Tower Talks with Inside Towers

Market projections are robust for small cells that will be needed in coming years as mobile network operators densify their networks, particularly in populated metro markets. Small cells typically are deployed on street furniture such as utility poles, streetlights, and custom-built poles installed along city streets.
 
 The challenge for network operators is to figure out where to place these small cells, how to power them, and how to connect them back into the network, all in a cost-effective and efficient manner. More importantly, how to keep these small cells functioning during a power outage.
 
 Tom Craft, Engineering Director for Metrocell, Integrated Solutions and Microwave at CommScope, discusses centralized power solutions for small cells with John Celentano, Inside Towers Business Editor.

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This is your Inside Towers Weekly Recap for the week of November 8, 2021. For more wireless infrastructure news, subscribe to our newsletter here. 

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The notion of private wireless networks has gained prominence with concepts such as Industry 4.0, smart cities, campus networks, and Enterprise IT/OT integration and critical communications.

Private wireless networks are enabled by cost-effective, open-standard radio and core equipment that can be programmed for specific user needs, built to 4G and 5G specifications, and having access to shared-spectrum such as CBRS or dedicated licenses.

What is a private network, which vertical markets are candidates, and what does it take to build and operate such networks?

John Celentano, Inside Towers Business Editor discusses opportunities for private wireless network adoption with Todd Landry, Corporate Vice President, Product & Market Strategy at JMA Wireless and Mick O’Dwyer, Sales & Marketing Director at Druid Software.

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This is your Inside Towers Weekly Recap for the week of November 1, 2021. For more wireless infrastructure news, subscribe to our newsletter here. 

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This Tower Talks special edition highlights the Inside Towers Intelligence Q2 2021 issue that is jam-packed with high-quality information and analysis that can be readily used by decision makers and investors in the wireless infrastructure business.

Feature articles “Inside the Tower Business” and “Dish Network: a Strategic Analysis” dive deep into the tower business models and dish’s strategic opportunities and risks.

Contributed input from thought leaders and outside experts includes:

• M&A advisory from Michael DeMita, CEO at Tower Capital Advisors on how the tower business has become a seller’s market.
• D.C. Watch by Husch Blackwell telecom attorneys Rodney Carter and Michael Long who unpack the infrastructure investment and jobs act.
• Investor perspective from stock analyst Colby Synesael of Cowen who offers his take on trends in the tower, small cells, and data center sectors. 

Hear excerpts from our interview with Colby and more.

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This is your Inside Towers Weekly Recap for the week of October 24, 2021. For more wireless infrastructure news, subscribe to our newsletter here. 

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Deploying cell sites is complex. Radios, antennas, cables, and power must be installed properly, then tested to verify the site is functioning as designed before the installation crew leaves.

Herein lies a problem. Whether testing RF, fiber, PIM or other parameters, test equipment is very sophisticated, and proper testing takes time. Contractors working on tight deployment schedules, may or may not have sufficient training to conduct the required tests.

This means tests often are incomplete or conducted improperly. Dispatching another crew to complete the testing just adds time and costs to get cell sites on the air.

Kashif Hussain, Solutions Marketing Director at VIAVI Solutions discusses with John Celentano, Inside Towers Business Editor these testing issues and ways to streamline them.

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This is your Inside Towers Weekly Recap for the week of October 18, 2021. For more wireless infrastructure news, subscribe to our newsletter here. 

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A key aspect of building and maintaining advanced wireless networks is that everything must be tested - RF, fiber, PIM, and other parameters. Network operators must demonstrate to the FCC and to their customers that the network is performing to design specifications.

Portable test equipment used in the field and benchtop instruments used in development labs are very sophisticated, can be very expensive, and must be calibrated periodically to maintain accuracy.

Electro Rent, a leading supplier of test equipment from a variety of manufacturers, offers rental and leasing options while providing calibration and logistics support services.

Jim Platner, VP-Business Operations at Electro Rent speaks to John Celentano, Inside Towers Business Editor on how a test equipment rental/leasing model benefits carriers, tower companies and their contractors.

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This is your Inside Towers Weekly Recap for the week of October 11, 2021. For more wireless infrastructure news, subscribe to our newsletter here. 

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