Andrew Seybold, recognized worldwide for his keen perspective and track record for accurately predicting mobile technology trends, said he’s overly concerned that bidders may not partner with FirstNet, the independent nationwide public safety broadband network funded by Congress. Seybold said that if FirstNet releases a request for proposal in December that follows their current template, “it is running a high …
Battery catcher in the rye bread truck and other wacky world events
Wireless industry news in America sometimes catches viewers off guard with weird events, but our nation doesn’t have exclusivity – especially in the past week. In Pretoria, South Africa, police arrested a 29-year-old man after he was found in possession of 12 Vodacom backup batteries. Although that’s becoming a frequent occurrence in the U.S., the vehicle he was transporting them …
Tennessee tower consolidator G. Larry Wells dies at age 50
Chattanooga, Tenn. businessman G. Larry Wells Jr. died at his home in Hixson last night. He was 50. Wells, a native of Dayton, had developed a network of cell towers through his Wireless Properties firm. Wells had over 28 years of experience in the wireless communications industry. He began his career in 1985 when he operated a successful cellular telephone …
Saints backup quarterback’s loss is still good for Verizon’s backup message
Verizon’s newest commercial features New Orleans Saints’ backup quarterback Luke McCown in full uniform as he looks at a Verizon cell tower with a gen set on an elevated platform, as he states, “Verizon has backup generators for most of their towers, so they’re ready if the power ever goes down.” He then salutes the cell tower with his helmet and …
TIRAP urges employers to embrace career training, safety and quality
The Chairman of the private/public Telecommunications Industry Registered Apprenticeship Program (TIRAP), Scott Kisting, today urged telecommunications employers to fully embrace an industry-wide effort to train new workers and instill higher standards in the workplace. In a presentation before the Environmental, Health & Safety International Communications Conference, Kisting said, “If the telecom industry is going to meet soaring consumer demand, we’ll …
T-Mobile and Verizon tie for high LTE speeds in the U.S. but America gets a failing grade
T-Mobile and Verizon Wireless are almost tied for the fastest U.S. LTE data speeds, according to OpenSignal, a network testing firm. However, the U.S. was ranked number nine in the world for coverage, but received failing grades for its LTE speeds overall. Verizon was identified as having the most LTE coverage in America, followed by AT&T, T-Mobile, U.S. Cellular, Sprint …
AGC’s survey identifies that wireless construction’s employment ills are similar
If wireless construction contractors believe that because cell site construction and other craft needs within the telecommunications industry are unique, and it’s the primary reason why it’s difficult to hire qualified workers, they’ll see that a 2015 Workforce Survey by the Associated General Contractors of America released earlier this month mirrors similar difficulties nationally with other professions, with 86 percent …
Ski area communications plan delayed by AT&T and others says lawsuit counterclaim
American Tower Corporation has filed counterclaims against Aspen Skiiing in regards to a $21 million project to improve service for four ski areas in Colorado. Aspen Skiing filed a lawsuit in July against American to break the contract the businesses had entered into in 2014. According to an article in the Aspen Daily News, American Tower in a March letter …
NATE and industry stakeholders present at California safety conference
The National Association of Tower Erectors (NATE) was a key participant today at the 2015 Environmental, Health & Safety International Communications Conference in Los Angeles, California. The conference, organized by the Environmental, Health & Safety Communications Panel (EHSCP), consisted of a series of high-profile sessions focused on key industry safety and health topics, and was attended by stakeholders representing prominent …
White House: Like water, broadband is a core utility required in homes
Similar to water, electricity and sewer in terms of importance to homeowners, the White House has declared that broadband Internet is also a “core utility,” in a 40-page report published by the Broadband Opportunity Council, which was created by President Barack Obama. “Broadband has steadily shifted from an optional amenity to a core utility for households, businesses and community institutions,” …
Small cells to be given extreme test during high Pope visit traffic
