Google busts out free WiFi for public in Mountain View

After a beta period chock-full of Skype use among the nerd-elite, Google has finally opened up their free WiFi network to the 72,000 residents of Mountain View, CA. Speculation still abounds in regards to Google's eventual plans for world domination via municipal WiFi, but for now they claim their main reasons are to inspire other network providers, and so they can work on interoperability with WiFi devices. Google is a bit ahead of schedule with the network, which cost them $1 million to build, and covers 12 square miles with 380 light pole-mounted transceivers. Bandwidth tops out at 1 megabit per second, and Google is prepped to add more capacity if Mountain View types end up being heavy YouTube Google Video users. Google says their early launch was spurred by the positive feedback they received during the beta, and that they've been inundated with requests to join. There's no telling yet how Google's Mountain View network will compare to the relatively massive Google/Earthlink plans in San Francisco, especially since they're probably hoping to make a bit of cash back on the latter, but for now Google is at least requiring a Google ID to join the party in their hometown of Mountain View.

[Via GigaOM]

[Raaaah @ Aug 16th 2006 11:50AM]

LMAO!

[niels @ Aug 16th 2006 12:04PM]

380 poles in a 3 by 4 mile area? isnt that a lot? do these people receive daylight?

[z @ Aug 16th 2006 12:39PM]

They could do a few towns around too. Would be nice.

[torpy @ Aug 16th 2006 12:44PM]

Um, the second link links to http://http//www.engadget.com/2006/04/06/san-francisco-selects-google-earthlink-for-citywide-wifi/ ;)

Nevertheless, that's a lot of free WiFi, but it's quite surprising, that's a short beta period by Google standards.

[Moosegolfr @ Aug 16th 2006 1:00PM]

The Google Wi-Fi in Mountain View is mainly geared towards outdoor use. I live right next to one of the poles, but I have trouble pulling a signal unless I'm outdoors. Never-the-less, free Wi-Fi is awesome. Down with subscription Wi-Fi. Viva la resistance.

[T-Will @ Aug 16th 2006 4:14PM]

I for one welcome our Google overlords.

[buddy @ Aug 16th 2006 5:26PM]

hmm.. the logo seems strangely familiar.
engadget: sue them, then give me the monies

[Mike @ Aug 16th 2006 7:49PM]

Free Wifi is always good

[Phil @ Aug 16th 2006 9:51PM]

Hmm, couldn't you hook up some wireless receiver card with a case and a ethernet cable, put the wirless receier card outside, and hook it to your indoor wireless router, that way you could get around the 'must be indoors to get signal' problem?

[josh @ Aug 16th 2006 10:15PM]

w00t! I just moved to Mountain View and I get signle, but only out side... It will be nice to go to the starbucks down the street and say SCREW YOU to tmobile :)

[J. Jackson @ Aug 17th 2006 10:56AM]

Well this is probably both good and bad. I'm surprised that no has even thought this but wouldn't google be legally able to track and store all of your surfing data and habits? I know they already do this for there search engine. What's to stop them from doing it for their WiFi service?

[Mr. Hemant Jain @ Aug 17th 2006 3:26PM]

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