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Recent News
DigitalBridge continues to face market woes as stock hits new lows and European director departs
In late 2021, when it was announced that Matt Evans was hired as Digital Bridge Group, Inc.’s Managing Director Head of Europe, he said, “I am excited to be joining the DigitalBridge team at such a pivotal time.” According...
Starks resigns from the FCC, paving the way for Republican control under Chairman Carr
Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Commissioner Geoffrey Starks has announced his intention to resign this Spring, cutting short his term that was set to expire in 2027. His departure could have significant implications for the balance of power within the...
Evan Feinman departs BEAD program, warning of ‘deeply negative outcomes’ from favoring satellites
The $42.5 billion Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program is at a crossroads following the departure of its director, Evan Feinman. In a farewell email to staff (available below), Feinman issued a stark warning that proposed shifts in...
Dan McVaugh joins Tower Family Foundation Board; Leadership team of Tracy, Blakeslee and Murphy announced
The Tower Family Foundation has announced the newest appointment to the non-profit organization’s leadership team. Dan McVaugh, Senior Advisor of Cathedral Consulting, has been appointed to serve on the Tower Family Foundation’s Board of Directors. McVaugh joins the slate...
Back to basics: Crown Castle reverts to core tower strategy after shedding fiber and small cells assets for $8.5 billion
Crown Castle Inc. has finalized a definitive agreement to sell its Fiber segment, marking a strategic shift to focus on its core tower business. The transaction, valued at $8.5 billion, involves EQT Active Core Infrastructure fund acquiring Crown Castle’s...
Ajit Pai’s legacy: A win for CTIA’s wireless carriers as its new chief, but at what cost to contractors?
Ajit Pai, former Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), is set to take over as president and CEO of CTIA on April 1. His appointment marks a significant leadership shift for the wireless industry’s leading lobbying group as...
Tariff shock: Steel price surge threatens carrier expansion, squeezing manufacturers and contractors
Since the U.S. telecommunications industry relies heavily on steel to construct and maintain cell towers, mounts, and products for new cell site locations and upgrades, tariffs on steel and aluminum imports, reintroduced by the Trump administration yesterday, are already...
Senate confirms Lori Chavez-DeRemer, despite GOP concerns over her strong union support
The Senate confirmed former Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer (R-Ore.) as Labor Secretary on Monday in a 67-32 bipartisan vote. Seventeen Democrats joined most Republicans in support, while Senators. Rand Paul (R-Ky.), Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), and Ted Budd (R-N.C.) opposed the...
Fiber is no longer the cornerstone: Lutnick’s BEAD program’s shift should benefit wireless and satellite
Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick announced a significant overhaul of the $42 billion Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program, signaling a shift from its previous fiber-centric focus. Fiber optics, once seen as the cornerstone for high-speed internet infrastructure, could...
Just months after announcing its formation, Trueline’s collapse sparks class-action lawsuit by laid-off workers
Trueline Infrastructure Solutions, a broadband construction firm backed by private equity giant Grain Management, abruptly shut down last week, laying off nearly all its 500 employees on Friday. The sudden closure shocked employees, prompting a class-action lawsuit against Trueline for allegedly...
Insider theft: Telecom contractor’s employee charged with stealing hundreds of T-Mobile’s cell tower batteries
A Phoenix, Arizona man faces 27 felony charges for allegedly stealing backup batteries used in cell towers across the area, threatening emergency communications during power outages. According to an indictment, Andres Samuel Contreras, 29, is accused of stealing over...
“This map proves absolutely nothing”: Attorney gives Greenfield residents 80% chance of blocking AT&T 170-foot monopole
The ongoing debate over a proposed 170-foot cell tower near 112 Newton St. in Greenfield, MA, took a new turn late last month, as the Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) extended the hearing following a contentious two-hour presentation by...
