Key trends from NATE Unite 2016 including 5G and drones
LTE build outs are moving from the macro level to in-building coverage. As these new skills come into focus and carriers are still adding capacity and looking to 5G, the tower industry has a steady outlook. That was one of the messages from the 2016 National Association of Tower Erector’s Unite show, held last month in New Orleans.
“I would describe right now as kind of a steady time,” Todd Schlekeway, NATE executive director, told RCR Wireless News. “It’s not a robust boom cycle and it’s not a dip either. However, there’s one issues that bears watching from a workforce perspective and that’s the upcoming 600 MHz incentive auction. When that concludes, there’s a lot of work that needs to be done on broadcast structures to repack antennas, retrofit the structures, then more work on the cell tower side.
“NATE’s watching that closely from a safety perspective to make sure the workforce who migrates over to work on the broadcast structures are equipped to do so safely,” Schlekeway continued. “It’s a hot topic at NATE Unite 2016. It’s a good thing for the industry because you’re creating this demand,” on the broadcast and wireless sides.
In a closer look at NATE Unite, RCR Wireless News Managing Editor Sean Kinney talked with colleague Jarad Matula who covered the annual conference and exhibition. Matula discusses trends from the show including the emphasis on training that will help the tower workforce keep pace with employer requirements for small cell and distributed antenna system deployments, as well as how drones could be used to add efficiencies, while potentially reducing jobs, in the tower industry.
Here’s a playlist of videos from NATE Unite 2016.
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