Mike Rowe, the nation’s most recognizable champion of skilled trades and PureTalk’s lead spokesperson, has abruptly terminated his relationship with the mobile carrier after a Reddit post and a chance encounter with a tower crew exposed what he described as “two uncomfortable truths I can’t unknow” — one about the company he represented, and one about the industry that makes …
Kiss Cam love story ends the moment Verizon’s terms were unveiled last night
For approximately 12 seconds yesterday, the telecom contractors industry achieved something remarkable: everyone looked happy. AT&T and Verizon executives had invited NATE: The Communications Infrastructure Contractors Association’s directors and administrators to a Washington Nationals game, a gesture of appreciation following the much-discussed framework agreement among the carriers, NATE, and the FCC. Under the stadium lights, it looked like progress had …
Verizon’s new sourcing model promises scale—but no guarantees; contractors call it a financial trap
Verizon’s latest push to consolidate its network construction and maintenance work into a handful of “preferred suppliers” is being pitched as a pathway to stability and scale. But contractors reviewing RFPs say the reality is far different: a system that most—and possibly all—qualified general contractors cannot financially meet, even if they win. At the center of the concern is a …
NATE’s carrier contracting framework: Where things stand and what’s coming
After more than a year of hard-fought negotiations, NATE: The Communications Infrastructure Contractors Association has secured landmark framework agreements with AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile — all three filed with the FCC. The association has released an updated infographic (March 21, 2026) summarizing the key commitments each carrier has made, and what NATE member contractors can expect as implementation continues to …
Veteran tower tech rescued after water tower medical emergency; officials credit rapid technical response
A 63-year-old tower technician is expected to be okay after suffering a medical emergency while working 80 to 100 feet above ground on a water tower-mounted cell site in Florence Township, NJ on Wednesday. The worker, who was on site with a coworker, experienced chest pains while on the platform and called for help, according to officials. Authorities did not …
A defining moment for the nation’s contractors: Protecting the backbone of the industry
By Gershwyn Fortune, CEO & COO, Ritel Incorporated When I stood before industry leaders at NATE UNITE 2026, my intention was not to deliver a ceremonial address. It was to speak plainly, candidly, and urgently about what many of us are experiencing but few have articulated at scale. I spoke as a General Contractor. As an operator. As someone responsible …
Turnkey telecom TriStruX shuts down — subcontractors and vendors owed substantial sums
Multiple vendors at last month’s NATE UNITE 2026 gathering said the same thing: TriStruX’s wireless division was behind on substantial payments and running out of runway. With mounting debt owed to subcontractors and suppliers nationwide, many expected the Clifton, New Jersey–based company to shut down. Less than two weeks later, it did so with a tombstone message on its website. …
Tower Family Foundation recognizes Craig Lekutis with the Guardian Award for his years of dedication
Craig Lekutis, Publisher of Wireless Estimator, and former Tower Family Foundation Board of Directors member, was recognized as the 2026 Guardian Award recipient presented by the Foundation at the NATE UNITE 2026 Awards Luncheon in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Guardian Award recognizes a volunteer who has demonstrated noteworthy, consistent volunteerism in support of the Tower Family Foundation and its beneficiaries. …
Teltronic Towers leaders join tech CEOs at White House AI summit on reducing power costs
Jeff Tinio and Ray Williams of NATE member company Teltronic Towers were invited to attend President Donald Trump’s Data Center and Artificial Intelligence event at the White House last week, highlighting the growing role communications infrastructure companies play in supporting the rapid expansion of AI and cloud computing. According to Deloitte’s 2024 Telecommunications Industry Outlook, the rapid growth of artificial …
Industry leaders recognized at NATE awards ceremony; Cliff Barbieri receives top service honor
NATE: The Communications Infrastructure Contractors Association honored a distinguished group of leaders for their contributions to the organization and industry. The following honorees were presented their awards at the NATE UNITE 2026 Awards Recognition Luncheon in Las Vegas, Nevada: Bill Carlson Lifetime Service Award Cliff Barbieri spent five years in the AirForce working on aircraft navigation and radar systems. In …
The abuse has been hiding in plain sight. Now wireless infrastructure contractors have a number to call.
