London Tube closes the 5G gap with streets above

London Underground's implementation of 5G coverage has begun to match the signal strength and availability available on city streets above, according to analysis by Ookla. Plans to connect all stations and tunnels by the end of 2024 were delayed, but roughly 60 percent of underground stations now boast coverage. When service is available, Ookla's data shows that 5G performance and signal strength on the Tube are comparable to above-ground figures, largely due to the pre-existing 5G infrastructure.

Using more than 50 million background signal scans collected between March and April, Ookla found that 19.8 percent of scans on the Tube connected over 5G, versus 16.5 percent above ground. Median 4G signal strength was measured at -96 dBm on underground platforms, while street level saw -98 dBm. Even in deeper platforms, 5G availability was stronger, with a median signal of -93 dBm, outpacing the citywide above-ground median of -98 dBm.

However, these findings should not be taken as a complete comparison of user experience, as Ookla measured coverage and signal strength rather than download speeds, latency, call stability, or network capacity. Ookla's lead industry analyst, Luke Kehoe, noted that the Tube's success can be attributed to the challenge of retrofitting connectivity through old Victorian tunnels, which has levelled the playing field in the areas connected so far.