Comptel, not to be confused with the software giant, Comptel Corporation, is the primary trade association representing communication companies and their suppliers. In 2003, the Association of Communications Enterprises (ASCENT), together with the Competitive Telecommunications Association (CompTel) agreed to form CompTel/ASCENT. This made them the largest organization in the country of its kind. The function of a trade association is to promote self-regulation and competition. While belonging to a trade association is voluntary, members agree to adhere to a particular code of practice.
The history of ASCENT itself began in 1992. At this time, the Telecommunications Marketing Association (TMA) joined forces with the Interexchange Resellers Association (IRA). They elected to call themselves the Telecommunications Resellers Association (TRA). Their mission was to promote trade in switchless long distance. In 1997, when they merged with National Wireless Resellers Association, was to represent the communications industry as a whole. The TRA changed their name to ASCENT in May of 2000.
When Comptel/ASCENT later merged with the Association for Local Telecommunications Services (ATLS) in 2005, they simplified their name to Comptel. This is the situation as it prevails today.
The recently published White Paper, published in April 2012 under the name Comptel/ASCENT, concerned the role of technology-based learning in ensuring the effectiveness and extending the range of leadership development. Other White Papers in the recent past have been about improving first-time pass rates among first-time applicants for IT certification and trends in recruitment for media IT.
The White Paper about improving pass rates was sponsored by Skill Soft, a leader in the provision of e-learning. This document, published in April 2012, discussed the benefits and challenges of IT certification and revealed hints and tips for improving pass rates. Skill Soft also sponsored the report on technology-based learning. The report on trends in recruiting was sponsored by ComputerWeekly.com.
In 2011, Comptel celebrated its Thirtieth Anniversity at a convention in Las Vegas, Nevada. Other areas in which the trade association becomes involved include challenging in court legislation that affects its members, such as FCC vs AT&T, on the subject of corporate personal privacy.