EchoStar, DirecTV eye joint project

[Nick]

Rivals may join to offer VoIP and Net service as a challenge to cable

EchoStar Communications Corp. and DirecTV may join forces
to roll out high-speed wireless Internet access in an attempt
to offer a "triple play" bundle of services to their subscribers.

"We have a lot of people on this full time at the moment"

Cooperation on joint broadband service between the leading
satellite tv providers raises antitrust implications.

Full story at The Denver Post.com (http://www.denverpost.com/ci_3459720?source=rss)
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[AllieVi]

Nick - Thank's for the heads-up...

Broadband in rural areas would be a really big deal to a lot of potential customers if it can be done at an attractive cost.

[Chris Freeland]

Nick - Thank's for the heads-up...

Broadband in rural areas would be a really big deal to a lot of potential customers if it can be done at an attractive cost.

If D* and E* do this it will be more then a rural service, they could potently reach anyone who can get cell phone service, it would be aimed more at the metro area's that have cable and some phone company's that offer cable tv, phone and broadband in a single discounted bundle, however some rural areas would indeed benefit.

Personally I do not see this as an anti-trust issue, only the infrastructure would be shared. If any thing it will add 2 more competitors to broadband and and VoIP phone service not one, because D* and E* would still compete with each other with their own bundles and pricing structure.

[buzzdalf]

I hope something like this happens, is implemented well, and is available to custoemrs in rural areas. My current broadband options are slim to say the least.