March 29, Arlington, Virginia - The Electronic Industries Alliance (EIA) commended the Bush Administration today for its support of broadband deployment that would extend high-speed Internet access to all American households in the next three years.

"The President is absolutely right about the importance of extending broadband to all consumers," EIA President Dave McCurdy said. "Expanding access to high-speed Internet service would provide a major economic boost to the U.S. economy and give all Americans more options for work, entertainment, education, health care, and a range of other services that we can't even necessarily foresee today."

In a speech on Friday in New Mexico, President Bush advocated a "national goal" for broadband technology. He called for universal, affordable access to broadband by 2007, and stated that taxes on broadband access would hamper that goal.

McCurdy emphasized the importance of tax policy in achieving the President's goal. "The President is also right about the importance of having a tax policy that encourages broadband deployment. A strong first step would be to create a tax incentive for investment in broadband equipment, as provided for in the Senate "Jobs and Growth" bill. This measure would also give a much-needed boost to job creation in the tech sector."

EIA has long endorsed the setting of national broadband goals and leadership on the issue from the U.S. government. In addition, EIA is strongly supportive of Senator Allen's approach, outlined in S. 150, to taxation of Internet access and DSL.

About EIA: The Electronic Industries Alliance (EIA) is a national trade organization that includes the full spectrum of U.S. manufacturers, representing more than 80% of the U.S. electronics industry. The Alliance is a partnership of electronic and high-tech associations and companies whose mission is promoting the market development and competitiveness of the U.S. high-tech industry through domestic and international policy efforts. EIA, headquartered in Arlington, Va., comprises more than 2,300 member companies whose products and services range from the smallest electronic components to the most complex systems used by defense, space and industry, including the full range of consumer electronic products.