Broadband deployment in rural America is not impeded by pole attachment rates, according to a report released by Brian O’Hara, regulatory director, National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA), in a white paper, “Pole Attachment Policies and Issues.” O’Hara’s research indicates that most communications companies will not provide broadband to all of rural America even when the pole attachment rental rates are …
Reward offered for vandals who cut guy wires and collapsed 150-foot Oregon tower
The Coos County Oregon Sheriff’s Office is offering a reward for the identification and conviction of the parties responsible for cutting the guy wires and collapsing a 150-foot guyed tower on Coos Mountain off BLM 26-1027 1 Road, according to a press release from the department. The damage was discovered Monday morning when a deputy responded to a call of …
AT&T to cut 1,800 wireline jobs as CWA cites an already ‘crumbling infrastructure’
AT&T will be cutting 1,800 positions, according to the Communications Workers of America (CWA), union jobs in their wireline business, which the company claims has fewer customers after losing 1.9 million wireline customers between 2016 and 2018. “Due to changes as our business and industry continue to evolve, we are making some staff reductions involving technicians who install and repair …
A Dish carrier network could set the table for higher contractor margins
Dish Network might play the pivotal role in the Department of Justice’s approval of the proposed T-Mobile/Sprint merger after The Wall Street Journal reported that Dish is the lead bidder on the spectrum T-Mobile and Sprint are divesting in their bid of winning regulatory approval for their merger valued at $26.5 billion. Charlie Ergen, who controls Dish, has approximately $10 …
5G’s future could literally be full of hot air…and drones leads Fast Forward Friday articles
Article Media 5G’s Future Could Literally Be Full of Hot Air… And Drones LightReading Verizon competing with telecom company to replace Chico water tower Enterprise-Record New network for first responders raises concern among media The Washington Post FCC Chairman cautions India, says 5G can impact national security Inc42 Senators debut bill to boost broadband map accuracy MeriTalk Maine bill to …
Tower Infrastructure Deployment bill introduced by Representatives Walberg and Clarke
Update: June 14, 2019 – Commenting on the bill he co-sponsored with Congresswoman Yvette Clarke to establish a Telecommunications Workforce Development Advisory Council, Congressman Tim Walberg said in a statement today, “As the telecom industry deploys next generation technologies, there are tens of thousands of good-paying, highly-skilled jobs but nobody to fill them. Developing a skilled workforce needs to be …
Michael Sandifer elected President of Alabama Wireless Association
Michael Sandifer has been elected by the Board of Directors of the Alabama Wireless Association (AWA) to serve as the organization’s next president. Sandifer, who has served as the co-vice president of the AWA for more than ten years, will assume the role in June 2019. He has served in various leadership roles spanning more than 25 years in wireless, and …
Shareholders invited to participate in Addendum 1 of industry standard ANSI/TIA -222-H
The Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA) TR-14 engineering committee on structural standards for communication and small wind turbine support structures has issued a call for interest for document ANSI/TIA-222-H-1 titled Structural Standard For Antenna Supporting Structures, Antennas and Small Wind Turbine Support Structures- Addendum 1. This will update the amplification forces on antenna supporting structures supported by buildings or other supporting structures as well …
TIRAP elects new leadership with American Tower’s Paul Roberts at the helm
The Wireless Infrastructure Association (WIA) announced that Paul Roberts, Vice President, Compliance, American Tower Corporation, was elected to serve as Chairperson of WIA’s Telecommunications Industry Registered Apprenticeship Program (TIRAP) Executive Board. A new slate of officers was also elected. Other newly elected officers include: Vice Chairperson, Beau Aero, President and Founder, GME Supply Co.; Chairperson Emeritus, David Sams, Vice President …
InSite’s Weisman elected WIA Chairman; new slate of officers named to WIA Board of Directors
The Wireless Infrastructure Association (WIA) has announced that David Weisman, President and Chief Executive Officer, InSite Wireless Group, LLC, was elected to serve as Chairman of WIA’s Board of Directors. A new slate of officers was also elected. Additional officers are: Vice Chairman: Jeffrey A. Stoops; President and Chief Executive Officer; SBA Communications Corporation; Secretary: Jay A. Brown, President and Chief Executive …
