Telecommunications Industry Therapy

Hosted by Scott Stekr and Michelle Kang

Business Education

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Episodes

Latest episode

Oct 2026

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EN-US

About the show

Podcast discussing issues arising from the rapid advancement and deployment of telecommunications infrastructure. The Podcast is hosted by industry veterans Michelle Kang and Scott Stekr. In Each episode, they will be joined by subject matter experts discussing a wide array of topics which have an effect in the current state of the industry. Provided by the Telecommunications Industry Foundation, TIF. https://tifonline.org/

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59 recent

October 20, 202621 min

Equipment Installation Quality: Why the Same Issues Keep Showing Up

On this episode of Telecommunications Industry Therapy , hosts Michelle Kang and Scott Stekr talk with two Ericsson experts about wireless equipment installation quality. Anton Garcia is Head of Continuous Improvement, Networks Construction and Engineering, and a TIF board member. Praveen Chandrasekaran is Networks CNE Engineering Services Director. They cover: The three most common issues: RF connectors that are torqued too loose or too tight, poor weatherproofing and crossed jumpers. Then dirty, damaged or misrouted fiber. Then antennas set to the wrong azimuth or tilt compared with the RFDS. Why they happen: Training and standards are widely available. The trouble is pressure to move fast, which leads to shortcuts like torquing by hand or reusing old fiber. Working at height adds gloves, dust, moisture and fatigue. What it does to the network: High VSWR, PIM, coverage gaps, intermittent faults and sectors going down. End users feel it as dropped calls and slow speeds. How quality is checked: Ericsson audits every site physically and logically, and records the performance and alarm baseline before work starts. Techs are expected to leave every site alarm free. How to improve: Lower technician turnover, a steady workflow instead of peaks and valleys, better prep before site visits, and industry collaboration on hardware that makes the job simpler, like one-click torque products and fiber that resists contamination. These issues haven’t changed much in a decade. Coax, jumper and fiber installation likely drive about 80% of site-level alarm faults. Large rollouts usually start with poor quality, but once crews get repetition and consistency they exceed most KPIs by peak production. To learn more visit tifonline.org

September 13, 202621 min

The Use Case Question: 5G and 6G

5G has been deployed long enough that the interesting question is no longer what it promises — it's what it actually does. Meanwhile, the industry conversation has already shifted toward 6G. This episode features Peter Linder, Head of Thought Leadership, North America at Ericsson. Peter brings research and data, not just projections, to a look at the use cases running today: coverage, the device ecosystem, how the network supports mobile applications, fixed wireless access, and first responder communications. From there we look at where 6G is headed and what it's being designed to solve. A grounded listen for anyone building, deploying, or investing in wireless infrastructure. To learn more visit tifonline.org

August 11, 202620 min

Above the Tower: Satellite's Role in Telecom

Satellites have moved from a niche corner of telecommunications to the center of the conversation. Low-earth-orbit constellations, direct-to-device service, and new spectrum arrangements are reshaping assumptions about coverage, capacity, and what terrestrial networks are for. This episode features Tim Farrar, President of TMF Associates, who has spent more than 30 years analyzing the telecom and satellite industries and has advised operators, suppliers, and investors across both sectors since founding the firm in 2002. We talk about how satellites fit into the industry today, where the economics work and where they don't, what direct-to-device means for carriers and infrastructure owners, and what to expect over the next several years. To learn more visit tifonline.org

July 20, 202623 min

AI in the Network, AI on the Network — with Iain Gillott, WIA

Iain Gillott, VP of Innovation & Technology at WIA, joins us to draw a distinction the industry keeps blurring: AI on the network versus AI in the network. On the network, consumer behavior is shifting — mobile data traffic that used to flow into search and streaming is increasingly flowing into AI prompts. Same bytes, different bucket, with real implications for how carriers forecast demand and where society ends up as these tools become default. In the network, AI is changing how the network itself gets built. Iain walks through how operators are using AI to identify where capacity is needed versus where coverage is needed, and how it's reshaping RF design, deployment planning, and day-to-day network operations. A grounded conversation about what's actually changing in wireless infrastructure — and what's still hype. To learn more visit tifonline.org

July 3, 202624 min

Ground Truth: Corrosion, Anchors & Asset Integrity

In this episode, we sit down with Tyler Blob and Brian Bicknese to unpack their co-authored white paper on Direct-Buried Steel Corrosion & Guy Anchors — a practical guide for owners, engineers, and operators managing aging and new infrastructure alike. Discuss Outlines practical approaches for site design, maintenance, and condition assessment as part of an effective corrosion management program. Addresses both existing and new structures, the paper highlights how owners can manage corrosion risks while complying with applicable standards, including ANSI/TIA-222 and the International Building Code. Focuses on anchor shafts for guyed masts—while remaining broadly applicable to all direct-buried steel- this guidance delivers industry-backed strategies for corrosion prevention and long-term asset integrity. Link to White Paper : https://tifonline.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Anchor-Corrosion-White-Paper.pdf White Paper on Direct-Buried Steel Corrosion & Guy Anchors Authors include : • Christina Minor, Scott Wirgau – American Tower Corporation • Glenn Bigler, Ken Hill – Crown Castle • Mark Foster – SBA Communications Corporation • Tyler Blob – Array Digital Infrastructure • Aaron Pratt – Verizon • Andrew Kurtzman – Telecommunications Industry Association • Michelle Kang – Colliers Engineering & Design • Scott Kisting – Proactive Telecommunications Solutions • Brian Bicknese – NATE To learn more visit tifonline.org

