Appendix 3
WI-FI CONNECTIVITY ACROSS
LONDON
1. INTRODUCTION
This short paper seeks to give an overview of the current Wi-Fi landscape across
London and explore initial considerations on the feasibility of establishing a city-wide
public Wi-Fi network.
2. OPPORTUNITY
The GLA, in the interest of improving Londoners, London business and tourists
experience of the capital are seeking to explore the opportunity of creating Municipal
Wi-Fi across the capital. We would like users across the capital to be able to access
free high speed Wi-Fi connectivity wherever they are, for free for a period of time,
and move across networks as seamlessly as possible.
Supporting Mayoral Strategies
 London Infrastructure Plan 2050
 Mayor’s Digital Inclusion Strategy
 Mayor’s Smart London Plan
 LEP Jobs and Growth Plan
3. INTERNATIONAL COMPARISONS
New York, US - LinkNYC is an announced network to cover New York City with a
free 1GB Wi-Fi service by converting the cities 7,000 payphones. Coverage will be
provided in a 46m radius around the payphone spot. The scheme is a public private
partnership between NYC Government and CityBridge consortium (made up of
Titan, Control Group, Qualcomm, Comark, and antenna)
Barcelona, Spain – Barcelona has a total of 443 hotspots for free Wi-Fi and most
are in the Old Town (Ciutat Vella). This service has been available since 2011. The
service is free after registration, however there have been criticisms of the slow
speed of the service.
Paris, France - free in many parks and in municipal libraries, museums, and public
places (7 AM to 11 PM or opening hours, renewable 2-hour sessions)
Dublin, Ireland - free Wi-Fi in certain areas of city centre. More areas to be rolled
out soon.
Helsinki, Finland - free, city-operated network in the city centre. There is no
password or registration required. Just select “Helsinki City Open WLAN” from the
available networks.
4. LONDON’s EXISTING WI-FI LANDSCAPE
Private Wi-Fi Hotspots
Ofcom estimates that there are 5,969 Wi-Fi hotspots across Greater London. This
figure has been based on data provided by BT, Arqiva, Sky, Virgin Media, O2, EE
and KCOM. This figure is likely to be an underestimate as other buildings make
public Wi-Fi available through private networks and alternative services.
This includes services like BT Openzone Wi-Fi and The Cloud.

Access to the internet through BT Openzone Wi-Fi requires you to be either a
BT or EE customer, pay-as-you-go, or be in a location that has partnered with
BT Openzone to provide free access (eg Starbucks, Tesco).

Access to the internet through The Cloud requires you to be either a Sky
customer, pay-as-you-go, or be in a location that has partnered with The
Could to provide free access (eg Eat, Pizza Express)
Each service requires separate log in details.
Public buildings
Through the Super Connected Cities Programme (SCCP), the Mayor has invested
£1.75 million in a public Wi-Fi scheme to bring Wi-Fi availability to museums and
galleries across the capital.
The public-building Wi-Fi scheme facilitates the provision of free ‘indoor’ Wi-Fi
services in public sector owned and operated buildings, with a focus on free-entry
museums, art galleries, and libraries.
Phase 1 included 9 museums.
Phase 2 includes 77 institutions.
Appendix A offers a list of the grant funded public Wi-Fi institutions. All institutions
report that connectivity solutions funded will last at least 5 years.
Boroughs

Most boroughs offer Wi-Fi availability within a number of libraries

City of London
The City of London and The Cloud have partnered to bring comprehensive
outdoor public Wi-Fi coverage to the Square Mile. The Cloud’s City Wi-Fi
network is free and unlimited and covers 95% of the Square Mile’s outdoor
areas.

Westminster
Westminster council has a free Wi-Fi service available in some areas of the
borough, which offers unlimited Wi-Fi to all users at no cost, regardless of
their current provider. The network deal with 02 was one of the first of its kind.

Camden, Wandsworth, Hounslow, Islington, Fulham, Barnet and
Haringey, and Hammersmith & Fulham
Delivered in partnership with Arquiva. Residents, businesses and visitors will
be able to access 30 minutes free Wi-Fi every day using registered devices
such as smartphones, laptops and tablets. After that there will be an
opportunity to purchase extra time, ranging from £5 a day to £30 a month.

Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park Visitors now have access to free Wi-Fi
across the Park, including many of its venues. To sign into the Park's free WiFi, simply select it from the list of available networks. You will then be asked
to provide your name and email address as part of a short registration
process.
On transport

TfL Underground stations
TfL has partnered with Virgin Media to bring Wi-Fi to 150 London
Underground stations. This is operated on a concession framework.
Customers of the following providers get internet access on London
Underground at no extra cost.
1. Virgin Media Broadband and Mobile customers
2. EE, T-Mobile and Orange
3. Vodafone
4. O2
5. Three
Other network customers can purchase a daily, weekly or monthly Virgin
Media Wi-Fi Pass to get online.
The network experiences extensive operational use.

TfL Overground stations
TfL has partnered with The Cloud to bring Wi-Fi to more than 79 London
Overground stations.
For a map of Wi-Fi in underground and overground stations see appendix B.

TfL tunnels
A number of technologies are being investigated. These could potentially
create substantial additional opportunities for internal efficiencies and
commercial exploitation. The focus for TfL is improved connectivity to trains
generally including cellular and Wi-Fi technologies. TfL is looking as carefully
at above ground as in tunnels for train connectivity due to the scarcity of
cellular connections in many places above ground.

Crossrail
Crossrail will have cellular in the tunnel sections, we are looking at how we
can deliver a good WiFi service on board.
The main issue being the areas not in tunnels where cellular is less reliable. A
number of technologies are being investigated. These could potentially create
substantial additional opportunities for internal efficiencies and commercial
exploitation. The focus for TfL is improved connectivity to trains generally
including cellular and Wi-Fi technologies.
The joint LU/Crossrail stations will have WiFi extended from the LU stations.

National Rail
An increasing number of train operating companies are providing on board
Wi-Fi facilities. Wi-Fi provision is more commonly available on long distance
inter-city routes as opposed to shorter commuter routes. The charges and
availability varies with different train operating companies that serve London
can be found in appendix C.
It has been reported anecdotally that the reliability and speeds experienced
on National Rail lines is poor. As Wi-Fi availability on trains relies on having
access to a phone network signal, this is likely due to the limited availability of
base stations along the Network Rail routes.

Buses
In 2014 TfL held a trial of Wi-Fi on routes 12 and RV1 with technology
supplied by Bluepod Media. TfL were seeking sponsorship in order to roll out
the trial to further buses in the fleet. A sponsorship would enable the
technology to be delivered at no additional cost to taxpayers or passengers.

