Wireless Tower Industry AGL Conference – Chicago: September 19

AGL Magazine LogoAre you in the wireless tower industry?  Are you a government employee dealing with wireless matters in your jurisdication? One of the most valuable (and amazingly cost-effective) wireless conferences you can attend are those put on by AGL Magazine.  The next AGL day-long conference is in Chicago on September 19th.

 

 

The Chicago agenda as of this writing is:

8:30 a.m.

Opening Keynote –

WiFi, DAS, & Smartphones in 21st Century Real Estate” – James Carlini, Certified Infrastructure Consultant

Sponsored by Amphenol GCS

9:00 a.m.

Site Acquisition: Where Will All the Wireless Go?  

You have all heard the statistics on wireless growth, but where will all these antennas and nodes be located? This session will teach you how to meet the zoning challenges and take advantage of the opportunities in innovative antenna siting. Stay on top of the trends in siting macrocells, microcells and DAS, whether it is a greenfield development or on rooftops or on street furniture. Our panel of experts will fill you in on the best practices in siting on federal properties, churches and schools.

Bill Sills, Wilkerson Barker & Knauer
Deborah Hill, Hill Law Offices
Bob Stapleton, National Wireless Ventures
Tim Renaud, US Cellular
10:00 a.m.

Wireless Business Trends Roundtable

This session will scrutinize the business side of the wireless industry, from tower brokerage to Wall Street to carrier class Wi-Fi. Stay up to date on the critical factors that have an impact on our industry, whether it is the latest mergers, cash infusions or LTE deployment news. You will learn where the opportunities are to increase your profits, whether you own towers or integrate wireless systems.

Pat Tant, Solution Seven
Clayton Funk, Media Venture Partners
Ray Cagle, Clearwave
11:00 a.m.

LTE and the Art of Achieving and Maintaining Tower Integrity

 With LTE systems rolling out at a furious pace, can proper equipment installations keep up? This session will teach you a wide range of best practices for deploying equipment on towers and keeping them in working order. Plus, keys for keeping tower climbers safe.

Dave Anthony, Shenandoah Tower Services
Greg Toback, Anritsu
John Celentano, Tessco
Scott Bohaychyk, Clearfield
Brandon Champman, Valmont Site Pro1
12:00 p.m.

Join us for Keynote Luncheon with

Jonathan Adelstein, President & Chief Executive Officer of PCIA – The Wireless Infrastructure Association  

Co Sponsored by Concordia Group Ltd & Phillips Lytle

1:00pm NATE PRESENTATIONWith Todd Schlekeway, Executive Director of NATE
1:15 p.m

Small Cell, DAS, Wi-Fi – the New Wireless Frontier

 While it goes by different names – metrocell, picocell, microcell, DAS node and carrier-grade Wi-Fi – the result is the same, increased capacity and coverage enhancement. You will learn the latest technology trends in the deployment of multiple, smaller coverage area nodes. Additionally, you will learn the market drivers. All of which are critical to playing in this quickly evolving space.

Doug Dimitroff, Phillips Lytle
Jeffery Funderburg, AT&T
Dennis Rigney, SOLiD North America
Mark Kerschner, TE Connectivity
John Gilbert, Rudin Management Company,Inc.
2:15 p.m.

Break Sponsored by LCC LAW

 2:30 p.m.

Vertical Markets: Fertile Ground for Small-cell Technology

Through case studies and analysis, learn about niche markets where small-cell technology will thrive. The healthcare space, hospitality, campuses and stadiums are high-profile ventures that feed our growing need for smart phones. Come hear how to overcome the challenges in these complex yet most lucrative environments.

Ali Sar, 123eWireless
Lorna Slott, AT&T
Greg Najjar, Sprint
Bob Butchko, RF Connect
3:30 p.m.

Closing/AGL announcements

You can register for the AGL conference (for only $95…yes Ninety-five bucks) here: http://agl-mag.com/agl-midwest-regional-conference/

To add icing to the cake, the day before there is an optional two hour “Tower Tech Session.”    Here’s the registration link to the Tower Tech Session: http://agl-mag.com/tower-tech-training-chicago/

My recommendation: Just Say Yes!

