Vodafone and Virgin Media O2 have agreed to join BAI Communication’s 4G and 5G ready mobile network to support mobile signal across the London Underground.
This means that all four UK major network operators will provide connectivity across the London Underground, with EE and Three already signed up.
Last year BAI Communications, a global communication infrastructure provider, was awarded a 20-year deal by Transport for London (TfL) to delivery this connectivity.
BAI is aiming to deliver a full 4G service across the entirety of the London Underground by 2024.
According to BAI, work is well underway, following a positive pilot section on the eastern end of the Jubilee Line earlier this year.
The next five stations to get coverage are Bank, Oxford Circus, Tottenham Court Road, Euston, and Camden Town – all of which will go live within the next six months.
As part of this contract, BAI’s neutral host mobile network will also host the new Emergency Services Network (ESN).
“The UK needs world class digital infrastructure, and bringing 4G and 5G to the London Underground is a big part of that,” said Vodafone UK CEO Ahmed Essam.
Virgin Media O2 CEO Lutz Schuler added: “We’ve already invested hundreds of millions of pounds in the capital to expand and upgraded our fixed and mobile networks which has accelerated London’s transformation into a cutting-edge digital hub, fuelling growth and connecting communities to gigabit services.”
