CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS - USD ($) $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
		Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net sales		$ 1,651,248	$ 1,728,524	$ 4,955,498	$ 4,875,799
Cost of sales		1,186,059	1,297,369	3,515,871	3,704,029
Gross margin		465,189	431,155	1,439,627	1,171,770
Operating expenses:
Selling, general and administrative expenses		162,707	114,407	497,263	332,966
Research and development expenses		156,109	131,593	493,106	397,653
Amortization of intangible assets		88,306	90,162	293,499	274,819
Impairment of goodwill				3,400
Integration, acquisition, restructuring and other costs		5,046	10,836	41,546	30,622
Total operating expenses		412,168	346,998	1,328,814	1,036,060
Operating income		53,021	84,157	110,813	135,710
Other expense (income):
Interest expense		23,969	20,211	70,142	63,238
(Gain) loss on investments		(1,400)	839	(1,718)	8,978
Interest income		(1,764)	(2,288)	(5,088)	(5,997)
Loss (gain) on foreign currency		2,025	(8,543)	6,034	5,570
Other (income) expense, net		35	1,434	(25)	2,275
Income before income taxes		30,156	72,504	41,468	61,646
Income tax benefit		(15,652)	(14,311)	(22,106)	(12,613)
Consolidated net income		45,808	86,815	63,574	74,259
Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest		(1,271)	(1,505)	(5,659)	(5,299)
Net income attributable to ARRIS International plc.		$ 47,079	$ 88,320	$ 69,233	$ 79,558
Net income per ordinary share :
Basic (in dollars per share)	[1]	$ 0.26	$ 0.47	$ 0.38	$ 0.42
Diluted (in dollars per share)	[1]	$ 0.26	$ 0.47	$ 0.38	$ 0.42
Weighted average ordinary shares:
Basic (in shares)		178,106	187,064	182,132	187,878
Diluted (in shares)		179,337	188,941	183,817	190,264

[1] Calculated based on net income attributable to stockholders of ARRIS International plc