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 …
Delusional ‘Postmaster General’ serial coax thief Douglas Lee arrested again in North Carolina
In August, Yadkin County NC Sheriff’s Office investigators received a report that someone had climbed a tower in East Bend and cut off several hundred feet of coaxial cable that would likely be sold to a scrap metal firm. In October, another Yadkin County theft of copper cable was reported in Yadkinville. Detectives, with the assistance of AT&T Mobility Services, …
Big policy decisions loom over the future of America’s wireless networks, says WIA CEO Halley
By Patrick Halley, President and CEO, WIA – Wireless Infrastructure Association Access to broadband – fixed and mobile – is table stakes for participation in today’s Internet-driven economy. Hence the billions of dollars coming out of Washington to connect every unserved home in America. That’s good news for consumers who remain on the other side of the digital divide. Beyond a …
Dish Network stock dives following its CEO’s resignation, financial woes, and a steep drop in subscribers
Dish Network Corporation stock swung to a loss again this morning to $3.47 from yesterday’s close of $3.51, a severe loss from $17.16 where it traded last November. Dish reported a Q3 2023 loss of 26 cents per share on November 6, a surprise to Wall Street. Dish finished the quarter with 8.84 million pay TV subscribers, down from 8.904 …
Comcast slapped with a $19 million verdict for a fatal crash caused by one of its techs in Georgia
Slips, trips, and falls are the most common causes of injuries or deaths on construction sites, and technicians are constantly reminded of that danger in tailgate sessions, stand-downs, and training. However, motor vehicle crashes are a leading cause of death in every primary industry, and one of the critical factors, according to multiple studies said, human error was the primary …
NTIA issues waiver for BEAD program’s excessive financial requirements
NTIA released a conditional waiver of the Broadband, Equity, Access and Deployment (BEAD) program’s letter of credit (LOC) requirement yesterday. In September, hundreds of individuals and groups urged the agency to remove the requirement, citing potential limitations on small providers’ participation. With the waiver, subgrantees may receive an LOC from any U.S. credit union that is National Credit Union Administration-insured …
After an excellent Q3 financial report by DigitalBridge, the stock unexpectedly falls off a cliff
When American Tower Corporation (ATC)) released its Q3 earnings report on October 26, 2023, analysts were pleased with the company, beating its earnings per share of $1.26 by 11.51%. The company also had a surprise increase in revenue of 2.10% at $2.82 billion. Although ATC cautioned that its 2024 expectations might be slightly lower since annual 5G investments by U.S. …
Two more telecoms receive rip and replace extensions, one says it has problems paying its contractors
The FCC has extended the deadline for two more companies to rip and replace Huawei and ZTE Chinese-made network equipment in the Secure and Trusted Communications Networks Reimbursement Program. Both companies said the lack of funding was their primary concern, causing one company to delay contractor payments. However, last week, the Biden administration asked Congress for an additional $3.1 billion to “fully …
Petzl Astro Bod Fast, Sit Fast and Canyon Guide harnesses quarantined and should be inspected
Following the detection of a defect on the metal D gated ventral attachment point of a harness, Petzl is requesting that all customers quarantine and inspect the ASTRO BOD FAST, ASTRO SIT FAST and CANYON GUIDE harnesses. The company said due to the risk of unintentional opening of this attachment point, which could result in an injury or life-threatening situation, …
Tom Stoner, American Tower Corp. co-founder with Steve Dodge passes
Memorial services are being planned for Thomas “Tom” Stoner, 88, who died on October 19, 2023. The well-respected serial entrepreneur and philanthropist built Stoner Broadcasting and played a vital role in creating American Radio Systems (ARS) in 1993 with the late Steve Dodge. ARS began with 16 stations in seven markets. They took the opportunity afforded by the passage of …
American Tower names Steven Vondran to succeed Thomas Bartlett as President and CEO
