The Strathclyde Partnership for Transport (SPT) is to commission Airwave to carry out the installation of its mobile communication network within Glasgow's subway, it is reported.

Currently it relies analogue radio and Computer Weekly notes the new digital technology will provide a secure system which many other public safety bodies already make use of.

The publication notes the contract amounts to £4.2 million and will run for seven years as Airwave designs, installs and then manages the new system.

Once it is in place, travellers using the system will enjoy better mobile phone signal.

Gordon Maclennan, assistant chief executive of the SPT, told Computer Weekly that the digital technology is "far superior" to analogue.

"It is also currently used by the police, including British Transport Police, and is being adopted by other emergency services, making it an essential contribution to SPT's emergency planning," he added.

Earlier this year, Airwave was picked to provide HM Revenue and Customs' detection teams with radio communication facilities.

This contract is worth £60 million and will last for 15 years.

A recent Connect survey found that the two major concerns about outsourcing services like IT support were 'loss of control' (56 per cent) and 'budget over-runs' (43 per cent)