Request ID: FOI-3582-2324 Date published: 23 January 2024
You asked
Follow-up to FOI-3322-2324: Thank you very much for your reply.
In the case of stations which receive no coverage but are above ground, how can this be squared with the original promise of the programme which was to cover “every station”?
Can you provide information on the coverage at the stations which are above ground and if you consider the current coverage “sufficient”? Specifically, the stations on the District Line between Wimbledon and Earl’s Court?
We answered
TfL Ref: FOI-3582-2324
Thank you for your further request received by Transport for London (TfL) on 8th January 2024 asking for information about 4G/5G coverage at London Underground stations. Your request has been considered in accordance with the requirements of the Freedom of Information Act and our information access policy.
Specifically you asked:
“In the case of stations which receive no coverage but are above ground, how can this be squared with the original promise of the programme which was to cover “every station”?
Can you provide information on the coverage at the stations which are above ground and if you consider the current coverage “sufficient”? Specifically, the stations on the District Line between Wimbledon and Earl’s Court?”.
I have liaised with relevant colleagues and they do not recognise the suggestion that TfL ‘promised’ to cover every station. The programme is based on the scope set out in the Concession Agreement, which has been published and was linked to in our previous response. This sets out the stations and tunnels that will be covered - they are all subsurface underground stations. The Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) control their own networks and would not allow us to make changes to the network above ground. The spectrum used is ‘owned’ by them, and if there is a question / concern about coverage in a specific area that is a matter to address with the network provider. We have no records of the coverage in above ground areas as this is a matter for the MNOs. All stations do have Wi-Fi coverage.
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
