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. Its wireless infrastructure could accommodate multiple customers for antennas and other equipment necessary for the transmission of signals for wireless communication devices. As of December 31, 2012, the company owned, leased, or managed approximately 31,500 towers, including approximately 29,800 towers in the United States, such as 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 and 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 wireless infrastructure portfolios in the United States, including Puerto Rico (CCUSA); and a 77.6% owned subsidiary that operates its Australia tower portfolio (CCAL). Segments The company’s segments include CCUSA and CCAL. CCUSA This segment consists of the company’s United States operations. Site Rental The core business of CCUSA is providing access to the company’s wireless infrastructure. It 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 from four primary wireless carriers, including T-Mobile USA, Inc. (T-Mobile), Global Signal Inc., Verizon Wireless, and AT&T, as well as other independent tower operators. The company has master lease agreements with various wireless carriers, including Verizon Wireless, AT&T, Sprint Nextel (Sprint), and T-Mobile. Network Services The company also offers wireless communication companies and their agents certain network services relating to its wireless infrastructure. Its additional site development services include site acquisition, architectural and engineering, zoning and permitting, fiber installations, other construction, and other services related to network development. Customers The company works with major national wireless carriers. Its customers primarily consist of the providers of wireless voice and data services who operate national or regional networks. Its major customers included Sprint, AT&T, Verizon Wireless, and T-Mobile in 2012. Competition The company’s competitors include American Tower Corporation and SBA Communications Corporation. CCAL This segment’s primary business in Australia is providing access to antenna space on towers to the company’s customers. The company owns 77.6% of CCAL. CCAL is the major independent tower operator in Australia. As of December 31, 2012, CCAL had approximately 1,700 towers with 56% of such towers located in 7 major metropolitan areas. The majority of CCAL's towers were acquired from Optus and Vodafone. CCAL also provides a range of services, including site maintenance and property management services for towers owned by third parties. Customers CCAL's principal customers are Telstra, Optus, and Vodafone and Hutchison. Strategy The company’s strategy is to increase long-term stockholder value by translating anticipated future growth in its core business into growth of its results on a per share basis. 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 voice and 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 United States, including Federal Communications Commission and Federal Aviation Administration regulations. History Crown Castle International Corp. was founded in 1994.