EarthLink officially launched its first municipal Wi-Fi broadband network in the City of Anaheim. EarthLink has deployed Tropos Networks’ MetroMesh Wi-Fi routers on light poles throughout the city. The full city-wide deployment is expected by the end of the year.
The network operates under an ‘open access’ business model, so that multiple, competing providers can offer their services to consumers and businesses along with EarthLink’s products and services. Several paid tiers of service are available. For Anaheim-based small businesses, EarthLink’s wireless network promises speeds comparable to existing T-1 solutions.
In conjunction with its commitment to open access, EarthLink today announced its first national wholesale partners that will offer service to their customers on EarthLink’s municipal Wi-Fi network. These partners are PeoplePC (EarthLink’s wholly-owned subsidiary) and DirecTV. In addition, EarthLink has reached a non-binding agreement with AOL and is discussing ways to offer its AOL.com content and Web assets on EarthLink’s municipal network.
http://www.earthlink.net/muni