Taxis
A number of private companies are delivering Wi-Fi networks into taxis and
private hire vehicles. Eyetease, a London base startup company has
developed technology that brings LED advertising to the top of black cabs,
and provides Wi-Fi inside the cab. Green Tomato Minicabs provide wi-fi in
all their vehicles.
5. HOW CAN A MUNICIPAL WI-FI NETWORK BE ACHIEVED?
Clearly the prospect of a London wide Wi-Fi network is an appealing one, with many
measurable benefits. The below are a number of initial thoughts on how this could be
achieved, that will need further scoping.
Connecting existing networks
We could seek to establish an agreement with existing providers and template for
new providers of Wi-Fi networks that would encourage a smooth user experience of
networks, and set a standard of reliability and availability. We would seek to ensure
that this works for all those within the agreement, including complementary mobile
networks, and provides sufficient benefit to encourage a wide participation including;
- Areas where cost of capital has already been recovered
- Areas where existing Wi-Fi provision is becoming under-utilised because of
availability of high speed mobile networks
- Areas where a more widely used Wi-Fi network would ease demand on
mobile networks
- Areas where that are experiencing a smaller customer base for disparate WiFi networks
Expanding existing networks
TfL is looking to use its position and assets to improve connectivity in London both
by installing fibre and by exploiting assets to improve connectivity directly. TfL are
looking to provide the same Wi-Fi managed service to others, using their expertise in
delivering the 5000 APs they have already deployed.
Creating a new managed network
This would require the installation of new equipment across the capital through
significant investment in capital assets. This could be done in conjunction with an
existing provider.
6. CONSIDERATIONS
GLA role in delivery
The GLA could take a wide variety of approaches to intervention e.g. policy tools to
improve the environment for commercial investment, facilitating stakeholder
discussions, subsidising or partnering with commercial operations, or investing
directly in Wi-Fi infrastructure.
Existing Market
There are a number of existing providers within the Wi-Fi space. Any intervention by
the GLA within this space must take into consideration the existing providers and
work in collaboration with them.
Technical Viability
We need to consider the technical viability of any proposed solution, particularly in
connecting existing networks.
Cost
Any investment in infrastructure to deliver new or expanded networks would require
significant capital expenditure.
State Aid
Funding of any Wi-Fi provision must be compliant with state aid requirements. The
SCCP Wi-Fi programme was limited to indoor space for this reason.
Ownership and operating model
The level of cost which may be incurred by the private or public sector will depend on
the network ownership and operating model which will determine the commercial
case for investment.
Revenue opportunities
Revenue or subsidies may be required to support operational costs and/or recoup
capital investment. Revenues could be generated from advertising or from
‘freemium’ service models whereby free use is limited to an initial period or to
specific websites.
Use of public sector assets
The commercial case may be improved by the use of public sector assets such as
street furniture, which is typically owned by borough councils or TfL.
7. NEXT STEPS
The GLA would like to host a workshop with key public Wi-Fi operators and
stakeholders to scope out the feasibility of creating a municipal Wi-Fi for London.
Following this workshop further scoping work may be required.
Appendix A – List of the public institutions with Wi-Fi funded through the
SCCP programme
Wave 1 Museums/Galleries
Postcode/Address
Bruce Castle Museum
N17 8NU
Greenwich Heritage Centre
SE18 4DX
Imperial War Museum – Lambeth Road
SE1 6HZ
National Gallery
WC2N 5DN
National Portrait Gallery
WC2H 0HE
Natural History Museum
SW7 5BD
The Horniman Museum and Gardens
SE23 3PQ
Valance House Museum
RM8 3HT
Eastbury House
IG11 9SN
Wave 2 Museums/Galleries
Royal Air Force Museum
Postcode/Address
NW9 5LL
Tate Gallery
Tate Modern
SE1 9TG
Tate Britain
SW1P 4RG
The Stephens Collection
N3 3QE
UCL Museums
Petrie Museum
WC1E 6BT
The Grant Museum
WC1E 6DE
UCL Art Museum
WC1E 6BT
British Museum
WC1B 3DG
Wave 2 Library authority
Postcode/Address
City Libraries
Guildhall Library
EC2V 7HH
City Business Library
EC2V 7HH
Barbican Library
EC2Y 8DS
Shoe Lane Library
EC4A 3JR
Artizan Street Library
E1 7AF
LB Barking and Dagenham Library Service
Barking Learning Centre