As contractors are forced to quit, FCC Chief Carr tackles tower climb to showcase telecom workforce’s true grit
With over 42 years of experience erecting and maintaining tall towers, Precision Communications lead foreman Mike Berry has tackled plenty of unique and challenging projects—some unforgettable, while others blur together, fading into the background like just another day on...
Texas tower technician falls to his death during a T-Mobile build in Louisiana on an American Tower site
At an opening reception during NATE UNITE 2025 in Raleigh, NC, last Monday evening, an American Tower Corp project manager unexpectedly obtained a microphone and brought a lively crowd to silence with a somber announcement: “An hour ago,” he...
Safety and success advocates honored: NATE UNITE 2025 celebrates a dedicated dozen
NATE: The Communications Infrastructure Contractors Association on Wednesday honored a distinguished group of leaders for their contributions to the organization and industry. The following honorees were presented their awards at the NATE UNITE 2025 Awards recognition luncheon sponsored by...
Drouin is reseated as NATE’s Chairman along with Vice-Chairman Scott; Young is elected as Secretary/Treasurer
NATE announced that Board of Directors members Victor Drouin, Randy Scott, and Mike Young were selected by their peers to serve on the Association’s Executive Committee for the upcoming year. The Association made the announcement on the first day...
NATE’s bold FCC petition: A call to FCC Chairman Carr to secure the future of wireless infrastructure contractors
Kicking off its annual conference in Raleigh today, NATE: The Wireless Infrastructure Contractors Association took a decisive stand, launching a petition to FCC Chairman Brendan Carr. The move has energized members and industry leaders, sounding the alarm that inflexible,...
AT&T partners with NWSA to fund foreman certification exams at no cost to technicians to foster emerging leaders
The National Wireless Safety Alliance (NWSA) is teaming up with AT&T to support the development and growth of new and emerging leaders in the wireless industry through a new initiative aimed at increasing the number of NWSA-certified Foremen. AT&T...
Chinese hackers escalate attacks on U.S. telecom networks through Cisco
Chinese state-sponsored hacking group Salt Typhoon has launched a new wave of cyberattacks targeting U.S. telecommunications providers by exploiting vulnerabilities in unpatched Cisco IOS XE network devices. These breaches, affecting major firms such as AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile, have...
Historic charm meets bathroom chic: The saga of SBA’s toilet paper tower, which gained an extra roll
A telecommunications tower off Line Street in downtown Charleston, South Carolina, has been a source of debate since its completion in 2023. Historic preservation advocates are pushing for changes, arguing that the structure deviates significantly from its initially approved...
FieldSync captures strategic investment from Valiant Wealth to accelerate growth in critical infrastructure market
FieldSync, Inc., the holding company for FieldSync Technologies and Murphy Tower, has announced a new funding round with strategic investment from Valiant Wealth. This partnership marks a significant milestone in FieldSync’s mission to redefine how critical infrastructure is built,...
Verizon defeats Pennsylvania class action over lead cables—Ruling could doom similar lawsuit in New Jersey
On Friday, a federal judge in Pennsylvania dismissed a proposed class action lawsuit against Verizon Communications Inc., ruling that the plaintiff, former utility pole worker Mark Tiger, lacked standing to sue in federal court. The lawsuit alleged that Verizon’s...
Biggs’ push to eliminate OSHA: A risky move for worker safety, especially in fall protection
Editor’s Note: Arizona Rep. Andy Biggs’ bill to abolish OSHA is a masterclass in legislative minimalism—so brief it could fit on the side of a thimble. While unlikely to pass, it has ironically backfired by highlighting just how essential...
Arielle Roth’s nomination to head NTIA signals probable shift away from fiber-centric BEAD program
President Donald Trump has nominated Arielle Roth, telecom director for Senate Commerce Committee Chairman Ted Cruz, to lead the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA). If confirmed, Roth would oversee federal broadband policy, including the $42.5 billion Broadband, Equity,...
