On Friday, the U.S. Supreme Court dismantled decades of regulatory law, significantly complicating the ability of federal agencies like the FCC and OSHA to issue rules and regulations based on broad congressional mandates. This ideological ruling overturned a 40-year-old precedent that has guided how agencies interpret federal statutes. The Supreme Court reversed the 1984 Chevron v. Natural Resources Defense Council …
U.S. Supreme Court’s decision could boot the FCC’s ability to issue fines for telecommunications violations
Yesterday’s U.S. Supreme Court decision in SEC v. Jarkesy could significantly alter the landscape of FCC enforcement actions. This ruling, which was passed with a 6-3 majority, could prompt extensive litigation for federal agencies, including the FCC, fundamentally changing how these agencies issue penalties and fines. Current FCC enforcement process Currently, the FCC issues a Notice of Apparent Liability (NAL) and …
The country’s mayors are demanding that Congress should kill a broadband bill that cuts through red tape
During the U.S. Conference of Mayors held this past weekend, city leaders strongly opposed the American Broadband Deployment Act of 2023 (H.R. 3557), urging Congress to reconsider the bill. The mayors emphasized their unwavering determination to renew the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) and maintain local authority over public rights-of-way (ROW). Key Concerns: Local Authority Erosion: Mayors argue that H.R. 3557 …
California denies AT&T’s request to reduce OpEx by ripping out landline service to almost 600,000 households
Despite AT&T’s request to discontinue this less profitable service, the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) has made a significant ruling mandating that the carrier continue providing landline services in California. This decision will undoubtedly shape the company’s future operations in the state. The CPUC’s decision ensures that AT&T remains a Carrier of Last Resort (COLR) in areas where it is …
Musk and Carr tag team against the Biden administration’s inability to dish out BEAD funding until 2025
Elon Musk and FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr have publicly criticized the Biden administration for its handling of the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program. The $42.45 billion initiative, designed to provide high-speed internet to unserved and underserved areas, has yet to make significant progress in its implementation, leading to frustration and backlash from prominent figures and policymakers. An article …
Spending an enlightening nine minutes with rope expert Loui McCurley could easily save climbers’ lives
NATE: The Communications Infrastructure Contractors Association has unveiled a crucial new video focusing on the importance of safety ropes in the communications tower industry. Featuring an engaging dialogue between narrator Sean Gilhooley and Loui McCurley, CEO of NATE member company Beal-PMI, Inc., the video covers vital topics such as the types of safety ropes currently in use, the materials they are …
Dish adds another cut to the possibility of the contracting industry’s ‘death by a thousand cuts’
In a recent legal battle, Dish Wireless Inc. emerged victorious against Crown Castle USA Inc., with a Denver jury ruling on April 11, 2024, that Dish did not violate the 30-year master lease agreement between the two companies. The dispute centered around Dish’s use of an additional three feet of space on cell tower sites, which Crown Castle claimed should …
American Tower is gaveled a $4 million award: Court says yes, tenant’s wallet says no
In a recent decision from the United States District Court for the District of Colorado, Judge Charlotte N. Sweeney granted a motion for default judgment in favor of American Tower Corp. against TPT SpeedConnect LLC (TPT), a subsidiary of TPT Global Tech, Inc (TPTG). The court’s ruling, issued on June 11, 2024, orders TPT to pay a sum of almost …
Florida contractor’s owner succumbs from a 200-foot fall off a Crown Castle cell tower in North Carolina
A 52-year-old owner of a Kissimmee, Florida, contracting company that specialized in structural reinforcements and welding passed away on Monday when he fell from a Crown Castle tower in Shelby, North Carolina. Wireless Estimator has identified the deceased as Jose Ramiro Covarrubias. He fell from a 300-foot self-supporting tower around noon. The circumstances leading to his fall are still under …
Verizon takes gloves off in battle against AT&T’s FirstNet over $14 billion 4.9 GHz band management gift
Verizon is no longer letting proxies speak for it in the ongoing debate over AT&T’s FirstNet proposal to become the national manager of the 4.9 GHz public safety band. In a recent filing with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), Verizon has made its stance clear: the proposal would disrupt the public safety spectrum marketplace and undermine local public safety control. …
