Recent reports have claimed that carrier Sprint has plans to acquire competitor T-Mobile in the near future. Now it looks like there might just be another contender in that market. Reuters reported today that TV provider Dish Network is eyeing T-Mobile as well.
According to the report, Dish is considering making a bid for T-Mobile in 2014. If the company really does attempt such an acquisition, it may face a bidding war with Sprint. Last week, The Wall Street Journal reported that Sprint may try to buy out its smaller rival T-Mobile at some point next year. Sprint’s deal already would face many logistical problems with implementation, much like its acquisition and consequent shutdown of its Nextel service.
Earlier this year, Dish attempted to acquire Sprint. The struggling carrier was instead sold to Japanese company SoftBank, which now holds a controlling stake in the third largest carrier in the United States. Despite the failed acquisition, Sprint and Dish have maintained a good business relationship, one that could be threatened by a fight over T-Mobile.
Dish has been trying to break into the wireless realm for a while now, possibly due to “cord-cutting” TV users cutting into its future profits. The company had already attempted a partnership with T-Mobile when AT&T attempted to merge with it two years ago.
T-Mobile CEO John Legere took to Twitter yesterday to tease and other UnCarrier move, which will more than likely come before the new year.
What do you think about this news? Could Dish steer T-Mobile competently in the future, or could Sprint? Is T-Mobile best left alone? Sound off in the comments!
[Via: Reuters]