Back and Blue: ANDREW is back as a new era begins under Amphenol’s umbrella of companies
Amphenol Corporation today announced the successful acquisition of CommScope’s Outdoor Wireless Networks (OWN) and Distributed Antenna Systems (DAS) businesses. Now operating under the ANDREW name, these businesses further strengthen Amphenol’s leadership in communications infrastructure solutions. “The addition of the OWN and...
The silent crisis: How criminals are wiping out cell sites and getting away with it
Michael O’Rielly, former Commissioner of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), has raised alarms over the increasing wave of vandalism and theft targeting broadband infrastructure. In a recent analysis published by the Free State Foundation, O’Rielly emphasized the urgent need...
Aggressive contractor debt collection and a $325M appeal: The latest in the Crown Castle vs. Dish feud
Dish Network has aggressively pursued alleged debts from contractors involved in its dispute with Crown Castle, engaging a third-party debt collection firm rather than initiating litigation. Alternately, Dish could agree that the contractors were not at fault in developing Dish...
Tower technician critically injured after contact with high-voltage power line adjacent to Verizon monopole
UPDATE: February 5, 2025 – According to OSHA, the employer of the tower technician who was rescued was True North Management Services, LLC of Fenton, MO. The agency will not provide any additional information until they complete their investigation....
Contracting industry will collapse without reform in carrier practices, warns NATE CEO Schlekeway
Today, NATE: The Communications Infrastructure Contractors Association released an open letter addressing critical challenges facing the wireless contracting industry. As the association celebrates its 30th anniversary, it simultaneously confronts one of its most turbulent eras. While benefiting from the...
Engineers to provide a unified front with the launch of a consortium to accelerate and optimize network deployments
Telecom structural engineering firms Colliers Engineering & Design, Congruex, Kimley-Horn, and Paul J. Ford & Company today announced the launch of the Mobile Infrastructure Engineering Consortium (MIEC). This groundbreaking consortium is dedicated to advancing global wireless engineering standards and best practices. It will empower mobile...
Tower technician setbacks serve as a cautionary tale for BEAD fiber training exceeding $350 million and climbing
As the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program begins construction in Louisiana, Delaware, and Nevada in Q2, significant concerns about workforce development initiatives funded through BEAD grants are emerging. A striking percentage of the $42.5 billion BEAD program...
Industry faces unfair competition from 1099 contractors exploiting loopholes; Boston Judge puts one in jail
Kenneth Marston, 67, of Hanson, Massachusetts, has been sentenced to six months in prison, followed by 18 months of supervised release with the first six months on home detention, for a tax fraud scheme that avoided over $1 million in...
Ericsson’s green dreams become contractors’ nightmare
In President Donald Trump’s inaugural speech, one of the first actions he said he would take today was to “end the Green New Deal.” His timing was perfect for wireless contractors who learned this morning of Ericsson’s move to mandate...
New TIF and WIA white paper offers bird-friendly guidelines for tower work and avian coexistence
Communication structure owners are well-acquainted with a common scenario: a contractor calls and reports, “We’re on-site, but there’s a nest on the tower. What do we do?” Since the 1970s, the population of raptors (birds of prey) has rebounded significantly,...
Industry leaders applaud Olivia Trusty’s FCC nomination, citing extensive policy experience
Republican Senate aide Olivia Trusty has been appointed commissioner of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), securing a Republican majority within the agency. Trusty is a professional staff member of the Senate Armed Services Committee. Before that, she was policy...
Supreme Court decision forces TikTok sale to prevent U.S. ban by January 19; Trump delays it going dark
UPDATE: President Donald Trump issued an executive order Monday, January 21, aimed at keeping TikTok operational in the United States while he attempts to broker a deal that could bypass legislative efforts mandating the app sever ties with its...
Soon to be FCC Chair Carr slams Chairwoman Rosenworcel’s eleventh-hour Salt Typhoon vote
In a pointed rebuke, FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr criticized FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel and the Biden administration for advancing a contentious vote on cybersecurity measures yesterday, just days before a new administration reins. Carr’s strong statement called out the...
