While Cablevision and its proposal to equip the LIRR and Metro-North with WiFi carries with it a big brand name — and many skeptical engineers — another wireless provider has announced details of its proposal to bring wireless connectivity to the area’s commuter rails. NYFI, a self-proclaimed “neutral host” provider, says it will bring free WiFi to Metro-North and the LIRR, something Cablevision has not promised.
The details of NYFI’s proposal are scarce. Noting, however, that its service would “not require users to subscribe to a service like Cablevision to access the system without paying,” the company had the following to say in a release this afternoon:
Rather than using a pay-for-service model where user fees fund on board Wi-Fi, the NYFI approach would first assist the MTA by paying for an operational revamp of the MTA’s revenue generating activities, like advertising. The revamp would be led by highly experienced firms. The results are expected to more than cover costs associated with the free Wi-Fi system, yielding increased annual revenue to the MTA, while reducing costs.
NYFI, according to the release, is a free service sponsored by Mobilite, a leading private telecom infrastructure company. It owns one of the largest fiber optic networks in Manhattan and wireless assets nationwide.
As of now, only NYFI and Cablevision has announced their intentions to compete for the MTA’s contract publicly. Reportedly, AT&T, RailBand Group LLC and Mastech Enterprises submitted proposals prior to the RFP’s June 2nd deadline. The MTA has not set a timeline for awarding the contract and has yet to comment on these proposals.
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Mobilitie operates one of the largest fiber optic wireless BACKHAUL systems in Manhattan. I believe that Empire City Subway, a subsidiary of Verizon, owns the largest fiber optic network in Manhattan. They own most of the fiber optic and the conduits it is run in under Manhattan.
If you go to the MTACC’s SAS construction update page, you’ll notice that ECS is one of the primary utility companies that needs to relocate their stuff out of the project’s work areas.
So if I’m to understand Mobilitie’s proposal, they’re offering free wifi if the MTA gives them the rights to run the advertising on MNRR and LIRR trains and stations? I vaguely remember the previous firm defaulted on their payments to the MTA. Is that still not resolved?