Who Runs the Subway's Wireless Network: Transit Wireless and Boldyn Explained

Who Runs the Subway's Wireless Network: Transit Wireless and Boldyn Explained

You know that free Wi-Fi in subway stations? That was Transit Wireless' doing. And now, they (rebranded as Boldyn Networks) are behind the push to wire the tunnels too.

Transit Wireless was launched in 2005 (under parent company BAI Communications) to build wireless systems in places cell signals can't reach: think tunnels, deep corridors, stations. Over time, they laid fiber, installed antennas, partnered with all major carriers so your phone works underground.

Today, Boldyn is the name behind that effort. Their model is neutral-host: they build and maintain the infrastructure, and then let AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile (and others) use it. That way, you don't need separate wiring by each carrier.

In their deal with the MTA, Boldyn pays upfront (an estimated $600 million) to install the tunnel network; no public money is supposed to go into that part. Boldyn will recoup costs (and make profit) via leasing to carriers and monetizing unused fiber or network capacity.

One early proof: the 42nd Street Shuttle tunnel (between Grand Central and Times Square) is now live with 5G under this model. That was the first stretch to use the neutral-host infrastructure between stations.