San Francisco’s Bart Area Rapid Transit system, aka BART, announced a partnership with Mobilitie that will keep rail riders connected, reports OAOA.com. The digital railway initiative will bring continuous 5G to travelers on the line, and to those along route and under the Bay. A newly devised Distributed Antenna System (DAS) will be installed in tandem with the existing 11 miles of MTA tunnels, a project that should be completed by next summer. Small cells near the tracks will extend 5G service to the surrounding communities.
Lisa Doumiaty, Vice President of Wireless Solutions at Mobilitie, said, “As one of the largest public transportation systems in the U.S., we are excited to be working with BART on this very important initiative to improve wireless communications in the Bay Area. BART has demonstrated a clear vision for improving the experience for their riders which is aligned with our mission in California and throughout the U.S. as we build the nation’s 5G infrastructure backbone.”
There are four major components to the BART network project. The first piece involves installing Underground Wireless (DAS) in the downtown San Francisco MTA tunnels. Next, Wayside Wireless Communications will install small cells units along the rail line. Once the groundwork is laid, there will be WiFi connectivity for all the stations and trains. Finally, a substantial broadband fiber plant will be installed along the length of the right-of-way to link the entire Bay Area.
“Providing passengers with seamless and uninterrupted connectivity is one of our top priorities to enhance the customer experience,” said Bob Powers, BART General Manager. “Working with Mobilitie for this digital transformation will improve broadband connectivity across our system and for our riders. Ultimately, people will have better access to real-time information and a more convenient and easier to use transit.”
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