2012 promises a lovely present for the Internet-savvy Muscovites: Wi-Fi hot-spots will be piloted on several stations on the Moscow Underground. If successful, the project will extend to incorporate tunnels, to provide Wi-Fi access throughout the Moscow metro.

      According to officials, Wi-Fi access, even at this pilot stage, is not going to be fully free of charge. The charges will be handled by a network operator used by the passenger. What the operator may do is provide some services, or their amount, for free, e.g. a certain period of time, data, or speed will not cost a penny. Expectedly, the access to the services directly related to the Moscow Underground will be free of charge, to ensure passengers can always use these services to their benefit.

      No precise date is currently announced: network operators still have problems with providing telephone access on the Moscow Underground, and more needs to be done before the citizens and visitors can surf online, while on the tube.

      Source: Vedomosti.