Vodafone launches 5G standalone commercial pilot
Vodafone is working with Ericsson as part of the pilot
Operators
June 24, 2021
5G services will also be introduced at a later date
The Mayor of London has confirmed that London Underground passengers will have full access to 4G mobile services on the tube by 2024.
Transport for London (TfL) is targeting the end of next year for the first fully connected stations to be up and running.
The rollout will be carried out by BAI Communications, which has been awarded a 20-year deal to support the rollout across the whole tube network.
Delivering mobile coverage to the London Underground will remove one of the most high-profile mobile ‘not-spots’ in the country, with London’s busiest stations the first to receive the mobile boost.
These stations include; Oxford Circus, Tottenham Court Road, Bank, Euston and Camden Town.
So far none of the mobile network operators have confirmed any involvement in the rollout.
Trials
It follows recent successful trials on the Jubilee Line since last March, where mobile phone reception has been available on the easter half of the line.
Further down the line, 5G services will also be implemented according to TfL, as 2,000km of cables will be installed underground, out of operational hours.
Prior to the pandemic, the London Underground was used by up to five million passengers a day.
TfL chief technology officer Shashi Verma said: “Providing mobile connectivity to customers within the tunnels and on platforms across London will help them stay connected more easily, and will both provide a long-term revenue stream for TfL and support economic growth across the city.”