Equinix (EQIX) 10-Q 2 May 14 2014 Q1 Quarterly report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Document And Entity Information [Abstract]	'
Document Type	'10-Q
Amendment Flag	'false
Document Period End Date	31-Mar-14
Document Fiscal Year Focus	'2014
Document Fiscal Period Focus	'Q1
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	49,822,889

Condensed_Consolidated_Balance

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Current assets:	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	$495,174	$261,894
Short-term investments	322,374	369,808
Accounts receivable, net	213,560	184,840
Other current assets	54,910	72,118
Total current assets	1,086,018	888,660
Long-term investments	224,176	398,390
Property, plant and equipment, net	4,766,297	4,591,650
Goodwill	1,047,578	1,042,153
Intangible assets, net	176,914	184,182
Other assets	429,615	387,324
Total assets	7,730,598	7,492,359
Current liabilities:	'	'
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	293,295	263,223
Accrued property, plant and equipment	80,516	64,601
Current portion of capital lease and other financing obligations	17,880	17,214
Current portion of mortgage and loans payable	54,122	53,508
Other current liabilities	149,343	147,958
Total current liabilities	595,156	546,504
Capital lease and other financing obligations, less current portion	1,037,247	914,032
Mortgage and loans payable, less current portion	191,761	199,700
Convertible debt	728,361	724,202
Senior notes	2,250,000	2,250,000
Other liabilities	284,108	274,955
Total liabilities	5,086,633	4,909,393
Redeemable non-controlling interests (Note 9)	126,959	123,902
Commitments and contingencies (Note 10)	'	'
Stockholders' equity:	'	'
Common stock	51	50
Additional paid-in capital	2,743,244	2,693,887
Treasury stock	-131,408	-84,663
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	-99,825	-113,767
Retained earnings (accumulated deficit)	4,944	-36,443
Total stockholders' equity	2,517,006	2,459,064
Total liabilities, redeemable non-controlling interests and stockholders' equity	$7,730,598	$7,492,359

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Income Statement [Abstract]	'	'
Revenues	$580,053	$516,134
Costs and operating expenses:	'	'
Cost of revenues	287,525	258,591
Sales and marketing	67,428	58,276
General and administrative	103,303	90,818
Acquisition costs	185	3,662
Total costs and operating expenses	458,441	411,347
Income from operations	121,612	104,787
Interest income	1,434	747
Interest expense	-68,820	-60,331
Other income (expense)	678	-459
Income from operations before income taxes	54,904	44,744
Income tax expense	-13,567	-11,460
Net income	41,337	33,284
Net (income) loss attributable to redeemable non-controlling interests	50	-441
Net income attributable to Equinix	$41,387	$32,843
Earnings per share ("EPS") attributable to Equinix (Note 2):	'	'
Basic EPS	$0.83	$0.67
Weighted-average shares	49,598	49,029
Diluted EPS	$0.81	$0.65
Weighted-average shares	53,386	53,480

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme1

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Statement Of Income And Comprehensive Income [Abstract]	'	'
Net income	$41,337	$33,284
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:	'	'
Foreign currency translation gain (loss)	14,970	-72,554
Unrealized gain on available for sale securities	839	98
Unrealized gain on cash flow hedges	200	'
Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	16,009	-72,456
Comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	57,346	-39,172
Net (income) loss attributable to redeemable non-controlling interests	50	-441
Other comprehensive income attributable to redeemable non-controlling interests	-2,067	-769
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Equinix	$55,329	($40,382)

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme2

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Cash flows from operating activities:	'	'
Net income	$41,337	$33,284
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:	'	'
Depreciation	107,023	100,381
Stock-based compensation	24,981	23,836
Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation	-10,018	-18,990
Amortization of debt issuance costs and debt discounts	6,409	5,753
Amortization of intangible assets	6,905	6,759
Provision for allowance for doubtful accounts	1,055	813
Other items	3,919	3,735
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:	'	'
Accounts receivable	-28,995	-24,663
Income taxes, net	-15,749	-2,347
Other assets	18,292	-20,222
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	8,830	-27,996
Other liabilities	7,729	3,838
Net cash provided by operating activities	171,718	84,181
Cash flows from investing activities:	'	'
Purchases of investments	-93,423	-296,513
Sales of investments	212,299	37,163
Maturities of investments	102,778	26,385
Purchases of property, plant and equipment	-105,907	-75,667
Purchase of real estate	-16,791	'
Change in restricted cash	-71	-833,801
Other investing activities, net	'	-107
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	98,885	-1,142,540
Cash flows from financing activities:	'	'
Purchases of treasury stock	-47,120	'
Proceeds from employee equity awards	14,387	14,368
Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation	10,018	18,990
Proceeds from senior notes	'	1,500,000
Repayment of capital lease and other financing obligations	-4,250	-3,516
Repayment of mortgage and loans payable	-10,317	-14,052
Debt issuance costs	'	-19,030
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	-37,282	1,496,760
Effect of foreign currency exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents	-41	-5,595
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents	233,280	432,806
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	261,894	252,213
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	495,174	685,019
Supplemental cash flow information:	'	'
Cash paid for taxes	29,913	14,036
Cash paid for interest	$42,385	$67,975

Basis_of_Presentation_and_Sign

Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
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, 2013 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 28, 2014. 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 24.7% and 25.6% for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.
	The Company is entitled to a deduction for federal and state tax purposes with respect to employee equity award activity. The reduction in income tax payable related to windfall tax benefits for stock based compensation awards has been reflected as an adjustment to additional paid-in capital. For the three months ended March 31, 2014, the benefits arising from employee equity award activity that resulted in an adjustment to additional paid in capital were $9,477,000.
	Recent Accounting Pronouncements
	In July 2013, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standard Update (“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 (“ASU 2013-11”). 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. To the extent a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss or a tax credit carryforward, is not available at the reporting date under the applicable tax law or an entity does not intend to use its deferred tax asset for such purpose, the unrecognized tax benefit should be presented as a liability and not a reduction to deferred tax assets. This ASU is effective for fiscal years and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2013 with early adoption permitted. During the three months ended March 31, 2014, the Company adopted ASU 2013-11 and the adoption did not have a significant impact on its consolidated financial statements.

Earnings_Per_Share

Earnings Per Share	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'
Earnings Per Share	'
	2. 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
		March 31,
		2014		2013
	Net income	$	41,337	$	33,284
	Net (income) loss attributable to redeemable non-controlling interests		50		(441	)
	Net income attributable to Equinix, basic		41,387		32,843
	Effect of assumed conversion of convertible debt:
	Interest expense, net of tax		1,984		1,851
	Net income attributable to Equinix, diluted	$	43,371	$	34,694
	Weighted-average shares used to compute basic EPS		49,598		49,029
	Effect of dilutive securities:
	Convertible debt		3,371		3,613
	Employee equity awards		417		838
	Weighted-average shares used to compute diluted EPS		53,386		53,480
	EPS attributable to Equinix:
	Basic EPS	$	0.83	$	0.67
	Diluted EPS	$	0.81	$	0.65
	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
		March 31,
		2014		2013
	Shares reserved for conversion of 4.75% convertible subordinated notes		4,432		4,432
	Common stock related to employee equity awards		337		113
			4,769		4,545

