NATE: The Communications Infrastructure Contractors Association announced today that FCC Chairman Ajit Pai and Congressman Dave Loebsack, U.S. Representative for the 3rd District of Iowa, are the recipients of the 2020 NATE Regulatory and Legislative Champion Awards respectively. Chairman Pai was honored with the 2020 NATE Regulatory Champion Award. During his tenure, he has played a leading role shaping policies that …
OSHA, NATE and the FCC ink long-sought strategic safety partnership
The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has signed a national strategic partnership with NATE: The Communications Infrastructure Contractors Association and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to improve worker safety in the communications tower erection industry. The goal of the three-year partnership is to eliminate worker injuries and fatalities while performing wireless and telecommunications, tower erection …
NATE will seat new board member Paulette as members reelect Druin, Mallon and Scott
NATE: The Communications Infrastructure Contractors Association has announced the official results of the 2021 Board of Directors election. The Association announces that Victor Drouin, President of Green Mountain Communications, Inc. in Pembroke, New Hampshire, Chris Mallon, President of TowerMRL, Inc. in Cottage Grove, Wisconsin and Randy Scott, President of Texoma Contracting, Inc. in Muskogee, Oklahoma were reelected and will retain their …
Senate confirms Simington as FCC Commissioner over strong objections from Democrats
Yesterday, the Senate voted 49-46 to confirm the contentious nomination of Republican Nathan Simington to the FCC, despite appeals from Democrats and advocacy groups to hold off on a vote until early next year. The confirmation handed the Biden administration a possible deadlocked FCC since FCC Chairman Ajit Pai is stepping down from the agency on inauguration day, January 20, …
Tower Family Foundation eclipses $1 million milestone of support to tower workers and families
The Tower Family Foundation announced today that the organization has surpassed the $1 million of giving milestone. Since its inception only six years ago, the Tower Family Foundation has awarded a total of $1,017,250 in donations and scholarships to eligible tower workers and their families, officially exceeding the $1 million threshold of philanthropy. The Tower Family Foundation is a 501(c)(3) …
The gavel is likely to go to Rosenworcel following FCC chief Pai’s departure next month
FCC chairman Ajit Pai has announced that he’s leaving the Commission as of January 20, 2021, when President-elect Joe Biden is sworn in. It was widely expected since appointees often resign as a new administration takes over such as in 2017 when former FCC chairman Tom Wheeler left his position when the Trump administration took over. His announcement implies that …
NATE UNITE 2021’s show in Memphis cancelled; Las Vegas is a go in 2022
As an organization founded on the core tenet of safety, the health and well-being of the Association’s members and staff is a top priority. NATE: The Communications Infrastructure Contractors Association, on a daily basis, has been carefully monitoring the evolving landscape surrounding COVID-19 developments in the United States. The NATE Administrative Staff has engaged in extensive planning and devised a …
SURVEY SAYS: NATE documents the many thousands of telecom positions needed
For the last few years, FCC Commissioners, federal agencies, educational institutions, association CEOs, and industry focus groups have said that there is a shortage of approximately 20,000 telecommunications workers that are critically needed to build out 5G and maintain broadband infrastructure. That workforce shortfall total has been employed to obtain millions of dollars of federal grants for training and other …
A great way to support Veterans every day is to reach out and hire one
Veterans Day every November 11th honors all Americans who have served our country in war or peace. It is a day set aside to thank the living veterans for their service and sacrifice made to a grateful nation. It is a day of remembrance with parades, services, ceremonies, and most of all to honor all those who have served our …
To help empower women, WON has established two education scholarships
Women of NATE (WON) has announced the establishment of the WON Education Scholarship. The scholarship was designed to encourage and inspire more women to enter the tower and communications infrastructure construction, service and maintenance industries. Women play a prominent role as leaders and visionaries in the advancement of wireless and broadcast communications. Through the establishment of the WON initiative, the …
Actor, comedian, entertainer Rob Riggle to deliver keynote address at NATE UNITE 2021
