Marketable Investment Securities and Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents (Details 4) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Fair value of marketable securities
Debt securities	$ 3,981,481	$ 2,269,670
Total marketable investment securities	4,041,151	2,318,714
VRDNs
Fair value of marketable securities
Debt securities	143,665	124,007
Other (including restricted)
Fair value of marketable securities
Debt security	3,874,652	2,181,064
Equity Securities
Fair value of marketable securities
Equity securities	22,834	13,643
Fair value measurements on recurring basis | Total
Fair value of marketable securities
Cash equivalents (including restricted)	4,077,784	3,014,946
Total marketable investment securities	4,041,151	2,318,714
Fair value measurements on recurring basis | Total | VRDNs
Fair value of marketable securities
Debt securities	143,665	124,007
Fair value measurements on recurring basis | Total | Other (including restricted)
Fair value of marketable securities
Debt security	3,874,652	2,181,064
Fair value measurements on recurring basis | Total | Equity Securities
Fair value of marketable securities
Equity securities	22,834	13,643
Fair value measurements on recurring basis | Level 1
Fair value of marketable securities
Cash equivalents (including restricted)	277,438	59,386
Total marketable investment securities	22,834	13,643
Fair value measurements on recurring basis | Level 1 | Equity Securities
Fair value of marketable securities
Equity securities	22,834	13,643
Fair value measurements on recurring basis | Level 2
Fair value of marketable securities
Cash equivalents (including restricted)	3,800,346	2,955,560
Total marketable investment securities	4,018,317	2,305,071
Fair value measurements on recurring basis | Level 2 | VRDNs
Fair value of marketable securities
Debt securities	143,665	124,007
Fair value measurements on recurring basis | Level 2 | Other (including restricted)
Fair value of marketable securities
Debt security	$ 3,874,652	$ 2,181,064