If you happen to be standing on a New York City subway platform today and you hear your cell phone ring, don’t be alarmed! Yesterday, New Yorker’s officially got underground mobile service.
Following the tragic events of 9|11, New Yorkers were reminded just how detached they are from the rest of the world when they descend those long steps deep into the belly of the city, also known as the subway. For years, cell supporters have been trying hard to pull NYC into the 20th Century with underground cell service and now that dream is a reality. As of yesterday, all carriers, including AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile, etc., and all devices, including iPhone, iPad, Android, etc. were working underground.
In 2007, Transit Wireless was given the green light to install limited cell service at the C/E at 23rd St. and 8th Ave., at the A/C/E/L at 14th St. and 8th Ave., at the F/M/L at 14th St. and 6th Ave., and at the 1/2/3 at 14th St. and 7th Ave., of which they have launched. They now have 5 more years to install service in the rest of New York’s 271 stations, at an estimated cost of $200. million dollars.
So if you’re in NYC and you happen to be at one of the above named stations, feel free to text and talk away. But if you have fears of being stuck on a crowded subway train with dozens of passengers loudly chatting away on their mobile phones, there’s no need to worry. The cell service will only work in the subway stations on the platform and not within the tunnels on a moving train. Whew!
