Tuesday, July 7, 2026
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Cell Tower News: CTIA asks FCC to revise; OSHA cites manufacturer

by Jarad Matula
written by Jarad Matula Share
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CTIA asks FCC to revise wireless siting

CITA CEO Meredith Attwell Baker recently wrote a blog urging the FCC to revise its rules in order to expedite the process of building and updating wireless network sites. She goes on to describe the different types of wireless solutions, from traditional towers to DAS and small cell, even mentioning the Ericsson Dot that fits in the palm of your hand. Her issue is that in the eyes of the government and its regulatory agencies, even at the local level, small cells are treated with the same amount of red tape and opposition as a 250-foot tower. Therefore, she calls for the FCC to streamline and modernize its wireless siting process.
“Specifically, by adopting four reforms to meaningfully expedite wireless infrastructure deployment, the FCC could eliminate key delays and unnecessary steps associated with wireless investment.” Click here to read more about what those four things are. She says this will increase jobs, and create an “even more robust and powerful mobile broadband experience” for consumers. I couldn’t agree with her more, and here’s hoping that since she’s the CEO of CTIA her opinion gets noticed in Washington and action happens soon.

OSHA cites tower manufacturer

We tend to focus so much on what happens on the tower when it’s already in place on a site that we forget those towers have to be built somewhere. Last week in Hicksville, Ohio, OSHA issued a citation to FWT for machine hazard injuries incurred by two workers at a tower manufacturing plant. One worker’s hands were crushed by machinery while operating a crane and the other worker was pinned between a telecommunications pole and the frame of the squaring press.
“The workers’ injuries were serious and preventable had basic machine guards been provided on the equipment they were expected to use daily,” said Kim Nelson, OSHA’s area director in Toledo. The lack of machine guarding is one of the most frequently cited OSHA violations, to boot. What makes the citation even worse is that it is a repeat violation, with the same company receiving the same citation in 2013.

$80k in tower equipment stolen

How could one man make off with $81,595 worth of tower equipment? Apparently a man in Goldsboro, North Carolina, did just that this past week. The equipment included mostly testing equipment. The story doesn’t end there, though. The man was caught by an undercover police officer to whom he tried to sell the stolen goods. Wow, who is buying black market tower testing equipment? It just seems funny that one guy would sell this much tower equipment to one other guy and the thief would think this is normal. Oh well, the man is charged with felony possession of stolen goods and will probably have plenty of time to contemplate his thievery and smart business decisions from the comfort of a cell.

Honoring the Passing of Tower Techs

Tragic accidents in the climbing industry don’t just happen while on the tower. At times people forget that the road is one of the most dangerous places. Two tower technicians, Joshua Oglesby, 22, and Trevor Flum, 36, of Midwest Underground Technology Inc. (MUTI) were killed in a brutal traffic accident this week. Our hearts and prayers go out to their friends and family during this difficult time.

Aerial Nerf Gun Battle

Have you ever thought about having a Nerf gun battle at the top of tower? Well these guys did, enjoy!

Tower news quickies

Regional / local tower news

 
This week’s edition of cell tower industry news is brought to you by Towercrews.net.
 
Featured Image Copyright: peogeo / 123RF Stock Photo

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