Balance_Sheet_Components

Balance Sheet Components	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Organization Consolidation And Presentation Of Financial Statements [Abstract]	'
Balance Sheet Components	'
	3. 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):
			March 31,			December 31,
			2014			2013
	Cash and cash equivalents:
	Cash (1)		$	232,835		$	186,007
	Cash equivalents:
	Money market funds			256,740			74,787
	Commercial paper			5,599			1,100
	Total cash and cash equivalents			495,174			261,894
	Marketable securities:
	U.S. government securities			288,625			305,021
	U.S. government agency securities			85,946			125,917
	Corporate bonds			73,267			190,177
	Certificates of deposit			63,175			76,152
	Asset-backed securities			31,046			68,938
	Commercial paper			4,491			1,993
	Total marketable securities			546,550			768,198
	Total cash, cash equivalents and short-term and long-term investments		$	1,041,724		$	1,030,092
	-1	Excludes restricted cash.
	As of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, 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 March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013. The maturities of securities classified as long-term investments were greater than one year and less than three years as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013.
	The following table summarizes the cost and estimated fair value of marketable securities based on stated effective maturities as of (in thousands):
			March 31, 2014						December 31, 2013
			Amortized			Fair Value			Amortized			Fair Value
			Cost						Cost
	Due within one year		$	322,207		$	322,374		$	369,698		$	369,808
	Due after one year through three years			224,019			224,176			398,200			398,390
	Total		$	546,226		$	546,550		$	767,898		$	768,198
	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):
			March 31, 2014
			Amortized			Gross			Gross			Fair value
			cost			unrealized			unrealized
						gains			losses
	U.S. government securities		$	288,433		$	192		$	—		$	288,625
	U.S. government agency securities			85,905			55			(14	)		85,946
	Corporate bonds			73,210			68			(11	)		73,267
	Certificates of deposit			63,175			—			—			63,175
	Asset-backed securities			31,012			35			(1	)		31,046
	Commercial paper			4,491			—			—			4,491
	Total		$	546,226		$	350		$	(26	)	$	546,550
			December 31, 2013
			Amortized			Gross			Gross			Fair value
			cost			unrealized			unrealized
						gains			losses
	U.S. government securities		$	304,897		$	131		$	(7	)	$	305,021
	U.S. government agency securities			125,904			35			(22	)		125,917
	Corporate bonds			190,068			149			(40	)		190,177
	Certificates of deposit			76,126			27			(1	)		76,152
	Asset-backed securities			68,914			33			(9	)		68,938
	Commercial paper			1,989			4			—			1,993
	Total		$	767,898		$	379		$	(79	)	$	768,198
	The following table summarizes the fair value and gross unrealized losses related to 27 available-for-sale securities with an aggregate cost basis of $49,473,000 aggregated by type of investment and length of time that individual securities have been in a continuous unrealized loss position as of March 31, 2014 (in thousands):
			Securities in a loss
			position for less than
			12 months
			Fair value			Gross
						unrealized
						losses
	U.S. government agency securities		$	18,247		$	(14	)
	U.S. government securities			15,028			—
	Corporate bonds			9,453			(11	)
	Asset-backed securities			5,519			(1	)
		$	48,247		$	(26	)
As of March 31, 2014, the Company did not have any securities in a loss position for 12 months or more. While the Company does not believe that as of March 31, 2014, 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):
		March 31,			December 31,
		2014			2013
Accounts receivable		$	356,162		$	323,822
Unearned revenue			(135,269	)		(132,342	)
Allowance for doubtful accounts			(7,333	)		(6,640	)
		$	213,560		$	184,840
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):
		March 31,			December 31,
		2014			2013
Prepaid expenses		$	23,300		$	26,578
Taxes receivable			10,301			21,584
Deferred tax assets, net			7,442			7,442
Other receivables			2,142			4,181
Derivative instruments			7,132			4,457
Restricted cash, current			3,287			3,210
Other current assets			1,306			4,666
		$	54,910		$	72,118
Property, Plant and Equipment
Property, plant and equipment consisted of the following as of (in thousands):
		March 31,			December 31,
		2014			2013
IBX plant and machinery		$	2,707,353		$	2,640,907
Leasehold improvements			1,069,414			1,039,847
Buildings (1)			1,968,182			1,862,562
IBX equipment			530,232			490,677
Computer equipment and software			205,615			189,714
Land			122,079			122,035
Furniture and fixtures			24,658			24,134
Construction in progress			269,584			244,254
			6,897,117			6,614,130
Less accumulated depreciation			(2,130,820	)		(2,022,480	)
		$	4,766,297		$	4,591,650
-1	Includes site improvements.
International Business Exchange® (“IBX”) plant and machinery, leasehold improvements, buildings, computer equipment and software and construction in progress recorded under capital leases aggregated $508,434,000 and $428,974,000 as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively. Depreciation on the assets recorded under capital leases is included in depreciation expense and accumulated depreciation on such assets totaled $60,130,000 and $56,041,000 as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively.
Goodwill and Intangible Assets
Goodwill and intangible assets, net, consisted of the following as of (in thousands):
		March 31,			December 31,
		2014			2013
Goodwill:
Americas		$	474,914		$	471,845
EMEA			437,386			435,041
Asia-Pacific			135,278			135,267
		$	1,047,578		$	1,042,153
Intangible assets:
Intangible asset – customer contracts		$	233,353		$	233,038
Intangible asset – favorable leases			24,683			25,147
Intangible asset – licenses			9,697			9,697
Intangible asset – others			8,920			8,859
			276,653			276,741
Accumulated amortization			(99,739	)		(92,559	)
		$	176,914		$	184,182
The Company’s goodwill and intangible assets in EMEA (Europe, Middle East and Africa), 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 and loss.
For the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, the Company recorded amortization expense of $6,905,000 and $6,759,000, respectively, associated with its intangible assets. The Company’s estimated future amortization expense related to its intangible assets is as follows (in thousands):
Year ending:
2014 (nine months remaining)		$	22,135
2015			29,108
2016			28,638
2017			27,095
2018			24,008
Thereafter			45,930
Total		$	176,914
Other Assets
Other assets consisted of the following (in thousands):
		March 31,			December 31,
		2014			2013
Deferred tax assets, net		$	277,026		$	229,975
Prepaid expenses, non-current			60,233			61,039
Debt issuance costs, net			39,634			41,847
Deposits			25,597			25,543
Restricted cash, non-current			16,203			16,178
Derivative instruments			3,678			4,118
Other assets, non-current			7,244			8,624
		$	429,615		$	387,324
The increase in deferred tax assets, net was primarily due to the depreciation and amortization recapture as a result of changing the Company’s methods 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):
		March 31,			December 31,
		2014			2013
Accounts payable		$	34,363		$	30,291
Accrued compensation and benefits			72,391			92,106
Accrued interest			64,382			48,310
Accrued taxes			57,725			32,047
Accrued utilities and security			30,226			31,314
Accrued professional fees			11,951			9,753
Accrued repairs and maintenance			4,798			3,557
Accrued other			17,459			15,845
		$	293,295		$	263,223
Other Current Liabilities
Other current liabilities consisted of the following (in thousands):
		March 31,			December 31,
		2014			2013
Deferred tax liabilities, net		$	72,004		$	72,004
Deferred installation revenue			45,661			43,145
Customer deposits			15,428			15,174
Derivative instruments			5,865			6,515
Deferred recurring revenue			5,559			5,007
Deferred rent			2,645			3,865
Asset retirement obligations			1,306			1,290
Other current liabilities			875			958
		$	149,343		$	147,958
Other Liabilities
Other liabilities consisted of the following (in thousands):
		March 31,			December 31,
		2014			2013
Asset retirement obligations, non-current		$	58,892		$	58,258
Deferred tax liabilities, net			69,835			69,812
Deferred installation revenue, non-current			64,315			60,947
Deferred rent, non-current			41,399			37,955
Accrued taxes, non-current			28,344			27,052
Customer deposits, non-current			4,945			5,005
Deferred recurring revenue, non-current			2,048			2,082
Other liabilities			14,330			13,844
		$	284,108		$	274,955
The Company currently leases the majority of its IBX data centers and certain equipment under non-cancelable operating lease agreements expiring through 2043. 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	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Derivative Instruments And Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Derivatives and Hedging Activities	'
	4. Derivatives and Hedging Activities
	Derivatives Designated as Hedging Instruments
	Cash Flow Hedges. The Company hedges its exposure to foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations for forecasted revenues and expenses in its EMEA region in order to help manage the Company’s exposure to foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations between the U.S. dollar and the British pound, Euro and Swiss franc. As of March 31, 2014, the Company had a total of 102 cash flow hedge instruments with maturity dates ranging from April 2014 to January 2015 as follows (in thousands):
			Notional		Fair			Accumulated
			amount		value (1)			other
								comprehensive
								income (loss) (2)
	Derivative assets		$	139,544	$	1,981		$	1,979
	Derivative liabilities			213,175		(3,532	)		(3,529	)
	Total		$	352,719	$	(1,551	)	$	(1,550	)
	-1	A total of $1,981 of derivative assets related to cash flow hedges are included in the condensed consolidated balance sheets within other current assets. A total of $3,532 of derivative liabilities related to cash flow hedges are included in the condensed consolidated balance sheets within other current liabilities.
	-2	Included in the condensed consolidated balance sheets within accumulated other comprehensive income (loss).
	As of December 31, 2013, the Company had a total of 69 cash flow hedge instruments with maturity dates ranging from January 2014 to January 2015 as follows (in thousands):
			Notional		Fair			Accumulated
			amount		value (1)			other
								comprehensive
								income (loss) (2)
	Derivative assets		$	127,968	$	2,102		$	2,107
	Derivative liabilities			200,686		(3,855	)		(3,857	)
	Total		$	328,654	$	(1,753	)	$	(1,750	)
	-1	A total of $2,099 and $3 of derivative assets related to cash flow hedges are included in the condensed consolidated balance sheets within other current assets and other assets, respectively. A total of $3,818 and $37 of derivative liabilities related to cash flow hedges are included in the condensed consolidated balance sheets within other current liabilities and other liabilities, respectively.
	-2	Included in the condensed consolidated balance sheets within accumulated other comprehensive income (loss).
	During the three months ended March 31, 2014, there were no ineffective cash flow hedges. During the three months ended March 31, 2014, the amount of gains (losses) reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) to revenue and operating expenses were not significant. The Company did not enter into any cash flow hedges during the three months ended March 31, 2013.
	Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments
	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. Gains and losses on these embedded derivatives are included within revenues in the Company’s condensed consolidated statements of operations. During the three months ended March 31, 2014, gains (losses) from these embedded derivatives were not significant. During the three months ended March 31, 2013, the Company recognized a net gain of $2,453,000 associated with these embedded derivatives.
	Economic Hedges of Embedded Derivatives. The Company uses foreign currency forward contracts to manage the foreign exchange risk associated with the Company’s embedded derivatives (“economic hedges of embedded derivatives”). 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 months ended March 31, 2014 and gains (losses) from these contracts were not significant. The Company did not enter into any economic hedges of embedded derivatives during the three months ended March 31, 2013.
	Foreign Currency Forward and Options Contracts. The Company also uses foreign currency forward and options 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. Gains and losses on these contracts are included in other income (expense), net, along with those foreign currency gains and losses of the related foreign currency-denominated assets and liabilities associated with the foreign currency forward and options contracts. The Company entered into various foreign currency forward and options contracts during the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013 and gains (losses) from these foreign currency forward and options 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 March 31, 2014 (in thousands):
			Gross		Gross			Net			Gross			Net
			amounts		amounts			amounts (1)			amounts
					offset in the						not offset
					balance						in the
					sheet						balance
											sheet (2)
	Assets:
	Designated as hedging instruments:
	Foreign currency forward contracts		$	1,981	$	—		$	1,981		$	(1,955	)	$	26
	Not designated as hedging instruments:
	Embedded derivatives			5,251		—			5,251			—			5,251
	Economic hedges of embedded derivatives			518		—			518			—			518
	Foreign currency forward and options contracts			3,060		—			3,060			(1,648	)		1,412
				8,829		—			8,829			(1,648	)		7,181
	Additional netting benefit			—		—			—			(900	)		(900	)
			$	10,810	$	—		$	10,810		$	(4,503	)	$	6,307
	Liabilities:
	Designated as hedging instruments:
	Foreign currency forward contracts		$	3,532	$	—		$	3,532		$	(1,955	)	$	1,577
	Not designated as hedging instruments:
	Embedded derivatives			213		—			213			—			213
	Economic hedges of embedded derivatives			170		—			170			—			170
	Foreign currency forward and options contracts			1,994		—			1,994			(1,648	)		346
				2,377		—			2,377			(1,648	)		729
	Additional netting benefit			—		—			—			(900	)		(900	)
			$	5,909	$	—		$	5,909		$	(4,503	)	$	1,406
	-1	As presented in the Company’s condensed consolidated balance sheets within other current assets, other assets, other current liabilities and other liabilities.
	-2	The Company enters into master netting agreements with its counterparties for transactions other than embedded derivatives to mitigate credit risk exposure to any single counterparty. Master netting agreements allow for individual derivative contracts with a single counterparty to offset in the event of default.
	The following table presents the fair value of derivative instruments recognized in the Company’s condensed consolidated balance sheets as of December 31, 2013 (in thousands):
			Gross		Gross			Net			Gross			Net
			amounts		amounts			amounts (1)			amounts
					offset in the						not offset
					balance						in the
					sheet						balance
								sheet (2)
Assets:
Designated as hedging instruments:
Foreign currency forward contracts		$	2,102	$	—		$	2,102		$	(2,102	)	$	—
Not designated as hedging instruments:
Embedded derivatives			6,296		—			6,296			—			6,296
Foreign currency forward and options contracts			177		—			177			(177	)		—
			6,473		—			6,473			(177	)		6,296
		$	8,575	$	—		$	8,575		$	(2,279	)	$	6,296
Liabilities:
Designated as hedging instruments:
Foreign currency forward contracts		$	3,855	$	—		$	3,855		$	(2,102	)	$	1,753
Not designated as hedging instruments:
Embedded derivatives			115		—			115			—			115
Economic hedges of embedded derivatives			1,315		—			1,315			—			1,315
Foreign currency forward and options contracts			1,289		—			1,289			(177	)		1,112
			2,719		—			2,719			(177	)		2,542
		$	6,574	$	—		$	6,574		$	(2,279	)	$	4,295
-1	As presented in the Company’s condensed consolidated balance sheets within other current assets, other assets, other current liabilities and other liabilities.
-2	The Company enters into master netting agreements with its counterparties for transactions other than embedded derivatives to mitigate credit risk exposure to any single counterparty. Master netting agreements allow for individual derivative contracts with a single counterparty to offset in the event of default.

Fair_Value_Measurements

Fair Value Measurements	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]	'
Fair Value Measurements	'
	5. Fair Value Measurements
	The Company’s financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of March 31, 2014 were as follows (in thousands):
			Fair value at		Fair value
			March 31,		measurement using
			2014		Level 1		Level 2
	Assets:
	Cash		$	232,835	$	232,835	$	—
	Money market and deposit accounts			256,740		256,740		—
	U.S. government securities			288,625		288,625		—
	U.S. government agency securities			85,946		—		85,946
	Corporate bonds			73,267		—		73,267
	Certificates of deposit			63,175		—		63,175
	Asset-backed securities			31,046		—		31,046
	Commercial paper			10,090		—		10,090
	Derivative instruments (1)			10,810		—		10,810
			$	1,052,534	$	778,200	$	274,334
	Liabilities:
	Derivative instruments (1)		$	5,909	$	—	$	5,909
	-1	Includes embedded derivatives, economic hedges of embedded derivatives and foreign currency forward and options 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 March 31, 2014.
	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 consolidated financial statements and underlying estimates.
	The Company determined that the major security types held as of March 31, 2014 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.
	Derivative Assets and Liabilities. For derivatives, including cash flow hedges, 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 three months ended March 31, 2014, the Company did not have any nonfinancial assets or liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis.

