Cell Service Comes to First Carrier in First Segment of Tunnel as Work Continues to Add Carriers and Tunnel Segments
MTA Long Island Rail Road President Phil Eng today announced that LIRR has activated WiFi in Atlantic Terminal and cell connectivity for Verizon subscribers in the LIRR tunnel between Atlantic Terminal and Bedford Avenue.
Members of the public seeking to use free WiFi in Atlantic Terminal should connect to “MTA Public WiFi” in their phone’s settings. There is no password needed.
The LIRR expects to add cell connectivity in the Atlantic Avenue Tunnel for subscribers of other carriers, extend the connectivity to the LIRR’s tunnel between East New York and Jamaica, and activate WiFi in the LIRR’s Jamaica station.
“The installation of high functioning WiFi at one of our busiest terminals is yet another example of the LIRR continuously seeking to improve service for our customers,” said LIRR President Phil Eng. “As customers continue to return to the system in the aftermath of the pandemic, they’ll be greeted with modernized infrastructure and tools, including our world class app and enhanced connectivity. In the months ahead we’ll continue to innovate and expand our WiFi capabilities eliminating remaining dead spots throughout the system and across carriers.”
This cell connectivity and WiFi is being built out by Boingo, which found ways to work safely with the LIRR throughout the pandemic.
“New York is getting back to business and Boingo is ready for the return with seamless connectivity solutions built for the 5G era,” said Boingo CEO Mike Finley. “Our neutral host carrier service technologies support the LIRR and MTA to streamline the rider experience and satisfy growing demands of connected consumers.”
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority has made significant strides at improving connectivity in recent years. Late last year, the MTA worked to bring full connectivity for customers of both Verizon and AT&T to the L Train tunnel connecting Brooklyn and Manhattan on the L line.