As we mull whether our creaky copper network could stand a rush of users from local loop unbundling, or Telecom selling Xtra to focus on wholesale, here's another option - wireless broadband that's paid for not by users, but advertisers. Brokered, naturally, by Google. In San Fransisco it's already happening.

Google, along with US ISP Earthlink, has just been chosen to provide a free wireless broadband network for the city of San Fransisco. This is no act of altruism on Google's part. It'll reap dosh from location-based search ads, and had to beat eight other companies who were vying for the city's free wi-fi contract. Google and Earthlink will foot the cost of building and running the network, and there will be a choice of two plans: an ad-supported Google service, or a faster, ad-free Earthlink option.

It was forward-thinking of San Fransisco city officials to get the ball rolling with a request for proposals, starting the process that ended in Google and Earthlink's selection. New Zealand local councils, check out this deal immediately.