Equinix (EQIX) 10-Q 12 Nov 13 2013 Q3 Quarterly report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Document And Entity Information [Abstract]	'
Document Type	'10-Q
Amendment Flag	'false
Document Period End Date	30-Sep-13
Document Fiscal Year Focus	'2013
Document Fiscal Period Focus	'Q3
Trading Symbol	'EQIX
Entity Registrant Name	'EQUINIX INC
Entity Central Index Key	'0001101239
Current Fiscal Year End Date	'--12-31
Entity Filer Category	'Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	49,776,739

Condensed_Consolidated_Balance

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Current assets:	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	$399,742	$252,213
Short-term investments	346,038	166,492
Accounts receivable, net	199,644	163,840
Other current assets	59,350	57,547
Total current assets	1,004,774	640,092
Long-term investments	442,195	127,819
Property, plant and equipment, net	4,381,020	3,915,738
Goodwill	1,036,179	1,042,564
Intangible assets, net	182,345	201,562
Other assets	342,531	208,022
Total assets	7,389,044	6,135,797
Current liabilities:	'	'
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	299,135	268,853
Accrued property, plant and equipment	91,468	63,509
Current portion of capital lease and other financing obligations	16,979	15,206
Current portion of loans payable	40,185	52,160
Other current liabilities	134,458	149,344
Total current liabilities	582,225	549,072
Capital lease and other financing obligations, less current portion	862,410	545,853
Loans payable, less current portion	156,787	188,802
Convertible debt	720,215	708,726
Senior notes	2,250,000	1,500,000
Other liabilities	263,352	245,725
Total liabilities	4,834,989	3,738,178
Redeemable non-controlling interests (Note 10)	101,059	84,178
Commitments and contingencies (Note 11)	'	'
Stockholders' equity:	'	'
Common stock	50	49
Additional paid-in capital	2,692,210	2,582,238
Treasury stock	-35,903	-36,676
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	-121,731	-101,042
Accumulated deficit	-81,630	-131,128
Total stockholders' equity	2,452,996	2,313,441
Total liabilities, redeemable non-controlling interests and stockholders' equity	$7,389,044	$6,135,797

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (USD $)	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012
Income Statement [Abstract]	'	'
Revenues	$484,835	$1,381,317
Costs and operating expenses:	'	'
Cost of revenues	250,946	695,288
Sales and marketing	53,211	147,224
General and administrative	83,290	241,730
Acquisition costs	4,542	6,883
Total costs and operating expenses	391,989	1,091,125
Income from operations	92,846	290,192
Interest income	1,054	2,708
Interest expense	-50,207	-149,812
Other income (expense)	507	-1,491
Loss on debt extinguishment	-5,204	-5,204
Income from continuing operations before income taxes	38,996	136,393
Income tax expense	-12,348	-41,088
Net income from continuing operations	26,648	95,305
Net income from discontinued operations, net of tax	679	1,228
Net income	27,327	96,533
Net income attributable to redeemable non-controlling interests	-362	-1,843
Net income attributable to Equinix	$26,965	$94,690
Earnings per share ("EPS") attributable to Equinix:	'	'
Basic EPS from continuing operations	$0.54	$1.96
Basic EPS from discontinued operations	$0.02	$0.02
Basic EPS	$0.56	$1.98
Weighted-average shares	48,361	47,779
Diluted EPS from continuing operations	$0.53	$1.91
Diluted EPS from discontinued operations	$0.01	$0.02
Diluted EPS	$0.54	$1.93
Weighted-average shares	52,655	51,724

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme1

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Statement Of Income And Comprehensive Income [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Net income	$42,753	$27,327	$50,750	$96,533
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:	'	'	'	'
Foreign currency translation gain (loss)	78,113	41,782	-25,107	26,887
Unrealized gain on available for sale securities	438	113	78	14
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	78,551	41,895	-25,029	26,901
Comprehensive income, net of tax	121,304	69,222	25,721	123,434
Net income attributable to redeemable non-controlling interests	-282	-362	-1,252	-1,843
Other comprehensive (income) loss attributable to redeemable non-controlling interests	-200	240	4,340	3,155
Comprehensive income attributable to Equinix	$120,822	$69,100	$28,809	$124,746

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme2

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Cash flows from operating activities:	'	'
Net income	$50,750	$96,533
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:	'	'
Depreciation	305,651	278,430
Stock-based compensation	75,310	61,432
Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation	-27,372	-53,174
Restructuring charge	-4,837	'
Amortization of debt issuance costs and debt discounts	17,602	18,057
Amortization of intangible assets	20,445	16,668
Provision for allowance for doubtful accounts	3,160	4,031
Loss on debt extinguishment	93,602	5,204
Other items	6,699	6,524
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:	'	'
Accounts receivable	-40,292	-46,900
Income taxes, net	-71,567	21,196
Other assets	-21,046	18,805
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	17,399	7,335
Other liabilities	12,398	-5,807
Net cash provided by operating activities	437,902	428,334
Cash flows from investing activities:	'	'
Purchases of investments	-814,422	-365,934
Sales of investments	176,971	338,192
Maturities of investments	139,674	542,155
Deposit for purchase of real estate	-891	'
Purchases of property, plant and equipment	-369,565	-554,092
Increase in restricted cash	-836,767	-8,270
Release of restricted cash	843,088	87,437
Net cash used in investing activities	-935,951	-238,953
Cash flows from financing activities:	'	'
Purchases of treasury stock	'	-13,364
Proceeds from employee equity awards	28,082	50,139
Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation	27,372	53,174
Proceeds from senior notes	1,500,000	'
Proceeds from loans payable	1,734	258,542
Repayment of capital lease and other financing obligations	-12,226	-8,907
Repayment of loans payable	-42,304	-315,779
Repayment of convertible debt	'	-250,007
Repayment of senior notes	-750,000	'
Debt extinguishment costs	-84,675	'
Debt issuance costs	-22,435	-8,767
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	645,548	-234,969
Effect of foreign currency exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents	30	6,452
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	147,529	-39,136
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	252,213	278,823
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	399,742	239,687
Supplemental cash flow information:	'	'
Cash paid for taxes	86,736	19,578
Cash paid for interest	135,958	157,917
New York IBX 2 Data Center [Member]	'	'
Cash flows from investing activities:	'	'
Purchases of property, plant and equipment	-73,441	'
Asia Tone [Member]	'	'
Cash flows from investing activities:	'	'
Purchase of Business, net of cash acquired	755	-194,205
Ancotel GmbH [Member]	'	'
Cash flows from investing activities:	'	'
Purchase of Business, net of cash acquired	'	-84,236
Frankfurt Kleyer 90 Carrier Hotel [Member]	'	'
Cash flows from investing activities:	'	'
Deposit for purchase of Business	($1,353)	'

Basis_of_Presentation_and_Sign

Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'
Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies	'
	1	Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies
	Basis of Presentation
	The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared by Equinix, Inc. (‘‘Equinix’’ or the ‘‘Company’’) and reflect all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring adjustments, which in the opinion of management are necessary to fairly state the financial position and the results of operations for the interim periods presented. The condensed consolidated balance sheet data as of December 31, 2012 has been derived from audited consolidated financial statements as of that date. The consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (‘‘SEC’’), but omit certain information and footnote disclosure necessary to present the statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America (“GAAP”). For further information, refer to the Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes thereto included in Equinix’s Form 10-K as filed with the SEC on February 26, 2013. Results for the interim periods are not necessarily indicative of results for the entire fiscal year.
	Consolidation
	The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Equinix and its subsidiaries. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
	Income Taxes
	The Company’s effective tax rates were 21.8% and 30.1% for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively. The lower effective tax rate during the nine months ended September 30, 2013 was primarily due to the expected loss in the U.S. for the year as a result of the loss on debt extinguishment recorded during the period (see Note 9) and the recognition of deferred tax assets in a certain jurisdiction in our EMEA region.
	The Company re-evaluated the valuation allowance situation in certain jurisdictions in its EMEA region as a result of a new organizational structure that centralized the majority of its EMEA business management activities in the Netherlands which became effective during the three months ended September 30, 2013. The Company concluded that a portion of the valuation allowance previously assessed against the net deferred tax assets in a certain jurisdiction is no longer necessary. As such, the Company recognized a deferred tax asset of $1,906,000 during the three months ended September 30, 2013.
	The Company is entitled to a deduction for federal and state tax purposes with respect to employee equity award activity. The reduction in income taxes payable related to windfall tax benefits for employee equity awards has been reflected as an adjustment to additional paid-in capital. For the nine months ended September 30, 2013, the benefits arising from employee equity award activity that resulted in an adjustment to additional paid-in capital were approximately $27,372,000.
	Discontinued Operations
	In August 2012, the Company entered into an agreement to sell 16 of the Company’s IBX data centers located throughout the U.S. to an investment group including 365 Main, Crosslink Capital, Housatonic Partners and Brightwood Capital for net proceeds of $76,458,000 (the “Divestiture”). The Divestiture closed in November 2012. The Company’s operating results from its discontinued operations associated with the Divestiture consisted of the following (in thousands):
		Three months			Nine months
		ended			ended
		September 30, 2012
	Revenues	$	8,826		$	26,796
	Cost of revenues		(6,585	)		(22,469	)
	Operating expenses		(913	)		(2,077	)
	Income taxes		(649	)		(1,022	)
	Net income from discontinued operations	$	679		$	1,228
	Recent Accounting Pronouncements
	In December 2011, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2011-11, Disclosures about Offsetting Assets and Liabilities. This ASU requires companies to disclose both gross information and net information about instruments and transactions eligible for offset in the statement of financial position and instruments and transactions subject to an agreement similar to a master netting arrangement. In January 2013, the FASB issued ASU 2013-01, clarifying the Scope of Disclosures about Offsetting Assets and Liabilities. This ASU clarifies that the scope of ASU 2011-11 only applies to derivatives accounted for in accordance with ASC 815, Derivatives and Hedging, and securities borrowing and securities lending transactions. This new guidance is effective for interim and annual periods beginning on or after January 1, 2013 and retrospective disclosure is required for all comparative periods presented. During the three months ended March 31, 2013, the Company adopted these ASUs and their adoption did not have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements since the ASUs enhance currently required disclosures.
	In February 2013, the FASB issued ASU 2013-02, Reporting of Amounts Reclassified Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income. This ASU requires companies to report the effect of significant reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive income on the respective line items in net income when applicable or to cross-reference the reclassifications with other disclosures that provide additional detail about the reclassification made when the reclassifications are not made to net income. This ASU is effective for fiscal years and interim periods, beginning after December 15, 2012. During the three months ended March 31, 2013, the Company adopted ASU 2013-02 and the adoption did not have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements since the Company did not have material reclassifications in any periods presented.
	In July 2013, the FASB issued ASU 2013-11, Presentation of an Unrecognized Tax Benefit When a Net Operating Loss Carryforward, a Similar Tax Loss, or a Tax Credit Carryforward Exists. This ASU requires companies to present an unrecognized tax benefit, or a portion thereof, as a reduction to a deferred tax asset for a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward, except to the extent that these instances are not available at the reporting date. This ASU is effective for fiscal years and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2013 with early adoption permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact that the adoption of this standard will have to its consolidated financial statements, if any.

Change_In_Accounting_Principle

Change In Accounting Principle, Reclassifications and Revision of Previously-Issued Financial Statements	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Accounting Changes And Error Corrections [Abstract]	'
Change In Accounting Principle, Reclassifications and Revision of Previously-Issued Financial Statements	'
	2		Change In Accounting Principle, Reclassifications and Revision of Previously-Issued Financial Statements
	Change in Accounting Principle
	Commencing in 2013, the Company changed its method of accounting for income taxes by excluding the effects of subsequent events that are not recognized in the Company’s consolidated financial statements in determining its estimated annual effective tax rate for interim reporting periods. Prior to the change, the Company’s policy was to include the effects of events that occurred subsequent to the interim balance sheet date in its estimated annual effective tax rate. The Company believes that the change is preferable as it provides consistency with the reporting of activity on a pre-tax basis and aligns with other income tax guidance which requires items such as changes in tax rates to be reflected in the period such laws become effective. In addition, the Company believes this change results in a more comparable method for interim tax accounting with other companies in its industry. This change did not have a significant impact to the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements as of and for the three months ended March 31, 2012, the three and six months ended June 30, 2012 and the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 and as a result, the Company did not retrospectively adjust its prior periods’ condensed consolidated financial statements.
	Reclassifications and Revision of Previously-Issued Financial Statements
	During the three months ended June 30, 2013, the Company reassessed the estimated period over which revenue related to non-recurring installation fees is recognized as a result of observed trends in customer contract lives. Non-recurring installation fees, although generally paid in a lump sum upon installation, are deferred and recognized ratably over the expected life of the installation. The Company undertook this review due to its determination that its customers were generally benefitting from their installations longer than originally anticipated and, therefore, the estimated period that revenue related to non-recurring installation fees is recognized was extended. This change was originally incorrectly accounted for as a change in accounting estimate on a prospective basis effective April 1, 2013. During the three months ended September 30, 2013, the Company determined that these longer lives should have been identified and utilized for revenue recognition purposes beginning in 2006. As a result, the Company’s installation revenues were overstated by $2,572,000, $1,548,000, $1,548,000 and $1,548,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2013, September 30, 2012, June 30, 2012 and March 31, 2012, respectively; and understated by $3,858,000 for the three months ended June 30, 2013. This error did not impact the Company’s reported total cash flows from operating activities.
	Also, during the three months ended December 31, 2012, the Company determined that within the Company’s cash flows from operating activities section of its condensed consolidated statement of cash flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2012, excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation of $60,977,000 were recorded within changes in other assets when they should have been attributed to income taxes payable, and therefore included within changes in accounts payable and accrued expenses. This error has been corrected in the condensed consolidated statement of cash flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 presented herein, and did not impact the Company’s condensed consolidated statement of cash flows for the first and second quarters of 2012. The Company’s consolidated statement of cash flows for the year ended December 31, 2012 properly reflected excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation. Additionally, the Company changed its presentation of the impact of income taxes on cash flows from operating activities to present it within a single line within the consolidated statement of cash flows during the year ended December 31, 2012. This item has no impact on the Company’s reported total cash flows from operating activities.
	The Company assessed the materiality of the above errors, as well as the previously-identified immaterial errors described below, individually and in the aggregate on prior periods’ financial statements in accordance with the SEC’s Staff Accounting Bulletins No. 99 and 108 and, based on an analysis of quantitative and qualitative factors, determined that the errors were not individually material to any of the Company’s prior interim and annual financial statements and, therefore, the previously-issued financial statements could continue to be relied upon and that the amendment of previously filed reports with the SEC was not required. The Company also determined that correcting the cumulative amount of the non-recurring installation fees of $27,170,000 as of December 31, 2012 in 2013 would be material to the projected 2013 consolidated financial statements and as such the Company will revise its previously-issued consolidated financial statements the next time the financial statements for those periods are filed.
	As the Company will revise its previously-issued consolidated financial statements as described above, as part of the revision the Company also corrected certain previously-identified immaterial errors that were either uncorrected or corrected in a period subsequent to the period in which the error originated including (i) certain recoverable taxes in Brazil that were incorrectly recorded in the Company’s statements of operations, which had the effect of overstating both revenues and cost of revenues; (ii) errors related to certain foreign currency embedded derivatives in Asia-Pacific, which have an effect on revenue; (iii) an error in the Company’s statement of cash flows related to the acquisition of Asia Tone Limited (“Asia Tone”) that affects both cash flows from operating and investing activities and (iv) errors in depreciation, stock-based compensation and property tax accruals in the U.S.
	All financial information contained in the accompanying footnotes to these condensed consolidation financial statements has been revised to reflect the correction of these errors.
	The following table presents the effect of the aforementioned revisions on the Company’s revenues, net income and basic and diluted EPS for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010 (in thousands, except per share data):
			Years ended December 31,
			2012			2011			2010
	Revenues		$	(8,368	)	$	(4,159	)	$	(7,562	)
	Cost of revenues			(622	)		4,827			(289	)
	General and administrative			1,133			—			—
	Income from operations			(7,857	)		668			(7,851	)
	Income tax expense			3,219			104			1,749
	Net income			(4,638	)		772			(6,102	)
	Earnings per share (“EPS”) attributable to Equinix:
	Basic EPS from continuing operations			(0.09	)		0.01			(0.14	)
	Basic EPS			(0.09	)		0.01			(0.14	)
	Diluted EPS from continuing operations			(0.09	)		0.02			(0.14	)
	Diluted EPS			(0.09	)		0.02			(0.13	)
	The following table presents the effect of the aforementioned revision on the Company’s condensed consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2012 (in thousands):
			As of December 31, 2012
			As reported			Revision (1)			As revised
	Assets
	Cash and cash equivalents		$	252,213		$	—		$	252,213
	Short-term investments			166,492			—			166,492
	Accounts receivable, net			163,840			—			163,840
	Other current assets			57,206			341			57,547
	Total current assets			639,751			341			640,092
	Long-term investments			127,819			—			127,819
	Property, plant and equipment, net			3,918,999			(3,261	)		3,915,738
	Goodwill			1,042,564			—			1,042,564
	Intangible assets, net			201,562			—			201,562
	Other assets			202,269			5,753			208,022
	Total assets		$	6,132,964		$	2,833		$	6,135,797
	Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity
	Current liabilities:
	Accounts payable and accrued expenses		$	268,853			—		$	268,853
	Accrued property, plant and equipment			63,509			—			63,509
	Current portion of capital lease and other financing obligations			15,206			—			15,206
	Current portion of loans payable			52,160			—			52,160
	Other current liabilities			139,561			9,783			149,344
	Total current liabilities			539,289			9,783			549,072
	Capital lease and other financing obligations, less current portion			545,853			—			545,853
	Loans payable, less current portion			188,802			—			188,802
	Convertible debt			708,726			—			708,726
	Senior notes			1,500,000			—			1,500,000
	Other liabilities			230,843			14,882			245,725
	Total liabilities			3,713,513			24,665			3,738,178
	Redeemable non-controlling interests			84,178			—			84,178
	Common stock			49			—			49
	Additional paid-in capital			2,583,371			(1,133	)		2,582,238
	Treasury stock			(36,676	)		—			(36,676	)
	Accumulated other comprehensive loss			(101,042	)		—			(101,042	)
	Accumulated deficit			(110,429	)		(20,699	)		(131,128	)
	Total stockholders’ equity			2,335,273			(21,832	)		2,313,441
	Total liabilities, redeemable non-controlling interests and stockholders’ equity		$	6,132,964		$	2,833		$	6,135,797
		-1	The impact of revising the estimated periods over which revenue from non-recurring installation fees is recognized, depreciation of certain fixed assets and amortization of stock-based compensation expense.
	The following table presents the effect of the aforementioned revisions on the Company’s condensed consolidated statements of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 (in thousands, except per share data):
			Three months ended September 30, 2012
		As reported			Revision (1)			As revised
Revenues		$	488,730		$	(3,895	)	$	484,835
Costs and operating expenses:
Cost of revenues			251,487			(541	)		250,946
Sales and marketing			53,211			—			53,211
General and administrative			83,621			(331	)		83,290
Acquisition costs			4,542			—			4,542
Total costs and operating expenses			392,861			(872	)		391,989
Income from operations			95,869			(3,023	)		92,846
Interest income			1,054			—			1,054
Interest expense			(50,207	)		—			(50,207	)
Other income			507			—			507
Loss on debt extinguishment			(5,204	)		—			(5,204	)
Income from continuing operations before income taxes			42,019			(3,023	)		38,996
Income tax expense			(13,498	)		1,150			(12,348	)
Net income from continuing operations			28,521			(1,873	)		26,648
Net income from discontinued operations, net of tax			679			—			679
Net income			29,200			(1,873	)		27,327
Net income attributable to redeemable non-controlling interests			(362	)		—			(362	)
Net income attributable to Equinix			28,838			(1,873	)		26,965
Earnings per share (“EPS”) attributable to Equinix:
Basic EPS from continuing operations			0.58			(0.04	)		0.54
Basic EPS			0.6			(0.04	)		0.56
Diluted EPS from continuing operations			0.57			(0.04	)		0.53
Diluted EPS			0.58			(0.04	)		0.54
	-1	The impact of revising the estimated periods over which revenue from non-recurring installation fees is recognized, depreciation of certain fixed assets, recoverable taxes, amortization of stock-based compensation expense and embedded derivatives.
		Nine months ended September 30, 2012
		As reported			Revision (1)			As revised
Revenues		$	1,389,224		$	(7,907	)	$	1,381,317
Costs and operating expenses:
Cost of revenues			693,874			1,414			695,288
Sales and marketing			147,224			—			147,224
General and administrative			242,532			(802	)		241,730
Acquisition costs			6,883			—			6,883
Total costs and operating expenses			1,090,513			612			1,091,125
Income from operations			298,711			(8,519	)		290,192
Interest income			2,708			—			2,708
Interest expense			(149,812	)		—			(149,812	)
Other expense			(1,491	)		—			(1,491	)
Loss on debt extinguishment			(5,204	)		—			(5,204	)
Income from continuing operations before income taxes			144,912			(8,519	)		136,393
Income tax expense			(44,489	)		3,401			(41,088	)
Net income from continuing operations			100,423			(5,118	)		95,305
Net income from discontinued operations, net of tax			1,228			—			1,228
Net income			101,651			(5,118	)		96,533
Net income attributable to redeemable non-controlling interests			(1,843	)		—			(1,843	)
Net income attributable to Equinix		$	99,808		$	(5,118	)	$	94,690
Earnings per share (“EPS”) attributable to Equinix:
Basic EPS from continuing operations		$	2.06		$	(0.10	)	$	1.96
Basic EPS			2.09			(0.11	)		1.98
Diluted EPS from continuing operations			2.01			(0.10	)		1.91
Diluted EPS			2.03			(0.10	)		1.93
	-1	The impact of revising the estimated periods over which revenue from non-recurring installation fees is recognized, depreciation of certain fixed assets, recoverable taxes, amortization of stock-based compensation expense, embedded derivatives and property taxes.
The following table presents the effect of the aforementioned revisions and reclassification on the Company’s condensed consolidated statement of cash flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 (in thousands):
		Nine months ended September 30, 2012
		As reported			Revision (1)			Revision (2)			Reclassification			As revised
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income		$	101,651		$	—		$	(5,118	)	$	—		$	96,533
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation			278,214			—			216			—			278,430
Stock-based compensation			62,234			—			(802	)		—			61,432
Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation			(53,174	)		—			—			—			(53,174	)
Amortization of debt issuance costs and debt discount			18,057			—			—			—			18,057
Amortization of intangibles			16,668			—			—			—			16,668
Provision for allowance for doubtful accounts			4,031			—			—			—			4,031
Loss on debt extinguishment			5,204			—			—			—			5,204
Other items			5,622			—			902			—			6,524
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable			(46,900	)		—			—			—			(46,900	)
Income taxes, net			—			—			(3,401	)		24,597			21,196
Other assets			31,020			(60,977	)		1,031			47,731			18,805
Accounts payable and accrued expenses			19,307			60,977			2,256			(75,205	)		7,335
Other liabilities			(19,007	)		—			10,323			2,877			(5,807	)
Net cash provided by operating activities			422,927			—			5,407			—			428,334
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchase of investments			(365,934	)		—			—			—			(365,934	)
Sales of investments			338,192			—			—			—			338,192
Maturities of investments			542,155			—			—			—			542,155
Purchases of property, plant and equipment			(554,092	)		—			—			—			(554,092	)
Purchase of Asia Tone, net of cash acquired			(188,798	)		—			(5,407	)		—			(194,205	)
Purchase of ancotel, net of cash acquired			(84,236	)		—			—			—			(84,236	)
Increase in restricted cash			(8,270	)		—			—			—			(8,270	)
Release of restricted cash			87,437			—			—			—			87,437
Net cash used in investing activities		$	(233,546	)	$	—		$	(5,407	)	$	—		$	(238,953	)
-1	The excess tax benefits were originally included within other assets and is corrected and included within accounts payable and accrued expenses.
-2	The impact of revising the estimated periods over which revenue from non-recurring installation fees is recognized, depreciation of certain fixed assets, recoverable taxes, amortization of stock-based compensation expense, embedded derivatives, property taxes and purchase price of Asia Tone.

