Mobile connectivity coming to the Channel Tunnel and London Underground

by Steven Mostyn - Dec 28 2010, 09:32

If there’s one thing tech-savvy and business commuters probably hate about their Eurostar train journeys between England and France, it’s suffering with poor mobile connectivity while hurtling along deep beneath the English Channel.

However, that Dover to Calais frustration could soon become a thing of the past after a selection of telecommunication giants from both countries announced a plan to provide the 34.1-mile Channel Tunnel with complete connectivity coverage.

The deal, which has a shared cost of around 20 million GBP (approximately $31 million USD), includes heavyweight English providers Vodafone, O2, Everything Everywhere and 3, along with French specialists Orange, SFR and Bouygues.

Installation of the technology required to host the tunnel’s connectivity will reportedly be carried out by French telecoms infrastructure company Alcatel-Lucent.

According to Boris Johnson, the current Mayor of London, it is hoped that Channel Tunnel connectivity will be in place before London hosts the Olympic Games in 2012.

In related news, English operators are to share the 150 million GBP cost ($231 million USD) of a similar 2G and 3G network set to be installed throughout London’s famous Underground system.

French telecoms company Thales is expected to install the technology, which will allow train passengers to make voice calls and surf the Net.

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