Virgin Media Brings Wi-Fi to London Underground in Time for Olympics

London Underground passengers will soon be able to update their Facebook statuses and tweet while waiting for the tube, as Wi-Fi will be available in 82 stations by the end of July.

The roll-out of free Wi-Fi starts now and is being provided by Virgin Media, although you can only connect in the stations and on platforms, not in the train tunnels, so if you were planning on hosting a conference video call on the Jubilee line, we're afraid you're out of luck.

Being able to get online while underground will come in handy during the Olympics this summer, so travellers can check for delays and alternative routes should there be any disruptions.

Gareth Powell, London Underground's director of strategy and service development, said: "Our customers will soon be able to connect to the internet for live travel information while they are on the move through stations.

"Bringing a next generation Wi-Fi service to one of the world's oldest underground transport networks is progressing as planned and the forthcoming service is testing well.

"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."

While major stations like Oxford Circus, Waterloo and Leicester Square will get Wi-Fi, some lesser-known stops like Canada Water and Bermondsey will also get connected, thanks to their closeness to the Olympic Park in east London.

Once the summer is over the Wi-Fi will remain in place, but will only be free to Virgin media broadband and mobile customers. For everyone else there will be a pay-as-you-go option, but access to travel updates and information from Transport for London - as well as some news and entertainment gossip will remain free for all.

Virgin Media hopes that 120 of the 270 stations will have Wi-Fi access by the end of 2012.

Jon James, executive director of broadband at Virgin Media, said: "In partnership with TfL, we've been working around-the-clock to install and test WiFi on London Underground and are about to connect some iconic and world famous Tube stations with a WiFi service London will be proud of."

A full list of stations to get Wi-Fi by the end of July is below: