Press Releases

Arlington, Va. (Mar. 26, 2015) – The Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA), the leading association representing the manufacturers and suppliers of high-tech communications networks, today called on Congress to continue making progress on a number of important issues related to spectrum policy, and to urge the FCC to keep moving towards holding the voluntary spectrum auction in early 2016.

TIA made the request in advance of Thursday’s spectrum hearing by the House Committee on Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Communications. In the letter, TIA also warned the Committee of possible harmful interference to licensees from the FCC’s proposed technical rules for unlicensed devices in the 600 MHz band.

TIA CEO Scott Belcher stated, “Slowing down or even re-thinking the voluntary spectrum actions slated for 2016 would harm consumers and penalize taxpayers. While steady progress is being made, industry and concerned members of Congress should support and encourage the FCC’s commitment to the current schedule. Even with the auctions, further efforts are needed to make more spectrum – including federal spectrum – available for wireless broadband. Our letter encourages action in several key areas that will help address the demand created by the exponential growth of mobile broadband.”

The letter is available at this link.

In the letter, TIA also proposed several measures Congress could take to improve federal spectrum management, including better tracking, stronger central coordination by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration, providing agency incentives, flexible-use funding for agencies as part of transitions, and exploring commercial alternatives for federal applications. Additionally, TIA reiterated its support for the Wi-Fi Innovation Act to promote 5.9 GHz testing and for increased funding for spectrum sharing research and development.

Follow TIA on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, YouTube, TIA NOW and Google+ for latest updates.