ExteNet Systems, a leading privately held owner of LTE/5G wireless and fiber neutral-host communications infrastructure, today announced it had entered an exclusive agreement with T-Mobile to deploy digital wireless infrastructure in large sports, entertainment, hospitality and transportation venues, as well as to rationalize and decommission T-Mobile’s overlapping network assets inherited from its merger with Sprint. The agreement, which expands ExteNet’s …
Light years ahead of previously cobbled data, FCC’s new broadband maps will still require severe scrutiny
The FCC has unveiled the pre-production draft of its new broadband maps. These maps provide the best picture of where broadband is unavailable across the country. The maps will only get better from here, according to FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel. The FCC’s older maps collected data at the census block level, meaning that the whole block would show up as served on their …
ProPublica’s ‘recycled nonsense’ is likely to reinforce the conviction of some residents that 5G causes illnesses
Award-winning investigative journalists at ProPublica have spotlighted wrongdoing since 2008, such as Ryan Knutson and Liz Day’s extensive piece in 2012 about the men and women who climb cell towers who “pay with their lives” in a joint investigation with Frontline. They broke new ground since no other major media dared to expose the high industry death count and how, …
VIKOR expands geographic footprint to the East with acquisition of Noash Construction
South Dakotah-based VIKOR has announced its acquisition of Noash Construction, Inc., a tower construction company based out of Sebree, KY. In a statement, the company said the objective is to strengthen VIKOR’s reach and ability to impact the lives of its people, customers, and industry by adding the mutual strength and quality of Noash’s years of experience in the industry. …
FCC to release long-awaited new broadband maps on November 18
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 — …
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,” …
Installing networks right is VIAVI’s forte, and free webinar for tower techs and contractors will show why
If you want to install wireless networks right the first time, you’ll want to register for VIAVI Solutions’ best practices for testing cell sites during installation to increase efficiency and avoid revisits webinar presented by solutions expert Steve Gale on October 20, 2022, at 11:00 a.m. Eastern Time. VIAVI Solutions, a leader in Fiber Optic and RF test and measurement …
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 …
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 …
North Carolina-based NWS awarded the coveted No. 3 spot in Mid-Market Fast 40 Ranking
Grain Management-backed Network Wireless Solutions (NWS), a fast-growing solutions and logistics provider to carriers and telecommunications contractors, has earned the No. 3 spot on the 2022 North Carolina Mid-Market Fast 40 ranking. Sponsored by Business North Carolina magazine in partnership with the accounting firm Cherry Bekaert LLP, which verifies the results, the Mid-Market Fast 40 ranking recognizes companies based in …
The backstory of a teen tower climber rescue: It took a village
A Fox 8 News viewer yesterday afternoon sent Wireless Estimator an email with a link to an article on the Ohio TV station’s website that a 15-year-old boy had been rescued off of a 190-foot cell tower. With few details, it stated, “As the fire department’s ladder was not tall enough, rescuers had to put together a climbing crew, which took a …
Fatal fall of a 29-year-old tower tech from a 300-foot Louisiana tower is industry’s first 2022 death
OSHA is investigating the death of a 29-year-old tower technician who fell from a guyed tower in Florien, LA, late Friday afternoon. According to multiple sources interviewed by Wireless Estimator, Jose Garcia, a resident of Mexico, fell from an unknown elevation off of a 300-foot tower owned by SBA Communications of Boca Raton, FL. The site is located off of …
New iPhone 14 provides emergency services everywhere and lets them know if you crash
Apple unveiled its new iPhone 14 devices yesterday, promoting a new emergency service via satellite feature starting in November that enables the phones to connect and send messages when the devices are in areas with no cell phone coverage. The emergency service hardware requirements are built into all iPhone 14s sold worldwide, although the service will currently only be available in …
