1 minute read | December.30.2022
The Orrick team advised MTA with the extension of cellular voice and data service throughout the NYC subway system, including cellular connectivity in 307 tunnels and WiFi in 191 above ground subway stations and 21 Staten Island Railroad stations. Currently cellular service is only available in the stations and one tunnel under the East River.
The revenue share license for the transaction with Transit Wireless, a subsidiary of BAI Communications, as licensee, closed on December 23, 2022 for the US$700+ million project, after a period of over five years of negotiation. The Orrick team advised MTA on all legal aspects of the license (other than regulatory issues), including the technical construction aspects, complicated by a 24/7 operation of the subway system in the subway tunnels, performance metrics for the operation period and acceptable financing. Following completion of the project, the New York City subway system will be transformed into a fully digitally connected transit network.
Our team was led by Vincent Casey and Victoria Boyne and included Marlowe Mitchell, John Grant, and Sara Forden.