Dish Is Said to Approach Deutsche Telekom About T-Mobile Bid

Dish Network Chairman Charlie Ergen informally approached Deutsche Telekom AG about a possible merger with the German company’s T-Mobile USA unit, a deal that would let him bundle wireless service with his satellite-TV offerings, according to people close to the situation.

Dish made the proposal sometime before April 10, when Deutsche Telekom announced a sweetened bid for MetroPCS Communications, according to the people. Deutsche Telekom might consider Dish’s proposal, though only after the transaction with MetroPCS closes and after verifying that a separate deal with Sprint Nextel isn’t feasible, said the people, who asked not to be named because the talks are private.