New York City subways will be getting cellphone service in all 277 city subway stations, reports the New York Times.
A company called Transit Wireless will pay New York City Transit $46.8 million over 10 years, on top of the estimated $150 million to $200 million the network will cost to build.
“It took Alexander Graham Bell less time to invent the telephone than it is taking the MTA to install cell service,” said Rep. Anthony Weiner (D-Queens) who was among those leading the charge for cell service.
Transit Wireless LLC is comprised of communications and construction companies that beat out a bid by AT&T, Verizon, Sprint and T-Mobile.
The company has six years to get all 277 stations up and running. Almost 5 million passengers ride the subways on an average weekday. The 660-mile system includes 468 stations under and above city streets.
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