Because they always push it to the wrong people....
One fundamental problem with free wi-fi is that its just that - free Wifi. You have to market some portion of it at a cost basis to reduce management costs or it will be a money pit (Duh). With the capabilities of networks today, wired and wireless, There is no reason you cannot allocate bandwidth for Municipalities, Free personal Users, and Business class users on a pay for basis. Now this just doesn't have to be limited to a SOHO environment, but wireless digital advertisers at perhaps at the Light rail, EL, or "Tube" (as our friendly pond poppers call it .Not a jab, We just put our's above ground, from some ungodly reason) Stations. Now I don't think that municipalities should fit the Bill, I think the corporations backing such installations need a new marketing and idea comittee. Because there is no reason this shouldn't be a viable product.