Google-Boingo to Offer Free Wi-Fi Service

Google and Boingo Wireless made a pact to offer free ad supported Wi-Fi hotspots across 4000 locations in USA for the month of September. The network will be available through Play Store and in exchange, the hotspots will help Google push targeted ads to a global audience. This way, they will be able to pay Boingo and offer the free Wi-Fi coverage to its users.

It seems like a win-win situation for all parties – customers, who will enjoy free wireless internet, advertisers who will be able to promote their area based products and services, and Google and Boingo, both of whom will be able to increase their income.

Generally, unlimited surfing in Boingo Wi-Fi hotspots costs $10/month, but at least for this month, you don’t have to pay anything. However, this unlimited access has a catch. You can surf and download as much as you wish unless you have an iOS device (iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch) because the service is only available for Android, Windows and Mac users. It seems that the recent decision of axing YouTube and Google Maps from iOS is not taken lightly by the search engine giant.

Some of the notable ad supported hotspots are John F Kennedy and O’Hare airport, a few subway stations in Manhattan area and thousands of cafes, shopping malls and hotels across USA.