As one explores the urban environment nowadays (and, actually, I would assume this is true in the suburbs and in small towns, too), one sees a lot of coffeehouses, independent bookstores, restaurants, and other establishments with a “Free WiFi“ sign in the window.

Every time I see one, the image that comes to mind is a 1950s-era motel sign offering “Free Color TV!” or “Free Air Conditioning!” What I mean, of course, is that technological advancements like this that are worth promoting at one point in history are typically standard operating procedure not too long afterwards.

For a venue to offer free WiFi to its customers costs them virtually nothing, since they probably have an Internet connection and a wireless router already. (All they need to do is choose to not set up password protection.)

And when they offer free WiFi to their customers, that means that any customer with an appropriate device (e.g., laptop or WiFi-enabled smartphone (a/k/a iPhone or iPod Touch)) can enjoy Internet radio to their heart’s content while visiting the establishment. It’s a nice win-win-win (for the consumer, the establishment, and the Internet radio industry).

Every “Free WiFi” sign you see? In my opinion, a canary in a coal mine.

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