Transport bosses in London are to take forward plans to give passengers full mobile phone coverage on the Underground network, according to reports.
The Financial Times (FT) said Transport for London (TfL) and London mayor Sadiq Khan are set to invite bids from telecoms companies after next week’s general election.
It said a number of companies were vying for the work, according to ‘three people familiar with the plans’.
TfL did not confirm or deny the claims. A spokesperson said: ‘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.’
According to the FT, companies that are likely to bid for the work include telecoms infrastructure specialists such as BAI Communications, Wireless Infrastructure Group and possibly Arqiva.
It said BT, which has already been in discussions with TfL as part of the Emergency Services Network contract, could also bid, while equipment makers Huawei and Airvana, part of CommScope, have previously discussed installing their communications technology on the Underground.
Passengers can already connect to the internet via wifi at more 250 tube stations, as well as 79 TfL London Overground stations. Only 45% of the Underground is actually in tunnels.
Here are some more fun facts from the Underground.
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