Press Room

For Immediate Release
January 11, 2006

Press Contacts:

Jamie (Antcliff) Riley
CEDIA
317-328-4336
jriley@cedia.org

Largest U.S. Association of Residential Electronic Systems Contractors Supports Indiana Senate Bill 245

CEDIA predicts growth and innovation for home entertainment and automation with telecommunications reform

Indianapolis, Ind. – The Custom Electronic Design & Installation Association (CEDIA), believes that consumers and the Hoosier economy would benefit from technological advancements in the delivery of broadband voice, video, and data when Senate Bill 245 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.

Senate Bill 245, which is sponsored by State Senator Brandt Hershman (R-Wheatfield), 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.

“Many new consumer electronics products and systems depend on broadband Internet technology,” said Darren Reaman, public policy manager for CEDIA. “Efficiency in information and entertainment content is essential to the growth of our industry. Senate Bill 245 creates incentives for a better infrastructure and pricing flexibility that will benefit CEDIA Members and the customers they serve. This bill will also open the door to more growth and innovation, which will bring or keep investments in Indiana’s economy that would have gone elsewhere.”

Reaman said consumer electronics manufacturers would develop even more products and CEDIA Members would have more innovative design options in a deregulated environment. “Senate Bill 245 would be good for Indiana today and the advantages for new technologies and broadband applications CEDIA Members haven’t yet developed are endless.”

Co-authors on the bill include Senator Tom Wyss (R-Fort Wayne), Sen. Lindel Hume (D-Princeton), and Sen. Earline Rogers (D-Gary). House sponsors include Representatives Eric Koch (R-Bedford), Carolene Mays (D-Indianapolis), and Dale Grubb (D-Covington).

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.