About 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, government affairs, business opportunities, market
intelligence, certification and world-wide environmental regulatory compliance. With
support from its 600 members, TIA enhances the business environment for companies
involved in telecommunications, 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,
has sponsored engineering committees that set standards determining the pace of
development in the industry, has provided a marketplace for members and their
customers, and has 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.
Organizational Structure
TIA is a member-driven organization. Board members are selected from member
companies and formulate policies to be carried out by our government affairs staff in
Washington, D.C. TIA staff also carry out activities through TIA's other departments
– Standards and Technology, Market Inteligence, Environment, Marketing and
Membership.
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 asociation 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.
Membership Benefits
Government Affairs
o TIA represents the interests of its members before Congress, U.S.
agencies such as the Department of Commerce (DoC) and the Federal
Communications Commission (FCC), international organizations such
as the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and the Asia-
Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), foreign governments, and
many other forums where policies affecting U.S. industry are
developed.
Members have the opportunity to participate in TIA's issue-oriented standing
committees.
Standards Development
o Accredited by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI), TIA
is a major contributor of voluntary industry standards that support
global trade and commerce in communications products and systems.
Members can directly influence the development of technical standards by
participating in the association's 70+ standards formulating groups.
Members receive discounts on TIA technical documents.
Business and Marketing Opportunities
o Members receive exhibit space discounts at SUPERCOMM, a single
new industry venue focused on the converged future as leading
telecommunications companies become significant players in the
entertainment community and push the boundaries of broadband
innovation.
Members join in numerous networking events such as the Broadband and
Technology Luncheons.
Members are listed on TIA's Web site and have the opportunity to sponsor
high-profile activities to enhance their visibility.
Access to Critical Intelligence and Market Analysis
Members receive a substantial discount on the TIA Telecommunications Market Review
and Forecast, the industry's most comprehensive study, providing a statistical
breakdown and analysis of the major markets and trends, including advances
in mobile wireless, optical networking, voice over IP and broadband networks.
Educational, Networking and Credentialing Programs
TIA provides members with access to competency assurance programs
designed to raise the level of professional preparedness in the convergence
industry.
TeleForums and educational white papers address timely topics to help
members keep current.
TIA offers the industry's premier forum for exchanging ideas and developing
strategic partnerships at educational seminars, workshops and roundtable
meetings throughout the year to enable members to benefit from experience of
other technology professionals and industry leaders.
Click here for more information on benefits and how to join TIA.
Publications
You need timely intelligence. TIA produces resources designed to inform ICT leaders
about the trends, legislation, standards, and information that affect our industry.
Market Intelligence: TIA’s ICT Market Review & Forecast—2009 is a
comprehensive, attractively presented industry overview projecting trends four
years ahead. Member Discount Available.
Industry Standards for ICT Products: The Standards and Technology
Annual Report, or STAR (PDF, 2.97MB), is a summary of the latest actions
taken by TIA engineering committees to develop standards for global
communications.
Regulations Affecting Products: EIATRACK is an online service that
systematically tracks, analyzes and reports on product-oriented environmental
legislation in Europe, Asia Pacific, North America and South America.
Subscription-based.
Understanding ICT Policies: The 2008 Industry Playbook explains ICT
policies that are critical to the industry. (Requires FlashPaper)
The 2007 Technology and Policy Primer explains terms and policy positions
important to the industry. ( Request a hard copy)
Finding Relevant Companies: Member Directory. Full version available to
members.
Upcoming Events and Pending Legislation: Legislative (PDF, 219kb) and
Regulatory (PDF, 165kb) Trackers are timely updates to keep you informed
of pending legislation and regulations affecting the industry.
Information: The Telecommunications Glossary defines over 6,000 ICT
technical terms.
Finding Resources: Industry Links is a collection of news sources,
associations, and meetings dedicated to the ICT industry.
Learning: TIA Podcasts and Webinars feature interviews and insights into
the ICT industry.
News Feeds: TIA’s RSS Feeds keep you abreast of the latest news,
information, and standards from TIA.
TIAOnline.org
TIA's Web site is designed to be a business facilitator and an information portal,
promoting industry awareness of telecom standards, issues, events and market
development opportunities while inviting open discussion.
Employees of member companies can sign up for a personalized search for standards
(then click-through to purchase), search or browse our press archives, download
market development white papers and teleforum transcripts (members only in most
cases), order a publication online, view PowerPoint presentations posted from past
events, and much more.
Telecommunications Standards
Development
TIA is accredited by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) to develop
voluntary industry standards for a wide variety of telecommunications products. TIA's
Standards and Technology Department is comprised of ten technology areas which
sponsor more than 70 standards formulating groups. These technology areas are
Mobile Private Radio, Steel Antenna Towers, Multi Function Peripheral Devices,
Satellites, User Premises Equipment, Premises Cabling (both copper and fiber),
Mobile Communications Systems, Terrestrial Mobile Multimedia Multicast,
Vehicular Telematics and Healthcare. Each area is represented by engineering
committees and subcommittees that formulate standards to serve the industry and
users well into the next century.
Within TIA, more than 1,000 individuals, with representatives from manufacturers,
service providers and end users, including the government, serve on the formulating
groups involved in standards setting. To ensure representation for the positions of
U.S. telecommunications equipment producers in the international arena, TIA also
participates in international standards-setting activities, such as the International
Telecommunication Union (ITU), the Inter-American Telecommunication
Commission (CITEL) and the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC)
Engineering Committees
A major function of the Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA) is the
writing and maintenance of voluntary industry standards and specifications, the
formulation of positions for presentation on behalf of the United States in
international standards fora, and the preparation of technical information and reports
for use by industry and government. Read More
Technical Advisory Groups
United States Technical Advisory Groups to the International Electrotechnical
Commission Technical Committees are made up of representatives of materially and
directly affected U.S. organizations. They work to prepare U.S. positions and
contributions for the TC which is concerned with the technology of interest. TIA
manages a number of US Technical Advisory Groups of strategic importance to its
Sector Association members. Read More
Engineering Committees
A major function of the Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA) is the
writing and maintenance of voluntary industry standards and specifications, the
formulation of positions for presentation on behalf of the United States in
international standards fora, and the preparation of technical information and reports
for use by industry and government. These activities are carried out by the volunteer
members of TIA engineering committees. On the public engineering committee pages
users will find recent meeting reports, agendas and notices for upcoming meetings,
and links to publicly available contributions to past meetings.
Meetings Calendar View past and upcomming events for TIA committees.
Standards Document Ballots In their role as a Standards Development
Organization (SDO) TIA engineering committees write technical standards
that promote harmonization and interoperability within the communications
industry.
Committee Member Tools The Committee Member Tools section contains
many useful tools for members and committees.
Meeting Sign-in Electronic attendance rosters for committee meetings
Committee Correspondence
FO-4 Fiber Optics
TR-8 Mobile and Personal Private Radio Standards
TR-14 Point-to-Point Communications Systems
TR-30 Multi-Media Access, Protocols and Interfaces
TR-34 Satellite Equipment & Systems
TR-41 User Premises Telecommunications Requirements
TR-42 Telecommunications Cabling Systems
TR-45 Mobile and Personal Communications Systems Standards
TR-47 Terrestrial Mobile Multimedia Multicast
TR-48 Vehicular Telematics
TR-49 Healthcare ICT
TR-50 Smart Device Communications
WAG-16 U.S.Working Advisory Group (WAG) 16
U.S. TAGs & International Secretariats
T.35 Code (T- and V-Series) Administration