Earnings_Per_Share

Earnings Per Share	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'
Earnings Per Share	'
	3	Earnings Per Share
	The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share (“EPS”) for the periods presented (in thousands, except per share amounts):
		Three months ended						Nine months ended
		September,						September 30,
		2013			2012			2013			2012
	Net income from continuing operations	$	42,753		$	26,648		$	50,750		$	95,305
	Net income attributable to redeemable non-controlling interests		(282	)		(362	)		(1,252	)		(1,843	)
	Net income from continuing operations attributable to Equinix, basic		42,471			26,286			49,498			93,462
	Effect of assumed conversion of convertible debt:
	Interest expense, net of tax		1,865			1,696			—			5,073
	Net income from continuing operations attributable to Equinix, diluted	$	44,336		$	27,982		$	49,498		$	98,535
	Weighted-average shares used to compute basic EPS		49,555			48,361			49,325			47,779
	Effect of dilutive securities:
	Convertible debt		3,467			3,328			—			2,945
	Employee equity awards		559			966			725			1,000
	Weighted-average shares used to compute diluted EPS		53,581			52,655			50,050			51,724
	EPS from continuing operations attributable to Equinix:
	EPS from continuing operations, basic	$	0.86		$	0.54		$	1		$	1.96
	EPS from continuing operations, diluted	$	0.83		$	0.53		$	0.99		$	1.91
	The following table sets forth weighted-average outstanding potential shares of common stock that are not included in the diluted earnings per share calculation above because to do so would be anti-dilutive for the periods indicated (in thousands):
		Three months ended						Nine months ended
		September 30,						September 30,
		2013			2012			2013			2012
	Shares reserved for conversion of 2.50% convertible subordinated notes		—			—			—			863
	Shares reserved for conversion of 3.00% convertible subordinated notes		—			—			3,613			—
	Shares reserved for conversion of 4.75% convertible subordinated notes		4,432			4,433			4,432			4,433
	Common stock related to employee equity awards		436			137			269			114
			4,868			4,570			8,314			5,410

Balance_Sheet_Components

Balance Sheet Components	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Organization Consolidation And Presentation Of Financial Statements [Abstract]	'
Balance Sheet Components	'
	4		Balance Sheet Components
	Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term and Long-Term Investments
	Cash, cash equivalents and short-term and long-term investments consisted of the following as of (in thousands):
			September 30,			December 31,
			2013			2012
	Cash and cash equivalents:
	Cash (1)		$	234,194		$	150,864
	Cash equivalents:
	U.S. government securities			—			3,009
	Money markets			162,148			98,340
	Commercial paper			3,400			—
	Total cash and cash equivalents			399,742			252,213
	Marketable securities:
	U.S. government securities			303,322			126,941
	U.S. government agencies securities			139,606			72,979
	Certificates of deposit			48,363			48,386
	Commercial paper			999			1,993
	Corporate bonds			211,318			37,975
	Asset-backed securities			84,625			6,037
	Total marketable securities			788,233			294,311
	Total cash, cash equivalents and short-term and long-term investments		$	1,187,975		$	546,524
		-1	Excludes restricted cash.
	As of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, cash equivalents included investments which were readily convertible to cash and had original maturity dates of 90 days or less. The maturities of securities classified as short-term investments were one year or less as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012. The maturities of securities classified as long-term investments were greater than one year and less than three years as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012.
	The following table summarizes the cost and estimated fair value of marketable securities based on stated effective maturities as of (in thousands):
			September 30, 2013						December 31, 2012
			Amortized			Fair Value			Amortized			Fair Value
			Cost						Cost
	Due within one year		$	336,549		$	336,699		$	166,445		$	166,492
	Due after one year through three years			451,478			451,534			127,795			127,819
	Total		$	788,027		$	788,233		$	294,240		$	294,311
	The following table summarizes the fair value and gross unrealized gains and losses related to the Company’s short-term and long-term investments in marketable securities designated as available-for-sale securities as of (in thousands):
			September 30, 2013
			Amortized			Gross			Gross			Fair value
			cost			unrealized			unrealized
						gains			losses
	U.S. government securities		$	303,155		$	178		$	(11	)	$	303,322
	U.S. government agencies securities			139,598			59			(51	)		139,606
	Corporate bonds			211,318			101			(101	)		211,318
	Certificates of deposit			48,329			34			—			48,363
	Commercial paper			997			2			—			999
	Asset-backed securities			84,630			24			(29	)		84,625
	Total		$	788,027		$	398		$	(192	)	$	788,233
			December 31, 2012
			Amortized			Gross			Gross			Fair value
			cost			unrealized			unrealized
						gains			losses
	U.S. government securities		$	126,938		$	40		$	(37	)	$	126,941
	U.S. government agencies securities			72,948			68			(37	)		72,979
	Corporate bonds			48,373			18			(5	)		48,386
	Certificates of deposit			37,954			29			(8	)		37,975
	Commercial paper			6,036			2			(1	)		6,037
	Asset-backed securities			1,991			2			—			1,993
	Total		$	294,240		$	159		$	(88	)	$	294,311
	While certain marketable securities carry unrealized losses, the Company expects that it will receive both principal and interest according to the stated terms of each of the securities and that the decline in market value is primarily due to changes in the interest rate environment from the time the securities were purchased as compared to interest rates as of September 30, 2013.
	The following table summarizes the fair value and gross unrealized losses related to 143 available-for-sale securities aggregated by type of investment and length of time that individual securities have been in a continuous unrealized loss position, as of September 30, 2013 (in thousands):
			Securities in a loss						Securities in a loss
			position for less than 12						position for 12 months
			months						or more
			Fair value			Gross			Fair value			Gross
						unrealized						unrealized
						losses						losses
	U.S. government agencies securities		$	40,294		$	(40	)	$	2,965		$	(11	)
	U.S. government securities			17,826			(11	)		—			—
Corporate bonds			99,257			(101	)		—			—
Asset-backed securities			59,781			(29	)		—			—
		$	217,158		$	(181	)	$	2,965		$	(11	)
While the Company does not believe that as of September 30, 2013, it holds investments that are other-than-temporarily impaired and believes that the Company’s investments will mature at par, the Company’s investments are subject to changes in market conditions. If market conditions were to deteriorate, the Company could sustain other-than-temporary impairments to its investment portfolio which could result in additional realized losses being recorded in interest income, net, or securities markets could become inactive which could affect the liquidity of the Company’s investments.
Accounts Receivable
Accounts receivables, net, consisted of the following as of (in thousands):
		September 30,			December 31,
		2013			2012
Accounts receivable		$	331,808		$	290,326
Unearned revenue			(127,266	)		(122,770	)
Allowance for doubtful accounts			(4,898	)		(3,716	)
		$	199,644		$	163,840
Trade accounts receivable are recorded at the invoiced amount and generally do not bear interest. The Company generally invoices its customers at the end of a calendar month for services to be provided the following month. Accordingly, unearned revenue consists of pre-billing for services that have not yet been provided, but which have been billed to customers in advance in accordance with the terms of their contract.
Other Current Assets
Other current assets consisted of the following as of (in thousands):
		September 30,			December 31,
		2013			2012
Prepaid expenses		$	24,682		$	21,349
Deferred tax assets, net			8,448			8,448
Taxes receivable			10,045			8,829
Restricted cash			3,211			9,380
Derivative instruments			2,723			3,205
Other receivables			5,703			3,428
Other current assets			4,538			2,908
		$	59,350		$	57,547
Property, Plant and Equipment
Property, plant and equipment consisted of the following as of (in thousands):
		September 30,			December 31,
		2013			2012
IBX plant and machinery		$	2,501,903		$	2,292,873
Leasehold improvements			1,016,048			1,078,834
Buildings			1,157,171			762,294
IBX equipment			471,078			410,456
Site improvements			537,113			352,367
Computer equipment and software			174,994			150,382
Land			116,514			98,007
Furniture and fixtures			22,816			21,982
Construction in progress			307,544			379,750
			6,305,181			5,546,945
Less accumulated depreciation			(1,924,161	)		(1,631,207	)
		$	4,381,020		$	3,915,738
IBX plant and machinery, leasehold improvements, buildings, computer equipment and software and construction in progress recorded under capital leases aggregated $394,753,000 and $146,591,000 as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively. Amortization on the assets recorded under capital leases is included in depreciation expense and accumulated depreciation on such assets totaled $52,427,000 and $39,842,000 as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively.
Purchase of New York 2 IBX Data Center. In May 2013, the Company entered into a binding purchase and sale agreement for a property located in the New York metro area (the “New York 2 IBX Data Center Purchase”). A portion of the building was leased to the Company and was being used by the Company as its New York 2 IBX data center. The lease was originally accounted for as an operating lease, and the Company had previously recorded a restructuring charge related to the lease (see Note 14). The remainder of the building was leased by another party, which became the Company’s tenant upon closing. In July 2013, the Company completed the New York 2 IBX Data Center Purchase for net cash consideration of $73,441,000. The New York 2 IBX Data Center Purchase was accounted for as an asset acquisition and the purchase price was allocated to the assets acquired based on their relative fair values.
Goodwill and Intangible Assets
Goodwill and intangible assets, net, consisted of the following as of (in thousands):
		September 30,			December 31,
		2013			2012
Goodwill:
Americas		$	476,394		$	482,765
EMEA			424,417			423,529
Asia-Pacific			135,368			136,270
		$	1,036,179		$	1,042,564
Intangible assets:
Intangible asset – customer contracts		$	222,530		$	222,571
Intangible asset – favorable leases			28,669			27,785
Intangible asset – licenses			9,697			9,397
Intangible asset – others			9,865			9,889
			270,761			269,642
Accumulated amortization			(88,416	)		(68,080	)
		$	182,345		$	201,562
The Company’s goodwill and intangible assets in EMEA, denominated in the United Arab Emirates dirham, British pounds and Euros, goodwill and intangible assets in Asia-Pacific, denominated in Chinese yuan, Hong Kong dollars and Singapore dollars and certain goodwill and intangible assets in Americas, denominated in Canadian dollars and Brazilian reais, are subject to foreign currency fluctuations. The Company’s foreign currency translation gains and losses, including goodwill and intangible assets, are a component of other comprehensive income (loss).
For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, the Company recorded amortization expense of $6,822,000 and $20,445,000, respectively, associated with its intangible assets. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012, the Company recorded amortization expense of $6,864,000 and $13,623,000, respectively, associated with its intangible assets. The Company’s estimated future amortization expense related to these intangibles is as follows (in thousands):
Year ending:
2013 (three months remaining)		$	6,938
2014			27,540
2015			27,061
2016			26,586
2017			25,016
Thereafter			69,204
Total		$	182,345
Other Assets
Other assets consisted of the following (in thousands):
		September 30,			December 31,
		2013			2012
Prepaid expenses, non-current		$	34,267		$	34,478
Deferred tax assets, net			207,653			90,985
Debt issuance costs, net			43,776			36,704
Deposits			26,781			27,069
Restricted cash, non-current			15,720			8,131
Derivative instruments			3,428			—
Other assets, non-current			10,906			10,655
		$	342,531		$	208,022
The increase in deferred tax assets, net was primarily due to the depreciation and amortization recapture as a result of changing the Company’s method of depreciating and amortizing various data center assets for tax purposes in connection with the Company’s plan to convert to a real estate investment trust (“REIT”).
Accounts Payable and Accrued Expenses
Accounts payable and accrued expenses consisted of the following (in thousands):
		September 30,			December 31,
		2013			2012
Accounts payable		$	28,483		$	27,659
Accrued compensation and benefits			79,745			85,619
Accrued interest			68,882			48,436
Accrued taxes			59,990			47,477
Accrued utilities and security			28,195			24,974
Accrued professional fees			9,697			6,699
Accrued repairs and maintenance			4,109			2,938
Accrued other			20,034			25,051
		$	299,135		$	268,853
Other Current Liabilities
Other current liabilities consisted of the following (in thousands):
		September 30,			December 31,
		2013			2012
Deferred installation revenue		$	41,883		$	49,455
Deferred recurring revenue			6,723			8,910
Deferred tax liabilities, net			68,204			68,204
Deferred rent			3,564			5,410
Customer deposits			12,373			12,927
Derivative instruments			850			1,097
Accrued restructuring charges			—			2,379
Other current liabilities			861			962
		$	134,458		$	149,344
Other Liabilities
Other liabilities consisted of the following (in thousands):
		September 30,			December 31,
		2013			2012
Deferred installation revenue, non-current		$	59,995		$	41,950
Deferred recurring revenue, non-current			3,814			5,381
Asset retirement obligations, non-current			59,579			63,150
Deferred rent, non-current			39,205			38,041
Deferred tax liabilities, net			61,680			61,310
Accrued taxes, non-current			24,408			19,373
Customer deposits, non-current			5,285			6,185
Accrued restructuring charges, non-current			—			3,300
Derivative instruments, non-current			56			—
Other liabilities			9,330			7,035
		$	263,352		$	245,725
The Company currently leases the majority of its IBX data centers and certain equipment under non-cancelable operating lease agreements expiring through 2035. The IBX data center lease agreements typically provide for base rental rates that increase at defined intervals during the term of the lease. In addition, the Company has negotiated some rent expense abatement periods for certain leases to better match the phased build-out of its IBX data centers. The Company accounts for such abatements and increasing base rentals using the straight-line method over the life of the lease. The difference between the straight-line expense and the cash payment is recorded as deferred rent.

Derivatives_and_Hedging_Activi

Derivatives and Hedging Activities	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Derivative Instruments And Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Derivatives and Hedging Activities	'
	5	Derivatives and Hedging Activities
	The Company has certain embedded derivatives in its customer contracts and also employs foreign currency forward contracts to partially offset its business exposure to foreign exchange risk for certain existing foreign currency-denominated assets and liabilities and certain forecasted transactions.
	Derivatives Not Designated as Hedges
	Embedded Derivatives. The Company is deemed to have foreign currency forward contracts embedded in certain of the Company’s customer agreements that are priced in currencies different from the functional or local currencies of the parties involved. These embedded derivatives are separated from their host contracts and carried on the Company’s balance sheet at their fair value. The majority of these embedded derivatives arise as a result of the Company’s foreign subsidiaries pricing their customer contracts in the U.S. dollar.
	The Company has not designated these foreign currency embedded derivatives as hedging instruments under the accounting standard for derivatives and hedging. Gains and losses on these embedded derivatives are included within revenues in the Company’s condensed consolidated statements of operations. During the nine months ended September 30, 2013, the Company recognized a net gain of $2,841,000 associated with these embedded derivatives. During the three months ended September 30, 2013 and the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012, gains (losses) from these embedded derivatives were not significant.
	Economic Hedges of Embedded Derivatives. The Company uses foreign currency forward contracts to manage the foreign exchange risk associated with the Company’s customer agreements that are priced in currencies different from the functional or local currencies of the parties involved (“economic hedges of embedded derivatives”). Foreign currency forward contracts represent agreements to exchange the currency of one country for the currency of another country at an agreed-upon price on an agreed-upon settlement date.
	The Company has not designated the economic hedges of embedded derivatives as hedging instruments under the accounting standard for derivatives and hedging. Gains and losses on these contracts are included in revenues along with gains and losses of the related embedded derivatives. The Company entered into various economic hedges of embedded derivatives during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and recognized a net loss of $2,270,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2013. Gains (losses) from these foreign currency forward contracts were not significant during the three months ended September 30, 2013. The Company did not enter into any economic hedges of embedded derivatives during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012.
	Foreign Currency Forward Contracts. The Company also uses foreign currency forward contracts to manage the foreign exchange risk associated with certain foreign currency-denominated assets and liabilities. As a result of foreign currency fluctuations, the U.S. dollar equivalent values of its foreign currency-denominated assets and liabilities change.
	The Company has not designated the foreign currency forward contracts as hedging instruments under the accounting standard for derivatives and hedging. Gains and losses on these contracts are included in other income (expense), net, along with the foreign currency gains and losses of the related foreign currency-denominated assets and liabilities associated with these foreign currency forward contracts. The Company entered into various foreign currency forward contracts during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 and gains (losses) from these foreign currency forward contracts were not significant during these periods.
	Offsetting Derivative Assets and Liabilities
	The following table presents the fair value of derivative instruments recognized in the Company’s condensed consolidated balance sheets as of September 30, 2013 (in thousands):
			Gross		Gross			Net		Gross			Net
			amounts		amounts			amounts (1)		amounts
					offset in the					not offset
					balance					in the
					sheet					balance
										sheet
	Assets:
	Embedded derivatives		$	4,808	$	—		$	4,808	$	—		$	4,808
	Economic hedges of embedded derivatives			552		—			552		—			552
	Foreign currency forward contracts			791		—			791		(128	)		663
			$	6,151	$	—		$	6,151	$	(128	)	$	6,023
	Liabilities:
	Embedded derivatives		$	290	$	—		$	290	$	—		$	290
	Foreign currency forward contracts			616		—			616		(128	)		488
			$	906	$	—		$	906	$	(128	)	$	778
	-1	As presented in the Company’s condensed consolidated balance sheets.
	The following table presents the fair value of derivative instruments recognized in the Company’s condensed consolidated balance sheets as of December 31, 2012 (in thousands):
			Gross		Gross			Net		Gross			Net
			amounts		amounts			amounts (1)		amounts
					offset in the					not offset
					balance					in the
					sheet					balance
										sheet
	Assets:
	Embedded derivatives		$	3,205	$	—		$	3,205	$	—		$	3,205
	Foreign currency forward contracts			13		(13	)		—		—			—
			$	3,218	$	(13	)	$	3,205	$	—		$	3,205
	Liabilities:
	Embedded derivatives		$	890	$	—		$	890	$	—		$	890
	Foreign currency forward contracts			220		(13	)		207		—			207
			$	1,110	$	(13	)	$	1,097	$	—		$	1,097
	-1	As presented in the Company’s condensed consolidated balance sheets.

Fair_Value_Measurements

Fair Value Measurements	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]	'
Fair Value Measurements	'
	6	Fair Value Measurements
	The Company’s financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of September 30, 2013 were as follows (in thousands):
			Fair value at		Fair value
			September 30,		measurement using
			2013		Level 1		Level 2
	Assets:
	Cash		$	234,194	$	234,194	$	—
	U.S. government securities			303,322		303,322		—
	U.S. government agency securities			139,606		—		139,606
	Money market and deposit accounts			162,148		162,148		—
	Certificates of deposit			48,363		—		48,363
	Commercial paper			4,399		—		4,399
	Corporate bonds			211,318		—		211,318
	Asset-backed securities			84,625		—		84,625
	Derivative instruments (1)			6,151		—		6,151
			$	1,194,126	$	699,664	$	494,462
	Liabilities:
	Derivative instruments (1)		$	906	$	—	$	906
	-1	Includes embedded derivatives, economic hedges of embedded derivatives and foreign currency forward contracts. Amounts are included within other current assets, other assets, other current liabilities and other liabilities in the Company’s accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheet.
	The Company did not have any Level 3 financial assets or financial liabilities as of September 30, 2013.
	Valuation Methods
	Fair value estimates are made as of a specific point in time based on methods using present value or other valuation techniques. These techniques involve uncertainties and are affected by the assumptions used and the judgments made regarding risk characteristics of various financial instruments, discount rates, estimates of future cash flows, future expected loss experience and other factors.
	Cash, Cash Equivalents and Investments. The fair value of the Company’s investments in money market funds approximates their face value. Such instruments are included in cash equivalents. The Company’s U.S. government securities and money market funds are classified within Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy because they are valued using quoted prices for identical instruments in active markets. The fair value of the Company’s other investments approximate their face value, including certificates of deposit and available-for-sale debt investments related to the Company’s investments in the securities of other public companies, governmental units and other agencies. The fair value of these investments is priced based on the quoted market price for similar instruments or nonbinding market prices that are corroborated by observable market data. Such instruments are classified within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy. The Company determines the fair values of its Level 2 investments by using inputs such as actual trade data, benchmark yields, broker/dealer quotes, and other similar data, which are obtained from quoted market prices, custody bank, third-party pricing vendors, or other sources. The Company uses such pricing data as the primary input to make its assessments and determinations as to the ultimate valuation of its investment portfolio and has not made, during the periods presented, any material adjustments to such inputs. The Company is responsible for its condensed consolidated financial statements and underlying estimates.
	The Company determined that the major security types held as of September 30, 2013 were primarily cash and money market funds, U.S. government and agency securities, corporate bonds, certificate of deposits, commercial paper and asset-backed securities. The Company uses the specific identification method in computing realized gains and losses. Short-term and long-term investments are classified as available-for-sale and are carried at fair value with unrealized gains and losses reported in stockholders’ equity as a component of other comprehensive income or loss, net of any related tax effect. The Company reviews its investment portfolio quarterly to determine if any securities may be other-than-temporarily impaired due to increased credit risk, changes in industry or sector of a certain instrument or ratings downgrades over an extended period of time.
	During the three months ended March 31, 2013, after reviewing the fair value hierarchy and its valuation criteria, the Company reclassified its U.S. government securities from within Level 2 to Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy because treasury securities issued by the U.S. government are valued using quoted prices for identical instruments in active markets.
	Derivative Assets and Liabilities. For foreign currency derivatives, including embedded derivatives and economic hedges of embedded derivatives, the Company uses forward contract models employing market observable inputs, such as spot currency rates and forward points with adjustments made to these values utilizing published credit default swap rates of its foreign exchange trading counterparties. The Company has determined that the inputs used to value its derivatives fall within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy, therefore the derivatives are categorized as Level 2.
	During the nine months ended September 30, 2013, the Company did not have any nonfinancial assets or liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis.

Related_Party_Transactions

Related Party Transactions	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Related Party Transactions [Abstract]	'
Related Party Transactions	'
	7	Related Party Transactions
	The Company has several significant stockholders and other related parties that are also customers and/or vendors. The Company’s activity of related party transactions was as follows (in thousands):
			Three months ended				Nine months ended
			September 30,				September 30,
			2013		2012		2013		2012
	Revenues		$	2,233	$	10,656	$	17,973	$	25,588
	Costs and services			132		654		4,665		1,682
			As of September 30,
			2013		2012
	Accounts receivable		$	1,938	$	7,034
	Accounts payable			—		282
	In connection with the acquisition of ALOG Data Centers do Brasil S.A. and its subsidiaries (“ALOG”) (the “ALOG Acquisition”), the Company acquired a lease for one of the Brazilian IBX data centers in which the lessor is a member of ALOG management. This lease contains an option to purchase the underlying property for fair market value on the date of purchase. The Company accounts for this lease as a financing obligation as a result of structural building work pursuant to the accounting standard for lessee’s involvement in asset construction. As of September 30, 2013, the Company had a financing obligation liability totaling approximately $3,916,000 related to this lease on its condensed consolidated balance sheet. This amount is considered a related party liability, which is not reflected in the related party data presented above.

