DISH Network Corp. struck a deal to acquire certain assets and operations of EchoStar Corp., including a 10% stake in OTT service Sling TV, in exchange for DISH's 80% economic interest in Hughes Retail Group, EchoStar's residential retail satellite broadband business.

DISH will buy EchoStar's technologies hardware and software development group, national and regional uplink business, managed fiber backhaul network and EchoStar's over-the-top development group. The transaction, which is expected to close in the first quarter, also will give DISH wireless spectrum licenses covering four markets in the 28-GHz band and certain real estate properties, according to a Jan. 31 news release.

DISH will keep marketing satellite broadband under the brand dishNET to rural customers

DISH is satellite technology provider EchoStar's main customer, according to quarterly financial filings. DISH spun off its technology and set-top box business to EchoStar in 2008.