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Subscribe • Advertise Friday, February 5, 2021Volume 9 | Issue 25

Telecom Could be Ensnared by New Antitrust Reform BillU.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), the incoming chairwoman and top Democrat on the Senate Judiciarysubcommittee on antitrust and commerce, introduced a sweeping antitrust reform bill on Thursday. If passed, theCompetition and Antitrust Law Enforcement Reform Act would make it much harder for the biggest U.S.companies to do deals, reports Politico.

It’s aimed at strengthening competition laws and revamping antitrust enforcement. The measure combines severalexisting proposals into one omnibus bill that lays out Democrats’ strategy for tackling monopolization acrossAmerican business.

Any company with more than $100 billion in annual revenue would have a far higher bar for acquisitions: they’d needto show that the merger would not hamper competition. Based on the Fortune 500 rankings for 2020, that couldimpact telecoms such as AT&T, Verizon and cableco Comcast, as well as tech platforms like Amazon, Apple, Googleand Microsoft. Continue Reading

Way Down in Kosovo

Chief Warrant Officer 2 John Finken, a contracting officer representative with Regional Command-East, Kosovo Force,inspects contractors performing maintenance during a radio systems inspection at Mount Golesh in Kosovo.

Camp Bondsteel, the primary base for the U.S. Army under Kosovo Forces Command (KFOR) needs to maintain anoptimum communications network in a dangerous part of the world. To stay connected in that region, KFOR deploysa team to make the rounds of the eight to ten radio towers that keep soldiers talking. An official U.S. Army publicationprovided more information about those who inspect, maintain and service these overseas towers.

“We check the [uninterrupted power supply], how many times the system has been up or down, and then the radiofunctionality at each location,” explained Sgt. 1st Class Rod Widows. Widows is a signal support systems specialistwith the 41st Infantry Brigade Combat Team, Oregon Army National Guard. “Each location is a relay tower site so thatwe can talk on mobile radios throughout the country," he added. Continue Reading

Pro Panel Explores Impacts on 5G Network BuildsBy John Celentano, Inside Towers Business Editor

The latest Pro Panel by Inside Towers entitled “5G Infrastructure Strategy” tackled many issues facing mobile networkoperators as they plan and deploy their 5G networks. The key takeaway from the discussion was that there are a lotof opportunities for MNOs and their vendors, and the long-term outlook is positive despite some near-term issues.

The U.S. wireless industry consists of many moving parts. Recent FCC auctions offered highly valued mid-bandspectrum in the C-band and Citizens Broadband Radio Service before that. There is a lot of buzz around newtechnologies like Open RAN, mobile edge computing, and network slicing. New funding programs have been rolledout for improving wireless connectivity, especially in rural areas. We have a new administration and a changing of theguard at the FCC.

With 4Q20 earnings now being reported, we are getting a look at year-end 2020 results from the MNOs, towercompanies and their vendors, along with their outlook for 2021 and related capital spending plans. And on top of allthat, we’re still in a pandemic.

The big question is: what to expect, and what to watch for, with 5G deployments in 2021? Continue Reading

T-Mobile Claims 2020 is “Best Year Yet”T-Mobile US, Inc. (NASDAQ: TMUS) reported fourth quarter and full-year 2020 results late yesterday, highlighted bywhat they claim are industry-leading total net additions, postpaid net additions and postpaid phone net additions forboth the fourth quarter and full-year 2020. The company also reported financial results that they claim met orexceeded all guidance and will deliver customer growth and profitability.

“These results show that we’re pulling way ahead of the pack on what matters - overall 5G network performance -and executing to stay ahead,” said Mike Sievert, CEO of T-Mobile. “And customers are noticing. 2020 was quitesimply our best year yet, with our highest ever total postpaid net additions of 5.5 million.”