Leases

Leases	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Leases [Abstract]	'
Leases	'
	8	Leases
	Capital Lease and Other Financing Obligations
	Digital Realty Capital Leases
	In September 2013, the Company entered into lease amendments with Digital Realty Trust, Inc. to extend the lease term of the Company’s Chicago 1, Dallas 4, Washington D.C. 3, Los Angeles 1 and Miami 2 IBX data centers. The leases were originally accounted for as operating leases, with the exception of the Washington D.C. 3 lease which was originally accounted for as a capital lease. Pursuant to the accounting standard for leases, the Company reassessed the lease classification of the leases as a result of the lease amendments and determined that upon the amendments each of the leases should be accounted for as capital leases (the “Digital Realty Capital Leases”). The Company recorded incremental capital lease assets totaling approximately $138,826,000 and liabilities totaling approximately $143,972,000 during the three months ended September 30, 2013. Monthly payments under the Digital Realty Capital Leases commenced in October 2013 and will be made through October 2034.
	Toronto 1 Capital Lease
	In May 2013, the Company entered into a lease amendment for its first IBX data center in Toronto, Canada (the “Toronto 1 Lease”) to extend the lease term. The lease was originally accounted for as an operating lease. Pursuant to the accounting standard for leases, the Company reassessed the lease classification of the Toronto 1 Lease as a result of the lease amendment and determined that substantially all of the lease should be accounted for as a capital lease (the “Toronto 1 Capital Lease”). The Company recorded a capital lease asset totaling approximately $67,346,000 and liability totaling approximately $68,370,000 during the three months ended June 30, 2013. Monthly payments under the Toronto 1 Capital Lease commenced in June 2013 and will be made through April 2040.
	Singapore 2 IBX Financing
	In May 2013, the Company commenced construction work to make structural changes to its leased space within its second IBX data center in Singapore (the “Singapore 2 IBX Financing”). The lease was originally accounted for as an operating lease. Pursuant to the accounting standard for lessee’s involvement in asset construction, the Company is considered the owner of the assets during the construction period. As a result, the Company recorded a building asset totaling approximately $34,749,000 and corresponding financing liability totaling approximately $36,030,000 during the three months ended June 30, 2013. Monthly payments under the Singapore 2 IBX Financing commenced in May 2013 and will be made through September 2022.
	Singapore 3 IBX Financing
	In March 2013, the Company entered into a lease for land and a building that the Company and the landlord will jointly develop into the Company’s third IBX data center in the Singapore metro area (the “Singapore 3 Lease”). The Singapore 3 Lease has a term of 20 years, with an option to purchase the property. If the option to purchase the property is not exercised, the Company has options to extend the lease. The total cumulative minimum rent obligation over the term of the lease is approximately $159,040,000, exclusive of renewal periods. The landlord began construction of the building to the Company’s specifications in August 2013. Pursuant to the accounting standard for lessee’s involvement in asset construction, the Company will be considered the owner of the building during the construction phase due to the building work that the landlord and the Company will be undertaking, while the underlying land is considered an operating lease. As a result, the Company recorded a building asset and corresponding financing liability totaling approximately $1,672,000 during the three months ended September 30, 2013. Monthly payments under the Singapore 3 IBX Financing are expected to commence in January 2015 and will be made through December 2034.
	Toronto 2 IBX Financing
	In November 2012, the Company entered into a lease for land and a building that the Company and the landlord would jointly develop to meet its needs and which it would ultimately convert into its second IBX data center in the Toronto, Canada metro area (the “Toronto 2 IBX Financing” and the “Toronto Lease”). The Toronto Lease has a fixed term of 15 years, with options to renew, commencing from the date the landlord delivers the completed building to the Company. The Toronto Lease has a total cumulative minimum rent obligation of approximately $140,565,000, exclusive of renewal periods. The landlord began construction of the building to the Company’s specifications in February 2013. Pursuant to the accounting standard for lessee’s involvement in asset construction, the Company is considered the owner of the building during the construction phase due to the building work that the landlord and the Company are undertaking. As a result, as of September 30, 2013, the Company has recorded a building asset and a related financing liability totaling approximately $21,375,000, while the underlying land is considered an operating lease. Monthly payments under the Toronto Lease will commence in October 2015 and will be made through September 2029.
	Maturities of Capital Lease and Other Financing Obligations
	The Company’s capital lease and other financing obligations are summarized as follows (in thousands):
		Capital lease			Other			Total
		obligations			financing
					obligations
	2013 (three months remaining)	$	9,368		$	9,878		$	19,246
	2014		38,342			44,364			82,706
	2015		40,397			52,291			92,688
	2016		40,713			56,755			97,468
	2017		41,399			56,861			98,260
	Thereafter		597,772			568,607			1,166,379
	Total minimum lease payments		767,991			788,756			1,556,747
	Plus amount representing residual property value		—			387,107			387,107
	Less estimated building costs		—			(69,768	)		(69,768	)
	Less amount representing interest		(384,842	)		(609,855	)		(994,697	)
	Present value of net minimum lease payments		383,149			496,240			879,389
	Less current portion		(9,601	)		(7,378	)		(16,979	)
		$	373,548		$	488,862		$	862,410

Debt_Facilities

Debt Facilities	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Debt Facilities	'
	9	Debt Facilities
	Loans Payable
	The Company’s loans payable consisted of the following (in thousands):
			September 30,			December 31,
			2013			2012
	U.S. term loan		$	150,000		$	180,000
	ALOG financing			46,792			48,807
	Paris 4 IBX financing			115			8,071
	Other loans payable			65			4,084
				196,972			240,962
	Less current portion			(40,185	)		(52,160	)
			$	156,787		$	188,802
	U.S. Financing
	In February 2013, the Company entered into an amendment to a credit agreement with a group of lenders for a $750,000,000 credit facility (the “U.S. Financing”), comprised of a $200,000,000 term loan facility (the “U.S. Term Loan”) and a $550,000,000 multicurrency revolving credit facility (the “U.S. Revolving Credit Line”). The amendment modified certain definitions of items used in the calculation of the financial covenants with which the Company must comply on a quarterly basis to exclude the write-off of any unamortized debt issuance costs that were incurred in connection with the issuance of the 8.125% Senior Notes; to exclude one-time transaction costs, fees, premiums and expenses incurred by the Company in connection with the issuance of the 4.875% Senior Notes and 5.375% Senior Notes and the redemption of the 8.125% Senior Notes; and to exclude the 8.125% Senior Notes from the calculation of total leverage for the period ended March 31, 2013, provided that certain conditions in connection with the redemption of the 8.125% Senior Notes were satisfied. The amendment also postponed the step-down of the maximum senior leverage ratio covenant from the three months ended March 31, 2013 to the three months ended September 30, 2013.
	In September 2013, the Company entered into an amendment to the U.S. Financing. The amendment allows the Company greater flexibility to make cash dividends and distributions to its stockholders to the extent required to qualify the Company as a REIT (including cash dividends and distributions of undistributed accumulated earnings and profits) and to make cash dividends and distributions on an ongoing basis to the extent required for the Company to continue to be qualified as a REIT or to avoid the imposition of income or franchise taxes on the Company. The amendment also replaced the maximum senior leverage ratio covenant with a maximum senior net leverage ratio covenant and modified the minimum fixed charge coverage ratio and tangible net worth covenants. In addition, the amendment modified certain defined terms used in the calculation of the financial covenants to exclude certain expenses incurred by the Company in connection with its planned REIT conversion. The amendment also permits the Company to request an increase in the U.S. Revolving Credit Line of up to an additional $250,000,000, subject to the receipt of lender commitments. As of September 30, 2013, the Company was in compliance with all financial covenants.
	Convertible Debt
	The Company’s convertible debt consisted of the following (in thousands):
			September 30,			December 31,
			2013			2012
	3.00% Convertible Subordinated Notes		$	395,986		$	395,986
	4.75% Convertible Subordinated Notes			373,724			373,730
				769,710			769,716
	Less amount representing debt discount			(49,495	)		(60,990	)
			$	720,215		$	708,726
	3.00% Convertible Subordinated Notes
	In September 2007, the Company issued $395,986,000 aggregate principal amount of 3.00% Convertible Subordinated Notes due October 15, 2014 (the “3.00% Convertible Subordinated Notes”). Holders of the 3.00% Convertible Subordinated Notes may convert their notes at their option on any day up to and including the business day immediately preceding the maturity date into shares of the Company’s common stock. The base conversion rate is 7.436 shares of common stock per $1,000 principal amount of 3.00% Convertible Subordinated Notes, subject to adjustment. This represents a base conversion price of approximately $134.48 per share of common stock. If, at the time of conversion, the applicable stock price of the Company’s common stock exceeds the base conversion price, the conversion rate will be determined pursuant to a formula resulting in the receipt of up to 4.4616 additional shares of common stock per $1,000 principal amount of the 3.00% Convertible Subordinated Notes, subject to adjustment. However, in no event would the total number of shares issuable upon conversion of the 3.00% Convertible Subordinated Notes exceed 11.8976 per $1,000 principal amount of 3.00% Convertible Subordinated Notes, subject to anti-dilution adjustments, or the equivalent of $84.05 per share of the Company’s common stock or a total of 4,711,283 shares of the Company’s common stock. As of September 30, 2013, had the holders of the 3.00% Convertible Subordinated Notes converted their notes, the 3.00% Convertible Subordinated Notes would have been convertible into 3,317,015 shares of the Company’s common stock.
	4.75% Convertible Subordinated Notes
	In June 2009, the Company issued $373,750,000 aggregate principal amount of 4.75% Convertible Subordinated Notes due June 15, 2016 (the “4.75% Convertible Subordinated Notes”). Upon conversion, holders will receive, at the Company’s election, cash, shares of the Company’s common stock or a combination of cash and shares of the Company’s common stock. However, the Company may at any time irrevocably elect for the remaining term of the 4.75% Convertible Subordinated Notes to satisfy its obligation in cash up to 100% of the principal amount of the 4.75% Convertible Subordinated Notes converted, with any remaining amount to be satisfied, at the Company’s election, in shares of its common stock or a combination of cash and shares of its common stock. Upon conversion, if the Company elects to pay a sufficiently large portion of the conversion obligation in cash, additional consideration beyond the $373,750,000 of gross proceeds received will be required.
	The initial conversion rate is 11.8599 shares of common stock per $1,000 principal amount of 4.75% Convertible Subordinated Notes, subject to adjustment. This represents an initial conversion price of approximately $84.32 per share of common stock. Holders of the 4.75% Convertible Subordinated Notes may convert their notes at any time prior to the close of business on the business day immediately preceding the maturity date under the following circumstances:
		•		during any fiscal quarter (and only during that fiscal quarter) ending after December 31, 2009, if the sale price of the Company’s common stock, for at least 20 trading days during the period of 30 consecutive trading days ending on the last trading day of the previous fiscal quarter, is greater than 130% of the conversion price per share of common stock on such last trading day, which was $109.62 per share (the “Stock Price Condition Conversion Clause”);
		•		subject to certain exceptions, during the five business day period following any 10 consecutive trading day period in which the trading price of the 4.75% Convertible Subordinated Notes for each day of such period was less than 98% of the product of the sale price of the Company’s common stock and the conversion rate;
		•		upon the occurrence of specified corporate transactions described in the 4.75% Convertible Subordinated Notes Indenture, such as a consolidation, merger or binding share exchange in which the Company’s common stock would be converted into cash or property other than securities; or
		•		at any time on or after March 15, 2016.
	Holders of the 4.75% Convertible Subordinated Notes were eligible to convert their notes during the three months ended September 30, 2013 and are eligible to convert their notes during the three months ended December 31, 2013, since the Stock Price Condition Conversion Clause was met during the three months ended June 30, 2013 and September 30, 2013, respectively. As of September 30, 2013, had the holders of the 4.75% Convertible Subordinated Notes converted their notes, the 4.75% Convertible Subordinated Notes would have been convertible into a maximum of 4,432,339 shares of the Company’s common stock.
	Senior Notes
	The Company’s senior notes consisted of the following as of (in thousands):
			September 30,			December 31,
			2013			2012
	5.375% senior notes due 2023		$	1,000,000		$	—
	7.00% senior notes due 2021			750,000			750,000
	4.875% senior notes due 2020			500,000			—
	8.125% senior notes due 2018			—			750,000
			$	2,250,000		$	1,500,000
	4.875% Senior Notes and 5.375% Senior Notes
	In March 2013, the Company issued $1,500,000,000 aggregate principal amount of senior notes, which consist of $500,000,000 aggregate principal amount of 4.875% Senior Notes due April 1, 2020 (the “4.875% Senior Notes”) and $1,000,000,000 aggregate principal amount of 5.375% Senior Notes due April 1, 2023 (the “5.375% Senior Notes”). Interest on both the 4.875% Senior Notes and the 5.375% Senior Notes is payable semi-annually on April 1 and October 1 of each year, commencing on October 1, 2013.
	The 4.875% Senior Notes and the 5.375% Senior Notes are governed by separate indentures dated March 5, 2013, between the Company, as issuer, and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee (the “Senior Notes Indentures”). The Senior Notes Indentures contain covenants that limit the Company’s ability and the ability of its subsidiaries to, among other things:
		•		incur additional debt;
		•		pay dividends or make other restricted payments;
		•		purchase, redeem or retire capital stock or subordinated debt;
		•		make asset sales;
		•		enter into transactions with affiliates;
		•		incur liens;
		•		enter into sale-leaseback transactions;
		•		provide subsidiary guarantees;
		•		make investments; and
		•		merge or consolidate with any other person.
	Each of these restrictions has a number of important qualifications and exceptions. The 4.875% Senior Notes and the 5.375% Senior Notes are unsecured and rank equal in right of payment with the Company’s existing or future senior debt and senior in right of payment with the Company’s existing and future subordinated debt. The 4.875% Senior Notes and the 5.375% Senior Notes are effectively junior to the Company’s secured indebtedness and indebtedness of its subsidiaries.
	At any time prior to April 1, 2016, the Company may on any one or more occasions redeem up to 35% of the aggregate principal amount of the 4.875% Senior Notes outstanding at a redemption price equal to 104.875% of the principal amount of the 4.875% Senior Notes to be redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest to, but not including, the redemption date, with the net cash proceeds of one or more equity offerings; provided that (i) at least 65% of the aggregate principal amount of the 4.875% Senior Notes issued under the 4.875% Senior Notes indenture remains outstanding immediately after the occurrence of such redemption (excluding the 4.875% Senior Notes held by the Company and its subsidiaries); and (ii) the redemption must occur within 90 days of the date of the closing of such equity offering.
	On or after April 1, 2017, the Company may redeem all or a part of the 4.875% Senior Notes, on any one or more occasions, at the redemption prices (expressed as percentages of principal amount) set forth below plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon, if any, to, but not including, the applicable redemption date, if redeemed during the twelve-month period beginning on April 1 of the years indicated below:
			Redemption price of the
			4.875% Senior Notes
	2017			102.438	%
	2018			101.219	%
2019 and thereafter			100	%
At any time prior to April 1, 2017, the Company may also redeem all or a part of the 4.875% Senior Notes at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the 4.875% Senior Notes redeemed plus an applicable premium (the “4.875% Senior Notes Applicable Premium”), and accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but not including, the date of redemption (the “4.875% Senior Notes Redemption Date”). The 4.875% Senior Notes Applicable Premium means the greater of:
	•		1.0% of the principal amount of the 4.875% Senior Notes; and
	•		the excess of: (a) the present value at such redemption date of (i) the redemption price of the 4.875% Senior Notes at April 1, 2017 as shown in the above table, plus (ii) all required interest payments due on the 4.875% Senior Notes through April 1, 2017 (excluding accrued but unpaid interest, if any, to, but not including the 4.875% Senior Notes Redemption Date), computed using a discount rate equal to the yield to maturity of the U.S. Treasury securities with a constant maturity most nearly equal to the period from the 4.875% Senior Notes Redemption Date to April 1, 2017, plus 0.50%; over (b) the principal amount of the 4.875% Senior Notes.
At any time prior to April 1, 2016, the Company may on any one or more occasions redeem up to 35% of the aggregate principal amount of the 5.375% Senior Notes outstanding at a redemption price equal to 105.375% of the principal amount of the 5.375% Senior Notes to be redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest to, but not including, the redemption date, with the net cash proceeds of one or more equity offerings; provided that (i) at least 65% of the aggregate principal amount of the 5.375% Senior Notes issued under the 5.375% Senior Notes indenture remains outstanding immediately after the occurrence of such redemption (excluding the 5.375% Senior Notes held by the Company and its subsidiaries); and (ii) the redemption must occur within 90 days of the date of the closing of such equity offering.
On or after April 1, 2018, the Company may redeem all or a part of the 5.375% Senior Notes, on any one or more occasions, at the redemption prices (expressed as percentages of principal amount) set forth below plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon, if any, to, but not including, the applicable redemption date, if redeemed during the twelve-month period beginning on April 1 of the years indicated below:
		Redemption price of the
		5.375% Senior Notes
2018			102.688	%
2019			101.792	%
2020			100.896	%
2021 and thereafter			100	%
At any time prior to April 1, 2018, the Company may also redeem all or a part of the 5.375% Senior Notes at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the 5.375% Senior Notes redeemed plus an applicable premium (the “5.375% Senior Notes Applicable Premium”), and accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but not including, the date of redemption (the “5.375% Senior Notes Redemption Date”). The 5.375% Senior Notes Applicable Premium means the greater of:
	•		1.0% of the principal amount of the 5.375% Senior Notes; and
	•		the excess of: (a) the present value at such redemption date of (i) the redemption price of the 5.375% Senior Notes at April 1, 2018 as shown in the above table, plus (ii) all required interest payments due on the 5.375% Senior Notes through April 1, 2018 (excluding accrued but unpaid interest, if any, to, but not including the 5.375% Senior Notes Redemption Date), computed using a discount rate equal to the yield to maturity of the U.S. Treasury securities with a constant maturity most nearly equal to the period from the 5.375% Senior Notes Redemption Date to April 1, 2018, plus 0.50%; over (b) the principal amount of the 5.375% Senior Notes.
Debt issuance costs related to the 4.875% Senior Notes and 5.375% Senior Notes, net of amortization, were $19,081,000 as of September 30, 2013. In March 2013, the Company placed $836,400,000 of the proceeds from the issuance of the 4.875% and 5.375% Senior Notes into a restricted cash account for the redemption of the 8.125% Senior Notes.
8.125% Senior Notes
In February 2010, the Company issued $750,000,000 aggregate principal amount of 8.125% Senior Notes due March 1, 2018 (the “8.125% Senior Notes”). The indenture governing the 8.125% Senior Notes permitted the Company to redeem the 8.125% Senior Notes at the redemption prices set forth in the 8.125% Senior Notes indenture plus accrued and unpaid interest to, but not including the redemption date.
In April 2013, the Company redeemed the entire principal amount of the 8.125% Senior Notes pursuant to the optional redemption provisions in the indenture governing the 8.125% Senior Notes, plus accrued interest, in cash of $836,511,000, which included the applicable premium paid of $80,925,000. As a result, the Company recognized a loss on debt extinguishment of $93,602,000, which included the applicable premium paid, the write-off of unamortized debt issuance costs of $8,927,000 and $3,750,000 of other transaction-related fees related to the redemption of the 8.125% Senior Notes, during the three months ended June 30, 2013.
Maturities of Debt Facilities
The following table sets forth maturities of the Company’s debt, including loans payable, convertible debt and senior notes, as of September 30, 2013 (in thousands):
Year ending:
2013 (three months remaining)		$	10,180
2014			448,852
2015			53,230
2016			377,532
2017			26,870
Thereafter			2,250,523
		$	3,167,187
Fair Value of Debt Facilities
The following table sets forth the estimated fair values of the Company’s loans payable, senior notes and convertible debt as of (in thousands):
		September 30,			December 31,
		2013			2012
Loans payable		$	197,144		$	238,793
Convertible debt			1,060,227			1,144,568
Senior notes			2,226,540			1,661,400
The fair value of the Company’s 3.00% Convertible Subordinated Notes and senior notes, which are traded in the public debt market, is based on quoted market prices and is classified within Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy. The fair value of the Company’s loans payable and 4.75% Convertible Subordinated Notes is estimated by considering the Company’s credit rating, current rates available to the Company for debt of the same remaining maturities and terms of the debt and is classified within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.
Interest Charges
The following table sets forth total interest costs incurred and total interest costs capitalized for the periods presented (in thousands):
		Three months ended						Nine months ended
		September 30,						September 30,
		2013			2012			2013		2012
Interest expense		$	61,957		$	50,207		$	183,289	$	149,812
Interest capitalized			2,346			6,315			7,896		19,630
Interest charges incurred		$	64,303		$	56,522		$	191,185	$	169,442

Redeemable_NonControlling_Inte

Redeemable Non-Controlling Interests	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Noncontrolling Interest [Abstract]	'
Redeemable Non-Controlling Interests	'
	10	Redeemable Non-Controlling Interests
	The following table provides a summary of the activities of the Company’s redeemable non-controlling interests (in thousands):
	Balance as of December 31, 2012		$	84,178
	Net income attributable to redeemable non-controlling interests			1,252
	Other comprehensive loss attributable to redeemable non-controlling interests			(4,340	)
	Increase in redemption value of non-controlling interests			20,913
	Impact of foreign currency exchange			(944	)
	Balance as of September 30, 2013		$	101,059

Commitments_and_Contingencies

Commitments and Contingencies	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Commitments And Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Commitments and Contingencies	'
	11	Commitments and Contingencies
	Legal Matters
	Alleged Class Action and Shareholder Derivative Actions
	On March 4, 2011, an alleged class action entitled Cement Masons & Plasterers Joint Pension Trust v. Equinix, Inc., et al., No. CV-11-1016-SC, was filed in the United States District Court for the Northern District of California, against Equinix and two of its officers. The suit asserts purported claims under Sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 for allegedly misleading statements regarding the Company’s business and financial results. The suit is purportedly brought on behalf of purchasers of the Company’s common stock between July 29, 2010 and October 5, 2010, and seeks compensatory damages, fees and costs. Defendants filed a motion to dismiss on November 7, 2011. On March 2, 2012, the Court granted defendants’ motion to dismiss without prejudice and gave plaintiffs thirty days in which to amend their complaint. Pursuant to stipulation and order of the court entered on March 16, 2012, the parties agreed that plaintiffs would have up to and through May 2, 2012 to file a Second Amended Complaint. On May 2, 2012 plaintiffs filed a Second Amended Complaint asserting the same basic allegations as in the prior complaint. On June 15, 2012, defendants moved to dismiss the Second Amended Complaint. On September 19, 2012, the Court took the hearing on defendants’ motion to dismiss the Second Amended Complaint off calendar and notified the parties that it would make its decision on the pleadings. Subsequently, on September 24, 2012 the Court requested the parties submit supplemental briefing on or before October 9, 2012. The supplemental briefing was submitted on October 9, 2012. On December 5, 2012, the Court granted defendants’ motion to dismiss the Second Amended Complaint without prejudice and on January 15, 2013, Plaintiffs filed their Third Amended Complaint. On February 26, 2013, defendants moved to dismiss the Third Amended Complaint. On June 12, 2013, the Court granted defendants’ motion to dismiss the Third Amended Complaint and dismissed the case with prejudice. On July 3, 2013, plaintiffs stipulated that they will not appeal any prior orders issued by the Court in this action, including the Court’s June 12, 2013 order dismissing the Third Amended Complaint with prejudice.
	On March 8, 2011, an alleged shareholder derivative action entitled Rikos v. Equinix, Inc., et al., No. CGC-11-508940, was filed in California Superior Court, County of San Francisco, purportedly on behalf of Equinix, and naming Equinix (as a nominal defendant), the members of its board of directors, and two of its officers as defendants. The suit is based on allegations similar to those in the federal securities class action and asserts causes of action against the individual defendants for breach of fiduciary duty, abuse of control, gross mismanagement, waste of corporate assets and unjust enrichment. By agreement and order of the court, this case has been temporarily stayed pending proceedings in the class action. On June 25, 2013, the parties entered into a stipulation dismissing the case with prejudice, and on July 11, 2013, the Court entered an order of dismissal with prejudice.
	On May 20, 2011, an alleged shareholder derivative action entitled Stopa v. Clontz, et al., No. CV-11-2467-SC, was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, purportedly on behalf of Equinix, naming Equinix (as a nominal defendant) and the members of its board of directors as defendants. The suit is based on allegations similar to those in the federal securities class action and the state court derivative action and asserts causes of action against the individual defendants for breach of fiduciary duty, unjust enrichment, abuse of control, gross mismanagement and waste of corporate assets. On June 10, 2011, the Court signed an order relating this case to the federal securities class action. Plaintiffs filed an amended complaint on December 14, 2011. By agreement and order of the court, this case has been temporarily stayed pending proceedings in the class action. On July 9, 2013, the parties entered into a stipulation dismissing the case with prejudice, and on July 10, 2013, the Court entered an order of dismissal with prejudice.
	Other Purchase Commitments
	Primarily as a result of the Company’s various IBX expansion projects, as of September 30, 2013, the Company was contractually committed for $136,057,000 of unaccrued capital expenditures, primarily for IBX equipment not yet delivered and labor not yet provided, in connection with the work necessary to open these IBX data centers and make them available to customers for installation. In addition, the Company had numerous other, non-capital purchase commitments in place as of September 30, 2013, such as commitments to purchase power in select locations through the remainder of 2013 and thereafter, and other open purchase orders for goods or services to be delivered or provided during the remainder of 2013 and thereafter. Such other miscellaneous purchase commitments totaled $213,824,000 as of September 30, 2013.

