Mobile phone services to be tested on Tube

London Underground (LU) will start testing mobile phone and wireless internet technology on the Tube network later this year.

The organisation will test services on the Waterloo & City line, including the platforms at Waterloo and Bank stations and the interconnecting tunnels.

LU will use the trials to decide whether or not to deploy the technology across the rest of the Underground network.

‘On completion of installation works at the trial sites there will be a period of evaluation of the performance, suitability, reliability and maintenance,’ says a document detailing the plans.

‘LU will assess the results of the trial to determine whether to provide mobile telephony and data services on the LU network.’

The pilot was scheduled to begin last year, but was postponed to allow for feasibility studies.

The scope of the trial is quite ambitious because providing mobile coverage to the public will generate surges in voice and data traffic at rush hour, says Gartner research director Sylvain Fabre.

‘The range of technologies being tested, such as WiFi, WiMax and digital video, is also large and may prove too ambitious,’ he said.

But Fabre says the technology has been tested on underground networks worldwide and LU should use that experience to ensure a problem-free installation.

London Travelwatch’s Jo Debank says passenger support for mobile phone coverage on the Tube has been mixed. ‘But after the bombings in July 2005, London Travelwatch is in favour of the trials for safety and security reasons,’ she said.

Independent rail expert Christian Wolmar says rail companies have traditionally been slow to develop mobile phone and wireless technology, but most passengers now expect mobile phone coverage wherever they go.