Archive for Subway Cell Service
Mar
03
Amtrak, now with some wireless internet
Posted by: | CommentsOver the last three and a half years of writing here, one of the recurring topics has focused on Internet access or lack thereof on the region’s commuter rail lines. The MTA has been engaged in a never-ending attempt to wire its underground subway system for basic cell service, and Sen. Chuck Schumer has called for wireless access on the MTA’s commuter rails. It truly is a matter of economics and productivity because people with Internet don’t suffer through time lost to commuting. Maybe people can spend more time with their families because they can get work done on their rides into and out of work. Still the efforts continue with no real end in sight.
Earlier this week, though, Amtrak kinda sorta joined the wireless fray. The national rail carrier announced wireless internet access for Acela Express passengers this week. Access is free on board all Acela Express trains, in stations in D.C, Baltimore, Philadelphia, New York, Providence and Westwood, Massachusetts and in all ClubAcela lounges. Unfortunately, Amtrak says it won’t be extending access to its non-Acela trains in the near future. For a country so obsessed with productivity, the lack of non-phone carrier Internet access along our train lines is a technological step backward.
Oct
19
In DC, underground cell coverage expanded
Posted by: | CommentsOver the last few years, I’ve followed the MTA’s attempt at bringing cell phone service to its underground platforms while, at the same time, exploring how Washington’s WMATA has far surpassed the MTA in this technological effort. This past weekend, the Metro moved yet another step ahead of New York City as it expanded cell service at its busiest stations. While Verizon customers have enjoyed underground coverage for years, Friday marked the start of underground service for AT&T, Sprint Nextel and T-Mobile at the system’s 20 most popular stations.
Friday’s service debut was just the start of an ambitious roll-out of cellular subway service. By the end of next month, D.C. straphangers will enjoy continuous street-to-platform coverage, and in a year from now, the unwired 27 underground stations will be hooked into the cell network. In Oct. 2012, full underground service inside the tunnels will debut. As D.C. moves ahead, here in New York, we’re just spinning our wireless wheels waiting for someone to bring cell service to the subways.
Aug
25
DC’s Metro moves toward a fully wired system
Posted by: | CommentsIn Sept. 2007, the MTA announced plans to wire all underground subway stations for cell service. Nearly two years later, nothing has come from the ten-year contract the MTA inked with a less-than-secure company. Meanwhile, a few hundred miles to the south, the District of Columbia’s WMATA is continuing their slow and steady march to a fully equipped underground cell network, and the transit authority’s plans to wire their tunnels within three years is still on target.
According to a report last week on DCist, the WMATA is set to unveil the first phase of its plan in October. Shortly after Columbus Day, cell service for all four major carriers will be available in the 20 busiest Metro stations. By the end of 2010, the rest of the system’s underground stations will have cell service, and by October 2012, the tunnels will be cell-equipped as well. I know New York’s system is far older and more expansive than DC’s Metro. I know the challenges are greater in the city, but DC has been working to implement service since 2000. New York’s own MTA continues to fall further and further behind its technologically-advanced competitors.
Mar
03
DC to enjoy full Metro cell coverage by 2012
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Cell service in the New York City subway has become something of a afterthought around town. Every two years or so, the story pops up in the news, and the MTA claims cell service underground is “coming soon.”
In fact, 18 months ago, the MTA signed a contract to start rolling out cellular service to every underground station. The pilot program was originally supposed to be ready two years after that. I wonder if we’ll actually see cell service in six months or so. Anyone want to bet on it?
Meanwhile, down in DC, where the cavernous Metro is, at some places, hundreds of feet deeper than the New York City subways, cell service for Verizon customers has been a fact of life for DC riders since the WMATA and Verizon started developing a system back in 1993. This collaborative effort between the transit agency and a cell carrier led to a Verizon-built and -owned network, and the WMATA got a free underground radio system out of the deal.
Yesterday, Metro announced that the entire system would be covered by all major U.S. cell carriers and Wi-Fi service by 2012. New York will have to play catch-up soon. Dr. Gridlock of The Washington Post reports:
Twenty of the busiest underground stations will have expanded cell phone service by the end of this year, and the entire rail system will be equipped by 2012, Metro said in an announcement this afternoon…
Four companies — Verizon Wireless, Sprint Nextel, AT&T and T-Mobile — will build a new wireless infrastructure in the underground rail system during the next four years, the announcement said. The companies will design, build, operate, maintain and own one wireless network. They also will build a second wireless network, which Metro will own, operate and maintain for its operational and public safety communications…
The wireless contract will generate a minimum of nearly $25 million during the initial 15-year term and an additional $27 million during the five, two-year renewal terms, Metro said. Other FCC licensed and unlicensed carriers can gain access to the networks either through entering into agreements with Metro or the group of carriers, all of which will produce additional revenue for the transit agency.
