This is speculation, but not out of the question . . .

A trail of hidden clues suggests Google is building its own Internet -- and might be looking to let everyone connect for free.
For the past year, it has quietly been shopping for miles and miles of "dark," or unused, fiber-optic cable across the country from wholesalers such as New York’s AboveNet. It's also acquiring superfast connections from Cogent Communications and WilTel, among others, between East Coast cities including Atlanta, Miami, and New York.
http://www.business2.com/b2/web/arti...093558,00.html
Free Wi-Fi? Get Ready for GoogleNet :: By Om Malik