SBA Communications (SBA), the nation’s third largest tower owner, has released the percentages of National Wireless Safety Alliance (NWSA) certified climbers that contractors will have to maintain when doing work on their sites.
Prior to climbing any SBA structure, all general contractors and lower tier subcontractors must meet the following guidelines and dates:
- Effective June 1, 2020: 25% of the company’s tower climbers must be NWSA TTT1 or TTT2 certified with a minimum of 1 certified technician on site.
- Effective February 1, 2021: 50% of the company’s tower climbers must be NWSA TTT1 or TTT2 certified with a minimum of 2 certified technicians on site.
It has been acknowledged that although it is important for the major carriers to support and enforce the requirement for NWSA-certified climbers on their projects, tower owners are the lynchpins to ensure industry-wide compliance.
Crown Castle and American Tower do not have certification requirements in their master services agreements, but Crown reportedly enforces NWSA certified percentages set forth by AT&T when contractors are working for the carrier.
Sprint was expected to set NWSA requirements, but appears to have held off while the T-Mobile/Sprint merger heads to trial beginning December 9.
T-Mobile is also an active supporter of NWSA.
NWSA Executive Director Duane MacEntee informed Wireless Estimator Friday that the alliance was pleased with the growing interest by carriers, tower owners and other businesses to assist in improving the workforce through certification. He noted the strong support that SBA has provided the organization since its inception.
