Wireless provider MetroFi launched its first free wireless network in southeast Sunnyvale on Dec. 5, and the company plans to expand the network to the rest of the city by spring.

The network--supported by recently installed antennae on light poles--provides Internet access to computers with the ability to access them. It eliminates the need for wall cables and allows portable computers such as laptops to be used anywhere in the covered area.

While wireless networks are becoming commonplace, a widespread city network such as this is still a rare commodity. Unlike any other large-scale network in the country, users can access it any time they want for free, as long as they don't mind some advertising.

"Portable and affordable is what differentiates us from the rest," said MetroFi CEO Chuck Haas.

The free service is supported entirely by the small ads. A $19.95 per month advertising-free service is also in the works. Haas said MetroFi already has more than 20 local businesses advertising on the service, and it hopes to have more as the network grows.

"What you'll be seeing on your screen is relevant to your area; it's the neighborhood grocery store or the local pet store," he said.

The service works with any Internet browser such as Internet Explorer or Firefox.

"I haven't run into any problems," Haas said. "Our intention is that your surfing experience with MetroFi is the same as any other service."

That service is especially tempting to Sunnyvale visitors who can use the network for work and for finding services in town.

London, England, resident Umair Haque uses various wireless networks around town while here on business and said he could have used local ads while looking for a dry cleaners. He had to use an Internet search engine because he was out of the network range. That would change with a citywide network.

"For me, a network like that means I'll be able to get more work done wherever I am," he said. "Not having it limits where you can work and how much you can get done."

In addition to advertisements, Haas said he wants to partner with the city to display city announcements and notices in the advertising space.

MetroFi also has networks in Cupertino and Santa Clara, meaning that once Sunnyvale is complete, there will be three connected cities of uninterrupted service.

"For communities like this, it's great," Haque said. "The Internet is being transformed from a commodity into a utility."

For more information, surf over to www.metrofi.com. At the site, you can input your address to find out if you are covered in MetroFi's network.