Organizations and industry groups released statements supporting an amendment sponsored by U.S. Senator Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), a member of the Senate Commerce Committee, that passed unanimously during the Senate’s consideration of the bipartisan infrastructure package. The amendment will increase transparency by directing the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to create a publicly accessible online mapping tool for broadband infrastructure deployment. This …
Infrastructure bill passes the Senate, but Speaker Pelosi is expected to play her trump card to delay it
The Senate this afternoon passed a $1.2 trillion bipartisan bill to rebuild the nation’s crumbling infrastructure with modernized highways, roads, bridges, railways and transit systems as well as provide needed broadband services, after months of intense debate over how to prioritize and pay for President Joe Biden’s plan to boost the U.S. economy. However, the bill now faces potentially lengthy …
11th hour amendment to infrastructure bill will assist nation’s workforce needs
Yesterday evening, the Senate overwhelmingly passed the Thune-Tester amendment to the infrastructure bill, which aims to address the workforce needs of the telecommunications industry and it was a welcomed addition, according to trade groups NATE: The Communications Infrastructure Contractors Association and the Wireless Infrastructure Association (WIA). “We are very pleased that Senator John Thune’s Telecom Skilled Workforce Act has been …
Dish wants contractors to ‘accept or reject’ unprofitable blue plate special colo pricing
Dish Wireless’s urgency to build out their 5G mobile network has been long-seen by many wireless contractors as their sought after savior that would allow them to move a segment of their workforce to more profitable work than the depressed market pricing they are being offered by many carriers or their turfing vendors. However, the expected supply and demand shift …
Historic infrastructure deal appears to be days away from banking $65 billion for broadband
Following weeks of negotiations, a bipartisan group of senators have reached a deal on a $1.2 trillion infrastructure bill that provides $65 billion for broadband, the fourth-largest expenditure below $66 billion for rail services, $73 billion for electric grid and power structures, and $110 billion for roads and bridges. Although the final bill is not complete, the Senate can begin …
NATE’s new Washington chief will also head association’s Wireless Industry Network
NATE: The Communications Infrastructure Contractors Association announced the hiring of Todd Washam as Director of Government Relations and Wireless Industry Network, a new Washington, D.C. based staff position established by the Association. Washam officially begins his duties with NATE on Friday, July 16. Washam comes to NATE with an extensive background that includes serving as a congressional staffer for approximately …
Vertical Freedom trailer provides a quick insight about an upcoming tower tech feature length movie
NATE: The Communications Infrastructure Contractors Association, in collaboration with STORYBUILT Media, released the debut movie trailer last night at the South Wireless Summit in Nashville, TN for Vertical Freedom, an epic, feature length documentary film highlighting the professional and personal lives of six communications infrastructure workers in the United States who possess diverse backgrounds and compelling stories, on and off …
NATE takes off the gloves and exposes depressed pricing and other issues making contracting ‘untenable’
Downward pricing pressure and costly vetting demands from carriers and other top-tier clients over the years have undermined the ability of many wireless contractors to remain profitable. It’s a frequent topic of concern and conversations typically end with no solutions or guidance and are renewed each year when turfing vendors and other customers set a new percentage price reduction that …
NATE participates in industry roundtable hosted By Secretary of Commerce Raimondo and Senator Wicker
NATE: The Communications Infrastructure Contractors Association was invited to participate in a roundtable event hosted today in Gulfport, Mississippi by U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo and U.S. Senator Roger Wicker. NATE Chairman Jimmy Miller and Member Services Chairwoman Jordyn Ladner from Gulfport-based MILLERCO represented the Association at the roundtable, which was held at the Mississippi Aquarium. During the event, …
IOA’s Stephanie Brewer pick as its new safety director ensures them a leg up in the insurance industry
When Insurance Office of America (IOA) realized the distinct client benefits that could be offered by having a telecommunications safety and compliance director on board to assist in their ever-growing telecom sector, they had a choice of many candidates, but one stood out with credentials that would make most safety professionals blush with envy – Stephanie Brewer – an individual …
