It’s been years in the making. But it appears Cellular and WiFi service is finally coming to the New York City Subway system.
After years of negotiations, the oldest subway system in the world will join most other major cities around the globe in the “always connected” communications society. Following the disaster of 9/11 back in 2001, many New Yorkers were trapped in subway tunnels underground without the ability to communicate. And it was then that NYC agreed the time had come for subway platforms and the extended subway tunnels to be wired.
The NY Metropolitan Transportation Authority has reached agreement with Transit Wireless, which will complete the wiring work then sell access to AT&T, Verizon, Sprint, and other major carriers. But the addition of cell phone and WiFi service on the tracks will come at more than just the cost of wiring and installation. Although many perpetually connected New Yorker’s will welcome the chance to keep their BlackBerrys, iPhones and iPads online through their commute, others will surely resent the loud and extended phone conversations and text message alerts that will undoubtedly ensue once the service is a go.
But no need to worry — yet. Transit Wireless has been given 2 years to set up testing sites in a handful of NY’s 277 underground stations. Once the testing is complete, they will then have an additional 4 years to connect the rest.
