O2 rolls out free Wi-Fi in London ahead of Olympics

O2 has become the latest telecoms firm to roll out free Wi-Fi access in London in time for the Olympic Games.

The network operator will initially deploy the technology to Oxford Street, Regent Street, Trafalgar Square, Leicester Square, Piccadilly Circus and Parliament Square.

Over the coming months, the wireless internet service will be extended to other areas of the capital, with Covent Garden next in line to gain access.

Virgin Media is also targeting the city with a free wireless broadband rollout, focusing on the London Underground. Some 80 stations are set to be connected ahead of the Olympics, while the network is expected to reach 120 stations by the end of the year.

However, unlike Virgin Media's service, O2's Wi-Fi will still be free to use after the Games. The carrier hopes to recoup some of the costs of the deployment through adverts targeted at users of the wireless internet service.

Mayor of London Boris Johnson said: "With millions of extra people coming to town for the Games, we want to ensure we showcase the capital as the best city in the world to work and visit."