CHICAGO�TheChicago Transit Authorityannounced on Dec. 29 that the entire subway system on the Red and Blue lines now has 4G wireless service coverage, making the City of Chicago the largest city in North America to have full wireless coverage across its entire system of subway stations and tunnels. The installation of 4G communications benefits the 400,000 customers using the subway each day.
The network upgrade began in early 2015.� The design and installation of the system created approximately 50 jobs.
The 4G wireless infrastructure is the result of a $32.5 million agreement brokered by the Chicago Infrastructure Trust with the four major carriers � T-Mobile, AT&T, Verizon and Sprint. �In January 2015, the four collectively agreed to fund the design and construction of the Distributed Antenna System, which supports the 4G wireless networks and mobile devices.
�4G wireless communications is just one of the cornerstones of the CTA�s commitment to investing in technology,� said President Dorval R. Carter Jr. �This coverage increases safety by providing more reliable communications for CTA personnel and emergency responders, and it complements other technologies that are enhancing the way we commute, including expanded transit tracker information and the installation of more than 23,000 security cameras throughout our bus and rail system.�
