4G and 5G mobile network coverage unveiled on London Underground line
Today for the first time London Underground customers were able to use 4G and 5G mobile network coverage in Tube stations as part of Transport for London’s (TfL) plan to expand internet coverage across its lines.
The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, set out the next phase of the introduction of high-speed mobile coverage across the Tube network as the first stations in the West End got mobile coverage.
This morning, customers using the Central line between Oxford Circus and Tottenham Court Road could use 4G and 5G coverage in the ticket hall, on escalators and on Central line platforms.
Coverage has also been introduced to the Northern line platforms at Tottenham Court Road.
All four mobile network operators – Three UK, EE, Vodafone, and Virgin Media O2 (VMO2) – are taking part in the rollout, which has already delivered 4G on sections of the Jubilee, Northern and Central lines.
By the end of the year, 33 stations with platforms that are underground, as well as connecting tunnels, will have mobile coverage, increasing to more than 40 stations by the spring of 2024.
In the coming months, further stations along the Northern and Central lines such as Goodge Street, Chancery Lane and Bank will get mobile coverage.
The Mayor also confirmed today that the first stations on the Elizabeth line to benefit from high-speed mobile coverage will be Bond Street, Tottenham Court Road, Farringdon and Liverpool Street.
These stations will be live by the end of the year, with all stations and tunnelled sections getting 4G coverage by the end of spring 2024.
Boldyn Networks will also begin to upgrade the existing coverage on the Jubilee line to allow 5G to be available at stations, such as Canary Wharf and North Greenwich, for the first time.
TfL and Boldyn have also now agreed a deal to extend mobile coverage to the Docklands Light Railway and the London Overground between Highbury & Islington and New Cross.
This means that 5G coverage will be delivered on top of 4G coverage, and will be extended to the Elizabeth line, DLR and London Overground as well as the Tube.
TfL said it expects a significant proportion of the entire Tube network, around 80 per cent of stations across the network, and the Elizabeth line, to have mobile coverage by the end of 2024.
Mr Khan said: “I am delighted to see the promise I made of delivering 4G and 5G across the London Underground continuing to progress, with West End hubs Oxford Circus and Tottenham Court Road joining an ever-growing network of line and stations with full connectivity.
“This means Londoners and visitors can now access the latest travel information or social media, check their emails, make calls, and stream videos whilst on the move underground. Growing numbers of underground Tube stations now have 4G and 5G services, with many more to come as we continue to build a better London for everyone.”
(Picture: TfL)