The FAA said it has deep concerns about the potential impact to aviation safety resulting from interference to radar altimeter performance from 5G network operations in the C-band. Radar altimeters are used on planes and helicopters for multiple critical safety functions, including landing when visibility is low, anti-collision warnings and systems that warn pilots when they inadvertently get too low. …
Vertical Bridge’s execs donate over $1.1 million to the Tower Family Foundation and Warriors4Wireless
Vertical Bridge REIT, LLC , the largest privately owned and operated communications infrastructure company in the United States, announced that its executive team has donated over $1.1 million from their personal funds to Warriors4Wireless and the Tower Family Foundation. The donations were made in support of the work that these non-profit organizations do to help veterans enter the telecommunications industry and to support the …
John S. Hanna Sr., industry pioneer and mentor to many, passes at 83
John S. Hanna, Sr., 83, who along with his wife Louise established Tower & Communications Services, Inc. of Florence, SC in 1970, passed away on October 31, 2021, leaving the industry with fond memories of a man who dedicated his life to his family, friends and the many wireless workers who learned their craft from him and expanded their horizons with …
FCC is considering a DJI drone ban that would take a tool out of the contractor’s toolbox and not replace it
The Federal Communications Commission voted Tuesday to boot China Telecom Americas off of U.S. networks, finding that the service provider could not quash concerns that it’s beholden to surveillance requests from the Chinese government. The decision means China Telecom Americas must now discontinue U.S. services within 60 days, ending its authorization for the past 20 years to operate in the …
Rivet concern has DBI-SALA issuing a stop use and inspection notice on self-retracting-lifeline
3M Fall Protection has issued a Stop Use Alert on specific versions of the 3M™ DBI-SALA® Nano-Lok™ Self Retracting Lifeline with Anchor Hook. 3M Fall Protection has identified a very low potential for the lifeline to be assembled with an unformed top swivel eye rivet, but an improperly formed rivet may become displaced from the top swivel eye. An unformed rivet may …
Biden finally nominates Rosenworcel as permanent FCC Chair and Sohn for a Commission seat
After 10 months of waiting, President Joe Biden today nominated Acting FCC Chair Jessica Rosenworcel to lead the agency permanently. He also nominated former FCC official Gigi Sohn, a longtime consumer advocate, to the open Democratic seat on the Commission. During the Obama years she was then-FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler’s counselor, a role in which she advocated for strong net …
NATE announces the STAR Initiative participating companies for 2021-2022 program year
NATE: The Communications Infrastructure Contractors Association today announced the member companies who have been formally approved to participate in the STAR Initiative program for the 2021-2022 year. NATE has proudly accepted 176 participating companies in this year’s STAR Initiative program.The STAR Initiative will be entering its twelfth program year in 2021-2022. Since its inception, the program’s site safety audits and program …
Verizon appears to be requiring all contractors’ employees to be vaxxed by January 1, 2022
Beginning January 1, 2022, all persons entering any Verizon premises in the U.S. where Verizon employees are present must be either fully vaccinated against COVID-19 or approved by their employer for a legally-recognized accommodation. “This includes all supplier personnel (and applicable subcontractor personnel) who are accessing Verizon U.S. premises where Verizon employees are present. Verizon suppliers are required to confirm …
Dish’s new deployment software might benefit contractors
Dish Network Corporation has selected NEXSYS-ONE for end-to-end, cloud-based network deployment software solutions to manage Dish’s nationwide 5G network build. In a press release, Dish said “NEXSYS-ONE’s unique platform supports Dish’s network deployment with speed and agility, allowing for seamless integration of project, inventory and financial management.” Dish said the software has modules that support project management, procurement, asset management, …
Contractors rebelling against ‘take it or leave it’ matrix pricing that could easily endanger carriers’ 5G builds
In 1999 when The Matrix opened in theatres, carriers and towercos began utilizing matrix pricing to project CapEx budgets for macro sites, while still allowing acceptable margins and opportunities for contractors to continue to be successful. Fast forward 22 years. The Matrix Resurrections sequel will hit the big screens this December and it is expected to be hugely profitable, unlike …
