UBS Expects AT&T and Verizon To Be 'More Significant Bidders' in DISH AWS-3 Auction

Earlier Thursday, UBS released a note in which it commented on the possibility of either AT&T T or Verizon Communications VZ bidding for DISH Network's DISH AWS-3 auction.

Coming out of DISH Network's second quarter earnings, UBS said the focus was again on Charlie Ergen's commentary. The only thing the firm found interesting were his comments suggesting there might be a willingness to sell the spectrum and satellite business separately.

"We believe AT&T and Verizon will be the only substantial bidders for AWS-3, while T-Mobile will fill in holes where it does not already have a 20MHz x 20 MHz block," UBS commented. "AT&T and Verizon each know what the other needs and have a history of behaving rationally in situation like these. Ergen himself could be the wild card--if he is ready to bid$1.00+ to keep spectrum out of the large carriers' hands."