Geoffrey Caesar, Solicitor

If you are a frequent traveller on the London Underground, you may have noticed that some stations and tunnels now have mobile coverage, allowing you to stay connected while moving. This is thanks to a significant project by Transport for London (TfL) and Boldyn Networks, a global leader in neutral host network solutions, to bring high-speed 4G and 5G connectivity across the entire Tube network by the end of 2024.

In this blog post, I will explain how Boldyn delivers this ambitious and complex project, what benefits it will bring to Londoners and visitors, and what challenges and opportunities lie ahead.

What is the scope of the project?

The project involves installing mobile infrastructure in more than 260 stations and 400 km of tunnels across the London Underground, on the Elizabeth Line, the Docklands Light Railway (DLR) and the London Overground. The project also covers installing small cells, such as street lights, on TfL’s road network assets and improving mobile coverage above ground in busy areas.

The project is part of a 20-year telecoms concession that TfL awarded to Boldyn Networks in June 2021 following a competitive tender process. Boldyn Networks is working with the four major UK mobile operators – Three UK, EE, Vodafone and Virgin Media O2 – to provide seamless and reliable mobile services to their customers on the Tube.

The project will also host the new Emergency Services Network (ESN), giving first responders immediate access to life-saving data, images and information in live situations and emergencies on the frontline.

What are the key achievements to date?

The project has already delivered mobile coverage to several stations and sections of the Tube network, including:

• The busiest Elizabeth line platforms, escalators and ticket halls at Bond Street, Tottenham Court Road, Farringdon and Liverpool Street
• The Central line from Bond Street to Bank
• The Northern line from Camden Town to Kennington
• The Jubilee line from Westminster to Canning Town
• The Victoria line from Brixton to Walthamstow Central
• The Piccadilly line from Hyde Park Corner to Cockfosters
• The Bakerloo line from Paddington to Elephant & Castle

By the end of spring 2024, mobile coverage will be available on:

• The entire Elizabeth line from Reading and Heathrow to Shenfield and Abbey Wood via the West End
• The remaining sections of the Tube network

How is Boldyn deploying the mobile infrastructure?

Boldyn uses a combination of leaky feeder cables and fibre optics to distribute mobile signals throughout the stations and tunnels. Leaky feeder cables are coaxial cables that have small gaps or slots along their length, allowing radio waves to leak out or in. Fibre optics are thin strands of glass that transmit light signals over long distances.

Boldyn is installing over 2,000 km of leaky feeder cables, fibre optics across the Tube network, more than 1,000 radio units and several strategically located base station hotels. A base station hotel is a central location where multiple base stations are housed and connected to fibre optics, reducing the need to install base stations at every station or tunnel section and saving space and power.

Boldyn also uses innovative technologies such as distributed antenna systems (DAS) and remote radio heads (RRH) to enhance mobile coverage and capacity. A DAS is a network of antennas connected to a common source of mobile signal, such as a base station hotel. An RRH is a device that amplifies and converts mobile signals between fibre optics and antennas.

What are the benefits of the project?

The project will bring significant benefits to Londoners, visitors, businesses and public services, such as:

• Enhancing digital connectivity and driving innovation and growth in London.
• Improving customer experience and satisfaction on public transport.
• Supporting social inclusion and digital access for all.
• Enabling new services and applications such as smart ticketing, real-time information, augmented reality and virtual reality.
• Increasing safety and security by allowing customers to contact emergency services or family and friends while underground.
• Reducing congestion and pollution by encouraging more people to use public transport instead of private vehicles.
• Generating substantial revenue for TfL throughout the concession.

What are the challenges and opportunities ahead?

The project faces several challenges due to the scale, complexity and legacy of the Tube network, such as:

• Working in confined spaces with limited access and power supply.
• Coordinating with multiple stakeholders including TfL, mobile operators, emergency services, contractors and suppliers.
• Minimising disruption to train services and customers during installation works.
• Ensuring interoperability and compatibility between different technologies and systems.
• Maintaining and upgrading the mobile infrastructure over time.

However, the project also offers many opportunities for Boldyn and its partners to showcase their expertise, innovation and collaboration, such as:

• Leveraging Boldyn’s global experience and best practices in delivering neutral host network solutions.
• Developing new solutions and standards for mobile connectivity in challenging environments.
• Creating new jobs and skills for the local workforce and supply chain.
• Supporting TfL’s vision and strategy for a greener, smarter and more connected London.
• Contributing to the UK’s digital agenda and leadership in 5G.

My role in ESN and Telecommunications in the London Underground

I have provided consultancy services to the Home Office, alongside my broader solicitor’s practice, since February 2016. As such, I have a deep insight into ESN and have gained extensive legal and commercial telecommunications experience.

Regarding ESN in the Underground, the Home Office started funding design work and delivery services for the deployment of ESN in the Underground several years before Boldyn was appointed by TfL as the Concessionaire. I have drafted and negotiated several hundred million pounds of government grants between the Home Office and TfL.

While I can’t write in detail about my role on ESN related to commercially sensitive and legally privileged matters, I can provide information about the Programme, which is in the public domain. I have written this blog post and will write others on ESN to provide insight into the Programme and my experience in telecommunications, government grants and public procurement.

If you require legal or commercial telecom services, please get in touch with me using the enquiry form on gcaesar.com. I can also provide legal advice and support applications for government grants and all other aspects of public procurement.