Related_Party_Transactions

Related Party Transactions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Related Party Transactions [Abstract]	'
Related Party Transactions	'
	6. 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
		March 31,
		2014		2013
	Revenues	$	2,121	$	8,476
	Costs and services		161		2,465
		As of March 31,
		2014		2013
	Accounts receivable	$	1,690	$	5,089
	Accounts payable		—		443
	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 March 31, 2014, the Company had a financing obligation liability totaling approximately $3,807,000 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	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Leases [Abstract]	'
Leases	'
	7. Leases
	Capital Lease and Other Financing Obligations
	Silicon Valley 2 Capital Lease
	In March 2014, the Company entered into a lease amendment to extend the lease term of the Company’s Silicon Valley 2 IBX data center (the “Silicon Valley 2 Lease”). 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 Silicon Valley 2 Lease as a result of the lease amendment and determined that upon the amendment the lease should be accounted for as a capital lease (the “Silicon Valley 2 Capital Lease”). The Company recorded a capital lease asset totaling approximately $81,542,000 and a capital lease liability totaling approximately $82,000,000 during the three months ended March 31, 2014. Monthly payments under the Silicon Valley 2 Capital Lease commenced in March 2014 and will be made through September 2029. The Company has certain renewal options available after September 2029, which have not been included in the lease term.
	Dallas IBX Financing
	In January 2014, the Company took possession of additional space under the terms of an existing lease agreement in a property in Dallas where the Company operates its Dallas 1, Dallas 2, Dallas 3 and Dallas 6 IBX data centers. Pursuant to the accounting standard for lessee’s involvement in asset construction, the Company is considered the accounting owner of the assets during the construction phase due to the building work that the Company undertook. As a result, the Company recorded an incremental financed asset and a corresponding financing obligation liability totaling approximately $13,908,000 during the three months ended March 31, 2014 (the “Dallas IBX Financing”). Monthly payments under the Dallas IBX Financing will be made through December 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
	2014 (nine months remaining)	$	34,702		$	35,388		$	70,090
	2015		52,139			55,148			107,287
	2016		52,817			59,627			112,444
	2017		54,025			59,576			113,601
	2018		55,722			62,377			118,099
	Thereafter		776,516			571,984			1,348,500
	Total minimum lease payments		1,025,921			844,100			1,870,021
	Plus amount representing residual property value		—			404,357			404,357
	Less estimated building costs		—			(32,566	)		(32,566	)
	Less amount representing interest		(542,895	)		(643,790	)		(1,186,685	)
	Present value of net minimum lease payments		483,026			572,101			1,055,127
	Less current portion		(9,108	)		(8,772	)		(17,880	)
		$	473,918		$	563,329		$	1,037,247

Debt_Facilities

Debt Facilities	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Debt Facilities	'
	8. Debt Facilities
	Mortgage and Loans Payable
	The Company’s mortgage and loans payable consisted of the following (in thousands):
			March 31,			December 31,
			2014			2013
	U.S. term loan		$	130,000		$	140,000
	ALOG financings			70,799			67,882
	Mortgage payable			43,202			43,497
	Other loans payable			1,882			1,829
				245,883			253,208
	Less current portion			(54,122	)		(53,508	)
			$	191,761		$	199,700
	Convertible Debt
	The Company’s convertible debt consisted of the following (in thousands):
			March 31,			December 31,
			2014			2013
	3.00% Convertible Subordinated Notes		$	395,986		$	395,986
	4.75% Convertible Subordinated Notes			373,723			373,724
				769,709			769,710
	Less amount representing debt discount			(41,348	)		(45,508	)
			$	728,361		$	724,202
	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 March 31, 2014, had the holders of the 3.00% Convertible Subordinated Notes converted their notes, the 3.00% Convertible Subordinated Notes would have been convertible into 3,375,463 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 March 31, 2014 and are eligible to convert their notes during the three months ended June 30, 2014, since the Stock Price Condition Conversion Clause was met during the applicable periods. As of March 31, 2014, 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 4,432,328 shares of the Company’s common stock.
	Senior Notes
	The Company’s senior notes consisted of the following as of (in thousands):
			March 31,			December 31,
			2014			2013
	5.375% senior notes due 2023		$	1,000,000		$	1,000,000
	7.00% senior notes due 2021			750,000			750,000
	4.875% senior notes due 2020			500,000			500,000
			$	2,250,000		$	2,250,000
	Maturities of Debt Facilities
	The following table sets forth maturities of the Company’s debt, including mortgage and loans payable, convertible debt and senior notes, as of March 31, 2014 (in thousands):
	Year ending:
	2014 (nine months remaining)		$	439,692
	2015			58,030
	2016(1)			435,662
	2017			35,695
	2018			9,447
	Thereafter			2,287,066
			$	3,265,592
	-1	Gross of $41,348 debt discount from the 4.75% Convertible Subordinated Notes.
	Fair Value of Debt Facilities
	The following table sets forth the estimated fair values of the Company’s mortgage and loans payable, senior notes and convertible debt, including current maturities, as of (in thousands):
			March 31,			December 31,
			2014			2013
	Mortgage and loans payable		$	252,050		$	254,607
	Convertible debt			1,044,273			1,009,744
	Senior notes			2,375,625			2,302,290
	The Company has determined that the inputs used to value its debt facilities fall 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
			March 31,
			2014			2013
Interest expense		$	68,820		$	60,331
Interest capitalized			3,406			2,892
Interest charges incurred		$	72,226		$	63,223

Redeemable_NonControlling_Inte

Redeemable Non-Controlling Interests	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Noncontrolling Interest [Abstract]	'
Redeemable Non-Controlling Interests	'
	9. 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, 2013	$	123,902
	Net loss attributable to redeemable non-controlling interests		(50	)
	Other comprehensive income attributable to redeemable non-controlling interests		2,067
	Impact of foreign currency exchange		1,040
	Balance as of March 31, 2014	$	126,959

Commitments_and_Contingencies

Commitments and Contingencies	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Commitments And Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Commitments and Contingencies	'
	10. Commitments and Contingencies
	Purchase Commitments
	Primarily as a result of the Company’s various IBX expansion projects, as of March 31, 2014, the Company was contractually committed for $240,091,000 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 March 31, 2014, such as commitments to purchase power in select locations through the remainder of 2014 and thereafter, and other open purchase orders for goods or services to be delivered or provided during the remainder of 2014 and thereafter. Such other miscellaneous purchase commitments totaled $209,075,000 as of March 31, 2014.

Stockholders_Equity

Stockholders' Equity	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Equity [Abstract]	'
Stockholders' Equity	'
	11. 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			March 31,
		2013						2014
	Foreign currency translation gain (loss)	$	(132,881	)	$	14,970		$	(117,911	)
	Unrealized gain (loss) on cash flow hedges		(1,750	)		200			(1,550	)
	Unrealized gain (loss) on available for sale securities		(257	)		839			582
	Other comprehensive loss (income) attributable to redeemable non-controlling interests		21,121			(2,067	)		19,054
		$	(113,767	)	$	13,942		$	(99,825	)
	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. As of March 31, 2014, the U.S. dollar was generally weaker relative to certain of the currencies of the foreign countries in which the Company operates. This overall weakness of the U.S. dollar had an overall positive impact on the Company’s consolidated financial position because the foreign denominations translated into more U.S. dollars as evidenced by a decrease in foreign currency translation loss for the three months ended March 31, 2014 as reflected in the above table. 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.
	Treasury Stock
	During the three months ended March 31, 2014, the Company repurchased a total of 266,585 shares of its common stock in the open market at an average price of $176.75 per share for total consideration of $47,120,000 under a share repurchase program that was approved by the Company’s Board of Directors in December 2013 (the “2013 Share Repurchase Program”). As of March 31, 2014, the Company may purchase up to an additional $404,081,000 in value of the Company’s common stock through December 31, 2014 under this share repurchase program.
	Stock-Based Compensation
	In March 2014, the Compensation Committee and the Stock Award Committee of the Company’s Board of Directors approved the issuance of an aggregate of 613,560 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 $179.18 and a weighted-average requisite service period of 3.34 years. The valuation of restricted stock units with only a service condition or a service and performance condition requires no significant assumptions as the fair value for these types of equity awards is based solely on the fair value of the Company’s stock price on the date of grant. The Company uses a Monte Carlo simulation option-pricing model to determine the fair value of restricted stock units with a service and market condition. There were no significant changes in the assumptions used to determine the fair value of restricted stock units with a service and market condition that were granted during the three months ended March 31, 2014 compared to the three months ended March 31, 2013.
	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
		March 31,
		2014			2013
	Cost of revenues	$	1,870		$	1,602
	Sales and marketing		7,000			5,721
	General and administrative		16,111			16,513
		$	24,981		$	23,836

Segment_Information

Segment Information	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Segment Reporting [Abstract]	'
Segment Information	'
	12. 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 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
		March 31,
		2014			2013
	Adjusted EBITDA:
	Americas	$	149,563		$	144,517
	EMEA		63,205			48,729
	Asia-Pacific		47,620			47,642
	Total adjusted EBITDA		260,388			240,888
	Depreciation, amortization and accretion expense		(113,610	)		(108,603	)
	Stock-based compensation expense		(24,981	)		(23,836	)
	Acquisitions costs		(185	)		(3,662	)
	Income from operations	$	121,612		$	104,787
	The Company also provides the following additional segment disclosures (in thousands):
		Three months ended
		March 31,
		2014			2013
	Total revenues:
	Americas	$	330,033		$	305,792
	EMEA		151,430			119,969
	Asia-Pacific		98,590			90,373
		$	580,053		$	516,134
	Total depreciation and amortization:
	Americas	$	60,027		$	62,597
	EMEA		29,712			22,875
	Asia-Pacific		24,254			21,733
		$	113,993		$	107,205
	Capital expenditures:
	Americas	$	67,515		$	44,841
	EMEA		15,564			16,569
	Asia-Pacific		39,619			14,257
		$	122,698		$	75,667
	The Company’s long-lived assets are located in the following geographic areas as of (in thousands):
		March 31,			December 31,
		2014			2013
	Americas	$	2,679,496		$	2,549,863
	EMEA		1,174,049			1,188,559
	Asia-Pacific		912,752			853,228
		$	4,766,297		$	4,591,650
	Revenue information by category is as follows (in thousands):
		Three months ended
		March 31,
		2014			2013
	Colocation	$	434,623		$	394,831
	Interconnection		87,026			75,991
	Managed infrastructure		25,384			23,120
	Rental		2,670			580
	Recurring revenues		549,703			494,522
	Non-recurring revenues		30,350			21,612
		$	580,053		$	516,134
	No single customer accounted for 10% or greater of the Company’s revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013. No single customer accounted for 10% or greater of the Company’s gross accounts receivable as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013.

Subsequent_Events

Subsequent Events	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Subsequent Events [Abstract]	'
Subsequent Events	'
	13. Subsequent Events
	From April 1, 2014 through May 1, 2014, the Company repurchased a total of 186,503 shares of its common stock in the open market at an average price of $175.95 per share for a total consideration of $32,815,000 under the 2013 Share Repurchase Program.
	In April and May 2014, the Company entered into agreements with certain note holders to exchange an aggregate of $170,137,000 of the principal amount of the 4.75% Convertible Subordinated Notes for 2,017,806 shares of the Company’s common stock and cash payments totaling approximately $17,636,000. As a result, the Company will recognize a loss on debt extinguishment of approximately $38,000,000 in the second quarter of 2014 upon the exchange of the 4.75% Convertible Subordinated Notes.
	In April 2014, the Company, Riverwood Capital L.P. (“Riverwood”), and the other parties thereto, amended the shareholders agreement governing their investment in ALOG to extend the time period granted to the Company in 2014 to exercise its right to purchase Riverwood’s interest in ALOG, along with the approximate 10% of ALOG owned by ALOG management, to May 31, 2014. Such purchase by the Company would result in the Company owning 100% of the outstanding shares of ALOG upon completion of the transaction. Should the Company not exercise its right by May 31, 2014, subsequent exercise periods begin on April 1 and end on April 30 of each of 2015 and 2016.

