FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

October 01, 2008

Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA) Praises Congress for Passage of Broadband Data Improvement Act

TIA Urges President Bush to Sign the Bill Into Law

 Washington, D.C.. – The Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA), the leader in advocacy, standards development, business development and intelligence for the information and communications technology (ICT) industry, applauds both the Senate for final approval of the “Broadband Data Improvement Act” last night and the House of Representative for its passage of the bill Monday night. TIA urges President Bush to sign the bill as soon as soon as possible.

The new law will help to ensure that all Americans have access to affordable and reliable broadband services by providing the means necessary to benchmark and map broadband deployment through a strategic alliance of public and private entities. 

The Broadband Data Improvement Act, which was sponsored by Sen. Daniel K. Inouye (D-Hawaii), chairman of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, includes language from HR 3919, the “Broadband Census Act” sponsored by Rep. Edward J. Markey, chairman of the House Telecommunications and the Internet Subcommittee, which calls for an international comparison study comparing “data transmission speeds and price for broadband service capability” in a total of 75 communities in at least 25 countries. It also includes S. 1965, “Protecting Children in the 21st Century Act,” which the Senate passed in May. 

“Enactment of this bill will help to increase our knowledge about where the gaps in broadband coverage are today and will then help drive additional broadband deployment, bringing the United States one step closer to Internet access for all Americans," said TIA President Grant Seiffert. “It’s clear that lawmakers share our broadband policy goals. They took assertive action in the push for a competitive, high-speed broadband infrastructure that is so important to the U.S. economy.” 

It is estimated that over $1 trillion could be lost over the next decade due to constraints on broadband development. Whereas a seven percent increase in national broadband penetration could result in $92 billion through an additional 2.4 million jobs generated, according to a study published by ConnectedNation earlier this year. 

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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. With roots dating back to 1924, TIA enhances 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 co-owns the SUPERCOMM® tradeshow and is accredited by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). Visit tiaonline.org.

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, ILS Technology, Intel Corporation, LGE, Microsoft, Motorola, Nokia Siemens Networks, Nortel, OneChip Photonics Inc., Panasonic Computer Solutions Co., Qualcomm, Research In Motion, Sumitomo Electric Lightwave Corporation, Tellabs, Tyco Electronics, Ulticom, Inc., Verari Systems, Westell Technologies, Inc. and Zebra Technologies Corporation. Advisors to the Board include FAL Associates, Orca Systems and Telcordia Technologies

 

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