WSJ: T-Mobile And Dish Network In Talks To Merge

Dish Network is in talks to merge with T-Mobile, the fourth-largest wireless carrier in the United States, according to a report by Wall Street Journal. The purchase price is yet to be finalized.

Reportedly, both sides have agreed that after the merger, T-Mobile CEO John Legere would serve as the CEO of Dish and Dish CEO would become the combined company's chairman.

WSJ, citing people familiar with the matter, reported that the purchase price and the mix of cash and stock would be used to pay for a deal remain unresolved.

The wireless carrier has the market capitalization of about $31.06 billion, while Dish has a market capitalization of $32.77 billion.

"Dish and we, that makes some sense," Legere told investors at Deutsche Telekom's capital markets day, which owns about 66 per cent of T-Mobile US.

T-Mobile's interest in Dish was reciprocated by Legere in 2013 when he said he would be open to a potential tie-up with Dish.

"When I look at the medium to long term, I'm intrigued by Dish's vision," Legere told CNET at the time.

According to industry experts, Dish may partner with existing wireless operators in a network-sharing arrangement. He said that he isn't sure what Dish's plan is, but whatever the company decides to do, whether it's an acquisition or a partnership, that his company is game.

"We like what they're doing," Legere said in an interview. "It makes sense to have a discussion."

T-Mobile rival AT&T Inc is close to wrapping up its $49 billion deal for Dish rival DirecTV, while Charter Communications Inc is seeking to remake the US cable television industry by acquiring larger rival Time Warner Cable Inc for $56 billion.