Jonathan

 

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AGL Magazine’s Wireless Infrastructure Conference: Irvine 4/18/13

AGL Magazine LogoAGL Magazine‘s Wireless Infrastructure Conference will be coming to Irvine Marriott in Irvine, California on April 18, 2013. If you want to know about what’s happening in the trenches of wireless, and where those trenches lead, this is the conference to attend.

AGL’s regional conferences are, in my opinion, one of the best sources of current industry information, and one of the most cost effective. This is the conference I would attend even if I were not a speaker. But as you’ve just figured out, I’ll be a speaker at this conference. I’ll be speaking about Assembly Bill 162, more properly called the “Wireless Industry Gift and Public Exclusion Act of 2013.”

The registration fee is only $95.00, and there is a substantially lower registration fee for government registrants.  Ask me for the government discount code; I’ll be glad to provide it.

Here is the current conference schedule (subject to change):

8:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. Networking Continental Breakfast Welcome: Rich Biby
9:00 a.m to 10:00 a.m. Site Acquisition: Where Will All the Wireless Go?You have all heard the statistics on wireless growth, but where will all these antennas and nodes be located? This session will teach you how to meet the zoning challenges and take advantage of the opportunities in innovative antenna siting. Stay on top of the trends in siting macrocells, microcells and DAS, whether it is a greenfield development or on rooftops or on street furniture. Our panel of experts will fill you in on the best practices in siting on federal properties, churches and schools.
10:00 a.m. to 10:55 a.m. Wireless Business Trends Roundtable This session will scrutinize the business side of the wireless industry, from tower brokerage to Wall Street to carrier class Wi-Fi. Stay up to date on the critical factors that have an impact on our industry, whether it is the latest mergers, cash infusions or LTE deployment news. You will learn where the opportunities are to increase your profits, whether you own towers or integrate wireless systems.
11:00 p.m. to 12:00 p.m. LTE and the Art of Achieving and Maintaining Tower Integrity With LTE systems rolling out at a furious pace, can proper equipment installations keep up? This session will teach you a wide range of best practices for deploying equipment on towers and keeping them in working order. Plus, keys for keeping tower climbers safe.
12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. Lunch
1:00 p.m.to 2:00 p.m. Small Cell, DAS, Wi-Fi – the New Wireless Frontier While it goes by different names – metrocell, picocell, microcell, DAS node and carrier-grade Wi-Fi – the result is the same, increased capacity and coverage enhancement. You will learn the latest technology trends in the deployment of multiple, smaller coverage area nodes. Additionally, you will learn the market drivers. All of which are critical to playing in this quickly evolving space.
2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Small-cell Vertical Market Breakout Sessions: You will be able to take advantage of being a part of a small group, which will engage in a deeper discussion of the various wireless vertical markets. Speakers dealing with four verticals in small-cell wireless –– health care, campus/stadium, commercial real estate and municipal Wi-Fi –– will move from group to group every 30 minutes, answering questions and giving opinions on the opportunities and challenges each vertical represents. Using this more intimate setting, this session gives you time to talk with our experts about your particular interests in the topics and to share ideas with others.Vertical 1:  Tracking the Heartbeat of Wireless in the HospitalModerator will lead a discussion on the role of wireless in today’s health care organizations. Hospitals offer possibilities for numerous wireless applications, and hospitals represent one of the most complex environments in which to introduce new technologies.Vertical 2:  From the Campus to the Stadium, Wireless Goes Small Bringing smaller cells – whether DAS, Wi-Fi or small cell – to campuses and stadiums is a challenging, high-profile venture.  Moderator will lead a discussion of this unusual mix of outdoor and indoor deployments that must be geared for large influxes of users who are there only for short periods.

Vertical 3:  Municipal Wi-Fi –– The Key to the Intelligent City? Municipalities can be an integral part of the wireless superhighway and if they embrace that role, they will improve their cities on multiple fronts, including revenue and business development. Moderator will explain two critical components –– wireless infrastructure and fiber backhaul –– that cities must have to stay current with mobile technology development.

