By late summer or early fall of 2003, Mass. Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) passengers will be able to use their cell phones on the subway thanks to a project which will install a wireless network underground.

The Chicago-based Andrew Corp. signed the contract for the installation of the $12 million to $15 million system. The company will receive payments from the wireless companies that want to benefit from the new installation.

The MBTA estimates that Andrew Corp. could eventually make $2.5 million from the deal.

As a result of negative comments made by members of the public after the plan was first proposed, the T will start a campaign to encourage cell phone courtesy with gentle reminders such as “Be Polite, Talk Lite” and “Talk to your friends, not the whole train.”

—-Esra B. Burak contributed to the reporting of this article.

Like The Crimson? We deliver, straight to your inbox.