In a general session at yesterday’s Wireless Infrastructure Show entitled “The Giants of Vertical Real Estate,” the panel’s general consensus was that the outlook for the future is good and getting better. The five-man panel consisted of Steven Marshall, Executive VP and President, U.S. Tower Division, American Tower, Jay Brown, President and CEO of Crown Castle, Jeffrey Stoops, President and CEO of SBA, Alexander Gellman, CEO of Vertical Bridge and David Weisman, President and CEO of InSite Wireless Group.
The session, moderated by WIA President and CEO Jonathan Adelstein responded to a short-answer, rapid-fire series of topics on the FCC Auction, 5G, FirstNet, Small Cells, Smart Cities. “On our worst day we have good growth,” said Crown’s Jay Brown, drawing nods and smiles from the group. New innovations, FCC deregulation and programs all seemed to point to positive growth for the tower industry, its upper tier being no exception.
“FirstNet is exciting because it brings a full new network into play,” Brown said. SBA’s Jeffrey Stoops echoed that sentiment. “Since they are getting a big check from the government it will be good for many years to come,” he said.
5G also bodes well for the bottom line of the major towercos by providing an opportunity for carriers to increase their revenues imparting a positive impact on their landlords. “It means lots of new antennas and lots of work coming down for our industry,” Stoops said. Vertical Bridge’s Alex Gellman concurred. “It gives carriers a chance to expand their revenue base,” he said. The rise of “smart cities” will be a contributor to fostering the next wave in telecommunications, the panel concurred.
Asked by Adelstein if the ‘big guys’ worried about the encroachment of small cells and their effect on macros towers, the panel was in unison once again. “I’m not aware of any instance where a small cell replaced a macro cell,” Stoops said. “Macros provide basic coverage, small cells provide capacity. It’s a complementary relationship,” he said to nods all around from the panel. “In the end the competition is not with small cells but with allocation by the carriers.” Brown agreed, comparing small cells to lamps and macro towers to overhead lighting.
The governmental winds are also blowing in the industry’s favor. “Net neutrality and tax reform will have positive impacts,” Stoops said.
May 24, 2017
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