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Major Carriers Provide Wireless Coverage Inside Boston Tunnels

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Major Carriers Provide Wireless Coverage Inside Boston Tunnels

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November 13, 2008

By Shamila Janakiraman, TMCnet Contributor


AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile and Verizon Wireless together announced the availability of wireless phone coverage inside the Thomas P. “Tip” O’Neill, Jr. Tunnel in Boston. This service will include in-tunnel coverage along Interstate 93, both northbound and southbound and also on the Interstate 90 connector including the tunnel’s on-ramps and off-ramps.

 
Previous build-outs have made services from these carriers, available in the Ted Williams, Summer, Callahan and Prudential Tunnels according to the joint announcement.
 
“The expansion of service into the Big Dig tunnels is a welcome addition to existing wireless coverage in Boston,” said Mark Elliott, spokesperson for all wireless carriers mentioned above.
 
The companies are excited at having implemented the new multicarrier wireless system online. This system is complex as it involves the provision of wireless service throughout an underground interstate highway with numerous on and off ramps  This accomplishment is the result of a sustained effort made by the MTA (Massachusetts Turnpike Authority) and the wireless carriers.
 
The wireless phone system deployed for the Bid Dig include electronic equipment and antennas enabling wireless communications required by the public besides public safety officials who use the wireless networks of these four carriers inside the tunnel. The participating wireless carriers are expected to optimize their networks and the new system to ensure effective, seamless and reliable wireless phone service in the tunnels.
 
“We’re pleased to finally bring cell phone service to the Big Dig tunnels,” remarked Alan LeBovidge, executive director of the Massachusetts Turnpike Authority, which runs the tunnels. “Not only will the service allow uninterrupted service underground for the first time in the Big Dig’s history, but the installation will also generate needed revenue for the Turnpike Authority at a time when we need it most.”
 
Senator Michael Morrissey (D-Quincy) expressed his pleasure at the deployment of the wireless services inside the tunnel. He said that wireless service inside tunnels was imperative as a communications and public safety priority. Traveling public and businesses will now benefit from the uninterrupted wireless service in the Central Artery Tunnels. Sen. Morrissey was instrumental in making this project a reality.
 
AT&T (News - Alert) is a communications company and among its offerings is an advanced IP-based business communications service besides wireless, high speed Internet access and voice services.
Verizon (News - Alert) Wireless operates a reliable voice and data network serving 70.8 million customers.
 
Sprint Nextel (News - Alert) offers a range of wireless and wireline communications services providing mobility to consumers, businesses and government users. It allows development, engineering and deploying of innovative technologies.
 
T-Mobile’s (News - Alert) wireless products and services enable people to connect and it uses the common technology platform based on GSM to achieve this.

Shamila Janakiraman is a contributing editor for TMCnet. To read more of Shamila’s articles, please visit her columnist page.

Edited by Jessica Kostek

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