Transport for London (TfL) has said it plans to implement Wi-Fi technology at up to 120 stations before the 2012 Olympics. A contract will be awarded to the chosen bidder by the end of 2011.
The proposed Wi-fi network is intended to allow people to use smartphones, tablet computers or laptops on London Underground stations by June 2012. However, the service will not be available in trains for now.
The service is planned to first start with London Underground opening the existing wi-fi for staff at 16 stations to the public.
TfL has invited tenders and the bidder will be chosen by the end of 2011. The chosen company will have around six months to get the network in place.
London Mayor Boris Johnson said, "The roll out of wi-fi technology across the platforms and public areas of our tube stations will finally allow Londoners to use mobile devices to pick up their emails, access social media sites and stay in touch with the world above while they traverse our subterranean transport network."
In all, there are 289 stations on the London Underground network.
