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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 O5t8MrTIMqXgstRW3QlgfbTokE6OubMqlwaq2Ab9t1IMtvlpkAT2+zm3wIG3q1rF
 NiQ9ZJrpeNEMSwFULAMOsg==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001181431-04-012861.txt : 20040301
<SEC-HEADER>0001181431-04-012861.hdr.sgml : 20040301
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20040301174037
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001181431-04-012861
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20040226
FILED AS OF DATE:		20040301

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			CROWN CASTLE INTERNATIONAL CORP
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001051470
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	COMMUNICATION SERVICES, NEC [4899]
		IRS NUMBER:				760470458
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		510 BERING DRIVE
		STREET 2:		SUITE 500
		CITY:			HOUSTON
		STATE:			TX
		ZIP:			77057
		BUSINESS PHONE:		7135703000

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		510 BERING DRIVE
		STREET 2:		SUITE 500
		CITY:			HOUSTON
		STATE:			TX
		ZIP:			77057

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			STRITTMATTER WILLIAM D
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001191604

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-16441
		FILM NUMBER:		04640448

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		120 LONG RIDGE ROAD
		CITY:			STEINFORD
		STATE:			CT
		ZIP:			06927
		BUSINESS PHONE:		2033576534

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		120 LONG RIDGE ROAD
		CITY:			STEINFORD
		STATE:			CT
		ZIP:			06927
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>rrd34812.xml
<DESCRIPTION>2/26/04 AWARD
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0201</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2004-02-26</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0001051470</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>CROWN CASTLE INTERNATIONAL CORP</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>CCI</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001191604</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>STRITTMATTER WILLIAM D</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>510 BERING DRIVE</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>SUITE 500</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>HOUSTON</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>TX</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>77057</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock $0.01 Par Value</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2004-02-26</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>3375</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>3375</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F2"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">The Stock is issued pursuant to the Company's 2001 Stock Incentive Plan as a component of director compensation.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">The Reporting Person serves as a director as the nominee of GE Capital pursuant to the terms of the Issuer's 8 1/4% Convertible Preferred Stock.  As a result, the stock reported was issued to GE Capital rather than the Reporting Person, and the Reporting Person disclaims any beneficial ownership of such stock.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ William D. Strittmatter</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2004-03-01</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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