Basis_of_Presentation_and_Sign1

Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Fair Value Disclosures [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, 2013 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 28, 2014. 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 24.7% and 25.6% for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.
	The Company is entitled to a deduction for federal and state tax purposes with respect to employee equity award activity. The reduction in income tax payable related to windfall tax benefits for stock based compensation awards has been reflected as an adjustment to additional paid-in capital. For the three months ended March 31, 2014, the benefits arising from employee equity award activity that resulted in an adjustment to additional paid in capital were $9,477,000.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements	'
	Recent Accounting Pronouncements
	In July 2013, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standard Update (“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 (“ASU 2013-11”). 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. To the extent a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss or a tax credit carryforward, is not available at the reporting date under the applicable tax law or an entity does not intend to use its deferred tax asset for such purpose, the unrecognized tax benefit should be presented as a liability and not a reduction to deferred tax assets. This ASU is effective for fiscal years and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2013 with early adoption permitted. During the three months ended March 31, 2014, the Company adopted ASU 2013-11 and the adoption did not have a significant impact on its consolidated financial statements.
Operating Lease	'
	The Company currently leases the majority of its IBX data centers and certain equipment under non-cancelable operating lease agreements expiring through 2043. 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.
Cash Flow Hedges	'
	Cash Flow Hedges. The Company hedges its exposure to foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations for forecasted revenues and expenses in its EMEA region in order to help manage the Company’s exposure to foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations between the U.S. dollar and the British pound, Euro and Swiss franc.
Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments	'
	Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments
	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. Gains and losses on these embedded derivatives are included within revenues in the Company’s condensed consolidated statements of operations. During the three months ended March 31, 2014, gains (losses) from these embedded derivatives were not significant. During the three months ended March 31, 2013, the Company recognized a net gain of $2,453,000 associated with these embedded derivatives.
	Economic Hedges of Embedded Derivatives. The Company uses foreign currency forward contracts to manage the foreign exchange risk associated with the Company’s embedded derivatives (“economic hedges of embedded derivatives”). 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 months ended March 31, 2014 and gains (losses) from these contracts were not significant. The Company did not enter into any economic hedges of embedded derivatives during the three months ended March 31, 2013.
	Foreign Currency Forward and Options Contracts. The Company also uses foreign currency forward and options 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. Gains and losses on these contracts are included in other income (expense), net, along with those foreign currency gains and losses of the related foreign currency-denominated assets and liabilities associated with the foreign currency forward and options contracts.
Fair Value Valuation Methods	'
	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 consolidated financial statements and underlying estimates.
	The Company determined that the major security types held as of March 31, 2014 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.
	Derivative Assets and Liabilities. For derivatives, including cash flow hedges, 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.
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.

Earnings_Per_Share_Tables

Earnings Per Share (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
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
		March 31,
		2014		2013
	Net income	$	41,337	$	33,284
	Net (income) loss attributable to redeemable non-controlling interests		50		(441	)
	Net income attributable to Equinix, basic		41,387		32,843
	Effect of assumed conversion of convertible debt:
	Interest expense, net of tax		1,984		1,851
	Net income attributable to Equinix, diluted	$	43,371	$	34,694
	Weighted-average shares used to compute basic EPS		49,598		49,029
	Effect of dilutive securities:
	Convertible debt		3,371		3,613
	Employee equity awards		417		838
	Weighted-average shares used to compute diluted EPS		53,386		53,480
	EPS attributable to Equinix:
	Basic EPS	$	0.83	$	0.67
	Diluted EPS	$	0.81	$	0.65
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
		March 31,
		2014		2013
	Shares reserved for conversion of 4.75% convertible subordinated notes		4,432		4,432
	Common stock related to employee equity awards		337		113
			4,769		4,545

Balance_Sheet_Components_Table

Balance Sheet Components (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
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):
			March 31,			December 31,
			2014			2013
	Cash and cash equivalents:
	Cash (1)		$	232,835		$	186,007
	Cash equivalents:
	Money market funds			256,740			74,787
	Commercial paper			5,599			1,100
	Total cash and cash equivalents			495,174			261,894
	Marketable securities:
	U.S. government securities			288,625			305,021
	U.S. government agency securities			85,946			125,917
	Corporate bonds			73,267			190,177
	Certificates of deposit			63,175			76,152
	Asset-backed securities			31,046			68,938
	Commercial paper			4,491			1,993
	Total marketable securities			546,550			768,198
	Total cash, cash equivalents and short-term and long-term investments		$	1,041,724		$	1,030,092
	-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):
			March 31, 2014						December 31, 2013
			Amortized			Fair Value			Amortized			Fair Value
			Cost						Cost
	Due within one year		$	322,207		$	322,374		$	369,698		$	369,808
	Due after one year through three years			224,019			224,176			398,200			398,390
	Total		$	546,226		$	546,550		$	767,898		$	768,198
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):
			March 31, 2014
			Amortized			Gross			Gross			Fair value
			cost			unrealized			unrealized
						gains			losses
	U.S. government securities		$	288,433		$	192		$	—		$	288,625
	U.S. government agency securities			85,905			55			(14	)		85,946
	Corporate bonds			73,210			68			(11	)		73,267
	Certificates of deposit			63,175			—			—			63,175
	Asset-backed securities			31,012			35			(1	)		31,046
	Commercial paper			4,491			—			—			4,491
	Total		$	546,226		$	350		$	(26	)	$	546,550
			December 31, 2013
			Amortized			Gross			Gross			Fair value
			cost			unrealized			unrealized
						gains			losses
	U.S. government securities		$	304,897		$	131		$	(7	)	$	305,021
	U.S. government agency securities			125,904			35			(22	)		125,917
	Corporate bonds			190,068			149			(40	)		190,177
	Certificates of deposit			76,126			27			(1	)		76,152
	Asset-backed securities			68,914			33			(9	)		68,938
	Commercial paper			1,989			4			—			1,993
	Total		$	767,898		$	379		$	(79	)	$	768,198
Summary of Fair Value and Gross Unrealized Loss Position Related to Available-for-Sale Securities	'
	The following table summarizes the fair value and gross unrealized losses related to 27 available-for-sale securities with an aggregate cost basis of $49,473,000 aggregated by type of investment and length of time that individual securities have been in a continuous unrealized loss position as of March 31, 2014 (in thousands):
			Securities in a loss
			position for less than
			12 months
			Fair value			Gross
						unrealized
						losses
	U.S. government agency securities		$	18,247		$	(14	)
	U.S. government securities			15,028			—
	Corporate bonds			9,453			(11	)
	Asset-backed securities			5,519			(1	)
			$	48,247		$	(26	)
Accounts Receivables, Net	'
	Accounts receivables, net, consisted of the following as of (in thousands):
			March 31,			December 31,
			2014			2013
	Accounts receivable		$	356,162		$	323,822
	Unearned revenue			(135,269	)		(132,342	)
	Allowance for doubtful accounts			(7,333	)		(6,640	)
			$	213,560		$	184,840
Other Current Assets	'
	Other current assets consisted of the following as of (in thousands):
			March 31,			December 31,
			2014			2013
	Prepaid expenses		$	23,300		$	26,578
	Taxes receivable			10,301			21,584
	Deferred tax assets, net			7,442			7,442
	Other receivables			2,142			4,181
	Derivative instruments			7,132			4,457
	Restricted cash, current			3,287			3,210
	Other current assets			1,306			4,666
			$	54,910		$	72,118
Property, Plant and Equipment, Net	'
	Property, plant and equipment consisted of the following as of (in thousands):
			March 31,			December 31,
			2014			2013
	IBX plant and machinery		$	2,707,353		$	2,640,907
	Leasehold improvements			1,069,414			1,039,847
	Buildings (1)			1,968,182			1,862,562
	IBX equipment			530,232			490,677
	Computer equipment and software			205,615			189,714
	Land			122,079			122,035
	Furniture and fixtures			24,658			24,134
	Construction in progress			269,584			244,254
				6,897,117			6,614,130
	Less accumulated depreciation			(2,130,820	)		(2,022,480	)
			$	4,766,297		$	4,591,650
	-1	Includes site improvements.
Goodwill and Intangible Assets	'
	Goodwill and intangible assets, net, consisted of the following as of (in thousands):
			March 31,			December 31,
			2014			2013
	Goodwill:
	Americas		$	474,914		$	471,845
	EMEA			437,386			435,041
	Asia-Pacific			135,278			135,267
			$	1,047,578		$	1,042,153
	Intangible assets:
	Intangible asset – customer contracts		$	233,353		$	233,038
	Intangible asset – favorable leases			24,683			25,147
	Intangible asset – licenses			9,697			9,697
	Intangible asset – others			8,920			8,859
				276,653			276,741
	Accumulated amortization			(99,739	)		(92,559	)
			$	176,914		$	184,182
Estimated Future Amortization Expense Related to Intangible Assets	'
	The Company’s estimated future amortization expense related to its intangible assets is as follows (in thousands):
	Year ending:
	2014 (nine months remaining)		$	22,135
	2015			29,108
	2016			28,638
	2017			27,095
	2018			24,008
	Thereafter			45,930
	Total		$	176,914
Other Assets	'
	Other assets consisted of the following (in thousands):
			March 31,			December 31,
			2014			2013
	Deferred tax assets, net		$	277,026		$	229,975
	Prepaid expenses, non-current			60,233			61,039
	Debt issuance costs, net			39,634			41,847
	Deposits			25,597			25,543
	Restricted cash, non-current			16,203			16,178
	Derivative instruments			3,678			4,118
	Other assets, non-current			7,244			8,624
			$	429,615		$	387,324
Accounts Payable and Accrued Expenses	'
	Accounts payable and accrued expenses consisted of the following (in thousands):
			March 31,			December 31,
			2014			2013
	Accounts payable		$	34,363		$	30,291
	Accrued compensation and benefits			72,391			92,106
	Accrued interest			64,382			48,310
	Accrued taxes			57,725			32,047
	Accrued utilities and security			30,226			31,314
	Accrued professional fees			11,951			9,753
	Accrued repairs and maintenance			4,798			3,557
	Accrued other			17,459			15,845
			$	293,295		$	263,223
Other Current Liabilities	'
	Other current liabilities consisted of the following (in thousands):
			March 31,			December 31,
			2014			2013
	Deferred tax liabilities, net		$	72,004		$	72,004
	Deferred installation revenue			45,661			43,145
	Customer deposits			15,428			15,174
	Derivative instruments			5,865			6,515
	Deferred recurring revenue			5,559			5,007
	Deferred rent			2,645			3,865
	Asset retirement obligations			1,306			1,290
	Other current liabilities			875			958
			$	149,343		$	147,958
Other Liabilities	'
	Other liabilities consisted of the following (in thousands):
			March 31,			December 31,
			2014			2013
	Asset retirement obligations, non-current		$	58,892		$	58,258
	Deferred tax liabilities, net			69,835			69,812
	Deferred installation revenue, non-current			64,315			60,947
	Deferred rent, non-current			41,399			37,955
	Accrued taxes, non-current			28,344			27,052
	Customer deposits, non-current			4,945			5,005
	Deferred recurring revenue, non-current			2,048			2,082
	Other liabilities			14,330			13,844
			$	284,108		$	274,955

