Last week, EarthLink scored another big citywide wireless network win with the city of Pasadena, California approving its bid to develop and deploy the network. As we've stated here in this blog and in our podcasts a number of times before, EarthLink continues to lead the pack when it comes to municipal wireless. The competition is getting tougher--companies such as MobilePro Corp. and MetroFi are pulling up seats at the citywide wireless table. However, EarthLink continues to sit at the head of this table and it'll take a big effort from their competitors to unseat them.
I conducted an e-mail interview this week with Cole Reinwand, Vice President of product strategy and marketing for EarthLink Municipal Networks, about the company's latest muni WiFi win and what their plans are for other potential projects in Southern California. There was nothing Earth-shattering that was revealed, though Reinwand did indicate that he does not anticipate any problems in securing the necessary permissions to mount equipment on lightpoles throughout the city, which has been a bone of contention in other Southern California municipalities.
Wireless Report: What is the timeframe for launch of the Pasadena network?
Cole Reinwand: We will enter contractual negotiations with the city, which we hope to complete over the next 90 days or so. Once the contract has been approved by the City, we will commence a short proof of concept/technical validation phase, and then move into citywide deployment. The complete network should be functional by Spring 2007.
WR: What is the user fee structure?
CR: EarthLink will use its standard fee structures for its retail and wholesale partner products. EarthLink's retail products typically retail for around $21.95 per month. Wholesale partners are free to set their retail prices at their own discretion, and wholesale prices are provided to all partners on a non-discriminatory and competitively neutral basis.
WR: In your view, why did Pasadena choose you to build their network?
CR: John Pratt, City of Pasadena Chief Information Technology Officer, stated:
"EarthLink's proposal offered the best fit to meet wireless needs in Pasadena. This was based on many factors, including: strength of the proposed business plan and company financials; level of initial and ongoing investment in the wireless network; technical approach; accessibility and affordability of the service; service to City departments; and experience providing telecommunications services."
WR: Since you now have Anaheim and Pasadena in your growing portfolio of citywide wireless projects in Southern California, is Los Angeles and all of its outlying communities on your horizon?
CR: EarthLink continues to evaluate opportunities to leverage the investments it has made in its platform and operational support systems. There are definitely scale advantages to be gained by extending the network into adjacent areas. EarthLink also believes that the wider the network grows, the more users will be able to take advantage of the network features as they roam and as they interact with one another using the connectivity.
WR: Have you been able to work out the details of the placement of equipment on lightpoles, etc. to beam WiFi signals throughout the city?
CR: The attachment agreement will be part of the negotiation with the City. We don't anticipate that mounting EarthLink's radio infrastructure to the City of Pasadena assets will be any different than under our arrangements in other cities.
