Google Sponsors Free Airport Holiday Wi-Fi
Google said Tuesday that it is working with Boingo Wireless, Advanced Wireless Group, and Airport Marketing Income to provide free Internet hot spots at 47 U.S. airports through January 15 of next year.
The airports, which collectively handle about 35 percent of U.S. air travelers, include Boston, Houston, San Diego, Miami, Seattle and others, the Internet search giant said.  Some airports, such as McCarran International in Las Vegas, already provide free Wi-Fi, but Google’s sponsorship will help keep the service free.
Travelers using the Google-sponsored "hot spots" will see a browser page that gives them a chance to donate to three charities, with Google matching their donations.
Google is also providing free Wi-Fi on Virgin America flights during the same period, while online auctioneer eBay Inc. will subsidize free Wi-Fi on some Delta Air Lines Inc. planes during the week of Thanksgiving. Travelers who log on will be taken directly to eBay’s holiday page, but can freely surf the Internet from there.
Microsoft Corp. has sponsored free Wi-Fi access at some hotels and airports since September, encouraging users to visit the company’s new Internet search engine, Bing.
Meanwhile, Yahoo Inc. said on Monday that it is providing free Wi-Fi access in New York’s Times Square.  This spring, one street of the congested area was transformed into pedestrian zone with lawn chairs, allowing people to relax and go online if they choose.
Boingo Wireless Inc., which operates for-pay hot spots in airports said it has seen positive results with its free Wi-Fi campaigns sponsored by hotel chains. These promotions typically offer users 15 to 20 minutes of access after they view a 30-second video advertisement.
Users are advised to exercise caution when logging on to free Wi-Fi networks, since public, anonymous places such as airports present opportunities for hackers to launch attacks.
A full list of the airports providing Google’s free holiday Wi-Fi service can be viewed at http://www.freeholidaywifi.com/.