The NATE Wireless Industry Network (WIN) will be hosting its Southeast Regional Conference on Oct. 29, 2018 at the Hilton Garden Inn Pensacola/Medical Center in Pensacola, Fla. The conference will focus on key industry safety initiatives as well as other educational presentations, and offer tremendous networking and professional development opportunities for attendees, according to WIN Director Scott Krouse. The conference …
FCC’s rules passage will serve to put the U.S. as a leader in the race to 5G
As expected, the FCC voted this morning to approve rules, available here, designed to speed up the deployment of small cells and other 5G network equipment by regulating in part the fees and timelines cities and states can impose on wireless network operators and other wireless players. Although Democrat FCC Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel voted for the rules, she dissented in …
NATE debuts “Be Your Brother’s Keeper” tower rescue video
The National Association of Tower Erectors today unveiled a video entitled “Be Your Brother’s Keeper” that focuses on the importance of the planning, procedures, equipment and training necessary to perform a successful tower rescue. The video includes an interview with an experienced industry safety instructor walking through a rescue scenario and discussing the measures that must be planned for and implemented …
Former NATE Chairwoman Pat Cipov inducted into Wireless Hall of Fame
The Wireless History Foundation (WHF) inducted five individuals into the prestigious Wireless Hall of Fame during an awards ceremony that was held last night at the Omni Hotel in Los Angeles, Calif. The Wireless Hall of Fame event was held in conjunction with the 2018 Mobile World Congress Americas Conference that is taking place this week in Los Angeles. The Wireless …
Distributed Antenna Systems: NATE is more than just towers video unveiled in Los Angeles
The National Association of Tower Erectors (NATE) today released a #ClimberConversation video highlighting the vital role that Distributed Antenna Systems play to enable a mobile, connected society. The video was unveiled at the GSMA Mobile World Congress Americas event taking place this week in Los Angeles, Calif. The #ClimberConversation volume is a companion series to the Association’s popular #ClimberConnection campaign …
Florence’s aftermath will see how hardened networks actually were
As the country’s wireless workforce marshals logistic resupply bases, for the next two days the nation’s carriers will extol the virtues of their hurricane preparedness capabilities’ public relations campaigns as to why they – and only they – can ensure a strong and reliable network when Hurricane Florence decimates the East Coast. As if they all used the same Word …
Contractor cash flow could be the real culprit in the US’s inability to quickly roll out 5G
It’s the delayed payments, stupid! Commentary – Although we’re treated to almost a daily dose of news about how macro and small cell siting issue delays could adversely impact a successful 5G buildout in America, initial data from Wireless Estimator’s industry-supported Terms of Payment Survey indicates that carrier-generated cash flow problems of contractors could be 5G’s Achilles heel. To draw …
FCC’s newly minted plan will clear the way for cheaper and faster 5G deployments
The FCC will vote in three weeks on a plan to accelerate next-generation 5G wireless networks around the U.S. by overriding some local rules that they believe will hold up deployment. FCC Commissioner Brendar Carr announced at a press conference today in Indianapolis that the plan is targeting deployment of small cell transmitters that are oftentimes subject to local delay …
Influential wireless and drone companies at inaugural UAS summit
The National Association of Tower Erectors (NATE) recently hosted a successful inaugural Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) Summit in the Motor City of Detroit, Michigan.The high-level, 2-day strategic planning event was attended by participants representing the most prominent companies in the wireless and drone industries.During the NATE UAS Summit, attendees received an update from the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) UAS Integration …
FCC chief takes off his tie to be tied off to appreciate the disciplines and exhausting work of a tower tech
Federal Communications Commission Chairman Ajit Pai today experienced climbing a communications tower during a site visit near De Beque, Colo. The tour was facilitated by representatives from the National Association of Tower Erectors (NATE), SBA Communications and EasTex Tower, LLC. The visit was a part of Chairman Pai’s road trip across Arizona, New Mexico, Utah and Colorado to highlight how …
Verizon appears to be disingenuous in stating contractors are paid within 30 days