Thus, the obvious question: If the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority can enter into such a favorable deal, why can’t the Metropolitan Transportation Authority?
I understand that New York City’s system is far more extensive and significantly older than D.C.’s Metro. It’s also much closer to the surface and, to my amateur eye, would seem to be far more conducive to underground cellular service than a system that features stations 160 feet below ground.
While the MTA struggles to find money to cover operating expenses, the transit agency has to keep an eye out to the future. It has to be able to maintain New York’s competitive edge in a cutthroat global economy. Inevitably, that means equipping the city with a state-of-the-art transportation system. If DC can do it, so could New York.
Nov
07
‘Who are you texting 50 service alerts a day?’ ‘IDK, my bff, MTA.’
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Now, we’re talkin’ service alerts. Or is that texting?
Nearly three months after a torrential downpour led to a system-wide failure of the subways that exposed the MTA’s deep-rooted communications problems, the MTA has issued a request for proposals for a text message alert system. A press release from the MTA has more:
The MTA is seeking the services of an external firm to provide a common platform for an all-agency service alert system that can be used by operations staff and public information officers at MTA operating agencies to notify customers of any events that might disrupt their normal travel. The agency is hoping to begin providing the service to customers by the spring of 2008.
The proposed system would send text messages or e-mails to customers’ designated e-mail accounts, cell phones, PDAs and other similar communications devices – in as close to real-time as possible. Such messages would include notification of planned service disruptions such as scheduled track work that might result in weekend delays or alternate train routing, as well as unplanned disruptions resulting from fires, storms, flooding or other emergency conditions.
This plan — similar to ones already in place in New Jersey and Washington, DC — is a welcome development. It first hit the news one week after the flood and was featured as a prime recommendation in the report on the MTA’s failings during the flood.
MTA CEO Elliot “Lee” Sander noted that a text message alert system had been in the works prior to the flood. That August morning’s event simply served as a catalyst to get the ball rolling faster.
“Better customer communication has been high on my priority list since I came to the MTA earlier this year,” Sander said. “The flooding on August 8 made it clear that timely text and email alerts are necessary, and I am confident we can find a third-party provider with the processing power to carry this out. It will no doubt be the largest such customer service alert system in the nation.”
As it stands now, the MTA is anticipating well over one million subscribers to their text message alert system, and they have to search for outside agency to handle the volume because they simply do not have the server capacity to handle such a large system. We all know that the MTA’s website has a history of breaking down under pressure, and I’m glad to see the Authority calling for a little outside help.
Eventually, all the MTA’s e-mail alert systems will be housed under one roof, and we’ll all be happy knowing that the latest service advisory is just a text message away.
Oct
15
This morning, during the piece on the shakey future of Transit Wireless, I teased you all with promises of some ridiculous stories about subway cell service. Well, wait no longer because here they are.
First up is Councilman Oliver Koppel, a Democrat from the Bronx. Mr. Koppel wants promises of cell-phone-free subway cars. I’ll give you a second to catch your breath from all of the laughing.
Here’s the story: Councilman Koppel is rightly concerned that some riders will be annoyed when others start shouting into their cell phones on the subway. Instead of limited cell service to platforms only, Mr. Koppel has proposed cell-free zones, much like those used by Amtrak on their long-haul runs, in subway cars. Better yet, Mr. Koppel claims that passengers will be self-policing when it comes to designated cell-free zones.
Come on, Oliver. Haven’t you ever ridden the subway? Haven’t you enjoyed sitting next to someone with their iPod up so loud you can hear the words to the songs they’re listening to? Haven’t you enjoyed the singular pleasure of sitting in a car with someone playing music out of their cell phones with no headphones? If he really thinks subway riders are going to be self-policing when it comes to cell-free zones, I have a bridge to sell Councilman Koppel.
