Transport for London has completed the first phase of introducing mobile coverage on the Elizabeth line.
Travellers can now access high-speed mobile connectivity on platforms, escalators and in tickets halls at Bond Street, Tottenham Court Road, Farringdon and Liverpool Street stations.
More stations are set to follow in the new year, and work is also underway to add mobile coverage in tunnelled sections, with the whole of the 73-mile line set to have access by the end of spring 2024.
All four mobile network operators (Three UK, EE, Vodafone, and Virgin Media O2) are taking part in the rollout, which has seen 4G coverage introduced on sections of the Jubilee, Northern and Central lines, with the Victoria and Piccadilly lines set to start getting coverage by the end of March 2024.
TfL said that “a significant proportion of the Tube network remains on course to have 4G and 5G mobile coverage by the end of 2024”.
Currently around 20 per cent of stations with underground platforms have coverage. When combined with those stations with above ground platforms this means that around two thirds of the Tube station network currently enjoys mobile coverage, with tis figure set to rise to around 80 per cent by the end of next year.
Commenting on the news Sadiq Khan, the Mayor of London, said:
“I am delighted to see the promise I made of delivering 4G and 5G across our transport network continuing to progress, with four busy Elizabeth line stations – Bond Street, Tottenham Court Road, Farringdon and Liverpool Street joining an ever-growing network of lines and stations with full connectivity.
“The new mobile coverage at these stations will be a major boost for those travelling around London – connecting key business centres and some of the popular parts of Central London and the West End.
“It will help Londoners and visitors to the capital to better navigate the capital and stay connected underground. Growing numbers of underground Tube stations now have 4G and 5G services, with many more to come as we continue to build a better London for everyone.”