Secure Equipment Act on Its Way to the President

 The Senate on Thursday unanimously passed legislation to take steps to further crack down on the use of telecom products from companies deemed to be a national security threat. The bill was previously approved by the House by a vote of 420-4, and now heads to the President’s desk for signature.  
 
In 2020, the FCC adopted rules to require U.S. carriers to rip out and replace equipment provided by “covered” companies. Companies on this list include China-based Huawei and ZTE, which both Congress and the administration took steps to block from the U.S. due to national security and espionage concerns. The FCC last year formally designated both Huawei and ZTE as national security threats.   
 
While that was an important step, those rules only apply to equipment purchased with federal funding, according to lawmakers. The same equipment can still be used if purchased with private or non-federal government dollars. The Secure Equipment Act closes that loophole, the sponsors note. Continue Reading

American Tower Rocks Double-Digit Growth

 By John Celentano, Inside Towers Business Editor American Tower (NYSE: AMT) reported its Q3 results with double-digit growth across all key metrics on a year-over-year basis.
 

 

Total property revenues grew to $2.4 billion in 3Q21, up over 19 percent from $2.0 billion in 3Q20. In AMT’s domestic markets, comprising the U.S. and Canada, revenue grew 10 percent to $1.2 billion, accounting for 52 percent of the total. 

International markets showed the biggest revenue gains from organic growth and acquisitions, particularly Telxius in Europe, growing 32 percent to $1.1 billion. AMT closed the last tranche of the Telxius deal during the quarter, adding 4,000 towers in Germany. In the same period, Adjusted EBITDA grew nearly 20 percent to $1.6 billion while consolidated AFFO increased 13 percent to $1.2 billion.  Continue Reading

Biden Nominates Rosenworcel as Permanent FCC Chair

 By Leslie Stimson, Inside Towers Washington Bureau Chief President Joe Biden yesterday nominated Acting FCC Chair Jessica Rosenworcel to lead the agency. The action makes her the first woman to chair the almost 100-year agency, according to the White House. Biden also nominated former FCC official Gigi Sohn to the open Democratic seat on the Commission and attorney Alan Davidson to head the National Telecommunications and Information Administration.

Rosenworcel said she was “deeply humbled” by the designation as FCC Chair. “It is an honor to work with my colleagues on the Commission and the agency’s talented staff to ensure that no matter who you are or where you live, everyone has the connections they need to live, work, and learn in the digital age,” said Rosenworcel in a statement. She also congratulated Sohn and Davidson. Continue Reading

Crown Castle Surfs the Wireless Build Out Tsunami

 By John Celentano, Inside Towers Business Editor Crown Castle International (NYSE: CCI) is enjoying “outsized” results as its major mobile network operator tenants – T-Mobile, AT&T, Verizon – accelerate their 5G deployments. This high level of network infrastructure construction is driving cell site modifications and upgrades to existing sites among the Big 3 MNOs. Newcomer DISH Network is adding new cell sites on CCI’s existing towers.

Through the nine months ending September 30, CCI’s 2021 consolidated site rental revenue was nearly $4.3 billion, up 7 percent over the same period in 2020. Services revenue grew 16 percent YoY to $441 million. Adjusted EBITDA reached $2.8 billion, a 12 percent increase and adjusted funds from operations (AFFO) grew 20 percent to $2.2 billion. Continue Reading

RWA Asks FCC to Make Carriers Keep 3G Operating For Now

 By Leslie Stimson, Inside Towers Washington Bureau Chief The Rural Wireless Association (RWA) urged the FCC to require the three major nationwide carriers — AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile — to delay the shutdown of their 3G networks. Each carrier has announced plans to sunset 3G service on dates ranging from December 31, 2021, (T-Mobile) to mid-2022 (Verizon and AT&T).

The RWA told the agency its rural member carriers need more time to transition to VoLTE (Voice over LTE) roaming before 3G is shut down nationwide. Rural Americans served by RWA members are already experiencing the effects of these shutdowns, the association told the Commission. “RWA carrier members across the country are receiving reports from their rural customers of degraded or nonexistent 3G coverage in advance of these 3G sunset deadlines announced by the nationwide carriers,” said RWA attorneys in an FCC filing. Continue Reading

Phoenix Tower Agrees to Own and Operate Towers in the French West Indies

 Phoenix Tower International (PTI) and Outremer Telecom yesterday announced they have entered into an exclusivity agreement regarding the acquisition by Phoenix of 203 wireless towers, together with newly constructed wireless towers over 10 years across the French West Indies through a build-to-suit program. The transaction gives PTI over 437 towers in that market. The deal will result in Phoenix and Outremer Telecom establishing a long-term partnership whereby Outremer Telecom would occupy the sites for at least 20 years.

“With this transaction, PTI would continue to expand its presence across European territories and its disciplined investment strategy,” stated Phoenix Tower International CEO Dagan Kasavana. “The increased presence of PTI, a neutral host independent tower company, in the region would facilitate increased coverage expansion for all wireless operators and ultimately enhanced connectivity for the population of French West Indies. PTI is proud to be working with the mobile network operators across the world and is pleased to have entered into advanced discussions with the Altice Group on this transaction,” he added.

“I am enthusiastic about the prospect of creating a new tower partnership in the French West Indies. Phoenix Tower International would be a long-term partner of the highest quality who shares our vision to invest in leading infrastructure,” stated Outremer Telecom CEO Mathieu Cocq.

Maryland Beach Resort Seeks to Dismiss Crown Castle Suit

 UPDATE The town of Ocean City, MD filed a motion last week to dismiss a civil suit concerning its denial of proposed small cell sites in uptown residential neighborhoods. It asserts the “no” decision was not a denial of a formal application from a telecom company.

Crown Castle applied in June to install three small cell towers in the north end of town. Crown Castle has wireless facilities in other parts of the resort and contracts with providers such as Verizon to provide hardware, according to mdcoastdispatch. Continue Reading