But wait. It gets better. I know, unbelievable, but stick with me. Another council member is worried that passengers on their phones may lose focus of their surroundings and wander off the platforms and on the tracks. Councilman Simcha Felder — proud supporter of the F Express Plan — may take the cake with this one. Colin Moynihan at The Times’ Cityroom blog reports:
A different concern was raised by Councilman Simcha Felder, who said that he feared that riders might become engrossed in platform phone conversations and mistakenly wander off of the edge of the platform and fall onto the tracks below. He asked that phone reception be halted at the broad yellow stripe that lines the edges of most platforms.
“Why does there have to be cell service to the end of the platform?” he asked. “At least this way it would automatically stop people from walking into the trains or walking off the platform.”
I have no sarcastic comment for that one. It wins. Hands down. What more can I say?
This city has 191 above-ground or at-grade subway stations that already cell phone friendly. How many people have ever wandered into the path of an oncoming train because they were so engrossed in their conversation that they completely lost track of their surroundings? I’m not sure what Mr. Felder does when he’s on the phone, but I think most people maintain at least a minimum level of awareness of what’s around them. People don’t walk into each other (often) or into the paths of oncoming trucks while ambling around the city with their cell phones. They certainly won’t fall onto the subway tracks because they’re on the phone.
So there you go. Your elected officials: worrying about things that are so beyond the realm of believability.
Oct
15
Did the MTA sign a cell service contract with a bogus company?
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At the end of September, the MTA and Transit Wireless announced a multi-million-dollar deal that would usher in the age of cell phones in the subway. Since these two groups completed their 10-year deal, things were silent on the cell phone front, but this past weekend witnessed a flurry of news — one good, one bad, and some just plan ol’ ridiculous — concerning the upcoming arrival of cell-equipped subway platforms.
Today, I’ll tackle this news in two parts. First up is the good and the bad. Later on, we’ll get to the ridiculous.
In the age of terrorism, the MTA is astutely aware that cell phones can be used to trigger underground detonations. To that end, in case of an emergency, the MTA is prepared to crack down on underground cell phone use by non-MTA employees.
In principle, this is a great idea. Once emergency response protocols are in place, MTA workers and police officers can limit cell phone use. But what about in the first few minutes of panic and confusion when a terrorist is most likely to use a cell signal as a remote detonator? I’m no terrorism or emergency response expert, but I would have to believe that simply expressing a wish that people don’t use their phones to contact loved ones during an emergency probably won’t work.
If that’s what I consider good news, what’s the bad? Well, Michael Rundle at Metro brings us a story about the precariousness of Transit Wireless. It sounds like the MTA signed a 10-year deal worth around $200 million with a company that doesn’t really exist and may not have the funds to pay up or implement its plan. The details, if you will:
The company tasked with bringing cell phone service to 277 subway stations within six years is a startup with no secured financing and their deal with the Metropolitan Transportation Authority could fall through, according to testimony at a City Council hearing on Thursday…
But under questioning from the City Council Transportation Committee, MTA Deputy General Counsel Jerome Page said a necessary stage in securing the plan — a Notice to Proceed — has been withheld from the company pending secured financing. “The MTA has entered into an agreement with TW that seems too good to be true,” said committee chairman John Liu. “Not only is it supposed to cost the MTA nothing, the MTA believes it may even garner some revenue for the MTA. However, a crucial element is missing — sound financial backing.”
While Liu fears that the MTA will be “back at the drawing board a year, two years from now,” I’m just enjoying a good chuckle over this story. Of course the group with the best bid is the one least able to fulfill the terms of the deal, and if Transit Wireless has to back out of the deal, it seems unlikely that the MTA could sue the nascent group because they would have no assets. Considering that no wireless carriers have signed on to the deal yet, I wouldn’t be surprised to see this whole thing fall apart in the blink of an eye.
So as we sit and wait for the cell service plan to fall apart, check back later — around 1 p.m. — for some funny stories that came out of last week’s City Council hearing on the cell phone service. I can’t make this stuff up.
Sep
24
Subway cell service no sure thing without carriers
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Abusing sleeping people is just one of the many things you can already do with your cell phones in the subway. (Photo by flickr user Dr Joolz)
When last we saw the underground cell phone service plan, the MTA had just announced a $46.8-million deal with Transit Wireless to equip the subway stations with cell service. But what if you install a cell service system and no carriers come?
