Accounting Policies [Abstract] Accounting Policies [Abstract] Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable, Classified [Abstract] Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable, Classified [Abstract] Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items] Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items] Receivable Type [Axis] Receivable Type [Axis] Accounts Payable, Current Accounts payable Accounts Receivable [Member] Accounts Receivable [Member] Accounts Receivable, Net, Current Accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts of $19,392 and $8,797, respectively Accrual for Taxes Other than Income Taxes, Current Accrued value-added taxes Accrued Liabilities, Current Accrued liabilities Other Accrued Liabilities Accrued Professional Fees, Current Accrued professional fees Accumulated Defined Benefit Plans Adjustment Attributable to Parent [Member] Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Activity [Member] Accumulated Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization, Property, Plant, and Equipment Property, plant and equipment, other, accumulated depreciation Accumulated depreciation Accumulated Net Investment Gain (Loss) Attributable to Parent [Member] Available-for-Sale Securities [Member] Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items] Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items] Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax Accumulated other comprehensive loss Net AOCL, end of period Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Table] Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Table] AOCI Attributable to Parent [Member] Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss [Member] Accumulated Foreign Currency Adjustment Attributable to Parent [Member] Foreign Currency Translation [Member] Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items] Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items] Acquired Finite-lived Intangible Assets, Weighted Average Useful Life Amortizable intangible assets, Weighted Average Estimated Useful Life Acquisition Related Costs Exclusion From Pro Forma Results [Member] Acquisition Related Costs Exclusion From Pro Forma Results [Member] Acquisition Related Costs Exclusion from Pro Forma Results Member [Member] Additional Cash Flow Elements and Supplemental Cash Flow Information [Abstract] Additional Cash Flow Elements and Supplemental Cash Flow Information [Abstract] Additional cash flow information line item. Additional Cash Flow Information [Line Items] Additional Cash Flow Information [Line Items] Additional cash flow information. Additional Cash Flow Information [Table] Additional Cash Flow Information [Table] Represents the amount associated with a repricing of stock awards in lieu of dividends to stockholders which would dilute the stock options by repricing the option exercise price. Additional Compensation Expense Due To Repricing Of Stock Options Additional compensation expense Additional Financial Information Disclosure [Text Block] Supplemental Financial Statement Information Additional Paid in Capital, Common Stock Additional paid-in capital Additional Paid-in Capital [Member] Additional Paid-in Capital [Member] Amount of cash payments expected to be made subsequent to the current fiscal year as the result of exit or disposal activities. Additional Restructuring Payments Additional payments between 2017 and 2022 Adjustments for New Accounting Pronouncements [Axis] Adjustments for New Accounting Pronouncements [Axis] Adjustments to Additional Paid in Capital, Share-based Compensation, Requisite Service Period Recognition Equity-based compensation Adjustments to Reconcile Net Income (Loss) to Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities [Abstract] Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash generated by operating activities: Adjustment to Additional Paid in Capital, Income Tax Effect from Share-based Compensation, Net Tax benefit from shares issued under equity-based compensation plans Advertising Cost, Policy, Expensed Advertising Cost [Policy Text Block] Advertising Costs Advertising Expense Advertising expense Airvana LP [Member] Airvana LP [Member] Airvana LP [Member] Alifabs Group [Member] Alifabs Group [Member] Alifabs Group [Member] Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense Equity-based compensation expense Allowance for Credit Losses on Financing Receivables [Table Text Block] Allowance for Doubtful Accounts Allowance for Doubtful Accounts Receivable Balance at End of Period Balance at Beginning of Period Allowance for Doubtful Accounts Receivable, Current Allowance for doubtful accounts receivable Allowance for Doubtful Accounts Receivable, Recoveries Deductions Allowance for