T-Mobile and GCI announced a historic partnership, immediately allowing T-Mobile customers with 5G smartphones to tap into 5G while roaming in Anchorage, Alaska, making T-Mobile the first and only wireless provider to offer 5G coverage in all 50 states. The new partnership also gives GCI customers roaming access to T-Mobile’s nationwide 5G network, America’s largest, covering more than one million …
NATE’s 5G video highlights government and industry collaboration
NATE: The Communications Infrastructure Contractors Association today unveiled a News Bulletin video highlighting how collaboration between the wireless industry and stakeholders at the federal, state and municipal levels can expedite the 5G deployment process in communities across the United States. The video’s release is timely since the FCC is slated to vote on Commissioner Brendan Carr’s 5G Upgrade Order next …
Rig operator dies after falling into a 35-foot drilled pier foundation for a Verizon monopole
A foundation drill rig operator died yesterday morning in South Lake Tahoe, California while in the process of completing a drilled pier foundation for a 115-foot Verizon monopole to be erected off of Al Tahoe Boulevard just south of Lake Tahoe Community College. According to authorities, South Lake Tahoe Fire Rescue received a call at about 9:45 a.m. and enlisted …
Access to critical infrastructure authorization expires, extension expected shortly
The National Communications Coordination Branch’s leadership is aware that their current access letter for critical communications infrastructure facilities issued March 16, 2020 is expiring today and they are working to finalize the details and distribution process of an updated access letter to support any recovery/restoration activities. However, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) is …
Attorney’s lawsuit claims Verizon’s contractor put him at risk and a 5G pole cheapens his realty by $128K
An Atlanta attorney representing himself and 110 of his neighbors in a class action has filed a lawsuit against Verizon Wireless claiming that the carrier sent unmasked contractors to his City of Sandy Springs, Ga. home, in a “corporate invasion,” that put his family and neighbors at risk of contracting COVID-19 as well as diseases rumored to be linked to …
Top towerco execs enthusiastic about the industry’s future
Executives gave upbeat assessments of the tower industry on the “View From the Top: Tower Executive Roundtable,” moderated by Jonathan Adelstein, President and CEO of the Wireless Industry Association during its virtual Connect (X) All Access conference yesterday afternoon. Panelists included Jay Brown, President and Chief Executive Officer, Crown Castle; Alex Gellman, Chief Executive Officer, Vertical Bridge; Jeffrey Stoops, President …
FCC Commissioner Carr announces order to upgrade wireless infrastructure, reduce bottlenecks
Yesterday at the Wireless Infrastructure Association’s (WIA) free, virtual conference, Connect (X): All Access, Federal Communications Commissioner (FCC) Brendan Carr announced the FCC’s plans to clarify its rules to promote network upgrades on existing towers and other wireless sites. His comments are available here. The ruling will address state and local approval of wireless equipment modifications and clarify the definition of “substantial change”. …
If found to be “essential” workers, tower techs would get a $13 hourly pay boost under HEROES Act
Yesterday, House Democrats unveiled their coronavirus assistance bill, which will include measures to keep families online through the duration of the pandemic and possibly provide a huge pay increase to telecom field workers. It will also provide a new direct cash stimulus check for $1,200. The 1,800-plus page HEROES Act with $3 trillion in funding, will have about $5.5 billion …
Legacy’s tower techs lauded in video that can be applied to all of the nation’s techs
With yesterday being Tower Technician Appreciation Day, Legacy Telecommunication went the extra mile to thank their technicians by airing an excellent tribute to tower techs video that was introduced during an all hands safety call. The company has over 75 climbers and approximately 35 support staff members. Legacy is a member company of Enertech Holdings which also includes EasTex Tower, …
Officials unsure whether Canadian cell tower fire was the work of anarchists industry was looking for
Fire officials in Laval, a city north of Montreal, Canada, have not yet identified whether a multiple-tenant Rogers Communications monopole was purposely set on fire early Friday morning by anarchists protesting misguided beliefs that 5G transmissions are dangerous, although it has been rebutted throughout the world, especially in Canada where a private/public collaboration recently published an excellent report to dispel 5G …
