Equinix (EQIX) 10-Q 1 May 15 2015 Q1 Quarterly report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Document And Entity Information [Abstract]
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	FALSE
Document Period End Date	31-Mar-15
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2015
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1
Trading Symbol	EQIX
Entity Registrant Name	EQUINIX INC
Entity Central Index Key	1101239
Current Fiscal Year End Date	-19
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	56,922,122

Condensed_Consolidated_Balance

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$536,709	$610,917
Short-term investments	522,343	529,395
Accounts receivable, net	277,900	262,570
Other current assets	102,592	88,061
Total current assets	1,439,544	1,490,943
Long-term investments	10,691	439
Property, plant and equipment	4,990,883	4,998,270
Goodwill	984,436	1,002,129
Intangible assets, net	136,010	147,527
Other assets	166,130	178,125
Total assets	7,727,694	7,817,433
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	321,942	285,796
Accrued property, plant and equipment	123,659	114,469
Current portion of capital lease and other financing obligations	23,819	21,362
Current portion of mortgage and loans payable	54,939	59,466
Other current liabilities	141,996	162,664
Total current liabilities	666,355	643,757
Capital lease and other financing obligations, less current portion	1,177,638	1,168,042
Mortgage and loans payable, less current portion	512,446	534,686
Convertible debt	147,808	145,853
Senior notes	2,750,000	2,750,000
Other liabilities	311,718	304,964
Total liabilities	5,565,965	5,547,302
Commitments and contingencies (Note 8)
Stockholders' equity:
Common stock	57	57
Additional paid-in capital	3,383,079	3,334,305
Treasury stock	-10,687	-11,411
Accumulated dividends	-523,146	-424,387
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	-468,036	-332,443
Accumulated deficit	-219,538	-295,990
Total stockholders' equity	2,161,729	2,270,131
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$7,727,694	$7,817,433

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Income Statement [Abstract]
Revenues	$643,174	$580,053
Costs and operating expenses:
Cost of revenues	298,313	287,525
Sales and marketing	78,616	67,428
General and administrative	113,640	103,303
Acquisition costs	1,156	185
Total costs and operating expenses	491,725	458,441
Income from operations	151,449	121,612
Interest income	520	1,434
Interest expense	-68,791	-68,820
Other income (expense)	-514	678
Income from operations before income taxes	82,664	54,904
Income tax expense	-6,212	-13,567
Net income	76,452	41,337
Net loss attributable to redeemable non-controlling interests		50
Net income attributable to Equinix	$76,452	$41,387
Earnings per share ("EPS") attributable to Equinix:
Basic EPS	$1.35	$0.83
Weighted-average shares	56,661	49,598
Diluted EPS	$1.34	$0.81
Weighted-average shares	57,227	53,386

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme1

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income	$76,452	$41,337
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
Foreign currency translation gain (loss)	-146,311	14,970
Unrealized gain on available for sale securities	103	839
Unrealized gain on cash flow hedges	10,556	200
Change in defined benefit plans	59
Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	-135,593	16,009
Comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	-59,141	57,346
Net loss attributable to redeemable non-controlling interests		50
Other comprehensive income attributable to redeemable non-controlling interests		-2,067
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Equinix	($59,141)	$55,329

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme2

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	$76,452	$41,337
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation	115,341	107,023
Stock-based compensation	30,613	24,981
Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation	-708	-10,018
Amortization of intangible assets	6,295	6,905
Amortization of debt issuance costs and debt discounts	3,774	6,409
Provision for allowance for doubtful accounts	1,865	1,055
Other items	3,899	3,919
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable	-30,791	-28,995
Income taxes, net	-12,555	-15,749
Other assets	720	18,292
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	29,693	8,830
Other liabilities	8,213	7,729
Net cash provided by operating activities	232,811	171,718
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchases of investments	-18,446	-93,423
Sales of investments	6,709	212,299
Maturities of investments	7,031	102,778
Business acquisitions, net of cash acquired	-10,247
Purchase of real estate	-38,282	-16,791
Purchases of other property, plant and equipment	-150,120	-105,907
Change in restricted cash	3,521	-71
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	-199,834	98,885
Cash flows from financing activities:
Purchases of treasury stock		-47,120
Proceeds from employee equity awards	16,384	14,387
Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation	708	10,018
Payment of dividends	-96,619
Repayment of capital lease and other financing obligations	-5,296	-4,250
Repayment of mortgage and loans payable	-13,361	-10,317
Debt issuance costs	-610
Net cash used in financing activities	-98,794	-37,282
Effect of foreign currency exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents	-8,391	-41
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	-74,208	233,280
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	610,917	261,894
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$536,709	$495,174

Basis_of_Presentation_and_Sign

Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
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, 2014 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 March 2, 2015. 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 has elected to be treated as a real estate investment trust (“REIT”) for federal income tax purposes effective January 1, 2015. As a result, the Company may deduct the distributions made to its shareholders from taxable income generated by its Qualified REIT Subsidiaries (“QRSs”). The Company’s dividends paid deduction generally eliminates the taxable income of the QRSs, resulting in no income tax due. However, the Taxable REIT Subsidiaries (“TRSs”) will continue to be subject to income taxes on any taxable income generated by them. In addition, the foreign operations of the Company will continue to be subject to local income taxes regardless of whether the foreign operations are operated as a QRS or a TRS.
	The Company provides for income taxes during interim periods based on the estimated effective tax rate for the year. The effective tax rate is subject to change in the future due to various factors such as the operating performances of the QRSs and TRSs, tax law changes and future business acquisitions.
	The Company’s effective tax rates were 7.5% and 24.7% for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. The decrease in the effective tax rate is primarily due to our REIT conversion. As a REIT, the Company is entitled to a deduction for dividends paid, resulting in a substantial reduction of federal income tax expense.
	Recent Accounting Pronouncements
	In April 2015, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2015-03, Interest – Imputation of Interest (“ASU 2015-03”), to simplify the presentation of debt issuance costs. The ASU requires debt issuance costs to be presented in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of the debt liability, consistent with debt discounts or premiums. The recognition and measurement guidance for debt issuance costs is not affected by this ASU. This ASU is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2015, and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016, with early adoption permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact that the adoption of this standard will have on its consolidated financial statements.
	In February 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-02, Consolidations (“ASU 2015-02”). This ASU requires companies to adopt a new consolidation model, specifically: (1) the ASU modifies the evaluation of whether limited partnerships and similar legal entities are variable interest entities (VIEs) or voting interest entities; (2) the ASU eliminates the presumption that a general partner should consolidate limited partnership; (3) the ASU affects the consolidation analysis of reporting entities that involved with VIEs and (4) the ASU provides a scope exception from consolidation guidance for reporting entities with interests in legal entities that are required to comply with or operate in accordance with requirements that are similar Rule 2a-7 of the Investment Company Act of 1940 for registered money market funds. This ASU is effective for fiscal years, and for interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2015, with early adoption permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact that the adoption of this standard will have on its consolidated financial statements.
	In January 2015, FASB issued ASU 2015-01, Income Statement—Extraordinary and Unusual Items (“ASU 2015-01”), to simplify the income statement presentation requirements by eliminating the concept of extraordinary items. ASU 2015-01 is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2015, with early adoption permitted provided that the guidance is applied from the beginning of the fiscal year of adoption. The Company does not believe the adoption of ASU 2015-01 will have a significant impact on its consolidated financial statements.
	In August 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-15, Disclosure of Uncertainties about an Entity’s Ability to Continue as a Going Concern (“ASU 2014-15”), to provide guidance on management’s responsibility in evaluating whether there is substantial doubt about a company’s ability to continue as a going concern and to provide related footnote disclosures. ASU 2014-15 is effective for annual periods ending after December 15, 2016, and interim periods within annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016, with early adoption permitted. The Company does not believe the adoption of ASU 2014-15 will have a significant impact on its consolidated financial statements.
	In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (“ASU 2014-09”). This ASU requires companies to recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which companies expect to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. This ASU will replace most existing revenue recognition guidance in GAAP when it becomes effective. This ASU is effective for fiscal years and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2016. Early adoption is not permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact that the adoption of this standard will have on its consolidated financial statements.

