Verizon Wireless users can now use their cell phones underground in CTA subways, but some question if the accessibility outweighs the annoyances.

Verizon signed a 10-year agreement to lease the CTA telecommunication infrastructure allowing Verizon users to send and receive phone calls and text messages as well as web-enabled data.

The CTA will receive $27,950 monthly from the New York City-based company, according to a CTA press release. The company’s underground service began on Sept. 1.

Chicago-based U.S. Cellular was the first wireless provider to utilize CTA’s wireless service, stretching throughout the Red and Blue Line’s 11.4 mile subway system, since 2006.

Many Chicago transit riders have mixed opinions of Verizon’s new subterranean signal, said Kevin O’Neil, operator of Chicago transit-centric blog, CTATattler.com. He said while some riders are glad to have underground phone access, others complain about an increase in annoying rider phone conversations.

“I’ve seen comments [on CTATattler.com] that basically run the gamut,” O’Neil said. “[But] I personally don’t like people talking on the phone real loudly on the train anyway, no matter where they are.”

O’Neil, who lives in Rogers Park, said there is proper etiquette expected from riders to talk discreetly on their phones.

“People think that just because they are on a train they are in a bubble,” O’Neil said. “They think they can say whatever they want on the phone and nobody else matters.”

T-Mobile retail sales representative and Red Line commuter Brian Fuller said many customers, who come into the T-Mobile store where he works, 606 W. Roosevelt Road, said having underground phone access is enough to convince them to switch carriers. T-Mobile, however, does not currently offer service in the CTA subways.

“My train ride to get to the South Loop is 45 minutes long-that’s a whole lot of time spent doing nothing,” Fuller said. “And God forbid the train gets stuck.”

Verizon customer Kate Bowen, a 25-year-old Ravenswood resident, rides the Red Line into the South Loop every day. She said she frequently uses her cell phone on the train to call home, but said she is mindful of people around her.

“Most of downtown is underground, so it’s nice to be able to use your phone,” Bowen said. “But when I’m on the train I think of it as a library. The etiquette is different… because people [should be] more likely to respect people around them.”

The Red and Blue Line communications system, which was set up in 2005, helped CTA to enhance an existing two-way radio system originally intended to correspond with the Chicago Police Department and the Chicago Fire Department during emergencies. Currently, only U.S. Cellular and Verizon Wireless have access to the system.

“With more people either working on-the-go or taking advantage of a few minutes during their commute to check their e-mail or read the latest news, the availability of Verizon’s wireless services in our subway system is one more convenience we can provide for our customers and their use of personal wireless devices,” said CTA President Ron Huberman in a press release.