Update: July 23, 2021 – Federal prosecutors agreed upon a $250 million dollar bail today for Thomas Barrack while he awaits trial on charges that he illegally lobbied the U.S. government on behalf of leaders in the United Arab Emirates. The bail, was the third highest amount in U.S. history, equal to Michael Milken’s bail that cost the Wall Street ‘junk …
Following a two island shopping spree, Phoenix Tower Intl. bags 830 Monaco Telecom towers
Boca-Raton, FL-based Phoenix Tower International (“Phoenix“) has closed its agreement with Monaco Telecom to purchase over 830 wireless towers and acquire newly constructed wireless towers over six years across Malta and Cyprus through a build-to-suit (BTS) program. Phoenix is now the largest tower infrastructure provider in both countries and the long-term partnership established with Monaco Telecom through this deal will see the operator occupy the …
American Tower and SBA Communications exposed to sabotage during South Africa riots
South African crowds continued to riot overnight, defying calls from authorities to end a week of violence that has killed more than 70 people, wrecked dozens of shopping malls, and destroyed over a thousand businesses as well as over one hundred communications towers. The violence started following the jailing of ex-president Jacob Zuma last week for failing to appear at …
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 …
Forum sees growing diversity of deployment models driving surging small cell demand through 2026
The Small Cell Forum (SCF) has released its latest market forecast report identifying a large growth curve. The report, available here, confirms the continuing growth of the small cell market, with 5G driving new deployments, particularly in industrial and enterprise settings. This is forecast to be accelerated by increasing access to new spectrum and open architectures, both of which will facilitate new …
Vertical Bridge and Tarpon Towers tag team against Tillman’s tower model at South Wireless Summit session
When towerco executives interact during a panel discussion, it’s expected that they’ll present an uplifting message to the audience, nodding to investors to join in their spiritual-like carrier campfire song. A Tuesday presentation proved to be an exception. During a South Wireless Summit session moderated by Pat Tant, CEO of Vogue Towers, Vertical Bridge Sr. VP Bob Paige and Tarpon …
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 …
Communications survive condo catastrophe as hope for survivors dwindles; lawsuit adds wireless contractor
UPDATE: June 29, 2021 – Two lawsuits have already been filed against the Champlain Towers South Condominium Association. One of the lawsuits alleges that recently added weight to the building’s roof was “the straw that broke the spine” of the complex. It also claims that the association had “contracted with a cellular antennae provider/contractor, allowing it to install a transmission and/or receiver …
Mobilitie acquired by transit and connected infrastructure firm BAI Communications
BAI Communications (BAI), a global communications infrastructure provider, has today agreed to acquire Mobilitie, one of the largest privately held telecommunications infrastructure companies in the United States. This acquisition represents a major expansion of BAI’s business in North America where it provides cellular and Wi-Fi connectivity across large infrastructure projects, including the New York City subway system, under its majority owned business Transit Wireless. It …
SBA’s Bernstein says ‘it’s time to tell the world’ about Skyfish’s drone photogrammety and $20M in funding
American autonomous drone maker Skyfish has secured over $20 million in venture funding led by Henry Wolfond, CEO of Bayshore Capital, and Steven Bernstein, the Chairman of SBA Communications. “After speaking with Skyfish customers, we quickly understood that Skyfish is unique in the commercial drone world, producing precise ‘engineering grade’ drone enabled photogrammetry and 3D Models of infrastructure,” said Bernstein. …
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 …
SBA CEO Jeffrey Stoops elected WIA Chairman and Tom Kane joins Board of Directors
The Wireless Infrastructure Association (WIA) has announced that Jeffrey Stoops, President and CEO of SBA, was elected to serve as Chairman of the WIA’s Board of Directors. A new slate of officers was also elected. The new Chairman and officers include: Chairman: Jeffrey A. Stoops; President and Chief Executive Officer; SBA Communications Corporation Vice Chairman: Alex Gellman, Chief Executive Officer, …
Ohio’s lawsuit seeking public utility status for Google confuses tower owners
Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost filed a landmark lawsuit yesterday, asking the court to declare Google a public utility, reining in the ways the powerful search engine provides search results to Ohioans. “Google uses its dominance of internet search to steer Ohioans to Google’s own products–that’s discriminatory and anti-competitive,” Yost said. “When you own the railroad or the electric company or …
Colony Capital, Digital Colony rebrand under the umbrella of a ‘new’ DigitalBridge
Colony Capital, Inc. today announced a corporate rebranding of the company to DigitalBridge, effective June 22, 2021. Digital Colony, the Company’s digital infrastructure investment platform, will also change to operate under the DigitalBridge brand. In connection with the transition, the corporate name will be changed to DigitalBridge Group, Inc. and the Company will begin trading under a new NYSE ticker …
Government watchdog says FCC needs its disaster response role clarified
In a report issued Tuesday, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) found that although the FCC supported telecommunications restoration efforts following Hurricane Maria, future disaster recovery efforts by the agency could be improved. The GAO found that the FCC’s disaster response role was unclear in guidance published by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), even though the guidance states that all …
President Biden’s budget tackles 1099 independent contractor misclassifications
President Joe Biden’s 2022 budget plan released Friday highlighted his administration’s commitment to employment protection to workers who have been classified as 1099 independent contractors. The budget calls for the U.S. Labor Department receiving $7.5 billion in the coming fiscal year to boost worker-protection efforts, including to root out misclassification. “The administration is also committed to ending the abusive practice …
Scott Crisler named COO at CTI Towers as the company continues expansion of its executive team
CTI Towers, Inc. (CTI)) today announced the expansion of its executive team with the addition of Scott Crisler as the company’s Chief Operating Officer. Crisler has an extensive wireless background with over 20 years in the wireless industry. He will assume oversight of day-to-day operations at CTI, including sales, tower operations, lease administration, and business development. “Scott has experience in every aspect of …
American Tower is convinced Crown Castle’s early Dish builds is not a long-term concern
American Tower Corp. EVP, Treasurer and CFO Rod Smith said at Monday’s J.P. Morgan Global Technology, Media and Communications conference call that he’s not concerned that a competitor is expected to get a larger than typical share of Dish Network colocations. Although J.P. Morgan Managing Director Phil Cusick did not mention Crown Castle as the competitor in his interview, he …
Millerco and Vertical Bridge team up in Fish & Wildlife video to promote saving 4 million birds a year
As part of a national effort to prevent bird collisions and help meet industry needs, the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service has produced a public service announcement video directly targeted to communication tower owners, the single most important audience they can work with to prevent migratory birds being killed or injured after impacting many of the 160,000 communication towers across …
