FCC studies spy towers
No, it’s not the plot of some Cold War movie from the 80s, it’s the FCC’s involvement in the latest development in a story we reported on back in March. To catch you up to speed, these fake cell towers for spying are called “Stingrays” or an IMSI catcher, produced by surveillance companies for police and intelligence services around the world. The devices mimic cell towers to fool nearby phones to route their data through the covert device.
However, these “listening tools” have apparently fallen into the wrong hands. Criminal organizations and foreign intelligence agencies have reportedly used these devices against the United States. So like any good government agency would, the FCC has launched a task force to investigate the matter. FCC chairman Tom Wheeler said the task force’s goal “is to develop concrete solutions to protect the cellular network systemically from similar unlawful intrusions and interceptions.” Digital privacy advocates are calling for the FCC to not only investigate the illegal activities, but the flaws in cellular networks that are exploited by this device. If we’re going to root out this exploitation of networks, I hope it also locks out agencies in our own government that are using it without a warrant. It only seems fair.
NATE spearheads Wireless Industry Safety Task Force
It must be task force season, because the National Association of Tower Erectors (NATE) headed up a meeting of the Wireless Industry Safety Task Force last week. It includes infrastructure industry heavyweights such as American Tower, Crown Castle, and SBA Communications, as well as all the major US carriers (Verizon Wireless, AT&T Mobility, T-Mobile US, Sprint). They met to not only re-affirm their commitment to 100% tie-off and climber safety, but also to come up with new ideas to help make the tower industry safe.
Watch their new 100% Tie-off PSA here:
Acorn-filled antenna
Just watch this video. It will blow your mind how many acorns tiny critters managed to stuff into this thing!
Tower news quickies
- Wireless WorkForce Veteran Training and Placement is giving away a scholarship! Apply here veterans
- Top 3 Desired Skills on a Tower Climber’s Resume
- Tower companies and taxes
- American Tower Corp emerges as leader in race for Viom Networks in Mumbai
- Do or Die! Are you in over your head?
Regional / local tower news
- Some Davenport, IA residents oppose cell tower in city park
- Lowell, NC mayor, neighbors, upset over proposed cell tower location
- Sea Bright, NJ seeking bids for cell tower
- Proposed cell tower gets new lease in Pine Island, FL
- Cell tower data paints blurred picture, cell phones more concerning in Easton, CT
- Tower looks to be in Easton, CT’s future
- Helena, MT has an osprey nest in its cell tower
- New cell tower coming to Whitefish, MT
- Cell tower proposals denied in Macon, GA
- Planning commission takes preliminary step to block cell tower in Loudon County, VA
- Sprint customer affected by cell tower near home in East Windsor, CT
- Easton, PA zoners sign off on cell tower expansion
- Decision delayed on new cell tower rules in Scarborough, ME
- Bowie, MD parents push back against school cell tower proposals
This week’s edition of cell tower industry news is brought to you by Towercrews.net.
Featured Image Copyright: rusak / 123RF Stock Photo
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