Equinix (EQIX) 10-Q 5 May 17 2017 Q1 Quarterly report Financial data

Document and Entity Information

Document and Entity Information - shares	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	May 04, 2017
Document And Entity Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	EQUINIX INC
Entity Central Index Key	1,101,239
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Trading Symbol	EQIX
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	Mar. 31, 2017
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2,017
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1
Amendment Flag	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		77,911,885

Condensed Consolidated Balance

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 4,923,259	$ 748,476
Short-term investments	14,742	3,409
Accounts receivable, net	429,990	396,245
Other current assets	206,026	319,396
Total current assets	5,574,017	1,467,526
Long-term investments	6,461	10,042
Property, plant and equipment, net	7,605,829	7,199,210
Goodwill	3,053,026	2,986,064
Intangible assets, net	710,706	719,231
Other assets	234,645	226,298
Total assets	17,184,684	12,608,371
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	515,959	581,739
Accrued property, plant and equipment	190,176	144,842
Current portion of capital lease and other financing obligations	99,202	101,046
Current portion of mortgage and loans payable	80,799	67,928
Other current liabilities	133,932	133,140
Total current liabilities	1,020,068	1,028,695
Capital lease and other financing obligations, less current portion	1,523,309	1,410,742
Mortgage and loans payable, less current portion	2,432,610	1,369,087
Senior notes	5,045,449	3,810,770
Other liabilities	645,409	623,248
Total liabilities	10,666,845	8,242,542
Commitments and contingencies (Note 10)
Stockholders' equity:
Common stock, $0.001 par value per share: 300,000,000 shares authorized; 77,911,859 and 71,409,015 shares outstanding	78	72
Additional paid-in capital	9,601,627	7,413,519
Treasury stock, at cost; 405,469 and 408,415 shares	(146,936)	(147,559)
Accumulated dividends	(2,115,963)	(1,969,645)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(882,736)	(949,142)
Retained earnings	61,769	18,584
Total stockholders' equity	6,517,839	4,365,829
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$ 17,184,684	$ 12,608,371

Condensed Consolidated Balance3

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets - Parenthetical - $ / shares	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Statement of Financial Position [Abstract]
Common Stock, Par value per share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.001	$ 0.001
Common Stock, Shares authorized	300,000,000	300,000,000
Common Stock, Shares outstanding	77,911,859	71,409,015
Treasury stock, at cost (shares)	405,469	408,415

Condensed Consolidated Statemen

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016
Income Statement [Abstract]
Revenues	$ 949,525	$ 844,156
Costs and operating expenses:
Cost of revenues	468,961	427,680
Sales and marketing	128,927	106,590
General and administrative	181,399	165,904
Acquisition costs	3,025	36,536
Gains on asset sales	0	(5,242)
Total costs and operating expenses	782,312	731,468
Income from continuing operations	167,213	112,688
Interest income	3,092	925
Interest expense	(111,684)	(100,863)
Other income (expense)	337	(60,710)
Loss on debt extinguishment	(3,503)	0
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes	55,455	(47,960)
Income tax benefit (expense)	(13,393)	10,633
Net income (loss) from continuing operations	42,062	(37,327)
Net income from discontinued operations, net of tax	0	6,216
Net income (loss)	$ 42,062	$ (31,111)
Earnings (loss) per share (EPS):
Basic EPS from continuing operations (in dollars per share)	$ 0.58	$ (0.55)
Basic EPS from discontinued operations (in dollars per share)	0	0.09
Basic EPS (in dollars per share)	$ 0.58	$ (0.46)
Weighted-average shares	72,773	68,132
Diluted EPS from continuing operations (in dollars per share)	$ 0.57	$ (0.55)
Diluted EPS from discontinued operations (in dollars per share)	0	0.09
Diluted EPS (in dollars per share)	$ 0.57	$ (0.46)
Weighted-average shares for diluted EPS	73,367	68,132

Condensed Consolidated Stateme5

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016
Net income (loss)	$ 42,062	$ (31,111)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
Foreign currency translation adjustment (CTA) gain	106,938	115,899
Unrealized loss on available-for-sale securities, net of tax effects of $(99) and $138	(265)	(304)
Unrealized loss on cash flow hedges, net of tax effects of $4,051 and $2,261	(11,727)	(6,784)
Net investment hedge CTA loss	(28,551)	(16,312)
Net actuarial gain on defined benefit plans, net of tax effects of $(6) and $(4)	11	6
Total other comprehensive income, net of tax	66,406	92,505
Comprehensive income, net of tax	108,468	$ 61,394
Unrealized gain (loss) on available-for-sale securities [Member]
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
Total other comprehensive income, net of tax	(265)
Unrealized gain (loss) on cash flow hedges [Member]
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
Total other comprehensive income, net of tax	(11,727)
Net actuarial gain (loss) on defined benefit plans [Member]
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
Total other comprehensive income, net of tax	$ 11

Condensed Consolidated Stateme6

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) - Parenthetical - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Unrealized gain (loss) on available-for-sale securities	$ (99)	$ 138
Unrealized gain (loss) on cash flow hedges	4,051	2,261
Defined benefit plans	$ (6)	$ (4)

Condensed Consolidated Stateme7

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2016USD ($)
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income (loss)	$ 42,062	$ (31,111)
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation	187,989	172,382
Stock-based compensation	38,323	34,061
Amortization of intangible assets	29,017	28,152
Amortization of debt issuance costs and debt discounts	11,580	5,508
Provision for allowance for doubtful accounts	6,710	1,885
Gain on asset sales	0	(5,242)
Loss on debt extinguishment	3,503	0
Other items	3,677	5,169
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable	(39,664)	(11,312)
Income taxes, net	(20,637)	(28,656)
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	(65,414)	(40,217)
Other assets and liabilities	50,225	(25,785)
Net cash provided by operating activities	247,371	104,834
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchases of investments	(26,256)	(10,875)
Sales and maturities of investments	19,152	14,294
Business acquisitions, net of cash and restricted cash acquired	(36,041)	(1,601,326)
Purchases of real estate	(41,739)	(16,408)
Purchases of other property, plant and equipment	(277,242)	(197,700)
Proceeds from sale of assets	47,767	22,825
Net cash used in investing activities	(314,359)	(1,789,190)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from employee equity awards	20,074	16,304
Payment of dividends	(148,083)	(124,836)
Proceeds from public offering of common stock, net of offering costs	2,126,258	0
Proceeds from senior notes	1,250,000	0
Proceeds from loans payable	1,059,800	701,250
Repayment of capital lease and other financing obligations	(16,596)	(33,232)
Repayment of mortgage and loans payable	(21,510)	(936,353)
Debt extinguishment costs	(3,132)	0
Debt issuance costs	(40,665)	(65)
Other financing activities	(900)	0
Net cash provided by (used) in financing activities	4,225,246	(376,932)
Effect of foreign currency exchange rates on cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash	11,541	(9,501)
Net increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash	4,169,799	(2,070,789)
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of period	773,247	2,718,427
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period	4,943,046	647,638
Cash and cash equivalents	4,923,259	633,758
Current portion of restricted cash included in other current assets	9,927	3,420
Non-current portion of restricted cash included in other assets	$ 9,860	$ 10,460

Basis of Presentation and Signi

Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies	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, 2016 has been derived from audited consolidated financial statements as of that date. The consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"), but omit certain information and footnote disclosure necessary to present the statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America ("GAAP"). For further information, refer to the Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes thereto included in Equinix’s Form 10-K as filed with the SEC on February 27, 2017. 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, including the acquisitions of the IO UK data center operating business from February 3, 2017, Paris IBX data center from August 1, 2016 and Telecity Group plc ("TelecityGroup") from January 15, 2016. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. Income Taxes The Company began operating as a real estate investment trust for federal income tax purposes ("REIT") effective January 1, 2015, and thereafter received a favorable private letter ruling ("PLR") from the U.S. Internal Revenue Service ("IRS") that validated the Company's position with respect to specified REIT compliance matters. As a result, the Company may deduct the distributions made to its stockholders from taxable income generated by the Company and its qualified REIT subsidiaries ("QRSs"). The Company’s dividends paid deduction generally eliminates the U.S. taxable income of the Company and its QRSs, resulting in no U.S. income tax due. However, the Company's 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 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 performance of the Company, tax law changes and future business acquisitions. The Company's effective tax rates were 24.2% and 22.2% for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016 , respectively. Assets Held for Sale and Discontinued Operations Assets and liabilities to be disposed of that meet all of the criteria to be classified as held for sale as set forth in the accounting standard for impairment or disposal of long-lived assets are reported at the lower of their carrying amounts or fair values less costs to sell. Assets are not depreciated or amortized while they are classified as held for sale. A component of a reporting entity or a group of components of a reporting entity that are disposed or meet the criteria to be classified as held for sale should be reported in discontinued operations if the disposal represents a strategic shift that has (or will have) a major effect on an entity's operations and financial results. The accounting guidance requires a business activity that, on acquisition, meets the criteria to be classified as held for sale be reported as a discontinued operation. For further information on the Company's assets held for sale and discontinued operations, see Notes 4 and 5. Reclassifications Certain amounts in prior periods have been reclassified to conform with current period presentation. Recent Accounting Pronouncements Accounting Standards Not Yet Adopted In March 2017, Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") No. 2017-07 Compensation–Retirement Benefits (Topic 715). This ASU was issued primarily to improve the presentation of net periodic pension cost and net periodic post-retirement benefit cost. This ASU requires that an employer reports the service cost component in the same line item or items as other compensation costs arising from services rendered by the pertinent employees during the period. It also requires the other components of net periodic pension cost and net periodic post-retirement benefit cost to be presented in the income statement separately from the service cost component and outside a subtotal of income from operations, if one is presented. Additionally, only the service cost component is eligible for capitalization, when applicable. This ASU is effective for public business entities for its annual or any interim reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017. The Company is currently evaluating the impact that the adoption of this standard will have on its consolidated financial statements, but does not expect to early adopt this ASU. In February 2017, FASB issued ASU No. 2017-05 Other Income—Gains and Losses from the Derecognition of Non-financial Assets (Subtopic 610-20). This ASU is to clarify the scope of the non-financial asset guidance in Subtopic 610-20 and to add guidance for partial sales of non-financial assets. This ASU defines the term in substance non-financial asset and clarifies that non-financial assets within the scope of Subtopic 610-20 may include non-financial assets transferred within a legal entity to a counterparty. The ASU also provides guidance on the accounting for what often are referred to as partial sales of non-financial assets within the scope of Subtopic 610-20 and contributions of non-financial assets to a joint venture or other non-controlled investee. This ASU is effective for public business entities for its annual or any interim reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017. Early adoption is permitted for interim or annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016. The Company is currently evaluating the impact that the adoption of this standard will have on its consolidated financial statements, but does not expect to early adopt this ASU. In January 2017, FASB issued ASU No. 2017-04 Intangibles - Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment. This ASU is to simplify the subsequent measurement of goodwill. The ASU eliminates step 2 from the goodwill impairment test and the requirements for any reporting unit with a zero or negative carrying amount to perform a qualitative assessment and, if it fails that qualitative test, to perform step 2 of the goodwill impairment test. An entity still has the option to perform the qualitative assessment for a reporting unit to determine if the quantitative impairment test is necessary. This ASU should be applied on a prospective basis. This ASU is effective for public business entities for its annual or any interim goodwill impairment tests in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019. Early adoption is permitted for interim or annual goodwill impairment tests performed on testing dates after January 1, 2017. The Company is currently evaluating the impact that the adoption of this standard will have on its consolidated financial statements. In January 2017, FASB issued ASU No. 2017-01, Business Combinations (Topic 805): Clarifying the Definition of a Business, clarifying the definition of a business. The ASU affects all companies and other reporting organizations that must determine whether they have acquired or sold a business. The definition of a business affects many areas of accounting including acquisitions, disposals, goodwill, and consolidation. The ASU is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within those periods with early adoption being permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact that the adoption of this standard will have on its consolidated financial statements, but does not expect to early adopt this ASU. In October 2016, FASB issued ASU 2016-16, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Intra-Entity Transfers of Assets Other Than Inventory. This ASU requires the recognition of the income tax consequences of an intra-entity transfer of an asset other than inventory when the transfer occurs. This ASU is effective for fiscal years and interim period within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2017, with early adoption permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact that the adoption of this standard will have on its consolidated financial statements, but does not expect to early adopt this ASU. In June 2016, FASB issued ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments. The ASU requires the measurement of all expected credit losses for financial assets held at the reporting date based on historical experience, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts. The ASU requires enhanced disclosures to help investors and other financial statement users better understand significant estimates and judgments used in estimating credit losses, as well as the credit quality and underwriting standards of an organization's portfolio. These disclosures include qualitative and quantitative requirements that provide additional information about the amounts recorded in the financial statements. In addition, the ASU amends the accounting for credit losses on available-for-sale debt securities and purchased financial assets with credit deterioration. The ASU is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2019, with early adoption permitted for all organizations for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2018. The Company expects this ASU to impact its accounts receivable and is currently evaluating the extent of the impact that the adoption of this ASU will have on its consolidated financial statements. In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842) ("ASU 2016-02"). Under the new guidance, lessees will be required to recognize the following for all leases (with the exception of short-term leases) at the commencement date: (1) a lease liability, which is a lessee's obligation to make lease payments arising from a lease, measured on a discounted basis; and (2) a right-of-use asset, which is an asset that represents the lessee's right to use, or control the use of, a specified asset for the lease term. Under the new guidance, lessor accounting is largely unchanged. Certain targeted improvements were made to align, where necessary, lessor accounting with the lessee accounting model and Topic 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers. The new lease guidance simplified the accounting for sale and leaseback transactions primarily because lessees must recognize lease assets and lease liabilities. Lessees (for capital and operating leases) and lessors (for sales-type, direct financing, and operating leases) must apply a modified retrospective transition approach for leases existing at, or entered into after, the beginning of the earliest comparative period presented in the financial statements. The modified retrospective approach would not require any transition accounting for leases that expired before the earliest comparative period presented. Lessees and lessors may not apply a full retrospective transition approach. ASU 2016-02 is effective for public companies for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those fiscal years, with early adoption permitted. While the Company is currently evaluating the impact that the adoption of this standard will have on its consolidated financial statements, the Company believes this standard will have a significant impact on its consolidated financial statements due, in part, to the substantial amount of leases it has. In January 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-01, Financial Instruments- Overall (Subtopic 825-10) ("ASU 2016-01"), which requires all equity investments to be measured at fair value with changes in the fair value recognized through net income other than those accounted for under equity method of accounting or those that result in consolidation of the investees. The ASU also requires that an entity present separately in other comprehensive income the portion of the total change in the fair value of a liability resulting from a change in the instrument-specific credit risk when the entity has elected to measure the liability at fair value in accordance with the fair value option for financial instruments. In addition, the ASU eliminates the requirement to disclose the fair value of financial instruments measured at amortized cost for entities that are not public business entities and the requirement to disclose the method(s) and significant assumptions used to estimate the fair value that is required to be disclosed for financial instruments measured at amortized cost on the balance sheet for public business entities. ASU 2016-01 is effective for public companies for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company currently holds publicly traded equity securities that are classified as “available-for-sale” and are carried at fair value with unrealized gains and losses reported in stockholders’ equity as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss). Upon the adoption of this ASU, the unrealized gains and losses will be recognized through net income. The Company has not elected to measure its financial liabilities at fair value therefore, does not expect to have an impact on the accounting for its financial liabilities. In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers ("ASU 2014-09") Topic 606 and issued subsequent amendments to the initial guidance in August 2015, March 2016, April 2016 and May 2016 within ASU 2015-14, ASU 2016-08, ASU 2016-10, ASU 2016-12 and ASU 2016-20, respectively (ASU 2014-09, ASU 2015-14, ASU 2016-08, ASU 2016-10, ASU 2016-11, ASU 2016-12 and ASU 2016-20 collectively, Topic 606). Topic 606 will replace most existing revenue recognition guidance in U.S. GAAP. The core principle of Topic 606 is that an entity should recognize revenue for the transfer of goods or services equal to the amount that it expects to be entitled to receive for those goods or services. Topic 606 requires additional disclosure about the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from customer contracts, including significant judgments and changes in judgments. Topic 606 allows entities to adopt with one of these two methods: full retrospective, which applies retrospectively to each prior reporting period presented or modified retrospective, which recognizes the cumulative effect of initially applying the revenue standard as an adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings in the period of initial application. The Company currently anticipates adopting the standard using the modified retrospective method. Topic 606, as amended, is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim reporting periods therein (i.e., January 1, 2018, for a calendar year entity). Early application for public entities is permitted only as of annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016, including interim reporting periods within that reporting period. The Company expects to adopt the standard on January 1, 2018. While the Company is continuing to evaluate all potential impacts of the standard, the Company believes the most significant impact relates to its accounting for installation revenue and the cost to obtain contracts. Under the new standard, the Company expects to recognize installation revenue over the contract period rather than over the estimated installation life. Under the new standard, the Company is also required to capitalize and amortize certain costs to obtain contracts. Therefore, these costs to obtain contracts will not be immediately expensed, but will be capitalized and amortized over the estimated contract term plus estimated renewal term. Accounting Standards Adopted In December 2016, FASB issued ASU No. 2016-19, Technical Corrections and Improvements. This ASU covers a wide range of Topics in the Accounting Standards Codification. Certain aspects of this ASU were effective immediately, while a few of the corrections are effective for public business entities for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016, and interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company adopted ASU 2016-19 in the three months ended March 31, 2017. The adoption of ASU 2016-19 did not impact the Company's condensed consolidated financial statements. In November 2016, FASB issued ASU No. 2016-18, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Restricted Cash. This ASU applies to all entities that have restricted cash or restricted cash equivalents and are required to present a statement of cash flows. The ASU requires that a statement of cash flows explain the change during the period in the total of cash, cash equivalents, and amounts generally described as restricted cash or restricted cash equivalents. As a result, amounts generally described as restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents should be included with cash and cash equivalents when reconciling the beginning-of-period and end-of-period total amounts shown on the statement of cash flows. This ASU is effective for public business entities for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, and interim periods within those fiscal years with early adoption being permitted. This ASU should be applied using a retrospective transition method to each period presented. The Company adopted ASU 2016-18 in the three months ended March 31, 2017 and applied this ASU retrospectively to the periods presented in the Company's condensed consolidated statements of cash flows. As a result, net cash used in investing activities for the three months ended March 31, 2016 was adjusted to exclude the change in restricted cash and increased the previously reported amount by $466.4 million . Restricted cash amounts are primarily time deposits or cash set side as a pledge for our mortgage loan in Germany and collateral for the Company's various bank guarantees for the periods ended March 31, 2017 and 2016. I n October 2016, FASB issued ASU No. 2016-17, Consolidation (Topic 810): Interests Held through Related Parties That Are under Common Control. This ASU alters how a decision maker needs to consider indirect interests in a variable interest entity ("VIE") held through an entity under common control. Under this ASU, if a decision maker is required to evaluate whether it is the primary beneficiary of a VIE, it will need to consider only its proportionate indirect interest in the VIE held through a common control party. This ASU is effective for public business entities for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016, including interim periods within those fiscal years, with early adoption permitted. The Company adopted ASU 2016-17 in the three months ended March 31, 2017. The adoption of this standard did not impact the Company's condensed consolidated financial statements as it does not hold any interests in a VIE through related parties that are under common control. In August 2016, FASB issued ASU 2016-15, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments. This ASU provides guidance on the classification of eight cash flow issues to reduce the existing diversification in practice, including (a) debt prepayment or debt extinguishment costs; (b) settlement of zero-coupon debt instruments or other debt instruments with coupon interest rates that are insignificant in relation to the effective interest rate of the borrowing; (c) contingent consideration payments made after a business combination; (d) proceeds from settlement of insurance claims; (e) proceeds from the settlement of corporate-owned life insurance policies, including bank-owned life insurance policies; (f) distributions received from equity method investees; (g) beneficial interests in securitization transactions; and (h) separately identifiable cash flows and application of the predominance principle. The ASU is effective for fiscal years and interim period within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2017, with early adoption permitted. The Company adopted ASU 2016-15 in the three months ended March 31, 2017 and applied this ASU using a retrospective transition method to each period presented in the Company's condensed consolidated statements of cash flows. The adoption of ASU 2016-15 did not impact the Company's condensed consolidated statements of cash flows. In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-09, Compensation - Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting ("ASU 2016-09"). This ASU simplifies several areas of the accounting for share-based payment award transactions, including ( a ) income tax consequences; ( b ) classification of awards as either equity or liabilities; and ( c ) classification on the statement of cash flows. This ASU is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016, and interim periods within those annual periods, with early adoption permitted. The Company adopted ASU 2016-09 in the three months ended March 31, 2017. Beginning on January 1, 2017, the Company began to record the excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation as income tax expense through the statement of operations instead of additional paid-in capital as required under the previous guidance. There was no adjustment to excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation recorded as additional paid-in capital in prior years. Excess tax benefits that were not previously recognized, as well as a valuation allowance recognized for deferred tax assets as a result of the adoption of this ASU, were recorded on a modified retrospective basis through a cumulative-effect adjustments to retained earnings as of the beginning of 2017 totaling $1.1 million . As a part of the adoption of this ASU, stock compensation awards will have more dilutive effect on the Company's earnings per share prospectively. Under this guidance, cash flows related to excess tax benefits will no longer be separately classified as financing activities apart from other income tax cash flow. The Company elected to apply this part of the guidance retrospectively, which resulted in a change of $0.6 million in both net cash provided by operating activities and net cash used in financing activities in the Company's condensed consolidated statement of cash flows for the three months ended March 31, 2016 to conform with the current period presentation. Additionally, this guidance permits entities to make an accounting policy to estimate forfeitures each period or to account for forfeitures as they occur. The Company elected to continue to estimate forfeitures. In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-06, Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815), Contingent Put and Call Options in Debt Instruments ("ASU 2016-06"). This ASU clarifies the requirements for assessing whether contingent call (put) options that can accelerate the payment of principal on debt instruments are clearly and closely related to their debt hosts. An entity performing the assessment under the amendments in this ASU is required to assess the embedded call (put) options solely in accordance with the four-step decision sequence. This guidance is to be applied on a modified retrospective basis to existing debt instruments as of the beginning of the fiscal year in which the amendments are effective, and is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016, including interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company adopted ASU 2016-06 in the three months ended March 31, 2017. The adoption of this standard did not have a significant impact on the Company's condensed consolidated financial statements. In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-05, Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815), Effect of Derivative Contract Novations on Existing Hedge Accounting Relationships ("ASU 2016-05"). This ASU clarifies that a change in the counterparty to a derivative instrument that has been designated as a hedging instrument under Topic 815 does not, in and of itself, require dedesignation of that hedging relationship provided that all other hedge accounting criteria continue to be met. This ASU may be applied prospectively or using a modified retrospective approach, and is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016, including interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company adopted ASU 2016-05 in the three months ended March 31, 2017. The adoption of ASU 2016-05 did not have a significant impact on the Company's condensed consolidated financial statements.

