Business VoIP

The Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA), a driver of advocacy, standards development, business development and intelligence for the information and communications technology (ICT) industry, has announced today that it vigorously supports pending FCC (News - Alert) proposals that call for upgrades to the Universal Service Fund (USF).

 

These upgrades include the establishment of a separate funding mechanism for broadband services. The TIA believes that these changes will facilitate widespread build-out of broadband networks throughout the United States as well as ensure that consumers in underserved and unserved areas can also benefit from next-generation products and services.

In its comments, the TIA urges the Commission to create a separate technology and a competitively-neutral broadband fund that will grow as funds are transitioned from support for narrowband services.

 

The TIA also argues that these funds should be supported via reverse auctions or other neutral market-based funding mechanisms that will be more equitable than current processes.

The Universal Service, mandated by the Telecommunications Act of 1996, includes goals to increase the accessibility and affordability of advanced telecommunications services throughout the United States. The USF subsidizes the provisioning of such services to all consumers, including those in low income, rural, insular and high cost areas, at rates that are considered to be reasonable when compared to those charged in urban areas. 

 

“Transitioning the Universal Service Fund to include broadband support is of great importance to our members,” stated TIA President Grant Seiffert, in a Thursday statement.

“The deployment of high-capacity broadband networks impact investment in and deployment of next-generation networks, applications and devices across the United States and is one of TIA's broadband deployment goals.”

The TIA is celebrating its 20^th anniversary representing the global information and communications technology industries through standards development, advocacy, business opportunities, market intelligence and worldwide environmental regulatory compliance.

Thousands of companies work through the organization to enhance the business environment for telecommunications, broadband, mobile wireless, information technology, networks, cable, satellite, unified communications, emergency communications and the greening of technology. The TIA is accredited bytheAmerican National Standards Institute (ANSI).

The TIA has worked tirelessly for the advancement of not only businesses operating in the telecommunications, wireless, broadband and mobile spaces, but also for those consumers that these companies strive to serve. In working for the best interests of all of those involved in industry relations, the organization can work to create a better environment for all those who have a stake in its success.