TMCnet News
EarthLink Launches The City Of Anaheim Municipal Wireless NetworkATLANTA and ANAHEIM, Calif., June 29 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Today, EarthLink , 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-Fi(SM). 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(TM). 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. 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 ISP's 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 http://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(TM) portfolio of products, including its Canopy(TM) 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/press. 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 you(SM)." 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 http://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 http://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 http://www.tropos.com/, call 408-331-6800 or write to [email protected]. EarthLink CONTACT: Media, Deisha Galberth, +1-404-808-8964, [email protected], or Lisette Kwong, Text 100, +1-973-713-4750, [email protected], both of EarthLink; or Scott Green of CLS Communications,Inc., +1-650-679-9044, or [email protected], for Tropos Networks; or JohnJames Nicoletti, External Affairs Manager of City of Anaheim, +1-714-765-5060,or [email protected] Web site: http://www.earthlink.net/http://www.earthlink.net/wifihttp://www.tropos.com/http ://www.tasteofanaheim.com/http://www.earthlink.net/anaheim/presshttp://www.earth link.net/abouthttp://www.earthlink.net/munihttp://www.anaheim.net/ |