%
Securitized Debt [Member] | Fixed Rate Securitized Debt August 2010 Tower Revenue Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt and Capital Lease Obligations		$ 1,300,000,000			$ 1,300,000,000				$ 1,550,000,000
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	[2],[3]	4.70%			4.70%
CCOC [Member] | 2012 Credit Facility [Member] | Variable Rate Revolver 2012 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total revolving commitment		$ 2,200,000,000			$ 2,200,000,000
Debt Instrument, Unused Borrowing Capacity, Amount		1,200,000,000			1,200,000,000
August 2010 Tower Revenue Notes ARD [Domain] | Securitized Debt [Member] | Fixed Rate Securitized Debt August 2010 Tower Revenue Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt and Capital Lease Obligations		$ 250,000,000			$ 250,000,000

[1] Amounts reclassified from "accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)."

[2] Represents the weighted-average stated interest rate.

[3] See the 2014 Form 10-K, including note 7, for additional information regarding the maturity and principal amortization provisions and interest rates relating to the Company's indebtedness.

XML

Equity (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Millions		3 Months Ended				9 Months Ended
		Sep. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Common Stock, Dividends, Per Share, Cash Paid		$ 0.82	$ 0.82	$ 0.82
Dividends, Common Stock, Cash	[1]	$ 274,300,000	$ 274,500,000	$ 274,700,000
Common stock repurchased during period, shares						0.3
Purchases of capital stock						$ 29,576,000	$ 21,778,000
Common Stock [Member]
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends Payable, Date Declared		Jul. 30, 2015	May 29, 2015	Feb. 12, 2015
Dividends Payable, Date to be Paid		Sep. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015
Dividends Payable, Date of Record		Sep. 18, 2015	Jun. 19, 2015	Mar. 20, 2015
Mandatory Convertible Preferred stock [Member]
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends Payable, Date Declared			Jun. 21, 2015	Mar. 27, 2015	Dec. 22, 2014
Dividends Payable, Date to be Paid			Aug. 03, 2015	May 01, 2015	Feb. 02, 2015
Dividends Payable, Date of Record			Jul. 15, 2015	Apr. 15, 2015	Jan. 15, 2015
Preferred Stock, Dividends, Per Share, Cash Paid			$ 1.1250	$ 1.1250	$ 1.1250
Dividends, Preferred Stock, Cash			$ 11,000,000	$ 11,000,000	$ 11,000,000
Mandatory Convertible Preferred stock [Member] | Paid subsequent to quarter end [Member]
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends Payable, Date Declared		Sep. 23, 2015
Dividends Payable, Date to be Paid		Nov. 02, 2015
Dividends Payable, Date of Record		Oct. 15, 2015
Preferred Stock, Dividends, Per Share, Cash Paid		$ 1.1250
Dividends, Preferred Stock, Cash	[2]	$ 11,000,000

[1] Inclusive of dividends accrued for holders of unvested restricted stock units.

[2] Represents amount paid on November 2, 2015 based on holders of record on October 15, 2015.

XML

Discontinued Operations (Notes)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2015

Discontinued Operations and Disposal Groups [Abstract]

Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations, Disclosure [Text Block]

Discontinued Operations

On May 14, 2015, the Company entered into a definitive agreement to sell CCAL to a consortium of investors led by Macquarie Infrastructure and Real Assets (collectively, “Buyer”). On May 28, 2015, the Company completed the sale. At closing, the Company received net proceeds of approximately $1.1 billion after accounting for the Company's 77.6% ownership interest, repayment of intercompany debt owed to the Company by CCAL and estimated transaction fees and expenses, exclusive of the impact of foreign currency swaps related to the CCAL sale (see note 6).

As part of the sale of CCAL, in January 2016, the Company is entitled to receive an installment payment from the Buyer totaling approximately $124 million, inclusive of the impact of the related foreign currency swap (see note 6). The Buyer's obligation related to the installment payment is unconditional and is substantiated by an irrevocable letter of credit. The installment payment is included within "other current assets" on the Company's condensed consolidated balance sheet.

During the second quarter 2015, the Company used net proceeds from the sale of CCAL to repay portions of outstanding borrowings under its 2012 Credit Facility.

The Company entered into foreign currency swaps to manage and reduce its foreign currency risk associated with the sale of CCAL. These swaps are not included in discontinued operations. See note 6.

CCAL has historically been a separate operating segment of the Company (see note 12). The sale of the Company's CCAL operating segment is treated as discontinued operations for all periods presented pursuant to ASU 2014-8, Reporting Discontinued Operations and Disclosures of Disposals of Components of an Entity, which the Company adopted on January 1, 2015 (see note 2). The sale of CCAL represents a strategic shift of the Company to solely focus on U.S. operations. The gain from disposal of CCAL is included in discontinued operations on the condensed consolidated statement of operations. The tables below set forth the assets and liabilities related to discontinued operations at December 31, 2014, and their results of operations and cash flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014.

			As of December 31, 2014
Assets and liabilities related to discontinued operations:
Current assets			$	61,289
Property and equipment			165,528
Other non-current assets			185,966
Total assets related to discontinued operations			$	412,783
Current liabilities			94,297
Non-current liabilities			33,196
Total liabilities related to discontinued operations			$	127,493
	Three Months Ended September 30,		Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2014(b)		2015 (b)(c)		2014(b)
Total revenues	$	37,142	$	65,293	$	109,432
Total cost of operations (a)	11,720		17,498		33,732
Depreciation, amortization, and accretion	7,656		10,168		20,323
Total other expenses	6,425		10,481		18,671
Pre-tax income from discontinued operations	11,341		27,146		36,706
Net income (loss) from discontinued operations(d)	$	8,882	$	19,690	$	28,502

(a) Exclusive of depreciation, amortization, and accretion shown seperately.

(b) No interest expense has been allocated to discontinued operations.

(c) CCAL results are through May 28, 2015, which was the closing date of the Company's sale of CCAL.

(d) Exclusive of the gain (loss) from disposal of discontinued operations, net of tax, as presented on the condensed consolidated statement of operations.

The Company recorded a gain on the sale of CCAL, which was comprised of the following items:

Cash received from sale of CCAL(a)	$	1,139,369
Installment payment receivable due January 2016(a)	117,384
Total proceeds from sale of CCAL	$	1,256,753
Adjusted for:
Net assets and liabilities related to discontinued operations(b)(c)	258,575
Transaction fees and expenses	21,688
Foreign currency translation reclassification adjustments(d)	(25,678		)
Pre-tax gain (loss) from disposal of discontinued operations	1,002,168
Income taxes related to the sale of CCAL	21,150
Gain (loss) from disposal of discontinued operations	$	981,018

(a) Exclusive of foreign currency swaps and based on exchange rates as of May 28, 2015, which was the closing date of the Company's sale of CCAL. See note 6. The impact of fluctuations in the exchange rate subsequent to the closing date are reflected as a component of "other income (expense)" on the Company's condensed consolidated statement of operations.

(b) Represents net assets attributable to CCIC, net of the disposition of noncontrolling interest of $23.5 million.

(c) Inclusive of $11.1 million of cash.

(d) Represents foreign currency translation adjustments previously included in "accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)" on the condensed consolidated balance sheet and reclassified to "gain (loss) from disposal of discontinued operations".

XML

Income Taxes Income Taxes (Details) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015
Current Federal Tax Expense (Benefit) [Line Items]
Operating Loss Carryforwards		$ 2,000,000,000
May 2015 cash receipt from sale of CCAL [Domain]
Current Federal Tax Expense (Benefit) [Line Items]
Current Income Tax Expense (Benefit)	$ 21,200,000
Operating Loss Carryforwards		$ 1,000,000,000

XML

Supplemental Cash Flow Information (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2015

Supplemental Cash Flow Information [Abstract]

Supplemental Disclosure of Cash Flow Information and Non-cash Investing and Financing Activities

	Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2015			2014
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
Interest paid	$	364,147		$	368,437
Income taxes paid	23,865			15,353
Supplemental disclosure of non-cash investing and financing activities:
Increase (decrease) in accounts payable for purchases of property and equipment	(5,399		)	2,827
Purchase of property and equipment under capital leases and installment purchases	41,331			27,772
Installment payment receivable for sale of CCAL (see note 3)	117,384			—

XML

Equity (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2015

Dividends Payable [Line Items]

Dividends Declared [Table Text Block]

Declaration and Payment of Dividends

During the nine months ended September 30, 2015, the following dividends were declared or paid:

Equity Type	Declaration Date	Record Date	Payment Date	Dividends Per Share		Aggregate Payment Amount (In millions)
Common Stock	February 12, 2015	March 20, 2015	March 31, 2015	$	0.82	$	274.7	(a)
Common Stock	May 29, 2015	June 19, 2015	June 30, 2015	$	0.82	$	274.5	(a)
Common Stock	July 30, 2015	September 18, 2015	September 30, 2015	$	0.82	$	274.3	(a)
Convertible Preferred Stock	December 22, 2014	January 15, 2015	February 2, 2015	$	1.1250	$	11.0
Convertible Preferred Stock	March 27, 2015	April 15, 2015	May 1, 2015	$	1.1250	$	11.0
Convertible Preferred Stock	June 21, 2015	July 15, 2015	August 3, 2015	$	1.1250	$	11.0
Convertible Preferred Stock	September 23, 2015	October 15, 2015	November 2, 2015	$	1.1250	$	11.0	(b)

(a) Inclusive of dividends accrued for holders of unvested restricted stock units.

(b) Represents amount paid on November 2, 2015 based on holders of record on October 15, 2015.

