-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 QOf9dNsF6k/alpg+NkuDe12l4hGogmPfHZZNn5zlIp++SYQ5qhRqR/IAJlac8vCH
 T7S+jOZ2v1jFasmYNKKMVg==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001181431-08-068237.txt : 20081218
<SEC-HEADER>0001181431-08-068237.hdr.sgml : 20081218
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20081218174237
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001181431-08-068237
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20081216
FILED AS OF DATE:		20081218
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20081218

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:		1220 AUGUSTA DRIVE
		STREET 2:		SUITE 500
		CITY:			HOUSTON
		STATE:			TX
		ZIP:			77057
		BUSINESS PHONE:		7135703000

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		1220 AUGUSTA DRIVE
		STREET 2:		SUITE 500
		CITY:			HOUSTON
		STATE:			TX
		ZIP:			77057

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			Fisher Rob A
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001323341

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-16441
		FILM NUMBER:		081258304

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		BUSINESS PHONE:		724-416-2000

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		2000 CORPORATE DRIVE
		CITY:			CANONSBURG
		STATE:			PA
		ZIP:			15317
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>rrd226764.xml
<DESCRIPTION>RSA GRANT 081216
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0303</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2008-12-16</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

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

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001323341</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>Fisher Rob A</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>2000 CORPORATE DRIVE</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>CANONSBURG</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>PA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>15317</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>V.P. &amp; Corporate Controller</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock, $0.01 Par Value</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2008-12-16</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>14000</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>70729</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock, $0.01 Par Value</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>2510</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F2"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>By 401(k) Plan</value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">The stock is restricted stock issued pursuant to the Company's 2004 Stock Incentive Plan, and 33 1/3% of the restricted stock generally vests (i.e., the transfer and forfeiture restrictions terminate) on each December 11 of 2009, 2010 and 2011.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">Represents shares previously acquired in transactions exempt under Rule 16b-3(c).</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Rob A. Fisher</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2008-12-18</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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