IT contractors who help clients install public access Wi-Fi connections could find these opportunities decreasing under new government proposals, say IT industry experts.

The digital economy bill proposes making providers of public Wi-Fi connections liable for any legal infarctions, such as copyright infringement.

Legislation would mean the operation of Wi-Fi services could be more of a risk than a benefit, says editor-in-chief of ISPreview.co.uk Mark Jackson.

"The natural knock-on effect would be a lower desire for enterprising individuals and companies to help set up and run community wireless schemes and services," Mr Jackson said.

Most of the perceived risk from copyright abuse comes from the home, not from public Wi-Fi hotpsots, Mr Jackson claimed.

Lillian Edwards, professor of internet law at Sheffield University, told ZDNet that under the new law, providers would have to either pay someone to manage the network for them or take responsibility themselves and effectively become an ISP.

Both options were an "impossible burden" for small internet cafes, Ms Edwards added.