According to Wireless Estimator’s hiring trend data, infrastructure hiring has bounced back to ambitious and overwhelming 2013 LTE buildout levels when Verizon was racing away with its LTE expansion and AT&T was ramping up for its own 4G LTE Roll-out that would require spending $14 billion on network upgrades through 2016. “But that came to a screeching halt in May …
SBA Communications sets deeper tower roots in El Salvador
Millicom International Cellular S.A. (“Millicom”) has announced that its subsidiary Telemovil El Salvador S.A. de C.V. (“Tigo El Salvador”) has agreed to sell up to 800 wireless communications towers to a subsidiary of SBA Communications Corporation (“SBA”) in El Salvador. As a result of the transaction, Tigo El Salvador will receive approximately $145 million in cash. Additionally, the two companies …
Free exhibit hall pass is another enticement for heading to NATE UNITE 2018
Every year the National Association of Tower Erectors (NATE) adds new educational and event activities to it annual convention, the acknowledged premiere conference for the wireless construction and maintenance industry. This year is no exception as the organization introduces its free exhibit hall passes during the Feb. 19 through Feb. 22 NATE UNITE 2018 event at the Gaylord Opryland Resort …
Phoenix Tower acquires 215 tower sites from Digicel in the French West Indies
Phoenix Tower International (PTI) of Boca Raton, Fla. via its subsidiary Phoenix Tower FWI, S.A.S. announced today that it has closed its transaction with Digicel Antilles Francaises Guyane (Digicel) to acquire the ownership or management rights relating to 215 wireless communication tower sites from Digicel. This latest transaction solidifies PTI’s position as the premier tower company in the Caribbean. Terms of …
Trump’s infrastructure plan unveiling is thin on broadband benefits
The White House today released President Donald Trump‘s long-sought infrastructure plan that includes $200 billion in federal funding for the next 10 years with the end goal being to incentivize another $1.3 trillion in local investment to rehabilitate the nation’s roads, bridges, tunnels, and to expand broadband. Whether any of the $100 billion in direct grants to local governments will …
Spectrum scammer, firms ordered to repay $14 million in illegal payments and fines
A Florida man and several companies he managed will have to pay more than $14 million in repayment of ill-gotten gains and civil penalties after a federal judge sided with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on allegations that they participated in a fraud scheme involving applications to the Federal Communications Commission for cellular spectrum licenses. U.S. District Judge …
American Tower could take over the Philippines as sole towerco
A new tower siting policy in the Philippines to free telecommunications companies from costly capital expenditures in constructing communication towers and eventually reduce the cost of their services is being rolled out by President Rodrigo Duterte’s administration. Under the controversial “common tower” policy, telecommunications companies will no longer be allowed to build communication towers or cell sites, but instead must …
NATE members enable networks to enjoy record Super Bowl LII data surge
All eyes will be laser-focused on Sunday’s Super Bowl LII kickoff, and it’s unlikely that they’ll even notice eyeball orbs above them containing dozens of cellular antennas improving coverage at ground level. Or Verizon’s antennas hidden in stairway handrails and under some seats. With the lowest asking price for a ticket on the secondary market going for $6,743 this afternoon …
Congressman Marsha Blackburn to headline NATE UNITE 2018 awards luncheon
The National Association of Tower Erectors (NATE) announced today that Congressman Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) has been named as the inaugural recipient of the organization’s Legislative Champion Award. Blackburn will be presented with the honor and is slated to deliver keynote remarks at the NATE UNITE 2018 Awards Luncheon. The Awards Luncheon, sponsored by SBA Communications, is scheduled to take place …
First batch of a flurry of broadband bills introduced by Rep. Blackburn
Subcommittee on Communications and Technology Chairman Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) announced today a series of bills introduced by members aimed at reducing the regulatory barriers to broadband infrastructure expansion. “Communications Facilities Deployment on Federal Property Act of 2018,” sponsored by Rep. Mimi Walters (R-CA). The bill would amend Sec. 6409 of the Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act (47 …
California considering paying $20 million to build three 180-foot towers
Humboldt County California homeowners were given the opportunity last night to learn about the state’s Office of Emergency Services’ plans to move government agency towers atop of Red Mountain – a sacred prayer area for the Yurok Tribe and the highest peak in the area – at a community meeting in Arcata. And if they wanted to learn more about …
Washington’s ‘Little Red Book’ could easily save tower tech lives
The State of Washington Department of Labor and Industries’ (L&I) extensive Safety Standards for Telecommunications became effective Jan. 1, 2018, and in order to get the rule into workers’ hands, the agency, at no cost to the individual or their company, is providing a downloadable copy of the 129-pages of rules in Chapter 296-32 WAC. The department is also providing …
Tower Family Foundation golf invitational set for February 18 in Nashville
You can get an early start to your 2018 golf season by hitting the links and participating in the inaugural Tower Family Foundation Golf Invitational. This fun event will take place the day before the annual NATE UNITE conference begins on Sunday, Feb. 18 at the Gaylord Springs Golf Club in Nashville, Tenn. The event is powered by NATE’s Wireless …
President Trump’s ‘great, great’ rural broadband pledge should increase tower builds
President Donald Trump boasted to big ag executives at the American Farm Bureau Association convention in Nashville, Tenn. yesterday that an executive order he’s signed will help solve the persistent problem of appalling broadband speeds in rural America. Trump signed a memorandum directing the Interior Department to support broadband development in rural areas by increasing access to tower facilities managed …
New broadcast stations’ 2017 count shaved in half following FCC’s reverse auction
According to newly released statistics by the FCC, the nation saw an addition of 609 broadcast stations added to its ranks during 2017, with 158 of them being low power FM stations. However, the repack auction has taken its toll. In 2016, an additional 1,365 stations were added, 55% more new broadcasters than in 2017. (VIEW BROADCAST CATEGORY COUNTS BELOW) The year saw the continuing …
CommScope ushers in the new year with a new DAS patent lawsuit
When Cobham Wireless launched it intelligent digital DAS (idDAS) on New Year’s Eve 2015 covering Berlin’s Fan Mile – from the Victory Column to the Brandenburg Gate – over one million revelers enjoyed high-bandwidth 4G (LTE) services on the thoroughfare for the first time. This New Year’s Eve, CommScope’s attorneys and management were reveling in their ability to recently file …
Replacing Robbiati, Combes is Sprint’s newest financial chief
Known for his decades of industry experience and a reputation for cost cutting, Michel Combes will join Sprint Corp. as CFO and president on Saturday, replacing outgoing CFO Tarek Robbiati. Robbiati has been cutting costs at the nation’s smallest of the four major U.S. wireless carriers and analysts are questioning how much further Sprint can slash costs. After a merger …
NATE offering free rigger awareness training throughout the country
The National Association of Tower Erectors (NATE) announced today the dates and locations for their 2018 Rigger Awareness Training Courses. Twelve courses will be hosted nationwide and will be offered free of charge to attendees due to a Susan Harwood Training Grant (SH-31235-SH7) from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, U.S. Department of Labor. Throughout 2018, NATE is planning to …
