Airtower Taps Industry Titans for In-Building Wireless Dominance

WASHINGTON – April 09, 2026 – In a strategic move poised to reshape the in-building wireless landscape, Airtower Networks today announced the formation of a high-profile advisory board featuring a diverse slate of leaders from labor, public safety, real estate, and technology. The appointments, including the presidents of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters and a key representative from the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF), signal a significant shift in how wireless connectivity is viewed—not as a mere amenity, but as a critical component of infrastructure essential for safety, efficiency, and modern operations.

Airtower, a prominent owner-operator of in-building wireless systems, has tasked the new board with providing strategic counsel as it scales its Network-as-a-Service (NaaS) platform. This platform delivers cellular enhancement, managed Wi-Fi, and crucial Emergency Responder Communication Enhancement Systems (ERCES) to properties nationwide. The move comes as demand for reliable indoor connectivity explodes, driven by 5G adoption and the proliferation of smart building technologies.

A Board of Unprecedented Influence

The composition of the advisory board is a clear statement of intent. Headed by Sean M. O'Brien, General President of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, the board immediately gains the perspective of one of the most powerful labor voices in North America. O'Brien's involvement underscores the growing importance of reliable communication for worker safety and productivity.

"Our union members work in most building types across America. When the signal drops, the job gets harder and less safe," said Mr. O'Brien in the announcement. "Airtower understands that, and I'm honored to help them continue pushing connectivity nationwide."

Joining O'Brien are five other industry heavyweights:

• Jay Colbert, representing public safety from the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF), brings a critical first-responder perspective on the life-or-death need for seamless in-building communication.
• Harry Klaff, President of U.S. operations for commercial real estate giant Avison Young, provides invaluable insight into the needs and decision-making processes of property owners and developers.
• Paul Reddick, a former Senior Vice President at telecom infrastructure leader Crown Castle, offers deep expertise in the deployment and strategy of large-scale wireless networks.
• Sachin Shailendra, President of SG Contracting, Inc., contributes essential knowledge on integrating complex systems into new construction projects from the ground up.
• George Turner, the former Chief Commercial and Technology Officer at IHG Hotels & Resorts, brings a sophisticated understanding of the high-stakes connectivity demands of the global hospitality industry.

For a private equity-backed firm like Airtower, which is a portfolio company of CVC DIF, assembling such a board is a classic growth-acceleration strategy. These advisors provide not just expertise but also unparalleled credibility and access to vast networks, helping the company navigate complex regulatory environments and penetrate new markets. "Each of these leaders brings a unique perspective that will be instrumental as we scale our platform," noted Craig Gillespie, CEO of Airtower Networks. "Their collective insight will help shape the future of in-building connectivity."

Beyond Signal Strength: Connectivity as a Safety Imperative

The inclusion of leaders from the Teamsters and IAFF highlights a crucial market driver: safety and compliance. For years, first responders have battled the dangers of radio "dead zones" inside modern buildings. Materials like concrete, steel, and low-emissivity glass, while energy-efficient, effectively create signal-blocking cages, rendering emergency communications unreliable when they are needed most. This challenge has led to increasingly stringent fire codes, such as those from the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and the International Fire Code (IFC).

These regulations now frequently mandate the installation of Emergency Responder Communication Enhancement Systems (ERCES) to ensure 95% to 99% radio coverage in all areas of a building. The upcoming 2025 edition of NFPA 72 is expected to introduce even stricter requirements for system monitoring, survivability, and cybersecurity. For building owners, failure to comply can result in denied occupancy permits, fines, and significant liability. Jay Colbert's presence on the board ensures Airtower's solutions are directly informed by the on-the-ground realities faced by firefighters.

Similarly, Sean O'Brien's participation validates the argument that robust cellular and Wi-Fi coverage is a fundamental aspect of workplace safety. From logistics workers using handheld scanners in a warehouse to construction crews coordinating on a high-rise, dropped signals can disrupt operations, impede access to critical data, and delay calls for help in an emergency.

Redefining Property Tech with Network-as-a-Service

At the heart of Airtower's expansion is its Network-as-a-Service (NaaS) model, an approach designed to remove the primary barriers to upgrading in-building wireless: cost and complexity. Traditionally, property owners faced a significant capital expenditure to design and install a Distributed Antenna System (DAS) or other connectivity solution, along with the ongoing operational burden of managing and maintaining it.

Airtower's model flips this by having the company fund, design, deploy, and manage the entire network infrastructure. Property owners, in turn, pay a recurring service fee, converting a large capital expense into a predictable operating expense. This model is particularly attractive in the current economic climate and aligns with the broader trend of consuming technology as a service.

This strategy is aimed at a market projected to grow exponentially. Industry analysts forecast the global in-building wireless market to surge from approximately $22.78 billion in 2025 to over $63 billion by 2034. This growth is fueled by the simple fact that over 80% of all mobile data traffic originates or terminates indoors. The rollout of 5G, which uses higher-frequency signals that have more difficulty penetrating buildings, only intensifies the need for dedicated indoor solutions.

By assembling a board with expertise spanning the entire building lifecycle—from new construction (Shailendra) to commercial real estate management (Klaff) and specialized verticals like hospitality (Turner)—Airtower is positioning itself to tailor its NaaS offering to the unique demands of each sector. This strategic alignment of industry titans suggests the company is not just aiming to compete, but to define the standard for how modern buildings stay connected.