<h1>Satellite operator to buy seller's spectrum licenses for about $17 billion, includes cash, stock, and long-term mobile pact &A</h1> A satellite operator agreed to acquire spectrum licenses from a satellite services company for about USD 17 billion, payable in up to USD 8.5 billion cash and up to USD 8.5 billion stock, and will make roughly USD 2 billion in cash interest payments on the seller's debt through November 2027. The transaction includes a long-term commercial pact enabling the seller's mobile subscribers to use the operator's next-generation direct-to-cell service. A separate deal in which a major wireless carrier purchases other licenses from the seller and both transactions are expected to address recent regulatory inquiries by the communications regulator. Proceeds will partly pay down debt; existing consumer services remain unaffected.