Opinion on  EarthLink Inc (ELNK)     Sector: Technology  >  Industry: Computer Services
Next trend is Municipal wireless systems

AP

EarthLink to Build Atlanta Network

Friday January 26, 7:24 am ET

EarthLink to Build Out Municpal Wireless Network in Atlanta

 ATLANTA (AP) -- EarthLink Inc. had made a deal to build a wireless Internet network for the city of Atlanta.

 

EarthLink Selects Manufacturer for its Wi-Fi Phone Service Initiative

 

2007-03-20 09:08 ET - News Release

ATLANTA, March 20 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- EarthLink has selected Accton Technology Corporation (TAIEX: 2345), a global premier provider of networking and communications equipment, to manufacture handsets for the company's Wi-Fi phone initiative. EarthLink Wi-Fi phones will allow consumers to save money by making high-quality phone calls over the Internet using a wireless handset. EarthLink is beta testing phones on the company's municipal wireless network in Anaheim, Calif.

"What separates our Wi-Fi phone from others is its ability to work over EarthLink's municipal Wi-Fi networks," said Steve Howe, EarthLink's senior vice president of voice. "This means that EarthLink is now bringing cheap phone calls using the Internet to the world of mobile -- a major breakthrough. We expect that many people who use cell phones today in our municipal Wi-Fi markets will want to switch to a Wi-Fi phone to take advantage of the significant cost savings." He added that EarthLink's Wi-Fi phones round-out the company's full suite of Internet voice products, which also include trueVoice, a low-cost telephone service, and DSL and Home Phone Service, which combines low-cost phone service with ultra-fast high speed Internet.

"We are very pleased to partner with EarthLink," said Ken Lu, president of Accton Technology. "Providing Accton's SIP-based Wi-Fi phone to EarthLink proves that Accton's VoIP design and manufacturing quality meets different next-generation voice service standards and provides the great cost saving to consumers."

EarthLink Wi-Fi phones will allow consumers to make Internet phone calls from a wireless handset to any traditional landline, cell phone or VoIP phone. The handsets will work directly on EarthLink's municipal wireless networks and can also connect via a wireless router attached to the user's wired home broadband network. Service and the phone handset will be free during the Anaheim beta test. Anticipated price plans for the consumer roll-out after the beta test include:

    -- $14.95 a month for 500 anytime outbound domestic minutes, and free,         unlimited inbound minutes.      -- $24.95 for unlimited domestic minutes.      -- $100 one-time charge for equipment, including the Wi-Fi phone handset         and a cradle that functions as a charger and a Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g router         inside the home.   

EarthLink will provide consumers with a complete Wi-Fi phone solution for an easy and smooth installation. EarthLink's Wi-Fi phone package comes with a handset and a cradle that acts a charger as well as an indoor Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g router. The cradle is plugged into a power source and a broadband Ethernet connection. When consumers are in the coverage area of the cradle or any EarthLink municipal wireless network, the phone will automatically be connected to EarthLink's voice network.

Customers in the Anaheim area who wish to participate in the beta can sign up by calling 1-800-352-7650.

Wi-Fi phones are the newest product offering from the EarthLink Voice team. Other products in the company's suite of Internet voice services include EarthLink trueVoice, an ATA-based, low-cost telephone service that enables high-quality local and long-distance calling via any high-speed Internet service, and EarthLink DSL and Home Phone Service, which combines convenient, low-cost telephone service with up to 8.0 mbps of ultra-fast high-speed Internet all on one bill. EarthLink DSL and Home Phone Service is a line- powered VoIP service, which mean calls are made using a traditional telephone handset with no special equipment needed.

For more information about EarthLink's voice services please go to http://www.earthlink.net/voice .

About EarthLink

"EarthLink. We revolve around you(TM)." As the nation's next generation Internet service provider, Atlanta-based EarthLink has earned an award-winning reputation for outstanding customer service and its suite of online products and services. Serving over five million subscribers, EarthLink offers what every user should expect from their Internet experience: high-quality connectivity, minimal online intrusions and customizable features. Whether it's dial-up, high-speed, voice, web hosting, wireless or "EarthLink Extras" like home networking or security, EarthLink connects people to the power and possibilities of the Internet. Learn more about EarthLink by calling (800) EARTHLINK or visiting EarthLink's Web site at www.earthlink.net .

About Accton Technology Corporation

Accton Technology Corporation (TAIEX: 2345) is a global premier provider of networking and communications solutions for top tier networking, computer, and telecommunications vendors. Leveraging its advanced software applications and state-of-the-art ASIC, Accton collaborates with its strategic partners to design, develop and manufacture innovative, leading-edge technologies. The company's constantly-evolving core technology, highly-qualified employees and aggressive cost engineering make it possible for Accton to deliver superior products that are as affordable as they are robust. For more information about Accton and its subsidiaries, visit www.accton.com .

EarthLink

CONTACT: Fiona Doherty for EarthLink, +1-212-871-3927, fionad@text100.com,
or Carla Shaw of EarthLink, +1-404-849-1140, shawcm@corp.earthlink.net

 

EarthLink Business Solutions Expands Web Hosting, e-mail for Businesses

 

2007-03-20 07:30 ET - News Release

VANCOUVER, Wash., March 20 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- EarthLink Business Solutions today announced it has upgraded its business Web hosting and e-mail platforms giving customers more control and flexibility in managing their Web presence and business e-mail accounts.

EarthLink Business Solutions also has revamped the online control center that its customers access for all their account management functions. The new EarthLink control center is intuitive and makes navigation to tools and resources easy even for those with limited knowledge of web hosting, ecommerce, and e-mail account management.

"The changes we made will empower busy customers to do more themselves and make changes more quickly," said Bill Warburton, director of product management for EarthLink Business Solutions. "Our new platform also will give us more flexibility for introducing new features and service options that will drive more value for our business customers."

With the upgraded platform, EarthLink Business Solutions Web hosting customers now get 25 MySQL databases that can each store up to 200 megabytes of data as a standard offering. MySQL databases enable popular features to Web sites, such as message boards, e-commerce stores, blogs, guest books, and more.

Users also get access to EarthLink's award winning e-mail features including spamBlocker, e-mail anti-virus, WebMail, and more. Another new feature lets mailbox owners store files on the business's Web site using FTP Dropboxes, for ease of use.

EarthLink offers its Web hosting business customers a myriad of premium value-added tools for designing Web sites, monitoring site visitor traffic, and encrypting sensitive information.

About EarthLink Business Solutions

EarthLink Business Solutions is the business services unit of Atlanta- based EarthLink Inc. . Together with New Edge Networks, EarthLink Business Solutions is a total business communications solutions provider. It is a single source provider for businesses, offering high-speed Internet access, Web hosting, ecommerce, remote access to VPNs, and fully managed private wide area networks. Customers include single-location businesses as well as midsize and large enterprises with complex network requirements throughout the United States. EarthLink Business Solutions has offices in Atlanta, Vancouver, Wash., and Pasadena, Calif. The company's website is www.earthlink.biz. Phone: 1-888-758-2963.

EarthLink

CONTACT: Sal Cinquegrani for EarthLink Business Solutions,
+1-360-906-9723, or cell, +1-847-420-1750, or
scinquegrani@newedgenetworks.com

Web site: http://www.earthlink.biz/

 

Arlington Selects EarthLink to Build Wireless Network

 

2007-04-04 10:00 ET - News Release

ATLANTA, April 4 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Arlington County today announced that it has selected EarthLink to build, own and operate Arlington County, Virginia's Wi-Fi broadband network. The selection is subject to Arlington County Board approval at its April 28 meeting.

The Wi-Fi mesh network will provide the approximately 26 square-mile Arlington County a broadband alternative for residents and visitors to the County. It will also enable County employees to work in the field without having to return to an office and a traditional landline to complete their tasks. EarthLink will also enable Internet access for to-be-determined nonprofit partners of Arlington County, as well as create wireless hotspots at a number of Arlington parks, community centers and libraries.

Arlington County has been a leading locality in the adoption of technology to benefit its citizens and government, having been named one of the Top 10 Digital Counties in the United States by the Center for Digital Government and National Association of Counties (NACo). To date, 'Arlington Wireless' has unwired its Courthouse Plaza; Central Library and other branches.

"Arlington County officials recognized the potential of wireless technology when it began deploying hot spots in-and-around government buildings in late 2004, and this agreement with EarthLink fulfills their Wi-Fi vision by delivering a countywide network for all residents and businesses to use and enjoy," said Donald Berryman, executive vice president of EarthLink and president of the ISP's municipal networks unit. "Our Wi-Fi networks deliver an affordable and portable broadband Internet connection at anytime, or in any place; and for businesses we will offer a wireless T-1 solution that -- when compared to existing landline offerings -- is mobile and more cost effective than today's existing offerings."

"Our network will also provide government employees with portability that will improve their productivity -- enabling them to remain in the field longer and operate out-of-office more efficiently," Berryman added.

"We're excited to partner with EarthLink to bring a totally wireless capability to everyone who lives, works, and visits Arlington," commented Jack Belcher, Arlington County's Chief Information Officer. "This service will create an amenity that will continue to distinguish Arlington as a truly world class community."

Arlington County is hosting a public meeting on the wireless plan on April 10 at 7:30 p.m. in room 311 of Courthouse Plaza, 2100 Clarendon Boulevard.

As part of its commitment to open access, EarthLink will enable multiple, competing providers, such as PeoplePC ( http://www.peoplepc.com ) and Vonage ( http://www.vonage.com ), to offer their services to consumers and businesses over its network.

Wi-Fi is a term developed by the Wi-Fi Alliance to describe wireless local area network (WLAN) products that are based on IEEE 802.11 standards. The Wi- Fi Alliance ( http://www.wifialliance.org ) develops universal specifications, testing and certification processes to assure compatibility and interoperability among the diverse and growing number of devices in the marketplace.