FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is COMPTEL?
How long has COMPTEL been in existence?
What are the benefits of becoming a member?
Who are COMPTEL’s members?
How do I get in touch with COMPTEL staff?

What is COMPTEL?

COMPTEL is the leading industry association representing communications service providers and their supplier partners. Based in Washington, D.C., COMPTEL advances its member’s business through policy advocacy and through education, networking and trade shows. COMPTEL members are entrepreneurial companies building and deploying next-generation networks to provide competitive voice, data, and video services. COMPTEL members create economic growth and improve the quality of life of all Americans through technological innovation, new services, affordable prices and customer choice.

How long has COMPTEL been in existence?

COMPTEL has a 25-year history as the leading trade association for the competitive communications marketplace.  COMPTEL originated in 1981 as the Association of Long Distance Telephone Companies (ALTEL) to promote competition with AT&T. In 1984, ALTEL merged with the American Council of Competitive Communications (ACCC) and expanded its services to include local service providers, wireless communications companies and Internet service providers. At that time, the association's name was changed to the Competitive Telecommunications Association (COMPTEL). Then, in 1999, COMPTEL merged with America's Carriers Telecommunications Association (ACTA).

More recently, in March 2005, COMPTEL merged with the Association for Local Telecommunications Services (ALTS), which was created in 1987 to represent companies that build, own and operate competitive local networks.  This merger was preceded by the November 2003 union with the Association of Communications Enterprises (ASCENT). ASCENT was formed 1992 when the Telecommunications Marketing Association and the Interexchange Resellers Association merged to form the Telecommunications Resellers Association (TRA) in an entrepreneurial effort to promote switchless long distance resale. In November 1997, TRA merged with the National Wireless Resellers Association, creating a trade association designed to serve the entire telecommunications industry.  In May 2000, TRA changed its name to ASCENT.
 

What are the benefits of becoming a member?

COMPTEL membership opens doors to new and exciting opportunities that will help you succeed in today's communications marketplace.  At our industry-leading Spring and Fall trade shows and conventions, members have the ability to expand networking and sales opportunities.  Members receive priority access to exhibit space and meeting rooms; discounts for exhibit space and registration fees; and the ability to sponsor events and speak at our shows and conferences.  In addition, members have the opportunity to publicize their companies through our web site, association publications, and various public relations efforts.

COMPTEL also provides a broad range of resources to assist its members in obtaining the tools necessary to compete in an ever-changing marketplace, and to understand how new technologies and services, as well as policy changes, will affect day-to-day and long-term business operations.  From information on activities before the U.S. Congress and state legislatures to pending proceedings before the Federal Communications Commission, the Department of Justice, state regulatory agencies, and the courts, COMPTEL is your one-stop shop for staying up-to-date on what’s happening in the communications industry. 
 

Who are COMPTEL’s members?

Service Provider (Voting) Member: Communications service providers (including VoIP service providers) with annual revenues of less than $70 billion. Service provider members are eligible to vote on association matters and to serve on the Board of Directors. Service provider member CEOs may serve on COMPTEL's CEO Council.

Supplier Associate Member: Companies engaged in the provision of communications facilities (e.g., network construction, but not companies engaged as “carrier’s carrier”), systems (e.g., billing and OSS software), equipment, and services (e.g., network management and technical planning) to communications service providers.

International Associate Member: Non-U.S. entities deriving revenues predominantly from non-U.S. sources.  
 
Professional Associate Member: Applies to attorneys, consultants and financial institutions.
 

How do I get in touch with COMPTEL staff?

COMPTEL’s staff is located at 900 17th Street, NW, Suite 400, in Washington D.C., and can be reached at 202-296-6650 (ph) 202-296-7585 (fax).