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Transport for London (TfL) and Boldyn Networks have published a progress update for their roll-out of 4G and 5G mobile (mobile broadband) coverage on the London Underground, which reveals that more sections of the Bakerloo, Metropolitan and Circle line are now live. The project is currently on target to complete by the end of 2026.
Just to recap. Boldyn Networks, using kit from Nokia and others, currently holds a 20-year concession deal with TfL, which was signed in June 2021 (here). The agreement allows them to deploy new mobile network infrastructure across the whole Tube (London Underground), DLR and Elizabeth line network.
The latest progress update for this reveals that customers on the Bakerloo, Metropolitan and Circle lines are now able stay connected for more of their journeys after further sections gained mobile coverage in recent months. In addition, around 60% of stations that are ‘underground’ now have coverage, and work is on track to bring coverage to the whole network by the end of the year.
In recent weeks, coverage has been introduced in the tunnelled sections on the Bakerloo line between Queen’s Park and Edgware Road, plus on the Metropolitan line between Euston Square and King’s Cross St Pancras as well as between Barbican and Moorgate. The Circle and District lines have also gained coverage between Cannon Street and Monument, Sloane Square and Victoria, and Bayswater and Paddington.
As well as tunnelled sections, busy stations including Vauxhall, Temple, Nine Elms and Gloucester Road have all now gone live. Mobile coverage has also begun to be introduced at major stations like King’s Cross St Pancras, Victoria and Paddington, which will go live in phases due to their size and complexity, focusing initially on ticket halls and platforms.
The vast majority of the Northern, Bakerloo and Metropolitan lines will have coverage in the tunnels by the end of summer this year. The expanding coverage will also host the new Emergency Services Network (ESN) – which, when fully operational, will give first responders (police, fire and ambulance) immediate access to life-saving data, images and information in live situations and emergencies.
Rebecca Bissell, Director of IT at TfL, said:
“We are delighted to be delivering more mobile coverage to our customers across our Tube network. Providing mobile coverage across our network means customers can stay better connected while they travel, allowing them to stay in contact with friends and family, shop online and keep up with the latest news and sports results. We remain focused on having 4G and 5G mobile coverage across the whole Tube network by the end of the year, and more than 600 engineers work hard overnight during limited engineering hours to help deliver this.”
Seb Dance, Deputy Mayor of London for Transport, said:
“It’s brilliant to see this continued progress on the Mayor’s promise of delivering 4G and 5G across the London Underground, with more mobile coverage for passengers across an ever-growing network of lines and stations. In an increasingly digital world, we’re committed to ensuring that all Londoners and visitors have the connections they need – even whilst on the move – as we build a better London for everyone.”
In addition, TfL and Boldyn are also working to introduce coverage to sections of the Docklands Light Railway (DLR) that are under-ground, as well as the Windrush line between Highbury & Islington and New Cross.
The operators are also working to install small-cell technology on TfL assets such as lighting columns, to enhance mobile connectivity in high-footfall urban areas. Some of the capital’s busiest areas – such as King’s Cross, Waterloo, London Bridge, Old Street, The Shard and Hyde Park Corner – are already benefiting from this work.
The original goal of the London Underground deployment, which also extends to some of the London Overground network, was to reach completion by the end of 2024 (ticket halls, platforms and tunnels). But some sections of certain lines, such as those that are closer to the surface, where partial mobile coverage exists, required bespoke works and that has taken a bit longer.