Arlington, Va.
– The Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) said it backs the Federal
Communications Commission (FCC) on its work to address the spectrum crisis,
competition in the marketplace for video devices, and accessibility issues as
part of the National Broadband Plan released today.
In a prepared
statement Gary Shapiro, president and CEO, CEA, said, “I am pleased the commission
has addressed many of the crucial broadband and spectrum issues that are
critical to innovation and confronting the looming broadband crisis. The
National Broadband Plan, in addition to recent work in Congress, is key to our
national competitiveness and the future of technology innovation. We look
forward to helping critical parts of this plan come to fruition.”
CEA has called for
allocation of additional wireless spectrum to broadband services. Today, CEA
said it applauds the commission’s goal of freeing 500MHz of spectrum over the
next decade. The voluntary, market-based “Mobile Future Auction” is an example
of the creative thinking needed to ensure Americans can have wireless access
and that we lead in innovation, CEA said.
“As the vibrant
content community provides ever-greater choices to consumers, the plan
highlights the importance of ensuring consumers have multiple delivery
platforms available to enjoy the plethora of content options,” it added.
CEA also applauded
the FCC’s announcement that it will accelerate its efforts to bring competition
to the video device marketplace to enhance consumer choice and stimulate further
broadband deployment. In the plan, the FCC expressed its intention to optimize
its regulatory framework to meet Congress’s goal, first set out more than 14
years ago, of competition in the market for video devices.
CEA also said it
supports the plan’s goal of using innovation to enhance accessibility, and that
it and member companies remain committed to working closely with the FCC and
the disability community to provide all consumers with products and services
that meet their needs.