Palistar Capital combines Symphony Wireless and CTI Towers to create sixth largest private tower owner in the U.S.
Palistar Capital, an alternative asset manager focused on mission-critical communications and digital infrastructure, announced the combination of its pool of wireless assets, managed exclusively by Symphony Wireless, Palistar’s dedicated cell site acquisition affiliate, with another Palistar portfolio company, CTI...
From 5G to future G’s: WIA pushes for bold wireless reforms under Trump administration
The Wireless Infrastructure Association (WIA) has released “A Roadmap to Unlocking Connectivity Everywhere in the Next Administration,” a policy playbook to spark the wireless deployment and investment necessary to end the digital divide and ensure the U.S. continues to...
Mount Wilson towers remain intact as FCC reports minimal communication disruptions from deadly LA fires
Yesterday, the Eaton Fire in Los Angeles County threatened Mount Wilson, which houses the transmitting towers of nearly every Los Angeles TV station, many of its FM radio stations, and other critical communications facilities in Southern California. At one...
Leadership evolution: Industry veteran Bud Noel to serve as American Tower’s first global COO
American Tower Corporation (NYSE: AMT) announced today that Eugene (“Bud”) Noel, currently Executive Vice President and President of the U. S. Tower Division, will become Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, a newly created global position, effective January...
Dual OSHA probe launched after falling tool bag seriously injures tower tech whose condition is still unknown
The condition of a tower technician who was struck on the head by a falling bag of tools on December 20, 2024, in the Township of North Brunswick, NJ, remains unclear, according to the owner of his employer, Gzl...
Opinion: The tower contracting industry is on life support — and carriers must act now
COMMENTARY – The wireless infrastructure industry is in a state of emergency. For decades, tower contractors have been the backbone of the wireless network, building, upgrading, and maintaining the towers that connect the nation. But today, that backbone is...
OSHA finalizes rule on properly fitting PPE for construction workers, but its future is uncertain
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) finalized a rule requiring construction employers to provide personal protective equipment (PPE) that “properly fits” their employees. The rule will take effect on January 13, 2025, addressing long-standing concerns about PPE fit,...
NATE announces results of 2025 Board of Directors election
NATE: The Communications Infrastructure Contractors Association today unveiled the official results of the 2025 Board of Directors election. The Association announces that Jessica Cobb, CEO of MDTS in Ortonville, Michigan, and Bryan Lee, President of Lee Antenna & Line...
Is American Tower CEO Steven Vondran eyeing Ameren’s towers as its newly minted board member?
Steven O. Vondran, CEO of American Tower Corporation—one of the world’s largest owners of communications infrastructure—has accepted a director position on Ameren Corp’s board, effective January 1, 2025. While Ameren praised Vondran’s leadership and expertise in real estate, a...
The death of tower contracting from an insider: How industry practices are driving contractors to the brink
To the Editor: Is the industry of contractors who build towers and upgrade and maintain wireless networks dying? In the opinion of this contractor and others we have spoken with, the answer is yes, and unless something changes very...
Bye-bye, Beijing: Congress boots Huawei and ZTE with full rip and replace funding
The U.S. Senate passed the 2025 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) today, including a crucial $3.08 billion funding provision to fully support the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) Rip and Replace program. President Joe Biden is expected to sign the...
Key telecom figures Meredith Attwell Baker and Alan Davidson set to leave their posts in 2025
In a significant shakeup for U.S. telecommunications policy and advocacy, Meredith Attwell Baker, President and CEO of CTIA, and Alan Davidson, Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information at the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), have both...
Fraudulent training certifications: A persistent issue in telecom safety
Fraudulent training certifications have long been a concern for contractors, fall protection specialists, and infrastructure trainers in the telecommunications industry. With advanced printing technology and the occasional Photoshop-savvy tower technician, fake credentials have become a recurring issue. In at...
