The London Underground is the oldest subway system in the world. A marvel of engineering and one of the most extensive rapid transit networks in Europe, it connects the sprawling megacity and its suburbs and has done so for more than a century.

Despite being the oldest system on the planet, it is one of the most modern examples of public transport that you will find anywhere. That has been made even more accurate with the recent roll-out of 5G on the network. Central London is now well connected, even when you find yourself deep underground on one of the many Underground lines, including the Central, Northern, and Elizabeth lines.

Now that seamless mobile connectivity is a thing of the present and not a far-flung potential, are we seeing the first steps to a truly digital country that means that we never have to be dropped from a mobile network? And what does this mean for industry and entertainment going forwards?

Gaming Now a Completely Mobile Endeavour for Londoners

While Harlow may not yet be on the Underground system, locals travelling from Epping into the city will be hoping to see the 5G Vodafone rollout extend all the way to the northern terminus, especially those of a gaming persuasion.

With the influx of mobile technology that can run games that are on par with the latest in triple A console titles, the need for high-speed connectivity is clear. Not only that, but entire gaming industries now rely on seamless connection. Take iGaming as an example. This is the name given to online casinos and sportsbooks, which have boomed in popularity as the internet has become a day-to-day part of our lives.

As technology has become even more powerful, some have even taken the step of introducing live-streamed games that include real-life dealers. Looking at this live casino, players now have access to roulette and blackjack games that are being played out in real time.

Because of that, a stable connection is key to accessing and being active in the game, as this isn’t something that can be paused. 5G rollout on public transport is allowing these sites to grow as they no longer require players to be near a home wifi service and can be played on the go.

Live Streaming One of the Big Winners in 5G Rollout

And live streaming isn’t specific only to the iGaming industry, either. As more and more people consume their media via a mobile device, movies and TV have seen fundamental changes to how they are shot.

The aspect ratio of video media is a big part of the immersion when it comes to audiences engaging with it. When the jump from CRT box TVs to widescreen HD TVs occurred, it was important that all home media was shot in a way to ensure that it displayed correctly on these new screens.

However, now, there’s a new concern for filmmakers. Younger generations are becoming more likely to watch their films and TV on mobile devices, which means that the aspect ratio of a typical device must be considered. In fact, it has become increasingly common for directors and editors to consider where action is happening in-frame, ensuring that the area that will display on a phone or tablet is adequately covered.

This is notable when blockbuster movies like 28 Years Later are now being shot on iPhones, essentially working backwards from the problem and making them mobile-first media.

Entire Industries in Flux as Mobile Dominates the Landscape

Ultimately, while the entertainment industry is the first in the spotlight when it comes to what true full connectivity means for the future, it is not the only one that is seeing major change.

Since 2020, remote work has boomed, and that will continue to do so as we move towards a fully-digital workplace. For Harlow commuters into the city, it means that offices are becoming a place they spend less of their time.

As the Underground offers high-speed internet to its users, they are now able to use their journey to the office as part of their work day. This will likely mean that offices are less busy and, in future, could lead to cities where office space is no longer at a premium.

While it may seem like a novelty at present, public 5G on transport will only continue to grow and leave its fingerprints on business.