New York wants to offer mobile network in its subway tunnels

New York wants to offer mobile network in its subway tunnels. Huge project that will last 10 years.

“Soon” there will be a mobile network in the New York City subway tunnels. The Metropolitan Transportation Authority announced this week that it is embarking on a 10-year project to connect the 418 miles (672 km) of underground tracks that run through the city and provide them with wireless communications. Transit Wireless will build the necessary infrastructure and pay the remaining $600 million under a public-private agreement between the two organizations.

New York wants to offer mobile network in its subway tunnels

If this name sounds familiar, it’s because Transit Wireless already manages the MTA’s existing Wi-Fi network. It is also a subsidiary of BAI Communications, a company that has done several similar projects in Toronto, Hong Kong and other cities around the world. As part of the deal, Transit Wireless will also connect 191 MTA ground stations and 21 Staten Island Railroad stations via Wi-Fi. The good news for New Yorkers and casual users is that the necessary work will not result in service outages.

A large-scale project that will last 10 years

According to The New York Times, Transit Wireless planned to fund the project by collecting data and leasing fiber optic cables to carriers. The company will begin sharing its earnings with the MTA once it pays off its initial investment. The agency can expect a 20% discount initially, before that amount rises to 40% 15 years after Transit Wireless recovers its costs.

The MTA is not the only transit agency working to provide its passengers with a mobile network. Last year, Transport for London said its underground would offer full mobile access by 2024. In other cities around the world, such as Seoul and Paris, similar structures have been in place for several years.