Vertical 4:  Commercial Real Estate — Connections Trump Locations. In-building wireless networks have elevated the provisioning of wireless communications from an afterthought to the status of an intelligent amenity for commercial real estate development. Corporate site selection committees now list broadband connectivity among the top three criteria. Learn how wireless is helping real-estate developers gain new tenants and increase revenue by marketing their properties to smartphone users.

4:00 p.m. to 4:45 p.m. Conference Wrap up Moderator: Richard P. Biby, P.E., Publisher, AGL magazine

Following is a link to the online registration site…If you’re a government, call me first for the discount code: CLICK HERE TO REGISTER.

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AGL Regional Conferences: Must-Go Events

Given my busy schedule, there are only a few wireless industry conferences I carve out time to attend each year.  My criteria for going to a conference center around factors such as:

  • Quality of the speakers
  • Timeliness of the information
  • Real usability of the information learned at the conference
  • Opportunity to meaningfully network with peers on both sides
  • Value-for-time I spend at the conference
  • Value-for-price to attend the conference

The #1 (with a bullet) conference I make time to get to each year is one (and usually more) of AGL Magazine’s regional conferences.   In fact, I try to get to at least two each year.

Regardless of whether you’re on the government side or the industry side, I think AGL’s regional conferences are the place to be,  the place to hear, and the place to learn.  My entire staff and I will be attending at least two of them this year (Irvine and San Francisco…come up and say hi).

The AGL regional conferences this year are:

  1. March: ATLANTA
  2. April: IRVINE
  3. June: ST. LOUIS
  4. September: CHICAGO
  5. November: BOSTON
  6. December: SAN FRANCISCO

Check out the regional conferences at http://agl-mag.com/aglevents/.  Then sign up to attend one or more of them.  When you see the cost to attend the day-long events (with lunch), no, it’s not a typo.

Finally, if you don’t subscribe to AGL Magazine already, you’re missing out on one of the best sources of useful industry information: http://agl-mag.com/subscribe/

Sign up for their bulletins, as well.

Jonathan

PS: NO, I’m not being paid to endorse AGL…I really do depend on AGL that much as a primary source of “RUS”…Really Useful Stuff.

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Jonathan Atkin on the pending T-Metro marriage

Jonathan Atkin analyzes the wireless sector for RBC Capital Markets, LLC.

Better put, Jon dissects the wireless sector, looking at the players, numbers, and technologies in multiple contexts and from multiple angles spotting nuances leading to a much deeper and more complete worldview of wireless.

I have had the pleasure of hearing Jon present at several AGL regional conferences, and I always walk away from his presentations with a much keener view of the wireless industry and its direction(s).

Jon released a research report a few days ago on the pending T-Metro marriage that is well worth reading and understanding. He summarizes his research this way:

Our initial take is that a potential business combination between T-Mobile and MetroPCS is of dubious merit for Deutsche Telekom under business conditions and public-market valuations. We expect few regulatory barriers to such a deal, and believe Sprint could benefit competitively.

Jon points out that the proposed T-Metro intermarriage is one of different transmission technology religions. This rules out quick systems’ integrations and synergies as each partner will continue to practice its own signal transmission religion for for foreseeable future. He cites Sprint as a much more suitable marriage partner for MetroPCS given that both of them practice the same signal transmission technology religion. (Hey, it’s my metaphor…go with it.)

Not mentioned in Jon’s analysis is that with Sprint’s deployment of its Network Vision project, that firm will be in a much better position to rapidly deploy MetroPCS services from the new Network Vision sites. This would allow Sprint to shutter some/many MetroPCS sites quickly, substantially reducing site lease rental costs, especially at existing collocated Sprint/MetroPCS sites.

The funny thing is that a Sprint+MetroPCS marriage would be much more likely to succeed compared with the disastrous Sprint+Nextel marriage, which, like the pending T-Metro marriage, is based on each marriage partner practicing a different and incomparable signal transmission religion.

Jon notes that even if the T-Metro marriage is consummated, the new shared life of those partners will be distracting early on in their new union, opening the door for Sprint (and Leap Wireless) to push forward. My gut feeling is that a consummated marriage between T-Mobile+MetroPCS will prompt a Sprint+Leap marriage.

