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Recent News
From the field to the front office: NWSA survey aims to reflect real-world needs
The National Wireless Safety Alliance (NWSA) is pleased to announce the launch of its 2025 Customer Experience Survey, inviting professionals from across the telecommunications and tower industry to share their feedback on NWSA’s certification process and related services. Responses...
Tower industry positioned for a potential windfall as BEAD map contracts and fixed wireless gains ground
A new analysis by researchers at New York Law School suggests a significant shift in the federal government’s $42.45 billion broadband deployment program, which could substantially benefit companies that build and maintain communications towers. As the number of BEAD-eligible...
$509M ‘PAID’ stamp buys DISH’s parent, EchoStar, one more month of survival as its stock soars
EchoStar Corporation and its affiliates narrowly avoided triggering a major default by making overdue interest payments just in time—but amid escalating regulatory scrutiny, the company now faces mounting challenges that may lead to a deeper crisis. In a Form...
Supreme Court upholds the FCC’s Universal Service Fund, securing rural connectivity and other assistance
Today, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled 6–3 to uphold the constitutionality of the Universal Service Fund (USF)—a multibillion-dollar initiative that subsidizes internet and phone access for rural communities, schools, libraries, low-income households, tribal lands, and rural healthcare providers. The...
Monster, CareerBuilder file bankruptcy while Wireless Estimator’s telecom job board remains strong
In a world where the once-mighty Monster and CareerBuilder are being sold off for parts like rusted-out Buicks in a bankruptcy junkyard, there’s one job board that not only survived a highly competitive marketplace but also outperformed it. The Wireless...
T-Mobile to launch T-Satellite: First U.S. satellite-to-phone service with SpaceX’s Starlink
T-Mobile will officially launch its T-Satellite service on July 23, marking a significant shift in how mobile carriers deliver connectivity to remote areas that were previously unreachable by terrestrial towers. Built in partnership with SpaceX’s Starlink satellite network, the...
Tilson aims to sell its business at a bankruptcy fire sale auction, leaving creditors on the hook
Tilson Technology Management, once confident in its ability to emerge stronger from its recent financial struggles, has made a dramatic shift in course. After announcing a restructuring bankruptcy plan just weeks ago, the company has now decided to sell...
FCC Chairman Brendan Carr selects VIKOR headquarters in Sioux Falls to kick off “Build America” campaign
VIKOR, a national leader in wireless and broadband infrastructure services, is proud to announce that Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Brendan Carr will launch his nationwide “Build America” infrastructure campaign live at VIKOR’s Headquarters in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, on Wednesday, July 2, at 11:30 a.m....
FCC warns China Mobile USA over failure to comply with U.S. security probe with high daily fines proposed
In a significant escalation of regulatory pressure, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has issued a Citation and Order to China Mobile International (USA) Inc., signaling potential fines if the telecom giant does not comply with a long-running investigation into...
Trusty’s FCC confirmation signals pro-deployment shift for wireless infrastructure contractors
UPDATE – The U.S. Senate confirmed Olivia Trusty for a full five-year term as commissioner of the FCC this afternoon in a 53–45 vote. The tally matched the Senate’s vote the night before, which approved Trusty to serve the remaining days of...
NWSA and NATE announce strategic transfer of practical exam program to support workforce development
The National Wireless Safety Alliance (NWSA) and NATE: The Communications Infrastructure Contractors Association jointly announced today the strategic transfer of the NWSA Telecommunications Tower Technician (TTT) Practical Exam Program to NATE. Originally developed by industry subject matter experts, the...
A crisis unresolved: Man takes his life after jumping from American University’s tower in Washington, D.C.
A harrowing three-day standoff at American University’s campus ended in tragedy this morning when an unidentified man experiencing a mental health crisis jumped from the 321-foot WAMU-FM radio tower in Washington, D.C., police say. Authorities have opened a death...
