Free wi-fi debuts today at South Station

By Martine Powers, Globe Staff

Commuters, rejoice: Free wi-fi is coming to South Station, starting today.

Officials at Google announced today that they are sponsoring wireless Internet access throughout the station, in partnership with Biederman Redevelopment Ventures.

“We understand that people want to stay connected from anywhere, at any time, from any device,” Steve Vinter, engineering director for Google, said in a statement. “As a major hub for Boston area residents, the new WiFi network at South Station will allow hundreds of thousands of commuters to be even more productive online each day.”

The partnership with Google and Biederman Redevelopment Ventures is part of the MBTA’s wider efforts to outsource wireless Internet service in stations and on trains and ferries to outside vendors.

T officials believe companies are willing provide wi-fi for free, in exchange for advertisements and the ability to control the first Web page users see when they log onto the Internet service.

Currently, the T offers wireless service on 258 of the commuter rail’s 410 passenger coaches.