Visitors for Next 30 Days
ATLANTA and MILPITAS, Calif., Dec. 19 /-FirstCall/ -- Today, EarthLink (Nasdaq: ELNK) will officially launch the City of Milpitas, California's (http://www.ci.milpitas.ca.gov) municipal wireless network -- the company's second market build out in California this year. The Mayor of Milpitas, Jose Esteves, will 'unwire' the City at a wire cutting ceremony at City Hall beginning at 12:20 pm, PT today.
Today also marks the beginning of 30 consecutive days of free service available for all residents of and visitors to Milpitas, so that they can test and use the EarthLink Wi-Fi(SM) services anywhere throughout the approximately 10-square mile Wi-Fi mesh network.
"EarthLink's Milpitas Wi-Fi mesh network changes the game -- people aren't tied to their desks or to limited hot spot areas for coverage -- now they can make a choice about how or from where they want to access the Internet," said Donald Berryman, executive vice president of EarthLink and president of the ISP's municipal networks unit. "We are happy to be launching this network in the heart of Silicon Valley -- and working with the City has been a tremendous experience -- so we hope the residents and visitors enjoy accessing the network for the next 30 days, free-of-charge."
"Providing wireless broadband in Milpitas creates a citywide service to residents, businesses and visitors to our community," said Jose Esteves, Mayor of the City of Milpitas. "This has been a goal of the City's Economic Development Commission and we are pleased with the investment that EarthLink is making in Milpitas."
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 in Milpitas -- EarthLink Wi-Fi(SM).
Residents interested in signing up for service can subscribe to EarthLink Wi-Fi(SM). For $21.95 a month, they will 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, once the 30-day promotion ends, EarthLink will offer 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.
As part of its commitment to open access, EarthLink will enable multiple providers, such as PeoplePC (http://www.peoplepc.com), to offer their Internet service to consumers and businesses over its network.
Wi-Fi is short for wireless fidelity. It enables a person to connect his or her computer, cell phone or PDA to the Internet or another Wi-Fi enabled device, without a traditional 'wired' connection.
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.
For more information on EarthLink Wi-Fi, please go to: http://www.earthlink.net/wifi.
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. http://www.earthlink.net
