‘Can you hear me now?' Not yet!

Congressmember Anthony Weiner has renewed his call for the Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA) to provide cell phone service throughout the City's subway system following a statement made by the MTA chairperson interpreted by some as indication that the project may be stalled for good.
&#8220Tragedies like the London subway attack and the latest revelations about a planned 2003 New York subway plot provide clear examples of why we need better communications networks in our subways,” said Weiner.
&#8220Whenever there is a health emergency or people feel they are at risk, they should be able to reach first responders at 9-1-1, regardless of whether they are at work, in their home, or standing on an underground subway platform.”
According to published reports, at a November 30 Assembly oversight hearing on the MTA, Chairman Peter Kalikow said he was &#8220not sure” an agreement between cell service providers and the City to install cell service throughout the subway system would be reached. &#8220I would hope they'll come back to use with a revised bid doing it the way we like,” reports quoted Kalikow as saying.
However, Tim O'Brien, an MTA spokesperson, said that suggestions that the plan would not become reality were incorrect. &#8220The MTA is still actively negotiating with several companies.”
Nevertheless, now, over a year since the MTA began soliciting bids, Weiner, joined by Senator John D. Sabini, has called for the agency to choose a carrier and wrap up the deal so work can begin.
&#8220The MTA keeps missing its own self-imposed deadlines,” explained Andrew Koneschusky, a spokesperson for Weiner. &#8220The question that still needs to be asked is ‘Why do we still not have this?' ”
According to the MTA's O'Brien, the agency has been delayed in making its choice because of the complexity of the project and need for continued negotiations.
&#8220It is an extremely complex undertaking,” to put 21st Century cell phone technology into the City's subway system, which dates to the late 19th Century, O'Brien explained. &#8220We are dealing with a unique situation,” he continued. &#8220There are a lot of technical issues.”
Published reports have indicated that negotiations have stalled due to the parties' inability to agree upon the scope of work. While the MTA wants underground platforms alone to be wired for cell service, the providers have indicated that only by also making cell service available in subway tunnels would the project be financially viable to them.
O'Brien said he could not comment on what additional points, if any, might responsible for the delay citing concern that by providing such information the fairness of the bidding process could be jeopardized.
According to Koneschusky, the MTA's reasoning behind the continued delay has become tired. &#8220We're only hearing excuses and we're not hearing about progress,” he said. &#8220What progress has been made in this time?”