Tower Talks with Inside Towers

Inside Towers

Inside Towers Managing Editor Jim Fryer shares the Ethernet with some of Telecom's key players in this Tower and Wireless Infrastructure News Podcast. Subscribe to the Inside Towers daily newsletter here: https://insidetowers.com/subscription/

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21 episodes
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S7 · E15
Monday · 25 min
#263 - MaxCell: Streamlining Ducted Fiber Deployments
Installing fiber is not easy and involves everything from local permitting, supply chain issues and field construction work. Deploying fiber in underground cable ducts can be especially challenging. Ken Moore, Strategic Account Manager-Broadband at MaxCell speaks with John Celentano, Inside Towers Business Editor about Maxcell’s novel flexible fiber innerduct solutions that help streamline the labor and cost to run fiber cable in buried ducts. Support the show
S7 · E14
September 14 · 30 min
#262 - Harmoni: Managing Tower Company Growth in a Dynamic Environment
Today’s tower business is being impacted by mobile network operator capex adjustments, new spectrum deployments, some carrier consolidation and AI applied to various tower operations. Yannis Macheras, Chief Executive Officer at Harmoni Towers, in conversation with John Celentano, Inside Towers Business Editor, offers his perspectives on running a private tower company in today’s environment. Support the show
S7 · E13
September 9 · 16 min
#261 - FiberLight: How Fiber Networks Support AI Distribution
Demand for fiber connectivity is escalating to support large data transfers in and between data centers, and ultimately, for AI inference applications where they are needed closer to users. Bill Major, Chief Executive Officer at FiberLight joins John Celentano, Inside Towers Business Editor to talk about the surging demand for fiber connectivity and the opportunities and challenges that creates for fiber network operators. Support the show
S7 · E12
August 3 · 16 min
#260 - Allfasteners: Rethinking RAN Deployments
Any discussion about wireless cell site installations usually focuses on antennas, radios and cables. But a lot of ancillary equipment is needed for mounting and protecting radios and antennas at height, so that they function as designed. Calvin Carmichael, Sales Representative at Allfasteners talks with John Celentano, Inside Towers Business Editor about the company’s new Raptor Radome, a special product designed for ease of cellsite installation and operation on flag poles and monopoles. Support the show
S7 · E11
June 8 · 27 min
#259 - Clearfield: From Access to AI, Fiber’s Expanding Role
Discussions at Fiber Connect 2026 addressed fiber deployments across a range of access and transport applications for broadband, wireless, data center and IoT uses. Clearfield bills itself as “The Fiber to Anywhere Company” and offers a wide variety of patented designed and manufactured components and connectivity elements that help speed up fiber deployments at lower labor costs. Anis Khemakhem, Chief Commercial Officer at Clearfield, joined John Celentano, Inside Towers Business Editor, at the event to discuss the opportunities and challenges with achieving efficient and cost-effective fiber deployments across a range of digital infrastructure applications. Support the show
S7 · E10
June 2 · 13 min
#258 - Network Connex: Wireless, Fiber, and Data Center Connectivity Convergence
Fiber Connect 2026 proved to be quite timely and significant at this point in the telecom industry with data center expansion booming, fiber builds ramping up with BEAD funding, and ongoing new tower construction. Doug Wittrock, Chief Operating Officer at Network Connex sat down with John Celentano, Inside Towers Business Editor at the event to share his perspectives and outlook on the opportunities and challenges with designing and building facilities across the range of digital infrastructure asset classes. Support the show
S7 · E9
May 19 · 28 min
#257 - Husch Blackwell: From AI Factories to the Edge: The Next Data Center Shift
