London Underground: 100% mobile coverage by 2024
The Tube's getting a high-tech upgrade, with 4G coverage promised to blanket all stations and lines by the end of 2024.
By David Flynn, June 23 2021
When Australians are finally able to visit London again, the city's labyrinth Tube system will offer mobile phone coverage at all stations and throughout all Tube lines.
Admittedly, it'll only be 4G as a baseline – while the system and its 2,000km network of cables will be "5G ready", adding that high-speed kit (and paying for it) will be up to each mobile carrier.
But as anyone who's visited London can attest, 4G is infinitely better than the zero-coverage of 0G.
Five of the busiest stations – Oxford Circus, Tottenham Court Road, Bank, Euston and Camden Town – are being prioritised and will come online by the end of next year.
Mobile coverage is currently limited to above-ground stations and track sections, along with the eastern half of the Jubilee Line (between Westminster and Canning Town).
"London Underground was born in the 19th century, and this concession to deliver mobile coverage to the whole Tube network ensures it continues to adapt for customers in the 21st century" remarked Shashi Verma, Chief Technology Officer at Transport for London.
"Providing mobile connectivity to customers within the tunnels and on platforms across London will help them stay connected more easily, and will both provide a long-term revenue stream for TfL and support economic growth across the city."
David Flynn is the Editor-in-Chief of Executive Traveller and a bit of a travel tragic with a weakness for good coffee, shopping and lychee martinis.