More Bars In More Places Means Subway Too
AT&T coming to CTA's underground tunnels
By BJ LUTZ
Updated 11:36 AM CST, Tue, Jul 28, 2009
It's going to get a little more crowded on the Chicago Transit Authority's subway tunnels, but in a way that most won't mind.
AT&T has become the fourth wireless carrier to ink a deal with the transit agency.
When the service launches in the fourth quarter of this year, AT&T customers will be able to continue their talking, e-mail sending, and web-viewing as their train travels through the 11.4 miles of underground track on the Red and Blue Lines. The 10-year deal should generate an estimated $3.1 million in revenue, the agency said during a Wednesday afternoon board meeting.
Nearly three years ago, U.S. Cellular became the first wireless provider to lease use of CTA's infrastructure in a deal worth $2.9 million. Verizon Wireless signed on last year in a deal worth $3.4 million. Cricket Communications signed a $2.67 million deal with the agency two months ago.
Correction: This article originally, and incorrectly, reported that the service would begin by the end of June.
First Published: Jun 10, 2009 4:20 PM CST
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