Connected London

We're improving digital connectivity to drive the next wave of innovation and growth in London. By using our unique position and assets to create ambitious telecoms services, we can ensure that London remains the place where the world wants to work, live, study and visit.

Telecoms concession

Boldyn Networks (formerly BAI Communications) has a 20-year telecoms concession to transform our transport assets into telecoms assets. The concession runs to 2041.

Together we're working with the 4 major UK mobile operators - Three UK, EE, Vodafone and Virgin Media O2 - to bring high-speed 4G and 5G mobile connectivity across London below ground and at street level.

This will:

  • Extend mobile phone coverage on the Tube, Elizabeth line, DLR and London Overground
  • Improve Mobile coverage above ground in busy areas such as Kings Cross, Waterloo and Old Street
  • Support the London boroughs by providing connectivity to borough locations and enhancing CCTV, funded by the GLA
  • Support Wi-Fi on London Underground
""It's great to see that all Elizabeth line stations, and even more Tube stations, now have high-quality mobile coverage for the first time. This programme is gathering pace and we are working hard to bring the benefits of being able to stay in contact while travelling through our city as quickly as possible." "
Shashi Verma
Chief Technology Officer

Mobile connectivity on the Underground

All eight Elizabeth line underground stations have a 4G mobile signal, Woolwich, Whitechapel, Canary Wharf, Liverpool St, Farringdon, Tottenham Court Rd, Bond St and Paddington.  The first tunnelled  section between the Royal Oak portal and Whitechapel will be delivered in late Spring 2025. 

Connectivity in the rest of the tunnel sections will be completed later this year.  The Elizabeth line joins connectivity services already completed on the Northern, Jubilee and Central lines.  Piccadilly, Victoria and Bakerloo lines to follow shortly. 

The system, delivered in partnership with Boldyn Networks, will also host the new Emergency Services Network (ESN), which when fully operational, will give first responders immediate access to life-saving data, images and information in live situations and emergencies on the frontline. 

Read our press release about 4G and 5G services on the Elizabeth line.

Improving coverage across London

The Streetscape project aims to install 3,900 small cells on TfL's existing assets, such as lighting columns on our red routes, to improve connectivity and data speeds for Londoners on the move. This will improve London's 4G and 5G connectivity and speeds in London's dense urban environment, particularly in areas with high demand and poor connectivity.

The project has installed over 100 first small cells on Old Street, Waterloo, Euston, New Cross and Park Lane boosting mobile connectivity in and around London's busiest transport and tourist hubs.

Small cells are low-powered cellular radio units installed at street level to enhance mobile coverage and capacity. It's powered by brand new gigabit fibre laid through 60km of TfL ducting, making the small cell network a fast and cost-effective way to boost mobile network capacity. This will expand this over the next few years to cover high footfall areas across the capital, including Southwark and Westminster.

Connectivity for London's boroughs

We're working in collaboration with the GLA and Boldyn Networks to deliver fibre to public centre sites and CCTV sites and London borough buildings across London. This brings huge benefits to all London boroughs, helping residents access educational and economic opportunities, and boosting productivity.

So far we've connected 139 sites across multiple boroughs.

Connected lines and stations

Elizabeth line

All eight underground stations on the line have a 4G mobile signal, Woolwich, Whitechapel, Canary Wharf, Liverpool St, Farringdon, Tottenham Court Rd, Bond St and Paddington. Tunnel sections between Royal Oak portal and Liverpool Street have 5G mobile coverage.

Piccadilly line

There is mobile connectivity at Leicester Square, Piccadilly Circus, Covent Garden station, Russell Square station and the tunnel section between Hyde Park Corner and Russell Square. 

Victoria line

Tunnel sections between Green Park and Euston have 5G coverage. 

Jubilee line

The Jubilee line 4G commercial mobile service runs from Westminster to Canning Town on platforms and connecting tunnels.

Central line

There is mobile connectivity on the Central line from Shepherds Bush to Bank.

Northern line

From Archway to Leicester Square and Belsize Park to Leicester Square. As well as Clapham Common on the southern section of the Northern line is live. 

The service allows customers to check the latest travel information, catch up on social media and read their emails and the latest news uninterrupted as part of their journey.

See the Mobile phones and Wi-Fi underground page.

Two people sit on a bench underground looking at a phone

Current Wi-Fi services

We still host customer Wi-Fi across more than 260 Tube stations and all London Overground stations except for Emerson Park and Haggerston. Wi-Fi is available in the ticket halls, passenger corridors and platforms of these Tube stations and in the ticket halls and passages of the Overground stations.

The new Elizabeth Line stations at Farringdon, Tottenham Court Road, Woolwich, Canary Wharf, Paddington, Whitechapel, Custom House, Bond Street and Liverpool Street all have Wi-Fi.

Public Wi-Fi will still be available to customers as part of Connected London.