South Dakota Death Marks First Work-Related Tower Tech Fatality of 2019
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Wednesday, January 16, 2019
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Volume 7 | Issue 10
South Dakota Death Marks First Work-Related Tower Tech Fatality of 2019
...And hopefully the last. Inside Towers spoke with Pennington County Sheriff's Office Captain, Corey Brubakken and
confirmed a tower technician, Andrew Psomas, passed away on January 10, 2019 after falling from a tower. He was
23 years old.
Brubakken said the location of the incident was the 23000 block of 154th Avenue in Caputa, SD. According to the
Inside Towers Database, the structure is about 198 feet AGL, was constructed in 2010 and is owned by Crown
Castle.
KNBN NewsCenter1 reports that Psomas died at the scene. He worked for True North Tower based out of Sauk Rapids, Minnesota. Psomas, whose Facebook page has been memorialized, frequently posted pictures of himself climbing towers. His Facebook page notes he was from Fort Worth, Texas and previously lived in Erie, Colorado. Online records indicate his address was in Merced, California. His Facebook relationship status was single. The Sheriff's Office couldn't release any further details, due to the ongoing investigation. Captain Brubakken was unsure if Psomas' family set up any donation services, such as a GoFundMe, but Inside Towers always encourages donations to related, charitable causes including the Tower Family Foundation and Hubble Foundation. NATE Lands FCC’s Pai and Carr to Deliver Keynotes For Dallas Conference
National Association of Tower Erectors (NATE) announced Tuesday that FCC Chairman Ajit Pai and FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr are confirmed to deliver keynote addresses at the NATE UNITE 2019 Conference in Grapevine, Texas. NATE UNITE 2019 will take place February 4-7, 2019 at the Gaylord Texan Resort & Convention Center. NATE says the event is widely regarded as the premier and most comprehensive educational event and trade show in the wireless and broadcast infrastructure industries. Chairman Pai is slated to speak on Wednesday, February 6, during the NATE UNITE 2019 Awards Luncheon sponsored by T-Mobile. Pai was designated Chairman of the FCC by President Donald Trump in January 2017. Commissioner Carr is scheduled to deliver keynote remarks on the evening of Monday, February 4, to kick-off the NATE UNITE 2019 Welcome Reception sponsored by Ericsson and the Texas State Wireless Association. Carr was nominated to serve as a Commissioner of the FCC by President Donald Trump and was confirmed unanimously by the U.S. Senate on August 3, 2017. He was sworn into office on August 11, 2017. On January 2, 2019, Carr was reconfirmed as Commissioner by the U.S. Senate for a full term, Inside Towers reported. Comments? Email Us. Huawei CEO Says He’d Refuse Chinese Government Request to Spy on U.S. Huawei founder and CEO Ren Zhengfei, said he would "definitely" refuse any request from the Chinese government to use its telecom equipment to spy on the U.S. In a rare interview with international media, Zhengfei addressed concerns raised by the American government that the telecom could use its communications gear to help its government. Zhengfei said: “China's ministry of foreign affairs has officially clarified that no law in China requires any company to install mandatory back doors,” reported CNBC. Huawei faces mounting global pressure to distance itself from the Chinese government. The company has been blocked from selling equipment to the U.S. for many years, but other now countries, including Australia, New Zealand and Japan, have recently excluded the company from supplying components for their 5G networks. The statements come as his daughter, Meng Wanzhou, who is chief financial officer of the company, was arrested in Canada at the request of the U.S., which alleges she committed fraud related to payments that violated U.S. sanctions against Iran. Last week, a Huawei sales director in Poland was arrested after that government alleged he colluded with a local official to commit espionage. Comments? Email Us
Alphabet’s Project Loon Forms Advisory Board With Telecom Experts
Saying that it’s now proven the concept of using a stratospheric balloon to bring
broadband to those who lack high-speed connectivity, the people behind Project
Loon say they want to bring the company to the next level. After focusing mostly on
technology, the company wants to also concentrate on the business case.
As it transitions to a commercial business, Loon wants to partner with those who
have significant experience connecting people every day. “Mobile network
operators (MNOs) have decades of experience delivering connectivity to billions of
users around the world. With Loon’s technology, we see a valuable opportunity to
help MNOs reach more people in areas that have been difficult or impossible to serve,” the company says. Loon is
pitching itself as an infrastructure solution that will allow MNOs to expand their networks and attract new customers.
Continue Reading
Cable & Wire Inventory Online Auction Alert
Rosen Systems is conducting an online auction approximately one million dollars of cable and
wire inventory online.
This sale will close on Thursday, January 31. The inspection will be Tuesday, January 29 at Hutton Communications,
located at 2520 Marsh Lane, Carrollton (Dallas), Texas 75006. The auction will also include forklifts and a large
quantity of pallet rack and warehouse items. For more details, or to register and view the catalog click here.
