Former FCC staff members and attorneys representing satellite operators and other participants in the industry generally said the revolving door at the FCC, including within the agency's International Bureau, has had a positive impact on the regulatory issues affecting the satellite industry. Some attribute the ongoing reform of Part 25 rules and efforts for more efficient spectrum use to the insight provided by FCC staffers who previously worked in the private satellite sector. Among former satellite industry executives, according to a Communications Daily Freedom of Information Act request and other documents and interviews, are Diane Cornell, deputy general counsel; Jose Albuquerque, Satellite Division chief; and Kalpak Gude, associate Media Bureau chief.

CEA is "excited" that Republicans will retake control of the Senate because it will end the reign of Harry Reid, D-Nev., as Senate majority leader, CEA President Gary Shapiro said in an interview Wednesday on the results of the midterm elections and their CE industry implications..

Status quo prevailed in 16 of the 17 state regulatory commission races where a winner was clear Wednesday. The Democrats gained one net seat after former New Mexico Public Regulation Commission Chairman Sandy Jones defeated PRC Commissioner Ben Hall, a Republican, by 1,482 votes. The Republicans retained at least 13 seats they held before the election, while the Democrats retained their three seats. The results in one seat on the Louisiana Public Service Commission (PSC) remained unclear. A Republican is assured of winning the remaining Louisiana PSC seat following a Dec. 6 runoff because both of the candidates -- incumbent PSC Commissioner Eric Skrmetta and energy policy advocate Forest Wright -- are Republicans.

A GOP-controlled Capitol Hill is likely to charge forward on telecom and media overhaul in a powerful way in the 114th Congress, advancing on issues it could never make ground on with two divided chambers, industry lobbyists and observers told us. Expect action on several key priorities, including overhaul of the Communications Act and potentially more partisan measures such as net neutrality and stopping FCC pre-emption of state laws restricting municipal broadband, they said.