Earnings_Per_Share

Earnings Per Share	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
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,
		2015		2014
	Net income	$	76,452	$	41,337
	Net loss attributable to redeemable non-controlling interests		—		50
	Net income attributable to Equinix, basic		76,452		41,387
	Effect of assumed conversion of convertible debt:
	Interest expense, net of tax		—		1,984
	Net income attributable to Equinix, diluted	$	76,452	$	43,371
	Weighted-average shares used to calculate basic EPS		56,661		49,598
	Effect of dilutive securities:
	Convertible debt		—		3,371
	Employee equity awards		566		417
	Total dilutive potential shares		566		3,788
	Weighted-average shares used to calculate diluted EPS		57,227		53,386
	EPS attributable to Equinix:
	Basic EPS	$	1.35	$	0.83
	Diluted EPS	$	1.34	$	0.81
	The following table sets forth weighted-average outstanding potential shares of common stock that are not included in the diluted EPS calculation above because to do so would be anti-dilutive for the periods indicated (in thousands):
		Three months ended March 31,
		2015		2014
	Shares related to the potential conversion of 4.75% convertible subordinated notes		1,942		4,432
	Common stock related to employee equity awards		211		337
			2,153		4,769

Acquisition

Acquisition	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Business Combinations [Abstract]
Acquisition	3. Acquisition
	On January 14, 2015, the Company acquired all of the issued and outstanding share capital of Nimbo Technologies Inc. (“Nimbo”), a company which specializes in migrating business applications to the cloud with extensive experience moving legacy applications into a hybrid cloud architecture, and connecting legacy data centers to the cloud, for a cash payment of $10,000,000 and a contingent earn-out arrangement to be paid over two years (the “Nimbo Acquisition”). Nimbo continues to operate under the Nimbo name. The Nimbo Acquisition was accounted for using the acquisition method. As a result of the Nimbo Acquisition, the Company recorded goodwill of $17,154,000, which represents the excess of the total purchase price over the fair value of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed. The Company recorded the contingent earn-out arrangement at its estimated fair value. The results of operations for Nimbo are not significant to the Company; therefore, the Company does not present its purchase price allocation or pro forma combined results of operations. In addition, any prospective changes in the Company’s earn-out estimates are not expected to have a material effect on the Company’s consolidated statement of operations.

Derivatives_and_Hedging_Activi

Derivatives and Hedging Activities	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
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.
	Effective January 1, 2015, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company entered into intercompany derivative hedging instruments (“intercompany derivatives”) with the Company. The Company offsets the exposure arising from these intercompany derivative contracts on a net basis through derivative contracts entered into with unrelated third parties in order to designate the intercompany derivative instruments as hedging instruments. The Company, who is the counterparty to the intercompany derivatives, does not designate the instruments as hedging instruments. The fair values of these intercompany derivatives are eliminated in consolidation. The contracts that are entered into with the unrelated third parties are included as derivatives not designated as hedging instruments.
	As of March 31, 2015, the Company’s cash flow hedges mature within one month to nine months, as follows (in thousands):
			Notional		Fair Value (1)		Accumulated
			Amount				other
							comprehensive
							income (loss) (2)
	Derivative assets		$	206,955	$	21,059	$	21,123
	Derivative liabilities			—		—		—
			$	206,955	$	21,059	$	21,123
	-1	All derivative assets related to cash flow hedges are included in the condensed consolidated balance sheets within other current assets.
	-2	Included in the condensed consolidated balance sheets within accumulated other comprehensive income (loss).
	As of December 31, 2014, the Company’s cash flow hedges mature within one month to one year as follows (in thousands):
			Notional		Fair Value (1)		Accumulated
			Amount				other
							comprehensive
							income (loss) (2)
	Derivative assets		$	281,055	$	8,404	$	8,480
	Derivative liabilities			—		—		—
			$	281,055	$	8,404	$	8,480
	-1	All derivative assets related to cash flow hedges are included in the condensed consolidated balance sheets within other current assets.
	-2	Included in the condensed consolidated balance sheets within accumulated other comprehensive income (loss).
	During the three months ended March 31, 2015, there were no ineffective cash flow hedges. During the three months ended March 31, 2015, the amount of gains reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) to revenue were $8,078,000 and the amount of losses reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) to operating expenses were not significant. 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.
	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, 2015 and 2014, gains (losses) from these embedded derivatives were not significant.
	Economic Hedges of Embedded Derivatives. The Company uses foreign currency forward contracts to manage the foreign exchange risk associated with the Company’s 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, 2015 and 2014. During the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, gains (losses) from these contracts were not significant.
	Foreign Currency Forward and Option 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, 2015 and 2014. The Company recorded a gain of $10,257,000 from these contracts during the three months ended March 31, 2015. Gains (losses) from these contracts were not significant during the three months ended March 31, 2014.
	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, 2015 (in thousands):
			Gross		Gross		Net amounts (1)		Gross			Net
			Amounts		amounts				amounts not
					offset in the				offset in the
					balance				balance
					sheet				sheet (2)
	Assets:
	Designated as hedging instruments:
	Foreign currency forward contracts		$	21,059	$	—	$	21,059	$	—		$	21,059
	Not designated as hedging instruments:
	Embedded derivatives			9,661		—		9,661		—			9,661
	Economic hedges of embedded derivatives			702		—		702		—			702
	Foreign currency forward contracts			7,313		—		7,313		(907	)		6,406
				17,676		—		17,676		(907	)		16,769
	Additional netting benefit			—		—		—		(27	)		(27	)
			$	38,735	$	—	$	38,735	$	(934	)	$	37,801
	Liabilities:
	Designated as hedging instruments:
	Foreign currency forward contracts		$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—		$	—
	Not designated as hedging instruments:
	Embedded derivatives			18		—		18		—			18
	Economic hedges of embedded derivatives			27		—		27		—			27
	Foreign currency forward contracts			907		—		907		(907	)		—
				952		—		952		(907	)		45
	Additional netting benefit			—		—		—		(27	)		(27	)
			$	952	$	—	$	952	$	(934	)	$	18
	-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, 2014 (in thousands):
			Gross		Gross		Net balance		Gross			Net
			Amounts		amounts		sheet		amounts not
					offset in the		amounts (1)		offset in the
					balance				balance
					sheet				sheet (2)
Assets:
Designated as hedging instruments:
Foreign currency forward contracts		$	8,404	$	—	$	8,404	$	—		$	8,404
Not designated as hedging instruments:
Embedded derivatives			9,182		—		9,182		—			9,182
Foreign currency forward and option contracts			5,153		—		5,153		(138	)		5,015
			14,335		—		14,335		(138	)		14,197
Additional netting benefit			—		—		—		(508	)		(508	)
		$	22,739	$	—	$	22,739	$	(646	)	$	22,093
Liabilities:
Designated as hedging instruments:
Foreign currency forward contracts		$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—		$	—
Not designated as hedging instruments:
Embedded derivatives			4		—		4		—			4
Economic hedges of embedded derivatives			390		—		390		—			390
Foreign currency forward and option contracts			416		—		416		(138	)		278
			810		—		810		(138	)		672
Additional netting benefit			—		—		—		(508	)		(508	)
		$	810	$	—	$	810	$	(646	)	$	164
-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, 2015
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, 2015 were as follows (in thousands):
			Fair value at		Fair value
			March 31,		measurement using
			2015		Level 1		Level 2
	Assets:
	Cash		$	312,264	$	312,264	$	—
	Money market and deposit accounts			221,311		221,311		—
	U.S. government securities			336,402		336,402		—
	U.S. government agency securities			185,941		—		185,941
	Certificates of deposit			13,825		—		13,825
	Derivative instruments (1)			38,735		—		38,735
			$	1,108,478	$	869,977	$	238,501
	Liabilities:
	Derivative instruments (1)		$	952	$	—	$	952
			$	952	$	—	$	952
	-1	Includes both foreign currency embedded derivatives and foreign currency forward contracts. Amounts are included within other current assets, other assets, other current liabilities and other liabilities in the Company’s accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheet.

