EarthLink rolls out citywide Wi-Fi in New Orleans

EARTHLINK ROLLS OUT MORE CITYWIDE WI-FI
[SOURCE: C-Net|News.com, AUTHOR: Marguerite Reardon]
EarthLink turned on two more of its Wi-Fi cities this week. On Tuesday, the Internet service provider announced that Milpitas, Calif., had begun offering service over its new citywide Wi-Fi network built by EarthLink. And on Thursday, New Orleans turned on its citywide Wi-Fi network. EarthLink, which has had to rely on cable and DSL (digital subscriber line) networks to deliver broadband service to consumers, is using Wi-Fi, an unlicensed radio frequency technology, as an affordable way to build its own broadband infrastructure. Over the past year, the company has won bids to blanket eight cities with Wi-Fi, including high-profile projects in Philadelphia and San Francisco. In June it launched its first network in Anaheim, Calif. In New Orleans, the 20-square-mile Wi-Fi mesh network covers parts of Orleans Parish, which was devastated by last year's Hurricane Katrina. In an effort to help rebuild New Orleans, EarthLink is providing a free tier of service--available up to 300 kilobits per second--for residents and businesses throughout the coverage area. Consumers can access the free tier by logging on to the Web site https://featherwifi.netthrough the Wi-Fi access software embedded in their computer.
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