The FAA’s UAS Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) Aviation Rulemaking Committee (ARC) has published its final report with recommendations that will benefit contractors and towercos if they are enacted. To fly BVLOS currently, operators must seek waivers or exemptions from the FAA, a lengthy and difficult process that is more likely not to be approved. The Small UAV Coalition …
Five years prison term given to tower tech who killed his brother-in-law during Iowa motel brawl
An Oklahoma tower technician has been sentenced to five years in prison for the beating death of his brother-in-law of 12 years in the parking lot of a Sioux City, Iowa motel. Jordan Kaesemeyer, 36, of Marlow, Oklahoma, was sentenced on March 8, 2022, after pleading guilty in September to involuntary manslaughter for the June 2020 death of Justin Morrison, …
Free cryptocurrency replaces stock options in United Telecom Systems’ unique benefits package
It’s not cryptic for Gen Z adults and millennials; they get it. Cryptocurrency is gaining popularity throughout the world since traditional savings accounts have an embarrassingly low-interest rate that is being stripped away by the country’s highest inflation rate in the past four decades, and traditional IRAs are suffering due to current global issues. Georgia-based United Telecom Systems, LLC (UTS) also gets …
American Tower reportedly a contender for 41,000 Deutsche Telekom towers for $20 billion
American Tower is reportedly a key contender for a 41,000 Deutsche Telekom towers acquisition. Deutsche Telekom reportedly started the sales process for its mobile towers business as part of broader efforts to maximize the value of its infrastructure assets. Reuters reported the Germany-headquartered operator is working with Goldman Sachs as adviser in the sale of its 40,600 towers, which the …
Tower tech is seriously injured after falling from an unknown height inside a Florida water tower
The condition of 26-year-old tower technician Brandon O’Neil of Orlando, FL is unknown after he fell from an unknown height inside a water tower in Palm Coast, FL, on Tuesday evening and suffered serious injuries. A Flagler County press release said that the technician “was atop the tower when he fell approximately 120 feet,” which is being repeated in media …
NATE UNITE 2022 bucks the trend of decreased show attendance with 2,619 registrants
For the ninth consecutive year, NATE: The Communications Infrastructure Contractors Association saw an increase in their annual convention’s attendance at their Las Vegas, NV show last month with 2619 attendees, an increase of over 8% over 2020’s in-person Raleigh, NC event. NATE’s attendance percentage was considerably higher than many shows that recently saw huge drops in visitors such as the …
SCOTUS turns down Santa Fe 5G conspiracists’ last chance to expose First Amendment abuse
The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday crushed an environmental group’s final attempt to resurrect its constitutional claims alleging that the city of Santa Fe, New Mexico exposed residents to dangerous levels of radiation by installing telecom equipment in public rights-of-way by declining to review the matter. The Santa Fe Alliance for Public Health and Safety petitioned the high court to …
Key execs believe certified tower technicians will lead the nation’s continuous build programs
Attendees at NATE UNITE 2022 were provided an executive level overview of how field personnel will be taking control of their future as the wireless workforce becomes increasingly dependent upon new skillsets that will be required of technicians. The session, which also identified why companies are motivated to assist in their success, was presented by Mark Ciarfella, EVP, Domestic Operations, …
WIA’s chief Jonathan Adelstein ends 10 years of service as he takes on new role at Digital Bridge Group
The Wireless Infrastructure Association (WIA) announced today the upcoming departure of President and Chief Executive Officer Jonathan Adelstein. Adelstein has accepted a position as Managing Director and Head of Global Policy and Public Investment for DigitalBridge Group, beginning June 1. A candidate search is being launched to identify his replacement. “These last ten years were among the most fulfilling of …
Win $100 by guessing the number of attendees at NATE UNITE 2022’s record-breaking show
Step back Raleigh, North Carolina and make room for Las Vegas, Nevada as the host of NATE – The Communications Infrastructure Contractors Association’s largest attended conference in the association’s 27-year history. The event ended Thursday. In 2020, a record was set with 2,416 registrants. However, this year, according to an early tally that will not be finalized until next Monday, the LED Capital of the …