Doubtful Accounts Receivable, Write-offs Write-off of account Allowance For Uncollectible Accounts [Member] Allowance For Uncollectible Accounts [Member] Allowance For Uncollectible Accounts [Member] Amendment Flag Amendment Flag Amendment [Member] Amendment [Member] Amendment [Member] Amortization of Financing Costs Amortization of debt issuance costs Amortization of Intangible Assets Amortization of purchased intangible assets Amortization Amortization expense for intangible assets Amortized Cost and Fair Value Debt Securities [Abstract] Amortized Cost and Fair Value Debt Securities [Abstract] Amortized Cost and Fair Value Debt Securities [Abstract] Amount Recognized in Net Periodic Benefit Cost and Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Tax Total recognized in net periodic benefit cost and included in other comprehensive income (loss) Anixter International Inc. Anixter International Inc [Member] Anixter International Inc. [Member] Annual management and oversight fee. Annual Management And Oversight Fee Fee for acquisition Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share, Amount Amount of outstanding equity based awards not included in computation of diluted earnings per share Antidilutive Securities [Axis] Antidilutive Securities [Axis] Antidilutive Securities, Name [Domain] Antidilutive Securities, Name [Domain] Amount parent company cash and cash equivalents are reduced in calculating the applicable amount as defined under the indenture. Applicable Amount Reduction Of Parent Company Cash Cash and cash equivalents Amount restricted payment capacity is reduced in calculating the applicable amount as defined under the indenture. Applicable Amount Reduction Of Restricted Payment Capacity Current restricted payment Asia Pacific [Member] Asia Pacific [Member] Asset based revolving credit facility member. Asset Based Revolving Credit Facility [Member] Asset Based Revolving Credit Facility [Member] Asset Impairment Charges Asset impairment charges Asset impairments Assets Total assets Total assets Assets [Abstract] Assets Asset sale. Asset Sale [Member] Asset Sale [Member] Assets, Current Total current assets Assets, Total [Member] Assets, Total [Member] Available-for-sale Equity Securities, Amortized Cost Basis Cost basis Available-for-sale Securities Available-for-sale securities Fair value Available-for-sale Securities, Change in Net Unrealized Holding Gain (Loss) before Taxes Pretax unrealized gain in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Realized Gain (Loss), Disclosures [Abstract] Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Realized Gain (Loss), Disclosures [Abstract] Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Realized Gains Pretax gain realized Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Realized Gains (Losses), Sale Proceeds Proceeds received Available-for-sale Securities [Table Text Block] Information Related to the Investment in Hydrogenics Total amount of shares of securities sold, categorized neither as held-to-maturity nor trading securities, during the reporting period. Available For Sales Securities Number Of Shares Sold Shares sold Award Type [Axis] Award Type [Axis] Balance Sheet Location [Axis] Balance Sheet Location [Axis] Balance Sheet Location [Domain] Balance Sheet Location [Domain] Base Rate [Member] Base Rate [Member] Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies [Text Block] Background and Description of the Business Bi metals assets. Bi Metals Assets [Member] BiMetals [Member] Broadband. Broadband [Member] Broadband [Member] Broadband Network Solutions Integration Restructuring Plan [Member] Broadband Network Solutions Integration Restructuring Plan [Member] BNS Integration Restructuring Plan [Member] Broadband Network Solutions [Member] Broadband Network Solutions [Member] BNS [Member] Building and Building Improvements [Member] Buildings and Improvements [Member] Business Acquisition, Acquiree [Domain] Business Acquisition, Acquiree [Domain] Business Acquisition [Axis] Business Acquisition [Axis] Business Acquisition, Transaction Costs Transaction costs Business Acquisition, Effective Date of Acquisition Acquisition date Business Acquisition [Line Items] Business Acquisition [Line Items] Business Acquisition, Pro Forma Earnings Per Share, Diluted Net income per diluted share Business Acquisition, Pro Forma Information [Table Text Block] Summary of Proforma Results of Operations Business Acquisitions Pro Forma Information [Line Items] Business Acquisitions Pro Forma Information [Line Items] Business Acquisitions Pro Forma Information [Line Items] Business Acquisitions Pro Forma Information [Table] Business Acquisitions Pro Forma Information [Table] Business Acquisitions Pro Forma Information [Table] Business