Google proposes free Wi-Fi for San Francisco — WSJ

NEW YORK: Google Inc has offered to provide free wireless Internet services in the city of San Francisco, the Wall Street Journal reported on its Web site on Friday.

Citing a Google executive, the Journal said that in response to a request for information from the city of San Francisco the company proposed offering Web access using Wi-Fi, a short range wireless technology that is built into most laptop computers.

According to the story Google is proposing a free service that could potentially be funded through online advertising.

Free wireless communications could move Google into the fiercely competitive world of Internet access providers and telecommunications companies.

Google confirmed earlier this month that it had begun a limited test of a free wireless Web service, called Google Wi-Fi, with tests confined to two public sites near its Mountain View, California headquarters.

The company has already launched a sponsored Wi-Fi "hotspot" in San Francisco's Union Square shopping district in April with a start-up called Feeva.

The Journal story cited Chris Sacca, a principal for new business development at Google, as saying that Google has no plans to offer Web access outside the San Francisco Bay area.

If it is chosen for the project Google would work with partners to build and operate the wireless service, including Wireless Facilities Inc., a San Diego company that helps build and manage networks, according to the Journal.

Other companies that responded to San Francisco's request for information include Internet service provider EarthLink Inc., the Journal said.