CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands		12 Months Ended
		Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net sales		$ 6,742,640	$ 6,614,392	$ 6,829,118
Cost of sales		4,823,781	4,948,153	5,121,501
Gross margin		1,918,859	1,666,239	1,707,617
Operating expenses:
Selling, general, and administrative expenses		667,053	475,369	454,190
Research and development expenses		644,038	539,094	584,909
Amortization of intangible assets		383,561	375,407	397,464
Impairment of goodwill and intangible assets		3,400	55,000	2,200
Integration, acquisition, restructuring and other costs, net		41,922	98,357	158,137
Total operating expenses		1,739,974	1,543,227	1,596,900
Operating income		178,885	123,012	110,717
Other expense (income):
Interest expense		95,086	87,088	79,817
Loss on investments		308	11,066	21,194
Loss (gain) on foreign currency		3,834	9,757	(13,982)
Interest income		(8,341)	(7,975)	(4,395)
Other (income) expense, net		5,056	1,873	3,991
Income before income taxes		82,942	21,203	24,092
Income tax (benefit) expense		(24,344)	(44,921)	15,131
Consolidated net income		107,286	66,124	8,961
Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest		(6,454)	(25,903)	(9,139)
Net income attributable to ARRIS International plc.		$ 113,740	$ 92,027	$ 18,100
Net income per ordinary share (1):
Basic (in dollars per share)	[1]	$ 0.63	$ 0.49	$ 0.09
Diluted (in dollars per share)	[1]	$ 0.62	$ 0.49	$ 0.09
Weighted average ordinary shares:
Basic (in shares)		180,147	187,133	190,701
Diluted (in shares)		182,041	189,616	192,185

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