The Telecommunications Industry Association recently participated in a press conference with Congressmen Phil English and Robert Matsui to promote the introduction of House resolution 267, The Broadband Internet Access Act of 2003.

This bill offers a two-tiered tax credit to communications service providers that deploy new broadband technologies to rural and under-served urban areas of the United States.

"TIA supports this legislation as a necessary step in addressing the current lack of investment in broadband and high-speed communications networks, and as a way of bridging the digital divide that people outside of heavily populated areas are experiencing," TIA President Matthew Flanigan stated during the Wednesday conference.

"The result of this legislation will be a new broadband infrastructure that will serve this country for decades to come," Flanigan continued. "This bill is not a corporate handout, but a sensible approach to improving an industry that once led, and can once again drive our nation's economy."

The bill gained the support of 267 members of the House of Representatives during the 107th Congress, but never made it to final passage.

Flanigan says the TIA will continue to support the measure's rapid move through the legislative process until it is delivered to President Bush.

The TIA is based in Arlington, Va. For more information visit www.tiaonline.org.