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.