Tech Shout!

Internet biggie Google is offering to wrap its home city in Silicon Valley with free wireless “Wi-Fi” computer service, the company confirmed.

Google’s proposal to unwire the City will be considered by the Mountain View City Council on Tuesday, said Ellis Berns, manager of economic development in the town where Google has its headquarters.

“Right now, we can’t see a downside,” Berns told AFP. “It seems like a pretty positive deal for the city.”

Chris Sacca of Google’s new business development unit said, “Providing free Wi-Fi access in Mountain View is one way Google can support the citizens and businesses in the community where we are headquartered.

This proposal is in the spirit of making the world’s information easily and quickly accessible, added Sacca.

Prior to the offer to Mountain View, Google had proposed another offer two months to provide free wireless service to the whole of San Francisco, just to the north. According to Sacca, San Francisco is considering the bid.

Mountain View, with a population of about 70,000 people about one-tenth that of San Francisco would be the first city to be converted to a free wireless Internet zone by Google, Berns said.

According to Berns, The city is home to a number of technology companies, including VeriSign and Veritas and a Microsoft computer campus.

Sacca indirectly denied online rumors that the company is keen about building a nationwide wireless Internet network.

“Google has no plans at this time to expand our Wi-Fi efforts beyond the Bay Area,” he said.

Berns said that Google’s offer to Mountain View is in exchange for a five-year renewable lease permitting the company to mount its equipment on utility poles in the city.

“It is kind of a test for Google,” he added. “It gives them a chance to check it out, test the market, and it gives the city free wireless.”

Under the terms of the deal, the basic wireless internet access would be free, though Google could charge users fees for premium services.

On the other hand, Mountain View can crack similar deals with other companies keen in providing wireless services.

Berns added that if Google decides to stop providing the service, the contract gives Mountain View the option of buying the system and running it themselves.