EarthLink Will Build Out 16 Square Miles for Commercial Use
ATLANTA, Nov. 27 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- EarthLink (Nasdaq: ELNK),
today announced that its proposal to build, own and operate a municipal
wireless network in the City of Alexandria has been selected, and the
franchise agreement, in the form of a city ordinance, will be introduced at
the City Council meeting scheduled for Tuesday, November 28th.
The approximately 16-square-mile Wi-Fi mesh network will provide
affordable, high-speed Internet access for the residents of and visitors to
the City of Alexandria. After a period for public review and comment, the
franchise is scheduled to be formally awarded to EarthLink at City
Council's meeting on Saturday, December 16th.
EarthLink has emerged as one of the leaders in municipal Wi-Fi
development, having been awarded contracts in Philadelphia; Anaheim,
California; Milpitas, California; and New Orleans.
"When the City launched 'Wireless Alexandria' last year, it was
beginning its journey into making government more efficient and improving
residents quality of life, which are just a few of the benefits of a
city-wide municipal wireless network," said Donald Berryman, executive vice
president of EarthLink and president of the ISP's municipal networks unit.
"Alexandria is now taking the next step by authorizing EarthLink to build
an affordable and portable state-of-the-art network that will enable
Internet access anywhere throughout the City."
"This initiative has tremendous potential for Alexandria's residents,
businesses, and government," said Mayor William D. Euille. "We believe this
is a smart way for the City to encourage broadband development, without
interfering with the private sector."
EarthLink will also help promote 'digital inclusion' by offering
discounted Internet access at a price of $9.95 a month for certain
qualifying, low-income residents and will also provide free public Internet
access in approximately two dozen public, yet-to-be-determined locations,
throughout the City of Alexandria.
As part of its commitment to open access, EarthLink will enable
multiple, competing providers, such as PeoplePC (http://www.peoplepc.com),
to offer their services to consumers and businesses over its network.
EarthLink will deploy Tropos Networks' (http://www.tropos.com)
MetroMesh Wi-Fi routers on light poles throughout the city that will enable
reliable wireless data connectivity between consumers and the Internet. The
Tropos system forms a wireless mesh, intelligently routing data to produce
the best possible user experience. The network will be operated and
optimized using Tropos Control, an end-to-end configuration, monitoring and
maintenance tool suite. In addition, EarthLink will deploy Motorola's
MOTOwi4(TM) portfolio of products, including its Canopy(TM) high-speed
backhaul and Wi-Fi mesh network equipment.
About EarthLink
"EarthLink. We revolve around you(SM)." As the nation's next generation
Internet service provider, Atlanta-based EarthLink has earned an
award-winning reputation for outstanding customer service and its suite of
online products and services. Serving over five million subscribers,
EarthLink offers what every user should expect from their Internet
experience: high-quality connectivity, minimal online intrusions and
customizable features. Whether it's dial-up, high-speed, voice, web
hosting, wireless or "EarthLink Extras" like home networking or security,
EarthLink connects people to the power and possibilities of the Internet.
Learn more about EarthLink by calling (800) EARTHLINK or visiting
EarthLink's Web site at http://www.EarthLink.net.
SOURCE EarthLink
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Related links:
http://www.earthlink.net
http://www.peoplepc.com http://www.tropos.com
CONTACT:
Media, Jerry Grasso of EarthLink,
+1-404-748-7208, or grassoj@corp.earthlink.net; or Craig Fifer of
the City of Alexandria, Virginia, +1-703-519-3468, or
craig.fifer@alexandriava.gov; or Investors, Mike Gallentine of
EarthLink, +1-404-748-7153, or gallentineml@corp.earthlink.net
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