The Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA) applauded the efforts of the U.S. House of Representatives Subcommittee on Telecommunications and the Internet today for exploring legislation that would maintain U.S. municipalities’ control over broadband.

This legislation would enable these municipalities to determine the best way to deploy broadband to their citizens, if they choose to do so at all.

The Subcommittee held a hearing on legislation, proposed by the office of Subcommittee Chairman Edward Market (D-Mass.). This legislation also includes language on wireless consumer protection and spectrum allocation rules, both of which are highly relevant to TIA membership.

The municipal broadband protections, however, are especially critical in successfully reaching TIA’s goal of universal broadband penetration in the near future.

“Many communities have identified significant need for advanced communications networks, whether for public safety, education, jobs or healthcare,” said Danielle Coffey, TIA VP-Government Affairs, in a Wednesday statement.

“Our members work tirelessly with U.S. municipalities as they fill in the gaps in achieving nationwide broadband deployment, while introducing additional competition and providing test beds for the new and innovative technologies our companies design and produce.”

For a long time, the TIA has supported municipal broadband deployments and municipalities’ ability to determine their own best path to broadband access and public safety connectivity. 

This legislation currently under discussion would prohibit the practice of state or county governments banning municipal networks in the public sector. The legislation will also require community input and certain key safeguards against anti-competitiveness and circumvention of applicable laws.

For more information about TIA’s advocacy on behalf of municipal broadband rights, please contact Ian Martinez at 703.907.7723 or imartinez@tiaonline.org.

For nearly thirty years, the TIA has leveraged its global resources to create the best possible business environment within which its 500+ members can research, develop, manufacture, market and sell their products and services worldwide.

This is accomplished through the association’s expertise in standards, advocacy, business development, market intelligence, environmental compliance and information security. TIA’s policy team opened its Washington, D.C., headquarters on Capitol Hill in January 2008.

This latest legislation being explored by the U.S. House of Representatives Subcommittee on Telecommunications and the Internet will now only help to keep the best interests of U.S. municipalities protected, but also those of the citizens within those communities.

Such protection will also contribute to the growth of opportunities for providers that support the initiatives of the municipalities. By providing the necessary protection, these opportunities are expanded as providers develop and deploy solutions that enable municipalities to maintain control and deliver the services that its citizens need.