Hyperscale data centers, (aka AI factories), are expanding rapidly to develop AI Large Learning Models. However, the notion of edge data centers for AI Inference and high-speed, low-latency applications is getting renewed attention. Rod Carter and Jake Remington, partners at the telecom law practice at Husch Blackwell, discuss with John Celentano, Inside Towers Business Editor, the issues related to planning, locating and operating edge data centers. Support the show
S7 · E8
May 14 · 24 min
#256 - Ontivity: The Evolving Digital Infrastructure Ecosystem
The telecom industry is evolving from distinct wireless and wireline businesses into a broader digital infrastructure ecosystem. Ontivity is a company that is involved in a number of key aspects of designing and building a range of digital infrastructure asset classes. Eric Chase, Executive Chairman of Ontivity, and Dave Mayo, Senior Technology Executive serving on the Ontivity board of directors share their perspectives on these developments with John Celentano, Inside Towers Business Editor. Support the show
S7 · E7
May 13 · 18 min
#255 - Valmont: The Silent Signal Killer, Finding & Fixing PIM
Any kind of RF interference at a call site will diminish connections to cell phones and cause poor service which leads to customer complaints. Unlike active interference from nearby antennas, PIM, or passive intermodulation interference, can be caused by many elements in and around a cell site on a tower. These conditions make PIM hard to detect and mitigate. Drew Martin, Sales Engineer-Interference with Valmont Telecom speaks with John Celentano, Inside Towers Business Editor about PIM – what it is, how to detect it and how to minimize it. Support the show
S7 · E6
May 4 · 28 min
#254 - Fiber Broadband Association: The Dynamic Fiber Broadband Market
Fiber is the key connectivity element that ties together all digital infrastructure asset classes, for consumers and Enterprises alike. Gary Bolton, President & CEO of the Fiber Broadband Association, talks with John Celentano, Inside Towers Business Editor, about the rapid growth, the outlook for the fiber broadband business and the upcoming Fiber Connect event. Support the show
S7 · E5
April 27 · 19 min
#253 - Harmoni Towers: Growth Opportunities for Private Tower Companies
Private tower companies are active in new tower builds and site modifications response to mobile network operator demand for colocations and amendments associated with coverage and capacity expansion. But scaling a tower company involves permitting, financing, competition, and availability of quality assets to acquire. Chas Peterson, Chief Commercial Officer and Aaron Bloom, Senior Vice President-Business Development with Harmoni Towers discuss with John Celentano, Inside Towers Business Editor the opportunities and challenges facing private tower companies as well as the overarching trends they’re seeing in the industry. Support the show
S7 · E4
April 11 · 18 min
#252 - CCA: On Top of Member Legislative Issues
The Competitive Carriers Association (CCA) opens its 2026 Mobility & Connectivity Show tomorrow in Louisville, Kentucky. In this Tower Talks podcast, CCA President and CEO Tim Donovan spoke with Inside Towers Washington Bureau Chief Leslie Stimson before the show about hot topics for the association that represents competitive communications service providers and stakeholders across the United States. The NTIA’s BEAD program, spectrum access, permitting and the FCC’s Universal Service Fund are CCA priorities. So too, is where the Rip & Replace reimbursement fund stands. Support the show
S7 · E3
April 7 · 16 min
#251 - Critical Cabling: Powering Reliable Networks in a High-Stakes Era
A 1988 Chicago-area telecom fire exposed how dangerous traditional cabling materials were, and how digital infrastructure depends on reliable power systems. As data demand grows and network integrity becomes increasingly critical, power conversion products and cabling must deliver consistent quality, resilience, and performance across wireless and fiber networks, and in central offices, and data centers. In this episode, Jack Graves, Vice President, Strategic Verticals at Southwire, and Dave Nelson, Chief Operating Officer at Bekerle Consultants, join John Celentano, Inside Towers Business Editor, to discuss powering the network and the essential components that keep it operating reliably. Support the show
S7 · E2
February 2 · 10 min
#250 - FCC's Commissioner Gomez: What's Holding up BEAD?
