Transport for London to launch 4G mobile connectivity on the Jubilee Line in March 2020

Transport for London (TfL) is to bring full 4G connectivity to the Jubilee Line for the first time as part of a pilot with the UK’s main mobile operators.

The pilot, which will go live in March 2020, aims to pave the way for a wider network rollout across the underground, providing network signal to the 5m commuters using the service every day. The trial section of the Jubilee line will run from Westminster to Canning Town.

The project is part of a range of measures from Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, to boost digital connectivity across the capital and tackle Londons areas of poor connectivity. Procurement for a concessionaire to facilitate 4G connectivity across the whole Underground network is underway, with a view to awarding the contract by Summer 2020.

O2, which has gone public on its involvement with the project, said it falls in line with its focus on providing service where customers need it most, with the London Underground a notorious ‘not-spot’ for mobile signal to date.

“This is a fantastic project for O2 to be a part of and shows our relentless commitment to providing our network to our customers, wherever they are,” said O2 CEO, Derek McManus. “The pilot will allow us to continue working hand-in-hand with TfL, and other network operators, to bring connectivity to commuters across London. This unique collaboration builds on the recent announcement of the Shared Rural Network, showing how the telecommunications industry is spearheading a more connected, mobile Britain.”