The elephant in the FCC: Carr signals end of DEI era but is tactfully advised to recharter the CEDC
President-elect Donald Trump has appointed Brendan Carr, the senior Republican commissioner of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), to serve as the agency’s chairman in his forthcoming administration. Carr, who has been an FCC Commissioner since 2017, said the agency...
Engineering director dodges felony conviction in Wyoming Public Radio transmitter sabotages
Paul Montoya, former Laramie City Council candidate and longtime figure in Wyoming’s broadcasting industry, avoided a felony conviction after reaching a plea agreement involving alleged tampering with Wyoming Public Radio’s (WPR) transmitters. The case, which stemmed from incidents in...
SpaceX and T-Mobile get green light to launch direct-to-phone connectivity, but held back on power boost
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has approved SpaceX to use its Starlink broadband satellites to provide direct-to-phone service for T-Mobile customers. This marks the first collaboration between a satellite operator and a wireless carrier to receive FCC approval for...
OSHA, overtime, and unions: The key issues awaiting Chavez-DeRemer, Trump’s pick for Labor Secretary
President-elect Donald Trump announced Friday his plans to nominate Oregon Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer to head the Labor Department, a post that requires Senate confirmation. “Lori’s strong support from both the Business and Labor communities will ensure that the Labor...
BEAD program: $250M in admin, a goose egg in construction—Senator Cruz wants answers after 1,107 days
Senator Ted Cruz (R-Texas), the ranking member of the Senate Commerce Committee and its incoming chairman, has issued a stern warning to the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) regarding what he deems “unlawful” activities in administering the $42.5...
DOJ wants the FCC to hit the pause button on the T-Mobile’s UScellular acquisition
The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has requested a pause on the proposed acquisition of UScellular by T-Mobile, pending a national security review. In a filing to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) dated November 19, 2024, the DOJ expressed...
FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel announces her departure set for January 2025
Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel announced today her intention to step down from the agency on January 20, 2025, following a transformative tenure that began in 2012. As the first woman to lead the FCC, Rosenworcel leaves...
Criminal acts, critical damage: The high stakes of communications infrastructure sabotage
In an increasingly connected world, the U.S. communications infrastructure serves as the backbone of national security, economic stability, and daily life. Yet, this critical network faces escalating threats from theft and vandalism, jeopardizing essential services and public safety. To...
New FCC Chairman-elect Carr’s vision and Senator Thune’s legislative backing will support tower crews
President-elect Donald Trump announced yesterday that he is tapping Brendan Carr of the Federal Communications Commission to chair the agency. With Senator John Thune (R-SD) taking on the role of Senate Majority Leader, both individuals’ relationships and support of...
A life saved, bonds strengthened: Justin Jacobs’ quick roadside actions earn Sky High Heroes award
It’s not every day that the chance to save a life presents itself. But when it does, will you have the courage, knowledge, and commitment to act and make a difference? Justin Jacobs no longer wonders about that answer....
Wireless Estimator unveils new Top 100 Tower Companies in the U.S. list with enhanced industry filters
To accurately count the top 100 U.S. companies owning ten or more towers, Wireless Estimator has adopted the 1980s Russian proverb popularized by President Ronald Reagan: “Trust, but verify.” Because the FCC’s database and subscription-based FCC programs don’t allow...
Team USA’s “Miracle on Ice” hockey legend Mike Eruzione to deliver keynote Address at NATE UNITE 2025
NATE: The Communications Infrastructure Contractors Association announced today that Mike Eruzione will deliver the keynote address at the NATE UNITE 2025 Conference in Raleigh, North Carolina. NATE UNITE 2025 will celebrate the Association’s 30th Anniversary and is scheduled to...
Macro to Mini: Chris Pleibel charts a new course beyond PerfectVision’s big steel
PerfectVision Infrastructure Vice President Chris Pleibel surprised the telecom industry last week by announcing his departure from the leading manufacturer. While career moves are common in the field, Pleibel’s decision to leave the wireless industry altogether was unexpected by...
