In an increasingly connected world, the U.S. communications infrastructure serves as the backbone of national security, economic stability, and daily life. Yet, this critical network faces escalating threats from theft and vandalism, jeopardizing essential services and public safety. To combat it, four industry associations have released a white paper entitled: Protecting the Nation’s Critical Communications Infrastructure from Theft & Vandalism. …
Verizon’s nearly $2 billion severance charge sparks speculation of tower sale as financial pressures mount
According to a regulatory filing, Verizon expects to incur a severance charge between $1.7 billion and $1.9 billion in the third quarter of 2024. This is part of a voluntary separation program the company announced in June, targeting select U.S.-based management staff. As a result of the program, approximately 4,800 eligible employees are expected to leave Verizon by the end …
FCC to ISPs: Broadband data dodgeball will cost you $15K a pop
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has issued Notices of Apparent Liability (NAL) to nine internet service providers for failing to provide critical data on broadband coverage. The companies face penalties for not complying with federal data reporting requirements, marking the first instance of such enforcement actions. The companies under scrutiny include National Telecom, LLC, Centex Web Access, Particle Communications Wholesale, …
Over 1,000 days later, BEAD broadband $42.5 billion program is still searching for a shovel
In a chess rating system, breaking 1,000 indicates that a player has moved beyond the beginner level and can recognize common tactical patterns and avoid simple blunders. However, today, the broadband equity, access, and deployment (BEAD) program rollout has broken 1,000 days since BEAD was enacted, and FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr believes the opposite is true for the current administration—that …
T-Mobile may be first in line to take advantage of SCOTUS’s Chevron decision to vacate an $80 million FCC fine
On February 27, unaware that the following day, the US Supreme Court would decide to limit the broad regulatory authority of federal agencies such as the FCC, T-Mobile USA, Inc. filed a petition for review in the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, contesting a substantial forfeiture order issued by the agency. The outcome of …
Moderators and Trump squandered a golden opportunity to address America’s infrastructure logjams
Before Thursday’s presidential debate in Atlanta, President Joe Biden’s senior aids spent a week at Camp David holding mock debates, informing the press that America was going to see a “fully charged” Joe Biden who would strike a strong contrast with Donald Trump and prove that he was addressing America’s most pressing issues. Detractors questioned if Biden had elevated energy …
NTIA approves BEAD proposals for New Hampshire, Colorado, Illinois, Oregon and Puerto Rico
The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) has approved the Broadband, Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) initial proposal volumes two for Illinois, Oregon, Colorado, New Hampshire, and Puerto Rico, advancing efforts to close the digital divide. This approval grants these states and territory access to over $3 billion in funding aimed at providing affordable, reliable, high-speed internet service to all …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
With 5G at 50% completion, NTIA is jump-starting 6G deployment with questions on a range of issues
At last week’s Connect X in Atlanta, panelists in multiple sessions estimated that 5G had been rolled out across approximately 50% of America. However, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) wants to jump-start 6G deployment. It requests public comments to guide executive branch policies on the next generation of wireless communications technology development. As industry, governmental, academic, and civil …
Forget the filters: In earnings call Viavi CEO Khaykin delivers a dose of harsh reality about infrastructure builds
In a refreshing twist from the typical earnings call script, Viavi Solutions Inc.’s President and CEO, Oleg Khaykin, left analysts and investors buzzing with straightforward commentary during Thursday’s Q3 FY24 earnings discussion. Departing from the usually reserved tone of such calls, Khaykin’s blunt assertion, “Money talks and bullshit walks,” underscored his frustration with the prevailing cautious spending behaviors among Tier …
Department of Labor’s new rule could transfer $1.5 Billion to workers in overtime pay
A new rule from the US Department of Labor unveiled on Tuesday will extend overtime eligibility to millions of salaried workers by raising the salary threshold in two phases. Starting July 1, the threshold will be set at $43,888 annually or $844 per week. It will increase to $58,656, or $1,128 per week, beginning January 1, 2025. According to the …
Omaha stakeholders’ roundtable addressed the state of broadband connectivity at all levels
NATE: The Communications Infrastructure Contractors Association was invited to participate in a roundtable event hosted today in Omaha, Nebraska by U.S. Senator Deb Fischer and FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr. NATE President & CEO Todd Schlekeway represented the Association at the roundtable, which was held at the Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce Headquarters. During the event, Senator Fischer and Commissioner Carr …
Tillman Fiber will light up Florida with cutting-edge broadband internet access
Tillman FiberCo, LLC, a leader in fiber optic broadband infrastructure, announced the expansion of its 100% Fiber-to-the-Premise (FTTP) network in Florida. Tillman Fiber’s network will serve the Tampa Bay, Panhandle, South and South West, regional areas, including the cities of St. Petersburg, Fort Myers, Naples, Pensacola, Miami, Palm Beach, Ft. Lauderdale, and Kissimmee. In collaboration with a tier-one U.S. mobile operator, Tillman Fiber will deliver symmetrical gigabit broadband internet access …
New ADA lawsuit tells American Tower, T-Mobile and AT&T to relocate their tower or reconfigure their network with beamforming antennas
After American Tower, AT&T, and T-Mobile did not respond by February 1, 2024, to Duluth, Minnesota resident Marcia Haller’s request to mitigate RF levels that continued to make her ill at her home (as detailed on February 29, 2024, by Wireless Estimator), and caused 51 strokes, her attorneys, being paid by the Children’s Health Defense’s Electromagnetic Radiator & Wireless program, filed …
Study reveals 73% of underground fiber deployment’s cost is in labor, 67% for aerial
The Fiber Broadband Association has announced the results of its 2023 Fiber Deployment Cost Study, conducted by Cartesian, which provides the industry’s benchmark to help fiber broadband service providers evaluate their cost profile and identify areas of inefficiency. FBA’s comprehensive study identifies that, on average, labor contributed to 73% of underground build costs and 67% of aerial costs. The study also provides regional …
Broadband construction gets a boost withe Peyton Allen Resources partnering with TelForce Group
TelForce Group, a leading provider of staffing solutions in the telecommunications sector, announced its strategic partnership with Peyton Allen Resources, a respected veteran-owned business which provides broadband construction crews. This collaboration will enhance the quality of service in the telecommunications, broadband and construction sectors, combining the strengths of both companies to deliver unparalleled results. Ron Deese, CEO of TelForce Group, …
FBA and WIA spotlight TIRAP’s remarkable growth: From one company in 2017 to currently 100 employers
The Fiber Broadband Association (FBA) is celebrating the Wireless Infrastructure Association (WIA) and its Telecommunications Industry Registered Apprenticeship Program (TIRAP) as it signed an agreement with its 100th industry employer. FBA and other telecommunications companies and industry organizations work with WIA to develop apprenticeship programs accredited by the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL), including training for a broad range of career paths, including …
