| Component: (Network and Table) | |
|---|---|
| Network | 100320 - Disclosure - Inventory (Tables) (http://www.adtran.com/20161231/taxonomy/role/DisclosureInventoryTables)  | 
| Table | (Implied) | 
| Reporting Entity [Axis] | 0000926282 (http://www.sec.gov/CIK) | 
| Inventory Disclosure [Abstract] | Period [Axis] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2016-01-01 - 2016-12-31  | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]  | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Components of Inventory  | At December 31, 2016 and 2015, inventory was comprised of the following: 
 
 
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