In December 2019, O2 has signed an agreement with Transport for London (TfL) to bring full 4G connectivity to the Jubilee Line for the first time as part of a pilot with the other main telco providers and O2 mobile virtual network operators (MVNOs).
The pilot, which will go live in March 2020, aims to pave the way for a wider network rollout across the underground, providing much needed network signal to the 5 million commuters using the service every day. The project falls in line with O2’s focus on providing service where customers need it most, with the London Underground a notorious ‘not-spot’ for mobile signal to date.
The trial section of the Jubilee line will cover from Westminster to Canning Town, ensuring millions of music and sports fans visiting The O2 venue will be able to chat with friends before they arrive, and share their experiences without delay on their way home.
Hundreds of miles of cabling will be installed as part of the rollout, which is part of a range of measures from Mayor Sadiq Khan to boost digital connectivity across the capital and tackle London’s areas of poor connectivity. Procurement for a concessionaire to facilitate 4G connectivity across the whole Underground network is well underway, with a look to award the contract by Summer 2020.*
O2 already has a strong partnership with TfL, which was recognised with the telco being named as ‘Supplier of the Year’ at the TfL Supplier Awards in London recently, providing a testament to the strength of their strategic partnership.
Shashi Verma, Chief Technology Officer at TfL said:
“It’s great that O2 have signed up to bring their 4G network to Jubilee line customers. The London Underground network is an incredibly challenging environment in which to deliver technological improvements, but we remain on course for customers to start benefiting from our pilot from March 2020.”
*https://tfl.gov.uk/info-for/media/press-releases/2019/july/4g-on-jubilee-line-tunnel-section-from-march-2020
For more information, please visit: https://tfl.gov.uk/info-for/business-and-commercial/creating-a-connected-london?cid=telecoms
