About Crown Castle

Crown Castle International Corp. owns, operates, and leases shared wireless infrastructure, including towers and other structures, such as rooftops (collectively, ‘towers’); distributed antenna systems, a type of small cell network (small cells); and interests in land under third party towers in various forms (third party land interests) (collectively, ‘wireless infrastructure’). The company’s core business is providing access, including space or capacity, to its towers, small cells, and third party land interests through long-term contracts in various forms, including license, sublease, and lease agreements (collectively, ‘contracts’). Its wireless infrastructure could accommodate multiple customers (co-location) for antennas or other equipment necessary for the transmission of signals for wireless communication devices. As of December 31, 2013, the company owned, leased, or managed approximately 39,600 towers in the United States (U.S.), including Puerto Rico, and approximately 1,700 towers in Australia. The company also provides certain network services relating to its wireless infrastructure, primarily consisting of antenna installations or subsequent augmentations, as well as additional site development services relating to its wireless infrastructure. The company conducts its operations through subsidiaries of Crown Castle Operating Company, including certain subsidiaries, which operate its wireless infrastructure portfolios in the U.S.; and a 77.6% owned subsidiary that operates its Australia tower portfolio. Segments The company’s segments include CCUSA and CCAL. CCUSA This segment consists of the company’s U.S. operations. Site Rental The core business of CCUSA is providing access to the company’s wireless infrastructure. The company primarily provides access to wireless carriers under long-term contracts for their antennas, which transmit various signals related to wireless voice and data. The company owns ownership interests or rights to majority of its towers in CCUSA from four major U.S. wireless carriers, including AT&T; T-Mobile; Global Signal Inc.; and companies part of Verizon Wireless. Its small cells are primarily acquired through the acquisitions of NextG Networks, Inc. and NewPath Networks, Inc. Network Services The company also offers certain network services relating to its wireless infrastructure, including customer equipment installation and subsequent augmentations (collectively, ‘installation services’); and additional site development services relating to its customers' existing or new antenna installations on CCUSA's wireless infrastructure, such as site acquisition, architectural and engineering, zoning or permitting, or other construction or network development related services. Customers The company works with national wireless carriers. Its customers primarily include providers of wireless voice or data services who operate national or regional networks. Its major customers included Sprint, T-Mobile, AT&T, and Verizon Wireless in 2013. Competition The company’s competitors include American Tower Corporation and SBA Communications Corporation. CCAL This segment includes the company’s Australian operations. The company’s primary business in Australia is providing access to antenna space on towers to its customers. It owns 77.6% of CCAL. CCAL is an independent tower operator in Australia. As of December 31, 2013, 56% of CCAL's towers were located in seven major metropolitan areas. The majority of CCAL's towers were acquired from Optus and Vodafone. CCAL also provides site development services and property management services for towers owned by third parties. Customers CCAL's major customers include Vodafone Hutchison Australia (a joint venture between Vodafone and Hutchison), Optus, and Telstra. Strategy The company’s strategy is to translate anticipated demand for its wireless infrastructure into growth in its cash flows and long-term stockholder value. Its long-term strategy is based on its belief that additional demand for its wireless infrastructure would be created by the expected continued growth in the wireless communications industry, which is primarily driven by the demand for wireless data services by consumers. Regulatory and Environmental Matters The company is required to comply with various federal, state, and local regulations and laws in the U.S., including Federal Communications Commission and Federal Aviation Administration regulations. As employers, the company is subject to Occupational Safety and Health Administration (and similar occupational health and safety legislation in Australia) and similar guidelines regarding employee protection from radio frequency exposure. History Crown Castle International Corp. was founded in 1994.