The roll-out of 4G across the London Underground took a big step forward when two of the UK’s four mobile phone companies signed up.
Three and EE will provide high-speed connections to their customers - enabling them to make phone calls or stream video while in Tube tunnels and stations.
Transport for London also hopes Vodafone and O2 will join, potentially generating it millions of pounds a year in much-needed revenues.
4G has been piloted on the eastern end of the Jubilee line since March 2020 but TfL on Tuesday gave an update on its plans for the entire Tube network - and for Crossrail, which is due to open by June next year.
TfL hopes to have parts of central London connected by the end of 2022, with work already underway at stations including Oxford Circus, Tottenham Court Road, Bank, Euston and Camden Town.
Crossrail should be fully 4G by the same date, while the entire project is due to be completed across the Underground by 2024.
TfL awarded a 20-year contract to BAI Communications this summer to install the infrastructure required for 4G - and any subsequent upgrade to 5G. At the time, no mobile company had signed up, sparking concerns about the cost of participation.
Tuesday’s announcement is a boost to TfL, which is under orders from the Government to increase its income apart from fares and break even by 2023.
Mayor Sadiq Khan said: “I’m delighted to see Three and EE sign up as the first operators to provide full high-speed 4G access across the Tube network.
“This will make a huge difference to passengers, allowing them to make calls, read emails and check travel information while on the move.
“Investing in London’s connectivity and digital infrastructure is one important way we are helping to stimulate our city’s economy. It also represents a significant step towards ensuring the whole tube network has 5G-ready mobile coverage.”
Mobile coverage will be available on Tube trains, ticket halls, platforms and tunnels. Crossrail, which will become the Elizabeth line when it starts running, will initially have 4G on trains and platforms, with data in tunnels following later in 2022.
Robert Finnegan, chief executive of Three, said: “[Customers] will be able to enjoy smooth streaming, phone calls underground and continued seamless coverage while they travel, even in tunnels.”
Philip Jansen, chief executive of BT Group, which owns EE, said the roll-out would enable London to “leapfrog” rival cities in terms of its digital connectivity.
He said: “This is huge news for customers and for London, bringing EE’s coverage to previously unreachable parts of the city’s transport system.”
Shashi Verma, chief technology officer at TfL, said the deal would “provide a long-term revenue stream for TfL and support economic growth across the city”.
A Vodafone spokesman said: “We’re excited about bringing 4G to the London Underground after the successful trials of the last few years – negotiations have progressed well, and we expect to sign up with BAI next month.”
Source: https://uk.movies.yahoo.com/news/three-ee-4g-across-london-090031167.html