Wireless Covers Half of DC Metrorail Tunnels, Says WMATA

Cellular and data service reaches more than half of Metrorail tunnels in the District of Columbia area, said the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority Wednesday. Cellular service from AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile and Verizon Wireless is available in all Metro stations and more than 50 of 100 track miles covering parts of all six lines, said WMATA, announcing three new “wireless ready” tunnel segments: 5.6 track miles between Ballston and Rosslyn, 4.8 miles between Rosslyn and Metro Center, and 7.4 miles between College Park and Fort Totten. WMATA expects total coverage by mid-2020. It’s an “important milestone,” but “there is much work left to do to eliminate rider and employee risk for those using the other 50 percent not connected,” FCC Commissioner Mike O’Rielly said in a statement. “We have to do this quicker and the new year must bring new ways to do just that.” O’Rielly last summer lightly praised a WMATA update (see 1808020005) after earlier slamming the organization as incompetent (see 1802220026).