MTA inks deal to get straphangers wireless

Real Estate Weekly,  Oct 17, 2007  

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The Metropolitan Transportation Authority board has approved an agreement with Transit Wireless LLC, a consortium set to equip the 277 underground New York City subway stations for cell phone and wireless Internet service.

Wireless voice and data communication will improve safety for commuters, transit workers and emergency responders; provide critical information in case of emergencies and added convenience for straphangers who can use cell phones, computers and other devices.

"Transit Wireless looks forward to working with the MTA to provide critical cell phone and wireless Internet communication for millions of New York City subway riders," said Gary Simpson, a partner in Transit Wireless.

"We know there is a need and a demand for this service and, with MTA board approval, we are eager to get started. This will be a challenging project, but Nab Construction has extensive experience working in the subway system and we understand that the first priority is customer and worker safety, and the need to keep the subways running during installation," said Simpson, who also is president and CEO of Nab Construction Corporation. Transit Technologies, a partner in the Transit Wireless consortium, will be responsible for installation of the network.

One critical component of the system, Simpson explained, is that it can locate the precise source of a cell phone transmission and relay this information to the cellular telephone carrier.

For example, if someone calls for help from the north end of the uptown platform in a large station, the cellular telephone cartier has information that could be provided and used by 9-1-1 communications centers so police and paramedics can respond to the exact location.

Transit Wireless LLC is a partnership between Nab Construction Enterprises/Q-Wireless and Dianet Communications and Transit Technologies LLC, which was created specifically to develop transportationrelated wireless projects in New York City. Transit Wireless will design, market, install, own, operate, and maintain a neutral, shared wireless infrastructure to provide seamless, uninterrupted commercial wireless services to New York City subway riders within the 277 underground stations of the subway system.

Within two years of an order to proceed from the MTA, Transit Wireless must install cell phone and wireless Internet service at six stations; secure at least one major cell phone carder for the stations and demonstrate the effectiveness of the system. If it meets" those goals, the partnership must complete the remaining stations within four additional years.

COPYRIGHT 2007 Hagedorn Publication
COPYRIGHT 2008 Gale, Cengage Learning