FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

December 23, 2008

TIA Presents India With U.S. Telecommunications Industry Policy Recommendations, Maps Out Road for Broadband

Telecommunications Industry Association Participates in U.S.-India ICT Working Group Meeting, India Telecom 2008 and Inks Agreement With India’s Telecom Equipment Manufacturers Association (TEMA) in New Delhi

Washington, D.C. – The sixth meeting of the U.S.-India ICT Working Group took place in New Delhi, India, on Dec. 8. As the U.S. Chair of the Telecommunications Subcommittee, TIA presented the U.S. telecommunications industry's policy recommendations to the Indian Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, advocating for critical policies related to spectrum, licensing and regulatory issues and liberalization of Voice over IP (VoIP) in India.

The Dialogue has been beneficial in resolving longstanding regulatory barriers to trade, including elimination of access deficit charges on international long distance, and increasing the foreign direct investment limit in telecommunications operators from 49% to 74%. The most significant outcome of the recent meetings was the Dec. 12 announcement by India of the details concerning its long anticipated 3G and Broadband Wireless Auction.

TIA's presentation to the Indian government included questions regarding the timing and treatment of foreign companies in India's upcoming auction for 3G and Broadband Wireless Access Auctions. TIA also raised a number of issues regarding India's telecommunications licensing and regulatory structure, including issues related to licensing fees, remote provisioning of networks, and updating of regulations to reflect IP-based services. TIA also advocated for the liberalization of VoIP services in line with the recommendations made by the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI). (Read the policy paper prepared and presented to the Indian government on behalf of U.S. industry at tiaonline.org.)

"India is a critical growth market for our industry and this Dialogue has been a valuable mechanism to reducing barriers to growth in this robust market. TIA is proud to be the voice for U.S. industry in the Dialogue and at this valuable forum," said TIA President Grant Seiffert.

TIA's presence at the ICT Working Group was led by Seiffert, who also participated in a number of private meetings with important Indian government officials, re-established a longstanding relationship with the Telecommunications Equipment Manufacturers Association of India (TEMA), and gave a presentation on the future of broadband at India Telecom 2008 – a tradeshow organized by the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI).

When signing the agreement with TEMA, Seiffert noted that his association was gratified by the opportunity to increase its cooperation with the association. "TIA and TEMA each recognizes the importance of increasing ties between the two nations' communications industry sectors," said Seiffert. "We have worked together through the U.S.-India ICT Working Group, and on promoting international trade policies that benefit our memberships," he added. Bharat Bhatia, President of TEMA, signed on behalf of the Indian association.

Seiffert and Bhatia trust that this agreement will continue to underscore cooperation on a range of activities, including cross-participation in telecommunications exhibitions or seminars organized or sponsored by each association and through the mutual exchange of information. (A copy of the TIA-TEMA Mutual Cooperation Agreement is available at tiaonline.org.)

During India Telecom 2008, appearing on a discussion panel titled "Broadband for All" that reflected upon technology neutral broadband strategies and policies that would enhance broadband deployment, Seiffert outlined the opportunities and challenges facing the ICT industry in his presentation titled "Broadband: The Road Ahead." "The future for our industry is bright, despite the economic downturn," Seiffert said. "Information and communication technologies will continue to be a vital component to rebuilding the global economy and to enable important new services in the area of health and education in underserved areas," added Seiffert, reflecting the theme of India Telecom 2008: Connecting Rural India.

During the next decade, the ICT industry will be driven by service and data applications made possible by broadband deployment, unified communications, next-generation devices and next-generation networks. India, with its impressive high-tech work force, tech-savvy consumers and rapidly growing telecommunications sectors, will be an important global telecommunications player.

Background: The U.S.-India ICT Dialogue is a meeting of the Indian and U.S. governments and private sectors to discuss issues related to Telecommunications, Information Technology and Media and Broadcasting. Established in 2005 as part of the U.S.-India Economic Dialogue created by President Bush and Indian Prime Minister Singh, the Dialogue is held biannually, once in Washington and once in New Delhi. The State Department's Coordinator for International Communications and Information Policy, Ambassador David Gross, leads the U.S. government delegation to the Dialogue. The Indian Government is represented by senior officials from the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology and the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. As the U.S. Chair of the Telecommunications Subcommittee, TIA collects, coordinates and presents the policy recommendations of the U.S. telecommunications industry.

India Telecom 2008 is a trade show sponsored by the Indian Department of Telecommunications, the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, and the Federation of Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry. The exhibition and conference brought together government, public and private sector individuals from India and abroad to discuss ICT development and deployment. TIA was pleased to be an associate and participant in the trade show at the invitation of the Department of Telecommunications and FICCI. TIA has extended an invitation to DoT and FICCI to participate in TIA's trade show, SUPERCOMM, June 8-11, 2009 in Chicago.

About TIA
The Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA) represents the global information and communications technology (ICT) industry through standards development, advocacy, tradeshows, business opportunities, market intelligence and world-wide environmental regulatory analysis. With roots dating back to 1924, 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. TIA co-owns the SUPERCOMM® tradeshow and is accredited by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). Visit tiaonline.org.

TIA's Board of Directors includes senior-level executives from ACS, ADC, ADTRAN, Alcatel-Lucent, ANDA Networks, ArrayComm, AttivaCorp, Avaya, Bechtel Communications, Inc., Cam Communications, Cisco Systems, Corning Incorporated, Ericsson, Inc., GENBAND, Inc., Graybar, Henkels & McCoy, ILS Technology, Intel Corporation, LGE, Microsoft, Motorola, Nokia Siemens Networks, Nortel, OneChip Photonics Inc., Panasonic Computer Solutions Co., Qualcomm, Research In Motion, Sumitomo Electric Lightwave Corporation, Tellabs, Tyco Electronics, Ulticom, Inc., and Verari Systems. Advisors to the Board include FAL Associates, Orca Systems and Telcordia Technologies.

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