Londoners can now access Wi-Fi on the underground at 40 tube stations, Virgin has announced. They also announced the new Wi-Fi service on the Underground was used by over 100,000 passengers in the first month.
One million Tweets, Facebook posts, emails and web pages were delivered in just one week.
During the 2012 Olympic Games passengers will also be able to check TfL web pages, Time Out, Spotify and MyMovies.Net for free.
"Londoners and visitors are loving our new Wi-Fi service and we’re on track to connect Tube journeys right across London ahead of the Games," said Kevin Baughan, director of metro wireless at Virgin Media. "With millions of smartphones, gadgets and devices taken onto the Tube each day, the demand for data continues to grow and we’re rolling-out a future-proofed service that makes superfast wireless connections the standard. In partnership with TfL, we’ve achieved a huge amount and have launched a service London can be proud of."
The service will be rolled out to 120 stations by the end of the year.
Passengers will be able to access internet from the ticket hall, escalators and on the platforms in connected London underground stations. The WiFi service will not work in London Underground tunnels.
"Wi-Fi at tube stations is proving extremely popular with our customers," said Gareth Powell, London Underground’s director of strategy and service development. "Millions of commuters and visitors from around the world are now able to keep up with live travel updates, news and entertainment throughout an incredible summer and beyond."
After the Olympics, the service will be pay-as-you go or as a part of Virgin Media broadband and mobile subscriptions for their customers.
Those accessing the service during the Olympics will have access to the internet, email and social media but not mobile phone service.
Overground passengers will also be able to check email and surf the internet for free at all 56 Wi-Fi hotspots that will be installed in time for the Olympics.
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