Acquisition, Pro Forma Net Income (Loss) Net income Business Acquisition, Pro Forma Revenue Revenue Business Combination, Acquired Receivables, Fair Value Accounts receivable Business Combination, Consideration Transferred Total consideration transferred, amount Business Combination, Contingent Consideration Arrangements, Change in Amount of Contingent Consideration, Liability Adjustment to the estimated fair value of contingent consideration Business Combination, Contingent Consideration, Liability Estimated fair value of the contingent consideration Business Combination, Integration Related Costs Integration costs Business Combination, Provisional Information, Initial Accounting Incomplete, Adjustment, Consideration Transferred Purchase accounting reductions to expense primarily related to the adjustment of a contingent consideration payable Business Combination, Provisional Information, Initial Accounting Incomplete, Adjustment, Inventory Purchase accounting adjustments related to mark-up of BNS inventory to its estimated fair value Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Cash and Equivalents Cash and cash equivalents Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Current Assets, Other Other current assets Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Current Liabilities Current liabilities Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Intangible Assets, Other than Goodwill Identifiable intangible assets Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Inventory Inventories Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Liabilities Less: Liabilities assumed Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Noncurrent Liabilities, Other Other noncurrent liabilities Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Other Noncurrent Assets Other noncurrent assets Business combination recognized identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed pension noncurrent. Business Combination Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired And Liabilities Assumed Pension Noncurrent Noncurrent pension liabilities Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Property, Plant, and Equipment Property, plant and equipment Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Restructuring Liabilities Liability recognized for BNS employee-related restructuring actions Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired, Goodwill, and Liabilities Assumed, Net Net acquisition cost Business Combinations [Abstract] Business Combinations [Abstract] Business Combination, Separately Recognized Transactions, Assets Recognized Business combination separately recognized transactions assets recognized Business Combination, Separately Recognized Transactions, Liabilities Recognized Business combination separately recognized transactions liabilities recognized Business Combinations Policy [Policy Text Block] Business Combinations Business Unit Concentration Risk [Member] Business Unit Concentration Risk [Member] Business Unit Concentration Risk [Member] CANADA Canada [Member] Capital leases and operating lease future minimum payments due. Capital Leases And Operating Lease Future Minimum Payments Due Table [Text Block] Future Minimum Rental Payments Required under Operating Leases and Capital Leases Carlyle. Carlyle [Member] Carlyle [Member] Reported Value Measurement [Member] Carrying Amount [Member] Cash and Cash Equivalents, at Carrying Value Cash and cash equivalents, end of period Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period Cash and cash equivalents Cash and Cash Equivalents, Period Increase (Decrease) Change in cash and cash equivalents Cash and Cash Equivalents, Policy [Policy Text Block] Cash and Cash Equivalents Cash Dividends Paid to Parent Company Distribution paid by subsidiary to parent company Cash flow information. Cash Flow Information [Text Block] Cash Flow Information Central and Latin America. Central And Latin America [Member] Central and Latin America [Member] Commitments and Contingencies Commitments and contingencies Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract] Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract] Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Text Block] Commitments and Contingencies Common Stock, Dividends, Per Share, Declared Dividend declared Common Stock [Member] Common Stock [Member] Common Stock, Par or Stated Value Per Share Common stock, par value Common stock preferred stock and stock split. Common Stock Preferred Stock And Stock Split [Policy Text Block] Common Stock, Preferred Stock and Stock Split Common Stock, Shares Authorized Common stock, shares authorized Common Stock, Shares, Issued Common stock, shares issued Common Stock, Shares, Outstanding Ending