Challenges Delaying Full Subway Wireless Rollout

Challenges Delaying Full Subway Wireless Rollout

Wi-Fi arrived in stations back in the 2010s, but once the train pulled out, your signal still disappeared. So why is tunnel coverage taking so long?

Start with the fact that most tunnels date back over a century, made of steel and concrete that block wireless signals completely. Engineers have to install antennas, fiber, and amplifiers inside the tunnels themselves—equipment that didn't exist when the system was built.

Then there's the logistics problem. The subway runs 24/7, so crews can only work overnight or during rare service closures. Every cable has to be threaded through tight clearances around existing power lines, ventilation ducts, and decades-old signal systems. A few hours of work at a time adds up to years of construction.

Wiring 418 miles of tunnels is also a billion-dollar project. The MTA partnered with Boldyn Networks so the public wouldn't pay up front, but that financing model takes time to coordinate. The company needs a long contract to make the math work.

On top of all that, crews need permits for every section, inspections for each installation, and clearance to work around live rail lines. Even small stretches take months to finish.

It's not one big holdup. It's a tangle of physics, scheduling, cost, and red tape.