CTIA asks for presidential veto of ITC Qualcomm ban

NEW YORK, June 20 (Reuters) - CTIA, the U.S. trade group representing the wireless industry, on Wednesday asked U.S. President George W. Bush to veto a government agency ban on the importation of some phones with Qualcomm Inc. chips.

The Bush administration has 60 days to review the International Trade Commission's ban on U.S. imports of new high-speed wireless phones with Qualcomm chips the trade agency said infringe on a Broadcom Corp patent. The ban exempted phone models that had already been imported by June 7.

CTIA said in a letter to Bush that the ban would freeze innovation, cause economic disruption including job losses, and adversely affect public safety and the competitiveness of the country's telecom industry.

The letter, signed by CTIA President Steve Largent, cited expert predictions that high-speed wireless services would account for half of wireless growth in the next five years and generate two to three million jobs over the next decade.

Qualcomm and Verizon Wireless, a venture of Verizon Communications and Vodafone Group Plc have also said they would push for a veto of the decision.

Some thoughts...

1. Why does the president get a veto? This is all about money. Qualcomm can settle with Broadcom tomorrow if they wanted but they're afraid that they'll need to renegotiate or be sued by all their other licensees. The CTIA letter is full of crap. The only thing in jeopardy is Qualcomm's profits.

2. Hmm... Broadcom is not a member of CTIA. Why not?

3. Steve Largent? Ex-wide receiver for the Seattle Seahawks?