The FCC unveiled new rules that will for the first time require broadband providers to display easy-to-understand labels to allow consumers to comparison shop for broadband services. The Report and Order approved by the Commission creates rules that require broadband providers to display, at the point of sale, labels that show key information consumers want−prices, speeds, fees, data allowances, and …
Light years ahead of previously cobbled data, FCC’s new broadband maps will still require severe scrutiny
The FCC has unveiled the pre-production draft of its new broadband maps. These maps provide the best picture of where broadband is unavailable across the country. The maps will only get better from here, according to FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel. The FCC’s older maps collected data at the census block level, meaning that the whole block would show up as served on their …
ProPublica’s ‘recycled nonsense’ is likely to reinforce the conviction of some residents that 5G causes illnesses
Award-winning investigative journalists at ProPublica have spotlighted wrongdoing since 2008, such as Ryan Knutson and Liz Day’s extensive piece in 2012 about the men and women who climb cell towers who “pay with their lives” in a joint investigation with Frontline. They broke new ground since no other major media dared to expose the high industry death count and how, …
Tower and retail store terrorist’s plea deal shortens a life sentence to 75 months in jail
A Whittemore, Michigan, resident was sentenced last week to six years and three months in jail on two separate criminal cases related to a $5 million extortion plot using shrapnel-filled pipe bombs the defendant placed outside cellphone stores in Cheboygan, and Sault Ste Marie, Michigan. He could have received 20 years in prison. John Douglas Allen, 76, was sentenced before United …
VIKOR expands geographic footprint to the East with acquisition of Noash Construction
South Dakotah-based VIKOR has announced its acquisition of Noash Construction, Inc., a tower construction company based out of Sebree, KY. In a statement, the company said the objective is to strengthen VIKOR’s reach and ability to impact the lives of its people, customers, and industry by adding the mutual strength and quality of Noash’s years of experience in the industry. …
An excellent way to support many of the nation’s Veterans every day is to reach out and hire one
Veterans Day, every November 11th, honors all Americans who have served our country in war or peace. It is a day set aside to thank the living veterans for their service and sacrifice made to a grateful nation. It is a day of remembrance with parades, services, ceremonies, and, most of all, to honor all those who have served our …
FCC to release long-awaited new broadband maps on November 18
The Federal Communications Commission today announced that it will unveil a pre-production draft of new broadband maps on November 18, 2022. This version is the first release of the map required by the Broadband DATA Act and will begin an ongoing, iterative process that will improve the data submitted by providers by incorporating challenges from individuals and other stakeholders. Broadband …
Seasoned telecom expert Melissa Acosta acquires majority stake in Front Range Wireless
Front Range Wireless, a telecommunications infrastructure services provider, announced that wireless industry executive Melissa Acosta had acquired a majority stake in the company, transitioning Front Range Wireless to become a Woman-Owned Business Enterprise (WBE) in 2023. Most recently from QualTek, Acosta will lead Front Range Wireless’ operations as President. Founded in 2001 by Aaron Kingstrom, Front Range Wireless started in Centennial, Colorado. …
WIA Receives DOL approval for Broadband Technician registered apprenticeship
The Wireless Infrastructure Association (WIA) today announced that the U.S Department of Labor (DOL) approved the Broadband Technician as the 15th Registered Apprenticeship Program WIA can offer through its Telecommunications Industry Registered Apprenticeship Program (TIRAP). Through TIRAP, WIA provides companies with the resources, guidance, and support to improve and formalize their training programs, expediting employer adoption of Registered Apprenticeship Programs …
‘Blue collar’ NEC acquires Eastern Communications to provide a serious industry presence
Pfingsten Partners portfolio company, NEC, has acquired Eastern Communications, LLC (“Eastern”). Headquartered in Bloomfield, CT, Eastern is a vertically integrated provider of maintenance, repair, and upgrade services to critical telecommunications infrastructure across the New England region. The company was founded in 1996. The transaction closed on October 31, 2022. NEC previously established its industry presence by combining three of the …
