FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

December 07, 2009

TIA Urges FCC to Explicitly Transition USF to Broadband as Part of National Plan

TIA Also Recommends That Lifeline and Link-Up Programs Should Be Extended to Subsidize Broadband for Low-Income Americans

Washington, D.C. – The Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA) today filed comments with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) urging it to gradually transition current universal service funds to a broadband fund as part the National Broadband Plan. Such a transition would ensure timely migration to next-generation networks and services and explicitly supports the Plan's goal of universal broadband deployment and adoption enumerated by the Commission, TIA noted.

Broadband support should extend beyond initial deployment in unserved areas, covering deployment in areas with little or no broadband service and the continued operation of existing broadband service. Congress declared in section 254 of the Communications Act that consumers in high-cost locales should receive service "reasonably comparable to those services provided in urban areas," at rates "that are reasonably comparable to rates charged for similar services in urban areas."

"If the Commission is to fulfill this goal, it should permit support for the deployment and operation of new broadband networks, as well as the upgrade of broadband service in areas where it is not reasonably comparable to urban areas," said Danielle Coffey, TIA Vice President for Government Affairs.

TIA said that the transition must occur in a manner that is technologically and competitively neutral. "Given the wide distribution of broadband-capable spectrum and facilities among diverse providers, funds should be awarded to those high-speed broadband network providers that can provide the supported service in the most efficient manner – regardless of the technology used to provide that service – so that we can reach our universal broadband goal cost-effectively," said Coffey.

TIA also recommended that such a transition should occur within five years, if an immediate transition is not possible. "The application of such a phase-over plan in a set period of time will ensure that the Broadband Fund has a meaningful chance to address the public's desire for more ubiquitous broadband availability in a timely and efficient manner," Coffey added.

Additionally, TIA recommended that Lifeline and Link-Up programs – which have ensured since 1984 that local traditional local telephone service is affordable for low-income households – should be extended to fund broadband services and equipment for low-income Americans in a form that is technologically and competitively neutral and promotes customer choice.

Noting that cost for broadband is clearly a prohibitive factor for some Americans, "this extension should include subsidization for the recurring costs of broadband subscriptions and the fixed cost of a laptop, computer equipment, or other broadband devices," said Coffey.

The full text of TIA's filing is available on its FCC filings page at tiaonline.org.

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About TIA
The Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA) represents the global information and communications technology (ICT) industry through standards development, advocacy, tradeshows, business opportunities, market intelligence and world-wide environmental regulatory analysis. With roots dating back to 1924, 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.

TIA co-owns the SUPERCOMM^® tradeshow  and is accredited by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). Visit tiaonline.org.

TIA's Board of Directors includes senior-level executives from ACS, ADC, ADTRAN, Alcatel-Lucent, ANDA Networks, AttivaCorp, Avaya, Bechtel Communications, Inc., Cisco Systems, Corning Incorporated, Ericsson, Inc., GENBAND, Inc., Graybar, Henkels & McCoy, ILS Technology, Intel Corporation, Intersect, Inc., LGE, Microsoft, Motorola, Nokia Siemens Networks, Nortel, Openwave, Inc., Panasonic Computer Solutions Co., Powerwave Technologies, Qualcomm, Research In Motion, Sumitomo Electric Lightwave Corporation, Tellabs, Tyco Electronics, Ulticom, Inc., and Verari Systems. Advisors to the Board include FAL Associates, Orca Systems and Telcordia Technologies.

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