Earnings Per Share

Earnings Per Share	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Earnings Per Share	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 2017 2016 Net income (loss): Net income (loss) from continuing operations $ 42,062 $ (37,327 ) Net income from discontinued operations — 6,216 Net income (loss) $ 42,062 $ (31,111 ) Weighted-average shares used to calculate basic EPS 72,773 68,132 Effect of dilutive securities: Employee equity awards 594 — Weighted-average shares used to calculate diluted EPS 73,367 68,132 Basic EPS: Continuing operations $ 0.58 $ (0.55 ) Discontinued operations — 0.09 Basic EPS $ 0.58 $ (0.46 ) Diluted EPS: Continuing operations $ 0.57 $ (0.55 ) Discontinued operations — 0.09 Diluted EPS $ 0.57 $ (0.46 ) The following table sets forth weighted-average outstanding potential shares of common stock that are not included in the diluted earnings per share calculation above because to do so would be anti-dilutive for the periods indicated (in thousands): Three Months Ended 2017 2016 Shares reserved for conversion of 4.75% convertible subordinated notes — 1,969 Common stock related to employee equity awards 93 1,583 Total 93 3,552

Acquisitions

Acquisitions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017
Business Combinations [Abstract]
Acquisitions	Acquisitions IO Acquisition On February 3, 2017, the Company acquired IO UK's data center operating business in Slough, United Kingdom, for a cash payment of approximately $37.4 million ("IO Acquisition"). The acquired facility will be renamed LD10. The IO Acquisition constitutes a business under the accounting standard for business combinations and as a result, was accounted for as a business combination using the acquisition method of accounting. Under the acquisition method, the total purchase price is allocated to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed measured at fair value on the date of acquisition. As of the date of this quarterly report, the Company has not completed the detailed valuation analysis, including determination of the purchase price, which is subject to continuing management analysis with the assistance of third party valuation advisors. Therefore, the purchase price has been provisionally allocated primarily to property, plant and equipment of $40.3 million , goodwill of $17.9 million , intangible assets of $6.3 million , deferred tax assets of $6.3 million and financing obligations of $33.1 million . The nature of the intangible assets acquired is customer relationships with an estimated useful life of 10 years. Goodwill is not expected to be deductible for local tax purposes and is attributable to the Company's EMEA region. The Company included IO UK's data center operating results from February 3, 2017 and the estimated fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed in its condensed consolidated balance sheets beginning February 3, 2017. For the three months ended March 31, 2017, the incremental revenues and net loss recorded from the IO Acquisition were not significant to the Company's condensed consolidated statement of operations. The acquisition costs incurred during the three months ended March 31, 2017 related to the IO Acquisition were not significant. Offer for Certain Verizon Data Center Assets On December 6, 2016, the Company entered into a transaction agreement with Verizon Communications Inc. ("Verizon") to acquire Verizon's colocation services business consisting of 29 data center buildings, located in the United States, Brazil and Colombia, for a cash purchase price of approximately $3.6 billion (the "Acquisition" or the "Selected Verizon Data Center Business Acquisition"). The Acquisition closed on May 1, 2017 and will be accounted as a business combination using the acquisition method of accounting. The Company funded the Acquisition with proceeds of debt and equity financings, which closed in January and March 2017 (See further discussions on the term B-2 loan borrowing and senior notes issuance in Note 9 and common stock issuance in Note 11). In connection with the Acquisition, the Company entered into a commitment letter (the "Commitment Letter"), dated December 6, 2016, with JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., Bank of America, N.A. and Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated (the "Commitment Parties"), pursuant to which the Commitment Parties committed to provide a senior unsecured bridge facility in an aggregate principal amount of $2.0 billion for the purposes of funding (i) a portion of the cash consideration for the Acquisition and (ii) the fees and expenses incurred in connection with the Acquisition. Commitment fees associated with the Commitment Letter were equal to (i) 0.50% of the commitment plus (ii) an additional 0.25% of the commitment that is four months after the date in which the Commitment Letter was entered into. In March 2017, the Company terminated the Commitment Letter as the debt and equity financings associated with the Acquisition were completed in March 2017. See further discussions on the senior notes issuance in Note 9 and common stock issuance in Note 11. During the first quarter of 2017, the Company paid $10.0 million of commitment fees associated with the Commitment Letter and recorded $7.8 million to interest expense in the condensed consolidated statement of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2017 . Paris IBX Data Center Acquisition On August 1, 2016, the Company completed the purchase of Digital Realty Trust, Inc.'s ("Digital Realty's") operating business including its real estate and facility, located in St. Denis, Paris for cash consideration of approximately €193.8 million or $216.4 million at the exchange rate in effect on August 1, 2016 (the "Paris IBX Data Center Acquisition"). A portion of the building was leased to the Company and was being used by the Company as its Paris 2 and Paris 3 data centers. The Paris 2 lease was accounted for as an operating lease and the Paris 3 lease was accounted for as a financing lease. Upon acquisition, the Company in effect terminated both leases. The Company settled the financing lease obligation of Paris 3 for €47.8 million or approximately $53.4 million and recognized a loss on debt extinguishment of €8.8 million or approximately $9.9 million in the third quarter of 2016. The Paris IBX Data Center Acquisition constitutes a business under the accounting standard for business combinations and as a result, the Paris IBX Data Center Acquisition was accounted for as a business combination using the acquisition method of accounting. The Company included the incremental Paris IBX Data Center's results of operations from August 1, 2016 and the estimated fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed in its condensed consolidated balance sheets beginning August 1, 2016. The Company incurred acquisition costs of approximately $12.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2016 related to the Paris IBX Data Center Acquisition. Purchase Price Allocation Under the acquisition method of accounting, the assets acquired and liabilities assumed in a business combination shall be measured at fair value at the date of the acquisition and the Company has completed the valuation analysis. The purchase price allocation, which excludes settlement of the Paris 3 financing obligations, was as follows (in thousands): Cash and cash equivalents $ 4,073 Accounts receivable 1,507 Other current assets 794 Property, plant and equipment 143,972 Intangible assets 11,758 Goodwill 48,835 Other assets 81 Total assets acquired 211,020 Accounts payable and accrued liabilities (2,044 ) Other current liabilities (2,798 ) Deferred tax liabilities (42,395 ) Other liabilities (755 ) Net assets acquired $ 163,028 Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of the net tangible and intangible assets acquired. Goodwill is not expected to be deductible for local tax purposes. Goodwill will not be amortized and will be tested for impairment at least annually. Goodwill is attributable to the Company's EMEA region. The following table presents certain information on the acquired identifiable intangible assets (dollars in thousands): Intangible Assets Fair Value Estimated Useful Lives (Years) Weighted-average Estimated Useful Lives (Years) In-place leases $ 7,485 0.9-9.4 4.3 Favorable leasehold interests 4,273 1.9-6.7 5.3 The fair value of in-place leases may consist of a variety of components including, but not necessarily limited to the value associated with avoiding the cost of originating the acquired in-place leases. The fair value of favorable leases was estimated based on the income approach, by computing the net present value of the difference between the contractual amounts to be paid pursuant to the lease agreements and estimates of the fair market lease rates for the corresponding in-place leases measured over the remaining non-cancellable terms of the leases. The fair value measurements were based on significant inputs that are not observable in the market and thus represent Level 3 measurements as defined in the accounting standard for fair value measurements. The fair value of the property, plant and equipment was estimated by applying the income approach or cost approach, such as cash flows or earnings that an asset can be expected to generate over its useful life or the replacement or reproduction cost. For the three months ended March 31, 2017 , the incremental revenues from the Paris IBX Data Center Acquisition were $3.9 million and the incremental net income was not significant to the Company's condensed consolidated statement of operations. The incremental results of operations from the Paris IBX Data Center Acquisition are not significant; therefore the Company does not present pro forma combined results of operations. TelecityGroup Acquisition On January 15, 2016, the Company completed the acquisition of the entire issued and to be issued share capital of TelecityGroup. TelecityGroup operates data center facilities in cities across Europe. The acquisition of TelecityGroup has enhanced the Company's existing data center portfolio by adding new IBX metro markets in Europe including Dublin, Helsinki, Istanbul, Manchester, Milan, Sofia, Stockholm and Warsaw. As a result of the transaction, TelecityGroup became a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company. Under the terms of the acquisition, the Company acquired all outstanding shares and all vested equity awards of TelecityGroup at 572.5 pence in cash and 0.0336 new shares of Equinix common stock for a total purchase consideration of approximately £2,624.5 million or approximately $3,743.6 million . In addition, the Company assumed $1.3 million of TelecityGroup's vested employee equity awards as part of consideration transferred. The Company incurred acquisition costs of approximately $42.5 million during the year ended December 31, 2016 related to the TelecityGroup acquisition. In connection with the TelecityGroup acquisition, the Company placed £322.9 million or approximately $475.7 million into a restricted cash account. The cash was released upon completion of the acquisition. Also, in connection with TelecityGroup acquisition, the Company entered into a bridge credit agreement with J.P. Morgan Chase Bank, N.A. ("JPMCB") as the initial lender and as administrative agent for the lenders for a principal amount of £875.0 million or approximately $1,289.0 million at the exchange rate in effect on December 31, 2015 (the "Bridge Loan"). The Company did not make any borrowings under the Bridge Loan and the Bridge Loan was terminated on January 8, 2016. Purchase Price Allocation Under the acquisition method of accounting, the assets acquired and liabilities assumed in a business combination shall be measured at fair value at the date of the acquisition and the Company has completed the valuation analysis. As of December 31, 2016, the Company updated the final allocation of purchase price for TelecityGroup from the provisional amounts reported as of March 31, 2016, which primarily resulted in increases to intangible assets of $36.8 million and deferred tax liabilities of $19.5 million and decreases in capital lease and other financing obligations of $34.4 million , goodwill of $22.5 million and assets held for sale of $36.9 million . The changes did not have a significant impact on the Company’s results from operations for the year ended December 31, 2016. The final allocation of the purchase price is as follows (in thousands): Cash and cash equivalents $ 73,368 Accounts receivable 24,042 Other current assets 41,079 Assets held for sale 877,650 Property, plant and equipment 1,058,583 Goodwill 2,215,567 Intangible assets 694,243 Deferred tax assets 994 Other assets 4,102 Total assets acquired 4,989,628 Accounts payable and accrued expenses (84,367 ) Accrued property, plant and equipment (3,634 ) Other current liabilities (27,333 ) Liabilities held for sale (155,650 ) Capital lease and other financing obligations (165,365 ) Mortgage and loans payable (592,304 ) Deferred tax liabilities (176,168 ) Other liabilities (40,021 ) Net assets acquired $ 3,744,786 The purchase price allocation above, as of the acquisition date, includes acquired assets and liabilities that were classified by the Company as held for sale (Note 4). The following table presents certain information on the acquired intangible assets (dollars in thousands): Intangible Assets Fair Value Estimated Useful Lives (Years) Weighted-average Estimated Useful Lives (Years) Customer relationships $ 591,956 13.5 13.5 Trade names 72,033 1.5 1.5 Favorable leases 30,254 2.0 - 25.4 19.7 The fair value of customer relationships was estimated by applying an income approach. The fair value was determined by calculating the present value of estimated future operating cash flows generated from existing customers less costs to realize the revenue. The Company applied a weighted-average discount rate of approximately 8.5% , which reflected the nature of the assets as they relate to the estimated future operating cash flows. Other significant assumptions used to estimate the fair value of the customer relationships include projected revenue growth, customer attrition rates, sales and marketing expenses and operating margins. The fair value of the TelecityGroup trade name was estimated using the relief of royalty approach. The Company applied a relief of royalty rate of 2.0% and a weighted-average discount rate of approximately 9.0% . The fair value of the other acquired identifiable intangible assets was estimated by applying a relief of royalty or cost approach as appropriate. The fair value measurements were based on significant inputs that are not observable in the market and thus represent Level 3 measurements as defined in the accounting standard for fair value measurements. The fair value of the property, plant and equipment was estimated by applying the income approach or cost approach. The income approach is used to estimate fair value based on the income stream, such as cash flows or earnings that an asset can be expected to generate over its useful life. There are two primary methods of applying the income approach to determine the fair value of assets: the discounted cash flow method and the direct capitalization method. The key assumptions include the estimated earnings, discount rate and direct capitalization rate. The cost approach is to use the replacement or reproduction cost as an indicator of fair value. The premise of the cost approach is that a market participant would pay no more for an asset than the amount for which the asset could be replaced or reproduced. The key assumptions of the cost approach include replacement cost new, physical deterioration, functional and economic obsolescence, economic useful life, remaining useful life, age and effective age. The Company determined the fair value of the loans payable assumed in the TelecityGroup acquisition by estimating TelecityGroup's debt rating and reviewing market data with a similar debt rating and other characteristics of the debt, including the maturity date and security type. On January 15, 2016, the Company prepaid and terminated these loans payable. In conjunction with the repayment of the loans payable, the Company incurred an insignificant amount of pre-payment penalties and interest rate swap termination costs, which were recorded as interest expense in the condensed consolidated statement of operations. Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of the net tangible and intangible assets acquired. The goodwill is attributable to the workforce of the acquired business and the significant synergies expected to arise after the acquisition. The goodwill is not expected to be deductible for local tax purposes. Goodwill will not be amortized and will be tested for impairment at least annually. Goodwill recorded as a result of the TelecityGroup acquisition, except for the goodwill associated with assets held for sale, is attributable to the Company's EMEA region. For the three months ended March 31, 2016, the Company's results of continuing operations include TelecityGroup revenues of $84.4 million and net loss from continuing operations of $2.8 million for the period January 15, 2016 through March 31, 2016.

