PhillyTablet Inquirer Daily News
Mobile
Home Delivery
philly.com
email
font size
comments
5
options
 
Tuesday, May 13, 2008

BREAKING NEWS: EarthLink To Dump Wireless Philadelphia Next Month

EarthLink, the Internet service provider that hooked up the city through Wireless Philadelphia, announced this morning that it wants to start dismantling the system on June 12.  The Atlanta-based company has been looking to get out of the municipal wireless business here and in other cities since November. But Philadelphia has a 10-year contract with EarthLink, signed in February 2006, that calls for the company to pay the city $1 million in 10 days as part of a long-term payment plan.

So EarthLink today went to federal court, asking a judge for permission to pull down its equipment after June 12.  You've probably seen the stuff, which EarthLink says has a value of $17 million.  It's those little silver boxes with two antennae strapped to streetlights across the city.  They broadcast Internet signals to computers with wireless access. EarthLink also asked the federal judge today to limit its financial liability for Philadelphia Wireless to $1 million.

Mayor Nutter today vowed to protect the city's interest under the contact and said he does not intend to spend city money to keep the system up and running.  Nutter added that EarthLink had been negotiating with Cleveland-based OneCommunity to take over Wireless Philadelphia but that several potential deals had fallen apart in the last week.  OneCommunity, a non-profit, has $25 million in funding for the next five years from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation to help provide Internet access to 26 cities, including Philadelphia.
Posted by Chris Brennan @ 12:27 PM  Permalink | 5 comments
Comments   
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 1:46 PM, 05/13/2008
    Yes, no cancellation fee. I've had the service for quite a while now, and hardly ever use it. It is definitely unreliable, to say the least. Ordered Verizon to do the job Earthlink couldn't.
    — Leron
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 3:19 PM, 05/13/2008
    Horrible service. I ordered the service and they never could make it work. Nutter needs to contract with an established company. Back in the day Earthlink had a very good reputation, however, with technology moving rapidly, they got left behind. And since they have a contract, make them pay the City. We cannot afford to let hard earned dollars go down the drain with a company who did not live up to their promises.
    — Christine Summers
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 3:56 PM, 05/13/2008
    Another Mayor Street failure.
    — SJ
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 4:30 PM, 05/13/2008
    Careful as MILTON STREET may get the contract now.
    — SJ
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 4:54 PM, 05/13/2008
    I predicted this when it was announced. As soon as I heard that some people had to pay more than others based on income, it was doomed. The liberals wanted it to be a social program, not a utility.
    — MiddleNameHussein


5 comments
About The Philly Clout Team
PhillyClout
Chris Brennan, a native Philadelphian and graduate of Temple University, joined the Daily News in 1999. He has written about SEPTA, the Philadelphia School District, the legalization of casino gambling, state government, the mayor, the governor, City Council and political campaigns.
 Follow Chris on Twitter

David Gambacorta spent a small eternity writing about cops, drug dealers and serial killers. Now he’s writing about power and politics ­– which sometimes reminds him of the old crime beat. He joined the Daily News in 2005. And yes, he knows you’re not quite sure how to pronounce his last name. E-mail tips to gambacd@phillynews.com
 Follow Dave on Twitter.

Catherine Lucey joined the Daily News in 2002 and has written about murderous drug gangs, political protesters and Harry Potter. After covering the 2007 mayoral election, she moved over to the City Hall bureau where she has been reporting on the Nutter administration.
 Follow Catherine on Twitter

Jan Ransom, a native New Yorker, joined the Daily News in 2010 after graduating from Howard University. She has since written about the difficulty of filing police complaints, tax deadbeats and life after violent home invasions. She joined the Daily News City Hall Bureau in 2011 and has plunged headfirst into reporting on administration budget battles and City Council shenanigans.
 Follow Jan on Twitter



Share your tips

Catherine Lucey
luceyc@phillynews.com

Chris Brennan
brennac@phillynews.com

Jan Ransom
Ransomj@phillynews.com
Advertise Here