Microburst, not tornado, toppled KTXS 199-foot broadcast tower in Texas, NWS Confirms
The National Weather Service (NWS) has confirmed that the dramatic collapse of KTXS-TV’s 199-foot broadcast tower during storms on June 8 in Abilene, TX, was caused by a microburst, not a tornado, putting to rest speculation surrounding the severe...
NWSA catches cheaters using impostors for coveted TTT-1 tower technician certification exams
Several small but damaging black market schemes that exploit language barriers and circumvent certification requirements in the wireless infrastructure industry have been exposed. These schemes include producing fake safety training certificates and involve imposter test-takers attempting to take NWSA...
‘Tough Tower’ climbers shine in 2025 Ohio showdown with Verità Telecommunications capturing the crown
The 2025 Tough Tower competition brought together seven teams of elite tower climbers from across the country last weekend in North Jackson, OH, each aiming to take the top spot—and a significant cash prize—in an event focused on safety,...
American Tower Florida site might have been targeted in suspected bomb plot over employment fallout
Brevard County, Florida, authorities are investigating a suspected pipe bomb discovered during a search of a suspicious vehicle on Friday near a communications tower in Mims. The incident prompted a road closure and a large response from local agencies....
Tech-neutral in name only? Fiber retains structural edge under NTIA’s new BEAD policy
The National Telecommunications and Information Administration’s (NTIA) June 6, 2025, BEAD Restructuring Policy Notice reframes the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program with a stated goal of “technology neutrality.” But a close read reveals that while the language...
Senator Cruz’s spectrum auction revival push aims to inject up to $88 billion into the U.S. economy
The Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) authority to conduct spectrum auctions—central to deploying next-generation wireless networks—has expired. But a significant move by Senate Commerce Committee Ranking Member Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) has energized efforts to reauthorize that authority and reinvigorate...
Commissioner Simington pulls the plug, FCC is left without power
Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Commissioner Nathan Simington announced today that he will resign on Friday, concluding a tenure that began with his appointment by President Donald Trump in December 2020. Simington’s departure comes amid a period of significant transition within...
Charlie Ergen’s high-stakes bluff: EchoStar’s $326 Million poker game with the FCC
EchoStar’s latest turmoil has all the markings of a high-stakes poker game – and Charlie Ergen is betting big. The satellite mogul’s company stunned markets by skipping a $326 million interest payment due on May 30, 2025, citing “uncertainty” caused...
Top tower broker Tom Engel leaves behind decades of deals—and deep respect from a grateful industry
Well-known and highly respected communications tower broker Tom Engel, 80, of Puyallup, WA, passed away on May 28, 2025, leaving behind his loving wife Shana, and their son, Derrick, and years of fond memories from his co-founder partner Jody...
EchoStar’s missed $326 million payment casts a dark shadow over wireless contractor workflows
EchoStar Corporation’s recent decision to skip a $326 million interest payment on its 10.75% senior spectrum-secured notes due 2029 has introduced significant uncertainty into its 5G cell tower buildout program. This move, triggered by an ongoing Federal Communications Commission...
Bankruptcy and back pay: Tilson Chapter 11 sparks WARN Act class action lawsuit
Two former employees of Tilson Technology Management, Inc. filed a class‐action adversary complaint in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware, accusing the debtor of willfully violating the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) Act. The complaint...
Network builder Tilson Technology hits Delaware court for Chapter 11 bankruptcy shield after revenue collapse
Tilson Technology Management, Inc. and its affiliates — Tilson Middle Street Holdings, LLC and Boundless Broadband, LLC — have voluntarily filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware. The move comes...
Starting July 1, no more rogue 1099 crews on Verizon sites—NATE reporting agreement takes effect
On July 1, 2025, a landmark agreement between Verizon and NATE, the Communications Infrastructure Contractors Association, will provide contractors with an opportunity to report to Verizon those who may be performing construction services for the carrier without their knowledge...
Cyber onslaught hits Cellcom: 75,000 subscribers lose voice, text services across Northeast Wisconsin
Last weekend, Wisconsin’s regional carrier, Cellcom, whose parent company is Nsight, confirmed that a sophisticated cyberattack brought down its voice and SMS networks, leaving thousands of customers unable to make calls or send texts. The incident, first detected late...
Tower tech who put in a dishonest day’s work might spend 4,000 days in jail following cell-site cable thefts
A former tower technician, Scott Anthony Frederich, and his alleged partner-in-crime are facing felony charges in St. Louis and Jefferson Counties, MO, for stealing transmission line cable from two cell tower sites. Kelly Marie Pfeiffer and Frederich, both of...
A huge win for contractors is seen in AT&T acquiring Lumen’s mass markets fiber business for $5.75 billion
When AT&T’s $5.75 billion deal to buy Lumen’s Mass Markets fiber business, announced yesterday, closes in the first half of 2026, it won’t just turbocharge AT&T’s network footprint—it will also give tower crews a powerful new lever. Because the...
Verizon answers NATE’s call: Turfing phased out, matrix pricing and other requirements will be overhauled
After NATE: The Communications Infrastructure Contractors Association issued an urgent open letter warning that the contracting industry would implode without meaningful carrier reform, Verizon sprang into action, reaching out immediately to tackle contractors’ top concerns. Together, they forged a...
Verizon-Frontier deal gets FCC clearance in addition to Verizon’s matrix pricing overhaul and workforce protections
The Federal Communications Commission’s Wireline Competition Bureau today cleared Verizon’s $20 billion acquisition of Frontier, transferring all necessary licenses and authorizations—and making contractor stability a cornerstone of its approval. Chairman Brendan Carr framed the decision as a win for...
DigitalBridge stock jumps 37% on acquisition buzz as tower REITs slip
In a surprising turn, 26North Partners—a specialist in alternative investments—is reportedly in advanced talks to acquire DigitalBridge Group Inc. (DBRG), the digital-infrastructure fund manager, also the parent company of Vertical Bridge. Energy trader Mercuria is said to be joining...
CMC Pro issues urgent inspection notice for CMC CLUTCH™ by Harken
CMC Pro, a rope and fall-protection hardware leader, has issued an immediate Product Inspection Notice for its CMC CLUTCH™ by Harken™ units. A single 11 mm CLUTCH with a loose rivet pin was discovered in the field, prompting CMC and...
Connect(X) panel rebrands—and so do the charts: Tower stocks dive amid market rally
One of the marquee moments at WIA’s Connect(X) conference has always been the “View from the Top” panel, where tower-owner executives share upbeat forecasts for the year ahead. Since PCIA (now WIA: The Wireless Infrastructure Association) first mounted a...
NATE’s Washington fly-in takes on ‘fly-by-night’ contractors and carriers’ take-it-or-leave-it rates
Nearly 90 representatives from NATE: The Communications Infrastructure Contractors Association member companies converged in Washington, D.C. last week to participate in the Association’s 2025 Member Congressional Fly-In event on Capitol Hill, where members demonstrated their grassroots prowess by participating...
Inside WIA’s 2024 numbers: $63 Billion and 368,750 jobs are powering 5G
For the third year, the Wireless Infrastructure Association’s (WIA) Wireless Infrastructure by the Numbers Report provides a comprehensive analysis of the U.S. wireless infrastructure sector, covering purpose-built cellular towers, indoor and outdoor small cells, macrocell sites, annual infrastructure investments, and the...
Tower techs take center stage today: Honoring the Backbone of Network Connectivity
NATE: The Communications Infrastructure Contractors Association today unveiled a commemoration declaring, May 7, 2025 as Tower Technician Appreciation Day. For the 8th consecutive year, a day has been set aside by NATE and the industry to pay tribute to the vital...
Boston pirate radio enforcement returns as FCC targets unlicensed 107.5 FM station
The Federal Communications Commission has returned to Boston’s airwaves enforcement beat, this time zeroing in on an unlicensed FM broadcaster operating on 107.5 MHz from a Jamaica Plain–Mattapan, Massachusetts, property. In a warning letter made public Tuesday, the FCC’s...