IG11 7NB
Dagenham Library
RM10 9QQ
Marks Gate Library
RM6 5NJ
Robert Jeyes Library
RM6 6AS
Thames View Library
IQ10 0LG
Valence Library
RM8 3HS
Haringey Library Service
Wood Green Library
N22 6XD
Hornsey Library
N8 9JA
Marcus Garvey Library
N15 4JA
Alexandra Park Library
N22 7UJ
Muswell Hill Library
N10 3PE
Highgate Library
N6 5QT
St. Ann's Library
N15 5PU
Stroud Green Library
N4 4QR
Coombes Croft Library
N17 8AG
Kingston & Sutton
Sutton Central Library
SM1 1EA
Beddington Library
CR0 4QR
Worcester Park Library
KT4 8ES
Cheam Library
SM3 8QH
Life Centre
SM3 9PX
Middleton Circle Library
SM5 1JJ
Westcroft Leisure Centre
SM5 2TG
Wallington Library
SM6 0HY
Phoenix Centre
SM6 9NZ
Tudor Drive Library
KT2 5QH
New Malden Library
KT3 3LY
Old Malden Library
KT4 7RD
Surbiton Library
KT6 6AG
Hook Library
KT9 1EJ
Tolworth Library
KT6 7DJ
Kingston Library
KT1 2PS
Kingston Museum
KT1 2PS
Whitehall Museum
SM3 8QD
Honeywood Museum
SM5 3NX
Little Holland House
SM5 3LW
Merton Borough
Donald Hope Library
SW19 2HR
Mitcham Library
CR4 2YR
Morden Library
SM4 5DX
Pollards Hill Library
CR4 1LT
Raynes Park Library
SW20 8BA
West Barnes Library
KT3 6JF
Wimbledon Library
SW19 7NB
Redbridge Libraries
Redbridge Museum
IG1 1EA
Redbridge Central Library
IG1 1EA
Fulwell Cross Library
IG6 2EA
Southwark Libraries
Canada Water Library
SE16 7AR
Kingswood Library
SE21 8QR
Waltham Forest Libraries
Walthamstow
E17 7JN
Lea Bridge
E10 7HU
North Chingford
Hale End
E4 7EN
E4 9QD
Higham Hill
E17 5HS
Wood Street
E17 4AA
Vestry House Museum
E17 9NH
Brent Libraries
Willesden Green
NW10 2SF
Kilburn Library
NW6 6NN
Harlesden Library
NW10 8SE
Kingsbury Library
NW9 9HE
Brent Museum
NW10 2SF
Appendix B - Map of Station Wi-Fi availability
Appendix C – Wi-Fi availability across different train companies
Abellio Greater Anglia
Wi-Fi internet is now available for all customers travelling on Inter-City services
between Norwich, Ipswich and London. This is provided free to First Class
customers, or for £2.95 per trip, £19 for 4 weeks or £209 per year to Standard Class
customers.
c2c
Wi-Fi is not currently available on c2c services.
Caledonian Sleeper
Wi-Fi is not currently available on Caledonian Sleeper services.
Chiltern Railways
Wi-Fi is available free of charge on all Chiltern Railways mainline trains.
CrossCountry
Wi-Fi is available on all CrossCountry long-distance services. Standard class
passengers pay £2 for 60 minutes, £3 for 2 hrs, £4 for 4 hrs, £6 for 6 hrs, £8 for 24
hrs. First Class passengers receive free of charge Wi-Fi.
East Midlands Trains
Wi-Fi internet access is available on East Midlands Trains to and from London St
Pancras International. It is free to First Class customers and available in Standard
Class for £4.00 per journey (up to 3 hours), £6 per day, £30.00 per month (valid for
28 days) or £300 per year.
First Great Western
First Great Western currently offer free Wi-Fi on the Night Riviera Sleeper Service,
long distance services to the West of England and South Wales and on trains
running between London Paddington and the North Cotswolds. Local fleets in the
Thames Valley that run stopping services from London to Maidenhead, Reading and
Oxford are having Wi-Fi installed throughout the remainder of 2015.
Gatwick Express
Wi-Fi is not currently available on Gatwick Express services.
Grand Central
Free Wi-Fi internet is available on all Grand Central trains.
Great Northern
Wi-Fi is not currently available on Great Northern services.
Heathrow Connect
Wi-Fi is not currently available on Heathrow Connect services.
Heathrow Express
Complimentary 4G-enabled Wi-Fi is available on all Heathrow Express services.
Hull Trains
Free Wi-Fi internet is available on most Hull Trains services.
London Midland
Wi-Fi is not currently available on London Midland services.
South West Trains
Wi-Fi is now available to passengers on the Class 444 ‘Desiro’ electric trains running
on the South West Trains’ Main Line route from London Waterloo to Weymouth and
Portsmouth. The Class 444 coaches are predominantly white in colour and all trains
which have Wi-Fi available will be clearly labelled on board.
Southeastern
Wi-Fi is not currently available on Southeastern services.
Southern
Wi-Fi is not currently available on Southern services.
Thameslink
Wi-Fi is not currently available on Great Northern services.
Virgin Trains and Virgin Trains East Coast
Wi-Fi internet is available on the majority of Virgin Trains services. Stickers on board
the train indicate if your service is Wi-Fi enabled. The service is free of charge for
First Class customers and chargeable in Standard Class, customers get 15 minutes
free usage. After this period, access costs are £4 for 1 hr, £6 for 3 hrs, £8 for 24 hrs,
£30 for 30 days.