Dish makes Deutsche Telekom approach

US satellite service provider Dish Network has reportedly approached Deutsche Telekom to discuss merging with its US mobile operator arm T-Mobile USA. 

According to a Bloomberg report, which cites unnamed sources, Dish chairman Charlie Ergen made the informal approach in an effort for the firm to bundle its satellite TV offerings with a wireless service.

Breaking into the mobile space would allow Dish to decrease its reliance on the slowing satellite-TV market, with the company able to draw on an accumulated US$10 billion (€7.65 billion) in cash reserves in order to make a deal, the report claimed.

The proposal was said to have been made earlier this month, though is not expected to be considered until Deutsche Telekom closes its planned takeover of US mobile provider MetroPCS.

Dish was reported to have bid for last year for MetroPCS, before the firm announced its deal with Deutsche Telekom. According to an SEC filing, Dish offered roughly US$4 billion for the firm – bidding US$11 per share for the firm to be paid 30% in cash and 70% in stock.