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Free Wi-Fi arrives at St Pancras

Published: 07 Aug 2008 09:16 BST

Free Wi-Fi is now available at St Pancras International for the 45 million commuters who annually pass through the station.

St Pancras has been pitching itself as 'the most technologically advanced station in the world' after completing an extensive, 10-year renovation project that saw it take over from Waterloo as London's Eurostar terminal.

The hi-tech renovation plans included an internet lounge, where travellers can now make the most of the free Wi-Fi. However, the Wi-Fi network, which consists of 30 BelAir 100S nodes, covers all station areas and platforms. It has been installed by urban digital-network provider City Space, which will also manage it.

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Despite making claims to the contrary, St Pancras is not the UK's first station to offer free wireless to travellers. Earlier this year, York rolled out Wi-Fi access in a bid to encourage more people to abandon their cars and take to the rails instead.

As well as Wi-Fi hotspots appearing at railway stations, onboard train Wi-Fi services are proliferating and also being used as a tool to attract travellers.

A Wi-Fi service on the UK's East Coast Main Line, which was made free for all passengers late last year, has proved particularly popular with commuters, underlining the extent of demand for free and fair Wi-Fi.

Credit: Free wi-fi steams into St Pancras from silicon.com