Verizon, and especially AT&T should be encouraging projects that offer basic, free 1Mbps citywide wifi. It can help them offload some of the supposed data strain on their 3G networks. It would complement their services, and increase their value.
It would also obviate the need for an aircard around time. So I would see why they wouldn't encourage it unless the hotspots are AT&T or Verizon branded.