Crown Castle’s Reudink will help strengthen SCF’s support for multi-operator shared infrastructure
SCF (Small Cell Forum), the global organization supporting the evolution and adoption of low-cost, agile mobile infrastructure, announced its new Chair, Mark Reudink, Head of Technology Strategy at Crown Castle. Reudink is a highly regarded industry veteran who, prior to Crown Castle, worked at several of the world’s largest MNOs. He replaces Lockhead Martin’s Prabhakar Chitrapu, who steps into the …
New York’s Governor issues a state challenge to the FCC’s broadband data
The FCC is expected to unveil the first draft of its long-awaited broadband map sometime in November. However, concerns from those who’ve seen the data in progress suggest the public should lower its expectations for an accurate first version. Although the FCC knew that there would be concerns as to the version’s accuracy and would adjust after ISPs and local …
The First Lady of tower tech compassion will sunset the Hubble Foundation next month
After assisting families of tower technicians who have passed away or were seriously injured over the past ten years, the Hubble Foundation’s Board of Directors regretfully announced that the non-profit Foundation would cease operation on December 30, 2022, the Foundation’s President, Dr. Bridgette (Gette) Hester, informed Wireless Estimator. Hester said that the organization’s inability to maintain dedicated volunteers to assist …
With powered ascenders more prevalent in the industry, NATE unveils its 2022 white paper guide
NATE: The communications Infrastructure Contractors Association today officially released the 2022 Guide for Powered Ascender Use on Antenna Supporting Structures White Paper. This 10-page document is intended to address the use of Powered Ascenders in conjunction with a fixed synthetic rope for personnel ascending, descending and work positioning on telecommunications structures. There is not a recognized standard in the United …
Industry mourns passing of Midwest Unlimited’s GM Eric Wellman
“It is with heartbreak and profound sadness to announce that Midwest Unlimited has lost an indispensable, beloved, integral member of our work family, General Manager Eric Wellman, who passed away Saturday,” said company owner Jim Krupicka. Wellman began working as a salesperson at Midwest Unlimited in June 2003 and quickly transitioned to vendor relations, product development, purchasing procurement to sales …
From Davie to DC, Vertical Freedom premieres rev up excitement for its long-awaited November 1 release
With two premieres in a week, Vertical Freedom, an epic, feature-length documentary film highlighting the professional and personal lives of six communications infrastructure workers to be released on November 1 on 18 video platforms, gave attendees a first-hand look at their compelling stories. Last evening, coupled with a workforce development panel that included NATE President and CEO Todd Schlekeway, NATE …
Gogo goes live with 150 towers to complete its nationwide aviation-targeted 5G network
Overcoming many challenges, Gogo Business Aviation announced this week that it has finished construction of its nationwide Gogo 5G network in record time Gogo’s team has deployed their 150th Gogo 5G tower, thus completing the Gogo 5G network with 100% coverage across the Continental United States, creating an exciting time for business aviation with their revolutionary inflight Wi-Fi experience — …
NATE announces STAR Initiative’s 186 participating ‘gold standard’ contractor names
NATE: The Communications Infrastructure Contractors Association today announced the member companies who have been formally approved to participate in the STAR Initiative program for the 2022-2023 year. NATE has proudly accepted 186 participating companies in this year’s STAR Initiative program. The STAR Initiative will be entering its thirteenth program year in 2022-2023. Since its inception, the program’s site safety audits …
Dish asks DC Circuit for a rehearing in their FCC SpaceX feud
On Tuesday, Dish Network asked the D.C. Circuit to reexamine its decision to allow SpaceX to fly satellites in a lower orbit. Viasat and Dish previously sued the FCC, arguing regulators failed to consider, among other things, the potential environmental effects. Under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) federal agencies are required to assess the environmental impact of their decisions. In August, …
Crown Castle sues Black Electric for bridge fiber break they claim cost $403K to repair
Houston, Texas-based Crown Castle Fiber LLC is suing Black Electric, Inc. of McKees Rocks, Pennsylvania, claiming that the company damaged a fiber network owned by Crown Castle that spanned the Hatem Memorial bridge that carries U.S. Route 40 over the Susquehanna River between Havre de Grace and Perryville, Maryland. In its complaint, Crown Castle said on October 1, 2019, Black …
