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 …
Historic charm meets bathroom chic: The saga of SBA’s toilet paper tower, which gained an extra roll
A telecommunications tower off Line Street in downtown Charleston, South Carolina, has been a source of debate since its completion in 2023. Historic preservation advocates are pushing for changes, arguing that the structure deviates significantly from its initially approved design. Based on the initial designs, the Historic Charleston Foundation, one of the organizations involved in the review of the structure, …
FieldSync captures strategic investment from Valiant Wealth to accelerate growth in critical infrastructure market
FieldSync, Inc., the holding company for FieldSync Technologies and Murphy Tower, has announced a new funding round with strategic investment from Valiant Wealth. This partnership marks a significant milestone in FieldSync’s mission to redefine how critical infrastructure is built, maintained, and scaled to meet the growing demands for data, power, and connectivity. FieldSync, Inc. stands at the intersection of traditional …
Verizon defeats Pennsylvania class action over lead cables—Ruling could doom similar lawsuit in New Jersey
On Friday, a federal judge in Pennsylvania dismissed a proposed class action lawsuit against Verizon Communications Inc., ruling that the plaintiff, former utility pole worker Mark Tiger, lacked standing to sue in federal court. The lawsuit alleged that Verizon’s failure to properly dispose of lead-sheathed telecommunications cables endangered utility pole workers who were regularly exposed to them. View the court’s …
Biggs’ push to eliminate OSHA: A risky move for worker safety, especially in fall protection
Editor’s Note: Arizona Rep. Andy Biggs’ bill to abolish OSHA is a masterclass in legislative minimalism—so brief it could fit on the side of a thimble. While unlikely to pass, it has ironically backfired by highlighting just how essential a federal OSHA is, sparking renewed discussions on the importance of workplace safety regulations. Republican Arizona Congressman Rep. Andy Biggs reintroduced …
Arielle Roth’s nomination to head NTIA signals probable shift away from fiber-centric BEAD program
President Donald Trump has nominated Arielle Roth, telecom director for Senate Commerce Committee Chairman Ted Cruz, to lead the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA). If confirmed, Roth would oversee federal broadband policy, including the $42.5 billion Broadband, Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program—an initiative she has sharply criticized for its regulatory overreach and fiber favoritism. Roth outlined her concerns …
Back and Blue: ANDREW is back as a new era begins under Amphenol’s umbrella of companies
Amphenol Corporation today announced the successful acquisition of CommScope’s Outdoor Wireless Networks (OWN) and Distributed Antenna Systems (DAS) businesses. Now operating under the ANDREW name, these businesses further strengthen Amphenol’s leadership in communications infrastructure solutions. “The addition of the OWN and DAS businesses enhances Amphenol’s portfolio with cutting-edge technologies that support the evolving needs of wireless networks,” said R. Adam Norwitt, Amphenol’s …
The silent crisis: How criminals are wiping out cell sites and getting away with it
Michael O’Rielly, former Commissioner of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), has raised alarms over the increasing wave of vandalism and theft targeting broadband infrastructure. In a recent analysis published by the Free State Foundation, O’Rielly emphasized the urgent need for stricter legal consequences to curb these criminal activities, which threaten the reliability of the nation’s communications networks. The Growing Threat …
Aggressive contractor debt collection and a $325M appeal: The latest in the Crown Castle vs. Dish feud
Dish Network has aggressively pursued alleged debts from contractors involved in its dispute with Crown Castle, engaging a third-party debt collection firm rather than initiating litigation. Alternately, Dish could agree that the contractors were not at fault in developing Dish sites within Crown Castle compounds that extended Dish’s lease area because they explicitly followed the construction plans provided. At the same …
Tower technician critically injured after contact with high-voltage power line adjacent to Verizon monopole
UPDATE: February 5, 2025 – According to OSHA, the employer of the tower technician who was rescued was True North Management Services, LLC of Fenton, MO. The agency will not provide any additional information until they complete their investigation. A tower technician on a cell phone tower in Burleson, Texas, was critically injured on Friday afternoon after coming into contact …
Contracting industry will collapse without reform in carrier practices, warns NATE CEO Schlekeway
Today, NATE: The Communications Infrastructure Contractors Association released an open letter addressing critical challenges facing the wireless contracting industry. As the association celebrates its 30th anniversary, it simultaneously confronts one of its most turbulent eras. While benefiting from the tireless efforts of contractors and small businesses to build and maintain the nation’s communications infrastructure, the wireless industry, primarily directed by …
Engineers to provide a unified front with the launch of a consortium to accelerate and optimize network deployments
Telecom structural engineering firms Colliers Engineering & Design, Congruex, Kimley-Horn, and Paul J. Ford & Company today announced the launch of the Mobile Infrastructure Engineering Consortium (MIEC). This groundbreaking consortium is dedicated to advancing global wireless engineering standards and best practices. It will empower mobile network operators, tower companies, and digital infrastructure stakeholders to accelerate deployments, achieve cost efficiencies, and uphold stringent safety and compliance standards. …
Tower technician setbacks serve as a cautionary tale for BEAD fiber training exceeding $350 million and climbing
As the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program begins construction in Louisiana, Delaware, and Nevada in Q2, significant concerns about workforce development initiatives funded through BEAD grants are emerging. A striking percentage of the $42.5 billion BEAD program is earmarked for broadband workforce training, totaling nearly $350 million today. Yet, the funding heavily favors fiber-optic training, leaving other broadband …
Industry faces unfair competition from 1099 contractors exploiting loopholes; Boston Judge puts one in jail
Kenneth Marston, 67, of Hanson, Massachusetts, has been sentenced to six months in prison, followed by 18 months of supervised release with the first six months on home detention, for a tax fraud scheme that avoided over $1 million in employment taxes. Marston pleaded guilty in October 2024 and was also ordered to pay $101,791 in restitution. Marston owned and operated …
Ericsson’s green dreams become contractors’ nightmare
In President Donald Trump’s inaugural speech, one of the first actions he said he would take today was to “end the Green New Deal.” His timing was perfect for wireless contractors who learned this morning of Ericsson’s move to mandate participation in its “Net Zero” Climate Initiative, which has drawn sharp criticism from contractors who say the requirements are impractical, unsustainable, …
