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CTA Looking to Improve Underground Wireless Coverage

By DNAinfo Staff on April 3, 2013 9:44am

 The CTA is looking to improve underground cellphone coverage that would cover stations including the Jackson Red Line station. 
The CTA is looking to improve underground cellphone coverage that would cover stations including the Jackson Red Line station. 
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CHICAGO — The CTA is looking to make it easier to use cellphones underground.

The transit agency plans to upgrade coverage for all major wireless carriers that would allow 'L' riders to have continuous phone service both above and below ground, CTA officials said Wednesday.

Over the next four weeks, the agency is seeking information to determine the next steps for getting such service along 11.4 miles of underground Red and Blue line tracks.

“By taking steps to begin the process of modernizing our wireless capabilities, we are better serving our customers, including customers traveling between downtown and O’Hare International Airport as well as providing more reliable service for CTA personnel and emergency responders," CTA President Forrest Claypool said in a statement.

Under any project, the agency would retain ownership of the network and make it available to wireless service providers, the agency said.

The CTA has a limited-service subway cellular network, which generates $1.8 million per year in fees from the cellular carriers, the agency said.