Letter Audit Report On The Wireless Voice And Data Services In New York City’s Subway System As Provided By Transit Wireless
Letter Audit Report On The Wireless Voice And Data Services In New York City’s Subway System As Provided By Transit Wireless
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The objective of this audit objective was to determine whether the wireless voice and data communication system installed by Transit Wireless (“TW”) within certain New York City subway stations (including platforms, mezzanines, and various points within public access passageways) operates effectively. This audit is the first in a series of audits of the ongoing installation of cellular and wireless services in the New York City subway system.
In 2007, following a request for proposals process, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s (“MTA”) Board awarded a license agreement to TW that granted an exclusive license to provide commercial cellular/PCS and Wi-Fi service in 277 underground subway stations. Under the agreement, TW acts as a neutral host, constructing the distributed antenna system within the stations (excluding the tunnels between stations) and sub-licenses rights to use that system to cellular carriers, Wi-Fi providers, and other network users.
TW installs equipment and antennas at each underground station to provide cellular and Wi-Fi coverage throughout public areas. The in-station equipment and antennas are linked by fiber optic cables to TW trunk fiber optic cables, which run through the streets and connect back to a base station hotel (hub) that houses the head-end equipment for TW, the cellular carriers, Wi-Fi providers, and New York City Transit (“NYCT”).
TW reportedly installed the wireless network in 47 underground subway stations in Manhattan, including major station complexes such as Times Square and Grand Central, and is currently installing its network in 15 underground stations in Queens. All 277 underground stations in New York City are contractually required to be in service by the end of 2017.
Results
We found that the wireless voice and data communication system currently installed by TW within the 47 subway stations we tested (including platforms, mezzanines, and various points within public access passageways) operates as intended. We recommend that the MTA, NYCT, and TW continue their current plan to provide voice and data service to the remaining 230 underground New York City subway stations.
In their response, NYCT stated that it “acknowledges and accepts the conclusion of the attached draft audit of NYCT’s Wireless Voice and Data Service. Please note that we also acknowledge the continuation of the comptroller’s testing of the availability of wireless connections as we continue to install this service at all 277 underground stations.”