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News

Tube WiFi Contract  Coming Soon

(25 Jan 2012, BWCS Staff)

The winning bidder for the contract to put WiFi on the London Underground, or at least on its platforms, will now be announced in “early Spring”. The tender was due to be awarded by the end of last year, but Transport for London (TfL) said it is still in the final stages of the process. The winning supplier will be asked to roll out WiFi coverage to around 120 Tube stations across London, in time for the Olympics. However, there is, as yet, no mention of installing the service on-board trains.

Speaking to the Guardian newspaper today, Gareth Powell, director of strategy and service development at TfL, said: “London Underground is continuing with preparations to install the necessary infrastructure and is on schedule to complete the project as planned." When pressed on timing issues, he said the contract will be in place and will leave “plenty of time for this to be delivered to customers in time for the 2012 Games”.

The tender calls for the chosen company to host and operate a portal for the London Underground WiFi service and to provide media rich content free of charge. This is likely to include real-time travel information, news, sports and entertainment. However, TfL said that other services, outwith the portal, may be charged for, which means they most likely will be. The supplier will handle all aspects of delivering the service, including billing. 

A recent trial at Charing Cross, which began in November 2010, was conducted in conjunction with BT Openzone and provided WiFi connections in the ticket hall and platforms at the underground station. According to TfL, over half of tube passengers surveyed last year said that WiFi access would improve their experience of using the Underground network. Many of those questioned said they would welcome a wider service roll out and stated that WiFi connections at a Tube station are "very useful".

All new Train WiFi services will be discussed at this summer’s WiFi on trains conference – Train Communication Systems 2012.

There is still one speaking slot and one sponsor opportunity for the Conference which will be held on the 13^th and 14^th of June.

For more information and a list of the train operators from all over the world who will be attending and speaking please contact [email protected]

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