NATE: The Communications Infrastructure Contractors Association announced today that famed actor/comedian/writer/producer/director Rob Riggle will deliver the keynote address at the NATE UNITE 2021 Conference in Memphis, Tennessee. NATE UNITE 2021 will take place February 15-18, 2021 at the Memphis Renasant Convention Center. NATE UNITE is widely regarded as the premier and most comprehensive education event in the communications infrastructure industry. …
FCC’s launch of a $9 billion fund will benefit broadband poor rural areas and contractors
The FCC voted unanimously today to establish a fund for up to $9 billion in federal support for rural 5G buildouts and precision agriculture, but Commissioners Jessica Rosenworcel and Geoffrey Starks each registered their concerns over progress on new wireless coverage maps. The Report and Order adopted sets up the 5G Fund for Rural America that includes up to $8 …
NATE’s record 185 STAR Initiative participants take advantage of following the gold standard for safety
NATE: The Communications Infrastructure Contractors Association announced the member companies, listed below, who have been formally approved to participate in the STAR Initiative program for the 2020-2021 year. NATE has proudly accepted 185 participating companies in this year’s STAR Initiative which represents a record number of companies since the inception of the program. The STAR Initiative will be entering its …
NATE says it is a big go for its February show in Memphis as WIA moves its event to August
The Wireless Infrastructure Association (WIA) announced this week that it is moving the dates for its Connect (X) 2021 show in Boston from May 25-28 to August 3-6 as a “precautionary measure” during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the NATE UNITE 2021 conference scheduled for February 15–18 in Memphis, Tennessee opened for registration today, the Communications Infrastructure Contractors Association announced this …
Make a difference while you shop — Support the Tower Family Foundation through AmazonSmile
Anytime you place an order on Amazon.com you have an opportunity to raise money for the Tower Family Foundation through the AmazonSmile program. AmazonSmile allows you to make a difference while you shop! A portion of any eligible purchases will go to your chosen charity each time you shop. This program is free to participate in and does not change …
NATE’s DoL training grant will assist in developing 5G small cell deployment training
NATE: The Communications Infrastructure Contractors Association announced today that it has been selected by the U.S. Department of Labor – OSHA to receive a $160,000 Susan Harwood Targeted Topic Training Grant for the 2020-2021 program year. The Susan Harwood Training Grant Program awards grants to nonprofit organizations on a competitive basis. Awards are issued annually based on Congressional appropriation. The …
NATE video highlights new wireless infrastructure technician program at Southeast Technical College
NATE: The Communications Infrastructure Contractors Association today unveiled a video shining a spotlight on the new Wireless Infrastructure Technician Program at Southeast Technical College in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. The video’s release is timely as community college and technical institute students across the United States head back to school for the fall 2020 semester. The video features testimonial interviews with …
NATE welcomes Sara Goddard as marketing coordinator
NATE: The Communications Infrastructure Contractors Association today announced the addition of Sara Goddard to the position of NATE Marketing Coordinator. Sara joins NATE with diverse skill sets that encompass years of experience in the non-profit and creative service arenas. Sara’s responsibilities with the Association will include oversight over social media, digital marketing and print media platforms; coordinating legislative and regulatory …
Coalition of industry organizations advocate for wireless workforce development
A diverse coalition of influential communications industry organizations, whose members depend on a properly trained and highly skilled workforce, sent a letter to key congressional leaders in the U.S. Senate and U.S. House of Representatives requesting support for industry-specific workforce development programs through stand-alone legislation or as part of a larger telecom/broadband infrastructure package. The coalition sent the letter to …
NATE’s survey initiates conversations to fix troubling compliance company concerns
NATE: The Communications Infrastructure Contractors Association today unveiled the results of the Association’s 3rd Party Compliance Company Experience Survey. NATE conducted the survey in May of 2020 in order to assist the Association in identifying many of the onboarding “pain points” and assess the impact these practices have on member contractor firms. Over the course of the month, 205 NATE …
