Transport for London has announced that, from June, commuters will be able to access free wifi access on around 120 stations.
As for the speed offered, at a basic minimum it should provide EDGE-equivalent speeds of 500kbps per person. Given the average waiting time on a platform is around 6 to 7 minutes this just about provides enough time for you to check the news to see what the Metro missed, like some of your friend's pictures on Facebook and finish off by refreshing your email server.
Initially the service will be "free and unlimited"over Summer 2012. When this honeymoon period is over it will become a pay-per-use subscription service for anything but basic TfL information (e.g. tube disruptions, travel news).
Is there much of a market here?
By the time a new subscriber goes through the setup process they will be down the tunnel and out of reception. But even when you consider an commuter with an account, what will they be willing to pay for 6 mins (or less) of internet access in the underground?
BT Openzone costs around £6 per month for access to 380 000 'hot spots' across London.
Virgin's platform product can't compete with that. It has to have a wider purpose. Perhaps it's a leader towards their own wifi 'cloud' product?
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