ExteNet providing hardware for $32.5M upgrade
Distributed antenna system vendor ExteNet Systems will contribute to the Chicago Transit Authority’s project to bring 4G LTE to the Windy City’s subway.
City leaders announced the project back in February; the DAS will cover the blue and red lines and support the four major U.S. carriers – AT&T Mobility, Sprint, T-Mobile and Verizon Wireless – which will fund the $32.5 million project.
Chicago-based ExteNet will lend its expertise in RF network design, operations and maintenance to the project, which is expected to be completed in late 2015.
ExteNet CTO Tormod Larsen said the deployment will serve constantly connected commuters.
“Data shows people now check their mobile devices more than 150 times each day – that’s nearly once every six minutes,” he said. “The CTA reports that 180,000 people ride the blue and red subway lines each day.
“Research shows smartphone penetration has already reached 75% and people increasingly expect a seamless wireless connection anywhere they go,” he continued. “Being able to fully leverage one’s smart device with an updated and modern wireless network infrastructure while on the CTA will be a major benefit for riders. ExteNet is proud to bring its expertise …”
John Flynn, CTO of the Chicago Transit Authority, said the project will realize “the most comprehensive 4G LTE-enabled subway network in North America.”
Aldridge Electric is the lead contractor for the deployment, which will cover some 22 miles of tunnels.
In February, Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel said the move will bring “Twenty-first century technology to every rider on every line of our 21st century transit system. This is another way that we are investing in a modern CTA to encourage ridership, make Chicago more economically competitive and open up more economic opportunities to more residents throughout the city.”
