From Reuters:

Google has submitted a proposal to offer free, wireless Internet access (Wi-Fi) to the entire city of San Francisco," Google said in a statement. The Wi-Fi access could be funded through online advertising, a Google spokesman said. The service aims to test a range of new services and applications around the hilly city, which is home to more than 700,000 residents. Offering free wireless communications could thrust Google into competition with entrenched local suppliers of broadband Internet access, including telephone network SBC Communications and local cable operator Comcast.

My questions:
1. Will google provide client software/special browser for Linux?
2. What about the speed of internet access?
3. Will this new ISP business model work?
4. Can google pay for the internet fee from the advertisement revenue?
5. Can google recover their invesment in this project?

Thank you.

Well, since Google is offering all this and we are not, have you thought about contacting, say, Google? Their press office/PR office should have all this info.

I thought google has some deep pockets now. Cant remember exactly, but they certainly arnt a little company with a small budget anymore.

I dunno. Many companies, such as Richochet, have tried things like this. Where are they today? Bankrupt. Wireless internet all over the place isnt going to be cheap to install, security will be a big headache too.

Good for them. More power to em.

As a google spokesman I have been authorized to answer your questions:

1) Yes, click HERE

2) It will be fast.

3) Are you mocking us? Are you insinuating that we are stupid? Do you think for even a second that we don't have a well though out business model that has been thoroughly tested?

4) Does your mother work in the red light district?

5) See #4.

Thank you for surfing.