The Federal Communications Commission today announced that it will unveil a pre-production draft of new broadband maps on November 18, 2022. This version is the first release of the map required by the Broadband DATA Act and will begin an ongoing, iterative process that will improve the data submitted by providers by incorporating challenges from individuals and other stakeholders. Broadband …
Seasoned telecom expert Melissa Acosta acquires majority stake in Front Range Wireless
Front Range Wireless, a telecommunications infrastructure services provider, announced that wireless industry executive Melissa Acosta had acquired a majority stake in the company, transitioning Front Range Wireless to become a Woman-Owned Business Enterprise (WBE) in 2023. Most recently from QualTek, Acosta will lead Front Range Wireless’ operations as President. Founded in 2001 by Aaron Kingstrom, Front Range Wireless started in Centennial, Colorado. …
WIA Receives DOL approval for Broadband Technician registered apprenticeship
The Wireless Infrastructure Association (WIA) today announced that the U.S Department of Labor (DOL) approved the Broadband Technician as the 15th Registered Apprenticeship Program WIA can offer through its Telecommunications Industry Registered Apprenticeship Program (TIRAP). Through TIRAP, WIA provides companies with the resources, guidance, and support to improve and formalize their training programs, expediting employer adoption of Registered Apprenticeship Programs …
‘Blue collar’ NEC acquires Eastern Communications to provide a serious industry presence
Pfingsten Partners portfolio company, NEC, has acquired Eastern Communications, LLC (“Eastern”). Headquartered in Bloomfield, CT, Eastern is a vertically integrated provider of maintenance, repair, and upgrade services to critical telecommunications infrastructure across the New England region. The company was founded in 1996. The transaction closed on October 31, 2022. NEC previously established its industry presence by combining three of the …
Crown Castle’s Reudink will help strengthen SCF’s support for multi-operator shared infrastructure
SCF (Small Cell Forum), the global organization supporting the evolution and adoption of low-cost, agile mobile infrastructure, announced its new Chair, Mark Reudink, Head of Technology Strategy at Crown Castle. Reudink is a highly regarded industry veteran who, prior to Crown Castle, worked at several of the world’s largest MNOs. He replaces Lockhead Martin’s Prabhakar Chitrapu, who steps into the …
New York’s Governor issues a state challenge to the FCC’s broadband data
The FCC is expected to unveil the first draft of its long-awaited broadband map sometime in November. However, concerns from those who’ve seen the data in progress suggest the public should lower its expectations for an accurate first version. Although the FCC knew that there would be concerns as to the version’s accuracy and would adjust after ISPs and local …
The First Lady of tower tech compassion will sunset the Hubble Foundation next month
After assisting families of tower technicians who have passed away or were seriously injured over the past ten years, the Hubble Foundation’s Board of Directors regretfully announced that the non-profit Foundation would cease operation on December 30, 2022, the Foundation’s President, Dr. Bridgette (Gette) Hester, informed Wireless Estimator. Hester said that the organization’s inability to maintain dedicated volunteers to assist …
With powered ascenders more prevalent in the industry, NATE unveils its 2022 white paper guide
NATE: The communications Infrastructure Contractors Association today officially released the 2022 Guide for Powered Ascender Use on Antenna Supporting Structures White Paper. This 10-page document is intended to address the use of Powered Ascenders in conjunction with a fixed synthetic rope for personnel ascending, descending and work positioning on telecommunications structures. There is not a recognized standard in the United …
Industry mourns passing of Midwest Unlimited’s GM Eric Wellman
“It is with heartbreak and profound sadness to announce that Midwest Unlimited has lost an indispensable, beloved, integral member of our work family, General Manager Eric Wellman, who passed away Saturday,” said company owner Jim Krupicka. Wellman began working as a salesperson at Midwest Unlimited in June 2003 and quickly transitioned to vendor relations, product development, purchasing procurement to sales …
From Davie to DC, Vertical Freedom premieres rev up excitement for its long-awaited November 1 release
With two premieres in a week, Vertical Freedom, an epic, feature-length documentary film highlighting the professional and personal lives of six communications infrastructure workers to be released on November 1 on 18 video platforms, gave attendees a first-hand look at their compelling stories. Last evening, coupled with a workforce development panel that included NATE President and CEO Todd Schlekeway, NATE …
Gogo goes live with 150 towers to complete its nationwide aviation-targeted 5G network
Overcoming many challenges, Gogo Business Aviation announced this week that it has finished construction of its nationwide Gogo 5G network in record time Gogo’s team has deployed their 150th Gogo 5G tower, thus completing the Gogo 5G network with 100% coverage across the Continental United States, creating an exciting time for business aviation with their revolutionary inflight Wi-Fi experience — …
NATE announces STAR Initiative’s 186 participating ‘gold standard’ contractor names
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 2022-2023 year. NATE has proudly accepted 186 participating companies in this year’s STAR Initiative program. The STAR Initiative will be entering its thirteenth program year in 2022-2023. Since its inception, the program’s site safety audits …
Dish asks DC Circuit for a rehearing in their FCC SpaceX feud
On Tuesday, Dish Network asked the D.C. Circuit to reexamine its decision to allow SpaceX to fly satellites in a lower orbit. Viasat and Dish previously sued the FCC, arguing regulators failed to consider, among other things, the potential environmental effects. Under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) federal agencies are required to assess the environmental impact of their decisions. In August, …
Crown Castle sues Black Electric for bridge fiber break they claim cost $403K to repair
Houston, Texas-based Crown Castle Fiber LLC is suing Black Electric, Inc. of McKees Rocks, Pennsylvania, claiming that the company damaged a fiber network owned by Crown Castle that spanned the Hatem Memorial bridge that carries U.S. Route 40 over the Susquehanna River between Havre de Grace and Perryville, Maryland. In its complaint, Crown Castle said on October 1, 2019, Black …
Undocumented immigrant arrested for illegally setting Knoxville cell phone towers on fire
The Knoxville Fire Department said investigators arrested and charged a Knoxville, KY, man after there were numerous fires at cell phone tower sites. According to multiple news searches, none of them were reported in local news media since they started occurring in June of 2022. Gildardo Herrera Gonzalez, 36, was charged with one count of arson and one count of setting fire to …
Workforce shortages and last mile technology are concerns at WISPAPALOOZA
The industry’s workforce shortage and last-mile technology were critical topics during Wednesday’s virtual keynote interview between FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr and WISPA CEO David Zumwalt at the Las Vegas trade show’s WISPAPALOOZA that ends today. The video can be viewed below. Noting the Biden administration’s preferences for union workforces, Carr questioned employment favoritism “when right now we have a workforce shortage,” …
FCC’s union shores up support for Gigi Sohn’s confirmation as the third Democratic FCC Commissioner
The National Treasury Employees Union (NTEU), which represents 800 FCC employees and thousands more, has come out in support of the nomination of Gigi Sohn for the still vacant fifth seat — and third Democrat — on the Federal Communications Commission. In a letter to Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), chair of the Senate Commerce Committee, which failed to successfully report …
Hopefully after his tower climb a 37-year-old felon will serve time
A 37-year-old man was arrested after fleeing officers, ramming his pickup into two sheriff’s vehicles, then climbing to the top of a 150-foot cell tower before finally giving up, the Yuba County (CA) Sheriff’s Office reported. Deputies said the incident began Saturday when they attempted a traffic stop in Marysville on a man named Michael Allan Williams. Williams stopped his Ford …
Ian’s Florida cell site outages still critical in some counties with a 28% average as deaths continue to mount
According to the FCC, the cell site outage average on Sunday dropped to 28% in the most affected Florida Counties that saw outages of 20% or higher. Although it’s a severe concern for residents and first responders still performing rescue missions, service had increased considerably since Thursday when half of the state’s cell sites were down. At least 89 people …
With 50% of Florida’s cell sites out, ‘deadliest hurricane’ prediction has loved ones on edge
“This could be the deadliest hurricane in Florida’s history,” President Joe Biden said at the Federal Emergency Management Agency headquarters in Washington on Thursday regarding Hurricane Ian. “The numbers are still unclear, but we’re hearing early reports of what may be a substantial loss of life,” Biden said. Although there have been 21 confirmed deaths reported, the deadliest hurricane on …