New Valmont Site Pro 1 heavy duty ring mounts ensure antennas stay on the tower
By Sharpe Smith, Contributing Editor Recently, more attention has been paid to the interaction between antenna mounts and towers to avoid failures. To ensure that today’s larger, heavier antenna mounts and antennas remain secured to a monopole, Valmont Site...
CapEx climbs at big 3 carriers, offering the industry niche opportunities
By J. Sharpe Smith, Contributing Editor The major carriers appear to be healthy, generating strong cash flows, paying down debt and buying back stock. But will tower construction and maintenance companies be healthier in the coming year? That might...
Déjà Vu at the FCC: Republicans demand a timeout as power swaps hands asking for ‘pencils down’
In a move that mirrors past transitions of power, Republican leaders are urging the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to temporarily hold any contentious regulatory initiatives until President-elect Donald Trump takes office on January 20. This “pencils down” approach, often...
Services set for Texas tower tech James Belcher as OSHA continues its investigation
Funeral services have been announced for James Robert Belcher of Magnolia, Texas, who passed away on November 4, 2024, after a work site incident in Grovetown, Texas. Belcher, 38, was a tower technician supervisor employed by MasTec Network Solutions....
NTSB report supports SBA Communications’ defense in $50 million lawsuit for tower lighting outage
Houston helicopter air tour company National Helicopter Solutions promoted on their website, “We promise to deliver safe, professional, and exciting helicopter travel in the skies over the city of Houston and Greater Texas.” Sadly, one such tour on October...
Industry questions why a co-worker wasn’t on site when a MasTec tech died after falling from a 500-foot tower
UPDATE: November 11, 2024 – Services have been set for James Belecher, the 38-year-old tower technician supervisor who died on a Crown Castle site while working for MasTec Network Solutions. A tower technician is dead today after having fallen...
CWA Unions see uneven wage hikes in AT&T agreements: West vs. Southeast which gets a BEAD perk
AT&T workers, including technicians, customer service representatives, and others who install, maintain, and support AT&T’s network, will receive wage increases of at least 15% throughout the new four-year collective bargaining agreement in the West and over 19% during the...
Helicopter slams into SBA’s Houston 999-foot radio tower, igniting blaze, collapsing it and killing all aboard
UPDATE – October 22, 2024 – SBA Communications has released a press statement to address what it described as “incomplete and/or inaccurate information” circulating in news reports concerning the helicopter crash that occurred in Houston, Texas on Sunday. The...
From Q Link to the clink: Telecommunications provider’s CEO pleads guilty to massive FCC fraud
Issa Asad, 51, of Southwest Ranches, FL, and Q Link Wireless LLC, of Dania Beach, FL, pleaded guilty Tuesday to conspiring to defraud and commit offenses against the United States in connection with a years-long scheme to steal over...
End of an era: Stainless ceases operations, selling tower documentation and engineering assets
After 77 years of shaping the American landscape with more than 50% of the nation’s broadcast towers, in addition to microwave structures and other communications installations, Stainless is closing its doors, according to FDH Infrastructure Services, LLC. FDH, which...
Safety-first approach by NATE, FCC and OSHA program participants ensures quality and reliability for industry clients
NATE: The Communications Infrastructure Contractors Association has announced the member companies who have been formally approved to participate in the STAR Initiative program and the NATE-OSHA-FCC Partnership program for the 2024-2025 year. NATE has proudly accepted 171 participating companies in...
Iconic industry leaders Dobson, Goldsmith, Horwitz, and Kennard Inducted into Wireless Hall of Fame
Four well-known and highly-respected individuals joined the 80 wireless industry pioneers and innovators inducted into the prestigious Wireless Hall of Fame. The event, hosted by the Wireless History Foundation (WHF), a nonprofit organization that has honored the hall of...