NATE showcases TIRAP career pathways supported by WIA in a new video on National Apprenticeship Day
NATE: The Communications Infrastructure Contractors Association today released a video highlighting the Telecommunications Industry Registered Apprenticeship Program (TIRAP) as part of National Apprenticeship Day, being celebrated today. The video features an informative conversation between host Sean Gilhooley, Deb Bennett from WIA: The...
From COO to CEO: George Davis to lead TowerCom into its next decade with new executive team
TowerCom, a leading developer of cell towers in the US for over 30 years, has announced key leadership changes to drive its continued growth and success. The company has promoted George Davis to Chief Executive Officer, Matt Richard to Chief...
Wireless Estimator’s matrix pricing exposé shatters LinkedIn norms—Hits top 0.1% with 164K Impressions
This month, coverage of carrier matrix pricing, which has proven unsustainable for contractors, has achieved tens of thousands of views on Wireless Estimator and has exploded on LinkedIn, driven by three back-to-back industry articles that have garnered attention at...
Medical emergency at 100 feet: Massachusetts tech rescues himself with coworker aid
A tower tech suffered a medical emergency while working inside the Sandy Pond water tower yesterday afternoon in West Yarmouth, MA, but ultimately regained consciousness and descended safely under his own power with the assistance of a coworker and...
Animated outrage: NATE unmasks carriers’ unfair pricing and 1099 labor tactics in a whiteboard video
] During their May 6–7 Congressional Fly-In event in Washington, D.C., NATE members will showcase a whiteboard animation presented today, highlighting the critical issues that are forcing many contractors out of business. They will personally deliver a petition for...
No Profit at $60 an hour: Telecom contractors exit as plumbers earn nearly double
In recent weeks, three mid-sized wireless infrastructure contractors have informed Wireless Estimator of their decision to exit the industry, citing an inability to turn a profit over the past two years. These closures underscore a growing crisis within the...
White paper sounds alarm on collapse of tower services industry: “We’re ready to be your partners again”
A searing and thoroughly sourced white paper from an anonymous industry insider warns that the nation’s tower and wireless infrastructure sectors are on the verge of collapse, hollowed out by unchecked consolidation, one-sided contracting practices, and the commoditization of...
WHAT HAPPENED TO THE TOWER SERVICES INDUSTRY?
(And How Do We Fix It?) By: An Anonymous Contributor First, Some History – Cellular started in the 1980s with two carriers. An A and a B block FCC license holder in various regions throughout the country. The A block was...
Golden State, gilded rates: Fixed high cell tower property lease outlays challenge industry norms
The City of Fullerton, California, has signed a significant lease agreement with Phoenix Tower International to construct a monopine cellular tower at 2470 West Pioneer Avenue. The deal, valued at approximately $893,000 over the initial ten-year period, will generate...
Canada mourns loss of tower tech in New Brunswick—but remains a global leader in elevated work safety
Canada’s telecom industry is mourning the loss of a 25-year-old tower technician who tragically died while working on a cellular tower in Riverview, New Brunswick, on Monday. Despite the heartbreaking incident, safety records show that Canada remains one of...
Both defendants plead guilty in Oklahoma tower sabotage that caused $500K in damage
Two Choctaw County, OK residents who toppled a 500-foot broadcast tower in Hugo, OK in a brazen copper theft scheme last year have pleaded guilty in federal court, nearly 15 months after the incident cut off a local radio...
Kari Carlson recognized by the Tower Family Foundation with its coveted Guardian Award
Kari Carlson, CEO of Tower Systems Inc. and founding Board Member of the Tower Family Foundation, was recently recognized as one of the three people who stepped up to launch the Tower Family Foundation. Carlson served as the first...
BEAD prevailing wage confusion in Pennsylvania puts wireless infrastructure contractors at risk
Pennsylvania’s project-specific prevailing wage system is under increased scrutiny as broadband providers, contractors, and lawmakers raise concerns that the state’s complex wage determination process makes it harder to expand broadband efficiently in rural areas. Unlike most states that establish...
