Google and Dish Network have been talking about launching a wireless service that would compete with AT&T, Verizon and the like, according to a report from the Wall Street Journal.
The report cites “people familiar with the discussions,” with one of them admitting that the talks are not advanced, and that they “could amount to nothing”. The people also reportedly said that Google is only one of several companies Dish has been talking to about such an endeavor. The WSJ reports:
In an interview Thursday, Dish Chairman Charlie Ergen declined to comment on Google specifically, but said some of the potential partners he has considered include companies “who would like to be in the industry” and currently don’t have a wireless business.
Google and Dish have partnered in the past. Dish was an initial partner of Google TV when it was first unveiled. Google is actually competing with Dish these days, with Google Fiber, even though so far, it’s only available in Kansas City.
In addition to Google Fiber, Google has the operating system in Android, and the hardware in Motorola Mobility. Wireless seems like the next logical territory for the company to extend into.