Plans For NYC Subway Cell Network Move Ahead
from the can-you-hear-me-now dept
Despite ongoing security concerns, the Metropolitan Transit Authority is forging ahead with plans to blanket the New York City subway system with cellular coverage. The MTA is now soliciting bid for a 10-year exclusive contract which requires the winner to allow other carriers access to the network -- which will generate roaming fees for the winner, but could also become a significant competitive advantage for some carriers, given the multiple, non-interoperable standards in use in the US. The MTA doesn't appear overly concerned that the networks will be a threat to security, though they do say the network must be able to be shut down in emergencies. While there is a possibility a network like this could be used by a terrorist, not having cellular coverage in the subway won't stop a determined attacker. To not build or shut down underground networks because of security concerns is to ignore the safety and security benefits they can offer as well.Thank you for reading this Techdirt post. With so many things competing for everyone’s attention these days, we really appreciate you giving us your time. We work hard every day to put quality content out there for our community.
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Right..
"They're whole mission is to disrupt our way of life! But it won't happen!"
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"The authority's request for proposals requires that any winner block all calls to and from the network "under certain security conditions,""
What that means is that they would like to be able to disable the network when they have information of a credible threat, or, perhaps, at a certain alert level or what have you. It did not say that they want to be able to turn it off in an emergency.
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