The Communications Infrastructure Contractors Association today officially released the NATE Safety Sleeve Testing Final Report. This in-depth, 62-page white paper describes the overall scope, methodology and results from the NATE sponsored Safety Sleeve Testing events that were performed at the University of Dayton Research Institute (UDRI) in Dayton, Ohio in 2018 and 2019. If you’re knowledgeable about the “Sunflower Effect” …
Radiation guidelines panel finds 5G safe while tin-hatters embrace MD’s YouTube nonsense
A panel of international experts has identified that 5G does not pose a health risk, after updating its radiation exposure guidelines. The organization responsible for assessing health risks, the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP), has updated its guidelines regarding exposure to electromagnetic fields to cover 5G signals. The commission has ruled that some protections are required against the …
DOL releases coronavirus response act notice to be posted by employers
The Federal poster regarding employee rights in reference to the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) that takes effect on April 1, 2020, has been released by the Department of Labor. The (Non-Federal Employee) family leave poster is available here: The FFCRA provides partial income replacement benefits to employees working for private employers with fewer than 500 employees, if, amongst …
CWA captures an additional 20% COVID-19 pay boost for AT&T field technicians and other workers
Following negotiations with the Communications Workers of America (CWA) union, AT&T announced that it will pay a 20% bonus above its regular hourly base pay rate to all of its union employees starting yesterday and until further notice due to working conditions being presented by the coronavirus pandemic. This includes both employees working from home and those still in offices …
Connect (X) still weighing its best options for the May 18-21 Miami Beach show
UPDATE: March 27, 2020 – The Wireless Infrastructure Association (WIA), updated the status of their May 18 through 21, 2020 Connect (X) 2020 show to their exhibitors, attendees and sponsors on their web site Wednesday, as the planned dates for Connect (X) Miami approach. “The health and safety of each of you is our top priority. Like all of you, we are …
NATE’s legal eagles address ever-changing COVID-19 regulations impacting employers/workers
A live NATE webinar this morning presented by attorneys Edwin Foulke, Jr. and Howard Mavity, partners in the Atlanta office of Fisher & Phillips LLP, enabled almost 200 registrants to obtain the latest information regarding the serious issues facing all employers and employees stemming from COVID-19. But as both attorneys acknowledged, the most recent information could be outdated as fluid …
WIA report says CBRS spectrum will play a pivotal role across many industries
The Wireless Infrastructure Association (WIA) published a new report: “The CBRS Opportunity: New Spectrum, Stakeholders, Networks and Devices.” Written by members of WIA’s Innovation and Technology Council, the paper highlights the benefits, impact, and opportunities for commercial-use shared spectrum of Citizens Broadband Radio Service (CBRS) for existing and new networks. “The industry needs as much spectrum as possible as quickly …
DHS steps in with letters to assist contractors as ‘essential’ workers maintaining wireless infrastructure
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has issued two letters valid through May 28, 2020, to help wireless contractors maintain access to critical infrastructure. The letters are from John O’Connor, Director of the National Communications Coordination Branch of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency. The first letter indicates that wireless contractors are part of the nation’s emergency infrastructure and …
Sprint merger ready to roll despite COVID-19 fears says T-Mobile CEO John Legere
In a message to investors today, T-Mobile announced that it is financially prepared to close the merger with Sprint and the COVID-19 crisis will not delay the deal. The carrier said that 16 banks are involved in the merger and none of them have stated that they will be unable to meet prior commitments. “I’m pleased that right now we …
Fall protection succumbs to the need for virus protection as Washington State-based Gravitec closes
Since the initial reports of the COVID-19 outbreak, Washington State-based fall protection training company Gravitec had been coordinating their efforts and strategies to protect their clients, students and employees to sustain their operations, but yesterday evening North America’s largest fall protection training company made the difficult decision to suspend their in-house training as well as temporarily suspend travel for their …
Flash Technology launches Vanguard High Product Series with infrared / night vision compatibility
Flash Technology, a global leader in aids-to-navigation solutions, announces the launch of the Vanguard High FTS 270 LED lighting system. The system is appropriate for broadcast towers, skyscrapers, smokestacks, bridges and other applications requiring high intensity obstruction lights. Engineered for maximum LED life, the feature-rich Vanguard High product line provides ultimate serviceability, minimizing downtime if maintenance is required. The FTS …
Satellite messaging to a normal cell phone is now a reality, says Lynk
Lynk today announced that it has successfully connected a satellite in low-Earth orbit to an ordinary mobile phone on Earth. The technical breakthrough enabled Lynk to send the world’s first ever text message from space to a mobile phone. This milestone, witnessed by independent third-party observers, represents the critical, industry-first next step for Lynk’s ultimate vision to use satellites to …
IWCE reschedules it’s expo to August, WIA’s May show is still a go
In a there’s light at the end of the tunnel announcement, the International Wireless Communications Expo (IWCE) announced that IWCE 2020 will take place on August 24-28, 2020 at the Las Vegas Convention Center in Nevada. ETA’s Education Forum will also be rescheduled to take place at this time. The show had been originally scheduled to begin March 30, but …
Coronavirus takes its first contractor toll in the repack lane, FCC extends deadline
In what appears to be the first instance of COVID-19 directly halting a tower erection and antenna installation’s company’s obligation to perform contracted services for its broadcast client, the FCC said today that they are aware of and accept the contractor’s imposed two-week suspension of field service, including work on repack-related construction, while it evaluates the nation’s quickly changing situation …
Contractors cautioned: Don’t underreact in protecting wireless field workforces against COVID-19
By Michael Devers and Jim Tracy The wireless communication industry we work in is as dynamic and fast-paced as it is critical. Over the past week, we’ve been witness to history as the dynamic, fast-paced, and extraordinary development of the impacts and storylines surrounding COVID-19 (Coronavirus) have begun to play out. This is especially true here in Western Washington, unfortunately …
Primus and Site Pro 1 mitigate virus concerns as LBA provides free COVID-19 safety training
Primus and Site Pro 1 are eliminating non-essential visits to their locations and our reemphasizing the need for best practices for sanitation policies including frequent hand washing to minimize exposure to COVID-19. Both organizations are allowing all employees who are capable to work from home wherever possible to do so. Travel is also being limited by both companies. Site Pro …
Uniti offloads three-quarters of its towers for $190 million, Phoenix picks up 197 towers in separate deal
Fiber and tower owner Uniti has announced that it is selling 486 of its 672 towers located across 32 states to an unnamed buyer for $190 million, 30 times annualized tower cash flow. During a Q4 analysts call last Thursday, Executive V.P. and CFO Mark Wallace said for the full year 2019, Uniti completed 240 towers and the acquisition of …
American Tower’s Taiclet to leave the tower space and go back to his roots in aerospace
American Tower Corporation today announced that Jim Taiclet, President, Chief Executive Officer and executive Chairman of the Board, will be leaving the company to become President and CEO of Lockheed Martin, where he currently serves on the company’s Board of Directors. Taiclet, who was President of Honeywell Aerospace Services, joined American Tower in 2001 as President and Chief Operating Officer and …
Wireless contractor’s bookkeeper says she’s not guilty of pilfering $3.6 million to buy properties
A 47-year-old Osburn, Idaho woman accused of stealing millions of dollars from a Rathdrum, Idaho wireless construction company pleaded not guilty Wednesday in U.S. Magistrate Court in Coeur d’Alene. Trina M. Welch pleaded not guilty to 15 counts of wire fraud, which can carry up to 20 years in prison. Court records identify that Welch stole $3.6 million from Kasco …
DISH’s ‘badass’ tower climber Martha Ramos leads Fast-Forward Friday news
Meet Martha: DISH’s ‘badass’ tower climber When Martha Ramos climbed her first cellular tower, it wasn’t so much being up high that made her nervous, it was learning to let go. “If you’re working on equipment on a tower, you have to have both of your hands free,” said Ramos, a tower climber for DISH. “You hook yourself to a …
