COMMENTARY – The wireless infrastructure industry is in a state of emergency. For decades, tower contractors have been the backbone of the wireless network, building, upgrading, and maintaining the towers that connect the nation. But today, that backbone is buckling under the weight of unsustainable pricing, increasing compliance costs, and exploitative practices. Large and small contractors are bleeding out, and …
OSHA finalizes rule on properly fitting PPE for construction workers, but its future is uncertain
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) finalized a rule requiring construction employers to provide personal protective equipment (PPE) that “properly fits” their employees. The rule will take effect on January 13, 2025, addressing long-standing concerns about PPE fit, particularly for smaller workers and women. However, its implementation faces uncertainty amid political opposition and an upcoming change in federal leadership. …
NATE announces results of 2025 Board of Directors election
NATE: The Communications Infrastructure Contractors Association today unveiled the official results of the 2025 Board of Directors election. The Association announces that Jessica Cobb, CEO of MDTS in Ortonville, Michigan, and Bryan Lee, President of Lee Antenna & Line Service, Inc. in Hellertown, Pennsylvania, were re-elected and will retain their respective seats on the NATE Board of Directors. NATE also …
Fraudulent training certifications: A persistent issue in telecom safety
Fraudulent training certifications have long been a concern for contractors, fall protection specialists, and infrastructure trainers in the telecommunications industry. With advanced printing technology and the occasional Photoshop-savvy tower technician, fake credentials have become a recurring issue. In at least two climber fatalities, investigations revealed that certification cards found in the deceased workers’ wallets were not recognized as legitimate by …
OSHA, overtime, and unions: The key issues awaiting Chavez-DeRemer, Trump’s pick for Labor Secretary
President-elect Donald Trump announced Friday his plans to nominate Oregon Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer to head the Labor Department, a post that requires Senate confirmation. “Lori’s strong support from both the Business and Labor communities will ensure that the Labor Department can unite Americans of all backgrounds behind our Agenda for unprecedented National Success – Making America Richer, Wealthier, Stronger, and …
New FCC Chairman-elect Carr’s vision and Senator Thune’s legislative backing will support tower crews
President-elect Donald Trump announced yesterday that he is tapping Brendan Carr of the Federal Communications Commission to chair the agency. With Senator John Thune (R-SD) taking on the role of Senate Majority Leader, both individuals’ relationships and support of the telecommunications industry have garnered increased attention. Known for his consistent support of pro-business policies, Commissioner Carr has been a stalwart …
Team USA’s “Miracle on Ice” hockey legend Mike Eruzione to deliver keynote Address at NATE UNITE 2025
NATE: The Communications Infrastructure Contractors Association announced today that Mike Eruzione will deliver the keynote address at the NATE UNITE 2025 Conference in Raleigh, North Carolina. NATE UNITE 2025 will celebrate the Association’s 30th Anniversary and is scheduled to take place February 17-20, 2025, at the Raleigh Convention Center. NATE UNITE is widely regarded as the premier and most comprehensive …
New Valmont Site Pro 1 heavy duty ring mounts ensure antennas stay on the tower
By Sharpe Smith, Contributing Editor Recently, more attention has been paid to the interaction between antenna mounts and towers to avoid failures. To ensure that today’s larger, heavier antenna mounts and antennas remain secured to a monopole, Valmont Site Pro 1 has redesigned the connection between the mount and the tower, known as a ring mount. At the NATE Emerging …
Safety-first approach by NATE, FCC and OSHA program participants ensures quality and reliability for industry clients
NATE: The Communications Infrastructure Contractors Association has announced the member companies who have been formally approved to participate in the STAR Initiative program and the NATE-OSHA-FCC Partnership program for the 2024-2025 year. NATE has proudly accepted 171 participating companies in this year’s STAR Initiative program and 129 participating companies in this year’s NATE-OSHA-FCC Partnership. The STAR Initiative will enter its 15th program …
NATE advocates for industry-specific adjustments to OSHA’s heat safety proposal
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration announced it will accept public comments through Dec. 30, 2024, on its proposed rule issuing a heat injury and illness prevention standard for outdoor and indoor workplaces. According to NATE: The Communications Infrastructure Contractors Association, the rule would require employers to develop a heat injury and illness prevention plan and provide water, rest breaks, …
Better data, better quality: How drones are revolutionizing UScellular’s tower maintenance
