A discussion about the Telecommunication Industry

Earthlink is getting out of the municipal Wi-Fi business.  Earthlink one thought setting up city wide Wi-Fi networks would save the company.  Earthlink’s main business is dial up Internet access, but that business has dried up as broadband Internet has become less expensive and the most compelling Internet content requires far more speed then dial up can deliver.

Earthlink’s flagship municipal Wi-Fi network was built in Philadelphia, but the network was an abysmal failure.  Just over 5000 people signed up for the service, a far cry from the 100,000 subscribers that Earthlink expected. Now Earthlink is simply shutting the network down.  They couldn’t even give it away for free to the city.  They are also shuttering similar a network in New Orleans.  A few smaller cities have agreed to take over Earthlink’s networks.