Expanded Cell Phone Coverage Coming To Metrorail

VIA MYFOXDC:

WASHINGTON, D.C. – More transit riders will soon be able to use their cell phones underground in Metro stations.

Right now, the only people who can make calls on Metro trains are customers with Verizon service. Metro made the agreement with Verizon in 1993.

In exchange, the company built a public safety radio communications system for Metro and pays annual fees.

So, customers with other cell phone carriers had no way to communicate once they walked into the tunnel.

“I have Sprint and I have never gotten service down here for as long as I have had it. Close to 10 years now,” says Sprint customer Seye Aluko.

“It’s really annoying– I have to wait until I get home to check e-mail and get calls. Make calls and check the web,” says AT&T customer Scott Stafford.

But soon that won’t be the case. Verizon is getting some company on the Metro. Sprint Nextel, AT&T and T-Mobile will build, operate and maintain their own networks underground.

Read more here.