Tower Talks with Inside Towers

Latest Episodes:

#44 - 3 Questions with Johnny Broadband - A Workforce Discussion with NATE's Todd Schlekeway and Consultant Dr. Gemma Frock Dec 14, 2020

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We all rely heavily on our internet service and wireless devices to stay connected, especially through this pandemic.

With mobile data demand surging and 5G deployments ramping up, the need for qualified tower technicians to install and test wireless network infrastructure is greater than ever.

Yet there is a critical shortage of tower techs. Thousands more are needed.

NATE- The Communications Infrastructure Contractors Association recently conducted its 2020 Workforce Survey to find out where its members stand on handling increased field work and importantly, the challenges these contractors face in hiring and sustaining field force levels.

John Celentano, Inside Towers Business Editor discusses with Todd Schlekeway, NATE President and CEO, and Dr. Gemma Frock, consultant to NATE, what the survey findings mean for wireless workforce development.

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#43 - Wireless Watercooler #5 - Congresswoman Yvette Clarke Dec 02, 2020

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Talk around the water cooler this month centered on workforce development and the current infrastructure legislation being debated in Congress. Podcast show co-hosts Jonathan Adelstein, President and CEO of the Wireless Infrastructure Association, and the Managing Editor of Inside Towers, Jim Fryer, were lucky enough to snag some time with a Congressional leader in the thick of it all: U.S. Representative Yvette Clarke (D-NY).

The Congresswoman is a member of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce serving on the Communications & Technology subcommittee. She is a leader in the tech and media policy space as co-chair of the Smart Cities Caucus and believes smart technology will make communities more sustainable, resilient and livable. As the Representative of the Ninth Congressional District of New York, Congresswoman Clarke has dedicated herself to continuing the legacy of excellence established by the late Honorable Shirley Chisholm.

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#42 - 3 Questions with Johnny Broadband - Learning Alliance Corporation Oct 20, 2020

Show notes

Connected data usage from both mobile devices and fixed IoT sensors is growing exponentially.

To meet that growth, wireless infrastructure must be expanded greatly with more macrocells, small cells and fiber backhaul to support the multitude of 5G applications and use cases that operate on a mix of low-, mid-, and high-band frequencies.

Advanced wireless technologies need qualified and certified men and women to do the job properly. Yet there are not enough trained technicians to perform the work that needs to be done in the next few years. In turn, these workforce shortages are driving the need for comprehensive and customized training programs.

John Celentano, Inside Towers Business Editor, discusses with Cesar Ruiz, CEO, Learning Alliance Corporation the current state of wireless workforce, and training programs available to develop that workforce.

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#41 - 3 Questions with Johnny Broadband - A Spectrum Discussion with Former NASA Administrator Daniel Goldin and Joel Thayer of Phillips-Lytle Oct 13, 2020

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Spectrum is the lifeblood of wireless. This is especially true for 5G that uses a range of low-, mid- and high-band frequencies.
What and how much spectrum is allocated for commercial and government use is handled through an interagency process between the FCC and NTIA, part of the Department of Commerce. For the most part, the interagency process works but at other times, not so much.
John Celentano, Inside Towers Business Editor fosters a lively discussion on the battle for 5G spectrum and the role that government agencies have in the spectrum allocation process with Joel Thayer, Associate at the law firm of Phillips-Lytle and Daniel Goldin, former administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and now a Distinguished Fellow of the Council on Competitiveness.

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#39 - 3 Questions with Johnny Broadband - A Fiber discussion with Graybar & Viavi Solutions, Part 3 Oct 07, 2020

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Part III of this three part series discusses developing field technician fiber installation and testing skills. Join John Celentano, Inside Towers Business Editor as he continues this informative and in-depth discussion with industry experts Mike Dee, Sr. Field Engineer and Jeff Harmon, Sr. Systems Engineer from Viavi Solutions and Scott Jackson, National Market Manager with Graybar. Hear this and much more on the podcast, available on our website, Amazon Music, Spotify and iTunes.

