Commitments and Contingencies - Part 4 (Details) $ in Thousands				1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Jul. 21, 2015 USD ($)	Jul. 08, 2014 USD ($)	Dec. 23, 2013 USD ($)	Jul. 31, 2009 item	Sep. 30, 2014 USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2012 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2015 USD ($) item	Dec. 31, 2014 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2013 USD ($)
Loss contingencies
General and administrative expenses							$ 777,507	$ 815,745	$ 776,711
Satellite transponder guarantees
Loss contingencies
Guarantees for payments							$ 248,000
Technology Development Licensing
Loss contingency terms
Number of reexamination petitions pending before patent and trademark office | item				2
Lightsquared Harbinger Capital Partners LLC
Loss contingency terms
Business days allowed to terminate existing agreements							3 days
Lightsquared Harbinger Capital Partners LLC | Minimum
Loss contingencies
Claim amount	$ 1,500,000	$ 500,000
LightSquared transaction shareholder derivative actions
Loss contingencies
Number of shareholders who filed lawsuits | item							5
Do Not Call Litigation
Loss contingencies
Period of injunctive relief sought from placing any outbound telemarketing calls to market or promote its goods or services							5 years
Do Not Call Litigation | DISH Network L.L.C.
Loss contingencies
Claim amount			$ 270,000
Claim amount from federal plaintiff							$ 23,500,000
Do Not Call Litigation | Maximum | DISH Network L.L.C.
Loss contingencies
Claim amount from federal plaintiff							$ 900,000
Personalized Media Communications Inc Member | Maximum
Loss contingencies
Claim amount					$ 450,000	$ 650,000
Personalized Media Communications Inc Member | Minimum
Loss contingencies
Claim amount					$ 150,000	$ 500,000