Derivatives_and_Hedging_Activi1

Derivatives and Hedging Activities (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Derivative Instruments And Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Summary of Cash Flow Hedge Instruments	'
	As of March 31, 2014, the Company had a total of 102 cash flow hedge instruments with maturity dates ranging from April 2014 to January 2015 as follows (in thousands):
			Notional		Fair			Accumulated
			amount		value (1)			other
								comprehensive
								income (loss) (2)
	Derivative assets		$	139,544	$	1,981		$	1,979
	Derivative liabilities			213,175		(3,532	)		(3,529	)
	Total		$	352,719	$	(1,551	)	$	(1,550	)
	-1	A total of $1,981 of derivative assets related to cash flow hedges are included in the condensed consolidated balance sheets within other current assets. A total of $3,532 of derivative liabilities related to cash flow hedges are included in the condensed consolidated balance sheets within other current liabilities.
	-2	Included in the condensed consolidated balance sheets within accumulated other comprehensive income (loss).
	As of December 31, 2013, the Company had a total of 69 cash flow hedge instruments with maturity dates ranging from January 2014 to January 2015 as follows (in thousands):
			Notional		Fair			Accumulated
			amount		value (1)			other
								comprehensive
								income (loss) (2)
	Derivative assets		$	127,968	$	2,102		$	2,107
	Derivative liabilities			200,686		(3,855	)		(3,857	)
	Total		$	328,654	$	(1,753	)	$	(1,750	)
	-1	A total of $2,099 and $3 of derivative assets related to cash flow hedges are included in the condensed consolidated balance sheets within other current assets and other assets, respectively. A total of $3,818 and $37 of derivative liabilities related to cash flow hedges are included in the condensed consolidated balance sheets within other current liabilities and other liabilities, respectively.
	-2	Included in the condensed consolidated balance sheets within accumulated other comprehensive income (loss).
Schedule of Fair Value of Derivative Instruments Recognized in Consolidated Balance Sheets	'
	The following table presents the fair value of derivative instruments recognized in the Company’s condensed consolidated balance sheets as of March 31, 2014 (in thousands):
			Gross		Gross			Net			Gross			Net
			amounts		amounts			amounts (1)			amounts
					offset in the						not offset
					balance						in the
					sheet						balance
											sheet (2)
	Assets:
	Designated as hedging instruments:
	Foreign currency forward contracts		$	1,981	$	—		$	1,981		$	(1,955	)	$	26
	Not designated as hedging instruments:
	Embedded derivatives			5,251		—			5,251			—			5,251
	Economic hedges of embedded derivatives			518		—			518			—			518
	Foreign currency forward and options contracts			3,060		—			3,060			(1,648	)		1,412
				8,829		—			8,829			(1,648	)		7,181
	Additional netting benefit			—		—			—			(900	)		(900	)
			$	10,810	$	—		$	10,810		$	(4,503	)	$	6,307
	Liabilities:
	Designated as hedging instruments:
	Foreign currency forward contracts		$	3,532	$	—		$	3,532		$	(1,955	)	$	1,577
	Not designated as hedging instruments:
	Embedded derivatives			213		—			213			—			213
	Economic hedges of embedded derivatives			170		—			170			—			170
	Foreign currency forward and options contracts			1,994		—			1,994			(1,648	)		346
				2,377		—			2,377			(1,648	)		729
	Additional netting benefit			—		—			—			(900	)		(900	)
			$	5,909	$	—		$	5,909		$	(4,503	)	$	1,406
	-1	As presented in the Company’s condensed consolidated balance sheets within other current assets, other assets, other current liabilities and other liabilities.
	-2	The Company enters into master netting agreements with its counterparties for transactions other than embedded derivatives to mitigate credit risk exposure to any single counterparty. Master netting agreements allow for individual derivative contracts with a single counterparty to offset in the event of default.
	The following table presents the fair value of derivative instruments recognized in the Company’s condensed consolidated balance sheets as of December 31, 2013 (in thousands):
			Gross		Gross			Net			Gross			Net
			amounts		amounts			amounts (1)			amounts
					offset in the						not offset
					balance						in the
					sheet						balance
											sheet (2)
	Assets:
	Designated as hedging instruments:
	Foreign currency forward contracts		$	2,102	$	—		$	2,102		$	(2,102	)	$	—
	Not designated as hedging instruments:
	Embedded derivatives			6,296		—			6,296			—			6,296
	Foreign currency forward and options contracts			177		—			177			(177	)		—
				6,473		—			6,473			(177	)		6,296
			$	8,575	$	—		$	8,575		$	(2,279	)	$	6,296
	Liabilities:
	Designated as hedging instruments:
	Foreign currency forward contracts		$	3,855	$	—		$	3,855		$	(2,102	)	$	1,753
	Not designated as hedging instruments:
	Embedded derivatives			115		—			115			—			115
	Economic hedges of embedded derivatives			1,315		—			1,315			—			1,315
	Foreign currency forward and options contracts			1,289		—			1,289			(177	)		1,112
				2,719		—			2,719			(177	)		2,542
			$	6,574	$	—		$	6,574		$	(2,279	)	$	4,295
	-1	As presented in the Company’s condensed consolidated balance sheets within other current assets, other assets, other current liabilities and other liabilities.
	-2	The Company enters into master netting agreements with its counterparties for transactions other than embedded derivatives to mitigate credit risk exposure to any single counterparty. Master netting agreements allow for individual derivative contracts with a single counterparty to offset in the event of default.

Fair_Value_Measurements_Tables

Fair Value Measurements (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
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 March 31, 2014 were as follows (in thousands):
			Fair value at		Fair value
			March 31,		measurement using
			2014		Level 1		Level 2
	Assets:
	Cash		$	232,835	$	232,835	$	—
	Money market and deposit accounts			256,740		256,740		—
	U.S. government securities			288,625		288,625		—
	U.S. government agency securities			85,946		—		85,946
	Corporate bonds			73,267		—		73,267
	Certificates of deposit			63,175		—		63,175
	Asset-backed securities			31,046		—		31,046
	Commercial paper			10,090		—		10,090
	Derivative instruments (1)			10,810		—		10,810
			$	1,052,534	$	778,200	$	274,334
	Liabilities:
	Derivative instruments (1)		$	5,909	$	—	$	5,909
	-1	Includes embedded derivatives, economic hedges of embedded derivatives and foreign currency forward and options 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)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
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
		March 31,
		2014		2013
	Revenues	$	2,121	$	8,476
	Costs and services		161		2,465
		As of March 31,
		2014		2013
	Accounts receivable	$	1,690	$	5,089
	Accounts payable		—		443

Leases_Tables

Leases (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
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
	2014 (nine months remaining)	$	34,702		$	35,388		$	70,090
	2015		52,139			55,148			107,287
	2016		52,817			59,627			112,444
	2017		54,025			59,576			113,601
	2018		55,722			62,377			118,099
	Thereafter		776,516			571,984			1,348,500
	Total minimum lease payments		1,025,921			844,100			1,870,021
	Plus amount representing residual property value		—			404,357			404,357
	Less estimated building costs		—			(32,566	)		(32,566	)
	Less amount representing interest		(542,895	)		(643,790	)		(1,186,685	)
	Present value of net minimum lease payments		483,026			572,101			1,055,127
	Less current portion		(9,108	)		(8,772	)		(17,880	)
		$	473,918		$	563,329		$	1,037,247

Debt_Facilities_Tables

Debt Facilities (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Convertible Debt	'
	The Company’s convertible debt consisted of the following (in thousands):
			March 31,			December 31,
			2014			2013
	3.00% Convertible Subordinated Notes		$	395,986		$	395,986
	4.75% Convertible Subordinated Notes			373,723			373,724
				769,709			769,710
	Less amount representing debt discount			(41,348	)		(45,508	)
			$	728,361		$	724,202
Summary of Maturities of Debt Facilities	'
	The following table sets forth maturities of the Company’s debt, including mortgage and loans payable, convertible debt and senior notes, as of March 31, 2014 (in thousands):
	Year ending:
	2014 (nine months remaining)		$	439,692
	2015			58,030
	2016(1)			435,662
	2017			35,695
	2018			9,447
	Thereafter			2,287,066
			$	3,265,592
	-1	Gross of $41,348 debt discount from the 4.75% Convertible Subordinated Notes.
Fair Value of Debt Facilities	'
	The following table sets forth the estimated fair values of the Company’s mortgage and loans payable, senior notes and convertible debt, including current maturities, as of (in thousands):
			March 31,			December 31,
			2014			2013
	Mortgage and loans payable		$	252,050		$	254,607
	Convertible debt			1,044,273			1,009,744
	Senior notes			2,375,625			2,302,290
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
			March 31,
			2014			2013
	Interest expense		$	68,820		$	60,331
	Interest capitalized			3,406			2,892
	Interest charges incurred		$	72,226		$	63,223
Mortgage and Loans Payable [Member]	'
Summary of Mortgage, Loans Payable and Senior Notes	'
	The Company’s mortgage and loans payable consisted of the following (in thousands):
			March 31,			December 31,
			2014			2013
	U.S. term loan		$	130,000		$	140,000
	ALOG financings			70,799			67,882
	Mortgage payable			43,202			43,497
	Other loans payable			1,882			1,829
				245,883			253,208
	Less current portion			(54,122	)		(53,508	)
			$	191,761		$	199,700
Senior Notes [Member]	'
Summary of Mortgage, Loans Payable and Senior Notes	'
	The Company’s senior notes consisted of the following as of (in thousands):
			March 31,			December 31,
			2014			2013
	5.375% senior notes due 2023		$	1,000,000		$	1,000,000
	7.00% senior notes due 2021			750,000			750,000
	4.875% senior notes due 2020			500,000			500,000
			$	2,250,000		$	2,250,000

Redeemable_NonControlling_Inte1

Redeemable Non-Controlling Interests (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
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, 2013	$	123,902
	Net loss attributable to redeemable non-controlling interests		(50	)
	Other comprehensive income attributable to redeemable non-controlling interests		2,067
	Impact of foreign currency exchange		1,040
	Balance as of March 31, 2014	$	126,959

Stockholders_Equity_Tables

Stockholders' Equity (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
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			March 31,
		2013						2014
	Foreign currency translation gain (loss)	$	(132,881	)	$	14,970		$	(117,911	)
	Unrealized gain (loss) on cash flow hedges		(1,750	)		200			(1,550	)
	Unrealized gain (loss) on available for sale securities		(257	)		839			582
	Other comprehensive loss (income) attributable to redeemable non-controlling interests		21,121			(2,067	)		19,054
		$	(113,767	)	$	13,942		$	(99,825	)
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
		March 31,
		2014			2013
	Cost of revenues	$	1,870		$	1,602
	Sales and marketing		7,000			5,721
	General and administrative		16,111			16,513
		$	24,981		$	23,836

Segment_Information_Tables

Segment Information (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Segment Reporting [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Adjusted EBITDA	'
	The Company defines adjusted EBITDA as income 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
		March 31,
		2014			2013
	Adjusted EBITDA:
	Americas	$	149,563		$	144,517
	EMEA		63,205			48,729
	Asia-Pacific		47,620			47,642
	Total adjusted EBITDA		260,388			240,888
	Depreciation, amortization and accretion expense		(113,610	)		(108,603	)
	Stock-based compensation expense		(24,981	)		(23,836	)
	Acquisitions costs		(185	)		(3,662	)
	Income from operations	$	121,612		$	104,787
Segment Disclosures	'
	The Company also provides the following additional segment disclosures (in thousands):
		Three months ended
		March 31,
		2014			2013
	Total revenues:
	Americas	$	330,033		$	305,792
	EMEA		151,430			119,969
	Asia-Pacific		98,590			90,373
		$	580,053		$	516,134
	Total depreciation and amortization:
	Americas	$	60,027		$	62,597
	EMEA		29,712			22,875
	Asia-Pacific		24,254			21,733
		$	113,993		$	107,205
	Capital expenditures:
	Americas	$	67,515		$	44,841
	EMEA		15,564			16,569
	Asia-Pacific		39,619			14,257
		$	122,698		$	75,667
Long-Lived Assets	'
	The Company’s long-lived assets are located in the following geographic areas as of (in thousands):
		March 31,			December 31,
		2014			2013
	Americas	$	2,679,496		$	2,549,863
	EMEA		1,174,049			1,188,559
	Asia-Pacific		912,752			853,228
		$	4,766,297		$	4,591,650
Revenue Information by Category	'
	Revenue information by category is as follows (in thousands):
		Three months ended
		March 31,
		2014			2013
	Colocation	$	434,623		$	394,831
	Interconnection		87,026			75,991
	Managed infrastructure		25,384			23,120
	Rental		2,670			580
	Recurring revenues		549,703			494,522
	Non-recurring revenues		30,350			21,612
		$	580,053		$	516,134

Basis_of_Presentation_and_Sign2

Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'	'
Effective income tax rate, continuing operations	24.70%	25.60%
Benefits from employee equity award activity in adjustment to additional paid in capital	$9,477,000	'

