For Immediate Release
May 16 , 2006

Arlington, Va. – The Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA) applauds negotiators for the bilateral agreement-in-principle reached between the United States and Vietnam.  The trade agreement marks a significant step forward in Vietnam’s efforts to join the World Trade Organization (WTO).

 “Vietnam’s commitment to market reform and international economic liberalization indicated by signing this agreement will encourage further interest and investment in Vietnam, creating new opportunities for TIA member companies and the global communications industry as a whole,” TIA President Matthew J. Flanigan said.

By acceding to the WTO, Vietnam will become a signatory of the WTO Information Technology Agreement and commit to world-class standards in liberalization and enforcement principles. This agreement will also assist in convincing the U.S. Congress to extend permanent normal trade relations (PNTR) to Vietnam later this summer. The Vietnamese telecommunications market is valued at roughly USD $1.5 billion dollars, and has a teledensity of 18.41 per 100 people.  There are about 5.3 million Internet users, or 6.6 percent of the population – compared to 902,000 households that have computers, and 42,900 broadband subcribers. These are clear indicators that the opportunities for growth in Vietnam are tremendous.

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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: 06-42/05.16.06