TIA Named to Leadership Role in Smart Cities Standards Development

Work is Part of Broad Effort to Create a Holistic Approach to Implementing Technology Solutions

Arlington VA. (May 3, 2017) – The Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA), the leading association representing the manufacturers and suppliers of high-tech communications networks, will play a lead role in smart community standards development as the newly-appointed Technical Advisory Group (TAG) administrator for the U.S. National Committee of International Electrotechnical Commission (USNC/IEC). This work is part of a broad effort by TIA to address a range of challenges facing the future of connected communities.

Brenda Boehm, TIA Chief Strategy Officer and EVP Technology and Products, commented, “as an organization that tackles connectivity challenges from every angle – including technology, public policy, and business growth – TIA is uniquely well positioned to lead the IEC committee. The efforts of the committee will be essential as TIA works on multiple fronts to accelerate the economic, business and social opportunities of smart communities.”

“Smart cities will be safer, healthier, more efficient and economically stronger,” Boehm continued.  “But to achieve these goals we’ve got to break down the current siloed approach that makes it hard to replicate success from community to community. Through our work with the IEC and other efforts, TIA’s goal is to create global common tools and frameworks that allow for simpler and more effective adoption of smart technologies. Doing so will not only produce life-changing benefits for communities and their citizens, it will drive tremendous business opportunities for innovative tech companies.”

In 2016, the IEC identified smart cities as an area where a new top-down standardization approach – one that looks broadly at large-scale systems infrastructure – could be very beneficial for the acceleration of technology adoption. Following its creation, the IEC Systems Committee – Smart Cities, identified common city goals such sustainable development, efficiency, infrastructure resilience, safety and support for citizens’ engagement and participation.

TIA is now leading the new U.S. Committee to IEC Systems Committee – Smart Cities.  In a coordinated effort with the global IEC Systems initiative, the US TAG will work to enable the rapid deployment of smart cities solutions by pursing comprehensive needs assessment, collaboration among groups involved in smart city development, and the development of specific standards, as needed.

TIA welcomes all participants from industry, academia, federal and local governments, corporates, independent consultants and other organizations to engage with TIA in this activity. For more information and how to participate in standards development with TIA, contact Florence Otieno at fotieno@tiaonline.org or standards@tiaonline.org.