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Five Alarm Concern: UWM assesses the vulnerability of cell site infrastructure to wildfires

In Featured News by Wireless Estimator

While the FCC attempts to get accurate maps of broadband coverage in the U.S., three University of Wisconsin – Madison researchers have completed the task of identifying for the agency the vulnerability of cell sites throughout America when confronted with wildfires. The study, presented at a meeting of internet network researchers this week found more than 430,000 cell site transceivers …

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Actor, comedian, entertainer Rob Riggle to deliver keynote address at NATE UNITE 2021

In Featured News by Wireless Estimator

NATE: The Communications Infrastructure Contractors Association announced today that famed actor/comedian/writer/producer/director Rob Riggle will deliver the keynote address at the NATE UNITE 2021 Conference in Memphis, Tennessee. NATE UNITE 2021 will take place February 15-18, 2021 at the Memphis Renasant Convention Center. NATE UNITE is widely regarded as the premier and most comprehensive education event in the communications infrastructure industry. …

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FCC’s launch of a $9 billion fund will benefit broadband poor rural areas and contractors

In Featured News by Wireless Estimator

The FCC voted unanimously today to establish a fund for up to $9 billion in federal support for rural 5G buildouts and precision agriculture, but Commissioners Jessica Rosenworcel and Geoffrey Starks each registered their concerns over progress on new wireless coverage maps. The Report and Order adopted sets up the 5G Fund for Rural America that includes up to $8 …

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Industry vet Baumann appointed to TIRAP’s Advisory Board

In Daily News Briefs by Wireless Estimator

The Wireless Infrastructure Association (WIA) announced today that Brad Baumann, Vice President, Wireless Solutions for Gabe’s Construction Co., Inc., has joined the Telecommunications Industry Registered Apprenticeship Program (TIRAP) Advisory Board. He has 37 years of experience in the telecommunications industry.   “The Power & Communication Contractors Association (PCCA) board and its members appreciate the time and energy Brad spends to represent our industry on the TIRAP Advisory Board, and we know …

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NATE’s record 185 STAR Initiative participants take advantage of following the gold standard for safety

In Featured News by Wireless Estimator

NATE: The Communications Infrastructure Contractors Association announced the member companies, listed below, who have been formally approved to participate in the STAR Initiative program for the 2020-2021 year. NATE has proudly accepted 185 participating companies in this year’s STAR Initiative which represents a record number of companies since the inception of the program. The STAR Initiative will be entering its …

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Alabama accident takes the life of a Texas broadcast tall tower tech

In Featured News by Wireless Estimator

A broadcast tower technician employed by San Antonio, Texas-based Broadcast Construction Solutions died yesterday shortly before noon in Elsanor, Alabama while performing retrofitting services on a 1,500-foot guyed tower owned by Deerfield Media that broadcasts WJTC TV. Wireless Estimator has confirmed that the deceased broadcast worker is Sirous Snider, 33, of Burleson, Texas, a well-respected and popular poster on Facebook. …

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Wireless Infrastructure Association names three new industry execs for leadership roles

In Featured News by Wireless Estimator

The Wireless Infrastructure Association (WIA) named Dr. Rikin Thakker as Chief Technology Officer; Brent Weil as Vice President, Workforce Development; and Jason Nelson as Vice President, Partnerships and Development. These new leaders will expand WIA’s wireless workforce development initiatives and extend WIA’s thought leadership and convening role for businesses in the wireless industry. These positions will play a major role …

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Google accused of search monopoly in landmark antitrust lawsuit brought by the DOJ

In Featured News by Wireless Estimator

The Justice Department today filed an antitrust lawsuit against Google that says the most popular search website abused its dominance over smaller competitors. Justice Department attorneys and Republican led States Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Indian, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri and Montana accuse Google of illegally using its monopoly power to suppress competition and hurt consumers through exclusionary deals like the one …

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Two charged in West Virginia cell tower compound break-in

In Daily News Briefs by Wireless Estimator

Two men were arrested after a break-in at a cell tower near Hernshaw, West Virginia, according to a press release issued yesterday by the Kanawha County Sheriff’s Office. Thomas Bowles, 24, of Ashford and Christian Hunter McNeely, 24, of Costa were each charged with breaking and entering and destruction of utilities. According to authorities, at 4:00 a.m. on October 8, …

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NATE says it is a big go for its February show in Memphis as WIA moves its event to August