Senator Kennedy says wireless giants are running a ‘Goat Rodeo of Greed’ at contractors’ expense; investigations by DOJ and FCC urged
WASHINGTON — At a tense hearing before the U.S. Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship yesterday, CEOs of the nation’s top wireless carriers faced sharp criticism over alleged collusion and the use of fixed matrix pricing—practices that lawmakers...
‘Always Advancing’ – A new tagline Inspired by NATE members who keep America connected
NATE: The Communications Infrastructure Contractors Association announced the launch of its new tagline today, “Always Advancing,” signaling the organization’s ongoing commitment to supporting the telecommunications ecosystem and the prominent role its member companies play to enable connectivity around the...
Tower tech shot while on Verizon tower, Air Force members involved in accidental target practice incident
A tower tech working on a Verizon cell tower was shot in the thigh Thursday evening while three U.S. Air Force members were engaged in target practice on federal land outside Guernsey, according to the Platte County Sheriff’s Office....
NWSA launches its new specialty exam: Advanced Rigging Concepts
The National Wireless Safety Alliance (NWSA) is proud to announce the launch of its newest specialty certification exam, Advanced Rigging Concepts, available beginning Monday, April 7, 2025. This advanced certification is designed to assure certificate holders, employers, carriers, and...
‘Apocalyptic’ ice storm takes out 630-foot broadcast tower in East Jordan, Michigan
Macdonald Garber Broadcasting’s CHR station, 106 KHQ (105.9 WKHQ-FM) in Charlevoix, Michigan, experienced a significant disruption when its 630-foot tower collapsed Sunday evening in East Jordan. The collapse resulted from what is being described as an “apocalyptic” ice storm...
Industry and labor coalition warns T-Mobile–UScellular merger could trigger rural tower shutdowns
A broad coalition of industry groups, public interest organizations, and a national labor union is urging the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to take a hard look at the proposed multibillion-dollar acquisition of UScellular by T-Mobile, warning that the deal...
Crown Castle ousts CEO Steven Moskowitz amid strategic overhaul and $8.4 billion fiber and DAS asset sale
Crown Castle Inc. shares slipped almost 4% yesterday following the abrupt termination of CEO Steven Moskowitz earlier this week. He held the top job for less than a year. The decision surprised the industry as the wireless infrastructure giant...
FCC Chair Carr threatens to block media mergers over DEI policies, raising industry alarm
The Federal Communications Commission is prepared to block mergers and acquisitions involving media and telecommunications companies that promote diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies deemed “invidious,” FCC Chairman Brendan Carr announced Friday in an interview with Bloomberg News. Carr’s...
Pole attachment delays threaten $52 billion in federal broadband expansion funds
A newly released report from The Pew Charitable Trusts sheds light on a major obstacle slowing the expansion of high-speed internet in the United States: the complicated and costly process of attaching broadband infrastructure to utility poles. The report,...
Murphy Tower Service announces leadership transition amid continued growth with McGuire at the helm
Murphy Tower Service, a leader in wireless and wireline infrastructure service, has announced a key leadership transition. Co-owner Patrick Murphy will step down as Chief Executive Officer effective immediately and transition into the role of Chief Operating Officer. Sam...
DigitalBridge continues to face market woes as stock hits new lows and European director departs
In late 2021, when it was announced that Matt Evans was hired as Digital Bridge Group, Inc.’s Managing Director Head of Europe, he said, “I am excited to be joining the DigitalBridge team at such a pivotal time.” According...
Starks resigns from the FCC, paving the way for Republican control under Chairman Carr
Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Commissioner Geoffrey Starks has announced his intention to resign this Spring, cutting short his term that was set to expire in 2027. His departure could have significant implications for the balance of power within the...
Evan Feinman departs BEAD program, warning of ‘deeply negative outcomes’ from favoring satellites
The $42.5 billion Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program is at a crossroads following the departure of its director, Evan Feinman. In a farewell email to staff (available below), Feinman issued a stark warning that proposed shifts in...
