Techniques for channel selection and related operations in a shared spectrum environment are disclosed. In one example, a channel selector or the like may be used to select one of a number of available channels as an operating channel based on a comparison of cost functions for each of the available channels, with the cost functions being based on separate utility and penalty metrics. In another example, a channel scanner or the like may be used to trigger a channel scan in response to a channel quality metric indicating poor service for a threshold number or proportion of access terminals. In another example, an operating mode controller may be used to trigger a Time Division Multiplexing (TDM) mode on an operating channel in response to a utilization metric being above a threshold. The TDM mode may cycle operation between activated and deactivated periods in accordance with a TDM communication pattern.