Derailed Mobile Plans on the Underground

Talks between Chinese telecoms provider Huawei and UK's operators about improving mobile phone coverage on the London Underground have broken down. 

The intention was to have better coverage on the tube in time for the London 2012 Olympics.  Huawei had even offered to donate some of the necessary equipment, and several UK providers are believed to have already contributed several million pounds, but despite everyone’s efforts, the project has been derailed. 

But putting antennas throughout the Tube's antiquated network have proved far too costly at this time.  Other avenues are being explored and plans to expand wi-fi coverage on Tube stations will continue, but it seems coverage will not be in place in time for next years games.

Who-are-We’s Gift to London

Huawei, (pronounced who-are-we), is a Chinese Telecoms giant who has hit the headlines this week because they have offered to install a mobile phone network on the London Underground in time for the 2012 Olympics:  Free of charge.

The gesture is said to be a gift from one Olympic nation to another according to the Sunday Times and is said to be worth about £50 million.  The company has offered to install transmitters along the ceilings of the tunnels, and will earn any future income from the maintenance of the equipment.  It has been confirmed by Transport for London that work has begun on wiring up the Underground with mobile phone transmitters, but there has been no confirmation of Huawei’s involvement.