FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 23, 2009
TIA Moves the Ball Forward With Recommendations for National Broadband Plan
TIA's Reply Comments Filed With FCC Include a Roadmap That Outlines Realistic, Attainable Benchmarks and Timeframes
Washington, D.C. – The Telecommunications Industry (TIA) has filed reply comments with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) that provide practical recommendations for creating a strong National Broadband Plan that will improve lives, enhance innovation, and help restore America's long-term prosperity.
The reply comments include realistic, attainable benchmarks and timeframes as requested by Blair Levin, who was recently appointed by President Obama to lead the FCC's development of a National Broadband Plan. Levin had voiced concern over the fact that initial public comments did not "move the ball forward." In response, TIA has provided a "Roadmap" with a timeline setting targeted goals over the next three years for use as guideposts in moving forward with the National Broadband Plan.
"The Commission has a unique chance to establish a transparent strategic National Broadband Plan to ensure that all Americans have access to affordable high-quality broadband and to enable ubiquitous consumer adoption of such services. TIA's Roadmap provides practical solutions, action items, and timelines that will swiftly bridge the broadband divide," said TIA Vice President for Government Affairs Danielle Coffey.
TIA outlined six key principles that should govern the Commission's approach to broadband policy. Specifically, it believes that the Commission should work to:
- enhance efforts to stimulate investment and innovation in next-generation broadband;
- pursue forward-looking spectrum management and the allocation of additional spectrum;
- strive to provide communications to all Americans, including low-income Americans and those in rural areas, and persons with disabilities;
- support open and fair market access for U.S. companies by promoting full, fair and open trade and competition in international markets;
- foster investment by increasing federal funding, and employing tax credits, expensing provisions, and similar tools; and
- promote the development of a broadband interoperable public safety network capable of protecting all communities in the event of further domestic disasters.
Additionally, TIA strongly urged the Commission to take into consideration the complexity of the nation's broadband needs as well as the technology necessary for delivery.
"The Commission should also commit to initiating and/or completing specific proceedings and convening key stakeholders to help move forward many of the important initiatives outlined in TIA's recommendations," Coffey added."For the Broadband Plan to be most effective, it is critical that the Commission put in place an agenda that very clearly lays out specific steps for moving forward over the next three years."
TIA's reply comments – along with comments filed in June – have been posted on TIA's FCC filings page at tiaonline.org
For more information on this matter, please contact Danielle Coffey at 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., Cisco Systems, Corning Incorporated, Ericsson, Inc., GENBAND, Inc., Graybar, Henkels & McCoy, ILS Technology, Intel Corporation, Intersect, Inc., LGE, Microsoft, Motorola, Nokia Siemens Networks, Nortel, 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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