Dish is good for a decade, but all eyes should be peeled on the infrastructure bill and industry workforce
Connect (X)’s The View From the Top, a panel discussion with the nation’s four largest tower companies’ executives, narrated by Wireless Infrastructure Association (WIA) President and CEO Jonathan Adelstein, had one overriding message this morning, 5G is just starting and the platform’s deployment cycle is likely to provide another decade of robust industry growth in all sectors. “The outlook is …
Veterans and tower techs will benefit from $3.2 million raised by T-Mobile and wireless industry companies
T-Mobile recently announced a staggering $1.4 million distribution to be shared equally by the Tower Family Foundation (TFF) and Warriors4Wireless (W4W) following the 8th Annual T-Mobile Golf Tournament. With 47 corporate sponsors supporting the event, the two benefactor organizations have now received more than $3.2 million from the annual fundraiser. “The T-Mobile Tournament achieves at least two results each year,” …
Valmont Telecom’s turnkey small cell structures simplified in its expansive ‘SimpleCell’ catalog
Wherever people congregate, including downtown districts, university campuses, commercial properties, sports venues, and transportations hubs, it’s likely that they will be communicating with a Bourbon, Bristol, Clinton, Empire, Stanton or possibly a Fremont. No, they are not the newest offerings in smart phones, they are Valmont Telecom’s small cell structures that fit effortlessly into any community’s requirements for an esthetically …
Former AT&T tech’s bail denied following his ‘Donkey Balls’ transmission site explosion
A bail bond was denied last Wednesday for a man accused of planting an explosive device at an AT&T digital transmission site in Jefferson Davis County, MS earlier this month. According to a criminal complaint filed by special agent Michael Knoll with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Victor Joseph Schexnayder, 48, is accused of “maliciously damaging or …
Bud Noel and Patrick Murphy appointed to Tower Family Foundation’s Board of Directors
Bud Noel, Senior Vice President of Operations for the U.S. Tower Division of American Tower in Boston, Massachusetts, and Patrick Murphy, Founder and CEO of Murphy Tower Service, LLC in Carlisle, Iowa, have been appointed to serve on the Tower Family Foundation’s Board of Directors. Noel and Murphy join the Tower Family Foundation Board comprised of industry veterans devoted to …
Democrats urge President Biden to designate acting FCC Chairperson Rosenworcel to a permanent position
Over two dozen U.S. Senators are urging President Biden to designate acting FCC Chair Jessica Rosenworcel to a permanent position, making her the first woman to hold the office. Rosenworcel has been serving in an acting capacity since President Biden took office. The 24 Democratic Senators, along with Independent Angus King of Maine, said in their letter that they had …
FCC commits over $1.2 Billion in first wave of emergency connectivity fund
The Federal Communications Commission Friday announced that it is committing $1,203,107,496 for 3,040 schools, 260 libraries, and 24 consortia that applied for support from the $7.17 billion Emergency Connectivity Fund Program. This first wave of funding commitments will provide students, school staff and library patrons in all 50 states and Guam, Puerto Rico, and the District of Columbia access to the devices …
3M issues Stop Use and Recall notice for Specific DBI-SALA harnesses
As part of 3M Fall Protection’s continued commitment to producing high quality safety and personal protective equipment, we conduct periodic testing of our products. Recent testing of specific DBI-SALA® Delta™ and ExoFit™ XP Arc Flash harnesses have returned negative test results on some units. The Arc Flash Standard (ASTM F887) requires that all arc flash rated harnesses be subjected to …
Cursing and pornography concerns prompted pipe bomb placements to destroy ‘inner city tower communication’
A Whittemore, Michigan, man was arrested yesterday in two separate criminal complaints related to the placement of explosive packages outside cellphone stores in Cheboygan and Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, announced Eastern District of Michigan Acting United States Attorney Saima Mohsin and Western District of Michigan United States Attorney Andrew Birge. Charged was John Douglas Allen, 75, who is also alleged …
Connect (X) explains its expanded COVID safety protocols at its conference that boasts 200 speakers
The Wireless Infrastructure Association (WIA) has announced revised safety protocols for COVID-19 for the upcoming Connect (X) conference in Orlando, FL, being held October 4-7, at the Hyatt Regency. The association said the changes were a result of the State of Florida changing their practices and policies in recent days. All in-person Connect (X) attendees will now be required to …