American Tower Corporation has announced that Tom Bartlett will retire as President, Chief Executive Officer, and director of the Board of Directors, effective February 1, 2024. The company said in a statement that its Board of Directors, having undertaken a deliberate and thorough succession planning process over the last several years, has named Steve Vondran to succeed Bartlett as President …
DC Judge okays Dish Network’s additional time to buy 800 MHz licenses from T-Mobile
A U.S. District Judge for the District of Columbia signed off on an agreement Monday to give Dish Network additional time to buy 800 MHz licenses from T-Mobile. Judge Timothy Kelly accepted a motion filed last week by the two companies and the Department of Justice. Judge Kelly granted the consent motion “with no party to this action opposing the …
Net neutrality, axed under Trump, have Democrats looking for a revival
The Federal Communications Commission voted 3 to 2 along party lines today to move forward with its proposal to reinstate open internet rules that were repealed during the Trump administration. A final vote is expected to come next year. The move would reclassify broadband internet as a telecommunications service under Title II of the Communications Act of 1934, opening the …
Eric Chase resumes CEO leadership of Ontivity; Ian Stringfellow is appointed as its COO
Ontivity, a leading national provider of wireless infrastructure services, has reappointed Eric Chase as Chief Executive Officer. The company said in a statement that the leadership move will fuel the company’s culture of growth. In September, Ontivity acquired Infinity Construction Solutions of Buford, Georgia. The company was integrated into Ontivity member company CMS Wireless. Chase takes over the reins from …
NATE highlights 192 companies that are participating in the STAR Initiative and NATE-OSHA-FCC Partnership
NATE: The Communications Infrastructure Contractors Association today 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 2023-2024 year. NATE has proudly accepted 192 participating companies in this year’s STAR Initiative program and 157 participating companies in this year’s NATE-OSHA-FCC Partnership. The STAR Initiative will be entering …
SpaceX says AT&T and RWA’s opposition to satellite direct to cell is a ‘desperate 11th hour campaign’
AT&T and the Rural Wireless Association (RWA) have coordinated “a desperate, 11th-hour campaign” to prevent SpaceX from testing its mobile coverage from space in partnership with T-Mobile with “baseless procedural claims while offering no substantive reasons” for denying its special temporary authority (STA) approval, SpaceX said in a filing with the FCC. Although Dish isn’t a voting carrier member of RWA …
South Florida Broadband Careers Awareness Day is expected to set the national template for other states
South Florida will host the first national Broadband Careers Awareness Day, a broadband industry coalition led by Broadband Careers and supported by Junior Achievement of South Florida and Neptuno USA, Corp. Open to the public at no charge (REGISTER HERE), the promoters have provided an opportunity for telecommunication companies, education providers, industry associations, and representatives of state, local, and federal …
Nation’s largest-ever lawsuit filed against DoD and Commerce for $39 billion by Ligado in spectrum fight
Satellite company Ligado Networks is seeking up to $39 billion in compensation from the U.S. government for spectrum rights it claims were unfairly denied, alleging that the Pentagon and Commerce Department used a false pretext of GPS interference to deny its use of wireless spectrum licenses. In its Hail Mary attempt to stay solvent as bankruptcy looms for Ligado, and …
Telecoms get rip and replace extension, but China-controlled equipment may be with us past 2024
The FCC has granted five telecom companies’ requests for additional time to “rip and replace” Chinese-manufactured equipment due to a shortfall of funding, supply chain issues, and workforce shortages due to factors beyond their control. The agency agreed to delay their deadlines, extending them all into 2024 with the following new dates: WorldCell, May 20, 2024; Mediacom, January 15, 2024; …
Four innovators inducted into prestigious Wireless Hall of Fame
Approximately 300 attendees honored four individuals last night at a sold-out event. The honored guests joined the 76 wireless industry pioneers and innovators inducted into the prestigious Wireless Hall of Fame in Washington, DC. The event, hosted by the Wireless History Foundation (WHF), a nonprofit organization that has honored the hall of fame members for over fifteen years, celebrated Meredith …
