MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. - Search giant Google Inc. took a big step Tuesday night toward becoming an Internet service provider.

The Mountain View city council on Tuesday unanimously ratified a five-year property lease that Google needs to begin building a wireless network in the city.

Mountain View won't have to spend any money; rather, Google promises to fund all the construction and run the operation. And Google plans to give away access to anyone with the right gear, and a free Google account. As a bonus, city employees, including emergency service workers, will get a secured connection of their own, again at no cost to the city.

Google has even promised to add wireless access to the Google Mobile, a mobile library the city expects to soon take possession. In addition, the city gets an option to buy the network in the future. Full Story...