NATE: The Communications Infrastructure Contractors Association today unveiled a framework document outlining the key components of the organization’s workforce strategic plan initiative. The initiative is spearheaded by NATE’s workforce development consultant Gemma Frock, PhD. The Association’s workforce mission statement is to promote and expand telecommunications workforce development capabilities by facilitating collaborations and partnerships between NATE members, community agencies, and educational and …
T-Mobile touts that it is the first with 5G in all 50 states
T-Mobile and GCI announced a historic partnership, immediately allowing T-Mobile customers with 5G smartphones to tap into 5G while roaming in Anchorage, Alaska, making T-Mobile the first and only wireless provider to offer 5G coverage in all 50 states. The new partnership also gives GCI customers roaming access to T-Mobile’s nationwide 5G network, America’s largest, covering more than one million …
Emergency lights are on at Willis Tower as broadcasters work on restoring signals
Chicago’s Willis Tower, formerly known as the Sears Tower, saw some glimmering lights early this morning after crews from ComEd activated the building’s emergency lighting system, which will allow them to turn back on power for the entire 110-floor building. The skyscraper had been closed for several days after torrential rain last weekend and Monday caused massive flooding throughout Chicago, …
South Wireless Summit 2020 postponed to March 2021
After careful consideration, and in light of the ongoing Coronavirus (COVID-19) developments, the South Wireless Summit, said they are are postponing the 9th Annual South Wireless Summit to March 2021. The event was scheduled to take place June 28 after the March 15 date was canceled due to the pandemic. “While it was not an easy decision, rescheduling the 1,000-attendee …
Canadian private/public collaboration panel provides an excellent report to dispel 5G myths
Out of Canada comes an outstanding piece that lays groundwork for public understanding of 5G and dispels myths surrounding it. For something of technical depth, it is entirely readable. It’s a collaboration of Canadian equipment suppliers, associations and multiple country agencies. The report notes that while 5G transmitters will require the creation of a large number of new base stations with …
New digital safety, supply & rigging catalog available from Site Pro 1
Valmont Site Pro 1 just launched their brand new 2020-2021 Safety, Supply and Rigging catalog in digital format, ready for immediate download. The catalog features brand new products from Petzl, Skylotec, 3M DBI, Elk River, Sterling and more. “With the release of our new 2nd edition catalog with the primary focus of safety supply and rigging we’ve become an even …
WIA launches free registration for Connect (X): All Access, announces Small and Diverse Business Summit
The Wireless Infrastructure Association (WIA) launched registration today for “Connect (X): All Access,” a free, global virtual conference on May 19 that is taking the place of WIA’s in-person, annual Connectivity Expo, or Connect (X). WIA today also announced that on May 20-21, Connect (X): All Access will convene the Small and Diverse Business Summit, which brings together small and …
Kenwood Telecom remains open and ready to assist the wireless infrastructure industry
A leading wireless manufacturer and supplier, Kenwood Telecom, headquartered in Acworth, Georgia, continues to follow CDC guidelines while allowing its operations to run smoothly and service the communications infrastructure community. “Your team here at Kenwood Telecom continues to follow the coronavirus developments with deep care and concern. We take our civic responsibility to continue following the CDC’s suggested practices very …
Buford burglar steals tools and equipment valued at $29,000 from Georgia contractor
Gwinnett County Georgia police are seeking the public’s assistance in locating a burglary suspect. According to a press release, the burglary suspect stole $28,000 in telecommunications equipment and another $1,000 in power tools. Police responded to a burglary call at Infinity Construction located at the 4900 block of Austin Park Avenue in unincorporated Buford on April 3rd. When units arrived, …
FirstNet platform turns 2 as AT&T offers first responder agencies free smartphones for life
As the nation continues to combat the spread of coronavirus, the FirstNet communications platform, built with AT&T in a public-private partnership with the First Responder Network Authority is bringing advanced capabilities to first responders across the country. Now, first responder public safety agencies on FirstNet can get premium FirstNet Ready smartphone devices for free for their agency paid users to connect them to critical …
