Passengers on the London Underground may eventually be using their mobile phones to make calls.
Chinese telecom company Huawei has offered to install a £50m (US$80.86 million) phone network in the Underground. The idea is being backed by London Mayor Boris Johnson.
Huawei must first reach an agreement with Thales, one of the Underground’s engineering contractors. It is believed that Thales has been working closely with the Chinese company to create transmitters which will not increase heat during the summer months.
Mobile phone giants Vodafone and O2 have both agreed to pay for installation work while Huawei, one of the world’s biggest telecoms equipment firms, would hope to make an income from maintenance fees.
The Daily Mail (UK) reports the deal is expected to be finalized in April and it is likely that parts of the Underground will be ready in time for the 2012 Olympics, with the intention of expanding the coverage further later.