Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, backs advocates in the Senate and the U.S. business community who want temporary “deferrals” of the Section 301 tariffs on Chinese and European imports during the COVID-19 pandemic, she wrote Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer Friday. The tariffs’ economic impact has been “of particular concern to companies in Maine,” said Collins. “The response to COVID-19 has now added another layer of pressure as businesses are facing severe cash flow problems.” She wants the Trump administration to immediately defer tariffs “for at least 90 days, or until the crisis passes,” she said. Treasury and USTR didn’t comment Monday.
European network operators are coping well with significant traffic increases during COVID-19, regulators reported to the European Commission Monday. The Body of European Regulators for Electronic Communications (BEREC) and the EC said March 19 that more internet traffic hasn't led to general network congestion, but the need for data is growing, and they committed to ensuring an open internet and to enforcing rules again blocking, slow-downs or traffic prioritization. They set up a reporting mechanism to ensure regular monitoring. BEREC's first report showed operators "have been able to cope well with this additional traffic load," and some local or temporary problems with internet access weren't considered out of the ordinary. Telcos "are working around the clock" to ensure networks stay up and service continuity, said the European Telecommunications Network Operators Association. "Members observe networks working well across Europe, with no significant disruption despite strong increases and changing patterns in data traffic."
Cable ISP WOW is "encouraged by [the] progress" of CEO Teresa Elder's condition while she's hospitalized in the Denver area with COVID-19, it emailed us Monday. She had been working remotely since March 16 and was hospitalized Friday, it said Sunday. The company made related personnel moves (see personals section, this issue).
The Patent and Trademark Office waived the rule for original handwritten signatures “personally signed in permanent dark ink” where required in dealings with the agency, said Monday’s Federal Register. PTO activated waiver authority by declaring the COVID-19 pandemic an “extraordinary situation,” the agency said. The waiver will stay in effect “until further notice,” it said.
U.S. demand for digital news and entertainment continues to increase across "several key categories" during COVID-19, said Comscore Monday. It’s tracking an “aggregate” of digital visits to 40 top news sites, and found March 16-22 was “the highest week of news visits this year, by far.” Visits were up 18% from the prior week and 68% compared with Feb. 17-23.
COVID-19 forced cancellation of the Audio Engineering Society’s May 25-29 convention in Vienna, said the society Monday. Organizers are “working diligently” to put together a “virtualization” of the convention’s technical program as “an engaging, compelling, educational and productive online experience," said AES. The virtual event will feature video presentations of technical program content “along with live- and forum-based dialog with presenters,” it said. Details will be shared as they become available.
Comscore found “notable year-over-year growth” in households watching over-the-top content and time spent watching on connected TVs and streaming boxes/sticks. March 13-16, households streaming were up 39% on connected TVs, hours up 34%, Comscore reported Friday: Boxes/sticks households rose 47%, hours 20%. Netflix had 37% of traffic, YouTube 21%, Amazon Prime Video 16% and Hulu 12%. "The millions of Americans who are remaining indoors to comply with Coronavirus public health measures are hungry for news and entertainment, and streaming options are an increasingly important piece of the consumption pie along with traditional TV," said Comscore CEO Bill Livek. CTA said Friday more than a third of U.S. households bought tech devices over the past week to help them keep up as they stay at home. Smartphones led the list, with 14% of households purchasing, followed by laptops (12%), TVs (11%), wireless earbuds/headphones (11%) and wired earbuds or headphones (9%). CTA found 42% are using social media platforms more often. A quarter of U.S. households are now buying non-food items online more often, and 12% are considering doing so. As gyms and fitness centers close, 11% of households say they are using health and fitness apps more often.
Families with increased demand for in-home connectivity while sheltering in place should check to see if their plans have as much speed as they need, said an FCC consumer guide Friday. It recommended checking download and upload performance using an online speed test. Home equipment issues may be at play, the agency advised: Be sure routers aren't outdated, because some may not be capable of matching speeds of current broadband plans, the guide said, and check Wi-Fi settings.
TV news consumption on Sling TV climbed 121% since Feb. 24, said Dish Network Thursday. Sling is offering its “news-rich” Blue streaming service for free through April 5, amid the pandemic.
Walmart updated its coronavirus support efforts Thursday, announcing $10 million in contributions to nine organizations that support food banks, schools and senior meal programs. Organizations receiving funds are Share Our Strength, Meals on Wheels, Catholic Charities, Benefits Data Trust, UnidosUS, Mercy Housing, Hunger Free America, Feeding America and Food Research & Action Center. The allocation is part of Walmart and the Walmart Foundation’s $25 million commitment announced March 17 to support organizations on the front lines responding to COVID-19.