March 25, 2021 | Brought to you by WIA | Preview in Browser About Resources Connect (X) The diversity conversation: Putting words into action WIA – Neptuno USA CEO Leticia Latino-van Splunteren writes about the importance of meaningful efforts to advance diversity and inclusion in this guest article. “While I am all for giving women more opportunities and achieving true equity and equality, I am starting to fear that the approach that is being taken around diversity and inclusion might be making the situation only better on paper and is not truly helping fix the root of the problem. In my opinion, we do not advance this cause by polarizing views; we advance it by changing our mindset.” Read More Biden team prepares $3 trillion in new spending for the economy The New York Times – WASHINGTON — President Biden’s economic advisers are pulling together a sweeping $3 trillion package to boost the economy, reduce carbon emissions and narrow economic inequality, beginning with a giant infrastructure plan. Read More FCC votes to open 100 MHz of mid-band spectrum for auction Inside Towers – Next-gen 5G wireless took center stage at the FCC’s monthly meeting as commissioners voted on auction rules for October’s next mid-band spectrum auction. The agency seeks public input on rules for the auction of 100 megahertz of spectrum in the 3.45-3.55 GHz band. Read More Tech 101: 5G networks in construction Construction Dive – 5G represents the next iteration in speed — at least 10 times faster than 4G LTE, with some experts predicting as much as a 100-fold speed gain. But the technology’s real advantage, especially for construction, is its low latency. Read More FCC takes up formal O-RAN discussion Fierce Wireless – The FCC opened a formal discussion on open RAN, seeking input for a comprehensive record on the state of the technology, benefits and challenges, and how federal policies could help foster development. Read More MU and AT&T collaboration brings 5G technology to campus AT&T – The University of Missouri and AT&T are collaborating on an innovation lab that will bring full 5G+ millimeter wave  capability to MU’s campus. The research and teaching space will feature the bandwidth and the capacity for students and faculty to be on the forefront of innovation. Read More How private cellular networks can support industrial IoT connectivity Machine Design – Manufacturers around the world are seeking to transform their businesses with Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) applications that increase automation, productivity and efficiency by digitizing a variety of factory operations and processes. Read More Sponsored Content T-Mobile’s top engineer took risks to develop 5G network Wall Street Journal – Before T-Mobile US Inc. executive Neville Ray began building 5G networks, he first had to tackle color TV. The British engineer earned some of his first paychecks more than three decades ago by working on radio masts, oil rigs and television-broadcast towers in the Middle East for a Dubai-based contractor. Read More Lockheed Martin signs agreement with Omnispace to explore 5G in space SpaceNews – Lockheed Martin announced it has signed an agreement with Omnispace to share business and technical information on the deployment of 5G networking technology in space. Lockheed Martin is interested in applying commercial broadband and wireless technologies for government use.  Read More Wireless industry executive Todd Stiles was involved in a devastating motor vehicle accident in February and sustained significant and traumatic injuries. As a result, he has a lengthy rehabilitation ahead of him to give him the best chance to make a full recovery. Todd has been a part of the wireless telecom community at large for over 30 years. A GoFundMe page has been started by his family. Several state wireless associations and industry leaders are supporting the effort. You can learn more here. ICYMI • AGL video: A brief talk with WIA’s Tim House • Blog: Broadband funding targeted in COVID-19 relief plan • News: A milestone for telecom training Upcoming Events • Connect (X) All Access: Capital & Finance Summit, April 21, Virtual • Wireless West Conference 2021, April 19-21, Virtual • Mobile World Congress, June 28-July 1, Barcelona • Connect (X), Aug. 3-6, Boston Training & Education Center • DAS and Small Cell Training • Certified Professional Installer Certification Course   This newsletter is brought to you by the Wireless Infrastructure Association. Click here to subscribe. For information or association membership, email membership@wia.org To advertise, email Ashley.Jackson@wia.org or Jan.Smith@wia.org. For information on Connect (X) email Hayley.Dodds@wia.org For information on Training and Education, email Kelsey.Trundle@wia.org Click here to see past issues.