WASHINGTON-The Competitive Telecommunications Association (CompTel) and the Association for Communications Enterprises (ASCENT) announced they will merge, pending a vote of approval by their respective memberships in the coming weeks. The combined organization will continue under the CompTel/ASCENT Alliance label.
“The pending merger of CompTel and ASCENT is an exciting step forward for the entire competitive telecommunications community,” said H. Russell Frisby, president of CompTel. “We are bringing together two industry stalwarts to create an even stronger entity. The combination will permit us to more staunchly fulfill our members’ missions: aggressive advocacy for pro-competitive, pro-consumer policies across the country and around the world; and educational and networking opportunities through our industry-leading conferences and trade expos.”
Beginning next year, the CompTel/ASCENT Alliance expects to host two conferences/trade expositions each year.
Formerly the Telecommunications Resellers Association, ASCENT is a trade association for entrepreneurial communications companies and their suppliers. The group’s members offer broadband, wireless and narrowband technologies. ASCENT also operates a wireless wholesale service program for service providers through a partnership with Consumer Cellular and AT&T Wireless Services Inc.
CompTel represents competitive telecommunications providers and provides policy and regulatory expertise, educational and technical support, as well as business opportunities for its member companies.
