The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative granted iRobot an exclusion Wednesday to the List 3 Section 301 tariffs on the robotic vacuum cleaners it imports from China under the 8508.11.00.00 product code. IRobot applied for the exemption July 1 and based its argument partly on plans to shift production to Malaysia from China. It began producing entry-level vacuums in Malaysia in November, and said it will source additional models there later in 2020. The exclusion is retroactive to Sept. 24, 2018, when the List 3 tariffs took effect at 10%, and is valid through Aug. 7. The Trump administration hiked List 3 to 25% on March 2, 2019. IRobot estimated it incurred $37.9 million in 2019 tariff costs but had no “material” tariff expenses for 2018. It’s scheduled Tuesday to report Q1 results. IRobot’s was one of 107 exemptions granted for “specially prepared product descriptions” covering 157 “separate exclusion requests,” said USTR. IRobot is "pleased that the USTR determined that our rationale for an exclusion was appropriate, particularly in light of the tangible steps we have taken to establish our manufacturing activities in Malaysia," emailed CEO Colin Angle Thursday. "As the largest American pure-play robotics company, with over 800 U.S.-based employees and roughly half of our revenue generated domestically, we believe that an exclusion not only further supports iRobot's ability to maintain its technological and category leadership but it also helps ensure that robotics is an industry in which the U.S. continues to lead the world."

The FCC will take on the long-stalled 900 MHz realignment, allowing broadband in the swath that has been used for narrowband communications including two-way dispatch, Chairman Ajit Pai blogged Tuesday, previewing the May 13 meeting agenda. Also slated are regulatory fees for foreign-licensed satellite operators, a proposed streamlining and revision of broadcaster license notifications, and an earth stations in motion (ESIM) order.

President Donald Trump renewed his support Tuesday for efforts to include broadband funding in a fourth major COVID-19 legislative package, amid continued Capitol Hill interest in addressing broadband in future pandemic-related measures. The fortunes of broadband funding as part of future pandemic-related bills fluctuated in the weeks since Trump signed the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act, the most recent aid bill (see 2003270058). Many tech and telecom entities listed proposals to include broadband funding in HR-748 and future aid legislation as one of the issues they lobbied the Hill on during Q1.

President Donald Trump renewed his support Tuesday for efforts to include broadband funding in a fourth major COVID-19 legislative package, amid continued Capitol Hill interest in addressing broadband in future pandemic-related measures. The fortunes of broadband funding as part of future pandemic-related bills fluctuated in the weeks since Trump signed the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act, the most recent aid bill (see 2003270058). Many tech and telecom entities listed proposals to include broadband funding in HR-748 and future aid legislation as one of the issues they lobbied the Hill on during Q1.

The National Tribal Telecommunications Association asked the FCC to add $20 monthly Lifeline support on tribal lands plus more funding "to address connection difficulties during the COVID-19 pandemic," in a letter posted Friday in docket 11-42. NTTA wants "revisions to the Lifeline program rules to streamline entry into the program for those unfortunate Americans -- those living on Tribal lands and elsewhere -- experiencing a sudden loss of income that would meet the eligibility requirements." Let tribal authorities qualify newly eligible, it said.

The growing number of newly unemployed need access to broadband and voice services more than ever during the COVID-19 pandemic and economic crisis, FCC Commissioners Jessica Rosenworcel and Geoffrey Starks said during a MediaJustice online event Thursday. Speakers shared stories of how the lack of robust telecom access hurt their ability to reach healthcare providers, complete online schooling and keep in touch with relatives. Bolster Lifeline benefits and enrollment, close the homework gap and lower inmate calling service rates, Rosenworcel asked of her agency. Starks recalled a visit several months ago to a District of Columbia Department of Corrections facility where he listened to 20 prisoners. They told him how important it was to stay connected to their communities. The push to make ICS free for those in local and state jails and prisons, and not just federal facilities (see 2004150061), is important, he said. Starks said the FCC should do more to keep people on tribal lands connected. Foster the Lifeline program because connectivity is a central aspect of social distancing, Starks said. Leonard Edwards, an advocate with D.C.-based Bread for the City, wants the Lifeline program to extend unlimited voice minutes and broadband data to customers even after the pandemic.

