FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can individuals join TIA?

No. All forms of membership within TIA, including participation on engineering committees, require corporate membership, not individual membership. Engineering committee participation is open to employees of corporate non-members, but separate committee fees will apply. Participation is included as a part of regular dues for TIA corporate members. Dues are based upon company revenue. See the membership application for details. Individuals can, however, take advantage of TIA's convergence credentialing programs. Becoming a Convergence Technology Professional (CTP) or Certified in Convergent Network Technologies provides a gateway to sales and service careers in the convergence industry.

2. How are standards developed at TIA?

TIA is accredited by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) as a "standards developing organization (SDO). Standards projects and technical documents initiated by TIA's engineering committees are formulated according to the guidelines established by the TIA Engineering Manual and the ANSI Essential Requirements.
 
Every new standard project begins as a technical contribution in one of TIA's technology-oriented engineering committees or subcommittees. A Project Initiation Notice (PIN) form is completed and submitted for approval by TIA staff. After the project is approved for initiation, the formulating engineering committee or subcommittee will continue to develop the technical parameters of the project. When the proposed standard nears completion, the engineering group will chose to submit the document for approval as a "TIA Standard", an "American National Standard," or both.
 
In order to develop an American National Standard, the draft of the proposed document must be circulated as an industry-wide ANSI "Standards Proposal" (SP) ballot/pink ballot. During the balloting period, the ballot is available for pulblic review and any interested entities may submit one of three responses to the ballot: "affirmative," "affirmative (with comment") or "negative (with comment)."  After the final draft of the document has obtained industry consensus, the balloting information and supporting documents are reviewed by TIA, to ensure that process requirements have been met. Upon completion of this review, the document information is forwarded to the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) Board of Standards Review (BSR) with request for approval. If the document is approved as an American National Standard, the respective TIA committee will approve the ANSI/TIA standards for publication.

3. Where can I find and buy standards?

You can search for standards on TIA's Web site by clicking here. Each standard will have a link to purchase it online from IHS, Inc. You can also go directly to the IHS Web site and search there. Our two databases are the same. TIA and IHS International Inc. have joined forces in an agreement appointing IHS as the primary distributor of TIA/EIA standards and related publications. While TIA and its associated groups continue their essential technical and editorial activities, IHS is responsible for publication, sale and distribution. IHS can also provide technical support. Additional contact information for IHS, Inc.: 1.877.413.5187 (U.S. and Canada) +1.303.397.8896 (Outside U.S. and Canada) http://global.ihs.com/home_page_tia.cfm?rid=TIA

4. Why should my company join TIA?

For starters: Discounts and priority space at domestic and international trade shows Participation in standards development and discounts on technical documents Access to critical intelligence, market analysis and educational programs Representation in domestic and international issue advocacy efforts Other business benefits, such as affinity program discounts, reduced member rates on seminars, publications and more. Click here for details on TIA Membership.

5. What companies are eligible for TIA membership?

TIA has two types of membership: General Membership Any company (or a division of a company) formed under the laws of the United States shall be eligible for general membership if it is engaged in the business of developing, manufacturing, distributing, selling, installing, launching or consulting with respect to communications or information technology products (including software) or services other than common carrier services. View the application. Associate Membership Associate membership in TIA is available to companies that are not principally in the business of manufacturing, developing, distributing, installing, launching or consulting in respect to communications or information technology products or services other than common carrier. Companies that qualify for the General category of membership are not eligible for Associate membership. TIA Associate membership is available to companies engaged in financial or legal services, similarly related businesses or companies that do not qualify for General membership. View the application.

6. Why aren't all TIA standards free?

The standards development process costs a great deal of money.  There are significant expenses other than the cost of printing and distributing hardcopy documents. Much like the United Way or any other volunteer organization, standards developers spend time and resources on coordinating the efforts of volunteers in the development process.  Every five years, a standard must be revised, reaffirmed or withdrawn to address current technology. All these activities require a full-time staff employed by the Standards Development Organization (SDO).  Once a standard is developed, there are additional costs for publishing, printing and public relations. Users frequently require assistance in finding the standards appropriate for their needs, requiring a staff of information specialists to provide support. Considerable resources are spent on promoting the acceptance of standards in the marketplace.

Furthermore, SDOs regularly invest in the education of federal, state and local officials to demonstrate the merit and integrity of standards and the development process. Since users rely on market acceptance of standards to operate commercially, this is an important function provided by SDOs. The distribution and access systems may be the most significant costs of standards. Catalogs are created and maintained so users know what is available. Distribution outlets are staffed to provide fulfillment by hard copy or other format. In the case of electronic dissemination, the costs of printing and distribution are less, but there are weighty costs for electronic document publishing, electronic file maintenance, facilities and equipment for providing online or other methods of access, and customer support for electronic applications.

7. Can I download any free standards?

Yes. TIA, with the permission of certain of its engineering committees, does make some standards available for free download. Specifically, you can download TR-41 Voice over IP (VoIP) standards. You can also download cdma2000® (FDD MC-CDMA or G3G CDMA MC) standards. The TIA/EIA/IS-2000 standard provides cdma2000 Multi-Carrier 1X and 3X air interface specification. Available for download are the six volumes in the TIA/EIA/IS-2000; two additional specifications supporting the OHG Harmonization framework UWC-136 Standards (TIA/EIA-136-xxx). 

8. My company's name is not listed or is listed incorrectly in your directory. How can it be added or corrected?

The directory is a listing of TIA members. If you are a member and need to correct information in your record or do not see your company record, please log into the Members Only section of the site, or e-mail membership@tiaonline.org, to update your data. If you would like to learn more about joining the association, click here.

9. How can my company or I submit a proposal to speak at your upcoming events?

Please consult TIA's Event Calendar for a full listing of meetings and Contact Us for further information.