Stockholders_Equity

Stockholders' Equity	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Equity [Abstract]	'
Stockholders' Equity	'
	12	Stockholders’ Equity
	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
	The components of accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax, are as follows (in thousands):
		Balance as of			Net			Balance as of
		December 31,			change			September 30,
		2012						2013
	Foreign currency translation loss	$	(114,678	)	$	(25,107	)	$	(139,785	)
	Unrealized gain on available for sale securities		41			78			119
	Other comprehensive loss attributable to redeemable non-controlling interests		13,595			4,340			17,935
		$	(101,042	)	$	(20,689	)	$	(121,731	)
	Changes in foreign currencies can have a significant impact to the Company’s consolidated balance sheets (as evidenced above in the Company’s foreign currency translation gain or loss), as well as its consolidated results of operations, as amounts in foreign currencies are generally translating into more U.S. dollars when the U.S. dollar weakens or less U.S. dollars when the U.S. dollar strengthens. During the nine months ended September 30, 2013, the U.S. dollar was generally stronger relative to certain of the currencies of the foreign countries in which the Company operates. This overall strength of the U.S. dollar had an overall unfavorable impact on the Company’s consolidated results of operations because the foreign currencies translated into less U.S. dollars. This also impacted the Company’s condensed consolidated balance sheets, as amounts denominated in foreign currencies are generally translating into less U.S. dollars. In future periods, the volatility of the U.S. dollar as compared to the other currencies in which the Company operates could have a significant impact on its consolidated financial position and results of operations including the amount of revenue that the Company reports in future periods.
	Stock-Based Compensation
	In February and March 2013, the Compensation Committee and the Stock Award Committee of the Company’s Board of Directors approved the issuance of an aggregate of 572,104 shares of restricted stock units to certain employees, including executive officers, pursuant to the 2000 Equity Incentive Plan, as part of the Company’s annual refresh program. These equity awards are subject to vesting provisions and have a weighted-average grant date fair value of $205.07 and a weighted-average requisite service period of 3.42 years.
	The following table presents, by operating expense category, the Company’s stock-based compensation expense recognized in the Company’s condensed consolidated statement of operations (in thousands):
		Three months ended						Nine months ended
		September 30,						September 30,
		2013			2012			2013			2012
	Cost of revenues	$	2,270		$	1,726		$	5,666		$	4,577
	Sales and marketing		7,250			4,795			19,796			13,505
	General and administrative		17,760			15,585			49,848			43,022
		$	27,280		$	22,106		$	75,310		$	61,104

Segment_Information

Segment Information	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Segment Reporting [Abstract]	'
Segment Information	'
	13		Segment Information
	While the Company has a single line of business, which is the design, build-out and operation of IBX data centers, it has determined that it has three reportable segments comprised of its Americas, EMEA and Asia-Pacific geographic regions. The Company’s chief operating decision-maker evaluates performance, makes operating decisions and allocates resources based on the Company’s revenue and adjusted EBITDA performance both on a consolidated basis and based on these three reportable segments. The Company defines adjusted EBITDA as income or loss from operations plus depreciation, amortization, accretion, stock-based compensation expense, restructuring charges, impairment charges and acquisition costs as presented below (in thousands):
			Three months ended						Nine months ended
			September 30,						September 30,
			2013			2012			2013			2012
	Adjusted EBITDA:
	Americas		$	150,304		$	139,929		$	449,112		$	408,885
	EMEA			57,139			46,392			156,557			138,217
	Asia-Pacific			41,002			38,695			131,699			101,069
	Total adjusted EBITDA			248,445			225,016			737,368			648,171
	Depreciation, amortization and accretion expense			(105,534	)		(105,522	)		(324,326	)		(289,992	)
	Stock-based compensation expense			(27,280	)		(22,106	)		(75,310	)		(61,104	)
	Restructuring charge			—			—			4,837			—
	Acquisitions costs			(438	)		(4,542	)		(6,626	)		(6,883	)
	Income from operations		$	115,193		$	92,846		$	335,943		$	290,192
	The Company also provides the following additional segment disclosures (in thousands):
			Three months ended						Nine months ended
			September 30,						September 30,
			2013			2012			2013			2012
	Total revenues:
	Americas		$	319,413		$	291,836		$	938,673		$	854,871
	EMEA			133,254			111,825			380,232			315,594
	Asia-Pacific			90,417			81,174			269,184			210,852
			$	543,084		$	484,835		$	1,588,089		$	1,381,317
	Total depreciation and amortization:
	Americas		$	64,001		$	60,058		$	191,355		$	175,195
	EMEA			24,274			21,876			70,403			57,311
	Asia-Pacific			21,626			22,675			64,533			54,615
			$	109,901		$	104,609		$	326,291		$	287,121
	Capital expenditures:
	Americas		$	154,704	(1)	$	95,744		$	257,817	(1)	$	278,488
	EMEA			42,847	(4)		135,145	(2)		91,709	(4)		217,686	(2)
	Asia-Pacific			45,454	(5)		254,263	(3)		94,969	(5)		330,952	(3)
			$	243,005		$	485,152		$	444,495		$	827,126
	-1	Includes the purchase price for the New York 2 IBX Data Center Purchase, which totaled $73,441.
	-2	Includes purchase price for the acquisition of ancotel GmbH, net of cash acquired, which totaled $84,236.
	-3	Includes purchase price for the acquisition of Asia Tone, net of cash acquired, which totaled $188,798.
	-4	Includes the deposit for the purchase of the Frankfurt Kleyer 90 Carrier Hotel totaling $1,353.
	-5	Includes the deposit for a real estate purchase totaling $891 and purchase price adjustment for the acquisition of Asia Tone totaling $755.
	The Company’s long-lived assets are located in the following geographic areas as of (in thousands):
			September 30,			December 31,
			2013			2012
	Americas		$	2,496,504		$	2,139,774
	EMEA			1,057,349			994,912
	Asia-Pacific			827,167			781,052
			$	4,381,020		$	3,915,738
	Revenue information by category is as follows (in thousands):
			Three months ended						Nine months ended
			September 30,						September 30,
			2013			2012			2013			2012
	Colocation		$	408,569		$	365,787		$	1,201,487		$	1,047,995
	Interconnection			81,650			70,681			235,994			198,598
	Managed infrastructure services			24,413			23,231			72,324			65,302
	Rental			934			783			2,097			2,347
	Recurring revenues			515,566			460,482			1,511,902			1,314,242
	Non-recurring revenues			27,518			24,353			76,187			67,075
			$	543,084		$	484,835		$	1,588,089		$	1,381,317
	No single customer accounted for 10% or greater of the Company’s revenues for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012. No single customer accounted for 10% or greater of the Company’s gross accounts receivable as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012.

Restructuring_Charges

Restructuring Charges	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Restructuring And Related Activities [Abstract]	'
Restructuring Charges	'
	14	Restructuring Charges
	In May 2013, the Company entered into a binding commitment to purchase the New York 2 IBX data center for leased space in respect of which the Company had previously recorded a restructuring reserve (see Note 4). As a result, the Company recorded a reversal to its outstanding accrued restructuring charge during the three months ended June 30, 2013.
	A summary of the movement in the accrued restructuring charges during the nine months ended September 30, 2013 is outlined as follows (in thousands):
	Accrued restructuring charge as of December 31, 2012		$	5,679
	Accretion expense			137
	Restructuring charge adjustments			(4,837	)
	Cash payments			(979	)
	Accrued restructuring charge as of September 30, 2013		$	—

Subsequent_Events

Subsequent Events	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Subsequent Events [Abstract]	'
Subsequent Events	'
	15	Subsequent Events
	In October 2013, the Company completed the purchase of a property located in Frankfurt, Germany for gross consideration of approximately $90,651,000 (the “Frankfurt Kleyer 90 Carrier Hotel Acquisition”). A portion of the building was leased to the Company and was being used by the Company as its Frankfurt 5 IBX data center. The remainder of the building was leased by other parties, which became the Company’s tenants upon closing. The Frankfurt Kleyer 90 Carrier Hotel Acquisition will be accounted for as a business acquisition using the acquisition method of accounting in accordance with the accounting standard for business combinations. The preliminary purchase price allocation for the Frankfurt Kleyer 90 Carrier Hotel Acquisition is not currently available as the appraisals necessary to assess fair values of assets acquired and liabilities assumed are not yet complete.
	In October 2013, the Company initiated a program to hedge its exposure to foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations for forecasted revenues and expenses in its EMEA region in order to manage the Company’s exposure to foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations between the U.S. dollar and the British Pound, Euro and Swiss Franc. The foreign currency forward contracts that the Company uses to hedge this exposure are designated as cash flow hedges.
	In November 2013, ALOG executed a 60,000,000 Brazilian real credit facility agreement, or approximately $27,019,000. The credit facility has a five-year term with semi-annual principal payments beginning in the third year of its term and quarterly interest payments during the entire term. The credit facility bears an interest rate of 2.25% above the local borrowing rate. ALOG expects to receive the proceeds from the credit facility upon satisfaction of certain conditions.

Basis_of_Presentation_and_Sign1

Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'
Basis of Presentation	'
	Basis of Presentation
	The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared by Equinix, Inc. (‘‘Equinix’’ or the ‘‘Company’’) and reflect all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring adjustments, which in the opinion of management are necessary to fairly state the financial position and the results of operations for the interim periods presented. The condensed consolidated balance sheet data as of December 31, 2012 has been derived from audited consolidated financial statements as of that date. The consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (‘‘SEC’’), but omit certain information and footnote disclosure necessary to present the statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America (“GAAP”). For further information, refer to the Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes thereto included in Equinix’s Form 10-K as filed with the SEC on February 26, 2013. Results for the interim periods are not necessarily indicative of results for the entire fiscal year.
Consolidation	'
	Consolidation
	The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Equinix and its subsidiaries. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
Income Taxes	'
	Income Taxes
	The Company’s effective tax rates were 21.8% and 30.1% for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively. The lower effective tax rate during the nine months ended September 30, 2013 was primarily due to the expected loss in the U.S. for the year as a result of the loss on debt extinguishment recorded during the period (see Note 9) and the recognition of deferred tax assets in a certain jurisdiction in our EMEA region.
	The Company re-evaluated the valuation allowance situation in certain jurisdictions in its EMEA region as a result of a new organizational structure that centralized the majority of its EMEA business management activities in the Netherlands which became effective during the three months ended September 30, 2013. The Company concluded that a portion of the valuation allowance previously assessed against the net deferred tax assets in a certain jurisdiction is no longer necessary. As such, the Company recognized a deferred tax asset of $1,906,000 during the three months ended September 30, 2013.
	The Company is entitled to a deduction for federal and state tax purposes with respect to employee equity award activity. The reduction in income taxes payable related to windfall tax benefits for employee equity awards has been reflected as an adjustment to additional paid-in capital. For the nine months ended September 30, 2013, the benefits arising from employee equity award activity that resulted in an adjustment to additional paid-in capital were approximately $27,372,000.
Discontinued Operations	'
	Discontinued Operations
	In August 2012, the Company entered into an agreement to sell 16 of the Company’s IBX data centers located throughout the U.S. to an investment group including 365 Main, Crosslink Capital, Housatonic Partners and Brightwood Capital for net proceeds of $76,458,000 (the “Divestiture”). The Divestiture closed in November 2012. The Company’s operating results from its discontinued operations associated with the Divestiture consisted of the following (in thousands):
			Three months			Nine months
			ended			ended
			September 30, 2012
	Revenues		$	8,826		$	26,796
	Cost of revenues			(6,585	)		(22,469	)
	Operating expenses			(913	)		(2,077	)
	Income taxes			(649	)		(1,022	)
	Net income from discontinued operations		$	679		$	1,228
Recent Accounting Pronouncements	'
	Recent Accounting Pronouncements
	In December 2011, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2011-11, Disclosures about Offsetting Assets and Liabilities. This ASU requires companies to disclose both gross information and net information about instruments and transactions eligible for offset in the statement of financial position and instruments and transactions subject to an agreement similar to a master netting arrangement. In January 2013, the FASB issued ASU 2013-01, clarifying the Scope of Disclosures about Offsetting Assets and Liabilities. This ASU clarifies that the scope of ASU 2011-11 only applies to derivatives accounted for in accordance with ASC 815, Derivatives and Hedging, and securities borrowing and securities lending transactions. This new guidance is effective for interim and annual periods beginning on or after January 1, 2013 and retrospective disclosure is required for all comparative periods presented. During the three months ended March 31, 2013, the Company adopted these ASUs and their adoption did not have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements since the ASUs enhance currently required disclosures.
	In February 2013, the FASB issued ASU 2013-02, Reporting of Amounts Reclassified Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income. This ASU requires companies to report the effect of significant reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive income on the respective line items in net income when applicable or to cross-reference the reclassifications with other disclosures that provide additional detail about the reclassification made when the reclassifications are not made to net income. This ASU is effective for fiscal years and interim periods, beginning after December 15, 2012. During the three months ended March 31, 2013, the Company adopted ASU 2013-02 and the adoption did not have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements since the Company did not have material reclassifications in any periods presented.
	In July 2013, the FASB issued ASU 2013-11, Presentation of an Unrecognized Tax Benefit When a Net Operating Loss Carryforward, a Similar Tax Loss, or a Tax Credit Carryforward Exists. This ASU requires companies to present an unrecognized tax benefit, or a portion thereof, as a reduction to a deferred tax asset for a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward, except to the extent that these instances are not available at the reporting date. This ASU is effective for fiscal years and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2013 with early adoption permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact that the adoption of this standard will have to its consolidated financial statements, if any.
Reclassifications and Adjustment of Previously-Issued Financial Statements	'
	Reclassifications and Revision of Previously-Issued Financial Statements
	During the three months ended June 30, 2013, the Company reassessed the estimated period over which revenue related to non-recurring installation fees is recognized as a result of observed trends in customer contract lives. Non-recurring installation fees, although generally paid in a lump sum upon installation, are deferred and recognized ratably over the expected life of the installation. The Company undertook this review due to its determination that its customers were generally benefitting from their installations longer than originally anticipated and, therefore, the estimated period that revenue related to non-recurring installation fees is recognized was extended. This change was originally incorrectly accounted for as a change in accounting estimate on a prospective basis effective April 1, 2013. During the three months ended September 30, 2013, the Company determined that these longer lives should have been identified and utilized for revenue recognition purposes beginning in 2006. As a result, the Company’s installation revenues were overstated by $2,572,000, $1,548,000, $1,548,000 and $1,548,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2013, September 30, 2012, June 30, 2012 and March 31, 2012, respectively; and understated by $3,858,000 for the three months ended June 30, 2013. This error did not impact the Company’s reported total cash flows from operating activities.
	Also, during the three months ended December 31, 2012, the Company determined that within the Company’s cash flows from operating activities section of its condensed consolidated statement of cash flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2012, excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation of $60,977,000 were recorded within changes in other assets when they should have been attributed to income taxes payable, and therefore included within changes in accounts payable and accrued expenses. This error has been corrected in the condensed consolidated statement of cash flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 presented herein, and did not impact the Company’s condensed consolidated statement of cash flows for the first and second quarters of 2012. The Company’s consolidated statement of cash flows for the year ended December 31, 2012 properly reflected excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation. Additionally, the Company changed its presentation of the impact of income taxes on cash flows from operating activities to present it within a single line within the consolidated statement of cash flows during the year ended December 31, 2012. This item has no impact on the Company’s reported total cash flows from operating activities.
	The Company assessed the materiality of the above errors, as well as the previously-identified immaterial errors described below, individually and in the aggregate on prior periods’ financial statements in accordance with the SEC’s Staff Accounting Bulletins No. 99 and 108 and, based on an analysis of quantitative and qualitative factors, determined that the errors were not individually material to any of the Company’s prior interim and annual financial statements and, therefore, the previously-issued financial statements could continue to be relied upon and that the amendment of previously filed reports with the SEC was not required. The Company also determined that correcting the cumulative amount of the non-recurring installation fees of $27,170,000 as of December 31, 2012 in 2013 would be material to the projected 2013 consolidated financial statements and as such the Company will revise its previously-issued consolidated financial statements the next time the financial statements for those periods are filed.
	As the Company will revise its previously-issued consolidated financial statements as described above, as part of the revision the Company also corrected certain previously-identified immaterial errors that were either uncorrected or corrected in a period subsequent to the period in which the error originated including (i) certain recoverable taxes in Brazil that were incorrectly recorded in the Company’s statements of operations, which had the effect of overstating both revenues and cost of revenues; (ii) errors related to certain foreign currency embedded derivatives in Asia-Pacific, which have an effect on revenue; (iii) an error in the Company’s statement of cash flows related to the acquisition of Asia Tone Limited (“Asia Tone”) that affects both cash flows from operating and investing activities and (iv) errors in depreciation, stock-based compensation and property tax accruals in the U.S.
	All financial information contained in the accompanying footnotes to these condensed consolidation financial statements has been revised to reflect the correction of these errors.
	The following table presents the effect of the aforementioned revisions on the Company’s revenues, net income and basic and diluted EPS for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010 (in thousands, except per share data):
			Years ended December 31,
			2012			2011			2010
	Revenues		$	(8,368	)	$	(4,159	)	$	(7,562	)
	Cost of revenues			(622	)		4,827			(289	)
	General and administrative			1,133			—			—
	Income from operations			(7,857	)		668			(7,851	)
	Income tax expense			3,219			104			1,749
	Net income			(4,638	)		772			(6,102	)
	Earnings per share (“EPS”) attributable to Equinix:
	Basic EPS from continuing operations			(0.09	)		0.01			(0.14	)
	Basic EPS			(0.09	)		0.01			(0.14	)
	Diluted EPS from continuing operations			(0.09	)		0.02			(0.14	)
	Diluted EPS			(0.09	)		0.02			(0.13	)
	The following table presents the effect of the aforementioned revision on the Company’s condensed consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2012 (in thousands):
			As of December 31, 2012
			As reported			Revision (1)			As revised
	Assets
	Cash and cash equivalents		$	252,213		$	—		$	252,213
	Short-term investments			166,492			—			166,492
	Accounts receivable, net			163,840			—			163,840
	Other current assets			57,206			341			57,547
	Total current assets			639,751			341			640,092
	Long-term investments			127,819			—			127,819
	Property, plant and equipment, net			3,918,999			(3,261	)		3,915,738
	Goodwill			1,042,564			—			1,042,564
	Intangible assets, net			201,562			—			201,562
	Other assets			202,269			5,753			208,022
	Total assets		$	6,132,964		$	2,833		$	6,135,797
	Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity
	Current liabilities:
	Accounts payable and accrued expenses		$	268,853			—		$	268,853
	Accrued property, plant and equipment			63,509			—			63,509
	Current portion of capital lease and other financing obligations			15,206			—			15,206
	Current portion of loans payable			52,160			—			52,160
	Other current liabilities			139,561			9,783			149,344
	Total current liabilities			539,289			9,783			549,072
	Capital lease and other financing obligations, less current portion			545,853			—			545,853
	Loans payable, less current portion			188,802			—			188,802
	Convertible debt			708,726			—			708,726
	Senior notes			1,500,000			—			1,500,000
	Other liabilities			230,843			14,882			245,725
	Total liabilities			3,713,513			24,665			3,738,178
	Redeemable non-controlling interests			84,178			—			84,178
	Common stock			49			—			49
	Additional paid-in capital			2,583,371			(1,133	)		2,582,238
	Treasury stock			(36,676	)		—			(36,676	)
	Accumulated other comprehensive loss			(101,042	)		—			(101,042	)
	Accumulated deficit			(110,429	)		(20,699	)		(131,128	)
	Total stockholders’ equity			2,335,273			(21,832	)		2,313,441
	Total liabilities, redeemable non-controlling interests and stockholders’ equity		$	6,132,964		$	2,833		$	6,135,797
		-1	The impact of revising the estimated periods over which revenue from non-recurring installation fees is recognized, depreciation of certain fixed assets and amortization of stock-based compensation expense.
	The following table presents the effect of the aforementioned revisions on the Company’s condensed consolidated statements of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 (in thousands, except per share data):
			Three months ended September 30, 2012
			As reported			Revision (1)			As revised
	Revenues		$	488,730		$	(3,895	)	$	484,835
	Costs and operating expenses:
Cost of revenues			251,487			(541	)		250,946
Sales and marketing			53,211			—			53,211
General and administrative			83,621			(331	)		83,290
Acquisition costs			4,542			—			4,542
Total costs and operating expenses			392,861			(872	)		391,989
Income from operations			95,869			(3,023	)		92,846
Interest income			1,054			—			1,054
Interest expense			(50,207	)		—			(50,207	)
Other income			507			—			507
Loss on debt extinguishment			(5,204	)		—			(5,204	)
Income from continuing operations before income taxes			42,019			(3,023	)		38,996
Income tax expense			(13,498	)		1,150			(12,348	)
Net income from continuing operations			28,521			(1,873	)		26,648
Net income from discontinued operations, net of tax			679			—			679
Net income			29,200			(1,873	)		27,327
Net income attributable to redeemable non-controlling interests			(362	)		—			(362	)
Net income attributable to Equinix			28,838			(1,873	)		26,965
Earnings per share (“EPS”) attributable to Equinix:
Basic EPS from continuing operations			0.58			(0.04	)		0.54
Basic EPS			0.6			(0.04	)		0.56
Diluted EPS from continuing operations			0.57			(0.04	)		0.53
Diluted EPS			0.58			(0.04	)		0.54
	-1	The impact of revising the estimated periods over which revenue from non-recurring installation fees is recognized, depreciation of certain fixed assets, recoverable taxes, amortization of stock-based compensation expense and embedded derivatives.
		Nine months ended September 30, 2012
		As reported			Revision (1)			As revised
Revenues		$	1,389,224		$	(7,907	)	$	1,381,317
Costs and operating expenses:
Cost of revenues			693,874			1,414			695,288
Sales and marketing			147,224			—			147,224
General and administrative			242,532			(802	)		241,730
Acquisition costs			6,883			—			6,883
Total costs and operating expenses			1,090,513			612			1,091,125
Income from operations			298,711			(8,519	)		290,192
Interest income			2,708			—			2,708
Interest expense			(149,812	)		—			(149,812	)
Other expense			(1,491	)		—			(1,491	)
Loss on debt extinguishment			(5,204	)		—			(5,204	)
Income from continuing operations before income taxes			144,912			(8,519	)		136,393
Income tax expense			(44,489	)		3,401			(41,088	)
Net income from continuing operations			100,423			(5,118	)		95,305
Net income from discontinued operations, net of tax			1,228			—			1,228
Net income			101,651			(5,118	)		96,533
Net income attributable to redeemable non-controlling interests			(1,843	)		—			(1,843	)
Net income attributable to Equinix		$	99,808		$	(5,118	)	$	94,690
Earnings per share (“EPS”) attributable to Equinix:
Basic EPS from continuing operations		$	2.06		$	(0.10	)	$	1.96
Basic EPS			2.09			(0.11	)		1.98
Diluted EPS from continuing operations			2.01			(0.10	)		1.91
Diluted EPS			2.03			(0.10	)		1.93
	-1	The impact of revising the estimated periods over which revenue from non-recurring installation fees is recognized, depreciation of certain fixed assets, recoverable taxes, amortization of stock-based compensation expense, embedded derivatives and property taxes.
The following table presents the effect of the aforementioned revisions and reclassification on the Company’s condensed consolidated statement of cash flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 (in thousands):
		Nine months ended September 30, 2012
		As reported			Revision (1)			Revision (2)			Reclassification			As revised
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income		$	101,651		$	—		$	(5,118	)	$	—		$	96,533
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation			278,214			—			216			—			278,430
Stock-based compensation			62,234			—			(802	)		—			61,432
Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation			(53,174	)		—			—			—			(53,174	)
Amortization of debt issuance costs and debt discount			18,057			—			—			—			18,057
Amortization of intangibles			16,668			—			—			—			16,668
Provision for allowance for doubtful accounts			4,031			—			—			—			4,031
Loss on debt extinguishment			5,204			—			—			—			5,204
Other items			5,622			—			902			—			6,524
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable			(46,900	)		—			—			—			(46,900	)
Income taxes, net			—			—			(3,401	)		24,597			21,196
Other assets			31,020			(60,977	)		1,031			47,731			18,805
Accounts payable and accrued expenses			19,307			60,977			2,256			(75,205	)		7,335
Other liabilities			(19,007	)		—			10,323			2,877			(5,807	)
Net cash provided by operating activities			422,927			—			5,407			—			428,334
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchase of investments			(365,934	)		—			—			—			(365,934	)
Sales of investments			338,192			—			—			—			338,192
Maturities of investments			542,155			—			—			—			542,155
Purchases of property, plant and equipment			(554,092	)		—			—			—			(554,092	)
Purchase of Asia Tone, net of cash acquired			(188,798	)		—			(5,407	)		—			(194,205	)
Purchase of ancotel, net of cash acquired			(84,236	)		—			—			—			(84,236	)
Increase in restricted cash			(8,270	)		—			—			—			(8,270	)
Release of restricted cash			87,437			—			—			—			87,437
Net cash used in investing activities		$	(233,546	)	$	—		$	(5,407	)	$	—		$	(238,953	)
-1	The excess tax benefits were originally included within other assets and is corrected and included within accounts payable and accrued expenses.
-2	The impact of revising the estimated periods over which revenue from non-recurring installation fees is recognized, depreciation of certain fixed assets, recoverable taxes, amortization of stock-based compensation expense, embedded derivatives, property taxes and purchase price of Asia Tone.

