Transport for London (TfL) has started the process to select a long-term wireless infrastructure partner to support its plans to transform connectivity across London.
The first stage of the project will be to install mobile infrastructure on the London Underground and was announced last year by TfL and the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan. The move will bring London’s underground system in line with those in Paris, Berlin, New York and Tokyo which already have the technology to allow mobile use on the subway. The proposed partnership goes much further than the Tube however and TfL also has ambitions to harness its extensive above ground assets to transform connectivity in London.
Leading UK independent wireless infrastructure firm, Wireless Infrastructure Group (WIG) has confirmed it plans to pursue the opportunity to partner with TfL. WIG chief executive Scott Coates, tells us: “This is a unique opportunity to work in partnership with TfL both below and above the streets of London. Unlocking better connectivity for London will depend on close collaboration between TfL, the infrastructure partner and the UK mobile operators under a long-term framework that delivers for all parties. Given its UK presence, relationships and experience, WIG is the right partner to deliver this collaboration.”
Coates continues: “WIG leads the UK market in deployment of the technology needed to deliver signal underground and many busy public venues across the UK already benefit from our infrastructure. WIG’s partnership with the UK’s largest shopping centre owner, intu, enables mobile service for over 300 million visitors a year to centres such as Trafford, Metro and Lakeside. WIG is also leading with innovation in the deployment of small cells using public sector assets such as street and traffic lighting poles and recently launched the UK’s first fibre-connected small cell network in Aberdeen.”
WIG’s bid for the London Underground project comes two months after investment group 3i Infrastructure plc increased its investment in the company. 3i Infrastructure plc is a long-term investor with a strong track record of investing in the UK’s transport sector and is fully supportive of WIG’s TfL bid.