Many delays have impacted the federal government’s BEAD program. This and other events have slowed getting shovels in the ground for government help for states and their contractors looking to expand broadband deployment. In this Tower Talks podcast, FCC Commissioner Anna Gomez speaks with Inside Towers Washington Bureau Chief Leslie Stimson about broadband deployment, as well as contested issues like pole attachments, and what the Commission considers when opposing parties both want the same spectrum. Support the show
S7 · E1
January 6 · 29 min
#249 - Palistar Capital: Investing in Digital Infrastructure
The tower business is alive and well. U.S. mobile network operators are expanding their networks and tower companies are benefiting from that increased deployment activity. Smaller, private tower companies remain active with new tower builds and consolidations but need funding. Palistar Capital is a private investment firm that helps small tower companies grow. Omar Jaffrey, Palistar Capital Managing Partner and Founder speaks with John Celentano, Inside Towers Business Editor about the company’s business model and the outlook for the tower business. Hear this and much more on the podcast, available on our website, Amazon Music, Spotify and iTunes. Support the show
S6 · E13
Nov 4, 2025 · 22 min
#248 - Harmoni Towers: Growing a Private Tower Company
Increasing mobile data consumption and closing the digital divide are big drivers for continued capacity and coverage expansion among mobile network operators. Private tower companies have been most active in new tower builds and M&A activity in response to these market drivers. But scaling a tower company has its challenges – financing, competition, availability of quality assets to acquire. Jack Barry, Chief Financial Officer with Harmoni Towers shares his insights with John Celentano, Inside Towers Business Editor, regarding the opportunities and challenges in growing a private tower business. Hear about Harmoni’s recent $620M private placement financing and much more on the podcast, available on our website, Amazon Music, Spotify and iTunes. Support the show
S6 · E12
Oct 28, 2025 · 30 min
#247 - Wireless Water Cooler - Satellite and Telecom discussion with Consultant Tim Farrar
Co-hosts Patrick Halley, WIA President and CEO, and Leslie Stimson, Inside Towers Washington Bureau Chief, discussed the evolution of satellite-to-phone, direct-to-device (D2D) technology with Tim Farrar, founder of TMF Associates. Tim founded his consultancy in 2002 to undertake technical, market and financial consulting across the satellite and telecom sectors. In this discussion, Farrar explains how D2D technology allows standard smartphones to access satellite networks, and highlights the limitations of the technology. The conversation also covers the recent announcement of Lynk Global to merge with Omnispace and the challenges of seamless switching between terrestrial and satellite networks. Support the show
S6 · E11
Sep 2, 2025 · 22 min
#246 - Husch Blackwell: New Towers and Property Values
Residents often push back on new tower developments in their communities for various reasons – location of the tower, how it looks, health risks and lowering of property values. The last point is often the focus of much discussion and debate at municipal hearings. Is this a valid concern for residents? Rod Carter and Jake Remington, Partners in the Telecom Law practice at Husch Blackwell, discuss with John Celentano, Inside Towers Business Editor, the issues and suggested approaches for mobile network operators, tower companies and contractors to address the topic. Support the show
S6 · E10
Aug 11, 2025 · 13 min
#245 - Allfasteners: Supporting Data Center Builds
Modern mounting systems for digital infrastructure equipment go beyond basic frames—they're adaptable, configurable, and designed to secure active gear while providing organized pathways for power and signal cables. Calvin Waskey, with the National Sales team at Allfasteners, discusses with John Celentano, Inside Towers Business Editor, some unique aspects of the company’s mounting systems and where these products are in demand. Support the show
S6 · E9
Jul 28, 2025 · 29 min
#244 - Wireless Water Cooler Hosts Arpan Sura, FCC’s Chief AI Officer
Co-hosts Patrick Halley, WIA CEO and President, and Jim Fryer, Inside Towers Managing Editor, recently chatted with Arpan Sura, Senior Counsel to FCC Chairman Brendan Carr and Chief AI Officer, on their Wireless Water Cooler podcast. In this lively talk, Sura discusses a variety of issues including the Commission’s Build America agenda focused on unleashing high-speed infrastructure builds, restoring America’s leadership in wireless, and strengthening America’s tower and telecom workforce. Sura also discusses Carr’s “Delete, Delete, Delete” initiative, focused on eliminating outdated and unnecessary regulations, among many other priorities. Support the show

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