Dan McVaugh joins Tower Family Foundation Board; Leadership team of Tracy, Blakeslee and Murphy announced
The Tower Family Foundation has announced the newest appointment to the non-profit organization’s leadership team. Dan McVaugh, Senior Advisor of Cathedral Consulting, has been appointed to serve on the Tower Family Foundation’s Board of Directors. McVaugh joins the slate...
Back to basics: Crown Castle reverts to core tower strategy after shedding fiber and small cells assets for $8.5 billion
Crown Castle Inc. has finalized a definitive agreement to sell its Fiber segment, marking a strategic shift to focus on its core tower business. The transaction, valued at $8.5 billion, involves EQT Active Core Infrastructure fund acquiring Crown Castle’s...
Ajit Pai’s legacy: A win for CTIA’s wireless carriers as its new chief, but at what cost to contractors?
Ajit Pai, former Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), is set to take over as president and CEO of CTIA on April 1. His appointment marks a significant leadership shift for the wireless industry’s leading lobbying group as...
Tariff shock: Steel price surge threatens carrier expansion, squeezing manufacturers and contractors
Since the U.S. telecommunications industry relies heavily on steel to construct and maintain cell towers, mounts, and products for new cell site locations and upgrades, tariffs on steel and aluminum imports, reintroduced by the Trump administration yesterday, are already...
Senate confirms Lori Chavez-DeRemer, despite GOP concerns over her strong union support
The Senate confirmed former Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer (R-Ore.) as Labor Secretary on Monday in a 67-32 bipartisan vote. Seventeen Democrats joined most Republicans in support, while Senators. Rand Paul (R-Ky.), Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), and Ted Budd (R-N.C.) opposed the...
Fiber is no longer the cornerstone: Lutnick’s BEAD program’s shift should benefit wireless and satellite
Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick announced a significant overhaul of the $42 billion Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program, signaling a shift from its previous fiber-centric focus. Fiber optics, once seen as the cornerstone for high-speed internet infrastructure, could...
Just months after announcing its formation, Trueline’s collapse sparks class-action lawsuit by laid-off workers
Trueline Infrastructure Solutions, a broadband construction firm backed by private equity giant Grain Management, abruptly shut down last week, laying off nearly all its 500 employees on Friday. The sudden closure shocked employees, prompting a class-action lawsuit against Trueline for allegedly...
Insider theft: Telecom contractor’s employee charged with stealing hundreds of T-Mobile’s cell tower batteries
A Phoenix, Arizona man faces 27 felony charges for allegedly stealing backup batteries used in cell towers across the area, threatening emergency communications during power outages. According to an indictment, Andres Samuel Contreras, 29, is accused of stealing over...
“This map proves absolutely nothing”: Attorney gives Greenfield residents 80% chance of blocking AT&T 170-foot monopole
The ongoing debate over a proposed 170-foot cell tower near 112 Newton St. in Greenfield, MA, took a new turn late last month, as the Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) extended the hearing following a contentious two-hour presentation by...
As contractors are forced to quit, FCC Chief Carr tackles tower climb to showcase telecom workforce’s true grit
With over 42 years of experience erecting and maintaining tall towers, Precision Communications lead foreman Mike Berry has tackled plenty of unique and challenging projects—some unforgettable, while others blur together, fading into the background like just another day on...
Texas tower technician falls to his death during a T-Mobile build in Louisiana on an American Tower site
At an opening reception during NATE UNITE 2025 in Raleigh, NC, last Monday evening, an American Tower Corp project manager unexpectedly obtained a microphone and brought a lively crowd to silence with a somber announcement: “An hour ago,” he...
Safety and success advocates honored: NATE UNITE 2025 celebrates a dedicated dozen
NATE: The Communications Infrastructure Contractors Association on Wednesday honored a distinguished group of leaders for their contributions to the organization and industry. The following honorees were presented their awards at the NATE UNITE 2025 Awards recognition luncheon sponsored by...
