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TIA Releases Statement Urging Completion of ITA Expansion by End of the Year

GENEVA, SWITZERLAND (October 23, 2013) – The Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA), the leading association representing the manufacturers and suppliers of high-tech communications networks, is in Geneva, Switzerland this week as part of a broad coalition of ICT trade associations and companies to urge the successful completion of a commercially significant expansion to the product coverage of the World Trade Organization (WTO) Information Technology Agreement (ITA) by the end of the year.

TIA President Grant Seiffert issued the following statement:

“It has been over 15 years since the conclusion of the Information Technology Agreement, and we are optimistic that the WTO will be able to deliver a commercially significant expansion to this important agreement.  The ITA has been crucial to increased global access of telecommunications technologies, which are vital contributors to economic growth and development around the world.”

The ITA was established in 1996 and eliminates tariffs on a wide range of ICT products, thereby lowering the cost and increasing the dissemination of these critical technologies around the world.  For the ICT sector, the ITA remains one of the most commercially significant trade agreements, and the current negotiations will add to the success of the existing ITA by taking into account the development of new ICT products through technological advancements that have been made since the original ITA was concluded.

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.

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