FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

October 10, 2007

House Judiciary Committee Passes 4 Year Internet Tax Moratorium Extension

TIA supports Committee's extension of commonsense ban on access tax.

Arlington, Va. - The Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA) applauded the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on the Judiciary for their action today passing, H.R. 3678. the Internet Tax Freedom Act of 2007, sponsored by Chairman John Conyers (D-Mich.), Representatives Linda Sanchez (D-Cal.), Chris Cannon (R-Utah), and Rick Boucher (D-Va.), which extends the expiring Internet tax moratorium by voice vote. The bill would extend the soon-to-expire moratorium on Internet access taxes and multiple or discriminatory taxes on online transactions through November 2011. TIA supports the bill as a solid compromise and urges the full House to support final passage in the coming weeks.

With the current moratorium due to expire on November 1, TIA urges Congress to act swiftly to adopt this bipartisan legislation and send it to President Bush to sign into law. Keeping the Internet free of access and transaction taxes will protect the growth of innovative technology, which is the engine of the American economy and will help keep internet access within reach of the American public. In a time when the government is busy formulating the best methods for deploying broadband, a strong disincentive to network investment like an Internet access tax could undo a decade of positive trends.

"We applaud the House Judiciary Committee Chairman John Conyers and his colleagues for brokering this compromise and for moving this bill through committee today. We hope that this action will break the logjam and help ensure that the current moratorium on onerous taxes does not expire on November 1st of this year," said TIA President Grant Seiffert, adding "this vote allows continued discussion on the best approach to broadband deployment for all Americans."

For more information about the Internet tax moratorium, please contact Ian Martinez at 703.907.7723 or imartinez@tiaonline.org.

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About TIA
For almost three decades, TIA has leveraged its global resources to create the best possible business environment within which our 500+ members can research, develop, manufacture, market and sell their products and services worldwide. The association accomplishes this through its expertise in standards, advocacy, business development, market intelligence, environmental compliance and information security. TIA is committed to expanding market opportunities while protecting and enhancing the reputation of the global communications industry with all its stakeholders. For more information, go to www.tiaonline.org.