UPDATE: DISH Network (DISH) Said in Talks to Acquire T-Mobile USA (TMUS)

(Updated - June 4, 2015 9:30 AM EDT)

T-Mobile (NYSE: TMUS) is ticking higher early Thursday following reports that it and DISH Network (Nasdaq: DISH) are in merger discussions.

The WSJ noted that the two sides are said to be in discussions about how the deal will be structured. Currently, DISH CEO Charlie Ergen may become the combined company's chairman and T-Mobile CEO John Legere would serve as the company's CEO, sources said.

There's still speculation about an overall purchase price and what mix of cash, stock, and/or debt (if any) would be used in the transaction.

Currently, DISH is the second-largest satellite television provider in the U.S., while T-Mobile is the fourth-largest wireless carrier in the U.S.

Deutsche Telekom (OTCBB: DTEGY) still holds a 66 percent stake in T-Mobile, but has been looking to either sell or merge the company over the last several years.

While T-Mobile and Sprint (NYSE: S) were in merger talks for much of 2014, ultimately succombing to regulatory scrutiny, a deal between DISH and T-Mobile would face fewer issues due to the two companies operating in separate industries and that the combination would also make a strong wireless competitor to Verizon (NYSE: VZ) and AT&T (NYSE: T).

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