EchoStar will put the billions of dollars it gets in proceeds from its spectrum sales into a new division that will focus on merger and acquisition opportunities, as well as other investments in the company's future, it said Thursday as it reported quarterly results. Those sales include one announced Thursday that will transfer its unpaired AWS-3 wireless spectrum to SpaceX for $2.6 billion in stock.

The broadcast industry is ripe for consolidation and could eventually resolve into just two groups, each the size of the combined Nexstar/Tegna, suggested TV group CEOs from Nexstar and Sinclair on their respective Q3 earnings calls this week. “This level of consolidation would strengthen the industry's financial footing and position broadcasters as more capable competitors to big media and big tech” while preserving news coverage, said Sinclair CEO Chris Ripley Wednesday. “I think a good, strong industry needs to have good, strong companies comprising it,” said Nexstar CEO Perry Sook Thursday. “We can't do it all by ourselves.”

States' hopes to use BEAD funds not spent on last-mile deployment for other connectivity-related needs seem likely to go unfulfilled, as broadband policy experts expect the Commerce Department will likely claw back much if not all the money not spent on deployment. "It's hard to be hopeful" that non-deployment funds will be made available to states, said Drew Garner, director of policy engagement, Benton Institute for Broadband & Society.

The FCC signed an agreement Thursday to continue to work with regulators from traditional U.S. allies to strengthen cooperation “in response to evolving threats and challenges in the telecommunications sector." Regulators from the U.K., Canada, Australia and New Zealand also signed the agreement. Industry experts told us that the pact shows that despite tariff fights and other disagreements with the nations under President Donald Trump, cooperation on security continues.

Communications Daily is tracking the lawsuits below involving appeals of FCC actions.

Democrats won Tuesday night in special elections for two Georgia Public Service Commission seats, marking the first time party members have earned spots on the regulatory body since 2006. Those victories were part of the Democratic Party’s broader rout in the elections, including selection of its candidates for governor in New Jersey and Virginia. Ex-U.S. Rep. Abigail Spanberger, who won the Virginia gubernatorial race, and Rep. Mikie Sherrill, who won in New Jersey, both raised internet issues during the campaign.

Glen Smith, President Donald Trump’s nominee for agriculture undersecretary for rural development, told Senate Agriculture Committee members Wednesday that he will make it a priority to review USDA’s broadband programs in response to Republican lawmakers’ concerns about the scope of federal connectivity efforts leading to unnecessary funding overlaps. Meanwhile, panel Democrats pressed Smith on strengthening USDA’s ReConnect program, citing GOP proposals to end or reduce its funding.

Staff departures under the current administration are starting to have an effect on federal permitting reviews, said Jill Springer, NTIA's senior adviser for permitting, during a Broadband Breakfast webinar Wednesday. Amid a wave of departures from the federal government under President Donald Trump, Springer said the retirements are one of her biggest concerns.

Private cellular networks are growing worldwide and can offer advantages over both Wi-Fi and more traditional networks offered by carriers, experts said Tuesday during RCR Wireless’ Industrial Wireless Forum. A variety of spectrum bands are being used, including the citizens broadband radio service band in the U.S., speakers said.

A DOJ request last week for additional information about Nexstar's proposed $6.2 billion purchase of Tegna means the transaction will face serious scrutiny at the agency, antitrust attorneys and industry officials told us in interviews. “This is an indication that the deal might not necessarily be in trouble, but that they’ve got plenty of work to do to get it through,” said Bona Law's Steven Cernak.