TIA Says Deep Cuts to NTIA Threaten Progress on Spectrum, Public Safety and Security

Arlington VA. (June 29, 2017) – The Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA), the leading association representing the manufacturers and suppliers of high-tech communications networks, today expressed concern over deep cuts to the budget for the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA). In a markup today, the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies approved a 25 percent FY 2018 reduction for NTIA, which has primary responsibility for managing federal spectrum.

Earlier today, TIA sent a letter to Subcommittee Chairman Culberson and Ranking Member Serrano, asking for reconsideration of the proposed cuts.

Cinnamon Rogers, TIA’s Senior Vice President for Government Affairs issued the following statement:

“We are concerned with the deep cuts proposed for NTIA’s budget. TIA strongly supports NTIA’s mission of advancing high speed connectivity and ensuring the efficient use of spectrum, which is one of the most important drivers of our modern economy and has led to huge returns for taxpayers through the recent spectrum auctions.

NTIA plays a vital role in enabling the communications services that consumers, businesses, state and local governments, public safety professionals, and the federal government all depend upon. The agency is doing fundamental work to advance the deployment of FirstNet and plays a critical role in facilitating multi-stakeholder processes focused on security for the Internet of Things, and coordinating efforts to implement the President’s EO on cybersecurity. Given the importance of NTIA’s work, we urge Congress to reject severe cuts, recognizing that they will do far more economic harm than good.”