Earnings_Per_Share_Computation

Earnings Per Share - Computation of Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Share (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'	'
Net income	$41,337	$33,284
Net (income) loss attributable to redeemable non-controlling interests	50	-441
Net income attributable to Equinix, basic	41,387	32,843
Interest expense, net of tax	1,984	1,851
Net income attributable to Equinix, diluted	$43,371	$34,694
Weighted-average shares used to compute basic EPS	49,598	49,029
Convertible debt	3,371	3,613
Employee equity awards	417	838
Weighted-average shares used to compute diluted EPS	53,386	53,480
Basic EPS	$0.83	$0.67
Diluted EPS	$0.81	$0.65

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
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
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	4,769	4,545
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	4,432
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	337	113

Earnings_Per_Share_Antidilutiv1

Earnings Per Share - Anti-dilutive Potential Shares of Common Stock Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share (Parenthetical) (Detail) (4.75% Convertible Subordinated Notes [Member])	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Jun. 30, 2009
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%	4.75%

Balance_Sheet_Components_Cash_

Balance Sheet Components - Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term and Long-Term Investments (Detail) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Investment Holdings [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Cash	$232,835	$186,007	'	'
Money market funds	256,740	74,787	'	'
Commercial paper	5,599	1,100	'	'
Total cash and cash equivalents	495,174	261,894	685,019	252,213
Total marketable securities	546,550	768,198	'	'
Total cash, cash equivalents and short-term and long-term investments	1,041,724	1,030,092	'	'
U.S. government securities [Member]	'	'	'	'
Investment Holdings [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Total marketable securities	288,625	305,021	'	'
U.S. government agency securities [Member]	'	'	'	'
Investment Holdings [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Total marketable securities	85,946	125,917	'	'
Corporate bonds [Member]	'	'	'	'
Investment Holdings [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Total marketable securities	73,267	190,177	'	'
Certificates of deposit [Member]	'	'	'	'
Investment Holdings [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Total marketable securities	63,175	76,152	'	'
Asset-backed securities [Member]	'	'	'	'
Investment Holdings [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Total marketable securities	31,046	68,938	'	'
Commercial paper [Member]	'	'	'	'
Investment Holdings [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Total marketable securities	$4,491	$1,993	'	'

Balance_Sheet_Components_Summa

Balance Sheet Components - Summary of Cost and Estimated Fair Value of Marketable Securities (Detail) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Investments Debt And Equity Securities [Abstract]	'	'
Amortized Cost, Due within one year	$322,207	$369,698
Amortized Cost, Due after one year through three years	224,019	398,200
Amortized Cost	546,226	767,898
Fair Value, Due within one year	322,374	369,808
Fair Value, Due after one year through three years	224,176	398,390
Fair Value	$546,550	$768,198

Balance_Sheet_Components_Summa1

Balance Sheet Components - Summary of Fair Value and Gross Unrealized Gains and Losses on Available-for-Sale Securities (Detail) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Amortized cost	$546,226	$767,898
Gross unrealized gains	350	379
Gross unrealized losses	-26	-79
Fair Value	546,550	768,198
U.S. government securities [Member]	'	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Amortized cost	288,433	304,897
Gross unrealized gains	192	131
Gross unrealized losses	'	-7
Fair Value	288,625	305,021
U.S. government agency securities [Member]	'	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Amortized cost	85,905	125,904
Gross unrealized gains	55	35
Gross unrealized losses	-14	-22
Fair Value	85,946	125,917
Corporate bonds [Member]	'	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Amortized cost	73,210	190,068
Gross unrealized gains	68	149
Gross unrealized losses	-11	-40
Fair Value	73,267	190,177
Certificates of deposit [Member]	'	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Amortized cost	63,175	76,126
Gross unrealized gains	'	27
Gross unrealized losses	'	-1
Fair Value	63,175	76,152
Asset-backed securities [Member]	'	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Amortized cost	31,012	68,914
Gross unrealized gains	35	33
Gross unrealized losses	-1	-9
Fair Value	31,046	68,938
Commercial paper [Member]	'	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Amortized cost	4,491	1,989
Gross unrealized gains	'	4
Gross unrealized losses	'	'
Fair Value	$4,491	$1,993

Balance_Sheet_Components_Addit

Balance Sheet Components - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013
	Security
Balance Sheet Related Disclosures [Abstract]	'	'	'
Number of securities	27	'	'
Available-for-sale securities in continuous unrealized loss position, aggregate cost basis	$49,473,000	'	'
Aggregate capital leased assets, gross	508,434,000	'	428,974,000
Accumulated depreciation	60,130,000	'	56,041,000
Amortization expense	$6,905,000	$6,759,000	'
Non-cancelable operating lease agreements expiring year	'2043	'	'

Balance_Sheet_Components_Summa2

Balance Sheet Components - Summary of Fair Value and Gross Unrealized Loss Position Related to Available-for-Sale Securities (Detail) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014
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	$48,247
Available-for-sale securities, continuous unrealized loss position, securities in a loss position for less than 12 months, Gross unrealized losses	-26
U.S. government agency 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	18,247
Available-for-sale securities, continuous unrealized loss position, securities in a loss position for less than 12 months, Gross unrealized losses	-14
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	15,028
Available-for-sale securities, continuous unrealized loss position, securities in a loss position for less than 12 months, Gross unrealized losses	'
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	9,453
Available-for-sale securities, continuous unrealized loss position, securities in a loss position for less than 12 months, Gross unrealized losses	-11
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	5,519
Available-for-sale securities, continuous unrealized loss position, securities in a loss position for less than 12 months, Gross unrealized losses	($1)

Balance_Sheet_Components_Accou

Balance Sheet Components - Accounts Receivables, Net (Detail) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Receivables [Abstract]	'	'
Accounts receivable	$356,162	$323,822
Unearned revenue	-135,269	-132,342
Allowance for doubtful accounts	-7,333	-6,640
Accounts receivable, net	$213,560	$184,840

Balance_Sheet_Components_Other

Balance Sheet Components - Other Current Assets (Detail) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Deferred Costs Capitalized Prepaid And Other Assets Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'
Prepaid expenses	$23,300	$26,578
Taxes receivable	10,301	21,584
Deferred tax assets, net	7,442	7,442
Other receivables	2,142	4,181
Derivative instruments	7,132	4,457
Restricted cash, current	3,287	3,210
Other current assets	1,306	4,666
Other current assets, total	$54,910	$72,118

Balance_Sheet_Components_Prope

Balance Sheet Components - Property, Plant and Equipment, Net (Detail) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'
Property, plant and equipment, gross	$6,897,117	$6,614,130
Less accumulated depreciation	-2,130,820	-2,022,480
Property, plant and equipment, net	4,766,297	4,591,650
International Business Exchange (IBX) plant and machinery [Member]	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'
Property, plant and equipment, gross	2,707,353	2,640,907
Leasehold improvements [Member]	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'
Property, plant and equipment, gross	1,069,414	1,039,847
Buildings [Member]	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'
Property, plant and equipment, gross	1,968,182	1,862,562
IBX equipment [Member]	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'
Property, plant and equipment, gross	530,232	490,677
Computer equipment and software [Member]	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'
Property, plant and equipment, gross	205,615	189,714
Land [Member]	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'
Property, plant and equipment, gross	122,079	122,035
Furniture and fixtures [Member]	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'
Property, plant and equipment, gross	24,658	24,134
Construction in progress [Member]	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'
Property, plant and equipment, gross	$269,584	$244,254

Balance_Sheet_Components_Goodw

Balance Sheet Components - Goodwill and Intangible Assets (Detail) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Goodwill And Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Goodwill	$1,047,578	$1,042,153
Intangible assets, gross	276,653	276,741
Accumulated amortization	-99,739	-92,559
Intangible assets, net	176,914	184,182
Customer contracts [Member]	'	'
Goodwill And Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Intangible assets, gross	233,353	233,038
Favorable leases [Member]	'	'
Goodwill And Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Intangible assets, gross	24,683	25,147
Licenses [Member]	'	'
Goodwill And Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Intangible assets, gross	9,697	9,697
Others [Member]	'	'
Goodwill And Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Intangible assets, gross	8,920	8,859
Reportable Geographical Components [Member] | Americas [Member]	'	'
Goodwill And Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Goodwill	474,914	471,845
Reportable Geographical Components [Member] | EMEA [Member]	'	'
Goodwill And Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Goodwill	437,386	435,041
Reportable Geographical Components [Member] | Asia-Pacific [Member]	'	'
Goodwill And Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Goodwill	$135,278	$135,267

Balance_Sheet_Components_Estim

Balance Sheet Components - Estimated Future Amortization Expense Related to Intangible Assets (Detail) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Goodwill And Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'
2014 (nine months remaining)	$22,135	'
2015	29,108	'
2016	28,638	'
2017	27,095	'
2018	24,008	'
Thereafter	45,930	'
Intangible assets, net	$176,914	$184,182

Balance_Sheet_Components_Other1

Balance Sheet Components - Other Assets (Detail) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Deferred Costs Capitalized Prepaid And Other Assets Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'
Deferred tax assets, net	$277,026	$229,975
Prepaid expenses, non-current	60,233	61,039
Debt issuance costs, net	39,634	41,847
Deposits	25,597	25,543
Restricted cash, non-current	16,203	16,178
Derivative instruments	3,678	4,118
Other assets, non-current	7,244	8,624
Other assets	$429,615	$387,324

Balance_Sheet_Components_Accou1

Balance Sheet Components - Accounts Payable and Accrued Expenses (Detail) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Payables And Accruals [Abstract]	'	'
Accounts payable	$34,363	$30,291
Accrued compensation and benefits	72,391	92,106
Accrued interest	64,382	48,310
Accrued taxes	57,725	32,047
Accrued utilities and security	30,226	31,314
Accrued professional fees	11,951	9,753
Accrued repairs and maintenance	4,798	3,557
Accrued other	17,459	15,845
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	$293,295	$263,223

Balance_Sheet_Components_Other2

Balance Sheet Components - Other Current Liabilities (Detail) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Other Liabilities Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'
Deferred tax liabilities, net	$72,004	$72,004
Deferred installation revenue	45,661	43,145
Customer deposits	15,428	15,174
Derivative instruments	5,865	6,515
Deferred recurring revenue	5,559	5,007
Deferred rent	2,645	3,865
Asset retirement obligations	1,306	1,290
Other current liabilities	875	958
Other current liabilities, total	$149,343	$147,958

Balance_Sheet_Components_Other3

Balance Sheet Components - Other Liabilities (Detail) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Other Liabilities Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'
Asset retirement obligations, non-current	$58,892	$58,258
Deferred tax liabilities, net	69,835	69,812
Deferred installation revenue, non-current	64,315	60,947
Deferred rent, non-current	41,399	37,955
Accrued taxes, non-current	28,344	27,052
Customer deposits, non-current	4,945	5,005
Deferred recurring revenue, non-current	2,048	2,082
Other liabilities	14,330	13,844
Other liabilities noncurrent	$284,108	$274,955

Derivatives_and_Hedging_Activi2

Derivatives and Hedging Activities - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
	Cash flow hedge instruments [Member]	Cash flow hedge instruments [Member]	Not designated as hedging instruments [Member]	Not designated as hedging instruments [Member]
	Derivative	Derivative		Embedded derivatives [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Number of cash flow hedge instruments	102	69	'	'
Derivative instrument maturity range, minimum	'2014-04	'2014-01	'	'
Derivative instrument maturity range, maximum	'2015-01	'2015-01	'	'
Net gain on embedded derivatives	'	'	'	$2,453,000
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.B 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 embedded derivatives (beconomic hedges of embedded derivativesb). Foreign Currency Forward and Options Contracts. The Company also uses foreign currency forward and options 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 - Summary of Cash Flow Hedge Instruments (Detail) (Cash flow hedge instruments [Member], USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]	'	'
Notional amount, Derivative assets	$139,544	$127,968
Notional amount, Derivative liabilities	213,175	200,686
Notional amount, Total	352,719	328,654
Fair value, Derivative assets	1,981	2,102
Fair value, Derivative liabilities	-3,532	-3,855
Fair value, Total	-1,551	-1,753
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) [Member]	'	'
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]	'	'
Fair value, Derivative assets	1,979	2,107
Fair value, Derivative liabilities	-3,529	-3,857
Fair value, Total	($1,550)	($1,750)

