Request ID: FOI-0592-2324 Date published: 21 June 2023
You asked
Good afternoon.
I am sending this email to request information under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 on the topic of Mobile phone use in the Underground.
In Jan 2021 a contract was awarded to BAI Communications to deliver 4G and 5G mobile connectivity across the Tube, including within the tunnels, with the aim of offering access 5G mobile connectivity and the Internet within every London Underground station and tunnel, including the Elizabeth line by the end of 2024.
So far (May 2023), only the eastern part of the Jubilee Line and a handful of stations in the Central line have been upgraded. My questions are regarding the roll-out plan:
1) Is the date of "end of 2024" still firm, or is there any delay to the completion of these works? If there is a delay, what is the expected completion date?
2) What are the deployment plans? What line(s) will be the next one(s) to get mobile connectivity, and when? Is there a detailed plan with station names & expected delivery of this update?
Regards
We answered
TfL Ref: FOI-0592-2324 Thank you for your request received by Transport for London (TfL) on 25th May 2023 asking for information about 4G and 5G connectivity roll-out plans for the London Underground. Your request has been considered in accordance with the requirements of the Freedom of Information Act and our information access policy. I can confirm that we hold the information you require. Your questions are answered in turn below: Question 1) Is the date of "end of 2024" still firm, or is there any delay to the completion of these works? If there is a delay, what is the expected completion date? Answer: The contracted delivery date for the completion of 4G works is still before the end of 2024, with 5G following at a later date. There are ongoing discussions about the exact order in which the final roll-out takes place, and no decisions have been made yet beyond those indicated below. Question 2) What are the deployment plans? What line(s) will be the next one(s) to get mobile connectivity, and when? Is there a detailed plan with station names & expected delivery of this update? Answer: Since December 2022, we have introduced mobile coverage to three stations on the Central line ( Holland Park, Notting Hill Gate, Queensway) as well as the tunnels between the stations. We have also introduced it to five stations on the Northern line (Archway, Tufnell Park, Kentish Town, Camden Town, Mornington Crescent) with coverage in the tunnels between Archway and Kentish Town station. Coverage between Kentish Town, Camden Town and Mornington Crescent is expected to go live in the coming weeks. Our current focus in on the northern section of the Northern line, as well as the central section of the Central line - both of which are due to be completed in the coming months. Areas of the Victoria, Bakerloo and Piccadilly lines in central London will then be added soon after. Following this, the southern area of the Northern line will follow. While a deployment plan does exist, it is currently in the process of being updated in line with the ongoing discussions referenced above. This recent Press Notice provides some more detail about the project: https://tfl.gov.uk/info-for/media/press-releases/2023/june/4g-and-5g-mobile-coverage-now-available-to-customers-at-camden-town-station If this is not the information you are looking for please do not hesitate to contact me. Please see the attached information sheet for details of your right to appeal as well as information on copyright and what to do if you would like to re-use any of the information we have disclosed. Yours sincerely, David Wells FOI Case Officer FOI Case Management Team General Counsel Transport for London
