Ep 7. Cell Tower Deaths

In Frontline season 30 episode 7, titled Cell Tower Deaths, viewers will be taken on a deep dive into the dangerous world of cellular tower maintenance. The episode sheds light on the little-known fact that every year dozens of cell tower technicians lose their lives while working on towers across the United States.

The episode begins with the story of climber Timothy L. Connelly, who died in 2013 after falling 300 feet from the top of a tower. Timothy's father, Robert L. Connelly, shares his heartbreaking story with the Frontline crew and gives insight into the challenges and dangers that accompany a career in cell tower maintenance.

The episode then explores the complex web of relationships between carriers, tower owners, and maintenance contractors, and how this web can create risks for climbers. Frontline reporters interview a number of industry experts, including former climbers, union leaders, and legal professionals, to understand the precarious position of technicians who work on cellular towers.

One of the key issues that the episode addresses is the pressure put on contractors to complete work quickly and efficiently, often at the expense of safety. One former climber notes that he was once instructed to work through a thunderstorm because the carrier wanted its network to stay online. This sense that time is of the essence can also lead to shortcuts being taken in safety protocols.

Disturbingly, the episode reveals that many contractors turn a blind eye to Department of Labor regulations around safety training and equipment, leaving climbers with inadequate protection and little recourse when things go wrong. Through interviews with union reps, lawmakers, and attorneys, the episode explores the ways in which regulation of the industry is failing its workers.

Frontline also highlights the psychological toll of the job, as many climbers report feeling pressure to prioritize their work over their own well-being. One climber notes that he was chastised for taking a sick day, despite being unwell, because his absence would put other workers behind schedule.

The episode also examines the racial and socioeconomic disparities in the industry, as climbers of color and those from lower-income backgrounds are more likely to end up in unsafe working conditions. As one union rep points out, many contractors prey on vulnerable populations, offering them hazardous jobs with few protections and poor wages.

Ultimately, Cell Tower Deaths is a sobering look at an industry that most of us take for granted. Frontline illuminates the dangers of cellular tower maintenance, and offers solutions for how to better protect the brave men and women who keep our mobile networks running. By exposing the forces that put climbers in harm's way, the episode provides a clear call to action for regulators, carriers, and consumers alike.