First discussed here on Philly Future with Philadelphia CIO Dianah Neff, the deal for Atlanta-based ISP Earthlink to run the citywide wireless network has been finalized.
The Inquirer reports:
The ten-year contract, between Atlanta-based Internet provider Earthlink and Wireless Philadelphia, the city-sponsored nonprofit that will run the wireless network, calls for Earthlink to build and maintain the system at its own cost.The agreement is still pending approval from the City Council, but upon approval, Earthlink will have ninety days to build an initial fifteen square mile network in NE Philadelphia as a test run — in addition to the City's already installed Cloud which extends from Boathouse Row to City Hall.
Earthlink will pay for its investment by offering high-speed wireless internet access to subscribers or by leasing portions of its network wholesale to other internet providers, who will also offer service to residents. Wireless Philadelphia's business plan calls for the wholesale rate to be $9 a month and the residential rate to be less than $20; low-income residents will receive a discount.
Philadelphia should be fully wireless sometime in 2007.
Additional info via AP.
