Satellite broadband has been around for years as an Internet offering for rural areas. But with slow speeds, it has never gotten much attention. ViaSat sought to change that earlier this year with the launch of Exede and Hughes launched its own high-speed satellite service over the summer. Now DISH is taking both companies’ offerings and sticking them under the newly announced dish-NET brand. More on the satellite broadband service, its main competitor in the market, Verizon Wireless’ HomeFusion, and Wells Fargo Securities’ Marci Ryvicker’s take.
 
More top stories in today’s CableFAX Daily:
 
Lot of noise Thurs over a Bloomberg story quoting unnamed sources as saying DISH is in talks with nets like Viacom, Scripps and Univision about offering their channels as part of an over-the-top service. But an industry source tells us DISH isn’t anywhere close to a deal.
 
Comcast launched free WiFi in CA for Xfinity Internet residential subs and Comcast Business Class Internet customers.
 
Mediacom became the latest cable op to announce a partnership with TiVo. It will begin launching TiVo’s whole-home product early next year with the rollout to continue across its footprint over the course of the year.