Dish Network Corp. is in preliminary discussions on a complex deal to merge its Boost mobile-phone business with chairman Charlie Ergen’s blank-check company.

Ergen’s Conx Corp., which went public in 2020, is seeking an extension from shareholders to complete a business transaction so it can keep pursuing the talks, according to a statement. A vote on an extension will take place on Oct. 31.

“We are in regular dialog with interested parties who may assist us in accomplishing our goals, including recently preliminary conversations with Conx,” Dish said in a separate e-mailed statement. “There can be no assurance that these preliminary discussions will lead to a transaction nor as to the structure or terms of any such transaction.”

Billionaire Ergen acquired prepaid phone service Boost as part of an arrangement with the U.S. government, which sought to preserve competition in the mobile-phone market while allowing T-Mobile US Inc. to merge with Sprint Corp. Boost has been rolling out 5G wireless services in 120 cities, using airwaves Dish has acquired over the years, so it can stop relying on leased capacity from other carriers’ networks.

Conx raised $750 million during the heyday of special purpose acquisition companies, or SPACs, saying it would pursue a deal with a company in the telecom, media and technology space. SPACs offer merger partners a way to go public and secure funding without the traditional hurdles of an IPO.