FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 17, 2009
TIA Hails Enactment of American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009
New Law’s Broadband Stimulus Provisions Will Provide Needed Investment Incentives
Washington, D.C. – The Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA) applauds President Obama for signing into law today the "American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009," which includes stimulus provisions to further a number of important national goals such as job creation and retention as well as economic and societal benefits to all Americans.
TIA has worked over the past several months to urge the new Congress and the new Administration to include broadband provisions in any stimulus legislation being considered and policy initiatives being developed.
"Broadband networks directly impact the productivity of our industries and our economy, and unequivocally affect public safety, education, health care, and countless other functions in Americans' daily lives," said TIA President Grant Seiffert. "Like any other infrastructure project, the deployment and use of broadband will significantly increase and maintain job growth well beyond the initial investment in the infrastructure, laptops and computing devices themselves. Broadband incentives are a necessary component of a 21st century stimulus package."
Key initiatives that TIA has supported include grant funding for broadband deployment and the funding of the recently enacted "Broadband Data Improvement Act" (PL 110-385).
"This is an important step to help ensure that the promise of broadband solutions will become accessible to all Americans," said Seiffert. "Implementation of this legislation will help to expand much-needed deployment in areas of the nation where citizens might have otherwise gone without Internet access."
TIA also applauds Congress for moving this necessary legislation swiftly through the process. "We have every confidence that this investment in the nation's broadband infrastructure will yield benefits today and put America on a path toward a brighter future," said Seiffert.
For more information, please contact Danielle Coffey at (202) 346-3243 or dcoffey@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, ArrayComm, AttivaCorp, Avaya, Bechtel Communications, Inc., Cam Communications, Cisco Systems, Corning Incorporated, Ericsson, Inc., GENBAND, 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., and Verari Systems. Advisors to the Board include FAL Associates, Orca Systems and Telcordia Technologies.
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