Commuters and subway users on the Glasgow Subway now have access to 4G coverage on their daily commutes after a new rollout by telecoms firm EE.

The BT-owned company is rolling out 4G coverage across 15 stations on the line to support future ESN services in the underground.

This will allow energy responders to provide secure critical communication alongside the subway route, with the rollout expecting to be further extended to tunnels in the future.

EE is also enhancing the ESN delivery with commercial 4G services, “ensuring that millions of people in Glasgow can experience the benefits of being connected to 4G on their daily commutes”.

Emergency responders are not yet able to use the network, which is set to begin operations within the next few months, so current EE subscribers can connect to 4G services.

The 4G coverage will allow subway commuters to send messages, check their emails, and make calls, however EE said that communication between the emergency services will “take priority” over all other network traffic.

EE said this is to ensure that the speed of first responders receiving important data through ESN is not degraded by the commuters’ use of 4G.

Commenting on the rollout, Richard Harrap, Managing Director, ESN, BT’s Enterprise unit said: “Delivering the ESN to Glasgow’s Subway stations will see a huge benefit to our emergency service responders, enabling them to transmit reliable and consistent digital communications across the 4G network and give first responders immediate access to life-saving information in live situations and emergencies.

“We’re delighted that SPT Subway has also agreed to us opening up the commercial services within the stations which will not only help emergency services but also support the public, allowing travellers to use the video, voice and data services that they love.”

EE’s new 4G network has also been released in time for COP26, which is taking place in Glasgow from the 31st of October and will increase activity on Scotland’s telecoms networks. Thousands of people are expected to use the subway to move between venues during the global event.

Stevie Espie, Chief Inspector Police Scotland, commented: “The deployment of 4G coverage and ESN within the SPT Subway system is vital for the emergency services in Scotland.

“ESN will allow emergency responders enhanced, priority-based access to their critical communications system, even in busier periods, whilst the use of 4G will allow the emergency services to deploy innovative, digital technology to deliver the best service to the public.”

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SPT Acting Chief Executive Valerie Davidson added: “SPT recognises the importance of good connectivity in our Subway system. We are delighted to see the installation of the ESN network which will be vital for emergency services colleagues once they are connected.

“In addition, as more and more people are using a smartphone, there is, quite rightly, an increased demand and expectation for good connectivity to be available everywhere as people move about during their day.

“Working with EE, we are now able to provide that service to them in the Subway. Being connected is essential to our customers, and we are keen to see the roll-out of 4G to enhance our passengers’ experience on the Subway.”

News of the 4G rollout comes after the Glasgow subway was used as a testbed for the trials of a pioneering new 5G project to provide commuters with ‘experiences’ while travelling.

Researchers from the University of Strathclyde ran the 5G RailNext study, alongside a consortium, led by Cisco, including Strathclyde Partnership for Transport, Glasgow City Council, Ampletime and Sublime.

A private 5G connection were created to connect passengers using a ‘pop up’ network with ‘next generation’ tech to provide track-to-train connectivity between Buchanan Street and St Enoch stations.

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