WASHINGTON-The Cellular Telecommunications & Internet Association will unveil a new logo, mission statement, and set of core values when it meets in Atlanta later this month for its Wireless 2004 conference but on Sunday, CTIA President Steve Largent was scheduled to give state regulators a preview.
“Listen and Learn, then Lead” will be the new CTIA motto. This fits in with Largent’s leadership style, he said, noting that the relationship with the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners has not always been easy.
“I understand that there has been a less-than-cordial relationship,” said Largent. “I believe in building bridges, not burning them.”
Largent was scheduled to speak to NARUC on Sunday after RCR Wireless News had gone to press, he agreed last week to give a preview. CTIA is putting more effort into addressing issues at the state level as some states, including California and New York, are trying to legislate cellular matters like quality of service and driving while talking on cell phones.
CTIA has a set of core values that Largent hopes the state regulators will embrace.
c Integrity: Our good name and reputation are our greatest assets. We are honest, reliable, trustworthy and consistent.
c Excellence: We are committed to excellence in all we do. It is the hallmark of our performance, attitude and character. We are professional, thorough and the source for all things wireless.
c Service driven: We exist to serve the interests and well being of all our members.
c Effectiveness: When we say we will do something, it gets done.
Largent expects to try to have state regulators see the wireless industry in a new light by helping them understand its history.
“Where we have come from as an industry? Where we were 10 years ago and where we are today?” said Largent. “We may not be in our infancy but we are at best an early adolescent.”
It will be the convergence of the future that Largent hopes to excite regulators with by explaining that “the cell phone is the third screen in your life after the TV and computer. Convergence will come with your mobile phone with it containing it all, your TV, computer, phone, camera and MP3 player.”
The mission statement and core values have been used by CTIA since its move earlier this year, said Largent, but this is the first time that policy-makers will hear them even before the business community hears it in the weeks to come.
