Mobilitie and Bay Area Rapid Transit System to Deliver Next Generation Digital Railway

NEWPORT BEACH, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--A new partnership between the San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit District (BART), the fifth busiest public transportation system in the U.S. by ridership, and Mobilitie, the largest privately-held wireless infrastructure firm in the nation, to bring next-generation wireless connectivity to riders is now underway. The new digital network will modernize connectivity across tunnels, stations and rail cars to deliver 5G connectivity to riders, surrounding communities, as well as supporting BART’s new digital railway initiative.

"Providing passengers with seamless and uninterrupted connectivity is one of our top priorities to enhance the customer experience," said BART General Manager Bob Powers. "Working with Mobilitie for this digital transformation will improve broadband connectivity across our system and for our riders. Ultimately, people will have better access to real-time information and a more convenient and easier to use transit.”

The BART network will encompass four major initiatives to provide riders with 5G wireless connectivity and improved communications: 1) Underground Wireless (DAS) in SFMTA tunnels in downtown San Francisco, 2) Wayside Wireless Communications and Small Cells along the rail line, 3) Wi-Fi connectivity across the stations and trains, and 4) a massive fiber plant installed along the entire rail right of way (RoW) which will provide a high speed telecommunications broadband backbone throughout the Bay Area.

The underground wireless network will bring 5G connectivity to riders via a state-of-the-art Distributed Antenna System (DAS) that will be installed across the San Francisco MTA system in nearly 11 miles of existing tunnels, 11 underground MTA stations and a new central subway line expected to be completed next summer. The wayside wireless communications will include the latest small cell technology deployed throughout the RoW, which will enable 5G connectivity to riders, in addition to improving coverage at over 25 Bay Area cities.

To upgrade station and train connectivity, Mobilitie will deploy the latest Wi-Fi technology, Wi-Fi 6 or 802.11ax, throughout 48 stations, including BART’s Fleet of the Future trains that will be fully Wi-Fi enabled. BART is expected to bring connectivity to its entire fleet by 2023. Mobilitie will also be deploying a large fiber network along BART’s entire RoW and San Francisco’s MTA tunnel routes. These will include dark and lit fiber options to improve communication networks and broadband internet services, support for carrier hotels and data center connectivity.

“As one of the largest public transportation systems in the U.S., we are excited to be working with BART on this very important initiative to improve wireless communications in the Bay Area. BART has demonstrated a clear vision for improving the experience for their riders which is aligned with our mission in California and throughout the U.S. as we build the nation’s 5G infrastructure backbone,” said Lisa Doumiaty, Vice President of Wireless Solutions at Mobilitie.

About Mobilitie

Mobilitie is the largest privately-held telecommunications infrastructure company in the United States. As a veteran provider of complete wireless solutions, Mobilitie helps people stay connected on their mobile devices wherever they are. It funds, deploys and operates next-generation infrastructure that enables robust coverage and 5G services and speeds.

Mobilitie wireless infrastructure includes communication towers, indoor and outdoor neutral host DAS networks, small cells, IoT, and Wi-Fi networks. Mobilitie's Advanced Technology Group engineers innovative wireless solutions that improve wireless service at the largest and most complex venues across all major industries-including sports and entertainment, real estate, hospitality, education, healthcare, government and transportation.

Mobilitie is headquartered in Newport Beach, California and has regional offices across the United States. To learn more about our wireless coverage solutions, visit us at www.mobilitie.com.