XML

Per Share Information (Reconciliation of the Numerators and Denominators of the Basic and Diluted Per Share Computations) (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Per Share Information
Net income (Loss) from Continuing Operations Attributable to Parent	$ 104,301	$ 99,155	$ 382,561	$ 217,685
Dividends on preferred stock	10,997	10,997	32,991	32,991
Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operations, Net of Tax and Gain (Loss) on Disposal	(522)	8,882	1,000,708	28,502
Less: Net income (loss) attributable to the noncontrolling interest	0	1,100	3,343	3,744
Net income (loss) attributable to CCIC common stockholders for basic and diluted computations	$ 92,782	$ 95,940	$ 1,346,935	$ 209,452
Basic weighted-average number of common stock outstanding	333,049,000	332,413,000	332,951,000	332,264,000
Effect of assumed dilution from potential common shares relating to restricted stock units and restricted stock awards	662,000	828,000	784,000	756,000
Diluted weighted-average number of common shares outstanding	333,711,000	333,241,000	333,735,000	333,020,000
Basic	$ 0.28	$ 0.29	$ 4.05	$ 0.63
Diluted	$ 0.28	$ 0.29	$ 4.04	$ 0.63
Continuing Operations [Member]
Per Share Information
Net income (loss) attributable to CCIC common stockholders for basic and diluted computations	$ 93,304	$ 88,158	$ 349,570	$ 184,694
Basic	$ 0.28	$ 0.27	$ 1.05	$ 0.56
Diluted	$ 0.28	$ 0.26	$ 1.05	$ 0.55
Discontinued Operations [Member]
Per Share Information
Net income (loss) attributable to CCIC common stockholders for basic and diluted computations	$ (522)	$ 7,782	$ 997,365	$ 24,758
Basic	$ 0.00	$ 0.02	$ 3.00	$ 0.07
Diluted	$ 0.00	$ 0.03	$ 2.99	$ 0.08

XML

General Business (Details)	Sep. 30, 2015
CCAL [Member]
Percentage of Subsidiary Owned by the Company	77.60%
Subject to Capital Lease with Sprint, TMO, or AT&T [Member]
Purchase Option, Percentage of Towers	55.00%

XML

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Significant Accounting Policies (Details) $ in Millions	Sep. 30, 2015 USD ($)
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Deferred Finance Costs, Net	$ 110.9

XML

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2015

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Significant Accounting Policies

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

The significant accounting policies used in the preparation of the Company's condensed consolidated financial statements are disclosed in the 2014 Form 10-K.

Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements

In April 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued new guidance on the implementation and presentation of discontinued operations. The guidance requires that only disposals that represent a strategic shift that has (or will have) a major effect on the entity's results and operations qualify as discontinued operations. In addition, the new guidance expands the disclosure requirements for disposals that meet the definition of a discontinued operation and requires entities to disclose information about disposals of individually significant components that do not meet the definition of discontinued operations. The new guidance was effective for the Company on January 1, 2015, and the Company has applied the new guidance for the sale of CCAL. See note 3.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted

In April 2015, the FASB issued new guidance on the presentation of debt issuance costs. The guidance requires debt issuance costs be presented in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of the related debt liability, consistent with debt discounts and premiums. The update requires retrospective application and the guidance is effective for the Company on January 1, 2016. The Company will adopt the guidance on January 1, 2016. As of September 30, 2015, net deferred financing costs were $110.9 million and were recorded as a component of "long-term prepaid rent, deferred financing costs and other assets, net" on the Company's condensed consolidated balance sheet.

In May 2014, the FASB released updated guidance regarding the recognition of revenue from contracts with customers, exclusive of those contracts within lease accounting. The core principle of the guidance is that an entity should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services.  To achieve that core principle, an entity should apply the following steps: (1) identify the contracts with the customer; (2) identify the performance obligations in the contract; (3) determine the contract price; (4) allocate the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract; and (5) recognize revenue when (or as) the entity satisfies a performance obligation.  This guidance is effective for the Company on January 1, 2018, following the FASB's July 2015 decision to defer the effective date of the standard by one year. This guidance is required to be applied, at the Company's election, either (1) retrospectively to each prior reporting period presented, or (2) with the cumulative effect being recognized at the date of initial application. The Company is evaluating the guidance, including the impact on its consolidated financial statements.

In September 2015, the FASB issued new guidance which requires an acquirer to recognize adjustments to provisional amounts that are identified during the measurement period in the reporting period in which the adjustment amounts are determined. The update requires prospective application and the guidance is effective for the Company on January 1, 2016, with early adoption permitted. The Company is evaluating the guidance, including the impact on its consolidated financial statements.

In October 2015, the FASB issued new guidance on the presentation of deferred tax assets and liabilities. The guidance requires deferred tax assets and liabilities to be presented as non-current on the balance sheet. The update requires prospective application and the guidance is effective for the Company on January 1, 2017, with early adoption permitted. The Company is evaluating the guidance, including the impact on its consolidated financial statements.

XML

Discontinued Operations (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Proceeds from Divestiture of Businesses, Net of Cash Divested	$ 1,100,000
Installment payment receivable for sale of subsidiary	$ 117,384	$ 0
CCAL [Member]
Noncontrolling Interest, Ownership Percentage by Parent	77.60%
inclusive of foreign currency derivative [Domain]
Installment payment receivable for sale of subsidiary	$ 124,000

XML

Debt and Other Obligations Contractual Maturities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Contractual Maturities [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Unamortized Discount	$ 3,595
Debt and Capital Lease Obligations	12,141,366	$ 11,920,861
Long-term Debt, Gross	12,144,961
Repayments of debt 2015 [Member]
Contractual Maturities [Line Items]
Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayments of Principal, Remainder of Fiscal Year	23,049
Repayments of debt 2016 [Member]
Contractual Maturities [Line Items]
Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayments of Principal in Year Two	105,640
Repayments of debt 2017 [Member]
Contractual Maturities [Line Items]
Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayments of Principal in Year Three	601,859
repayments of debt 2018 [Member]
Contractual Maturities [Line Items]
Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayments of Principal in Year Four	98,208
repayments of debt 2019 [Member]
Contractual Maturities [Line Items]
Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayments of Principal in Year Five	1,602,265
Repayments of debt thereafter [Member]
Contractual Maturities [Line Items]
Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayments of Principal after Year Five	$ 9,713,940

XML

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 184,116	$ 151,312
Restricted cash	116,653	147,411
Receivables, net	324,566	313,308
Prepaid expenses	143,675	138,873
Deferred income tax assets	33,110	24,806
Other current assets	222,251	94,503
Assets from discontinued operations (see note 3)	0	412,783
Total current assets	1,024,371	1,282,996
Deferred site rental receivables	1,282,752	1,202,058
Property and equipment, net	9,498,568	8,982,783
Goodwill	5,527,134	5,196,485
Other intangible assets, net	3,837,360	3,681,551
Long-term prepaid rent, deferred financing costs and other assets, net	825,459	797,403
Total assets	21,995,644	21,143,276
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Accounts payable	157,024	162,397
Accrued interest	69,184	66,943
Deferred revenues	314,648	279,882
Other accrued liabilities	181,498	182,081
Current maturities of debt and other obligations	102,188	113,335
Liabilities from discontinued operations (see note 3)	0	127,493
Total current liabilities	824,542	932,131
Debt and other long-term obligations	12,039,178	11,807,526
Deferred income tax liabilities	32,317	39,889
Deferred credits and other liabilities	1,859,304	1,626,502
Total liabilities	$ 14,755,341	$ 14,406,048
Commitments and contingencies
CCIC stockholders' equity:
Common stock	$ 3,339	$ 3,339
4.50% Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock	98	98
Additional paid-in capital	9,532,597	9,512,396
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	(3,754)	15,820
Dividends/distributions in excess of earnings	(2,291,977)	(2,815,428)
Total CCIC stockholders' equity	7,240,303	6,716,225
Noncontrolling interest	0	21,003
Total equity	7,240,303	6,737,228
Total liabilities and equity	$ 21,995,644	$ 21,143,276

XML

Per Share Information (Narrative) (Details) - shares shares in Millions	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, Restricted Stock Award, Gross	1.0
Preferred Stock [Member]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Anti-dilutive securities excluded from dilutive common shares calculation	12.4	12.3

XML

Condensed Consolidated Statement of Equity - USD ($)	Total	Stockholders' Equity, Total [Member]		Common Stock [Member]	Preferred Stock [Member]	Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]		Accumulated Foreign Currency Adjustment Attributable to Parent [Member]		Accumulated Net Gain (Loss) from Designated or Qualifying Cash Flow Hedges [Member]		Dividends/Distributions in Excess of Earnings [Member]		Noncontrolling Interest [Member]
Balance, shares Period Start at Dec. 31, 2013				334,070,016
Balance, value Period Start at Dec. 31, 2013		$ 6,941,175,000		$ 3,341,000	$ 98,000	$ 9,482,769,000		$ 58,261,000		$ (81,873,000)		$ (2,535,879,000)		$ 14,458,000
Preferred Stock, Shares Outstanding Period Start at Dec. 31, 2013					9,775,000
Stock-based compensation related activity, net of forfeitures, value		39,497,000		$ 1,000		39,496,000		0		0		0		0
Stock-based compensation related activity, net of forfeitures, shares				81,350
Purchases and retirement of capital stock, value		(21,778,000)		$ (3,000)		(21,775,000)		0		0		0		0
Purchases and retirement of capital stock, shares				(291,919)
Other comprehensive income (loss)	$ 42,187,000	42,187,000	[1]	$ 0		0	[1]	(5,277,000)	[1]	47,895,000	[1]	0	[1]	(431,000)	[1]
Common stock dividends/distributions		(351,532,000)										(351,532,000)
Preferred stock dividends	(32,991,000)	(32,991,000)										(32,991,000)
Net income (loss)	246,187,000	246,187,000		$ 0		0		0		0		242,443,000		3,744,000
Balance, shares Period End at Sep. 30, 2014				333,859,447
Balance, value Period End at Sep. 30, 2014		6,862,745,000		$ 3,339,000	$ 98,000	9,500,490,000		52,984,000		(33,978,000)		(2,677,959,000)		17,771,000
Preferred Stock, Shares Outstanding Period End at Sep. 30, 2014					9,775,000
Balance, shares Period Start at Jun. 30, 2014				333,861,080
Balance, value Period Start at Jun. 30, 2014		6,879,436,000		$ 3,339,000	$ 98,000	9,488,414,000		75,734,000		(49,529,000)		(2,656,718,000)		18,098,000
Preferred Stock, Shares Outstanding Period Start at Jun. 30, 2014					9,775,000
Stock-based compensation related activity, net of forfeitures, value		12,124,000		$ 0		12,124,000		0		0		0		0
Stock-based compensation related activity, net of forfeitures, shares				(980)
Purchases and retirement of capital stock, value		(48,000)		$ 0		(48,000)		0		0		0		0
Purchases and retirement of capital stock, shares				(653)
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(8,626,000)	(8,626,000)	[2]	$ 0		0		(22,750,000)	[2]	15,551,000	[2]	0		(1,427,000)	[2]
Common stock dividends/distributions		(117,181,000)										(117,181,000)
Preferred stock dividends	(10,997,000)	(10,997,000)										(10,997,000)
Net income (loss)	$ 108,037,000	108,037,000		$ 0		0		0		0		106,937,000		1,100,000
Balance, shares Period End at Sep. 30, 2014				333,859,447
Balance, value Period End at Sep. 30, 2014		6,862,745,000		$ 3,339,000	$ 98,000	9,500,490,000		52,984,000		(33,978,000)		(2,677,959,000)		17,771,000
Preferred Stock, Shares Outstanding Period End at Sep. 30, 2014					9,775,000
Balance, shares Period Start at Dec. 31, 2014	333,856,632			333,856,632
Balance, value Period Start at Dec. 31, 2014	$ 6,737,228,000	6,737,228,000		$ 3,339,000	$ 98,000	9,512,396,000		34,545,000		(18,725,000)		(2,815,428,000)		21,003,000
Preferred Stock, Shares Outstanding Period Start at Dec. 31, 2014	9,775,000				9,775,000
Stock-based compensation related activity, net of forfeitures, value		49,777,000		$ 2,000		49,775,000		0		0		0		0
Stock-based compensation related activity, net of forfeitures, shares				250,443
Purchases and retirement of capital stock, value		(29,576,000)		$ (2,000)		(29,574,000)		0		0		0		0
Purchases and retirement of capital stock, shares				(335,576)
Other comprehensive income (loss)	$ (20,446,000)	(20,446,000)	[3]	$ 0		0	[3]	(38,299,000)	[3]	18,725,000	[3]	0	[3]	(872,000)	[3]
Disposition of CCAL | Discontinued Operations [Member]	(23,474,000)
Common stock dividends/distributions		(823,484,000)										(823,484,000)
Preferred stock dividends	(32,991,000)	(32,991,000)										(32,991,000)
Net income (loss)	$ 1,383,269,000	1,383,269,000		$ 0		0		0		0		1,379,926,000		3,343,000
Balance, shares Period End at Sep. 30, 2015	333,771,499			333,771,499
Balance, value Period End at Sep. 30, 2015	$ 7,240,303,000	7,240,303,000		$ 3,339,000	$ 98,000	9,532,597,000		(3,754,000)		0		(2,291,977,000)		0
Preferred Stock, Shares Outstanding Period End at Sep. 30, 2015	9,775,000				9,775,000
Balance, shares Period Start at Jun. 30, 2015				333,762,344
Balance, value Period Start at Jun. 30, 2015		7,404,236,000		$ 3,339,000	$ 98,000	9,518,103,000		(3,122,000)		(3,744,000)		(2,110,438,000)		0
Preferred Stock, Shares Outstanding Period Start at Jun. 30, 2015					9,775,000
Stock-based compensation related activity, net of forfeitures, value		14,579,000		$ 0		14,579,000		0		0		0		0
Stock-based compensation related activity, net of forfeitures, shares				10,198
Purchases and retirement of capital stock, value		(85,000)		$ 0		(85,000)		0		0		0		0
Purchases and retirement of capital stock, shares				(1,043)
Other comprehensive income (loss)	$ 3,112,000	3,112,000	[4]	$ 0		0		(632,000)	[4]	3,744,000	[4]	0		0	[4]
Common stock dividends/distributions		(274,321,000)										(274,321,000)
Preferred stock dividends	(10,997,000)	(10,997,000)										(10,997,000)
Net income (loss)	$ 103,779,000	103,779,000		$ 0		0		0		0		103,779,000		0
Balance, shares Period End at Sep. 30, 2015	333,771,499			333,771,499
Balance, value Period End at Sep. 30, 2015	$ 7,240,303,000	$ 7,240,303,000		$ 3,339,000	$ 98,000	$ 9,532,597,000		$ (3,754,000)		$ 0		$ (2,291,977,000)		$ 0
Preferred Stock, Shares Outstanding Period End at Sep. 30, 2015	9,775,000				9,775,000

