Sprint and Dish Network are collaborating on a wireless broadband service targeting underserved areas.

The trial in Corpus Christi, Texas, will involve Sprint Corp.’s 4G LTE network and will begin in mid-2014.

Dish Network Corp. will install equipment for households to tap the cellular network for basic high-speed Internet services.

The project signals a thawing in relations after Dish tried unsuccessfully, and without the support of Sprint’s executives, to outbid SoftBank Corp. for control of the third-largest U.S. mobile-phone company. Dish, the country’s second-biggest satellite-TV provider, has been amassing its own airwaves to branch out into wireless service.

“Depending on a customer’s location, DISH will install either a ruggedized outdoor router or an indoor solution to deliver the best possible broadband service to that site. Both solutions will feature built-in high-gain antennas to receive the 4G TDD-LTE signal on Sprint’s 2.5 GHz spectrum,” the companies said.

Many Americans have limited or no access to broadband service because it’s expensive to extend cables to rural areas. Satellite is an option, but it works better for receiving data than sending. Cellular networks could address that limitation — so long as the service doesn’t get too popular that the airwaves become congested.

For Dish, it paves the way for bundling broadband access with television services, something satellite companies haven’t been able to do as well as cable providers.

“With millions underserved by inadequate broadband, the potential to bring a high-speed fixed wireless solution is very compelling to both DISH and Sprint,” said Tom Cullen, DISH executive vice president of Corporate Development. “We both bring distinct skills, not the least of which for DISH is a workforce of professional technicians who visit thousands of homes every day performing professional installations for both video and broadband.”

Added Michael Schwartz, Sprint senior vice president of Corporate and Business Development: “This trial with DISH has great potential as it combines the key capabilities and assets of both companies to provide another option to customers with limited broadband access. This demonstrates Sprint’s ongoing commitment to identify and develop new and innovative products and services that maximize the use and utility of our spectrum and flexible network infrastructure to the benefit of customers and shareholders.”

Many Americans have limited or no access to broadband service because it’s expensive to extend cables to rural areas. Satellite is an option, but it works better for receiving data than sending. Cellular networks could address that limitation — so long as the service doesn’t get too popular that the airwaves become congested.