By Andy McCue, 23 March 2005 11:20
NEWS London Underground (LU) is planning to install technology that will give commuters mobile phone coverage in underground Tube stations by 2008.
LU is to begin consultations with suppliers shortly and aims to undertake a trial of the technology at one underground station in 2006 with a view to extending it across all tube stations by 2008.
The proposals were announced by London Mayor Ken Livingston who said in a statement: "We know that many Londoners would like the convenience of being able to use their mobile phones at Tube stations throughout the Underground network. We also want to see how the technology could be taken even further, for instance wireless internet so passengers could receive up-to-the-minute travel information via their laptop or mobile phone."
LU director of strategy and service development, Richard Parry, said there is strong support among Tube customers for mobile access underground.
"The process we launch today is to start getting information from the market about how we could best provide a mobile phones service," he said in a statement.
An LU spokesman said the organisation's current plans are to offer mobile coverage only in the concourse, ticketing areas and platforms of underground Tube stations and not on moving trains through underground tunnels.
"Passengers would like to have mobile coverage at Tube stations but they are less keen to have it on trains," he said.
He would not rule out expanding mobile coverage into Tube tunnels and trains but said it would be sometime in the "foreseeable future" after 2008 before LU would consider it.
LU is open to proposals from the private sector as to how revenues could be generated and shared, the spokesman explained, but said suppliers will face "unique practical challenges" around space, power and ventilation constraints.
Comments
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1. Graham
This was ready to go in 1996 for 50 stations inside the Circle &District Line - with the agreement of Orange, and Vodafone. No wonder its coming along this late with LUL in charge of things. And it won't work inside most modern trains as the metallic coating in the windows prevents RF penetrating, and deep tube tunnels can't take the cable required for 1800MHz systems (Orange, T-Mobile)Utterly pathetic .... thnak god
2. anonymous
what a joke, the very first underground rail network in the world still doesn't provide mobile phone coverage for it's users....why does the UK love to be so far behind the rest of the world? here in Hong Kong, on the MTR (developed by, amongst others, London Underground engineers) it is taken for granted that you can use your mobile phone. Locals can't believe that it's impossible to do so on the London Underground (and why on earth not??!!) Here, each mobile subscriber pays a "tunnel fee" of HK$10 (less than 70p or a handful of text messages) per month, which covers the cost of service provision and upkeep. It has been like this for at least 5 years, probably longer. Yes, Hong Kong is an almost totally metro area, with very high usage of the underground rail network, unlike the UK as a whole, but fairly similar to London. Surely a solution could be found, such as using London-only billing addresses, or perhaps a tiny percentage of Underground ticket prices instead? In the meantime, I'll continue to cover up the London Underground's shortcomings with lame excuses, just as I seem to do with so many other things in the UK (as opposed to things originally from the UK)
3. Graham
Why ?
Because Hong Kong stations are large free space areas with 'cut & cover' train tunnels with plenty of space for RF cables.
London Underground is the total opposite - rabbit warrens of small tunnels massively more than Hong Kong in total, and with deep tube sections with insufficient clearance for cables to be installed on the cast iron ring segments which line the tunnel. I was involved in the Hong Kong MTR construction so I know exactly why its difficult in London.
4. anonymous
Did they take any notice of the people who are bloody glad phones don't work down there. What is wrong some peace from the infrernal stupid ring tones and deaf users shouting
5. Gary Boardman
Think positive, London Underground can send you a text telling you why your train has been stationary for the last twenty minutes and you can all phone their customer enquiries number to complain in real time. Also the terrorists can blow trains up by remote control in the tunnels.
Also it will provide another revenue stream for the likes TFL to build more bike and bus lanes.
6. Peter
Congratulations to LU for finally seeing the light. In Australia mobile phones have worked on underground platforms for several years, with all mobile carriers having coverage. Since I arrived in London it really had me baffled as to why LU was living in the mobile stoneage.
Mobile coverage between underground stations on trains isn't really needed, however.
7. Brian Burkill
OH NO.. PLEASE.
I hate them on trains. Please keep the underground free from these fools who insist on ringing "Put the kettle on, be home in five".
8. anonymous
Least we forget, it is just over a year ago that terroists caused carnage on Madrid's commuter lines by activating bombs by mobile phones.
Is it such a great idea to enable this potential on the Underground for the small benefit of maintaining mobile communication for the few minutes most tube journeys take?
9. anonymous
To all those to think this is a bad idea.
stop your wineing!
if your wife or loved one was in a car crash and the cops couldn't ring you to let you know just cuz you were on the train what would you think then? would still think its a bad idea?!
(Ed note. Words fail us.)
10. anonymous
I hear murder in the underground.
Tell me if it is not bad enough listening to some ooofs blabbing on about some terrible innanities of their personal lives on the surface train, that mad Ken wants to punish us commuters further in the underground. Well you just wait and see what will happen.
Imagine on a stiffling summer's afternoon in the underground - no airconditioners, you are just trying your best to bear the heat till your stop, some idiot is chattering away onthe mobo - they would be strangled, I for one know I would crack at that point. I am a pacifist, but this will stretch me no end. This is madness!!!!!!!!!