Goodwill, Regulatory Authorizations and Other Intangible Assets- Schedule of Intangible Assets (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Other intangible assets
Cost	$ 530,269	$ 716,335
Accumulated Amortization	(441,815)	(583,682)
Carrying Amount	88,454	132,653
Amortization expense	58,400	75,900	$ 92,100
Customer relationships
Other intangible assets
Cost	293,932	293,932
Accumulated Amortization	(238,176)	(213,543)
Carrying Amount	$ 55,756	80,389
Customer relationships | Weighted-average
Other intangible assets
Weighted Average Useful life	8 years
Contract-based
Other intangible assets
Cost	$ 69,440	255,366
Accumulated Amortization	(69,440)	(251,493)
Carrying Amount	$ 0	3,873
Contract-based | Weighted-average
Other intangible assets
Weighted Average Useful life	4 years
Technology-based
Other intangible assets
Cost	$ 137,197	137,337
Accumulated Amortization	(125,908)	(111,840)
Carrying Amount	$ 11,289	25,497
Technology-based | Weighted-average
Other intangible assets
Weighted Average Useful life	7 years
Trademark portfolio
Other intangible assets
Cost	$ 29,700	29,700
Accumulated Amortization	(8,291)	(6,806)
Carrying Amount	$ 21,409	$ 22,894
Trademark portfolio | Weighted-average
Other intangible assets
Weighted Average Useful life	20 years