History 

The Kentucky Independent Telephone Association was originally established around 1937 as a non-profit organization to promote independent telephony in the Commonwealth.  Members often called the association "the biggest little state telephone association in the united states". 

In the early years, member companies were privately owned and served areas not served by the AT&T system.  In the late 1940's - early 1950's, several rural telephone cooperative corporations were formed to serve many rural areas throughout the state.  The RTCC's were formed under the federal Rural Electrification Act.  All of them eventually joined the association. 

By 1957, the name was changed to the Kentucky Telephone Association after BellSouth (then Southern Bell) and Cincinnati Bell (then Citizens Telephone) joined.  It remained a non-profit organization to promote the general interests and welfare of the telecommunications industry in the Commonwealth.  That is still our goal today. 

The telecommunications industry has undergone enormous changes over the past several years.  Advancements in technology, including the growth of computer applications and fiber cable, expanding service areas, increasingly complex regulatory requirements, and competitive services has fueled many of these changes.  Throughout this time, KTA has served the industry by fostering communication and cooperation among its member companies to improve their services and products.  

Telecommunications came under state regulation in 1934 with the creation of the Public Service Commission (PSC).  State regulation still exists today although under many different formats and levels.  ILECs are generally held to full regulatory treatment, while all others, including competitive local exchange carriers (CLECs), interexchange carriers (IXCs) and wireless carriers are under lesser regulation.  CATV is not regulated by the PSC. 

The 1996 federal Telecommunications Act of 1996 had a significant impact on the industry.  The Act was intended to create more local competition by easing restrictions for new market entrants and revising rates to better reflect true costs.  Although many provisions of the Act are still in dispute, it is clear that there is now more competition in the local market.  In Kentucky, over 350 CLECs have been authorized to provide local service and CATV companies becoming direct competitors by offering telecommunications services, including broadband services.  

Past Presidents of the Board of Directors