Comments on: In DC, underground cell coverage expanded

By: Alon Levy

Alon Levy — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 03:46:29 +0000

Not just – sometimes you can hear the music loud and clear without the wearer helping out.

By: E. Aron

E. Aron — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 13:18:36 +0000

Right. Because it hasn’t happened to you, it’s true. Good point.

By: rhywun

rhywun — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 11:05:19 +0000

Only when the wearer is also mumbling (or shouting) the lyrics.

By: Benjamin Kabak

Benjamin Kabak — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 03:53:32 +0000

Sound leak from headphones is far more annoying than one-sided cell conversations.

By: rhywun

rhywun — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 03:52:40 +0000

I think there’s enough “noise pollution” on the train already. One-sided conversations are *particularly* distracting, because you sit there trying to fill in the other side of the conversation you can’t hear.

By: Benjamin Kabak

Benjamin Kabak — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 20:18:54 +0000

Except people don’t do that. Half of the system is already cell-equipped because it’s above ground. Cell rage and incessant conversations just aren’t a big problem.

However, the inability to communicate in an emergency, and the productivity lost to a 30-minute data-free subway ride are tangible. Plus, it was painful having to ride home during yesterday’s Yankee game without a way to check the score.

By: E. Aron

E. Aron — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 20:17:27 +0000

Great. Enjoy listening to 100+ people having conversations on the subway.

By: johnq

johnq — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 19:44:44 +0000

“This is the last thing the MTA needs to spend money on.”

Except that the MTA should be able to get the system installed at no cost, and actually make money on the system, as Metro does. From the article:

“Metro’s contract with the team of carriers would generate a minimum of about $25 million during the initial 15-year term and an additional $27 million during five, two-year renewal terms, for a minimum of $52 million over 25 years, officials have said.”

By: E. Aron

E. Aron — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 17:29:48 +0000

This is the last thing the MTA needs to spend money on. Horrible idea for all the obvious reasons already mentioned.

By: rhywun

rhywun — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 03:00:51 +0000

I couldn’t care less about this – with the exception of *possibly* better security (which is something I would like to see someone report on–would this initiative have any effect on safety?). Otherwise, I don’t want to see one thin dime spent on this unless it’s all private dollars. And even if it is privately funded, I still suspect the annoyance will outweigh any positive benefit.