There's an increasing number of wireless hotspots in Beijing, and some are even on the move. More than 1,800 buses now have wireless Internet access, allowing passengers to connect to the Internet through the China Mobile network. This project gives Beijing the broadest wifi coverage on buses in the country.

China Mobile and Beijing Bus Transportation Group have launched a project to give passengers Internet access as they travel.

Customers need a China Mobile phone number to log on the wifi service system. Text TYWLAN to 10086, soon after, they will get a reply which gives them the username and also the password. Then open the wifi and start searching the wireless hotspot. Here it is, CMCC, connect the ID. And then, open a web page of network named new media on bus. This page provides lots of information; users can directly get details about bus routes, the latest news, and the video on transportation services. Touch the CMCC square to sign in, of course, with the username and password. Within a few seconds, passengers will get online.

Ma Shuo, senior public relations officer for Beijing Bus, said that more than one thousand eight hundred buses now have wireless. Most of them are the buses travelling along Chang'an Avenue and other major streets within the fourth Ring Road. He said more than 10,000 buses in Beijing will have wifi by the end of this year.

But how much do people have to pay?

"At the moment, China Mobile gives 20 hours of wifi service per month free of charge. But the free service will end on June 30. People can call the China Mobile hotline 10086 to find out how much it will cost then," Ma said.

In our test, the service disconnected if we didn't use the web for about five to 10 minutes. But for most of the time, it lives up to expectations.

Providing wifi service on buses is hoped to make public transport more attractive. This initiative is thought to be eco-friendly and helpful to reduce carbon emission. It's another reason for people just to consider leaving your car at home and taking the bus instead.

(CNTV.cn March 28, 2013)