USA: Wi-fi and mobile phone connectivity is to be rolled out across the entire New York Subway network over the next 10 years, following the signing of a public-private partnership agreement offering benefits valued at more than $1bn.
Metropolitan Transportation Authority has selected BAI Communications subsidiary Transit Wireless to provide mobile coverage in 672 track-km of tunnels and expand wi-fi connectivity to 191 above-ground Subway stations, as well as the 21 stations on the Staten Island Railway.
MTA previously worked with Transit Wireless to provide mobile phone and wi-fi connectivity at 281 underground Subway stations in 2017. In 2020 the partners installed phone and data connectivity in the L-Canarsie tunnel between Brooklyn and Manhattan for use by AT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile customers. The new agreement will give travellers the ability to use mobile devices throughout the entire network.
Under the PPP deal, Transit Wireless will design, build and operate a neutral-host network to improve the existing MTA communications systems, requiring an investment estimated at more than $600m. This would leverage the company’s existing communications infrastructure around the city, and would be rolled out in phases over the next 10 years. Work on the project is to begin immediately.
As well as earning revenue from mobile phone providers, Transit Wireless will be able to generate revenue by marketing unused optic fibre capacity to other commercial customers. MTA will take a share of these revenues, in addition to the revenue it already receives from the station wi-fi agreement.
The PPP deal will see the phasing out of payments which MTA currently makes to Transit Wireless for the provision of additional communication services including leased fibre lines, real-time train arrival information and the Help Points communications network. The combined savings to MTA are estimated to be worth $410m, with total benefits over the life of the agreement estimated at more than $1bn in terms of service provided, additional revenue and cost savings.
‘Bringing cell connectivity to the tunnels between stations and wi-fi to above-ground stations is a major step forward in enhancing transit riders’ experience’, said MTA Chair & CEO Janno Lieber. He emphasised that the deal announced on July 26 would ‘also help MTA’s bottom line — a major concern as the pandemic winds down’.
‘We live in a digitally connected world and serve a city that is always on the go’, added NYC Transit President Richard Davey. ‘Having uninterrupted network connection underground will reimagine how New Yorkers travel.’
‘We are proud to expand our partnership with the MTA and provide NYC’s Subway riders with world-class end-to-end internet, data, and cellular communications’, said Transit Wireless CEO Melinda White. ‘Expansion of the riders’ connectivity through the tunnels and across the above-ground stations shows MTA’s ongoing commitment to the rider experience.’
