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Customers at Charring Cross will be able to log on to the internet soon in a six month trial. From 1 November passengers in the ticket hall and platforms or even passing through the station can use their phones and laptops to check their emails and even log onto Transport for London to find out why their train is delayed. London Underground has teamed up with BT Openzone, the Wi-Fi provider, to test how the service works and look at customer take-up. Only BT broadband customers with unlimited BT FON Wi-Fi minutes and for BT Openzone customers can use the network for free - other users can buy a voucher online. Many had questioned the need for wi-fi and mobile phone coverage on the underground network given the costs and other budget priorities. But last month the Mayor invited proposals from telecommunications firms to install mobile coverage on the network by the Olympics in 2012. Last year, TfL scrapped a six-month trial that would have seen mobile signals available on the Waterloo & City line due to high costs. This current trial is being funded through BT at no cost to fare or taxpayers. Speaking at the time, TfL said none of the proposals they had been presented with were "commercially credible". Adding: "While it is technically possible to deploy mobile-phone and data-wireless solutions on the deep-level Underground tunnels and stations, the unique nature and environment of the Tube mean that project costs would be prohibitively high at this time". Kulveer Ranger, the Mayor of London's Transport Adviser, said: "This is an important step towards seeing how this could be achieved and is part of the Mayor's ambition to examine ways in which we can use technology to adapt the city's transport system to meet the needs of those using it".
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