Google-Earthlink selected for Wi-Fi project

Google has come up with an ingenius plan--provide the entire city of San Fransisco with free wireless internet. They've even found the perfect partner for the ambitious task, joining forces with Earthlink in order to provide internet access, for free, to every person in San Fransisco. The network is expected to cost at least $15 million, and will be paid for by Earthlink and Google. San Fransisco would be the only city outfitted in such a way by Google, though other cities, like Philadelphia, Chicago, and Minneapolis, are untaking similar tasks. Of course, Google has it's motivations.

Many of Google's employees live in San Fransisco, providing them with ample reason to want San Fransisco linked. After all, if their employees can't get online, there's something a little bit wrong with the picture. Rumors and speculation speak of Google wanting to create a national Wi-Fi network so that people will use their search engine more than they do already, and click on the multitude of ads that bring in so much money for the company. Google, of course, denies these rumors, but you can't help but wonder.

So, what kind of benefits do you think Google is going to get from this Wi-Fi network? Are these benefits going to be worth the $15 million+ that it's going to take to set the network up?