Virgin Media win London Underground wi-fi contract

From July 2012 (just in time for the London Olympics) Tube passengers will be able to connect to the internet for free. (After the Olympic Games it will be a pay-as-you-go service). It was announced yesterday that Virgin Media has won the contract to provide wi-fi to the London Underground.


The contract is only for ticket offices, escalators and platforms because it would have required major construction work to have added connectivity to the network's tunnels. But if you are on the Tube in an area within the 80 stations covered, there may be enough range to pick up a connection on a train itself.

120 stations will be fitted out by the end of the year.

After the period of free access, Virgin Media's broadband & mobile customers will get continued access as part of their subscriptions. Other non-paying users will be limited to a site showing online travel information.

Boris Johnson  proudly declared that "Millions of passengers will now be able to connect to their work, friends or access the latest news and travel information whilst on the move," 

"This is a fabulous new and free resource which will be in place from this summer when London is being showcased on a global stage and playing host to millions."

Neil Berkett, chief executive of Virgin Media was also keen to point out this would be happening in time for the Olympics and said: "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".

London Underground staff will be responsible for fitting the equipment, but TfL stressed that the cost would be covered by the commercial contract. Virgin Media is building the wi-fi network from a total capital expenditure budget of about £640m for 2012.

Related posts
TfL say on track for Tube Wi-Fi to be enabled for Olympics
WiFi Tests on London Underground  

London Underground; Tube Posted by annie mole Thursday, March 15, 2012 Permalink COMMENT HERE
Tweet http://london-underground.blogspot.com/2012/03/virgin-win-london-underground-wi-fi.html