So, a quick tally. If you use the London Underground then you’ll know that there’s a number of options for getting online through the WiFi system that’s provided by Virgin Media. EE, Orange and T-Mobile are all signed up in partnership agreements, so if you’re a customer then you can hop online down on the stations for no additional cost.
Just recently Vodafone also signed up and, of course, Virgin Mobile customers can surf down there too.
Now it’s the turn of O2, who have announced today that they’ll be doing a similar deal and, if you’re a customer of theirs, you can carry on checking your tweets, Facebook updates or web pages whilst waiting for the next Tube train.
O2 hops onto London Underground with Virgin Media WiFi
O2 customers to enjoy WiFi on the Tube at no extra cost Virgin Media hits 120 stations target Vast majority of Tube passengers stay connected at no extra cost
Virgin Media has signed up O2 as a wholesale partner for its WiFi on London Underground service, enabling O2 customers’ access to free London Underground WiFi from June. O2 joins EE and Vodafone as a wholesale partner for Virgin Media’s WiFi 1 service meaning the vast majority of Tube passengers can stay connected with full WiFi access at no extra cost 2 .
As part of the deal, all existing O2 customers signed up to O2 WiFi will be automatically registered for free WiFi on the Underground, taking away the need to sign up above ground or remembering a password.
Virgin Media also confirmed another 12 London Underground (LU) stations are coming online this week, including Bank, Baker Street and Earl’s Court 3 . This brings the total number of WiFi enabled stations to 120, meeting Virgin Media’s and TfL’s target of 120 London Underground stations online.
Mark Williamson, Head of London WiFi at Virgin Media said: “WiFi on London Underground has gone from strength to strength and we’re delighted the majority of Londoners are staying connected for no extra cost. Virgin Media’s unique fibre optic network means we deliver unrivalled capacity for next generation digital services both inside and outside the home, meeting the increasing demand for wireless services.”
Gary Booker, Head of Consumer at O2, said: “We’re excited to bring free Underground WiFi to O2 customers this summer. Our customers want to stay connected wherever they are and will soon be able to check their email, update their Facebook status, shop online, book their next holiday and stay connected to their friends and family right across Tube stations in Central London.”
Gareth Powell, Director of Strategy and Service Development for London Underground, said: “Having O2 on board is excellent news for the thousands of people that use the Tube everyday. Most customers will now be able to access live travel information or use social media to plan their social life while on the move.
“WiFi on the Tube is part of how we are improving services for our customers. 2013 is London Underground’s 150 th anniversary, we were at the forefront of technology when the first Underground train ran and this shows how we are maintaining that tradition, using modern technology to improve customers’ journeys.”
Virgin Media’s comprehensive WiFi portal will continue to keep all Tube passengers up-to-date with TfL travel information and great London entertainment and news for free. Virgin Media also offers a Pay As You Go service with daily, weekly and monthly passes 4 , giving Tube passengers a range of options about how to get online underground.
One Response
Martin
I’m a little in two minds about this…I’ve been pretty lucky in recent weeks that I haven’t been stuck for a long (enough) time at a station to have enough time to log on to anything. By the time you’ve fired up a web browser or social app the train is in and your on your way and the signal has gone. Put some cables in the tunnels to provide a seemless transition and that’ll be pretty damn good. As it is… meh. Sorry, miserable monday 😉
I’m a little in two minds about this…I’ve been pretty lucky in recent weeks that I haven’t been stuck for a long (enough) time at a station to have enough time to log on to anything. By the time you’ve fired up a web browser or social app the train is in and your on your way and the signal has gone. Put some cables in the tunnels to provide a seemless transition and that’ll be pretty damn good. As it is… meh. Sorry, miserable monday 😉