Investment Securities (Details 5) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Fair value of marketable securities
Total marketable investment securities - current	$ 789,564	$ 815,951
Total marketable investment securities	798,817	823,480
Debt security	663,000
Investments	990,603	1,028,207
Corporate Bonds
Fair value of marketable securities
Total marketable investment securities - current	642,309	654,096
Debt security	642,309	654,096
VRDNs
Fair value of marketable securities
Total marketable investment securities - current	65,010	66,145
Debt security	65,010	66,145
Level 3
Fair value of marketable securities
Investments	0	0
Fair value measurements on recurring basis \| Total
Fair value of marketable securities
Cash equivalents (including restricted)	446,361	533,943
Total marketable investment securities	798,817	823,480
Fair value measurements on recurring basis \| Total \| Corporate Bonds
Fair value of marketable securities
Debt security	642,309	654,096
Fair value measurements on recurring basis \| Total \| VRDNs
Fair value of marketable securities
Debt security	65,010	66,145
Fair value measurements on recurring basis \| Total \| Other (including restricted)
Fair value of marketable securities
Debt security	45,267	46,951
Fair value measurements on recurring basis \| Total \| Equity securities-Strategic
Fair value of marketable securities
Equity security	46,231	56,288
Fair value measurements on recurring basis \| Level 1
Fair value of marketable securities
Cash equivalents (including restricted)	9,730	23,621
Total marketable investment securities	46,231	56,288
Fair value measurements on recurring basis \| Level 1 \| Equity securities-Strategic
Fair value of marketable securities
Equity security	46,231	56,288
Fair value measurements on recurring basis \| Level 2
Fair value of marketable securities
Cash equivalents (including restricted)	436,631	510,322
Total marketable investment securities	752,586	767,192
Fair value measurements on recurring basis \| Level 2 \| Corporate Bonds
Fair value of marketable securities
Debt security	642,309	654,096
Fair value measurements on recurring basis \| Level 2 \| VRDNs
Fair value of marketable securities
Debt security	65,010	66,145
Fair value measurements on recurring basis \| Level 2 \| Other (including restricted)
Fair value of marketable securities
Debt security	$ 45,267	$ 46,951

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

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+ Details

- Definition

Amount of investment in debt and equity securities categorized neither as trading securities nor held-to-maturity securities and intended be sold or mature one year or operating cycle, if longer.

+ References

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+ Details

- Definition

Total of debt securities categorized neither as held-to-maturity nor trading which are intended be sold or mature within one year from the balance sheet date or the normal operating cycle, whichever is longer.

+ References

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+ Details

- Definition

Amount of equity securities categorized neither as held-to-maturity nor as trading.

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+ Details

- Definition

This element represents the portion of the balance sheet assertion valued at fair value by the entity whether such amount is presented as a separate caption or as a parenthetical disclosure. Additionally, this element may be used in connection with the fair value disclosures required in the footnote disclosures to the financial statements. The element may be used in both the balance sheet and disclosure in the same submission. This item includes currency on hand as well as demand deposits with banks or financial institutions. It also includes other kinds of accounts that have the general characteristics of demand deposits in that the Company may deposit additional funds at any time and also effectively may withdraw funds at any time without prior notice or penalty. Cash equivalents, excluding items classified as marketable securities, include short-term, highly liquid investments that are both readily convertible to known amounts of cash, and so near their maturity that they present minimal risk of changes in value because of changes in interest rates. Generally, only investments with original maturities of three months or less qualify under that definition. Original maturity means original maturity to the entity holding the investment. For example, both a three-month US Treasury bill and a three-year Treasury note purchased three months from maturity qualify as cash equivalents. However, a Treasury note purchased three years ago does not become a cash equivalent when its remaining maturity is three months.

+ References+ Details