Jonathan Adelstein, the head of PCIA – The Wireless Infrastructure Association, today kicked off the 2015 HetNet (heterogeneous networks) Expo in Los Angeles by spotlighting the deployment of small cell and DAS (distributed antenna) systems in meeting the soaring consumer demand for wireless mobile data. Adelstein’s opening remarks highlighted a study released by iGR that projects the industry “spend” on …
T-Mobile’s Legere predicts ‘dark horse’ bidders in 600 MHz auction
John Legere, the oftentimes eccentric and outspoken CEO of T-Mobile US, in a studio setting that mirrored an Imus in the Morning production complete with caustic remarks by the un-carrier chief, provided an entertaining as well as illuminating third-quarter conference call where Legere said today, “I do expect some dark horses to show up,” such as Google and Charter Communications …
The taxman cometh armed with a Stingray on steroids spy gear
UPDATE: Oct. 28, 2015 – The head of the Internal Revenue Service told a Senate committee on Tuesday that its stingrays are only used in criminal investigations. “It is only used in criminal investigations,” Commissioner John Koskinen testified before Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) and the rest of the Senate Finance Committee. “It can only be used with a court order. It can …
FCC’s AM revitalization order will help stations in troubling times
The Federal Communications Commission has moved forward to revitalize a dying industry, AM radio, by releasing their AM Radio Revitalization Report and Order late Friday afternoon. FCC Commissioner Ajit Pai said the order will ease regulatory burdens on AM broadcasters and address practical problems and interference-related issues that have long plagued AM stations. It includes multiple actions to expand access …
Eshoo, Walden introduce “Dig Once” broadband deployment bill
Congresswoman Anna G. Eshoo (D-Calif.), Ranking Member of the Communications and Technology Subcommittee, and Congressman Greg Walden (R-Ore.), Chairman of the Subcommittee, introduced today the Broadband Conduit Deployment Act of 2015, commonly referred to as ‘dig once’ legislation. This bipartisan, commonsense legislation would mandate the inclusion of broadband conduit—plastic pipes which house fiber-optic communications cable—during the construction of any road …
Services set for Ernie Jones, an industry safety and structural icon
Services have been announced for Ernest “Ernie” Raymond Jones, 64, of Lynnville, Ind. who passed away Wed., Oct. 21, 2015 while inspecting a tower in Oklahoma City, Okla. He was born November 5, 1950, in Evansville, to the late Raymond E. and June B. (Beldon) Jones. Ernie attended Rose-Hulman Institute for Engineering. He also attended The University of Evansville. He …
Crown Castle will reinstate gag order keeping them from discussing carriers
Crown Castle CEO Ben Moreland said yesterday during the company’s Q3 conference call that Crown’s executives used to refrain from speaking with any specificity about carrier deployments, but “over the last couple of years, we’ve sort of relaxed that standard, and probably spoken a little bit too much occasionally around specific carrier deployment plans.” But Crown’s easing of carrier build …
Ernie Jones succumbs following tragic tower elevator-related accident in Oklahoma
An industry icon who helped shape and advance structural and safety initiatives during his service to the tower industry was killed yesterday in an elevator-related accident on a broadcast tower in Oklahoma City, Okla., according to individuals knowledgeable of the incident. Although there are few verifiable details, Ernest “Ernie” Jones had reportedly been working with a crew on KOCO’s broadcast …
FCC takes steps to facilitate next generation technologies in spectrum above 24GHz
The FCC took steps today to maintain United States leadership in wireless by proposing new rules for wireless broadband in wireless frequencies above 24 GHz. The spectrum was previously believed to be useless for mobile devices. These proposed rules are an opportunity to move forward on creating a regulatory environment in which these emerging next-generation mobile technologies – such as …
American Tower’s Viom deal puts their India tower count ahead of the U.S.
