Murphy Tower Service, a leader in wireless and wireline infrastructure service, has announced a key leadership transition. Co-owner Patrick Murphy will step down as Chief Executive Officer effective immediately and transition into the role of Chief Operating Officer. Sam McGuire, current CEO of the parent company FieldSync, Inc., has been named the new CEO of Murphy Tower Service. This transition …
DigitalBridge continues to face market woes as stock hits new lows and European director departs
In late 2021, when it was announced that Matt Evans was hired as Digital Bridge Group, Inc.’s Managing Director Head of Europe, he said, “I am excited to be joining the DigitalBridge team at such a pivotal time.” According to Bloomberg, he is leaving DigitalBridge at a pivotal time as the company tries to shore up its flagging stock value. …
Starks resigns from the FCC, paving the way for Republican control under Chairman Carr
Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Commissioner Geoffrey Starks has announced his intention to resign this Spring, cutting short his term that was set to expire in 2027. His departure could have significant implications for the balance of power within the FCC, potentially giving Chairman Brendan Carr a temporary Republican majority. In a letter to President Donald Trump and Senate Majority Leader …
Evan Feinman departs BEAD program, warning of ‘deeply negative outcomes’ from favoring satellites
The $42.5 billion Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program is at a crossroads following the departure of its director, Evan Feinman. In a farewell email to staff (available below), Feinman issued a stark warning that proposed shifts in the program’s direction—moving away from fiber broadband infrastructure in favor of satellite-based alternatives—could result in “deeply negative outcomes” for rural America. …
Dan McVaugh joins Tower Family Foundation Board; Leadership team of Tracy, Blakeslee and Murphy announced
The Tower Family Foundation has announced the newest appointment to the non-profit organization’s leadership team. Dan McVaugh, Senior Advisor of Cathedral Consulting, has been appointed to serve on the Tower Family Foundation’s Board of Directors. McVaugh joins the slate of industry executives devoted to the Foundation’s mission of providing financial support and scholarships to industry workers and their families during …
Back to basics: Crown Castle reverts to core tower strategy after shedding fiber and small cells assets for $8.5 billion
Crown Castle Inc. has finalized a definitive agreement to sell its Fiber segment, marking a strategic shift to focus on its core tower business. The transaction, valued at $8.5 billion, involves EQT Active Core Infrastructure fund acquiring Crown Castle’s small cells business, while Zayo Group Holdings Inc. will take over the fiber solutions business. The deal is expected to close …
Ajit Pai’s legacy: A win for CTIA’s wireless carriers as its new chief, but at what cost to contractors?
Ajit Pai, former Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), is set to take over as president and CEO of CTIA on April 1. His appointment marks a significant leadership shift for the wireless industry’s leading lobbying group as it navigates ongoing battles over spectrum allocation and regulatory policies. Pai will replace former FCC Commissioner Meredith Attwell Baker, who has …
Tariff shock: Steel price surge threatens carrier expansion, squeezing manufacturers and contractors
Since the U.S. telecommunications industry relies heavily on steel to construct and maintain cell towers, mounts, and products for new cell site locations and upgrades, tariffs on steel and aluminum imports, reintroduced by the Trump administration yesterday, are already creating significant market turbulence, affecting everything from carrier investment decisions to supply chain stability with President Trump’s sweeping 25% tariffs on …
Senate confirms Lori Chavez-DeRemer, despite GOP concerns over her strong union support
The Senate confirmed former Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer (R-Ore.) as Labor Secretary on Monday in a 67-32 bipartisan vote. Seventeen Democrats joined most Republicans in support, while Senators. Rand Paul (R-Ky.), Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), and Ted Budd (R-N.C.) opposed the confirmation. Senator John Fetterman (D-Pa.) was absent. When Chavez-DeRemer was nominated in November, OSHA, overtime, and unions were key issues awaiting …
Fiber is no longer the cornerstone: Lutnick’s BEAD program’s shift should benefit wireless and satellite
Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick announced a significant overhaul of the $42 billion Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program, signaling a shift from its previous fiber-centric focus. Fiber optics, once seen as the cornerstone for high-speed internet infrastructure, could become less viable due to escalating costs and a new “tech-neutral” approach. The Commerce Secretary’s initiatives could result in wireless infrastructure …