June 1, 202618 min

Standards in the Age of AI: The TIA-942 Story

In this episode, we sit down with Tom McGarry, VP of Standards at the Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA) , to explore the ANSI/TIA-942 standard—the Telecommunications Infrastructure Standard for Data Centers. Tom walks us through what the standard actually covers: the minimum requirements for data center design, construction, and operation across telecommunications, power, physical security, and mechanical infrastructure. He explains the four resilience ratings that classify data centers by their level of redundancy and fault tolerance, and why those ratings matter to the people relying on these facilities. A major focus of the conversation is TIA's certification program. Tom describes how independent verification bodies conduct certification, what motivates data center operators to pursue it, and how the process works in practice. We dig into the downstream effects too: how certification builds trust with end customers and gives regulators confidence in a facility's reliability and security. The discussion then turns to the future. With AI driving unprecedented demand and reshaping data center requirements, Tom shares how the standard has evolved—including the recent revision C, updated to address AI workloads—and what new considerations the standards body is exploring for upcoming versions. Finally, Tom makes a call to action: he outlines the support the ANSI/TIA-942 standards body needs to keep pace with rapid technological change, and how individuals can get involved and contribute to shaping the standards that underpin the world's data infrastructure. To learn more visit tifonline.org

May 6, 202622 min

Why Mount to Tower Interaction Matters More Than Ever

In this episode, we sit down with Lemmy Recinos , Senior Structural Engineer at KPFF Consulting Engineers to discuss one of the industry’s most important evolving topics — Mount to Tower Interaction (MTI). As one of the primary authors of the PAN titled “The Last Piece of the Structural Analysis Puzzle – Mount to Tower Interactions,” Lenny shares insight into what MTI checks are, why they have become critical with the growth of LTE and 5G deployments, and how ANSI/TIA-222 addresses these requirements. The conversation also explores what is — and is not — included within the scope of MTI evaluations, along with the practical challenges engineers face implementing these analyses in the field. To learn more visit tifonline.org

April 24, 202650 min

Microwave Backhaul Site Selection: Expanding Rural Connectivity with Scott Vance & Lynn Burnett

In this episode, we sit down with Scott Vance, Founder of Vance Engineering, and Lynn Burnett, Microwave Systems Engineer, to explore their recently co-authored Planning Advisory Notice (PAN): Microwave Backhaul Site Selection . https://tifonline.org/contentresources/microwave-backhaul-site-selection/ This discussion breaks down how microwave radio systems offer a practical, cost-effective solution for wireless backhaul—especially in rural and underserved regions. Scott and Lynn walk through the full picture, from technical design considerations to real-world deployment challenges. Key topics include: • Strategic site selection and terrain analysis • Frequency coordination and spectrum considerations • Navigating regulatory requirements • Overcoming natural and manmade obstructions • Expanding connectivity across vast, hard-to-reach areas To learn more visit tifonline.org

February 8, 202621 min

Inside NATE: Collaboration, Safety, and What’s Next

In this episode, we’re joined by Todd Schlekeway , President & CEO of NATE: The Communications Infrastructure Contractors Association , to reflect on 2025, a milestone year for the organization as it celebrated 30 years of advancing the telecommunications infrastructure industry. Todd shares highlights from NATE’s 2025 accomplishments , including strategic partnerships with OSHA and the FTC that align around shared goals for safety, compliance, and workforce protection. We also discuss NATE’s growing collaboration with the Telecommunications Industry Foundation (TIF) —including the launch of the “For the Good of the Industry” campaign, resource sharing initiatives, a new collar mount safety video, and the joint release of a white paper on Direct Buried Steel Corrosion & Guy Anchors . The conversation also looks ahead to NATE UNITE , taking place February 23 in Las Vegas , and the exciting expansion of hands-on tower activities, competitions, and new experiences at this year’s event. A must-listen conversation on collaboration, safety, and what’s next for the telecom infrastructure industry. To learn more visit tifonline.org

January 4, 202632 min

Working at Heights with James Ruedlinger

James Ruedlinger VP of Engineering at Fullwave Tower & Broadcast joins us for an in-depth conversation on the realities of working in wireless infrastructure and broadcast construction. James shares firsthand experience on the full scope of broadcast construction—from pre-site planning and safety preparation to managing known challenges on-site and handling critical construction information in real time. We also dive into the physical and mental demands of tower work, the biggest misconceptions about the industry, and what stakeholders can do to better support construction crews and tower technicians. To learn more visit tifonline.org

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