Cell Phones In NYC Subway? Expect Delays

Plans to add cell phone reception to the city's subway system are on hold.

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority is extending the deadline for providing cell phone service in 277 stations. Cellular companies have concluded that adding service to the stations, without providing reception in the city's tunnels, will not be worth the $250 million cost, according to news reports published this week.

The MTA is extending the deadline until the end of the month but officials deny that the plan is the problem. The MTA claims the project is complicated and providers needed more time to prepare their bids.

The request for proposals for a 10-year contract was announced in August. U.S. Rep. Anthony Weiner, (D-NY) who ran unsuccessfully for mayor, introduced legislation in 2003 requiring subway cell phone service for safety reasons.