Industry leaders paid tribute to tower technicians, the men and women who build and maintain America’s communications infrastructure
NATE: The Communications Infrastructure Contractors Association unveiled a commemoration declaring today, Wednesday, May 3, 2023, as Tower Technician Appreciation Day. For the sixth consecutive year, a day has been set aside by NATE and the industry to pay tribute to the important work that communications infrastructure technicians conduct daily to enable a connected world.
NATE encourages member companies and industry stakeholders to use Wednesday, May 3 as a day of commemoration to host Vertical Freedom movie watch parties and other recognition events within their respective organizations to pay tribute to the technicians they employ. The Association also encourages companies to incorporate #TowerTechAppreciationDay into social media posts throughout the day.
Leaders of the industry honor tower technicians on their day
Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers (Chairwoman, House E&C Committee)
“Access to reliable communications services has never been more important—whether its to make a phone call, connecting to the internet, or watching the news. These services are made possible by a network of cell and broadcast towers and the technicians who install, repair, and maintain this critical infrastructure. I am grateful for NATE and the tower technicians they represent, who play a vital role in keeping our homes, schools, and businesses connected, unleashing economic opportunities, and closing the digital divide.”
Meredith Attwell Baker (President & CEO, CTIA)
“America’s tower technicians play a pivotal role in keeping all Americans connected to the wireless-driven innovations that are reshaping the way we live, work and learn. Thanks to their incredible dedication and commitment, 5G is the fastest rollout of any generation of wireless and America leads the world in 5G availability.”
Victor Drouin (Chairman, NATE and President, Green Mountain Communications)
“Tower Technician Appreciation Day has become a favorite, annual tradition as it allows our company a day devoted to honoring and elevating the profile of the men and women who connect us all together. Tower Technicians are the true heroes of the industry, and I would encourage NATE members to host recognition events this Wednesday to honor the invaluable contributions of their tower tech employees.”
Patrick Halley (President & CEO, Wireless Infrastructure Association)
“It is the hard work and skill of tower technicians across the country that make possible the connectivity Americans rely on for virtually every aspect of their life. We’re so thankful to the women and men in the field providing this vital service every day, and we’re proud to count the companies supporting these efforts as members of WIA and participants in our Telecommunications Industry Registered Apprenticeship Program (TIRAP).”
Curtis LeGeyt, President and CEO, National Association of Broadcasters)
“As we commemorate the 6th Annual National Tower Technician Appreciation Day, NAB expresses our gratitude to the dedicated tower technicians across the nation. These skilled professionals play a vital role in ensuring seamless connectivity and communication for the hundreds of millions of Americans who depend on local radio and television. We thank NATE for their commitment to honoring their work and promoting safety during the National OSHA Safety Stand-Down Week, and we’ll continue to support and recognize tower technicians’ invaluable contributions to our connected world.”
2023 NATE Tower Technician Appreciation Day Commemoration
Whereas communications tower technicians are the backbone of the wireless and broadcast ecosystem and the work performed by tower technicians is of critical importance to homeland security, public safety, the nation’s economy and competitiveness, expansion of broadband and our nation’s vital communications capabilities; and
Whereas communications tower technicians have enormous responsibility in servicing or maintaining as well as inspecting hundreds of thousands of communications towers and next generation networks throughout the United States and around the globe; and
Whereas tower technicians have been uniquely responsible for developing and maintaining every generation of wireless networks, often in challenging environments and conditions, and their skills and productivity are essential to ensure that the United States wins the global race to 5G; and
Whereas the tower technician workforce is currently transforming valuable spectrum airwaves into action to enable connectivity, unleashing the potential of 5G wireless networks to the American economy; and
Whereas tower technicians and their companies are committed to closing the digital divide and will play a pivotal role on the front lines implementing the build-out goals of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act’s (IIJA) ambitious Broadband, Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program, deploying the fiber and infrastructure required to bring high-speed broadband and improved connectivity to low-income, rural, underserved, and unserved communities in the United States; and
Whereas tower technicians are currently working with wireless internet service providers and contractor firms to deliver fixed wireless deployment solutions to enable connectivity in challenging, hard to reach locations; and
Whereas tower technicians possess diverse skill sets that enable them to conduct small cell installations on utility poles, streetlights, street furniture and small structures located in both urban areas and in highway rights-of-way; and
Whereas the efforts, expertise and diligence of tower technicians will be essential to deliver next generation networks and technologies vital for the continued growth of Smart Cities, the Internet of Things, Telehealth Applications and Automated Vehicles; and
Whereas tower technicians also are helping to advance the deployment of Distributed Antenna Systems (DAS) and in-building wireless technologies, which are critical in densifying network coverage to accommodate large volumes of data traffic in urban environments, stadiums, airports, shopping malls and in other populated areas; and
Whereas tower technicians play an instrumental role in maintaining or, when necessary, restoring networks and related communications infrastructure in the aftermath of natural disasters and weather catastrophes; and
Whereas tower technicians are the “zero responders” whom are called upon by 911 and public safety entities when emergency communication networks need to be restored, and continue to support the deployment of FirstNet, the country’s first nationwide, interoperable broadband network devoted exclusively to public safety that is helping save lives and providing law enforcement officials, fire fighters and EMS personnel with the critical communications capabilities and resources they need to respond to emergency situations; and
Whereas tower technicians must study and learn, then master, innovations in safety and deployment techniques to promote the welfare of the industry’s workers and infrastructure while advancing the quality and efficiency of the services they are striving to provide; and
Whereas NATE – The Communications Infrastructure Contractors Association is the organization that is committed to facilitating training and providing the safety resources, standards, and best practices to ensure tower technicians perform work safely and in a quality manner, while collaborating with key federal and state agencies and Members of Congress in furtherance of these goals; and
Whereas tower technicians and their employers are committed to promoting and enhancing workforce safety, education, training, and competency-based apprenticeships through the Telecommunications Industry Registered Apprenticeship Program (TIRAP), as well as maintaining a safe work environment by following codes, standards, and legal regulations; and
Whereas tower technicians are demonstrating their talents and skill sets by obtaining national, professional, and portable American National Standards Institute (ANSI)-accredited worker certification through the National Wireless Safety Alliance (NWSA) assessment and credentialing organization; and
Whereas the feature length movie, Vertical Freedom, highlights the prominent role of six diverse tower technicians who experience personal triumphs and challenges to perform extraordinary work at extremely elevated levels to connect us all; and
Now, therefore, be it resolved that NATE – The Communications Infrastructure Contractors Association hereby declares Wednesday, May 3, 2023, as Tower Technician Appreciation Day to honor the men and women who deploy and maintain America’s communications infrastructure.