The MTA hooked up free public wifi connectivity at Atlantic Terminal in Brooklyn and cell service in part of its underground commuter rail tunnel for Verizon subscribers, Long Island Rail Road chiefs announced Tuesday.
“The installation of high functioning wifi at one of our busiest terminals is yet another example of the LIRR continuously seeking to improve service for our customers,” said LIRR President Phil Eng on July 13. “In the months ahead we’ll continue to innovate and expand our wifi capabilities eliminating remaining dead spots throughout the system and across carriers.”
The new services are being built out by wireless company Boingo and commuters can connect to “MTA Public WiFi” without a password, according to the Metropolitan Transportation Authority.
STAY CONNECTED: We now have WiFi in Atlantic Terminal and LTE cell service for Verizon subscribers in the tunnel between Atlantic Terminal & Bedford Ave. 📶
Just connect to "MTA Public WiFi" – no password needed.
We'll have more cell carriers and expanded coverage this fall.📱 pic.twitter.com/VtGbuXBHe9
— LIRR (@LIRR) July 13, 2021
“New York is getting back to business and Boingo is ready for the return with seamless connectivity solutions built for the 5G era,” said Boingo CEO Mike Finley. “Our neutral host carrier service technologies support the LIRR and MTA to streamline the rider experience and satisfy growing demands of connected consumers.”
Cell connectivity is available for Verizon subscribers in the LIRR’s Atlantic Avenue Tunnel between Atlantic Terminal and Bedford Avenue, and the agency plans to expand it to other carriers and further down the tunnel between East New York and Jamaica stations this fall.
A wifi hotspot is also planned for LIRR’s Jamaica Station, according to the MTA.
