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  <xs:element id="cci_PerformanceAwards3YearPeriodMember" abstract="true" name="PerformanceAwards3YearPeriodMember" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types1:domainItemType"/>
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  <xs:element id="cci_DownwardSustainabilityAdjustmentCommitmentFeeDomain" abstract="true" name="DownwardSustainabilityAdjustmentCommitmentFeeDomain" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types1:domainItemType"/>
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  <xs:element id="cci_February2019SeniorUnsecured5.200NotesMember" abstract="true" name="February2019SeniorUnsecured5.200NotesMember" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types1:domainItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="cci_TaxTreatmentofDividendsAxis" abstract="true" name="TaxTreatmentofDividendsAxis" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrldt:dimensionItem" type="xbrli:stringItemType"/>
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  <xs:element id="cci_SiteRentalCostOfOperationsMember" abstract="true" name="SiteRentalCostOfOperationsMember" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types1:domainItemType"/>
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  <xs:element id="cci_FiberMiles" abstract="false" name="FiberMiles" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="instant" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:pureItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="cci_SiteRentalContractsAndTenantRelationshipsNet" abstract="false" name="SiteRentalContractsAndTenantRelationshipsNet" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="instant" xbrli:balance="debit" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType"/>
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  <xs:element id="cci_SubjectToCapitalLeaseWithTMOOrATTMember" abstract="true" name="SubjectToCapitalLeaseWithTMOOrATTMember" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types1:domainItemType"/>
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  <xs:element id="cci_DebtAndOtherObligationsAbstract" abstract="true" name="DebtAndOtherObligationsAbstract" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:stringItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="cci_August2019SeniorUnsecured4.000NotesMember" abstract="true" name="August2019SeniorUnsecured4.000NotesMember" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types1:domainItemType"/>
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  <xs:element id="cci_TMobilePurchaseObligation2037Member" abstract="true" name="TMobilePurchaseObligation2037Member" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types1:domainItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="cci_RestrictedCashAndCashEquivalentsFairValueDisclosure" abstract="false" name="RestrictedCashAndCashEquivalentsFairValueDisclosure" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="instant" xbrli:balance="debit" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType"/>
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  <xs:element id="cci_ATTPurchaseOptionPriorTo2032Member" abstract="true" name="ATTPurchaseOptionPriorTo2032Member" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types1:domainItemType"/>
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  <xs:element id="cci_DebtInterestRateIncreaseIfNotPaidByAnticipatedRepaymentDate" abstract="false" name="DebtInterestRateIncreaseIfNotPaidByAnticipatedRepaymentDate" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types1:percentItemType"/>
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  <xs:element id="cci_TMobileLeasedOrSubleasedOrOperatedAndManagedTowers" abstract="false" name="TMobileLeasedOrSubleasedOrOperatedAndManagedTowers" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:percentItemType"/>
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  <xs:element id="cci_A4.000SeniorUnsecuredNotesMember" abstract="true" name="A4.000SeniorUnsecuredNotesMember" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types1:domainItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="cci_NonTaxableDistribution" abstract="false" name="NonTaxableDistribution" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types1:perShareItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="cci_VerizonWirelessMember" abstract="true" name="VerizonWirelessMember" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types1:domainItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="cci_RevenueRecognitionForWirelessTenants" abstract="false" name="RevenueRecognitionForWirelessTenants" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:stringItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="cci_DeferredTaxLiabilitiesSiteRentalContractsAndTenantRelationshipsNet" abstract="false" name="DeferredTaxLiabilitiesSiteRentalContractsAndTenantRelationshipsNet" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="instant" xbrli:balance="credit" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="cci_May2015TowerRevenueNotesMember" abstract="true" name="May2015TowerRevenueNotesMember" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types1:domainItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="cci_A4.450SeniorNotesMember" abstract="true" name="A4.450SeniorNotesMember" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types1:domainItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="cci_SegmentServicesandOtherCostofOperations" abstract="false" name="SegmentServicesandOtherCostofOperations" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" xbrli:balance="debit" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="cci_AcquisitionsAndIntegrationCostsPolicyTextBlock" abstract="false" name="AcquisitionsAndIntegrationCostsPolicyTextBlock" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types1:textBlockItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="cci_WeightedAverageRemainingTermOfTenantLeasesAtTenantsOption" abstract="false" name="WeightedAverageRemainingTermOfTenantLeasesAtTenantsOption" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:stringItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="cci_EstimatedFutureUndiscountedCashFlowsExpectedToBePaidRelatingToAssetRetirementObligations" abstract="false" name="EstimatedFutureUndiscountedCashFlowsExpectedToBePaidRelatingToAssetRetirementObligations" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="instant" xbrli:balance="credit" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="cci_Segmentservicesandothergrossmargin" abstract="false" name="Segmentservicesandothergrossmargin" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" xbrli:balance="credit" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="cci_December2023SeniorUnsecured5.600NotesMember" abstract="true" name="December2023SeniorUnsecured5.600NotesMember" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:domainItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="cci_DebtInstrumentMaturityDateRange" abstract="false" name="DebtInstrumentMaturityDateRange" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:stringItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="cci_SegmentGeneralandAdministrativeExpenses" abstract="false" name="SegmentGeneralandAdministrativeExpenses" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" xbrli:balance="debit" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="cci_A5.250SeniorNotesMember" abstract="true" name="A5.250SeniorNotesMember" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types1:domainItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="cci_GroundLeaseAgreementInitialTerm" abstract="false" name="GroundLeaseAgreementInitialTerm" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:stringItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="cci_SubjectToCapitalLeaseWithTMOIncludingSprintOrATTMember" abstract="true" name="SubjectToCapitalLeaseWithTMOIncludingSprintOrATTMember" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types1:domainItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="cci_June2020SeniorUnsecured2.250NotesDomain" abstract="true" name="June2020SeniorUnsecured2.250NotesDomain" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types1:domainItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="cci_TMobileMember" abstract="true" name="TMobileMember" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types1:domainItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="cci_July2018TowerRevenueNotesMember" abstract="true" name="July2018TowerRevenueNotesMember" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types1:domainItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="cci_SegmentOperatingProfit" abstract="false" name="SegmentOperatingProfit" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" xbrli:balance="credit" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="cci_EmployeeSeveranceAndOtherOneTimeTerminationBenefitsMember" abstract="true" name="EmployeeSeveranceAndOtherOneTimeTerminationBenefitsMember" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:domainItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="cci_RemainingObligationsUnderFacilityLeasesMember" abstract="true" name="RemainingObligationsUnderFacilityLeasesMember" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:domainItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="cci_MaxDurationOfCP" abstract="false" name="MaxDurationOfCP" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:stringItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="cci_TowerCount" abstract="false" name="TowerCount" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="instant" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:pureItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="cci_January2023SeniorUnsecured5.000NotesMember" abstract="true" name="January2023SeniorUnsecured5.000NotesMember" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:domainItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="cci_SiteRentalContractsAndTenantRelationshipsMember" abstract="true" name="SiteRentalContractsAndTenantRelationshipsMember" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types1:domainItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="cci_BelowMarketTenantLeasesAmortizationIncomeYear2" abstract="false" name="BelowMarketTenantLeasesAmortizationIncomeYear2" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="instant" xbrli:balance="credit" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="cci_DownwardSustainabilityAdjustmentCommitmentFeeAxis" abstract="true" name="DownwardSustainabilityAdjustmentCommitmentFeeAxis" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrldt:dimensionItem" type="xbrli:stringItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="cci_Siterentalrevenues" abstract="false" name="Siterentalrevenues" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" xbrli:balance="credit" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="cci_June2020SeniorUnsecured3.250NotesDomain" abstract="true" name="June2020SeniorUnsecured3.250NotesDomain" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types1:domainItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="cci_JurisdictionalComponentsOfDeferredTaxAssetsAndLiabilitiesTextBlock" abstract="false" name="JurisdictionalComponentsOfDeferredTaxAssetsAndLiabilitiesTextBlock" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types1:textBlockItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="cci_SiteRentalRevenueRemainingRentalObligation" abstract="false" name="SiteRentalRevenueRemainingRentalObligation" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" xbrli:balance="credit" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="cci_TimeVestingAwards1YearPeriodMember" abstract="true" name="TimeVestingAwards1YearPeriodMember" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:domainItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="cci_MaximumDownwardAdjustmentCommitmentFeeMember" abstract="true" name="MaximumDownwardAdjustmentCommitmentFeeMember" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types1:domainItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="cci_February2021SeniorNotesDomain" abstract="true" name="February2021SeniorNotesDomain" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types1:domainItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="cci_Purchaseoflandinterests" abstract="false" name="Purchaseoflandinterests" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" xbrli:balance="debit" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="cci_August2017SeniorUnsecured3.200NotesMember" abstract="true" name="August2017SeniorUnsecured3.200NotesMember" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types1:domainItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="cci_MaximumUpwardAdjustmentSpreadMember" abstract="true" name="MaximumUpwardAdjustmentSpreadMember" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types1:domainItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="cci_UpwardSustainabilityAdjustmentCommitmentFeeDomain" abstract="true" name="UpwardSustainabilityAdjustmentCommitmentFeeDomain" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types1:domainItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="cci_ATTPurchaseOptionPriorTo2029Member" abstract="true" name="ATTPurchaseOptionPriorTo2029Member" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:domainItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="cci_DividendsDeclaredAbstract" abstract="true" name="DividendsDeclaredAbstract" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:stringItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="cci_SharesAvailableForIssuanceUnderFutureAwardsPursuantToThe2022LTIP" abstract="false" name="SharesAvailableForIssuanceUnderFutureAwardsPursuantToThe2022LTIP" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:stringItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="cci_AccruedPayrollandOtherCompensation" abstract="false" name="AccruedPayrollandOtherCompensation" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="instant" xbrli:balance="credit" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="cci_AuditInformationAbstract" abstract="true" name="AuditInformationAbstract" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:stringItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="cci_ServiceRevenuePaymentTerms" abstract="false" name="ServiceRevenuePaymentTerms" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:stringItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="cci_PurchaseOptionPercentageofTowers" abstract="false" name="PurchaseOptionPercentageofTowers" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="instant" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types1:percentItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="cci_March2022SeniorUnsecured2900NotesMember" abstract="true" name="March2022SeniorUnsecured2900NotesMember" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types1:domainItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="cci_IncreaseDecreaseinaccountspayableforpurchasesofpropertyandequipment" abstract="false" name="IncreaseDecreaseinaccountspayableforpurchasesofpropertyandequipment" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" xbrli:balance="credit" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="cci_FinanceLeaseObligationsandOtherMember" abstract="true" name="FinanceLeaseObligationsandOtherMember" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types1:domainItemType"/>
</xs:schema>
