The Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA) applauds President Bush for enacting today a key communications modernization bill, the “New and Emerging Technologies 911 Improvement Act of 2008.” The legislation, sponsored in Congress by Rep. Bart Gordon (D-Tenn.) and Sen. Bill Nelson (D-Fla.), is a significant step toward making America's IP-based services first-responder friendly.

"We thank President Bush for signing this critical legislation into law, which will improve both the capabilities and functionality of public safety communications systems, by giving Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) providers the tools necessary to relay accurate information to first responders in times of emergencies and national disasters," said TIA President Grant Seiffert. "Not only does this new law facilitate the transition to competitive IP-based products and services," Seiffert said, "but it recognizes the need for public safety communications no matter what type of communications technology is being used. Its enactment allows a full transition to a 21st century emergency telecommunications infrastructure.”