FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

November 13, 2009

TIA Files Comments on China's Draft Telecommunications Law

Submission Seeks to Improve Transparency and Create a Fair and Competitive Market Environment for China's Telecommunications Sector

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, submitted comments on China's draft Telecommunications Law to China's State Council-Legislative Affairs Office (SCLAO) through the United States Information Technology Office (USITO) (usito.org).

"We applaud China for working on developing a new legal framework for telecommunications," said TIA President Grant Seiffert. "China is the world's largest telecommunications market, and this law will be an important step in establishing the foundation for future growth in the telecommunications sector there," Seiffert noted. "We believe our submission offers helpful recommendations to China to ensure that ICTs fulfill their promise of delivering benefits to Chinese consumers."

In its comments, TIA thanked China for making the draft law available for public comment and encouraged China to continue to seek public comment in other regulatory areas. Among its many recommendations, TIA urged the Chinese government to: 1) consider establishing an independent regulator as the central authority governing the converging telecom, Internet media, and broadcast industries; 2) eliminate capitalization requirements and equity caps on foreign investment in the sector; 3) ensure non-discriminatory interconnection with existing operators for new market entrants; 4) protect the free flow of information and consumer privacy; and, 5) adopt global standards that are developed through privately managed, open, voluntary and consensus driven standards processes.

TIA's submission has been posted online at tiaonline.org.

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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, AttivaCorp, Avaya, Bechtel Communications, Inc., Cisco Systems, Corning Incorporated, Ericsson, Inc., GENBAND, Inc., Graybar, Henkels & McCoy, ILS Technology, Intel Corporation, Intersect, Inc., LGE, Microsoft, Motorola, Nokia Siemens Networks, Nortel, Openwave, Inc., Panasonic Computer Solutions Co., Powerwave Technologies, Qualcomm, Research In Motion, Sumitomo Electric Lightwave Corporation, Tellabs, Tyco Electronics, Ulticom, Inc., and Verari Systems. Advisors to the Board include FAL Associates, Orca Systems and Telcordia Technologies.

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