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Update: Statement from Today's Press Event
Just a few weeks ago, at the end of March, the New York Times, in an editorial that cited Wireless Philadelphia, asserted that, “Broadband service is no longer a luxury. It has become a basic part of the infrastructure of education and democracy.” In Philadelphia, the reality that gave birth to the nation's first and most ambitious wireless project in a major city still holds true: more than half of our households lack internet connection, which is critical for employment, education health and other life opportunities. Philadelphia has one of the lowest internet penetration rates in the country, a condition which limits the social and economic vitality of thousands of disconnected families and dozens of communities, and as such the entire City.
WP is a Philadelphia movement working to connect the disconnected. Fundamentally, the Wireless Philadelphia Initiative has always been more about people than technology.
Roughly one year ago, across the street at William Penn High School, we announced the completion of the Proof of Concept and the beginning of the city-wide network build-out. While many challenges have arisen, this Initiative has scored two major accomplishments: Philadelphia boasts the largest municipal hotspot in the US and the establishment of nationally recognized program designed to close the digital divide. Today we assert that WP is alive and kicking—contrary to reports, this initiative is far from dead. All options have not been exhausted regarding the network and our innovative digital inclusion mission must continue.
Over the past year, WP has created partnerships with 40 community organizations, received financial support from 40 funding entities, and signed up over 1200 low-income families, most of whom have received a complete bundle which includes a computer, internet access, a modem, training and technical support.
We applaud and thank the Nutter administration for its aggressive efforts to seek solutions and encourage all parties to continue working together to assure a positive future for this groundbreaking Philadelphia first.
Statement from Greg Goldman, CEO
Press Event for Wireless Philadelphia
Wednesday, May 14, 2008, 2:00PM
Broad and Master Streets, Philadelphia
To view pictures from the event, click here.
posted by Greg Goldman @ 05.14.08 | 4 Comments
What alternatives are there? All of us who are using this network are going to need an alternative, and I'm not seeing any attempts by the city or anyone else to help us out. I know Earthlink is offering dial up, but is there anything else?
Posted by Dani in PA | May 17, 2008
Why would anyone call a certified dead thing like Earthlink Municipal wifi 'alive and kicking'? Earthlink wants all their antennas back and why not-they'll be shut off in June.Now how is anyone going to get wireless without the equipment? Either Greg Goldman has some ingenius plan up his sleeve--a plan he doesn't want to exclaim publicly-- or he is living in fantasy land. If the former than he better say something relatively quickly before everyone bails on muni-wifi . If the latter, then too bad for all involved. Because I had to hear that Earthlink was pulling out of the wifi market from the radio and certain websites and NOT from Earthlink or its associates, because of their lack of communicating their abandenment of their wifi customers, I think neither they or their associates have any concern for their customers. I don't think wireless Philadelphia has an ingenius plan for city wide coverage. All they might have are a few hot spots that will cool off relatively soon. So much for muni wifi.
i
Philadelphia is not going to raise the millions needed to keep its wifi alive all over town.Just a few hotspots...maybe.
Posted by W&S | May 15, 2008
As an Digital Inclusion subscriber, I am very sorry that this initiative has appeared to end. That is not the fault of Wireless Philadelphia. It is the fault of Earthlink. They mismanaged the Wi-Fi plan from the get-go, with constant delays. As Wi-Fi started to launch throughout the city, the network became increasingly
s l o w e r. Then, in the beginning of 2008, they announce their intentions to withdraw from the Wi-Fi business. What a shame. Earthlink had the opportunity to revolutionize broadband internet, however, they have failed miserably.
I guess I will have to settle with a free year of dial-up service from Earthlink.
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