Summary of Significant Accounting Policies  | 
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| Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Summary of Significant Accounting Policies | 
   
    
(3) Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
    
       Use of Estimates
    
        In presenting unaudited consolidated financial statements, management makes estimates and
   assumptions that affect the reported amounts and accompanying notes. Estimates, by their nature,
   are based on judgment and available information at this time. Actual results could differ
   materially from those estimates.
    
        Significant estimates inherent in the preparation of the accompanying unaudited consolidated
   financial statements include revenue recognition, asset impairment, useful lives of our satellites,
   share-based payment expense, and valuation allowances against deferred tax assets. Economic
   conditions in the United States could have a material impact on our accounting estimates.
    
       Recent Accounting Pronouncements
    
        In May 2011, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2011-04, Amendments to Achieve
   Common Fair Value Measurement and Disclosure Requirements in U.S. GAAP and International Financial
   Reporting Standards (Topic 820) — Fair Value Measurement (ASU 2011-04), to provide a consistent
   definition of fair value and ensure that the fair value measurement and disclosure requirements are
   similar between U.S. GAAP and International Financial Reporting Standards. ASU 2011-04 changes
   certain fair value measurement principles and enhances the disclosure requirements particularly for
   level 3 fair value measurements. The amendments are not expected to have a significant impact on
   companies that apply U.S. GAAP. This standard is effective for interim and annual periods
   beginning after December 15, 2011 and will be applied prospectively. The impact of our pending
   adoption of ASU 2011-04 will not be material to our consolidated financial statements.
    
        In June 2011, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2011-05, Comprehensive Income
   (Topic 220) — Presentation of Comprehensive Income (ASU 2011-05), to require an entity to present
   the total of comprehensive income, the components of net income, and the components of other
   comprehensive income either in a single continuous statement of comprehensive income or in two
   separate but consecutive statements. ASU 2011-05 eliminates the option to present the components of
   other comprehensive income as part of the statement of equity. The standard does not change the
   items which must be reported in other comprehensive income, how such items are measured or when
   they must be reclassified to net income. This standard is effective for interim and annual periods
   beginning after December 15, 2011 and will be applied retrospectively. ASU 2011-05 affects
   financial statement presentation only and will have no impact on our results of operations.
    
            Earnings per Share (“EPS”)
    
        Basic net income per common share is calculated using the weighted average common shares
   outstanding during each reporting period. Diluted net income per common share adjusts the weighted
   average common shares outstanding for the potential dilution that could occur if common stock
   equivalents (convertible debt and preferred stock, warrants, stock options, restricted stock and
   restricted stock units) were exercised or converted into common stock, calculated using the
   treasury stock method. Common stock equivalents of approximately 417,427,000 and 727,496,000 for
   the three months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively, and 407,649,000 and 735,091,000
   for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively, were excluded from the
   calculation of diluted net income per common share as the effect would have been anti-dilutive.
    
   
     Accounts Receivable
    
        Accounts receivable, net, is stated at amounts due from customers net of an allowance for
   doubtful accounts. Our allowance for doubtful accounts considers historical experience, the age of
   amounts due, current economic conditions and other factors that may affect the counterparty’s
   ability to pay.
    
        Accounts receivable, net, consists of the following:
    
   
      Receivables from distributors include billed and unbilled amounts due from OEMs for radio
   services included in the sale or lease price of vehicles, as well as billed amounts due from
   retailers. Receivables from distributors consist of the following:
    
   
     Inventory
    
        Inventory consists of finished goods, refurbished goods, chip sets and other raw materials and
   components used in manufacturing radios. Inventory is stated at the lower of cost, determined on a
   first-in, first-out or market basis. We record an estimated allowance for inventory that is
   considered slow moving, obsolete or whose carrying value is in excess of net realizable value. The
   provision related to products purchased for resale in our direct to consumer distribution channel
   and components held for resale by us is reported as a component of Cost of equipment in our
   unaudited consolidated statements of operations. The provision related to inventory consumed in our
   OEM and retail distribution channel is reported as a component of Subscriber acquisition costs in
   our unaudited consolidated statements of operations.
    
        Inventory, net, consists of the following:
    
   
    Fair Value of Financial Instruments
    
        The fair value of a financial instrument is the amount at which the instrument could be
   exchanged in an orderly transaction between market participants to sell the asset or transfer the
   liability. As of September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, the carrying amounts of cash and cash
   equivalents, accounts and other receivables, and accounts payable approximated fair value due to
   the short-term nature of these instruments.
    
        The fair value for publicly traded instruments is determined using quoted market prices while
   the fair value for non-publicly traded instruments is based upon estimates from a market maker and
   brokerage firm. As of September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, the carrying value of our debt was
   $3,031,167 and $3,217,578, respectively; and the fair value approximated $3,409,272 and $3,722,905,
   respectively.
    
   
   
       Reclassifications
    
        Certain amounts in our prior period consolidated financial statements have been reclassified
   to conform to our current period presentation.
    
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