Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands			3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Dec. 30, 2020	Jul. 01, 2020	Mar. 31, 2021	Mar. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Accounting policy disclosures
Trade accounts receivable, net					$ 942,561	$ 1,104,202
Allowance for credit losses					38,534	72,278
Capitalized Contract Cost					393,000	316,000	$ 207,000
Amortization expense related to the programs					391,000	160,000	76,000
Total costs capitalized					$ 458,000	456,000
Revenue, Practical Expedient, Financing Component [true false]					true
Derivative Financial Instruments
Derivative instruments - net realized and/or unrealized gains (losses)					$ (13,000)	(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
Accounting Standards Update and Change in Accounting Principle [Abstract]
Adjustments to Additional Paid in Capital, Equity Component of Convertible Debt			$ 1,051,000			329,409
Deferred Tax Liabilities, Net, Noncurrent					$ 4,226,266	3,869,570
Variable Interest Entity
Redeemable noncontrolling interests					395,222	350,648
Payment For Purchase Agreement						311,735
Advertising expenses					535,000	528,000	520,000
Research and Development
Research and development cost					$ 29,000	24,000	$ 21,000
Minimum
Accounting policy disclosures
Useful life					1 year
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets
Useful life					1 year
Business Combinations
Acquired intangible assets, average finite useful life					5 years
Maximum
Accounting policy disclosures
Useful life					20 years
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets
Useful life					20 years
Business Combinations
Acquired intangible assets, average finite useful life					20 years
Northstar Spectrum
Accounting policy disclosures
Value of ownership interest accrued					$ 86,000
SNR HoldCo
Accounting policy disclosures
Value of ownership interest accrued					309,000
NBIoT capitalized costs
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets
Impairment of long-lived assets				$ 253,000
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%
ASU 2020-06
Accounting Standards Update and Change in Accounting Principle [Abstract]
Convertible debt reclassified per ASU 2020-06 (1)			1,051,000		1,051,344
Adjustments to Additional Paid in Capital, Equity Component of Convertible Debt			246,000
Deferred Tax Liabilities, Net, Noncurrent			246,000		245,778
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
Boost Mobile Acquisition | Minimum
Accounting policy disclosures
Useful life		1 year			1 year
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets
Useful life		1 year			1 year
Boost Mobile Acquisition | Maximum
Accounting policy disclosures
Useful life		10 years			10 years
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets
Useful life		10 years			10 years
Ting Mobile Acquisition | Minimum
Accounting policy disclosures
Useful life					2 years
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets
Useful life					2 years
Ting Mobile Acquisition | Maximum
Accounting policy disclosures
Useful life					10 years
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets
Useful life					10 years
Republic Wireless | Minimum
Accounting policy disclosures
Useful life					1 year
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets
Useful life					1 year
Republic Wireless | Maximum
Accounting policy disclosures
Useful life					8 years
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets
Useful life					8 years
BoostUP
Accounting policy disclosures
Trade accounts receivable, net					$ 44,000	114,000
Allowance for credit losses					$ 5,000	$ 20,000
Installment plan period for long term customers					18 months