The FCC should “ensure that unserved agricultural areas are included in the final broadband data maps” and “coordinate closely” with the Department of Agriculture and other agencies “to obtain information about coverage in agricultural areas when it is developing the maps,” said a Deere filing posted Tuesday in docket 19-195. Deere representatives met via videoconference with officials from the FCC Broadband Data Task Force, the Rural Broadband Auctions Task Force and other officials on the importance of maps and broadband funding in rural America. The “Cultivated Land” layer created by the Agriculture Department should be included in federal maps, Deere said.

Singapore Customs extended its e-services to cover five more trade-related applications, the customs administration announced March 15. Starting April 1, traders can use FormSG to apply for Cargo Agent's Import Authorisation, Vessel Registration, Kimberley Process License, Import Certificate and Delivery Verification, and Landing Certificate.

Universal Electronics Inc.'s Ecolink 700 Series garage door controller is the first product to complete certification for Z-Wave Long Range (LR), enabling more use cases for smart home, multi-dwelling units and hospitality, said the Z-Wave Alliance Tuesday. LR extends Z-Wave connectivity beyond a home’s interior to door locks, garage door sensors and gate access, offering wider coverage, improved battery life, interoperability and backward compatibility, the alliance said; it grows scalability to over 4,000 devices on a smart home network. Ecolink plans to have all its new Z-Wave sensors and devices certified as Z-Wave LR, said UEI’s Mike Bailey, vice president-product development and operations.

House leaders had thought there could be a vote to remove Russia's permanent normal trade relations status on March 16, but both the top Republican on the Ways and Means Committee and the majority leader, who schedules bills for a vote, said that text that is accepted by both parties is nearly done. Rep. Kevin Brady, R-Texas, told International Trade Today during a press call that the text just needs to be finished so that there can be "a chance to brief our members in the House before it goes to a vote."

The Bureau of Industry and Security recently launched a landing page for its export control actions against Russia, including relevant fact sheets and guidance. The page also includes agency contact information for industry, a link to request a formal advisory opinion and a list of related regulations and "legal resources." BIS warned that it has imposed controls on a "range of items" subject to the Export Administration Regulations that didn't "previously require export licenses when destined for Russia" and plans to update the page as more restrictions are announced.

Atrium Hospitality agreed to pay a $35,000 fine and implement a compliance plan after acquiring 25 wireless licenses without FCC approval. In 2018, the Alpharetta, Georgia-based company acquired hotels from JQH Entities, which had filed for bankruptcy, as part of a legal settlement, which included 25 private land mobile licenses. In 2019, Atrium filed several wireless license assignment applications, notifying the Wireless Bureau “that it had acquired wireless licenses without the necessary prior Commission approval,” said a Thursday order by the Enforcement Bureau. The Enforcement Bureau said the consent decree agreed to by Atrium ends an FCC investigation.

The Cherokee Nation urged the FCC not to sell any licenses covering its tribal lands, as the FCC took comment on whether to adjust rules for a 2.5 GHz auction “in light of additions to the initial license inventory.” The FCC sought comment last month and isn’t allowing reply comments (see 2202220042). Comments were posted Monday in docket 20-429.

No new purchases of Russian oil, liquefied natural gas or coal can be made by American parties, starting March 8, the White House said. But, there will be a 45-day wind-down period where deliveries from contracted purchases can enter the U.S., a senior government official said. The Treasury Department issued a general license outlining the details.

The U.K. appointed two new trade envoys -- David Duguid as envoy to Angola and Zambia and Yvonne Fovargue as envoy to Tunisia and Libya, the Department for International Trade said. As trade envoys, members of Parliament Duguid and Fovargue will promote the U.K. as a landing spot for investment in these nations while helping exporting businesses branch out into their assigned markets. The U.K. now has 36 trade envoys, covering 76 countries, the DIT said.

The FCC updated its TV protection list for the T band to remove stations that no longer require protection from private land mobile radio. The TV stations removed cover nine major markets, said a Thursday notice by the Wireless and Public Safety bureaus. “Based on our review of the Commission’s records, since the TV protection list was originally published a number of TV stations included on the list have either changed channels or discontinued operation altogether,” the notice said: “It is important for the TV protection list to remain accurate so PLMR applicants seeking to license facilities in the T-Band know which TV stations they need to protect.” PLMR licenses in the band have an exclusive filing window until April 1, to modify their operations. The T band has long been shared with public safety and gets the most use in major cities, including Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Los Angeles, New York, Miami and Washington.