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#38 - 3 Questions with Johnny Broadband - A Fiber Discussion with Graybar and Viavi Solutions, Part 2 Sep 30, 2020

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Fiber optics technology is integral to the high-speed operation of modern telecom networks.
In an exclusive three-part series, Tower Talks dives into the subject of how, where, and why fiber is deployed in telecom. Part I covered a high-level view of fiber optic technology and fiber terminology, the current market environment and how fiber is adapted for use in different parts of the telecom network. Part II address specific fiber uses in the wireless network.
Join John Celentano, Inside Towers Business Editor as he continues this informative and in-depth discussion with industry experts Mike Dee, Sr. Field Engineer and Jeff Harmon, Sr. Systems Engineer from Viavi Solutions and Scott Jackson, National Market Manager with Graybar.

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#40 - Wireless Water Cooler #4 - FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr Sep 28, 2020

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Hosts Jonathan Adelstein, President and CEO of WIA, and Inside Towers Managing Editor Jim Fryer got to spend a few minutes with tower-climbing FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr recently for the fourth edition of the Wireless Water Cooler.
Carr discussed the latest happenings in wireless workforce development and how the industry needs to double its workforce to get the necessary jobs accomplished over the next few years. Adelstein asked the Commissioner about the effects the recent 9th Circuit Court decision has had on buildout schedules and how the industry has responded to the new rulings favoring wireless development.

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#37 - 3 Questions with Johnny Broadband - A Fiber discussion with Graybar & Viavi Solutions, Part 1 Sep 23, 2020

Show notes

“It takes a lot of wires to make wireless work.” Today, that means fiber optic cable.

Fiber handles high-speed multimedia traffic over long distances more efficiently and cost-effectively than copper cables.

Fiber use in wireless is growing – at cell sites, for backhaul, in data centers and for long-haul transport.

Though light weight and easier to handle than copper cable, fiber installation and testing must be precise with skilled technicians using specialized tools and test sets to ensure peak performance.

In a special three-part series, Tower Talks discusses fiber in telecom applications, and associated installation and testing practices.

PART I – Fiber in Telecom Overview

PART II – Fiber in Wireless Applications

PART III – Developing Field Technician Fiber Installation and Testing Skills

John Celentano, Inside Towers Business Editor hosts industry experts from Viavi Solutions, Mike Dee, Sr. Field Engineer and Jeff Harmon, Sr. Systems Engineer and from Graybar, Scott Jackson, National Market Manager for an informative, in-depth discussion.

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#36 - 3 Questions with Johnny Broadband - Brian Goemmer of Allnet Insights & Analytics Sep 14, 2020

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Spectrum is more valuable than ever. For 5G, spectrum is needed in low-band, mid-band and high-band frequencies, the so-called ‘Layer Cake’, to enable a whole new set of high-speed, low latency mobile data applications and use cases.

The results of the recently concluded FCC Auction 105 for Priority Access Licenses in the 3.5 GHz CBRS mid-band spectrum show who won and where they will use this spectrum.

Auction 105 is unique given the unusually large number of bidders vying for a large number of licenses across all U.S. counties.

In the latest Tower Talks, John Celentano, Inside Towers Business Editor and his guest, Brian Goemmer, President of Allnet Insights & Analytics engage in an interesting and informative conversation on the CBRS auction’s results and the implications of those outcomes.

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#35 - Wireless Watercooler #3 - FCC, General Counsel Thomas Johnson, Jr. Aug 25, 2020

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When an event like the court ruling that occurred on August 12 is hailed as a “major victory” by the FCC Chairman and a “game changer” by others, it deserves a deeper dive.
The 9th Circuit Court issued an industry-favorable ruling in the face of strong opposition by a collaboration of cities and utilities across the country. The man in court speaking for the FCC, General Counsel Thomas Johnson, Jr., Esq., met with Jonathan and Jim at the Wireless Water Cooler this week to give his insider view of what it means for wireless infrastructure moving forward. How will this expedite the rollout of 5G? What new advantages do developers have? Does the opposition still have some wiggle room?

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