Earthlink Launches Wi-Fi In The Big Easy

After winning the contract to build a wireless network in New Orleans, EarthLink said Thursday it had officially launched services in the Crescent City. A slower free tier would be made available while the city rebuilds, plus a faster, fee-based service.

The Wi-Fi service was first announced and launched in November of last year in the French Quarter and Central Business District. Mayor Ray Nagin said its purpose was to provide Internet access to citizens while the heavily damaged telecommunications network was repaired.

The free service would provide speeds of up to 300Kbps. Those wishing for faster service can opt for the fee-based tier, offering speeds of up to 1Mbps for $21.95 per month. The fee would also include eight e-mail addresses and Earthlink’s security software services suite.

Occasional use packages would also be made available, ranging from $3.95 for a one-hour pass to $15.95 for three days of access. Like its other Wi-Fi rollouts, the network would be open to third parties to offer their own service across the network.

“We're looking at everything through a new lens and we're focused on innovation,” Nagin said. "Advanced technology will help jumpstart this recovery and will allow us to create partnerships and programs that will manage our City more effectively to work with our business community, to rebuild and ultimately to get our citizens back home.”