American Tower Corporation is paying $1.16 billion to buy a controlling stake in the Indian tower operator, Viom Networks. The deal, which was widely expected will see American Tower taking a 51 percent stake in the Indian firm, which currently owns and operates approximately 42,200 towers and 200 indoor distributed antenna systems across India. American Tower’s existing Indian portfolio of …
GCI fined $620,500 by FCC for not registering 118 towers and lamping three structures
In what appears to be the highest fine ever levied against a tower owner, the Federal Communications Commission’s Enforcement Bureau announced a $620,500 settlement with General Communication, Inc. (GCI), parent company of The Alaska Wireless Network, for failing to register numerous communications towers through the agency’s Antenna Structure Registration system. Prior to constructing or upon acquiring these towers, the Alaska-based …
One towerco to own a mind-boggling 1.5 million towers in China in a $34 billion deal
Every large tower owner dreams of the day when they can boast that they’re the largest in the world. Those hopes were dashed yesterday with the announcement that the big three telecommunications operators in China have agreed upon an infrastructure-sharing joint venture, China Tower Corp. According to Barclays, the total tower count will be a staggering 1.5 million towers. The …
NATE establishes committee on unmanned aerial systems
The National Association of Tower Erectors (NATE) has announced the formal establishment of an Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) Committee. The newly minted committee will be tasked with monitoring the trends and regulatory environment associated with rapidly evolving UAS technologies and making recommendations to NATE members and the wireless infrastructure community on best practices when it comes to UAS integration. The committee …
FCC Commissioner’s new tower builds is based on a hazy crystal ball
Commentary — Making subsidies more flexible and removing legal hurdles are two of several changes the Federal Communications Commission should make to advance wireless infrastructure development, FCC Commissioner Michael O’Rielly said Wednesday at the Competitive Carriers Association conference in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. Another adjustment they should consider is providing their Commissioners with research that they’ve unearthed to provide direction rather than …
Google study: 30% of 911 calls in San Francisco are butt-dials
Accidental dialing, commonly called “butt-dials” are a growing concern for emergency services dispatchers, a newly released Google report states, and the company is helping San Francisco to get to the bottom of the increasing trend. The San Francisco Department of Emergency Management (DEM) found a dramatic spike of 28% in 2014 of 911 calls and Google worked with the city …
131 STAR Initiative companies recognized for their higher safety standards
The National Association of Tower Erectors (NATE) today announced the member companies who have been formally approved to participate in the prestigious STAR Initiative program for the 2015-2016 year. The Association made the announcement at the 2015 Competitive Carriers Association (CCA) Annual Convention in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. “We are thrilled with both the quantity and caliber of companies who have …
PCIA Chief urges Senate committee to alleviate barriers to broadband development
The head of PCIA – The Wireless Infrastructure Association this morning urged the Senate to help alleviate the barriers hindering wireless broadband deployment so that the U.S. can continue meeting the “nearly insatiable and increasing demand” for mobile data and strengthen its capacity to compete in the global marketplace. “Wireless infrastructure enables the economic growth and technological innovation that is delivered …
CCA convention starts with a call for carriers to get involved in 5G
During an executive breakfast panel at the 2015 Competitive Carriers Association conference in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. today, T-Mobile’s North American Vice President of Radio Network Engineering Mark McDiarmid and Ericsson’s CTO and Head of Strategy Glenn Laxdal said North American participation in the global 5G discussion has been less than stellar and called upon U.S. operators to get involved. “Regional …
Huawei completes world’s first large-scale 5G field trial with NTT DoCoMo
Huawei announced today the world’s first successful large-scale field trial of 5G new radio access technologies. The field trial was conducted jointly with NTT DoCoMo, Inc., Japan’s largest mobile service provider. Experts from both companies participated the field trial in an outdoor test site in Chengdu, China. As an on-going field trial, Huawei was able to stream live video of …
Central States Towers picks up $75m in new debt and equity financing
CIT Group Inc. announced that CIT Communications & Technology Finance served as sole lead arranger and administrative agent in a senior secured credit facility to Central States Tower (CST), a leading middle market operator and developer of wireless communications towers and a portfolio company of Sweetwater Capital, LLC. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed. “We have maintained a strong …
