Residents and visitors in the West End of London have been given unlimited access to free wi-fi Internet services through a landmark scheme launched by Westminster City Council today.

Initially covering the heart of the West End - Oxford Street, Regent Street, Trafalgar Square, Leicester Square, Piccadilly Circus and Parliament Square – the new network offers unlimited access to all users at no cost.  The programme will soon be expand to cover other parts of Westminster, with Covent Garden next in line to go live.

Compatible with all wi-fi enabled devices – smartphones, laptops and tablets – the six-year contract with mobile operator O2 will ensure the service remains totally free of charge after the Olympic Games have ended – at no cost to the council.

Westminster's network launch follows-on from Virgin Media's moves earlier this year to make wi-fi Internet available at key London Underground stations.

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, and the addition of free wi-fi to some of our most popular landmarks is crucial in helping to maintaining that reputation.'

Westminster leader, Cllr Philippa Roe, hailed the network as a fantastic success for the London borough's residents, businesses and visitors.  'With London playing host to the greatest show on earth, O2 wi-fi is not only a valuable service for those who want to share photos, keep in touch and celebrate in the city, but rather a long term project to help make London one of the most technology friendly cities in the world,' said Cllr Roe.