No casualties as hot air balloon collision collapses 645-foot tower at Albuquerque fiesta
In 1972, the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta began as the highlight of 770 KOB Radio’s 50th anniversary. It broadcast the 13-balloon event’s activities from its two-tower array. The annual event now features 1,000 balloons in the sky, drawing hundreds...
NATE advocates for industry-specific adjustments to OSHA’s heat safety proposal
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration announced it will accept public comments through Dec. 30, 2024, on its proposed rule issuing a heat injury and illness prevention standard for outdoor and indoor workplaces. According to NATE: The Communications Infrastructure...
Better data, better quality: How drones are revolutionizing UScellular’s tower maintenance
By J. Sharpe Smith, Contributing Editor According to a speaker at a recent NATE conference, data provided by drones is helping carriers increase their quality control, and tower maintenance companies are getting a report card judging their work on...
UScellular pleads its case before the FCC, stating if T-Mobile doesn’t acquire it, the future looks bleak
In a pivotal step toward finalizing T-Mobile’s acquisition of U.S. Cellular Corporation’s (UScellular) wireless assets, key representatives, including UScellular CEO Laurent C. Therivel, met with Federal Communications Commission (FCC) officials last week in meetings to discuss the transaction’s implications...
Massachusetts cell site contractor faces prison for failing to pay over $1M in payroll taxes
Kenneth Marston, 67, a business owner from Kingston, Massachusetts, has pleaded guilty to willfully failing to collect, account for, and pay over payroll taxes owed by his companies, Bowmar Steel Industries Inc. and Teleconstructors Inc., located in Hanson. This...
Country’s second deadliest hurricane still has catastrophic cell service failures as Musk lends a hand
According to yesterday’s FCC outage reporting, large areas impacted by Hurricane Helene, particularly in Western North Carolina, remain without cell phone service. In counties like Buncombe, where Asheville is located, approximately 56% of cell sites are still down, mainly...
Southeast is still reeling from Helene’s impact: Lives lost, cell networks down
When Hurricane Helene swept through and inundated communities across the Southeast with flooding and destruction, many towns were in crisis mode, struggling to recover without one of the most critical lifelines: cell phone service. According to the FCC, over...
Hurricane Helene wreaks havoc with broadcasters, forcing them off the air
As of yesterday, Hurricane Helene has damaged broadcast stations in a five-state area hit by the devastating Category 4 hurricane at landfall that has killed 128 people across six states. In Georgia, there are 2 TV stations out of...
Vertical Bridge and Verizon seal a $3.3B deal for 6,339 towers, the largest buy in almost a decade
Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE, Nasdaq: VZ) and Vertical Bridge today announced they have entered into a definitive agreement for Vertical Bridge to obtain the exclusive rights to lease, operate and manage 6,339 wireless communications towers across all 50 states...
Unprecedented outage: No hurricane has knocked out more cell sites than Category 4 Helene
Hurricane Helene has severely disrupted cell phone communications across the affected regions, particularly in Western North Carolina. The storm caused widespread power outages, flooding, and infrastructure damage, which led to the shutdown of numerous cell towers and fiber optic...
A Phoenix Rising: Catherine Piche soars back to Crown Castle in previous COO role as Kavanaugh retires
Crown Castle Inc. has announced the upcoming retirement of Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer–Towers, Michael J. Kavanagh, effective October 28, 2024. Kavanagh, who has held various leadership roles during his 14-year tenure, will remain in an advisory...
Lawsuit alleges Crown Castle tower skirts historic site rules, delays Las Vegas Huntridge Theater restoration
A lawsuit filed on September 20, 2024, in the Eighth Judicial District Court of Clark County, Nevada, by Brass Monkey, LLC, the owner of the 80-year-old Huntridge Theater, against Crown Castle Inc. and AT&T Wireless Services threatens to delay...
