A broad coalition of industry groups, public interest organizations, and a national labor union is urging the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to take a hard look at the proposed multibillion-dollar acquisition of UScellular by T-Mobile, warning that the deal could harm rural connectivity, suppress competition, and undermine decades of federally subsidized infrastructure development. In a detailed filing submitted to the …
DigitalBridge continues to face market woes as stock hits new lows and European director departs
In late 2021, when it was announced that Matt Evans was hired as Digital Bridge Group, Inc.’s Managing Director Head of Europe, he said, “I am excited to be joining the DigitalBridge team at such a pivotal time.” According to Bloomberg, he is leaving DigitalBridge at a pivotal time as the company tries to shore up its flagging stock value. …
Evan Feinman departs BEAD program, warning of ‘deeply negative outcomes’ from favoring satellites
The $42.5 billion Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program is at a crossroads following the departure of its director, Evan Feinman. In a farewell email to staff (available below), Feinman issued a stark warning that proposed shifts in the program’s direction—moving away from fiber broadband infrastructure in favor of satellite-based alternatives—could result in “deeply negative outcomes” for rural America. …
Back to basics: Crown Castle reverts to core tower strategy after shedding fiber and small cells assets for $8.5 billion
Crown Castle Inc. has finalized a definitive agreement to sell its Fiber segment, marking a strategic shift to focus on its core tower business. The transaction, valued at $8.5 billion, involves EQT Active Core Infrastructure fund acquiring Crown Castle’s small cells business, while Zayo Group Holdings Inc. will take over the fiber solutions business. The deal is expected to close …
Tariff shock: Steel price surge threatens carrier expansion, squeezing manufacturers and contractors
Since the U.S. telecommunications industry relies heavily on steel to construct and maintain cell towers, mounts, and products for new cell site locations and upgrades, tariffs on steel and aluminum imports, reintroduced by the Trump administration yesterday, are already creating significant market turbulence, affecting everything from carrier investment decisions to supply chain stability with President Trump’s sweeping 25% tariffs on …
Fiber is no longer the cornerstone: Lutnick’s BEAD program’s shift should benefit wireless and satellite
Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick announced a significant overhaul of the $42 billion Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program, signaling a shift from its previous fiber-centric focus. Fiber optics, once seen as the cornerstone for high-speed internet infrastructure, could become less viable due to escalating costs and a new “tech-neutral” approach. The Commerce Secretary’s initiatives could result in wireless infrastructure …
Just months after announcing its formation, Trueline’s collapse sparks class-action lawsuit by laid-off workers
Trueline Infrastructure Solutions, a broadband construction firm backed by private equity giant Grain Management, abruptly shut down last week, laying off nearly all its 500 employees on Friday. The sudden closure shocked employees, prompting a class-action lawsuit against Trueline for allegedly violating federal labor laws. In its reporting, Fierce Network stated that Trueline emailed its staff on Friday to inform them that the …
Insider theft: Telecom contractor’s employee charged with stealing hundreds of T-Mobile’s cell tower batteries
A Phoenix, Arizona man faces 27 felony charges for allegedly stealing backup batteries used in cell towers across the area, threatening emergency communications during power outages. According to an indictment, Andres Samuel Contreras, 29, is accused of stealing over 900 backup batteries from 66 T-Mobile cell tower sites between August 2024 and February 2025, resulting in over $330,000 in damages. …
“This map proves absolutely nothing”: Attorney gives Greenfield residents 80% chance of blocking AT&T 170-foot monopole
The ongoing debate over a proposed 170-foot cell tower near 112 Newton St. in Greenfield, MA, took a new turn late last month, as the Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) extended the hearing following a contentious two-hour presentation by Viridi Wireless and AT&T representatives. At the heart of the dispute are the coverage maps presented by the applicants, which have …
Texas tower technician falls to his death during a T-Mobile build in Louisiana on an American Tower site
At an opening reception during NATE UNITE 2025 in Raleigh, NC, last Monday evening, an American Tower Corp project manager unexpectedly obtained a microphone and brought a lively crowd to silence with a somber announcement: “An hour ago,” he said, a tower climber fell to his death. His reverent prayer was well received by those in attendance, and news of the …
Historic charm meets bathroom chic: The saga of SBA’s toilet paper tower, which gained an extra roll
