Earthlink to deploy WiFi in New Orleans

Internet service provider EarthLink was chosen to build a WiFi broadband network in Crescent City in New Orleans, the company announced Friday.

EarthLink will provide a two tier service: one free for a limited time during the city's rebuilding efforts at a speed of 300kbs and without viewing of advertising, while the paid service will provide higher speeds with a symmetrical, 1 mbps solution for customers that want more bandwidth, EarthLink said.

"EarthLink is doing its part to help rebuild the Crescent City and enable residents, visitors and the thousands of workers to stay connected with low cost broadband service," said Donald Berryman, executive vice president of EarthLink and president of the ISP's municipal networks unit. "Our Wi-Fi solution reflects our vision of delivering broadband opportunities to diverse communities across the country and helping meet the needs of underserved neighborhoods at the request of cities like New Orleans."

The company also said it plans to deploy Tropos Networks' MetroMesh WiFi routers on light poles throughout the city that will enable connectivity as well as deploy Motorola's MOTOwi4 portfolio of products, including its Canopy high-speed backhaul and WiFi mesh network equipment.

Copyright 2006 by United Press International