FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

February 13, 2008

TIA Files Net Neutrality Comments with FCC

Calls Network Management an Essential Part of Broadband Deployment

Washington, D.C. – The Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA) filed comments with the FCC this week in response to its two Public Notices on broadband network management practices – net neutrality – arguing that reasonable network management may not only be beneficial to users overall but is indeed necessary for widespread deployment of broadband service.

"TIA believes that the broadband marketplace can be vigilantly monitored and complaints of anticompetitive activity can be addressed through appropriate legal and regulatory oversight. TIA has maintained that the commission has such authority today," said TIA Vice President of Government Affairs Danielle Coffey. TIA believes basic consumer protection rules have already been laid out by the FCC's Policy Statement, drawn in large part from the connectivity principles crafted by TIA and the High Tech Broadband Coalition in 2003. The Policy Statement offers consumers the right to access information and connect devices of their choosing, and also provides network operators the flexibility required in our ever-evolving technological environment. This policy statement has succeeded in promoting a vibrant Internet ecosystem and significant investment in broadband infrastructure in part by avoiding the rigid regulatory regime that net neutrality rules would impose.

"Service providers have a responsibility to disclose quality of service, speed and price data to consumers in an open, clear way," Coffey continued. "The chief question surrounding broadband network management practices concerns is one of business practices, not technology."

For more information about TIA's net neutrality advocacy, please contact Ian Martinez at +1.703.907.7723 or imartinez@tiaonline.org.

About TIA
For almost three decades, TIA has leveraged its global resources to create the best possible business environment within which our 500+ members can research, develop, manufacture, market and sell their products and services worldwide. The association accomplishes this through its expertise in standards, advocacy, business development, market intelligence, environmental compliance and information security. TIA is committed to expanding market opportunities while protecting and enhancing the reputation of the global communications industry with all its stakeholders. For more information, go to www.tiaonline.org.

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