Read Jon’s report by clicking here: Hello, Hello, Hallo – Thoughts on Potential DT/PCS Tie-Up.

Jonathan

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Time Warner Making a (Wireless) Ruckus

Ruckus Wireless ZoneFlex 7761-CM installed by Time Warner in Los Angeles, California.

In the midst of its deployment of WiFi (and likely more) in Southern California, Time Warner has started to install WiFi nodes manufactured by Ruckus Wireless, specifically the Ruckus ZoneFlex 7761-CM.

Previously, Time Warner has been widely deploying Belair Networks gear.

The Ruckus 7761-CM is an intriguing node, supporting “8 downstream and 4 upstream bonded channels with theoretical data rates of up to 340 Mbps (downstream) and 130 Mbps (upstream).”  Okay, those are theoretical data rates, but even if they can only achieve half that, this is still a box to be contended with by competitors, and enjoyed by users.

The Ruckus gear, like Belair’s equipment, is plant-powered and strand mounted.  This means that TW (or any cable operator using this configuration of equipment) can often deploy WiFi without going through the joint pole committee for permission, and likely permissibly…or not..bypassing the local cable franchising authority.

An interesting use for the 7761-CM is delivering broadband services from outdoors to extend managed wireless LANs (WLANs) locations and where Ethernet cabling is not feasible.  In English, this means that these boxes can be used to provide point-to-point Ethernet (10, 20, 100 Mbs etc) which would have typically required fiber extension.

In states like California, which restrict how non-cable services are provided via cable plant, this box continues TWs apparent encroachment outside the bounds of its state-issued cable TV franchise and its CPCN restricting deployment of business services to cable users.

For an interesting map of TW’s current deployment, check out Time Warner’s WiFi/3G/4G map here.

WiFi (and 3G/4G) node deployment is something that should be carefully evaluated by governments, and by the DAS industry.

For governments, the questions center around about who regulates what services, permitting, and proper compensation for the use of the public rights-of-way from local users, hourly users, and users from other cable systems and operators granting access on a reciprocal basis.  I’m working with several of my government clients crafting language in their new wireless ordinances to address these issues.

For the DAS industry, its single greatest threat is cable TV’s deployment of wireless nodes using the existing CATV plant for backhaul, and the overhead strand and pedestals for radio mounts.  The cable TV industry beats DAS hands down every time for deployment economics and time-to-market.  For more on this, see my article in the April 2102 edition of AGL Magazine.

Jonathan

PS: I snapped the photo for this article just 1/2 block south of my office here in Los Angeles. -jlk

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One Industry View of 6409

Lisa Murphy
Lisa Murphy, Esq.

Lisa Murphy, of LeClairRyan in Norfolk, Virginia is an attorney representing wireless carriers in land use matters (read: she represents carriers before government agencies). On February 24th, Lisa and I spoke on a panel at the AGL Conference in Las Vegas, which touched on Section 6409’s potential impacts on the siting process.

Not surprisingly, Lisa and I do not agree on how far 6409 will reach to change the siting process.  That said, the views expressed in her recent blog post are well worth considering in the larger context of the national discussions now beginning on how to implement this new law.

At first glance, this would appear to require all state and local governments to approve collocation requests as well as any site upgrades. What is interesting about the language Congress chose is that it left open the possibility that state and local governments could still deny applications for collocation on structures that are not “existing towers”, as was indicated in a February 22nd blog post by Jonathan Kramer, with whom I presented a program last Friday at the AGL Western Regional Wireless Conference entitled, “What We Can Teach Municipalities About Wireless”. Jonathan advises local governments on how the 1996 Telecommunications Act impacts their authority to zone and permit wireless sites and assists municipalities in their review of wireless site applications. Jonathan’s position is that collocating antennas on structures that are not “wireless towers” could still be subject to denial by municipalities depending on the applicable local ordinances and how they define the term “tower”. Our other co-presenter, Robert Jystad, who represents carriers and tower companies on all facets of site development, and I disagreed with Jonathan on the practical impact the new law would have on site development and site upgrades, but all on the panel agreed that this will no doubt lead to interesting conversations at the local and state level, between lawyers for the industry and state and local government representatives.

