FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

January 16, 2008

TIA Urges Congress to Make the R&D Tax Credit Extension Top Priority

Multiyear Extension Will Drive U.S. Innovation, Competitiveness.

Arlington, Va. - Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA) President Grant Seiffert sent an open letter to leadership in both houses of Congress today, urging both parties to work to secure a multi-year extension of a strengthened federal research and development tax credit (R&D credit). Extending the R&D credit over several years is an essential part of a U.S. innovation agenda that Congress has adopted and TIA has supported, Seiffert said.

"Any further delay in extending this credit will add additional uncertainty and will continue to mitigate the incentive value of the credit," Seiffert wrote, "especially as compared to the generous credits that can be received for doing research abroad." TIA and its members are increasingly aware of concerted efforts by advanced countries in Europe and Asia to attract top researchers and research facilities, often at the expense of U.S. research. TIA sees the R&D credit as a way to help keep our R&D sector competitive.

The open letter was addressed to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.), Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), Speaker of the House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi (D-Cal.) and House Minority Leader John Boehner (R-Ohio).

For more information about TIA's efforts to make an R&D credit permanent, 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.