Basis_of_Presentation_and_Sign2

Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Operating Results from Discontinued Operations	'
	The Company’s operating results from its discontinued operations associated with the Divestiture consisted of the following (in thousands):
		Three months			Nine months
		ended			ended
		September 30, 2012
	Revenues	$	8,826		$	26,796
	Cost of revenues		(6,585	)		(22,469	)
	Operating expenses		(913	)		(2,077	)
	Income taxes		(649	)		(1,022	)
	Net income from discontinued operations	$	679		$	1,228

Change_In_Accounting_Principle1

Change In Accounting Principle, Reclassifications and Revision of Previously-Issued Financial Statements (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet [Member]	'
Adjustment and Reclassification of Financial Statements	'
	The following table presents the effect of the aforementioned revision on the Company’s condensed consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2012 (in thousands):
			As of December 31, 2012
			As reported			Revision (1)			As revised
	Assets
	Cash and cash equivalents		$	252,213		$	—		$	252,213
	Short-term investments			166,492			—			166,492
	Accounts receivable, net			163,840			—			163,840
	Other current assets			57,206			341			57,547
	Total current assets			639,751			341			640,092
	Long-term investments			127,819			—			127,819
	Property, plant and equipment, net			3,918,999			(3,261	)		3,915,738
	Goodwill			1,042,564			—			1,042,564
	Intangible assets, net			201,562			—			201,562
	Other assets			202,269			5,753			208,022
	Total assets		$	6,132,964		$	2,833		$	6,135,797
	Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity
	Current liabilities:
	Accounts payable and accrued expenses		$	268,853			—		$	268,853
	Accrued property, plant and equipment			63,509			—			63,509
	Current portion of capital lease and other financing obligations			15,206			—			15,206
	Current portion of loans payable			52,160			—			52,160
	Other current liabilities			139,561			9,783			149,344
	Total current liabilities			539,289			9,783			549,072
	Capital lease and other financing obligations, less current portion			545,853			—			545,853
	Loans payable, less current portion			188,802			—			188,802
	Convertible debt			708,726			—			708,726
	Senior notes			1,500,000			—			1,500,000
	Other liabilities			230,843			14,882			245,725
	Total liabilities			3,713,513			24,665			3,738,178
	Redeemable non-controlling interests			84,178			—			84,178
	Common stock			49			—			49
	Additional paid-in capital			2,583,371			(1,133	)		2,582,238
	Treasury stock			(36,676	)		—			(36,676	)
	Accumulated other comprehensive loss			(101,042	)		—			(101,042	)
	Accumulated deficit			(110,429	)		(20,699	)		(131,128	)
	Total stockholders’ equity			2,335,273			(21,832	)		2,313,441
	Total liabilities, redeemable non-controlling interests and stockholders’ equity		$	6,132,964		$	2,833		$	6,135,797
	-1	The impact of revising the estimated periods over which revenue from non-recurring installation fees is recognized, depreciation of certain fixed assets and amortization of stock-based compensation expense.
Revenues, Net Income and Basic and Diluted EPS [Member]	'
Adjustment and Reclassification of Financial Statements	'
	The following table presents the effect of the aforementioned revisions on the Company’s revenues, net income and basic and diluted EPS for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010 (in thousands, except per share data):
			Years ended December 31,
			2012			2011			2010
	Revenues		$	(8,368	)	$	(4,159	)	$	(7,562	)
	Cost of revenues			(622	)		4,827			(289	)
	General and administrative			1,133			—			—
	Income from operations			(7,857	)		668			(7,851	)
	Income tax expense			3,219			104			1,749
	Net income			(4,638	)		772			(6,102	)
	Earnings per share (“EPS”) attributable to Equinix:
	Basic EPS from continuing operations			(0.09	)		0.01			(0.14	)
	Basic EPS			(0.09	)		0.01			(0.14	)
	Diluted EPS from continuing operations			(0.09	)		0.02			(0.14	)
	Diluted EPS			(0.09	)		0.02			(0.13	)
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations [Member]	'
Adjustment and Reclassification of Financial Statements	'
	The following table presents the effect of the aforementioned revisions on the Company’s condensed consolidated statements of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 (in thousands, except per share data):
			Three months ended September 30, 2012
			As reported			Revision (1)			As revised
	Revenues		$	488,730		$	(3,895	)	$	484,835
	Costs and operating expenses:
	Cost of revenues			251,487			(541	)		250,946
	Sales and marketing			53,211			—			53,211
	General and administrative			83,621			(331	)		83,290
	Acquisition costs			4,542			—			4,542
	Total costs and operating expenses			392,861			(872	)		391,989
	Income from operations			95,869			(3,023	)		92,846
	Interest income			1,054			—			1,054
	Interest expense			(50,207	)		—			(50,207	)
	Other income			507			—			507
	Loss on debt extinguishment			(5,204	)		—			(5,204	)
	Income from continuing operations before income taxes			42,019			(3,023	)		38,996
	Income tax expense			(13,498	)		1,150			(12,348	)
	Net income from continuing operations			28,521			(1,873	)		26,648
	Net income from discontinued operations, net of tax			679			—			679
	Net income			29,200			(1,873	)		27,327
	Net income attributable to redeemable non-controlling interests			(362	)		—			(362	)
	Net income attributable to Equinix			28,838			(1,873	)		26,965
	Earnings per share (“EPS”) attributable to Equinix:
	Basic EPS from continuing operations			0.58			(0.04	)		0.54
	Basic EPS			0.6			(0.04	)		0.56
	Diluted EPS from continuing operations			0.57			(0.04	)		0.53
	Diluted EPS			0.58			(0.04	)		0.54
		-1	The impact of revising the estimated periods over which revenue from non-recurring installation fees is recognized, depreciation of certain fixed assets, recoverable taxes, amortization of stock-based compensation expense and embedded derivatives.
			Nine months ended September 30, 2012
			As reported			Revision (1)			As revised
	Revenues		$	1,389,224		$	(7,907	)	$	1,381,317
	Costs and operating expenses:
	Cost of revenues			693,874			1,414			695,288
	Sales and marketing			147,224			—			147,224
	General and administrative			242,532			(802	)		241,730
	Acquisition costs			6,883			—			6,883
	Total costs and operating expenses			1,090,513			612			1,091,125
	Income from operations			298,711			(8,519	)		290,192
	Interest income			2,708			—			2,708
	Interest expense			(149,812	)		—			(149,812	)
	Other expense			(1,491	)		—			(1,491	)
	Loss on debt extinguishment			(5,204	)		—			(5,204	)
	Income from continuing operations before income taxes			144,912			(8,519	)		136,393
	Income tax expense			(44,489	)		3,401			(41,088	)
	Net income from continuing operations			100,423			(5,118	)		95,305
	Net income from discontinued operations, net of tax			1,228			—			1,228
	Net income			101,651			(5,118	)		96,533
	Net income attributable to redeemable non-controlling interests			(1,843	)		—			(1,843	)
	Net income attributable to Equinix		$	99,808		$	(5,118	)	$	94,690
	Earnings per share (“EPS”) attributable to Equinix:
	Basic EPS from continuing operations		$	2.06		$	(0.10	)	$	1.96
	Basic EPS			2.09			(0.11	)		1.98
	Diluted EPS from continuing operations			2.01			(0.10	)		1.91
	Diluted EPS			2.03			(0.10	)		1.93
		-1	The impact of revising the estimated periods over which revenue from non-recurring installation fees is recognized, depreciation of certain fixed assets, recoverable taxes, amortization of stock-based compensation expense, embedded derivatives and property taxes.
Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows [Member]	'
Adjustment and Reclassification of Financial Statements	'
	The following table presents the effect of the aforementioned revisions and reclassification on the Company’s condensed consolidated statement of cash flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 (in thousands):
			Nine months ended September 30, 2012
			As reported			Revision (1)			Revision (2)			Reclassification			As revised
	Cash flows from operating activities:
	Net income		$	101,651		$	—		$	(5,118	)	$	—		$	96,533
	Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
	Depreciation			278,214			—			216			—			278,430
	Stock-based compensation			62,234			—			(802	)		—			61,432
	Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation			(53,174	)		—			—			—			(53,174	)
	Amortization of debt issuance costs and debt discount			18,057			—			—			—			18,057
	Amortization of intangibles			16,668			—			—			—			16,668
	Provision for allowance for doubtful accounts			4,031			—			—			—			4,031
	Loss on debt extinguishment			5,204			—			—			—			5,204
	Other items			5,622			—			902			—			6,524
	Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
	Accounts receivable			(46,900	)		—			—			—			(46,900	)
	Income taxes, net			—			—			(3,401	)		24,597			21,196
	Other assets			31,020			(60,977	)		1,031			47,731			18,805
	Accounts payable and accrued expenses			19,307			60,977			2,256			(75,205	)		7,335
	Other liabilities			(19,007	)		—			10,323			2,877			(5,807	)
	Net cash provided by operating activities			422,927			—			5,407			—			428,334
	Cash flows from investing activities:
	Purchase of investments			(365,934	)		—			—			—			(365,934	)
	Sales of investments			338,192			—			—			—			338,192
	Maturities of investments			542,155			—			—			—			542,155
	Purchases of property, plant and equipment			(554,092	)		—			—			—			(554,092	)
	Purchase of Asia Tone, net of cash acquired			(188,798	)		—			(5,407	)		—			(194,205	)
	Purchase of ancotel, net of cash acquired			(84,236	)		—			—			—			(84,236	)
	Increase in restricted cash			(8,270	)		—			—			—			(8,270	)
	Release of restricted cash			87,437			—			—			—			87,437
	Net cash used in investing activities		$	(233,546	)	$	—		$	(5,407	)	$	—		$	(238,953	)
	-1	The excess tax benefits were originally included within other assets and is corrected and included within accounts payable and accrued expenses.
	-2	The impact of revising the estimated periods over which revenue from non-recurring installation fees is recognized, depreciation of certain fixed assets, recoverable taxes, amortization of stock-based compensation expense, embedded derivatives, property taxes and purchase price of Asia Tone.

Earnings_Per_Share_Tables

Earnings Per Share (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'
Computation of Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Share	'
	The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share (“EPS”) for the periods presented (in thousands, except per share amounts):
		Three months ended						Nine months ended
		September,						September 30,
		2013			2012			2013			2012
	Net income from continuing operations	$	42,753		$	26,648		$	50,750		$	95,305
	Net income attributable to redeemable non-controlling interests		(282	)		(362	)		(1,252	)		(1,843	)
	Net income from continuing operations attributable to Equinix, basic		42,471			26,286			49,498			93,462
	Effect of assumed conversion of convertible debt:
	Interest expense, net of tax		1,865			1,696			—			5,073
	Net income from continuing operations attributable to Equinix, diluted	$	44,336		$	27,982		$	49,498		$	98,535
	Weighted-average shares used to compute basic EPS		49,555			48,361			49,325			47,779
	Effect of dilutive securities:
	Convertible debt		3,467			3,328			—			2,945
	Employee equity awards		559			966			725			1,000
	Weighted-average shares used to compute diluted EPS		53,581			52,655			50,050			51,724
	EPS from continuing operations attributable to Equinix:
	EPS from continuing operations, basic	$	0.86		$	0.54		$	1		$	1.96
	EPS from continuing operations, diluted	$	0.83		$	0.53		$	0.99		$	1.91
Anti-dilutive Potential Shares of Common Stock Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share	'
	The following table sets forth weighted-average outstanding potential shares of common stock that are not included in the diluted earnings per share calculation above because to do so would be anti-dilutive for the periods indicated (in thousands):
		Three months ended						Nine months ended
		September 30,						September 30,
		2013			2012			2013			2012
	Shares reserved for conversion of 2.50% convertible subordinated notes		—			—			—			863
	Shares reserved for conversion of 3.00% convertible subordinated notes		—			—			3,613			—
	Shares reserved for conversion of 4.75% convertible subordinated notes		4,432			4,433			4,432			4,433
	Common stock related to employee equity awards		436			137			269			114
			4,868			4,570			8,314			5,410

Balance_Sheet_Components_Table

Balance Sheet Components (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Organization Consolidation And Presentation Of Financial Statements [Abstract]	'
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term and Long-Term Investments	'
	Cash, cash equivalents and short-term and long-term investments consisted of the following as of (in thousands):
			September 30,			December 31,
			2013			2012
	Cash and cash equivalents:
	Cash (1)		$	234,194		$	150,864
	Cash equivalents:
	U.S. government securities			—			3,009
	Money markets			162,148			98,340
	Commercial paper			3,400			—
	Total cash and cash equivalents			399,742			252,213
	Marketable securities:
	U.S. government securities			303,322			126,941
	U.S. government agencies securities			139,606			72,979
	Certificates of deposit			48,363			48,386
	Commercial paper			999			1,993
	Corporate bonds			211,318			37,975
	Asset-backed securities			84,625			6,037
	Total marketable securities			788,233			294,311
	Total cash, cash equivalents and short-term and long-term investments		$	1,187,975		$	546,524
	-1	Excludes restricted cash.
Summary of Cost and Estimated Fair Value of Marketable Securities	'
	The following table summarizes the cost and estimated fair value of marketable securities based on stated effective maturities as of (in thousands):
			September 30, 2013						December 31, 2012
			Amortized			Fair Value			Amortized			Fair Value
			Cost						Cost
	Due within one year		$	336,549		$	336,699		$	166,445		$	166,492
	Due after one year through three years			451,478			451,534			127,795			127,819
	Total		$	788,027		$	788,233		$	294,240		$	294,311
Summary of Fair Value and Gross Unrealized Gains and Losses on Available-for-Sale Securities	'
	The following table summarizes the fair value and gross unrealized gains and losses related to the Company’s short-term and long-term investments in marketable securities designated as available-for-sale securities as of (in thousands):
			September 30, 2013
			Amortized			Gross			Gross			Fair value
			cost			unrealized			unrealized
						gains			losses
	U.S. government securities		$	303,155		$	178		$	(11	)	$	303,322
	U.S. government agencies securities			139,598			59			(51	)		139,606
	Corporate bonds			211,318			101			(101	)		211,318
	Certificates of deposit			48,329			34			—			48,363
	Commercial paper			997			2			—			999
	Asset-backed securities			84,630			24			(29	)		84,625
	Total		$	788,027		$	398		$	(192	)	$	788,233
			December 31, 2012
			Amortized			Gross			Gross			Fair value
			cost			unrealized			unrealized
						gains			losses
	U.S. government securities		$	126,938		$	40		$	(37	)	$	126,941
	U.S. government agencies securities			72,948			68			(37	)		72,979
	Corporate bonds			48,373			18			(5	)		48,386
	Certificates of deposit			37,954			29			(8	)		37,975
	Commercial paper			6,036			2			(1	)		6,037
	Asset-backed securities			1,991			2			—			1,993
	Total		$	294,240		$	159		$	(88	)	$	294,311
Summary of Fair Value and Gross Unrealized Loss Position Related Available-for-Sale	'
	The following table summarizes the fair value and gross unrealized losses related to 143 available-for-sale securities aggregated by type of investment and length of time that individual securities have been in a continuous unrealized loss position, as of September 30, 2013 (in thousands):
			Securities in a loss						Securities in a loss
			position for less than 12						position for 12 months
			months						or more
			Fair value			Gross			Fair value			Gross
						unrealized						unrealized
						losses						losses
	U.S. government agencies securities		$	40,294		$	(40	)	$	2,965		$	(11	)
	U.S. government securities			17,826			(11	)		—			—
	Corporate bonds			99,257			(101	)		—			—
	Asset-backed securities			59,781			(29	)		—			—
			$	217,158		$	(181	)	$	2,965		$	(11	)
Accounts Receivables, Net	'
	Accounts receivables, net, consisted of the following as of (in thousands):
			September 30,			December 31,
			2013			2012
	Accounts receivable		$	331,808		$	290,326
	Unearned revenue			(127,266	)		(122,770	)
	Allowance for doubtful accounts			(4,898	)		(3,716	)
			$	199,644		$	163,840
Other Current Assets	'
	Other current assets consisted of the following as of (in thousands):
			September 30,			December 31,
			2013			2012
	Prepaid expenses		$	24,682		$	21,349
	Deferred tax assets, net			8,448			8,448
	Taxes receivable			10,045			8,829
	Restricted cash			3,211			9,380
	Derivative instruments			2,723			3,205
	Other receivables			5,703			3,428
	Other current assets			4,538			2,908
			$	59,350		$	57,547
Property, Plant and Equipment, Net	'
	Property, plant and equipment consisted of the following as of (in thousands):
			September 30,			December 31,
			2013			2012
	IBX plant and machinery		$	2,501,903		$	2,292,873
	Leasehold improvements			1,016,048			1,078,834
	Buildings			1,157,171			762,294
	IBX equipment			471,078			410,456
	Site improvements			537,113			352,367
	Computer equipment and software			174,994			150,382
	Land			116,514			98,007
	Furniture and fixtures			22,816			21,982
	Construction in progress			307,544			379,750
				6,305,181			5,546,945
	Less accumulated depreciation			(1,924,161	)		(1,631,207	)
			$	4,381,020		$	3,915,738
Goodwill and Intangible Assets	'
	Goodwill and intangible assets, net, consisted of the following as of (in thousands):
			September 30,			December 31,
			2013			2012
	Goodwill:
	Americas		$	476,394		$	482,765
	EMEA			424,417			423,529
	Asia-Pacific			135,368			136,270
			$	1,036,179		$	1,042,564
	Intangible assets:
	Intangible asset – customer contracts		$	222,530		$	222,571
	Intangible asset – favorable leases			28,669			27,785
	Intangible asset – licenses			9,697			9,397
	Intangible asset – others			9,865			9,889
				270,761			269,642
	Accumulated amortization			(88,416	)		(68,080	)
			$	182,345		$	201,562
Estimated Future Amortization Expense Related to Intangibles	'
	The Company’s estimated future amortization expense related to these intangibles is as follows (in thousands):
	Year ending:
	2013 (three months remaining)		$	6,938
	2014			27,540
	2015			27,061
	2016			26,586
	2017			25,016
	Thereafter			69,204
	Total		$	182,345
Other Assets	'
	Other assets consisted of the following (in thousands):
			September 30,			December 31,
			2013			2012
	Prepaid expenses, non-current		$	34,267		$	34,478
	Deferred tax assets, net			207,653			90,985
	Debt issuance costs, net			43,776			36,704
	Deposits			26,781			27,069
	Restricted cash, non-current			15,720			8,131
	Derivative instruments			3,428			—
	Other assets, non-current			10,906			10,655
			$	342,531		$	208,022
Accounts Payable and Accrued Expenses	'
	Accounts payable and accrued expenses consisted of the following (in thousands):
			September 30,			December 31,
			2013			2012
	Accounts payable		$	28,483		$	27,659
	Accrued compensation and benefits			79,745			85,619
	Accrued interest			68,882			48,436
	Accrued taxes			59,990			47,477
	Accrued utilities and security			28,195			24,974
	Accrued professional fees			9,697			6,699
	Accrued repairs and maintenance			4,109			2,938
	Accrued other			20,034			25,051
			$	299,135		$	268,853
Other Current Liabilities	'
	Other current liabilities consisted of the following (in thousands):
			September 30,			December 31,
			2013			2012
	Deferred installation revenue		$	41,883		$	49,455
	Deferred recurring revenue			6,723			8,910
	Deferred tax liabilities, net			68,204			68,204
	Deferred rent			3,564			5,410
	Customer deposits			12,373			12,927
	Derivative instruments			850			1,097
	Accrued restructuring charges			—			2,379
	Other current liabilities			861			962
			$	134,458		$	149,344
Other Liabilities	'
	Other liabilities consisted of the following (in thousands):
			September 30,			December 31,
			2013			2012
	Deferred installation revenue, non-current		$	59,995		$	41,950
	Deferred recurring revenue, non-current			3,814			5,381
	Asset retirement obligations, non-current			59,579			63,150
	Deferred rent, non-current			39,205			38,041
	Deferred tax liabilities, net			61,680			61,310
	Accrued taxes, non-current			24,408			19,373
	Customer deposits, non-current			5,285			6,185
	Accrued restructuring charges, non-current			—			3,300
	Derivative instruments, non-current			56			—
	Other liabilities			9,330			7,035
			$	263,352		$	245,725

Derivatives_and_Hedging_Activi1

Derivatives and Hedging Activities (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Derivative Instruments And Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Fair Value of Derivative Instruments Recognized in Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets	'
	The following table presents the fair value of derivative instruments recognized in the Company’s condensed consolidated balance sheets as of September 30, 2013 (in thousands):
			Gross		Gross			Net		Gross			Net
			amounts		amounts			amounts (1)		amounts
					offset in the					not offset
					balance					in the
					sheet					balance
										sheet
	Assets:
	Embedded derivatives		$	4,808	$	—		$	4,808	$	—		$	4,808
	Economic hedges of embedded derivatives			552		—			552		—			552
	Foreign currency forward contracts			791		—			791		(128	)		663
			$	6,151	$	—		$	6,151	$	(128	)	$	6,023
	Liabilities:
	Embedded derivatives		$	290	$	—		$	290	$	—		$	290
	Foreign currency forward contracts			616		—			616		(128	)		488
			$	906	$	—		$	906	$	(128	)	$	778
	-1	As presented in the Company’s condensed consolidated balance sheets.
	The following table presents the fair value of derivative instruments recognized in the Company’s condensed consolidated balance sheets as of December 31, 2012 (in thousands):
			Gross		Gross			Net		Gross			Net
			amounts		amounts			amounts (1)		amounts
					offset in the					not offset
					balance					in the
					sheet					balance
										sheet
	Assets:
	Embedded derivatives		$	3,205	$	—		$	3,205	$	—		$	3,205
	Foreign currency forward contracts			13		(13	)		—		—			—
			$	3,218	$	(13	)	$	3,205	$	—		$	3,205
	Liabilities:
	Embedded derivatives		$	890	$	—		$	890	$	—		$	890
	Foreign currency forward contracts			220		(13	)		207		—			207
			$	1,110	$	(13	)	$	1,097	$	—		$	1,097
	-1	As presented in the Company’s condensed consolidated balance sheets.