Nebraska Fire Chief: Tower crew should be credited with tower technician’s rescue
Although media reports said that the York, Nebraska Fire Department and other agencies helped to extricate a tower technician whose hand was reported to have been pinned by a mounting frame on top of a cell tower on Tuesday in Fairmont, York Fire Chief Tony Bestwick informed Wireless Estimator on Wednesday that it was the worker’s crew members who went …
Crown Castle announces significant job cuts amid industry uncertainty
Crown Castle USA Inc. has announced it will cut 10% of its workforce and close certain offices as part of a broader effort to reduce costs and refocus its capital expenditures. The telecommunications infrastructure company detailed these measures while outlining its strategic review and plans for the future. Capital Expenditure Reductions Crown Castle stated it would lower its capital expenditures …
Relying on CWA’s flawed survey, Minnesota now requires prevailing wages and training in broadband construction
A newly signed bill in Minnesota, endorsed by Governor Tim Walz, prioritizes fair labor practices in broadband network construction. When distributing broadband funding, the Minnesota Broadband Office must now favor applicants who pay prevailing wages and offer comprehensive benefits like health insurance, retirement plans, and training opportunities. Several broadband providers across Minnesota unsuccessfully urged state lawmakers to drop Article 10 …
SBA Communications’ Joe Hayes and Ethan Preston take trophy as ‘tough’est tower techs in America
Although exceptional physical condition is a requisite for being a tower tech due to many challenging circumstances, this weekend’s second annual Tough Tower competitors were judged upon their proficiency in complex rescue, simple rescue, full install, lighting install, level lift, maneuvering, punch items, and JLG/azimuths. Seven teams of two technicians competed in the North Jackson, Ohio, event on Saturday. In …
Old Wires, New Wealth: How telecom companies are turning copper into cash
In the evolving telecommunications landscape, a new gold rush is emerging—not for the precious yellow metal, but for an equally valuable commodity: recycled copper. AT&T Inc., BT Group Plc, Orange SA, and their global peers are gearing up to tap into a lucrative new revenue stream by harvesting their old copper wiring. This initiative is more complex than unearthing and …
CommScope acquires Casa Systems’ cable business amid Casa’s bankruptcy proceedings
CommScope, a global leader in network connectivity, has emerged as the highest and best bidder to acquire Casa Systems, Inc.’s cable business assets. The acquisition agreement, finalized on May 29, 2024, involves a purchase price of $45.1 million and is set to conclude Casa Systems’ ongoing bankruptcy saga. The transaction, executed under section 363 of the Bankruptcy Code, will be …
Five fiber cuts near Florida’s Lion Country Safari resulted in a lawsuit filed by Crown Castle
Near the renowned Lion Country Safari in South Florida, Crown Castle Fiber LLC (Crown Castle) has laid miles of crucial fiber optic cables along the bustling State Road 80. A lawsuit recently filed in the Southern District of Florida reveals a disturbing pattern — underground utility contractor DP Development, LLC (DPD) has not only caused significant damage but has done …
U.S. Cellular to retain tower operations amidst $4.4 billion acquisition by T-Mobile
In a strategic move within the telecom industry, T-Mobile has announced an agreement to purchase U.S. Cellular’s wireless operations and select spectrum assets for $4.4 billion. This deal, which combines cash and up to $2 billion of assumed debt, is a significant step in T-Mobile’s ongoing expansion strategy, bolstering its position in the market following its recent acquisition of Mint …
Judge throws out Vertical Bridge’s trade secret lawsuit against Everest Infrastructure in Pennsylvania
The United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania has dismissed the lawsuit filed by Vertical Bridge REIT, LLC and its subsidiaries against Everest Infrastructure Partners, Inc. The lawsuit, which included allegations of trade secret misappropriation, violations of the Lanham Act, and other claims, was dismissed without prejudice by Judge W. Scott Hardy. Vertical Bridge initially filed the …
Copper Clowns: Faux AT&T workers’ scheme fizzles out at Minnesota WISP’s tower site
Two men from Minnesota unsuccessfully posed as AT&T employees and burglarized a communications tower site outside Little Falls in pursuit of valuable copper wiring. Although the theft was carefully planned, the suspects failed to list on their arrest hazard analysis to be aware of any surveillance cameras. Charged with burglary, possessing burglary tools, and illicit drug possession in Morrison County …