New digital safety, supply & rigging catalog available from Site Pro 1
Valmont Site Pro 1 just launched their brand new 2020-2021 Safety, Supply and Rigging catalog in digital format, ready for immediate download. The catalog features brand new products from Petzl, Skylotec, 3M DBI, Elk River, Sterling and more. “With the release of our new 2nd edition catalog with the primary focus of safety supply and rigging we’ve become an even …
AT&T gains a network edge through its five-carrier aggregation: RootMetrics
With RootMetric testing efforts currently on hold due to the COVID-19 pandemic, they thought it would be an ideal time to take a look at how the carriers have performed across the 55 markets they’ve tested so far in the first half of 2020. To kick off their reviews of publishing carrier-specific reports with overviews of performance for both 5G …
WIA launches free registration for Connect (X): All Access, announces Small and Diverse Business Summit
The Wireless Infrastructure Association (WIA) launched registration today for “Connect (X): All Access,” a free, global virtual conference on May 19 that is taking the place of WIA’s in-person, annual Connectivity Expo, or Connect (X). WIA today also announced that on May 20-21, Connect (X): All Access will convene the Small and Diverse Business Summit, which brings together small and …
AT&T acknowledges permitting and work force shortages as it builds out FirstNet, 5G
AT&T CEO Randall Stephenson, while discussing the carrier’s Q1 earnings with analysts yesterday said the company is still building FirstNet and enhancing their 5G network’s density, but he echoed the general concern of all carriers, their inability to get timely permitting for new projects. “These [projects] require permitting and government officials, and government officials are sheltered in place…so while we …
Kenwood Telecom remains open and ready to assist the wireless infrastructure industry
A leading wireless manufacturer and supplier, Kenwood Telecom, headquartered in Acworth, Georgia, continues to follow CDC guidelines while allowing its operations to run smoothly and service the communications infrastructure community. “Your team here at Kenwood Telecom continues to follow the coronavirus developments with deep care and concern. We take our civic responsibility to continue following the CDC’s suggested practices very …
Dr. Frock to lead NATE’s workforce development initiatives
NATE: The Communications Infrastructure Contractors Association announced that the organization has entered into a professional consulting services agreement with Gemma Frock, PhD from GKF Consulting Services. In her consulting role, Dr. Frock will be tasked with implementing the year one objectives outlined in the Telecommunications Industry Workforce Strategic Plan which she drafted on behalf of NATE. Her focus will include meeting …
FCC approves Ligado’s 5G network over strong protests about GPS concerns
The FCC has approved, with conditions, Ligado’s application to deploy a low-power terrestrial nationwide network in the L-band that will primarily support 5G and Internet of Things (I0T) services. The Democratic and Republican leaders of both armed services committees called last week for rejecting Ligado’s plan. Last month, the departments of Interior, Commerce, Justice, Energy and Homeland Security all signed a …
AT&T corrects 3,579 false broadband-coverage data filings it provided in 20 states
Admitting to the FCC that it offered no broadband in 3,579 census blocks that it had previously reported as having broadband deployment in those blocks at speeds of at least 25Mbps downstream/3 Mbps upstream, AT&T filed a report identifying the errors. With Form 477 reports, ISPs are required to inform the FCC which blocks they offer service in. The agency …
Infrastructure contractors and suppliers largely unscathed by Frontier’s bankruptcy
In Frontier Communications’ Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing late Tuesday, the company said it expects to continue providing “quality service to its customers without interruption and work with its business partners as usual throughout the court supervised process.” The company offers internet services in 29 states and is expected to complete the sale to Northwest Fiber by the end of this …
Buford burglar steals tools and equipment valued at $29,000 from Georgia contractor
Gwinnett County Georgia police are seeking the public’s assistance in locating a burglary suspect. According to a press release, the burglary suspect stole $28,000 in telecommunications equipment and another $1,000 in power tools. Police responded to a burglary call at Infinity Construction located at the 4900 block of Austin Park Avenue in unincorporated Buford on April 3rd. When units arrived, …
