Vodafone and Virgin Media O2 are the latest British mobile network operators to join the BAI Communications (BAI) network, which will provide high-speed mobile connectivity across the London Underground.
This means customers of all four of the UK’s biggest mobile network operators – Three, EE, Vodafone and Virgin Media O2 – will be able to access 4G and 5G-ready mobile connectivity across the Tube network, including within tunnels.
BAI was awarded a 20-year concession by Transport for London (TfL) in June 2021 to deliver mobile connectivity on the Underground.
Once complete, customers will be able to make calls wherever they are on the network, check travel information, emails, social media and live stream videos.
BAI’s neutral host mobile network will also host a new emergency services network, which will give first responders immediate access to potentially life-saving data, images and information in live situations.
Work on delivering 4G coverage across the Tube network is currently underway, following the successful transfer of the previous pilot section on the eastern end of the Jubilee line to BAI earlier this year.
The next five stations to get coverage – Bank, Oxford Circus, Tottenham Court Road, Euston, and Camden Town – will go live within the next six months.
According to TfL, some sections of Tube network will go live by summer 2023, including parts of the Central line, as well as stations and tunnels through the city and West End.
TfL and BAI are also continuing to progress with delivering mobile coverage across the recently opened central section of the Elizabeth line between Paddington and Abbey Wood.
Mobile operators will ensure continued and improved coverage via Wi-Fi on the London Underground and Elizabeth line when the network transfers to BAI in April 2023.
Shashi Verma, chief technology officer at TfL, said: “Mobile connectivity across the stations and tunnels across the Tube network will help our customers stay connected more easily as well as work, shop and stay in touch on the move.
“I’m delighted that all four major mobile operators are set to provide high-speed, uninterrupted 4G coverage on the Tube.
“We are working hard with BAI Communications to get the next stations completed by the end of the year so our customers can benefit as soon as possible.”
Across the wider Connected London programme, BAI anticipates investing more than £1bn on establishing a backbone of mobile and digital connectivity for London.
A full-fibre network will also be delivered that will connect to buildings and street assets, such as traffic lights and lampposts that house small mobile transmitter cells to leverage 5G and the Internet of Things.
These can then be used by boroughs, academics and developers to deliver improvements in a range of areas, including air quality, traffic congestion, public safety and city planning.