January 15, 2019 at Close Surf Air Wireless Acquires $40M Investment and FreedomNet Wireless Indian-based broadband company Surf Air Wireless announced yesterday it recently completed a $40 million investment with Post Road Group in addition to acquiring FreedomNet Wireless. Surf Air Wireless CEO, Greg Armstrong said the acquisition of FreedomNet Wireless provides the company access to over 30,000 square miles of the Great Lakes region and expands the company’s coverage north to Grand Rapids, Michigan and south past U.S. Highway 30. “This new capital partnership with Post Road Group will allow us to grow organically and through acquisition, aggressively bringing connectivity and internet access to the rural homeowner, expanding our partnerships with multiple school districts and grow our commercial business,” said Surf Air Wireless CEO, Greg Armstrong. MVP Capital Advisors was the financial advisor to Surf Air Wireless in connection with this transaction.
Florida In Manatee, the Thirty Percent Solution is in Effect UPDATE The issue of tower construction is an on-going and contentious topic in Manatee, covered by Inside Towers. The local zoning board is delving even further into the subject by considering a resolution that would establish limits for how far the design process for a new tower can go without involving the input of neighboring homeowners, according to Bradenton.com. A recent dispute for a tower on public property in Kinnan Park led to yet another heated situation when County Administrator Ed Hunzeker earned a reprimand from locals for approving plans without consulting the neighbors. Future projects require that residents within 1,000 feet of the proposed structure must be informed of the plans once the engineering design is 30 percent completed. “In no event shall the county administrator direct or consent to the design and engineering of a radio tower on a radio tower site beyond 30 percent completion prior to the completion of the public meetings and workshops required by these procedures,” the resolution states. Continue Reading Smaller Communities Prepare for 5G While some communities are re-inventing themselves as smart cities, many other small towns are busy deciphering what 5G means to them. Edmonds, Washington, is one of these small towns, and local publication MyEdmondsNews.com speculates on what the roll-out could mean to their community. Bringing 5G capabilities to an area means either new telecommunications towers or small cell deployment and all the financial implications of each. For example, while the FCC states that fees local governments can charge for pole attachments cannot be excessive, there is no definition of "excessive." Communities are left to sort through the rules and interpret them as best they can. A pole attachment in Seattle generates a fee of approximately $1,884, yet the FCC ruled last autumn that a $270 pole attachment fee was "reasonable." What is "reasonable" for a town like Edmonds? Continue Reading
Walden Announces GOP E&C Committee, Pledges Bipartisan Cooperation
Energy and Commerce Committee Ranking Member Greg Walden (R-OR) Tuesday named the subcommittee
Ranking Members for the 116th Congress. The committee oversees the communications industries, including
telecom and broadcast.
“Republicans stand ready to work with our Democratic colleagues in the same bipartisan way by which the Energy
and Commerce Committee delivered dozens of new laws tackling everything thing from opioids and safe drinking
water, to reauthorizing the FCC in the last session of Congress,” said the top Republican on the committee, Rep.
Greg Walden. "The American people expect results, and I am confident that the leadership team Republicans are
putting forward is ready to deliver."
Subcommittee rosters will be announced at a later date. Here are the the subcommittee Ranking Members:
Subcommittee on Communications and Technology: Rep. Bob Latta (R-OH) - Ranking Member
Subcommittee on Consumer Protection and Commerce: Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) - Ranking
Member
Subcommittee on Energy: Rep. Fred Upton (R-MI) - Ranking Member
Subcommittee on Environment and Climate Change: Rep. John Shimkus (R-IL) - Ranking Member
Subcommittee on Health: Rep. Michael C. Burgess, M.D. (R-TX) - Ranking Member
Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations: Rep. Brett Guthrie (R-KY) - Ranking Member
AT&T Names Regional VP for Florida, USVI and Puerto Rico
AT&T has named Alexandra Verdiales regional vice president of external and legislative affairs
for AT&T USVI and Puerto Rico.
Verdiales will replace Ray Flores, who announced his retirement from AT&T after 48 years of
service. She will be responsible for representing AT&T with local government in Puerto Rico
and the U.S. Virgin Islands, and will assist with new technology deployment and infrastructure
investment by collaborating with community leaders, legislators and business leaders, the
company said.
“I’m pleased to welcome Alexandra to our team,” said Joe York, president of AT&T Florida,
Puerto Rico and USVI. “She brings tremendous talent to the table, which coupled with her vast knowledge of the
region, makes her a great addition to our team.”
Prior to joining AT&T, Verdiales was in-house counsel for Liberty Cablevision of Puerto Rico. She also served as chief
legal officer to the Development of Childhood Administration within the Puerto Rico Department of Family Affairs.
Building Permits
Magnolia, AR
BRT Group LLC, 978 NC 1845, cell tower, $180,000, December 11. Source: Banner News
Jacksonville, FL
Vertical Bridge LLC, 1930 Palafox St., contractor is UCI Construction Services LLC, new cell tower, $153,000.
New Cingular Wireless PCS, 4399 Sleiman Parkway, contractor is Mastec Network Solutions LLC, cell tower
upgrade, $65,000.
