THE LATVIAN TELECOMMUNICATIONS ASSOCIATION
Laura Kalinka, correspondent, Latvia, Baltic IT Review 4 '99
This article provides a look at the goals, areas of activity and missions of the Latvian Telecommunications Association.
The Latvian Telecommunications Association was established in 1998. It is the first professional organization in Latvia to bring together various telecommunications-related organizations. Members of the LTA are legal entities, and, taken together, they represent a very significant part of the telecommunications sector. Members include public and mobile telephone network operators, cable TV service providers, specialized telecommunications networks, Internet service providers and telecommunications equipment manufacturers from Latvia and abroad. The LTA is a member of the European Competitive Telecommunications Association (ECTA). It cooperates with the Latvian Informatics Association, the Association of Computer Technology Manufacturers (the LTA is a member of that organization), the Association of Cable Television Networks, and the Latvian Center for Business Innovation in the Latvian Electronics Industry. The association was established in 1998, when it became clear to companies in the telecommunications industry that all participants in the sector must work together in order to establish an environment that is favorable for business. Some 30 legal entities and private individuals have already joined.
The basic goals of the LTA in its operations are:
• To promote cooperation among organizations and companies in the telecommunications sector;
• To promote the present and future development of the telecommunications sector;
• To devote specific attention to the development of telecommunications networks and services in rural areas, using the existing fixed, mobile and specialized telecommunications infrastructure in a rational way;
• To promote liberalization in telecommunications in Latvia;
• To merge into the European telecommunications sector, promoting international cooperation.
The areas of activity and the missions of the LTA are the following:
• To promote improvements in legislation;
• To inform society about issues and problems in the telecommunications sector;
• To organize the elaboration, expert analysis and implementation of scientific projects;
• To promote improvements in the technological level of telecommunications, as well as specialist training (with the help of the LTA, Latvia will join in the system of educational support points that is being established in the European telecommunications sector);
• To promote more expanded fundamental and applied research with the purpose of promoting the development of telecommunications;
• To establish opportunities for international cooperation.
The LTA’s working methods are the following:
• Cooperation with state, local government, private and public institutions, involving representatives of various professions and institutions in the LTA’s work, supporting initiative and organizing various events;
• Help in selecting and learning about the latest telecommunications equipment;
• Extended distribution of information and knowledge about telecommunications issues, both through the LTA’s information channels and by cooperating with the mass media.
Contact information
President: Pēteris Šmidre, tel. +371-706-0000
Vice president and executive director: Jānis Lelis, tel. +371-9-556340
Address: Akadēmijas laukums 1, Suite 702, Rīga LV-1050, Latvia
E-mail: