Wireless Service Now Available In Virginia Metro Tunnels: WMATA

The next time you pass through a tunnel while riding Metro in Northern Virginia, you may notice that your cell phone still works. That's because wireless service is now available in two-thirds of tunnels system-wide thanks to a push to add service on the Virginia side, WMATA says.

Metro, AT&T, Spring, T-Mobile, and Verizon Wireless made the announcement on Wednesday, adding in a statement that "marks the near completion of underground wireless service in Virginia, with the addition of the newest tunnel segments on the Yellow and Blue lines that are 'wireless ready.'"

"Customers aboard trains between Rosslyn and Van Dorn Street/Eisenhower Avenue can now check emails, send messages and perform other functions using voice and data service underground," the statement continues. "Work will continue by the wireless carriers to make adjustments that will enhance the underground wireless network and maximize coverage. Only one short tunnel segment in Virginia remains, between Tysons Corner and Greensboro on the Silver Line."

With the completion of this project, wireless service is now available on 67 of 100 miles of tunnel track, including the entirety of the Orange and Blue lines.

"The $120 million capital project to install dual radio and cellular cables within Metro’s tunnels began in February 2016 and is scheduled to be completed by June 2020," the statement reads. "The labor-intensive process involves installing special trays on the tunnel walls to support the heavy cables and requires the track be taken out of service for the work to be done.

"Metro is equipped for cellular service in all 47 underground stations and free public Wi-Fi in 65 underground and above ground stations. By June, Metro expects to have Wi-Fi available at the 26 remaining above ground stations."

The following tunnel segments now have wireless coverage, WMATA says:

• RED: Union Station - Dupont Circle, Glenmont - Silver Spring
• BLUE: Pentagon - Van Dorn Street; Rosslyn - Largo Town Center; Rosslyn - Arlington Cemetery; and Arlington Cemetery - Pentagon
• ORANGE/SILVER: Ballston - Stadium-Armory
• YELLOW: Pentagon - Eisenhower Avenue and Gallery Place - Fort Totten
• GREEN: Gallery Place - College Park