The subway tunnels of New York City will undergo a connectivity overhaul using small cell and DAS infrastructure to provide cell service between stations and bring WiFi to all 191 above-ground subway and 21 Staten Island Railway stations. The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) recently announced a public-private partnership to provide coverage throughout all 418 track miles of subway tunnels.Transit customers currently enjoy cellular and WiFi service at all 281 underground subway stations through Transit Wireless, a BAI Communications Company. A proposed expansion would transform the subway system into a fully digitally connected transit network that gives riders the ability to use their mobile devices throughout the entire subway system.
“Bringing cell connectivity to the tunnels between stations and WiFi to above-ground stations is a major step forward in enhancing transit riders’ experience,” said MTA Chair and CEO Janno Lieber. “And the deal MTA has landed will also help the MTA’s bottom line – a major concern as the pandemic winds down.”
The projected buildout will enable Transit Wireless to improve the existing MTA communication system and generate revenue by marketing unused fiber to private customers. Transit Wireless would design, build and operate a neutral-host network that provides every subway tunnel in the system with a wireless communication connection.
In recent years, the MTA said it has made significant strides improving connectivity which included partnering with Transit Wireless to bring cell service and WiFi to all underground subway stations in 2017, and in 2020, bringing cellular coverage and data connectivity to the L Train tunnel. The connection between Brooklyn and Manhattan on the L line became the first tunnel in the New York City subway system to have full connectivity, for AT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile customers.
“We are proud to expand our partnership with the MTA and provide NYC’s subway riders with world-class end-to-end internet, data, and cellular communications,” said Transit Wireless CEO Melinda White. “Expansion of the riders’ connectivity through the tunnels and across the above-ground stations shows MTA’s ongoing commitment to the rider experience.”
Overall, the project is expected to result in over $1 billion in benefit for the MTA and its customers over the life of the agreement in terms of service provided, additional revenue and cost savings. Work on the project will begin immediately and be completed in 10 years. Riders will be able to use the new services as each section is completed.
Transit Wireless will build out the necessary infrastructure, an investment likely to be over $600 million. This build leverages the company’s existing infrastructure located throughout NYC. As the system is built out, the MTA will share in the revenues Transit Wireless receives from cell providers and other commercial customers, adding to the revenue from the station agreement.
Further, the MTA will phase out the payments it currently makes to Transit Wireless for additional communication services such as leased fiber, real-time train arrival information and Help Points, the communication system that offers immediate access to 911 assistance and information with the touch of a button.
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