Smile, a carrier in Uganda is sneering at American Tower Corporation (ATC), asserting to the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) that ATC illegally disconnected the power to its network and the company has been quoted in numerous media outlets stating that since 2018 ATC has been using discriminatory pricing practices, as well as unfair and illegal power billing practices. An ATC …
Still awaiting its first contract, the Tower Climbers Union/CWA’s first local set for a July 4 launch
According to an announcement on the Tower Climbers Union website today, the official union local of the Tower Climbers Union/CWA will launch on July 4th, 2023. The article read, “Having an official TCU/CWA local means access to membership benefits as well as being able to elect our own union leadership for our local. More information on elections is coming soon.” “Once …
In Pennsylvania, if the House approves a bill, holding your cell phone while driving could cost you $150
Pennsylvania’s state Senate wants to broaden a ban on texting while driving and approved legislation last week that would increase the penalties for motorists who have a cell phone in their hand for almost any purpose while driving. The bill, approved 37-11, goes to the state House of Representatives. In 2012, Pennsylvania banned texting while driving, an offense punishable by a …
Virginia broadband railroad crossing fee lawsuit says one price endangers site safety
The Association of American Railroads wants a new Virginia law streamlining broadband providers’ access to railroad property invalidated. In a federal court lawsuit, it alleges that it amounts to an illegal taking and violates both the state and U.S. constitutions. They said it treats railroads, unlike any other landowner, “seizing from them and giving broadband service providers a permanent easement …
Associations are swift with accolades for allocations after State-by-State BEAD funding is announced
Ecstatic industry associations were quick to applaud Monday’s White House announcement concerning BEAD allocations for broadband infrastructure deployment, where five states snagged over $10 billion of the $42.5 billion in available funding. State by State funding amounts are available here. “Today is another milestone step in the process to ready the states and territories for the deployment of this generational …
Five states snag over $10 Billion of $42.5 Billion available in broadband funding
The Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) today announced how it has allocated funding to all 50 states (VIEW ALLOCATIONS BELOW), the District of Columbia, and five territories to deploy affordable, reliable high-speed Internet service to everyone in America. This “Internet for All” initiative is a key component of President Biden’s “Investing in America” agenda. States, D.C., …
Rescued tower tech is showing some improvement but needs the industry’s prayers and financial support
Jared Farley, a 31-year-old Plantersville, TX tower technician, remains in critical condition after he became unconscious following a heat stroke last Thursday while working on a 300-foot guyed tower in Navasota, TX, in 98 degrees Fahrenheit temperatures that remained in the mid-90s during a three-hour rescue by emergency responders. Farley’s mother, Tracy Phifer, who traveled with her husband from Tennessee …
Unconscious tech’s condition is unknown after a three-hour rescue in sweltering high 90 degree temperatures
While performing maintenance on a 300-foot guyed tower in Navasota, TX, yesterday afternoon, a tower tech was overcome by heat stress and had to be rescued in a coordinated effort by multiple agencies. According to a City of Navasota press release, the Navasota Fire Department (NFD) responded to the Mid-South Synergy facilities off of Highway 6 North around 4:39 p.m. when a …
Dish meets its 70% buildout deadline with assistance of three major towerco partners
Dish Wireless announced yesterday that as of June 14, the carrier is offering 5G broadband service to over 70 percent of the U.S. population, giving more than 240 million Americans access to its technology. This marks a significant milestone for Dish and the U.S. telecom industry, as Dish designed, built, and deployed a first-of-its-kind 5G network in three years. Dish …
NATE’s work zone protection safety video is a must view for ground level projects
NATE: The Communications Infrastructure Contractors Association announced today the official release of a video on Work Zone Protection. The video, the second to debut in Volume 6 of the Association’s popular #ClimberConnection series. The video shines a spotlight on the safety best practices associated with Work Zone Protection, specifically relating to the appropriate use of temporary traffic control devices, proper …
Tripped up by their trail, methheads await charges for Verizon cell site break in