Leases

Leases	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Leases [Abstract]
Leases	6. Leases
	Capital Lease and Other Financing Obligations
	Atlanta 2 Capital Lease
	In January 2015, the Company entered into a lease amendment to extend the lease term of the Company’s Atlanta 2 IBX data center (the “AT2 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 AT2 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 Company recorded a capital lease asset totaling approximately $25,960,000 and a capital lease liability totaling approximately $26,230,000 during the three months ended March 31, 2015. The lease term, including a renewal option, was extended to December 2024.
	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
	2015 (9 months remaining)	$	49,180		$	40,458		$	89,638
	2016		66,065			56,313			122,378
	2017		67,662			59,454			127,116
	2018		69,678			60,895			130,573
	2019		71,556			59,023			130,579
	Thereafter		851,824			564,939			1,416,763
	Total minimum lease payments		1,175,965			841,082			2,017,047
	Plus amount representing residual property value		—			405,850			405,850
	Less estimated building costs		—			(10,533	)		(10,533	)
	Less amount representing interest		(566,152	)		(644,755	)		(1,210,907	)
	Present value of net minimum lease payments		609,813			591,644			1,201,457
	Less current portion		(16,029	)		(7,790	)		(23,819	)
		$	593,784		$	583,854		$	1,177,638

Debt_Facilities

Debt Facilities	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Debt Facilities	7. Debt Facilities
	Mortgage and Loans Payable
	The Company’s mortgage and loans payable consisted of the following (in thousands):
		March 31,			December 31,
		2015			2014
	Term loan	$	490,000		$	500,000
	ALOG financings		46,108			56,863
	Mortgage payable and other loans payable		30,753			36,608
			566,861			593,471
	Less amount representing debt discount		(1,487	)		(1,600	)
	Plus amount representing mortgage premium		2,011			2,281
			567,385			594,152
	Less current portion		(54,939	)		(59,466	)
		$	512,446		$	534,686
	Convertible Debt
	The Company’s convertible debt consisted of the following (in thousands):
		March 31,			December 31,
		2015			2014
	4.75% convertible subordinated notes		157,885			157,885
	Less amount representing debt discount		(10,077	)		(12,032	)
		$	147,808		$	145,853
	Holders of the 4.75% convertible subordinated notes were eligible to convert their notes during the quarter ended March 31, 2015 and are eligible to convert their notes during the three months ending June 30, 2015, since the stock price condition conversion clause was met during the applicable periods. As of March 31, 2015, 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 1,952,280 shares of the Company’s common stock.
	To minimize the impact of potential dilution upon conversion of the 4.75% convertible subordinated notes, the Company entered into capped call transactions (“the Capped Call”) separate from the issuance of the 4.75% convertible subordinated notes and paid a premium of $49,664,000 for the Capped Call in 2009. The Capped Call covers a total of approximately 4,432,638 shares of the Company’s common stock, subject to adjustment. Under the Capped Call, the Company effectively raised the conversion price of the 4.75% convertible subordinated notes from $84.32 to $114.82.
	Pursuant to the declaration of the quarterly dividend in March 2015, the Company further amended the Capped Call agreement to adjust the effective conversion price of the 4.75% convertible subordinated notes from $80.87 to $110.04 per share of common stock. Depending upon the Company’s stock price at the time the 4.75% convertible subordinated notes are redeemed, the settlement of the Capped Call will result in a delivery of up to 1,225,002 shares of the Company’s common stock to the Company; however, the Company will receive no benefit from the Capped Call if the Company’s stock price is $80.87 or lower at the time of conversion and will receive less shares than the 1,225,002 share maximum as described above for share prices in excess of $110.04 at the time of conversion than it would have received at a share price of $110.04 (the Company’s benefit from the Capped Call is capped at $110.04 and the benefit received begins to decrease above this price).
	Senior Notes
	The Company’s senior notes consisted of the following as of (in thousands):
		March 31,			December 31,
		2015			2014
	5.375% Senior Notes due 2023	$	1,000,000		$	1,000,000
	5.375% Senior Notes due 2022		750,000			750,000
	4.875% Senior Notes due 2020		500,000			500,000
	5.75% Senior Notes due 2025		500,000			500,000
		$	2,750,000		$	2,750,000
	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 and excluding debt discounts and premium as of March 31, 2015 (in thousands):
	Year ending:
	2015 (9 months remaining)	$	43,660
	2016		215,449
	2017		51,600
	2018		47,209
	2019		341,303
	Thereafter		2,777,536
		$	3,476,757
	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,
		2015			2014
	Mortgage and loans payable	$	537,216		$	553,045
	Convertible debt		159,979			162,159
	Senior notes		2,890,118			2,790,023
	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,
		2015			2014
	Interest expense	$	68,791		$	68,820
	Interest capitalized		3,203			3,406
	Interest charges incurred	$	71,994		$	72,226

Commitments_and_Contingencies

Commitments and Contingencies	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Commitments and Contingencies	8. Commitments and Contingencies
	Purchase Commitments
	Primarily as a result of the Company’s various IBX expansion projects, as of March 31, 2015, the Company was contractually committed for $214,271,000 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, 2015, such as commitments to purchase power in select locations through the remainder of 2015 and thereafter, and other open purchase orders for goods or services to be delivered or provided during the remainder of 2015 and thereafter. Such other miscellaneous purchase commitments totaled $339,159,000 as of March 31, 2015.

Stockholders_Equity

Stockholders' Equity	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Equity [Abstract]
Stockholders' Equity	9. 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,
		2014						2015
	Foreign currency translation loss	$	(336,946	)	$	(146,311	)	$	(483,257	)
	Unrealized gain on cash flow hedges		6,603			10,556			17,159
	Unrealized gain (loss) on available for sale securities		(99	)		103			4
	Change in defined benefit plans		(2,001	)		59			(1,942	)
		$	(332,443	)	$	(135,593	)	$	(468,036	)
	Changes in foreign currencies can have a significant impact to the Company’s condensed 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, 2015, the U.S. dollar was generally stronger relative to certain currencies of the foreign countries in which the Company operates. This overall strength of the U.S. dollar had an overall negative impact on the Company’s consolidated financial position because the foreign denominations translated into less U.S. dollars as evidenced by an increase in the foreign currency translation loss for the three months ended March 31, 2015 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.
	Dividends
	On February 19, 2015, the Company announced a quarterly cash dividend of $1.69 per share, with a record date of March 11, 2015 and a payment date of March 25, 2015. The Company paid a total of $96,196,000 on March 25, 2015 for the first quarter cash dividend. In addition, the Company accrued an additional $2,630,000 in dividends payable for the restricted stock units that have not yet vested.
	Stock-Based Compensation
	In February 2015, the Compensation Committee and the Stock Award Committee of the Company’s Board of Directors approved the issuance of an aggregate of 586,646 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 $222.40 and a weighted-average requisite service period of 3.44 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. In connection with the Company’s REIT conversion, the Company used revenue and adjusted funds from operations (“AFFO”) as the performance measurements in the restricted stock units with both service and performance conditions that were granted in February 2015, whereby revenue and adjusted EBITDA were used as the performance measurements in prior years’ grants.
	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, 2015 compared to the three months ended March 31, 2014.
	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,
		2015			2014
	Cost of revenues	$	2,306		$	1,870
	Sales and marketing		8,711			7,000
	General and administrative		19,596			16,111
		$	30,613		$	24,981

