MBTA cancels controversial commuter rail Wi-Fi plan

BOSTON — Amid public backlash, the MBTA pulled the plug on a plan to improve Wi-Fi on commuter trains by installing hundreds of 75-foot-tall telecommunication towers along the tracks, the Boston Globe reports.

The agency rejected the proposal by its private contractor, BAI Communications, which was expected to begin installing the towers soon. MBTA officials said BAI Communications’ proposal for 320 new tall towers was well beyond what the agency anticipated, and it directed the company to submit a new plan.

The BAI proposal had triggered strong backlash from suburban residents and municipal leaders, who complained the towers were too tall, too intrusive, and that the MBTA had not provided enough notice of the project. For the full story, click here.