The upgrade means 25% of all ‘underground’ Tube stations now have access to mobile connectivity
Transport for London (TfL) have announced that all Elizabeth Line stations on the London Underground now have access to 4G or better mobile connectivity.
In addition to deploying the 4G network at the stations themselves, in-tunnel connectivity is currently being deployed, with initial sections between Bond Street and Liverpool Street to be added in the coming months.
Full in-tunnel coverage is to be completed before the end of the year.
The deployment is being delivered by neutral host network provider Boldyn Networks, which won the 20-year contract to deploy and operate TfL’s connectivity infrastructure back in 2021. The project has already seen wireless connectivity deployed on parts of the Victoria and Piccadilly lines, with work on the Bakerloo line expected to begin next month.
Alongside mobile connectivity, the infrastructure deployment also includes the new Emergency Services Network (ESN), which will provide first responders with real-time images and information.
In total, 31 of 121 subterranean Tube stations currently have dedicated mobile coverage.
All four of the UK’s mobile operators – Vodafone, Virgin Media O2, BT (EE), and Three – are taking part in the rollout.
“This is yet another step towards ensuring Londoners and visitors can stay connected on our transport network. I promised that customers would be able to access high-speed mobile coverage at all stations and in tunnels, and I’m pleased to see how quickly the team are moving to enable 4G and 5G connectivity,” said newly re-elected Mayor of London Sadiq Khan.
“Now, customers can access the latest travel information, keep in touch with colleagues, friends and family, use social media and stream music at every station along the Elizabeth line. This is just one of the many ways we are supporting Londoners as we build a better, fairer and more prosperous London for everyone.”
All connectivity infrastructure deployments across the London Underground, Docklands Light Railway, London Overground, and the Elizabeth Line are expected to be completed by the end of 2025.
Delivering high quality mobile connectivity to subway lines has become a growing priority I major cities around the world. Just last week, O2 Telefonica and Berliner Verkehrsbetriebe announced that they had completed a 4G network deployment across Berlin’s U-Bahn subway system, installing over 1,000km of fibre and various wireless equipment.
How is the UK connectivity landscape changing in 2024? Join the discussion at Connected Britain, the UK’s largest digital economy event
Source: https://totaltele.com/4g-now-covers-all-stations-on-the-elizabeth-line/