Drouin is reseated as NATE’s Chairman along with Vice-Chairman Scott; Young is elected as Secretary/Treasurer
NATE announced that Board of Directors members Victor Drouin, Randy Scott, and Mike Young were selected by their peers to serve on the Association’s Executive Committee for the upcoming year. The Association made the announcement on the first day...
NATE’s bold FCC petition: A call to FCC Chairman Carr to secure the future of wireless infrastructure contractors
Kicking off its annual conference in Raleigh today, NATE: The Wireless Infrastructure Contractors Association took a decisive stand, launching a petition to FCC Chairman Brendan Carr. The move has energized members and industry leaders, sounding the alarm that inflexible,...
AT&T partners with NWSA to fund foreman certification exams at no cost to technicians to foster emerging leaders
The National Wireless Safety Alliance (NWSA) is teaming up with AT&T to support the development and growth of new and emerging leaders in the wireless industry through a new initiative aimed at increasing the number of NWSA-certified Foremen. AT&T...
Chinese hackers escalate attacks on U.S. telecom networks through Cisco
Chinese state-sponsored hacking group Salt Typhoon has launched a new wave of cyberattacks targeting U.S. telecommunications providers by exploiting vulnerabilities in unpatched Cisco IOS XE network devices. These breaches, affecting major firms such as AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile, have...
Historic charm meets bathroom chic: The saga of SBA’s toilet paper tower, which gained an extra roll
A telecommunications tower off Line Street in downtown Charleston, South Carolina, has been a source of debate since its completion in 2023. Historic preservation advocates are pushing for changes, arguing that the structure deviates significantly from its initially approved...
FieldSync captures strategic investment from Valiant Wealth to accelerate growth in critical infrastructure market
FieldSync, Inc., the holding company for FieldSync Technologies and Murphy Tower, has announced a new funding round with strategic investment from Valiant Wealth. This partnership marks a significant milestone in FieldSync’s mission to redefine how critical infrastructure is built,...
Verizon defeats Pennsylvania class action over lead cables—Ruling could doom similar lawsuit in New Jersey
On Friday, a federal judge in Pennsylvania dismissed a proposed class action lawsuit against Verizon Communications Inc., ruling that the plaintiff, former utility pole worker Mark Tiger, lacked standing to sue in federal court. The lawsuit alleged that Verizon’s...
Biggs’ push to eliminate OSHA: A risky move for worker safety, especially in fall protection
Editor’s Note: Arizona Rep. Andy Biggs’ bill to abolish OSHA is a masterclass in legislative minimalism—so brief it could fit on the side of a thimble. While unlikely to pass, it has ironically backfired by highlighting just how essential...
Arielle Roth’s nomination to head NTIA signals probable shift away from fiber-centric BEAD program
President Donald Trump has nominated Arielle Roth, telecom director for Senate Commerce Committee Chairman Ted Cruz, to lead the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA). If confirmed, Roth would oversee federal broadband policy, including the $42.5 billion Broadband, Equity,...
Back and Blue: ANDREW is back as a new era begins under Amphenol’s umbrella of companies
Amphenol Corporation today announced the successful acquisition of CommScope’s Outdoor Wireless Networks (OWN) and Distributed Antenna Systems (DAS) businesses. Now operating under the ANDREW name, these businesses further strengthen Amphenol’s leadership in communications infrastructure solutions. “The addition of the OWN and...
The silent crisis: How criminals are wiping out cell sites and getting away with it
Michael O’Rielly, former Commissioner of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), has raised alarms over the increasing wave of vandalism and theft targeting broadband infrastructure. In a recent analysis published by the Free State Foundation, O’Rielly emphasized the urgent need...
Aggressive contractor debt collection and a $325M appeal: The latest in the Crown Castle vs. Dish feud
Dish Network has aggressively pursued alleged debts from contractors involved in its dispute with Crown Castle, engaging a third-party debt collection firm rather than initiating litigation. Alternately, Dish could agree that the contractors were not at fault in developing Dish...
