O2 brings free public Wi-Fi to London's Canary Wharf

Mobile operator O2 plans to rollout its free Wi-Fi service across Canary Wharf later this summer.

The Canary Wharf Group, the property development company responsible for looking after the area's interests, said the addition of free Wi-Fi will draw more technology startups to the area.

Sir George Iacobescu, chairman and chief executive of the Canary Wharf Group, said: "Transport and digital connectivity puts Canary Wharf at the heart of modern London.

"The built environment here is amongst the most technologically advanced in the capital and the installation of Wi-Fi is a natural next step."

Canary Wharf is home to a slew of professional services, technology, financial, telecommunications and media firms, along with lots of cafes, bars, shops, restaurants, parks and plazas.

It is hoped the arrival of free Wi-fi will provide businesses in the area with new ways to connect and interact with local consumers, improving their experience.

"We're offering a unique platform for brands and advertisers to engage and deepen the relationship with the hundreds of thousands of visitors and workers that pass through each week," said O2 managing director Gavin Franks.

The service will be available to everyone who visits Canary Wharf, and will automatically connect registered shoppers, visitors, workers and residents, once they have signed up online.

The company provided a similar service to residents of Westminster, Kensington and Chelsea last year in time for the 2012 Olympics.

"We understand that access to free public WiFi is becoming a right rather than a privilege and nowhere is the demand greater than in Canary Wharf," Franks added.