Clarity Products seeks exclusion from tariffs it pays on the amplified cordless phones imported from China under the 8517.11.00.00 subheading, posted the Tennessee vendor Thursday in the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative docket. The phones’ audio systems also have “frequency adjustment, noise suppression and multiband compression to help those with hearing loss,” said Clarity. Chinese manufacturers of “regular” cordless phones could do “small production runs” for Clarity at “economical prices,” it said. Clarity is “researching moving production to Malaysia and Vietnam, but this is unviable at this time given the company’s small volumes,” it said. It “explored” making amplified phones in a production facility it runs in Chattanooga, “but it is not economical,” it said. If Clarity lands the exemption, it would be entitled to refunds of the 15 percent tariffs retroactive to Sept. 1 when List 4A took effect. USTR is scheduled to roll back List 4A to 7.5 percent Feb. 14 (see 2001160022).

Clarity Products seeks exclusion from tariffs it pays on the amplified cordless phones imported from China under the 8517.11.00.00 subheading, posted the Tennessee vendor Thursday in the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative docket. The phones’ audio systems also have “frequency adjustment, noise suppression and multiband compression to help those with hearing loss,” said Clarity. Chinese manufacturers of “regular” cordless phones could do “small production runs” for Clarity at “economical prices,” it said. Clarity is “researching moving production to Malaysia and Vietnam, but this is unviable at this time given the company’s small volumes,” it said. It “explored” making amplified phones in a production facility it runs in Chattanooga, “but it is not economical,” it said. If Clarity lands the exemption, it would be entitled to refunds of the 15 percent tariffs retroactive to Sept. 1 when List 4A took effect. USTR is scheduled to roll back List 4A to 7.5 percent Feb. 14 (see 2001160022).

Local governments are bracing to oppose another attempt to pass a New York wireless infrastructure proposal, supported by industry, through the budget process (see 1912190063). A 2020-2021 budget bill floated Wednesday in each chamber (AB-9508, S-7458) includes sections on net neutrality and attempts to streamline small-cells deployment by pre-empting local governments in the right of way. Small cells appeared in a New York budget proposal two years ago, but the section was removed amid local government opposition. “Expect similar efforts here,” local government attorney Ken Fellman emailed Thursday.

FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr and some executives urged the Senate Commerce Committee Wednesday to advance the Telecom Opportunities for Workers Engaging in Real (Tower) Infrastructure Deployment Act (S-2363) and other measures to address perceived shortcomings in industry’s ability to recruit and retain workers to deploy 5G infrastructure. The committee's Wednesday hearing focused on workforce issues, with some talk about how to address regulatory barriers to 5G deployment. The Senate Commerce hearing drew light committee member attendance, amid the second day of the chamber’s impeachment trial of President Donald Trump.

Stillwater Designs and Audio made “exhaustive attempts” to find contract manufacturers in the U.S. and in third countries able to source the speakers it imports from China and escape the 15 percent Section 301 List 4A tariff exposure to those products, said the vendor Tuesday in the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative public docket. It filed separate tariff exclusion requests for speakers in their enclosures imported under the 8518.21.00.00 tariff code and speakers not mounted in their enclosures sourced under the 8518.29.80.00 subheading. Stillwater did find contract manufacturers “with potential to produce these goods," but none has "the capacity nor related infrastructure to support the volume,” it said. “Because these products and the technology required for production are considered run-of-the-mill, intellectual property infringement is a non-issue,” said the vendor. “The additional tariffs on these goods imported from China do not in any way influence the Chinese government to alter or change the policies and practices identified by USTR in its Section 301 Report. These goods simply have no connection to the targeted Chinese policies and practices identified in the USTR’s Section 301 investigation.” USTR is scheduled to roll back the List 4A tariffs by half Feb. 14. Importers that land tariff exclusions can qualify for refunds of duties paid retroactive to when List 4A took effect Sept. 1.

Stillwater Designs and Audio made “exhaustive attempts” to find contract manufacturers in the U.S. and in third countries able to source the speakers it imports from China and escape the 15 percent Section 301 List 4A tariff exposure to those products, said the vendor Tuesday in the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative public docket. It filed separate tariff exclusion requests for speakers in their enclosures imported under the 8518.21.00.00 tariff code and speakers not mounted in their enclosures sourced under the 8518.29.80.00 subheading. Stillwater did find contract manufacturers “with potential to produce these goods," but none has "the capacity nor related infrastructure to support the volume,” it said. “Because these products and the technology required for production are considered run-of-the-mill, intellectual property infringement is a non-issue,” said the vendor. “The additional tariffs on these goods imported from China do not in any way influence the Chinese government to alter or change the policies and practices identified by USTR in its Section 301 Report. These goods simply have no connection to the targeted Chinese policies and practices identified in the USTR’s Section 301 investigation.” USTR is scheduled to roll back the List 4A tariffs by half Feb. 14. Importers that land tariff exclusions can qualify for refunds of duties paid retroactive to when List 4A took effect Sept. 1.

The Department of Hawaiian Home Lands asked for a waiver of entity eligibility rules to apply for 2.5 GHz licenses during the upcoming tribal window (see 2001140059). “While the Commission expressly included Hawaiian Home Lands within the definition of tribal lands eligible for the Tribal Window, the Report & Order omitted native Hawaiians from the list of eligible applicants for the window, and therefore excluded them from the opportunity to access this spectrum,” the department said in FCC docket 18-120, posted Wednesday. National Tribal Telecommunications Association members met with the FCC Office of Native Affairs and Policy about the band. “NTTA representatives inquired about the timing of licensure for the 2.5 GHz spectrum offering and the need for education for Tribal entities on this issue, and the need for a new category of Tribal broadband carriers for the provision of Universal Service Fund support,” the group said.

FCC Chairman Ajit Pai urged tribes to pursue 2.5 GHz licenses when a six-month tribal opportunity opens Feb. 3. Tribal officials told us the level of attendance at the Tuesday workshop where Pai spoke shows they're interested. In July, the agency revised rules over partial dissents of Commissioners Jessica Rosenworcel and Geoffrey Starks. The FCC gave only the tribes a shot at seeking licenses before auction.

With the FCC's Jan. 30 meeting agenda not including a draft order for a C-band auction, as earlier anticipated (see 1912130061), parties in the proceeding now expect one to land in February. Consensus isn't universal, and action could come later. Commissioners meet publicly Feb. 28, that month's last business day.

Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International taps Richard King, from Aviation International Software, as senior vice president-regulatory and international affairs ... Intellectual property law firm Wolf Greenfield promotes to shareholders Bryan Conley, IP litigation; Elisabeth Hunt, post-grant proceedings; and Zachary Piccolomini, IP.