oh boy this is a MUST read article.

"We could envision a world in which Google is able to bypass the carriers altogether to create an ad supported mobile network where its content (i.e., local search, maps, etc.) serves as the “portal” for consumers to move on to the mobile web. We believe Google’s Wi-Fi partnership with Earthlink was a test to help the company better understand a move in this direction."

http://blogs.zdnet.com/BTL/?p=4827

What about something 1000 times more efficient?

http://hardware.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=05/11/04/1343221

Google was able to blanket Mountain View, CA with free wireless and their next project is getting all of San Francisco, CA setup with free wireless. I think these test cities will be an important role in getting more areas covered with free wireless.

after reading this* infoworld column, I think wimax has a long ways to go.

* http://www.infoworld.com/article/06/10/24/44OPreality_1.html