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Philadelphias Wi Fi Contract Awarded to EarthLink Inc.
After beating out a competing proposal from Hewlett-Packard, EarthLink Inc. has been awarded a contract to build a Wi-Fi (wireless fidelity) network in Philadelphia. The project is expected to stretch over 135 square miles, and marks the largest municipal effort in the U.S. to offer wireless Internet access. EarthLink Inc. was chosen by Wireless Philadelphia, a nonprofit group commissioned to oversee development of a citywide Wi-Fi network. Philadelphia is currently the largest city to formalize such a project.
Unlike other municipalities, EarthLink will own the hardware and take the financial risk associated with providing the network, which Philadelphia’s chief information officer, Dianah Neff, estimates will cost between $15 to $18 million. Subscriptions to the service will begin at $20.00 per month, and discounted access to low-income households is expected to be about $10.00. According to Neff, and EarthLink Inc., although they will operate the Wi-Fi network, multiple Internet service providers will be permitted to sell access to it, emphasizing that they are not interested in creating a monopoly.
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