For Immediate Release
February 2 , 2006

Arlington, Va. – Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA) President Matthew J. Flanigan expressed support for the joint announcement made today by U.S. Trade Representative Robert Portman and Korean Trade Minister Kim Hyun-Chong to launch free trade agreement (FTA) negotiations.

"TIA supports measures that increase engagement with major information and communications technology partners like the Republic of Korea," stated TIA President Matthew J. Flanigan. "The trade relationship between our two countries will encourage further growth, and the assurance a free trade agreement brings to U.S. and Korean businesses will increase mutual opportunities in the ICT sector."

An FTA with Korea will be the largest trade accord for the United States since the North America Free Trade Agreement. TIA will provide advice to negotiators to represent member companies and industry interests in completing a comprehensive FTA. Key issues for TIA member companies and the industry are technology neutrality, standards, intellectual property and market access, among others.

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About TIA
The Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA) represents the global information and communications technology (ICT) industries through standards development, advocacy, business opportunities, market intelligence and world-wide environmental regulatory compliance. With support from its 600 members, TIA enhances the business environment for companies involved in telecommunications, broadband, mobile wireless, information technology, networks, cable, satellite, unified communications, emergency communications and the greening of technology. TIA is accredited by ANSI. TIA's policy team opened its Washington, D.C., headquarters on Capitol Hill in January 2008. Visit www.tiaonline.org for details.

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

P.A. Release 06-07/02.02.06