In a significant development for commuters, the Berlin underground (U-Bahn) has finalized the installation of a 4G mobile network, ensuring high-speed internet access across its entire subway system.
The initiative, a collaboration between Germany’s O2 Telefonica and Berliner Verkehrsbetriebe (BVG), marks a milestone achievement after years of planning and execution. Data usage among subway users has skyrocketed, increasing sevenfold since 2019, necessitating improved connectivity underground.
Since 2019, O2 Telefonica has been hard at work laying down over 1,000 km of fiber optic cables, installing 360 tunnel antennas, 350 repeaters, and setting up 30 base stations to guarantee seamless 4G coverage throughout the vast subway network. To minimize disruptions, construction took place during nightly breaks, with an average of just three hours per night allocated for the installation.
The completion of the project means that all nine U-Bahn lines and 175 stations now boast 4G coverage. Previously, network technology was confined to underground operating rooms, but with the addition of four above-ground data centers, access to base stations has become more convenient, facilitating quicker deployment of new hardware and software, paving the way for future 5G integration.
Franziska Giffey, Berlin’s senator for Economic Affairs, Energy and Enterprises, and chairwoman of the BVG Supervisory Board, emphasized the significance of this milestone, stating that “having reliably good cell phone reception in the subways, being able to access the Internet and send emails is all part of a modern metropolis for Berliners and guests of our city.”
This achievement in Berlin reflects a broader trend worldwide, with public transport operators increasingly prioritizing mobile connectivity in underground routes. For instance, Transport for London in the UK recently signed a major partnership to bring 4G and 5G to the London Underground, highlighting the growing importance of seamless connectivity in modern urban infrastructure.
The successful deployment of the 4G network in Berlin’s U-Bahn not only enhances the daily commute experience for millions of riders but also sets the stage for further advancements in mobile technology within public transportation networks globally.
