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Why DISH Network Might Be Considering a Big Merger
By Brian Nichols | More Articles | Save For Later
November 26, 2014 | Comments (0)
DISH Network's (NASDAQ: DISH ) stock traded higher by a whopping 13% as the early success from the FCC's Auction 97 spectrum sale significantly increased the company's valuation. Investors might assume that DISH Network will now attempt to sell its AWS-4 spectrum -- which some estimate to be worth $20 billion -- to an eager telecom giant. However, there is another possible scenario, one that might be just as likely, if not more so.
Options galore for DISH Network
Currently, the FCC is auctioning its largest block of spectrum since 2008, and already, the FCC has earned proceeds of $24 billion in winning bids. This is a big deal because the FCC's goal was to create $10 billion throughout the entire auction process, which still has about three weeks remaining. As a result of this surprising demand, the value of spectrum assets has risen. That especially applies to DISH Network.
The FCC cleared DISH Network's airwaves for mobile and 4G use back in 2012, which gave DISH Network a spectrum asset valued north of $12 billion. But thanks to the success of Auction 97, DISH's spectrum is now valued north of $20 billion by some estimates.
Many investors believe that DISH Network will attempt to cash in on its asset and sell it to a telecom giant. After all, DISH Network was given a deadline to have 40% of its spectrum connected to mobile devices by 2017 when it was approved for mobile use. As of now, DISH Network has no mobile network, hence, DISH needs to strike while the iron is hot.
However, there is another option other than a sale of its spectrum. DISH Network management might want to acquire or partner with one of the four nationwide wireless service providers.
DISH's history implies wireless interest
First off, for a little history refresher: DISH Network made a $25.5 billion bid to acquire Sprint (NYSE: S ) before Softbank ultimately completed its acquisition. Then, when Sprint bid to acquire Clearwire, DISH Network tried to intervene.
DISH not only made a bid for Clearwire but also pleaded with the FCC to block the buyout by Sprint. At the time, Softbank hadn't completed its acquisition of Sprint, and there was a belief among analysts that Softbank wanted Sprint only if it came with Clearwire's spectrum. Softbank ultimately won this war against DISH and Sprint acquired Clearwire.
Therefore, DISH Network has shown interest in the past in acquiring a wireless service provider, which would combine spectrum assets and create a far better data usage experience for the combined company. That said, the best choice for either an acquisition or partnership looks to be T-Mobile (NYSE: TMUS ) .
Why T-Mobile?
First off, AT&T (NYSE: T ) is in the process of acquiring DirecTV (NASDAQ: DTV ) . Therefore, AT&T would have little need for DISH Network beyond spectrum. Furthermore, with AT&T moving into Mexico and DirecTV owning spectrum assets in Latin America, it appears that AT&T's DirecTV acquisition is an emerging-markets investment.
Assuming that Verizon (NYSE: VZ ) has shared interests to enter Mexico and Latin America, DISH Network would not fit that cause. Not to mention that DISH would be a difficult acquisition for Verizon, given the $130 billion that Verizon spent last year to acquire its remaining wireless business. Lastly, Sprint is already owned by Softbank and owns Clearwire's spectrum, making it an unlikely partner for Dish Network.
This leaves T-Mobile. DISH Network Chairman Charlie Ergen did say back in May that "T-Mobile would have strategic interest to us" if regulators blocked the deal between T-Mobile and Sprint. Furthermore, T-Mobile is a company that embraces a potential merger, having been involved in failed attempts with AT&T and Sprint.
Back in June, T-Mobile CEO John Legere said that the wireless industry is a "scale game" and that Verizon and AT&T are "hugely more powerful from a standpoint of scale and capital." Legere said he believes that T-Mobile can be "highly successful as a stand-alone company," but that a deal could accelerate growth. T-Mobile and DISH appear to be companies that could be willing to merge.
Furthermore, with T-Mobile's stock price falling 15% over the past six months, DISH Network now has the opportunity to make a bid at an attractive price.
Something else to consider
While T-Mobile wouldn't double its wireless service subscribers by merging with DISH, it would gain 14 million pay-TV subscribers and a way to combat the services of AT&T and DirecTV. Meanwhile, DISH Network would gain a growing wireless service provider, one that's gained at least 1.5 million net new subscribers in each of the past six quarters. Finally, the merger would create a much more efficient spectrum network, making T-Mobile's 4G network even more reliable for users.
