Telecoms to expand Wi-Fi – New freedom for cell phone and laptop users

Broadband access has always been a largely immobile proposition.

To be sure, you can find Wi-Fi hot spots at a cafe, bookstore or airport. But what happens when you’re out and about, at the park or the beach or in a neighborhood with (yes, it’s possible) no Starbucks? What happens when you’re literally on the move, say on Caltrain?

In those cases, the promise of broadband comes to a halt. But that’s about to change.

Cell phone carriers have begun rolling out various forms of wireless broadband, a so-called 3G technology that provides cell phone and laptop users the ability to gain DSL speeds throughout the metropolitan area.

Cell phone users will be able to download songs, check e-mail or get video over the air with ease. Laptop users will be truly unleashed, free to download attachments or quickly connect to Internet almost anywhere in their phone carrier’s service area.

Ryan Kim, Chronicle Staff Writer

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