Business View Magazine - November 2016

Business View Magazine - November 2016 63 3.2 trillion MB of data utilized in 2013. The CTIA data compared this growth to the equivalent of consumers streaming 59,219 videos every minute or roughly 18 million MB! Additionally, according to a report from the Progres- sive Policy Institute (PPI), next generation wireless net- works 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 0.7 per- cent 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 communica- tions networks. As everyone in the wireless and broadcast industries are acutely aware, the Federal Communications Com- mission (FCC) is currently conducting a 600 MHZ In- centive Auction in order to free up valuable low band radio waves spectrum currently held by broadcasters. This 600 MHZ spectrum is often referred to as “beach front property” because airwaves operating in this band can travel longer distances and provide better in-building coverage. Upon the conclusion of this innovative auction, NATE’s contractor companies and equipment supplier mem- bers will be called on to “repurpose” the spectrum by deploying the new antennas and wireless equipment on communications structures located across the United States. This important infrastructure work will help pave the way to enable emerging technologies and networks that are capable of meeting the coun- try’s connectivity and data needs moving forward. NATE members will also be playing a critical role in the build-out of FirstNet, the country’s first nationwide broadband network devoted exclusively to public safe- AT A GLANCE WHO: The National Association of Tower Erectors WHAT: A national trade association WHERE: Watertown, South Dakota WEBSITE : www.natehome.com