Investment Securities (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Marketable investment securities, restricted cash and cash equivalents, and other investment securities
Total marketable investment securities - current	$ 789,564	$ 815,951
Restricted marketable investment securities	9,253	7,529
Total	798,817	823,480
Restricted cash and cash equivalents	12,215	21,516
Other investment securities - noncurrent:
Cost Method	26,073	27,711
Equity Method	153,498	155,500
Total other investment securities - noncurrent	179,571	183,211
Total marketable investment securities, restricted cash and cash equivalents and other investment securities	990,603	1,028,207
Corporate Bonds
Marketable investment securities, restricted cash and cash equivalents, and other investment securities
Total marketable investment securities - current	642,309	654,096
VRDNs
Marketable investment securities, restricted cash and cash equivalents, and other investment securities
Total marketable investment securities - current	65,010	66,145
Strategic
Marketable investment securities, restricted cash and cash equivalents, and other investment securities
Total marketable investment securities - current	46,231	56,288
Other
Marketable investment securities, restricted cash and cash equivalents, and other investment securities
Total marketable investment securities - current	$ 36,014	$ 39,422

Amount of investment in debt and equity securities categorized neither as held-to-maturity nor trading.

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