[1] See the condensed statement of operations and other comprehensive income (loss) for the components of "other comprehensive income (loss)" and note 5 with respect to the reclassification adjustments.

[2] See the condensed statement of operations and other comprehensive income (loss) for the components of "other comprehensive income (loss)" and note 5 with respect to the reclassification adjustments.

[3] See the condensed statement of operations and other comprehensive income (loss) for the components of "other comprehensive income (loss)" and notes 3 and 5 with respect to the reclassification adjustments.

[4] See the condensed statement of operations and other comprehensive income (loss) for the components of "other comprehensive income (loss)" and note 5 with respect to the reclassification adjustments.

XML

Acquisitions (Details) - Sunesys [Member] $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015 USD ($)
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Business Combination, Consideration Transferred	$ 1,000,000
Fiber Miles	10,000
Percentage of FIber Miles	60.00%
Current assets	$ 12,821
Property and equipment	432,106
Goodwill	347,547
Other intangible assets, net	249,935
Current liabilities	(25,418)
Other non-current liabilities	(29,065)
Net assets acquired	$ 987,926

XML

Discontinued Operations (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2015

Discontinued Operations Financial Information [Abstract]

Schedule of Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations, Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures [Table Text Block]

			As of December 31, 2014
Assets and liabilities related to discontinued operations:
Current assets			$	61,289
Property and equipment			165,528
Other non-current assets			185,966
Total assets related to discontinued operations			$	412,783
Current liabilities			94,297
Non-current liabilities			33,196
Total liabilities related to discontinued operations			$	127,493
	Three Months Ended September 30,		Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2014(b)		2015 (b)(c)		2014(b)
Total revenues	$	37,142	$	65,293	$	109,432
Total cost of operations (a)	11,720		17,498		33,732
Depreciation, amortization, and accretion	7,656		10,168		20,323
Total other expenses	6,425		10,481		18,671
Pre-tax income from discontinued operations	11,341		27,146		36,706
Net income (loss) from discontinued operations(d)	$	8,882	$	19,690	$	28,502

(a) Exclusive of depreciation, amortization, and accretion shown seperately.

(b) No interest expense has been allocated to discontinued operations.

(c) CCAL results are through May 28, 2015, which was the closing date of the Company's sale of CCAL.

(d) Exclusive of the gain (loss) from disposal of discontinued operations, net of tax, as presented on the condensed consolidated statement of operations.

The Company recorded a gain on the sale of CCAL, which was comprised of the following items:

Cash received from sale of CCAL(a)	$	1,139,369
Installment payment receivable due January 2016(a)	117,384
Total proceeds from sale of CCAL	$	1,256,753
Adjusted for:
Net assets and liabilities related to discontinued operations(b)(c)	258,575
Transaction fees and expenses	21,688
Foreign currency translation reclassification adjustments(d)	(25,678		)
Pre-tax gain (loss) from disposal of discontinued operations	1,002,168
Income taxes related to the sale of CCAL	21,150
Gain (loss) from disposal of discontinued operations	$	981,018

(a) Exclusive of foreign currency swaps and based on exchange rates as of May 28, 2015, which was the closing date of the Company's sale of CCAL. See note 6. The impact of fluctuations in the exchange rate subsequent to the closing date are reflected as a component of "other income (expense)" on the Company's condensed consolidated statement of operations.

(b) Represents net assets attributable to CCIC, net of the disposition of noncontrolling interest of $23.5 million.

(c) Inclusive of $11.1 million of cash.

(d) Represents foreign currency translation adjustments previously included in "accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)" on the condensed consolidated balance sheet and reclassified to "gain (loss) from disposal of discontinued operations".

XML

Debt and Other Obligations (Indebtedness) (Details) - USD ($)		9 Months Ended
		Sep. 30, 2015		Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Proceeds from Lines of Credit		$ 1,560,000,000		$ 567,000,000
Debt and Capital Lease Obligations		12,141,366,000			$ 11,920,861,000
Less: current maturities and short-term debt and other current obligations		102,188,000			113,335,000
Non-current portion of long-term debt and other long-term obligations		12,039,178,000			11,807,526,000
Term Loans Tranche B - Due 2019
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt and Capital Lease Obligations		$ 564,100,000
Capital Lease Obligations and Other [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Contractual maturity date	[1]	Various
Original Debt Issuance Date	[1]	Various
Percentage of debt instrument interest rate stated	[1],[2]	Various
Debt and Capital Lease Obligations		$ 197,330,000			175,175,000
Fixed Rate Securitized Debt 2010 Tower Revenue Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument Additional Interest Rate Margin		5.00%
2012 Credit Facility [Member] | Variable Rate Revolver 2012 [Member] | CCOC [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total revolving commitment		$ 2,200,000,000
Debt Instrument, Unused Borrowing Capacity, Amount		1,200,000,000
Bank Debt [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt and Capital Lease Obligations		$ 3,901,263,000			4,176,447,000
Bank Debt [Member] | Variable Rate Revolver 2012 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Original issue date		Jan. 01, 2012
Contractual maturity date	[1]	Jan. 2019
Stated interest rate	[1],[2]	2.00%
Debt and Capital Lease Obligations		$ 1,015,000,000	[3]		695,000,000
Bank Debt [Member] | Variable Rate 2012 Term Loans [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Original issue date		Jan. 01, 2012
Contractual maturity date	[1]	Jan. 2019
Stated interest rate	[1],[2]	1.90%
Debt and Capital Lease Obligations		$ 633,516,000			645,938,000
Bank Debt [Member] | Variable Rate 2012 Term Loans Tranche B [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Original issue date		Jan. 01, 2012
Contractual maturity date	[1]	Jan. 2021
Stated interest rate	[1],[2]	3.00%
Debt and Capital Lease Obligations		$ 2,252,747,000	[4]		2,835,509,000
Securitized Debt [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt and Capital Lease Obligations		$ 4,046,399,000			3,573,208,000
Securitized Debt [Member] | 2015 Tower Revenue Notes 3.222% due 2042 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Stated interest rate	[1],[2]	3.222%
Debt and Capital Lease Obligations		$ 300,000,000
Securitized Debt [Member] | 2015 Tower Revenue Notes 3.663% due 2045 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Stated interest rate	[1],[2]	3.663%
Debt and Capital Lease Obligations		$ 700,000,000
Securitized Debt [Member] | 2015 Tower Revenue Notes [Member] [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt and Capital Lease Obligations		$ 1,000,000,000
Securitized Debt [Member] | Fixed Rate Securitized Debt January 2010 Tower Revenue Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Original issue date		Jan. 01, 2010
Contractual maturity date	[1],[5]	2037 - 2040
Stated interest rate	[1],[2]	6.00%
Debt and Capital Lease Obligations		$ 1,600,000,000			1,600,000,000
Securitized Debt [Member] | Fixed Rate Securitized Debt August 2010 Tower Revenue Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Original issue date		Aug. 01, 2010
Contractual maturity date	[1],[5],[6]	2037 - 2040
Stated interest rate	[1],[2]	4.70%
Debt and Capital Lease Obligations		$ 1,300,000,000			1,550,000,000
Securitized Debt [Member] | Fixed Rate Securitized Debt May 2015 Tower Revenue Notes [Member] [Domain]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Original issue date		May 01, 2015
Contractual maturity date	[1],[5],[6]	2042 - 2045
Stated interest rate	[1],[2]	3.50%
Debt and Capital Lease Obligations		$ 1,000,000,000			0
Securitized Debt [Member] | Fixed Rate Debt 2009 Securitized Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Original issue date		Jul. 01, 2009
Contractual maturity date	[1]	2019/2029
Stated interest rate	[1],[2]	7.60%
Debt and Capital Lease Obligations		$ 146,399,000			160,822,000
Securitized Debt [Member] | WCP Securitized Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Original issue date		Jan. 01, 2010
Contractual maturity date	[1],[6]	Nov. 2040
Percentage of debt instrument interest rate stated	[1],[2]	N/A
Debt and Capital Lease Obligations		$ 0			262,386,000
High Yield Bonds [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt and Capital Lease Obligations		$ 3,996,374,000			3,996,031,000
High Yield Bonds [Member] | Five and One Fourth Senior Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Original issue date		Oct. 01, 2012
Contractual maturity date	[1]	Jan. 2023
Stated interest rate	[1],[2]	5.30%
Debt and Capital Lease Obligations		$ 1,649,969,000			1,649,969,000
High Yield Bonds [Member] | 2012 Secured Notes [Member] [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Original issue date		Dec. 01, 2012
Contractual maturity date	[1]	Dec. 2017/Apr. 2023
Stated interest rate	[1],[2]	3.40%
Debt and Capital Lease Obligations		$ 1,500,000,000			1,500,000,000
High Yield Bonds [Member] | 4.875% Senior Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Original issue date		Apr. 01, 2014
Contractual maturity date	[1]	Apr. 2022
Stated interest rate		4.90%
Debt and Capital Lease Obligations		$ 846,405,000			$ 846,062,000
August 2010 Tower Revenue Notes ARD [Domain] | Securitized Debt [Member] | Fixed Rate Securitized Debt August 2010 Tower Revenue Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt and Capital Lease Obligations		250,000,000
Sunesys [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Proceeds from Lines of Credit		$ 835,000,000

