April 1, 2025
WirelessEstimator.com News

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 say are driving contractors, suppliers, and key players in the telecom supply chain into financial ruin, with many forced to shut … Read more

FirstNet surpasses 7 million connections, expands nation’s largest coverage footprint for first responders
FirstNet, built with AT&T, has officially surpassed 7 million public safety connections, marking a significant milestone in its mission to deliver fa

st, reliable, and dedicated communications for first responders and the critical agencies that support them. With new infrastructure, expanded in-building solutions, and unprecedented network transparency tools, FirstNet is continuing to evolve as the communications backbone for emergency services across … Read more

‘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 globe. The new tagline reflects NATE’s dedication to continuously improving member experiences and driving innovation within the tower erection and telecommunications … Read more

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. Deputies responded around 7:30 p.m. to the area near Warm Springs Trace, Wyoming, after receiving reports of a shooting, Sheriff David … Read more

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 tower owners that lifting operations on-site are executed safely and effectively. It emphasizes the importance of clear communication when modifications are … Read more

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 could harm rural connectivity, suppress competition, and undermine decades of federally subsidized infrastructure development. In a detailed filing submitted to the … Read more

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 underwent a major strategic shift, including the $8.5 billion divestiture of its small cells and fiber solutions businesses. The company did … Read more

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 remarks sent shockwaves through the communications sector, as he directly referenced high-profile deals now under threat, including Paramount Global’s proposed merger … Read more

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, which examines the challenges facing federally funded broadband projects, warns that delays and rising costs tied to pole attachments could undermine … Read more

Grain Management acquires 800 MHz spectrum to power utility and critical networks with Black & Veatch
T-Mobile has found a buyer for the 800 MHz spectrum it inherited from Sprint, announcing today that it has agreed to divest the portfolio to Grain Management, LLC. The private investment firm, which focuses on digital infrastructure and broadband solutions, plans to market the spectrum to utilities, rural carriers, and critical infrastructure operators across the U.S. The deal, expected to … Read more

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 McGuire, current CEO of the parent company FieldSync, Inc., has been named the new CEO of Murphy Tower Service. This transition … Read more

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 FCC, potentially giving Chairman Brendan Carr a temporary Republican majority. In a letter to President Donald Trump and Senate Majority Leader … Read more

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 it navigates ongoing battles over spectrum allocation and regulatory policies. Pai will replace former FCC Commissioner Meredith Attwell Baker, who has … Read more

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 violating federal labor laws. In its reporting, Fierce Network stated that Trueline emailed its staff on Friday to inform them that the … Read more

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