As thousands of wireless infrastructure professionals gathered in Fort Lauderdale this week for Connect (X) 2026 to debate the future of AI, spectrum, and next-generation networks, NATE: The Communications Infrastructure Contractors Association offered a timely reminder of who makes it all possible.
Wednesday, May 6 marks the ninth consecutive Tower Technician Appreciation Day — a commemoration honoring the men and women who climb and maintain the towers that every conversation inside that conference hall ultimately depends on.
The association encourages member companies and industry stakeholders to use May 6 as an opportunity to host recognition events within their organizations to honor the skilled professionals who deploy and maintain the nation’s communications infrastructure. NATE also encourages broad social media participation to amplify awareness and appreciation across the industry.
“On National Tower Technician Appreciation Day, I want to thank every tower tech for their skill, dedication, and bravery,” said U.S. Representative Rudy Yakym (IN-02), who has the distinction of being the only Member of Congress who previously worked as a tower technician. “The demanding and often dangerous work these professionals perform to keep our communications networks strong and reliable is greatly appreciated. Your work literally keeps America connected,” Yakym added.
“Tower technicians play a vital role in building and maintaining the wireless, broadcast, broadband, and edge infrastructure necessary to support innovation, strengthen public safety, and connect communities across America, including those in rural and underserved areas,” said NATE Chairman Victor Drouin of Green Mountain Communications. “As emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, cloud computing, and next-generation wireless networks continue to transform our economy and daily lives, the importance of a highly skilled communications infrastructure workforce has never been more evident.”
“NATE is proud to proclaim Wednesday, May 6, 2026, as Tower Technician Appreciation Day,” said President and CEO Todd Schlekeway. “Tower technicians are at the center of enabling the connectivity that powers today’s digital economy. Their expertise, dedication, and commitment to safety ensure that America’s communications networks remain secure, resilient, and ready to meet the demands of the future,” Schlekeway added.
To download and print the official 2026 Tower Technician Appreciation Day Proclamation, visit HERE.
2026 NATE Tower Technician Appreciation Day Proclamation
Whereas communications tower technicians are the backbone of the wireless, broadband, broadcast, and data infrastructure ecosystem, and the work performed by tower technicians is of critical importance to homeland security, public safety, the nation’s economy and global competitiveness, the expansion of broadband, and our nation’s vital communications capabilities; and
Whereas communications tower technicians bear enormous responsibility in servicing, maintaining, and inspecting hundreds of thousands of communications towers, data center connectivity systems, and next-generation wireless and broadband networks throughout the United States and around the globe; and
Whereas tower technicians have been uniquely responsible for developing, deploying, and maintaining every generation of wireless networks, often in challenging environments and conditions, and their skills and productivity are essential to ensure the continued success of 5G deployment and the evolution toward future network technologies; and
Whereas tower technicians play a pivotal role in enabling the infrastructure that supports the rapid growth of Artificial Intelligence (AI) applications, which rely on robust, low-latency, high-capacity wireless networks, fiber backhaul, and edge computing architectures to process and transmit vast amounts of data in real time; and
Whereas tower technicians are critical contributors to the deployment and interconnection of data centers and edge data infrastructure, supporting the distributed computing environments necessary for AI, cloud services, content delivery, and mission-critical applications across industries; and
Whereas the tower technician workforce transforms valuable spectrum airwaves into action to enable connectivity, unleashing the full potential of advanced wireless networks to power innovation, economic growth, and emerging technologies; and
Whereas tower technicians will continue to play a vital role on the frontlines conducting “rip and replace” deployment work, removing untrusted equipment and components from the nation’s wireless communications systems and strengthening the security and resilience of our broadband infrastructure; and
Whereas tower technicians are working with wireless internet service providers and contractor firms to deliver fixed wireless and hybrid deployment solutions that enable connectivity in challenging, hard-to-reach, and underserved locations; and
Whereas tower technicians possess diverse skill sets that enable them to conduct small cell installations on utility poles, streetlights, street furniture, and other structures located in both urban environments and along transportation corridors, supporting network densification and next-generation connectivity; and
Whereas the efforts, expertise, and diligence of tower technicians are essential to delivering next-generation networks and technologies vital for the continued growth of Smart Cities, the Internet of Things (IoT), telehealth applications, autonomous systems, and AI-driven services; and
Whereas tower technicians are advancing the deployment of Distributed Antenna Systems (DAS), in-building wireless technologies, and edge network nodes, which are critical to densifying network coverage, reducing latency, and enhancing in-building public safety communications in high-density environments such as stadiums, airports, campuses, healthcare facilities, and commercial buildings; and
Whereas tower technicians play an instrumental role in maintaining and, when necessary, restoring networks and related communications infrastructure in the aftermath of natural disasters and severe weather events; and
Whereas tower technicians are the “zero responders” who are called upon by 911 and public safety entities when emergency communication networks need to be restored, and they support the performance of FirstNet, the nationwide interoperable broadband network dedicated to public safety that provides first responders with critical communications capabilities; and
Whereas tower technicians must continuously study, train, and master innovations in safety practices, deployment techniques, and emerging technologies to promote the welfare of the workforce and infrastructure while advancing the quality, resilience, and efficiency of communications services; and
Whereas NATE – The Communications Infrastructure Contractors Association is committed to facilitating training and providing safety resources, standards, and best practices to ensure tower technicians perform their work safely and with the highest quality, while collaborating with key federal and state agencies and Members of Congress; and
Whereas tower technicians and their employers are committed to promoting and enhancing workforce safety, education, training, and competency-based apprenticeships through the Telecommunications Industry Registered Apprenticeship Program (TIRAP), as well as maintaining safe work environments by adhering to applicable codes, standards, and regulations; and
Whereas tower technicians are demonstrating their expertise and professionalism by obtaining national, portable, ANSI-accredited certifications through the National Wireless Safety Alliance (NWSA); and
Whereas the feature-length documentary Vertical Freedom highlights the dedication, resilience, and extraordinary work performed by tower technicians who operate at great heights to keep our world connected;
Now, therefore, be it resolved that NATE – The Communications Infrastructure Contractors Association hereby declares Wednesday, May 6, 2026, as Tower Technician Appreciation Day, to honor the men and women who deploy, maintain, and advance America’s communications and digital infrastructure.
Victor Drouin
NATE Chairman
May 6, 2026
