Dish Networks is discussing loans of $10 to $15 billion with banks, reports the Wall Street Journal which it would use to finance a merger with or acquisition of T-Mobile. Dish and T-Mobile are believed to be holding merger talks, though a deal is not imminent.
Since T-Mobile is valued at just $3 billion less than Dish, any deal would involve more stock than cash. Both the Journal and Reuters say any talk of the financial structure of the deal suggests the companies are making progress in a potential tie-up.
Dish has scored a significant amount of wireless spectrum, mostly around the PCS band, that it has yet to use for any wireless services. That spectrum could help T-Mobile gain more coverage in markets around the country. Neither Dish nor T-Mobile has confirmed that talks are taking place, but T-Mobile parent Deutsche Telekom has repeatedly indicated that it is prepared to sell T-Mobile should a good deal become available.