Industry luminaries to be inducted into Wireless Hall of Fame
The Wireless History Foundation (WHF) will induct four honorees into the prestigious Wireless Hall of Fame during the Foundation’s Hall of Fame Awards Dinner in Washington, D.C. on November 11th. This year’s inductees are: James Tracy: CEO of Legacy Telecommunications. Jim has been a leading force in tower and infrastructure construction, service and maintenance for decades. In addition to his …
Kathy Stieler’s new role at NATE will help the industry navigate safety, health and compliance issues
NATE: The Communications Infrastructure Contractors Association has announced the hiring of Kathy Stieler as Director of Safety, Health & Compliance, a new staff position established by the Association. Stieler officially began her duties with NATE this morning. Stieler, a long-time industry subject matter expert and safety professional, joins NATE after serving as Director, ERI Installations and Safety since 2012. During …
Tower Systems rebrands with ‘We Rise’ as U.S. legislators and industry executives recognize its founder
Tower Systems, a Watertown, SD-based international tower solutions company, hosted U.S. Senator John Thune, U.S. Congressman Dusty Johnson, FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr and stakeholders representing NATE: The Communications Infrastructure Contractors Association, Lake Area Technical College, municipalities and business for a Rebrand Launch & Ribbon Cutting Event yesterday. “We are thrilled to shine a spotlight on the hard working people who …
Nation’s associations band together to honor tower tower techs on Wednesday’s ‘appreciation’ day
Industry leaders praise essential contributions of tower Technician workforce to global connectivity and 5G economy NATE: The Communications Infrastructure Contractors Association unveiled a commemoration declaring tomorrow, Wednesday, May 5, 2021, as Tower Technician Appreciation Day. For the fifth consecutive year, a day has been set aside by NATE and the industry in order to pay tribute to the important work that communications …
Tower Family Foundation touts a successful launch of its 2021 fundraising campaign to aid industry workers
Companies and individuals have welcomed the opportunity to offer support to the Foundation that assists industry workers and their families in their time of need The Tower Family Foundation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, today announced the 2021, first quarter donors and pledges. Thanks to the philanthropic contributions received from industry stakeholders, over $263,000 was raised in Quarter 1. The Foundation’s Endowment Committee, …
Senate Commerce Committee passes Telecommunications Skilled Workforce Act
The U.S. Senate Commerce Committee passed the Telecommunications Skilled Workforce Act today, legislation to address the shortage of trained workers necessary to fill next-generation jobs in the telecommunications industry in communities through the country. The Bill, S. 163, introduced by Senators John Thune (R-SD), Jon Tester (D-MT), Roger Wicker (R-MS), Jerry Moran (R-KS) and Gary Peters (D-MI) heads to the full …
Dish enlists Amazon to help build its 5G network, to launch in Las Vegas
Amazon Web Services, Inc. (AWS) has announced that DISH Network Corporation (DISH) selected AWS as its preferred cloud provider and will construct its 5G network on AWS, part of a strategic collaboration agreement under which both companies will work to transform how organizations and customers, including AWS and Amazon, order and consume 5G services or create their own private 5G networks. DISH is deploying …
Telecom leaders partner to develop industry-tailored human trafficking prevention training
Leaders in the telecommunications industry have partnered with 3Strands Global Foundation (3SGF), a Sacramento-based nonprofit working to end human trafficking throughout the US. The goal is to educate telecommunications professionals on the signs of human trafficking and train them on how to recognize, notify and report the crime. The partnership was initiated and spearheaded by Kenny Blakeslee, President and CEO …
Illinois student is recipient of Ernie Jones Memorial Civil Engineering Scholarship
NATE: The Communications Infrastructure Contractors Association and Tower Family Foundation today jointly announced that Alex Dodson, a junior civil engineering student from Jasper, Indiana has been named as the 2021 recipient of the Ernie Jones Memorial Civil Engineering Scholarship at the University of Evansville in Evansville, Indiana. Alex Dodson is at the top of her class academically and excels in …
PANs, papers and standards made enlightening in virtual Wednesday panel presentation
On Wednesday, March 24, 2021 at 11:00 AM CST, a group of panelists will be conducting Session 2 of the NATE UNITE 2021 Virtual Educational Series titled “Sharing of Knowledge Through Industry Planning Advisory Notices (PAN’s), White Papers, and Standards”. Registration is available here. The panelists conducting this session are Scott Stekr, VP of US Engineering for Perfect Vision, Brandon …
