Dish Gets FCC Thumbs Up On Its Wireless Aspirations

Dish Network has been pining to launch its own wireless service, which it will likely advertise in its semi-recently-acquired Blockbuster stores. Thus far, its plans have been on hold pending FCC approval, which it was granted today. This comes a week after rumor spread that Sprint had requested a partnership with Dish, which is looking to fire up its own 4G LTE network.

Dish Network requested FCC approval for a waiver that would allow it to utilize the 2GHz band's 40MHz spectrum. The FCC then dragged its feet in approving the request, and stated that Dish Network would have to follow some limitations put in place to keep it from disrupting other airwaves. The idea of Dish launching its own wireless network, however, was warmly received due to the competition it would add to the industry.

Dish's Senior Vice President Jeff Blum offered this statement. "We appreciate the hard work and focus of the FCC and its staff throughout this process ... Following a more thorough review of the order and its technical details, DISH will consider its strategic options and the optimal approach to put this spectrum to use for the benefit of consumers."

Dish Network is the second biggest satellite provider in the United States, falling behind DirecTV. Although it has not been confirmed what Dish plans to do with its newly acquired airwaves, we can make a guess based on things the company has stated over the past few months. On December 5, we reported that Dish-owned Blockbuster plans to sell phones in its retail stores following a statement by the company's chairman stating that Dish planed to unveil a wireless service pending FCC approval.

[via WSJ]