Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss) - USD ($) shares in Millions, $ in Millions		3 Months Ended
		Mar. 31, 2019	Mar. 31, 2018
Net revenues:
Site rental		$ 1,219	$ 1,153
Services and other revenue		207	146
Net Revenues		1,426	1,299
Operating expenses:
Site rental	[1]	361	347
Services and other costs	[1]	125	86
Selling, general and administrative		152	134
Asset write-down charges		6	3
Acquisition and integration costs		4	6
Depreciation, amortization and accretion		394	374
Total operating expenses		1,042	950
Operating income (loss)		384	349
Nonoperating Income (Expense) [Abstract]
Interest expense and amortization of deferred financing costs		168	160
Gains (losses) on retirement of long-term obligations		(1)	(71)
Interest income		2	1
Other income (expense)		(1)	(1)
Income (loss) before income taxes		216	118
Benefit (provision) for income taxes		(6)	(4)
Net income (loss) attributable to CCIC stockholders		210	114
Dividends on preferred stock	[2]	(28)	(28)
Net income (loss) attributable to CCIC common stockholders		182	86
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Abstract]
Foreign currency translation adjustments		0	0
Total other comprehensive income (loss)	[3]	0	0
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to CCIC stockholders		$ 210	$ 114
Net income (loss) attributable to CCIC common stockholders, per common share:
Basic		$ 0.44	$ 0.21
Diluted		$ 0.44	$ 0.21
Weighted-average common shares outstanding (in millions):
Basic		415	409
Diluted		417	410

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

[2] See note 7 for information regarding common and preferred stock dividends declared per share.

[3] See the condensed consolidated statement of operations and other comprehensive income (loss) for the components of other comprehensive income (loss).