Categories
Digital Transformation

Commuters to access emails on the move

A free Wi-Fi service is being rolled out across London Overground.

In the run up to the Olympics, many companies will be putting their contingency plans into place to ensure there is no disruption to the smooth running of their business, and that if an incident were to occur, a disaster recovery procedure is ready to kick into action.

Now it has been announced that commuters travelling to and from the office in London will be able to access data and documents via a free Wi-Fi service at every station on the Overground rail network.

This means companies who have invested in online server backup will benefit from staff getting on with work in the morning, even if there are delays to the journey.

Rollout of the Wi-Fi service will begin in summer and should be completed by the end of 2012, meaning those who need to send off a quick email before work can do so on their tablet, smartphone, laptop or e-reader when they are travelling between the Overground network’s 56 stations.

Howard Smith, chief rail operating officer at Transport for London, commented: "By providing this new service our passengers will be able to access our latest travel information free of charge and it will enhance our reputation as providing a truly modern railway fit for the 21st century."

Public Wi-Fi provider The Cloud has been chosen to deliver the service, which entitles passengers to 60 minutes of free internet access each day following a one-off registration process.

Managing director Vince Russell said: "People now expect to be able to access the internet wherever they are – it’s become a way of passing the time and entertaining themselves as much as keeping up with emails and work.

"But to do this effectively they need a fast and reliable internet connection, which is why the deal to install The Cloud’s Wi-Fi service will benefit millions of London Overground passengers immediately," he added.