FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

September 13, 2007

TIA Supports Permanent Internet Tax Ban

Wyden and Eshoo's Permanent Internet Freedom Act of 2007 would continue commonsense access policy of the past decade.

Arlington, Va. - The Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA) called on the House Judiciary Committee and the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee to pass the Permanent Internet Freedom Act of 2007 (H.R. 743/S 156), which would permanently extend the current moratorium on Internet access taxes and multiple or discriminatory taxes on online transactions. TIA strongly supports the bill because it is impossible to overstate the damage that unlimited access taxes could do to U.S. broadband deployment.

The Permanent Internet Freedom Act of 2007, sponsored in the House of Representatives by Rep. Anna Eshoo (D-Cal.) and in the Senate by Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), would end the uncertainty that has surrounded this very effective tax ban since its inception in 1998. Rapid action is necessary on these bills because the current ban ends on November 1 of this year. Under the leadership of Senator Wyden and Representative Eshoo, however, consumers and Internet providers alike can continue to enjoy the benefits of the U.S. digital economy.

TIA supports this action in order to protect the growth of innovative technology and ensure the availability of advanced, secure communications to all Americans. In a time when the government is busy formulating the best methods for deploying broadband, such a strong disincentive to network investment as an Internet access tax could undo a decade of positive trends.

"By making the moratorium permanent, Congress will permanently eliminate a critical barrier to making broadband more accessible to more Americans," said TIA President Grant Seiffert. He added "TIA's goal remains a one-hundred-percent connected America."

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About TIA
The Telecommunications Industry Association is the leading trade association in Washington, D.C., for the information, communications and entertainment technology industry. TIA serves suppliers to global markets through its leadership in standards development, domestic and international policy advocacy, and facilitating member business opportunities such as the co-owned NXTcomm. TIA represents the communications sector of the Electronic Industries Alliance (EIA). For more information, go to http://www.tiaonline.org.