TIA Stepping Up Lobbying, Outreach, Adds Big Members

The Telecommunications Industry Association is increasing lobbying and outreach efforts as it adds major new members, said industry officials in interviews Monday. That lobbying and outreach is meant to keep ahead of industry convergence and “the IP revolution," CEO Scott Belcher said. AT&T and Comcast were announced as among new TIA members. Belcher pointed to the companies' membership as a sign that TIA’s new focus on being vocal is paying dividends.

Pointing to AT&T's recent buy of DirecTV (see 1507240055) and carriers getting into the content business, Belcher said everything is increasingly becoming dependent on “the backbone of broadband.” Since TIA’s members are companies that make hardware and software that “supports the Internet,” it’s important for the association to be involved in the policies governing the industry’s movement to broadband, said Belcher, who has headed the group for eight months. AT&T and Comcast had no comment.

Though TIA has diverse members, including Cisco, General Motors, Globalstar and Sprint, Comcast is the first cable company to join. With companies outside the traditional telecom world getting involved in broadband offerings, it makes sense for TIA to branch out. Belcher said. “It’s not just about telecom anymore, everyone is going to broadband.” Belcher said the group’s strong stance against Title II broadband service reclassification in the FCC net neutrality order might also bring TIA more members.

TIA hasn't been seen as being a particularly active or important association in the past, said officials at other industry trade associations. Associations such as CEA and CTIA have many of the same members and are seen as carrying more clout, the officials said. Belcher disagrees. “Our voice is important because we’re a cross section,” he said. TIA includes suppliers to companies like AT&T and Sprint, plus the companies themselves, and that gives his group an important perspective, Belcher said. “We include representation across the ecosystem."

Hiring James Reid, former chief of staff to then-Sen. John Rockefeller, D-W.Va., in May (see report in the May 12 issue) was part of the group’s increased focus on outreach to lawmakers and the FCC, Belcher said: “James is somebody people trust." TIA’s hiring of new, influential staff was pointed out by other trade association officials as a sign of changes in the group’s focus. Though he admitted that as “a $9 million trade organization,” TIA will never have the profile of the largest trade groups, he wants TIA to be a trusted information source for congressional and FCC staff. TIA will be engaging in “more advocacy and education,” in the future Belcher said. “Our staff will be more visible at the FCC.”