CityLink to supply London Underground network

CityLink Telecommunications has been revealed as the only contender for the £1bn contract to supply London Underground with an enhanced network-wide radio and transmission service.

Once the deal is finalised, the Racal-led consortium will become part of the Connect communications project, supplying strategic services over the next twenty years.

A spokesman for London Underground would not comment on the technology to be used, but explained that the contract will be awarded within "the next few months".

He explained that the organisation's 260 stations all use different communication systems and they need to be better linked. With the tunnels already in place, the link-up should not prove difficult.

He said: "This will enable us to improve the use of CCTV to help improve on the latest crime figures while also being able to offer mobile phone users the capabilities of using their phones underground."

The network will take four years to install, with a 20 year service package. "Other companies interested in setting up their own network can use the Underground as the carrier, thus bringing in more money to improve the network," the spokesman said.

The CityLink consortium includes Motorola and Charterhouse Bank.