CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Consolidated net income	$ 45,808	$ 86,815	$ 63,574	$ 74,259
Available-for-sale securities:
Unrealized gain (loss) on available-for-sale securities, net of tax of $0 and $(34) for the three months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, and $0 and $(132) for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017 respectively		44		260
Reclassification adjustments recognized in net income, net of tax of $0 and $(5) for the three months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, and $381 and $(34) for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017 respectively		7	(662)	68
Net change in available-for-sale securities		51	(662)	328
Derivative instruments:
Unrealized gain (loss) on derivative instruments, net of tax of $(1,005) and $(145) for the three months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, and $(4,071) and $153 for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017 respectively	3,737	195	15,051	(240)
Reclassification adjustments recognized in net income, net of tax of $214 and $7 for the three months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, and $268 and $(691) for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017 respectively	(796)	(9)	(990)	1,086
Net change in derivative instruments	2,941	186	14,061	846
Pension liabilities:
Reclassification adjustments recognized in net income		(6)	28	9
Net change in pension liabilities		(6)	28	9
Cumulative translation adjustments	(6,946)	6,382	(26,634)	4,364
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	(4,005)	6,613	(13,207)	5,547
Comprehensive income	41,803	93,428	50,367	79,806
Comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interest	(1,282)	(1,520)	(5,644)	(5,343)
Comprehensive income attributable to ARRIS International plc	$ 43,085	$ 94,948	$ 56,011	$ 85,149