TfL preparing to provide 4G on the Tube
Underground passengers in Berlin, Paris and New York have had full mobile phone coverage for several years.
Wednesday 31 May 2017 10:36, UK
Transport for London (TfL) is preparing to hear bids from telecommunications firms to provide mobile phone coverage on the Underground.
TfL and London mayor Sadiq Khan will be opening a tender for private companies to provide 4G on the Tube after the General Election next week.
It could allow people to make calls and use the internet while on the Underground.
A number of companies are preparing to pitch for the work, according to sources quoted by the Financial Times.
These companies included telecommunications infrastrucutre companies such as BAI Communications, Wireless Infrastructure Group and Arqiva.
BT could also bid, as might Chinese technology giant Huawei.
A TfL spokesperson told Sky News: "We are keen to offer full mobile phone coverage for our customers.
"The introduction of this would need to be commercially viable and would follow engagement with staff and customers."
The nature of the contract is not yet known, but TfL could subsidise the construction of the network, which may cost hundreds of millions of pounds.
It might also seek to enter into a revenue sharing deal with the telecoms company.
Previous attempts to get mobile coverage on the Underground were abandoned by TfL.
Recent work on extending the new Emergency Services Network - a communications network for the blue light services - has encouraged TfL to again attempt to roll out mobile coverage to commuters in London.