Good discussion! WiFi has for me become an indispensable part of traveling. It allows me to stay in touch with family easily and cheaply (remember how hard it was even 25 years ago -- a phone call could run you $5 a minute? And there was no email). It lets me spend evening hours clearing out a hefty email que, and doing research on what I am going to see tomorrow and the next day. And with "Gumbo on the Go", it lets me share my travels as they happen with fellow Gumboites!
I echo PHeymont's comments completely. Someone has to pay for it, but the real cost of wi-fi probably is about a buck a day per room or less, so just make it part of the rate, like electricity and water usage. And "cheaper" hotels are the ones that offer it for free. That must mean I stay at cheaper hotels because when I make a reservation, it is something I look for when I book (free wifi everywhere in the hotel -- make sure its not just the lobby). The upscale hotels often will give free internet access to their preferred members, just for full and honest reporting.
If I were a business traveler having to send large quantities of data back and forth, I'd certainly be willing to pay $10 for high speed broadband. but that's beyond the needs of most travelers.