Mobile calls on the Tube get a step closer

London Underground (LU) has revealed that 70 suppliers have registered their interest in providing mobile and wireless coverage for Tube stations.

In March, London Mayor Ken Livingstone unveiled plans to introduction mobile phone coverage in stations, as well as other technology services such as DAB digital radio, DVB digital video broadcasting and wireless internet.

Building a wireless network could allow passengers to access real-time Tube and travel information on the move through their mobile phones or laptops.

Passengers could access information on travel disruptions before they arrive at affected stations and could amend their journey as appropriate, LU said.

Following consultation with suppliers, LU plans to run a trial of mobile phone service and other technologies at one station in 2006.

A contract for the rollout of the system is likely to be awarded in late 2007, and mobile phone services could be available to Tube passengers on London Underground stations from the summer of 2008, LU said.

LU said it does not currently intend to provide coverage on Tube trains underground but - if feasible - mobile phone services and the additional technologies could be extended across the network to include tunnels and moving trains at a later date.

LU director of strategy and service development Richard Parry said: "We have received an excellent initial response from the market, who have demonstrated considerable interest in providing both mobile phone services and other exciting technologies for LU customers."

While the services are primarily aimed at Tube passengers, LU also wants to explore the possibility of exploiting the technologies for its own operational purposes.