Virgin Media Adds 20 New Stations To Tube Wi-Fi Network

Steve McCaskill,
A train on the London Underground (Tube). TfL, Transport for London

Virgin says it’s on track to reach 120 stations in early 2013

Virgin Media has added 20 more London Underground stations to its Tube Wi-Fi service, bringing the total number to 92.

Stations such as Camden Town, Clapham Common, Notting Hill Gate and Russell Square have been added, with the ISP saying that it is on track to reach 120 by early 2013.

The company also confirmed that 800,000 passengers are now registered with the service, ahead of its transition to a paid-for model for those who aren’t Virgin Media, EE or Vodafone customers next year.

A Pay-As-You-Go service will be in operation for everyone else, with £2 daily, £5 weekly and £15 monthly passes available. The Wi-Fi portal which displays TfL information and London news and entertainment will continue to be free of charge.

Tube Wi-Fi expansion

“WiFi on London Underground has been an incredible success and we’ve rolled out the service to reach even more stations throughout London, from Camden Town to Clapham Common,” said Jon James, executive director of broadband at Virgin Media. “Our wholesale agreement with EE and Vodafone will keep the majority of Tube users connected for no extra cost and every Londoner and visitor can choose from affordable PAYG options with free, up-to-the-minute travel, news and entertainment for everyone.”

Virgin Media won the much sought-after contract to provide Wi-Fi to the London Underground in March, with its wireless network going online in June in time for the 2012 Olympic Games. Internet is currently available from ticket halls to the platforms, but not on the trains themselves.

The Cloud has won a separate deal to provide Wi-Fi connections at all 56 stations on the London Overground network, while yesterday, TfL gave its blessing to the new CabWifi scheme proposed by Tech City-based startup Eyetease to bring free, ad-supported Wi-Fi to London’s black cabs.

The new stations added to the Tube Wi-Fi network are:

  • Belsize Park
  • Notting Hill Gate
  • Camden Town
  • Seven Sisters
  • Chalk Farm
  • South Kensington
  • Highgate
  • Swiss Cottage
  • Mornington Crescent
  • Bounds Green
  • Balham
  • Finsbury Park
  • Clapham Common
  • Holloway Road
  • Oval
  • Russell Square
  • Clapham South
  • Turnpike Lane
  • Lancaster Gate
  • Wood Green

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