The Board of Directors of the Telecommunications Industry Association this week established a sixth division whose sole focus is increasing federal funding for communications technology research.

In 2004, the association convened a Chief Technology Officer Council to advocate for increased federal funding for communications-related basic research in the face of sustained reductions in industry research spending and an intensely competitive global environment. Participation in the CTO Council has grown to nearly 30 TIA member company CTOs and senior research executives, and the council has produced a white paper and recommendations for addressing this issue.

"The board unanimously agreed on the importance of increasing federal funding for communications research and created this new division to advocate research as key to enhancing technological leadership and global competitiveness in the United States," says TIA President Matthew Flanigan. "Such action will further increase visibility on this critical issue and allows direct board involvement, as the division chair will become an advisor to the board."

The yet-to-be-named division will convene this fall to finalize a charter and elect leadership.

The TIA's efforts were applauded by U.S. Rep. Chip Pickering (R-MS), vice chairman of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce. The congressman engaged the board in an informal discussion on competition and innovation in the U.S. and global ICT industry.

Pickering focused his comments on potential revisions to U.S. communications laws, gathering input from board members and encouraging their active participation in Washington.

The TIA is based in Arlington, VA. For more information visit www.tiaonline.org.