Cities Take on Wi-Fi Challenge

from Yahoo News

The City of Philadelphia is taking the next step in its ambitious plan to deliver wireless broadband to the masses by giving the nod to EarthLink to roll out what could be the nation's largest municipal Wi-Fi network.

It is one of a number of similar projects in the works for other cities, including San Francisco, where search giant Google (Nasdaq: GOOG - news) is mounting a bid to deliver Wi-Fi services there to "bridge the digital divide," although analysts contend that local governments face some significant challenges in bringing the projects to fruition.

Broadband Access for All

The Wireless Philadelphia effort, announced in April, is designed to provide a competitive alternative to high-speed Internet offerings through a 135-square-mile, city-wide Wi-Fi mesh network that should be fully operational by the end of 2006.

Under terms of the proposal, the network would be deployed by EarthLink, with access available at wholesale rates to any private provider, such as ISPs and telecommunications companies.

Wireless Philadelphia will not sell access to the network directly to individuals or businesses. Free access will be provided in public spaces, such as parks and common areas.

Service providers will determine residential and small-business access, with basic service expected to cost $16 to $20 per month. A discounted rate would be offered to low-income subscribers.

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