Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended			6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2020	Mar. 31, 2020	Jun. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2019	Dec. 31, 2019
Accounting policy disclosures
Capitalized Contract Cost	$ 44,000		$ 55,000	$ 82,000	$ 92,000
Amortization expense related to the programs	29,000		17,000	56,000	31,000
Total costs capitalized	326,000			$ 326,000		$ 300,000
Revenue, Practical Expedient, Financing Component [true false]				true
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets
Impairment of long-lived assets				$ 356,418
Variable Interest Entity
Redeemable noncontrolling interests	605,815			605,815		$ 552,075
Research and Development
Research and development cost	$ 5,000		$ 6,000	$ 11,000	$ 11,000
Leases
Option to extend - Operating				true
Option to extend - Finance				true
Option to terminate period - Operating				1 year
Option to terminate period - Finance				1 year
Option to terminate - Operating				true
Option to terminate - Finance				true
Minimum
Leases
Option to extend period - Operating	1 year			1 year
Option to extend period - Finance	1 year			1 year
Maximum
Leases
Option to extend period - Operating	7 years			7 years
Option to extend period - Finance	7 years			7 years
NBIoT capitalized costs
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets
Impairment of long-lived assets		$ 253,000
Northstar Manager LLC | Minimum
Variable Interest Entity
Number of years after wireless spectrum license is granted until put right vests				5 years
Northstar Manager LLC | Maximum
Variable Interest Entity
Number of years after wireless spectrum license is granted until put right vests				6 years
SNR Wireless Management LLC | Minimum
Variable Interest Entity
Number of years after wireless spectrum license is granted until put right vests				5 years
SNR Wireless Management LLC | Maximum
Variable Interest Entity
Number of years after wireless spectrum license is granted until put right vests				6 years
AWS-4 Satellites
Accounting policy disclosures
Fair value after write down	$ 0			$ 0
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets
Impairment of long-lived assets				$ 103,000