History
The United States Telecom Association (USTelecom) was founded in Chicago on May 17, 1897 when a group of Independent telephone company executives convened at the Palmer House to create an organization called the Independent Telephone Association. According to some industry historians, thousands of independent telephone companies sprouted in the telephone industry at the turn of the century largely due to the expiration of the first Alexander Graham Bell telephone patents on January 30, 1894. These companies banded together to promote growth of their industry and develop alliances on issues that crossed state lines. Renamed as the United States Independent Telephone Association in 1915, the organization focused on educational programs for its members, standardization efforts and representing its members on relevant policy issues addressed by the federal government. For instance, as the telephone industry grew, Congress enacted new laws, including the Communications Act of 1934 that established the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), and the Telecommunications Act of 1996, which among a variety of initiatives, set a universal service goal of connecting all Americans via affordable, accessible telecommunications services. To meet the requirements of the new statutes, telephone companies worked through the association to educate members, develop common policy positions and interface with policymakers in Congress and at the FCC. USTelecom also advocates on behalf of the telecommunications industry to Courts, the White House and the media.
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Year Name of Association 1897 Independent Telephone Association of America (ITAA) 1903 Independent Telephone Association of the United States of America (ITAUSA) 1904 National Independent Telephone Association of the United States (NITAUS) 1909 National Independent Telephone Association (NITA) 1915 United States Independent Telephone Association (USITA) 1983 United States Telephone Association (USTA) 1999 United States Telecom Association (USTelecom)
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