Elizabeth Line, London

An introduction

The Elizabeth Line, London’s east-west railway, now boasts high-speed 45 and 5G mobile coverage in its first tunnelled section.   

This milestone represents a significant advancement in improving connectivity to London’s underground stations and tunnels. TfL’s ongoing efforts aim to extend this coverage to Whitechapel, Canary Wharf, and Woolwich, with the entire line expected to be connected by the end of the summer.  

The main mobile players, such as Three UK, EE, Vodafone, and Virgin Media O2 (VMO2), are participating in the rollout, benefitting a huge number of passengers.

As part of the engineering team, Hillmoore were tasked with installing new blast-proof communications rooms, housing some of the new communications equipment.  

The Challenge  

Every evening for several weeks, a dedicated team of five hundred people worked across the tube network to install the necessary systems. Each night, the team ensured that all installations were tidied away before the network opened to passengers the next morning.   

We were introduced to the IT company commissioned by Transport for London (TfL) to install the necessary equipment, who required specialist help – and they needed it fast.  

We were commissioned at a tight deadline in order to open these lines on schedule. The task put pressure on us, requiring meticulous planning and rapid execution to meet the high standards.  

Our Solution  

Our primary responsibility was constructing robust enclosures to house new communication and electrical components necessary for the mobile network infrastructure.  

To minimise disruption, we began work the weekend before a planned weekend travel closure. By the end of the closure weekend, we had completed six enclosures across three stations, with two enclosures in each location.  

Our IT client and TFL were pleased with our work, and we have since been instructed to participate in the ongoing project on other lines over the next two years.  

Passengers between Liverpool Street and Paddington can now enjoy seamless 4G and 5G mobile coverage in the tunnels. This improvement enhances passenger experience on the Elizabeth line, enabling better connectivity and communication.  

Amir Dawoodbhai, a 23-year-old member of TfL’s Youth Panel, highlighted the positive impact of this Tfl project in a BBC interview, stating that mobile coverage on the Tube and Elizabeth line enhances young people’s perception of safety as they travel independently through London.  

Read the BBC article here: Elizabeth line: First tunnels see 4G and 5G coverage – BBC News