FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

April 21, 2010

TIA Commends FCC for Kicking Off Universal Service Fund Transition to Broadband

Transition Is Key to Providing Access for All Americans to the Benefits of Advances in Information and Communications Technology as Outlined in the National Broadband Plan

Arlington, Va. – The Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA) commends the Federal Communications Commission for taking the first steps today to reforming the Universal Service Fund to transition to broadband as recommended in the National Broadband Plan the FCC delivered to Congress last month. TIA has consistently advocated that High-Cost funding should be used to support broadband.

In issuing a Notice of Inquiry (NoI) and Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM), the Commission today began the diligent process for implementing recommendations of the National Broadband Plan, which includes creating a Connect America Fund that directly supports broadband without increasing the size of USF budget outlays.

"We fully support the FCC's efforts in the transition of the USF to ensure all Americans have access to broadband and the societal benefits broadband-enabled technology provides," said TIA Vice President for Government Affairs Danielle Coffey. "It's heartening to see that the Commissioners are intent on progressing at a steady, and well-informed pace to effect the timely change that was identified as necessary in the National Broadband Plan."

The NOI asks for public comment on the use of an economic model to precisely target support for areas where there is no private-sector business case for carriers to provide broadband and voice services. The NPRM seeks comments on a number of proposals to cut legacy universal service spending in high-cost areas and to shift support to broadband communications.

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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. Since 1924, TIA has been enhancing 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 is accredited by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). Visit tiaonline.org.

TIA's Board of Directors includes senior-level executives from ADTRAN, Alcatel-Lucent, ANDA Networks, AttivaCorp, Cisco Systems, Ericsson, Inc., GENBAND, Inc., Henkels & McCoy, ILS Technology, Intel Corporation, Intersect, Inc., LGE, Microsoft, Motorola, Nokia Siemens Networks, Openwave, Inc., Panasonic Computer Solutions Co., Powerwave Technologies, Qualcomm, Research In Motion, Sumitomo Electric Lightwave Corporation, Tellabs, Tyco Electronics, Ulticom, Inc., and Wirefree. Advisors to the Board include FAL Associates, Orca Systems and Telcordia Technologies.

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