O2 to provide Europe's largest free wi-fi zone

Mobile operator O2 is to provide Europe's biggest free wi-fi zone serving millions of users, in London.


"Powered by a system installed on street furniture" (BBC News), the service is set to start this year, rolling "out across the boroughs of Westminster and Kensington and Chelsea".

According to Derek McManus, chief operating officer for O2 "this ground-breaking deal... will see us deliver high-quality connectivity across London in time for London 2012."

"Our longer-term aim is to expand our footprint of O2 wi-fi, which is open to everyone, and also intelligently enhance our services at street level, where people need the network the most."

The installation of the Metro wireless network across Westminster starts this month, with initial coverage limited to certain areas only.