[1] See the 2014 Form 10-K, including note 7, for additional information regarding the maturity and principal amortization provisions and interest rates relating to the Company's indebtedness.

[2] Represents the weighted-average stated interest rate.

[3] During January and February 2015, the Company amended its 2012 Credit Facility agreement and increased the capacity of the 2012 Revolver to an aggregate revolving commitment of approximately $2.2 billion. During August 2015, the Company utilized borrowings under the 2012 Revolver of $835.0 million, along with cash on hand, to fund the Sunesys Acquisition. See note 4. As of September 30, 2015, the undrawn availability under the 2012 Revolver was $1.2 billion.

[4] During the second quarter of 2015, the Company repaid the portion of its Tranche B Term Loans that were due January 2019, which had an outstanding balance of $564.1 million.

[5] If the respective series of such debt is not paid in full on or prior to an applicable date then Excess Cash Flow (as defined in the indenture) of the issuers of such notes will be used to repay principal of the applicable series, and additional interest (of an additional approximately 5% per annum) will accrue on the respective series. See the 2014 Form 10-K for additional information regarding these provisions.

[6] In May 2015, the Company issued $1.0 billion aggregate principal amount of Senior Secured Tower Revenue Notes ("May 2015 Tower Revenue Notes"), which were issued by certain of its indirect subsidiaries pursuant to the existing indenture governing the 2010 Tower Revenue Notes and having similar terms and security as the 2010 Tower Revenue Notes. The 2015 Tower Revenue Notes consist of (1) $300.0 million aggregate principal amount of 3.222% Notes with an expected life of seven years and a final maturity date of May 2042 and (2) $700.0 million aggregate principal amount of 3.663% Notes with an expected life of ten years and a final maturity date of May 2045. The Company used the net proceeds received from the May 2015 Tower Revenue Notes offering (1) to repay $250.0 million aggregate principal amount of August 2010 Tower Revenue Notes with an anticipated repayment date of August 2015, (2) to repay all of the previously outstanding WCP Securitized Notes, (3) to repay portions of outstanding borrowings under its 2012 Credit Facility, and (4) to pay related fees and expenses. Collectively, the 2010 Tower Revenue Notes and the May 2015 Tower Revenue Notes are referred to herein as the "Tower Revenue Notes."

XML

Debt and Other Obligations (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2015

Debt and Other Obligations [Abstract]

Schedule of Long-Term Debt Instruments

	Original Issue Date	Contractual Maturity Date (a)		Outstanding Balance as of September 30, 2015			Outstanding Balance as of December 31, 2014		Stated Interest Rate as of September 30, 2015(a)(b)
Bank debt - variable rate:
2012 Revolver	Jan. 2012	Jan. 2019		$	1,015,000	(c)	$	695,000	2.0	%
Tranche A Term Loans	Jan. 2012	Jan. 2019		633,516			645,938		1.9	%
Tranche B Term Loans	Jan. 2012	Jan. 2021		2,252,747		(e)	2,835,509		3.0	%
Total bank debt				3,901,263			4,176,447
Securitized debt - fixed rate:
January 2010 Tower Revenue Notes	Jan. 2010	2037 - 2040	(d)	1,600,000			1,600,000		6.0	%
August 2010 Tower Revenue Notes	Aug. 2010	2037 - 2040	(d)(f)	1,300,000			1,550,000		4.7	%
May 2015 Tower Revenue Notes	May 2015	2042 - 2045	(d)(f)	1,000,000			—		3.5	%
2009 Securitized Notes	July 2009	2019/2029		146,399			160,822		7.6	%
WCP Securitized Notes	Jan. 2010	Nov. 2040	(f)	—			262,386		N/A
Total securitized debt				4,046,399			3,573,208
Bonds - fixed rate:
5.25% Senior Notes	Oct. 2012	Jan. 2023		1,649,969			1,649,969		5.3	%
2012 Secured Notes	Dec. 2012	Dec. 2017/Apr. 2023		1,500,000			1,500,000		3.4	%
4.875% Senior Notes	Apr. 2014	Apr. 2022		846,405			846,062		4.9	%
Total bonds				3,996,374			3,996,031
Other:
Capital leases and other obligations	Various	Various		197,330			175,175		Various
Total debt and other obligations				12,141,366			11,920,861
Less: current maturities and short-term debt and other current obligations				102,188			113,335
Non-current portion of long-term debt and other long-term obligations				$	12,039,178		$	11,807,526

(a) See the 2014 Form 10-K, including note 7, for additional information regarding the maturity and principal amortization provisions and interest rates relating to the Company's indebtedness.

(b) Represents the weighted-average stated interest rate.

(c) During January and February 2015, the Company amended its 2012 Credit Facility agreement and increased the capacity of the 2012 Revolver to an aggregate revolving commitment of approximately $2.2 billion. During August 2015, the Company utilized borrowings under the 2012 Revolver of $835.0 million, along with cash on hand, to fund the Sunesys Acquisition. See note 4. As of September 30, 2015, the undrawn availability under the 2012 Revolver was $1.2 billion.

(d) If the respective series of such debt is not paid in full on or prior to an applicable date then Excess Cash Flow (as defined in the indenture) of the issuers of such notes will be used to repay principal of the applicable series, and additional interest (of an additional approximately 5% per annum) will accrue on the respective series. See the 2014 Form 10-K for additional information regarding these provisions.

(e) During the second quarter of 2015, the Company repaid the portion of its Tranche B Term Loans that were due January 2019, which had an outstanding balance of $564.1 million.

(f) In May 2015, the Company issued $1.0 billion aggregate principal amount of Senior Secured Tower Revenue Notes ("May 2015 Tower Revenue Notes"), which were issued by certain of its indirect subsidiaries pursuant to the existing indenture governing the 2010 Tower Revenue Notes and having similar terms and security as the 2010 Tower Revenue Notes. The 2015 Tower Revenue Notes consist of (1) $300.0 million aggregate principal amount of 3.222% Notes with an expected life of seven years and a final maturity date of May 2042 and (2) $700.0 million aggregate principal amount of 3.663% Notes with an expected life of ten years and a final maturity date of May 2045. The Company used the net proceeds received from the May 2015 Tower Revenue Notes offering (1) to repay $250.0 million aggregate principal amount of August 2010 Tower Revenue Notes with an anticipated repayment date of August 2015, (2) to repay all of the previously outstanding WCP Securitized Notes, (3) to repay portions of outstanding borrowings under its 2012 Credit Facility, and (4) to pay related fees and expenses. Collectively, the 2010 Tower Revenue Notes and the May 2015 Tower Revenue Notes are referred to herein as the "Tower Revenue Notes."

Schedule of Maturities of Long-term Debt

Contractual Maturities

The following are the scheduled contractual maturities of the total debt and other long-term obligations of the Company outstanding as of September 30, 2015. These maturities reflect contractual maturity dates and do not consider the principal payments that will commence following the anticipated repayment dates on the Tower Revenue Notes.

	Three Months Ending December 31,		Years Ending December 31,												Unamortized Adjustments, Net			Total Debt and Other Obligations Outstanding
	2015		2016		2017		2018		2019		Thereafter		Total Cash Obligations
Scheduled contractual maturities	$	23,049	$	105,640	$	601,859	$	98,208	$	1,602,265	$	9,713,940	$	12,144,961	$	(3,595	)	$	12,141,366

Extinguishment of Debt [Line Items]

Schedule of Extinguishment of Debt [Table Text Block]

Purchases and Redemptions of Long-Term Debt

The following is a summary of purchases and redemptions of long-term debt during the nine months ended September 30, 2015.

	Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015
	Principal Amount		Cash Paid(a)		Gains (Losses)(b)
August 2010 Tower Revenue Notes	$	250,000	$	250,000	$	(159	)
WCP Securitized Notes	252,830		252,830		2,105
Tranche B Term Loans	564,137		564,137		(6,127		)
Other	2,394		2,370		24
Total	$	1,069,361	$	1,069,337	$	(4,157	)

(a) Exclusive of accrued interest.

(b) Inclusive of $4.2 million related to the net write off of deferred financing costs, premiums and discounts.

Components of Interest Expense and Amortization of Deferred Financing Costs

Interest Expense and Amortization of Deferred Financing Costs

The components of interest expense and amortization of deferred financing costs are as follows:

	Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2015			2014			2015			2014
Interest expense on debt obligations	$	121,287		$	121,450		$	366,388		$	370,899
Amortization of deferred financing costs	5,451			5,516			16,624			16,678
Amortization of adjustments on long-term debt	116			(892		)	(1,146		)	(2,743		)
Amortization of interest rate swaps(a)	3,744			15,551			18,725			47,895
Other, net of capitalized interest	(721		)	(338		)	(1,809		)	(508		)
Total	$	129,877		$	141,287		$	398,782		$	432,221

(a) Amounts reclassified from "accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)."

