Data coverage for London Underground commuters is set to get much better next year. It has been confirmed that 4G access will be available in the Underground’s tunnels and stations starting next year. This will begin with the eastern half of the Jubilee line between Westminster and Canning Town stations from March 2020.
The city aims to connect the entire Underground network with 4G access by the middle of the next decade. Aside from enabling 4G connectivity, this system will also allow passengers to connect to the network using 2G or 3G.
London mayor Sadiq Khan has hinted that this network may even be upgraded to 5G down the line. “Introducing 4G and, in the future, 5G will help Londoners and visitors keep in touch and get the latest travel information while on the go,” he said.
Getting the 4G system up and running isn’t going to be an easy task. The challenge of providing a cellular signal is a big one. According to Transport for London, it’s likely that over 1,200 miles of cabling will have to be laid as part of this project. The work will also be done outside of the operational hours so that there’s minimal disruption to the train service.