Ergen’s Dish Wireless Bet in Jeopardy Amid Industry Deals

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Dish Network Corp. Chairman Charlie Ergen, a former professional poker player, has bet the satellite TV provider’s future on a shift into the wireless business. That wager is in jeopardy as the U.S. mobile industry consolidates.

Ergen scooped up wireless licenses through acquisitions last year and has been sitting on the sidelines ever since as he waits for U.S. regulators to define rules so Dish can put its airwaves into use. Dish, the second-largest U.S. satellite TV provider, has been planning to offer wireless Internet service in partnership with existing mobile operators.