Good news for Vodafone customers, as they can once again access Wi-Fi coverage on the London Underground.
Vodafone Wi-Fi started showing up on the list of available networks about a week ago, and is now confirmed as working if Vodafone customers connect to the service.
It’s also working in Elizabeth line stations.
The Wi-Fi service has been provided by Virgin Media since 2012, and then offered to mobile networks to offer to their customers. Although Vodafone was an early provider of Wi-Fi coverage in the tube stations, it suddenly and without notice pulled out of the agreement in June 2021, leaving customers unable to use mobile data in the tube stations.
Vodafone advertising campaign from 2013
Quietly though, the service reappeared over the weekend.
It’s not the same as the old Virgin Media service though, as the Wi-Fi network has been transferred to BAI Communications to take over the management of the service, as part of their agreement to roll out 4G and 5G coverage in the tube tunnels.
Now that it’s live again, Vodafone customers just need to select VodafoneWiFi on the list of available networks, and I just needed to change the EAP method to SIM and then it automatically connected to the internet.
Andrea Dona, Vodafone’s UK Chief Network Officer, said: “Our customers who regularly use the Tube have told us that having access to WiFi is extremely important to them, so we’ve listened and reactivated the service on a new, more reliable system, that is easy-to-use and provides a seamless experience.”
“Alongside our newly-arrived 4G and 5G signal, we hope the new service will ensure our customers have the connection they want and expect while travelling across the capital.”
BAI Communications is currently rolling out cellular coverage in the tunnels, with service available on parts of the Jubilee, Northern and Central lines, and more coming online shortly.
All stations and tunnels across the London Underground are expected to have mobile coverage by the end of 2024. Until then though, Vodafone customers can once again connect to internet services in stations, and often in the trains as they pass through stations.
BAI Communications is covering the cost of the rollout of phone coverage in tunnels, and then offers the service to the mobile networks.
Billy D’Arcy, CEO UK and Ireland at BAI Communications, which is operating the service on behalf of TfL, said: “We are delighted to now be supporting WiFi on the Underground for the customers of all mobile operators.
“Having WiFi at key stations on the Tube, alongside the 4G and 5G we are rolling out, is another really important way for passengers to stay connected to their digital lives, boosting efficiency and productivity across the capital.”
Although the London Underground lags behind other countries in offering mobile phone coverage in the tunnels, it is one of the first in the world to start offering 5G coverage.
BAI’s network will also host the Home Office’s Emergency Services Network (ESN), which will replace the existing Airwave system currently used by London’s emergency response teams.
As a Virgin Mobile Customer, I’m not happy about the way they have just pulled the plug on Underground station WiFi. Various threads on their community help forum and this one basically concludes there’s no workaround:
https://community.virginmedia.com/t5/Virgin-Mobile/Wifi-no-longer-visible-on-London-underground/m-p/5294345#M231647
Any other Virgin Mobile Customers managed to work anything out?
Yeh I noticed that Virgin wi-fi had disappeared recently. I was using this as I am an O2 Customer. Not sure what the workaround for O2 customers is?
Just connect as usual to the Wifi Extra service as you would normally do.
I have never used WiFi extra, always used Virgin Media. Something to do with swtiching from being on O2 business to O2 consumer. There are a lot of reports online of WiFi extra not working for people so unfortunately it is not a simple solution. https://community.virginmedia.com/t5/Virgin-Mobile/Wifi-no-longer-visible-on-London-underground/td-p/5294345
This might help someone: I’m an EE PAYG customer and their auto WiFi never worked for me. I found out today I just had to text WIFI to 150 to enable the service on my account.
Amazed Vodafone had the temerity to take this away a few years ago. They say that research told them people found it extremely important: the same as the research would have done had they asked before its removal.
I’ll be glad to have it back, especially with the glacial speed of 4G between stations.
The Vodafone customer service quote really is beyond the pail. I had the same issue with Three when the Virgin connection stopped. Thankfully, a quick Google sorted me out. The new service is better, but it’s unfathomable why it wasn’t better publicised to customers.
Nik
THANK YOU
You may have explained why, although I’m paying for open access on EE … it never, ever works – I have to log into any local WiFi service I can find. And, about a month back, my phone started going bonkers on the Underground, pinging “on” & “offf” as I pass various stations …
Why is there no mobile phone signal on the Elizabeth line? Pre publicity mentioned it, and in 2023 seems ridiculous not to have it from opening.
Yes strange one because previous GWR services had wifi along same route into Paddington. So did TFl rail with the new Elizabeth line trains. So trains have wifi but seems network not ready. It was advertised as WiFi also in the tunnels in Central London. I think this is all linked to BAI. So suspect we will see it switched on shortly