“The TIA and its predecessors have been around for over 100 years, since the beginning of telecom networks being built in the United States,” Stehlin confirms, emphasizing that its initial mission was to serve as a bridge between equipment manufacturers and network builders. In the early 20th century, the telecom industry was populated with numerous small telephone companies, each of which managed local networks. The TIA was established to facilitate collaboration between those providing the technology and those responsible for building and maintaining the networks. Today, it’s no secret that the association’s wide range of standards, advocacy efforts, and innovative initiatives have significantly shaped the connected world of telecommunications. One of the hallmarks of the TIA’s success has been its dynamic and ever-growing membership.“We have 400+ members and participating companies. Some joined to be part of a broad organization, and others have joined to have very specific needs addressed,” Stehlin says. The association’s broad range of services includes creating technology standards that govern everything from structured cabling in buildings to the integrity of cell tower infrastructure. The TIA also leads efforts in process improvement and cybersecurity, two critical areas of focus as digital threats continue to evolve. For instance, the association’s standards for secure data center operations have become increasingly essential as businesses look to safeguard their vast amounts of data. “The member base has changed a bit; in many cases, members modify their products and services to meet new industry demands. In other cases, we have new members that will join just for data centers,” Stehlin says, naming data centers as the current “lifeblood” of modern networking. The evolution of TIA’s membership reflects broader trends within the telecom industry. As data centers, 5 BUSINESS VIEW MAGAZINE VOLUME 12, ISSUE 07 TELECOMMUNICATIONS INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION (TIA)
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