Any U.S.-Japan trade agreement should “prohibit” customs duties on digital products and electronic transmissions, commented the Information Technology Industry Council in docket USTR-2018-0034. The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative sought feedback to help shape the Trump administration’s negotiating posture (see 1811270002). It’s “tempting” for governments to consider levying duties or other “blanket fees” on digital goods and services, said ITI. Banning those “unnecessary” costs will eliminate burdens on digital trade and “serve as a vital model for future U.S. trade agreements" everywhere, it said. ITI wants the USTR to use negotiations with Japan to promote joint "cybersecurity cooperation efforts,” and “both countries should affirm that risk-based, consensus-driven, and interoperable cybersecurity approaches are more effective at combatting digital threats than prescriptive, mandatory, and sometimes conflicting regulatory regimes that are emerging" worldwide. ITI also urges the USTR to seek commitments from Japan to allow into the country for testing and demo purposes tech devices that don't yet have regulatory authorization, it said. "Currently, Japan does not allow for the importation of any devices that do not hold regulatory authorizations for these purposes. Adoption of measures similar to FCC provisions allowing imports of products for testing or demonstration will give U.S. firms equal opportunities in Japan’s market."

The U.S. should come in before China in the 5G race, but China ultimately will have the globe's largest 5G ecosystem, ABI Research said Tuesday. It said China's advantages (see 1808210046) are its vast population, with 160 cities with a population of more than a million and 15 cities with more than 10 million, plus Chinese government efforts to make 5G a cornerstone of its industrial revolution strategy. The researcher said China Mobile, China Unicom and China Telecom will start large-scale deployments in 2020. Ericsson forecasts 5G will reach more than 40 percent of the world's population by Dec. 31, 2024 (see 1811270028).

Rural Utilities Service "Buy American" regulatory amendments take effect Tuesday, said a rule set for Federal Register publication Tuesday. "This will codify long-standing RUS requirements which Agency borrowers have been required to follow pursuant to statute, bulletin, and contract as early as the 1950s."

The FCC should help Canada resolve concerns with equipment standards for electromagnetic interference, the National Electrical Manufacturers Association commented to Office of Management and Budget's Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, for the U.S.-Canada Regulatory Cooperation Council that aims to reduce intercountry regulatory differences. NEMA said earlier this month that Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada’s Engineering, Planning and Standards Branch proposed revisions to Canada's equipment standards in April that would "create trade barriers and fracture the U.S.-Canada market for many products, including wall mounted lighting dimmers." NEMA recommended the FCC "assist ISED Canada in addressing equipment EMI concerns" and "the agencies develop a common approach that achieves EMI mitigation objectives while minimizing regulatory burden and preventing barriers to trade." The Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers made similar recommendations.

The FCC intends to terminate Space Net's international authorization under Communications Act Section 214, after it failed to respond to a March 6 letter from the Department of Homeland Security, backed by the DOJ and FBI. The executive branch agencies sought termination "because Space Net is no longer in business," said an International Bureau public notice in File No. ITC-214-20061204-00538, and Friday's Daily Digest. The PN gave Space Net "final notice and opportunity" to respond by Nov. 23 to the DHS letter. Space Net couldn't be reached for comment.

A transatlantic framework for EU and U.S. law enforcement to access cross-border data could strengthen user rights and due process, Computer & Communications Industry Association Senior Manager-Public Policy Alexandre Roure said Wednesday. Calling for the framework to be in line with the U.S.' Cloud Act and EU laws, CCIA supports transatlantic negotiations scheduled this week in Brussels during the EU-U.S. Justice and Home Affairs Ministerial Meeting.

Tariffs that took effect Sept. 24 on $200 billion worth of Chinese imports over IP disagreements haven't hurt distributor Arrow much, but the company is nonetheless against them, said CEO Mike Long. "If one government anywhere in the world decides they’re going to increase tariffs, don’t be surprised if worldwide manufacturers” move production, as many have, he said on Thursday's Q3 call. Manufacturers are "smart enough to manufacture anywhere in the world,” and most do so “in more than one place,” he said. Long estimates about a third of customers shifted some production from China. Arrow's “real-time database” of electronics components, while not developed because of the levies showcases "the power of data" during the disputes, he said.

Engaging in multiple languages and scripts through internationalized domain names and expansion of the internet through IPv6 are ways the internet is evolving, ICANN CEO Goran Marby said Wednesday. He blogged about his recent appearance before the ITU’s 2018 Plenipotentiary conference in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. There, he warned against “well-intentioned” policies and legislation “which can inhibit users to connect to” the internet.

ICANN should avoid conflicts of interest when senior staffers leave, NTIA Administrator David Redl wrote ICANN Chair Cherine Chalaby, copying CEO Goran Marby. The U.S. intends to bring the issue up to ICANN's third accountability and transparency review team, which is expected to hold its first meeting by June, but "I encourage you to look into this now," he wrote. One potential fix would be to have cooling-off periods for employees who accept jobs with companies involved in ICANN activities and programs, he said. Friday's letter mirrored comments Redl made Oct. 22 at ICANN's meeting in Barcelona.

China’s drive to become a global IoT leader “poses sobering challenges to U.S. economic and security interests,” said a report prepared for the U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission. China’s “robust participation in international standards committees has given Beijing greater opportunities to dictate the rules of the road,” it said. “Its research into IoT security vulnerabilities and its growing civil-military cooperation raise concerns about gaining unauthorized access to IoT devices and sensitive data. Its authorized access to the IoT data of U.S. consumers will only grow as Chinese IoT companies leverage their advantages in production and cost to gain market share in the United States.” That China is “still behind leading international levels in many IoT technologies” means American companies and the U.S. government “still have time to maintain a technological edge and influence future IoT development, standards, and roll-out,” said the report.