Derivatives_and_Hedging_Activi4

Derivatives and Hedging Activities - Summary of Cash Flow Hedge Instruments (Parenthetical) (Detail) (Cash flow hedge instruments [Member], USD $)	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
	Derivative	Derivative
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]	'	'
Fair value, Derivative assets	$1,981	$2,102
Fair value, Derivative liabilities	3,532	3,855
Number of cash flow hedge instruments	102	69
Derivative instrument maturity range, minimum	'2014-04	'2014-01
Derivative instrument maturity range, maximum	'2015-01	'2015-01
Other current assets [Member]	'	'
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]	'	'
Fair value, Derivative assets	1,981	2,099
Other assets [Member]	'	'
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]	'	'
Fair value, Derivative assets	'	3
Other current liabilities [Member]	'	'
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]	'	'
Fair value, Derivative liabilities	3,532	3,818
Other liabilities [Member]	'	'
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]	'	'
Fair value, Derivative liabilities	'	$37

Derivatives_and_Hedging_Activi5

Derivatives and Hedging Activities - Schedule of Fair Value of Derivative Instruments Recognized in Consolidated Balance Sheets (Detail) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Derivative [Line Items]	'	'
Fair value of derivative assets, Gross amounts	$10,810	$8,575
Fair value of derivative assets, Gross amounts offset in the balance sheet	'	'
Fair value of derivative assets, Net amounts	10,810	8,575
Fair value of derivative assets, Gross amounts not offset in the balance sheet	-4,503	-2,279
Fair value of derivative assets, Net	6,307	6,296
Fair value of derivative liabilities, Gross amounts	5,909	6,574
Fair value of derivative liabilities, Gross amounts offset in the balance sheet	'	'
Fair value of derivative liabilities, Net amounts	5,909	6,574
Fair value of derivative liabilities, Gross amounts not offset in the balance sheet	-4,503	-2,279
Fair value of derivative liabilities, Net	1,406	4,295
Designated as hedging instruments [Member] | Foreign currency forward contracts [Member]	'	'
Derivative [Line Items]	'	'
Fair value of derivative assets, Gross amounts	1,981	2,102
Fair value of derivative assets, Gross amounts offset in the balance sheet	'	'
Fair value of derivative assets, Net amounts	1,981	2,102
Fair value of derivative assets, Gross amounts not offset in the balance sheet	-1,955	-2,102
Fair value of derivative assets, Net	26	'
Fair value of derivative liabilities, Gross amounts	3,532	3,855
Fair value of derivative liabilities, Gross amounts offset in the balance sheet	'	'
Fair value of derivative liabilities, Net amounts	3,532	3,855
Fair value of derivative liabilities, Gross amounts not offset in the balance sheet	-1,955	-2,102
Fair value of derivative liabilities, Net	1,577	1,753
Not designated as hedging instruments [Member]	'	'
Derivative [Line Items]	'	'
Fair value of derivative assets, Gross amounts	8,829	6,473
Fair value of derivative assets, Gross amounts offset in the balance sheet	'	'
Fair value of derivative assets, Net amounts	8,829	6,473
Fair value of derivative assets, Gross amounts not offset in the balance sheet	-1,648	-177
Fair value of derivative assets, Net	7,181	6,296
Fair value of derivative liabilities, Gross amounts	2,377	2,719
Fair value of derivative liabilities, Gross amounts offset in the balance sheet	'	'
Fair value of derivative liabilities, Net amounts	2,377	2,719
Fair value of derivative liabilities, Gross amounts not offset in the balance sheet	-1,648	-177
Fair value of derivative liabilities, Net	729	2,542
Not designated as hedging instruments [Member] | Embedded derivatives [Member]	'	'
Derivative [Line Items]	'	'
Fair value of derivative assets, Gross amounts	5,251	6,296
Fair value of derivative assets, Gross amounts offset in the balance sheet	'	'
Fair value of derivative assets, Net amounts	5,251	6,296
Fair value of derivative assets, Gross amounts not offset in the balance sheet	'	'
Fair value of derivative assets, Net	5,251	6,296
Fair value of derivative liabilities, Gross amounts	213	115
Fair value of derivative liabilities, Gross amounts offset in the balance sheet	'	'
Fair value of derivative liabilities, Net amounts	213	115
Fair value of derivative liabilities, Gross amounts not offset in the balance sheet	'	'
Fair value of derivative liabilities, Net	213	115
Not designated as hedging instruments [Member] | Economic hedges of embedded derivatives [Member]	'	'
Derivative [Line Items]	'	'
Fair value of derivative assets, Gross amounts	518	'
Fair value of derivative assets, Gross amounts offset in the balance sheet	'	'
Fair value of derivative assets, Net amounts	518	'
Fair value of derivative assets, Gross amounts not offset in the balance sheet	'	'
Fair value of derivative assets, Net	518	'
Fair value of derivative liabilities, Gross amounts	170	1,315
Fair value of derivative liabilities, Gross amounts offset in the balance sheet	'	'
Fair value of derivative liabilities, Net amounts	170	1,315
Fair value of derivative liabilities, Gross amounts not offset in the balance sheet	'	'
Fair value of derivative liabilities, Net	170	1,315
Not designated as hedging instruments [Member] | Foreign currency forward and options contracts [Member]	'	'
Derivative [Line Items]	'	'
Fair value of derivative assets, Gross amounts	3,060	177
Fair value of derivative assets, Gross amounts offset in the balance sheet	'	'
Fair value of derivative assets, Net amounts	3,060	177
Fair value of derivative assets, Gross amounts not offset in the balance sheet	-1,648	-177
Fair value of derivative assets, Net	1,412	'
Fair value of derivative liabilities, Gross amounts	1,994	1,289
Fair value of derivative liabilities, Gross amounts offset in the balance sheet	'	'
Fair value of derivative liabilities, Net amounts	1,994	1,289
Fair value of derivative liabilities, Gross amounts not offset in the balance sheet	-1,648	-177
Fair value of derivative liabilities, Net	346	1,112
Additional netting benefit [Member]	'	'
Derivative [Line Items]	'	'
Fair value of derivative assets, Gross amounts	'	'
Fair value of derivative assets, Gross amounts offset in the balance sheet	'	'
Fair value of derivative assets, Net amounts	'	'
Fair value of derivative assets, Gross amounts not offset in the balance sheet	-900	'
Fair value of derivative assets, Net	-900	'
Fair value of derivative liabilities, Gross amounts	'	'
Fair value of derivative liabilities, Gross amounts offset in the balance sheet	'	'
Fair value of derivative liabilities, Net amounts	'	'
Fair value of derivative liabilities, Gross amounts not offset in the balance sheet	-900	'
Fair value of derivative liabilities, Net	($900)	'

Fair_Value_Measurements_Financ

Fair Value Measurements - Financial Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on Recurring Basis (Detail) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Derivative assets	$10,810	$8,575
Derivative liabilities	5,909	6,574
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Derivative assets	10,810	'
Total financial assets	1,052,534	'
Derivative liabilities	5,909	'
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Level 1 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Derivative assets	'	'
Total financial assets	778,200	'
Derivative liabilities	'	'
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Level 2 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Derivative assets	10,810	'
Total financial assets	274,334	'
Derivative liabilities	5,909	'
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Cash [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	232,835	'
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Cash [Member] | Level 1 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	232,835	'
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Cash [Member] | Level 2 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	'	'
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Money market and deposit accounts [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Financial assets	256,740	'
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Money market and deposit accounts [Member] | Level 1 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Financial assets	256,740	'
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Money market and deposit accounts [Member] | Level 2 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Financial assets	'	'
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	288,625	'
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | U.S. government securities [Member] | Level 1 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Financial assets	288,625	'
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | U.S. government securities [Member] | Level 2 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Financial assets	'	'
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | U.S. government agency securities [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	85,946	'
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | U.S. government agency securities [Member] | Level 1 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	'	'
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | U.S. government agency securities [Member] | Level 2 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	85,946	'
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Corporate bonds [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Financial assets	73,267	'
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Corporate bonds [Member] | Level 1 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Financial assets	'	'
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Corporate bonds [Member] | Level 2 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Financial assets	73,267	'
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Certificates of deposit [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Financial assets	63,175	'
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Certificates of deposit [Member] | Level 1 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Financial assets	'	'
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Certificates of deposit [Member] | Level 2 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Financial assets	63,175	'
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Asset-backed securities [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Financial assets	31,046	'
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Asset-backed securities [Member] | Level 1 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Financial assets	'	'
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Asset-backed securities [Member] | Level 2 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Financial assets	31,046	'
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Commercial paper [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Financial assets	10,090	'
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Commercial paper [Member] | Level 1 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Financial assets	'	'
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Commercial paper [Member] | Level 2 [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Financial assets	$10,090	'

Related_Party_Transactions_Act

Related Party Transactions - Activity of Related Party Transactions (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Related Party Transactions [Abstract]	'	'
Revenues	$2,121	$8,476
Costs and services	161	2,465
Accounts receivable	1,690	5,089
Accounts payable	'	$443

Related_Party_Transactions_Add

Related Party Transactions - Additional Information (Detail) (Related Party Transactions [Member], USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014
Related Party Transactions [Member]	'
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]	'
Other financing obligation liability	$3,807,000

Leases_Additional_Information_

Leases - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Dallas IBX financing [Member]	'
Operating Leased Assets [Line Items]	'
Expiration date of lease	1-Dec-29
Financing obligation liability	$13,908,000
Silicon Valley 2 Capital Lease [Member]	'
Operating Leased Assets [Line Items]	'
Capital lease asset	81,542,000
Capital lease liability	$82,000,000
Expiration date of lease	1-Sep-29

Leases_Summary_of_Capital_Leas

Leases - Summary of Capital Lease and Other Financing Obligations (Detail) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Schedule Of Capitalized Lease [Line Items]	'	'
Current portion of capital lease and other financing obligations	($17,880)	($17,214)
Capital lease and other financing obligations, less current portion	1,037,247	914,032
Capital lease obligations [Member]	'	'
Schedule Of Capitalized Lease [Line Items]	'	'
2014 (nine months remaining)	34,702	'
2015	52,139	'
2016	52,817	'
2017	54,025	'
2018	55,722	'
Thereafter	776,516	'
Total minimum lease payments	1,025,921	'
Less amount representing interest	-542,895	'
Present value of net minimum lease payments	483,026	'
Current portion of capital lease and other financing obligations	-9,108	'
Capital lease and other financing obligations, less current portion	473,918	'
Other financing obligations [Member]	'	'
Schedule Of Capitalized Lease [Line Items]	'	'
2014 (nine months remaining)	35,388	'
2015	55,148	'
2016	59,627	'
2017	59,576	'
2018	62,377	'
Thereafter	571,984	'
Total minimum lease payments	844,100	'
Plus amount representing residual property value	404,357	'
Less estimated building costs	-32,566	'
Less amount representing interest	-643,790	'
Present value of net minimum lease payments	572,101	'
Current portion of capital lease and other financing obligations	-8,772	'
Capital lease and other financing obligations, less current portion	563,329	'
Capital Lease and Other Financing Obligations Total [Member]	'	'
Schedule Of Capitalized Lease [Line Items]	'	'
2014 (nine months remaining)	70,090	'
2015	107,287	'
2016	112,444	'
2017	113,601	'
2018	118,099	'
Thereafter	1,348,500	'
Total minimum lease payments	1,870,021	'
Plus amount representing residual property value	404,357	'
Less estimated building costs	-32,566	'
Less amount representing interest	-1,186,685	'
Present value of net minimum lease payments	1,055,127	'
Current portion of capital lease and other financing obligations	-17,880	'
Capital lease and other financing obligations, less current portion	$1,037,247	'

Debt_Facilities_Summary_of_Mor

Debt Facilities - Summary of Mortgage, Loans Payable and Senior Notes (Detail) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Loans payable	$245,883	$253,208
Less current portion	-54,122	-53,508
Loans payable, less current portion	191,761	199,700
U.S. term loan [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Loans payable	130,000	140,000
ALOG financings [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Loans payable	70,799	67,882
Mortgage payable [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Loans payable	43,202	43,497
Other loans payable [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Loans payable	$1,882	$1,829

