January 2017 | Business View Magazine

172 173 Advances in wireless are changing the landscape and delivery models for industries as diverse as health care, financial services, higher education, agriculture, energy, avi- ation, utilities, public safety, government and the military. And the National Association of Tower Erectors (NATE), a national trade organization, is providing the “muscle” be- hind this mobility revolution. NATE’s 800 + member com- panies are playing a prominent role as wireless infrastruc- ture service and equipment providers in order to enable this global connectivity. This enhanced technology is vital to meet both our present and future broadband needs and society’s insatia- ble thirst for data consumption. According to annual survey results released by CTIA,The Wireless Association,Americans used 9.6 trillion megabytes (MB) of data in 2015.This data usage is three times the 3.2 trillion MB of data utilized in 2013.The CTIA data compared this growth to the equivalent of consumers streaming 59,219 videos everyminute or roughly 18 million MB! Additionally, according to a report from the Progressive Policy Institute (PPI), next generation wireless networks have the potential to add roughly $2.7 trillion to the U.S. gross domestic product by 2030.This figure equates to an average annual growth boost of 0.7percent or an overall increase of 11 percent in economic output. NATE member companies are on the front lines in terms of deploying these next generation communications net- works. As everyone in the wireless and broadcast industries are acutely aware, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is currently conducting a 600 MHZ Incentive Auction in order to free up valuable low band radio waves spec- trum currently held by broadcasters. This 600 MHZ spec- trum is often referred to as “beach front property” because airwaves operating in this band can travel longer distances The National Association of Tower Erectors The National Association of Tower Erectors Elevatingwireless AT A GLANCE The National Association of Tower Erectors WHAT: A national trade association WHERE: Watertown, South Dakota WEBSITE: www.nate home.com