NATE today unveiled a video showcasing the sights and sounds from the successful NATE UNITE 2019 Conference in Grapevine, Texas. The video is the second to debut in Volume 4 of the Association’s popular Climber Connection series. The video provides testimonial interviews with NATE UNITE 2019 attendees and recaps the popular educational sessions, training opportunities, keynote luncheons, vendor displays, social …
Short Band of Brothers video highlights the long term comradeship of climbers
NATE today released the first #ClimberConversation video of 2019, shining a spotlight on the camaraderie that develops between tower technician crews. The video was released at the 2019 International Wireless Communications Expo (IWCE) in Las Vegas, Nevada, a conference that NATE is actively participating in this week. The #ClimberConversation volume is a companion series to the Association’s popular #ClimberConnection campaign …
Kathrein selling its antenna and filter products division to Ericsson
Kathrein intends to sell its antenna and filter business to Ericsson, a leading mobile communications infrastructure provider. Kathrein Products division, with approximately 4,000 employees in research and development, production, and sales at more than 20 locations worldwide, is expected to become part of Ericsson’s Business Area Networks in the third quarter of 2019 following approvals from relevant regulatory authorities. Excellent …
The 5G paradox is the need for more offloading options: WIA white paper
The Wireless Infrastructure Association’s (WIA) Innovation & Technology Council (ITC) released a report titled “The 5G Paradox: The Need for More Offloading Options in the Next-Generation Wireless Era,” which explores the need for additional bandwidth and offloading techniques as next-generation 5G wireless services begin to roll out. The white paper explains that wireless networks need to be prepared for the …
Tower Family Foundation and NATE announce 2019’s scholarship recipient
The Tower Family Foundation and National Association of Tower Erectors (NATE) today jointly announced that Austin Uhr, a junior civil engineering student from Evansville, Indiana has been named as the 2019 recipient of the Ernie Jones Memorial Civil Engineering Scholarship at the University of Evansville in Evansville, Indiana. The official announcement was made at the NATE Awards Luncheon on Wednesday, …
Preventing ‘rampant’ safety credentials fraud is a passion of QRedentials’ founder Clifford Wilcox
In a Frontline/ProPublica investigation in 2012 exploring the high fatality rate of tower techs, many hours of footage didn’t make the 30-minute Frontline broadcast. One such interview segment was with Wireless Estimator editor Craig Lekutis who was asked if he would be surprised to find out that a deceased worker had counterfeit training certificates in his wallet, had no training, …
Fifth FCC Commissioner Starks is off and running with his first five staffers
Newly sworn-in FCC Commissioner Geoffrey Starks, who made his first public appearance at yesterday’s brief open meeting, announced his first five staff members, all of whom are serving in acting capacities. “I am deeply honored to serve as a Commissioner of the Federal Communications Commission, and I thank the President and the United States Senate for this exceptional privilege. As …
Starting his career in the 60s, Richard Heisler passes away at age 73 in Texas
Long-time industry professional, Richard ‘Dick’ Heisler, 73, passed away in Dallas, Tex. on Jan. 19, 2019. Dick was employed in telecommunications his entire life. He worked with Advanced Industries out of Sioux City, IA in the 60s, and owned and operated Iowa Tower Erection in the 70s. Heisler managed the Coast to Coast Microwave system buildout for MCI in the …
Services to be held for David Downie, Jr., the ‘Mayor of Wireless’
Services will be held on Wed., Jan. 9, 2019 at 1:00 p.m. at St. John Neumann Catholic Church, Lilburn, Ga. for David Downie, Jr. who passed away on Jan. 4, 2019 at age 51.David was the first President of the Georgia Wireless Association from 2004 to 2010 and was well known for his charisma, positive attitude, and sacrificial love. He began …
Valmont acquires industry-leading provider of concealment solutions, Larson Camouflage
Valmont Industries, Inc., a leading global provider of engineered products and services for infrastructure development and irrigation equipment and services for agriculture, today announced that it has acquired the operational assets of Larson Camouflage, the industry-leading provider of architectural and camouflage concealment solutions for the wireless telecommunication market. The undisclosed transaction amount was funded with cash on hand. The Company expects that …
