Wi-Fi access to be available on London Underground by this summer
(c) Michael Blann
Wednesday January 25 2012
Transport for London has announced that commuters will be able to access the internet in advance of the London 2012 Olympic Games.
Following a successful trial at Charing Cross station, TfL has confirmed that Wi-Fi access will be provided at 120 stations throughout the Tube network, enabling travellers to go online when waiting at platforms. Wi-Fi services will be unavailable when passengers are travelling from station to station within Tube carriages.
The assertion that access will be available in advance of the London 2012 Olympics follows the collapse of a similar attempt to provide commuters with internet access last year. Then it was claimed that the UK’s four main mobile operators would provide the service, but those plans never came to fruition. TfL has yet to announce which company will take responsibility for the service. Gareth Powell, TfL’s director of strategy and service development said: “We are in the final stages of the tender process. London Underground is continuing with preparations to install the necessary infrastructure and is on schedule to complete the project as planned. An announcement of the chosen service provider will be made in early spring, leaving plenty of time for this to be delivered to customers in time for the 2012 Games.”
Details of possible charges to consumers have yet to be confirmed. During trials at Charing Cross station commuters could access travel information for free, but access to other sites was free only for BT customers.
- John O' Ceallaigh
© Telegraph.co.uk
