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Subway wireless service has successful first month, including 911 calls, Transit Wireless reports

New York, NY [ Nov 01, 2011 ]

New York City straphangers in six Chelsea subway stations are satisfied and safer, after one month of underground wireless subway service, Transit Wireless reported today.

"Thanks to our work with AT&T and T-Mobile, our first phase of service has provided robust coverage, fast connections speed, call quality and report high call and data message volumes from the six underground subway stations, with no technical issues since we launched service September 27," said Transit Wireless CEO William A. Bayne Jr. "The Metropolitan Transportation Authority also reports good service with no complaints.

"Since our system provides enhanced 911 emergency calling, where the 911 system can see that a call is coming from a subway station, we believe this wireless service provides increased safety for straphangers."

"AT&T is thrilled that so many of our customers can take advantage of this enhanced service to call, text and download data from certain subway platforms," said Mike Maus, assistant vice president-network engineering, AT&T. "We're constantly working to improve service for New Yorkers no matter where they are in the five boroughs."

"T-Mobile customers have quickly taken advantage of the subway platform service in New York with daily usage doubling since our initial pilot," said Terry Hayes, T-Mobile Vice President General Manager, NYC. "In addition, we have seen numerous public safety benefits with nearly 100 911 calls placed underground in the past month of service."

Police report there have been no robberies in the six subway stations since wireless service was activated September 27.

Currently, wireless voice and data service for AT&T and T-Mobile customers is available in the following stations:

  • A, C, E station at Eighth Avenue and West 14th Street;
  • L station at Eighth Avenue and West 14th Street;
  • C,E station at Eighth Avenue and West 23rd Street;
  • 1, 2, 3 station at Seventh Avenue and West 14th Street;
  • F, M station at Sixth Avenue and West 14th Street;
  • L station at Sixth Avenue and West 14th Street.

Bayne also expects to announce an exciting additional service in the near future.

Transit Wireless is under license to the MTA to provide wireless service in all 277 underground subway stations. As a neutral host, Transit Wireless welcomes all wireless carriers to sign on.

AT&T and T-Mobile have agreements covering the first six stations, with the option to expand as additional subway stations come on line.

In addition to providing wireless service in subway stations, the Transit Wireless agreements with AT&T and T-Mobile benefit subway passengers by providing revenue to the MTA, which will share in the occupancy fees paid by the carriers and other providers of services on the network.

Transit Wireless has begun work on the next 30 stations, including Times Square, Rockefeller Center and Columbus Circle, and expects to provide wireless service in these 30 stations in the next 12 months.