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Earthlink Threatens To Shut Down Philly Wi-Fi
Unless the city acts to take the network off its hands...

It looks like the public Wi-Fi network in Philadelphia may be shut down if the city can't negotiate some kind of transfer deal with Earthlink. Earthlink stopped accepting new customers last week, and gave the city until today to negotiate an offer, but the city's mayor doesn't seem keen on the idea of spending city money. For long time readers, this network has a long story behind it; one that could end badly.

When initially proposed as a muni-fi project, it was the first time the public became aware that Verizon was getting bills passed that banned entire States from running their own broadband networks. Once the city navigated Verizon lawyers, they finally got the network built, and began offering service in concert with Earthlink. But while the network performed well, fewer people signed up than anticipated.

Earthlink, already struggling from the death of dial-up and bad business decisions like believing the hype surrounding powerline broadband, then announced they'd be fleeing the muni-fi sector. Despite investing $20 million in the network, they didn't even bother to attend a hearing on the network's fate. As it stands, about 80% of the network still works, but Earthlink has told Philly they'll pull the plug unless it's taken off their hands by today.

If there's a broadband industry death-watch list, Earthlink sits at the top. Judging from the high number of jilted cities they're leaving in their wake, I'm guessing there may not be a large turnout at the funeral.

Most recommended from 26 comments



N3OGH
Yo Soy Col. "Bat" Guano
Premium Member
join:2003-11-11
Philly burbs

2 recommendations

N3OGH

Premium Member

Philly has bigger problems....

Philly has bigger problems than Wi-Fi and Earthlink. It seems like every other month, another police officer is slain in the line of duty. Shootings over petty arguments are commonplace and murder is rampant.

Nutter would be right to tell Earthlink to take a hike.

In large parts of the city, the social fabric of society has collapsed and teenage children don't think twice about picking up a gun to settle their differences. It is a sad state of affairs.

As a Philly native and metro area resident it pains me every time I hear of another "murder filled" weekend in the city.

That said, I think Nutter is probably the best Mayor to come to Philly in a while. He's smart, well spoken, and most importantly straight forward. I pray for him and the city I will always consider my hometown.....