1. How much money has TFL spent on their fibre optic Connected London programme and in their efforts to expand mobile services network coverage and 4G/5G into the tube network, as reported here? https://www.london.gov.uk/press-releases/mayoral/mayor-launches-10m-for-full-fibre-connectivity 2. What has been achieved in this programme to date? 3. Was this work impacted by coronavirus? 4. What was the total budget set aside for this programme in October 2019? 4. Please provide a feasibility study for this programme?

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TfL Ref: FOI-1352-2021

Thank you for your request received by Transport for London (TfL) on 13 October 2020.

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 some of the information you require. You asked:

1. How much money has TFL spent on their fibre optic Connected London programme and in their efforts to expand mobile services network coverage and 4G/5G into the tube network, as reported here? https://www.london.gov.uk/press-releases/mayoral/mayor-launches-10m-for-full-fibre-connectivity

These initiatives are being delivered as a part of a wider programme called the Telecommunications Commercialisation Project (TCP). Funding for these particular initiatives is not broken out separately but is being delivered by the whole programme. The scope is described in the Finance Committee paper available on our website here  Please refer to pages 111 to 120.

The total cost for the TCP project so far has been £4.5m. As mentioned above, this is for the overall project scope and covers the areas requested in your FOI request and all the other areas covered by the Concession as detailed in the Finance Committee paper. As mentioned in the paper the project will provide net income for TfL over its lifetime, the costs represent the initial capital cost only.

1. What has been achieved in this programme to date?

This information is described in the paper. The procurement is in its final stages and an announcement is forthcoming.

In accordance with section 21 of the FOI Act, we are not obliged to supply you with a copy of the requested information as it is already accessible to you elsewhere.

1. Was this work impacted by coronavirus?

The COVID 19 pandemic meant that we asked the tenderers to resubmit their responses taking into account the current situation. This added an extra stage to the procurement.

1. What was the total budget set aside for this programme in October 2019?

A funding amount of £0.826m was set aside in the October 2019 budget, to complete the project procurement and support the Concessionaire. The funding was requested for the TCP as a whole, the elements were not separated out by service type. The budget figure represents the project as a whole.  

1. Please provide a feasibility study for this programme?

There was no feasibility for the fibre element because this is a well-established, existing service. The feasibility of further fibre through tunnels would be tested through market engagement. The cellular coverage is being tested through a non-commercial trial on the Jubilee Line in conjunction with all four UK mobile network operators which started in March of this year.  As a result of the sharp drop in passenger numbers due to the COVID 19 restrictions, the system demand has been far less than originally anticipated but we expect to publish system performance data, subject to the agreement of the mobile operators at the end of the first phase of the pilot in March 2021.

If you are considering submitting a further FOI request please think carefully about whether the request is essential at this current time, as answering FOI requests will require the use of limited resources and the attention of staff who could be supporting other essential activity. Where requests are made, please note that our response time may be impacted by the current situation.

If this is not the information you are looking for, or if you are unable to access it for any reason, 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

Eva Hextall

FOI Case Management Team

General Counsel

Transport for London

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