Google aims to track users with wi-fi

["Richard M. Smith" <rms () bsf-llc com>]

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/12188577/

Google aims to track users with wi-fi


By Chris Nuttall and Kevin Allison in San Francisco
Financial Times
Updated: 7:43 p.m. ET April 6, 2006


Google aims to be able to track its users to within 100-200 feet of their
location through new wireless networks in order to serve them with relevant
advertising from local businesses.

The leading internet search company, which depends on advertising for 99 per
cent of its revenues, was selected on Wednesday by San Francisco as its
preferred bidder to provide a basic free wi-fi internet service covering the
entire city. 

It had partnered in its bid with the internet service provider Earthlink,
which intends to charge a fee for a faster internet connection.

Google and Earthlink will now enter final contract negotiations with the
city. There were five other bidders including a non-profit group backed by
Cisco Systems and IBM. 

The company hopes to defray the costs of offering a free service through
contextual advertising. Analysts have speculated that the San Francisco bid
could be a prelude to Google seeking to extend its reach into localities
nationwide. 

It is already planning a free wi-fi network by the summer covering the city
of Mountain View, where its headquarters is based, and the San Francisco
service may be up and running by the end of the year.

Google says users linking up with wi-fi transmitters placed around cities
can be located to within a couple of blocks. This would open up a new level
of advertising opportunities for the company, allowing it to serve tightly
focused ads on its web pages from small businesses in the immediate area.

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