AT&T Goes Underground for Subway Calls/Data on Blue Line in Philly

AT&T announced it has deployed an exclusive, wireless system that provides network coverage along the entire Market-Frankford subway line including the underground section between 40th and 2nd Streets. Operated by the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA), the Market-Frankford line is the busiest line in the system with an average weekday ridership of 178,715.

“Our customers want wireless coverage where they need it the most and that’s certainly true as they ‘ride the rails’ each day,” said Dan Lafond, vice president and general manager for AT&T’s wireless unit in Philadelphia. “AT&T customers can make a phone call, check e-mail on their BlackBerry or send a text message anywhere on the Market-Frankford line.”

The new underground wireless system is in addition to existing coverage already available from AT&T for the elevated section of the Market-Frankford line as well as Regional Rail stations at 30th Street, Suburban Street and Market East.

Since 2004, AT&T has invested nearly $500 million, adding 200 new cell sites throughout Philadelphia, eastern Pennsylvania, southern New Jersey and Delaware. AT&T also expanded the blazing-fast third generation (3G) wireless broadband network in eastern Pennsylvania, southern New Jersey and Delaware enabling customers to quickly access streaming video, games, pictures, news and entertainment through MEdia Net, the company’s mobile Internet portal.