I see that the NY City implementation is paid for by advertising (and data collection?), the UK proposal is more "free broadband", and an electioneering giveaway that I see as pie in the ether.

But has anyone suggested how to pay for free internet access?

certainly internet and web access is fast becoming essential for many things. Like any other utility (that are not free, BTW).

As a trivial example the UK has bus timetables on most bus stops, but IME they are unreliable because more than one group of competing people put them there and the rate which the routes/time change make updating lag or, frankly, lapse. As if older people are expected to own and use smart phones, and pay for tickets via them! Round here such "on-line" information is based on timetables not actual bus location (GPS).