Fair_Value_Measurements_Tables

Fair Value Measurements (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]	'
Financial Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on Recurring Basis	'
	The Company’s financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of September 30, 2013 were as follows (in thousands):
			Fair value at		Fair value
			September 30,		measurement using
			2013		Level 1		Level 2
	Assets:
	Cash		$	234,194	$	234,194	$	—
	U.S. government securities			303,322		303,322		—
	U.S. government agency securities			139,606		—		139,606
	Money market and deposit accounts			162,148		162,148		—
	Certificates of deposit			48,363		—		48,363
	Commercial paper			4,399		—		4,399
	Corporate bonds			211,318		—		211,318
	Asset-backed securities			84,625		—		84,625
	Derivative instruments (1)			6,151		—		6,151
			$	1,194,126	$	699,664	$	494,462
	Liabilities:
	Derivative instruments (1)		$	906	$	—	$	906
	-1	Includes embedded derivatives, economic hedges of embedded derivatives and foreign currency forward contracts. Amounts are included within other current assets, other assets, other current liabilities and other liabilities in the Company’s accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheet.

Related_Party_Transactions_Tab

Related Party Transactions (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Related Party Transactions [Abstract]	'
Activity of Related Party Transactions	'
	The Company’s activity of related party transactions was as follows (in thousands):
		Three months ended				Nine months ended
		September 30,				September 30,
		2013		2012		2013		2012
	Revenues	$	2,233	$	10,656	$	17,973	$	25,588
	Costs and services		132		654		4,665		1,682
		As of September 30,
		2013		2012
	Accounts receivable	$	1,938	$	7,034
	Accounts payable		—		282

Leases_Tables

Leases (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Leases [Abstract]	'
Summary of Capital Lease and Other Financing Obligations	'
	The Company’s capital lease and other financing obligations are summarized as follows (in thousands):
		Capital lease			Other			Total
		obligations			financing
					obligations
	2013 (three months remaining)	$	9,368		$	9,878		$	19,246
	2014		38,342			44,364			82,706
	2015		40,397			52,291			92,688
	2016		40,713			56,755			97,468
	2017		41,399			56,861			98,260
	Thereafter		597,772			568,607			1,166,379
	Total minimum lease payments		767,991			788,756			1,556,747
	Plus amount representing residual property value		—			387,107			387,107
	Less estimated building costs		—			(69,768	)		(69,768	)
	Less amount representing interest		(384,842	)		(609,855	)		(994,697	)
	Present value of net minimum lease payments		383,149			496,240			879,389
	Less current portion		(9,601	)		(7,378	)		(16,979	)
		$	373,548		$	488,862		$	862,410

Debt_Facilities_Tables

Debt Facilities (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Convertible Debt	'
	The Company’s convertible debt consisted of the following (in thousands):
		September 30,			December 31,
		2013			2012
	3.00% Convertible Subordinated Notes	$	395,986		$	395,986
	4.75% Convertible Subordinated Notes		373,724			373,730
			769,710			769,716
	Less amount representing debt discount		(49,495	)		(60,990	)
		$	720,215		$	708,726
Summary of Maturities of Debt Facilities	'
	The following table sets forth maturities of the Company’s debt, including loans payable, convertible debt and senior notes, as of September 30, 2013 (in thousands):
	Year ending:
	2013 (three months remaining)	$	10,180
	2014		448,852
	2015		53,230
	2016		377,532
	2017		26,870
	Thereafter		2,250,523
		$	3,167,187
Fair Value of Debt Facilities	'
	The following table sets forth the estimated fair values of the Company’s loans payable, senior notes and convertible debt as of (in thousands):
		September 30,			December 31,
		2013			2012
	Loans payable	$	197,144		$	238,793
	Convertible debt		1,060,227			1,144,568
	Senior notes		2,226,540			1,661,400
Interest Charges	'
	The following table sets forth total interest costs incurred and total interest costs capitalized for the periods presented (in thousands):
		Three months ended						Nine months ended
		September 30,						September 30,
		2013			2012			2013		2012
	Interest expense	$	61,957		$	50,207		$	183,289	$	149,812
	Interest capitalized		2,346			6,315			7,896		19,630
	Interest charges incurred	$	64,303		$	56,522		$	191,185	$	169,442
Loans Payable [Member]	'
Summary of Loans Payable and Senior Notes	'
	The Company’s loans payable consisted of the following (in thousands):
		September 30,			December 31,
		2013			2012
	U.S. term loan	$	150,000		$	180,000
	ALOG financing		46,792			48,807
	Paris 4 IBX financing		115			8,071
	Other loans payable		65			4,084
			196,972			240,962
	Less current portion		(40,185	)		(52,160	)
		$	156,787		$	188,802
Senior Notes [Member]	'
Summary of Loans Payable and Senior Notes	'
	The Company’s senior notes consisted of the following as of (in thousands):
		September 30,			December 31,
		2013			2012
	5.375% senior notes due 2023	$	1,000,000		$	—
	7.00% senior notes due 2021		750,000			750,000
	4.875% senior notes due 2020		500,000			—
	8.125% senior notes due 2018		—			750,000
		$	2,250,000		$	1,500,000
4.875% Senior Notes Due 2020 [Member]	'
Summary of Senior Notes Redemption Price Percentage	'
		Redemption price of the 4.875% Senior Notes
	2017		102.438	%
	2018		101.219	%
	2019 and thereafter		100	%
5.375% Senior Notes Due 2023 [Member]	'
Summary of Senior Notes Redemption Price Percentage	'
		Redemption price of the 5.375% Senior Notes
	2018		102.688	%
	2019		101.792	%
	2020		100.896	%
	2021 and thereafter		100	%

Redeemable_NonControlling_Inte1

Redeemable Non-Controlling Interests (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Noncontrolling Interest [Abstract]	'
Activities of Company's Redeemable Non-Controlling Interests	'
	The following table provides a summary of the activities of the Company’s redeemable non-controlling interests (in thousands):
	Balance as of December 31, 2012	$	84,178
	Net income attributable to redeemable non-controlling interests		1,252
	Other comprehensive loss attributable to redeemable non-controlling interests		(4,340	)
	Increase in redemption value of non-controlling interests		20,913
	Impact of foreign currency exchange		(944	)
	Balance as of September 30, 2013	$	101,059

Stockholders_Equity_Tables

Stockholders' Equity (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Equity [Abstract]	'
Components of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss	'
	The components of accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax, are as follows (in thousands):
		Balance as of			Net			Balance as of
		December 31,			change			September 30,
		2012						2013
	Foreign currency translation loss	$	(114,678	)	$	(25,107	)	$	(139,785	)
	Unrealized gain on available for sale securities		41			78			119
	Other comprehensive loss attributable to redeemable non-controlling interests		13,595			4,340			17,935
		$	(101,042	)	$	(20,689	)	$	(121,731	)
Stock-Based Compensation Expense Recognized in Company's Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations	'
	The following table presents, by operating expense category, the Company’s stock-based compensation expense recognized in the Company’s condensed consolidated statement of operations (in thousands):
		Three months ended						Nine months ended
		September 30,						September 30,
		2013			2012			2013			2012
	Cost of revenues	$	2,270		$	1,726		$	5,666		$	4,577
	Sales and marketing		7,250			4,795			19,796			13,505
	General and administrative		17,760			15,585			49,848			43,022
		$	27,280		$	22,106		$	75,310		$	61,104

Segment_Information_Tables

Segment Information (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Segment Reporting [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Adjusted EBITDA	'
	The Company defines adjusted EBITDA as income or loss from operations plus depreciation, amortization, accretion, stock-based compensation expense, restructuring charges, impairment charges and acquisition costs as presented below (in thousands):
			Three months ended						Nine months ended
			September 30,						September 30,
			2013			2012			2013			2012
	Adjusted EBITDA:
	Americas		$	150,304		$	139,929		$	449,112		$	408,885
	EMEA			57,139			46,392			156,557			138,217
	Asia-Pacific			41,002			38,695			131,699			101,069
	Total adjusted EBITDA			248,445			225,016			737,368			648,171
	Depreciation, amortization and accretion expense			(105,534	)		(105,522	)		(324,326	)		(289,992	)
	Stock-based compensation expense			(27,280	)		(22,106	)		(75,310	)		(61,104	)
	Restructuring charge			—			—			4,837			—
	Acquisitions costs			(438	)		(4,542	)		(6,626	)		(6,883	)
	Income from operations		$	115,193		$	92,846		$	335,943		$	290,192
Segment Disclosures	'
	The Company also provides the following additional segment disclosures (in thousands):
			Three months ended						Nine months ended
			September 30,						September 30,
			2013			2012			2013			2012
	Total revenues:
	Americas		$	319,413		$	291,836		$	938,673		$	854,871
	EMEA			133,254			111,825			380,232			315,594
	Asia-Pacific			90,417			81,174			269,184			210,852
			$	543,084		$	484,835		$	1,588,089		$	1,381,317
	Total depreciation and amortization:
	Americas		$	64,001		$	60,058		$	191,355		$	175,195
	EMEA			24,274			21,876			70,403			57,311
	Asia-Pacific			21,626			22,675			64,533			54,615
			$	109,901		$	104,609		$	326,291		$	287,121
	Capital expenditures:
	Americas		$	154,704	(1)	$	95,744		$	257,817	(1)	$	278,488
	EMEA			42,847	(4)		135,145	(2)		91,709	(4)		217,686	(2)
	Asia-Pacific			45,454	(5)		254,263	(3)		94,969	(5)		330,952	(3)
			$	243,005		$	485,152		$	444,495		$	827,126
	-1	Includes the purchase price for the New York 2 IBX Data Center Purchase, which totaled $73,441.
	-2	Includes purchase price for the acquisition of ancotel GmbH, net of cash acquired, which totaled $84,236.
	-3	Includes purchase price for the acquisition of Asia Tone, net of cash acquired, which totaled $188,798.
	-4	Includes the deposit for the purchase of the Frankfurt Kleyer 90 Carrier Hotel totaling $1,353.
	-5	Includes the deposit for a real estate purchase totaling $891 and purchase price adjustment for the acquisition of Asia Tone totaling $755.
Long-Lived Assets	'
	The Company’s long-lived assets are located in the following geographic areas as of (in thousands):
			September 30,			December 31,
			2013			2012
	Americas		$	2,496,504		$	2,139,774
	EMEA			1,057,349			994,912
	Asia-Pacific			827,167			781,052
			$	4,381,020		$	3,915,738
Revenue Information by Category	'
	Revenue information by category is as follows (in thousands):
			Three months ended						Nine months ended
			September 30,						September 30,
			2013			2012			2013			2012
	Colocation		$	408,569		$	365,787		$	1,201,487		$	1,047,995
	Interconnection			81,650			70,681			235,994			198,598
	Managed infrastructure services			24,413			23,231			72,324			65,302
	Rental			934			783			2,097			2,347
	Recurring revenues			515,566			460,482			1,511,902			1,314,242
	Non-recurring revenues			27,518			24,353			76,187			67,075
			$	543,084		$	484,835		$	1,588,089		$	1,381,317

Restructuring_Charges_Tables

Restructuring Charges (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Restructuring And Related Activities [Abstract]	'
Summary of Accrued Restructuring Charges	'
	A summary of the movement in the accrued restructuring charges during the nine months ended September 30, 2013 is outlined as follows (in thousands):
	Accrued restructuring charge as of December 31, 2012	$	5,679
	Accretion expense		137
	Restructuring charge adjustments		(4,837	)
	Cash payments		(979	)
	Accrued restructuring charge as of September 30, 2013	$	—

Basis_of_Presentation_and_Sign3

Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	4 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Nov. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
	Center
Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'	'	'
Effective income tax rate, continuing operations	'	21.80%	30.10%
Recognized deferred tax asset	'	$1,906,000	'
Benefits from employee equity award activity in adjustment to additional paid-in capital	'	27,372,000	'
Data centers in markets	16	'	'
Proceeds from sale of data centers	$76,458,000	'	'

Basis_of_Presentation_and_Sign4

Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies - Schedule of Operating Results from Discontinued Operations (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012
Discontinued Operations And Disposal Groups [Abstract]	'	'
Revenues	$8,826	$26,796
Cost of revenues	-6,585	-22,469
Operating expenses	-913	-2,077
Income taxes	-649	-1,022
Net income from discontinued operations	$679	$1,228

Change_In_Accounting_Principle2

Change In Accounting Principle, Reclassifications and Revision of Previously-Issued Financial Statements - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Dec. 31, 2012

Jun. 30, 2013

Mar. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Jun. 30, 2012

Mar. 31, 2012

Sep. 30, 2012

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2011

Dec. 31, 2010

Restatement Adjustment [Member]

Restatement Adjustment [Member]

Restatement Adjustment [Member]

Restatement Adjustment [Member]

Restatement Adjustment [Member]

Restatement Adjustment [Member]

Restatement Adjustment [Member]

Restatement Adjustment [Member]

Restatement Adjustment [Member]

Basis Of Presentation And Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Revenues

$543,084,000

$484,835,000

$1,588,089,000

$1,381,317,000

'

$3,858,000

($2,572,000)

($1,548,000)

($1,548,000)

($1,548,000)

'

($7,562,000)

($4,159,000)

($8,368,000)

Accounts payable and accrued expenses

'

'

17,399,000

7,335,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

60,977,000

'

'

'

Deferred installation revenue

$41,883,000

'

$41,883,000

'

$49,455,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

$27,170,000

'

'

Change_In_Accounting_Principle3

Change In Accounting Principle, Reclassifications and Revision of Previously-Issued Financial Statements - Effect of Revisions on Company's Revenues, Net Income and Basic and Diluted EPS (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		3 Months Ended					12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
					Restatement Adjustment [Member]	Restatement Adjustment [Member]	Restatement Adjustment [Member]	Restatement Adjustment [Member]	Restatement Adjustment [Member]	Restatement Adjustment [Member]	Restatement Adjustment [Member]	Restatement Adjustment [Member]
Prior Period Adjustment [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Revenues	$543,084	$484,835	$1,588,089	$1,381,317	$3,858	($2,572)	($1,548)	($1,548)	($1,548)	($7,562)	($4,159)	($8,368)
Cost of revenues	268,960	250,946	794,660	695,288	'	'	'	'	'	-289	4,827	-622
General and administrative	96,874	83,290	276,324	241,730	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	1,133
Income from operations	115,193	92,846	335,943	290,192	'	'	'	'	'	-7,851	668	-7,857
Income tax expense	12,397	12,348	14,189	41,088	'	'	'	'	'	1,749	104	3,219
Net income	$42,753	$27,327	$50,750	$96,533	'	'	'	'	'	($6,102)	$772	($4,638)
Earnings per share ("EPS") attributable to Equinix:	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Basic EPS from continuing operations	$0.86	$0.54	$1	$1.96	'	'	'	'	'	($0.14)	$0.01	($0.09)
Basic EPS	$0.86	$0.56	$1	$1.98	'	'	'	'	'	($0.14)	$0.01	($0.09)
Diluted EPS from continuing operations	$0.83	$0.53	$0.99	$1.91	'	'	'	'	'	($0.14)	$0.02	($0.09)
Diluted EPS	$0.83	$0.54	$0.99	$1.93	'	'	'	'	'	($0.13)	$0.02	($0.09)

Change_In_Accounting_Principle4

Change In Accounting Principle, Reclassifications and Revision of Previously-Issued Financial Statements - Adjustment and Reclassification of Consolidated Balance Sheet (Detail) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Assets	'	'	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	$399,742	$252,213	$239,687	$278,823
Short-term investments	346,038	166,492	'	'
Accounts receivable, net	199,644	163,840	'	'
Other current assets	59,350	57,547	'	'
Total current assets	1,004,774	640,092	'	'
Long-term investments	442,195	127,819	'	'
Property, plant and equipment, net	4,381,020	3,915,738	'	'
Goodwill	1,036,179	1,042,564	'	'
Intangible assets, net	182,345	201,562	'	'
Other assets	342,531	208,022	'	'
Total assets	7,389,044	6,135,797	'	'
Current liabilities:	'	'	'	'
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	299,135	268,853	'	'
Accrued property, plant and equipment	91,468	63,509	'	'
Current portion of capital lease and other financing obligations	16,979	15,206	'	'
Current portion of loans payable	40,185	52,160	'	'
Other current liabilities	134,458	149,344	'	'
Total current liabilities	582,225	549,072	'	'
Capital lease and other financing obligations, less current portion	862,410	545,853	'	'
Loans payable, less current portion	156,787	188,802	'	'
Convertible debt	720,215	708,726	'	'
Senior notes	2,250,000	1,500,000	'	'
Other liabilities	263,352	245,725	'	'
Total liabilities	4,834,989	3,738,178	'	'
Redeemable non-controlling interests	101,059	84,178	'	'
Common stock	50	49	'	'
Additional paid-in capital	2,692,210	2,582,238	'	'
Treasury stock	-35,903	-36,676	'	'
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	-121,731	-101,042	'	'
Accumulated deficit	-81,630	-131,128	'	'
Total stockholders' equity	2,452,996	2,313,441	'	'
Total liabilities, redeemable non-controlling interests and stockholders' equity	7,389,044	6,135,797	'	'
As reported [Member]	'	'	'	'
Assets	'	'	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	'	252,213	'	'
Short-term investments	'	166,492	'	'
Accounts receivable, net	'	163,840	'	'
Other current assets	'	57,206	'	'
Total current assets	'	639,751	'	'
Long-term investments	'	127,819	'	'
Property, plant and equipment, net	'	3,918,999	'	'
Goodwill	'	1,042,564	'	'
Intangible assets, net	'	201,562	'	'
Other assets	'	202,269	'	'
Total assets	'	6,132,964	'	'
Current liabilities:	'	'	'	'
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	'	268,853	'	'
Accrued property, plant and equipment	'	63,509	'	'
Current portion of capital lease and other financing obligations	'	15,206	'	'
Current portion of loans payable	'	52,160	'	'
Other current liabilities	'	139,561	'	'
Total current liabilities	'	539,289	'	'
Capital lease and other financing obligations, less current portion	'	545,853	'	'
Loans payable, less current portion	'	188,802	'	'
Convertible debt	'	708,726	'	'
Senior notes	'	1,500,000	'	'
Other liabilities	'	230,843	'	'
Total liabilities	'	3,713,513	'	'
Redeemable non-controlling interests	'	84,178	'	'
Common stock	'	49	'	'
Additional paid-in capital	'	2,583,371	'	'
Treasury stock	'	-36,676	'	'
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	'	-101,042	'	'
Accumulated deficit	'	-110,429	'	'
Total stockholders' equity	'	2,335,273	'	'
Total liabilities, redeemable non-controlling interests and stockholders' equity	'	6,132,964	'	'
Restatement Adjustment [Member]	'	'	'	'
Assets	'	'	'	'
Other current assets	'	341	'	'
Total current assets	'	341	'	'
Property, plant and equipment, net	'	-3,261	'	'
Other assets	'	5,753	'	'
Total assets	'	2,833	'	'
Current liabilities:	'	'	'	'
Other current liabilities	'	9,783	'	'
Total current liabilities	'	9,783	'	'
Other liabilities	'	14,882	'	'
Total liabilities	'	24,665	'	'
Additional paid-in capital	'	-1,133	'	'
Accumulated deficit	'	-20,699	'	'
Total stockholders' equity	'	-21,832	'	'
Total liabilities, redeemable non-controlling interests and stockholders' equity	'	$2,833	'	'

Change_In_Accounting_Principle5

Change In Accounting Principle, Reclassifications and Revision of Previously-Issued Financial Statements - Adjustment and Reclassification of Consolidated Statements of Operations (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Revenues	$543,084	$484,835	$1,588,089	$1,381,317
Costs and operating expenses:	'	'	'	'
Cost of revenues	268,960	250,946	794,660	695,288
Sales and marketing	61,619	53,211	179,373	147,224
General and administrative	96,874	83,290	276,324	241,730
Acquisition costs	438	4,542	6,626	6,883
Total costs and operating expenses	427,891	391,989	1,252,146	1,091,125
Income from operations	115,193	92,846	335,943	290,192
Interest income	929	1,054	2,593	2,708
Interest expense	-61,957	-50,207	-183,289	-149,812
Other expense	985	507	3,294	-1,491
Loss on debt extinguishment	'	-5,204	-93,602	-5,204
Income from continuing operations before income taxes	55,150	38,996	64,939	136,393
Income tax expense	-12,397	-12,348	-14,189	-41,088
Net income from continuing operations	42,753	26,648	50,750	95,305
Net income from discontinued operations, net of tax	'	679	'	1,228
Net income	42,753	27,327	50,750	96,533
Net income attributable to redeemable non-controlling interests	-282	-362	-1,252	-1,843
Net income attributable to Equinix	42,471	26,965	49,498	94,690
Earnings per share ("EPS") attributable to Equinix:	'	'	'	'
Basic EPS from continuing operations	$0.86	$0.54	$1	$1.96
Basic EPS	$0.86	$0.56	$1	$1.98
Diluted EPS from continuing operations	$0.83	$0.53	$0.99	$1.91
Diluted EPS	$0.83	$0.54	$0.99	$1.93
As reported [Member]	'	'	'	'
Revenues	'	488,730	'	1,389,224
Costs and operating expenses:	'	'	'	'
Cost of revenues	'	251,487	'	693,874
Sales and marketing	'	53,211	'	147,224
General and administrative	'	83,621	'	242,532
Acquisition costs	'	4,542	'	6,883
Total costs and operating expenses	'	392,861	'	1,090,513
Income from operations	'	95,869	'	298,711
Interest income	'	1,054	'	2,708
Interest expense	'	-50,207	'	-149,812
Other expense	'	507	'	-1,491
Loss on debt extinguishment	'	-5,204	'	-5,204
Income from continuing operations before income taxes	'	42,019	'	144,912
Income tax expense	'	-13,498	'	-44,489
Net income from continuing operations	'	28,521	'	100,423
Net income from discontinued operations, net of tax	'	679	'	1,228
Net income	'	29,200	'	101,651
Net income attributable to redeemable non-controlling interests	'	-362	'	-1,843
Net income attributable to Equinix	'	28,838	'	99,808
Earnings per share ("EPS") attributable to Equinix:	'	'	'	'
Basic EPS from continuing operations	'	$0.58	'	$2.06
Basic EPS	'	$0.60	'	$2.09
Diluted EPS from continuing operations	'	$0.57	'	$2.01
Diluted EPS	'	$0.58	'	$2.03
Restatement Adjustment [Member]	'	'	'	'
Revenues	'	-3,895	'	-7,907
Costs and operating expenses:	'	'	'	'
Cost of revenues	'	-541	'	1,414
General and administrative	'	-331	'	-802
Total costs and operating expenses	'	-872	'	612
Income from operations	'	-3,023	'	-8,519
Income from continuing operations before income taxes	'	-3,023	'	-8,519
Income tax expense	'	1,150	'	3,401
Net income from continuing operations	'	-1,873	'	-5,118
Net income	'	-1,873	'	-5,118
Net income attributable to Equinix	'	($1,873)	'	($5,118)
Earnings per share ("EPS") attributable to Equinix:	'	'	'	'
Basic EPS from continuing operations	'	($0.04)	'	($0.10)
Basic EPS	'	($0.04)	'	($0.11)
Diluted EPS from continuing operations	'	($0.04)	'	($0.10)
Diluted EPS	'	($0.04)	'	($0.10)

