One of the reasons I signed up for a Verizon wireless phone was so that I would not lose touch if I had to be reached while I was in the Metro system. It was not for the overpriced service add-ons or for the mystery of the multi-page bill every month that brings me nothing but angst. No, I didn't sign up for Verizon Wireless for the 20-cent instant message fees anytime I went over the minimum and responded to someone with the bandwidth busting "k" or "lol."
As a reporter several years ago I tried to figure out why Verizon (and some roams on Sprint) was the only service that worked on Metro. I don't remember all of the legal mumbo jumbo but it was something like this: Verizon, in an early iteration, signed a deal with Metro to build a communications system. Although it was not a totally exclusive deal, other wireless operators who wanted to overbuild into the system would have to reimburse Verizon a portion of what had been spent to date. It was not an inexpensive offering although it was not made clear whether or not any of the competing companies had made an offer or even expressed interest once they learned of the existing deal.
The thing that I always found interesting was that Verizon never really made a big deal of their exclusive rights. I don't remember seeing any ads proclaiming something along the lines of "The only wireless system you can use on Washington's Metro system" or "If they're on the phone on Metro, they're using Verizon." To have signed a semi-exclusive deal I would think they would have tried to make as much out or it as they could.
At the same time, there are more than enough people talking on cell phones on the platforms and in the trains. Some of these Verizon or roaming Sprint customers talk too loud or at least without much thought for those around them already. Do we really need a whole flock of new cell phone users on the Metro? If all of these users were teenagers the chances are that they wouldn't be talking at all...they would be "texting" and the trains would be as quiet as a public library on a Friday night.
Then there is the issue of security. On the one hand it would make the system safer if more people could call out to report crashes or threats. On the other, since some of the bombs in other countries have been triggered by cell phones it increases the potential risk and threat to the system. The balancing of all of these issues is what makes this topic not so cut and dried.
On the third hand, I'm sick of my phone and would love to get a new one that is only sold by another wireless carrier. If that carrier also allowed me to talk or text on the train then the decision would be so much easier.
Steve Eldridge is a long-time reporter, observer and commentator on the Washington region's transportation issues. You can contact him directly by writing to: Steve@SprawlandCrawl.com. Unless otherwise requested, letters or portions of letters can be used within future columns. Letter writers will be identified by their first name and city/neighborhood.
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