Clearwire moves closer to triple-play with satellite deals

Clearwire Corp. announced agreements with satellite television providers DirecTV Group Inc. and EchoStar Communications Corp. that expand Clearwire’s distribution channels, and also could open the door for the wireless high-speed Internet company to offer triple-play services.
Clearwire said that the agreements “are expected to lead to each of the three companies to offer high-speed Internet, video and voice services in all current and future Clearwire markets.”
However, a Clearwire spokesman said that, at least initially, the satellite TV vendors will sell Clearwire services under their own brands and not as Clearwire-branded services.
That may change though as the companies’ relationships evolve. The agreements call for the companies to continue discussions on the satellite companies selling Clearwire-branded service as a stand-alone product. The agreements also “contemplate that Clearwire in turn will be able to offer the video services of one or both satellite companies to its customers,” according to Clearwire.
“By expanding the reach of our services through DirecTV and EchoStar, and by incorporating direct-to-home satellite video services in our own distribution channels, we believe we have an opportunity to significantly expand our business opportunity,” said Perry Satterlee, president and COO of Clearwire.
Clearwire offers wireless Internet and voice service in 39 U.S. markets in 13 states, covering about 9.9 million potential customers. The company also controls spectrum licenses covering about 223 million pops, pending the closing of spectrum purchases. DirecTV serves more than 16 million domestic customers, and EchoStar’s DISH Network currently serves more than 13.4 million satellite TV customers.