|
|
                Information Technology Association of America 1616 N. Ft. Myer Drive Suite 1300 Arlington, VA 22209 (703) 522-5055 (703) 525-2279 (fax) Western Region Office One Market Street Suite 2700 San Francisco, CA 94105 (415) 267-4055 (415) 267-4198 (fax) Problems or questions about the site? Contact our webmaster. |
|
January 25, 1999 For More Information Contact: Arlington, VA -- The Information Technology Association of America (ITAA) cheered a Supreme Court ruling today strengthening the hand of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in establishing the ground rules for competitive local telecommunications services. The Telecommunications Reform Act of 1996 granted the FCC the power to determine rules such as the terms by which new competitors gain access to network components controlled by the incumbent local exchange carriers (ILECs). The ILECs filed suit to block the rules, leading to today's Supreme Court decision. "This is a victory for consumers, competition, and the information technology industry," said ITAA President Harris Miller. "We hope the FCC will move quickly on standards for unbundled network elements so that new entrants have the widest possible choice in creating innovative, cost effective telecommunications products and services. Today's decision levels the telecom playing field and we're all for it." ITAA consists of 11,000 direct and affiliate members throughout the U.S. which produce products and services in the IT industry. The Association plays a leading role in public policy issues of concern to the IT industry, including taxes, intellectual property, telecommunications law, encryption, securities litigation reform, and human resources policy. ITAA members range from the smallest IT start ups to industry leaders in the software, services, systems integration, telecommunications, Internet, and computer consulting fields. Learn more about ITAA and its positions on the issues by connecting to its web site at http://www.itaa.org/. |