Due to NATE: The Communications Infrastructure Contractors Association’s advocacy, carriers have established reporting hotlines for unsafe and uncertified crews and companies, but using them comes with risks, and not all hotlines are created equal. It would be foolish to think that the three major carriers — at the infrastructure build management level — are unaware of the flagrant workforce abuses …
Carriers made promises to the FCC, but contractors are still waiting to be made whole
For the first time in recent memory, contractors working on America’s wireless infrastructure have commitments from AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile. These agreements address pricing, payment terms, audit practices, and the use of unlicensed crews that industry leaders say have long suppressed wages and undercut legitimate businesses. Although they are not binding, the agreements, secured over fourteen months by NATE: The …
Industry leader Dave Mayo joins Ontivity’s Board at a time of accelerated expansion of 250 crews
Ontivity, a leading national provider of digital infrastructure services, with more than 700 professionals and 250 field crews, today announced the appointment of Dave Mayo to its Board of Directors. The company said his appointment comes at an exciting time in the company’s evolution as it enters the next phase of national expansion. Many of the company’s executives are attending …
Meet many of the NATE volunteer committee members who power the association from the inside
Most attendees at NATE UNITE 2026 this week will see the education sessions, the packed exhibit hall, and the high-profile speakers. What many don’t see are the men and women working quietly behind the scenes all year long. They are typically humble about their contributions — and that’s part of their culture — but their impact on the telecommunications infrastructure …
At NATE UNITE 2026, one Las Vegas climber’s calling embodies the industry’s enduring spirit
When the doors open this morning at NATE UNITE 2026 in Las Vegas, the crowd will span generations — from first-time 18-year-old tower technicians eager to soak up safety training and new ideas, to seasoned executives guiding the nation’s largest tower portfolios. And somewhere among the thousands of attendees, moving with the quiet familiarity of someone who’s seen it all …
From contractor grumblings to “Rumble on the Tower,” NATE UNITE 2026 packs a full agenda
From addressing contractor grumblings over workforce, compliance, and pricing pressures to a new event, “Rumble on the Tower,” NATE UNITE 2026 this week is delivering one of its most wide-ranging programs in recent memory, blending hard-edge operational education with a growing emphasis on workforce wellness, safety, and community support. Their show guide is available here. Set at Caesars Forum, the …
NATE locks in 2026 executive team, re-upping Drouin, Scott and Young
NATE: The Communications Infrastructure Contractors Association today announced that Board of Directors members Victor Drouin, Randy Scott, and Mike Young have been selected by their peers to serve on the Association’s Executive Committee for the upcoming year. The announcement was made on the opening day of the NATE UNITE 2026 Conference and Trade Show in Las Vegas, Nevada. Victor Drouin, …
Beyond wall thickness: What ANDREW will explain at NATE UNITE 2026 for optimal performance
One of the more technical discussions scheduled for NATE UNITE 2026 will focus on a structural detail that is often simplified in telecom construction: the relationship between wall thickness, material grade, and real-world performance. During the session “Beyond the Wall: Understanding Material Grades for Optimal Performance” on Monday, February 23, from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. in rooms 204-206, ANDREW …
NATE UNITE 2026 promises innovation and networking for the nation’s infrastructure companies
NATE: The Communications Infrastructure Contractors Association will host its annual NATE UNITE show in Las Vegas from February 23 to 26, bringing together communications infrastructure contractors, climbers, and suppliers for what organizers promise will be the event’s biggest year yet. Amanda Stegall, chair of NATE’s trade show committee, and Stephanie McCall, Director of Events and Marketing, outlined key highlights during …
Contractors are under pressure—and a new peer-to-peer model will be introduced at NATE UNITE 2026
Wireless infrastructure contracting companies are operating in one of the most difficult environments the sector has faced in decades. Matrix pricing, extended payment terms, margin compression, workforce instability, and increasingly rigid carrier and tower-owner requirements have left many privately held contractors squeezed from all sides. What makes these pressures more acute is that most owners and executives are confronting them …
