On October 1, Congress passed a law that will require the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority to allow any cell phone service provider to operate within the Metrorail system. Currently, only Verizon Wireless customers receive service in the Metro because Verizon built WMATA’s emergency communications network in 1993.
The change is the result of an amendment Henry Waxman (D-Calif.) made to the Rail Safety Improvements Act which stated that WMATA would only receive the $1.5 billion the Act provides if it allowed any provider to offer service in Metro.
The amendment, which has not yet been signed by President Bush, requires full access in the 20 busiest stations within one year and all remaining stations in four years.
“AT&T has had a long-term interest in providing coverage to the Metro System and looks forward to the adoption of the new law,” AT&T public affairs representative Daniel Langan wrote in an email.
According to WMATA spokesperson Steven Taubenkibel, WMATA will offer the rights to the new wireless communications system and contracts with cell service providers to an outside contractor who is willing to pay licensing fees between $200,000 and $2 million annually.
Taubenkibel said WMATA put out a request for proposals in June and received some in August. He said he does not anticipate problems in meeting the Congressionally mandated deadlines.