SPX acquires Carmanah’s marine and obstruction lighting businesses for $77 million
SPX Corporation, the parent company of Flash Technology, a leading manufacturer of obstruction lighting with their corporate office in Franklin, Tenn., announced Wednesday that it has entered into a definitive agreement to purchase the marine and obstruction lighting business of Carmanah Technologies Corporation for approximately $77 million. Following completion of the transaction, the results of the purchased business will be …
National Wireless Safety Alliance announces Board of Governors leadership appointments
The National Wireless Safety Alliance (NWSA) has announced that Jim Coleman, National Tower Safety Manager at AT&T, and Paul Roberts, Vice President of Compliance at American Tower Corporation, have been appointed to serve as Chairman and Vice Chairman respectively, of the organization’s Board of Governors. NWSA also announced that J. John Barker, Partner of Barker MacEntee PLLC, Richard Cullum, Director of …
3Z’s antenna alignment tool with built-in camera is ideal for all carrier networks
A new antenna alignment tool that includes a built-in camera can now provide a visual line-of-sight image for each antenna in a mobile network is proving to be extraordinarily valuable for RF engineering teams when making coverage and capacity decisions for more exacting 5G networks, and to ensure that unseen challenges will be immediately known. 3Z Telecom, Inc., a leading …
With 5G around the corner, Black & Veatch e-Book presses: Start planning now
Black & Veatch, a global leader in telecom announces the release of a visually explanatory, free electronic book that explores the evolution of 5G and its significance to carriers, utilities, industries, fleet managers and municipalities. “5G: A New Digital Dawn,” – the company’s latest e-Book – looks at the technical aspects and the applications of the high-speed communications platform, ultimately …
Early selected as FirstNet Public Safety Advisory Committee chief
Edward Horowitz, FirstNet Board Chairman, recently announced the appointment of Todd Early as the new Chair of First Responder Network Authority’s Public Safety Advisory Committee (PSAC). Early has represented the National Council of Statewide Interoperability Coordinators (NCSWIC) on the PSAC since 2015. Since the start of his tenure, he has been incredibly active and dedicated, serving on the PSAC Executive Committee as the Tribal Working Group …
FCC’s first-ever high band 5G auction began this morning
The FCC commenced its first-ever high-band 5G spectrum auction this morning with bidding on spectrum in the 28 GHz band (Auction 101), which will be followed by bidding for spectrum in the 24 GHz band (Auction 102). The FCC is making 1.55 gigahertz of spectrum available through these two auctions. These auctions will be followed by a 2019 auction of three …
Tower mods video emphasizes exacting sequences required
The National Association of Tower Erectors (NATE) today unveiled a video entitled “Tower Modifications: It’s All About the Sequence” that focuses on the dos and don’ts of performing proper tower modifications. The video was unveiled as part of Volume 3 of the Association’s acclaimed Climber Connection series. The informative video includes an interview with an experienced industry construction manager who …
Allan Tantillo joins Vertical Bridge as VP of New Technologies
Vertical Bridge Holdings, LLC, the largest private owner and operator of communications infrastructure in the United States, announced that Allan Tantillo has joined the company as Vice President of New Technologies. In his new role, Tantillo will focus on identifying and creating opportunities that help clients deploy new wireless technologies utilizing Vertical Bridge’s wide range of assets. “These are exciting …
Climbers’ challenging weather environments highlighted in video
The National Association of Tower Erectors (NATE) today released a #ClimberConversation video shining a spotlight on the challenging weather-related environments tower technicians are confronted with while working at communication tower sites. The video release is timely as weather patterns are changing dramatically across the United States with the calendar turning to November. The #ClimberConversation volume is a companion series to the …
NATE announces STAR Initiative participants for 2018-2019 program
STAR Initiative Companies Represent Best-in-Class for Safety and Quality The National Association of Tower Erectors (NATE) has announced the member companies who have been formally approved to participate in the STAR Initiative program for the 2018-2019 year. The NATE STAR Initiative is currently entering its eighth year and is the Association’s signature program designed to help companies operate safely and …