The Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA) is the leading trade association representing the global information and communications technology (ICT) industry through standards development, policy initiatives, business opportunities, market intelligence and networking events. With support from hundreds of members, TIA enhances the business environment for companies involved in telecom, broadband, mobile wireless, information technology, networks, cable, satellite, unified communications, emergency communications and the greening of technology. TIA is accredited by ANSI.

History

In 1924, a small group of suppliers to the independent telephone industry organized to plan an industry trade show. Later, that group became a committee of the United States Independent Telephone Association. In 1979, the group split off as a separate affiliated association, the United States Telecommunications Suppliers Association, and became one of the world's premier organizers of telecom exhibitions and seminars. TIA was formed in April 1988 after a merger of USTSA and the Information and Telecommunications Technologies Group of EIA. EIA began as the Radio Manufacturers Association in 1924. Since 1988, TIA has advocated numerous policy issues for the benefit of its members, sponsored engineering committees that set standards determining the pace of development in the industry, provided a marketplace for members and their customers, and served as a forum for the examination of industry issues and industry information. In the fall of 2000, the MultiMedia Telecommunications Association (MMTA) was integrated into TIA.

TIA Facts at a Glance

The Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA) is the leading trade association representing the global information and communications technology (ICT) industries through standards development, policy initiatives, business opportunities and networking, market intelligence, and worldwide environmental regulatory compliance. The Telecommunications Industry Association's 2014 Innovation Agenda outlines this year's information and communications technology (ICT) policy priorities.

Organizational Structure

TIA is a member-driven organization. Board members are selected from member companies and formulate policies to be carried out by our policy staff in Washington, D.C. TIA staff also carry out activities through TIA's other departments – Standards and Technology, Market Intelligence, Marketing and Membership, and Events. TIA's product-oriented divisions – User Premises Equipment, Wireless Communications, Fiber Optics, Network, and Satellite Communications – address the legislative and regulatory concerns of product manufacturers. TIA-sponsored committees of experts prepare standards dealing with performance testing and compatibility. In addition to TIA's product-oriented divisions, the association also has a Communications Research Division (CRD). The role of the CRD is to ensure the U.S. communications sector continues to be a world leader in advanced research. The division provides expert advice to the government and to TIA on the status and impact of research and technology to the communications industry and educates the public on the importance of communications research as a foundation for the communications products and services on which they depend.