Boris Johnson plans wireless internet on Tube

Commuters will be able to use their BlackBerries, mobile phones and laptops undergound on the Tube under plans being drawn up by the Mayor.

Wi-fi hotspots and phone base stations would be installed on platforms. Boris Johnson said he wanted to make London one of the most tech-friendly cities in the world. He told last night's State of London debate: "The truth is that I'm on the side of progress if we possibly can do it."

But he added: "There are big technical difficulties. It's very expensive."

He also said there could be quiet carriages on Tube trains where mobile phones were banned, but claimed such a move would help London's economy.

"The truth is that I'm on the side of progress if we possibly can do it. We could do it because I do think people want the facility of looking at their BlackBerries," he said.

City Hall is drawing up plans to give all of London wireless internet access, installing hotspots in street lights and bus stops.

Mr Johnson told a Google conference last month that the capital would get blanket coverage by the time of the 2012 Olympics.

His team is working with The Cloud, Europe's largest wireless broadband which already covers the City of London, to extend the service across the capital. The Mayor also agreed in principle to a proposal for petitions on the GLA website similar to those Number 10 invites online.