Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands			3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 30, 2020	Jul. 01, 2020	Mar. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Accounting policy disclosures
Trade accounts receivable, net				$ 1,104,202	$ 588,358
Allowance for credit losses				72,278	19,280
Capitalized Contract Cost				316,000	207,000
Amortization expense related to the programs				160,000	76,000
Total costs capitalized				$ 456,000	300,000
Revenue, Practical Expedient, Financing Component [true false]				true
Derivative Financial Instruments
Derivative instruments - net realized and/or unrealized gains (losses)				$ (22,000)
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets
Impairment of long-lived assets				$ 356,418
Long-Term Deferred Revenue, Distribution and Carriage Payments
Deferred upfront payment, amortization period				10 years
Variable Interest Entity
Redeemable noncontrolling interests				$ 350,648	552,075
Payment For Purchase Agreement				311,735
Advertising expenses				528,000	520,000	$ 426,000
Research and Development
Research and development cost				$ 24,000	21,000	$ 24,000
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
Property and Equipment
Estimated useful life				2 years
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets
Useful life				5 years
Business Combinations
Acquired intangible assets, average finite useful life				5 years
Leases
Option to extend period - Operating				1 year
Option to extend period - Finance				1 year
Maximum
Property and Equipment
Estimated useful life				40 years
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets
Useful life				20 years
Business Combinations
Acquired intangible assets, average finite useful life				20 years
Leases
Option to extend period - Operating				16 years
Option to extend period - Finance				16 years
NBIoT capitalized costs
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets
Impairment of long-lived assets			$ 253,000
EchoStar
Accounting policy disclosures
Trade accounts receivable, net				$ 1,000	$ 1,000
Northstar Manager LLC | Class B common stock
Variable Interest Entity
Ownership percentage	97.00%
Payment For Purchase Agreement	$ 312,000
Equity Method Investment, Ownership Percentage	3.00%
Northstar Manager LLC | American II | Class B common stock
Variable Interest Entity
Ownership percentage	80.00%
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	103,000
Boost Mobile Aquisition [Member]
Derivative Financial Instruments
Spectrum purchase option fair value		$ 713,000		$ 713,000
Boost Mobile Aquisition [Member] | Minimum
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets
Useful life		1 year		1 year
Boost Mobile Aquisition [Member] | Maximum
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets
Useful life		10 years		10 years
Ting Mobile | Minimum
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets
Useful life				2 years
Ting Mobile | Maximum
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets
Useful life				10 years
BoostUP
Accounting policy disclosures
Trade accounts receivable, net				$ 114,000
Allowance for credit losses				$ 20,000
Installment plan period for long term customers				18 months