Plan to participate in TIA’s annual strategic Conference, October 7-10, 2013 in Washington, DC.
TIA Files Comments with FCC on Rural Health Care Program
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
TIA CONTACT: EILEEN BRAMLET, TIA, +1.703.907.7749, ebramlet@tiaonline.org
PR CONTACT: ASHLEY ROOK, RATIONAL 360, +1.773.655.0171, AshleyRook@Rational360.com
TIA Files Comments with FCC on Rural Health Care Program
ARLINGTON, VA (August 23, 2012) – The Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA), the leading association representing the manufacturers and suppliers of high-tech communications networks, today filed comments with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) on a Public Notice seeking to develop a more robust record in the pending Rural Health Care reform rulemaking proceeding, particularly with regard to the proposed Broadband Services Program.
In TIA’s comments, we reinforce the success of the Rural Health Care Pilot Program and urge the Commission to carry forward the successful Rural Health Care Pilot Program policies in making permanent broadband support for the rural health care facilities. However, as evidenced by the diversity of size, status, needs of each individual project, the Commission is also urged to adhere to policies that reflect technology and competitive neutrality.
About TIA
The Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA) represents manufacturers and suppliers of global communications networks through standards development, policy and advocacy, business opportunities, market intelligence, and events and networking. TIA enhances 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 for more details.
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We hope that China will use this break in the negotiations to reexamine its approach to the negotiations to expand the ITA and focus on reducing its overly large list of sensitive products. If China is ready to move forward to conclude the expansion of the ITA this year then the ITA Expansion is achievable this year.

As part of a large U.S. industry delegation representing a broad array of ICT manufacturers, TIA is in Geneva, Switzerland this week to cheer on the trade negotiators who are working hard to conclude the negotiations to expand the product coverage of the WTO’s Information Technology Agreement (ITA). The ITA remains one of the most commercially important WTO trade agreements – by eliminating tariffs on a broad range of ICT products, the ITA lowers the cost and improves access to these products, which are vital to the economic competitiveness of all economies around the world.
The Telecommunications Industry Association was in Geneva last week along with AdvaMed, the Consumer Electronics Association, the Entertainment Software Association, the Information Technology Industry Council, the Liquid Crystal Polymer Coalition, the Motion Picture Association of America, and the Semiconductor Industry Association. This coalition of high-tech companies represents a broad spectrum of manufacturers and service providers in the information and communication technology (ICT) sector.
Last week was a busy one at the World Trade Organization (WTO) in Geneva, Switzerland. The signs are very encouraging that the member countries of the WTO are back on track to move the WTO’s trade liberalization agenda forward – from the new International Services Agreement (ISA) to the ongoing negotiations to expand the existing WTO Information Technology Agreement (ITA).






