EarthLink is supporting the City's rebuilding efforts by providing a free tier of service available up to 300Kbps for residents and businesses in New Orleans throughout the coverage area. Consumers can access the free tier by logging onto the Web site https://featherwifi.net through the Wi-Fi access software embedded in their desk- or laptop computer.
New Orleans residents will also have access to higher speeds via EarthLink Wi-Fi with down-and-upload speeds up to 1Mbps. For $21.95 a month, says the company, EarthLink Wi-Fi includes all the products and support consumers have come to expect from EarthLink. This includes eight mailboxes and the ISP's powerful protection tools, such as spamBlocker and the EarthLink Protection Control Center.
"This is truly a great day for the city of New Orleans as we move into the 21st century with wireless Internet services that are available to all of our residents. We're looking at everything through a new lens and we're focused on innovation. Now, the City of New Orleans is in a position to move to the next level in technology," said mayor C. Ray Nagin.
"Advanced technology will help jumpstart this recovery and will allow us to create partnerships and programs that will manage our City more effectively to work with our business community, to rebuild and ultimately to get our citizens back home," Nagin added.
"Wi-Fi enabled communication during Hurricane Katrina when other means failed, so the City of New Orleans and its residents know the importance of this technology," said Donald Berryman, executive vice president of EarthLink and president of the ISP's municipal networks unit. "Today's launch brings a low cost Wi-Fi solution to the city and reflects EarthLink's commitment to helping residents, visitors and thousands of workers stay connected with low cost broadband service, at absolutely no cost to the city."
What EarthLink Wi-Fi Brings To New Orleans
In addition to EarthLink Wi-Fi and the free tier available via the Feather by EarthLink capture portal, 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 for occasional use customers. 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.
Today's announcement marks the completion of the first stage of EarthLink's Wi-Fi build out in New Orleans. EarthLink will continue to expand the wireless network as additional sections of the city are rebuilt, in support of the recovery efforts.
EarthLink has deployed Tropos Networks' MetroMesh Wi-Fi routers on light poles throughout the city that enable reliable wireless data connectivity between users and the Internet. 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 portfolio of products, including its Canopy high-speed backhaul and Wi-Fi mesh network equipment.
