VIAVI Solutions announces signal analysis enhancements to its OneAdvisor-800 all-in-one test tool to streamline 4G-LTE and 5G NR cell site installation, integration and maintenance. This milestone addition brings cell site maintenance functionality to the award-winning installation tool. As service providers, towercos and infracos face pressure to deliver on the promise of 5G, the demand still exists to maintain and to …
To help empower women, WON has established two education scholarships
Women of NATE (WON) has announced the establishment of the WON Education Scholarship. The scholarship was designed to encourage and inspire more women to enter the tower and communications infrastructure construction, service and maintenance industries. Women play a prominent role as leaders and visionaries in the advancement of wireless and broadcast communications. Through the establishment of the WON initiative, the …
Industry vet Baumann appointed to TIRAP’s Advisory Board
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 …
Two charged in West Virginia cell tower compound break-in
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, …
Kasavana of Phoenix Tower selected by EY as an Entrepreneur Of The Year 2020 Florida Award Winner
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 …
Make a difference while you shop — Support the Tower Family Foundation through AmazonSmile
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 …
Smaller carriers issued small fines for 911 service filing infractions
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 …
FCC chief lauds the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals for their denial of a stay of the FCC 6GHz order
FCC Chairman Ajit Pai took to Twitter today with two thumbs up after the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit denied emergency stays sought by AT&T and others of the the FCC’s decision to open the 6GHz ban for unlicensed WiFi. The FCC passed an order in April to open the band which is primarily used by broadcasters, …
Towercos should consider a contribution instead of a pricey plaque
Unlike phony ego-boosting vanity award scams and paid articles, Wireless Estimator’s Top 100 Tower Companies in the U.S. is the real deal. It’s a list of the industry’s top tower companies who have successfully built or acquired 10 or more macro towers. Their achievements are well known and applauded in a challenging environment. However, a Connecticut wall plaque company is …
Dielectric enables near-field FAA waiver-free drone measurements to validate TV antenna performance
Dielectric has launched a new engineering service that enables drone operators to fully and accurately characterize antenna azimuth and elevation performance without special waivers from the FAA. The service has been successfully beta-tested and is now in production at several broadcast tower sites. The new service is a response to a common dilemma facing drone operators: To fully characterize an …
NWSA announces dates, locations for Fall 2020 Practical Examiner Accreditation workshops
Tennessee and Utah Workshops to Provide Opportunity for Participants to Obtain NWSA Accreditation to Administer Field-Based Practical Exams The National Wireless Safety Alliance (NWSA) is encouraging industry employers, trainers and workers to register for the upcoming Telecommunications Tower Technician Practical Examiner Accreditation Program (PEAP) Workshops scheduled for September 29-October 1, 2020 in Nashville, Tennessee, hosted by Comstar and October 13-15, 2020 in …
Immediate action required to inspect 3M PROTECTA Rebel self-retracting lifelines
3M™ Fall Protection has identified a potential manufacturing issue with a limited number of 3M™ Protecta® Rebel Self-Retracting Lifelines (with galvanized or stainless-steel lifelines) produced between October 14, 2019 and February 25, 2020. There have been no reports of injuries or accidents associated with this issue. This manufacturing issue could result in the SRL not engaging properly but can be …
NATE welcomes Sara Goddard as marketing coordinator
NATE: The Communications Infrastructure Contractors Association today announced the addition of Sara Goddard to the position of NATE Marketing Coordinator. Sara joins NATE with diverse skill sets that encompass years of experience in the non-profit and creative service arenas. Sara’s responsibilities with the Association will include oversight over social media, digital marketing and print media platforms; coordinating legislative and regulatory …
FCC releases updated speed test app to gather data on cell carrier performance
The Federal Communications Commission announced the release of an updated version of its FCC Speed Test app, continuing its commitment to ensure consumers have the tools and resources to evaluate how well their mobile broadband connections are performing. This app, available from the Apple App Store and Google Play, has been updated to work the with latest versions of the …
Fire in the field, MTN cell tower thief gets 500 years, Peter Sandore splits from wireless
Field fire kayos AM station, but only for hours Texas radio station KCTA, whose call sign means Know Christ The Answer, couldn’t find an immediate answer as to why their Corpus Christi 50 KW AM station went off the air last week. However, an Ionos Communications consultant quickly found that it was a field fire, luckily without brimstone, and technicians …
House Ag representatives brace FCC Chairman Ajit Pai over Ligado L-band decision
Today, U.S. Representatives Collin Peterson (D-MN), Glenn ‘GT’ Thompson (R-PA), and James Comer (R-KY) sent a letter to FCC Chairman Ajit Pai questioning the Commission’s April 20, 2020 order granting Ligado’s application to deploy a terrestrial nationwide network to provide 5G services. The Commission unanimously approved Ligado’s plan despite strong opposition from the Pentagon and its supporters who say the company will harm global …
Surge in remote work propels network visibility and security to top concerns: VIAVI
VIAVI Solutions Inc. today released the results of its 13th annual State of the Network global study of enterprise networking and security challenges. The study shows that IT teams critically require better visibility into the network driven by a number of factors, including tremendous disruption from the COVID-19 pandemic, relentless technological advances, remote working reaching an all-time high and the …
NATE launches workforce sourcing Veteran Partnership Program
The Communications Infrastructure Contractors Association announced today the official launch of the Military of NATE Workforce Sourcing Veteran Partnership Program. The program was created by the recently established Military of NATE Ad-Hoc Committee as a new benefit to the Association’s member companies and seeks to provide employment opportunities to veterans to continue to address the immediate and long-term hiring needs …
Free wireless rooftop deployment training course in Atlanta set for August 3
NATE is offering a free Wireless Rooftop Deployment Training Course on Monday, August 3, 2020 at the Sheraton Suites Galleria-Atlanta in Atlanta, Georgia to all industry professionals, announced NATE project coordinator Kimberly Elliott. The course is made possible due to a Susan Harwood Training Grant (SH-05134-SH9) from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, U.S. Department of Labor. Applicants do not have to be …
WIA announces new speakers with latest insights on 5G at Connect (X): All Access
On Tuesday, June 23, the Wireless Infrastructure Association (WIA) is launching new panel sessions with top 5G thought leaders as part of Connect (X): All Access – a free, virtual conference. “WIA is continuing to roll out panels with the latest 5G insights throughout the summer to serve the industry as our participants are planning ahead for their businesses at a challenging time. We tailored it with cutting-edge speakers that address the latest developments happening right now in our industry,” said …