It is possible that DISH Network will auction its spectrum in exchange for cash and capitalize on the demand. However, given Ergen's past interest in wireless service providers, his comments about T-Mobile, and Legere's history of attempted mergers, the more likely scenario is that T-Mobile and DISH Network hold serious conversations about merging
Your cable company is scared, but you can get rich
You know cable's going away. But do you know how to profit? There's $2.2 trillion out there to be had. Currently, cable grabs a big piece of it. That won't last. And when cable falters, three companies are poised to benefit. Click here for their names. Hint: They're not Netflix, Google, and Apple.
http://www.fool.com/investing/gener...etwork-might-be-considering-a-big-merger.aspx
By Brian Nichols | More Articles | Save For Later
November 26, 2014 | Comments (0)
DISH Network's (NASDAQ: DISH ) stock traded higher by a whopping 13% as the early success from the FCC's Auction 97 spectrum sale significantly increased the company's valuation. Investors might assume that DISH Network will now attempt to sell its AWS-4 spectrum -- which some estimate to be worth $20 billion -- to an eager telecom giant. However, there is another possible scenario, one that might be just as likely, if not more so.
Options galore for DISH Network
Currently, the FCC is auctioning its largest block of spectrum since 2008, and already, the FCC has earned proceeds of $24 billion in winning bids. This is a big deal because the FCC's goal was to create $10 billion throughout the entire auction process, which still has about three weeks remaining. As a result of this surprising demand, the value of spectrum assets has risen. That especially applies to DISH Network.
The FCC cleared DISH Network's airwaves for mobile and 4G use back in 2012, which gave DISH Network a spectrum asset valued north of $12 billion. But thanks to the success of Auction 97, DISH's spectrum is now valued north of $20 billion by some estimates.
Many investors believe that DISH Network will attempt to cash in on its asset and sell it to a telecom giant. After all, DISH Network was given a deadline to have 40% of its spectrum connected to mobile devices by 2017 when it was approved for mobile use. As of now, DISH Network has no mobile network, hence, DISH needs to strike while the iron is hot.
However, there is another option other than a sale of its spectrum. DISH Network management might want to acquire or partner with one of the four nationwide wireless service providers.
DISH's history implies wireless interest
First off, for a little history refresher: DISH Network made a $25.5 billion bid to acquire Sprint (NYSE: S ) before Softbank ultimately completed its acquisition. Then, when Sprint bid to acquire Clearwire, DISH Network tried to intervene.
DISH not only made a bid for Clearwire but also pleaded with the FCC to block the buyout by Sprint. At the time, Softbank hadn't completed its acquisition of Sprint, and there was a belief among analysts that Softbank wanted Sprint only if it came with Clearwire's spectrum. Softbank ultimately won this war against DISH and Sprint acquired Clearwire.
Therefore, DISH Network has shown interest in the past in acquiring a wireless service provider, which would combine spectrum assets and create a far better data usage experience for the combined company. That said, the best choice for either an acquisition or partnership looks to be T-Mobile (NYSE: TMUS ) .
Why T-Mobile?
First off, AT&T (NYSE: T ) is in the process of acquiring DirecTV (NASDAQ: DTV ) . Therefore, AT&T would have little need for DISH Network beyond spectrum. Furthermore, with AT&T moving into Mexico and DirecTV owning spectrum assets in Latin America, it appears that AT&T's DirecTV acquisition is an emerging-markets investment.
Assuming that Verizon (NYSE: VZ ) has shared interests to enter Mexico and Latin America, DISH Network would not fit that cause. Not to mention that DISH would be a difficult acquisition for Verizon, given the $130 billion that Verizon spent last year to acquire its remaining wireless business. Lastly, Sprint is already owned by Softbank and owns Clearwire's spectrum, making it an unlikely partner for Dish Network.
This leaves T-Mobile. DISH Network Chairman Charlie Ergen did say back in May that "T-Mobile would have strategic interest to us" if regulators blocked the deal between T-Mobile and Sprint. Furthermore, T-Mobile is a company that embraces a potential merger, having been involved in failed attempts with AT&T and Sprint.
Back in June, T-Mobile CEO John Legere said that the wireless industry is a "scale game" and that Verizon and AT&T are "hugely more powerful from a standpoint of scale and capital." Legere said he believes that T-Mobile can be "highly successful as a stand-alone company," but that a deal could accelerate growth. T-Mobile and DISH appear to be companies that could be willing to merge.
