Could Subways Be The Next Wireless Nextwork?

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) is planning to vote next week to allow many companies to build a network inside the New York City Subways.

The companies, known as Transit Wireless, is made up of telecom and construction companies that include Dianet Communications, Nab Construction, Q-Wireless, and Transit Technologies. Transit Wireless was formed to respond to the MTA's Request for Proposal to design, market, install, own, operate, and maintain a cellular network for New York City Transit Authority riders within the city's 277 underground subway stations.

If the proposal is approved next week, Transit Wireless will pay New York City Transit approximately $46.8 million over a 10-year period. Transit Wireless will provide the infrastructure over which wireless carriers will need to offer cellular services. The intention is to have various carriers serve as tenants on the network.

Several carriers have already expressed interest, but Transit Wireless has not been able to negotiate and discuss the project with them since the MTA has not yet given its final approval.