InSite Wireless Group and Solid Expand Wireless Network to MBTA’s Silver Line

Nov. 2, 2015

Solid, a wireless infrastructure company, and InSite Wireless Group, a Virginia-based technology company that installed the wireless infrastructure to enable connectivity on all MBTA platforms and tunnels, announced the expansion of the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority’s (MBTA) wireless network to the Silver Line.

Travelers arriving at Logan Airport that use Sprint as their wireless carrier will now have uninterrupted service that includes making calls, streaming music, sending texts and watching videos, on the MBTA’s Silver Line from the airport through the Innovation District to Dudley Square. This expansion completes the system’s wireless coverage into all underground subway lines and stations.

InSite operates the distributed antenna system (DAS) on the MBTA in partnership with the major wireless providers — Sprint, AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile, and Comcast (for Wi-Fi).

David E. Weisman, president and CEO and co-founder of InSite, said, “We take great pride in being able to help the MBTA achieve its goal of delivering advanced, end-to-end service unmatched by other U.S. cities. We eagerly anticipate the other wireless carriers launching service on the Silver Line as well so all riders can take advantage of this expanded connectivity.”  

Solid provides InSite Wireless with the robust distributed antenna systems (DAS) infrastructure that enables cellular coverage and capacity in the Silver Line tunnels and platforms. “Subways require solutions that are not only rugged to withstand the inherent harsh environment but also modular in design to quickly and cost-effectively scale to support additional wireless operators and new frequencies,” said Seth Buechley, president of Solid.

The Boston Subway is the nation’s oldest subway. Solid DAS equipment is also deployed in the New York City subway system, which has the world’s largest number of stations, and the Seoul metropolitan system, which has the longest subway track in the world.