Segment_Information

Segment Information	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Segment Information	10. 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,
			2015			2014
	Adjusted EBITDA:
	Americas		$	172,734		$	149,563
	EMEA			76,031			63,205
	Asia-Pacific			56,983			47,620
	Total adjusted EBITDA			305,748			260,388
	Depreciation, amortization and accretion expense			(122,530	)		(113,610	)
	Stock-based compensation expense			(30,613	)		(24,981	)
	Acquisition costs			(1,156	)		(185	)
	Income from operations		$	151,449		$	121,612
	The Company also provides the following additional segment disclosures (in thousands):
			Three months ended
			March 31,
			2015			2014
	Total revenues:
	Americas		$	363,969		$	330,033
	EMEA			164,623			151,430
	Asia-Pacific			114,582			98,590
			$	643,174		$	580,053
	Total depreciation and amortization:
	Americas		$	66,727		$	60,027
	EMEA			26,507			29,712
	Asia-Pacific			28,402			24,254
			$	121,636		$	113,993
	Capital expenditures:
	Americas		$	131,255	(1)(2)	$	67,515
	EMEA			27,556			15,564
	Asia-Pacific			39,838			39,619
			$	198,649		$	122,698
	-1	Includes the purchase price for the business acquisitions, net of cash acquired, which totaled $10,247.
	-2	Includes the purchase price for the San Jose land purchase, which totaled $38,282.
	The Company’s long-lived assets are located in the following geographic areas as of (in thousands):
			March 31,			December 31,
			2015			2014
	Americas		$	2,940,658		$	2,874,562
	EMEA			1,065,135			1,135,319
	Asia-Pacific			985,090			988,389
			$	4,990,883		$	4,998,270
	Revenue information by category is as follows (in thousands):
			Three months ended
			March 31,
			2015			2014
	Colocation		$	481,545		$	434,623
	Interconnection			101,658			87,026
	Managed infrastructure			23,855			25,384
	Rental			2,599			2,670
	Recurring revenues			609,657			549,703
	Non-recurring revenues			33,517			30,350
			$	643,174		$	580,053
	No single customer accounted for 10% or greater of the Company’s revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014. No single customer accounted for 10% or greater of the Company’s gross accounts receivable as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014.

Subsequent_Events

Subsequent Events	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Subsequent Events [Abstract]
Subsequent Events	11. Subsequent Events
	On April 30, 2015, the Company, as borrower, and certain subsidiaries as guarantors entered into an amendment (the “Amendment”) of its Credit Agreement dated December 17, 2014 (the “Original Credit Agreement” and, as amended, the “Amended Credit Agreement”). The Original Credit Agreement provided for a senior credit facility of $1,500,000,000, comprised of (i) a $1,000,000,000 senior secured multi-currency revolving credit facility and (ii) a $500,000,000 senior secured term loan facility (the “Term Loan Facility”). The Amendment facilitated the conversion of the outstanding U.S. Dollar-denominated principal amount of the Term Loan Facility to an approximately equivalent amount denominated in four foreign currencies: Euro, British pounds Swiss francs and Japanese yen (the “Foreign Currencies”). In connection with the execution of the Amendment, on April 30, 2015, Equinix prepaid the US dollar-denominated $490,000,000 principal balance of the Term Loan Facility and immediately re-borrowed under the Term Loan Facility approximately the same aggregate amount denominated in the Foreign Currencies.

Basis_of_Presentation_and_Sign1

Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Basis of Presentation	Basis of Presentation
	The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared by Equinix, Inc. (‘‘Equinix’’ or the ‘‘Company’’) and reflect all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring adjustments, which in the opinion of management are necessary to fairly state the financial position and the results of operations for the interim periods presented. The condensed consolidated balance sheet data as of December 31, 2014 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 March 2, 2015. 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 has elected to be treated as a real estate investment trust (“REIT”) for federal income tax purposes effective January 1, 2015. As a result, the Company may deduct the distributions made to its shareholders from taxable income generated by its Qualified REIT Subsidiaries (“QRSs”). The Company’s dividends paid deduction generally eliminates the taxable income of the QRSs, resulting in no income tax due. However, the Taxable REIT Subsidiaries (“TRSs”) will continue to be subject to income taxes on any taxable income generated by them. In addition, the foreign operations of the Company will continue to be subject to local income taxes regardless of whether the foreign operations are operated as a QRS or a TRS.
	The Company provides for income taxes during interim periods based on the estimated effective tax rate for the year. The effective tax rate is subject to change in the future due to various factors such as the operating performances of the QRSs and TRSs, tax law changes and future business acquisitions.
	The Company’s effective tax rates were 7.5% and 24.7% for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. The decrease in the effective tax rate is primarily due to our REIT conversion. As a REIT, the Company is entitled to a deduction for dividends paid, resulting in a substantial reduction of federal income tax expense.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements	Recent Accounting Pronouncements
	In April 2015, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2015-03, Interest – Imputation of Interest (“ASU 2015-03”), to simplify the presentation of debt issuance costs. The ASU requires debt issuance costs to be presented in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of the debt liability, consistent with debt discounts or premiums. The recognition and measurement guidance for debt issuance costs is not affected by this ASU. This ASU is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2015, and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016, with early adoption permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact that the adoption of this standard will have on its consolidated financial statements.
	In February 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-02, Consolidations (“ASU 2015-02”). This ASU requires companies to adopt a new consolidation model, specifically: (1) the ASU modifies the evaluation of whether limited partnerships and similar legal entities are variable interest entities (VIEs) or voting interest entities; (2) the ASU eliminates the presumption that a general partner should consolidate limited partnership; (3) the ASU affects the consolidation analysis of reporting entities that involved with VIEs and (4) the ASU provides a scope exception from consolidation guidance for reporting entities with interests in legal entities that are required to comply with or operate in accordance with requirements that are similar Rule 2a-7 of the Investment Company Act of 1940 for registered money market funds. This ASU is effective for fiscal years, and for interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2015, with early adoption permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact that the adoption of this standard will have on its consolidated financial statements.
	In January 2015, FASB issued ASU 2015-01, Income Statement—Extraordinary and Unusual Items (“ASU 2015-01”), to simplify the income statement presentation requirements by eliminating the concept of extraordinary items. ASU 2015-01 is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2015, with early adoption permitted provided that the guidance is applied from the beginning of the fiscal year of adoption. The Company does not believe the adoption of ASU 2015-01 will have a significant impact on its consolidated financial statements.
	In August 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-15, Disclosure of Uncertainties about an Entity’s Ability to Continue as a Going Concern (“ASU 2014-15”), to provide guidance on management’s responsibility in evaluating whether there is substantial doubt about a company’s ability to continue as a going concern and to provide related footnote disclosures. ASU 2014-15 is effective for annual periods ending after December 15, 2016, and interim periods within annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016, with early adoption permitted. The Company does not believe the adoption of ASU 2014-15 will have a significant impact on its consolidated financial statements.
	In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (“ASU 2014-09”). This ASU requires companies to recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which companies expect to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. This ASU will replace most existing revenue recognition guidance in GAAP when it becomes effective. This ASU is effective for fiscal years and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2016. Early adoption is not permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact that the adoption of this standard will have on its consolidated financial statements.
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, 2015 and 2014, gains (losses) from these embedded derivatives were not significant.
	Economic Hedges of Embedded Derivatives. The Company uses foreign currency forward contracts to manage the foreign exchange risk associated with the Company’s 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, 2015 and 2014. During the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, gains (losses) from these contracts were not significant.
	Foreign Currency Forward and Option 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, 2015 and 2014. The Company recorded a gain of $10,257,000 from these contracts during the three months ended March 31, 2015. Gains (losses) from these contracts were not significant during the three months ended March 31, 2014.
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, 2015
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,
		2015		2014
	Net income	$	76,452	$	41,337
	Net loss attributable to redeemable non-controlling interests		—		50
	Net income attributable to Equinix, basic		76,452		41,387
	Effect of assumed conversion of convertible debt:
	Interest expense, net of tax		—		1,984
	Net income attributable to Equinix, diluted	$	76,452	$	43,371
	Weighted-average shares used to calculate basic EPS		56,661		49,598
	Effect of dilutive securities:
	Convertible debt		—		3,371
	Employee equity awards		566		417
	Total dilutive potential shares		566		3,788
	Weighted-average shares used to calculate diluted EPS		57,227		53,386
	EPS attributable to Equinix:
	Basic EPS	$	1.35	$	0.83
	Diluted EPS	$	1.34	$	0.81
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 EPS calculation above because to do so would be anti-dilutive for the periods indicated (in thousands):
		Three months ended March 31,
		2015		2014
	Shares related to the potential conversion of 4.75% convertible subordinated notes		1,942		4,432
	Common stock related to employee equity awards		211		337
			2,153		4,769

