Melbourne train commuters will soon get access to mobile services in the City Loop underground rail line as Optus announced today its plan to bring extensive underground mobile coverage by the end of the year.
The deal was signed between Victorian Premier Denis Napthine and a group of telcos led by Optus and it will allow smartphone and tablet users access to 3G and 4G phone networks as well as internet services while traveling on one of Melbourne’s “busiest train lines”.
Melbourne is well behind other major cities in regards to underground mobile services, with Sydney receiving train tunnel coverage in 2012 after years of negotiations. “The roll out will be a two-step process with the first phase concentrating on switching 4G and 3G mobile services on later this year,” Optus said in a statement.
“The next step will be expanding and enhancing the services and coverage to provide the best possible network experience for customers.” The coverage will expand to Flagstaff, Melbourne Central and Parliament underground stations as well as in the tunnels between these stations.
“No longer will a passenger on a mobile phone need to say ‘I’m just about to cut out, I’m going through the Loop,’” Victorian Premier Denis Napthine said in a statement.
