Per a request for proposals (RFP) posted on Sound Transit’s contracting website:

Sound Transit (ST) is requesting Proposals from qualified firms to fund, design, build, operate and maintain a wireless communications system/distributed antenna system (DAS) for mobile/cellular communications in the Sound Transit underground light rail system, and optional above ground stations subject to ST approval, and to serve as the system’s neutral host between mobile wireless carriers and their transit riding customers. This initiative will enable transit customers to use any wireless carrier in all underground facilities owned by Sound Transit, and the King County owned Downtown Seattle Transit Tunnel (DSTT) (together the “Underground Facilities”).

In other words, get ready for cell phone connectivity in the downtown tunnels, as well as any future segments. The RFP is looking for “comprehensive wireless coverage in all current and future underground stations and tunnels: approximately 13.3 miles of dual bore tunnels.” So you can expect coverage along the route as well, not just in the stations. All four major US cell carriers are included. According to Sound Transit spokesperson Bruce Gray, service should be up and running by the time U-Link opens in 2016.

We’d really like to see real-time arrival information in all LINK stations, like, yesterday, but having good cell coverage would be nice as well.

h/t Tim a.k.a. Atomic Taco