For Immediate Release
January 19, 2006
Press Contacts:
Darren Reaman
CEDIA
dreaman@cedia.org
(317) 328-4336, ext. 144
Largest U.S. Association of Residential Electronic Systems
Contractors Supports Indiana House Bill 1279
CEDIA predicts growth and innovation
for home entertainment and automation with telecommunications reform
Indianapolis, Ind. – After publicly supporting
similar legislation in the Indiana Senate (SB-245) last week, The Custom
Electronic Design & Installation Association (CEDIA) today announced
its support for Indiana House Bill 1279. CEDIA believes that consumers
and the Hoosier economy would benefit from technological advancements
in the delivery of broadband voice, video, and data when House Bill
1279 is signed into law. CEDIA’s headquarters is located in Indianapolis
and its 3,000 member companies around the world specialize in the design
and installation of home networks, home automation and communications
systems, theater rooms, and whole-house entertainment systems.
House Bill 1279, sponsored by State Representative Michael
Murphy (R-Indianapolis), will modernize Indiana’s telecommunications
laws, including laws governing broadband Internet access and availability.
Indiana’s telecommunications laws have not changed since they
were introduced during the 1980s—before the Internet was part
of daily life and before homes included elaborate electronic systems,
such as home theaters, home networks, and automation.
According to CEDIA Public Policy Manager Darren Reaman,
many new consumer electronics products and systems operate off of broadband
Internet technology, and House Bill 1279 creates incentives for a better
infrastructure and pricing flexibility.
“CEDIA Members in the State of Indiana need more
choices for their residential customers,” Reaman said. “House
Bill 1279 will allow for more choice and pave the way for growth and
innovation within the electronic systems industry. As efficiency in
information and content delivery increases, the environment for investment
within Indiana also increases.”
Reaman said consumer electronics manufacturers would
develop even more products and CEDIA Members would have more innovative
design options in a deregulated environment. “House Bill 1279
would be good for Indiana today and the advantages for new technologies
and broadband applications CEDIA Members haven’t yet developed
are endless.”
CEDIA is an international trade association of companies
that specialize in designing and installing electronic systems for
the home. The association was founded in September 1989 and has more
than 3,000 member companies worldwide. CEDIA Members are established
and insured businesses with bona fide qualifications and experience
in this specialized field. CEDIA Members include residential electronic
systems contractors who have emerged as the “fourth contractor” in
the building and remodeling industries alongside electrical, plumbing,
and HVAC professionals. For more information on CEDIA, visit the association’s
Web site at www.cedia.org.
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