Assets Held for Sale

Assets Held for Sale	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017
Discontinued Operations and Disposal Groups [Abstract]
Assets Held for Sale	Assets Held for Sale During the fourth quarter of 2015, the Company entered into an agreement to sell a parcel of land in San Jose, California. The sale was completed in February 2016 and the Company recognized a gain on sale of $5.2 million . In June 2016, the Company approved the divestiture of the solar power assets of Bit-isle. In October 2016, the Company entered into a Share Transfer Agreement for the transfer of common stock of Terra Power Co., Ltd., relating to the divestiture of the solar power assets of Bit-isle. The Company received ¥400.0 million upon the closing of the transaction, or approximately $3.8 million at the exchange rate in effect on October 31, 2016. By November 30, 2016, the Company had received an additional ¥2,500.0 million , or approximately $22.1 million at the exchange rate in effect at the time of cash receipt. The Company received the remaining payment of ¥5,313.4 million in the first quarter of 2017, or approximately $47.8 million at the exchange rate in effect on March 31, 2017. The Company did not have any assets and liabilities held for sale as of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 Discontinued Operations In order to obtain the approval of the European Commission for the acquisition of TelecityGroup, the Company and TelecityGroup agreed to divest certain data centers, including the Company's London 2 data center and certain data centers of TelecityGroup. The data centers, on acquisition, met the criteria to be classified as held for sale and were therefore reported as a discontinued operation. As of the date of acquisition, depreciation and amortization of discontinued operations were ceased. Capital expenditures from the date of acquisition through March 31, 2016 were $17.0 million . The Company did not record income from discontinued operations, net of taxes for the three months ended March 31, 2017. The following table presents the financial results of the Company's discontinued operations for the three months ended March 31, 2016. Three Months Ended Revenues $ 20,581 Costs and operating expenses: Cost of revenues 11,610 Sales and marketing 217 General and administrative 383 Total costs and operating expenses 12,210 Income from discontinued operations 8,371 Interest and other, net (469 ) Income from discontinued operations before income taxes 7,902 Income tax expense (1,686 ) Net income from discontinued operations, net of tax $ 6,216

Discontinued Operations

Discontinued Operations	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017
Discontinued Operations and Disposal Groups [Abstract]
Discontinued Operations	Assets Held for Sale During the fourth quarter of 2015, the Company entered into an agreement to sell a parcel of land in San Jose, California. The sale was completed in February 2016 and the Company recognized a gain on sale of $5.2 million . In June 2016, the Company approved the divestiture of the solar power assets of Bit-isle. In October 2016, the Company entered into a Share Transfer Agreement for the transfer of common stock of Terra Power Co., Ltd., relating to the divestiture of the solar power assets of Bit-isle. The Company received ¥400.0 million upon the closing of the transaction, or approximately $3.8 million at the exchange rate in effect on October 31, 2016. By November 30, 2016, the Company had received an additional ¥2,500.0 million , or approximately $22.1 million at the exchange rate in effect at the time of cash receipt. The Company received the remaining payment of ¥5,313.4 million in the first quarter of 2017, or approximately $47.8 million at the exchange rate in effect on March 31, 2017. The Company did not have any assets and liabilities held for sale as of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 Discontinued Operations In order to obtain the approval of the European Commission for the acquisition of TelecityGroup, the Company and TelecityGroup agreed to divest certain data centers, including the Company's London 2 data center and certain data centers of TelecityGroup. The data centers, on acquisition, met the criteria to be classified as held for sale and were therefore reported as a discontinued operation. As of the date of acquisition, depreciation and amortization of discontinued operations were ceased. Capital expenditures from the date of acquisition through March 31, 2016 were $17.0 million . The Company did not record income from discontinued operations, net of taxes for the three months ended March 31, 2017. The following table presents the financial results of the Company's discontinued operations for the three months ended March 31, 2016. Three Months Ended Revenues $ 20,581 Costs and operating expenses: Cost of revenues 11,610 Sales and marketing 217 General and administrative 383 Total costs and operating expenses 12,210 Income from discontinued operations 8,371 Interest and other, net (469 ) Income from discontinued operations before income taxes 7,902 Income tax expense (1,686 ) Net income from discontinued operations, net of tax $ 6,216

Derivatives and Hedging Activit

Derivatives and Hedging Activities	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]
Derivatives and Hedging Activities	Derivatives and Hedging Activities Derivatives Designated as Hedging Instruments Net Investment Hedges. The Company is exposed to the impact of foreign exchange rate fluctuations on the value of investments in its foreign subsidiaries. In order to mitigate the impact of foreign currency exchange rates, the Company has entered into various foreign currency loans which are designated as hedges against the Company's net investment in foreign subsidiaries. As of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 , the total principal amounts of foreign currency loans, which were designated as net investment hedges, were $1,712.0 million and $646.2 million , respectively. In March 2016, the Company began using foreign exchange forward contracts to hedge against the effect of foreign exchange rate fluctuations on a portion of its net investment in the foreign subsidiaries. For a net investment hedge, changes in the fair value of the hedging instrument designated as a net investment hedge, except the ineffective portion and forward points, are recorded as a component of other comprehensive income in the condensed consolidated balance sheet. The Company recorded net foreign exchange losses of $28.6 million and $16.3 million in other comprehensive income (loss) for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016 , respectively. The Company recorded no ineffectiveness from its net investment hedges for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016 . Cash Flow Hedges. The Company hedges its foreign currency translation exposure for forecasted revenues and expenses in its EMEA region between the U.S. dollar and the British Pound, Euro, Swedish Krona and Swiss Franc. The foreign currency forward and option contracts that the Company uses to hedge this exposure are designated as cash flow hedges under the accounting standard for derivatives and hedging. The Company also uses purchased collar options to manage a portion of its exposure to foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations, where the Company writes a foreign currency call option and purchases a foreign currency put option. When two or more derivative instruments in combination are jointly designated as a cash flow hedging instrument, they are treated as a single instrument. The Company enters into intercompany hedging instruments ("intercompany derivatives") with wholly-owned subsidiaries of the Company in order to hedge certain forecasted revenues and expenses denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar. Simultaneously, the Company enters into derivative contracts with unrelated third parties to externally hedge the net exposure created by such intercompany derivatives. The following disclosure is prepared on a consolidated basis. Assets and liabilities resulting from intercompany derivatives have been eliminated in consolidation. As of March 31, 2017 , the Company's cash flow hedge instruments had maturity dates ranging from April 2017 to February 2019 as follows (in thousands): Notional Amount Fair Value (1) Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (2) (3) Derivative assets $ 483,110 $ 30,350 $ 27,744 Derivative liabilities 176,432 (2,315 ) (2,340 ) Total $ 659,542 $ 28,035 $ 25,404 (1) All derivatives related to cash flow hedges are included in the condensed consolidated balance sheets within other current assets, other assets, other current liabilities and other liabilities. (2) Included in the condensed consolidated balance sheets within accumulated other comprehensive income (loss). (3) The Company recorded a net gain of $23.0 million within accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) relating to cash flow hedges that will be reclassified to revenue and expenses as they mature in the next 12 months . As of December 31, 2016 , the Company's cash flow hedge instruments had maturity dates ranging from January 2017 to November 2018 as follows (in thousands): Notional Amount Fair Value (1) Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (2) (3) Derivative assets $ 545,638 $ 44,570 $ 42,634 Derivative liabilities 42,207 (1,815 ) (1,453 ) Total $ 587,845 $ 42,755 $ 41,181 (1) All derivatives related to cash flow hedges are included in the condensed consolidated balance sheets within other current assets, other assets, other current liabilities and other liabilities. (2) Included in the condensed consolidated balance sheets within accumulated other comprehensive income (loss). (3) The Company recorded a net gain of $31.9 million within accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) relating to cash flow hedges that will be reclassified to revenue and expense as they mature over the next 12 months. During the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016 , the ineffective and excluded portions of cash flow hedges recognized in other income (expense) were not significant. During the three months ended March 31, 2017 , the amount of net gains reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) to revenue was $17.7 million and the amount of net losses reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) to operating expenses was $9.0 million . During the three months ended March 31, 2016 , the amount of net gains reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) to revenue was $6.4 million and the amount of net losses reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) to operating expenses was $3.8 million . 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, 2017 , the loss associated with these embedded derivatives was $5.0 million and during the three months ended March 31, 2016 , the loss associated with these embedded derivatives was $6.6 million . Economic Hedges of Embedded Derivatives. The Company uses foreign currency forward contracts to manage the foreign exchange risk associated with the Company's customer agreements that are priced in currencies different from the functional or local currencies of the parties involved ("economic hedges of embedded derivatives"). Foreign currency forward contracts represent agreements to exchange the currency of one country for the currency of another country at an agreed-upon price on an agreed-upon settlement date. Gains and losses on these contracts are included within revenues in the Company's condensed consolidated statements of operations 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, 2017 and 2016 . During the three months ended March 31, 2017 , the gains associated with these contracts were not significant and during the three months ended March 31, 2016 , the gains associated with these contracts were $3.7 million . Foreign Currency Forward and Option Contracts. The Company also uses foreign currency forward and option contracts to manage the foreign exchange risk associated with certain foreign currency-denominated assets and liabilities. As a result of foreign currency fluctuations, the U.S. dollar equivalent values of its foreign currency-denominated assets and liabilities change. Gains and losses on these contracts are included in other income (expense), net in the Company's condensed consolidated statements of operations, along with foreign currency gains and losses of the related foreign currency-denominated assets and liabilities associated with these foreign currency forward and option contracts. The Company entered into various foreign currency forward and option contracts during the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016 . During the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016 , the Company recognized net losses of $14.7 million and $7.6 million , respectively, associated with these contracts. 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, 2017 (in thousands): Gross Amounts Gross Amounts Offset in the Balance Sheet Net Amounts (1) Gross Amounts not Offset in the Balance Sheet (2) Net Assets: Designated as hedging instruments: Foreign currency forward and option contracts designated as cash flow hedges $ 30,350 $ — $ 30,350 $ (2,315 ) $ 28,035 Not designated as hedging instruments: Embedded derivatives 6,196 — 6,196 — 6,196 Economic hedges of embedded derivatives 257 — 257 (16 ) 241 Foreign currency forward contracts 5,175 — 5,175 (156 ) 5,019 11,628 — 11,628 (172 ) 11,456 Additional netting benefit — — — (113 ) (113 ) $ 41,978 $ — $ 41,978 $ (2,600 ) $ 39,378 Liabilities: Designated as hedging instruments Foreign currency forward contracts designated as cash flow hedges $ 2,315 $ — $ 2,315 $ (2,315 ) $ — Not designated as hedging instruments: Embedded derivatives 2,755 — 2,755 — 2,755 Economic hedges of embedded derivatives 16 — 16 (16 ) — Foreign currency forward contracts 269 — 269 (156 ) 113 3,040 — 3,040 (172 ) 2,868 Additional netting benefit — — — (113 ) (113 ) $ 5,355 $ — $ 5,355 $ (2,600 ) $ 2,755 (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, 2016 (in thousands): Gross Amounts Gross Amounts Offset in the Balance Sheet Net Amounts (1) Gross Amounts not Offset in the Balance Sheet (2) Net Assets: Designated as hedging instruments: Cash flow hedges Foreign currency forward and option contracts $ 44,570 $ — $ 44,570 $ (1,815 ) $ 42,755 Net investment hedges Foreign currency forward contracts 6,930 — 6,930 (3,310 ) 3,620 51,500 — 51,500 (5,125 ) 46,375 Not designated as hedging instruments: Embedded derivatives 9,745 — 9,745 — 9,745 Foreign currency forward contracts 8,734 — 8,734 (1,873 ) 6,861 18,479 — 18,479 (1,873 ) 16,606 Additional netting benefit — — — (2,436 ) (2,436 ) $ 69,979 $ — $ 69,979 $ (9,434 ) $ 60,545 Liabilities: Designated as hedging instruments: Cash flow hedges Foreign currency forward and option contracts $ 1,815 $ — $ 1,815 $ (1,815 ) $ — Net investment hedges Foreign currency forward contracts 3,525 — 3,525 (3,310 ) 215 5,340 — 5,340 (5,125 ) 215 Not designated as hedging instruments: Embedded derivatives 1,525 — 1,525 — 1,525 Economic hedges of embedded derivatives 866 — 866 — 866 Foreign currency forward contracts 3,228 — 3,228 (1,873 ) 1,355 5,619 — 5,619 (1,873 ) 3,746 Additional netting benefit — — — (2,436 ) (2,436 ) $ 10,959 $ — $ 10,959 $ (9,434 ) $ 1,525 (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, 2017
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Fair Value Measurements	Fair Value Measurements Cash, Cash Equivalents and Investments. The fair value of the Company's investments in money market funds approximates their face value. Such instruments are included in cash equivalents. The Company's money market funds and publicly traded equity securities are classified within Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy because they are valued using quoted prices for identical instruments in active markets. The fair value of the Company's other investments approximate their face value and include certificates of deposit. The fair value of these investments is priced based on the quoted market price for similar instruments or nonbinding market prices that are corroborated by observable market data. Such instruments are classified within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy. The Company determines the fair values of its Level 2 investments by using inputs such as actual trade data, benchmark yields, broker/dealer quotes, and other similar data, which are obtained from quoted market prices, custody bank, third-party pricing vendors, or other sources. The Company uses such pricing data as the primary input to make its assessments and determinations as to the ultimate valuation of its investment portfolio and has not made, during the periods presented, any material adjustments to such inputs. The Company is responsible for its condensed consolidated financial statements and underlying estimates. Derivative Assets and Liabilities . For derivatives, the Company uses forward contract and option models employing market observable inputs, such as spot currency rates and forward points with adjustments made to these values utilizing published credit default swap rates of its foreign exchange trading counterparties and other comparable companies. The Company has determined that the inputs used to value its derivatives fall within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy, therefore the derivatives are categorized as Level 2. The Company's financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of March 31, 2017 were as follows (in thousands): Fair Value at Fair Value Measurement Using Level 1 Level 2 Assets: Cash $ 2,005,012 $ 2,005,012 $ — Money market and deposit accounts 2,915,170 2,915,170 — Publicly traded equity securities 6,461 6,461 — Certificates of deposit 17,819 — 17,819 Derivative instruments (1) 41,978 — 41,978 Total $ 4,986,440 $ 4,926,643 $ 59,797 Liabilities: Derivative instruments (1) $ 5,355 $ — $ 5,355 Total $ 5,355 $ — $ 5,355 (1) Includes both foreign currency embedded derivatives and foreign currency forward and option contracts. Amounts are included within other current assets, other assets, others current liabilities and other liabilities in the Company’s accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheet. The Company's financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2016 were as follows (in thousands): Fair Value at Fair Value Measurement Using Level 1 Level 2 Assets: Cash $ 345,119 $ 345,119 $ — Money market and deposit accounts 400,388 400,388 — Publicly traded equity securities 6,463 6,463 — Certificates of deposit 9,957 — 9,957 Derivative instruments (1) 69,979 — 69,979 Total $ 831,906 $ 751,970 $ 79,936 Liabilities: Derivative instruments (1) $ 10,959 $ — $ 10,959 Total $ 10,959 $ — $ 10,959 (1) Includes both foreign currency embedded derivatives and foreign currency forward and option contracts. Amounts are included within other current assets, other assets, other current liabilities and other liabilities in the Company's accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheet. The Company did not have any Level 3 financial assets or financial liabilities as of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 .

Leases

Leases	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017
Leases [Abstract]
Leases	Leases Capital Lease and Other Financing Obligations Hong Kong 5 ("HK5") In January 2017, the Company entered into an agreement for certain elements of the construction of the Company's fifth data center in Hong Kong ("HK5"). The terms of the construction agreement triggered the Company to be, in substance, the owner of the asset during the construction phase. Additionally, the Company believes that it will likely fail the sales lease back test due to its continued involvement and therefore has accounted for the construction and related agreements as a build to suit arrangement. As of March 31, 2017, the Company recorded a financing liability totaling approximately 516.4 million in Hong Kong dollars, or $66.4 million at the exchange rate in effect as of March 31, 2017. 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 Obligations Other Financing Obligations (1) Total 2017 (9 months remaining) $ 62,824 $ 63,110 $ 125,934 2018 83,910 86,813 170,723 2019 84,686 81,333 166,019 2020 84,714 80,524 165,238 2021 84,950 81,871 166,821 Thereafter 836,023 939,125 1,775,148 Total minimum lease payments 1,237,107 1,332,776 2,569,883 Plus amount representing residual property value — 561,089 561,089 Less amount representing interest (540,729 ) (967,732 ) (1,508,461 ) Present value of net minimum lease payments 696,378 926,133 1,622,511 Less current portion (28,031 ) (71,171 ) (99,202 ) Total $ 668,347 $ 854,962 $ 1,523,309 (1) Other financing obligations are primarily build-to-suit lease obligations.

Debt Facilities

Debt Facilities	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Debt Facilities	Debt Facilities Mortgage and Loans Payable As of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, the Company's mortgage and loans payable consisted of the following (in thousands): March 31, December 31, 2016 Term loans $ 2,502,063 $ 1,413,582 Mortgage payable and loans payable 44,871 44,382 2,546,934 1,457,964 Less amount representing debt discount and debt issuance cost (35,399 ) (22,811 ) Add the amount representing mortgage premium 1,874 1,862 2,513,409 1,437,015 Less current portion (80,799 ) (67,928 ) Total $ 2,432,610 $ 1,369,087 On December 22, 2016, the Company, as borrower, and certain subsidiaries as guarantors, entered into a third amendment (the "Third Amendment") to the Senior Credit Facility. Pursuant to the Third Amendment, (i) the Company may borrow up to €1,000.0 million in additional term B loan (the "Term B-2 Loan"), (ii) the interest rate margin applicable to the existing Term Loan B (the "Term Loan B-1 Facility") in U.S. Dollars was reduced from 3.25% to 2.50% and the LIBOR floor applicable to such loans was reduced from 0.75% to zero and (iii) the interest rate margin applicable to the loans borrowed under the Term Loan B-1 Facility in Pounds Sterling was reduced from 3.75% to 3.00% , with no change to the existing LIBOR floor of 0.75% applicable to such loans. On January 6, 2017, the Company borrowed the full amount of the Term B-2 Loan of €1,000.0 million , or approximately $1,059.8 million and recorded debt issuance cost of €13.0 million , or approximately $13.8 million at the exchange rate in effect on January 6, 2017. The Term B-2 Loan will bear interest at an index rate based on EURIBOR plus a margin of 3.25% . No original issue discount is applicable to the Term B-2 Loan. The Term B-2 Loan must be repaid in equal quarterly installments of 0.25% of the original principal amount of the Term B-2 Loan starting in the second quarter of 2017, with the remaining amount outstanding to be repaid in full on the seventh anniversary of the funding date of the Term B-2 Loan. As of March 31, 2017, the Company had a €1,000.0 million outstanding term loan balance, or a total of approximately $1,068.6 million at the exchange rate in effect on March 31, 2017, under the Term B-2 Loan commitment. Debt issuance costs related to the Term B-2 Loan, net of amortization, were €12.5 million or $13.3 million . Senior Notes As of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, the Company's senior notes consisted of the following (in thousands): March 31, December 31, 2016 4.875% Senior Notes due 2020 $ 500,000 $ 500,000 5.375% Senior Notes due 2022 750,000 750,000 5.375% Senior Notes due 2023 1,000,000 1,000,000 5.750% Senior Notes due 2025 500,000 500,000 5.875% Senior Notes due 2026 1,100,000 1,100,000 5.375% Senior Notes due 2027 1,250,000 — 5,100,000 3,850,000 Less amount representing debt issuance cost (54,551 ) (39,230 ) Total $ 5,045,449 $ 3,810,770 2027 Senior Notes In March 2017, the Company issued $1,250.0 million aggregate principal amount of 5.375% senior notes due May 15, 2027 , which are referred to as the "2027 Senior Notes." Interest on the notes is payable semi-annually in arrears on May 15 and November 15 of each year, commencing on May 15, 2017. Debt issuance costs related to the 2027 Senior Notes were $16.9 million . The 2027 Senior Notes are unsecured and rank equal in right of payment to the Company's existing or future senior indebtedness and senior in right of payment to the Company's existing and future subordinated indebtedness. The senior notes are effectively subordinated to all of the existing and future secured debt, including debt outstanding under any bank facility or secured by any mortgage, to the extent of the assets securing such debt. They are also structurally subordinated to any existing and future indebtedness and other liabilities (including trade payables) of any of the Company's subsidiaries. The 2027 Senior Notes are governed by a supplemental indenture to the indenture between the Company and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee, that also governs the Company's 5.875% Senior Notes due 2026, 5.375% Senior Notes due 2022, and 5.750% Senior Notes due 2025. The supplemental indenture contains covenants that limit the Company's ability and the ability of its subsidiaries to, among other things: • incur additional debt; • pay dividends or make other restricted payments; • purchase, redeem or retire capital stock or subordinated debt; • make asset sales; • enter into transactions with affiliates; • incur liens; • enter into sale-leaseback transactions; • provide subsidiary guarantees; • make investments; and • merge or consolidate with any other person. The 2027 Senior Notes also provide for optional redemption. At any time prior to May 15, 2020, the Company may on any one or more occasions redeem up to 35% of the aggregate principal amount of the 2027 Senior Notes (calculated giving effect to any issuance of additional notes of such series) outstanding under the 2027 Senior Notes indenture, at a redemption price equal to 105.375% of the principal amount of the notes to be redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest to, but not including, the redemption date, with the net cash proceeds of one or more equity offerings, provided that (i) at least 65% of the aggregate principal amount of the 2027 Senior Notes (calculated giving effect to any issuance of additional notes) issued under the 2027 indenture remains outstanding immediately after the occurrence of such redemption and (ii) the redemption must occur within 90 days of the date of the closing of such equity offering. On or after May 15, 2022, the Company may redeem all or a part of the 2027 Senior Notes, on any one or more occasions, at the redemption prices (expressed as percentages of principal amount) set forth below plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon, if any, to, but not including, the applicable redemption date, if redeemed during the twelve-month period beginning May 15 of the years indicated below: Redemption Price of the 2027 Notes 2022 102.688 % 2023 101.792 % 2024 100.896 % 2025 and thereafter 100.000 % In addition, at any time prior to May 15, 2022, the Company may also redeem all or a part of the 2027 Senior Notes at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of 2027 Senior Notes redeemed plus the applicable premium (the "2027 Senior Notes Applicable Premium") as of, and accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but not including, the date of the redemption, subject to the rights of the holders of record of 2027 Senior Notes on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date. The 2027 Senior Notes Applicable Premium is defined as the greater of: • 1.0% of the principal amount of the 2027 Senior Notes; and • the excess of: (a) the present value at such redemption date of (i) the redemption price of the 2027 Senior Notes at May 15, 2022 (such redemption price as shown in the table above), plus (ii) all required interest payments due on the 2027 Senior Notes through May 15, 2022 (excluding accrued but unpaid interest, if any, to, but not including, the redemption date) computed using a discount rate equal to the treasury rate as of such redemption date plus 50 basis points; over (b) the principal amount of the 2027 Senior Notes, if greater. As of March 31, 2017 , debt issuance costs related to the 2027 Senior Notes, net of amortization, were $16.8 million . Maturities of Debt Facilities The following table sets forth maturities of the Company's debt, including mortgage and loans payable, and senior notes, gross of debt issuance costs and debt discounts, as of March 31, 2017 (in thousands): Years ending: 2017 (9 months remaining) $ 60,587 2018 80,859 2019 367,888 2020 542,785 2021 357,532 Thereafter 6,239,157 Total $ 7,648,808 Fair Value of Debt Facilities The following table sets forth the estimated fair values of the Company's mortgage and loans payable, and senior notes, including current maturities, as of (in thousands): March 31, December 31, 2016 Mortgage and loans payable $ 2,561,314 $ 1,461,954 Senior notes 5,341,782 4,033,985 The fair value of the mortgage and loans payable, which are not publicly traded, was estimated by considering the Company's credit rating, current rates available to the Company for debt of the same remaining maturities and terms of the debt (Level 2). The fair value of the senior notes, which are traded in the public debt market, was based on quoted market prices (Level 1). 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 2017 2016 Interest expense $ 111,684 $ 100,863 Interest capitalized 6,400 2,286 Interest charges incurred $ 118,084 $ 103,149 Total interest paid, net of capitalized interest, during the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016 was $109.0 million and $71.8 million , respectively.

Commitments and Contingencies

Commitments and Contingencies	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Commitments and Contingencies	Commitments and Contingencies Purchase Commitments Primarily as a result of the Company's various IBX expansion projects, as of March 31, 2017 , the Company was contractually committed for $415.4 million of unaccrued capital expenditures, primarily for IBX infrastructure 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, 2017 , such as commitments to purchase power in select locations through the remainder of 2017 and thereafter, and other open purchase orders for goods or services to be delivered or provided during the remainder of 2017 and thereafter. Such other miscellaneous purchase commitments totaled $648.6 million as of March 31, 2017 . Contingent Liabilities The Company estimates exposure on certain liabilities, such as indirect and property taxes, based on the best information available at the time of determination. With respect to real and personal property taxes, the Company records what it can reasonably estimate based on prior payment history, current landlord estimates or estimates based on current or changing fixed asset values in each specific municipality, as applicable. However, there are circumstances beyond the Company’s control whereby the underlying value of the property or basis for which the tax is calculated on the property may change, such as a landlord selling the underlying property of one of the Company’s IBX data center leases or a municipality changing the assessment value in a jurisdiction and, as a result, the Company’s property tax obligations may vary from period to period. Based upon the most current facts and circumstances, the Company makes the necessary property tax accruals for each of its reporting periods. However, revisions in the Company’s estimates of the potential or actual liability could materially impact its financial position, results of operations or cash flows. The Company's indirect and property tax filings in various jurisdictions are subject to examination by local tax authorities. The outcome of any examinations cannot be predicted with certainty. The Company regularly assesses the likelihood of adverse outcomes resulting from these examinations that would affect the adequacy of its tax accruals for each of the reporting periods. If any issues arising from the tax examinations are resolved in a manner inconsistent with the Company’s expectations, the revision of the estimates of the potential or actual liabilities could materially impact its financial position, results of operations, or cash flows.

Stockholders' Equity

Stockholders' Equity	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017
Equity [Abstract]
Stockholders' Equity	Stockholders' Equity Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss The changes in accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax, by components are as follows (in thousands): Balance as of Net Change Balance as of Foreign currency translation adjustment ("CTA") gain (loss) $ (1,031,129 ) $ 106,938 $ (924,191 ) Unrealized gain (loss) on cash flow hedges (1) 30,704 (11,727 ) 18,977 Unrealized gain (loss) on available-for-sale securities (2) 2,110 (265 ) 1,845 Net investment hedge CTA gain (loss) 49,989 (28,551 ) 21,438 Net actuarial gain (loss) on defined benefit plans (3) (816 ) 11 (805 ) Total $ (949,142 ) $ 66,406 $ (882,736 ) (1) Refer to Note 6 for a discussion of the amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) to net income (loss). (2) There weren't any realized gains and losses that were reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) to net income (loss) for the three months ended March 31, 2017. (3) The Company has a defined benefit pension plan covering all employees in one country where such plans are mandated by law. The Company does not have any defined benefit plans in any other countries. The unamortized gain (loss) on defined benefit plans includes gains or losses resulting from a change in the value of either the projected benefit obligation or the plan assets resulting from a change in an actuarial assumption, net of amortization. Changes in foreign currency exchange rates 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 condensed consolidated results of operations, as amounts in foreign currencies generally translate 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, 2017 , the U.S. dollar was generally weaker relative to certain of the currencies of the foreign countries in which the Company operates. This overall weakening of the U.S. dollar had an overall favorable impact on the Company's condensed consolidated financial position because the foreign denominations translated into more U.S. dollars as evidenced by an increase in foreign currency translation gain for the three months ended March 31, 2017 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 condensed consolidated financial position and results of operations including the amount of revenue that the Company reports in future periods. Common Stock In March 2017, the Company issued and sold 6,069,444 shares of its common stock in a public offering pursuant to a registration statement and a related prospectus and prospectus supplement, in each case filed with the SEC. The shares issued and sold included the full exercise of the underwriters' option to purchase 791,666 additional shares. The Company received net proceeds of approximately $2,126.3 million , after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions of $57.9 million and estimated offering expenses of $0.8 million . Dividends On February 15, 2017 , the Company declared a quarterly cash dividend of $2.00 per share, with a record date of February 27, 2017 and a payment date of March 22, 2017 . During the three months ended March 31, 2017 , the Company paid a total of $148.1 million . In addition, the Company accrued an additional $2.6 million in dividends payable for restricted stock units that have not yet vested. Stock-Based Compensation In the first quarter of 2017 , the Compensation Committee and the Stock Award Committee of the Company's Board of Directors approved the issuance of an aggregate of 511,508 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 $367.22 and a weighted-average requisite service period of 3.48 years. The valuation of restricted stock units with only a service condition or a service and performance condition requires no significant assumptions as the fair value for these types of equity awards is based solely on the fair value of the Company's stock price on the date of grant. The Company 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 2017 . 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 in 2017 compared to the prior year. 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 2017 2016 Cost of revenues $ 2,911 $ 2,997 Sales and marketing 10,972 9,771 General and administrative 24,440 21,747 Total $ 38,323 $ 34,515

Segment Information

Segment Information	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Segment Information	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, acquisition costs and gains on asset sales as presented below (in thousands): Three Months Ended 2017 2016 Adjusted EBITDA: Americas $ 198,619 $ 184,460 EMEA 129,554 111,489 Asia-Pacific 99,401 84,701 Total adjusted EBITDA 427,574 380,650 Depreciation, amortization and accretion expense (219,013 ) (202,153 ) Stock-based compensation expense (38,323 ) (34,515 ) Acquisition costs (3,025 ) (36,536 ) Gains on asset sales — 5,242 Income from operations $ 167,213 $ 112,688 The Company also provides the following additional segment disclosures (in thousands): Three Months Ended 2017 2016 Revenues: Americas $ 436,447 $ 404,394 EMEA 314,847 267,856 Asia-Pacific 198,231 171,906 Total $ 949,525 $ 844,156 Depreciation and amortization: Americas $ 87,927 $ 76,259 EMEA 76,168 76,050 Asia-Pacific 52,911 48,225 Total $ 217,006 $ 200,534 Capital expenditures: Americas $ 153,435 $ 83,499 EMEA 83,584 57,273 Asia-Pacific 40,223 56,928 Total $ 277,242 $ 197,700 The Company's long-lived assets are located in the following geographic areas and total assets by segments are as follows (in thousands): March 31, December 31, Americas $ 3,452,704 $ 3,339,518 EMEA 2,521,418 2,355,943 Asia-Pacific 1,631,707 1,503,749 Total long-lived assets $ 7,605,829 $ 7,199,210 Revenue information on a services basis is as follows (in thousands): Three Months Ended 2017 2016 Colocation $ 691,522 $ 618,395 Interconnection 148,060 125,587 Managed infrastructure 54,609 50,310 Other 4,249 2,328 Recurring revenues 898,440 796,620 Non-recurring revenues 51,085 47,536 Total $ 949,525 $ 844,156 No single customer accounted for 10% or greater of the Company's revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016 . No single customer accounted for 10% or greater of the Company's gross accounts receivable as of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 .

Subsequent Events

Subsequent Events	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017
Subsequent Events [Abstract]
Subsequent Events	Subsequent Events On April 26, 2017, the Company declared a quarterly cash dividend of $2.00 per share, which is payable on June 21, 2017 to the Company's common stockholders of record as of the close of business on May 24, 2017. On May 1, 2017, the Company completed the previously announced acquisition of Verizon's colocation service business consisting of 29 data center buildings, for a cash purchase price of approximately $3.6 billion . The operating results of the Selected Verizon Data Center Business Acquisition will be reported in the Americas region following the date of acquisition. The purchase price allocation for the acquisition is not yet complete. As a result, the fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed are still being appraised by a third-party and have not yet been finalized.

Basis of Presentation and Sig21

Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017
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, 2016 has been derived from audited consolidated financial statements as of that date. The consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"), but omit certain information and footnote disclosure necessary to present the statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America ("GAAP"). For further information, refer to the Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes thereto included in Equinix’s Form 10-K as filed with the SEC on February 27, 2017. 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, including the acquisitions of the IO UK data center operating business from February 3, 2017, Paris IBX data center from August 1, 2016 and Telecity Group plc ("TelecityGroup") from January 15, 2016. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
Income Taxes	Income Taxes The Company began operating as a real estate investment trust for federal income tax purposes ("REIT") effective January 1, 2015, and thereafter received a favorable private letter ruling ("PLR") from the U.S. Internal Revenue Service ("IRS") that validated the Company's position with respect to specified REIT compliance matters. As a result, the Company may deduct the distributions made to its stockholders from taxable income generated by the Company and its qualified REIT subsidiaries ("QRSs"). The Company’s dividends paid deduction generally eliminates the U.S. taxable income of the Company and its QRSs, resulting in no U.S. income tax due. However, the Company's 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 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 performance of the Company, tax law changes and future business acquisitions.
Assets Held for Sale and Discontinued Operations	Assets Held for Sale and Discontinued Operations Assets and liabilities to be disposed of that meet all of the criteria to be classified as held for sale as set forth in the accounting standard for impairment or disposal of long-lived assets are reported at the lower of their carrying amounts or fair values less costs to sell. Assets are not depreciated or amortized while they are classified as held for sale. A component of a reporting entity or a group of components of a reporting entity that are disposed or meet the criteria to be classified as held for sale should be reported in discontinued operations if the disposal represents a strategic shift that has (or will have) a major effect on an entity's operations and financial results. The accounting guidance requires a business activity that, on acquisition, meets the criteria to be classified as held for sale be reported as a discontinued operation. For further information on the Company's assets held for sale and discontinued operations, see Notes 4 and 5.
Reclassifications	Reclassifications Certain amounts in prior periods have been reclassified to conform with current period presentation.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements	Recent Accounting Pronouncements Accounting Standards Not Yet Adopted In March 2017, Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") No. 2017-07 Compensation–Retirement Benefits (Topic 715). This ASU was issued primarily to improve the presentation of net periodic pension cost and net periodic post-retirement benefit cost. This ASU requires that an employer reports the service cost component in the same line item or items as other compensation costs arising from services rendered by the pertinent employees during the period. It also requires the other components of net periodic pension cost and net periodic post-retirement benefit cost to be presented in the income statement separately from the service cost component and outside a subtotal of income from operations, if one is presented. Additionally, only the service cost component is eligible for capitalization, when applicable. This ASU is effective for public business entities for its annual or any interim reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017. The Company is currently evaluating the impact that the adoption of this standard will have on its consolidated financial statements, but does not expect to early adopt this ASU. In February 2017, FASB issued ASU No. 2017-05 Other Income—Gains and Losses from the Derecognition of Non-financial Assets (Subtopic 610-20). This ASU is to clarify the scope of the non-financial asset guidance in Subtopic 610-20 and to add guidance for partial sales of non-financial assets. This ASU defines the term in substance non-financial asset and clarifies that non-financial assets within the scope of Subtopic 610-20 may include non-financial assets transferred within a legal entity to a counterparty. The ASU also provides guidance on the accounting for what often are referred to as partial sales of non-financial assets within the scope of Subtopic 610-20 and contributions of non-financial assets to a joint venture or other non-controlled investee. This ASU is effective for public business entities for its annual or any interim reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017. Early adoption is permitted for interim or annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016. The Company is currently evaluating the impact that the adoption of this standard will have on its consolidated financial statements, but does not expect to early adopt this ASU. In January 2017, FASB issued ASU No. 2017-04 Intangibles - Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment. This ASU is to simplify the subsequent measurement of goodwill. The ASU eliminates step 2 from the goodwill impairment test and the requirements for any reporting unit with a zero or negative carrying amount to perform a qualitative assessment and, if it fails that qualitative test, to perform step 2 of the goodwill impairment test. An entity still has the option to perform the qualitative assessment for a reporting unit to determine if the quantitative impairment test is necessary. This ASU should be applied on a prospective basis. This ASU is effective for public business entities for its annual or any interim goodwill impairment tests in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019. Early adoption is permitted for interim or annual goodwill impairment tests performed on testing dates after January 1, 2017. The Company is currently evaluating the impact that the adoption of this standard will have on its consolidated financial statements. In January 2017, FASB issued ASU No. 2017-01, Business Combinations (Topic 805): Clarifying the Definition of a Business, clarifying the definition of a business. The ASU affects all companies and other reporting organizations that must determine whether they have acquired or sold a business. The definition of a business affects many areas of accounting including acquisitions, disposals, goodwill, and consolidation. The ASU is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within those periods with early adoption being permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact that the adoption of this standard will have on its consolidated financial statements, but does not expect to early adopt this ASU. In October 2016, FASB issued ASU 2016-16, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Intra-Entity Transfers of Assets Other Than Inventory. This ASU requires the recognition of the income tax consequences of an intra-entity transfer of an asset other than inventory when the transfer occurs. This ASU is effective for fiscal years and interim period within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2017, with early adoption permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact that the adoption of this standard will have on its consolidated financial statements, but does not expect to early adopt this ASU. In June 2016, FASB issued ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments. The ASU requires the measurement of all expected credit losses for financial assets held at the reporting date based on historical experience, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts. The ASU requires enhanced disclosures to help investors and other financial statement users better understand significant estimates and judgments used in estimating credit losses, as well as the credit quality and underwriting standards of an organization's portfolio. These disclosures include qualitative and quantitative requirements that provide additional information about the amounts recorded in the financial statements. In addition, the ASU amends the accounting for credit losses on available-for-sale debt securities and purchased financial assets with credit deterioration. The ASU is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2019, with early adoption permitted for all organizations for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2018. The Company expects this ASU to impact its accounts receivable and is currently evaluating the extent of the impact that the adoption of this ASU will have on its consolidated financial statements. In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842) ("ASU 2016-02"). Under the new guidance, lessees will be required to recognize the following for all leases (with the exception of short-term leases) at the commencement date: (1) a lease liability, which is a lessee's obligation to make lease payments arising from a lease, measured on a discounted basis; and (2) a right-of-use asset, which is an asset that represents the lessee's right to use, or control the use of, a specified asset for the lease term. Under the new guidance, lessor accounting is largely unchanged. Certain targeted improvements were made to align, where necessary, lessor accounting with the lessee accounting model and Topic 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers. The new lease guidance simplified the accounting for sale and leaseback transactions primarily because lessees must recognize lease assets and lease liabilities. Lessees (for capital and operating leases) and lessors (for sales-type, direct financing, and operating leases) must apply a modified retrospective transition approach for leases existing at, or entered into after, the beginning of the earliest comparative period presented in the financial statements. The modified retrospective approach would not require any transition accounting for leases that expired before the earliest comparative period presented. Lessees and lessors may not apply a full retrospective transition approach. ASU 2016-02 is effective for public companies for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those fiscal years, with early adoption permitted. While the Company is currently evaluating the impact that the adoption of this standard will have on its consolidated financial statements, the Company believes this standard will have a significant impact on its consolidated financial statements due, in part, to the substantial amount of leases it has. In January 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-01, Financial Instruments- Overall (Subtopic 825-10) ("ASU 2016-01"), which requires all equity investments to be measured at fair value with changes in the fair value recognized through net income other than those accounted for under equity method of accounting or those that result in consolidation of the investees. The ASU also requires that an entity present separately in other comprehensive income the portion of the total change in the fair value of a liability resulting from a change in the instrument-specific credit risk when the entity has elected to measure the liability at fair value in accordance with the fair value option for financial instruments. In addition, the ASU eliminates the requirement to disclose the fair value of financial instruments measured at amortized cost for entities that are not public business entities and the requirement to disclose the method(s) and significant assumptions used to estimate the fair value that is required to be disclosed for financial instruments measured at amortized cost on the balance sheet for public business entities. ASU 2016-01 is effective for public companies for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company currently holds publicly traded equity securities that are classified as “available-for-sale” and are carried at fair value with unrealized gains and losses reported in stockholders’ equity as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss). Upon the adoption of this ASU, the unrealized gains and losses will be recognized through net income. The Company has not elected to measure its financial liabilities at fair value therefore, does not expect to have an impact on the accounting for its financial liabilities. In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers ("ASU 2014-09") Topic 606 and issued subsequent amendments to the initial guidance in August 2015, March 2016, April 2016 and May 2016 within ASU 2015-14, ASU 2016-08, ASU 2016-10, ASU 2016-12 and ASU 2016-20, respectively (ASU 2014-09, ASU 2015-14, ASU 2016-08, ASU 2016-10, ASU 2016-11, ASU 2016-12 and ASU 2016-20 collectively, Topic 606). Topic 606 will replace most existing revenue recognition guidance in U.S. GAAP. The core principle of Topic 606 is that an entity should recognize revenue for the transfer of goods or services equal to the amount that it expects to be entitled to receive for those goods or services. Topic 606 requires additional disclosure about the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from customer contracts, including significant judgments and changes in judgments. Topic 606 allows entities to adopt with one of these two methods: full retrospective, which applies retrospectively to each prior reporting period presented or modified retrospective, which recognizes the cumulative effect of initially applying the revenue standard as an adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings in the period of initial application. The Company currently anticipates adopting the standard using the modified retrospective method. Topic 606, as amended, is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim reporting periods therein (i.e., January 1, 2018, for a calendar year entity). Early application for public entities is permitted only as of annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016, including interim reporting periods within that reporting period. The Company expects to adopt the standard on January 1, 2018. While the Company is continuing to evaluate all potential impacts of the standard, the Company believes the most significant impact relates to its accounting for installation revenue and the cost to obtain contracts. Under the new standard, the Company expects to recognize installation revenue over the contract period rather than over the estimated installation life. Under the new standard, the Company is also required to capitalize and amortize certain costs to obtain contracts. Therefore, these costs to obtain contracts will not be immediately expensed, but will be capitalized and amortized over the estimated contract term plus estimated renewal term. Accounting Standards Adopted In December 2016, FASB issued ASU No. 2016-19, Technical Corrections and Improvements. This ASU covers a wide range of Topics in the Accounting Standards Codification. Certain aspects of this ASU were effective immediately, while a few of the corrections are effective for public business entities for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016, and interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company adopted ASU 2016-19 in the three months ended March 31, 2017. The adoption of ASU 2016-19 did not impact the Company's condensed consolidated financial statements. In November 2016, FASB issued ASU No. 2016-18, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Restricted Cash. This ASU applies to all entities that have restricted cash or restricted cash equivalents and are required to present a statement of cash flows. The ASU requires that a statement of cash flows explain the change during the period in the total of cash, cash equivalents, and amounts generally described as restricted cash or restricted cash equivalents. As a result, amounts generally described as restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents should be included with cash and cash equivalents when reconciling the beginning-of-period and end-of-period total amounts shown on the statement of cash flows. This ASU is effective for public business entities for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, and interim periods within those fiscal years with early adoption being permitted. This ASU should be applied using a retrospective transition method to each period presented. The Company adopted ASU 2016-18 in the three months ended March 31, 2017 and applied this ASU retrospectively to the periods presented in the Company's condensed consolidated statements of cash flows. As a result, net cash used in investing activities for the three months ended March 31, 2016 was adjusted to exclude the change in restricted cash and increased the previously reported amount by $466.4 million . Restricted cash amounts are primarily time deposits or cash set side as a pledge for our mortgage loan in Germany and collateral for the Company's various bank guarantees for the periods ended March 31, 2017 and 2016. I n October 2016, FASB issued ASU No. 2016-17, Consolidation (Topic 810): Interests Held through Related Parties That Are under Common Control. This ASU alters how a decision maker needs to consider indirect interests in a variable interest entity ("VIE") held through an entity under common control. Under this ASU, if a decision maker is required to evaluate whether it is the primary beneficiary of a VIE, it will need to consider only its proportionate indirect interest in the VIE held through a common control party. This ASU is effective for public business entities for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016, including interim periods within those fiscal years, with early adoption permitted. The Company adopted ASU 2016-17 in the three months ended March 31, 2017. The adoption of this standard did not impact the Company's condensed consolidated financial statements as it does not hold any interests in a VIE through related parties that are under common control. In August 2016, FASB issued ASU 2016-15, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments. This ASU provides guidance on the classification of eight cash flow issues to reduce the existing diversification in practice, including (a) debt prepayment or debt extinguishment costs; (b) settlement of zero-coupon debt instruments or other debt instruments with coupon interest rates that are insignificant in relation to the effective interest rate of the borrowing; (c) contingent consideration payments made after a business combination; (d) proceeds from settlement of insurance claims; (e) proceeds from the settlement of corporate-owned life insurance policies, including bank-owned life insurance policies; (f) distributions received from equity method investees; (g) beneficial interests in securitization transactions; and (h) separately identifiable cash flows and application of the predominance principle. The ASU is effective for fiscal years and interim period within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2017, with early adoption permitted. The Company adopted ASU 2016-15 in the three months ended March 31, 2017 and applied this ASU using a retrospective transition method to each period presented in the Company's condensed consolidated statements of cash flows. The adoption of ASU 2016-15 did not impact the Company's condensed consolidated statements of cash flows. In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-09, Compensation - Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting ("ASU 2016-09"). This ASU simplifies several areas of the accounting for share-based payment award transactions, including ( a ) income tax consequences; ( b ) classification of awards as either equity or liabilities; and ( c ) classification on the statement of cash flows. This ASU is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016, and interim periods within those annual periods, with early adoption permitted. The Company adopted ASU 2016-09 in the three months ended March 31, 2017. Beginning on January 1, 2017, the Company began to record the excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation as income tax expense through the statement of operations instead of additional paid-in capital as required under the previous guidance. There was no adjustment to excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation recorded as additional paid-in capital in prior years. Excess tax benefits that were not previously recognized, as well as a valuation allowance recognized for deferred tax assets as a result of the adoption of this ASU, were recorded on a modified retrospective basis through a cumulative-effect adjustments to retained earnings as of the beginning of 2017 totaling $1.1 million . As a part of the adoption of this ASU, stock compensation awards will have more dilutive effect on the Company's earnings per share prospectively. Under this guidance, cash flows related to excess tax benefits will no longer be separately classified as financing activities apart from other income tax cash flow. The Company elected to apply this part of the guidance retrospectively, which resulted in a change of $0.6 million in both net cash provided by operating activities and net cash used in financing activities in the Company's condensed consolidated statement of cash flows for the three months ended March 31, 2016 to conform with the current period presentation. Additionally, this guidance permits entities to make an accounting policy to estimate forfeitures each period or to account for forfeitures as they occur. The Company elected to continue to estimate forfeitures. In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-06, Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815), Contingent Put and Call Options in Debt Instruments ("ASU 2016-06"). This ASU clarifies the requirements for assessing whether contingent call (put) options that can accelerate the payment of principal on debt instruments are clearly and closely related to their debt hosts. An entity performing the assessment under the amendments in this ASU is required to assess the embedded call (put) options solely in accordance with the four-step decision sequence. This guidance is to be applied on a modified retrospective basis to existing debt instruments as of the beginning of the fiscal year in which the amendments are effective, and is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016, including interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company adopted ASU 2016-06 in the three months ended March 31, 2017. The adoption of this standard did not have a significant impact on the Company's condensed consolidated financial statements. In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-05, Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815), Effect of Derivative Contract Novations on Existing Hedge Accounting Relationships ("ASU 2016-05"). This ASU clarifies that a change in the counterparty to a derivative instrument that has been designated as a hedging instrument under Topic 815 does not, in and of itself, require dedesignation of that hedging relationship provided that all other hedge accounting criteria continue to be met. This ASU may be applied prospectively or using a modified retrospective approach, and is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016, including interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company adopted ASU 2016-05 in the three months ended March 31, 2017. The adoption of ASU 2016-05 did not have a significant impact on the Company's condensed consolidated financial statements.
Cash Flow Hedges	Cash Flow Hedges. The Company hedges its foreign currency translation exposure for forecasted revenues and expenses in its EMEA region between the U.S. dollar and the British Pound, Euro, Swedish Krona and Swiss Franc. The foreign currency forward and option contracts that the Company uses to hedge this exposure are designated as cash flow hedges under the accounting standard for derivatives and hedging.
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, 2017 , the loss associated with these embedded derivatives was $5.0 million and during the three months ended March 31, 2016 , the loss associated with these embedded derivatives was $6.6 million . Economic Hedges of Embedded Derivatives. The Company uses foreign currency forward contracts to manage the foreign exchange risk associated with the Company's customer agreements that are priced in currencies different from the functional or local currencies of the parties involved ("economic hedges of embedded derivatives"). Foreign currency forward contracts represent agreements to exchange the currency of one country for the currency of another country at an agreed-upon price on an agreed-upon settlement date. Gains and losses on these contracts are included within revenues in the Company's condensed consolidated statements of operations 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, 2017 and 2016 . During the three months ended March 31, 2017 , the gains associated with these contracts were not significant and during the three months ended March 31, 2016 , the gains associated with these contracts were $3.7 million . Foreign Currency Forward and Option Contracts. The Company also uses foreign currency forward and option contracts to manage the foreign exchange risk associated with certain foreign currency-denominated assets and liabilities. As a result of foreign currency fluctuations, the U.S. dollar equivalent values of its foreign currency-denominated assets and liabilities change. Gains and losses on these contracts are included in other income (expense), net in the Company's condensed consolidated statements of operations, along with foreign currency gains and losses of the related foreign currency-denominated assets and liabilities associated with these foreign currency forward and option contracts. The Company entered into various foreign currency forward and option contracts during the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016 . During the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016 , the Company recognized net losses of $14.7 million and $7.6 million , respectively, associated with these contracts.
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Investments	Cash, Cash Equivalents and Investments. The fair value of the Company's investments in money market funds approximates their face value. Such instruments are included in cash equivalents. The Company's money market funds and publicly traded equity securities are classified within Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy because they are valued using quoted prices for identical instruments in active markets. The fair value of the Company's other investments approximate their face value and include certificates of deposit. The fair value of these investments is priced based on the quoted market price for similar instruments or nonbinding market prices that are corroborated by observable market data. Such instruments are classified within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy. The Company determines the fair values of its Level 2 investments by using inputs such as actual trade data, benchmark yields, broker/dealer quotes, and other similar data, which are obtained from quoted market prices, custody bank, third-party pricing vendors, or other sources. The Company uses such pricing data as the primary input to make its assessments and determinations as to the ultimate valuation of its investment portfolio and has not made, during the periods presented, any material adjustments to such inputs. The Company is responsible for its condensed consolidated financial statements and underlying estimates.
Derivative Assets and Liabilities	Derivative Assets and Liabilities . For derivatives, the Company uses forward contract and option models employing market observable inputs, such as spot currency rates and forward points with adjustments made to these values utilizing published credit default swap rates of its foreign exchange trading counterparties and other comparable companies. The Company has determined that the inputs used to value its derivatives fall within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy, therefore the derivatives are categorized as Level 2.
Segment Information	While the Company has a single line of business, which is the design, build-out and operation of IBX data centers, it has determined that it has three reportable segments comprised of its Americas, EMEA and Asia-Pacific geographic regions. The Company's chief operating decision-maker evaluates performance, makes operating decisions and allocates resources based on the Company's revenue and adjusted EBITDA performance both on a consolidated basis and based on these three reportable segments.

Earnings Per Share (Tables)

Earnings Per Share (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017
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 2017 2016 Net income (loss): Net income (loss) from continuing operations $ 42,062 $ (37,327 ) Net income from discontinued operations — 6,216 Net income (loss) $ 42,062 $ (31,111 ) Weighted-average shares used to calculate basic EPS 72,773 68,132 Effect of dilutive securities: Employee equity awards 594 — Weighted-average shares used to calculate diluted EPS 73,367 68,132 Basic EPS: Continuing operations $ 0.58 $ (0.55 ) Discontinued operations — 0.09 Basic EPS $ 0.58 $ (0.46 ) Diluted EPS: Continuing operations $ 0.57 $ (0.55 ) Discontinued operations — 0.09 Diluted EPS $ 0.57 $ (0.46 )
Anti-dilutive Potential Shares of Common Stock Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share	The following table sets forth weighted-average outstanding potential shares of common stock that are not included in the diluted earnings per share calculation above because to do so would be anti-dilutive for the periods indicated (in thousands): Three Months Ended 2017 2016 Shares reserved for conversion of 4.75% convertible subordinated notes — 1,969 Common stock related to employee equity awards 93 1,583 Total 93 3,552

Acquisitions (Tables)

Acquisitions (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017
Digital Realty [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Schedule of Recognized Identified Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed [Table Text Block]	The purchase price allocation, which excludes settlement of the Paris 3 financing obligations, was as follows (in thousands): Cash and cash equivalents $ 4,073 Accounts receivable 1,507 Other current assets 794 Property, plant and equipment 143,972 Intangible assets 11,758 Goodwill 48,835 Other assets 81 Total assets acquired 211,020 Accounts payable and accrued liabilities (2,044 ) Other current liabilities (2,798 ) Deferred tax liabilities (42,395 ) Other liabilities (755 ) Net assets acquired $ 163,028
Acquired Identifiable Intangible Assets	The following table presents certain information on the acquired identifiable intangible assets (dollars in thousands): Intangible Assets Fair Value Estimated Useful Lives (Years) Weighted-average Estimated Useful Lives (Years) In-place leases $ 7,485 0.9-9.4 4.3 Favorable leasehold interests 4,273 1.9-6.7 5.3
Telecity Group plc [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Schedule of Recognized Identified Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed [Table Text Block]	he final allocation of the purchase price is as follows (in thousands): Cash and cash equivalents $ 73,368 Accounts receivable 24,042 Other current assets 41,079 Assets held for sale 877,650 Property, plant and equipment 1,058,583 Goodwill 2,215,567 Intangible assets 694,243 Deferred tax assets 994 Other assets 4,102 Total assets acquired 4,989,628 Accounts payable and accrued expenses (84,367 ) Accrued property, plant and equipment (3,634 ) Other current liabilities (27,333 ) Liabilities held for sale (155,650 ) Capital lease and other financing obligations (165,365 ) Mortgage and loans payable (592,304 ) Deferred tax liabilities (176,168 ) Other liabilities (40,021 ) Net assets acquired $ 3,744,786
Acquired Identifiable Intangible Assets	The following table presents certain information on the acquired intangible assets (dollars in thousands): Intangible Assets Fair Value Estimated Useful Lives (Years) Weighted-average Estimated Useful Lives (Years) Customer relationships $ 591,956 13.5 13.5 Trade names 72,033 1.5 1.5 Favorable leases 30,254 2.0 - 25.4 19.7

Discontinued Operations (Tables

Discontinued Operations (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017
Discontinued Operations and Disposal Groups [Abstract]
Financial Results of Discontinued Operations	Three Months Ended Revenues $ 20,581 Costs and operating expenses: Cost of revenues 11,610 Sales and marketing 217 General and administrative 383 Total costs and operating expenses 12,210 Income from discontinued operations 8,371 Interest and other, net (469 ) Income from discontinued operations before income taxes 7,902 Income tax expense (1,686 ) Net income from discontinued operations, net of tax $ 6,216

Derivatives and Hedging Activ25

Derivatives and Hedging Activities (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]
Summary of Cash Flow Hedges	As of March 31, 2017 , the Company's cash flow hedge instruments had maturity dates ranging from April 2017 to February 2019 as follows (in thousands): Notional Amount Fair Value (1) Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (2) (3) Derivative assets $ 483,110 $ 30,350 $ 27,744 Derivative liabilities 176,432 (2,315 ) (2,340 ) Total $ 659,542 $ 28,035 $ 25,404 (1) All derivatives related to cash flow hedges are included in the condensed consolidated balance sheets within other current assets, other assets, other current liabilities and other liabilities. (2) Included in the condensed consolidated balance sheets within accumulated other comprehensive income (loss). (3) The Company recorded a net gain of $23.0 million within accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) relating to cash flow hedges that will be reclassified to revenue and expenses as they mature in the next 12 months . As of December 31, 2016 , the Company's cash flow hedge instruments had maturity dates ranging from January 2017 to November 2018 as follows (in thousands): Notional Amount Fair Value (1) Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (2) (3) Derivative assets $ 545,638 $ 44,570 $ 42,634 Derivative liabilities 42,207 (1,815 ) (1,453 ) Total $ 587,845 $ 42,755 $ 41,181 (1) All derivatives related to cash flow hedges are included in the condensed consolidated balance sheets within other current assets, other assets, other current liabilities and other liabilities. (2) Included in the condensed consolidated balance sheets within accumulated other comprehensive income (loss). (3) The Company recorded a net gain of $31.9 million within accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) relating to cash flow hedges that will be reclassified to revenue and expense as they mature over the next 12 months.
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, 2017 (in thousands): Gross Amounts Gross Amounts Offset in the Balance Sheet Net Amounts (1) Gross Amounts not Offset in the Balance Sheet (2) Net Assets: Designated as hedging instruments: Foreign currency forward and option contracts designated as cash flow hedges $ 30,350 $ — $ 30,350 $ (2,315 ) $ 28,035 Not designated as hedging instruments: Embedded derivatives 6,196 — 6,196 — 6,196 Economic hedges of embedded derivatives 257 — 257 (16 ) 241 Foreign currency forward contracts 5,175 — 5,175 (156 ) 5,019 11,628 — 11,628 (172 ) 11,456 Additional netting benefit — — — (113 ) (113 ) $ 41,978 $ — $ 41,978 $ (2,600 ) $ 39,378 Liabilities: Designated as hedging instruments Foreign currency forward contracts designated as cash flow hedges $ 2,315 $ — $ 2,315 $ (2,315 ) $ — Not designated as hedging instruments: Embedded derivatives 2,755 — 2,755 — 2,755 Economic hedges of embedded derivatives 16 — 16 (16 ) — Foreign currency forward contracts 269 — 269 (156 ) 113 3,040 — 3,040 (172 ) 2,868 Additional netting benefit — — — (113 ) (113 ) $ 5,355 $ — $ 5,355 $ (2,600 ) $ 2,755 (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, 2016 (in thousands): Gross Amounts Gross Amounts Offset in the Balance Sheet Net Amounts (1) Gross Amounts not Offset in the Balance Sheet (2) Net Assets: Designated as hedging instruments: Cash flow hedges Foreign currency forward and option contracts $ 44,570 $ — $ 44,570 $ (1,815 ) $ 42,755 Net investment hedges Foreign currency forward contracts 6,930 — 6,930 (3,310 ) 3,620 51,500 — 51,500 (5,125 ) 46,375 Not designated as hedging instruments: Embedded derivatives 9,745 — 9,745 — 9,745 Foreign currency forward contracts 8,734 — 8,734 (1,873 ) 6,861 18,479 — 18,479 (1,873 ) 16,606 Additional netting benefit — — — (2,436 ) (2,436 ) $ 69,979 $ — $ 69,979 $ (9,434 ) $ 60,545 Liabilities: Designated as hedging instruments: Cash flow hedges Foreign currency forward and option contracts $ 1,815 $ — $ 1,815 $ (1,815 ) $ — Net investment hedges Foreign currency forward contracts 3,525 — 3,525 (3,310 ) 215 5,340 — 5,340 (5,125 ) 215 Not designated as hedging instruments: Embedded derivatives 1,525 — 1,525 — 1,525 Economic hedges of embedded derivatives 866 — 866 — 866 Foreign currency forward contracts 3,228 — 3,228 (1,873 ) 1,355 5,619 — 5,619 (1,873 ) 3,746 Additional netting benefit — — — (2,436 ) (2,436 ) $ 10,959 $ — $ 10,959 $ (9,434 ) $ 1,525 (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, 2017
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, 2017 were as follows (in thousands): Fair Value at Fair Value Measurement Using Level 1 Level 2 Assets: Cash $ 2,005,012 $ 2,005,012 $ — Money market and deposit accounts 2,915,170 2,915,170 — Publicly traded equity securities 6,461 6,461 — Certificates of deposit 17,819 — 17,819 Derivative instruments (1) 41,978 — 41,978 Total $ 4,986,440 $ 4,926,643 $ 59,797 Liabilities: Derivative instruments (1) $ 5,355 $ — $ 5,355 Total $ 5,355 $ — $ 5,355 (1) Includes both foreign currency embedded derivatives and foreign currency forward and option contracts. Amounts are included within other current assets, other assets, others current liabilities and other liabilities in the Company’s accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheet. The Company's financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2016 were as follows (in thousands): Fair Value at Fair Value Measurement Using Level 1 Level 2 Assets: Cash $ 345,119 $ 345,119 $ — Money market and deposit accounts 400,388 400,388 — Publicly traded equity securities 6,463 6,463 — Certificates of deposit 9,957 — 9,957 Derivative instruments (1) 69,979 — 69,979 Total $ 831,906 $ 751,970 $ 79,936 Liabilities: Derivative instruments (1) $ 10,959 $ — $ 10,959 Total $ 10,959 $ — $ 10,959 (1) Includes both foreign currency embedded derivatives and foreign currency forward and option 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, 2017
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 Obligations Other Financing Obligations (1) Total 2017 (9 months remaining) $ 62,824 $ 63,110 $ 125,934 2018 83,910 86,813 170,723 2019 84,686 81,333 166,019 2020 84,714 80,524 165,238 2021 84,950 81,871 166,821 Thereafter 836,023 939,125 1,775,148 Total minimum lease payments 1,237,107 1,332,776 2,569,883 Plus amount representing residual property value — 561,089 561,089 Less amount representing interest (540,729 ) (967,732 ) (1,508,461 ) Present value of net minimum lease payments 696,378 926,133 1,622,511 Less current portion (28,031 ) (71,171 ) (99,202 ) Total $ 668,347 $ 854,962 $ 1,523,309 (1) Other financing obligations are primarily build-to-suit lease obligations.

Debt Facilities (Tables)

Debt Facilities (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Summary of Debt	As of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, the Company's senior notes consisted of the following (in thousands): March 31, December 31, 2016 4.875% Senior Notes due 2020 $ 500,000 $ 500,000 5.375% Senior Notes due 2022 750,000 750,000 5.375% Senior Notes due 2023 1,000,000 1,000,000 5.750% Senior Notes due 2025 500,000 500,000 5.875% Senior Notes due 2026 1,100,000 1,100,000 5.375% Senior Notes due 2027 1,250,000 — 5,100,000 3,850,000 Less amount representing debt issuance cost (54,551 ) (39,230 ) Total $ 5,045,449 $ 3,810,770 As of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, the Company's mortgage and loans payable consisted of the following (in thousands): March 31, December 31, 2016 Term loans $ 2,502,063 $ 1,413,582 Mortgage payable and loans payable 44,871 44,382 2,546,934 1,457,964 Less amount representing debt discount and debt issuance cost (35,399 ) (22,811 ) Add the amount representing mortgage premium 1,874 1,862 2,513,409 1,437,015 Less current portion (80,799 ) (67,928 ) Total $ 2,432,610 $ 1,369,087
Summary of Senior Notes Redemption Price Percentage	On or after May 15, 2022, the Company may redeem all or a part of the 2027 Senior Notes, on any one or more occasions, at the redemption prices (expressed as percentages of principal amount) set forth below plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon, if any, to, but not including, the applicable redemption date, if redeemed during the twelve-month period beginning May 15 of the years indicated below: Redemption Price of the 2027 Notes 2022 102.688 % 2023 101.792 % 2024 100.896 % 2025 and thereafter 100.000 %
Summary of Maturities of Debt Facilities	The following table sets forth maturities of the Company's debt, including mortgage and loans payable, and senior notes, gross of debt issuance costs and debt discounts, as of March 31, 2017 (in thousands): Years ending: 2017 (9 months remaining) $ 60,587 2018 80,859 2019 367,888 2020 542,785 2021 357,532 Thereafter 6,239,157 Total $ 7,648,808
Fair Value of Debt Facilities	The following table sets forth the estimated fair values of the Company's mortgage and loans payable, and senior notes, including current maturities, as of (in thousands): March 31, December 31, 2016 Mortgage and loans payable $ 2,561,314 $ 1,461,954 Senior notes 5,341,782 4,033,985
Schedule of Interest Charges Incurred	The following table sets forth total interest costs incurred and total interest costs capitalized for the periods presented (in thousands): Three Months Ended 2017 2016 Interest expense $ 111,684 $ 100,863 Interest capitalized 6,400 2,286 Interest charges incurred $ 118,084 $ 103,149

Stockholders' Equity (Tables)

Stockholders' Equity (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017
Equity [Abstract]
Components of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss	The changes in accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax, by components are as follows (in thousands): Balance as of Net Change Balance as of Foreign currency translation adjustment ("CTA") gain (loss) $ (1,031,129 ) $ 106,938 $ (924,191 ) Unrealized gain (loss) on cash flow hedges (1) 30,704 (11,727 ) 18,977 Unrealized gain (loss) on available-for-sale securities (2) 2,110 (265 ) 1,845 Net investment hedge CTA gain (loss) 49,989 (28,551 ) 21,438 Net actuarial gain (loss) on defined benefit plans (3) (816 ) 11 (805 ) Total $ (949,142 ) $ 66,406 $ (882,736 ) (1) Refer to Note 6 for a discussion of the amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) to net income (loss). (2) There weren't any realized gains and losses that were reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) to net income (loss) for the three months ended March 31, 2017. (3) The Company has a defined benefit pension plan covering all employees in one country where such plans are mandated by law. The Company does not have any defined benefit plans in any other countries. The unamortized gain (loss) on defined benefit plans includes gains or losses resulting from a change in the value of either the projected benefit obligation or the plan assets resulting from a change in an actuarial assumption, net of amortization.
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 2017 2016 Cost of revenues $ 2,911 $ 2,997 Sales and marketing 10,972 9,771 General and administrative 24,440 21,747 Total $ 38,323 $ 34,515

Segment Information (Tables)

Segment Information (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017
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, acquisition costs and gains on asset sales as presented below (in thousands): Three Months Ended 2017 2016 Adjusted EBITDA: Americas $ 198,619 $ 184,460 EMEA 129,554 111,489 Asia-Pacific 99,401 84,701 Total adjusted EBITDA 427,574 380,650 Depreciation, amortization and accretion expense (219,013 ) (202,153 ) Stock-based compensation expense (38,323 ) (34,515 ) Acquisition costs (3,025 ) (36,536 ) Gains on asset sales — 5,242 Income from operations $ 167,213 $ 112,688
Segment Disclosures	The Company also provides the following additional segment disclosures (in thousands): Three Months Ended 2017 2016 Revenues: Americas $ 436,447 $ 404,394 EMEA 314,847 267,856 Asia-Pacific 198,231 171,906 Total $ 949,525 $ 844,156 Depreciation and amortization: Americas $ 87,927 $ 76,259 EMEA 76,168 76,050 Asia-Pacific 52,911 48,225 Total $ 217,006 $ 200,534 Capital expenditures: Americas $ 153,435 $ 83,499 EMEA 83,584 57,273 Asia-Pacific 40,223 56,928 Total $ 277,242 $ 197,700
Segment Long-Lived Assets	The Company's long-lived assets are located in the following geographic areas and total assets by segments are as follows (in thousands): March 31, December 31, Americas $ 3,452,704 $ 3,339,518 EMEA 2,521,418 2,355,943 Asia-Pacific 1,631,707 1,503,749 Total long-lived assets $ 7,605,829 $ 7,199,210
Revenue Information on Services Basis	Revenue information on a services basis is as follows (in thousands): Three Months Ended 2017 2016 Colocation $ 691,522 $ 618,395 Interconnection 148,060 125,587 Managed infrastructure 54,609 50,310 Other 4,249 2,328 Recurring revenues 898,440 796,620 Non-recurring revenues 51,085 47,536 Total $ 949,525 $ 844,156

Basis of Presentation and Sig31

Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016	Jan. 01, 2017
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Effective income tax rate, continuing operations	24.20%	22.20%
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Effective income tax rate reconciliation, share-based compensation, excess tax benefit, amount		$ 0.6
Restatement adjustment [Member] | Accounting Standards Update 2016-18 [Member]
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Increase in restricted cash		$ 466.4
Retained earnings [Member] | New accounting pronouncement, early adoption, effect [Member] | Accounting Standards Update 2016-09 [Member]
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Cumulative effect adjustment			$ 1.1

Earnings Per Share - Computatio

Earnings Per Share - Computation of Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Share (Detail) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Net income (loss) from continuing operations	$ 42,062	$ (37,327)
Net income from discontinued operations	0	6,216
Net income (loss)	$ 42,062	$ (31,111)
Weighted-average shares used to calculate basic EPS	72,773	68,132
Effect of dilutive securities:
Employee equity awards	594	0
Weighted-average shares used to calculate diluted EPS	73,367	68,132
Basic EPS:
Basic EPS from continuing operations (in dollars per share)	$ 0.58	$ (0.55)
Basic EPS from discontinued operations (in dollars per share)	0	0.09
Basic EPS (in dollars per share)	0.58	(0.46)
Diluted EPS:
Diluted EPS from continuing operations (in dollars per share)	0.57	(0.55)
Diluted EPS from discontinued operations (in dollars per share)	0	0.09
Diluted EPS (in dollars per share)	$ 0.57	$ (0.46)

