Dish ‘Could’ Buy, Partner With Wireless Company, CEO Says

Dish Network, the second-largest U.S. satellite-TV provider, may consider partnering with or buying a wireless carrier such as Sprint Nextel or Clearwire, Chief Executive Officer Joseph Clayton said.

“We'll look at partnerships, acquisitions, all of the above,” Clayton said. Asked whether that could include buying or partnering with Clearwire or Sprint, he said: “Could be.” Dish needs a wireless network to utilize the spectrum it has acquired in its deals for DBSD North America and Terrestar Networks announced this year. Dish filed for U.S. government permission to offer mobile high-speed Internet service to its customers last month. Government approval would allow the company to build a network. “There are several missing pieces,” Clayton said. “Wireless infrastructure, additional technology capabilities and even distribution are pieces that we’re still working on. Stay tuned.”