By J. Sharpe Smith, Contributing Editor According to a speaker at a recent NATE conference, data provided by drones is helping carriers increase their quality control, and tower maintenance companies are getting a report card judging their work on the tower. “I’m a data person. I like to measure things, and we’ve had an amazing experience with drones,” said Brandi …
Tower Family Foundation: A decade of delivering financial support to affected industry workers and their families
The Tower Family Foundation officially celebrates its 10-year anniversary today as a 501c-3 non-profit organization supporting the industry’s workforce and their families. The Foundation officially launched during a reception and press conference that was held on Wednesday, September 10, 2014, at CTIA’s “Super Mobility Week” in Las Vegas, Nevada. The impetus behind the Tower Family Foundation occurred when representatives of …
‘Bible of Safety’ updated: NATE’s new video explores key changes to A10.48-2023 standard
NATE: The Communications Infrastructure Contractors Association today released a safety video highlighting the revised ANSI/ASSP A10.48-2023 standard. The standard—Criteria for Safety Practices with the Construction, Demolition, Modification, and Maintenance of Communications Structures—serves as the industry’s playbook and provides comprehensive safety guidance for the entire tower construction, service, and maintenance activities. The video includes informative, back-and-forth dialogue between narrator Sean Gilhooley …
Atlas shrugs off industry downturn after acquiring QualTek as it signals for other contractor acquisitions
QualTek Services, formerly one of the wireless infrastructure industry’s largest turnkey contractors that scaled down during post-Covid years and after emerging from bankruptcy, has been acquired by Atlas Holdings, a company that owns and operates 28 companies in various sectors. However, this is Atlas’s first acquisition in the telecom space, and they’re hoping to leverage their proprietary technology-driven platforms and …
NATE, Crown Castle and JHC Construction host California Congressman Obernolte on a site visit
NATE: The Communications Infrastructure Contractors Association and member companies Crown Castle and JHC Construction LLC facilitated an opportunity for Congressman Jay Obernolte to conduct a communications tower site visit in the 23rd Congressional District of California. During the site visit, Congressman Obernolte toured a Crown Castle communications tower and compound with event participants to learn about the work that is …
Celebrate the unsung heroes: Shine a spotlight on the Sky High Heroes of the telecom industry
Wireless Estimator is proud to announce the industry-supported Sky High Heroes Awards, which will spotlight the unsung heroes throughout the year who elevate the telecommunications infrastructure industry to new heights who will be selected by their peers and industry stakeholders. These are the tower crews who brave the elements to keep our nation connected, the program managers who navigate complex …
It’s your last chance to attend a complimentary in-person or remote training course on PPE for telecom workers
NATE The Infrastructure Contractors Association understands that staying ahead in today’s fast-paced environment requires continuous learning and growth. That is why they are extending a special invitation to those who may have missed their previous free training course on PPE for Telecom Workers: Hazard ID, Selection and Use. The last complimentary course will be held in Tampa, Florida on Tuesday, September 17, 2024. …
Texas State Wireless Association takes on lead sponsorship role of Tower Family Foundation golf event
The Tower Family Foundation has announced that the Texas State Wireless Association (TXWA) will once again be the premier sponsor for the upcoming golf event to be held at the Lonnie Poole Golf Course in Raleigh, North Carolina on February 20, 2025, as part of the highly anticipated series of events hosted in conjunction with the NATE UNITE 2025 Conference and …
NATE doubles down on safety with the addition of Brian Bicknese to assist its member companies
NATE: The Communications Infrastructure Contractors Association announced today that it has hired Brian Bicknese as the Director of Safety and Education, a new staff position established by the Association. Brian officially begins his duties with NATE on August 1. Bicknese, a long-time industry subject matter expert whose background includes field and management experience as a tower technician, foreman, project manager, …
Urgent call from NATE, WIA and other stakeholders for FAA to finalize BVLOS drone operations rules
Spearheaded by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, a coalition of industry organizations, including NATE: The Communications Infrastructure Contractors Association and the Wireless Infrastructure Association have formally requested that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) swiftly issue rules to enable beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) operations for unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), commonly known as drones. In a letter addressed to Secretary …
