The City of Atlanta Selects EarthLink to Build Out Municipal Wireless Network

    ATLANTA, Jan. 25 /PRNewswire/ -- Atlanta will soon join the ranks of
 major municipalities across the U.S. that have embraced Wi-Fi. The City has
 selected EarthLink ( ELNK) to build, own and operate a municipal
 Wi-Fi network.
     Pending a final contract with the City, EarthLink will provide
 affordable, high-speed Internet access for residents, businesses and
 visitors to Atlanta with upload and download speeds up to 1 Mbps. In
 addition, EarthLink will continue its efforts to reduce the gap between
 those who benefit from technology and those who don't by working with the
 City to provide qualifying residents with discounted Internet access.
     "Atlanta has been EarthLink's home for many years, and we are excited
 about the opportunity to showcase this exciting new technology in our own
 backyard -- and ultimately, change the way people access the Internet,"
 said Donald Berryman, executive vice president of EarthLink and president
 of the ISP's municipal networks unit. "Our municipal Wi-Fi solution will
 bring Atlanta residents, visitors and city workers an affordable high-speed
 Internet service."
     "The City is excited to work with EarthLink, one of our premier
 technology companies. Atlantans will have access to high speed broadband
 throughout the City and will benefit from many life-changing applications
 -- all without spending tax dollars," said Abe Kani, Chief Information
 Officer for the City of Atlanta. "Our city will also leverage the network
 to support economic development and enhance quality of life through
 innovative public safety applications and ensure digital inclusion."
     As part of its commitment to open access, EarthLink will enable
 multiple, competing providers, to offer their services to consumers and
 businesses over its network. For small businesses, Atlanta's wireless
 network will also provide an alternative for broadband connectivity, such
 as an affordable wireless T-1 solution.
     Wi-Fi is short for wireless fidelity. It enables a person to connect
 his or her Wi-Fi enabled computer, cell phone or PDA to the Internet or
 another Wi-Fi enabled device, without a traditional 'wired' connection. 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(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 www.EarthLink.net.
 
 

SOURCE EarthLink