Good news for London’s commuters as we’ve just heard that Virgin Media in the UK launched wi-fi internet access at two tube stations across the capital yesterday, with another three launching today. The service will allow millions of commuters and visitors to get online and find their way around London with up-to-the-minute TfL travel information, as well as discover great things to do in the capital with daily recommendations from Time Out, exclusive playlists from Spotify and the latest trailers and red carpet gossip from MyMovies.Net.
You will eventually be able to log onto Netflix, check emails, view THN, check your Facebook profile, tweet and goodness knows what else underground as Virgin Media is also offering free, full internet access to every online destination throughout the summer. The service is now ‘online’ at King’s Cross and Warren Street Tube stations, Oxford Circus and Green Park. Victoria and Euston will be going live on 9 June, meaning passengers on the Victoria line will be the first to benefit from WiFi.
Up to 80 Tube stations across the capital will be connected by the end of July and 120 stations are expected to be live by the end of 2012.
According to the official release, the capital is already home to more software and IT companies than any other European City; and the digital and hi-tech sector is expected to account for a third of the capital’s growth over the next two decades. Ensuring London’s digital connectivity is world class will be key to furthering this growth – helping existing tech start-ups to grow and attracting high tech global investment.
The Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, said: “We need to ensure London is able to cement its position as Europe’s leading digital city. Our partnership with Virgin Media to make WiFi available on Tube platforms will be of tremendous benefit as building world class connectivity is critical to supporting new businesses and the jobs they create, especially in the high-tech and creative sectors.”
What’s more, the service is FREE! Below we’ve posted the full list of stations to get the wi-fi treatment by the end of July. For more info, head on over to the Virgin Media info page here.
The London Underground stations planned for installation in June and July 2012 are:
Aldgate East
Elephant & Castle
London Bridge
St Paul’s
Angel
Embankment
Manor House
Stepney Green
Archway
Euston
Mansion House
Stockwell
Arsenal
Euston Square
Marble Arch
Stratford
Barbican
Finsbury Park
Marylebone
Swiss Cottage
Bayswater
Goodge Street
Mile End
Temple
Bermondsey
Green Park
North Greenwich
Tottenham Hale
Bethnal Green
Hammersmith (District/Picc)
Old Street
Tower Hill
Blackhorse Road
Heathrow T1-3
Oval
Tufnell Park
Borough
Heathrow T4
Oxford Circus
Vauxhall
Brixton
High Street Kensington
Paddington (Main)
Victoria
Caledonian Road
Highbury & Islington
Piccadilly Circus
Walthamstow Central
Camden Town
Holborn
Pimlico
Warren Street
Canada Water
Holland Park
Queensway
Warwick Avenue
Canary Wharf
Hyde Park Corner
Regents Park
Waterloo
Canning Town
Kentish Town
Seven Sisters
Wembley Central
Chancery Lane
Kings Cross/St Pancras
Southfields
Wembley Park
Charing Cross
Lambeth North
Southwark
West Ham
Clapham North
Lancaster Gate
St James Park
Wimbledon Park
Covent Garden
Leicester Square
St Johns Wood
Westminster
Edgware Road (Circle)
Liverpool Street
** Passengers will be able to get online throughout connected London Underground stations: from the ticket hall, on the escalators and on the platforms. Users will be also connected whilst on a train in a platform but WiFi will not work in London Underground tunnels
