CHICAGO—U.S. Cellular Corp. turned on network coverage in underground portions of the Chicago Transit Authority’s train system, and is the only carrier to currently offer service in the 11.4-mile subway system.
CTA installed infrastructure designed to improve communications among emergency service personnel, and decided to also lease the infrastructure for commercial service. The city transit board agreed to a $2.9-million, 10-year lease with U.S. Cellular in December, and the carrier has since been testing equipment—including amplifiers, transmitters and receivers—connected to CTA’s infrastructure.
The wireless coverage went live Friday and includes the subways, platforms and mezzanine areas of stations. According to U.S. Cellular, its subscribers will be able to use their phones for e-mail, wireless Internet and text messaging in the subway system, along with normal voice use.
