The San Francisco Chronicle reported yesterday on a joint venture between Microsoft and MetroFi to bring free wireless internet access to Portland, Oregon.  Running at one megabit per second, the wireless network will be supported by a one-inch strip of advertising that appears whenever a user accesses it.

While some might say Microsoft was just feeling generous, Preston Gralla, writing for ComputerWorld, doesn't think so.  What's his take?  Microsoft is trying to out-step Google and protect its Office franchise.  By now we're probably all familiar with Google Docs & Spreadsheets.  And as Gralla reminds us, rumors have been circulating about a free Google-sponsored national wireless internet.

Microsoft may be trying to prevent Google from making their free online tools available to everyone.  If Docs & Spreadsheets were accessible from anywhere in the country for free, a lot of people would forgo Microsoft Office.

This new developement doesn't surprise me in the least.  I think we all should have seen it coming.  Even if free wireless networks make their providers no money, it's still a great thing to hold the reins to an impressive public service.

Maybe we're about to see the start of the Wi-Fi Wars…