A telecommunications tower off Line Street in downtown Charleston, South Carolina, has been a source of debate since its completion in 2023. Historic preservation advocates are pushing for changes, arguing that the structure deviates significantly from its initially approved design. Based on the initial designs, the Historic Charleston Foundation, one of the organizations involved in the review of the structure, …
Tower technician critically injured after contact with high-voltage power line adjacent to Verizon monopole
UPDATE: February 5, 2025 – According to OSHA, the employer of the tower technician who was rescued was True North Management Services, LLC of Fenton, MO. The agency will not provide any additional information until they complete their investigation. A tower technician on a cell phone tower in Burleson, Texas, was critically injured on Friday afternoon after coming into contact …
Contracting industry will collapse without reform in carrier practices, warns NATE CEO Schlekeway
Today, NATE: The Communications Infrastructure Contractors Association released an open letter addressing critical challenges facing the wireless contracting industry. As the association celebrates its 30th anniversary, it simultaneously confronts one of its most turbulent eras. While benefiting from the tireless efforts of contractors and small businesses to build and maintain the nation’s communications infrastructure, the wireless industry, primarily directed by …
Engineers to provide a unified front with the launch of a consortium to accelerate and optimize network deployments
Telecom structural engineering firms Colliers Engineering & Design, Congruex, Kimley-Horn, and Paul J. Ford & Company today announced the launch of the Mobile Infrastructure Engineering Consortium (MIEC). This groundbreaking consortium is dedicated to advancing global wireless engineering standards and best practices. It will empower mobile network operators, tower companies, and digital infrastructure stakeholders to accelerate deployments, achieve cost efficiencies, and uphold stringent safety and compliance standards. …
New TIF and WIA white paper offers bird-friendly guidelines for tower work and avian coexistence
Communication structure owners are well-acquainted with a common scenario: a contractor calls and reports, “We’re on-site, but there’s a nest on the tower. What do we do?” Since the 1970s, the population of raptors (birds of prey) has rebounded significantly, thanks to banning harmful substances like DDT, reductions in pollution, and efforts to address habitat loss, lead poisoning, and illegal hunting. …
Palistar Capital combines Symphony Wireless and CTI Towers to create sixth largest private tower owner in the U.S.
Palistar Capital, an alternative asset manager focused on mission-critical communications and digital infrastructure, announced the combination of its pool of wireless assets, managed exclusively by Symphony Wireless, Palistar’s dedicated cell site acquisition affiliate, with another Palistar portfolio company, CTI Towers, Inc., which owns 757 towers. In conjunction with the transaction, Symphony Wireless will change its name to Symphony Towers Infrastructure. …
Mount Wilson towers remain intact as FCC reports minimal communication disruptions from deadly LA fires
Yesterday, the Eaton Fire in Los Angeles County threatened Mount Wilson, which houses the transmitting towers of nearly every Los Angeles TV station, many of its FM radio stations, and other critical communications facilities in Southern California. At one point, the fire advanced quickly to the bottom of some structures, and it appeared that the broadcast compounds would be sheared …
Leadership evolution: Industry veteran Bud Noel to serve as American Tower’s first global COO
American Tower Corporation (NYSE: AMT) announced today that Eugene (“Bud”) Noel, currently Executive Vice President and President of the U. S. Tower Division, will become Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, a newly created global position, effective January 13, 2025. This role will oversee American Tower’s global operations and IT, further effectuating its strategic priorities to drive operational efficiency …
Dual OSHA probe launched after falling tool bag seriously injures tower tech whose condition is still unknown
The condition of a tower technician who was struck on the head by a falling bag of tools on December 20, 2024, in the Township of North Brunswick, NJ, remains unclear, according to the owner of his employer, Gzl Corporation. The incident occurred around 1:30 p.m. on Lindsey Drive, adjacent to Renaissance Park. Local authorities and OSHA have determined that …
Is American Tower CEO Steven Vondran eyeing Ameren’s towers as its newly minted board member?
Steven O. Vondran, CEO of American Tower Corporation—one of the world’s largest owners of communications infrastructure—has accepted a director position on Ameren Corp’s board, effective January 1, 2025. While Ameren praised Vondran’s leadership and expertise in real estate, a closer look raises intriguing questions. Could Vondran’s interest in Ameren be tied to the company’s portfolio of communications towers—assets currently marketed …
