Wireless Services Launched in Subway’s Core

MBTA General Manager Daniel A. Grabauskas today announced that T customers in some of the subway’s busiest stations can now use their cellular phones and other wireless devices while underground. T customers with services from T-Mobile, A,T&T and Verizon Wireless are able to receive and make calls from the eight train platforms at Park Street, Downtown Crossing, Government Center, and State Street Stations.

Wireless services are also available, for the first time ever, in the train tunnels connecting the four downtown Boston stations that comprise the core of the nation’s first subway.

Each weekday, some 312,000 riders travel through the core of the MBTA’s subway system.

Additional stations and tunnels are expected to be added to the underground wireless network in 2008 and 2009.

“This is a major customer service enhancement for our ridership” said Grabauskas. “Not only can customers make calls, send text messages, and receive T-Alerts while using the subway, they can also access the Internet and check emails. It’s also easier for customers to contact Transit Police if they observe unusual activity or suspcious behavior in an underground station."

The MBTA contracted with InSite Wireless, LLC to design, build and operate a wireless infrastructure solution that allows multiple licensed cellular providers to deliver wireless voice and data services to T riders. The system is designed to deliver seamless service coverage from above ground to station platforms, walkways, and the trains traveling between stations.

Under a 15-year license agreement with InSite Wireless, the MBTA will be paid a minimum of $4 million. As the wireless network expands to other parts of the subway system, additional license fees will be negotiated.