The huge 02 wifi network across central London is being extended to Canary Wharf in a deal announced last night.

Hot spots are being set up by the end of summer which could add another 100,000 users in the thriving business and financial district.

They being made available free to anyone, whatever network they’re on, in all public areas including Canary Wharf’s four shopping malls with their 240 cafés, bars, restaurants and shops, as well as the 20 acres of parks and plazas. Users will automatically be connected and will only need to sign up once to get online.

“Access to free public wifi is becoming a right rather than a privilege,” O2 Wifi’s managing director Gavin Franks said.

“Nowhere in London is the demand greater than Canary Wharf where big business deals are being struck every day, often away from the office while on the move.”

The deal with Canary Wharf Group follows last year’s roll-out when 02 launched Europe’s biggest free wifi zone in Westminster and Kensington-Chelsea for the 2012 Olympics.

The Canary Wharf connection is targeted at a market where 60 per cent of the working population is on salaries topping £60,000 and where nearly half own shares on the stock market.