Local companies have been providing quality telephone service in Michigan for more than a century.  The state’s first telephone arrived in 1877 when an Upper Peninsula businessman returned from an exhibit of Alexander Graham Bell’s invention and set up a line between his inland office and the Lake Superior port at Ontonagon.  Since then, Michigan’s local telephone companies have invested billions of dollars in infrastructure development and remain committed to providing the best possible service to their customers.

The Telecommunications Association of Michigan was established in 1935 as the Telephone Association of Michigan.  Over the course of its history, the association has grown into Michigan’s largest trade association serving the telecommunications industry.  Our membership includes nearly all of the state’s incumbent local telephone companies, including AT&T, CenturyTel, TDS Telecom and dozens of other companies that are all providing state-of-the-art communications services at affordable prices.  The association also represents more than 100 firms who work with our telecom company members, providing equipment, construction services and consulting expertise.

As a not-for-profit 501c(6) organization, the association has the ability to meet the needs of its membership in a variety of ways.  Our educational programming, public policy knowledge and regulatory compliance assistance enables the membership to meet the challenges of a dynamic industry armed with the tools they need to succeed.  The association’s efforts have consistently been recognized as being among the most effective in the industry.

The association is a membership-driven organization that has been fortunate to enjoy strong leadership from individuals within the industry.  The Board of Directors is comprised of 13 CEOs, vice presidents and managers of its local telecom company members.  The Board receives input from membership committees that focus on technical, regulatory, tax policy, accounting, and other issues.  Carrying out the Board’s objectives is a staff of four people who have extensive experience in public policy and association management.  The association also retains consultants and legal counsel who are widely seen as being the best in the business.

For more than 73 years, the Telecommunications Association of Michigan has actively supported and promoted the state’s telecom industry.  As the industry continues to evolve, it plays an increasingly important role in Michigan’s economy.  The Telecommunications Association of Michigan has embraced the change and will continue to provide its membership with services that help them thrive.