The London Underground will have Wi-Fi available during the London 2012 Olympics, but questions are already arising of how useful it will be.
Virgin Media has won the contract to provide Wi-Fi to the London Underground, in ticket offices, escalators and platforms but not on trains. The Wi-Fi will be free and unlimited and come at no cost to taxpayers.
London mayor Boris Johnson made the announcement today, saying: "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."
The new Wi-Fi service will be available to all Tube passengers from summer 2012, and will then continue to offer TfL travel information only after this period.
Ernest Doku, technology expert at uSwitch.com, said: "For tech fans, the fact that Wi-Fi coverage won't be available in carriages will be disappointing, as time spent on the platform is limited. And of course, with millions of people expected to descend upon the capital this summer, it remains to be seen how robust this network will be, or whether speeds simply grind to a halt."