London mobile phone coverage: Mayor publishes map of weak signals and plan for improvement
Londoners experiencing weak mobile signals could see more targeted improvements under a new plan from Mayor Sadiq Khan, which identifies areas where network performance falls short and sets out practical steps councils can take to help.
The London Mobile Connectivity Evidence Report examines mobile performance across the capital, looking at download and upload speeds, signal strength, and latency, the time a network takes to respond. An accompanying interactive map allows users to explore how connectivity varies by location.
The findings point to weaker signal strength in parts of inner north and east London, including Camden, Islington, Hackney, and Tower Hamlets. These areas recorded weaker signals than the City of London, Kensington and Chelsea, Newham, Lambeth, and Hammersmith and Fulham.
The report also warns that coverage alone does not tell the full story. Slow response times can cause delays during video calls or when using navigation apps, while network performance can vary according to location and the operator a person uses.
To help address these gaps, City Hall has introduced the Capital Connectivity Standard, a benchmark intended to assess whether mobile services meet the demands of a major international city. It builds on Ofcom’s existing ‘Successful’ baseline to provide a more demanding measure of performance.
A new framework sets out ten actions boroughs can take to support improvements. These include appointing dedicated mobile connectivity officers, identifying council-owned buildings and land that could accommodate network equipment, and considering connectivity requirements at the planning stage of major developments.
The initiative builds on the Mayor’s Connected London programme, launched in 2017 to expand fibre broadband, mobile services, and public Wi-Fi. Work with Transport for London and network infrastructure provider Boldyn Networks has also brought 4G and 5G coverage to 70 per cent of the Underground network, with completion targeted by the end of 2026.
However, responsibility for investing in and operating mobile networks rests with the operators themselves. The Mayor cannot directly determine their investment decisions, but City Hall can help remove barriers by coordinating boroughs, developers, landowners, and the telecommunications industry.
The new report and map are intended to help those partners identify where investment and infrastructure changes could make the greatest difference, as demand for reliable mobile data continues to grow across London.
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