Property and Equipment and Intangible Assets (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended			3 Months Ended			9 Months Ended		3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended			3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013 MSS business Maximum item	Sep. 30, 2013 Wireless spectrum capitalized interest	Sep. 30, 2012 Wireless spectrum capitalized interest	Sep. 30, 2013 Wireless spectrum capitalized interest	Sep. 30, 2012 Wireless spectrum capitalized interest	Sep. 30, 2013 Equipment leased to customers	Sep. 30, 2012 Equipment leased to customers	Sep. 30, 2013 Equipment leased to customers	Sep. 30, 2012 Equipment leased to customers	Sep. 30, 2013 Satellites	Sep. 30, 2012 Satellites	Sep. 30, 2013 Satellites	Sep. 30, 2012 Satellites	Sep. 30, 2013 DBS Satellites satellite	Sep. 30, 2013 Buildings, furniture, fixtures, equipment and other	Sep. 30, 2012 Buildings, furniture, fixtures, equipment and other	Sep. 30, 2013 Buildings, furniture, fixtures, equipment and other	Sep. 30, 2012 Buildings, furniture, fixtures, equipment and other	Jun. 30, 2012 148 degree orbital location	Sep. 30, 2012 148 degree orbital location
Depreciation and amortization expense
Amount of interest capitalized			$ 101,265	$ 72,061			$ 32,000	$ 33,000	$ 101,000	$ 72,000
Depreciation and amortization expense	260,637	235,403	795,438	743,220							195,843	165,959	555,653	481,876	33,866	38,782	101,598	111,235		30,928	30,662	138,187	82,333	67,776	67,776
Number of customers						2,000
Revenue	3,601,577	3,523,347	10,762,934	10,676,982		1,000
Remaining net book value fully depreciated	$ 4,055,871		$ 4,055,871		$ 4,402,360
Number of satellites utilized in geostationary orbit approximately 22,300 miles above the equator																			15
Owned Satellites																			6
Number of satellites utilized under operating lease																			7
Number of satellites utilized under capital lease																			2