London Underground to get 4G

London commuters are about to get better connected. Transport for London (TfL) is set to introduce 4G mobile coverage on London Underground from 2019. The move follows a trial on the Waterloo & City line.

The London-wide transport system has been one of the UK’s extensive black spots for mobile connectivity. The new system will allow 4G users to check emails and social media for the first time.

The trial on the Waterloo and City line, which took place in the summer, was supported by all four major operators - Vodafone, O2, Three and EE. They designed the parameters of the trial, while O2 and Vodafone participated in the testing within the tunnels.

The trial has helped TfL work out how 4G reception can be integrated into the Tube network. In addition,  the trial also tested how user could make data calls from one station to another without dropping mobile reception.  TfL also got practice in laying new fibre cables within stations and tunnels, an element that will become more important during the rollout of digital services.  All equipment used in the trial, which took place outside passenger hours, has now been removed.

Tendering process

The next stage will be the tendering process for the service provider who can deliver 4G. TfL is to begin the procurement process in early 2018.

Graeme Craig, director of commercial development at TfL, said: “The success of this trial shows that we are on track to unlock one of the UK’s most high profile not-spots and deliver 4G mobile coverage throughout our tunnels and Tube stations. This is great news for our customers and will also help us generate vital commercial income to reinvest in modernising and improving transport in London.”

 

Latest in Phone & Communications
GlocalMe KeyTracker
When I tested this global tracker, it trounced the Apple AirTag in so many ways
Privacy Hero II
Privacy Hero II VPN Router
ThinkPhone 25 by Motorola
I reviewed the ThinkPhone 25 by Motorola and while it's not as fast as its predecessor, it's the superior phone in so many ways
FRITZ!Box 7690 WiFi 7 Router
FRITZ!Box 7690 router review
Ulefone Armor Pad 4 Ultra Thermal
Ulefone Armor Pad 4 Ultra Thermal rugged tablet review
Unihertz Tank Pad 8849
Unihertz Tank Pad 8849 rugged tablet review
Latest in News
An image of Pro-Ject's Flatten it closed and opened
Pro-Ject’s new vinyl flattener will fix any warped LPs you inadvertently buy on Record Store Day
EA Sports F1 25 promotional image featuring drivers Oscar Piastri, Carlos Sainz and Oliver Bearman.
F1 25 has been officially announced, with this year's entry marking a return for Braking Point and a 'significant overhaul' for My Team mode
Garmin clippd integration
Garmin's golf watches just got a big software integration upgrade to help you improve your game
Robert Downey Jr reveals himself as Doctor Doom to a delighted crowd at San Diego Comic-Con 2024
Marvel is currently revealing the full cast for Avengers: Doomsday, and I think it's going to be a long-winded announcement
Samsung QN90F on yellow background
Samsung announces US prices for its 2025 mini-LED TV lineup, and it’s good and bad news
Nintendo Switch Lite
Forget the Nintendo Switch 2, the original Switch is getting one last hurrah in a surprise Nintendo Direct tomorrow