US: Dish propels wave of telco shakeups

Dish Network is poised to be the most aggressive bidder at an upcoming US wireless spectrum auction that began this week, say reports, but uncertainties remain as to what Dish will do once the airwaves are purchased.

The US telecommunications industry is experiencing an earthquake of potential change as rumors fly about cable firms planning a mega acquisition of Time Warner and controversy stirs over alleged plans for a T-Mobile buyout.

Dish Network is the latest telco to get in on the action through the first airwaves auction in the US in the last five years. While Dish has yet to unveil what, exactly, it plans to do with the acquire spectrum, reports say it could look to challenge top wireless providers Verizon and AT&T and potentially launch its own mobile phone service. Or, say reports, it could lease airwaves to companies like Google or Amazon.com.

Regardless of its plans, Dish is set to spend $1.56 billion on the airwaves. Dish gained access to the auction after Sprint decided to opt out of the bidding process.

The Federal Communications Commission will announce the winners of the auction once it is complete.

Full Content: Bloomberg

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