TfL Ref: FOI-0629-2425
Thank you for your request received by Transport for London (TfL) on 16th May 2024 asking for information about Elizabeth line mobile connectivity.
Your request has been considered in accordance with the requirements of the Freedom of Information Act and our information access policy.
Specifically you asked:
“Why is there still no wifi / mobile connectivity on the Elizabeth Line between stations still over a year after it was supposed to be functional.
Please provide a precise update on when this will go live and a via FOI information detailing why it has not gone live so far and how much has so far been spent on this currently non working infrastructure.”
I can confirm that we hold the information you require.
The Telecoms Commercialisation Project took over the delivery of the Elizabeth line connectivity, from Crossrail, 12 months ago. As you may be aware, we have had customer Wi-Fi in London Underground stations since 2012 and that includes at Bond St, Tottenham Court Road, Farringdon, Paddington, Whitechapel and Canary Wharf. We are now delivering mobile connectivity in stations and tunnels across the network for the first time.
In December 2023, the first four stations on the Elizabeth line (Bond Street, Tottenham Court Road, Farringdon and Liverpool Street) received mobile coverage for the first time. On the 30th April 2024, we finished the delivery of 4G connectivity on Elizabeth line platforms at Paddington, Whitechapel, Canary Wharf, and Woolwich. The tunnels come next. Due to the nature of the engineering work required, work can only take place during engineering hours, when the line is closed to customers.
Having now delivered coverage at all Elizabeth line stations, we are focused on delivering the tunnels between the Royal Oak portal and Whitechapel by the end of June. At Whitechapel the line splits into two branches and we are planning to deliver all tunnels between Whitechapel and the Pudding Lane and Plumstead portals by the end of the Summer 2024. Note that TfL is not directly responsible for delivering connectivity for stations and track above ground. When passengers are above ground their phone signal should connect in the normal way to your network provider.
In terms of costs to date, note that the Telecoms Commercialisation Project is a partnership with a telecoms specialist, Boldyn Networks. There is no ongoing cost to TfL to deliver commercial mobile for customers. The investment and risk sits with Boldyn and TfL receives a fixed fee and a share of revenue for the length of the contract, which is 20 years. There was an initial outlay from TfL, which forms part of the commercial agreement with Boldyn Networks, but this information is exempt from disclosure under section 43(2) of the Freedom of Information Act, which can apply to information that is commercially prejudicial, be it to TfL or any other body.
As a ‘qualified’ exemption, the use of section 43(2) is subject to consideration of the ‘public interest test’ to determine whether it is in the greater public interest for the exemption to apply and the information to be withheld, or for it to be released in any event. We appreciate the need for openness and transparency in the operation of our business, and the fact you have requested the information is in itself an argument in favour of release. However, as a largely publicly funded authority we have a responsibility to secure the best value for the public purse, which includes ensuring that we do not prejudice our negotiations for similar work in the future. In this case we believe that the greater public interests rests in the exemption applying, to ensure no prejudice takes place which would undermine our ability to secure the best value in any future, similar contracts.
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
