Philadelphia to test city-wide WiFi | 05.25.2007 | 09:07:16 | Views: 5687 | ID: May 25 '07: In Philadelphia, city officials said they are hoping a public/private partnership to introduce a city-wide wireless internet network is one step closer to realization with the approval of a 15-square mile testing zone, Information Week reported. If the testing zone is successful, city officials will begin working to construct the larger 135-square mile WiFi network. Working on the project is Wireless Philadelphia, a non-profit, and EarthLink along with the city of Philadelphia. Wireless Philadelphia CEO Greg Goldman told InfoWeek he hoped the project would help to increase the net's penetration in the city as well as open web opportunity's to low-income families. "The Wireless Philadelphia initiative has something to offer for all Philadelphians," Goldman said. "With free Internet access in parks and public space throughout the city and affordable access everywhere." To help spur the initial phase of the project, EarthLink has donated 25,000 accounts "to the Digital inclusion program at less then one-half the normal retail rate," InfoWeek reported. To test the new WiFi zone, about 5000 people are expected to sign up by July 12 with a total of about 12,000 people by the end of the year. "Free access will be offered to city residents and visitors in several designated access areas throughout the city," otherwise there will be a $6.95 per-month access fee for retail customers who also will have the option of upgrading their upload and download speeds up to 1 Mbps for $19.95 a month.
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