Debt_Facilities_Convertible_De

Debt Facilities - Convertible Debt (Detail) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2007	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Jun. 30, 2009
			3.00% Convertible Subordinated Notes [Member]	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]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Debt Instrument, Face Amount	$769,709,000	$769,710,000	$395,986,000	$395,986,000	$395,986,000	$373,723,000	$373,724,000	$373,750,000
Less amount representing debt discount	-41,348,000	-45,508,000	'	'	'	-41,348	'	'
Convertible subordinated debt, Total	$728,361,000	$724,202,000	'	'	'	'	'	'

Debt_Facilities_Convertible_De1

Debt Facilities - Convertible Debt (Parenthetical) (Detail)	Mar. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2007	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	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]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Convertible debt interest rate	3.00%	3.00%	4.75%	4.75%	4.75%

Debt_Facilities_Additional_Inf

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

1 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2009

Mar. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2007

Mar. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Sep. 30, 2007

Sep. 30, 2007

Mar. 31, 2014

Jun. 30, 2009

Dec. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

Jun. 30, 2009

Jun. 30, 2009

3.00% Convertible Subordinated Notes [Member]

3.00% Convertible Subordinated Notes [Member]

3.00% Convertible Subordinated Notes [Member]

3.00% Convertible Subordinated Notes [Member]

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]

4.75% Convertible Subordinated Notes [Member]

4.75% Convertible Subordinated Notes [Member]

4.75% Convertible Subordinated Notes [Member]

4.75% Convertible Subordinated Notes [Member]

Minimum [Member]

Maximum [Member]

Initial Conversion Rate [Member]

Condition One [Member]

Condition Two [Member]

Minimum [Member]

Initial Conversion Rate [Member]

D

Debt Instrument [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Convertible Subordinated Notes aggregate principal amount

'

$769,709,000

$769,710,000

$395,986,000

$395,986,000

$395,986,000

'

'

'

$373,723,000

$373,750,000

$373,724,000

'

'

'

'

'

Convertible debt interest rate

'

'

'

3.00%

3.00%

'

'

'

'

4.75%

4.75%

'

4.75%

'

'

'

'

Debt instrument maturity date

'

'

'

'

15-Oct-14

'

'

'

'

15-Jun-16

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Conversion numerator

'

'

'

'

'

'

4.4616

11.8976

7.436

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

11.8599

Conversion denominator

'

'

'

$1,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

$1,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

Conversion price per share

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$84.05

$134.48

'

'

'

'

$109.62

'

$84.32

'

Convertible subordinated notes, converted number of common stock

'

'

'

4,711,283

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Subordinated Notes converted into common stock

'

'

'

'

3,375,463

'

'

'

'

4,432,328

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

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

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Debt_Facilities_Summary_of_Sen

Debt Facilities - Summary of Senior Notes (Detail) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Senior notes	$2,250,000	$2,250,000
5.375% senior notes due 2023 [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Senior notes	1,000,000	1,000,000
7.00% senior notes due 2021 [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Senior notes	750,000	750,000
4.875% senior notes due 2020 [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Senior notes	$500,000	$500,000

Debt_Facilities_Summary_of_Sen1

Debt Facilities - Summary of Senior Notes (Parenthetical) (Detail)	Mar. 31, 2014
5.375% senior notes due 2023 [Member]	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'
Senior notes stated percentage	5.38%
7.00% senior notes due 2021 [Member]	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'
Senior notes stated percentage	7.00%
4.875% senior notes due 2020 [Member]	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'
Senior notes stated percentage	4.88%

Debt_Facilities_Summary_of_Mat

Debt Facilities - Summary of Maturities of Debt Facilities (Detail) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]	'
2014 (nine months remaining)	$439,692
2015	58,030
2016	435,662
2017	35,695
2018	9,447
Thereafter	2,287,066
Total long term debt	$3,265,592

Debt_Facilities_Summary_of_Mat1

Debt Facilities - Summary of Maturities of Debt Facilities (Parenthetical) (Detail) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Gross amount representing debt discount	$41,348,000	$45,508,000
4.75% Convertible Subordinated Notes [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Gross amount representing debt discount	$41,348	'

Debt_Facilities_Fair_Value_of_

Debt Facilities - Fair Value of Debt Facilities (Detail) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'
Mortgage and loans payable	$252,050	$254,607
Convertible debt	1,044,273	1,009,744
Senior notes	$2,375,625	$2,302,290

Debt_Facilities_Interest_Charg

Debt Facilities - Interest Charges (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'
Interest expense	$68,820	$60,331
Interest capitalized	3,406	2,892
Interest charges incurred	$72,226	$63,223

Redeemable_NonControlling_Inte2

Redeemable Non-Controlling Interests - Activities of Company's Redeemable Non-Controlling Interests (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Noncontrolling Interest [Abstract]	'	'
Balance as of December 31, 2013	$123,902	'
Net loss attributable to redeemable non-controlling interests	-50	441
Other comprehensive income attributable to redeemable non-controlling interests	2,067	769
Impact of foreign currency exchange	1,040	'
Balance as of March 31, 2014	$126,959	'

Commitments_and_Contingencies_

Commitments and Contingencies - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014
Capital expenditures [Member]	'
Other Commitments [Line Items]	'
Purchase commitments	$240,091,000
Miscellaneous purchase commitments [Member]	'
Other Commitments [Line Items]	'
Purchase commitments	$209,075,000

Stockholders_Equity_Components

Stockholders' Equity - Components of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]	'
Balance as of December 31, 2013	($113,767)
Net change	13,942
Balance as of March 31, 2014	-99,825
Foreign currency translation gain (loss) [Member]	'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]	'
Balance as of December 31, 2013	-132,881
Net change	14,970
Balance as of March 31, 2014	-117,911
Unrealized gain (loss) on cash flow hedges [Member]	'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]	'
Balance as of December 31, 2013	-1,750
Net change	200
Balance as of March 31, 2014	-1,550
Unrealized gain (loss) on available for sale securities [Member]	'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]	'
Balance as of December 31, 2013	-257
Net change	839
Balance as of March 31, 2014	582
Other comprehensive loss (income) attributable to redeemable non-controlling interests [Member]	'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]	'
Balance as of December 31, 2013	21,121
Net change	-2,067
Balance as of March 31, 2014	$19,054

Stockholders_Equity_Additional

Stockholders' Equity - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014
		2013 Share Repurchase Program [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'
Number of common stock shares repurchased during the period	'	266,585
Average price	'	$176.75
Total consideration for common stock repurchase	'	$47,120,000
Unused balance under share repurchase program	'	$404,081,000
Stock, shares issued	613,560	'
Equity awards subject to vesting provisions, weighted-average grant date fair value	$179.18	'
Equity awards subject to vesting provisions, weighted-average requisite service period, in years	'3 years 4 months 2 days	'

Stockholders_Equity_StockBased

Stockholders' Equity - Stock-Based Compensation Expense Recognized in Company's Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]	'	'
Stock-based compensation expense	$24,981	$23,836
Cost of revenues [Member]	'	'
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]	'	'
Stock-based compensation expense	1,870	1,602
Sales and marketing [Member]	'	'
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]	'	'
Stock-based compensation expense	7,000	5,721
General and administrative [Member]	'	'
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]	'	'
Stock-based compensation expense	$16,111	$16,513

Segment_Information_Additional

Segment Information - Additional Information (Detail)	3 Months Ended				12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
	Segment	Revenue [Member]	Revenue [Member]	Accounts receivable [Member]	Accounts receivable [Member]
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 months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013. No single customer accounted for 10% or greater of the Company's gross accounts receivable as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013.	'	'	'	'
Concentration risk, customer	'	10.00%	10.00%	10.00%	10.00%

Segment_Information_Schedule_o

Segment Information - Schedule of Adjusted EBITDA (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'
Total adjusted EBITDA	$260,388	$240,888
Depreciation, amortization and accretion expense	-113,610	-108,603
Stock-based compensation expense	-24,981	-23,836
Acquisitions costs	-185	-3,662
Income from operations	121,612	104,787
Americas [Member]	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'
Total adjusted EBITDA	149,563	144,517
EMEA [Member]	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'
Total adjusted EBITDA	63,205	48,729
Asia-Pacific [Member]	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'
Total adjusted EBITDA	$47,620	$47,642

Segment_Information_Segment_Di

Segment Information - Segment Disclosures (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'
Total revenues	$580,053	$516,134
Total depreciation and amortization	113,993	107,205
Capital expenditures	122,698	75,667
Americas [Member]	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'
Total revenues	330,033	305,792
Total depreciation and amortization	60,027	62,597
Capital expenditures	67,515	44,841
EMEA [Member]	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'
Total revenues	151,430	119,969
Total depreciation and amortization	29,712	22,875
Capital expenditures	15,564	16,569
Asia-Pacific [Member]	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'
Total revenues	98,590	90,373
Total depreciation and amortization	24,254	21,733
Capital expenditures	$39,619	$14,257

Segment_Information_LongLived_

Segment Information - Long-Lived Assets (Detail) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Company's long-lived assets	$4,766,297	$4,591,650
Americas [Member]	'	'
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Company's long-lived assets	2,679,496	2,549,863
EMEA [Member]	'	'
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Company's long-lived assets	1,174,049	1,188,559
Asia-Pacific [Member]	'	'
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Company's long-lived assets	$912,752	$853,228

Segment_Information_Revenue_In

Segment Information - Revenue Information by Category (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]	'	'
Revenue	$580,053	$516,134
Recurring Revenues [Member]	'	'
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]	'	'
Revenue	549,703	494,522
Recurring Revenues [Member] | Colocation [Member]	'	'
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]	'	'
Revenue	434,623	394,831
Recurring Revenues [Member] | Interconnection [Member]	'	'
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]	'	'
Revenue	87,026	75,991
Recurring Revenues [Member] | Managed infrastructure services [Member]	'	'
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]	'	'
Revenue	25,384	23,120
Recurring Revenues [Member] | Rental [Member]	'	'
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]	'	'
Revenue	2,670	580
Non-recurring Revenues [Member]	'	'
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]	'	'
Revenue	$30,350	$21,612

Subsequent_Events_Additional_I

Subsequent Events - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)

3 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Apr. 30, 2011

Mar. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Jun. 30, 2009

31-May-14

Jun. 30, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

2-May-14

Apr. 30, 2014

Apr. 30, 2014

1-May-14

4.75% Convertible Subordinated Notes [Member]

4.75% Convertible Subordinated Notes [Member]

4.75% Convertible Subordinated Notes [Member]

Forecast [Member]

Forecast [Member]

2013 Share Repurchase Program [Member]

Subsequent Event [Member]

Subsequent Event [Member]

Subsequent Event [Member]

Subsequent Event [Member]

4.75% Convertible Subordinated Notes [Member]

4.75% Convertible Subordinated Notes [Member]

Plan [Member]

Plan [Member]

2013 Share Repurchase Program [Member]

Chicago 2 Lease [Member]

Subsequent Event [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Number of common stock shares repurchased during the period

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

266,585

'

'

'

186,503

Average price

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$176.75

'

'

'

$175.95

Total consideration for common stock repurchase

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$47,120,000

'

'

'

$32,815,000

Convertible Subordinated Notes principal amount

769,709,000

'

769,710,000

'

373,723,000

373,724,000

373,750,000

'

'

'

170,137,000

'

'

'

Convertible Subordinated Notes common stock

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

2,017,806

'

'

'

Cash payment

10,317,000

14,052,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

17,636,000

'

'

'

Loss on debt extinguishment

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

-38,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

Convertible Subordinated Notes interest rate

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

4.75%

'

'

'

Lease expiration period

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

30-Sep-29

'

Total cumulative rent

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$100,000,000

'

Percentage of ownership

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

10.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

Equity interest percentage

'

'

'

90.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

100.00%

'

'