Dish Network Adds Internet Service, Aimed at Rural Areas

Dish Network plans to launch a nationwide broadband service under the brand dishNET, hoping to add a new revenue stream on top of its pay-television business.

The satellite-TV company is expected to disclose plans to sell broadband, at a speed of between five and 10 megabits per second, for between $39.99 and $69.99 a month for customers who also take Dish's TV service. Those who aren't TV customers will pay $10 more a month, a similar pricing approach to that used by cable operators. While dishNET won't be able to match the high-speed connections sold by cable-TV rivals, the satellite broadband will be aimed at rural customers with little or no current Internet access.