bharat Posted December 21, 2009 Share #1 Posted December 21, 2009 After seeing a guy coding away furiously on the subway, I was wondering if the MTA might be able to make money like the airlines are - while also keeping users down to a tolerable number. See http://eone.vox.com/library/post/dec-20-billable-on-the-subway.html I am not aware of how the pilot to provide cell access is proceeding and what, if anything, is in it for mTA. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fishmech Posted December 21, 2009 Share #2 Posted December 21, 2009 After seeing a guy coding away furiously on the subway, I was wondering if the MTA might be able to make money like the airlines are - while also keeping users down to a tolerable number. Seehttp://eone.vox.com/library/post/dec-20-billable-on-the-subway.html I am not aware of how the pilot to provide cell access is proceeding and what, if anything, is in it for mTA. As far as whats in it for the MTA to have cell access - whatever cell companies that would provide service would have to pay the MTA to mount the antennas and such in the network. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nel070 Posted December 21, 2009 Share #3 Posted December 21, 2009 yes and leasing out the airwaves in the subway should bring in substantial income Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
metsfan Posted December 21, 2009 Share #4 Posted December 21, 2009 As long as i don't have to pay for it in addition i'm all for it. - A Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lilbluefoxie Posted December 21, 2009 Share #5 Posted December 21, 2009 After seeing a guy coding away furiously on the subway, I was wondering if the MTA might be able to make money like the airlines are - while also keeping users down to a tolerable number. Seehttp://eone.vox.com/library/post/dec-20-billable-on-the-subway.html I am not aware of how the pilot to provide cell access is proceeding and what, if anything, is in it for mTA. if anything they should jam cell phone signals, especially on the LIRR, its annoying having to hear people yap about stupidity when im trying to get somewhere Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LRG Posted December 21, 2009 Share #6 Posted December 21, 2009 As far as whats in it for the MTA to have cell access - whatever cell companies that would provide service would have to pay the MTA to mount the antennas and such in the network. But in order to do that, the MTA will have to spend money, something they really don't have right now Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fishmech Posted December 21, 2009 Share #7 Posted December 21, 2009 But in order to do that, the MTA will have to spend money, something they really don't have right now Yes but the cell companies will be paying them to put them up, and then paying rent on each transmitter monthly. That's how it always works, the cell company pays for it all, and its usually like $100 a month + reimbursement on costs for maintenance on each transmitter after they're up. And with the amount of transmitters you'd need to cover the udnerground portions of the system, well there's going to be 10's of thousands of transmitters at least! Do the math - millions of dollars a month once its all running! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LRG Posted December 21, 2009 Share #8 Posted December 21, 2009 Yes but the cell companies will be paying them to put them up, and then paying rent on each transmitter monthly. That's how it always works, the cell company pays for it all, and its usually like $100 a month + reimbursement on costs for maintenance on each transmitter after they're up. And with the amount of transmitters you'd need to cover the udnerground portions of the system, well there's going to be 10's of thousands of transmitters at least! Do the math - millions of dollars a month once its all running! Okay, I'd like to see how this'll work. If you ask me, installing Wi-Fi underground should be another top priority. I get bored very easily and I'd like to surf the web while waiting for the train. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bharat Posted December 22, 2009 Author Share #9 Posted December 22, 2009 "If you ask me, installing Wi-Fi underground should be another top priority. I get bored very easily and I'd like to surf the web while waiting for the train." Question is - will you pay to surf like when you sign up for boingo or whatever at an airport? " #7 Yesterday, 05:23 PM fishmech Member Transit System(s): Subway Car(s): Bus Model(s): Commuter Rail(s): Commuter Rail Car(s): Locomotive(s): Statistics Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: 08016 Gender: Gallery: 0 Referrals: 0 Quote: Originally Posted by lrg5784 But in order to do that, the MTA will have to spend money, something they really don't have right now Yes but the cell companies will be paying them to put them up, and then paying rent on each transmitter monthly". Agreed. But the more lucrative revenue stream would be from a steadily growing number of wi-fi and cellphone users who cannot do without these underground and are willing to pay. That should also minimize mindless yapping and sharp elbowing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fishmech Posted December 22, 2009 Share #10 Posted December 22, 2009 Imagine a separate MetroCard swipe point in every station where you can pay for 2-hour, 1-day, 7-day, 14-day, or 30-day Wi-Fi access in the subway (and perhaps in SelectBuses and Express Buses?). Swipe the pay-per-ride card, or special unlimited travel + wifi cards, and the machine pops up a code or prints out a ticket with info you fill in when you connect to the wifi on your device! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lilbluefoxie Posted December 22, 2009 Share #11 Posted December 22, 2009 problem with free wifi in the stations will be that there will be people who will just hang out in there on the internet and not actually go anywhere Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
metsfan Posted December 23, 2009 Share #12 Posted December 23, 2009 I would NEVER go to a subway station just to use wifi. I do think it would increase fares though because folks would be able to do work/school stuff. - A Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RokuSix Posted December 24, 2009 Share #13 Posted December 24, 2009 The subway is one of the few places where you don't have to listen to people's phone conversations and tapping on the keyboard. Let it be the twenty minutes of silence after a long day. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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