The City of London Corporation has extended its partnership with WiFi provider The Cloud, enabling anyone to enjoy unlimited free WiFi inside the ‘Square Mile’ financial district.

There’s been a free WiFi service available in the City of London since 2007, although until now it’s only been free for the first 15 minutes. A temporary arrangement to provide unlimited access during the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games saw user numbers almost double compared with the previous three months.

Scottish rail operator ScotRail is bringing free WiFi to all of its ‘class 170’ express trains.

The company has been running a trial scheme on four trains since the summer. WiFi equipment will now be installed on 55 additional trains from March 2013 during planned weekend maintenance to avoid taking the trains out of service.

Mark Bridge writes:

It’s the week before Christmas, which can only mean one thing for the mobile industry: plenty of research news. Yes, when there isn’t anything new to talk about, a survey or forecast is the perfect way to fill the silence.

Mind you, things haven’t been entirely quiet when it comes to mobile products and services.

This week's podcast includes news of two more UK virtual networks, Nokia's property deal, a break-up for ST-Ericsson and Huawei's new partnership with Three.

We also look at WiFi hotspots in London taxis, Ofcom's research into customer service, pre-loaded security software on Android smartphones and a man whose iPhone may have cost him a job.

London-based Eyetease Limited says it’s received approval from Transport for London to introduce a new WiFi service in London black cabs.

The service, which is called CabWiFi, will be free to passengers for 15 minutes after they’ve watched a 15-second advertisement. Drivers will be able to use the service via their own password.