Mayor Launches New Mobile Connectivity Standard and Map to Tackle London's Phone Signal Blackspots

Mayor Sadiq Khan announced on 15 October 2026 a new set of measures to improve mobile phone signal across London, building on the Connected London programme established in 2017. The centrepiece is the Capital Connectivity Standard, a new benchmark for measuring mobile performance that goes beyond traditional coverage maps to assess download speeds, upload speeds, signal strength and latency, aiming to give a more realistic picture of user experience. Alongside it, the Mayor launched an interactive London Mobile Connectivity Map that residents and visitors can use to check mobile performance in any part of the capital. A framework outlining ten practical actions that London boroughs can take to improve local mobile coverage was also published. The Mayor noted that the London Underground network has now achieved 70% 4G and 5G coverage through an ongoing partnership with Boldyn Networks, with completion of full Underground coverage expected by the end of 2026. Independent analysis found that 'London is now among the world's leading cities for underground 5G adoption.' However, research identified significant remaining gaps: inner north and east London boroughs, including Camden, Islington, Hackney and Tower Hamlets, show weaker signal strength and slower network response times, affecting services such as video calls and mapping apps. The Mayor said the initiative positions London as 'a global blueprint' for how cities can measure and improve connectivity.