A free wi-fi service has been launched in central London's West End.

A free wi-fi service has been launched in central London's West End.

The deal between Westminster City Council and O2 makes the service available to all internet users, regardless of their current provider.

The network will initially cover Oxford Street, Regent Street, Trafalgar Square, Leicester Square, Piccadilly Circus and Parliament Square.

Other areas of Westminster will be covered in due course, with Covent Garden next.

Targeted advertising

The project has been paid for by O2 and it hopes to use targeted advertising to recover the costs.

Users can get online after completing a single registration process.

It will remain free of charge to all users after the Olympics have ended.

Councillor Philippa Roe, leader of Westminster Council, said the free wi-fi was part of a "long term project to help make London one of the most technology-friendly cities in the world".

By the end of July, 80 London Underground stations will have wi-fi access, but this will only be free for the duration of the Olympic and Paralympic Games.