DirecTV, EchoStar Bundle Up

Rupert Murdoch's DirecTV (DTV Quote) is linking up with rival EchoStar Communications (DISH Quote) to launch a nationwide wireless broadband network, TheStreet.com has learned.

Seeking to keep pace with peers in the telecom and cable TV industries, DirecTV is building a network to offer its own wireless broadband services to consumers, according to two people familiar with the deal. These people say that DirecTV is working with EchoStar and seeking final bids from tower companies in a push to put the network together.

DirecTV, the satellite TV provider controlled by Murdoch's News Corp. (NWS Quote), wants to profit from offering the so-called triple threat of television, telephone and Internet services that some rivals already dangle before consumers. Operators like the triple threat because it increases both revenue and customer loyalty. So far satellite companies have not been able to fully capitalize on this so-called bundling push because of their lack of two-way transmission capability. ...