Derivatives_and_Hedging_Activi1

Derivatives and Hedging Activities (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]
Summary of Cash Flow Hedges	As of March 31, 2015, the Company’s cash flow hedges mature within one month to nine months, as follows (in thousands):
			Notional		Fair Value (1)		Accumulated
			Amount				other
							comprehensive
							income (loss) (2)
	Derivative assets		$	206,955	$	21,059	$	21,123
	Derivative liabilities			—		—		—
			$	206,955	$	21,059	$	21,123
	-1	All derivative assets related to cash flow hedges are included in the condensed consolidated balance sheets within other current assets.
	-2	Included in the condensed consolidated balance sheets within accumulated other comprehensive income (loss).
	As of December 31, 2014, the Company’s cash flow hedges mature within one month to one year as follows (in thousands):
			Notional		Fair Value (1)		Accumulated
			Amount				other
							comprehensive
							income (loss) (2)
	Derivative assets		$	281,055	$	8,404	$	8,480
	Derivative liabilities			—		—		—
			$	281,055	$	8,404	$	8,480
	-1	All derivative assets related to cash flow hedges are included in the condensed consolidated balance sheets within other current assets.
	-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, 2015 (in thousands):
			Gross		Gross		Net amounts (1)		Gross			Net
			Amounts		amounts				amounts not
					offset in the				offset in the
					balance				balance
					sheet				sheet (2)
	Assets:
	Designated as hedging instruments:
	Foreign currency forward contracts		$	21,059	$	—	$	21,059	$	—		$	21,059
	Not designated as hedging instruments:
	Embedded derivatives			9,661		—		9,661		—			9,661
	Economic hedges of embedded derivatives			702		—		702		—			702
	Foreign currency forward contracts			7,313		—		7,313		(907	)		6,406
				17,676		—		17,676		(907	)		16,769
	Additional netting benefit			—		—		—		(27	)		(27	)
			$	38,735	$	—	$	38,735	$	(934	)	$	37,801
	Liabilities:
	Designated as hedging instruments:
	Foreign currency forward contracts		$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—		$	—
	Not designated as hedging instruments:
	Embedded derivatives			18		—		18		—			18
	Economic hedges of embedded derivatives			27		—		27		—			27
	Foreign currency forward contracts			907		—		907		(907	)		—
				952		—		952		(907	)		45
	Additional netting benefit			—		—		—		(27	)		(27	)
			$	952	$	—	$	952	$	(934	)	$	18
	-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, 2014 (in thousands):
			Gross		Gross		Net balance		Gross			Net
			Amounts		amounts		sheet		amounts not
					offset in the		amounts (1)		offset in the
					balance				balance
					sheet				sheet (2)
	Assets:
	Designated as hedging instruments:
	Foreign currency forward contracts		$	8,404	$	—	$	8,404	$	—		$	8,404
	Not designated as hedging instruments:
	Embedded derivatives			9,182		—		9,182		—			9,182
	Foreign currency forward and option contracts			5,153		—		5,153		(138	)		5,015
				14,335		—		14,335		(138	)		14,197
	Additional netting benefit			—		—		—		(508	)		(508	)
			$	22,739	$	—	$	22,739	$	(646	)	$	22,093
	Liabilities:
	Designated as hedging instruments:
	Foreign currency forward contracts		$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—		$	—
	Not designated as hedging instruments:
	Embedded derivatives			4		—		4		—			4
	Economic hedges of embedded derivatives			390		—		390		—			390
	Foreign currency forward and option contracts			416		—		416		(138	)		278
				810		—		810		(138	)		672
	Additional netting benefit			—		—		—		(508	)		(508	)
			$	810	$	—	$	810	$	(646	)	$	164
	-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, 2015
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, 2015 were as follows (in thousands):
			Fair value at		Fair value
			March 31,		measurement using
			2015		Level 1		Level 2
	Assets:
	Cash		$	312,264	$	312,264	$	—
	Money market and deposit accounts			221,311		221,311		—
	U.S. government securities			336,402		336,402		—
	U.S. government agency securities			185,941		—		185,941
	Certificates of deposit			13,825		—		13,825
	Derivative instruments (1)			38,735		—		38,735
			$	1,108,478	$	869,977	$	238,501
	Liabilities:
	Derivative instruments (1)		$	952	$	—	$	952
			$	952	$	—	$	952
	-1	Includes both foreign currency embedded derivatives and foreign currency forward contracts. Amounts are included within other current assets, other assets, other current liabilities and other liabilities in the Company’s accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheet.

Leases_Tables

Leases (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
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
	2015 (9 months remaining)	$	49,180		$	40,458		$	89,638
	2016		66,065			56,313			122,378
	2017		67,662			59,454			127,116
	2018		69,678			60,895			130,573
	2019		71,556			59,023			130,579
	Thereafter		851,824			564,939			1,416,763
	Total minimum lease payments		1,175,965			841,082			2,017,047
	Plus amount representing residual property value		—			405,850			405,850
	Less estimated building costs		—			(10,533	)		(10,533	)
	Less amount representing interest		(566,152	)		(644,755	)		(1,210,907	)
	Present value of net minimum lease payments		609,813			591,644			1,201,457
	Less current portion		(16,029	)		(7,790	)		(23,819	)
		$	593,784		$	583,854		$	1,177,638

Debt_Facilities_Tables

Debt Facilities (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Convertible Debt	The Company’s convertible debt consisted of the following (in thousands):
		March 31,			December 31,
		2015			2014
	4.75% convertible subordinated notes		157,885			157,885
	Less amount representing debt discount		(10,077	)		(12,032	)
		$	147,808		$	145,853
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 and excluding debt discounts and premium as of March 31, 2015 (in thousands):
	Year ending:
	2015 (9 months remaining)	$	43,660
	2016		215,449
	2017		51,600
	2018		47,209
	2019		341,303
	Thereafter		2,777,536
		$	3,476,757
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,
		2015			2014
	Mortgage and loans payable	$	537,216		$	553,045
	Convertible debt		159,979			162,159
	Senior notes		2,890,118			2,790,023
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,
		2015			2014
	Interest expense	$	68,791		$	68,820
	Interest capitalized		3,203			3,406
	Interest charges incurred	$	71,994		$	72,226
Senior Notes [Member]
Summary of Loans Payable and Senior Notes	The Company’s senior notes consisted of the following as of (in thousands):
		March 31,			December 31,
		2015			2014
	5.375% Senior Notes due 2023	$	1,000,000		$	1,000,000
	5.375% Senior Notes due 2022		750,000			750,000
	4.875% Senior Notes due 2020		500,000			500,000
	5.75% Senior Notes due 2025		500,000			500,000
		$	2,750,000		$	2,750,000
Loans Payable [Member]
Summary of Loans Payable and Senior Notes	The Company’s mortgage and loans payable consisted of the following (in thousands):
		March 31,			December 31,
		2015			2014
	Term loan	$	490,000		$	500,000
	ALOG financings		46,108			56,863
	Mortgage payable and other loans payable		30,753			36,608
			566,861			593,471
	Less amount representing debt discount		(1,487	)		(1,600	)
	Plus amount representing mortgage premium		2,011			2,281
			567,385			594,152
	Less current portion		(54,939	)		(59,466	)
		$	512,446		$	534,686

