Since 2022, when the London Underground began its gradual roll-out of 4G and 5G mobile phone coverage on the Tube, we’ve been treated to occasional, sporadic updates when stations and sections of tunnels have gone live. Us Secret Londoners eagerly watch out to see when our nearest station is finally connected (I’m holding space for you, Stockwell northbound).
This time, key sections of the Northern Line and a bit of the Victoria Line are being connected to the world above (to get phone signal, nothing philosophical, now). It’ll be easier than ever to plan a fun day out on the way to meet your friends.
The Northern Line’s being switched on in the Bank branch tunnels between Euston and Bank, and in South London, from Bilham to South Wimbledon. Northern Line Stations Oval and Kennington have joined the pack, too. Tfl are working to extend Northern Line coverage straight through from Morden to Kennington, aiming for uninterrupted coverage on that section of the line by the end of this summer.
On the Victoria Line, phone signal is being rolled-out between Vauxhall and Pimlico. In the coming months, Tfl is working on connecting sections of our much-loved blue line from Green Park to Brixtonplus major interchange stations like Green Park and King’s Cross St Pancras.
Tfl recently said that testing was carried-out to make sure that introducing mobile coverage underground would not affect the Tube is any way on sub-service lines. This means that coverage is now able to be added to these lines at a later date.
And while you’re down there with shiny-new connectivity, you could watch where trains are in live real-time, if you’re into that sort of thing.
The work to connect the Underground has been progressing steadily since 2022, when sections of the Central and Jubilee lines got phone signal for the first time. Tfl’s efforts to give passengers mobile coverage across the entire Tube network (Tube, Overground, DLR) will keep going through this year and next. They aim to give full coverage in tunnels and stations.
The work during 2026 will be primarily on parts outside Central London, areas of the Circle and District line (some stations here already get some phone signal as they’re not too deep underground) plus some smaller tunnelled sections, which need to be treated individually.
