Our Favorite LinkedIn Discussions in May

Is The Rivalry Intensifying Among Major Tower Companies?

Recent moves by American Tower and Crown Castle illustrate possibly shifting dynamics in the industry. AT&T's has moved equipment from more than one American Tower Corp. (ATC) sites to nearby Crown Castle towers.? Meanwhile, ATC solicited a Crown Castle landowner to “manage” their lease with ATC.? These incidents possibly highlight a brewing competition, primarily driven by rent disputes. Readers are buzzing with a mix of skepticism and strategic insight: some see AT&T's shift as a savvy financial maneuver to manage debt, while others note that small tower companies are capitalizing on chances to lure tenants from the big players. The complexities and costs of relocating cell sites are also being discussed, with some suggesting it's a rare but calculated move in this fierce market. Are these incidents isolated or do they tell a larger story of increased competition?

Who built the most towers in the US between 2022 and today?

FCC ASR records have revealed which companies are leading the charge in building towers across the US from 2022 to 2024, and the findings are quite intriguing. Public tower companies are no longer building that many towers.? They have been replaced by private well-capitalized tower companies.? Carriers stand to benefit- with Verizon is racing to catch up with T-Mobile for 5G coverage, while AT&T appears to be waiting to see what happens. Interestingly, the big players in this space are primarily major mobile network operators and new tower company challengers. Some readers are scratching their heads over the absence of SBA in the data and are eager to dive deeper into these trends.??

Are Industry Predictions on Small Cell Rollouts Overstated?

The debate over whether industry predictions for small cell rollouts are overstated is heating up. Despite early regulatory victories at the state and federal level, the industry doesn’t appear likely to meet the ambitious goal of 800,000 outdoor small cells to be built between 2017 and 2026. Readers highlight key issues: carriers face significant hurdles like CAPEX limitations, high deployment costs, and regulatory challenges. Upgrading macro sites has taken precedence because of better immediate returns. Public and legislative resistance, along with the high cost of backhaul and power infrastructure, have also slowed progress. It's clear that while small cells are vital for future connectivity, achieving those early targets will require overcoming major financial and regulatory obstacles.

City To Call for Bids For Tower Removal

Back in 2017, Goliad TX issued a Request for Bids to remove a small cell that Mobilitie erected overnight. The city alleged that Mobilitie lacked authority to erect the 120’ pole.? This along with other similar incidents led to a wave of stricter regulations and oversight. While some defend Mobilitie's aggressive strategies as beneficial to carriers, others criticize the negative impact on local communities and the resulting regulatory complications. This situation underscores the delicate balance between innovation and compliance in the telecom industry.