Stockholders_Equity_Tables

Stockholders' Equity (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
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,
		2014						2015
	Foreign currency translation loss	$	(336,946	)	$	(146,311	)	$	(483,257	)
	Unrealized gain on cash flow hedges		6,603			10,556			17,159
	Unrealized gain (loss) on available for sale securities		(99	)		103			4
	Change in defined benefit plans		(2,001	)		59			(1,942	)
		$	(332,443	)	$	(135,593	)	$	(468,036	)
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,
		2015			2014
	Cost of revenues	$	2,306		$	1,870
	Sales and marketing		8,711			7,000
	General and administrative		19,596			16,111
		$	30,613		$	24,981

Segment_Information_Tables

Segment Information (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
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,
			2015			2014
	Adjusted EBITDA:
	Americas		$	172,734		$	149,563
	EMEA			76,031			63,205
	Asia-Pacific			56,983			47,620
	Total adjusted EBITDA			305,748			260,388
	Depreciation, amortization and accretion expense			(122,530	)		(113,610	)
	Stock-based compensation expense			(30,613	)		(24,981	)
	Acquisition costs			(1,156	)		(185	)
	Income from operations		$	151,449		$	121,612
Segment Disclosures	The Company also provides the following additional segment disclosures (in thousands):
			Three months ended
			March 31,
			2015			2014
	Total revenues:
	Americas		$	363,969		$	330,033
	EMEA			164,623			151,430
	Asia-Pacific			114,582			98,590
			$	643,174		$	580,053
	Total depreciation and amortization:
	Americas		$	66,727		$	60,027
	EMEA			26,507			29,712
	Asia-Pacific			28,402			24,254
			$	121,636		$	113,993
	Capital expenditures:
	Americas		$	131,255	(1)(2)	$	67,515
	EMEA			27,556			15,564
	Asia-Pacific			39,838			39,619
			$	198,649		$	122,698
	-1	Includes the purchase price for the business acquisitions, net of cash acquired, which totaled $10,247.
	-2	Includes the purchase price for the San Jose land purchase, which totaled $38,282.
Long-Lived Assets	The Company’s long-lived assets are located in the following geographic areas as of (in thousands):
			March 31,			December 31,
			2015			2014
	Americas		$	2,940,658		$	2,874,562
	EMEA			1,065,135			1,135,319
	Asia-Pacific			985,090			988,389
			$	4,990,883		$	4,998,270
Revenue Information by Category	Revenue information by category is as follows (in thousands):
			Three months ended
			March 31,
			2015			2014
	Colocation		$	481,545		$	434,623
	Interconnection			101,658			87,026
	Managed infrastructure			23,855			25,384
	Rental			2,599			2,670
	Recurring revenues			609,657			549,703
	Non-recurring revenues			33,517			30,350
			$	643,174		$	580,053

Basis_of_Presentation_and_Sign2

Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies - Additional Information (Detail)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Effective income tax rate, continuing operations	7.50%	24.70%

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, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Net income	$76,452	$41,337
Net loss attributable to redeemable non-controlling interests		50
Net income attributable to Equinix, basic	76,452	41,387
Effect of assumed conversion of convertible debt:
Interest expense, net of tax		1,984
Net income attributable to Equinix, diluted	$76,452	$43,371
Weighted-average shares used to calculate basic EPS	56,661	49,598
Effect of dilutive securities:
Convertible debt		3,371
Employee equity awards	566	417
Total dilutive potential shares	566	3,788
Weighted-average shares used to calculate diluted EPS	57,227	53,386
Basic EPS	$1.35	$0.83
Diluted EPS	$1.34	$0.81

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, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
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	2,153	4,769
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	211	337
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	1,942	4,432

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, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
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%

Acquisition_Additional_Informa

Acquisition - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	0 Months Ended
	Jan. 14, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Goodwill recorded		$984,436,000	$1,002,129,000
Nimbo Technologies Inc [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Cash consideration for acquisition	10,000,000
Contingent earn-out arrangement to be paid (in years)	2 years
Goodwill recorded	$17,154,000

Derivatives_and_Hedging_Activi2

Derivatives and Hedging Activities - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014
Derivative [Line Items]
Gains (losses) reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) to revenue	$8,078,000	$0
Not designated as hedging instruments [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Objectives for using derivative instruments	Embedded Derivatives. The Company is deemed to have foreign currency forward contracts embedded in certain of the Companybs customer agreements that are priced in currencies different from the functional or local currencies of the parties involved. These embedded derivatives are separated from their host contracts and carried on the Companybs balance sheet at their fair value. The majority of these embedded derivatives arise as a result of the Companybs foreign subsidiaries pricing their customer contracts in the U.S. dollar. Economic Hedges of Embedded Derivatives. The Company uses foreign currency forward contracts to manage the foreign exchange risk associated with the Companybs embedded derivatives (beconomic hedges of embedded derivativesb). Foreign Currency Forward and Option 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.
Not designated as hedging instruments [Member] | Embedded derivatives [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Gains (losses) on embedded derivatives	0	0
Not designated as hedging instruments [Member] | Foreign currency forward and option contracts [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Gain (losses) in foreign currency forward and options contracts	10,257,000	0
Not designated as hedging instruments [Member] | Economic hedges of embedded derivatives [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Gains (losses) on embedded derivatives	$0	$0
Cash flow hedge instruments [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Maturity period of cash flow hedges derivatives	1 month		1 month
Maturity period of cash flow hedges derivatives	3 years		1 year

Derivatives_and_Hedging_Activi3

Derivatives and Hedging Activities - Summary of Cash Flow Hedges (Detail) (Cash flow hedge instruments [Member], USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Notional Amount, Derivative assets	$206,955	$281,055
Notional Amount, Derivative liabilities	0	0
Notional Amount, Total	206,955	281,055
Fair Value, Derivative assets	21,059	8,404
Fair Value, Derivative liabilities	0	0
Fair Value, Total	21,059	8,404
Unrealized gain on cash flow hedges [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Fair Value, Derivative assets	21,123	8,480
Fair Value, Derivative liabilities	0	0
Fair Value, Total	$21,123	$8,480

