The Cellular Telecommunications and Internet Association (CTIA) is an organization that works to represent those within the wireless industry. Hailing from Washington D.C., this non-profit advances the interests of wireless by advancing public interests that involve wireless, providing organizations with certifications, and surveying the wireless industry. Originally known as the Cellular Telecommunications Industry Association until 2004, the CTIA provides five different types of memberships to various wireless organizations based on the type of business seeking membership and their specific needs:
- Carrier Members: An organization with a license or construction permit issued by the FCC or a comparable regulatory agency throughout North America that can authorize the use of commercial mobile services. This membership comes with a variety of desirable perks including networking opportunities with some of the biggest players in wireless, the opportunity to help shape policies, legal resources and support from the CTIA, eligibility for leadership within the CTIA, the ability to collaborate with engineers to set guidelines and industry standards, and access to a variety of industry information including research papers and educational events.
- Industry Members: This membership is for organizations that provide products and services throughout the wireless industry such as manufacturing devices, creating apps, and messaging companies. Industry members receive similar perks to Carrier members.
- Associate Members: Organizations that work to bring wireless communication outside of North America can apply for this membership. Others working within the wireless industry as a partner such as resellers, engineers, and even lawyers can also apply for membership. Industry newsletters, discounts on reports surrounding the wireless industry, and the chance to network and collaborate with industry professionals while serving on the CTIA’s Certification Working Groups are all privileges that come with this membership.
- Connected Life Members: One intriguing element of 5G is the advancement of the Internet of Things (IoT). Connected Life members are those working to bring the ambitions of IoT into existence. Members can work on Connected Life workgroups and participate in certification program workgroups while receiving support for legislation that helps advance the interest of IoT organizations. CTIA’s Connected Life members also help set industry standards for IoT and gain access to industry research and business opportunities.
- Reverse Logistics & Service Quality Members: Organizations who provide repair and refurbishment are eligible for this membership into the CTIA. Gaining access to RLSQ workgroups and the ability to help create RLSQ certifications with the CTIA are major benefits of joining. Industry research, networking, and business opportunities abound.
As you can see, the main theme throughout each level of membership is the ability to connect with other organizations within wireless and help shape the industry for a better today and tomorrow.
The History of the CTIA
The CTIA (Cellular Telecommunications Industry Association) was founded in 1984 and would eventually merge with Wireless Data Forum to become the CTIA (Cellular Telecommunications and Internet Association) that we know today. It is no secret that since the early 2000s, the Internet has played an increasingly intricate part in our lives. Phones today do much more than providing voice communicating and the move to include wireless interests involving the Internet was a logical step taken by the CTIA. Over time, the CTIA has played a major role in helping shape policy to allow the growth of wireless in America including its major push for access to spectrum over 24 GHz and its importance to bring about 5G.
The CTIA’s Mission
There are many aspects to wireless but the overall goal of the CTIA is to fight for the wireless industry by promoting legislation and regulations that work in favor of helping wireless expand, solving problems throughout the wireless industry through collaboration and problem-solving, and endorsing its members with both policymakers and consumers. A few of the main areas of concern for the CTIA include:
- Competition
- Cybersecurity
- Infrastructure
- Net Neutrality
- Privacy
- Public Safety
- Spectrum
- Taxes and Fees
The FCC regulates but the CTIA advocates. The CTIA is a great way to connect the wireless industry, the public, and the government to create a wireless industry that works for everyone. A competitive ecosystem ranks high among the CTIA’s ambitions. Without competition, there are a variety of problems that can arise in any industry with the wireless industry, in particular, emphasizing collaborative companies that continue to push each other and the capabilities of the industry as a whole further. You can learn more about the CTIA’s mission here.
How the CTIA is Supporting Competition in 5G
5G continues to find its place in the world as the fastest generation of wireless is still the youngest. There are plenty of capabilities that 5G is ready to support but without the right amount of competition, collaboration, and legislation that works in favor of advancing wireless, we may never see its full potential. As we mentioned before, CTIA has worked to provide organizations with access to spectrum that is 24 GHz and higher and continues to offer a place in which guidelines can be developed, ideas collaborated, and organizations connected to the latest trends and data. Recently, the organization has voiced its opposition to 5G nationalization as did many others within the industry. The CTIA is helping secure policy changes and investments while providing opportunities for wireless companies to invest in public spaces to bring 5G to life faster.