10. Will TIA put a link to my website on TIA Online?

TIA is vendor neutral and does not promote one member's products over another's. The association does not promote or endorse non-members or companies that are not partners in any of its marketing materials, including the Web site. Only links for non-profit or government agencies, partners and members are considered. E-mail the webmaster with suggestions. If you are a member, your company name and Web site are listed in the Online Membership Directory. Log in as a member to update the displayed information. If you have trouble logging in, send email to membership@tiaonline.org or call (703) 907-7714. Members listed in the directory can also participate in our logo exchange program for added brand visibility. Send email to editor@tiaonline.org to learn more about this opportunity.

11. How or where can I get answers to technical standards-related questions?

If you need more technical help, you can contact standards@tiacomm.org to have your question referred to the related technical committee; however, this process does not guarantee any answer. If you have a question about an order or any standard you just purchased from IHS, Inc., please contact them at 1.877.413.5187 (U.S. and Canada) or +1.303.397.8896 (outside U.S. and Canada), or visit their "Technical Research" department online at http://www.ihs.com/.

12. How should I use the trademark for cdma2000®?

Is cdma2000® a registered trademark and/or certification mark? Yes, the Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA-USA) has registered cdma2000® as a trademark. TIA-USA has also registered cdma2000® as a certification mark for goods and services conforming to the cdma2000® family of standards promulgated by TIA-USA. CDMA2000® LICENSE AGREEMENT TIA offers a limited, non-transferable license to use the mark, in connection with wireless telephony equipment and/or services that conform to the TIA/EIA/IS-2000 family of standards. How should I use cdma2000® in my documents? A registered mark symbol (i.e., "R" in a circle and superscripted or ®) should appear with every usage of the mark in any published document, including text on Web pages, technical documents and advertisements. The registration extends to the appearance of the mark in all forms (e.g., CDMA2000® phone or cdma2000® 1X RTT ). The cdma2000® mark should be used as an "adjective" modifying a generic noun (e.g., "software," "phone," "technology" or "standard." If I want to use the trademark, do I need to reference TIA in the document? Yes, the following footnotes are acceptable and should appear on first usage in the document. If used in the title, the footnote may appear in the foreword or other first usage in the document, advertisement or article: cdma2000® is a registered trademark of the Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA-USA), or CDMA2000® is a registered trademark of the Telecommunications Industry Association TIA-USA). Can I use the mark with all capital letters? TIA's Engineering Subcommittee TR-45.5 has specified cdma2000® in lower case, no space. However, TIA is aware that some entities have chosen to use the mark in upper case. Regardless of the stylization, usage of the mark is protected and requires the superscript ®. What requirements must be met to use the cdma2000® certification mark? A license agreement must be signed by the licensee and payment remitted to TIA. TIA-USA offers providers of goods and services that meet the cdma2000® standards an opportunity to use the certification mark in connection with their conforming goods and services subject to conditions set forth in the cdma2000® certification application and license agreement. The license agreement requires, among other things, a Supplier's Declaration of Conformance, indemnification language covering product liability and non-compliance with the cdma2000® standards, and a modest one-time licensing fee. As part of the certification program, TIA does not initially undertake testing of equipment or services, but reserves the right to do so. What do I need to do to comply with the certification program? For use with products or services in the United States, you must accept the TIA license agreement, comply with its terms, pay the fee, and include a footnote in written material saying: cdma2000® is a registered certification mark of the Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA-USA) or CDMA2000® is a registered certification mark of the Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA-USA). In what cases do I need permission or a license to use the certification mark? Use of the mark in the USA for business purposes, for example, marketing a product or service as "cdma2000® compliant" requires a license agreement with TIA. The one-time price for a license from TIA is $500.00. If you are a non-profit Standards Development Organization (SDO), permission to use the trademark has been provided for use in that SDO's standards and standards work. How will TIA determine which companies receive licenses? TIA will offer a license on reasonable and nondiscriminatory terms to companies complying with the application process for a one-time license fee for use of the mark in the United States. The fee will be nominal, and designed to recover costs of administration of the license. Can I use the TIA logo in connection with the mark? A license to use the cdma2000® mark does not permit the use of the TIA logo or the TIA name in conjunction with the mark.

For more information or assistance in obtaining a license to use the cdma2000® mark, please view the CDMA2000® LICENSE AGREEMENT TIA offers a limited, non-transferable license to use the mark in connection with wireless telephony equipment and/or services that conform to the TIA/EIA/IS-2000 family of standards. Please contact TIA at +1.703.907.7413 or e-mail akurtzman@tiaonline.org if you still have any questions about the license. Click here for a downloadable format of this information Click here to download free cdma2000® standards.

13. How do I receive copyright permission from TIA regarding standards, specifications or bulletins?

TIA holds copyright for all Standards, Specifications, or Bulletins produced by its Engineering Committees. Reproduction and/or distribution of these documents either in hard copy or soft copy is prohibited without copyright permission. All requests for copyright permission must be sent by e-mail to standards@tiaonline.org.

The request should include the following information:

  • The purpose for which permission is needed
  • The specific document name and document number
  • The portion of the document which will be reproduced (Include tables and charts)
  • NOTE: if a proposed mockup or sample is available, please include it with the request
  • The intended audience (i.e. type of person, such as installers, sales staff, students)
  • The number of copies that will be reproduced
  • The type of media format that will be used for the copy (i.e. hard copy, soft copy)

Examples of instances in which copyright permission may be granted include:

  • For academic purposes such as a presentation at a conference
  • For reference by another association or standards developing organization
  • For insertion into government procurement contracts
  • For translation into another language
  • For publication in a textbook or other manuals

For more information, e-mail standards@tiaonline.org.

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