Cell chatter coming soon to subway tunnels
The CTA board last week quietly OKed a $2.9 million lease with U.S. Cellular to provide wireless service in the CTA's 11.4 mile subway system. The service should be operational by next summer.
But don't worry you yakkers who are Verizon or T-Mobile or Sprint customers. The CTA is working to come to agreements with your companies too. Bummer.
“Originally, the main purpose for the investment was to improve emergency communications capabilities in the subway. By investing in the infrastructure to improve communications capabilities in the subway, we also have the opportunity to generate revenue through agreements with wireless service providers,” said CTA President Frank Kruesi. “Technology is an integral part of society today and we are able to use this opportunity to enhance communications capabilities for our customers too. They will now have the convenience of using cell phones, e-mail, wireless internet, paging and text messaging while in the subway.”
Fabulous. Our subway haven from inane yakkers is now threatened and will soon be taken away.
Interestingly, the CTA originally tried to get cell providers to bankroll the capital investment to install the communications system in the subways.
What no one seems to remember is just how loud the El is underground. People won't just be talking on their cell phones while trains are in the tunnels--they'll be SCREAMING to make themselves heard.
Great job, Frank, solving a "problem" nobody wanted solved. You're a hero! You deserve a higher pension!
Posted by: Chicago Jason | December 21, 2005 at 07:58 AM
Wonderful. Now I'll have more of a reason to keep the iPod playing for longer. I don't want to listen to the few people who have U.S. Cellular gab away in my far-from-silent silence in the subway.
Posted by: Brad | December 21, 2005 at 09:19 AM
hmmm....anyone see any...connection of any sort between US Cellular and the CTA that we've discussed here before? anyone?
hope i'm not the only one who thinks it's a little too coincidental that US Cellular tried to advertise on the trains with no permission and then, LO! and BEHOLD!, the same company ensures the effectiveness of their product on the underground portions of the el.
Posted by: robin.. | December 21, 2005 at 09:52 AM
ohh great...now they are giving me a reason to push someone on the third rail (kidding). But seriously, it's bad enough we have to ride on the el all boxed up listening to some inane chatter...now we have to be in the subways and listen to wanna be singers and performers and Suzy and Biff talking about their on their way home and yada yada yada......sometimes....I pray for 40 days and 40 nights of never ending rain..to wash some of these morons away. :) O.k....enough of my rant for the day :)
Posted by: yup maxwell | December 21, 2005 at 10:09 AM
Well, look on the bright side. Once the other cellular service providers sign up, you'll be able to get and send CTA Tattler text alerts everywhere! ^_^
Posted by: jk1 | December 21, 2005 at 11:33 AM
I used to have US Cellular -- their network was so bad that I could barely make phone calls at freakin' US Cellular field. Somehow I doubt that anyone will be able to make productive phone calls in the CTA's subway (even if the reception is good). I think the service is mostly for people who use data services / text messaging.
Interestingly, Tokyo has had this for many years, and most people were polite enough to not talk -- they just used them for web browsing and text messaging. (They did have announcements on the train to not use cell phones, I never figured out whether they mean't "don't talk" or "don't use"...)
Speaking of which, JR (Japan Rail) is now rolling out (free?) WiFi at all their rail stations... so you can cheaply browse the web while waiting for trains. Then again, you hardly ever need to wait... *sigh*
Posted by: jrock | December 21, 2005 at 06:02 PM
I've suffered through enough anxiety on the way to important meetings/exams/classes whatever that I would (again) end up on the Train that Gets Stuck Underground between Stations for Updwards of 20 Minutes that I'm not too upset about this.
Posted by: frm | December 21, 2005 at 06:07 PM
Interestingly, Tokyo has had this for many years, and most people were polite enough to not talk -- they just used them for web browsing and text messaging. (They did have announcements on the train to not use cell phones, I never figured out whether they mean't "don't talk" or "don't use"...)
Bingo. Anyone who tries to yell into their phone on a screeching loud Blue Line train is an idiot but those who want to web browse and send text messages now have the option. Another use is on the platforms while waiting for a train not to mention the abality to call your significant other if the train gets stuck underground for a half hour. Plus, cell phone compaines will be adding dollars to the CTA coffers.
Remember all the flak that the CTA took for putting the hardware in and then not implementing it? Well now they are putting it into service and people are bitching again. I guess you can't please some people. I see no problem with this plan.
Posted by: MC High Life | December 22, 2005 at 07:41 AM
good idea? weren't the bombs in the london tube set off by cell phones? do we really need this in chicago? i think not.
Posted by: terry | December 27, 2005 at 03:32 PM