Total revenues increased year-over-year to $20.3 billion in Q4 2020 and $68.4 billion in full-year 2020, and totalservice revenues increased year-over-year to $14.2 billion in Q4 2020 and $50.4 billion in full-year 2020, driven bythe Sprint merger and continued customer growth. Continue Reading

Europe Lags Behind U.S., Asia in 5G buildoutEurope has fallen behind the U.S. and Asia in the race to build 5G networks. That’s despite increased investment bythe region’s largest players, reports the Financial Times. Twenty-four percent of Europeans were able to connect to a 5G network at the end of September. That compares to13 percent at the end of 2019, according to new research.

By the end of 2019, 76 percent of Americans were “able to connect to 5G”; the rate was even higher in parts of Asia,(93 percent in South Korea), according to a report by telecom trade body European Telecommunications NetworkOperators' Association (ETNO) and research company Analysys Mason.

Europe’s slow network upgrades will add to concerns about the economic impact compared to other regions. 5Gnetworks are deemed to be critical national infrastructure by most governments and key in modernizing factory floors,transport systems and healthcare, according to the account. Continue Reading

February 4, 2021 at Close

Nokia Delivers Financial Report for Q4 and Full Year 2020According to Pekka Lundmark, President and CEO of Nokia, his company delivered a solid Q4 to end 2020 at thehigh end of their outlook range. In yesterday’s announcement from Espoo, Finland, Lundmark said Nokia had healthygross margin and operating margin performance for both Q4 and full year 2020.

“We were supported by a regional mix shift towards the higher margin North America region and by our ongoing R&Defforts to enhance product quality and cost competitiveness,” Lundmark said. “From a business group perspective, inQ4 and full year 2020, our gross margin improvement was primarily driven by Networks, as was our full yearoperating margin performance. In Q4, our operating profit performance benefited from two unexpected, yet significantdrivers: a timing benefit of approximately [U.S.$125] million as we recognized net sales at the very end of the quarter,which we had expected in 2021; and we had a net positive fluctuation in Nokia’s venture fund investments ofapproximately [U.S.$83 million].” Continue Reading Qualcomm Calls Q4 “Exceptional”Qualcomm Incorporated (NASDAQ: QCOM) this week announced results for its fiscal first quarter ended December27, 2020. During the first quarter of fiscal 2021, Qualcomm returned $1.2 billion to stockholders, including $739million, or $0.65 per share, of cash dividends paid and $444 million through repurchases of 3 million shares ofcommon stock.

“We delivered an exceptional quarter, more than doubling earnings year-over-year due to strong 5G demand inhandsets and growth in our RF front-end, automotive and IoT adjacencies, which drove record earnings in our chipbusiness,” said Qualcomm CEO Steve Mollenkopf. “We remain well positioned as the 5G ramp continues and weextend our core technology roadmap to adjacent industries.” View the full report here.

VirginiaNeighbors Group Welcomes Tower to TownThe McLean Citizens Association, an unofficial association of residents in McLean, VA, believes that a new cell toweris just what its residents need, reports TysonsReporter.com. Their resolution states that a tower will, "Improvecustomer service including internet connectivity speed and voice connectivity, resolve customer complaints in thearea, and help address increasing demand for quality wireless service so that the service does not further degrade.”

Cell tower developer Milestone Communications has been working with the MCA to design a tower that best fits thetown's needs. The proposal would see a 114-foot tower occupying an 11.5 acre site connected to the Wolf Trap FireStation, a plot of land already owned by the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors. The structure would be surroundedby an 8-foot chain link fence. With a lightning rod on top and room for additional carriers beyond the originaloccupant, Verizon, the tower would be multi-purpose and adaptable. Continue Reading

Broadband in Texas: It's an Emergency Says the Gov According to Texas Governor Greg Abbott, broadband services rate as an emergency item, reports the PalestineHerald. Broadband access made the Governor's short list, along with items such as overhauling the bail system tokeep dangerous criminals behind bars, and examining the election process to restore trust and confidence in Texaselections. Emergency items are those identified as crucial, and are meant to be addressed within 60 days of the newlegislature being seated.

