Washington, D.C., June 24 -- Electronic Industries Alliance (EIA) President Dave McCurdy issued the following statement in reaction to President Bush’s remarks today reiterating the goal of universal broadband deployment by 2007 and better spectrum management of the airwaves:

“The Electronic Industries Alliance (EIA) strongly commends the Bush Administration for its commitment to the future of U.S. broadband, U.S. technology and U.S. innovation.

The Administration’s goal of universal high-speed Internet access by 2007, coupled with the Commerce Department’s spectrum policy proposals, underscores the importance both government and industry leaders place in a technology-driven economy.

As a nation, we can do more to spur technology and economic development via broadband deployment. As EIA noted in its recently released policy playbook on innovation entitled The Technology Industry at an Innovation Crossroads (at www.eia.org), “a national broadband policy and strategy for deployment should include technology-neutral incentives for investment, increased spectrum allocation for advanced wireless services and the prevention of barriers for new market entrants.”

President Bush is correct -- what the country needs when it comes to broadband deployment and spectrum management is less regulation and more innovation. We applaud the Bush Administration’s proposals and its efforts to bring broadband deployment and the attendant economic development to communities large and small in the near future.”