I LOVE WI-FI: I’m wireless-blogging from the Downtown Grill and Brewery, which is yet another in the list of wifi equipped local businesses.

I note that Shannon Okey is playing up the idea of free wireless hotzones as tools for downtown redevelopment. I think that there’s a lot of room for that sort of thing. Knoxville’s Market Square, downtown, has wireless access now. I’d like to see that sort of thing spread.

Of course it may be — as Paul Boutin suggests — that businesses will take care of this everywhere. (That’s actually how it is in Knoxville — the City hasn’t done squat). And in fact, as Boutin also points out, the biggest hassle and expense in setting up a for-pay wifi hotspot is the billing setup. I think that means that wireless internet access may really be “too cheap to meter.” Though perhaps that will change as wifi becomes more popular. In the meantime, be sure the hotspots have backup power, so that people can post photos to their blogs during blackouts!

UPDATE: Then again, maybe — as this Paul Boutin article suggests (he’s everywhere these days!) — it’ll all be beside the point as broadband cellular becomes ubiquitous.

ANOTHER UPDATE: Here’s more on wifi as a lure to development.

YET ANOTHER UPDATE: Hey, this is inspiring business plans! Virginia Postrel, meanwhile, has her own view.