I love this sort of thing. While Google and the city govt are mired in negotiations about how to give SF free wifi, a little startup just goes around them and does it.

Here's the link to the actual project: http://sf.meraki.net/

btw, meraki injects their own search box at the top of all html pages when you use their wifi. didn't see that mentioned anywhere in the article...

When your rent is 2000/month, is 20/month for DSL really such a stretch? Just asking.

If the goal is to provide internet access to people traveling in between their wifi-activated homes to their wifi-activated coffeeshops to their wifi-activated offices, well...

My rent (because I have a roommate and a studio) is $600 in SF. I also quit my job to do my startup so, personally, I am looking to penny-pinch here and there.

I also just checked my bill and I pay $45.95 for Comcast cable internet. I've had bad experiences with DSL in the past (both my own, and setting up other people's). But cable, I've found, always "just works".

a roommate and a studio

Ouch. Sorry.

well, roommate is also a girlfriend. and it's "pushing one bedroom" ... but yeah, it's a studio. :)