Broadband network provider Virgin Media will be setting up free Wi-Fi to Underground stations in London for the duration of the 2012 Summer Olympic Games.
The company, who won the contract to supply free broadband to commuters, will be fitting 120 tube stations with Wi-Fi. But once the Olympic Games are over, it will begin charging users by the minute.
Around 80 tube stations will initially have the wireless access in July, just in time for the summer Olympics, while the remaining 40 will get their share until the end of the year.
“With the eyes of the world on London this summer, we’ll be showing off our capital as a leading connected city on the global stage,” said Neil Berkett, chief executive officer of Virgin Media. “We’re putting the power of Virgin Media’s fibre optic network in the hands of millions of Londoners, commuters and visitors and are delighted to be launching Wi-Fi for free throughout summer 2012 and beyond.”
Gareth Powell, Transport for London’s director of strategy and service development, said that this move means that passengers will be having underground web, email and social media access for the first time. He added that they are upgrading the tube to “make it fit for the 21st century.”
After the Olympic period, passengers will still be able to access TfL travel information for free through its own online portal.
Isn’t it great to see public services keep up with technology?
via: The BBC