Crown Castle International’s devout Catholics might be praying to St. Vincent Ferrer, patron saint of builders, that their small cell network will support the data tsunami expected on Sept. 26-27, 2015 along the historic Benjamin Franklin Parkway, stretching from the Philadelphia Museum of Art to Logan Square, during Pope Francis’s inaugural visit where more than one million people are expected …
Former tech and his wife arrested after multi-state battery theft spree
A husband and wife team from Gilbert, Ariz. that caused millions of dollars in losses to carriers as well as a seven-hour service disruption in Cincinnati, Ohio, were caught after a ping from a cell tower eventually brought them down because Cincinnati police had been tracking their phone. Police say that Rachael and Michael Cowan went on a battery stealing spree …
FBI investigating a string of fiber cuts; AT&T posts $250,000 reward
AT&T said yesterday that the company is offering up to $250,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for fiber vandalism across Alameda County in California. AT&T spokesman Jim Greer said vandals cut fiber in two different manholes about 10:30 p.m. Monday at Altamont Pass and Carroll Road in Livermore, causing Internet service to go out. …
PCIA urges California’s governor to sign bill that would alleviate site delays
PCIA – The Wireless Infrastructure Association has urged Governor Jerry Brown to sign California Assembly Bill 57, which will help alleviate delay in applications to site new wireless facilities and renew permits for existing wireless facilities. In the letter, Adelstein noted, “For example, in San Diego, a PCIA member reports that applications for conditional use permit renewals at four separate …
Epidemiologist: Banning Wi-Fi in schools based on cancer is “cuckoo”
Dr. Geoffrey Kabat, an epidemiologist at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine, in response to a question regarding what he thought about movements to ban Wi-Fi in schools with a view toward exercising the “precautionary principle,” told the McGill Reporter he thinks those efforts are misplaced. “Based on my reading of the evidence, this whole movement is cuckoo. These exposures …
Key analyst likes Crown Castle, but sees American Tower with less acquisition exposure
Morningstar analyst Michael Hodel has provided an excellent overview of the industry’s three publicly-traded companies, American Tower Corp., Crown Castle International, and SBA Communications. Whereas there are almost daily yawn-inducing recommendations from analysts, Hodel’s insight and extensive analysis is worth the read. Although Hodel has previously said that his favorite amongst the towercos is Crown Castle, because he thinks it …
To be 5G, or not to be, that is the question seeking answers at Super Mobility 2015
In advance of any standardized next-generation network, it is expected that carriers will be following Verizon’s lead and will be jumping on the faux 5G bandwagon. But the proclamations will be steeped in marketing since there are no clear paths to which technologies 5G will include. Tom Keathley, AT&T’s senior vice president of network and product planning, said at Fierce Wireless’ breakfast panel …
FCC denies review of a site fencing violation and obstruction lighting charge
The FCC recently denied two tower owners’ requests to review their forfeiture orders and let stand their fines totaling $16,600. Following a petition for reconsideration by Alaska Integrated Media, Inc., licensee of Station KOAN, Anchorage, the FCC said it found no basis for them to review the fine of $5,600 for failing to enclose the station’s tower within an effective …
FCC Commissioner Pai says Title ll has depressed broadband investment
While FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler was pumping next March’s incentive auction of 600 Mhz wireless spectrum at CTIA Super Mobility 2015, FCC Commissioner Ajit Pai was deflating Wheeler’s belief that imposing Title II regulations on broadband were good for the nation, stating that Wheeler had dismissed arguments that classifying broadband as a common carrier service would depress investment, but data is …
India High Court: Use your landline if you don’t want cell towers installed
In a rather unorthodox response to a petition by residents alleging that a cell tower was being constructed in their neighborhood in violation of a local recommendations of an inter-ministerial committee, India’s Delhi High Court dismissed their plea and basically said that residents of Vasant Kunj should stop using their cell phones and revert back to using landlines, and then, …
