In another move aimed at showing regulators that it is serious about jumping into a mobile-broadband industry dominated by two players, Douglas County-based Dish Network has invested an estimated $50 million in Qualcomm chipsets.
The snapdragon processors, used in many manufacturers’ handsets, will power Dish’s planned mobile devices and will be compatible with both land-based and satellite communications systems.
Dish’s recently acquired wireless spectrum includes a requirement that any service riding on the airwaves include a satellite, but the company has asked regulators to remove that condition. The Federal Communications Commission is expected to issue a decision by summer’s end.
“In our opinion, today’s public announcement is a signal from (Dish chairman Charlie Ergen) to the FCC that he is serious about building out the spectrum in hopes of receiving a favorable ruling,” Wells Fargo analyst Marci Ryvicker said.
Ergen said in April he is ready to build a 4G LTE network to compete against Verizon Wireless and AT&T.
Andy Vuong, The Denver Post
