City of Philadelphia Approves Municipal Wi-Fi Proof of Concept

EarthLink Goes to Next Stage in Build Out of 135 Square Mile Network

Mayor Street To Be Recognized for Philadelphia's Leadership in Wireless

Internet Access

    ATLANTA, May 24 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- As municipalities across the
 country join the Wi-Fi race, the City of Philadelphia is entering the home
 stretch. Mayor John F. Street announced that Wireless Philadelphia, the
 non- profit created by the City to transform Philadelphia's neighborhoods
 by making high-speed Internet access more available and affordable, today
 approved EarthLink's ( ELNK) 15-square-mile Wi-Fi Proof of Concept
 (POC) area -- or test zone. In turn, EarthLink will continue building the
 135-square-mile Wi-Fi mesh network, slated for citywide completion in the
 third quarter of 2007.
     "We are thrilled to expand the City's leadership position in using
 wireless technology to meet our people's needs and to enhance the City's
 services, visitor experience and business environment," said the Mayor.
     EarthLink will finance, build and manage the wireless network, and
 provide Wireless Philadelphia with revenue sharing fees to help support the
 non-profit and its Digital Inclusion programs.
     "Wireless Philadelphia's approval of the POC proves the technology and
 enhances our commitment to building a state-of-the-art wireless network not
 only in Philadelphia, but in many other cities across the country," said
 Donald Berryman, president, EarthLink Municipal Networks. "We are working
 quickly to deploy the remaining 120 square miles so that Philadelphia
 residents, visitors and workers can have access to a competitive
 alternative to existing high-speed Internet offerings, and the ability to
 stay connected -- no matter where they are in the City.
     "Nearly 300,000 households and businesses will have access to our
 network by the end of May," said Berryman.
     "This is a major step toward achieving our vision of The Entire City
 Connected," said Greg Goldman, CEO, Wireless Philadelphia. "The Wireless
 Philadelphia initiative has something to offer for all Philadelphians, with
 free Internet access in parks and public spaces throughout the City and
 affordable access everywhere. We are especially excited now to begin
 offering our Digital Inclusion programs in the Proof of Concept area and
 beyond, so that low-income families can begin using the powers of the
 Internet to improve their educational, employment, and life opportunities."
     Accessing the Service
     Access to EarthLink's Wi-Fi network is currently available to consumers
 within the 15-square-mile POC area, which extends east of the Schuylkill
 River and north of the Vine Street Expressway. As additional areas become
 available, EarthLink will update the coverage map available at
 http://www.emnwifi.net/cities/philadelphia/.
     Consumers who sign up for EarthLink Wi-Fi(SM) will enjoy download and
 upload speeds up to 1 Mbps for a limited time promotional rate of $6.95 a
 month for the first six months, returning to the recurring rate of $19.95 a
 month thereafter. For consumers that want even more speed, EarthLink is
 offering a 3 Mbps download and 1 Mbps upload service for only $9.95 for the
 first six months, returning to the recurring rate of $21.95 a month
 thereafter.
     Customers also receive applications and services that include eight
 mailboxes and EarthLink's powerful protection tools, such as spamBlocker
 and the EarthLink Protection Control Center. Wi-Fi modems, which greatly
 increase signal strength, are also available for indoor use.
     EarthLink will also offer free Wi-Fi access to Philadelphia residents
 and visitors in designated free access areas throughout the City, including
 Norris Square, Love Park, the Historic District, and Capitolo Playground in
 South Philly, adjacent to two of the City's most famous cheese-steak
 purveyors.
     To connect to EarthLink's Wi-Fi network for free, customers must use
 their wireless-enabled computer to detect the network and select the SSID
 "EarthLinkWiFi" or "WirelessPhiladelphia". Consumers will then complete a
 few short steps and be connected to the Internet.
     Bridging the Digital Divide
     EarthLink is also working with Wireless Philadelphia to promote
 'Digital Inclusion,' a cornerstone of the project -- which is a program to
 offer qualifying Philadelphia residents Internet access at the discounted
 rate of $9.95 per month, before any promotional opportunities. In order to
 be eligible for this rate, customers can have income up to 150% of the
 federal poverty level, or participate in certain supportive programs such
 as Transitional Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) Medicaid, or
 Supplemental Security Income. For more information on Wireless
 Philadelphia's Digital Inclusion program, visit
 http://www.wirelessphiladelphia.org/digital_inclusion.cfm.
     In recognition of the importance of this component, Wireless
 Philadelphia will present Mayor Street with the First Annual Digital
 Difference Award at 1pm today, at William Penn High School. This honor
 recognizes the Mayor's visionary leadership in identifying the potential
 that wireless technology holds to ensure a future where all Philadelphians
 have access to the Internet.
     Other Ongoing Services on the Network
     In addition to signing up for EarthLink's monthly subscription product,
 EarthLink Wi-Fi, consumers can buy access to the network at competitive
 prices in one-hour, one-day, or three-day increments. Customers can also
 sign up for a monthly subscription from EarthLink's wholesale partners --
 People PC (www.peoplepc.com) DirecTV (www.directv.com), SuperPA.net
 (www.superpa.net) and Pennsylvania Online (www.paonline.com).
     For more information on EarthLink Wi-Fi, please go to:
 http://www.earthlink.net/wifi.
     For more information on EarthLink's Municipal Networks business unit,
 please go to: http://www.earthlink.net/muni.
     About EarthLink
     "EarthLink. We revolve around you(TM)." 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. 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 www.EarthLink.net.
     About Wireless Philadelphia
     "Wireless Philadelphia. Make a Digital Difference." WP is a non-profit
 organization with the primary mission of "Digital Inclusion." WP is
 partnering with community-based organizations throughout the City to
 deliver a bundle of services called "TEACH" for Training, Education,
 Access, Content and Hardware to qualifying families across the City.
 Wireless Philadelphia's vision is for Philadelphia -- now among the least
 connected cities nationwide -- to become the nation's most connected city.
 With our focus on developing programs to connect all of our citizens to the
 Internet, we intend to continue to lead the way toward universal Digital
 Inclusion through our creative collaboration with volunteers, small
 business, large corporations, community organizations and the public
 sector.
 
 

SOURCE EarthLink