XML

General

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2015

General

General

General

The information contained in the following notes to the consolidated financial statements is condensed from that which would appear in the annual consolidated financial statements; accordingly, the consolidated financial statements included herein should be reviewed in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014, and related notes thereto, included in the 2014 Form 10-K filed by Crown Castle International Corp. ("CCIC") with the SEC. References to the "Company" include CCIC and its predecessor, as applicable, and their subsidiaries, unless otherwise indicated or the context indicates otherwise.

The Company owns, operates and leases shared wireless infrastructure, including: (1) towers, and to a lesser extent, (2) small cell networks, and (3) third party land interests. The Company's wireless infrastructure is geographically dispersed throughout the United States, including Puerto Rico ("U.S."). See note 3 for a discussion of the May 2015 sale of the Company's formerly 77.6% owned subsidiary that operated towers in Australia (referred to as "CCAL").

The Company's core business is providing access, including space or capacity, to its wireless infrastructure via long-term contracts in various forms, including licenses, subleases and lease agreements. The Company's wireless infrastructure can accommodate multiple tenants for antennas or other equipment necessary for the transmission of signals for wireless communication.

As part of the Company's effort to provide comprehensive wireless infrastructure solutions, it offers certain network services relating to its wireless infrastructure, consisting of (1) the following site development services relating to existing or new antenna installations on its wireless infrastructure: site acquisition, architectural and engineering, or zoning and permitting and (2) tenant equipment installation or subsequent augmentations (collectively, "installation services").

Effective January 1, 2014, the Company commenced operating as a REIT for U.S. federal income tax purposes. In addition, the Company has certain taxable REIT subsidiaries ("TRSs"). See note 8.

Approximately 55% of the Company's towers are leased or subleased or operated and managed under master leases, subleases, and other agreements with Sprint, T-Mobile, and AT&T. The Company has the option to purchase these towers at the end of their respective lease terms. The Company has no obligation to exercise such purchase options.

Basis of Presentation

The condensed consolidated financial statements included herein are unaudited; however, they include all adjustments (consisting only of normal recurring adjustments) which, in the opinion of management, are necessary to state fairly the consolidated financial position of the Company at September 30, 2015, and the consolidated results of operations and the consolidated cash flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014. The year-end condensed consolidated balance sheet data was derived from audited financial statements, but does not include all disclosures required by GAAP. The results of operations for the interim periods presented are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year.

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with 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.

XML

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Accumulated depreciation, property and equipment	$ 5,604,110	$ 5,052,395
Preferred Stock, Par or Stated Value Per Share	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Preferred Stock, Shares Authorized	20,000,000	20,000,000
Preferred Stock, Shares Issued	9,775,000	9,775,000
Preferred Stock, Shares Outstanding	9,775,000	9,775,000
Preferred Stock, Liquidation Preference, Value	$ 977,500	$ 977,500
Common stock, par value	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Common stock, shares authorized	600,000,000	600,000,000
Common stock, shares issued	333,771,499	333,856,632
Common stock, shares outstanding	333,771,499	333,856,632

XML

Equity

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2015

Equity [Abstract]

Stockholders' Equity Note Disclosure [Text Block]

Equity

Declaration and Payment of Dividends

During the nine months ended September 30, 2015, the following dividends were declared or paid:

Equity Type	Declaration Date	Record Date	Payment Date	Dividends Per Share		Aggregate Payment Amount (In millions)
Common Stock	February 12, 2015	March 20, 2015	March 31, 2015	$	0.82	$	274.7	(a)
Common Stock	May 29, 2015	June 19, 2015	June 30, 2015	$	0.82	$	274.5	(a)
Common Stock	July 30, 2015	September 18, 2015	September 30, 2015	$	0.82	$	274.3	(a)
Convertible Preferred Stock	December 22, 2014	January 15, 2015	February 2, 2015	$	1.1250	$	11.0
Convertible Preferred Stock	March 27, 2015	April 15, 2015	May 1, 2015	$	1.1250	$	11.0
Convertible Preferred Stock	June 21, 2015	July 15, 2015	August 3, 2015	$	1.1250	$	11.0
Convertible Preferred Stock	September 23, 2015	October 15, 2015	November 2, 2015	$	1.1250	$	11.0	(b)

(a) Inclusive of dividends accrued for holders of unvested restricted stock units.

(b) Represents amount paid on November 2, 2015 based on holders of record on October 15, 2015.

See note 14.

Purchases of the Company's Common Stock

For the nine months ended September 30, 2015, the Company purchased 0.3 million shares of its common stock utilizing $29.6 million in cash.

"At the Market" Stock Offering Program

In August 2015, the Company established an "at the market" stock offering program ("ATM Program") through which it may, from time to time, issue and sell shares of its common stock having an aggregate gross sales price of up to $500.0 million to or through sales agents. Sales, if any, under the ATM Program may be made by means of ordinary brokers' transactions on the New York Stock Exchange or otherwise at market prices prevailing at the time of sale, at prices related to prevailing market prices or, subject to specific instructions of the Company, at negotiated prices. The Company intends to use the net proceeds from any sales under the ATM Program for general corporate purposes, which may include the funding of future acquisitions or investments and the repayment or repurchase of any outstanding indebtedness. As of September 30, 2015, no shares of common stock were sold under the ATM Program.

XML

Document and Entity Information - shares	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Nov. 04, 2015
Entity Information [Line Items]
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Registrant Name	CROWN CASTLE INTERNATIONAL CORP
Entity Central Index Key	0001051470
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	Sep. 30, 2015
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2015
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Amendment Flag	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		333,771,307
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes

XML

Operating Segments

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2015

Segment Reporting [Abstract]

Segment Reporting Disclosure [Text Block]

The Company has determined that presently, following the sale of CCAL, it has one reportable operating segment, CCUSA, consisting of its U.S. operations, which is consistent with its current operational and financial reporting structure. Financial results for the Company are currently reported to the Company's management team and board of directors in this manner.

Prior to its sale in May 2015, CCAL, the Company's previously 77.6% owned subsidiary that owned and operated towers in Australia, was a reportable segment. As a result of the sale of CCAL, the Company's segment data has been reclassified for all periods presented to include CCAL on a discontinued operations basis.

The Company will continue its evaluation of its operating segments following the disposition of CCAL and its change in strategic focus to its U.S. business. To the extent the Company makes changes to its financial reporting or organizational structure, including the integration of the Sunesys Acquisition, the Company will evaluate any impact such changes may have to its segment reporting.

XML

Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss) - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended			9 Months Ended
		Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014		Sep. 30, 2015		Sep. 30, 2014
Net revenues:
Site rental		$ 764,606	$ 717,623		$ 2,233,077		$ 2,143,198
Network services and other		153,501	175,260		484,938		469,690
Net revenues		918,107	892,883		2,718,015		2,612,888
Operating expenses:
Site rental	[1]	247,000	230,599		716,244		676,275
Network services and other	[1]	86,859	101,814		263,177		275,514
General and administrative		76,699	65,212		223,880		187,171
Asset write-down charges		7,477	4,932		19,652		10,673
Acquisition and integration costs		7,608	4,068		12,001		28,852
Depreciation, amortization and accretion		261,662	247,206		766,621		738,965
Total operating expenses		687,305	653,831		2,001,575		1,917,450
Operating income (loss)		230,802	239,052		716,440		695,438
Nonoperating Income (Expense) [Abstract]
Interest expense and amortization of deferred financing costs		(129,877)	(141,287)		(398,782)		(432,221)
Gains (losses) on retirement of long-term obligations		0	0		(4,157)	[2]	(44,629)
Interest income		789	107		1,170		329
Other income (expense)		(1,214)	(694)		58,510		(9,350)
Income (loss) before income taxes		100,500	97,178		373,181		209,567
Benefit (provision) for income taxes		3,801	1,977		9,380		8,118
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations Attributable to Parent		104,301	99,155		382,561		217,685
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax		0	8,882	[3],[4]	19,690	[3],[4],[5]	28,502	[3],[4]
Net gain (loss) from disposal of discontinued operations, net of tax		(522)	0		981,018		0
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax		(522)	8,882		1,000,708		28,502
Net income (loss)		103,779	108,037		1,383,269		246,187
Less: Net income (loss) attributable to the noncontrolling interest		0	1,100		3,343		3,744
Net income (loss) attributable to CCIC stockholders		103,779	106,937		1,379,926		242,443
Dividends on preferred stock		(10,997)	(10,997)		(32,991)		(32,991)
Net income (loss) attributable to CCIC common stockholders		92,782	95,940		1,346,935		209,452
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Abstract]
Amounts reclassified into interest expense and amortization deferred financing costs, net of taxes		3,744	15,551		18,725		47,895
Foreign currency translation adjustments		(632)	(24,177)		(13,493)		(5,708)
Amounts reclassified into discontinued operations for foreign currency translation adjustments		0	0		(25,678)		0
Total other comprehensive income (loss)		3,112	(8,626)		(20,446)		42,187
Comprehensive income (loss)		106,891	99,411		1,362,823		288,374
Less: Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to the noncontrolling interest		0	(327)		0		3,313
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to CCIC stockholders		$ 106,891	$ 99,738		$ 1,362,823		$ 285,061
Net income (loss) attributable to CCIC common stockholders, per common share:
Basic		$ 0.28	$ 0.29		$ 4.05		$ 0.63
Diluted		$ 0.28	$ 0.29		$ 4.04		$ 0.63
Weighted-average common shares outstanding (in thousands):
Basic		333,049	332,413		332,951		332,264
Diluted		333,711	333,241		333,735		333,020
Continuing Operations [Member]
Nonoperating Income (Expense) [Abstract]
Net income (loss) attributable to CCIC common stockholders		$ 93,304	$ 88,158		$ 349,570		$ 184,694
Net income (loss) attributable to CCIC common stockholders, per common share:
Basic		$ 0.28	$ 0.27		$ 1.05		$ 0.56
Diluted		$ 0.28	$ 0.26		$ 1.05		$ 0.55
Discontinued Operations [Member]
Nonoperating Income (Expense) [Abstract]
Net income (loss) attributable to CCIC common stockholders		$ (522)	$ 7,782		$ 997,365		$ 24,758
Net income (loss) attributable to CCIC common stockholders, per common share:
Basic		$ 0.00	$ 0.02		$ 3.00		$ 0.07
Diluted		$ 0.00	$ 0.03		$ 2.99		$ 0.08

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

[2] Inclusive of $4.2 million related to the net write off of deferred financing costs, premiums and discounts.

[3] Exclusive of the gain (loss) from disposal of discontinued operations, net of tax, as presented on the condensed consolidated statement of operations.

[4] No interest expense has been allocated to discontinued operations.

