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Cell Phone Service Expanded On MBTA Lines

Passengers Won't Lose Service In Some Tunnels, Stations

POSTED: 7:41 am EST December 27, 2007
UPDATED: 5:33 pm EST December 27, 2007

MBTA commuters who are sick of losing cell phone service when they set foot on the subway will now be able to dial and ride all they want.

NewsCenter 5's Steve Lacy reported that it is either really good news or really bad news depending on your perspective.

Riders will be able to talk and text, even when their train goes underground into some of the cities busiest stations.

The Downtown Crossing, Government Center, State and Park Street stops have all been wired for cell service.

According to the Boston Herald, the MBTA contracted with a company called InSite Wireless. The company built a wireless network inside the tunnels and underground train stations. In exchange for millions of dollars in payments to the MBTA, InSite then charges cell phone providers to use the system.

So far, three cell companies have signed up, including AT&T, T Mobile and Verizon Wireless.

AT&T just went online this week, while T Mobile and Verizon went live earlier this month.

In the future, the service is expected to expand to other busy Boston area stations such as North and South Stations.

MBTA officials are also rolling out a new advertising campaign to go along with the service that says "Peace and quiet. It has a nice ring to it."

They said the expectation is that riders will primarily be texting and using the Web as oppossed to actually talking on the phone.

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