Pai proposes $200 million COVID-19 telehealth program
The FCC is launching its new telehealth program aimed at using $200 million in new federal funding to improve broadband connectivity for connected health services. FCC Chairman Ajit Pai unveiled the new program yesterday, while at the same time providing an update on the agency’s Connected Care Pilot Program, which aims to improve telehealth access in remote and rural parts …
Pandemic causes delays to two of the FCC’s auctions
The FCC today announced schedule changes for Auction 105 as well as the postponement of Auction 106. Given the COVID-19 pandemic, these changes were deemed necessary in order to protect the health and safety of Commission staff and to allow parties additional time to prepare to participate in Auctions 105 and 106, the FCC said in a press release. “Many Americans …
NATE develops a COVID-19 Resource Portal
In an effort to keep NATE member companies informed on the fluid situation involving the COVID-19 public health pandemic, the Association has compiled and developed a central portal consisting of key resources and updates from government agencies, Congress, and other applicable organizations. NATE encourages member companies to become familiar with the organizations, guidelines and information included below in order to …
Live NATE webinar to address the serious issues facing employers from COVID-19
On Tuesday, March 24 at 11 AM EDT/10 AM CDT/9 AM MDT/8 AM PDT, Edwin G. Foulke, Jr., a partner in the Atlanta office of Fisher & Phillips LLP and Howard Mavity, also a partner in the Atlanta office will conduct a live webinar entitled “Addressing the Serious Issues Facing all Employers from the COVID-19 Coronavirus”. You can register for …
Last big broadcast tower portfolio sale being considered by Cumulus to reduce debt
As part of its post-bankruptcy strategy, Cumulus Media is considering selling its tower assets, CEO Mary Berner said during their Q4 earnings conference call on Friday. Discussing non-core assets that they want to sell to buoy their balance sheet, Berner they are “considering strategic alternatives regarding our tower portfolio, which consists of over 250 owned tower sites across 32 states, …
Three cable snatching West Virginians arrested following seven site break-ins
Three men have been accused of seven break-ins at cell tower sites in West Virginia that authorities said caused phone outages for anyone in the area with an emergency. The first reported incident was on August 19, 2019. On January 13 and 14, 2020 the same cell tower in Giles Hollow was broken into. Johnnie Boggess III, 30; James Canfield, …
AOWA’s poker tournament’s big winners were the Tower Family Foundation and Folds of Honor Foundation
At a meeting of the Arkansas-Oklahoma Wireless Association (AOWA), a presentation check was presented to the Tower Family Foundation for $15,000. The association provided the funds last November but recently presented the honorary over-sized check to the foundation. Pictured above, are (left to right) Steve Manuel, AOWA President, Willie Goldman, Tower Family Foundation Endowment Committee member; Todd Williams, AOWA Board …
FCC estimates six million rural homes and businesses could benefit from opportunity fund
Federal Communications Commission Chairman Ajit Pai announced initial estimates of how many homes and businesses in each state could benefit from Phase I of the $20.4 billion Rural Digital Opportunity Fund. In total, about 6 million rural homes and businesses could be eligible for bidding in an auction slated for later this year to receive funding for high-speed broadband. This …
MTN’s Africa and Uganda joint venture acquired by American Tower for $523 Million
American Tower Corporation has reached an agreement for the acquisition of MTN’s 49% stakes in the company’s joint ventures in Ghana and Uganda. Valued at approximately $523 million, the deal is due to close by March subject to the standard regulatory conditions. The news follows American Towers’ completion of its purchase of Eaton Towers Holdings which will add 5,700 communications …
NATE welcomes upcoming vote on $20.4 billion rural digital opportunity fund
Federal Communications Commission Chairman Ajit Pai has announced the final rules associated with the new $20.4 billion Rural Digital Opportunity Fund. The rules, are slated to be voted on by FCC Commissioners at the agency’s January 30 Open Meeting. NATE today released the following statement on the FCC’s announcement related to the fund. “In April 2019, NATE representatives participated in a …
