FCC angers small carriers by helping AT&T and Starlink buy EchoStar spectrum

The Federal Communications Commission yesterday approved EchoStar's sales of spectrum licenses to AT&T and Starlink operator SpaceX. The deals are worth $40 billion in total. The orders, issued by the agency's Wireless Telecommunications Bureau and Space Bureau, aren't surprising given that FCC Chairman Brendan Carr essentially forced EchoStar to sell the licenses.