House Commerce Committee Chairman Frank Pallone, N.J., is circulating discussion language to provide $2 billion in “emergency broadband benefit” funding in the next COVID-19 stimulus bill. Some lobbyists we spoke with see the draft as Democrats’ bid to resurrect plans for emergency broadband funding without providing new ammunition to Lifeline critics. Several Democratic lawmakers want future COVID-19 legislation to fund broadband and other infrastructure (see 2003260063). Some groups are urging Congress to use the coming measure to address other communications policy priorities, including media funding (see 2004090066).

FCC staff showed areas likely to benefit from a 5G USF fund. Commissioners vote April 23 on an NPRM (see 2004020066). One of the proposed ways of awarding funds would be based on “existing data sources that identify rural areas,” Thursday's report said. The top five states in terms of land area that would qualify are: Nebraska (92%), North Dakota (91%), South Dakota (90%), Montana (89%) and Wyoming (86%). Top states based on eligible population: Vermont (47%), Maine (34%), Montana (33%), North Dakota (33%) and South Dakota (32%). The document is from the Rural Broadband Auctions Task Force and Office of Economics and Analytics. The FCC said as much as 67% of the land in 49 states and three U.S. territories would be eligible. Alaska has a separate mobile plan. The agency has different support for Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Competitive Carriers Association President Steve Berry criticized the report. “Unfortunately, the FCC is publishing eligibility maps that bear little relationship to where there is or is not actually coverage,” Berry emailed: “The analysis itself notes that the maps released today may bear little resemblance to the areas actually available for funding in an auction, which is extremely concerning. At a time when everyone is recognizing the importance of bridging the digital divide, the FCC seems intent on moving forward with spending $9 billion without bothering to measure the scope of the problem they are purporting to solve.”

FCC staff showed areas likely to benefit from a 5G USF fund. Commissioners vote April 23 on an NPRM (see 2004020066). One of the proposed ways of awarding funds would be based on “existing data sources that identify rural areas,” Thursday's report said. The top five states in terms of land area that would qualify are: Nebraska (92%), North Dakota (91%), South Dakota (90%), Montana (89%) and Wyoming (86%). Top states based on eligible population: Vermont (47%), Maine (34%), Montana (33%), North Dakota (33%) and South Dakota (32%). The document is from the Rural Broadband Auctions Task Force and Office of Economics and Analytics. The FCC said as much as 67% of the land in 49 states and three U.S. territories would be eligible. Alaska has a separate mobile plan. The agency has different support for Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Competitive Carriers Association President Steve Berry criticized the report. “Unfortunately, the FCC is publishing eligibility maps that bear little relationship to where there is or is not actually coverage,” Berry emailed: “The analysis itself notes that the maps released today may bear little resemblance to the areas actually available for funding in an auction, which is extremely concerning. At a time when everyone is recognizing the importance of bridging the digital divide, the FCC seems intent on moving forward with spending $9 billion without bothering to measure the scope of the problem they are purporting to solve.”

FCC staff showed areas likely to benefit from a 5G USF fund. Commissioners vote April 23 on an NPRM (see 2004020066). One of the proposed ways of awarding funds would be based on “existing data sources that identify rural areas,” Thursday's report said. The top five states in terms of land area that would qualify are: Nebraska (92%), North Dakota (91%), South Dakota (90%), Montana (89%) and Wyoming (86%). Top states based on eligible population: Vermont (47%), Maine (34%), Montana (33%), North Dakota (33%) and South Dakota (32%). The document is from the Rural Broadband Auctions Task Force and Office of Economics and Analytics. The FCC said as much as 67% of the land in 49 states and three U.S. territories would be eligible. Alaska has a separate mobile plan. The agency has different support for Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Competitive Carriers Association President Steve Berry criticized the report. “Unfortunately, the FCC is publishing eligibility maps that bear little relationship to where there is or is not actually coverage,” Berry emailed: “The analysis itself notes that the maps released today may bear little resemblance to the areas actually available for funding in an auction, which is extremely concerning. At a time when everyone is recognizing the importance of bridging the digital divide, the FCC seems intent on moving forward with spending $9 billion without bothering to measure the scope of the problem they are purporting to solve.”