v2.4.0.6

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified | 12 Months Ended
--- | ---
Dec. 31, 2011 years | Dec. 31, 2010 | Dec. 31, 2009
Increase (decrease) in restricted cash for operating activities | $ 17.9 | $ 18.9 | $ 3.6
Increase (decrease) in restricted cash for investing activities | 15.4 | 0 | 0
Allowance for deferred site rental receivables | $ 0 | $ 5.1 |
Useful life of site rental contracts and customer relationships (years) | 20 |  |
Revenue recognition, non-cancelable lease term, minimum (years) | 5 |  |
Revenue recognition, non-cancelable lease term, maximum (years) | 15 |  |
Portion of company site rental costs that are ground lease expenses | 0.667 |  |
Ground lease agreement initial term | 5 years |  |
Percentage of tax position that is likely of being realized upon ultimate settlement | 50.00% |  |
Maximum [Member] |  |  |
Original Maturities of Highly Liquid Investments | 3 months |  |
Wireless Infrastructure [Member] |  |  |
Property, plant and equipment estimated useful life, maximum (years) | 20 |  |

X
- Definition An allowance for uncollectible amount to offset the deferred site rental receivable that arises from site rental revenue recognized in excess of amount currently due under lease agreement. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | cci_AllowanceForDeferredSiteRentalReceivables
Namespace Prefix: | cci_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition This disclosure represents the initial term of the Company’s ground lease agreements + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | cci_GroundLeaseAgreementInitialTerm
Namespace Prefix: | cci_
Data Type: | us-types:durationStringItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition The net cash inflow or outflow for the increase (decrease) associated with funds that are not available for withdrawal or use and are associated with underlying transactions that are classified as investing activities. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | cci_IncreaseDecreaseInRestrictedCashForInvestingActivities
Namespace Prefix: | cci_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition This disclosure represents the original maturities of the Company's cash equivalents on the balance sheet + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | cci_OriginalMaturitiesOfCashEquivalents
Namespace Prefix: | cci_
Data Type: | us-types:durationStringItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition The threshold percentage of an uncertain tax position at which the Company will recognize a tax position. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | cci_PercentageOfTaxPositionThatIsLikelyOfBeingRealizedUponUltimateSettlement
Namespace Prefix: | cci_
Data Type: | num:percentItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Portion of Company site rental costs That are related to ground lease expenses + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | cci_PortionOfCompanySiteRentalCostsThatAreGroundLeaseExpenses
Namespace Prefix: | cci_
Data Type: | xbrli:decimalItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Revenue Recognition Non Cancelable Lease Term, Range (Maximum) + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | cci_RevenueRecognitionNonCancelableLeaseTermRangeMaximum
Namespace Prefix: | cci_
Data Type: | xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Revenue Recognition Non-cancelable Lease Term, Range (Minimum) + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | cci_RevenueRecognitionNonCancelableLeaseTermRangeMinimum
Namespace Prefix: | cci_
Data Type: | xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition The useful life of all finite-lived intangible assets. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 142 -Paragraph 12, 13, 14 -LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy. Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 350 -SubTopic 30 -Section 35 -Paragraph 6 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6904245&loc=d3e15372-109273 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsUsefulLife
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition The net cash inflow or outflow for the increase (decrease) associated with funds that are not available for withdrawal or use (such as funds held in escrow) and are associated with underlying transactions that are classified as operating activities. This may include cash restricted for regulatory purposes. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 230 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 28 -Subparagraph (a) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6943989&loc=d3e3602-108585 + Details
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Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition The maximum useful life of long-lived, physical assets used in the normal conduct of business and not intended for resale. Examples include land, buildings, machinery and equipment, and other types of furniture and equipment including, but not limited to, office equipment, furniture and fixtures, and computer equipment and software. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentUsefulLifeMaximum
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:decimalItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration