Balance Sheet Components - Net Book Value of Intangible Assets by Geographic Regions (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Finite-lived Intangible Assets [Roll Forward]
Intangible assets, net beginning balance	$ 2,384,972	$ 719,231	$ 224,565
Sale of Terra Power			(2,460)
Write-off of intangible asset	(1,998)	(725)	(573)
Amortization of intangibles	(203,416)	(177,008)	(122,862)
Impact of foreign currency exchange	(48,680)	36,929	(85,440)
Intangible assets, net ending balance	2,333,296	2,384,972	719,231
Telecity Group plc
Finite-lived Intangible Assets [Roll Forward]
Intangible assets acquired during period			694,243
Paris IBX Data Center
Finite-lived Intangible Assets [Roll Forward]
Intangible assets acquired during period			11,758
Verizon
Finite-lived Intangible Assets [Roll Forward]
Intangible assets acquired during period		1,693,900
Other 2017 acquisitions
Finite-lived Intangible Assets [Roll Forward]
Intangible assets acquired during period		112,645
Infomart Dallas
Finite-lived Intangible Assets [Roll Forward]
Intangible assets acquired during period	65,847
Metronode
Finite-lived Intangible Assets [Roll Forward]
Intangible assets acquired during period	128,229
Other 2018 acquisitions
Finite-lived Intangible Assets [Roll Forward]
Intangible assets acquired during period	8,342
Reportable geographical components | Americas
Finite-lived Intangible Assets [Roll Forward]
Intangible assets, net beginning balance	1,646,373	40,117	50,643
Write-off of intangible asset	(334)		(573)
Amortization of intangibles	(125,683)	(84,749)	(11,348)
Impact of foreign currency exchange	(7,232)	(2,895)	1,395
Intangible assets, net ending balance	1,578,971	1,646,373	40,117
Reportable geographical components | Americas | Verizon
Finite-lived Intangible Assets [Roll Forward]
Intangible assets acquired during period		1,693,900
Reportable geographical components | Americas | Infomart Dallas
Finite-lived Intangible Assets [Roll Forward]
Intangible assets acquired during period	65,847
Reportable geographical components | EMEA
Finite-lived Intangible Assets [Roll Forward]
Intangible assets, net beginning balance	631,219	562,361	44,355
Write-off of intangible asset	(1,661)	(725)
Amortization of intangibles	(62,283)	(79,105)	(97,715)
Impact of foreign currency exchange	(31,757)	36,043	(90,280)
Intangible assets, net ending balance	543,860	631,219	562,361
Reportable geographical components | EMEA | Telecity Group plc
Finite-lived Intangible Assets [Roll Forward]
Intangible assets acquired during period			694,243
Reportable geographical components | EMEA | Paris IBX Data Center
Finite-lived Intangible Assets [Roll Forward]
Intangible assets acquired during period			11,758
Reportable geographical components | EMEA | Other 2017 acquisitions
Finite-lived Intangible Assets [Roll Forward]
Intangible assets acquired during period		112,645
Reportable geographical components | EMEA | Other 2018 acquisitions
Finite-lived Intangible Assets [Roll Forward]
Intangible assets acquired during period	8,342
Reportable geographical components | Asia-Pacific
Finite-lived Intangible Assets [Roll Forward]
Intangible assets, net beginning balance	107,380	116,753	129,567
Sale of Terra Power			(2,460)
Write-off of intangible asset	(3)
Amortization of intangibles	(15,450)	(13,154)	(13,799)
Impact of foreign currency exchange	(9,691)	3,781	3,445
Intangible assets, net ending balance	210,465	$ 107,380	$ 116,753
Reportable geographical components | Asia-Pacific | Metronode
Finite-lived Intangible Assets [Roll Forward]
Intangible assets acquired during period	$ 128,229