Just months after announcing its formation, Trueline’s collapse sparks class-action lawsuit by laid-off workers
Trueline Infrastructure Solutions, a broadband construction firm backed by private equity giant Grain Management, abruptly shut down last week, laying off nearly all its 500 employees on Friday. The sudden closure shocked employees, prompting a class-action lawsuit against Trueline for allegedly violating federal labor laws. In its reporting, Fierce Network stated that Trueline emailed its staff on Friday to inform them that the …
Insider theft: Telecom contractor’s employee charged with stealing hundreds of T-Mobile’s cell tower batteries
A Phoenix, Arizona man faces 27 felony charges for allegedly stealing backup batteries used in cell towers across the area, threatening emergency communications during power outages. According to an indictment, Andres Samuel Contreras, 29, is accused of stealing over 900 backup batteries from 66 T-Mobile cell tower sites between August 2024 and February 2025, resulting in over $330,000 in damages. …
“This map proves absolutely nothing”: Attorney gives Greenfield residents 80% chance of blocking AT&T 170-foot monopole
The ongoing debate over a proposed 170-foot cell tower near 112 Newton St. in Greenfield, MA, took a new turn late last month, as the Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) extended the hearing following a contentious two-hour presentation by Viridi Wireless and AT&T representatives. At the heart of the dispute are the coverage maps presented by the applicants, which have …
As contractors are forced to quit, FCC Chief Carr tackles tower climb to showcase telecom workforce’s true grit
With over 42 years of experience erecting and maintaining tall towers, Precision Communications lead foreman Mike Berry has tackled plenty of unique and challenging projects—some unforgettable, while others blur together, fading into the background like just another day on the job. A planned two-week lighting system upgrade on WKRG News 5’s 1,865-foot structure in Spanish Fort, AL, seemed destined to …
Texas tower technician falls to his death during a T-Mobile build in Louisiana on an American Tower site
At an opening reception during NATE UNITE 2025 in Raleigh, NC, last Monday evening, an American Tower Corp project manager unexpectedly obtained a microphone and brought a lively crowd to silence with a somber announcement: “An hour ago,” he said, a tower climber fell to his death. His reverent prayer was well received by those in attendance, and news of the …
Safety and success advocates honored: NATE UNITE 2025 celebrates a dedicated dozen
NATE: The Communications Infrastructure Contractors Association on Wednesday honored a distinguished group of leaders for their contributions to the organization and industry. The following honorees were presented their awards at the NATE UNITE 2025 Awards recognition luncheon sponsored by Boost Mobile in Raleigh, North Carolina: Bill Carlson Lifetime Service Award John Paul (JP) Jones (Safety LMS) John Paul (JP) Jones …
Drouin is reseated as NATE’s Chairman along with Vice-Chairman Scott; Young is elected as Secretary/Treasurer
NATE announced that Board of Directors members Victor Drouin, Randy Scott, and Mike Young were selected by their peers to serve on the Association’s Executive Committee for the upcoming year. The Association made the announcement on the first day of the NATE UNITE 2025 Conference and Trade Show in Raleigh, North Carolina. Victor Drouin, President of Green Mountain Communications, Inc. …
NATE’s bold FCC petition: A call to FCC Chairman Carr to secure the future of wireless infrastructure contractors
Kicking off its annual conference in Raleigh today, NATE: The Wireless Infrastructure Contractors Association took a decisive stand, launching a petition to FCC Chairman Brendan Carr. The move has energized members and industry leaders, sounding the alarm that inflexible, take-it-or-leave-it contractor pricing jeopardizes the workforce and the sustainability of America’s contractors and other businesses in the supply chain. The PETITION, unveiled …
AT&T partners with NWSA to fund foreman certification exams at no cost to technicians to foster emerging leaders
The National Wireless Safety Alliance (NWSA) is teaming up with AT&T to support the development and growth of new and emerging leaders in the wireless industry through a new initiative aimed at increasing the number of NWSA-certified Foremen. AT&T has generously donated $75,000 to cover the one-time cost of the Foreman Certification exam. All TTT-2 certified technicians interested in taking …
Chinese hackers escalate attacks on U.S. telecom networks through Cisco
Chinese state-sponsored hacking group Salt Typhoon has launched a new wave of cyberattacks targeting U.S. telecommunications providers by exploiting vulnerabilities in unpatched Cisco IOS XE network devices. These breaches, affecting major firms such as AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile, have raised serious national security concerns as hackers gain unauthorized access to sensitive data, including call logs and text messages. Massive Cyber …