Dish courts contractors for its wireless build at NATE UNITE 2022
Dish Network Chairman Charlie Ergen complimented attendees at the NATE UNITE 2022 conference last week for assisting in ensuring that his company’s upcoming 5G stand-alone network will cover 20% of Americans with 5G by a federally mandated June deadline. Recalling the NATE 2020 conference in Raleigh, NC, Ergen said, “We hadn’t built a tower yet, and two years later we’ve …
NATE honors key industry leaders during its 2022 NATE UNITE conference
NATE: The Communications Infrastructure Contractors Association today 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 2022 Awards Luncheon sponsored by DISH in Las Vegas, Nevada: Bill Carlson Lifetime Service Award Jim Tracy, CEO of Legacy Telecommunications, LLC, was honored as the recipient of …
A ‘better together’ philosophy has Entertech rebranding as Ontivity
At the NATE UNITE Show in Las Vegas this week, Enertech Holdings, a national-scale wireless infrastructure services provider, announced in a launch video shown at the ‘Vertical Freedom’ film premiere, its decision to rebrand as Ontivity. In what may be the trade show’s first ever exhibitor wardrobe change, the company’s booth branded as Enertech Holdings on the opening day of …
NATE climbs to a new record-high number of company memberships
NATE: The Communications Infrastructure Contractors Association announced today that it has established a new all-time record of 1,100 member companies, eclipsing the organization’s previous mark of 1,087 members. The Association made the announcement live from the NATE UNITE 2022 Conference taking place this week in Las Vegas, Nevada. “There is a lot of buzz surrounding this week’s NATE UNITE 2022 …
Johnny Crawford and Bob Paige elevated to key executive positions at Vertical Bridge
Vertical Bridge, the largest private owner and operator of communications infrastructure in the United States, today announced the promotion of two of its longest serving leaders to Executive Vice President. Johnny Crawford was named Executive Vice President of Development, and Bob Paige was appointed Executive Vice President of Mergers & Acquisitions and Corporate Development. “Bob and Johnny have been leaders …
Jimmy Miller will maintain the helm at NATE assisted by Victor Drouin and Kevin Dougherty
NATE announced today that Board of Directors’ members Jimmy Miller, Victor Drouin and Kevin Dougherty were elected 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 2022 Conference and Trade Show in Las Vegas, Nevada. Jimmy Miller, President and CEO of MILLERCO …
Lawsuit filed against Georgia city after its Council slights a Shriners’ site for T-Mobile
Municipal Communications of Atlanta, GA filed a lawsuit against Columbus, GA and its mayor and council members stating that it is violating federal law by blocking its requests to build a T-Mobile cell tower that’s necessary to improve coverage in the area near heavily trafficked I-185. Though T-Mobile already has 37 cell sites in Columbus, Municipal told a Georgia federal …
You’ll now be able to schedule an NWSA practical exam in minutes
The National Wireless Safety Alliance is upgrading its practical exam application process to a new online system starting on March 1, 2022. Candidates simply complete an online application via the NWSA website and pay for their exams in advance of their exam administration. In minutes after their application and payment are processed, candidates will receive an authorization code via email …
D.C. Court puts an end to Children’s Health Defense’s ‘wireless wild west’ OTARD charges
A three-judge panel of the D.C. Federal Appeals Court on Friday rejected a challenge to the FCC’s decision to amend its over-the-the-air reception device (OTARD) rule to remove a commercial use restriction. The justices stated in their opinion that the FCC had “sufficiently explained that its Order ‘does not change the applicability of the Commission’s radio frequency exposure requirements’ and …
It’s going to be an enjoyable maskless NATE UNITE 2022 as Caesars Forum drops mask mandate
The odds are in favor of attendees at NATE UNITE 2022 next week in Las Vegas having an even greater time now that Nevada’s casinos and convention centers no longer require indoor mask mandates. Last Thursday, Nevada Gov. Steve Sisolak announced the state would no longer require people to wear face coverings in all indoor public places. Sisolak said the decision, which …
