It has been about two-and-a-half years since Steve Largent took over the reins at CTIA, the cellular trade group hosting this week’s big bash in Las Vegas. Just how is it that Largent won the well-endowed right to be kingpin lobbyist for this wildly successful $100 billion mobile-phone industry?
It was an unlikely choice. Indeed, Largent was not the CTIA search committee’s first pick. But in the end, CTIA chose Largent.
Being Republican and all, the Oklahoman met the minimal qualification for the GOP-controlled political and lobbying establishments. Though he once served on the House telecom subcommittee, Largent lacked the breadth of wireless legislative experience possessed by Pickering. But then Largent had star power as an NFL Hall of Fame receiver.
Largent arrived on the scene in November 2003, uncomfortably accompanied by local number portability implementation and the fallout from industry infighting and consumer confusion. Months later-in May 2004-the California Public Utilities Commission approved a slew of new state wireless rules in a bill of rights for telecom consumers. In which state would the next shoe drop? Wireless health lawsuits did a U-turn and began returning with vigor to state courts. And the filing of consumer lawsuits showed little sign of abating. It did not look like a good start for Team Largent. Maybe this eminently likeable guy was in over his head in this association business where the leader must be as good at selling his industry’s story to policymakers as holding hands and massaging egos of member chief executives. The thought most certainly ran through my mind. How about yours?
But something happened. It did not all go downhill. LNP did not turn industry upside down. Things even got better for industry in consumer-crazed California: Industry perseverance, aided by the political muscle of Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, got the bill of rights suspended in January 2005 and gutted 14 months later. Meantime, some wireless health suits are actually back in federal court again-without the help of the U.S. Supreme Court.
In states here and there, the mobile-phone industry is picking up victories, ridding carriers of discriminatory taxes and burdensome regulations. It gets better. Industry has managed to get the FCC squarely in its corner-at least on the jurisdiction issue-in consumer and health litigation. And mobile-phone carriers and manufacturers appear as serious as ever about providing wireless access to hearing-disabled consumers.
Perhaps there are those unhappy with Largent, but they haven’t surfaced on my radar. Yes, there are nagging industry problems (i.e. E911, distracted driving, privacy, etc.). But a fair assessment suggests Largent, in keeping with history, has exceeded expectations. CTIA rolled the dice on Largent, and-ka-ching!-is getting the payoff.
