The pilot section, which covers Jubilee line platforms and tunnels between Westminster and Canning Town, will allow passengers to make phone calls, check for the latest travel information, catch up on social media, watch a video and read their emails or the latest news uninterrupted during their journeys. Ticket halls and corridors within stations are also covered by the pilot, except for London Bridge and Waterloo stations where the signal will just be available on the Jubilee line platforms.
All customers with EE, O2, Three UK and Vodafone, including those on virtual operators who use their services will be able to connect to the signal from today. The pilot builds on TfL’s existing free Wi-Fi service and is using some of the cabling installed with Home Office funding to support the Emergency Services Network.
Following the first pilot section going live, TfL will begin work to expand 4G access to cover platforms and tunnels across the entire Jubilee line by the end of the year. TfL hopes to award a contract to deliver mobile coverage across the whole Underground network in the summer, so that other lines can begin to get mobile connectivity from 2021.
Shashi Verma, Chief Technology Officer at TfL, said: “We are delighted to have delivered this pilot of 4G mobile signal on the eastern end of the Jubilee line.
"This has been very complex work to install the necessary equipment to allow our customers to be able to get phone reception within our tunnels while keeping the stations open and operational.
“We are now looking at extending the pilot to cover the entire Jubilee line by the end of the year, as well as award our wider concession to all the whole Underground network to be connected in the future.”
David Dyson, CEO of Three said “We want to help people stay connected and make the most of their daily commute, enjoying their favourite shows, talking to friends or just getting a head start on the working day.
Every year, the average London commuter spends two weeks on the tube travelling to and from work, so there’s a huge opportunity for us to help people reclaim that valuable time”
Derek McManus, COO of O2, said “Not only will the project bring much needed service to commuters across London - it will also mean thousands of fans travelling to The O2 for the best live entertainment events in the UK will now be able to share their experiences with friends and family, before and after a show.
"We’re proud to be working with TfL and other mobile network operators to bring connectivity to where our customers need it most and we are excited to see the future potential of this project as it expands across the tube network.”
