WASHINGTON — Get ready for more opportunities to check your email, scroll through the headlines or snap the next viral sensation on your way to work.
Metro says the rollout of free public Wi-Fi at all underground stations will be completed by Friday.
Underground stations make up nearly half of the 91 stations in the Metro system.
In a news release issued Thursday, Metro said it now plans to expand Wi-Fi to all Metro stations by the end of 2018.
“We are always looking for new ways to improve safety and the customer experience on Metro,” Metro General Manager Paul Wiedefeld said in a statement. “Providing free Wi-Fi access at all 91 Metrorail stations will help customers stay better connected while they travel.”
You can take advantage of the free Wi-Fi by turning on your device’s Wi-Fi and selecting the “Metro-Public” network.
Metro began rolling out Wi-Fi at some stations in August 2016 as part of a pilot project.
Separately, Metro also announced expanded cellphone service in some tunnels on the Blue and Silver Line.
Metro said it expanded service in tunnels between Benning Road and Largo Town Center, meaning Blue and Silver Line riders can now travel from Metro Center to Largo Town Center with uninterrupted cell service.
Metro said about one-third of its 50 miles of tunnels now have cell service.
Metro is required by law to get cellphone service across the system. While cellphone service is already available at all station platforms, it will still be several years before Metro meets a federal mandate to expand cell service across the system.
(WTOP’s Max Smith contributed to this report.)
