clearwire

Dish Network said on Thursday that it was withdrawing its offer for Clearwire, ensuring that Clearwire will be acquired by Sprint Nextel.

Dish and Sprint were embroiled in a furious back and forth over the 4G wireless provider, but Sprint had taken control after raising its offer above Dish's own offer for a second time last week, winning the backing of major Clearwire shareholders.

Dish had sought to insert itself into what looked like a regular roll-up of Sprint and Clearwire by Japanese carrier SoftBank. Dish initially had its sights on Clearwire, which provides 4G wireless services to Sprint … Read more

Dish Network put the last nail in the coffin of its unsolicited bid for Sprint Nextel.

Earlier this week, the satellite TV provider said that it was dropping its effort to buy Sprint in order to focus on its acquisition of upstart wireless provider Clearwire. In a regulatory filing Friday, the company confirmed that it is walking away from its takeover efforts and said that it would redeem several senior notes because it no longer needed the funds for an acquisition.

The filing comes just a day after Sprint raised its offer to Clearwire, outbidding Dish and securing new terms … Read more

The fight for Clearwire is heating up as Sprint has increased its bid for the company in light of a recent increase by rival Dish Network, which also wants to buy the nationwide wireless broadband carrier.

On Thursday, Sprint announced it is increasing its bid to acquire the remaining shares it doesn't already own to $5 a share. Clearwire's special committee and board of directors are now recommending to shareholders that they reject Dish Network's offer and instead consider the offer from Sprint.

In May, Dish Network increased its bid for the company to $4.40 per share in cash, … Read more

Just when it was looking like Dish would never let Sprint go, it has.

The satellite company announced Tuesday that it was planning to step down from it's $25.5 billion offer on Sprint to focus on it's deal with Clearwire. This means that Sprint will most likely soon be in the hands of Japanese wireless carrier SoftBank.

"While DISH continues to see strategic value in a merger with Sprint, the decisions made by Sprint to prematurely terminate our due diligence process and accept extreme deal protections in its revised agreement with SoftBank, among other things, have … Read more

The claws are out in the Dish Network-Sprint Nextel tussle for Clearwire.

Dish slammed Sprint's lawsuit on Tuesday, calling it a "transparent attempt to divert attention from its failure to deal fairly with Clearwire's shareholders."

Sprint on Monday filed a lawsuit to block Dish's attempt to acquire Clearwire, arguing that Dish fooled shareholders into thinking such a deal would work.

Dish's comments are just the latest in a see-saw battle over Clearwire, which has suddenly become an extremely valuable asset because of the radio airwaves, known as wireless spectrum, it owns.

Sprint had initially … Read more

Sprint Nextel has filed a lawsuit against Dish Network and Clearwire seeking to prevent Dish's takeover of the wireless broadband provider.

The No. 3 wireless carrier filed a lawsuit Monday against the two companies in Delaware Court of Chancery, alleging that Dish's tender offer violates the rights of Sprint and Clearwire's shareholders and the laws of the state of Delaware. The lawsuit seeks to prevent Clearwire from accepting Dish's tender offer, as well as other injunctive and compensatory relief.

"Dish has repeatedly attempted to fool Clearwire's shareholders into believing its proposal was actionable in … Read more

Clearwire's board has recommended its shareholders accept Dish Network's takeover offer over a rival bid by majority owner Sprint Nextel.

The wireless broadband provider announced Wednesday that its special committee had unanimously recommended Dish's offer of $4.40 per share in cash. Clearwire has scheduled a special meeting of stockholders for June 24, where a vote on Dish's offer is planned.

Dish welcomed the decision, asserting that its proposal offered the best value to Clearwire shareholders.

"We appreciate Clearwire's recognition of the superior value that our tender offer provides to its shareholders," Dish … Read more

Sprint is firing off some legal salvos in its effort to stop Dish Network from acquiring Clearwire.

In a letter sent today to Clearwire's board of directors, Sprint said that Dish's acquisition proposal lacks sufficient legal grounds as certain provisions run afoul of the Clearwire Equityholders' Agreement (EHA) or of Delaware state law.

Specifically, Dish's demand for an agreement to choose at least three of Clearwire's board members and have the authority to veto certain Clearwire actions violates the EHA or Delaware law. Further, Dish's proposal asks Sprint, which already owns half of Clearwire and … Read more

Clearwire has decided to delay its shareholder vote on Sprint's takeover proposal in order to review Dish Network's surprise revised offer.

The wireless broadband provider had initially scheduled a special shareholders meeting for Friday to hold a vote on the proposal, but the company announced Thursday it had rescheduled the meeting for June 13. While the company said it has not changed its recommendation that shareholders accept the current Sprint bid of $3.40 per share, Clearwire said Dish's revised proposal "appears to be more actionable than Dish's previous proposal."

Dish upped its ante in the bidding war … Read more