London Underground’s mobile phone network inches closer

UK network operators are about to sign an agreement to provide mobile reception in the London underground, once they stop bickering about who’s going to pay for it.

The £150m investment deal would see 2G and 3G coverage supplied to the Central and Jubilee lines in time for the Olympics in 2012, according to Mobile Magazine.

The only stumbling block is a dispute over who will pay to keep it running and how much they will pay. Thales and Huawei are lined up to provide the infrastructure but the operators are reportedly waiting to hear what the damage will be to their wallets – with some suggesting it will have to be part funded by taxpayers.

The agreement is now said to be just weeks away after some head bashing by Mayor of London Boris Johnson.

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