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Tube Wi-Fi costs £15 from today for O2, 3 and other networks

Wi-Fi on the tube costs money from today, unless you're on Virgin Media, Vodafone or EE.

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Richard Trenholm Former Movie and TV Senior Editor
Richard Trenholm was CNET's film and TV editor, covering the big screen, small screen and streaming. A member of the Film Critic's Circle, he's covered technology and culture from London's tech scene to Europe's refugee camps to the Sundance film festival.
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Wi-Fi on the Tube costs money from today, unless you're on Virgin Media, Vodafone or EE. Everyone else has to pay to connect on the commute from now on, starting at around 50p per day.

Virgin Media has been providing free Wi-Fi at London Underground stations to all tube travellers since the Olympics. It's business as usual if you're a Virgin Media, Vodafone or EE customer, which includes those signed up to Orange and T-Mobile.

But if you're on O2, Three, GiffGaff or any other network, you will now have to access the underground Wi-Fi on a pay as you go basis.

If you're now a paying customer, Wi-Fi access costs £2 per day, £5 per week or £15 per month. That works out at 50p a day if you use the Tube every day, or around 75p if you only use it on weekdays.

Virgin Media's Wi-Fi portal includes Transport for London updates so you can still check out travel information without coughing up, as well as other bits and bobs such as London entertainment updates and news.

To go online underground, you just have to register your email address and you can use it just like any open hotspot. Wi-Fi is available on platforms and escalators and in the ticket hall, but while your train is in a tunnel you're cut off from the Web.

Another 11 stops get the Wi-Fi magic this week, taking the total to 103 stations. Those new stations are Tooting Bec and Tooting Broadway, Gloucester Road, Highbury and Islington, Kentish Town, Hampstead, Great Portland Street, Redbridge, Hammersmith, Blackhorse Road and South Wimbledon.

The London Underground turned 150 this month with the anniversary of the first journey, a steam locomotive chuffing along the Metropolitan Line back in 1863.

BT's Thames Wi-Fi service is also being upgraded along its 27-mile route, Engadget reports.

Is Wi-Fi worth the cost to connect as you commute? What other digital distractions get you through your journey? Tell me your thoughts in the comments or on our Facebook page.