Is a free global wireless internet a possible reality? If so, in how many years?

Answer 1

It's not a technology concern. Those remote areas are exactly the areas wireless technologies are being developed for. For instance, in remote villages in China it would be way too expensive to run fiber so the cheaper alternative is wireless and cellular technologies. And a global internet doesn't imply a single architecture or even common platform (look at today's Internet)

The real issue is economic. Who would pay to install and maintain this equipment? Yes, some cities do provide this now but only on a limited basis. Would it be a wise use of limited funds for third world countries to invest billions of dollars to give internet access to a small minority of people who could actually afford computers, when they could spend that money on building the countries infrastructure.

I'm sure in 100 years we'll all be connected to the net without even having to carry around any type of device, but in the next 25 - 50 years I'd say the answer to your question is no.

Answer 2

Thunder's got a good answer, Pilgrim. But you should know that some cities already proivide internet over electric lines, and some are transmitting WiFi from electric lines in populated areas.

So, yeah, we'll probably get there but not with one single architecture as your question suggests.

Answer 3

Never. Too many remote areas of the world that will make it impossible with todays technology.