It seems like just yesterday we were told we'd soon be living in a kooky world in which we'd be able to get a signal in most subway tunnels. "Pssh," we scoffed, "we'll believe we're living in the far flung future when we see a hoverboard in action." But the far flung future is here now, with 67 stations in Manhattan equipped with free Wi-Fi. And a mobile testing firm has analyzed the signal strength and determined the best and worst stations and lines for people who can't wait until they get aboveground to post a photo to Instagram (or email a tip to Gothamist)
Global Wireless Solutions determined that the stations with the strongest signals are: the Fifth Avenue, 59th Street N/Q/R; Fifth Avenue, 53rd Street E/M; the 86th Street 1/2; the 23rd Street 1/2; and the 49th Street N/Q/R. The slowest connection is at the Lexington Avenue/53rd Street E/M, followed by the 116th Street A/B/C, the Fulton Street J/Z, the 103rd Street A/B/C, and the Cathedral Parkway 110th Street 1 stop.
As for which lines had the best overall connection, the Q train took the prize, followed by the B, R, N and A.The weakest are the 4, 5, 6, J and Z trains. "It would take you longer to perform any task on those lines, like sending an email or sending a selfie," Carter told the News.
According to the Post, the MTA is promising that all 277 subway stations in the city will get free Internet access by 2017. But by then, we'll probably be driving our hoverboards to work.
