Mayor of London Boris Johnson has urged the capital’s small and medium firms to use wireless technology to avoid disruption to their businesses during the 2012 Games.
Johnson advised businesses to find out how London’s expanding Wi-Fi network could help them work remote remotely at little or no cost during next year’s Olympic and Paralympic Games. BT plans to increase the number of Wi-Fi hotspots in the capital to 500,000 in time for the Games, which could help firms to stay in touch with staff, supplier and customers.
A new website will also provide information about transport while the Games are in progress so businesses can plan ahead. It will offer projected queuing times at key stations on the Tube, Docklands Light Railway, London Overground and National Rail, while maps showing predicted travel times will help firms plan for delays.
Johnson said: “It is absolutely vital that London’s small and medium sized businesses, the backbone of the capital’s economy, are fully prepared and ready to take advantage of every opportunity hosting the greatest show on earth brings.
“Having the latest transport information at their fingertips is a huge part of this as is boosting the capital’s Wi-Fi network allowing their employees to work virtually anywhere, stay in touch with clients and get the most up to date travel information.
“The 2012 Games will be the first truly digital Games and will mark a milestone towards my aim to make London the digital capital of Europe.”
The mayor was speaking at a conference where information about how the busiest points and locations on road and Tube networks would be affected during the Games were presented to companies for the first time.
London’s transport commissioner Peter Hendy said: “We’re working with London’s businesses to help them plan ahead, make the most of all the Games have to offer and help us keep London moving.
“One of the ways business can do this is to encourage their staff to work more flexibly and increased access to Wi-Fi could be a great benefit. At Transport for London, following a successful trial at Charing Cross Tube station, we’ve announced plans to introduce Wi Fi at up to 120 stations across the Tube network ahead of the London 2012 Games.”
London Chamber of Commerce and Industry chief executive Colin Stanbridge said: “Public Wi-Fi is a crucial support for London’s small businesses. The extra coverage announced today will be a positive growth enabler for these firms.”
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