London should become a "WiFi city," Mayor Boris Johnson told a local radio station Tuesday morning.

Speaking to BBC London 94.9, Johnson said he envisions providing every Londoner with access to the web. The comment was in response to Prime Minister Gordon Brown's £300m re-announced proposal to provide computers and cheap broadband to lower-income families.

He dismissed Brown's scheme as "a bit like a desperate bribe by the prime minister."

"I certainly think there is a case for dealing with people who are information technology-poor, and trying to help people get online," Johnson said. "[But] what we need is a city where anywhere you go, you can log on, you can get on the web."

Johnson added the city should look into ways to improve infrastructure so WiFi access can be available across London. (Apparently he doesn't realize it's already well covered by commercial WiFi access.)

He suggested the project begin in Stratford, the location of the 2012 Olympic games. Johnson didn't indicate whether he thought the WiFi access should be available for free or not - a somewhat key detail. ®

Related stories

• Mayor Boris serves Governator cold revenge (29 September 2008)
• Enterprises throw caution to the wind in 802.11n rush (13 September 2008)
• Exclusive Phorm secretly tracked Americans too (13 August 2008)
• Review Apple iPhone 3G (18 July 2008)
• Lib Dem mayor candidate jumps aboard muni Wi-Fi failboat (24 April 2008)
• US Wi-Fi piggybacking won't put you in pokey (25 March 2008)
• Most British filesharers would stop if warned - survey (5 March 2008)
• Special report How to lose $7.2bn with just a few Basic skills (31 January 2008)