(BEAD) program, which involves fiber deployment and related infrastructure work. “There are opportunities outside of traditional tower and wireless carrier work, and we’ve worked to educate our members about that,” Schlekeway says, highlighting the customer diversification workshop series offered at the NATE Unite conference as an example. Despite challenges, NATE’s success is ultimately reflected in the thriving industry it operates in, one that embraces the highest standards, ensuring the reliable and safe deployment of critical communications infrastructure across the nation. A hallmark of NATE’s 30-year journey is the transformation of the communications infrastructure industry. What was once perceived as “just” a job has become a respected and professional trade with clear career pathways. As Schlekeway puts it, “Nate is here to serve small business contractors and industry workers” by providing the resources, advocacy, and support needed to thrive in a dynamic and critical sector of the economy. By fostering professionalism, prioritizing safety, and facilitating growth, NATE continues to elevate the communications infrastructure industry, ensuring the connectivity that underpins modern society. NATE believes that the consolidated power of these national carriers has led to pricing structures that do not adequately reflect the increasing costs of deployment services. The implementation of take-it-or-leave-it master service agreements and unit pricing that has not kept pace with inflation has created a difficult operating environment for contractors, leading some to pivot to other industries or even close down. So, the association actively encourages its members to explore opportunities in adjacent sectors where their skills are transferable. Examples include the burgeoning EV infrastructure charging station market, government projects such as the FAA’s 2,000-tower initiative, in-building public safety wireless (DAS), and the significant potential of the Broadband Equity Access and Deployment PREFERRED VENDOR/PARTNER n NATE www.natehome.com 10 BUSINESS VIEW MAGAZINE VOLUME 12, ISSUE 07
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