Should wireless Internet access be viewed as a (free) public service?

Question

In what can be viewed as a non-essential frivolity, should gov, cities, municipalities, tax-payers etc. support funding for this kind of initiative. Wouldn't money be better spend on healthcare, education, policing? May be goovy for NY, but what about other cities throughout the world, particularly in '3rd World' countries where healthcare, education, housing, job-creation, infrastructure development are priorities. Perhaps free, accessible internet access can contribute positively to these priorities? What opportunity for sustainable, self-funding, without over-commercialising?

Question provoked by interesting Sewell Chan article in NY Times today - "After Delays, Wireless Web Comes to Parks".

Answer 1

Yes Sure