Significant progress has been made on delivering a 4G mobile network on the Tube following a successful technology trial on the Waterloo & City Line, Transport for London (TfL) confirmed today.
The trial, which took place during the summer, saw 4G cellular technology tested in tunnels and stations on the Waterloo & City line. Once live, the increased connectivity will, for the first time, allow customers to check their emails, read the latest news and social media updates as well as check for live travel information while underground on the Tube.
All four major mobile network operators (Vodafone, O2, Three and EE) participated in the design of the trial, with Vodafone and O2 carrying out testing within the tunnels, which took place outside customer hours.
As well as providing valuable insight into how this technology could be introduced more widely onto the Tube, the trial also tested making data calls from one station to another without dropping mobile reception. The trial also allowed TfL to practice laying new fibre cables within stations and tunnels, which will be crucial for other elements of TfL’s wider digital connectivity strategy. Following the trial, all active test equipment was removed from the stations and tunnels.
