This is one merger that should be allowed. The regulators are going to reject this one so they look tough. Too bad. Disallowing it is the wrong decision. The arguments of Hughes and Echostar make sense.
Wrong. Ergen loves competition when it comes to his own buying habits: he plays Loral against Boeing against Lockheed against Astrium for his satellites; plays ILS (International Launch Services; Lockheed Martin Atlas/Khrunichev Proton) against Boeing Delta against Arianespace and even China Great Wall Industrial Corporation (CGWIC) for his launch vehicles. In fact, his first launch in 1992 was on a Long March (CGWIC).
Ergen is a vicious, egotistical prick who wants to monopolize this segment of the industry. Funny how he abhors monopolies when they might cost him some money. It won't be funny for the people who'll get stuck with his bills when they have to pay what he wants, or else end up without service.