I disagree with Jonathan and agree with Robert that Section 6409 will likely trump state and local ordinances to the extent that they prevent modifications to “grandfathered” sites, sites that were never zoned or that pre-date current wireless tower ordinances. I also agree with Robert that Section 6409 should apply to collocation on all structures. Unfortunately, there is no record of Congress’ intent with regard to the interpretation of the phrase “existing tower”, but given its plain meaning and Congress’ explicit intent to usurp the authority of state and local governments to deny collocation and site modification requests, the term arguably applies to any structure that can support wireless antennas. In that regard, Section 6409 may also trump zoning conditions imposed on towers that limit antenna collocation and placement. One thing that Section 6409 did not do was waive any existing requirements imposed by the National Historic Preservation Act (“NHPA”) or the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (“NEPA”). As a result, to the extent that a proposed collocation or antenna modification implicates NHPA or NEPA, compliance is still required. Interestingly, Congress did not carve out or exclude from Section 6409 environmental or historical reviews that may be required under state or local law, only federal law.

Lisa makes other interesting and informative points from the industry’s view.  To read her entire blog post click here.  Look around her blog while you’re there.

Recommended.

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Crown Castle Buys Ground Lease-Related Assets

(Reprinted from the AGL Bulletin of January 17, 2012.  You really should subscribe.)

Crown Castle International has acquired a portfolio of ground lease-related assets for $180 million in cash and the assumption of approximately $320 million of debt in a deal with Wireless Capital Partners (WCP).

“While it may appear that they [Crown Castle] are paying a ransom today to [acquire] these 2,300 leases, over the long term this portfolio purchase will bring greater stability to CCI’s site costs,” Wireless site landlord attorney Jonathan Kramer, told AGL Bulletin. “Over the near term, I expect to see more package purchases from the aggregators by the major tower companies, which are morphing into long-term real estate investment trusts.”

The portfolio includes approximately 2,300 ground lease-related assets, including more than 150 related to Crown Castle towers. The assets being acquired generate annual cash flow of approximately $42 million, with 80 percent generated from the big four carriers. The acquisition is expected to close in the first quarter of 2012.

“Given the deeply negative relationship between the aggregators and the tower companies, I wonder whether this deal will bar WCP from building a new portfolio of other Crown Castle sites and doing it to Crown Castle one more time,” Kramer said.

 

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DAS All Folks!

Published in today’s AGL DAS Bulletin: “Predictions 2012: DAS All Folks!”  by yours truly.

If you’re in cable TV industry, the wireless industry, or the DAS industry, you may be surprised by my predictions about the intersection of cable TV and wireless services, and the potential impact on DAS.  You may even agree!

http://www.agl-mag.com/newsletter/DB122811_Kramer.htm

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AGL Denver Conference

The AGL regional Conference in Denver was AGL Magazine Logosimply outstanding in content and value.

I’m not just saying that because I was a speaker.  Frankly, I attend a fair number of conferences where there’s little new for me to learn, but not so at this event.

AGL is known for its down-to-earth approach for useful written content in the magazine, and the conferences have proven to be of even greater value due to the frank viewpoints of the speakers and attendees.

If you have a chance to attend either (or both) of the upcoming AGL regional conferences in Illinois and Florida, don’t miss the opportunity.

Over the next week or so I’ll be posting a few of the most interesting nuggets of valuable information from Denver, similar to what I posted last Thursday.

-Jonathan

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AGL Denver Conference Update 8:50 AM MDT

Brian Allen, Business Development Manager – West, TowerCo says the average monthly revenue per cell site is about $52,000; Predicts that the number of tower sites will double over the next 9 years (to about 525,000), but growth could be substantially greater than that based on other published reports. Lots of outstanding industry stats. More during the day.

Jonathan Atkin, RBC Capital Markets gives he AT&T&T merger a 65% chance of gaining all required regulatory approvals.

Mobilitie’s Keith Plaglusch talking about that firm’s expansion into DAS (in building and outdoors).

More to follow.

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