Boldyn Networks has been chosen to provide 4G mobile network infrastructure for the Emergency Services Network (ESN) across the London Underground.

The company will work with EE, Transport for London (TfL), and the Home Office to enable more resilient and reliable communications services for first responders on the tube.

Boldyn is currently supporting the deployment of mobile connectivity across the entire London Underground network as part of a 20-year contract with TfL to provide high-speed, 5G-ready mobile coverage across the entire London Underground network. As part of this, Boldyn is investing around £1 billion ($1.35bn) in the project.

The ESN covers police, fire, and ambulance services. Boldyn said the British Transport Police are expected to be among the largest users of the network.

As part of the deployment, Boldyn will support the rollout of mobile coverage across the 137 Tube, Docklands Light Railway, and London Overground stations located underground.

This will provide first responders with immediate access to lifesaving data, imagery, live video, and public safety information, supporting faster and more coordinated responses to live situations.

The ESN will replace the current Airwave service that is used by the UK's emergency services after BT Group was awarded a £1.29 billion ($1.74bn) contract with the Home Office to provide mobile services for the ESN over the next seven years.

Since 2015, BT has worked with the Home Office to build the ESN as part of a wider new Emergency Services Mobile Communications Program to replace the old Airwave system, which had been in place for more than two decades. 

“Keeping our customers and London’s emergency services personnel safe while they travel and operate across our network is our top priority. That means ensuring frontliners are equipped with immediate access to lifesaving information to respond more effectively to emergency situations and keep London moving safely," said Rebecca Bissell, Transport for London’s director of technology products and operations.

Paul Osborne, chief commercial officer UK, Boldyn Networks, added: “Access to connectivity for the emergency services can’t be compromised, especially in an environment as complex as the London Underground. Critically, ESN will ensure first responders can stay connected when it matters most, with access to the data and tools they need to respond quickly, safely, and successfully."

First proposed in 2015, the ESN was meant to be in use by 2020, but has suffered numerous delays. The government launched the £895m ($1.2bn) tender in May 2023, as part of its search for Motorola's replacement.

The delays led the government to terminate Motorola Solutions' involvement in the development of the ESN program. Motorola Solutions acquired Airwave in 2016.

In January 2025, the Home Office picked IBM to develop a new communications network for frontline emergency services, with vendors Ericsson and Samsung supporting IBM's role in the ESN.