Earnings Per Share - Anti-dilut

Earnings Per Share - Anti-dilutive Potential Shares of Common Stock Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share (Detail) - shares shares in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016
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	93	3,552
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	93	1,583
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	0	1,969
Interest rate (percent)		4.75%

Acquisitions - Additional Infor

Acquisitions - Additional Information (Detail) £ / shares in Units, € in Millions	May 01, 2017USD ($)data_center_building	Apr. 06, 2017	Feb. 03, 2017USD ($)	Dec. 06, 2016USD ($)data_center	Aug. 01, 2016EUR (€)	Aug. 01, 2016USD ($)	Jan. 15, 2016GBP (£)£ / shares	Jan. 15, 2016USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2017USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2016USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2016USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2016USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2016USD ($)	May 29, 2015GBP (£)	May 29, 2015USD ($)
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Goodwill									$ 3,053,026,000	$ 2,986,064,000			$ 2,986,064,000
Repayment of capital lease and other financing obligations									16,596,000		$ 33,232,000
Loss on debt extinguishment									(3,503,000)		0
Revenue									949,525,000		844,156,000
Net income (loss) attributable to Equinix									(42,062,000)		$ 31,111,000
Long-term debt									7,648,808,000
IO
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Cash consideration for acquisition			$ 37,400,000
Property, plant and equipment			40,300,000
Goodwill			17,900,000
Intangible assets			6,300,000
Deferred tax assets			6,300,000
Capital lease and other financing obligations			$ 33,100,000
Acquired intangible assets, Estimated useful lives (years)			10 years
Verizon
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Data center buildings | data_center				29
Digital Realty [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Cash consideration for acquisition					€ 193.8	$ 216,400,000
Property, plant and equipment						143,972,000
Goodwill						48,835,000
Intangible assets						11,758,000
Repayment of capital lease and other financing obligations					47.8	53,400,000
Loss on debt extinguishment					€ (8.8)	(9,900,000)
Acquisition costs													12,000,000
Deferred tax liabilities						$ 42,395,000
Revenue									3,900,000
Telecity Group plc [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment								$ 1,058,583,000
Goodwill								2,215,567,000
Intangible assets								694,243,000
Deferred tax assets								994,000
Capital lease and other financing obligations								$ 165,365,000
Acquisition costs													$ 42,500,000
Payments to acquire businesses, per share acquired | £ / shares							£ 5.725
Ratio of shares acquired							0.0336	0.0336
Consideration transferred							£ 2,624,500,000	$ 3,743,600,000
Assumed, unvested stock compensation awards								1,300,000
Cash placed in restricted account														£ 322,900,000	$ 475,700,000
Business combination, provisional information, initial accounting incomplete, adjustment, intangibles										36,800,000
Business combination, provisional information, initial accounting incomplete, adjustment, deferred tax liabilities										19,500,000
Business combination, provisional information, initial accounting incomplete, adjustment, capital lease and other financing obligations										(34,400,000)
Business combination, provisional information, initial accounting incomplete, adjustment, goodwill										(22,500,000)
Business combination, provisional information, initial accounting incomplete, adjustment, asets held for sale										$ (36,900,000)
Deferred tax liabilities								$ 176,168,000
Revenue												$ 84,400,000
Net income (loss) attributable to Equinix												$ 2,800,000
Telecity Group plc [Member] | Customer relationships [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Acquired intangible assets, Estimated useful lives (years)							13 years 6 months	13 years 6 months
Discount rate (percent)							8.50%	8.50%
Telecity Group plc [Member] | Trade names [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Acquired intangible assets, Estimated useful lives (years)							1 year 6 months	1 year 6 months
Discount rate (percent)							9.00%	9.00%
Relief of royalty rate (percent)							2.00%	2.00%
Bridge term loan [Member] | Verizon
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Short-term debt				$ 2,000,000,000
Commitment fees									10,000,000
Amortization of debt issuance costs									$ 7,800,000
Bridge term loan [Member] | Telecity Group plc [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Short-term debt														£ 875,000,000	$ 1,289,000,000
Minimum [Member] | Bridge term loan [Member] | Verizon
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Commitment fee percentage				0.50%
Forecast [Member] | Bridge term loan [Member] | Verizon
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Commitment fee percentage		0.25%
Subsequent event [Member] | Verizon
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Cash consideration for acquisition	$ 3,600,000,000
Data center buildings | data_center_building	29

Acquisitions - Preliminary Purc

Acquisitions - Preliminary Purchase Price Allocation (Detail) - USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Aug. 01, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Jan. 15, 2016
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Assets held for sale	$ 0			$ 0
Goodwill	3,053,026,000	$ 2,986,064,000
Liabilities held for sale	$ 0			$ 0
Digital Realty [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents			$ 4,073,000
Accounts receivable			1,507,000
Other current assets			794,000
Property, plant and equipment			143,972,000
Goodwill			48,835,000
Intangible assets			11,758,000
Other assets			81,000
Total assets acquired			211,020,000
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities			(2,044,000)
Other current liabilities			(2,798,000)
Deferred tax liabilities			(42,395,000)
Other liabilities			(755,000)
Net assets acquired			$ 163,028,000
Telecity Group plc [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents					$ 73,368,000
Accounts receivable					24,042,000
Other current assets					41,079,000
Assets held for sale					877,650,000
Property, plant and equipment					1,058,583,000
Goodwill					2,215,567,000
Intangible assets					694,243,000
Deferred tax assets					994,000
Other assets					4,102,000
Total assets acquired					4,989,628,000
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities					(84,367,000)
Accrued property, plant and equipment					(3,634,000)
Other current liabilities					(27,333,000)
Liabilities held for sale					(155,650,000)
Capital lease and other financing obligations					(165,365,000)
Mortgage and loans payable					(592,304,000)
Deferred tax liabilities					(176,168,000)
Other liabilities					(40,021,000)
Net assets acquired					$ 3,744,786,000

Acquisitions - Acquired Identif

Acquisitions - Acquired Identifiable Intangible Assets (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Aug. 01, 2016	Jan. 15, 2016
Digital Realty [Member] | In-place leases [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Fair value of intangible assets acquired	$ 7,485
Weighted-average estimated useful lives (years)	4 years 3 months 18 days
Digital Realty [Member] | In-place leases [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Acquired intangible assets, Estimated useful lives (years)	10 months 24 days
Digital Realty [Member] | In-place leases [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Acquired intangible assets, Estimated useful lives (years)	9 years 4 months 24 days
Digital Realty [Member] | Favorable leasehold interests [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Fair value of intangible assets acquired	$ 4,273
Weighted-average estimated useful lives (years)	5 years 3 months 18 days
Digital Realty [Member] | Favorable leasehold interests [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Acquired intangible assets, Estimated useful lives (years)	1 year 10 months 24 days
Digital Realty [Member] | Favorable leasehold interests [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Acquired intangible assets, Estimated useful lives (years)	6 years 8 months 12 days
Telecity Group plc [Member] | Favorable leasehold interests [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Fair value of intangible assets acquired		$ 30,254
Weighted-average estimated useful lives (years)		19 years 8 months 12 days
Telecity Group plc [Member] | Favorable leasehold interests [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Acquired intangible assets, Estimated useful lives (years)		2 years
Telecity Group plc [Member] | Favorable leasehold interests [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Acquired intangible assets, Estimated useful lives (years)		25 years 4 months 24 days
Telecity Group plc [Member] | Customer relationships [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Fair value of intangible assets acquired		$ 591,956
Acquired intangible assets, Estimated useful lives (years)		13 years 6 months
Weighted-average estimated useful lives (years)		13 years 6 months
Telecity Group plc [Member] | Trade names [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Fair value of intangible assets acquired		$ 72,033
Acquired intangible assets, Estimated useful lives (years)		1 year 6 months
Weighted-average estimated useful lives (years)		1 year 6 months

Assets Held for Sale (Details)

Assets Held for Sale (Details)	1 Months Ended					3 Months Ended
	Nov. 30, 2016JPY (¥)	Nov. 30, 2016USD ($)	Oct. 31, 2016JPY (¥)	Oct. 31, 2016USD ($)	Feb. 28, 2016USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2017JPY (¥)	Mar. 31, 2017USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2016USD ($)
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Gains on asset sales							$ 0	$ 5,242,000
Assets held for sale							0	0
Liabilities held for sale							0	$ 0
Held-for-sale [Member] | San Jose Land Parcel [Member]
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Gains on asset sales					$ 5,200,000
Solar Power Assets [Member] | Bit-isle [Member]
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment	¥ 2,500,000,000	$ 22,100,000	¥ 400,000,000	$ 3,800,000		¥ 5,313,400,000	$ 47,800,000

Discontinued Operations - Addit

Discontinued Operations - Additional Information (Details) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016USD ($)
Telecity Group plc [Member]
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Capital expenditure, discontinued operations	$ 17

Discontinued Operations (Detail

Discontinued Operations (Details) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016USD ($)
Discontinued Operation, Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operation Disclosures [Abstract]
Revenues	$ 20,581
Cost of revenues	11,610
Sales and marketing	217
General and administrative	383
Total costs and operating expenses	12,210
Income from discontinued operations	8,371
Interest and other, net	(469)
Income from discontinued operations before income taxes	7,902
Income tax expense	(1,686)
Net income from discontinued operations, net of tax	$ 6,216

Derivatives and Hedging Activ40

Derivatives and Hedging Activities - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2016
Derivative [Line Items]
Foreign currency translation adjustment (CTA) gain	$ 106,938	$ 115,899
Gains (losses) reclassified from AOCI to revenues	17,700	6,400
Gains (losses) reclassified from AOCI into income, effective portion	9,000	3,800
Designated as hedging instruments [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Total principal amount of foreign currency loans designated as net investment hedges	1,712,000		$ 646,200
Foreign currency translation adjustment (CTA) gain	(28,600)	(16,300)
Not designated as hedging instruments [Member] | Embedded derivatives [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Net gains (losses) on embedded derivatives	5,000	6,600
Not designated as hedging instruments [Member] | Economic hedges of embedded derivatives [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Net gains (losses) on embedded derivatives		(3,700)
Not designated as hedging instruments [Member] | Foreign currency forward and option contracts [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Net gain (loss) in foreign currency forward and options contracts	$ (14,710)	$ 7,593

Derivatives and Hedging Activ41

Derivatives and Hedging Activities - Summary of Cash Flow Hedges (Detail) - Cash flow hedges [Member] - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Notional Amount, Derivative assets	$ 483,110	$ 545,638
Notional Amount, Derivative liabilities	176,432	42,207
Notional Amount, Total	659,542	587,845
Fair Value, Derivative assets	30,350	44,570
Fair Value, Derivative liabilities	(2,315)	(1,815)
Fair Value, Total	28,035	42,755
Unrealized gain (loss) on cash flow hedging instruments, derivative assets	27,744	42,634
Unrealized gain (loss) on cash flow hedging instruments, derivative liabilities	(2,340)	(1,453)
Unrealized gain (loss) on cash flow hedging instruments	25,404	41,181
Unrealized gain (loss) on cash flow hedges [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Net gain to be reclassified within 12 months	$ 23,042	$ 31,900

Derivatives and Hedging Activ42

Derivatives and Hedging Activities - Schedule of Fair Value of Derivative Instruments Recognized in Consolidated Balance Sheets (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Derivative [Line Items]
Fair value of derivative assets, Gross amounts	$ 41,978	$ 69,979
Fair value of derivative assets, Gross amounts offset in the balance sheet	0	0
Fair value of derivative assets, Net amounts	41,978	69,979
Fair value of derivative assets, Gross amounts not offset in the balance sheet	(2,600)	(9,434)
Fair value of derivative assets, Net	39,378	60,545
Derivative liabilities	5,355	10,959
Fair value of derivative liabilities, Gross amounts offset in the balance sheet	0	0
Fair value of derivative liabilities, Net amounts	5,355	10,959
Fair value of derivative liabilities, Gross amounts not offset in the balance sheet	(2,600)	(9,434)
Fair value of derivative liabilities, Net	2,755	1,525
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	(113)	(2,436)
Fair value of derivative assets, Net	(113)	(2,436)
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	(113)	(2,436)
Fair value of derivative liabilities, Net	(113)	(2,436)
Designated as hedging instruments [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Fair value of derivative assets, Gross amounts		51,500
Fair value of derivative assets, Gross amounts offset in the balance sheet		0
Fair value of derivative assets, Net amounts		51,500
Fair value of derivative assets, Gross amounts not offset in the balance sheet		(5,125)
Fair value of derivative assets, Net		46,375
Derivative liabilities		5,340
Fair value of derivative liabilities, Gross amounts offset in the balance sheet		0
Fair value of derivative liabilities, Net amounts		5,340
Fair value of derivative liabilities, Gross amounts not offset in the balance sheet		(5,125)
Fair value of derivative liabilities, Net		215
Designated as hedging instruments [Member] | Foreign currency forward and option contracts [Member] | Cash flow hedges [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Fair value of derivative assets, Gross amounts		44,570
Fair value of derivative assets, Gross amounts offset in the balance sheet		0
Fair value of derivative assets, Net amounts		44,570
Fair value of derivative assets, Gross amounts not offset in the balance sheet		(1,815)
Fair value of derivative assets, Net		42,755
Derivative liabilities		1,815
Fair value of derivative liabilities, Gross amounts offset in the balance sheet		0
Fair value of derivative liabilities, Net amounts		1,815
Fair value of derivative liabilities, Gross amounts not offset in the balance sheet		(1,815)
Fair value of derivative liabilities, Net		0
Designated as hedging instruments [Member] | Foreign currency forward contracts [Member] | Cash flow hedges [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Fair value of derivative assets, Gross amounts	30,350
Fair value of derivative assets, Gross amounts offset in the balance sheet	0
Fair value of derivative assets, Net amounts	30,350
Fair value of derivative assets, Gross amounts not offset in the balance sheet	(2,315)
Fair value of derivative assets, Net	28,035
Derivative liabilities	2,315
Fair value of derivative liabilities, Gross amounts offset in the balance sheet	0
Fair value of derivative liabilities, Net amounts	2,315
Fair value of derivative liabilities, Gross amounts not offset in the balance sheet	(2,315)
Fair value of derivative liabilities, Net	0
Designated as hedging instruments [Member] | Foreign currency forward contracts [Member] | Net investment hedges [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Fair value of derivative assets, Gross amounts		6,930
Fair value of derivative assets, Gross amounts offset in the balance sheet		0
Fair value of derivative assets, Net amounts		6,930
Fair value of derivative assets, Gross amounts not offset in the balance sheet		(3,310)
Fair value of derivative assets, Net		3,620
Derivative liabilities		3,525
Fair value of derivative liabilities, Gross amounts offset in the balance sheet		0
Fair value of derivative liabilities, Net amounts		3,525
Fair value of derivative liabilities, Gross amounts not offset in the balance sheet		(3,310)
Fair value of derivative liabilities, Net		215
Not designated as hedging instruments [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Fair value of derivative assets, Gross amounts	11,628	18,479
Fair value of derivative assets, Gross amounts offset in the balance sheet	0	0
Fair value of derivative assets, Net amounts	11,628	18,479
Fair value of derivative assets, Gross amounts not offset in the balance sheet	(172)	(1,873)
Fair value of derivative assets, Net	11,456	16,606
Derivative liabilities	3,040	5,619
Fair value of derivative liabilities, Gross amounts offset in the balance sheet	0	0
Fair value of derivative liabilities, Net amounts	3,040	5,619
Fair value of derivative liabilities, Gross amounts not offset in the balance sheet	(172)	(1,873)
Fair value of derivative liabilities, Net	2,868	3,746
Not designated as hedging instruments [Member] | Foreign currency forward contracts [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Fair value of derivative assets, Gross amounts	5,175	8,734
Fair value of derivative assets, Gross amounts offset in the balance sheet	0	0
Fair value of derivative assets, Net amounts	5,175	8,734
Fair value of derivative assets, Gross amounts not offset in the balance sheet	(156)	(1,873)
Fair value of derivative assets, Net	5,019	6,861
Derivative liabilities	269	3,228
Fair value of derivative liabilities, Gross amounts offset in the balance sheet	0	0
Fair value of derivative liabilities, Net amounts	269	3,228
Fair value of derivative liabilities, Gross amounts not offset in the balance sheet	(156)	(1,873)
Fair value of derivative liabilities, Net	113	1,355
Not designated as hedging instruments [Member] | Embedded derivatives [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Fair value of derivative assets, Gross amounts	6,196	9,745
Fair value of derivative assets, Gross amounts offset in the balance sheet	0	0
Fair value of derivative assets, Net amounts	6,196	9,745
Fair value of derivative assets, Gross amounts not offset in the balance sheet	0
Fair value of derivative assets, Net	6,196	9,745
Derivative liabilities	2,755	1,525
Fair value of derivative liabilities, Gross amounts offset in the balance sheet	0	0
Fair value of derivative liabilities, Net amounts	2,755	1,525
Fair value of derivative liabilities, Gross amounts not offset in the balance sheet	0
Fair value of derivative liabilities, Net	2,755	1,525
Not designated as hedging instruments [Member] | Economic hedges of embedded derivatives [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Fair value of derivative assets, Gross amounts	257
Fair value of derivative assets, Gross amounts offset in the balance sheet	0
Fair value of derivative assets, Net amounts	257
Fair value of derivative assets, Gross amounts not offset in the balance sheet	(16)
Fair value of derivative assets, Net	241
Derivative liabilities	16	866
Fair value of derivative liabilities, Gross amounts offset in the balance sheet	0	0
Fair value of derivative liabilities, Net amounts	16	866
Fair value of derivative liabilities, Gross amounts not offset in the balance sheet	(16)
Fair value of derivative liabilities, Net	$ 0	$ 866

