China: U.S. expected to impose up to $60 billion in China tariffs by Friday -

The Trump administration is expected to unveil up to $60 billion in new tariffs on Chinese imports by Friday, targeting technology, telecommunications and intellectual property, two officials briefed on the matter said Monday.

One business source, who has discussed the issue with the administration, said that the China tariffs may be subject to a public comment period, which would delay their effective date and allow industry groups and companies to lodge objections.

This would be considerably different from the quick implementation of the steel and aluminum tariffs, which are set to go into effect on March 23, just 15 days after President Donald Trump signed the proclamations.

A delayed approach could allow time for negotiations with Beijing to try to resolve trade issues related to the administration's "Section 301" probe into China's intellectual property practices before tariffs take effect.

Read more: U.S. expected to impose up to $60 billion in China tariffs by Friday - AOL News

Patrick Drahi Cements Control of Altice in Move to Netherlands - by Shayndi Raice And Nick Kostov

European telecom magnate Patrick Drahi prevailed Thursday in his effort to redomicile Altice SA in the Netherlands, part of an attempt to cement control over the company even as he pursues potentially dilutive acquisitions across the globe.

A total of 91.5% of shareholders voted in favor of an acquisition that would see Altice, the Luxembourg-based telecommunications company controlled by Mr. Drahi, taken over by a Dutch holding.

Read more: Patrick Drahi Cements Control of Altice in Move to Netherlands - WSJ

Middle East - Telecommunications: French Orange says it plans to terminate contract with brand partner in Israel

The French telecoms giant Orange has indicated that it intends to terminate its relationship with the Israeli company that licenses its brand in the country – and would end the relationship “tomorrow” if it could.

The comments – made by the company’s CEO, Stephane Richard – have emerged amid a sharp push back by the Israeli government against growing calls for an international boycott of Israel over its continuing occupation of Palestinian territories.

They were angrily condemned by the Israeli prime minister, Binyamin Netanyahu, who called on the French government to “distance itself publicly from the miserable statement and the miserable action of a company that is partially owned by the government of France.”

Although Orange only licenses its name to the Israeli company Partner, the threat – if carried through – will be seen as a major success for the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement which has been campaigning on the issue in both France and Egypt.

Orange, in which the French government has a quarter stake, has been under pressure in France as well as in Egypt to terminate its relationship with Partner over its supply of services to Israeli settlements regarded as illegal under international law.

Read more: Orange says it plans to terminate contract with brand partner in Israel | World news | The Guardian

AT&T Is Europe Obsessed, Ignoring The Real Growth Markets - by Jasper Hamill

To some observers, the mobile communications market in Europe is hidebound, rule-bound and stuck in its ways. Yet despite the obvious opportunities on offer in developing nations, the American communications giant AT&T appears to have a perplexing fascination with the old world. Even though it has now dismissed the idea of taking over the British firm Vodaphone, many industry gossips still feel that AT&T is still mulling some kind of European invasion in the future.

There is some sense in such a strategy. If the American telecoms giant were to press forward with a Vodafone takeover at some later juncture, it would create a huge company worth about £150billion ($249billion) with a reach stretching across the continent. Seeing as Europe has been notoriously slow to take up 4G mobile broadband, there could be a huge potential windfall for any firm which can persuade the Continent to upgrade from hoary old 3G. 

There is some sense in such a strategy. If the American telecoms giant were to press forward with a Vodafone takeover at some later juncture, it would create a huge company worth about £150billion ($249billion) with a reach stretching across the continent. Seeing as Europe has been notoriously slow to take up 4G mobile broadband, there could be a huge potential windfall for any firm which can persuade the Continent to upgrade from hoary old 3G.

Read more: AT&T Is Europe Obsessed, Ignoring The Real Growth Markets - Forbes

NSA spy scandal may stop AT&T's ambitions to expand in Europe - by Etienne Franchi

As leaks pertaining to secretive National Security Agency programs continue to surface, the international community at large is voicing concerns against the United States government. Now telecommunication providers could come under fire as well.

According to recent reports, an attempt by US-based telecom giant AT&T to acquire Europe’s Vodafone company might be easier said than done as the unauthorized leaking of top-secret NSA documents continue to paint not just the US intelligence agency in poor light, but also the private industry participants linked to the government’s surveillance programs.