New Cingular Wireless PCS, 4668 Town Center Parkway, contractor is Mastec Network Solutions LLC, cell
tower upgrade, $30,000. Source: Jacksonville Daily Record
ACI Announces In-Building Wireless Congress 2019
June 10-12, 2019 | Las Vegas, NV
North America’s leading event for wireless connectivity has a new name and a
broader focus to keep pace with this fast-moving industry. The In-Building Wireless
Congress, formerly known as the DAS & Small Cells Congress, will bring together
the wireless ecosystem to identify ways to meet the ever-increasing demand for in-building coverage and capacity.
The In-Building Wireless Congress will take place at Planet Hollywood in Las Vegas on June 10-12, 2019.
“This is not merely a new name for an old conference. As the range of connectivity technology evolve, the scope of
this conference has, too. At this annual event, 600+ stakeholders and decision makers will examine current
challenges and opportunities in today’s most comprehensive exploration of wireless coverage and capacity
solutions,” according to Kristy Perkins, In-Building Wireless Congress Event Director. Continue Reading
Recent Releases
Latest posting from the FCC 1/9/19
Click Here
Get Connected at Connect(X)
Connectivity Expo is designed to serve all elements of the expanding and evolving wireless ecosystem – from the
macro structures that stand high above the ground and the miles and miles of fiber networks below the ground to the
technology driving the ongoing network densification in our cities and the technology embedded in our cars.
Connect (X) is dedicated to bringing together the buyers and sellers of connectivity solutions and will showcase the
latest innovative technologies and the vital infrastructure that are driving the future of communications. For more
information and to register click here.
Pennsylvania Wireless Association Sets Western Winter Social For February 26
Hosting socials for both the eastern and western regions of their state, the
Pennsylvania Wireless Association (PWA) set the date and place for the
convenience of those in the “rust belt” side of the Commonwealth. The
Pittsburgh-based event will be held February 26, at the Sienna Mercato
Rooftop Bar at 942 Penn Avenue from 6 p.m. - 9 p.m. Cost is $80 per person
and sponsorships are available.
To register or for more information click here. PWA’s eastern outing in
Philadelphia will be held January 31, at the Vesper Boat Club on Philly’s
Boathouse Row.
South Carolina
Tech Colleges Add Tower Climber Courses
More and more trade and tech schools are offering courses in tower climbing like the one in Aiken, SC. Aiken
Technical College’s Tower Installation Program (TWI) is underway as of yesterday for students who want to work as
cellular tower installation technicians.
After completing their TWI program, students are ready to take apprentice positions in the wireless installation tower
industry. Coursework covers safety, basic rigging and fall protection, principles of electricity, fiber optics, wireless
technology, cell components, antenna basics, and spectrum management. Students who complete the Basic
curriculum — and those with field experience in the wireless industry — can progress toward the advanced program
and earn an associates degree.
Upcoming Program Dates
Spring 2019: January 14 - April 5, 2019
Online: January 14 - February 1, 2019
In-Class (face-to-face): February 4 - April 5, 2019
Summer 2019: May 13 - August 2, 2019
Online: May 13 - May 31, 2019
In-Class (face-to-face): February 4 - April 5, 2019
Fall 2019: August 19 - November 8, 2019
Online: August 19 - September 6, 2019
In-Class (face-to-face): September 9 - November 8, 2019
Certificate – Basic Tower and Wireless Installation
Certificate – Advanced Tower and Wireless Installation
MasTec Network Solutions: Full Crews
MasTec Network Solutions is looking for full crews through General Contractors and
Subcontractors.
We offer benefits like industry safety training and certifications and equipment and trailer
leasing, interest free for 18 months! With expedited payment terms, productivity bonuses,
and mobilization fees, it doesn't get any better than partnering with MasTec!
Call (205) 422-1218 or email Jordan.Bankston@mastec.com.
SAC Wireless: Join the Largest Wireless Construction Company in the United StatesSAC Wireless is looking for experienced tower climbers across the US who are ready to join our fast-growing cell
tower construction teams!
What you will get:
Competitive hourly pay rate
Up to $125 per day per diem
Paid time off and paid holidays
Medical/Dental/Vision/401k
Best in class training program
New for 2019 – Quarterly cash incentive program
To apply, click here or send your resume through here.
CTI Towers, Inc. - Project Manager - Western United States
CTI Towers is the nation's third largest private wireless tower company and is seeking an
experienced, highly motivated, organized individual to fill a full-time position as Project Manager in
the western United States for its growing tower operations department.
- Experience as a tower site supervisor or project manager in the
wireless industry is required.
- Must be within a thirty-minute drive of an international airport.
- Work from home office except when traveling.
- Frequent Travel – up to 85%
Please forward resumes along with contact information to hr@ctitowers.com.Nampa, ID contributed by Garrett Young.
Email your tower shots or upload them here. Please be sure to include the tower location.
Remember to follow us on Instagram!
Managing Editor: Jim Fryer
Washington Bureau Chief: Leslie Stimson
Reporter: Keara M. Piekanski Contributing Analyst: John Celentano
Marketing & Advertising: Megan Reed Creative & Advertising: Cara Aston
Advertising & Classifieds: Phil Cook
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