New York State Governor Andrew M. Cuomo announced that cell phones in underground subway stations will soon be able to pick up Wi-Fi and cell phone coverage.
In a press release, the NY governor revealed that cellular connectivity in the busy NYC underground subways will be working sooner than originally scheduled. The service will allow for AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile and Verizon Wireless users to make phone calls and connect to the Internet, something not currently possible in New York City’s busy transit system.
Governor Cuomo said in a statement that by bringing Wi-Fi and cell service to the underground transit system it will help support the next generation of NYC transit riders. “This will better connect New Yorkers who are on-the-go and build on our vision to reimagine the country’s busiest transportation network for the future.”
The MTA Chairman and CEO Thomas F. Prendergast explained that by working with the four major carriers they were able to deliver cell service connectivity two years earlier than expected.
The MTA and New York State entered into an agreement with Transit Wireless to build the infrastructure and maintain connectivity. In fact, according to the press release, the company has invested over $300 million into the project at “no cost to taxpayers or subway riders.” In addition, Transit Wireless is sharing revenues of the service with the MTA.
The Governor calls this as another “important step” in the ongoing movement to “modernize the MTA”. Just last week, New York City announced the opening of Second Avenue Subway, which is located at the Lexington and 63rd Street Station. The new subway station will provide modern amenities and an underground art museum. The entire project cost more than $17 billion but, the first phase of the line is expected to serve 200,000 daily riders at three new stations.