Read my lips: No free WiFi

Will Reed heads Technology for All, a Texas nonprofit seeking to empower low-income communities in Houston by providing free high-speed wireless internet access to residential areas. Their plan works by transmitting a fiber-optic internet connection from an antenna atop its offices directly to the Melcher Public Library two-thirds of a mile away,
giving residents access within a few hundred yards of either spot. Texas legislator Rep. Phil King (R-Weatherford)
wants to stop him, and prevent cities from providing any free public wireless whatsoever. The argument is that providing WiFi for free undercuts fair competition with private enterprise. He's not alone — legislators in a dozen states have filed bills to remove competition for telecommunications companies. Telcos like SBC Communications say they haven't been involved in writing the bills (yeah...), but they're certainly not disagreeing. As more cities like Houston,
Philadelphia, and
San Francisco explore providing free wireless access,
this issue is likely to heat up even further.