Progress is steadily transforming London’s Underground into a fully connected transit system, with an ambitious plan to bring 5G coverage to all 272 stations and 400km of tunnels by the end of 2026. As of early 2025, over 260 stations already have some form of mobile coverage, representing significant headway in this extensive infrastructure project.
London Underground’s 5G revolution progresses steadily, bringing connectivity to nearly all stations by 2026.
The Elizabeth line has been leading the way, offering full 4G coverage since 2024 to hundreds of thousands of daily travelers. By the end of 2024, a significant portion of the entire Tube network is expected to have high-quality 4G and 5G service, with remaining work continuing throughout 2025 and 2026.
This massive undertaking involves all four major UK mobile network operators: Three UK, EE, Vodafone, and Virgin Media O2. The shared infrastructure model guarantees that passengers using any major network will benefit from consistent service quality. The deployment provides uninterrupted connectivity to approximately 5 million daily Underground passengers.
Transport for London (TfL) has partnered with Boldyn Networks through a 20-year concession agreement to design, build, and operate this shared mobile network. The project includes security measures to protect network infrastructure from potential cyber attacks.
The scale of the project is impressive, requiring 2,000km of dedicated cabling both above and below ground, 3,400 small cells on existing TfL roadside infrastructure, and thousands of radio units across the network. Engineers work during weeknight shifts to install a fiber optic backbone that supports the 5G signal distribution.
Progress varies by line, with the Northern line’s tunneled stretch between Balham and South Wimbledon now fully covered. The Victoria line has extended coverage between Vauxhall and Pimlico, while the Piccadilly and Victoria lines now reach King’s Cross St Pancras.
Ten stations will gain mobile coverage by the end of 2025, with twenty-two additional stations planned for coverage by June 2026.
The Circle and District lines are scheduled for work in 2026, with some stations already having limited coverage. While sections closer to the surface with partial existing coverage require bespoke work, smaller tunneled sections need individual treatment that may extend timelines in some areas.
