Meeting_Body
AD-HOC CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE COMMITTEE
JANUARY 18, 2018
Subject
SUBJECT: METRO RAIL SYSTEM WI-FI AND CELLULAR PROJECT
UPDATE
Action
ACTION: RECEIVE AND FILE
Heading
RECOMMENDATION
Title
RECEIVE AND FILE status report on Metro's rail system Wi-Fi and cellular system project.
Issue
ISSUE
The addition of cellular Wi-Fi to the Red and Purple lines allows customers to maintain cellular voice and data connectivity while travelling on rail underground. This is a status report on the project.
Discussion
DISCUSSION
In February 2013, the Metro Board authorized the CEO to enter into a 20-year contract with InSite Wireless to provide cellular coverage in the Metro underground rail system tunnels and stations, and an option for Wi-Fi in the underground rail stations. The contract was structured to be a revenue generator for Metro. InSite Wireless is responsible for all capital costs associated with the project.
There are two independent components of the project which have an impact on service activation dates for the public - cellular infrastructure and carrier contractual agreements.
1. Cellular infrastructure consists of a Distributed Antenna System (DAS) comprised of cabling installed throughout the tunnels and three communications base station hotels with associated network switching and routing equipment for each of the four carriers.
Note: All future rail projects will include a DAS as part of initial construction.
The cellular portion of the project was divided into three phases:
Phase 1 - Union Station to 7th/Metro Station (Red and Purple Lines)
Phase 2 - To Wilshire/Western (Purple Line 2A), Vermont/Sunset (Red Line 2B)
Phase 3 - Hollywood/Western to North Hollywood (Red Line)
Current Cellular Infrastructure Status
The DAS has been completed for all three segments. Two of the three communications base station hotels are complete which allow cellular access from Union Station west to Wilshire/Westwood (Purple Line) and no...
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