Mayor answers to London

Wi-Fi on the tube (3)

Question number	1145/2012
Meeting date	23/05/2012

Question by Caroline Pidgeon

Did any alternative bidders offer full and free access Wi-Fi for all passengers?

Answer by Boris Johnson

Written answer received on 31 May 2012

TfL's aim in the tender was to procure a sustainable world-class Wi-Fi service for TfL customers, providing high quality connectivity across the life of a five year contract, a period over which mobile data volumes are expected to grow dramatically every year. Virgin Media was the bidder best able to satisfy TfL that it would make this investment whilst also delivering value to TfL and the highest quality service to Londoners.

One bidder did suggest providing free Wi-Fi access to all customers, but it did not meet the required standard across their bid.