A free WiFi service has been launched in London, provided by Free-hotspot.com and WiFi infrastructure firm MeshHopper. The service, which covers a 13.6 mile stretch of the River Thames from Millbank to Greenwich, provides users with a free 256kb/s internet connection if they agree to watch one 15-30 second advert every 15 minutes. If users refuse to watch the ads, they will be charged either £2.95 an hour or £9.95 a month to use the service, with download speeds of 512kb/s. "This really marks the arrival of free Wi-Fi in Greater London," said Dan Toomey, chief executive of Free-hotspot. "Millions of Londoners, as well as commuters, visitors and tourists, can now expect to find free Wi-Fi as they work or play along the Thames." The service is being marketed at website Online-4-free.com, and the coverage should be extended to 22.3 miles by August this year.