The multi-million-pound contract between BAI Communications and BT Wholesale will see delivery of 4G and 5G coverage on the London Underground.

This follows an agreement last year in which BAI signed a 20-year concession with TfL to deliver full mobile and digital connectivity across the London Underground, within stations and on the Tube itself.

This new deal means BT Wholesale will provide BAI with data centre space in London to rollout its ‘neutral host’ mobile network, which will provide 4G and 5G-ready mobile infrastructure for all mobile operators. Three and EE, BT Group’s mobile arm, have already signed up to use the network, and it will be available to use by all mobile operators.

Coverage will begin on the Elizabeth Line in late summer 2022, with the aim to expand across the entire underground by the end of 2024.

Alex Tempest, Managing Director for BT Wholesale, said: “Today’s deal is further evidence of BT’s commitment to boost the capital’s digital infrastructure – helping London maintain its status as a great place to live, work, and do business. We’re busy doing that through the expansion of the Openreach fibre and EE mobile networks, together with our leading wholesale capabilities.

“We’re really proud to be playing a key role in enabling the delivery of this critical digital infrastructure project for BAI and look forward to our relationship building further from here.”

Billy D’Arcy, CEO of BAI Communications UK, added, “This deal marks a significant step in our progress towards delivering high-speed mobile coverage across the London Underground network, with BT’s data centres playing an essential role in helping London leapfrog other major cities in terms of connectivity. BT Wholesale’s services will support our neutral host infrastructure in transforming the experience of customers with all UK mobile operators, providing seamless, 5G-ready coverage that will allow passengers to move around the capital more smartly, safely, and securely.”