Google Finalizes Free WiFi Plans

Web search giant Google has finalized plans to provide a free WiFi service to the Google hometown of Mountain View, with free Internet access for both residents and visitors. The free WiFi service is now being fine-tuned just before it’s public launch, which will happen very soon. Although one cannot moan at free service, Google’s free WiFi service will be somewhat incomplete with the absence of live human tech support – one that is needed, especially by first-time users.

Google did promise that the network will be built completely out of their own pocket and will continue to run for at least five years at a cost of several million dollars. This promise will serve as a gift for the company’s 1,000 workers, who live in Mountain View. Google WiFi, as the network is known, uses the same wireless networking standard built into most notebook computers. Instead of the wireless WiFi routers common in homes, Google has installed 380 “nodes,” boxes with distinctive twin antennas, on light poles scattered throughout Mountain View.

The WiFi network shall be completed before the end of the summer, promises Google – which give the company a deadline of September 23rd. To use Google WiFi, all you’ll need (if you live in Mountain View) is a Google account and a proximity range with one of the 380 nodes which are being installed in Mountain view as we speak.

When you open your Web browser, the first page you’ll see is a sign-in screen. After entering your user name and password, you’ll arrive at a “landing page” with local information — and a small amount of advertising — related to Mountain View. Once you leave the landing page, you’ll see no more advertising from Google WiFi. Google also claim that the network will run around 1Mb, which is below average for the US, but no doubt adequate.

I wonder if they’ll block people when they find out that half of the residents of Mountain View are using the free WiFi service to their own advantage, like P2P services? After all, it’s inevitable that at least some of the residents will use the free service for illegal activity.

Via The Mercury News

Web search giant Google has finalized plans to provide a free WiFi service to the Google hometown of Mountain View, with free Internet access for both residents and visitors. The free WiFi service is now being fine-tuned just before it’s public launch, which will happen very soon. Although one cannot moan at free service, Google’s free WiFi service will be somewhat incomplete with the absence of live human tech support – one that is needed, especially by first-time users.

Google did promise that the network will be built completely out of their own pocket and will continue to run for at least five years at a cost of several million dollars. This promise will serve as a gift for the company’s 1,000 workers, who live in Mountain View. Google WiFi, as the network is known, uses the same wireless networking standard built into most notebook computers. Instead of the wireless WiFi routers common in homes, Google has installed 380 “nodes,” boxes with distinctive twin antennas, on light poles scattered throughout Mountain View.

The WiFi network shall be completed before the end of the summer, promises Google – which give the company a deadline of September 23rd. To use Google WiFi, all you’ll need (if you live in Mountain View) is a Google account and a proximity range with one of the 380 nodes which are being installed in Mountain view as we speak.

When you open your Web browser, the first page you’ll see is a sign-in screen. After entering your user name and password, you’ll arrive at a “landing page” with local information — and a small amount of advertising — related to Mountain View. Once you leave the landing page, you’ll see no more advertising from Google WiFi. Google also claim that the network will run around 1Mb, which is below average for the US, but no doubt adequate.

I wonder if they’ll block people when they find out that half of the residents of Mountain View are using the free WiFi service to their own advantage, like P2P services? After all, it’s inevitable that at least some of the residents will use the free service for illegal activity.

Via The Mercury News