80 London Underground Stations to Get WiFi for 2012 Olympics

Nearly 80 London Underground stations would have access to wireless network coverage during the 2012 London Olympics, according to an announcement by Richard Branson's Virgin Media in its website dated 1 June, 2012.

The stations included in the list are Oxford Circus, Stratford, Kings Cross, Liverpool Street and Leicester Square. The company said particular focus will be given to the busy platforms on the tube network.

Virgin Media also mentioned that the first 80 stations will receive the connections by the end of July while the remaining 38 stations will get the connections by the end of the year.

"Bringing a next generation WiFi service to one of the world's oldest underground transport networks is progressing as planned and the forthcoming service is testing well," the Register quoted Gareth Powell, London Underground's Director of Strategy and Service Development as saying.

"The first stations include some of our busiest and most well-known destinations and we're on-track for a successful launch this summer all delivered at no additional cost to fare payers or tax payers," stated Powell.

"Our customers will soon be able to connect to the internet for live travel information while they are on the move through stations," Powell added.

To mark the launch of the service, Virgin Media has already introduced an online portal having real-time TFL service information, a journey planner, commuter news and entertainment.

In fact, the first tweet from the underground was already posted by BBC's technology correspondent, Rory Cellan-Jones. The tweet read, "Historic first tweet from deep under London using @TFLofficial @virginmedia new tube wifi service - testing, testing".

However, apart from a few limited services such as journey planner, entertainment and news content, other services are paid.