Remember this logo? For a very short time period, we started seeing it popping up on a lot of coffee shops.
The federal government is hatching a plan to bring free wi-fi to your neighoborhood – and many neighborhoods across the United States – according to this report by The Washington Post’s Cecilia Kang.
The heavenly view is that this would open up a world of innovation, and level the playing field for those who can’t currently afford broadband Internet.
But not everybody is happy – especially, as you can guess, not the big telcos who sell wireless services. They rake in $178 Billion (yes, with a B) annually from this very lucrative market.
Google, as expected, is on the other side – positioning for free wireless everywhere – so they can spread their services farther and deeper.
Both sides have valid arguements, because the economic impact of a decision to put wireless in every neighborhood will redistribute cashflow like never before in history — a techno-Robin Hood effect. So keep your ears open. This could affect you.