Sprint Nextel has announced the availability of mobile phone coverage within the Washington DC underground railway network. The coverage is available in 20 of the network's 47 underground stations. Sprint expects to offer service in the Metro's remaining underground stations by the autumn of 2010. Service should be available in 50 percent of the Metro system's tunnels by the fall of 2011, with complete coverage expected to be established in all the tunnels by the fall of 2012.

Verizon Wireless, Sprint Nextel, AT&T and T-Mobile are jointly building the new wireless network that is currently being installed. The firms also will build a second wireless network, which Metro will own, operate and maintain for Metro's own public safety and operational communications.

Sprint has traditionally offered coverage on the Metro, but only via a roaming agreement with an older Verizon network.

Stations with this expanded service include: Ballston, Bethesda, Columbia Heights, Crystal City, Dupont Circle, Farragut North, Farragut West, Federal Triangle SW, Foggy Bottom-GWU, Friendship Heights, Gallery Place-Chinatown, Judiciary Square, L'Enfant Plaza, McPherson Square, Metro Center, Pentagon, Pentagon City, Rosslyn, Smithsonian and Union Station.

The wireless contract will generate a minimum of nearly $25 million during the initial 15-year term and an additional $27 million during the five, two-year renewal terms.