Connected London

We're improving digital connectivity to drive the next wave of innovation and growth in London. By using our unique position and assets to create ambitious telecoms services, we can ensure that London remains the place where the world wants to work, live, study and visit.

Telecoms concession

Boldyn Networks (formerly BAI Communications) has a 20-year telecoms concession to transform our transport assets into telecoms assets. The concession runs to 2041.

Together we're working with the 4 major UK mobile operators - Three UK, EE, Vodafone and Virgin Media O2 - to bring high-speed 4G and 5G mobile connectivity across London below ground and at street level.

This will:

  • Extend mobile phone coverage on the Tube, Elizabeth line, DLR and London Overground
  • Improve Mobile coverage above ground in busy areas such as Kings Cross, Waterloo and Old Street
  • Support the London boroughs by providing connectivity to borough locations and enhancing CCTV, funded by the GLA
  • Support Wi-Fi on London Underground
"It's great that we have begun to introduce 4G mobile coverage to more stations, meaning that around 10% of our stations that are underground will shortly be connected. I'm very proud of the teams across TfL that are working together to deliver this for London."
Shashi Verma
Chief Technology Officer

Mobile connectivity on the Underground

The project is about to finish the delivery of Phase 1 of the rollout, joining both the Edgware and High Barnet branches of the Northern line to Tottenham Court Road and the underground section of the Central line from Shepherd's Bush to Bank.

The Elizabeth line has a 4G signal on platforms in 4 major stations: Liverpool St, Farringdon, Tottenham Court Road and Bond Street. The remaining stations will have a 4G signal, and connecting tunnels a 5G signal, by the end of spring 2024. 

Testing south of Tottenham Court Road and on the Bakerloo, Piccadilly and Victoria lines is also well under way ahead of bringing mobile coverage to these lines.

The mobile network will host the new Emergency Services Network (ESN). This will give first responders immediate access to life-saving data, images and information in live situations and emergencies on the frontline.

Read our press release about 4G and 5G services on the Elizabeth line.

Improving coverage across London

The Streetscape project aims to install 3,900 small cells on TfL's existing assets, such as lighting columns on our red routes, to improve connectivity and data speeds for Londoners on the move. This will improve London's 4G and 5G connectivity and speeds in London's dense urban environment, particularly in areas with high demand and poor connectivity.

The project has installed the first small cells on the Euston Road and around Waterloo and Hyde Park, boosting mobile connectivity in and around London's busiest transport and tourist hubs.

Small cells are low-powered cellular radio units installed at street level to enhance mobile coverage and capacity. It's powered by brand new gigabit fibre laid through 60km of TfL ducting, making the small cell network a fast and cost-effective way to boost mobile network capacity. This will expand this over the next few years to cover high footfall areas across the capital, including Southwark and Westminster.

Connectivity for London's boroughs

We're working in collaboration with the GLA and Boldyn Networks to deliver fibre to public centre sites and CCTV sites across London. This brings huge benefits to all London boroughs, helping residents access educational and economic opportunities, and boosting productivity.

So far we've connected 41 sites in Kingston and 21 sites in Sutton with more connections to be made across multiple boroughs.

Connected lines and stations

Jubilee line

The Jubilee line 4G commercial mobile service runs from Westminster to Canning Town on platforms and connecting tunnels.

Central line

There is 5G connectivity on the Central line from Holland Park to Bank.

Northern line

From Archway to Tottenham Court Road and Belsize Park to Tottenham Court Road

Elizabeth line 

In Liverpool Street, Farringdon, Tottenham Court Road and Bond Street stations

The service allows customers to check the latest travel information, catch up on social media and read their emails and the latest news uninterrupted as part of their journey. See the Mobile phones and Wi-Fi underground page.

Two people sit on a bench underground looking at a phone

Current Wi-Fi services

We still host customer Wi-Fi across more than 260 Tube stations and all London Overground stations except for Emerson Park and Haggerston. Wi-Fi is available in the ticket halls, passenger corridors and platforms of these Tube stations and in the ticket halls and passages of the Overground stations.

The new Elizabeth Line stations at Farringdon, Tottenham Court Road, Woolwich, Canary Wharf, Paddington, Whitechapel, Custom House, Bond Street and Liverpool Street all have Wi-Fi.

Public Wi-Fi will still be available to customers as part of Connected London.