Underground 'could be digital by 2012 Olympics'

Date: 25/3/2011

As they journey to and from the Olympic Games next year, passengers on the capital's Tube network may be able to check their emails as they travel.

According to Transport for London (TfL), a trial that tested how effectively a wi-fi service worked over a period of several months at Charing Cross station proved successful.

Because of this and the enthusiastic reaction of passengers taking advantage of the BT Openzone pilot, London Underground is now inviting telecoms providers to come forward and tender for a larger wi-fi roll-out.

Potentially, this could see as many as 120 stations transformed into hubs where travellers are able to use handheld technology and computers to get online, even when they are in one of the subterranean tunnels.

It is aimed that a contract will be handed to the winning bidder by the end of this year, in order to have the technology in place ready for the Olympics.

"We are inviting companies to bid to do this before next June, which would mean that even Londoners going underground will be able to keep up-to-date with the British medal tally at the 2012 Games," said Mayor of London Boris Johnson.

TfL reported earlier this month that the Stratford Regional upgrade is almost complete - a project that has been designed to prepare the station for its status next year as a "Gateway to the Games".

Posted by Mary Treen