The FCC Wireless Telecommunications Bureau will host its annual educational workshop on the environmental compliance and historic preservation review process required for the construction of wireless communications facilities on Wed., May 4, 2016 at 9:00 a.m. in the Commission Meeting Room at FCC Headquarters, 445 12th Street, SW, Washington, DC. This year’s workshop will include information relevant to the construction …
Severely injured tower workers now eligible to receive scholarships
The Tower Family Foundation announced today that the eligibility criteria for its scholarship program has been expanded to include severely injured or permanently disabled tower workers. The revised scholarship guidelines are effective immediately and will ensure that eligible tower workers who sustain serious injuries on the job can now receive a Tower Family Foundation scholarship to continue their post-secondary education …
A Pope and carrier exec quote highlight cell phones and mobile/spiritual networks
The rote quote of the week comes from a British carrier executive who finds that cell site permitting is too tough in the UK, while the Pope quote of the week told teens that life without Jesus is like a smartphone without bars. British carrier Arqiva’s director of M2M, Nicolas Ott, said in an interview, that “In rural areas we …
Execs from HBO, AT&T and T-Mobile top speakers’ list at 2016 Wireless Infrastructure Show
PCIA – The Wireless Infrastructure Association has announced that the 2016 Wireless Infrastructure Show in Dallas May 23-26 will feature keynote speeches from a dynamic group of thought leaders from the converging worlds of technology, telecommunications and entertainment. The show, which will take place at the Hilton Anatole in Dallas, attracts more than 3,000 leaders and innovators from across the …
Trainer of thousands of climbers passes peacefully after doing what he loved
Thousands of the industry’s tower technicians arrive home safely every night because of their training by ComTrain Senior Instructor Coda William Witt, who passed away on Thurs., April 21, 2016 at age 71 while on a camping trip in Arizona. According to ComTrain President Zane Windham, Witt had trained more than 2,500 climbers after joining the tower safety training organization …
Professionalism of tower climbers emphasized in new NATE safety video
The National Association of Tower Erectors (NATE) today released a Professionalism Video as part of the Association’s Climber Connection campaign. NATE unveiled the video at the 2016 Wireless West Conference in Anaheim, Calif. The video includes a testimonial from a tower climber discussing the characteristics that make up a professional elevated worker in the industry. The video highlights the important role …
Petzl releases information on possible cracks on its ASAP LOCK
Petzl, is requesting that the users of its rope grab, the ASAP LOCK, inspect the unit to ensure that there are no cracks on the stainless steel arms. During a routine inspection on March, 30, 2016, one customer detected three of these products to have the cracks and they will be returned to Petzl for analysis, according to information provided …
Vermont’s legislators asking the Feds to audit $116 million telecom project
Vermont’s lawmakers are asking federal regulators to conduct an audit of a $116 million grant and loan provided to VTel Wireless, stating that the company has passed by many communities with the broadband service it was paid to provide in Vermont. With similar resolutions, the House on Thursday passed H.R.19, and the Senate’s version was referred to the Finance Committee. …
American Tower and other companies can start issuing POs for pre-auction expenses
The FCC released a ruling yesterday that repacking expenses incurred before or during the upcoming broadcast incentive auction, such as tower mapping and structural analysis expenses, will be compensated by the FCC so long as they are coverer repacking-related expenses and the TV station has to move to a new channel in the repack. “We interpret the statutory reimbursement mandate …
NWSA job task survey concludes with industry workers receiving gift cards
The National Wireless Safety Alliance (NWSA) announced today the winners of the Job Task Analysis Survey Response prize drawings. The NWSA recently concluded an industry-wide Job Task Analysis (JTA) survey of telecommunication tower technicians to ensure that NWSA’s technician exams reflect today’s work environment, regulations, and technology. The JTA survey is a required part of the process to ensure NWSA’s programs achieve …
Safety trainer CITCA lands Jocko Vermillion to expand their services
Steve Wilder, Chief Operating Officer of CITCA, LLC of Bourbonnais, IL has announced that Jocko Vermillion will be joining the safety training organization effective April 18, 2016. Well-known in the tower safety industry, Vermillion will assume the role of Vice-President of Safety Management Services. In that role he will work with both CITCA clients and with clients of CITCA’s sister …
Broadcasters will hear about the consequences of the FCC’s incentive auction
Empire State Realty Trust, Inc. will participate in a featured presentation about the incentive auction at the NAB Show Broadcasting Engineering Conference on Tues., April 19, 2016, 4:30 – 5:30 p.m. PT at the Las Vegas Convention Center. Shane O’Donoghue, Director of Broadcasting for Empire State Building, will speak on the Consequences of the Incentive Auction for Broadcasters as part …
NATE highlights its successful conference with the release of hundreds of photographs
If a picture is worth a thousand words, then the National Association of Tower Erectors (NATE) has provided over a half million descriptions of the tremendously successful conference and exhibition in New Orleans, La. last February with its release today of over 550 event photographs. Although NATE’s receptions and other networking events show a great amount of comradeship, the meetings, educational sessions …
Infrastructure’s role stressed to Illinois State Wireless Association members
Jonathan Adelstein, CEO and President of PCIA – The Wireless Infrastructure Association, delivered a keynote address at the Illinois State Wireless Association’s annual Education Luncheon today in suburban Chicago, stressing the important role wireless infrastructure plays in improving mobility for health care, education, public safety, agriculture, smart cities, and a host of other consumer and business products and services. PCIA is …
Verizon cell site opponent is convicted and opts for 18 months in jail
City council meetings regarding cell tower siting approvals can be rather contentious, but an Astoria, Ore. hearing on a request by Verizon Wireless last June to move an aging communications tower ended up with a man attempting to make a citizen’s arrest of the mayor, and then he was arrested, and yesterday was convicted for refusing to leave City Hall. …
FCC chief says spectrum auction could extend into fiscal year 2017
FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler informed a Senate appropriations subcommittee yesterday morning that the incentive auction of 600 MHz spectrum may extend into 2017 if it doesn’t raise enough to pay broadcasters for the airwaves. The possibility of an extended timeframe is one reason why the FCC is requesting an additional $11 million in federal funds, Wheeler said during the hearing. …
Structure, Tower and Antenna Council readies its first conference
Over 200 industry personnel are expected to be in attendance at the International Plaza Hotel in Toronto, Canada at the Structure, Tower and Antenna Council’s (STAC) inaugural conference on April 11-12. As the only national forum in Canada dedicated to discussing safety issues and best practices in the tower and antenna industry, the STAC 2016 Conference and Exhibition will bring …
NATE to host South Regional Meeting on June 7 in Euless, Texas
The National Association of Tower Erectors (NATE) announced today that they will be hosting a South Regional Meeting on Tues., June 7, 2016 at the Texas Star Golf Course Conference Center in Euless, Tex. The gathering will be the second regional event hosted by the Association over the course of the last nine months and will offer tremendous networking and professional development …
Top sections of a tower make an unscheduled attorney visit in Indiana
No injuries were reported when high winds on Saturday afternoon toppled a communications tower that was located next to the old Vigo County jail in Terre Haute, Ind. The area reported wind gusts of up to 53 mph, however, it appears that the jail’s roof flew off and might have caused the structure to collapse due to the additional flat …
PCIA joins forces with leading companies to host supplier diversity summit
PCIA – The Wireless Infrastructure Association has partnered with major wireless voice and data carriers and other industry leaders to host a Supplier Diversity Summit at the Wireless Infrastructure Show in Dallas May 23-26. The Summit will take place on May 25. The show is the leading industry conference focused on the companies, equipment and technologies that enable next-generation wireless …
