Google today is rolling out free public Wi-Fi in the Chelsea neighborhood in New York City.

The free public service, which is being unveiled today by Google Chief Technology Officer Ben Fried and Sen. Charles Schumer (D-NY), is the largest contiguous Wi-Fi network in the entire city.

When folks enter the Chelsea neighborhood, which spans Gansevoort Street and 19th Street from 8th Avenue to the West Side Highway, including the Chelsea Triangle, 14th Street Park, and Gansevoort Plaza, they'll have free access to a Wi-Fi connection provided by Google.

The search giant has been making a push in New York City for months to deliver free Wi-Fi to residents. In June, for example, the company announced that Google Offers was sponsoring free Wi-Fi in over 200 hot-spot locations across New York City. Six MTA subway stations also were offered free wireless connections. Google also offers a fiber Internet service in Kansas City, KS.

This time around, Sen. Schumer sees the Wi-Fi rollout as a potential benefit to New York's "Silicon Alley" by aiding the city in attracting technology companies.