Eighty stations will offer free wifi during the Games.

London Mayor Boris Johnson has announced an agreement with Virgin Media that will provide free wifi in Tube stations during the Olympics.

Eighty stations will be outfitted with wireless internet access prior to the 27 July opening ceremony and 120 stations will be connected by the end of the summer.

Johnson said in a statement:

Millions of passengers will now be able to connect to their work, friends or access the latest news and travel information whilst on the move. This is a fabulous new and free resource which will be in place from this summer when London is being showcased on a global stage and playing host to millions.

The Virgin Media wifi service - which will be available on platforms, elevators and stations, but not in tunnels - will be free during the Olympics, and will be offered post Olympics as part of the company's broadband and mobile subscription plans.

Gareth Powell, London Underground's director of strategy and service development, said "this latest innovation is great news for Tube customers, who now have access to emails, web and social media underground for the first time."

In February, London Olympics organizers released a report warning that internet service during the Olympic Games may be significantly slower or even drop out due to increased usage. London last hosted the Olympics in 1948.

Virgin Media's stock was up a fraction of a per cent in early afternoon trading.