“As we've seen throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, access to the internet is absolutely essential to the citizens ofour already thriving state," State Senator Robert Nichols told the Herald. "Our massive, diverse economy has alreadypropelled Texas as the top state for business over the last 16 years, and bridging the digital divide with expandedaccess to broadband in rural areas will increase opportunities for high-quality healthcare, educational attainment, andeconomic development opportunities." Continue Reading

The Future of Wireless Charging Brought to You by XiaomiXiaomi, a Chinese multinational electronics company, unveiled new technology toupdate how people charge their devices. The Xiaomi Mi Air Charge improveswireless charging and requires no wires or physical contact, reported WCCF Tech.

Since the device doesn’t require cables or the need to set the phone down on acharging mat, it enables users to enter “'a truly wireless charging era,” according toXiaomi. The tech operates by relying on a charging stand, like a transmitter, called

the charging pile, placed in any corner of a room.

The tech uses five-phase interference antennas built into the charging pile to detect the smartphone's position withinthe environment, reported WCCF Tech. The phase control array consists of 144 antennas, used to transmitmillimeter-wide waves through "beamforming" oriented towards the smartphone. Continue Reading

Fujitsu Gears Up For a North American InvasionFujitsu Ltd. announced yesterday it will be buying chips from Xilinx Inc for 5G network gear as Fujitsu prepares totake on a new U.S. market, according to Reuters.

Although the North American equipment manufacturing market has been dominated by Nokia, Oy, Samsung andEricsson, the company said it’s willing to expand beyond its home territory of Japan. Fujitsu said the 5G gear wouldbe used in partnership with a carrier in the United States, but did not disclose the name of the company. Both Fujitsuand Xilinx, are in the process of being acquired for $35 billion by Advanced Micro Devices Inc.

ConnecticutNaugatuck In a Safer Place Thanks to New Emergency SystemNaugatuck (CT) borough officials plan to install four new radio antennas, two for the police department and one eachfor the fire and public works departments. The antennas, aimed at reducing dead zones, will be housed on a newtower under construction by Tarpon Towers, reported the Citizen’s News.

Anticipated completion of the tower is slated for April, according to Assistant Fire Chief Walter Seaman, who iscoordinating the project to upgrade equipment. “The main goal of the project is to increase radio coverage,” Seamansaid.

According to Mayor N. Warren “Pete” Hess, the project will enable emergency personnel to communicate duringemergencies across a greater area efficiently. “This upgrade is long overdue and is critical in order to protect ouremergency service workers,” Hess said. Continue Reading

NEDAS Virtual Event: Game NightFebruary 11, 2021, 6:00 - 7:30 p.m. ET

This fun night will feature BINGO! Customized for the NEDAS community and Sponsored by Millman National LandServices. Everyone will discuss the words and phrases called out with a chance to win as you fill up your card andplay along. BINGO is free with an option to donate $25.00 to our 2021 charity of choice. Here's what to expect:

After you sign up, you'll receive a custom card prior to play dayA calendar invite with the Zoom link will be sent to you in advanceBring a drink and/or snack to make the experience more funShare the event with friends - reserve your spot today!

Register here.

NWSA PEAP WorkshopMarch 30 - April 1, 2021, Turnkey Safety Solutions LLC, Denville, NJ

NWSA-accredited Practical Examiners are NWSA-certified personnel who have been trained and authorized byNWSA to administer the practical examinations for NWSA certification programs. In order to become an NWSA-accredited Practical Examiner, you must:

Be certified by NWSA in both certification designations (TTT-1 and TTT-2);Have three (3) years of industry-related experience;Attend a NWSA Practical Examiner Accreditation Workshop, during which your performance as a PracticalExaminer will be observed and evaluated;Pass a Practical Examiner Accreditation Program (PEAP) Workshop written exam testing your knowledge ofthe role of the Practical Examiner and the test administration process;Pass the practical exam(s) in the presence of an NWSA representative (even if currently certified); andHave a direct email address to receive email notifications from NWSA (this may not be a shared address).

Individuals interested in participating in the NWSA PEAP Workshop should contact James Weissat James@turnkeysafetyllc.com or 732.798.4945. The deadline to register for a workshop is two weeks prior to thefirst day of the scheduled event.

Monopole, Self-Support, and Guyed towers along I-75 in New Tampa FL contributed by Brock Sullivan.

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