ATLANTA, and ANAHEIM, CA, June 29th, 2006 — Today,
EarthLink (NASDAQ: ELNK), the nation’s next generation Internet
service provider (ISP), officially launched its first municipal Wi-Fi
broadband network in the City of Anaheim. Curt Pringle, the Mayor of
Anaheim, will officially ‘unwire’ the City at a wire cutting ceremony
beginning at 11:00 a.m., PT this morning.
This portable, wireless service will provide inexpensive,
high-speed Internet access for the City’s residents, businesses,
visitors and municipal employees.
"The days when Anaheim residents, workers and visitors are tied to
a desk to access an affordable broadband network are coming to an
end," said Garry Betty, president and chief executive officer of
EarthLink. "The launch of this network enables people to make a choice
about how, and from where, they want to access the Internet securely."
"EarthLink has always focused on providing the tools and services
that allow our customers to personalize their Internet experiences.
The launch of this municipal Wi-Fi network in Anaheim is the latest
proof-point that we are delivering on that vision," Betty added.
"Anaheim has always been recognized as a leader throughout
California and the nation. Today, with the launch of this network,
Anaheim becomes the largest city in the United States to deploy such a
technological advancement," Mayor Curt Pringle said. "Our partnership
with EarthLink will benefit residents, businesses and visitors,
allowing them to conduct business, answer emails, do school research
or interact with our virtual City Hall anywhere and any time in
Anaheim."
EarthLink Wi-Fi
EarthLink has won numerous honors and awards for its Dial-Up and High
Speed service and, today, officially adds its latest access offering
for wirelessly enabled customers - EarthLink Wi-FiSM.
For $21.95 a month, subscribers receive all the products and
support they have come to expect from EarthLink, including eight
mailboxes and the ISP’s powerful protection tools, such as spamBlocker
and the EarthLink Protection Control Center™. Qualifying
customers also receive a Wi-Fi modem for at-home use.
For occasional use customers, EarthLink offers a wireless broadband
service with rates ranging from $3.95 for a one-hour pass to $15.95
for a three-day pass. Occasional use customers will connect and access
account information from the EarthLink portal page. The network will
also serve as a platform for City, business and wholesale partners to
access EarthLink’s municipal network for their employees and
end-users.
Further, this network operates under an ‘open access’ business
model, so that multiple, competing providers can offer their services
to consumers and businesses along with EarthLink’s products and
services. Finally, for Anaheim-based small businesses, EarthLink’s
wireless network will provide an affordable alternative for
business-class broadband connectivity, with speeds comparable to
existing T-1 solutions.
In conjunction with its commitment to open access, EarthLink today
announced its first national wholesale partners that will offer
service to their customers on EarthLink’s municipal Wi-Fi network.
These partners are PeoplePC (EarthLink’s wholly-owned subsidiary) and
DirecTV. In addition, EarthLink has reached a non-binding agreement
with AOL and is discussing ways to offer its AOL.com content and Web
assets on EarthLink’s municipal network.
EarthLink also plans to partner with local ISPs that want to
provide Wi-Fi service in their respective markets, or across the
country in other EarthLink Municipal Wi-Fi markets.
Network Technology
The official launch celebrates the Wi-Fi build out of Anaheim, which
is on schedule to be completed by the fourth quarter of 2006.
Consumers can visit
www.EarthLink.net/wifi and provide their phone number and address
to see if the network has been built out in their area. If
unavailable, he or she will be added to a waiting list and will be
notified when the service is available.
EarthLink has deployed Tropos Networks’ (http://www.tropos.com)
MetroMesh Wi-Fi routers on light poles throughout the city that enable
reliable wireless data connectivity between users and the Internet.
The Tropos system forms a wireless mesh, intelligently routing data to
produce the best possible user experience. The network is operated and
optimized using Tropos Control and Tropos Insight, a suite of
end-to-end configuration, monitoring and maintenance tools. In
addition, EarthLink has deployed Motorola’s MOTOwi4™
portfolio of products, including its Canopy™ high-speed
backhaul and Wi-Fi mesh network equipment.
"The Tropos MetroMesh architecture is the ideal platform on which
to build EarthLink’s next generation broadband delivery services,"
said Ron Sege, President and CEO of Tropos Networks. "Ours is the only
wireless broadband technology that is scalable and intelligent enough
to enable EarthLink’s nationwide Wi-Fi plans."
Taste of Anaheim
To kick-off the launch of the network, EarthLink is one of tonight’s
11th annual Taste of Anaheim sponsors. Consumers interested in trying
out the network will be able to do so from on-premises laptops. In
addition, consumers can sign up for service at the event.
For more information on EarthLink Wi-Fi, please go to:
http://www.earthlink.net/wifi.
For more information on Taste of Anaheim, please go to:
http://www.tasteofanaheim.com.
For more information on the Unwiring of Anaheim media event, please
go to:
http://www.earthlink.net/anaheim/.
For EarthLink’s Podcast about the launch of the Anaheim network,
please go to:
http://www.earthlink.net/about/.
For more information on EarthLink’s Municipal Networks business
unit, please go to:
http://www.earthlink.net/muni.
About EarthLink
"EarthLink. We revolve around youSM." As the
nation’s next generation Internet service provider, Atlanta-based
EarthLink has earned an award-winning reputation for outstanding
customer service and its suite of online products and services.
Serving over five million subscribers, EarthLink offers what every
user should expect from their Internet experience: high-quality
connectivity, minimal online intrusions and customizable features.
Whether it’s dial-up, high-speed, voice, web hosting, wireless or
"EarthLink Extras" like home networking or security, EarthLink
connects people to the power and possibilities of the Internet. Learn
more about EarthLink by calling (800) EARTHLINK or visiting
EarthLink’s Web site at
www.EarthLink.net.
About Anaheim
Founded in 1857, the City of Anaheim is one of the nation’s premier
municipalities and California’s 10th most populous city. As the oldest
and largest city in Orange County, Anaheim covers 50 square miles,
with more than 345,000 residents and 2,077 employees. The municipal
corporation’s annual budget is $1.298 billion. The city boasts
world-class organizations such as the Anaheim Angels, Boeing, CKE
Restaurants, Inc., L-3 Communications, the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim,
Pacific Sunwear and The Walt Disney Company and the USA Men’s National
Volleyball team. Annually, Anaheim also welcomes millions of visitors
to the city, truly making it where the world comes to live, work and
play. For more information, please visit
www.anaheim.net.
About Tropos Networks, Inc.
Tropos Networks is the market leader for metro-scale, Wi-Fi mesh
network systems. Our mission is to enable wireless broadband access
everywhere for everyone through innovative, low-cost and simple
products, software tools and services. We have deployed larger and
longer-operating systems in more municipalities than any other company
in our industry. Our unique expertise includes high-performance mesh
software development, mesh RF engineering, metro-scale network
planning, deployment and optimization, and navigating the municipal
approval process. Tropos Networks is headquartered in Sunnyvale,
California. For more information, please visit www.tropos.com, call
408-331-6800 or write to
info@tropos.com.
