If the project goes ahead, Bradfordians would be able to surf the web or access emails from their laptop while sitting in the city's Centenary Square without using cables.
A survey is being carried out by internet service provider Wanadoo's Technology Research think-tank to assess the feasibility of creating wireless "hotspots, hotzones and clouds" in the Bradford district. Apart from Centenary Square, potential hotspots include Saltaire, Bradford Interchange, Lister Park and Forster Square.
The move has been welcomed by senior political figures in the city, who feel it could make Bradford sexier and help attract jobs and investment.
Imran Ali, the senior research consultant at Wanadoo's base in Leeds, said it was part of a strategy to span the digital divide. The study is being undertaken in partnership with bmedi@, a Bradford-based company which supports the development of West Yorkshire's digital sector.
Matt Dowson, bmedi@'s development manager, said: "No longer do people have to be tied to a desk to carry on business. If you are in transit, it will give you the opportunity to stay in touch for business or social reasons."
Mr Ali said: "It's all about mobility of information. If you have got a well for water at the bottom of your garden, you use less water than if you have got a water supply in your house. Having a supply in your house means you drink more water and it's better for you."
In a similar way, wi-fi improves communication and education by allowing access to the internet anywhere within the hotzone. Mr Ali said it works like a TV remote control, with signals being broadcast from small base stations.
Mr Ali added: "It makes the internet pervasive and simpler to use and understand. It's about reducing barriers to access. Fifty per cent of people still don't use the internet.
"People are talking about the digital divide. This is the first part of some interesting research to see how we can cross the divide.
"A hotspot is usually a single coverage area, such as a store or park, typically using a single base-station. Hotzones are co-operating hotspots which enable a user to move between hotspots on the same service, although the hotzones may be geographically separated. A cloud offers continuous coverage over a significant portion of a city's geographic area.
"In the US, there are currently 38 clouds and 16 zones – though hotspots are approaching millions."
Most of the UK's wi-fi hotspots are based in London, where there are around 800. In July, Cardiff set up its own wi-fi scheme. It was followed by Preston, which introduced a service last month carrying a £60 subscription.
Mr Ali's study will consider how the proposed Bradford service would be funded. It could include special booths, where people pay a fee to access the wi-fi service.
He added: "Wanadoo is a potential partner, and there are many other organisations that will also be approached. It will be necessary to create some infrastructure to provide wireless services – that will probably include base stations. We are exploring various partnerships, possibly with Yorkshire Forward, to seek support for the initiative."
Conservative Councillor Simon Cooke, portfolio holder for regeneration at Bradford Council, said: "We are very keen to push these technology opportunities.
"We want to be as close to the front of the pack as we can be. We are very keen to be part of changing people's perceptions of Bradford. It's sexy and would be a great selling point for the city."
greg.wright@ypn.co.uk