Change_In_Accounting_Principle6

Change In Accounting Principle, Reclassifications and Revision of Previously-Issued Financial Statements - Adjustment and Reclassification of Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Detail) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Cash flows from operating activities:	'	'
Net income	$50,750	$96,533
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:	'	'
Depreciation	305,651	278,430
Stock-based compensation	75,310	61,432
Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation	-27,372	-53,174
Amortization of debt issuance costs and debt discount	17,602	18,057
Amortization of intangibles	20,445	16,668
Provision for allowance for doubtful accounts	3,160	4,031
Loss on debt extinguishment	93,602	5,204
Other items	6,699	6,524
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:	'	'
Accounts receivable	-40,292	-46,900
Income taxes, net	-71,567	21,196
Other assets	-21,046	18,805
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	17,399	7,335
Other liabilities	12,398	-5,807
Net cash provided by operating activities	437,902	428,334
Cash flows from investing activities:	'	'
Purchase of investments	-814,422	-365,934
Sales of investments	176,971	338,192
Maturities of investments	139,674	542,155
Purchases of property, plant and equipment	-369,565	-554,092
Increase in restricted cash	-836,767	-8,270
Release of restricted cash	843,088	87,437
Net cash used in investing activities	-935,951	-238,953
Asia Tone [Member]	'	'
Cash flows from investing activities:	'	'
Purchase of Business, net of cash acquired	755	-194,205
Ancotel GmbH [Member]	'	'
Cash flows from investing activities:	'	'
Purchase of Business, net of cash acquired	'	-84,236
As reported [Member]	'	'
Cash flows from operating activities:	'	'
Net income	'	101,651
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:	'	'
Depreciation	'	278,214
Stock-based compensation	'	62,234
Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation	'	-53,174
Amortization of debt issuance costs and debt discount	'	18,057
Amortization of intangibles	'	16,668
Provision for allowance for doubtful accounts	'	4,031
Loss on debt extinguishment	'	5,204
Other items	'	5,622
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:	'	'
Accounts receivable	'	-46,900
Other assets	'	31,020
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	'	19,307
Other liabilities	'	-19,007
Net cash provided by operating activities	'	422,927
Cash flows from investing activities:	'	'
Purchase of investments	'	-365,934
Sales of investments	'	338,192
Maturities of investments	'	542,155
Purchases of property, plant and equipment	'	-554,092
Increase in restricted cash	'	-8,270
Release of restricted cash	'	87,437
Net cash used in investing activities	'	-233,546
As reported [Member] | Asia Tone [Member]	'	'
Cash flows from investing activities:	'	'
Purchase of Business, net of cash acquired	'	-188,798
As reported [Member] | Ancotel GmbH [Member]	'	'
Cash flows from investing activities:	'	'
Purchase of Business, net of cash acquired	'	-84,236
Restatement Adjustment [Member]	'	'
Cash flows from operating activities:	'	'
Net income	'	-5,118
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:	'	'
Other assets	'	-60,977
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	'	60,977
Revision (2) [Member]	'	'
Cash flows from operating activities:	'	'
Net income	'	-5,118
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:	'	'
Depreciation	'	216
Stock-based compensation	'	-802
Other items	'	902
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:	'	'
Income taxes, net	'	-3,401
Other assets	'	1,031
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	'	2,256
Other liabilities	'	10,323
Net cash provided by operating activities	'	5,407
Cash flows from investing activities:	'	'
Net cash used in investing activities	'	-5,407
Revision (2) [Member] | Asia Tone [Member]	'	'
Cash flows from investing activities:	'	'
Purchase of Business, net of cash acquired	'	-5,407
Reclassification [Member]	'	'
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:	'	'
Income taxes, net	'	24,597
Other assets	'	47,731
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	'	-75,205
Other liabilities	'	$2,877

Earnings_Per_Share_Computation

Earnings Per Share - Computation of Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Share (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Net income from continuing operations	$42,753	$26,648	$50,750	$95,305
Net income attributable to redeemable non-controlling interests	-282	-362	-1,252	-1,843
Net income from continuing operations attributable to Equinix, basic	42,471	26,286	49,498	93,462
Interest expense, net of tax	1,865	1,696	'	5,073
Net income from continuing operations attributable to Equinix, diluted	$44,336	$27,982	$49,498	$98,535
Weighted-average shares used to compute basic EPS	49,555	48,361	49,325	47,779
Convertible debt	3,467	3,328	'	2,945
Employee equity awards	559	966	725	1,000
Weighted-average shares used to compute diluted EPS	53,581	52,655	50,050	51,724
EPS from continuing operations, basic	$0.86	$0.54	$1	$1.96
EPS from continuing operations, diluted	$0.83	$0.53	$0.99	$1.91

Earnings_Per_Share_Antidilutiv

Earnings Per Share - Anti-dilutive Potential Shares of Common Stock Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share (Detail)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Anti-dilutive potential shares of common stock excluded from computation of earnings per share, amount	4,868	4,570	8,314	5,410
Shares reserved for conversion of convertible subordinated notes [Member] | 2.50% Convertible Subordinated Notes [Member]	'	'	'	'
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Anti-dilutive potential shares of common stock excluded from computation of earnings per share, amount	'	'	'	863
Shares reserved for conversion of convertible subordinated notes [Member] | 3.00% Convertible Subordinated Notes [Member]	'	'	'	'
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Anti-dilutive potential shares of common stock excluded from computation of earnings per share, amount	'	'	3,613	'
Shares reserved for conversion of convertible subordinated notes [Member] | 4.75% Convertible Subordinated Notes [Member]	'	'	'	'
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Anti-dilutive potential shares of common stock excluded from computation of earnings per share, amount	4,432	4,433	4,432	4,433
Common stock related to employee equity awards [Member]	'	'	'	'
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Anti-dilutive potential shares of common stock excluded from computation of earnings per share, amount	436	137	269	114

Earnings_Per_Share_Antidilutiv1

Earnings Per Share - Anti-dilutive Potential Shares of Common Stock Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share (Parenthetical) (Detail)	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
2.50% Convertible Subordinated Notes [Member]	'	'
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]	'	'
Convertible debt interest rate	2.50%	2.50%
3.00% Convertible Subordinated Notes [Member]	'	'
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]	'	'
Convertible debt interest rate	3.00%	3.00%
4.75% Convertible Subordinated Notes [Member]	'	'
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]	'	'
Convertible debt interest rate	4.75%	4.75%

Balance_Sheet_Components_Cash_

Balance Sheet Components - Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term and Long-Term Investments (Detail) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Investment Holdings [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Cash	$234,194	$150,864	'	'
U.S. government securities	'	3,009	'	'
Money markets	162,148	98,340	'	'
Commercial paper	3,400	'	'	'
Total cash and cash equivalents	399,742	252,213	239,687	278,823
Total marketable securities	788,233	294,311	'	'
Total cash, cash equivalents and short-term and long-term investments	1,187,975	546,524	'	'
U.S. government securities [Member]	'	'	'	'
Investment Holdings [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Total marketable securities	303,322	126,941	'	'
U.S. government agencies securities [Member]	'	'	'	'
Investment Holdings [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Total marketable securities	139,606	72,979	'	'
Certificates of deposit [Member]	'	'	'	'
Investment Holdings [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Total marketable securities	48,363	48,386	'	'
Commercial paper [Member]	'	'	'	'
Investment Holdings [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Total marketable securities	999	1,993	'	'
Corporate bonds [Member]	'	'	'	'
Investment Holdings [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Total marketable securities	211,318	37,975	'	'
Asset-backed securities [Member]	'	'	'	'
Investment Holdings [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Total marketable securities	$84,625	$6,037	'	'

Balance_Sheet_Components_Summa

Balance Sheet Components - Summary of Cost and Estimated Fair Value of Marketable Securities (Detail) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Available For Sale Securities Debt Maturities [Abstract]	'	'
Amortized Cost, Due within one year	$336,549	$166,445
Amortized Cost, Due after one year through three years	451,478	127,795
Amortized Cost	788,027	294,240
Fair Value, Due within one year	336,699	166,492
Fair Value, Due after one year through three years	451,534	127,819
Fair Value	$788,233	$294,311

Balance_Sheet_Components_Summa1

Balance Sheet Components - Summary of Fair Value and Gross Unrealized Gains and Losses on Available-for-Sale Securities (Detail) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Amortized cost	$788,027	$294,240
Gross unrealized gains	398	159
Gross unrealized losses	-192	-88
Fair Value	788,233	294,311
U.S. government securities [Member]	'	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Amortized cost	303,155	126,938
Gross unrealized gains	178	40
Gross unrealized losses	-11	-37
Fair Value	303,322	126,941
U.S. government agencies securities [Member]	'	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Amortized cost	139,598	72,948
Gross unrealized gains	59	68
Gross unrealized losses	-51	-37
Fair Value	139,606	72,979
Corporate bonds [Member]	'	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Amortized cost	211,318	48,373
Gross unrealized gains	101	18
Gross unrealized losses	-101	-5
Fair Value	211,318	37,975
Certificates of deposit [Member]	'	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Amortized cost	48,329	37,954
Gross unrealized gains	34	29
Gross unrealized losses	'	-8
Fair Value	48,363	48,386
Commercial paper [Member]	'	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Amortized cost	997	6,036
Gross unrealized gains	2	2
Gross unrealized losses	'	-1
Fair Value	999	1,993
Asset-backed securities [Member]	'	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Amortized cost	84,630	1,991
Gross unrealized gains	24	2
Gross unrealized losses	-29	'
Fair Value	$84,625	$6,037

Balance_Sheet_Components_Addit

Balance Sheet Components - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended			1 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012	Jul. 31, 2013
	Security		Security			New York IBX 2 Data Center [Member]
Number of securities	143	'	143	'	'	'
Aggregate capital leased assets, gross	$394,753,000	'	$394,753,000	'	$146,591,000	'
Accumulated depreciation	52,427,000	'	52,427,000	'	39,842,000	'
Cash consideration	'	'	369,565,000	554,092,000	'	73,441,000
Amortization expense	$6,822,000	$6,864,000	$20,445,000	$13,623,000	'	'
Non-cancelable operating lease agreements expiring year	'	'	'2035	'	'	'

Balance_Sheet_Components_Summa2

Balance Sheet Components - Summary of Fair Value and Gross Unrealized Loss Position Related Available-for-Sale (Detail) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'
Available-for-sale securities, continuous unrealized loss position, securities in a loss position for less than 12 months, Fair value	$217,158
Available-for-sale securities, continuous unrealized loss position, securities in a loss position for less than 12 months, Gross unrealized losses	-181
Available-for-sale securities, continuous unrealized loss position, securities in a loss position for 12 months or more, Fair value	2,965
Available-for-sale securities, continuous unrealized loss position, securities in a loss position for 12 months or more, Gross unrealized losses	-11
U.S. government agencies securities [Member]	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'
Available-for-sale securities, continuous unrealized loss position, securities in a loss position for less than 12 months, Fair value	40,294
Available-for-sale securities, continuous unrealized loss position, securities in a loss position for less than 12 months, Gross unrealized losses	-40
Available-for-sale securities, continuous unrealized loss position, securities in a loss position for 12 months or more, Fair value	2,965
Available-for-sale securities, continuous unrealized loss position, securities in a loss position for 12 months or more, Gross unrealized losses	-11
U.S. government securities [Member]	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'
Available-for-sale securities, continuous unrealized loss position, securities in a loss position for less than 12 months, Fair value	17,826
Available-for-sale securities, continuous unrealized loss position, securities in a loss position for less than 12 months, Gross unrealized losses	-11
Corporate bonds [Member]	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'
Available-for-sale securities, continuous unrealized loss position, securities in a loss position for less than 12 months, Fair value	99,257
Available-for-sale securities, continuous unrealized loss position, securities in a loss position for less than 12 months, Gross unrealized losses	-101
Asset-backed securities [Member]	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'
Available-for-sale securities, continuous unrealized loss position, securities in a loss position for less than 12 months, Fair value	59,781
Available-for-sale securities, continuous unrealized loss position, securities in a loss position for less than 12 months, Gross unrealized losses	($29)

Balance_Sheet_Components_Accou

Balance Sheet Components - Accounts Receivables, Net (Detail) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Receivables [Abstract]	'	'
Accounts receivable	$331,808	$290,326
Unearned revenue	-127,266	-122,770
Allowance for doubtful accounts	-4,898	-3,716
Accounts receivable, net	$199,644	$163,840

Balance_Sheet_Components_Other

Balance Sheet Components - Other Current Assets (Detail) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Deferred Costs Capitalized Prepaid And Other Assets Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'
Prepaid expenses	$24,682	$21,349
Deferred tax assets, net	8,448	8,448
Taxes receivable	10,045	8,829
Restricted cash	3,211	9,380
Derivative instruments	2,723	3,205
Other receivables	5,703	3,428
Other current assets	4,538	2,908
Other current assets, total	$59,350	$57,547

Balance_Sheet_Components_Prope

Balance Sheet Components - Property, Plant and Equipment, Net (Detail) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'
Property, plant and equipment, gross	$6,305,181	$5,546,945
Less accumulated depreciation	-1,924,161	-1,631,207
Property, plant and equipment, net	4,381,020	3,915,738
IBX plant and machinery [Member]	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'
Property, plant and equipment, gross	2,501,903	2,292,873
Leasehold improvements [Member]	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'
Property, plant and equipment, gross	1,016,048	1,078,834
Buildings [Member]	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'
Property, plant and equipment, gross	1,157,171	762,294
IBX equipment [Member]	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'
Property, plant and equipment, gross	471,078	410,456
Site improvements [Member]	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'
Property, plant and equipment, gross	537,113	352,367
Computer equipment and software [Member]	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'
Property, plant and equipment, gross	174,994	150,382
Land [Member]	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'
Property, plant and equipment, gross	116,514	98,007
Furniture and fixtures [Member]	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'
Property, plant and equipment, gross	22,816	21,982
Construction in progress [Member]	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'
Property, plant and equipment, gross	$307,544	$379,750

Balance_Sheet_Components_Goodw

Balance Sheet Components - Goodwill and Intangible Assets (Detail) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Goodwill And Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Goodwill	$1,036,179	$1,042,564
Intangible assets, gross	270,761	269,642
Intangible assets, accumulated amortization	-88,416	-68,080
Intangible assets, net	182,345	201,562
Customer contracts [Member]	'	'
Goodwill And Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Intangible assets, gross	222,530	222,571
Favorable leases [Member]	'	'
Goodwill And Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Intangible assets, gross	28,669	27,785
Licenses [Member]	'	'
Goodwill And Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Intangible assets, gross	9,697	9,397
Others [Member]	'	'
Goodwill And Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Intangible assets, gross	9,865	9,889
Reportable Geographical Components [Member] | Americas [Member]	'	'
Goodwill And Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Goodwill	476,394	482,765
Reportable Geographical Components [Member] | EMEA [Member]	'	'
Goodwill And Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Goodwill	424,417	423,529
Reportable Geographical Components [Member] | Asia-Pacific [Member]	'	'
Goodwill And Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Goodwill	$135,368	$136,270

Balance_Sheet_Components_Estim

Balance Sheet Components - Estimated Future Amortization Expense Related to Intangibles (Detail) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Finite Lived Intangible Assets Future Amortization Expense [Abstract]	'	'
2013 (three months remaining)	$6,938	'
2014	27,540	'
2015	27,061	'
2016	26,586	'
2017	25,016	'
Thereafter	69,204	'
Intangible assets, net	$182,345	$201,562

Balance_Sheet_Components_Other1

Balance Sheet Components - Other Assets (Detail) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Deferred Costs Capitalized Prepaid And Other Assets Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'
Prepaid expenses, non-current	$34,267	$34,478
Deferred tax assets, net	207,653	90,985
Debt issuance costs, net	43,776	36,704
Deposits	26,781	27,069
Restricted cash, non-current	15,720	8,131
Derivative instruments	3,428	'
Other assets, non-current	10,906	10,655
Other assets	$342,531	$208,022

Balance_Sheet_Components_Accou1

Balance Sheet Components - Accounts Payable and Accrued Expenses (Detail) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Payables And Accruals [Abstract]	'	'
Accounts payable	$28,483	$27,659
Accrued compensation and benefits	79,745	85,619
Accrued interest	68,882	48,436
Accrued taxes	59,990	47,477
Accrued utilities and security	28,195	24,974
Accrued professional fees	9,697	6,699
Accrued repairs and maintenance	4,109	2,938
Accrued other	20,034	25,051
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	$299,135	$268,853

Balance_Sheet_Components_Other2

Balance Sheet Components - Other Current Liabilities (Detail) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Other Liabilities Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'
Deferred installation revenue	$41,883	$49,455
Deferred recurring revenue	6,723	8,910
Deferred tax liabilities, net	68,204	68,204
Deferred rent	3,564	5,410
Customer deposits	12,373	12,927
Derivative instruments	850	1,097
Accrued restructuring charges	'	2,379
Other current liabilities	861	962
Other current liabilities, total	$134,458	$149,344

Balance_Sheet_Components_Other3

Balance Sheet Components - Other Liabilities (Detail) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Other Liabilities Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'
Deferred installation revenue, non-current	$59,995	$41,950
Deferred recurring revenue, non-current	3,814	5,381
Asset retirement obligations, non-current	59,579	63,150
Deferred rent, non-current	39,205	38,041
Deferred tax liabilities, net	61,680	61,310
Accrued taxes, non-current	24,408	19,373
Customer deposits, non-current	5,285	6,185
Accrued restructuring charges, non-current	'	3,300
Derivative instruments, non-current	56	'
Other liabilities	9,330	7,035
Other liabilities noncurrent	$263,352	$245,725

Derivatives_and_Hedging_Activi2

Derivatives and Hedging Activities - Additional Information (Detail) (Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member], USD $)	6 Months Ended	9 Months Ended	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013
		Embedded derivatives [Member]	Economic hedges of embedded derivatives [Member]	Economic hedges of embedded derivatives [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Net gain (loss) on embedded derivatives	'	$2,841,000	$0	$2,270,000
Objectives for using derivative instruments	'Embedded Derivatives. The Company is deemed to have foreign currency forward contracts embedded in certain of the Companybs customer agreements that are priced in currencies different from the functional or local currencies of the parties involved. These embedded derivatives are separated from their host contracts and carried on the Companybs balance sheet at their fair value. The majority of these embedded derivatives arise as a result of the Companybs foreign subsidiaries pricing their customer contracts in the U.S. dollar. Economic Hedges of Embedded Derivatives. The Company uses foreign currency forward contracts to manage the foreign exchange risk associated with the Companybs customer agreements that are priced in currencies different from the functional or local currencies of the parties involved (beconomic hedges of embedded derivativesb). Foreign currency forward contracts represent agreements to exchange the currency of one country for the currency of another country at an agreed-upon price on an agreed-upon settlement date. Foreign Currency Forward Contracts. The Company also uses foreign currency forward contracts to manage the foreign exchange risk associated with certain foreign currency-denominated assets and liabilities. As a result of foreign currency fluctuations, the U.S. dollar equivalent values of the foreign currency-denominated assets and liabilities change.	'	'	'

Derivatives_and_Hedging_Activi3

Derivatives and Hedging Activities - Schedule of Fair Value of Derivative Instruments Recognized in Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Detail) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Derivative [Line Items]	'	'
Fair value of derivative assets, Gross amounts	$6,151	$3,218
Gross Amounts Offset in the Balance Sheet	'	-13
Fair value of derivative assets, Net amounts	6,151	3,205
Fair value of derivative assets, Gross amounts not offset in the balance sheet	-128	'
Fair value of derivative assets, Net	6,023	3,205
Fair value of derivative liabilities, Gross amounts	906	1,110
Gross Amounts Offset in the Balance Sheet	'	-13
Fair value of derivative liabilities, Net amounts	906	1,097
Fair value of derivative liabilities, Gross amounts not offset in the balance sheet	-128	'
Fair value of derivative liabilities, Net	778	1,097
Embedded derivatives [Member]	'	'
Derivative [Line Items]	'	'
Fair value of derivative assets, Gross amounts	4,808	3,205
Fair value of derivative assets, Net amounts	4,808	3,205
Fair value of derivative assets, Net	4,808	3,205
Fair value of derivative liabilities, Gross amounts	290	890
Fair value of derivative liabilities, Net amounts	290	890
Fair value of derivative liabilities, Net	290	890
Foreign currency forward contracts [Member]	'	'
Derivative [Line Items]	'	'
Fair value of derivative assets, Gross amounts	791	13
Gross Amounts Offset in the Balance Sheet	'	-13
Fair value of derivative assets, Net amounts	791	'
Fair value of derivative assets, Gross amounts not offset in the balance sheet	-128	'
Fair value of derivative assets, Net	663	'
Fair value of derivative liabilities, Gross amounts	616	220
Gross Amounts Offset in the Balance Sheet	'	-13
Fair value of derivative liabilities, Net amounts	616	207
Fair value of derivative liabilities, Gross amounts not offset in the balance sheet	-128	'
Fair value of derivative liabilities, Net	488	207
Economic hedges of embedded derivatives [Member]	'	'
Derivative [Line Items]	'	'
Fair value of derivative assets, Gross amounts	552	'
Fair value of derivative assets, Net amounts	552	'
Fair value of derivative assets, Net	$552	'

Fair_Value_Measurements_Financ

Fair Value Measurements - Financial Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on Recurring Basis (Detail) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Derivative assets	$6,151	$3,218
Derivative liabilities	906	1,110
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Derivative assets	6,151	'
Total financial assets	1,194,126	'
Derivative liabilities	906	'
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Cash [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	234,194	'
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | U.S. government securities [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Financial assets	303,322	'
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | U.S. government agency securities [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Financial assets	139,606	'
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Money market and deposit accounts [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	162,148	'
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Certificates of deposit [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Financial assets	48,363	'
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Commercial paper [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Financial assets	4,399	'
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Corporate bonds [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Financial assets	211,318	'
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Asset-backed securities [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Financial assets	84,625	'
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Level 1 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Total financial assets	699,664	'
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Level 1 [Member] | Cash [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	234,194	'
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Level 1 [Member] | U.S. government securities [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Financial assets	303,322	'
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Level 1 [Member] | Money market and deposit accounts [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	162,148	'
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Level 2 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Derivative assets	6,151	'
Total financial assets	494,462	'
Derivative liabilities	906	'
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Level 2 [Member] | U.S. government agency securities [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Financial assets	139,606	'
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Level 2 [Member] | Certificates of deposit [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Financial assets	48,363	'
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Level 2 [Member] | Commercial paper [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Financial assets	4,399	'
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Level 2 [Member] | Corporate bonds [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Financial assets	211,318	'
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Level 2 [Member] | Asset-backed securities [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Financial assets	$84,625	'

Related_Party_Transactions_Act

Related Party Transactions - Activity of Related Party Transactions (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Related Party Transactions [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Revenues	$2,233	$10,656	$17,973	$25,588
Costs and services	132	654	4,665	1,682
Accounts receivable	1,938	7,034	1,938	7,034
Accounts payable	'	$282	'	$282

Related_Party_Transactions_Add

Related Party Transactions - Additional Information (Detail) (Related Party Transactions [Member], USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013
Related Party Transactions [Member]	'
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]	'
Financing obligation liability	$3,916,000

