Under the deal, O2 will link the “Airwave” network used by the police and other emergency services to London Underground's own “Connect” digital radio system, to allow police officers to have radio coverage when working in any of the Tube's tunnels and stations.

This complex transaction involved seven parties and required two separate and independent PFI contracts to be linked up in an innovative way. O2 Airwave provides the UK's secure digital communications network for emergency and public safety organisations, known as “Airwave”, which is used by all officers across police forces in Great Britain including the British Transport Police. To date, this network has only provided coverage in London Underground surface stations and cut-and-cover tunnels, but not in deep stations and tunnels across the Tube network. Independently, Citylink, a consortium of a number of telecoms providers is rolling out “Connect”, a new digital radio system for London Underground for use by London Underground personnel. Under the series of contracts now signed, the two systems will be linked together to provide coverage for police and other emergency services’ radios right across the London Underground network. Once in place, Airwave users, including police officers or ambulance crews, will have seamless radio coverage as they enter all Underground stations from above ground or when they travel on trains.

The Morrison & Foerster team was led by partner Alistair Maughan, technology procurement specialist and head of Morrison & Foerster’s Global Sourcing Group, and Reinhard Schu, a senior associate in Morrison & Foerster’s Global Sourcing Group. Mr. Maughan has been PITO’s legal adviser on the Airwave project since 1996.

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