Transport for London (TfL) and Boldyn Networks have announced significant progress in extending 4G and 5G mobile coverage across the London Underground and central London areas.
The latest updates reveal that enhanced mobile broadband services now reach additional sections of the Piccadilly, Northern, and Victoria lines, allowing all major mobile operators to deliver connectivity within these zones.
Boldyn Networks, formerly known as BAI, secured a 20-year concession agreement with TfL in June 2021, which enables the deployment of new 4G and 5G infrastructure across the entire Tube network, including the DLR and Elizabeth line. This infrastructure is designed to support a neutral wholesale model, with operators such as O2 (Virgin Media), Three UK, EE (BT), and Vodafone signing deals to utilise the network, though coverage availability may vary depending on localised factors and network bands.
Recent updates indicate that mobile coverage has now been extended along the Northern line, with tunnel sections between Balham and South Wimbledon, as well as stations including Kennington, Oval, Tooting Broadway, and South Wimbledon, now offering connectivity. On the Victoria line, coverage is being rolled out between Vauxhall and Pimlico, complementing earlier enhancements on the Piccadilly and Victoria lines, which were extended up to King’s Cross St Pancras this year. The Elizabeth line achieved full 4G coverage last year, enabling passengers to browse and make calls throughout London’s newest rail line.
The latest developments mean that travellers in South London on the Northern line from South Wimbledon to Stockwell now enjoy uninterrupted mobile service. Work is ongoing to extend coverage through the tunnels down to Morden and up to Kennington by the end of summer 2025. Additionally, the Bank branch of the Northern line, between Euston and Bank stations, is receiving coverage for the first time, with multiple networks expected to go live along this section in the coming weeks.
Looking ahead, TfL plans to expand mobile coverage along the Jubilee line starting at Swiss Cottage and progressing towards Westminster, where it will connect with existing coverage. Major interchange stations such as Green Park and King’s Cross St Pancras, along with further sections of the Victoria line from Green Park to Brixton, are also slated to receive mobile services for the first time in the coming months.
Rebecca Bissell, TfL’s Director of Technology Product and Operations, expressed her enthusiasm about the progress, stating that it is encouraging to see new sections of the Tube, particularly in south London and the northern sections serving the City of London, beginning to benefit from mobile coverage. She reaffirmed TfL’s commitment to providing high-speed 4G and 5G connectivity across the entire network, enhancing the travel experience by enabling passengers to stay connected while commuting or socialising. She added that further tunnel sections are slated to go live soon, with efforts ongoing to bring these benefits to the entire network.
Originally, the goal was to achieve full underground and station coverage by the end of 2024. However, London’s Mayor, Sadiq Khan, acknowledged in March 2024 that certain sections, especially those nearer the surface where partial coverage already exists, may require bespoke works that could extend deployment into 2025 or 2026. The work planned for 2026 will primarily focus on sections outside central London, including parts of the Circle and District lines where stations already have limited coverage due to their proximity to the surface, as well as smaller tunnel sections requiring individual attention.
