v3.20.2

Revenue Recognition - Contract Acquisition Costs (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands | 9 Months Ended
--- | ---
Sep. 30, 2020 | Sep. 30, 2019
Increase (Decrease) In Capitalized Contract Cost [Roll Forward] |  |
Balance at beginning of period | $ 113,592 | $ 114,306
Additions | 68,589 | 71,651
Amortization expense | (75,429) | (72,412)
Foreign currency translation | (2,984) | (1,012)
Balance at end of period | $ 103,768 | $ 112,533

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- Definition Capitalized Contract Cost, Additions + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | sats_CapitalizedContractCostAdditions
Namespace Prefix: | sats_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

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- Definition Capitalized Contract Cost, Foreign Currency Translation + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | sats_CapitalizedContractCostForeignCurrencyTranslation
Namespace Prefix: | sats_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration

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- Definition Increase (Decrease) In Capitalized Contract Cost + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | sats_IncreaseDecreaseInCapitalizedContractCostRollForward
Namespace Prefix: | sats_
Data Type: | xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

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- Definition Amount of amortization expense for asset recognized from cost incurred to obtain or fulfill contract with customer. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 340 -SubTopic 40 -Section 50 -Paragraph 3 -Subparagraph (b) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=68051541&loc=SL49131252-203054 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_CapitalizedContractCostAmortization
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

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- Definition Amount, after accumulated amortization and accumulated impairment loss, of asset recognized from cost incurred to obtain or fulfill contract with customer. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 340 -SubTopic 40 -Section 50 -Paragraph 3 -Subparagraph (a) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=68051541&loc=SL49131252-203054 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_CapitalizedContractCostNet
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant