Wi-fi Hotspots
 

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/4351400.stm

were second in the list (going by size of country we're proberly top)

United States 31,074
United Kingdom 12,004
Germany 8,714
France 4,014
Japan 2,738

Re: Wi-fi Hotspots
 

More interesting in that article is the implications of public v private funding of future networks. Accessibility is the key.

In the UK I doubt there would be any chance of public finance for such networks. Local authority budgets are sqeezed enough as it is. So unless they got a sponsor, making service effectively unusable (fancy playing a game and ad for McKing burgers pops up just as you are going to make a key move), it's going to be private, pay as you go for us.

However there is clearly a role for the UK public funding, to subsidise private industry where such networks can penetrate - the more remote rural areas.

Wi-Fi hotspts may be great, but not if coverage is only practical in large conurbations.

Re: Wi-fi Hotspots
 

WiMAX would be nice.

I feel a Google-style approach could work in major cities, but not out in towns and villages. There, there'll have to be a more conservative approach.

Personally, I'd like to tell BT and the cable companies where to sod off. And pocket the cash! :D