FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 15, 2010
TIA Commends FCC Action to Extend Broadband Networks to Health Care Facilities, Rural Patients
Creation of Health Care Broadband Infrastructure Fund Will Provide Economic Stimulus, Boost Critical Communications Infrastructure and Modernize Health Care for Millions of Americans
Washington, D.C. – The Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA) strongly supports the steps taken today by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to create a permanent program for funding of broadband networks for health-care facilities in rural areas and bring the benefits of innovative telehealth and telemedicine to areas of the country where the need is the most acute.
"TIA believes this action by the FCC will promote the deployment of critical communications infrastructure, facilitate more efficient and effective delivery of health-care services to Americans living in rural areas, and inject much-needed capital into the flagging economy," said TIA President Grant Seiffert.
Today the FCC initiated a rulemaking procedure to establish a permanent funding mechanism to fund broadband networks for rural health care providers. The fund would support bundles of services for eligible health care providers and subsidize network deployment to health care delivery locations where existing networks are insufficient, acting as a replacement for the current Rural Health Care Pilot Program (RHCPP).
As manufacturers of equipment used to provide broadband to rural healthcare providers, TIA has consistently advocated for the expansion and permanent extension of the RHCPP. This action efficiently utilizes public funding to support numerous federal policy goals, including goals enumerated in the National Broadband Plan.
Seiffert emphasized that the action requested "will direct funding in the near term to critical infrastructure deployment projects, improve our nation's high-speed communications network, reduce health-care costs while improving care, and even mitigate reliance on fossil fuels by those who must now travel substantial distances for adequate medical care. We applaud Chairman Genachowski's leadership and appreciate his recognition of this important issue."
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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. 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.
TIA is accredited by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). Visit tiaonline.org.
TIA's Board of Directors from includes senior-level executives from ADTRAN, Alcatel-Lucent, ANDA Networks, AttivaCorp, Cisco Systems, Ericsson, Inc., GENBAND, Inc., Henkels & McCoy, ILS Technology, Intel Corporation, Intersect, Inc., LGE, Microsoft, Motorola, Nokia Siemens Networks, OneChip Photonics, Openwave, Inc., Panasonic Computer Solutions Co., Powerwave Technologies, Qualcomm, Research In Motion, Sumitomo Electric Lightwave Corporation, Tellabs, Tyco Electronics, Ulticom, Inc., Walker & Associates and WirefreeCom, Inc. Advisors to the Board include FAL Associates and Telcordia Technologies.
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