Three Livingston, TX residents remain in the Polk County Jail, and another is still at large after they were accused of stealing from a Verizon 200-foot self-supporting cell tower compound and also exposing a toddler to methamphetamine and fentanyl. Polk County Sheriff’s deputies responded on June 6 to a report of a theft from the tower off of U.S. Highway 59 just north …
FCC’s systems have been down for the past week and may be unavailable for the foreseeable future
The FCC’s Universal Licensing System (ULS) is currently down and not accessible to the public. This includes the Commission’s License Manager, License Search, Application Search, Tower Construction Notification System, E-106 System, Antenna Structure Registration (ASR) Online Filing, ASR Application Search, ASR Registration Search, TOWAIR, and all ULS Specialized Searches. The systems are anticipated to be down until at least next …
Aggravated over aggregator Everest’s ‘multi-million dollar scheme’, Vertical Bridge files a lawsuit
Vertical Bridge REIT, LLC has filed a lawsuit against competitor Everest Infrastructure Partners (EIP), alleging that it ran an unfair “multi-million dollar scheme to unlawfully improve its market share” at Vertical Bridge’s expense through trade secret misappropriation, interfering with existing contractual relations and false advertising. Vertical Bridge, the tower arm of Digital Bridge, requests that EIP provide an accounting of …
FCC’s report shows Guam’s cell site outage at 20%, three weeks after Typhoon Mawar crippled the island’s power
After Typhoon Mawar tore through Guam, the second largest U.S. territory, on May 24, the FCC identified that 60% of its 327 cell sites were down. Two days later, it increased to 70%. However, in today’s report, that number has considerably improved, with the agency showing that only 19.9% are out of service. Seven were due to damage, ten due …
Contractor Dan Combs takes the bragging rights of having the best ‘Tough Tower’ techs in America
Fourteen tower technicians representing seven companies competed this weekend for the first place prize in the inaugural Tough Tower competition in North Jackson, OH, where they went head-to-head in a battle of skill and agility that included climbing, rigging, safety, installation, rescue, and speed challenges. Knot tying, crane maneuverability, and other skills were also judged. STG Communication Services and Tri …
While burning contractors and suppliers, Nexius’s facade exposed a possible terrorist cell site security hole
As Nexius used ‘every trick’ to keep contractors working, although the company knew they would never pay them, the wireless infrastructure developer reportedly continued scamming T-Mobile by using a Nexius-aligned company in Lebanon that was prohibited from accessing T-Moble’s network – possibly exposing a network security threat to the nation’s second-largest mobile operator, according to sources familiar with the ruse. When …
Tillman Infrastructure’s Hillabrant to take the reins of Vantage Towers
European towerco Vantage Towers has announced Christian Hillabrant as its new chief executive officer (CEO) and said the appointment is expected to take effect in approximately two months. Hillabrant’s current role is Chief Operating Officer at Tillman Infrastructure, the rapidly growing tower company based in the United States. Hillabrant was appointed to the Tower Family Foundation Advisory Committee last year. Hillabrant has …
FCC issues a $5,134,500 penalty for illegal robocalling; a whopping $4,500 for each call made
The Federal Communications Commission has adopted a $5,134,500 fine against John M. Burkman, Jacob Alexander Wohl, and J.M. Burkman & Associates LLC for making 1,141 unlawful robocalls. In this unanimous decision, the FCC rejected the arguments asserted by the parties in their response to the Commission’s 2021 proposed fine in this case. The robocalls, in this case, made on August …
New Jersey Wireless Association commemorates Marty Cooper’s first call and takes a glimpse into the future
The New Jersey Wireless Association (NJWA) commemorated the 50th anniversary of the first cellular call on May 23 with an educational program, “A Celebration of the First 50 Years… and a Glimpse into the Future,” held at the global headquarters of Nokia Bell Labs in Murray Hill, NJ. Keynote speakers at the event were Peter Vetter, President of Bell Labs …
Not a typical gin pole, Matt’s Arm provides a safer, quicker and more profitable pick at any level
Matt’s Arm is the newest tool in the tower industry, and contractors say there is no other tool that is so versatile since it adapts to most all tower types and lifting needs. It’s quickly becoming an essential tool for contractors’ crews. For decades, there had yet to be a serious design change in an industry stalwart, the venerable but cumbersome …