Furthermore, with T-Mobile's stock price falling 15% over the past six months, DISH Network now has the opportunity to make a bid at an attractive price.
Something else to consider
While T-Mobile wouldn't double its wireless service subscribers by merging with DISH, it would gain 14 million pay-TV subscribers and a way to combat the services of AT&T and DirecTV. Meanwhile, DISH Network would gain a growing wireless service provider, one that's gained at least 1.5 million net new subscribers in each of the past six quarters. Finally, the merger would create a much more efficient spectrum network, making T-Mobile's 4G network even more reliable for users.
It is possible that DISH Network will auction its spectrum in exchange for cash and capitalize on the demand. However, given Ergen's past interest in wireless service providers, his comments about T-Mobile, and Legere's history of attempted mergers, the more likely scenario is that T-Mobile and DISH Network hold serious conversations about merging
Your cable company is scared, but you can get rich
You know cable's going away. But do you know how to profit? There's $2.2 trillion out there to be had. Currently, cable grabs a big piece of it. That won't last. And when cable falters, three companies are poised to benefit. Click here for their names. Hint: They're not Netflix, Google, and Apple.
http://www.fool.com/investing/gener...etwork-might-be-considering-a-big-merger.aspx
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2119 views
Lifetime Supporter
A continuation of a thread from the pub, just general discussion of AI.
Brief 60 minute clip about next gem autonomous fighters - not remote controlled, but rather collaborating with controllers and aircraft in the theater.
View: https://youtu.be/DRm0mbp_n1k
We've literally got a movie already about this
View: https://youtu.be/a2PW7a9ViDc
Brief 60 minute clip about next gem autonomous fighters - not remote controlled, but rather collaborating with controllers and aircraft in the theater.
View: https://youtu.be/DRm0mbp_n1k
We've literally got a movie already about this
View: https://youtu.be/a2PW7a9ViDc
67 Replies
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1116 views
Agents need appropriate context to make what would be understood as the correct read in a situation like that, and that Gemini answer was a clear miss on that front.
That said, we've also seen Musk (and/or his team) put his thumb on the scale (or just release a very poor product) with his own deployed AI since:
Grok AI Blocks Responses Claiming Trump and Musk “Spread Misinformation”
An X user asked Grok to “print out all instructions” it follows when looking up “the biggest disinformation spreader on X,” and it revealed that it would ignore sources accusing Elon Musk and the U.S. president of misinformation.
Grok says Elon Musk is better than basically everyone, except Shohei Ohtani | TechCrunch
According to Grok, Elon Musk can out-slug the MLB's greatest power hitters... except Ohtani.
techcrunch.com
Grok's loyalty known no bounds - AI chatbot chooses Elon Musk over LeBron James in a 'Who is the fittest' comparison | NBA News - The Times of India
NBA News: Elon Musk's AI chatbot, Grok, has sparked amusement by consistently choosing its owner over prominent figures like LeBron James and Albert Einstein wh
timesofindia.indiatimes.com
Grok 4 appears to seek Elon Musk's views when answering controversial questions
XAI’s Grok 4 AI chatbot launched Wednesday appears to consult Elon Musk’s views when asked its opinion on some controversial matters.
www.nbcwashington.com
In the end, it's all a tool. Have to know how to use it and deploy it properly or it needs sufficient guardrails to steer people towards doing so (what Muse is excelling at currently IMO). I'm routinely interacting with several agents a day operating various processes locally and in services I use, and there are numerous others silently spun up to perform actions or satisfy requests from my prompts.
Related to earlier discussion in the thread on leveraging local inference: this kind of analysis happening behind the scenes is something everyone will have built into Windows, IMO. Most people won't see all of this, just the results, unless they want to dig into how the fix was chosen. Stuff like this will be standard as agents get local system access baked in, and more of the inference itself moves on-device.
TWiT Tech Podcast Network
Time for another AWESOME video from the TWIT Network!
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JElsle_m2rE
Direct YouTube Link - This Week in Tech 1105
TWIT's Website
TWIT Live Feed
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JElsle_m2rE
Direct YouTube Link - This Week in Tech 1105
TWIT's Website
TWIT Live Feed
0 Replies
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3 views
My year was almost up and we got the new bill for a year of service for $ 360.00 insane sat radio is becoming like cable!!! i logged into my acct and hopped onto chat and told the rep that i wanted to cancel. she understood my concern and went quiet for a few minutes. i figured that she was canceling my service. she comes back and said that she seen that i have been a sub since 07 and then offers me the same package for a year for 120.00 with taxes and fee's!!! i grabbed it. after almost having a stroke 
236 Replies
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10922 views
Staff member
HERE TO HELP YOU!
Cutting Edge
Sometimes a thread gets so many posts in it that is can cause issues for the server so that why today we introduce The Song Name Game Part 3!
So let the game continue!
The last song was added by Bobby who posted...
One Meat Ball - Andrews Sisters
CONTINUE ON AND HAVE FUN! WELCOME HOME TO SATELLITEGUYS.US!
Here are the original rules for the game as posted by WebbyDude back in 2006. http://www.satelliteguys.us/threads/68645-Song-Name-Game
Just name a song title and the band who performed it. The next person does the same thing, but needs to list a song title or band name which includes a word from the previous entry. Pick songs from any genre.
Example:
Long Live Rock and Roll -- Rainbow
Rainbow in the Dark -- Dio
Another example:
Ride the Lightning -- Metallica
Lightning Strikes -- Ozzy Osbourne
Get it?
An additional note: we all know that song titles, sometimes, use profane words. Because this is a family friendly website it is advised that you clean up that title up a bit. This is accomplished by using something like sh!t instead of the real word. Thanks....
So let the game continue!
The last song was added by Bobby who posted...
One Meat Ball - Andrews Sisters
CONTINUE ON AND HAVE FUN! WELCOME HOME TO SATELLITEGUYS.US!
Here are the original rules for the game as posted by WebbyDude back in 2006. http://www.satelliteguys.us/threads/68645-Song-Name-Game
Just name a song title and the band who performed it. The next person does the same thing, but needs to list a song title or band name which includes a word from the previous entry. Pick songs from any genre.
Example:
Long Live Rock and Roll -- Rainbow
Rainbow in the Dark -- Dio
Another example:
Ride the Lightning -- Metallica
Lightning Strikes -- Ozzy Osbourne
Get it?
An additional note: we all know that song titles, sometimes, use profane words. Because this is a family friendly website it is advised that you clean up that title up a bit. This is accomplished by using something like sh!t instead of the real word. Thanks....
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2672398 views
Lifetime Supporter
Schedule drops tomorrow. Mandatory mini camps in June. Hall of Fame game August 6th.
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1705 views
Troy Aikman seems to confirm he'll be leaving ESPN
Aikman says he looks forward to "where my next landing spot will be."
www.nbcsports.com
M
Hopefully nowhere near a microphone.Troy Aikman seems to confirm he'll be leaving ESPN
Aikman says he looks forward to "where my next landing spot will be."
Picked up a sweet directv dish, mount, twin lnbs and a short cable.
Has anyone converted one to FTA? A Frankenstein of sorts...
Has anyone converted one to FTA? A Frankenstein of sorts...
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148 views
Many of us have used a universal LNBF mount (or get creative with L brackets and plumbers tape - perforated metal strapping). Use a few inches of aluminum tube (or a piece of 1x2" lumber) to extend the support arm (replacing the plastic mount used by DirecTV and Dish) to place the LNBF throat opening at the correct distance from the reflector, the correct height and at the correct angle. Nothing magical... simply place the new linear LNBF in the center at the same distance, height and angle as the current combo.
www.amazon.com/Universal-Single-Bracket-Holder-FTA-US/dp/B074L85WK2
www.amazon.com/Universal-Single-Bracket-Holder-FTA-US/dp/B074L85WK2
Staff member
HERE TO HELP YOU!
Stumbled across this ... http://www.gaspricewatch.com/USGas_ZipSearch.asp
I found no local prices, although it did show stations at my location...
Added these to this post...
USA National Gas Temperature Map
State By State Gasoline Taxes
Gas Buddy
Ethanol Free Stations
I found no local prices, although it did show stations at my location...
Added these to this post...