Tower technician critically injured after contact with high-voltage power line adjacent to Verizon monopole
UPDATE: February 5, 2025 – According to OSHA, the employer of the tower technician who was rescued was True North Management Services, LLC of Fenton, MO. The agency will not provide any additional information until they complete their investigation....
Contracting industry will collapse without reform in carrier practices, warns NATE CEO Schlekeway
Today, NATE: The Communications Infrastructure Contractors Association released an open letter addressing critical challenges facing the wireless contracting industry. As the association celebrates its 30th anniversary, it simultaneously confronts one of its most turbulent eras. While benefiting from the...
Engineers to provide a unified front with the launch of a consortium to accelerate and optimize network deployments
Telecom structural engineering firms Colliers Engineering & Design, Congruex, Kimley-Horn, and Paul J. Ford & Company today announced the launch of the Mobile Infrastructure Engineering Consortium (MIEC). This groundbreaking consortium is dedicated to advancing global wireless engineering standards and best practices. It will empower mobile...
Tower technician setbacks serve as a cautionary tale for BEAD fiber training exceeding $350 million and climbing
As the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program begins construction in Louisiana, Delaware, and Nevada in Q2, significant concerns about workforce development initiatives funded through BEAD grants are emerging. A striking percentage of the $42.5 billion BEAD program...
Industry faces unfair competition from 1099 contractors exploiting loopholes; Boston Judge puts one in jail
Kenneth Marston, 67, of Hanson, Massachusetts, has been sentenced to six months in prison, followed by 18 months of supervised release with the first six months on home detention, for a tax fraud scheme that avoided over $1 million in...
Ericsson’s green dreams become contractors’ nightmare
In President Donald Trump’s inaugural speech, one of the first actions he said he would take today was to “end the Green New Deal.” His timing was perfect for wireless contractors who learned this morning of Ericsson’s move to mandate...
New TIF and WIA white paper offers bird-friendly guidelines for tower work and avian coexistence
Communication structure owners are well-acquainted with a common scenario: a contractor calls and reports, “We’re on-site, but there’s a nest on the tower. What do we do?” Since the 1970s, the population of raptors (birds of prey) has rebounded significantly,...
Industry leaders applaud Olivia Trusty’s FCC nomination, citing extensive policy experience
Republican Senate aide Olivia Trusty has been appointed commissioner of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), securing a Republican majority within the agency. Trusty is a professional staff member of the Senate Armed Services Committee. Before that, she was policy...
Supreme Court decision forces TikTok sale to prevent U.S. ban by January 19; Trump delays it going dark
UPDATE: President Donald Trump issued an executive order Monday, January 21, aimed at keeping TikTok operational in the United States while he attempts to broker a deal that could bypass legislative efforts mandating the app sever ties with its...
Soon to be FCC Chair Carr slams Chairwoman Rosenworcel’s eleventh-hour Salt Typhoon vote
In a pointed rebuke, FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr criticized FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel and the Biden administration for advancing a contentious vote on cybersecurity measures yesterday, just days before a new administration reins. Carr’s strong statement called out the...
Palistar Capital combines Symphony Wireless and CTI Towers to create sixth largest private tower owner in the U.S.
Palistar Capital, an alternative asset manager focused on mission-critical communications and digital infrastructure, announced the combination of its pool of wireless assets, managed exclusively by Symphony Wireless, Palistar’s dedicated cell site acquisition affiliate, with another Palistar portfolio company, CTI...
From 5G to future G’s: WIA pushes for bold wireless reforms under Trump administration
The Wireless Infrastructure Association (WIA) has released “A Roadmap to Unlocking Connectivity Everywhere in the Next Administration,” a policy playbook to spark the wireless deployment and investment necessary to end the digital divide and ensure the U.S. continues to...
Mount Wilson towers remain intact as FCC reports minimal communication disruptions from deadly LA fires
Yesterday, the Eaton Fire in Los Angeles County threatened Mount Wilson, which houses the transmitting towers of nearly every Los Angeles TV station, many of its FM radio stations, and other critical communications facilities in Southern California. At one...