Issue date: 2/22/08 Section: News

Media Credit: David Hilbert A wireless Internet transmitter sits on a lamppost. Wireless Philadelphia is currently 75 percent complete. [Click to enlarge]

Checking Facebook anywhere in Philadelphia will still soon be possible, even though the company running the city's wireless network is dropping out.

Last week, Earthlink announced its plans to sell its municipal wireless business - which includes Philadelphia's program. But city officials say the citywide wireless program, which is now about 75 percent complete, is moving forward anyway.

Earthlink currently has a 10-year contract in place with the city of Philadelphia, requiring the company to complete the wireless network as well as provide operating support and maintenance for the system once it is in place.

If Earthlink finds a buyer for its municipal wireless business, the city expects the contract to continue with the new buyer, said Philadelphia Chief Information Officer Terry Phillis.

Any buyer Earthlink finds would have to be approved by the City of Philadelphia and Wireless Philadelphia, a nonprofit organization coordinating the city's wireless network.

Although the situation would become more complicated if Earthlink does not find a buyer for the business, Earthlink would still be required to honor its contract with the city.

Wireless Philadelphia spokesman Ryan Nichols expressed optimism that the situation would not pose a major challenge in the completion of a citywide wireless program.

"It's a pretty comprehensive contract in place, and it's favorable to Wireless Philadelphia," he said.

The idea for a wireless program in Philadelphia began in 2004 and continued with the creation of Wireless Philadelphia in the summer of 2006. The first wireless test zones were completed last March and were tested and formally approved last May.

When the project is finished, it will be able to offer subscriptions for wireless Internet access to all households and businesses, roaming outdoor use in the city and occasional-use passes. Subscription to the city's wireless Internet costs $21.95 per month.

"Free zones" will cover about 10 square miles of public-park space throughout Philadelphia.

Another feature of the completed wireless program is "Digital Inclusion," an initiative that aims to help 25,000 low-income families gain Internet access for a lower monthly price.

"In a nutshell, the guiding idea behind Wireless Philadelphia is that about 300,000 households in the city don't have Internet access at all," Nichols said.

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