Millions of London Overground passengers will soon be able to access a free wi-fi service at every station on the network.

A contract has been signed with wi-fi provider, The Cloud, to allow 60 minutes of free internet access at every London Overground station at no cost to the fare or taxpayer.

Rollout of the service at London Overground stations, managed by joint venture company London Overground Rail Operations Ltd (LOROL) which operates as part of Arriva UK Trains, will begin in the summer and be completed by the end of the year.

Passengers who use the ever increasing array of wi-fi- devices – including e-readers, tablets and smartphones and laptops – will be able to access a fast, free wireless internet connection. The service will be ideal for e-mail access, web surfing, social networking and media streaming.

Transport for London (TfL) commissioned the contract as part of its commitment to delivering a connected approach to passengers. The installation of wi-fi on Overground services is a significant step forward and complements TfL’s recent commission which will see tube stations in zones 1 & 2 key Olympic interchange stations wi-fi enabled before the 2012 Games in late July.

Howard Smith, chief rail operating officer for TfL which manages the London Overground contract, said: “London Overground is one of the best performing railways in the UK. We have modernised every area of the service including the train fleet, the stations and signalling. 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.”

Steve Murphy, managing director of LOROL, which delivers London Overground services on behalf of TfL, said: “Access to the internet is no longer limited solely to home or to the workplace, and people’s expectation is to be able to work and communicate effectively and seamlessly while they’re on the move so we’re delighted to support this initiative which will bring reliable, free wi-fi to London Overground’s customers.”

Vince Russell, managing director at The Cloud, 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 e-mails 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.”

Passengers will have 60 minutes’ free internet access each day at each station through a one-time registration process available at all 56 London Overground-operated stations. Wi-fi access will be available in the immediate vicinity of stations.

Major stations on the network that will be wi-fi-enabled before the end of 2012 include:

North London: Willesden Junction and West Hampstead
South London: New Cross Gate, Forest Hill, West Croydon and Norwood Junction
East London: Surrey Quays, Dalston, Wapping and Hackney Central
West London: Kensington Olympia and Shepherd’s Bush