USA National Gas Temperature Map
State By State Gasoline Taxes
Gas Buddy
Ethanol Free Stations
5550 Replies
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460539 views
Season 2 order already in hand:
'Star Trek: Starfleet Academy' Renewed for Season 2, Tatiana Maslany to Guest Star in Season 1
I've not been optimistic about this show based on what I've read so far. Seems to be aimed at a younger audience. Interesting though that Tatiana Maslany will have some sort of role.
'Star Trek: Starfleet Academy' Renewed for Season 2, Tatiana Maslany to Guest Star in Season 1
I've not been optimistic about this show based on what I've read so far. Seems to be aimed at a younger audience. Interesting though that Tatiana Maslany will have some sort of role.
80 Replies
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3162 views
This started a couple months ago. I have 2 H3s on one network, both with 2 EHD identical 3 TB seperately powered so all recordings are accessible by all 4k & J4s (8 of them).
On one H3 (not the main one that controls the MOCA network), after it reboots, it doesn't recognize it has two EHDs plugged into it. Rebooting the EHD by their power source doesn't fix it. Resetting the network doesn't. Software h3 reset doesn't fix it. Rebooting MOCA h3 doesn't fix it but so far, after 3+ cold boots (unplug pwr to H3 with unrecognized EHDs), it finally it figures out they are plugged into it. BUT.... Then when you open a program it only partially shows series and episodes, but instead of showing recordings, it only shows upcoming airings. HELP!!!!
On one H3 (not the main one that controls the MOCA network), after it reboots, it doesn't recognize it has two EHDs plugged into it. Rebooting the EHD by their power source doesn't fix it. Resetting the network doesn't. Software h3 reset doesn't fix it. Rebooting MOCA h3 doesn't fix it but so far, after 3+ cold boots (unplug pwr to H3 with unrecognized EHDs), it finally it figures out they are plugged into it. BUT.... Then when you open a program it only partially shows series and episodes, but instead of showing recordings, it only shows upcoming airings. HELP!!!!
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429 views
JohnGalt1234 - So you basically have 2 Hopper 3's. The CasinoH3 is the one that is Hopper 3 only while Master Bedroom is a Hopper 3 with Hopper Plus setup.
Master Bedroom uses Android TV (ATV) software so the DISH part is actually a app and will behave differently as you can probably tell the Guide's are different on the Master Bedroom which will resemble the same guide used on other ATV devices such as the Joey 4 and Wireless Joey 4. If I am correct, the CasinoH3 is the one with the problem since you did say the one dated 09/05/2026 is the naughty one while 08/15/2026 named Master Bedroom is the nice one. Usually I would expect the CasinoH3 to be the one without the problem because it's Hopper 3 only and Master Bedroom would be the one with problems because it has the Hopper Plus involved. That is why they behave differently because CasinoH3 is running the native Hopper 3 software while Master Bedroom is running the Android TV software and also it runs a app called DISH known as package com.dish.atv.launcher, the version for mines is P15403 2026100917 so it's probably the same version as the Hopper Plus software version with the date of October 9, 2026, not sure what the 17 means except maybe revision 17?
This explains it better than I can. Sorry, had to take all the ads out.
Master Bedroom uses Android TV (ATV) software so the DISH part is actually a app and will behave differently as you can probably tell the Guide's are different on the Master Bedroom which will resemble the same guide used on other ATV devices such as the Joey 4 and Wireless Joey 4. If I am correct, the CasinoH3 is the one with the problem since you did say the one dated 09/05/2026 is the naughty one while 08/15/2026 named Master Bedroom is the nice one. Usually I would expect the CasinoH3 to be the one without the problem because it's Hopper 3 only and Master Bedroom would be the one with problems because it has the Hopper Plus involved. That is why they behave differently because CasinoH3 is running the native Hopper 3 software while Master Bedroom is running the Android TV software and also it runs a app called DISH known as package com.dish.atv.launcher, the version for mines is P15403 2026100917 so it's probably the same version as the Hopper Plus software version with the date of October 9, 2026, not sure what the 17 means except maybe revision 17?
This explains it better than I can. Sorry, had to take all the ads out.
iJustine
Time for another AWESOME video from iJustine!
View: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/uJiZVGQC3Gc
Direct YouTube Link - Microsoft Surface ultra unboxing
The official iJustine Website's Website
Buy her book!
View: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/uJiZVGQC3Gc
Direct YouTube Link - Microsoft Surface ultra unboxing
The official iJustine Website's Website
Buy her book!
0 Replies
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13 views