TIA Hails Congress for Action on Spectrum and Public Safety Network
Washington, DC
Posted on: Feb 20, 2012
The Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA) and its 500 member companies, the manufacturers and suppliers of global communications networks, thank Congress for coming to agreement on the Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2012 that will grant voluntary incentive auction authority to the FCC and establish a nationwide interoperable public safety broadband network.
"For years, TIA has advocated for this legislation and we are incredibly impressed with all players – Congress, the White House, the FCC, and industry – who contributed to this long-awaited and monumental achievement," said TIA President Grant Seiffert. "Key provisions of the Act will create certainty for the market and will promote new investment in critical wireless network infrastructure, leading to hundreds of thousands of new jobs across America as well as improved mobile broadband service. The impact of spectrum availability on the U.S. economy will be enormous and cannot be underestimated."
As noted in TIA's recent report, "Broadband Spectrum: The Engine for Innovation, Job Growth and Advancement of Social Priorities," spectrum reallocations to mobile services that occurred from 1994 to 2000 led to a 250% increase in investment and a 300% increase in jobs in the mobile market. Further, as noted in a recent TIA NOW web program, Dr. Robert Shapiro concluded that "the proposal to fund the development and initial deployment of a nationwide wireless broadband data and communications network for public safety agencies would lead to the creation of an estimated 100,000 new jobs in ICT industries and, over time, produce indirect or spillover benefits of an estimated $4 billion to $8 billion per year."
"In addition to providing billions of dollars for the U.S. treasury, auction proceeds will also help fund the construction of a long-awaited and much-needed nationwide interoperable public safety broadband network," Seiffert continued. "We also applaud Congress for incorporating the Next Generation 9-1-1 Advancement Act of 2012, which will help modernize and update the Nation's 9-1-1 and E-9-1-1 systems. These decisive actions will provide important support for the work of police, firefighters, and other dedicated first responders."
"TIA thanks the leaders of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, & Transportation and the House Committee on Energy and Commerce for helping to make this day a reality, forging bi-partisan and bi-cameral support," said Seiffert. "We thank especially for their dogged determination: Chairman Jay Rockefeller (D-WV), Ranking Member Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-TX), Chairman Fred Upton (R-MI), Ranking Member Henry Waxman (D-CA), Subcommittee Chairman John Kerry (D-MA), Ranking Member Jim DeMint (R-SC), Subcommittee Chairman Greg Walden (R-OR), and Subcommittee Ranking Member Anna Eshoo (D-CA) and their staffs. TIA also thanks the Obama Administration and the FCC for their dedicated work in promoting spectrum legislation through the American Jobs Act and the National Broadband Plan."
"TIA looks forward to working closely with the Federal Communications Commission, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration, and other agencies as they begin to implement this important legislation."
About TIA
The Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA) represents the manufacturers and suppliers of global information and communications technology (ICT) networks through standards development, policy and advocacy, business opportunities, market intelligence, and events and networking. 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. Visit tiaonline.org.