Virgin has promised free Wi-Fi access at 120 of London’s Underground stations in time of the 2012 Olympic Games, which kick off at the English capital on the 27th of July.
The games will run until the 12th of August and is estimated to attract 500,000 spectators from Britain and abroad, most of whom will at some point travel by the underground tube train network. The Virgin free Wi-Fi scheme was announced yesterday by the Mayor of London, Boris Johnson who said “Millions of passengers will now be able to connect to their work, friends or access the latest news and travel information while on the move. This is a fabulous new and free resource which will be in place from this summer when London is being showcased on a global stage and playing host to millions.”
This news follows reports that a wireless internet service could not be installed in the tube network in time for the games due to lack of funding. Today Richard Branson’s Virgin actually puts its money to good use and rather than offering to send us into space for astronomically unaffordable costs, it’s thinking more down to Earth and the hundreds of thousands of travellers will now be able to connect with friends via social networking on mobiles, tablets and portable gadgets, for absolutely no cost to the taxpaying British public or through any rise to fares.
However, it’s not all light at the end of the tunnel. Engineers and electrical workers are currently refusing to work on the London Underground system during the two week Olympic events, declining wage bonuses of up to £500 due to the risk of health and safety during one of the busiest periods London will have ever witnessed.
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