
Google announced today in a press release that it will offer free Wi-Fi internet access at 47 participating airports nationwide, including select California Bay Area airports. This is a rather welcome freebie to travelers who use internet on their laptops and netbooks at airports nationwide to stay in touch during the holidays.
Google is being extra generous with this free internet access. When travelers log on to the Google Wi-Fi internet service, they will be asked if they want to make a donation to a number of non-profit companies.
Though many will decline, there likely will be thousands who decide to donate money to several non-profit corporations that include Engineers Without Borders and the One Economy Corporation. Google will match the donations up to a limit of $250,000.
Google has set up a Web page with information on this Free WiFi for the Holidays program at freeholidaywifi.com. This page includes the full list of participating airports.
There are a number of San Francisco Bay Area airports that are participating in the program. These include the San Jose and Sacramento airports. More information on the San Jose airport is available at sjc.org and information on the Sacramento airport is available at sacairports.org.
You can track Google's announcements on the official Google blog at googleblog.blogspot.com. For information on the non-profit corporations, visit freeholidaywifi.com/give-back/.