Telecom register
Who runs telecommunications - and how it reaches you
The associations, agencies and laws behind U.S. phone, wireless and internet service.
The register
Industry associations
Eight organisations that set the rules, represent the carriers or look after the public interest.
The National Exchange Carrier Association (NECA)
Founded 1984 by local U.S. telephone companies to administer access charges.
National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (NARUC)
Represents the state public service commissioners - reliable service at fair rates.
Competitive Telecommunications Association (CompTel)
Trade association promoting competition and self-regulation across telecom.
Telecommunications Industry Associations
What an industry association is, and why telecom has so many of them.
Cellular Telecommunications Industry Association (CTIA)
The wireless industry's membership organisation since 1984 - carriers and suppliers.
US Internet Service Provider Association (US ISPA)
Policy group of AOL, Earthlink, MCI and Verizon, founded 2002 for ISPs.
Association of Communications Enterprises (ASCENT)
Merged with CompTel in 2003 to form CompTel/ASCENT.
The Wireless Foundation
Non-profit since 1991: safe, responsible and green use of mobile technology.
Policy
The agency and the law
Agency
Purpose of the National Telecommunications and Information Administration
Created in 1978 from two federal telecom offices, the NTIA advises the President on telecommunications policy and reports to the Secretary of Commerce.
Law
Telephone Consumer Protection Act
Signed in 1991 as an amendment to the Communications Act of 1934, the TCPA limits telemarketing calls, auto-dialers and unsolicited faxes.
Smart technology
Smart Home Technology Is Already Changing
Smart homes started as single apps - one for the thermostat, one for security, one for entertainment. The next generation connects them into one system that learns how a household lives.
