TIA Addresses Trade Compliance Concerns in Annual Report to USTR

Washington, D.C. – The Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA), which represents the manufacturers and suppliers of global information and communications technology (ICT) networks, officially filed today its 1377 Report for 2012 to the United States Trade Representative.

Section 1377 of the Omnibus Trade and Competitiveness Act of 1988 Act requires USTR to annually detail the effectiveness, implementation and compliance of U.S. telecommunications trade agreements. Countries and regions covered in this year's TIA submission include Argentina, Brazil, China, Costa Rica, the European Union, India, Indonesia, and the Republic of Korea.

"Many of the countries highlighted in the year's filing are important markets for our industry, and our recommendations on how to improve trade will ensure a robust and competitive global ICT market," said TIA President Grant Seiffert. "While TIA continues to advocate for free trade and open markets, it is imperative that existing trade commitments are enforced to help ensure U.S. ICT manufacturers' access to markets around the world."

Trade agreement infringement issues highlighted in this year's 1377 filing by TIA include: concerns over protectionist policies associated with indigenous innovation initiatives in China and India; policies that contradict the principle of technology neutrality in several countries; foreign equipment licensing and certification processes; spectrum management issues; and the freedom to use strong encryption.

TIA's 2012 1377 submission is available on its USTR filings page at tiaonline.org.

About TIA
The Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA) represents the manufacturers and suppliers of global information and communications technology (ICT) networks through standards development, policy and advocacy, business opportunities, market intelligence, and events and networking. Since 1924, TIA has been enhancing the business environment for broadband, mobile wireless, information technology, networks, cable, satellite and unified communications. Members' products and services empower communications in every industry and market, including healthcare, education, security, public safety, transportation, government, the military, the environment, and entertainment. Visit tiaonline.org.

Join TIA at its annual Member Meeting, Conference and Exhibition, TIA 2012: Inside the Network, June 5-7, 2012 in Dallas. For detailed information about the event go to tia2012.org.

View video news programming on TIA Now at tianow.org.

TIA's 2011 Market Review & Forecast, is available for purchase online at the TIA store. TIA members receive a discount of more than 60 percent off of the cover price. Review copies are available for qualified media.

TIA is accredited by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). Read ANSI's report, "Standards Boost Business" at http://www.standardsboostbusiness.org/.

TIA's Board of Directors includes senior-level executives from ACS Solutions, ADTRAN, Alcatel-Lucent, Cisco Systems, Dow Chemical Company, Ericsson, Inc., FAL Associates, GENBAND, Inc., Henkels & McCoy, Juniper Networks, ILS Technology, Intel Corporation, LGE, Microsoft, Motorola Mobility, Motorola Solutions, Nokia Siemens Networks, Numerex Corp., OneChip Photonics, Panasonic Computer Solutions Co., Qualcomm, Sumitomo Electric Lightwave Corporation, Tarana Wireless, Inc., Tellabs, TE Connectivity, Walker & Associates and WirefreeCom, Inc.