Fair Value Measurements - Finan

Fair Value Measurements - Financial Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on Recurring Basis (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Financial Instruments, Financial Assets, Balance Sheet Groupings [Abstract]
Derivative instruments	$ 41,978	$ 69,979
Financial Instruments, Financial Liabilities, Balance Sheet Groupings [Abstract]
Fair value of derivative liabilities, Gross amounts	5,355	10,959
Fair value, measurements, recurring [Member]
Financial Instruments, Financial Assets, Balance Sheet Groupings [Abstract]
Cash and cash equivalents	2,005,012	345,119
Derivative instruments	41,978	69,979
Total financial assets	4,986,440	831,906
Financial Instruments, Financial Liabilities, Balance Sheet Groupings [Abstract]
Fair value of derivative liabilities, Gross amounts	5,355	10,959
Total financial liabilities	5,355	10,959
Fair value, measurements, recurring [Member] | Money market and deposit accounts [Member]
Financial Instruments, Financial Assets, Balance Sheet Groupings [Abstract]
Financial assets	2,915,170	400,388
Fair value, measurements, recurring [Member] | Publicly traded equity securities [Member]
Financial Instruments, Financial Assets, Balance Sheet Groupings [Abstract]
Financial assets	6,461	6,463
Fair value, measurements, recurring [Member] | Certificates of deposit [Member]
Financial Instruments, Financial Assets, Balance Sheet Groupings [Abstract]
Financial assets	17,819	9,957
Fair value, measurements, recurring [Member] | Level 1 [Member]
Financial Instruments, Financial Assets, Balance Sheet Groupings [Abstract]
Cash and cash equivalents	2,005,012	345,119
Derivative instruments	0	0
Total financial assets	4,926,643	751,970
Financial Instruments, Financial Liabilities, Balance Sheet Groupings [Abstract]
Fair value of derivative liabilities, Gross amounts	0	0
Total financial liabilities	0	0
Fair value, measurements, recurring [Member] | Level 1 [Member] | Money market and deposit accounts [Member]
Financial Instruments, Financial Assets, Balance Sheet Groupings [Abstract]
Financial assets	2,915,170	400,388
Fair value, measurements, recurring [Member] | Level 1 [Member] | Publicly traded equity securities [Member]
Financial Instruments, Financial Assets, Balance Sheet Groupings [Abstract]
Financial assets	6,461	6,463
Fair value, measurements, recurring [Member] | Level 1 [Member] | Certificates of deposit [Member]
Financial Instruments, Financial Assets, Balance Sheet Groupings [Abstract]
Financial assets	0	0
Fair value, measurements, recurring [Member] | Level 2 [Member]
Financial Instruments, Financial Assets, Balance Sheet Groupings [Abstract]
Cash and cash equivalents	0	0
Derivative instruments	41,978	69,979
Total financial assets	59,797	79,936
Financial Instruments, Financial Liabilities, Balance Sheet Groupings [Abstract]
Fair value of derivative liabilities, Gross amounts	5,355	10,959
Total financial liabilities	5,355	10,959
Fair value, measurements, recurring [Member] | Level 2 [Member] | Money market and deposit accounts [Member]
Financial Instruments, Financial Assets, Balance Sheet Groupings [Abstract]
Financial assets	0	0
Fair value, measurements, recurring [Member] | Level 2 [Member] | Publicly traded equity securities [Member]
Financial Instruments, Financial Assets, Balance Sheet Groupings [Abstract]
Financial assets	0	0
Fair value, measurements, recurring [Member] | Level 2 [Member] | Certificates of deposit [Member]
Financial Instruments, Financial Assets, Balance Sheet Groupings [Abstract]
Financial assets	$ 17,819	$ 9,957

Leases - Additional Information

Leases - Additional Information (Detail) - Jan. 31, 2017 ¥ in Millions, $ in Millions	JPY (¥)	USD ($)
TY5 Tokyo [Member]
Capital Leased Assets [Line Items]
Capital lease obligation	¥ 516.4	$ 66.4

Leases - Summary of Capital Lea

Leases - Summary of Capital Lease and Other Financing Obligations (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Capital lease obligations
Current portion of capital lease and other financing obligations	$ (99,202)	$ (101,046)
Capital lease and other financing obligations, less current portion	1,523,309	$ 1,410,742
Capital lease obligations [Member]
Capital Leases, Future Minimum Payments Due, Fiscal Year Maturity [Abstract]
2017 (9 months remaining)	62,824
2,018	83,910
2,019	84,686
2,020	84,714
2,021	84,950
Thereafter	836,023
Total minimum lease payments	1,237,107
Plus amount representing residual property value	0
Less amount representing interest	(540,729)
Present value of net minimum lease payments	696,378
Capital lease obligations
Current portion of capital lease and other financing obligations	(28,031)
Capital lease and other financing obligations, less current portion	668,347
Other financing obligations [Member]
Capital Leases, Future Minimum Payments Due, Fiscal Year Maturity [Abstract]
2017 (9 months remaining)	63,110
2,018	86,813
2,019	81,333
2,020	80,524
2,021	81,871
Thereafter	939,125
Total minimum lease payments	1,332,776
Plus amount representing residual property value	561,089
Less amount representing interest	(967,732)
Present value of net minimum lease payments	926,133
Capital lease obligations
Current portion of capital lease and other financing obligations	(71,171)
Capital lease and other financing obligations, less current portion	854,962
Capital Lease and Other Financing Obligations Total [Member]
Capital Leases, Future Minimum Payments Due, Fiscal Year Maturity [Abstract]
2017 (9 months remaining)	125,934
2,018	170,723
2,019	166,019
2,020	165,238
2,021	166,821
Thereafter	1,775,148
Total minimum lease payments	2,569,883
Plus amount representing residual property value	561,089
Less amount representing interest	(1,508,461)
Present value of net minimum lease payments	1,622,511
Capital lease obligations
Current portion of capital lease and other financing obligations	(99,202)
Capital lease and other financing obligations, less current portion	$ 1,523,309

Debt Facilities - Mortgage and

Debt Facilities - Mortgage and Loans Payable (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long term debt, gross	$ 2,546,934	$ 1,457,964
Less the amount representing debt discount and debt issuance cost	(35,399)	(22,811)
Add the amount representing mortgage premium	1,874	1,862
Loans payable current and non current	2,513,409	1,437,015
Less current portion	(80,799)	(67,928)
Loans payable, noncurrent	2,432,610	1,369,087
Term loans [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long term debt, gross	2,502,063	1,413,582
Mortgage payable and other loans payable [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long term debt, gross	$ 44,871	$ 44,382

Debt Facilities - Mortgage Paya

Debt Facilities - Mortgage Payable (Details) - Line of Credit [Member] $ in Millions	Jan. 06, 2017EUR (€)	Jan. 06, 2017USD ($)	Dec. 22, 2016EUR (€)	Dec. 08, 2015	Mar. 31, 2017EUR (€)	Mar. 31, 2017USD ($)	Jan. 06, 2017USD ($)
Term B-2 Loan Commitments [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Proceeds from Issuance of Debt	€ 1,000,000,000	$ 1,059.8	€ 1,000,000,000
Debt issuance cost	€ 13,000,000				€ 12,500,000	$ 13.3	$ 13.8
Percent of original principal, periodic payment	0.25%	0.25%
Long-term Line of Credit					€ 1,000,000,000	$ 1,068.6
London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member] | Term B-2 Loan Commitments [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Basis spread, margin on rate			2.50%
Basis spread on variable rate, minimum				0.75%
London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member] | USD Term B Loan Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Basis spread, margin on rate				3.25%
Variable rate (percent)			0.00%	0.75%
London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member] | Sterling Term B Loan Commitment [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Basis spread, margin on rate			3.00%	3.75%
Euro Interbank Offered Rate (EURIBOR) [Member] | Term B-2 Loan Commitments [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Variable rate (percent)	3.25%	3.25%

Debt Facilities - Senior Notes

Debt Facilities - Senior Notes (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long term debt, gross	$ 2,546,934		$ 1,457,964
Total long term debt	7,648,808
Senior Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long term debt, gross	5,100,000		3,850,000
Unamortized debt issuance costs	(54,551)		(39,230)
Total long term debt	$ 5,045,449		3,810,770
Senior Notes [Member] | 5.375% Senior Notes due 2023 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate (percent)	4.875%
Long term debt, gross	$ 500,000		500,000
Senior Notes [Member] | 5.375% Senior Notes due 2022 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate (percent)	5.375%
Long term debt, gross	$ 750,000		750,000
Senior Notes [Member] | 4.875% Senior Notes due 2020 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate (percent)	5.375%
Long term debt, gross	$ 1,000,000		1,000,000
Senior Notes [Member] | 5.750% Senior Notes due 2025 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate (percent)	5.75%
Long term debt, gross	$ 500,000		500,000
Senior Notes [Member] | 5.875% Senior Notes due 2026 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate (percent)	5.875%
Long term debt, gross	$ 1,100,000		$ 1,100,000
Senior Notes [Member] | 5.375% Senior Notes due 2027 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate (percent)	5.375%
Long term debt, gross	$ 1,250,000
Unamortized debt issuance costs	$ (16,800)	$ (16,900)

Debt Facilities - 2027 Senior N

Debt Facilities - 2027 Senior Notes (Details) - Senior Notes [Member] - USD ($)	Mar. 01, 2017	Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt issuance cost		$ 54,551,000	$ 54,551,000		$ 39,230,000
5.375% Senior Notes due 2027 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Aggregate principal debt amount issued		$ 1,250,000,000	$ 1,250,000,000
Interest rate (percent)		5.375%	5.375%
Debt issuance cost		$ 16,800,000	$ 16,800,000	$ 16,900,000
5.375% Senior Notes due 2027 [Member] | Debt instrument redemption period prior to May 15, 2022
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Redemption price, percentage			100.00%
5.375% Senior Notes due 2027 [Member] | Debt instrument redemption period prior to May 15, 2022 | Maximum [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Applicable premium as a percentage of principal amount		1.00%	1.00%
5.375% Senior Notes due 2027 [Member] | Treasury Rate [Member] | Debt Instrument Redemption Period Prior to January One Two Thousand Eighteen [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Variable rate, basis spread		0.50%
5.875% Senior Notes due 2026 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate (percent)		5.875%	5.875%
5.375% Senior Notes due 2022 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate (percent)		5.375%	5.375%
5.750% Senior Notes due 2025 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate (percent)		5.75%	5.75%
Redemption by Company of up to 35% of aggregate principal | 5.375% Senior Notes due 2027 [Member] | Debt instrument redemption period prior to December 6, 2017
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Redemption price, percentage		105.375%
Senior notes indentured outstanding (percent)	35.00%
Aggregate principal, percentage	65.00%

Debt Facilities Debt Facilities

Debt Facilities Debt Facilities - 2027 Senior Notes Redemption Rates (Details) - Senior Notes [Member] - 5.375% Senior Notes due 2027 [Member]	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017
2022 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Redemption price, percentage	102.688%
2023 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Redemption price, percentage	101.792%
2024 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Redemption price, percentage	100.896%
2025 and thereafter [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Redemption price, percentage	100.00%

Debt Facilities - Summary of Ma

Debt Facilities - Summary of Maturities of Debt Facilities (Detail) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2017USD ($)
Long-term Debt, Fiscal Year Maturity [Abstract]
2017 (9 months remaining)	$ 60,587
2,018	80,859
2,019	367,888
2,020	542,785
2,021	357,532
Thereafter	6,239,157
Total long term debt	$ 7,648,808

Debt Facilities - Fair Value of

Debt Facilities - Fair Value of Debt Facilities (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Mortgage and loans payable	$ 2,561,314	$ 1,461,954
Senior notes	$ 5,341,782	$ 4,033,985

Debt Facilities - Interest Char

Debt Facilities - Interest Charges (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Interest expense	$ 111,684	$ 100,863
Interest capitalized	6,400	2,286
Interest charges incurred	118,084	103,149
Interest paid, net of capitalized interest	$ 109,000	$ 71,800

Commitments and Contingencies -

Commitments and Contingencies - Additional Information (Detail) $ in Millions	Mar. 31, 2017USD ($)
Capital expenditures [Member]
Other Commitments [Line Items]
Purchase commitments	$ 415.4
Miscellaneous purchase commitments [Member]
Other Commitments [Line Items]
Purchase commitments	$ 648.6

Stockholders' Equity - Componen

Stockholders' Equity - Components of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016
AOCI Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
December 31, 2016	$ (949,142)
Net Change	66,406	$ 92,505
March 31, 2017	(882,736)
Foreign currency translation adjustment (“CTA”) gain (loss) [Member]
AOCI Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
December 31, 2016	(1,031,129)
Net Change	106,938
March 31, 2017	(924,191)
Unrealized gain (loss) on cash flow hedges [Member]
AOCI Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
December 31, 2016	30,704
Net Change	(11,727)
March 31, 2017	18,977
Unrealized gain (loss) on available-for-sale securities [Member]
AOCI Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
December 31, 2016	2,110
Net Change	(265)
March 31, 2017	1,845
Net investment hedge CTA gain (loss) [Member]
AOCI Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
December 31, 2016	49,989
Net Change	(28,551)
March 31, 2017	21,438
Net actuarial gain (loss) on defined benefit plans [Member]
AOCI Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
December 31, 2016	(816)
Net Change	11
March 31, 2017	(805)
Comprehensive income [Member]
AOCI Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
December 31, 2016	(949,142)
Net Change	66,406
March 31, 2017	$ (882,736)

Stockholders' Equity - Addition

Stockholders' Equity - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	Feb. 15, 2017	Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock issued and sold		6,069,444
Stock issued, new issues		$ 2,126,300
Proceeds from issuance of stock		57,900
Payments of stock issuance costs		800
Quarterly cash dividend declared (in dollars per share)	$ 2
Payments of dividends			$ 148,083	$ 124,836
Restricted stock units [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Shares issued in period			511,508
Weighted-average grant date fair value of shares issued (in dollars per share)			$ 367.22
Weighted average requisite service period of shares issued			3 years 5 months 24 days
Special Distribution [Member] | Restricted stock units [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Dividends payable		$ 2,600	$ 2,600
Over-Allotment Option [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock issued and sold		791,666

Stockholders' Equity - Stock-Ba

Stockholders' Equity - Stock-Based Compensation Expense Recognized in Company's Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Compensation Cost [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation expense	$ 38,323	$ 34,515
Cost of revenues [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Compensation Cost [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation expense	2,911	2,997
Sales and marketing [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Compensation Cost [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation expense	10,972	9,771
General and administrative [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Compensation Cost [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation expense	$ 24,440	$ 21,747

Segment Information - Additiona

Segment Information - Additional Information (Detail)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017Segment
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Number of reportable segments	3

Segment Information - Schedule

Segment Information - Schedule of Adjusted EBITDA (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total adjusted EBITDA	$ 427,574	$ 380,650
Depreciation, amortization and accretion expense	(219,013)	(202,153)
Stock-based compensation expense	(38,323)	(34,515)
Acquisition costs	(3,025)	(36,536)
Gains on asset sales	0	5,242
Income from continuing operations	167,213	112,688
Americas [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total adjusted EBITDA	198,619	184,460
EMEA [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total adjusted EBITDA	129,554	111,489
Asia-Pacific [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total adjusted EBITDA	$ 99,401	$ 84,701

Segment Information - Segment D

Segment Information - Segment Disclosures (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenues	$ 949,525	$ 844,156
Total depreciation and amortization	217,006	200,534
Capital expenditures	277,242	197,700
Americas [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenues	436,447	404,394
Total depreciation and amortization	87,927	76,259
Capital expenditures	153,435	83,499
EMEA [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenues	314,847	267,856
Total depreciation and amortization	76,168	76,050
Capital expenditures	83,584	57,273
Asia-Pacific [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenues	198,231	171,906
Total depreciation and amortization	52,911	48,225
Capital expenditures	$ 40,223	$ 56,928

Segment Information - Long-Live

Segment Information - Long-Lived Assets (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Company's long-lived assets	$ 7,605,829	$ 7,199,210
Americas [Member]
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Company's long-lived assets	3,452,704	3,339,518
EMEA [Member]
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Company's long-lived assets	2,521,418	2,355,943
Asia-Pacific [Member]
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Company's long-lived assets	$ 1,631,707	$ 1,503,749

Segment Information - Revenue I

Segment Information - Revenue Information on Services Basis (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Revenue	$ 949,525	$ 844,156
Recurring Revenues [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Revenue	898,440	796,620
Recurring Revenues [Member] | Colocation [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Revenue	691,522	618,395
Recurring Revenues [Member] | Interconnection [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Revenue	148,060	125,587
Recurring Revenues [Member] | Managed infrastructure services [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Revenue	54,609	50,310
Recurring Revenues [Member] | Rental [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Revenue	4,249	2,328
Non-recurring Revenues [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Revenue	$ 51,085	$ 47,536

Subsequent Events - Additional

Subsequent Events - Additional Information (Detail)	May 01, 2017USD ($)data_center_building	Apr. 26, 2017$ / shares	Feb. 15, 2017$ / shares	Dec. 06, 2016data_center
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Quarterly cash dividend declared (in dollars per share)			$ 2
Subsequent event [Member]
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Quarterly cash dividend declared (in dollars per share)		$ 2
Verizon
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Data center buildings | data_center				29
Verizon | Subsequent event [Member]
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Data center buildings | data_center_building	29
Cash consideration for acquisition | $	$ 3,600,000,000