Cell Tower News: 6 winter climbing tips; Tower Xchange Americas

Welcome to our weekly collection of all the top cell tower news stories, where we cover global, national, regional, local and distributed antenna system stories. While hoopla surrounding the “polar vortex” may have subsided, we’re still in the dead of winter in many parts of the country. These weather conditions can make a tower climber’s job difficult, so to help out, we bring you six helpful tips on winter climbing. This week Tower Xchange also announced a U.S. appearance thanks to co-location with PCIA’s Wireless Infrastructure Show, and an interesting article about the state of the tower industry in Mexico and what’s necessary to get the country up to speed on coverage. Plus, plenty of local communities are arguing over cell towers, as usual.

Global/National News:

• For those working outside, here’s winter climbing 101: Top six tips for cold conditions.
• Tower Xchange is coming to the United States with their own show co-located with PCIA’s Wireless Infrastructure Show.
• Read this exclusive interview with William Ritchey from IIMT on the Mexican telecom tower industry.
• PCIA released a white paper titled, “Building our wireless future.”
• CommScope, which creates tower-related equipment, won several awards in Asia.
• CommScope also posted an interesting blog titled “The intangible identity of spectrum in our society.”
• Fairview Microwave announced a new line of variable RF switch attenuators.
• Comptel Plus announced the keynote speaker for their Spring Expo: Jeff Gardner, CEO of Windstream.
• TESSCO and Sunsight Instruments announced exclusive availability of American-made antenna alignment tool to improve network performance.
• Tower operating company SBA Communications is quickly becoming a billion-dollar business.
• Inside Towers has a great editorial about the paradox of schools wanting to use more wireless technology, but not wanting cell towers near them.
• Tower industry blogger “Wade” posted notes on using a Capstan Winch when working on towers.

DAS News:

• DAS helps Denver’s Sports Authority Stadium get rid of “no signal” areas.
• DAS antennas that fit in corners? Yup, it’s a thing now, check them out.
• Pulse Electronics introduced the PIMinator line of low PIM DAS in-building antennas.

State Wireless Association News:

• The Kansas Wireless Association announced details of its annual golf outing.
• The Maryland/D.C. Wireless Association announced details of their “Speaker Series Event.”
• The Maryland/D.C. Wireless Association also plan a “Baltimore Orioles Bullpen Party.”
• The Maryland/D.C. Wireless Association posted a date for their annual charity golf tournament.
• The Maryland/D.C. Wireless Association rounded out their calendar by setting the date for their holiday party.
• The Colorado Wireless Association announced dates for a “casual mixer” in January, February, March, April, May, and June.
• The Colorado Wireless Association also posted details of their “5th Annual Golf Tournament.”
• The Minnesota State Wireless Association is hosting a “Holiday & Charity 8-Ball Pool Tournament” next month.
• The Georgia Wireless Association released details of their “11th Annual Golf Charity Classic.”
• The Georgia Wireless Association also set a date for their end of year holiday party as well.

Regional/Local News:

• The city of Charlotte, N.C., will pay $700,000 to the family of a tower climber shot by police during his job.
• Meanwhile in Matthews, N.C., parents are upset about a possible cell tower on a school campus.
• Cell service in Vail, Colo., improved over the holidays, claiming it’s 100% better than in 2012.
• In Missouri, “political issue” reignites the cell tower debate.
• Benicia, Calif., planning officials approved a cell tower at a shopping center.
• Environmental groups in Albany, N.Y., oppose new Federal Communications Commission rules on cell towers.
• Hearing on cell tower in Tewksbury, N.J., will be rescheduled for February.
• Despite a protesting public, an attorney in Ana Maria, Fla., says “ship has sailed” to halt cell tower.
• Malibu, Calif., real estate company One Miracle Property seeks counsel from Vertical Consultants with cell tower lease proposal.
• Controversy erupts over a Lafayette, Calif., school cell tower.

Weekly cell tower news is brought to you by Towercrews.net.