en.Wedoany.com Reported - Play, Poland's sole telecommunications operator, has announced the completion of a modernization of the telecommunications infrastructure in one of Warsaw's most challenging railway sections—the Cross-City Tunnel (Tunel Średnicowy). This upgrade has significantly improved mobile service coverage and quality in the area, ensuring stable telecommunications access for users even in underground sections.
The Cross-City Tunnel, stretching 2,310 meters through central Warsaw, connects three major railway stations—Warsaw East, Warsaw Central, and Warsaw West—along the city's central railway line. The tunnel houses tracks for long-distance lines (north side) and suburban lines (south side). Previously, passengers traveling through the tunnel often experienced signal loss, plunging into digital silence in the heart of the capital. Play's initiative aims to ensure seamless calls, stable internet access, and reliable communication during emergencies throughout the entire journey.
The infrastructure modernization implemented by Play has eliminated the tunnel as a disruption point for telecommunications services. Passengers can now confidently make calls, reply to messages, or check transfer information. Communication also functions during brief but critical moments, such as when trains enter stations, allowing passengers to call a taxi or check onward routes before disembarking.
Currently, Play's upgraded facilities are fully operational and ready for use, with plans to open access to other operators in the future. The systems already in operation include LTE 900, 1800, and GSM 900. In the coming weeks, further expansion to additional frequency bands is planned, with the activation of LTE 2100, 800, and 700 bands.
Play emphasized that the unique nature of the facility made every stage of the modernization challenging, involving logistics, planning, and execution. Work could only be carried out at night. The project was divided into two phases: the first phase targeted the suburban line of the Cross-City Tunnel and was completed in just five nights; the second phase, covering the long-distance line, was finished in seven nights.
A series of modernization measures were implemented within the tunnel, including upgrading existing facilities to their final version. The project utilized nearly 1.8 kilometers of cable, with over 1.5 kilometers being "leaky feeders." A total of 1,825 holes were drilled in the tunnel walls and ceiling, with 1,825 anchors and 1,725 system cable brackets installed.
Michał Ziółkowski, a member of Play's Board of Directors and Technical Director, stated that this was one of the most challenging infrastructure projects the company has undertaken, requiring persistence, innovative approaches, and close collaboration among multiple teams at every stage—from planning and negotiations to logistics and execution. The results enable thousands of passengers to enjoy stable connectivity and high-quality mobile services, enhancing travel comfort and safety. Play's general contractor was Remer, a company from the Cellnex Group.
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