Delay plans to remove CLECs' access to an ILEC's unbundled network elements (UNEs) at regulated prices until more-accurate broadband maps can pinpoint where broadband competition actually exists, a group representing CLECs told the FCC. "You need new maps before you can have new rules,” Incompas CEO Chip Pickering told us. He visited with FCC officials in recent weeks to ask them to withdraw the draft NPRM in docket 19-308 that commissioners are expected to vote on Friday (see 1911150016).

Delay plans to remove CLECs' access to an ILEC's unbundled network elements (UNEs) at regulated prices until more-accurate broadband maps can pinpoint where broadband competition actually exists, a group representing CLECs told the FCC. "You need new maps before you can have new rules,” Incompas CEO Chip Pickering told us. He visited with FCC officials in recent weeks to ask them to withdraw the draft NPRM in docket 19-308 that commissioners are expected to vote on Friday (see 1911150016).

The government of Canada issued the following trade-related notices as of Nov. 15 (note that some may also be given separate headlines):

Baker Botts hires as partners from Taylor & Patchen Cheryl Cauley, intellectual property litigation, and Jonathan Patchen, technology litigation ... Neal Gerber names Timothy Nitsch, ex-Freeborn & Peters, partner-intellectual property, with expertise including cellular and telecom plus cellular charging ... Booz Allen taps Jerry Bessette, ex-Ankura Consulting, as senior vice president-commercial cyber incident response team.

E-waste recycler 4thBin hires Paul Kirsch, ex-XM Satellite Radio, as CEO ... CBS and Viacom announce, effective upon closing of ViacomCBS (see 1908130039), Jim Gianopulos remains chairman-CEO, Paramount Pictures, overseeing filmed entertainment; Chris McCarthy becomes president-entertainment and youth brands, ViacomCBS Domestic Media Networks, adding Comedy Central, Paramount Network, Smithsonian Channel and TV Land brands and respective content; David Nevins, chief creative officer-CBS and chairman-CEO, Showtime Networks, adds oversight of CBS’ interest in The CW and oversees BET, where Scott Mills continues as president; Nickelodeon President Brian Robbins adds oversight of Awesomeness; Marc DeBevoise becomes chief digital officer, ViacomCBS, and president-CEO, CBS Interactive; Phil Wiser moves to chief technology officer for combined company; Viacom Digital Studios President Kelly Day and Pluto TV CEO Tom Ryan retain posts; and Kent Alterman and Sarah Levy leave respective positions as Comedy Central, Paramount Network and TV Land president and Viacom Media Networks chief operating officer ... Gary Ehrlich, from Live Nation, returns to Fox as president-general manager, Fox Studio Lot ... CTIA adds Brian Spurgeon, Chat Mobility, to board, effective Jan. 1 ... IBM elects Thomas Buberl, AXA, to board, effective April 28.

“Black Friday doorbuster” deals began Thursday at Best Buy where Apple deals are running through Sunday, the retailer emailed customers. Apple Watch Series 4, which Apple quietly discontinued (see 1909160042) is $50 off, starting at $299. Beats Studio3 wireless noise-canceling headphones, are $199, down from $349 in the sale, and iMacs were cut by $200. In a Thursday-only deal, My Best Buy customers could get the 32 GB latest-model iPad for $80 off ($249) and the 128 GB version for $100 off ($329). The same landing page with Apple sales had doorbusters from other manufacturers. Though deals and doorbusters were shown to end Sunday, “some offers extend beyond the sale period,” Best Buy said, though it wasn't clear which would run longer. Sub-$300 computer doorbusters included the 16 GB Samsung 11-inch Chromebook for $69 ($100 off); the Lenovo IdeaPad 14-inch laptop with AMD processor, also $100 off to $129; and a Dell 15-inch Inspiron with Intel Core i3 processor $170 off to $279. In true wireless headphones, JLab Audio’s Air True earbuds were $29, down from $49. An Arlo wireless camera system with a hub and four cameras was discounted by $250 to $399. Samsung’s 43-inch UN43NU6900BXZA TV was $229, $50 off; its 65-inch UN65NU6900FXZA has a $479 price, down $70; the TVs are the same price at Samsung.com.

The United Kingdom's Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation removed sanctions from two Iraqi entities, according to a Nov. 7 notice. The decision to remove sanctions from the two entities -- Iraq’s State Organization for Irrigation Projects and its State Organization for Land Reclamation -- reflects recent decisions by the United Nations Security Council, OFSI said.

The U.S.-China trade war “remain[ing] unresolved” has hurt Microchip Technology’s “end-market” demand “significantly,” said CEO Steve Sanghi on a fiscal Q2 call Tuesday. The company sells microprocessors and other components to various sectors, including consumer tech, automotive and industrial.

SpaceX's requests to ITU for approval of 30,000 additional broadband satellites (for example, see here) "look like a land grab," with the company trying to foreclose valuable satellite orbital paths from competitors, CCG Consulting President Doug Dawson blogged Monday. The Starlink strategy might be to throw up so many satellites that they can provide service anywhere as long at least some of the satellites are awarded spectrum in each country, he said. Some nations, like North Korea and perhaps China, likely won't allow any connections with satellite constellations that bypass their web firewalls, he said. SpaceX didn't comment.

SpaceX's requests to ITU for approval of 30,000 additional broadband satellites (for example, see here) "look like a land grab," with the company trying to foreclose valuable satellite orbital paths from competitors, CCG Consulting President Doug Dawson blogged Monday. The Starlink strategy might be to throw up so many satellites that they can provide service anywhere as long at least some of the satellites are awarded spectrum in each country, he said. Some nations, like North Korea and perhaps China, likely won't allow any connections with satellite constellations that bypass their web firewalls, he said. SpaceX didn't comment.