[5] CCAL results are through May 28, 2015, which was the closing date of the Company's sale of CCAL.

XML

Foreign Currency Swaps (Notes)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2015

Derivative Instruments Disclosure [Abstract]

Derivatives and Fair Value [Text Block]

Foreign Currency Swaps

During May 2015, the Company entered into two foreign currency swaps to manage and reduce its foreign currency risk related to its sale of CCAL (see note 3). The Company does not enter into foreign currency swaps for speculative or trading purposes. The foreign currency swaps were originally comprised of the following:

Item Swapped	Notional Amount	Forward Rate	Start Date	End Date	Pay Amount	Receive Amount	Fair Value at September 30, 2015
May 2015 cash receipt from sale of CCAL	A$1,400,000	0.8072	May 2015	June 2015	Australian Dollar	US Dollar	N/A	(a)
Installment payment from Buyer	A$155,000	0.79835	May 2015	January 2016	Australian Dollar	US Dollar	$15,524	(b)

(a) In conjunction with closing the CCAL sale on May 28, 2015, the Company cash settled the swap with a notional value of Australian dollar $1.4 billion and recorded a gain on foreign currency swaps of $54.5 million, which is included as a component of "other income (expense)" on the Company's condensed consolidated statement of operations.

(b) As of September 30, 2015, the Company marked-to-market the swap with a notional value of Australian dollar $155 million and recorded (1) an asset within "other current assets" on the Company's condensed consolidated balance sheet and (2) a corresponding gain on foreign currency swaps, which is included as a component of "other income (expense)" on the Company's condensed consolidated statement of operations.

In total, the Company recorded a gain on foreign currency swaps of $10.2 million and $70.0 million for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2015, respectively. This gain is included as a component of "other income (expense)" on the Company's condensed consolidated statement of operations.

XML

Debt and Other Obligations

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2015

Debt and Other Obligations [Abstract]

Debt and Other Obligations

Debt and Other Obligations

	Original Issue Date	Contractual Maturity Date (a)		Outstanding Balance as of September 30, 2015			Outstanding Balance as of December 31, 2014		Stated Interest Rate as of September 30, 2015(a)(b)
Bank debt - variable rate:
2012 Revolver	Jan. 2012	Jan. 2019		$	1,015,000	(c)	$	695,000	2.0	%
Tranche A Term Loans	Jan. 2012	Jan. 2019		633,516			645,938		1.9	%
Tranche B Term Loans	Jan. 2012	Jan. 2021		2,252,747		(e)	2,835,509		3.0	%
Total bank debt				3,901,263			4,176,447
Securitized debt - fixed rate:
January 2010 Tower Revenue Notes	Jan. 2010	2037 - 2040	(d)	1,600,000			1,600,000		6.0	%
August 2010 Tower Revenue Notes	Aug. 2010	2037 - 2040	(d)(f)	1,300,000			1,550,000		4.7	%
May 2015 Tower Revenue Notes	May 2015	2042 - 2045	(d)(f)	1,000,000			—		3.5	%
2009 Securitized Notes	July 2009	2019/2029		146,399			160,822		7.6	%
WCP Securitized Notes	Jan. 2010	Nov. 2040	(f)	—			262,386		N/A
Total securitized debt				4,046,399			3,573,208
Bonds - fixed rate:
5.25% Senior Notes	Oct. 2012	Jan. 2023		1,649,969			1,649,969		5.3	%
2012 Secured Notes	Dec. 2012	Dec. 2017/Apr. 2023		1,500,000			1,500,000		3.4	%
4.875% Senior Notes	Apr. 2014	Apr. 2022		846,405			846,062		4.9	%
Total bonds				3,996,374			3,996,031
Other:
Capital leases and other obligations	Various	Various		197,330			175,175		Various
Total debt and other obligations				12,141,366			11,920,861
Less: current maturities and short-term debt and other current obligations				102,188			113,335
Non-current portion of long-term debt and other long-term obligations				$	12,039,178		$	11,807,526

(a) See the 2014 Form 10-K, including note 7, for additional information regarding the maturity and principal amortization provisions and interest rates relating to the Company's indebtedness.

(b) Represents the weighted-average stated interest rate.

(c) During January and February 2015, the Company amended its 2012 Credit Facility agreement and increased the capacity of the 2012 Revolver to an aggregate revolving commitment of approximately $2.2 billion. During August 2015, the Company utilized borrowings under the 2012 Revolver of $835.0 million, along with cash on hand, to fund the Sunesys Acquisition. See note 4. As of September 30, 2015, the undrawn availability under the 2012 Revolver was $1.2 billion.

(d) If the respective series of such debt is not paid in full on or prior to an applicable date then Excess Cash Flow (as defined in the indenture) of the issuers of such notes will be used to repay principal of the applicable series, and additional interest (of an additional approximately 5% per annum) will accrue on the respective series. See the 2014 Form 10-K for additional information regarding these provisions.

(e) During the second quarter of 2015, the Company repaid the portion of its Tranche B Term Loans that were due January 2019, which had an outstanding balance of $564.1 million.

(f) In May 2015, the Company issued $1.0 billion aggregate principal amount of Senior Secured Tower Revenue Notes ("May 2015 Tower Revenue Notes"), which were issued by certain of its indirect subsidiaries pursuant to the existing indenture governing the 2010 Tower Revenue Notes and having similar terms and security as the 2010 Tower Revenue Notes. The 2015 Tower Revenue Notes consist of (1) $300.0 million aggregate principal amount of 3.222% Notes with an expected life of seven years and a final maturity date of May 2042 and (2) $700.0 million aggregate principal amount of 3.663% Notes with an expected life of ten years and a final maturity date of May 2045. The Company used the net proceeds received from the May 2015 Tower Revenue Notes offering (1) to repay $250.0 million aggregate principal amount of August 2010 Tower Revenue Notes with an anticipated repayment date of August 2015, (2) to repay all of the previously outstanding WCP Securitized Notes, (3) to repay portions of outstanding borrowings under its 2012 Credit Facility, and (4) to pay related fees and expenses. Collectively, the 2010 Tower Revenue Notes and the May 2015 Tower Revenue Notes are referred to herein as the "Tower Revenue Notes."

Contractual Maturities

The following are the scheduled contractual maturities of the total debt and other long-term obligations of the Company outstanding as of September 30, 2015. These maturities reflect contractual maturity dates and do not consider the principal payments that will commence following the anticipated repayment dates on the Tower Revenue Notes.

	Three Months Ending December 31,		Years Ending December 31,												Unamortized Adjustments, Net			Total Debt and Other Obligations Outstanding
	2015		2016		2017		2018		2019		Thereafter		Total Cash Obligations
Scheduled contractual maturities	$	23,049	$	105,640	$	601,859	$	98,208	$	1,602,265	$	9,713,940	$	12,144,961	$	(3,595	)	$	12,141,366

Purchases and Redemptions of Long-Term Debt

The following is a summary of purchases and redemptions of long-term debt during the nine months ended September 30, 2015.

	Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015
	Principal Amount		Cash Paid(a)		Gains (Losses)(b)
August 2010 Tower Revenue Notes	$	250,000	$	250,000	$	(159	)
WCP Securitized Notes	252,830		252,830		2,105
Tranche B Term Loans	564,137		564,137		(6,127		)
Other	2,394		2,370		24
Total	$	1,069,361	$	1,069,337	$	(4,157	)

(a) Exclusive of accrued interest.

(b) Inclusive of $4.2 million related to the net write off of deferred financing costs, premiums and discounts.

Interest Expense and Amortization of Deferred Financing Costs

The components of interest expense and amortization of deferred financing costs are as follows:

	Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2015			2014			2015			2014
Interest expense on debt obligations	$	121,287		$	121,450		$	366,388		$	370,899
Amortization of deferred financing costs	5,451			5,516			16,624			16,678
Amortization of adjustments on long-term debt	116			(892		)	(1,146		)	(2,743		)
Amortization of interest rate swaps(a)	3,744			15,551			18,725			47,895
Other, net of capitalized interest	(721		)	(338		)	(1,809		)	(508		)
Total	$	129,877		$	141,287		$	398,782		$	432,221

(a) Amounts reclassified from "accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)."

XML

Acquisitions Purchase Price Allocation (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2015

Business Acquisition [Line Items]

Schedule of Business Acquisitions, by Acquisition [Table Text Block]

Preliminary Purchase Price Allocation
Current assets	$	12,821
Property and equipment	432,106
Goodwill (a)	347,547
Other intangible assets, net	249,935
Current liabilities	(25,418		)
Other non-current liabilities	(29,065		)
Net assets acquired (b)	$	987,926

(a) The preliminary purchase price allocation for the Sunesys Acquisition resulted in the recognition of goodwill based on the Company's expectation to leverage the Sunesys fiber footprint to support new small cell networks. The Sunesys fiber is complementary to the Company's existing fiber assets and is located where the Company expects to see wireless carrier network investments.

(b) Assets acquired in the Sunesys Acquisition are included in the Company's REIT and as such, no deferred taxes were recorded in connection with the Sunesys Acquisition.

XML

Supplemental Cash Flow Information

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2015

Supplemental Cash Flow Information [Abstract]

Supplemental Cash Flow Information

Supplemental Cash Flow Information

	Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2015			2014
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
Interest paid	$	364,147		$	368,437
Income taxes paid	23,865			15,353
Supplemental disclosure of non-cash investing and financing activities:
Increase (decrease) in accounts payable for purchases of property and equipment	(5,399		)	2,827
Purchase of property and equipment under capital leases and installment purchases	41,331			27,772
Installment payment receivable for sale of CCAL (see note 3)	117,384			—

XML

Per Share Information

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2015

Per Share Information

Per Share Information

Per Share Information

Basic net income (loss) attributable to CCIC common stockholders, per common share, excludes dilution and is computed by dividing net income (loss) attributable to CCIC common stockholders by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted net income (loss) attributable to CCIC common stockholders, per common share is computed by dividing net income (loss) attributable to CCIC common stockholders by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the period plus any potential dilutive common share equivalents, including shares issuable (1) upon the vesting of restricted stock awards and restricted stock units as determined under the treasury stock method and (2) upon conversion of the Company's Convertible Preferred Stock, as determined under the if-converted method.

	Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2015			2014			2015			2014
Net income (loss) from continuing operations	$	104,301		$	99,155		$	382,561		$	217,685
Dividends on preferred stock	(10,997		)	(10,997		)	(32,991		)	(32,991		)
Net income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to CCIC common stockholders for basic and diluted computations	$	93,304		$	88,158		$	349,570		$	184,694
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax	(522		)	8,882			1,000,708			28,502
Less: Net income (loss) attributable to the noncontrolling interest	—			1,100			3,343			3,744
Net income (loss) from discontinued operations attributable to CCIC common stockholders for basic and diluted computations	$	(522	)	$	7,782		$	997,365		$	24,758
Weighted-average number of common shares outstanding (in thousands):
Basic weighted-average number of common stock outstanding	333,049			332,413			332,951			332,264
Effect of assumed dilution from potential common shares relating to restricted stock units and restricted stock awards	662			828			784			756
Diluted weighted-average number of common shares outstanding	333,711			333,241			333,735			333,020
Net income (loss) attributable to CCIC common stockholders, per common share:
Income (loss) from continuing operations, basic	0.28			0.27			1.05			0.56
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, basic	—			0.02			3.00			0.07
Net income (loss) attributable to CCIC common stockholders, basic	0.28			0.29			4.05			0.63
Income (loss) from continuing operations, diluted	0.28			0.26			1.05			0.55
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, diluted	—			0.03			2.99			0.08
Net income (loss) attributable to CCIC common stockholders, diluted	0.28			0.29			4.04			0.63

During the nine months ended September 30, 2015, the Company granted 1.0 million restricted stock units. For the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, 12.4 million common share equivalents and 12.3 million common share equivalents, respectively, related to the Convertible Preferred Stock were excluded from the dilutive common shares because the impact of such conversion would be anti-dilutive, based on the Company's common stock price as of the end of the respective periods.

XML

Fair Value Disclosures

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2015

Fair Value Disclosures

Fair Value Disclosures

Fair Value Disclosures

	Level in Fair Value Hierarchy	September 30, 2015				December 31, 2014
		Carrying  Amount		Fair Value		Carrying  Amount		Fair Value
Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	1	$	184,116	$	184,116	$	151,312	$	151,312
Restricted cash, current and non-current	1	121,653		121,653		152,411		152,411
Foreign currency swaps	2	15,524		15,524		—		—
Liabilities:
Long-term debt and other obligations	2	12,141,366		12,479,140		11,920,861		12,286,161

The fair value of cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash approximate the carrying value. The Company determines the fair value of its debt securities based on indicative, non-binding quotes from brokers. Quotes from brokers require judgment and are based on the brokers' interpretation of market information, including implied credit spreads for similar borrowings on recent trades or bid/ask prices or quotes from active markets if available. Foreign currency swaps are valued at settlement amounts using observable exchange rates and, if material, reflect an adjustment for the Company's and contract counterparty's credit risk. There were no changes since December 31, 2014 in the Company's valuation techniques used to measure fair values.

XML

Income Taxes

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2015

Income Taxes

Income Taxes

Income Taxes

Effective January 1, 2014, the Company commenced operating as a REIT for U.S. federal income tax purposes. As a REIT, the Company is generally entitled to a deduction for dividends that it pays and therefore is not subject to U.S. federal corporate income tax on its net taxable income that is currently distributed to its stockholders. The Company also may be subject to certain federal, state, local, and foreign taxes on its income and assets, including (1) alternative minimum taxes, (2) taxes on any undistributed income, (3) taxes related to the TRSs, (4) certain state, local, or foreign income taxes, (5) franchise taxes, (6) property taxes, and (7) transfer taxes. In addition, the Company could in certain circumstances be required to pay an excise or penalty tax, which could be significant in amount, in order to utilize one or more relief provisions under the Internal Revenue Code 1986, as amended ("Code") to maintain qualification for taxation as a REIT.

The Company's small cells other than Sunesys (see note 4) are currently included in one or more wholly owned TRSs. In August 2014, the Company received a favorable private letter ruling from the Internal Revenue Service ("IRS"), which provides that the real property portion of the Company's small cells and the related rents qualify as real property and rents from real property, respectively, under the rules governing REITs. The Company is evaluating the impact of this private letter ruling and, subject to board approval, expects to take appropriate action to include at least some part of the Company's small cells (other than Sunesys (see note 4)) as part of the REIT during 2015 or 2016. Once the Company has completed its evaluation and necessary actions to include small cells in the REIT, the Company expects to de-recognize its net deferred tax liabilities related to such part of the Company's small cells.

The Company's TRS assets and operations (along with any part of the Company's small cells that may remain in a TRS) will continue to be subject, as applicable, to federal and state corporate income taxes or to foreign taxes in the jurisdictions in which such assets and operations are located. The Company's foreign assets and operations (including its tower operations in Puerto Rico) most likely will be subject to foreign income taxes in the jurisdictions in which such assets and operations are located, regardless of whether they are included in a TRS or not. The Company will be subject to a federal corporate level tax rate (currently 35%) on the gain recognized from the sale of assets occurring within a specified period (generally 10 years) after the REIT conversion up to the amount of the built in gain that existed on January 1, 2014, which is based upon the fair market value of those assets in excess of the Company's tax basis on January 1, 2014.  This gain can be offset by any remaining federal NOLs.

During the second quarter 2015, the Company recorded approximately $21.2 million in current state income tax expense related to the sale of CCAL. In conjunction with the sale of CCAL, the Company expects to utilize approximately $1.0 billion of its $2.0 billion NOLs to fully offset the tax gain from the sale of CCAL. Further, as a result of the sale of CCAL, the Company expects that a significant portion of its common stock dividend distributions during 2015 will be characterized as capital gains distributions. See note 3.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, the Company's effective tax rate differed from the federal statutory rate predominately due to the Company's REIT status, including the dividends paid deduction. The income tax provision for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 primarily related to the TRSs.

XML

Commitments and Contingencies

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2015

Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure

Commitments and Contingencies

Commitments and Contingencies

The Company is involved in various claims, lawsuits or proceedings arising in the ordinary course of business. While there are uncertainties inherent in the ultimate outcome of such matters and it is impossible to presently determine the ultimate costs or losses that may be incurred, if any, management believes the resolution of such uncertainties and the incurrence of such costs should not have a material adverse effect on the Company's consolidated financial position or results of operations. Additionally, the Company and certain of its subsidiaries are contingently liable for commitments or performance guarantees arising in the ordinary course of business, including certain letters of credit or surety bonds. In addition, the Company has the option to purchase approximately 55% of the Company's towers at the end of their respective lease terms. The Company has no obligation to exercise such purchase options.

XML

Discontinued Operations Gain on Sale of Subsidiary (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
		Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	May. 28, 2015
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Proceeds from Divestiture of Interest in Consolidated Subsidiaries	[1]			$ 1,139,369
Installment payment receivable for sale of subsidiary		$ 117,384	$ 0	117,384	$ 0
Total Proceeds From Sale of Subsidiary				1,256,753
Net assets and liabilities related to discontinued operations	[2],[3]			258,575
Transaction fees and expense related to disposal of discontinued operations				21,688
Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Foreign Currency Translation Gains (Losses)	[4]			(25,678)
Discontinued Operation, Gain (Loss) from Disposal of Discontinued Operation, before Income Tax				1,002,168
Discontinued Operation, Tax Effect of Income (Loss) from Disposal of Discontinued Operation				21,150
Discontinued Operation, Gain (Loss) on Disposal of Discontinued Operation, Net of Tax		$ (522)	$ 0	981,018	$ 0
exclusive of foreign currency swap [Domain]
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Installment payment receivable for sale of subsidiary	[1]					$ 117,384
Discontinued Operations [Member]
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operations, Net of Tax, Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest				$ 23,500
Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Cash and Cash Equivalents						$ 11,100

[1] Exclusive of foreign currency swaps and based on exchange rates as of May 28, 2015, which was the closing date of the Company's sale of CCAL. See note 6. The impact of fluctuations in the exchange rate subsequent to the closing date are reflected as a component of "other income (expense)" on the Company's condensed consolidated statement of operations.

[2] Inclusive of $11.1 million of cash.

[3] Represents net assets attributable to CCIC, net of the disposition of noncontrolling interest of $23.5 million.

[4] Represents foreign currency translation adjustments previously included in "accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)" on the condensed consolidated balance sheet and reclassified to "gain (loss) from disposal of discontinued operations".

XML

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2015

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Recent accounting prounouncements

Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements

In April 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued new guidance on the implementation and presentation of discontinued operations. The guidance requires that only disposals that represent a strategic shift that has (or will have) a major effect on the entity's results and operations qualify as discontinued operations. In addition, the new guidance expands the disclosure requirements for disposals that meet the definition of a discontinued operation and requires entities to disclose information about disposals of individually significant components that do not meet the definition of discontinued operations. The new guidance was effective for the Company on January 1, 2015, and the Company has applied the new guidance for the sale of CCAL. See note 3.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted

In April 2015, the FASB issued new guidance on the presentation of debt issuance costs. The guidance requires debt issuance costs be presented in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of the related debt liability, consistent with debt discounts and premiums. The update requires retrospective application and the guidance is effective for the Company on January 1, 2016. The Company will adopt the guidance on January 1, 2016. As of September 30, 2015, net deferred financing costs were $110.9 million and were recorded as a component of "long-term prepaid rent, deferred financing costs and other assets, net" on the Company's condensed consolidated balance sheet.

In May 2014, the FASB released updated guidance regarding the recognition of revenue from contracts with customers, exclusive of those contracts within lease accounting. The core principle of the guidance is that an entity should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services.  To achieve that core principle, an entity should apply the following steps: (1) identify the contracts with the customer; (2) identify the performance obligations in the contract; (3) determine the contract price; (4) allocate the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract; and (5) recognize revenue when (or as) the entity satisfies a performance obligation.  This guidance is effective for the Company on January 1, 2018, following the FASB's July 2015 decision to defer the effective date of the standard by one year. This guidance is required to be applied, at the Company's election, either (1) retrospectively to each prior reporting period presented, or (2) with the cumulative effect being recognized at the date of initial application. The Company is evaluating the guidance, including the impact on its consolidated financial statements.

In September 2015, the FASB issued new guidance which requires an acquirer to recognize adjustments to provisional amounts that are identified during the measurement period in the reporting period in which the adjustment amounts are determined. The update requires prospective application and the guidance is effective for the Company on January 1, 2016, with early adoption permitted. The Company is evaluating the guidance, including the impact on its consolidated financial statements.

In October 2015, the FASB issued new guidance on the presentation of deferred tax assets and liabilities. The guidance requires deferred tax assets and liabilities to be presented as non-current on the balance sheet. The update requires prospective application and the guidance is effective for the Company on January 1, 2017, with early adoption permitted. The Company is evaluating the guidance, including the impact on its consolidated financial statements.

