In the February 15, 2012 issue of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Bulletin (Vol. 46, No. 8), CBP published a notice that proposes to revoke a ruling and similar treatment regarding the tariff classification of certain handwoven saddle blankets as CBP now finds its size restriction on such times is incorrect.

On February 16, 2012, the Federal Maritime Commission released its 350 page study on the EU's 2008 repeal of its Liner Conference block exemption. The Study’s primary finding is that through 2010, the repeal of the block exemption did not appear to have resulted in any negative impact on U.S. liner trades. Rates declined to the same degree in both U.S. and EU import trades, and increased to a similar degree in both U.S. and EU export trades being compared.

Several cable operators awaiting FCC approval of basic-tier encryption likely will get an order approving it industrywide, officials said. Cable, consumer electronics and nonprofit officials said the Media Bureau continues work toward an order that would OK encryption by any operator that takes certain steps to make subscribers with older TVs whole after scrambling, such as by giving them a CableCARD for free for a period of time (CED Feb 14 p4). The coming order would let all-digital systems scramble signals of TV stations and pay networks to cut down on theft and perhaps help the environment by eliminating service calls.

Several cable operators awaiting FCC approval of basic-tier encryption likely will get an order approving it industrywide, officials said. Cable, consumer electronics and nonprofit officials said the Media Bureau continues work toward an order (CD Feb 14 p7) that would OK encryption by any operator that takes certain steps to make subscribers with older TVs whole after scrambling, such as by giving them a CableCARD for free for a period of time. The coming order would let all-digital systems scramble signals of TV stations and pay networks to cut down on theft and perhaps help the environment by eliminating service calls.

Senators gave mixed praise to the Senate Cybersecurity Act Tuesday, both commending the bill for addressing cyberthreats to the U.S. and citing a lack of procedural cohesion over its development. The Cybersecurity Act (http://xrl.us/bmr4rs) gives the secretary of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) the authority to lead the nation’s cybersecurity response and fortify the nation’s critical infrastructure and federal networks. The legislation provides a framework for sharing cyberthreat information between the federal government and the private sector, amends the Federal Information Security Management Act (FISMA), strengthens the partnership between DHS and the Department of Defense (DOD), increases cybersecurity research and development and cybersecurity recruitment and training.

CTIA and CEA both urged the FCC to exempt small businesses from new accessibility rules for advanced communications services (ACS) under the 21st Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act (CVAA), in response to an October further notice of proposed rulemaking. The rules are intended to make sure the 54 million Americans with disabilities are able to take full advantage of new communications services, such as video calling. The initial rules provided a short-term exemption for small businesses based on the definition of a small business by the Small Business Administration and teed up a series of questions for a follow up order (http://xrl.us/bmr32w).

Senators gave mixed praise to the Senate Cybersecurity Act Tuesday, both commending the bill for addressing cyberthreats to the U.S. and citing a lack of procedural cohesion over its development. The Cybersecurity Act (http://xrl.us/bmr4rs) gives the secretary of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) the authority to lead the nation’s cybersecurity response and fortify the nation’s critical infrastructure and federal networks. The legislation provides a framework for sharing cyberthreat information between the federal government and the private sector, amends the Federal Information Security Management Act (FISMA), strengthens the partnership between DHS and the Department of Defense (DOD), increases cybersecurity research and development and cybersecurity recruitment and training.

CTIA and CEA both urged the FCC to exempt small businesses from new accessibility rules for advanced communications services (ACS) under the 21st Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act (CVAA), in response to an October further rulemaking. The rules are intended to make sure the 54 million Americans with disabilities are able to take full advantage of new communications services, such as video calling. The initial rules provided a short-term exemption for small businesses based on the definition of a small business by the Small Business Administration and teed up a series of questions for a followup order (http://xrl.us/bmr32w).

CEA and CTIA both urged the FCC to exempt small businesses from new accessibility rules for advanced communications services (ACS) under the 21st Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act (CVAA), in response to an October further rulemaking. The rules are intended to make sure the 54 million Americans with disabilities are able to take full advantage of new communications services, such as video calling. The initial rules provided a short-term exemption for small businesses based on the definition of a small business by the Small Business Administration and teed up a series of questions for a followup order (http://xrl.us/bmr32w).

GENEVA -- African, Arab and European officials have preliminarily agreed to mobile allocations, with the entry into force immediately following the 2015 World Radiocommunication Conference (WRC), an official told us at the 2012 conference. The resolution, given initial approval at our deadline, calls for an allocation to the mobile service in the band 694 to 790 MHz in ITU region 1 on a co-primary basis with other primary allocated services, and to identify it for International Mobile Telecommunications, the international standard for advanced wireless communications. Broadcasters continued to raise concerns. More approvals will be needed.