BAI Communications awarded London Underground contract

BAI Communications (BAI) has been awarded a 20-year concession by Transport for London (TfL) to deliver 5G-ready mobile coverage across the London Underground.

BAI’s partnership with TfL will establish connectivity with a city-wide integrated communications network delivering multicarrier cellular, Wi-Fi and fibre connectivity services. The 4G-enabled and 5G-ready communications network that BAI will build and operate as a neutral host for fixed and mobile operators is intended to assist creating a safer, smarter London by building and operating critical communications infrastructure that will support police, fire and ambulance services.

The first phase of the project will see the rollout of modern multicarrier infrastructure. Additionally, a new high-capacity fibre network running throughout the London Underground will enable fibre service providers to provide full fibre connectivity to premises across the city. The network will connect to buildings and street assets housing small cells to leverage the power of 5G and the IoT, and deliver improvements in areas like traffic congestion, public safety and city planning.

Through this concession, BAI will help the transport authority support London’s post-COVID recovery as travel resumes, delivering seamless 5G-ready connectivity that will enable people to move around the city more efficiently, safely and securely. More specifically, this project will enable TfL to reduce overcrowding and manage station flow, while improving safety with real-time information and reliable ‘from anywhere’ communications.

Image credit: ©stock.adobe.com/au/Darren Baker