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. Residents can access the free tier by logging onto the Web site through the Wi-Fi access software embedded in their computers.
"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," said Mayor C. Ray Nagin. "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.
"Advanced technology will help jumpstart this recovery," Nagin added, "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."
"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.