That’s the question Scott posted in his comment, and that’s the question Crain’s New York Business pondered as well. The business journal noted that “it remains to be seen” if cell service providers are going to pony up the dough to provide customers will snippets of cell service in areas where customers spend a relatively minimal amount of time.
Amanda Fung reports:
Some question how Transit Wireless will recoup all the money it has to spend on building the network. While it will be technically challenging to wire the stations, once a network is set up and operational, the success of it is riding on the wireless carriers’ participation. Carriers will have to determine if offering cell phone service on the subway platforms and stairwells will generate more revenue per user or reduce churn rate, analysts said…
A spokesman for Sprint Nextel said the company will review the fees and determine if it makes sense for the company to participate.
Verizon Wireless and T-Mobile would not comment on their plans. AT&T Wireless, which led a competing consortium made up of the other major carriers, declined to comment because it said the MTA had not informed the company of its decision.
Supposedly, Transit Wireless has already fielded inquiries from at least one wireless provider, but without AT&T on board, the MTA’s and Transit Wireless’ plan will lose much of it luster. Right now, AT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile duke it for the top spots. If AT&T users — including those using the iPhone — can’t take advantage of the system, you’ll end up with a poor excuse for a cellular system.
For a comparison there, look no further than Washington, D.C. When I lived in D.C. from August 2005 until June 2006, I could never use my then-Cingular/now-AT&T cell phone in the Metro because AT&T hadn’t opted to sign on to the service terms for underground signal retransmission. To tell you the truth, I wasn’t missing much.
This Holy Grail of subway cell service may just end up as another idea that sounded good on paper but didn’t work out economically. If the carriers don’t sign on, kiss that late-night underground phone call good bye.
Sep
20
Annoying cell phone conversations coming soon to a platform near you
Posted by: | Comments Fade in on a nearly-empty subway station. It’s 2:30 a.m., and you’re stuck at the 2nd Ave. subway stop waiting for an F train that never shows up. Mostly drunk and dead tired, you just want to sit there quietly until the train rolls up to shuttle you back to Brooklyn.
But the air is pierced by an all-too-familiar sound. It’s that blasted Nokia ringtone you’ve come to know and despise. As the loud, obnoxious cell phone user proceeds to shout the amazing details of how a friend just puked all over the bathroom at d.b.a, you can’t help but think about how you wish the MTA had simply kept the subways cell-phone free.
Now, I know what you, reading this on Sept. 20, 2007, are thinking: What a far-fetched scene. The MTA hasn’t been able to get its act together in well over two years of talking about subway cell service. What makes me think they can do it now?
Aug
28
‘It just ain’t that big…’
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That Guy, right, just doesn’t need that much space to air out his crotch. (Photo by flickr user strohchop)
Everyone can tell a story about the time that guy on the subway had his legs spread. You know that guy. He’s the one taking up space for three people because he either can’t close his legs or feels a special compulsion to share his crotch with a trainload of commuters.
No one elicits more groans than that guy. Boarding a train during rush hour in search of a seat, you run into that guy, and your commute home is ruined. You glare at him without making eye contract. You try to nudge your way into a seat with no success. It’s happened to us all.
Well, one more in Melbourne, Australia, is sick of this rude behavior and won’t stand for it anymore. Martin Merton, an American expert on subway etiquette, will soon be publishing a book in Australia called There’s No I in Carriage. The book, according to Dr. Merton’s Website, covers topics ranging from the obnoxiously loud cell phone user or iPod-headphones wearer, the rider unable to hold in a fart for the duration of the trip and of course the perennial favorite, the seat hog.
Now, I know what you must be thinking: Who in their right mind would write a book about subway etiquette? This can’t be real, right? O ye of little faith. Of course it’s real. Or at least that’s what Connex Melbourne, the company in charge of Melbourne’s subways, wants you to believe.
Connex is relying on viral videos produced with maximum kitsch featuring a fake psychology to drive home points relating to real-life subway etiquette. And they’re pretty funny. In the video relating to leg spreaders, embedded below, Dr. Murtin recommends releasing live chickens to attack the offending crotch.
I have to wonder if this could work in New York too. The subways could use a little more humility and etiquette and a little less pushiness. But considering that only 5.3 people a day see and say something, this viral campaign would probably just fall flat in New York. But the next time you see a crotch where three people should be sitting, just think chicken.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rLBX35ERHq8]
For more of Dr. Merton’s videos, check out the good doctor’s YouTube page.