Earlier this week, the Wall Street Journal reported that AT&T’s plan to expand on the other side of the Atlantic was being questioned after officials from Germany and other European nations voiced concern over the relationship between the US telecom and the NSA.

Should AT&T follow through with rumors to acquire Vodafone, the purchase would put the American company directly involved in one of the largest corporate acquisitions ever, the Journal reported. On the other hand, though, journalists with the magazine said, “Europe's anger over the NSA's collection of electronic communications has reduced the likelihood a European deal could happen anytime soon.”

AT&T, along with Verizon and others, have been directly linked by NSA contractor-turned-leaker Edward Snowden as working in-cahoots with government eavesdropping operations. Upon recent reports made possible through Snowden’s disclosures in which it was detailed that the NSA snooped on the likes of German Chancellor Angela Merkel and even the Pope, European lawmakers may look towards limiting any possible deal between AT&T and an overseas entity such as Vodafone.

 Read more: NSA scandal may stop AT&T's ambitions to expand in Europe — RT USA

German court upholds ban on Apple "push" email -

A German court on Friday upheld a ban on "push" emails in Apple's iCloud and MobileMe services in Germany, ruling in favor of rival Motorola Mobility.

The regional court in the city of Mannheim confirmed an earlier ruling that Apple owes Motorola for using a patented technology that automatically informs Apple customers about their new messages on iPhones, iPods or iPads.

A court spokesman said Apple still had to refrain from offering the "push" features in Germany, that it was liable for damages and was ordered to provide information to calculate the amount of damages.

For more: German court upholds ban on Apple "push" email - Technology & science - Wireless - msnbc.com

Netherlands first European Country to make Net Neutrality Legal

The Netherlands is on its way to become the first European country to pass a legislation on Net neutrality. Responding to an ever-increasing practice by telecommunications companies of charging their customers for services like Skype and other applications, the Netherlands is set to enact net neutrality laws forcing carriers to guarantee access to all web content and equally.
The legislation is expected to be approved of by the Dutch government next Tuesday, following a vote.

Net neutrality is a principle which advocates no restrictions by Internet service providers or governments on consumers' access to networks that participate in and on the Internet. Specifically, network neutrality would prevent restrictions on content, sites, platforms, the kinds of equipment that may be attached, or the modes of communication.

Net neutrality advocates have been calling for a law that would ensure that people get access to all Web content equally without additional surcharges, while many Internet service providers (ISPs) prefer a two-tier model.

The two-tiered approach has various forms in different parts of the world. In the industrialized world, where there is now frequently limited telecommunications competition as a result of cartel forming (AT&T and T-Mobile in the US) or Government intervention (most Middle East countries), these countries have begun blocking internet telephony services like Skype, Fring and other applications or charge extra fees for using these and other applications. Obviously the telecommunications industry wants to further monetize and monopolize the surge in online activity. They are saying that over the top players like Facebook and Youtube have done well in providing their services on the mobile networks, without investing in their own ISP infrastructure, even though mobile and internet providers (ISP's) are already charging customers extensive fees just to connect to the Internet.

Unfortunately even as the legislation was moving through the pipeline and gaining momentum with lawmakers, telecommunications providers were making attempts to bypass the proposed new rules. KPN, a Dutch telecommunications company, competing with Facebook, Twitter, and Instant Messaging, moved forward with a plan to charge its customers extra for using VoIP, streaming video, and sending instant messages. KPN admitted it was using deep packet inspection to monitor all Internet activity, and then classify it by application so as to make the charge-for-service scheme work. Vodaphone has admitted to using deep packet inspection as well.

European Commissioner Neelie Kroes (from the Netherlands) has spearheaded the European movement against Internet providers who want to charge more for using particular applications or services which compete with their offerings. More EU countries are expected to follow suit.

EU-Digest

Dutch Telecommunication giant KPN cutting 5,000 local jobs

The former state-owned company Dutch Telecom group KPN announced it will cut its workforce in the Netherlands by 25% - up to 5,000 jobs.

The job losses are part of a plan to take the company up to 2015 and involve contracting out and ‘off-shoring’ back office jobs.

New KPN CEO Eelco Blok said in a statement the measures are necessary because of ‘negative trends’ in the Netherlands. ‘I’m confident that we are taking all necessary measures to strengthen and grow our businesses,’Blok said. KPN also said it now expects operating profit from mobile telephony to reach at least €5.3bn this year.


EU-Digest