Wireless DBS, the bidding entity backed by DirecTV and Echostar, among others, may have dropped out of contention for spectrum licenses in the Advanced Wireless Services auction, but these companies still potentially could partner with WiMAX service providers to launch mobile-like services, according to ABI Research.

ABI principal analyst Michael Arden stated in a report this week that the disappointment of being out-bid for licenses "put a damper on plans for the satellite players to launch their own mobile service based on WiMAX, and will likely pave the way for a partnership for WiMAX with an operator such as Clearwire. If that proves to be the case, it will represent a significant shot in the arm for the already vibrant WiMAX sector."

Arden said satellite companies are looking for ways to use wireless spectrum for both two-way data services and voice services. "The development of a mobile service connected to satellite-video service would be one more piece of a service bundle that would help to reduce customer churn and to create an opportunity for convergence of services such as broadcast and mobile video. It looked as though they were well-positioned to become big players directly," Arden said.

ABI recently released the study "Direct Broadcast Satellite Infrastructure, CPE and Interactive Services."

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