Goodwill, Regulatory Authorizations and Other Intangible Assets (Details 3) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Other intangible assets
Cost	$ 710,092,000	$ 740,776,000
Accumulated Amortization	(362,596,000)	(274,324,000)
Carrying Amount	347,496,000	466,452,000
Amortization expense	92,000,000	107,000,000	31,000,000
Minimum
Other intangible assets
Weighted Average Useful life	1 year
Maximum
Other intangible assets
Weighted Average Useful life	20 years
Customer relationships
Other intangible assets
Cost	293,932,000	295,327,000
Accumulated Amortization	(113,906,000)	(77,560,000)
Carrying Amount	180,026,000	217,767,000
Weighted Average Useful life	8 years
Contract-based
Other intangible assets
Cost	255,366,000	255,366,000
Accumulated Amortization	(178,138,000)	(145,406,000)
Carrying Amount	77,228,000	109,960,000
Weighted Average Useful life	10 years
Technology-based
Other intangible assets
Cost	126,387,000	153,185,000
Accumulated Amortization	(66,338,000)	(49,307,000)
Carrying Amount	60,049,000	103,878,000
Weighted Average Useful life	7 years
Trademark portfolio
Other intangible assets
Cost	29,700,000	32,191,000
Accumulated Amortization	(2,351,000)	(1,364,000)
Carrying Amount	27,349,000	30,827,000
Weighted Average Useful life	20 years
Favorable leases
Other intangible assets
Cost	4,707,000	4,707,000
Accumulated Amortization	(1,863,000)	(687,000)
Carrying Amount	$ 2,844,000	$ 4,020,000
Weighted Average Useful life	4 years