Cell tower evidence is convincing factor in denying bail for Ryan Routh in attempted Trump assassination
Ryan Routh, the would-be assassin who targeted former President Donald Trump, was tracked by authorities using cell tower data. This information revealed that Routh was surveilling the area and plotting the assassination, according to a document in support of...
AT&T to reel in 107,000 pounds of lead cables from Lake Tahoe
AT&T has agreed to remove approximately 107,000 pounds of lead cables that have been submerged in Lake Tahoe for decades as part of a settlement announced last week. The decision follows a lawsuit filed by the California Sportfishing Protection...
Dish Network pushes for an extended deadline on its 5G rollout
In a formal request submitted to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), DISH Network’s Executive Vice President of External and Legislative Affairs, Jeffrey H. Blum, has sought an extension of the company’s deadline to complete its 5G wireless network buildout....
Beyond Telecom: Goodman Networks’ defrocked Frinzi reinvents himself in the arms trade
James Frinzi’s journey through the business world, from lobbying for the defense minister of Indonesia and officials in Qatar, has been a rollercoaster of highs and lows, marked by his rapid ascent as CEO of Goodman Networks, allegations of...
Tower Family Foundation appoints Pete Hagstrom and Steve Ouzts to its endowment committee
The Tower Family Foundation announced today that Pete Hagstrom, Vice President of Procurement at Viking Maintenance, Inc., and Steve Ouzts, founder and principal broker at Tower Advisors, LLC, have been appointed to serve on the Foundation’s Endowment Committee. The...
Luxury lifestyles, no bars: America’s wealthiest town in Texas blocks cell tower, Vertical Bridge lawsuit alleges
If you reside in Westlake, Texas, you’re part of the wealthiest community in the state, where the average home sells for nearly $5 million, and the mean household income soars to $508,000. In this exclusive enclave, dandelions dare not...
T-Mobile’s overtime calculation practices challenged in class action lawsuit initiated by Florida technician
T-Mobile USA, Inc., is facing a collective action lawsuit filed in the United States District Court for the Western District of Washington, alleging Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) violations. The lawsuit, initiated by plaintiff Olvin Gomez from Palm Beach...
In mixed ruling, Ninth Circuit invalidates FCC’s concealment provision, citing procedural missteps
On Friday, the United States Court of Appeals three-judge panel for the Ninth Circuit issued a mixed ruling in a case brought by several California cities and organizations against the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) regarding its 2020 Ruling that...
AT&T workers end strike, but work-life balance concerns remain unresolved for field technicians
AT&T wireline workers across the Southeast have long expressed dissatisfaction with harsh working conditions and unfair pay. Concerns over heavy workloads, long hours, and insufficient compensation drove thousands of Communications Workers of America (CWA) union members to strike, bringing...
Verizon’s nearly $2 billion severance charge sparks speculation of tower sale as financial pressures mount
According to a regulatory filing, Verizon expects to incur a severance charge between $1.7 billion and $1.9 billion in the third quarter of 2024. This is part of a voluntary separation program the company announced in June, targeting select...
FCC to ISPs: Broadband data dodgeball will cost you $15K a pop
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has issued Notices of Apparent Liability (NAL) to nine internet service providers for failing to provide critical data on broadband coverage. The companies face penalties for not complying with federal data reporting requirements, marking...
American Tower exits India market in $2.3 billion deal as it cuts its global portfolio by one third
American Tower Corporation (ATC) has officially exited the Indian telecom tower market, completing a $2.2 billion deal with a Brookfield-led consortium. This marks a significant shift in India’s telecommunications landscape. The consortium, which includes Brookfield Asset Management, British...
Tower Family Foundation: A decade of delivering financial support to affected industry workers and their families
The Tower Family Foundation officially celebrates its 10-year anniversary today as a 501c-3 non-profit organization supporting the industry’s workforce and their families. The Foundation officially launched during a reception and press conference that was held on Wednesday, September 10,...