However, Dish Network honcho Charlie Ergen did confirm that in its recent analysis, Wells Fargo Securities was indeed barking up the right tree. And if anything, it didn’t look up high enough.
WFS analyst Marci Ryvicker said Ergen’s thoughts are focused well ahead of those of Dish observers.
To recap WSF’s four-strategy scenario, Dish might go for:
1) entry into wireless via a partner;
2) entry into wireless via acquisition;
3) wholesale lease(s); and/or
4) a sale of all/part of the business.
Ryvicker says that not only might Dish consider each of these, it might consider a mix and match strategy using any and/or all of these approaches in combination. That could lead to even better results than WFS suggested, and it suggested good results no matter which path is ultimately taken.
One goal may be getting a head start of 5G network service.
One thing Dish will not do is build its own network.
Ryvicker said, “Sling TV is key to this whole thing (in our view at least). We continue to believe that Charlie sees a significant amount of value marrying all of his assets. He even went so far as to say that the whole of the company could end up being worth more than the sum of the parts.”
The bottom line is that there is no rush for Dish, but it will be poised to move once it does decide to move in the rapidly-changing communicationsd field.
