Breaking Down the MTA–Boldyn Wireless Agreement

Breaking Down the MTA–Boldyn Wireless Agreement

If you're wondering what's actually in the deal between the MTA and Boldyn Networks, you're not alone. The full contract isn't publicly available, frustrating riders and transparency advocates.

Here's what we know: the MTA announced in 2022 that Boldyn would design, build, and operate a shared "neutral host" network covering every subway tunnel and expanding Wi-Fi to above-ground stations. The project costs roughly $600 million, with Boldyn paying upfront. The company earns it back by leasing access to major wireless carriers and monetizing spare fiber capacity. According to the MTA, this comes at no upfront cost to taxpayers.

That's the broad outline, but finer details remain under wraps. The MTA hasn't released the signed agreement, and public documents don't confirm the exact contract length. Some reports describe it as a "multi-decade" deal potentially stretching into the 2040s, but there's no official confirmation. What's also unclear: who pays if costs go over budget, how upgrades will be handled when technology shifts, or what happens to equipment when the deal ends.

What little we know about these arrangements comes from other city contracts, which typically spell out audit rights, performance standards, renewal options, and penalties for missed targets. But until the MTA publishes its full agreement, that remains guesswork.

So no, you can't read the MTA–Boldyn contract in full. Riders are asked to trust that this public-private partnership will deliver full underground connectivity without hidden costs.