Mobile network deal for London Tube 'weeks' away

A deal to build a mobile network on the London Underground system could be weeks away, according to reports.

Transport for London and four operators will announce the £150m Tube plan "within the next two weeks", Mobile Today reported on Thursday. According to the story, London mayor Boris Johnson is keen for the network to be in place by the 2012 Olympics.

The report suggests that financial aspects of the deal are yet to be resolved, but notes that the system would be implemented using leaky feeder technology.

A leaky feeder was notably used earlier this year to maintain communications between Chilean authorities and the miners who were stuck a kilometre underground, where standard radio does not work.