CTIA–The Wireless Association® Statement After Testifying Before the Senate Committee on Small Business & Entrepreneurship

WASHINGTON, DC – After testifying before the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship on the National Broadband Plan (NBP) and its impact on small businesses, CTIA-The Wireless Association® President and CEO Steve Largent issued the following statement:

“On behalf of the wireless industry, I appreciated the opportunity to appear before Chairwoman Landrieu and the Committee to discuss this very important topic. 

“CTIA was pleased when FCC Chairman Genachowski and the National Broadband Plan team embraced the goal of bringing 500 megahertz to market over the next ten years. With adequate spectrum and continued private investment, we can ensure that every American has access to broadband at home, at work, at school and in our public institutions. 

“Congress can assist in this process by passing legislation such as the Kerry-Snowe Radio Spectrum Inventory Act and Senator Kerry’s MOBILE Cell Phone Act, which would remove the arcane IRS rules which require employees to keep track of any personal use on their work-provided mobile devices.

“By adopting the National Broadband Plan’s spectrum recommendations, updating our tax policies and continuing a strong commitment to encouraging private investment, we can ensure that every American consumer and business has access to robust mobile broadband service.”

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CTIA-The Wireless Association® (www.ctia.org) is an international organization representing the wireless communications industry. Membership in the association includes wireless carriers and their suppliers, as well as providers and manufacturers of wireless data services and products. CTIA advocates on behalf of its members at all levels of government. The association also coordinates the industry’s voluntary best practices and initiatives, and sponsors the industry’s leading wireless tradeshows. CTIA was founded in 1984 and is based in Washington, DC.