balance, Shares Beginning balance, Shares Common stock, shares outstanding Common Stock, Value, Issued Common stock, $.01 par value: Authorized shares: 1,300,000,000; Issued and outstanding shares: 191,368,727 and 187,831,389 at December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively CommScope inc. CommScope Inc [Member] CommScope, Inc. Retirement Savings Plan [Member] Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract] Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract] Components of Deferred Tax Assets [Abstract] Deferred tax assets: Components of Deferred Tax Liabilities [Abstract] Deferred tax liabilities: Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Attributable to Parent Total comprehensive income (loss) Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Attributable to Parent [Abstract] Comprehensive income (loss): Concentration of risk policy. Concentration Of Risk Policy [Text Block] Concentrations of Risk Concentration Risk Benchmark [Domain] Concentration Risk Benchmark [Domain] Concentration Risk Benchmark [Axis] Concentration Risk Benchmark [Axis] Concentration Risk Type [Axis] Concentration Risk Type [Axis] Concentration Risk, Percentage Concentration risk percentage Percentage of net sales Concentration Risk Type [Domain] Concentration Risk Type [Domain] Condensed Financial Information of Parent Company Only Disclosure [Abstract] Condensed Financial Information of Parent Company Only Disclosure [Abstract] Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items] Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items] Condensed Income Statement [Table] Condensed Income Statement [Table] Consolidation Items [Axis] Consolidation Items [Axis] Consolidation Items [Domain] Consolidation Items [Domain] Consolidation, Policy [Policy Text Block] Basis of Consolidation Construction in Progress [Member] Construction in Progress [Member] Conversion of Stock, Amount Converted Acquisition of treasury stock resulted in noncash financing activities Acquisition of treasury stock resulting from stock option exercises Cost Alignment Restructuring Plan [Member] Cost Alignment Restructuring Plan [Member] Cost Alignment Restructuring Plan [Member] Cost of Revenue Cost of sales Cost of Sales [Member] Cost of Sales [Member] Costs and Expenses Total operating costs and expenses Costs and Expenses [Abstract] Operating costs and expenses: Credit Facility [Axis] Credit Facility [Axis] Credit Facility [Domain] Credit Facility [Domain] Current Federal Tax Expense (Benefit) Federal Current Fiscal Year End Date Current Fiscal Year End Date Current Foreign Tax Expense (Benefit) Foreign Current Income Tax Expense (Benefit) Current income tax expense Current Income Tax Expense (Benefit), Continuing Operations [Abstract] Current: Current State and Local Tax Expense (Benefit) State Customer base. Customer Base [Member] Customer Base [Member] Customer Concentration Risk [Member] Customer Concentration Risk [Member] Customer-Related Intangible Assets [Member] Customer Contracts and Relationships [Member] Debt Disclosure [Abstract] Debt Disclosure [Abstract] Debt Holder [Member] Debt Holder [Member] Option of the Holders [Member] Debt Instrument [Axis] Debt Instrument [Axis] Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate Libor rate margin Long-term Debt, Gross Total face value of debt Debt Instrument, Face Amount Issuing of senior payment-in-kind toggle notes Debt Instrument, Fair Value Disclosure Estimated fair value of the note Senior PIK toggle notes due 2020 Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage Interest rate Debt Instrument [Line Items] Debt Instrument [Line Items] Debt Instrument, Maturity Date Maturity date Debt Instrument, Name [Domain] Debt Instrument, Name [Domain] Debt Instrument, Periodic Payment Scheduled maturities per year Debt Instrument, Redemption, Period [Axis] Debt Instrument, Redemption, Period [Axis] Debt Instrument, Redemption, Period [Domain] Debt Instrument, Redemption, Period [Domain] Debt Instrument, Redemption Period, End Date Redemption date, period end date Debt Instrument, Redemption, Period One [Member] Debt Instrument, Redemption, Period One [Member] Debt Instrument, Redemption Period, Start Date Redemption date, period start date Debt Instrument, Redemption, Period Three [Member] Debt Instrument, Redemption, Period Three [Member] Debt Instrument, Redemption, Period Two [Member] Debt Instrument, Redemption, Period Two [Member] Debt Instrument, Redemption Price, Percentage Debt instrument redemption price percentage Debt Instrument, Redemption Price, Percentage of Principal Amount Redeemed Percentage of principal amount of debt redeemed Debt Instrument, Repurchased Face Amount Repurchase of senior payment-in-kind toggle notes