FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

December 21, 2009

TIA Urges FCC to Create a New, Innovative and Technology-Neutral Spectrum Band Plan

TIA Commends Commission's Focus on Evaluating the Relative Public Benefits of Spectrum Allocations for Over-The-Air Broadcast Television Versus Those of Wireless Broadband

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, filed comments today with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to provide insight into factors the Commission should consider when evaluating benefits of spectrum being used for over-the-air television broadcasting or for wireless broadband.

"The expansion of next-generation wireless broadband is vital to our nation's economic, healthcare, education, security, public safety, transportation, defense, and environmental priorities," said TIA Vice President for Government Affairs Danielle Coffey. "For this reason, the Commission's examination of existing spectrum usage is crucial, given the recognized wireless broadband spectrum shortfall our nation faces as demand for terrestrial wireless broadband continues to dramatically increase."

"TIA echoes Chairman Genachowski's statement that, in order for America to lead the world in innovation, the Commission must have the strength to make difficult choices that serve the public interest through increased wireless broadband service, device, and application availability," said Coffey.

"With effective spectrum management policies that make sufficient spectrum available for wireless broadband, the skyrocketing demand for wireless broadband data services, applications, and devices will provide a boon to our nation's economy," said Coffey. "Similarly, wireless network infrastructure investment could rebound with the availability of new services and greater opportunities for cutting-edge network deployment. Thus, the time is right for a thorough examination of how best to provide scarce spectrum resources for wireless broadband services."

TIA recommended that the Commission consider wider bandwidth allocations — in at least 20 to 30 MHz blocks — which are needed for future data-intensive wireless broadband services and will offer performance advantages that will allow resources to be pooled among users. This, in turn, will enable service providers to support more bandwidth-intensive services for more users, driving demand and revenue. Yet without these larger allocations in the coming years, provision of the data services consumers demand cannot be realized. As a result, consumers will not have access to the broadband services and applications that will drive smartphone and other broadband equipment sales. Thus, the failure to provide wider bandwidth spectrum allocations for wireless broadband services will have a "domino effect" that will severely chill revenues forecast to drive the wireless industry's revenue growth.

TIA urged the Commission to create a new, innovative, and technology-neutral spectrum band plan, and commends its focus on evaluating the relative public benefits of spectrum allocations for over-the-air broadcast television versus those of wireless broadband.

"The Commission must examine the current uses of spectrum and inventory each in order to assess the potential for spectrum repurposing," said Coffey. "Concurrently, it must examine technologies and methodologies that can maximize existing spectrum used for other purposes that serve the public interest and simultaneously increase spectrum availability for commercial services."

"By swiftly and decisively identifying opportunities to bring next-generation wireless broadband to all Americans through increased wireless broadband spectrum allocation, the Commission will enhance our economy, meet our nation's societal goals, and continue to advance the public interest," she concluded.

The full text of TIA's comments is available on its FCC filings page 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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