Dish Network Corp. has approached Amazon’s ZEO Jeff Bezos about forming a partnership with the telecom company, The Wall Street Journal reports.
Dish is under a deadline from the Federal Communications Commission to build a wireless network by 2021. In doing so it has been buying frequencies, searching for partnerships, and coming to the attention of large wireless carriers. Verizon had been eyeing Dish for years, but didn’t bid on their spectrum in an auction this March because they might not need it.
According to anonymous sources, Dish approached Amazon about the Internet of Things and a possible deal between Dish and Amazon Prime. Prime members might be able to pay a bit extra to also receive a Dish connectivity or phone plan. Amazon might also broadcast one-way signals for Prime video directly through Dish airwaves. Verizon and T-Mobile are both pushing toward more Internet of Things revenue, Citi analysts said.
The Wall Street Journal analysts suggest that Amazon outright acquiring Dish would be unlikely.
Dish Network is working on finding new sources of revenue while the smartphone and mobile device market is saturated. They recently announced a set top box-style platform designed specifically for hotels, so that guests can stream their own media to hotel TVs.
Dish made the news in June for incurring a $280 million fine after violating telemarketing do-not-call laws.
Filed Under: Carriers