In Featured News by Wireless Estimator

The Wireless Infrastructure Association (WIA) announced this week that it is moving the dates for its Connect (X) 2021 show in Boston from May 25-28 to August 3-6 as a “precautionary measure” during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the NATE UNITE 2021 conference scheduled for February 15–18 in Memphis, Tennessee opened for registration today, the Communications Infrastructure Contractors Association announced this …

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Climbing Congressman Curtis captures first hand the critical role contractors provide

In Featured News by Wireless Estimator

U.S. Congressman John Curtis (R-UT) yesterday conducted a site visit and climbing experience at a communications tower located in Moab, Utah. The tour was facilitated by representatives from NATE: The Communications Infrastructure Contractors Association and member companies Triple M Enterprises and VIKOR. The site visit was held at a Royce Electronics owned monopole site that is located in the Sand …

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Kasavana of Phoenix Tower selected by EY as an Entrepreneur Of The Year 2020 Florida Award Winner

In Daily News Briefs by Wireless Estimator

Ernst & Young LLP (EY) has announced that Dagan T. Kasavana, Chief Executive Officer and Founder of Phoenix Tower International was named an Entrepreneur Of The Year® 2020 Florida Award winner. The Entrepreneur Of The Year Awards program is one of the preeminent competitive awards for entrepreneurs and leaders of high-growth companies. The award recognizes those entrepreneurial leaders who are …

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Grubbs, Ripp and Rodgers join National Wireless Safety Alliance Board of Governors

In Featured News by Wireless Estimator

The National Wireless Safety Alliance (NWSA) announced that Philip Grubbs, Environmental, Safety, Health, & Security (ESH&S) Manager in North America for Black & Veatch, Richard “Chip” Ripp, General Manager of Standards and Process for DISH Wireless and Jillian Rodgers, Environmental, Health, Safety, and Fleet Manager at U.S. Cellular have been appointed as members of the Alliance’s Board of Governors. In …

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T.Steele Construction’s founder passes following Kentucky jobsite accident

In Featured News by Wireless Estimator

UPDATE: October 11, 2020 — Services to celebrate Thomas Steele’s life will be held at 10:30 a.m. Monday, October 19, 2020 at the Halligan-McCabe-DeVries Funeral Home, 614 N. Main Street, Davenport, Illinois. Services will be livestreamed by visiting Tom’s obituary at www.hmdfuneralhome.com. Visitation will be Sunday, October 18 from 1 until 4 p.m. at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, …

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Make a difference while you shop — Support the Tower Family Foundation through AmazonSmile

In Daily News Briefs by Wireless Estimator

Anytime you place an order on Amazon.com you have an opportunity to raise money for the Tower Family Foundation through the AmazonSmile program. AmazonSmile allows you to make a difference while you shop! A portion of any eligible purchases will go to your chosen charity each time you shop. This program is free to participate in and does not change …

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IG provides sane and compelling reasons for going postal to deploy America’s 5G networks

In Featured News by Wireless Estimator

The United States Postal Service currently leases space at 62 locations to telecom providers for their wireless towers that provides $1.4 million in annual revenue, but according to a report from the U.S. Postal Service Inspector General, there’s no reason that can’t be easily expanded to many of their 8,000 facilities that they own nationwide. The report also promotes their …

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Oregon’s towering inferno captured on video by the Department of Transportation

In Featured News by Wireless Estimator

Although American Tower Corp. and other towercos skated damage as flames licked their towers on Mount Wilson in California late last month, the Beachie Creek Fire in Marion County, Oregon on September 8, 2020, wasn’t kind to the tower owner as it ripped through a 120-foot guyed tower’s compound. The Oregon Department of Transportation captured the moments before the area …

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Carr’s tower compound additions plan would allow for a streamlined review process

In Featured News by Wireless Estimator

Update: September 6, 2020 — The FCC has released its 40-page draft of its plan to streamline review of requests to add limited space at the bottom of existing towers for backup power, low-latency computing, and multiple providers to be housed at one site. September 5, 2020 — FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr announced this afternoon the next step in the FCC’s …

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Smaller carriers issued small fines for 911 service filing infractions

In Daily News Briefs by Wireless Estimator

The Federal Communications Commission’s Enforcement Bureau today announced settlements with seven smaller telecommunications providers that did not file timely 911 service reliability certifications last year.  Each provider agreed to pay a civil penalty and abide by a compliance plan to ensure it meets its filing responsibilities going forward. The penalties of $21,600 range from $2,400 to $4,000 per company. The …