EarthLink Wins 2nd Citywide Wi-Fi Deal

Internet service provider EarthLink scored another big win in the large area Wi-Fi industry on Wednesday, announcing it was selected by the city of Anaheim to build out its wireless network. Upon approval of the contract, the 50-square mile network would be completed by the end of 2006.

The contract will run for a period of 20 years, and EarthLink would receive exclusive rights to install, operate and maintain the Wi-Fi network during that period. Unlike other deals, the Anaheim network would be privately owned and operated.

Other city wireless plans, such as the Philadelphia project that EarthLink is also involved in, are still partially funded by the city itself, and revenues there are shared with a non-profit interest group that promotes broadband in the city, called Wireless Philadelphia.

"This is only the first step toward making Anaheim a truly wireless City and I am thrilled that we, as a City, will soon have this amenity available to our residents, businesses and visitors," Anaheim Mayor Curt Pringle said.

Pringle also hopes the allure of citywide Wi-Fi will draw new high tech industries into the city.

In the first phase of the project, EarthLink will build out two-square mile areas to test out various concepts for the network. Upon successful completion of that phase, the company will then begin to build out the rest of the network.

EarthLink will also make the network open access, meaning that competing providers would be able to use the Wi-Fi to market their various services to consumers and businesses.

"The City of Anaheim is one of the premier destinations for business and pleasure on the West Coast, and deploying citywide wireless broadband only reinforces this image to residents and visitors," said Donald Berryman, executive vice president of EarthLink, in a statement.