Derivatives_and_Hedging_Activi4

Derivatives and Hedging Activities - Schedule of Fair Value of Derivative Instruments Recognized in Consolidated Balance Sheets (Detail) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Derivative [Line Items]
Fair value of derivative assets, Gross Amounts	$38,735	$22,739
Fair value of derivative assets, Gross amounts offset in the balance sheet	0	0
Fair value of derivative assets, Net amounts	38,735	22,739
Fair value of derivative assets, Gross amounts not offset in the balance sheet	-934	-646
Fair value of derivative assets, Net	37,801	22,093
Fair value of derivative liabilities, Gross Amounts	952	810
Fair value of derivative liabilities, Gross amounts offset in the balance sheet	0	0
Fair value of derivative liabilities, Net amounts	952	810
Fair value of derivative liabilities, Gross amounts not offset in the balance sheet	-934	-646
Fair value of derivative liabilities, Net	18	164
Additional netting benefit [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Fair value of derivative assets, Gross amounts offset in the balance sheet	0	0
Fair value of derivative assets, Gross amounts not offset in the balance sheet	-27	-508
Fair value of derivative assets, Net	-27	-508
Fair value of derivative liabilities, Gross amounts offset in the balance sheet	0	0
Fair value of derivative liabilities, Gross amounts not offset in the balance sheet	-27	-508
Fair value of derivative liabilities, Net	-27	-508
Designated as hedging instruments [Member] | Foreign currency forward contracts [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Fair value of derivative assets, Gross Amounts	21,059	8,404
Fair value of derivative assets, Gross amounts offset in the balance sheet	0	0
Fair value of derivative assets, Net amounts	21,059	8,404
Fair value of derivative assets, Net	21,059	8,404
Fair value of derivative liabilities, Gross amounts offset in the balance sheet	0	0
Not designated as hedging instruments [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Fair value of derivative assets, Gross Amounts	17,676	14,335
Fair value of derivative assets, Gross amounts offset in the balance sheet	0	0
Fair value of derivative assets, Net amounts	17,676	14,335
Fair value of derivative assets, Gross amounts not offset in the balance sheet	-907	-138
Fair value of derivative assets, Net	16,769	14,197
Fair value of derivative liabilities, Gross Amounts	952	810
Fair value of derivative liabilities, Gross amounts offset in the balance sheet	0	0
Fair value of derivative liabilities, Net amounts	952	810
Fair value of derivative liabilities, Gross amounts not offset in the balance sheet	-907	-138
Fair value of derivative liabilities, Net	45	672
Not designated as hedging instruments [Member] | Embedded derivatives [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Fair value of derivative assets, Gross Amounts	9,661	9,182
Fair value of derivative assets, Gross amounts offset in the balance sheet	0	0
Fair value of derivative assets, Net amounts	9,661	9,182
Fair value of derivative assets, Net	9,661	9,182
Fair value of derivative liabilities, Gross Amounts	18	4
Fair value of derivative liabilities, Gross amounts offset in the balance sheet	0	0
Fair value of derivative liabilities, Net amounts	18	4
Fair value of derivative liabilities, Net	18	4
Not designated as hedging instruments [Member] | Economic hedges of embedded derivatives [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Fair value of derivative assets, Gross Amounts	702
Fair value of derivative assets, Gross amounts offset in the balance sheet	0
Fair value of derivative assets, Net amounts	702
Fair value of derivative assets, Net	702
Fair value of derivative liabilities, Gross Amounts	27	390
Fair value of derivative liabilities, Gross amounts offset in the balance sheet	0	0
Fair value of derivative liabilities, Net amounts	27	390
Fair value of derivative liabilities, Net	27	390
Not designated as hedging instruments [Member] | Foreign currency forward and option contracts [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Fair value of derivative assets, Gross Amounts	7,313	5,153
Fair value of derivative assets, Gross amounts offset in the balance sheet	0	0
Fair value of derivative assets, Net amounts	7,313	5,153
Fair value of derivative assets, Gross amounts not offset in the balance sheet	-907	-138
Fair value of derivative assets, Net	6,406	5,015
Fair value of derivative liabilities, Gross Amounts	907	416
Fair value of derivative liabilities, Gross amounts offset in the balance sheet	0	0
Fair value of derivative liabilities, Net amounts	907	416
Fair value of derivative liabilities, Gross amounts not offset in the balance sheet	-907	-138
Fair value of derivative liabilities, Net		$278

Fair_Value_Measurements_Financ

Fair Value Measurements - Financial Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on Recurring Basis (Detail) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Derivative assets	$38,735	$22,739
Derivative liabilities	952	810
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Derivative assets	38,735
Total financial assets	1,108,478
Derivative liabilities	952
Total financial liabilities	952
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Cash [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents	312,264
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Money market and deposit accounts [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents	221,311
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	336,402
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	185,941
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Certificates of deposit [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents	13,825
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Level 1 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Total financial assets	869,977
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Level 1 [Member] | Cash [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents	312,264
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Level 1 [Member] | Money market and deposit accounts [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents	221,311
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Level 1 [Member] | U.S. government securities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Financial assets	336,402
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Derivative assets	38,735
Total financial assets	238,501
Derivative liabilities	952
Total financial liabilities	952
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Level 2 [Member] | U.S. government agency securities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents	185,941
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Level 2 [Member] | Certificates of deposit [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents	$13,825

Leases_Additional_Information_

Leases - Additional Information (Detail) (Atlanta 2 Capital Lease [Member], USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Atlanta 2 Capital Lease [Member]
Operating Leased Assets [Line Items]
Capital lease asset	$25,960,000
Capital lease liability	$26,230,000
Expiration date of lease	31-Dec-24

Leases_Summary_of_Capital_Leas

Leases - Summary of Capital Lease and Other Financing Obligations (Detail) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Capital lease obligations
Current portion of capital lease and other financing obligations	($23,819)	($21,362)
Capital lease and other financing obligations, less current portion	1,177,638	1,168,042
Capital lease obligations [Member]
Schedule Of Capitalized Lease [Line Items]
2015 (9 months remaining)	49,180
2016	66,065
2017	67,662
2018	69,678
2019	71,556
Thereafter	851,824
Total minimum lease payments	1,175,965
Less amount representing interest	-566,152
Present value of net minimum lease payments	609,813
Capital lease obligations
Current portion of capital lease and other financing obligations	-16,029
Capital lease and other financing obligations, less current portion	593,784
Present value of net minimum lease payments	609,813
Other financing obligations [Member]
Schedule Of Capitalized Lease [Line Items]
2015 (9 months remaining)	40,458
2016	56,313
2017	59,454
2018	60,895
2019	59,023
Thereafter	564,939
Total minimum lease payments	841,082
Plus amount representing residual property value	405,850
Less estimated building costs	-10,533
Less amount representing interest	-644,755
Present value of net minimum lease payments	591,644
Capital lease obligations
Current portion of capital lease and other financing obligations	-7,790
Capital lease and other financing obligations, less current portion	583,854
Present value of net minimum lease payments	591,644
Capital Lease and Other Financing Obligations Total [Member]
Schedule Of Capitalized Lease [Line Items]
2015 (9 months remaining)	89,638
2016	122,378
2017	127,116
2018	130,573
2019	130,579
Thereafter	1,416,763
Total minimum lease payments	2,017,047
Plus amount representing residual property value	405,850
Less estimated building costs	-10,533
Less amount representing interest	-1,210,907
Present value of net minimum lease payments	1,201,457
Capital lease obligations
Current portion of capital lease and other financing obligations	-23,819
Capital lease and other financing obligations, less current portion	1,177,638
Present value of net minimum lease payments	$1,201,457

Debt_Facilities_Summary_of_Loa

Debt Facilities - Summary of Loans Payable and Senior Notes (Detail) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Loans payable	$566,861	$593,471
Less amount representing debt discount	-1,487	-1,600
Plus amount representing mortgage premium	2,011	2,281
Loans payable current and non current	567,385	594,152
Loans payable current and non current
Less current portion	-54,939	-59,466
Loans payable, less current portion	512,446	534,686
Loans payable current and non current	567,385	594,152
U.S. term loan [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Loans payable	490,000	500,000
ALOG financings [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Loans payable	46,108	56,863
Mortgage payable and other loans payable [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Loans payable	$30,753	$36,608

Debt_Facilities_Convertible_De

Debt Facilities - Convertible Debt (Detail) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Less amount representing debt discount	($1,487,000)	($1,600,000)
Convertible subordinated debt, Total	147,808,000	145,853,000
4.75% Convertible subordinated notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, face amount	157,885,000	157,885,000
Less amount representing debt discount	($10,077,000)	($12,032,000)

Debt_Facilities_Convertible_De1

Debt Facilities - Convertible Debt (Parenthetical) (Detail) (4.75% Convertible subordinated notes [Member])	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
4.75% Convertible subordinated notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Convertible debt interest rate	4.75%	4.75%

