Earthlink launches its first city-wide network in Anaheim, Calif.: While EarthLink has won or is a finalist for several large, city-wide networks, this launch today of Anaheim's Wi-Fi system is the first complete buildout for the Internet service provider. They've got a map posted of their near-term plans, too.
The company also announced its retail pricing today at their new EarthLink Wi-Fi site: $21.95 per month for normal EarthLink email and online services, plus a Wi-Fi bridge for existing EarthLink subscribers and those that sign up for a year of service. (This bridge policy is clarified in a News.com article.) Charter members pay $17.95 per month for the first three months and receive the free bridge.
There's a new brand, too: Feather. The logo appears on their Wi-Fi site, and identifies the mobile portion of their network. This mobile/occasional use pricing is $3.95 for an hour and $15.95 for a three-day pass.
Wholesale prices weren't announced, but they were expected to be in the $12 per month range. PeoplePC and DirecTV will be resellers, while AOL may extend some of its content to the local network. Reports later in the day indicated that AOL will be a full network reseller.
The press release notes a fact I have been trying to hammer home over the last six months, at least: EarthLink will be selling wireless T-1 and higher replacement services. This is a huge point because it opens up a business market to them, while also putting them in competition with the Towerstreams of the world.
Public radio's Marketplace covered the story this morning, with yours truly quoted, noting that Anaheim now becomes a showplace for EarthLink to demonstrate to other cities precisely what they can offer.