KIRKLAND, Wash. – Clearwire’s wireless Internet will be carried on satellite in a unique deal with DIRECTV and EchoStar Communication’s DISH network.
Both satellite companies will be able to offer Clearwire’s high-speed service with the planned launch later this year, while Clearwire hopes to soon be able to distribute the video services of one or both of the satellite companies. That would mean the companies could each offer high-speed Internet, video, and voice services.
DIRECTV and EchoStar can sell Clearwire’s high-speed as a bundle, or on a standalone basis.
All three companies said in a news release that they’re confident the added services will boost subscribers. “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, Clearwire president and chief operating officer.
“Our ability to offer Clearwire’s broadband service is a strong competitive alternative that we believe will help increase our subscriber base,” said Nolan Daines, EchoStar’s senior vice president, Strategic Initiatives.
DIRECTV has more than 16 million customers in the U.S., EchoStar has 13.4 million subscribers to DISH, and Clearwire has 258,000 customers (as of March 2007) in the U.S., Ireland, Belgium, and Denmark.