Debt_Facilities_Additional_Inf

Debt Facilities - Additional Information 1 (Detail) (4.75% Convertible subordinated notes [Member], USD $)	1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Subordinated notes converted into common stock	1,952,280	1,952,280
Convertible debt interest rate	4.75%	4.75%	4.75%
Capped call premium, total		$49,664,000
Convertible subordinated notes, converted number of common stock	4,432,638	4,432,638
Capped call redemption	1,225,002
Minimum [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Conversion price per share	84.32	$84.32
Minimum [Member] | Capped Call [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Conversion price per share	80.87	$80.87
Maximum [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Conversion price per share	114.82	$114.82
Maximum [Member] | Capped Call [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Conversion price per share	110.04	$110.04

Debt_Facilities_Summary_of_Sen

Debt Facilities - Summary of Senior Notes (Detail) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior notes	$2,750,000	$2,750,000
5.375% Senior Notes due 2023 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior notes	1,000,000	1,000,000
5.375% Senior Notes due 2022 [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
5.75% Senior Notes due 2025 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior notes	$500,000	$500,000

Debt_Facilities_Summary_of_Sen1

Debt Facilities - Summary of Senior Notes (Parenthetical) (Detail)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
5.375% Senior Notes due 2023 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior notes stated percentage	5.38%
Senior notes maturity	2023
5.375% Senior Notes due 2022 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior notes stated percentage	5.38%
Senior notes maturity	2022
4.875% Senior Notes due 2020 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior notes stated percentage	4.88%
Senior notes maturity	2020
5.75% Senior Notes due 2025 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior notes stated percentage	5.75%
Senior notes maturity	2025

Debt_Facilities_Summary_of_Mat

Debt Facilities - Summary of Maturities of Debt Facilities (Detail) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
2015 (9 months remaining)	$43,660
2016	215,449
2017	51,600
2018	47,209
2019	341,303
Thereafter	2,777,536
Total long term debt	$3,476,757

Debt_Facilities_Fair_Value_of_

Debt Facilities - Fair Value of Debt Facilities (Detail) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Mortgage and loans payable	$537,216	$553,045
Convertible debt	159,979	162,159
Senior notes	$2,890,118	$2,790,023

Debt_Facilities_Interest_Charg

Debt Facilities - Interest Charges (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Interest expense	$68,791	$68,820
Interest capitalized	3,203	3,406
Interest charges incurred	$71,994	$72,226

Commitments_and_Contingencies_

Commitments and Contingencies - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015
Capital expenditures [Member]
Other Commitments [Line Items]
Purchase commitments	$214,271,000
Miscellaneous purchase commitments [Member]
Other Commitments [Line Items]
Purchase commitments	$339,159,000

Stockholders_Equity_Components

Stockholders' Equity - Components of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Balance as of December 31, 2014	($332,443)
Net Change	-135,593
Balance as of March 31, 2015	-468,036
Foreign currency translation loss [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Balance as of December 31, 2014	-336,946
Net Change	-146,311
Balance as of March 31, 2015	-483,257
Unrealized gain on cash flow hedges [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Balance as of December 31, 2014	6,603
Net Change	10,556
Balance as of March 31, 2015	17,159
Unrealized gain (loss) on available for sale securities [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Balance as of December 31, 2014	-99
Net Change	103
Balance as of March 31, 2015	4
Change in defined benefit plans [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Balance as of December 31, 2014	-2,001
Net Change	59
Balance as of March 31, 2015	($1,942)

Stockholders_Equity_Additional

Stockholders' Equity - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	0 Months Ended		1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 25, 2015	Feb. 19, 2015	Feb. 28, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Dividends declared date				19-Feb-15
Cash dividend declaration per share		$1.69
Dividends payable, date of Record		11-Mar-15
Distribution, payment date		25-Mar-15
Total cash dividend paid	$96,196,000
Stock, shares issued			586,646
Equity awards subject to vesting provisions, weighted-average grant date fair value			$222.40
Equity awards subject to vesting provisions, weighted-average requisite service period, in years			3 years 5 months 9 days
Restricted stock units [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Dividends payable				2,630,000

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, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Compensation Cost [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation expense	$30,613	$24,981
Cost of revenues [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Compensation Cost [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation expense	2,306	1,870
Sales and marketing [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Compensation Cost [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation expense	8,711	7,000
General and administrative [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Compensation Cost [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation expense	$19,596	$16,111

Segment_Information_Additional

Segment Information - Additional Information (Detail)	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014
	Segment
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Number of reportable segments	3
Concentration risk, customer, description	No single customer accounted for 10% or greater of the Company's revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014. No single customer accounted for 10% or greater of the Company's gross accounts receivable as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014.
Revenues [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Concentration risk, customer, percentage	10.00%	10.00%
Accounts receivable [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Concentration risk, customer, percentage	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, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total adjusted EBITDA	$305,748	$260,388
Depreciation, amortization and accretion expense	-122,530	-113,610
Stock-based compensation expense	-30,613	-24,981
Acquisition costs	-1,156	-185
Income from operations	151,449	121,612
Americas [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total adjusted EBITDA	172,734	149,563
EMEA [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total adjusted EBITDA	76,031	63,205
Asia-Pacific [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total adjusted EBITDA	$56,983	$47,620

Segment_Information_Segment_Di

Segment Information - Segment Disclosures (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenues	$643,174	$580,053
Total depreciation and amortization	121,636	113,993
Capital expenditures	198,649	122,698
Americas [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenues	363,969	330,033
Total depreciation and amortization	66,727	60,027
Capital expenditures	131,255	67,515
EMEA [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenues	164,623	151,430
Total depreciation and amortization	26,507	29,712
Capital expenditures	27,556	15,564
Asia-Pacific [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenues	114,582	98,590
Total depreciation and amortization	28,402	24,254
Capital expenditures	$39,838	$39,619

Segment_Information_Segment_Di1

Segment Information - Segment Disclosures (Parenthetical) (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Purchase of business, net of cash acquired	$10,247
U.S. [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Purchase of business, net of cash acquired	10,247
San Jose
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Purchase price of land	$38,282

Segment_Information_LongLived_

Segment Information - Long-Lived Assets (Detail) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Company's long-lived assets	$4,990,883	$4,998,270
Americas [Member]
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Company's long-lived assets	2,940,658	2,874,562
EMEA [Member]
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Company's long-lived assets	1,065,135	1,135,319
Asia-Pacific [Member]
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Company's long-lived assets	$985,090	$988,389

Segment_Information_Revenue_In

Segment Information - Revenue Information by Category (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Revenue	$643,174	$580,053
Recurring Revenues [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Revenue	609,657	549,703
Recurring Revenues [Member] | Colocation [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Revenue	481,545	434,623
Recurring Revenues [Member] | Interconnection [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Revenue	101,658	87,026
Recurring Revenues [Member] | Managed infrastructure services [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Revenue	23,855	25,384
Recurring Revenues [Member] | Rental [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Revenue	2,599	2,670
Non-recurring Revenues [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Revenue	$33,517	$30,350

Subsequent_Events_Additional_I

Subsequent Events - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		0 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Apr. 30, 2015
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Prepayment of principal balance of outstanding term loan	$13,361,000	$10,317,000
Subsequent Event [Member] | U.S. term loan [Member]
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Prepayment of principal balance of outstanding term loan			490,000,000
Subsequent Event [Member] | Senior credit facility [Member]
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Line of credit facility, maximum borrowing capacity			1,500,000,000
Subsequent Event [Member] | Senior credit facility [Member] | Revolving credit facility [Member]
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Line of credit facility, maximum borrowing capacity			1,000,000,000
Subsequent Event [Member] | Senior credit facility [Member] | Term loan facility [Member]
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Line of credit facility, maximum borrowing capacity			$500,000,000