From its founding in the 1980s, Dish Network has primarily focused on the satellite television business, capitalizing on technological advancements to expand its reach. The firm now serves 7 million U.S. customers. Dish launched an internet-based television offering under the Sling brand in 2015 and now serves about 2 million customers on this platform. Dish’s future, however, hinges primarily on the wireless business. The firm has amassed a large portfolio of spectrum licenses over the past 15 years, spending about $30 billion in the process, and is now building a nationwide wireless network. It acquired Sprint's prepaid business and now serves about 8 million customers. Dish plans to merge with EchoStar, a firm it spun out in 2008 that provides satellite-based communications services.