WASHINGTON-The merger of the Competitive Telecommunications Association (CompTel) and the Association for Communications Enterprises (Ascent) was approved Sept. 22 by the membership of both organizations.
“In addition to having many members in common, CompTel and Ascent have long shared similar perspectives on the policy issues impacting the industry. For those reasons, the memberships of both associations believed it was time to come together and create a cohesive force that serves as the single voice for competitive telecommunications providers,” said CompTel in a statement.
CompTel President H. Russell Frisby Jr. will serve as the chief executive officer of the CompTel/Ascent Alliance and Ascent President Walter Blackwell will serve as president and chief operating officer.
Until the CompTel/Ascent Alliance holds its first conference in February, all members of both boards will continue to serve, said CompTel. At the meeting set for Anaheim, Calif., a new 21-member board will be elected.
Dues structures will remain through 2004.
Ascent was formerly known as the Telecommunications Resellers Association and includes wireless resellers.
The merger was first announced earlier this month.
