CTIA operates certification programs for the wireless industry and publishes wireless industry surveys.[5][7][8] It has also sponsored variouspublic service initiatives related to wireless.
It was initially known as theCellular Telecommunications Industry Association until 2004, and later theCellular Telecommunications and Internet Association. The organization has since operated under its initialism only, subtitled asCTIA – The Wireless Association until 2015.
CTIA was established in May 1984 as the Cellular Telecommunications Industry Association.[9] In 2000, the organization merged with the Wireless Data Forum and became the Cellular Telecommunications and Internet Association.[1][10] Its name was changed to CTIA—The Wireless Association in 2004.[1]
Steve Largent became president and CEO in November 2003, serving until 2014.[12][13]Meredith Attwell Baker was CTIA's president and CEO from June 2014 until April 2025.[14][15] CTIA paid Baker $3.0 million in compensation in 2021, $3.2 million in 2022, and $3.7 million in 2023.[16][17]Ajit Pai became CEO and President of CTIA on April 1, 2025.[18]
When Baker was named president and CEO, she identified spectrum as a policy priority.[19] She has testified beforeUnited States Congress on the issue.[20] In a March 2016 media call, Baker said the industry is ready to invest billions of dollars to fund spectrum and new infrastructure. She suggested the "spectrum pipeline should become a national priority" because "100 MHz of spectrum is equal to $30 billion to the economy and 1 million jobs."[21]
In 2016, CTIA released reports outlining the importance of U.S. leadership in the 5G and high band spectrum.[22][23] CTIA praised the FCC's unanimous vote in July 2016 to allow wireless operations above 24 GHz.[24]
CTIA supported the FCC retaining "the 2010 open Internet order's 'mobile specific' approach to [regulations] given the 'unique engineering, competitive and legal conditions' of 4G LTE, rather than a one-size-fits both wired and wireless approach" in a letter from Baker toRep.Greg Walden (R-Ore.), chairman of theHouse Energy Subcommittee on Communications and Technology, in September 2014.[25]
In January 2015, Baker testified on the importance of an open Internet but against the reclassification of mobile broadband as a Title II (common carrier) service under theCommunications Act of 1934 at a hearing held by the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Communications and Technology.[26] Two months later, CTIA, theNational Cable and Telecommunications Association (NCTA), and USTelecom, filed legal challenges against the FCC'snet neutrality order reclassifying broadband under Title II.[27]
CTIA has organizedtrade shows for the wireless industry, including the CTIA Wireless Show and MobileCON. In January 2013, it was announced that both events would be replaced by a new event known as CTIA Super Mobility, first held in September 2014. The following year's conference featured 1,000 exhibitors and attracted 30,000 visitors.[29]
In June 2016, CTIA announced a partnership with theGSM Association, under which Super Mobility Week would be re-launched asMobile World Congress Americas beginning in 2017.[29][30]
The foundation is a significant sponsor of PulsePoint, a no-cost app that alerts users of nearby cardiac arrest emergencies so they can offer first aid before first responders arrive.[35][36] The foundation also supports "text4baby", a no-cost mobile texting program that provides information to parents and caregivers on prenatal care and baby health and parenting.[37]
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