Underground cellular service is finally in the works for the Muni Metro system, whose subway portion has long been a blackout zone for coverage.
Since 2010, BART passengers have been able to connect to cellular networks from the system's subterranean subways. But their Muni-riding counterparts have been out of luck, even while riding below the busy Market Street corridor.
A new plan, announced this morning by District 5 Supervisor London Breed, BART director Nick Josefowitz, and the SFMTA, would allow BART to negotiate with telecommunications carriers, with the aim of extending BART's existing cell infrastructure to Muni.
From this morning's press release:
BART already has an underground cellular network, used by AT&T, Verizon, Sprint, T-Mobile and Metro PCS. BART constructed the nation’s first neutral host underground cellular network that allows competing carriers to use the same equipment, extending competitive cellular markets to the underground while minimizing the amount of wayside equipment. BART and Muni will now collaborate to extend the existing BART cell network to the Muni subway.
Riders have been asking for underground cell coverage "for some time," said SFMTA director of transportation Ed Reiskin. “Providing cell service within the Muni Metro will help improve communications to our Muni riders, can assist in emergency situations, and will give the riding public an additional service they want.”
Breed, whose office has been working to make progress on the issue, called the current state of affairs "unfair" and "very outdated," and noted that the new plan "not only improves the rider experience, it will actually make money for Muni." (Cellular carriers are expected to shoulder the cost of the extension, as well as make annual licensing payments.)
The plans will go before the SFMTA Board on Sept. 20th, then on to the Board of Supervisors for approval. Once an agreement with cellular carriers is reached, "construction to extend BART’s existing network to the Muni subway is expected to take approximately 12 to 18 months."