Although Verizon’s payment term for construction contractors has been 30 days in past master service agreements (MSA), according to preliminary data obtained by Wireless Estimator in its active Terms of Payment Survey, the carrier has been pressuring contractors to accept 90 days. Most companies are pushing back, but a smaller segment of contractors said they are accepting the delayed payment terms …
Nation takes a deep dive into contractor obstacles threatening 5G with industry supported survey
Wireless contractors have recently raised the distinct possibility that due to what they identify as ‘onerous’ payment terms and other issues created by carriers and tower owners, the industry could see a shakeout, and all of the recent successful legislative moves to speed up the implementation of 5G in America could be stymied as cash flow problems keep contractors from …
One-touch policy will benefit broadband providers and non-union workers
The FCC voted unanimously today, with one partial dissent, to adopt a one-touch, make-ready (OTMR) policy for new broadband attachments on utility poles in order to speed up broadband deployment and competition. The policy “makes clear” that states and local governments are not to impose moratoria on broadband development. Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel agreed with accelerating pole attachments, but dissented in …
NATE partners with Teltronic Towers to host U.S. SBA and OSHA tower-site visit
Last Thursday, NATE partnered with founding member company Teltronic Towers, Inc. to host officials from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and OSHA at a communications tower site in Frederick, Md. During the visit, officials from U.S. SBA and OSHA witnessed in real-time a Teltronic Towers crew replacing cellular antennas with upgraded antennas and equipment at a monopole site. The U.S. …
NATE and Warriors4Wireless announce a strong industry partnership
The National Association of Tower Erectors (NATE) and Warriors4Wireless (W4W) today announced a collaborative partnership to enhance ties between the two organizations and further advance workforce development initiatives in the industry. As part of the agreement, NATE joins a select group of prominent organizations and companies in the industry to be promoted as an official supporting partner of W4W. Additionally, W4W …
Coalition of organizations endorse Communications and Jobs Training Act of 2018 legislation
A diverse coalition of influential communications industry organizations today announced their endorsement of H.R. 5639 – The Communications and Jobs Training Act of 2018.Organizations supporting the legislation include CTIA, Government Wireless Technology & Communications Association (GWTCA), National Association of Broadcasters (NAB), National Association of Tower Erectors (NATE), Rural Wireless Association (RWA), Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA), Utilities Technology Council (UTC) and …
Industry pride shines as Pat Cipov is selected as Wireless Hall of Fame honoree
Accolades from all quarters of the industry have been coming in for Pat Cipov who was selected by the Wireless History Foundation (WHF) last week as one of its 2018 Wireless Hall of Fame honorees – the most recognized and highest honor acknowledging the leadership, innovation and achievement of each honoree in the wireless industry. In making the announcement, the …
ATC misjudges industry pushback and pulls back onerous contractor amendment
In a measure to prevent other towercos from building sites near their structures, and obtain some of their tenants with more favorable lease rates, American Tower Corp. informed their contractors late last month that if they assisted in the construction of a macro tower site within one-half mile of one of their existing towers they would be dropped from their …
Less ‘headache’ calls championed by NATE’s new dropped object video
When a tool or other object is accidentally dropped by a technician from a tower, the customary bellow to those below is to yell ‘headache’ – the customary warning of a dangerous, possibly deadly situation. Desirous of Aleveiating headache concerns, the National Association of Tower Erectors (NATE) today unveiled a video entitled “Look out Below” that focuses on the risks associated with dropped objects …
NATE unveils Spanish edition of popular climber training standard
NATE today announced that the fourth edition of the NATE Tower Climber Fall Protection Training Standard (NATE CTS), one of the Association’s signature resources, is now available in Spanish. The Norma de Capacitación de Protección contra Caidas para Trepadores de Torres de la NATE establishes the minimum requirements to which all tower climbers should be trained. The NATE CTS outlines …
