Press Releases

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PR CONTACT: ASHLEY ROOK, +1.202.429.4929, AshleyRook@Rational360.com

TIA Releases Statement on Suspension of WTO Information Technology Agreement Negotiations

GENEVA, SWITZERLAND (July 17, 2013) – The Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA), the leading association representing the manufacturers and suppliers of high-tech communications networks, today commented on the suspension of World Trade Organization (WTO) negotiations to expand the Information Technology Agreement (ITA).  TIA President Grant Seiffert issued the following statement:

“TIA, as part of a significant industry delegation, came to Geneva this week to offer our support to the objective of finalizing the negotiations to expand the WTO Information Technology Agreement.  We are tremendously disappointed to learn today that the negotiations were suspended after a significant and diverse number of WTO Members participating in the negotiations concluded that China’s current negotiating position made it impossible to advance the negotiations or to cross the finish line this week.  We hope that China is willing to take this signal from the other negotiating parties back home and work hard to revise its position in a meaningful way that will allow the resumption of the negotiations to finalize the expansion of the ITA as quickly as possible.”

About TIA

The Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA) represents manufacturers and suppliers of global communications networks through standards development, policy and advocacy, business opportunities, market intelligence, and events and networking. TIA enhances 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 for more details. 

TIA is accredited by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI), and is a proud sponsor of ANSI’s Standards Boost Business campaign. Visit www.standardsboostbusiness.org for details.

###