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Story URL: http://www.silicon.com/retailandleisure/0,3800011842,39268394,00.htm

Free wi-fi steams into St Pancras
Another reason to let the train take the strain?

By Natasha Lomas

Published: Wednesday 06 August 2008

Rail travellers rejoice: free wi-fi is now available at St Pancras International, giving the 45 million commuters who annually pass under its red brick arches an excuse to stay a while and maybe even splash out at the champagne bar.

St Pancras has been pitching itself as 'the most technologically advanced station in the world' after completing an extensive, 10-year renovation project that saw it take over from Waterloo as London's Eurostar terminal.

High-tech London St Pancras on track

Check out these pics documenting the final stages of the St Pancras makeover. From internet lounges to SMS info St Pancras looks to have it all.

The high tech renovation plans included this internet lounge - where travellers can now make the most of the free wi-fi. However, the wi-fi network, which consists of 30 BelAir 100s nodes, covers all station areas and platforms. It has been installed by urban digital network provider City Space, which will also manage it.

Despite making claims to the contrary, St Pancras is not in fact the UK's first station to offer free wireless to travellers. Earlier this year, York rolled out wi-fi access in a bid to encourage more people to abandon theirs cars and take to the rails instead.

As well as wi-fi hotspots popping up at railway stations, onboard train wi-fi services are proliferating and also being used as a tool to attract travellers.

A wi-fi service on the UK's East Coast Main Line, which was made free for all passengers late last year, has proved particularly popular with commuters - underlining how much demand there is for free and fair wi-fi.

Click here to see photos of St Pancras station taken last year by silicon.com during the renovation work and as the work neared completion.

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