A Broadband Congress

TIA has long-advocated a light-touch, market-oriented framework that fosters investment and innovation in network facilities, from the core to the edge.  Although well-intentioned, many regulations have the consequence of hindering such investment and innovation in next-generation technologies, products and services.

This week, there has been a good deal of Congressional activity on legislation of interest to TIA and our member companies that was altogether positive.  It's evidence that light-touch regulation with feedback from all parties can be positive for the tech and telecom industry.

I have written a letter to the bipartisan leadership of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, thanking them for their work to report out a substitute of H.R. 3919, the Broadband Census of America Act of 2007. The bill, as passed by the full committee, serves the dual purpose of facilitating the collection of data on U.S. broadband infrastructure and penetration while providing for new opportunities for consumers to learn about the telecommunications options available to them in their local area.  Additionally, this bill creates a sizable grant program to assist states in the planning of broadband deployment and investment. TIA supports the passage of this bill and we are pleased that we will soon have the tools to generate a comprehensive, accurate map of the nation's broadband situation and that states will have the resources to take a more active role in the planning of broadband investment.

The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation this week reported out S 1853, the Community Broadband Act of 2007, sponsored by Senator Frank Lautenberg.  This bill preserves the ability of local governments to provide broadband capability and services. It prevents any state or local government from passing laws that would stop a public provider from providing advanced telecommunications capability or services using "advanced telecommunications capability" – broadband – and keeps the door open for community deployment and local choice. TIA believes this bill preserves a critical option for states and local communities by allowing them to decide for themselves whether or not they will make the investment to deploy a municipal broadband service. We will continue to work to see the Community Broadband Act of 2007 passed on the Senate floor.

And finally, the past week was highlighted by the unanimous passage in the House of H.R. 3678, the Internet Tax Freedom Act of 2007, which follows on the passage of the same bill late last week by the Senate.  This swift Congressional action allows the bill to go to the President for his consideration and signature prior to the end of the current moratorium which expires on November 1. If President Bush signs the bill, it will extend the moratorium on Internet access taxes and multiple or discriminatory taxes on online transactions through November 2014. TIA has long advocated this extension and will continue, as part of our government relations priorities, to work on behalf of laws that will encourage the ubiquitous deployment of next-generation telecommunications networks that impact the productivity of our industries and our economy, and pivotally affect public safety, education, health care and countless other functions in our daily lives.

Thank you,
Grant Seiffert
President,
TIA