London Underground extends Wi-Fi to 100 more stations

Wi-fi has been extended to 100 more London Underground stations, meaning almost all of the network is connected. Passengers can now access the service at 250 stations. Around half a million phones, tablets and laptops connect to wifi in Tube ticket halls, passageways and platforms each day.

London Underground extends Wi-Fi service. Image by NAPARAZZI / CC BY-SA 2.0

According to Virgin Media – which provides the wifi – some 20TB of data is consumed every 24 hours – up from just 3TB less than a year ago. The average user consumes around 40MB a day, which is equivalent to streaming 10 music tracks.

Transport for London’s (TfL) chief information officer, Steve Townsend, said extending wifi was “one of many ways we’re improving our customers’ journeys”. He added: “It will help more of our customers access live travel information, social media and internet browsing while they are on the move across the capital.”

Virgin Media managing director, Gregor McNeil, revealed that the firm has been “astounded” by the popularity of the service since its launch in 2012. He went on: “By bringing connectivity to more people where and when they need it, out of their homes, we are helping Londoners to stay connected and for them to do all the stuff they love – post, tweet, watch and share – whilst on the move.”

(Press Association)