It feels like I'm paying for something that I should get for free - like paying for water at a restaurant. Pittsburg airport was so nice - free wireless.

While I understand that internet access isn't free, that someone has to pay for it, it's a convenience thing - you as a business will generate more good will from your customers if you have wireless (and if it's free) than you will any other way.

For example, on my trips from now on, I'll work really hard at flying into Pittsburg airport - because during my layover I can check email, talk to people, browse on the web, etc etc. I won't try so hard to go through BWI, because I don't need to check my email that badly (although today, leaving from BWI, was an exception.)

Or take the coffee-shop back home - I would spend more time there in the evenings if they provided free wireless Internet access - instead of going there 2 or 3 times a week I'd probably go there 4 or 5 times a week.

I would have really loved it if my hotel here in DC had wireless access - that would easily have increased the price I was willing to pay per night.

See, there are ways of making money with wireless without charging for the access - through good will (normally translating into people buying your product or using your service more), or through being able to charge more for your core product without a lot of extra effort.

My bold prediction - in 5 years, wireless access will be expected, and will be free, wherever you go. Coffee-shops, airports, train stations, hotels, laundromats, maybe even restaurants will provide this service to their customers on the basis of increasing good will, the status of the establishment in the eyes of the consumer.

I know I'm looking forward to that day.