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Emergency services operating across London’s transport network are set to benefit from expanding high-speed mobile coverage on the Tube, as more stations and tunnel sections go live with 4G and 5G connectivity.
Transport for London (TfL) and Boldyn Networks have confirmed that the first sections of the Circle and District lines now have mobile coverage, alongside a growing number of underground stations. The rollout is a key enabler for the Emergency Services Network (ESN), which will allow first responders to access real-time data, images and information during live incidents underground.
More than half of London Underground’s deep-level stations are now connected. TfL said 62 of the 121 stations located underground have mobile coverage in ticket halls, corridors and platforms, alongside full connectivity across the Elizabeth line, completed in December 2024.
Recently connected stations include Euston Square, Cannon Street and Battersea Power Station, with major interchanges such as King’s Cross St Pancras expected to follow in the coming months.
Crucially for emergency response, work is also progressing in the tunnels themselves. Initial tunnel sections on the Circle and District lines are now live between Blackfriars and Cannon Street, and between Notting Hill Gate and Bayswater. TfL expects the vast majority of the Northern and Metropolitan lines to have tunnel coverage by the end of summer 2026.
The infrastructure will host the new Emergency Services Network once fully operational, providing police, fire and ambulance services with resilient underground connectivity. ESN is designed to replace the legacy Airwave system, enabling frontline responders to share live video, images and location data in emergency situations.
All four UK mobile network operators — EE, Three UK, Vodafone and Virgin Media O2 — are participating in the rollout, which is being delivered under NPCC-aligned standards to ensure secure and resilient communications.
Isabel Coman, Director of Engineering and Asset Strategy at TfL, said the expanding coverage marked an important step towards safer and more connected underground operations.
“As more stations and tunnels go live, we are on a clear path towards having 4G and 5G mobile coverage across the whole network by the end of 2026,” she said. “This programme is being delivered during limited overnight engineering hours and will bring real benefits, not only for customers, but for those who rely on connectivity to respond quickly and effectively in emergencies.”
TfL and Boldyn confirmed that the wider programme remains on track for full Tube coverage by the end of 2026. In parallel, work is underway to extend mobile connectivity to the Docklands Light Railway and the Windrush line, with installation already taking place at stations such as Cutty Sark.
Readers interested in the Emergency Services Network can also watch a recent on-demand webinar featuring members of the team behind ESN, exploring how mission-critical communications will work for frontline responders and control rooms, and what the transition means in practice. Watch The Emergency Services Network: Q&A special webinar on demand now.
