Satellite groups sought changes to export controls related to a Trump administration effort to revive the National Space Council, in comments that were due Friday. The Aerospace Industries Association asked the Commerce Department for more time before space-related export control regulations, to allow for "open discussions with the government." AIA lacks an "industry consensus" on multiple changes being considered. The association said a member-company asked that Commerce “evaluate” the list and “expand the list of parts and components that do not pose a threat to National Security and Regional Stability.”
CTA fears “unilateral” export controls over emerging technologies “can seriously undercut U.S. technological leadership,” it told the Commerce Department’s Bureau of Industry and Security Thursday in docket BIS-2018-0024. CTA’s comments put it squarely in agreement with other tech groups that told BIS that overly strict export controls on new technology like artificial intelligence could harm tech innovation and bolster bad actors like China (see 1901100032). If the American tech industry is “locked out,” whether by “law or perception,” from pursuing “high growth markets” for “cutting-edge technologies,” U.S. companies “will lose the jobs and research investments that grow from our ability to compete for business in these fields,” said CTA. BIS should stick to the “principles” based in the 2018 Export Control Reform Act “as it considers whether or which technologies to propose for control,” it said. In deciding which emerging technologies should be targeted for controls, identify only those “not now controlled and that are essential to the national security” of the U.S., it said. It said any proposed controls should “be limited to addressing national security concerns, not trade policy issues.” CTA also urged the Trump administration to “give great weight to industry statements regarding how a proposed unilateral control would help or harm their U.S. business.” Don't "propose or impose new emerging technology controls unless it has fully considered the impact such controls would have on the U.S. economy,” CTA urged BIS. The Computer & Communications Industry Association suggested patented and patent-pending technology be excluded from export administration regulations. “A poorly executed export control regime can hinder innovation” and next-generation tech, CCIA said.
Revamp, don’t repeal Alaska USF, urged the telecom industry and Alaska’s attorney general in comments this week in docket R-18-001 at the Regulatory Commission of Alaska. The RCA last month proposed phasing out AUSF by July 31, 2019 (see 1801160014). The Alaska Telephone Association (ATA), Alaska Communications (AC) and the AG office rejected that and pitched alternatives. AUSF surcharges -- 19 percent this year -- “will almost certainly continue to rise,” a lawmaker said. The federal USF contribution factor for Q1 is 19.5 percent.
With cracks in state USF availability widening fast, the Regulatory Commission of Alaska is bearing down on a short-term fix and long-term overhaul. Alaska commissioners discussed fixing USF at two public meetings in June. Seeking to stem the bleeding while the RCA considers broader changes, commissioners voted 4-1 at Wednesday’s meeting to seek comment on changing rules about what to do in a USF shortage. Commissioners said they will take further action in late July. State USF revenue is down in many states and Alaska is one of a few eyeing a shift to connections-based contribution as a possible long-term solution.
The State Department and the Commerce Department Bureau of Industry and Security transferred items, including some satellites, from U.S. Munitions List (USML) Category XV (spacecraft systems and associated equipment) to the Commerce Control List (CCL) that no longer warrant USML control. BIS’ (here) and State’s (here) final rules build upon comments received after interim final rules were published May 13, 2014, and take effect Sunday, they said in Tuesday's Federal Register.
The Bureau of Industry and Security penalized two Dubai-based traders and three companies operated by the pair over violations of the Export Administration Regulations, BIS said in a notice set to appear in Thursday's Federal Register. The two individuals and their companies violated the EAR by conspiring to export and re-export controlled telecom equipment to Syria without the proper U.S. authorization and through falsified documents, BIS said. The agency placed on the Denied Persons List companies including iT Wave, for four years. The five entities are collectively being charged $7 million, the order said. The BIS directed the entities to pay only $250,000 in total over an annual, staggered payment schedule. The remaining fees will be waived after two years if no further violations are committed, BIS said.
A new category of satellite technology export rules is beneficial for the satellite industry, satellite officials said at an FCBA event Thursday. The rules, which were put in place Nov. 10, changed satellite exports from International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) rules to a Commerce Control List category, under the Export Administration Regulations. The reduction comes from the new regulations allowing more license exceptions and requiring fewer applications to be filed, Wolf said. The new rules create more of an incentive for satellite providers to use U.S.-made materials, instead of avoiding ITAR regulation, they said.
President Barack Obama’s executive order to open relations with Cuba (see 1412170053) won't alone be enough to develop telecom infrastructure between the countries, said industry officials in interviews this and last week. Cuba remains on an FCC exclusion list under Communications Act Section 214. Applications for telecom service between the U.S. and the island are also subject to further State Department review. Stephen Propst, Hogan Lovells international-trade lawyer, expects the Commerce, State and Treasury departments to move quickly in the coming months to define regulations regarding business with Cuba, but other experts disagreed.
The concurrent final rules on transferring items from U.S. Munitions List category XI to the Commerce Control List include revisions for satellite systems. The Commerce and State departments released the final rules on the transfer of dual-use items Monday (CD July 1 p12). Most of the rules are effective Dec. 30, the departments said Tuesday in Federal Register notices (http://1.usa.gov/1z5Fakc; http://1.usa.gov/1lwGfaz). Revisions include one made to control antennas that employ four or more elements, electronically steer angular beams and achieve a beam switching speed faster than 50 milliseconds. That came in response to commenters who indicated the previous rule was written in a way that would control items like antennas designed for transmitting radio communications via a commercially operated fixed or mobile satellite service system, which is already controlled by an export control classification number, the State Department notice said. The final rules were released as part of previously disclosed export control overhaul (CD May 13 p12).
The Commerce and State departments released concurrent final rules to transfer dual-use items from U.S. Munitions List category XI to the Commerce Control List as part of previously disclosed export control reform (CD May 13 p12). The rules are effective Dec. 30, aside from minor changes that take effect upon publication in the Federal Register, said notices from Commerce (http://1.usa.gov/1mBtEmA) and State (http://1.usa.gov/Txd9Rw) appearing in Tuesday’s Federal Register.