XML

Fair Value Disclosures (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2015

Fair Value Disclosures

Estimated Fair Values and Carrying Amounts of Assets and Liabilities

	Level in Fair Value Hierarchy	September 30, 2015				December 31, 2014
		Carrying  Amount		Fair Value		Carrying  Amount		Fair Value
Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	1	$	184,116	$	184,116	$	151,312	$	151,312
Restricted cash, current and non-current	1	121,653		121,653		152,411		152,411
Foreign currency swaps	2	15,524		15,524		—		—
Liabilities:
Long-term debt and other obligations	2	12,141,366		12,479,140		11,920,861		12,286,161

XML

Supplemental Cash Flow Information (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Supplemental Cash Flow Information [Line Items]
Interest paid	$ 364,147	$ 368,437
Income taxes paid	23,865	15,353
Increase (decrease) in accounts payable for purchases of property and equipment	(5,399)	2,827
Purchase of property and equipment under capital leases and installment purchases	41,331	27,772
Installment payment receivable for sale of subsidiary	$ 117,384	$ 0

XML

Foreign Currency Swaps (Details) AUD in Thousands, $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
		Sep. 30, 2015 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2015 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2014 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2015 AUD	Sep. 30, 2015 USD ($)	May. 28, 2015 USD ($)
Derivative [Line Items]
Installment payment receivable for sale of subsidiary				$ 0		$ 117,384
Gains (losses) on settled swaps			$ 54,475	$ 0
Gain (Loss) on Foreign Currency Derivative Instruments Not Designated as Hedging Instruments		$ 10,200	70,000
exclusive of foreign currency swap [Domain]
Derivative [Line Items]
Installment payment receivable for sale of subsidiary	[1]						$ 117,384
Foreign Exchange [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative, Notional Amount | AUD					AUD 1,400,000
May 2015 cash receipt from sale of CCAL [Domain]
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative, Notional Amount | AUD					AUD 1,400,000
Derivative, Currency Bought		Australian Dollar
Derivative, Currency Sold		US Dollar
Derivative, Maturity Date		Jun. 12, 2015
Derivative, Inception Date		May 14, 2015
Derivative, Forward Exchange Rate					0.8072	0.8072
Installment payment from Buyer [Domain]
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative, Notional Amount | AUD					AUD 155,000
Derivative, Currency Bought		Australian Dollar
Derivative, Currency Sold		US Dollar
Derivative, Maturity Date		Jan. 04, 2016
Derivative, Inception Date		May 14, 2015
Derivative, Forward Exchange Rate					0.7984	0.7984
Gain (Loss) on Foreign Currency Derivative Instruments Not Designated as Hedging Instruments			$ 15,524

[1] Exclusive of foreign currency swaps and based on exchange rates as of May 28, 2015, which was the closing date of the Company's sale of CCAL. See note 6. The impact of fluctuations in the exchange rate subsequent to the closing date are reflected as a component of "other income (expense)" on the Company's condensed consolidated statement of operations.

XML

Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015		Sep. 30, 2014
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income (loss) from continuing operations	$ 382,561		$ 217,685
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by (used for) operating activities:
Depreciation, amortization and accretion	766,621		738,965
Gains (Losses) on Extinguishment of Debt	4,157	[1]	44,629
Gains (losses) on settled swaps	(54,475)		0
Amortization of deferred financing costs and other non-cash interest	32,394		61,322
Stock-based compensation expense	44,711		39,497
Asset write-down charges	19,652		10,673
Deferred income tax benefit (provision)	(16,199)		(14,589)
Other adjustments	(7,240)		(1,967)
Changes in assets and liabilities, excluding the effects of acquisitions:
Increase (decrease) in accrued interest	2,241		2,461
Increase (decrease) in accounts payable	(8,310)		28,037
Increase (decrease) in deferred revenues, deferred ground lease payables, other accrued liabilities and other liabilities	214,607		259,178
Decrease (increase) in receivables	(703)		(64,079)
Decrease (increase) in prepaid expenses, deferred site rental receivables, long-term prepaid rent, restricted cash and other assets	(89,141)		(170,886)
Net cash provided by (used for) operating activities	1,290,876		1,150,926
Cash flows from investing activities:
Payment for acquisitions of businesses, net of cash acquired	(1,083,319)		(174,356)
Capital expenditures	(658,240)		(498,960)
Receipts from foreign currency swaps	54,475		0
Other investing activities, net	(1,561)		2,787
Net cash provided by (used for) investing activities	(1,688,645)		(670,529)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt	1,000,000		845,750
Principal payments on long-term debt and other long-term obligations	(78,049)		(86,197)
Purchases and redemptions of long-term debt	(1,069,337)	[2]	(836,899)
Purchases of capital stock	(29,576)		(21,778)
Borrowings under revolving credit facility	1,560,000		567,000
Payments under revolving credit facility	(1,240,000)		(587,000)
Payments for financing costs	(17,415)		(15,899)
Net (increase) decrease in restricted cash	28,435		39,882
Dividends/distributions paid on common stock	(821,056)		(350,535)
Dividends/distributions paid on preferred stock	(32,991)		(33,357)
Net cash provided by (used for) financing activities	(699,989)		(479,033)
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Discontinued Operations [Abstract]
Net cash provided by (used for) operating activities, Discontinued Operations	4,359		41,304
Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities, Discontinued Operations	1,103,577		(20,154)
Cash and Cash Equivalents, Period Increase (Decrease), Excluding Exchange Rate Effect [Abstract]
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Discontinued Operations	1,107,936		21,150
Effect of Exchange Rate on Cash and Cash Equivalents [Abstract]
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	(1,682)		(7,358)
Cash and Cash Equivalents, at Carrying Value, Including Discontinued Operations, Period Start	175,620		223,394
Cash and Cash Equivalents, at Carrying Value, Including Discontinued Operations, Period End	184,116		238,550
Continuing Operations [Member]
Cash flows from financing activities:
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents - continuing operations	$ (1,097,758)		$ 1,364

[1] Inclusive of $4.2 million related to the net write off of deferred financing costs, premiums and discounts.

[2] Exclusive of accrued interest.

XML

Acquisitions

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2015

Acquisitions [Abstract]

Business Combination Disclosure [Text Block]

Sunesys Acquisition

In April 2015, the Company entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Quanta Fiber Networks, Inc. ("Sunesys") for approximately $1.0 billion in cash, subject to certain limited adjustments ("Sunesys Acquisition"). On August 4, 2015, the Company closed the Sunesys Acquisition. The results of operations from Sunesys have been included in the Company's consolidated statement of operations since the date of acquisition.

Prior to the closing, Sunesys was a wholly owned subsidiary of Quanta Services, Inc. and a fiber services provider that owned or had rights to nearly 10,000 miles of fiber in major metropolitan markets across the U.S., including Los Angeles, Philadelphia, Chicago, Atlanta, Silicon Valley, and northern New Jersey. Approximately 60% of Sunesys' fiber miles were located in the top 10 basic trading areas.

The Company utilized borrowings under the 2012 Revolver and cash on hand to fund the cash consideration of approximately $1.0 billion. See note 5.

The preliminary purchase price allocation for the Sunesys Acquisition is shown below. The preliminary purchase price allocation is based upon a preliminary valuation which is subject to change as the Company obtains additional information, with respect to fixed assets, intangible assets and certain liabilities.

Preliminary Purchase Price Allocation
Current assets	$	12,821
Property and equipment	432,106
Goodwill (a)	347,547
Other intangible assets, net	249,935
Current liabilities	(25,418		)
Other non-current liabilities	(29,065		)
Net assets acquired (b)	$	987,926

(a) The preliminary purchase price allocation for the Sunesys Acquisition resulted in the recognition of goodwill based on the Company's expectation to leverage the Sunesys fiber footprint to support new small cell networks. The Sunesys fiber is complementary to the Company's existing fiber assets and is located where the Company expects to see wireless carrier network investments.

(b) Assets acquired in the Sunesys Acquisition are included in the Company's REIT and as such, no deferred taxes were recorded in connection with the Sunesys Acquisition.

XML

Per Share Information (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2015

Per Share Information

Reconciliation of the Numerators and Denominators of the Basic and Diluted Per Share Computations

	Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2015			2014			2015			2014
Net income (loss) from continuing operations	$	104,301		$	99,155		$	382,561		$	217,685
Dividends on preferred stock	(10,997		)	(10,997		)	(32,991		)	(32,991		)
Net income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to CCIC common stockholders for basic and diluted computations	$	93,304		$	88,158		$	349,570		$	184,694
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax	(522		)	8,882			1,000,708			28,502
Less: Net income (loss) attributable to the noncontrolling interest	—			1,100			3,343			3,744
Net income (loss) from discontinued operations attributable to CCIC common stockholders for basic and diluted computations	$	(522	)	$	7,782		$	997,365		$	24,758
Weighted-average number of common shares outstanding (in thousands):
Basic weighted-average number of common stock outstanding	333,049			332,413			332,951			332,264
Effect of assumed dilution from potential common shares relating to restricted stock units and restricted stock awards	662			828			784			756
Diluted weighted-average number of common shares outstanding	333,711			333,241			333,735			333,020
Net income (loss) attributable to CCIC common stockholders, per common share:
Income (loss) from continuing operations, basic	0.28			0.27			1.05			0.56
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, basic	—			0.02			3.00			0.07
Net income (loss) attributable to CCIC common stockholders, basic	0.28			0.29			4.05			0.63
Income (loss) from continuing operations, diluted	0.28			0.26			1.05			0.55
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, diluted	—			0.03			2.99			0.08
Net income (loss) attributable to CCIC common stockholders, diluted	0.28			0.29			4.04			0.63

XML

Debt and Other Obligations (Components of Interest Expense and Amortization of Deferred Financing Costs) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended			9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015		Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015		Sep. 30, 2014
Debt and Other Obligations [Abstract]
Interest expense on debt obligations	$ 121,287		$ 121,450	$ 366,388		$ 370,899
Amortization of deferred financing costs	5,451		5,516	16,624		16,678
Amortization of adjustments on long-term debt	116		(892)	(1,146)		(2,743)
Other	(721)		(338)	(1,809)		(508)
Total	129,877		141,287	398,782		432,221
Interest Rate Swap [Member]
Debt and Other Obligations [Abstract]
Amortization of interest rate swaps	$ 3,744	[1]	$ 15,551	$ 18,725	[1]	$ 47,895	[1]

[1] Amounts reclassified from "accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)."

XML

Subsequent Events Subsequent Events

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2015

Subsequent Events [Abstract]

Subsequent Events [Text Block]

Subsequent Events

Common Stock Dividend

On October 19, 2015, the Company declared a quarterly common stock cash dividend of $0.885 per share, which was approved by the Company's board of directors. The common stock dividend will be paid on December 31, 2015, to common stock holders of record as of December 18, 2015.