O2 customers to get free WiFi access on Tube

O2 customers will now get free WiFi access on the London Underground after the operator struck a wholesale access deal with Virgin Media that controls and manages the Tube WiFi network.

O2 follows EE and Vodafone which struck earlier deals with Virgin to offer their customers free access to the WiFi network, which now offers coverage at 120 stations, after another eight were scheduled to be added this week.

Customers of O2 will get the free access from June. As EE includes both Orange and T-Mobile, only the customers of operator 3 now have to pay for WiFi access on the Tube, of those with subscriptions to the big five UK operator brands. Virgin Mobile customers also get free access to the Tube network.

Those stations getting WiFi for the first time this week include Bank, Baker Street and Earl's Court.

Gary Booker, head of consumer buisness at O2, said: "We're excited to bring free Tube WiFi to O2 customers this summer. Our customers want to stay connected wherever they are and will soon be able to check their email, update their Facebook status, shop online, book their next holiday and stay connected to their friends and family while travelling."

The WiFi on the Tube only works for passengers in booking halls, at platforms and while trains are at stations, not in the tunnels.