Millions of Londoners and visitors will be able to use wi-fi internet services at Tube stations from this summer

Virgin Media has won the contract to provide wi-fi internet services on Tube platforms in time for the Olympics.

It means Londoners will be able to use wi-fi and mobile internet services at many Underground stations for the first time.

Due to the massive work involved, services will not be available on trains.

The contract – which the Mayor of London’s office says comes at zero cost to taxpayers – will lead to Virgin Media introducing wi-fi at more than 80 stations ahead of this summer.

By the end of the year, up to 40 more stations, many of them deep-level, will be connected.

From July, all Tube passengers will have free and unlimited access to the internet at stations.

At the end of the summer after the Olympic and Paralympic Games, wi-fi at Tube stations will be made available as part of Virgin Media’s broadband and mobile subscriptions.

To everyone else it become a pay-as-you-go service, with only travel information available for free.

Mayor of London Boris Johnson said: “Millions of passengers will now be able to connect to their work, friends or access the latest news and travel information whilst on the move.

“This is a fabulous new and free resource which will be in place from this summer when London is being showcased on a global stage and playing host to millions.”

Virgin Media CEO Neil Berkett said: “With the eyes of the world on London this summer, we’ll be showing off our capital as a leading connected city on the global stage.

“We’re putting the power of Virgin Media’s fibre-optic network in the hands of millions of Londoners, commuters and visitors and are delighted to be launching wi-fi for free throughout summer 2012.

“We’ll help people make the most of the city and will continue to evolve the service, ensuring everyone can benefit from a service London will be proud of.”

Gareth Powell, London Underground’s director of strategy and service development, said: “We’re upgrading the Tube to make it fit for the 21st century. This latest innovation is great news for Tube customers, who now have access to emails, web and social media underground for the first time.

“It’s also delivered at no cost to fare-payers and taxpayers.

“Today, TfL provides a wealth of free live travel information, via our website and through the many excellent travel apps now available. Wi-fi on the Tube means our customers can now get the latest live travel information and check how services are running, on the move and underground, where and when they need it.”