Leases_Additional_Information_

Leases - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013
Digital Realty Capital Leases [Member]	'	'
Schedule Of Capitalized Lease [Line Items]	'	'
Capital/financing lease liability	'	143,972,000
Building asset	'	138,826,000
Lease commenced date	'	'October 2013
Expiration date of lease	'	1-Oct-34
Toronto 1 Capital Lease [Member]	'	'
Schedule Of Capitalized Lease [Line Items]	'	'
Capital/financing lease liability	'	68,370,000
Building asset	'	67,346,000
Lease commenced date	'	'June 2013
Expiration date of lease	'	1-Apr-40
Singapore 2 IBX Financing [Member]	'	'
Schedule Of Capitalized Lease [Line Items]	'	'
Capital/financing lease liability	36,030,000	'
Building asset	34,749,000	'
Lease commenced date	'	'May 2013
Expiration date of lease	'	1-Sep-22
Singapore 3 IBX Financing [Member]	'	'
Schedule Of Capitalized Lease [Line Items]	'	'
Capital/financing lease liability	'	1,672,000
Building asset	'	1,672,000
Lease commenced date	'	'January 2015
Expiration date of lease	'	1-Dec-34
Lease period, in years	'	'20 years
Cumulative minimum rent obligation	'	159,040,000
Construction start date	'	1-Aug-13
Toronto 2 IBX Financing [Member]	'	'
Schedule Of Capitalized Lease [Line Items]	'	'
Lease commenced date	'	'October 2015
Expiration date of lease	'	1-Sep-29
Lease period, in years	'	'15 years
Cumulative minimum rent obligation	'	140,565,000
Building asset and related financing liability	'	21,375,000

Leases_Summary_of_Capital_Leas

Leases - Summary of Capital Lease and Other Financing Obligations (Detail) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Schedule Of Capitalized Lease [Line Items]	'	'
Current portion of capital lease and other financing obligations	($16,979)	($15,206)
Capital lease and other financing obligations, less current portion	862,410	545,853
Capital lease obligations [Member]	'	'
Schedule Of Capitalized Lease [Line Items]	'	'
2013 (three months remaining)	9,368	'
2014	38,342	'
2015	40,397	'
2016	40,713	'
2017	41,399	'
Thereafter	597,772	'
Total minimum lease payments	767,991	'
Plus amount representing residual property value	'	'
Less estimated building costs	'	'
Less amount representing interest	-384,842	'
Present value of net minimum lease payments	383,149	'
Current portion of capital lease and other financing obligations	-9,601	'
Capital lease and other financing obligations, less current portion	373,548	'
Other financing obligations [Member]	'	'
Schedule Of Capitalized Lease [Line Items]	'	'
2013 (three months remaining)	9,878	'
2014	44,364	'
2015	52,291	'
2016	56,755	'
2017	56,861	'
Thereafter	568,607	'
Total minimum lease payments	788,756	'
Plus amount representing residual property value	387,107	'
Less estimated building costs	-69,768	'
Less amount representing interest	-609,855	'
Present value of net minimum lease payments	496,240	'
Current portion of capital lease and other financing obligations	-7,378	'
Capital lease and other financing obligations, less current portion	488,862	'
Capital Lease and Other Financing Obligations Total [Member]	'	'
Schedule Of Capitalized Lease [Line Items]	'	'
2013 (three months remaining)	19,246	'
2014	82,706	'
2015	92,688	'
2016	97,468	'
2017	98,260	'
Thereafter	1,166,379	'
Total minimum lease payments	1,556,747	'
Plus amount representing residual property value	387,107	'
Less estimated building costs	-69,768	'
Less amount representing interest	-994,697	'
Present value of net minimum lease payments	879,389	'
Current portion of capital lease and other financing obligations	-16,979	'
Capital lease and other financing obligations, less current portion	$862,410	'

Debt_Facilities_Loans_Payable_

Debt Facilities - Loans Payable (Detail) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Loans payable	$196,972	$240,962
Less current portion	-40,185	-52,160
Loans payable, less current portion	156,787	188,802
U.S. Term Loan [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Loans payable	150,000	180,000
ALOG financing [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Loans payable	46,792	48,807
Paris 4 IBX financing [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Loans payable	115	8,071
Other loans payable [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Loans payable	$65	$4,084

Debt_Facilities_Additional_Inf

Debt Facilities - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)

1 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2009

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Dec. 31, 2012

Sep. 30, 2007

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Jun. 30, 2009

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Mar. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Mar. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Mar. 31, 2013

Jun. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Feb. 28, 2010

Sep. 30, 2013

Jun. 30, 2009

Sep. 30, 2007

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Feb. 28, 2013

Feb. 28, 2013

Feb. 28, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2007

Jun. 30, 2009

3.00% Convertible Subordinated Notes [Member]

3.00% Convertible Subordinated Notes [Member]

4.75% Convertible Subordinated Notes [Member]

4.75% Convertible Subordinated Notes [Member]

4.75% Convertible Subordinated Notes [Member]

4.75% Convertible Subordinated Notes [Member]

4.875% Senior Notes Due 2020 [Member]

4.875% Senior Notes Due 2020 [Member]

4.875% Senior Notes Due 2020 [Member]

4.875% Senior Notes Due 2020 [Member]

4.875% Senior Notes Due 2020 [Member]

5.375% Senior Notes Due 2023 [Member]

5.375% Senior Notes Due 2023 [Member]

5.375% Senior Notes Due 2023 [Member]

5.375% Senior Notes Due 2023 [Member]

4.875% Senior Notes Due 2020 and 5.375% Senior Notes Due 2023 [Member]

4.875% Senior Notes Due 2020 and 5.375% Senior Notes Due 2023 [Member]

8.125% Senior Notes Due 2018 [Member]

8.125% Senior Notes Due 2018 [Member]

8.125% Senior Notes Due 2018 [Member]

8.125% Senior Notes Due 2018 [Member]

Minimum [Member]

Minimum [Member]

Maximum [Member]

Maximum [Member]

Maximum [Member]

U.S. Financing [Member]

U.S. Financing [Member]

U.S. Financing [Member]

U.S. Financing [Member]

Initial conversion rate [Member]

Initial conversion rate [Member]

Condition One [Member]

Condition Two [Member]

Redemption Period Prior to April 1, 2016 [Member]

Debt Instrument Redemption Period Prior to April 1, 2017 [Member]

Redemption Period Prior to April 1, 2016 [Member]

3.00% Convertible Subordinated Notes [Member]

4.75% Convertible Subordinated Notes [Member]

3.00% Convertible Subordinated Notes [Member]

4.875% Senior Notes Due 2020 [Member]

5.375% Senior Notes Due 2023 [Member]

U.S. Term Loan [Member]

Senior Revolving Credit Line [Member]

U.S. Revolving Credit Line [Member]

3.00% Convertible Subordinated Notes [Member]

4.75% Convertible Subordinated Notes [Member]

D

Debt Instrument [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Line of credit facility, maximum borrowing capacity

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$750,000,000

$200,000,000

$550,000,000

'

'

'

Revolving credit line, increased borrowing capacity

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

250,000,000

'

'

Convertible Subordinated Notes aggregate principal amount

'

'

769,710,000

'

769,716,000

395,986,000

'

'

373,750,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

836,511,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Convertible debt interest rate

'

'

'

'

'

3.00%

'

'

4.75%

'

'

4.88%

4.88%

'

'

'

5.38%

5.38%

'

'

'

'

'

8.13%

'

8.13%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Debt instrument maturity date

'

'

'

'

'

'

15-Oct-14

15-Jun-16

'

'

'

1-Apr-20

'

'

'

'

1-Apr-23

'

'

'

'

'

'

1-Mar-18

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Conversion numerator

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

4.4616

'

11.8976

'

'

'

'

'

'

7.436

11.8599

Conversion denominator

'

'

'

'

'

1,000

'

'

1,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Conversion price per share

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$109.62

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$84.32

$84.05

'

'

'

'

'

'

$134.48

'

Convertible Subordinated Notes, converted number of common stock

'

'

'

'

'

4,711,283

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Subordinated Notes converted into common stock

'

'

'

'

'

'

3,317,015

4,432,339

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Company election to satisfy obligation in cash

100.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Trading period, in days

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

20

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Consecutive trading days

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'30 days

'10 days

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Conversion price per share, percentage

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

130.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Percentage of trading price of Convertible Subordinated Notes, maximum

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

98.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Debt conversion, maturity date

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

15-Mar-16

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Senior Notes aggregate principal amount

'

'

2,250,000,000

'

1,500,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

500,000,000

500,000,000

'

'

'

1,000,000,000

1,000,000,000

'

'

'

1,500,000,000

'

'

750,000,000

750,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Interest payable commencement date

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'October 1, 2013

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Percentage of aggregate principal amount for redemption

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

35.00%

'

'

'

'

35.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Redemption price, percentage

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

104.88%

100.00%

'

'

'

105.38%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Senior notes indenture outstanding

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

65.00%

'

'

'

'

65.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Applicable premium as a percentage of principal amount

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1.00%

1.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

Debt instrument redemption terms

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'At any time prior to April 1, 2016, the Company may on any one or more occasions redeem up to 35% of the aggregate principal amount of the 4.875% Senior Notes outstanding at a redemption price equal to 104.875% of the principal amount of the 4.875% Senior Notes to be redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest to, but not including, the redemption date, with the net cash proceeds of one or more equity offerings; provided that (i) at least 65% of the aggregate principal amount of the 4.875% Senior Notes issued under the 4.875% Senior Notes indenture remains outstanding immediately after the occurrence of such redemption (excluding the 4.875% Senior Notes held by the Company and its subsidiaries); and (ii) the redemption must occur within 90 days of the date of the closing of such equity offering.

'

'

'

'

'At any time prior to April 1, 2016, the Company may on any one or more occasions redeem up to 35% of the aggregate principal amount of the 5.375% Senior Notes outstanding at a redemption price equal to 105.375% of the principal amount of the 5.375% Senior Notes to be redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest to, but not including, the redemption date, with the net cash proceeds of one or more equity offerings; provided that (i) at least 65% of the aggregate principal amount of the 5.375% Senior Notes issued under the 5.375% Senior Notes indenture remains outstanding immediately after the occurrence of such redemption (excluding the 5.375% Senior Notes held by the Company and its subsidiaries); and (ii) the redemption must occur within 90 days of the date of the closing of such equity offering.

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Debt issuance costs

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

19,081,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Proceeds from issuance of Senior Notes

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

836,400,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Loss on debt extinguishment

'

5,204,000

93,602,000

5,204,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

93,602,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Premium on extinguishment

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

80,925,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Write-off of unamortized debt issuance costs

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

8,927,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Other transaction-related fees

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$3,750,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Debt_Facilities_Convertible_De

Debt Facilities - Convertible Debt (Detail) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Debt Instrument, Face Amount	$769,710,000	$769,716,000
Less amount representing debt discount	-49,495,000	-60,990,000
Convertible subordinated debt, Total	720,215,000	708,726,000
3.00% Convertible Subordinated Notes [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Debt Instrument, Face Amount	395,986,000	395,986,000
4.75% Convertible Subordinated Notes [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Debt Instrument, Face Amount	$373,724,000	$373,730,000

Debt_Facilities_Convertible_De1

Debt Facilities - Convertible Debt (Parenthetical) (Detail)	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
3.00% Convertible Subordinated Notes [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Convertible debt interest rate	3.00%	3.00%
4.75% Convertible Subordinated Notes [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Convertible debt interest rate	4.75%	4.75%

Debt_Facilities_Summary_of_Sen

Debt Facilities - Summary of Senior Notes (Detail) (USD $)

Sep. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Mar. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Mar. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2012

Feb. 28, 2010

5.375% Senior Notes Due 2023 [Member]

5.375% Senior Notes Due 2023 [Member]

5.375% Senior Notes Due 2023 [Member]

7.00% Senior Notes Due 2021 [Member]

7.00% Senior Notes Due 2021 [Member]

4.875% Senior Notes Due 2020 [Member]

4.875% Senior Notes Due 2020 [Member]

4.875% Senior Notes Due 2020 [Member]

8.125% Senior Notes Due 2018 [Member]

8.125% Senior Notes Due 2018 [Member]

Debt Instrument [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Senior notes

$2,250,000,000

$1,500,000,000

$1,000,000,000

$1,000,000,000

'

$750,000,000

$750,000,000

$500,000,000

$500,000,000

'

$750,000,000

$750,000,000

Debt_Facilities_Summary_of_Sen1

Debt Facilities - Summary of Senior Notes (Parenthetical) (Detail)	Sep. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Feb. 28, 2010
	5.375% Senior Notes Due 2023 [Member]	5.375% Senior Notes Due 2023 [Member]	7.00% Senior Notes Due 2021 [Member]	4.875% Senior Notes Due 2020 [Member]	4.875% Senior Notes Due 2020 [Member]	8.125% Senior Notes Due 2018 [Member]	8.125% Senior Notes Due 2018 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Senior notes stated percentage	5.38%	5.38%	7.00%	4.88%	4.88%	8.13%	8.13%

Debt_Facilities_Summary_of_Sen2

Debt Facilities - Summary of Senior Notes Redemption Price Percentage (Detail)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
5.375% Senior Notes Due 2023 [Member] | Debt Instrument Redemption Period 2018 [Member]	'
Debt Instrument, Redemption [Line Items]	'
Redemption price, percentage	102.69%
5.375% Senior Notes Due 2023 [Member] | Debt Instrument Redemption Period 2019 [Member]	'
Debt Instrument, Redemption [Line Items]	'
Redemption price, percentage	101.79%
5.375% Senior Notes Due 2023 [Member] | Debt Instrument Redemption Period 2020 [Member]	'
Debt Instrument, Redemption [Line Items]	'
Redemption price, percentage	100.90%
5.375% Senior Notes Due 2023 [Member] | Debt Instrument Redemption Period 2021 and Thereafter [Member]	'
Debt Instrument, Redemption [Line Items]	'
Redemption price, percentage	100.00%
4.875% Senior Notes Due 2020 [Member] | Debt Instrument Redemption Period 2018 [Member]	'
Debt Instrument, Redemption [Line Items]	'
Redemption price, percentage	101.22%
4.875% Senior Notes Due 2020 [Member] | Debt Instrument Redemption Period 2017 [Member]	'
Debt Instrument, Redemption [Line Items]	'
Redemption price, percentage	102.44%
4.875% Senior Notes Due 2020 [Member] | Debt Instrument Redemption Period 2019 and Thereafter [Member]	'
Debt Instrument, Redemption [Line Items]	'
Redemption price, percentage	100.00%

Debt_Facilities_Summary_of_Mat

Debt Facilities - Summary of Maturities of Debt Facilities (Detail) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]	'
2013 (six months remaining)	$10,180
2014	448,852
2015	53,230
2016	377,532
2017	26,870
Thereafter	2,250,523
Total long term debt	$3,167,187

Debt_Facilities_Fair_Value_of_

Debt Facilities - Fair Value of Debt Facilities (Detail) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'
Loans payable	$197,144	$238,793
Convertible debt	1,060,227	1,144,568
Senior notes	$2,226,540	$1,661,400

Debt_Facilities_Interest_Charg

Debt Facilities - Interest Charges (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Interest expense	$61,957	$50,207	$183,289	$149,812
Interest capitalized	2,346	6,315	7,896	19,630
Interest charges incurred	$64,303	$56,522	$191,185	$169,442

Redeemable_NonControlling_Inte2

Redeemable Non-Controlling Interests - Activities of Company's Redeemable Non-Controlling Interests (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Noncontrolling Interest [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Balance	'	'	$84,178	'
Net income attributable to redeemable non-controlling interests	282	362	1,252	1,843
Other comprehensive loss attributable to redeemable non-controlling interests	200	-240	-4,340	-3,155
Increase in redemption value of non-controlling interests	'	'	20,913	'
Impact of foreign currency exchange	'	'	-944	'
Balance	$101,059	'	$101,059	'

Commitments_and_Contingencies_

Commitments and Contingencies - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Commitments And Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Unaccrued capital expenditures	$136,057,000
Other miscellaneous purchase commitments	$213,824,000

Stockholders_Equity_Components

Stockholders' Equity - Components of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (Detail) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]	'
Balance as of December 31, 2012	($101,042)
Net change	-20,689
Balance as of September 30, 2013	-121,731
Foreign currency translation loss [Member]	'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]	'
Balance as of December 31, 2012	-114,678
Net change	-25,107
Balance as of September 30, 2013	-139,785
Unrealized gain on available for sale securities [Member]	'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]	'
Balance as of December 31, 2012	41
Net change	78
Balance as of September 30, 2013	119
Other comprehensive loss attributable to redeemable non-controlling interests [Member]	'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]	'
Balance as of December 31, 2012	13,595
Net change	4,340
Balance as of September 30, 2013	$17,935

Stockholders_Equity_Additional

Stockholders' Equity - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	2 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013
Disclosure Of Compensation Related Costs Sharebased Payments [Abstract]	'
Stock, shares issued	572,104
Equity awards subject to vesting provisions, weighted-average grant date fair value	$205.07
Equity awards subject to vesting provisions, weighted-average requisite service period, in years	'3 years 5 months 1 day

Stockholders_Equity_StockBased

Stockholders' Equity - Stock-Based Compensation Expense Recognized in Company's Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Share-based compensation	$27,280	$22,106	$75,310	$61,104
Cost of revenues [Member]	'	'	'	'
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Share-based compensation	2,270	1,726	5,666	4,577
Sales and marketing [Member]	'	'	'	'
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Share-based compensation	7,250	4,795	19,796	13,505
General and administrative [Member]	'	'	'	'
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Share-based compensation	$17,760	$15,585	$49,848	$43,022

Segment_Information_Additional

Segment Information - Additional Information (Detail)	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013
		Segment
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'
Number of reportable segments	'	3
Concentration Risk, Customer	'No single customer accounted for 10% or greater of the Company's revenues for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012. No single customer accounted for 10% or greater of the Company's gross accounts receivable as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012.	'No single customer accounted for 10% or greater of the Company's revenues for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012. No single customer accounted for 10% or greater of the Company's gross accounts receivable as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012.
Revenue [Member]	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'
Concentration Risk, Customer	10.00%	10.00%
Accounts receivable [Member]	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'
Concentration Risk, Customer	10.00%	10.00%

Segment_Information_Schedule_o

Segment Information - Schedule of Adjusted EBITDA (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Total adjusted EBITDA	$248,445	$225,016	$737,368	$648,171
Depreciation, amortization and accretion expense	-105,534	-105,522	-324,326	-289,992
Stock-based compensation expense	-27,280	-22,106	-75,310	-61,104
Restructuring charge	'	'	4,837	'
Acquisitions costs	-438	-4,542	-6,626	-6,883
Income from operations	115,193	92,846	335,943	290,192
Reportable Geographical Components [Member] | Americas [Member]	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Total adjusted EBITDA	150,304	139,929	449,112	408,885
Reportable Geographical Components [Member] | EMEA [Member]	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Total adjusted EBITDA	57,139	46,392	156,557	138,217
Reportable Geographical Components [Member] | Asia-Pacific [Member]	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Total adjusted EBITDA	$41,002	$38,695	$131,699	$101,069

Segment_Information_Segment_Di

Segment Information - Segment Disclosures (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Total revenues	$543,084	$484,835	$1,588,089	$1,381,317
Total depreciation and amortization	109,901	104,609	326,291	287,121
Capital expenditures	243,005	485,152	444,495	827,126
Reportable Geographical Components [Member] | Americas [Member]	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Total revenues	319,413	291,836	938,673	854,871
Total depreciation and amortization	64,001	60,058	191,355	175,195
Capital expenditures	154,704	95,744	257,817	278,488
Reportable Geographical Components [Member] | EMEA [Member]	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Total revenues	133,254	111,825	380,232	315,594
Total depreciation and amortization	24,274	21,876	70,403	57,311
Capital expenditures	42,847	135,145	91,709	217,686
Reportable Geographical Components [Member] | Asia-Pacific [Member]	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Total revenues	90,417	81,174	269,184	210,852
Total depreciation and amortization	21,626	22,675	64,533	54,615
Capital expenditures	$45,454	$254,263	$94,969	$330,952

Segment_Information_Segment_Di1

Segment Information - Segment Disclosures (Parenthetical) (Detail) (USD $)

9 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

In Thousands, unless otherwise specified

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

New York IBX 2 Data Center [Member]

Ancotel GmbH [Member]

Asia Tone [Member]

Asia Tone [Member]

Frankfurt Kleyer 90 Carrier Hotel [Member]

Americas [Member]

EMEA [Member]

EMEA [Member]

Asia-Pacific [Member]

Asia-Pacific [Member]

Asia-Pacific [Member]

New York IBX 2 Data Center [Member]

Ancotel GmbH [Member]

Frankfurt Kleyer 90 Carrier Hotel [Member]

Reportable Geographical Components [Member]

Asia Tone [Member]

Asia Tone [Member]

Reportable Geographical Components [Member]

Reportable Geographical Components [Member]

Reportable Geographical Components [Member]

Reportable Geographical Components [Member]

Reportable Geographical Components [Member]

Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Purchase price for New York IBX 2 Data Center Purchase

$369,565

$554,092

$73,441

'

'

'

'

$73,441

'

'

'

'

'

Purchase of Business, net of cash acquired

'

'

'

84,236

-755

194,205

'

'

84,236

'

'

'

188,798

Deposit for purchase of Business

'

'

'

'

'

'

1,353

'

'

1,353

'

'

'

Purchase of real estate

891

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

891

'

'

Purchase price adjustment for acquisition

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$755

'

Segment_Information_LongLived_

Segment Information - Long-Lived Assets (Detail) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Company's long-lived assets	$4,381,020	$3,915,738
Reportable Geographical Components [Member] | Americas [Member]	'	'
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Company's long-lived assets	2,496,504	2,139,774
Reportable Geographical Components [Member] | EMEA [Member]	'	'
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Company's long-lived assets	1,057,349	994,912
Reportable Geographical Components [Member] | Asia-Pacific [Member]	'	'
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Company's long-lived assets	$827,167	$781,052

Segment_Information_Revenue_In

Segment Information - Revenue Information by category (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Revenue	$543,084	$484,835	$1,588,089	$1,381,317
Recurring Revenues [Member]	'	'	'	'
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Revenue	515,566	460,482	1,511,902	1,314,242
Recurring Revenues [Member] | Colocation [Member]	'	'	'	'
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Revenue	408,569	365,787	1,201,487	1,047,995
Recurring Revenues [Member] | Interconnection [Member]	'	'	'	'
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Revenue	81,650	70,681	235,994	198,598
Recurring Revenues [Member] | Managed infrastructure services [Member]	'	'	'	'
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Revenue	24,413	23,231	72,324	65,302
Recurring Revenues [Member] | Rental [Member]	'	'	'	'
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Revenue	934	783	2,097	2,347
Non-recurring Revenues [Member]	'	'	'	'
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Revenue	$27,518	$24,353	$76,187	$67,075

Restructuring_Charges_Summary_

Restructuring Charges - Summary of Accrued Restructuring Charges (Detail) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'
Restructuring charge adjustments	($4,837)
Restructuring charges [Member]	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'
Accrued restructuring charge, beginning balance	5,679
Accretion expense	137
Restructuring charge adjustments	-4,837
Cash payments	($979)

Subsequent_Events_Additional_I

Subsequent Events - Additional Information (Detail)	9 Months Ended	1 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Nov. 30, 2013	Nov. 30, 2013	Oct. 31, 2013
	Frankfurt Kleyer 90 Carrier Hotel [Member]	Subsequent Event [Member]	Subsequent Event [Member]	Subsequent Event [Member]
	USD ($)	ALOG financing [Member]	ALOG financing [Member]	Frankfurt Kleyer 90 Carrier Hotel [Member]
		USD ($)	BRL	USD ($)
		Y	Y
Subsequent Event [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Gross consideration	$1,353,000	'	'	$90,651,000
Line of credit facility, maximum borrowing capacity	'	$27,019,000	60,000,000	'
Credit facility, term	'	5	5	'
Credit facility, frequency of payment	'	'Semi-annual principal payments	'Semi-annual principal payments	'
Margin percentage rate	'	2.25%	2.25%	'