American Tower picks up 5,500 African market towers for $1.85 billion
American Tower Corporation today announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Eaton Towers Holding Limited, which owns and operates approximately 5,500 communications sites across five African markets. As a result of the transaction, the company also expects to accelerate new build activity across the region due to expanded relationships with multiple key tenants. The total consideration …
Commissioner Starks disses broadband report as ‘fundamentally at odds with reality”
After the FCC revealed its 2019 broadband deployment report yesterday, identifying a healthy accounting that the digital divide has closed by more than 18% from the end of 2016 through 2017, Commissioner Geoffrey Starks called the report “fundamentally at odds with reality,” citing an embarrassing error in the development of the report itself. Starks said the fundamental disconnect between the report …
T-Mobile/Sprint merger heading towards the finish line with open arms from the FCC
Today, T-Mobile US, Inc. and Sprint Corporation committed to the Federal Communications Commission that they would take a series of significant steps if the companies’ merger application is approved. That move caused Chairman Ajit Pai to recommend to his colleagues that the FCC approve the proposed $26 billion deal. Commissioner Brendan Carr agreed, stating: “Approving this combination will help the …
Nebraska streamlines small cell installations with bill passage
Industry trade associations applauded Nebraska Governor Pete Ricketts’ signing the state’s small cell deployment legislation, available here. “On behalf of NATE’s 12 member companies in Nebraska, the association applauds Governor Ricketts and members of the Nebraska State Senate for getting this important legislation across the finish line,” stated NATE Wireless Industry Network Director Scott Krouse. “NATE’s Wireless Industry Network worked …
Panel affirms Illinois site acquisition attorney should be suspended over forged docs
Update: May 21, 2019 – A representative of Lora, Chanthadouangsy, and Castellano (LCC) has informed Wireless Estimator that attorney Robert Czarnik who was suspended by the Illinois Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission (ARDC) for four months was terminated by LCC on October 16, 2014. They said that Czarnik was reported to the ARDC after LCC learned of his alleged misconduct and the company …
Commish’s push for rural broadband was scripted 122 years ago
FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr, the agency’s point man for encouraging why and how the country should unite in order for the US to become the world’s leader in rolling out 5G, retweeted a 122- year-old article (below) from The Daily Northwestern lamenting phone dependency, a “disease from which friends or those afflicted suffer.” Fast-forward to 2020 and the irony of …
NATE industry advocates hit the Hill running at full speed
With new members of the 116th Congress having had the opportunity to settle in, NATE members reached out to them as well as seasoned legislators to inform them of their company’s efforts and roadblocks in building out 5G as well as maintaining the nation’s communications networks. The inaugural fly-in was initiated by NATE Executive Director Todd Schlekeway. Prior to being …
Nation’s site component selections expand with Connect-It Wireless joining the Valmont Site Pro 1 family
Site Pro 1, an industry-leading manufacturer and distributor of wireless site components and safety products, announced today that it has acquired the operational assets of Connect-It Wireless, distributor of wireless site components in the United States. Connect-It Wireless will operate under the Valmont Site Pro 1 brand. Connect-It Wireless, founded in 2003, quickly became one of the industry’s key providers …
Florida tower approval ends dueling engineers, begins life-saving communications network
Broward County Florida Commissioners yesterday approved a 325-foot communications tower in West Lake Park in Hollywood, a controversial site required to complete a new $59.5 million network awarded to Motorola Systems that is expected to be up and running by year’s end. County officials have been criticized for not moving faster to replace the county’s old and overloaded system that reached …
Georgia firefighters come to the aid of an injured tower tech
Georgia firefighters were able to rescue an injured tower technician who could not climb down the monopole he was working on Monday afternoon. An individual knowledgeable of the accident said the injured worker was employed by Infinity Construction of Georgia. The company did not respond to multiple requests for information. The worker was injured while climbing the tower in the …
