Tube passengers will be able to make calls and use the internet as far as East Finchley Station from next year

Tube passengers using mobiles — credit TfL

Northern Line passengers will be able to access 4G and 5G mobile signals as far north as East Finchley Station from next year as Transport for London (TfL) expands its high-speed network coverage on the London Underground.

Mayor of London Sadiq Khan today (8^th) 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 4G and 5G mobile coverage.

Customers using the Central Line between Oxford Circus and Tottenham Court Road are the latest to benefit from 4G and 5G coverage in the ticket hall, on escalators and on platforms. Coverage has also now been introduced to the Northern line platforms at Tottenham Court Road.

All four mobile network operators – Three UK, EE, Vodafone and Virgin Media O2 – 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, and therefore usually unable to get a mobile signal, as well as connecting tunnels, will have mobile coverage, increasing to more than 40 stations by spring 2024.

Coverage on the Northern Line will by then extend to Highgate and East Finchley stations.

The introduction of 4G and 5G mobile coverage across the tube network is being delivered by Boldyn Networks and is seeing high-speed mobile coverage provided within stations and tunnelled sections of the tube network, allowing customers to get the latest travel information, access social media, check their emails, make calls, and stream videos while passing through the station.

Providing uninterrupted mobile coverage also provides additional reassurance to those travelling on the network and will make it easier for customers to contact friends and family while travelling. It will also host the new Emergency Services Network (ESN), which when fully operational, will give first responders immediate access to life-saving data, images and information in live situations and emergencies on the frontline.

As well as bringing mobile coverage to more stations in the coming months, 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. Given the progress made, the mayor, TfL and Boldyn have also now agreed a deal to extend mobile coverage to the Docklands Light Railway and London Overground between Highbury and 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.

Mayor 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 while 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.”

Andy Lord, London’s transport commissioner, added: “It’s great to see the first tube stations in the West End getting high-speed mobile coverage on their phones within the station, as part of the next stage of our project with Boldyn Networks to bring 4G and 5G to the whole tube network.

“We are committed to delivering this programme which will allow customers to be more connected underground and get the latest travel information and news, as well as stay in contact with work, friends and families while travelling on our network.”

For more information:
Visit tfl.gov.uk/get-online

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